Fun-filled, foolish luncheon for EOTC

Maureen Pesavento and a committee including Dottie Bosley, Dr. Ruth Connolly, Mary Ann Hazzouri, Joan Hrycow and Elaine Utan are planning a "fun-filled, foolish luncheon" to support EOTC.

The 11 a.m., April Fool's Day event at the Century Club will include an 11 a.m. duplicate bridge game directed by George Mansour. Maureen said you can come without a partner and a partner will be provided.

Participants also will be able to spend some leisure time boutique shopping for items including jewelry, handbags and cosmetics. An EMT will be on hand for blood-pressure screenings. Lunch is at noon.

Walter Mitchell, the master of jokes, invites all to enter the annual joke contest and crazy quiz after lunch. And then, the playing of cards, bridge, pinochle, poker and mahjong will get under way at 1 p.m. Participants can join in, play the games they bring, or just socialize.

Welcome breakfast

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted a welcome breakfast for members who joined in the past year.

The event, whose attendees included Thomas Kelly of Moses Taylor Foundation; Joseph Grilli of Misercordia University; Jennifer Kresock of NEPA Career and College Counseling Associates; Paula Mackarey of Happenings Magazine; Larry Pelligrini of Misercordia University; and Mike Smith, Capital Insurance Works offered an opportunity for networking.

Mari R. Potis and other chamber staff members also provided information on about chamber programs, services and events.

Star in stripes

Navy Seaman Stephen C. Martinez, brother of Carlos F. Martinez of Scranton, has completed Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

High notes

Scranton attorney Judy Price will be the toastmistress for the 15th annual Society of Irish Women's Dinner featuring state Attorney General and Scranton native Kathleen Granahan Kane, Saturday, at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple.

Tickets are $70, and reservations can be made by calling Carol Thomas at 961-2819.

Single-car crash kills Ransom man

NEWTON TWP. - A Ransom Twp. man died in a wreck on Newton-Ransom Boulevard late Friday.

Steven J. Chapple, 51, was declared dead at the scene, according to Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland. The cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries, he said.

Newton Twp. Police Chief Bob Reese said Mr. Chapple's vehicle was headed west on Newton-Ransom Boulevard about 11:02 p.m. when, just before Spring Drive, it went off the north side of the road, struck the guardrail, drifted back onto the road and off the south side of the road, flipping several times and ejecting Mr. Chapple.

BAKA, JOHN P., Mayfield, Saturday, John F. Glinsky Funeral Home, Throop. Mass, St. Anthony's Church, Throop, by Monsignor Michael Delaney, administrator, and Monsignor Dale R. Rupert. Pallbearers: Phillip Shilesky, Donald Miller, Bill Ackley, Stanley Stracham and Jeff Baka, nephews; and Jim Liesiefsky, brother-in-law. Interment, St. Anthony's Cemetery, Dickson City.

BRIGHT, RUTH, Clarks Summit, services with military honors, Monday, 11 a.m., Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit, by the Rev. Linda Eckersley, pastor, Embury United Methodist Church, Scranton. Interment, spring, Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly Twp. Contributions: Embury United Methodist Church, 942 S. Main Ave., Scranton, PA 18504; or Southern Care Hospice, 851 Commerce Blvd., Dickson City, PA 18519.

BUDNO, ANN THERESE "NANCY" RUANE, Dunmore, Monday, Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, 318 East Drinker St., Dunmore. Mass, 11 a.m., St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Chestnut Street, Dunmore. Interment, Mount Carmel Cemetery, Dunmore. Calling hours, today, 4 to 6 p.m. Contributions: Cedar Crest College Alumnae Association Scholarship Fund, 100 College Drive, Allentown, PA 18104.

BURKE, DONALD PAUL, Lady Lake, Fla., Mass, Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1605 Oram St., Scranton. Go directly to the church. Calling hours, Monday, 4-8 p.m., Vanston and James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Contributions: Ronald McDonald House of Scranton, 332 Wheeler Ave., Scranton, PA 18510; or rmhscranton.org.

CHROMEY, MARY ANN, Duryea, Friday, Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., Duryea. Mass, Holy Rosary Church, Duryea, by Monsignor Vincent Grimalia and the Rev. Andrew Sinnott. Interment, parish cemetery, Duryea. Shiva, today, 7 to 9 p.m., home of her daughter, Rosemary Chromey, 92 Riverside Drive, Wilkes-Barre. Contributions: Erwin Home Health and Hospice Inc., 270 Pierce St., Kingston; or donor's favorite charity.

DAVIS, JANE D., formerly of Scranton, Monday, 11 a.m., Davies and Jones Funeral Chapel, 135 S. Main Ave., by the Rev. Earl O. Cassel, pastor United Baptist Church, Scranton. Interment Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Calling hours, Monday, 9:30 to service.

EVANS, CHARLES E., Olyphant, Monday, 11 a.m., Union Cemetery, Peckville, by the Rev. Virginia Miner. Go directly to cemetery. Calling hours, today, 4 to 7 p.m., Robert E. Decker Funeral Home, 702 River St., Peckville. Contributions: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

EVANS, RICHARD J., Hawley, Saturday, Shifler-Parise Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Clifford, by the Rev. Donald Schaible, pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church, Carbondale. Pallbearers: Adley Prager, William Bundenthal Sr., William Bundenthal Jr. and William House. Interment, Fern Knoll Burial Park, Dallas.

HOYT, ALAN J., today, 6:30 p.m., Battenberg Funeral Home, 363 Washington Ave., Jermyn, by the Rev. Douglas Posegate of First United Methodist Church. Calling hours, 5 to 7.

JONES, JEANNE C., Scranton, Saturday, Carl J. Savino Funeral Home, West Scranton, by the Rev. Arthur Davis. Pallbearers: Tom E. Jones Jr., Paul Cook, Paul Schwenk, Brett Biefieldt, Bob Jones and Bobby Jones. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery.

KELLERMAN, HARRY E., Scranton, Saturday, Leon S. Gorgol Funeral Home, by Pastor Paul Bell. Pallbearers: Danielle, Diane and Don Richmond, Gary and Joshua Gilpin, and Kyle Snider. Interment, Abington Hills Cemetery.

LAMM-ASHTON, MEREDITH, Moscow, Monday, 10 a.m., Moscow United Methodist Church, 126 Church St., Moscow, by the Rev. Jeff Levy and the Rev. Ginger Daubenhauser. Go directly to church. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Viewing, today, 2 to 6 p.m., Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 3 First St., Spring Brook Twp. Contributions: local animal rescue or shelter or Meredith Lamm-Ashton Music Scholarship Fund c/o Penn Security Bank, 141 N. Main St., Moscow, PA 18444.

LAVELLE, JOHN "JACK" J. SR., Avoca, Monday, 9 a.m., Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home Inc., Avoca. Mass, 10, Queen of the Apostles Church, Avoca. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery, Avoca.

McDADE, PAUL JAMES JR., D.D.S., Clarks Summit, Tuesday, Albert P. O'Donnell Funeral Home, 2025 Green Ridge St., Dunmore. Mass, 10 a.m., Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green. Go directly to church. Calling hours, Monday, 4 to 7 p.m. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Contributions: Alzheimer's Association or to Aserca Care Hospice.

McMANAMON, JOSEPH R., Salem View Manor, Carbondale, Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 N. Church St., Carbondale. Interment with military services, East Canaan Cemetery, South Canaan. Go directly to church. Calling hours, Monday, 3 to 5 p.m., Oliver Shifler & Scotchlas Funeral Home Inc., 62 N. Main St., Carbondale.

MYERS, JOEL ROTH, New York City and Pompano Beach, Fla., today, 10:30 a.m., Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, by Rabbi Joseph Mendelsohn. Interment, Dalton Jewish Cemetery. Shiva, today, 3 to 8 p.m., Hilton Hotel, 138 Adams Ave., Scranton, and then Liberty Terrace, 99 Battery Place, New York City. Calling hours, today, 9:30 until service. Contributions: Joshua Morgan Myers Memorial Fund c/o Margaret Fala, Jefferson Foundation, 925 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107.

REILLY, ANGELINE GAROFALO, South Scranton, Monday, Mass, 10 a.m., St. Francis of Assisi Church, 630 Genet St., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours, Monday, 9 to 10, church. Arrangements: Miller Bean Funeral Home Inc.

SCAVO, ARTHUR L., Duryea, viewing, today, 1 to 3 p.m., Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main St., Duryea. Services, 2:45. Contributions: American Cancer Society.

SCHREIBER, ROSE M., Scranton, Mass, Monday, 9:30 a.m., Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Go directly to church. Calling hours, today, 4 to 6 p.m., Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Contributions: Allied Services Foundation, 100 Abington Executive Park, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 (allied-servic es.org/giving/donate-online) or charity of donor's choice.

WALLACE, JOHN J. "DILLY," Scranton, Saturday, Carl J. Savino Funeral Home, West Scranton. Mass, Nativity of Our Lord Church, Scranton, by the Rev. Michael Bryant, pastor. Pallbearers: Eric, James Jr., Sean and Marc Wallace, Richard Czyzyk, Jeff Pope, David and Don Kochis, all grandsons. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow.

WARIN, STEPHEN, Sparta, N.J., Tuesday, 11 a.m., Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St., Sparta. Interment, Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Fair Lawn, N.J. Calling hours, Monday, 5 to 9 p.m., funeral home. Prayer service, 7:30..

WEILAND, AILEEN E., Greentown, today, 3 p.m., Hemlock Grove United Methodist Church, Greentown, by the Rev. Earl Roberts. Remembrances: Wayne County Memorial Hospital Hospice, 601 Park St., Honesdale, PA 18431; or the Hemlock Grove United Methodist Church, 491 Roemerville Road, Greentown, PA 18426. Arrangements: Arthur J. Frey Funeral Home, South Sterling.

A North Pocono lawyer will become the next president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County.

Patrick J. Cummings will be installed as presiding officer during the organization's 108th annual gathering Saturday at Genetti Manor in Dickson City, said John L. Walker, Friendly Sons president.

Also during Saturday's festivities, Scranton plumber William J. "Buddy" Cosgrove will receive the organization's president's award.

Mr. Cummings, a Dunmore native, is a son of the Society's 87th president, Thomas P. Cummings, and the late Marie E. Cummings. He is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and the University of Scranton and earned his law degree at Dickinson School of Law.

He served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Richard P. Conaboy and joined the law firm of his brother, Thomas P. Cummings Jr. He worked in the chief counsel division of the governor's office from 1993 to 2005. He has been a workers' compensation judge since 2005.

Mr. Cummings resides in Roaring Brook Twp. with his wife, Margi, and sons, Joseph and Christopher Keiser.

Mr. Cosgrove established North End Plumbing in 1973. Although he turned over the business to his sons years ago, he still puts in time every day at the company.

Orphaned at a young age, Mr. Cosgrove served in the Army from 1950 to 1953 and worked for plumbing contractors for a decade before opening North End Plumbing.

He also operated a hardware store for years.

He was recognized in 2012 for voting in 50 consecutive elections. He is a member of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and has attended every parade since 1961.

He and his wife, the former Joan Healey, have been married since 1955. They are the parents of nine children and they have 16 grandchildren.

A proposed downtown transportation hub has a new date for groundbreaking after an issue with federal funding last year kept the project from pulling out of the station.

County of Lackawanna Transit System Executive Director Robert Fiume said COLTS hopes to break ground on the long-awaited intermodal center in spring 2014.

"We are continuing to move forward," he said.

The problem came in July when news broke that $2.9 million in federal funding committed to the project from 1998 to 2000 had been redistributed because it was never spent. The cost of building the intermodal center is estimated at $12.6 million.

In October, the U.S. Department of Transportation pledged that the funding would be restored.

"Hopefully, we will not have any snags," Mr. Fiume said.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said he is continuing to push the Department of Transportation to ensure that the money will be replaced.

"An intermodal transportation center in downtown Scranton will create jobs, bolster the region's infrastructure and ensure residents have access to a reliable, efficient bus system," Mr. Casey said in a statement, adding that he "will continue holding the federal government accountable until this gets done."

The unspent funding is not the only problem the project has encountered.

The COLTS board originally awarded the contract for the center's design in 2005 to Highland Associates, a Clarks Summit architectural and engineering company, without seeking proposals from other firms. In 2008, the Federal Transit Administration ruled the noncompetitive contract violated federal law and ordered COLTS to repay more than $907,000.

The Highland contract later became part of the criminal case against former county Commissioners Robert C. Cordaro and A.J. Munchak, who were convicted on federal public corruption charges in June 2011.

Proposed in the 1990s, the intermodal center will be a hub for COLTS and commercial buses and taxis. It will also serve train riders should passenger rail service be restored to the region. The location for the center is slated to be the 100 block of Lackawanna Avenue, where the parking lot for the State Office Building is now.

COLTS spokeswoman Gretchen Wintermantel said the climate-controlled building will feature 10 bus berths for COLTS buses and five berths for intercity buses, with seating for about 70 people.

"The building will also feature a 'green' roof, which will save on heating and cooling costs and is better for the environment," she said in an email.

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter

The American Advertising Federation, Northeast Pa., held its annual Addy Awards at the Hilton Scranton on Friday.

Listed by entry, advertiser and category, winners were:

Best of Show Addy: 2013 Ideaworks Calendar, Ideaworks Food Marketing, best of show Addy, Advertising Industry Self-Promotion - Direct Marketing/Specialty Item.

Gold Addy Award: Desaki Restaurant Shrimp Flip Dual Billboards, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Out of Home - Outdoor Board; Dunkelberger's Sports Outfitters - 3D Archery, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Out of Home - Outdoor Board; Pittie Chicks Logo, Freelance, Elements of Advertising - Visual; ZAR Woodstain Microsite, Halibut Blue, Digital Advertising - Micro Sites; K12 Infographic Brochure, Ideaworks Food Marketing, Collateral - Brochure; Holiday Posters, Ideaworks Food Marketing, Collateral - Poster Campaign; Alexander's Spa, JVW Inc., Digital Advertising - Websites, Consumer; McGregor Stair Systems - Direct Mail Piece, Lavelle Strategy Group, Direct Marketing - 3D; Children's Advocacy Center Website, Lavelle Strategy Group, Digital Advertising - Websites, Consumer.

Silver Addy Award: Kittatinny Canoes Dual Racing Zipline - Spectacular, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Out of Home - Outdoor Board; Adams Jewelry Gift Wrapped Campaign - Tease/Reveal, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Out of Home - Campaign; Adams Outdoor Advertising - The Original Social Media, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Out of Home - Self Promotion - Campaign; Jiffy Lube Time Bandit, Condron & Company, Radio - Local - 60 seconds or more; MAC V SOG: Team History of a Clandestine Army, Gingo!, Collateral - Book Design; Alterra Wealth Management Stationery Set, Halibut Blue, Collateral - Stationery Package; Redexim North America Advertising Campaign, Halibut Blue, Consumer or Trade Publication - Campaign; Glint of Gold Pearl Sale, Lavelle Strategy Group, Consumer or Trade Publication; AnnMaria Baldine Designs Website, Lavelle Strategy Group, Digital Advertising - Websites, Consumer; Miss Julie Play Poster, Marywood University, Marketing & Communications Department, Advertising for the Arts & Sciences - Collateral; "Almost, Maine" Play Poster, Marywood University, Marketing & Communications Department, Advertising for the Arts & Sciences - Collateral; "PROOF" Play Poster, Marywood University, Marketing & Communications Department, Advertising for the Arts & Sciences - Collateral; Old Forge Brewing Company Can Designs, Victor Koons Graphic Design, Sales Promotion - Packaging Campaign; Northeast Property + Holdings Logo, Vinciguerra Creative, Elements of Advertising - Visual; SUNY Cortland Admissions, White Knight Productions, Digital Advertising - Campaign.

Bronze Addy Award: Regional Bioscience Zombie Poster, Condron & Company, Collateral - Poster; Insurance Comparison Campaign, Condron & Company, Newspaper - Campaign; African Sisters Education Collaborative, Dan Simrell Advertising, Sales Promotion - Audio/Visual; Marywood University "Taking Education Higher," Dan Simrell Advertising, Television - Local - :30; Marywood University "Even Higher," Dan Simrell Advertising, Television - Local - :30; Tony Domiano Fiat, Dan Simrell Advertising, Television - Local - :30; Dougherty, Leventhal & Price "Why DLP?," Dan Simrell Advertising, Television - Local - Campaign; Marley's Mission - "We're On A Mission," Dan Simrell Advertising, Public Service - Audio/Visual; Alterra Wealth Management Brochure, Halibut Blue, Collateral - Brochure; Olympia Trade Show Banners, Halibut Blue, Out of Home - Still or Static; DRYLOK 'Toughest on the Block' Extreme Masonry Waterproofer Ad, Halibut Blue, Consumer or Trade Publication; Redexim North America "Angry Birds" Seeders Ad, Halibut Blue, Consumer or Trade Publication; Practical Law & Life Early Planning Ad, Halibut Blue, Consumer or Trade Publication; 4 iCE ID Website, Halibut Blue, Digital Advertising - Websites, Consumer; Fidelity Bank 'I Choose' TV Ad Campaign, Halibut Blue, Television - Local - Campaign; Halibut Blue 'Have a Blast' Holiday Card, Halibut Blue, Advertising Industry Self-Promotion - Special Event Material; Larcia Logo, Halibut Blue, Elements of Advertising - Visual; DRYLOK Basement Waterproofer 'Next Level' Campaign Logo, Halibut Blue, Elements of Advertising - Visual; Brand Graphic Solutions Campaign, Ideaworks Food Marketing, Sales Promotion Campaign; Rob Lettieri Web Video, JVW Inc., Digital Advertising - Video; Alex, JVW Inc., Television - Regional/National - Single Spot; JVW Brochure, JVW Inc., Advertising Industry Self-Promotion - Collateral; The Puritan, JVW Inc., Advertising Industry Self-Promotion - Broadcast; TCMC The Commonwealth Medical College, Keen Bean Design, Digital Advertising - Websites, Consumer; Bee Mindful, LA Guzda Creative Arts & Services, Public Service - Integrated Campaign; Northeast Radiation Oncology Center Referral Kit, Lavelle Strategy Group, Sales Promotion - Sales Kit; AnnMaria Baldine Vertical Display, Lavelle Strategy Group, Sales Promotion - Point-of-Purchase; Huffsmith Annual Pig Roast Invitation, Lavelle Strategy Group, Collateral - Special Event Material; Cornell Storefront Systems Grille Sales Kit, Lavelle Strategy Group, Direct Marketing - Specialty Advertising; Hospice of the Sacred Heart Digital Outdoor, Lavelle Strategy Group, Out of Home - Outdoor Board; Glint of Gold Holiday Transit Campaign, Lavelle Strategy Group, Out of Home - Mass Transit; Realty Network Group Scranton Signage, Lavelle Strategy Group, Out of Home Still or Static; Glint of Gold Print Campaign, Lavelle Strategy Group, Consumer or Trade Publication - Campaign; Realty Network Group Announcement Insert, Lavelle Strategy Group, Newspaper - Specialty Advertising; Northeast Radiation Oncology Center Insert, Lavelle Strategy Group, Newspaper - Specialty Advertising; Hospice of the Sacred Heart Print Campaign, Lavelle Strategy Group, Newspaper - Campaign; EFH Transportation Landing Page, Lavelle Strategy Group, Digital Advertising - Micro Sites; Realty Network Group Connected TV, Lavelle Strategy Group, Television - Local - :15 or less; Northeast Radiation Oncology Center Just Ask TV, Lavelle Strategy Group, Television - Local - Campaign; Northeast Radiation Oncology Center Just Ask Campaign, Lavelle Strategy Group, Integrated Campaigns - Consumer - Local; Realty Network Group Announcement Campaign, Lavelle Strategy Group, Integrated Campaigns - Consumer - Local; Lavelle Strategy Group Q1 & Q2 Self Promotion, Lavelle Strategy Group, Advertising Industry Self-Promotion - Direct Marketing/Specialty Item; Realty Network Group Logo, Lavelle Strategy Group, Elements of Advertising - Visual; AnnMaria Baldine Designs Logo, Lavelle Strategy Group, Elements of Advertising - Visual; Carrato Surgical web commercials, Precision Design, Digital Advertising - Websites, Consumer; Carrato Surgical TV commercials, Precision Design, Television - Local - Campaign; Carrato Surgical campaign, Precision Design, Integrated Campaigns - Consumer - Local; Columbia and Montour Counties 2012 Visitors Guide, Victor Koons Graphic Design, Collateral - Magazine Design; First Columbia Bank Integrated Branding, Victor Koons Graphic Design, Integrated Campaigns - Consumer - Local; A Bright Future Exterior Site Signage, Vinciguerra Creative, Out of Home Still or Static; Bitty Bill's Bitty Bucks, Vinciguerra Creative, Non-Traditional.

"Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."

- Abraham Lincoln

Watching him slink into federal court on Tuesday, it was hard to imagine anyone being afraid of Fred Rosetti.

He's not a big man. He is short, slight and balding. The 64-year-old looks like a cranky librarian in search of someone to hush. Even the pinstripes on his black suit seemed faint as he took his seat before U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani.

Not all bullies are physically imposing, but every one of them is a fraud.

Fred Rosetti, Ed.D., was a quintessential bully. For 12 years, he ruled the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit like a divine-right despot, ripping off taxpayers and threatening the livelihoods of anyone who questioned the red-carpet life he lived at the expense of the students he was lavishly paid to serve.

Fred Rosetti's charmed life of parties, travel and other perks ended in Courtroom 4 of the federal courthouse in Scranton. The carpet there is red, too. Judge Mariani sentenced him to 33 months in prison and ordered him to pay $137,000 in restitution and $30,000 in fines. The wood paneling behind the judge was crowned with a mural of laborers bringing in the harvest. We reap what we sow.

The bulk of the hearing was eaten up by obstruction of justice charges that contributed to Judge Mariani's decision to reject a plea agreement that would have jailed Dr. Rosetti for 12 to 18 months. Rather than risk a trial that could send him to prison for 10 years if (when) he was found guilty, Dr. Rosetti opted to let Judge Mariani decide his fate.

This is the same judge who put Dr. Rosetti under house arrest after he violated a court order by contacting witnesses.

In one instance that could have been a scene in a B-grade mob film, he asked a witness to meet him in the parking lot of Rossi's market in Old Forge. After climbing into the car, he asked, "Are you wearing a wire?" The witness responded, "Are you insane?"

Nope. Just guilty. When his web of lies began to unravel, Fred Rosetti did what all frauds do: He desperately tried to tie up the loose ends.

William DeStefano - one of two Philadelphia lawyers hired to defend Fred Rosetti from objective reality - argued that his client may have been imprudent when he tried to manipulate the memories and testimony of witnesses, but he wasn't really trying to manipulate the memories and testimony of witnesses. Honest.

Clearly growing weary of Mr. DeStefano's clumsy two-step, Judge Mariani asked, "What credible argument can you advance to convince me that Mr. Rosetti did not initiate these contacts for an unlawful purpose?"

He may as well have asked the solicitor to pull a singing bullfrog from his briefcase and take requests for show tunes. There is no credible argument that Dr. Rosetti didn't attempt to obstruct justice, just as there is no innocent reason to ask a guy to meet you in the parking lot of a supermarket and break the ice by asking if he's wearing a wire.

Such things simply don't come up in normal conversation.

The NEIU is paying its own price for Dr. Rosetti's crimes. He didn't commit them in a vacuum. People there knew he was ripping off taxpayers and children, but they feared his wrath more than they felt a duty to stand up. He threatened the livelihoods of anyone who dared question him, and he had a powerful cousin - former Senate Democratic Leader Bob Mellow, who is now serving a 16-month sentence for public corruption - he could wield as a hammer over the heads of his enemies.

It wasn't until he was walking out the door that anyone dared challenge Fred Rosetti. Louise Brzuchalski, an NEIU board member, questioned his obscenely lavish retirement payout of $623,000, mostly for unused sick and vacation days. It was a key moment in the eventual fall of Dr. Rosetti, but by then, epic damage had already been done.

In a statement to the judge, Clarence LaManna, Ed.D., the current exective director of the NEIU, quoted Lincoln in noting the stain left by Fred Rosetti, which he said his staff is dedicated to wiping away.

"The defendant, Fred Rosetti, is our shadow of the past," he said.

Maybe, but that shadow could have been shortened if someone on the inside had opened a window and let in the sunlight, rather than wait for outsiders to pry off the shutters.

CHRIS KELLY, the Times-Tribune columnist, never met a bully who could beat the truth. Contact the writer: kellysworld@timesshamrock.com, @cjkink on Twitter

Prep holds prayer service for popular ex-principal

Patrick Marx, a beloved and devoted former teacher and later principal of Scranton Preparatory School, died Sunday after a three-year battle with cancer.

"This is a tremendous loss for the Scranton Prep community," said the Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., the school's president.

Mr. Marx, 55, who lived in South Scranton with his family, joined the school faculty in 1979 as a Latin teacher, Father Keller said. In 2001, he was appointed school principal. He stepped down in June and became the school's first director of mission and identity.

The school presented him its Ignatian Award, its highest honor, for his years of dedication and achievement, said Father Keller, who called Mr. Marx "a fine scholar committed to Jesuit education."

"He was selfless and served as an example of such personal courage," Father Keller said. "We're all so grateful for all he's given us, his leadership, friendship and faith."

Mr. Marx's obituary appears on Page B8.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@ timesshamrock.com

Riverside honors 2 officers

TAYLOR - Two area police officers were honored at a Riverside School Board meeting Monday.

Moosic Officer James Decker, who is also the team commander of Lackawanna County SWAT, and Taylor Officer Stephen Derenick both received plaques for their role in assessing security in the district.

"We've moved very quickly in securing our schools," board President Robert Bennie said.

He said both officers volunteered their time to do a complete assessment of the school, from the rooftops to the bushes. The district employs three full-time officers, one in each building.

Also at the meeting, the results of an audit from July 2011 to June 2012 were presented by Michael Dougherty, a certified public accountant with Murphy Dougherty and Co.

Though he reported that the district had been managing its budget well, he noted concerns looking ahead with increasing retirement contributions.

Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

Sanofi-Pasteur plans to build a 19,000-square-foot addition to its distribution facility in Taylor.

Company representatives submitted plans to Taylor planning officials last month.

Sanofi-Pasteur spokeswoman Ellyn Schindler declined comment on the project or timeframe, saying discussion on their plans were premature.

The company hopes to break ground in the spring, Taylor borough officials said. The Taylor Planning Commission offered tentative approval of the company's plans Feb. 4.

The existing distribution center, opened in 2003, is 77,000 square feet and can fulfill one million orders annually. The Stauffer Industrial Park facility ships both vaccines and other medical supplies and equipment.

Ms. Schindler said the potential expansion would increase the facility's capacity and allow it to take on other distribution assignments in the Sanofi organization.

The planned expansion of the facility indicates it is successful and efficient, said Austin Burke, president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

"This is not a pick-and-pack operation," Mr. Burke said. "This is a serious operation that requires skill, controls and information technology."

He said the growing presence of Sanofi-Pasteur provides leverage to the Regional Bioscience Initiative to grow the life sciences sector in the local economy.

Sanofi-Pasteur is the world's largest vaccine maker. The Taylor facility supports both its vaccine manufacturing operation in Swiftwater and VaxServe in Scranton.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

BEADLE, THOMAS E. "TIM," Dunmore, today, Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Dunmore. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery. Contributions: American Heart Association, 613 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. Condolences: Dunmore FuneralHome.com.

BECKAGE, JULIA, Olyphant, today, 9:30 a.m., Michael Wargo Jr. Funeral Home, 812 E. Scott St., Olyphant. Divine Liturgy, 10, SS. Cyril & Methodius Church, River Street, Olyphant. Interment, parish cemetery, Peckville.

BELLINGTON, EDWARD J., Scranton, formerly of Rockaway Park, N.Y., today, Carl J. Savino Funeral Home, 157 S. Main Ave., Scranton. Mass, 10 a.m., St. Michael the Archangel Church, 1703 Jackson St., Scranton, by the Rev. Jose Zepeda, pastor. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery.

BRADLEY, PAUL J., Carbondale, today, Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home, 2 Hospital St., Carbondale. Mass, 9:30 a.m., Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Carbondale. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill.

BRENNAN, ROBERT E. JR., Broomall, Monday, Frank C. Videon Funeral Home, Broomall. Mass, St. John Neumann Church, Bryn Mawr. Additional visitation, today, 10 a.m. to noon, Eugene A. Cusick Funeral Home, 217 Jefferson Ave., Scranton. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, by Monsignor John Jordan. Donations: Lymphoma and Leukemia Society Eastern Pa. Chapter, 555 North Lane, Suite 5010, Conshohocken, PA 19482; the Wissahickon Hospice, 150 Monument Road, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19008; or Chronic Disease Fund Assistance Program, 6900 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 200, Plano, TX 75024.

BROZINA, JOSEPH JOHN III, Midland, Va., private. Contributions: Autism Society, 4340 East-West Highway, Suite 350, Bethesda, MD 20814. Condolences: moserfuner alhome.com

BUDNO, ANN THERESE "NANCY" RUANE, Dunmore, Monday, Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Dunmore. Mass, St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Dunmore, by the Rev. John A. Doris. Pallbearers: Hunter Louis Hope, grandson; Ryan Hope, son-in-law; Michael Jr. and Kevin Friel, nephews; Donato Alu Jr., Dr. Michael Manolas, Dr. Scott Lockledge and Marcus Balk. Interment, Mount Carmel Cemetery, Dunmore.

BURKE, DONALD PAUL, Lady Lake, Fla., Mass, today, 9:30 a.m., Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 1605 Oram St., Scranton. Go directly to church. Arrangements: Vanston and James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Contributions: Ronald McDonald House of Scranton, 332 Wheeler Ave., Scranton, PA 18510; or rmhscranton.org. Condolences: vanstonandjames.com.

CHAPPLE, STEVEN J., Ransom Twp., Thursday, 7 p.m., Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Interment, private. Calling hours, Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m. Condolences: lawrenceeyoungfuner alhome.com.

CHESNAVICH, JESSIE L., formerly of the Providence section of Scanton, today, Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Mass, 9:30 a.m., Holy Rosary Church, 316 William St., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Condolences: solfanellifiorillofuneralhome.com.

CIPRIANO, ANTHONY P. "CUBBY," Taylor, Wednesday, 9:15 a.m., Edward J. Chomko Funeral Home, 254-268 Railroad Ave., Scranton. Mass, 10, St. Lucy's Church, Scranton Street, Scranton. Interment with military honors, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Viewing, today, 3 to 7 p.m. Condolences: www.chomkofuneral home.com.

EDMONDSON, DOROTHY LENORE HARRIS, R.N., West Scranton, Wednesday, 10 a.m., Carl J. Savino Funeral Home, 157 S. Main Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. Linda Eckersley, pastor, Embury United Methodist Church. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Calling hours, today, 4 to 8 p.m. Donations: Embury United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 952 S. Main Ave. Scranton, PA 18504.

EVANS, CHARLES E., Olyphant, Monday, Union Cemetery, Peckville, by the Rev. Virginia Miner. Pallbearers: Joel Sofranko of the Marine Corps League of Scranton and members of the Wyoming Detachment of the Marine Corps. Military honors by the Wyoming Detachment of the Marine Corps and members of Raymond Henry American Legion Post 327, Olyphant.

GAETANO, DOROTHY ZEWAN, Clarks Green, formerly of Dunmore, Wednesday, Mass, 10 a.m., Church of St. Gregory, Clarks Green, by the Rev. John M. Lapera, pastor, and Monsignor John H. Louis, pastor emeritus. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Calling hours, Wednesday, 9 to 9:45, church. Contributions: Music Ministry at Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green, PA 18411. Arrangements: Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit. Condolences: jen ningscalvey.com.

HOPLER, ELIZABETH "BETTIE" ECK, Honesdale, today, 10 a.m., Hessling Funeral Home Inc., Honesdale. Condolences: hessling funeralhome.com.

JANOWSKI, ROBERT, Dickson City, today, 9 a.m., Frank T. Mazur Funeral Home Inc., 601 Dundaff St., Dickson City. Mass, 9:30, St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery, Dickson City. Condolences: mazur funeralhome.com.

KAMINSKI, JENNIFER PATRICIA, Factoryville, today, 10 a.m., Stefanelli Funeral Home Inc., 721 S. Main St., Taylor, by the Rev. Francis Landry, C.P., pastor, St. Ann's Basilica Parish. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Condolences: stefanelli funeralhome.com.

KOERNER, JOAN FAY, Clarks Summit, today, 10 a.m., Countryside Community Church, 14014 Orchard Drive, Newton Twp., by the Rev. Dr. J.P. Duncan. Interment, Newton Cemetery. Arrangements: Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Memorials: Countryside Community Church. Condolences: lawrenceeyoungfuner alhome.com.

MASTERS, WILLIAM, Scranton, today, 6:30 p.m., Bomberger-Lesko Funeral Home Inc., 1660 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Calling hours, 4 to service.

McDADE, PAUL JAMES JR., D.D.S., Clarks Summit, today, Albert P. O'Donnell Funeral Home, 2025 Green Ridge St., Dunmore. Mass, 10 a.m., Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green. Go directly to church. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Contributions: Alzheimer's Association or to Aserca Care Hospice. Condolences: odonnellfuneral.com.

McMANAMON, JOSEPH R., Salem View Manor, Carbondale, today, 9:30 a.m., St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 N. Church St., Carbondale. Interment with military honors, East Canaan Cemetery, South Canaan. Go directly to church. Arrangements: Oliver Shifler & Scotchlas Funeral Home Inc., 62 N. Main St., Carbondale. Condolences: shiflerfu neralhome.com.

MULLALLY, MARY E., Jermyn, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Battenberg Funeral Home, 363 Washington Ave., Jermyn. Mass, 10, Sacred Heart of Mary Church, Jermyn, by Monsignor Dale Rupert. Interment, St. Thomas Aquinas Cemetery, Archbald. Calling hours, today, 5-8 p.m. Contributions: National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the American Heart Association. Survived by grandson, James William Mullally.

ONDRICK, SHIRLEY M., Mobile, Ala., Friday, 10 a.m., Asbury United Methodist Church, Scranton, by the Rev. Arthur Davis. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Visitation, Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., Howard J. Snowdon Funeral Home, 1810 Sanderson Ave., Scranton. Contributions: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Condolences: duffyandsnowdon.com.

PEROVICH, FLORENCE W., Duryea, private. Arrangements: Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., Duryea. Condolences: piontek funeralhome.com.

REILLY, ANGELINE GAROFALO, South Scranton, Monday, Mass, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Scranton, by the Rev. Scott Sterowski. Pallbearers: Neil and Jeffrey Tomasetti; Michael Connors, James Krolikowski and Glenn Huesner. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

SIENKIEWICZ, MARGARET C., Madison Twp., private. Donations: North Pocono Library Building Fund, 113 Van Brunt St., Moscow, PA 18444-9254, or Moscow Volunteer Fire and Hose Company, 117 N. Main St., Moscow, PA 18444. Arrangements: Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, Scranton.

WARIN, STEPHEN, Sparta, N.J., today, 11 a.m., Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St., Sparta. Interment, Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Fair Lawn, N.J. Condolences: woundedwarrior project.org.

WINSLOW, VERONICA "RONNIE," Avoca, Mass, today, 9:30 a.m., Queen of the Apostles Church, Hawthorne Street, Avoca, by the Rev. Phillip Sladika. Go directly to church. Interment, SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Moosic. Arrangements: Kiesinger Funeral Services Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea. Donations: St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18509; or Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, South Abington Twp., PA 18411.

WYSOCHANSKY, CHARLOTTE E., formerly of Scranton, private. Arrangements: Miller Bean Funeral Home Inc., www.millerbeanfh.com.

Bridge work takes wrong

turn, delayed two weeks

Work to replace part of the bridge that connects the city to Moosic Street lasted all of seven hours Monday and will not start again for at least two weeks.

At 9 a.m., state Department of Transportation officials closed the Cedar Avenue entrance ramp to the Central Scranton Expressway so contractors could continue repair work on the Moosic Street Bridge.

At 4 p.m., officials reopened the entrance ramp after realizing signs warning drivers coming from downtown that the road was closed were inadequate.

Officials changed course once they saw drivers coming from downtown attempt to make a left turn onto the ramp - then reverse or U-turn back onto the busy city strreet upon realizing the ramp was closed.

"I stood here for 10 minutes and I probably saw seven cars get stuck there," said PennDOT spokesman James May. "Some would stop in the middle of the intersection. ... Some would try to make the U-turn, some would just back onto the road."

Mr. May said though there were enough signs notifying drivers heading north on Cedar Avenue, there were not enough warning drivers coming from downtown, who attempted to make left turns onto the ramp.

Construction on that phase of the more than $1 million project will be delayed at least two weeks as officials must complete a traffic engineering study and print more signs before new ones can be posted, Mr. May said.

It is unclear how the delay will affect the project's completion date, which is slated for the end of October.

The replacement work became necessary when a truck driver hit the bridge's underside while hauling a rented excavator on Nov. 2. The bridge connecting Moosic and Spruce streets has been closed since as crews from Fahs Construction Group, Binghamton, N.Y., replace the bridge's deck, cables and concrete beams.

"The only reason we are closing this is because we don't want people going under the bridge while they are working on it," Mr. May said. "So they are just not going to work on the bridge until they can get this mess all cleared up."

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

He's a cold-blooded killer.

Jessie Con-ui, already jailed for life for killing a gang rival in Arizona, has been identified as the suspect in the Feb. 25 murder of correctional officer Eric Williams at the U.S. Penitentiary at Canaan in Wayne County.

That killing could carry a death sentence, Chief U.S. District Judge Yvette Kane said Monday, as she assigned a pre-eminent death penalty-certified attorney to represent him throughout the investigation and potential prosecution.

Mr. Con-ui, an enforcer for the violent New Mexican Mafia gang, was jailed at Canaan at the time of Mr. Williams' death on an 11-year sentence for his role in the gang's Arizona drug-trafficking operation.

Mr. Con-ui, 36, was scheduled to complete the federal sentence in September and would have immediately been returned to Arizona to begin serving his life term for the 2002 murder.

After Mr. Williams' death, prison officials swiftly transferred Mr. Con-ui to a high-security prison in Allenwood, Union County, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons and correctional officers with knowledge of the investigation.

He could remain there indefinitely.

Mr. Williams died after an inmate blindsided and attacked him as he made his rounds for nightly lockdown between 9:45 and 10 p.m.

The attacking inmate hurled the 34-year-old Nanticoke native down a set of steps and pounced, beating him and repeatedly stabbing him with a crude, knife-like weapon known as a "shank."

Mr. Williams' parents, Donald and Jean, said Monday they had read online news reports that identified Mr. Con-ui as the attacking inmate and detailed his criminal history.

Both said they would rather not comment at this time.

Prison administrators and officials with the national union representing correctional officers at Canaan did not return telephone messages Monday.

The appointed attorneys - James E. Swetz, of Stroudsburg, and Mark Fleming, of San Diego - did not return messages Monday. Mr. Fleming, the renowned death-penalty expert, has represented a number of high-profile murder suspects, including Jared Loughner, who killed six people in Tuscon, Ariz., during an assassination attempt on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in January 2011.

Court records in Arizona and federal courts showed Mr. Con-ui as a climber in the New Mexican Mafia, using violence and other means to win favor with other gang members while they trafficked marijuana, methamphetamines and cocaine throughout the southwest.

Mr. Con-ui and two other gang members fatally shot Carlos Garcia outside a laundry facility in East Phoenix, Ariz., in August 2002 to "further or assist" the gang's criminal conduct, according to state prosecutors and Maricopa County, Ariz., court records.

Fourteen months later, federal investigators charged Mr. Con-ui and six other gang members in a widespread drug-trafficking scheme. Mr. Con-ui pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to the 11-year term that eventually led him to Canaan.

A presentence report for a co-defendant in the drug trafficking case described Mr. Con-ui as possessing a weapon and said the New Mexican Mafia's role in the operation "was to provide security during the delivery of the drugs."

During the investigation, federal prosecutor Glenn B. McCormick wrote in a court filing, members of the gang were observed sending heroin to incarcerated members, talking about drug deals, taking part in drug deals and talking about people they need to murder - including police officers.

"The investigators were also aware of prior activities of other members who had been hired to commit murders in other states, committed armed robberies, and engaged in drug trafficking," Mr. McCormick wrote. "The members of the New Mexican Mafia have shown a propensity to do anything, including commit murder, to further their interests."

In February 2005, Phoenix police and Maricopa County prosecutors determined taking out a rival outside a laundry facility might have been part of that mission. They charged Mr. Con-ui, Johnny Frederick Farinas and Manuel Medrano with the murder of Carlos Garcia.

Mr. Con-ui pleaded guilty and Judge Warren J. Granville sentenced him in July 2008 to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. The sentence, he said, would run concurrently to Mr. Con-ui's federal term and a five-year sentence for a prison money laundering and drug operation that bloomed in 2007 and 2008.

"History shows that this organization is opportunistic and more than willing to go to great lengths to profit financially and extend their power," M.r McCormick wrote of the New Mexican Mafia in a brief justifying the means of the drug trafficking investigation.

The gang, he wrote, "commit crimes for as much profit as they can and to extend their reign of power through intimidation and acts of violence. Transporting drugs for profit while relying on their willingness to commit crimes of violence to protect those drugs is a tailor-made crime for the New Mexican Mafia."

Contact the writers: msisak@citizensvoice.com, @cvmikesisak bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com, @cvbobkal djanoski@citizensvoice.com, @davejanoski

Crash victim still hospitalized

SCRANTON - A city woman is still in critical condition after a three- vehicle crash in South Side on Saturday that claimed the life of a man riding a motorcycle.

Kimberly Piasecki, 41, remained hospitalized at Geisinger Community Medical Center on Monday, hospital spokeswoman Wendy Wilson said.

The crash on Brook Street killed Joel Rolon-Arroyo, 301 Bridge St., Old Forge.

CLIPBOARD

Carbondale

St. Patrick celebration: Carbon­dale Historical Society "The St. Patrick's Day Promenade - Cel­ebrating 180 Years of Integ­rity and Tradition," Sunday, 11:45 a.m. immediately after Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church; walk to Memorial Park, entertainment, community singing; entertainment by Crossmo­lina School of Traditional Irish Dancing and the Connolly Clan Musicians; followed by Irish tea reception at Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.

North Pocono

Society programs: North Poco­no Cultural Society "Health For­um for All Ages" lecture series, Wednesday, 7 p.m., Moscow Borough Building: "Healthy Brain Choices," Tamara Bortree, Alz­heimer's Association, and "New Trends in Rehab," Kathy Stella, admissions coordinator, Allied Services; donations at door, light refreshments, 472-3024.

Pittston

Blue Mass: Knights of Colum­bus Council 372, Pittston City and West Pittston fire departments Blue Mass, Friday, 6:30 p.m., St. John the Evangelist Church, William Street, marks 20th anniversary of Main Street fire that claimed the lives of firefighters John Lombardo and Leonard Insalaco.

Knights fundraiser: Pittston Knights of Columbus, Pittston City Fire Department St. Paddy's Eve celebration, Saturday, doors open, 5 p.m., and music starts, 7, Knights hall, 55 S. Main St.; Optimum Entertainment, ham/cabbage dinner, pizza, cheeseburgers, hot dogs; $4 cover, benefits Lehigh Burn Trauma Center, pittstonknights.com.

Scranton

Group meets: Technical High School Social Group (1962) meeting, today, 6:30 p.m., Fratelli's, North Scranton.

Fish/chips: Ladies Aid Society Immanuel Lutheran Church fish and chips dinner, Saturday, noon-5 p.m., 238 Reese St., takeouts available; $9/adults, $4/12 and under.

South Scranton

Seniors meet: South Scranton After 50 Club meeting, Thursday, 1:30 p.m., St. Paul of the Cross parish center, Prospect Avenue.

Taylor

Seniors meet: Taylor Senior Citizens meeting, Thursday, 1 p.m., events discussion; refreshments served.

Thornhurst

Fish fry: Thornhurst Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company Fish Fry, Friday, 4-7 p.m., River Road; takeouts available; adults/$8, ages 4-12/$4, under 4/free; fried fish, French fries, cole slaw; clam chowder available, quart/$7, pint/$4; details or pre-order, 842-2335.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be emailed to yesdesk@times shamrock.com or mailed to Clip­board, c/o YES!Desk, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. For details, call the YES!Desk, 348-9121.

Police investigate shooting in city

SCRANTON - City police are investigating a shooting that sent one man to the hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg Monday night.

Dupree Waldron, 22, got out of a gold car carrying other passengers when it stopped in the 100 block of Poplar Street, Lt. Marty Crofton said.

Mr. Waldron told police he started running from the area when he saw two people come out of the woods just before 5:15 p.m. One, carrying a handgun, allegedly shot him in the leg, Lt. Crofton said.

Mr. Waldron said the man fled in the gold car.

Mr. Waldron was taken to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where he was treated for his gunshot wound and released, Lt. Crofton said.

LACKAWANNA COUNTY COURT NOTES

marriage licenses

n Patrick L. Miller and Tammy Y. Green, both of Scranton.

n Scott Mackenzie Zator and Randi Marie Tilberry, both of Archbald.

n Thomas Lloyd Jones and Denise Ann Czerwinski, both of Archbald.

n Lawrence George Leventhal and Erica Marie Buchholz, both of Virginia.

n David Alan Vanbrunt Jr. and Meagan Alyssa Casey, both of Roaring Brook Twp.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

n Peter Amato, Clarks Sum­mit, to Walter R. and Joan K. Ammerman, South Abington Twp.; a property at 33 Wyndham Road, South Abington Twp., for $295,000.

n Joseph and Jean Rybnick to Douglas Long and Eugene Reed; a property at 1021 Maple St., Scranton, for $34,500.

n Shannon and Shane E. Cas­well to Paul and Candal Madore; properties at 132 and 134 Hollister Ave., Scranton, for $145,000.

n Kelly Benson to John W. Boardman; a property at Big Bass Lake, Clifton Twp., for $165,500.

n Karen Cavalieri, Eynon, to Lori G. Hart, Greenfield Twp.; a property at 584B Main St., Archbald, for $109,268.

n George and Mary Lou Was­cavich, Avoca, to Alice M. Hop­kins, Moosic; a property at Pop­py Lane, Moosic, for $40,000.

n Jeffrey and Denise Krenit­sky to JK & BK LLC, Archbald; a property at 515 Delaware St., Jessup, for $200,000.

n Frances M. Galinsky, Fell Twp.; Laurie Skumanich, Mos­cow; Denise Wintermute, Scran­ton; and John J. Galinsky Jr., Car­bondale, to Krystal Lynn Lynch, Peckville; a property at 341 Main St., Fell Twp., for $59,200.

n David Cosklo, Carbondale, to Jason Schwartztrauber and Katherine E. McGovern, Scran­ton; a property at 329 Foote St., Dunmore, for $149,900.

n Outlook Properties LLC, Hamlin, to Charles and Jose­phine Skowronski, Jefferson Twp.; a property at 121 Stone­field Drive, Jefferson Twp., for $46,000.

n Scoblick Brothers, d/b/a Scoblick Brothers Inc., Archbald, to First Land Realty LLC, Arch­bald; a property at Delaware Street, Archbald, for $100,000.

n Albert J. Samuel IV and Renee Simone, now by marriage Renee Samuel, to Karen Reuth­er; a property at 1215 Watson St., Scranton, for $85,000.

divorceS sought

n Amy Bedford, Scranton, v. Paul W. Bedford, Scranton; married Sept. 18, 2004, in Scran­ton; Brian J. Cali, attorney.

n Danielle Hughes, Dunmore, v. Thomas Hughes, Scranton; married May 31, 2008; Frank J. Ruggiero, attorney.

estates filed

n Mary Burda, 249 Charles St., Scranton, letters testamentary to Peter Burda, 706 Hollen­back St., Moosic; and Joseph Burda, same address.

n Laura Youorski, 645 E. Grant St., Olyphant, letters of administration to Linda Sablan, 138 Edgewood Drive, South Abing­ton Twp.; and Cheryl Adams, 761 Crystal St., Peckville.

n Lora C. Masci, 195 Orchard St., Old Forge, letters testamentary to Lori Chromey, 1 Oakwood Drive, Old Forge.

n Jane Swartz, 1000 Mill St., Dunmore, letters testamentary to Mary C. McGarry, 200 Tulip Circle, Clarks Summit.

federal tax liens

n Surpreme Laundry Inc., 1104 S. Main Ave., Scranton; $4,680.

n Kidzkorner LLC, Stephanie Zuvic, 9292 Daleville Highway, Moscow; $1,560.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

A project to repair a stretch of Interstate 81 in Dunmore could significantly affect travel on three highways for up to two months.

As part of the $5.2 million I-81 Pavement Preservation Project, contractors on Monday will begin repaving, concrete patching and crack sealing at the interchange of Interstate 81 north and the Casey Highway westbound, said state Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Taluto.

Deemed necessary because of the deteriorating condition of the road, the project will require closing the ramp connecting the Casey Highway west to I-81 north, as well as the ramp linking the Casey Highway to Route 347 (Dunmore/Throop) and the ramp from Interstate 84 west to Route 347.

The project encompasses the first phase of the preservation project along I-81 north.

"It's being closed in some very heavily traveled areas, so there is no doubt it could have a significant impact on traffic," PennDOT spokesman James May said. "The biggest one will be the closure of the connection between the Casey and I-81, because that sees the most traffic."

Drivers traveling west on the Casey Highway will be advised to exit via the Tigue Street Exit off I-84. Then, Mr. May said, Tigue Street will "loop" drivers "back around, and then take" them up to Interstate 81 north.

Meanwhile, motorists planning to get to Dunmore via the Casey Highway west should take Marshwood Road in Throop, as should drivers who are heading to Dunmore from I-84, Mr. May said.

While all commuters will be affected by the closures, it will significantly impact drivers coming from the Midvalley, including Mayfield residents, Mayor Al Chelik said.

Upon hearing the news, Mr. Chelik said he hoped PennDOT has "some ideas about traffic control," especially in the morning and evening rush hours.

He said the smaller streets such as Tigue Street and Marshwood Road aren't equipped to handle a heavy flow of traffic, and that PennDOT should consider installing temporary traffic signals to ease the congestion.

"I hope they have a good reason to do this, because this is going to cause a lot of frustration among drivers," Mr. Chelik said. "Look at the congestion already around the Viewmont Mall because of the ongoing project there. It will only get worse now."

Mr. May said message boards advising motorists of the road closures will be placed along the Casey Highway, I-84 and I-81 this afternoon.

Once construction work on this section is complete, contractors will begin work on Phase 2. PennDOT officials Monday couldn't provide details as to what that phase included.

"Obviously, this will be an inconvenience to drivers, but this is all a part of a plan to renovate and rehabilitate the state's roadways," Mr. Taluto said. "Understanding how important these connections are to the commuters, we will try to complete this project as quickly as possible."

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

DUNMORE - Bullying is a problem that can be stopped by students, and prevented by the federal government, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said Monday morning at a visit to Dunmore Middle School. Mr. Casey called for passage of legislation to prevent bullying and harassment in schools.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act, which Mr. Casey reintroduced last month, would require districts to prohibit bullying and harassment and keep records of incidents. Information on incidents would be available to the public. The bill would also encourage schools to implement anti-bullying programs. Any school that receives federal money would fall under the act, and schools would have the flexibility to spend federal dollars on the efforts.

Mr. Casey originally introduced the bill in 2011 with U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, a Republican from Illinois. The bill failed to go beyond the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

On Monday, Mr. Casey stood between two hand-painted signs welcoming him to the middle school.

Dunmore students and staff members spoke about what they have done to combat bullying. With social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, bullying is now a "24-7" epidemic, said guidance counselor Kim Ahern.

"We all play an important role in combating bullying," she said.

While Dunmore usually has a school climate that is positive, some bullying still occurs, said senior Griffin Gerchman, student body president.

A club was started as part of the Rachel's Challenge program, a national effort to stop bullying, named for a victim of the Columbine High School shooting.

Members of the club complete and encourage random acts of kindness, including a pep rally last year for a special needs student.

At the elementary school level, sixth-graders put on a puppet show about bullying for the younger students. The role of the "bystander," or someone witnessing the bullying, is also a focus district-wide, so that students take an active role in making a difference.

Mr. Casey commended the school community for the efforts.

"All of us can play a role. If we see it, we can do something about it," he said.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter