Marriage licenses

- Troy Anthony Chalmers and Lindsey Margaret Stevens, both of Scranton.

- David James Greenhagen and Minxian Yu, both of Avoca.

- Jacob Edwin Kuperstock, Westminster, Md., and Jessica Costello Lewis, Bethesda, Md.

Property TRANSACTIONS

- Yitzchok and Malky Lunger, Brooklyn, N.Y., to Jeffrey Liggins, Brooklyn; a property at 28 Oak Ave., Carbondale, for $48,000.

- Jacqueline Sasek, Dunmore, to Hector R. Mena, Edgewater, N.J.; a property at 711 Throop St., Dunmore, for $101,674.03.

- Airgas USA LLC to Fastenal Co.; a property at 1237 Mid Valley Drive, Jessup, for $85,000.

DIVORCE SOUGHT

- Mauri E. Dutcher, Jessup, v. Greg A. Dutcher, Scranton; married May 16, 2009, in Scranton; Richard A. Fanucci, attorney.

DIVORCE DECREES

- Doreen Kuttrubis v. William Kuttrubis

- Jennifer L. Scott v. Gerald A. Scott Jr.

- Stephanie Davis v. Jason Thomas Davis

- Richard Turner v. Diane Turner

- Timothy J. Dougherty v. Mercy King

- Keith E. Pabst v. Jocelyn M. Pabst

- Kelly Golden v. Corey Golden

- Donna Bernard v. Julian A. Bernard Jr.

- Bruce Morgan v. Debra Caruso

STATE TAX LIENS

- John S. Watkins, individually and as president of Mamma Mia Inc., 1655 Sanderson Ave., Scranton; $1,350.59.

- Fatt Daddy's LLC, 120 N. Everett Ave., Scranton; $3,833.32.

- Raymond A. Smego and Mounifa Odeimeh, 702 Shady Lane Road, South Abington Twp.; $8,786.10.

- William P. and Patricia A. Dillon, 800 Bobcat Lane, South Abington Twp.; $3,391.63.

- Louis J. Pagnotti, 20 Garber St., Old Forge; $17,979.80.

- Joseph J. Gerek, 741 Main St., Blakely; $2,880.08.

- Geraldine Miller Flantzman, 3 Connell St., Old Forge; $997.43.

- Anthony M. Kornetka, 1523 Electric St., Dunmore; $8,996.70.

- Joseph T. Gasparovic, 611 13th Ave., Scranton; $5,644.93.

- Joseph Marsala, 542 Boulevard Ave., Dickson City; $1,340.

- Cuz N Dukes Inc., 1216 Main St., Blakely; $615.24.

- Miller Country Store LLC, 1148 Old Trail Road, Clarks Summit; $11,661.02.

- Paul McGloin, 139 Merrifield Ave., Scranton; $431.47.

- Ruthann P. White, 328 Harwood Ave., Clarks Summit; $352.64.

- Finewood Furnishings Inc., 600 Business Route 6, Archbald; $1,342.89.

- Joseph Malinowski, individually and as president of SMK Transport Inc., 315 Center St., Scranton; $590.25.

- David J. and Lori A. Chromey, 1 Oakwood Drive, Old Forge; $867.42.

- Christine M. Shannon, 1061 Madisonville Road, Madison Twp.; $1,498.63.

- Francisco L. Alvarado Valazquez, 42 Walsh Plaza, Olyphant; $2,176.17.

- Mark A. Zabriski, Apt. 2, 524 Emmett St., Scranton; $1,505.41.

- Stephen Keifer, Rear 1715 Jackson St., Scranton; $1,413.

- David Doyle, 132 Cherry St., Archbald; $1,099.19.

- Christopher Bereznak and Annette Skorupa, 520 S. Abington Road, Clarks Green; $3,018.43.

- William J. and Mary E. Smith, 703 Stafford Ave., Scranton; $618.92.

- William L. and Linda M. Ferrari, 517 Thomas Drive, Dunmore; $2,203.94.

- Sherrylynn Tarapchak, 431 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton; $1,273.22.

- Thomas Ruane, 1539 Wyoming Ave., Scranton; $32,035.04.

- Rafael A. Velazquez, 804 Moosic Heights, Avoca; $1,340.

- Susan Solt, 1319 Layton Road, Scott Twp.; $1,289.62.

- Amaury and Judith Oliveira, P.O. Box 194, South Abington Twp.; $1,214.25.

- John J. Howe, 2939 Birney Ave., Scranton; $1,392.98.

- William Deacon, 204 Maggies Road, South Abington Twp.; $933.11.

- John A. and Beth A. Howells, 1447 Dickson Ave., Scranton; $23,345.50.

- Bruce N. and Brenda Shay, 501 Winola Road, Clarks Summit; $1,065.13.

- Ronald M. Taylor, 363 N. Bromley Ave., Scranton; $885.24.

- Timothy and Kristyn Polishan, 216 Reilly St., Dunmore; $1,919.14.

- Thomas and Judith Rosenkrans, 1313 Layton Road, Scott Twp.; $3,051.53.

LAWSUIT

- Michelle Plunkett, 733 Brook St., Scranton, v. Gerrity's Supermarket, 950 North South Road, Scranton; seeking in excess of jurisdictional requirements plus interest, costs and attorney's fees, for injuries suffered Oct. 5 in a fall at the Meadow Avenue, Scranton, store; Deborah E. Rothenberg, attorney.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

Two people are facing drug charges following an investigation of a suspected drug house in Scranton.

The Scranton Police Special Investigation Division and the Lackawanna County Drug Task Force arrested Tara Morcom, 39, 818 Hampton St. and William Riley, 32, of Easton, after controlled purchases of heroin and marijuana were made from both around 8 p.m. Mr. Riley was caught trying to deliver 10 bags of heroin, police said.

As part of the investigation, police obtained a search warrant for Ms. Morcom's home. There, officers found 76 bags of heroin, one plastic bag containing 7 ½ grams of raw heroin and 2 ounces of marijuana. The street value for the heroin is about $6,000 and the marijuana is about $1,000, police said.

Ms. Morcom is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, conspiracy to deliver and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Mr. Riley is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, one count of deliver of a controlled substance, conspiracy to deliver, criminal use of a communication device and tampering with evidence.

Both were taken to the Lackawanna County Processing Center, where they were arraigned Wednesday, and are slated for preliminary hearings April 18. Mr. Riley and Ms. Morcom are both in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail and $75,000 bail, respectively.

The house was condemned by city inspectors.

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

A landmark restaurant is likely destroyed after a fire at the Covington Twp. eatery Wednesday morning.

Firefighters spent about five hours at Jaque's Place, 1082 Drinker Turnpike, starting at 1:30 a.m., Covington Fire Chief Brad Jones said.

When they arrived, first responders immediately conducted a search of the first-floor restaurant and second-floor apartment, but no one was found. That's when the blaze began to build, and eventually, turned into a three-alarm fire.

Jaque's Place is in an older building constructed with heavy timber, so the fire intensified and spread quickly, making the job extremely difficult and dangerous, Chief Jones said. Crews battled the fire until about 6:30 a.m.

"We're all pretty shot," Chief Jones said in a phone interview two hours after he returned to the station.

The building is still standing, but because of the damage it is likely a total loss, he said. The cause of the fire is undetermined, but state police fire marshals are investigating, Chief Jones said.

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

SCRANTON - State police at Dunmore are looking for a man who failed to return to a halfway house as ordered.

Ryan Harold Groover, 31, of Susquehanna County, did not return to Scranton Community Corrections, 240 Adams Ave. on Sunday by 10 p.m.

Police say that Mr. Groover may head back to his home in Susquehanna County.

Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Dunmore at 963-3156.

Check back for updates.

Cause of city fire ruled accidental

SCRANTON - The fire that severely damaged a building on the 500 block of Lackawanna Ave. started accidentally, investigators ruled.

Fire Chief Tom Davis said the blaze at 506 Lackawanna Ave., between Buona Pizza and the Scranton Liederkranz, at 9:45 p.m. Wednesday was likely caused by an unattended toaster oven. Once the fire started, a man who was in the unoccupied building doing maintenance work and cleaning was burned, though Chief Davis did not know the name of the man.

The fire was called in by the owner of Buona Pizza when he saw flames pouring out of the back and front of the building.

A former employee of the Wayne County Tax Claim Bureau will spend as long as a year and a half behind bars for stealing more than $11,000 in tax payments.

Jeannie Marie Brooks, 37, of Prompton, pleaded guilty to one count of felony forgery and one count of misdemeanor theft on Jan. 22. President Judge Raymond Hamill sentenced her Thursday to serve between 45 days and 18 months at the Wayne County Correctional Facility followed by 100 hours of community service, the Wayne County district attorney's office said. The sentence also calls for a DNA sample and the $250 required to pay for it. She also must obtain a full-time job upon her release from jail.

In the fall, the county tax claim director noticed the amount of money the office was collecting was different from the amount of money deposited into its account.

In the probe that followed, investigators discovered more discrepancies in transactions handled by Ms. Brooks from April to July. Ms. Brooks was formally arraigned in Wayne County Count on Oct. 17.

Before her guilty plea, Ms. Brooks was facing 59 charges, many of them felony counts. All but one were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Ms. Brooks paid back $11,787.35 prior to sentencing.

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

With two races shaping up for seats on the Carbondale Area School Board, potential directors agree that finances and education will be key issues in the coming term.

Sitting board member Joseph Petak, 76, from Region 1, said during his one term on the board, saving money has been a major push, which he hopes to continue.

"I think we can try to balance our budget ourselves without borrowing to balance the budget," he said, noting that he would like to see the Fell Elementary School building, now empty, either sold or used.

Candidate Jimmy Dovin, 44, also of Region 1, had similar thoughts, saying that he has been watching what the board has been dealing with this year.

"I want to make sure the budgets are balanced, and within their constraints, and money is being spent for the right reasons," Mr. Dovin said.

Another newcomer, Cindy Turonis Artone, 44, from Region 3, said she was also concerned about the state budget and how it would affect the district's finances.

"I want to know where all this money is going and why taxes have to get raised," she said.

She also pointed out math and reading tutoring programs have been cut.

"I understand that all schools need this funding, but we're a low-income area and district," she said. "We have a lot of families that can't afford tutoring."

Tracey Andrews, 58, a current board member from Region 3, said that in addition to careful maintenance of finances, education needed to be a priority.

"We need to really focus on providing the best education we can to keep the parents and kids interested and not lose as many kids to cyber school," she said.

Mrs. Turonis Artone and Mr. Dovin both added that school safety would be a consideration in the coming year.

All candidates also pointed out that they had no interest in helping friends or family find jobs within the district. All four have had children graduate or have students currently enrolled in the district, and supporting all students is their main priority.

"The school district is the heart of the community," Mrs. Andrews said. "Everything revolves around the school district. If you have a good school district, you have a good community."

Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on TwitterJimmy Dovin

Age: 44

Family: Wife: Jennifer; daughters, Katelyn, 13, Jenna, 11

Education: Carbondale Area Junior-Senior High School, graduated from Williamsport Area Community College

Employment: service person technician at UGI, Penn Natural Gas

Municipality: Richmondale

Experience: President of the Richmondale Hunting Club, president of Susquehanna Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association, past president of Northern Counties Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation

Top Issues: safety, education and taxpayers

Joseph Petak

Age: 76

Family: Wife, Sonja; children: Donna Lytfelder, 54, Joey Petak Jr., 52, Debbie Gillott, 50, David Petak, 47, Tammy Curtis, 42

Education: Carbondale Area Junior-Senior High School

Employment: Retired

Municipality: Simpson

Experience: President of St. Basil's Church, five years; Carbondale Area School Board, 2009-present

Top issue: Finances

Tracey Andrews

Age: 58

Family: Husband, Bill; Children, Carrie Andrews, 35, Christopher Andrews, 33, Frank Andrews, 32, Matt Andrews, 30, Katura Taylor, 28, Ashley Machiesky, 26, Carl Andrews, 24

Education: St. Rose High School

Employment: Retired

Municipality: Carbondale

Experience: Girl Scout leader, five years; cheerleading coach, one year; Northeast Education Intermediate Unit, seven years; Carbondale Area School Board, 2003-2007; 2009-present

Top issue: Preparing students for math and sciences

Cindy Turonis Artone

Age: 44

Family: Husband, Sam; daughters, Alexandra and Maresa, both 14, and Samantha, 13

Education: Carbondale Area Junior-Senior High School, attended Penn State Worthington Scranton and Wilkes University

Employment: waitress, manager at Frank's Place Restaurant and Bar

Municipality: Carbondale

Top issue: finances and state funding cuts

Susquehanna County Court notes appear Fridays in The Times-Tribune.

Marriage licenses

- John Wilcko, McAdoo, and Robyn Stewart, Binghamton, N.Y.

- Charles Groover and Bobby Jo Heath, both of Hallstead.

- Daniel Pompey and Cieara Payne, both of Kingsley.

Property transfers

- Kathy Decker to Gale Bedford, a property in Dimock Twp. for $23,139.93.

- Joseph and Lisa Takach to Thomas Clancy, a property in Herrick Twp. for $355,000.

- Bruce and Paula Schmidt to Wanda Corbin, a property in Forest Lake Twp. for $220,000.

- Joseph Squindo to Elizabeth and Antonio Guerrero Diaz, a property in Ararat Twp. for $200,000.

- Steven Hoffman to Stanford James Inc. Retirement Plan U/A/D, a property in Gibson Twp. for $1,730,200.

- John Zgavec to Jason Sr. and Shelby Drozdick, a property in Forest City for $66,250.

- James and Melissa Kaeser and Leo and Krista Ryan to Mark Farrow Lane Associates LP, a property in Forest Lake Twp. for $425,000.

Estates filed

- Mary Newak, 1768 Route 106; letters testamentary to Paul Yankovich, 265 Everett St., Benton.

- Robert Purtell, 14736 Route 858, Little Meadows; letters testamentary to M. Purtell, 14736 Route 858, Little Meadows.

- Angelo Cataldi, Zablotsky Road, Kingsley; letters testamentary to Anthony Laveechia, 818 Zablotsky Road, Kingsley.

Seemingly at every turn, Scranton is inundated with road construction.

Many of the city's main routes - the Central Scranton Expressway, the McDade Expressway, Interstate 81, Keyser Avenue - and several bridges have construction work scheduled or underway. Main Street in Taylor also is having a bridge replacement.

The inevitable result: traffic jams, delays, knots and tie-ups, motorists said.

Dan Shea, 31, a lifelong city resident who lives in South Scranton and works for the city's Department of Public Works, said of all the road and bridge projects, "I've never seen it like this. I live off Pittston Avenue and to get into downtown, it's more of a headache."

State Department of Transportation spokesman James May said the myriad road projects have all been planned work, except for repairs to the Moosic Street bridge that had its underside clipped by a truck in November.

"It's pretty standard operations," Mr. May said of the work. "Pretty much everything is planned. It's just a huge need for work to be done on roads and bridges in Pennsylvania."

Motorists entering Scranton on the Central Scranton Expressway will have longer commutes through mid-August, as traffic this week was reduced to a single lane on the expressway just before Jefferson Avenue. PennDOT is replacing the deck and some joints and doing some other upgrades on state Route 307 bridge over Roaring Brook.

The nearby Moosic Street bridge over the expressway had already been closed since early November and now a section of the bridge is being replaced. For Moosic Street businesses that saw traffic drop when that bridge was closed, a return to normal traffic patterns can't come soon enough.

"When your traffic is cut in half, when you're talking 10-12 months (for a bridge repair to get done), it's a concern. People go other places," said Joby Baldassari of JB Jewelers on Moosic Street.

Other projects include:

n Utility work involved in a road-widening project on Keyser Avenue has created traffic congestion and noise from construction there. When utility work is done and PennDOT takes over, road work on Keyser Avenue will be done at night, Mr. May said.

n Detours on Interstate 81 ramps that went into effect recently are expected to last through July 1, on ramps from the Casey Highway to I-81 north, and to Dunmore and from I-84 and 380 west to Dunmore.

n The Cedar Avenue ramp to the Central Scranton Expressway was closed this month and will remain closed until July while the Moosic Street Bridge is replaced.

n The McDade Expressway will be a single lane in both directions on the bridge over Main Avenue until June 1.

The impact of such road work is felt farther afield, too, as vehicles back up or seek alternate routes.

Barbara Barrett, president of Nativity Social Club on Front Street near the Moosic Street bridge, said, "I live in South Side. There are traffic jams and cars multiplying constantly down Pittston Avenue."

However, she and another Southsider, Mike Kelly, agreed that road work is necessary and motorists have to deal with it.

"It's going to be a mess, but it has to be done," Ms. Barrett said.

Mr. Kelly, a senior driver for the County of Lackawanna Transit System, likened road construction and its effect on traffic to a home remodeling project.

"If you redo your kitchen, you're going to get some dust in your living room. There's always consequences," Mr. Kelly said.

Mr. May of PennDOT said that so far, the public seems to have been patient with the road construction.

"I think the public is pretty understanding that this is work that needs to be done," Mr. May said. "It's one of those things, we understand if we're out there doing work, people get upset because we're out there doing work. If we're not out there doing work, people get upset because we're not out there doing work. It's the typical conundrum that we face."

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com

The two candidates for mayor of Dickson City sound fairly similar on the main issues facing the borough.

"We need leadership," said Stanley Prushinski, a two-term councilman who is seeking the Democratic mayoral nomination. "The mayor is the representative of Dickson City, the spokesman for Dickson City."

Political newcomer Kimberlee Midura said the mayor's position in a strong-council form of government still is important.

"You have to have a sense of duty," Ms. Midura said. "I have never shied away from being there for anybody."

The two Democrats will face off in the May 21 primary to succeed Mayor Anthony Zaleski, who decided not to seek a third term. There are no Republican candidates.

Ms. Midura said absentee landlords continue to be a source of problems in Dickson City. The borough last fall filed civil suits against the owners of three nuisance residences.

"I would like to work with council and our legal counsel here in town to impose fines on the landlords," she said. "A lot of our landlords are from out of town. They have to be more responsible."

Mr. Prushinski, though, said council has toughened rules on landlords and is stricter about enforcement of property-related issues.

"We have been on that," he said.

Another main issue is police staffing. The borough has just five full-time officers and 15 part-time officers, Mr. Prushinski said.

Ms. Midura said she supports hiring more full-time officers and said they would be more responsive to the borough than part-time help.

Mr. Prushinski said the many part-time officers present issues for the borough, but he is cautious about adding to the full-time force.

"It's very expensive, but it's a possibility," he said. "We do need some renovation in that department."

Contact the writer: jhaggerty@timesshamrock.com

Candidates:

Stanley J. Prushinski

Age: 69

Family: Wife, Geraldine; children, Mark and Scott

Employment: Owner of Stan's Automotive

Municipality: Dickson City

Experience: Two terms on borough council

Top issue: Working with the police chief and department

Kimberlee Midura

Age: 48

Family: daughter, Alyssa Napora

Employment: Implementation consultant at Cigna Corp., Moosic

Municipality: Dickson City

Experience: No prior government experience

Top issue: Hiring more full-time police officers

DALTON - Borough council is looking to reduce the feral cat colonies that have swarmed Dalton neighborhoods by enacting an ordinance to address the problem.

Sparked by residents' complaints, Dalton council on Thursday discussed ways to solve the ongoing problem but decided they would reach out to a local animal control officer before taking any action.

"I'll see if I can find some information because I share their concern. My neighborhood is overrun with them, too," Councilman Mark Sujkowski said. "I started listening to some of them last night with the windows open and that's not fun."

Though officials didn't pinpoint a solution, they discussed the feasibility of trapping the feral cats or introducing a leash law.

Council President William Salva said the borough would look into the problem but didn't think a leash law was a possibility. "Someone might not even own the cats, so I don't know if that could work," he said.

Both Councilman William Montgomery and Mayor Aaron Holzman said they have heard several complaints and received a letter from borough Police Chief Chris Tolson about the problem.

The letter wasn't available Thursday, but Mr. Holzman said it included an ordinance related to feral cats which had already been approved by another municipality.

Efforts to reach Chief Tolson after the meeting were unsuccessful.

"I don't know there's a health hazard, but it's definitely a nuisance," Mr. Montgomery said. "This has been a problem for a few months now."

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

It is a simple question, one that Linda Fried, M.D., poses not only to her undergraduate students at Columbia University but also to her own children:

"What would you do with 30 more years of life?"

Dr. Fried, dean of Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health, told the third annual Northeastern Pennsylvania Conference on Aging on Thursday at the University of Scranton that longer life expectancies in the United States and around the world will present necessities but also opportunities.

"That is where we are right now as a society," she said. "If we are smart, we are saying, 'How can we prepare?' "

Dr. Fried gave the keynote address at the conference, which the university and the Commonwealth Medical College hosted. The event brought together educators, providers, researchers and others to promote healthy aging through an integrated approach to caring for the elderly.

Dr. Fried told conference participants advances in medicine, public health and social policy have created the opportunity for their children and grandchildren to have an extra 30, 40, perhaps even 50 years of life.

However, in the policies and many of the practices surrounding the issue of aging, there is a "very large scotoma," or blind spot, when it comes to finding solutions to meet the challenges ahead, she said.

"We have not invested in our future needs," Dr. Fried said. "It's not too late, but it could be if we keep waiting."

She argued that the principles inherent in a geriatric medical system, including an investment in prevention so people are already healthier when they grow old, "actually turn out to be very good for every age."

"This is not an either/or scenario - either we invest in our old people or we invest in our kids," Dr. Fried said. "We can find a place of mutual benefit 90 percent of the time, including in the design of a health system that is good for old people and would be good for everybody else."

State Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, told conference attendees it is important for the Legislature to pay attention to detail when it comes to adopting regulations and laws that affect seniors as Pennsylvania moves into the federal Affordable Care Act and considers Medicaid expansion.

Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com

SPRING BROOK TWP. - The township board of supervisors may opt to tear down a dilapidated home on state Route 690 that neighbors and officials described as a longtime nuisance and safety hazard during a public hearing on Thursday.

Spring Brook Twp. Zoning Officer Armand Fiorani said the home at 119 Route 690 has been vacant for about three years and has been in violation of building ordinances since 2008, when neighbors began to complain about accumulating junk.

Township engineer Patricia Acker testified during a visit to the property in November 2011, she found the foundation was "severely cracked" and storm water appeared to be draining into the home's base in several places, leading her to conclude the structure is not stable.

Neighbors Edgar Eaton and Sally Smallcomb were among speakers who worried children who occasionally get into the property will be injured, whether from the structure collapsing or other hazards like broken glass. They said the house also blocks the view of drivers at the intersection with Bowens Road.

"You take a chance every time you pull out," Mr. Fiorani added.

Representatives from Swinka Realty Investments, which bought the property in a tax sale, did not attend the hearing despite being summoned by the supervisors and could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

During the regular meeting, Ms. Acker reported 14 contractors had submitted bids for a $180,000 project to replace Swartz Valley Road's culvert, and supervisors agreed to send a $150,000 project to repave Ash Gap Road, Sunset Lane, and Park Street out to bid.

Tami Gillette, the board's secretary, said the township is applying for a state grant officials hope would offset at least some of the cost of the culvert work. Otherwise, the plan is to borrow the money for the projects and use state liquid fuel funding to cover the cost over five years.

Contact the writer: kwind@timesshamrock.com, @kwindTT on Twitter

- Joe Wechsler, a Democratic candidate for Scranton City Council, will have a meeting of his campaign's volunteers Monday at 7 p.m. at the Waldorf Park Social Club, 13 Waldorf Lane, Scranton.

Burglar makes off with coins, laptop

SCRANTON - Police are looking for a burglar who stole money and a computer from a city home Wednesday.

City police Capt. Glen Thomas said that sometime between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, someone broke into a home on the 1800 block of Monsey Avenue and stole an undetermined amount of coins and an Apple laptop computer valued at $500.

Capt. Thomas said the door may have been left unlocked as there was no sign of forced entry. He reminded residents to lock their doors.

Scranton police ask anyone with information to call the Detectives Bureau at 348-4139.

ACKROYD, NANCY, Scranton, Saturday, 9:15 a.m., Howard J. Snowdon Funeral Home, 1810 Sanderson Ave., Scranton. Mass, 10 a.m., St. Paul's Church, 1510 Penn Ave., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m. Contributions: Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanub, UT 84741.

ANDRYCH, JAMES M., Seattle, formerly of Throop, Saturday, 9 a.m., John F. Glinsky Funeral Home, 445 Sanderson St., Throop. Mass, 9:30, St. Anthony's Church, Rebecca Street, Throop. Interment, Holy Family Cemetery, Throop. Calling hours, Saturday, 8 to 9.

BARRASSE, CODY JUDE, Mass, today, 10 a.m., St. John Neumann Parish, Orchard Street, Scranton. Interment, private. Contributions: Cody Barrasse Memorial Fund at Scranton Prep, 1000 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA 18509. Arrangements: Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave., Scranton.

BONADIO, HELEN, North Scranton, Thursday, Mass, Holy Family Residence, by the Rev. E. Francis Kelly. Pallbearers: Frank Muto, Clif Myers, Jeff Tinney, John Archer, Richard Slivka and Jeff Manzo. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery, Scranton.

BRUCHKO, EVA, Dickson City, Tuesday, Bomberger-Lesko Funeral Home Inc., Scranton, by the Rev. Cyril Edwards. Pallbearers: James Wescott, Harry Davies, Joseph Bruchko, Nathanial Capwell and David Smith. Interment, St. Joseph's Cemetery, Throop.

CARDEN, FRANCIS "WINDY," Carbondale, Wednesday, Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home, 74 N. Main St., Carbondale. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Rose Church, Carbondale. Viewing, today, 5-8 p.m. Contributions: VNA Hospice, 301 Delaware Ave., Olyphant, PA 18447.

CASHURIC, JUNE M., Archbald, Thursday, James Margotta Funeral Home, Peckville. Mass, St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, by the Rev. Christopher Sahd. Pallbearers: Jeff, Scott and Charles Zelno, George Cottell Sr. and Jr., and Fred Leri, nephews and great-nephews. Interment, Our Lady of Vilna Cemetery, Eynon.

CASTELLANO, LOUISE, Scranton, Thursday, Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., Dunmore. Mass, St. Rocco's Church, Dunmore, by the Rev. David Cappelloni. Pallbearers: Tony Castellano, grandson; Joseph Setta, James Jr. and John Mack; and Tony Pittelli, nephews; and Mike Stefonetti. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

CIUFERRI, FLORENCE CALOGERO, Old Forge, Thursday, Victor M. Ferri Funeral Home, Old Forge. Mass, St. Mary's Church, Old Forge, by the Rev. Joseph F. Cipriano. Pallbearers: Joseph Dominick, Jim Wansacz, Michael Calogero, Ben and Ron Pritchyk; and Daryl Cariati. Interment, Marcy Cemetery, Duryea.

COAR, ALICE, formerly of Dunmore, today, John F. Glinsky Funeral Home, 445 Sanderson St., Throop. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Dunmore. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Memorials: St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

COOK, GLEN EDWARD, Simpson, today, 6:30 p.m., Joseph W. Scotchlas Funeral Home Inc., 621 Main St., Simpson. Calling hours, today, 3:30 to 6:30. Contributions: St. Jude Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN.

CRUISE, OTIS R., Scranton, Mass, Monday, 10 a.m., St. Patrick's Church, Jackson St., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Visitation, Monday, 9:30 to Mass, church. Arrangements: Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton.

DECAVAGE, DORIS E., Scranton, today, noon, Shifler-Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 18 Airport Road, Clifford, by Pastor Peg Knapich, of the Clifford and Lenoxville United Methodist churches. Interment, Clifford Valley Cemetery. Calling hours, today, 10 a.m. to noon.

DEMPSEY, MARTIN J., Matawan, N.J., Mass, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., St. Patrick's Church, Olyphant. Interment, St. Patrick's Cemetery, Blakely. Calling hours, today, 4 to 7 p.m., Hudak-O'Shea Funeral Home, 115 Garfield Ave., Olyphant. Donations: Holy Cross Parish's Youth Group Ministry, 200 Delaware Ave., Olyphant, PA 18447.

DOBLE, THOMAS A., Harding, Mass, Saturday, 9 a.m., Church of the Holy Redeemer, Harding. Go directly to church. Visitation, today, 5 to 8 p.m., Gubbiotti Funeral Home, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter.

DURKIN, IRENE C., R.N., Scranton, Thursday, Harrison Funeral Home, Archbald. Mass, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Archbald, by the Rev. Cyril Edwards. Pallbearers: Gary, Billy, Darren and Brian Durkin, Bob and Colin Spager, grandsons. Interment, St. Thomas Aquinas Cemetery.

DYNO, ALBERT T. SR., Richmondale, Mass, April 20, 9:30 a.m., St. John's Byzantine Catholic Church, Susquehanna Street, Forest City. Interment, St. John's Cemetery, Richmondale. Calling hours, 9 to Mass, church. Arrangements: Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 430 Main St., Forest City.

FEDOR, GRACE, Dunmore, today, Mass, 11 a.m., St. Anthony of Padua Church, Dunmore. Go directly to church. Entombment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Arrangements: the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., Dunmore.

GACEK, GERTRUDE L., Gino J. Merli Veterans Center, Scranton, formerly of Spring Brook Twp., Saturday, 11 a.m., St. Catherine of Siena Church, Moscow, by the Rev. Robert Simon. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst Twp. Calling hours, today, 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 to 10:30, Duffy & Snowdon Funeral Home, 401 Church St., Moscow. Contributions: St. Catherine's Church, P.O. Box 250, Moscow, PA 18444.

GROGAN, ARTHUR F., Duryea, today, 1 p.m., St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 100 Rock St., Hughestown, by the Rev. Michele D. Kaufman. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery. Visitation, today, 10 to 1, church. Contributions: trust established for his children at M&T Bank. Arrangements: Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., Old Forge.

HAZLETT, WILLIAM F., Scranton, Monday, noon, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Arrangements: Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton.

HUGHES, ROBERT P., Dalton, Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Clarks Green Assembly of God, 204 S. Abington Road, Clarks Green. Cremation, Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., Carbondale.

MECCA, JOSEPH L., Jessup, today, Louis M. Margotta Funeral Home, Jessup. Mass, St. Michael's Church. Interment, St. Mary's Assumption Cemetery, Montdale.

MONTANYE, JAMES E., South Scranton, private, Kearney Funeral Home Inc., Scranton.

PIERCE, KATHRYN R., Afton, N.Y., formerly of Peckville, Thursday, Robert E. Decker Funeral Home, Peckville, by the Rev. Sharon Dietz. Pallbearers: Joeland Daniel Woodruff, grandsons; Ron, Thomas and Shawn Whiting, nephews; and Anthony Nirchi. Burial, Prospect Cemetery, Peckville.

RITKO, JOHN J., Archbald, Mass, Saturday, 9 a.m., St. Thomas Church, Archbald. Interment St. Thomas Cemetery, Archbald. Arrangements: Harrison Funeral Home, Archbald.

RONDOMANSKI, ROBERT, Dunmore, today, 9:30 a.m., Morell-LaBelle Funeral Home, 301 Chestnut St., Dunmore. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery.

SCHILLINGER, GEORGE WILLIAM, Honesdale, Saturday, 11 a.m., Hessling Funeral Home Inc., Honesdale. Cremation, Maple Hill at Salem Crematory. Calling hours, Saturday, 9 to service.

SIEKIERKA, DOROTHY B., East Mountain section, today, 9:30 a.m., Miller Bean Funeral Home, 436 Cedar Ave., Scranton. Mass, 10, Sacred Hearts Church, Scranton. Interment, private. Contributions: Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702-7901.

STEARNS, RICHARD D., Kingston Twp., Saturday, 11 a.m., Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home Inc., Shavertown, by the Rev. Anne M. Emery, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Wilkes-Barre. Interment, Memorial Shrine Park, Carverton. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m.

STOUT, JOAN M., Madison Twp., today, 9:30 a.m., James Wilson Funeral Home, 143 Gravity Road, Lake Ariel, by the Rev. Deborah Rose of Hollisterville United Methodist Church. Calling hours, today, 9 to service. Entombment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Donations: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 2000, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

TRYONAS, FRANK W., Peckville, formerly of Scranton, private, Chipak Funeral Home, Scranton.

VACCARO, ANN DENUNZIO, Scranton, Thursday, Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., Scranton. Mass, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Scranton, by the Rev. Scott Sterowski. Pallbearers: William Jr. and Kyle Martin, grandsons; William Martin, Richard Scheller and Tony Notarianni, sons-in-law; and Rushabah Shah, friend. Interment, Italian-American Cemetery, Scranton.

WALLACE, BERNADINE B., Newton, N.J., Monday, 9:45 a.m., Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High Street, Newton. Mass, 10:30, St. Joseph Church, Newton. Entombment, St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation, Sunday, 6 to 8 p.m. Donations: St. Joseph Church, 17 Elm St., Newton, NJ 07860.

WALSH, MARY HELENE, Clarks Green, Saturday, Mass, 10 a.m., Church of St. Gregory, South Abington Road, by the Rev. John M. Lapera. Interment, Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly. Go directly to church. Calling hours, today, 4 to 8 p.m., McGoff-Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1401 Capouse Ave., Scranton. Contributions: Pennsylvania for Human Life, Scranton Chapter, 506 Broadway St., Scranton, PA 18505.

ZEGLEN, LENORE THERESA, Hawley, Mass, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., Queen of Peace Church, Hawley. Arrangements: Hessling Funeral Home Inc., 428 Main St., Honesdale.

Authorities arrested a couple on drug charges Wednesday afternoon after a two-week investigation yielded more than 330 bags of heroin, Lackawanna County detectives said.

Detectives observed both Mark Shoemaker, 40, of 1429 Bryn Mawr St., Scranton, and Lydia Volovitch, 23, 1008 Hill St. in Jessup, selling heroin during controlled drug purchases in the county throughout the past few weeks.

Police arrested Ms. Volovitch at a traffic stop during which they found 80 bags of heroin in her pockets. Mr. Shoemaker was arrested later that afternoon.

Police also discovered anabolic steroids and 169 yellow tablet pills in a plastic bag, a pill bottle with 43 maroon pills, a small amount of marijuana and three glass smoking pipes, along with a spray bottle of what police believe is anabolic steroids, during a search of Mr. Shoemaker's residence, police said.

Police also found 250 bags of heroin at Ms. Volovitch's mother's home, 630 Lewis St., Dickson City, they said.

Both Mr. Shoemaker and Ms. Volovitch were charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mr. Shoemaker was also charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Mr. Shoemaker is in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail. Ms. Volovitch was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. Both are set for preliminary hearings Thursday.

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

Josh Stevens has been in Montana doing oil and gas work in the Bakken formation for the past two years but wants to come home.

Chris Warfle has worked on the family farm and feels he is ready to take on some heavy equipment operation.

Both liked what they saw Thursday at the Wyoming County Chamber's Business, Job and Gas Expo and are hopeful about their job prospects for the future.

So, too, was Kevin Lynn of Linde Corp. of Pittston, who is hiring and ready to fill some support jobs in the gas drilling business.

Mr. Lynn said in a typical job fair lasting seven hours, he might get 25 applications, if he's lucky.

In the first hour of Thursday's fair at the county fairgrounds in Meshoppen, Mr. Lynn said he gave out 50 application forms "and, to my surprise, they all came back filled out," Mr. Lynn said.

Mr. Lynn said he had to send out for 100 more copies of the application.

"We were wildly successful, but I'm afraid there weren't enough jobs out there to go around," chamber Executive Director Maureen Dispenza said.

The more than 100 vendors not only had a chance to take a pulse of the job market, but also network with local partners.

Mr. Stevens, a 2000 graduate of Tunkhannock Area High School, said no one even knew about the Marcellus Shale when he was in school. He spent nearly nine years doing landscape work before venturing on his own to Miles City, Mont.

He found a job online in the burgeoning oil and gas world, starting at the bottom and eventually working his way up to be line boss.

Now, wanting to move back to the area, Mr. Stevens said he was encouraged that the Marcellus was helping to decrease America's dependence on foreign oil. He was also hopeful after speaking with Cabot, Williams, Southwestern and others, that he soon might have a new job.

"We'd like to make it happen for as many as we can," Ms. Dispenza said.

Contact the writer: bbaker@wcexaminer.com

The discovery of six dead cows in a Susquehanna County farm pond is under investigation by the state Department of Agriculture.

The cows reportedly wandered onto the ice-covered pond in Bridgewater Twp. on a night in January and fell through. By the time Willa Grove Farm co-owner Will Squier discovered them, they were already dead.

The cows were removed earlier this week from the small body of water.

State law requires that dead animals be disposed of within 48 hours, but "obviously that didn't happen in this case," said state Department of Agriculture spokesperson Nicole Bucher.

As part of the investigation, Ms. Bucher said the agency's veterinarian visited the site on Wednesday. She said the investigation into the incident is expected to be completed within the next week.

According to state regulations, dead animals may be disposed of in four ways: burial, incineration, rendering or composting.

Depending on the outcome of the investigation, Mr. Squier could be assessed a fine of $100 to $300 per summary offense. The department may also seek a civil penalty, according to state law.

Ms. Bucher said, "Our biggest priority is to make sure the animals were disposed of properly." If that happened, Ms. Bucher said the agency would likely be satisfied.

Another Susquehanna County farmer, Robert Fearnley, said it's not unusual for cows to wander onto a frozen pond.

"Cows have no concept of ice and where they stand," he said. "We once had a cow go through the ice. But luckily we found out before she suffered hypothermia."

Attempts to reach Mr. Squier and Willa Grove co-owner David Grosvenor on Thursday were unsuccessful.

Contact the writer: swilson@independent weekender.com