By Jim Lockwood

Scranton will receive an additional $1.2 million in state liquid fuels funds next year, state Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, said Thursday.

When the state transportation funding law was enacted Nov. 25, it appeared it did not contain an increase in liquid fuels funds for Scranton for 2014. That was because on Nov. 20, when the state Senate approved the transportation package, Mr. Blake was blocked in his effort to steer extra liquid fuels funds to Scranton and other Act 47 financially-distressed municipalities. Due to a procedural move by the Republican majority to end debate over the prevailing wage issue, Mr. Blake couldn't get a vote on his amendment to distribute an additional $28 million annually in liquid fuels funds to 21 Act 47 municipalities. Based on its population, Scranton actually would have stood to gain an extra $3 million in liquid fuels funds from Mr. Blake's amendment.

In introducing on Nov. 15 the city's $130.2 million budget for 2014, Mayor Chris Doherty had included as revenue $2 million from extra liquid fuels funds. When Mr. Blake's amendment failed and the transportation bill was enacted without the Blake amendment, it looked like the mayor's budget already had a $2 million hole.

However, the mayor was surprised to learn Wednesday that the state transportation funding law actually does contain a $1.2 million increase in liquid fuels funds for Scranton.

In general, liquid fuels funds will increase for all local governments under the new transportation law, including financially distressed municipalities.

"Under the new transportation bill, we will get an additional $1.2 million" in liquid fuels funds, Mr. Doherty said.

Regarding the delay in learning of the amount of an increase in liquid fuels funds, Mr. Blake said exact figures were not immediately available at the moment the law was enacted and have since been determined based on a formula.

"It was not entirely clear," Mr. Blake said. "I knew there was going to be an enhancement (in liquid fuels funds), but not the exact amount."

Mr. Blake's regional director, Larry West, also explained that funding increases for municipalities are projections of what they are likely to receive. Mr. Blake added that he intends to continue pushing next year for additional liquid fuels funds for distressed municipalities.

Mr. Doherty was at a ribbon cutting at the new Montage Mountain Wednesday afternoon when he happened to hear from someone else there that the transportation law actually contained an increase in liquid fuels funds for the city. He checked with Mr. West, who confirmed the information.

As for a $2 million budget gap dropping to $800,000 due to the $1.2 million in additional liquid fuels funds, Mr. Doherty said, "It's a huge difference. I'm very thankful for all of the hard work Sen. Blake put into the transportation bill."

The mayor previously said his proposed budget had some wiggle room from a built-in buffer of funds from a potential 10-year lease of parking meters to the private firm that now manages them. Such a lease perhaps could generate as much as $4 million for the city, but he included in the budget only $1.7 million because that transaction may not be finalized until late next year.

The mayor's budget proposal, which calls for a 56.7 percent tax increase and 69 percent spike in the trash collection fee, is pending before council. It will hold a public hearing tonight at 5:15 p.m., before council's regular weekly meeting at 6 p.m.

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

Former Scranton School Board member Bob Lesh is back behind the wheel.

Six weeks after the County of Lackawanna Transit System fired Mr. Lesh as a bus driver, the agency reversed course and gave him his job back.

COLTS and the union representing its drivers, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 168, confirmed Mr. Lesh's return in a brief joint statement Thursday.

"After further investigation, both parties agreed that a suspension rather than a termination was appropriate, and COLTS has agreed to reinstate his employment," the statement said.

He returned to work on Tuesday.

Mr. Lesh, a COLTS driver for 22 years, was dismissed by the agency on Oct. 22.

At the time, neither he nor COLTS would disclose the reason or reasons for his termination, although Mr. Lesh described his firing as "unjust" and said the union would fight it.

The circumstances behind his reinstatement were just as mysterious.

COLTS solicitor Timothy Hinton referred to the joint statement and declined further comment.

Dave Kaczmarek, Local 168 vice president, said the union also would not comment on the details of Mr. Lesh's return.

"As a union, we are happy with the outcome. COLTS is happy, and Bob is happy," Mr. Kaczmarek said.

Efforts to reach Mr. Lesh were unsuccessful.

Mr. Lesh served 16 years as a Scranton school director but lost his re-election bid last month. His tenure on the board officially ended Monday night when the new directors were sworn in.

Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com

SCRANTON - City police arrested a Harlem man hiding more than $8,700 worth of cocaine in his underwear on Thursday.

Police said Stanley Hassell, 34, had 46 grams of cocaine in his underwear plus a small amount of marijuana when they took him into custody.

A search of his room at the Econo Lodge hotel on Kane Street found another 24 grams of cocaine and a digital scale, police said.

Police planned to charge Mr. Hassell with criminal attempt to deliver a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Bail and preliminary hearing information were not available.

ARCHBALD - The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority broke out the big scissors Thursday to open a new section of the Lackawanna Heritage Trail.

The 3-mile trail connects Laurel Street in Archbald with Delaware Street in Jermyn. It starts as a paved asphalt trail leading along the river, then transitions to borough streets and sidewalks through Archbald, then to a dual-surface trail along an old rail bed, with a final section of road shared with the Lackawanna River Basin Sewer Authority.

The new connection is part of a network of paved and gravel trails, municipal sidewalks and shared-use roads that, along with the Delaware and Hudson Rail-Trail, forms a massive system that extends from the New York border through Lackawanna County.

"This site represents the past, present and future," LHVA executive director Natalie Gelb said, pointing out the reminders of coal mining and PEI Power Corp.'s Archbald Cogeneration Power Plant, both visible from this section of the trail.

The authority named this part the Powdermill Section because it runs by a former gunpowder mill in Archbald, but it could have also been named the Oil House Section or the Shifting Shanty Section for the nearby red brick buildings that were once part of the Gravity Slope Colliery.

State and federal grants paid for most $2.97 million project. These grants came from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the National Park Service, the National Scenic Byways Program, the Appalachian Regional Commission, state Department of Transportation-administered federal grants and the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

LHVA trail manager and environmental program officer Stephanie Milewski said easement and property acquisition for the project began in 2010; construction began in 2012.

DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti attended the opening and ribbon-cutting. "Openings like this are the icing on the cake," she said. She also announced a new grant of $773,000 for the LHVA, causing Ms. Gelb to break out in a grin and say, "Thank you and thank you again. That's phenomenal news."

A crowd of local politicians and their representatives attended the opening: County Commissioners Jim Wansacz and Patrick O'Malley were there, along with state Rep. Frank Farina, D-115, Jessup, and representatives of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, Moosic, and U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-10, Lycoming Twp.

Larry West, regional director for state Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, talked about growing up on Laurel Street. The landscape has changed from the rail beds and post-industrial wasteland he remembers as a youth.

"It's amazing to look at the transformation of this trail," Mr. West said.

Contact the writer: bgibbons@timesshamrock.com, @bgibbonsTT on Twitter

Christmas tree lighting tonight

SCRANTON - The county will light the county Christmas tree this evening on Courthouse Square.

The ceremony begins at 6 p.m., with the tree-lighting about 6:20. The Catholic Choral Society will sing carols, and Scranton Tomorrow will announce the winners of its decorating showcase..

Marley's Mission will also debut its Awesome Pretzel Cart, donated by Guy Fieri's Cooking with Kids Foundation at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center.

Brookvalley Farm of Fell Twp. is offering horse-drawn carriage rides from 5 to 7. The rides are free, but guests may donate to the Adopt-an-Angel program that provides gifts to youngsters in the Children and Youth Services network.

The unemployment rate in Northeast Pennsylvania remained unchanged at 9.2 percent for the third consecutive month in October, but data released today from the state Department of Labor and Industry showed the region's job creation backsliding as the rest of nation improves.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area's seasonally adjusted rate was half a percentage point less than a year-ago, when joblessness ticked in at 9.7 percent. That may seem like an improvement, but the underlying numbers show a shrinking labor market, fewer people at work and a broader gulf between the local employment situation and that of the state and nation.

The most recent report confirmed what one local employment observer feared: The modest recovery enjoyed by the nation and the rest of the state has yet to benefit Northeast Pennsylvania.

"Signs abound that the nation is doing better than a year or two ago," said Satyajit Ghosh, Ph.D., professor of economics at the University of Scranton. "But there has been no sign of anything like a recovery in Northeast Pennsylvania. I'm about to say this area is not on the boat of recovery."

The statewide unemployment average is 7.5 percent and the national rate was 7.3 percent in October.

Recession takes toll

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's steady rate comes as unemployment has dropped statewide and nationally.

October marks the 43rd consecutive month that the region held the distinction of the highest rate among the state's 14 metro areas. Before the recession, the region frequently had been among the three or four metro areas with the highest unemployment rate. Then the recession took a greater, more lasting toll on the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, with the most recent unemployment rate six-tenths of a percentage point higher than the number two area - Johnstown. All other urban areas in the state report joblessness below 8 percent.

Fewer workers, jobs

Often, the unemployment rate increases as more workers enter or rejoin the job market, a situation economic observers consider a positive reason for an unemployment jump since it suggests greater participation in the economy and increased confidence.

However, the labor force - those working or actively looking for work - declined 4,800 on a seasonally adjusted basis over the year. Ideally, the labor force would grow steadily as young people enter the workforce and people retire. The region's drop, about two percent of all ready and willing workers, suggests people retiring, giving up finding work or relocating. The situation created a statistical twist: more people were working in October 2012 under a 9.7 percent unemployment than were working in October of this year with an improved rate. Year over year, the number of the employed fell 2,900 on a seasonally-adjusted basis.

"What we have in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is worrisome: thousands fewer in the labor force and thousands fewer working," Dr. Ghosh said. "It's a terrible situation going into the holidays."

Establishment data, the tally of jobs in the metro area, were also disappointing, with a large blow to the region's prized job sector: education and medicine. The data showed education and health services employing 2,200 fewer compared to a year ago. In the same timeframe, manufacturing and government each gave up 300 jobs. Gains of 800 in leisure and hospitality and 400 in transportation, warehousing and utilities could not offset the losses. As a whole, the region had 1,500 fewer jobs year over year.

November and December will likely show some increases of seasonal retail hiring, but Dr. Ghosh said temporary jobs don't provide the foundation of a true economic turnaround, the hope for which will have to be deferred for 2014 or beyond.

"We can't point to anything in this report that is even a bit helpful or hopeful," Dr. Ghosh said. "This is far worse than we had hoped at the end of the summer."

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

Beach Lake

Fun day: Beach Lake United Methodist Church kids' Christmas fun day, Saturday, 9-10:30 a.m., 7 Milanville Road, across from fire hall; third- to fifth-graders, free games, Bible story time, crafts, snacks; 570-729-7011 or www.beachlakeumc.com.

Carbondale

Reading program: Carbondale Business and Professional Women's Club Christmas reading program, today, 4 p.m., Carbondale Public Library, with Santa visit.

Outreach services: State Sen. John Blake outreach services representative, Wednesday, noon-3 p.m., City Hall, second floor.

Clarks Summit

Cookie sale: Clarks Summit Fire Company 1 Inc. Joseph W. Hall Memorial Auxiliary holiday cookie walk, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-noon, 321 Bedford St., 80-plus varieties, $8/pound, containers provided; 570-586-8061.

Dalton

Spaghetti dinner: Dalton United Methodist Church local mission spaghetti dinner, Dec. 14, 125 S. Turnpike Road, takeouts, 3:30-6 p.m. and eat-in, 4-6 p.m., $10/adults; $6/3-11 and free/under 3.

Dunmore

Christmas party: WTS Club annual Christmas party Dec. 16, 5:30 p.m. LaCugina, reservations: Carmel Novak, 570-343-6593; or Mary Musso, 570-347-3068 by Sunday.

Forest City

School play: Forest City Regional Mask and Hammer Drama Club presents "Mandate for Murder," today 7 p.m., Saturday, 3 and 7 p.m., auditorium; $5/adults, $3/students, senior citizens; free/5 and under.

Honesdale

Family night: Cooperage family game night, Thursday, 6-9 p.m., 1030 Main St., donations appreciated.

Jermyn

Cookie sale: Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church Christmas cookie sale, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-noon, Madison Avenue; pre-order 1-pound/$8, 3-pound/$22: Cathy, 570-876-2806, Mary Fran, 570-876-3565, or drop order forms in "cookie box" in the back of church, by Sunday.

Justus

Santa visit: Justus Fire Company Fire Truck Santa visits, Dec. 13, 5-9 p.m., special requests: fire company, 570-587-4545 by Wednesday, or stop by Station, 159 Fieldstone Drive, Scott Twp., Monday, 7-9 p.m., www.jfc28fire.com

Manchester Twp.

Book sale: Manchester Community Library seasonal Blowout Book Sale, Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon, 3879 Hancock Highway, $1/hardcover, 5-cent/paperbacks; bags/boxes of books price negotiable; library then closes until April 5; 570-224-8500.

Milford

Blood drive: Belle Reve Senior Living/Geisinger Blood Center blood drive, Thursday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; appointments recommended, 470-409-9191.

Regional

Broadway music: Marywood Players presentation, "Broadway Through the Decades," Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Black Box Theater, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts; $5, $2 with Marywood identification.

Signing Santa: Scranton School for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Children/Abington Community Library hosting Signing Santa Claus, Monday, 6-7 p.m., library, Ryon Room, 1200 W. Grove St., Santa Claus reading in American Sign Language/voice interpreted.

Malanka celebration: Northeastern Pennsylvania's 10th annual Ukrainian New Year Dinner Dance "Malanka," Jan. 11, 6 p.m.-1 a.m., St. Vladimir Parish Center, 728 N. Seventh Ave., Scranton, dinner buffet catered by Paul Wanas of Accentuate Caterers, cash bar, complimentary bubbly toast, dancing to Fata Morgana, $40, advance reservations required, 570-489-1256.

Holiday event: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania Holiday Happy Hour, Dec. 13, 5-7 p.m., Andy Gavin's, 1392 N. Washington Ave., Scranton; domestic drafts, wine, light fare, entertainment; $25/door, $20/advance: Julianne Kalasinski, 570-342-8709, ext. 110, jkalasinski @bgcnepa.org; benefits after school program.

Scott Twp.

Hoagie sale: Green Grove Grange hoagie sale, Dec. 18, $5; Bill Tyriw, 570-563-1873, by Dec. 10.

Scranton

Night out: Elm Park Family Life Ministries parents night out child care, Dec. 13, 6-10 p.m., $5/child, $15/family; meal provided, Christmas cookies decorating, movie, make something special to take home; Carol Mason, 570-342-8263.

South Scranton

Free meal: St. Stanislaus Youth Center free meal, Saturday, 1-3 p.m., 530 E. Elm St.; 570-343-6017.

Seniors meet: Young at Heart of South Scranton Christmas party Monday, 1 p.m., Cooper's, Washington Avenue in Scranton.

West Scranton

Cookie sale: St. Michael's Orthodox Church Christmas cookie sale, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., North Main Avenue and Howell Street, $7/pound.

Pierogi sale: St. Vladi­mir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church fresh pierogi sale pickup, Saturday, 2 p.m., parish center, 428 N. Seventh Ave.; orders: $7/dozen by Dec. 2, Leslie Izak, 570-342-3749.

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

Moosic police arrested a city man Wednesday believed to be responsible for burglarizing a borough gas station.

Mr. Ellis, 34, 1201 Lloyd St., was caught on camera with another man breaking into Exxon Mobil, 4685 Birney Ave. Police said the owner, Alex Uppala, watches the surveillance feed from his home and called police when he saw what was happening. One of the men tried breaking open an ATM and another, later identified as Mr. Ellis, went behind the counter for a carton of cigarettes and lottery tickets. Mr. Ellis dropped the cigarettes but kept the lottery tickets, police said.

Surveillance footage showed the two jump into a Ford pickup truck and drive north on Birney Avenue.

Police released surveillance stills to the media, which generated a tip that identified one of the men as Mr. Ellis.

On Wednesday, the state Lottery Commission called Moosic police to say three of the stolen tickets had been cashed in at different stores, two in Scranton and one in Taylor.

An employee who was working at the Taylor location when Mr. Ellis cashed the ticket identified him and police issued an arrest warrant.

Moosic police found him later that day on South Main Street in the same truck used in the Exxon Mobil burglary.

After police pulled the truck over, they found Mr. Ellis with a round metal container that held 32 packets of heroin, two bags of cocaine and another gram of heroin in a separate bag. Mr. Ellis had a smoking pipe in his left pocket.

In addition to several drug charges, Mr. Ellis is facing counts of criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking receiving stolen property, burglary, criminal mischief, loitering and prowling at nighttime and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief. His total bail is set at $150,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Late Thursday, Moosic police said the burglary is still under investigation.

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter

Marriage licenses

- Richard Brendan Hannigan and Krystal Marie French, both of Scranton.

- Robert Ryan Shaffer and Stephanie Leigh Samsel, both of Scranton.

- Ghale B. Gyan and Sovita Mongar, both of Scranton.

Property transactions

- Mark R. Williams, Scranton, to Rose Plishka, Kingston; property at 1609 Summit Pointe, Scranton, for $69,500.

- Gabriel P. and Joanne Marmo, Bronx, N.Y., to Fred and Dolores Messina, Garfield, N.J.; property in Thornhurst Twp., for $102,900.

- J. Bradley and Christine M. Franklin, Clarks Summit, to Steven Warner and Shannon Gillen, Moscow; property at 2050 Reservoir Road, Madison Twp., for $142,000.

- Shareen and Charles Bachman, Bethlehem, to David Zachorsky, Scranton; property at 125 Corcoran St., Old Forge, for $118,000.

- Susan L. Shoup, executrix of estate of Martha E. Schmidt Kearney, Parker; Anthony A. Kearney, attorney in fact for C. Andrew Kearney, Waverly, to Andrew J. and Sharon J. Mahoney, Martinville, N.J.; property at Route 107, Benton Twp., for $80,000.

- Dime Bank, Honesdale, to JB Relaty Inc., Blakely; property at 978 Main St., Blakely, for $200,000.

- Bayview Loan Servicing LLC, Coral Gables, Fla., to 1612 Capouse LLC, Scranton; properties at 1610 and 1612 Capouse Ave., Scranton, for $56,200.

Estates filed

- Joseph V. Lozinger, 310 Sanders St., Scranton, letters of administration to Kathleen Lozinger, same address.

- Marian E. Wezmar, 150 Edella Road, Clarks Summit, letters testamentary to J. Frederick Berg Jr., 260 Madison Ave., 17th Floor, New York, N.Y.

- Anne Zelinsky, 31 Bordan Drive, Olyphant, letters testamentary to Michael Zelinsky Sr., 611 E. Scott St., Olyphant.

- Helen Saltisiak, 962 N. Main St., Fell Twp., letters testamentary to Arline Hoal, 1606 Lower Podunk Road, New Milford; Patricia McCarthy, 114 Olympic Club Court, Orlando, Fla.; and Peter D. Saltisiak, 213 Jefferson St., Simpson.

- Martha F. Rogan, 401 Penn Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Robert F. Rogan, 5750 Dunfries St., North, St. Petersburg, Fla.

- Orlando Anthony Paris, 328 15th Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Orlando A. Paris Jr., 41 Edgemont Drive, Lewisburg.

Divorces sought

- Daniel Kazmierski Sr., Blakely, v. Janice Kazmierski, South Yorkshire, England; married Jan. 4, 2001, in Scranton; Michael C. Cowley, attorney.

- Destiny Parlanti, Scranton, v. Anthony Parlanti, Dickson City; married Sept. 23 in Olyphant; pro se.

ONLINE thetimes-tribune.com/courts

CARBONDALE - A clear majority of the Lackawanna County Government Study Commission favors electing at least some members of a proposed county council by region.

Four of five commission members present showed an interest in electing some district-based members on either a five- or seven-member county council instead of electing all council members at large. The other two commission members were absent.

At large means all county voters choose a council member. By region means only voters in a defined region would vote for a member.

Under a draft plan the commission released last week, voters would choose three members of a seven-member council at large and the other four by region. Under another plan released Thursday during its meeting at Carbondale City Hall, voters would choose two members at large and three by region.

The commission did not vote on whether voters should get to choose council members at large, by region or by some combination of the two, but is expected to decide the issue at its Dec. 16 meeting. The time and location of the meeting has not been set.

No matter what the commission members decide, none of their recommendations will take effect unless county voters approve the shift from the present three-commissioner form of government to an elected county executive/county council form at the primary election May 20.

Robert Weber, the chairman of the commission's districting committee, said he favors electing council members strictly by region because money comes into play running for countywide office.

"For me to run as an at-large person, it's going to cost me three times the amount of money," Mr. Weber said. "I really think that if I'm going to consider running, as a good candidate, I'm going to run in my region as opposed to at-large. So we as a community are losing good candidates because they're not going to run at-large with the expense when a regional person has to spend only $10,000 and at-large person has to spend maybe $40,000, $50,000, $60,000 to get around to all areas of the county to win that election."

Commission member Michael Giannetta agreed.

"If you had a blend of at-large seats with district seats, why would anyone in their right mind want to run for an at-large seat when you have to cover the entire county, spend three times as much money to get elected and you serve the same term as somebody who had a smaller district and didn't have to cover as much territory?"

Mr. Giannetta said he favors election by districts.

"I like the fact that you have someone local, ... someone responsive to people that live around them," said Mr. Giannetta, a Scott Twp. supervisor. "I don't think there's anything strange with electing people from districts. We have a Congress with 435 (House) members and we only get to vote for one member. ... I really don't believe, having served in local government for many, many years, that people who get elected from districts would not do what's best for the county as a whole."

Mr. Volpe agreed with Mr. Giannetta and said the four regional districts would be small enough that someone could run for office and win simply by knocking on voters' doors.

"I hadn't thought of that," he said after Mr. Weber raised the cost of running countywide.

He and Mr. Giannetta reminded the audience of about 50 people that voters would still choose a county executive, who would have to run at large and would have the interests of the county as a whole in mind, not just one region.

"The format and structure would be very similar to the federal government and very similar to the state government," Mr. Giannetta said. "It's not something that's new. It's not something that's archaic."

Commission member Mary Jo Sheridan said she thinks the county's population isn't so uniform or homogenous that strictly at-large elections are necessary.

"I think there are brilliant people all over the county, really smart minds that need to be tapped into and that need to have a real opportunity to contribute to our movement forward," Ms. Sheridan said.

Having strictly at-large elections risks the possibility that only people from the county's larger population centers like Scranton will be able to get elected, said Ms. Sheridan, a Scranton resident.

"You've got to have some districting," she said.

Only commission member Marilyn Ruane was uncertain. She said she's completely undecided on the issue, but said the plan with three regions includes one so physically large that it's almost like running at large.

"This is probably the hardest decision we're going to make at this point," Ms. Ruane said.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com

The two city men charged with the murder of Frank Bonacci want separate trials.

In omnibus pretrial motions filed this week in Lackawanna County Court, attorneys for Jason Dominick and Neil Pal argued their trials should be severed, although for different reasons.

Mr. Dominick, 23, of 3312 Olyphant Ave., and Mr. Pal, 23, of 1419 Linden St., were arrested in August on charges they conspired to kill Mr. Bonacci after an all-night party at Mr. Pal's house in late July.

The 24-year-old Dunmore man, who was shot once in the back of his head, was found inside his vehicle in a ravine near Roaring Brook about a week later.

Mr. Dominick, who investigators believe was the triggerman, faces first-degree murder and other charges. Mr. Pal is charged with being an accomplice to first-degree murder, among other offenses.

In seeking separate trials, Mr. Dominick's attorney, Bernard Brown, said Mr. Dominick would be denied his right to confront a witness should prosecutors attempts to use any statement given by Mr. Pal against Mr. Dominick. Mr. Pal's attorney focused his argument on the issue of the ownership of the murder weapon.

While both the court and prosecutors have noted Mr. Pal was known to carry and own handguns, attorney Paul Walker said, there was testimony at the preliminary hearing that Mr. Dominick was never known to own or carry a weapon.

However, Mr. Dominick was arrested and charged in 2012 with burglarizing a home while brandishing a handgun - evidence of a prior criminal record that Mr. Walker said could not be introduced at Mr. Dominick's trial.

At the same time, because Mr. Pal is alleged to have supplied the weapon that killed Mr. Bonacci, failing to admit evidence of a burglary in which Mr. Dominick possessed a handgun at Mr. Pal's trial would constitute a reversible error, Mr. Walker said.

The motion for separate trials is among several motions attorneys for the men filed.

Mr. Pal's attorney is also seeking to suppress certain evidence and to have the trial held in another county based on extensive pre-trial publicity. Mr. Dominick's attorney is seeking to dismiss the murder charges against him, arguing prosecutors have not presented sufficient evidence to support the charges.

Prosecutors will have an opportunity to reply to the motions. A judge will issue a ruling at a later date.

Contact the writers: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com; tbesecker@timesshamrock.com

- State Rep. Frank Farina will announce his re-election bid today at 7 p.m. at the Caverna restaurant, 602 Church St., Jessup. A reception will follow until 9 p.m. Admission is a $10 donation. Mr. Farina, a Jessup Democrat who represents the 115th House District, will run for the newly created 112th District, which now includes his home because of reapportionment.

SCRANTON - A city teenager and two others knocked a man unconscious on Wyoming Avenue and tried to rob him Wednesday, police said.

Leroy Grant, 16, 227 Colfax Ave., ran after the victim woke up and tried to fight back, police said. Patrolman James Golden spotted the trio and chased them on foot.

Mr. Grant split from the other two and was taken into custody. Nothing appeared to have been taken from the victim.

Mr. Grant was charged as an adult with attempted robbery, attempted simple assault and related charges. He was sent to Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $40,000 bail. A hearing is set for Wednesday.

Haggerty to open office at Costa

SCRANTON - State Rep. Kevin Haggerty, D-112, Dunmore, will open an office in the Costa Drug Store in South Scranton after the store closes, according to a news release Thursday.

The release said the new office will open within the next couple of weeks.

The store on Prospect Avenue will close next week.

The new office will also host a Santa Claus visit with homemade cookies and refreshments on Dec. 24 from noon to 2 p.m.

Susquehanna County Court notes appear Fridays in The Times-Tribune.

Marriage licenses

- Chad Lewis and Michele Franklin, both of Binghamton, N.Y.

- Thomas Matias and Donna Sterling, both of Great Bend.

Property transfers

- Rhouse 516 LLC to Wendy and Jeffrey Thomas, a property in Gibson Twp. for $110,000.

- Jamie and Melisa Smith to ESE Equity LLC, a property in Montrose for $109,000.

- Helen and Kent Galow to Oakland Twp., a property in Oakland Twp. for $208,557.27.

- Distant Ventures Limited Partnership to Cory and Nicole Allen, a property in Rush Twp. for $195,000.

Estate filed

- Harold Tuttle, 31 Merrill St., Hallstead; letters testamentary to Rosemary Hazen, 31 Merrill St., Hallstead, and Jeanette Worden, 477 Church St., New Milford.

BARANSKY, DOROTHY, formerly of Throop, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., John F. Glinsky Funeral Home, 445 Sanderson St., Throop. Mass, Holy Trinity Polish National Catholic Church, by the Very Rev. William Chromey. Interment, St. Adalbert's Cemetery, Dickson City. Calling hours, today, 7 to 9 p.m. Adoration Society service, today, 7. Contributions: Holy Trinity Polish National Catholic Church, 609 Center St., Throop.

BENSLEY, CHRISTOPHER T., Frederick, Md., formerly of Gouldsboro, today, 11 a.m., Gouldsboro United Methodist Church, Main Street, Gouldsboro, by the Rev. Eric Luczak, pastor of Daleville/Maple Lake United Methodist Churches. Interment, Lehigh Cemetery, Gouldsboro. Arrangements, Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 3 First St., Spring Brook Twp. Contributions: Chris's children, c/o Penn Security Bank, 534 Main St., Gouldsboro, PA 18424.

BONACCI, PHILIP J., Archbald, Mass, Saturday, 10 a.m., St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, 417 Main St., Eynon. Calling hours, 30 minutes before Mass, Arrangements: Louis J. Rapoch Funeral Home, Archbald.

CELBUSKY, MADELINE SHOLLOCK, Vandling, today, Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 430 Main St., Forest City. Mass, 10:30 a.m., St. Joseph's Church, Delaware Street, Forest City. Interment, Sacred Heart Cemetery, Forest City. No public viewing. Go directly to the church. Condolences: brennanfu neralhomes.com

COX, JEANNE W., Scranton, today, 1 p.m., Myrtle Street United Methodist Church, 840 Harrison Ave., Scranton, by Pastor Marcella Dotson and Sharon Thauer, lay minister. Interment, private, Forest Hill Cemetery, Dunmore. Contributions: Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. Arrangements: Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit. Condolences: jen ningscalvey.com.

DICK, BEATRICE JEAN, Jessup, today, Louis M. Margotta Funeral Home, 511 Church St., Jessup. Divine Liturgy, 11:30 a.m., Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church. Interment, Holy Ghost Cemetery, Jessup. Donations: donor's favorite charity.

EVANS, JUDITH M., Scranton, today, 10:30 a.m., Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave., by Timothy Weeks, chaplain of the Commonwealth Hospice. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Calling hours, today, 9:30 to service. Contributions: Commonwealth Hospice, 746 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510.

FOLEY, WILLIAM J. "BILL," Old Forge, today, 9:30 a.m., Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 517 N. Main St., Old Forge. Mass, 10, St. Lawrence O'Toole Church, 620 S. Main St., Old Forge, by the Rev. August A. Ricciardi, pastor. Interment with military services by the AMVETS Honor Guard, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

FOX, MARGARET T., Tunkhannock, no calling hours. Interment, private. Cremation, Maple Hill Crematory, Archbald. Arrangements, Knight O'Donnell Funeral Home.

GIBBS, EARL "BUD" JR., today, 11 a.m., Valley View Cemetery, 1162 Lakeland Drive, Scott Twp., by the Rev. Peter Peason, St. James/St. George Episcopal Church, Jermyn. Arrangements: Battenberg Funeral Home, 363 Washington Ave., Jermyn.

GILPIN, HAROLD F., Newfoundland, Saturday, 2 p.m., St. John's Episcopal Church, 564 Easton Turnpike, Hamlin. Contributions: Harold's son, Todd, to help with expenses. Arrangements: James Wilson Funeral Home, Lake Ariel.

GILPIN, RUTH MILLER, Saturday, 1 p.m., Corbin & Palmer Funeral Home, 71 S. Union St., Burlington, Vt. Calling hours, 11 a.m. to service. Private interment, Dunmore. Contributions: First Baptist Church of Burlington, 81 St. Paul St., Burlington, VT 05401; or Champlain College Building Reserve Fund, 163 South Willard St., P.O. Box 670, Burlington, VT 05402.

JONES, JOHN T., Taylor, calling hours, today, 5 to 7 p.m., Semian Funeral Home, 704 Union St., Taylor. Interment, private, Forest Home Cemetery, Taylor. Contributions: One Life to Live Pet Rescue and Adoption, P.O. Box 4161, Scranton, PA 18505.

KAVULICH, IRENE GERA, Taylor, Thursday, Semian Funeral Home, Taylor. Mass, Divine Mercy Parish, Scranton, by the Rev. Francis Pauselli and the Rev. Phillip Altavilla. Pallbearers: Walter David, brother-in-law; Zach Kavulich, grandson; Jon Loiselle, grandson-in-law; Vince Cardamone, Chuck Sivertsen, Larry Barclay, Mark Suchter and Dale Gow. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow.

KEARNEY, CECELIA M., Minooka section of Scranton, today, Mass, 10:30 a.m., Church of St. Joseph, 312 Davis St., Scranton, by the Rev. Francis Pauselli, pastor. Interment, St. Joseph Cemetery, Minooka. Calling hours, today, 10 to Mass. Contributions: Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis St., Scranton, PA 18505, or Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, P.O. Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545-9913. Arrangements, Eagen-Hughes Funeral Home, 2908 Birney Ave., Scranton.

KLESZYK, ELEANOR, Olyphant, Saturday, Michael P. Glinsky Funeral Home Inc., 129 Grant St., Olyphant. Mass, 9:30 a.m., SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, River Street, Olyphant. Interment, SS. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery, Peckville. Calling hours, today, 4 to 8 p.m. Parastas, 5:30. Condolences: glin skyfuneralhome.com

KROLL, JOSEPH "WHITEY," Saturday, 10 a.m., Holy Rosary Church, 316 William St., Scranton. Donations: Little Sisters of the Poor at Holy Family Residence, 2500 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

MURDOCK, REGINA "GINA," Throop, Mass, Monday, 10 a.m., Immaculate Conception Church, 801 Taylor Ave., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Go directly to church. Calling hours, Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m., Vanston and James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton. Contributions: donor's favorite charity.

PARISE, ANGELA FARBER, Carbondale, Saturday, 9 a.m., Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Farview and 41st streets, Carbondale. Mass, 9:30 a.m., Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 15 Fallbrook St., Carbondale. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill. Calling hours, today, 4-7 p.m. Donations: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 15 Fallbrook Street, Carbondale, PA 18407. Condolences: parisefuneralhome.com.

POLIZZI, MARY A., Dunmore, Thursday, Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., Dunmore. Mass, St. Mary's Church, Chestnut Street, Dunmore, by the Rev. William Blake. Urn bearer: Mario Bevilacqua, grandson. Interment, private.

PRINCE, EVELYN C., Wyomissing, Mass, today, 10 a.m., Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Calling hours and interment, private. Arrangements, Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, Clarks Summit.

ROGARI, MARY FRANCES, Carbondale, today, Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home, 74 N. Main St., Carbondale. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Rose of Lima Church. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill.

SCHULER, EVA E., Factoryville, Saturday, noon, Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, by the Rev. Paul Fields, pastor. Interment, Fairlawn Cemetery, Dalton. Calling hours, today, 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, 11 to service. Memorials: Commonwealth Hospice at Regional Hospital of Scranton, 746 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510; or the donor's favorite charity. Condolences: lawrenceey oungfuneralhome.com.

SCHWARZKOPF, ANNACLARE O'HARA, New Jersey, formerly of Scranton, Saturday, 10:30 a.m., McGoff-Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1401 Capouse Ave., Scranton. Mass, 11, St. Paul's Church, 1510 Penn Ave., Scranton, Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours, Saturday, 9:30 to 10:30. Contributions: Care Alternatives Hospice, 70 Jackson Dr., Suite 200, Cranford, NJ 07106; or the Alzheimer's Association, New Jersey Chapter, 3 Eves Drive, 310, Marlton, NJ 08053.

SIMMS, GEORGE J., Alexandria, Va., formerly of Scranton, Office of Christian Burial, today, 11:30 a.m., Edward J. Chomko Funeral Home, 254-268 Railroad Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. Leonard A. Martin, pastor of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church. Interment, St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Minooka section of Scranton. Calling hours, today, 9:30 to services. Condolences: www.chomko funeralhome.com

SUSNOSKY, MARION E., East Mountain, today, 9 a.m., August J. Haas Funeral Home Inc., 202 Pittston Ave., Scranton. Mass, 9:30, Nativity of Our Lord Church, by the Rev. Michael Bryant, pastor. Interment, private, St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery, South Scranton. Contributions: St. John Neumann Parish, 633 Orchard St., Scranton, 18505.

THOMAS, BILL RAYMOND JEAN, Elmhurst, Saturday, 4 p.m., Eagen-Hughes Funeral Home, 2908 Birney Ave., Scranton, by Pastor Josh Yorks. Interment, private. Calling hours, Saturday, 2 to 4.

VILLELLA, ROSE, Green Ridge Health Care Center, formerly of Peckville, Thursday, James M. Margotta Funeral Home, Peckville, by Monsignor Peter P. Madus, pastor. Mass, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Peckville. Pallbearers: Bob Brenne and Joseph Hughes, grandsons; Carmen Contrino, nephew; Joe Hughes and Tom Chmielewski. Interment, Union Cemetery, Peckville.

VOLINSKY, ROBERT, Scranton, private. Arrangements: Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, Scranton. Contributions: American Cancer Society, 712 S. Keyser Ave., Taylor, PA 18517.

WHARTON, JOSEPH J. SR., Chester, Vt., Monday, 11 a.m., St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Main Street, Chester, by the Rev. James E. Zuccaro, pastor. Donations: American Diabetes Association or VFW. Arrangements, Adams Funeral Home, Chester.

Despite the city's dire financial situation, Mayor-elect Bill Courtright told members of crime watch groups and neighborhood associations he wanted to improve quality of life and public safety.

Roughly 20 community members gathered in the West Side Senior Center on Thursday to speak with Mr. Courtright and incoming city council members Joe Wechsler and Bill Gaughan.

Topics centered on improving safety and quality of life, set against a tough financial backdrop.

"We're in really, really bad shape," Mr. Courtright said. "Worse than you know, worse than I even thought."

Everyone in attendance Thursday stressed that the city's public safety departments do fantastic work.

But Mr. Courtright did allude to tension between members of the state attorney general's office and the city police, though it was not clear if he was referencing past or present problems. Mr. Courtright could not be reached after the meeting to clarify his statements.

At the meeting, the mayor-elect spoke about "egos," specifically regarding the sharing of confidential informants in drug investigations. He added there will be greater collaboration between the two agencies.

"Maybe you don't want to share with another agency because they'll make the bust and you won't," Mr. Courtright said, adding later, "That nonsense is going to go away."

Reached after the meeting Thursday, acting Scranton Police Chief Carl Graziano could not comment on the mayor-elect's remarks. He did say that the police in his department are "really good" at what they do.

Mary Chilipko, president of the Pine Brook Neighborhood Association, said police cooperation, including help from Chief Graziano, has been high and hopes it continues when Mr. Courtright announces his cabinet selections, including the police chief.

John Wharton, publicity director of the South Side Neighborhood Watch, later echoed the sentiment.

Mr. Courtright would not name any cabinet selections Thursday.

Mr. Wechsler said council and the mayor will continue to work with the neighborhood associations, as well as each other.

Mr. Gaughan said it is his hope that it will not come as a surprise in the future that council and mayor can work together.

"It's just going to be assumed that, as a public official, you can work well with others," Mr. Gaughan said.

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter

Stephen Lahey, 31, barricaded himself inside 1907 Boulevard Ave. for 6½ hours this morning in a standoff with police that closed nearby schools, acting Police Chief Carl Graziano said.

Mr. Lahey, of Scranton, will be charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct, according to his court docket filed online. He awaits arraignment.

No one was injured in the standoff, which ended around 8:30 a.m. when officers from the Scranton Police Special Operations Group led the thin, shirtless man with long dreadlocks away.

Officers are conducting a search of the man's home.

Special operations officers breached the apartment by breaking in through the back door around 8:20. The sound of breaking glass could be heard a block away.

"Saw the SWAT (SOG) team on the second floor porch yell, scream, boom, bust 'em in," said Tom Kelly.

Mr. Kelly, an employee of Connor-Helring Associates, which shares a back yard with the apartment, said he has never seen Mr. Lahey in the three years that he has worked for the insurance agency on Sanderson Street. He arrived for work at 8:25 a.m. and saw the officers getting ready to storm the apartment's back door.

"I've seen that person they took out in handcuffs and put in the back of the paddy wagon," Mr. Kelly said. "We've never seen that person in this neighborhood."

Chief Graziano said officers deployed tear gas into the apartment. He said the standoff began when officers responded to a noise complaint around 2 a.m. During the response, Mr. Lahey claimed he was going to get his gun and kill police.

At the request of Scranton police, Robert Morris Elementary School and St. Clare/St. Paul schools are closed today.

"It's better to be safe than sorry," Chief Graziano said.

Due to inclement weather, tonight's Old Forge vs. Steelton-Highspire PIAA Class A football game has been postponed to Saturday at 4 p.m. at Harman-Geist Stadium in Hazleton.

View Weather forecast HERE

View Harman-Geist Stadium in a larger map

December is a busy time for Shawn and Jamie Jennings. The couple has plenty of work growing Christmas trees, maples for syrup and raising Jacob sheep on their farm in North Abington Twp.

But when ScrantonMade invited them to come to the Holiday on the Square event Friday night, Mrs. Jennings wanted to be part of it.

In the more than 50 years the family has been operating the farm, "We've never lugged trees into downtown Scranton," she said.

The Jennings' Christmas trees filled their corner of the big, white tent on Courthouse Square with a piney scent. In addition to usual First Friday activities, attendees could head into the tent to shop for local wares, from handcrafted wooden iPhone cases to dog treats made from spent grains left over from home-brewing.

Music also filled the air. A jazz combo made up of Steve Kurilla and members of the Jazz Assassins performed standards and holiday tunes. A troupe of caroling young men roving among storefronts open for First Friday popped into the tent, sang a few Christmas favorites, then moved on.

Weather was the only problem. Two patio heaters kept people warm in parts of the tent, but rain, sleet and ice balls dripped through cracks in the roof and formed squishy mud puddles.

ScrantonMade co-founder Cristin Powers said she hopes to make Holiday on the Square an annual event. As an artisan, she sells vintage clothes and handmade housewares through her business GreenBeing, as well as Scranton-inspired art for ScrantonMade.

As an organizer, she wants to encourage mutual appreciation among creative locals. One way is through events like this.

"We're emotionally invested in it," she said.

Mrs. Jennings grew up in Boulder, Colo., and moved back to her mother's family's farm 12 years ago. She said she has noticed a huge cultural change since she has lived near Scranton, with more appreciation for local arts, farm goods and cottage industries.

"This would never have happened five years ago," she said.

Annie Cadden brought her wares from Bethel, N.Y., and also said she wanted to support ScrantonMade.

Through her business, Fisher Cat Fiber Co., she sells rugs made from all kinds of local fibers and recycled materials, including woven plastic bags and leftover dress cuttings from former textile mills.

"I know this animal," she said, pointing to a ball of yarn from a Shetland sheep.

Contact the writer at bgibbons@timesshamrock.com, @bgibbonsTT on Twitter