Suicide prevention program Feb. 20

ARCHBALD - The Lou Ruspi Jr. Suicide Prevention Foundation and Valley View senior Saveria Giordano will host Valley View's first "Night of Hope" on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Valley View High School's auditorium.

The Advocacy Alliance and guidance departments from Valley View middle and high schools will provide information tables on suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Therapists will be available for private consultations.

The event is open to students in sixth through 12th grades, parents and members of the community. For details, contact LRJfoundation@live.com or call Ms. Giordano at 570-909-7031.

Blue Ridge

Micah Mullen earned a $50 prize after being named one of the winners of the Outdoor News 2013 Youth Writing Contest.

She competed with many reading students in seventh and eighth grades. The seventh-grader will receive a plaque in February for her accomplishment.

Micah also submitted a poem titled "Fall" to the Outdoor Writers Association of America National Contest.

jbaress@timesshamrock.com

Carbondale Area

Senior Jack Bradley has to make a decision on his future career.

He attended an event sponsored by the Medical Careers Club that featured talks from Richard Smith, PA Career Links of Lackawanna County, Cheryl Friedman, R.N., B.S.N., from Nurse Family Partnership Program, and Bill Schoen from Skills in Scranton.

"This presentation helped me to see the many opportunities out there in the health field," he said. "It also showed me the things I should do and also not do in order to be successful in any one of these careers. It actually was a very exhilarating presentation."

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Career Technology Center

Erin Rinker, a health occupations student, is the February student of the month.

Erin is a senior at North Pocono High School and is a CTC student ambassador, CTC Scholastic Bowl member, North Pocono School Board liaison and member of the CTC safety committee. Erin is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She is also a gold medal winner in the SKILLS USA district competition. She is a certified nurse's aide working at Allied Services and plans to obtain her nursing license.

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Delaware Valley

Junior Jacob Marcial was chosen as a January student of the month.

A member of the National Honor Society with a 4.8 grade-point average, Jacob is also active with the junior historians, student council, Mu Alpha Theta, the fly fishing club, and the soccer and tennis teams.

"Many positive results come from being involved in school-related activities," he said. "It makes me more focused on being a better student and a better person."

Even though Jacob has a busy schedule, he still finds time to give back to his community, volunteering with Relay for Life, Day of Caring, the local food pantry, church activities and food drives.

"Volunteer work makes me realize how lucky I am to be where I stand in terms of living," Jacob said. "Therefore, I find volunteer work very important because it is necessary to assist those less fortunate."

lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com

Dunmore

Noah King is part of the middle school's Friends of Rachel Club, which conducts service projects and random acts of kindness for members of the school and community.

The club initiated the recent Voluntary Action Center project, during which students collected personal hygiene items for care bags that were distributed to area homeless in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"I think it is important to help those who struggle to live day-by-day," the seventh-grader said. "It is important to remember the homeless because part of Dr. King's legacy is to put others ahead of ourselves."

On Valentine's Day, the club will continue its work by advocating for an end to bullying.

kwind@timesshamrock.com

Elk Lake

Senior Tia Visavati worked with Relay for Life for her graduation project, including a 24-hour walk at Montrose Area High School and a mini-relay at her own school.

"I wanted to do something helping people with cancer because I had leukemia when I was younger. Teachers Miss Hicks and Miss Shadduck had done these relay walks for a long time, and they're the ones who got me involved," said Tia, who's been in remission for 13 years.

She is studying cosmetology at school.

lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com

Forest City Regional

Thanks to Jordon Hicks, the Empire State Building will hang from the ceiling at Forest City's semiformal.

The cardboard model is 5 feet long and 4 feet high, with strands of white lights hanging from the bottom. Jordon made the design to coordinate with the dance's theme, Christmas at Rockefeller.

"I wanted to make sure semi looked nice this year," Jordon said.

Jordon is a student council representative and plays basketball, soccer and baseball.

During the summer, he helps out at Urgent Care clinics in Carbondale and Hawley, taking vital signs and doing tasks around the offices.

The sophomore plans to become an anesthesiologist.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Holy Cross

John Heyen signed up for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and gained a "little brother" with similar interests.

The pair have since done everyday activities together, ranging from putting up Christmas decorations to working on a quad.

"It feels great to make him happy while he reminds me to act a little more like a kid," the senior said.

John is on the football and basketball cheer teams. He attends vo-tech and studies automotive technology.

kwind@timesshamrock.com

Lackawanna Trail

Paige Hyde improved her artistic ability during a program for elementary and middle school students.

Working with Pennsylvania Council on the Arts artists, the students participated in painting, sculpting, dancing, theater and poetry.

"I really like art - watercolors, drawing and sculpting," said Paige, a sixth-grader. "I want to be a sculptor when I grow up."

miorfino@timesshamrock.com

Lakeland

Zack Powers found a way to help both his classmates and community.

The senior collected nonperishable foods for his graduation project, striking a deal with school officials so his classmates could reduce their library fines by donating canned goods.

Through December, he collected about 540 cans, filling 15 boxes of goods to help a local food pantry.

miorfino@timesshamrock.com

Mid Valley

Photos of a pond, flowers and grass earned Stanley Gongliewski an honorable mention in the Scholastic Art Competition. The photos were taken in Stanley's grandmother's backyard with an iPhone. The printed versions of the photos are hanging at Marywood University until the end of February.

A member of the photography, drama, Leo, art and science clubs, Stanley is also in French 3 and AP Biology.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Montrose Area

Alyssa Cutri will dedicate her senior project to stopping bullying.

The junior will team up with senior Jessica Sivers to schedule an anti-bullying day at the elementary schools.

"We decided to do this because both of us have had experiences with bullying as children," Alyssa said. "We wanted to change the way it could be by talking to the elementary students about it."

The pair plans to talk to the students and play games and create posters with them about the subject in February.

Alyssa also sings in the high school concert choir.

jbaress@timesshamrock.com

Mountain View

Jordaine Newhart took a stand against bullying for her graduation project.

She ran a pledge against bullying project, where she had fellow students stand in assigned places in the hallway and put their handprints on the wall.

"I've been in the OLWEUS and Friends of Rachel Clubs, and it gave me inspiration." Jordaine said. "I wanted to do something fun to help our community."

Jordaine also managed the high school track and basketball teams. She wants to study criminal justice in college.

jbaress@timesshamrock.com

Old Forge

Seniors Matthew Cesare and Jimmie Aversa are completing their senior project by volunteering at the Arc, a program for people with special needs.

The pair helped with a Halloween party and Thanksgiving meal at the Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania in Scranton. Jimmie said they have one more event planned and they enjoy volunteering.

"You can tell the people there like the help," he said. "We enjoy spending time with them."

sscinto@timesshamrock.com

Riverside

Kindergarten student Dean Martin wants to earn his black belt in karate someday.

The Riverside West Elementary student said he enjoys taking lessons with his instructor, Sensei Paul.

"It's fun doing stretches and learning techniques," Dean said. "I almost have a yellow belt."

Dean has taken lessons for two years, learning techniques like "Capture Twigs" and "Leaping Crane."

sscinto@timesshamrock.com

Scranton

On Jan. 28, West Scranton High School competed in the first round of the annual mock trial competition.

In the round against Carbondale Area High School, Kaela Palmiter won the Best Advocate Award and Kaitlyn Tokash won the Best Witness Award. Other members of the team who participated in the first round were Danielle Rutkowski, Sara Skoritowski, Larissa Kane and Mollie Murphy.

On Tuesday, West competed against Holy Cross High School. Brian Martin won the Best Advocate Award and Danielle Rutkowski won the Best Witness Award. Other members of the team who participated in the second round were Sara Skoritowski, Kaitlyn Tokash, Diane Matte and Alexandra Kerecman.

West Scranton's team was coached by faculty moderator Nicholas Kramer and attorney adviser Michael Parker.

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Scranton Prep

Junior Kate Paterson is a member of Prep's undefeated mock trial team. The team is 2-0 and will move on to district semifinals this week.

Kate, who is also on the soccer team, is a lawyer for the defense.

"Our coaches are really great. They teach us so much," she said.

Kate would rather be a doctor than a lawyer, but the skills - such as public speaking, writing and working with her teammates - are important for any profession.

"You learn a lot of strategy and logic," she said.

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Valley View

Cali Wilson was the December student of the month in English.

"Advanced placement English is challenging, and I am honored to be recognized for my hard work," she said.

The senior is president of SADD club and vice president of the Spanish club. She is in National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, health and physical education club and student council.

Cali also is on the soccer team and runs track and field.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Western Wayne

Laura Sorenson started a Friends of Rachel Club for her senior project.

The clubs are designed to encourage kindness, create a warmer school environment and combat bullying.

When she was recognized by the school board as an outstanding senior, Laura said she chose the project to help the student body become "more united" and as a way to "honor a friend who passed away."

She is ranked sixth in her class and plans to attend Arizona State University to earn a dual major in business and photography with a minor in psychology.

kwind@timesshamrock.com

HARRISBURG - The governor's proposed budget provides $2 million in state aid for the first time to help Children's Advocacy Centers do their work, a key recommendation of a special task force that called for an overhaul of the child protection system after the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

The report of the Task Force on Child Protection, issued in 2012, calls the centers the "single most important tool in the investigation of child abuse" and recommends that every child in Pennsylvania be within a two-hour drive of one.

The $2 million would go to set up advocacy centers in areas of Pennsylvania that lack them and support existing centers if lawmakers approve.

"This is something we've worked hard for," said Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler, the task force chairman, on Friday. "I'm delighted the governor has put this in."

These centers provide a place where a suspected victim of child abuse can be interviewed in a nonintimidating environment by a trained forensic interviewer while a multidisciplinary team of professionals listens in another room. The interview is videotaped so the child doesn't have to undergo numerous interviews and potentially experience further trauma.

The centers provide medical treatment, counseling, and court and mental health services based on a child's individual needs.

This is the most effective way for children to get the treatment and counseling they need because of their victimization, said Mr. Heckler.

There are 23 centers in Pennsylvania. Many of them rely on federal grants, county funding, donations and fundraising for revenue.

The state aid will be welcome, said Mary Ann LaPorta, executive director of the Scranton-based Children's Advocacy Center of Northeast Pennsylvania.

The center has handled cases referred from Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, Monroe, Susquehanna, Pike, Wyoming and Carbon counties.

The proposed budget includes nearly $10 million to set up a central database to keep reports of child abuse and neglect cases and have them accessible around the clock to investigators and law enforcement personnel, another task force recommendation.

The database will help make sure that child abuse cases do not fall through the cracks, especially when the individuals involved move across county lines, said Jay Pagni, spokesman for Gov. Tom Corbett.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

On this date in NEPA

75 years ago, the Most Rev. William Hafey, bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, sent a letter to all priests in the diocese informing them that he had banned the celebration of public Masses after 11 a.m. on Sundays because the late Masses lessen devotion and lead to neglect of the sacraments.

50 years ago, Scranton Tax Collector William Reidenbach died at 63. He had been elected to the post in 1961 after having served eight terms in the state House of Representatives.

25 years ago, a five-week-long strike at Thomson Consumer Electronics ended. Unionized workers voted to accept a contract offer that they had voted down two weeks earlier.

10 years ago, despite opposition from residents, South Abington Twp. supervisors approved an extension to developers seeking to build a Sheetz station and a Walgreens on Northern Boulevard.

Gina Maria Aleo, a full-time secretary, finds her true passion in another role -playing Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson.

When invited to give a presentation on Founding Father and third President Thomas Jefferson, Ms. Aleo, of Wilkes-Barre Twp., dons the dress of the American Revolutionary era, tries to feel what Mrs. Jefferson might have felt, and tells the story of the former president's life from his wife's point of view.

Ms. Aleo gave that performance during a pre-Presidents Day offering at the Anthracite Heritage Museum on Sunday.

Opening with a reading of three letters penned by Jefferson, she plunged into his tale beginning with his birth, moving to the day he met his wife, including his family life, his political achievements and failures and, finally, discussing his death.

"I'm a lifelong admirer of him," Ms. Aleo said, making her way off the stage to a round of applause from the audience. "I just wanted to start talking about him and telling the whole story."

Vernon Sallack, 93, of Scranton, sat at the back of the auditorium, enthralled by Ms. Aleo's portrayal of Mrs. Jefferson.

"I'm very impressed," Mr. Sallack said. "This really makes us think and it really is appropriate for our present time."

Museum volunteer Vivian Cleveland called the program "flawless."

"It was excellent," she said.

Ms. Aleo has performed as Mrs. Jefferson for a year. She wrote the script based on knowledge gained from her "extensive library" of books on the Jeffersons.

"I just constantly read letters," she said, noting that she stays in character while she reads and now sees "my husband" on the page instead of a former president.

"It's like getting into someone else's skin," she said. "I always make it (the reading) personal."

Contact the writer: sscinto@timesshamrock.com, @sscintoTT on Twitter

Man charged in officer assault

PITTSTON - A Blakeslee man is facing numerous charges after allegedly breaking into City Hall and kicking a police officer in the face.

Police noticed a smashed office-door window when they returned to City Hall at 3:30 a.m. Sunday. They conducted a search and found Max Deangelo, 24, hiding behind a desk in the city treasurer's office.

Police said Mr. Deangelo struggled with officers as he was being escorted out of the building and kicked an officer in the chest and face. Mr. Deangelo, who was injured during the struggle, again assaulted an officer while at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. He also threatened an officer and his family members' lives, police said.

Mr. Deangelo is charged with one count each of burglary, criminal trespass, escape, terroristic threats, institutional vandalism, criminal mischief and resisting arrest, and two counts of aggravated assault.

He was jailed at Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu of $75,000 straight bail.

The state attorney general's office will ask a judge to determine whether a sentencing date can be set for former Scott Twp. Police Chief James Romano now that questions over the future of his pension appear to be resolved, a spokesman for the office said.

Mr. Romano, who was accused of having a sexual relationship with a witness in a case he was investigating, pleaded no contest in November to a charge of hindering prosecution.

The plea deal calls for him to serve six months' probation, but his sentencing was postponed indefinitely until he received assurance that neither the township nor State Employees Retirement System would seek to forfeit his pension. He would be permitted to withdraw the plea if his pension was in jeopardy.

Richard Fanucci, who served as township solicitor until Dec. 31, said he issued a written opinion about two weeks after the plea stating the township would not take action against the pension because the crime to which Mr. Romano pleaded does not trigger the state's pension forfeiture law.

That appears to resolve the issue. Mr. Romano's attorney, Frank Ruggiero, said he also wants assurance from the retirement system that it will not take any action. Mr. Ruggiero said he does not believe the agency has any authority in the matter because it involves a municipal pension, not a state pension. He said he wants a letter stating that, however, before sentencing.

Joe Peters, spokesman for the attorney general's office, said officials are monitoring the situation and now plan to ask the trial judge to decide if the case is ripe for sentencing.

MONDAY UPDATE brings Times-Tribune readers up to date on past or pending stories of interest. To offer a suggestion for a Monday Update, please email metrodesk@timesshamrock.com with "Monday Update" in the subject line.

Contact the writer: tbesecker@ timesshamrock.com- THEN: James Romano pleads with stipulations.

NOW: Pension issues appear to be resolved.

Editor's Note Blog: Updating the news…

ST. THOMAS - The FBI has Virgin Islands Realtor-turned-fugitive Rosemary Sauter in custody in California.

Ms. Sauter, 62, a native of Pittston and 1969 graduate of Pittston Area High School, is accused of absconding with more than $3 million of her Virgin Islands real estate and other clients' and fellow investors' money and faces charges of embezzlement, grand larceny and obtaining money by false pretenses.

She was found living in an apartment in a suburban area outside of San Diego. An FBI agent and three San Diego County sheriff's deputies arrested her there on Jan. 30, according to Lt. Dave Schaller of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Ms. Sauter fled the Virgin Islands in February 2010 after thousands of dollars worth of checks began to bounce in connection with escrow accounts that she used during real estate transactions.

Prior to her disappearance, Ms. Sauter was a successful Realtor and had the largest realty office on St. Thomas by early 2010, about 14 years after she illegally acquired her real estate license in the territory. She operated a real estate office, an accounting firm and a restaurant-bar. She once also had been the president of the V.I. Territorial Board of Realtors and the St. Thomas Board of Realtors.

After Ms. Sauter fled the territory, the Virgin Islands attorney general's office issued a warrant for her arrest. The U.S. attorney's office followed suit eight months later, issuing a federal warrant for Ms. Sauter's arrest in October 2010.

The territorial and federal documents detailing the exact charges against Ms. Sauter are under seal, and it is unclear whether the documents will be unsealed any time soon.

Ms. Sauter initially was booked into the Vista Detention Facility in Vista, Calif., after the sheriff's department and FBI arrested her, but the FBI later took her into custody and relocated her to a federal prison, the Metropolitan Corrections Center in San Diego, according to FBI spokesman Darrell Foxworth.

Mr. Foxworth said after her arrest that Ms. Sauter likely will be extradited to the Virgin Islands.

"That's usually what happens in these cases," he said, noting that a number of motions and hearings likely will have to precede her extradition.

BY REBEKAH BROWN

An Olyphant restaurant owner who trafficked cocaine in pizza boxes pleaded guilty to a pair of felony charges this morning.

David Klem, owner of the Clocktower at LaRussa's, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and corrupt organizations before Judge Vito Geroulo. No sentencing date has been set.

Mr. Klem used his cafe as a front for delivering cocaine to the owner of a now-defunct used car warranty company, according to state Attorney General investigators.

"Operation Take-Out," resulted in the arraignments of five area residents on drug charges in March 2013, including Mr. Klem and Charles Yaskulski, whose Eagle Warranty was closed in 2009 and sued for failing to honor customers' claims for repairs.

According to a grand jury presentment, Mr. Yaskulski, 43, would place cocaine orders with Mr. Klem, 31, who would then deliver the drug to his used car warranty business in Archbald in a pizza box. At one point, Mr. Klem was selling at least one ounce of cocaine every week to Mr. Yaskulski for $1,100 an ounce.

Mr. Klem was purchasing "kilo quantities" of the drug for $21,000 to $28,000 a kilogram from a source in Philadelphia.

He would cut the drug and sell it to others, including Eric Gruzesky, 39, of Scranton, Joseph Topa Jr., 37, of Jessup, and Corey Carrera, 38, of Olyphant, who also were charged.

Check back for updates.

A name-change for Pennstar Bank will also change promotional and naming rights deals - including that with Luzerne County Convention Center Authority for the box office at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The box office will be known as NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena. It had previously been known as the Pennstar Box Office. An official announcement is scheduled for Thursday.

The deal comes as NBT, parent company of Pennstar Bank, prepares to rebrand the Pennstar division as NBT Bank in March. NBT's five-year naming rights deal at the arena began in June of 2010 and concludes in June 2015.

Scranton Police said the crash Sunday night that killed South Scranton siblings Stephen Lebron III, 14, and Fatima Lebron, 13, may have been caused by slippery road conditions, but a definitive answer will likely take time to reach.

Acting Capt. Glenn Thomas said three others in the car, including a two-year-old girl, were taken to Geisinger Community Medical Center. Khamill Nellons, 2, and Takai Carter, suffered minor injuries and were treated and released, hospital spokeswoman Westyn Hinchey said. The teens' mother, Shakara Lebron, 31, suffered major injuries and remains in serious condition.

Shakara Lebron was driving a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer on the North Scranton expressway toward Scranton when she lost control and rolled over. Police said the car rolled from the highway and fell onto its roof on the ramp for Main Avenue, several feet below.

Stephen was pronounced dead at the scene, Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland said. Fatima died a short while later in the hospital.

Police are continuing their investigation and will need to inspect the car, conduct additional interviews and look for evidence to determine the vehicle's speed at the time of impact.

The expressway was closed for several hours today while investigators conducted an accident reconstruction. It has reopened.

Check back for updates.

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

High school student stabs classmate

SCRANTON - A high school junior stabbed a senior in the back on a West Scranton sidewalk Monday afternoon after the two boys left school, Scranton Police Lt. Marty Crofton said.

The pair, both 17-year-old students at West Scranton High School, had a fistfight on the 1000 block of Washburn Street when one of the students stabbed the other. The police department did not release the names of the minors.

The victim was taken to Geisinger Community Medical Center with non-life threatening wounds and will be treated and released, Lt. Crofton said.

Police arrested the 11th grader and charged him with aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment. He was released to his parents pending a court hearing.

LACKAWANNA COUNTY COURT NOTES

marriage licenses

- Joseph J. Griffin and Lynda Conrad, both of Carbondale.

- Kyle Bradley Vancosky and Katrina A. Smith-Newhart, both of Scranton.

- Michael J. Prosonic and Jeanine Hoffman, both of Old Forge.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

- Fannie Mae, also known as Federal National Mortgage Association, by its attorney in fact, Phelan Hallinan and Schmieg LLP, to Amy Fowler; a property at 100 Basalyga St., Jessup, for $67,500.

- Summerfield Village LLC, Clarks Summit, to Richard P. and Vita V. Masucci, Clarks Summit; a property in Glenburn Twp., for $517,000.

- Craig and Penelope Godfrey, Williamsburg, Va., to Michael and Mary Stephanie Campo; a property at 114 Stoneridge Circle, Clarks Summit, for $675,000.

- Joseph and Betty Palko, Dunmore, to Earl John Marshall and Alicia Regina Kelly, Dunmore; a property at Nicole Drive, Dunmore, for $56,000.

- Paul Yestrumskas, individually and executor of the estate of Helen Yestrumskas, Factoryville, to John F. Jr. and Lynette M. Arcangelo, South Abington Twp., for $276,000.

Divorces sought

- Franklin Belcher, Clarks Summit, v. Amy Belcher, Clarks Summit; married Oct. 4, 2008; Scott A. Herlands, attorney.

- Kerry Ann Mullen-Rupe, Peckville, v. John Anthony Rupe, Peckville; married June 4, 1993, in Archbald; pro se.

federal tax liens

- John and Jill L. Thomas, 202 Karen Drive, Scranton; $19,786.87.

- George and Loretta Siracuse, 308 Third Ave., Jessup; $69,423.79.

- Timothy P. August, 516 Willow St., Moosic; $31,380.

- Michael A. and Lori A. Esposito, 3259 Hunters Landing Road, Binghamton, N.Y.; $947.57.

- Joan G. Phillips, 117 Crooked Creek Lane, George­town, Ohio; $492,591.57.

ESTATEs FILED

- Margaret M. Savo, 14003 Airport Drive, Clarks Summit, letters testamentary to Alan Goldstein, 1632 Forest Acre Drive, Clarks Summit.

- Marlene Logan, 595 Milwaukee Ave., Old Forge, letters testamentary to Robert G. Logan, 1827 Bradley Terrace, Lake Como, N.J.

- Frank P. Laboranti Sr., 1 Mia Cara Drive, Dunmore, letters testamentary to Paul Laboranti, 106 Rhonda Drive, Scranton.

bench warrants

The following warrants were issued by President Judge Thomas Munley for failure to appear for fines, costs and restitution:

- Maurice A. Elliott, 101 Linden St., Apt 4F, Brooklyn, N.Y.; $664.50.

- Daniel D. Pavlovicz, 949 Wheeler Ave., Scranton; $1,278.00.

- Jermaine Colman, 509 Hamm Court, Scranton; $4,835.95.

- Kevin Mullen, 1209 Advent Road, Lake Ariel; $1,003.50.

- Alex K. Levens, 1407 Academy St., Scranton; $1,328.50.

- Amanda Smith, 920 Brighton St., Philadelphia; $1,888.50.

- Jacob Daniel Schmitt, 49 Lake Ave., Apt 2, Binghamton, N.Y.; $1,498.50.

- Tina M. Morgan, 130 Grzybowski Road, Olyphant; $1,048.50.

- Axel Martinez, Townhouse Boulevard, Apt 1206, Scranton; $1,348.50.

- Joseph M. Lanusse, 15 Johns Lane, Tannersville; $794.50.

- Melissa Lentes, 4290 Haas Pond Road, Madison Twp.; $1,233.50.

- Gerald Smallacombe, 416 Cedar Ave., Scranton; $2,407.50.

- Angelica Mercado Rivera, 623 E. Elm St., Scranton; $793.00.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

Originally sentenced to life in prison with no chance at parole for brutally assaulting a Scranton woman, Michael Greene could soon be a free man.

Lackawanna County Judge Michael Barrasse sentenced Mr. Greene on Monday to 8½ to 20 years in state prison for aggravated and simple assault. He has already served nearly 10 years.

Mr. Greene, 53, of Massachusetts, was arrested in May 2004 after he beat his former girlfriend Stacy Kardos at her Scranton home, leaving her with a collapsed lung, fractured ribs and a broken nose.

Citing Mr. Greene's long criminal record, which spans four decades, Judge Barrasse first imposed a life sentence based on Pennsylvania's "three strikes" law in 2006. The law allows a life sentence if the defendant has been convicted of violent crimes on three occasions. In 2008, the state Superior Court asked for clearer reasoning. Judge Barrasse reinforced his decision that a lesser sentence would be "insufficient to protect the public safety."

Most of Mr. Greene's crimes were committed in Massachusetts, and the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled in 2010 that many shouldn't count under the three-strikes law.

In Lackawanna County Court on Monday, Mr. Greene's attorney, Terrence McDonald, said he didn't plan to dispute Mr. Greene's criminal behavior but pointed out "that's not the complete picture of Mr. Greene."

At his turn to address the court, Mr. Greene, through video from state prison, said he had been "baptized in Lackawanna County" and his life had changed during his incarceration. He expressed his desire to complete his term and be with his mother, who is in failing health.

"I don't condone nothing that I did in the past," he said.

"It's never too late to turn your life around," he added. "I really believe I'm not the same person I was in 2004."

Judge Barrasse listed a dozen missed court appearances and warrants issued for Mr. Greene over the years before sentencing him in the aggravated range.

"The history that you have had while you were out wasn't one of rehabilitation," he said.

Deputy District Attorney Gene Riccardo said he was disappointed that the state Supreme Court did not agree with the original three-strikes assessment, but said Monday's sentence was within the guidelines. He hoped Mr. Greene wasn't the same person as in 2004.

"He fled from Massachusetts and followed our victim to Scranton," he said. "I'm hoping that she's going to be safe in the future."

Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

CLIPBOARD

Avoca

Council meeting: Borough Council meeting, Thursday, following 6:30 p.m. work session, Municipal Building, 752 Main St.

Carbondale

Overnight event: Greater Carbondale YMCA students Grades 6-8 lock-in, Saturday-Sunday, 8:30 p.m.-7:30 a.m., $20; food, refreshments, snacks; forms in area schools/YMCA front desk; 570-282-2210.

Dalton

Chicken supper: Dalton United Methodist Church chicken and biscuit supper, Feb. 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m., takeouts, 4, $9/adults, $4/3-10; Pat, 570-945-5586, or Margaret, 570-587-3755.

Dickson City

Reunion planning: Dickson City High School classes of 1960s reunion planning meeting, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Angie's Pizza, Main Street, reunion: May 25, Fiorelli's in Peckville.

Downvalley

Sanitary rates: Lower Lackawanna Valley Sanitary Authority 2014 discount rates close March 31, residential users only.

East Scranton

Club meeting: 800 Club of Immaculate Conception Church meeting Thursday, 1:30 p.m., church hall, weather permitting.

Great Bend

Rummage sale: St. Lawrence Church rummage sale, Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon (bag sale), Trinity Center (church hall), Franklin Street; lunch, homemade halushki, soups, takeouts available; Barb, 570-879-4333, or Lorraine, 570-465-3393.

Lackawanna County

Reading event: Northeastern Pennsylvania Reading Association celebrity readers, character visits, craft activities, free books for children Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., second floor at the Mall at Steamtown; free.

Lakeland School District

Spring musical: Lakeland Junior-Senior High School Curtain Club musical, "Little Shop of Horrors," Feb. 28, March 1, 7 p.m.; March 2, 3 p.m.; $10/adults, $5/students, free/under 10 with a paid admission, at door.

Milford

Senior bingo: Belle Reve Senior Living Chocolate Drop Bingo, Feb. 21 (snow date, Feb. 24), 1 p.m., light refreshments, seating limited; Kaitlyn or Michele, 570-409-9191, by Feb. 17.

Noxen

Breakfast buffet: Noxen Vol­un­­teer Fire Company breakfast buffet, Sunday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., fire hall, Stull Road; $8/adults, $4/children under 12.

Old Forge

Club meets: Old Forge Sons of Italy Gloria Lodge meeting and social, Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m., Arcaro & Genell's banquet room, tickets for April 6 pasta dinner.

Pittston

Valentine's party: Knights of Columbus Home Association Sweet Heart Valentine's Party, Saturday, entertainment by Paul's Turn, 8-11 p.m., free admission, kitchen open.

Carbondale

Fish fry: Pioneer Nights Ash Wednesday Fish Fry, March 5, 5-7 p.m., Moxie Club, 80 Orchard St.; takeouts available; $8; John Masco, 570-407-0389; Brian Durkin, 570-499-5445; Mayor Justin Taylor, 570-282-4044, ext. 13; Michele Taylor, 570-878-0003; Michele Bannon, 570-351-5607.

Scranton

Bingo canceled: Downtown Senior Center bingo party scheduled for Thursday is canceled; 570-347-3970.

Thompson

Chicken supper: Thompson United Methodist Church chicken and biscuit supper and bake sale, Feb. 22, 4:30 p.m., takeouts available.

West Scranton

Craft fair: West Scranton Intermediate School spring vendor and craft fair, April 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., vendor applications: $30/space; benefits Scranton PROmoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience (PROSPER) drug and alcohol prevention programs; applications, Penn State Extension, 570-963-6842.

Society meeting: St. Lucy's Parish Altar and Rosary Society meeting Feb. 19, 7 p.m., church hall; social follows.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be emailed to yesdesk@times shamrock.com or mailed to Clip­board, c/o YES!Desk, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. YES!Desk, 348-9121.

SCRANTON - City police arrested an Archbald man Sunday night after he allegedly hit two people in the head with a baseball bat.

Officers charged William Eakle, 25, 210 McAndrew Drive, Apt. C, with aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment for hitting Tammy Gravine, with whom he has a child, and Thomas Everett, who said he was her fiancé.

The incident happened at Ms. Gravine's 246 Meridian Ave. home.

Ms. Gravine, who was momentarily knocked out, went to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where police interviewed her.