Another 84 tax-delinquent properties will be on the auction block Monday when Lackawanna County's fifth annual judicial sale resumes at the courthouse.

Ron Koldjeski, deputy director of the county Tax Claim Bureau, said there is lot of interest in the parcels, with more than 370 potential bidders preregistered for the 10 a.m. sale.

Making millions

The auction is a continuation of the 2013 judicial sale that opened Feb. 25 with the sale of 72 properties for more than $1.13 million.

Since then, the owners of 26 properties that were listed for Monday's sale have paid delinquent taxes totaling $75,022, pushing presale collections to $886,033.

"We are getting them (tax-delinquent properties) paid up or in the hands of new owners who will pay the taxes in full and on time," Mr. Koldjeski said.

On the rolls

He anticipates the properties sold Monday will bring collections from the 2013 sale to between $2.5 million and $3 million.

Since the Tax Claim Bureau started holding regular judicial sales in 2009, the county has collected more than $8 million and returned more than 400 properties to taxpaying status.

Properties auctioned at a judicial sale are sold free and clear of all encumbrances, including mortgages, liens, judgments and past tax claims, making them attractive to buyers.

Contact the writer: dsingleton@ timesshamrock.com

SCRANTON - A city woman is facing charges after she sold heroin in Scranton and was later found to have more of the drug hidden in her underwear and her car.

Jennifer Ferri, 28, of New York Street, is charged with six offenses, including possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance, stemming from a controlled buy Friday, a criminal complaint said.

Police said Ms. Ferri sold seven packets of heroin around 9:30 a.m. outside My Mother's Delicacies, 501 S. Washington Ave. She remains in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail. Her preliminary hearing is set for Thursday.

At least one of Scranton's revenue sources, an amusement tax that Council President Janet Evans said is lagging actually is collected on a quarterly basis, and the first quarter of the year isn't over, said Business Administrator Ryan McGowan.

At Thursday's council meeting, Mrs. Evans said certain revenue sources in the city's 2013 budget and revised Act 47 recovery plan so far have not produced any money, including payments in lieu of taxes from nonprofits, an amusement tax and parking-meter enhancements. She blamed Mayor Chris Doherty and his administration for not aggressively pursuing alternative revenues, and threatened that council would not approve more debt if the administration does not step up efforts to bring in alternative revenues.

Efforts to reach Mr. Doherty on Friday were unsuccessful. But Mr. McGowan said the administration is working daily to achieve its goals in the budget and recovery plan. As for an amusement tax, Mr. McGowan said it's not lagging because the ordinance that council passed enacting it dictates that it is to be collected quarterly.

"The legislation they (council) put together says we can only bill on a quarterly basis. We have the billing ready. We have to follow the legislation," Mr. McGowan said.

Mrs. Evans said, "Then perhaps he (Mr. McGowan) could provide us today with a copy of bill statements that will be sent and the parties that all bills will be sent to."

The prospect of revenue shortfalls is reminiscent of the city's financial crisis of last year, when the city could not get financing during a mayor/council war over the recovery plan, city coffers dwindled and the mayor slashed salaries to the minimum wage. The current debate also highlights the city's significant financial challenges, which this year involve having to borrow $22.5 million to pay a landmark state Supreme Court arbitration award of $17 million to police and fire unions and fund a $5.5 million increase in pension obligations. Mr. McGowan said the city is working on securing that financing.

"It's important for us to work together and not pit one body against the other. Obviously, that hasn't worked for us (in the past)," Mr. McGowan said. "To play the blame game at this point is counterproductive."

Mrs. Evans replied, "What I am attempting to do is work together so these revenues are realized. It was my understanding that the city was having trouble with financial institutions due to revenue insufficiency of $3 million to $4 million. Obviously, I'm not alone" in having concerns about city revenues lagging.

The city also has been looking at the possible sale of an asset and/or a sale-leaseback of an asset, the sale of delinquent garbage fees and perhaps seeking court approval for unfunded debt, Mrs. Evans said.

The city's cash flow this year is better than it was at this point last year, Mr. McGowan said. Last year, a pile of unpaid bills were carried over from 2011, but there was no such carryover this year due to a pair of unfunded-debt borrowings the city obtained last year.

Last year's diversion of real-estate taxes into a lockbox to pay back a tax-anticipation note also helped cause a severe cash crunch. The lockbox condition was imposed by wary banks after the city was late in paying back a TAN in 2011. The banks also wanted the city to update its Act 47 recovery plan before they would consider providing more financing to the city. That led to the long, bitter feud between mayor and council over how the recovery plan should be revised. The mayor initially favored tax hikes while council wanted less tax hikes and more alternative, though speculative, revenues. In the end, the recovery plan had both.

One such alternative revenue, PILOTs, is budgeted at $1.3 million to be collected this year. But to satisfy PEL concerns, city officials have said a contingency fund would be used to cover any PILOT shortfalls. Mrs. Evans said it appears that the mayor has not made any PILOT requests to nonprofit organizations, and she hopes that the potential availability of a contingency fund is not the reason.

Another alternative revenue, a commuter tax for 2013, also fell through when it was rejected by a panel of Lackawanna County Court judges in December. The city is expected at some point this year to seek court approval for a commuter tax for 2014.

Other alternative revenues coming up empty so far this year include a parking-meter enhancement program and an market-based revenue opportunity program of selling ads on city property. Regarding speculative alternative revenues, the recovery plan states the city is to replace any nonexistent revenue through either budget cuts, tax hikes or some combination of both.

Gerald Cross, executive director of Pennsylvania Economy League, the city's Act 47 coordinator said, "Any revenue shortfalls in the 2013 budget are anticipated by the recovery plan, and the recovery plan anticipates city action to reduce expenditures or increase revenue to make up differences not achieved. As coordinator, we will be preparing suggestions to the city to satisfy requirements of the recovery plan as far as expense reductions or revenue increases."

While the city can adjust its budget, it cannot change property taxes that have already been struck and billed for this year. Other taxes, however, such as the city's wage tax, could be changed, although a raise there seems unlikely because it is already the highest in the county, at 2.4 percent for the city and 1 percent for the school district, for a total wage tax on city residents of 3.4 percent.

Mrs. Evans flatly rejected any notion of raising the wage tax saying, "That idea is completely off the table. It's out of the question."

She said of PEL and the recovery plan, "Their expectation is that when we fall short it will be made up with tax increases. That's where we part ways. Tax increases are not my solution. The attitude has to be we're going to shake the bushes, we're going to leave no stone unturned, we're going to get every dollar we can into this city" from alternative revenues.

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com

Editor's note: This story has been corrected from its original version due to an error. The city has a 2.4 percent earned income tax and the school district has a 1 percent wage tax, for a total wage tax of 3.4 percent.

SCRANTON - Scranton police are still investigating a Sunday burglary in which a video game console and several games and controllers were taken.

Between 2 a.m. and 8:15 p.m. Sunday, someone entered an apartment at 512 Taylor Ave., rented by two University of Scranton students. An Xbox, five video games and five controllers were stolen, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 348-4141.

The driver of a tractor-trailer involved in a 2010 crash that killed a 21-year-old Scranton man will spend up to three years in prison.

Jaswinder Singh, who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in May, was sentenced to one to three years in a state prison by Monroe County Judge Stephen M. Higgins Friday.

The sentence came more than 30 months after the July 5, 2010, crash that killed Paul Miller.

Mr. Miller was headed back from East Stroudsburg University when a vehicle driven by Mr. Singh swerved across Route 33 in Monroe County, causing a three-vehicle wreck that killed Mr. Miller.

In May 2012, state police charged Mr. Singh with nine counts, including homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter.

"It's not a victory because my son never comes home," Paul's mother, Eileen, said after the sentencing. "But after three years of torture, this finally helps bring some closure."

Since her son's death, Mrs. Miller has been vocal about the dangers of distracted driving.

She has teamed up with the state Department of Transportation to raise awareness and is a regional manager with the Distraction Advocate Network, an organization that supports families affected by distracted driving.

The sentence issued by Judge Higgins, she said, is a step in the right direction.

"Honestly, I didn't think he would get any time in prison, but I think the judge set a good precedent against distracted driving," she said. "The judge basically said, if you are going to drive distracted, you are going to go to jail."

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

Elise Mosca had tried on the gold gown three times prior, but this was the final fitting - everything had to look and fit perfectly.

That's because the 27-year-old isn't wearing this dress to dinner or a dance. She's hoping to win the title of Miss Pennsylvania.

The Forty Fort woman and several other Luzerne County residents are in Altoona today competing in one of Pennsylvania's premier pageants.

"It's not just about looks. It's really about volunteerism," Miss Mosca quickly pointed out during her final fitting at Prom Excitement in Edwardsville.

Tonight's pageant - which will crown a Miss Pennsylvania, Mrs. Pennsylvania and Miss Teen Pennsylvania - focuses on a contestant's platform about a charitable cause. Miss Mosca is promoting skin cancer awareness in memory of her mother, Tina Mosca, who died from melanoma at age 61 in April.

A first-grade teacher for Wilkes-Barre Area, Miss Mosca has won pageant crowns before.

She was named Miss Unico in 2004 while at Wyoming Valley West High School. She was crowned Miss Stati Uniti New York in 2011, a competition that secured her entry into the Miss Italia nel Mondo contest in Italy. Most recently, she was crowned Miss Philadelphia International, the title that garnered her entry into today's contest.

This contest is the most important one, Ms. Mosca said, noting it will give her access to promote her platform and her mother's legacy.

"The day I came home from Miss Italia nel Mondo, the tumor had gone to her brain. So at the height of that success, everything stopped. And I was in the hospital day in, day out, night and day. And I fought until the last minute," Miss Mosca said.

"This opportunity came and it's like the silver lining. She is shining on me and saying, here's your opportunity to honor and remember me by raising awareness."

Miss Mosca and Sherri Homanko, Hazle Twp., 25, are competing against eight other women for the title of Miss Pennsylvania International.

Linda Zaneski, 45, Edwardsville, and Jill Snyder, 44, Sugarloaf, are in the running for Mrs. Pennsylvania International, hoping to bring the crown home to Luzerne County for a second consecutive year. Kimberly McLendon of Shickshinny is the reigning Mrs. Pennsylvania International.

Alexa Martino, 17, of Mountaintop, is running for Miss Teen Pennsylvania International.

Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com

Scranton resident Joseph Pilchesky's bid to block candidates from running for a Lackawanna County government study commission was denied Friday by a panel of county judges.

In an opinion written by Judge Terrence R. Nealon, the three-judge panel, sitting as the county Board of Elections, rejected two of Mr. Pilchesky's claims. In one, he had argued each candidate for the commission had to file individual nomination papers. In the other, he contended each candidate should have designated a Democratic or Republican party committee as the way to replace a candidate who won a seat on the commission but could not serve for some reason.

Twenty-nine of the 39 candidates filed as part of a slate of candidates. Each candidate or group of candidates named their own replacement committee members, who are listed on their nomination papers.

Judge Nealon said both those arguments were "without merit" because state law allows a commission candidate to file papers as part of a slate and to establish a replacement committee.

Mr. Pilchesky also claimed none of the candidates had filed a required "acceptance by candidate" affidavit.

Judge Nealon said that argument was "well-founded," but the candidates' failure to file the affidavits wasn't their fault.

Rather, they failed to file because they relied on "deficient forms and erroneous instructions" provided by the county Department of Elections. The affidavits, which candidates are to sign, confirm they are willing to serve if elected.

The judge said the study commission should be allowed to amend their nomination papers to include the acceptance affidavits. They must do that by April 11 or they could be removed from the May 21 primary election ballot.

Mr. Pilchesky had officially challenged 38 of the 39 candidates, forgetting to list the name of the other.

During the primary election, voters will have a chance to decide if they want to form a commission to study changing the county three-commissioner form of government.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com, @borysblogTT on Twitter

A group of fired Lackawanna County workers will share a $1 million settlement, ending a five-year federal lawsuit against the county over politically connected hirings and firings.

The 17 workers, including now County Commissioner Patrick O'Malley and Jermyn Mayor Bruce Smallacombe, claimed they were fired in 2008, soon after there was a change in power and political affiliation in the commissioners' office from the Republican administration of Robert Cordaro and A.J. Munchak to the incoming Democratic administration of Commissioner Corey O'Brien and former Commissioner Mike Washo. Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Washo were also named in the suit.

The suit, which argued the workers were entitled to their First Amendment right to free speech and free association, claimed they were fired because of their support for Mr. Cordaro and Mr. Munchak, who are now both in federal prison for taking bribes from prominent local businessmen.

The county's former liability insurance provider, Arizona-based Scottsdale Insurance, agreed to pay $1 million to the workers and their attorney, Barry H. Dyller of Wilkes-Barre, said Scranton attorney John G. Dean, who was retained by the insurance company.

The money will be split among the workers and Mr. Dyller, Mr. Dean said. He did not know how it will be disbursed.

Mr. Dyller declined to comment.

The county will not have to hand over any taxpayer money because of the settlement, as it was completely covered by its insurance company, Mr. Dean said.

The case, which was presided over by U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Conner, was officially closed Thursday.

In court papers, Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Washo argued the firings were not politically motivated. Rather, they sought to erase the county's reputation of political patronage hiring, which they said flourished under the Cordaro-Munchak administration, according to court records.

They instituted new hiring practices and told county workers, regardless of their political affiliation, they could reapply, Mr. Washo and Mr. O'Brien stated in court papers.

Mr. O'Malley was an assistant director of parks and recreation under the Cordaro-Munchak administration until he was fired by Mr. Washo and Mr. O'Brien shortly after they took office, according to the lawsuit.

Efforts to reach Mr. O'Malley and Mr. Washo were unsuccessful Friday. Mr. Washo is no longer a commissioner after deciding not to seek re-election in 2011. He is now the court-appointed receiver of the Scranton Parking Authority's five parking garages.

Mr. O'Brien declined to comment, citing a county policy forbidding him from speaking publicly about litigation against the county.

After being elected in 2011, Mr. O'Malley is now a Republican minority commissioner working alongside the next set of Democratic majority commissioners, Mr. O'Brien and Jim Wansacz. Mr. Smallacombe was a former Republican minority commissioner who was appointed in 2011 to replace Mr. Munchak following his conviction on public corruption charges.

"Under the terms of the settlement we are not allowed to speak," said Mr. Smallacombe of the plaintiffs. "We can't say anything. I don't shy away from talking to anybody. As soon as they tell me I can say something, I'd be glad to."

Scottsdale Insurance decided to settle the case, Mr. Dean said.

"The commissioners' would have obviously preferred to go to trial," he said.

The other plaintiffs are: Thomas Bell, Joseph DeAntona, Joseph McCawley, Jayme Morano, Nicholas Parise, Dominick Rinaldi, Charles Spano, William Tonkin Jr., Thomas Galella III, Thomas Harrison, Thomas Bradley, Anthony Bernardi, Kenneth Kovaleski, Dominic Romanini and Gary Propersi.

Contact the writer: smcconnell@timesshamrock.com, @smcconnellTT on Twitter

HARRISBURG - A groundbreaking vote in the House this week that approved a bill privatizing the state-run liquor system poses the greatest threat yet to the long-running experiment of a Pennsylvania governor who vowed to forever prohibit the "open saloon."

Republican Gov. Gifford Pinchot created the network of state-run liquor stores overseen by the Liquor Control Board as national prohibition came to an end in 1933.

Eighty years later, Republican Gov. Tom Corbett has now come the closest of any modern governor to dismantling Mr. Pinchot's legacy with a liquor privatization bill passing one of the two legislative chambers.

The House vote, reflecting a mostly united GOP majority and solid opposition from Democratic lawmakers, provides some badly needed political juice to Mr. Corbett on one of his top priorities. Lawmakers representing Northeast Pennsylvania split along party lines on the vote.

The vote gives some momentum to Mr. Corbett's agenda of scaling back the reach of state government through privatizing the liquor stores, management of the Pennsylvania Lottery, traveler information systems and bridge projects.

The House-approved bill would create 1,200 private wine and spirits retail licenses over four years and allow grocery stores and convenience stores to sell beer and wine. It gives beer distributors first refusal on bidding for those 1,200 licenses for up to one year. These licenses would be allocated by county, based on the number of beer distributors in each.

Mr. Corbett wants to use liquor sale proceeds to establish a four-year block grant program for school districts, but that issue will be addressed in separate legislation.

As heady as the House victory is for liquor privatization proponents, there is still a long way to go before their goal becomes a reality.

The bill goes to the Senate where it faces committee hearings and deliberations during the next two months, said Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-9, Chester.

"I don't think anyone expects the Senate to simply take up the House bill and move it to the governor's desk as is," said Mr. Pileggi.

House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh, said the goal is to get a bill to the governor's desk by June 30. He said he thinks the House-approved bill will have public opinion on its side.

"I think it meets what the public is looking for," said Mr. Turzai.

An agreement may depend on how well the differing concepts of liquor modernization and privatization can be blended into one bill.

A number of senators of both parties have co-sponsored bills to modernize the state-run stores through such steps as allowing more stores, removing the cap on stores open on Sundays and allowing beer distributors, restaurants and taverns to sell beer in different quantities.

Sens. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, and John Yudichak, D-14, Nanticoke, both favor the modernization approach and have co-sponsored bills to that effect.

Mr. Blake said he has deep concerns about how the transition from state stores to private stores is handled under the House bill.

Mr. Yudichak is worried about the fate of state store employees and employees in beer distributors and licensed establishments.

"You are talking about the thousands of people who will have their livelihood impaired and lose their jobs all for the sake of ideology," he said.

But a modernization amendment to allow for increased state store hours and wine-to-go restaurant licenses was shot down 108-91 in the House. The House debate carried echoes of the debate nearly a decade ago on legalizing slots casinos. Supporters talked of meeting consumer demands and stopping the bleed of liquor sales across state borders. Opponents warned of social ills from increased access to alcohol to loss of state tax revenue.

The bill gives consumers what they want and beer distributors a renewed chance for entrepreneurial success, said Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-116, Butler Twp. "The state-run liquor store system is a costly, antiquated system which is a 1933 throwback to Prohibition," she said.

"We are not selling milk and eggs," said Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre. "We are selling a lethal product."

"Privatizing sounds nice, but in the end, the benefits go straight to the top of the corporate ladder," said Rep. Frank Farina, D-115, Jessup. "The same revenue which provided state funding instead will go to corporations whose main goal is the largest profit margin possible."

The bill will pave the way for a one-stop shop for alcohol purchases, said Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, Tamaqua.

"Under this plan, beer distributors get first dibs on licenses to sell all three types of alcohol: beer, liquor and wine," he said.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

The University of Scranton and the Commonwealth Medical College will host the third annual Northeastern Pennsylvania Conference on Aging on April 11.

The conference will provide a forum to educate practitioners, providers, researchers, economists and the community through presentations that promote healthy aging through an integrated approach. It will be held in the Patrick & Margaret DeNaples Center at the university.

More than 12 lectures will cover topics such as medication, nutrition and vision as components of healthy aging; the changing role of the caregiver; better communication among physicians, nurses and health care professionals who care for the elderly; alternatives to nursing home care; improving elder life quality; and a presentation about aging in Northeast Pennsylvania - a view from the capital.

The presentations will provide an opportunity to learn about new research, best practices and how the nation's changing economy will impact healthy aging in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Linda P. Fried, M.D., dean and DeLamar Professor of Public Health at Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, New York, is the keynote speaker.

A leader in the fields of geriatrics and epidemiology, Dr. Fried is also the senior vice president of Columbia University Medical Center and professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Other presenters include state Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald; Brian Duke, secretary of the state Department of Aging; and educators from local universities and health-related companies and nonprofit groups.

Participants are eligible for continuing education credits in several fields, including physicians, physician assistants, nurses, social work, counseling, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

The conference stemmed from a vision by Brian Conniff, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Scranton, and Herbert Hauser, Ph.D., senior research scientist at the University of Scranton.

In addition to the University of Scranton and TCMC, the conference is a collaboration between Johnson College, Keystone College, Lackawanna College, Marywood University and Penn State Worthington Scranton.

Conference registration fees vary. Registration deadline is Friday. For more information or to register, visit www.scranton.edu/academ ics/cas/aging-conference, facebook.com/NEPAConferenceOnAging2013, twitter.com/NEPAAgingConf13, or call 941-5860.

While friends praised U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion on Friday, he saved his kindest words for his mother just after she draped the black judicial robe on him and took a seat in the front row.

"To me, you're my hero and you will always be," he told his mother, Dorothy, 88, during remarks at an investiture ceremony that celebrated his recent rise to the federal bench in Scranton.

"She brought me up by herself, God bless her," the judge said in a courtroom filled with supporters and local dignitaries.

Judge Mannion's appointment by President Barack Obama and subsequent U.S. Senate confirmation in December put an end to long-standing judicial vacancies in the Middle District, a federal legal jurisdiction handling criminal and civil affairs and stretching from Williamsburg to Harrisburg.

The Scranton Prep and University of Scranton grad from Scott Twp. was nominated for the post by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican. He joins Bradford County attorney Matthew W. Brann, another bipartisan judicial appointment by the senators, as the latest additions to the court.

Before the appointment, Judge Mannion was a U.S. magistrate at the federal courthouse in Wilkes-Barre for several years after working as an assistant U.S. attorney.

While he has been taking cases as a federal judge since he assumed duties on Dec. 28, the investiture served to formally recognize his elevation to the bench.

Several dignitaries and dozens of members of the local law enforcement and legal community attended Friday's ceremony including U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith, Lackawanna County District Attorney Andy Jarbola, U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-10, Lycoming Twp., Lackawanna County judges Thomas Munley, Terrence R. Nealon and Margaret Bisignani Moyle, 3rd U.S. Circuit Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie, along with several district court justices.

In his remarks, Judge Mannion joked that the vetting process to consider whether he should be nominated was so thorough that they even knew his shoe size.

"As crazy as it sounds, I'm here thanking the President of the United States," he said.

While colleagues and friends spoke of his astute mind, judgment of character and an unquestionable love of family, his son Jason offered another side of the newest judge.

While enjoying pushing himself to the limits whether in the arena of law or caring for his wife and children, the judge has a fondness of driving his vehicles farther than most would dare consider, well over 200,000 miles.

"This is a huge accomplishment in his life," said Jason Mannion, a medical school student who drew much laughter during remarks about his father's career and the impact he has had in his life. "Most people might be embarrassed to drive a 200,000 -mile Mazda Protege."

Contact the writer: smcconnell@ timesshamrock.com, @smcconnellTT on Twitter

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Fariha Abdul Quddus, Scranton, associate of arts in letters, arts and sciences; Britt M. Ackerman, Lakeville, bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Michael J. Andrews, Throop, bachelor science in business; Ashley N. Aul, Hawley, bachelor of arts in Russian and journalism; Robert J. Babich, Taylor associate of science in information sciences and technology; Justyna Baginska, Greentown, bachelor of science in industrial engineering; Kayla M. Baloga, Exeter, bachelor of science in science; Payton M. Baltzley, Montrose, bachelor of science in kinesiology; Viviana J. Barbitta, Hawley, bachelor of arts in letters, arts and sciences; Samantha L. Barnhart, Montrose, bachelor of science in industrial engineering; Richard J. Barnoski, Taylor, bachelor of arts in American studies; Sarah T. Bomrad, Scranton, bachelor of science in communication sciences and disorders; Ashley L. Bortel, Dunmore, bachelor of science in nursing; Cynthia M. Branning, Susquehanna, associate of science in human development and family studies; Matthew Brazil, Dunmore, bachelor of science in mechanical engineering; Diane C. Bridges, Jessup, bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Randi-Jo F. Brown, Meshoppen, bachelor of science in forensic science; Brittany L. Budzinski, Jefferson Twp., bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Joseph Bufalino, West Pittston, bachelor of arts in crime, law and justice; Rachel S. Burnis, Forest City, bachelor of arts in letters, arts and sciences; Rose Burti, Old Forge, bachelor of science in nursing; Alyssa N. Butler, Madison Twp., associate of arts in letters, arts and sciences; Natasha E. Butler, Jefferson Twp., associate of arts in letters, arts and sciences; Lydia J. Callwitts, Tunkhannock, bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Lavenique J. Campbell, Pocono Summit, bachelor of science in secondary education; John A. Cantafio, Scranton, bachelor of science in crime, law and justice; Jeffrey C. Carpenetti, Scranton, bachelor of science in business; Breanna L. Cawley, Dunmore, bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Kristie A. Chern, Greentown, bachelor of science in elementary and kindergarten education; Tiffani A. Cherry, Dingmans Ferry, bachelor of science in elementary and kindergarten education; Jeffrey D. Chiampi, Jenkins Twp., master of business administration in business administration; Christine H. Chicoski, Hawley, bachelor of science in science; MaryKay J. Cirba, Scranton, with distinction, associate of science in business administration; Walter T. Clark, Lake Ariel, bachelor of science in business; Timothy J. Clark, Meshoppen, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Kacie E. Conklin, Waymart, bachelor of science in communication sciences and disorders; Cody L. Cooper, Clarks Summit, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Jean G. Costa, Mount Pocono, bachelor of science in management; Brad M. Cristiano, Old Forge, associate of science in business administration; Kaylee A. Cummings, S. Abington Twp., bachelor of arts in journalism; Kyle A. Cunningham, Madison Twp., bachelor of science in kinesiology; Robert L. Cyphers, Tunkhannock, master of science in engineering science; Joshua J. Day, Madison Twp., bachelor of science in kinesiology; Diorina De La Rosa, Bushkill, bachelor of arts in anthropology; Raeford A. Decker, Pocono Summit, bachelor of science in administration of justice; Leslie M. Decker, Newfoundland, bachelor of science in nursing; Dennis M. Dempsey, Dunmore, bachelor of arts in crime, law and justice; Katherine A. DiBello, Roaring Brook Twp., with high distinction, bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Robert J. Dorson, Greenfield Twp., associate of science in business administration; Marissa A. Duffy, Pittston, bachelor of science in recreation, park and tourism management; Daniel P. Dunn, Moscow, bachelor of science in mechanical engineering; David C. Ecker, Dunmore, bachelor of science in business, information sciences and technology; Jennifer E. Edsall, Honesdale, bachelor of science in agribusiness management; Michael Edwards, Dunmore, bachelor of science in mechanical engineering: Ryan F. Ehnot, Dunmore, bachelor of science of business; Devon C. Emmerich, Springville, bachelor of arts in advertising/public relations; Stephanie L. Erb, Mayfield, bachelor of science in business; Matthew J. Evans, Jessup, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Abbie E. Evans, Montrose, bachelor of arts in journalism; Larissa M. Fernandes, Scranton, bachelor of science in nursing; Geraldine Ferrer, Tobyhanna, bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Janet K. Foster, Scranton, PA, with distinction, bachelor of science in elementary and kindergarten education; Christopher R. Gammon, Duryea, bachelor of arts in journalism; Alyssa A. Gatto, Scranton, with distinction, bachelor of science in communication sciences and disorders; Frank J. Gawel, Old Forge, bachelor of science in administration of justice; Kayla R. Getz, Scotrun, bachelor of science in biobehavioral health; Travis A. Gill, Browndale, bachelor of science in business; Nicholas A. Giuffrida, Tobyhanna, bachelor of arts in integrative arts; Aishah J. Golshirazi, Rowland, bachelor of arts in psychology; Matthew R. Gosselin, Old Forge, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Chad M. Griffith, Dickson City, associate of science in information sciences and technology; Megan E. Harrington, Scranton, bachelor of arts in letters, arts and sciences; David R. Hendrickson, Greentown, bachelor of science in agribusiness management; Mary E. Henry, Pocono Lake Preserve, bachelor of fine arts in theatre; Elizabeth A. Hoban, Old Forge, bachelor of science in nursing; Christopher D. Holland, Scranton, bachelor of science in mechanical engineering; Tyler M. Hood, Waymart, bachelor of science in management; Joseph Hughes, Olyphant, bachelor of arts in letters, arts and sciences; Jared M. Hulse, Milford, bachelor of humanities in communications; James P. Humenansky, West Wyoming, bachelor of science in immunology and infectious disease; Christopher C. Hunt, Pocono Summit, with highest distinction, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Jessica Ingersoll, Olyphant, bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Joshua H. Jarnagin, Nicholson, bachelor of science in chemistry; Sara L. Jones, Brackney, bacelor of science in environmental resource management; Gregory T. Jones, Scranton, master of professional studies in homeland security; Casey J. Judge, Taylor, bachelor of science in business; Nicholas K. Jury, Clarks Green, master of project management in project management; Abigail A. Kakareka, Madisonville Twp., bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Kimber Lee M. Kalinoski, South Abington Twp., with high distinction, bachelor of fine arts in art; Melanie C. Keating, Dunmore, bachelor of science in nursing; Casey J. Kinsman, Honesdale, bachelor of science in chemical engineering; Kurt A. Kosick, Exeter, bachelor of science in electrical engineering; Lindsay Kuchinski, Moosic, bachelor of science in business; Nicholas R. Kussoff, Honesdale, bachelor of arts in communication arts and sciences; William P. Langan, West Pittston, bachelor of science in business; Jason M. Larioni, Throop, bachelor of science in secondary education; Christopher S. Leavitt, Milford, bachelor of science in marketing and management; Amanda A. Lilik, Dickson City, bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Michael R. Lott, Dalton, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Aimee M. Luzzi, Pocono Pines, bachelor of science in nutritional sciences; Meghann C. Lyons, Nicholson, bachelor of science in business; Michael F. Mandarano, Scranton, bachelor of arts in American studies; Nicholas R. Martin, Exeter, bachelor of science in business; Nathan Masco, Carbondale, bachelor of science in recreation, park and tourism management; Ian G. McAllister, Spring Brook Twp., bachelor of science in surveying engineering; Thomas C. McCurdy, Honesdale, bachelor of arts in telecommunications; Elizabeth C. McGrath, Scranton, bachelor of arts in labor studies and employment relations; Michael D. McHale, Dunmore, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Stephanie J. McLaughlin, Scranton, bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Joseph J. McTague, Scranton, bachelor of science in human development and family studies; John W. Michaels, Swoyersville, bachelor of science in business; David J. Mizzer, West Wyoming, bachelor of science in marketing; Kathleen B. Montella, Waverly, with distinction, bachelor of arts, integrative arts; Gregory P. Moran, Scranton, bachelor of science in nursing; Michele Moskalczyk, Throop, bachelor of science in nursing; David M. Moss, Scranton, bachelor of science in mechanical engineering; Kaitlin M. Munley, Scranton, bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Christina Munley, Scranton, associate of arts in letters, arts and sciences; Casey R. Nealon, Factoryville, bachelor of science in psychology; Marissa Opalka, Waymart, bachelor of science in hotel, restaurant and institutional management; Christopher C. Pacheco, Swiftwater, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Michael J. Passiment, Carbondale, with distinction, bachelor of science in public policy; Arpita A. Patel, Scranton, associate of arts in letters, arts and sciences; Matthew D. Patterson, Hughestown, bachelor of science in business; Devin L. Pierre, Moscow, bachelor arts in economics and political science; Joseph C. Polaski, Old Forge, bachelor of science in forest science; Daniel Polkowski, Dickson City, bachelor of science in electrical engineering; James C. Reilly, Milford, bachelor of science in energy engineering; Matthew J. Reilly, West Pittston, bachelor of arts in journalism; William T. Rosar, Jermyn, with distinction, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Lindsay N. Roth, Scranton, bachelor of arts in English; Nichole A. Ryder, Scranton, bachelor of science in business; Joseph J. Scarpone, Blakeslee, bachelor of science in biochemistry and molecular biology; Matthew A. Schifano, West Pittston, bachelor of science in turfgrass science; Matthew P. Schuback, Old Forge, bachelor of science in administration of justice; Cody J. Seaman, Honesdale, bachelor of science in materials science and engineering; Dominic M. Serra, Moscow, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Jinal M. Shah, Scranton, bachelor of science in business; Vedish G. Shah, Scranton, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Mary J. Shillabeer, Falls, bachelor of science in nursing; Eryk Skowronski, Dickson City, bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; Sadie M. Smiles, Wyoming, bachelor of arts in media studies; Stephanie N. Smith, Long Pond, bachelor of arts in English; Christopher J. Smith, Tafton, bachelor of science in geography; Jason S. Solon, Dunmore, asssociate of engineering technology in surveying engineering technology; Joshua M. Southerton, Honesdale, bachelor of arts in political science; Jeremy P. Spear, Clarks Summit, bachelor of arts in American studies; Stacey A. Theobald, Waymart, bachelor of science in animal sciences; David L. Thomas, Scranton, bachelor of science in business; Virginia L. Thomas, Pocono Pines, master of professional studies in human resources and employment relations; Amy J. Trochinsky, Peckville, bachelor of science in business; Nicole F. Valenti, Jefferson Twp., bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Michael A. Viola, Dunmore, bachelor of science in business; Steven G. Walsh, Carbondale, bachelor of science in structural design and construction engineering technology; Erin H. Walsh, Olyphant, associate of arts in letters, arts and sciences; James D. Watson, Milford, bachelor of science in agribusiness management; Jeffrey W. Weems, Swoyersville, bachelor of science in secondary education; Christopher M. Weir, Swiftwater, bachelor of liberal arts in landscape architecture; Jeffrey A. Williams, Scott Twp., bachelor of science in business; Devin D. Wolf, Tunkhannock, bachelor of science in earth sciences; Lindsay A. Wolfe, Beach Lake, master of science in food science; Marsha-Lee T. Wright, Tobyhanna, bachelor of science in health policy and administration; Nyssa K. Zaccheo, Scranton, with distinction, bachelor of science in secondary education; Jonathan F. Zurinskas, Clarks Summit, bachelor of arts in international politics.

CENTENARY COLLEGE

Jennifer Bachan-Breiten, Dalton, bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in management.

ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Jamie Aleckna, Lake Ariel, bachelor of science in nutrition management; Nicholas Rossi, Greenfield Twp., bachelor of science in mechanical engineering technology.

SUNY ONEONTA

Bridgette Robinson, Clarks Summit, bachelor of science in environmental science with a concentration in environmental planning.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Rani A. Crozier, Carbondale, master of science in computer information systems; and John J. Yakobitis, Dalton, master of science in computer information systems.

When South Scranton resident Steve Wallis looks at an empty plot of land in the 600 block of Cedar Avenue, he no longer sees a dumping ground.

He sees a future townhouse complex.

"Do you see a dumping ground?" Mr. Wallis, also a South Side Neighborhood Watch Commander, asked. "It used to be a blighted lot."

A handful of community leaders gathered in that block Friday morning and officially broke ground on Phase II of United Neighborhood Center's Cedar Avenue Revitalization project.

"It's bringing life back to the area," Allison Woody, communications coordinator for UNC, said.

This phase will develop six new three-bedroom townhouses, community development director Marty Fotta said. Four of the townhouses will have 1,000-square-foot retail shops on the ground floor. Rather than renting, the townhouses will be available for purchase.

The development shows "real investment" in the area, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty said. "Families are going to live there."

Phase I of the project developed an apartment building in the 600 block of Cedar with commercial spaces on the ground. Phase III will center around another large apartment complex in the 500 block of Cedar Avenue, Ms. Woody said.

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

SCRANTON HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

Hari Adhikari, Angela Altier, Kanishk Amin, Ishban Aziz, Elizabeth Babinski, Chandra Bastola, Brandyn Bembenek, Jade Caisey, Maryrobi Canela, Tess Capobianco, Courtney Capwell, Michael Castaldi, Nestor Casteleiro, Michael Caswell, Matthew Charles, Kayla Condel, Meghan Conway, Carrisa Coppolino, Lyndsey Czyzyk, Linh Dang, Sean Defazia, Michael Delgado, David Deshler, Danielle Desouza, Robert Dixon, Donna Doherty, John Domenick, Cassandra Doria, Alexander Eiden, Sean Elman, Shauna Fahad, Bridget Festa, Madelyn Fisch, Albena Gesheva, Joseph Gnall, Joseph Gorgol, Matthew Gorton, Scott Grassi, Ignazio Handoyo, Tiara Harris, Victoria Henning, Lindsey Hessmiller, Michael Hummel, Jonathan Hutchinson, Chelsea Jablonski, Nohely Jiminan, Deborah Kaminski, Stephanie Kaszuba, Kaylana Kendricks, Kennedy Kern, Rupa Khadka, Elizabeth Kmiec, Ryan Knott, Rachel Kovach, Rosa Lambert, Martha Laytos, Ian Loftus, Thomas Maier, Phillip Marcinowski, Amy Markowski, Rachel May, James McAndrew, Eric McCabe, Arthur McCarthy, Gavin McGowan, William McGowan, Alyssa McHugh, Kylie McHugh, James McNally, Nicole Meshko, Abigail Mikolon, Andrea Molitoris, Sovita Mongar, Michael Munley, Alyssa Mursch, John Myers, Casey Nestrick, Gary NG, Dalena Nguyen, Lara Notarianni, Haley O'Brien, Luis Otero, Jonathan Palochko, Akash Patel, Dhruv Patel, Harsh Patel, Himanshi Patel, Hinal Patel, Hiren Patel, Janki Patel, Jigar Patel, Krupa Patel, Payal Patel, Priya Patel, Jamie Patterson, Zachary Pearson, Francesse Pierre, Rebecca Pimentel, Madina Qahar, Rishad Qahar, Matthew Quirk, Nicole Rafalko, Ahmad Rahim, Ali Razvi, Kelly Reap, Matthew Redetzky, Elora Romanowski, Mikaela Rowe, Kate Savage, Allie Sawicki, Jennifer Sawicki, Kevin Schubert, Alyssa Schuler, Albert Scielzo, Anastasia Scott, Todd Setzer, Justin Severe, Nazifa Shadiyeva, Dipam Shah, Samarth Shah, Alexis Shotwell, Som Maya Singer, Carolyne Skellen, Matthew Somers, Emily Spory, Matthew Stornable, Marina Strelecki, Daniel Stuckart, Scott Syryla, Jeewan Timsina, Gabriel Torres, Nicole Trapper, Amber Tuffy, Sabrina Vancosky, Michael Voris, Abby Walsh, Alex Wasalinko, Joshua White and Gina Williams.

GRADE 11

Zalasht Abubakir, Keshara Adhikari, Marilyn Anderson, Frzana Azizi, Jessica Bobersky, Megan Bresser, Francis Bui, Monserrath Camacho, Francelis Capellan, Phillip Cary, Maura Cerra, Robert Chickeletti, Michelle Chu, Fabian Coleman, Mollie Comstock, Erin Cosgrove, Brittany Crowell, Kathleen Cunningham, Tyler Davey, Corrin Devereaux, Rewati Dhungel, Noe Dominguez, Gabrielle Drummond, Teagan Edsell, Destiny Feduchak, Maldonado Fernandez, Abigail Fisch, Zachary Fiscus, Kurt Fisher, Sita Gajmer, Esau Garcia, Zachary Garden Ashley Gilbride, Emma Gilroy, Frank Glendenning, Emily Glogowski, Kyle Grabowski, Grace Granahan, Aaron Grier, Gabrielle Grudzinski, Ian Hart, Margaret Hemphill, Robert Hoffman, Joshua Holden, Katelyn Jones, Connor Jordan, Gillian Kelly, Jacob Klein, Allison Krupski, Moira Kupinski, Kelly Kuzma, Kalinda Leggieri, Randy Lesh, Justine Lishman, Shaemus Lunney, Brian Maguire, Anthony Mandile, Corey Manley, Emily Massari, Desiree McCabe, Brigid McNally, Damita Mendoza, McKenzie Moore, Brandon Musso, Ray Nearhood, Tyler Newhart, Jeffrey Nunez, Mary OHara, Monica OMalley, Ryan O'Malley, Morgan Osborne, Ashley Ozack, Sean Padden, Omar Paramo, Ajel Patel, Romitkumar Patel, Danielle Patrizi, Luis Perez, Amy Pocius, Donald Pregmon, Nadeema Qahar, Anju Rai, Bimal Rai, Hemantsinh Raj, Kraigen Rasalla, Samantha Reinhardt, Sophie Rogers, Melanie Rosato, John Rudy, Jordan Ruby, Bhola Sankhar, Patrick Sawyer, Amrita Sewah, Shaiva Shah, Ashley Shepulski, Daniel Smith, Samuel Soares, Joshua Stankowski, Taylor Stetzar, Daniel Stevens, Anisa Tarigan, Terry Thompson, Kaitlyn Tonsil, Hazel Torres, Jose Torres, Brandi Towend, Jessica VanBuskirk, Alxander Volz, Alexis Walker, Melissa Walsh, Corey Ward, Emily Witts, Madlyn Yuschovitz, Christopher Zawadzki and Devin Zombek.

GRADE 10

Salma Ahmed, Jonathan Altamirano, Ryan Ancherani, Hector Andujar, Livia Angelyn, Ashyia August, Farah Azizi, Matthew Babinski, Alison Barrett, Fernando Carvantes, Nicholas Castagnaro, Alexis Caviston, William Cawley, Zahra Cepeda, Kari Condel, Brittany Creegan, Joshua DAnnunzio, Sadaf Delawar, Sahar Delawar, Harsh Desai, Christopher Doherty, Hugh Doherty, Calah Dougherty, Llona Duverge, Brody Edsell, Atalyia Eisenhauer, Brett Engleman, Melissa Evans, Stephen Frantz, Jayleen Galeno, Ashlynn Gallagher, Clarence Gallagher, Brianna Galvin, Meaghan Gavin, Connor Gilbride, Ashley Gnall, Nathan Goberson, Jose Gonzalez, Sabrina Gray, Paul Gronski, Maria Guido, Narges Gulmohammad, Regita Handijaya, Abigail Hernandez, Andrea Hiller, Kayla Hineline, Emily Holden, Kimberly Holleran, Josh James, Erin Kazmierczak, Catherine Kelly, Jolie Kerekes, Robert Kirchner, Nicole Kmiec, Megan Kolata, Kaitlin Korgeski, Caitlin Kurey, Michelle Lavender, Carray Leepier, Kristopher Lepka, Kalei Loposky, Hailee Lovell, Tam Ly, Cory Lynch, Jayne Maconeghy, Paul Maglioli, Caleb Mandile, Rachel Marichak, Gretchen Mattern, Jacob McCarthy, Marcus McCarthy, Catherine McDonnell, Robert McGowan, Brianna McGuire, Jennifer Mehall, Kasey Murphy, Alexa Nallin, Corey Naughton, Ashley Otero, Charles Pabst, Christopher Pakutka, Amanda Patchoski, Kinjal Patel, Krina Patel, Kuntal Patel, Prerak Patel, Sheel Patel, Vaikal Patel, Victoria Polkowsk, Qadir Quddus, Scott Rafaiani, Manjula Rai, Dharti Ray, Shawn Reed, Brooke Reinhardt, Mario Roani, Jerica Rosado, Emilia Rosas, Emily Rudolph, Annie Russo, Ricardo Santiago, Bhumi Shah, Margi Shah, Crystal Shields, Kyyah Simon, Smriti Sitaula, Edward Slocum, Brigitte Stuckart, Sean Tomlinson, Julius Warnero, Jemma Weibrect, Austin Woyshnar and Kevin Zaleski.

GRADE 9

Prakash Adhikari, Babak Alipour, Sofiya Bakradze, Aileen Barrett, Blaise Beebe, Alex Bello, Natalie Bennignton, Rain Best, Joshua Bozym, Erin Carlin, Gina Carro, Trevor Checho, Jayden Chopka, Madeline Condon, Krystian Cruz, Madison Decker, Sajad Delawar, Robert Do, Monica Eckenrode, Michael Farino, Haileigh Finnerty, Kevin Flores, Brendan Flynn, Angel Galvan, Alexa Garcia, Jamary Gil, Maeve Gleason, Olivia Glogowski, Ephraim Green, Masih Gul, Dennis Haines, Nicole Hartman, Quinn Hemphill, Kyle Henneforth, Hoang Ho, Christine Holland, Amanda Howells, Shelby Jimcosky, Yelixa Jiminian, Mary Joyce, Kelsey Kileen, Sara Kirchner, Cyrus Kizer, Zachary Kolander, Olivia Lee, Lexxus Link, Alicia Lipperini, Sureyya Madadova, John Marichak, Maria McAndrew, Matthew McAndrew, Mairin McHale, Aidan McNally, Kyra Miles, Rosa Morales, Lauren Morgan, Arngeleia Mullen, Sarah Namiotka, Truong Nguyen, EmilyNicastro, Rachel Nolan, Maura OHara, Meghan Padden, Dhara Patel, Drashiben Patel, Heer Patel, Khusbu Patel, Mili Patel, Purvilkumar Patel, Rutu Patel, Beth Patterson, Marcus Perkins, Brittney Persaud, Maximillian Phillips, Claudia Pregmon, Rosemarie Reed, Francis Reid, Purnima Sachdeva, Minahil Sami, Rebecca Scherbenco, Emily Schick, Matthew Schreck, Genevieve Scott, Ryan Serowinski, Desiree Shields, Brianna Shulde, Dominic Smith, Robert Staples, Bertin Stuckart, Valerie Tassey, Akash Thapa, Alexandra Timins, Drew Togher, Paul Trombetta, Matthew Turley, David Vanbuskirk, Derica Walker, Ethan Wasalinko, Shanice Washington, Shania Wolk and QiWei Zhou.

LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

High honor roll: Danielle Bickelman, Robert Burke, Madeline Dastalfo, William Demyan, Hugh Doyle, Stephen Grzenda, Mora Hoyle, Martin Lambert, Daniel Luke, Margaret Mary Makowski, Kaitlyn Meholic, Anastasia Muncie, Gregory Reeves and Michael Rynearson.

Honor roll: Tyler Brady, Emily Brown, Jacquelyeen Budzinski, Rachel Chrzan, Erika Constantine, Dante Deantonio, Joshua Diehl, Danielle Francis, Jessica Gammon, Eric Grabowski, Nicholas Humphreys, Timothy Johnson, John Kiehart, Julianna Kozuch, Zachary Krieger, Sarah Larkin, Bruce Lindemuth, Aaron Loyack, Kiana Marcho, Brigitte Mata, Stephanie Mills, Mathew Munley, Brandon Newberry, Abigail Rieder, Nicole Sokoloski, Alissa Steier, Tyler Stracham, Bradley Strong, Michael Robert Thomas, William Thomas and Alexandra Valenta.

GRADE 11

High honor roll: Chester Anuszewski, Stephanie Bjork, James Blevins, Breann Boyarsky, Dana Buskovitz, Siena Cardamone, Breann Clauss-Walton, Jordan Hoinsky, Jacqueline Jadick, Cody Morcom, Jennifer Nawrocki, Susanna Ogozaly, Maura O'Neill, Taryn Pronko, Anthony Rupp, Morgan Sedorovitz, Jennifer Smith, Takoda Smith, David Stude, Joseph Teeple, Jordyn Tomcykoski and Luke Williams.

Honor roll: Ashley Bohn, Brielle Buck, Brian Bylotas, Shawn Carito, Emma Cooper, Adam Davis, Taylor Ferko, Jessica Fuller, Timothy Hackenberg, Thomas Harrison, Zachary Lanuti, Robert Lepre, Angelia Mecke, Gavin O'Donnell, Morgan Reeves, Amanda Reidenbach, Alyssa Rousseau, Kelsey Serge, Amanda Sheakoski, Natalie Tuffy, Abbey Williams and Nicole Wormuth.

GRADE 10

High honor roll: Alexis Bertholf, Jeffrey Burton, Thomas Dastalfo, Kaycie Gavin, Hope Grover, Lauren Holt, Brianna Houman, Cassidy Jenkins, Christine Kaffka, Erinna Kondrat, Christina Kosch, Lindsay Lick, Lauren Lomberto, Grant Meserve, Maura Meta, Leah Milewski, Nathan Morgan, Taylor Novitsky, Courtney Parchinski, Alyssa Raciborski, Curtis Reeves, Joshua Strong, James Timlin, Barbara Verrastro and Emily Whitelavich.

Honor roll: Mark Arzie, Paul Beaudoin, Emily Bevilacqua, Annabelle Buselli, Sarah Demyan, Michael Didato, Brandon Domonoski, Brandon Donahue, Samantha Harrison, Molly Mikulak, Sydney Mintz, Joshua Natale, Carissa Neary, Christian Selvenis, Joseph Snedeker, Hannah Stracham, Zachary Torwich and Nicole Trojanowicz.

GRADE 9

High honor roll: Kayla Agentowicz, Molli Campbell, Nicholas Cicio, Jenneca Comes, Marina Contorno, Collin Cooper, Corey Davis, Lindsey Domonoski, Kathryn Drazdauskas, Taylor Flynn, Anthony Harding, Teya Heller, Kristen Hlavaty, Lindsay Jones, Ian Kondrat, Jessica Kozlosky, Brianna Krzan, Sarah Mihalick, Taylor Morgan, Graeme Nichols, Sean Pittack, Armen Rissmiller, Mary Rzucidlo, Brooke Stearns, Georgia Verrastro and Joseph Wanat.

Honor roll: Abigail Aniska, Christine Anzelmi, Michael Arzie, Raymond Bonham, Cheyann Borsheski, Antonio Cerminaro, Rachel Decker, James Eskra, Nikolai Feduchak, Robert Fortuner, Emily Killiany, Mariah Loughney, Maria Merrigan, Caleb Morgan, Sadie Morgan, Morgan Shiner, Dominick Tolerico and Ami-Lei Yanochik.

GRADE 8

High honor roll: Hannah Amico, Lauren Amico, Kerri Armstrong, Maiya Bautista, Emily Borosky, Nicolas Catanzaro, Albert Chapacharis, Abigail Comparetta, Isabella Demyan, Joshua Dippel, Nancy Estadt, Molly Fawcett, Jakob Gross, Kyle Hallisky, Madison Harding, Thomas Heller, Brittany Hoover, Maria Knutelski, John Kozlosky, Stephen Liuzzo, Sal Marino, Alyssa Meta, Ty Nichols, Leah Noldy, Miyah Pliska, Philip Podhyski, Kathryn Retzbach, Bradley Richards, Abigail Samuelsen, Lainie Sarnoski, Casey Smith, Brianna Stangline and Abigail Wasko.

Honor roll: Kiana Anuszewski, Jordan Boshman, Morgan Brennan, Cameron Bullet, Kayla Burns, Connor Cadora, Amelia Ealo, Natalie Giovannari, Brooke Grover, Kateri Kleinbauer, William Lavelle, Leah Pawluck, Emily Pollits, Morgan Ruddy, Tyler Schwartztrauber, Mckensie Shiner, Lucas Snedeker, Julia Taylor, Elena Tomcykoski and Madison Ziobro.

GRADE 7

High honor roll: Cyril Babcanec, Logan Bednash, Rebecca Bonham, Rebekah Campbell, Avianna Carilli, Lauren Cunningham, Jordyn Flynn, Elizabeth Gavalis, Michael Goerlitz, Matthew Hayes, Michael Kaffka, Marley Amelia Kinderman, Sarah Knutelski, Rodney La Borde, Joella Leader, Chandler Marcho, Riley Munley, Paige Parchinski, Elisa Piraino, Cheyenne Ponce, Lauren Rzucidlo, Evan Samuelsen, Ashley Slack, Aleah Snedeker, Paul Sokoloski, Wesley Strong, Celine Twardzik and Annie Yurgosky.

Honor roll: Rhiannon Berghauser, Danae Bertholf, Jennifer Bjork, Cheyenne Black, Samantha Calachino, Abigail Carey, Haley Clauss-Walton, Meghan Fawcett, Maria Good, Tiffini Kalt, Alyssa Kashmer, Lexis Kochmer, Jacob Kutchmanich, Brooke Longstreet, Samuel Morgan, John Noldy, Shane Novitsky, Domenico Piraino, Robert Pliska, Adeline Rieder, Christopher Smigiel, Makenzie Smith, Silas Stearns, Cassie Ann Stracham, Nathaniel Uher, Rachel Winkler and Reece Wormuth.

It took about three days for three Honesdale residents to rack up more than $14,000 in charges on a credit card they applied for using a stolen identity, Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards said in a news release.

Christa Strackbein, 53, Jerry Strackbein, 51, and Debra Meszler, 50, all of 227 Terrace St., were charged Friday with numerous felony counts of identity theft and access device fraud after an investigation revealed they had been using stolen identities to obtain credit cards and make purchases in Northeast Pennsylvania.

On Aug. 26, identity thieves applied for 13 Capital One credit cards using different names, addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, Ms. Edwards said.

One of those was Georgia resident Daniel Cook, who reported the theft to the Columbia County sheriff's office.

The investigation in Georgia discovered that an AOL IP address used in the Capital One applications was assigned to "Shola Anibaabaa" at 227 Terrace St. in Honesdale.

Then on Sept. 13, someone applied for a Chase credit card using Mr. Cook's personal information, according to the district attorney's office. It also listed Ms. Strackbein as an authorized user.

Between Sept. 17 and 20, 41 purchases for more than $14,000 worth of charges were made with that credit card. Two charges were made with the card on Sept. 19, at the Texas Twp. Home Depot. Surveillance footage from the store, when cross-referenced against Pennsylvania driver's licenses, determined that the two shoppers were likely Mr. and Ms. Strackbein. The signatures on the credit card receipts from the 41 purchases were consistent with signatures on the licenses of Mr. and Ms. Strackbein and Ms. Meszler.

A search warrant was served at 227 Terrace Ave. residence Feb. 20. Soon after, arrest warrants for the three were issued.

The three turned themselves in Friday and are held on $50,000 bail. It's unclear where they were being held. Prison officials declined to comment and efforts to reach the district attorney's office were unsuccessful.

The investigation in Wayne County revealed an international operation that lasted for about 1½ years, the district attorney's office said.

Ms. Meszler would get credit cards sent to her from a man named John Tope who reportedly lives in Malaysia. Mr. Tope would give her a list of items to buy along with pre-paid shipping labels so she could ship the items to Malaysia or elsewhere. The three would then use the cards to make purchases and pay their bills.

A preliminary hearing for all three is scheduled for Wednesday.

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

n Nick DeSando, a candidate for Lackawanna County sheriff, will hold a pasta dinner at Carmella's Restaurant, 140 Erie St., Dunmore, from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is a $10 donation. Call 591-1288 for more information.

La PLUME TWP. - Ex-state Sen. Robert J. Mellow's name may be off a building at Keystone College.

The Mellow Family Children's Campus serves as a laboratory setting for students pursuing degrees in early childhood and elementary education.

"Keystone College has reached no final decision on this issue," according to a statement Friday.

Lackawanna College and Marywood University are also considering removing Mr. Mellow's name from campus facilities.

The former Senate Democratic leader is serving a 16-month sentence for federal corruption charges. Earlier this month, he was charged with bribery, bid-rigging and conspiracy for what investigators call a pay-to-play scandal involving the state turnpike.

Fatal shooting probed in Wayne

TEXAS TWP. - One person was killed in a shooting in the White Mills area in Wayne County on Saturday night, county District Attorney Janine Edwards confirmed.

Ms. Edwards was still gathering information when contacted just before midnight Saturday, but she confirmed it was a homicide investigation.

She did not know the circumstances behind the shooting or how many people may have been involved.

White Mills is a village in Texas Twp. between Honesdale and Hawley.

State police were handling the incident. A man who answered the phone at the barracks in Wayne County late Saturday confirmed there was a shooting in the White Mills area but declined to comment further.

The layoffs are off.

Corrections officers and other employees of the federal Bureau of Prisons will avoid the mass furloughs looming for government employees under automatic budget cuts this month, according to a Justice Department memorandum obtained late Friday by The Citizens' Voice.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said in the memo that he transferred $150 million of department funds to the Bureau of Prisons to maintain current staffing at its facilities through the end of the fiscal year in September.

Mr. Holder's decision came three weeks after an inmate murdered Corrections Officer Eric Williams at the high-security U.S. Penitentiary at Canaan in Wayne County.

After the Feb. 25 attack, Officer Williams' colleagues and union officials warned that the already unsafe working conditions at federal prisons would deteriorate further if the planned furloughs were implemented.

Mr. Holder delivered a eulogy at Officer Williams' funeral and told mourners the 34-year-old Nanticoke native's death would not be "in vain."

The loss each day of thousands of corrections officers and other staff at the bureau's 119 federal prison facilities "would have created serious threats to the lives and safety of our staff, inmates, and the public," Mr. Holder wrote in the memo Friday to Justice Department employees.

The Citizens' Voice broke the news of Mr. Holder's decision on its website, citizensvoice.com, at 3 a.m. Saturday. The Citizens' Voice and The Sunday Times share a parent company, Times-Shamrock Communications.

The forced federal budget cuts, known as sequestration, shrunk Bureau of Prisons funding by 5 percent, or $339 million, including $330 million for salaries, according to the White House Office of Management and Budget.

A continuing resolution passed by Congress on Thursday extended funding for federal government operations through Sept. 30 and provided Mr. Holder the budget certainty to halt the prisons furloughs.

If the furloughs had taken effect, the bureau's staffing levels would have reduced by a collective 3,570 employees each day, Mr. Holder said. At Canaan, union officials said, 30 workers would have been forced to take an unpaid day off each week.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, who attended Mr. Williams' wake and supported the expansion of a program arming corrections officers with pepper spray, lobbied his colleagues last week to issue the resolution that allowed Mr. Holder to maintain prison funding.

Mr. Casey, on Capitol Hill for an early morning budget vote, lauded Mr. Holder's decision and the congressional resolution in a statement to The Citizens' Voice at 1:20 a.m. Saturday.

"I'm pleased that the DOJ and Congress have worked together on a plan that will stop the furlough of federal corrections officers for the remainder of the fiscal year," Mr. Casey said. "This is a step in the right direction, but much more needs to be done moving forward to continue to provide our federal prisons with adequate staffing."

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, Moosic, called Mr. Holder's decision an "obvious move that needs to be taken." He added that Officer Williams' murder - the first of a federal corrections officer since 2008 - had to have impacted Mr. Holder's decision to reverse the prison furloughs.

"I think Attorney General Holder got the picture," Mr. Cartwright said. "He came to the funeral. You could not meet the Williamses and not choke up."

Officer Williams was working alone in a cellblock of more than 100 inmates at the time he was attacked, equipped only with handcuffs and a radio with a panic button. An inmate repeatedly stabbed him with a crude, handmade knife.

The inmate, identified by authorities as Jessie Con-ui, is a murderer and a member of the prison gang the New Mexican Mafia. The 36-year-old Filipino immigrant was completing an 11-year sentence for his role in a drug trafficking ring. He was scheduled to complete the sentence in September and was to be returned to Arizona to serve a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years for a 2002 slaying.

Contact the writers: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com, @cvbobkal on Twitter; msisak@citizensvoice.com, @cvmikesisak on Twitter

Many veterans aren't prepared to enter a civilian workforce, and in some cases biases have developed against them, says Kirk Hallowell, Ph.D., a nationally recognized authority in the talent management arena who has provided individual assessment, feedback and performance coaching to more than 2,000 executives.

"I'm familiar with talent management systems big corporations use," Dr. Hallowell said. "Many job candidates are not successful because they don't understand the corporate selection process. People are not just selected because they are good at interviewing. Unless veterans understand how the system works, applying for a job may be a waste of time."

Dr. Hallowell is author of "The Million-Dollar Race: An Insider's Guide to Winning Your Dream Job" a book he has developed into an online course, in particular, to help veterans.

Many large corporations use a personnel recruiter, who Dr. Hallowell said uses a checklist and an applicant tracking system. It is their job to recommend the job applicant to the company.

"From the corporate point of view, they want to hire someone with experience and has all the certifications for the job," Dr. Hallowell said. "With so many people looking for jobs, corporations have their pick. It takes a lot of money to hire someone. Why take the risk of having a negative experience with a veteran?"

Biases against veterans have developed, Dr. Hallowell said, which makes it even more difficult for them to get hired.

"A lot of biases about vets are completely wrong, that all vets command control, and only think in black and white. Nothing can be further from the truth," he said. "This is how biases happen. Some hires just don't work out."

Dr. Hallowell's recommendation to veterans, and all other people looking for a job, is for the applicant to educate himself as much as he can about the company, and focus on the company rather than himself or herself during the interview.

"Most job candidates prepare for interviews by focusing on themselves, their past performance, their achievements, their success stories," Dr. Hallowell said. "By the time of the interview, these candidates are like a balloon blown up to capacity. The moment the interviewer opens the balloon with a question, he or she is hit in the face by a stream of uncontrolled, hot 'you' air. If not handled correctly, that release of air is about as inviting as the blast from an actual balloon."

Research the company, he said. Check to see if the company has a website, and learn as much about the company as you can.

"Sell yourself. Look the part. Discuss your strengths," he said. "Many job seekers go into an interview as a sharp, well-read expert - on themselves. While it's important to display how good a fit you are for the job, if you think that the success of the interview relies on 'you' as the most important factor, than you are likely walking out without the job."

Contact the writer: jdino@standardspeaker.com