The Scranton School District could receive more funding in the 2019-20 state budget than what the governor originally proposed, a legislator said today.

“I’m literally fighting people for it,” State Rep. Marty Flynn, D-113, Scranton, said.

As state lawmakers meet this week to try to pass a balanced budget by the end of the month, Flynn said he has “demanded” that additional money be included for Scranton, which the state placed in financial recovery earlier this year. Updated figures could be available by the end of today, he said.

In recent months, school directors pushed for more equitable and adequate funding from the state. District officials say they need an additional $18.9 million a year to bring the district in line with the average per-pupil state funding similar urban districts receive.

Under Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2019-20 budget, the district would receive $53.9 million in basic education funding — or $5,402 per student. That proposed budget from February included a $6 million increase to the district’s base funding to help restore financial stability. However, the increase would still leave the district at the bottom for per-pupil funding for urban districts. For example, the budget calls for York to receive $9,001 for each of its 7,947 students, and Harrisburg to receive $7,408 per pupil for its 7,486 students.

The Scranton School District accumulated a $28.6 million deficit over the last five years mainly because of the funding disparity, district officials said.

As part of financial recovery, the district’s chief recovery officer must submit a comprehensive plan to the state by July 26. The plan will recommend the school board raise taxes to the maximum allowed under Act 1, usually around 3.4%, for the next five years. The increase would amount to a 4.5 mill increase in the first year, or $45 on a property with an assessed value of $10,000. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 of assessed value.

Scranton residents cannot afford the tax increases, Flynn said.

“Our city is overtaxed,” he said. “It’s unacceptable.”

Check back for updates.

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

SCRANTON — A certified public accountant who laundered more than $1.3 million from a nonprofit charity to pay down his gambling debts was sentenced Monday to seven years in prison.

Adam Kamor, 43, of Rice Twp., stood before the judge and delivered a detailed apology, saying he was driven to steal by a gambling addiction that has brought shame on him and his family.

“I’m ashamed, embarrassed and humiliated by what I’ve done,” Kamor told the judge. “My foolish choices stemmed from a gambling addiction, but they were still my choices and I regret my actions.”

Kamor and the U.S. Attorney’s Office reached a plea deal that led to a recommendation from both sides for a 57-month prison term. But U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley rejected that term, saying the money Kamor stole came from a charity that provides money for the health care needs of the community.

“Stealing money from a charitable organization is not a victimless crime,” Munley said. “This charitable organization will be affected for many years to come.”

The parties entered the hearing Monday morning with an agreement that the organization, which has not been named in public court documents, would remain anonymous. While imposing the sentence, however, Munley described the foundation as a charitable organization with ties to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and said it provides money “for the health care needs of the community.”

The description the judge provided is consistent with that of the Wyoming Valley Health and Education Foundation, which was formed using proceeds of the sale of the nonprofit Wyoming Valley Health Care System by the Tennessee-based for-profit Community Health Systems.

The nonprofit, which funds local health initiatives and has a board of directors that is independent from Community Health Systems, has Form 990 filings showing the organization had assets worth $21.3 million in the 2015 tax year and that Kamor was its accountant.

According to prosecutors, Kamor owned and operated Decker Accounting LLC, a now-defunct firm at 444 Hazle St. in Wilkes-Barre. Prosecutors say he laundered about $1.35 million from the nonprofit and then failed to report more than $800,000 in income on his personal tax returns.

Prosecutors have described Kamor as operating a “sophisticated money laundering” scheme, diverting the stolen money into accounts that he controlled and that the corporation was not aware existed. He then withdrew the money at ATMs at Mohegan Sun Pocono and also used it to pay off a line of credit he accrued by taking cash advances at the casino, according to prosecutors.

Kamor was eventually caught after the Internal Revenue Service received reports showing he had lost more than $700,000 while gambling at Mohegan Sun Pocono, according to prosecutors.

Kamor pleaded guilty in February to felony counts of money laundering and income tax evasion.

In court Monday, defense attorney Theron J. Solomon of the Wilkes-Barre-based Dyller Law Firm said he personally knows Kamor and that Kamor had been his family accountant. Kamor’s actions were out of character and were the result of judgment clouded by drinking, gambling and troubles at home, he said.

“He’s dying inside because of it,” Solomon said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo-Garrison likewise urged for sentence at the low end of the guidelines, noting that Kamor is a first-time offender who nevertheless committed a “staggering” crime.

“The nonprofit did trust Mr. Kamor with going as their bookkeeper,” he said.

But Munley found the agreed-upon term lacking and instead imposed a sentence more than two years longer than the proposed 57 months. The judge noted that Kamor had been visiting the casino “nearly every night” and was “known to tip employees thousands of dollars.”

“Addictions are addictions, but nonetheless in the years to come a lot of people are going to suffer,” Munley said.

The judge sentenced Kamor to seven years in prison and directed him to get treatment for his gambling addiction.

Kamor was also directed to pay more than $1.5 million in restitution — the embezzled money plus the $241,000 tax loss the government incurred.

The judge ordered Kamor to surrender to U.S. Marshals on July 15.

SCRANTON — Police arrested one man and plan to charge another for stealing a couch and love seat from behind a West Scranton furniture store Saturday afternoon.

Maurice N. Gilmore, 49 310 N. Decker Court, told police he and the other man took the furniture from D&N Furniture, 417 N. Main Ave., believing it was free because it was next to a Dumpster, according to an arrest affidavit.

Video surveillance footage shows Gilmore and the other man put a Midleton couch and love seat valued at more than $1,600 on a shopping cart and rolled it out of the store parking lot in two trips, according to the arrest affidavit.

The store put the furniture outside for delivery to a customer. Store employees recognized the men and told police they live nearby. After Patrolman Nicholas Philbin confronted Gilmore, he gave the officer the wrong name, date of birth and Social Security number. The other man is expected to be arrested too.

Police charged Gilmore with theft and falsely identifying himself. He was unable to post $5,500 bail and was jailed in Lackawanna County Prison. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 2.

— BORYS KRAWCZENIUK

Where and how a resident of the Jewish Home of Eastern Pennsylvania contracted Legionnaires’ disease apparently will remain a mystery.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health gave the long-term care facility in Scranton’s Hill Section the go-ahead to resume normal operations last week after definitive laboratory test results showed its water system was not the source of the illness, executive director Mark D. Weiner said Monday.

“I wish I could tell you exactly where this person caught it from, but it doesn’t appear it was from us,” Weiner said.

The state directed the Jewish Home to stop using tap water for drinking, showers and ice machines after a resident was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease June 4.

The other residents of the 173-bed facility all tested negative for the illness.

The disease, a serious form of pneumonia that kills about 10% of the people it infects, is caused by breathing in water droplets contaminated with the Legionella bacteria. It is generally associated with buildings with complex water systems, such as hospitals and hotels.

The health department worked with the Jewish Home to lift the water restrictions after receiving final results early last week from the outside consultant that tested the facility’s water system, spokesman Nate Wardle said in an email.

“We informed the facility to remain alert for potential (Legionnaires’) cases, and if anything changes, to let us know,” Wardle said.

Weiner said the resident who became ill spent time outside the facility and had food and drink not prepared by the home. The information was relayed to the health department.

“We are letting them follow up on that,” he said.

On a positive note, the episode will make the Jewish Home better prepared if something similar happens in the future, he said.

“We are not infallible and unfortunately we don’t have control over everything,” Weiner said. “But every time we have an incident or a situation like this it does give us an opportunity to review all of our policies and procedures and to double-check and triple-check everything.”

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

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania lawmakers said Monday they have struck a compromise on a spending plan that uses surplus dollars to spread around modest spending increases, hold the line on taxes and make a substantial deposit into a relatively bare budgetary reserve.

Votes in the Republican-controlled Legislature were expected later this week, as the fiscal year winds down and legislative aides scramble to prepare hundreds of pages of budget-related legislation before lawmakers leave Harrisburg for the summer.

The main budget bill for the 2019-20 fiscal year starting July 1 emerged from the House Appropriations Committee on a 27-9 vote, with every Republican in favor and Democrats split. Democrats who voted against it issued various criticisms, including its failure to include a minimum wage increase and the elimination of a Depression-era cash assistance program that temporarily provided $200 a month to people deemed unable to work.

Pennsylvania is in its strongest stretch of tax collections since the recession a decade ago, bringing a reprieve from a string of tight budget years and deficits.

“What we’re facing right now with our increased revenues, we don’t know if it’s an anomaly or if it’s a trend, and if it’s an anomaly, we have to still be careful in our spending,” said Rep. George Dunbar, R-Westmoreland. “Although the wish list is great and we would like to do a whole lot more, we have accomplished a great deal in this budget.”

Democrats couldn’t hide their disappointment with a budget deal that began with a February proposal by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf that many viewed as too passive and unambitious.

“Our voters want us to put up a fight for progressive ideals and this is not a fight for what Democratic voters sent us to Harrisburg to try to achieve, Gov. Wolf included,” said Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-Philadelphia.

The $34 billion compromise package is similar to the $34.1 billion plan Wolf floated in February. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Stan Saylor, R-York, said the package does not rely on any increases in fees or taxes.

All told, the package authorizes almost $2 billion in additional spending through the state’s main operations account, or 6% more than the spending lawmakers authorized last year, counting cost overruns in the current fiscal year.

Much of the extra spending covers new discretionary aid for public schools, plus extra amounts to meet rising costs for prisons, debt, pension obligations and health care for the poor.

Public schools will receive $160 million more for general operations and instruction, a bump of almost 3%, although school advocates had pressed for more, saying districts are struggling to keep up with rising costs. Community colleges and state-subsidized universities, including Penn State and Temple, will each get another 2% in aid, an increase from what Wolf had proposed.

The Legislature will renew a $60 million school and community security grant program it began after last year’s mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida.

In addition, almost $300 million is slated for a deposit into the budgetary reserve, hitting on a key criticism of credit rating agencies that Pennsylvania lacks reserve cash.

Still, budget makers are using various cash maneuvers to veil the true cost of government operations, moving hundreds of millions of dollars in costs to outside accounts. Budget makers also have a recent history of low-balling spending estimates for health care services on the front end of the fiscal year, costs they must make up at the end of the fiscal year.

Lawmakers on Monday were continuing closed-door discussions to resolve a variety of budget-related disagreements.

One is Wolf’s request for $15 million to help counties cover the cost of new voting machines. Republicans have protested Wolf’s stated intent to decertify voting machines in use last year, while some lawmakers have asked for more cash, sooner, to help counties foot the bill.

Legislation with a package of changes to election laws was expected to be tied to cash for voting machines, but House Democrats last week protested a provision to eliminate the ballot option for voters to simply select a straight-party ticket in elections.

Two people, including the head men’s basketball coach at Misericordia University, are accused of resisting arrest and assaulting Scranton police officers after an altercation that left a woman injured Sunday.

Scranton police responded to 814 Moosic St. at about 6:30 p.m. for a reported assault. Upon arriving, officers found Ciera Chandler outside severely bleeding from the nose, forehead and cheek. She told police that her mother, Wynter Chandler, 40, 814 Moosic St. , and her brother, identified in court papers as a juvenile, each punched her in the face several times earlier in the evening, according to court documents.

While talking to Ciera Chandler, officers said Wynter Chandler walked outside and screamed profanities at them.

Eventually, Wynter Chandler acted aggressively toward police and walked into a Scranton police officer, clenched her fists at him and got in his face, police said. When police tried to place her in handcuffs, she elbowed a police officer and twice kicked him in the thigh, according to court documents.

Police then finished talking to Ciera Chandler, who told them she and her mother got in an argument about money earlier in the day and left the house. When she returned to gather her things, Wynter Chandler and her brother assaulted, police said.

While police investigated the incident Sunday, William Chandler arrived and asked police why Wynter Chandler was under arrest. Officers told him she had assaulted a police officer, then asked him to step back from the area while officers investigated. William Chandler refused, swatted an officer’s arm away when police tried to guide him from the area and acted aggressively with police, officers said. He then refused to get on the ground. Police had to threaten to use a Taser on him to get him to get on the ground and in handcuffs, police said.

Wynter Chandler is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and harassment stemming from the incident Sunday. William Chandler is charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

William Chandler is the head men’s basketball coach at Misericordia University, a position he’s held for four seasons.

“We are aware of the allegations regarding an alleged incident involving William Chandler,” said Marianne Puhalla, spokesperson for Misericordia University in an emailed statement. “As it is a personnel issue, we are not able to make any additional comments at this time.”

Magisterial District Judge Sean McGraw arraigned both Wynter and William Chandler on Monday morning. William Chandler is free on $5,000 unsecured bail. McGraw set Wynter Chandler’s bail at $5,000. She is free after posting bond. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for July 1.

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

ARCHBALD — The Valley View School Board voted to increase property taxes by 7.5% for property owners in the district to avoid a projected $1 million shortfall for the 2019-20 school year.

During a busy meeting Monday night, the board passed its final budget with a 6-2 vote, raising property taxes by 8.67 mills to 124.39 as part of its $34,481,713.35 budget. A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 of assessed property value. That means an Archbald property owner whose home is assessed at $11,000, the median residential assessed value in the borough, will pay $1,368.29 in property taxes to the district next year.

Directors Curt Camoni and Christopher Smith voted against the budget, saying increasing taxes isn’t a long-term solution.

The board also interviewed five candidates for a temporary seat on the school board to replace Director Ellen Nielsen, who died two weeks ago. 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. After a four-to-four split among directors between career educators James Timmons and James McLaughlin, Camoni changed his vote from Timmons to McLaughlin, changing the vote to 5 to 3. During their deliberations, the directors discussed the importance of having a director with a strong background in education to fill Nielsen’s role. McLaughlin, who has 40 years in education as a teacher and guidance counselor at every grade level, also served as the mayor of Archbald for eight years from 1990 to 1998.

Earlier in the year, the district projected a “worst-case scenario” shortfall of about $1.9 million for the 2019-20 school year, but that dropped to $1.4 million after more information became finalized, said Business Manager Corey Castellani. With two teachers leaving and one retiring, along with “moving some other people around,” the district eliminated five positions, saving $407,000, Castellani said. That left Valley View with a projected shortfall of $1,007,150.87. The millage increase will bring in $1,014,390 to alleviate it.

Castellani attributed the shortfall to four main expenses: retirement contributions, charter schools, special education and healthcare costs.

“We just have to get the school in a positive financial situation,” he said, explaining the district’s priorities are student safety, education and keeping taxpayers in mind. “Any other cuts that we make at this point would directly affect the education of our students.”

Camoni and board Vice President Thomas Owen also attributed the budget issues to a lack of funding from state lawmakers in Harrisburg.

In his vote against the budget, Camoni called the tax increase a temporary fix.

“We’re raising taxes year after year as a Band-Aid and not getting any further ahead,” he said. “We’re going to raise taxes this year with a large increase and we’re still looking at a gap next year that we’re going to fund by another tax increase.”

The board has to come up with another solution, and the longer it waits, the worse the cuts will be, Camoni said.

Following the meeting, Camoni pointed to administrative cuts and looking at extracurricular and maintenance costs as potential places to save money in the budget.

Director Tina Jezuit felt there was no other way other than raising taxes.

“In order to maintain the level of education that we have now for our kids, we have no choice,” she said. “Of course I have reservations, but I don’t feel like I have a choice.”

Contact the writer: flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5181; @flesnefskyTT on Twitter

JEFFERSON TWP. — Tyler Yablonski, 16, hammered decking nails home effortlessly.

With each strike, the North Pocono junior got closer to his Eagle Scout award, the pinnacle achievement for Boy Scouts and one that still opens doors for the future.

Yablonski chose a seemingly innocuous project, a simple deck to replace a deteriorated one behind the clubhouse for the Jefferson Twp. Lions Club.

But he had a deeper purpose in mind.

“They give a lot to the community,” he said, describing fundraisers for disaster relief, scholarship programs and other charitable causes. “What they do isn’t really recognized, so I figured I’d do something to give back.”

Lions Club President Terry Grant said the clubhouse off Mount Cobb Road continues to be in high demand for community and private events. Its own members have to book the upstairs ballroom a year or so in advance. In an era of declining service organization membership, the Jefferson Twp. Lions are flush with about 35 members, he said.

But the back deck and staircase was in such bad shape, they had chained the door shut to keep people off it.

Yablonski, Troop 132’s senior patrol leader, recruited Scouts from four other troops — Troop 133, Troop 175, Pack 126 and Pack 133 — and Lions Club members.

They started about 8 a.m. Sunday. Volunteers also cleared away brush and painted a guard rail along the clubhouse’s upper parking lot.

Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank sent an ice cream truck to treat the volunteers.

Yablonski’s achievement comes amid growth in scouting, especially at the higher levels.

While the number of boys who earned their Eagle Scout awards slumped in 2018, it’s been gaining ground for years, according to a blog on Scouting Magazine’s website. Nationally, 52,160 achieved Eagle Scout, down more than 3,000 from the year before. The number had been climbing since 2014.

Pennsylvania ranks fourth for the highest number of newly minted Eagle Scouts with 2,346 in 2018, according to Scouting Magazine.

Around 2:30 p.m. just about everyone had gone home. Yablonski remained behind the building, working side by side with his dad, Matt, as they attached the final treads on the staircase. His mom, Kim, hung back with Grant and Nate Mills, a Troop 132 volunteer, while the two worked.

“He ran this project, which is huge for a young man,” Mills said. “It’s such a big boost with the young men of today helping the old men of yesterday.”

Contact the writer:

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

@jon_oc on Twitter

June 25, 1904

McKinley memorial unveiled in city

Six thousand people crowded in front of the U.S. Post Office at Linden Street and North Washington Avenue in downtown Scranton to witness the unveiling of the memorial bronze bust to martyred President William McKinley.

Speaking at the event was attorney Charles E. Daniels, A.G. Morse and Lackawanna County President Judge H.M. Edwards.

In Edwards’ address, he said that McKinley would never be forgotten and that his name would always be spoken with the names of our country’s two other martyred presidents — Abraham Lincoln and James Garfield. “These three men will always be remembered in American history, not only for the distinction earned by them in public life, but also on account of the sacrificial character of their death,” he said.

Following his address, the memorial committee gave a financial report on its activities. Committee Treasurer Dolph Atherton said that $1,878.60 was raised for the bust. The committee paid the sculptor, William Cooper, $1,325 for his work.

Also seated on the stage were veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish American War and members of the 13th Regiment, plus the Scranton Oratorio Society. The society provided music and songs for the event.

Mayor warns

speakeasy operators

Scranton Mayor Alex Connell, speaking with The Scranton Times, issued a warning to the city’s speakeasy operators. He said, “I am going to close up every speakeasy in the city or make such violations of the liquor law suffer the consequences of selling without a license.”

Connell’s comments came after receiving information from the South Scranton Retail Liquor Association on the locations and operators of speakeasies in South Scranton.

The mayor said that it was an injustice that one man or woman paid $1,100 for a license to sell liquor while another man or woman sells liquor without a license.

Those selling without a license faced a $100 fine per offense and the possibility of 30 days in jail if convicted.

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.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ James Douglas Littlejohn, Newfoundland, and Katelyn Marie Darder, Hancock, N.Y.

■ David Martin Yanisko, Oneonta, N.Y., and Jennifer Ann Burke, Dunmore.

■ Zachariah Anthony Kopa and Kaitlin Marianna Caswell, both of Clarks Green.

■ Justin David Turano and Gabriella Marie Jean Philippe, both of Scranton.

■ Lee B. Morgan, Scranton, and Janet J. Zaleski, Carbondale.

■ Garbrielle Bellanco and Christopher Charles Palau, both of Columbia, S.C.

■ Andres Eugenio Aguilar and Stacy Marie Alvarez, both of Scranton.

■ Waleska Y. Mercado and German Edgardo Castillo-Sanchez, both of Scranton.

■ Thomas Anthony Kubus Jr. and Brianne Victoria Liuzzo, both of Scott Twp.

■ John William Yeomans and Yvonne G. Gillick, both of Glenside.

■ Mangal Singh Rai, Dallas, Texas, and Mon Maya Rai, Scranton.

■ Leeann Rossi, Old Forge, and James Nunzio Priorielli, Scranton.

■ Christopher Edward Sefchik and Nicole Elizabeth Dvorshock, both of Forest City.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Platinum Touch Properties LLC, Kunkletown, to Sikandar I. Khan, Scranton; a property at 736 Fig St., Scranton, for $85,000.

■ Donald W. and Valerie Haines, Spring Brook Twp., to Ann Bannister, Woodside, N.Y.; a property on Hemlock Drive, Spring Brook Twp., for $28,000.

■ Christopher Schank to Jude P. Colwell; a property at 1715 Adams Ave., Dunmore, for $305,000.

■ Ryan and Mary-Christine Robeson, Scranton, to Brian J. Newhart, Scranton; two parcels in Scranton for $80,000.

■ Jose Antonio Rodriguez to Adriano D. Torres Herasme and Karla M. Andrade, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property at 507 Emmett St., Scranton, for $50,000.

■ Kirk A. and Joy A. Upright, Hazle Twp., to Tyler Adam Schoonover, Jefferson Twp.; a property at 1677 State Route 502, Spring Brook Twp., for $155,000.

■ Asma and Rehman Malik, Hicksville, N.Y., to Ramical Properties LLC, Florida; two parcels in Scranton for $62,500.

■ George A. and Judith A. Reiner, Scranton, to Michael F. and Elizabeth A. Swartz, Scranton; a property at 1010 Electric St., Scranton, for $369,940.

■ Leyna C. Lenko, now by marriage Leyna C. Magdon, and Nicholas Magdon, to Shane McGarr and Tara Marie Rotell, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property at 113 Daystrom Ave., Archbald, for $204,804.09.

■ Haslem and Bibi Z. Khan, and Nazim and Leota Khan, Moosic, to Salim Adalsha and Kamrul Z. Shaw, Pennsylvania, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property at 1701-1703-1705-1707 Cedar Ave., Scranton, for $180,000.

■ Nazim and Leota Khan, and Haslem and Bibi Z. Khan, Moosic, to Salim Adalsha and Kamrul Z. Shaw, Pennsylvania, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property at 1621-1623-1625 Cedar Ave., Scranton, for $150,000.

■ Barry J. Hess, Dickson City, to Ann E. Kilker, Scranton; a property at 826 Carmalt St., Dickson City, for $95,400.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ Judith A. Clause, Greenfield Twp., v. Christopher Clause, Greenfield Twp.; married April 24, 1998, in Lackawanna County; Dawn M. Riccardo, attorney.

■ Neicha Ortiz-Nevarez, Scranton, v. Luis M. Garcia, Philadelphia; married March 19, 2013, in Scranton; pro se.

STATE TAX LIENS

■ Ronald M. Wells, 520 N. Irving Ave., 2, Scranton; $1,071.

■ Jennifer L. Omillian, 120 Jefferson St., Simpson; $2,090.

ESTATES FILED

■ Phyllis L. Frankford, 401 Penn Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Eugene J. Kopp Jr., also known as Eugene J. Kopp, 36 Corn Planter Road, Willow Street.

■ Richard F. Ettinger, also known as Richard Frank Ettinger, 328 Crown Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Richard V. Ettinger, 128 Ruth Drive, Cresco.

■ Janet Langan, 527 Spring St., Moosic, letters of administration to Mona L. Sheppard, 810 W. Grove St., Clarks Summit.

■ Eugene J. Pivovarnik, 317 Simrell Road, Clarks Summit, letters testamentary to Gary Pivovarnik, 726 S. Marvine St., Philadelphia.

■ Gwendoline M. Cusick, also known as Gwen M. Cusick, 2230 Birney Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Patrick J. Cusick, 1 Cross Drive, Scranton.

■ Thomas Joseph Dougherty, also known as Thomas J. Dougherty, 343 N. Everett Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Patrick Dougherty, 787 River Road, Binghamton, N.Y.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania lawmakers said Monday they have struck a compromise on a spending plan that uses surplus dollars to spread around modest spending increases, hold the line on taxes and make a substantial deposit into a relatively bare budgetary reserve.

Votes in the Republican-controlled Legislature were expected later this week, as the fiscal year winds down and legislative aides scramble to prepare hundreds of pages of budget-related legislation before lawmakers leave Harrisburg for the summer.

The main budget bill for the 2019-20 fiscal year starting July 1 emerged from the House Appropriations Committee on a 27-9 vote, with every Republican in favor and Democrats split. Democrats who voted against it issued various criticisms, including its failure to include a minimum wage increase and the elimination of a Depression-era cash assistance program that temporarily provided $200 a month to people deemed unable to work.

Pennsylvania is in its strongest stretch of tax collections since the recession a decade ago, bringing a reprieve from a string of tight budget years and deficits.

“What we’re facing right now with our increased revenues, we don’t know if it’s an anomaly or if it’s a trend, and if it’s an anomaly, we have to still be careful in our spending,” said Rep. George Dunbar, R-Westmoreland. “Although the wish list is great and we would like to do a whole lot more, we have accomplished a great deal in this budget.”

Democrats couldn’t hide their disappointment with a budget deal that began with a February proposal by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf that many viewed as too passive and unambitious.

“Our voters want us to put up a fight for progressive ideals and this is not a fight for what Democratic voters sent us to Harrisburg to try to achieve, Gov. Wolf included,” said Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-Philadelphia.

The $34 billion compromise package is similar to the $34.1 billion plan Wolf floated in February. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Stan Saylor, R-York, said the package does not rely on any increases in fees or taxes.

Wolf’s office said Monday that the budget package includes significant amounts he had sought for early childhood education and vocational and technical education programs, as well as benefits for military veterans and farmers.

All told, the package authorizes almost $2 billion in additional spending through the state’s main operations account, or 6% more than the spending lawmakers authorized last year, counting cost overruns in the current fiscal year.

Much of the extra spending covers new discretionary aid for public schools, plus extra amounts to meet rising costs for prisons, debt, pension obligations and health care for the poor.

Public schools will receive $160 million more for general operations and instruction, a bump of almost 3%, although school advocates had pressed for more, saying districts are struggling to keep up with rising costs. Community colleges and state-subsidized universities, including Penn State and Temple, will each get another 2% in aid, an increase from what Wolf had proposed.

The Legislature will renew a $60 million school and community security grant program it began after last year’s mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida.

In addition, almost $300 million is slated for a deposit into the budgetary reserve, hitting on a key criticism of credit rating agencies that Pennsylvania lacks reserve cash.

Still, budget makers are using various cash maneuvers to veil the true cost of government operations, moving hundreds of millions of dollars in costs to outside accounts. Budget makers also have a recent history of low-balling spending estimates for health care services on the front end of the fiscal year, costs they must make up at the end of the fiscal year.

Lawmakers on Monday were continuing closed-door discussions to resolve a variety of budget-related disagreements.

One is Wolf’s request for $15 million to help counties cover the cost of new voting machines. Republicans have protested Wolf’s stated intent to decertify voting machines in use last year, while some lawmakers have asked for more cash, sooner, to help counties foot the bill.

Legislation with a package of changes to election laws was expected to be tied to cash for voting machines, but House Democrats last week protested a provision to eliminate the ballot option for voters to simply select a straight-party ticket in elections.

Nicole Morristell likes showing off Lackawanna County’s hidden gems.

She won’t shy away from the rough spots that reveal its complicated history either.

Leadership Lackawanna’s executive director is rolling out a new program in a few weeks for current and aspiring business leaders.

Welcome Scranton! explores some key, maybe not-so-well-known, commercial, recreational and environmental destinations.

“Sometimes, people have lived here their whole lives, and they just need that refresher. … We get stuck in our hamster wheel and we forget about the amazing things happening around us,” she said.

The class has room for 40. Spots are still available.

On two half-days and one full day in July and another half-day in August, the program will take its students on a deep dive.

They’ll walk the Lacka­wan­na River Heritage trail. They’ll explore architecture and points of interest in downtown Scranton, and meet with city and county officials. They’ll visit the business parks in Jessup and Keystone Industrial Park in Dunmore.

Students will also stop at the Old Forge borehole, which pumps millions of gallons of acid mine water into the Lackawanna River.

“We’ll go back and talk about the history of the Lackawanna River, and how it’s amazing today compared to the garbage that used to flow in it years ago,” Morristell said.

The program is the fourth initiative of Leadership Lackawanna, the professional development affiliate of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. It offers participants a snapshot of Leadership’s namesake 10-month Core Program.

The program answers what chamber President Bob Durkin called a demand for more in light of success with the Core Program, Executive Program and Tomorrow’s Leaders Today for high school students.

“An expansion into this realm, into areas where other leadership programs across the country have found success, these were natural extensions of the programming of Leadership,” he said.

Contact the writer:

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

@jon_oc on Twitter

An unusual success story inside one of Scranton’s most-watched commercial ventures showed management what’s possible.

Marketplace at Steamtown owner John Basalyga and his team are holding a contest to catch the next success after Amber Cipriani and her Electric City Art Studio proved unconventional businesses can take off at the Scranton Public Market, which occupies the former food court at the Marketplace.

“It really has opened our eyes to what the potential of the SPM could be,” General Manager Jenn Warnetsky said of Cipriani’s studio.

The Small Space, Big Dreams contest will give the winning business owner a complimentary one-year lease in a vendor stall and $5,000 in seed funding from Golden Mile Funding.

Winners get printing from local shops that make business cards and T-shirts and a one-year membership to the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

The Small Business Development Center at the University of Scranton and social media consultant Socialocca will offer coaching. The winner gets promotional photography and free advertising time on local radio stations.

Cipriani won the Marketplace’s “Your Art Here” mural contest last year, a creative solution to liven up empty mall storefronts.

Earlier this year, the Hazleton Area School District art teacher, who lives in Scranton, opened her studio to teach classes for all ages, with special sessions for kids with disabilities.

Her arrival accelerates the daunting effort to transform the former chain retail hub into a lifestyle center.

All told, Marketplace officials say the contest winner goes home with $20,000 worth of free stuff and advice.

There’s a few rules.

• Applicants have to be local and produce most of their services or goods themselves.

• They have to be able to fill a minimum number of business hours.

• They should have all necessary city and state licenses and insurance by the Sept. 6 winner announcement event.

• Those in the food business should already have their ServSafe certification in hand, Warnetsky said.

• The application deadline is July 8.

Golden Mile Funding and the SBDC are vetting applications and the viable ones will have a chance to pitch before a judges panel. Second round finalists will prepare a pop-up shop in September when the winner will be chosen.

Sixteen of 29 available vendor stalls remain unfilled in the center of the food court. The biggest ones are filled.

The most recent addition, Amori Sushi, is ready to go, but waiting on permits from the city to open.

Contact the writer:

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

@jon_oc on Twitter

Apply for Public Market contest

To apply for the Scranton Public Market Small Space, Big Dreams contest, visit www.shopsmall

steamtown.com to fill out an online application.

Applications are due Monday, July 8. Applicants must be able to attend contest events Aug. 2 and Sept. 6.

Where and how a resident of the Jewish Home of Eastern Pennsylvania contracted Legionnaires’ disease apparently will remain a mystery.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health gave the long-term care facility in Scranton’s Hill Section the go-ahead to resume normal operations last week after definitive laboratory test results showed its water system was not the source of the illness, Executive Director Mark D. Weiner said Monday.

“I wish I could tell you exactly where this person caught it from, but it doesn’t appear it was from us,” Weiner said.

The state directed the Jewish Home to stop using tap water for drinking, showers and ice machines after a resident was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease June 4.

The other residents of the 173-bed facility all tested negative for the illness.

The disease, a serious form of pneumonia that kills about 10% of the people it infects, is caused by breathing in water droplets contaminated with the Legionella bacteria. It is generally associated with buildings with complex water systems, such as hospitals and hotels.

The health department worked with the Jewish Home to lift the water restrictions after receiving final results early last week from the outside consultant that tested the facility’s water system, spokesman Nate Wardle said in an email.

“We informed the facility to remain alert for potential (Legionnaires’) cases, and if anything changes, to let us know,” Wardle said.

Weiner said the resident who became ill spent time outside the facility and had food and drink not prepared by the home. The information was relayed to the health department.

“We are letting them follow up on that,” he said.

On a positive note, the episode will make the Jewish Home better prepared if something similar happens in the future, he said.

“We are not infallible and unfortunately we don’t have control over everything,” Weiner said. “But, every time we have an incident or a situation like this it does give us an opportunity to review all of our policies and procedures and to double-check and triple-check everything.”

Contact the writer:

dsingleton@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9132

Valley View choir

wins competition

The Valley View High School choir had the winning performance during Keystone Chapter UNICO National’s inaugural Lackawanna County Senior High School Choral Competition at the Peoples Security Bank Theatre at Lackawanna College.

Valley View choir members included Katelyn Ainey, Evan Anderson, Destinie Barron, Noah Benjamin, Olivia Blockberger, Taylor Bonacci, Hannah Boston, Haley Broson, Logan Burns, Connor Carden, Juan Cardenas, Shaylyn Chilek, Beatrice Chindemi, Ryan Coleman, Aaliyah Condida, Mayer Crean, Hannah Danielowski, Madelyn Davis, Delaney Dennis, Elisha DeSouza, Joseph DeSouza, Noelle DiMattina, Emily Doherty, Maggie Domski, Mackenzie Drutherosky, John Evans, Dominique Ferraro, Bobby Ferraro, Enver Gashi, Cammie Gillar, Ava Giombetti, Casper Healey, Sam Hernandez, Kara Hirjak, Hayen Holley, Gia Hoyer, Chris Huynh, Kylie Jenkins, Bryn Karlavige, Brianna Kohut, Cassidei Kovak, Kate Kraycer, David Krzan, Roxi Lameo, Elizabeth Lown, Morgan Masters, Emily Mattise, Noah McKane, Karol Mercado, Gia Mercatilli, Mia Mercatilli, Paige Morgan, Katie Morisco, Noah Nielsen, Julia Newberry, Lexi O’Halloran, Jocelyn Oveson, Shawn Pettis, Jared Ramos, Noan Reed, Tori Reed, David Reyes, Vito Rotell, Maubys Severino, Leo Sirianni, DaiCoda Strackbein, Natalie Sweeney, Ethan Symuleski, A.J. Temple, Mia Tomassoni, Christina Torres, Brody Walsh, Maddison Walsh, Mollie Walsh, Gavin West, Nathaniel Worrell, Lorna Yushinsky, Julia Zadzura, Marissa Ziegler, Kaylin Zuzzio and Nicole Zuzzio.

The choir, which is under the direction of Gina Pascolini, received a $500 award.

The judges for the event included Erin Malloy, Tony Nicosia and Lucy Sassi. Peter Noto was the master of ceremonies.

Michele McDade was the event chairwoman and Toni DiVizio was the event co-chairwoman.

Members of the Abington Heights High School Honors Choir, under the direction of Dana Cerminaro, who received an honorable mention during the competition, include Luke Abdalla, Matteo Adragna, Correalle Altier, Emma Arbuckle, Bryan Barlow, Jeffrey Barlow, Sofia Capozzi, Jessica Chopko, Charlie Cornell, Ty Davis, Kevin Duong, Lucy Earl, Kyler Epstein, Ethan Gavin, Ben Gibson, Emma Holbrook, Olivia Kerrigan, Danny Kim, Carlee MacPherson, Zoe McGlynn, Aryanna Simpson, Kyra Sladicki, Aiden Snyder and Madison Tricarico.

Members of the Mid Valley High School Mixed Chorus, under the direction of Linda Orseck, who also received an honorable mention include Keri Adolfson, Elisabelle Arnau, Layla Barron, Savannah Bigelo, Ethan Cesari, Moriah Cesari, Damien Chmielewski, Andre Clarke, Codi Day, Mallory deQuevedo, Gabrielle Dushney, Orion Flynn, Khaya Fuller, Kimarah Garner, Hope Goble, Alexandra Huanira, Colby Hughes, Ty Jackson, Grayce Kish, Isabella Kramer, Noah Lahey, Doryann Martinez, Viktoria Meehan, Emily Mincer, Kayla Myrkalo, Casey Politowski, Sierra Sczesniak, John Sekelsky, Kyleigh Shafer, Lauren Shestok, Anna Shishlo,

Madison Smith and Joedlyn Torres.

PITTSTON - City council on Monday night approved the demolition of a blighted former bar on North Main Street that has frustrated government officials and neighbors for nearly 12 years.

Demolition crews this morning are scheduled to start razing the former Paddy’s Pub and Eatery at 385 N. Main St., a property owned by Douglas Bruce, a real estate investor from Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Council on Monday awarded a $22,000 contract to Hadley Construction, the low bidder, and ordered demolition to “commence immediately.”

Mayor Michael Lombardo vowed to file a lien against Bruce that will order him to pay for all costs, including the demolition.

Bruce did not immediately return a phone call Monday night.

— BOB KALINOWSKI

SCRANTON — Now in their 70s and ailing, Richard and Betty Via are no longer able to do small maintenance jobs at their Wyoming Avenue home.

Helping hands arrived Monday, under the annual NeighborWorks Week home-repair volunteer program. Five teens and an adult team director began painting the front porch railings, columns and floor and several interior walls and ceilings.

The Vias, married 45 years, have lived in their Wyoming Avenue home for 35 years and welcome the assistance.

Richard Via, 73, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, undergoes dialysis three times a week in Dunmore. At home in Scranton, he can’t get around like he used to and uses a walker or cane.

“I can’t ever get down in my cellar” for his woodworking hobby, he said.

Betty Via, 75, also uses a cane. The volunteers plan to install a handrail on the cellar steps.

An initiative of the nonprofit NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, the repair program brought more than 400 out-of-town volunteers from throughout the northeastern United States to perform small maintenance projects at about 60 homes of elderly residents in the Scranton area.

The volunteers began Monday and will end Friday. The work includes interior and exterior painting, porch and other minor repairs and wheelchair ramp construction.

Recipients of this year’s program, all at least 60 years old, were chosen to help them with “aging in place,” meaning allowing them to continue living safely and independently in their homes, said NeighborWorks President and CEO Jesse Ergott.

The volunteers, arranged through Colorado-based Group Mission Trips, stay overnight at Marywood University. They fan out in the morning in their small groups to their designated sites for workshifts running 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is the ninth consecutive year NeighborWorks has partnered with Group Mission Trips on the repair program. Since its 2010 inception, the NeighborWorks Week event has improved 293 properties with the assistance of 2,014 volunteers, who have contributed 53,420 hours of service valued at $1,053,400.

“This is helping out a lot of, lot of people,” Ergott said.

Some volunteers previously participated in the annual mission program.

Nate Gibson, 18, of Southbury, Connecticut, volunteered in prior summers in Schenectady and Rochester, New York and Erie.

“It’s always fun every year,” Gibson said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us (at the Via home), but we’re looking forward to it.”

Alexia Vogel, 17, of Bad Axe, Michigan, previously volunteered in New Jersey and Tennessee. She enjoys helping others and meeting new people.

“I like building new friendships, building new relationships,” Vogel said. “I think it’s amazing you get put into a crew with five different people you don’t know and you get so close” by the end of the week.

Before the volunteers arrived to paint his porch, Richard Via washed down the siding as best he could. He also took down and cleaned off a small brown wooden sign he engraved three decades ago with the family surname and street name. He now plans to paint the engraved letters white to give the old sign some pop that’s more befitting of a spruced-up porch.

“That way the ambulance people will be able to find him,” Betty quipped.

Each homeowner also will receive a free solar-powered exterior security light through NeighborWorks’ Light the Town program.

Meanwhile, more help is on the way to Scranton next month under a similar, but unrelated, program.

During the week of July 7-13, the Texas-based United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission will send 25 youth and adult workers to the Scranton area to undertake home-maintenance projects, including wheelchair ramps, handrails, porch work, painting, yard work and minor roof repairs.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

DUNMORE JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

Distinguished honors: Kaitlin Ahern, Jared Argust, Michael Aronica, Cole Blasko, Joshua Bloom, Mia Bonavoglia, Colleen Brown, Jayden Buckley, Max Burke, Molly Butler, Antoinette Cantarella, Kayleigh Carey, Emma Coar, Emily Comparetta, Lily Conboy, Arianna Costanzi, Kelly Czankner, Dylan Davey, Gianna Delfino, Charles DeNapoli, Colby DeSando, Nicholas DeSando, Hannah Earley, Alana Emker, Erin Epperson, Abby Errico, Brooke Frable, Jenna Furey, Michael Giannetta, Tommi Golden, Philip Haser, Kelsey Hill, Julia Ingargiola, Kathleen Kennedy, Julia Klotz, Eric Kolodzieski, Kaylie Levinsky, Jazmine Lim, Sydney Loftus, Anita Lucas, Isabella Mandarano, Annabella Massaro, Allison Mayer, Gregory McDade, Sierra McGinnity, Lydia Meade, George Mesko, Korral Mooney, Sophia Norvilas, Gia Occhipinti, Julia Pasko, Megan Pavlowski, Marchete Reyn Pendon, Devin Peterson, Kalianna Philmeck, Molly Romeo, Mitchell Russavage, Khamille Sanaphol, Emily Stedina, Lucia Summa, Lisa Tallo, Victoria Toomey, Amaya Tropeano, Julia Walsh, Lee Weidow Jr. and Anthony Woytach.

Honors: James Angerson, Patrick Burke, Gabrielle Crawford, Patrick Donvito, John Flis, Kyle Harrity, Haylee Hein, Abdul-Ahad James, Anthony Kashmer, Louis LaCapra, Tyler Overholtz, Kris Patel, Caroline Pinto, Laila Qarmout, Seth Reyes, Jacob Sawka, Lydia Schork and Micaiah Yarosh.

GRADE 11

Distinguished honors: Paris Alunni, Grace Amico, Timothy Andrews, Spencer Asman, Russell Bedford, Angelina Bellucci, Alvin Binu, Steven Borgia, Elizabeth Brace, Erica Brown, Gaia Caporale, Briana Catanzaro, Mia Chiaro, Madilyn Cianci, Caroline Coar, Jonah Cogliette, Gene Cooper, Ross Cordaro, Madison Cruser, Ryan Davey, Alec DeSando, Jillian DeSando, America Fox, Heavyn Gin, Frank Golden, Ian Gratkowski, Lauren Grippi, Nora Haggerty, Owen Haggerty, Michael Hannah, Thomas Hart, Catherine Hilson, Katherine Hopkins, Anna Hubshman, Haris Imran, Emma Lalli, Thomas Lewis, Rebecca Lucas, Joseph Mandarano, Jordyn Marichak, William McHale, John McNeff, Maria Micciche, Shane Murphy, Madison Mychayliw, Travis Navarro, Caroline Nolen, Najuk Patel, Rushi Patel, Ma Agusta Bell Pendon, Suleiman Qarmout, Abigail Reese, Madelynn Senatore, Hannah Sheehan, Molly Sheets, Kailyn Shelly, Haylee Sileo, Matthew Sirotnak, Julianna Symons, Danyelle Tech, Ethan Thomas, Charles Valvano, Daniel Walsh and Austin Waters.

Honors: Ian Brislin-Cowder, James Cadden, Brianna Cormier, Meghan Fritz, Brandon Frommert, Zachary Gierulski, Anthony Golden, Mia Grant, Michael Holmes, Jessica Hook, Elijah Hunt, Jacob Kalinowski, Layla King, Mariana Leo, Dylan Martin, Alexander Petrowski, Alexander Reese, Nicholas Stanco, Gabriella Temperino, Kassandra Wearing and Alec Yanisko.

GRADE 10

Distinguished honors: Hannah Bonin, Cristian Buckley, Emily Carey, Alexis Chapman, Nicholas Chiaro, Stephanie Cohen, Jenna Cruser, David Day, Elisa Delfino, Celia Eagen, Adam Edwards, Victoria Griffiths, Samuel Hannah, Louis Hanni, Madeline Healey, Kyle Jenkins, Anna Jimmie, Karl Kincel, Olivia Leo, Gia Levis, Sophia Lucas, Paige Martin, Elizabeth Massaro, Lilly McDonald, Katie McKitish, Jillian Mooney, Alexis Overholtz, Sophia Pacewicz, Deep Patel, William Portanova, Hannah Ptasinski, Danitza Pula Acosta, Steven Qarmout, Frank Ruggiero, Alexandra Santarsiero, Sierra Sherman, Abigail Springer, Gabrielle Weidow, Kiley Yanochik and Calvin Zhang.

Honors: Eric Arduino, Peyton Badyrka, Michael Burke, Calista DiPrima, Symone Donnay, Emma Eynon, Carlie Finan, Raj Gandhi, Alieza Khan, Brigid King, David Legg, Tyler Maciejewski, Gabriella Mecca, Jaksh Patel, Prisha Patel, Jonathan Riggall, Patrick Ruane, Nicholas Sinkevich, Emma Smith and Anna Talutto.

GRADE 9

Distinguished honors: Liam Ahern, Katherine Alunni, Olivia Amico, Isabella Aydin, Abigail Barone, Matthew Behler, Hope Blasko, Mia Blume, Luca Boles, McKenna Brazil, Katie Capooci, Joseph Cardillo, Madison Christiano, Thomas Ciccotti, Mikhail Fabi, Anna Gabello, Kylee Jezorwski, Eliana King, Mia Kochis, Leah Leppo, Gemma Longo, Abigail Luongo, Micah Madrazo, Jaclyn Marichak, Allison McNeff, Colby Murray, Chloe Ondek, Emma Pasko, Michael Polster, Angelo Ramos, Naomi Springer, Isabella Stanco, Jessica Trauger, Jeffrey Walsh, Kevin Walsh, Rylee Walsh, Isabella Waters and Molly Zimmer.

Honors: Jaden Argust, Kaidyn Biko, Gavyn Grems, Mackenzie Grems, Malachi Hunt, Aden King, Vivianna LaCapra, Aidan McCarthy, Caleb Milliron, Neel Modi, Matthew Mychayliw, Emily Roughgarden, Alexis Santarsiero, Giovanni Stivala and Antonia Summa.

GRADE 8

Distinguished honors: Anna Acculto, Jacquelyn Bitter, Colleen Blockberger, Savannah Bonavoglia, Faith Bravo, Anthony Cantafio, Grace Czankner, Nathan DeSando, Natalie Durkin, Zachary Eynon, Ava Forgione, Cameron Gerrity, Jacob Grande, Kieran Hilton, Gregory Hunt, Abigail Kopacz, Chesney Langan, Cadence Lewis, Ayman Mounota, Adriana Pacewicz, Eva Patel, Thomas Pavlowski, Kaylee Pinto, Morgan Quinn, Maura Sheets, Kaylee Smith, Ashley Stefanac, Cataldo, Talutto, Adeline Toole, Ciera Toomey, Caroline Valunas, Madolyn Valvano and Madison Waltz.

Honors: Hannah Albano, Cheyanne Antoniotti, Cole Capooci, Chevelle Carroll, John Costanzi, Kristine Fagioli, Nicola Hart, Bastianna Orr, Patrick Pucilowski, Riley Robinson, Nico Ruggiero and Michelle Sanders.

GRADE 7

Distinguished honors: Julianna Argust, Elsa Avila, Alexander Blasi, Collin Blasi, Mia Capooci, Domenic DeSando, Sienna Delfino, Allison Dempsey, Noah Dougherty, Catherine Gilhooley, Megan Gilhooley, Andrew Haser, Quinn Healey, Geanna Kirchner, Brynn Kochis, Savannah Lockwood, Alexa Marone, Camden McCarthy, Maura Michalczyk, Skyla Olmedo, Gia Petty, Nataly Portanova, Emma Renard and Bryce Talutto.

Honors: Thomas Bowen, Grace Burrell, Giulietta Escobar, Nathan Howey-Reuther, Alishba Islam, Jacqueline Kelly, Caden Kirby, Ashley Lo, Nathan McMynne, Brett Monelli, Miguel Ramos, Anthony Tunis, Joshua Wanick, Cailey Waters, Mackenzie Witkowski, Kamran Zia and Kaylie Zimmer.

HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

Distinguished honors: Elizabeth Arbie, Mary Arcuri, Denys Arkhypenko, Olivia Bloskey, Gianna Calciano, Annabelle Callis, Taylor Callis, Hannah Carr, Alexandria Carter, Ryan Cole, William Craig, Theresa Dutter, Russell Dyson III, Hannah Ferenchick, Jeremy Fick, Marla Gambucci, Alexander Hammer, Taylor Hembury, Matthew Herne, Meghan Keenan, Nicholas Klein, Kalley Kovaleski, Caroline Kranick, , Alyssa Liford, Kaylee Magda, Giulia Maiolatesi, Julia Mancuso, Kaitlin McConnell, Lucia Nardelli, Nhien Nguyen, Grace Okrepkie, Olivia Osborne, Emma Otis, Lauren Palmiter, Chloe Pearce, Ericka Pica, Jacob Rasimovich, Jennifer Robinson, Gianna Sacchetti, Kiearra Saldi, Mia Sandy, Carl Schuster, Abigail Sempa, Victoria Tanana, Declan Tokash, Kirsten Van Louvender, Joshua Walker, Abigail Walsh, Brenden Willsch and Olivia Zehel.

Honors: Haley Bestrycki, Arthur Cang, Julia Cicco, Darlene Duverge, Megan Gashi, Jonathan Kowalski, Olivia Krupski, Elizabeth Link, Abbey Malinoski, Julie Mazaleski, Zachary Menichello, Thomas Montefour, Eric Rine, Kyle Rusinko, Anthony Scartelli, Kristen Swierczek, Jimmy Thornton and Shannon Tone.

GRADE 11

Distinguished honors: Maille Allardyce, Svetlana Baron, Clara Bergman, Jenna Bradley, Kieran Burrier, James Calciano, Ashley Capone, Kelly Clark, Elizabeth Cooper, Anya Covaleski, Eric Dixon, Andrew Healey, Adam Johnson, Michael Kobierecki, Tori Kovalchick, James Marsh, Sarah Mies, Angelo Norella, Claire O’Connor, Leahy O’Connor, Leslie O’Connor, Joseph Osborne, Kate Rogers, Sydney Skrutski, Andrew Straka, Alexandra Tomaine, Kathryn Walsh, Ella Williams and Amanda Yanul.

Honors: Shelby Baranow, Caroline Cadden, Caleb Callejas, Meghan Doherty, Madison Havirlak, Madelyn Klassner, Michael Lee, Jordan McAndrew, Angela Moya, Kathryn Nealon, Gabriella Parise, Allison Pavlowski, Molly Repecki, Mary Stec and Elizabeth Talbot.

GRADE 10

Distinguished honors: Kathryn Grace Augustine, Emma Beilman, Patrick Bennie, Jillian Brennan, Sarah Callejas, Paige Caskey, Arabella Cox, Kylie Engleman, James Fay, Lauren Hegedus, Ryan Huester, Amaya Jackson, Alice Jones, Kevin Jumper, Robert Kane, Norah Kelly, Abigail Lentowski, Marina Mann, Erin McGee, Peyton Phillips, Cristia Polizzi, Caroline Shaffern, Alexis Tanana, Rebecca Tone, Kristina Tranovich and Elizabeth Wallace.

Honors: Bria Beggin, Lucca Cerminaro, Kelsey Conlon, James Davis, Carter Englehardt, Emily Ferguson, Emily Haikes, William Hanna, Nathan Hopkins, Molly Landsiedel, Thomas Lee, Mark Lopez, Julia Mazur, Tyler Mendicino, William Roever, Mikele-Danilo Tenev, Connor Tone and Douglas Walsh.

GRADE 9

Distinguished honors: Logan Aldrich, Emily Bentler, Caitlin Bestrycki, Nora Betts, Bryce Betz, Krista Carachilo, Christian Ceccoli, James Ceccoli, Giovanna Cerminaro, Gianna Chickeletti, Emily Clark, Alicia Dec, Maiah Fadl, Kaitlyn Farrell, Madelyn Franceski, Julia Goetz, Priscilla Grill, Faith Hosie, Rachel Hosie, Kaitlyn Idhaw, Laura Johnson, Sean Kennedy, Kaci Kranson, Madison Kranson, Abby Lazecki, Ryan Legg, Sarah MacDonald, Dana Mackin, Mariah Mancuso, Nathan McAndrew, Meghan McDonnell, Christina Monroe, Leila Moran, Samuel Mulvey, Grace Murtagh, Megan Nidoh, Autumn Niemiec, Michael Normandia, Grace Polansky, Thomas Rohan, Jonelle Symonies, Molly White and Carly Wywoda.

Honors: Emma Clause, Dawson Errigo, Sierra Gaglio, Jacob Groncki, Matthew Hassaj, William Kittrell, Gurpreet Lahl, Isabella Moffitt, Sofiya Myronyuk and Ian O’Toole.

HONESDALE HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

Distinguished honor roll: Jacob Adams, Jacqueline Burke, Liam Carmody, Corey Chorba, Margaret Fields, Brooke Gardas, Julia Higgins, Abigail Hodorawis, William Howell, Brandon Lawson, Kelsey Martin, Mackenzie Meagher, Emma Messersmith, Michael Montambault, Elizabeth Rhyne, Colin Rickard, Kayla Taninies, Alicia Utegg, Evan Wilcox and Natalie Zeglen.

Honor roll: Camden Bannan, Taylor Barone, Dylan Card, Ethan Collins, David Curreri, Lindsay Daub, Andrew DeFazio, Lauren Dyser, Connor Eisele, Lucas Flederbach, Jacki Ford, Lily Fries, Cassandra Gallo, Bethany Good, Michaela Gregory, Elijah Hanson, Lily Heffron, Jacob Kabonick, Chase Koelln, Andrew LaTourette, Evan Lipski, Nicholas Litz, Nicole Longman, Joseph Lukan, Nathaniel Mansfield, Alison Miszler, Tanner Mundy, Bailey Murray, Megan O’Neill, Zachary Potter, Kaitlin Price, Megan Rembish, Dylan Rieman, Nicole Roberts, Brooke Rutledge, Destiny Schemitz, Harley Smith and Bryanna Winter.

GRADE 11

Distinguished honor roll: Dominic Amato, Adam Blake, Lilah Carmody, Ezekiel Conley-Vaverchak, Eva Cooley, Christian Dury, Ryan Forelli, Chloe Fox, Miranda Fritz, Arjun Fulp, Hannah Holbert, Jack Hopkins, Leonidas Kehagias, Dominic Maglione Jr., Alexis Mathews, Katherine Matlaga, Taylor Maxson, Tara McLaughlin, Margaret Murphy, Rachel Olver, Jacob VanDeLinde, Kelly Varcoe, Isabella Watson and Katherine Williams.

Honor roll: Arthur Ames, Dalen Banicky, Jared Bochnovich, Anna Branning, Keagan Bucksbee, Walker Carney, Kyle Castellano, Trinity Costa, Jason Demers, Danielle Eifert, John Firmstone, Sierra Friscia, Mathieu Frost, Tedra Harrison, Gavin Hedgelon, Julia Hopkins, Tyler Kromko, Taylor Kuta, Alicia Lloyd, Lindsey Lloyd, William Long, Benjamin Miner, Jenna Mohn, Esther Munoz Sanchez, Leah Neu, Nia Oakley, Ryan O’Neill, Sean O’Neill, Cindy Perricone, Aiden Pietraszewski, Madison Randolph, Alexandria Reed, Macey Rutledge, Joseph Scarfalloto, Jesse Schwab, Luke Schwab, Nicholas Sherman, Taylor Slish, Libby Stephens, Alyssa Urban, Maya Wehrmann, Leigha Welsh, Natalee West, Katherine Wilson, Victoria Wormuth and Julia Ziegler.

GRADE 10

Distinguished honor roll: Jakob Burlein, John Christiansen, Katilee Dunn, Drew Hazen, Samantha Howey, Gavin Kopesky, Robert Kretschmer, Suzanna Kuta, Abigail Meagher, Alexandra Skidmore, Alyssa Stumpo, Kemper Van Houten, Taylor Warring and Mia Yatwa.

Honor roll: Megan Bidwell, Rachel Daub, Gina Dell’Aquila, Jacob Egan, Zachary Eisele-Bockelkamp, Sydney Ford, Azlyn Fritz, Abigail Fuller, Johnathan Gilson, Mariah Hannel, Bryce Haviland, Emily Johannes, Geoffrey Johnson, Bryce Klinger, Elizabeth Kowalczyk, Ryan Kretschmer, Leah Krol, Mia Land, Brooke Landers, Kylie Laude, Kallie Lazaro, Skyler Leclere. Rebecca Lohmann, Grace Maxson, Lucas McElroy, Brynn McGinnis, Isabella Messersmith, Sarah Meyer, Amelia Michko, Emily Mitchell, Shannon O’Day, Owen Parker, Trevor Reed, Emily Roberts, Abigail Robson, Nikolas Romano, Ella Sherman, Abby Skelton, Nadia Slish, Sarah Snow and Alexander Warshaw.

GRADE 9

Distinguished honor roll: Darcy Banicky, Joshua Clark, Caroline Cooley, Jocelyn Denoie, Jenna Eldred, Emma Hocker, Sam Hopkins, Andrew Howell, Maria Kannebecker, Kayla Kuta, George Legg, Chloe Lyle, Hannah Merritt, Emma Modrovsky, Natalie Mozga, Tara Myers, John Rodriguez, Griffin Rogers, Soren Schachter and Noah Theobald.

Honor roll: James Ahern III, Julia Armetta, Jocelyn Barnes, Alexis Barone, Erin Bass, Allison Billard, Olivia Canfield, Emily Chorba, Dominick Consiglio, Kathryn Corcoran, Rachel Davis, Anna Dunsinger, Anthony Farina, Olivia Gries, Abbie Hessling, Delilah Lohmann, Jeb McCormick, Tess Meagher, Nicole Miszler, Joseph Morea, Rowan Murray. Jacob Orrick, Autumn Rake, Alexis Sinova, Ava Slish, Shay Smith, Christina Stein, Brianna Taninies, Taylor Wendell, Zachary Wilken and Aubree Young.

OLD FORGE HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

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

GRADE 11

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

GRADE 10

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

GRADE 9

Kaiya Andrukitis, Ava Aulisio, Ava Aversa, Emily Bergamino, Joel Cali, Jason Catalano, Chloe Colozza, Macrina Dolinish, Elizabeth Gething, Brooke Granko, Madeline Hopkins, Julia Iacavazzi, Jaden Karwaski, Jack McCabe, Cierra Mulkerin, Mia Nardone, Natalie Nareski, Olivia Peet, Everett Perry, Cassidy Pfeiffer, Nicholas Rasmus, Robert Resio, Mario Samony, Nicholas Zamerowski, Abigail Zaykowski and YuHuang Zheng.

GRADE 8

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

GRADE 7

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

ST. MARY OF MOUNT CARMEL

GRADE 8

High honors: Alicia Bellagamba, Julia Bergman, Kaeden Carr, Grace Castellano, Sydney Hartland, Jacque Kakareka, Mary McHugh, Shannon O’Malley, Grace Osborne, Cecelia Otis, Morgan Seamon, Sadie Shedlauskas and Andrew Smith.

Honors: Anthony Mack.

GRADE 7

High honors: Brandon Art, Connor Art, Patrick Devaney, David Huester, Lillie Kochis, Gavin Kovaleski, Joseph Lalli, Zachary Minich, Christopher Petrucci, Jenna Robertson, Max Snyder and Connor Straka.

Honors: Madison Altier, Madelyn Brostoski, Shane Loiseau and Patrick Shaffer.

GRADE 6

High honors: Michelena DeNaples, Gavin Monahan and Tyler Musso.

Honors: Joan Bergman, Anthony Colonna, Libby Lalli, Anthony Noll, Louis Petrucci and Sophia Pisano.

SCRANTON — The city will soon get the same solar-powered parking kiosks used in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York.

Operators of Scranton’s parking system and officials from Flowbird Urban Intelligence, the vendor behind the parking technology coming to the city in the fall, addressed city council Monday and demonstrated how the machines will work. Officials expect to begin replacing Scranton’s parking meters with roughly 200 of Flowbird’s kiosks in October.

The stainless steel kiosks run on solar power, feature a full-color touch screen and accept coins, credit cards and payment via a mobile app. Motorists pay for parking by entering their vehicle’s license plate number using an alphanumeric pad, selecting the amount of time they plan to park and choosing a payment method.

Unlike parking meters, the kiosks don’t correspond to any specific parking space, meaning motorists may pay for time at a kiosk and park anywhere in the city.

“Physically it’s more robust,” Robert “Bud” Sweet, director of the nonprofit National Development Council, said of the technology. “There’s less infrastructure on the street in terms of the old meters and, unlike the old meters, which would pretty much just receive money, this is interactive. It can tell you the amount of turnover of the spaces, the frequency of the stays. It gives us an idea in terms of use of any block face in the city.”

NDC and its local subsidiary, Community Development Properties Scranton, leases the city’s meters and garages and has another firm, ABM Parking Services, manage them. Operators of the parking system put out a request for proposals earlier this year seeking vendors to replace meters with kiosks. CDPS and ABM vetted proposals submitted by six firms before choosing Flowbird.

Sweet would not disclose specifics of the contract, but said the decision came down to “price, reputation and references.”

Flowbird officials touted the machines’ user interface, noting the screens allow the city to highlight community events, share important messages and even provide the potential to bring in additional revenue via paid advertising.

Installing the kiosks should take about a month, from mid-October to mid-November. Officials will map out the city and determine where kiosks should be placed to “make sure the user experience is the best possible,” Flowbird Business Development Manager Ed Kinkade said.

The kiosk update comes as council considers additional changes to parking downtown. Council advanced two pieces of parking-related legislation Monday that likely will be considered for adoption next meeting.

One would eliminate free 15-minute, 30-minute, one-hour and other timed-zone parking in favor of loading zones on downtown blocks. The other offers residents who live downtown a 20 percent monthly rate reduction, from $90 to $72, should they decide to park full time in the Linden, Casey or Electric City parking garages — which Sweet said are underutilized.

The loading zones are more equitable than free time zones in front of specific businesses, and the rate-reduction incentive should free up spaces on city streets for shoppers and diners after 5 p.m., among other benefits, officials said.

Also on Monday:

• Council tabled a vote on an ordinance establishing a special account to hold in escrow rent money that would otherwise go to landlords not compliant with Scranton’s rental registration program and who owe the city significant back taxes and fees. Officials paint the still-untested tactic of seizing and holding such remittances as a potential means of recouping delinquent payments while cracking down on landlords who don’t play by the rules. Tabling the vote by a week gives the administration an opportunity to prepare an outline for how it will enforce the procedure, Councilman Wayne Evans said.

• Scranton School Director Kenneth Norton spoke with members of council prior to the meeting about delinquent trash fees he owes the city. After his March appointment to the school board, The Times-Tribune reported that Norton owed almost $27,000 in delinquent taxes and fees at his home at 1128 Rundle St. That total includes about $20,379 in late trash fees and interest that Norton contests, arguing the city wrongly classifies his home as a duplex and charges him $600 instead of $300 a year.

Norton entered into a payment plan in March to resolve his tax debts, but said Monday he’s waiting until the trash-billing issue is resolved before paying the delinquent garbage fees.

“I find it to be a simple fix,” Evans said. “Somebody from the city has to go out there, verify that it’s a single and call it a day. I’m not sure why it’s so complicated.”

• Officials announced that council meetings in July will be held on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m.

Contact the writer:

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

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

Mayfield

Participants wanted: William Walker Hose Company seeks participants for annual Corn and Clam Slam Carnival Parade, July 20, 7 p.m.; interested groups or individuals call 570-282-6059 or email wwhc59@gmail.com.

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

Olyphant

Rigatoni dinner: Olyphant Police second annual rigatoni dinner, July 27, 1-5 p.m., Eureka Hose Company 4, $10, basket raffles, tickets at door or see any police officer or Neighborhood Watch member.

Scranton

Class reunion: Scranton Technical High School class of 1951 68th class reunion, July 14, 1 to 4 p.m., Cooper’s Seafood, North Washington Avenue, reservations close Friday; Beverly Kelly Hoeffner, 570-347-8937.

Retirees meet: AARP Chapter 3731 North East Pa. meeting, July 1, 1:30 p.m., Asbury United Methodist Church, 720 Delaware St., tickets on sale for annual summer picnic Aug. 5, noon-4 p.m., at Arcaro & Genell, $25/person.

Throop

Parade route: Route for borough’s Quasquicentennial Parade will be Sanderson Street to Cypress Street to Murray Street. Parade, Sunday, 1 p.m.

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