SCRANTON — A Nicaraguan man living in Lackawanna County was indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday as an immigrant who is here illegally, according to the federal prosecutor’s office.
Juan Carlos Tellar-Mendoza, 27, was deported from the United States in the past and re-entered the country on or before May 4, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Peter Smith.
The maximum penalty for the crime is two years in prison , supervised release and a fine, the release states.
— JOSEPH KOHUT
A Clarks Summit man who threatened President Barack Obama last year was sentenced to one year in prison Wednesday.
Nicholas Savino’s emailed threat came days before Mr. Obama and Vice President Joe Biden visited Scranton. He was arrested one day before the visit, on Aug. 22, based on an email he sent to the White House on Aug. 16 that read, in part, “President Obama is the Anti Christ. As a result of breaking the constitution you will stand down or be shot dead.”
Authorities raided Mr. Savino’s home at 328 Melrose Ave. and found a loaded AR-15 semiautomatic rifle with a long-range scope, 11,000 rounds of ammunition and training manuals on long-range shooting. Mr. Savino, 42, pleaded guilty in March to one count of threatening the president.
Senior U.S. District Judge James Munley also sentenced Mr. Savino to two years of supervised release and $3,100 in fines. Imprisoned since his arrest, Mr. Savino has already served about 10 months in jail. The judge also ordered Mr. Savino to forfeit all his guns and ammunition.
Mr. Savino’s attorney, Paul Ackourey, called the threat an isolated incident. Mr. Savino was not properly treating mental health issues at the time, Mr. Ackourey said. In previous court appearances, he said Mr. Savino did not know Mr. Obama was scheduled to be in the area, and his actions were sparked by anger over being denied a pilot’s license by the Federal Aviation Administration.
“There’s no question that it’s a marked deviation from his otherwise law-abiding life,” he said in court Wednesday.
Mr. Savino agreed, saying he is a typically non-violent person.
“When I walk, I take notice of ants on the floor so I don’t even hurt them,” he said.
“It was wrong for me to send threats,” he added.
He said he stockpiled ammunition because he believed it might be banned or harder to find after recent high-profile shootings involving semiautomatic weapons and owning large quantities could have been an investment if prices increased.
Mr. Savino’s father, Onofrio Savino, of New Jersey, also spoke in court, saying his son had some mental health issues, but was overall respectful and a “good family man.”
But Judge Munley said a threat against the president of the United States had to be taken seriously.
“We send the right message, so that it can’t be interpreted that we’re encouraging people to...be involved in this kind of activity,” he said.
Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com; @rbrownTT on Twitter
A police officer who works for the departments in Jessup and Honesdale was arrested in Carbondale last week for drunk driving after he crashed into parked cars.
The DUI arrest, which occurred early in the morning on June 13, is the second for 40-year-old David Matthew Clark, 145 Father John Drive, Lake Ariel.
The officer previously worked for the Carbondale Police Department, but was fired in 2007 after he was charged with assaulting a 73-year-old man.
Check back for updates.
Joe Durkin didn’t know when the insurance policy that covered the Toyota Pavilion at Montage was going to be canceled.
He also denied giving the order to cancel the policy 1½ months before the roof collapsed under heavy snow in February 2007. Mr. Durkin testified Wednesday that he didn’t find out the cancellation had taken place until two weeks later.
“It was a big surprise to me,” he said.
Mr. Durkin is one of the defendants named in a $1.6 million lawsuit Lackawanna County filed in 2008 against its insurer, the Housing and Redevelopment Insurance Exchange. Dominic Verrastro, who was the county’s insurance coordinator at the time, canceled the policy, effective Dec. 1, 2006. He has said he did so under Mr. Durkin’s direction. Judge Carmen Minora is hearing the non-jury trial this week and will determine who ordered the cancellation and if they were authorized to do so. If he finds it was, a separate trial will be held in October to determine the amount of money the county is owed.
Mr. Durkin, who managed the county’s insurance for the pavilion, testified that he had little to do with the policy in question, but said it wasn’t uncommon for him to receive insurance paperwork.
“I was wondering why I didn’t get any notification that it was canceled,” he testified.
He explained that he assumed the policy would be canceled after the facility was sold to Snö Mountain, but said he was unaware of the time frame. He said he even made inquiries, looking into the possibility of selling insurance to the new owners, but had few details about the pending sale.
“Did I think it was going to be canceled? Yes,” Mr. Durkin said. “Did I know when? No.”
He didn’t recall having any specific conversations about the cancellation with county officials, but said if he had, Mr. Verrastro would have been his contact.
Also Wednesday, Gail Hughes, who works in accounts payable at HARIE, testified that she worked in data entry in 2007, when the cancellation request was submitted.
She said she entered the information into the company’s claims computer system on Jan. 15, 2007, with an effective date of Dec. 1, 2006. The cancelation direction came from the underwriting department at the company.
When questioned about the accuracy of the dates, Ms. Hughes explained that she was not aware of a way to alter the date of entry or back date information. She had never tried to change the date of an entry and said she had never known another employee to try to do so.
Mr. Verrastro is expected to testify when the trial resumes today before Judge Minora.
Contact the writer:
rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter
HARRISBURG — People who work in Scranton and other distressed municipalities could see a $52 annual tax triple under a new Senate amendment.
Lawmakers want to steer Act 47 municipalities to levy a higher local services tax as an alternative to a commuter tax.
The distressed cities legislation cleared a first Senate hurdle Wednesday with a comprehensive amendment added by the Local Government Committee.
The committee’s action is the latest step in an effort to overhaul the Act 47 program for fiscally distressed municipalities. Scranton, Nanticoke, West Hazleton and Plymouth Twp. have Act 47 status. Shamokin is seeking to enter the program.
For only Scranton, the amendment creates a new hurdle for any future effort by city officials to levy a commuter tax. The city would have to impose the same tax increase on residents if it petitions the court again to collect a commuter tax from nonresidents. Scranton has tried unsuccessfully to levy a commuter tax on nonresidents.
An Act 47 municipality shouldn’t be able to levy higher taxes on nonresidents than on residents, said Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, who helped write the amendment along with Sen. John Eichelberger, R-30, Hollidaysburg, and Rep. Chris Ross, R-158, Unionville.
The bill’s main goal is to provide an exit plan for municipalities to leave Act 47 status after eight years instead of staying there indefinitely. But the tax options given to Act 47 municipalities has been the main issue with this legislation passed by the House earlier this month.
The idea is to help municipalities stabilize their finances as they exit Act 47. The bill provides that a municipality could be under Act 47 for only five years, instead of unlimited duration, and then face a three-year exit plan that would result in fiscal solvency, receivership, bankruptcy protection or in rare cases, disincorporation.
While the bill’s tax options are designed for temporary use as part of the exit plan, Mr. Blake won support for an Act 47 municipality to use its additional local services tax revenue after it leaves the program to address the pension debt bankrupting many municipalities. This would apply if a municipal pension plan in an Act 47 municipality is labeled distressed under a 1984 state law.
Scranton could tackle its municipal pension debt through borrowing and the revenue from an increased local services tax, said Gerald Cross, Scranton’s recovery coordinator and executive director of the Pennsylvania Economy League Central Division on Wednesday.
Mr. Blake emphasized the importance of provisions that give recovery coordinators a greater role in evaluating the municipal tax base, negotiating with nonprofits for payment in-lieu-of-tax support to cities and examining the potential for consolidating government services on a regional level.
Nanticoke, West Hazleton and Plymouth Twp. are getting ready to exit Act 47, but the legislation is needed to help other Act 47 municipalities get on the exit ramp, said Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, Plymouth Twp.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com
The Old Forge Board of Education approved a budget with a 5-mill tax hike on Wednesday night.
The 2014-15 budget of $11.9 million includes a millage rate of 123.24 mills, which is above the state index rate for school districts.
District Business Manager Brian Rinaldi said the district had been approved to go above the index by more than 7 mills in February, but the district’s budget committee brought the increase down to 5 mills.
“This administration is going to work diligently to find more efficiencies,” and departments to cut back, Mr. Rinaldi said.
A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 of assessed valuation. For a home with the district’s average assessed value of $12,704, residents will pay $1,565 for the 2014-15 school year.
Mr. Rinaldi said the district had to increase taxes to account for increasing costs of special education and retirement funds.
The budget passed with a vote of 4-3. Board members Robert Notari, Jason O’Hearn and Kelly Tansley cast dissenting votes.
Mr. O’Hearn and Ms. Tansley both said they did not agree with raising taxes.
Board President Deborah DeSando said some board members thought taxes should have been raised higher than 5 mills.
In other business, members of the board unanimously appointed board member Chris Jones as board vice president to fill the unexpired term of former vice president Ronald Stacchiotti.
Mr. Stacchiotti resigned his seat in May to take the position of girls varsity basketball coach at a salary of $5,517.29
The board also unanimously appointed Marie Ciuferri to Mr. Stacchiotti’s vacant seat on the board.
“I’m really excited,” Ms. Ciuferri said. “I can’t wait to get started.”
Also at the meeting, the board appointed Aleca Semenza as girls junior high basketball coach at an annual salary of $1,880.90. Stephen Evans was appointed head junior high soccer coach at a salary of $1,817.28 and Mathew Mancuso was appointed assistant junior high soccer coach at a salary of $1,574.98.
The board appointed Nicholas Webb assistant varsity soccer coach at a salary of $1,971.80. Kim Scalese was appointed as marching band unit director at a salary of $1,742.96.
Contact the writer:
sscinto@timesshamrock.com, @sscintoTT on Twitter
Lackawanna County took two steps into modernity Wednesday when the county commissioners approved a pair of technological upgrades.
The commissioners approved paying $112,000 to New World Systems of Troy, Michigan, for additional human-resources software that will allow for enhanced electronic capabilities. Those include having job applications filled out online and imported into the HR department, and eventually paperless payrolls when all employees have direct deposits, county CFO Thomas Durkin said.
Commissioner Corey O’Brien said, “This is a huge step forward” and “long overdue,” while Commissioner Jim Wansacz added, “I’m just happy we are moving into the modern era.”
Commissioners also approved entering into a three-year agreement with Praeses LLC of Shreveport, Louisiana, for “inmate telephone consulting, management, market intelligence and reconciliation services” that will allow for videophone conferencing at the Lackawanna County Prison.
Prison Warden Robert McMillan said the current phone contract signed in 2004 expires at the end of 2014.
“Since 2004 and moving forward, there’s been many changes in technology,” including “videoconferencing and videovisitation” via phone systems, Mr. McMillan said. “There are many positive benefits out there.”
Commissioner Patrick O’Malley said remote visitations via phone will help improve prison security by reducing the potential for problems from in-person visits.
The commissioners also:
n Awarded bids for guard rails and line striping for the new walking/biking trail on Montage Mountain Road, including $158,635 to Green Acres Construction for guard rails and $59,803 to Interstate Road Management for line striping.
n Approved the following appointments to the county’s new Human Services Advisory Board: Molly Clark Dempsey of Dunmore; Gary Drapek of Scranton; Joseph Garvey of Scranton; James Gavin of Pittsburgh; Jessica Leitzel-Aquilina of Clarks Summit; Dipti Pancholy of South Abington Twp.; and Susan Mancuso of Carbondale.
n Approved nine grants: Benton Twp. Athletic Association, $10,000; North Scranton Neighborhood Association, $15,000; Old Forge Athletic Association, $25,000; Moosic Borough, $25,000; North Pocono Public Library, $8,000; Jessup Borough, $15,388; St. Anthony’s Memorial Park, Dunmore, $15,000; Spring Brook Twp., $20,000; Greenfield Twp. Baseball Association, increase 2013 grant of $9,400 to $19,400.
n Approved various drug/alcohol treatment professional and service-provider contracts.
n Introduced an ordinance to condemn 5.16 acres near Springbrook Road in Moosic for an Instrument Landing System at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. The cost of the land owned by Paramount Land Group LP and the appraisal is $26,000. The Bi-County Airport Board is designing and constructing the Instrument Landing System that’s necessary to extend parallel taxiway B to the runway 22 end.
n Certified the county’s annual $595,000 match of state funds for County of Lackawanna Transit System.
n Presented a “Good Works in Lackawanna County” certificate of recognition to Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Contact the writer:
jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter
THROOP — The Mid Valley School Board hired a new teacher and several coaches at the board meeting at the secondary center Wednesday night.
The board voted to hire new math teacher John Kelly Jr. at a salary of $40,100, the first step of the pay scale for teachers with a bachelor’s degree. School board director and secretary Donna Dixon said the district’s administration sifted through 100 applicants and presented the best two to the board, with a recommendation to make a hire.
The school board will meet next on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. at the secondary center to pass a final budget. The board approved a preliminary budget with the 4 percent tax increase last month.
The increase of 4.0259 mills would bring the district millage rate to 101.5859. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value. On a property with the average residential assessed value of $11,559, a homeowner would pay an extra $46.54.
On Wednesday, the school board also:
n hired the following coaches at the following rates: Vito Gentile, varsity assistant, cross country, $1,407; Jack Kelly, seventh grade boys basketball, $1,087; Kyle Lukowski, ninth grade boys basketball, $2,432; Ross Donato, head assistant, football, $3,840; Michael Falko, assistant, football, $2,956; Jeff Fanucci, assistant, football, $2,956; Brandon Chorba, assistant, football, $2,956; Shawn Bodtmann, assistant, football, $2,956; Dave Promovitz, freshman football, $2,128; Michael Falco, summer weight training, $1,216; Ross Donato, assistant, summer weight training, $767; Michael Abda, assistant, summer weight training, $767; Ross Donato, winter weight training, $1,280; Michael Piercy, assistant, weight training, $767 and Brandon Chorba, assistant, weight training, $767.
n approved the appointment of solicitor Donald P. Dolan for the upcoming school year at a rate of $1,400 per month. He also receives $75 per hour for work beyond his normal duties.
Contact the writer:
pcameron@timesshamrock.com, @pcameronTT on Twitter
Looking out over a sea of blue and white caps and gowns, West Scranton High School senior class President Paul Emiliani asked his classmates to cherish the moment.
“We are finally where we once thought was an eternity away,” he said to his fellow members of the class of 2014 at their graduation Wednesday night.
“After tonight, seniors, it’s the world against one,” Paul said. “Conquer what you can and live with no regrets.”
The class of 2014 bade West Scranton High School goodbye on Wednesday night, accepting their diplomas amid applause and cheers from family and friends seated in the auditorium.
Class valedictorian Danielle Rutkowski encouraged her classmates to embrace their futures while remembering their roots at West Scranton High.
“Remember these people and what you have learned from them,” she said.
Guest speaker Kathleen Kane, attorney general of Pennsylvania, a fellow West Scranton graduate, offered advice to the graduates, encouraging them to help others, follow their gut in making life choices and find a career they love.
“Enjoy yourselves tonight, and all that you do, do for a reason,” Ms. Kane said.
Salutatorian Vincent Arcieri knows his classmates will go on to do great things, whether they will attend college, join the armed forces or start a job after graduation.
“None of us will ever give up,” he said. “We will always move forward carrying the true spirit of West Scranton within us.”
Contact the writer:
sscinto@timesshamrock.com,
@sscintoTT on Twitter
Graduates are:
Ibn’Wali M. Abduallah, Ramon Alverio, George Anyang, Cara Ann Anzulewicz, Vincent Thomas Arcieri, Luis Antonio Argueta, Alivia Marie Auriemma, Richard A. Bachman Jr., Jane Baranowski, Michael D. Baranowski, Christopher Andrew Barcia, Brittany Eve Battenberg, Abigail Beidler, Joseph David Belfanti, Jessica Nicole Bell, Nicole Bianco, Dante N. Bieri, Asialena Marie Bonitz, Chloe Luv Bouselli, David Andrew Boyle, Shakeema Charlean Brooks, Layla Marie Bryndzia, Shania Marie Burns, Kelsey Elizabeth Camacho, Sallena Ann Camp, Kathryn Anne Cantafio, Steven Paul Casale, Margaret Rita Cawley, Diomedes Ceballos Breton, Jayshine T. Chambers, Brooke Ashley Chesik, Courtney Christiano, Jasmine E. Cobb, Lissette Cobo, Morgan Jean Collins, Patrick Guilherme Cooper, Faith Ann Cope, Megan Cramer, Andria Brianna Crandall, Sierra Christine Croghan, Brian James Cwalinski, Shakima Nichole Dayle, James Jacob Decker, Louis James DiBileo III, Gary Angelo DiBileo II, Alyssa Nicole DiMauro, Adam Alan Dobson, Mackenzie Lynn Dommes, John Paul Dougher, Joe Drumsta, Bailey Marie Duffy, Connor Patrick Duffy, Paul Emiliani, Paris Marie Engel, Kavon Jashawn Evans, Alaina M. Evans, Samantha Rae Evans-Panek, Amanda Marie Fagerlin, Brian Richard Fallon Jr., Adam James Falvo, Cullen Thomas Fanning, John Patrick Ferrara, Christina Fisher, Abigail Frazier, Eniya Garcia, Chelsea Lynn Giuliani, Arianna Marie Goldstein, Cameron Brent Grant, Emily Graziano, Kevin Austin Green, Cassi Gruzesky, Tony Gurnari, Justyne Nikole Hallock, Martin Joseph Henehan, Cristina Herrera, Zachary Paul Hiller, Gordon Joseph Hodanich, Nina Marie Hodanich, Dillon John Hosko, Jaleel Howard, Justin N. Howells, Griselda Isabel Inoa Peguero, Nicholas Neil Ivanoff, Cory Jackson-Bey, David Jobs, Anthony Jones, Richard Michael Jones, Tyler D. Jordan, Jane O’Connor Joyce, Larissa Ann Kane, Katelynn Ann Karbowski, Jesse Luis Klug, Jonathan A. Knight, Matthew Barry Kramer, Scott Timothy Walter Kutney, Patrick Jeffrey Laabs, Mary Katherine Langan, Corey Stephen Lestansky, Travis Troy Lilly, Collin Kyle Lipowitch, Alexander Paul Lozada, Corey Patrick Lyons, Mackenzie Madigan, Kenverly Maldonado, Jonathan Dillon Manuel, Mason James Marsico, Lisa Martinez, Matthew Stephen Maslousky, Kayla Marie Masters, Cody Richard Mazzocchi, Jordan Robert McCloe, Jeremy Michael McGuire, Michael Anthony Messina Jr., Courtney Marie Miller, DeJa Monique Mitchell, Andrew Morgan, Jonathan Michael Morris, Mollie Ann Murphy, Connor Kenneth-Joseph Nee, Michaela Marie Nicholson, Kimberly Lynn Ogden, Emily Margaret O’Malley, Angel Dariel Ortiz, Harris James Outland, Kaela J. Palmiter, Marissa Marie Pazzaglia, Oliver D. Peralta, Anthony Petrillo, James John Petrucci, Selena Renee Phillips, Joshualee Nemuel Pinet, Melissa Ann Pukita, Shane Dylan Purdy Jr., Johnathan Luis Quirindongo, John Anthony Ragona, Nancy Ramirez, Coletta Anna Rempe, Andrew Hunter Reviello, Austin Zachary Reviello, Trevor Jon Richardson, Kamila DelMar Rivera, Brian Rivera, Bradley James Robinson, Rochelle Rodriguez, Theresa Maj Rohland, Taylor Mae Royce, Ashley Ruddy, Danielle Marie Rutkowski, Samantha Kate Rutkowski, Nicholas Salamone, Fiorella Graciela Salas, Espifanio Nico Sanchez Jr., Nicholas Rudy Santiago, Victoria Lynn Scarfo, Briana Lynn Shehadi, Ryan Dalton Sherman, Brianna Michelle Shishlo, Brian William Shishlo, Sara Jane Skoritowski, Alexa Slack, Nicholas Patrick Smith, Sara Smith, Brandon Troy Sprague, Matthew J. Stanek, Paul Stefani, Brandon Kyle Stempowski, Dustin Paul Strein, Eryn Lyn Sullivan, Dylan Stanley John Svetovich, Alexander Barron Taylor, LaKiara Tricishunne Thomas, Marcel Lee Thomas, Kaitlyn Amanda Tokash, Morgan Trumbo, Brandon Matthew Ulkoski, Jade Ulrich, Valerie Valencia, Michael Villa, Chrisha Kimberly Wall, Cassondra Lee Walsh, Emily Amanda Walsh, Teresa Marie Whitehouse, Harold James Wildrick, Willie X Woods II, Jaeinaayai Lamonte Wright, Stephen Wright, Erin Marie Yeager, Sarah Lynn Youshock, Kaylee Ann Zarick, Carl Philip Zenker Jr.
Valedictorian
Danielle Rutkowski
Parents: Joseph and Cynthia Rutkowski
Activities: Mock Trial Team, Red Cross Club, volunteer at Griffin Pond Animal Shelter and Hope for Hannah Rescue
Plans: Cornell University, majoring in entomology
Salutatorian
Vincent Arcieri
Parents: Vince and Tammy Arcieri
Activities: Drama Club, Soccer, National Honor Society, Scholastic Bowl
Plans: Pennsylvania State University, University Park, majoring in education
Lackawanna County officials are beginning to plan for the county’s next juvenile detention center that will be needed some four years from now.
The issue arose Wednesday during a meeting of the detention center’s Board of Managers, when county Director of Juvenile Detention Cliff Hoffman said Tioga County is closing its detention center.
Lackawanna County has been using Tioga County’s juvenile detention facility as a backup to Lackawanna County’s 10-bed center in Scranton, he said. However, Mr. Hoffman told the board, “As of June 30, Tioga County announced they’re closing their detention center, which leaves us as the only detention center in pretty much the northeast corridor.”
Lackawanna County’s detention center only serves boys, so any overflow of boys and all girls are transferred elsewhere, such as to facilities in Tioga, Centre and Lancaster counties, he said.
Noting that Lackawanna County’s detention center is contained in a building rented from Lackawanna College through 2018, Commissioner Jim Wansacz said the county will begin exploring future options, possibly for a 30-bed detention center to serve both boys and girls.
Such options could include renting or renovating an existing building, or constructing a detention center, said Mr. Wansacz, chairman of the Board of Managers. The board’s members also serve as the county’s Prison Board.
“In the near future, we’re going to have to figure out what we want to with the juvenile detention center,” Mr. Wansacz said. “It’s on our radar now.”
Mr. Hoffman said the county was surprised by a June 2 notification by Tioga County that it would close its detention center June 30. Another member of the Board of Managers and Prison Board, Lackawanna County Judge Vito Geroulo, asked what the county’s options are for girls with Tioga County closing.
“Right now, our only options are Lancaster or Centre County,” either of which is a 2½ to 3-hour drive one-way, Mr. Hoffman said.
He also noted that Lehigh County a few months ago closed its juvenile detention center. An advocacy group, the Juvenile Detention Centers’ Association of Pennsylvania, will meet today in Harrisburg to discuss the shortage of detention beds throughout the state, Mr. Hoffman said.
“Everybody was stunned. We lost two juvenile detention centers in less than two months. It was very sudden,” Mr. Hoffman said.
PA Child Care in Luzerne County provides youth treatment but does not provide juvenile detention services, according to a representative of that facility.
Pike, Wayne, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Monroe, Carbon and Schuylkill counties also do not have juvenile detention centers, Mr. Hoffman said.
Mr. Wansacz said Lackawanna County in the past had reviewed potential construction of a detention center but found it would have been very expensive.
As for the future, “I would say building a new center would be the last choice,” Mr. Wansacz said. “We’re being smart, looking at it in 2014. It gives us enough time to look at all options.”
Contact the writer:
jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter
MARRIAGE LICENSES
■ Nicholas Joseph Katchur, Archbald, and Kristen Margaret Cantarella, Throop.
■ Aaron Lee Pierce, Mayfield, and Taryn Anne Golosky, Dunmore.
■ Ryan Harry Lindsay and Nicol Marie Lemoncelli, Moosic.
■ Sean Colin Toole and Erin Elizabeth Johnson, both of Scranton.
■ Michael William Hillier and Stephanie Elizabeth Schultz, both of Scranton.
■ Raymond Joseph Tuleya, Sunriver, Ore., and Susan A. Longo, Kingston.
■ Dawna M. Lohr and Kimberlee M. Kandel, both of Scranton.
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
■ Richard R. and Patricia Beasley, Dunmore, to Harry Patrick Jr. and Stephanie A. McGrath, Dunmore; a property at 1726 Jefferson Ave., Dunmore, for $195,000.
■ Mary Theresa Connolly, executrix of the estate of Ellen C. Loughney, and Mary Theresa Connolly, trustee of the Ellen C. Loughney Trust, to Mary Theresa Connolly, Dunmore; a property at Moosic Lakes, Jefferson Twp., for $30,000.
■ Raymond and Lisa Hebden, Jermyn, to Tracy S. Hollister, Archbald; a property in Mayfield 5for $117,000.
■ John J. and Nadine Borys, Olyphant, to Dale Piwowarski, Scott Twp.; a property in Scott Twp. for $60,000.
■ Henry A. III and Laura S. Sobolak, Jermyn, to Alfred J. Temple Jr. and Tina Cumber, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, Blakely; a property in Greenfield Twp. for $172,500.
■ Marilyn and George Petorak, and Deborah Ruosos, also known as Deborah Rousos, and Stevens Rousos, all of Jermyn, Christine Meholic and Alexas Meholic, both of Lake Ariel, and Dorothy and Daniel Froncek, Mayfield, to Matthew Argust, Scranton; a property at 420 Hemlock St., Jermyn, for $65,000.
■ Judith Ann and John T. Ruane, Olyphant, and Evalyn Evans, by her agent, Judith Ruane, to Charles C. Keagle, Coudersport; a property at 627 N. Sumner Ave., Scranton, for $55,250.
■ PCC Real Estate Associates LLC to Michael and Jessica Courtright, Scranton; a property at 312 N. Merrifield Ave., Scranton, for $63,700.
■ Dena Ann Stefanski, Moscow, to Dave and Jody Family Limited Partnership, Bethlehem; a property in Clifton Twp. for $28,000.
■ Timothy and Jane Moylan Sullivan, Pittsburgh, to Jeremy M. Rich, Dunmore; a property at 602 S. Webster Ave., Scranton, for $116,000.
■ Stanley G. Zabielski, individually and as administrator of the estate of Stanley F. Zabielski, also known as Stanley Zabielski, Taylor, and Carol Ann Donahue, individually, Pittston, to Bonaventure Jr. and Michele Russomano, Taylor; a property at 821 W. Taylor St., Taylor, for $78,000.
■ Mary A. Adams, Carbondale, executrix of the estate of Joan L. Usher, to Daniel P. McDonnell and Erica Liuzzo, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, Lackawanna County; a property at 44 Upper Powderly St., Carbondale, for $97,850.
■ Rebecca E. Crotti, Dalton, to Robert P. Weaver, Honesdale; a property at 58 White Birch Road, Glenburn Twp., for $208,080.
DIVORCE SOUGHT
■ Jason McCarey, Nicholson, v. Ashley Scarpetta McCarey, Clarks Summit; married July 20 in Scranton; Brian J. Cali,
attorney.
LAWSUIT
■ Kathleen and Matthew Casarin, 418 Church St., Archbald, v. Justin, Shelly and Gary Vislosky, 104 Gilroy St., Blakely, seeking in excess of $50,000 and in excess of the prevailing arbitration limits exclusive of prejudgment interest and costs on four counts, for injuries suffered Sept. 3, 2013, in an automobile crash on Garfield Street, Olyphant; Anthony J. Piazza III, attorney.
ESTATES FILED
■ Kristopher Anthony Bucklaw, 3611 Hill St., Fairfax, Va., letters of administration to D’Nan Nepa, 54 Wayne St., Carbondale.
■ Peter Zarnosky, 520 Sherwood Ave., Dunmore, letters of administration to Theresa Zarnosky, same address.
■ Carmella Stellitano, 174 S. Main St., Archbald, letters testamentary to Catherine Taldo, 5921 Oak Creek Trail, Huber Heights, Ohio.
ONLINE:
thetimes-tribune.com/courts
To Scranton High School class President Taylor Stetzar, it seems like just yesterday she and her classmates walked up the hill and through the school’s yellow doors for the first time.
On Wednesday, in their red and gold gowns, the 363 graduates walked out those doors as graduates.
“We never expected it to come as quickly as it did,” Ms. Stetzar said. “Welcome to our future.”
The threat of rain moved graduation from Memorial Stadium to the gymnasium, and a crowd of nearly 2,500 packed the bleachers. Parents clutched bouquets of flowers and cheered for their children.
Valedictorian Zachary Fiscus said he and his classmates not only learned about academics, but about relationships and preparing for careers.
“You made Scranton High memorable, and for that I thank you,” he told his classmates. “We must always remember our time here at Scranton High.”
Principal John Coyle highlighted the class’s achievements, from sports championships to the arts. Together, the class of 2014 received $14 million in scholarships and grants.
“You will be remembered for your focus, energy and the great things you’ve done here,” he said.
Superintendent William King said he had no doubt each student was properly prepared for life after high school.
“My hope for you is you get to experience all the health, wealth and enjoyment life has to offer,” he said.
Contact the writer:
shofius@timesshamrock.com,
@hofiushallTT on Twitter
Graduates are:
Zarlasht Abubakr, Mercedes Margarita Acevedo, Keshara Adhikari, Christian Rodriguez Adorno, Marla Aguilar, Milin N. Amin, Sagar Amin, Luke Alan Anderson, Marilyn Ruth Anderson, Tyree K. Andrews, Michael Steven Araujo, Farzana Azizi, Jose Alberto Baez, Justin Bailey, Aaron C. Balgaroo, Michelle Lee Bamdas, Daneen Bastian, Gabrielle Belles, Sebastian Benavides, William Thomas Bissland, Samantha Rose Bloom, Morgan N. Bobb, Jessica Leigh Bobersky, David Boyle, Samantha Bravo, Megan Bresser, Francis Joseph Bui, Hashib Ali Shareef Bulhan, Ayala Monserrath Camacho, Francelis Capellan, Bryanna L. Carver, Phillip Joseph Cary, Yaraceet V. Castillo, Carlos Castro Jr., Darren Cementina, Maura Cerra, Mauricio Chavez, Miranda Chemchick, Robert Nazarus Chickeletti, Michelle Chu, Ryan A. Ciccotti, William Cisson, Nicholas T. Clemens, Kyle J. Cognetti, Fabian O. Coleman, Luvasia Collins, Mollie M. Comstock, Lesley Cordero, Erin T. Cosgrove, Caitlin A. Cox, Brittany L. Crowell, Kayleen Crowley, Dayana Marie Cruz, Marc A. Culver Jr., Isaiah Cumberbatch, Kathleen Cunningham, Kaitlyn Dale, Marissa Louise DAngola, Tyler Davey, Colin Davis, Jessica Davis, Lisbeth DeJesus, Sheyenne DeLawrence, Karankumar Desai, Corrin Devereaux, Laxmi Devi Dhungel, Aneesa Dickey, Jarek Diehl, Quanesia Dixon, Noe Dominguez, Trista Amber Dougher, Jamie Dougherty, Laura Drost, Gabrielle Drummond, Taylor Duda, Taylor Dunn, Charles Julian Dyer III, Teagan Edsell, Rachel Leah Edwards, Shonna Emick, Rustam Eminov, Ricky Ettinger, Danielle Evarts, William Fargo, Destiny Feduchak, Jamie Fernandes, Maldonado Sebastian Fernandez, Patrick Thomas Festa, Abigail Fisch, Zachary Fiscus, Kurt Andrew Fisher, Kathryn Foley, ArLee Ann Fuller, Crystal Garay, Esau Garcia, Selena Garcia, Zachary Garden, Alex Joseph Garren, McKenzie Gedman, Reynaldo Germosen, Michael Gervasi, Ashley Gilbride, Rebecca Gill, Kassandra Gillette, Kyle Gillette, Emma Gilroy, Frank Glendenning, Emily Glogowski, Joshua Javier Gonzalez, Marlene Yalitze Gonzalez, David Gould, Kyle James Grabowski, Josephine S. Graham, Grace Granahan, Aaron Grier, Gabrielle Grudzinski, Kevin Guzman, Serenity Haney, Ryan Harding, Allen Evevlyn Harris, Zoe Harrison, Ian Hart, Katie Hart, Caleb Hartnett, James Hawley, Shawn Hein, Jacob Hellard, Margaret Hemphill, James Herb, Christian Hernandez, Jose Donaldo Hernandez, Alex Hoban, Robert Hoffman, Joshua Aaron Holden, Jade House, Sierra Lynn Howe, Kaylee Marie Howells, Kyle Howey, Antonio Jarman, Shane Jennings, Colby Jimcosky, Katelyn Jones, Kayla Jones, Connor Jordan, Joshua Joyce, Yorjelis Nahomy Justo, Dil Maya Kadariya, Shawnee Kamin, Gillian Kelly, Darnel D. Kendricks, Diwash Khadka, Jacob Klein, Allison Krupski, Moira Kupinski, Kelly Kuzma, Klanna Laboranti, Meg Raj Lagun, Srijana Lagun, Naome Reggie Larsen, Mia LaTorre, Darein Lee, David C. Lee II, Kalinda Leggieri, Nicholas Leggin, Randy Lesh, Christopher Aaron Lewis, DaVae Lewis, James Lewis, Robert Daniel Lindsey, Nadia Lynn Lipperini, Justine Lishman, Jared Little, Aimee Locker, Sarah Longo, Caroline Lopez, Christopher Lovallo, Jonathan Love, Moriah Lovell, Emmanuel Lucero, Maura Lunney, Shaemus Lunney, Rafael Junior Made, Brian Maguire, Anthony Bartholomew Mandile IV, Alexis Mangan, Corey Manley, James Manning, Joseph Marabell, Philip Marcinowski, Dylan Marr, Janet Marrero, Kadedra Marzan, Monique Marzan, Christina Mason, Emily Massari, Jami Matis, Christopher Matute, Michael Mayer, McGraw Roni Mayer, Desiree McCabe, Jaime McCormack, Emilee McDermott, Brendan McGrath, Christopher McGraw, Jonathan McLee, Brigid McNally, Amanda McNamara, Morgan Leeann McNear, Cody McPhillips, Nicole Mehall, Christian Mercincavage, Lisa Marie Merritt, Tyler Michael, Jamaica Miller, Acosta Leandro Augusto Miranda, Humberto G. Modesto, Zuniga Javier Molina, Jalel Rayshawn Monroe, McKenzie Moore, Negron Emanuelle Morales, Marcus Jamal Morris, Abdullah Anwaar Muhammad, Armandria Mullen, Eduardo Muniz, Kelly Murphy, Brandon Musso, Ray Nearhood Jr., Tyler Newhart, Peter Nguyen, Javon Nickson, Bobby Dee Noble, Elijah Kevin Norwood, Jeffrey Nunez, Anna Carol Odland, Mary Kaitlyn O’Hara, Chacity Olivo, Monica O’Malley, Ryan O’Malley, Anthony Christopher O’Neil, Angela Gabrielle Orzel, Morgan Elizabeth Osborne, Alanis Marie Otero, Ashley Ozack, Brian Pace, Sean Padden, Anthony Padilla, Devon Palmer, Omar Paramo, Feruza Pashayeva, Ajel Patel, Jainit Patel, Krishna Patel, Parth Patel, Payal Patel, Romit Patel, Swapnil Patel, Danielle Marie Patrizi, Kalaicllamarie Peralta, Luis Perez, Robert Perez, Garrett Permenter, Michael John Petcavage, Brandon Petroski, Kyle Pieczynski, Brittany Elizabeth Pilger, Amy Pocius, Dominick Juliano Pometti, Donald Aaron Pregmon, Vincent Priorielli, Nadeema S. Qahar, Anju Rai, Lali Maya Rai, Hemantsinh Raj, Krystal Ramirez, Kraigen Rasalla, Michael Ray, Crystal Reif, Samantha Reinhardt, Anna Reyes, Maya K. Reynolds, Jessica Nicole Rivera, Ciasha Robinson, John Rodriguez, Contreras Daniber Rodriguez, Sophie Rogers, Shadow Romano, Melanie Rosato, John Ruby, Jordan Ruby, Justin Sabatelle, Antonio Salcedo, Kelly Santos, Anthony Saul, Patrick Sawyer, Yasin Sayfullayev, Damon Schaufler, Justin Schreck, Margaret Scott, Stephanie Scott, Nicholette Severe, Amrita Sewah, Shaiva Shah, NiShaya Shavers, Ashley Shepulski, Zachary Aaron Shotz, Patrick Martin Shulde, Christopher Smith, Corey Smith, Daniel Smith, Gerard Tyran Smith, John Smith IV, Mia Snyder, Renata Julia Colmanetti Soares, Samuel J. Colmanetti Soares, Alexis Sparks, Britni Stanavitch, Joshua Stankowski, Taylor Rae Stetzar, Annette Stevanoski, Daniel Stevens, Alexa Strelecki, Bal Subedi, Prem Subdeli, Adam Taylor, Austin Thibodeau, Malek Thomas, Terry Thompson, Jeewan Timsina, Alex Tomlinson, Kaitlyn Sandra Tonsil, Hazel Torres, Jose Torres, Roberto Torres, Ryan Toscano, Brandi Townend, Jessica VanBuskirk, Elina Jade Varela, John Carlos Vargas, Nellie Angelique Vasquez, Genesis Marie Vera, Nicholas David Vinciguerra, Alexander Michael Volz, Alexis Walker, Katiria Walker, Raquan Walker, Leah Walsh, Melissa S. Walsh, Corey Ward, Gee Mersedes Washburn, Jaila Watts, Angelica Weibel, Kyle Wenner, John Robert Wentland, Matthew Isaiah Wesolowski, Sean Payden Wheeler, Jacob Williams, Mitchel Williams, Emily Witts, Kelly Rae Woodall, Madlyn Marie Yuschovitz, Syalimar Thalia Zakaria, Christopher Charles Zawadzki, Devin Zombek
Valedictorian
Zachary Fiscus
Parents: Paul and Karen Fiscus
Activities: Varsity baseball, Latin club, Spanish club, Future Business Leaders of America, PennServe, ski club, link crew, scholastic bowl team, senior class officer
Plans: Lehigh University to study bioengineering
Salutatorian
John Ruby
Parents: John and Helen Ruby
Activities: Advanced orchestra, technology club, ski club, scholastic team, Eagle Scout
Plans: Harvard University to study physics
SCRANTON — City firefighters quickly extinguished a small rubbish fire that began to extend into an East Scranton apartment Wednesday
afternoon.
Firefighters responded to 306 Wheeler Ave. at 1:47 p.m. for a small fire on the back deck of an apartment complex, acting Capt. Dave Schreiber said.
The fire began to extend into the kitchen, but it was quickly extinguished. The apartment only sustained minor damage. Firefighters were initially dispatched to the 800 block because of difficulty understanding the caller.
It was not clear how many people live there. There were no injuries fighting the fire, he said.
— JOSEPH KOHUT
HARRISBURG — A new audit reveals the General Assembly sits on a $153 million uncommitted surplus, grist for a state budget debate likely to go past the June 30 due date.
With Pennsylvania facing a $1.4 billion revenue problem, Gov. Tom Corbett and lawmakers are looking to generate revenue to balance the next budget.
The audit, approved Wednesday by the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission, reports the $153 million surplus at the end of fiscal 2012-13. It shows that 80 percent of the $301 million in categorized spending by the legislative branch that year went for salaries and benefits of lawmakers and staff.
Overall, legislative appropriations totaled $314 million that year. The audit by Mitchell & Titus of Philadelphia is posted on the General Assembly website at www.legis.state.pa.us
Lawmakers said they need a surplus to function independently and pay staffers in case of a budget stalemate lasting several months such as happened in 2009.
“The reserves are there to help ward off a possible stalemate on a budget,” said Rep. Mark Keller, R-86, New Bloomfield, the commission chairman.
It’s too early to decide through budget negotiations whether all or a portion of the surplus should be earmarked for a state program, said Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-7, Philadelphia, a commission member.
“We’re not resistant to trying to help out,” he said.
The surplus sparked the governor’s interest.
“These dollars offer the opportunity to protect needed state programs in jeopardy of being cut due to our current fiscal situation,” said Corbett spokesman Jay Pagni. “Gov. Corbett looks forward to working with the Legislature to fund common priorities with these resources.”
“A good portion should be used to help with the budget so citizens of Pennsylvania don’t have to pay more taxes,” said veteran Capitol activist Gene Stip. He is the Democratic candidate for a state House seat in Dauphin County.
Portions of the surplus have been earmarked in recent years for accountability block grants for school districts.
The audit report was approved six months late due mainly to a change in the chairmanship. Mr. Keller promised an on-time audit for fiscal 2013-14.
The auditing firm has recommended that legislative leaders establish a policy regarding this continual surplus, but that has yet to be done. The commission is advisory in nature so the firm’s recommendations have to be approved by legislative leaders, said Mr. Keller.
A Democratic lawmaker reintroduced legislation Wednesday to have the state auditor general audit the legislative branch.
“Requiring the elected auditor general to conduct these audits, as opposed to the current practice of the legislature hiring someone to perform the audit, will ensure a more public assessment of how the legislature spends the money it allocates for its operations,” said Rep. Bob Freeman, D-136, Easton.
Contact the writer:
rswift@timesshamrock.com
Surplus breakdown
For the first time, the commission provided a breakdown of the surplus among the House and Senate and 13 legislative bureaus and commissions:
■ House, $71.8 million
■ Senate, $50 million
■ Legislative Data Processing Commission, $15 million
■ Legislative Reference Bureau, $5 million
■ Commonwealth Mail Processing Center, $2.3 million
Larksville police confirmed a 14-year-old boy riding a dirt bike Friday was struck by a bullet.
Police Chief John Edwards said hospital records he received from the boy's family indicated the teen had been hit with something "consistent with a bullet and/or bullet fragments."
Larksville police responded Friday to the report of a male being struck in the back while riding a dirt bike in a wooded area near Poplar Street. According to police, the male walked to a friend’s house where it was discovered he had blood on his back.
Police said a small fragment of something, now determined to be from a bullet, was found in his back near his shoulder. Due to how tiny the fragment was, Edwards could not determine Friday what injured the boy.
Edwards said the boy was released from a hospital Saturday.
Police have since stepped up patrol on ATVs and motorcycles riding in the woods.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Corbett's re-election campaign spent money twice as fast as it came in during the weeks surrounding Pennsylvania's primary.
Campaign finance reports filed Thursday showed the Republican governor received $1.4 million in contributions between May 6 and June 9, while he spent nearly $3 million — pushing his total expenditures to more than $11 million.
Corbett still had $4.8 million on hand.
Democratic nominee Tom Wolf's report was not available Thursday morning. But Katie McGinty — one of the three candidates Wolf defeated in the primary — reported spending nearly $860,000, mostly for TV time, in the final weeks of that campaign.
As of early May, the reports showed the five candidates had collectively raised more than $50 million and spent $39 million even before the primary.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. senator is urging the Obama administration to tighten procedures after a congressional audit found security problems at companies using radioactive material.
In a letter Thursday to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Sen. Bob Casey said he was troubled that the Government Accountability Office found at least two cases in which employees with extensive criminal histories were granted unescorted access to high-risk radiobiological sources. One employee stole from the company and the other impersonated a radiography inspector, the GAO found.
The concern is that a terrorist could use stolen material in a so-called dirty bomb that spews radioactive material.
"It is unacceptable that these individuals would be allowed unfettered access to such sensitive radioactive material," Casey, D-Pa., wrote.
He urged the NRC to adopt rules that would disqualify a prospective employee if the person had a conviction for terroristic threats. In addition, any candidates with criminal histories should get a tighter review at a minimum to ensure they can be trusted to have unescorted access to radioactive material, Casey said.
Many businesses are licensed to hold radioactive material, which is often used in industrial processes in the oil and gas, aerospace and food sterilization sectors.
A spokesman for the NRC, David McIntyre, said he could not comment directly until the agency reviewed the letter. But he noted that prospective employees go through extensive background checks that include fingerprinting, character references and a review of criminal history.
The audit was based on visits to 33 industrial facilities, including some in Pennsylvania.
Morgan Highway has reopened after crews cleared a broken-down tractor trailer.
Crews reopened the road just after 10:15 p.m., according to dispatchers. The road was closed for at least an hour after a tractor-trailer broke down. The vehicle had to be towed from the scene, officials said.
Even when temperatures plummet below freezing, the levels of ammonia-nitrogen discharged by Waverly Twp.’s treatment plant now will consistently fall within acceptable limits, officials said.
Contractors installed underground filter units at the township’s lagoon-style treatment system, which heat wastewater and allow bacteria to more effectively make the ammonia-nitrogen less toxic.
The addition of the biologically active filter stems from periodic spikes over the last several years in which the amount of ammonia-nitrogen discharged exceeded the limit set by the state Department of Environmental Protection, said Ned Slocum, a project engineer for Milnes Engineering, the township engineer.
Township officials will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2:30 p.m. today at the Municipal Building grounds to celebrate the completion of the $1.67 million project.
“We’re utilizing the natural thermal benefit of the ground to maintain a certain temperature in these units,” said Mr. Slocum. He noted that the bacteria that reduce ammonia-nitrogen do not work as well when temperatures dip below freezing. Excessive levels of ammonia-nitrogen can harm fish and other aquatic life.
The new filter system “takes the cold wastewater and warms it up, and gets it to a point where the biological activity will continue,” he said.
As part of an effort to reduce the amount of toxic pollutants that spill into the Chesapeake Bay via local waterways, the DEP set limits for the amount of ammonia-nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that treatment plants can discharge.
Over the last several years, the plant’s ammonia-nitrogen levels have periodically topped the DEP’s limits — 12 parts per million in winter months, and 4 parts per million in summer months, when bacteria are more active, officials said.
Mark Catalano, an engineering project manager for Milnes Engineering, said he expects the technology to reduce the ammonia-nitrogen levels to less than 1 part per million. The plant serves about 660 equivalent dwelling units throughout Waverly Twp.
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