SCRANTON — Dorothy Burgit clapped to the music and danced in her seat as “Build Me Up Buttercup” was played by the Doug Smith Orchestra at the Scranton Cultural Center on Tuesday night.

While the food is the highlight for many guests at the Friends of the Poor’s annual Thanksgiving dinner, the music was a big hit with Burgit, a resident of Green Ridge Manor.

“I think the live music is fantastic,” she said. “I was impressed with it and I think it’s great that they do it.”

Meghan Loftus, Friends of the Poor president and CEO, loves how the event offers food and conversation.

“We try to make it about community and coming together so no one has to eat a meal alone,” Loftus said. “It’s mostly just about being part of something bigger than yourself.”

Loftus estimated about 3,000 meals were provided Tuesday, the 43rd year of the dinner, including 1,500 people who packed the Scranton Cultural Center.

“I think we’re pretty much at capacity at the cultural center,” she said. “We’ve seen more of an increase in terms of people doing take-outs and deliveries for the homebound, so unfortunately the need keeps growing. We wish it didn’t, but we’re going to be here to fill it.”

It takes a team effort to serve thousands of people, Loftus said.

“We have a logistics team that gets together in the summer,” she said. “We start with what needs to get donated and anything that needs to be improved.”

Seventy-six turkeys, weighing more than 30 pounds each, had to be prepared for the event.

“We get businesses and big community groups to donate them,” Loftus said. “We send them out through the community to cook. The process is a logistical nightmare, but it works out great every year.”

Moosic resident Vince Klingler, who has been volunteering at the dinner for seven years, greeted and seated guests.

“There is a genuine spirit of love and affection from those serving to the people eating,” Klingler said.

Kathie Nevins of Browndale has served food with a group of co-workers from Gentex Corp. for the past 18 years .

“It’s inspiring to help out at this time of the year,” Nevins said. “It makes us all feel better.”

About 300 volunteers chipped in to ensure the event would run smoothly, Loftus said.

“I think this is really the best Scranton has to offer in terms of us coming together as a community to help each other out,” she said.

Contact the writer:

rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5365;

@rtomkavage on Twitter

SCRANTON — Lackawanna County commissioners and the county prison board will meet today in the fifth-floor conference room of the county government center at the former Globe store, 123 Wyoming Ave.

Commissioners will meet at 10 a.m., followed by the prison board meeting at 1:30 p.m.

Today’s meeting likely will be the commissioners’ last opportunity to vote on the county’s 2020 budget, which must be adopted by Dec. 1. The county is closed Thursday and Friday for the holiday. Next year’s budget does not raise property taxes.

— JEFF HORVATH

COVINGTON TWP. — The Pennsylvania Environmental Council will hold a public meeting to gather input for a feasibility study of the proposed Wilkes-Barre & Eastern Rail Trail Corridor.

PEC has retained a trail planning consultant to study the feasibility of various trail routing alternatives along remnant and active portions of rail corridors linking the Poconos with the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valleys.

The meeting is 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5 in the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Twp. Those interested in attending can RSVP by email to Nate Dorfman at ndorfman@pecpa.org.

— STAFF REPORT

SALEM TWP.

A fire killed two dogs and damaged a Wayne County home Monday night.

The fire at 12 Raccoon Circle, Salem Twp., started around 11:30 p.m., according to officials. A state police fire marshal believes the fire started in the chimney of a wood burner inside the home and ruled the cause as accidental.

A 48-year-old man lives in the home, state police said. Nobody was home at the time of the fire.

— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE

SCRANTON — By the end of this school year, the Scranton School District will owe one in five Scranton teachers at least $20,000 in retroactive pay.

In their third year of working under an expired contract, about 200 teachers picketed Tuesday outside the Administration Building, demanding a fair contract and highlighting the importance of the district’s preschool program.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Maria Hurst, who teaches ninth grade social studies at Scranton High School. “We give 110% every day. We’re constantly told we’re not worth it.”

She estimates that by the end of the school year, the district will owe her about $40,000 in back pay. The district will owe some teachers $60,000, because of the

“bump step” teachers receive after their 15th year of employment in the district. Of Scranton’s 782 teachers, 152 are at the “bump step,” according to the union.

Salaries of Scranton teachers are generally lower than other area districts, until teachers reach the final step. With pay and steps frozen for the last three years, a first-year teacher has started at $38,377 a year, lower than other districts in the area. Teachers with master’s degrees go from making $59,148 to $81,226 from their 15th to 16th step.

Each year the union goes without a new agreement, the number of teachers who should be at the “bump step” grows. The union vows to fight for full retroactive pay.

The district claims total retroactive pay for three years would cost about $5 million, though union leaders said they dispute those numbers.

People lined up outside the Scranton Cultural Center for the Friends of the Poor annual Thanksgiving dinner watched as the teachers protested. One driver slowed down and after reading a sign carried by a teacher, yelled “They want to get rid of preschool? That’s ridiculous!”

The financial recovery plan calls for the district to find outside funding for its preschool program for 3- and 4-year-olds — a program not required by the state but one that advocates say provides great benefits to some of the city’s most vulnerable children. If outside funding from grants or through Head Start is secured, $2.2 million in federal Title I funds could be used for math and reading intervention programs.

Christine Gutekunst, a preschool teacher at Whittier Elementary School, sees the impact early education makes on children. She fears for a future without district preschool.

“It’s really, really depressing,” she said. “It’s just a sad time. It feels like we’re going backwards.”

Teachers and paraprofessionals have worked under expired contracts since 2017, and the recovery plan, which the school board approved in August, includes no guaranteed salary increases for five years. The 2020 preliminary budget approved by the board includes no money for raises.

Teachers gave union leadership the ability to call a strike if necessary.

Picketers on Tuesday held signs with phrases such as “new cast, same show,” referencing the recent changes in administration. Another sign showed a turkey on the chopping block, representing the possible elimination of preschool.

Negotiators for the union and district met again Tuesday, and the union presented the district with ways to save money, said Rosemary Boland, president of the Scranton Federation of Teachers. Attempts to reach Superintendent Melissa McTiernan after the picket were unsuccessful.

Teachers plan to picket again next week during the school board’s Dec. 3 reorganization meeting, where newly elected directors will take their seats.

“It tells them we’re standing up for what’s right,” Boland said.

Contact the writer:

shofius@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9133;

@hofiushallTT on Twitter

Nov. 27, 1919

Tablet dedicated

at St. Luke’s

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church conducted a special thanksgiving service to commemorate those who “placed their lives in the hands of their country for the vindication of right and righteousness throughout the entire world.”

During his service, the Rev. Robert P. Kreitler, pastor of St. Luke’s, and members of the parish helped to unveil a tablet that showed the names of the men from the church who served in the war. When the names of the church members who died in service to their country were read, the congregation rose and Edwin A. Harris, who lost his eyesight in the war, played taps on his bugle.

The members who died in the war were Theodore O. Dale, Alfred Dale, Clarence Warner, Norman C. Snee and Harold Davis.

Kreisler to perform

Stoehr & Fister announced that violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler would perform a free concert at its North Washington Avenue store on Nov. 28.

Kreisler’s performance at the store was a preview for a large concert he was slated to offer on Dec. 2 as part of the Keystone Concert series at Town Hall.

Christmas shopping at the Globe Store

Winter boots for women were $7.85, sensible suits for boys were $6.98, fleece-lined undergarments for boys and girls were 98 cents, stylish dance hats were priced between $7.98 and $12.50, genuine beaver fur hats for children were $5 and winter dresses were $24.50.

BRIAN FULTON, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune’s expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.

On the field

Read about the 1919 Thanksgiving football matchup between St. Thomas College (now the University of Scranton) and Scranton Technical High School on Page G16 in Weekend Times.

Jermyn

Historical Society: Jermyn Historical Society meeting, Sunday, 7 p.m., 520 Washington Ave.

Lackawanna County

Legal advice: Lackawanna Pro Bono Family Law Help Desk free legal advice for low-income families, Tuesday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Family Court administration office, 123 Wyoming Ave., Scranton; household income below 125 percent of poverty level, not represented by attorney; 570-961-2714.

Mayfield

Pierogi sale: St. John’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral homemade pierogi sale (deep fried/frozen uncooked), Dec. 20, noon-4 p.m., St. John’s Center, Hill Street, $8/dozen, orders will only be taken for frozen, uncooked pierogi, fried pierogi sold on a first-come, first-served basis; frozen, raw pierogi orders, 570-876-0730 or 570-876-3576.

Regional

Environmental meeting: Penn­sylvania Environmental Coun­cil public meeting to garner input for a feasibility study of the proposed Wilkes-Barre & Eastern Rail Trail Corridor, Dec. 5, 6 p.m., Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Twp., meeting will discuss the project goals and allow attendees the opportunity to study and voice their opinion on potential trail alignments; RSVP to Nate Dorfman at ndorfman@pecpa.org.

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.

She was born in New York, the first child of a French salesman and a Southern belle.

Over the next 101 years, she served as a U.S. Women’s Army Corps draftsman during World War II, married an artist, buried four babies, built a career in nursing and outlived almost everyone she ever knew.

I never met Sgt. Edgena Diot Jones, but I’m thankful to have a hand in laying her to rest.

Edgena died Friday at the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center, 35 days before her 102nd birthday. She was the oldest living veteran at the facility, which was built on the ashes of Scranton State General Hospital, where Edgena cared for patients as an LPN until it closed.

She will be buried with full military honors Friday.

The honor guard will likely outnumber family and friends. A consequence of celebrating 101 birthdays is that almost no one is still at the party when God blows out your candles.

Stories as good as Edgena’s only come around every century or so. I joined it Monday when a colleague pointed to a Facebook post by Veterans Promise NEPA, a Dickson City-based nonprofit that advocates for veterans who struggle with PTSD or need help readjusting to society. Its core mission is suicide prevention. The group put out a call for pallbearers.

By the time I spoke with spokeswoman Carol Desmarteau, Veterans Promise had lined up three pallbearers, but still hadn’t found a fourth. I volunteered, which Edgena’s niece and caregiver, Brenda Lee-Marmo, found funny when we met for coffee Tuesday morning.

Edgena was a staunch Republican who listened to Rush Limbaugh daily and adored President Donald Trump. If she knew some ink-stained liberal was carrying her casket, “she would die,” Brenda said with a warm giggle.

“She was serious about her politics,” Brenda said. “So serious I put it in the obituary.”

Once, Brenda made a crack about President George W. Bush, and Edgena ghosted her.

“She wouldn’t talk to me for a month,” Brenda said. “She told me, ‘Don’t ever talk that way about our president!’”

Edgena drew a hard line on politics, but she had a soft spot for any soul in need, Brenda said. Her aunt once witnessed an emaciated, terrified mutt shivering by the side of a road. She scooped the poor thing up, named him “Teddy” and nursed him back to health.

“Teddy was nasty,” Brenda said with a laugh. If he was grateful for being rescued, the dog didn’t let on.

“She kept him, anyway,” Brenda said.

Brenda, 58, of Old Forge, keeps the mementos that tell her beloved aunt’s story, which had its setting switched to Scranton when her father, Roger Diot, moved back to his native France and her mother, Emily Jenkins O’Donnell, moved Edgena and her four siblings here instead of returning to her roots in Savannah, Georgia.

There are photos of a young Pvt. Diot in Germany and France, where she helped make the history her peers saw only in newsreels and the press. The paperwork for her honorable discharge as a sergeant in June 1946 shares space with a letter of thanks from President Harry Truman and an army booklet documenting her required vaccinations to serve overseas.

Why did the smart, beautiful young daughter of a Southern belle volunteer for the army in wartime?

“She wanted to serve her country and see the world,” Brenda said. And when she came home, she wanted a career and a family.

Edgena married Meredith Jones, a Navy veteran and professional artist, in St. Peter’s Cathedral on May 15, 1951. The couple had four children, three stillborn and a daughter, Mary, who died shortly after birth. Despite these devastating losses, Edgena kept her faith and zest for life. In 1967, she enrolled in the first class of the Practical Nursing Program at Scranton State General Hospital. It was the beginning of a long career of service.

Meredith died in 2000, and Brenda eventually convinced her aunt to move to Scranton Manor Personal Care Center. At 94, Edgena learned to dance there, and didn’t stop until she laid down to die.

“She loved to dance,” Brenda said. “I called her ‘Gena Ballerina.’”

Brenda explained that although he was an artist, Meredith was an “eccentric” Protestant who didn’t believe women should dance, drink or smoke. When she was out of his sight, Edgena did all three.

She credited blackberry brandy, red wine and dark chocolate for her longevity. Brenda made sure she kept her aunt stocked up, because Edgena wasn’t afraid to go get her own.

While a resident at Scranton Manor, Edgena often went for walks around the Hill Section.

“She would get on a bus and ride up to the state store and buy a little bottle and put it in her purse,” Brenda said. “I told her, ‘You can’t just go walking around that neighborhood. It’s not safe for someone your age.’”

Edgena said if anyone tried to harm her, “I’ll hit them with my cane.”

Canes are no match for uneven sidewalks, so Brenda moved her aunt into the Merli Center. She thrived there among other veterans, Brenda said. They were planning Edgena’s 102nd birthday party when she died.

“I’m sure she went straight to heaven and she’s celebrating with her angel babies and all the other people she missed all these years,” Brenda said, maybe forgetting that Teddy might be there, too, snarling at guests.

“What an amazing life. What an amazing journey. I’m just so blessed to be a part of it.”

So am I. Tomorrow, I will sit down to Thanksgiving dinner with my in-laws. We’ll say grace, stuff ourselves with turkey and trimmings and talk about anything but politics.

On Friday, I will help write the end of Edgena’s earthly story with the grace, dignity and respect it deserves. I never met her, but thanks to Brenda, I feel like I know her. Now, you do, too.

CHRIS KELLY, the Times-Tribune columnist, wishes you and yours a happy, safe Thanksgiving. Contact the writer: kellysworld@timesshamrock.com, @cjkink on Twitter. Read his award-winning blog at timestribuneblogs.com/kelly.

WILLIAMSPORT — Luzerne Bank’s parent company on Tuesday declared a fourth-quarter dividend of 32 cents per share, payable Dec. 23 to shareholders of record Dec. 10.

Penns Woods Bancorp Inc., which owns Jersey Shore State Bank and Luzerne Bank, serving northeast and central counties, triggered a three-for-two stock split back in September, increasing shares by 50%, or 2.4 million, to about 7 million.

Because of the split, the per-share dividend is down about 40% over the year.

In its third-quarter earnings statement, Penns Woods reported net income was up $900,000, or 21%, at $12.8 million, over the year.

— JON O’CONNELL

SCRANTON

The County of Lackawanna Transit System will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving.

COLTS will resume regular fixed route and van service Friday.

The customer service window at the transit center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, but the main offices on North South Road will be closed until 8:30 a.m. Monday.

— STAFF REPORT

MARRIAGE LICENSES

• Richard Perez-Aponte and Francheska Marie Marrero-Ramos, both of Scranton.

• Kathleen Marie Houman and Stephen Robert McEathron, both of Carbondale.

• Michael Eugene Lesnefsky, Jessup, and Sally Ruth Wilchek, Scranton.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

• Joseph Thomas and Irene Esposito to Michael A. and Samantha Wasylyniak; a property at 116 Drakes Lane, Old Forge, for $95,000.

• Kathy Ann Celli, administratrix of the estate of Helen I. Celli, Scranton, to Elizabeth Bizik, Middle Village, N.Y.; a property at 348 Maple St., Blakely, for $38,000.

• Kenneth and Linda Powell, Scott Twp., to Jay and Jocelyn Reviello, Moosic; a property at 518 Poppy Lane, Moosic, for $357,737.

• Ray D. and Barbara B. Petty, trustees of the Petty Family Trust, Roaring Brook Twp., to Shelley A. and James D. Fayoca­vitz, Clarks Summit; two parcels in Ransom Twp. for $55,000.

• Axtell Construction LLC, Clarks Summit, to Gurmeet S. Dhillon, Drums; a property at 2017-2019 Margaret Ave., Scranton, for $129,000.

• Maria G. Mackarey, also known as Maria J. Mackerey, executrix of the estate of Jean­ette M. Gesiotto, Lackawanna County, to Thomas B. and Susan J. Morris, Lackawanna County; a property at 2107 Farr St., Scranton, for $147,500.

• Rosemarie Turnbaugh, Lacka­wanna County, to RK Land Investments LLC, Lackawanna County; a property at 1233 Philo St., Scranton, for $65,000.

• Jason Giomboni to Nicholas and Janet Sinnott; a property in Thornhurst Twp. for $110,000.

• John H. and Kathleen E. Naeher, Falls Church, Va., to Corey Walsh, Scranton; a property at 808 Meadow Ave., Scran­ton, for $58,300.

• Roland and Jennifer Cuellar, Lackawanna County, to Shang Jian Jiang; a property at 505 Brian Drive, South Abington Twp., for $250,000.

• Charley Chen, Fort Lee, N.J., to John and Edith Ketola, Clifton Twp.; a property at Big Bass Lake, Clifton Twp., for $205,000.

• Jeremy Keene, also known as Jeremy Keane, Fell Twp., to Mark S. Swingle, Forest City; two parcels at 417 First St., Fell Twp., for $74,200.

• Joseph J. Sr. and Alice M. Kuchinski, Madison Twp., to Alan Wayne Ives, Madison Twp.; a property at 3510 Hornbaker Cemetery Road, Madison Twp., for $450,000.

• Thomas J. Guzek Jr., individually and as executor of the estate of Barbara K. Guzek, Atlanta, Ga., to Glen and Jenni­fer Barillo, Lake Ariel; a property at 1035 Park St., Scranton, for $120,000.

FEDERAL TAX LIENS

• Lams Inc., 727 S. State St., Clarks Summit; $5,924.87.

• D&O Enterprises. 1257 December Drive, Scranton; $7,855.99.

• Jay M. Rake Jr., 1024 Cor­bett Ave., Scranton; $8,966.88.

• J G Enterprises Inc., 410 Charles St., Throop; $19,950.01.

• Russell Rinaldi, 426 S. Main St., Old Forge; $23,022.47.

• John Vitali, 1209 Provi­dence Road, Scranton; $54,836.99.

• J & J Pallet Co. Inc., 1000 Marshwood Road, Throop; 17,139.58.

• ME Enterprise Services Inc., 325 Bridge St., Old Forge; $29,514.19.

• Edward J. Docalovich, 408 Depew Ave., Mayfield; $13,805.51.

• George Colburn, 617 Mil­wau­kee Ave., Old Forge; $5,632.77.

• DBR Management Inc., 2310 Old Drinker Turnpike, Moscow; $13,823.65.

ESTATES FILED

• Joseph P. Simon, 899 Rock St., Archbald, letters testamentary to Kelley A. Colleran, 24 Autumn Circle Drive, Waverly Twp.

• Barbara A. Naumann, 203 Ward St., Dunmore, letters of administration to Timothy W. Art, 219 E. Elm St., Dunmore.

• Sheryl S. Moore, 1109 N. Abington Road, Waverly, letters testamentary to Christine J. Bonczek, 1121 Audubon Drive, Clarks Summit, and Stephen D. Moore, 281 E. Grove St., Clarks Summit.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/court

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board last week denied a proposal by Mount Airy Casino Resort to open a Category 4 mini-casino in Beaver County.

Officials with the gambling board said Mount Airy was unable to obtain the funding required to build a casino in the county.

“Unfortunately, external factors such as increased competition from new casinos and nearby destination resorts had a larger impact on our revenues than originally anticipated,” said Todd Greenberg, chief operating officer and general manager for the Monroe County casino, in a statement.

The company announced its intent to build a gaming complex along more than 100 acres near Interstate 376 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike in August 2018. The proposed casino was slated to feature 750 slot machines, 30 table games and three restaurants in Big Beaver in August 2018.

— THE MORNING CALL

SCRANTON — After a little more than five hours weighing the evidence, a jury in federal court Tuesday found Shawn Christy guilty on all counts for threatening the president and the police and for leading federal authorities on a three-month manhunt across six states.

Christy, 28, of McAdoo, would not go down in silence.

In profanity-laced rants toward the end of the day Tuesday, Christy, who acted as his own attorney, lashed out at U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani and others. In vulgar terms, Christy called the proceeding a “joke” and accused the federal judge of wasting his time.

“I don’t like you,” Christy said to Mariani. “I don’t like the U.S. attorney. I don’t like the federal marshals.”

“Thank you very much for that statement,” Mariani dryly replied.

The testimony in the case centered on charges filed after Christy threatened President Donald Trump, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli and other law enforcement officials in June 2018. Officials also said he fled in a stolen vehicle to New York, near the border with Canada, and broke in to several homes and businesses and stole other vehicles as he traveled through West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland and Ohio before his capture on Sept. 21, 2018.

Prosecutors said Christy wrote on Facebook he would “put a bullet” in the heads of Trump and Morganelli and threatened “lethal force” against other officers.

Those charges included threats against the president of the United States, making threatening communications and taking stolen firearms and vehicles across state lines.

One charge Christy was indicted on — felon in possession of a firearm — had to be tried separately after the jury rendered its initial verdict because evidence that Christy had a prior felony conviction could improperly influence jurors deciding the 11 other counts.

Christy had pleaded guilty in 2012 to harassing former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s lawyers by phone.

Once jurors returned their initial verdict on the 11 counts after about five hours of deliberation, Mariani informed them that they had one more task at hand, but one that would take “significantly less time than the first phase.”

The second phase of the trial lasted minutes. Federal agents testified that Christy admitted he was a convicted felon once caught.

Jurors spent 14 minutes deliberating on the final charge.

Mariani said a presentence report is due Jan. 23. He tentatively scheduled sentencing for the week of Feb. 24. It was not clear how much time in federal prison Christy faces for these crimes.

Christy also is awaiting trial on charges in Luzerne County for the theft of guns from his uncle’s home and in Carbon County on three cases involving thefts and a break-in at a private home.

In his final closing argument Tuesday, Christy seemed to raise the accusation that the evidence is incomplete and suggested that the FBI is playing “games” with his family. However, he soon turned to profanity and addressed the jury with crude language.

Christy’s final speech, though, made one thing clear — he has more fight in him.

“This body doesn’t stop until I’m dead,” he told the jury. “Just remember that.”

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9144;

@jkohutTT on Twitter

Project honored

The Greenhouse Project and Executive Director Jane Risse received an Environmental Partnership Award from the Northeast Environmental Partners during an event at the Woodlands Inn and Resort.

The Greenhouse Project was recognized for partnering with numerous organizations to create a broad variety of programs appealing to people from youth through senior citizens that encourage and promote an active, healthy lifestyle in a natural environment.

“In our six years in Scranton’s Nay Aug Park, the Greenhouse Project, mainly with volunteers, has grown to offer edible gardening classes, community gardens, guided interpretive walks, intro to kayak, learn to fish for teens, organic heirloom plants for sale, composting with several area restaurants, and co-sponsor of the 2019 NEPA Green Fair and the Home and Garden Tour,” said Risse. “We are so proud to be recognized by our extraordinary peers and those that paved the way in the community.”

Northeast Environmental Partners is composed of Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, PPL Corp., Procter & Gamble Paper Products Co. and Wilkes University.

Super students

Misericordia University student Alex Skopic received honorable mention for his essay, “This Means War: Antisemitism, Fascist Rhetoric and the Duty of Opposition” in the 2019 Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest.

The contest is sponsored by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, established by the Nobel Peace Prize recipient that combats indifference, intolerance and injustice through international dialogue and youth-focused programs that promote acceptance, understanding and equality, according to the university.

The son of Tim and Linza Skopic, Alex of Springville wrote his 19-page essay about the first time he heard about the mass shooting in 2018 at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh.

The national events jolted Alex out of complacency and inspired him to research the nature of fascism, anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, according to Misericordia. He focused his research and conclusions on the use of three words: Alt-right, problematic and optics.

“As an English major, I was drawn to the language they used,” he said in the essay. “Words are my trade, and I believe we have a responsibility to use them wisely.”

Alex, an English major, dedicated his essay to Max Levitas, a veteran antifascist fighter and activist who died in 2018 at the age of 103.

High notes

Local teachers Carmella Bullick, Matthew Salerno, Jeffrey Earle and John Croom received PPL Foundation’s Empowering Educators grants to support science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, activities.

Bullick from Lakeland High School will use the grant for equipment for the engineering class to study environmental science and energy consumption. Salerno from Riverside West Elementary School will incorporate robotics and coding equipment into the second-grade curriculum with the grant. Earle from Forest City Regional High School will use the grant to incorporate robotics into the seventh-grade curriculum. Croom from North Pocono High School will expand the capability of the school’s STEM makerspace with the grant.

The teachers were among 50 educators from eastern and central Pennsylvania selected to receive individual $1,000 grants.

For a complete list of 2019 grant recipients, visit www.pplempoweringeducators.com.

A woman who claims she was fired for using medical marijuana can proceed with portions of a lawsuit against Commonwealth Health System, a Lackawanna County judge ruled.

Judge Terrence Nealon said Pamela Palmiter can continue with counts that allege the hospital system violated a section of the state’s Medical Marijuana Act, or MMA, that prohibits employers from terminating or discriminating against users. He dismissed breach of contract and invasion of privacy counts, however, finding her claims did not meet the required legal standard.

The ruling is a victory for Palmiter, but she likely still faces an uphill battle to get her job back because of other language in the law that essentially negates the protections given to employees, said Chris Goldstein, spokesman for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Palmiter’s suit, filed in March, says she was medically approved to use marijuana to treat chronic pain, migraines and fatigue. Her former employer, Medical Associates of NEPA, a private physician group, approved her use of the drug.

Problems arose after Commonwealth Health acquired the physicians group.

Palmiter was required to undergo a drug screening as a condition of employment with Commonwealth. After she advised the hospital she used medical marijuana, an official called her and told her the health system “would not allow (her) to work” for them, according to the suit.

The key issue in the lawsuit, filed by Pittston attorney Cynthia Pollick, hinged on a dispute over whether a person has the right to sue an employer for violating employment protection provisions within the MMA. The hospital sought to dismiss the suit, arguing the law allows the state to impose a civil penalty against an employer for violations, but does not specifically allow an employee to sue.

Nealon rejected the hospital’s argument, finding that it would essentially render protections in the law meaningless.

“The MMA’s stated purpose (is) providing safe and effective access to medical marijuana for eligible patients, while simultaneously protecting them from adverse employment treatment,” Nealon wrote. “Unless a private cause of action is granted to an employee who is terminated or discriminated against solely for being properly certified as a medical marijuana user, the mandate ... will ring hollow.”

Nealon’s ruling marks the first time a Pennsylvania judge ruled on that issue. While it allows the case to proceed, Palmiter likely will face a new hurdle later in the litigation, Goldstein said.

Pennsylvania law says an employer cannot “discharge, threaten, refuse to hire or otherwise discriminate or retaliate” against employees solely because they use medical marijuana. The issue, Goldstein said, is another section that states an employer cannot be required to “commit any act that would put the employer ... in violation of federal law.”

Marijuana, whether it’s used for medical or recreational purposes, is still considered a controlled substance under federal law. Anyone who uses it, regardless if their state says it’s legal, is in violation of federal law, Goldstein said.

“There is language that gives employers a huge catch-all to fire anyone they want,” Goldstein said.

Palmiter’s case is among numerous lawsuits filed nationwide that challenge employment actions taken against medical marijuana users. Employers have used that section to successfully defend the cases, he said.

Commonwealth Health did not raise that issue in its initial filing seeking dismissal of the lawsuit, court records show. Goldstein said he expects the issue will be raised later in the litigation. Based on other court rulings, it will be very difficult to overcome, he said.

“I’m not aware of any medical marijuana patient getting their job back,” he said.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9137;

@tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

EXETER — Wayne Bank recently expanded in Luzerne County and opened a new community office at 1130 Wyoming Ave.

This is the bank’s second location in Luzerne County. Another community office opened at 734 Sans Souci Parkway, Hanover Twp. in April.

The new full-service office houses both retail banking and commercial lending professionals and offers Wayne Bank’s complete line of products and services for consumers and businesses. The Exeter community office is open for lobby and drive-up customers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday.

Wayne Bank employs more than 200 local people throughout its 27 community offices.

— Denise Allabaugh

SCRANTON — Former police Officer Mark Icker pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal deprivation of rights charges alleging he used his badge to pressure five detained women for sex, keeping with a plea bargain that ensures he will not have to register as a sex offender.

Icker, 30, of Throop, entered his plea to the two felony counts before U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion. The plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office calls for the parties to jointly recommend a 12-year prison sentence.

Two of the victims said after the hearing they were glad to hear Icker acknowledge what he did to them.

The Times-Tribune does not identify victims of sexual assault.

“I’m OK with the 12-year plea bargain,” said one of the women, who identified herself as the first victim to come forward. “I’m just glad that he admitted to what has happened and we didn’t have to go to trial. We know what happened and he knows what happened. We feel that justice was served today by him admitting it.”

But they said they only learned Tuesday that Icker will not have to register as a sex offender.

“I don’t agree with it,” said the second woman, who at one point during the hearing left the courtroom in tears while a

prosecutor described what Icker did to her. “I just found out. I don’t agree with it at all. Twelve years, like they say, for someone who doesn’t have a criminal record is better than nothing, which I agree (with). But for this trauma that he brought in my life, I feel like no time is enough. It could be 12 years, it could be 100 years. It’s not going to be enough for me.”

Icker won’t have to resister as a sex offender because the parties agreed to a “global” resolution of the case — Icker pleaded guilty to the federal charges with the understanding state prosecutors will drop the sex assault and other sex crimes he is facing.

“That was certainly a consideration for us in taking the plea, as well as the agreement that was made with the government,” defense attorney Bernard J. Brown said after the hearing. “Basically in looking at it, we felt it was in Mark’s best interest to take the plea.”

Attorney Theron J. Solomon, who represents four of the five victims in pending civil litigation, blasted state prosecutors’ decision to drop what he termed “very serious charges” against Icker.

“I don’t understand how the district attorney’s office can justify that in this situation,” Solomon said, who works for the Dyller Law Firm. “I know the district attorney’s office never spoke with my clients about this and I know that my clients would absolutely not agree to this. I cannot begin to fathom how a man who used his power and position to rape women does not have to register. He is the very definition of a predator.”

Luzerne County First Assistant District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce said prosecutors did not make the decision lightly. He noted that taking the cases to trial would re-victimize the women by forcing them to testify in open court about their assaults, and that the cases could potentially be tried separately, further exposing them to public scrutiny.

The plea agreement will result in Icker being locked up in a federal prison for the next 12 years without the victims having to go through any of that, he said.

“It’s a hard thing to give up,” Sanguedolce acknowledged. “Based on all of the things that we would have to put everyone through, I think it was a fair decision at the end, although a difficult one.”

Prosecutors alleged that Icker, while working as a patrolman in Ashley, pressured two women into performing oral sex on him to avoid arrest, and that he pulled down a third woman’s shirt and groped her after stopping her for driving under the influence.

In a fourth case that took place while Icker was on duty in Sugar Notch, he pulled over a woman who was driving a carload of children to Chuck E. Cheese and demanded oral sex from her, according to prosecutors. That woman did not perform the sex act, but Icker hounded her by text message afterward trying to arrange a meeting, prosecutors said.

The fifth case involved Icker inappropriately touching a handcuffed woman while he was on duty in Jessup.

Icker has been fired from all three departments, according to prosecutors.

The two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law that Icker admitted Tuesday — which carry a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison — related to the two victims who Icker successfully pressured into sex, although under the terms of the plea agreement Icker had to admit his “relevant conduct” involved the allegations brought by the other three victims.

U.S. Attorney David J. Freed said prosecutors agreed to the sentence of 12 years in prison based in part on a review of the federal sentencing guidelines.

“There really is no guarantee of, No. 1, success of a trial, or No. 2, a lengthy sentence even if we succeeded at trial,” Freed said during a news conference announcing the plea. “So based on all the hard work that was done and comparison of cases around the country, we arrived at that sentence of 12 years that we believe is appropriate based on the guidelines, based on the maximum terms.”

Mannion accepted Icker’s plea and said he would impose the sentence at a later date, after a pre-sentencing investigation had been completed. In the meantime, the judge allowed Icker to remain free on the bail he posted in the state cases.

Icker will be required to abide by the same conditions of release as in the state cases, including having no contact with the victims and to submit to electronic monitoring.

Contact the writer:

jhalpin@citizensvoice.com;

570-821-2058

WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Mission BBQ will open its new location at 271 Mundy St. in Wilkes-Barre Twp. 11 a.m. Dec. 9 with the singing of the national anthem and a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for noon.

It marks its 12th location in Pennsylvania, according to a Facebook post from the restaurant chain. A Military Appreciation Night will be held 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 with all sales going to the nonprofit organization Liberty USO. The first 100 people to purchase an American Heroes Cup at the event will receive free BBQ for a year, according to the post.

Private events will be held prior to the grand opening to support local police, firefighters and first responders.

Its location formerly was the site of the Latona Law building that was demolished following the June 13, 2018, tornado.

— DENISE ALLABAUGH

Ever wonder how we prepare the Scranton Times Building for the annual Times Tower Lighting? This video explains the process — check it out.

A Clifton Twp. woman faces felony charges for giving a man the drugs that killed him in April, state police at Dunmore said.

Michelle Smith, 36, 360 Clifton Beach Road, Apt. A, admitted to troopers Monday that she gave Chester Ostrowski, 44, two “bundles” of heroin, or about 20 bags, shortly before Ostrowski died April 10, according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday.

Ostrowski’s fiancée, Heather Quinn, discovered him dead in his bedroom. Authorities found drug paraphernalia and packets later confirmed to contain fentanyl nearby.

Ostrowski had fentanyl and morphine in his blood at the time of his death and Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland ruled his death a drug overdose, state police said.

State police were able to trace the drugs back to Smith, a neighbor of Ostrowski’s, by using cellphone records.

Smith, state police learned, had gone back to Lackawanna County Prison on a probation violation.

Smith could not take her cellphone with her. Probation officers gave it to a roommate, Joseph Hannon, who brought it to state police. That allowed state police to look through more messages.

“His girl is going to come and kill me,” she texted a man, according to state police.

Eight days after Ostrowski’s death, she spoke with Hannon and Smith’s mother on the phone from the county jail.

Phone calls from the jail are recorded.

Smith said that they could not connect her to Ostrowski’s death. “Everything got deleted,” troopers wrote that she said, summarizing the phone conversation.

She spoke again with Hannon the following day and pondered if she deserved to be in jail for the probation violation. She said she could have been in far worse trouble.

Smith is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, drug delivery resulting in death, criminal use of a communication facility and tampering with physical evidence.

Smith remains in the county jail in lieu of $500,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 5.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com,

570-348-9144;

@jkohutTT on Twitter