Paul Duffy says he’s not a quitter.

The Scranton School Board director has rescinded his resignation and plans to remain on the board for the remaining two years of his term, he said today. Though he resigned from the board effective June 19, the board has not voted on the matter.

“I’m not going to be a guy who’s going to run away from a problem,” he said. “That’s just not who I am.”

The board had planned on accepting applications for the vacancy starting Monday and then approving Duffy’s resignation and interviewing candidates for his replacement on July 24.

Board President Bob Sheridan said he spoke with Duffy on Wednesday.

“I told Paul that I support him that he’s coming back,” Sheridan said. “I think Paul is a strong person and a good person. He can make the right decisions.”

Duffy, who has served on the board for nearly three years, lost his bid for Scranton City Council in May. Last month, he decided to resign from the school board, saying the position takes too much time away from his family and “weighs too heavily on his mind.”

Since that announcement, Duffy heard from many supportive friends and community members who thanked him for his time on the board but urged him to reconsider.

“I’m never ingrained so much in something that if I hear logical reasoning behind something, there’s not the potential to change my mind,” he said. “I was elected to do the job. I will finish it out.”

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter

A 29-year-old man from Lake Ariel pleaded guilty today to killing five people while driving under the influence last year, exposing himself to at least 15 years in state prison and closing a chapter on one of the bloodiest crashes this region has seen in decades.

Shackles prevented Gennadiy Manannikov, clad in a beige jumpsuit, from raising his right hand much higher than his waist when he swore to tell the truth to Lackawanna County Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle in the largely empty courtroom.

Manannikov then pleaded guilty to five counts of homicide by vehicle while DUI, one count of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and one count of DUI. He might faces up to 60 years in prison and a $155,000 fine.

“Do you understand that,” the judge asked.

Manannikov nodded his head and said yes.

State police charged Manannikov for driving the wrong way on Interstate 81 South between Dickson City and South Abington Twp. and colliding head-on with another car on Jan. 23, 2016.

Manannikov’s passenger, 32-year-old Ashley Wheeler, died at the scene of the crash, as did three people in the Honda he struck — Vinodchandra M. Patel, 68; Komal D. Vyas, 30, and Shilpaben Bhavesh Patel, 29. Bhaveshkumar Patel, 42, who was also in the Honda, died from his injuries about a week later. Only one passenger in the Honda survived: Silpaben Bharat Patel.

Manannikov had a blood alcohol content of 0.149 at the time of the wreck. A driver with a BAC of 0.08 or higher is intoxicated under Pennsylvania law. State police also said Manannikov was under the influence of marijuana.

District Attorney Shane Scanlon said that, while he is happy to see that Manannikov accepted responsibility and spared the families of the victims a trial, it underscores the danger posed by drunk driving.

“In all my time here, this was probably the largest mass casualty event I’ve been involved in,” Scanlon said.

Each homicide by vehicle while DUI charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison and a maximum sentence of 10 years. The aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI also carries a maximum possible sentence of 10 years but no mandatory minimum.

Families of the victims and the defendant did not attend the plea, which occurred during a final pretrial conference. Trial in the case had, until Thursday, been scheduled to start next week.

Moyle ordered a pre-sentencing investigation after accepting the plea. Manannikov remains jailed while awaiting sentencing, which will occur in about 90 days.

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9144; @jkohutTT on Twitter

Lackawanna County Commissioner Laureen Cummings railed against Scranton City Council today, accusing certain members of targeting her with critical remarks because she’s a woman.

“I would really love it if the Scranton City Council members would have the guts to come in here and have a conversation with this commissioner, rather than going out to the public and commenting on things. ... They’re the ones with the misinformation,” said Cummings, specifically referencing city councilmen Pat Rogan and Wayne Evans, who have criticized her position on reassessment at recent council meetings.

“It must be really nice to be able to sit down there and be on TV and throw rocks at someone that they don’t even know, that they have no guts to come and talk to, and let alone, who’s a female,” Cummings continued. “Maybe that’s why they won’t come up here and talk to me.”

Cummings, who accused Rogan and Evans of making “snide remarks” about her during City Council meetings, argued that her male colleagues — commissioners Patrick O’Malley and Jerry Notarianni — aren’t subject to such remarks. She also pointed to the fact that Evans is a Republican as proof the criticisms are not politically motivated.

“So it has nothing to do with politics. So I guess it has to do with gender. I don’t know. What else could it have to do with? Because they don’t knock you two (O’Malley and Notarianni),” she said.

Rogan called Cummings’ suggestion of sexism “ludicrous,” while Evans called her comments “outrageous,” “beyond irresponsible” and worthy of an apology.

“I would just say that’s ... one of the most ridiculous things she’s ever said,” Rogan said. “Our differences with Commissioner Cummings are strictly based on the issues, and it looks like she’s once again trying to distract people away from those issues with a ludicrous statement such as that.”

Acknowledging that he’s been critical of Cummings’ anti-reassessment arguments, Rogan said he’s been less vocal about O’Malley and Notarianni because “the other commissioners haven’t taken outlandish stances against reassessment like Commissioners Cummings has.”

Evans reiterated his support for reassessment on the basis of tax fairness, and blasted Cummings’ latest comments.

“They’re unfounded, they’re undignified for the office and I have no idea where it’s coming from,” Evans said.

Cummings said she is happy to discuss reassessment, which she opposes, and the councilmen should come to a commissioners meeting and have a conversation if they disagree with her position. Rogan and Evans both said they’d happily attend if invited.

Notarianni, who said he doesn’t watch City Council meetings, said he doesn’t think members target Cummings because she’s a woman.

The issue of assessments came up again at Thursday’s meeting, when Scranton resident Rosemarie Yaeger complained that the one-story house she recently built in the city is assessed higher than opulent mansions at Lake Scranton Estates.

After challenging an initial assessment of $44,500, Yaeger’s assessment was lowered to $38,200 — which she said is still unfair given that some more grandiose homes have lower assessments.

For Notarianni, Yaeger’s case is an example of why the county should reassess. Fairness is the “bottom line,” he said.

Cummings, on the other hand, argues “there is no equality in taxes,” in part because property owners can appeal assessments in an effort to get them lowered even after a reassessment takes place.

Voters will ultimately decide in November whether the county conducts a reassessment. The language of that ballot question is still being drafted.

Contact the writer: jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141; @jhorvathTT on Twitter

In other business today, commissioners:

• Voted unanimously to award funding for the following 2017-18 ARTS Engage! recipients: Creative & Performing Arts Academy, $45,000; Everhart Museum, $40,000; Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, $32,500; United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, $32,500. ARTS Engage! was started in 2008 to provide funding for public art programs that children from the Office of Family and Youth Services are placed in to build skills. This year, $150,000 was budgeted for ARTS Engage! from the Office of Family and Youth Services.

• Voted unanimously to grant the following Arts and Culture funding requests: $8,000 for United Neighborhood Centers’ Project Hope, which provides Lackawanna County youth from low-income families with a traditional, structured summer day camp experience at UNC’s Camp Kelly in Tunkhannock; and $5,000 for the Lackawanna River Corridor Association’s 30th anniversary programs.

• Voted 2-1 to accept the $18,943.95 quote from CONXX for annual maintenance and support of its core wireless network. Cummings voted no because the county didn’t put out a request for proposal for the service. The county has been working with CONXX since 2010, county Director of Information Technology Mike Brown said.

• Voted unanimously to extend the lease for Magisterial District Judge Joanne Corbett’s office at 1629 Pittston Ave., Scranton, for six years at a monthly rent of $2,300.

• Voted unanimously to enter into a 5-year lease with Hemingway Development Limited Partnership for a parcel of land that will serve as event parking on Montage Mountain. The parcel can accommodate up to 2,500 vehicles.

• Voted unanimously to accept a $9,119 grant from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s 2017-18 Radiation Emergency Response Fund.

Authorities are investigating a plane crash earlier today near Cherry Ridge Airport in Wayne County.

A small passenger airplane crashed about a half-mile from the airport near Honesdale before 6 p.m. today, said Rick Breitenfeldt, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration.

One person was on board, but the FAA didn’t say if that pilot survived.

Check back for updates.

The family of Scranton native Tara Ord Sidarovich had to wait — and fight tenaciously — for more than a decade for justice.

Friday at 10 p.m., Sidarovich and her family’s story will reach a national audience on Dateline on NBC.

Sidarovich was only 19 when she went missing from her Punta Gorda, Florida home in 2001. Her remains were discovered a year later. The case went cold for years before authorities made a pair of arrests related to her murder.

Her mother hopes the tonight’s program will make something positive of the tragedy.

“We want other families to know never to give up hope. That’s my saying. Never give up,” Sharon McPhillips said. “You just find the strength and you fight. You just do it.”

Sidarovich lived her entire life in Scranton before she moved to Florida with her family shortly after her graduation from West Scranton High School. She was a softball player and a basketball cheerleader there, a kind, smart, loving girl with a vibrant smile, her mother said. She planned to attend college and study to be a crime scene investigator.

“She was always out to help others,” McPhillips said.

The beginning of the “dark days” began on Oct. 1, 2001, the date of her daughter’s disappearance, McPhillips said. The family quickly went to work assisting in the search for Sidarovich; McPhillips spent time personally searching for her and hanging up flyers asking for information about her whereabouts, she said.

Sidarovich’s remains were discovered a year later, launching a decade-long homicide investigation. As the case grew cold, McPhillips continued calling investigators and pressing for answers. The case eventually ended up being handled by a cold case team, which led to breaks in the investigation.

Ultimately, authorities arrested David McMannis and Phillip Barr in 2012 on murder charges related to Sidarovich’s death. Florida juries convicted both men, Barr in 2015 and McMannis in February.

McMannis and Barr visited Sidarovich’s home in 2001 under the guise of providing an estimate for septic work, but with the intent to burglarize the house in order to steal items to trade for drugs. Prosecutors described the plan as a classic distraction theft: Barr likely took Sidarovich into a different room to discuss the work, while McMannis looked for valuables in the house. Prosecutors believe Sidarovich caught on to the scam, causing a struggle that ended with her murder.

Both men are serving life sentences.

Staff with Dateline had been following the case for some time. Sidarovich’s story drew interest for several reasons, including the use of the cold case team and the difficulty and time it took to make arrests, correspondent Keith Morrison said during a phone interview tonight. The “incredible determination” of the family to get answers and the effect the case had on them are especially moving, he said.

With McMannis’ conviction, McPhillips said the healing process could truly begin for her and her family, something that was impossible when the crime was unsolved.

“It doesn’t bring her back, but we are very grateful and glad that the men responsible will sit in jail for the rest of their lives and justice was served,” McPhillips said. “I feel she is at peace. I just wanted her to be at peace.”

Contact the writer: cover@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5363; @ClaytonOver on Twitter

If you watch

What: Dateline’s segment on Scranton native Tara Ord Sidarovich’s murder in 2001, featuring interviews with her family, investigators and others involved in the case.

When: 10 p.m. Friday on NBC.

A group of newspapers in eastern Kentucky owned by Civitas Media has been sold to Appalachian Newspapers Inc.

The sale was announced by Lancaster Management Inc., which owns Appalachian Newspapers, in a news release Wednesday. The sale includes four publications and “related digital platforms,” according to the release.

Civitas Media owns the Times Leader Media Group and the Times Leader newspaper.

Times Leader Publisher Mike Murray did not immediately return an email seeking comment on the sale on Wednesday.

SCRANTON — The Lackawanna County Marriage License Bureau will have extended hours today.

The bureau, located in Suite 400 of the Scranton Electric Building, 507 Linden St., will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

People seeking a marriage license must bring a valid photo ID or current passport and know their Social Security number. A $60 fee is also required and may be paid by cash, check or credit card.

For information, call the bureau at 570-963-6708.

— STAFF REPORT

Volunteers working on plans for a Lackawanna County World War I memorial have compiled a list of county war dead to be engraved on the monument, a key step in making the planned monument a reality.

Members of the Dunmore Rotary Club, who proposed the memorial earlier this year, compiled a list of about 260 names using a volume from a series of books, “Soldiers of the Great War,” club Vice President Jim Davenport said. Volunteers gathered others after receiving emails from county residents who saw media coverage of the planned memorial, he said.

However, volunteers discovered discrepancies in the spellings of names on the list and will post the list at the future home of the memorial, South Blakely and Cherry streets in Dunmore — near the tank and the county Korean War memorial — so people can look at the names and point out any corrections or additions that need to be made, Davenport said. They hope to have the names and a “coming soon” sign up before July 15, he added.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I. The centennial of not only American involvement but also its start among European powers seems to be driving interest in the conflict, said Mike Vietti, director of marketing and communications at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. World War I started in 1914, and the United States entered the fray in April 1917. The museum has set attendance records for three straight years and will likely do so again in 2017, Vietti said.

“Unquestionably, there has been a significant amount of increased interest in World War I, probably in part due to the centennial of the Great War,” he said.

Groups seeking to erect World War I memorials, like the Dunmore Rotarians, or refurbishing or renovating existing ones are also on the rise, said Mark Levitch, founder of the World War I Memorial Inventory Project. He has been getting calls since 2014 seeking information on ways to do both, he said. Many have the same question.

“ ‘Where can I get a doughboy statue?’ ” Levitch said. “That was something I’d never heard before.”

The memorial in Dunmore will feature a doughboy statue and will otherwise resemble the Lackawanna County Korean War Memorial, with a black granite base etched with the names, ranks and branches of service of the war dead, according to a rendering of the new memorial. Now that the names have been compiled, the club is continuing fundraising efforts for the memorial, which will cost about $21,500 to put up, Davenport said.

Organizers hope the memorial will be completed by late October or early November. An unveiling is planned for Nov. 11, the 99th anniversary of the end of World War I, at 9 a.m., Davenport said.

The entire process has been rewarding for those compiling the names and working to install the memorial.

“This is a true blessing to be a part of,” Davenport said. “It is energizing from a volunteer standpoint to remember the sacrifice of so many, and their families, that made our nation what it is today.”

 Anyone with corrections or additions to report is asked to contact Dunmore Rotary Club Vice President Jim Davenport at ophonduras@aol.com.

Contact the writer:

cover@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x 5363;

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

Service members from Lackawanna County killed in World War I:

Nomenclature:

Killed in Action K.A.

Died of Disease D.D.

Died of Wounds D.W.

Died of Accident D.A.

Raymond P. CAFFERY, Archbald, Corporal, K.A.

Francis A. COUGHLIN, Archbald, Corporal, D.D.

John F. COUGHLIN, Archbald, Private, K.A.

Fortunato DI PASQUALE, Archbald, Private, D.W.

Eugene A. DUFFY, Archbald, Private, D.D.

Gerald Anthony MANLEY, Archbald, Private, D.W.

Frank J. ZEWISKEY, Archbald, Private, D.A.

Herman C FRITZ, Benton, Private, K.A.

Ernest J. PARSONS, Benton, Private, D.A.

George A. REMLEY, Benton, Private, D.W.

Abe COHEN, Carbondale, Private, K.A.

Albert Harrison CRANE, Carbondale, Lieutenant, K.A.

William DELANEY, Carbondale, Private, D.D.

Frank P. LYONS, Carbondale, Private, K.A.

Harry W. MILLER, Carbondale, Corporal, D.D.

Emerson Morgan WATKINS, Carbondale, Corporal, D.W.

Frank WEINBERGER, Carbondale, Private, D.D.

Joseph M. BAILEY, Clarks Summit, Corporal, K.A.

Vernon J. VAIL, Clarks Summit, Private, D.W.

Ernest L. NELSON, Covington, Sergeant, D.D.

Howard T. FOSTER, Dalton, Corporal, K.A.

Arnold D. HALL, Dalton, Lieutenant, K.A.

Arnold D. HALL, Dalton, Private, K.A.

Peter BILLETS, Dickson City, Private, K.A.

Thomas T. BRAY, Dickson City, Private, K.A.

John BUFFTON, Dickson City, Private, K.A.

Franklin J. JAROS, Dickson City, Private, K.A.

Max J. KOYLOWSKY, Dickson City, Private, D.W.

Cieslau MEMIERSKI, Dickson City, Private, D.D.

Frank A. PARCHINSKI, Dickson City, Private, K.A.

Felix PODHYSKI, Dickson City, Private, D.D.

Frank RUTKOWSKI, Dickson City, Private, D.W.

Joseph THILLIPS, Dickson City, Private, D.D.

Thomas BONAVOGLIA, Dunmore, Private, D.A.

Everett T. BUSHWELLER, Dunmore, Private, K.A.

Joseph A. COLLINS, Dunmore, Private, K.A.

Salvatore COLOMINO, Dunmore, Private, D.W.

Vito COPOLA, Dunmore, Private, D.D.

Antonio DANATELLI, Dunmore, Private, D.D.

Peter DEMKO, Dunmore, Private, K.A.

Joseph DOMBROWSKI, Dunmore, Private, K.A.

Jerome Francis DOUGHERTY, Dunmore, Cook, D.A.

Jerome Francis DOUGHERTY, Dunmore, Private, D.A.

John H. McHUGH, Dunmore, Private, D.D.

Michels MEDICO, Dunmore, Private, K.A.

Anthony MOONEY, Dunmore, Private, D.W.

Joseph P. RYAN, Dunmore, Corporal, D.D.

Duane SALESBERY, Dunmore, Sergeant, K.A.

Vito SANTERSEIRE, Dunmore, Private, D.D.

Andrew SUMMA, Dunmore, Private, K.A.

Thomas R. CRAYNE, Jefferson, Private, K.A.

Albert DAVIS, Jefferson, Private, D.D.

William GRIFFITH, Jermyn, Private, K.A.

Frank J. KELLY, Jermyn, Private, D.D.

John ZALESKI, Jermyn, Corporal, K.A.

Alfred J. BISIGANI, Jessup, Private, D.A.

Toseph J. BOLSER, Jessup, Private, K.A.

Martin A. BOLSER, Jessup, Private, K.A.

Mark ELVIDGE, Jessup, Private, K.A.

Andrew KAREHA, Jessup, Private, D.D.

Frank McDONALD, Jessup, Private, D.W.

Michael STEINER, Jessup, Private, K.A.

Sidney Eugene FARMER, Madison, Private, D.D.

Mentz PARKS, Madison, Private, D.A.

Merrill N. SELIG, Madison, Private, D.W.

John KULENYCH, Mayfield, Private, D.D.

George STAFWISKY, Mayfield, Private, K.A.

Michael TOMOSKY, Mayfield, Private, D.W.

Frank COLEMAN, Moosic, Private, K.A.

Charles MONIE, Moosic, Sergeant, D.W.

William D. WILLIAMS, Moosic, Private, D.D.

Edward L. YOUNG, Moosic, Sergeant, D.A.

William D. BROWN, Moscow, Lieutenant, K.A.

Morell SMITH, Newton, Lieutenant, K.A.

Clement ANDUSICK, Old Forge, Private, D.W.

Frank BACLASKE, Old Forge, Private, D.W.

James F. DALEY, Old Forge, Private, D.D.

Veto DANDERLO, Old Forge, Private, D.A.

Ferdinando DINARD, Old Forge, Private, K.A.

John A FLYNN, Old Forge, Private, D.D.

Dominick GRILLO, Old Forge, Private, D.A.

Joseph GUERRIERI, Old Forge, Private, D.A.

Walter E. MOTISKA, Old Forge, Corporal, D.D.

Mike RENIO, Old Forge, Private, K.A.

Edward RICKABY, Old Forge, Private, D.W.

Frank ROSE, Old Forge, Private, K.A.

Joseph VELLIZEN, Old Forge, Private, K.A.

Benny WILLIAMS, Old Forge, Private, D.W.

Michael ADZEMA, Olyphant, Private, K.A.

Zigment CHERESKO, Olyphant, Private, K.A.

Thomas CURRAN, Olyphant, Private, K.A.

John P. DACEY, Olyphant, Private, D.A.

John HARE, Olyphant, Private, D.W.

William HOPKINS, Olyphant, Private, K.A.

Joseph A. HOUSTON, Olyphant, Sergeant, D.D.

James JAYNE, Olyphant, Private, D.W.

Joseph KUCKO, Olyphant, Corporal, K.A.

Joseph LEVANOVITCH, Olyphant, Private, K.A.

Harry SERGEY, Olyphant, Private, D.D.

Joseph WHARTON, Olyphant, Private, K.A.

Joseph J. ZARNOSKI, Olyphant, Private, K.A.

Floyd ALLEN, Scranton, Private, D.D.

William ATHAS, Scranton, Private, K.A.

John Henry BALLAMY, Scranton, Captain, K.A.

William BALTODOZZIS, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Quinto W. BARTOLI, Scranton, Private, K.A.

John P. BAXTER, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Thre. BLURE, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Anthony BOKNOS, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Frank J. BOKOSKY, Scranton, Private, K.A.

William T. BOLTON, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Cosmo BORZELLINO, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Frank W. BRADY, Scranton, Mechanic, K.A.

Harry BUSH, Scranton, Corporal, D.W.

Patrick J. CADDEN, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Theodore CARRO, Scranton, Wagoner, D.W.

Dominick CASPERAVITCH, Scranton, Corporal, D.W.

Peter CAWLEY, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Alfred V. CHARLES, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Peter COMINSKY, Scranton, Sergeant, D.W.

James J. CONKLIN, Scranton, Corporal, K.A.

A. CREGG, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Wlady CRIHOCKI, Scranton, Private, D.W.

John J. CURRAN, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Theodore O. DALE, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Peter K. DEMOPULOS, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Theodore R. DEWEY, Scranton, Sergeant, D.A.

Harry DINNER, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Wladslaw DOMOZYCH, Scranton, Private, K.A.

George M. DORNHEIM, Scranton, Corporal, D.D.

Walter A. DOUD, Scranton, Private, K.A.

John J. DOYLE, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Michael Patrick DUFFY, Scranton, Sergeant, K.A.

Earl EIKE, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Joseph J. FARRELL, Scranton, Sergeant, K.A.

Stephen W. FERRIS, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Stephen W. FERRIS, Scranton, Private, D.A.

Carl C FICKUS, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Donald FIELDING, Scranton, Lieutenant, D.W.

Antoni FIIALKOWSKI, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Frank G. FIORE, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Frank J. FISCH, Scranton, Private, D.D.

James FLATLEY, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Patrick H. GALLAGHER, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Charles GEILES, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Patrick Joseph GILBRIDGE, Scranton, Sergeant, K.A.

Stanley J. GOLDEN, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Mikolas GONCAVSKAS, Scranton, Mechanic, K.A.

Joseph S. GORGOL, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Barney GR1GALUINAS, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Edward C GRAHAMER, Scranton, Private, D.A.

Fred A. HANNAH, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Walter W. HARRIS, Scranton, Corporal, D.D.

Robert G. HARTSOCK, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Frank P. HEALEY, Scranton, Private, K.A.

William J. HEFFRON, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Leo A. HOPKINS, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Walter G. HORAK, Scranton, Sergeant, K.A.

William S. HORAN, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Fred L. HUMPHREYS, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Edward HUSS, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Fred A. HUTCHINS, Scranton, Private, K.A.

William H. JESSUP, Scranton, Lieutenant, K.A.

John KELLY, Scranton, Private, D.W.

John F. KENEHAN, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Joseph W. KIESEL, Scranton, Sergeant, K.A.

Louis J. KOCH, Scranton, Lieutenant, K.A.

Nicholas KOSCHAK, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Fred W. LUCKE, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Charles LYDON, Scranton, Private, D.W.

John MARTINKUS, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Peter MATULAVITCH, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Elmer Edison MAURER, Scranton, Private, D.W.

John J. MAYERNICK, Scranton, Private, K.A.

John J. McGINTY, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Bernard J. McGLOIN, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Patrick E. McGOLDRICK, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Thomas A. McGOWAN, Scranton, Private, D.A.

Martin A. McGURRIN, Scranton, Private, D.A.

Benjamin McLEAN, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Harry MILLER, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Ralph MILLER, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Joseph Francis MISKELL, Scranton, Private, D.A.

John C MLINTCHER, Scranton, Private, K.A.

George Thomas MOONEY, Scranton, Private, K.A.

John T. MORAN, Scranton, Private, K.A.

William F. MURPHY, Scranton, Private, D.D.

George E. NEHER, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Walter F. O’BOYLE, Scranton, Private, K.A.

James P. O’NEILL, Scranton, Corporal, D.D.

Rohert A. OSTHAUS, Scranton, Lieutenant, K.A.

Frank PAFF, Scranton, Private, K.A.

John M. PALLA, Scranton, Cook, K.A.

William PARRY, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Frank PARTYKA, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Homer L. PECKHAM, Scranton, Sergeant, D.D.

Walter PERKO, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Peter PETRONIS, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Herbert August PITTACK, Scranton, Private, K.A.

George PLAUSKA, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Edwin G. POWELL, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Frank PROPER, Scranton, Private, D.A.

John Jr. PULLION, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Adrian John PURCELL, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Stanley A. RABIEGA, Scranton, Corporal, D.W.

John REESE, Scranton, Corporal, K.A.

John REESE, Scranton, Corporal, D.A.

Ruppert REESE, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Andrew Oliver REYNOLDS, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Ben RICHARDS, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Tofil ROGINSKY, Scranton, Private, K.A.

William ROSE, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Joseph E. RUANE, Scranton, Private, D.D.

John RUSINKO, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Charles W. SCHLESSER, Scranton, Private, D.D.

John SCHOLL, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Joseph SCHULTZ, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Harold D. SEELEY, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Warner SHAFER, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Jerome SIMONSON, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Fred H. SMITH, Scranton, Corporal, D.D.

Samuel SMITH, Scranton, Corporal, D.D.

Joseph T. SMITH, Scranton, Corporal, D.A.

Joseph H. SMITH, Scranton, Private, D.D.

John STANKIEWICZ, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Anthony STEPANAUVRCH, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Max P. STORR, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Rohert Anthony STRZEMPEK, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Richard A. SULLIVAN, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Clayton D. SWEETSER, Scranton, Sergeant, K.A.

Howard SWINGLE, Scranton, Corporal, D.W.

Henry Arthur THOMAS, Scranton, Private, D.D.

John THOMAS, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Stanislaw TUMZAK, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Alex. TUNILO, Scranton, Private, K.A.

John VISOSKY, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Charles H. WALLACE, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Thomas C WALSH, Scranton, Lieutenant, D.D.

Edward J. WALSH, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Anthony A. WALSH, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Mark WALSH, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Harold D. WARE, Scranton, Private, D.D.

Clarence Edward WARNER, Scranton, Private, K.A.

William WASSIS, Scranton, Private, D.W.

William WEISS, Scranton, Private, D.W.

Harry F. WOOD, Scranton, Corporal, K.A.

Joseph YABLOSKERSKI, Scranton, Private, K.A.

John YARASUNAS, Scranton, Private, K.A.

Silverton YUSILAYLKA, Scranton, Private, K.A.

George EDWARDS, Taylor, Private, K.A.

William HARDING, Taylor, Private, K.A.

Artbur HARDING, Taylor, Private, D.D.

William HARDING William, Taylor, Private, D.D.

Fred Jr. KOCHER, Taylor, Private, D.D.

Clarence LAIRD, Taylor, Lieutenant, D.W.

John F. SHEA, Taylor, Private, D.D.

Wilbur GILL, Throop, Corporal, D.D.

Michael GOMBAR, Throop, Corporal, D.W.

John A. GOMBAR, Throop, Private, K.A.

Clemens KARCHANSKY, Throop, Private, K.A.

George PHILLIPS, Throop, Private, K.A.

Steve SMAKULA, Throop, Private, K.A.

Peter TELESHA, Throop, Private, K.A.

James P. McANDREW, Vandling, Private, D.D.

— PROVIDED BY THE DUNMORE ROTARY CLUB

U.S. in World War I

Start/end: April 6, 1917/Nov. 11, 1918

U.S. service members worldwide: 4,734,991

Battle deaths: 53,402

Other deaths in service: 63,114

Nonmortal woundings: 204,002

SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Christopher Adam T. Hayhoe, Union, Ontario, and Melissa Lee Sanko, Moscow.

■ Jon Colin Smerecky and Jennifer Elizabeth Spott, both of Drexel Hill.

■ Brooke Elizabeth Reynolds and Stephen Joseph Loss, both of Peckville.

■ Walter Robles Jr., Peckville, and Ixel Marie Ojeda-Vega, Jessup.

■ Kelsi Matylewicz and William Christopher Bidwell, both of Old Forge.

■ Rosemarie Sandra Sper­anzo and Thomas Russell Zal­ew­ski Jr., both of Tunkhannock.

■ Venuskumar B. Patel, Folsom, Calif., and Radha K. Patel, Scranton.

■ Kevin M. Kohut and Kristina Mihalich, both of Dickson City.

■ Ellen Theresa Walsh, Clarks Green, and Cooper Lee McCullough, Northampton, Mass.

■ Randy Joseph Beck Jr. and Ashley Gris, both of Clarks Summit.

■ Lauren Anne Urso and Joseph Cosmo Iacovazzi, both of Old Forge.

■ Darian Nathaniel Banks and Fania A. Blackwell, both of Scranton.

■ Arthur James McKenna and Amanda Rose Lee, both of Scranton.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ Joseph Ruggiero, Scranton, v. Jennifer Ruggiero, Scranton; married Sept. 16, 2006, in Taylor, pro se.

■ Jessica Parker, Scranton, v. Peter Ullo, Flourtown; married Oct. 3, 2015, in Scranton, pro se.

ESTATES FILED

■ Maurina Angelina, 950 Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit, letters testamentary to Mari­anne Farrington, 1 Algonquin Road, Acton, Mass.

■ Mary J. Soares, 1330 Winton St., Archbald, letters testamentary to Evelyn L. Soares, 1330 Winton St., Archbald.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Jessica A. Confer, Karl D. Jr. and Chong Huber, Jefferson Twp., to Chandra B. and Bina M. Rai, Scranton; a property at 1210-1212 Reynolds Ave., Taylor, for $85,000.

■ Julie T. McGee, now by marriage Julie T. Ludka, and Michael Ludka, South Abington Twp., to David and Justine Lavelle, Scranton; a property at 1631 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, for $215,000.

■ Dolores Urbanski, Green­field Twp., to Dominic A. Dieebo and Cara M. India, Scranton; a property in Greenfield Twp. for $220,000.

■ Jeffrey L. and Noelle Marie Spagna, South Abington Twp., to Charles M. and Donna G. Moesta, Lansdale; a property at 303 Bailey St., South Abington Twp., for $187,000.

■ Scranton Tower Associates LP, Taylor, to D&D SNB LLC, Wilkes-Barre; two parcels in Dunmore for $945,000.

■ Caliber Real Estate Services LLC, attorney-in-fact for LSF8 Master Participation Trust, Irving, Texas, to Berlyn Holdings LLC, Old Forge; a property at 1826 W. Gibson St., Scranton, for $54,900.

■ Gary P. and Antonietta Lisk, Lake Ariel, to Amy Rivera and Cristian Rivera Suarez, Scranton; a property at 1210 Washburn St., Scranton, for $85,000.

■ James J. and Cynthia C. Gucci, Bellport, N.Y., to Michael A. and Maryanne J. Sjoholm, Middle Island, N.Y.; a property on Locust Lane, Covington Twp., for $25,000.

■ Eliza Lewis to Timothy Richard and Arlee M. Bene­dict; a property at 376 Daleville Highway, Covington Twp., for $173,000.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

The military helmet manufacturer Gentex Corp. has been awarded a $13.4 million contract likely to keep workers at the Simpson plant busy until 2022.

Gentex had previously provided the Army with its Apache Aviator integrated helmets through Army contractor Elbit Systems, spokeswoman Alexandra Brax said. Now Gentex will supply them directly to the Army.

At this time, most of the work is expected to take place at Gentex’s Simpson plant. The company will not need to hire more employees to fill the contract, Brax said.

— JON O’CONNELL

Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright’s hiring of a law firm without a written contract was not the best way to retain a special counsel for the sewer sale, but the oral contract was valid, city council’s solicitor told the board Thursday.

Council solicitor Amil Minora answered several questions recently raised by residents regarding the city’s hiring of Abrahamsen, Conaboy and Abrahamsen by the mayor and former city solicitor Jason Shrive for a $200,000 flat fee as special counsel in the sewer sale that closed Dec. 29.

The sewer authority paid the Abrahamsen fee in the form of $20,000 a month for 10 months last year. Courtright and Shrive have said they hired the firm without a written agreement and the $200,000 fee was reasonable for the work entailed. But the arrangement has come under fire from some members of the public.

Resident Fay Franus, who last week questioned whether the hiring violated the city Administrative Code’s requirement of public advertising for professional services when payment would exceed $19,400 in a year, raised the issue anew Thursday.

“How is this (hiring) possible?” Franus asked. “Where do you guys go from here?”

“It somewhat goes without saying that a written contract or a letter of engagement is a much better practice and clearly would have answered many of the legitimate questions that are being raised here,” Minora said. “All that being said, oral contracts for legal services are enforceable and occur all the time. That doesn’t mean that that was the best practice in this situation, and clearly it was not.”

Minora said the administration’s position is that the Administrative Code was not applicable because the professional fee was not being paid by the city.

There’s also no legal prohibition preventing the sewer authority’s paying of the bill for the city. Such situations are common, he said, citing as an example insurance companies paying for attorneys to defend clients in auto-crash cases.

Minora said that under attorney rules of professional conduct, written contracts are required only in contingent fee cases. The special counsel hiring is an oral contract, and oral contracts are common and enforceable, he said.

If the matter ever ended up in court, the payment also likely would be upheld under a legal theory of reasonable payment for services rendered where no written contract exists, Minora said.

Franus also questioned whether the sewer authority’s distribution of sewer sale proceeds without the authority being dissolved was proper.

“That’s patently wrong,” Minora said. “They (the sewer authority) had a right to do it (disburse proceeds) without termination ever being an issue.”

In another matter, council voted 3-0 — with President Joe Wechsler, Bill Gaughan and Wayne Evans all in favor, and Pat Rogan and Tim Perry absent — on advancing on second readings each of two ordinances comprising the administration’s latest debt-reduction plan.

Before the meeting, council held a work session to hear city Business Administrator David Bulzoni and consultant Scott Shearer of financial firm PFM of Harrisburg explain the plan.

In an unusual $1.5 million savings for the city, the bond insurer of the 2003 debt, AMBAC, is winding down its business and looking to reduce its risks, and would contribute $1.5 million to the city if it successfully completes the defeasance/refinancing of the 2003 debt, Bulzoni and Shearer said.

One ordinance would authorize the city to use the AMBAC contribution, about $15.8 million in sewer sale proceeds and other funds toward defeasing — meaning paying off in its entirety — $19.8 million in two series of 2003 bonds.

The other ordinance would refinance $26.3 million from a different 2003 series of bonds.

“We’re in a good market right now” with low interest rates favorable for refinancing, Shearer said.

The plan would save money and reduce the amortization schedule for refinanced bonds by two years, Shearer said. He and Bulzoni also hope this plan and prior debt reduction undertaken earlier this year with sewer sale proceeds will lead to an upgrade in the city’s credit rating.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Danielle V. Kane, Duryea, and Dominick J. McTague, Scranton.

■ Sara Teeple, Jermyn, and Walter I. Zabrowski III, Scott Twp.

■ William P. Trego Jr., Covington Twp., and Penny M. Enslin, Elmhurst Twp.

■ Jason Philip Warner, Clifton Twp., and Amy Elizabeth Martin, Scranton.

■ Connor Joseph Smith, Chester, N.Y., and Caroline Elaine Gallo, Dunmore.

■ Maura Teresa King and Bryan Matthew Zagorski, both of Clarks Green.

■ Martha Ann Triano and Nicholas Scott Lowry, both of Spring Brook Twp.

■ James H. Auble, Ocean View, Del., and Helen B. McKinney, Blakely.

■ Kathleen Wheeler and Judith C. McGreevy, both of Scranton.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ Joanne Dewey, Blakely, v. Lawrence Dewey, Eynon; married Oct. 13, 2000, in Olyphant; Theresa J. Malski-Pezak, attorney.

■ Shane Corriveau, Carbondale, v. Chelsi Corriveau, Edwardsville; married April 15, 2013, in Carbondale; pro se.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Bethel Baptist Church of Lincoln Heights to Main Swetland LLC; a property on South Main and Cornell Street, Scranton, for $87,500.

■ Stacy R. Ferguson, now by marriage Stacy R. Ferguson Snedeker, and Kyle J. Snedeker, Factoryville, to Shawna E. Engle, Factoryville; a property on Handsome Lake Road, Benton Twp., for $200,000.

■ Nancy A. Luciani, aka Nancy L. Nealon, as trustee of the Ann N. Luciani revocable trust, Nicholson, to Michael F. Venn and Curtina Heckman, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, Phoenixville; a property on Little Lake Road, Jefferson Twp., for $35,000.

■ Joseph Bell, Greentown, to Muratab Ali; a property at 616 Palm St., Scranton, for $35,000.

■ Paul M. and Annette Sporer, Lisa Sporer, now by marriage Lisa Minnichbach, and Joseph Minnibach, Moosic, and Renee Sporer, Michigan, to Marla Grill, Moosic; a property at 4103 Lawrence Ave., Moosic, for $200,000.

■ Salim Reza to Keith Robert Axtell; a property at 1120 Fisk St., Scranton, for $65,000.

■ Margaret T. Whitbeck, attorney-in-fact for Dorothy A. Yerabek, Taylor; a property at 300 W. Hospital St., Taylor, for $102,000.

■ Mary Ann and Jeffrey Zipay, Archbald, to Rochelle and Jimmy Rem Rasberry, Tupelo, Miss.; two parcels in Archbald for $92,750.

■ Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, Dunmore, to Ali Ghameshlouy, Carbondale; a property at 1716 Ash St., Scranton, for $40,500.

■ Todd A. and Kirsha L. Johns, Clarks Summit, to Jesse M. and Jillian M. Baldan, Archbald; a property at 105 Raymond Drive, Jermyn, for $293,550.

ESTATES FILED

■ Albert J. Staffaroni, also known as Albert Staffaroni, 207 Seymour Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Robert J. Staffaroni, 12 Oak Ave., Larchmont, N.Y.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

PITTSTON — A fire displaced two people from their Pittston home Thursday afternoon, according to city Fire Chief James Rooney.

The fire started just before 1 p.m. at 31 Carroll St., Rooney said. No one was injured but two cats perished in the fire, he said.

The home that burned was part of a duplex residence, but firefighters contained the fire before it spread to the other half of the residence, Rooney said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but it does not appear to be suspicious, Rooney said. Careless smoking might have played a role in the start of the fire, he said.

— ERIC MARK

WILKES-BARRE — The Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne/Wyoming Counties still has senior farmers market vouchers available.

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, developed by the federal and state departments of agriculture, provides each eligible senior with four $5 vouchers which can only be used to purchase Pennsylvania-grown fresh fruits and vegetables from a participating farmers market stand.

Only one set of vouchers worth $20 per person per year is allowed.

Those 60 or over as of Dec. 31, live in Luzerne or Wyoming counties and meet the 2017 household total income requirements of $22,311 for one person or $30,044 for two people are eligible. If there are more than two people residing in household, please call Rhonda at 570-822-1158 for income requirements.

Anyone residing in an assisted living facility, nursing home or convent where meals are provided does not qualify for the program.www.aginglw.org

— STAFF REPORT

Scranton students hable español

Local students competed in and won a local Spanish contest sponsored by Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese

The students, Jerry Sanchez, Dunmore High School; Megan Dillon, Mia Gianello, Maureen Nole, Emily Mazur, Jake Mozeleski, Kenya Sanchez, Ryan Sauter, Adwitya Singh and Daniel Zych, Scranton Preparatory School; and Samuel Goncalves, Krystine Jimenez and Adam Mehall, West Scranton High School, attended a dinner hosted by King’s College to celebrate their accomplishments. The college has hosted the dinner since 1970.

Anne Massey, associate professor of Spanish and chairwoman of the department of foreign languages at King’s, is vice president of the local AATSP chapter.

Jerry, Megan, Mia, Maureen, Emily, Jake, Kenya, Ryan, Adwitya, Daniel, Samuel, Krystine and Adam took the exam along with around 1,100 regional elementary to high school students.

The 51 chapter winners were from both public and private schools in the Wyoming Valley, Scranton, Poconos, Hazleton and South Williamsport areas.

A. Roy Phillips of Wyoming Seminary earned a $500 scholarship as the grand prize winner of the chapter’s annual essay contest; Aiden Hinchey of Marian Catholic High School and Nole earned $100 scholarships as runners up.

Club reorganizes, honors members

The late Kay Hammerm an, who died this past year, was recognized by her peers at the Round Robin Bridge Club at their annual luncheon for her many years as president and excellent skills as a bridge teacher.

Peggy Benjamin and Maureen Pesavento received awards for most points won during the year, while Joan Hycrow and Eileen Brady were honored for the most points scored during any one game, at the annual luncheon on June 13 at the Country Club of Scranton.

During the club’s business meeting, Kathy Burns was re-elected president of the club for 2017-2018; Maureen Pesavento, named secretary/treasurer; Hrycow, scoring secretary; and Maryann Hazzouri, luncheon chairwoman.

Peggy Benjamin, Jane Bouselli, Doris Mauer, Barbara Whitford, Irene Zurine, Ann Hawk, Dolly Martin, Liz Yurkovic and Alice Manley, also attended the event.

Stars in stripes

Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet, Kristie J. Furiosi, who was the first female battalion commander of the Red Diamond Battalion of Temple University, received her commission as a second lieutenant, with academic honors, in the Army on May 13 — a day after the 2013 graduate of Abington Heights, graduated cum laude from the university in Philadelphia on May 12.

Kristie, who received a four-year ROTC scholarship, following advanced training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, will serve with the 7th Infantry Division Medevac at Fort Lewis, Washington.

SCRANTON — The Scranton Civil Service Commission will administer an entry level exam for police patrolman positions at 9 a.m. Oct. 7 at the University of Scranton’s DeNaples Center, the commission announced.

Entry-level applicants must have successfully completed the state’s Act 120 municipal police officer training program. Act 120 certifications must be current at the time of a conditional job offer.

Test applications are available at City Hall. Sign-ups begin Aug. 14, and applications must be returned to human resources by Aug. 25 with a $100 check or money order payable to “treasurer of the city of Scranton.”

The current salary for a first-year officer is $39,669 and increases to $71,000-plus in the fifth year.

—KYLE WIND

Cinemark 20, Moosic: Baby Driver (R): 10:40 a.m., 1:40, 4:40, 7:40, 10:50; The Beguiled (R): 11 a.m., 1:50, 4:20, 7:10, 9:40; Cars 3 (G): 10:20 a.m., 1:10, 4:10, 7, 9:50; Despicable Me 3 (PG): 10:10 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 1, 2, 3, 3:40, 4:50, 5:40, 6:20, 7:20, 9:10, 10:10; in 3D: 12:10, 8:20, 11; The House (R): 12:20, 2:50, 5:20, 8, 10:40; Spider-Man: Homecoming (PG-13): 11:30 a.m., 2:30, 3:30, 5:30, 8:30, 9:30, 11:30; in 3D: 12:30, 6:30; in XD: 10:30 a.m., 7:30; in XD/3D: 1:30, 4:30, 10:30; Transformers: The Last Knight (PG-13): 11:40 a.m., 3:10, 6:50; in 3D: 10:20; Wonder Woman (PG-13): 11:50 a.m., 3:20, 6:40, 10.

Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock: Despicable Me 3 (PG): 1, 4, 7, 9:15; The House (R): 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 9:30; Spiderman: Homecoming (PG-13): 12:45, 3:45, 6:45, 9:35; Transformers: The Last Knight (PG-13): 12:50, 3:50, 6:50, 9:40.

Iron Horse Movie Bistro, Scranton: Baby Driver (R): 11:10 a.m., 1:55, 4:45, 7:25, 10:05; Despicable Me 3 (PG): 11:45 a.m., 2:15, 4:40, 7:05, 9:45; The House (R): 12:30, 3, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45; Spiderman: Homecoming (PG-13): noon, 2, 3, 6, 7:45, 8:50, 10; in 3D: 11 a.m., 5; in PTX: 1, 4, 7, 10:40; Transformers: The Last Knight (PG-13): 12:30, 3:45, 6:55, 10:10.

Regal Stadium 14 & IMAX, Dickson City:47 Meters Down (PG-13): 11:10; Baby Driver (R): 10:10 a.m., 1:20, 3:50, 7:15, 10:40; Cars 3 (G): 10:50, 1:30, 4:15, 6:50, 9:20; Despicable Me 3 (PG): 12:50, 1:50, 3:20, 4:30, 6:30, 7:10, 9; in 3D: 11:30 a.m., noon, 2:40, 5, 7:50, 9:30, 10:20; The House (R): 11 a.m., 2, 4:50, 8, 10:30; The Mummy (PG-13): 9:10; Transformers: The Last Knight (PG-13): 12:40, 4:10, 7:30, 11; Spider-Man: Homecoming (PG-13): 10:40 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:20, 1:40, 5:10, 5:40, 7:40, 8:10, 8:40, 9:40, 10:50; in 3D: 11:50, 6:20; in XD/3D: 10 a.m., 1, 4, 7, 10:10; Wonder Woman (PG-13): 9:50 a.m., 1:10, 4:20, 7:20, 10:30.

SCRANTON — A $400,000 wastewater collection improvement project is scheduled to begin Monday in North Scranton, Pennsylvania American Water said.

Contractors with the water company will replace 700 feet of sewer main and seven manholes in the area of North Keyser Avenue, Leggett Street and Cusick Avenue. The utility expects to complete the work by the end of October, weather permitting.

Traffic restrictions will be in place as crews work, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The water company’s customer service center can be reached at 1-800-565-7292.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

The family of Scranton native Tara Ord Sidarovich had to wait — and fight tenaciously — for more than a decade for justice.

Tonight at 10 p.m., Sidarovich and her family’s story will reach a national audience on “Dateline” on NBC.

Sidarovich was only 19 when she went missing from her Punta Gorda, Florida, home in 2001. Her remains were discovered a year later. The case went cold for years before authorities made a pair of arrests related to her murder.

Her mother hopes tonight’s program will make something positive of the tragedy.

“We want other families to know never to give up hope. That’s my saying. Never give up,” Sharon McPhillips said. “You just find the strength and you fight. You just do it.”

Sidarovich lived her entire life in Scranton before she moved to Florida with her family shortly after graduating from West Scranton High School. She was a softball player and a basketball cheerleader there; a kind, smart, loving girl with a vibrant smile, her mother said. She planned to attend college and study to be a crime scene investigator.

“She was always out to help others,” McPhillips said.

The beginning of the “dark days” began Oct. 1, 2001, the date of her daughter’s disappearance, McPhillips said. The family quickly went to work assisting in the search for Sidarovich; McPhillips spent time personally searching for her and hanging flyers seeking information about her whereabouts, she said.

Sidarovich’s remains were discovered a year later, launching a decade-long homicide investigation. As the case grew cold, McPhillips continued calling investigators and pressing for answers. The case eventually ended up being handled by a cold case team, which led to breaks in the investigation.

Ultimately, authorities arrested David McMannis and Phillip Barr in 2012 on murder charges related to Sidarovich’s death. Florida juries convicted both men, Barr in 2015 and McMannis in February.

McMannis and Barr visited Sidarovich’s home in 2001 under the guise of providing an estimate for septic work, but with the intent to burglarize the house and trade the stolen items for drugs. Prosecutors described the plan as a classic distraction theft: Barr likely took Sidarovich into a different room to discuss the work, while McMannis looked for valuables in the house. Prosecutors believe Sidarovich caught on to the scam, causing a struggle that ended with her death.

Both men are serving life sentences.

Staff with “Dateline” had been following the case for some time. Sidarovich’s story drew interest for several reasons, including the use of the cold case team and the difficulty and time it took to make arrests, correspondent Keith Morrison said during a phone interview Thursday. The “incredible determination” of the family to get answers and the effect the case had on them are especially moving, he said.

With McMannis’ conviction, McPhillips said the healing process could truly begin for her and her family, something that was impossible when the crime was unsolved.

“It doesn’t bring her back, but we are very grateful and glad that the men responsible will sit in jail for the rest of their lives and justice was served,” McPhillips said. “I feel she is at peace. I just wanted her to be at peace.”

Contact the writer:

cover@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5363;

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

If you watch

What: “Dateline” segment on Scranton native Tara Ord Sidarovich’s murder in 2001 will feature interviews with her family, investigators and others involved in the case.

When: Tonight at 10 on NBC.

Lackawanna County Commissioner Laureen Cummings railed against Scranton City Council on Thursday, accusing certain members of targeting her with critical remarks because she’s a woman.

“I would really love it if the Scranton City Council members would have the guts to come in here and have a conversation with this commissioner, rather than going out to the public and commenting on things. …They’re the ones with the misinformation,” said Cummings, specifically referencing city Councilmen Pat Rogan and Wayne Evans, who have criticized her position on reassessment at recent council meetings.

“It must be really nice to be able to sit down there and be on TV and throw rocks at someone that they don’t even know, that they have no guts to come and talk to, and let alone, is a female,” Cummings continued. “Maybe that’s why they won’t come up here and talk to me.”

Cummings, who accused Rogan and Evans of making “snide remarks” about her during City Council meetings, argued that her male colleagues — commissioners Patrick O’Malley and Jerry Notarianni — aren’t subject to such remarks. She also pointed to the fact that Evans is a Republican as proof the criticisms are not politically motivated.

“So it has nothing to do with politics. So I guess it has to do with gender. I don’t know. What else could it have to do with? Because they don’t knock you two (O’Malley and Notarianni),” she said.

Rogan called Cummings’ suggestion of sexism “ludicrous,” while Evans called her comments “outrageous,” “beyond irresponsible” and worthy of an apology.

“I would just say that’s … one of the most ridiculous things she’s ever said,” Rogan said. “Our differences with Commissioner Cummings are strictly based on the issues, and it looks like she’s once again trying to distract people away from those issues with a ludicrous statement such as that.”

Acknowledging that he’s been critical of Cummings’ anti-reassessment arguments, Rogan said he’s been less vocal about O’Malley and Notarianni because “the other commissioners haven’t taken outlandish stances against reassessment like Commissioner Cummings has.”

Evans reiterated his support for reassessment on the basis of tax fairness, and blasted Cummings’ latest comments.

“They’re unfounded, they’re undignified for the office and I have no idea where it’s coming from,” Evans said.

Cummings said she is happy to discuss reassessment, which she opposes, and the councilmen should come to a commissioners meeting and have a conversation if they disagree with her position. Rogan and Evans both said they’d happily attend if invited.

Notarianni, who said he doesn’t watch City Council meetings, said he doesn’t think members target Cummings because she’s a woman.

The issue of assessments came up again at Thursday’s meeting, when Scranton resident Rosemarie Yaeger complained that the one-story house she recently built in the city is assessed higher than opulent mansions at Lake Scranton Estates.

After challenging an initial assessment of $44,500, Yaeger’s assessment was lowered to $38,200 — which she said is still unfair given that some more grandiose homes have lower assessments.

For Notarianni, Yaeger’s case is an example of why the county should reassess. Fairness is the “bottom line,” he said.

Cummings, on the other hand, argues “there is no equality in taxes,” in part because property owners can appeal assessments in an effort to get them lowered even after a reassessment takes place.

Voters will ultimately decide in November whether the county conducts a reassessment. The language of that ballot question is still being drafted.

Contact the writer: jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141; @jhorvathTT on Twitter

In other business

In other business Thursday, commissioners:

• Voted unanimously to award funding for the following 2017-18 ARTS Engage recipients: Creative & Performing Arts Academy, $45,000; Everhart Museum, $40,000; Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, $32,500; United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, $32,500. ARTS Engage was started in 2008 to provide funding for public art programs that children from the Office of Family and Youth Services are placed in to build skills. This year, $150,000 was budgeted for ARTS Engage from the Office of Family and Youth Services.

• Voted unanimously to grant the following Arts and Culture funding requests: $8,000 for United Neighborhood Centers’ Project Hope, which provides Lackawanna County youth from low-income families with a traditional, structured summer day camp experience at UNC’s Camp Kelly in Wyoming County; and $5,000 for the Lackawanna River Conservation Association’s 30th anniversary programs.

• Voted 2-1 to accept the $18,943.95 quote from CONXX for annual maintenance and support of its core wireless network. Cummings voted no because the county didn’t put out a request for proposal for the service. The county has been working with CONXX since 2010, county Director of Information Technology Mike Brown said.

• Voted unanimously to extend the lease for Magisterial District Judge Joanne Corbett’s office at 1629 Pittston Ave., Scranton, for six years at a monthly rent of $2,300.

• Voted unanimously to enter into a five-year lease with Hemingway Development LP for a parcel of land that will serve as event parking on Montage Mountain. The parcel can accommodate up to 2,500 vehicles.

• Voted unanimously to accept a $9,119 grant from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s 2017-18 Radiation Emergency Response Fund.

— JEFF HORVATH