Scranton Tax Collector Bill Courtright defeated Elizabeth Randol and two others in the Democratic primary to run for mayor of Scranton in November, according to unofficial voting results.

However, both candidates told their respective supporters that their battle might not be over. That's because Ms. Randol conceivably could win the Republican nomination if she receives enough GOP votes as a write-in candidate to beat the two Republicans who were on their ballot.

Mr. Courtright also beat Joseph Cardamone and Lee Morgan in their bids for the Democratic nod.

"I'm not quite sure who won on the Republican side, so we'll probably have an election in November," Mr. Courtright told a crowd of 175 supporters at a victory party at the Radisson Lackawanna Station hotel. "Enjoy the night tonight, but then it's time to get to work, and not only get to work on the campaign, but start to think of how we're going to bring this city back, how we're going to work together."

Mr. Courtright added that "12 years of animosity and fighting" between the administration of outgoing Mayor Chris Doherty, who did not seek re-election to a fourth term, and city council must end, and, "It isn't Bill Courtright that won today, it's the city of Scranton that won."

Ms. Randol told a crowd of 60 of her supporters at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, "While we came up short on the Democratic side, the numbers right now look very positive for us for the Republican nomination. (Today) I start (campaigning) at 5 a.m. I'm hitting doors. I'm going to senior centers. This is truly a general election campaign."

On the Republican side, financial consultant Gary Lewis beat entrepreneur Marcel Lisi.

Mr. Lewis said, "Regardless of what happens (with write-ins), it (his campaign) is a win. My being in the race and focusing solely on the city's financial condition forced everyone else to address the same issues, of bankruptcy, union concessions and restructuring the city's long-term obligation."

Scranton's next mayor will earn $60,000 in 2014, and then receive $5,000 annual raises in 2015, 2016 and 2017, for an eventual salary of $75,000 in 2017. This pay scale was adopted by the mayor and council in February.

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

Scranton mayor

With all Scranton precincts reporting

Democrat

✔ William Courtright 6,075

Elizabeth Randol 5,053

Joseph Cardamone 495

Lee Morgan 316

Republican

✔ Gary Lewis 635

Marcel Risi 446

For the second time in three years, Tracey Andrews tied her opponent in a Carbondale Area School Board primary race.

In 2009, Mrs. Andrews tied Joseph Caviston for the Democratic nomination, and on Tuesday she tied fellow Region 3 candidate Cindy Turonis Artone for the Republican nomination, while Mrs. Turonis Artone won the Democratic nomination.

"I never had it easy," Mrs. Andrews said of recent primary elections, the 2009 one she won by drawing lots.

Mrs. Turonis Artone said she would seek a recount to see if that resolves the tie.

In the other contested school board race, Jimmy Dovin defeated incumbent Region 1 representative Joseph Petak for both the Democratic and Republican nominations.

Mr. Petak declined to comment, and Mr. Dovin credited the hard work of his friends and supporters in helping get his message out.

He described that message as one of unity for a school board that has often been divided, and working with the new superintendent rather than having ideas stall with the board of education.

Mr. Dovin said much hard work lies ahead given the district's finances.

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

Carbondale Area School Board

Region 1

✔ Jimmy Dovin (D) 361

Joseph Petak (D) 268

✔ Jimmy Dovin (R) 90

Joseph Petak (R) 60

Region 2

✔ Paul M. Kaczmarcik (D) 336

✔ John Jigger Jordan (D) 311

✔ John Jigger Jordan (R) 48

✔ Paul M. Kaczmarcik (R) 43

Region 3

✔ Cindy Turonis Artone (D) 343

Tracey Andrews (D) 149

Tracey Andrews (R) 61

Cindy Turonis Artone (R) 61

Carbondale Council

Four-year term

✔ Francis Lagana 817

✔ John Masco Jr. 724

Two-year term

✔ Walter Martzen 761

✔ John J. Gigliotti 753

Carbondale Twp. supervisor

✔ Richard Colosimo 172

Carbondale Twp. Tax Collector

✔ Ellen V. Norella 184

Fell Twp. supervisor

✔ Ann Marie Torch (D) 377

Fell Twp. tax collector

✔ June M. Borosky (D) 432

Jermyn council

✔ Robert P. Parks III (D) 189

✔ Jeffrey Christopher McDermott (R) 128

Jermyn mayor

✔ Bruce Smallacombe (R) 142

Jermyn tax collector

✔ Ann Marie DeSanto (D) 216

Lakeland school board

Region 1

✔ Mary Retzbach (D) 444

✔ Mary Retzbach (R) 270

Region 2

✔ Thomas Evans (D) 450

✔ Thomas Evans (R) 99

Region 3

✔ Jill Demming-Yoniski (D) 294

✔ Jill Demming-Yoniski (R) 139

Mayfield council

✔ Thomas J. Gallagher (D) 285

✔ Janice R. Joyce (D) 268

✔ George Pittsman Jr. (D) 246

✔ John F. Kleinbauer (R) 49

Mayfield mayor

✔ Alexander Chelik (D) 304

Mayfield tax collector

✔ Diane Bachak (D) 317

Vandling council

✔ Jerome J. Slick (D) 84

✔ Frank Orehek (D) 70

Vandling mayor

✔ Joseph P. Brady (D) 81

Vandling tax collector

✔ Mary Ann Risboskin (D) 82

An extremely close three-way race for Scranton tax collector ended with Bill Fox narrowly winning the Democratic nomination.

The Scranton School Board member edged out Scranton Councilman Frank Joyce and opponent Anthony W. DiBileo, racking up 34.3 percent of the vote.

Mr. Fox garnered 3,648 votes, with Mr. Joyce getting 3,502 votes and Mr. DiBileo 3,486, with all but one precinct reporting according to unofficial returns Tuesday night.

No Republicans ran for a spot in the primary.

The tax collector, who earns $53,300 a year, oversees the Single Tax Office, which collects taxes for the city, Lackawanna County and Scranton School District, as well as current and delinquent business privilege and mercantile taxes for the city and school district.

Mr. Fox could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

During his campaign, he said he would comply with state laws that require collected taxes by the office to be kept in separate accounts to ensure funds are disbursed to the respective government bodies properly.

Mr. Fox also said he would try to use the city solicitor for the Single Tax Office's legal services, contrary to precedent set by various tax collectors over the years, who hired separate solicitors for the job.

Mr. Fox will run for a four-year tax-collector term in the Nov. 5 general election.

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

Scranton tax collector

✔ Bill Fox 3,648

Frank Joyce 3,502

Anthony W. DiBileo 3,486

Luzerne County Controller Walter L. Griffith Jr. swatted away a primary election challenge Tuesday night, according to unofficial results.

Now he hopes to fend off criminal charges. The state attorney general's office charged Mr. Griffith on May 17 with illegally recording three conversations without the consent of at least eight people, arrest papers showed.

With 56 percent of the vote, Mr. Griffith defeated Karen Ceppa-Hirko in a landslide to win the Republican primary. Conyngham Twp. Tax Collector Michelle Bednar, with 58.5 percent of the vote, defeated veteran county officeholder Stephen A. Urban in the Democratic primary.

Absentee ballots counted late Tuesday night sent Republican Paul DeFabo to a 23-vote lead over Alex Milanes for the fifth and final spot on the party's Luzerne County Council slate.

Mr. Milanes had led by a single vote in ballots cast at the county's 189 polling places, erasing Mr. DeFabo's edge that persisted until the final seven precincts were counted. An official count will not be conducted until Friday at the county courthouse in Wilkes-Barre.

The race for county council set up Tuesday more like a game of musical chairs than a full-fledged primary.

The five Democratic candidates on the party's ballot - Eileen M. Sorokas, Michael Giamber, Renee Ciaruffoli Taffera, Richard Heffron and incumbent Vice Chairwoman Linda McClosky Houck - automatically secured nominations for the same number of spots on the 11-member council. An extra candidate on the Republican side meant one would be left standing without a chance at a seat.

Mr. DeFabo garnered a total 4,404 votes, according to the unofficial results. Mr. Milanes had 4,381.

The other Republicans Kathy Dobash, Sue Rossi and incumbents Eugene Kelleher and Harry Haas, avoided a down-to-the-wire finish, with more than 6,000 votes each.

The five candidates with the most votes in the upcoming general election in November win four-year terms. Each county council member is paid a part-time salary of $8,000 a year. The council chairman is paid $10,500 a year.

SCRANTON - City police believe heat exhaustion may have caused the death of a dog at a Tripp Park home on Tuesday, acting Capt. Glen Thomas said.

Police were notified Tuesday by a neighbor who saw a sick dog on the ground in a backyard at 2106 Farr St.

When police arrived, the dog laid on its side gasping for breathe.

The dog's owner was not home and there was not any shade or water available for the dog, Capt. Thomas said. After the neighbor wrapped the dog in a wet blanket, it had a seizure, Capt. Thomas said.

Police placed the dog in the back of a patrol car and rushed it to a veterinary clinic in South Abington Twp., Capt. Thomas said.

The dog died in route.

Police were not sure Tuesday if they will further explore what happened or if they will refer the matter to a local humane officer.

Crash closes road for eight hours

BLAKELY - Emergency responders took a Scott Twp. woman to the hospital for minor injuries after crashing her car into a utility pole and closing a section of Scott Road for eight hours while crews installed a new one.

A crying Tammy Oleary, 46, reached down for a tissue from her purse when her car swerved to the right and hit gravel in front of 50 Scott Road, Blakely Police Chief Guy Salerno said. She overcompensated and ran across the road and took out the pole.

Chief Salerno said she suffered minor injuries and was taken to Mid-Valley Hospital. Information on her condition was not immediately available. Her car sustained heavy damage.

Police seek child rape suspect

SCRANTON - City police are looking for a suspected child rapist wanted on a bench warrant after his bail was revoked when he contacted the victim in the case.

Pat Tighe, 55, was released on bail May 9 and is awaiting trial on rape charges filed in May 2012. He contacted the victim, a violation of his bail agreement, police said.

Police described him as a white male, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds with brown eyes and gray hair. Mr. Tighe is known to frequent West Scranton and Providence Square in North Scranton.

Anyone with information should call Scranton police at 348-4141.

With the voting finished, the studying starts.

Lackawanna County's newly elected government study commission is likely to begin work next month with the probable goal of having something for voters to decide on next year, perhaps as early as the May primary, the study's chief advocate said.

Insurance executive Chuck Volpe, the commission member who succeeded in getting the study commission question that voters approved Tuesday on the ballot, said times have changed since four decades ago when county voters rejected the executive-council form of government he's advocating.

"I think the reason this movement sprung up is dissatisfaction," Mr. Volpe said. "We have had scandal going back well over a decade now. Unemployment, we've led the state three years in a row. ... People want change."

By state law, Mr. Volpe and the other six commission members - Mary Jo Sheridan, Robert Weber, Michael Giannetta, Marilyn Ruane, Jerry Notarianni and David Wenzel - must take the oath office within 10 days after their election is certified. They must meet for the first time to organize within 15 days of certification. Organization means electing a chairman and vice chairman and setting a meeting schedule. Certification could happen as late as the first or second week of June, a county election official said.

The commission has nine months after the election Tuesday to study and issue a report. Nine months from Tuesday is Feb. 21.

Mr. Volpe said he expects the commission to meet weekly or bi-weekly at various locations across the county. All meetings must be in public and advertised in advance.

"The emphasis is on public participation, openness at meetings, explanation and education because obviously people are going to be voting on this at some point down the road in next year's election," Mr. Volpe said. "We're not going to rush the process, we're going to give everybody a chance to participate. We're going to bring in what we consider to be experts and talk about the various forms of government."

Mr. Volpe said he expects witnesses to include people from counties with a county executive-council form of government such as Allegheny and Luzerne, and advocates of the present three-commissioner form of government.

Five of the study commissioners - Mr. Volpe, Ms. Sheridan, Mr. Weber, Ms. Ruane and Mr. Giannetta - were part of Mr. Volpe's slate of candidates, and he advocates electing a county executive overseen by a part-time council elected at least partly by region.

"That's what we're advocating and we believe very strongly that the mandate of the people (in the election), that's what they wanted us to do. That's really the basis of what we ran on," he said. "Having said that, ... we're going to have it open and we want people to participate and be able to present all evidence, including evidence that may be not particularly in favor of the plan that I've been advocating. Everybody will have their say."

In the primary Tuesday, voters also rejected the notion of eliminating election of four row offices, the sheriff, register of wills, recorder of deeds and clerk of judicial records on Tuesday, an idea proposed by County Commissioners Jim Wansacz and Corey O'Brien, who said it would save $2.2 million.

Mr. Volpe said the commission is not required to study that.

"Again, we're going to have input on that, people are going to want to talk about it and discuss those issues," he said. "But again, ... the people spoke, I believe loudly, on the plan that I've been advocating and ... they spoke loudly on the commissioners' plan of consolidating those offices."

He promised the commission would hear testimony on consolidating from row officers themselves.

Mr. Giannetta said he favors keeping elected row offices.

"I think we really have to abide by what the voters wanted," he said.

Mr. O'Brien said he hopes the study commission will conduct a thorough, independent review of county government but is not confident that will happen.

"I am hopeful that all seven (members) will look at this in an independent way to make the best judgment, decision, they can based on all of the information and not on a campaign they may have run in a primary election, but that they will take a step back and propose what they feel is right," he said.

At the end of the day, the study commission is not going to decide how the county is governed, Mr. O'Brien said.

"The people are going to tell you how you're governed, and while this is an imperfect system ... when all the information comes out and it's decided, I think people will make the right choice," he said.

If voters approve a change in the structure of county government next year, then candidates for executive and county council - instead of county commissioner - would run for election in 2015 and take office in January 2016, Mr. Volpe said.

He said he could give no estimate of what the commission's work will cost taxpayers. Under state law, the county is supposed to pay commission expenses. Commission members, who must work for free, are allowed to claim travel expenses, but Mr. Volpe said travel will likely be limited to local venues. Transcription of meetings likely will be the commission's major expense.

"We're going to try to keep costs to a minimum," he said. "We're going to make sure that our consultants charge no fee and people that do any work for the committee charge no fee that they donate their services."

Administration officials have projected the study will cost taxpayers between $60,000 and $100,000, based in part on the experience in Luzerne County.

The government study commission that recommended Luzerne's switch to a council-manager form spent just over $60,000. The county commissioners allocated $89,400 for the commission's operations but $29,121 was not spent.

Mr. Notarianni said he has no preconceived notions of which direction the commission will go.

"We'll see how it plays out," he said.

Ms. Sheridan said she's definitely inclined toward a council-executive form.

"I can tell you that I am not satisfied with the current form of government that we have in place," she said. "I have every intention of (thoroughly) examining all the possible forms that we can have here."

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com

WASHINGTON - Here's a heads-up for the growing ranks of seniors whose post-retirement monthly incomes aren't sufficient to qualify for a mortgage under today's tough underwriting standards: Thanks to a rule change by the largest players in the home loan business, you may be able to use imputed income from your 401(k), IRA and other retirement assets to qualify for the loan you want.

That, in turn, could open the door to a money-saving refinancing to a lower-rate loan or a downsizing purchase of a new house or condo.

Top credit officials at Freddie Mac - the giant federally controlled mortgage investment company - said last week that a "little known" policy revision now allows seniors and others to use certain retirement account balances to supplement their incomes for underwriting purposes - without actually tapping those balances or drawing down cash.

Freddie's revised rule is aimed at the tidal waves of baby boomers heading into retirement status - 8,000 a day for the next 18 years, according to one industry estimate. Many of these seniors have seen their monthly incomes - heavily dependent on Social Security and limited pension plan payouts - plummet following retirement. Yet on paper, they look relatively comfortable financially. They've got growing IRA and 401(k) retirement account balances, swelled by recent stock market gains. They often have solid equity in their homes, good credit scores and at least modest savings.

But if these same people apply for a refinancing or a new mortgage to buy a home, suddenly they're told they don't look so great. They often can't qualify under the "debt-to-income" standards required for today's post-recession underwriting. Those rules sometimes set the bar for total household debt-to-income too low for retirees who are still making payments on auto loans, credit cards, home equity lines of credit and other debts.

Freddie Mac's plan - and Fannie Mae, the other big mortgage investor, has a similar option for seniors - offers them a little extra boost on qualifying income if their financial assets permit.

The computations can get a little complex, and there are some technical rules and definitions that lenders are required to follow. For example, if you are already pulling down dollars from a retirement account, procedures are a little different. For example: Retirement-related financial assets can include lump-sum distributions you've received or even the proceeds of the sale of a business. Loan officers and underwriters unfamiliar with the program can consult Freddie's (or Fannie's) online technical guidance for more detail.

But the bottom line is this: If a debt-ratio problem is preventing you from getting a new, low-interest-rate mortgage, and you've got substantial untapped retirement funds that might help qualify you on income, don't settle for a rejection. You may have more income - at least for underwriting purposes - than you thought.

Contact the writer: kenharney@earthlink.net

Dunmore

Two experts will present a history of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. Gravity Railroad at the Dunmore Historical Society at noon on Saturday, June 8.

The presentation by Salvatore Mecca and Victor Capooci will be held at the historical society's 126 Barton St. headquarters.

Mr. Mecca described the Gravity Railroad, which ran between 1850 and 1885, as integral to the development of Dunmore and the local coal industry.

"Before the 1840s, there was practically nothing in Dunmore," he said. "The Pennsylvania Gravity Railroad hauled millions of tons of coal out of the Lackawanna Valley."

kwind@timesshamrock.com, @kwindTT on Twitter

Honesdale

The Tabernacle Bible Church will celebrate its 70th anniversary today.

The church will hold a special service at 10:30 a.m. at its 455 Grove St. location.

During the church's first meetings, World War II was in progress. The church has never held fundraisers, according to a news release; needs are met through tithes and the generosity of parishioners.

Jermyn

The annual Memorial Day parade will have a celebrity guest Monday.

Paul Big Bear will sing three patriotic songs and address the crowd after the parade, which will end at the borough cemetery. Mr. Big Bear is a former professional actor whose credits also include writing and singing.

"We'd like to get a banner crowd," said his cousin, Richard Muehleisen, 78, commander at American Legion Post 465.

Two students will also be honored for an essay contest at the event, he said.

rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

La Plume Twp.

By pouring hot molten iron into molds, local high school students hope to replicate the work done years ago at the Scranton Iron Furnaces.

As part of the fourth annual Arts on Fire Festival, students who are participants in the Keystone College Iron Works and Art Engage Program have the opportunity to create their own iron designs.

The festival runs from June 7 to 9 at the Scranton Iron Furnaces, 159 Cedar Ave. The first night's events kick off at 8 and end at 11.

miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

Moscow

Jazz duo Nancy Reed and Spencer Reed will perform at the new North Pocono Public Library at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 24.

The pair live in the Pocono Mountains, have recorded four albums together and have played in several countries.

The event is sponsored by the North Pocono Cultural Society and will take place at the new library building, which will soon open at 1315 Church St.

"This is definitely the kind of thing we're going to be doing now that we have the space," North Pocono Library Director Susan Jeffery said.

kwind@timesshamrock.com, @kwindTT on Twitter

South Abington Twp.

Students at South Abington Elementary will pose as wax figures as part of the school's living wax museum.

Held on Thursday at the South Abington Elementary School's all-purpose room, 640 Northern Blvd., the event will allow third-grade students to pose as some of the historic people they have researched.

The hourlong living wax museum kicks off at 6 p.m.

miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

The University of Scranton conferred the most Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees in its history at its post-baccalaureate commencement Saturday in the Byron Recreation Complex. Sixty-five doctoral degrees in physical therapy and 748 master's degrees were awarded.

Graduates represented 38 states, from as far north as Alaska, as far west as Hawaii and as far south as Florida. Programs with the most graduates were educational administration, curriculum and instruction, Master of Business Administration, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

Austin Burke, president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, served as the principal speaker. A leader in community development for four decades, Mr. Burke has served as the chamber's president since 1981. He served in Gov. Ed Rendell's Cabinet as secretary for community and economic development.

University President the Rev. Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., addressed the graduates and their guests and conferred the degrees. W. Jeffrey Welsh, Ph.D., dean of the college of graduate and continuing education, presented the candidates.

The following were honored for outstanding academic achievement:

Alycia Ann Crilly of Wanaque, N.J., physical therapy; Jessica Sylvia Hubiak of Taylor, chemistry; Ann Elizabeth Zeleniak of Taylor, biochemistry; Ali Abdullah Aljaraish of Speedway, Ind., general business; Ali Salem F. Alsagoor of Scranton, management information systems; Ali Helal Askar of Lake Ariel, international business; Samer Bandak of Walnutport, operations management; Jennifer Lea Heiker of Wheaton, Ill., general business; Pamela L. Hughes of Gouldsboro, accounting; Leonard Michael Negvesky of Tunkhannock, operations management; Jessica Jean Palmeri of Kingston, marketing; Dustin F. Partridge of Stafford, Va., finance; Jude Roblo Rosario of Oceanside, Calif., health care management; Abby Marie Ruud of Carlisle, enterprise resource planning; Michael Joseph Tornetta of Blue Bell, finance; Jeffrey Aaron Sitko of Scranton, health administration; Christine Elizabeth Buck of Voorhees, N.J., educational administration; Kerry Ann Charpinsky of Simsbury, Conn., educational administration; Stamatia Maria Dimou of Center Valley, reading education; Patricia Lamsey Dungan of Chattanooga, Tenn., human resources; Elise L. Gower of Atglen, elementary education; Daniel Michael Jackowitz of Avoca, software engineering; Susan Elizabeth Lapacinski of Philadelphia, curriculum and instruction; Jessica Marie Linck of Moosic, clinical chemistry; Rena Rosenblum Loughlin of Plymouth, community counseling; Janette Lynn MacKay of Seattle, curriculum and instruction; Tracie A. Maille of Scranton, rehabilitation counseling; Nina Teresa Muto of Clarks Summit, school counseling; Katherine Florence Regimbal of Randolph, N.J., occupational therapy; Michele Eileen Suchecki of Sugarloaf, secondary education; Lisa Dorothy Zacheiss of Scotrun, family nurse practitioner; and Lisa Zmiejko of Alburtis, nurse anesthesia.

Local degree recipients include:

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Lackawanna County

Sarah Marie Cummings, Scranton; Sara Marie Curmaci, Scranton; Erika Dryden Eisenbach, Elmhurst Twp.; Scott Christopher Griggs, Olyphant; Elicia Marie Hickey, Scranton; Christine Ann Krempasky, South Abington Twp.; Jesse Alan Krempasky, South Abington Twp.; Brad Michael Mashurak, Olyphant; and Robert J. Mercatili, Archbald.

Luzerne County

Mary Kate Gildea, Swoyersville; and Jenny Long, Pittston.

MASTER'S

Lackawanna County

Asad Imran Akram, Scranton; Muna Ali Alsalman, Blakely; Hadi Saeed Al Showaikhat, Scranton; Waleed Khaled Alanazi, Scranton; Abdullah Saleh Alaswad, Scranton; Mohammed Ahmed Albohmood, Scranton; Fatima Mahdi Aldarweesh, Scranton; Kristin Alfieri, Dunmore; Arwa Abdulghani Alfitni, Scranton; Ameen Hashem Alhaddad, Scranton; Baqer A. Alhashim, Scranton; Murtada Yousif Alismail, Scranton; Alaa Abdulrahman Almehmadi, Scranton; Morog Madan Almirza, Scranton; Fatima Nasser Almitwazi, Scranton; Ibrahim Abdulaziz Almukhem, Scranton; Nashi Mohammed Alotaibi, Scranton; Ali Salem F. Alsagoor, Scranton; Omar Ahmed Alshikhi, Scranton; Amro Saud Alsuhimi, Scranton; Mohammad Abdullah M. Alzahrani, Scranton; Kaitlin Rose Arduino, Madison Twp.; Amy E. Badalamente, Clarks Summit; Alaa Ahmed Bahammam, Scranton; Michael P. Barrett, Blakely; Erin Marie Barry, Clarks Summit; Nicole Ann Barry, Olyphant; Steven Ryan Bartnicki, Scranton; Michael C. Baumhardt, Dunmore; Michelle Marie Beckhorn, Jefferson Twp.; John Michael Bindo, Scranton; Scott Lee Blakiewicz, S. Abington Twp.; Marmikkumar Jyotishbhai Brahmbhatt, Scranton; Sara Elizabeth Brzycki, Scranton; Amy Theresa Shigo-Capman, Olyphant; Vikram Chopra, Scranton; DeAnna Marie Clinebell, Scott Twp.; Brian Patrick Cooney, Scranton; Mia-Teresa E. Crotti, Jessup; Robert William Davis, Jr., Dunmore; Kelly Marie Davitt, Jessup; Alyssa McBride Digwood, Scranton; Joyce Tully Dougherty, Dunmore; Alyssa Marie Esposito, Jessup; Michael Henry Faris, Scranton; Gelena Finberg, Clarks Summit; Megan Amanda Fortuner, Scranton; Terrence V. Gallagher, Scranton; Eric Garnett, S. Abington Twp.; Jennifer A. Garvey, Scranton; Caitlin O'Hara Gaughan, Scranton; William Francis Gaughan, Scranton; Amanda Leigh Gilroy, Scranton; Nicole Alisabeth Giorgio, Dunmore; Allison Theresa Gorczyk, Dickson City; Amanda Maria Grippo, Old Forge; Jean Marie Gruber, Scranton; Melanie L. Heard, Dunmore; Jason Wayne Heimrich, Scranton; Jessica Sylvia Hubiak, Taylor; Danyah Jamil Ismail, Scranton; Michele Ann Jenkins, Jessup; John Stephen Jurosky, Old Forge; Danielle Marie Kalasinski, Scranton; Catherine Keating, Dunmore; Caitlyn Elizabeth Keeler, Scranton; Melissa Catherine Keller, Taylor; Kevin P. Kelly, Scranton; Lauren Elizabeth Kelly, Scranton; David Kessler, Scranton; Jessica Maria Linck, Moosic; Mindy H. Lipcavage, Sprng Brook Twp.; Jerrica Danae Lyle, Scranton; Patrick Maguire, S. Abington Twp.; Tracie A. Maille, Scranton; Lauren Anne Majeski, Dalton; Michael John Masci, Jessup; Emily Ann McDonald, Scranton; Katherine Lynette McElhenny, Scranton; Timothy Patrick McGurrin, Jr., Clarks Summit; Kyle Joseph Mecca, Dickson City; Jillian Denise Cecelia Mishko, Dickson City; Jessica M. Moore, Olyphant; Angela Delonti Munley, Blakely; Mark Andrew Murphy, Dunmore; Nina Teresa Muto, Clarks Summit; Cassandra N. Nazario, Dunmore; Cecilia Njeri Ndura, Scranton; Megan Ann O'Neill, Scranton; Heather R. Olechna, Scranton; Sylvia Simms Parker, Scranton; Gene T. Patackas, Olyphant; Dharati B. Patel, Scranton; Carmino Anthony Perri, Carbondale; Jessica Rae Piland, Dickson City; Melissa A. Price, Archbald; Holly Marie Rafalko, Throop; Kelly Ann Rafferty, Old Forge; Ahmed Jamil Rajjb, Scranton; Adam Mark Reese, Blakely; Frank Stuart Renda, Scranton; Katrina Kruzik Rosato, Old Forge; Michael Christopher Ruane, Dunmore; Jillian Marie Rupe, Olyphant; Sonali Sabhachandani, Scranton; Abdulrahman Abdullah Saeedan, Scranton; Sara Jean Samuels, Moscow; Bridget Marie Sandrowicz, Dickson City; Denise Morgan Sashko, Scott Twp.; William Scott Sawka, Dunmore; Vandana Sethi, Scranton; Sylvia Magdalena Szerszen, Scranton; Jerica Anne Tallo, Old Forge; Tristram August Taylor, Dunmore; Ebtihal Salahuddin Wafa, Scranton; Craig Michael Wahy, Clarks Summit; Meghan A. Walsh, Eynon; Rachel Olivia Ward, Scranton; Kristen Warholic, Blakely; Jason Charles Washo, Scranton; Neil John Wells, Greenfield Twp.; Emmanuel Aja Wentum, Scranton; Jennifer Williams, Scranton; Kristen A. Yarmey, Scranton; and Ann Elizabeth Zeleniak, Taylor.

Luzerne County

Julianna Lucia Borzell, West Pittston; Robin M. Brown, West Wyoming; Elizabeth Mary Burke, West Pittston; Melissa Fasciana, Pittston Twp.; Daniel Michael Jackowitz, Avoca; Ryan Paul McDonnell, West Pittston; Krista Michelle McGlynn, Pittston; Clarabelle Therese Mercado, Plains; Nicole Victoria Roberts, Pittston; Lauren Shuleski, Duryea; Robert James Thomas, Swoyersville; and Jason Robert Walsh, Pittston.

Monroe County

Peter Mina Ebeid, Tobyhanna; Ashley Ann Meinking, Cresco; Brian Scott Newton, Pocono Summit; Sezin Kersi Patel, Bartonsville; Gabrielle Alyse Poster, Cresco; Rachael M. Seese, Long Pond; Mark Alexander Wehrenberg, Saylorsburg; and Lisa Dorothy Zacheiss, Scotrun.

Pike County

Shannon Marie Haberzettl, Dingmans Ferry; Angela D. Kokas, Greeley; Samantha G. Morgan, Milford; Ernest R. Sandonato, Milford; Shahana Shamim, Milford; and Francesca Marie Waldron, Greentown.

Susquehanna County

Sarina Elizabeth Cranage, New Milford; Tiffanie Marie Driscole, Forest City; Dennis A. Feece, Montrose; Richard David Grushinski, Jr., Susquehanna; Krista Armillie Hollis, Union Dale; Melissa Ann Sussman, Springville; and Lawrence Robert Tompkins, Susquehanna.

Wayne County

Ali Helal Askar, Lake Ariel; Samantha L. Cummings, Waymart; Jessica Giannetti, Pleasant Mount; Nathan Robert Heinly, Bethany; Pamela L. Hughes, Gouldsboro; Eric Kawka, Honesdale; Sean Brett Kelly, Beach Lake; Amanda Ann Medrano, Jefferson Twp.; Kristina Nicole Peary, Honesdale; Amber Purvis, Waymart; Kevin Jerome Sasala, Hawley; and Rheanna Raye Skelton, Lake Ariel.

Wyoming County

Kara Joan Foley, Factoryville; Kimberly Marie Klee-Rodrigues, Dalton; Kristyn Brynne Lartz, Nicholson; Leonard Michael Negvesky, Tunkhannock; Shane Evan Rielly, Factoryville; Michael Paul Stoko, Factoryville.

1. What new way is Scranton Police Department using to inform the public?

A. Skywriting.

B. Twitter, a social media site.

C. Equipping patrol cars with scrolling LED signs.

D. Holding daily news conferences.

2. What did a federal appeals court do regarding former Luzerne County Judge Mark A. Ciavarella's prison sentence?

A. Added five years because he has not accepted responsibility.

B. Subtracted five years because he asked nicely.

C. Upheld it, saying the trial was fair and impartial.

D. Dismissed it and ordered a new trial.

3. According to police, what were two men making to disguise the marijuana and hashish they were selling?

A. Hollowed-out books.

B. Paper flowers.

C. Brownies.

D. Fruit-flavored candies.

4. Why will Scranton have an extra $28,400 for street paving this year?

A. PennDOT is paying it for a right of way and a construction easement.

B. Council went door-to-door selling Chris Doherty's oatmeal-raisin cookies.

C. The discovery of a long-forgotten city bank account.

D. An anonymous donation.

5. According to the Census Bureau, what Lackawanna County municipality had the most growth since 2010?

A. Scranton

B. Waverly

C. Roaring Brook Twp.

D. Carbondale

6. What caused a shouting match among county administrators and staffers at the controller's office?

A. The hiring of a solicitor.

B. A missing paycheck.

C. Meeting attendance.

D. Results of Tuesday's primary election.

7. How was voter turnout for Tuesday's election?

A. Up from a comparable election four years ago.

B. Down from a comparable election four years ago.

C. Pretty even with a comparable election four years ago.

D. Final numbers aren't in.

8. What were county election officials expecting in terms of voter turnout?

A. Higher than normal.

B. Lower than normal.

C. Pretty even with other elections.

D. They didn't know what to expect.

9. Why were two Lackawanna Ambulance paramedics honored at a dinner last week?

A. They have provided care at every Scranton Little League game for the past five years.

B. They broke a record for training classes in a year.

C. They saved an 18-month-old Dunmore boy who had fallen into a storm drain.

D. They took a loaded gun away from an angry man who was threatening neighbors.

10. Why was a city man cited for animal cruelty?

A. Officials believe his dog died of heat exhaustion.

B. He dumped a litter of kittens behind a grocery.

C. He tried to kill a neighbor's pet.

D. Neighbors found a starving dog in his backyard.

Answers: 1.B; 2.C; 3.D; 4.A; 5.C; 6.D; 7.B; 8. A; 9.C; 10.AAnswers: 1.B; 2.C; 3.D; 4.A; 5.C; 6.D; 7.B; 8. A; 9.C; 10.A

The church without a church suddenly has a lot of real estate.

Steamtown Church, the five-year-old nondenominational church that meets in a downtown motel, recently bought the former St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, a soaring, century-old landmark in South Scranton.

"We need to tether the old to the new," lead pastor Dennis D'Augostine said last week during a break from renovations at the church at Pittston Avenue and Fig Street.

Since its inaugural service at the Red Carpet Inn and Suites in 2008, Steamtown has tried to balance a casual hipness that appeals to young members with an earnest embrace of seekers familiar with a more staid church experience.

More new, nondenominational churches in the region have since taken root in unconventional spaces, like movie theaters and storefronts, following a national movement to define "church" as separate from its meeting place. But in a city of churches, Steamtown's leaders found that holding worship services in the ballroom of a budget motel can be an obstacle.

"People have said, when you get a church we'll come visit," Pastor D'Augostine said. "We're in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and for a lot of people, church is a place."

On Wednesday, he stood below the pipe organ loft - "We want to do hymns," he said - in a space that will be filled with cafe tables for fellowship and coffee before and after services. At the front of the church where an altar once stood there is now a raised rear-projection screen for displaying visual accompaniments during sermons.

Steamtown is keeping the traditional pews and adding chairs up front to bring people closer to the stage in a less formal setting. Artists will paint Stations of the Cross on the walls between the stained-glass windows.

Pastor D'Augostine said the neighborhood has been very welcoming of the new church and Steamtown has been careful to respect the building's past and its place in the community. Historical artifacts are being saved and brought to Andrew Brown's drug store across the street so they can be put on display.

Members of the former St. John the Evangelist parish, which merged with others during the Diocese of Scranton's years-long restructuring program before the church was sold, have visited to reflect on the space as it was and as it is.

"They wanted to have a moment," the pastor said. "It was important for us to let them."

Steamtown sees the new neighborhood as an opportunity to welcome people of diverse ages, races, backgrounds and means. "We came here to grow," Pastor D'Augostine said.

The Steamtown congregation will begin meeting at the church in June and plans a full grand opening for the Easter season next year. Current members are excited for the church's new home, the pastor said.

"Brick and mortar does something to people's hearts," he said. "It makes them believe you're committed to the long haul."

Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.com

Most of them show up angry and spiteful.

They blame their wives, girlfriends, partners, mediators. Anyone but themselves. They rationalize. They minimize.

Ray Lopez knows these traits all too well. He runs a program at United Neighborhood Centers that takes batterers - many who are ordered by the court to participate in the program - and tries to rehabilitate them.

"They don't talk about what they did. They talk about, 'My partner did A, B and C, and if she didn't hit me, I wouldn't have to hit her,' " Mr. Lopez said. "With these guys, it's kind of the excuses that allow them to do this. I don't think there's any one particular answer unfortunately."

Abusive partners in violent relationships share many commonalities. Eighty-five percent of them witnessed or fell victim to domestic abuse growing up. Couple that with any one of the anger, booze, drug and mental health issues that are often present in cases of domestic violence and you have a man struggling to break out of a pattern of abuse.

Almost all of them are there because of a court order, but whether they want to be there or not, the group of 25 men take part in the United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania 26-week Domestic Violence Intervention program, which provides individual assessment and focuses on a group education for individuals who are violent to intimate partners.

State of mind

The majority of abusers have a few things in common.

"We actually show them that a lot of these behaviors they have in their relationships have been formed since they were really young," Mr. Lopez said.

Not only does past abuse play a factor, mental health has a role in influencing many of the men's behavior. Many of the men in the program have untreated or unacknowledged mental health problems, he said.

"Depression is very apparent in a lot of them," Mr. Lopez said.

Substance abuse often fuels the flame of domestic violence, said James Roberts, Ph.D., of the sociology and criminal justice department at the University of Scranton.

"Where you find a lot of substance abuse, alcohol and drug problems, you also see domestic violence," he said.

The program

Through the program, abusers are held accountable for their actions, learn about family violence and the dynamics of an abusive relationship, identify the role drugs and alcohol can play on an abusive relationship, learn assertiveness rather than aggression and about the impact domestic violence can have on children.

"We provide them with the tools they need if they wanted to change," Mr. Lopez said. "We have to change their thinking, and it's not easy to do. We show them how their behaviors are abusive, we'll talk about it we'll analyze it, we'll write about it."

Batterers often enter the program embarrassed about what they've done, and fearful of the consequences. They are also angry, agitated and shift the blame away from themselves, Mr. Lopez said.

In group sessions, the participants discuss ways to build respect, trust, support and accountability in a relationship, and are presented with choices they can make in a difficult situation that don't involve abusing the other person. They are taught the basics of compromising and discussion to properly address issues that arise in relationships.

The program also connects abusers to the proper social services for assessment and treatment, such as drug and alcohol counseling.

"I tell these guys, there's good people that do bad things and there are bad people who can go on to do good things. You have a past and something unfortunate has happened, but they don't have to let it define them," Mr. Lopez said.

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

out a large mortgage on yourself - you are the asset. You have increased your value in the workforce. If you bought a home you would have debt. An education pays dividends, a home does not. When you ask people if they paid too much, most will say yes."

Dr. Liuzzo noted how much educational debt has risen from 2004 to 2013.

"The amount is quite a bit, even with inflation," he said. "But jobs are a lot more difficult to get in 2013 than in 2004. Employers have higher expectations of employees' productivity. An employee needs much more education and training. If you think and education is expensive, try no education."

Donald Galade of Galade Financial, Drums, an investment planner, said debt is always the 500-pound gorilla in the room, often ignored when investing and making financial plans.

Factors such as debt-to-income ratio and taxation should always be considered in the grand scheme when parting with your hard-earned money.

"Many boast about their returns in a good season but often overlook the most important factor, 'What did I keep when it's all said and done?'" said Mr. Galade. "Thus the saying I often use, 'It's not what you earn, it's what you keep that matters.'"

Contact the writer: jdino@standardspeaker.com

More delays on I-81 this week

SCRANTON - Lane closures between Dunmore and Dickson City may lead to congestion on Interstate 81 starting Monday night.

State Department of Transportation crews will begin concrete repair on I-81 North between Dunmore/Throop Exit 188 and Dickson City/Main Avenue Exit 190. As crews are working, traffic will be reduced to a single lane Monday through Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to midnight.

PennDOT also said the Dave Matthews concert to be held at the Toyota Pavilion in Moosic on Wednesday could create backups on I-81 near Montage Mountain Road at the beginning of the concert at 6 p.m. and at its conclusion.

People of a certain age remember "Synchronicity" as that wildly popular 1983 album by The Police. That the album was also the soundtrack to the semester I spent studying Carl Jung is a small example of the idea. To briefly sum it up and disappoint my professors, I offer the Wikipedia definition of the Jungian concept: Synchronicity is the experience of two or more events that are apparently causally unrelated ... yet are experienced as occurring together in a meaningful manner. Mr. Jung gave mystical and profound examples of the phenomenon. Sting gave us the synchronicity of a monster crawling out of a lake at the same time a suburban dad was about to explode from years of suppressed rage. But I give you a decidedly mundane example: 401(k)s.

As workers who have them know, 401(k)s provide quarterly statements. I have been getting statements on our 401(k)s four times a year since the late 1980s and have barely glanced at them. This April, as the first-quarter statements arrived, I sat down with all of them, added them up and was pleasantly surprised. My eyes were opened, but then, as if I had sounded an alarm, the sleeping eyes of government opened as well. Last month, the news broke that the Obama administration is eyeing 401(k)s as a revenue source.

His plan would end the tax break for 401(k)s that hit the $3 million mark, meaning any contributions made above and beyond that amount would no longer be tax deferred. The $3 million figure was arrived at by calculating that this amount buys an annuity that would pay out about $200,000 per year. Before you grow apathetic on populist grounds like "my 401(k) is nowhere near $3 million, so what do I care," take a look at the problems with this plan that could come back to haunt you.

Lou Ingargiola of Ingargiola Wealth Management Group explains that one of the problems has to do with how the administration arrived at the $3 million figure.

"The annual payments you get in an annuity fluctuate, primarily due to current interest rates, which are now near record lows. When interest rates increase, a lump sum generates higher payments. If interest rates rise, the $3 million threshold would fall," he said. Just as the Alternative Minimum Tax requires yearly fixes to avoid ensnaring the middle class, so would the arbitrary cap on 401(k)s - unless, of course, the plan is to end tax breaks for 401(k)s entirely. Some pundits believe this is the ultimate scheme and that the $3 million is simply an opening salvo meant to soften savers up for a bigger tax grab.

Another problem cited by many business pages is the fact that ending tax-deferred growth in 401(k)s may prompt companies to stop offering them. Investment News explained the problem best by reviewing the history of private-sector pensions, now virtually extinct: "One trigger for the decline in DB (defined benefit, or pension) plans was legislation passed in 1987 that capped the maximum salary on which a tax-exempt pension benefit could be based at $235,800 per year. The immediate result was a surge in DB pension plan terminations as top executives realized that they would get little benefit from the company pension plan, which was a large corporate cost and an administrative nightmare. ... Terminations surged again in 1990 when the salary on which a tax-deferred DB pension could be based was reduced further to $150,000 a year."

In addition to the historical precedent of unintended consequences and the faulty annuity calculations, there is also what I perceive to be a two-pronged moral problem with the plan. The first prong is that it is presumption bordering on arrogance to tell people how much of their own money is "reasonable" for them to save. A 401(k) is deferred gratification and it is demoralizing to savers to be punished for their discipline. The other failing is that 401(k)s are a contract. To borrow the language union activists use to defend public-sector pensions, 401(k)s are a promise. To change the rules, which for many of us have been in place in excess of 25 years, is an egregious breach of contract.

Then there's the whole synchronicity problem. I opened my statements and suddenly the whole world was talking about 401(k)s. OK, I know one had nothing to do with the other, but it doesn't change the fact that once an idea takes root, it is next to impossible to squelch it.

So although Mr. Ingargiola, like most financial advisers, doesn't believe the 401(k) tax plan is going anywhere, he is concerned about a rules change for Roth IRAs. And therein lies the problem: Suddenly all savings plans with a tax advantage are on the table. The previously unthinkable is now not only thought about, it is discussed, debated and has considerable support. These savings, once ignored, have entered the nation's collective awareness and are now lodged there as a tantalizing source of revenue. It's only a matter of time and messaging until the taxman gets it right and makes taking a bite palatable to the public.

If only I could go back and leave those statements unopened, as I always had. Then maybe the Feds would not have awakened, tax-deferred savings plans would still be largely ignored and Sting would not be in my ear singing that infernal song.

ELIZABETH ZYGMUNT is editor of the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal. Visit the journal's website at biz570.com and contact her at ezygmunt@ timesshamrock.com. Would you like to write for IN THIS CORNER? Contact us at business@timesshamrock.com

Liquor control cites Blakely shop

BLAKELY - The state Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement cited a Blakely business for liquor law violations.

Tascan Enterprises, Inc. - Andy's Pizza, 528 Main St., Blakely, failed to maintain beverage dispensing system cleaning records from March 20, 2012, through March 28. In addition, from March 29, 2012, through March 28, it failed to notify the board of a change of manager within 15 days. Also, the business was not a bona-fide hotel, in that there are insufficient bedrooms available for guests.

An administrative law judge may impose penalties ranging from $50 to $1,000 for minor offenses and up to $5,000 for more serious offenses.

When "Star Wars" debuted in 1977, large crowds filled theaters.

On Saturday, the 36th anniversary of its release, large crowds gathered in Northeast Pennsylvania to celebrate the franchise and its characters with special events at the Mall at Steamtown and a theme night for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders home game at PNC Field, where Darth Vader threw the first pitch.

At the Mall at Steamtown, hundreds of families waited in line to meet Darth Vader, who stood at Center Court. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Chewbacca posed for photos on the second floor. In the concourses, brothers and sisters fought with foam lightsabers and paused to color pictures of R2-D2.

"Star Wars Episode IV," the original film, was shown and artists painted popular characters on children's cheeks.

Dressed like Princess Leia, Addison Lau of Wilkes-Barre smiled as she met the princess and had her photo taken. Her 10-month-old brother, Levi, wore a Yoda hat.

Their father, Louis Lau, is hoping to pass on his love for the films.

"It was the coolest thing when I was a kid," he said.

For Halloween last year, Mark Krokos dressed up as Darth Vader, and his infant daughter wore a Princess Leia costume. On Saturday, the Plains Twp. residents visited "Star Wards Kidfest" and Ella, now 14 months, wore her Princess Leia hat, complete with the signature buns.

After 36 years, "Star Wars" is still a "good story, with good characters," Mr. Krokos said.

He is hoping that at some point, his daughter will agree.

"But I won't hold her to it," he said, laughing.

Later Saturday, fans enjoyed Star Wars Night at PNC Field. The three-piece barbecue set being given to attendees may have seemed outside the theme, but it didn't stop Chewbacca from helping to hand them out.

A host of Star Wars characters were on hand for pictures. When Andy Shuren of Rush Twp. asked two stormtroopers for a good pose, they suggested he get on his knees and put his hands behind his head. They fixed their weapons on him and a friend took a snapshot to remember.

Darth Vader threw out the first pitch. It was high and outside, but he had not had a chance to warm up.

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

Luzerne County Councilman Stephen A. Urban plans to propose changes to a budget amendment to allocate another $1.5 million in expenditures.

During a Tuesday hearing on the budget amendment, Mr. Urban said he does not want to add $575,489 to an unrestricted contingency account. Mr. Urban said county Manager Robert Lawton should have to ask council to release funds from the contingency account before spending funds in the account.

The contingency account already has an allocation of $700,373. Michael Giamber, a Democratic candidate for council, said an unrestricted contingency account is "a euphemism for slush fund."

On Dec. 17, council removed $150,000 from an allocation to the district attorney's office for expenses in death-penalty cases and put that amount into the contingency account. Council approved that transfer to prevent the district attorney from spending the $150,000 allocation on expenses that did not involve death-penalty cases.

Mr. Urban and Councilman Edward Brominski have objected to the manager's ability to spend unappropriated funds. Last year's budget allocated $122.6 million in general-fund expenditures, but Mr. Lawton's administration wiped out an unreserved cash balance by spending $124.9 million from the general fund.

The county collected $123.8 million in general-fund revenue last year, which reduced the general-fund deficit to $1.1 million. Council in December approved a 2013 budget that allocates $260 million in overall expenditures and $122.2 million in general-fund expenditures.

Mr. Lawton proposed the $1.5 million amendment to this year's budget. A vote is scheduled for Tuesday's meeting.

The revenue to fund the added expenses would be: $691,920 in domestic relations funding; $735,489 in income from sheriff's sales of foreclosed properties and $96,761 from the state Department of Aging. The domestic-relations funds would pay for $467,820 in building rentals, $200,000 in capital expenses and $24,100 in supplies. The revenue from the state would fund county aging services.

Contact the writer: mbuffer@citizensvoice.com