Five urologists sued for leaving the Delta Medix medical group in Scranton allege the practice’s chief executive officer and several shareholders schemed to force them out so they could personally enrich themselves, according to a lawsuit filed in Lackawanna County Court.

Urologists Ira Kohn, James Stefanelli, Jerald Gilbert, J. Robert Ramey and Brian Kapp claim CEO Margo Opsasnick and eight physicians took the action so they could reap more profit from the proposed sale of all or part of the medical practice to any of three area hospital systems that expressed an interest.

The lawsuit, filed by Scranton attorney George Reihner, comes six weeks after Delta Medix filed a lawsuit against the urologists, alleging they violated a noncompete agreement when they resigned in September and joined Geisinger Clinic, a subsidiary of Geisinger Health System.

The suit, which also names Geisinger as a defendant, seeks an injunction barring the physicians from practicing within 40 miles of Scranton.

In a related matter, Geisinger Clinic recently filed a countersuit against Delta Medix, arguing legal deficiencies with the noncompete agreement make it unenforceable. In the alternative, it argues a judge should nix the agreement because it will negatively impact patient care.

Delta Medix is one of the larger private medical practices in the region. It also operates the Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care in Scranton.

The urologists’ suit seeks damages on several counts, including breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment. It also alleges Delta Medix will soon become financially unstable and asks a judge to involuntarily dissolve the practice and appoint a receiver to distribute its assets.

Lisa Lori, of Philadelphia, who is the attorney for Delta Medix, said Opsasnick and other officials “categorically deny” all allegations in both lawsuits, which she contends were filed solely to deflect from the suit Delta Medix filed in August.

She took particular exception to the urologists’ claims that officials conspired to oust them.

“That is absolutely false and outrageous that they would make that allegation,” Lori said. “I think it shows their desperation.”

Lori also denied claims Delta Medix is financially unstable, noting the practice is continuing to grow. The medical group recently added internal medicine and family medicine physicians to the staff.

The bulk of the urologists’ lawsuit focuses on Opsasnick’s efforts in 2017 and 2018 to sell Delta Medix’s urology practice and/or the entire medical practice and its cancer center to three suitors: Geisinger Health System, Community Health System and Coordinated Health.

According to the suit, Opsasnick sought the sale, in part, because of a change in Medicare that significantly reduced payment for certain urology procedures if they are performed by a physician in private practice, which drastically impacted the practice’s profitability.

Kohn, Stefanelli, Gilbert, Ramey and Kapp initially opposed the sale, but later supported it after they learned the Medicare rate changes did not apply to physicians who are employed by a hospital system. That made joining a hospital system more attractive.

Negotiations with Geisinger and the other hospitals fell through, but were initiated again with Geisinger in February.

The suit says the urologists, who at the time were among 14 shareholders of Delta Medix, encouraged Opsasnick to continue negotiations with Geisinger. Unknown to them, she halted talks in March and began “secret” negotiations to sell the practice after forcing them out. That would benefit Opsasnick, who claims to have a financial stake in the cancer center, and the shareholders because now they would split the proceeds from any sale among nine people, instead of 14, the suit says.

“By squeezing plaintiffs out of Delta ... Opsasnick and the non-urology physicians stood to gain hundreds of thousands of dollars at plaintiff’s expense,” the suit says.

In addition to Opsasnick, the suit names eight physicians as defendants, who are also shareholders — Kristine Kelley, James Roche, Mark Frattali, Anthony Brutico, Keith Pritchyk, Terrence Lenahan, Daniel Brown and Donald Preate Jr.

The counter lawsuit Geisinger Clinic filed against Delta Medix asks a judge to rule the noncompete agreement the physicians signed in 2016 is unenforceable.

Dan Brier of Scranton, attorney for Geisinger, argues the agreement is legally deficient for several reasons, including that it does limit the time frame of the restrictions.

Brier also argues public policy dictates the agreement be voided because Scranton has a shortage of urologists. Forbidding the doctors from practicing in or near Scranton will negatively impact patient care.

Lori said that lawsuit also is meritless. She noted Delta Medix offered to allow Kohn, Stefanelli, Gilbert, Ramey and Kapp to continue practicing in Scranton if they pay the practice their share of its debt. They have refused that offer, however.

Even if they are barred from practicing locally, Delta Medix quickly retained three urologists to replace the departing physicians. It now has a staff of four urologists, which allows them to continue to provide quality care, she said.

David Jolley, spokesman for Geisinger Health System, said it stands behind its legal filings and looks forward to proving them in court.

Contact the writer: tbesecker@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9137; @tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

Blakely

Free lunch: Free lunch, Oct. 13, noon, Blakely Primitive Metho­dist Church, 313 First St.

Carbondale

Open closet: Covenant Reformed Church fall open closet, Oct. 27, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., 47 S. Church St., wide selection of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, and household items, all free of charge; 570-282-6400 or info@covenantrc.org.

Dalton

Book/bake sale: Dalton Com­munity Library book and bake sale, Oct. 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., large selection of adult and juvenile fiction and nonfiction, plus magazines, paperbacks, recordings and baked goods, donations for the book sale accepted year round; 570-563-2014.

Hamlin

Pork dinner: St. John’s Episco­pal Church annual takeout-only pork and sauerkraut dinner, Oct. 13, 4-6 p.m., $10/adults and $5/under 12.

Lackawanna County

Shredding event: State Rep. Marty Flynn, D-Lackawanna, free shredding event for residents of the 113th Legislative District, Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., district office in Jay’s Commons, 409 N. Main Ave., Scranton, bring any documents that contain personal information, such as Social Security numbers, credit card statements and applications, medical records, banking statements, canceled checks, income tax information, insurance records and retirement or pension fund information, limit of three boxes or trash bags per person.

Ledgedale

Ham dinner: Ledgedale Ladies Auxiliary ham dinner, Oct. 20, 4-7 p.m., Ledgedale Fire Hall, Goose Pond Road, $10, takeouts available.

Scranton

Pork dinner: Women’s ANS at St. Stanislaus PNCC homestyle pork dinner, Oct. 21, 530 E. Elm St., takeouts, 10:30 a.m.-noon and dinner sitting, 12:30 p.m., $12/adults and $6/children, basket raffle available; parish office, 570-961-9231.

Reunion meeting: Cathedral High School class of 1969 reunion meeting, Oct. 23, 6 p.m., Stirna’s Resturant; Brenda, 570-947-5852.

Purse bingo: Neil Armstrong PTA designer purse bingo, Sunday, Eagle McClure Hose Company, 375 Milwaukee Ave., Old Forge, doors open, 11 a.m., bingo starts, 1 p.m., $25/ticket includes 20 games of bingo and door prize entry; specials, basket raffles, 50/50, food and refreshments available for purchase; Amy, 570-335-0583 or neilarmstrongpta@outlook.com.

Sterling Twp.

Historians meet: Historians of Sterling Twp. meetings, Oct. 27, 7 p.m., and Nov. 24, 7 p.m., museum and hall, 709 Spring Hill Road; www.historiansofsterlingtownship.org.

West Scranton

Candlelight rosary: Annual candlelight rosary novena, Satur­day-Oct. 14, 7 p.., St. Lucy’s Parish, 949 Scranton St., theme: Praying for Our Church, Our Country and Personal Inten­tions, rosary will be said by candlelight in the church, crowning of Our Blessed Mother each night, novena closes each evening with solemn benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, handicap accessible.

Holupki dinner: SS. Martha and Mary Sisterhood of SS. Peter and Paul Russian Ortho­dox Church holupki dinner, Oct. 14, noon, parish hall, Acad­emy Street; $10, takeouts available, containers provided; rectory, 570-343-8128, or 570-961-3147 (day of); www.saintspet

erandpaulscranton.com.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be sent to yesdesk@timesshamrock.com or Clipboard, c/o YES!Desk, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.

Tuesday night proved busy for first responders in the North Pocono area, as a funnel cloud reportedly touched down in Spring Brook Twp. and a two-car crash in Roaring Brook Twp. claimed the life of a Scranton man.

Whether the cloud actually touched down has not been confirmed by experts, Lackawanna County Emergency Services Director David Hahn said. The report came in at about 6:15 p.m. as storms moved through the area and a tornado warning was in effect for Lackawanna and the surrounding counties. No major damage was reported Tuesday night, Hahn said.

Later in the evening, at about 7:40 p.m., crews responded to the two-vehicle crash along state Route 307 in Roaring Brook Twp., according to Lackawanna County dispatchers. Stephen Kojsza, 40, of Scranton, died as a result of the collision, state police said. The crash happened as Kojsza traveled at a high rate of speed, lost control of his vehicle and veered into the opposite lane, where an oncoming motorist, Lucille Golden, 80, Roaring Brook Twp., struck him, troopers said. Medical personnel took Golden to Geisinger CMC with unknown injuries, police said.

State police are investigating the crash. It’s undetermined if the weather was a factor in the incident, Hahn said.

‘This is crazy’

Firefighters with Spring Brook Twp. Volunteer Fire Company reported seeing the funnel cloud touch down near Station 53, located along state Route 690, Hahn said.

Volunteer firefighter Chuck Fick caught the cloud on video. He arrived at the station Tuesday evening as thunderstorms began, saying he anticipated volunteers would be called to help in the community.

When he glanced up and spotted the cloud formation, he whipped out his phone to record what he saw. The Lackawanna County native left the area after high school and spent some time in Oklahoma City before moving back two years ago. While he saw plenty of wreckage caused by tornados and storms there, he’d never seen anything like that cloud before.

“I’m really interested in storms. I thought, I want to film this. How cool,” Fick said. “It seemed like it was moving really slow.”

The video shows the cloud elongating toward the ground. In the minute-long video, Fick notes that it “sounds like a train” and exclaims “This is crazy.”

The National Weather Service may investigate to confirm if the funnel cloud touched down, depending on the type of damage the area receives, Hahn said.

Southern Lackawanna County received the brunt of the storm Tuesday night, with reports of fallen trees, wires and flooded roads common in Roaring Brook and Elmhurst townships and elsewhere in the North Pocono region of the county, Hahn said.

Sunny outlook

Officials measured more than three-quarters of an inch of rain at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport through the evening Tuesday, AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyson Hoegg said.

A humid, precipitation-free day is in store for the Scranton area today, with high temperatures in the 70s expected. Rain is expected to return Thursday afternoon, when thunderstorms are possible around evening commute time, but those won’t be as severe as the ones Tuesday, Hoegg said.

Erin L. Nissley, staff writer, contributed to this report.

Contact the writer:

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

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

SCRANTON

Two women used some salmon to help free fishing line from a distressed blue heron in McDade Park.

The heron had fishing line and a weight wrapped around its right leg for at least two weeks, said Bill Davis, county deputy director of parks and recreation. After luring the bird with the fish, the women removed the line from its leg Tuesday.

— JEFF HORVATH

SCRANTON — Fundraising began in earnest Tuesday for the Friends of the Poor’s 42nd annual Thanksgiving Community Program.

Dunmore native Meghan Loftus, president and chief executive of the organization, took the podium at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple in the annual appeal to fund the Family to Family Program, which once again aims to serve Thanksgiving dinner to 3,000 families.

In her second year as the head of Friends of the Poor, she said the coming weeks may be difficult but the response from the community is always inspiring.

“Although it’s a tiring couple of days, it’s really worth it,” Loftus said.

The group hopes to raise more than $130,000 to cover the food order to put together 3,000 turkey dinners with all the trimmings by the end of November.

Donations of $25 from local families sustained the program. Costs have increased, though, and a donation of $30 now sponsors one family.

Linda Robeson, her son, Ryan Robeson, and her daughter-in-law, Mary-Christine Robeson, will host the program for their fourth year. They plan to distribute the dinner baskets at the Scranton Cultural Center on Nov. 21 for families in need.

The Family to Family program, now in its 32nd year, is a work in progress all year but the home stretch beginning in October is when the work becomes hectic, Ryan Robeson said.

This year will be special for the Robeson as their own family expands. Mary-Christine Robeson expects to give birth to a girl before the end of the month. The work for Family to Family was bound to rob them of their sleep this month anyway, so they might as well add a baby to the mix, Mary-Christine Robeson joked.

The Family to Family program will be preceded by the Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 20, and the Interfaith Prayer Service on Nov. 16, a total of three events in five days.

“We’re very ambitious,” Loftus said.

The dinner, founded by the late Sister Adrian Barrett, I.H.M. 42 years ago, will be held at 6 p.m. at the Scranton Cultural Center.

The prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. at Temple Hesed, 1 Knox Road, in Scranton.

Donations can be sent to the Family to Family Program, PO Box 13, Scranton, PA 18501. Donations can also be made online at www.familytofamilypa.org.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9144;

@jkohutTT on Twitter

Amazon has more than 10,000 full-time employees in Pennsylvania, with more than 3,000 of them working at four facilities in Gouldsboro, Hazleton, the Mountain Top area and Pittston Twp., Amazon regional spokeswoman Rachael Lighty said in an email.

All hourly fulfillment and customer service employees will see an increase, she said, including those currently earning more than $15 an hour.

— JON O’CONNELL

Unemployment in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton metro area bumped up one-tenth of a point last month, a change that one state analyst says is typical for this time of year and small compared to a big drop in the spring.

“Despite the rate rising two out of the last three months, you’ve got to remember it follows a big drop of six-tenths (of a percentage point) in May, and the year-over-year is still down by seven-tenths (of a point),” state industry and business analyst Steven Zellers said.

Preliminary data released Tuesday by the state Department of Labor and Industry shows the state rate dropped one-tenth of a point to 4.1 percent in August. The national rate was unchanged at 3.9 percent.

The local region tied with the Williamsport metro area for third highest unemployment among the state’s 18 metro. State College enjoyed the lowest unemployment at 2.9 percent.

A three-way shift in the local region caused the August change.

Employment dropped by 300 jobs while 500 more people joined the unemployment rolls, meanwhile 100 people joined the labor force.

Those same three factors, over the year, however, are what give economists confidence that the economy is strengthening.

The labor force grew by 2,100 from last August and total employment, the number of working people who live in the region, grew by 4,000. Meanwhile unemployment dropped by nearly a whole percentage point.

“That is true growth right there,” said Keystone College economist Dana Harris, Ph.D. “Your labor force increased, your unemployed decreased and your employed increased — it’s a strong growth sign.”

Employment figures for the region historically dip in August, Zellers said.

The last time the number of working people did not drop in August was 2002. Employment has remained flat or increased in August only four or five times since around 1990, he said.

The labor force typically shrinks around this time, too, he added.

Total nonfarm jobs located within the metro area that includes Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties were up 6,600 from this time last year, though they dropped 1,100 from July, according to establishment data, which is not seasonally adjusted.

Over the year, transportation, warehousing and utilities sectors pushed up the total number up by 3,900 jobs.

Contact the writer:

joconnell@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131;

@jon_oc on Twitter

 PLAINS TWP. — A music instructor groped a former student last week when she stopped by to visit him, according to charges filed.

William Angelo Stella, 59, of School Street, Plains Twp., is charged with a single misdemeanor count of indecent assault.

Arrest papers say the victim reported she was a student of Stella’s at his business, Billy Angelo Stella Drummer’s Workshop, from age 12 to age 17.

Now 18, she recently visited the shop and he suggested she should come back one day so they could “jam out” with this instruments.

On Sept. 25, they made arrangements to meet after 3:30 p.m., police say.

The woman claimed Stella made comments about wanting to see her naked and requested to see her breasts. She said no.

Arrest papers say the woman later visited the shop and played music with Stella. She played the drums and he played a keyboard.

During a break, Stella approached her from behind, reached his right arm around her body and grabbed her left breast, she told police.

While squeezing her breast, Stella remarked, “Oh nice,” according to arrest papers.

The woman reported the alleged incident to police on Sept. 28.

Stella was arraigned that day by Magisterial District Judge Thomas Malloy and he released on unsecured bail.

Court records don’t indicate whether Stella has an attorney.

Contact the writer:

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2055, @cvbobkal

SCRANTON — The National Weather Service at Binghamton said today that no decision as been made whether they will do a storm survey to determine if a tornado touched down in Lackawanna County on Tuesday.

“We’ll continue gathering reports and make a determination if we send someone out to survey the damage,” meteorologist Bryan Greenblatt said.

Powerful thunderstorms ripped through Northeast Pennsylvania on Tuesday night. Sightings of a funnel cloud in Spring Brook Twp. touched off speculation a tornado had touched down.

Firefighters with Spring Brook Twp. Volunteer Fire Company reported seeing the funnel cloud near Station 53, located along state Route 690.

Volunteer firefighter Chuck Fick captured on video the funnel cloud elongating toward the ground, exclaiming it “sounds like a train” and “this is crazy.”

Greenblatt said the NWS will likely make a decision to do a storm survey at some point today.

Check back for updates.

A Scott Twp. woman’s challenge of an ordinance that would force her to allow public access to a purported cemetery on her property is getting a hearing today before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court agreed in March to review issues related to Rose Mary Knick’s longstanding legal dispute with the township over the 2012 ordinance that regulates public access to private cemeteries.

The township passed the ordinance after resident Robert Vail complained Knick refused to let him visit the grave sites of several relatives he contends are buried on a section of her 90-acre property. Knick denies there are any graves there.

In taking the Scott Twp. case, the high court will revisit a 1985 ruling that says property owners who believes a local government has violated their property rights cannot seek relief in federal court until after they’ve filed suit in state court and have been denied compensation.

The case has the potential to impact landowners’ rights nationwide.

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

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — The discovery of a skimmer installed on a gas pump at a Valero station on a busy South Abington Twp. road prompted a warning from local police for people to check their financial statements.

Numerous people reported to police “thousands and thousands” of dollars scammed from their accounts, Police Chief Robert Gerrity said. Each victim had used their card at the 330 Northern Blvd. gas station.

Police opened an investigation with federal agencies Sept. 27. The device used was attached directly to the motherboard of the pump to record card numbers. The investigation continues.

Anyone who uses that gas station should check their finances and report any suspicious activity to police at 570-342-9111.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

SCRANTON — A New York man who investigators say traveled to Scranton in 2015 to have sex with a person he believed to be 14 years old was convicted on child exploitation charges today in U.S. District Court.

A federal jury deliberated about two hours before returning the guilty verdict against Charles J. Senke, 61, of Syracuse, following a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge James M. Munley.

Senke was arrested on Feb. 4, 2015, after an online undercover sting operation by the state Attorney General’s Office targeting adults seeking unlawful contact with minors.

After communicating online with an investigator masquerading as a 14-year-old, Senke traveled from Syracuse to Scranton for the specific purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the supposed minor, investigators said.

Senke was originally charged in state court. However, those charges were dismissed after a federal grand jury indicted him in December 2016. A superseding indictment was returned against him in October 2017.

Senke was convicted on three counts: travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, online enticement and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.

He faces a potential sentence of life imprisonment.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Olshefski. Senke was represented by attorneys Matthew Comerford and Curt Parkins.

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

SCRANTON — Local, state and national organizations met Wednesday evening to discuss prison and criminal justice reform in Lackawanna County, which has an incarceration rate significantly higher than the national average, experts said.

About 30 people congregated in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for a joint presentation by NEPA Prison Advocates, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the Vera Institute of Justice. The groups advocate ending mass incarceration, shortening prison sentences, preventing mandatory minimum sentencing requirements and reforming bail, parole and probation, among other issues.

With 1,036 inmates in the Lackawanna County Prison in 2015, the prison’s population grew 314 percent from 1990 and is 118 percent higher than the national average, according to statistics provided by Vera directors Jasmine Heiss and Christian Henrichson.

“Mass incarceration isn’t a national problem. It’s not a state problem,” Henrichson said. “It’s very much a local-level problem that can only be solved at the local level.”

Heiss provided an overview of the criminal justice process, explaining detriments at each level that contribute to mass incarceration issues. For example, in calling for the reduction or elimination of monetary bail, as well as a reduction in preventative detention before a trial, Heiss cited a ripple effect caused by pretrial detention that leads to longer sentences.

“A decision about jail, and often about using bail to determine whether or not someone can walk free ... impacts throughout the entire system, all of the way to prison admissions,” she said, explaining that detaining people for three days before trial increases the likelihood of them losing their job, home and custody of their children.

The ACLU of Pennsylvania also kicked off a statewide tour in Scranton as part of a national project that aims to “decrease incarceration in the country by 50 percent while addressing racial and economic disparities that are in the system,” campaign director Nicholas Pressley said. By shortening sentencing for less serious crimes like small-time drug offenses by 50 percent, Pennsylvania would save $2.4 billion, Pressley said.

Probation and parole in the state drive mass incarceration, Pressley said, adding that more than 50 percent of admissions to prisons in the state are from parole violations. Notably, he said the state legislature needs to “strictly limit” incarceration for technical violations. Technical violations are those that do not break any laws but rather violate conditions like as breaking a curfew, according to the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole.

The NEPA Prison Advocates meet the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. in St. Luke’s, co-founder Beth Ann Zero said.

“There are things that we as individuals in a small group are capable of doing to help create change,” she said after the meeting. “Criminal justice reform and prison reform is something in everybody’s best interest.”

Contact the writer:

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5181; @flesnefskyTT on Twitter

Childs

Envelope drive: Meredith Hose Company annual envelope drive during Fire Preven­tion Week; distribution, Friday; collection, Oct. 13.

Dunmore

Reunion meeting: Dunmore High School class of 1969 reunion planning meeting, Oct. 11, 6 p.m., Two Brothers Restaurant, Dunmore Corners.

East Scranton

Bus trip: East Scranton Casino bus trip to Tioga Downs, Oct. 30, $34/person, $30 slot rebate, $10 food voucher, bus leaves at 9:30 a.m., leaves casino at 5 p.m., photo ID required; Tom, 570-280-5096.

Exeter

Culinary event: Taste of the Parish culinary event, Oct. 13, 5-8 p.m., St. Anthony’s Parish, 224 Memorial St., dishes created by our very own parish family chefs and various local restaurants, gift baskets and raffles, $10/at door.

Forest City

Community luncheon: Stone Soup Kitchen at Christ Church, free community luncheon, Oct. 27, noon-1 p.m., Delaware and Dundaff streets.

Jermyn

Icon visit: Hawaiian Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon of the Mother of God will be present at St. Michael’s Orthodox Church, Wednesday, 7 p.m., for a service of intercession; 570-876-0730.

Keyser Valley

Seniors meet: Keyser Valley Seniors meeting, Monday, 1 p.m., community center, games and refreshments following meeting.

Lackawanna County

Arts breakfast: Lackawanna County Arts, Culture and Educa­tion Council 10th annual Wake Up with the Arts Breakfast, Friday, Electric City Trolley Museum, registration and breakfast, 8:30 a.m., and program, 9-10:30 a.m., featuring Matthew Serio, program director; 570-963-6590, ext. 106, or arts-cul

ture@lackawannacounty.org.

Lake Ariel

Soup supper: Soup supper, Oct. 20, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Lake Ariel Methodist Church, 110 Maple Ave., takeouts available, free-will offering.

Midvalley

Catholics meet: Mid Valley Catholic Golden Age meeting, Oct. 11, 6 p.m., 205 Grant St., Olyphant, pizza party.

Pike County

Constituent visit: State Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20th) field representative Andrew M. Seder will be available for consultation, Tuesday, 10 a.m.-noon, commissioners’ conference room of the Pike County Administration Building, 506 Broad St., Milford, and Oct. 18, 9-11 a.m., Greene Twp. Municipal Building, 198 Brink Hill Road, Greentown, questions or problems relating to state matters, appointments encouraged but not required; www.senatorbaker.com or calling the office at 570-226-5960.

Regional

Chapter luncheon: Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA 50th anniversary luncheon, Oct. 24, 11:30 a.m., St. Mary’s Center, guest speaker: Chris Whatley, executive director of UNA-USA, $30; 570-842-6846.

Scranton

Garbage collection: City of Scranton Department of Public Works is off Monday in observance of Columbus Day, garbage and blue recycling containers will be a day behind.

West Pittston

Rummage sale: Women’s Asso­ciation of First United Presby­terian Church of West Pittston annual rummage sale, Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the Institute, Wyoming Avenue and Institute Street, Wyoming, “bag day” begins at 1 p.m., coffee and cake available at the snack bar.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be sent to yesdesk@timesshamrock.com or Clipboard, c/o YES!Desk, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.

SCRANTON — Lacka-wanna County Community Outreach Manager Fran Pantuso lost that title Wednesday and gained a new title of assistant chief of staff.

Pantuso, who began working for the county in March 2012, will assist acting Chief of Staff Donald Frederickson and earn an annual salary of $57,216 in the new role. That’s $5,000 more than she made as community outreach manager.

“I’m going to serve on a day-to-day basis dealing with county employees and of course with the commissioners,” Pantuso said. “I’ve had an enormous amount of experience dealing with people, having a communications degree and ... being out there representing the commissioners and the county on many levels. I just feel like I’m quite prepared to take on one of the lead roles here.”

The county salary board voted 3-1 at its meeting to eliminate the community outreach manager position and create the assistant chief of staff position. Commissioners Patrick O’Malley and Laureen Cummings joined Controller Gary DiBileo in voting yes, while Commissioner Jerry Notarianni voted no.

At the meeting, Notarianni asked why the county didn’t just make Pantuso chief of staff, as opposed to creating the new position and eliminating the old one. He said after the meeting that Pantuso is “capable,” but said the county also could have considered conducting an outside search.

“The chief of staff position is a full-time position,” Frederickson responded. “I’ve been trying to do it as a part-time position but it’s hard because I have other duties. ... The individual (Pantuso) is contemplating taking the position, but she would like to try it first and this is an opportunity to give her the chance to do that.”

In addition to his duties as county general counsel, Frederickson has served as acting chief of staff since June when former Chief of Staff Andrew Wallace resigned amid a criminal investigation. Arraigned on indecent assault and harassment charges in July, Wallace still awaits a preliminary hearing.

Commissioners will ultimately decide who becomes the next full-time chief of staff, whether it’s Pantuso or someone else. Noting Pantuso’s tenure with the county, O’Malley said she knows the employees, is familiar with how county business is done and is the right person for the assistant chief of staff job.

“She understands the workings of the sixth floor and the assistant chief of staff needs ... that type of background,” O’Malley said. “I want all of our employees to realize that they’re not capped at where they’re at. They have options of moving up and moving forward.”

Contact the writer:


jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141;
@jhorvathTT on Twitter

Longtime friends reunite

When Yvonne Joseph Sliney did not get a birthday card from her friend Barbara Drake, she knew she had to make a trip to see her.

Sliney traveled four hours to Belle Reve Senior Living Community in New Milford to visit Drake.

The friends have known each other for around 70 years. They grew up in the Bronx and met in kindergarten. Despite not seeing each other for 20 years, Blake typically sends Sliney a birthday card.

“I knew I had to reach out and reconnect with her,” said Sliney, when she did not receive the annual card.

Time stood still when the friends were reunited. They sat side-by-side reminiscing on their times together, laughing loudly.

“Even with her dementia, she’s as sharp as a tack, remembering details of our youth, including the names of all our teachers,” said Sliney.

Blake’s face lit up when she saw Sliney,said Simone Thomas, memory care coordinator at Belle Reve

“It was so endearing watching Barbara and Yvonne’s reunion,” she said.

New teachers welcomed

The Western Wayne School District welcomed new staff members during a new teacher instruction day before school began for the 2018-19 school year.

Those teachers are MaryBeth Booth, long-term substitute, Spanish; Hannah Fornes, long-term substitute, music; Amanda Gruszewski,special education; Jessica Short, English Language Arts and science; Samantha Antosh, long-term substitute, English Language Arts; Joyce Covaleski, music; Ashley Kromko, elementary first grade; Helene Tscheschlog, biology; Steven Rovinsky, emotional support; Tara Morcom, elementary guidance; and Melissa Cottone, elementary behavioral specialist.

The new faculty members, who come from a variety of backgrounds, are ready to assist all students with any struggles or challenges they face throughout the school year.

High notes

Jim Aita was selected as president of the Dunmore Lions Club during the club’s reorganization meeting Sept. 25 at the Case Quatro Winery.

Richard Green will serve as first vice president; Angelo Martarano, second vice president, Sam Sebastianelli, secretary/treasurer; and Jim Colangelo, membership chairman.

New members include Carmel Verrastro-Biko and Justin Petchcoski. Michael and James Colangelo are sponsors.

All Dunmore residents over 18 are welcome to join the club. For details, contact 570-878-7166, 570-466-5058 or email dunmorelions@gmail.com.

Oct. 4, 1918

Spanish Influenza closes churches, bars

Scranton health Director Dr. S.P. Longstreet ordered all theaters, saloons, churches, dance halls and all places of entertainment and meeting in the city of Scranton be closed to curb the spread the Spanish Influenza in the city.

Both public and parochial schools in Scranton were allowed to stay opened but medical officers and teachers would be keeping a watchful eye on the students for signs of the disease.

Longstreet’s order was in line with state Health Commissioner B. Franklin Royer’s order that all places of public amusement and saloons be closed across the state. Royer announced that his office estimated that there wee 50,000 cases of Spanish Influenza in the state.

Longstreet reported that there were more than 1,000 suspected cases of Spanish Influenza in the city. Doctors treating the sick commented that this influenza was the strongest they have seen in Scranton since the influenza epidemic of 1890.

Dunmore was also reporting a great number of cases as well. Dunmore school officials had yet to decide if they would be closing the schools. They reported that 134 students were absent due to the disease.

With the closure order, W.E. Boileau, general manager of the Scranton Railway Co., announced that all street cars would be disinfected and fumigated daily to help control the spread of the disease.

BRIAN FULTON, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune’s expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.

Angela Ceccarelli keeps a list handy in the kitchen of her Bridge Street home in Jermyn, a grocery order a year in the making.

Her cursive script notes an assortment of foodstuffs that span from the sweet to the sour: Swedish fish, powdered Gatorade, oranges, bananas, pickles and more. There’s even a reminder of what not to pick up: no M&Ms.

“Those, they didn’t like so much,” Ceccarelli said.

This week is one of preparation for Ceccarelli and the other members of the 12 Mile Crew. The group sets up an unofficial aid station for runners in the Steamtown Marathon who pass by Ceccarelli’s house. Buying the items on the list is just one of the many things to accomplish before Sunday, race day.

The operation offers more than mere calories for the runners. Last year, a port-a-potty made its debut, a feature that will return for this year’s race. Band aids, Vaseline and other first aid and anti-chafing agents are also available. The group also offers humor, motivation and encouragement by cheering while holding homemade signs as runners pass by.

“At least you’re not at work,” reads one.

“Blisters are Braille 4 awesome,” reads another.

“The runners usually get a kick out of the signs,” Ceccarelli said, noting the fun can help them get their minds off the distance. “We want them to laugh and keep going.”

Offering a respite for the stream of marathoners that annually flood the area started for Ceccarelli years ago, a few miles down the road. When she lived in Archbald, the marathon route also passed in front of her home, at about the 14-mile mark. One year, as she watched participants go by, many noticed a Notre Dame shirt she wore and offered shouts of “Go Irish.” The interaction sparked the idea of offering Gatorade at the next year’s event, Ceccarelli explained.

The aid station grew from there. Runners that first year stopped for a drink or a rest on her porch stoop. Others, some with bleeding feet, asked her if she had band aids or other first aid items.

At the time, she was not a runner and didn’t know about blisters and other physical traumas the 26.2 mile distance can cause. She decided to expand to some tables with more offerings.

As the years went on, the station continued to grow. Friends and family members started to help out. Ceccarelli started keeping the list of items that were popular or unpopular or suggestions of things to add.

Ceccarelli eventually took up running herself. When she moved to Jermyn last year, the 12 Mile Crew was born. People she runs with, including her boyfriend’s daughters, Brittany and Kate Bianchi, and running group friends Mary Melisky and Ginny Snyder Ashman, all help out.

While only Brittany has run the Steamtown Marathon, experiences in half-marathons and other runs provide an understanding of what the runners might need and just how much some encouragement can help.

The runners seem to love the aid station. Some stop for pictures or selfies with the group, Ceccarelli said. Last year, one hugged her and thanked her for providing motivation, Kate said. The 12 Mile Crew stay at their stations until the last person passes through.

“When people stop here, they’re like, ‘I love you,’” Ceccarelli said. “It helps them get through.”

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

Fast facts

Things to know about the

23rd annual Steamtown

Marathon:

When: Sunday

Starting line: Forest City

Finish line: Downtown Scranton

Start time: 8 a.m.

Number of registered runners: About 1,500

Official aid stations: 14

MARRIAGE LICENSES

• Josh Ernest Houghtlin, Duryea, Denise Marie Cole, Madison Twp.

• Tyler Robert Stull and Aleia Crystine Lewis, both of Old Forge.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

• J. Briggs McAndrews, Sackets Harbor, N.Y., Helen McAndrews Salamone, Edgartown, Mass., Dennis C. McAndrews, Wayne, in their capacity as beneficiaries and trustees of the McAndrews trust, and Brian H. McAndrews as beneficiary, to Lorraine and Nathan Trygar, Clarks Summit; a property at 610 McAndrews Road, Moscow, for $101,500.

• Aminderjeet S. and Simrat Kaur Aulakh, North Abington Twp., to Dennis E. Phelps and Patricia J. Fox, Hop Bottom; a property at 220 Grouse Hill Road, North Abington Twp., for $335,000.

• Catherine L. Feeney, South Abington Twp., to Peter P. and Jane Tayoun, Waverly Twp.; a property at 151 Jermyn Drive, Waverly, for $344,300.

• James P. Vorozilchak, Lackawanna County, to Kenneth Heater Jr., Lackawanna County; a property at 620 Ferdinand St., Scranton, for $45,000.

• Robert J. and Janet M. Hoffer to Aaron J. and Channon M. Cunningham; a property at 432 Dogwood Drive, South Abington Twp., for $195,000.

• James Pizzutti, also known as James Pizzuti, and Margaret Pizzuti, also known as Peggy Pizzuti, Madison Twp., to Kathleen M. and Brian Nealon, Dunmore; a property at 4410 Dawn Acres Drive, Madison Twp., for $239,500.

• Arthur A. and Cynthia L. Freeman, Roaring Brook Twp, to Melissa Novak and Alec Sewatsky, Peckville; a property at 207 Velview Drive, Roaring Brook Twp., for $264,000.

• Ivanka Realty LLC, Scranton, to Hebron Housing LLC, Phila­delphia; a property at Swetland Street, Scranton, for $91,000.

• Patricia A. Kanton, Scran­ton, to Arthur and Cynthia L. Freeman, Roaring Brook Twp.; a property at 102 Little Spike Way, Scranton, for $212,000.

• Thomas J. Jr. and Candace S. McColligan, Scranton, to Hebron Housing LLC, Philadel­phia; a property at 1104 N. Main Ave., Scranton, for $74,500.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

• Glen M. Mayers, Browndale, v. Margaret Mayers, Scranton; married May 1, 1999, in Negril, Jamaica; Raymond W. Ferrario, attorney.

• Holly Liss, Lackawanna County, v. Brian Liss, Scranton; married March 31, 2011, in Wawarsing, N.Y.; pro se.

• Kim Biancarelli, Scranton, v. Damian Biancarelli, Jessup; married Sept. 22, 2007, in Throop; pro se.

• Elizabeth Smith, Clarks Summit, v. Larry Arvin Smith Jr., Factoryville; married June 1, 2011, in Clarks Summit; pro se.

• Patrick Cherkoski, Moscow, v. Alison Cherkoski, Moscow; married in July 2012 in Lackawanna County; Frank J. Ruggiero, attorney.

DIVORCE DECREES

• Stephen Yakely v. Melissa Yakely.

• Scott Goldman v. Kimberly Danlek.

• Brian Rogers Jr. v. Jessica Rogers.

• Laura Enderline v. Lawrence Enderline.

• Albert Taylor v. Kim Barron-Taylor.

• Heidi Lavolpe v. Vincent Lavolpe.

• Peter Mendos v. Dawn Mendos.

• Lisa Romanski v. John Romanski.

• Raisbel Ordehi v. Fernando Ordehi.

• Jennifer Correll v. Edward Correll.

ESTATES FILED

• Kenneth M. Shepard, 314 Highland Ave., Clarks Summit, letters of administration to Tonya Shepard, same address.

• Salvatore A. Fortese, 2006 Green Ridge St., Dunmore, letters of administration to Eileen Fortese, same address.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

SCRANTON — The chief executive of one of the world’s most iconic guitar companies is to speak today at the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resources Center’s Annual Regional Manufacturing Day Showcase and Tradeshow.

The event, which allows manufacturers to network and learn from each other, is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Scranton.

Christian F. Martin IV, chairman and CEO at C.F. Martin & Co. will speak at 11 a.m.

Admission is $50 per person and includes breakfast and lunch. Guests can register at the door.

Visit www.nepirc.com for information.

— JON O’CONNELL