The pilot died in a crash Thursday when a small passenger airplane plunged into a wooded area near Cherry Ridge Airport in Wayne County.

The crash claimed the life of 52-year-old Joseph P. Kinney of Delaware Twp., Wayne County Coroner Edward Howell said. An autopsy will be performed.

The plane went down just before 6 p.m. about a half-mile from the airport in Cherry Ridge Twp. near Honesdale, said Rick Breitenfeldt, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration. There were no other people on board.

The FAA will investigate the incident.

Airport manager Vincent Van Laak said he did not see the crash.

“He was apparently trying to get back to the airport,” he said. “I can’t do more than theorize right now (about what happened).”

Breitenfeldt described the plane as a Morrissey 2150A aircraft, an old model, two-seat plane.

An upset Van Laak offered his condolences to Kinney’s family.

“I wish things like this didn’t happen,” he said.

The last fatal crash at Cherry Ridge Airport happened May 5, 2012, when 67-year-old Jeffrey Gilbert of Rock Hill, New York, attempted to abort a landing and crashed a Cessna 177B into the ground, a National Transportation Safety Board report said.

Toxicology testing showed Gilbert had taken an over-the-counter antihistamine that carries a warning it may impair mental and motor skills and is not approved for use while flying, the report added.

Authorities also investigated three other non-fatal crashes around Cherry Ridge Airport since then, with other NTSB reports describing:

n A Cessna 182Q failing to land with enough remaining runway to safely stop on May 25, 2015.

n A Cessna 172P substantially damaged during a hard landing on June 20, 2016.

n A Piper PA 28-161 aborting a takeoff on June 29, 2016 headed off the runway and collided with “vegetation and terrain,” which the board attributed to the pilot’s poor preflight planning.

Contact the writer: kwind@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, x5181; @kwindTT on Twitter

A 29-year-old man from Lake Ariel pleaded guilty Thursday 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 face 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

City police arrested a second man they believe participated in two armed robberies at Scranton stores last month.

Police Thursday charged Amod Alvin Phillips, 27, of 1219 Jackson St., with robbing the Efuel gas station and convenience store at Pittston Avenue and Birch Street on June 8.

Phillips has been in Lackawanna County Prison since June 21, when police took him into custody on an unrelated outstanding warrant and narcotics charges after a traffic stop. He is also a suspect in a robbery at the Sunoco station in the 200 block of South Main Avenue on June 20.

According to police, Phillips and another man, Durrell Davenport, 26, pointed handguns at the clerk as they entered Efuel and demanded money. While Davenport held the clerk at gunpoint, Phillips went around the counter and emptied the cash register, police said. Police suspect the pair did the same at the Sunoco station, making off with cash and Newport cigarettes, according to charging documents.

Police arrested Davenport on June 23 and charged him with both robberies.

Police were able to link Phillips to the robberies after looking at surveillance footage from both stores. One of the suspects had a “waddling gait” and possessed a pronounced and distinct “duck-like walk,” detectives noted after watching the tapes. Police noticed Phillips walked the same way after the June 21 arrest, according to court documents. Police also searched Phillips’ home and found a pair of shoes that matched ones worn by the duck-walking robber captured on surveillance footage, police said.

Magisterial District Judge Terrence Gallagher arraigned Phillips on Thursday on charges of robbery, aggravated assault and other offenses. The judge set bail at $75,000. Phillips remains incarcerated at the county prison. Davenport is held there in lieu of $150,000 bail. Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for Wednesday.

Contact the writer:

cover@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5363;

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

A man posing as a water utility worker distracted a 92-year-old Taylor woman Wednesday while someone else stole money from a bedroom, borough Police Chief Stephen Derenick said.

The man knocked on the woman’s door in the 400 block of West Hospital Street shortly before 2 p.m. He “looked legit,” and the two went into her basement under the pretense of testing her water for 15 minutes, police said.

Afterward, the woman noticed that a large amount of money was missing from her bedroom.

The man appeared to be between 30 and 40 years old, was tall and thin and had dark hair under his baseball cap, police said. The woman reported he spoke with a lisp. She did not see what kind of vehicle the man drove.

The burglary scheme is a common one where thieves tend to prey on the elderly, Derenick said.

All Pennsylvania American Water employees wear uniforms, carry identification and use company vehicles, spokeswoman Susan Turcmanovich said. Residents should always thoroughly check their identification and, if they feel suspicious, call 911.

Derenick said residents should not be afraid to call police. Anyone with information on the burglary should call borough police at 570-562-2210.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9144;

@jkohutTT on Twitter

Wyoming County Court Notes appear weekly in The Times-Tribune.

REAL ESTATE

■ U.S. Bank NA Trustee and Nationstar Mortgage LLC AIF to Stephen W. Sickler, a property in Tunkhannock Twp. for $32,000.

■ Mountain Stone LLC to Brittianni Dannielle Severcool, a property in Tunkhannock Twp. for $101,800.

■ Kenneth E. Heard and Bonnie L. Heard to Karen A. Neare, a property in Tunkhannock for $82,500.

■ Bill Grindall, Shannon Beeman, POA, and Sandra L. Lasher to John Davis, a property in Overfield Twp. for $122,000.

■ Anthony J. Wisnosky and Brenda J. Wisnosky to Nicholas Perez Jr., a property in Tunkhannock for $722,400.

■ Richard Alan Platt and Betty Jean Platt to Charles R. Bunnell and Sandra D. Bunnell, a property in Meshoppen Twp. for $114,000.

■ Kevin J. Hallock and Sarah J. Hallock to Jennifer Davis, a property in Tunkhannock Twp. for $128,500.

■ Mark Bickleman and Melissa Bickleman to Christopher Morgan, a property in Nicholson Twp. for $236,000.

■ J&L Development Corp. and J&M Development Corp. to Arthur D. Faraday and Susan L. Faraday, a property in Clinton Twp. for $519,000.

■ Vickie Desantis to Katharine E. O’Brien and Janet Durbin, a property in Clinton Twp. for $147,000.

■ Peggy Ann Kingston to Craig A. Keiser and Laura L. Keiser, a property in Tunkhannock for $95,210.

■ Thor Trowbridge and Tari Trowbridge to Christopher Bergey, a property in Laceyville for $116,500.

■ Mark Morrow to James A. Gillen and Kristine R. Gillen, a property in Noxen Twp. for $109,746.

■ Jamie Morrison, Jamie L. Morrison, Cynthia A. Morrison, POA, David E. Morrison, and Cynthia A. Morrison to Michael Ray Shelhamer Jr., a property in Tunkhannock Twp. for $200,000.

■ Eugene C. Ferris, Kevin L. Ferris and Helen W. Ferris to Matthew P. Ferris, a property in Braintrim Twp. for $1,927.

■ Roger Long and Robert Long to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company LLC, a property in Eaton Twp. for $867,800.

■ Christopher Wallace to Kathi J. Derhammer, Amber Lee Derhammer and Richard E. Derhammer, a property in Monroe Twp. for $15,343.

■ Duane E. Furman and Kimberly A. Furman to Lillie Johnson, a property in Forkston Twp. for $100,000.

■ EAS4 Realty LLC to Daniel C. Stine Jr. and Talitha Ann Stine, a property in Eaton Twp. for $13,500.

■ Homesales Inc. to Michael Kevin Vieira, a property in Clinton Twp. for $17,500.

■ James S. Weber, Kenneth W. Weber, and Alice Weber to David Anderson and Lois K. Anderson, a property in Tunkhannock Twp. for $40,000.

■ W. Jamin Merritt to Christopher D. Black and Brenda Black, a property in Nicholson Twp. for $287,000.

■ Wyoming County Sheriff, Bet Shavei Tzion, Bet Shavei Tzion International, and Bet Shavei Tzion LTD International to Cadles of Grassy Meadows II LLC, Assignee, Brown Bark I LP Assignee, Sovereign Bank, and Main Street Bank, a property in Eaton Twp. for $2,345.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

■ Theodore R. Roberts and Jennifer Very, both of Nicholson.

■ Devin Patrick Walsh, of Dalton, and Lindsey Elizabeth Harris, of Tunkhannock.

■ Owen Daryle Scott and Heather Lee Marchion, both of Laceyville.

■ Michael Robert Baldwin and Jessica Fae Boughton, both of Meshoppen.

ESTATES FILES

■ Richard G. Squier Sr., aka Richard G. Squier, late of Nicholson, Wyoming County, letters of testamentary, Joann B. Squier, Excx., c/o Jami Layaou Hearn, Esquire, 181 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA 18657.

■ Donald R. Newberry, late of Monroe Twp., Wyoming County, letters of testamentary, Linda R. Long, Exec., c/o Deborah Albert-Heise, Esquire, 103 Warren St., Tunkhannock, PA 18657.

HUNLOCK TWP. — A drunk, seminude woman tried to kick and punch state police officers and smash the windows of a patrol vehicle, authorities said.

Alison L. Shaffer, 32, of Shickshinny, faces charges of aggravated assault after police found her intoxicated, partly naked and lying in dirt in a parking area off U.S. Route 11 in Hunlock Twp. on Wednesday night.

Police said Shaffer ignored police instructions and struck one trooper in the face. When police took her into custody, she tried to kick out the window of the patrol vehicle, kicked a trooper in the chest and spat at him. Shaffer then tried to kick a second trooper in the chest and face, police said.

Shaffer was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Richard Cronauer and sent to Luzerne County prison in lieu of $30,000 bail.

— SARAH SCINTO

WILKES-BARRE — A Wilkes-Barre man is facing charges for exposing himself on July 4 in Kirby Park while thousands of people were gathered to watch the annual fireworks show.

Jeffrey M. Dorman, 51, is charged with indecent exposure, open lewdness, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

Police said a concerned citizen flagged down police at the park around 9:15 p.m. to report a man who was partially nude.

Officers said they soon located Dorman sitting on the ground with his pants down around his knees.

Police said they asked Dorman, who was noticeably intoxicated, to pull up his pants before standing up.

Arrest papers said Dorman’s pants fell to his ankles as he attempted to pull them up, exposing himself to the crowd of people.

Dorman was jailed overnight in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility and was released Wednesday morning on unsecured bail.

— BOB KALINOWSKI

Lakeland’s superintendent , a leader credited with moving the district forward, died this morning after suffering a heart attack.

R. Scott Jeffery, who became superintendent in 2013, was 51.

“He was a wonderful, wonderful person and a good friend,” school board President Mary Retzbach said. “He walked into a mess and turned it around. He was so good at what he did. Everybody loved him.”

Jeffery, who lived in West Scranton with his wife and two daughters, previously served as Old Forge’s superintendent from 2011 to 2013. He also worked as Abington Heights’ science coordinator, an assistant principal in the Western Wayne School District and the principal of Blue Ridge High School.

At Lakeland, he worked to offer innovative programs to students and update the district’s buildings while being financially responsible.

Jeffery graduated from Mansfield University in 1989 with a degree in secondary education, after being drafted to play for the Cincinnati Reds’ minor-league teams in Tennessee, Iowa and Florida. The pitcher worked as a substitute teacher when not on the baseball field.

Check back for updates.

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

SCRANTON — A former player coordinator at the Mount Airy Casino Resort faces federal charges in a scheme investigators say provided a co-conspirator with about $140,000 worth of fraudulent free slot machine play.

Ashley Brosius, 30, of Stroudsburg, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in a criminal information filed Monday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Brosius allegedly used stolen information to create about 30 duplicate players’ club cards that she loaded with “free slot play” credits between November 2014 and November 2015. The unindicted co-conspirator then used the cards to gamble.

When the co-conspirator cashed out the winnings, Brosius received a cash “tip” of approximately $150 to $300 multiple times each week, investigators said.

— DAVID SINGLETON

A 25-year-old man charged with killing a woman by pushing her into a freezing river will stand trial on an open count of criminal homicide, a judge decided today.

Magisterial District Judge Terrence V. Gallagher found prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence to have Ryan M. Taylor, whom police said is homeless, stand trial for the Feb. 28 death of Danee Mower.

The district judge’s ruling means that the case now goes to the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas.

Check back for updates.

SCRANTON — A portion of the walking trail around Lake Scranton will reopen to pedestrian traffic Wednesday at 7 a.m., Pennsylvania America Water announced Friday.

The 3.5-mile trail has been closed to the public since late February when a tornado touched down near the reservoir, downing numerous trees that blocked the path.

While part of the trail will reopen, a section from the area where it meets the roadway to the dam near the fishing pier will remain closed while contractors continue working to clear trees in that area, Pennsylvania American said.

All visitors using the trail should park in the designated lot along Route 307, the utility said.

— STAFF REPORT

A traffic stop on Mulberry Street led to the arrest of a Pittston man who identified himself as a “sovereign citizen” and tried to fight a city officer, police said.

Aaron Markert, 36, 163 Tompkins St., is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and drug offenses after an incident at 1429 Mulberry St.

Officers stopped Markert’s vehicle on Thursday after noticing the registration was expired, police said. Markert became disorderly and refused to give police his name because he was a “citizen of the United States” and no law required him to tell police who he was, according to court documents.

Officers then asked Markert if he was a “sovereign citizen” and Markert responded he was, police said.

Sovereign citizens are a loose subculture of people who hold complex, antigovernment beliefs. Many feel certain laws don’t apply to them, including paying taxes and traffic laws requiring driver’s licenses, license plates and vehicle registrations, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Officers eventually identified Markert when his ex-wife arrived to get their children, who were in the vehicle. Officers issued citations to Markert, who unsuccessfully tried to rip them up and, upon failing, threw them in the garbage, according to court documents. He then told a city police officer to take off his badge and fight, police said. Police arrested Markert when he chased after a police vehicle on foot and he continued to act aggressively toward officers, police said.

Officers searched Markert after his arrest and found a vial containing amphetamine salts, a controlled substance, according to court documents.

Markert is free on $20,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

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

A New York man faces criminal charges after police said he tried to get loans at local PNC Bank branches using other people’s information and then fled when officers arrived.

Daniel L. Saul, 47, Bronx, faces the felony charge of theft by deception and the misdemeanors of resisting arrest and escape.

Scranton police Patrolman Eugene Groysman first responded to a report of a man attempting to take out a loan with someone else’s identification at the PNC branch at 136 S. Main Ave. on Thursday.

When he arrived, bank manager Patricia Potenza told him the man left when he saw the patrolman arrive and pointed to a someone wearing a gray suit who was walking away quickly, Groysman wrote in a criminal complaint.

Police caught up to the man — who turned out to be Saul — on the 100 block of South Hyde Park Avenue and reported finding a driver’s license for Michael T. Charles of Nazareth and Chase Visa credit cards belonging to both Charles and Todd F. Bellinger.

When Groysman returned to the bank, Potenza told him Saul had left behind a driver’s license belonging to Bellinger of Pittsburgh.

The driver’s licenses looked real and had Saul’s picture on them, but the font appeared to be wrong, Groysman said.

Police found the licenses actually referred to real people with correct addresses and dates of birth, but had the wrong license numbers. Chase Bank told police Charles and Bellinger also really had accounts, but the accounts numbers on the cards were fake.

The real Charles had filed a report with the Upper Nazareth police department reporting a fraudulent purchase on a Best Buy credit card totaling $4,972.

Potenza told police she recognized Saul from an alert issued by PNC’s Penn Avenue branch.

Saul told police he bought the fake IDs and credit cards for $60 in the Bronx and planned to use them to make as much money as possible before returning to New York, Groysman said.

Saul was being held at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $15,000 unsecured bail.

Contact the writer: kwind@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, x5181; @kwindTT on Twitter

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

Wyoming County Court Notes appear weekly in The Times-Tribune.

REAL ESTATE

■ U.S. Bank NA Trustee and Nationstar Mortgage LLC AIF to Stephen W. Sickler, a property in Tunkhannock Twp. for $32,000.

■ Mountain Stone LLC to Brittianni Dannielle Severcool, a property in Tunkhannock Twp. for $101,800.

■ Kenneth E. Heard and Bonnie L. Heard to Karen A. Neare, a property in Tunkhannock for $82,500.

■ Bill Grindall, Shannon Beeman, POA, and Sandra L. Lasher to John Davis, a property in Overfield Twp. for $122,000.

■ Anthony J. Wisnosky and Brenda J. Wisnosky to Nicholas Perez Jr., a property in Tunkhannock for $722,400.

■ Richard Alan Platt and Betty Jean Platt to Charles R. Bunnell and Sandra D. Bunnell, a property in Meshoppen Twp. for $114,000.

■ Kevin J. Hallock and Sarah J. Hallock to Jennifer Davis, a property in Tunkhannock Twp. for $128,500.

■ Mark Bickleman and Melissa Bickleman to Christopher Morgan, a property in Nicholson Twp. for $236,000.

■ J&L Development Corp. and J&M Development Corp. to Arthur D. Faraday and Susan L. Faraday, a property in Clinton Twp. for $519,000.

■ Vickie Desantis to Katharine E. O’Brien and Janet Durbin, a property in Clinton Twp. for $147,000.

■ Peggy Ann Kingston to Craig A. Keiser and Laura L. Keiser, a property in Tunkhannock for $95,210.

■ Thor Trowbridge and Tari Trowbridge to Christopher Bergey, a property in Laceyville for $116,500.

■ Mark Morrow to James A. Gillen and Kristine R. Gillen, a property in Noxen Twp. for $109,746.

■ Jamie Morrison, Jamie L. Morrison, Cynthia A. Morrison, POA, David E. Morrison, and Cynthia A. Morrison to Michael Ray Shelhamer Jr., a property in Tunkhannock Twp. for $200,000.

■ Eugene C. Ferris, Kevin L. Ferris and Helen W. Ferris to Matthew P. Ferris, a property in Braintrim Twp. for $1,927.

■ Roger Long and Robert Long to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company LLC, a property in Eaton Twp. for $867,800.

■ Christopher Wallace to Kathi J. Derhammer, Amber Lee Derhammer and Richard E. Derhammer, a property in Monroe Twp. for $15,343.

■ Duane E. Furman and Kimberly A. Furman to Lillie Johnson, a property in Forkston Twp. for $100,000.

■ EAS4 Realty LLC to Daniel C. Stine Jr. and Talitha Ann Stine, a property in Eaton Twp. for $13,500.

■ Homesales Inc. to Michael Kevin Vieira, a property in Clinton Twp. for $17,500.

■ James S. Weber, Kenneth W. Weber, and Alice Weber to David Anderson and Lois K. Anderson, a property in Tunkhannock Twp. for $40,000.

■ W. Jamin Merritt to Christopher D. Black and Brenda Black, a property in Nicholson Twp. for $287,000.

■ Wyoming County Sheriff, Bet Shavei Tzion, Bet Shavei Tzion International, and Bet Shavei Tzion LTD International to Cadles of Grassy Meadows II LLC, Assignee, Brown Bark I LP Assignee, Sovereign Bank, and Main Street Bank, a property in Eaton Twp. for $2,345.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

■ Theodore R. Roberts and Jennifer Very, both of Nicholson.

■ Devin Patrick Walsh, of Dalton, and Lindsey Elizabeth Harris, of Tunkhannock.

■ Owen Daryle Scott and Heather Lee Marchion, both of Laceyville.

■ Michael Robert Baldwin and Jessica Fae Boughton, both of Meshoppen.

ESTATES FILES

■ Richard G. Squier Sr., aka Richard G. Squier, late of Nicholson, Wyoming County, letters of testamentary, Joann B. Squier, Excx., c/o Jami Layaou Hearn, Esquire, 181 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA 18657.

■ Donald R. Newberry, late of Monroe Twp., Wyoming County, letters of testamentary, Linda R. Long, Exec., c/o Deborah Albert-Heise, Esquire, 103 Warren St., Tunkhannock, PA 18657.

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

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Michael Frank Martinelli IV and Diana Marie Morris, both of Old Forge.

■ Glenn Andrew Bailey and Lawrence Victor Cramer Jr., both of Scranton.

■ James L. Morrison Jr. and Karen Elaine Davis, both of Scranton.

■ Edward M. Ladomirak and Laurie A. Chesar, both of Olyphant.

■ Donato James Summa and Ann Mary Sciortino, both of Dunmore.

■ Robert Thomas Flanagan and Bridget Ann Coffey, both of Jessup.

■ Daniel Paul Smith, Throop, and Christina Ann Fetherman, Dickson City.

■ Jenna Simonetti and Robert John Mercatili, both of Eynon.

■ David Clyde Rupp and Jessica Lee Lohman, both of Carbondale.

■ Nathaniel JT Isaac and Laura Rose Vinatieri, both of Tunkhannock.

■ Amy Marie Welcome, Clarks Summit, and Ryan Michael Devine, South Abington Twp.

■ Kelly Ann McAndrew, Scranton, and Mark Weston Fowler II, North Abington Twp.

■ Nacy Ann Swartz and Jason Edward Yasinskas, both of Dickson City.

■ Ryan James Eshelman and Nicole Marie Allegrino, both of Scranton.

■ Melinda Cleveland and Kevin Allen Vinson, both of Scranton.

■ Rasha M. Yassa, Scranton, and George L. Boutros, Clifton, N.J.

■ Terrance Finn and Donna Marie Onufrak, both of Spring Brook Twp.

■ Jenna Maria Scagliotti and Michael Salvatore Sabia, both of Dunmore.

■ Edwin Willard Greenfield and Rose Marie Patricia Coleman, both of Spring Brook Twp.

■ Keith Ray Loughney and Brad Warren Reid, both of Dunmore.

■ Brianna Marie Finnerty, Old Forge, and Richard Edward Grzyboski Jr., Moosic.

■ Brian Christopher Hallock, Moosic, and Sarah Catherine Rogan, North Abington Twp.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Monica W. Alberico, incorrectly identified as Monica L. Alberico in prior deed, Dutchess County, N.Y., to Jeffrey S. Jr. and Erika C. Cavanaugh, Scranton; a property in Greenfield Twp. for $25,500.

■ Donn R. Webber, trustee of the Donn R. Webber Living Trust, and Susan C. Webber, trustee of the Susan C. Webber Living Trust, North Abington Twp., to David G. Jr. and Julie E. Brackeva-Phillips, Carbondale; 400 Stone Road, North Abington Twp., for $505,000.

■ Kenneth and Linda Powell, Scott Twp., to Walter and Patricia Marek, and Michelle Marek Buckman, Pompano Beach, Fla., as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property at 230 Foxtail Circle, Archbald, for $250,000.

■ William J. and Jeanine R. Miller, Chael Hill, N.C., to Bradley and Brady Alto, New York City; a property at 220 Thoreau Drive, Moosic, for $570,000.

■ Kenneth M. and Madeline B. Jacobs, Waverly Twp., to Matthew D. Mackie III and Gretchen Ann Eagen, Nicholson; a property at 109 Beech St., Waverly Twp., for $325,000.

■ Susan M. Kosch, Dingmans Ferry, to Kevin M. Duffy, Scranton; two parcels at 306 Hickory St., Blakely, for $82,550.

■ Janice Moczulski Fueshko, personal representative of the estate of Marie M. McCorry, Jessup, to Adam Korjeski and Christa Collarini, Archbald, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property at 107 Winthrop St., Jessup, for $160,000.

■ Martha Pugh to Joseph M. Sr. and Rose J. DeCicco; a property at 474 Mary St., Scranton, for $117,500.

■ Timothy Carl Porter to Tricia E. Hertzog; a property at 111 Clifton Beach Road, Clifton Twp., for $75,000.

■ Paul S. DeAntonio, Roaring Brook Twp., to Mary Kime, Gouldsboro; a property at 103 Hollow Drive, Roaring Brook Twp., for $185,000.

■ Mark J. and Joan M. Novak, Ransom Twp., to Benjamin and Renee Ardary, Taylor; a property at 2393 Lakeview Drive, Ransom Twp., for $270,000.

DIVORCE DECREES

■ Christopher Bauman v. Emily Bauman

■ Nicholas M. Leonard v. Megan Leonard

■ Rebekah A. Lowe v. Matthew P. Lowe

■ Marissa Jones v. Johnathan Jones

■ William E. Parker Sr. v. Krystyn Parker

■ Tammy Booker v. Shawn Michael Booker

■ Jodi Winters v. Jeffrey Winters

■ Sasha Irizarry v. Erik Seda

■ Kevin O’Boyle v. Angelica O’Boyle

■ Antonio Nunez v. Glauca Burgos

STATE TAX LIEN

■ NEPA Electrical Associates, trading as Mr. Electric, 1031 Reeves St., Dunmore; $13,769.72.

ESTATES FILED

■ Edith R. Loughney, 1946 Washburn St., Scranton, letters testamentary to Vickie Kovalchick, 321 E. Indiana St., Creekside.

■ Maryann Keppick, 409 Baker St., Taylor, letters testamentary to John Keppick, 87 Catherine St., Moosic.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

A 32-year-old Bradford County man could face as much as 47 years in state prison for a crime spree spanning two counties over three days.

Police said Joseph Alan Parkhurst of Leisure Lakes Road, Stevensville, robbed a store at knifepoint, attempted to rob another in Wyoming County and stole several vehicles before being arrested in Luzerne County in April.

Parkhurst pleaded guilty Friday before Wyoming County President Judge Russell Shurtleff to an April 27 robbery, an April 28 criminal attempt to commit robbery and an April 29 theft by unlawful taking.

In addition to the jail time, he could face a maximum of $40,000 in fines.

According to court records, Parkhurst robbed a clerk of $400 at the Bowman’s Creek Service Center in Monroe Twp. about 9 p.m. on April 27. He fled in a 2001 Buick sedan and later crashed into a tree on Crowhill Road. From there, police said he stole a white Chevrolet pickup from a home on Levitt Hill Road.

On April 28 about 10 p.m., Parkhurst brandished a knife at a clerk at the Dollar General in Monroe Twp. The following morning, he stole a Toyota Forerunner at

Flynn’s Stone Castle in Rush Twp., Susquehanna County.

He was arrested later that day in the parking lot of Schiel’s Family Market in Wilkes-Barre after police tracked down the stolen car he was driving.

Parkhurst told authorities he had a heroin addiction and acted alone.

Parkhurst will be ordered to pay restitution and will be sentenced at a later date.

Contact the writer:

bbaker@wcexaminer.com;

570-836-2123

SCRANTON

It’s not a golden ticket taped up inside Noone’s Store in North Scranton, but rather a photocopy of a big winner.

Someone bought a $20 $1 Million Silver & Gold lottery ticket at the West Market Street store sometime around midday Wednesday and scratched it off inside the store, co-owner Kevin Noone said Friday. The ticket ended up being worth $1 million, so an employee photocopied it and hung it on the door.

Noone declined to name the winner Friday.

Pennsylvania Lottery spokesman Gary Miller said it did not appear anyone had claimed any winning tickets from the Scranton area as of late Friday afternoon. Lottery personnel can’t confirm any specifics until claims are received and validated.

— CLAYTON OVER

MARRIAGE LICENSES

• Paul Milner III and Sarah Cox, both of Seminole, Okla.

• Adam Zluchowski and Molly Kresge, both of Susquehanna.

• Alex Anderson and Kourtney Fedor, both of Hallstead.

• Patrick Cramer and Sarah Bolles, both of Hallstead.

• Jonathan Wynne and Kellie Grosvenor, both of Montrose.

• Luke Abbey and Amber Miller, both of Binghamton, N.Y.

• Ryan Burch and Melayna Amrein, both of Conklin, N.Y.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

• Steve and Alice McGuire, David and Susan Eddleston to Anthony Beamer and Codi Walters, a property in Great Bend Twp. for $130,000.

• William Shager to Mark and Stacy Wolfe, a property in Great Bend Twp. for $317,000.

• Richard and Gretchen Storck to Michael and Tina Bunnell, a property in Bridgewater Twp. for $155,000.

• William Shoup to Places Properties LLC, a property in Bridgewater Twp. for $97,500.

• Estate of Dorothy Wegman to Lauretta Button, a property in Montrose for $137,000.

• Gladys Sheppard to Homer Hooker, a property in Franklin Twp. for $125,000.

• Charles and Martin Skubic Post No. 524, American Legion Home Association Inc. to Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers Inc., a property in Forest City for $67,500.

• Kyle Snell to Jason and Chandra Weigle, a property in Oakland borough for $81,900.

• Robert and Ruth Ann Walters to Gary and Julie Corey, a property in Auburn Twp. for $179,900.

• Castlerock 2017 LLC to Mediterranean Investments LLC, a property in Montrose for $35,000.

• Lisa and Kenneth Schmidt to William and Renee Welch, a property in Franklin Twp. for $88,000.

• Mark and Mary Zdancewicz to Aaron Stang, a property in Springville Twp. for $80,000.