SCRANTON — A Jessup man will return to Lackawanna County Court on Monday to be sentenced for the crash that killed a sister and brother from Rochester, N.Y.

Wayne Stephen Kichar, 35, was expected to be sentenced Friday by Judge Michael Barrasse on counts of vehicular homicide and driving under the influence, along with unrelated charges from two child endangerment cases.

However, a resolution could not be reached on all of the charges. Mr. Kichar is scheduled to be sentenced Monday on the crash-related counts and face trial July 7 in the other cases, Deputy District Attorney Robert Klein said.

Twins Lynn and William McKernan died in 2011 when a dump truck driven by Mr. Kichar hit their car on Interstate 84 in Dunmore. He pleaded no contest to homicide by vehicle and DUI in November.

— DAVID SINGLETON

PHOENIX — Police are investigating a deadly priest shooting at a Roman Catholic church in Phoenix.

Investigators have been able to recover forensic evidence from the car of a dead priest, who once lived in Northeast Pennsylvania, and the crime scene that they are hopeful will lead them to a suspect. And they are going door to door in the neighborhood looking for witnesses who might have seen something.

The investigation is playing out as parishioners are mourning the loss of the Rev. Kenneth Walker, 28, and praying for the recovery of the Rev. Joseph Terra, 56, who was so badly beaten in the Wednesday night attack in the rectory of their church that police were worried he wouldn’t survive the night. He remained in critical but stable condition.

The Walker family were parishioners of St. Ann Parish in Shohola Twp., Pike County, for several years, according to Diocese of Scranton spokesman Bill Genello. It was while living in Shohola as a teenager, the Rev. Walker discerned his vocation and entered the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter seminary in Nebraska and was ordained a priest for the Society, Mr. Genello said. The Rev. Walker did not serve as a priest in the Diocese of Scranton.

Phoenix police Sgt. Steve Martos said the Rev. Terra was trying to save the Rev. Walker’s life until authorities arrived, even as he himself lay critically wounded.

“He’s doing everything he can because he’s the only one there,” Sgt. Martos said.

Family members said they were overcome with emotion by the loss, but they took solace in the fact that the surviving priest was able to administer last rites.

“For Catholics, receiving your last rites basically guarantees you’re going to heaven,” said the Rev. Walker’s stepsister, Sasha Keys. “That’s one of the biggest reasons we have to smile.”

In his application to the seminary, the Rev. Walker spoke of his devotion to God and desire to be a priest.

“The only vocation that I could be satisfied with, as a work,” he wrote, “would be one that would be ... dedicated to bringing people to salvation in whatever way God wills for me to do so. This work is best carried out by the priesthood.”

LAKE ARIEL — The class of 2014 tossed their caps Friday, closing a chapter in their lives and beginning journeys as varied as the graduates themselves.

“May the rest of your lives be filled with obstacles more large and complex than this tiny high school,” class president Tristen Locklin said.

Mr. Locklin passed the class’s ceremonial mantle on to junior class president Adam Curtis, then a choir sang an arrangement of “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts.

During her valedictorian’s address, Caleigh Wildenstein reminisced about shared experiences: learning the derivatives of trigonometric functions in math, practicing proper diction in English and tossing eggs into the air in physics.

Now, with the graduates ready to take their first steps on a web of paths laid ahead — college, military service, the workforce — she reminded them of the training they received at Western Wayne High School.

“It’s a scary thing going off into the future, but this is what we’ve been preparing for the past 13 years,” she said.

GRADUATES INCLUDE

Ashlyn Ann Anderson, Kevin Anthony Barbone, Thomas E. Bethel, Nathan Bond, Autumn Lea Booths, Caitlyn E. Bortree, Sarah Brodowsky, Tanner Brooks, Matthew A. Brussell, Samantha Maree Burge, Bryanne N. Burns, Tanya M. Burns, Heather M. Butler, Sapphire B. Butler, Angelena Campisi, Anthony J. Carachilo, Joshua L. Carnahan, Michael I. Carrasquillo, Matthew Chapman, Jeffrey C. Chrzan, Zachary A. Chrzan, Allison Mary Clark, Jonathan Cobb, Trevor Cobb, Kaitlin D. Conway, Alicia L. Cook, Nicholas J. Corazzi, Salvatore Culotta, Diamond Dade, Micayla Davis, Nicole Delfino, Anthony DeLucia, Joshua J. Doyle, LaShanda L. Doyle, Billie Jean Durkin, Benjamin Dyer, Isabella Christina Esposito, Jayson Figueroa, Cory Franc, Samantha Shane Franklin, Tia Lynn Franklin, Paige L. Fratamico, Morgan Fuller, Olivia Funk, Bryan M. Gagliardi Jr., Ashley Eileen Gay, Mathew Gerald Gibbon, Tanner T. Gillette, Derek Gillis, Jacob A. Gillis, Joshua Lee Gilpin, Jacquelyn Griffiths, Ashlyn A. Hall, Lauren N. Hanna, Abigail Hemmler, Samuel J. Hoch, Homer Hollister Jr., Matthew Howe, Cassidy C. Howell, Jordyn Lee Jacques, Joseph Emery Jellock, Kyle V. Johnson, Ryan W. Johnson, Kourtney Maria Jones, Cheyenne Marie Katarski, Kathleen Morgan Kellar, Michaela Killian, Nicole J. Kizer, Jason Robert Komar, Kasey Lynn Kosciuk, Arthur Koval, Austin Kyzer, Caroline Elizabeth-Anne Laabs, Brandon James Lamberton, Mitchell Arthur Lee, Scott Lehutsky, Brandon R. Lepkowski, Tristen Cord Locklin, Elise Lore, Katelynn Loscig, Mikayla M. Maher, Finn E. Malakin, Samantha Merrifield, Patrick Miller, Tania Denise Molinuevo, Joshua Mondak, Candice Moser, Nicholas Mosomillo, Alexis Myers, Alyssa JoAnn Noble, Shannon Alayna Northrop, Timothy Pacini, Kayla Lynn Phillips, Sara L. Podunajec, Lindsey Reed, Cassandra Reeke, William Rennekamp, Trevor Paul Robeson, Isaiah Robinson, Kimberly Rose Rodriguez, Joshua Edward Romance, Kelsey Marie Russo, Haley Salak, Christian Sauter, Tracey Schroder, Richard Sherman, Michael Slattery, Laura Alice Sorenson, Austin R. Spindler, Bradley Charles Stiffler, Andrew N. Stine, Kyle Strada, Myranda I. Strada, Danielle Swingle, Austin Swoyer, Zachary J. Taylor, Courtney E. Teeple, Carly Anna Thorpe, Anthony Tomasetti, Jessica L. Ujobai, Tarina Sue Usher, Justine Van Der Stad, Dylan Wallace, John Walsh, Zachary Wartella, Cody Wash, Nickolas Weiss, Christopher Wilcom, Caleigh Wildenstein, Devon S. Williams, Kyle Williams, Lawrence John Williams, Cory Wombacker, Evan W. Wood, Edward C. Zawislak and Courtney R. Zebrowski.

Contact the writer:

bgibbons@timesshamrock.com, @bgibbonsTT on Twitter

Valedictorian Caleigh Wildenstein

Parents: Leighann and Lawrence Wildenstein.

Activities: Four years of varsity soccer and basketball, scholastic team, National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, coaching a kids soccer team, middle school math tutoring, food pantry volunteer work for NHS.

Plans: University of Scranton, major in English

Salutatorian Michaela Killian

Parents: Marianne and Robert Killian

Activities: Two years of varsity track and field and cross country, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, ballet, jazz, tap and pointe dance at Cristina Sohns-Williams Studio of Dance, food pantry volunteer for NHS, volunteering to teach dance at an elementary school in Dunmore.

Plans: West Chester University, major in nursing.

A Lackawanna County judge ruled Friday that a woman claiming she had a sexual relationship as a minor with a former Lakeland High School teacher can testify at his trial for the sexual assault of another student.

Judge Vito P. Geroulo also ruled Matthew Stevens’ defense can question the woman regarding her involvement with former Scott Twp. Police Chief James Romano. Mr. Romano was charged in April with multiple offenses after the witness, then 20, told authorities she developed a sexual relationship with him while he was investigating her allegations against Mr. Stevens. He pleaded no contest to a charge of hindering prosecution and is awaiting sentencing.

Mr. Stevens, 32, of Forest City, will go to trial on Monday on charges of institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of a minor. He turned himself in to authorities in February 2013 after a former student came forward and said she had a sexual relationship with Mr. Stevens in 2012 while she was a 17-year-old student. No charges were filed on the second woman’s behalf.

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

Deputy District Attorney Jennifer McCambridge requested the judge let the second woman testify to show a pattern of conduct similar to the current charges. Defense attorney Joseph Caraciolo had objected to her request, saying the testimony would create a “trial within a trial” and prejudice the jury.

“I believe the commonwealth is hoping at the end of the day that prejudice will win the day for them,” Mr. Caraciolo said.

Miss McCambridge argued the two victims were in the same situation.

“This is a man who abuses that position and preys on students,” she said.

Miss McCambridge said testimony about the woman’s relationship with Mr. Romano would be irrelevant to the charges against Mr. Stevens, but Mr. Caraciolo argued her testimony from that case speaks directly to her veracity as a witness.

Jury selection begins Monday at 9:30 a.m.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com,

@jkohutTT on Twitter

Kane Properties sells a second building in Taylor industrial park.

A Los Angeles-area commercial real estate company has purchased a warehouse at the Stauffer Industrial Park in Taylor for $6 million.

Kane Properties, an affiliate of Kane Is Able Inc., sold a warehouse leased by Sanofi Pasteur to a business associated with Centurion Investment, Westlake Village, California, paperwork filed at the recorder of deeds office indicates.

The sale includes 38 acres of land, and Westlake invests in industrial real estate.

The dimensions of the warehouse could not be determined.

In 2013, Sanofi signed an agreement to lease the distribution facility through Dec. 31, 2022, documents at the Lackawanna County recorder of deeds office show.

Sanofi, the nation’s largest flu-vaccine manufacturer, employs about 2,000 people in Swiftwater. Kane Is Able is a logistics provider based in Scranton.

Kane Properties recently sold a 955,935-square-foot warehouse at the Stauffer Industrial Park to a Virginia real estate investment trust for $39 million and agreed to lease it from the new owner.

Area high school graduates love the region’s people, food, history and environment. But for those students to stay in Northeast Pennsylvania, the region needs more jobs — and better roads.

As local high school seniors flip their tassels — including at eight graduations Friday night — many are preparing to attend college elsewhere. The Times-Tribune asked those seniors what they love about the region and how it could be improved.

Abington Heights students Eric Onofrey and Jeremy Cummings said the small, close-knit community feel is the best thing about growing up in Northeast Pennsylvania.

“Anywhere you go, there are always nice people willing to help you succeed and move forward in life,” said Mr. Cummings, 18.

Soon-to-be Scranton High graduate Brandi Townend also said she loves how everyone knows each other in Scranton, but she will be attending Temple University in Philadelphia to experience life in a bigger city. She plans to major in a business-related field, and for her to return to Scranton, better job opportunities must be available.

Jobs are also on the mind of her classmate, Daniel Smith, who said he loves the nature within the city and surrounding areas. He will study mechanical engineering at Boston University. Not only does the region need more engineering jobs, he would also like to see people take a more active role and become more engaged in their community.

West Scranton senior Cara Anzulewicz, who will attend the University of Scranton as a pre-med major, would also like to see more people involved in the community and to increase the level of local pride.

“The overall morale could be improved,” she said.

Many graduates, such as West Scranton’s Danielle Rutkowski and Dunmore graduate Danny Graff, said the region’s bridges and roads must be fixed.

Pittston Area graduate Bridget Starinsky said if she could improve one thing, it would also be the roads.

“Driving to school with the potholes is not fun,” she said.

Shirley Tung, a graduating senior at Abington Heights, suggested the region needs more activities targeting younger children and teenagers.

“My friends and I are always lacking things to do,” she said.

Abigail Aronica, 17, a Dunmore graduate, said the region needs more programs in the arts. She sees Northeast Pennsylvania’s food — particularly Nina’s Restaurant on New York Street — and the area’s inhabitants as a selling point.

“People are very welcoming,” she said. “They always have a smile on their face.”

Staff writers Kyle Wind, Sarah Scinto and Michael Iorfino contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Blakely

Golf tournament: Blakely/Peckville Recreation Committee’s JuneFest Golf Tournament, July 12, tee time, 1 p.m., Blue Ridge Golf Club, $80; Mayor Jeanette Mariani, 570-383-9946.

Honesdale

Game night: Cooperage family game night, June 19, 6-9 p.m., 1030 Main St., donations appreciated.

Vendors wanted: Greater Honesdale Partnership seeking craft vendor, antique dealer, artist/artisan or unique food vendor for “Honesdale Goes Hollywood” 54th Sidewalk Sales, July 18, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and July 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Main Street; 570-253-5492 or ghp@visithonesdalepa.com.

Jessup

Art loop: Jessup Art Loop today, 3-8 p.m.; free trolley rides along route; www.jessupartloop.info.

Lookout

Father’s breakfast: Father’s Day breakfast, Sunday, 7:30-11:30 a.m., Pine Mill Community Hall, 919 Pine Mill Road; $7/adults, $3.50/under 12; directions, 570-224-8500.

Mayfield

Corn/clam slam: William Walker Hose Company Corn and Clam Slam, July 16-19, company grounds, 803 Penn Ave.; food available, 5 p.m., entertainment, 8 p.m., drinks, games and raffles; fireman’s parade, July 19, 7 p.m.; www.cornnclamslam.com.

Milford

Live entertainment: Belle Reve Senior Living Milford Music Festival event, June 28, 1:30-3 p.m., patio; entertainment by Ron Richardson, hot dogs, ice cream; festival schedule, www.milfordmusicfest.org; Kaitlyn or Michele, 570-409-9191.

Scott Twp.

Rummage/bake sale: St. John Vianney Parish summer rummage/bake sale, July 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., July 12, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and July 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Corpus Christi Church, 704 Montdale Road, clothing, children’s toys, household items, books and furniture; 570-254-9502.

Susquehanna County

Sporting tournament: Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association sporting clays tournament, July 19, 10 a.m., Rock Mountain Sporting Clays, Springville; 100 participants, $120, $450/team of four; www.susqcolibrary.org or 570-278-1881 by July 12.

Wayne County

Bus trips: Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary/Sandy’s Travelers bus trips: opening day Little League World Series, Williamsport, Aug. 14, depart Route 6 Mall, Honesdale, 7 a.m., return to Honesdale about 8 p.m., $40 by Aug. 1, includes bus, museum admission, driver tip, free stadium admission; three-day getaway to Newport, R.I., Sept. 24-26, departing from Avery Transportation garage, Beach Lake, 7 a.m., $675/single occupancy, $575/double, $550/triple by Aug. 15, includes two nights accommodations, two breakfasts/dinners, baggage handling, admission fees, driver tip, paid reservations; Sandy Kline, 570-253-4931, 570-352-4991, sandystravelers@gmail.com.

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

A new study ranks Pennsylvania the fifth most corrupt state in the nation.

Researchers examined more than 25,000 government officials convicted of corruption crimes between 1976 and 2008 and created a “corruption index” by comparing convictions with the number of government employees.

The study calculated that government corruption costs American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars a year. It also demonstrated that corruption goes hand in hand with excessive state spending.

The 10 most corrupt states listed in the study, in order, are Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Alaska, South Dakota, Kentucky and Florida.

In these states, the study shows reducing corruption to an average level would lower annual state spending by $1,308 per person or 5.2 percent of state expenditures. Corrupt states also spend more on construction and capital projects and less on services, including education.

The study, called “The Impact of Public Officials’ Corruption on the Size and Allocation of U.S. State Spending,” appears in the May/June issue of Public Administration Review and can be read online.

The study’s authors are Cheol Liu, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Public Policy at City University of Hong Kong, and John Mikesell, Ph.D., chancellor’s professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. Dr. Liu, the primary author of the paper, did most of the research as a doctoral student

Dr. Mikesell said he found that construction and highway projects are the kinds of items that “probably have a greater vulnerability to bribes.” He said a solution to public corruption is the implementation of “sound principles of public financial management.”

According to the study, more corrupt states end up paying up higher rates of interest when borrowing money.

Contact the writers:

dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com, jheckman@citizensvoice.com

Wyoming County Court Notes appear weekly in the Times-Tribune.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

Howard D. Trauger to LWP Real Estate LLC, a property in Overfield Twp. for $610,000.

Marcia L. Dunlap, Marsha L. Dunlap, to Robert Wallace Dunlap, Forrest Miller Dunlap, property in Mehoopany Twp. for $10,000.

Frank T. Yun III, Joseph S. Porter, Joseph F. Porter, Justin C. Franko, Zachary J. Dymond, to Donkey Swamp Lodge LLC, property in Forkston Twp. for $17,750.

Robert F. Youells, to Timothy Cross, property in Eaton Twp. for $80,000.

Casey Edward Christie, Melissa J. Christie, to National Residential Nominee Services Inc., property in Nicholson for $126,000.

National Residential Nominee Services Inc., to Michael P. Wademan, Dawn M. Wademan, property in Nicholson for $126,000.

Mountain Stone LLC, to Laranna Realty Corp., property in Tunkhannock Twp. for $189,500.

Robert Parry, Jane Parry, to Harry C. Morgan Jr., Barbara Plucknett, property in Overfield Twp. for $589,000.

Catherine Mitchell, Sandra Mitchell, to Mehoopany Twp., property in Mehoopany Twp. for $46,000.

John J. Steckman, Karen L. Steckman, John J. Steckman Jr., Bernice Warman, Bernice Ziniewicz, Kimberly Reese, to Michael Drazba, property in Meshoppen Twp. for $6,000.

ESTATES FILED

Frederick H. Buse late of Eaton Twp., Wyoming County, letters of administration, to Elizabeth M. Buse, administratrix, c/o Thomas P. Brennan, Esquire, Gallagher, Brennan & Gill, 220 Pierce Street, Kingston, PA 18704-4641

Shirley Reeves, aka Shirley H. Reeves, late of Falls Twp., Wyoming County, letters testamentary to Susan Reeves, co-executor, Mark Reeves, co-executor, c/o John J. Hovan, Esquire, 154 Warren Street, P. O. Box 336, Tunkhannock, PA 18657.

MARRIAGES FILED

Seth M. Donald, Meshoppen, to Annalease B. Way, Meshoppen.

Craig W. Muller, Waverly, to Michelle Maria Triaca, Waverly.

Ricky Lynn Eisenbarth II, Mehoopany, to Karen E. (Rosengrant) Reed, Mehoopany.

Delaware Valley High School’s 408 graduates of the Class of 2014 on Saturday completed their journeys from fresh-faced, divided freshmen to seasoned, united seniors.

Now, they embark on the next phase of their lives — “the real world,” Senior Class President Kyle Clark told his classmates during the annual commencement at Warrior Stadium in Westfall Twp., Pike County.

He and other class leaders spoke of entering high school as “tiny, awkward” freshmen who had come from different middle schools, but who have since grown and matured together.

“Friends and best friends, classmates and teammates, boyfriends and girlfriends, these four years at DV have not only given us our educational foundation, but they have bonded us and brought us closer to each other,” Kyle said.

Valedictorian Maisha Shamim urged her classmates to “strive to become the people we want to be, rather than limiting ourselves to what we are or to what other people expect from us.”

Salutatorian Eric Winkler said, “By reaching our goal through hard work, we have not only attained our goal of graduating high school but have also shown to ourselves and to others that we have to ability to succeed.”

Large crowds of family members and friends of the students filled bleachers on both sides of the athletic field, where the graduates sat in rows of folding chairs during the ceremony. Upon receiving their diplomas, graduates processed to the 50-yard line to receive individual, personal farewells from Delaware Valley School District Superintendent John Bell.

“The best part about being here is knowing that with every ending comes a new beginning,” added Student Council President Erin McNeely. “After today, we all take on a new chapter in our lives, whether it be the workforce, the military or a college or university. But I have no doubt that this year’s class is going to do great things down the road.”

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

GRADUATES INCLUDE:

Kylie Abramowski, Adam Acker, Robert Ackerley, Joseph Addvensky, Sarah Adelfio, Carlton Adler, Cassidy Anderson, Linda Aragon, Edward Arguelles, Anthony Autore, William Babcock, Kendall Baird, Jillian Baker, Jessica Balcarcel, Marisa Balcarcel, Christopher Barbaro, Benedict Barnett, James Barnum, III, Raymond Barricelli, Brigitta Beck, John Beck, Samuel Beers, Jayden Bergmann, Raquel Bertolotti, Robert Blair, Andrew Blatzheim, Mitchell Blaut, Jeremy Block, Victoria Bloomer, Cassidy Bowen, Taylor Braunagel, Christopher Buccine, Kaitlyn Bucher, Sierra Buhagiar, Nicholas Burd, Philip Burns, Krystina Busacco, Brandon Caldwell, Emily Cancel, Julia Capozzi, Anthony Capurso, Julia Carozza, Kathryn Casey, Samantha Cass, Robert Cassimore, Victoria Catalano, Michael Cavallaro, Sean Cavalone, Anna Chamberlin, Shawn Chelbus, Richard Chuck, Kyle Clark, Elijah Collins, J`smier Collins, Victoria Collman, William Colon, Angelica Columbo, Matthew Connellis, Jake Conselyea, Kimani Cook, Kelsey Cooke, Karen Cooper, Rafael Cordero, Amanda Corrieri, Cassie Cosolaro, Adam Covert, Victor Crisafulli, Ilana Crozier, Villa Cseh, Brianna Curley, Ty Curran, Ryan Curry, Travis Dacey, Amber Danczewski, Sierra Danforth, Francesca Daws, Shane De Vuyst, Jessica Debesis, Clarissa DeFederico, Cynthia DeGarmo, Jilian DeGraw, Brian DeGroat, Daniel Deignan, Alicia DeMaio, Tyler DeMatteo, Bryanna Dennison, Alissa DePadua, Briana DeSouza, Karin DeStilo, Alexandra DeVilliers, Kristen DeVilliers, Jordan De Vita, Josiah DeVizia, Kyla Dewey, Carly Dewland, Matthew DiMenno, Patrick DiPrima, McKayla Dodson, Melissa Dow, Lucas Driscoll, Tiffany D’Uva, Tristan Earle, Jessica Earley, Justin Edwards, Tyler Elliott, Nicholas Erdmann, Dallas Ernst, Elena Eshleman, Grace Farrell, Richard Faubert, Michael Feger, Jacob Feiman, Jesse Feiss, Taryn Ficken, Carlos Figueroa, Peter Finelli, Brittany Fitch, Kristen Flannigan, Matthew Fontaine, Braelyn Ford, Britney Forichon, Dustin Fouse, Rian Fowler, Shane Fowler, Jason Fredericks, Austin Fucetola, Laura Fuchylo, Laura Fuhse, Veronica Gallagher, Samantha Galuppo, Adriel Garcia, Jonathan Geffrand, Noelle Gigi, Nicolette Gili, Angela Giovanniello, Alexis Gonzalez, Ciara Gordon, Ashley Grant, Andrew Grasman, Colton Greene, Corey Gregoire, Ernest Grube, Evan Gutman, Morgan Hagan, Jake Hansen, Suraj Hariprashad, Joseph Harrison, Leland Helms, Britney Hernandez, Mical Hernandez, Dakota Hess-Baker, Dakotah Hewston, Michael Hicks, James Holsclaw, Casey Homer, Francesca Hommel, Sydney Hoopman, Kristie Hoppe, Dana Hunt, Nikki Ingerman, William Innella, Fernando Irizarry, Colin Irwin, Richard Izso, Jennifer Janovsky, Lauren Jasso, Alexandra Jennings, Zachary Jewett, Andrewa Johnson, Ramone Jones, Theresa Juliano, Kamil Kalinski, Roshni Kamta, Alyssa Kelly, Timothy Kelly, Katelyn Keniston, Katelyn Keveson, Matthew Kidd, Alexis Kiederer, Faith Kimble, Nathanael King, Brandon Kinner, Steven Kissel, Dillon Kizima, Jeanine Kleist, Amanda Kline, Cara Knieser, Jordan Kobo, Kellsie Kody, Joseph Koslower, Nicholas Koster, Kaitlin Kowalewski, David Krause, Jr., Nicholas Kuryluk, Tyler Kutchma, Tyler Labar, Paris Lalicata, Connor Lamberton, Taylor Leek, Jonathan Leili, Christopher Leone, Kaitlin Lepper, Terry Li, Julia LiMarzi, Jonathan Linehan, Erika Lipari, Joshua Lovato, Austin Lubin, Samantha Lutcza, Kelsey Lyzell, Nicole Mabee, Robert Mac Dougall, Christian Madrazo, Jackson Maertens, John Maffei, Macy Maher, Brittney Maisco, Brian Malanio, Tiffany Malave, Kara Malone, Tyler Mancuso, Jacklynn Martine, Alyssa Martinez, Jeanna Mascia, Sarah Mazur, Danielle Mazza, Mc Kenzie Mc Namara, Trevor McAndrew, Cheyenne McBride, Natalee McCarthy, Hallie McClain, Emma McDonough, Christopher McFadden, Patrick McGinnis, Ryan McGowan, Jason McKenna, Jacob McLean, Kylee McMickle, Brendan McNeely, Erin McNeely, Alex Mele, Alex-Marie Meyerriecks, Natalie Mickles, Nicholaus Miller, Rachel Miller, Brittany Minetti, Jamil Mirabito, Samuel Mitchell, Andrew Mittelmark, Erin Mommsen, Alyssa Mongioi, Gabrielle Morgan, Jerica Mortimer, Robert Multari, Jr., Alan Murtagh, Jarrid Muzer, Justin Napoli, Sarah Negron, Andrew Neidig, Kierstin Nelson, Sara Nestor, Avery Nieves, Andrew O’Brien, Leah O’Brien, Margaret O’Hara, Michelle Oliver, Jeremy Pabst, Alexandra Paleno, Carl Pallini, Jessica Palmadessa, Jalen Palmer, Gianna Pampalone, Sean Parker, Harina Patel, Chelsea Patterson, Brendan Paulison, Kareem Payne, Victoria Peña, Yasnaya Peña, Alexandra Pepper, Jennifer Perez, Candace Perino, Rachel Perry, Emily Peters, Katie Pfeifer, Megan Pfuhler, Nicholas Phillips, Jacqueline Piccuillo, Mackenzie Pierce, Jonathan Portugal, Zachary Powell, Joseph Protsko, Michael Prudhoe, Sean Prudhoe, Hunter Pues, Dillon Puglisi, Andrew Purtill, Yasmine Qaddoumi, Jonathan Ramirez, Joseph Raniero, Danielle Rattiner, Corey Reilly, Heather Reitmeyer, Daniel Reno, Francis Rhoades, Alexander Richter, Jeremy Risano, Joshua Risano, Luke Ritter, Alexis Ritz, Matthew Rivera, Austin Roche, Caileigh Rock, Bruno Rodrigues, Elia Rodriguez, Zachary Rollar, Natalie Rosen, Danielle Rotondo, Brandon Rudowski, Adam Rusby, Jovan Russotto, Melissa Sanborn, Jirayr Sandaldjian, Erin Sanders, Brandon Santis, Elise Sasse, Corey Sauer, Sydney Savercool, Robert Schafer, Joshua Scheibner, Dayna Schiffer, Brandon Schmidt, Jessica Schock, Tayllor Schrufer, Wyatt Sebring, Jonathan Serrano, Maisha Shamim, Gage Sharp, Rebekah Sheridan, Nicole Simerson, Andrew Simmons, George Sisco, Ashley Nicole Smith, Kevin Smith, Rachael Smith, Giorgia Smith-Dahlquist, Mariah Sohmer, Christopher Sommer, Anna Speer, Andrew Squires, Brittany Squires, Michael Stager, Kaelin Stevens, Nicholas Stevens, Carissa Stevenson, Dean Stewart, Cody Stires, Danielle Storms, Triston Stutts, Nicholas Sudano, Vance Sunderland, Devin Sutton, Sawyer Switzer, Rashaad Taylor, Darren Teta, Jr. , Bethany Thatcher, Kayla Thoenig, Alexandra Thompson, Amanda Thompson, Courtney Thompson, Hannah Thompson, William Tiger, Lydia Tippenreiter, Rachel Tomik, Alberto Torres, Aysia Torres, Lucas Tufano, Jamie Umbria, Kaitlyn Vaivada, Samantha Valente, Brian Valentin, Felix Valentin, Garrett Van Der Sluys, Jessica VanTuyl, Gina Venditti, Victoria Von See-Burke, Jennifer Wagner, Tyler Wagner, Meaghan Wall, Tessa’ Walters, Robert Weatherly, Alexis Weed, Stefani Wharton, William Wheeler, Sabrina Wilkerson, Victoria Wilklow, Jordan Williams, Shane Williams, Dencil Wilmot, Eric Winkler, Jennifer Wisniewski, Isabella Wood, Chelsea Worobok, Steven Zabriskie, Carly Zahorchak, Christian Zaruba and Zachary Zega.

Delaware Valley High School

Valedictorian Maisha Shamim

Parents: Shahana and Noor Shamim

Activities: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, AP Scholar with Distinction as a junior, National Merit Scholarship finalist, 2014 Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar, concert choir, district choir, chamber choir, county choir, Foreign Language Club, Science Olympiad, Odyssey of the Mind, American Mathematics Competition, volunteer at Bon Secours Community Hospital

Plans: University of Pittsburgh, majoring in biological sciences

Salutatorian Eric Winkler

Parents: Bart and Lara Winkler

Activities:

National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, AP Scholar with Distinction as a junior, National Merit Scholarship Program Letter of Commendation, Programming Club and Odyssey of the Mind

Plans: Coastal Carolina University, majoring in marine science

S tephen Bieryla broke the ultimate rule of La Familia — defying Neil Pal. The leader of the gang-like group ordered Mr. Bieryla to stay in Scranton one weekend, but he left town. Upon his return, he was summoned to Mr. Pal’s garage, where he was told to get on his knees. Mr. Pal put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger. The gun didn’t fire, but every member of the group took a turn punching Mr. Bieryla. Mr. Pal went last and finished him off.

Jurors in the trials of Mr. Pal and Jason Dominick never heard that story, or others about La Familia, which Mr. Pal led and Mr. Dominick helped found. Mr. Pal, 23, of Scranton, was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder as an accomplice and conspiracy in the shooting death of Frank Bonacci, 24, of Dunmore.
Prosecutors charged Mr. Dominick, 24, of Scranton, as the shooter. He was convicted in May of third-degree murder and conspiracy.

“It was a creation of Neil Pal’s, designed for him to intimidate and create for himself a syndicate of associates that he can do everything in his power to control,” First Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico said of La Familia.

“Act like a puppeteer for his own self-aggrandizement.”

READ MORE IN THE SUNDAY TIMES.

Area school districts will soon restrict substitute teachers from working more than 30 hours a week, despite sub shortages that left area classrooms uncovered this year.

As of January 2015, under the Affordable Care Act, employees who work more than 30 hours a week must be offered health insurance. If substitute teachers work more than four days a week, they will work more than 30 hours. Superintendents say their districts cannot afford to offer insurance.

“This is one of the situations where I think the law has unintended negative consequences for districts,” said local attorney John Audi, who has advised districts he represents to start tracking hours now.

The health care law will take effect at the same time districts struggle to find subs. Educators say some recent graduates are abandoning the idea of becoming a substitute teacher as a way to gain full-time employment, and instead, are changing careers or moving for job opportunities.

READ MORE IN THE SUNDAY TIMES.

HONESDALE — Honesdale High School’s graduating seniors put the challenges and fond memories of the past behind them and looked to their futures Saturday afternoon.

Wayne Highlands School District presented nearly 200 diplomas to its class of 2014 at the commencement ceremony held before a packed house in the middle school gymnasium.

Bedecked in black and red caps and gowns, the graduates heard from several speakers, including class president Markos Tetonis. He encouraged his classmates to pay tribute to the past, in which they faced challenges that strengthened their characters, but also to “brace ourselves for what will come in the future.”

“Life can only be understood in the past, but it must be lived forward,” Markos said.

In her address to the class, salutatorian Rachel Fritz noted that while they will miss the people they knew from high school, they have many opportunities to anticipate, like living on their own.

“Whatever you choose to do after graduation, follow your passion and stay true to yourselves,” she said.

Valedictorian Keith Bates acknowledged that many seniors have mixed emotions on graduation day, but they all should take pride in their accomplishments and welcome the milestone. He encouraged his peers to “go out and live.”

“We cannot forget to live a little,” he said. “We have to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labors.”

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cheaney@timesshamrock.com,

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THE GRADUATES:

Austin John Antoine, Emily Ann Barton, Jasmine Ann Bass, Brianna Marie Bates, Keith P. Bates, Justyn Timothy Beach, Victoria Isabella Bednar, Lisa Benedetto, Dylan Alexander Bidwell, Jacquelyn R. Billard, Mary Bleecker, Russell Steven Bortree, Sean C. Boswell, Shelby Boswell, Noah E. Box, Faith Marie Bronson, Ryan M. Brown, Cheyanne E. Bryant, Daniel Buckwalter, Colton Buranich, Jacquelyn H. Byrd, Natalie Ann Byrd, Gavin Todd Canfield, Melissa Jessica Cantasano, Joshua L. Card, Jennifer Christine Carey, Travis Ryan Carey, Lindsey Tylar Carmody, Kyle Lee Carney, Nicole Castellano, Joseph Anthony Ciraolo, Nicole Joy Coccodrilli, Gerald Robert Collins, Desiree Elizabeth Conaway, Erikson James Corbin, Noah James Cousineau, Monica Jane Cowell, Erin Renee Curtis, Bret M. Dailey, Alexander Joseph Dalesky, Nathan E. Davis, Faith Lynn Decker, Torey Matthew Decker, Amanda Michele DeMasi, Elizabeth Rose Dennis, Trudessa P. Derrick, Vincent Michael DeSimone, Mackenzie Beth Dirlam, Garret Donat, Stephanie Lynn Drongoski, Nicholas I. Duffy, Hannah M. Dzwieleski, Brandon J. Enslin, Timothy M. Farrand, Thomas Matthew Figura, Alixandra M. I. A. Fils-Aimé, Abby Elizabeth Firmstone, Shane P. Fletcher, David Fotusky, River S. Frazier, Ashley M. Freda, Cynthia H. Freda, Jessica Marie Freeman, Brandon J. Freiermuth, Victoria Rose Freshour, Charles John Fritz III, Rachel Olivia Fritz, Valerie Bryce Gaglione, David N. Galinski, Ebony Elayne Gardner, Samantha Garofalo, Gabrielle B. Garofano, Abagail Geer, Ronald Joseph Giblin, Michael C. Gombita, Haylee Jayne Goodenough, Zachary D. Gordon-Abraham, Phillicia Blair Graber, Jacob M. Gregory, Michelle Rose Grosspietsch, Luke Guiser, Alexandria L. Halcomb, Payton L. Harcum, Joshua Thomas Hartman, Torrie Leigh Hayes, Erica L. Highhouse, Joshua Michael Hiller, Sararose Hnatko, William D. Holbert, Courtney Marie Horst, Garrit W. Houshultz, Jaimmie Lynne Hubbard, Savannah Iavarone, Lyndsey Anneliese Jensen, Baylee Kaitlyn Johnson, Cosmina Z. Jones, William John Juice, Arcadio E. Kearney, Ryan Michael Keen, Kellan R. Keesler, Eileen Kelly, Evan Paul Kennedy, David Francis Kirk, Kasandra Elizabeth Jean Knee, Max Andrew Kowalczyk, Ronald Daniel Krempasky, Montana Kiowa Kronyak, Nicole M. Kuchta, Sydney Lynn Laabs, Charles Lagarenne, Shannon Lahey, Justin Bradley Lamberton, Troy Edward Langendoerfer, Jessica Marie Langone, Jason Gerald LaTourette, Brianne C. Lawrence, Rose Marie Lepinski, Kraig Michael Lowe, Madeline Elyse Ludwig, Katlyn M. Lutchko, Liam Sean Maloney, Michael John Mang, Jr., Olivia Nicole Marin, Balazs Levente Markos, Josilyn Alissa Martin, Nathan Edward Martin, Patrick Daniel May, Mikaela Ann Mayers, Crystal A. Mazzotta, Cole Robert McConnell, Patrick Nelson McKenna, Dylan John Miller, Kevin C. Miller, Logan A. Miller, Abigail Millon, Michael S. Mills, Nicholas Minella, Rebekah Marie Mohrmann, Lindsay Ann Nordenhold, Maggie Marie O’Day, Harrison Liam O’Malley, Erin Elizabeth O’Neill, Wylie Alex Ordnung, Chandler Grey Osborne, Neil A. Ostrander, Amanda Paige Paduch, Courtney Lynne Peck, Michael Perez, Ciarra Elizabeth Petroski, Noah Patrick Pietraszewski, Jessica Mae Anna Polt, Jesse Provenzano, Maressa Lynn Pykus, Krystal Whitney Quinones, Kate Marjorie Rawlins, Sarah Virginia Redick, Gustin D. Reynolds, Amber Carlynn Riefler, Heather Anne Ritter, Melony Elizabeth Rivero, Kaitlyn Clare Roach, Kodi Michael Robinson, Re’anne M. Roesemann, Jamie Erin Rosencranse, Conor Charles Rottmund, Timothy Hendrix Russell, John R. Russo, Benjamin R. Rutledge, Alexander Mead Sandercock, Lauren Elisabeth Sandercock, Alec Robert Santos, Kathryn G. Schlagenhaft, Kristen Schmale, Jared Walker Schott, Leah J. Schweighofer, Krystal Sconfienza, Paige Kirsten Scorzelli, Gregory Alec Senft, Forrest Jay Sheard, Julianne Frances Shino, Paul Mark Sikora, Clarence Tucker Smith, Dakota Douglas Smith, Hunter C. Smith, Kelly Lyn Smith, Marissa Lynn Smith, Cody Michael Stahl, Cole Christopher Stengel, David Michael Stewart III, Rebecca Jean Suerken, Lucas R. Taylor, Markos Tetonis, Sierra Diana Tompkins, Kristina Gale Turturiello, Steven J. Urban, Scott Robert VanVarick, Kyle Austin VanWagner, Paulie Velez, Kimberly Althea Verderber, Paul Edvard Visci, Gage W. Wasman, Patrick W. Watkins, Dale Geoffrey Weidner, Daniel James Weidow, Haley J. West, Aaron Joseph Whitmore, Roberta Rose Williams, Jaclyn Ann Williams-Boring, Danielle Lindsey Wilson and Carley Rita Zielinski.

Valedictorian Keith Paul Bates

Parents: Michael and Karen Bates

Activities: American Chemical Society Exam, American Mathematics Contest, Envirothon, National Honor Society Member, Scholar of the Year, Scholastic Bowl, Science Olympiad, Times Tribune Scholastic Superstar, WHSD School Board Recognition, Ernest W. Lemnitzer Memorial Scholarship, Penn State Alumni Association Scholarship and Student Council Academic Award for Social Studies

Plans: Penn State main campus; majoring petroleum & natural gas engineering

Salutatorian Rachel Olivia Fritz

Parents: Randall and Amy Bidwell

Activities: Academic Excellence Award, AFG Annual Review, American Chemical Society Exam, American Mathematics Contest, Honesdale Cross Country Team, Interact Club, Interstellar Club, Marywood Math Contest, National Honor Society Member, Student Council Member & Officer, Times Tribune Scholastic Superstar, U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad, Varsity Tennis Team, Varsity Track & Field Team, WHSD School Board Recognition, Anna R. and Walter Schoyer Scholarship, Wayne County Community Foundation - Drs. Philip and Rosita Liu Scholarship, Honesdale Women’s Club Scholarship and Albert O. Miller, Dorothy Tozer Miller, and Savonna Commandery #89 Scholarship.

Plans: Lycoming College; majoring in biology & chemistry pre-med