Tough economic times have some in educational fields gun-shy of advising future undergraduates to pursue their dreams with a liberal arts degree.

A liberal arts education has been criticized by some for not always leading directly to employment, but increased economic challenges have led to that chorus getting louder.

Jennifer Severini-Kresock, who worked for 20 years as a high school counselor and now owns NEPA Career and College Counseling Associates, said she encourages students to consider technical careers.

In Northeast Pennsylvania, Lackawanna College, community colleges and other workforce training centers have offered educational opportunities related to natural gas operations and other fields.

"That's really where the money is," Ms. Severini-Kresock said. "We all know how hard it is to get a plumber or electrician to come to your house."

Ms. Severini-Kresock said she has observed many students with a liberal arts degree working in positions that don't require a college degree. She also knows from personal experience.

As an undergraduate in psychology, she loved the field but had a hard time finding a job. Instead of entering the workforce with her four-year degree, Ms. Severini-Kresock enrolled in graduate school.

"A basic liberal arts degree doesn't get you very far these days," she said. "Unfortunately, I see a lot of students in fast-food places because they can't find a job in their field."

Liberal arts degrees such as English, history, anthropology have received additional criticism as the cost of attending four-year colleges and universities continue to rise faster than the rate of inflation. More people have started to question the return on investment of liberal arts degrees. Richard Vedder, Ph.D., director of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for College Affordability and Productivity, authored a policy report released earlier this year, "Why Are Recent College Graduates Underemployed?" which examined university enrollments and labor markets.

Dr. Vedder said the number of college graduates seems out of synch with the fastest-growing fields in the nation, which don't require four-year degrees. The top five occupations - registered nurse, retail sales, home health aides, personal care aides and office clerks - do not require a bachelor's degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"What we're training people to do is out of whack with the labor market," he said.

While Dr. Vedder said data are not compiled for what specific college majors do for a living, he has examined earnings based on major.

While average mid-year salaries for electrical engineering majors is $102,000, according to 2009 data from the website payscale.com, drama majors make $56,600.

However, Dr. Vedder said at least some liberal arts majors seem to pay as well as degrees in other majors.

"It turns out philosophy majors mid-career pay is as much as business administration majors," he said.

When Joe Kraus, Ph.D., associate professor of English and theater at the University of Scranton, hears negativity associated with liberal arts degrees, his blood pressure tends to rise. He disagrees with people who say the degrees have lost value. Dr. Kraus said people make a mistake by thinking a college education should directly lead to a job.

"They're proposing that college is going to train you for a specific type of job," he said. "It's never done that."

Director of the honors program at the university, Dr. Kraus said liberal arts majors learn how to analyze data, use critical thinking skills, develop communication abilities and other important skills helpful to succeed in many fields.

"The whole purpose for a degree is to prepare you for a lifetime, and you don't know what that will bring," he said. "Get the broadest, most flexible skills possible - that's the liberal arts."

Contact the writer: business@timesshamrock.com, @businessTT on Twitter

The stock market over the last five years wasn't as much of a roller coaster ride as it was a single plunge, then a slow climb.

Since the market lost more than one third of its value in 2008, it has steadily rebounded, logging some double-digit gains.

Equities are back pretty much where they were in 2008 before the big drop prompted by the housing and banking crises.

For those saving for the future, with the goal of a comfortable retirement, what were the take-aways and lessons learned from the Great Recession?

The situation is not as dire as some may think. Total household assets are up close to the pre-2008 levels, said Timothy Kearney, Ph.D,, Misericordia University professor of business. Savings rates have swung from negatives to the positive and people are using credit more sparingly, he said.

Moderate expectations

People grew accustomed to double-digit returns. But, as the small print reads, those are never guaranteed. After the market decline took such a huge bite from portfolios, investors have learned to love 6 percent, said Kevin Palmiter, managing director of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Moosic.

"Ten years ago, you got laughed out of the room talking about 6 percent," he said. "Now, most advisers are reluctant to show an 8 percent projection."

Slow and steady growth in retirement savings should be the goal rather than double-digit gains, he said.

Saving more

During the Great Recession, some portfolios lost as much as half their value. For those who remained in the market, a lot of that came back to close to pre-recession levels. But people still lost a few years of investing and returns.

Many of those people began to save more, which is a good thing, said Mr. Kearney. People have paid down debt and started to invest more to get back on track.

"People should invest with the eye on their total net wealth - not market performance at any given time," he said. "Even though people may have gotten killed in the market, they need to remember that those savings will return in the future."

Employees with a 401(k) should at minimum invest enough to get the entirety of any employer match. Even without an employer match, people should use 401(k)s as a means of savings that brings with it a tax benefit.

Embrace risk

Portfolios were so hammered in 2008 and 2009, that stunned investors hunkered down, sought more security and waited for the storm to pass. That emotional strategy sacrificed gains made over the last three years. Yet, many investors are still risk averse, said Jack Conway, of Conway Financial Group in Dunmore.

"There's been a turnaround in the market," Mr. Conway said. "But people are still scared."

People are still saving, but saving differently and more defensively, he said. Some people may place their peace of mind above the opportunity costs of missing out on market gains. Investors needs to find their risk tolerance and go with it.

"If you are a low-risk investor, you lose some buying power, but you have peace of mind," he said. "What price can you put on peace of mind?"

The correct balance in a portfolio is the one that lets the investor sleep at night, Mr. Conway said.

But five years before planned retirement, Mr. Conway usually instructs his clients to begin paring equities back to about half the portfolio. But such recommendation come after consultation, taking into consideration investors' goal, risk tolerance, and total net worth.

Don't panic

People made a big mistake by pulling their money out of the market as it was on its way down, or even after it cratered, said Lou Ingargiola, of Ingargiola Wealth Management Group in Dunmore. Those who withdrew from the market locked in their losses and missed out on the rebound.

"Think of it this way: The market was at 12, fell to six, now it's back up to 12," he said. "If you jumped out at the bottom, you missed the doubling of the market and are still at six."

People should always have a quality investments and a portfolio that is balanced and in sync with their risk tolerance, he said. They should keep in mind they are investing for the long haul rather than chasing the next hot stock.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

How timely you pay your bills, and how you handle credit, go into calculating your credit score.

Your credit score is used to determine your ability to handle financing, like a mortgage or car loan.

There are five components, weighted by percentage, to calculating a consumer's credit score: Payment history, 35 percent; low balances, 30 percent; age of credit history, 15 percent; new credit, 10 percent; and types of credit in use, 10 percent, according to Terri Stocki, certified education director for Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

"Pay your bills on time, because 35 percent of your credit score is based on your payment history," Ms. Stocki said. "So the best way to build and maintain good credit is to pay your bills on time. If you have missed payments, get current and stay current."

Like Ms. Stocki, Gail Cunningham, vice president of membership and public relations for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, recommends paying bills on time.

"That sounds easy enough, but when money is tight, it can be quite a challenge," Ms. Cunningham said. "Nonetheless, this is the highest weighted element of the credit scoring model, so paying bills on time is key to improving the score. If you travel for work, are unorganized or are a procrastinator, set up automatic bill pay so that at least the minimum due is met. You can always circle back and pay the balance, but this will keep you from paying late which results in a negative mark on your credit report and a lowered credit score."

When you use credit, keep balances low on your credit cards, and don't move debt between credit cards, Ms. Stocki said.

"We usually say to try to keep your balances below 30 percent of your credit limit," Ms. Stocki said. "A 0 percent interest rate for 12 months might sound attractive, however one question you want to ask yourself is, 'Will I have this whole amount that I'm transferring to this new card paid off within the 12-month period? The honest answer is, 'Probably not.' "

The consumer unknowingly hurts his or her credit score in two ways, Ms. Stocki said.

"Every time you open a new credit card, it reduces your credit score," Ms. Stocki said. "Now if you close out that old account from where you transferred the balance, that is also hurting your credit score because if you had a good payment history with that credit card company you are basically erasing that good payment history. And besides, the lower interest rate may seem attractive, but there is still usually a balance transfer fee. Apply for and open new credit only when you need it, and check your credit report regularly."

Ms. Cunningham also recommends not using more than 30 percent of your credit limit and not to close out cards you no longer use.

"Let's say you had an overall $10,000 line of credit and owed $3,000," Ms. Cunningham said. "You were in pretty good shape to streamline things, you closed one card which had a $2,000 credit line. Your overall line is now $8,000, but you still owe the $3,000. You just raised your credit utilization ratio to above 30 percent without spending a dime."

There are three other elements to a credit score - inquiries, mix of credit and longevity - but they weigh less in the formula.

"If you can only do two things right - pay your bills on time and do not charge more than 30 percent of your credit line - you'll likely increase your score, as these two things represent 65 percent of the score," Ms. Cunningham said.

Not enough people check their credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, she said.

"The NFCC's annual financial literacy survey revealed that 62 percent had not done so," Ms. Cunningham said. "People should review their credit report for accuracy and dispute any errors."

Donald Galade, of Galade Financial, Drums, said it is important for people to know what is in their credit report.

"I've found through my financial counseling and planning, many people do not know how to read their credit report, or get a copy of it," Mr. Galade said. "I caution people where they get a supposedly free credit report."

Mr. Galade also cautions people to be careful how they handle credit and their credit cards to protect themselves against identify theft.

There is a website that provides "a truly free" credit report, said Chris Falvello, a financial analyst with Navigate Financial Advisors, Conyngham.

"CreditKarma.com is an awesome site with tools to help you manage your credit," Mr. Falvello said. "It has a home affordability calculator, a debt recalculator, and credit card interest rate trends. My favorite is the credit score simulator that lets you simulate that effect of financial transactions on your credit score. Also there are great articles to help you manage and improve your credit."

Chad Grossman, a spokesman for freecreditscore.com, said its website also has information and a score simulator, called a Score Planner.

"Our website has a bunch of credit articles that touch on ways credit is taken into account during different life events," Mr. Grossman said.

"How do these events impact your own personal credit report? You can actually measure it with the Score Planner on the site," he said.

Contact the writer: jdino@standardspeaker.com

The region's economy expanded by just $24 million in value in 2011, reflecting much slower growth than the preceding year.

Gross domestic product in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metro area grew by 0.1 percent in 2011, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Labor. GDP calculates the total market value of goods and services.

The growth rate was the 234th strongest of the nation's 366 largest metro areas. The national average expansion rate among metros was 1.6 percent and GDP advanced in 242 urban centers, government data show.

The area's tepid growth in 2011 followed a $728 million, 4.4 percent leap in 2010 GDP value. The area's economy, though, shed $434 million of value from 2008 to 2009 during a historically severe recession.

"We posted positive growth. We are heading in the right direction," said Satyajit Ghosh, Ph.D., a University of Scranton economist. "The aftereffects of the recession were still not out of our system."

Despite lingering recessionary effects, local GDP hit an all-time high in 2011, said Teri Ooms, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development, a regional research and analysis organization.

"The data demonstrates that the region has a strong, diversified economy, with unrealized potential," Ms. Ooms said.

Manufacturing in 2011 contributed the largest share of GDP value. Industrial output added $2.9 billion to the area's economy - 17 percent of the total - even though manufacturers laid off thousands of workers between 2008 and 2011.

Education and health services categories were the second-largest contributor, at $2.85 billion, representing 16.7 percent of the area's economic output. Financial activities followed closely, with $2.8 billion in value, or 16.5 percent. Government spending topped $2.2 billion, more than 13 percent of local GDP.

Expansion of the region's transportation and warehousing segment surfaced at a vigorous growth pace. The sector's GDP input totaled $918 million in 2011, a 6.4 percent advance over 2010.

"The data shows our growth is coming from the private sector, not the public sector, which is good," Ms. Ooms said. "We are, however, leaning heavily toward a service-producing economy, as opposed to a goods-producing economy."

None of the similarly sized metro areas in the state did much better in 2011. GDP in Reading and York expanded by 0.6 percent each. Allentown grew by 0.5 percent and Harrisburg added 0.2 percent. Lancaster was the laggard, retreating by 1.6 percent.

The results among same-sized urban areas indicate the region's economy had relatively normal results in 2011, Dr. Ghosh said.

"Among similarly sized metro areas, by and large, we kind of compare favorably," he said.

The area's modest advance affirms a recovery still continues, even though the economy technically emerged from recession in June 2009.

"There are no surprises here," Dr. Ghosh said. "There were great uncertainties all over the place. There was no consistent trend that got established for us to say, we have turned a corner."

The GDP total proves the region's economy continues to generate momentum, despite continued high unemployment, Ms. Ooms said.

"We tend to get hung up on unemployment as a sole indicator of our economy," she said. "It isn't the only measure of our strength."

Contact the writer: jhaggerty@timesshamrock.com

Pete Sabato remembers the long evenings spent at a tailor shop in Scranton, patiently learning the trade that would eventually lead him into business for himself, that would help him buy a home, put food on the table and raise a family.

He was 15 then, still in high school.

His mentor considered himself strictly a coatmaker, a tailor who fabricated men’s suits from scratch. Pete said the man wanted no part of what he labeled “women’s work” — that was for seamstresses, not tailors. His disdain was such that when the boss’s daughter needed a hem repaired on a dress or coat, Pete did it.

“I found out there was just as much money in women’s work as there was in men’s, and there was more women’s work than there was men’s,” the 84year-old said. “So in order to survive, I had to learn both. I taught myself.”

He sat behind a sewing machine at Sack’s Tailor Shop, the business at 127 S. Blakely St. in Dunmore that he purchased 63 years ago and is now operated by his son, Rick, with help from his grandson, Rick Jr.

“Now we do men’s work, women’s work,” Pete said. He then deadpanned: “Everything except the baby. We don’t do diapers.”

In the Sabato family, the pursuit of the American Dream has come one stitch at a time.

Post-war genesis

From Austin Burke’s perspective, the modern concept of the American Dream was a product of World War II, and specifically the opportunities soldiers, sailors and airmen found arrayed before them when they came home.

There were expectations of an education, of home ownership and of a comfortable retirement after a long career in a family-sustaining job, said Mr. Burke, president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

And those expectations were not unrealistic.

“You had returning veterans who were able, many for the first time, to get a college education by virtue of the GI Bill,” Mr. Burke said. “They had the ability to buy homes using Veterans ( Affairs) mortgages and other government-subsidized mortgages.

And you had great opportunities for quality employment.”

Immediately after the war, the United States had the only functioning economy in the world, he said. On top of the domestic demand for “homes and automobiles and other consumer goods,” the nation was exporting manufactured products to help Europe and Japan rebuild.

“Both of them were really exploding,” Mr. Burke said. “There was great opportunity and with that came great optimism.”

In Northeast Pennsylvania, that optimism was tempered by the realities of an economy reeling from the decline of the coal industry.

Unable to find work, many returning veterans were forced to look elsewhere, Mr. Burke said. They went places like New Jersey, where they got jobs in manufacturing or construction, and Connecticut, where the aircraft industry was hiring.

“Those were difficult times,” Mr. Burke said. “It was a period of great outmigration for Scranton and Lackawanna County.”

Carrying on tradition

That’s the world Pete Sabato came back to after his stint in the Navy.

He had honed his tailoring skills in the service, landing a job “shortening pants and sewing on stripes” after his superiors learned he was adept with a needle and thread, he said. “That is when I really decided I wanted to be a tailor,” he said.

At that point, there were more tailors than work in the Scranton area. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Pete landed what was essentially a paid apprenticeship, training with a tailor in Scranton for a year before moving on to a job at Sack’s in 1948.

Two years later, with the owners of Sack’s looking to sell the business, Pete purchased the shop. He operated it until his retirement at age 65 in 1993, when his son, Rick, bought him out.

Rick Sabato, 58, said he didn’t think college was for him when he graduated from Dunmore High School in 1972. He had no idea what he was going to do until his father asked if he wanted to learn tailoring. Once his dad extended the invitation, there was little hesitation.

“I saw that he was doing very well,” Rick said of his father. “He raised four kids; he had a house — the whole nine yards. I figured that it was a good business to get into.”

Rick did not train with his father but with a tailor in Scranton.

“My father sent me there because you are more likely to listen someone else than to your own father,” Rick said.

More difficult path

Teri Ooms, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development, a Wilkes - Barre-based research and analysis organization, said she does not believe the essential elements of the American Dream have changed much in the years since World War II.

The big difference, she said, is it is harder to attain now.

“Whenyou talk to most people, they want to own a home. They want to have a job that they feel good about doing and they get paid a competitive wage and where they feel safe and secure,” Ms. Ooms said. “They want to live in a safe neighborhood, send their kids to good schools and have a strong health care infrastructure around them. Quality of life is a huge part of the American Dream, and it’s having the money to be able to access those kinds of things.”

Avoca

Egg hunt: West Side Social Club Easter egg hunt, Saturday, 1 p.m., 711 McAlpine St.; ages 12 and under.

Dunmore

Living stations: Catholic High School Youth Group of Dunmore, living stations, Sunday, 8 p.m., St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, 322 Chestnut St.

Honesdale

Open mike: Cooperage open mike night, hosted by the Crackers, March 27, 7-10 p.m., BYOB, thecooperageproject.org or 253-2020.

Jermyn

Cheese dinner: St. Michael's Center and Liuzzo's Catering takeout-only cheese ball dinner, Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Delaware Street; $6, 876-1456 or fax, 282-0707.

Jessup

Friday dinner: St. Ubaldo Cul­tural Society fourth Friday of February dinner, Friday, 5-9 p.m., Michael Steiner American Legion Post, 508 Church St., red and white pizza, $10/tray, spaghetti with homemade tuna sauce, $10; takeouts, 766-1769 day of.

North Pocono

Society programs: North Pocono Cultural Society "Health Forum For All Ages" lecture series, Wednesday, 7 p.m., Moscow Borough Building; "Advanced Directives for all Ages," Mary Cosgrove, Hospice of the Sacred Heart, and "What is a Hospitalist?"; donations at door, light refreshments; 472-3024.

Regional

Chapter meeting: Lackawanna Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited general membership meeting, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Tripp Park Community Center, 2000 Dorothy St., Scranton.

Medical presentation: Mended Hearts Inc. Scranton chapter sponsoring a presentation by Dr. Samir Pancholy, an interventional cardiologist from North Penn Cardiovascular Specialists, on "Coumadin: What is its Role in Heart Disease?", Wednesday, 7-9 p.m., McGowan Conference Center, second floor, Regional Hospital of Scranton; Jack Walsh, 587-5755 or leave a message, 340-4842.

UNC benefit: Beatles, Burgers and Brew, April 23, 5 p.m., Morganz, Green Ridge Street, Scranton, $20 admission, featuring $1 drafts, burgers, veggie burgers, and hot dogs with sides and beer or soft drinks, entertainment by the Fab Three, benefits United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pa.; tickets, www.uncnepa.org/donate, call 346-0759 or at the door.

Scranton

Bingo party: Downtown Senior Center bingo party, Thursday, doors open after 4 p.m., dinner, 5, bingo follows; 347-3970 by Tuesday.

Egg hunt: Community Easter egg hunt, Saturday, noon, Weston Field gymnasium, ages 1-10; 955-5678 or www.city lightschurch.net.

Thompson

Spaghetti dinner: Thompson United Methodist Church spaghetti and meatball dinner and bake sale, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

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

PITTSTON - Looking out across the ballroom, Col. Frank Noonan didn't see an audience.

He saw friends.

The guest speaker at the 99th annual Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick dinner said it was nice to get reacquainted with people he hasn't been able to see very often while working in Harrisburg.

"I feel like I'm just talking to a bunch of friends," he said.

The state police commissioner shared stories of his time serving in Vietnam, his early days with the FBI and his work with the state police.

Mentioning J. Edgar Hoover, the war and Oliver "Ollie" North, toastmaster Jarrett Ferentino joked that he sounded like the movie, "Forrest Gump." Col. Noonan's ultimate message, though, had a more serious tone.

"The whole theme of my talk is that our grandparents and parents came to this country for a chance," he said. "We should be grateful for what we have."

Attending the dinner is a chance Chicago resident Leo Jordan, who grew up in West Pittston, never misses.

"I've come back every year for the last 35 or 40 years just for this event," he said. "I have a lot of family back here and a lot of friends. This gives me a chance to spend time with them."

The sentiment was shared by outgoing Friendly Sons President James Clancy, who noted that he was attending with his son, brother and father.

He presented the Professor Swingle Award to former major league baseball player Andy Ashby and the Man of the Year award to the "John Wooden of Pittston," Mark Casper.

Both men shrugged off the accolades, pointing out that many others in the community made similar contributions.

"I'm kind of a fly-under-the-radar, behind-the-scenes kind of guy," said Mr. Casper. "There are 50 to 100 guys who could easily get this award before me."

Mr. Ashby added that other work done by community volunteers "does not go unnoticed."

Mr. Casper has attended the event for about 12 years, but after Sunday's dinner, he said one thing would change.

"I'm not a member of the Friendly Sons, but I've been told I will be after tonight," he said with a smile.

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

THROOP - Four Lackawanna County bars were cited by the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for liquor law violations.

Boulevard Memorial VFW Post 7251, 179 Boulevard Ave., Throop, was cited Sept. 6, and Miner's Beer Garden, 302 Pancoast St., Dickson City, was cited Oct. 3, both for gambling violations.

La Tonalteca, 821 Northern Boulevard, South Abington Twp., was cited for failing to clean a beverage dispenser properly in May and January. It's Amore Restaurant, 223 Northern Boulevard, South Abington Twp., was cited July 8 for selling alcoholic beverages after the cut-off time.

Music therapy is "50 years new," but Cheryl Jones Ellsworth, 50, said the program is still gaining recognition in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The clinical supervisor at Marywood University and contracted music therapist with Allied Services is looking forward to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Music Therapy Conference, which will be hosted at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center from April 3 to 6. The event will benefit the approximately 700 attendees, and a public session will provide information for those interested in the field.

Margy Fiscus of Allied Services Integrated Health Services is being awarded with the Mid Atlantic Region's Advocacy Award on Thursday, the same day Ellen Casey, wife of late Gov. Robert P. Casey, will welcome attendees.

"They give out one award at the conference each year," Mrs. Jones Ellsworth said. "It goes to someone outside the field who has championed the field."

She explained that Mrs. Fiscus had been instrumental in adding music therapy programs to Allied, noting it offered a unique service to clients.

"It's using the inherent properties of music to work on treatment goals," she explained. "When there is damage to the brain, there are some folks who are not able to speak, but are still able to sing."

Also during the conference, in conjunction with First Friday, there will be a drum circle put on by Maxwell Kofi Donkor at 7 p.m. on April 5.

For more information about the conference or music therapy, visit mar-amta.org/events/conferences.

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

Jessie Con-ui started drinking at 12 and killing at 25.

The inmate accused of the brutal murder of a correctional officer at the U.S. Penitentiary at Canaan three weeks ago executed a gang rival outside an East Phoenix, Ariz., laundry facility in 2002; acted as the enforcer in a drug trafficking operation; and, while in jail in 2007 and 2008, aided the gang's distribution of drugs and proceeds from drug sales.

The execution, law enforcement officials said, afforded Mr. Con-ui "good standing" within the violent New Mexican Mafia. The gang became like a second family for the Filipino immigrant whose relatives distanced themselves as he descended into a life of crime.

Police reports and other court records include repeated mentions of the now 36-year-old Mr. Con-ui's involvement with the New Mexican Mafia. His role in the gang's cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine trade led to an 11-year federal prison sentence and his transfer to Canaan.

Mr. Con-ui arrived at the Wayne County facility in October 2011 after stops at three other federal penitentiaries. Correctional officer Eric Williams, 34, died after Mr. Con-ui beat and stabbed him as he made his rounds on Feb. 25, authorities say.

Mr. Con-ui was scheduled to complete his federal sentence in September and would have been returned to Arizona to begin serving his life term for the 2002 murder. If found guilty of Officer Williams' murder, he could face the death penalty.

Mr. Con-ui's journey began in Angeles City in the Philippines. He lived there for 10 years before his mother, Teresita, and stepfather, Gary Sliney, moved the family to Rome, N.Y. - a three-hour drive up Interstate 81 from Officer Williams' hometown of Nanticoke. The family moved to Arizona in 1994.

Already using alcohol and drugs, Mr. Con-ui dropped out of school after the eighth grade, according to court records. He experimented with cocaine, spent $200 to $300 a week on methamphetamine and drank three cases of beer a week. He joined a gang called the Eastside Locos, and was soon in the Arizona prison system for a string of car thefts. It was there he met the New Mexican Mafia.

The New Mexican Mafia is considered the most lethal organized crime syndicate the state of Arizona has ever known.

Formed by prison inmates in Arizona in the mid-1980s, the gang is a major player in pushing methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs throughout the southwest and inside its prisons.

And crossing the gang can cost you your life.

During the prosecution of 13 of the gang's leaders over the last decade, a detective was targeted for death, prosecutors started carrying guns and a judge demanded bodyguards and bulletproof glass for her court. Eight government witnesses were executed.

"These guys are killing machines," a law enforcement officer targeted by the gang told The Arizona Republic newspaper.

"It's one of the most dangerous prison gangs we have in Arizona," said Sgt. D. Gomez, intelligence supervisor for Maricopa County's Fourth Avenue Jail. Mexican Mafia members are placed in maximum-security isolation for 23 hours a day, he said.

"They have a propensity to try to jeopardize the security of the jail," Sgt. Gomez said. "In Arizona, they are considered a security threat because they are a prison gang. They are pretty much placed in a lockdown setting."

Contact the writers:

msisak@citizensvoice.com, @cvmikesisak on Twitter bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com, @cvbobkal on Twitter

HARRISBURG - A handful of area natives were among the 73 men and women who recently graduated from the 135th class of the State Police Academy in Hershey and have been assigned to barracks to begin their tenures as state troopers.

Joseph F. Bissol, Clifford Twp.; Timothy E. Gronski, Moosic; and Anthony L. Paciotti, Blakely, were assigned to the Troop N barracks in Hazleton.

Vladimyr Gouin, Montrose, was assigned to Troop K in Philadelphia.

The graduation ceremony was held last week at Central Dauphin High School, where Sen. Bob Casey and state police Commissioner Frank Noonan spoke.

The Clarks Summit police fleet is getting some new colors.

Starting this spring, officials will place two 8-by-16-inch advertisements on each of the borough's three marked police vehicles, borough council President Gerrie Carey said.

The advertisements, which cost $1,000 a year, will be placed on the vehicles' rear quarter panels, under the blue "911" lettering. They are expected to generate $6,000 in revenue annually and will help offset the borough's dramatic dip in earned income tax revenue.

"Our main concern is we don't want to raise taxes," Ms. Carey said. "We thought of creative ways to bring in additional revenue instead of putting the burden on taxpayers."

Though no agreements have been finalized, several banks and stores have expressed interest in purchasing the ads, Councilman Herman Johnson said.

Mr. Johnson pitched the idea to council last year after learning of a cash-strapped Massachusetts municipality that implemented it and saw a spike in revenue.

The thousands in additional revenue, he said, will help stave off any tax increase caused, in large put, by the $500,000 dip in earned income tax revenue Clarks Summit received in 2012 compared to 2008 - a result of its growing elderly population.

But while council views the ads as a positive initiative, it also needs to be careful not to overdo them, Mr. Johnson stressed.

"We don't want it to take away from what the car was originally intended for," he said. "You don't want too much advertisement on it because than it would look like a circus vehicle. We want it to look professional."

A longtime policeman who has worked three months in Clarks Summit, Police Chief Joe Laguzzi said he won't mind the new look - especially if it helps Clarks Summit residents in the long run.

Though he hasn't seen a police vehicle stocked with advertisements, Chief Laguzzi said the Carbondale Fire Department implemented a similar advertising initiative.

"As long as they aren't derogatory or promote anything tobacco- or alcohol-related, I am fine with it," he said. "It's a way to generate some revenue. Everyone is in a financial pinch right now, and these ads will help alleviate that."

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

Funeral Notices

BENFIELD, SISTER MARGA­RET, I.H.M., today, Mass, 11 a.m., Our Lady of Peace Resi­dence, 2300 Adams Ave., Scran­ton. Interment, St. Catherine's Cem­etery, Moscow. Contribu­tions: I.H.M. Sisters Retirement Fund, I.H.M. Center, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

BIDWELL, JOAN M., West Scran­ton, today, 9:30 a.m., Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Blessing service, 10, Cathedral Cemetery Chapel. Interment follows. Contri­butions: St. Mary's Villa Campus, Attn: Lisa Zamber, 516 St. Mary's Villa Road, Elmhurst Twp., PA 18444. Condolences: kearneyfu neralhome.com.

BRONSON, ROSE MARIRE, Mar­tinsburg, W.Va., Saturday, 2 p.m., Brown Funeral Home, Mar­tinsburg, by the Rev. Eric Hall IV. Interment prayers, St. Leo Ceme­tery. Calling hours, 1 to service. Condolences: BrownFuneral HomesWV.com.

BRUTICO, ANGELO ANTHONY SR., Old Forge, Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Victor M. Ferri Funeral Home, 522 Fallon St., Old Forge. Mass, 10, St. Mary of the Assumption Church, West Grace and Law­rence streets, Old Forge, by the Rev. Louis T. Kaminski, pastor. Go directly to church. Interment Old Forge Cemetery. Calling hours, today, 5 to 7 p.m. Catholic wake service, 6. Contributions: Prince of Peace Parish, 123 W. Grace St., Old Forge, PA 18518, or donor's favorite charity. Condolences: ferrifuneralhome.com.

BURNE, JOANN, Clarks Sum­mit, Mass, today, 10 a.m., Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Interment, St. Catherine's Ceme­tery, Moscow. Arrangements: Law­rence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Clarks Summit. Memorials: St. Joseph's Center, 320 S. Blakely St., Dun­more, PA 18512. Condolences: lawrenceeyoungfuneralhome.com.

COCCODRILLI, BERTHA, Lake Ariel, Mass, Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., St. Thomas More Church, 105 Gravity Road, Lake Ariel. Inter­ment, St. John's Cemetery, Jes­sup. Go directly to church. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m., James Wilson Funeral Home, 143 Grav­ity Road, Lake Ariel. Contribu­tions: donor's favorite charity. Condolences: jameswilsonfuner alhome.com.

COLEMAN, LOUISE Z. GIULI­ANI, formerly of Dunmore and Clarks Summit, today, Mass, 8:30 a.m., Our Lady of the Snows Church, South State Street, Clarks Sum­mit. Interment Cathe­dral Ceme­tery, Scranton. Go directly to church. Arrangements: Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore. Contributions: Kevin Coleman Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Delaware County Community Col­lege Advancement Office, 901 S. Media Line Road, Media, PA 19015. Condolences: DunmoreFuneralHome.com.

CORDERO, EFRAIN, Scranton, Wednesday, 8 p.m., Davies & Jones Funeral Chapel, 135 S. Main Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. Joseph Jones, C.P., assistant pas­tor of St. Ann's Basilica Parish. Interment, private. Calling hours, Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m.

DELFINO, PASCHAL J. "PAT" "PATSY," Utica, N.Y., today, 9 a.m., Eannace Funeral Home, 932 South St., Utica. Mass, 10, St. Mark's Church, Utica, by the Rev. Mark Pasik. Interment, private, Calvary Cemetery, Utica. Condolences: eannacefuneral home.com.

DELIMAN, JEAN, Archbald, at the convenience of the family by the Rev. Joseph Rafferty. Inter­ment Archbald Cemetery.

DUVALL, DORIS, Stoneville, N.C., visitation, today, 7 to 9 p.m., Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 517 N. Main St., Old Forge. Condolences: kearneyfu neralhome.come.

GAUGHAN, JAMES, Columbia, Md., Saturday, Hudak-O'Shea Fune­ral Home, Olyphant. Military services by Raymond Henry Amer­i­can Legion Post 327, Oly­phant. Mass, St. Patrick's Church, Olyphant, by Monsignor Michael J. Delaney. Pallbearers: Larry Hall, son-in-law; Brian Hall, grandson; John Watson, George Priblo and Ron Skutnick, nephews; and Justin Priblo, great-nephew. Burial, St. Patrick's Cemetery, Blakely.

GYURISKA, JOSEPH, Scranton, viewing, today, 10:30 a.m., St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 158 Fish Hill Road, Tannersville. Service, 12:30 p.m., by the Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Richards Jr., pastor. Interment Dunmore Cemetery. Mli­tary honors, Dickson City Honor Guard. Contributions: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 158 Fish Hill Road, Tannersville, PA 18372. Arrangements: Chipak Funeral Home, Scranton.

HANYON, RALPH L., Nicholson, service, military honors, Nichol­son American Legion Post 953, today, 7 p.m., Charles H. Litwin Funeral Home, 91 State St., Nicholson. Condolences: litwin funeralhome.com.

HART, DOUGLAS E., St. Joseph's Center, today, 2 p.m., St. Joseph's Center chapel. Arrangements: Vanston and James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton. Condolences: van stonandjames.com.

KNIGHT, SUSAN J., Dunmore, today, 9 a.m., Morell-LaBelle Funeral Home, 301 Chestnut St., Dunmore. Interment, Shady Lane Cemetery, Chinchilla. Condo­lences: dunmorefunerals.com.

MANCIA, LUCILLE "CUBIE," Jessup, today, 11 a.m., Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, 1003 Church St., Jessup. Interment, St. John's Cemetery, Jessup. Calling hours, today, 10 a.m. until service. Contributions: When some­one offers a smile or does a good deed for you, pay it forward.

McCLOSKEY, DONALD VIN­CENT, Lehman Twp., formerly of Taylor, today, 8:30 p.m., Joseph W. Sznyter Funeral Home, 1101 Prospect Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. Arthur Davis. Interment, private. Calling hours, 7 to service.

NELSON, OTIS "BARRY" JR., Old Forge, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 517 N. Main St., Old Forge, by the Rev. Louis T. Kaminski, Prince of Peace Parish pastor. Calling hours, Tuesday, 5 until services. Condolences: Kearney FuneralHome.com.

RADNEY, CHARLES PAUL "CHUCK," South Waverly, memorial luncheon, today, 1 p.m., Ulster Fire Hall, Ulster. Contri­bu­tions: Sheshequin Fire Associa­tion, c/o Karen Bixby, 1899 Ghent Hill Road, Ulster, PA 18850. Condolences: bowenfu neralhomes.com.

RAY, SHARON M., Forkston Twp., Sunday, 2 p.m., Forkston UMC Pastor Jean L. Sweet officiating. Interment, Forkston Ceme­tery. Arrangements: Harding-Litwin Funeral Home, 123 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. Contribu­tions: Forkston U.M.C. Paint Can Fund, 203 Main St., Forkston Twp., PA 18629. Condolences: aplitwinfuneralhomes.com.

RAYNER, ROBERT E. SR., Clarks Summit, formerly of Scran­ton, viewing, today, 11 a.m., St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Taylor Avenue and Ash Street, Scranton. Masonic service, 1:50. Service of remembrance, 2. Interment Dunmore Cemetery. Contributions: Knights Templar Eye Foundation, 1033 Long Prarie Road, Flower Mound, TX 75022, or Memorial Fund of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Tay­lor Avenue and Ash Street, Scran­ton, PA 18510. Condolences: vanstonandjames.com. Arrange­ments: Vanston and James Fune­ral Home, Scranton.

REYNOLDS, ELLA F., Dunmore, Scranton, today, 10 a.m., Bom­berger-Lesko Funeral Home Inc., 1660 N. Main Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. Robert Walls, pastor of Our Father's House. Interment Dunmore Cemetery. Contribu­tions: donor's favorite charity.

RUANE, MARY R., Minooka sec­tion of Scranton, Tuesday, Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave., Scran­ton. Mass, 10:30 a.m., St. Joseph's Church, 312 Davis St., Scranton, concelebrated by the Rev. Francis Pauselli, pastor, and the Rev. John Lapera. Interment, St. Joseph's Cemetery, Minooka. Go directly to church. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m. Contributions: Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis St., Scranton, PA 18505.

SCHMIDT, VERONICA VANYO, Lake Ariel, James Wilson Funeral Home, 143 Gravity Road, Lake Ariel. Mass, today, 9:30 a.m., St. Thomas More Church, 105 Grav­ity Road, Lake Ariel. Interment, St. John the Baptist Slovak Cem­e­tery, Duryea. Contributions: St. Jude Children's Hospital, stjude.org; or Catholic Television Chan­nel, catholictv.com. Condolences: jameswilsonfuneralhome.com.

STOECKEL, E. CARL, Clarks Sum­mit, Tuesday, 11 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, 300 School St., Clarks Summit, by the Rev. William Carter, pastor. Calling hours, today, 4 to 7 p.m., Law­rence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Contri­bu­tions: First Presbyterian Church, Clarks Summit or Nation­al Parkinson's Foundation, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741, Parkinsons.org. Condo­len­ces: lawrenceeyoungfuneral home.com.

UPRIGHT, CAROLYN A. HEIN­SOHN BIRMELIN, Lake Ariel, services later date. Contributions: Veterans of Foreign Wars, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Ham­lin Volunteer Ambulance Comp­any, Lake Ariel Volunteer Fire Department, Maplewood Volun­teer Fire Department or the Visit­ing Nurse Association Hospice Unit at Geisinger CMC. Crema­tion, Lake Region Crematory, Lake Ariel. Arrangements: James Wilson Funeral Home, Lake Ariel.

WARRING, CHARLOTTE E., See­leyville, today, 11 a.m., Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, 1228 N. Main St., Honesdale, Sam Tallo and George Piercy officiating. Interment, Glen Dyberry Cem­etery, Honesdale. Contribu­tions: donor's choice.

ZIGGA, JOHN SR., Scranton, today, 7 p.m., McGoff-Hughes Fune­ral Home Inc., 1401 Capouse Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. James Culver. Interment, private. Calling hours, 5 p.m. until service. Contributions: VNA Hospice, 301 Delaware St., Oly­phant, PA 18447.

Evidence presents a discouraging case against a financially secure retirement for thousands of Lackawanna County residents.

An analysis by Decision Data Resources, a business intelligence firm in Birmingham, Ala., concluded that average household expenditures in the county outstripped income by 15 percent in 2010.

"People in this area are spending more money than they earn," said Teri Ooms, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development, a regional think tank that cited the data in its 2011 analysis of the region's economy. "We are deficit savers."

Other statistics point toward a budgetary pinch for many county residents approaching the conclusion of their working years:

- Median household income, at $45,185, is 12.5 percent less than the state average, according to the Census Bureau.

- Investment firm A.G. Edwards ranked the region 455 out of 500 U.S. metro areas in personal savings rates in 2008.

- Mean Social Security income of $15,837 is 7 percent less than the state average, and mean retirement income of $16,196 is 16 percent below the state average, census data show.

- A historically severe recession cut average U.S. family net worth by 40 percent from 2007 to 2010, according to the Federal Reserve.

The prospects frighten many people who may face financial uncertainty in the senior stage of their lives.

"People are getting to the point where they are nearing retirement and they are so scared of what they might find out, they just ignore it," said Lynn Evans, president of Northeastern Financial Consultants Inc., Clarks Summit. "They don't want to find out."

The route to a more-financially sound retirement, for many, probably is putting in more time on the job.

"It's so much easier to work a couple extra years now than to find out in your 70s that you don't have enough money and try to re-enter the workforce," said Jack Vanderhei, an executive at the Employee Benefits Research Institute, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit that analyzes retirement and economic security issues.

"Working longer does a lot of good things," said Anthony Webb., Ph.D., an economist at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. "It gives you more years to contribute to your 401(k) and it increases your Social Security benefits."

People who begin collecting Social Security at age 62 get just 73 percent of what they would receive at full retirement age.

"For people who retire at 62, virtually nobody can maintain their pre-retirement standard of living," Dr. Webb said. "If people retire at 70, most of them can."

But as the nation transitioned over the last generation from defined-benefit pension plans to mostly defined-contribution models, many people never saved adequately.

The average U.S. household headed by people in the 55 to 64 age group has an IRA or 401(k) valued at about $120,000, Dr. Webb said.

"That's not going to get them to the lifestyle they dreamed about," he said.

Many middle- and upper-income people face the prospect of living on 40 to 45 percent of preretirement income, Ms. Evans said.

"It's a huge haircut when you retire," she said. "For them, the picture is not pretty."

Experts caution against planning to rely on Social Security as a sole source of retirement income.

"Social Security is a very modest program. It was never meant to be the pension system for people," said Mark Price, an economist at the Keystone Research Center, a progressive think tank in Harrisburg.

"Unfortunately for many people, there has been no retirement planning," Mr. Vanderhei said. "It's going to be more difficult to have a decent standard of living if you plan just to live off Social Security."

The region has a high proportion of impoverished seniors who continue to fall further behind financially as their living expenses rise, Ms. Ooms said.

"We see more people at the low end and they tend to use more public services and systems," she said. "There is a strain on a variety of sectors. It makes it more difficult for local organizations to provide services to meet the demand."

For people approaching retirement age who invest in a retirement account, Ms. Evans said, the prospects could be better than they anticipate.

"People have to get themselves outside the story that you have to have this big, achievable number," she said. "You cannot plan on this with a straight line. You have to give yourself a range to work with. An absolute number is crazy."

Contact the writer: jhaggerty@timesshamrock.com

Emulating the days when Irish bagpipers would travel the countryside playing at parties for landowners, Leo Schott pumped the uilleann pipes with his elbow, the instrument emitting an upbeat rhythm that mimicked a fox hunt, giving the tune its name, "The Fox Chase."

Traditional Irish dancers from the Crossmolina School of Dance jigged and reeled across the floor, their costumes adorned with Celtic designs, their feet tapping along to the fiddle and pipe music playing over the speakers.

It was all part of the St. Patrick's Day Promenade in Carbondale on Sunday morning.

"We're here to remember those folks who came here with courage and hope," said S. Robert Powell, president of the Carbondale Historical Society.

The event started with Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church. Led by an Irish flag and a pounding bodhran, about 100 people walked to the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce building to join in the festivities, clapping to the music and munching on shamrock-shaped cookies.

City council President Kathleen Connor gave an Irish blessing and toasted all those who came out to celebrate.

"We hope to make it an annual event in the city of Carbondale," she said.

Joan Neary Scavo and Darlene Ferraro-Plock were moved and delighted with the performances and the show of support for the St. Patrick's Day event.

"I was absolutely elated to see it," Ms. Scavo said.

Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter

DURYEA - A New Jersey man was arrested early Sunday after a traffic stop revealed marijuana in his pickup truck, police said.

Willie Jamaal McCoy, 29, of Newark, was arrested just after 1 a.m. after he was observed driving erratically. A search of his Dodge Ram pickup turned up between half a pound and three quarters of a pound of marijuana, police said. The drugs have an estimated street value between $1,200 and $1,500.

Mr. McCoy was charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana and taken to Luzerne County Prison in lieu of $20,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for March 27.

Another winter storm is heading our way. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for a snowy and icy Monday afternoon in NEPA.
Several inches of snow with freezing rain, sleet and some icing are possible as a complex storm system that developed over the Great Lakes makes its way here this afternoon. The system, NWS says will be with us through Tuesday, but should change over to rain before midnight.
Temperatures remain in the low 20s this morning, after a mostly clear, but cold night. It should stay this way with maybe some flurries late this morrning and temperatures rising to just above freezing, until mid afternoon, when NWS says snow is likely. The snow, then freezing rain, will continue through the night, stopping before daybreak Tuesday. NWS says new snow accumulation through this afternoon and night will be around two to five inches.
The sun will rise today at 7:09 a.m. and set at 7:13 p.m. That's 20 minutes more sunlight than NEPA had last Monday.
Get updated weather information at: http://thetimes-tribune.com/weather
While roads should be dry with some icy patches in areas where water runs off for the morning commute, it may be snowy and slippery for the trip back home later today. School districts to the west and south of our coverage area, where the storm has already arrived,  were canceling classes this morning.
For details on road travel conditions, check: http://thetimes-tribune.com/traffic.
All flights are listed as arriving and departing on  time on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport website this monring. Get updated flight information later at http://thetimes-tribune.com/local-flights.

After emotional testimony this morning from relatives of Betty Jean Schirmer, the man who killed her in 2008, Arthur Schirmer, was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The sentence comes just weeks after Mr. Schirmer was found guilty of first-degree murder following an 11-day trial at which 60 witnesses testified.

Also found guilty of tampering with evidence, the judge imposed an additional several months on top of the life sentence.

Mr. Schirmer, 64, a former Methodist pastor, bludgeoned his wife to death with a metal instrument, like a crowbar, and then staged a car crash to make it appear she sustained the fatal injury as a result of a car accident.

Mr. Schirmer faces trial later this year in Lebanon County accused of murdering his first wife in 1999.

BELLEFONTE — A judge says it might be late April before he rules on Penn State's request to dismiss a whistleblower and defamation lawsuit filed by former assistant football coach Mike McQueary.

Judge Thomas Gavin presided over the half-hour hearing Monday at which lawyers debated the school's preliminary objections that could end the case.

McQueary is seeking millions in damages for how he says he was treated after reporting having seen Jerry Sandusky showering with a boy in 2001.

Gavin challenged Penn State lawyer Nancy Conrad on whether people would have assumed McQueary was the target of statements made in November 2011 by then-university president Graham Spanier.

Spanier said charges against two of his underlings, Gary Schultz and Tim Curley, were "groundless." McQueary argues Spanier's statements made him appear untruthful.