PennDOT urges safety breaks

DUNMORE - The state Department of Transportation is encouraging motorists traveling through Northeast Pennsylvania during the Memorial Day holiday to take a safety break at interstate rest areas.

From Friday through Memorial Day, community groups will serve coffee at rest areas through a program coordinated with PennDOT.

Breaks will be held at various times during the holiday weekend at rest areas on Interstates 80, 81 and 84, as well as the Matamoras and Great Bend welcome centers.

The initiative is meant to encourage drivers to take a break for safety.

Rebin Zikhani wants to improve the health care system in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Karokh Mohammed wants to better his government.

The cousins from the growing region are trying to improve their home 5,800 miles away - while at Marywood University.

Officials at the school have attended three college fairs in Kurdistan, whose residents hope for independence and are seeking education to better themselves and their region's future.

Three students from Kurdistan now attend Marywood. As many as 20 students are expected on campus this fall.

"Now the word is spreading, and these students are fantastic. The Kurdish people are the kindest I've ever come across," said Christian DiGregorio, who is director of admissions at Marywood and returned from his latest recruiting trip last month.

Kurdistan is located within four countries: Iraq, Syria, Iran and Turkey. The Kurds were persecuted by Saddam Hussein, and after his fall, the region started to grow. The government is investing in infrastructure and the region is starting to see riches from its oil.

"Just to be part of the rebuilding process is really special," Mr. DiGregorio said.

In order to educate its citizens, Kurdistan's government created the Human Capacity Development Program in Higher Education, which provides scholarships for students to attend graduate programs around the world. After receiving their degrees, the students must return to Kurdistan.

Marywood first became involved in the program through assistant professor Alexander Dawoody, Ph.D., who is from Kurdistan. After a few meetings with Kurdistan officials, Marywood representatives in April 2012 attended their first college fair in the Middle East and found themselves surrounded by some of the largest and best-known schools from around this world. Mr. DiGregorio and assistant professor Christopher Speicher, Ph.D., represented the college in April.

"We have this niche because we can do things the big schools can't do," Mr. DiGregorio said. "We can take better care, pay more attention to students."

On a campus of 3,400, students from the Middle East are learning how to become better leaders.

Mr. Zikhani, a physician, is studying health service administration. Mr. Mohammed, who works for the Kurdistan Region Presidency Office, is studying public administration. They say what they learn at Marywood will improve their home.

Since their arrival in January, the cousins, whose native language is Kurdish, have been in an intensive English program and hope to start their programs in the fall. Their master's degrees will take 2½ years. They are also starting to explore the region.

"It's a really good, quiet city," Mr. Zikhani said. "It's a nice town."

Mr. DiGregorio said educating the Kurds fits with Marywood's mission.

"It's really been a great process," he said. "I can't say enough about the students and how gracious they are. They are so eager to learn."

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

She defines the word "volunteer." On Sunday, her peers validated Jane Oppenheim's devotion to the community.

Amos Lodge 136 of B'nai B'rith, a Jewish community service and human rights organization, presented Mrs. Oppenheim with its Americanism Award.

"Jane has been an outstanding community leader," said Edward A. Monsky, co-chairman of the 61st annual Americanism Award dinner. "Jane really exemplifies that."

The dinner, held at the Jewish Community Center in Scranton, brought together dozens of prominent local figures who would round out the who's who list of Northeast Pennsylvania - all there to honor and support Mrs. Oppenheim, of Scranton.

"I'm totally overwhelmed, delighted and excited," she said.

Throughout her life, one thing has remained very clear: a passion for community service.

She has volunteered with several local community-focused organizations or served on their boards, including the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Community Medical Center, Scranton Area Foundation, United Way, Everhart Museum, Keystone College and Temple Hesed.

And she follows a family tradition.

Her father-in-law, I.E. Oppenheim, who founded the Scranton Dry Goods department store, and her brother-in-law, Ellis M. Oppenheim, received the Americanism Award.

The award is given to individuals who devote themselves to volunteering, community and public service.

Past recipients include Gov. William W. Scranton, the late Gov. Robert P. Casey and Senior U.S. District Judge William J. Nealon.

Perhaps with this legacy of devotion to others in mind, Mrs. Oppenheim issued a challenge to those gathered at the dinner.

"Go out and find one new young person to get involved" with volunteering, she said. "We need people who will stand on our shoulders."

Contact the writer: smcconnell@ timesshamrock.com, @smcconnellTT on Twitter

Man hospitalized after ATV crash

OLD FORGE - Borough police are searching for the driver of an ATV who struck a pedestrian on Sunday and sped off.

The victim, a 39-year-old man whose name was not released, was taken to a hospital with moderate, non-life-threatening injuries after an ATV hit him on Connell Street at about 6:15 p.m., police said.

Police believe the driver of the ATV was wearing black shorts, a black and white shirt, and a black and white helmet. The ATV may have been either black and white or blue and white.

Anyone with information is asked to contact borough police through the Lackawanna County Communications Center at 342-9111.

Interactive map of sites online

Visit thetimes-tribune.com to see an interactive map of the complaint investigations. The tool was developed in conjunction with the FracTracker Alliance, a nonprofit organization that collects, shares and visualizes data about the oil and gas industry. The data collected by The Times-Tribune will also be included with other data sets in a FracTracker project to map suspected well water impacts nationwide at fractracker.org/usmap.

The connection between Gubbio, Italy, and Jessup has always been strong.

The two communities are joined through family, tradition and St. Ubaldo Day, an event that celebrates a 12th century bishop, St. Ubaldo, who helped save Gubbio from an attack.

For Carlo Romaldini, 56, of Clarks Summit, this year that bond will have a little more meaning.

His cousin, Andrea Martiri, was selected as the captain for the St. George team in the Race of the Saints festival in Gubbio. A similar event has been held in the corresponding Midvalley community since 1909, when Italian immigrants brought the tradition to the U.S.

St. Ubaldo was carried on a platform throughout Gubbio to tell residents they were safe. At the modern-day Race of the Saints, teams carry statues of St. George, St. Anthony and St. Ubaldo through the streets, imitating the practice. To be chosen as captain of one of the running teams is a great commendation.

"It's a wonderful moment for not just myself, but all the family members here in the U.S.," Mr. Romaldini said of his cousin, whom he calls "the Prince of Gubbio."

The long-standing tradition draws thousands to Jessup each year, and Mr. Martiri doesn't foresee that changing.

"It is impossible to think that the party can stop this, for every family passed down to their children this fantastic tradition," he said. "I have not yet had the opportunity of seeing the festival at Jessup, but I wish to be able to come within the next few years."

The Race of the Saints was held in Gubbio last week, on Wednesday, and the Jessup event will be held Saturday.

Mr. Romaldini's aunt, Thelma Stella, 83, said she has been attending the three-day event in Jessup since the 1930s but has not gone for the past few years.

The Pittston resident said she was proud of Mr. Martiri's honor, but added that one of the greatest draws of the weekend at both events is the "good table."

"The best part is all the festivities and the food," she said. "You can't believe the food they have after the race is over. It's unbelievable."

Events will kick off with a parade Friday, and begin again at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday when a band travels through the town. The day will also include a Mass at 11 a.m., celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, bishop of Scranton, and the Race of the Saints.

A children's race will be held Sunday.

ONLINE: www.stubaldoday.com

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

For first-time runners, both Marion and James Koester completed the 5K course with relative ease, neither breaking a sweat as they crossed the finish line early Sunday morning.

Of course, the 2- and 4-year-old received some help from their mother, Maryfrances, who pushed them in a stroller while running the trails at Nay Aug Park.

"My family is here, so we thought it would be fun to have the kids participate in the run, too," Ms. Koester said. "It's for a great cause."

Dozens of people swarmed Nay Aug Park on Sunday for the inaugural Ryan O'Malley Race 5K Run/Walk.

The course started and ended at the Schimelfenig pool pavilion, and took runners past the former zoo and amusement park.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Ryan T. O'Malley '99 Memorial Scholarship at the University of Scranton.

A 1999 graduate of the U of S, Mr. O'Malley died in August 2011 at 33. An avid runner, his passion for computer technology led him to pursue a career in the computing sciences.

The scholarship will benefit computer science students interested in fitness and community service who have limited financial resources, said organizer Julie O'Malley Philipp, Ryan's older sister.

"The support from the community is overwhelming," she said. "It's as great of a turnout as we could have expected."

With his wife and granddaughters cheering, 69-year-old Tom Sweeney sprinted across the finish line - completing a lifelong goal.

"I always said that some day I was going to run a 5K," the Clarks Summit man said. "Today just seemed like the perfect opportunity."

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

ARMBRUSTER, DIANE, Scranton, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Howard J. Snowdon Funeral Home, 1810 Sanderson Ave., Scranton. Calling hours, Tuesday, 4 to 7 and following the service until 8. Contributions: Armbruster family at the Pennstar Bank, 736 Main St., Dickson City, PA 18519. Condolences: duffyandsnowdon.com.

BONCZEK, GARY, Scranton, Tuesday, 11 a.m., Bomberger-Lesko Funeral Home Inc., 1660 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Contributions: Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.

CALPIN, TIMOTHY P., Madera, Calif., today, Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton, services, 9:30 a.m., by the Rev. Arthur Davis, pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Contributions: The Molly Fund or the Sean Calpin Scholarship Fund c/o Scranton Area Foundation, 321 Spruce St., Suite 608, Scranton, PA 18503. Condolences: neilreganfuneralhome.com.

CALVEY, RITA MARIE CALLAHAN, Clarks Green, today, Mass, 11 a.m., Church of St. Gregory, Clarks Green, by the Rev. John M. Lapera. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours, today, 10 to 10:45, church. Contributions: St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509 or donor's choice. Arrangements: Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., Clarks Summit.

DEGROAT, MARGARET, Lords Valley, today, 11 a.m., Teeters' East Chapel, Hawley. Interment, Lords Valley Cemetery. Visitation, today, 5 to 8 p.m. Condolences: TeetersFuneralChapel.com.

EVANS, THOMAS REESE "T.R." III, Jermyn, Tuesday, Louis M. Margotta Funeral Home, 511 Church St., Jessup. Services, 5 p.m., by the Rev. Drew Cottle. Interment, private. Calling hours, Tuesday, 4 to 7 p.m. Condolences: margotttafuneralhomes.com.

FRANKS, TAMMY MISTISHIN, Danville, Wednesday, 10 a.m., Sanctuary of Central United Methodist Church, 205 11th St., Honesdale, by the Rev. Robert Kazinski. Interment, Wednesday, Canaan Corners Cemetery, Waymart. Calling hours, Tuesday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Wesley Room, Central UMC, Honesdale. Celebration of life, June 30, 1 to 4 p.m., Pine Barn Inn, Danville. Arrangements: Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, Honesdale.

GENTILE, ERNEST, Dunmore, private. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery in Moscow. Arrangements: Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., Dunmore. Condolences: DunmoreFuneralHome.com.

KOSTENBADER, DOROTHY ROSS, Allentown, Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Evergreen Cemetery, Dickson City. Contributions: St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, 401 S. Ott St., Allentown, PA 18104. Arrangements: J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown, jsburkholder.com.

KOZLANSKY, GEORGE J., Scranton, private. Arrangements: Patrick F. Guido Funeral Home, Scranton. Condolences: patrick guidofuneralhome.com.

LAMANNA, FRANK N., formerly of Scranton and Philadelphia, Friday, Carl J. Savino Funeral Home, 157 S. Main Ave., Scranton. Mass, 1 p.m., St. Lucy's Church, 949 Scranton St., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours, Friday, noon to 12:45 p.m.

LAWRENCE, ALBERT J. SR., Dunmore, today, Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith Street, Dunmore. Interment, Mount Carmel Cemetery, Dunmore. Contributions: American Heart Association, 613 Baltimore Drive, Suite 3, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, or to SS. Anthony and Rocco Parish, 303 Smith St., Dunmore, PA 18512. Condolences: DunmoreFuneral Home.com.

LEVENSON, VIOLET M. GERMIDA, formerly of West Scranton, Tuesday, Carl J. Savino Funeral Home, 157 S. Main Ave., Scranton. Mass, 10 a.m., St. Ann's Basilica, Scranton. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park Cemetery, Elmhurst. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m. Contributions: Avalon Square Assisted Living, 222 Park Place, Waukesha, WI 53186.

MALONE, SHAWN C., Scotland, formerly of West Wyoming, Tuesday, 11 a.m., Metcalfe-Shaver-Kopcza Funeral Home Inc., 504 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, by the Rev. James Thyren, First United Presbyterian Church of West Pittston. Interment, private. Calling hours, today, 4 to 8 p.m. Contributions: St. Vincent De Paul Kitchen, 33 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

MEIXNER, ROBERT, Scranton, private. Calling hours, today, 5 to 7 p.m., Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1240 St. Ann's St., Scranton.

MILLER, SARAH A. "SALLY," Taylor, today, Carl J. Savino Funeral Home, 157 S. Main Ave., Scranton. Services, noon, by Pastor Jim Whitman, Taylor Primitive Methodist Church. Interment, Sandy Banks Cemetery, Greenfield Twp.

NEWTON, ALICE MAE GOSART CARR, Scranton, today, 10 a.m., by the Rev. Terry Drost, Union Cemetery, Peckville. Contributions: American Blind Association or the March of Dimes. Arrangements: Robert E. Decker Funeral Home, Peckville.

PELSYNSKI, STELLA C., Duryea, today, 10:30 a.m., Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main St., Duryea. Mass, 11, Holy Rosary Church, Duryea, by the Rev. Andrew Sinnott. Interment, Holy Rosary Cemetery, Duryea. Calling hours, today, 9:30 to 10:30. Condolences: piontekfuneralhome.com.

PORONSKY, CATHERINE, Archbald, today, Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Archbald. Interment, Hollywood Memorial Park, Union, N.J. Arrangements: Louis J. Rapoch Funeral Home, Archbald. Contributions: Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.

PRONKO, HELEN G., Peckville, today, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Peckville. Mass, 10 a.m., Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Peckville. Interment, St. Cyril's Cemetery, Peckville. Calling hours, today, church. Contributions: donor's favorite charity. Arrangements: Margotta Funeral Homes.

RENALDI, CLAIRE M., South Scranton, today, 8:45 a.m., Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, 1132 Prospect Ave., Scranton. Mass, 9:30, Nativity of Our Lord Church, 633 Orchard St., Scranton, by the Rev. Michael Bryant, pastor of St. John Neumann Parish. Interment, St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery, Scranton.

SPADINE, AUDREY MAY HARMAN, West Nicholson, today, 11 a.m., West Nicholson United Methodist Church, by Pastor Margaret M. McCarty. Interment, Nicholson Cemetery. Arrangements: Charles H. Litwin Funeral Home, Nicholson. Contributions: West Nicholson United Methodist Church.

TELIPSKI, EDWARD "BENNY," Greenwood section of Moosic and Lake Wallenpapauck Estates, today, 10 a.m., Semian Funeral Home, 704 Union St., Taylor. Mass, 10:30, Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis St., Scranton, by the Rev. Francis Pauselli, pastor. Interment with military honors, St. Mary of Czestochowa Cemetery, Moosic.

VARADY, THEODORE, Dalton, Sunday, 3 p.m., South New Milford Baptist Church. Arrangements: Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., Clarks Summit. Contributions: Hope Lodge, 132 W. 32nd St., New York, NY. Condolences: jenningscalvey.com.

Contractors today will begin work on a long-anticipated road repair and paving project to fix 35 Scott Twp. roads either deteriorating with age or torn up from a massive sewer project.

Supervisors mailed letters to township residents last week, informing them that contractors from Eastern Industries Inc. are expected to start work on the $1.4 million project.

Estimated to take three to four months, the project includes resurfacing, reconstruction and paving.

Supervisor David Makala said most of the roads haven't been touched in about 15 to 18 years and repairs are at least five years overdue.

"They have been waiting for this for a long time," he said.

Contractors will start construction on Lyndon Drive, Meadow Lane and Hemlock Drive, and work their way toward the Montdale side, Supervisor Ed Hlavaty said.

Though most of the 35 township roads are side roads, some are very well-traveled, he said.

"Some of them, including Rovinsky Road and Mundro Road, are shortcuts to (Route) 347," he said.

Still, Mr. Hlavaty said he expects only minor delays, as contractors will stay in one area "so they don't have to move equipment back and forth."

"We are trying to inconvenience the residents as little as possible," he said.

The majority of the project will be funded by a $1.1 million loan the township was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

As part of its agreement with the township, the Scott Twp. Sewer Authority will also pay an estimated $340,000 to repair road trenches damaged during the construction of the $23.8 million sewer project.

Supervisor Michael Giannetta said contractors are responsible for traffic control, though township police are available if needed.

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

Abington Heights

An 11th-grader honed her skills through a community education and leadership training program.

Brooke Chapple received a certificate for graduating from Tomorrow's Leaders Today, Leadership Lackawanna's teen program.

The group was made up of juniors at high schools in Lackawanna County, or in the Lackawanna Trail or Western Wayne school districts.

Brooke said the group received about $7,000 in grants, which they distributed among three local nonprofits: Boys and Girls Club of NEPA, St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen and Friends of the Poor.

"It was really cool to see how a group of kids from across our area were able to come together and work on community projects," she said.

miorfino@timesshamrock.com

Blue Ridge

As part of the Hexagon Project, students from Blue Ridge Elementary's fifth-grade art club held a fundraiser.

The students in Sarrah Dibble's after-school art club created donation containers and placed them in area businesses. The students raised $219.41 to donate to Susquehanna County Interfaith. In the fall, the containers will be a part of the Interdependence Day Art Exhibit. Gabe Waldowski, fifth grade, made a donation container in the shape of an igloo and represented the Arctic.

"It's important to help someone out if they can't afford something," said Gabe.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Carbondale Area

This month, two sophomores represented the district at a leadership conference.

Melissa Morgan and Madison Algayer were chosen to attend the 2013 Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar by their teachers because of the character they have shown at school.

There are about 70 leadership seminars held throughout the U.S. and Canada. Two students from each site are then chosen to attend the World Leadership Congress.

"I was surprised and honored that my teachers selected me to be the alternate HOBY representative for my class," Melissa said. "I'm looking forward to meeting new people and getting new ideas that I can bring back to offer my school community."

rbrown@timesshamrock.com

Delaware Valley

Senior Matthew Protsko is an involved member of the Delaware Valley community.

He holds memberships in the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, political awareness club, Model United Nations, junior historians and geo-caching.

"Being involved in the school with more than just the academic school day has taught me a lot about time management and responsibility," Matthew said.

He also volunteers with the Boy Scouts and United Way's Day of Caring and has done work repairing paths at Pocono Environmental Education Center with his church. In addition, Matthew donates time, money and resources at the Pike County Humane Society.

Matthew will further his education at Lock Haven University in the fall.

lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com

Dunmore

Sarah Ross, a junior at Dunmore High School, is helping to organize the Nancy McCormick Memorial Volleyball Tournament for her senior project.

The competition, which will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, will benefit the Nancy McCormick Memorial Fund, an organization that donates to other organizations and funds a scholarship.

The event will include recreational and competitive volleyball tournaments, raffles and refreshments.

"I wanted to involve some type of service with my senior project," Sarah said of helping organize the event. "It feels great to give back to this organization, and it truly benefits many people."

kwind@timesshamrock.com

Elk Lake

Senior Kati VanEtten was selected as this year's prom queen on May 4.

"I was thoroughly surprised. I just didn't expect it. I went with Mason Maye as my date, and when Mason got it and then I did, it was so coincidental," she said.

Kati is involved in track, volleyball and swimming, a member of student council, ski club and prom steering, and serves as class secretary.

Kati hopes to one day have a career as an environmental education specialist.

lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com

Forest City Regional

Two sophomores will represent the district at the upcoming Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

Alan Brucher and Katelyn Zembrzycki were selected by their teachers, and the trip was paid for by the local Rotary.

The leadership training program focuses on citizenship and personal growth.

rbrown@timesshamrock.com

Lackawanna Trail

A Lackawanna Trail student who is an aspiring professional dancer auditioned for a spot in an intensive New York-based dance workshop.

This spring, Colin Bolthouse auditioned for the Ailey School summer intensive workshop.

The training program runs from late June to early August,

"My love for dancing started when I would watch old Shirley Temple movies with my mother, and we would dance along to the show," he said.

miorfino@timesshamrock.com

Lakeland

The Naval Academy invited a Lakeland student to participate in the 2013 Naval Academy Summer Seminar program.

Gavin O'Donnell will participate in the program's session No. 1, held the first week in June.

The academy invites about 2,550 young men and woman worldwide to attend the program, which helps educate, motivate and prepare rising high school seniors considering applying for admission to the USNA.

Gavin works as a certified lifeguard for the Big Bass Lake Community.

miorfino@timesshamrock.com

Mid Valley

Students faced off against their peers from surrounding districts to test their knowledge of the environment recently.

Junior Justin Craven was one of 10 Mid Valley students who participated in the Envirothon, a field testing competition at Keystone College. He said the toughest competitors were students in more rural areas.

"It's hard against all the country schools, because they grew up with that," he said.

Attending last year's competition, though, he had an advantage.

"I'll be more prepared knowing what's going on," he said.

Dave Peters, Joe Palickar, Nick Benzeleski, Chad Marushock, Frank Fornaszewski, Tim Peters, Adam Buchinski, Ed Kalinoski and Tyler Collins also competed.

rbrown@timesshamrock.com

Mountain View

Ali Virbitsky's student government districts presentation was based on the book "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."

However, Ali's presentation was titled "The Perks of NOT being a Wallflower."

After reading the coming-of-age novel by Stephen Chbosky, Ali decided to present on the benefits of not being like the suffocatingly shy and introverted main protagonist, Charlie. Ali used the 25-minute presentation to inform students in seventh and eighth grades about the good that can come from stepping outside your shell, being more comfortable with yourself and not holding everything inside. During districts, Ali also played icebreaker games.

A member of Science Olympiad, Envirothon and chorus, Ali, a sophomore, also plays soccer and runs track and field.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

North Pocono

Justin Gensel, a junior at North Pocono High School, will attend science and leadership programs when school is out this summer.

Justin is one of 60 students across the state who has been chosen to attend the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences, which is hosted at Carnegie-Mellon University.

He will attend the program from June 30 through Aug. 3 for education and research in the sciences.

Justin will also be sponsored by the Gouldsboro American Legion post to attend Keystone Boys State, a leadership and citizenship program, at Shippensburg University from June 23 through 29.

kwind@timesshamrock.com

Old Forge

Three seniors participated in Fox 56 WOLF-TV's Celebrate Safe Campaign.

Brittany Souryavong, Ariana Argust and Brian Finnerty were part of a commercial taping meant to spread the word to high school students to stay safe and sober as they celebrate prom and graduation. The commercials will run on Fox 56, the CW and My Network TV during prom and graduation season.

Riverside

Tera Sheerin has talent.

She took first place in the musical performance category at the Riverside's Got Talent competition earlier this month.

The event raised $1,075 for the Riverside Student Help Fund.

Tera played the guitar and sang a song she wrote. She has been playing and singing since she was 13 and she was honored to take first place among her talented peers.

"I'm always singing at my house, so I knew it like the back of my hand already," she said. "I was very happy and surprised that I won."

Junior Alejandra Mainetto won in the vocal category. Kelsey Robinson, an eighth- grader, won the dance category. Sophomore Lacee Collins took home the first-place award for the variety category.

rbrown@timesshamrock.com

Scranton

West Scranton High School's chorus club took first place in the mixed chorus division on May 10 in the "Music in the Parks" competition in Richmond, Va.

The club performs under the direction of Karen Lotz. Chorus members are seniors Marion Coyne, Joe Devine, Shannon Dermont, Kara Fahey, Pat Gerrity, Brandon Oleski, Kelsey Maconeghy, Tom McDonald, Tiffany Salmons, Kaylyn Schmidt and Chelsea Schultz; juniors Alivia Auriemma, Abby Beidler, Gary DiBileo, Louie DiBileo, Paul Emiliani, Cullen Fanning, Cassi Gruzesky, Justyne Hallock, Jane Joyce, Jeff O'Hara, Marissa Pazzaglia and Issac Charleston; sophomores Jerry Coyne, Emily Gerrity, Allison Hill, Brad Killian, Cara Lutchko, Sarah Purawic, Andrew Simpson, Morgan Sledzinski and Taylor Syzmanski; and freshmen Ema Bonafede, James Dommes, David Lutchko, Victoria Miller and Sequoia Monahan.

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Scranton Prep

Sophomore Mary Lundin's performance on the National French Exam can be called "magnifique."

Mary, who has studied French since third grade, placed fourth regionally and ninth nationally, she said.

"I just thought it was a beautiful language," she said.

She will use her language skills this summer during a trip to France. At Prep, Mary is on the cross country and winter and spring track teams.

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Valley View

Last month, Donavan Darienzo and Luke Prusinski sang with some of the most talented students in the state.

The two juniors, under the direction of Z. Randall Stroope, participated in the All Eastern Honors Chorus Festival in Hartford, Conn.

Donovan said the best part of the experience was working with Dr. Stroope, one of "the famous directors of our time," particularly singing a song Dr. Stroope wrote called "Song to the Moon."

"It was just a great experience, a lot of fun, and I'm just so glad that we were able to be chosen," he said. "It was a great honor."

rbrown@timesshamrock.com

Wallenpaupack Area

Kyle Dowling has been selected as a winner in the 2013 National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards in Writing competition.

Aside from being one of seven Pennsylvania students awarded, Kyle, a junior, was the only student honored from Northeast Pennsylvania.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Wyoming Seminary Lower School

Eighth-graders Reeya Lele and Connor McGowan of Pittston were on the MathCounts team that took first place in the Keystone Northeast Chapter MathCounts competition at the Martin Mattei School in Pittston.

Connor took first place on the written exam and the countdown round. Ethan Tost of Scranton, a sixth-grader, is also a member of the team.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport lost 1.9 percent of its departing flights between 2007 and 2012, but the airport rates considerably better than most of its similar-sized peers, a new study shows.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology study classifies the Pittston Twp. airport among 249 "non-hub" airports that boarded at least 10,000 passengers but accounted for less than 0.05 percent of total travelers in the country.

The average drop in domestic departures among all airports in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's category was 15.4 percent.

Meanwhile, other non-hub airports across the country generally lost many passengers, unlike their counterpart in Northeast Pennsylvania, which actually gained 5.4 percent in passengers during the five-year period.

The industry's trend toward using larger airplanes explains why there were fewer flights yet more travelers locally.

"Most airports have seen a reduction in scheduled domestic flights as a result of a difficult global economic climate and a U.S. recession, high and volatile fuel prices, and a recent trend of 'capacity discipline' strategies by major airlines," the report said. "The nation's small- and medium-sized airports have been disproportionately affected by these reductions in scheduled domestic flights, and recent airline behavior appears to signal ... consolidation of service at the largest airports with fewer direct flights to smaller airports."

Airport Director Barry Centini said the local travel hub would have lost a similar amount of traffic to most other similar-sized airports nationally if not for the natural gas boom in the Marcellus Shale.

Among long-term cars parked in the airport's lot, Mr. Centini said 20.4 percent of vehicles are from out of state, with only 9 percent from New York and New Jersey.

Meanwhile, 2.3 percent of vehicles are from Texas, 1.1 percent from Louisiana, and 2 percent from Mississippi, Illinois, Florida and Arizona - states from which many natural gas drillers travel to the region.

Mr. Centini noted the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area unemployment rate is 9.6 percent, the worst in the state, and said people who do not have jobs and disposable income are less likely to travel.

Ideally, he said the airport will eventually be able to benefit from a strong local job market in addition to the growing natural gas industry.

Airport officials have been making moves to ensure the local travel hub has the capacity to grow in case new carriers want to start flying out of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton or businesses want a permanent hangar.

Among those moves Mr. Centini cited are a recently completed $6.4 million project to build an area where hangar space could be added. Airport officials also continue to talk about ways to add parking.

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

Clifford

Election dinner: Clifford United Methodist Church chicken-n-biscuit or ham dinner, Tuesday, 4-6 p.m., Main Street; takeouts available; $7.95, includes dinner, dessert and drink.

Covington Twp.

Election dinner: Daleville United Methodist Church women's groups, Election Day ham dinner, Tuesday, noon-1:30 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m., 423 Dorantown Road; adults/$8; children/$4, under 4/free; takeouts available; leave voicemail at church office, 842-6776.

Dunmore

Reunion meeting: Dunmore High School class of 1958 reunion meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m., Friendly's Restaurant, Dunmore.

Elmhurst

Card party: Women of Elmhurst Country Club card party, May 31, noon; card game follows; $16; Bar-bara Whitford, 842 8841 or Sim-one Gentile, 689-2833 by May 29.

Factoryville

Election dinner: Factoryville United Methodist Church annual Election Day dinner, Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. until sold out; pot roast, baked potato bar, veggies, coleslaw, rolls, dessert and beverage; $9/adults, $5/ages 5-12; free/under 5; 945-5854.

Gibson

Buffet dinner: Gibson United Methodist Church buffet dinner, Saturday, 4:30 p.m., $10/adults, $5/children and free/under 6; takeouts available.

Lake Ariel

Vendors wanted: Vendors want­ed for Lake Ariel Fire Company Auxiliary community yard sale one-stop shopping, Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., rain date, Sun­day, fire company grounds, Route 191; 20/10x10 spot, food stand available for lunch; Arlene, 698-8006.

Maplewood

Annual meeting: Maplewood Evangelical Cemetery Associ­ation meeting, Thursday, 7 p.m., Lake Henry Road; Carolyn, 689-9113.

Mayfield

Hoagie sale: William Walker Hose Company Election Day hoagie sale, Tuesday, 803 Penn Ave., Italian/turkey hoagies, porketta sandwich, $5, free local deliveries for group orders; 282-6059.

Old Forge

Cemetery cleanup: American Legion Post 513 seeking volunteers to help place flags and spruce up St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Wednesday, 8 a.m., and Old Forge Cemetery, Friday, 6 p.m. all individuals, Scout or youth groups are welcome, string trimmers and basic gardening tools requested but not required.

Riverside

Elementary play: Riverside West Elementary fourth-grade local history play, "United States History; It's a Local Thing," Wednesday, 6 p.m., Taylor Memorial Cemetery, donation benefits Taylor Splash Park.

Scranton

Blood drive: Life Geisinger Scranton/Geisinger Blood Center blood drive/open house, Wednes-day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 2300 Adams Ave. (on Marywood University campus); donation appointments: Maria Hastie, 800-395-8759; no appointments needed for open house.

Thompson

Church supper: Thompson United Methodist Church roast beef supper, Saturday, 5 p.m., takeouts available.

Throop

Cemetery decoration: Herbert Clark American Legion Post 180 placing flags on veterans' graves at St. John's, St. Mary's and Holy Family cemeteries, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., starting at St. Mary's on Sanderson Avenue; rain date, Thursday.

Waverly

Annual meeting: Board of trustees of the Waverly Community House annual meeting, Tuesday, 6 p.m., Comm auditorium, followed at 6:30 by a light Italian dinner buffet; open to public.

Wayne County

Gambling education: Wayne County Area Agency on Aging gambling presentation, Wednesday, 2-3:30 p.m., Honesdale Senior Center; Thursday, Link Cross Training at Ladore Lodge, 9-10:30 a.m.; call Juliann Doyle 253-4262 for Ladore training; Hamlin Senior Center, 11 a.m.-noon and 1-2 p.m.; and Friday, Hawley Senior Center, 9 -10:30 a.m. and for seniors, 11 a.m.- noon; pre-registration required, Laurie Adams, 253-4262.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be e-mailed to yesdesk@timessham rock.com or mailed to clipboard, c/o the YES!Desk at 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, 18503. For details, call the YES!Desk at 348-9121.

Conventional wisdom has long held that the poor overwhelmingly lived in cities and urban areas.

But a new study by the Brookings Institution shows dramatic growth in poverty beyond city limits - in the suburbs. Although suburban poor in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metro grew from 2000 to 2011 by nearly one third, 31.7 percent, to 63,089, it was one of the lower rates of growth among metros in the study. The national average increase was 63.9 percent, more than twice the growth of urban poor.

The study ranks the growth of suburban poor in the nation's 100 largest metros. In 17 of those, suburban poverty more than doubled in the last decade.

Teri Ooms, executive director of the locally based Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development, is not surprised by the findings. While people may perceive area boroughs as urbanized, by federal definition, they are suburbs.

"Many of our boroughs are treated as suburbs if you look at them, several have high poverty rates because of working poor and elderly poor," she said. "We don't have enough Clarks Summits, Waverlys and Mountaintops to balance them out."

Here's a look at some other local statistics on suburban poverty and how they compare to national figures:

- Housing voucher use. The majority of housing vouchers are used in area suburbs, but that number is falling. In 2000, 85.8 percent of housing vouchers were used in the suburbs, sliding to 81.8 percent in 2008. Nationally, voucher use is about half city, half suburb, but growing in the suburbs as urban housing stock ages and more housing units open in the suburbs.

- Free/Reduced School Lunch. Over the past five years, the number of children qualifying for free and reduced lunch in city schools increased 29.4 percent, nearly the same rate as suburban schools, 30 percent.

- The percentage of city dwellers in poverty remained higher, 22.3 percent, compared to 13.4 percent of suburbanites in 2011.

The boom in suburban poor was fueled by the expansion of low-wage service jobs in hospitality or retail that drew the working poor. More recently the recession and the mortgage crisis hurt longtime suburbanites. Nationally, the decade saw the suburban poor outnumber the city poor for the first time. Brookings noted that while "there is no good place to be poor," being poor in the suburbs offers unique challenges. Typically they are remote from work and services and not as well served by the public transportation.

The U.S. government spent $82 billion annually in place-based poverty programs. Brookings faults the government for focusing those roughly 80 programs in urban areas, which researchers called "an outdated understanding of where poverty is and whom it affects."

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

Thief steals cash, handgun from car

CLIFTON TWP. - A thief broke into a woman's car and stole cash, credit cards and a handgun out of her purse over the weekend, state police at Dunmore said.

The credit cards were subsequently used at several businesses throughout Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. The theft happened sometime between 10 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday at a garage at 641 Clifton Beach Road.

Security camera footage shows the thief driving a gold or silver sedan. View the security photos at www.thetimes-tribune.com.

Pioneer Plaza open for business

CARBONDALE - The Best Western Pioneer Plaza welcomed its first guests Friday night.

The hotel on South Main Street includes 20 suites and 41 rooms, which start at $109 a night. There is also a complimentary business center, fitness center and parking.

The hotel was activated around 11 a.m. Friday, according to Lisa Criscera, the director of sales. About a dozen guests - including a few Carbondale locals - booked rooms Friday night, Ms. Criscera added. There are already about 20 rooms booked for Memorial Day weekend.

"We're anticipating being really busy," she said.

CARBONDALE - The structure of permit parking in the city will be decided another day.

The council hosted a public hearing Monday and heard from about a dozen business owners and residents with mixed concerns about who could purchase permits and where parking would be allowed.

The permit areas initially proposed were on Salem Avenue, between Main and River streets, on Gen. O'Malley Way, between Main and Church streets, and on Main Street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues. The council will meet in executive session to determine who will be eligible for permits and where they will apply.

"We can't just pick one block to have parking," Councilman Francis Lagana said. "There are other businesses who want parking too."

There was also talk of adding meters to some areas, including Church Street.

"This could ultimately be detrimental to my business," said Donna Buraczewski, who has an optometry practice on the street.

Though she supports meters and the idea of permits, she was concerned about her customers finding parking near her office.

"I think they do have the intention of putting meters in," she said after the meeting. "We haven't been forgotten."

In other business, the council approved a retirement package for city police officer Joseph Demchack. Details on the package were not available late Monday.

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

SCRANTON - The lack of a court stenographer resulted in postponement of preliminary hearings Monday for three city residents accused of beating and robbing another man as he was walking home from a bar on April 25.

Timothy Towers, 25, 928 Beech St., Bianca Rivera, 20, same address, and Manfredo Pagan, 18, 1418 Linden St., were scheduled to testify before Magisterial District Judge John Mercuri. A new court date has not been scheduled.

Police say the three followed Kenneth Otto home from the Rusty Nail, 732 S. Irving Ave., beat him and stole his house keys, about $6 and a pack of Newport 100s, police said.

Scranton Business Administrator Ryan McGowan will be leaving his job with the city on May 29 for a new job in the banking industry, Mayor Chris Doherty said Monday.

With Mr. Doherty not seeking re-election and his term ending Dec. 31, Mr. McGowan is the first member of the outgoing mayor's department heads to leave the fold. Department heads are at-will mayoral appointees, typically replaced by new mayors.

Mr. McGowan accepted a job with M&T Bank in Wilkes-Barre, he and the mayor said.

Business administrator since January 2011, Mr. McGowan was a key figure in City Hall during the city's financial crisis and revision of its Act 47 recovery plan that consumed much of last year, the mayor said.

"He's been tested and passed the test. He's done a great job," Mr. Doherty said.

Mr. McGowan said, "The last few years have been difficult, and we've worked hard to do what needed to be done. I've appreciated the opportunity the mayor has provided and look forward to the next step moving forward. It's a really good opportunity for me, and it's just time" to leave.

Mr. McGowan started with the city in 2003 as a project manager in the Office of Economic and Community Development. He then was deputy director of the Parks Department from January 2004 to November 2006.

He left the city's roster and worked for a nonprofit organization from December 2006 to July 2008. In a return to City Hall in July 2008, Mr. McGowan became city treasurer and held that post until June 2010.

He then shifted back to OECD, where he served as finance and compliance director from June 2010 to January 2011, before becoming business administrator. He earns an annual salary of $53,550.

The city's human resources director, Gina McAndrew, will become acting business administrator. The mayor's secretary, Stephanie Walker, who has human resources experience, will serve as acting human resources director. The mayor said he will not replace his secretary.

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

Polls have officially closed in Pennsylvania as voters now turn their attention to watching the results.

Voters in Lackawanna County have found short lines but long ballots when they get to the polls for today's primary election.

On a typical ballot in Scranton, Democrats could darken as many as 29 separate ovals before they answer five referendum questions and choose their preferred candidates for county judge, city council, mayor, school board, county row offices and members of a county government study commission.

"We're hearing, 'This is like a test,'" said Kathy Bufford, judge of elections for Scranton Precinct 20-3 at the John F. Kennedy School.

Next door, judge of elections Marie McIntyre said slow traffic at Precinct 20-2 allowed voters to feel like they can take their time with their choices.

"It's not the basic offices," like the mayor's race, that are time-consuming, but the referendum questions on the shape of county government and a proposed government study commission, she said, adding, "They're not sure of half the people in the referendum."

Voter Caryl Mangialaschi had no trouble choosing her candidates.

"I had everything written in my pocket," she said as she left the school. "Three days I thought it over."

Across town, turnout was also slow but steady at Tripp Elementary School, and poll workers expected a late day increase in traffic.

Voters seemed to be making it all the way through the ballot, election judge Frank Sporer said.

"When we hand them the ballot we tell them it's front and back," he said. "It is a lot of ovals."

Voter Sarah Sheridan laughed about being exhausted by the effort.

"It was long," she said. "Real long."

Joe Losavich said he was expecting to have more choices. An independent, he had only a one-page sheet with referendum questions and the candidates for the study commission.

"I was getting all ready and I didn't even get to vote on the races I wanted," like city council and the mayor, he said.

At Heritage Baptist Church in South Abington Twp., election judge Bruce Hopkins was running out of envelopes to hold all of the spoiled ballots that had been rejected by voters who made an unintended mark. By 2:30 p.m. he'd used eight of his 10 envelopes and elections officials were delivering more.

"In a normal election I might have one or two or none," he said. He attributed the unusually high number of spoiled ballots to voters making errors on the referendum questions or the candidates for the study commission.

Election judge Janine Port at the Clarks Summit United Methodist Church said the voting process is an opportunity for civic education as well as civic participation.

"This is a chance to think about how your local government is structured," she said. "If you're proud enough to come out and vote, take the next step and educate yourself."

In the lobby outside the church hall, voter Jeff Kester was taking the opportunity to educate himself by peering at the sample ballot posted on the wall. He stroked his beard thoughtfully at all the choices.

"This is a little goofy," he said.

County director of elections Marion Medalis said her office fielded normal calls as poll workers started up the voting machines this morning, but she said any minor issues have been resolved.

"All our polls opened on time," she said.

Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.com

Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can find everything you need on primary day at thetimes-tribune.com, including our Voters' Guide, where you can see which candidates will appear on your ballot. Plus, you will get up-to-the-minute results.

Or follow the election on Twitter @timestribune and use the hashtag #NEPAelection.