A $1 million retirement fund is an aspirational figure you expect would take you comfortably through many years, but that amount will last you much longer in some cities than others.

Financial technology company SmartAsset released a study to determine where $1 million will last the longest, and Wilkes-Barre ranked at the top of the list of seven Pennsylvania cities.

The study determined that $1 million would last for 24.86 retirement years in Wilkes-Barre when estimating expenses for housing would be $8,153; food, $6,261; health care, $4,834; utilities, $3,820; and transportation, $7,791.

Scranton came in third on the list after York. In Scranton, $1 million is expected to last for 23.98 retirement years. The study estimated expenses for housing are $8,181; food, $6,243; health care, $5,261; utilities, $3,774; and transportation, $7,843.

A.J. Smith, vice president of financial education for SmartAsset, said expenses vary based on individual lifestyles and expenditures.

The figures used in the study were based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which looked at the average annual expenditures of seniors throughout the country.

SmartAsset then applied cost of living data from the Council for Community and Economic Research to adjust the national average spending levels based on the costs of each expense category in each city.

Harrisburg ranked fourth in the study with $1 million expected to last 23.81 years; Pittsburgh, fifth, 23.6 years; Allentown, sixth, 22.16 years; and Philadelphia, 19.93 years.

Smith said the amount of money a person needs to save for a comfortable retirement depends on many factors, including the cost of living in their intended city, how long they intend to work and their planned lifestyle in retirement.

“We advise people to talk with a professional financial adviser who can crunch the numbers and discuss how their choices and plans for retirement impact how much they will need to save,” she said.

Smith said there are ways that people can make their retirement savings stretch further, such as moving to a more retirement tax-friendly county or state.

“Another option is to select a location with a lower cost of living, which will increase the purchasing power of those hard-earned dollars,” she said.

When people retire, Smith said a financial adviser is an extremely useful tool to make sure their savings last.

“We recommend that retirees consult with a financial adviser to set up a plan to support them throughout their golden years,” she said. “That plan will include budgets, taxes and investments as well.”

Susan C. Yelen, financial adviser, senior vice president and senior investment management consultant at Morgan Stanley in Wilkes-Barre who has 37 years experience in the finance industry, gives advice to clients who want to retire.

She said the amount a person needs to retire depends on income sources, lifestyle, goals, basic needs, wants and preferences.

“Retirement is personal. Everybody is different,” she said. “If we want to know how far money goes, we want to know two things: how much can I spend and how long will it last.”

Portfolio size is not the only determinant of income. Other potential sources include Social Security, pensions, annuities from personal losses and trusts, she said.

“I believe the best approach would be to calculate the cost of living, determine how much will come from sources other than savings and calculate the gap needed to fill with withdrawals from a portfolio,” Yelen said. “The smaller the gap, the smaller the portfolio size required to fill it.”

While the cost of living differs in various communities, Yelen said the determinants of how long money will last depends on several factors including return expectations based on economic outlook, how the money is invested and spending rate.

To prepare for a comfortable retirement, Yelen’s advice is to save as much as you can and save as early as you can.

To make retirement savings stretch further, she suggests people live within their means, pay credit card balances in full when payments are due, use intelligent withdrawal techniques when taking money from plans, do projections periodically, delay taking Social Security at least until normal age and if you are married, consider Social Security maximization strategies.

She said to keep in mind that income can change after one spouse dies due to a reduction in Social Security or pensions depending on the plan and the choice made at retirement.

Yelen agrees with the study that the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area has a reasonable cost of living compared to many metropolitan areas.

“Our location offers a rich cultural environment due to the presence of many colleges and universities,” she said. “Our proximity to Philadelphia and New York City, good roads and frequent intercity bus service enlarge the cultural, sports and educational footprint. The local airport provides service to Europe, Central America, Mid East and Far East with one connection.”

Contact the writer:

dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com,

570-821-2115;

@CVAllabaugh on Twitter

April 16: Collaborative Nursing Network of Northeastern Pa. 27th annual program, “Professional Licensure Essentials: Protecting Your Nursing Livelihood,” 6-9 p.m., Holiday Inn, Wilkes-Barre, keynote address by Edith Brous, Esq., PC, a private practice nurse attorney who concentrates in professional licensure representation, medical malpractice defense and nursing advocacy; $15/professional nurses and $5/student nurses, $40/person to participate in the professional development program and to attend a buffet dinner, pre-registration required, program is eligible for Pennsylvania State Nurses Association 2.0 contact hours following approval; registration, Annette Tross, 570-878-1663, copy of the brochure can be found at www.collaborativenursing

networknepa.com.

May 19-31: CQA Institute at Wilkes University two-week intensive seminar on investment management taught by top Wall Street investment professionals, Advanced Investment Management course is open to junior or senior university students who are passionate about working in the investment management industry, topics include equity and fixed income research, asset allocation, risk management, quantitative research, portfolio management and effective communication; $2,500/cost of the two-week program, application deadline is March 31; www.wilkes.edu/cqa.

SUBMIT BUSINESS BRIEFCASE items to business@timesshamrock.com or The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

Joe Michel was a 16-year-old student when he heard a presentation at his school about the old Wilkes-Barre & Hazleton Railroad and got inspired.

“I thought someday, I’m going to walk that,” he said.

The idea stuck.

When he retired, Michel started hiking the remains of a route on which thousands shuttled between the two cities in glossy black coaches powered by electricity.

In the railway’s prime, cars riding the protected third-rail system later popularized on subways in New York and other cities made the 30-mile trip from North Wyoming Street in Hazleton to North Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilkes-Barre in 45 minutes.

The WB&H Railroad operated from 1903 to 1933.

Michel started his hikes on Aug. 27, 2003. Traveling a mile or two when he had some free time, he finished on Nov. 5, 2005.

He kept notebooks of the weather, observations and souvenirs such as insulators and railroad spikes that he found on his travels.

On topographic maps, he marked his route with the precision honed during his career as an engineer.

Along the way he saw a tunnel bored through Penobscot Mountain. He admired the stone arches of a bridge in Valmont Industrial Park and a concrete abutment in Butler Twp. The abutment looms over an automobile bridge on Old Turnpike Road, which the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will begin replacing Monday.

The bridge is near the outfall of another engineering masterpiece of the previous century, the Jeddo Tunnel built by John Markle and engineered by Thomas McNair in 1895.

Markle’s brother, Alvan, built the railway.

“When I look at what they did with the Jeddo Tunnel and the WB&H more than 100 years ago, what equipment did they have? They were intelligent guys. They took their time. They had pride in their work,” Michel said.

Now 88, with thick white hair, his face brightened as he showed off a collection of photos, tickets and other memorabilia of the railroad at his home in Hazleton.

For many like him who have walked parts of the old line, searched out history or live along the route, the WB&H Railroad retains its romance.

Builders overcame obstacles of elevation. The route climbs 1,200 feet from Wilkes-Barre to Hazleton. Grades as steep as 3 percent required coal-fired substations to generate electricity for uphill pushes and hardworking brakemen to control descents.

Studying the terrain, builders of coal-powered railroads opted to go around the mountains rather than up and down them, which meant travelers had no direct route between Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre.

Alvan Markle, a Hazleton banker, had business in Wilkes-Barre and wanted a quicker commute.

He also had experience with electric-powered rail.

In 1893 he began a trolley that ran through Hazleton and its suburbs.

Taking advantage of the electric plant that Thomas Alva Edison opened in Hazleton, Markle powered the trolley with an insulated, third-rail electric system, one of the first in the nation.

The office of the trolley, the Lehigh Traction Co., was at 22 N. Wyoming St., across from the Standard-Speaker and next to Edison’s power plant.

Markle’s investment in the trolley, and the railroad, paid off even in a short time.

In 1922, its best year, the WB&H Railroad earned $313,881 on gross revenues of $895,180.

But in 1928, a railway accident happened nearby.

A conductor and motorman, who both overslept so they weren’t running their regular schedules, failed to pull into the substation to let a southbound train pass. The head-on collision killed motorman Harry Cunis, 50, and sent 20 passengers to the hospital.

Five years later, the railroad closed, a casualty of another crash, the stock market collapse of 1929 and resulting Depression. Construction of a highway now called state Route 309 that motorists drive directly between Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre didn’t help, either.

Contact the writer:

kjackson@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3587

Work to replace a bridge on Old Turnpike Road in Fritzingertown will begin Monday, requiring motorists to take alternate routes to Fritzingertown Senior Living Community and Drums Elementary/Middle School.

Michael Taluto of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation expects work will continue through September on the bridge, which spans Little Nescopeck Creek.

Work to replace a bridge that closed last week in Conyngham, however, won’t start until spring of 2020, he said.

The one-lane bridge on Butler Avenue failed inspection and is closed to traffic.

Taluto said engineers are designing a replacement and expect to seek bids for installing a new bridge by December.

— KENT JACKSON

The fad began as a curious trickle, but this year, beer distributors and grocers are gearing up. They expect it to bubble over in a torrent.

Spiked seltzer — fizzy, flavored water infused with booze — first appeared about three years ago.

But sales exploded last year with triple-digit growth amid an otherwise flat retail beer market, and sellers are reacting.

“Matter of fact, we’re getting new ones in every week,” said David Shipula, owner of Beer Super in Wilkes-Barre and a past president of the Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania. “It seems that way. I just got a new organic one in today.”

Hard seltzer sales spiked 166 percent in 2018, according to the market research firm Nielsen. Meanwhile, in-store sales for beer were down one-tenth of a point from 2017, Nielsen found.

A market bursting with new brands touting less sugar and fewer calories appeals to a generation that demands healthier options, and follows the blossoming popularity of sparkling water — without the alcohol — that has already staked its claim on the beverage industry.

Shipula expects hard seltzer to stick around for a while as a permanent slice of the alcohol market.

“Especially as summer comes on, my guess is that this is going to be a big segment of the market,” he said.

Major beverage industry players have already caught on, though they’re keeping their big-beer labels a few steps removed for a market in which consumers lean toward individuality.

Anheuser-Busch, the Budweiser brewer, acquired the parent company of the popular Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer.

Sam Adams maker Boston Beer started one of the most popular labels, Truly Spiked & Sparkling.

Brands like Smirnoff, on the other hand, put their names right at the top of the canned Smirnoff Spiked Seltzer.

“You see that all the time in the alcohol business,” said Joe Fasula, co-owner of Gerrity’s Supermarkets. “As soon as one company is successful with a concept, the rest of them rush right in.”

It happened with pumpkin beer, with citrusy shandy beers and hard cider.

Seltzer is definitely a summer drink, Shipula said, noting that sales dipped over the winter, but are picking up again as warm weather approaches.

Fasula first noticed the seltzer trend last year, and now sees distributors and competing grocery stores latching on.

“I anticipate it to really take hold this summer,” he said.

As a grocer, he had a front row seat to the dawn of the sparkling water craze starting a few years ago as more people grow more health conscious but still want an elevated experience.

“Especially in the younger consumers,” he said, then injecting a cautionary note.

Spiked seltzer brands may sell themselves as a healthier choice with less sugar, but “you have to remember, every gram of alcohol has seven calories,” he said. “But it’s certainly better than drinking a heavy beer.”

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

Young not officer’s ex-girlfriend

A story on Page A4 of Saturday’s Times-Tribune about an investigation of Taylor police Officer Michael Zuby incorrectly said Zuby was Tammy Young’s former boyfriend and Young was the mother of the 17-year-old girl for whom she sought a protection from abuse order. Young was not Zuby’s girlfriend and is not the girl’s mother.

Jessup Post 5544

slates food sales

Jessup VFW Post 5544 Lenten food and clam chowder sale, April 5, noon-5:30 p.m. or sold out, 205 Dolph St.; Man­hat­tan clam chowder, $7.50/quart, $5/pint; New England clam chowder, $9/quart, $6/pint; crab bisque, $11/quart, $6/pint; halushki $5.75/quart, $4/pint; tuna hoagies, $5.75; pierogies with butter and onions, deep fried, or deep fried with butter and onions, $10/dozen, $5.75/half-dozen, $1/each; potato pancakes, $1/each; 570-489-7070 Wednesday before.

Squadron 86

plans fish dinners

SAL Squadron 86 Lenten fish fry benefiting Hunts for Healing, Fridays through April 19, 5-7 p.m., American Legion Post 86, Main Street, Susquehanna; fried flounder, shrimp or baked haddock; 570-853-3542.

Center schedules

town meeting

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Twp., will host a community town hall at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the center, 111 East End Blvd., to discuss issues with the facility’s employees.

Rep. Flynn sets

veterans outreach

State Rep. Marty Flynn, D-113, Scranton, veterans support program with American Legion service officer, Wednesday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., constituent service office, Jay’s Commons, 409 N. Main Ave., Scranton; appointments requested, 570-342-4348.

109th offers

scholarships

The 109th Infantry Regiment Association will offer $1,000 scholarships to children and grandchildren of members and veterans of the regiment. Applications are available at http://109thinfantry.org under the documents tab. Deadline is April 15.

Post 5937 offers

scholarships

VFW Post 5937, Dickson City, will offer two $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors residing in the Midvalley area and children and grandchildren of members of VFW Post 5937; deadline to apply, May 1. Applications are available at the American Legion, 901 Main St., Dickson City; or contact Richard Capwell, 570-489-1222.

Dickson City post

offers scholarships

American Legion Post 665, Dickson City, will offer $1,000 scholarships to seniors in the Mid Valley School District or who are children/grandchildren of a member of Post 665; deadline to apply is May 1. Applications are available at the post, 901 Main St., 570-489-4304; or through Isadore Dzwieleski, 570-233-1324.

Meetings

POST 25

Gen. Theodore J. Wint VFW Post 25, April 7, 2291 Rockwell Ave., Scranton, canteen meeting, noon, post meeting, 12:30; nomination of officers.

SEABEES

Seabee Veterans of America Island 4 Pa., Wednesday, 7 p.m., Dickson City American Legion.

NERMA

Northeast Retired Military Association, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Mira’s Tavern, 327 Chestnut St., Dunmore.

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE

Northeastern Detachment Marine Corps League and Museum, April 7, 2 p.m., detachment.

POST 327 AUXILIARY

Olyphant American Legion Raymond Henry Post 327 Auxiliary, April 1, 7 p.m.

POST 4954

Old Forge VFW Post 4954 nomination of officers, April 9, 7 p.m.

Merli Center

Today: Coffee, 8:30 a.m.; morning visits, 8:45; Eucharistic ministry visits, 9:15; rolling Thunder bingo, 2 p.m.; unit visits, 4.

Monday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; Bible study visits on units, 9:30; sit aerobics, third floor, 10:15; Popeyes dine-in, 12:15 p.m.; West 3rd Street Band music program, 2 p.m.; senior fitness, 3; unit visits, 4.

Tuesday:
Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; bingo social, 10:15;
volunteer ministry on units, 1:15 p.m.; choir practice, 1:45; Catholic service, 3; unit visits, 4; trivia night, 2 north, 7:30.

Wednesday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; arts and crafts, third floor, 10:15; movie, “The Way We Were,” and pizza, 2 p.m.; Bible club, 2 south lounge, 4; card night, 1 south, 7:30.

Thursday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; chapel service, 10; pitch, third floor, 10:15; Red Robin lunch trip, 12:15 p.m.; peer group meeting, 1:15; black forest cake day, cake, punch and sing-along, 2; senior fitness, 3; unit visits, 4.

Friday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; coffee and doughnuts, 10:15; veterans educational training, noon-4 p.m.; Mohegan Sun casino trip, 1 p.m.; freestyle activities, 2; senior fitness, 3; unit visits, 4.

Saturday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; artist in residency with Earl, 9:30; ice cream sundae social, 2 p.m.; unit visits, 4.

VETERANS NEWS should be submitted no later than Monday before publication to veterans@timesshamrock.com; or YES!desk, The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

Pike County President Judge Gregory Chelak sentenced:

Ryan Steven Folk, 39, Shillington, four to 15 years in a state correctional facility, followed by three years of probation and $1,500 fine for criminal solicitation to commit sexual abuse of children and unlawful contact with a minor.

Thomas William Sullivan, 33, Dingmans Ferry, 27 to 54 months in a state correctional facility and $500 fine for failure to comply with registration requirements between Sept. 8 and Sept. 17, 2017.

Ronald Michael Gregoire, 48, Milford, five years of the IP Pike Care Program, which will include one year of electronic monitoring/house arrest, a $2,500 fine and an 18-month driver’s license suspension for DUI on Nov. 15 in Dingman Twp.

Victoria Katherine Wright, 36, Matamoras, six to 18 months in Pike County Jail and $600 fine for retail theft and conspiracy to commit retail theft on Aug. 28, 2017, and Sept. 29, 2017, in Westfall Twp.

Timeasha Lorraine Smedley, 23, Middletown, N.Y., six to 18 months in Pike County Jail and $500 fine for access device fraud between May 17 and 20, 2018, in Delaware Twp.

Joseph McKeon Harrison, 22, Milford, six months of probation and $300 fine for DUI on Aug. 19 in Milford Twp.

Jan Micheslaw Borowy, 32, Port Jervis, N.Y., 11½ months to 23½ months in a state correctional facility and $600 fine for three counts of retail theft on Dec. 21, 2015, April 25, 2016, and April 26, 2015, in Westfall Twp.

Billi Jo McBride, 50, Port Jervis, N.Y., $300 fine for possession of drug paraphernalia on Aug. 27, 2008, in Westfall Twp.

OLD FORGE

HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

Hannah Acevedo, Ashleigh Avvisato, Emily Budzak, Courtney Connors, Michael Cordaro, Catrina Enderline, Denise Evans, Stephen Evans, Nicholas Gallagher, Julian Giglio, Shawna Heckman, Corianne Holzman, Jenna Hutchinson, Maximillian Iacavazzi, Hayden Jones, Kacie Kosek, Anna Kuckla, Emilee Marianelli, Nevaeh Martin, Patrick McCool, Noah McDonald, Macie McHale, Michael Mucciolo, Abigail Nee, Carmen Perry, Andria Pilger, Michael Renna, Ian Rhue, Jacob Skrip, Alazia Smith, Tommy Souriyavong, Elizabeth Stone, Nicholas Tagiaterra, Emily Tomasovitch, Joshua Tucker, Kayleigh Wachtel-Thorpe, Alyssa Wilcox, Colby Yaros and Nina Zimmerman.

GRADE 11

Gianna Adomiak, Aaliyah Aldubayan, Abygale Bergamino, Jacob Burkhart, Andrew Cummings, Carissa Delucca, Camryn Domiano, Bailey Febbo, Alexis Fumanti, Abigail Garcia, Maria Garcia, David Gearhart, Craig Grochowski, Aiden Hannon, Megan Hopkins, Makenzie Horn, Kalvin Jeffers, Gwendolyn Kuckla, Hannah Lisowski, Anthony Marsico, James Matias, Molly McCabe, Nicholas Nalaschi, Jonathan Nicholoff, Cassandra Nocera, Rianna Novack, Kevin Pepsin, Corey Riviello, Abigail Robson, Qua-Asia T. Rose, Christopher Sickle, Matthew Smith, Sofia Sosa De Los Santos, Ryan Termini, Thomas Wasley, Lindsey Welsh, Katelyn Yurkavage and Jeremy Zaykowski.

GRADE 10

Sydney Adcock, Carolyn Aversa, Keegan Barbetti, Santino Brigido, Arianna Brown, Thomas Bulford, Olivia Ciullo, Caitlyn Cole, Daniele Cragle, Michael DiGregorio, Julien DiMattia, Nicholas Dodge, Demetrius Dolinish, Sean Donovan, Francesca Fassett, Corshella Fisher, McKenzie Gaul, Caleb Gething, John Giglio, Hannah Grasso, Rachel Hallock, Colin Holzman, George Jurnak, Ashley Katchmar, Evan Kerrigan, Casey Krushnowski, Gina Kuckla, Henry Lin, Dante Lucarelli, Elizabeth Majewski, Gabriella Mannina, Alyssa Miller, Hau T. Nguyen, Madelyn O’Hearn, Olivia Osborne, Binnie Patel, Skyy Peperno, Natalia Rhue, Angelina Rios, Vito Salerno, Dominick Scalise, Olivia Shimonis, Sabrina Souriyavong, Luke Tomasovitch, Jackson Uhrin, John Valdes, Madison Wagner, Monica Xavier, Jenna Ziemba and Elizabeth Zuchinski.

GRADE 9

Kaiya Andrukitis, Ava Aulisio, Ava Aversa, Emily Bergamino, Joel Cali, Jason Catalano, Hezekiah Deitz, Macrina Dolinish, Elizabeth Gething, Gabriella Gilbert, Brooke Granko, Madeline Hopkins, Julia Iacavazzi, Jaden Karwaski, Jack McCabe, Mia Nardone, Natalie Nareski, Olivia Peet, Everett Perry, Nicholas Rasmus, Robert Resio, Mya Ruby, Nicholas Zamerowski, Abigail Zaykowski and YuHuang Zheng.

GRADE 8

Emily Acevedo, Emma Aversa, Andrew Bartnikowski, Kylie Bledsoe, Claire Breig, Mario Colarusso, Anthony Cole, Kayla DiMattia, Eliza DiStasi, Madison Evans, Cole Hannon, Casey Holzman, Sabrina Kelley, Ryan Kissolovege, Katelyn Kowalczyk, Raymond Kresefski, William Kucharski, Matthew Kuckla, Matthew Lenceski, Dominick Lia, Catherine Liskosky, Celia Magnotta, Joseph Matias, Avery McGurgan, Charles Miller, Alexa Mulroney, Isabella Nee, Lauryn Olivieri, Tyler Pepsin, Mila Racibor, Cyllel Rose, Michael Samony, Joshua Spindler, Cassandra Suchecki, Colin Vrabel and Kristen Yurkavage.

GRADE 7

Mia Arrington, Ashley Beilman, Ian Bialkowski, Angelina Castaldi, Abigail Charnetski, Ian Charnetski, Gianna Conforti, Stone Cordiano, Elizabeth Cummings, Anthony DeNero, Leah Domiano, Kaelyn Dougherty, Gabriella Eremo, Luke Furcon, Joseph Granko, Ava Hastings, Thomas Hedglin, Davin Hine, Caelan Kerrigan, Emma Krenitsky, Anthony Lin, Lauren Maguire, Meghan Marianelli, Lola Marsico, Anthony Mucciolo, Nicholas Novak, Ivan O’Hara, Connor Oshinski, Dominick Palma, Michael Peregrim, Sahara Perez, Roman Piragas, Talia Piragas, Emma Price, Jordan Rafalko, Alyssa Resio, Kyle Robideau, Karen Sickle, Joseph Solfanelli, Destiny Sowden, Ciera Stefanowicz, Emily Thornton, Hunter Tisdel, Abagayle Toraldo, Aiden VanLuvender and Tyler Zamerowski.

CARBONDALE AREA JUNIOR-SENIOR

HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

First honors: Annaliese Allen, Lacey Bloom, Calista Calabro, Mya Casey, Emily Daley, Patrick Durkin, Jesse Dutter, Andi Fedorchak, Alyssa George, Gretchen Gilia, David Gonzalez, Kristina Gorel, Rebecca Grecco, Madison Hayner, Joseph Herbert, Brendan Kelley, John Loomis, Gabriel Lumbag, Noah Mauro, Rory Misko, Paige Norella, Astrid Paz, Paxton Postlethwaite, Jonathon Pugliese, Dylan Rowland, Kianna Savage, Darien Schiavone, Deven Schwartz, Nicholas Vadella, Emily Wall, Megan Wallis, Stone Wormuth and Michael Zazzera.

Second honors: Tionne Atkins, Jessica Borders, Paije Buklad, Dana Fuentes, Carl Galavitz, Devine Grimm, Jeffrey Katchmore, Cassidy Kimble, Cora Lawson, Miranda McCormick, Madison Moase, Emily Moser, Zachary Racht, Thomas Rosar, Nicholas Rotell-Tierney and Kaitlyn Shockey.

GRADE 11

First honors: Colin Bannon, Lisa Blanchard, McKinley Borders, Payton Carey, Declan Caviston, Zoe Connolly, Madison Cost, Skylar Dearie, Taylor Emiliani, Liam Fox-Newcomb, Angel Gilliotti, Alexandria Granville, Samantha Guzzi, Cora Heenan, Emma Jones, Olivia Manarchuck, Michaela McLaughlin, Madison Mushensky, Era Nasufi, Noah Newcomb, Rana Novobilski, Jarred Rosar, Vanessa Sawyer, Jeffrey Snyder, Brooke Staple, Mason Tallman and Eric Vaverchak.

Second honors: Brooke Cicio, Donald Cinquegrana, Christopher Dietrich, Jenna Dovin, Chloe George, Zhaquara Grant, Kaitlyn Hendrick, Olivia Kuttrubis, Madison Matthews, Jordan Molinaro, Hunter Ragan, Ariana Serrano, Isabelle Tierney, Abbie Washeleski and Damien White.

GRADE 10

First honors: Giana Arnese, Kacydi Brewen, Natalie Brown, Aniela Connolly, Connor Eibach, Amelia Esgro, Juliana Galarza, Gianna Gillette, Kaelin Greene, Bayley Grizzanti, Aiden Kelly, William Kovaleski, Olivia Liuzzo, Deana Mancuso, Taylor Mazza, Maleena McCormick, Erin McHale, Jade Medina, Anthony Mustica, Amelia Muta, Gianelly Prieto, Avianna Pugliese, Kaitlyn Richardson, Dynasty Romero, Alyvia Schiavone, Halley Schwartz, Sarah Tolerico, Nathan Totsky, Julian Turonis and Trevor Wenzel.

Second honors: Anthony Adams, Maria Cerra, Robert Cron, Shakee Hoskins, Angel Lavaire, Chloe Livingston, Brielle Marchione, Raymond Ofner, Morgan Panella, Stephen Stolarik and Tyler Wormuth.

GRADE 9

First honors: Logan Arthur, Emma Baker, Sophia Calzola, Michael Caporali, Logan Colonna, Alyssa Cosklo, Francheliz De Jesus Correa, Mackenzie Edgar, Tatiana Elston-Blaustein, Jaden Fedorchak, Nya Freeman, Ashley Gorel, Caleb Higdon, Ellen Higdon, Emily Kelly, Glenda Marrero, Mia Marrero, Mackenzie Miluszusky, Hailey Minor, Sebastion Morgantini, Guy Mushow, Rogemarie Navarrete, Elizabeth Pantoja, Sarah Parry, Kyle Perri, Mia Perri, Alexis Price, Jonathon Purvis, Madison Regal, Chloee Rumford, Makena Sanderson, Mackenzie Spaid, Madisyn Tellep, Joshua Tierney, Robert Wall, Cayden Watts, Keefer Wease and Logan Wormuth.

Second honors: Autumn Cruz, Makenna Fedorchak, Layla Gregory, Aunesty Hill, Conner Lewis, Gerod Medley, Dariel Metschulat, Liam Misko, Zachary Siggins and Navaeh Slockbower.

GRADE 8

First honors: Joshua Berg, Madalyn Borders, Audrey Cobb, Gavin Connor, Robert Constantine, Gianna Gallo, Julia Gorel, Brycen Kelly, Madison Kelsch, Abbie Larson, Olivia Lorenzetti, Gia Mark, Emma Monahan, Tyler Moskosky, Julia Murphy, Diamond O’Dowd, Nicholas Ohmnacht, Brian Repsher, Bryan Salitsky, Dominic Shifler, Matthew Totsky, Justin Toy, Jacob Ulmer and Avianna Voglino.

Second honors: Chase Arthur, Sophie Crozier, Shauna Durst, Ashley Escott, Corinne Haley, Faith Hampton, Justin Hastings, Noah Kilmer, Daisy Martinez, Quintin Naro, Victoria Nieves and Hailey Peterka.

GRADE 7

First honors: Kaci Bannon, Jacob Berg, Caden Brennan, Jocelyn Brown, Holly Burke, Preston Casey, Megan Cosklo, Krista Davis, Jacob Emmet, Kaylee Evarts, Sadie Gardus, Isabella Garruto, James Gilia, Jeremy Gilia, Cloie Greene, Jaqueline Kelly, Kylie Kelly, Molly Kelly, Abigail Lent, Madolyn Murphy, Juliette Racht, Max Rosler, Zachary Staples, Emily Tropeano, Robert Waters and Alayshia Williams.

Second honors: Rylee Colonna, Emma Guthrie, Madison Heenan, Gabrielle Ketch, Nico Laguzzi, Mason Miluszusky, Aubrey Moase, Dylan Ofner and Franco Prieto.

LACKAWANNA TRAIL JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

High honors: Samantha Baltrusaitis, Noah Coleman, Jordan Edwards, Cali Fauquier, Alyssa Fowler, Jakob Fusik, Jaida Ganser, Kiana Grella, Emma Hawthorne, Emily Herron, Sarah Kinback, Jared Klepadlo, Morgan Krzywicki, Lili Martin, Dakota Moyle, Nathan Rolka, Joshua Rosengrant, Samantha Schur, Zachary Stec and Alexus Wilbur.

Honors: Serena Caveda, Alyvia Cobb, Robert Davis, Xavier Houser, Samantha Kostick, Brianna Miller, Lanee Miller, Colin Mulhern, Haileigh Novitch, Aleah Otto, Samuel Pieretti, Nesbitt Ross, Bryce VanFleet, Cheyanne Visavati-Freeman and Novella Wilhelm.

GRADE 11

High honors: Nico Berrios, Willoughby Burnell, Richard Cocchini, Abigail Dalton, Mark Dunckle, Alyssa Frens, Amanda Haft, Madeline Huggler, Paige Hyde, Michael Jacoby, Isabella Jagoe, Victoria James, Alec Jones, Mikenna Lee, Seamus Nichols, Ethan Palaskas, Richard Rodenbach, Rachel Saxton, Owen Scioscia, Joshua Semken, Monica Stuenzi, Allison Swanchak, Madison Swanchak, Connor Tobin, Taylor Townsend, Virginia VanFleet, Isaac Vierling and Katelin Walton.

Honors: Luke Baldwin, Timothy Caulden, Emily Dalton, Gerald Decker, Leoj Ella, Josiah Frank, Damian Howard, Jacob Jarnagin, Stephanie Kohinsky, Nicholas Maskaly, Danna Ramirez, Julie Richards, Rowan Rivera, Austin Sanko and Madison Williams.

GRADE 10

High honors: Paige Carpenter, Bella Charnecki, Isabella Coleman, Emma Corby, Mckenzie Edwards, William Edwards, Morgan Faist, William Filan, Celia Fortney, John-Patrick Gilroy, Taylor Kilmer, Kassidy Kostick, Addilyn Kwiatkowski, Danielle Lamberti, Elizabeth Litwin, Ashtyn Mecca, Madison Norman, Margaret Reppa, Olivia Rosengrant, John Sharpe IV, Lilly Trunk, Tyton Vokes and Abigail Wilson.

Honors: Ekatrina Brooks, Martin Burke, Nathan Dill, Johann Ella, Mason Grella, Brycen Hoffman, Ray Melnikoff, Mackenzie Newhart, Grace Pawlukovich, Matthew Petrilak, Daisy Petty, Kayla Ross, Madalyn Toth and Casey Wernick.

GRADE 9

High honors: Jacob Basile, Kayleigh Beichler, Michael Bluhm, Corey Burns, Mauriana Castellano, Emily Chermak, Kody Cresswell, Brycen Decker, Alan Deutsch, Keith Dixon, George Duffy, Miles Edwards, Abigail Fahey, Tela Fotta, Megan Gatto,Joselyn Medina Gonzalez, Annabelle Gumble, Cole Henry, Adam Jones, Dariane Jones, Owen Lisk, John Long, Maggie Martin, Michael Measley, Kamryn Mercer, Emma Oswald, Josephine Paolucci, Jackson Pieretti, Makenna Ratchford, Lillian Rejrat, Cassandra Rivenburg, Cora Rivera, Matthew Schirg, Jordan Spencer, Caleb Stuenzi, Samantha Thomas, Landen Trunk, Nathan Wescott, Maria Wetzel, Natalie Whitney, Coleman Wohlken and Mason Zajac.

Honors: Tiana Bradley, Jasmyn Fitch, John Halter, Scott Jennings, Marissa Keyes, Joshua Oliver, Owen Sabin, Robert Schirg, Landon Sprowls, Cheyanne Stacknick, Xander Toward and Kevin VanLuvanee.

GRADE 8

High honors: Ethan Ankoff, Emily Beemer, Maxwell Bluhm, Jacob Breckinridge, Alex Bushta, Francis Cocchini, Annabelle Demora, Austin Fortney, Emma Fowler, Jeffrey Gallagher, Jacob Holmes, Ellsbeth Hunting, Emma Jacoby, Ethan Lee, Evan Litwin, Emma Long, Kiara Nichols, Jacob Noakes, Jackson Nordmark, Braeleigh Oakley, Riley Prutzman, Matthew Rakauskas, Mackenzie Remick, Cinderella Rivenburg, Deegan Ross, Braden Savage, Jacqueline Schneider, Joseph Shaw, Nadia Toth, Jayde Waibel, Nathan Walker, Beau Ware, Madisyn Wilson and Kayla Wood.

Honors: Jacob Bartush, Jason Carney, Justin Dejesus, Jacqueline Gurdock, Michael Kane, Daren Le, Phoebe Mattes, Joshua Naniewicz, Kevin Stacknick and Cadence Younica.

GRADE 7

High honors: Danielle Ainey, Blake Borick, Brayden Clarke, Benjamin Cole, Ciera Darmock, Arik Deutsch, Samantha Duffy, Sofia Dugan, Lauren Fahey, Sophia Fassett, Eliza Fotta, Lukas Gumble, Tayan Hazlett, Lilly Jagoe, Stephen Jervis, Emelia Jones, Leigha Joseph, Ella Naylor, Hunter Patterson, Owen Polkowski, Lily Reid, Gretchen Rejrat, Carolena Ryon, Adriana Salansky, Alyson Schirg, Cole Schirg, Mackenzie Schirg, Gary Shaw, Ty Stroble, Cloe VanFleet, Alana VanGorder, Eric VanLuvanee, Teagan Vokes, Deana Wilhelm and Nathan Wright.

Honors: Alex Castellano, James Cummings, Connor Deacon, Emily Hazlett, Steven Johns, Colton Lenz, Sutton Lisk, Gavin LoVallo, Jaidyn Meyer, Dante Paluzzi, Brayden Rezykowski, Cole Rosengrant, Ryan Semon, Kolbee Soltis and Zoey Wright.

RIVERSIDE JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

High honors: Lauren Amaral, Julia Antoniacci, Noah Berkoski, Carolina Beverage, Gabriella Chiavacci, Kevin Connor, Olivia Fedor, Frank Genell, Samuel Hartman, Marilyn Hoskins, Elizabeth Keegan, Daniel Kleeman, Hunter Lloyd, Morgan McGurire, Kaylie Oustrich, Matthew Pendrak, Kyle Puchalski, Samuel Rushefski, Alexis Sophabmixay, Haley Tilberry, Katelyn Timms, Dylan Ward and Taylor White.

Honors: Patricia Ayers, Joseph Brzenski, Gabriella Costantino, Layla Crane, Gina Davis, Emily Donahue, Francisco Grande, Lucas Kosciuk, Kayla Lee, Allyson Lipperini, Nathan Ludwikowski, Robert Makowski, Maverick Meredick, Daniel Nenish, Julio Palau Crespo, Marren Pollack, Kira Rogers, Dominick Rossi, Kiersten Royce, Coby Sophabmixay, Trinity Veaudry, Rachel Yackobowitz and Jared Yates.

GRADE 11

High honors: Michael Antoniacci, Gavin Beck, Bryce Collins, Elizabeth Giannone, Adriana Grillo, Leah Hodick, Sammi Hong, Alexander Jaworski, Yuriy Kazysta, Madeline Klingler, Collin Kneiss, Jay Koller, Kristen Lello, Anthony Lima, Brandon London, Tyler Muskey, Joshua Muth, Emily Padilla, Hiral Patel, Jordan Pica, Kaylee Ralston, Todd Reedy, Hailey Scardo, Brandon Soto, Brynn Stambaugh, Marley Stambaugh and Abigail Walsh.

Honors: Amber Arcaro, Katrina Azarsky, Sophie Bradley, Danielle Byrne, Maria Castaldi, Ryan Czarkowski, Jessica Fernbach, Paul Harris, Mickayla Jones, Timothy Lavelle, Amanda Merrick-Tompkins, Alexandra Mitchell, Isaiah Naughton, Chase Orloski, Noah Perrotti, Natalie Powell, Alexandra Stefanelli, Caden Sutcliffe, Erica Yatzun and Caroline Zelsnack.

GRADE 10

High honors: Madison Aulisio, Bridgette Brown, Emily Calder, Zachery Day, Mya Falcone, Leah Figueroa, Jessica Frie, Hunter Geise, John Gilchrist, Joshua Godlewski, Mallory Gray, Aubrianna Harte, Jeffrey Higgins, Kelsey Howey, Lexa Hunt, Halle Jones, Alese Karpinski, Megan Kielar, Mariah Kumor, Isabella McKeefery, Nevica Molinaro, Todd Monahan, Nichole Monteiro, Alyssa Nape, Alexandra Nenish, Madison Oustrich, Brandon Reed, Sara Reyes Guerrero, Michael Rickert, Kayla Rose, Maura Sherry, Amelia Smicherko, Grace Spisso, Merison Stecik, Indya Szydlowski, Emily Taylor, Alannah Weitz, Jakob Wittenbreder and Antonio Zyats.

Honors: Kyleen Bird, Vernish Castillo Mercado, Bailey Cooper, Stefani Grande, Paige Heness, Felicity Hoffman, Tyler Hoskins, John Kravitz, Hector Maisonet, Ashlyn McNally, Francis Moran, Om Patel, Michael Reap, Matthew Rhoades, Jared Singleman, Kaylee Urso and Gavin Williams.

GRADE 9

High honors: Morgan Antoniacci, Angelina Beaumont, Alexis Carter, Olivia Christopher, Rebecca Colwell, Emma Conte, Kathryn Dougherty, Gianna Gaidula, Ivan Gao, Tiffani Gilchrist, John Greenfield, Wilson Hong, Bethany Jones, Michael Kazmierczak, Kylie Lavelle, Olivia Mangan, Avery Meredick, Kathleen Moran, Mia Muskey, Mari Novotka, Amia Ortiz, Olivia Oustrich, Noah Parchinski, Sabrina Penny, Kynleigh Peperno, Madelynn Perfilio, Brianna Powell, Joanelisse Rios, Kayla Roscioli, Michael Samsell, Gracie Secor, Carl Shygelski, Kaitlyn Slaboda, Alyiah Thomas, Carl Walsh and Ian Zagropski.

Honors: Katie Albrecht, Noah Cramer, Jacob Cuevas, Luciano Dinguis, Tonimarie Falchetti, Paige Gandara, Matthew Giannone, Emily Gilmartin, Sydney Harris, Shea Lello, Rita Lin, Connor McKeefery, Mikayla Mendez, Paige Olanovich, Ashley Padyeti, Lissejoan Rios, Chloe Santos, Mayra Varela and Ava Wheeler.

GRADE 8

High honors: Camber Beverage, Nathan Connor, Lacey Danilovitz, Thomas Day, Adam Eisenhauer, Jennifer Genell, Issac Gutierrez Ortiz, Gavin Hartman, Kaleb Hawkins, Lian Jasuta, Ava Kalteski, Alexandra Kazysta, Eliese Kosciuk, Marcella Mendoza, Connor Monahan, Gary Mrozinski, Matthew Nape, Gianna Natale, Elisabeth O’Hora, Nathan Oliphant, Austin Perrotti, Michael Rhoades and Nicholas Sochovka.

Honors: Isabella Aniska, Sophia Battaglia, Nicholas Bouselli, Angelina Brown, Grace Comcowich, Alontae Custus, Nicholas DAmico, Makayla Decker, Morgan Decker, Kaia Gaylets, Paul Higgins, Jason Janesko, Shahan Khan, Alexis Kostoff, Joseph Kulikowski, Jade McDermott, Jade Noakes, Anthony Norris, Jacob Ochman, Yovank Pineiro Rodriguez, Rylee Purdy, Brielle Reed, Andrew Sesso, Nevaeh Sorensen, Jose Soto Rivera, Linda Stefanelli, Gabriella Szajkowski and Chelsea Welter.

GRADE 7

High honors: Gavin Becker, Braden Beecham, Emma Byrne, Zachary Chilek, Daniel Danilovitz, Dominick DeAngelo, Ava DeFazio, Alyssa Fox, Reese Gaughan, Natalie Gnall, Cassondra Jenkins, Anna Lima, Jeffrey Marsico, Michael Maslanka, Amelia Melnick, Jack Munley, Brianne Nemergut, Lilianny Ortiz Garcia, Tess Parchinski, Leah Pfeiffer, Cameron Pilchesky, William Taylor, Sarah Wolfe and Izabella Zyats.

Honors: Maxwell Aglialoro, Camron Altenhain, Mackenzie Celuck, Kevin Chen, Emma Costantino, Joseph Fox, Robert Garvey, Nicole Gilchrist, Chad Hoskins, Paige Kelly, Imran Khan, Shireza Khan, Sasha Kimble, Noah Ochman, Samuel Ott, Lillie Pon, John Rempe, Esteban Reyes, Jose Rivera, Mia Scotti, Julianne Skurka, Gracie Slaven, Nathan Webber, Chase Whetstone, Alexa Williams and Jaden Willis.

SOUTH SCRANTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

GRADE 8

Jorge Alcantar, Ignacia Ang, Kaylee Bachman, Erik Bacon, Ravyn Battle, Kaylee Butler, Jasmin Carrillo, Aidan Casey, Myranda Chludzinski, Anais Cuba, Kate Delgado, Sandra Diaz, Isabel Eckenrode, Christopher Eitutis, Edith Flores, Zaniyah Galloway, Nirajan Ghalay, Cheyanne Giles, Sadid Hassan , Jake Horrocks, Sibyal Iskandarova, Anayah Jose, David Juarez, Jonathan Juarez, Kylie Kilvitis, Amelia King, Dylan Labukas, Giorgena Lema Sumba, Jacob leonori, Brayden Lockhart, Olivia Marinelli, Rosa Martinez, Ariel McNear, Abby Megotz, Mia Meredith, Kaitlyn Miller, Jeannette Nasko, Sierra Neely, Brandon Nelson, Cael Nicholson, Jesus Nunez Pazos, Hailey O’Hara, Jasmine Ojeda, Chase O’Neill, Kayla Pazera, Brandon Perea, Andy Perez Temozihui, Jean Rafferty, Shayel Rai, Kaybri Rogers, Alison Stevens, Roel Teixeira, Aida Tenezaca, Chloe Tucker, Mira Walsh, Daniel Watters, Shaskia Wibowo, Ciara Williams and Evan Zemalkowski.

GRADE 7

Anthony Acosta, Jovani Aguilar, Emran Ahmetbeg, Brayan Alcantar, Keyla Amaya, Kaena Aviles, Brittain J. Banull II, Christopher J. Beauvais, Czarina S. Berazate, Ella Bracey, Keira Brogan, Connor Budney, Gabriela Callejas, Kelsey Calpin, Serenity Campos, Erica Castro, Carli Columbo, Dylan Coppin, Jacob Covage, Ivana Cuellar, Hannah DAnnunzio, Alishan Davrushaov Makhmudovich, Kristopher Evarts, Isabella Fay, Hailey Fedrick, Gavin Ferguson, Keenan Ford, Arthur Garcia, Ryan Georgetti, Allison Gerrity, Kaitlyn Getts, Emma Grippo, Buse Guven, Reece Hafner, Xander Hampe, Mia Hernandez, Alyssa Hulse, Nashanti Isabel-Polanco, Nariah Jackson, Javon James, Adrien Johns, Mauriana Johnson, Delilah Jones, Amiyah Justiniano, Trysten Kelly, Jonathan Kepich, Alexandra King, Ashley Kingsley, Camden Labukas, Jade Lewis, Jena Lewis, Joseph Lewis, Bethzy Lopez, Jianna Ly, Sakari Mack, Jaden Maldonado, Margaret Matis, Joseph Megotz, Mayah Miles, Coen Miller, Evelyn Moctezuma, Marylin Moctezuma, Yessamin Morales, Vallery Oentoyo, Anthony Perna, Bryan Pomaquiza, Brady Rutkoski, Jocelin Sanchez, Ethan Scotch, Daniel Shea, Kaiden Shields, Nikolas Stokes, Amani Thompson, Natalia Vazquez, Angelica Vinas, Erika Vinas, Jocelyn Vinciguerra, Jaelyn Warren, Jase Warren, Grace Warunek, Rayhan Wibowo, Kylie Woodard, Aziyah Wright and Jermain Wynter.

GRADE 6

Jayden Alvarado, Christian P Ammann, Enrique J. Atonal Jr., Joshua Atonal, Mia Bannon, Alyssa Beauvais, Aaliyah Ben, Niema Blijden, Addison O. Bohn, William Boock, Jennifer Camacho, Talia Canaii, Karen Cazares, Trista M. Chickeletti, MacKenzie E. Corker, Yaneli Cruz, Chyanne Dixon, Tuan Vo Quoc Doan, Nataly Dominguez, Sheila Espino, Nathan Evans, Kyle Evarts, Manuel Flores Jr., Rachaurie George, Avery Gilio, Jasmine Guevara, Abigail Harshbarger, Evan L. Hartman, Evelyn Hernandez Toto, Eugene A. Jankowski, Alaido Jaquez, Naliyah Jewell, Kiara Jimenez, Dylan Jons, Anna L. Kasisky, Emma C. Kearney, Priscilla V. Kristianto, Joshua R. Lacey, Noah LaFrance, Joshua Leonori, Jaylynn Loomis, Kyara Lugo, Madison Mayer, Makayla McAndrew, Kenadie McDonnell, Joseph R McIntyre, Britney Morales, Melvin Morales, Damaris Nava, Ivy Neureuter, Juan Ojeda, Melanie Olvera, Matthew Orlando, Madelyn OShea, Maggie A OShea, Adrian B. Pacheco, Aayushi Patel, Krishna Persaud, Sofia T.Pham, Hope Polishan, Mayva Portillo, Jeremy Reyes, Aeshlyn Reyes Lara, John T. Roberto, Jennifer Rodriguez, Jorge Rodriguez, Betsy Sanchez, Philrya Santos, Amelia Schraner, Sanjeela Subba, Nylana Teeple, Natalie Walsh, Fiona Weng, Jarie Whatley, Makalya Wright, Sultanaah Wyman and Amari Young.

Arthur Silverblatt and his wife put the children to bed and were preparing to go to bed themselves when an explosion shattered the windows in their den a floor below.

Investigators converged on the home at 192 James St., Kingston, described by The Scranton Times as in “an exclusive … residential district,” and quickly ascertained the blast came from a half-stick of dynamite lobbed onto the front porch just after 10 p.m. on May 23, 1960. The dynamite caused about $2,500 worth of damage, the Scranton Times reported a day later. In addition to the blown-out windows, the porch and siding sustained damage.

While investigators quickly determined what caused the explosion — thanks in part to the help of local “powder expert” W.W. Kay — the why proved harder to solve.

“Mr. Silverblatt told police he knew of no motive for the bombing, nor of anyone with a grievance against him,” The Scranton Times story reported. “‘If it were a bomb,’ he said, ‘it may have been tossed with the idea of scaring us rather than doing any harm.’ ”

The attorney was involved with several high-profile cases over the years.

“As an assistant district attorney, Mr. Silverblatt figured prominently in the presentation of evidence to a grand jury which last September indicted seven men on charges of involuntary manslaughter as a result of the Knox Mine disaster” that killed 12 men, the story read.

As a private attorney, Silverblatt had represented the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union in Wilkes-Barre, which had been at odds with the Pittston-based Jenkins Sportswear plant.

As weeks went by without any arrests, the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of the bomber or bombers.

A June 7, 1960, Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader story about the reward noted that police had received “several anonymous letters” with information about the bombing. Investigators believed that, if they could interview the letter writers, they “may be able to track down the guilty person,” according to the story.

The article also noted that, should the letter writers come forward and provide information that led to an arrest, they could be eligible for the reward.

It’s not clear, however, if the case was ever solved.

ERIN L. NISSLEY is an assistant metro editor at The Times-Tribune. She has lived in the area for more than a decade.

Contact the writer:

localhistory@timesshamrock.com

Find a pet who needs a new home at the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter.

 

Charlie is a very friendly adult male cat. He recently had eye surgery to improve his vision. Now he sees better than he ever has in his life.
Contact the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter at 586-3700 if your pet is lost or goes astray. Staff Photo by Ted Baird

Snoopy is an adult male Spaniel mix. He is very friendly and personable.
Contact the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter at 586-3700 if your pet is lost or goes astray. Staff Photo by Ted Baird




Watch the latest Pets of the Week video here:

DUNMORE

The local Indo-American community held a festival of color Saturday night.

Known as Holi, the religious festival features vibrant colors and events, said Sureshbhai Patel, a member of the community who planned to attend the event. Held at the Dunmore Community Center, “basically people celebrate with color during Holi, Patel said.

More than 500 people from the Indian and Nepali communities to attended the Hindu festival, he said.

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

“Let’s watch a movie until we hear gunfire.” — Yelled from the bleachers at Wednesday’s meeting of the Old Forge School Board.

The lights of the Large Group Instruction room beamed down on an unusually large crowd. The small space filled up fast compared to the empty high school auditorium down the hall.

The board bounded in a few minutes before the 7 p.m. tipoff, surprised to see only a handful of empty seats. Despite a standing circus atmosphere that should draw huge numbers to every meeting, attendance has been dwindling for years.

The LGI was rocking Wednesday night.

The front page of The Times-Tribune was the talk of the town all day. Longtime solicitor Joseph Mariotti resigned, saying he could no longer stomach being associated with a school board stained by racism, pornography, political vendettas and employee harassment and intimidation.

“This is the worst I have ever seen the state of affairs, lack of professionalism and decorum in 23 years at the district,” Mariotti said in a serrated resignation letter. Strong stuff. The kind that inspires heated debate and urgent demands for change. Or not.

Aside from a passing mention as an interim solicitor was hired, Mariotti’s dyspeptic exit barely registered. The night’s hot topics were the handling of a recent district “lockdown” during which administrators distracted students with a movie and the appointment of a new Spirit Squad leader.

The board unanimously agreed that timely communication between school officials and parents should be a priority, but split 5-4 on whom to hire as Spirit Squad adviser.

Welcome to “March Madness” in Old Forge.

Things can get pretty crazy here year-round, but with the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament underway, there’s a temptation to apply “bracketology” to just about anything. Here’s my bracket for Old Forge political players. Feel free to fill out your own, but no gambling! This is about having fun, just like your NCAA bracket.

If you’re not into hoops, politics or school boards that deserve detention, just watch a movie until you hear gunfire.

SCOUTING REPORTS

Frank Scavo

The former school board president is coming off yet another tough loss in his endless campaign to win any public office that pays. Scavo was blown out by rookie sensation Bridget Malloy Kosierowski in a race for state representative of the 114th District. Frank hamstrung his lame campaign by double-dribbling hateful, misogynistic, crackpot crapola on his Facebook page. He got national attention but lost his board presidency in a coup engineered by a board rival with more skeletons than closets.

Scavo removed the Facebook posts and said they didn’t reflect his true self. Then Tuesday, Scavo posted a depiction of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a coat rack.

PROS: Lives to beat Chris Thomas.

CONS: Facebook.

OUTLOOK: Frank is in it to not win it.

Chris “Butter” Thomas

The most slippery player in the game, Thomas slithers around the court taking shots from the corners. He leaves behind a slick residue that riles rivals like Scavo and Superintendent John Rushefski. A former district teacher and principal, Thomas downloaded pornography and visited escort websites on his district-issued iPad. Caught, Thomas claimed the iPad was stolen, going so far as filing a false police report. The device was located electronically — in Thomas’ house.

Thomas was fired and later allowed to resign. In a secret settlement, the board paid him $130,000 and a year of health insurance to go away. Then voters elected Thomas to the school board. After The Times-Tribune revealed details of the settlement and Thomas’ creepy, unethical behavior, the teachers union filed a grievance on his behalf that could cost taxpayers millions. Like a persistent rash hoping to go viral, Thomas is the player to watch in this tournament.

PROS: Shameless manipulator who’s sure he’s the smartest player in the game.

CONS: May actually be the smartest player in the game.

OUTLOOK: Butter looks ready to churn and burn.

John Rushefski

A big man who can play small in the paint, Rushefski is a survivor. His rivalry with Chris Thomas is legendary and longstanding. Rushefski takes the court with vigor, but chronic locker-room turmoil and intentional fouls aimed at sending him to the showers have clearly taken a toll.

With Mariotti’s scratch, Thomas gets a bye in the first round. Police Chief Jason Dubernas is no match for Rushefski, but whether the big man will have the stamina to churn a rested Butter in Round 2 is anyone’s guess.

PROS: Determined to outlast Chris Thomas.

CONS: Determined to outlast Chris Thomas.

OUTLOOK: Should seek trade to a better team.

Laureen Cummings

Lackawanna County’s first female commissioner hails from Old Forge and enters the tournament dogged by a doping scandal. We expect Cummings to say dopey things, like claiming there’s “no research” showing the benefits of medical marijuana. She sunk to new depths of dumb when she mocked constituents who use it as godless potheads.

Count on all those “potheads” to rally at the polls at 4:20 on Election Day.

PROS: Says what she believes.

CONS: Believes what she says.

OUTLOOK: Soon to be released.

Mayor Robert Legg

Like Scavo, the mayor made national headlines for off-court behavior. In a Jan. 29 Facebook post, Legg said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer “and the rest of you treasonous bastards should be shot.” Unlike Scavo, Legg refused to take responsibility for the post. He said critics were “making me out like some kind of terrorist. I’m not a terrorist,” Legg said. “I’m an average Joe.”

Legg, a retired Old Forge teacher, claimed his Facebook profile was hacked. Who would hack the mayor of a tiny Pennsylvania borough with 8,200 residents?

Maybe the same criminal mastermind who “framed” Chris Thomas.

PROS: Not a terrorist.

CONS: Shy in the spotlight.

OUTLOOK: Mayor For Life.

Police Chief Jason Dubernas

Dubernas says he feels fine after a recent fall, but his conditioning is suspect going into the tournament. The chief’s judgment is also a concern. Chris Thomas clearly filed a false police report when he reported his district-issued iPad stolen, but Dubernas never charged his friend. Why? In July, Dubernas acknowledged that Thomas filed the report but explained that some incident reports are filed to create a record of missing property.

OK, but Thomas filed a report to create a record of property that wasn’t missing. What am I missing here?

PROS: Can arrange police escort.

CONS: Soft on false-incident reports.

OUTLOOK: Chief For Life.

Jenna Jones Shotwell

Shotwell was elevated to the school board presidency in the coup that toppled Scavo. She shows promise, but as a Thomas disciple would be wise to watch her back. This is Butter’s show, and Team Scavo can’t cancel without help from the bench. To make his baseless grievance pay, Thomas needs clutch performances from core players like Shotwell. When the buzzer sounds, Shotwell will have to pick a team and own the consequences.

PROS: Smart and professional.

CONS: Smart and professional.

OUTLOOK: Knocked out by Cummings in First Round.

Joseph Mariotti

Is not playing.

CHRIS KELLY, the Times-Tribune columnist, is crazy about his new hometown. Contact the writer: kellysworld@timesshamrock.com, @cjkink on Twitter. Read his award-winning blog at timestribuneblogs.com/kelly.

A Susquehanna County senior judge will decide whether two Democrats and two Republicans seeking election as Susquehanna County commissioners will be allowed on the May primary ballot.

Democratic candidates Judy Hershel and Sue Rowe and Republican candidates Dana Rockwell and Sue Pipitone are running for the seats under a joint effort called the Bootstrap Campaign. If allowed to stay on the ballot, they’ll run against three incumbent commissioners — Alan Hall, Elizabeth “Betsy” Arnold and MaryAnn Warren — and another challenger, Thomas Follert.

But William Jones challenged the Bootstrap candidates, claiming they failed to file the correct financial interest disclosure forms in the county clerk’s office.

At a hearing Friday in front of Senior Judge Kenneth Seamans, Susquehanna County Deputy Chief Clerk Rachel Carrico testified the clerk’s office receives the financial interest disclosure statements from candidates seeking county office. She said she had not received that particular form from any of the Bootstrap candidates although she met with them in the lobby of the courthouse on March 11.

Upon request from Hershel and Bootstrap campaign manager Jacob Rosen, Carrico provided a “receipt” for paperwork delivered on the back of a blank state ethics form that she signed.

Hershel also took the stand at Friday’s hearing, saying she visited various offices on March 11 in an effort to file the paperwork correctly. She said she traveled between various offices for about 45 minutes in an attempt to get the forms filed in the right office.

When the campaign group met with Carrico to file the required forms, Hershel said she asked for the receipt. She also testified that the candidates’ financial disclosure forms were turned in to the deputy clerk.

“There was so much confusion about where it went, I wanted to make sure (a receipt) was signed that (the financial interest disclosure form) was delivered,” Hershel said.

On the stand, Rosen said he, Hershel and several others filed the nomination petitions and also filed the financial statement with Carrico, who accepted them and provided a receipt. Rosen testified that Carrico said she was authorized to receive those forms.

Back on the stand, Carrico said she never received the financial form and that the makeshift receipt on the back of the document was for the state ethics forms she received from the candidates.

Seamans did not offer an immediate decision in the matter.

Contact the writer:

swilson@independentweekender.com

Elijah M. Watson

Wanted by: Wayne County detectives.

Fugitive since: 2017.

Wanted for: Possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility and related offenses.

Description: Black man, 31 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 200 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. Last seen driving a silver 2006 Chrysler 300 with New Jersey registration H19-JHF.

Contact: Wayne County detectives, 570-253-5970, x2255.

David Kujawski

Wanted by: Lackawanna County Adult Probation/Parole.

Fugitive since: May 10.

Wanted for: Probation violations for underlying offense of simple assault.

Description: White man, 36 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 150 pounds, blond hair, blue eyes.

Contact: Warrant Officer Jerry Spiegel, 570-963-6876 or Spiegelj@Lackawannacounty.org.

CAPTURED: Brian Kennedy

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since: Nov. 30.

Wanted for: Fleeing and attempting to elude an officer. Sentenced to six months to two years of incarceration. Paroled April 15.

Description: White man, 52 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 230 pounds, gray hair, blue eyes.

Contact: Agent Gary Demuth, 570-614-7244 or 800-932-4857.

SCRANTON — If not for Angel’s Attic food pantry, Frank Valentino wonders how he’d put food on his table.

“If I had to do it on my own, with the little bit I get, I don’t know how I would do it,” he said. “I don’t know what I would do without this place.”

As the United Neighborhood Centers food pantry on Olive Street kicks up relationships with Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank and area grocery stores, clients who need extra help acquiring food now have access to a broader menu of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy and meat.

Starting in January, Angel’s Attic added fresh food bins just inside the lobby. The rack next to it is filled with donated fresh bread.

Green bins open outward revealing potatoes, carrots and apples.

The social service agency provides dried fruit, including figs, cherries and plums, which last longer. There are also more dry and canned beans, a source of protein that tastes good with a little educated preparation.

A tumble down a flight of stairs left Valentino disabled.

The 64-year-old took an early retirement as a transit police officer in New York City, and has lived in Scranton for the last 2½ years.

A pension he cashed in on early provides a little income, plus Social Security benefits.

Still, money gets tight sometimes.

“If you really need it, it’s the best place to go,” he said of UNC’s pantry.

Clients historically were limited to one bag of food per month, but a major policy shift starting last year means that anyone can take one bag per day, if needed.

“When somebody self-declares that they need more, we don’t police them,” said Gus Fahey, UNC’s community services director, who added that some clients need a little education, a reminder that the pantry has enough for everyone if they take what they need and no more.

“The important thing is to not make people feel bad about going to the food pantry,” he said.

Many clients already receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits to buy groceries, Fahey said. But, as in Valentino’s case, the money doesn’t cover everything.

The food pantry provides a stop-gap, and the fresh food bins have been making waves.

“I saw that rack; I was so surprised,” said Mark Falu, 42, of Scranton. “That’s a perfect idea. It’s all fresh, you can grab it, put it in a bag, and be on your merry way.”

Beyond access to healthy food, clients often don’t understand how what they eat directly affects physical health, and they fall into bad habits.

“The typical American diet is very unhealthy,” Fahey said, adding that he believes that “as people get more introduced to it and more familiar with it and like it, then they’ll spend their own money on those kinds of foods.”

UNC printed recipe cards for potatoes and garlic. Fahey plans to distribute more recipes for simple dishes and host cooking classes.

UNC’s pantry is a part of Weinberg’s goal to eradicate hunger in Northeast Pennsylvania by 2025.

After strengthening its relationship with the food bank last year, and lifting daily limits, the UNC pantry logs about 900 client visits per month, double previous food distribution figures.

Contact the writer:

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

@jon_oc on Twitter

SCRANTON — The Lackawanna County Prison Board has a $43,200 choice to make when it comes to the future of the prison’s female work-release program.

Designed to help inmates start their post-incarceration lives on the right foot, work release represents an alternative to prison for those who have served their minimum sentence but remain behind bars for lack of a suitable home plan. Work-release inmates wear anklets and are monitored by community corrections staff, much like house arrest, but program participants are provided a safe, sober place to stay while looking for a job, going to work and establishing an acceptable home plan.

Community Corrections Director Brian Jeffers informed the board last week, however, that a roughly $52,000 state grant that covered the cost of renting two of the program’s three Scranton apartments housing female work-release inmates over the past two years is no longer available.

Leases at all three of the apartments, which house two women each, expire at the end of May. Renewing them for another year will cost about $43,200. That expense likely would need to be paid with inmate canteen funds or from the county’s general fund absent grant support, Jeffers said.

Several officials lauded the women’s work-release program and described it as an invaluable asset. Commissioner Laureen Cummings, who serves on the prison board, said there’s no question the program should continue even without grant money given the male work-release program is paid from the county’s general fund.

“That’s our responsibility,” Cummings said. “We’re funding the men’s (program). We’re going to have to fund the women’s (program). It shouldn’t even be a question.”

Jeffers said he agrees “100 percent,” but the board did not officially decide how it will pay for the leases.

Officials tapped $26,400 worth of canteen funds, money made on commissary sales at the jail, to rent two of the female work-release apartments when the program moved out of the prison in 2016. That was before the program expanded to three apartments and before it was awarded the $52,000 grant. Canteen funds also were used last year to extend a lease at the third apartment.

As of Feb. 28, the canteen account carried a balance of about $464,420 and owned two certificates of deposit worth a total of about $147,020. A roughly $165,000-per-year GED program at the jail is paid from the account. The board also voted Wednesday to use canteen funds to purchase a body scanner for the prison. The device and a five-year warranty will cost $125,000.

Canteen funds are not taxpayer dollars, but Jeffers and Warden Tim Betti agreed work-release programs ultimately save taxpayers money by getting more people out of prison. It costs about $87.50 per day to keep a person in prison, Betti said.

“The more people that are not being housed in the prison the more savings it is for the taxpayer,” Jeffers said.

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@jhorvathTT on Twitter

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SCRANTON — A spoon. A lighter. And white socks.

Those are just three of the objects that filmmakers were required to use in a short film for the Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival’s Mystery Box Challenge competition.

The three-day festival, in its third year, wrapped up Sunday at the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scranton.

A part of the festival since its inception in 2016, the Mystery Box Challenge is open to teams of filmmakers in the region and beyond. In September, participants attended a luncheon at Tomato Bar in Pittston, where they received a cardboard box filled with objects to include in the film, said Desiree Zielinski, a film festival volunteer who helps coordinate the event.

The items ranged from props to character names and lines of dialogue. All teams received the same objects, Zielinski said. Films were restricted to no longer than 10 minutes.

But the real challenge was that filmmakers only had four months to write a script, cast the roles, shoot the film and edit it. In the end, five films of various genres made it to the screen Sunday, helmed by independent and student filmmakers.

Wyoming Seminary Upper School’s Film Club went the horror route with its submission, “Lockdown.” The short film follows a group of students at the mercy of an unknown terror at their school, filmed on the Kingston school’s grounds.

For Wyoming Sem student Yifei Liu, 15, from Beijing, “Lockdown” marked her first time directing. Liu said the hardest part of working within the time constraint was writing the script.

With so many students involved in the film, “it took us a long time to decide on a topic and keep going with it,” Liu said. “The script took us about two months to get done,” which cut into their shooting time.

Liu said the lighter was one of the hardest objects the students had to work into the movie, as “people shouldn’t have those in school.”

Hope Austin, 15, of Kingston, who stars in “Lockdown,” isn’t a fan of horror movies, preferring romantic comedies or musicals. But the Wyoming Sem student said the theme of “Lockdown” taps into a real-life fear facing students as school shootings happen with alarming frequency across the nation.

“It was really important for us to take on the idea of lockdowns as that’s so prevalent in our country right now,” Austin said.

The Movie Box Challenge also gives the area’s independent filmmakers a venue to have their work seen by a local audience.

Wilkes-Barre filmmaker Anthony Cutro is hoping his work will receive more exposure from the festival. The Luzerne County Community College graduate has worked off and on as a cameraman for 25 years.

His short film, “The Cereal Killer,” blends mystery and comedy as two police officers team up to solve a murder.

The Movie Box Challenge doesn’t have a winner as that’s not really what the competition is about, Zielinski said. “The challenge is all about fostering creativity, getting people together to network to make films and then show them off to the community.”

“People just want to see the local community shine at the festival,” Zielinski said.

In addition to the popular Mystery Box Challenge, the day’s events included a panel discussion, “The Digital Age of Filmmaking 2.0,” with documentary filmmakers from VIA Global Studios, the production arm of WVIA-TV, and a block of films screened from NEPA filmmakers.

Film festival officials Sunday lauded this year’s offerings a success.

On Saturday, a book discussion with Charles Brandt, author of “I Heard You Paint Houses,” which has local ties and is the foundation for an upcoming movie from director Martin Scorsese, and the NEPA premiere screening of “The Pretender,” a documentary about Scranton native Mike Kunda’s dream to follow in the footsteps of his on-screen idol, Rocky Balboa, both sold out.

“We’re so excited and elated that it’s turned out as it has,” said Wendy Wilson, Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival spokeswoman.

Contact the writer:

rkivak@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-5126;

@TTRebeccakivak on Twitter

SCRANTON — Repairs of crumbling concrete are underway in two of the oldest parking garages downtown.

The din of jackhammers inside the Linden garage in the 300 block of North Washington Avenue echoes out to nearby streets. Similar sounds have been emanating from the Electric City Parking Garage in the 100 block of Penn Avenue.

Both garages remain open for parking during renovations, though upper floors of both are closed because of construction. There’s still plenty of parking available at both garages.

At the Linden garage, workers are removing the upper, unsafe section of a rickety interior spiral ramp. They also are repairing sections of concrete decking elsewhere in the Linden garage along with updating parking barriers, painting, sealing, replacing doors and other long-ignored general maintenance.

At the Electric City garage, water-damage repairs involved punching large holes in the deck of an upper floor, exposing the steel reinforcing bars — rebar — embedded in the concrete deck.

Exposed rebar also is visible in the spiral ramp in the Linden garage.

The Linden work is being carried out by the outside operator of the city’s parking garages, the nonprofit National Development Council. Repairs there are expected to be completed by August, NDC Director Robert Sweet told the Scranton Parking Authority in February.

“That’s where most of the work is, in terms of complexity and cost and overall work,” Sweet said of the Linden garage.

NDC also is carrying out other less-extensive maintenance and upgrades at the Casey, Connell and Medallion garages.

Meanwhile, the work at the Electric City garage is being carried out by the owner of that garage, John Basalyga. He acquired the Electric City garage in 2016 from the city under its monetization of the city’s parking garages and meters.

The monetization intertwined the parking at the nearby Marketplace at Steamtown mall, which Basalyga also owns, putting mall parking and the Electric City garage, also operated by NDC, along with the Linden, Casey, Connell and Medallion garages, all under one umbrella.

The monetization also has Basalyga responsible for fixing and maintaining the Electric City structure, while NDC is responsible for Linden, Casey, Connell and Medallion.

But NDC gets a say over Electric City garage repairs and has worked “assiduously” with Basalyga in crafting a scope and schedule of construction there, Sweet told the SPA.

At the Electric City garage, concrete work involves repairing damage from water leaks, Basalyga said.

On an upper deck of the older section of Electric City garage, “We did all the demolition and now will put it back together again,” Basalyga said. These improvements will “keep the water out, and then we can work on the other floors.”

Concrete work at Electric City should be completed by the fall, Basalyga said.

Other renovations at Electric City involve repairing an elevator, upgrading lighting, replacing doors and windows, painting and cleaning, he said.

Contact the writer:

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570-348-9100 x5185;

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GEISINGER WYOMING VALLEY

CONRAD: A daughter, March 9, to Kevin James Conrad and Mariah Lynn Padula, Scranton.

GAUGHAN: A son, March 8, to Bryan Patrick Gaughan and Jessica Lynn Hannon, Tunkhannock.

MOSES TAYLOR

BEDNARZ: A daughter, March 14, to Edward and Heather Hibbard Bednarz.

GODFREY: A son, March 17, to Daniel Godfrey and Chelsea Jablonski, Scranton.

KENOSKY: A daughter, March 17, to Paul Kenosky and Nicole Grocki, Spring Brook Twp.

MASTERS: A daughter, March 12, to Christopher and Christine Duggan Masters, Taylor.

OSBORNE: A daughter, March 16, to Richard III and Karen Knott Osborne, Scranton.

PIPITONE: A son, March 16, to Michael and Alexandria Lynn Pipitone, Montrose.

POLLACK: A son, March 4, to Michael and Amy Gergats Pollack, Scranton.

SANSKY: A son, March 14, to Stephen and Gerilyn Savage Sansky, Carbondale.

TORQUATI: A son, March 15, to Scott and Stacey Swingle Torquati, Waymart.

Dunmore

Society meeting: SS. Anthony and Rocco Altar and Rosary Society meeting Wednesday, April 3, 7 p.m., parish hall, Luke Avenue and Kurtz Street; plans will be made for the Palm Sunday bake sale after 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday, April 13, and after the 8:30 and 11 a.m. Masses on Sunday, April 14, in the lower level of St. Anthony’s Church, 208 Smith St., Dunmore.

Hamlin

Event canceled: The Hamlin Fire Company extravaganza scheduled for April 3 has been canceled.

Madisonville

Breakfast buffet: Madisonville Fire Company breakfast buffet, Sunday, 8 a.m.-noon, at the fire hall, 3131 Madisonville Road (Route 690). Contact: 570-842-7711.

Olyphant

Food sale: All Saints Orthodox Church, 211 Willow Ave., Lenten food sale, Friday in the church hall, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Information or to place an order: 570-383-0785, 570-561-8082 or 570-489-5591.

Regional

Lenten services: Lenten Mission/Scranton Area Eastern Catholic Churches at five churches this week; after each service, there will be a discussion of the holy icons in each church facilitated by Deacon Robert Behrens, light refreshments follow; Mystery of Reconciliation (confession) available before each service beginning at 6 p.m.: today, 6:30 p.m., Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for the Feast of the Annunciation, St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, 310 Broadway, Scranton; Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Moleben to the Holy Cross, St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 700 Oak St., Taylor; Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Akathist to the Passion of Christ, St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, 430 N. Seventh Ave., Scranton; Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Lenten devotions, Ciszek Chapel, Mulberry Street, campus of the University of Scranton (hosted by St. Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church), parking will be arranged near the chapel; and Friday, 6:30 p.m., Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 310 Mifflin Ave., Scranton.

West Scranton

Sloan Seniors: Sloan Seniors monthly luncheon, today, 12:30 p.m., Alexander’s Restaurant, Business Route 6, Mayfield.

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.