A state attorney general’s office special agent is on paid administrative leave until the agency completes a review of an undisclosed allegation of misbehavior, an office spokesman confirmed.

Exactly why the agency placed Kevin Wevodau on administrative leave June 20 remains a secret.

“We don’t comment on personnel matters,” office spokesman Joe Grace said. “We do take the matter seriously.”

Efforts to reach Wevodau were unsuccessful. He earns $125,966 a year.

Wevodau, 60, headed the FBI office in Scranton when the office successfully prosecuted former Lackawanna County commissioners Robert Cordaro and A.J. Munchak and state Sen. Robert J. Mellow on federal charges that landed them in prison.

After taking office in January 2013, state Attorney General Kathleen Kane hired him as special agent in charge of her Bureau of Criminal Investigations. They had a falling out in March 2014 when she shut down a public corruption investigation into Philadelphia state legislators who Wevodau thought deserved prosecution.

In a lawsuit he filed against Kane in April 2016, Wevodau alleged Kane believed he helped an investigation into whether she illegally leaked confidential information to a newspaper about a 2009 grand jury investigation of a Philadelphia man.

He claimed Kane called him a “cancer” to the office and accused him of leaking information to the media. She pressured him to resign, but he refused. Three days later, he sought and was granted 12 weeks of medical leave. When he attempted to return to work in October 2015, Kane wanted him evaluated to determine his fitness for duty, but refused to schedule the evaluation. To him, it signaled retaliation against him, prompting the suit.

In August 2016, a jury convicted Kane of leaking the information and lying about it. She resigned, but her 10- to 23-month prison sentence remains on hold while she appeals the case.

Wevodau agreed to settle his case for $87,000 in January, and returned to work, Grace said.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147; @BorysBlogTT on Twitter

Unemployment in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton metro area plunged harder in May than it has in nearly 30 years, new data from the state Department of Labor and Industry shows.

Preliminary numbers published Tuesday show the seasonally adjusted rate fell six-tenths of a point to 4.5 percent, aligning with the state rate. The northeast metro typically trails the state rate.

The labor market squeeze makes it hard for companies to attract and retain talent, a symptom revealed in help wanted signs posted outside storefronts and restaurants across the region. Employers say they’ve struggled to fill positions for years.

“The entire service industry is feeling the crunch,” said Sam Anderson, vice president of operations at Pump N Pantry.

The Montrose-based convenience store and gas station chain of 15 stores plans to roll out a new, higher starting wage in part to attract more qualified workers early next month. Anderson declined to say how much it will be until the announcement.

Turnover is high at Pump N Pantry, he said, but he doesn’t think it’s as high as other convenience stores.

“When you’re a team member, you’re part of the family. And we hope that’s what keeps people around — we treat them well,” he said.

Jobless numbers lately have moved only a tenth of a point or so each month in the economic zone that includes Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties.

The last time unemployment reached anywhere close to current levels was June 1973, when it hit 4.4 percent.

A boost of 1,100 jobs, coupled with a shrinking labor force forced down the rate.

Since May 2017, the labor force withered by 2,400 workers.

“That’s going to skew your numbers a bit, and it’s going to show a larger decrease in the unemployment rate,” said Dana Harris, Ph.D., a Keystone College economist. “However, I’m not overly concerned about it. It’s not skewing it that much.”

A wide range of changes, such as workers leaving the area or a surge in retirements could explain the shrinking labor force, she said.

It was June 1989, following a recession, when the rate last fell so precipitously, said state analyst Steven Zellers. From May to June that year, the rate dropped six-tenths of a point to 5.6 percent.

Tuesday’s preliminary numbers likely will be revised down to reflect a smaller decrease in unemployment, the analyst said. Seasonal adjustment calculations appear to be throwing off the data; but any changes likely won’t be more than a tenth of a point or so, he said.

Sheetz employs 240 people in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.

“It can sometimes be a challenge for us to find the candidates that we need to staff our stores,” said Sheetz talent acquisition Manager Amy Barr. “While we certainly face challenges that I think most companies are experiencing, I think we have a different sell than a lot of other organizations.”

As part of its recruitment and retention strategy, Sheetz officials tout a “fun, upbeat” company culture and a robust benefits package that includes paid time off, health insurance and paid maternity leave.

The family-owned gas station/fast food chain based in Altoona recently announced a statewide hiring surge and currently has 17 jobs openings posted in the immediate region.

Within the metro area, new jobs in transportation and warehousing sectors continue to drive growth with 800 new jobs, not seasonally adjusted, from April to May. Leisure and hospitality trades also added 1,000 jobs, helping to push total nonfarm employment higher.

Seasonally adjusted, the region added 4,500 jobs since May 2017 for a total 266,800.

Susquehanna County had the lowest rate of the northeast counties — 3.4 percent. At 4.9 percent, Monroe County had the highest unemployment.

“Trying to find new hires has been a challenge for certain positions,” said Gerrity’s Supermarkets co-owner Joe Fasula.

The Scranton-based grocer has raised wages over the years and advertises for help online and in newspapers, but still struggles to fill full-time slots, especially in the produce department.

“I can’t really say that we’re feeling it worse than we have in the last couple years,” he said. “This is nothing that’s specifically new.”

Contact the writer: joconnell@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131; @jon_oc on Twitter

PROMPTON — The Wayne County Coroner’s Office determined the man killed after a standoff with state police Monday died of a gunshot wound to the neck.

Troopers responded to 40 Balsam Swamp Roadat about 2:15 a.m. Monday to investigate reports that James A. Sorrentino, 36, shot at his mother and brother. Troopers shot Sorrentino at about 7:15 a.m. , when he pointed a gun at police and opened fire, authorities said. Wayne County Coroner Edward Howell pronounced him dead at about 9:55 a.m. An autopsy conducted Tuesday determined the cause of death as a gun shot wound to the head and the manner of death as homicide.

The Wayne County District Attorney’s Office will determine if the shooting was justified after a joint investigation with state police.

— CLAYTON OVER

SCRANTON — Kelly Klee inherited an old, vacant house in South Side from her mother and last checked on it June 17.

On Thursday, she returned to Rear 823 Moosic St. and, much to her surprise, found the vacant, vine-covered building razed by the city. An excavator was parked atop the pile of rubble, waiting to finish the job.

“They demolished it without me knowing,” said Klee, who lives in West Scranton.

Patrick Hinton, director of the city Licensing, Inspections and Permits Department, said the city condemned the building in 2011 and followed all required procedures in the years leading up to demolition. Those steps included posting the building with condemned signs, which was done in 2011 and again in 2016, and mailing of notices of violations, via both certified and first-class mail.

“It’s not the city’s process to just rip people’s houses down. It’s a last resort,” Hinton said.

The Klee family homestead was next door, at Rear 821 Moosic St. More than two decades ago, her parents, former city police Chief James Klee and wife Winifred, bought the neighboring single-family home from an elderly owner, Kelly Klee said.

That purchase occurred in 1996, according to Lackawanna County Tax Assessment records. No one has occupied Rear 823 Moosic St. since the Klees owned it, Kelly Klee said.

After a complaint arose about the long-vacant house, the city condemned it, she said. She had been trying to get the condemnation lifted, but her father became sick and died in February 2012. Grieving at that time, she “lost my fight to get the condemnation taken off,” she said.

The status quo remained for years. That’s not unusual, Hinton said, as it typically can take a few years between the time of a condemnation posting and a demolition or renovation. Many factors come into play, he said, including how much of a safety risk a condemned building poses, available funding or manpower for demolitions, and whether the property owner fixes the structure or undertakes an appeal in county court.

In October 2017, Winifred Klee died. Kelly Klee said that she and her sister inherited the vacant house.

Hinton said there were never any steps taken over the years to remedy the condemnation situation, either through renovation or appeal.

“Twenty-plus years, nothing’s ever been done with it,” Hinton said. “It was a safety hazard for the neighborhood, no doubt about it.”

Disputing that contention, Klee said the roof did not leak, no utilities were connected, and she had a buyer lined up to purchase it.

“It wasn’t a safety hazard,” Klee said.

She also said she did not get any notices in the mail telling her demolition was imminent. The city knew she was in charge of the building and she believes they could and should have done more to contact her to let her know before the excavator brought the house down. After her mother died, Klee had the garbage and tax bills for the vacant building forwarded to her. Klee got those bills in the mail, she said.

A demolition also typically results in the city placing a lien on a property to recoup costs. Klee said she has retained a lawyer to review her legal options.

“I’m not disputing that the house was condemned,” Klee said. “They knocked down my mother’s house and nobody told me. They should have notified me.”

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

ALL SAINTS ACADEMY

GRADE 8

High honors: Logan Aldrich, Maria Belardi, Emily Bentler, Kayley Capone, James Ceccoli, Emily Clark, Jazmin deFreitas, Maiah Fadl, Monica Fornaczewski, Matthew George, Julia Goetz, John Greenfield, Priscilla Grill, Victoria Herne, Sean Kennedy, Kaci Kranson, Madison Kranson, Ryan Legg, Michael Normandia, Ian O’Toole, Michael Sewack and Elizabeth Terrery.

Honors: Paige Conflitti, Jacob Groncki, Gurpreet Lahl and Grace Polansky.

GRADE 7

High honors: Trevor Balcerzak, Cole Bittenbender, Ryan Burda, Samera Burrier, Gianna Cafarella, Hannah Curry, Grace Gaughan, Daniel Haikes, Hannah Johns, Aidan Krieger, Lena Ligorio, Aiden McCoy, Alexis Phillips, Ronald Prislupski, Eleanor Simrell, Pia Stivala, Fredrick Strein and Kyle Zeigler.

Honors: Liam Badick, Corey Cicci, Maggie Dolphin, Emma Egan, Daniel Flynn, Andrew Lafferty, Connor Rasimovich, Aidan Romanchick and Shamus Sullivan.

GRADE 6

High honors: Brianna Backus, Kylee Bonczek, Lily Butler, Samantha Greenfield, Brian Kellogg, Cecilia Matatics, Luke Mozeleski, Alison Ross and Paul Wildermann.

Honors: Makailyn Cadden, Luke Healey, Aidan Kingdom, Mia Lameo, Donovan Mozgo, Alexander Stabinski, Evan Stabinski and Alexander Strausser.

LA SALLE ACADEMY

GRADE 8

High honors: Bryce Betz, Krista Carachilo, Giovanna Cerminaro, Alicia Dec, Kaitlyn Farrell, Faith Hosie, Rachel Hosie, Kaitlyln Idhaw, Samuel Mulvey, Megan Nidoh, Lydia Pickutoski, Catherine Shipsky and Emmalee Viola.

Honors: Kalya Bickauskas, Dawson Errigo, Madelyn Franceski, Sierra Gaglio, Matthew Hassaj, Sean Herbert, Logan Kiernan, Megan Lutz, Julia Menichello, Isabella Moffitt, Thomas Rohan, Averi Sardo, Nicholas Sikorski, Mackenzie Spaid, Summer Troiani, Elena Winslow and Nicholas Youshock.

GRADE 7

High honors: Julianne Barrett, Isabella Busillo, Kayleigh Farrell, Hayden Hosie, Johnathan Jones, Miranda Karoscik, Joseph Mazza, Jessica Pavlowski, Julia Rossi, Keith Rowlands, Alexandra Rumyantseva, Molly Sweeny, Marie Takach, Kathryn Thornton, Logan Tierney, Bryan Torres and Dante Warhola.

Honors: Spencer Decker, Ayden Krupovich, Cody Schoonover, Douglas Smith and Brandon Trichilo.

GRADE 6

High honors: Gia Baldan, Eva Carachilo, Joanna Chan, Gracie Ealo, Gillian Idhaw, Jack Krowiak, Sean McDonough, Mackenzie Muha, Benjamin Mulvey, Riley Nealon and Olivia Nepa.

Honors: Anna Bebla, Brooke Bilski, Grazia Cerminaro, Mia Cravath, Mya Czankner, Mia Mills, Thonas Moran, Thomas Mower and Julia Norella.

WALLENPAUPACK AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL

GRADE 8

High honor roll: Shadrak Agyei, Zoe Badner, Vanessa Bionda, Korin Carl, Mackenzie Carr, Marie Crugnale, Megan Desmet, Alicia Gentes, Nolan Glauner, Emma Graham, Mason Gumble, Allyssa Hilbert, Alyssa Howe, Anastasia Ioppolo, Alexis Jantzi, Julia Jones, Rory Jones, Sara Katz, Mia Kaub, Myranda Keane, Devon Kiesendahl, Luke Kiesendahl, Kaylee Kunitsky, Lucas Macdonough, Angelina Mattiello, Nicholas Memoli, Hailey Navratil, Marlee Olsson, Wyatt Peifer, Caitlyn Posdon, Charles Rhodes, Scarlett Schratt, Erik Schreiber, Alani Sersea, Navdeep Sing, Jack Smith, Ryan Snider, Brett Strong, Alexander Terrones, Genna Terry, Dane Watson and Ella Wesenyak.

Honor roll: Johnatan Alston, Elizabeth Anolfo, Madyson Babyak, Joshua Bajadek, Marissa Borer, Abigail Calabrese, Alyssa Capurso, Anthony Celona, Andrew Cerciello, Xin Chen, Kurtis Coutts, Chungshim Grace Cromwell, Alec Crouthamel, Michael Crugnale, Faith DeCarlo, Zane Della Rocco, Sarah Deckinger, Zane Dellza Rocco, Olivia Edwards, Ellen Fago, Elizabeth Forder, Nona Forte, Laura Gray, Quincey Grobelny, Lillian Gropper, Jacob Hartzel, Julia Heffernan, Kristin Henriquez, Angela Hubner, Bryce Hull, Rebecca Husson, Matthew Ingulli, Ashley Jones, Hannah Karp, Camille Kelly, Jason Kilcarr, Jeremy King, Joseph Lauersen, Mabret Levant, Laynee Lundberg, Gabrielle Magee, Anthony Marie, Joseph McCabe, Michele McDevitt, Nicholas Memoli, Natalie Meredick, Angelina Molisso, Duncan Nelson, Grant Olsen, Ashley Parrella, Gabriella Passenti, Autumn Patire, Alexis Peet, Mackenzie Pellegrino, Veronica Perez, Veronica Peters, Christopher Quigley, Alessandra Reilly, Danielle Reilly, Jaeson Ross, Samantha Sassi, Sarah Sassi, Henry Schmalzle, Abigail Schroder, Hannah Sherman, Justin Stella, Alexis Stewart, Caleb Sutton, Aaron Toryak, Bailey Vennie, Robert Wagner, Brooke Walton and Nicholas Warrington.

GRADE 7

High honor roll: Andrew Bromberger, Stephen Bryan, Zoe Della Rocco, Molly Dickerman, Amy Fago, Aaron Fenkner, Brandan Fossetta, Nevaeh Garrett-Abram, Rayvin Gierwatowski, Brianna Gori, Marquez Gumble, Lucy Guo, Lilliana Hapke, Elizabeth Higgins, Hailey Hopkins, Heather Hubbard, Emma Mahone, Gabriella Mancino, Sara Marino, Michael McCabe, LilyAnna Muehlbauer, Victoria Nicewicz, Rebecca Nieto, Morgan Nilsen, Laynee Nugent, Maya Pagano, Grace Peppiatt, Lucas Ryan, Paulina Schmidt, Anja Schoepfer, Corson Schweizer, Alexandra Sherman, Grace Steffen, Krystal Urgiles and Megan VanOrden.

Honor roll: Morgan Anderson, Seth Beavers, Kevin Bond, Alexis Borer, Julianna Collazo, Jaden Colwell, Jennifer D’Andrea, Ruby Dawson, Vincent DeSanti, Heaven Dortch, H Brianne Falco, Kelly Fenstermacher, Thomas Ferrara, Angelina Fitzgerald, Reece Fitzgerald, Shane Forsythe, Paige Geesey, Ashley Gentile, Crystal Gori, Leyla Gulumoglu, Alyssa Harlos, Joshua Harmuth, Joshua Harmuth, Garrett Hitchcock, Danielle Holzapfel, Heather Hubbard, Kalea Johnson, Emily Kangal, Rachel Keane, Jase Kelly, Michael Kelly, Abigail Kirsten, Beryl Kranz, Roman Levant, Kassandra Lotterman, Haley McCue, Olivia McCue, Shin-Nae Moon, Riley Mulberger, Xander Nelson, Aliyah Oba, Cassandra Palmigiano, Lauryn Parrella,Madelyn Patire, Kayla Petrino, Brady Reynolds, Lily Robert, Aviona Rosenthal, Jonathan Schmick, Tatiyana Simpson, Dustin Snider, Francesca Toppi, Julio Vazquez, Victor Vazquez, Jacqueline Weber, Alexis Whitfield, Emma Wilson, Cyera Winkler and Fox Yetter.

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s highest court said its decision last week to hold up the release of a major grand jury report on sexual abuse in six Roman Catholic dioceses is the result of challenges filed by “many individuals” cited in the report.

The Supreme Court said in a five-page opinion released Monday that most of those individuals claim they are discussed in the report in a way that would violate reputational rights guaranteed by the state constitution. They also say they have a due process right to be heard by the grand jury.

“A number of the petitioners asserted that they were not aware of, or allowed to appear at, the proceedings before the grand jury,” the court said in the unanimous, unsigned opinion.

The high court said the attorney general’s office did not object to a brief hold on the report.

A spokesman for the state prosecutors’ office said they were opposed to what he called an effort to “permanently suppress the voices of victims of widespread sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.”

Joe Grace, spokesman for Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro, said the office was fighting to ensure publication of the report.

“While we did not oppose giving the court a matter of days to conduct a careful review and promptly rule on these motions, that time is quickly expiring,” Grace said.

A grand jury spent two years investigating sex abuse by clergy in the dioceses of Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Scranton, churches with some 1.7 million members.

The role played by church officials, local public officials and community leaders was also investigated.

The justices said they have not seen the entire report and that the constitutional claims that have been made need to be developed adequately.

“The court intends to revisit the stay order when the proceedings before it have advanced to a stage at which either the petitions for review can be resolved, or an informed and fair determination can be made as to whether a continued stay is warranted,” the order said.

Victim advocates have said the report is expected to be the largest and most exhaustive such review by any state.

Judge Norman Krumenacker, the Cambria County-based grand jury supervisory judge, said jurors heard from dozens of witnesses and reviewed over half a million pages of internal documents from diocesan archives.

The investigation covered claims of child sexual abuse, failure to report to law enforcement and obstruction of justice, Krumenacker said.

SCRANTON — Lackawanna County commissioners will meet Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the sixth-floor conference room of the county Administration Building, 200 Adams Ave.

The county salary board will meet in the same location immediately after the commissioners’ meeting. Then, at 2 p.m., the county prison board will meet at the Lackawanna County Prison, 1371 N. Washington Ave.

— JEFF HORVATH

CLIPBOARD

South Scranton

Seniors meet: South Scranton After 50 Club will meet Thursday at 1 p.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Center, 1217 Prospect Ave.

June 26, 1918

More land for park

Bernard Moses, a member of the Scranton Planning Commission, presented to his fellow commission members a deed for 26 acres of additional land along Elmhurst Boulevard. Col. L.A. Watres gave the land to Moses after several conversations about donating the land to the city for the expansion of Nay Aug Park.

Pickers find body

A group of berry pickers discovered the badly decomposed remains of a man just off the Drinker Turnpike near Nay Aug. Due to the state of the body, it might have been impossible to identify the deceased. Police said the body showed signs of foul play.

Lawyers want slot machines returned

Attorney Ralph W. Rymer filed a petition on behalf of his client Nicholas Johns for the return of 130 slot machines confiscated by police during a raid ordered by the Lackawanna County district attorney. Rymer questioned the legality of the seizure.

A hearing was scheduled for July 8 on the petition. In the meantime, all the seized slot machines were being held at George Brown’s storehouse on Robinson Street.

False teeth/crowns

Dr. H.N. Warford of Burr Dentists offered a set of false teeth for $7.50, gold crowns for $5 a tooth, fillings for 50 cents a tooth, bridge work for $5 a tooth and teeth cleaning for 50 cents.

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.

ASSUMPTION COLLEGE

Joseph Bruno, Old Forge

BECKER COLLEGE

Brianna Farber, Carbondale; Julia Howe, Hawley; and Ian Redmon, Peckville.

BELMONT UNIVERSITY

Cayli Allen, New Milford; Kara Greskovic, South Abington Twp.; and Meghan Spellman, Montrose.

BOB JONES

UNIVERSITY

PRESIDENT’S LIST

Kylea Clark, Lake Ariel

DEAN’S LIST

Christopher Boshinski, Lake Ariel; Nehemiah Jones, Milanville; and Benjamin Pettyjohn, Montrose.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Emily Cuff, Dunmore

BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY

Ruhani Aulakh, Waverly; Nicole Chaiko, Pittston; Reed Evans, Lords Valley; Jeff Heim, Scranton; Sarah McDougall, Milford; Kate McGrath, Scranton; Matt Obeid, Pittston; Maura Powell, Moosic; Ceilia Severini, Clarks Summit; Ashley Vecchio, Milford; Cali Wilson, Peckville; and Lauren Ziolkowski, Honesdale.

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA

Mara M. Walsh, Dunmore

CEDARVILLE

UNIVERSITY

Hannah Day, Susquehanna; Rachel May, White Mills; Madeleine Mosher, Clarks Summit; Megan Quick, Tunkhannock; and Heather Reitmeyer, Shohola.

CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE

Karl Lewis, Olyphant; Alayna Masker, Milford; Earl Thompson, Lake Ariel; Ryan Weeks, Lackawaxen; and Amy Zebrowski, Susquehanna.

CLARION UNIVERSITY

Meagan Laura Buckle, Dingmans Ferry; Anna E. Chamberlin, Milford; Vincent James Coniglio, Geeley; Richard David Grushinski Jr., Susquehanna; Courtney Kelly, Milford; Avery Jacob Larson, Dingmans Ferry; Keith Hartley Maitland, Lenoxville; Morgan Manglaviti, Falls; Natalee McCarthy, Milford; Dalton Ray, Tunkhannock; Benjamin Wayne Spencer, Tunkhannock; John M. Walsh, Dalton; and Kristen Ashley Woods, Hawley.

COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY

Emily Peairs, Waverly Twp.; Henry Rosalsky, Dingmans Ferry; and Jacob Ross, South Abington Twp.

CONCORDIA COLLEGE OF NEW YORK

Sarah Ross, Dunmore; and Tori Tansley, Old Forge.

DESALES UNIVERSITY

Kari R. Condel, Scranton; Benjamin S. Cunningham, Milford; Jeneen E. Gallik, Honesdale; Brianna N. Gillott, Carbondale; Allison N. Lipko, Browndale; Gabrielle N. Serratore, Wyoming; Bridget A. Walsh, Dunmore; and Lauren R. Willie, Lakeville.

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY

Ian Z. Davis, Dalton; David J. Gardner, Montrose; and Kimberly Z. Meckwood, Nicholson.

ELIZABETHTOWN

COLLEGE

Samantha Bennici, New Milford; Nicole Billard, Honesdale; Sarah Hawkins, Paupack; Megan Kane, South Abington Twp.; Kaedy Masters, Jessup; Rebekah Reynolds, Montrose; Matthew Smith, Covington Twp.; and Melissa Spencer, South Abington Twp.

EMORY & HENRY

COLLEGE

Cassandra Dumas, Peckville; and Theresa Rose Mitten, Harding.

FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY

James Michael Lipko, Forest City; Paul Christopher Scalese, Moscow; Ross Christopher Scalese, Moscow; and Sean Elise Tomlinson, Scranton.

GENEVA COLLEGE

Benjamin Foster, Montrose; and Victoria Hinds, Montrose.

HAMILTON COLLEGE

Mary E. Lundin, Clarks Summit

HIGH POINT

UNIVERSITY

Carolyn Hickman, Clarks Summit

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY

Noelle Arcaro, Scranton; Angelea Francesco, Beach Lake; Kelly Mecca, Jessup; Jared Pallo, Jessup; and Regina Volpe, Clarks Summit.

IMMACULATA

UNIVERSITY

Claire Duncan, Dunmore; Joseph Lounsberry, Abington; Krista Quinn, Montrose; and Mary Beth Tranovich, Greenfield Twp.

IONA COLLEGE

Ian Martin, Carbondale

JAMES MADISON

UNIVERSITY

Sean Haddock, Moscow; and Melanie Kusakavitch, Pittston.

KEAN UNIVERSITY

Amanda Ross, Scranton

KUTZTOWN

UNIVERSITY

Austin Adams, Honesdale; Linda Aragon, Matamoras; Jillian Baker, Milford; Alanna Barton, Hawley; Brendan Bordick Lesavage, Old Forge; Ashley Carter, Eynon; Rachel Caudell, Mehoopany; Samantha Ceballo, Milford; Tressa Cicci, Jessup; Katelyn Colleran, Pittston; Jaden DeFazio, Hawley; Emily Earlley, Pittston Twp.; Carly Erdmann, Forest City; Dallas Ernst, Milford; Raymond Felins, Covington Twp.; Zachary Foley-McGinty, Dunmore; Gabrielle Gardas, Honesdale; Katelyn Gibbs, Lackawaxen; Trisha Gillott, Shohola; Albert Gonzalez, Scranton; Joshua Gonzalez, Bushkill; Zachary Groover, Montrose; Stacey Hart, Honesdale; Robert Herbert, Shohola; Dalton Hines, Dingmans Ferry; Christine Holland, Scranton; Adrianna Howden, Roaring Brook Twp.; Emily Hynes, Hawley; Jonathon Kamor, Duryea; Andrew Kirby, Scranton; Mariah Little, Pittston; Taylor Ludemann, Dingmans Ferry; Emily Millon, Honesdale; Kaleigh Moran, Jefferson Twp.; Ann Moschorak, Scranton; Evan Musto, Exeter; Kyle Musto, Exeter; Harrison Parsons, Hallstead; Andy Pham, Peckville; Charles Poli, Hughestown; Adrianna Ratuszny, Scranton; Alison Reynolds, Montrose; Joseph Romano, Tunkhannock; Ryanne Rosengrant, Hawley; Emily Rudolph, Scranton; Erin Schumacher, South Abington Twp.; Stephen Scubelek, Gouldsboro; Madeline Spinelli, Rowland; Samantha Stephens, Tunkhannock; Logan Sullivan, Dunmore; Lindsey Summa, Dunmore; Maria Sunick, South Abington Twp.; Brandon Sutton, Greeley; Amanda Tini, Archbald; Tyler Trichilo, Union Dale; Karlee Vaverchak, Jermyn; and Brandon Zajaczkowski, Spring Brook Twp.

LEBANON VALLEY

COLLEGE

Daniel Braun, Susquehanna; Tanner Homa, Exeter; Keri Jones, Friendsville; Danielle Krick, Milford; Nicole Martin, Factoryville; and Veronica Pettyjohn, Taylor.

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO

Emily Cook, Covington Twp.

LYCOMING COLLEGE

Cassandra Bendyk, Pleasant Mount; Rachel Fritz, Honesdale; Ricardo Gonzalez, Scranton; Dallas Jerauld, Montrose; Amy Pocius, Scranton; Samanntha Poole, Montrose; Jessica Sivers, Montrose; Jade Watson, Dunmore; Sheila Whitman, Lake Ariel; and Devon Williams, Waymart.

MANSFIELD

UNIVERSITY

PRESIDENT’S LIST

Olga Bilardi, Roaring Brook Twp.; Hunter Brewer, Laceyville; Christopher Burger, Hawley; Megan Gullone, Milanville; Anastasia Hester, Brackney; Cameron King, Tunkhannock; Katlyn Lutchko, Honesdale; Devin MacGeorge, Montrose; Ty Moon, Montrose; Casey Pearce, Eynon; Richard Pollock, Dalton; Abigail Ramage, Falls; Daniel Rodriguez, Honesdale; Amanda Sheakoski, Scott Twp.; Shelby Valvano, Meshoppen; and Damien Wickizer, Laceyville.

DEAN’S LIST

Sean Andres, Tunkhannock; Adryana Appleby, Tunkhannock; Jacklyn Appleby, Tunkhannock; Lindsay Bergey, Factoryville; Madison Canfield, Susquehanna; Michael Carrasquillo, Waymart; Molly Cerep, Scranton; Kaitlyn Dabulewicz, Montrose; Lindsay Daly, Montrose; Katelyn Davis, Gouldsboro; David Degaramo, Laceyville; Ashlee Derrick, Susquehanna; Courtney Ditchey, Nicholson; Ashley Dunning, Scranton; Laura Horowitz, Milford; Carrie Ann Intartaglio, Greentown; MacKenzie Jones, Friendsville; Korena Kraynak, Montrose; Cassandra Miller, Milford; Paul Moore, Meshoppen; Nicole Morgan, Wyoming; Nicole Nickolich, Milford; Jessica Nistad, Hawley; Charles Pykus, Honesdale; Jacob Risch, Laceyville; Samantha Seidel, Dalton; Bailey Shaw, Susquehanna; Shaun Swatt, Mayfield; John Tobey, Hawley; Thea Tomlin, Falls; Emily Tracy, New Milford; and Ella Walsh, Scranton.

MARIETTA COLLEGE

Zachary Conrad, New Milford

MERCYHURST

UNIVERSITY

Stephanie Haefele, Scranton

MISERICORDIA

UNIVERSITY

Melanie Abda, Olyphant; Daniella Amendola, Scranton; Tyler Arnold, Springville; Alec Aversa, Thornhurst; Mia Baldinucci, West Pittston; Laura Baut, Exeter; Brian Beauchemin, Lake Winola; Victoria Bednar, Honesdale; Sarah Bifano, Waymart; Kayla Binner, Tunkhannock; Mary Patricia Blaskiewicz, West Pittston; Jonathan Boruta, Gouldsboro; Alex Brody, Tunkhannock; Gaetano Buonsante, Exeter; Deidra Cali, Olyphant; Isabela Camayd, Clarks Green; Kristen Capitano, Pittston; Madison Cardinale, Dupont; Rachel Carmody, Waymart; Tyler Collins, Olyphant; Marina Contorno, Greenfield Twp.; Cali Craig, Peckville; Nicole Crinella, Archbald; Iana Davis, Pittston; Zachary Davis, Covington Twp.; Rachel Eckert, Tunkhannock; Gregory Ellsworth, Factoryville; Matthew Foss, Old Forge; Desirae Garnett, Waymart; Nicholas Gasper, Jessup; Samantha Gregorowicz, South Abingtn Twp.; Cordell Gresh, Pittston; Erica Haefele, Dickson City; Marena Horan, Eynon; Cara Imbalzano, Roarng Brook Twp.; Kelsey Jackson, Clarks Summit; Christina Jones, Dalton; Shelbi Jones, Blakeslee; Lindsey Jordan, Scranton; Patrick Joyce, Avoca; Shania Kane, Factoryville; Olivia Katulka, West Wyoming; Quinn Kelley, Peckville; Kaitlyn Kirsten, Moosic; Kathleen Klatt, Dunmore; Stephanie Kolodzieski, Dunmore; Kimberly Kowalski, Scranton; Kelly Kozlowski, Dunmore; Luke Kresge, Lake Winola; Kayla Krishak, Springville; Samantha Kropa, Olyphant; Matthew Laporte, West Pittston; Zoe Laporte, West Pittston; Christopher Larson, Pleasant Mount; Matthew Lavin, Clifford Twp.; Cassandra Lockhart, Exeter; Nicole Luberto, Moscow; Joseph Maceyko, Dunmore; Alexa Malloy, West Wyoming; Nicholas Mantilla, Blakelee; Alyssa Mattioli, West Wyoming; Selena Maybury, West Pittston; Megan McCauley, Tunkhannock; Kallie Miller, Pittston; Callie Mousley, Waymart; Garrett Murray, Dunmore; Sarah Murray, Moscow; Maggie O’Day, Honesdale; Kelsey O’Donnell, South Abington Twp.; Callie O’Donovan, Pittston Twp.; Lauren Odell, Honesdale; Noah Ostrowsky, Dalton; Nina Owen, Harding; Lindsey Philbin, Throop; Alivia Plevyak, Clarks Smmt; Rachel Polacheck, Exeter; Jason Prescott, Forest City; Michael Quinn, Madison Twp.; Kayla Radle, Exeter; Chelsie Ray, Olyphant; Cameron Read, Old Forge; Nadiyah Rivera, Scranton; Lauren Robbins, Pittston; Kristin Robinson, Harleysville; Anamarie Rogers, Duryea; Sara Romanowski, Harding; Ashleigh Rose, Duryea; Alec Sabia, Dunmore; Samantha Scalzo, West Pittston; Jillian Scanlon, Pittston; Stephanie Schultz, Harding; Emily Seaberg, Tunkhannock; Jordan Seprosky, Archbald; Matthew Shelter, Blakeslee; Alex Skopic, Springville; Jessica Slocum, Dickson City; Lauren Sokirka, Wyoming; Kristen Southard, Scranton; Danielle Spagnuolo, Wyoming; Sarah Sporko, Carbondale; Alissa Steier, Scott Twp.; Justin Steinberger, West Pittston; Julianna Stella, West Wyoming; Danielle Stillarty, West Wyoming; Nicolette Stine, Archbald; Evan Stravinski, West Pittston; Madison Swartout, Peckville; Madison Swire, Thornhurst; Katelynn Taylor, Clifford Twp.; Jody Teel, Springville; Kayla Thorpe, Clarks Summit; Alexis Tinna, Tunkhannock; Felicia Turner, West Pittston; Deanna Warren, Nicholson; Chantal Whiteduck, Dickson City; Alyson Wilbur, Tunkhannock; Megan Wysocki, Harding; Kelci Yesnowski, Old Forge; and Austin Zawicki, Gouldsboro.

NAZARETH COLLEGE

Audra Nealon, South Abington Twp.

SIENA COLLEGE

Adam Vaccaro, Greentown; and Zoe White, Dingmans Ferry.

ST. JOSEPH’S

UNIVERSITY

Matthew G. Walsh, Dunmore

ST. MARY’S

UNIVERSITY

Kayla Agentowicz, Clarks Summit

SUSQUEHANNA

UNIVERSITY

Natalie Christopher, Newfoundland; Julia Hessling, Hawley; Anna McDermott, Hughestown; Alexandra Mosomillo, Newfoundland; Wynn Phillips, Nicholson; Hannah Phillips, Clifford; Gustin Reynolds, Honesdale; Andrew Semanek, Swoyersville; and Holly Young, Olyphant.

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

Maria F. Batyko, Scranton; and Maura Lunney, Scranton.

UNIVERSITY OF

VERMONT

Grace Ross, Union Dale

WEST CHESTER

UNIVERSITY

Lexie Green, Olyphant

YORK COLLEGE

OF PENNSYLVANIA

Tyler Bagnick, Sterling; Alexa Biscotto, Swoyersville; Skyler Drew, Matamoras; Kelly Farrell, Jessup; Luke Fayocavitz, South Abington Twp.; Moriah Mauro, Carbondale; Joshua Mies, Duryea; Lyle Sweppenheiser, Factoryville; Mari Taggart, Wyoming; Hunter Thompson, Hawley; and Jasentha Van Nort, Forest City.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Brandt Matthew Grobeis, Arlington, Va., and Sarah James Shehata, Kingsley.

■ Alison Ann Cavanaugh and Ronald Joseph Mela, both of Madison Twp.

■ Michael Ray Murray and Katrina Ann Schwartz, both of Dickson City.

■ Stephanie Alicia Mejia and Saul Perez Cruz, both of Scranton.

■ John Joseph Worthington Jr., Covington Twp., and Jill Lea Hillard, Old Forge.

■ Richard Michael VanWert and Marijo Zehner, both of Taylor.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Joseph Velcko, Gouldsboro, to Jose Gilberto Meneses, Union City, N.J.; a property at Big Bass Lake, Clifton Twp., for $159,000.

■ Corinne Kuzmick, trustee of the Leon Lucas and Ann Lucas Irrevocable Personal Residence Trust Agreement, Blakely, to Joseph Cudemo, Forest City; a property at 800 Black Wildcat Road, Blakely, for $150,000.

■ Kelly and Shaun Cottrell, Scranton, to Oz Realty LLC, Olyphant; a property at 615-617 Charles St., Throop, for $220,000.

■ Lin Xia, Moosic, to George Shepyuk, Waverly Twp.; a property at 127 Electric St., Blakely, for $65,000.

■ 145 147 Parker St. LLC, Scranton, to Joseph Bonacci, Jefferson Twp.; a property at 147 Parker St., Scranton, for $26,500.

■ Daniel H. and Gina M. McArdle, Clarks Summit, to Craig M. Shores, Wyoming County; a property at 606 W. Grove St., Clarks Summit, for $144,500.

■ Phyllis Lesso, Wilkes-Barre, to Om Real Estate LLC; two parcels in Scranton for $103,500.

■ Connor and Lindsey M. Young, Newton Twp., to John and Melissa Franey, South Abington Twp.; a property at 1261 Country Club Road, Newton Twp., for $234,000.

■ DSV SPV2 LLC, Columbia, S.C., to David M. Koruszko and Richard H. Koruszko, Scott Twp., as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property in Scott Twp. for $53,000.

LAWSUITS

■ Marisa Kortawy, 629 Sherwood Ave., Dunmore, v. Scranton School District, 425 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, seeking in excess of $50,000, together with interest, costs and such further relief deemed appropriate, for injuries suffered Sept. 28, 2016, in a fall at John Adams School, 827 Capouse Ave., Scranton; Tullio Deluca, attorney.

■ Jacob Piskorski, 115 Fawnwood Circle, Greentown, v. Corey D. Thorpe, 219 S. Turnpike Road, Dalton, seeking in excess of $50,000 and in excess of the arbitration limits for pre-judgment interest and costs on two counts, for injuries suffered Dec. 8, 2016, in an automobile accident on state Highway 348/Mount Cobb Road, Lackawanna County; Anthony J. Piazza III, attorney.

FEDERAL TAX LIEN

■ Tiny Treasures Child Care Center, 117 Main St., Forest City; $12,043.60.

STATE TAX LIENS

■ TNT Restaurants LLC, 200 Spring St., Moosic; $2,256.

■ Joseph W. and Tracy Nicholson, 732 Hampton St., Scranton; $1,063.59.

■ John S. Kane, 39 Terrace Drive, Olyphant; $4,554.53.

■ John T. and Joy Jernigan, 1718 Monroe Ave., Scranton; $2,143.48.

■ David and Leslie Boslough, 220 Third St., P.O. Box 509, Dalton; $1,769.03.

■ Christian J. Pilosi, 133 Windsor Way, Roaring Brook Twp.; $14,108.70.

■ Richard S. Lowy, 123 Seventh Ave., Carbondale; $1,478.89.

■ Donna and Kevin Gillette, 3431 Aberdeen Road, Madison Twp.; $913.93.

■ Rodney R. Whiting, 1135 Hampton St., Scranton; $872.56.

■ Paul M. and Laura A. Brown, 1008 O’Neill Highway, Dunmore; $1,115.85.

■ John Jr. and Cassie L. Monroe, 93 Park St., Carbondale; $963.18.

■ Noe Lopez, 1109 Jackson St., Scranton; $1,643.43.

■ Edward W. Judge, 417 Willow St., Scranton; $920.55.

■ Derek Anderson, 1020 Maple St., Scranton; $910.72.

■ Brandon Noble, 807 Rock St., Archbald; $880.19.

■ Elijah M. Doloff, 195 W. Mountain Road, Olyphant; $1,010.01.

■ Joseph Evans, 352 N. Bromley Ave., Scranton; $483.18.

■ Shawn and Vanessa Nee, 108 Foley St., Old Forge; $875.78.

■ Donald J. and Donna S. Hopkins, 818 Scott Road, South Abington Twp.; $958.28.

■ Matthew Damski, 527 First Ave., Jessup; $884.87.

■ Mark Gramzuger, 744 S. Main Ave., Scranton; $930.99.

■ Jason Kishbach, 639 Pear St., Scranton; $1,015.66.

■ Lawrence White, 277 Sandy Banks Road, Greenfield Twp.; $959.57.

■ Brendan and Amy Bell, 554 Palmer Circle, Dickson City; $1,590.05.

■ Paul M. Brown, 1008 O’Neill Highway, Dunmore; $812.

■ Charles Gambo, 324 Daleville Highway, Covington Twp.; $947.92.

■ Michael Brazil, 1707 Jefferson Ave., Dunmore; $1,010.40.

■ Joseph M. Cortazzo, 1754 Wyoming Ave., Scranton; $443.27.

■ Joseph Stachnik, 1114 Drinker Turnpike, Covington Twp.; $4,175.32.

■ Elaine Vass, 198 Village Drive, Taylor; $2,564.53.

■ Kurt P. and Jill Moran, 1 Scranton-Pocono Highway, Scranton; $11,858.24.

■ Randolph A. and Margarete Scott, 3237 Pittston Ave., Scranton; $2,533.37.

■ Richard Para, 9 Beckett Close, Moosic; $5,793.37.

■ Christian E. Graniel, 119 S. Van Buren Ave., Scranton; $2,639.61.

■ Michael L. Serniak, 806 Penn Ave., Mayfield; $1,097.81.

■ Kevin J. O’Hara, 355 Washington St., Greenfield Twp.; $1,898.49.

■ Thomas Navich, 3626 Lawrence Ave., Moosic; $369.48.

■ Keith T. and Teresa M. Ripley, 210 Jennifer St., Moscow; $120.

■ Thomas P. Dennebaum, 1447 Meylert Ave., Scranton; $1,880.46.

■ Polina M. Philbin, 407 W. Elm St., Apt. 1, Dunmore; $2,628.24.

■ Bradley J. and Deidre Jones, 662 Drinker Turnpike, Covington Twp.; $1,602.93.

■ S & L Motors Inc., 200 S. Seventh Ave., Scranton; $988.86.

■ Main Technologies, P.O. Box 380, Taylor; $4,133.69.

■ Thomas and Luciana M. Medric, 812 Goodman St., Throop; $729.39.

ESTATES FILED

■ Terry Davis Wagner, 138 Park St., Carbondale, letters testamentary to Scott D. Wagner, 125 Mulberry Drive, Milford, and Christopher S. Wagner, 540 Pierce Road, Carbondale.

■ James Savero, also known as James B. Savero and James Benjamin Savero, 1114 Froude Ave., Scranton, letters of administration to Thomas F. Savero, 415 S. Irving Ave., Scranton.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

WILKES-BARRE — The $5 million restoration of Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre’s emergency department is complete and the community is invited to an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday.

The emergency department will open with around-the-clock care in July, marking the hospital’s rebirth as an inpatient campus, Geisinger officials announced in a press release.

In 2009, the Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre emergency department became an adult urgent care center, with emergency care centralized at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Twp.

In the years since, Geisinger officials watched an increase in the number of patients from the South Wilkes-Barre area seeking treatment at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center’s emergency department.

Today, more than 25 percent of Geisinger Wyoming Valley’s emergency department patients come from South Wilkes-Barre and other nearby communities, including Hanover Twp., Nanticoke, Plymouth, and Edwardsville.

— DENISE ALLABAUGH

SCRANTON — The co-founder of Maroni’s Pizza House died over the weekend.

Daniel D. Maroni, 83, of Scranton, died Sunday at Regional Hospital of Scranton on Sunday. He co-founded the popular West Scranton eatery and also owned Maria’s Pizza, also in West Scranton, until 1997.

His obituary can be found HERE.

— STAFF REPORTS

Anya Galarza was sweet, smart and had a passion for dancing.

The Scranton toddler loved the TV show “PAW Patrol” and her three brothers, said Jessica Griffiths, Anya’s aunt. Besides dancing around her house, she enjoyed taking walks with her mother, Kim. Her family used a royal title to describe her.

“She was just the happiest little girl every day, no matter what happened,” Griffiths, of Dickson City, said during an interview Tuesday. “I think that’s why this is hitting us all so hard, she was just a little princess.”

Anya, 2, died about 4:10 a.m. Sunday at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, Montour County Coroner Scott Lynn said. Emergency medical personnel flew Anya there Thursday after city police and emergency medical units responded to 326 13th Ave. for the report of a girl who fell into an above-ground pool. Crews rushed her to Geisinger Community Medical Center before taking her to Danville in critical condition, police said at the time.

Lynn’s office ruled the cause of death as brain death from drowning and ruled the manner of death as accidental.

The family is reeling after its loss, but the community support since Thursday has been a source of comfort, Griffiths said. Local businesses are already donating baskets and gift certificates to be raffled at a benefit scheduled for July 21 to help pay for funeral expenses and medical bills, she said. Staff at Isaac Tripp Elementary School, where Anya’s older brothers attend classes, started an online fundraiser to help out, Griffiths said. It has raised more than $2,100 by Tuesday night.

The family also appreciates the efforts of city police and first responders, who have been a big help during a difficult time, Griffiths said.

Scranton police Chaplain Dennis D’Augostine responded to the call Thursday and has worked with the family since.

“It’s a tragedy and we need to come around this family and love them,” D’Augostine said.

Contact the writer:

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

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

Benefit for Galarza family

Where: Upstairs lounge at Back Breakers Training Center, 1008 N. Washington Ave.

When: Saturday, July 21, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Admission: $10, with children under 10 free.

What: Food, non alcoholic drinks, raffles and music by Party with Marty Entertainment

DONATE: To donate online, visit

Mayfield

Flag installation: Mayfield Lions Club Independence Day flag installation along main streets Monday, meet 6 a.m., club headquarters.

Bookmobile visit: Lacka­wanna County Bookmobile, July 16, 1:15-1:45 p.m., Municipal Building, 739 Penn Ave.

Firefighters meet: Whitmore/Mayfield hose companies meetings, July 10, 7:30 and 8 p.m., respectively, company buildings.

Legion meeting: American Legion Post 610 meeting, Monday, 7 p.m.

Moosic

Garbage collection: Department of Public Works and the business office closed for July 4 holiday, garbage and recyclable collections delayed one day, have collection curbside by 6 a.m.

North Scranton

Neighbors meet: North Scranton Neighborhood Association Watch meeting, Monday, 6 p.m., Weston Park.

Scranton

Retirees meet: AARP Chapter 3731 meeting, Monday, 1:30 p.m., Keyser Valley Community Center, 101 N. Keyser Ave., guest speaker, Kimberly Maslanka, chair yoga, tickets available for annual picnic at McDade Park on Aug. 6, $12/person.

Wyoming Valley

Roundtable meeting: Wyoming Valley Civil War Round Table meeting, July 12, 7 p.m., lower level of Daddow-Isaacs Ameri­can Legion, 730 Memorial Highway, Dallas; “Bible, Bullets and Bucktails” presented by Pastor John Lee as Civil War Chaplain William M. McCormick 150 P.VI. Bucktail; $3 nonmembers; John, 570-675-8936.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS

may be sent to yesdesk

@timesshamrock.com or Clipboard, c/o YES!Desk,

149 Penn Ave., Scranton,

PA 18503. YES!Desk,

570-348-9121.

Lackawanna County commissioners will likely vote today on whether to privatize the county tax claim bureau by approving a contract with the acting bureau director’s company.

The agenda for this morning’s commissioners meeting includes a resolution to enter into a professional services contract with Scranton-based Municipal Capital Recovery LLC, a private company owned and managed by acting tax claim bureau Director Joseph Joyce.

If the contract is approved, MCR will operate the bureau for at least five years at no expense to the county. Joyce has run the bureau as an independent contractor since January, after longtime Director Ron Koldjeski resigned. The county did not seek proposals from other companies, acting Chief of Staff Donald Frederickson said.

Pennsylvania’s real estate tax sale law authorizes the county to appoint private-sector entities for the collection and distribution of property taxes.

Besides noting the county would incur no expenses related to the bureau under the agreement, Frederickson was unsure exactly how MCR — which was created in February 2017, according to state records — would make money while operating it. He directed such questions to Joyce, but multiple efforts to reach Joyce were unsuccessful.

According to the contract, MCR would “be compensated on a contingency basis from the proceeds of the collection of delinquent real estate tax claims.”. It would also utilize a fee schedule — $20 for the entry of a claim, $50 for the preparation of a deed, etc. — included in the contract.

Among other terms of the deal, MCR would:

n Pay the county $12 per square foot to rent office space.

n Pay the county an annual licensing fee of $2,500 to use the name “Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau.”

n Offer the bureau’s four current full-time staff members employment at equal or greater salaries and equivalent fringe benefits.

n Provide its own legal services related to the operation of the bureau.

For its part, Lackawanna County would provide MCR access to software, databases and paper files related to the bureau’s operation, among other terms.

It’s not clear how privatizing the tax claim bureau would impact the county’s budget. Efforts to reach county Chief Financial Officer Tom Durkin and commissioners Laureen Cummings and Patrick O’Malley were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Noting county officials discussed MCR’s proposal at a recent work session, Commissioner Jerry Notarianni said the issue wasn’t on the meeting’s agenda earlier Tuesday and was added without his knowledge.

“I don’t know how they can do something like that at this point in the game,” Notarianni said shortly after 5 p.m. “I don’t think I’ll be voting for it.”

Arguing that costs and fees are likely going to be passed on to delinquent taxpayers who are already struggling, county Recorder of Deeds Evie Rafalko McNulty said privatizing the tax claim bureau is the wrong move. Her office works closely with the tax claim bureau.

“We are authorized by county code and by municipal code to run this county and it’s not something that we can just bid out and become a mechanism for someone else to make money,” McNulty said.

She also said commissioners should have filled Koldjeski’s position with a full-time hire.

Privatizing the office is an alternative to hiring a new bureau director, Frederickson said.

“It was an option they (commissioners) had looked at in the past,” he said.

Commissioners meet today at 10 a.m. in the sixth floor conference room of the county Administration Building, 200 Adams Ave., Scranton.

Contact the writer:

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

MINERSVILLE — An anonymous scofflaw paid a 1974 parking ticket this month — some 44 years after it was issued in the borough.

The $2 ticket was for parking in a restricted zone. The offender finally sent $5 and a note reading: “Dear PD (Police Department), I’ve been carrying this ticket around for 40-plus years always intending to pay. Forgive me if I don’t give you my info. With respect, Dave.”

The letter containing the ticket and money was postmarked June 14 in Sacramento, California. The return address read, “Feeling Guilty, Wayward Road, Anytown, CA.”

Minersville Police Chief Michael Combs said the borough office received the letter June 18. The borough secretary opened the letter and informed Combs.

“I guess their conscience got the better of them,” he said.

He has been chief in Minersville for eight years and has never received payment for a ticket issued so long ago.

“We do appreciate the person paying their ticket, even though it was 44 years late,” Combs said.

An unsuccessful attempt was made to locate the regretful offender who, according to the ticket, had an Ohio plate.

“We tried to run this plate and you can’t get a record,” he said.

Information was recorded in ledgers in the 1970s. Since it is an Ohio plate, the Minersville police would not have that information on file, he said.

The bottom of the ticket said if it was not paid within 48 hours, an enforcement warrant would be issued and additional fines collected. Since the department doesn’t have provisions to add interest to a parking ticket, the additional fine would amount to about $136 now. Combs said he believes the warrant and additional fines were not issued at the time because the person did not live in Pennsylvania.

“We have our suspicions on who it might be,” Combs said.

Combs is still interested in finding who had been issued the ticket. “We would be interested to just talk to the person. We didn’t even know this ticket existed,” he said.

While the letter and late payment for the 1974 ticket was a gesture of good faith — albeit more than 40 years late — Combs said people should not think they can get away with ignoring a parking violation.

If the initial fine on the parking ticket, which is a summary violation, is not paid in time, the officer will issue a citation with additional fines. Those fines must be paid within the time frame given on the citation or a district magistrate will issue an arrest warrant and additional costs.

“We would encourage anyone with outstanding tickets to pay them,” Combs said.

Contact the writer:

; 570-628-6028

The Citizens’ Voice increased its daily and Sunday lead over The Times Leader, the most recent circulation numbers released by the national Alliance for Audited Media show.

The audited report, released Tuesday for the fourth quarter of 2017, shows The Citizens’ Voice holds a 2,615 lead in Sunday circulation in one of the nation’s last remaining competitive print newspaper markets.

It is the newspaper’s largest margin, Circulation Director Joe Nealon said.

The Citizens’ Voice, founded in 1978 after a protracted labor dispute, holds a 4,327 newspaper edge in daily circulation as well.

“It’s not surprising to see the continued circulation dominance by The Citizens’ Voice over the Times Leader,” Nealon said Tuesday. “Both readers and advertisers in the Wyoming Valley recognize The Voice’s continued commitment to local journalism by local ownership. Today’s readers expect more, and that’s what they get in the Voice.”

The latest numbers put The Citizens’ Voice print circulation 11 percent higher on Sunday at 23,116 compared to 20,501 for the Times Leader.

The Voice’s daily circulation is 20,968, the numbers show, while the Times Leader dipped to 16,641.

The Citizens’ Voice Sunday home delivery circulation is at 16,444, compared to 13,772 for the Times Leader — a 1,672 difference. The audit also shows the Voice with a 493 lead in daily newsstand sales.

The comparative reports to AAM reflect the final quarter of 2017. The Times Leader has not yet released its 2018 first-quarter totals to the alliance.

Mike Murray, publisher of The Times Leader, did not return a call or email asking for comment.

Contact the writer:

dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2115,

@CVAllabaugh on Twitter

Local student

wins in Chicago

Keystone College student Lindsey Lockwood won a gold Student ADDY Award and a Mosaic ADDY Award at the American Advertising Awards national competition in Chicago.

Lockwood of Milford won for her series of illustrations titled “Presidential Quotes.”

“I’m still in shock,” she said. “It’s really an unbelievable feeling to have my work recognized in this way.”

Her work is a linocut, which is created by carving a design in a piece of linoleum, featuring portraits of former presidents including: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. The portraits are paired with controversial quotes from Donald Trump.

She created the piece as an honors project for a printmaking class taught by Keystone professor Sally Tosti.

Lockwood was awarded the gold Student ADDY for the originality and creativity of her work and the Mosaic ADDY for her piece’s “spirit of diversity and inclusion.”

A visual art major with a concentration in graphic design and print media and a minor in business, Lockwood will begin her senior year at Keystone in the fall.

Keystone art faculty, including Tosti and professors David Porter and Drake Gomez encouraged Lindsey to apply for the competition.

High notes

Oakwood Terrace Health and Wellness Director Trish Slusarczyk, BSN, RN, was recognized for her 20 years of service at the personal care home.

The personal care home in Moosic specializes in memory care.

A rose bush was dedicated to Slusarczyk to celebrate her service anniversary.

Stars in stripes

Members of the University of Scranton’s class of 2018 and one graduate from Penn State Scranton were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during a ceremony held on the university’s campus in May.

Those commissioned at the ceremony include: William C. Beck of Bear, Delaware; Lindsay Clifford of Monroe, New York; David Augusto de Leon II of Greenwich, Connecticut; Ryan J. Feeney of Morris Plains, New Jersey; John Paul Filipczyk of Benton; Stephen Thomas Fitch of Villanova; Noel B. Hanson of Prospect Park; Paul J. Piekarz of Brooklyn, New York; Mohammed Aji Notonegoro Truitt of Whiting, New Jersey; and Robert J. Turlip Jr. of Archbald.

Also commissioned at the ceremony was Penn State graduate Michael Kolcharno of Dunmore.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Luis Oswaldo Zhagnay-Quindi and Wendy Tolentino-Salas, both of Scranton.

■ John A. Palmieri, Archbald, and Eileen K. Maloney, Dunmore.

■ Joseph Stephen Gasper and Lindsey Marie Munley, both of Massillon, Ohio.

■ Danna Lynn Rukse and William Ferguson Jr., both of Taylor.

■ Brielle Lyn Nigrey and Justyn Geovanny Pacheco, both of Scranton.

■ Maria Katherine Novack and Lauren Justine Goerlich, both of Dickson City.

■ Spencer John Welshko Williams and Nikkole Alexandra Austin, both of Roaring Brook Twp.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ 145-147 Parker St. LLC, Scranton, to Joseph Bonacci, Jefferson Twp.; a property at 147 Parker St., Scranton, for $26,500.

■ Bonnie Lynn Guzzon Smith, formerly known as Bonnie Lynn Guzzon, and Glenn Paul Smith, Fayetteville, N.C., to Lucrezia Holgate, Scranton; a property at 1006 S. Sixth Ave., Scranton, for $39,027.08.

■ Boston Land Co. Inc., South Abington Twp., to Mary Hodel, South Abington Twp.; a property at 54 Wyndham Road, South Abington Twp., for $334,000.

■ POOJA 1 LLC, Dunmore, to Matthew Williams, Hamlin; a property at 1416 Cherry St., Scranton, for $115,000.

■ Charles W. and Mia P. Dennis, Waverly, to Nader Ahmed and Christina C. Abul-Ela, Horseheads, N.Y.; a property at 202 Maggies Road, South Abington Twp., for $338,000.

■ Servicelink LLC, Moon Twp., to Shawn D. Hall, Scranton; a property at 328 Charles St., Scranton, for $105,000.

■ Joseph T. and Carol A. Diskin, Scranton, to Jorge H. Allaico Aguayza and Maritza C. Vega Guaman, Elmhurst, N.Y.; two parcels in Scranton for $68,000.

■ Michael R. and Catherine M. Szescila, trustees of the Szescila family irrevocable trust, Dickson City, to Mason Kenia and Megan Mihalisin, Tunkhannock; a property at 525 Dewey St., Dickson City, for $82,680.

■ Barbara Hadden, now by marriage Barbara Rosler, and Sean J. Rosler, Forest City, to James S. Wright, Carbondale; a property at Beaver Street, Carbondale, for $55,000.

■ Colin H. O’Donohoe, Chandler, Ariz., and Ona Bush, formerly known as Ona O’Donohoe, Ridgecrest, Calif., to Carmen Alu; a property at 452 Dellert Drive, South Abington Twp., for $369,000.

■ Development Authority of the Borough of Taylor, to Jeffrey John Wisnefski and Maura L. Dodgson, Moosic; a property at Third Street, Taylor, for $33,000.

■ David Mehall, Archbald, to Robert Simpson, Jessup; a property at 110 Simpson St., Archbald, for $229,900.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ Joseph McGoff, Scott Twp., v. Debra McGoff, Scranton; married Jan. 7, 1993, in Scranton; Sandra M. Stepkovitch, attorney.

■ Jennifer E. Sinclair, Lake Ariel, v. Andrew Sinclair, Lake Ariel; married July 15, 2012, in Baltimore, Md.; Brian J. Cali, attorney.

■ Jessica DePietro, Scranton, v. Dominick James DePietro, Peckville; married Sept. 21, 2014, in Lackawanna County; Tullio DeLuca, attorney.

■ Michael Ferra, New Milford, v. Lainie Ferra, New Milford; married April 15, 2016, in Susquehanna; John T. O’Malley, attorney.

DIVORCE DECREES

■ Bessie Sietsma v. Joshua Sietsma.

■ Danielle O’Prisko v. Zodi O’Prisko.

■ Sarah Sorrells v. Charles Ehnot Jr.

■ Emily Kissel v. Jeffrey Kissel.

■ Mark Danchak v. Patricia Marie Danchak.

■ Michelle Hyde v. Matthew Hyde.

■ Michael J. Pierson v. Susan Lynn Pierson.

■ Ana E. Perez v. Jose E. Perez.

■ April Dobrowski v. Steven Dobrowski.

■ Jeffrey Hinders v. Patricia Hinders.

■ Stacy Coolbaugh v. Aaron Coolbaugh.

■ Sunshine Semenza v. Robert Semenza.

■ Heather Sorrentino v. Michael Sorrentino.

■ Adji Mbengue v. Jeffrey Laubach.

■ Rich Drutherosky v. Brenda Drutherosky.

ESTATES FILED

■ Anthony J. Capoccia, also known as Anthony Joseph Capoccia, 214 Franklin St., Dunmore, letters testamentary to Vincent Capoccia, same address, and Ann Marie Zieno, 17 Silver St., Sidney, N.Y.

■ Ellen Slenska, 713 Madison Ave., Jermyn, letters testamentary to Nadine M. Borys, 6513 Copper Ridge Trail, Bradenton, Fla.

■ John P. Drop Jr., also known as John Drop, 717 Main St., Vandling, letters testamentary to Michael A. Drop, same address.

STATE TAX LIENS

■ Trust of Found Family, John J. McGee, co-trustee, 400 Spruce St., Scranton; $335.26.

■ Robert G. Jr. and Carrie L. Chase, 257 Hudson St., Jermyn; $1,121.61.

■ Randy G. Hunter, 39 Rittenhouse St., Carbondale; $1,039.10.

■ Frank Tassiello, 1146 Loomis Ave., Scranton; $1,058.15.

■ John and Nicholle Cavo, 452 Rella Drive, Archbald; $1,465.54.

■ Frank Hughes, 1317 Layton Road, Scott Twp.; $1,799.98.

■ Chester K. Novack, 941 Lincoln St., Dickson City; $3,747.40.

■ Andrea Vladika, 235 Simpson St., Eynon; $1,093.51.

■ Anthony and Louise Marcheona, 335 N. Hyde Park Ave., Scranton; $1,102.53.

■ Matthew K. Mather, 129 Throop St., Scranton; $2,910.81.

■ Ellen VanBuskirk, 829 Electric St., Scranton; $2,313.58.

■ Charles A. McDonald, 111 Parkland Drive, Clarks Summit; $1,934.08.

■ Patrick E. and Heather O. Spillane, 1637 Beaver Pond Road, Clarks Summit; $7,259.43.

■ David and Jennifer Casal, 303 Carpenter Hill Road, South Abington Twp.; $1,349.15.

■ Richard M. and Nancy Ann Conte, 1761 Newton Ransom Blvd., Clarks Summit; $1,400.37.

■ Eugene Howells, 516 Short Ave., Peckville; $1,058.86.

■ Keith T. Ripley, 210 Jennifer St., Moscow; $1,048.60.

■ Nazir Chkhaidze, World Wide Trucking LLC, 17 Arnold Ave., Scranton; $1,332.43.

■ Carlos R. Mendoza, 428 Genet St., Apt. 2, Scranton; $3,576.47.

■ James and Denise Devoe, 633 Lincoln St., Dickson City; $3,895.99.

■ Saundra Covington, 125 Mountain View Way, Scranton; $5,216.72.

■ Agim Kabashi, 1140 Main St., Peckville; $10,768.32.

■ Luljeta Kabashi, 80 S. Main St., Archbald; $14,934.88.

■ Aric J. Ephault, 1045 W. Market St., Scranton; $16,610.23.

■ Jeffery A. Dubernas, 250 S. Keyser Ave., Old Forge; $3,098.17.

■ Robert E. Sr. and Jessica R. Rohwer, 1068 Montdale Road, Scott Twp.; $1,129.73.

■ Stephen S. Hrobuchak, 180A Lily Lake Road, Dalton; $820.13.

■ Russell McElroy, 313 Sunnyside Ave., South Abington Twp.; $1,367.66.

■ Leslie C. Rabiega, 43 Ash Gap Road, Clifton Twp.; $862.34.

■ John Nguyen and Linda Ho, 615 Moosic St., Scranton; $958.49.

■ M.C. Wyman, 1916 Cedar Ave., Scranton; $542.03.

■ Paul Abdalla Jr., 1204 Tennyson Court, Moosic; $25,792.15.

■ Jene Lindsay, 1224 Division St., Scranton; $313.81.

■ Amy Benson, 1922 Jackson St., Scranton; $807.53.

■ Thomas Nolan, 1303 Jefferson Ave., Dunmore; $4,531.26.

■ OK Services Inc., 621 S. State St., Clarks Summit; $3,067.17.

■ Gerald R. Clay Jr., 153 Milwaukee Ave., Old Forge; $505.25.

■ Edward J. Carrighan, 607 Garfield Ave., Jermyn; $489.05.

■ Victor M. Williams, 1623 Sanderson Ave., Scranton; $1,651.39.

■ Dorotheasha D. Elam, 116 Morris Ave., Apt. 1, Scranton; $687.65.

■ Jay B. Pollack, 827 Clay Ave., Scranton; $376.44.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts