The Lackawanna County Board of Elections heard arguments Thursday for removing from the ballot all the candidates for a commission that would study changing the structure of county government, but issued no ruling.

Scranton resident Joseph Pilchesky challenged the commission candidates' right to be on the ballot. He argued they all failed to file a document stating they are willing to be candidates and ready to serve if elected.

He also argued:

- Candidates who filed nomination petitions jointly should have filed individually.

- The committees the candidates named to replace them if they were unable to serve after being elected should have been party committees, not people named by the candidates.

Lawyers for the 39 candidates argued they filed all the documents the county Department of Elections required; filing joint petitions is allowed; and the candidates should be able to name the committees who will choose their replacement because commission seats are nonpartisan.

The panel of judges acting as the Board of Elections repeatedly expressed skepticism about Mr. Pilchesky's arguments.

In one case, that of commission candidate Joseph Albert, Judge Terrence R. Nealon pointed out Mr. Pilchesky had not listed Mr. Albert as one of the candidates being challenged.

Mr. Pilchesky acknowledged he had mistakenly not listed Mr. Albert.

The board also heard attorney Arthur Rinaldi argue a challenge against Republican Clarks Green council candidate Stephen A. Shumaker. Mr. Rinaldi said one of the 10 signatures Mr. Shumaker was required to have on his nominating petition was invalid because the person is not registered to vote in Clarks Green.

In testimony, county Department of Elections Director Marion Medalis confirmed the person is not registered anywhere in Lackawanna County. If the court rules the signature invalid, Mr. Shumaker would have only nine valid signatures, one short of the necessary 10.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@ timesshamrock.com

WILKES-BARRE - Convicted child pornographer Joseph James Ostrowski faced a judge for the first time Thursday afternoon on charges that he molested a football player while coaching at Holy Redeemer High School.

Mr. Ostrowski, 29, of 76 Vulcan St., Wilkes-Barre, declined to comment as lawmen led him to his appointment with Magisterial District Judge Martin R. Kane, who set bail at $50,000 on the state charges of indecent assault on a person under 16, corruption of minors and photographing a child sex act.

But the bail will matter little for Mr. Ostrowski, who remains in federal custody pending sentencing on federal charges of producing child pornography, interstate extortion and cyber-stalking. Under a plea agreement, federal prosecutors will recommend he serve 25 years in prison in what they termed a far-reaching "sextortion" case with victims in at least 14 states.

Prosecutors said Mr. Ostrowski created fake identities to coax underage victims into sending him pornographic pictures of themselves, which he then used to blackmail them for more images.

Investigators learned Mr. Ostrowski may have molested one of his players during their probe into his online activities.

"We actually had an individual who actually came forward that he was molested by Mr. Ostrowski," Luzerne County Detective Chaz Balogh said.

The FBI, which investigated the computer crimes, reported the alleged assault to county detectives in January.

The 13-year-old boy told them that he was weightlifting after school one day when Mr. Ostrowski lured him into the coach's locker room, locked the door and then fondled his genitals. Mr. Ostrowski also took nude photos of the boy with his cellphone, according to the charges filed Wednesday.

No other victims have come forward, but anyone with information on the case should contact the district attorney's office, Detective Balogh said.

Mr. Ostrowski was head coach at Holy Redeemer during the 2011 football season. The Diocese of Scranton fired him after federal agents arrested him in the school weight room last May.

Contact the writer: jhalpin@citizensvoice.com

Hibernians mark four decades

Four charter members were celebrated when the Ancient Order of Hibernians Monsignor William Farrell, Division 2, Lackawanna County, celebrated the 40th Anniversary of its founding.

Jerome Brennan, Judge James Munley, attorney Robert Munley and William Pryle were among the 10 Irish Catholics on hand Feb. 23, 1973, when the group conducted its first meeting. They were presented Irish walking sticks, AOH wristwatches, and proclamations during the celebration.

The anniversary celebration began with the Rev. John O'Bell celebrating Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church in Carbondale. On the dais for the dinner that followed in St. Rose Family Center were U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, state Sen. John Blake, state Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, Lackawanna County Commissioner Patrick O'Malley, Jermyn Mayor Bruce Smallacombe, AOH State Director Joseph Hosie and AOH Lackawanna County President Gary Duncan.

Frank Burnett, Farrell Division vice president, served as master of ceremonies.

Gary was presented the Harry T. Cook Trinity Award from the late division member and president of the Trinity Club's wife and daughters. Gary received a blackthorn walking stick with the award for his outstanding dedication to the order.

Joe Hosie was named Hibernian of the Year. The Divisions Mission and Charities chairman and Past AOH Lackawanna County president, Joe is currently AOH state director, Scranton Diocese. He received a blackthorn walking stick, a Waterford celtic cross, and proclamations from Mr. O'Malley and Mr Smallacombe, which proclaimed Feb. 23, 2013, as Joe Hosie day in Lackawanna County and Jermyn.

It's 4-H week

Lackawanna County 4-H Teen Club members including Chloe Moore, Jenna O'Malley, Karli Phillips, Hannah Radkiewicz, Chris Sacco, Liliana Surplus and Corey Ware, participated in a celebration marking this week as Pennsylvania 4-H Week. 4-H, Karen A. Thomas of the Lackawanna County Penn State Extension reports, is a nonformal educational youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System. "The backbone of the 4-H program is screened volunteer leaders who teach youth life skills through projects, events and activities," Karen noted, adding, "4-H is open to all youth, ages 5-18 as of Jan. 1 of the current year."

High notes

Committee members including Denise Bright, Lori Decker, Marissa Jones, Lora Lynn, Maria Muchisky, Sharon Smith and Diane Troani are busy at work planning LaSalle Academy's annual basket bonanza and dinner. The "Viva Las Vegas" themed event for the Jessup school is scheduled Friday, April 12, at Fiorelli's in Peckville. Prizes include Four Disney Hopper passes, a Panasonic DSLR camera, and a Vintner Circle wine taste for 12, two terrace level tickets for the NASCAR Pocono 400 in June, vacation stays, American Girl dolls, dinner certificates, appliances, store certificates, and many other prizes.

DICKSON CITY - A Jermyn woman is facing drug charges after a Dickson City police officer caught her allegedly smoking marijuana in her car Wednesday.

Gina Colon, 21, 3F Henry Drive, was arrested on three counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and six counts of possession of drug paraphernalia after Dickson City Patrolman Dan Duffy noticed a marijuana cigarette butt and rolling papers in the car she was sitting in at the 1000 block of Grant Court at 9:43 p.m.

When Patrolman Duffy approached the car, he noticed a strong smell of marijuana. Inside he found the marijuana cigarette and several packs of rolling papers.

Ms. Colon's purse also contained eight packages of marijuana, which she told police were worth $10 each.

ANTOINE, SHIRLEY MARTHA WATSON, today, 6 p.m., Dalton United Methodist Church, 125 S. Turnpike Road, by the Rev. Lori Robinson, pastor. Calling hours, 3 to service. Memorials: Dalton United Methodist Church; Regional Hospice, 746 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510; or the Lupus Foundation, 2000 L Street N.W., Suite 410, Washington, DC 20036. Arrangements: Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit.

ARABIO, BARBARA J., Carbondale, Mass, Saturday, 11 a.m., Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 15 Fallbrook St., Carbondale. Calling hours, Saturday, 10:30 to Mass, church. Arrangements: Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, Jessup.

BENNETT, CLYDE W., Simpson, Saturday, 11 a.m., Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., Farview and 41st streets, Carbondale, by Pastor Don Perry. Cremation follows. Spring interment, Willow View Cemetery, Clifford. Calling hours, today, 4-8 p.m. Contributions: Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.

BIDWELL, VIRGIL "BIDDY," Honesdale, today, 11 a.m., St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Honesdale. Interment, St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements: Hessling Funeral Home Inc., 428 Main St., Honesdale. Contributions: Dessin Animal Shelter, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church or Wayne Memorial Hospice.

BOLAND, EUGENE J., formerly of Bethlehem Twp., Mass, Saturday, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 3219 Santee Road, Bethlehem. Visitation, 9 to 10 a.m., church. Burial, Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.

BRISLIN, MARIA SUNDE', Sterling Twp., Saturday, noon, Sterling United Methodist Church. Arrangements: Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Homes, 3 First St., Spring Brook Twp.

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

BROOKS, CARL A., Little Egg Harbor, N.J., today, Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Theresa's Church, 450 Radio Road, Little Egg Harbor. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Arrangements: Wood Funeral Home, 134 E. Main St., Tuckerton, N.J. Contributions: Poor Sisters of Jesus Crucified and the Sorrowful Mother, St. Mary's Villa Residence, 1 Pioneer Place, Elmhurst, PA 18416.

BROWN, MARY F., Carbondale, Mass, today, 10:30 a.m., St. Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale. Interment, Union Dale Cemetery. Arrangements: Brennan & Brennan Funeral Home, 55 Lincoln Ave., Carbondale. Contributions: Meals on Wheels, 541 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

CARBONE, BARBARA ROSE, Scranton, calling hours, Saturday, 5 to 8 p.m., John J. Turko & Sons Funeral Home, 402 Boulevard Ave., Dickson City. Service, 5:30, by Monsignor Michael J. Delaney. Contributions: Traditional Home Health, 113 W. Drinker St., Dunmore, PA 18512.

COGNETTI, ANTHONY J., Scranton, Saturday, Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave. Mass, 9:30 a.m., Holy Rosary Church, 316 William St. Interment with military honors, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Calling hours, today, 4 to 7 p.m. Contributions: American Cancer Society, 712 S. Keyser Ave, Taylor, PA 18517; St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509; or VNA Hospice, 301 Delaware Ave., Olyphant, PA 18447.

DAUGEVELO, ALBERT A., Forest City, Thursday, Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, Forest City. Mass, St. Joseph's Church, Forest City, by the Rev. William D. Campbell. Pallbearers: Tony Mattick, Michael Linde, Stephen and Paul Marshall, John Doyle and Ronald Poska. Interment, St. Joseph's Cemetery, Forest City.

DAVIS, JEANNE E., Peckville, Thursday, First United Presbyterian Church of Lackawanna Valley, by the Rev. Virginia Miner, pastor, and the Rev. Rees Warring. Pallbearers: David and Jonathan Phillips, Bill, Sean and Eric Dollard, Joshua Zeigler and Nathan Wilcha. Interment Union Cemetery, Peckville, later date.

DE NUNZIO, DOMINIC J., Dunmore, formerly of West Scranton, Mass, today, 9:30 a.m., St. Patrick's Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton. Interment, private, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Arrangements: Patrick F. Guido Funeral Home, 120 S. Main Ave., Scranton. Military honors, today, following Mass, church. Contributions: Northeast-ern Detachment of the Marine Corps League, P.O. Box 1775, Scranton, PA 18507, or Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Ave., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

DELLOMO, MARY ROSE, Greentown, Saturday, 5 p.m., Oliver Shifler & Scotchlas Funeral Home Inc., 62 N. Main St., Carbondale. Calling hours Saturday, 3 to 5. Contributions: funeral expenses, c/o 10 Sawbuck Circle, Horsham, PA 19044.

DOHERTY, ELINOR K., Riverside Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Taylor, formerly of South Scranton and Dunmore, Saturday, noon, Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 602 Birch St., Scranton, by the Rev. Joseph Sica, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church. Interment, St. Mary of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Dunmore.

FALBO, MARY E., formerly of Carbondale, today, 9:30 a.m., Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home, 74 N. Main St., Carbondale, by the Rev. Arthur Davis. Interment, Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill.

FOX, PATRICIA ANN, Olyphant, Mass, today, 9:30 a.m., Nativity of Our Lord Church, 633 Orchard St., Scranton, by the Rev. Michael Bryant, pastor. Inurnment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Contributions: Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18414.

FRAYNE, GREGORY LAURENCE, Flower Mound, Texas, Saturday, 1 p.m., Flower Mound Family Funeral Home, Flower Mound, Texas.

HALLESKY, ELIZABETH, Jermyn, Thursday, James M. Margotta Funeral Home, Peckville. Mass, Corpus Christi Church, by the Rev. Michael J. Kirwin, Ph.D., pastor. Pallbearers: Joseph and Jim Koniszweski, nephews; John Wiscosky, Tim Fanning and Gary Wilding, cousins; and Frank Plominski, friend. Interment, Holy Ghost Cemetery, Blakely.

HENCINSKI, JOSEPHINE "JO," formerly of Scott Twp., Mass, today, 9:30 a.m., St. Mary's Visitation Church, go directly to church. Interment, St. Joseph's Cemetery, Scott Twp. Arrangements: Frank T. Mazur Funeral Home Inc., Dickson City. Contributions: St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

KRAFCHICK, MARIE F. MORGANTINI, Carbondale, Saturday, Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home, 2 Hospital St., Carbondale. Mass, 9 a.m., Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Carbondale. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill.

LUSCHER, GLENN G. JR., Scranton, calling hours, Saturday, 1 to 3 p.m., Carl J. Savino Funeral Home, 157 S. Main Ave., West Scranton. Services, 3, by the Rev. Arthur Davis, pastor, Asbury United Methodist Church, Scranton. Interment, private.

MARCHO, FAYE L., Gibson, Saturday, 11 a.m., Shifler-Parise Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 18 Airport Road, Clifford Twp., by the Rev. James Major and the Rev. Loren Winn. Interment, Clifford Valley Cemetery, Clifford Twp. Calling hours today, 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 10 to 11.

McAFEE, MARK, South Scranton, Thursday, Edward J. Chomko Funeral Home, West Scranton. Mass, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, by the Rev. Scott P. Sterowski, pastor. Pallbearers: Charles McAfee, son; Paul John Christiano, Frank and Matt Caramanno, Jason Bonavoglia and Ryan McAfee, nephews; Robert Petrikovicz and Vince Deemer, friends. Interment, private, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow.

McREADY, WALTER JOSEPH, Lake Ariel, formerly of Commack, N.Y., Mass, today, 10 a.m., St. Mary's Church, 300 St. Mary Church Road, Ledgedale, by the Rev. Michael Finn. Burial, St. Mary's Church Cemetery. Arrangements: William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main St., Stroudsburg. Contributions: Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Heart Association or NYPD Emerald Society.

PADDOCK, KATHRYN WITKOWSKI, Avoca, Mass, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., Queen of the Apostles Church, Avoca. Interment, SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Moosic. Private viewing, today, 6-8 p.m., Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home Inc., 728 Main St., Avoca.

PEZAK, STANLEY M. JR., Jessup, Thursday, Holy Ghost Church, by Monsignor John T. Sekellick, pastor. Pallbearers: Joseph Fetcho, Rich Troiani, Dan Faramelli, Ron Mancak, Ken Marchegiani, Tim Keller and Dom Perini, all members of Jessup Hose Company 2. Full firemans rites by, Jim Anderson Jr., Robert Berta, R.J. Burnham, Ed Commodario, Mike Faramelli, Tony Ligi, Jim O'Neil, T.J. O'Neil, Steve Pitoniak, Phil Troiani, George Yurkanin, R.J. Alunni and Eric Braun, Hose Company 2; and Bob Vislosky, Paul Waskuch, Sarah and John Zelinsky, Hose Company 1. Interment, parish cemetery, Jessup.

RAFAJ, SUSAN M., today, 1 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 122 E. 88th St., New York City. Donations: Osteoporosis Foundation or the New York Public Library. Private burial, family grave in Peckville.

RAY, SHARON M., Forkston Twp., Sunday, 2 p.m., by Forkston UMC Pastor Jean L. Sweet. Interment, Forkston Ceme­tery. Arrangements: Harding-Litwin Funeral Home, Tunkhannock. Contribu­tions: Forkston UMC Paint Can Fund, 203 Main St., Forkston Twp., PA 18629.

SAELI, JOHN R., Hideout, Lake Ariel, calling hours, today, 2 to 5 p.m., James Wilson Funeral Home, 143 Gravity Road, Lake Ariel, and Sunday, Claude R. Boyd/Cartozzolo Funeral Home, 1785 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, N.Y. 11729. Mass, Monday, SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, 125 Half Hollow Road, Deer Park, N.Y. Interment, Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, N.Y. Contributions: VA Hospital System; or St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

SCHWARTZ, ELIZABETH A., Honesdale, Saturday, 10 a.m., Christ Episcopal Church, Route 6, Indian Orchard, by the Rev. Graham Cliff. Interment Indian Orchard Cemetery. Calling hours, today, 7 to 9 p.m., Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, 1228 N. Main St., Honesdale.

TAYLOR, JOAN T., Eynon, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, Eynon. Interment, St. Joseph's Cemetery, Scott Twp. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m., Robert E. Decker Funeral Home, 702 River St., Peckville. Go directly to church.

UHRIN, RICHARD J., Olyphant, Saturday, 10 a.m., Frank T. Mazur Funeral Home Inc., 601 Dundaff St., Dickson City. Calling hours today, 6 to 8 p.m. Cremation: Maple Hill Crematory, Archbald. Contributions: Salvation Apostolic Temple Church, 223 Main Ave., Scranton, PA 18504.

WAARDENBURG, PATRICK J., Forkston Twp., Saturday, 2 p.m., Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, by Pastor Lori Robinson. Interment, private. Gathering, today, 4 to 7 p.m.

Former state Senate Democratic Leader Robert J. Mellow and three former Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission officials are charged with a form of taking bribes, but no one is charged with actually bribing them.

The state attorney general's office won't say why.

AG spokesman Dennis Fisher said the office is letting the statewide investigating grand jury presentment used to charge the four and others in the case speak for itself and will not have any further comment.

Two other men are charged with providing gifts to one of the turnpike officials in hopes of getting contracts - a charge similar to bribery but not the formal bribery charge outlined in state law.

Other companies, including PNC Bank and one of its top executives, who had a close personal relationship with Mr. Mellow, face no charges at all. The bank, for example, provided Mr. Mellow with more than $3,500 in tickets to New York Yankees games, rock concerts and other entertainment and got more than $2.4 million in fees for underwriting turnpike bonds over a six-year period, according to the presentment.

Other vendors, who contributed to the political campaigns of Mr. Mellow and other politicians including Gov. Ed Rendell, were also not charged and went unnamed in the presentment.

The presentment, used as the basis for charges against Mr. Mellow, the three ex-turnpike officials, the two men charged with providing gifts and two other former turnpike employees, says the grand jury identified them "as having criminal responsibility and intent in the implementation, maintenance and exercise of their authority over the turnpike."

At a news conference last week, state Attorney General Kathleen Granahan Kane declined to say if others will be charged in the case and only said the investigation is ongoing.

Mr. Mellow, former turnpike chief executive officer Joseph Brimmeier, former chief operations officer George Hatalowich and former commission chairman Mitchell Rubin are charged with commercial bribery and other counts, including running a corrupt organization and bid-rigging by requiring campaign contributions to do business with the commission.

Dennis Miller, a vice president of Ciber Inc., and Jeffrey Suzenski, who represented companies he owns and others doing business with the turnpike commission, are charged with committing an act restricted by state ethics law - providing gifts illegally - to Mr. Hatalowich, among other charges. The two other former turnpike employees, Raymond Zajicek and Melvin Shelton, are charged with crimes unrelated to those of the other men.

Along with Mr. Mellow's chief of staff, Tony Lepore, who received immunity from prosecution in exchange for his cooperation, Mr. Mellow and the top turnpike officials were part of a scheme centered on getting turnpike vendors to contribute to the political campaigns of Mr. Mellow and other politicians, including Mr. Rendell, according to the presentment. Mr. Rendell is not charged and denies any knowledge of what went on.

The presentment makes clear that in at least one case, a vendor, the unnamed vice president of Mackin Engeineering, understood what he was being asked to do, made political contributions in exchange for business and complained when he was snubbed.

Experts in white-collar crime and criminal defense say the likeliest reason no one is charged with paying bribes by making political contributions is the contributors are cooperating with the prosecution.

"That only makes sense," Scranton criminal defense attorney Joseph D'Andrea said.

The presentment notes several instances of vendors who testified before the grand jury.

The idea that people who made the contributions were not charged bothers Mr. D'Andrea.

"I have a hard time with somebody paying to get their job or their contract and then saying they're a victim," he said. "They're (prosecutors are) going to portray the vendors as victims."

The idea that a political contribution could be part of a bribery scheme raises an interesting question itself, Mr. D'Andrea said. Often, political contributions are made with the expectation that it will influence a decision without anyone explicitly saying that.

"When does normal politicking cross the line to become extortion or bribery?" he asked.

Attorney S. Michael Streib, a Duquesne University School of Law professor with experience in prosecuting white-collar crime, said prosecutors and society generally view public officials engaged in a bribery scheme differently than the people paying them off.

"People look more harshly on someone who hold and are willing to violate the public trust than they do the private sector," Mr. Streib said.

Prosecutors might also have focused on the public officials because they initiated the scheme and forced the payments, leaving the vendors feeling helpless but to comply, he said.

Attorney Ernie Preate, a former attorney general who served prison time on a mail fraud charge more than 15 years ago, said he doesn't understand why no charges were filed against companies or individuals that gave contributions once they understood that was the way to get contracts.

"These are all intelligent people with their lawyers and accountants. They all knew how this worked," he said. "This went on for years. It's not a one-time event."

In the case of PNC Bank, the presentment says the bank actively sought Mr. Mellow's help getting turnpike bond underwriting work, then provided baseball and concert tickets and other entertainment. Mr. Mellow was close to "one of the PNC regional presidents," the presentment says, quoting Lepore.

While Mr. Lepore referred to the PNC official as a regional president, the presentment refers to an unnamed "regional vice president."

A spokesman for PNC Bank has repeatedly declined to comment on the bank's involvement.

"We do not comment on legal proceedings," PNC spokesman Fred Solomon said Thursday.

Peter J. Danchak, PNC's regional president, has refused to return the newspaper's phone calls. In two attempts to visit his downtown Scranton office this week, a reporter was told he was not in.

Asked about the identity of the PNC official at the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick dinner Sunday in Wilkes-Barre, State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan declined to identify the official.

"A smart girl like you can probably figure it out," Mr. Noonan told a Times-Tribune reporter.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com

Woman jailed for selling drugs

MONTROSE - An Oakland woman was sentenced to serve up to four years in state prison for dealing heroin out of her home.

Police found 13 bricks and four bundles of heroin hidden in the home Shawna Whritenour, 30, shared with her husband, Steven. Both were charged with a slew of drug counts in July.

On Thursday, President Judge Kenneth Seamans sentenced her to serve 21 to 48 months in state prison, followed by five years of probation, for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

In November, Mr. Whrite­nour was sentenced to serve five years in prison on a drug trafficking charge.

Rally organized for corrections cuts

PITTSTON - Federal corrections officers around the country have picketed in recent days to spotlight unsafe working conditions they say contributed to the death of corrections officers like Eric Williams of Nanticoke.

A similar gathering is coming here next week.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, Moosic, is organizing what he calls a "protest rally" to take aim at the automatic spending cuts brought on by sequestration that some say may make corrections jobs more dangerous.

The rally is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Pittston Area High School.

Tax money coming to towns, schools

WILKES-BARRE - Municipalities and school districts still missing earned income tax revenue from the first half of 2012 should be made whole by Friday, said John DeRemer, a vice president at tax collection company H.A. Berkheimer.

Berkheimer has been in charge of distributing that money to the correct towns and schools in Luzerne County after the old collector, the Central Tax Bureau of Pennsylvania, better known as Centax or the Don Wilkinson Agency, went out of business.

Money supposed to be distributed months ago was sitting in an account until a forensic accounting company determined where it was supposed to go.

Van crashes into outpatient center

DICKSON CITY - One person was injured Thursday afternoon when a van crashed into the front of the Allied Services Mid Valley Outpatient Center at Lackawanna Executive Park on Main Street.

Borough police and firefighters responded to the crash just before 4 p.m., where firefighters examined the structural damage to the building.

One person was transported to a hospital, but Dickson City police could not be reached for more information Thursday.

Marshals nab rape suspect

U.S. marshals apprehended an accused rapist in Carbondale on Wednesday on charges he sexually assaulted a minor in June.

Remington Hedden, 18, faces charges of rape, assault and other sexual offenses out of Worcester County, Md., for raping a minor, who was on vacation at the time of the attack, according to a news release from the U.S. marshals Thursday.

After an investigation by the Ocean City Police Department, a warrant was issued for Mr. Hedden in January. U.S. marshals from the Middle District of Pennsylvania determined he lived in the Carbondale area and arrested him Wednesday without incident on Jeffrey Street in Carbondale.

Mr. Hedden was taken to Lackawanna County Central Processing Center and is awaiting court proceedings regarding his extradition to Maryland.

The Lackawanna County sheriff's office, Lackawanna County district attorney's office, state police and Carbondale Police Department assisted in the investigation.

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

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Republican plan to phase out Pennsylvania's 600 state-operated liquor stores and raise millions in revenue by selling licenses to private businesses passed the House easily Thursday and was sent to the Senate.

The 105-90 vote after about seven hours of debate was a victory for members of the majority Republican caucus and their ally, GOP Gov. Tom Corbett. Five Republicans and no Democrats crossed party lines.

The bill would give existing beer distributors the priority in purchasing 1,200 wine and spirits licenses. It also would allow groceries to sell wine and enshrine their current ability — won through court rulings — to sell takeout beer.

Corbett said the vote put the state a step closer to getting out of a business it should never have entered.

"We're actually telling our citizens that we know you're adults and you should have the ability to choose, and you should have convenience," he said at a news conference afterward.

Democrats warned that it would put thousands of state store employees out of work, cost more and generate less revenue than supporters predict and that it would make alcohol more widely available, bringing with it a range of social problems.

"This is not a business friendly bill," said Rep. Margo Davidson, D-Delaware. "This measure has the potential to destroy small businesses and ravage communities."

Supporters said the state should not be selling alcohol and said private businesses would improve customer service, create jobs and put an end to a Depression-era system of state control that was almost unheard of across the country. They said sales would increase in part by recapturing customers from Pennsylvania who purchase wine and liquor from other states, particularly New Jersey.

"We are moving in the right direction," Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, said during the floor debate. "There are going to be thousands of new private-sector jobs, not only in retail but in wholesale."

After the vote, Turzai called the bill "an A-plus product and I think Pennsylvanians, should it be enacted into law as it is, will be saying, 'Why didn't we do this 40 years ago?'"

Both sides said the proposal was likely to see changes in the state Senate, where the Republican leader said discussions would soon begin regarding how that chamber will respond.

Corbett, who supports privatization, said the fees from the licenses — at least hundreds of millions, perhaps as much as $1.1 billion — should go to improving public education.

But the bill does not dictate how the money is spent, only that it should be deposited in a special account. Legislative officials said the spending would be determined in separate, future legislation.

Democrats were skeptical of the revenue projections.

"To get to that $1.1 billion, you'd almost have to have a perfect storm," said Rep. Joe Markosek, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. "Something far lower is far more likely to occur."

Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, was one of several members who expressed concern that some communities would be flooded with new retail booze outlets.

"When this thing is fully instituted, and we see an increase of alcoholism, or we see an increase of destruction that happens in our neighborhoods because of accessibility to a drug, then we have a responsibility to pay for that," Wheatley said.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware, said earlier that the goal should be improving selection, price and convenience.

"I don't think anyone expects the Senate to just take up the House bill and move it to the governor's desk as-is," Pileggi told reporters in a conference call. "I think the focus should be on what the system would deliver to the citizens of Pennsylvania."

Corbett said he hoped to start work with the Senate when its members return to Harrisburg next month.

Under the bill, the state would continue to operate liquor stores in otherwise underserved markets until the number of stores dips below 100. It provides for special job placement benefits for displaced Liquor Control Board employees. State taxes, including the 18 percent Johnstown Flood Tax, would continue to be levied, and supporters noted that the private retail operators would also be contributing payroll and business taxes.

It also provides a system by which those buying licenses can finance them over four years.

An official from the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry who publicly advocated for gaming funds for the historic Irem Temple building was fired late Wednesday afternoon.

Ross Macarty, vice president of community development, real estate and special projects for the chamber, said he was fired by chamber CEO Bill Moore.

The decision to fire him came the day that the Commonwealth Financial Authority announced it awarded $12,499,058 in gaming funds to Luzerne County projects. The $2.4 million the chamber and city requested to restore the Irem Temple on North Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre was not one of the 37 projects on the list.

Mr. Macarty said chamber officials said he was fired for being too vocal, shedding too much light on an "embarrassing issue" for the chamber.

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Development Corp., an arm of the chamber, bought the temple building in 2005 for $992,000 using a combination of federal, state and chamber funds.

The 107-year-old landmark has fallen into disrepair and now has no heat, lights or electricity. Thieves have stolen copper and brass inside.

Mr. Macarty said he was disappointed that the chamber's and city's application for gaming funds was denied and it put some chamber decision makers in an "embarrassing situation."

"Now the public knows that the chamber owns the Irem Temple and is letting it rot," he said.

Mr. Moore would not go into details about why Mr. Macarty was fired, saying he would not comment on a personnel matter.

He said the Irem Temple building is being secured nearly every day, but vandals continue to break in. It would cost about $15 million to restore the building to what it once was, he said.

"Do we have that sum? No, we don't," Mr. Moore said.

Mr. Macarty was active in advocating for $2.4 million in state gaming funds to bring the building up to code and return it to use.

He said he was told the Irem Temple was not an "agenda item" because the chamber's main focus is to get back on stable financial footing. A big project that drained the chamber's resources was the $31 million movie theater complex that opened in 2006 with public and chamber funds.

Costs for the project continue to spiral out of control, Mr. Macarty said. The investment left the South Main Street Redevelopment Group, which consists of Carlsberg Management Co. and the chamber, with about $8.5 million in bank debt. Former champion drag race and developer Joe Amato recently bought the University Corners building in downtown Wilkes-Barre, which houses Wilkes-Barre Movies 14, for about $5 million.

Mr. Moore acknowledged the chamber's financial strain is a direct result of building University Corners, and Wilkes-Barre Movies 14 has been a "huge success and puts 600,000 in the theater ever year."

Michael P. Buffer, staff writer, contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Corbett's often-controversial environmental protection secretary will leave the post next month after two years of guiding the agency that regulated Pennsylvania's natural gas boom as he clashed with environmental advocates, federal regulators and Democratic lawmakers.

Michael Krancer, who was a state environmental law judge and lawyer for energy giant Exelon Corp. before joining the Republican governor's administration, helped oversee Corbett's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission and handled emerging issues of river and air pollution as Pennsylvania worked to modernize its laws around drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

The agency was in "good hands" under his leadership, Corbett said in a statement, and cited Krancer's work to improve the way the Department of Environmental Protection operates. Krancer called working for Corbett and the department "the greatest honor of my career."

Corbett said Krancer, 55, will return to private law practice with the Philadelphia-based firm, Blank Rome, on April 15.

Krancer leaves on the heels of the departure of two other Cabinet secretaries who had high-profile dust-ups.

He frequently accused the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of overstepping its boundaries when it came to regulating rapidly growing natural gas industry in Pennsylvania, and his exchanges with Democratic lawmakers during legislative hearings were sometimes hostile.

Environmental groups regularly accused him of siding with the natural gas industry, and the head of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has complained that Krancer's agency was more concerned with politics than dealing with a decline in fish populations in the Susquehanna River.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — NBC plans to air excerpts of jailhouse interviews with former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky next week, which his lawyer said were given to a documentary filmmaker working on a defense of Joe Paterno.

The network said in the segment, to be broadcast Monday on the "Today" show, the convicted sex offender will give his account of the encounters that landed him in prison and discuss his former boss, who was accused in a university-funded investigation of covering up allegations against Sandusky in a bid to preserve the football program's reputation.

Sandusky defense lawyer Norris Gelman said Friday that John Ziegler interviewed Sandusky over the phone and perhaps in person in recent weeks. Ziegler did not respond to a call and email from the AP, but told The Patriot-News of Harrisburg he would share taped excerpts on the program.

Sandusky, 69, is serving a 30- to 60-year prison term after being convicted in June of 45 counts of child sexual abuse of 10 boys, including violent attacks inside campus athletic facilities. He maintains his innocence.

NBC said Sandusky also will also talk about Mike McQueary, a then-graduate assistant who told Paterno in 2001 he'd seen Sandusky showering with a young boy in a football locker room.

McQueary is pursuing a defamation and whistleblower lawsuit against Penn State.

Pennsylvania prison system spokeswoman Sue McNaughton said Friday that recording devices are not allowed during prison visits, but telephone calls can be taped.

"Mr. Sandusky is where he needs to be," McNaughton said. "Rather than focusing on him, we wish the media would focus more on the victims and their recovery from the deeds of this individual."

Paterno's firing by the school a few days after Sandusky was arrested in November 2011 has triggered a strong backlash among a segment of Penn State's vast alumni ranks, among others. Ziegler is listed as a principal on a website titled: "The Framing of Joe Paterno: Documenting an Outrageous Rush to Judgment."

Sandusky is pursing appeals, and Gelman said Friday he was waiting for a briefing schedule to be set by Superior Court.

Paterno died of lung cancer last January, about two months after his firing.

Carbondale Area High School students have been moved to the elementary school after a bomb threat was found around noon today, Carbondale Area Superintendent Joseph Gorham said.

Police are on scene investigating, though nothing has been found as of yet. Students are still slated to be dismissed from school at their normal time.

Check back for updates.

Before Friday's pep rally, before the firetruck escort, before Saturday's championship game, Holy Cross starter Kerry Kearney said he had a goal.

"We're trying to take in every moment," he said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The Crusaders will play Beaver Falls for the PIAA class AA boys championship game Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Giant Center in Hershey.

On Friday afternoon, students, staff and parents filled the Holy Cross High School gym. The fans chanted "We are ... Holy Cross" and blew air horns. Signs taped to the walls encouraged the boys to "make history" and "play like champions."

Members of the team ran through the haze caused by a fog machine, ripping through signs painted with their names. Cheerleaders shook silver pompoms and flipped in the air. A drummer, set up on the end of the court, kept a fast beat.

Coach Al Callejas spoke about how during the blur of the playoffs, one thing became clear.

"The Holy Cross family we talk about is not just talk," he said. "It's real."

His plan is not to bring home chocolate from Hershey. He wants to bring back gold.

When it was time for Principal Benjamin Tolerico to speak, students chanted "Uncle Ben." Mr. Tolerico laughed and explained it was a play on "Uncle Ben, like the rice."

"You will not find better people and a better community ... than what we have at Holy Cross High School," he said.

Josh Kosin, the team's 6-foot-7 center, thanked his peers for their continued support. A few minutes later, he made a dunk and the crowd erupted. Then Mr. Callejas was passed the ball. On the second attempt, from nearly half court, the coach drained a hook shot. Cheers in the crowd grew even louder.

The Rev. Brian J.T. Clarke, school chaplain, offered the closing prayer, asking for safe travels, wisdom for the coaches and stamina and vision for the players. He also asked to "come back with gold."

Students then filed out of gym and stood on both side of the school's driveway, down to a Martz bus waiting on East Drinker Street. Girls, dressed in their uniform skirts, shivered, waiting for the team.

In the parking lot, parents passed window paint from car to car, carefully writing "Go Holy Cross" on their car windows. They took photos and shouted well wishes as their sons were greeted with high fives from the assembled students.

Dunmore firetrucks and police cars lined the street, their lights on and sirens blaring as they escorted the bus to the highway.

Sophomore James Wetter had stood near the bus doors, wearing shorts and a Hershey's Kiss costume. The costume had been worn by his sister in kindergarten, coming down to her ankles. It came down to his waist.

The costume was just one way to support his Crusaders.

"These players are amazing," he said. "They work so hard."

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

Diversified Information Technologies has been acquired by a U.K. firm, EDM Group.

Scranton-based Diversified, which has been growing itself through its own acquisitions, will become EDM America. EDM is owned by the Lloyds Development Corp., a private equity group connected with Lloyds Bank Group.

Diversified Chief Executive Scott Byers said the acquisition will not change the company's presence or level of employment in the area.

"This will not have any impact on our operation, but it will give us the ability to add more breadth, depth and talent," Mr. Byers said.

The purchase price was not disclosed. Diversified was solely owned by company founder Clifford K. Melberger, Mr. Byers said. The Diversified executive team will remain in place, with Mr. Byers as chief executive of EDM America. He will also have a seat on EDM Group's board.

Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce President Austin Burke said he hopes the acquisition sets the stage for additional growth for a company that has been one of the largest downtown employers.

"Diversified has been a great employer and a successful operation," he said.

Mr. Melberger founded the company in 1981 as a document storage service in West Pittston. The company made the transition from bankers' boxes and metal shelves to digital scanning and computer back up. After a fire struck its facility in 1997, Diversified relocated to Scranton, moving into the former Globe Store. In recent years under Mr. Byers' leadership, the company had grown by acquisition, buying smaller companies in North Carolina and New Jersey. In 2010, published reports showed the company with revenue of $51 million and employment of 800 in facilities in several states. Present employment in Scranton is about 300.

Mr. Byers said the industry had been globalizing along with commerce. Clients expect their document preservation service be handled by one company rather than several.

That trend pushed Diversified toward an acquisition, he said.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

GREENSBURG - The live-in caretaker of a western Pennsylvania mansion faces criminal charges for allegedly drinking more than $100,000 worth of the owner's whiskey.

The Tribune-Review in Greensburg reported Friday that 62-year-old John Saunders of Irwin is charged by Scottdale police with receiving stolen property and theft.

Police told the newspaper that Patricia Hill found nine cases of whiskey hidden in the walls and stairwell of the century-old mansion built by industrialist J.P. Brennan after she bought it in 2012. The whiskey was bottled in 1912 by the nearby West Overton Distilling Co.

Scottdale police say Saunders drank 52 bottles of whiskey valued at $102,400 by the Bonhams auction house in New York.

Saunders is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing on Wednesday. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

Earnings reports

Tiffany says its fourth-quarter net income edged up less than 1 percent. Tiffany earned $179.6 million, or $1.40 per share. Revenue rose 4 percent to $1.24 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings of $1.36 per share on $1.25 billion in revenue.

Darden Restaurants Inc. said Friday that it earned $134.4 million, or $1.02 per share, for the three months ended Feb. 24. That's down from $164.1 million, or $1.25 per share, a year earlier. Analysts expected $1.01 per share. Revenue rose 5 percent to $2.26 billion from $2.16 billion, meeting Wall Street's view.

CNOOC says profit last year fell 9.3 percent, saying Friday that profit fell to $10.2 billion in 2012 from $11.3 billion the year before. Revenue climbed 3 percent to $39.8 billion.

Jessup

Easter raffle: VFW Post 5544 Easter raffle spin for ham, turkey, kielbasi and slab bacon, Sunday, 2 p.m., post home, 205 Dolph St., food served.

Keyser Valley

Seniors meet: Keyser Valley Senior Citizens meet Monday, 1 p.m., community house; reservations for spring luncheon accepted; dues due.

Madisonville

Pie orders: Madisonville Ladies Auxiliary orders for $9 homemade 10-inch pies close Monday, pickup, March 30, 8 a.m.-1 p.m; apple, cherry, lemon meringue and coconut custard; Diane, 842-2906, or Carole, 241-3518.

Peckville/Blakely

Company drive: Wilson Fire Company 1 drive envelopes may be mailed to Box 26, Peckville, or dropped at company headquarters.

Scranton

Basket distribution: Friends of the Poor Easter food basket distribution, Tuesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Wednesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Human Services Building, Olive Street and Wyoming Avenue, on-site registration conducted, proof of income and identification for each member of the household required; Easter baskets will be available for parents to present to children; 342-8828 or 342-8829.

Susquehanna County

Drum concert: Binghamton High School Juice Blenders steel drum band concert, April 30, 7 p.m., Montrose Theatre, Public Avenue, Montrose; donations accepted.

Taylor

Food sale: St. George's Orthodox Church potato pancake and clam chowder sale, Friday, noon-6 p.m., potato pancakes/$1; clam chowder/$6 quart; clam chowder orders, 562-1170 or 562-2090, potato pancakes, walk-in only.

Throop

Booster meeting: Throop Booster Club meeting, Sunday, 6:15 p.m., civic center.

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.