Lackawanna County Commissioners last week announced that 16 projects will receive funding through the Community Re-Invest Program, including funds for new equipment at the Carbondale YMCA, new bulletproof vests for the county’s SWAT Team and other initiatives.

In total, $168,400 of “last mile” funding — designed to augment other revenue sources and bring the different initiatives to fruition — was approved by the commissioners for the projects.

Carbondale YMCA

The Greater Carbondale YMCA is the recipient of $7,300 in Community Re-Invest money to purchase exercise equipment that will be used as part of a new heart screening program at its North Main Street facility.

Through a large grant from Leo McGowan Foundation, the Y was able to purchase a wireless telemetry heart monitoring system that allows health professionals to study how a person’s heart responds throughout an exercise regimen, according to registered cardiac rehab nurse Lorrie Williams, who said the program will help them identify heart arrhythmias and other problems.

The Community Re-Invest funds awarded by the county will be used to purchase a new Stairmaster and Jacob’s Ladder machine, which Williams said will allow for unique exercises and enable them to test people under different circumstances.

“It’s wonderful because we really couldn’t afford to purchase any more equipment right now,” said Williams. “It’s going to help us reach our goals faster.”

That goal is ultimately to identify health threats in athletes and others early on. When the program is fully implemented, Carbondale YMCA members will be offered free annual heart screenings. Non-members can get a screening for $35, Williams said.

SWAT Team vests

The Lackawanna County Police Chiefs’ Association will receive $15,000 in Re-Invest funds for the purchase of new bullet-resistive tactical vests to outfit the county SWAT Team.

“It helps us a lot because each vest is probably $2,500 or better,” said Archbald Police Chief Tim Trently, who serves as president of the county police chiefs’ association. “The shelf life was out on some of our other vests.”

Composed of specially trained officers from various police departments throughout the county, the SWAT team is overseen by the Police Chiefs’ Association. Trently said the organization has been fundraising and accepting donations to make up the remainder of the costs for the vests, which total about $45,000. He said they could order the vests next month.

Blakely pavilion

In Blakely, $10,000 in Community Re-Invest funds will be used to install a pavilion at the borough’s park complex on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The park, which currently houses two practice fields for the local Little League, is also utilized during the borough’s annual JuneFest celebrations. Borough manager Tom Wascura said they’re looking at ways to grow the park slowly, including putting in the pavilion and possibly installing bathrooms in the future.

“Everything helps,” Wascura said, noting that the borough is also pursuing grants to plant trees along the banks of Lackawanna River at the park. “It’s a quiet area off of the main drag. People go there for walks and it’s close to the river. ... Hopefully we’ll expand from there.”

Wascura said the borough plans to have the pavilion installed later this year.

Contact the writer:

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com 570-348-9141

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

Other Community Re-Invest Program recipients include:

n Scott Twp. Hose Company for the installation and programming of a double-sided community message sign. Total project cost: $25,311. Community Re-Invest Program (CRP) award: $10,000.

n Green Ridge American Legion Post 908 for the installation of an air conditioning system. Total project cost: $15,000. CRP award: $7,500.

n The ARC of Northeastern Pennsylvania for renovation to the kitchen facility that provides services for the adult day care center. Total project cost: $30,000. CRP award: $10,000.

n West Scranton Junior Wrestling Club for the purchase of new wrestling equipment. Total project cost $10,000. CRP award: $5,000.

n Mayfield Borough for the renovation and expansion of the green house at the NEET Center as part of the Northeast Regional Bioscience Initiative. Total project cost: $85,000. CRP award: $5,000.

n Women’s Resource Center for continued renovation of the Carriage House and main facility. Total project cost: $419,773. CRP award: $15,000.

n Scranton Primary Health Care Center for development of a satellite office and care center on Alder Street. Total project cost: $40,000. CRP award: $10,000.

n Whitmore Hose Company of Mayfield for the renovation of an existing garage, including new electrical work and the construction of a meeting/training room. Total project cost: $28,546. CRP award: $20,000.

n North Scranton Little League for phase 2 of a revitalization project, including the installation of playground equipment and fence, new fencing for the farm league field and the construction of a dog park. Total project cost: $44,000. CRP award: $20,000.

n Central City Little League for operational expenses, including the purchase of new equipment, field dirt, maintenance and field and bathroom repairs. Total project cost: $8,633. CRP award: $8,000.

n Mayfield Hose Company to upgrade the station’s bathroom for ADA compliance. Total project cost: $10,000. CRP award: $8,000.

n Minooka American Legion Post 568 for community hall renovations. Total project cost: $36,190. CRP award: $10,000.

n Carbondale Miss-C Softball Association in Fell Twp. for the purchase of a storage shed and to initiate field improvements. Total project cost: $7,600. CRP award: $7,600.

SCRANTON — Starting Oct. 1, UGI Utilities will spend more than $170 million to replace and improve natural gas infrastructure across the state, including several projects in the city and in Honesdale.

The utility will work on the following areas in Scranton: 600-1000 blocks of Taylor Avenue, 100-300 blocks of North Cameron Avenue, 2100-2200 blocks of Webster Avenue, and 400-500 blocks of Crown Avenue.

Projects may cause parking restrictions and traffic congestion.

For a complete list of scheduled infrastructure projects, along with their status, check UGI’s website at www.ugi.com/construction.

— PETER CAMERON

BLAKELY — Borough police are seeking two men suspected of severely beating a man early Sunday morning.

Police have arrest warrants for brothers Joshua Jenkins, 22, and Richard Jenkins, 26. The pair, plus a third unidentified man, are accused of attacking a man as he slept at a home on Bodnick Street at about 3:20 a.m. Sunday, police Chief Guy Salerno said. The assault split the man’s ear in half and he suffered several facial injuries, police said. The brothers face aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, simple assault and harassment charges.

Joshua Jenkins is 5 feet 8 inches tall and 170 pounds and Richard Jenkins is 5 feet 9inches tall and 240 pounds. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Blakely Police at 570-383-3346.

— CLAYTON OVER

Theatrical Alliance

awards dinner

Silver Birches Resort in Hawley provided the setting as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Theatrical Alliance celebrated great performances during its 20th anniversary annual awards dinner.

Members of theatrical organizations, including Actors Circle and Diva Productions, both of Scranton; Pennsylvania Theatrical Pennsylvania Alliance, Music Box Theatre and the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, from Luzerne County; the Lakeside Players of Pike County, Tamaqua Area Community Theatre and Majestic Players from Schuylkill County; the Worthington Players at Shawnee and Theatrical Gems, from Monroe County; gathered to honor the best of the best in Community Theater of Northeast Pennsylvania during a fun-filled evening, Cathy Rist Strauch reports.

The awards go to:

Recipients of awards by local theatrical groups include:

Actors Circle: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Betsy Seaforth in “The Big Meal”; Best Youth Actress (12 and under), Lucy Rothfuss in “The Children’s Hour”; Best Director of a Comedy, Casey Thomas for “The Big Meal”; Best Overall Show, “The Big Meal.”

DIVA Productions: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy, Chris Eibach in “Wonder of the World”; Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, Betsy Seaforth in “The Judas Sheep”; Best Original Production, “The Judas Sheep” by Jeff Boam .

Music Box: Best Supporting Actor in a Musical (tie), Ben Steltz in “The Full Monty”; Best Lead Actor in a Comedy, John Beppler in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”; Best Lead Actress in a Musical, Megan Horwatt in “Guys and Dolls”; Best Set Design, Michael Gallagher for “Guys and Dolls”; Best Costume Design, KD Love for “La Cage Aux Folles.”

High notes

Paige Balitiski of Diva Productions was celebrated at the award show, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. Her husband, Bob Balitiski , presented the award to her following a slide show presentation of Paige’s theatrical career that he produced for the event.

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — Aqua Pennsylvania will begin a $1.3 million project to construct a new water storage tank and replace a well station for customers served by the company’s Chinchilla and Stanton water systems in South Abington Twp.

The project is part of several infrastructure improvement projects critical to their daily operations, according to a press release. Aqua will also invest $1.2 million to install emergency backup power generators at key locations throughout the nine county area serviced by its White Haven Division, which provides water and wastewater service to more than 20,000 people in parts of Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wyoming and Carbon counties.

— STAFF REPORT

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Antonio Hernandez-Martinez and Alicia Flores-Tranquilino, both of Scranton.

■ Craig J. Churchill and Mary M. Merrifield, both of Merritt Island, Fla.

■ Mallory Lynn Donahue and Mark Joseph Oleski Jr., both of Olive Branch, Miss.

■ Gina M. Jerauld and Chris­tine Brown, both of La Plume.

■ Jonathan David Guyer, Pittston, and Janine Kristal Goumbala, Briarwood, N.Y.

■ Felipe De Jesus Tejeda and Elizabeth Romero, both of Scranton.

■ Vanessa Olivera and Dauri Aquino, both of Scranton.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Patrick J. and Molly E. McDonald, Newton Twp., to William Yarnchak, Newton Twp.; a property at Summit Lake Road, Newton Twp., for $210,000.

■ Steven Wiseman, North Abington Twp., to Daniel Scott and Jamie Slupe Muchler, San Bernardino, Calif.; a property at 448 Kennedy Creek Road, North Abington Twp., for $345,000.

■ Jenny Larosa, Clifton Twp., to John E. and Margaret M. Deordio, Poulsbo, Wash.; a property in Clifton Twp., for $355,000.

■ Fannie Mae, also known as Federal National Mortgage Association, Dallas, Texas, to Osman Bakhriyev, Scranton; a property at 603 Spring St., Moosic, for $31,100.

ESTATES FILED

■ James M. Yantorn, 918 Justus Boulevard, Scott Twp., letters of administration to Deborah Ann Yantorn, same address.

■ Veronica Motichka, 728 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, letters testamentary to Richard Marus, 733 Steckel St., Dunmore.

■ Peter M. Pollak, 801 Myers Ave., Peckville, letters of administration to Karen M. Trojan­owicz, same address.

■ Donna M. Zabowski, 224 Vine St., Old Forge, letters testamentary to Diane M. Zabow­ski, 100 Springhouse Drive, Suite 205E, Collegeville.

DIVORCE SOUGHT

■ Jennifer Beynon, Avoca, v. David Beynon, Kansas City, Mo.; married Aug. 1, 2015, in Hughestown; pro se.

STATE TAX LIENS

■ Foundation Healthcare LLC, trading as Cedar Residence, 929 Cedar Ave., Scranton; $8,249.47

■ Keystone Veal LLC, 120 Monahan Ave., Dunmore; $31,433.89

■ Revolutionary Nurses LLC, 1619 Main St., Olyphant; $5,631.80

■ First Class Gymnastics Inc., 1258 Mid Valley Drive, Jessup; $1,437.59

■ TRI-K Inc., trading as the Avenue Diner, 238 Hoover St., Old Forge; $9,569.46

■ M E Enterprise Services Inc., trading as Main Technol­o­gies, 325 Bridge St., Old Forge; $23,910.78

■ MAC Sign Systems Inc., 232 S. Sherman Ave., Scranton; $2,816.60

■ American Homecare Supply Co., 4113 Birney Ave., Moosic; $1,678.16

■ Butler Excavating Inc., 8 Baldassari Drive, Dunmore; $1,174.76

■ Sparkle Carpet Cleaning Co. Inc., 1222 S. Main Ave., Scranton; $2,102.14

■ Eugene Harasym, 921 Drinker Turnpike Suite 13, Covington Twp.; $1,795.91

■ Arcman Corp., 1200 Meade St., Dunmore; $21,502.36

■ Tina Larue, 1231 Diamond Ave., Scranton; $1,906.36

■ Richard H. Goff, 438 14th Ave., Scranton; $1,138.82

■ Sutton Playhouse LLC, 221 Lemon St., Scranton; $16,058.64

■ Felix A. Blas, 839 Matthew Ave., Scranton; $1,847.03

■ Lynda Paulsen, 218 Wind­sor Lane, Taylor; $7,581.05

■ John Tacchino, 537 N. Washington Ave., Apt. 325, Scranton; $6,477.63

■ Rhonda A. Rice, 613 Hill St., Mayfield; $2,258.51

■ Carol Bomba, 1802 S. Webster Ave., Scranton; $17,951.91

■ Harris Land Abstract Inc., 409 Davis St., Clarks Summit; $782.75

■ MAC Sign Systems Inc., 232 S. Sherman Ave., Scranton; $3,849.63

■ Keystone Truck & Trailer LLC, 4171 Quicktown Road, Madison Twp.; $1,221.64

■ Main Technologies, 325 Bridge St., Old Forge; $11,203.90

■ Foundation Healthcare LLC, 929 Cedar Ave., Scranton; $3,869

■ Sid Hazlett, 932 Prospect Ave., Scranton; $10,259.37

■ Andy Bitsko, 252 Willow Ave., Olyphant; $8,433.34

■ Donald R. Strackbein, independently and as responsible party of Snap Shots Diner LLC, 215 Cherry St., Jessup; $953.05

■ Louis A. Comes, 1102 S. Main Ave., Scranton; $2,152.22

■ Timothy P. and Kelly A. Row­lands Langan, 1620 Academy St., Scranton; $1,280.14

■ Bethany M. Thursby, 1401 Amherst St., Scranton; $1,033.26

■ George F. and Nurys M. Zepherin, 840 N. Webster Ave., Scranton; $1,264.02

■ Dennis and Rosemary Nye, 1600 Brook St., Scranton; $1,667.18

■ Steve Masterson, 548 Palmer Circle, Dickson City; $3,506.52

■ Robert W. and Antoinette Goldate, 703 Lilac Lane, Clarks Summit; $1,735.63

■ Robert J. Sutton, 1102 S. Main Ave., Scranton; $952.60

■ Marlene Perri, 138 Birkett St., Carbondale; $915.82

■ Iris P. Lester, 1118 Stanton St., Scranton; $1,106.28

■ Joseph W. and Tracy Nichol­son, 732 Hampton St., Scran­ton; $926.08

■ Dominick J. and Deborah Martini, 702 Delaware St., May­field; $798.53

■ David Bishop Jr., 430 First St., Richmondale; $988.84

■ John J. Sopp, 139 River St., Jessup; $1,148.59

■ Stephen F. Hinkley Sr., 104 Rosghie St., Old Forge; $507.09

■ Dalvin Casiano Torres, 213 S. Main Ave., Scranton; $1,040.25

■ James Ruddy, 14 Butler St., Old Forge; $970.06

■ William J. III and Laura R. Notarianni, 105 Noble Road, South Abington Twp.; $1,053.77

■ Gene White, 1137 W. Loc­ust St., Scranton; $1,109.79

■ Thomas and Tara M. Gonza­lez, 1742 Wyoming Ave., Scran­ton; $942.10

■ Mark J. Balcerzak, 1516 Crown Ave., Scranton; $1,300.14

■ Neil and Debbie Intoccia, 160 Dimmick St., Throop; $1,029.73

■ Anthony and Ursula Man­cuso, 21 Gordon Ave., Carbon­dale; $2,083.86

■ Anthony C. Jr. and Donna M. Caputo, 415 Blue Shutters Road, Roaring Brook Twp.; $1,513.39

■ Scott M. and Donna M. Long, 825 Church St., Moscow; $1,421.62

■ Michael C. and Kristy M. Policastro, 124 Arnold Ave., Scranton; $820.62

■ Kenneth Pukita, 845 N. Sum­ner Ave., Scranton; $1,979.41

■ Jennifer E. Bell, 515 Center St., Suite 2, Scranton; $1,100.46

■ James T. Pierre, 16 Pierre Drive, Covington Twp.; $3,630.11

■ James Caffrey, 12 Orchard St., Carbondale; $12,603.96

■ Mary Elizabeth Price, 1220 Dartmouth St., Scranton; $7,625.09

■ George Hastings, 332 New York St., Scranton; $18,414.54

■ Tammy Verboys-Gaughn, 322 Larch St., Scranton; $34,883.79

■ Karianne Denhaese, 119 N. Lincoln Ave. Rear, Scranton; $15,997.57

■ Barbara Lincoln, 499 Mul­berry St., Apt. 403, Scranton; $7,640.24

■ Smargiassi Construction Inc., 101 Taylor St., Scott Twp.; $3,044.69

■ Lasko Insurance Agency Inc., 110 Depot St., Clarks Summit; $1,005.21

■ TRI-K Inc., 238 Hoover St., Old Forge; $1,940.33

■ CJ Auto Technologies LLC, 1221 Main St., Unit 1, Peckville; $819.68

■ Connie Dennis, 1820 Capouse Ave., Scranton; $10,460.43

■ Daniel Gentile, 1009 S. Irv­ing Ave., Scranton; $8,229.59

■ Marlene Leonard, 115 Louis Lane, Greenfield Twp.; $2,507.71

■ Barbara Stanton, 37 Laurel St., Second Floor, Carbondale; $7,907.53

■ Keytech Group Inc., 1218 Country Club Road, Clarks Summit; $17,975.18

■ Jay & D Copy Center Inc., 1110 Saginaw St., Scranton; $3,396.40

■ TLM Enterprises Inc., 238 Hoover St., Old Forge; $3,089.73

■ L & G LLC, 700 N. South Road, Scranton; $1,201.18

■ Keystone Truck & Trailer LLC, 4171 Quicktown Road, Madison Twp.; $714.75

■ Olde Towne Coffee LLC, 452 N. Main St., Archbald; $1,006.69

■ Fuller Performance Cycles Inc., 1010 S. Main St., Old Forge; $3,100.04

■ Renee Mears, 36 Lakeview Drive, South Abington Twp.; $4,355.56

■ Linda Hayes, 308B Neville Road, Madison Twp.; $3,703.23

■ Louis J. Pagnotti Jr., 20 Gar­ber St., Old Forge; $126,384.94

■ Anthony Bruno, 441 N. Ninth Ave., Scranton; $10,468.24

■ Michael J. Macheska, independently and as vice president of Pennys on the Dollar, 2443 Cherry Hill Road, Clarks Sum­mit; $4,210.95

■ Stephen Hinkley Sr., 104 Rosghie St., Old Forge; $547.76

■ Michael P. Perechinsky, 103 Overlook Lane, Jermyn; $1,011.88

■ Martin D. and Isabelle Wolff, 736 Wheeler Ave., Scran­ton; $879.59

■ James J. Sprague Jr. and Annmarie Ciccarelli, P.O. Box 637, Dalton; $1,035.07

■ Robert C. Walsh and Con­stance M. Shean, 103 Church St., Waverly; $842.58

■ Michael Rorick, 419 Pros­pect Ave., Scranton; $896.30

■ Scott A. Davis Jr., 1911 Laf­ayette St., Scranton; $888.67

■ Avery N. Andrews, 519 S. Main St., Apt. 1, Old Forge; $980.08

■ Josh Hockenberry, 940 Paul Ave., Scranton; $1,120.87

■ Christopher A. Shiner and Susan C. Kevra-Shiner, 1003 Whippoorwill Drive, Clarks Sum­mit; $1,078.09

■ Kevin and Franchine Fitz­gerald, 309 Batluck St., Scran­ton; $4,208.28

■ Timothy Fitzsimmons, 713 N. Main St., Archbald; $1,007.36

FEDERAL TAX LIENS

■ Robert A. Caramanno, 1105 S. Main Ave., Scranton; $3,023.92

■ Robert A. Caramanno, 1105 S. Main Ave., Scranton; $2,540.40

■ Richard E. Sienkiewicz, P.O. Box 717, Moscow; $30,016.04

■ TNT Automotive Finishes, 44½ N. Scott St., Carbondale; $5,231.44

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

Six candidates running in the Democratic primary election for nominations to three seats on Scranton City Council debated topics Monday ranging from the recent sewer sale to the city’s plan for stormwater management.

The League of Women Voters of Lackawanna County and the University of Scranton’s Political Science Department co-sponsored the debate involving three incumbents — Pat Rogan, Bill Gaughan and Joe Wechsler, the council president — and three challengers — Scranton School Director Paul Duffy, former School Director Kyle Donahue and Cesar Reyes, the first Latino to run for council. League member Andrea Mulrine served as moderator.

The three winners of the May 16 primary will move on to the Nov. 7 election for three, four-year terms on council. On the Republican side, Richard J. Johnson is the sole candidate running in his party’s primary.

On the sewer sale, Rogan and Wechsler noted that the city already used sewer sale cash to pay down debt and plans to use some to shore up pensions.

“Regarding the sale of the sewer authority, the most important issue facing the

city council right now is the use of those proceeds,” Rogan said. “The proceeds need to be used in a way that we can get the most bang for the buck.”

Wechsler said that paying debt has saved on interest payments, and the city also is looking at using some proceeds for repairs to City Hall and on economic development initiatives.

“Overall, the proceeds from the sale are going to help Scranton and add more money to our budget as the year goes on,” Wechsler said.

Duffy, a former city police officer, cited funding pensions with sewer-sale proceeds as a top priority, and said pension reforms and increased contributions from police and firefighters also will help the severely distressed system.

“Most important with the sewer sale proceeds is specifically the pension debt,” Duffy said. “We have to do our due diligence in shoring that up as quickly as possible.”

Donahue and Gaughan expressed concerns with the sewer sale, including the lower-than-expected net proceeds, costs of legal fees and not having a stormwater plan before the sale was done.

“It has a lack of transparency to it,” Donahue said of the sewer sale. “I just don’t feel like it was properly explained to us, how that deal was structured and how that deal was going to work.”

Gaughan said he would not support putting any sewer cash into pensions until he’s convinced that the Courtright administration and sewer authority have been transparent on the deal. Gaughan also thinks the authority and administration have not adequately explained why the city’s net proceeds ended up about $12 million less than expected.

“We still can’t get an accounting of exactly where that went and quite frankly it is a disgrace,” Gaughan said. “I am deeply, deeply concerned by the lack of transparency with this sale and I think it needs to be investigated further.”

Reyes agreed with Gaughan that a full accounting is needed.

“I wouldn’t do anything without actually reviewing the math and seeing where everything went, every dollar, what are going to do with it (proceeds), and make sure that everything matches,” Reyes said.

Where the candidates stand on the proposed, massive expansion of Keystone Sanitary Landfill in Dunmore and Throop was not posed as a question during the debate. But in addressing a different question about how to reduce a youth “brain drain,” Wechsler took the opportunity to express opposition to the landfill expansion plan and support for grassroots activists fighting the plan.

“One of the biggest problems we’re going to face in this area is, we have to take care of our environment. The Keystone Sanitary Landfill represents a huge detriment to any growth in this city. I think the opposition that has been forming within the area really has brought a coalition that do appreciate that the environment is very important to our area. I encourage that we keep that fight up.”

Donahue also noted that, as a member of the school board, he also had expressed opposition to the landfill expansion plan.

On the city’s annual $300 garbage fee, the candidates generally agreed that the city must find ways to reduce the fee, such as eventually moving to a per-bag fee or hybrid fee. Rogan, currently the longest-serving member of council, said he was glad to hear support for an idea he first voiced about six years ago.

Gaughan called himself an independent voice and not a rubber stamp of the mayor.

Duffy said he would be able to “communicate across boundaries” to be effective.

Calling himself “fresh and new” to seeking office, Reyes said that feeling the burden of city taxes and fees spurred him to run.

Calling himself a product of neighborhood movement, Wechsler cited a council record that includes helping resolve parking authority default and the back pay arbitration award.

Council members earn $12,500 a year. The winners of the general election would join on the five-member council Wayne Evans and Tim Perry, whose terms are not up this year.

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5185; jlockwoodTT on Twitter

An out-of-county judge ruled against Friends of Lackawanna and a half dozen Dunmore residents in an appeal of a borough zoning board ruling involving the height of the Keystone Sanitary Landfill.

Northampton County Senior Judge Leonard N. Zito agreed with the 2015 zoning board ruling dismissing the lawsuit filed by the nonprofit grass roots opposition group and the residents. Like the zoning board, the judge ruled that Friends of Lackawanna and citizens lack standing to bring the case “as they have failed to demonstrate a direct, immediate and substantial harm” and failed to demonstrate they are aggrieved persons, he wrote in an order handed down Monday.

The appeal stems from plans, which included upward expansion of the landfill, that landfill officials submitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection in 2014. The plan calls for a nearly half-century expansion on a 450-acre area of Keystone’s 714-acre property.

Part of the plan called for Keystone to pile waste in the new disposal area up to 220 feet higher than its current peak, to a new height 475 feet above ground level. The borough zoning officer, Joseph Lorince, opined later that year that a 50-foot height restriction in the borough’s ordinances do not apply to the landfill.

Friends of Lackawanna and some borough residents challenged that opinion in early 2015, but after a series of hearings, zoning board officials agreed with Lorince’s opinion in September 2015 and also ruled that the nonprofit and the residents did not have legal standing to challenge Keystone’s plan, because their properties do not abut the operation.

Friends of Lackawanna and a group of Swinick development residents — Joseph James, Mary May, Edward and Beverly Mizanty and Katherine and Todd Spanish — appealed the ruling to the county Court of Common Pleas soon thereafter, accusing the zoning board of bias, abuse of its discretion and errors in legal judgment.

Zito, who heard the case after every judge on the county bench recused themselves from hearing the appeal, also ruled Monday the board did not abuse its discretion or err.

Al Magnotta, a Keystone Landfill official, could not be reached for comment Monday night. Dunmore borough Council President Michael McHale said he was unaware the judge had ruled on the appeal at council’s meeting Monday night and declined to comment until after he had read the judge’s opinion.

Pat Clark, a Dunmore resident and Friends of Lackawanna leader, criticized the decision Monday night and said the nonprofit would appeal Zito’s order to the state Commonwealth Court.

“This decision is wrong,” Clark said in an email. “The residents involved in the case are some of the closest houses to the landfill and have to deal with the landfill on a daily basis. To conclude that they don’t have standing essentially means that no one does.”

Contact the writer: cover@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x 5363; @ClaytonOver on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE — Nancy Berg, the original host of WNEP-TV’s hit children’s show “The Land of Hatchy Milatchy” in the 1950s and 60s, is being remembered as a local broadcasting pioneer and trailblazing businesswoman.

Berg, a longtime Kingston resident, died last week in Lancaster, where she moved after retirement. She was 85.

Known as “Miss Nancy,” Berg hosted the “Hatchy Milatchy” show until 1963 when a Chicago television station hired her to star in a similar children’s program syndicated to a larger audience.

The show Berg launched, like a local version of “Sesame Street” or “Mister Rogers,” was so successful it ran for almost another 25 years with “Miss Judy” as host after Berg left for Chicago.

— BOB KALINOWSKI

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Joseph Vincent Del Raso Jr. and Caitlin Bridget Egan, both of New York City.

■ Gregory Paul Williams, Scranton, and Kathryn Marie Caudullo, Browndale.

■ Kyle James Kovaleski and Marina Mosley, both of Jermyn.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Jamie M. Hankee, Clarks Summit, to Daniel R. Wright, Archbald; two parcels in Arch­bald for $115,319.

■ Frederick E. Curry and Pamela Peckham, now by marriage Pamela D. Curry, to Eric J. Clever; a property at 510 Moltke Ave., Scranton, for $80,000.

■ Joseph M. and Jennifer Prorock Loposky, Navarre, Fla., to Mark J. Siderowicz and Alexa Kerecman, Archbald, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property at 212 Gravity St., Archbald, for $132,000.

■ Sean J. and Barbara Rosler, Forest City, to Melissa and Daniel Martin Jr., Jermyn; a property at 110 Lower Powderly St., Carbondale Twp., for $89,888.

■ Kenneth and Linda Powell, Scott Twp., to Thomas A. and Cheryl Aniska, Archbald; a property in Archbald for $70,000.

■ Patrick Coyle, trustee for Coyne Family Irrevocable Trust, Hampden, Mass., to Jeremy M. and Jeanette Sokol, Jessup; a property at 101 Templeton Drive, Dickson City, for $138,050.

■ ER Property Group LLC, doing business as ER Home Buyers, Scranton, to Eric P. Jordan, Scranton; a property at 1203 S. Irving Ave., Scranton, for $85,800.

■ Joseph R. and Beverly M. Thomas, Jessup, to Leo Zini, Archbald; a property at 1221 Tonwin St., Jessup, for $41,000.

■ Michael and Joyce Conflitti, Moosic, to Inglesia Pentecostal Unida Latinoamericana Inc., a Florida nonprofit corporation; six parcels in Scranton for $320,000.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ David L. Megotz, Scranton, v. Jennifer J. Megotz, Ashley; married Oct. 23, 2009, in Scranton; Brian J. Cali, attorney.

■ Kimberlee Mason, Jessup, v. Christopher Mason, Hastings, N.Y.; married April 24, 2016, in Olyphant; pro se.

DIVORCE DECREES

■ James T. Santarelli v. Erika Santarelli

■ Ronald M. Szezorak v. Amy J. Szezorak

■ Robert Cullen v. Lisa Cullen

■ Sharon Badick v. Robert J. Badick Jr.

■ Carolina Westerlund v. Daniel Westerlund

■ Tamon Brown v. Frances C. Brown

■ Kimberly Rodriguez v. David Rodriguez

STATE TAX LIENS

■ Keystone Truck & Trailer LLC, 4171 Quick Town Road, Madisonville; $1,872.95.

■ Walczak Lumber Co. Inc., 280 Route 106, Greenfield Twp.; $4,951.73.

■ Greentown Medical Associ­ates P.C., 1623 Route 507, Greentown; $1,510.34.

ESTATES FILED

■ James P. Slovak, 2 Huckle­berry Hill, Scranton, letters testamentary to Catherine A. Fred­ericks, same address.

■ Roy E. Jones, also known as Roy E. Jones Jr., 113 Pequest Drive, Scranton, letters testamentary to David Capozzi, 402 Poplar St., Lakehurst, N.J.

ARDS

The following were admitted to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for driving under the influence:

■ Jose L. Gonzalez, 41, Taylor, stopped Nov. 17 by Taylor police.

■ Chris Yankowy, 40, Pittston, stopped Oct. 30 by Dickson City police.

■ Robert Peter Tomachick, 24, Scranton, stopped June 25 by Scranton police.

■ Scott Robinson, 54, Clarks Summit, stopped Oct. 1 by Clarks Summit police.

■ Curtis James Neuhausel, 28, Dalton, stopped Jan. 25, 2016, by Scranton police.

■ Emma Gromelski, 22, Clarks Green, stopped Nov. 12 by South Abington Twp. police.

■ Lorraine McGurrin, 44, Simp­son, stopped Oct. 5 by Dickson City police.

■ Joseph Chudoba, 51, Wilkes-Barre, stopped Sept. 23 by South Abington Twp. police.

■ Mary Catherine Dale, 50, Wilkes-Barre, stopped June 25 by state police.

■ Shand Ford, 36, Scranton, stopped Oct. 31 by state police.

■ Ashley L. Martin, 30, Dun­more, stopped Oct. 2 by Dick­son City police.

■ Michael Ryan Pidgeon, 30, Carbondale, stopped Sept. 6 by Archbald police.

■ Johnathan Sidarovich, 27, Avoca, stopped Aug. 14 by Scranton police.

■ Camille Siglin, 31, Scranton, stopped March 8, 2016, by Scranton police.

■ Louis Delrosso, 28, Dun­more, stopped Oct. 21 by Scran­ton police.

■ Shane Pete Colachino, Car­bondale, stopped Sept. 11 by Carbondale police.

■ Matthew Francis Nails, 32, Scranton, stopped Sept. 4 by state police.

■ Corey Thomas Smith, 21, Scranton, stopped July 24 by Mayfield police.

■ Traci Nicole Howey, 29, Oly­phant, stopped June 9 by Dick­son City police.

■ Thomas Alan Jackson, 47, Olyphant, stopped Oct. 2 by Blakely police.

The following defendants were admitted to the ARD program for other crimes:

■ Brandon Farrell, 25, Scran­ton, arrested Nov. 11 by Scran­ton police for possession of marijuana and use and possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ Ryan Sebastianelli, 19, Arch­bald, arrested Dec. 4 by University of Scranton police for disorderly conduct, aggravated assault, simple assault and disarming a law enforcement officer without lawful authorization.

■ Jordan Timothy O’Hearn, 20, Scranton, arrested Jan. 1 by Scranton police for simple assault, harassment, resisting arrest, loitering and prowling at night time, public drunkenness and purchase of alcoholic beverages by a minor.

■ Summer Kovack, 20, Jes­sup, arrested May 14 by Blakely police for burglary, resisting arrest, criminal trespassing and purchase of alcoholic beverages by a minor.

■ Carl T. Long, 23, Pine Bush, N.Y., arrested Oct. 9 by Scran­ton police for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

■ Peter Miles, 21, Moosic, arrested Oct. 14 by Old Forge police for possession of marijuana, use and possession of drug paraphernalia and purchase of alcoholic beverages by a minor.

■ Wayne C. Phillips, 23, Scran­ton, arrested Sept. 7 by Scranton police for receiving stolen property.

■ Michael Pierre, 29, Dun­more, arrested Sept. 26 by Dunmore police for disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, public drunkenness, harassment and aggravated assault.

■ Dorri Michelle Smith, 27, Scranton, arrested July 9 by Dickson City police for theft and receiving stolen property.

■ Fawn Theresa Opeil, 34, Greenfield Twp., arrested Dec. 4 by Taylor police for simple assault, resisting arrest, false identification to law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and aggravated assault.

■ Mallory Jamie Shestock, 30, Olyphant, arrested Nov. 10 by Blakely police for recklessly endangering another person, intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person who is not registered and use and possession of drug paraphernalia.

BENCH WARRANTS

Judge Vito Geroulo has issued the following bench warrants for failure to appear on fines and costs:

■ Joshua Thomas, 1677 Lisa Lane, Clarks Summit; $891.

■ Ollman Pacheco, 1038 Genet St., Apt. 13D, Scranton; $390.50.

■ Mike Oprea, 552 N. Vine St., Hazleton; $2,400.50.

■ William J. Weinerth, 817 Prescott Ave., Apt. 2C, Scran­ton; $4,546.23.

■ Kachiri Shanequa Lynch, 780 the Hideout, Lake Ariel; $915.

■ Michael John Lucido, 3538 Route 9W, Apt. 10, Highland, N.Y.; $1,151.50.

■ Arthur Horvath, 120 N. Main Ave., Taylor; $2,732.85.

■ Ovidio Aquino, 617 Cedar Ave., Scranton; $182.

■ Peter J. Lee, 410 Adams Ave., Apt. 319, Scranton; $942.14.

■ Charles Bronson, 545 Hick­ory St., Scranton; $8,271.45.

■ Francisco Moreno, 50 Jay St., Brooklyn, N.Y.; $2,093.71.

■ John E. Santana, 1012 Myrtle St., Scranton; $374.50.

■ Carlos Ramon Medina-Marquez, 18 Silex St., second floor, Scranton; $841.

■ Laurie Marie Hricenak, 152 Petrilak Road, Greenfield Twp.; $690.50.

■ Kristen V. Hricenak, 214 Washington St., Carbondale; $690.50.

■ Jessica Thelma Ferguson, 4104 Birney Ave., Moosic; $1,986.

■ Kevin Escelante, 416 Orch­ard St., Scranton; $1,648.

■ Christina Fisher, 327 S. 10th Ave., Scranton; $5,548.

■ Darryl Card-Dixon, 1170 Nameoke St., Apt 4E, Far Rock­away, N.Y.; $400.

■ Georgia Orue, 64 Cemetary St., second floor, Carbondale; $2,316.25.

■ Christopher McElroy, 890 Pocono Country Place, Tobyhan­na; $1,685.

■ Raymond John Mazzarella, 1403 Dartmouth St., Apt. 2, Scranton; $1,967.

■ John Robert Matthews III, 401 W. Market St., Apt. 3, Scranton; $4,349.

■ James Knight, 1021 Wheel­er Ave., Scranton; $2,499.43.

■ Amber Spenceer, 2012 N. Fourth St., Harrisburg; $3,892.37.

■ Douglas Clark Hess, 78 Spring St., Carbondale; $1,120.50.

■ Alison Lohman, 139 S. Filmore Ave., Scranton; $2,479.

■ Michael Patterson, 4094 B DeReimer Ave., Bronx, N.Y.; $861.14.

■ Christina Perry, 330 Crown Ave., Apt. 2, Scranton; $2,292.77.

■ Joseph J. Geary, 2901 Bir­ney Ave., Apt. 2903, Scranton; $234.49.

■ Bui Phu Mahn, 1706 Prospect Ave., Apt. 1, Scranton; $1,029.50.

■ Chad Derrick Howey, 55 Cambridge Village, Lancaster; $1,579.50.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

The district’s budget is a major concern for the seven candidates vying for four seats on the Valley View School Board.

Board President Ellen Nielsen, Vice President Thomas Owen and newcomer Maria Ruby will compete for two open seats on the school board for Region 1, which covers Archbald.

Former board President Joseph Mondak and newcomer Matthew Catanzaro will contend for one seat in Region 2 in Blakely, and newcomer Tina Jezuit and past candidate James Moran will compete for one seat in Region 3 in Jessup.

All said, Valley View’s budget is one of the most important issues facing the district.

STEM program

If re-elected to a fourth term, Nielsen, who taught at Valley View for 35 years, said she wants to continue working to implement STEM programs, which focus on science, technology, engineering and math.

The district has to be very careful about its spending because “we know that we don’t have much help from the state,” and she wants to work toward controlling the district’s budget without losing educational programs, Nielsen said.

“I’d like to continue a strong educational program for the students in the district, and I’d like to try to make some effort to get the budget under control,” she said.

Keep technology

Owen, a 16-year veteran of the board, emphasized the importance of keeping technology in the budget to guarantee students have everything they need, and he wants to “keep moving in a positive direction and support our administrators.” Valley View has never cut a program or laid off an employee during his tenure, and he plans to maintain that record if re-elected, he said.

“We have a lot of things we’re moving forward with at Valley View,” Owen said. “There’s a lot of challenges, and I’m very interested in keeping things moving in the right direction.”

Voice for teachers

As a former Valley View elementary teacher who left the district in 2013, Ruby said her experience as a teacher will make her an asset to the board. It will allow her to act as a voice for teachers and educators, she said. With two young sons in the district, she wants to provide Valley View students with the best education possible without continually raising taxes by creating “new and innovative ways to generate revenue” in the district.

“My whole perspective is the kids,” she said. “So, for me, it’s all about the kids and making sure they’re getting the best of the best.”

Better relations

Mondak, who hopes to earn a third term as school director, wants to improve relations between teachers and the school board.

“Valley View has great teachers,” he said. “I want to foster a greater communication between our teachers and our board.”

To stay informed and make good decisions, Mondak monitors other school districts and attends seminars and participates in webinars, he said. He agrees that the budget is the number one issue facing Valley View. He wants to continue implementing new programs that provide a more advanced curriculum and keep the district “at the forefront” while working to get the budget under control.

“One of the goals this time around — and it’s always been a goal — has been to make sure we’re fiscally responsible, and now it’s getting tighter than ever,” he said.

Since he only graduated from Valley View last year, Catanzaro hopes to channel his experience as a recent grad to bring a student’s perspective to the school board.

“I don’t think anyone knows better of how the school works than me because I was literally just a student,” he said. “I think that gives me a little bit of an advantage to know what the students’ real issues are.”

Catanzaro does not believe that Valley View “uses their assets to their best potential,” and if elected, he wants to implement student-run fundraising events to generate income and promote increased socialization among students.

Having dedicated her life to children, running for school director is a natural progression for her, Jezuit said. She intends to combine her experience in advocacy with her passion for children if elected to the board. The substitute teacher and founder of two nonprofit organizations agreed that budget deficits are the major issue facing Valley View, but her main goal is to improve the education of students.

“I would vote in whatever is the best interest of the children at that time and make sure that a political motive was not hanging over my head,” Jezuit said. “A lot of Valley View votes are based politically.”

Moran decided to run for school director to “provide the best education experience possible for the children of Valley View,” which includes his own son and daughter in the district. He said he intends to use his business experience to help bring in new sources of income for Valley View. The district should spend more money on technology while keeping taxes “where they’re at,” and Valley View should review its host agreement with the upcoming Invenergy power plant to generate more income for the district, he said.

“We need new ways to bring income into the school district,” Moran said. “We are sitting on one of the biggest power plants in the U.S.”

Contact the writer:

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, x5186

Prices right for

fine food, wine

Attorneys Joseph G. and Judith Gardner Price are honorary chairs for the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple 2017 Evening of Fine Food and Wine. Joe and Judy will be among those enjoying and hosting the annual fundraiser as it enters its 17th year Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the downtown Scranton Cultural Center.

Nearly 20 local restaurants and catering companies will provide samples of favorite dishes paired with wines as chefs and wine aficionados share their knowledge with guests, limited to 220, who move from room to room throughout the evening.

Among those assisting with the planning are Deborah Moran Peterson, cultural center executive director; Nada Gilmartin, development committee co-chairwoman and board treasurer, and John Murray , development committee co-chairman and board committee member.

Super students

Local residents initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, include: Rita Dileo of Scranton, initiated at University of Alabama at Birmingham; Alexandra Finnie of Milford, Ithaca College; Dominique Gennaro of Lords Valley, Sydney Hoopman of Dingman’s Ferry, Corey Moletsky of Clarks Summit and Hannah Woody of Scranton, all initiated at Penn State University. …Katherine Pecko of Vandling, a student at Cedar Crest College, was initiated into the Gamma Sigma Epsilon National Chemistry Honor Society.

High notes

Children’s Advocacy Center Executive Director Mary Ann LaPorta will speak about the child abuse intervention center and the 12,500 children who have been helped there since 1998 during a meeting of the Century Club on Thursday. The 2 p.m. program at 612 Jefferson Ave. is open and refreshments will be served. Call 570-342-0204 to make a reservation. …Jessica Statsman, president, welcomed members as Glenmaura National Women’s Golf Association Board kicked off its 2017 golf season earlier this month. Other officers enjoying the festivities included Jackie Finegan, vice president, and Sharon Grivner, secretary. Diane Gilchrist is treasurer. … Mia Scotti is a state finalist in the National American Miss, 2017 Miss Pennsylvania Pre-Teen Pageant. Mia, 11, who attends Riverside Elementary East, now moves on to the Aug. 12-13 pageant in Harrisburg.

Crews work along Shady Lane Road in South Abington Twp. on Tuesday. The road that runs beneath the tunnel will be closed due to a project to replace the road surface, township officials said earlier this month. It is expected to remain closed until late November, officials said. The tunnel, according to a date plate, was built in 1904.

BUTCH COMEGYS

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

I called the cellphone of the president of the Scranton School Board twice Tuesday and left detailed messages.

I wanted to know how a board facing a $34 million deficit and borrowed $13 million to balance its existing budget decided to take a recess until after the May 16 Primary Election.

Bob Sheridan didn’t call back. His phone did.

In a textbook case of “butt-dialing,” Bob’s cellphone called mine. I said hello several times before realizing no one was talking to me. I could hear a woman reacting as Bob described The Times-Tribune as a “kangaroo court,” among other more muffled witticisms. I kept saying hello until the woman apparently heard me and said, “I think someone’s on your phone.”

Then there were ruffling sounds, like someone stuffing a startled duck into a burlap sack. I identified myself and kept saying hello but got no response. I said, “Bob, I know you’re there and you know I’m here, so just talk to me.”

Silence. I said I was walking into my editor’s office and would put us on speakerphone. The call ended. I called back. Bob answered. He denied any knowledge of the previous call even after I told him it was documented on my cellphone. It began at 2:16 p.m. and lasted 4 minutes and 18 seconds.

Numbers are rarely friends to Bob, so I moved on to the recess. I asked who called it and why. Bob said the decision was made by a five-member majority of the nine-seat board. He identified the majority as Directors Paul Duffy, Robert Casey, Carol Oleski, Bob Lesh and himself. Was there a vote? No.

I told Bob that Director Mark McAndrew told me the president called the recess. Bob eventually admitted he did, but insisted his decision was based on “one member being out of town” and others having “other obligations.” Bob said he had an unspecified “business obligation” that apparently makes it impossible to hold a single school board meeting for a month.

It’s been almost a month since the board’s last meeting, McAndrew said. An incumbent running for re-election, he said he was “furious” about the recess, which he called “ridiculous” and “wrong” considering the district’s dire financial straits. The $34 million deficit could balloon to $47 million by year’s end.

“I know the motivation,” McAndrew said. “It’s typical Sheridan, dodging the public. Rome is burning and Bob Sheridan is canceling meetings.”

Bob — who is also city Democratic party chairman — called McAndrew part of “the opposition” and said political “grandstanding” is another reason for the recess. He said he didn’t want politics taking precedence over education. Besides, he said “there’s nothing really important on the agenda this month.”

I pointed out that as board president, Bob sets the agenda. The recess is the epitome of placing politics above education, and he called it.

“Chris, I always thought of us as friends,” Bob said.

“Let me stop you right there,” I replied. “I know that’s how it works in your world, but this isn’t that. We can be friendly, but we are not friends. I’m a journalist asking an elected official questions. That’s all.”

“So you want to keep it on a professional basis?” he asked.

Yeah, Bob. Let’s try that.

CHRIS KELLY, the Times-Tribune columnist, thinks parents and taxpayers should share an agenda this May. Contact the writer: kellys

world@timesshamrock.com. Read his award-winning blog at timestribuneblogs.com/kelly.

Meet Mitchell Fowler

School: Tunkhannock Area High School

Parents: Craig and Cassandra Fowler

Plans: Attend the United States Air Force Academy for basic training in Colorado. After completing basic training, he will attend the academy for four years and will serve active duty for a minimum of five years.

Mitchell Fowler doesn’t believe in luck.

The future pilot believes that everything good that happens is a result of hard work and dedication — not luck. He considers his acceptance into the United States Air Force Academy to be his proudest accomplishment.

“I had to go through three interviews and complete a multitude of essays to be nominated,” he said.

Someday, he hopes to pilot jets in the Air Force, and in 15 years, he sees himself continuing as a pilot in the Air Force with a degree in an engineering field and fluency in Spanish.

Going to Spain as an exchange student through the Rotary Club of Tunkhannock

is his most rewarding experience “by far,” he said. Mitchell spent one month in Cordoba, Spain, in the summer of 2015.

He is also proud of his stellar high school sports career.

“I have the maximum amount of varsity letters — 12 — for doing soccer, swimming and track,” he said.

He won two district titles, one for soccer and one for swimming; he is a former captain of the soccer team; and he was captain of the swim team twice. The talented swimmer, who once swam with wild sharks on a family vacation to the Bahamas, competed in states three times for swimming.

Over the course of his high school career, Mitchell competed in a variety of academic events, including team leader in a regional physics competition and membership on a four-student team for the Scholastic Bowl; he also competed in Envirothon and the Kane Competition.

Mitchell’s academic achievements and memberships include ranking second in his graduating class of 195 students, National Honor Society, the Rotary Youth Leadership Award forum, and a current GPA of 101.8.

In his limited free time, Mitchell is a hobbyist metal detector.

“I’m fascinated with history, and this hobby offers me the opportunity to meet new people, explore new areas and talk about local history with home owners,” he said. “Metal detecting is also another way for my brothers and I to bond, since we all go together in our free time.”

Mitchell said he would not be the person he is today if it weren’t for his parents.

“I admire my parents the most because of their countless support,” he said. “They’ve been my rock throughout my life and have helped shape me into the man I am today.”

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

SCRANTON — The location for Dunmore native and CNN foreign affairs correspondent Jill Dougherty’s Friday luncheon talk, “Putin’s Poker Game,” is moved to the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center on the University of Scranton campus. The luncheon begins at noon.

As part of the University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum, the speech will take people into the mind of Russian President Vladimir Putin, one of the world’s most powerful and high-profile leaders. Dougherty is a former CNN Moscow bureau chief. Tickets are $20 per person and $30 per couple.

To register, call 570-941-6206 or email emily.brees@scranton.edu.

— PETER CAMERON

Scranton seeks outside help to identify and register the thousands of rental units in the city.

The city issued public notices recently in The Times-Tribune requesting proposals from firms to undertake a “rental registration database compilation and management program.”

The initiative aims to create a comprehensive list of rental units as the city moves toward a larger goal of ensuring property maintenance, said Patrick Hinton, director of the Licensing, Inspections and Permits department that handles rental registration duties.

The city has struggled for years with creating and enforcing a fair and effective rental registration program.

Rental registration in the city began about 2001 from an expansion over time of rental units, many managed off-premises, but the program languished for many years, Hinton said.

In 2012, the city amended the rules with an eye toward enforcement, by requiring owners or their agents to register as contacts for addressing safety and aesthetic concerns of blighted conditions.

“It really didn’t solve the problem of identification” of rental units, Hinton said of the rule changes.

Another amendment a few years ago increased fees — and drew a landlord class-action lawsuit against the rental registration system as excessive and arbitrary.

In response to the lawsuit, which remains pending in Lackawanna County Court, the city further amended rental registration rules to reduce fees and make other changes.

Now, the city seeks to bring aboard a third party or consulting firm to help create and manage a rental registration system.

The deadline for such proposals is May 24.

“The purpose of this initiative is to assist LIP personnel to more effectively manage the rental registration program,” the request description says.

Problems encountered two years ago and repeated earlier this month highlight the city’s difficulties. The city two weeks ago sent a round of 11,800 letters to residents instructing them to register their properties as rental units and pay associated fees, but many recipients were not landlords.

The city has used tax information as a guide for sending letters. Once recipients of registration letters proved they’re not landlords, they were crossed off the list.

The rental registration unit also has only two employees, making it difficult to directly investigate every building in a 76,000-resident city. Prior efforts to advertise for landlords to come forward also didn’t work.

Under the new plan, an outside firm — hired for three years with possible one-year extensions — would help “further develop a complete list of all rental units,” as well as develop a website for registration and fee payments, the RFP says.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how a company is going to do this,” Hinton said.

The city hopes to have a firm on board and a new program in place for next year, he said.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

Police work is in Joe Harris’ blood.

The Scranton police corporal and training officer is working to better serve law enforcement and first responders, and also to teach a broader audience skills in home defense and gun proficiency, with his family’s business, Roll Call.

Roll Call soon will move from Duryea to West Scranton, where it will add a 25-yard indoor shooting range and indoor training for civilians and law enforcement. The new location, at 701 Hudson Ave., just off Keyser Avenue, will continue to offer the same retail firearms, hunting equipment and tactical gear.

Along with his father, Tom Harris, and brother Tom Harris III, they built a 2,000-square-foot training house, which will be available to civilians and law enforcement. The training house includes furniture, closets and dimmable lights to simulate different times of day.

It also has blind corners and a breaching door where officers can practice breaking through a locked door.

Instructors watch from a catwalk above and regroup with trainees after each session to review what went well and what didn’t.

In his 15 years of law enforcement, Joe Harris trained at such a center only twice — in Las Vegas and at the National Guard training site in Fort Indiantown Gap, near Harrisburg.

Roll Call will offer the training house to law enforcement departments at no charge during designated times.

Some police chiefs applauded the opportunity to train close to home.

“The major advancements in law enforcement are largely due to increased training,” said Carbondale Police Chief Brian Bognatz. “The thing with training … everything costs money; show me a municipality that’s not strapped for cash.”

Most area police departments now travel to Fort Indiantown Gap to train for indoor operations.

While they don’t pay to use the facility, it costs money to travel and takes officers away from their communities, said Archbald Chief Tim Trently. Trently is president of the Lackawanna County Chiefs of Police Association and chief of the county SWAT team.

“If it was right in our backyard, we’d still be available, still be home at night,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to have something like this local.”

Scranton’s Office of Economic and Community Development awarded Roll Call a $250,000 economic loan sourced from state money to build the training center. The loan will convert to a grant if Roll Call can meet the condition of creating eight full-time jobs within a certain time.

Problems arose briefly because the city originally planned to make the loan using federal funding. Joe Harris’ employment as a city police officer could have posed a conflict of interest. To avoid that problem, the city instead used state money, which has fewer restrictions, to fund the loan.

On Monday, Joe Harris handed in his resignation at the Scranton Police Department, where, as part of the training division, he was a firearms instructor and conducted site risk assessments. Notably, he worked with the Scranton School District to improve disaster and emergency preparedness in its buildings.

He officially ends his career there May 8, about the same time his family plans a grand opening, if all goes according to plan.

The Duryea store will close one week before the Scranton center opens.

“I think it’ll be a huge asset to our department,” Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright said. “The more training the better. We’ve got a terrific chief, we’ve got a terrific group of men and women on our law enforcement, and this is just another added feature that we can take advantage of.”

Converting the former retail store, which most recently was Muscle Foods USA, to a full-service training facility and firearms and tactical gear retailer costs between $3 million and $4 million, Joe Harris said.

Down the road, the Harrises plan to offer a limited number of VIP memberships, which gives members exclusive access to the range and a lounge area.

Nonmembers can pay by the hour to use the shooting range, or for each class.

“Let’s just say it’s date night,” Joe Harris said. “You could go bowling, or you could go here.”

To start, civilians can take two courses: basic home defense, which will cost $199 per person, and basic handgun and safety course at $129 per person.

“What we do for the civilians is we teach them defensive tactics, not offensive tactics,” Joe Harris said. “This is for your civilians who are armed, and want to learn a little bit more about the do’s and don’ts of home defense.”

During a home invasion or similar situation, it’s important for the victims to slow down and think through the consequences of their actions — not act out of fear, he said.

Pennsylvania has its own Castle Doctrine. It gives homeowners some latitude in how they defend their homes, but just like law enforcement, they can’t just pull the trigger and “ask questions later,” he said.

Contact the writer: joconnell@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131; @jon_oc on Twitter

Regional rural hospitals spent more money than they earned caring for patients last year, according to a new report.

The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council released today its survey revealing that rural hospitals Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock Twp., Barnes-Kasson County Hospital in Susquehanna, Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale and Endless Mountains Health Systems outside Montrose had negative operating margins in fiscal year 2016.

Expenses rose, and the lion’s share of their reimbursements came from Medicare and Medicaid, which pay less than private insurance companies for the same treatment and procedures.

Rural hospitals also performed more charity work than their downtown counterparts, which means they didn’t get paid at all for some services.

“We do see a very large amount of Medicare and Medicaid patients, and we do in our region have the largest amount of uncompensated care,” said Barnes-Kasson CEO Sara Adornato.

Barnes-Kasson reported a minus 0.52 percent operating margin, with 66 percent of revenue coming from Medicare and Medicaid patients.

Uncompensated care at Barnes-Kasson was nearly 5 percent.

She explained that many patients still get caught in the middle, where they earn too much to qualify for medical assistance, but too little to pay their bills without sacrificing other needs, like food or housing. This phenomenon often is called the “Medicaid gap.”

Statewide, the average hospital operating margin was 6 percent.

Of the hospitals in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties, Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton enjoyed the highest operating margin — 7 percent.

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Twp., was second, and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital was third. Both were just under 6 percent.

The PHC4’s numbers don’t necessarily reflect all the free care a hospital gives away.

Geisinger Health System uses a wider ruler to measure its charity, beyond the report’s uncompensated care, said spokeswoman Wendy Wilson.

Considering unpaid or underpaid care, health education and community programs, Geisinger Wyoming Valley provided $85 million in “community benefit,” and Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton, provided $36.6 million, she said.

When considering the PHC4’s numbers alone, Geisinger Wyoming Valley lost $9.8 million, and Geisinger CMC lost $3.8 million, on uncompensated care.

Regional Hospital of Scranton was the only centrally located hospital to report a negative operating margin of minus 1.25 percent.

The PHC4 reports only revenue from patient care. It does not include other revenue from sources like endowments and investment gains.

Operating margins, however, calculate the other sources, so they typically reflect a more optimistic margin than patient revenue alone.

Endless Mountains had the greatest deficit — with expenses outpacing revenue by nearly 14 percent. The hospital, with 61 percent of its revenue coming from patients on Medicare and Medicaid, reported $24 million in expenses last fiscal year. It reported revenue of only $20 million.

All other rural hospitals ran in the red.

Revenue trailed expenses by:

n 2.73 percent at Tyler Memorial

n 2.04 percent at Wayne Memorial Hospital

“These smaller, community-based hospitals often are located in rural areas, and are on the front lines of treating older and sicker patients and dealing with Pennsylvania’s opioid epidemic,” Andy Carter, president of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, said in a statement. “Financial stability is paramount for these community anchors, as many transform their facilities to provide outpatient and preventive care services. This proactive approach to care helps patients maintain better health and avoid costly emergency room visits and lengthy hospital stays.”

Wayne Memorial serves a largely rural population.

CEO David Hoff explained its loss was borne of a new cardiac catheterization laboratory, a $4 million investment.

“The lab opened in June of 2016, nearly at the end of our fiscal year,” he said in a statement, explaining hospital officials weren’t surprised by the PHC4 numbers.

“We are already surpassing our anticipated goals with this service, but we did not budget a full recoup of expenses for at least five years,” he said.

The hospital also shelled out upfront fees for a large expansion project, expected to be completed in the next two years.

“With the current funding that’s in place with Medicare and Medicaid, we struggle as is to maintain a positive profit margin,” Adornato, the Barnes-Kasson CEO, said. “As time marches on and they talk about stripping funding from the Medicare and Medicaid program, with every dollar we lose it becomes just a little bit more difficult to maintain the resources to provide care.”

Contact the writer: joconnell@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131; @jon_oc on Twitter.

Archbald

Walking tour: Archbald Borough Historical Society walking tour to site of Edgerton, Saturday, 1 p.m., meet at parking lot at Alyes­worth Creek Park; Edger­ton grew around a coal mine operation in the northern section of the borough and disappeared within a few years of the mine closing; free tour by Dale Keklock with Joseph Krenitsky, author of history of Edgerton.

Carbondale

Open closet: Covenant Reformed Church’s spring open closet, Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., 47 S. Church St., men’s, women’s, children’s clothes, household items; free; 570-282-6400 or info@covenantrc.org.

Diocese of Scranton

Men’s conference: Third annual Diocesan Catholic Men’s Confer­ence, May 6, registration/breakfast, 7 a.m.; conference, 8 a.m., closing Mass, 2:45 p.m.; lunch provided, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre; $35, $15/students, free/priests and deacons; www.BeAManconference.com, Diocesan Pastoral Center, 570-207-2213; or at door.

Dunmore

Pasta dinner: Dunmore Senior Center pasta dinner, May 11, 5-7 p.m., 1414 Monroe Ave., takeouts, 4-5; $10; 570-207-2662, by April 28.

Honesdale

Award presentation: Honesdale Women’s Club Scholarship Award presentation, Thursday, 7 p.m., Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, Commercial Street, 2017 high school scholarship winners/families reception and presentation.

Lackawanna County

Benefit race: Fifth Ryan O’Mal­ley Annual Race (ROAR) 5K walk/run, May 6, 9 a.m., Foun­ders’ Green, University of Scran­ton campus; chip-timed, free race T-shirt; overall and age-group awards; $20; mini race “expo” featuring live music, raffle baskets, free sports massages; free (ages 12 and under) Kids’ Fun Runs, free Kids’ Fitness Fair; presentation of specially adapted bike to child at St. Joseph’s Center; ROAR proceeds benefits Ryan T. O’Mal­ley Memorial Scholarship at the University of Scranton, registration: www.ROAR5K.com or at 8 a.m. race day; sponsorship details: Julianne Philipp, race director, roar5krunwalk@gmail.com, 408-771-8303; Erin O’Malley Stewart, director, free health/fitness fun fair, 703-980-1301; raffle baskets details: Diane O’Malley, 570-468-0982; Helene O’Malley, 570-575-2723.

Book sale: Weinberg Memorial Library at the University of Scran­ton book sale, Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday, noon-4 p.m., library Heritage Room, fifth floor; preview sale for current Friends of the Library, Schemel members and university students, Friday, 4-8 p.m.; benefits Friends of the Weinberg Memor­ial Library Endowment, which supports library collections and services.

Maplewood

Cemetery association: Maple­wood Methodist Church Ceme­tery Association meeting, May 5, 7 p.m., Maplewood Fire hall.

Milford

Community event: Belle Reve Senior Living Cinco de Mayo celebration, May 4, noon-2 p.m., lunch, entertainment, margaritas and a make-your-own taco bar, free, seating limited; 570-409-9191.

Moscow

Club luncheon: Moscow Wom­en’s Club May luncheon Tues­day, 11:30 a.m., Elmhurst Country Club; dry goods, children’s lunch items, collection for North Pocono Food Pantry; entertainment by Al and Deidre, reservations, Betty, 570-842-7892.

North Scranton

Neighborhood watch: North Scranton Neighborhood Crime Watch meeting Monday, 7 p.m., Weston Park Field House; summer picnic discussion.

Pittston

Art walk: Pittston City Second Friday Art Walk, May 12, 5-9 p.m., downtown Pittston, art exhibits, live entertainment, food, interactive art, face painting.

Regional

Putin presentation: University of Scranton Schemel Forum/ Times-Tribune present Jill Dough­erty, former CNN Moscow Bureau chief, who has reported on Russia’s president for more than 15 years, discussing “Putin’s Poker Game” at a luncheon Friday at noon in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center at the university; $20, $30/couple; registration: Emily Brees, Schemel For­um assistant, 570-941-6206, emily.brees@scranton.edu.

Awareness events: Autism Awareness-NEPA 10th annual 5K Run, Walk and Wellness Fair, Saturday, 5K Run registration, 7:30 a.m.; race, 8:15; walk registration, 9 a.m., walk, 10:30 a.m., Luzerne County Recreation Complex, Forty Fort; candlelight vigil, 6:30 p.m., Friday, Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre; Tara Quinn, autismawareness.nepa@gmail.com, 570-760-3952.

Synod festival: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Lutheran Mission District of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA annual festival and meeting, Saturday, registration, 8:30 a.m.; St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Taylor Ave., Scran­ton, theme: “Following the Reformation Trail” featuring old liturgical worship service, video presentations and discussions on the theme; German style lunch for nominal cost.

South Scranton

Seniors meet: Friendly Seniors of South Scranton meeting, Tues­day, 12:30 p.m., St. Paul of the Cross Parish Center, Pros­pect Avenue.

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