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Super students

During the University of Scranton’s annual Computer Programming Contest hosted by the university’s Computing Sciences Department, Forest City Regional High School students, including Cameron Brucher, Joshua Loysch and Riley O’Neill, placed third out of 15 teams from around the region.

During the competition, the teams of three students each used their programming language to solve computer programming problems.

The Forest City team was coached by Jeff Earle.

A team of students from Emmaus High School won first and second place in the competition.

Other local students who competed included Montrose High School students Luther Campbell, Cameron Thompson and Noah Millard. Lakeland High School students Nathan Leo, Joseph Krisovich, Ian Knecht and coach Tim Phelps. Scranton Preparatory School students Cuong Nguyen, Ryan Chan and Colin Pierce. Mid Valley Junior-Senior High School students Michael Ly, Caleb Taber and Sean MacCallum. Pittston Area High School students Chris Selig, Alex Sarti, Charles Levers, Sarah Pontier, Grace McDonald and Nicole Audi. Delaware Valley High School students Yumi Jin, Lauren Pearl, Nick Drago, Christian Secular, Noah Irgang, Aaron Loihle and coach Jessica Hubal. Abington Heights High School students Stephan Tserovski, Michael Rodyushkin, Matt Kelleher, Noah Shields, Tony Frietto, Robby Horvath, Dominick DeSeta, Max Loiacono, Liam Pitchford and coach Amanda Jones.

Scouts honor

Boy Scout Matt Morris was recognized by the Dickson City Neighborhood Watch for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

Matt, a graduate of Scranton Prep, rebuilt several portions of the stone wall around Lackawanna State Park, especially around the new pool area, for his project.

Matt led a group of Scouts in removing several areas of fallen stones and rebuilding them properly, according to his scoutmaster from Troop 21 in Dickson City.

Matt will attend Loyola University in Maryland.

High notes

Ray Bartolai, a 1983 graduate of Johnson College, established the Bartolai Family Scholarship Fund at the school.

The scholarship will provide $500 to one Johnson College student in the automotive technology or biomedical equipment technology program. Charlie Cortez, from Madison Twp., is the first recipient of the scholarship.

Bartolai is an automotive technology graduate and his brother, Vincent, is a 1980 biomedical technology graduate.

Johnson College played a large part in establishing a career path for the brothers, according to Bartolai. With the scholarship, he hopes to pay it forward in hopes of helping others achieve success.


State police investigating flag desecration in Wayne County

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SOUTH CANAAN TWP.

State police at Honesdale are investigating after an American flag was set on fire Sunday on the property of Western Wayne High School.

The incident occurred about 8:30 p.m. at the base of a water tower on the school’s property. A man driving a dark-colored vehicle with a New York registration was seen in the area moments before the fire was set, according to state police.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 570-253-7126.

— JEFF HORVATH

Clipboard, June 11, 2019

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Equinunk

Flea market: Pine Mill Community Hall annual flea market and craft show, Saturday, July 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 919 Pine Mill Road, vendor sites: 10x10 for $10, tables available at $10/table or bring your own; John, 570-224-7570 or Sherry, 570-224-4876.

Forest City

Community luncheon: Stone Soup Kitchen at Christ Church free community luncheon, Saturday, June 22, noon-1 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, Delaware and Dundaff streets; 570-785-3425 to confirm the luncheon will be served (in case of questionable weather or a sudden church-related event).

Mayfield

Pierogi sale: St. John’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral pierogi (deep fried or uncooked) sale, Friday, June 28, noon-4 p.m., St. John’s Center, Hill Street, $8/dozen, sold on a first-come, first-served basis, business orders delivered upon request.

Olyphant

Food sale: All Saints Orthodox Church ethnic food sale, Friday, June 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., church hall, 211 Willow Ave., pierogi with butter and onions or frozen by the dozen, piggies, cabbage and noodles, wimpies, clam chowder and potato pancakes, homemade baked goods; 570-383-0785 or 570-561-8082, or call church hall the week of the sale, 570-489-5591, advance orders encouraged, provide containers for large orders.

Riverside School

District

Early dismissal: Riverside elementary schools early dismissals: today, East, 11:40 a.m., and West, 12:10 p.m., Wednesday, East, 11:30 a.m., and West, noon, and Thursday (final day of school), East, 10:40 a.m., and West, 11:10.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be sent to yesdesk@timessham

rock.com or Clipboard, c/o YES!Desk, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.

50 Years Ago - School cancelled in Dunmore following mass call-offs by teachers

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June 11, 1969

Sickout in Dunmore School District

Schools throughout the Dunmore School District were dismissed at 9 a.m. because 93 teachers called in sick.

The sickout came after the Dunmore School Board refused to meet with the teachers union representative to discuss salary increases following a vote by the state Legislature to increase the minimum pay level for teachers statewide to $6,000.

The teachers were seeking to maintain the district’s pay scale of $500 above the state minimum.

Dunmore Superintendent William Redesco canceled school for June 12 in case the teachers called off again.

The school board called a meeting with the teachers union to discuss the salary issue. After the meeting, the teachers said they would be at school June 13.

City mayor’s office

to supervise planner

Scranton City Council passed an ordinance that moved the supervision of the city planning office to the mayor’s office.

The ordinance also moved funds in the 1969 budget to pay the $16,000-a-year salary for a city planner.

Prior to the new ordinance, the planning office was supervised by the city planning commission.

Two previous city planners, Sam Boyd and Einar Finnson, supported the move because they felt that the planner’s office would work more efficiently under the supervision of the mayor’s office than it did under the planning commission.

Sale at the Globe

Bicycle with training wheels for $29.99 with trade-in; Hi Rise bicycle for $34.99 with trade-in; three-horsepower lawn mower for $37.99; backyard swing set with slide for $28.99; all-purpose steel backyard shed for $86.99; charcoal grill with electric rotisserie for $9.99.

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.

Man charged in Scranton shooting early Sunday morning

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A 27-year-old man was charged after police say he fired a handgun into the air early Sunday morning in downtown Scranton.

Javier Pizarro, 644 Sixth Ave., Scranton, told police he fired the gun shortly after 2 a.m. near Kildare’s Irish Pub on Jefferson Avenue to ward off attackers. He ran away after firing the gun, according to a criminal complaint filed by Patrolwoman Taylor Dunn and Patrolman Brian Lynady.

State Trooper William Golden chased Pizarro, then caught him nearby.

Police found a few grams of methamphetamine, a small bag containing white residue, some marijuana and $3,800 when they searched Pizarro.

He claimed the money and drugs were not his. He told police he found them in a bar bathroom and a fight broke out over it. Pizarro also told officers that he is a member of the Crips, a street gang. When “they” started a fight with him, he fired a shot into the air to make “them” run away.

Two witnesses told officers that a man fired a shot into the air in the Kildare’s parking lot during a fight.

University of Scranton Police Officer Angel Perez said he arrived at the scene and saw Pizarro throw something near the railroad tracks.

There, Cpl. Robert Stanek and Patrolman Joseph Flesher found a Glock 23 handgun with a destroyed serial number.

Pizarro is in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 20 for firearms, drugs and reckless endangerment charges.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com,

570-348-9144;

@jkohutTT on Twitter

DEADLIEST ROADS: Scranton streets have high number of pedestrian fatalities

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Joseph Hallberg walked toward St. Patrick’s Parish Festival from his West Scranton apartment two summers ago, excited to hear his favorite band.

The 64-year-old retiree stepped onto North Main Avenue after the light changed. Just feet from the other side, a car struck him from behind, hurtling him into the air. He landed on his head and died 11 days later.

He is the sixth pedestrian killed in a 2-mile stretch on South and North Main Avenue from Court to West Locust streets in West Scranton since 2010, an analysis of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation crash data from 2007 to 2017 found. Five died between 2014 and 2017.

The road has the highest pedestrian death toll of any state road in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties in that time frame.

Of 1,305 traffic fatalities on state roads in seven counties, 134, or 10%, involved pedestrians. More than one in four of the pedestrian deaths — 28%, or 38 — involved alcohol. And, the pedestrian was intoxicated in 16, or 42%, of the 38.

 

‘No common

denominator’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of the 35 pedestrian deaths in Lackawanna County, 14 were in Scranton, with two alcohol-related. Both involved impaired drivers, including one of the six South and North Main Avenue deaths.

Thomas Anthony Gill admitted he was high on heroin and other drugs when he fatally struck bicyclist Michael Harmer on Aug. 28, 2016,at South Main Avenue and West Locust Street. Gill, who fled the scene, pleaded guilty in March 2018, to accidents involving death or injury and other charges, and is serving a six- to 12-year state prison sentence. State data lists the crash as a pedestrian fatality.

Main Avenue is a heavily traveled main artery that links Scranton with Taylor, Old Forge and other Downvalley municipalities. Average annual daily traffic count ranges from 12,628 to 14,870 vehicles, according to PennDOT. It cuts through a densely populated area lined with dozens of businesses, residences and churches.

Scranton Police Chief Carl Graziano said he initially suspected speed might be a factor on Main Avenue. Police set up a speed monitoring device from March to April 2017.

“For the most part, speeds were within the limit or close to it,” he said.

The department looked at other factors, including line of site, traffic control devices and the topography of roads, Graziano said. No pattern or anomaly was detected to explain why there were so many pedestrian deaths.

“There was no common denominator,” he said.

In Hallberg’s case, the driver, Dana Mascaro,said she was blinded by the sun as she turned left from Jackson Street onto North Main Avenue around 7 p.m., July 8, 2017,police said. The PennDOT data lists aggressive driving as a factor in the crash. No charges were filed against her.

Hallberg’s sister, Bertha Barthold, said losing him devastated their family. Her brother was a deeply religious man who attended church twice a day. He was the primary caregiver for their now 96-year-old mother, with whom he resided.

“Our whole lives just changed in a matter of seconds when she hit him, especially my mom,” Barthold said. “She is heartbroken and will never get over it.”

Hallberg’s niece, Kelsey Phillips, said a traffic study should be done to determine ways to prevent other pedestrian deaths.

“Nothing can console our grief ... but we need to focus on what we can do and try to make a safer situation for pedestrians in our area,” Phillips said.

Scranton fatalities

Two other Scranton roads had two pedestrian fatalities each:

North Washington Street: one at Linden Street and one at Mulberry Street.

Lackawanna Avenue: one at Wyoming Avenue and one in the block between Wyoming and Penn avenues.

Plans are underway to make some safety changes at the traffic signal at Lackawanna and Penn avenues, which sees a lot of pedestrian traffic because it is directly across from the main entrance to the Marketplace at Steamtown mall, said Graziano.

Motorists turning left onto Lackawanna Avenue after the light changes sometimes fail to yield to pedestrians. Graziano is working with PennDOT to change the timing of the light to give pedestrians a few extra seconds before the light changes for motorists.

Poconos’ windy roads

After South and North Main Avenue in Scranton, the only other roads with similar pedestrian fatality rates are Route 611 and Route 196, also known as Sterling Road, both in Monroe County. There were 31 pedestrian deaths in Monroe.

On Route 611, five pedestrians were killed on a two-mile segment between Pocono and Stroud Twps. On Route 196, four pedestrians died in 4.4-mile span from Edgewood Road to just outside the entrance to A Pocono Country Place, a private housing development in Coolbaugh Twp. Two of those deaths occurred within 3/10 of a mile by the housing development.

Officials in Pocono Twp. and neighboring municipalities are working on a traffic task force to examine all the roads, said Jerry Lastowski,president of Pocono Twp.’s board of commissioners.

Route 611 and Route 196 are among the primary concerns, he said.

Heavily traveled Route 611 cuts through a large commercial and retail area, including the Crossings outlet shopping center in Tannersville.

“It’s a three-lane highway and unfortunately, a good portion of it is dark because of the nature of the Poconos being a wooded area,” Lastowski said. “If people are wearing dark clothing it’s hard to see them. All it takes is one error by a walker or a driver and you have a catastrophe.”

Aware of the issues, officials are taking steps to address them. They plan to install lights and sidewalks on Route 611 near the intersection with Route 715 to Werner Road, Lastowski said.

Sean Brown, spokesman for PennDOT’s District 5, said similar issues exist on Route 196, a narrow, windy road with no lights or sidewalks. It is the main artery leading to A Pocono Country Place and another large housing development, Pocono Farms East.

“Many times, it’s people getting off the bus going into the housing developments,” he said.

PennDOT is in the midst of a safety study to determine what can be done, he said. The department also is working with busing companies to help educate riders on precautions to take when exiting the bus and crossing roads.

Other deaths scattered

While Luzerne County had the most pedestrian deaths, 53, no state road had five or more deaths in a six-mile range.

Route 11 from Plymouth to Kingston had the most pedestrian fatalities in the county — four in a roughly 3.3-mile stretch. Of those, two occurred in Plymouth. One was a hit-and-run at the intersection with Center Avenue in which police believed, but couldn’t prove, that the driver was intoxicated. The other, near the intersection with Elm Street, was because of aggressive driving and rainy weather, PennDOT data shows.

Borough Police Chief Anthony Gorey said he does not believe issues with the roads contributed to the crashes. He noted there are sidewalks and crosswalks along Route 11 through Plymouth.

The other two fatalities occurred in Larksville, on a stretch of road that has no street lights or sidewalk, and in Kingston at Pierce Street, where two cars struck a woman while she was trying to cross four highway lanes.

In Wilkes-Barre, there were 12 pedestrian deaths. Of those, three occurred on a 1.3-mile stretch of South and North River Street from the intersection with Academy to West North streets.

The rest are scattered throughout the city.

In Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties, there were a combined 14 pedestrian deaths. No single road had more than one pedestrian death.

Gavin Gray,chief of PennDOT’s Highway Safety Section, said increasing pedestrian safety has become a national priority in recent years. A recent Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) study found that pedestrian deaths sharply increased over a 10-year period, rising about 26.2%, to 5,977 in 2017, from 4,414 in 2008. The association attributes the rise to several factors, including more distracted drivers and pedestrians on roads.

Pedestrian deaths in Pennsylvania fluctuated in the same general time frame — from 148 in 2010,to 172 in 2016,then 150 in 2017, according to PennDOT.

PennDOT has several initiatives to help reduce pedestrian accidents, including safety education for pedestrians and motorists through videos and social media, Gray said. The state also launched a pilot program that funds police departments to monitor high pedestrian traffic areas.

“It’s an opportunity not only to make sure the pedestrians are safe but to make sure motorists realize what the motor vehicle codes require,” he said.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9137;

@tmbeseckerTT on Twitter


A 2-mile stretch of Main Avenue in Scranton saw six pedestrian deaths since 2010,
the most of any state road in the region

All 911 phone services in Lackawanna County have been restored

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All 911 phone services in Lackawanna County have been restored.

Dickson City man charged with drug delivery resulting in death

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A Dickson City man is charged with drug delivery resulting in death and related counts after police investigated the fentanyl-induced fatal overdose of a woman in Lake Ariel in September, according to the state police.

Nicholas Bufano, 31, 608 Hallstead St., was arrested today for the death of a 27-year-old, who was found unresponsive by her friend on Sept. 22 at approximately 1 p.m. at the Evergreen Mobile Home Park, 29 Evergreen Drive, Lake Ariel, police said.

The victim’s name was not immediately available.

Police looked at the victim’s cell phone and discovered texts setting up drug deals with Bufano in the days leading up to the overdose, according to court paperwork.

Bufano is currently at Lackawanna County Prison.

Check back for updates.


Roundtable discusses animal welfare challenges in region

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SCRANTON — From legislation to protect animals to the challenges of helping Pennsylvania become a “no kill” state, advocates from across the county talked about how to improve animal welfare in the region.

Laura Ducceschi, president and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, hosted the two-hour discussion today at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel. Officials from a variety of local groups, including St. Cats and Dogs, Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, the NEPA Pet Fund & Rescue, PAWsitively for the Animals and more, participated in the discussion.

This is the second in a series of community roundtables that the Scranton Area Community Foundation will host in 2019 to provide additional insight on topics that were under-represented during the community forums last summer.

The group identified several problems facing the region, including policy legislation, animal cruelty, wildlife conflicts, rehabilitation, farm animal welfare and adequate foster placement. They discussed ways to promote community engagement, responsible pet ownership, adoption, collaborations/partnerships, transport support, vegetarianism and veganism and funding.

The group also discussed ways to reach the goal set by the Best Friends organization of becoming a “no-kill nation” by 2025.

For a community to be considered no-kill, all shelters in the same jurisdiction must have a 90% save rate or higher for dogs and cats together, and the municipal shelter must also be independently at a 90% or greater save rate, according to Best Friends’ website.

“I think it’s going to be very hard to have a no kill Pennsylvania because it’s such a diverse state,” Dawn Karam, co-founder and president of Adopt A Boxer Rescue, said. “We have cities like Philadelphia that take 65,000 dogs and cats a year, where they’re euthanizing every single day — double-digits.”

Karam suggested starting at the root of the problem in Pennsylvania: the puppy mills.

“Until we stop the quantity in Pennsylvania coming in, we’re never going to have a no-kill. The numbers are staggering,” she said.

The discussion also focused on ways to educate the public, increase awareness and engagement and stress the need for more foster homes. Moving forward, the group wants to compile a comprehensive list of resources, including available grant opportunities, as well as launching grant writing and fundraising seminars. But they also want to use each other as resources.

Indra Lahiri, founder of Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, proposed working together as a collective, to devise a collaborative plan to educate and use marketing strategies to spread their message of “compassion and kindness for all,” she said.

“There’s a lot of power in this room,” Lahiri said. “We don’t need to feel powerless about this.”

Contact the writer: drosler@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9100, x 5365, @droslerTT on Twitter

COLTS changes bus schedules

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Passengers who ride the Old Forge, Jessup and East Mountain public buses face upcoming changes in their bus schedules.

The County of Lackawanna Transit System announced the changes Tuesday. They take effect Monday, July 1.

The biggest change centers on eliminating the #29 bus to the Stauffer Industrial Park in Taylor and Scranton and replacing most of its stops there with the #31 bus to Old Forge. The #31 will stop at Stauffer four times each weekday on its way to Old Forge with five stops during its Scranton-bound return trips. The #29 Stauffer bus stops there six times a day inbound and outbound.

The #12 bus to Jessup will gain two morning Scranton-bound trips — both before its current runs — and three Jessup-bound trips — two earlier and one later than the present schedule. The bus will also stop at Marshwood Road once on one of its morning trips to Jessup and the timing of other stops will change.

The #21 bus to Scranton’s East Mountain and Oakmont neighborhoods will gain one inbound and outbound trip earlier than the present schedule with some adjustments to stop times, too. The bus will also stop four fewer times at St. Catherine’s Manor on its way to Scranton.

COLTS officials have said they made the changes to save money and reduce down time for some drivers. The new schedules will also be only printed in black and white to save money, COLTS spokeswoman Gretchen Wintermantel said.

For further details, COLTS has the complete current and future schedules on its website, coltsbus.com.

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

Judge to rule on challenge to Moosic police chief's appointment

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A Lackawanna County judge will decide whether to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Moosic police officer who alleges he was illegally passed over as police chief in favor of Mayor James Segilia’s personal friend.

Assistant Police Chief James Holland filed suit last year, alleging council’s hiring of Richard Janesko violates a borough ordinance and code, which require council select the chief from the existing pool of officers. Janesko, a retired state trooper, was not a member of the department when he was hired in March 2018, the suit says. Holland wants a judge to void Janesko’s appointment and name him as chief.

The case is similar to a 2016 lawsuit filed against Nanticoke, which bypassed a current police officer and hired retired state trooper Thomas Wall as police chief. A Luzerne County judge voided Wall’s appointment and directed he be removed as chief last year. The city appealed the ruling, which remains pending before the state Supreme Court.

In Holland’s case, the borough’s attorney, Patrick Boland, of Scranton,filed a motion to dismiss the suit, arguing Holland does not have legal standing. He also argues the suit is premature because Holland had not met all legal requirements before filing it.

The dispute centers on a 1988 ordinance and the borough code, which both say the borough “shall appoint one member of the police department” to serve as police chief.

Holland, who worked for the department since 1982, says he is the highest-ranking and most senior officer on the force. He notified the borough he wished to apply for the police chief’s position after former chief Charles Maurer retired, effective Dec. 31, 2017. At the recommendation of Segilia, council hired Janesko without interviewing Holland or anyone else, the suit says.

The suit identifies Janesko as a personal friend of Segilia’s.

On Tuesday, Segilia told The Times-Tribune he is friends with Janesko. He declined to comment when asked if that relationship affected his recommendation of Janesko, citing the pending litigation.

Boland and John Holland, of Taylor,attorney for James Holland, appeared before Judge Terrence Nealon on Tuesday to present arguments regarding the motion to dismiss. Nealon will issue a ruling at a later date.

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

Pilchesky argues to remove director from Scranton School Board

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SCRANTON — Kenneth Norton should not sit on the Scranton School Board because he failed to disclose financial information in a timely manner, a city man argued in Lackawanna County Court on Tuesday.

Joseph Pilchesky filed suit to remove Norton from the board after directors appointed him to a vacant seat in March. Pilchesky, a frequent filer of lawsuits who represents himself, said Norton should have filed a statement of financial interest 10 days before his March 25 appointment. Instead, Norton filed the form required of public officials in April, not giving the board a chance to financially vet him. Following his appointment, The Times-Tribune revealed Norton owed almost $27,000 in back property taxes and garbage fees, including taxes to the district. School directors said they were unaware of Norton’s financial issues before his appointment.

Appearing before Lackawanna County judges Vito P. Geroulo, Terrence R. Nealon and Robert A. Mazzoni, Pilchesky asked for immediate removal of Norton from the board. Norton sits on the school board illegally as directors make major decisions on the future of the Scranton School District, Pilchesky said. The judges questioned whether Pilchesky had standing to bring the suit, since he had not asked the Lackawanna County district attorney’s office or the state attorney general’s office to prosecute it first.

The judges also questioned whether Norton needed to file a statement of financial interest 10 days before his appointment, as Pilchesky contends. The state ethics act requires nominees for public office to file a statement 10 days before a vote on the nomination. However, Norton was an applicant for a vacant seat, not a nominee, the judges said.

The Scranton School Board and other local districts do not require applicants for vacant board positions to file a statement of financial interest before appointment. Public officials must file statements of financial interest for the preceding calendar year with the ethics commission no later than May 1 of each year.

Pilchesky contends that Norton incorrectly filled out his financial interest form in April.

Norton did not list his taxes owed, but none of the taxes owed were above the $6,500 threshold to a specific taxing body, attorney Joseph J. Joyce, III, responded. While Norton owes $20,379 in city garbage fees and penalties, he said the city has wrongly billed him for a duplex for years. If only the garbage fees for a single-family home were considered, the amount would be less than the threshold to include on the form, Joyce said.

Pilchesky also questioned why Joyce, of the firm Joyce, Carmody & Moran, represents Norton at the district’s expense. The district’s insurance carrier retains the firm, Joyce said.

The district’s problems, including financial issues and a corruption investigation, “rise from people not following the rules,” Pilchesky said.

Even if Norton can remain on the board, this case hopefully will cause directors to research applicants’ backgrounds before appointment, Pilchesky said. The judges did not issue an opinion Tuesday.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Man arrested on suspicion of DUI after Dunmore hit and run

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DUNMORE — State police arrested a Kittanning man on suspicion of driving under the influence after an afternoon hit-and-run crash on Interstate 81.

The crash happened at about 1 p.m. near mile marker 186 on I-81 northbound, close to the Drinker Street exit. Troopers said Michael R. Gray, 35, struck a motorcycle driven by Kevin Green, 46, of Scranton, and didn’t stop. Troopers later caught up with Green and arrested him on suspicion of DUI.

Green suffered injuries from the crash, troopers said. Further information on his condition was not available Tuesday.

— CLAYTON OVER

Clipboard

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Mayfield

Flag installation: Mayfield Lions Club flag installation along main street to mark Flag Day, Friday, 6 a.m., club building.

Envelope drive: Mayfield Lions Club envelope drive now underway. Donations may be deposited in mailbox at club building or Mayfield Municipal Building.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be sent to yesdesk@timessham

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Lackawanna County Court Notes - June 12, 2019

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MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Tajah Laquan Jasper and Amber Marie Marcario, both of Avoca.

■ Randy LaFlair and Megan Edith Wyman, both of Jessup.

■ Brittany Lynn Roche and Joshua Paul Carichner, both of Taylor.

■ Katelyn Elizabeth Grugnale and Andrew Thomas Williams, both of Old Forge.

■ Daniel Lester Masker and Christina Alexandria Kuc, both of Edwardsville.

■ Brittany Marie Geralynn Schlesser and Michael Dennis McDonnell Jr., both of Scranton

■ Kyle R. Teets and Ashley Pastula Davis, both of Jessup.

■ Mariah Eileen McAndrew and Nicholas Kich, both of Scranton.

■ Devin Horner and Melanie Speakman, both of Scranton.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ U.S. Bank National Association to Tina Cost, Dalton; a property at 714 Kossuth St., Throop, for $33,500.

■ Mu Lihua and Jun Ling, Moreno Valley, Calif., to Dhruvrajsinh and Swati Raol, Scranton; a property at 1002 Circle Green Drive, South Abington Twp., for $420,000.

■ Keith M. Rovnanik, Moscow, to Anne F. Martino, Madison Twp.; three parcels in Jefferson Twp. for $180,000.

■ Lawrence W. and Judith M. Kennedy, Clarks Summit, to Hilary J. Muldoon, Rumson, N.J.; a property at 903 Poplar St., Clarks Summit, for $189,000.

■ Kevin and Kristina Monks, Lackawanna County, to Michael and Annette Munley, Lackawanna County; two parcels at 203 Wilson Drive, Roaring Brook Twp., for $185,000.

■ Andrew J. and Beverly J. Kuna, Holiday, Fla., to Joshua M. and Kelly M. Prall, Scranton; a property at 21 Marion Circle, Throop, for $191,237.

■ Mark and Ann Marie Gifford, Olyphant, to Dennis R. Almodovar-Plaza, Archbald; a property at 98 W. School St., Olyphant, for $182,000.

■ Aldo J. and Annette Cardoni, Archbald, to Joshua and Melissa A. Coombes, Archbald; a property at 6 Dean St., Archbald, for $90,100.

■ Robert G. and Marian M. Castner, Scott Twp., to Timothy W. Cleveland, Scranton; a property at 32 Grandview Drive, Scott Twp., for $226,804.

■ Jessica M. Chelik, Mayfield, to Glenn Michael Hunt and Janie L. Dibble-Hunt, Ashville, N.Y.; a property at 514 Hudson St., Mayfield, for $90,000.

■ Gladys Barbaro, Scranton, to Carlo Dominik Mangiaruga, Pennsylvania; a property at 507 N. Garfield Ave., Scranton, for $25,000.

■ John D. Sabia, South Abington Twp., to Warren and Lori Raker, South Abington Twp.; two parcels in South Abington Twp. for $116,000.

■ Cloverleaf Developers LLC, Archbald, to Ryan Romanaskas and Kassandra Kordish, Archbald; a property on Forest Drive, Archbald, for $345,000.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ Jeffrey Michael Gilroy, Scranton, v. Lori Elizabeth Gilroy, Scranton; married April 22, 2006, in Lackawanna County; Jennifer L. McCambridge, attorney.

■ Angela Santarelli, Dickson City, v. Mark Santarelli, Jessup; married Aug. 9, 2010, in Lackawanna County; John R. Williams Jr., attorney.

ESTATES FILED

■ John Robert Thomas, 321 Warren St., Scranton, letters testamentary to James F. Thomas, 205 Barry Drive, Clarks Summit.

■ Constance R. Hughes, also known as Constance R. Pasquarelli, 1004 Chapin Drive, Clarks Summit, letters testamentary to Lynne M. Girard, same address.

■ Leonard A. Gallo, 1651 Dickson Ave., Apt. 306, Scranton, letters testamentary to Jeffrey A. Gallo, 315 Norley St., State College.

■ Andrew R. Gyuriska, 130½ E. Elm St., Dunmore, letters testamentary to Ashley Kramer-Gyuriska, 2314 Reed St., Philadelphia.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts


80 Years Ago - King and Queen of Great Britain depart from weekend in Hyde Park with the Roosevelts

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June 12, 1939

King and Queen depart Hyde Park

King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, departed after spending time with President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt at the president’s family estate in Hyde Park, New York.

Before arriving in Hyde Park, the royal couple visited Washington, D.C., and New York City. This visit was the first time a reigning British monarch had visited the United States.

During the royal couple’s visit to the Hudson Valley, they were treated to a small dinner party at the Roosevelt estate, Springwood, and a traditional American picnic at Top Cottage, another home on the Roosevelt property.

The 150 guests at the picnic enjoyed such items as hot dogs, baked beans, ham, turkey, cakes, doughnuts, beer, iced tea and soft drinks.

During their visit, the royal couple also attended Sunday services at St. James Episcopal Church with the Roosevelts. Despite a request for a low church service, the service still had three ministers, the Rev. Frank R. Wilson, the church’s rector; Bishop Henry St. George Tucker, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in America; and the Rev. A. Raymond Smith, rector of St. Anne’s Church in Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada.

It was reported that people started lining up outside the church as early as 2 a.m. on the morning of June 11 to catch a glimpse of the royal couple and the Roosevelts.

Following their departure from Hyde Park, the royal couple returned to Canada to continue their tour of the provinces.

Man’s face slashed in brawl at bar

A brawl at a North Scranton bar overnight ended with a man being sent to the hospital with gash on the left side of his face.

According to Scranton police, the fight broke out at the D’Aqunio Club on Providence Road. When they arrived police discovered Anthony Marinucci with a large gash to his face. He was taken to the State General Hospital, were he received 37 stitches to close the wound.

Police later picked up Nicholas Mangieri of Dunmore as the suspect in the assault on Marinucci. He later posted bail on the charges.

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.

KELLY'S WORLD: This felon is just a relic of our past

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Jessica Rothchild is a 29-year-old New Jersey native who studied at the University of Scranton and stuck around after graduation to build a career in physical therapy.

She fell in love with a local, got married and bought a home in the city. Her investment in Scranton includes a run for city council.

Rothchild is young, industrious and dedicated to transparency and accountability in city government. She sees Scranton as a prime destination for young professionals, not a failed city to flee after college.

Rothchild was the top vote-getter in the May Democratic primary election and seems likely to win a council seat in November.

Also, she’s gay.

In the dim view of Bob Bolus, that fact eclipses all else.

The upright citizen/convicted felon hijacked the past two council meetings to declare that Rothchild’s sexual orientation disqualifies her to serve as an elected official.

As a felon, Bob actually is disqualified from elected office, but don’t try to stop him when he’s on a roll. He made a big show of moving to Florida last year, but Bob is like measles. Just when you think he’s been eradicated, he flares up.

Rothchild is a longtime LGBTQ activist. She’s here to stay.

Bob hates that. He said Rothchild invited attack by being honest about who she is. He warned council that letting a lesbian join the boys’ club would subject Scrantonians to a “queer agenda” that could inspire spontaneous gayness in the city’s impressionable youth. Worse, “normal” straight citizens might forget to fear, hate and ostracize anyone different from themselves.

“We will do everything on the Republican side to make sure she doesn’t get this damn seat!” he barked.

That’s one hell of a spokesman you got there, Lackawanna County GOP.

Council shut down Bob’s first attack on Rothchild, and walked out of council chambers during the second. The cameras were rolling, so he kept snarling.

I don’t like writing about Bob, because the lone thing he loves more than the sound of his own voice is attention. It also usually requires calling him, which I did Tuesday.

It was like most talks with Bob. We traded insults, snarled and swore at each other and I wrote down the stupid things he said. The only nugget worth sharing is his vow to attack Rothchild at every council meeting between now and November.

“And I’ll bankroll the first Republican candidate that comes forward to run against her,” Bob said.

I couldn’t wait to call Jessica and share the good news.

“With Bob working against you, you can’t lose!” I said.

Jessica said she’s received a “tremendous outpouring of support” since Bob made her famous.

“I got messages from people who didn’t know me, some from Republicans,” she said. She was taking Bob’s attacks in stride. She expected her sexuality to be an issue for some, but she’s proud of who she is and believes most Scrantonians will see her for everything she is.

“That’s the Scranton I know and love,” she said. “Hate and bigotry are not our values. Scranton is a welcoming and accepting community that wants to move forward, not backward.”

I hope that’s true, but this I know for sure: People like Jessica Rothchild are the future of Scranton.

Bob Bolus is a sad relic of its past who can’t be honest about who he is, even with himself.

CHRIS KELLY, the Times-Tribune columnist, is glad Jessica Rothchild is in the race. Contact the writer: kellysworld@timessha­mrock.com, @cjkink on Twitter. Read his award-winning blog at timestribuneblogs.co­m/kelly.

Namedropper - Scranton art teacher honored

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Teacher honored

David Schulte, a visual arts teacher at Scranton High School, was honored with the RIT College of Art and Design’s Inspirational Educator Award.

The award is given to an educator who played a pivotal role in mentoring high school students in the pursuit of their creative passions.

Schulte was nominated by photography student, Emilie Gronski, who was accepted into the college’s competitive animation program.

“Mr. Schulte was the one who helped me pave my way into college,” Emilie said in her recommendation. “He gave me all the tools I needed to prepare my college portfolio. He also helped widen my horizon of materials to use and gave me great ideas for new animations. He is one of the main reasons why I am continuing in art.”

Super students

Chloe Calabro and Kristina Gorel put themselves in a state senator’s shoes to propose a new law on standardized testing to win state Sen. John Blake’s legislative competition.

Chloe, a Forest City student, and Kristina, a Carbondale Area student, are members of Blake’s 2019 Student Ambassador Program. Blake, D-22, Archbald, recently hosted the high school seniors and their peers from 14 local high schools for the competition at Penn State Scranton.

Kaitlin Ahern from Dunmore and Jamise Sealey from Pocono Mountain West placed second in the competition where the students proposed a new law or policy of interest to them in the areas of transportation, education, emergency preparedness, environmental protection or human services.

Chloe, Kristina, Kaitlin and Jamise will be provided scholarship assistance for their post-secondary academic pursuits for their wins.

They presented their ideas in front of a panel of four judges that included: Blake; state Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-112, Blakely; Penn State Scranton Chancellor Marwan Wafa, Ph.D., and Michael Allison, Ph.D., professor and chairman of the University of Scranton’s Political Science Department.

High notes

Randy Heller, the Wayne County Solid Waste Director/Recycling Coordinator, was presented the “Do 6” Lifetime Achievement Award from the PA Route 6 Alliance.

Heller has served on the alliance since its beginnings representing the Wayne County Commissioners. He has also served as treasurer for the past 11 years. As a member of the executive committee, Heller has helped develop the goals, strategies and policies for the alliance. He is known to drive the longest distance to participate in events and meetings for Route 6 and always strived to be a great communicator for both organizations and their interests, according to the organization.

The Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music and Arts Festival Inc. was also awarded the “Do 6” Heritage Tourism Award from the PA Route 6 Alliance. The free festival, in its 13th year, was awarded for furthering economic and tourism development while respecting the

heritage and cultural resources of the Route 6 corridor.

Foster Hill Farm to be transferred to Delaware Highlands Conservancy

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MILFORD — Local businessman, philanthropist, and restaurateur Dick Snyder bequeathed his former home to Delaware Highlands Conservancy.

Snyder, a well-known llama breeder and co-owner of the Hotel Fauchère, died in 2014.

He made the conservancy the beneficiary of Foster Hill Farm knowing that it would protect the land’s natural resources while allowing sustainable uses including forestry, agriculture, and community purposes.

The conservancy is placing a conservation easement — a legally binding agreement that permanently protects the property’s natural values — to protect the land for future generations. For information, visit DelawareHighlands.org.

— DANIEL ROSLER

Marriage license bureau to offer extended hours Thursday

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SCRANTON — The Lackawanna County Marriage License Bureau will offer extended hours Thursday.

The bureau, in Suite 521 on the fifth floor of the former Globe store, 123 Wyoming Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Those seeking a marriage license must bring valid photo ID or current passport and know their Social Security number. Individuals who were married previously must bring a divorce decree signed by a judge, or a death certificate. A required $70 fee can be paid via cash or personal check. Credit cards are not accepted.

Electronic marriage license applications can be found at lackawannacounty.org­. For information, call the bureau at 570-963-6702.

— CLAYTON OVER

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