The graduates

Christopher A. Ayres, Aaron Timothy Babcock, Daniel Jeffrey Baker, Bryce Lloyd Baldwin, Angela Marie Bianco, Angel M. Bieloski, Michael J. Braun, Corey L. Bricourt, Angelica K. Brink, Robert Wayne Burns, Ryan Z. Carmody, Cody T. Chamberlain, Cierra B. Cotter, Peyton Anthony Cowperthwait, Mercedes R. Crowley, Dallas Austin Cude, Trevor M. Dahm, Mason W. Deakin, Destini Elaine Joy DeLong, Avery J. DiGregorio, Jarrett C. Dininny, Anthony C. Dolfini, Devon J. Dubanowitz, Ty Edwards, Rodney R. Foote Jr., Emily Kaitlyn Fremberg, Megan Jane Hackett, Eric Michael Hall, Brodie Michael Paul Haskins, Lia Nicole Heath, Aaron J. Herbert, Cheyenne Marie Kelley, Jerry Paul Kelly, Garrison M. Kiernan, Jordan X. King, Kaylee Dawn Landry, Bethany Carmella Maby, Kamdin E. Maby, Cody Alexander MacDonald, Anakin Skyler Major, Paige Faye O’Hara, Alyssa Connie Osterhout, William J. Perry III, Rhiannon Kristin Potter, Benjamin Matthew Prentice, McKenzie Rae Rhone, Payton Taylor Rhone, Adam Christopher Rockwell, Caitlin Nicole Ryerson, Jennafer Jade Seaman, Kevin Grant Silfee, Mackenzie Lee Smith, Canyon J. Stone, Mikaela A. Swank, Nicole Lynn Swanson, Jessica L. Teribury, Chloe Nicole Tinklepaugh, Ashley Marie Wallace, Cameron G. Wasko, Matthew D. Weibel, Charlie Rose West and Walter Robert White.

Valedictorian Rhiannon Potter

Hometown: Starrucca.

Parents: Donald & Kristin Potter.

Activities: Band, chorus, pep band, drama, Envirothon, track and field, yearbook, Girl Scouts, Kopernik intern, physics club, Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble, District Band, District Chorus, County Chorus, County Band, Jazz Fest, Marywood University Sr. High Wind Ensemble, Susquehanna University Honors Band.

Plans: Susquehanna University, dual major in mathematics and music.

Salutatorian Lia Nicole Heath

Hometown: Susquehanna.

Parents: Troy and Amy Heath.

Activities: Volleyball, basketball cheerleading, track and field, boys volleyball manager, Jackson Pin Thimblers 4-H president, student council, Big Brothers Big Sisters, mentor program, student administrator, Envirothon, art club, drama club, reading competition, National Honor Society.

Plans: Keuka College, occupational therapy and dual minor in art studies and psychology.

The Graduates:

Hannah Caroline Acevedo, Madison Marie Amato, Ashleigh Rae Avvisato, Cory Kyshaun Berrien, Emily Marie Budzak, Vincent Peter Casella, Courtney Lynn Connors, Joseph Cook, Michael Joseph Cordaro, Angelo Jackimo Corradino, Jenna Dallolio, Averey Michael Davitt, Richard Michael Eisele, Catrina Enderline, Denise Darlene Evans, Stephen George Evans, Nicholas Andrew Gallagher, Julian Graham Giglio, Shawna Elizabeth Heckman, Corianne Elizabeth Holzman, Jenna Marie Hutchinson, Maximillian Iacavazzi, Hayden Kyle Jones, Kacie Marie Kosek, Nicholas William Krenitsky, Anna Grace Kuckla, Jaselyn Marie Leepier, Benjamin Joseph Lee Lovvorn, Emilee Maree Marianelli, Gino Fernando Martin, Nevaeh Skye Martin, Ian Anthony Mascioli, Patrick Stephen McCool, Noah Lucas McDonald, Macie Mary McHale, Mason Patrick Hyland Morrison, Michael Albert Mucciolo, Abigail Marie Nee, Valeria Milagros Nieves, Carmen James Perry, Andria Jane Pilger, Alexus Nichole Pugh, Nickolas John Raymond, Michael Thomas Renna, Ian Michael Rhue, Anthony Angel Rios, Lisbeth Rosa-Ruiz, Adam Charles Samitz, Frank Joseph Scavo, Aleksander Shepherd, Nicolas Leonardo Silva Seguessa, Ryan Skoranski, Jacob Riley Skrip, Alazia Smith, Christopher Scott Smith, Tommy Khanxay Souriyavong, Elizabeth Ann Stone, Brady Joseph Swingle, Nicholas Santo Tagliaterra, Emily Rose Tomasovitch, Joshua Jacob Tucker, Tre Michael Vandemark, Javier Ricardo Velez, Kayleigh Alexandra Wachtel-Thorpe, Brett Mitchell Wargo, Alyssa Florence Wilcox, Colby Robert Yaros and Nina Zimmerman.

Valedictorian Alyssa Wilcox

Parents: Dwayne and Christine Wilcox.

Activities: Dual Enrollment Program with the University of Scranton, math and science club, Leo club, National Honor Society, softball team, senior class secretary, Spanish club vice president and volunteer at GCMC.

Plans: Attend the University of South Florida, with a major in biomedical sciences on a pre-med track.

Salutatorian Corianne Holzman

Parents: Brooke and Brenda Holzman.

Activities: Peer Mediation Program, Gifted Program, Dual Enrollment Program with the University of Scranton, National Honor Society secretary and senior captain of girls basketball and softball teams.

Plans: Attend the University of Hartford, majoring in early childhood education.

The Graduates:

Shayne Patrick Adcox, Gavin Alexander, Alexis Ruth Ames, Reese Henry Anderson, Angelo Victor Anelli, Gianna Marie Anelli, Ryan Archer, Colin J. Baldauff, Thomas Joseph Baldauff, Kelsey Marie Banfield, Ronald C. Bates, McKyla Belknap, Robert Thomas Bennardo, Mark David Bennett II, Caroline Bertha, Marissa Renee Biamonte, Harlee Janet Bigelow, Donald Anthony Blaine, Jacob Bochancow, Giesela Rebecca Boodaghian, Emily Nicole Brink, Kaili Paula Brooks, Amanda Marie Brundage, Hailey Morgan Brundage, Alesha S. Buchleitner, Joseph Paul Burke, Bradley J. Butler, Alexis Caccavano, Dakotah Alexander Canell, Giovanni Brunozzi Caparo, Katrina Danielle Caparo, Donato Lorenzo Caputo, Mark Robert Caputo, Olivia Madison Carling, Megan Kristine Carney, Brendan Joseph Chalk, Alexandria Lynn Chippa, Vincent P. Cianfichi III, Gino Louis Ciccone, Evelyn Elizabeth Ciero, Catherine Maegan Clancy, Raymond Clarkson, Caitlyn E. Coar, Charles J. Cocker, Heather Leighann Collins, Justin David Cordova, Tyler James Corkins, Summer Cornine, Ava Maria Craig, Kyle Allen Cupelli, Kelsey Marie Deal, Ryan Joseph Deom, Nicholas Joseph DeScipio, Brenton Pearse Dial, James Edward Docalovich, Steven Scott Domenick, Brandan M. Domm, Ryan Alan Dommes, Elijah Matthias Donnini, Mia Lynn D’Oro, Dana Claire Dougherty, Mackenzie Marie Dubranski, Ashley Jennifer Dunn, Bailey Dunston, Zachary Michael Dutko, Ireland Elizabeth Elia, Jacob William Evancho, Nicholas Patrick Evans, Leea Maria Ferranti, Allison Elizabeth Fisch, David Edward Frable, Dylan Frazier, Matthew Paul Gallagher, Vivian Nohelia Garrido, Michael Gevaras, Carissa Elizabeth Giordano, Amber Lynn Goffredo, Tobi J. Granville, Elias Alden Gray, Quante D. Gross, Kristyne Irene Guzzi, Chloe Adele Hafner, Leila Nicole Hall, Jeffery Raymond Hatala, Jr., Kiersten Elizabeth Heck, Thomas Anthony Hermann III, Sean Michael Hicks, Christine Jane Inigo Hine, Chase Daniel Hinton, Tristyn James Hora, Ruthy Jane Hunjo, Alyssa Romaine Ianni, Morgan Allyssa Jones, Christopher David Kakareka, Makayla Lee Kearney, Peter C. Keating, Jacob Michael Keiper, Shea Connor Kelly, Joseph Robert Kessler, Caroline Paige Khoury, Kaleb Joshua Kinsey, Kelsey Elizabeth Kline, Chase William Knickerbocker, Anthony Joseph Kosiba, Alana Kravitz, Jared Robert Krehely, Tina M. Kreidler, Richard James Kryeski, Jr., Camryn James Kuchak, Matthew Ryan Kuchak, Morgan Elizabeth Kwolek, Shane David Lamparter, Sara Lynn Lane, Emily Clare Laperuta, Charles Scott Latawiec, Alexandra Elizabeth Lee, Emily Carol Leggiero, Corey Walter Lesnefsky, Keanna Locatelli, Hunter Arthur Loch, Paxson Friedhelm Loescher, Stockton Israel Loescher, Leah Grace Long, Kayshawn James Divine Love, Jessica Maconeghy, Catherine Jean Maholick, Aidan Patrick Marcinko, Gabriel B. Martelli, Alexandra Rae Martinelli, John Martinsky III, Liam Brendan Masterson, Jacob Michael Mastillo, Marisa I. May, Mark Anthony McColgan, Madison Lynn McCollum, Jordyn McDonough, Mason Lynn McGurrin, Sarah McLaughlin, Stephen Andrew McNulty II, Antonio Mendicino, Isabella Mercado, Dale George Moore, Brennan Vincent Moran, Molly Maria Morgan, Tyler John Motichka, William Brian Nelson, Andrew Thomas Newell, Aidan Wallace Newman, Susan Nitch, Elizabeth Marie Olenchak, Madison Elizabeth Opalka, Nicholas Thomas Ostrowski, Jason Thurman Parola, Nikhil Patel, Isabelle Grace Pehanick, Samuel Philip Perna, Jessica Nicole Petrosky, Maria Piccolino, Timothy Ryan Pickarski, Ariana Elizabeth Pickens, Brëa Pigatt, Darius Anthony Powell, Macenzie Hope Powell, Delaney Power, Ariana Katelyn Elizabeth Rabender, Thomas Matthew Rable, Ebony July Ragin, Mason Heier Rainey, David Ray Redmond, Ireland Shay Reilly, Beth Emily Reynolds, Fred Richards, Vincent Paul Ripley, Peyton Elizabeth Rhyan Roberts, Logan Fabianna Rodrigues, Joseph Peter Rooney, Emily Jean Rouse, Vincent Canio Rubino, Brianna Dominique Ruby, Thomas Joseph Ruddy, Garrett Thomas Rusnak, Connor James Salamon, Ashley Elizabeth Santaniello, Frank Anthony Santomauro, Mikaela Lynn Santos, Olivia Marie Scarantino, Lexus Alize’ Schack, Jacob Lewis Schultz, Noah Alexander Schuster, Dylan Ethan Sciulara, Tami A. Scott, Neiko Anthony Scutt, Kaleigh Ann Seely, Dustin Ryan Shaffer, Kaitlin Rose Shanley, Colleen Mary Shannon, Sabrina Marie Slater, Brandon Michael Smith, Tanner Valentino Snyder, Julian Paul Sochoka, Sarah Sposito, Kellianne Stalker, Regina Steele, Peter Joseph Stefanelli, Tivon Isaiah Steffes, Grace Catherine Straka, Aries David Supinski, Zoey Angeli Taft, Cassie Leigh Talarico, Angel Tapia, A.J. Thomas, Lillian Barbara Thompson, Kolby Michael Tonkin, Kira Christina Treitz, Tatiana Samantha Turano, Alyssa Karen Turk, Julian Lindsey Verity, Ethan Michael Verne, Gianna Marie Volpe, Rebecca Wall, Daniel De Angelis Walsh, Paul Joseph Walsh, Brenna Morgan Webbe, Alyssa Michele Weins, Nicole Julianna Wells, Brad Allan Williams, Lauren Wilson, Kyra Stephan Wojtkielewicz, Eric John Wolfe, Kaylee May Wolfe, Alana Marie Wright, Alesha Leann Young, Sydney Youngblood, Madison Grace Youshock, Courtney Kelley Zaic, Nicole Susan Zasada, Andrew David Zero, Kristofer Michal Zero and Sammie Zou.

Valedictorian:

Name: Mark Robert Caputo

Hometown: Roaring Brook Twp.

Parents: Christopher and Christina Caputo

Activities: NEIU19 Scholar of the Year, District II PIAA Scholar Athlete Award, HOBY Leadership Winner, National Honor Society president, Mock Trial captain, High Honor Roll, Cross Country captain, Mathletes club president, American Regions Mathematics League, National Merit Scholar Finalist, AP Scholar, Elementary school mentor and District tutor in math, science and English.

Plans: Attending Cornell University, studying physics.

Salutatorian:

Name: Ashley Elizabeth Santaniello

Hometown: Moscow

Parents: Mark and Keli Santaniello

Activities: Varsity football cheer captain, Varsity lacrosse captain, Mathletes club, prom committee, National Honor Society, SADD club, Mock Trial and Ballet Theatre of Scranton.

Plans: Attending Pennsylvania University, majoring in biochemistry with a minor in American Sign Language.

Annaliese May Allen, Tionne Atkin, Lacey Bloom, Jessica Borders, Jakob Casimir Borosky, Paije M. Buklad, Brittaney Cain, Calista Lynn Calabro, Mya Rose Casey, Kateilia Churchill, Desiree A. Cintron, Collin Conway, Eric Cruz, Emily G. Daley, Marino Stephen Depalma, Thomas Martin Dougher, Keegan Jeffrey Durkin, Patrick Walter Durkin, Jesse Dutter, Brittany Alexus Eakle, Brandon David Emmett, Andi Ananda Fedorchak, Keith Joseph Feduchak, Natasha Lynn Felton, Branden V. Franchak, Cassandra Freeman, Dana Michelle Fuentes, Estelle Fuller, Carl Galavitz, Alyssa Anne George, Gretchen Gilia, David Gonzalez, Kristina Gorel, Rebecca Grecco, Devine Grimm, Madison Hayner, Joseph Herbert, Skielar Herchik, Mason W. Higdon, Jeffrey Katchmore, Brendan Kelley, Dylan Kilmer, Cassidy Kimble, Christina Krenitsky, Cora J. Lawson, John Loomis, Gabriel Paul Lumbag, Michael P. Mahoski, Joshua George Mall, Joseph Martin, Bryan J. Martinez, Noah Michael Mauro, Miranda McCormick, Emma McHale, Seth Neo Ray Minor, Rory Misko, Madison Moase, Emily Moser, James Mostowski, Devin Muncie, Bryan Nazario Jimenez, Paige Elizabeth Norella, Stephanie Oakley, Nevaeh Ozack, Astrid Gabriela Paz, Paxton Postlethwaite, Jonathan Vincent Pugliese, Zachary Racht, Thomas Albert Rosar, Brandon Rosario, Justin Rosario, Adam Rossetti, Nicholas Rotell-Tierney, Dylan James Rowland, Kianna Marie Savage, Darien M. Schiavone, Deven Jacob Schwartz, Kaitlyn Shockey, Robert Glen Sona, Paul W. Thomas, Nathan Andrew Uzialko, Nicholas C. Vadella, Emily Wall, Megan Wallis, Celeste Wengrin, Stone Wormuth, Michael Zazzera, Emma Rose Zieminski and Abagale Zuraski.

Valedictorian: Kristina Gorel

Parents: Andy and Rachele Gorel.

Activities: National Honor Society, PJAS, Mock Trial, football cheerleading captain, Future Business Leaders of America president and regional secretary, Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, student ambassador for Senator John Blake, student council vice president, soccer and track and field.

College Plans: University of Pennsylvania, majoring in psychology.

Salutatorian: Madison Hayner

Parents: Lawrell and Judd Hayner.

Activities: National Honor Society secretary, resident of the Science and Technology Club, vice president of Future Business Leaders of America, Mock Trial captain, secretary of SADD, Scholastic Team, soccer and cheerleading.

College Plans: Kutztown University, majoring in mathematics.

Steven Thomas Albano, Brandon Matthew Amato, Brooke M. Antoine, Sara Aronica, William A. Asinari, Melanie A. Bekanich, Molly Kathleen Benson, Jonathan Bibiloni, Joshua I. Bloomgarden, Andrew Peter Bochnovich, Sadie Anne Borsdam, Andrew T. Brannen, John Liam Brooks, Lauren Marie Bunnell, Monica Paige Byron, Mark T. Calkin, Benjamin Daniel Card, Yendry E. Carela Santos, Mason Michael Carmody, Jessica Marie Carney, Kennith Monroe Coca, Kayla J. Compton, J. Duncan Cordaro, Leean G. Dailey, Cheyanne Davis, Lucas E. Davis, Hope Lynn Decker, Gerard Lawrence DeMeglio, Matthew Mohan Demers, Julia Ashley DiMedici, Mark Joseph Durdach, Joseph A. Felicetta, Rebecca Frances Fields, Emma Kathleen Firmstone, Samuel David Follmer, Cris Anton Forelli, Jenna-Lee Franciosa, Kylee A. Freiermuth, Olivia A. Frigoletto, Elizabeth C. Fritz, Ryan Paul Fritz, Sierra Allegra Gaglione, Julio A. Galarza Jr., Jeneen Elizabeth Gallik, Jordan Carl Gallo, Jennson Patricia Gibbs, Anthony Ryan Golson, Rodney Wayne Golson, Max Michael Goodwin, Trent Gorel, Spencer Philip Goyette, Zachary William Grasse, Benjamin A. Griffis, Cody Walker Guinther, Sean R. Hager, Jillian Helferich, Lyle J. Hendel, Jill Marie Henderson, Clayton W. Hewlett, Lindsay Kate Hilton, Melanie Patrice Hnatko, Gavin M. Hoffman, Zachary John Hoffman, Julius Calvin Holbert, Morgan Scott Houghton, Abigail Shea Hover, Mackenzie Lucille Jackson, Justin Bruce Jay, Adam Kelly, Roger W. Kenyon, Kyle Kostas Kerkoulas, Alexander James Kielar, Samuel Stephen Kille, Rebecca Gale Kinzinger, Kai Conrad Klinger-Hiller, Lindsey Koch, Samuel L. Kraft, Denis James Kuchta III, Analise Rose Kulbaba, Thomas Kulikowski Jr., Garth Raymond LaBar, Anthony Joseph Lagattuta, Michael A. Landers, Ciara N. Lane, Ian David Langendoerfer, Casey Denise Lebrecht, Amanda Elizabeth Linde, Shayna Dellane Lohmann, Emma Morgan Long, Brittany Alice Loscig, Kiah Rose Lynch, Courtney M. Lyons, Jared S. Martin, Nathaniel Martin, BrieAnn Barbara Mayers, Anthony McDevitt, Collin Michael McVeigh, Emily Regina McVeigh, Haily, Miranda Merritt, Dylan Micheletti, Nicholas James Miller, Ryan P. Miller, Thomas A. Minella, Timothy Minella, Karli Alison Minew, Christian F. Modugno, Caitlin Mohrmann, Stephen J. Montauredes, Jade E. Mullally, Jane Elizabeth Murphy, Joseph R. Myers, Elijah Nell, Michael O. Nouri, Kiera Stefanie Oakley, Tara Marie Offutt, Patrick Michael O’Neill, Alexander Martin Orthouse, Gabriella Teresa Osegueda, Hannah Osegueda, Rylee Pahls, Lukas Patten, Mary Margaret Peck, Jakob Allen Pepper, Jack Elliot Perry, Tristan James Petroski, Charlene Pranski, Tristan Lewis Protzman, Charles Louis Pykus, Kaylee Rose Racht, Jason D. Reed, Orianna Star Rex, Carley Brook Riefler, Christopher Aaron Riefler, Caitlyn Lee Robbins, Justin James Rowles, Kyle James Ryzner, Alyvea Rose Scarfalloto, Jacob C. Schumacher, Rex Dean Schweighofer, Anna Elizabeth Semler, Garrett Anthony Senft, Jonathan Sepe, Hunter Floyd Sheard, Hayley Alexys Silon, Tanner John Simon, Britney Loren Smith, Taylor Marie Smith, Zoey Ann Joyce Smith, Evan Spangenberg , Kyle Matthew Stengel, Rie-Ann Joy Stephens, Teeonah Eola Leeann Stephenson, Kyle Michael Strokes, Natalie Marie Tamblyn, Sarah Jill Thompson, Travis M. Thompson, Kamryn Lee Tuttle, Sarina VanDeLinde, Adriana Grace Vender,

Isaiah R. Victor, Cristofer Angelo Vlacich, Zoe D. Wasserlauf, Amanda J. Weidow, Bradley Mark Welsh, Kody Edward Welsh, Jacob C. Wilson, Amanda L. Wohlmaker, Bridget Ann Wood, Sabrina Wood, Dorothy Esther Woods, Hunter Nicole Woods and Michelle Patricia Ann Yanakis.

Valedictorian Andrew Bochnovich

Hometown: Honesdale

Parents: Peter and Amy Bochnovich

Activities: Varsity Soccer, Youth Soccer Referee, TASS Travel Soccer, Junior High Track and Field, Varsity Track & Field, Marching Band, Science Olympiad, Chemistry Olympiad, American Mathematics Contest, Scholastic Bowl, Interact Club, Student Council, Delaware Valley Warrior Engineering Invitational, Scholar of the Year – 2015­/2016, National Honor Society – President 2015/2016, Honor Roll, St. John’s Youth Group.

Plans: University of Delaware to study chemical engineering.

Salutatorian Kylee Freiermuth

Hometown: Honesdale

Parents: Corey and Brandy Freiermuth

Activities: Track & Field, American Mathematics Contest, Watershed Quality Team, Drama, Chorus - president, Band, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Dessert Theater, District and Regional Chorus, Honor Roll, National Honor Society – Vice President, Young Artist’s Showcase, National American Miss State Finalist, Dessin Animal Shelter employee.

Plans: University of New Orleans to study naval architecture and marine engineering.

SCRANTON — At least two people were cut early Thursday morning in Scranton after someone pulled a knife during a fight over a girl, city police said.

Detectives are still investigating but have received little cooperation from those involved, Capt. Dennis Lukasewicz said Friday. No one was seriously injured.

The fight, between two people quarreling over a girl, occurred at 1:30 a.m. in the middle of the road on the 1400 block of Pine Street. Each side brought back up and the fight ended up involving more than a dozen people.

Someone flashed a knife and two people were confirmed to have been cut.

Anyone with information should contact detectives at 570-348-4139.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

SCRANTON — No one wants to take over historic City Hall and its $10.7 million in needed renovations.

The city did not receive any proposals by Friday’s deadline for an “adaptive reuse” of the 1888 municipal building at 340 N. Washington Ave.

“I’m not surprised,” city Business Administrator David Bulzoni said, citing the high cost estimate of renovations and facade restrictions from the building’s 1981 listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Seeking proposals was a step in a debate that arose earlier this year over whether Scranton should keep and undertake a $10.7 million renovation of City Hall or sell it and have city government move elsewhere at about half the repair cost.

Proposals for reuse were to have included: the method of acquisition (sale or long-term lease); funding (private equity, bank loan, grants, etc.); a schedule for repurposing the building; and a detailed description of the adaptive reuse.

With no proposals pitched, the city now will have to figure out how to fund and undertake renovations itself, Bulzoni said.

“The general consensus all along was to look at every opportunity to improve the building,” Bulzoni said. “We’ll likely begin that process of whatever alternatives we have to bring the building back to the condition it deserves.”

One idea raised by Mayor Bill Courtright and Bulzoni — the city buying the PenFed Credit Union building at 315-331 Franklin Ave. for $5 million and relocating city government there — now seems dead, Bulzoni said.

“It certainly appears at this point that the purchase of that (PenFed) building is off the table,” he said.

The issue stemmed from a report the city received earlier this year from consultant Highland Associates estimating a total renovation of City Hall would cost at least $10.7 million.

The administration floated the idea of possibly unloading City Hall and having the city instead buy the fairly new PenFed building at less than half the cost of a total overhaul of City Hall. However, most council members favored keeping City Hall and renovating it in stages, if necessary.

In May, the administration issued a public notice in The Times-Tribune for a “request for qualifications,” or RFQ, from entities interested in proposing an acquisition and renovation of City Hall. Councilman Wayne Evans, who favored staying put, pushed for the RFQ to leave no stone unturned.

“We did our due diligence,” Evans said. “We found out there’s no interested suitors. Now, it’s a clear path to restoration (by the city). We have to sit down, develop the plan and get it done.”

Bulzoni advocated for a total renovation done all at once. He said he still will advocate for the city committing the funding needed for a total renovation, even if the work ends up done in stages.

“My concern is doing a project in phases when you don’t have the dollars committed,” Bulzoni said. “If you do it in phases, then you have to commit to the funding. Otherwise, it’s just not going to get done.”

Evans said high-priority exterior repairs to seal the building must be the first work done. The city also needs to get an expert look at how interior space could best be used.

It’s not clear how the city might raise the funding needed, whether through borrowing or some other method.

“That’s a conversation we have to have,” Evans said.

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5185; @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

Scranton police this afternoon said they had an arrest warrant for a man involved in a shooting Wednesday.

Aumont “Monty” Edwards, 31, is considered armed and dangerous, according to a wanted poster distributed Thursday.

Edwards is a suspect in a shooting that occurred at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at South 10th Avenue and Oxford Street. It stemmed from a chased between two vehicles that started on Capouse Avenue.

No one was injured. The pursing vehicle fired several shots at another vehicle. A few bullets found their mark.

Edwards is sought on charges of criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person, according to the wanted poster.

Anyone with information should contact the detectives at 570-348-4139.

Check back for updates.

NEW MILFORD — New Milford Municipal Authority water customers had their service restored Friday but remain under a mandatory boil advisory.

The authority is still asking residents to conserve water as much as possible for the time being.

“This means no unnecessary use of water like washing your car, watering your lawn or filling pools,” they said in a notice.

With water restored, the American Red Cross shelter at the Blue Ridge High School has been removed.

The water shortage stemmed from a seven-hour effort to extinguish a fire at the Summit on Route 11 on Tuesday night. The fire consumed the restaurant. Investigators could not determine what caused the fire because the damage was too extensive.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

SCRANTON —City Council changed its weekly meetings for July from Monday nights to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays, according to a public notice in The Times-Tribune.

The next weekly council meeting will be Wednesday, July 3 at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall, followed by meetings July 10, July 17, July 24 and July 31.

Each of the July weekly meetings will be preceded by a council caucus at noon, held in the city Clerk’s Office or Council Chambers.

Council also will recess from weekly meetings during August.

Council will not meet Sept. 2, Labor Day, and will resume weekly meetings at 6 p.m., Mondays, preceded by caucuses at 5:15 p.m., starting Sept. 9.

— JIM LOCKWOOD

State legislators voted to delay a privatization plan that public-bus system operators say could threaten shared-ride bus trips.

The House voted 198-1 and the Senate 49-1 on Thursday on legislation to delay the plan until at least December.

Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to sign the legislation.

Backers say the delay will allow time for a more thorough analysis and study of an idea quietly inserted into a larger bill at the last minute last June without hearings.

The earlier bill directed the state Department of Human Services to develop a plan to use statewide or regional private brokers to provide non-emergency medical shared rides under Medicaid.

Officials of the County of Lackawanna Transit System and other shared-ride operators said brokers would take away funding critical to providing rides for physically impaired, low-income and senior citizen shared-ride clients. They said the change could also force service cuts or fare hikes on regular bus routes.

COLTS executive director Robert Fiume said he’s happy with the delay, but cautioned opponents will have to keep up pressure to block the idea permanently.

“It’s not over, but we’ve got the extra time,” Fiume said. “We’re going to keep pushing” against the idea.

In a statement, state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp., said the original bill had “serious flaws.”

“It may or may not work in the cities, but in smaller communities and rural areas, it definitely has the possibility of driving up costs and hindering services to those relying on the system, such as people with serious medical conditions,” Baker said. “Our seniors will be relieved this problem has been pushed off before they suffer any unintended consequences.”

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

Luis Alvarez Jr., Victor Armondi, Devon Bailey, Matthew Baker, Samuel Beesley, Anna Bonner, Patrick Brennan, Kimberly Bryden, Benjamin Burchell, Aleksander Carr, Cassandra Clapper, William Clauson, Jarod-Jayson Collins, Samuel Cosmello III, Micah Cramer, Ty Decker, Danielle Del Longo, Parker Dissinger, Keith Evans, Karris Fazzi, Kaleb Folk, Brandon Gelatt, Matthew Glatzel, Dylan Gleason, Danielle Goff, Joshua Goff, Jon Graves, Benjamin Gudykunst, Karly Gudykunst, Thomas Gudykunst, Brock Gumaer, Todd Hand, Krystal Hepler, Zachary Hessey, Allyssa Johnson, Natasha Johnson, Mary Kerr, Mackenzie Lewis, Thomas Loby, Alec Martin, Nathaniel McArthur, Jillian McAulliffe, Andrew Merrell, Ashley Mirra, Isabelle Morris, Micah Mullen, Kyra Powell, Robert Reynolds, Adam Roe, William Rudick, Jernie Schell, Elizabeth Smith, Zachary Smith, Megan Sommer, Lauren Stepniak, Ardine Stilloe III, Jillian Stone, Daniel Tierney, Luis Tobon, Hailey Tripp, Eric Wightman and Wesley Wojtkowski.

Valedictorian: Daniel Tierney

Parents: David and Colleen Tierney.

Activities: Cross Country, Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, Journalism Webpage Master and AP Scholar with Distinction.

College Plans: Binghamton University.

Salutatorian: Luis Tobon

Parents: Jorge Tobon and Blanca Montiel.

Activities: Cross Country, Journalism, NEIU Scholar of the Year and AP Scholar.

College Plans: University of Pittsburgh.

The Graduates:

Sarah Alessi, Jacob Andzulis, Makenzie Bell, Benjamin Bigelow, Hope Bruzgulis, Devin Burney, Miranda Button, Sophia Calamari, Angela Carroll, Scarlett Catalfamo, Evan Clarkson, Joshua Craven, Cameron DeManicor, Alexandria DeWolfe, Riley Doyle, Cody Durso, Alyssa Evans, Josephine Evans, Cameron Ferguson, Mackenzie Frisbie, Travis Getz, Robert Gray, Alexis Gregory, Brandon Griffin, Dylan Hancock, Madison Hegedty, Joseph Jackson, Adrianna Jerauld, MacKenzie Jerauld, Thomas Johnson, Austin Jorgensen, Justin Kelley, Alyssa Kelly, Brian Kozloski, Todd Landis, Ethan Mack, Christopher Master, Marissa McAndrew, Sydney Newhart, Jackson Orr, Courtney Pellew, James Penny, Lena Penny, Allan Peterka, Alayna Robinson, Leah Saam, Zoey Sabine, Katelyn Satunas, Madison Schermerhorn, Michael Schermerhorn, Matthew Schwarztrauber, Jordan Scone, Jason Seamans, Thomas Sheridan, Irene Spickerman, Kurstian Stankiewicz, Tyler Striefsky, Kayla Supancik, Daniel Tran, Lily Virbitsky, Michael Wademan, Aaron Weida, Caitlyn Williams, Madison Williams, Abigail Wormuth and Kodi Zantowsky

Valedictorian Matthew Charles Schwarztrauber

Hometown: Hop Bottom.

Parents: John and Laurie Schwarztrauber.

Activities: Class treasurer, National Honor Society president, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, Envirothon, Music Honor Society Tri-M, National Society of High School Scholars, varsity golf, MVHS Scholar of the Year and Times Tribune 2019 Scholastic Superstar.

Plans: Attend Wilkes University to pursue a doctor of pharmacy degree.

Salutatorian Alexandria DeWolfe

Hometown: Gibson.

Parents: Barbara Maxon.

Activities: Varsity soccer, National Honor Society, French Honor Society, yearbook team, Arts Alive, scholastic team, Science Olympiad, Envirothon, prom committee, FACS club and Relay for Life.

Plans: Attend Penn State University to study chemistry and enter the physician’s assistant program.

After years of planning and anticipation, Jefferson Twp. will unveil a new walking trail next week at its burgeoning recreation complex — the first of its kind in the community.

Built on the 42-acre-complex the township purchased in 2012, the more than 1,300 feet of new trail runs from a trailhead near a paved parking area to a former logging road leading to a small pond on the public property. Officials will celebrate the new trail, located off state Route 348 next to Ritter’s Farm Market, at a 10:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday.

“It’s going to be a great asset for our community,” township Supervisor Jason Hollister said, noting other North Pocono municipalities such as Moscow and Covington Twp. have trails and parks that are popular and frequently used. “We don’t have anything aside from our Municipal Building on public property, so this is really the first of its kind (in the township).”

The first phase of the project, made possible by a state Department of Community and Economic Development grant, cost about $77,000 and included construction of the parking lot and trail. The township recently received a $400,000 state gaming grant to complete an access road leading to the trail and install additional parking areas, and is pursuing additional grants to install restrooms and two multi-purpose fields.

Hollister said the fields could eventually host youth soccer, football and other sports, noting the township’s recreation board was approached earlier this year by North Pocono Youth Soccer League officials who expressed interest in using the park for games.

A master site plan map of the recreation complex prepared by Honesdale-based Woodland Design Associates includes a baseball/softball field, tennis and basketball courts, horseshoe pits and a playground area, among others.

“The trails are just the tip of the iceberg,” said recreation board vice chairwoman Barb Janus, noting the township’s civic association has been raising funds to build a dog park at the complex.

Contact the writer:

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

JERMYN — Pennsylvania Lottery officials presented a commemorative check Friday morning to a Mayfield business owner who won $800,001 — one of Lackawanna County’s newest lottery winners.

John Klein, owner of J.K.’s Kitchen and Design Center, won the Cash 5 jackpot from the June 17 drawing. The father of two purchased his winning ticket on Father’s Day at Convenient Food Mart in Jermyn. Lottery officials gave him the oversized, commemorative check at the store.

“The timing was awesome,” Klein said in a statement. “I didn’t even know I had won.”

After his girlfriend called him, he said he checked his ticket and it was a winner.

“I was screaming,” Klein said. “We just broke ground on a new home, so this money came at the right time.”

The winning numbers for the drawing were 11-13-27-30-41. Klein matched all five, and said he plays those numbers every week.

“We are extremely excited to congratulate John for his big Cash 5 jackpot,” said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. “More than 46,800 other Cash 5 tickers also won prizes from that same drawing.”

Launched as a weekly game on April 23, 1992, Cash 5 is the state’s longest-running jackpot game. It became a nightly drawing in 1998, with a televised drawing at 6:59 p.m.

Earlier this year, Luther Coleman Jr., of Columbia County, won a $2.4 million Cash 5 jackpot — the highest ever for the game. Lottery proceeds fund programs for Pennsylvania senior citizens.

Old Forge

Chicken BBQ: Prince of Peace Parish in Old Forge sponsoring a chicken barbecue and basket raffle Sunday, Aug. 11, parking lot of Arcaro & Genell’s, Main Street, Old Forge, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., takeout, limited outside seating, $10. Advance orders: Francis, 570-451-0112 by Aug. 1.

Scranton

Seniors meet: South Side Friendly Seniors meeting Tuesday, 12:30, St. Paul of the Cross Parish Center, Prospect Avenue.

Rummage sale: The Little Sisters of the Poor final “This, That and the Other Thing” rummage sale Wednesday, July 3, through Saturday, July 27, Holy Family Residence, 2500 Adams Ave., Scranton, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, includes small furniture, beds, comforters, small kitchen items, decorations and more. Contact: 570-343-4065.

Taylor

Club meeting: The R&L Civic Club, Taylor, meeting Friday, July 5, 8 p.m., St. George’s Hall, Taylor.

Throop

Parade route: Throop Borough quasquicentennial parade route will be Sanderson Street to Cypress Street to Murray Street. The parade will be Sunday, 1 p.m.

Garbage collection: The Thursday, July 4, garbage will be collected Friday, and the Friday garbage will be collected Monday, July 8. Have curb-side by 6 a.m.

Yard waste: As of Aug. 23, Throop Borough yard waste — grass, clippings, leaves, brush — will be collected with regular garbage collection. Tree limbs/branches must be cut to a maximum of four feet in length and tied in bundles.

West Scranton

Sloan Seniors: Sloan Seniors meeting Tuesday, 1:30, SS. Peter and Paul Church, followed by Fourth of July luncheon; games will follow.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be sent to yesdesk@timessham

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

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf signed a $34 billion compromise budget Friday after lawmakers wrapped up the week with a flurry of votes on hundreds of pages of legislation that in some cases drew angry protests from his fellow Democrats.

Fueled by strong tax collections, the budget boosts aid to public schools and universities, holds the line on taxes, and stuffs a substantial sum into reserves.

Both Wolf and top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature said they were proud of the budget.

However, Wolf saw some of his top priorities blocked by Republicans, and he gave into a Republican demand to end a decades-old cash assistance program for the destitute deemed temporarily unable to work.

Not a single Democratic lawmaker voted for the bill, which ends the program called “general assistance,” and debate over it in the Senate turned ugly Wednesday. Meanwhile, 62 of the 70 votes against the main spending bill were from Wolf’s fellow Democrats, some of whom criticized the budget as lacking courage.

“In divided government, you

have to advocate aggressively, you have to negotiate hard, and you also have to do what’s best for all of the people you serve,” Wolf said in a statement Friday announcing he would sign the budget bills. “You have to do everything you can to promote the most forward-looking agenda you can conceive, and to prevent regressive policies from becoming law.”

In interviews Friday, Wolf said he understood Democrats’ frustration that the budget didn’t go far enough, but he defended it as “making lives better” and said the state is far ahead of where it was when he took office in 2015.

“We’re a much more progressive state than we were five years ago, and I’m very proud of that,” Wolf said. “At the same time, there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Both chambers gaveled out until September after approving the final budget-related bills.

Lawmakers passed a separate measure to help counties afford new voting machines that have an auditable paper trail ahead of the 2020 presidential election, although Democratic lawmakers protested some of the bill’s provisions changing election laws.

All told, the 2019-20 spending plan, for the budget year that starts Monday, authorizes new spending of nearly $2 billion, or about 6% more than the current fiscal year’s approved spending.

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.

It sends $210 million more to public school operations and instruction, as well as tens of millions more to pre-kindergarten programs and higher education institutions. It is also expected to leave nearly $300 million for the state’s “rainy day” budgetary reserve.

Much of it was similar to the $34.1 billion proposal Wolf issued in February. Healthy revenues eased pressure on lawmakers and the governor, helping them deliver an on-time budget after protracted battles during Wolf’s first three years in office.

Still, Republicans rejected a push by Wolf and his Democratic allies to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, as well as a new fee proposed by the governor on municipalities that rely solely on state troopers for local police services.

For the fifth straight year under Wolf, Republicans again blocked a tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling he had sought this year to underwrite infrastructure and development projects.

The Legislature authorized borrowing $90 million to pay for voting machines, to help counties with a tab expected to exceed $100 million. The borrowing provision emerged at the 11th hour, after weeks of Republicans saying they did not support Wolf’s demand that counties buy new machines.

On Wednesday night, Republicans abruptly bundled the borrowing provision into a measure carrying changes to voting laws that Democrats opposed.

Wolf on Friday would not say whether he would sign or veto it but said there are elements of it that he doesn’t like and suggested that it didn’t go nearly far enough in improving access to voting.

Determined to end the general assistance program, Republicans packaged it into legislation reauthorizing state subsidies for Philadelphia hospitals.

Asked about that strategy, House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, said it is the reality of divided government.

“I won’t discuss the private conversations I had with any of the parties, but the truth is we were trying to reach a compromise as much as possible,” Cutler said.

Wolf said he had no choice but to sign the bill eliminating general assistance but added that he is working on a way to help the thousands of people it was projected to serve.

Highlights of the spending package signed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf for Pennsylvania state government’s 2019-20 fiscal year starting Monday, as well as the fate of Wolf’s key initiatives:

THE BIG PICTURE

— Increases spending through the state’s main bank account to $34 billion. Including $674 million for cost overruns in the current fiscal year, it authorizes nearly $2 billion in new, higher spending, or 6% of this year’s enacted budget of $32.7 billion.

— Projects a nearly 3% increase in tax collections to $35.8 billion, before refunds.

— Does not increase tax rates on sales or income, the state’s two biggest sources of revenue.

— Deposits nearly $300 million into budgetary reserve.

— Uses hundreds of millions in transfers and payment delays to veil the true cost of operating state government.

GOVERNOR’S AGENDA

— Authorizes borrowing $90 million to help Pennsylvania’s counties pay for new voting machines in time for the 2020 presidential election. Wolf had sought the aid.

— Grants Wolf’s request to authorize his administration to take over Pennsylvania’s online health insurance exchange created by the Affordable Care Act from the federal government.

— Authorizes $255 million out of governor’s original $315 million request for additional pre-kindergarten and K-12 public school funding.

— Includes Wolf’s request to raise the age at which children in Pennsylvania must attend schools, currently age 8, to age 6, and raises the permissible dropout age from 17 to 18.

— Includes Wolf’s proposal to grant members of the National Guard who re-enlist for six more years an added higher-education benefit that can be used by spouses or children.

— Boosts Wolf’s year-old PAsmart initiative by $10 million to $40 million for apprenticeships, computer science training and other technical education training programs.

— Does not raise the state minimum wage. Wolf had proposed raising it to $12 an hour on July 1, up from the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour, with incremental increases after that.

— Does not impose a per person fee from municipalities that do not have their own full-time police force and instead rely solely upon state police for coverage. Wolf had proposed a sliding-scale fee based on a municipality’s population to raise $103 million.

— Does not restructure how the state calculates corporate profits to adopt “combined reporting” or reduce the corporate net income tax rate. Wolf had proposed both.

— Does not impose a tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling to fund a $4.5 billion borrowing program that Wolf had proposed to pay for upgrades to infrastructure and development projects.

— Does not authorize the Wolf administration to join a regional consortium that sets a price and caps on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants, netting Pennsylvania hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

SPENDING BY CATEGORY (including money from outside state accounts)

— HUMAN SERVICES: Declines by $1.2 billion, or 7%, to $16.3 billion.

— K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION: Grows $210 million, or 2.5%, to $8.3 billion.

— PRE-K EDUCATION: Grows $45 million, or 8%, to $596 million.

— HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: Grows $34 million, or 2.5%, to $1.3 billion.

— CORRECTIONS AND PAROLE: Grows $18 million, or 1.5%, to $2.6 billion.

— PENSIONS: Grows about $160 million, or 5%, to $3.5 billion.

— STATE POLICE: Grows about $35 million, or 3%, to $1.3 billion.

— DEBT: Grows $175 million, or 13%, to $1.3 billion.

Source: Governor’s office, House Appropriations Committee, Senate Appropriations Committee

Kathy Marie Akers, Blaise Clarence Albright, Emily Ann Arthur, Luke Miles Bender, Cameron James Brucher, Taylor Rae Burleigh, Chloe Marie Calabro, Isaiah Zebulon Canfield, An Qi Chen, Hayley Marie Christison, Tyler William Clift, Jordan Renee Coles, Daniel Congdon, Anthony Donell D’Antuono, Nathan Michael DarrenKamp, Nicole Marie DellaRocco, Joshua Edward Doyle, Christopher Richard Eakle, Destiny Nicole Englert, Dyllan Gary Ernst, Athaliah Iwelu Garcia, Matthew James Giles, Kary Elizabeth Gillette, Victoria Lynn Hawm, Tomi-Ann Nicole Holliday, Sarah Kathryn Hunt, William Robert Keller, Emily Mae Kernoschak, Maggie Kowalewski, Natalie Grace Lipko, Joshua John Rueben Loysch, David Lynch, Elizabeth Ann Mayers, Brittney Alexis Meheltz, Harry Peter Montauredes, Katie Elizabeth Nebzydoski, Katie Kim Nguyen, Anya Mikayla Non, Jessica Tera Notari, Kathryn Irene Novajosky, Raymond Steven Ondrako, Lucas Vinson O’Neill, Riley Francis O’Neill, Brooke Liana Pace, Eric Richard Paulin, Alissa Marie Pelick, Brooke Nicole Petersen, Thomas Louis Piotrowski, Keanue Rosario, Peighton Rose-Mary Smith, David Gregory Stackhouse, Laura Statkun, Kayla Kathryn Stephens, Stephen Matthew Stueber, Annie Francis Sullivan, Dakota Vance Swann, Cody James Tomlinson, Mark Paul Tregidgo, Destiny Unique Way, Grace Ellen Yadlosky and Finnegan James Yount.

Valedictorian Jordan Coles

Parents: Kimberly and Patrick Coles

Activities: President of Future Business Leaders of America, vice president of National Honor Society, vice president of Spanish Club, CHOPS, co-editor of the yearbook, volleyball and manager of the boys’ volleyball team.

Plans: attending Penn State, University Park to major in accounting.

Salutatorian AnQi Chen

Parents: XiaJuan Wang

Activities: Yearbook committee, drama club, National Honor Society, student council and CHOPS.

Plans: Penn State, University Park to major in chemistry.

As a boy in the early 1970s, Paul Richards kept a poster of Apollo astronauts from a 1969 edition of The Scranton Times under the bed in his Dunmore bedroom.

The poster, emblazoned with the astronauts and spacecraft that orbited Earth and landed on the moon, inspired Richards, who looked at it nearly nightly and dreamed of space.

Sometimes, he dreamed about being James Bond or president of the United States. More than anything, though, he wanted to be an astronaut — a childhood aspiration he achieved despite astronomical odds.

Richards, 55, one of the few to gaze down on Earth from the vacuum of space, retired earlier this month after more than 34 years of service to NASA and the federal government.

“A lot of folks might say ‘well you’re lucky,’ ” Richards said in a phone interview from

Washington, D.C.. “I never used to believe in luck, until somebody explained their version of luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Then I said, ‘okay, I think given that definition I was pretty lucky.’”

During his extraordinary career, Richards worked at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, designed tools and equipment used on the Hubble Space Telescope and served as a crew member on the Discovery space shuttle during a 2001 trip to the International Space Station. On that mission, Richards walked in space — something only 223 other astronauts, and 128 other Americans, have ever done.

Angela Richards, of Dunmore, recalled how her son watched an Apollo launch from his kindergarten classroom.

“That impressed him so much, and from then on he came home and said ‘I want to be an astronaut,’” she said. “I said ‘next week he’ll want to be a fireman,’ but he just persisted.”

High school and college peers would often snicker or roll their eyes when Richards spoke of his ambitions, but he was determined.

“I remember in college ... I said ‘well, I’m already working for NASA up here in my head, and it’s only a matter of time before I make it come true,’” Richards said. “I sort of would almost wake up every day and think ‘what can I do today that would get me closer to becoming an astronaut?’ It was ingrained and almost a daily mantra.”

Richards stepped closer to realizing his dream in 1987, when he became a NASA engineer. Most NASA workers, however, never make it into space.

When Richards arrived at Goddard in 1987, colleagues joked that every engineer wants to be an astronaut. Some said he’d grow out of it.

“I think what helped me is I was oblivious to the impossibility,” he said. “To me, it wasn’t impossible, therefore I made it possible.”

In 1996, Richards was selected and began his two-year astronaut training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. During the Discovery mission in 2001, he logged over 307 hours in space, including more than six hours outside the International Space Station walking in space. Richards served as the flight engineer for ascent and reentry, the rendezvous navigator and the onboard computer specialist during the Discovery mission.

He left NASA briefly after returning to Earth, to serve as an aerospace consultant, but rejoined the agency in 2004. He continued working there in various roles until June 3, when he officially retired.

For his mother, who was on hand when Discovery launched, her son’s career and achievements are a source of immeasurable pride.

“I’m a little above him,” she joked. “I still haven’t come down.”

Richards never forgot his roots. In 2009, he spoke via video connection to more than 350 Dunmore Elementary Center students about his experiences during the Discovery mission. He also read to children at the Lackawanna County Children’s Library in 2004, and said this week that public speaking, especially to children, is an important part of the job.

The official date of Richards’ retirement came just four days before President Donald Trump published a Tweet calling on NASA to focus its attentions on putting a man on Mars.

It’s an ambitious charge, Richards said, but continued exploration of space drives progress — both there and here at home.

“We’re still in the infancy of learning how people can live off of the planet,” he said. “We have a lot to learn and it’s going to be a long road ahead. So, it does take the public support to understand that the more we explore the better life is here on Earth. That’s been true throughout history.”

Contact the writer:

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

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

SCRANTON

Police seeking

masked robber

Police are looking for a man who robbed a gas station convenience store in Scranton early Thursday morning, Capt. Dennis Lukasewicz said.

A man carrying a crowbar stole an unspecified amount of money from the Joe’s Kwik Marts on the 700 block of North Keyser Avenue shortly after 4 a.m.

Dressed in black, he wore a black and white bandana and sunglasses to conceal his face and covered his hands with black and white gloves.

He is a white man and stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, Lukasewicz said.

Anyone with information should contact the detectives at 570-348-4139.

—JOSEPH KOHUT