SCRANTON — A Lackawanna County judge had a question for prosecutors as he sentenced a Dominican national to jail for his role in a scheme that bilked an elderly woman out of $27,000.

Where is the woman’s money?

Judge Vito Geroulo gave the district attorney’s office until Friday to get back to him with a satisfactory answer.

Geroulo on Wednesday sentenced Raymundo Pena-Nunez, 23, to one to two years minus one day in the county prison for criminal conspiracy to commit theft by deception.

Pena-Nunez was among three people charged by Scranton police in December with scamming an 86-year-old West Virginia woman under the ruse that her grandson had been arrested and needed money to pay a lawyer.

The woman mailed two installments to addresses in New Jersey, enclosing the money in taped-up magazines, before she was instructed to mail a third to an address in Scranton.

By that time, her family became aware of the scheme and notified authorities. The West Virginia state police alerted Scranton police, which worked with a postal inspector to track down Pena-Nunez and co-conspirators Jeyson Sanchez-Moran and Francis Rodriguez-Gomez.

Investigators later learned all three men had played minor league baseball in the United States but were released by their teams.

Speaking through an interpreter, Pena-Nunez told Geroulo he was sorry and asked for forgiveness.

“Being in prison has changed my life drastically,” he said. “I have lost my future because of this.”

His attorney, Jody Kalinowski, told the court that an immigration detainer has been filed against Pena-Nunez and he will be deported.

In addition to the prison sentence, Geroulo ordered Pena-Nunez to make restitution to his victim — the full $27,000, minus any amount recovered by investigators and returned to the woman.

But Geroulo was clearly troubled Wednesday that none of the recovered money has been returned. Two of the woman’s daughters reminded him of that when they showed up for Pena-Nunez’s sentencing.

Geroulo quizzed Assistant District Attorney Bo Loughney about the status of the money, including $10,150 in stolen cash recovered by the city police Street Crimes Unit.

“Why is that money not being paid to the victim?” he asked.

The judge, who said he did not receive a reply from another assistant district attorney when he raised the issue a few weeks ago, told Loughney to notify the district attorney that the court wants a “direct explanation” why the woman does not have her money back.

Geroulo said he will issue a contempt citation if he does not have a response by Friday.

Sanchez-Moran, 25, and Rodriguez-Gomez, 26, have also pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges. Sanchez-Moran is serving a sentence similar to Pena-Nunez’s; Rodriguez-Gomez is awaiting sentencing.

Contact the writer:

dsingleton@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9132

Scranton Mayor Wayne Evans is requiring all city employees to review and formally acknowledge receipt of a new, stiffer ethics code governing conduct by employees and officials.

One of several sections in the 28-page code covers prohibited behaviors, from accepting gifts to nepotism, fraud and improper personal use of city property. That prohibition complements written policy regulating city vehicle use that Evans implemented after Scranton Fire Chief Patrick DeSarno took his city-issued Ford Escape on vacation and got into an accident in July. DeSarno used his taxpayer-funded gas card on the trip to Ocean City, New Jersey — behavior the ethics code also bars.

All city employees must sign and date a document stating they received, read and understand the new ethics code. That document will be stored in their personnel files, a step Evans said is standard in the private sector.

“We want the public to understand that we’re doing everything we can to be open, transparent and accountable,” Evans said, describing the new protocols as a necessary shift from past practices. “Most of our employees will welcome the opportunity to be part of that process.”

The mayor’s announcement today about the new code coincides with the first meeting of a revived Scranton ethics board, which will take place later tonight. Both trace their roots to a summer 2018 debate over the lease of a vacant Nay Aug Park building to a city official for conversion into a coffee shop, which happened against the backdrop of an ongoing state corruption probe involving the Scranton School District.

City council in January introduced the stiffer ethics code, which also includes limitations on campaign finance contributions elected officials can receive. Council introduced the code just two days before the FBI raided City Hall and former Mayor Bill Courtright’s home as part of an investigation that resulted in Courtright’s July resignation and guilty plea on federal corruption charges.

Council adopted the code later in January. Courtright, meanwhile, awaits sentencing on charges of bribery, extortion and conspiracy for shaking down entities doing business in or with the city.

Beyond the ethics code, city officials are making other efforts to ensure employee accountability. Scranton is soliciting proposals from accountants to conduct a comprehensive audit of city gas card usage over the past three years and Evans is exploring the possibility of implementing a GPS tracking system in city vehicles.

Contact the writer:


jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9141;
@jhorvathTT on Twitter

As if not to disturb any snoozing newborns, Geisinger Community Medical Center quietly opened its new maternity ward Thursday, a spokesman confirmed.

Expectant mothers now have their pick of two hospitals in Lackawanna County where they can deliver babies.

For years, Moses Taylor Hospital was the only one of three hospitals in the city with labor and delivery care.

Two years ago, the Danville-based Geisinger health system set out to build a $15 million maternity center on the third floor of its Scranton hospital. Community Medical Center ended maternity care in 2007, citing the high cost of malpractice insurance. That was before Geisinger bought it in 2012.

The new birthing center has eight delivery and postpartum suites, so new moms don’t have to switch rooms after delivery. The center is staffed with certified nurse midwives.

Suites also have labor water tubs. Soaking helps alleviate spinal pressure during labor.

The nonprofit health system has a bigger vision to expand women’s health care in the Electric City, with a new center on six acres in the Mount Pleasant complex off West Linden Street.

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

A Carbondale man admitted to prying open a pair of lock boxes belonging to his dying mother and stealing about $7,400 stored inside, Carbondale police said.

Ryan Michael Bohr, 19, 80 Archbald St., is the son of Ruth Bohr, who told police she is dying of cancer and has been setting aside money so her family won’t be burdened with expenses when she passes away. When another son found the lock boxes empty on Sept. 27, Ruth Bohr suspected Ryan Bohr of taking the money, according to a criminal complaint.

Ruth Bohr told police she kicked Ryan Bohr out of her apartment last year, and that Ryan Bohr had recently purchased a 2004 Jeep Cherokee Laredo.

During an initial interview at police headquarters, Ryan Bohr said he didn’t know what happened to the money. He also told police he purchased the Jeep with money his employer, Harry Sinawa, owed him, police said.

Sinawa told investigators he paid Ryan Bohr a total of between $1,500 and $2,000 over the past two months. He also said Bohr had recently shown him a stack of money and told him it was from his savings, according to police.

On Sept. 30, Sinawa spoke to police again. Ryan Bohr had asked him to tell police he had given Bohr the stack of money, and Sinawa refused, he told officers.

During another interview at police headquarters on Sept. 30, Ryan Bohr admitted to entering his mother’s unlocked apartment, prying open the lock boxes with a hammer and taking the money. He spent the cash on the Jeep, food, cigarettes, a couch and a television, and gave some away to a friend, police said.

Ryan Bohr faces felony counts of burglary, criminal trespassing, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. He remains in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail; a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21.

Contact the writer:


jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9141;
@jhorvathTT on Twitter

Luzerne County Councilman Harry Haas will seek the Republican nomination for the 8th District U.S. Congressional seat next year.

If he wins a contested Republican primary, Haas will challenge incumbent Democrat Matt Cartwright.

Haas will formally announce his candidacy today at Leggio’s Italian Restaurant in Dallas. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the program starts at 5:30 p.m.

Haas, 44, lives in Kingston and teaches history at Dallas Middle School. He is married with two children.

Haas has served on county council since 2012, when the county’s home rule form of government took effect.

In a phone interview Wednesday, Haas said he plans to keep his council seat as he campaigns for Congress.

Serving at the county level hammered home the importance of government at the federal level, Haas said.

“In my time on council I’ve learned that a lot of what happens locally starts at the highest level of government,” he said.

Haas said he would explain his reasons for running and outline his plans in detail at today’s campaign announcement.

Haas will face at least one other candidate in the Republican primary.

Teddy Daniels, 44, a retired police officer and businessman from Wyoming, will also seek the Republican nomination. Daniels described himself as a pro-Trump conservative Republican when he announced his candidacy last week.

Cartwright, 58, lives in Moosic. He defeated Republican challenger John Chrin last year in the re-formed 8th District, which includes much of the former 17th District that Cartwright represented since 2013.

The 8th Congressional District includes Pike, Wayne and Lackawanna counties and portions of Luzerne and Monroe counties.

Contact the writer:

emark@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2117

High notes

Historian and author Paolo Battaglia from Modena, Italy, will trace the Italian culture across the country at the Lackawanna Historical Society on Sunday.

The program is based on his new book “Italian American Country — Finding Italy in Small Town America.”

Battaglia followed the route throughout the United States taken in 1905 by Italian Ambassador Edmondo Mayor des Planches to meet the descendants of immigrants who came from Italy.

While researching his book, Battaglia stopped in Scranton and spoke to the historical society.

The illustrated book also features a three-episode documentary chronicling his travels and what it means to be Italian in America, according to the society.

He is also the co-author of “Explorers Emigrants Citizens: A Visual History of the Italian American Experience,” published in 2013 with the Library of Congress, among other publications.

The discussion on Sunday begins at 2 p.m. at the Catlin House, 232 Monroe Ave., Scranton. Copies of his book will be available for purchase. The program is free and open to the public. For more details, contact the Lackawanna Historical Society at 570-344-3841 or lackawannahis

tory@gmail.com.

Upcoming talent

show scheduled

Kiwanis Club of Scranton members Jean Lencicki, Dave Lencicki, John Baldino, Mary Beth D’Andrea, Midge MacArthur and Ken Leibold met to select Lackawanna County elementary and high school students to participate in the second annual Kiwanis Youth Talent Exposition.

Students auditioned for the event, which showcases their talents in the performing arts.

The club sponsors the talent exposition to raise funds to support grants for area students to participate in nonschool-based arts related programs.

In 2018, the club awarded more than $3,500 in grants to 16 students following the first Kiwanis Youth Talent Exposition.

The Kiwanis Club hopes to make this youth talent exposition an annual event.

The event will be held Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Peoples Security Bank Theater at Lackawanna College. For more details, contact kiwanisscranton@gmail.com.

Class established

The Leadership Lackawanna Core Program Class of 2019-2020 include Justin Collins, Commonwealth Medical College; Sarah Weber, Net Credit Union; Aditi Phalak, Barry Callebaut; Amber Walko-Ray, PPL Electric Utilities; Lauren Luongo, Fidelity Bank; Keith Danielowski, Prudential Financial; Benjamin Segall, Penn East Federal Credit Union; Eric Schab, Commonwealth Health/Moses Taylor; Megan Kofira, Weiler Abrasives Group; Katheryn Kennington, Montage Mountain Resorts; Suzanne Kennedy, Community Bank NA; Dawn Talley, St. Joseph’s Center; Matthew Heimlich, Procter and Gamble; Elizabeth McGrath Ardizoni, The Wright Center for Community Health; Hans Christianson, Geisinger Health Foundation; Adam Witinski, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates; Peter Gentile, NBT Bank; Brittany Colon, First National Community Bank; Patrick Lindmeier, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials; Meghan Burns, Greater Scranton YMCA; Lauren Stroble, Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA; Jasmine Ahuja, Jasmine Ahuja Realty; Anthony Monastra, Geisinger; Karen Lipnichan, Lackawanna College; Mary Elizabeth Endrusick, NeighborWorks Northeastern PA; Aubrey Rachel Fick, Joseph Paulowskey and Michael DePietro, both of Benco Dental; Dharti Ray and Henry Matute Coello, both of Penn State Scranton; Cara Sherman and Maura Mark, both of United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA; Alonzo Baker, Mariah McAndrew and Autumn Granza, all of Penn Foster; and Dana Bilotta, Nicolette Stine and Mary K. Nolan, all of Tobyhanna Army Depot.

The group recently held its first session at Montage Mountain.

During the 10-month Core Program, participants gain leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills, as well as an enhanced understanding of the issues relevant to the Greater Scranton area. They also work on community projects and benefit local nonprofit organizations.

“This year’s participants have accomplished great things in their past, and I look forward to seeing how they will use the leadership skills they acquire over the next 10 months,” said Nicole A. Morristell, Leadership Lackawanna director.

EXETER — A team of engineers who have been studying flood-control options for West Pittston to avert another flooding disaster like the one that hit in 2011 recommends building a levee to protect the borough.

The recommendation, revealed Wednesday night at a public meeting at Wyoming Area High School in Exeter, calls for a 1.6-mile flood-control barrier along Susquehanna Avenue — a combination of an earthen levee and a flood wall.

Costs estimates range between $47.7 million and $49.9 million.

A proposed earthen levee would begin near the River Shores housing development near the border of Exeter and be about 14 feet tall. The levee, which could include a walking trail atop like in Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre, would run to about halfway between the Water Street and Fort Jenkins bridges.

Because there wouldn’t be enough room to continue with an earthen level, the barrier would become a flood wall for a third of a mile before becoming an earth levee again near the intersection with York Avenue. The earth levee would continue to Clyde Street near where the Lackawanna River enters the Susquehanna River.

— BOB KALINOWSKI

MARRIAGE LICENSE

• Kelly Marie Doyle and Eugene Marion Szezorak Jr., both of Scranton.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

• Joseph A. and Mary Cuchara, Olyphant, to Angelo J. DePrimo and Danielle M. Weber-DePrimo, Old Forge; a property at 221 Dale Ave., Scranton, for $92,000.

• Henry Etienne, Asbury Park, N.J., to Devang and Rita D. Patel, Scranton; a property at 924 Taylor Ave., Scranton, for $33,000.

• William R. and Lois R. Kilmer to Sarahjean Seymour; a property in Elmhurst Twp. for $247,000.

• B & D Realty Inc., Jefferson Twp., to Brandon Evans, Moscow; a property at 209 Wilcrest Road, Roaring Brook Twp., for $154,000.

• Pamela DiGregorio, Arch­bald, to Kathryn Ann Kitcho, Scranton; a property at 110 Wisteria Lane, Archbald, for $190,000.

• Pamela Elaine Widzon, now by marriage Pamela Elaine Nolan, and Mark Nolan, Carbon­dale, to Gregory Antonio Harring­ton, Dunmore; a property at 14 Fern Ave., Carbondale, for $78,500.

• Salvatore Lomino, Barefoot Bay, Fla., to Desire and Alan Harry, Baldwin, N.Y.; a property at 82 Fallbrook St., Carbondale, for $92,900.

• Max Lubin and Kaitlyn R. Nothdurft, now by marriage Kaitlyn R. Lubin, Kingston, to Matthew James Batyko and Olena Y. Shemchuk, Lacka­wanna County, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property at 1319 Jefferson Ave., Dunmore, for $165,000.

• Christina Burrell, now known as Christina Lang, and David Colarusso, to Charles and Andrea Jackson; a property at 9 Havana St., Carbondale, for $100,000.

• William J. Villella, Jermyn, to Paul and Karen Konosky, Scott Twp.; a property at 152 Washington Ave., Jermyn, for $35,000.

• John and Kristin Meyers to Donald C. Baptiste; a property at 1418-1420 Academy St., Scranton, for $70,000.

• Karen A. Popovich O’Connor and William O’Connor, Scott Twp., to Barbara C. Kugler, Scott Twp.; a property in Scott Twp. for $145,000.

• Mona R. Griffer, South Abington Twp., to Joseph and Maureen Scolere, Clarks Sum­mit; a property at 35 Wyndham Road, South Abington Twp., for $270,000.

DIVORCE SOUGHT

• Richard Surridge, Taylor, v. Lydia Surridge, Scranton; married May 14, 2013, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; John F. Kulick, attorney.

LAWSUIT

• Amie Burns, 504 Nichols St., Suite A, Clarks Summit, v. Abington Heights School District, 200 E. Grove St., Clarks Summit, seeking in excess of $50,000, together with interest thereon, costs, counsel fees, punitive damages and any other relief deemed just, for injuries suffered Jan. 11, in a fall on the defendant’s premises at 222 Noble Road, Clarks Summit; Dominic J. Mastri, attorney.

FEDERAL TAX LIENS

• Patrick J. McLaine, 704 Shirley Lane, Dunmore; $83,778.98.

• Jesse R. Swisher and Aimee E. Marcello, 1058 Green Holly Road, South Abington Twp.; $45,885.56.

BENCH WARRANTS

Judge Thomas Munley has issued the following bench warrants for failure to appear on fines and costs:

• Peter Lesavage, 805 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem; $6,459.

• Ronald Jacquet, 5928 Haverford Ave., Philadelphia; $1,332.

• Sabrina Helring, 118 E. Elm St., Dunmore; $6,182.58.

• Michael Young, 1097 Carmalt St., Apt. 2, Dickson City; $11,180.96.

• Christopher Pinko, 608 W. Locust St., Apt. 2, Scranton; $3,385.31.

• Steve Gray, 200 S. Main St., Archbald; $389.

• Luke Andrewlavage, 6 Oakwood Place, Scranton; $1,057.50.

• Jamont Henry, 425 Depot St., first floor, Scranton; $7,674.

• William Lunny, 300 Park Ave., Apt. 610, Wilkes-Barre; $988.24.

• Sabrina Lozano, 311 Elm St., Apt. 3, Reading; $1,316.57.

• Brian A. Loch, 240 N. Main Ave., Scranton; $1,255.

• Michael Laboranti, 1213 Capouse Ave., Scranton; $6,681.

• Catherine Kilanowski, 1191 Griffin Road, Roaring Brook Twp.; $4,261.50.

• Cheryl Kasper, 613 Green Ridge St., Apt. 3, Scranton; $535.

• John Hunt, 51 N. Fulton St. Rear, Wilkes-Barre; $10,433.87.

• Steven Allen Hunsinger Jr., 127 River St., Olyphant; $6,546.50.

• Edward Daniel Hudak, 420 Lackawanna Ave., Olyphant; $3,006.45.

• Trekwan Horton, 902 Sanderson Ave., Scranton; $1,486.

• Yasin Holmes, 317 E. Elm St., Scranton; $5,569.69.

• Courtney Hill, 1026 Poplar St., Scranton; $1,082.50.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/court

Archbald

Turkey dinner: Hricak McAndrew American Legion Post 869 annual turkey dinner and basket raffle, Oct. 27, noon-4 p.m., post home, 161 S. Main St.; eat in or take-out; tickets available at the Legion or call 570-489-5423.

Clarks Summit

Nutrition program: “A Taste of Mindfulness,” Thursday, 6 p.m., Abington Community Library, 1200 W. Grove St.; the program is intended to help diabetics make healthy food choices; Lisa Rigau, a registered nurse, will lead the program, presented by the Insulin Pump Support Group.

Dalton

Pasta dinner: Dalton United Methodist Church Youth Group all-you-can-eat pasta dinner, Oct. 19, 4-6 p.m., 125 S. Turnpike Road; $10/adults, $5/4-10; free/4 and under; Chandra, 570-591-8259.

Jermyn

Fundraiser: Designer purse bingo, St. Michael’s Center, 403 Delaware St., Nov. 3, doors open 12:30 p.m., games start at 1:30; $25/ticket, includes 20 games. Extra cards will be available for purchase. Proceeds will benefit the Christopher P. Lewis Memorial Fund and the Gina Tomassoni School of Dance.

Scranton

Seasonal event: Community Fall Fest, Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Marketplace at Steamtown, 300 Lackawanna Ave.; no admission fee; raffle tickets 5/$1 or $2 each for prizes; educational program by Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den, stories with the Lackawanna County Library System, and fall-themed art projects; Michelle Matyjevich, Community Intervention Center deputy director, 570-342-4298.

Taylor

Community event: St. Paul’s Independent Bible Church Halloween alternative event with a Candy Land theme, Oct. 21, 5:30-9:30 p.m., 401 W. Grove St.; indoor, Christ-centered, family-friendly event, open to all ages and free for everyone with special activities just for toddlers; walk the colored path and explore the Peppermint Forest, Lollipop Woods and Bubble Gum Lake; carnival-style games at each stop and candy prizes; free refreshments; Amy, 570-689-5052.

Tunkhannock

Healing service: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Sunday, 6 p.m., 3832 Route 6; the service will focus on “Healing the Wounds of Abuse” and is dedicated to those who suffered violence at home or from relatives; David Martin, 570-333-4007, or the Rev. Lou Davis, 570-878-4670.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be sent to yesdesk@timesshamrock.com or Clipboard, c/o YES!Desk, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.

Scranton police arrested another West Scranton High School student Thursday and charged the teenage boy with a felony for anonymously reporting a bomb threat at his high school this week, Police Chief Carl Graziano said.

The 14-year-old high school student is the fifth teenager charged in an ongoing investigation of bomb threats that plagued Scranton and West Scranton high schools for days.

On Wednesday, police charged two 15-year-old girls from Scranton High School and two West Scranton boys — 14 and 15 — with making threats at their respective schools. Police are not naming the juveniles.

Police believe that the teenager arrested Thursday is “connected” to the two West Scranton boys charged Wednesday, Graziano said.

“Over the course of the last day, we got more information on (his) involvement,” Graziano said.

Police said they believe he made one of the anonymous reports at West Scranton on Monday, when the high school had to evacuate as

police searched for an explosive device that ultimately did not exist.

Many of the anonymous reports were made through the Safe2Say Something app — an anti-violence program run by the state attorney general’s office that was misused to disrupt school. The 14-year-old arrested Thursday used the Safe2Say Something app, police said.

Police may make more arrests as their investigation continues. Wednesday morning’s bomb threat at West Scranton remains under investigation. Investigators are still waiting on court order paperwork to identify who made that threat, Graziano said.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9144;

@jkohutTT on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE

Seven candidates applied to become Luzerne County’s next coroner by the deadline at midnight Thursday, county Manager David Pedri said.

Human resources personnel will now get to work reviewing the applications prior to officials’ conducting interviews, he said. Pedri said an appointment is likely within about a month.

The position opened late last month when Dan Hughes abruptly resigned, citing disagreements with his supervisors.

Pedri appointed former Luzerne County Sheriff Jack Robshaw as interim coroner. Robshaw is currently a lieutenant at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.

The coroner is responsible for investigating deaths that take place outside of hospitals and for ruling on the manner of death in cases of unnatural causes or violence.

The job posting listed the salary range at $55,000 to $65,000.

— JAMES HALPIN

FELL TWP. — The township’s zoning hearing board adjourned Thursday without making a decision on the Simpson Stone Quarry’s use of construction and demolition waste for an experimental mine reclamation project.

Pioneer Aggregates received a solid waste permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection in 2017, allowing it to use a slurry of construction and demolition waste — known as “C&D fines” — and Portland cement to reclaim 2.5 acres of mine land at the quarry on Route 171.

The quarry began the project, which is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, in June, and the township’s zoning officer cited it soon after for three violations, including operating a recycling operation and/or sanitary landfill in a conservation zone, operating a waste disposal facility without environmental or traffic studies and accepting solid waste generated elsewhere than Lackawanna County without special exception, according to the notice of zoning violation.

Pioneer Aggregates appealed the violations, and the zoning hearing board initially met Aug. 7 to hear testimony from the quarry, which was represented by attorney Bill Jones, and the township, which was represented by solicitor Joseph McGraw.

The hearing board briefly met Aug. 8, continued the hearing until Sept. 19 and again continued the hearing until Thursday.

On Thursday, neither the quarry nor township offered any additional testimony.

Lifelong resident Bonnie Burch provided the only public comment, calling the situation “environmental injustice.”

“Corporations place an inequitable environmental burden on economically disadvantaged communities because they lack adequate resources to fight a corporation with unlimited resources,” she said. “Fell Twp. and its residents are victim of such an injustice.”

Jones objected to Burch’s testimony because she did not live close enough to the quarry.

Speaking for the township, McGraw argued that collecting and depositing waste is not part of a mining facility but rather a new use defined by its DEP permit as a “waste disposal and/or processing facility.”

“The activities are not deemed approved” by the township, he said.

In his closing arguments, Jones again rebutted the three zoning violations. He also argued the quarry is not disposing of waste but rather processing it, and the quarry was previously allowed to use “clean fill” and coal ash for reclamation.

“This process, other than adding the cement, is the same use that was allowed,” he said, explaining the township can control where mining occurs but not how a mine operates.

He also noted that after receiving DEP approval, Pioneer Aggregates spent at least $1 million preparing for the experimental project, which it stands to lose if the board upholds the violations. If the township upholds the violation, it can fine the quarry $500 per day if it continues the project.

Zoning hearing board solicitor Robert Trichilo asked the board to adjourn to allow him to research Jones’ assertions.

The board is expected to reach a final decision Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Fell Twp. Municipal Building, 1 Veterans Road.

Contact the writer:

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

A new gathering place loosely themed after the speakeasies of the Prohibition era soon will open in Pittston.

Nancy Medico, who owns Rikasa at 53 S. Main St., plans to open The Joint 53 above the upscale restaurant on the second floor in late October. She encouraged people to follow @thejoint53 on Facebook for information about when it will open.

“The Joint 53 will be a stylish, elegant and intimate gathering place for people looking for something different,” Medico said.

Speakeasies, illicit establishments that sold alcoholic beverages, came into prominence in the U.S. during the Prohibition era from 1920 to 1933. During that time, the sale, manufacture and transportation of alcohol was illegal throughout the U.S. Speakeasies largely disappeared after Prohibition ended in 1933 but the term is often used now to describe retro style bars.

Another upscale speakeasy called Madame Jenny’s is tucked away in a hidden back room of the historic Bittender Building on Franklin Avenue in Scranton. Madame Jenny’s allows people to step back in time and visit Scranton during the 1920s.

While The Joint 53 will be loosely themed after the speakeasies of the Prohibition area, Medico said it also will have modern touches.

Medico has owned Rikasa for the last two years. She was born and raised in Scranton and lived in Shavertown for the last 30 years. She said she decided to open The Joint 53 because since she has owned Rikasa, she learned that Pittston has a “vibrant, thriving downtown.”

“It may be a small town, but it has a big city feel,” Medico said. “People really enjoy the experience at Rikasa, and since the second floor of the building was vacant, I asked myself ‘what is something unique and sophisticated, yet funky, that I could do with the space?’ The Joint 53 was born.”

The Joint 53 will serve cocktails, tapas and other light fare, she said.

She said owning Rikasa has been a wonderful experience thanks to her customers and staff and it also has been quite the learning experience. She describes Rikasa as an “upscale restaurant with a modern feel.”

“I like to think that Rikasa would fit just as well in New York City or Philadelphia as it does in Pittston,” she said. “We have a great bar and a large dining area with a great ambiance. Our menu is top-notch and ranges from Italian to American to seafood. At Rikasa, we always strive to give our customers a first-class experience. I’m excited to do the same at Joint 53.”

Medico, a mother of four and grandmother of three, said she always wanted a restaurant. When Palazzo 53 became available after it closed in 2017, Rikasa was born.

Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo said Rikasa has been “hugely successful” and he’s excited about The Joint 53 opening on the second floor. He said he is “extremely impressed” with the work he has seen so far.

“She has really done an incredible job. It’s a huge investment and it’s very cool and artsy,” Lombardo said. “We think it’s another complement to the nightlife piece of downtown.”

Contact the writer:

dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2115;

@CVAllabaugh on Twitter

2 new members

in TT 25-Year Club

Two new members joined The Times-Tribune 25-Year Club and three current members were elevated to 50-Year Club status at the organization’s annual dinner Thursday evening at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple.

New 25-year members are William P. Nish and Madeline A. Rose.

Matthew E. Haggerty, Edward J. Lynett III and Sheila Stallman were honored as new 50-Year Club members. There are now 154 members of the 25-Year Club, 51 of whom are also members of the 50-Year Club.

The event marked the 124th anniversary of the purchase of The Times by the late E.J. Lynett. The dinner, for club members and their guests, was hosted by the Lynett and Haggerty families.

Tribute was paid to the memories of Tommy Cometa, Joan Conlin, Randall Horn, Jack Rose and Robert J. Walsh, who died during the past year.

At a brief business meeting, Larry Holeva was elected club president, succeeding Sharon Lynett. Other officers elected were first vice president, Don Farley; second vice president, Alice Manley; third vice president, Paul Ross; and Clare Bannon, secretary.

In keeping with tradition, there were no speeches.

Other 50-Year Club members include: Tom Bailey, Frank Biagioli, Perry Brunori, Mauri Haggerty Collins, Frank Cossa, Dan Cusick, Thomas Evans, Angela Flannery, Jack Gallagher, Bob Gilgallon, Marlene Gregorczyk, Robert Haas, Cecelia Lynett Haggerty, James J. Haggerty Jr., Jim Higgins, Crane Holmes, James J. Houston, Jack Jordan, Walter Jordan, Jim Kane, Gar Kearney, Gerald Killian, Joe Kloss, Joseph Luby, Edward J. Lynett Jr., George V. Lynett, Lynda M. Lynett, Patricia B. Lynett, W. Scott Lynett, William R. Lynett, Harold F. Marion Jr., Michael Mazak, Jean Haggerty McGrath, Clare Missett, Robert Murphy, Joe Nieroda, John Novak, Dave O’Hara, Dick Peck, Richard Powell, Edwin E. Rogers, Angelo Rose, Kathleen Lynett Rose, Arnold Schick, William Sobers, Eugene Wasczcak, Romayne Washner and Dave Werner.

Other 25-Year Club members include: Clare Bannon, Bonnie Biagioli, Terry Bonifanti, Victoria Ann Bost, Alan Buntz, Maggie Callahan, Joseph Cannon, Dave Caswell, James Conroy, Robert Costa, A.J. Cross, Ron Davis, Carol Demas, Mark DiGregorio, Michael DiGregorio, Paul DeNinno, Anthony Duchnowski, Don Duffy, Daniel P. Duggan, Don Farley, Brian Franchetti, Robert Gelik, James George, Barry Goodwin, Jeanette Gorman, James Grill, David Haas, Daniel P. Haggerty, James G. Haggerty, Patrick Hannon, Esther Hanstein, Judy Haudenschield, Betsy Hill, George Hill, Larry Hoban, Larry Holeva, Tim Holmes, Larry Howey, Katie Haggerty James, Robert T. Jenkins, Frank M. Jurkiewicz, John Kapp, Paul King, Steve Kleszyk, Glenn Knarr, Borys Krawczeniuk, Steve Kroptavich, Michael Laboranti, Jeff Lewis, Bobby Lynett, Christopher P. Lynett, George V. Lynett Jr., Gregory E. Lynett, James B. Lynett, Jennifer Lynett, Sharon Lynett, John Locker, William J. Mang, Alice Manley, Rich Mates, Michael Mazak, John McAndrew, Christopher O. McGrath, James Haggerty McGrath, Patrick J. McKenna, Jack McLain, John G. Moffitt, Michael J. Mullen, Lisa Murray, Marc “Marty” Myers, Lou Nardella, Joe Nealon, Kristin Dickinson O’Malley, Kevin O’Neill, Cecelia Haggerty O’Rourke, Mark Passero, William Peck, Joseph Pepsin, Joe Pesavento, Edward Pikulski, R. Vincent Puchalski, Vincent A. Puchalski, Michael W. Remas, Linda Roerig, Timothy C. Rose, Michelle Ross, Paul Ross, Warren D. Ross, James Rupp, Richard Seprish, Sandy Sheehan, David Singleton, Janet Slavinski, Michael Stone, John Uglow, Sharon Venturi, Bobby Walsh, Scott Walsh, Paul Wassel, Lisa Zaccagnino and Joe Zombek.

The federal civil trial for a former Lackawanna County Prison inmate who alleges the jail’s medical provider did not provide proper care for his colostomy is scheduled to begin Dec. 9.

James Reed filed suit against the county and Correctional Care Inc. in 2016, alleging he developed a serious infection because medical staff did not provide him supplies to properly care for his medical condition.

Reed’s attorney, Curt Parkins, withdrew all counts against the prison in August 2018. Most of the counts against Correctional Care Inc., its owner, Dr. Edward Zaloga, and several of his employees were dismissed in a series of pretrial rulings. The case will proceed only on Reed’s claims that Correctional Care staff was deliberately indifferent to his medical needs, U.S. District Judge Malachy Mannion recently ruled.

Zaloga’s attorney, Joseph Healey, sought to dismiss the deliberate indifference count as well, arguing evidence showed Reed was seen by medical staff. Mannion denied the motion, noting there is a factual dispute over the degree of that care.

Mannion said medical records show Reed received certain care, including administration of medications. However, he said it’s unclear if he was provided colostomy supplies during one three-week period because the records do not indicate he was given them.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9137;

@tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

PLAINS TWP. — Shawn McLaughlin of Nuangola and Aaron Featherman of Ashley have been wrestling for the last 10 years and always wanted their own place that features pro wrestling matches and training. Now, their dream has come true.

A grand opening will be held tonight at their new venue called TRUE Wrestling. It’s on the second floor of a former silk mill at 75 Stark St. in Plains Twp.

The event, called “TRUE Wrestling Presents: The True Era,” will feature pro wrestling matches. It starts with a VIP meet and greet at 6:30 p.m. and a VIP match starts at 7. Doors for general admission ticket holders open at 7:30 and the main show starts at 8 .

McLaughlin said the event will offer viewers an “up close personal experience that you don’t get when you go to WWE.”

IMPACT Wrestling Superstar and Canadian professional wrestler Ethan Page is scheduled to appear as well as Tony Deppen and “Space Monkey.”

The grand opening event also will feature TRUE Wrestling champion Trajan Horn, who will be defending his title against a mystery opponent, McLaughlin said, as well as local pro wrestlers Matt Turner (whose real name is Andrew Rugh), Adeena Steele and Tommy Boy Floyd and Senior Referee Matt Deuerlein.

Featherman, 30, and McLaughlin, 29, have been wrestling since they were kids who grew up in Berwick.

McLaughlin said professional wrestling “is hot right now” with so much coverage on TV.

They already have been holding training at TRUE Wrestling on Monday and Tuesday nights and plan to try to feature monthly events.

McLaughlin describes watching professional wrestling as a “unique experience” and “something that’s going to help you escape reality.”

“It’s basically like watching a live action movie before your eyes,” he said. “Anyone who experiences a live pro wrestling event is blown away by it.”

Anyone interested in professional wrestling can contact them through their website, www.trueprowrestling.com.

Contact the writer:

dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com;

570-821-2115;

@CVAllabaugh on Twitter

Ticket prices for tonight’s “TRUE Wrestling Presents: The True Era” at 57 Stark St. in Plains Twp. cost $22 for VIP Gold, which includes a front row seat; $20 for VIP Silver which includes a second row seat and $15 for general admission for rows 3 and back. Tickets will be on sale at the door.

KINGSTON

A Kingston couple left two toddlers home alone with fentanyl and a loaded pistol, according to police.

Sherrielee Marie Conahan, 26, and Lennell D. Cobb, 29, both of 378 Wright Ave., were arrested Wednesday afternoon.

Members of the Luzerne County Drug Task Force converged on the apartment around 2:50 p.m. to execute a search warrant stemming from an ongoing drug investigation.

Police said they saw Conahan and Cobb leaving their apartment and arrested them as they were walking down Wright Avenue to sell heroin to an unknown person. The couple had left two toddlers in the apartment alone, within “easy reach” of several bags of fentanyl and a loaded .380-caliber pistol, police said.

The couple each face numerous drug charges. They both are at Luzerne County Correctional Facility, with bail set at $25,000 each. Preliminary hearings were set for Oct. 23.

— JAMES HALPIN

As if not to disturb any snoozing newborns, Geisinger Community Medical Center quietly opened its new maternity ward Thursday, a spokesman confirmed.

Expectant mothers now have their pick of two hospitals in Lackawanna County where they can deliver babies.

For years, Moses Taylor Hospital was the only one of three hospitals in the city with labor and delivery care.

Two years ago, the Danville-based Geisinger health system set out to build a $15 million maternity center on the third floor of its Scranton hospital. Community Medical Center ended maternity care in 2007, citing the high cost of malpractice insurance. That was before Geisinger bought it in 2012.

The new birthing center has eight delivery and postpartum suites, so new moms don’t have to switch rooms after delivery. The center is staffed with certified nurse midwives.

Suites also have labor water tubs. Soaking helps alleviate spinal pressure during labor.

The nonprofit health system has a bigger vision to expand women’s health care in the Electric City, with a new center on 6 acres in the Mount Pleasant complex off West Linden Street.

Contact the writer:

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

@jon_oc on Twitter

The Diocese of Scranton on Thursday placed two more clergymen on its list of individuals who have been accused of sexually abusing children.

With the addition of the Rev. Albert E. Oldfield and the Rev. James J. Gormley, S.J., both of whom are deceased, the number of “credibly accused individuals” identified by the diocese rose to 83.

The diocese said the additions are a fulfillment of a pledge by the Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, bishop of Scranton, to be open and transparent in the way the diocese handles accusations of child sexual abuse following the release of the statewide investigating grand jury report in August 2018.

“As a result, the diocese announces two names have been added to its list of clergy that have a credible claim of sexual abuse against a minor,” the diocese said in a statement.

Oldfield and Gormley are the first new names to appear on the list since late last year.

The diocese disclosed its original list of 70 names to

coincide with the release of the grand jury report, which detailed decades of abuse by Roman Catholic clergy and the steps church leaders took to cover it up in the Diocese of Scranton and five other Pennsylvania dioceses.

It added 11 people to the list in December, including a deceased Religious Teachers Filippini sister who remains the only woman named.

Since then, additional abuse survivors have come forward, the diocese said. A review was completed in consultation with the Diocesan Independent Review Board, resulting in the addition of Oldfield and Gormley.

Gormley is the 10th member of a religious order not directly associated with the diocese to join the list, which also now includes 69 diocesan priests like Oldfield and four lay people.

The diocese will not release specific details related to the abuse accusations, including when and where the incidents happened, out of respect for the privacy of the people who reported them, spokesman Eric Deabill said.

However, he confirmed the diocese received information with respect to Oldfield from multiple individuals after the release of the grand jury report.

Oldfield, who died Aug. 22 at age 85, was ordained as a priest in the diocese in 1959, and served in a variety of parish and educational settings, mostly in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, in the decades after.

Among his assignments in the 1970s were part-time catechist at Bishop Hoban High School and director of campus ministry at Wilkes University, both in Wilkes-Barre, and director of religious formation at Sacred Heart High School in Carbondale, according to a list released by the diocese.

His last assignment, which he received in 2009, was pastor emeritus at St. Mary of Czestochowa in Scranton.

Gormley, who died in 2005 at age 80, had two assignments at Scranton Preparatory School that were sandwiched around his ordination in 1954.

The first was from 1948 to 1951, and the second was from 1956 to 1959, after which he moved on to St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia.

Gormley was the subject of multiple allegations of sexual abuse dating to the 1960s and 1970s in Philadelphia and New Jersey, according to information released by Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus.

Deabill said the diocese will continue to alert the public in the event more individuals are added to the list.

Contact the writer:

dsingleton@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9132

Albert E. Oldfield

Born: Nov. 26, 1933

Ordained: May 23, 1959

Died: Aug. 22

Assignments:

St. Philomena, Hawley, assistant pastor, pro tempore, June 3, 1959.

St. Joseph’s Hospital, Carbondale, chaplain, Oct. 1, 1959.

Boys’ Club of Scranton Camp at Dunn Lake, chaplain, July 1960.

St. Pius X Chapel, Royal, chaplain, August 1961.

European tour of the Carbondale Chapter of the Marywood College Alumnae Association, chaplain, June 1966.

Nativity of Our Lord, Scranton, assistant pastor, Sept. 14, 1966.

Scranton Chapter of the Catholic Nurses’ Guild, moderator, Sept. 10, 1968.

St. Nicholas, Wilkes-Barre, assistant pastor, May 31, 1972.

Bishop Hoban High School, Wilkes-Barre, part-time catechist, Sept. 5, 1972.

Wilkes College Campus Ministry, Wilkes-Barre, director, Sept. 3, 1975.

Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Wilkes-Barre, assistant pastor, May 28, 1976.

St. Denis, Glen Lyon, pastor, Sept. 7, 1976.

Corpus Christi, Montdale, pastor, May 26, 1977.

Sacred Heart High School, Carbondale, director of religious formation, Sept. 6, 1977.

St. Boniface, Williamsport, pastor, Feb. 7, 1984.

St. Mary of Czestochowa, Scranton, pastor, July 9, 1996.

Holy Family Residence, Scranton, chaplain, Jan. 20, 2009.

St. Mary of Czestochowa, Scranton, pastor emeritus, July 15, 2009.

James J. Gormley, S.J.

Born: 1924

Ordained: 1954

Died: 2005

Assignments:

Scranton Preparatory School, Scranton, 1948-1951 and 1956-1959.

St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, Philadelphia, 1959-1960.

Novitiate of St. Isaac Jogues, Wernersville, 1960-1965.

St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, Philadelphia, 1965-1972 and 1975-1981.

Georgetown Preparatory School, North Bethesda, Maryland, 1973-1975.

Holy Rosary Catholic Academy, San Bernadino, California, 1982-1983.

Waldron Academy, Merion Station, 1983-1985.

Holy Child Infirmary and School, Rosemont, 1985-1993.

Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, West Virginia, 1993-1997.

St. Jude Church, Radford, Virginia, 1998-1999.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, Virginia, 1999-2000.

President Judge Michael Barrasse sentenced the following defendants recently in Lackawanna County Court:

Toniah Renee Pressley-Johnson, 22, 7114 Greenway Ave., Philadelphia, to two years of probation for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Branden Cabrera, 24, 1200 Timber Falls Lane, Apt. N5, Peckville, to one year of court supervision, including three months of house arrest, and one year of probation for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kevin Suydam, 46, 575 Old River Road, Thornhurst Twp., to five years of court supervision, including five months of house arrest, and a $1,500 fine for DUI, tier three, second offense.

Kevin Zawadzki, 40, 103 Ren Acres, Clarks Summit, to one year of probation for simple assault.

Joseph Holland Jr., 49, 511 Emmett St., Apt. 1A, Scranton, to three years of court supervision, including three months of house arrest, for retail theft.

Kristina Pam Legge, 39, 1198 Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, to one year of probation and six months of court supervision, including one month of house arrest, and a $750 fine for possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI, tier two, second offense.

John Matzelle, 28, 932 Prospect Ave., Scranton, to two years of probation for possession with intent to deliver.

Jamir McMillan, 29, 1608 Prospect Ave., Scranton, to six months of court supervision, including two months of house arrest, three months of probation, a $1,050 fine and $2,400 in restitution for DUI, tier two, second offense, and an accident involving damage to an unattended vehicle or property.

Giovanni B. Mustica, 20, 81 Buffalo Road, Forest City, to one year of probation for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael J. Thomas, 41, 425 14th Ave., Scranton, to six months of court supervision, including one month of house arrest, and a $1,000 fine for DUI, tier three, first offense.

Frederick Turano, 29, 917 Monroe Ave., Scranton, to five years of court supervision, including five months of house arrest, and a $1,500 fine for DUI, tier three, second offense.

Jose A. Rivera, 20, 1113 Cottage Ave., Scranton, to four years of probation, three years of court supervision, including three months of house arrest, three months in county prison and $2,600 in restitution for obstruction of justice, receiving stolen property and possessing instruments of crime.

Jessica Marie Falvo, 37, 523 Clarkson Ave., Jessup, to one year of court supervision, including two months of house arrest, for possession of drug paraphernalia.

William Micah Hurt, 26, 25 Reservoir St., Simpson, to 407 days of time served to 23 months in county prison and five years of probation for robbery.

Carlos Gi. Serrano Matta, 37, 1013 Gibbons St., Scranton, to six months of court supervision, including two months of house arrest, and a $1,050 fine for driving with a suspended license and DUI, tier two, second offense.

Rachel Hutson, 37, 24 Dogobert St., Wilkes-Barre, to three years of court supervision, including three months of house arrest, and one year of probation for possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Derrick Michael Lake, 39, 505 Linden St., Scranton, to 203 days of time served to one year in county prison for defiant trespass.

Judge Vito Geroulo sentenced:

John P. Gervasi, 37, 182 E. Pine St., Dunmore, to 11 to 23½ months in county prison for criminal trespass.

Luis M. Morel-Caraballo, 24, 417 N. Main Ave., Scranton, to 233 days time served to 23½ months in county prison and one year of probation for receiving stolen property and retail theft.

Kareem Matthew Mazyck, 38, 810 Lilium Lane, East Stroudsburg, to six months to one year in county prison for simple assault.

Amber Marie Sausele, 24, 624 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, to five years of court supervision, including three months of house arrest, and a $1,500 fine for DUI, tier two, third offense.

Nafee Russell, 19, 504 N. St. Frances Cabrini Ave., Scranton, to three months to one year in county prison for disorderly conduct.

Lauren McHale, 24, 1313 St. Ann’s St., Scranton, to 98 days of time served to 23 months in county prison and one year of probation for recklessly endangering another person and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Matthew Massaro, 39, 618 Church St., Jessup, to three years of probation and $12,172.13 in restitution for theft by unlawful taking.

Christina A. Frascona, 28, 139 Ontario Ave., Staten Island, N.Y., to nine months of probation for harassment.

Michael Kobeski, 28, 152 Ross St., Dunmore, to three months of probation for disorderly conduct.

Jessica Vance, 42, 1442 Main St., Apt. 1, Peckville, to 18 months of probation for resisting arrest.

Kyle Ryan Howey, 24, Scranton, to two to five years in state prison and two years of probation for unlawful contact with a minor and disseminating explicit sexual material to a minor.

Judge Andy Jarbola sentenced:

Kimberlee Lynn Sanderson, 51, 1368 Fairview Road, Scott Twp., to 6 to 23 ½ months in county prison, two years of probation and $115,728.42 in restitution for arson — reckless burning.

Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle sentenced:

Matthew Bennett, 37, 215 Delaware Ave., Olyphant, to a $100 fine for harassment.

Alex Davis, 29, 234 S. Main St., Taylor, to a $100 fine for harassment.

Melissa Ercolani, 27, 22 Cist St., Hanover Twp., to one year of probation for disorderly conduct.

Raymond Santiago, 29, 104 Wakeman Ave., Newark, N.J., to 34 days of time served to one year in county prison for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael Eugene Marinchak, 30, 307 Quay Ave., Scranton, to a $100 fine for disorderly conduct.

Victoria Patrick, 20, 19 Veterans Drive, Dunmore, to five years of probation and $3,672.69 in restitution for criminal mischief.

David Petty, 52, 502 Skyline Drive, Clarks Summit, to four years of probation and $13,500 in restitution for theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received and theft by deception.

Kerron Pierre, 34, 722 Gino Merli Drive, Peckville, to a $100 fine for harassment.

Robert Sarafinko, 30, 510 Third Ave., Scranton, to a $100 fine for harassment.

Ernesto Hernandez-Paulino, 32, 4130 Birney Ave., Moosic, to 90 days of probation and $10.60 in restitution for disorderly conduct.

Eric Thomas Cigna, 36, 130 Throop St., Scranton, to one year of probation and $565 in restitution for criminal mischief.