TAYLOR — Borough council will hold a public hearing about a zoning ordinance that would allow warehousing on about 90 acres of land in the borough, including former Taylor Colliery land.

The public meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at the borough building, 122 Union St., followed by a council meeting at 7:30 p.m. The proposed ordinance would rezone the land to allow trucking and distribution, said Borough Manager Dan Zeleniak.

Council previously tabled the ordinance and sent it back to the planning commission after residents raised concerns about the boundaries of the rezoning. In response, the borough reduced the size of the planned rezoning, distancing the boundaries from homes on North Main, Church and Oak Streets, Zeleniak said.

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

MARRIAGE LICENSE

■ Melanie Louise Heard and Mark Alan Vennick, both of Dunmore.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Thomas Gates, Staten Island, N.Y., to Harold Gates, Staten Island, N.Y.; a property at 220 Linden St., Apt. 503, Scranton, for $60,000.

■ Cynthia A. Zawacki, now by marriage, Cynthia A. Williams, as agent under a durable power of attorney, for Jane M. Zawacki, Lackawanna County, to Kayla Dee Galdieri, Lackawanna County; a property at 22 Silver Meadow Drive, Scott Twp., for $167,500.

■ Joseph and Patricia L. Cardoni to Daniel and Karen Brier; a property in South Abington Twp. for $72,500.

■ Mary Ann Smith, Covington Twp., to Nancy E. Petrowski and Betsy Ann Young, Landing, N.J.; a property at 87 Center St., Covington Twp., for $257,000.

■ Michael P. and Donna M. Crawley, Wilkes-Barre, to Jay and Joanne Catherine Cannata, Midland Park, N.J.; a property at North Lehigh River, Clifton Twp., for $235,000.

■ Michael D. Walker, attorney, agent for Louis J. and Karen A. Cohen, Red Bank, N.J., to Patrick and Bernadette Ross, North Arlington, N.J.; a property at 323 Packanack Drive, Clifton Twp., for $110,000.

■ Lynn Sandy, Scranton, to Shannon Wentland, Scranton; two parcels in Scranton for $95,000.

■ Laura A. Bailey, now by marriage, Laura B. Engles, and David J. Engles Jr., Pottstown, to George and Karen M. Kairis, Dalton; a property in Scranton for $58,500.

■ Lance J. and Nancy D. Stange, Scranton, to Nisarg Chandrakant and Sarvangi Nisarg Patel, Scranton; a property at 117 Arnold Ave., Scranton, for $127,000.

■ James and Patricia Caputo, Olyphant, to Bedz Realty LLC, Moosic; a property at 535 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, for $225,000.

■ Anthony and Trudy Santaniello, Lackawanna County, to Devon and Danielle O’Keefe and Danielle R. and Kyle Mervau, Pittston; a property at Maple Lake Road, Spring Brook Twp., for $175,000.

■ Michael J. and Dillon Colarossi Lukus, Clarks Summit, to Amy Schneider and Christopher Howey, Clarks Summit; a property at 521 Knapp Road, Clarks Summit, for $275,000.

■ Eileen Fleming to Christopher and Ann Marie Cole, Lackawanna County; a property at 92 Hitchcock Road, Jefferson Twp., for $80,000.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ Angela Franek, Dunmore, v. Thomas K. Franek, Dunmore; married Aug. 25, 2006, in Lackawanna County; Timothy Corbett, attorney.

■ Nicole Babarsky, Mayfield, v. Francis Babarsky, Mayfield; married Aug. 24, 2011, in Maryland; John J. Cerra, attorney.

■ Timothy Louis Walker, Hallstead, v. Lynn Marie Walker, Dickson City; married Aug. 30, 2016, in Dickson City; Bruce L. Coyer, attorney.

DIVORCE DECREES

■ Jill A. Bruce v. James Bruce; pro se.

■ Angela M. Ferri v. Robert C. Ferri; Brian J. Cali, attorney.

■ Melissa Ann Solimini v. Joseph John Solimini; pro se.

■ Zachary Vaughn v. Holly Vaughn; Frank A. Marcin, attorney.

■ John Kerekes Jr. v. Stephanie Kerekes; Robert Trichilo, attorney.

■ Stanley Grace v. Ruth Grace; pro se.

■ Jessica Wolf v. Gerald Wolf; pro se.

■ Nichole Fearon v. Vincent Fearon; Carl Poveromo, attorney.

■ Patrick Nash v. Julie Nash; pro se.

■ Laila Qarmout v. Suleinam Qarmout; pro se.

ESTATES FILED

■ Donald J. Strasburger, also known as Donald J. Strasburger Sr., 217 Stafford Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Nancy A. Talapa, 930 Front St., Scranton.

■ Dorothy P. Fazio, 1100 Mott St., Peckville, letters testamentary to Richard A. Fazio, same address.

■ Kathleen M. Hinton, also known as Kathleen Hinton, 33 Hillcrest Drive, Covington Twp., letters testamentary to Colleen Owens, same address.

■ Melvin D. Byrnes, 444 Alesandra Drive, Greenfield Twp., letters of administration to William Byrnes, 105A Louise Lane, Greenfield Twp.

■ Debra L. Kovall, 1006 Winola Road, South Abington Twp., letters of administration to Julianne Liddle, 255 Manchester Drive, Rising Sun, Md.

■ Sally A. O’Connor, 1234 Bryn Mawr St., Scranton, letters testamentary to Ann Duffy, 907 Horizon Drive, Stroudsburg, and Kevin O’Connor, 104 Elizabeth St., Dallas.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

JACKSON TWP.

Susquehanna County farmers Ed and Gwen Chianese received top marks for running a clean farm.

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts Inc. and the state Department of Environmental Protection awarded four Pennsylvania farms with the 2018 Clean Water Farm Award, including Chianeses’ Windcrest Farm, where they raise beef cattle in Jackson Twp., for its best practices in controlling drainage and keeping animal waste out of waterways, according to a news release.

His water protection strategy includes 15,000 feet of subsurface drainage, grassed waterways and a concrete barnyard. Other solutions include 3,100 feet of streambank fencing and a manure storage facility.

— JON O’CONNELL

FAIRMOUNT TWP. — High water closed the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park on Wednesday.

The popular trail will be closed until the water recedes and the trail is safer.

A post on the park’s Facebook page showed massive amounts of water spilling down the narrow chute on Adams Falls.

Heavy rains this week caused torrents of brown water to rush over the 36-foot drop, one of 22 waterfalls in the park.

More showers are expected today, but the forecast looks drier than recent days. Friday could bring heavy rains or thunderstorms again to the area around the park.

— BILL WELLOCK

City companies making arctic gear

Two companies hidden away down a dirt road in South Scranton were making items for the U.S. military who were fighting in the arctic regions of the world.

The companies, Phenol Products Co. and General Metal Fabricating, were turning out sleds, baskets and freight sleds in a former silk mill on O’Hara Street in South Side.

The construction of the sleds was supervised by arctic explorer Charles Anderson.

A spokesman for the companies said the freight sleds could carry up to 1,000 pounds of ammunition or other supplies, and the smaller sleds could be used for transportation in the field and to transport the wounded.

Thousands flock

to Nay Aug Park

Nay Aug Park in Scranton was filled with over 2,000 people for a performance by the Cetta Band. Among the pieces performed by the band was a piece titled “Church Parade March” composed by former Scranton resident George Briegel. Besides composing, Briegel was a trombonist with the New York City Police Band and the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. Band.

The city borrowed bleachers from the Scranton School District for the concert. The bleachers had room for 1,000 people. Because of the huge crowd at the concert, Snowden said the city would work on getting more seating for the concerts moving forward.

Clothing clearance at Heinz Store

Dresses priced between $3 to $9, summer women’s suits priced between $10 to $19, evening wraps priced between $6 to $13, children’s overalls for 98 cents, children’s slacks for $2.29, and children’s swimsuits for $2.98.

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.

Dunmore High School

GRADE 12

Distinguished honors: Mia Aguilar, Daniela Alunni, Kaitlyn Andrews, Rita Aronica, Cecelia Barchak, Alyssa Bielinski, Maria Borgia, Lauren Brown, MaryKatherine Cadden, Isabella Ceccoli, Anna Chiaro, Ciara Cleary, Gillian Coar, Michael Comstock, Anthony Costanzo, Tia Coyer, Cassidy Creed, John Culkin, Shannon Czekaj, Frank Damiano, Amanda Delhagen, Sean Dempsey, Gianna DiPietro, Samantha Domzalski, Dylan Dunda, Daniel Edwards, Melanie Edwards, Brianna Engle, Erin Epperson, Alexa Fangio, Nathan Fangio, Joseph Ferguson, Mark Finan, Anna Genett, Luke Gratkowski, Richard Grippi, Robert Kennedy, Jordan Lavelle, Gerard Longo, KC Kent Lorilla, Amanda Lucas, Jaunikah Mathews, Brian McKitish, Elizabeth McNeff, William Meade, Allie Meyers, Manual Moran, Michael Muracco, Christopher Murray, Anna Nulter, Megan Oakley, Londyn Occhipinti, Maren Oprisko, Marley Palmere, Mackenzie Pawelzik, Sean Rogan, Nicholas Shoemaker, Matthew Valunas, Luke Yanisko and Jakob Yanochik.

Honors: Michael Adrian, Gavin Darcy, Dominic DiPietro, Gabriella Ferraro, Hunter Gallagher, Thomas Griffiths, Sam Hanni, Patrick Hartshorn, Abigail Kirby, Rocco LaCapra, Lilly Leach, Mia Mandarano, Victoria Mathews, Evan McCarthy, Noah O’Malley, Sean Pietruszkiewicz, Kelly Quinn, Evan Revta, Sedrick Roche, Gerardo Sanchez Garcia, Joseph Talutto, Cory Walsh, Brianna Wickkizer and Joseph Williams.

GRADE 11

Distinguished honors: Kaitlin Ahern, Michael Aronica, Cole Blasko, Joshua Bloom, Mia Bonavoglia, Wyatt Bravo, Colleen Brown, Molly Butler, Antoinette Cantarella, Kayleigh Carey, Emma Coar, Emily Comparetta, Lily Conboy, Arianna Costanzi, Kelly Czankner, Dylan Davey, Gianna Delfino, Colby DeSando, Madison Eagen, Hannah Earley, Abby Errico, Brooke Frable, Jenna Furey, Tommi Golden, Philip Haser, Julia Ingargiola, Kathleen Kennedy, Julia Klotz, Louis LaCapra, Kaylie Levinsky, Jazmine Lim, Sydney Loftus, Anita Lucas, Isabella Mandarano, Annabella Massaro, Allison Mayer, Gregory McDade, Sierra McGinnity, Lydia Meade, George Mesko, Korral Mooney, Sophia Norvilas, Gia Occhipinti, Julia Pasko, Megan Pavlowski, Marchete Reyn Pendon, Devin Peterson, Caroline Pinto, Molly Romeo, Mitchell Russavage, Khamille Sanaphol, Anthony Santarsiero, Jacob Sawka, Emily Stedina, Lucia Summa, Lisa Tallo, Victoria Toomey, Amaya Tropeano, Julia Walsh and Lee Weidow Jr.

Honors: Jared Argust, Max Burke, Patrick Burke, Nicholas DeSando, Patrick Donvito, William Donvito, Mariah Fox, Tabitha Getz, Michael Giannetta, Kyle Harrity, Haylee Hein, Kelsey Hill, Eric Kolodzieski, Kris Patel, Kalianna Philmeck, Seth Reyes and Anthony Woytach.

GRADE 10

Distinguished honors: Paris Alunni, Grace Amico, Spencer Asman, Angelina Bellucci, Steven Borgia, Elizabeth Brace, Erica Brown, James Cadden, Briana Catanzaro, Mia Chiaro, Madilyn Cianci, Jonah Cogliette, Gene Cooper, Ross Cordaro, Ryan Davey, Alec DeSando, Jillian DeSando, Paige Flynn, America Fox, Meghan Fritz, Heavyn Gin, Frank Golden, Ian Gratkowski, Lauren Grippi, Nora Haggerty, Owen Haggerty, Michael Hannah, Catherine Hilson, Katherine Hopkins, Anna Hubshman, Haris Imran, Jacob Kalinowski, Emma Lalli, Thomas Lewis, Rebecca Lucas, Jordyn Marichak, William McHale, John McNeff, Madison Mychayliw, Travis Navarro, Caroline Nolen, Megha Patel, Najuk Patel, Rushi Patel, Ma Agusta Bell Pendon, Suleiman Qarmout, Abigail Reese, Madelynn Senatore, Molly Sheets, Kailyn Shelly, Haylee Sileo, Matthew Sirotnak, Julianna Symons, Danyelle Tech, Ethan Thomas, Charles Valvano and Daniel Walsh.

Honors: Timothy Andrews, Donovan Azevedo, Caroline Coar, Mary Katherine Connor, Ian Cowder, Christine DeNucci, Zachary Gierulski, Anthony Golden, Mia Grant, Thomas Hart, Michael Holmes, Jessica Hook, Mariana Leo, Maria Micciche, Shane Murphy, Nicholas Stanco, Gabriella Temperino, Austin Waters and Mia Wickkizer.

GRADE 9

Distinguished honors: Payton Badyrka, Emily Carey, Alexis Chapman, Nicholas Chiaro, Stephanie Cohen, Jenna Cruser, David Day, Celia Eagen, Adam Edwards, Victoria Griffiths, Samuel Hannah, Madeline Healey, Anna Jimmie, Karl Kincel, Olivia Leo, Gia Levis, Sophie Lucas, Tyler Maciejewski, Paige Martin, Lilly McDonald, Katie McKitish, Jillian Mooney, Sophia Pacewicz, Kilian Palmiter, Deep Patel, Gergana Petkova, William Portanova, Hannah Ptasinski, Steven Qarmout, Gabrielle Weidow, Kiley Yanochik and Calvin Zhang.

Honors: Benjamin Amaya, Hannah Bonin, Julian Buckas, Cristian Buckley, Elisa Delfino, Jacob Earley, Emma Eynon, Raj Gandhi, Louis Hanni, Kyle Jenkins, Brigid King, Cassandra Lucas, Alexis Overholtz, Jonathan, Riggall, Frank Ruggiero, Alexandra Santarsiero, Sierra Sherman, Nicholas Sinkevich, Abigail Springer, Anna Talutto, Mackenzie Wolff and Isabella Zeller.

Riverside East

Elementary School

GRADE 6

Honors with distinction: Braden Beecham, Emma Byrne, Zachary Chilek, Emma Constantino, Daniel Danilovitz, Dominick DeAngelo, Ava DeFazio, Alyssa Fox, Cassondra Jenkins, Anna Lima, Jeffrey Marsico, Michael Maslanka, Amelia Melnick, Jack Munley, Brianne Nemergut, Tess Parchinski, Leah Pfeiffer, Alexa Williams, Sarah Wolfe and Izabella Zyats.

Honors: Maxwell Aglialoro, James Anderson, Gavin Becker, Dylan Borent, Mackenzie Celuck, Kevin Chen, Joseph Fox, Robert Garvey, Reese Gaughan, Nicole Gilchrist, Austin Hogan, Chad Hoskins, Paige Kelly, Imran Khan, Shireza Khan, Sasha Kimble, Madison Lipperini, Noah Ochman, Lilianny Ortiz-Garcia, Samuel Ott, Cameron Pilchesky, Esteban Reyes, Mia Scotti, Julianne Skurka, Gracie Slaven, William Taylor, Nathan Webber, Chase Whetstone, Jaden Willis and Kaila Yadouga.

Lake Ariel

Designer bingo: Lake Ariel Volunteer Fire Company, designer bingo, Aug. 11, 5 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m., $25/advance tickets, $30/door. For tickets and information, call Kathleen Milenkowic, 240-351-5285; Barbara O’Hara, 570-575-7698; or Rose Bolha, 570-814-5936.

Luzerne County

Rummage sales: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 100 Rock St., Hughestown, rummage sale, Aug. 2, 4-8 p.m., Aug. 3, 4-8 p.m., Aug. 4, 9 a.m.-noon; food available.

Moosic

Party-on-the-patio: Colbert and Grebas Alzheimer’s walk team, second annual fundraiser, party on the patio, Friday, July 27, Marzoni’s Brick Oven and Brewing Co., 26 Montage Mountain Road, 5-9 p.m., complimentary light fare, DJ, raffle baskets, guest bartenders, proceeds benefit Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Contact: 570-299-7909.

Peckville

Free lunch: Free community lunch, Peckville United Methodist Church, 732 Main St., Saturday, noon, downstairs dining area.

Scranton

Craft fair: Friends of Connors Park fourth annual craft fair, Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 515 Orchard St., over 65 crafters and vendors, basket raffles, food, collecting nonperishable items for food pantry, proceeds go to park improvements. Contact: Bob Gattens, 570-561-7584.

Wayne County

Food pantry-programs: Honesdale area pantry, Tri County Beverage Building, Route 6, 214 Willow Ave., Honesdale, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 14; Damascus area pantry, Damascus Twp. Building, 60 Conklin Hill Road, Damascus, 1-3 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 16, contact: 570-224-4217 or -570-224-4189; Lakewood area pantry, Northern Wayne Family Health Center, 412 Como Road, Lake Como, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 15, contact: 570-798-2229; Lakeville area pantry, Paupack Twp. Municipal Building, 25 Daniels Road, Lakeville, 11-2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 23, contact: 570-352-6177 or 570-226-3115; Newfoundland area pantry, Newfoundland Moravian Church, Route 191, 982 Main St., Newfoundland, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 10. Registration: 570-253-4262.

West Scranton

Reunion meeting: West Scranton High School class of 1968, reunion planning committee meeting, 7 p.m., Monday, Villa Maria, 1610 Washburn St., Scranton, all welcome to attend.

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.

SCRANTON — An Old Forge man ended his “Jeopardy!” winning streak Wednesday after falling just a $1 short after the final round.

Dave Mattingly first appeared on “Jeopardy!” on Friday, when he racked up enough money to win without betting a single dollar in Final Jeopardy. He won again Monday and Tuesday.

Knowing he was up against “two really good players” Wednesday, Mattingly said he wanted to distance himself from his competitors, leading him to bet all $6,600 on the Daily Double, which he couldn’t answer. He bet his entire $7,200 on the Final Jeopardy question, about a bridge connecting North and South Korea. He answered correctly, but another contestant did too, betting enough win by $1.

All in all, Mattingly won $77,400 from his three-day winning streak, plus a $2,000 consolation prize for coming in second place Wednesday.

“It had to happen at some point,” he said. “Obviously I’m disappointed that I lost, but everyone loses on Jeopardy! nowadays.”

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

CLARKS SUMMIT — Borough officials may seek state gaming funds to pay for renovations to the existing Municipal Building or finance a possible move of their municipal offices.

Council members discussed applying for a $200,000 Local Share Account grant at a meeting before their work session Wednesday night but ultimately decided to table a vote until their next meeting next week. The deadline to apply for the grant is Sept. 30, borough manager Virginia Kehoe said.

Council members are gathering information and weighing options on whether to renovate the existing borough offices at 304 S. State St. or move to another location, council President Gerrie Carey said. Council members have already looked at a prospective site at 100 Davis St., the corporate office of Convenient Food Marts, Carey said.

Just because council members are looking at other potential locations doesn’t mean they are sold on moving operations, Carey said. They hope to fund the project with the grant and the sale of Dave Parker Memorial Stadium on Sheridan Avenue, she said. They’re also exploring how much money they could raise by selling the Borough Building should they decide to move, she said.

“Our intentions are to absolutely not raise any taxes,” Carey said.

The CFM office is appraised at $595,000, Carey said. Council members will look at another property, the Rotech building at 335 Bedford St., on Aug. 11, Carey said. That building is owned by the borough fire company, Kehoe said. They are awaiting appraisal figures on that site, Carey said.

Architecture, engineering and interior design firm Highland Associates of Clarks Summit estimated it would cost $800,000 to renovate the existing building, which hasn’t been remodeled in about 40 years, Kehoe said.

A borough council committee has explored possible sites for a new Borough Building in recent years and last year, officials mentioned Dave Parker Memorial Stadium as a possible place for a new building. The borough owns the property and currently leases it to Abington Little League, though they are planning to solicit bids to sell the property for residential development and use funds raised from the sale to help pay for renovations or a move of the Borough Building, Kehoe said.

Highland Associates estimated it would cost $2 million to erect a new borough building there, Kehoe said. However, that property is in a residential area and the borough would need to get a zoning variance to build there, Kehoe said. Construction of a new Borough Building would also likely incur a tax increase, Carey said.

Clarks Summit Borough Council again meets at 7 p.m. on Aug. 1 at the Borough Building.

Contact the writer:

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

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

Shawn Christy is in the Hazleton area, and he’s definitely armed and dangerous.

Robert Clark of the U.S. Marshals Service said Christy stole guns from a family member’s home in Drums Wednesday night. and is still at large.

Clark said Butler Twp. police responded to a report of a burglary at a home on Klinger Road at 5 p.m.

Clark said Christy was the burglar, and took three pistols — a 9-millimeter, a .380 automatic, and a 22-caliber pistol and “multiple rounds of ammunition.”

Christy is still at large, Clark said.

On July 17, about 50 federal, state and local law enforcement officers spent about three hours searching an area of South Abington Twp. in Lackawanna County for Christy.

The search came after video cameras at the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children captured someone strongly resembling the fugitive breaking into the school and stealing two sacks of food.

“Before we weren’t sure if he was armed, but now we know,” Clark said. “We don’t know what state of mind he is in.”

Clark believes he in still in the Hazleton area, and will continue to search the area for Christy..

“We think he may have changed his appearance,” Clark said early Thursday. “He may have shaved his beard off.”

Clark cautioned local residents to be on the lookout for anyone unusual.

“If there is someone walking in the woods, or something that isn’t quite right, please call your local law enforcement and report it,” Christy

Christy is wanted for threatening President Trump on social media, as well as threatening the Northampton County district attorney, and on charges in Northampton and Schuylkill counties.

Major upgrades of the Casey Highway and the Sans Souci Parkway, new park-and-ride lots and numerous bridge replacements and repairs highlight a new 12-year plan outlining nearly $630 million in local transportation projects over the next four years.

State transportation officials estimate rebuilding parts of the Casey Highway and resurfacing all 16 miles between Dunmore and Carbondale Twp. will cost $39.7 million, according to the new plan. The plan sets the start of the Casey upgrade during the 2021-22 fiscal year with the work stretching into fiscal 2023 and perhaps longer.

Originally built for $475 million, the highway opened Sept. 3, 1999.

Each federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of the following year, which provides a fiscal year’s name. For example fiscal year 2019 begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2019.

In Scranton, during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 fiscal years, contractors also will replace the long-troubled Green Ridge Street bridge over the Lackawanna River at a cost of $6.45 million

and the West Lackawanna Avenue bridge over Conrail tracks for about $8.4 million. The bridge connects West Scranton and the downtown.

In Luzerne County, the Sans Souci Parkway in Hanover Twp. is scheduled for resurfacing estimated to cost $5.9 million starting in the 2021-22 fiscal year, replacement of a Sans Souci bridge over Warrior Creek between fiscal years 2023 and 2026, and complete reconstruction from Loomis Street to Casey Avenue at an estimated cost of $28.5 million between 2027 and 2030.

PennDOT also plans to overhaul the interchange connecting Route 115 and Interstate 81 in Plains in Wilkes-Barre townships, including new Route 115 bridges over I-81, at an estimated cost of $26.25 million. That work is expected over the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years.

Large sections of Route 309 — the North Cross Valley Expressway and Memorial Highway — connecting Wilkes-Barre and the Back Mountain are also due for paving and new bridges.

The plan’s construction dates are tentative and often change. It is not unusual for project delays to happen based on the availability of construction money, the progress of plan designs and various governmental approval processes.

The Lackawanna Luzerne Transportation Study Metropolitan Planning Organization board approved the plan for submission to the State Transportation Commission last week. Known as a transportation improvement plan (TIP), it emphasizes the first four of the 12 years, the state fiscal years 2019-22. Though PennDOT’s regional office in Dunmore covers six counties,the planning organization only handles Lackawanna and Luzerne. Another planning organization handles Wayne, Wyoming, Susquehanna and Pike counties.

PennDOT district executive George Roberts said the plan continues PennDOT’s ongoing focus on repairing and/or replacing existing roads and bridges.

“For the most part over the next four years, we’ll be looking at asset management — repaving roads, improving bridges,” Roberts said. “It’s pretty much status quo from the last TIP (2017-20) that we approved.”

The organizations fully update plans every two years.

Roberts said PennDOT will also spend tens of millions of dollars paving local interstate highways and lesser state routes and contributing to repairs of local roads. Federal funding for all the projects remains roughly the same as the previous planning period as states wait for Congress to approve new, long-term funding for road, bridge and other infrastructure construction, he said.

“We are currently getting the same amount of money from the feds that we used to get 10 years ago,” Roberts said. “Act 89 has increased (funding) and helped us immensely.”

Act 89 of 2013, passed under Gov. Tom Corbett, raised liquid fuel taxes to give the state an additional $2.3 billion a year for transportation projects. Roberts said he hopes Congress acts soon to supplement that.

“I know we definitely have some things we could use that for,” Roberts said.

Even with the emphasis on maintaining existing highways and bridges, PennDOT will spend some money on new projects.

Next year, the plan calls for building a park-and-ride lot off the Tigue Street exit of Interstates 84/380 in Dunmore and a traffic signal where Interstate 81 north exits at Drinker Street. Each is estimated to cost $1 million.

In the 2021-22 fiscal year, PennDOT plans a $2.6 million park-and-ride lot off Route 247 near the Casey Highway in Jessup.

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

Lackawanna County bridge projects

Other Lackawanna County bridges scheduled for the start of repairs or replacement by the 2022 fiscal year, their estimated costs and approximate years the construction will happen are:

BENTON TWP.: Route 407 (Philly Great Bend Pike) bridge over Lackawanna Lake, $2.6 million, 2019-20; Route 107 (Benton Road) bridge over Tunkhannock Creek branch, $1.05 million, 2021-22; and Seamans Road bridge over D&H Railroad, $4 million, 2019-21.

CARBONDALE: Sixth Avenue bridge over Lackawanna River, $2 million, 2018-20 and Wayne Street bridge over Route 6, $2.5 million, 2019-20.

COVINGTON TWP.: Route 307 bridge over Interstate 380, $3.05 million. 2020-21.

CLIFTON TWP.: Fourth Street bridge over Lehigh River, $3.9 million, 2020-21.

JEFFERSON TWP.: Maplewood Road bridge over Kizer Pond outlet, $850,000. Construction: 2019.

MOOSIC: Route 11 (Pittston Avenue) bridge over Luzerne County Railroad Authority tracks, $1 million, 2018-19.

MOOSIC/OLD FORGE: Moosic Road bridge over Lackawanna River, $2.5 million, 2018-19.

NEWTON TWP.: Falls Road over Falls Creek branch, $1.275 million, 2020-21.

ROARING BROOK TWP.: Ramp D Road bridge over Interstates 84/380, $1.55 million, 2018-19; Route 307 bridge over Route 347, $1.7 million, 2021- 22; Route 307 bridge over Williams Bridge Reservoir, $2.1 million, 2021-22; and Route 435 (Drinker Pike) bridge over Interstate 84, $2.85 million, 2021-22.

SCOTT TWP.: Route 438 bridge over Tunkhannock Creek south branch, $650,000, 2018-19.

SCRANTON: Route 11 (McDade Expressway) bridge over Theodore Street, $1.5 million, 2020-22 and Route 11 (McDade Expressway) bridge over Oak Street exit, Scranton, $1.1 million, 2021-22.

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP.: Route 307 (Shady Lane Road) bridge over Summit Lake outlet, $750,000, 2018-19 and Pennsylvania Turnpike Ramp F over Route 11, $2.05 million, 2020-21.

THORNHURST TWP.: River Road over Pond Creek, $800,000, 2018-19.

Luzerne County bridge and road projects

Here are the Luzerne County bridges scheduled for construction repairs/preservation or replacement, with their location, the estimated costs of the jobs and the approximate fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) construction will begin:

BEAR CREEK TWP.: Suscon Road bridge over Bear Creek, $1.55 million, 2020-21.

BUTLER TWP.: Township Road 358 bridge over Nescopeck Creek, $1.225 million, 2021-2022.

BUTLER TWP.: Route 309 (Hunter Highway) bridge over Nescopeck Creek, $5 million, 2019-2020.

CONYNGHAM: Butler Avenue bridge over Little Nescopeck Creek, $1.25 million, 2019-2020.

COURTDALE: Route 309 (Memorial Highway) bridge over Toby Creek, $4.35 million, 2020-2022.

DALLAS TWP.: Route 309 bridge over Fern Creek branch, $750,000, 2018-2019.

DALLAS TWP.: Overbrook Avenue bridge over Route 309, $2.06 million, 2020-2021.

DUPONT: Route 11 (Main Street) bridge over railroad and Mill Creek, $2.5 million, 2018-2019.

EXETER TWP.: Oberdorfer Road bridge over Oberdorfer’s Creek, $750,000, 2018-2019.

EXETER TWP.: Route 92 (Sullivan Trail) bridge over Lewis Creek, $1.338 million, 2021-2022.

EXETER TWP.: Schooley Avenue bridge over Hicks Creek, $1.35 million, 2021-2022.

FAIRMOUNT TWP.: Old County Road bridge over Pine Creek branch, $1 million, 2018-2019.

FAIRMOUNT TWP.: Bethel Hill Road bridge over Kitchen Creek, $1 million, 2018-2020.

FAIRVIEW TWP.: Route 437 (Woodland Road) bridge over Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad, $1.05 million, 2020-2021.

HAZLE TWP.: Route 924 bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad, $2.5 million, 2019-2020.

HAZLE TWP.: Stockton Mountain Road over Hazle Creek, $1.75 million, 2018-2019.

HUNLOCK TWP.: Gravel Road bridge over Roaring Brook, $500,000, 2018-2019.

HUNTINGTON TWP.: Sunshine Road bridge over Huntington Creek tributary, $1 million, 2018-2019.

JACKSON TWP.: Chase Road bridge over Harvey’s Creek, branch, $1.05 million, 2018-2019.

JACKSON TWP.: Huntsville Road bridge over Becker’s Creek, $1 million, 2021-2022.

KINGSTON: Route 309 (North Cross Valley Expressway) bridge over ramp, $6.35 million, 2021-2022.

KINGSTON TWP.: Carverton Road bridge over Leonard’s Creek, $600,000, 2020-21.

KINGSTON TWP.: Route 1050 bridge over Toby Creek, $1.75 million, 2018-2019.

KINGSTON TWP.: Route 309 (Memorial Highway) bridges over Toby Creek, $4.4 million, 2021-2022, cq and $4.35 million, 2020-2021.

LAFLIN: Main Street bridge over Gardner’s Creek, $750,000, 2020-2021.

LAFLIN: Route 315 bridge over Gardner’s Creek tributary, $1 million, 2019-2020.

LEHMAN TWP.: Route 118 bridge over Huntsville Reservoir tributary, $1.225 million, 2021-2022.

LEHMAN TWP.: Meeker Road bridge over Harvey’s Creek, $1.3 million, 2021-2022.

LUZERNE/PRINGLE: Route 309 (North Cross Valley Expressway) bridges over Union Street in Pringle and Evans Street in Luzerne, $6 million, 2018-2019.

NESCOPECK TWP.: Dump Hill Road bridge over Nescopeck Creek, $2.05 million, 2018-2019.

PLAINS TWP.: Route 309 (North Cross Valley Expressway) over Laurel Run Creek, $1.25 million.

SALEM TWP.: Shickshinny Valley Road bridge over Little Shickshinny Creek, $500,000, 2018-2019.

SLOCUM TWP.: Blue Ridge Trail bridge over Little Wapwallopen Creek, $1.338 million, 2020-2021.

SUGARLOAF TWP. Route 93 bridge over Nescopeck Creek, $2.98 million, 2019-2020.

SUGARLOAF TWP.: St. John’s Road bridge over Nescopeck Creek tributary, $1.45 million, 2020-2021.

UNION TWP.: Main Road bridge over Reyburn Creek, $1.35 million, 2020-2021.

WILKES-BARRE: Blackman Street bridge over Bowman Spring Run, $450,000, 2019-2020.

WILKES-BARRE: Route 309 (North Cross Valley Expressway) bridge over Wilkes-Barre Boulevard, $2.8 million, 2020-2021.

WILKES-BARRE: Route 309 (North Cross Valley Expressway bridge over North Main Street, $2.5 million, 2018-2020.

WRIGHT TWP.: South Main Road bridge over Bow Creek, $875,000, 2018-2019.

Here are other Luzerne County projects set for 2019-2022:

AVOCA: Intersection improvements, Route 11 (East Front Street) and McAlpine Street, $2.5 million.

BUTLER TWP.: Park-and-ride lot, Route 309 at Interstate 81 interchange, $2.65 million, 2019-2020.

DALLAS/DALLAS TWP./KINGSTON TWP.: Route 309 (Memorial Highway) traffic signal improvements between the Tunkhannock Highway and Route 415, $400,000, 2021-2023.

DUPONT: Replacement, flashing lights and gates at three railroad crossings, $900,000, 2018-2020.

DURYEA: Railroad warning lights and gates, McAlpine Street over Mill Creek, $82,000

DURYEA: Replacement, railroad warning lights and gates, Stephenson Street, $106,000.

HANOVER/HAZLE TWPS.: Railroad warning lights and gates at Route 424 (Arthur Gardner Highway) and Sissock Drive, $500,000, 2020-2022.

HAZLE TWP.: New alignment of Route 424 (Arthur Gardner Highway) to Route 924, $20 million, 2018-2021.

JACKSON TWP: Widening, resurfacing and other repairs to Chase Road, Jackson Twp., $1.5 million. Construction: 2019 and 2020.

JENKINS TWP.: Intersection improvements, Saylor Avenue at River Road, $2.8 million, 2019-2020.

JENKINS TWP.: Intersection improvements, Route 315 (Dupont Highway) and Yatesville Road, $4.05 million, 2018-2019.

LEHMAN TWP.: Safety improvements Route 118 at intersections with Fire House Road, Mountain View Drive, Meeker Road and Outlet Road, $2.6 million, 2019-2021.

NANTICOKE: Streetscape improvements, $3.808 million, various streets, 2019-2020.

PITTSTON TWP.: Installation, railroad lights and gates at New Hanover Street and New Commerce Boulevard, $300,000, 2018-2020.

PRINGLE: Park-and-ride lot, Route 309 and Union Street, $2.86 million. 2020-2021.

WILKES-BARRE TWP.: Lengthening of Interstate 81 south exit ramp, Exit 165 (Mountain Top/Wilkes-Barre), $2.95 million, 2021-2023.

Editor’s Note: This story was corrected to say the federal fiscal year begins on Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of the following year.

SCRANTON — Ordered to stay away from his ex-wife for nine months to settle legal troubles from a protection from abuse order, Peter Giermanski lasted 14 days, Clarks Summit police said.

Giermanski, 38, 100 Squirrel Run, Clarks Green, is in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of 125,000 bail, set by Magesterial District Judge Paul Keeler, on a count of violating that PFA order, Officer Eric Williams said.

Video cameras in the backyard of Jessica Giermanski, his ex-wife, captured him there in the rain at 1:33 a.m. Wednesday, appearing to look into a window, Williams said.

Jessica Giermanski took out the PFA order in January, after she said he retrieved a gun during an argument. In June, police said he violated the order when he contacted her four times in 15 to 20 minutes and followed her car. He then was given a chance July 11 to have the charge withdrawn if he could go nine months without any incidents with his ex-wife.

His preliminary hearing date was unavailable.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

PITTSTON TWP. — The airport board hopes to extend the taxiway to the main runway’s southern end so planes can take off more quickly and safely.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport board today hired McFarland-Johnson Inc., Binghamton, N.Y., to study the environmental effects of the extension and design preliminary engineering plans. The contract will cost a maximum of $457,748 with the Federal Aviation Administration covering 90 percent and the state Department of Transportation and the airport 5 percent each.

The airport finished $15.2 million taxiway extension to the northern end of the 7,501-foot runway last year. The extension means planes can drive directly to the end of the runway before takeoff instead turning onto the runway first, rolling to its end and turning around for takeoff. Experts say a direct path saves a few minutes and reduces chances of a runway collision.

The board also learned the rental car company, Hertz, added Dollar Rent A Car to its airport booth earlier this month. Hertz owns Dollar, which markets itself as a cheaper alternative to the major rental car companies.

Check back for updates.

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

SCRANTON — A secretary for a Scranton attorney faces forgery and theft charges after investigators say she wrote and cashed nearly 200 checks from the lawyer’s accounts for $175,950 between 2015 and last month.

Kelly Mattern, office assistant/legal secretary for attorney Frank Santomauro, surrendered today at the Lackawanna County Courthouse.

She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Alyce Farrell on multiple counts of forgery, theft by unlawful taking and access device fraud — all felonies — along with two misdemeanor counts of bad checks. She was released on $50,000 unsecured bail pending an Aug. 8 preliminary hearing.

Mattern, 38, 820 Hilltop Drive 1, Clarks Summit, is accused of forging Santomauro’s signature and cashing checks she wrote from both his business account and his lawyer’s trust account beginning in October 2015.

Santomauro, who reported the theft to the district attorney’s office in late June, said Mattern was like family to him and he treated her as such, county Detective Lisa Bauer wrote in the arrest affidavit.

The attorney discovered the theft in late 2017, at which point Mattern had written checks totaling almost $148,000 on his business account, but he did not fire her after her mother repaid $50,000 and he started withholding funds from her paycheck toward restitution, the affidavit said.

Santomauro discovered in March that Mattern had resumed forging checks on the account in January but again did not fire her, stating he kept her employed so he could continue to collect restitution payments, the affidavit said.

The attorney finally contacted authorities after discovering the checks forged on his lawyer’s trust account around June 25.

A review of records from the Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Twp. found Mattern used her Player’s Club Card at the casino on more than 200 days between November 2016 and last month, according to the affidavit.

The investigation discovered 60 of the checks Mattern forged were cashed on days she used her Player’s Club Card and many others were cashed within a day or two of those dates.

Check back later for updates.

Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9132

SCRANTON — The majority of Lackawanna County commissioners bluntly reiterated their opposition to reassessment this week in the face of a lawsuit seeking to force one and recent criticism by a city councilman.

As of Wednesday, the county had yet to be served with the suit, which was filed last week in Lackawanna County Court on behalf of three plaintiffs. In the lawsuit, city residents Brian Skotch, Annette Holmes and Ronald Monroe claim the county’s half-century-old property tax assessments are unconstitutional and have created a “disproportionate and extremely regressive tax burden.”

Republican Commissioner Laureen Cummings, an ardent reassessment critic who believes it will result in property tax hikes, and Democrat Commissioner Patrick O’Malley, who announced his opposition to the process after the results of a voided reassessment ballot question showed the majority of voters opposed it as well, again voiced their objections at Wednesday’s commissioners meeting.

The meeting followed Monday’s meeting of Scranton City Council, where Councilman Wayne Evans publicly charged both commissioners with spewing “nonsense” and “scare tactics” and urged them not to “waste one dime of taxpayers’ money” fighting the recently filed lawsuit.

Citing the Nov. 7 ballot referendum that — despite being ruled invalid by a panel of county judges before it took place — saw voters reject borrowing for a reassessment by an almost 2-to-1 margin, O’Malley said he sides with the voters.

“When I decided that I would be against reassessment, it was because the citizens of Lackawanna County didn’t just let it be known, they screamed it that they didn’t want reassessment,” he said.

Responding to Evans’ criticisms, O’Malley touted the county’s A-stable bond rating, “large fund balance” and investments in Scranton, including its more than $17 million investment in the former Globe store on Wyoming Avenue.

“(If) I was that person that talks ... about us, they should walk into their bathroom ... and look in the mirror and maybe say ‘what have I done lately,’” O’Malley said.

Reached Thursday, Evans noted his 30 years spent as a “citizen volunteer” in Scranton, as well as his time in public office.

“I’ve given decades of my time and energy to my city, and that’s something I take very seriously,” Evans said.

Cummings argued that representatives of local municipalities and school districts are shirking their responsibility to taxpayers by not attending assessment appeals hearings and fighting to keep property assessments from being lowered on appeal. It’s in the best interest of taxing districts to oppose assessment appeals, Cummings argued, noting properties where assessments are reduced generate less tax revenue for local governments.

“It’s interesting to think if we can be sued for reassessment that we’re supposedly obligated to do, they’re obligated to do their due diligence in regards to the appeals process,” Cummings said. “So can their citizens sue them for not doing their job on the appeals process?”

She went on to read several anti-reassessment “Letters to the Editor” that appeared in Wednesday’s edition of The Times-Tribune, and accused municipalities at the state-imposed 30-mill tax cap, above which municipalities can’t raise taxes without court permission, of wanting reassessment so they can hike taxes.

“It has nothing to do with fairness or anything else,” Cummings said. “They just want to increase the taxes for the residents in that area.”

Democrat Commissioner Jerry Notarianni, a longtime advocate of reassessment, said he wasn’t going to rehash the reassessment debate at Wednesday’s meeting.

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

PRESTON TWP. — The hooded figure caught on camera fleeing the scene of a small explosion in Wayne County Monday night may have burned his face, state police fire marshals said.

At about 9:19 p.m., surveillance cameras captured a man wearing what appears to be a heavy jacket walking across a parking lot to the office building of Rock Lake Quarry, 3230 Creamton Drive in Lake Como, carrying something in his hand. He opened the window on the side of the building, threw some “flammable accelerant” inside the bathroom area and set it on fire. An explosion ensued and damaged the bathroom and reception area of the business. The fire extinguished itself.

The man fled into the woods. Anyone with information is asked to contact the state police fire marshal unit at 570-963-4323.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

ARCHBALD — Officers Shawn Chorba and Chris Mazzucca, both members of the Lackawanna County SWAT Team, huddled behind a shield as they prepared to break down a door this afternoon.

“Standby for breach,” Chorba shouted and started counting down. “Three, two, one.”

Then, boom. A blast knocked the lock from the door and the two policemen, clad in camouflage, body armor and ballistic helmets, quickly pushed it open and fired their rifles into a target. The door breaching demonstration was one of several activities participants in the Pennsylvania State Police’s Camp Cadet program took part in Thursday at the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s shooting ranges. Cadets learned about marksmanship and firearms safety and shot .22 rifles at targets and got an up close and personal look — and listen — at the equipment at the disposal of the county SWAT team. Officers also used the Long Range Acoustic Device, a vehicle-mounted machine used to disperse crowds, issue commands into buildings or aid in searching for missing people.

Locally, Camp Cadet kicked off Sunday at Marywood University. Camp Cadet is a summer camp for state boys and girls from between 12 and 15 and is structured similar to training at the state police academy. Children also learn respect and discipline at Camp Cadet, said Trooper Rich Grippi of the Troop R Dunmore barracks and a Camp Cadet instructor. Cadets undergo physical training in the morning. Answers, questions and sentences always ended with a sir or ma’am.

Organizers also try to expose cadets to a plethora of jobs and experiences, Grippi said. Other demonstrations through the week included a helicopter landing and presentation by its pilot, Grippi said. Later Thursday, they planned to stop by the Lackawanna County 911 Center in Jessup, Grippi said.

Some even got an idea of what they might want to do for a career or cemented future plans by attending Camp Cadet.

Cadet Jack Snyder, 14, of Scranton, was already considering a career in law enforcement before going to Camp Cadet. He’s more sure of pursuing that path now, he said. He found the presentation the SWAT team’s sniper, Archbald police Patrolman Mike Fenton, especially interesting Thursday, Snyder said.

Cadet Sophia Kazmierczak, 12, of Dalton, thought she wanted to be an emergency medical technician before she started the camp, but a presentation at the camp on Tuesday changed her mind.

“I really enjoyed when the game warden came in,” she said.

Sophia said she’d now like to be a Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife conservation officer.

Camp Cadet wraps up today and culminates with a graduation ceremony this evening, Grippi said. The experience proves a great experience for the instructors, said Grippi, who participated in Camp Cadet for the first time this year.

“Just to see how the kids walk in the first day and see how they mature and develop over the course of one week and what they learn, it’s very rewarding,” he said.

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

Emil and Mary Ann Pieski celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary by praying at St. Ann’s Feast Day today, the final day of the 94th Solemn Novena.

The Clarks Green couple attended the novena at St. Ann’s Monastery and Basilica in West Scranton in 1975, the year of their wedding, and got married in Olyphant on the Feast Day.

With a closing Mass hosted by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, the Feast marks the end of the annual nine-day Solemn Novena to St. Ann. More than 10,000 worshippers attended the 45 Masses throughout the novena, including a Mass of the Anointing of the Sick, a children’s Mass and a Mass in Tamil, a southeast Indian dialect. Devotions and blessings with various relics of St. Ann, brought in by the priests, followed each Mass.

“The blessing of the relic brings fulfillment, just as our wedding brings fulfillment,” Emil Pieski said of his favorite part of the novena.

But their marriage was the only thing the Pieski couple was celebrating at the novena this year. For the first time since their son joined the Navy and their daughter left for college in Minnesota in the late 1990s, they reunited with family and met their grandson, Dominic Coviello.

The 10 year old attended the novena with his grandparents for the first time after recently flying in from Minnesota.

Many who attended novena also seized the opportunity to catch up with family.

Betsy McIntyre, 85, has been attending the novena for 80 years. She sat outside with 10 family members, including six of her 22 grandchildren, who commuted from Bethesda, Maryland with her.

Although she said a lot has changed at the novena over the years, such as relatively smaller crowds and more memorials, McIntyre feels the same comfort and peace.

Others at the Feast Day also felt peace throughout the novena.

“There’s no hustle and bustle, everyone goes at their own pace here,” Carbondale resident Al McGowan, 83, said of the peace he felt at the novena.

Susan Turner, 67, held the hands of her grandson, Turner Havira, and swayed, dancing what the 2-year-old called “the hotdog dance.”

“When I come here, I’m not so focused on what I normally am every day. I feel internal, spiritual peace,” the Blakely resident said, as her grandson held a toy shark and ran around the Basilica’s grounds.

Contact the writer: mpetro@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x1316

SCRANTON — Marcie Maroski went to her first concert on Thursday.

The 5-year-old daughter of Joe Maroski and Crystal Jones traveled with her parents from their home in Williams Twp., Northampton County, to Vans Warped Tour at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain.

The alternative music festival, which began in 1995, is in its final cross-country run and stopped in Scranton for the final time on Thursday.

Maroski, 25, and Jones, 24, both attended Warped Tour as teenagers and hold fond memories as it gave alternative music lovers “a place to call their own,” Jones said. Neither had attended since the birth of their daughter, but they decided the final year was a must. While the family stayed closer to the back of the crowd, including an earplugs-wearing Marcie, it was a sweet moment for the music-loving family.

“It’s special to be here all together for the last (Warped Tour),” Maroski said. “Something we can talk about when she’s older.”

The Lehigh Valley family joined an estimated 15,000 people who crowded the venue under the hot sun today to say goodbye to Warped Tour. A sea of black clothing, colorful hair, shiny piercings and eclectic makeup swarmed the seven stages across the grounds, which showcased more than 70 acts including seasoned ska act Reel Big Fish, pop punk band We The Kings and metalcore band, the NEPA-born Motionless in White.

Brandon Wilson, 26, Throop, and Joey Chowanec, 24, Dickson City, have attended the festival for 12 and 10 years, respectively. Both have watched the bands on the tour, as well as the tour itself change and evolve of the years. They’ve also discovered new music along the way.

“It’s bittersweet,” Chowanec said. “It’s changed from year to year and you watch bands grow and develop. You’ll miss that.”

“It’s surreal (to be here),” Wilson added. “It’s the last hurrah.”

Elsewhere, some fans were experiencing Warped Tour for the first time, including Cassidy Hackenberger. The 14-year-old from Etters felt eager to see some of her favorites bands including Asking Alexandria, Mayday Parade and Motionless in White.

With her dad, George, in tow, Cassidy reveled in the sights and sounds of the festival.

“I’m so happy to be here and to be able to see all of these bands that I love all in one place,” she said. “It’s the best experience ever and I love it so much.”

Contact the writer: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT on Twitter

SCRANTON — A Waverly Twp. woman went to the hospital after a car struck her in Scranton this afternoon.

Erin Thompson, 48, was struck by a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado as she crossed at the corner of Mifflin Avenue and Lackawanna Avenue around 4:57 p.m., according to Scranton police Lt. Marty Crofton.

The driver, George Philbrook, 57, of Nanticoke, was turning left from Mifflin onto Lackawanna and said he didn’t see Thompson.

Emergency crews took Thompson to Regional Hospital of Scranton with an apparent wrist injury, Crofton said.

— STAFF REPORT