MOOSIC - For the 17th year in a row, the borough has adopted a budget without a property tax increase - despite unanimously passing an ordinance last week to apply for an $800,000 loan from Fidelity Bank to finance sewer projects.

The loan comes on the heels of a newly retired $2 million bond the borough took out in 1994, allowing the borough to sidestep a tax.

"We just replaced one loan with another," council President Joseph Mercatili said.

Just last week, the borough finished what was initially a routine sewer repair that ended up being a full-blown replacement along Birney Avenue and Rocky Glen Road.

"The pipes just disintegrated," Mr. Mercatili said, making the recently completed sewer project a necessity. "We didn't have time to put them out to bid. Considering the conditions and the damage done, we had to do it immediately."

The sewer lines along those roads were possibly more than 50 years old and in advanced stages of disrepair. Under emergency conditions, the borough paid about $150,000 out of the general fund to replace the lines, Borough Administrator Jane Sterling said.

"The one on Rocky Glen Road did not have a bottom," Ms. Sterling said. "It was running in a trench rather than a sewer line."

But more lines need work along all of Main Street, Spring Street and part of Spring Brook Avenue, and these lines could be as bad as the others, Ms. Sterling said. Borough officials should have a better idea by the December meeting.

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

Guidance counselors in Scranton schools help students with issues from homelessness, drug abuse and bullying, to college applications, social skills and job preparation.

But a reduction in counselors has made reaching students even harder, the counselors say.

Members of the district's guidance department have sent a letter to the Scranton School Board asking for the reinstatement of four counselor jobs that were eliminated at the start of the 2011-12 school year.

With the loss of counselors at West Scranton and Scranton high schools and West Scranton and Northeast intermediate schools, there is now one counselor for every 400 students, according to the department.

"Given our demographics, this is a recipe for disaster and the Scranton School District cannot continue on this course," the letter states.

A professional group for counselors - the American School Counselor Association - recommends one counselor for every 250 students.

In Pennsylvania, the average ratio is one counselor to every 377 students, and nationwide, one counselor for every 471 students, according to the association.

As budget cuts have increased nationwide, the number of counselors has decreased, said Jill Cook, a spokeswoman for the association.

"The role of a school counselor has changed and evolved over the last 15 to 20 years," she said.

Counselors now deal with everything from academic planning to crisis response, Ms. Cook said.

"For a school counselor to truly be able to work with kids and touch kids and impact kids ... you need to have the ability to have that caseload that is manageable," she said.

The cuts in Scranton were made after the district lost $5.5 million in state funding for 2011-12 - funds that were not restored for this year.

The district has tried to expand its outreach to students beyond the guidance department, including with a school-based positive behavior program, Superintendent William King said.

"We don't have the money, unfortunately," he said of reinstating the positions. "These are the tough decisions that come when you're not provided the necessary funding."

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

WAVERLY TWP. - For the first time in its nearly three-decades-long history, the Artisans' Marketplace at the Waverly Community House offered a different kind of art: bread.

Loaves of olive, pecan raisin, white sesame and cheese bread provided a new twist to this weekend's show famous for its handblown glass, decorative pottery and other fine arts.

"It's something we've been looking to add for years, but it took until now to bring artisan foods here," show chairwoman Michele Hughes said. "I think it's important to keep making adjustments and additions, so people continue coming back."

In addition to the artisan bread prepared by the Beta Bread Bakery in Clarks Summit, the 29th annual Artisans' Marketplace on Sunday featured jewelry, vases, ornaments and handmade scarves.

The two-day show, which hosted 33 vendors, is the Comm's biggest annual fundraiser.

But it's also a chance for the community house to help fuel the local economy, Ms. Hughes said.

Of the vendors who participated in the show, 18 are located within Lackawanna County - a number organizers hope to increase in the coming years.

"It's important that we keep focusing on helping businesses in the community," Ms. Hughes said, as she pointed to James Simrell Designs, a Clarks Summit-based jewelry store.

A first-timer at the show, Michael Bonczar, of Clarks Summit, who owns Beta Bread, walked past the tables lined with clothing, paintings and photographs, finally stopping at a wall of Santas.

"These are amazing," said Mr. Bonczar, as he scanned the dozens of miniature Santas dressed in different outfits, some holding baby foxes in their laps. "I've never seen anything quite like it."

Created by John Saint of Delhi, N.Y., the collectible Santas have been a hot commodity at the show for more than 20 years.

Each Santa is designed with old fabric, whether it's old scarves, fur coats or tapestry, Mr. Saint said. As difficult as it is to continue coming up with new costume ideas, he said he has to appease his very loyal customers.

"They expect new ones, collectibles they haven't seen before," Mr. Saint said. "It's the least I can do, especially because this show has provided me with such a great opportunity.

"I am already brainstorming ideas for next year's show."

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

NEWPORT TWP. - State police are trying to determine the identity of human remains found in a wooded area of Luzerne County on Saturday.

People walking in a wooded area stumbled across a skull in the woods off Alden Mountain Road around 12:15 p.m., according to state police at Shickshinny.

The skull has been sent to a lab for further analysis and identification. A time frame has not been established.

The investigation is continuing, police said, declining to give further details.

Fire displaces two in West Pittston

WEST PITTSTON - Firefighters from several companies battled a blaze that destroyed a borough home Sunday night, leaving two people and their pets homeless.

Joe and Joanne Castellino had lived in the two-story, 100-year-old home at 100 Exeter Ave. for about 40 years, said Joe's brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Diane Castellino. The building also housed Joe's extensive antiques collection and the couple's two cats and dog.

The Castellinos had recently finished repairing the damage from Tropical Storm Lee, which flooded the first floor of the home.

Sunday's fire appeared to have started around 7 p.m. in the carport, said West Pittston Fire Chief John Janczewski. Two cars next to the home were burned out. A house next door appeared to have smoke damage.

The house is a complete loss, said Chief Janczewski, who did not know how it started. A fire marshal is to inspect the scene today.

Autopsies today in two deaths

CLIFTON TWP. - Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland said Sunday he is awaiting the results of today's autopsies before announcing the causes of the deaths of Mariusz Pecio of Clifton Twp. and Robert Kwasnik of Brooklyn, N.Y., who were involved in a crash near Big Bass Lake on Saturday.

Mr. Kwasnik, 25, who was a passenger in the car driven by his stepbrother, Mr. Pecio, 39, was pronounced dead at the scene of the one-car crash, which threw him through the front passenger-side window, Mr. Rowland said Saturday.

Mr. Pecio left the scene and was later found dead from a gunshot wound. Mr. Rowland said he did not suspect foul play in Mr. Pecio's death.

State police at Dunmore are investigating.

Need a hand?

- Family-To-Family Thanksgiving food basket program 26th annual distribution of baskets containing the ingredients for a family Thanksgiving meal, Wednesday at the Scranton Cultural Center; bring proof of income.

- Community Thanksgiving Celebration 36th annual community dinner for elderly, lonely and less fortunate, Tuesday, 6 p.m., Scranton Cultural Center; details, Friends of the Poor office, 348-4428 or 348-4429.

- United Neighborhood Centers Thanksgiving Feed-A-Friend 33rd annual food basket program, distribution, Tuesday, beginning at 10 a.m. at St. John Neumann Church, 633 Orchard St., Scranton.

- Wayne County Children's Christmas Bureau distribution of gifts, Sunday, Dec. 2, Park Street Complex, 648 Park St., Honesdale (old Stourbridge School cafeteria), pickup times assigned in advance.

- Christmas Holiday Bureau phone lines available through Wednesday; call 504-0244 for details on distribution of Wal-Mart gift cards to eligible applicants for holiday assistance.

Lend a hand

- Family-To-Family Thanksgiving food basket program: Donations of $25 or whatever can be given toward purchase of 3,000 baskets containing the ingredients for a family Thanksgiving meal to be distributed for the 26th year on Wednesday at the Scranton Cultural Center; send to Family-To-Family, Penn Security Bank, 526 Cedar Ave., Scranton, PA 18505. Volunteers needed on Wednesday starting at 9 a.m. to prepare baskets.

- Community Thanksgiving Celebration: Volunteers and donations for 36th annual community dinner for elderly, lonely and less fortunate, Tuesday, 6 p.m., Scranton Cultural Center; call Sister Ann Walsh, Friends of the Poor office, 348-4428 or 348-4429. Send cash donations to Thanksgiving Community Program, Penn Security Bank, 526 Cedar Ave., Scranton, 18505.

- United Neighborhood Centers Thanksgiving Feed-A-Friend food basket program accepting both monetary and traditional Thanksgiving food donations; call 346-0759 or online at www.uncnepa.org.

- Christmas Holiday Bureau donations for program that distributes Wal-Mart gift cards to families with children residing in Lackawanna County that meet eligibility requirements; can be mailed or dropped off at the Christmas Holiday Bureau, 4th Floor, 538 Spruce St., Scranton, PA 18503.

- Wayne County Children's Christmas Bureau donations: checks payable to the WCCCB, c/o Honesdale Area Jaycees, 200 Delaware St., Honesdale, PA 18431.

- Operation Friendship coordinated through the Visitation Program of Serving Seniors Inc.; volunteer individuals, student groups, Scout troops, church and civic groups bring holiday cheer and greetings to residents of nursing and assisted living/personal care homes in Lackawanna County who may not receive a Christmas card; to volunteer, contact Lisa M. Torch, 344-3931, Serving Seniors Inc., Scranton Life Building, 538 Spruce St., Suite 408, Scranton, PA 18503

SEND ITEMS for publication to yesdesk@timesshamrock.com with "Holiday helpers" in the subject line by the Monday previous to desired publication date. For details, call the YES!Desk at 348-9121.

Autopsy set today on city woman

SCRANTON - An autopsy will be conducted today for a city woman who was missing for three weeks before her body was discovered Friday, according to Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland.

Sharon Price, 62, was reported missing by her husband, Tom Price Sr., on Oct. 27 when she never returned from her appointment at a hair salon on Luzerne Street.

She was partially blind and suffered from schizophrenia.

Police said there were no obvious signs of trauma to the body, which was found Friday by a work crew in a wooded area off Luzerne Street, a few blocks from Mrs. Price's home.

A Scranton cop once accused of threatening to kill a bouncer at a city bar and harass him with traffic stops is back on the job after pleading guilty to lesser charges that allow him to avoid being fired.

Patrolman Mark A. Miller, 33, pleaded guilty to the summary offenses of public drunkenness and disorderly conduct on Oct. 22 in exchange for the dropping of the far more serious charges of making terroristic threats, official oppression, simple assault and harassment.

Patrolman Miller returned to work last week, acting Police Chief Carl Graziano said. He had been suspended without pay since his arrest in June 2011.

He still faces up to 180 days in prison and a maximum fine of $600, though prison sentences for summary offenses are rare.

Citing the city's contract with its police union, Chief Graziano declined to comment on why the city allowed Patrolman Miller to return to work.

Efforts to reach Lackawanna County District Attorney Andy Jarbola to explain why he approved the plea agreement that resulted in the reduced charges were unsuccessful.

Under state law, police officers who have been convicted of crimes for which a sentence of more than one year can be imposed as punishment automatically lose their state certification and may no longer serve as officers.

Five of the seven original charges carried potential prison time of more than a year.

Patrolman Miller was initially charged with felony rioting with intent to commit a felony or misdemeanor, two counts of simple assault, making terroristic threats, official oppression, disorderly conduct and harassment. The disorderly conduct and harassment charges could bring jail time of up to a year, but the other charges carried potential sentences of two to seven years.

Magisterial District Judge Ted Giglio dismissed the rioting and one of the simple assault counts in August 2011 after a preliminary hearing.

A conviction on the terroristic threats, official oppression or remaining simple assault charge could have cost Patrolman Miller his certification.

Under the plea deal, the disorderly conduct charge was reduced to a summary offense, the same as the public drunkenness charge, which was added as part of the deal. Both are punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $300 fine.

At the preliminary hearing, Matthew Sobieski, a bouncer at the V-Spot tavern in the city's Weston Field neighborhood, said he would not allow Patrolman Miller and friends Chris Kahanic and Brian Gannon to enter the bar because they were visibly drunk.

Patrolman Miller and Mr. Gannon showed him badges, though Mr. Gannon was not a policeman. When Mr. Sobieski still refused to let them in, Patrolman Miller threatened to "punch him in the face," according to an arrest affidavit.

Mr. Sobieski called for help from another Scranton officer, Mark Kosko, who was off-duty inside the bar. Patrolman Kosko talked Patrolman Miller into leaving.

Once outside, Patrolman Miller, Mr. Gannon and Mr. Kahanic started a fight with Robert Ruddy, an off-duty bar employee, and Mr. Ruddy's cousin, Michelle Smolskis, to whom Mr. Ruddy was talking outside the bar, according to court documents.

After Scranton police arrived, Patrolman Miller got into a Jeep owned by another friend and began yelling at him, Mr. Sobieski testified.

"I will make your life a living hell. I will pull you over every time I could. I will arrest you and put you in jail for the rest of your life," Patrolman Miller said, Mr. Sobieski told a Lackawanna County detective.

At the hearing, Mr. Sobieski acknowledged he did not tell police about those threats the night of the incident because he feared city police investigating the case and only later said it to a Lackawanna County detective.

Ms. Smolskis also denied Patrolman Miller hit her, and Patrolman Kosko said he never heard his fellow officer say anything threatening to Mr. Sobieski.

"There were no structured sentences," Patrolman Kosko testified. "It was just cursing."

Before the plea deal, attorney Jason A. Shrive, Patrolman Miller's lawyer, argued the remaining charges should be dropped for lack of evidence.

Last week, Mr. Shrive said the guilty plea was acceptable because the original accusations against Patrolman Miller failed to pan out in court. He said his client had suffered enough, considering he had been suspended without pay for more than a year and had a spotless record as an officer.

"What was reported to have happened and what actually happened were two different things," Mr. Shrive said. "That's why he was given such a decent plea deal. ... Everybody should know that people make mistakes."

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com

ANDREWSH, ELAINE, Blakely, Tuesday, 9 a.m., John J. Turko & Sons Funeral Home, 402 Boulevard Ave., Dickson City. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dundaff Street, Dickson City, by the Rev. Walter F. Skiba. Interment, Valley View Memorial Park Cemetery, Montdale. No calling hours.

BARHITE, MARTIN P., Clifford, today, 10 a.m., Shifler-Parise Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 18 Airport Road, Clifford, by Pastor Vernon Tompkins. Interment, Indian Orchard Cemetery, Honesdale. Calling hours 9 to 10 a.m. Condolences: parisefuneralhome.com.

BRESSET, ROSEMARY COYNE, Mount Pocono, formerly of Honesdale, cremation, Maple Hill at Salem Crematory. Mass, Tuesday, 10 a.m., St. John the Evangelist Church, Honesdale. Interment, St. John's Cemetery. Arrangements: Hessling Funeral Home Inc., 428 Main St., Honesdale. Contributions: VNA Hospice of Monroe County, 502 VNA Road, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301. Condolences: hessling funeralhome.com.

BYERLY, ELIZABETH, Mountain View Care Center, today, 1 p.m., Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 517 N. Main St., Old Forge, by the Rev. Carl Brigido, her son-in-law. Interment, Forest Home Cemetery, Taylor. Calling hours today, 11 to service. Condolences: KearneyFuneralHome.com.

DEL ROSSO, MARY D., Dunmore, today, Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore. Mass, 11 a.m., St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith Street, Dunmore. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Contributions: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Condolences: DunmoreFuneralHome.com.

DOMMERMUTH, MARIE THERESA ANGELINI, Suscon, Tuesday, Mass, 9:30 a.m., Queen of the Apostles Church, 715 Hawthorne St., Avoca, by the Rev. Phillip Sladicka. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery, Avoca. No calling hours. Contributions: donor's choice. Arrangements: Kiesinger Funeral Services Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea. Condolences: kiesingerfuneralservices.com.

DUBIN, BERNARD M. "BERNIE," Boynton Beach, Fla., formerly of Clarks Summit, today, 11:30 a.m., Temple Israel, Monroe Avenue and East Gibson Street, Scranton, by Rabbi Joseph Mendelsohn and Cantor Vladimir Aronzon. Interment, Dalton Jewish Cemetery. Calling hours, 10:30 until service. Shiva, residence of Jill and James Linder, 1017 Greenbriar Drive, Clarks Summit, today 7 to 9 p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 to 4 nd 7 to 9 p.m. Contributions: Bernice Dubin Fund, c/o the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510; Temple Israel, 918 E. Gibson St., Scranton, PA 18510; or donor's favorite charity. Arrangements: Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., Dunmore. Condolences: Dunmore FuneralHome.com.

EGNOTOVICH, MICHAEL M., Bristow, Va., today, 10:30 a.m., Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis, Md. Donations: U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, www.usna.com/onlinegiving.

GILLOTT, JOSEPH PETER, Mayfield, today, 9 a.m., Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., Farview and 41st streets, Carbondale. Mass, 9:30, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 15 Fallbrook St., Carbondale. Entombment, St. Tikhon's Monastery, South Canaan. Condolences: parisefuneralhome.com.

GUMAN, JEAN MARIE, Union City, N.J., formerly of Staten Island, N.Y., and Olyphant, Mass, Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Holy Cross Parish, 200 Delaware Ave., Olyphant. Interment, private. Calling hours, 8:45 until Mass. Contributions: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, lls.org.

KAKAREKA, STANLEY J. JR., Elmhurst, Mass, Tuesday, 11 a.m., St. Eulalia's Church, 214 Blue Shutters Road, Roaring Brook Twp., by Monsignor John W. Jordan and the Rev. John J. Kilpatrick. Interment, private. Calling hours Tuesday, 9 to Mass. Contributions: St. Eulalia's Parish, 214 Blue Shutters Road, Roaring Brook Twp., PA 18444; the American Heart Association, 613 Baltimore Drive, Suite 3, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702; or the American Diabetes Association, 1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311. Arrangements: Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, South Scranton.

KOSMO, PETER VINCENT, Stafford, Va., calling hours, today, 6 to 8 p.m., Covenant Funeral Service, Stafford. Service, Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Marine Memorial Chapel. Burial, Quantico National Cemetery. Condolences: covenantfuner alservice.com.

KRISTOFF, JOHN J. "KRISTY," Taylor, Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Semian Funeral Home, 704 Union St., Taylor. Mass, 10, St. Ann's Basilica, Scranton. Interment with military honors, Holy Cross Cemetery, Old Forge. Calling hours today, 4 to 7 p.m. Condolences: semiancares.com.

LAMOND, LOIS M., Stewartstown, Tuesday, 11 a.m., J.J. Hartenstein Mortuary Inc., 24 N. Second St., New Freedom, by Pastor Robert S. Harris. Interment, private, New Freedom Cemetery. Visitation, Tuesday, 10 to 11. Contributions: Hospice & Community Care, 224 St. Charles Way, Suite 200, York, PA 17402; or SPCA, 3159 Susquehanna Trail North, York, PA 17406.

MADDEN, JAMES J. "JOE," formerly of Ithaca and Deposit, N.Y., today, Joseph W. Scotchlas Funeral Home Inc., 621 Main St., Simpson. Mass, 10:30 a.m., St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 N. Church St., Carbondale, by the Rev. Phillip J. Sladicka. Interment with military services, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill. Contributions: Deposit Educational Endowment Program, P.O. Box 22, Deposit, NY 13754. Condolences: scotchlasfuneralhome.com.

PEPSIN, FLORENCE J. KANIA, Chalfont, formerly of Taylor, Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1240 St. Ann's St., Scranton. Mass, noon, SS. Peter and Paul Church, West Locust Street, Scranton, by the Rev. Kenneth M. Seegar. Interment, parish cemetery, Taylor. Calling hours, 9:30 to 11:30. Contributions: Alzheimer's Association, 57 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

PITONIAK, VERONICA, R.N., Jessup, today, Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Michael's Church, Jessup. Go directly to the church. Interment, St. Michael's Cemetery, Jessup. Arrangements: Louis M. Margotta Funeral Home, 511 Church St., Jessup. Condolences: margotta funeralhomes.com.

RAFALKO, FRANCES S., Dunmore, today, Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Anthony's Church, Smith Street, Dunmore. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery. Condolences: DunmoreFuneralHome.com.

ROSKOS, GEORGE M., Scranton, today, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, 321 Chestnut Ave., Kingston. Interment, Fern Knoll Park, Dallas. Go directly to church. Arrangements: Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1240 St. Ann's St., Scranton. Contributions: St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18510; Friends of the Poor, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509; or St. Joseph Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

SCHMIDT, MARIE E. GAVIN, West Scranton, Mass, today, 9:30 a.m., St. Patrick's Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Arrangements: Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Condolences: KearneyFuneralHome.com.

SNITZER, MARION, Olyphant, private services and interment. Arrangements: Michael Wargo Jr. Funeral Home, Olyphant.

TURBESSI, SANDRA, West Scranton, today, 10:15 a.m., Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton. Mass, 11, St. Patrick's Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

VAN FLEET, KATHERINE, Clarks Summit, Tuesday, 11 a.m., Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, by Brian Nichols. Interment, Newton Cemetery. Calling hours, Tuesday, 10 to service. Condolences: law renceeyoungfuneralhome.com. Memorials: Compassionate Care Hospice, 960 N. Main Ave., Scranton, PA 18508.

WILLIAMS, ALICE, Dunmore, Tuesday, 9 a.m., Morell-LaBelle Funeral Home, 301 Chestnut St., Dunmore. Mass, 9:30, St. Anthony's Church, Smith Street, Dunmore. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours today, 5 to 8 p.m. Contributions: VNA Hospice and Home Health of Lackawanna County, 301 Delaware Ave., Olyphant, PA 18447. Condolences: Dunmorefunerals.com.

WILLIAMS, PAULINE "PENNY," Clifford Twp., Wednesday, 11 a.m., Shifler-Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 18 Airport Road, Clifford, by the Rev. James Major, pastor of Watson Hill Bible Church. Interment, Welsh Hill Cemetery, Clifford Twp. Calling hours Tuesday, 5 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, 10 to service. Contributions: Watson Hill Bible Church, 3878 Route 492, New Milford, PA 18834. Condolences: parisefuneralhome.com.

CLIPBOARD

Archbald

Garbage collection: Borough Thursday and Friday recycling moved to Monday and Tues­day, respectively, due to holiday.

Avoca

Garbage collection: Borough Thursday garbage collection moved to Friday, due to holiday.

Peckville

Bus trip: Double "R" Twirl­ettes bus trip to Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Mon­day from Mellow Park; $99, includes round trip motor coach/orchestra level seat/popcorn and beverage at show; 489-1935.

Clarks Summit

Christmas show: First Presby­terian Church hosts the Rev. Timothy Coombs performing one-man interpretation of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Nov. 30, 7 p.m., 300 School St.; free-will offering; 586-6306 or www.fpccs.org.

Clifford Twp.

Committee meeting: Advisory Committee of Clifford Twp. meeting, Nov. 28, 7 p.m., community center; agenda: development of comprehensive plan.

Dalton

Tree lighting: Dalton Busi­ness & Professional Associ­ation holiday tree lighting, Friday, 7 p.m., Dalton Fire Company Park, North Turnpike Road; light refreshments, holiday music, free; 587-0505.

Jessup

Society dinner: St. Ubaldo Society dinner, Friday, 5-9 p.m., St. Ubaldo Society Cul­tural Center, 310 Third Ave.; lonza and prosciutto panini, meatball sandwiches, tripe, $6/item, takeouts available; 687-4256, stubaldoday.com.

Worship service: First Presby­terian Church Thanksgiving Day morning worship service, Thurs­day, 10 a.m., Third Avenue; speaker: Margaret Hartman, CLP.

Montrose

Community event: Christmas in Montrose with the Mont­rose Community Chorale, Dec. 2, 3 p.m., Montrose Area High School auditorium, Meteor Way; 70-voice choir, Note-A-Bells handbell choir, brass and percussion; free-will offering for local charities.

Old Forge

Sons meet: Old Forge Sons of Italy Gloria Lodge meeting and social, today, 7 p.m., Arcaro & Genell's Banquet Hall; final preparations for Christmas party.

Scranton

Holiday party: Scranton State General Hospital School of Nursing Alumni holiday party, Dec. 2, 1 p.m., dinner, 2, Green Ridge Club, 1645 Wyo­ming Ave.; cocktails, hors d'oeuvres; cash bar; $32 by Tuesday from alumni members or 489-0016.

Wayne County

Thanksgiving service: South Clinton Baptist Church Thanks­giving service, Wednesday, 6 p.m., Stanton Drive and Route 296, one mile north of Waymart traffic light; with Christian film, "Courageous;" 937-4360.

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

Jon Beam couldn't help but quip that he and his collection of birds "flew in" to the Anthracite Heritage Museum Sunday.

Mr. Beam, a senior naturalist at PPL Montour Preserve, stood near a table of arranged stuffed owls and hawks, some perched on branches and all facing the audience. He delivered a program on the birds of prey, in conjunction with the Lackawanna Audubon Society.

"We should have respect for them," he said of the feathery fowl.

Birds of prey are often misunderstood and judged based on their talons and sharp beaks, he added.

"It's never easy for a predator," he said. "Their food runs from them."

A portion of the program covered the adaptations the birds had, like strength to carry prey, strategic coloring and keen eyesight.

"It's like they have binoculars built in their eyes," he shared with the audience. "They are very well camouflaged."

Dunmore resident John Joseph said he was interested in the program as a science teacher and a father.

His 3-year-old son, Owen Joseph, joined him to check out the birds.

"It's something I'd like to educate him on as he grows up," Mr. Joseph said. "I'd like him to have an appreciation for this kind of thing."

The younger Joseph shared that he liked the owls, but his favorite bird wasn't featured Sunday.

"The cardinal," he said with a grin.

The topic of the program was determined by the Audubon Society, but curator John Fielding said the museum was happy to host the talk.

"It's just a way of getting a different crowd into the museum and helping out another local non-profit," he said.

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

Sewer users in Clarks Green, Clarks Summit and South Abington Twp. will see higher sewer rates in 2013, though they won’t be the sky- rocketing bills some officials had predicted.
Members of the Abington Regional Wastewater Author- ity voted unanimously last week to approve the 2013 bud- get that calls for a $5.23 increase per equivalent dwelling unit in the monthly sewer bill, or a $15.69 increase quarterly to help pay costs associated with the estimat- ed $34 million project to upgrade the treatment plant.
Though none of    the munic- ipalities has adopted their 2013 budget yet, officials said the increase will likely be add- ed to the existing sewer rates.
“Typically, the increase is tacked onto our bill pay- ments,” South Abington Twp. Manager David O’Neill said. “We’ll know more when we introduce our budget on Nov. 26.”
As a result of the increase, sewer users in South Abing- ton Twp. will likely see a sew- er bill of at least $135.69 a quarter, a 13 percent increase from this year’s rate.
Meanwhile, Clarks Sum- mit sewer users will likely pay at least $48.23 per month — a 12.3 percent jump — and Clarks Green sewer users will likely pay $46.23 a month, a 12.7 percent hike.
“We’re doing all we can to limit the rate from getting that high, but it’s hard to tell right now,” Clarks Summit Borough Manager Virginia Kehoe said.

Construction on the multi- million-dollar project meant to bring the South Abington Twp. plant into compliance with a federal mandate is scheduledforApril.Theproj- ect needs to be completed by October 2015.
Board members voted Wednesday to advertise the project, signaling the end of the design phase.
They will hold a bid open- ing Jan. 6.
“We’re ready to move full steam ahead,” project engi- neer James Elliot of Gannett Fleming Inc. said last week.
According to the budget, the three municipalities’ combined quarterly obliga- tion to the authority is $774,355 — $117,000 more than
the 2012 quarterly obligation. The $3 million the authori- ty receives from the munici- palities will cover the author- ity’s estimated $2.9 million in expenditures, including $1.8 million in debt service, and will provide them with approximately $100,000 in
reserve funding. “Had we not secured the
Pennvest loan, the debt ser- vice would be much higher and so would the increase in sewer rates,” Executive Director Robert Davis said. “That loan was critical in keeping the rates from spiking.”
Approved by the Pennsyl- vania Infrastructure Invest- ment Authority on Oct. 23, the $9.7 million loan carries an interest rate of 1 percent for the first five years. The
interest rate for the remain- ing 15 years is 1.868 percent.
This year, included in their sewer bills, residents paid the authority $29.47 a month per equivalent dwelling unit. Next year, that figure will jumpto$34.70—stillonpace for the authority’s projected 2015 rate of $42.28.
“At the start, a lot of municipal officials ques- tioned us, saying that there would eventually be a huge jump,” Mr. Davis said. “So far, we’ve held true to our word.
“Hopefully, when we open the bids in January the proj- ect will cost less than the esti- mated $34 million. That will help sewer users even more.” Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

Higher rates
An increase of $5.23 per unit per month — $15.69 per quar- ter — by the Abington Regional Wastewater Authority translates to:
■ Clarks Green: $46.23 per month, a 12.7% increase
■ Clarks Summit: $48.23 per month, a 12.3% increase
■ South Abington Twp.: $135.69 per quarter, a 13% increase.

JEFFERSON TWP. - A joint work session between the Jefferson Twp. supervisors and sewer authority didn't seem to change any minds and ended after its solicitor shouted at a resident, leading a police office to escort him out of the Municipal Building through a hostile crowd.

"If people can't be civil, that's when this meeting will end," Supervisor John Patterson said at the beginning of the work session.

Throughout the meeting, supervisors and sewer authority members went back and forth with about 50 residents of Living Waters and Archbald Mountain roads. Residents complained about 26 houses being included in a $2.7 million plan that would require about 100 homes hooking up to a sewer system. Each property would pay about $3,800 in initial costs and annual fees of $600.

Jefferson Twp. supervisors have submitted the plan to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

After hearing resident and former supervisor Will Keating dispute total cost, sewer authority member Michael Hyduchak shouted at him. "I'm tired of your lying, buddy!" Mr. Hyduchak said.

Some residents pointed fingers toward sewer authority members. Authority member Carol Thomas walked out of the meeting, followed by her husband, Supervisor Paul "Jake" Thomas.

After resident Lynne Desando walked to the front of the room asking questions, sewer authority solicitor Robert A. Cecchini said he had heard enough.

"Shut up!" he shouted.

Mr. Patterson adjourned the meeting, though people continued to shout. After the meeting, Mr. Patterson said he continued to support the sewer plan sent to DEP.

NEW YORK - The State University of New York at Buffalo announced Monday that it was closing its newly formed Shale Resources and Society Institute, which was devoted to the study of hydraulic fracturing, citing "a cloud of uncertainty over its work."

The institute's first study, released in May, drew sharp criticism for being biased in favor of the oil and gas industry.

In a letter addressed to the "university community," President Satish K. Tripathi said he was closing the institute after an internal assessment that determined that it lacked "sufficient" faculty presence, that it was not consistent enough in disclosing its financial interests and that the credibility of its research was compromised because of questions over its financing.

Buffalo's decision is the most extreme response to date over criticism of academic bias in research related to the controversial natural gas drilling process commonly known as hydrofracking, or fracking. The University of Texas at Austin is conducting a similar review of a university fracking study released this year. One of the professors who fostered the study did not disclose that he was on the board of a gasoline company.

The controversies over fracking research tap into concerns in academia about the growing influence of corporate money in research especially at a time when government grants are declining.

The University at Buffalo, a major research center with the most students in the State University of New York system, came under pressure from professors, students and some SUNY trustees to close its shale institute, with a petition with more than 10,500 signatures.

The Buffalo study, issued May 15, said that state regulation in Pennsylvania had made drilling there far safer and that New York's pending rules were even more likely to ensure safety if drilling began in the state.

But a local government watchdog group, the Public Accountability Initiative, raised questions about the study's data and conclusions as well as the lack of full disclosure about its lead authors, who have also conducted other research directly for the industry.

The third author, the shale institute's co-director, John P. Martin, did planning and public relations work for the industry through JPMartin Energy Strategy in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

With Thanksgiving just two days away, the Family-to-Family food basket program is short $13,000, program coordinator Mary Lou Burne said Monday.

Still, the shortage won't prevent the organization from providing $85,000 worth of food to 15,000 people Wednesday.

"We know there are plenty of families and children out there that need to be fed," Ms. Burne said. "We will do our best to make sure no one is hungry this holiday season."

Starting Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Scranton Cultural Center, the more than 650 volunteers will hand out 3,000 baskets filled with stuffing, turkey, rolls and canned cranberries.

The fresh food allows families the opportunity to cook in the comfort of their own home, and the leftovers should last them through the weekend, Ms. Burne said.

"Our goal is to keep families together and in their home on the holiday," Ms. Burne said. "We want to give them a bounty of food - something they might not be fortunate enough to have on a regular basis."

For anyone interested in donating, checks can be made out to Family-to-Family and sent to 444 Orchard St., Scranton, PA 18505.

The program is encouraging families to donate $25, or enough to feed one family.

"I know the people in this community will rally to make up the shortage," Ms. Burne said. "We've been doing this for more than 25 years, and the bill has always gotten paid."

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE - One thousand and sixty-six former defendants in Luzerne County Juvenile Court who claim their rights were violated in the kids-for-cash case and 548 of their parents would split about $12.2 million from a proposed $17.75 million settlement with wealthy developer Robert K. Mericle, their attorneys told a federal judge Monday.

Philadelphia attorneys David S. Senoff and Sol H. Weiss, speaking on behalf of the legal team pursuing class-action claims against Mr. Mericle and other defendants, presented details of the settlement during a two-hour, 20-minute conference with Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo, who must approve the agreement.

Mr. Mericle has admitted paying $2.1 million to two former Luzerne County judges who conspired to place juveniles in two for-profit detention centers built by his construction firm.

"Robert Mericle and Mericle Construction believe this settlement is a positive step forward for this community," Mericle attorney Eric Kraeutler told Judge Caputo.

After setting aside $4.35 million for attorney's fees and $1.2 million to settle any appeals of settlement amounts by individual plaintiffs, the agreement would pay $5,000 to each of 763 plaintiffs who were incarcerated in the Mericle-built centers. Those plaintiffs would also be eligible for additional payments based on several factors, including their age at the time of incarceration, the length of their stay at one of the centers and the severity of the charges against them.

Payments of $1,000 to $5,000 would go to 197 plaintiffs who were incarcerated in other facilities, while $500 would be paid to plaintiffs sentenced to probation. More than $600,000 would be paid to 548 parents to reimburse them for fines, costs and fees levied by disgraced former juvenile court Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., who is serving 28 years in prison for racketeering and conspiracy.

The settlement includes payments to former juvenile offenders who were not sent to the Mericle-built centers on the theory that the kids-for-cash conspiracy made all of Mr. Ciavarella's juvenile court rulings suspect.

The state Supreme Court vacated each of the thousands of juvenile court rulings Mr. Ciavarella made from 2005-08, finding that he denied defendants their right to counsel, incarcerated them on minor charges and pressured juvenile probation officials to recommend incarceration over other forms of discipline.

The settlement involves only Mr. Mericle and Luzerne County, which was a defendant in the class-action suits but will pay no money. Judge Caputo ruled earlier that the county had no liability. Claims against other defendants, including the companies that own and operate the two detention centers - Pa. Child Care LLC, Western Pa. Child Care LLC and Mid-Atlantic Youth Services Corp. - remain active.

A former co-owner of the companies, Robert J. Powell, admitted to paying $770,000 to former Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Conahan, Mr. Ciavarella's onetime co-defendant, who is serving 17½ years in prison. Mr. Powell, who testified for the prosecution in Mr. Ciavarella's trial, is serving an 18-month prison sentence.

Mr. Mericle, who testified for the prosecution, pleaded guilty to failing to report a felony. His sentencing is on hold pending testimony in another case involving free renovations his construction company allegedly performed on a building owned by a former state senator.

Contact the writer: djanoski@citizensvoice.com

In Hebrew, Arabic and English, leaders of many faiths shared prayers of gratitude and generosity on Monday to start a week of community programs celebrating Thanksgiving.

The annual interfaith prayer service presented by the Scranton Area Ministerium was held at noon at St. Peter's Cathedral.

Pastors, nuns, a rabbi and an imam set a reverent tone for the week's feasts, including the Friends of the Poor's Thanksgiving dinner tonight and the Family-to-Family dinner basket distribution on Wednesday, both at the Scranton Cultural Center.

In songs and readings, they emphasized gratitude for God and people more than things.

The concept of families helping families through challenges has a basis in sacred texts, the Rev. Virginia Miner, pastor of Peckville Presbyterian Church, said during her reflection.

"Family to family works," she said, "whether it's the family of our birth and our ancestors and our descendents, or that great crowd of family called our friends and our neighbors, and even the strangers in our midst."

The service was punctuated by periods of silent reflection, songs sung by the Holy Cross High School choir and the resonant bell struck between verses of a prayer.

The Rev. David Searing, pastor of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Scranton, encouraged thanks for the region's faith leaders and the comfort they offer a community that reaches out for help.

"No matter what that hand may look like, always reach back," he said.

Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.com

Two hurt as man falls from scaffold

SCRANTON - Two workers preparing to fix a roof in West Scranton were injured Monday when one fell 30 feet off scaffolding onto the other, city police said.

Kevin Walsh, 50, of 136 S. Garfield Ave., and Greg Slack Jr., 21, of 2029 Jackson St., were taken to Geisinger Community Medical Center and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Mr. Walsh complained of back pain, Mr. Slack of knee pain, police said.

The two men were putting up scaffolding about 11 a.m. at Angel's Family Manor, an assisted living home at 218 S. Main Ave., when Mr. Walsh fell onto Mr. Slack, police said.

Peoples sees earnings growth

HALLSTEAD - Mortgage and commercial lending helped drive profit at Peoples Financial Services Corp. and earnings increased 20.5 percent over the same quarter last year to $1.9 million.

The Hallstead-based parent company of Peoples Neighborhood Bank also reported earnings per share were 72 cents, up 12 cents from the year-ago quarter.

The bank had increases in mortgage activity and commercial lending. Also, the bank was hit a year ago with a $509,000 one-time prepayment penalty for paying down debt with the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Peoples Neighborhood Bank operates 11 offices in Lackawanna, Wyoming and Susquehanna counties in Pennsylvania and Broome County, N.Y.