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Clarks Green woman sold cocaine in Scranton parking lot, police say

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SCRANTON

State police arrested a Clarks Green woman early Saturday for selling cocaine in a parking lot in Scranton, troopers said.

Members of the Troop R vice unit purchased cocaine from Sara Elizabeth Wylie, 29, in a parking lot in the 100 block of Jefferson Avenue about 12:30 a.m., according to state police.

Troopers took Wylie into custody without incident and found more cocaine that was packaged for sale in her possession, troopers said.

Bail and preliminary hearing information were unavailable Saturday.

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY


Valley View School District seeking school board applications

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ARCHBALD

The Valley View School Board is accepting applications for an open seat after the recent death of longtime board member and educator Ellen Nielsen.

The appointment runs until Dec. 4. A special election will be held Nov. 5 to fill the remainder of Nielsen’s term through December 2021.

A statement of financial interest must accompany the application, which can be emailed to kcastellani@valleyviewsd.org or mailed to the district office at 1 Columbus Drive, Archbald.

The board will interview candidates during its board meeting June 24 at 7 p.m.

For details, visit the district’s website at www.valleyviewsd.org.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

NEPA's Most Wanted, 6/16/2019

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Blair Hart

Wanted by: Scranton police.

Wanted for: Aggravated assault, simple assault, robbery, harassment and theft by unlawful taking.

Description: Black woman, 31 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 185 pounds, black hair, brown eyes.

Contact: Scranton police, 570-348-4134 or 911.

Joshua Kevin Hess (aka Josh White)

Wanted by: Forest City police and Carbondale police.

Wanted for: Escape, reckless endangerment and possession of a controlled substance.

Description: White man, 30 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 150 pounds, blond hair, blue eyes.

Contact: Forest City police, 570-785-3453 or 911.

Nicholas Brelish

Wanted by: State Board of Probation and Parole.

Wanted for: Parole absconder. Released March 29.

Description: White man, 27 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 180 pounds, auburn hair, blue eyes. Last known to be in Lackawanna County.

Contact: Probation and Parole hotline, 800-932-4857.

Robert Bratcher

Wanted by: State Board of Probation and Parole.

Wanted for: Parole absconder. Released April 1.

Description: Black man, 59 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 180 pounds, black hair, black eyes. Last known to be in Lackawanna County.

Contact: Probation and Parole hotline, 800-932-4857.

Kyle Bedics

Wanted by: State Board of Probation and Parole.

Wanted for: Parole absconder. Released Sept. 4.

Description: White man, 27 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 145 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes. Last known to be in Lackawanna County.

Contact: Probation and Parole hotline, 800-932-4857.

Michael Cain

Wanted by: State Board of Probation and Parole.

Wanted for: Parole absconder. Released Dec. 14, 2015.

Description: White man, 48 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 190 pounds, gray hair, blue eyes. Last known to be in Lackawanna County.

Contact: Probation and Parole hotline, 800-932-4857.

Namedropper: Hindu families honor 21 educators

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Educators recognized

During Teacher Appreciation Week, Hindu families from Clarks Summit and Scranton honored 21 educators, including Abington Heights Superintendent Michael Mahon, Ph.D., Abington Heights Middle School Assistant Principal Patrick McGarry and Bridget Frounfelker, principal of Waverly and Clarks Summit Elementary Schools.

The Hindu children attending various Abington Heights schools and area preschools invited their teachers to “Guru Vandana” — which means “reverence for the teacher” — at the Ramada Inn in May.

A guiding principle of the Hindu culture is that a teacher is a person of reverence, said Kiran Ghatti, parent of an Abington Heights student.

The event started with a poster exhibition on the ancient and rich culture of India and was followed by an Indian dinner. The ceremony began with the lighting of a lamp and featured a cultural presentation of classical Indian vocal music, yoga and Indian Folk Dance. Around 35 students paid respect in a Hindu way by standing in front of the teachers applying Tilak, red powder on their foreheads, bowing on their feet and offering gifts.

Rudra Upadhyaya explained that in Hindu culture, parents teach values and behavior, but teachers give children life. Upadhyaya added the entire human race can move forward because of the teacher-student system, also known as “Guru-Shishya” in Sanskrit. In Sanskrit, “Guru” means one who removes ignorance and shines the light of knowledge inside others, according to Ghatti.

Mahon was happy to witness the important role the Hindu parents play in supporting the learning process of their children.

Middle school guidance counselor Sarah Smithnoted the respect the Hindu families show for teachers and education makes it easy for teachers to impart knowledge and build the enthusiasm for learning. Dianne Ostrowski, a first grade teacher at Waverly, said by attending the event, she felt India was not just a place on the map, but a place in her heart.

All the teachers thanked the Hindu community and students for not only sharing a part of the culture, but also for being respectful and eager to learn.

The event was organized by a nonprofit, socio-cultural organization, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA.

For details, visit www.hssus.org.

High notes

Representatives from the Steamtown National Historic Site nominated Walter Elvidge and the Education Team for the United States National Park Service’s highest volunteer recognition, the George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

Elvidge was nominated in the Enduring Service Category for his 12,923 volunteer hours at the park. Elvidge has volunteered at the park for a decade and a half. Among many accomplishments, he has notably performed heavy industrial repair work critical to maintaining the park’s steam and diesel locomotives, according to the historic site.

The Education Team was nominated for its yeoman work and for successfully engaging 1,060 fourth graders in 11 schools from seven school districts from four Northeast Pennsylvania counties in Steamtown’s STEM-focused, PA curriculum-based Railroads, Rivers & You! education program, according to the site.

“VIPs” — Volunteers In Parks — who were recognized during a recognition event with PVSA Lifetime Achievement Awards for giving 4,000 or more volunteer hours included Leo Czereck, 10,092 hours; Elvidge, 12,923 hours; Ronald Erickson, 5,611 hours; Douglas Lotten, 20,275 hours; Janice MacDonald, 7,123 hours; Andrew Ottinger, 4,877 hours; Robert Patterson, 9,138 hours; Richard Roden, 17,078 hours; Paul Ratcliffe, 4,495 hours; Gene Stanton, 5,730 hours; Robert Tomaine, 4,506 hours; James Yarwood, 7,970 hours; and Donald Young, 5,945 hours.

During fiscal year 2018, around 140 volunteers donated more than 27,700 hours. Their volunteerism had an estimated monetary value in excess of $700,000, according to Steamtown.

Flourishing warehousing/distribution industries in Lackawanna County bring health, traffic concerns

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A flourishing warehousing and distribution industry promises thousands of new jobs and millions of tax dollars for Lackawanna County, but heavy tractor-trailer traffic poses an increased risk for chronic disease, more traffic congestion and greater wear and tear on roads.

The warehousing and transportation industries are rapidly expanding in Northeast Pennsylvania as developers shift their attention here because of an available workforce, inexpensive land and access to major interstates.

Luzerne County recently saw an explosion in warehousing and distribution, with sprawling business parks such as Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services’

1,800-acre CenterPoint Commerce & Trade Park — a fast-growing hub for logistics in Pittston and Jenkins townships that boasts firms like Amazon, FedEx SmartPost, Home Depot and Lowes. Now, Lackawanna County is seeing its own surge.

In the past 18 months, developers from across the country discussed plans to develop almost 4 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space in the Midvalley.

The four warehouses proposed are:

NorthPoint Development of Riverside, Missouri: 1 million square feet in the Valley View Business Park in Archbald. NorthPoint purchased 70.22 acres in the business park in April.

Trammell Crow Company’s TCNE Valley View of Dallas, Texas: 1 million square feet in the Valley View Business Park in Jessup. TCNE broke ground for its distribution center in May.

Logistics Property Co. of Chicago, Illinois: 850,000 square feet on Route 247 near Alberigi Drive in Jessup.

Langen Development Economics of Easton: Approximately 1 million square feet on East Lackawanna Avenue in Olyphant.

Besides the four proposed warehouses, Olyphant borough council voted in May to make nearly 1,000 acres of land east of the Casey Highway eligible for 10-year tax abatements to draw warehousing to the undeveloped land.

Developers are also building more than 5 million square feet of warehouse space in Luzerne County for firms like Chewy, Adidas, Patagonia, True Value and Spreetail, said Wico Van Genderen, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.

While some welcome the job opportunities and tax revenue that warehousing and distribution will bring, others warn of the consequences of drawing so much tractor-trailer traffic to the region.

Health concerns

A growing warehousing and distribution industry means more tractor-trailers picking up and dropping off freight.

The effect of increased tractor trailer traffic is clear, said Michael McCawley, Ph.D., a West Virginia University associate professor in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences.

“You’ll see more chronic disease,” he said.

Research shows that people living close to interstates tend to have much higher rates of chronic illnesses, including cancer, birth defects, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, he said.

McCawley’s testimony in front of Congress in April included information about an entirely unregulated, harmful by-product of diesel engines: ultrafine particles.

“When you increase the amount of truck traffic, you increase the ultrafine particle concentration,” McCawley said. “When you increase the ultrafine particle concentration, you increase chronic disease.”

The particles are so tiny that they can more easily enter cells in the human body.

“Once inside the cell, they can cause havoc,” he said.

In its annual State of the Air report published in April, the American Lung Association gave Lackawanna County high marks for “excellent results for two measures of fine particle pollution.” The report examined data from 2015 to 2017.

Those measurements do not include the exponentially smaller ultrafine particles, McCawley said, which are so small they go essentially undetected by Environmental Protection Agency monitoring. As a result, the EPA does not monitor or control emissions of ultrafine particles, he said.

There is a solution for decreasing the amount of ultrafine particles, though.

Although diesel engines output the microscopic pollutants, there are engine designs available that emit far fewer ultrafine particles, McCawley said. There needs to be regulations in place to force companies to use these engines, he said. Ultrafine particles aren’t in the Clean Air Act, so the EPA doesn’t even have the authority to regulate them, he said.

At Kane is Able, Stark welcomed anything that can be done to reduce emissions, adding that Kane participates in the EPA’s SmartWay program, which aims to make transporting freight more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

“It’s something we care very deeply about,” he said. “Anything that you can do better and safer and with less emissions is always a good thing.”

More congestion

More truck traffic also means more congestion and more interactions between pedestrians, passenger vehicles and trucks, said Lackawanna County Transportation Planning Manager Steve Pitoniak.

Many of the region’s road systems, built in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, were not designed to handle so many heavy truck loads, he said.

Even Interstate 81, designed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, was not envisioned to handle this truck and freight traffic — even though warehousing and distribution businesses are positive for the region, said Alan Baranski, Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance vice president for the transportation planning services division and part of the Focus 81 Committee.

“It’s putting a lot of pressure on the interstate,” he said.

Adding a third lane to I-81 in the urbanized areas of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties is a long-term goal to reduce congestion, but the project could be 10 years away and will cost an estimated $600 million to $1 billion, Baranski said.

“Building our way out of this is really not a viable solution,” he said.

Working with the private businesses is one way to reduce congestion, Baranski said. That means monitoring real-time traffic data, staggering shifts at warehouses and sending drivers out at off-peak hours — not 5 p.m. weekdays. Focus 81 also advocates for using the Pennsylvania Turnpike as an alternative to I-81.

More truck traffic accelerates wear and tear on roadways — both interstates and the local roads trucks use to access business parks.

Worrying about wear and tear, traffic and pollution are valid concerns, said Teri Ooms, executive director at the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development at Wilkes University. However, whether there is warehousing in the region, I-80 and I-81 will still be major corridors for tractor-trailers, she said.

“Even without the distribution centers, we’re still going to have truck traffic,” she said. “We’d still be dealing with the negative effects without the positives.”

In Luzerne County, several projects helped protect local roads and ease tractor-trailer traffic for CenterPoint’s 9.9 million square feet of facilities — nearly half of which is used for warehousing and distribution, said Jim Cummings, vice president of marketing for Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services.

Those projects included rebuilding Exit 178 on I-81, extending Navy Way Road to give the park a secondary entrance and exit, installing roundabouts and creating a dedicated deceleration lane at Exit 175 on northbound I-81.

Truck parking also needs to be addressed. Drivers are limited to 10 hours of driving per shift, then they need a safe place to park and rest. Baranski floated the idea of the government offering financial incentives for the construction of parking spaces in strategic areas along I-81.

With 3 million square feet of warehouse space on track to move into Jessup and Archbald, the Casey Highway’s exits into Jessup will see more tractor trailers, which concerns some residents. Valley View Business Park’s entrance is in Jessup.

Resident and Citizens for a Healthy Jessup member Jeff Smith worries whether nearby infrastructure can handle increased tractor-trailer traffic.

“What comes first?” he asked. “All of these warehouses, and then you realize there’s a major problem, or do you develop the infrastructure before you break ground?”

Cummings, who previously worked at the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce for 18 years where he served as vice president, does not foresee traffic issues in Jessup.

He estimated the new warehousing in the park would add about 2,000 jobs.

“The park road network has been designed with many more jobs than that in mind, so I don’t anticipate any major traffic issues in the near term,” he said.

Pitoniak agreed, saying he doesn’t see congestion on the Casey as a pressing issue. There are ways to ease congestion, such as changing the timing of traffic signals, adding lanes and lengthening ramps.

“Right now, I don’t see that as being a necessity,” he said.

Contact the writer:

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

The region’s expanding warehousing and distribution industry also brings good news for the region: jobs and tax revenue.

A 1-million-square-foot warehouse can employ anywhere from a few hundred to more than a thousand workers, said Andrew Skrip, vice president of the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Co., an affiliate of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

Many of the jobs do not require four-year degrees, and the growing demand for workers locally translates to higher wages, said Teri Ooms, executive director at the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development at Wilkes University.

“Demand is high, supply is short,” she said.

Hourly wages for warehouse workers increased over the years from $8 to a minimum of $11, with firms paying up to $15 an hour, Skrip said.

Distribution centers also offer strong benefit packages, including health, dental, vision and life insurance, along with 401(k)s, Ooms said.

Warehouse jobs give workers room for career growth, allowing them to start at the bottom and work their way up to supervisor and managerial positions that could pay close to six figures, said Brianna Florovito, SLIBCO workforce and entrepreneurial development specialist.

In Lackawanna County, Kane is Able employs between 500 and 600 workers in its more than 2 million square feet of warehouse space, said spokesman Alex Stark. For coachable workers with skills that can be developed, opportunities abound, he said.

“There’s unbelievable opportunity that exists in supply chain logistics,” he said.

Tax revenue

Cash-strapped municipalities and school districts also will benefit from the growing amount of industrial development — although tax abatement programs designed to entice developers may delay the flow of cash for several years.

About a decade ago, Covington Twp. saw a surge of development that resulted in nearly 3.3 million square feet of warehouses. Today, major tenants in the Covington Twp. Industrial Park include Mazda, Amazon Logistics, Innovel and AmeriCold.

At just over 1 million square feet, Innovel’s building at 151 First Ave. in the township is assessed at $4.24 million, Lackawanna County tax assessor records show. Under the township’s 10.25 millage rate, that amounts to $43,460 annually in property taxes. For the North Pocono School District, which taxes property at 135.49 mills, that translates to $574,477.60 every year from Innovel.

Assessed at $5.255 million, Amazon’s 1.279 million-square-foot warehouse brings in $711,999.95 for North Pocono and $53,863.75 for the township each year.

A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 of assessed value.

The township hasn’t raised taxes since 1999 — something township Chairman David Petrosky attributes to “good planning with the funds that we’re receiving.”

With the tax revenue, the township built a new pavilion and hosts fishing derbies and other community events, he said.

The tax revenue helped the annual budget of the North Pocono School District, which includes Covington Twp., said Superintendent Bryan McGraw.

However, to entice developers to the region, municipal, school district and county officials often approve tax abatement programs that delay or reduce taxes for years. Keystone Opportunity Zones offer tax breaks to promote development in select locations that otherwise may go undeveloped; Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance offers tax breaks on improvements made on a property for a set period of time.

Eventually, though, Valley View School District will see some of the same things North Pocono saw, McGraw said.

“In the long run, it’s going to benefit the district a great deal,” he said.

Both McGraw and Valley View’s business manager, Corey Castellani, noted the necessity of tax incentives to attract developers.

“Don’t get me wrong, we’d love to have the full-phase value of the tax from day one, but in order to draw these companies to this area, we had to provide some kind of tax incentive,” Castellani said.

Contact the writer:

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

Reaper's Revenge holds first acting class of the year

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SCOTT TWP. — More than 100 Reaper’s Revenge actors and prospects lined up face-to-face, screaming the loudest, most guttural shrieks and howls they could muster.

“This is going to be nothing but rage, energy and fear and all that stuff coming at you,” Michael Belardi shouted as he stood in the center of the crowd, hyping up the participants.

The actors, both seasoned horror veterans and “newbies,” attended Reaper’s Revenge’s first actor-training class of the year Saturday.

Belardi, who does marketing directing and casting at Reaper’s, instructed the crowd to form two lines — newcomers on one side and veterans on the other — and scream at the other group as an icebreaker activity. Other activities included safety and improvisational training.

Reaper’s Revenge began hosting the summer acting sessions four years ago, holding about two to four per year, he said.

“It’s an opportunity for a lot of people to learn,” Belardi said. “People who have never acted before come up here, and they have the time of their lives, and the whole goal of everything that we’ve ever done is to make sure we’re having fun while we’re doing it.”

Reaper’s ramped up its cast from 80 people to 180 over the past four years, and prior to the summer training sessions, organizing rehearsals was challenging, he said, explaining they would “just go straight from hiring them to putting them out there.”

“That’s tough,” he said. “There’s a lot of safety, there’s a lot of gizmos and gadgets out there that are temperamental — you need to know how to use them.”

Joe Schlesser of Scranton is going into his fifth year as a cast member at the haunt. The family environment among actors and the “thrill of the scare” keep him coming back, he said. For novices, it’s more in-depth than simply yelling “ah!” he said.

New actors have to “own their character,” Schlesser said. “Come up with your character, own it, and keep working with the supervisors and veterans.”

Todd Fedyshyn, who has 11 years of professional experience in the industry, including involvement at Reaper’s for six years, brought close to 20 cast members from his new haunt, Slaughterland Screampark in Binghamton, New York, for the training session. He spent three seasons working full time at Reaper’s, and prior to that, spent three years at Reaper’s to better learn the trade.

“Reaper’s actors are some of the best in the industry,” he said, adding that he wants his cast “to learn how a family like this networks, how they feed off of each other, the excitement. ... What sets Reaper’s apart as one of the top 10 in the country is the fact that our actors are top notch.”

If actors are comfortable “getting weird with us” in broad daylight in the summer, they can do anything when it comes to the haunt, said Jennifer Marino, who is a costume and set designer, supervisor and production assistant at Reaper’s.

“They can take away that this is a place where you can come and you can be anybody you want to be,” she said. “We try and break the boundaries at these classes. Our motto is, ‘To get comfortable being uncomfortable.’ ”

Contact the writer:

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

NativityMiguel celebrates first graduating class

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Sarika Mongar remembers the bamboo home where she slept in a refugee camp in Nepal.

The 14-year-old now dreams of a career in medicine.

Bryan Pulla, 14, came to the United States from Ecuador. He wants to become a lawyer to defend people who are innocent.

Sarika, Bryan and their classmates — many of them refugees or the first in their families to go through the American education system — graduated eighth grade from the NativityMiguel School of Scranton on Saturday, fulfilling a vision of improving the lives of children who could easily fall behind or be overlooked.

Seven years ago, a group of religious, community and civic leaders came together with a vision of starting a program with longer school days and summer sessions for students from low-income families and underserved populations.

Worried the students may not receive the support necessary in a traditional public school setting, the founders raised funds and opened the independent, tuition-free Catholic school in 2015, in the lower level of Temple Hesed. The school is open to students of all faiths.

The dozen graduates will head to private high schools, with continued guidance from the NativityMiguel school staff.

“It’s gratifying. The plan set in place so long ago has come to fruition,” said Robert Angeloni, school president. “It gives us a strong belief that a guiding hand from above has been involved ... from concept to the first graduating class.”

Graduates are:

Born in Nepal,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dhiraj Baniya, 14, lived in a refugee camp until the age of 7. Fluent in English and Nepali and able to understand Hindi, he helps welcome the diverse population to NativityMiguel.

“It honestly doesn’t feel like school. It’s so much fun. It’s not forced,” he said. “Some weekends, I want to be at school.”

If he doesn’t become a professional soccer player, he wants to be a lawyer. Dhiraj will attend Holy Cross High School.

Lucia Fernandes Carvalho, 14, came to the United States from Cape Verde, seeking a way to escape violence and find more educational opportunities. She spoke only Creole upon her arrival in 2012.

“We were the first students,” she said of her time at NativityMiguel. “We’re the leaders. We’re the first pioneers.”

She ran cross country and brought cultural dances to the dance club at NativityMiguel. She wants to pursue a career in medicine and will attend Scranton Prep.

“We’re a family,” she said. “Everyone is there for you. Everyone knows you.”

Justin Delgado’s parents moved to the United States from Mexico, seeking better education for their children. At NativityMiguel, the 14-year-old mentored peers, acted as a student ambassador and became a patrol leader of his Boy Scout troop.

“The school has been an amazing experience, with the most extraordinary people,” he said. “It’s been wonderful.”

He will attend Scranton Prep and wants to be an engineer.

Wendy Yanet DeLaCruz Garcia, 14, came to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 2010. After praying for better education, Wendy enrolled in the first fifth-grade class at NativityMiguel.

“I feel like they’ve made me a better version of myself,” she said.

Wendy received a faith and honor value award, runs cross country and completes community service projects as a Girl Scout. She will attend Scranton Prep and wants to be a veterinarian.

Nirjhala Kadariya, 13, lived in Nepal until the age of 3. She remembers not having a bathroom in her home, and having to get water from a nearby lake. At NativityMiguel, she helped her Reading Olympics team read 45 books this year, and also helped form a Girl Scout troop at the school.

“The whole school is close,” she said. “There is always help when you need it.”

She will attend the Milton Hershey School, a cost-free residential school for children from lower income families, located in Hershey, and wants to be an astrophysicist.

“I’d love to go to Harvard,” she said. “I just like learning new things, and the universe is cool.”

Manpreet K. Lahl, 13, was born in Canada, the daughter of Indian immigrants. At NativityMiguel, Manpreet founded the school’s drama club, excels in academics and runs cross country.

“It’s helped me become more confident,” she said of her time at the school.

She will attend Holy Cross and hopes to become a singer.

As a student ambassador, Christopher James Martinez, 14, welcomes visitors and new families to NativityMiguel. He acts as a role model and received many awards for perfect attendance. He runs cross country and loves to play soccer.

He will attend Holy Cross High School, with hopes of becoming a software engineer.

In 2014, Hanel Nahomy Diaz Matute and her family moved to the United States from Honduras, seeking a better education. At NativityMiguel, the 14-year-old joined the dance club, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science and Reading Olympics team.

She will attend Scranton Prep, with the goal of eventually attending her “dream school” — Harvard Law School — to become a government or criminal lawyer.

Sarika Mongar, 14, came to the United States from a Nepalese refugee camp at the age of 6. Like most of her peers, she entered NativityMiguel in fifth grade.

“I was very shy. I didn’t want to communicate,” she said.

She became involved with the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science and received a first-place award at the state competition this year. She leads tours of the school in both English and Nepali.

“It’s a small school that is a second family. I’m so lucky I came here,” she said.

She will attend Scranton Prep and hopes to have a career in medicine.

In 2009, Nahisha Pokhrel and her family left their refugee camp in Nepal for a better life in the United States. The 14-year-old received a first-place award in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competition, among many other accomplishments. She received first honors in every marking period and got an award for her integrity and her respect for others.

“I know that whatever is in front of me, with NativityMiguel values, I can carry them with me on my journey,” she said.

She will attend Wyoming Seminary, with the goal of eventually working as a cardiovascular physician assistant.

“I could help people and see a smile on their face,” she said of her career goals. “I feel like I belong there. Everything about it just amazes me.”

Born in Ecuador, Bryan Pulla, 14, said attending NativityMiguel made him more outgoing.

“It’s made me into a better person,” he said.

He will attend Scranton Prep and wants to be a lawyer.

“I want to defend people who are innocent ... and it’s fun to argue against people,” he said.

Born in Scranton, Xzierean Tassey, 14, became a Boy Scout, ran cross country and conducted experiments with the school’s STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — club.

Described as lighthearted, funny and laid back, he will attend the Milton Hershey School.

“My classmates, we’re like a family,” he said. “We really are like brothers and sisters.”

Contact the writer:

shofius@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9133;

@hofiushallTT on Twitter

NativityMiguel will move to Marywood University in the fall, after four years in the lower level of Temple Hesed.

The school will occupy two floors of the university’s Liberal Arts Center, adjacent to the iconic rotunda.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Robert Angeloni, school president.

The school’s board of directors approved the move unanimously, and the school’s sponsoring congregations, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sisters of Christian Charity, Eastern Province, also agreed with the decision to move to Marywood.

Students will be on campus next month for the summer session, while crews complete minimal renovations to the new space.

When the independent, tuition-free Catholic school looked for a location four years ago, students found a home at Temple Hesed, a Jewish synagogue near Lake Scranton.

“Without the Temple Hesed congregation and the board, we may not have existed,” Angeloni said.

Seeking additional space, NativityMiguel reached out to Marywood earlier this year. While on campus, the fifth- to eighth-grade students will have access to more academic opportunities, including visits from professors or Marywood student volunteers.

“It resonates with the mission of Marywood,” University President Sister Mary Persico, I.H.M., Ed.D., said. “This is a really good fit for us.”

The school is still accepting students for this fall’s fifth-grade class. Call 570-955-5176 for more information.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

100 Years Ago - Coal truck lands in a mine subsidence in Scranton

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June 16, 1919

Cave-in claims coal truck

A coal truck filled with 4 tons of coal made an unscheduled delivery in the 400 block of North Sixth Avenue in Scranton.

When the coal-filled truck began its journey down the street, the weight of the truck helped to cause the subsidence atop the decaying wooden props of the abandoned workings of the Cork and Bottle colliery. The hole that opened was 16 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep.

The driver, William Stetzer, suffered minor injuries in the wreck. Once the truck was freed from the hole, it was also found to have only minor damage.

Salvation Army celebrates

The Poli Theater was the scene of a celebration marking the 35th anniversary of the Salvation Army in Scranton.

In attendance for the celebration were famed doughnut girls Gladys and Irene McIntyre and several high-ranking members of the Salvation Army.

Gladys and Irene each spoke about their interactions with soldiers from Pennsylvania while they were volunteering in France.

Commencement at St. Thomas

Sixty young men received their degrees from St. Thomas College before friends, family and their teachers at the Strand Theater in an evening ceremony June 15.

The graduates were from the school’s premedical, high school and commercial departments.

During the ceremony, the students gave a standing ovation to Louis Joseph Brown when he received his degree. Brown received a degree from the commercial department with top marks.

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.


Taylor police looking for two men who beat, robbed man inside of Walmart

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TAYLOR

Police are looking for two men who beat and robbed a man Saturday evening inside of Walmart.

Two men, one wearing a white T-shirt and the other a black T-shirt, tackled a man while he was shopping, repeatedly punching him and then taking his wallet, said Officer Brian Holland. The robbery happened just before 7 p.m.

The victim suffered minor injuries, Holland said.

Surveillance camera footage shows the men leaving in a silver car.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Taylor Police Department at 570-342-9111.

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

Local news quiz

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1. A 126-year-old church in Jessup held final services on Sunday because a dwindling membership caused it to close. What denomination was the church?

A. Methodist

B. Baptist

C. Lutheran

D. Presbyterian

2. At a truck show at Johnson College on Sunday, what types of engines roared in memory of a 23-year-old crash

victim?

A. Steam

B. Diesel

C. Gas

D. Electric

3. Four-term school board member Ellen Nielsen, who died last Sunday, was “tirelessly devoted” to what school district?

A. Lakeland

B. Valley View

C. Mid-Valley

D. North Pocono

4. Hoping to boost collection of delinquent taxes and fees from scofflaw landlords, Scranton officials are considering what?

A. Seizing rents and holding them in escrow

B. Taking control of the properties

C. Selling properties at sheriff’s sale

D. Posting signs in front of properties that are delinquent

5. A lawsuit claims what Downvalley town’s police chief was hired improperly?

A. Old Forge

B. Taylor

C. Moosic

D. Pittston

6. A plan to separate state high school playoffs for public and private schools was unveiled Tuesday and included a surprise move to eliminate what?

A. The PIAA mercy rule

B. The PIAA transfer rule

C. The PIAA Christmas

party

D. The PIAA age restriction

7. What local university is testing submitted ticks for a range of diseases, including the potentially deadly Powassan virus?

A. The University

of Scranton

B. Wilkes University

C. Marywood University

D. East Stroudsburg

University

8. Scranton’s Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday denied a special exception for what type of facility near Lake

Scranton?

A. Drug treatment center

B. Meat-packing

warehouse

C. Luxury townhomes

D. Bait and tackle shop

9. Some Republicans hope what former lawmaker runs against U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright in the 2020 election?

A. Lou Barletta

B. Tom Marino

C. Chris Doherty

D. Bob Mellow

10. What was retired U.S. District Judge Edwin Kosik, who passed away Thursday at age 94, before he was a federal jurist?

A. Private practice lawyer

B. Assistant U.S. attorney

C. Lackawanna County president judge

D. All of the above

Around the Towns

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Abingtons

The Rotary Club of the Abingtons recently presented eight Abington Heights School District teachers with awards to use for professional development.

Each teacher received a $900 Dolbear Award from the club. District administrators selected the recipients out of 17 applications.

Barbara Moss, a high school science teacher, will attend a conference to learn more about changes to the science portion of college boards.

Jackie Hooker, a fourth grade teacher at Clarks Summit Elementary School, will attend a program to learn ways to engage students “outside the book” effectively.

Annette Adair, a high school English teacher, will attend an English conference.

Jennifer Tarr, a high school teacher, will attend the NCTE National Convention in Baltimore.

Katie Lanseidel, a special education teacher, will attend the PA Low Incidence Conference in State College.

Casey Beichler, a high school teacher, will attend the PA Low Incidence Conference.

Krista Carey, a high school teacher, will attend the Wilson Reading System Conference in New York City.

— CLAYTON OVER

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

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

 

The Rotary Club of the Abingtons fireworks display is set for Tuesday, July 2.

The event, an annual Fourth of July gift to the community, will be held at Abington Heights Middle School, 1555 Newton Ransom Blvd. in Newton Twp. Grounds will open at 5 p.m.

A $5 donation per car is requested. Food, beverages and amusements will be featured. Should there be poor weather July 2, a rain date is scheduled for July 3.

— CLAYTON OVER

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

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

Blakely

The borough is making the month more festive with its annual Junefest.

From 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., behind Joe’s Beerman, the borough’s recreation committee will hold its seventh annual Junefest block party, featuring a variety of homemade food, drinks, live music and fireworks.

The free event will have five vendors, including members of the community, businesses and the Blakely Hose Company. Huntzinger’s Karate Martial Arts School will have games and prizes for kids, said Mayor Jeanette Acciare-Mariani.

There will be a fireman’s parade Friday, assembling at Cougar Stadium at 6 p.m. and stepping off at 6:30. If it rains, the parade will be Saturday.

Kartune will perform from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday as well.

On Saturday, the borough will have a fireworks display at dusk, with entertainment by Bliss from 7 to 11 p.m. The rain date for the fireworks show will be Sunday at dusk.

Acciare-Mariani hopes residents will come out to the block party to support local businesses and enjoy what Blakely has to offer.

“It is a night that the committee tries to provide recreation for our residents, and in turn we ask them to support our efforts,” she said.

Without the support of the community, the borough “probably wouldn’t be able to keep it up,” so “instead of watching fireworks at home, come out to the site” and support the borough’s efforts to provide recreation for the community, Acciare-Mariani said.

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

 

Jenny’s Kloset is hosting a RailRiders Night and 5K in the coming weeks.

On Thursday, June 27, the nonprofit will be featured throughout the RailRiders’ 7:05 p.m. game at PNC Field. Jenny’s Kloset is selling 100 game tickets for $10 each, and anyone who buys a ticket is entered into a drawing to throw the first pitch, said Jenny’s Kloset founder Tina Jezuit.

Jenny’s Kloset is a charity based in the Midvalley that provides clothing and food for children and families in the Valley View School District.

In addition to an on-field interview before the game and a radio interview after the fourth inning, Jenny’s Kloset will have a table at the stadium promoting its mission and talking about the charity group.

The organization is also hosting a Firecracker 5K on Thursday, July 4, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. and the race at 9. The race will take place at the Valley View Elementary Center, 901 Main St. in the Peckville section of the borough. Participants can preregister until June 26 for $15, and race day registration will be $20.

Then top three male and female finishers overall will receive an award, as well as the top male and female finisher in each age group. There will also be a basket raffle.

Jenny’s Kloset received $3,500 from sponsors, Jezuit said.

The nonprofit began in 2016 at Valley View Elementary School, where it delivered food to six families every two weeks, and now it delivers boxes of food to 80 families, she said.

Solely funded by donations and fundraisers, events like this are vital for Jenny’s Kloset, Jezuit said.

“Things like this literally keep us running,” she said. “It keeps food in the mouths of the kids we serve.”

To purchase tickets for the baseball game, call 570-455-0658, email tina@jennyskloset.org or message the group on Facebook. To sign up for the 5K, visit www.runsignup.com/Race/PA/Peckville/JennysKlosetFirecracker5K.

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

Carbondale

The Carbondale Public Library kicks off its summer reading program Monday as part of a busy summer schedule.

The library’s summer reading program, which is for all ages, will include book clubs and prizes throughout the summer.

Beginning Monday, the library, at 5 N. Main St., will feature a seven-continents traveling photo exhibit captured by artist Leela Baikadi. The exhibit will be at the library through July 5, with photos displayed throughout the library.

Additionally, the library will begin giving out snacks to kids on Monday, with a morning snack from 11 to 11:30 and an afternoon snack from 3 to 3:30. Children up to 18 years old can get a snack, according to the library.

On Tuesday, the library will hold an event on crystals for positive energy at 6 p.m. where attendees can learn about crystal meditation to help deal with stress, inner peace and repelling negative energy, according to the library. The library requests that those interested register.

On Wednesday, the library will celebrate National Garfield the Cat Day by showing Garfield cartoons all day, along with a comic strip exhibit.

On Thursday, the library will continue its family movie night with a showing of “The Secret Life of Pets” from 4 to 6 p.m. as its kids movie, and “Bohemian Rhapsody” at 6 p.m. for its adult movie.

On Friday, the library will continue its Color Me Calm series from noon to 4 p.m. for families to relax by coloring pictures and listening to music.

The library will also celebrate National Seashell Day on Friday at 2 p.m. for participants to make a seashell picture frame.

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

 

The Greater Carbondale YMCA is honoring its supporters Wednesday, June 26, during its Pioneer Heroes Awards program.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Hotel Anthracite, the YMCA will honor four super supporters who have given their time, talent and treasure to build up the YMCA, according to a statement from the organization. Michele Bannon and Mike Mancuso will receive volunteer awards, Rob Grimm and Grimm Construction will receive the corporate award, and John Wiedman will receive the lifetime award.

Registration is $50 per person or $500 for a table of 10; registrations are due by Friday.

Proceeds will support the Greater Carbondale YMCA’s endowment fund, which helps the YMCA continue its work.

For information, contact Heather Murphy at 570-282-2210 or hl.murphy@greatercarbondaleymca.org.

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

Scranton

Lackawanna County commissioners will host the county’s seventh annual Bike Safety Fair on Saturday, giving local kids an opportunity to claim a free helmet.

The event at McDade Park runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature bike safety talks given by local police, child finger painting, face painting and 300 free helmets. Youngsters who attend the fair must attend a brief bike safety talk to claim their free helmet.

The county is once again coordinating a helmet design competition for area kids. Participating children may visit to print a blank helmet design and let their imaginations run wild. The submitted designs will be judged, and a winning boy and girl will each receive a bicycle. A drawing for another bike will be held at the safety fair.

The helmet coloring competition is open to all public and private school students in the county, as well as the general public, but submissions must be mailed as soon as possible to the Lackawanna County Commissioners Office, 123 Wyoming Ave., Sixth Floor, Scranton, PA 18503.

For information, call 570-963-6750.

— JEFF HORVATH

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

 

City council last week authorized several appointments and reappointments to various boards, authorities and commissions.

Councilman Tim Perry was absent, but the other councilmen unanimously approved separate resolutions authorizing:

n The reappointment of Michael Burke, 74 Snook St., to the housing appeals review board for an additional five-year term expiring Nov. 24, 2023.

n The reappointment of Gerald Smurl, 300 Prospect Ave., to the housing appeals review board for an additional five-year term to expire Nov. 24, 2023.

n The appointment of Robert Keiper, 406 Roanoke Lane, to the civil service commission. The appointment expires with the term of Mayor Bill Courtright. Keiper replaces Jeff Mackie, who resigned last month.

n The appointment of Robert Shumaker, 617 Colfax Ave., to the Scranton Municipal Recreation Authority. Shumaker fills the unexpired term of Emanuel Johnson, who resigned last month. That term expires at the end of 2022.

— JEFF HORVATH

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter



AROUND THE TOWNS appears each Sunday, spotlighting the people and events in your neighborhoods. If you have an idea for an Around the Towns note, contact the writer for your town, or the Yes!Desk at 348-9121 or yesdesk@timesshamrock.com.

Cartwright outlines Dems’ health care priorities

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WILKES-BARRE — When Amy Zemek’s’ daughter Alexa contracted a virus in January, her cerebral palsy turned a routine health issue into a situation that required lots of medical resources.

“Because of her compromised immune system and weakened state, these viruses will put her in the hospital,” said Zemek, of Covington Twp. “Between that helicopter ride, her emergency room visits and her hospital stay, the bill totaled close to $180,000. How on Earth would anyone ever be able to pay that bill without insurance? It’s like taking out a mortgage for a house for 30 years and having a $1,000 a month payment on your own for 30 years, all for contracting one little virus one time.”

Zemek credits the Affordable Care Act with helping keep her daughter alive despite a condition that makes insurance companies reluctant to cover costs.

She shared her family’s story during an event organized by U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8, Moosic, on Saturday in Wilkes-Barre.

Cartwright visited the city’s Public Square to talk about Democratic efforts to pass health care bills that he said have been stopped in the Senate, specifically House Bill 987, the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act.

He mentioned three health care priorities for Democrats: making it easier to get generic drugs to market, outlaw “junk insurance” that does not actually provide good coverage, and protecting pre-existing conditions from increasing premiums.

Of those three priorities, improving access to generic drugs is the initiative that seems to have the most bipartisan support, although it is not widespread, he said.

A look at the final vote for House Bill 987 shows only five Republicans voted for the bill’s passage, while 183 voted against it.

South Abington Twp. resident Marlee Stefanelli also shared her family’s story Saturday. A social media post took her back to the day, seven years ago Saturday, when her son, Matthew, was born 7½ weeks premature and spent weeks in an intensive care unit.

She remembers a conversation with someone in the hospital’s financial office when she was preparing to take her son home.

“If it wasn’t for the ACA, Matthew’s lifetime max for medical treatment (under their health insurance plan) would have been met already, and he was only 3½ weeks old,” she said.

Cartwright pointed to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader from Kentucky, as the reason why Democratic health care proposals were not getting consideration in the Senate.

“Let’s raise our voices. Let’s say ‘C’mon Mitch, bring up the bills.’ Give us a vote,” Cartwright said, before asking people listening to advocate for House Bill 987 and other Democratic health care proposals.

Contact the writer:

bwellock@citizensvoice.com;

570-821-2051;

@CVBillW on Twitter

Noxen Rattlesnake Roundup draws a crowd

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NOXEN — Nestled in the backwoods of Wyoming County, Noxen doesn’t see much traffic.

But for one weekend in June, the town is alive.

Saturday afternoon, lines of cars snaked around the small hamlet, crossing the one-lane, open-grate bridge into the Noxen Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Rattlesnake Roundup.

People of all ages were there to see the guests of honor. About two dozen hunters were waiting, inside a caged and roped-off area, to see if their snakes had what it takes to gain the top prize.

At the end of check-ins, Bill Wheeler said there were 28 timber rattlesnakes, four copperheads and 15 nonvenomous snakes.

“It is a good number for Saturday night,” said Wheeler, a Keystone Reptile Club educator and mainstay at the roundup. “There are still hunters out there, but we only accept them until a certain point each night. We have 68 registered hunters this year; that’s a good number.”

And the snakes, Wheeler said, “are in good shape and healthy.”

When the hunters bring in their snakes, the reptiles are processed. Wheeler and a team of volunteers tube the snakes, measure them, scan them for previously implanted microchips and mark the rattles before weighing them.

Everyone strained to see the snakes — from a distance, of course.

Sara Strohl of Beaumont brought her 4-year-old daughter, Olivia, to the roundup. Though much of Olivia’s family was inside the pen to help educate the crowd, her mom was doing a great job outside.

“We talked about what it means when they rattle their tails,” Strohl said.

“Scared,” replied Olivia. “I like that one. I like the noise they make.”

Along with Olivia, cousins Logan and Morgan Strohl of Monroe enjoyed the day petting and learning about the snakes.

Jacob Davenport, a rising sophomore and a lineman on the Tunkhannock Area football team, was in the ring as a hunter Saturday.

“This is my second or third year being here. It is a lot of fun,” he said. “I only have one snake in right now and am waiting for it to be measured. My family has been doing this for years, though.”

After his turn, Jacob said that even though no official measurement had been given yet, his timber rattler unofficially measured 44 inches.

“But it isn’t about winning. I don’t care if I don’t win. It is just about having fun out there,” he said.

Betsy Manning, a photographer from Philadelphia, came north to see the snakes.

“This is fascinating,” she said. “It is fascinating, and creepy, and wonderful all at the same time. I can’t believe how close they are, and how close we can get. It amazes me how the people are inside there and don’t get bit while the snakes are all slithering around.

“But I learned today that the rattlesnakes are not aggressive.”

Education is one of the main components of the roundup.

“We are here to educate the public about the snakes, and make some money for the Noxen Volunteer Fire Department,” Wheeler said.

In addition to the snakes, the fundraiser will conclude with a fireworks show.

“We will be here all day Sunday. We are measuring, educating and talking about the snakes all day. There are vendors, great food and fireworks,” he said.

Contact the writer:

cmcaleer@wcexaminer.com

Hundreds turn out for Children's Advocacy Center carnival at McDade Park

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SCRANTON — When the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania held its first carnival nearly a decade ago, there were more volunteers than attendees.

On Saturday, about 600 people turned out to McDade Park for the center’s seventh annual Carnival for Kids — over 20 times more people than the carnival’s inaugural turnout of about 25 people.

The carnival has grown exponentially over the years, said Mary Ann LaPorta, executive director of the advocacy center. Kids traversed an inflatable obstacle course, jumped in a bounce house, danced to music and got to pet goats, ducks, a cow and even a chicken at a petting zoo, among numerous other activities.

“With all of the sadness involved in child abuse, we wanted to maximize the concept of celebration for children,” LaPorta said. “This is how they should be enjoying their young lives — having positive experiences.”

The nonprofit organization works to assess and treat children and teenagers who experience abuse or neglect, as well as working to prevent future abuse.

“We cannot change what has already happened, but we can change what happens next,” LaPorta said. “And that is a very powerful reality.”

The carnival aims to give families an affordable, fun time outside, said Rosemary Bohenek, fundraising and event coordinator at the center.

While many of the festivities are free, the center does charge for some things, she said.

“We also do this because we’re raising funds to provide services for the abused and neglected children of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Bohenek said, calling the support they receive “necessary and … tremendously heartwarming.”

The support they receive helps them provide “new and necessary services for the kids,” including art and trauma therapy, she said.

Carrying an armful of stuffed animals that her sons, Grady and Parker, won, Lisa Black of Jefferson Twp. lauded the carnival.

“I think it’s a great event, and I think it’s for a really great cause,” she said.

The 10-year-old brothers estimated they won more than a dozen prizes, and they especially liked a football throwing game and the petting zoo. Wearing a jersey for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, Parker was dressed for the activity.

“Most of these people are really nice,” Grady said, before clarifying that “all of them are really nice.”

Tyler Evancho, 5, of Laflin, beamed as he hopped out of a Commonwealth Health ambulance that was on display, pointing out that it’s called a “medic unit.” He never got to go inside of an ambulance before, he said.

“But I got to see the inside on TV,” Tyler said.

Just like the carnival, the advocacy center has grown tremendously over the years, helping 16,000 children since its inception, LaPorta said.

When Lackawanna County President Judge Michael J. Barrasse founded the center two decades ago, it was only a single room in a downtown building with two employees, he said. Now, it has three buildings and 12 employees. The carnival is “really meant to be about awareness,” he said, along with giving children positive things to do.

“We want to make sure that we realize that there’s hope at the end,” Barrasse said. “It’s not about what happened yesterday. It’s about the future, and it’s about hope for the children.”

Contact the writer:

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

Outgoing president ‘proud’ of time at Wilkes

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Patrick F. Leahy is wrapping up his time as Wilkes University president after seven years in charge.

Leahy, 51, will become president of Monmouth University in Long Branch, New Jersey, starting Aug. 1. He accepted the job in December.

“This is a very sentimental time for me because I love what we’re doing at Wilkes,” he said, sitting at a table in his campus office in Wilkes-Barre. “I’m incredibly proud of the way in which this university is continuing to evolve with the fundamental goal, which is just students who deserve educational opportunity, and in the process to contribute positively to our community.”

Paul S. Adams will take over as interim president at Wilkes. He’s currently vice president of student affairs.

A native of Towson, Maryland, Leahy took over at Wilkes in July 2012 as the university’s sixth president and succeeded Tim Gilmour, who retired.

Leahy said he is proud of “a lot of tangible things” accomplished at Wilkes, such as new buildings and physical improvements on campus, new education programs and courses and growth in athletic programs. But he’s most proud of the “culture change that I’ve sensed here in the last seven years.”

“It’s not as easy to see as the other things, but it’s most meaningful to me,” he explained.

Leahy said he will miss “the people with whom I collaborate most closely with day in and day out” at Wilkes.

He also said he will miss “seeing the fruits of our investments pay off.”

Leahy specifically mentioned the plan to invest nearly $8 million in new athletic fields at the Ralston Athletic Complex in Edwardsville. The project includes a new turf baseball field and a multipurpose turf field for men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s lacrosse and women’s field hockey.

The new fields will be named Bruggeworth Field at Ralston Athletic Complex because of a leadership gift from Wilkes alumnus Robert Bruggeworth.

“Bob Bruggeworth has been a close collaborator, a good friend and one of our most generous benefactors and alums,” Leahy said. “He made it possible to do that project.”

Before coming to Wilkes, Leahy was a senior administrative leader at the University of Scranton, first serving as vice president of university relations and later as executive vice president. He was there from 2004 to 2012.

“I worked very closely with the president at the University of Scranton, and I consider Scott Pilarz my mentor in higher education and learned so much from him,” Leahy said. “But I always said when I started here as president, there’s a big difference between being a close adviser to the president and being the president. And I think I underestimated that.

“I mean in the end, the president has no choice but to make decisions and then try to articulate why those decisions make sense. I think it took me a while to learn that, and it’s maybe something that I underestimated, thinking I had a lot of experience working with the president.”

Leahy and his wife, Amy, have four children: Grace, 20; Molly, 18; Jack, 14; and Brian, 12.

Leahy graduated with

a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Georgetown University, earned dual master’s degrees from Cornell University in business administration and labor relations and earned a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Contact the writer:

mbuffer@citizensvoice.com;

570-821-2073;

@cvmikebuffer on Twitter


Local History: Scranton store owner rebuilds after devastating fire in 1980

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John Granito sat on the steps of a city ladder truck and watched his life’s work go up in smoke.

It was Oct. 17, 1980, and Granito’s Moosic Street shop was a casualty of what was deemed to be arson at a neighboring business, Fabrio Furniture Co.

Granito’s shop, White House Market at 524-526 Moosic St., offered fine meats, cheeses, produce and sandwiches — including the largest hoagie available in Scranton proper, if not the county.

The shop had been in his family since it opened in 1913.

Before Granito’s father constructed the Moosic Street building sometime in the late 1920s or ’30s, the shop had done business in a small white frame building across from the former Lackawanna Iron and Steel Works for decades.

But the early morning fire in 1980 damaged the popular shop and the six-unit apartment building, including the apartment Granito lived in.

“My whole life is in there,” Granito whispered as he watched firefighters dump thousands of gallons of water onto the building, according to an Oct. 19, 1980, Scranton Times story.

At first, firefighters hoped to contain the blaze to Fabrio Furniture. Granito passed out cold sodas to the crews, as four of his tenants watched from across the street as the flames rushed closer to their home. But the fire spread too quickly, and the flames, plus smoke and water, ruined Granito’s building.

City champion

Granito had always been dedicated to beautifying the city.

His shop boasted three large flagpoles and two flower barrels, a welcome wagon of sorts to motorists coming into the city from Interstate 81, according to a June 8, 1969, Scranton Times story. In addition, the businessman purchased a large trash receptacle for a sidewalk near his store. He painted it a cheery red, white and blue and added slogans encouraging passersby to help keep America beautiful.

He also raised money to improve the city, from placing benches along city streets to beautifying to Nay Aug Park.

So it came as no surprise to those who knew him that Granito wasted no time in rebuilding after the 1980 fire.

“For Granito, rebuilding his destroyed store is no more nor less than thinking that if his arm broke, he would have it fixed,” a Feb. 22, 1981, Scranton Times story reported. “Both are so much a part of him that no lengthier explanations are necessary for either case.”

He explained his drive to rebuild as just a way of being civic-minded.

“For me, it’s a matter of pride. Not only in myself, but in this community and the people in it,” he said in that article. “Somebody has got to set an example … to show what a citizen is supposed to do.”

Granito credited his father’s craftsmanship for the building holding up against the fire, smoke and water as well as it did. All the same, it took a tremendous effort by Granito and several skilled crews to restore the building.

“Then, on Valentine’s Day, Granito’s Market reopened for business,” the Feb. 22, 1981, article reported. “John, 35 pounds lighter from the work put into it, stood beaming as hordes of his old friends and customers came in such numbers that he ran out of many items of new stock.”

He continued to live in the same building as the store.

Unfortunately, Granito didn’t get to enjoy too many more years tending the family store. He died Oct. 10, 1987. At the time, he lived at Laurel Hill Nursing Home in Dunmore, according to his obituary. He left behind a brother and a sister, as well as several nieces and nephews. He is buried at St. Catherine’s Cemetery.

Granito’s store remained open until 1995. The building was sold in 2006; Cosmos Cheesesteaks operates there now.

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

Contact the writer:

localhistory@timesshamrock.com

VETERANS

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Detachment plans

memorial service

The Northeastern Detachment, Marine Corps League, will hold a memorial service for Marine Cpl. Michael T. Shuemaker, a Jessup native killed in action in South Vietnam on July 4, 1969. The service will be Saturday, June 29, at 1 p.m. at Shuemaker’s grave at Holy Ghost Cemetery, Jessup. The Jessup VFW and American Legion will participate in the ceremony, which is open to the public. Information: 570-563-2480.

Marine league

sponsors breakfast

The Northeastern Detachment, Marine Corps League, annual Father’s Day SOS breakfast, today, 9 a.m.-noon, 1349 Alder St., Scranton; $10, tickets at the door.

Veterans event

set in Hawley

State Sen. Lisa Baker veterans outreach with a VFW service officer, Wednesday, July 3, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 2512 Route 6, Hawley, lower level, rear, Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center; appointments requested, 570-226-5960.

Veterans golf

tournament set

The seventh annual 109th Infantry Regiment Association’s veterans golf tournament will be Saturday, June 29, at Pine HIlls Country Club, Taylor. Registration runs from noon until tee time at 1 p.m. Captain and crew format, $80 per golfer; $30, dinner only. Proceeds benefit the association’s legacy scholarship program. Contact Tony Mozeleski, 570-561-7887.

Meetings

DAV CHAPTER 1

DAV Malia Chapter 1, Monday, American Legion Post 908, 625 Deacon St., Scranton; Joe Sylvester, 570-961-2696.

POST 327

Olyphant Raymond Henry American Legion Post 327, Monday, 7 p.m.

POST 221

Jerome F. O’Malley American Legion Post 221, Wednesday, 7 p.m., post home, 13 Hospital St., Carbondale.

POST 966

East Scranton American Legion Memorial Post 966, Wednesday, 7 p.m., auditorium of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Taylor Avenue and Ash Street.

NEPA COAST GUARD

NEPA Coast Guard Veterans Association, auxiliary and Merchant Marine, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Perkins Restaurant, Route 315, Pittston Twp.; Neil Morrison, 570-288-6817.

Merli Center

Today: Father’s Day. Coffee, 8:30 a.m.; morning visits, 8:45; eucharistic ministry visits, 9:15; carnations distributed for Father’s Day, 11:15; Reynolds duo, sponsored by American Legion Post 534 auxiliary, Wyalusing, 2 p.m.; unit visits, 4.

Monday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; Bible study, 9:30; bingo, 10:15; Olive Garden lunch trip, 12:15 p.m.; bingo by Disabled American Veterans auxiliary, 2; senior fitness, 3; unit visits, 4.

Tuesday: annual fishing trip, 7 a.m.; volunteer ministry, 1:15 p.m.; choir practice, 1:15; Catholic service, 3; unit visits, 4; movie night, 1 south, 7:30.

Wednesday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; Walmart shopping trip, 9:30; resident welfare fund, 1:15 p.m.; trivia with snacks, 2; unit visits, 4; Bible club, 2 south lounge, 4.

Thursday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; chapel service, 10; ring toss, third floor, 10:15; cook-out, 2 north, noon; bingo, 2; senior fitness, 3; unit visits, 4; basketball game, 6:30.

Friday: Summer begins. Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; coffee and doughnuts by Friends of the Forgotten, 10; ice cream sundae social, 2 p.m.; senior fitness, 3; unit visits, 4.

Saturday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; skeet shoot, Moscow Sportsmen’s Association, 9:30; movie, 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.

1 dead, 1 hurt in Wyoming County motorcycle crash

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NORTHMORELAND TWP.

A motorcycle driver died and the second person on the vehicle was hurt after a crash about 9:40 p.m. Saturday.

State police have not released names of the two victims.

They were riding east on Route 292, near Village Road, when a deer crossed in front of them.

The driver lost control and hit the guardrail. Both were thrown into the air.

An ambulance took them to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Twp. The driver suffered a fatal injury, state police said.

The passenger is being treated at the hospital.

— JON O’CONNELL

Here's a look behind the scenes at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary’s new construction project

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FALLS TWP. — A three-legged dog from the streets of India sets the pace on a walk through tall grass to reach the Indraloka Animal Sanctuary’s construction site.

Sanctuary founder and President Indra Lahiri hasn’t named him yet. She brought him to those wooded hills through an international network of animal rescuers, and on Sunday, he clearly was still getting used to his new surroundings.

He needs a name that suits him and his journey, probably one in Sanskrit, Lahiri said.

While summer programs kick off at the original Mehoopany sanctuary, construction at the new complex along Oak Drive, a project 15 years in the making, forges ahead.

Renovations to the old Crooked Lane Farm barn, about a quarter-mile from Falls Road, are nearing completion after demolition of an attached dairy barn and major structural work to level and secure the main barn’s foundation.

Deeper into the 90-acre complex, which spans Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, stand the uprights for a 3,200-square-foot barn. Timber for the main 8,000-square-foot barn remains mostly wrapped under tarps to keep out the rain.

Electric utility cables feeding the barn were laid underground, and the cap on a newly drilled water supply well pokes out of the ground. But the Indraloka team wants to rely on conventional utilities as little as possible.

The farm will have a rainwater collection system and solar panels on the barn roof, which faces south to capture more sunlight.

Animal waste will feed a biogas digester to cut down on animal pollution and lessen reliance on other energy sources.

The sanctuary subsists on community donations, many of them small, Lahiri said. Donors give $5 a month, or $20 a year.

Naming opportunities remain for donors who want to contribute to larger bits of the complex. Otherwise, the rescue is grateful for donations no matter how small, she said.

Every thoughtful detail will give once abandoned and abused animals three times as much space to live out their days in peace. They in turn provide lessons for kids who face learning barriers.

“It’s all through the animals,” said teacher Sarah Thornton, Indraloka’s education director

.

For example, she teaches a bullying-prevention lesson using a cantankerous goose named Anahat

.

“You may need some space,” she tells her students. “That doesn’t mean you don’t like your friends.”

Or she’ll tell them about Maddie

the goat, whose perky ears give away her curiosity.

Thornton brings Maddie into the conversation when students’ attention starts to wane.

“Maddie’s ears are up and open,” she tells them.

Indraloka’s suite of programs, which it’s calling Hopeful Heroes, will be built on four pillars:

 

Academics through teaching science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.

Life skills, such as mindfulness, hygiene and good nutrition.

Special care for at-risk youth with programs to help them feel “useful and necessary.”

Emotional support and therapy for kids who have experienced trauma, and for whom traditional therapy falls short.

“The kids are learning skills that they can’t teach them in the classroom,” Lahiri said. “They’re learning them at the sanctuary, and they’re able to continue using them in the classroom.”

Contact the writer:

joconnell@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9131;

@jon_oc on Twitter

Mini Earth Camp

Indraloka will hold a three-day Mini Earth Camp from Wednesday, June 26, to Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for children ages 6 to 16. Cost is $75, with scholarships on a sliding scale available. Visit www. indraloka.org for details or

call 570-763-2908.

Births 6/17/2019

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MOSES TAYLOR

BOHENEK: A son, June 11, to Joseph and Alyssa Rupp Bohenek, Archbald.

BURGE: A daughter, June 8, to William and Amy Wilensky Burge, South Abington Twp.

CHILDS: A son, June 10, to Terrence and Stephanie Bloss Childs, Pocono Summit.

DAVIS: A son, June 9, to Jay and Rebecca Davis, Clarks Summit.

DONOVAN: A son, June 4, to Cole Donovan and Sydney Urda, Kingsley.

DROST: Twins, a son and daughter, June 6, to Dylan J. and Mackenzie Drost, Archbald.

EDWARDS: A son, June 7, to Allen Edwards III and Courtney Pesarchick, Wilkes-Barre.

FIORE: A son, June 10, to Justin Fiore and Chelsea Dupree, Old Forge.

FRISBIE: A son, June 11, to Nathan Frisbie and Kaitlyn Biglin, Scranton.

GREEN: A daughter, June 9, to Ari and Kristin Cangialusi Green, Clarks Summit.

GURUNG: A daughter, June 6, to Bali and Phul Rai Gurung, Scranton.

HOSPODOR: A daughter, June 9, to Craig Hospodor and Jessica Simancek, Scranton.

JONES: A son, June 13, to Eric and Whitney White Jones, Covington Twp.

KEIPER: A daughter, June 13, to Garrett Keiper and Sarah Sites, Scranton.

KLAUS: A son, June 13, to Milan and Stephanie Mahoney Klaus, Uniontown.

LUCKE: A daughter, June 10, to James and Holly Young Lucke, Scranton.

MacNELLEY: A son, June 4, to Robert and Elizabeth Ames MacNelley, Blakely.

McLANE: A daughter, June 5, to Matthew McLane and Brittani Ptasinski, Dunmore.

McLANE: A daughter, June 5, to Thomas and Elizabeth McLane, Dunmore.

NORMAN: A daughter, June 8, to Dashawn Norman and Marie Stewart, Scranton.

OLSON: A son, June 3, to Martin R. Olson Jr. and Diana Silva, Scranton.

O’MALLEY: A daughter, June 6, to Joseph and Kay-Cee Pezak O’Malley, Jermyn.

PREZKOP: A son, June 6, to Mark and Nicole DePhillips Prezkop, Plains Twp.

PUGLIESE: A son, June 6, to Robert III and Jamie Dougherty Pugliese, Scranton.

RENZI: A daughter, June 5, to Matthew and Kelsey Gretz Renzi, Old Forge.

RIVERA CRUZ: A daughter, June 6, to Kenneth Rivera Otero and Jeylitza Cruz Ramirez, Scranton.

ROBINSON: A son, June 13, to Matthew and Chelsea Armbruster Robinson, South Abington Twp.

ROOTE: A son, June 8, to Justin and Lauren Thorne Roote, Roaring Brook Twp.

ROSS: A daughter, June 12, to Eric and Miranda Ross, Scranton.

SANDOVAL: A daughter, June 9, to Joshua Sandoval and Rosanna Polanco, Scranton.

SIMMONS: A daughter, June 5, to John and Amanda Simmons, Scranton.

SKUMANICH: A daughter, June 11, to Justin Skumanich and Brittany Wheeler, Throop.

SMITH: A daughter, June 9, to Christopher Smith and Jessica Mitchell, Olyphant.

SMITH: A son, June 10, to Ryan and Marissa Smith, Clifford.

TAJAK: A daughter, June 7, to Mohammad Tajak and Rubina Jumrani, Scranton.

TOY: A daughter, June 12, to David and Stephanie Toy, Lake Ariel.

VICKI: A daughter, June 11, to Brian and Amy Gilbert Vicki, Jefferson Twp.

YOUNG: A daughter, June 4, to Kenny and Courtney Austin Young, Tunkhannock.

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