The future of the Northeast Regional Police study group is unclear, after Dupont — one of four municipalities that had discussed forming a regional police force in the Greater Pittston area — dropped out of the group earlier this month.

Dupont council voted on Sept. 12 to leave the study group that includes Jenkins Twp., Pittston Twp. and Laflin, according to Dupont Mayor Dan Lello. He did not return messages seeking further comment.

Dupont’s decision disrupts plans for the proposed regional police force, which has been in the planning stages for more than a year.

The study group, which includes leaders of all the participating municipalities, had been working out details of contract and pension issues with the officers who would staff the department. In June, the group advertised for openings on the proposed police force.

For now, plans for the regional department are on hold, according to Jenkins Twp. Supervisor Bob Linskey. Two scheduled study group meetingshave been postponed, Linskey wrote in an email.

Discussions about the proposed regional force among the three remaining municipalities “will continue in one form or another,” Linskey wrote.

It is not yet clear how Dupont’s departure will impact plans for the department, according to Linskey.

Contact the writer:

emark@citizensvoice.com;

570-821-2117

President Judge Michael Barrasse sentenced the following defendants recently in Lackawanna County Court:

■ Matthew Helring, 26, 232 S. Valley Ave., Olyphant, to five years of court supervision, including four months of house arrest, and a $1,500 for DUI — tier three, second offense.

■ James Stornable, 47, 400 Hallstead St., Dickson City, to six months of court supervision, including 30 days of house arrest, and a $300 fine for DUI — tier one, second offense.

■ Darren Kopko, 46, 612 Deacon St., Scranton, to three years of court supervision, including four months of house arrest, for delivery of a controlled substance.

■ Conan Sabot, 35, 28 Rock St., Carbondale, to 34 to 84 months in state prison, followed by two years of probation for criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

■ Robert Villa Jr., 22, 1017 Ledgeview Drive, West Pittston, to 15 to 36 months in state prison followed by three years of probation for robbery.

■ Lakeam Griem, 41, 226 state Route 690, Apt. 4, Springbrook Twp., to two to four years in state prison followed by four years of probation for delivery of a controlled substance and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance.

■ Michael Miller, 40, 12 Washington St., Moosic, to six months of court supervision, including three months of house arrest, and a $300 fine for DUI — tier one, second offense.

■ Brian Martinez, 20, 9 Prospect Ave., Scranton, to four years of court supervision, including three months of house arrest, for delivery of a controlled substance.

■ Calvin Moore, 45, 429 Prescott Ave. Apt. 4A, Scranton, to two to six years in state prison for possession with intent to deliver.

■ Christian Nadal-Suarez, 24, 216 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, to 18 to 36 months in state prison followed by three years of probation for conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance.

■ Anthony Capone, 65, 104 Bernard St., Dunmore, to three months of court supervision, including 30 days of house arrest, for harassment.

■ Eric Ward, 34, 611 Cedar Ave., Scranton, to 16 to 48 months in state prison for possession with intent to deliver followed by three years of probation for criminal use of a communication facility.

Judge Vito Geruolo

sentenced:

■ Kevin Pinter, 27, 21 Kimberly Circle, Olyphant, to four to eight years in state prison and $1,612 in restitution for criminal trespass, forgery and burglary.

■ Thomas Brown, 41, 823 Alder St., Scranton, to 44 to 120 months in state prison for burglary and criminal trespass.

■ Michael Furman, 55, 629 E. Dopp Road, Midland, Michigan, to 1 1/2 to four years in state prison for solicitation of a photograph, film or depiction of a child.

■ Duwayne Burley, 39, 1313 St. Francis Cabrini Ave., Scranton, to 12 to 36 months in state prison followed by two years probation for criminal use of a communication facility.

The burgeoning luxury-crossover/SUV automotive segment has become hard to keep up with, what with traditional brands like Cadillac, Lexus, Lincoln and so forth being met on the field of battle by new and evolving models from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo.

Each offers its own blend of luxury, performance, price, fuel efficiency (or lack thereof) and overall driving enjoyment in a bid to lure the right buyer to cut the down-payment or lease check.

Cadillac’s 2017 XT5 luxury crossover is one of the newest arrivals to this pricey party. It replaces the small, sporty and very popular SRX in Caddy’s lineup.

The XT5 is a roomier affair than the now-defunct SRX, offering plenty of room for five and a generous amount of cargo space for their stuff. There are four trim levels — Base, Luxury, Premium Luxury and Platinum — that all are equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine (310 horsepower and 271 foot-pounds of torque) that drives either a front-wheel-drive or an all-wheel-drive system via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

FWD is standard on Base, Luxury and Premium Luxury models, with AWD offered as an option on all but the Base. AWD comes standard with the Platinum duds. Pricing starts at a value-minded (for this segment, anyway) $39,395 for FWD Base models and tops out better than 22 grand north of that for an all-the-way AWDF Platinum sample.

Base XT5s are still nicely dolled-up affairs, featuring standard accouterments, such as 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, powered rear liftgate, faux-leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, keyless entry and push-button ignition; an 8-inch infotainment touch-screen interface; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and more.

Cadillac ladles on ever-greater levels of technology and creature comfort with each trim level, up to the fully loaded and quite lush Platinum. Included in its princely $62,500 base asking price are a set of 20-inch alloy wheels, an adaptive suspension damping system that adjusts to road conditions, leather upholstery, heated steering wheel and heated/cooled front seats and outboard rear seats, a thumping 14-speaker Bose sound system, a wide-view rear-facing camera integrated into the rearview mirror; interior accent lighting, and lots more.

Our XT5 tester’s options list included the $2,340 Driver Assist Package (adaptive cruise control, auto seat-belt tensioning system, automatic collision braking, front and rear automatic braking) and $350 automatic park assist system with compact spare tire. Factor in the $995 delivery tab and the grand total came to $66,185.

Handsomely chiseled on the outside and refined within, the XT5 serves up a comfortable and quiet ride. There’s plenty of head- and legroom in both the front bucket seats and the split-folding rear seats, with plenty of cupholders and storage cubbies. The 30-cubic-foot cargo area features a handy sliding aluminum gate to prevent groceries from rolling around on the way home from the store. Fold the second-row seats and cargo capacity swells to 63 cubic feet.

The open and airy-feeling cabin is crafted of high-quality materials. Instrumentation is easy to read and operate, with the infotainment interface being one of the most intuitive I’ve sampled lately. High-tech goodies abound in the Platinum, the most notable being the wide-view rear-facing camera display integrated into the rearview mirror. The mirror easily switches from camera mode — useful in tight maneuvering — to the regular mirror function with the flip of a switch.

Handling is precise — even nimble for a vehicle tipping the scale at 2 tons, although I wouldn’t go so far as to say the driving experience is particularly sporty. The big V-6 provides good acceleration, with 60 mph arriving in slightly over six seconds. The engine sounds stressed under hard acceleration, though, and lacks the liquid smoothness of, say, the Audi Q7 we tested a few months ago. (I should add that the Audi also cost 10 grand more than the XT5.)

That being written, it’s my hunch that the XT5 will hit the sweet spot for buyers looking to ride in the lap of luxury while leaving a bit more in their brokerage accounts.

2017 Cadillac XT5 Platinum

Vehicle type: Four-door, five-passenger compact luxury SUV/crossover.

Base/as-tested prices: $62,500/$66,185.

Engine and transmission: 3.6-liter V-6, 310 horsepower, 271 foot-pounds torque, eight-speed automatic.

EPA estimates: 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, 21 mpg combined.

The good: Replacement model for the long-running SRT compact crossover; handsome exterior and luxurious interior; loads of tech goodies offered across the trim levels; smooth and comfortable ride quality; spacious cabin; nicely sorted-out cargo hold with adjustable compartment gate; powerful and reasonably fuel-efficient V-6 engine; a value-minded alternative to pricier offerings by German competitors.

The bad: Numb handling, not particularly exciting to drive; engine sounds strained under hard acceleration.

Bottom line: Although Audis, Benzes and Bimmers offer more-rewarding driving experiences, the newest Caddy crossover delivers the luxury goods for thousands less.

Lackawanna County paid more than $400,000 so far to nine prison guards placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate allegations they sexually abused or harassed inmates, according to a Times-Tribune analysis of wage data.

The cost will grow as five of the nine employees remain on paid leave, which is costing the county about $25,000 a month in salary, not including benefits, the newspaper found.

Donald Frederickson, the county’s general counsel, said county policy is to pay employees under investigation until the allegations are proven or disproven.

“If you have someone off on unpaid leave and they have not done anything wrong, it’s a big financial hardship to them that may be unjustified,” he said. “It’s costing the county a lot of money, but we don’t have a choice. If they are not charged, they are going to return to work and we’d have to pay them back pay.”

On Thursday, Pennsylvania state troopers and agents with the state attorney general’s office raided the county prison, its work release center and the county administration building seeking documents relating to a criminal investigation into the alleged sexual abuse. Several sources said the case is now before a statewide grand jury in Norristown.

County officials requested a criminal investigation in June 2016, after they were made aware of a lawsuit that alleges six guards sexually abused a female inmate at varying times between 2007 and 2016. Scranton attorney Matthew Comerford filed the initial suit in July 2016. He amended it in December to add three more women, who made allegations against several more guards.

The county placed the employees implicated in the initial lawsuit — Lt. James Walsh, Charles Betress, Arthur McPhillips, Mark Johnson, Leo Baum and George McHale — on paid leave shortly after Comerford provided them an advance copy of the complaint.

Three more employees — Capt. Robert Maguire, William Shanley and Edward Williams — were put on leave in February, based on the new allegations contained in the amended lawsuit.

The prison allowed Johnson, Baum, McHale and Williams to return to work in March, after Warden Tim Betti said his internal investigation disproved allegations against them. Betress, McPhillips, Walsh, Maguire and Shanley remain on paid leave.

Wage data from the county shows salaries, excluding overtime, for the five guards who remain on leave ranged from $49,754 to $65,781 in 2016, and from $51,998 to $67,426 in 2017. That equates to a combined monthly payment of about $25,279 in 2017.

When combined with monthly payments to the other guards, whose time on leave ranged from one to 15 months, the county will have paid about $420,764 as of the end of September.

Frederickson said he expects the employees still on paid leave will remain off the job until the state attorney general office either clears or charges them. It is not known when that will occur, but Frederickson said he hopes it’s “sooner than later.”

“It’s costing us a small fortune to continue to pay the people on leave,” he said.

Contact the writer: tbesecker@timeshamrock.com; 570-348-9137; @tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

Michelle Lavelle and her daughter missed their movie last weekend and witnessed an act of kindness instead.

They planned to see the movie “It” at the Dietrich Theater and stopped at the Walmart in Eaton Twp. first. Lavelle got $40 cash back from the self-checkout, and when she returned to her car, the Factoryville resident realized she left the money in the machine. When she ran back in, the cash was gone.

Lavelle filed a report with state police in Tunkhannock, and she and her daughter Jada missed the movie.

On Monday morning, she received a phone call to stop by the barracks to pick up an envelope. Lavelle, a nurse at United Methodist Homes in Jenkins Twp., figured it would be a copy of the police report.

Instead, troopers handed her an envelope with a letter and $40.

“Your profession is one of the most admirable,” the letter stated. “You represent a special group of people that never demand accolades or rewards for your service. Don’t let your heart be troubled from what happened yesterday. We will do our best to identify the actor(s) from yesterday’s incident. In the meantime, spend time with your family and loved ones... that is what is most important.”

State police aren’t commenting on the gesture, but Lavelle still wants everyone to know about the kindness of the troopers in Tunkhannock.

“I cried,” she said. “I couldn’t help it.”

Touched by the gesture, Lavelle posted a photo of the letter on Facebook. Her post has been shared more than 2,500 times.

“It needed to be shared,” she said. “We need to focus on the good.”

Lavelle asked Jada, 17, to choose what to do with the money. Instead of going to the movies, Jada chose to donate the money to hurricane relief efforts.

“It was great for her to be involved in the experience,” Lavelle said. “It was a good lesson for her. There’s good in the world. Every little bit of kindness matters.”

Contact the writer:

shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;

@hofiushallTT on Twitter

Q: I have a 2006 Volvo V70 wagon with 119,000 miles. For the past two years, the check-engine light has been on, and the car’s message panel says the engine system needs attention. I’ve taken the car to three reputable mechanics, including a Volvo dealer, and no one seems to be able to find a problem.

The car runs fine, and I’ve been told that as long as it continues to drive well, I shouldn’t sweat it. But the possibility of an issue continues to hang over my head. Should I be concerned? I have a second car — a 2011 Subaru Impreza — that I use more regularly because I’m worried I’m going to be stranded someday with the Volvo.

— JANINE

A: Well, Janine, if the Volvo dealer couldn’t sell you any repairs, how am I supposed to have any shot at it?

It’s odd that the car’s computer hasn’t stored a code. Normally, when the check-engine light comes on, the computer will store data that — when read by the mechanic’s scan tool — will tell him which component reported the problem and what needs to be tested.

The possible good news for you is that usually when the check-engine light comes on, it’s not something that’s going to leave you stranded.

Of course, there are plenty of other things on a 10-year-old Volvo that can leave you stranded, so I don’t want to give you a false sense of confidence here.

But the components that turn on the check-engine light usually are related to the emissions system. It could be a fuel-air ratio sensor, a problem with the vapor recovery system in the fuel tank, or — with 120,000 miles on the car — a catalytic converter that’s ready to be replaced.

Unfortunately, it also could come on if the transmission isn’t shifting properly. That’s the one that could leave you stranded.

The problem also could be the computer itself. And if your dealer is really indebted to you (if you’ve paid off several of his boats over the years with your Volvo repair bills), maybe he’ll swap in another computer for you as a test, and let you drive the car and see if the light goes off.

That’s what I’d recommend. Since you’re afraid to drive the car, you have to start somewhere. So test the computer first.

If it’s not the computer, and the transmission is not noticeably misbehaving, my advice would be to keep driving for now ... until you either get someone to read a stored code, you fail your emissions inspection or your transmission bites the dust. Good luck, Janine.

Dunmore

Class reunion: Dunmore High School class of 1957 60th anniversary reunion, today, 4-9 p.m., La Buona Via, Reilly St.

East Scranton

Bus trip: East Scranton Seniors bus trip to Sands Casino, Nov. 8, leaving at 9:30 a.m. from Monroe Avenue parking lot across from Dunmore Senior Center, leaving casino at 5 p.m.; $30, $25 rebate ($5 for food voucher); Tom, 570-280-5096.

Lackawanna County

Diversity speaker: Ida L. Castro, J.D., vice president for community affairs/chief diversity officer at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, speaking for Century Club “Coming to America” series, Thursday, 7 p.m., at the club, 612 Jefferson Ave., Scranton.

Madison Twp.

Breakfast buffet: Madisonville Fire Company breakfast buffet, Sunday, 8 a.m.-noon, 3131 Madisonville Road; $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $5 for children 3-12; 570-842-7711.

Pittson

Book sale: Friends of the Pittston Library two-day book sale, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 30, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Pittston Library.

Food sampling: A Taste of Greater Pittston, Sunday, 2-5 p.m., Pittston Memorial Library; sample food, dessert, wine and beer from local restaurants, caterers, food trucks, wineries and breweries; $30 per person; purchase tickets at the Pittston Library.

Scranton

Craft fair: Women’s Guild of Divine Mercy Parish craft fair, Sept. 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Parish Center, 312 Davis St., Minooka; handmade jewelry, seasonal decorations, ceramics and more by 40 local crafters; door prizes, bake sale, 50/50 and refreshments; $2 admission.

Social group: Tech Social Group ’62 meeting, Thursday, 5 p.m., Sacco’s, Meadow Avenue; Jan, 570-842-6034.

Taylor

Flea market: First United Methodist Church annual flea market/bazaar, today, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 402 S. Main St.; homemade baked goods, toys, jewelry and books available.

Waverly Twp.

Band rehearsals: Crystal Band of Scranton rehearsals will resume for the 2017-18 season Monday, 7:30-9 p.m., First Baptist Church of Abington; practices on Monday nights, September through June; new members welcome; questions, crystalbanddirector@gmail.com; crystalband.com.

The largest fish tank at Scranton’s downtown aquarium could weigh more than 260,000 pounds — the equivalent of seven county transit buses filled with passengers or 22 fully grown male Asian elephants.

The Marketplace at Steamtown’s owner, John Basalyga, knew he would need to reinforce the floor when he welcomed Susquehanna County fish and animal enthusiast Cliff Grosvenor to build the Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den on the mall’s first floor, mall spokesman, Joe Gibbons said.

The floor reinforcements to brace the aquarium are part of ongoing work at several mall spots now being repurposed and refurbished. The aquarium’s target opening date of the fall seems unlikely.

With four major projects now underway, and complex engineering needed to prepare the space for massive animal tanks, extended timelines should come at no surprise, Gibbons said.

“There was never an open date announced,” he said of the aquarium. “We had hoped that it would be the fall. Maybe we were too definite in the words we used at the time of the announcement. That was back in March, and many a slip ’twixt the cup and lip, as they say.”

In March, Basalyga described a small zoo with more than 1,000 animals. The aquarium will have fresh- and saltwater tanks and terrariums for reptiles, including alligators and crocodiles across 17,000 square feet.

It would have a theater for educational programs with seating for 40, and a touch pool where guests can reach in to feel aquatic animals.

Efforts to reach Grosvenor were unsuccessful. The future aquarium owner has yet to speak publicly about his plans@ElectricCityAq1. However, a Sept. 20 Facebook post on the Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den page tells followers to stay tuned for updates and includes a video of a preview of what is to come.

Another ongoing project at the mall is Londyn’s — Basalyga’s restaurant named after his daughter that promises sidewalk seating, valet parking and a robust beer tap selection, in the former Ground Round location on Lackawanna Avenue. The Roaring Brook Twp. developer’s crews recently began work on the restaurant.

Workers also continue toiling in the Scranton Public Market upstairs and in the Delta Medix multidiscipline medical facility in the former Bon-Ton — both set to open in the coming months.@ElectricCityAq1

Contact the writer:

joconnell@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131;

@jon_oc on Twitter

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Eileen Frances Meyers and Richard Joseph Braden, both of Dunmore.

■ Samantha Fitz-Gerald and Matthew William Molitoris, both of Clarks Summit.

■ Anthony Michael Vivona and Wen Chen, both of Carbondale.

■ Reagan King and Matthew Hill, both of Roaring Brook Twp.

■ Douglas Robert Moskowitz and Rachel Jump Berleman, both of Scranton.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ Mark R. Tierney, Scranton, v. Anna B. Tierney, Scranton; married Sept. 27, 2008; Marjorie DeSanto Barlow, attorney.

■ Solomon J. Diamonds, Old Forge, v. Jill N. Diamonds, Old Forge; married Sept. 17, 2010, in Scranton; pro se.

■ Lynette Schovitz, Covington Twp., v. Ronald J. Schovitz, Covington Twp.; married May 20, 1980, in Tannersville; Brian J. Cali, attorney.

■ Steven J. Abbatiello, Olyphant, v. Kayla A. Abbatiello, Taylor; married Oct. 3, 2007, in Dickson City; pro se.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Mary Ann Bachak, Jermyn, to Robert Pryal, Archbald; a property at 1120 Filbert St., Archbald, for $98,500.

■ TNT Foundations LLC, Scranton, to Kristen Moffitt, Blakely; a property at 333 Second St., Blakely, for $152,500

■ Joseph Zummo, Allentown, to Shawn Walsh, Scranton; a property at Winfield Avenue and Kane Street, Scranton, for $205,000.

■ Alice Richner, now by marriage Alice Manley, and Thomas Manley, South Abington Twp., to Melanie and Maryann Wansacz, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, Scott Twp.; a property at 10 Richner Lane, Scott Twp., for $40,000.

■ S&R Real Estate Holdings LLC, Archbald, to Donna Sutaris and Corey A. Henige, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, Scranton; a property in Archbald for $221,500.

■ Donna Taroli-Reilly, Hanover Twp., to Francisco and Argelia Lora D. Nunez, Brookyln, N.Y.; a property at 1213 Watson St., Scranton, for $85,000.

■ Andrew and Alberta Grushinski to Timothy J. Scanlon; a property at 1043 Blair Ave., Scranton, for $68,800.

ESTATES FILED

■ Patrick A. Tarantini, 1274 Fords Pond Road, Clarks Summit, letters testamentary to Nancianne Garofalo, 603 Pamela Drive, South Abington Twp., and Frank Tarantini, 201 Tulip Circle, Clarks Summit.

■ Mary R. Nehme, 530 Moltke Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Margaret M. Marino, 1008 Carnation Drive, Clarks Summit.

■ Dorothy Jean Dawson, 198 Olyphant Court, Olyphant, letters testamentary to Howard E. Heater, 111 Jackson St., Olyphant.

■ Clinton E. Shrive, 119 William St., Old Forge, letters testamentary to Lorraine M. Shrive, 119 William St., Old Forge.

■ Florence Kreglewicz, 600 Beech St., Scranton, letters testamentary to Joseph Kreglewicz, 516 S. State St., Throop.

■ Joan Mayock, also known as Joan Mayock Davis, 1219 Oram St., Scranton, letters testamentary to Robert Mayock, 1221 Oram St., Scranton.

■ Kristy Marie Ryczak, 410 Hudson St., Mayfield, letters of administration to Ronald and Christine Ryczak, both of 139 Gorham Ave., Mayfield.

■ Janice Forconi, 411 Grant At., Olyphant, letters of administration to Louis Forconi, 407 Sassafras Drive, Vermilion, Ohio.

LAWSUIT

■ Eileen Walsh, 65 Honor Park Trailer Court, Moosic, v. Charles Karam Jr., 269 E. Morton St., Old Forge, and Statewide Auto & Equipment LLC, 329 S. Keyser Ave., Taylor, seeking an amount in excess of the applicable arbitration limits, exclusive of interest and costs, together with interest and costs, on three counts for injuries suffered Dec. 26, 2015, during a pedestrian collision at Schimpf Avenue and Davis Street, Scranton; Kevin P. Foley, attorney.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

Lackawanna County is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a guard who claims she was fired for testifying in a civil suit that alleged several county prison guards sexually abused a female inmate.

An attorney for the county says evidence shows Casey Calpin was fired because she failed to report that another inmate told her she was sexually abused and then lied about her actions when questioned during an internal probe of former guard Joseph Black.

Black pleaded guilty in 2015 to abusing five inmates and was sentenced to 45 months to eight years in prison.

Calpin was fired in July 2016, a few months after she gave a deposition in a civil lawsuit attorney Matthew Comerford filed on behalf of one of Black’s victims. The county paid $750,000 to settle that lawsuit in March 2016.

Calpin’s lawsuit, filed by Pittston attorney Cynthia Pollick, claims the county fired her in retaliation for testifying, which is a violation of her First Amendment right to free speech.

In a motion filed Thursday, the county’s attorney, Joseph Joyce III, says Calpin admitted in the Comerford deposition that she did not report another inmate, who is not the plaintiff in Comerford’s lawsuit, told her in June 2011 that Black sexually abused her. When a prison official asked her in November 2011 if she was aware of any allegations against Black, she said no, knowing that was not true.

The county contends Calpin’s failure to report the abuse is partly responsible for the delay in uncovering Black’s crimes, which warranted her dismissal.

Pollick has not yet replied to the motion. In prior court filings, she said the prison is to blame for Black’s conduct because staff there was made aware of allegations against him long before the inmate made the report to Calpin. She also challenged the county’s reliance on Calpin’s statements in the Comerford deposition, arguing it cannot be used against her.

A judge will review the county’s motion and issue a ruling at a later date.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9137;

@tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE — Citing the increasing toll of the region’s opiate crisis, Luzerne County Manager David Pedri announced Friday he wants to sue the nation’s largest pill manufacturers to recoup the costs the “highly addictive, dangerous” drugs have inflicted.

“We are taking this action today because Luzerne County homes have been broken and families torn apart by this epidemic,” Pedri said in a statement. “This epidemic has claimed victims from all walks of life, and both the financial and emotional costs to the citizens of Luzerne County are staggering.”

Earlier this month, the Luzerne County Coroner’s Office reported handling more than 90 confirmed fatal drug overdoses since the start of the year, on pace to match the record total of 140 overdoses set last year.

In an announcement Friday, Pedri said he is asking council to approve filing suit against the drug manufacturers and distributors “responsible for dumping millions of dollars’ worth of prescription opiates” into the community.

“It will be alleged that the manufacturing companies pushed highly addictive, dangerous opioids, falsely representing to doctors that patients would only rarely succumb to drug addiction, while the distributors breached their legal duties to monitor, detect, investigate, refuse and report suspicious orders of prescription opioids,” Pedri said.

He said that in addition to manufacturers, the lawsuit would target the country’s three largest wholesale drug distributors. Because of the drugs’ danger, the distributors have a responsibility to halt suspicious orders but have failed to adequately do so, Pedri alleges.

“Today the Luzerne County community is paying the price,” he said.

The proposal appeared to have preliminary support, or at least the interest of some members of council. Councilman Edd Brominski said he was in favor of the move, although he expressed dissatisfaction that Pedri made the announcement without first informing council.

Councilman Tim McGinley said he had not yet seen the proposal but was interested to learn more.

Luzerne County is the latest in a series of Pennsylvania counties that have expressed interest in such litigation. Last week, Lackawanna County Commissioners announced they intend to file suit against 14 pharmaceutical companies for their alleged role in creating the opioid crisis that claimed the lives of 231 county residents between 2014 and August.

On Thursday, Delaware County officials filed suit against 11 pharmaceutical companies for marketing tactics that county officials say misrepresent the dangers of long-term opioid usage while a national overdose crisis continues to kill tens of thousands of people annually.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS contributed to this report.

Contact the writer:

;

570-821-2058;

@cvjimhalpin on Twitter

COVINGTON TWP.

A township woman died after a crash Friday afternoon.

Salvatrice Bentler, 69, died at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton after a pickup truck hit her vehicle at about 4 p.m. at the Dorantown Road and Route 307 in the township, according to the Lackawanna County coroner’s office. Emergency medical personnel took Bentler to the hospital, where she died. Covington Twp. police are investigating.

An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.

— CLAYTON OVER

Bishop greets Jesuits at service

Faculty and students of the University of Scranton and Marywood College attended a special Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton. The Most Rev. William J. Hafey, bishop of Scranton, celebrated the Mass to welcome the Jesuits as the new administrators of the university. He prayed that the Holy Spirit would illuminate the intellects of the faculty and students at both institutions.

The Society of Jesus assumed oversight of the University of Scranton in June from the Christian Brothers.

Ex-election officials are arrested again

Lackawanna County District Attorney James Brady ordered that three former Archbald election board officials — Milton Zelno, John Choplinsky and Peter Cominsky — be arrested on charges they conspired to violate primary election law. Brady said the three are charged because a machine in the ward in which they were working had 300 votes on it before voting started.

The three were previously arrested on the charges, but a grand jury in October didn’t indict them. A grand jury scheduled for November was to hear the charges again.

At the theaters

The singing group the Four Gingersnaps at the Family Theater; the film “The Talk of the Town” at the West Side; the film “Wake Island” at the Strand; and the film “The Magnificent Ambersons” at the Comerford.

BRIAN FULTON, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune’s expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.

WILKES-BARRE — Al Boscov, the iconic founder of the family-owned retail chain who died in February at age 87, was always known to give back to the community. His family gathered in Boscov’s in downtown Wilkes-Barre on Friday to kick off a blanket drive in his memory.

The collection, called “A Blanket from Al,” began on what would have been Al Boscov’s 88th birthday. It will continue until Oct. 31.

People can drop off new, packaged full, queen and king sized blankets for those in need at Boscov’s stores in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Hazleton and Pottsville and at the Laurel Mall in Hazleton. No throws, quilts or comforters will be accepted.

The blankets will be distributed through St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre, St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton, Catholic Social Services, the Salvation Army and area shelters.

— DENISE ALLABAUGH

His eyes wide beneath the brim of his engineer’s cap, 4-year-old Cooper Davis watched as three model trains zipped around a miniature mountainous landscape dotted with local landmarks.

Cooper has his own Lionel at home but wasn’t going to miss the Friday unveiling of what comedian John Oliver called “an almost irresponsibly large” model train set featuring distinctive Scranton buildings and attractions.

Oliver displayed the model earlier this month in a bit on his show, HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” that featured footage of WNEP-TV’s daily Talkback 16 segment — where viewers of the local TV station call in to voice opinions on a range of topics, including a model train that often chugs through the station’s “backyard” during daily news broadcasts. Oliver poked fun at Talkback callers’ passionate opinions on the backyard train in another bit in June, but assured viewers during his Sept. 10 show that he meant no offense.

Calling it the model train set Scranton deserves, Oliver gifted the set to WNEP, which agreed to display it permanently at the Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton.

For Friday’s unveiling, WNEP staffers made one change to the train set. A tunnel opening that originally featured the face of Scranton Prep grad turned college and professional basketball coach P. J. Carlesimo now features Oliver’s face.

The switch is only temporary, said WNEP-TV News Director Carl Abraham.

“Since John Oliver loves to make fun of himself ... and us,” the station wanted to poke a little fun at — and say thanks to — the comedian who made it all happen, Abraham explained.

But never fear, Carlesimo fans. Oliver’s face was simply adhered on top of the coach’s and will eventually be “peeled off,” leaving Carlesimo’s no worse for wear, he said.

Dozens gathered there Friday morning to see the mammoth model.

“I always think it’s great when Scranton gets some recognition, and I’m a longtime John Oliver fan actually, too, so those two things coming together aimed right at me and made me happy,” Scranton native Jeff Partyka said while waiting for the unveiling with his friend Sean Zloch of Chicago.

Zloch, a big John Oliver fan, planned his trip to Scranton months ago. Friends in Chicago joked that he would get to see the train set, but he couldn’t imagine it would be on display so soon after Oliver’s episode aired.

“So I come here and someone says, ‘Look what they’re going to unveil,’ and I’m like, ‘Oh, OK, that’s perfect. I have to be there for that,’ ” Zloch said.

Donning a T-shirt that read “still plays with trains,” Wilkes-Barre resident Dan Mulhern, a model train enthusiast who maintains a large train display in his basement, wanted to see the model that captured national attention.

“I think this is great, as long as they keep it up and people can see the trains actually running,” he said.

That’s the plan, said Electric City Trolley Museum Manager Wayne Hiller.

“It’s here as long as we want it here,” Hiller said. “It’s only going to bring in more tourists for us, more revenue, more attendance, and it just gives the people more opportunity to see us and the display.”

Those interested in visiting the Trolley Museum to see the train set and its other attractions can do so free this weekend. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday.

Contact the writer:

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

OLD FORGE — Authorities pulled a body from the Lackawanna River on Friday afternoon and are withholding the man’s identity pending notification of next of kin.

Borough Police Chief Jason Dubernas said the body is not that of Old Forge businessman Robert Baron, missing since January. An autopsy on the man found in the river is scheduled for Sunday, Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland said. The investigation is being turned over to Duryea police, Dubernas said.

Police have preliminarily identified the man but are withholding his identity until family has been notified, Duryea Police Chief Nick Lohman said. The body had been in the river for an extended period of time, Lohman said. A determination on whether foul play was involved in the man’s death is pending the findings of the autopsy, he said.

Old Forge police are still investigating Baron’s disappearance, Dubernas said Friday. A family member last saw Baron at his restaurant, Ghigiarelli’s, on Jan. 25 and reported him missing the next morning.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information on Baron’s whereabouts. Anyone with information about Baron is asked to call Old Forge police at 570-457-7441or submit a tip on the Scranton police website.

Contact the writer:

cover@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5363;

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

Leamor Kahanov hears the story all the time.

A family doctor orders some blood tests and recommends a trip to the heart specialist.

Because the two doctors don’t talk to each other, the cardiologist orders the exact same blood tests, duplicating what the first doctor did.

Little or no communication between health workers often trips up care delivery, drags it out and drives up costs.

Kahanov, Misericordia University’s dean of the College of Health Sciences and Education, envisions the health worker of the future breaking the inefcient cycle.

She’s part of a team of educators shaping how health workers learn to collaborate rather than treat patients in a vacuum.

Month after month, economists and analysts name health care and education as two key industries carrying the local economy, creating jobs and accounting for billions in investment.

Through interprofessional study — where students of all disciplines learn together — leaders of one industry, education, are pushing leaders of the other, health care, to pull out all the stops.

“We’re trying to field a really strong team that is centered around the patient. So it is important to know what all of our professionals do,” Kahanov said. “It’s everyone right down to housekeepers, janitors, everyone working in a health care system.”

She’s speaking next month at the Collaborating Across Borders health conference in Alberta, Canada, on how 120 Misericordia students of nursing, physical and occupational therapies, speech pathology and medical imaging collaborated to hold a number of clinics for the elderly, and people with disabilities and chronic illness.

Misericordia only recently formalized interprofessional education, writing it directly into the curriculum for all health care training.

The new programs follow nearly a decade of work among the Northeastern/Central Pennsylvania Interprofessional Education Coalition’s 12 member colleges and universities.

Coalition members have been wrestling with how to tighten up communication between the myriad disciplines that often touch a single patient, but struggle to collaborate.

Fixing that can happen a few of different ways, the educators say.

‘Improving patient care’

Some providers might use a single electronic medical record to track and shape a patient’s progress together.

“Even though we might not all be there at the same time, and we may be conversing via a medical record or a phone call, we’re including the appropriate people … versus letting that person be siloed and sending them in all different directions,” said Laurie Brogan, chair of Misericordia’s interprofessional committee.

Another way might have a team of professionals in a certain clinic gather at the end of the day to debrief and draw on each expert’s specific skills.

This is especially useful in complex cases, Kahanov said.

The coalition began in 2008, and one of its hallmarks has been an annual summit.

In April, it drew nearly 900 students to seven locations where they broke off into mixed groups to pitch in on a single hypothetical case.

“The students learn from each other then what different disciplines are thinking about this particular case,” said Dr. Karen Arscott, an assistant professor at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and the coalition’s chairwoman.

Students who understand how they fit into a bigger health care picture are better at collaborating when they leave the classroom for the clinic, said Sandra L. Richmond, assistant dean of nursing at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, a coalition member.

“One of our goals is to help students from the various health science fields to understand one another’s role and how each is a valued player in improving patient care and patient outcomes,” she said.

Medical school roots

Before the coalition, Arscott was at Marywood University directing the physician’s assistant program.

Scranton’s medical school had only three employees back then, a dean, an administrative assistant and a curriculum dean.

They sent letters to Arscott and more than a dozen others inviting them to craft the school’s original curriculum requirements before beginning to recruit faculty.

“I thought it was extremely wise of them to invite the leaders of all different health care disciplines in the area to be on the original curriculum committee,” she said.

By June of 2008, the college hired enough faculty to replace the ad-hoc committee with its own teachers, but medical school officials suggested keeping the band together as an interprofessional coalition.

“It was the medical school that formed us,” Arscott said, going on to explain that group members, like Kahanov will do next month, have gone on to share their model with health educators at home and abroad.

Contact the writer:

joconnell@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131;

@jon_oc on Twitter

CARBONDALE — A city man was arrested Friday after striking a pregnant nurse in the stomach with a bottle of wine, police said.

Robert Free, 164 S. Main St., a resident of the Regency Heights Personal Care Home, returned to the facility drunk Saturday carrying a bag containing a bottle of wine, despite policy prohibiting residents from bringing alcohol to the home, city police said.

Morgan Miller, a 7-months-pregnant nurse at the facility, told Free to surrender the bottle. Instead, he swung the bag containing it, hitting her in the stomach, police said.

Free faces charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment. Bail and preliminary hearing information were not available Saturday.

— JEFF HORVATH

SCOTT TWP. — Red, blue and yellow lights flashed as a casket continued its journey Saturday.

Through Lackawanna County, the procession of 100 tow trucks, police cars, ambulances and firetrucks reminded others about the need to move over and slow down for first responders.

About 300 people gathered at the Scott Twp. Municipal Park before the procession to raise awareness of Pennsylvania’s Steer Clear law, with the hope of saving lives. The family of tow-truck operator David L. Duchnik organized Saturday’s event, part of the national American Towman Spirit Ride. Duchnik, 29, of Scott Twp., died in August 2016 when he was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer while working the scene of a crash along Interstate 81.

“After today, this is not over for the Duchnik family … My journey does not end here,” said Duchnik’s father, Dave Duchnik. “On that awful morning when I saw my son get killed, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

The national tour, which includes a red, white and blue “Spirit” casket on a flatbed truck, started in June.

Area businessman and tow-truck operator Bob Bolus hosted an event in downtown Scranton on Friday. After a 101-mile trip, the Duchniks delivered the casket to Loyal Towing in Monroe, New York, on Saturday afternoon.

“We are part of an epic American journey,” said Charles Duke, senior editor of American Towman magazine.

Pennsylvania’s “Steer Clear” law requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop or disabled vehicle. Drivers must pass in a lane not adjacent to that of the emergency response area. If that’s impossible, illegal or unsafe, the driver must use a “speed reasonable for safely passing the emergency response area.” Penalties include fines and license suspensions.

Duke sang “Booms in the Sky” — a tribute to those killed along roads — and everyone in attendance touched a ceremonial baton that made a sound like a passing car.

State Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-114, Taylor, said one of the greatest dangers is not nuclear bombs or the opioid crisis. He held up his cellphone.

“It’s becoming that weapon of mass destruction that you have to fear,” he said.

Distractions caused by phones kill people, and penalties for breaking the Steer Clear law must be made more severe by the state legislature, he said.

Across the region on Saturday, PennDOT signs flashed, encouraging people to steer clear of first responders. The procession of 100 vehicles — at least half of them tow trucks — humbled members of the Duchnik family.

“It’s incredible,” said David Duchnik’s sister, Bridget Duchnik. “We just want to give back.”

Contact the writer:

shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;

@hofiushallTT on Twitter

Misericordia

receives ranking

The university is ranked 41st out of 145 colleges and universities in the top tier of the Best Regional Universities North category of U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 edition of Best Colleges, which includes institutions of higher education in the northern United States that offer master’s degrees and some doctoral programs.

Benco offers

Harvey support

A campaign of support in response to Hurricane Harvey inspired the nation’s largest privately owned dental distributor to create ongoing channels of disaster recovery efforts for dental professionals.

During the last days of August, Hurricane Harvey hit Texas and Louisiana. The dental company activated several paths of assistance for dentists, labs and clinics affected by the natural disaster, including direct lines of communication.

U of S among Niche 2018

Best Colleges

The University of Scranton was ranked 14 in Best Catholic College in America. These new rankings analyze factors like academics, professors, value, diversity and campus life using data from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as millions of reviews from students and alumni.

$10,000 grant aids Lackawanna College

The college has received a $10,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Foundation in support of the Empowerment through Education Program. Working in conjunction with Mary Mother of God Parish and other local churches, the college will provide college and employment preparation programs from 3-6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday from September-February.

Geisinger opens opioid treatment clinic

The health network opened a Medication Assisted Treatment Addiction Clinic at its location at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre on Sept. 18. Funded in partnership with Geisinger Health Plan, the Wilkes-Barre treatment center follows the opening of a MAT clinic at Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital earlier this spring. Future plans also include the opening of a third clinic in Central Pennsylvania later this year.

The Arc moves

The Arc of Luzerne County has moved to 380 Bennett St., Luzerne.

SUBMIT BUSINESS BUZZ items to business@timesshamrock.com or The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.