ESTATES FILED

Gregory Sulich, South Canaan Twp., letters of administration to Dorothy Sulich, P.O. Box 60, South Canaan.

Gertrude R. Reineke, Paupack Twp., letters testamentary to Robert L. McNally, 15 Forest Road, Murray Hill, N.J.

Marion Depompe, Lehigh Twp., letters testamentary to Rochelle Dejong, P.O. Box 1265, Greenwood Lake, N.Y.

Victoria A. Campagna, Hawley, letters testamentary to Patricia Decato, 30 Patrick Drive, LaGrangeville, N.Y., and Eugene D. Campagna Jr., 25 Kings Lane, Grove City, Pa.

Wayne W. Thalmann, Dreher Twp., letters testamentary to Lori A. Thalmann, 74 Crestmont Drive, Newfoundland.

Raymond Pardo, Mount Pleasant Twp., Richard D. Pardo, 20 S. Debaun Ave., Suffern, N.Y.

Wojciech W. Bober, aka Wojtek Bober and Wojtek W. Bober, South Canaan Twp., letters of administration to Charles A.J. Halpin III, Suite 2226, 100 S. Broad St., Philadelphia.

Eleanor R. Curyk, aka Eleanor Curyk, Honesdale, letters of administration to Daniel N. Capuano, 7 Wood St., Honesdale.

Engel U. Hoff, aka Engel Hoff, Lake Twp., letters testamentary to Edna-May Hoff, 1084 the Hideout, 2222 Highpoint Drive, Lake Ariel.

Brigitte I. Dagati, aka Brigitte Irmgard Dieckmann, Starrucca, letters of administration to Paul Dagati, 345 Starrucca Creek Road, Starrucca.

Karl Gregory Smergut, Texas Twp., letters of administration to Heidi Goyette, 77 Brook Road, Honesdale, and Heather Bannan, 48 Fernhill Drive, Hawley.

Ann M. Shaughnessy, Texas Twp., letters testamentary to Brian F. Shaughnessy, 226 Harleysville Road, Souderton, and William P. Shaughnessy, 446 Cricket Ave., Glenside.

Elsie Kathryn Strada, aka Elsie K. Strada, Salem Twp., letters testamentary to Blaine B. Strada, 108 Uban Road, Lake Ariel.

Police seek

armed robber

COOLBAUGH TWP. — The Pocono Mountain Regional Police are seeking information on an armed robber who fired shots Thursday.

Shortly after 9 p.m., police were called to the back gate of A Pocono Country Place, off Route 169, for a reported robbery, according to a news release. Police found three victims uninjured. It is not clear if anything was stolen. Police do not have a suspect.

Anyone with information should contact police at 570-895-2400.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

Man to sue bar

WILKES-BARRE — A man severely beaten in the downtown in October 2013 plans to file a lawsuit against a Main Street bar he was at prior to the assault.

Lawyers for Anthony Gipson filed notice Monday that he plans to sue Joe K’s Brew­house at 41 S. Main St.

Following an argument and several smaller altercations at the bar, a man followed Mr. Gipson nearly 100 yards from the property after some in the crowd accused him of punching a woman and stealing a cellphone, police have said. Mr. Gipson was knocked unconscious and beaten into a coma, waking up in a hospital two weeks later not knowing what happened.

Michael Anthony Mackey Jr., 28, of Blakely, faces aggravated assault charges in the case.

The Anzalone Law Office of Wilkes-Barre represents Mr. Gipson.

— BOB KALINOWSKI

Ponzi scheme charges dropped

WILKES-BARRE — Federal prosecutors ended their criminal pursuit of attorney Anthony J. Lupas.

It is clear that Mr. Lupas, 80, suffers from a deteriorating mental condition that renders him incompetent to stand trial, federal prosecutors conceded in court papers filed Monday.

U.S. Attorney Peter Smith is now asking a judge to dismiss the case against Mr. Lupas, who was accused of running a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme.

A well-known area attorney, former longtime solicitor to the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board and father of a Luzerne County judge, Mr. Lupas was charged in 2012 with 31 counts of fraud and conspiracy, accused of operating a $6 million Ponzi scheme.

U.S. District Judge Robert Mariani in November ordered Mr. Lupas into federal medical custody after determining he is not competent to stand trial on charges he defrauded scores of his clients.

Mr. Lupas was still listed as an inmate at Federal Medical Center, Butner, a medical prison for men in Granville County, N.C. on Monday night.

— BOB KALINOWSKI

Work to fix Scranton’s Rockwell Avenue Bridge, which has been closed for more than two years, should begin soon and must be completed by Oct. 14, 2015, state Department of Transportation spokesman James May said Monday.

The project can’t start soon enough for the North Scranton neighborhood that’s been cut off by the closure of the span over Leggett’s Creek near West Market Street, according to an official from the office of state Rep. Marty Flynn, D-113, Scranton.

The bridge was closed April 25, 2012, because of its crumbling condition. After some bureaucratic delays, planning procedures were completed and PennDOT last month issued to the contractor, Kriger Construction of Dickson City, a “notice to proceed” date of Aug. 20, according to PennDOT.

Mr. Flynn’s chief of staff, Thom Welby, expressed concern Monday to PennDOT that work would not necessarily begin Aug. 20. Mr. May said it’s not unusual for work to not start on the exact “notice to proceed” date.

“They don’t have to go out and start working that day. That’s the first day they can start,” Mr. May said. “They probably won’t be out there on Aug. 20. It’s very rare that a date of a notice to proceed is when the public would see anything.”

According to a project timetable provided to The Times-Tribune by Mr. Welby, the first stage involves construction of a temporary pedestrian structure and utility work, between Aug. 20 and Nov. 17. The project then would shut down for winter from Nov. 18 to March 16. Work then would resume and must be done by Oct. 14, 2015.

Because the state classifies Leggett’s Creek as a wild trout stream, any work in the water will be prohibited from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 so trout spawning is not disturbed, according to PennDOT.

Built in 1905, the crumbling stone-arch bridge had been considered dilapidated by the city and in need of major repairs or replacement for some 20 years, but funding had always been an issue. The 42-foot-wide, 36-foot-long span was closed indefinitely on April 25, 2012, when stone blocks falling out of the upstream headwall and cracks in stone support columns indicated a failure of the bridge.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

Archbald

Summer cookout: Anthony Rossi/State Rep. Kevin Haggerty summer cookout, Saturday, 1-5 p.m., Eynon Hose Company; $25, $35/family.

Blakely

Reunion meeting: Blakely High School Class of 1966 meeting, Saturday, 6 p.m., Duke’s, Main Street, Peckville; preliminary 50th anniversary reunion planning; jpilch313@gmail.com or 570-575-1730.

East Scranton

Bus trip: Scranton Technical High School Class of 1950 bus trip to Woodloch Pines Resort, Hawley, Oct. 15, leaves Cadden Brothers Beer Distributor, Luzerne Street, 3 p.m., dinner and show, 6 p.m.; $60, John, 570-342-6075.

Elmhurst

Worship service: First Presbyterian Church of Elmhurst contemporary worship service, Friday, 7 p.m., 108 Maple St., entertainment by Forgiven in the Christian Education Building.

Manchester Twp.

Open house: Equinunk Historical Society operating sawmill open house, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Duck Harbor Road, Lookout, free tours; 570-224-6722.

Olyphant

Envelope drive: Eureka Hose Company 4 annual envelope drive runs in August; information mailed; mail or drop donations at station, 717 E.Grant St., or drop at Olyphant Borough Electric Office.

Regional

Medicare counseling: St. Mary’s Villa Apprise Program Medicare Counseling, Thursday, 6 p.m., 516 St. Mary’s Villa Road, Elmhurst, differences between Medicare, supplemental and additional insurances, PACE and PACENET, Limited Income Subsidy Program and Medicare Savings Program, free; Melissa Nielsen, 570-842-7621, ext. 1443.

Application workshops: NEPA Career and College Counseling Associates workshop on completing applications, Aug. 9, 2-4 p.m., Abington Community Library, Clarks Summit; Aug. 12, 6-8 p.m., North Pocono Library, Moscow; Aug. 23, 2-4 p.m., Albright Memorial Library (Children’s Library), Scranton.

Scranton

Garden party: Greenhouse Project Laurie’s Community Garden Party fundraiser, Aug. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Jack’s Draft House, 801 Prescott Ave.; ethnic foods, appetizers from locally grown ingredients, salsa tasting, raffle baskets, cash bar; benefits sponsor Fall Harvest Day, $20/door; $15/advance at the Greenhouse Project, Nay Aug Park; Duffy Accessories, 218 Linden St.; Ruth Beauman, 570-344-9186 or garden.manager@scrantongreenhouse.org, or www.scrantongreenhouse.org.

Vendors wanted: Scranton Mini Maker Faire seeking crafters, tinkers, food vendors for Oct. 4 event, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Johnson College; applications, scrantonmakerfaire.com/call-for-makers by Aug. 15.

South Scranton

Seniors meet: Young Adults meet Thursday, 2:30 p.m., St. Paul of the Cross Parish Center, 1215 Prospect Ave.

Throop

Tax hours: Throop Tax office hours through Oct. 31: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 4:45-6:15 p.m., Saturdays (Aug. 9, 30, Sept. 13, 27, Oct. 11, 25, 10 a.m.-noon, Sept. 30 (last day to pay discount), 10 a.m.-noon, 3 -6 p.m., and Oct. 31, 5-6 p.m.

Wayne County

Community event: Tastes of Wayne County First Wednesdays, Wednesday, the Halfway House. 60 Brook Road, Honesdale, portion of proceeds benefits Wayne County Historical Society; 570-253-3240 or wchshop@ptd.net.

West Scranton

Seniors meet: Jackson Street Young at Heart Seniors meeting, Thursday, 11:30 a.m., McDade Park, bring covered dish, beverage and silverware.

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

SCRANTON — A Scranton man storing $200 in shingles with his aunt reported the roofing material as stolen during the weekend, city police said.

Jason Gilbridge, 33, told police five bundles of shingles he left on the 100 block of School Street on Saturday went missing on Sunday, acting Scranton Police Capt. Glenn Thomas said.

He tried to return the bundles to a home improvement store, but did not have a receipt and left the bundles with his aunt.

Anyone with information should contact detectives at 570-348-4139.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

Arc-NEPA honors

outstanding effort

Sara Wolff received the Arc Award when Arc-NEPA conducted its 2014 annual membership meeting and awards luncheon.

Sara was among those honored for “their outstanding efforts in helping to further Arc’s mission to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.”

Phil Rossi of East Coast Trio accepted the Extraordinary Dedication Award. Jim Baress and Sam Tomaino of the Original Black Sheep accepted the Outstanding Philanthropy Award,

Among those on hand at the Parish Center in Dunmore to congratulate them was Don Broderick, Arc’s executive director, and Arc auxiliary members, including Carol Burke, Nancy Crafferty, Ann Hoffman, Betty Moreken, Eileen Rempe and Corolla Sawka.

Super students

Ruth Casadevall of Hawley has been inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success at Stevenson University in Maryland. ... Bloomsburg University students Leonid Kukuyev of Dingmans Ferry, Lacy Marbaker of Montrose and Christopher Daniel Sullivan of Dingmans Ferry are due to participate in today’s fourth annual Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium at Geisinger Health System’s Henry Hood Center for Health Research in Danville. ... Kevin Anderson of Falls Twp. and Carissa Hart of Dunmore are on a team of students from Wilkes University collecting samples to measure carbon isotopes as research for Jeffrey Stratford, associate professor of biology, and Ned Fetcher , coordinator of Wilkes’ Institute for the Environment. Jeffrey and Ned received grants from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to study the varieties of birds, insects and mammals found on state-owned land. Kevin, a senior biology major, is the son of John and Elaine Anderson. Carissa, also a senior biology major, is the daughter of Kevin and Jean Hart.

High notes

Wayne County 4-H equestrians have been preparing for shows this summer. Members of the Giddy Up & Tally Ho clubs, run by Shirley Cmielewski at Aberdeen Stables in Madisonville, include Miranda Barr, Darlene Black, Justin Black, Maggie Buynak, Angela Kwiatkowski, Lillie Lynady, Lauren Szymanski, Carleigh Tylutke, Skylar Tylutke, Sophia Tylutke, Taylor Tylutke and Dorothy Woods. Among them, six will move on to districts at the Lake Ariel Equestrian Center on Saturday, Aug. 16. The state show is in October. The Giddy Up & Tally Hos are assisted by horse trainer Katelyn Evans and Aberdeen Stables proprietor Beverly Keller.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Jonathan Stanley Kalasinski and Lauren Marie Greenwood, both of South Abington Twp.

■ Kenneth Edward Lakes and Elizabeth Deanna Morris, both of Fairfax, Va.

■ Santina Ann Baldo, Mayfield, and Joseph Michael Meloni, Carbondale.

■ Isaac Rivera-Ramos and Savannah Rae Nourse, both of Taylor.

■ Michael Scott Leggieri and Nicole Lynn Giannetti, both of Scranton.

■ Erica Lynn English and Kristopher Charles Ganz, both of Stephens City, Va.

■ Christopher Scott Lehmann and Shelby Lee Keefer, both of Scranton.

■ George Howard Stoddard, Taylor, and Felicite-Elyette Jocelyn-Annabel-V Yaro, New York City.

■ Tiffany Hayward and Tiffany Marie Hahn, both of Hanover Twp.

■ Nicholas James Azzarelli and Amber Jean Shemelewski, both of Scranton.

■ Nikol Lori Skorec and Gregory Jerome Tischler, both of South Abington Twp.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ William J. and Donna Lee Bennie, Scranton, to Susan C. Mendez, Lackawanna County; a property at 1618 Gibson St., Scranton, for $154,000.

■ The Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, Dunmore, to Elizabeth Bizik, Middle Village, N.Y.; a property at 206 Eleanor St., Blakely, for $99,900.

■ Christopher James, individually and as executor of the estate of Milton James, and Erin James, Jefferson Twp., to Matthew J. and Ann Marie Jenkins, Clarks Summit; a property in Benton Twp., for $168,000.

■ Robert Butts, Elmhurst Twp., to Jeannette Lasher; a property at 102 Griffin Road, Elmhurst Twp., for $247,400.

■ Michael and Shari Gockley, Clarks Green, to Ross M. and Merran I. Janowski, Dalton; a property at 302 Evans St., Clarks Green, for $163,500.

■ Corey E. and Dana M. Wahlers, Dickson City, to James Abraham and Kathleen Ann Boyles, Scranton; a property at 838 Price St., Dickson City, for $99,000.

■ Joyce Coroniti, Scranton, to AKCE Properties LLC, New York City; a property at 220 Linden St., U-906, Scranton, for $127,000.

■ Fannie Mae to C3P LLC; a property at 527 Quincy Ave., Scranton, for $66,000.

■ Joan Gilvey, Lancaster, to AKCE Properties LLC, New York City; a property at 220 Linden St., Apt. 710, Scranton, for $64,900.

■ Samuel W. and Ellen M. Mundrake, Scott Twp., to AKCE Properties LLC, New York City; a property at 220 Linden St., Apt. 606, Scranton, for $100,000.

■ New Wave Properties Inc., Henryville, to Jeffrey Stout, Tunkhannock; a property at 656 Lori Drive, Archbald, for $89,040.

■ Jeffrey P. and Lori O’Malia, Clarks Summit, to Jonathan P. and Brittany D. Watt, South Abington Twp.; a property at 112 Barbara Drive, Clarks Summit, for $240,000.

■ Ann A. Durkan, Scranton, to Erica Christine Jones, Scranton; a property at 356 N. Hyde Park Ave., Scranton, for $53,000.

■ Jeffery A. and Joanne B. Betti, Florida, to Sandra M. Stepkovitch and Daniel Clarkson, Olyphant; a property in Blakely, for o$250,000.

■ Donald C. and Cynthia Sue Roe, Clarks Summit, to Anthony S. Medici Jr. and Cheryl N. Smith, Scranton; a property at 1234 Layton Road, Scott Twp., for $200,000.

■ The Rev. Francis Parmenteri, Dale and Ellen Parmenteri and David Parmenteri, Clarks Summit, to Warren and Lori Raker and Joseph and Diane Hughes, Clarks Summit; a property at 1018 Winola Road, South Abington Twp., for $155,000.

■ Carolann Graziano, executrix of the estate of Francis A. Graziano, and Mary Ann Graziano, Lackawanna County, to Terri Callaghan, Scott Twp.; a property in Scott Twp., for $111,150.

■ Linda Bednorchik, Throop, to John J. Sr. and Margaret M. Tomasovitch, Throop; a property at 433 Cypress St., Throop, for $33,000.

■ Kevin and Jacqueline Skibber, Dickson City, to Nicholas A. and Mary Patricia Ross, Dunmore; a property at 737 Cemetery St., Mayfield, for $50,000.

■ Eugene M. and Jane M. Kuchinski to Mark and Dana Monahan; a property at 401 Church St., Moosic, for $148,000.

ESTATES FILED

■ Abigail L. Zappel, 411 Varsity Drive, Throop, letters testamentary to Michael J. Zappel, same address.

■ Richard C. Krapf, 442 Hickory St., Peckville, letters testamentary to Wendy K. Mol, 284 Holly St., Olyphant, and Richard D. Krapf, 15 Granger St., Canandaigua, N.Y.

■ Elizabeth Korona, 303 Luzerne St., Scranton, letters of administration to Eleanor Lisiak, 1189 Lakeland Drive, Scott Twp.

■ Shirley Ilnicki, 205 Jackson St., Olyphant, letters of administration to Edward Ilnicki, 122 Jessup Ave., Jessup.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ Judy Moran, Dickson City, v. Daniel Moran, Pittston; married Feb. 14, 1981, in Clarks Summit; pro se.

■ Heather E. Finnerty, Scranton, v. Kevin James Finnerty Jr., Greentown; married July 28, 2012, in Throop; pro se.

■ Hau Tran, Old Forge, v. Le Tran, Wilkes-Barre; married Jan. 7, 2004; Jamie A. Dench, attorney.

■ Charles Sleyo Jr., Dunmore, v. Ann Sleyo, Sweet Valley; married Sept. 25, 1999, in Luzerne County; Dawn M. Riccardo, attorney.

FEDERAL TAX LIENS

■ Carl Yaklic, 43 Garfield Ave., Carbondale; $13,151,92.

■ Andrew S. Butsko, 127 Northpoint Drive, Olyphant; $87,388.36.

■ Mark Tolerico, 35 Jefferson St., Simpson; $4,306.03.

■ Robert A. Caramanno, 1105 S. Main Ave., Scranton; $3,041.12.

■ James B. McNulty, 3271 Oak Ave., Scranton; $5,678.15.

■ Timothy J. and Danielle Lee, 410 E. Main St., Dalton; $3,745.04.

■ John Todd O’Malley, P.O. Box 391, Waverly; $72,421.75.

STATE TAX LIENS

■ Joshua A. Smith, 201 Woodcrest Drive, P.O. Box 1, Roaring Brook Twp.; $11,887.45.

■ Alex S. Hedderick, 609 Sixth St., Moosic; $894.25.

■ Edward B. Battenberg, 641 N. Irving Ave., Scranton; $678.60.

LAWSUIT

■ Joel and Kathleen Touseull, Madisonville Twp., v. Fionnula Theresa Rutherford, 217 Pinyon Lane, Coppell, Texas, seeking in excess of the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas arbitration limits on two counts, for injuries suffered in an automobile crash on Route 6 on June 28, 2013; Joseph G. Price, attorney.

ONLINE:

thetimes-tribune.com/courts

Lackawanna County has some simple advice for concert-goers and others thinking about walking up or down Montage Mountain Road.

Don’t do it.

After a man was hit by a vehicle late Saturday after leaving the Rockstar Mayhem Festival at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain, county officials renewed a plea for the public to avoid walking along the road until the new pedestrian trail now under construction is completed.

That applies not just to people going to or from concerts but to those who use the road for recreational walking or jogging, Commissioner Corey O’Brien said.

“We would urge everyone not to walk on that road until it is safe, until there is a walking trail there,”

Mr. O’Brien said. “We encourage people to resist the temptation of walking there. It’s a dangerous road with people driving faster than they should.”

Matthew Sheerin, 26, of Scranton, was walking down Montage Mountain Road near Alpine Drive on Saturday about 11:10 p.m. when he ran into the path of a vehicle driven by Tracy Woodall, 37, of Pittston, Moosic Police Officer James Giehl said. He suffered facial injuries and a broken leg.

Ms. Woodall, who was on her way to the pavilion to pick up her son, is not expected to face charges, Officer Giehl said Monday.

“We’re always telling people to be cautious,” Officer Giehl said. “At the end of the day, you have to be more cautious, whether you’re going up or coming down the mountain.”

The crash happened near where a Dunmore man was struck by a vehicle and fatally injured after leaving a concert last August, which prompted the county to look at the feasibility of building a walkway along Montage Mountain Road.

Construction began in May on a $310,000 pedestrian and bicycle trail from PNC Field to the pavilion. When the project is complete, guard rails will separate the 7-

foot-wide trail from the traffic lanes.

County workers have finished most of the paving, but existing traffic lane markings must be removed and new lines painted before the guard rails can be installed, county spokesman Joe D’Arienzo said. The county hopes to have all the work done by the end of the summer.

In a related matter, county and Moosic borough officials met last week after questions arose about the use of the former Rocky Glen Park site for overflow parking for concerts. Mr. O’Brien said it came down to a communication issue.

Borough council President Joseph Mercatili said the borough participated in the meeting to “get a plan everybody could be aware of” to address the traffic and pedestrian issues in the area.

“We feel that our residents are not being protected properly,” he said. “The borough of Moosic should be part of these plans.”

He said many residents on Glenmaura Drive, a development near the concert venue, complain about concert-goers walking through their yards to get to the Rocky Glen parking area.

Contact the writers:

dsingleton@timesshamrock.com; sscinto@timesshamrock.com

State police at Hazleton found $2.4 million in drugs in a suitcase stashed in the vehicle of a Pittsburgh man Saturday morning.

When two troopers attempted to stop a speeding vehicle on Interstate 80 westbound around 5:25 a.m. in Dennison Twp., the driver put on a chase. Rashod R. Clark, 38, turned onto Route 309, ditched the car at a gas station and fled on foot. Troopers eventually caught him.

Mr. Clark, who had about $2,000 on him, said he was trafficking a “suitcase full of heroin,” troopers said.

The suitcase found in his vehicle’s trunk had 48 blocks of 50 bricks of suspected heroin. Each brick contained 50 individual bags.

The heroin has a market value of $20 per bag in Pittsburgh, Mr. Clark told troopers, leaving troopers to estimate the total value of the seized drugs at $2.4 million.

State police charged him with manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver, among others.

He was jailed in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Contact the writer:

achristman@standardspeaker.com

Prosecutors could seek the death penalty for a Jermyn man charged with the fatal beating of a baby boy.

Eddie Frank Widdick, 23, was formally arraigned Monday on first- and third-degree murder, aggravated assault and other charges before Magisterial District Judge Sean McGraw.

Mr. Widdick has been in the Lackawanna County Prison since March, charged with assaulting Ashley Nelson’s 10-month-old son, Silas Sorak, at her Olyphant home.

Mr. Widdick called Ms. Nelson, his girlfriend, on March 26 to say that the baby was not “breathing right” and that he “didn’t do it.”

Seven minutes later, he called 911.

He told police he waited to call because he was afraid he would “get in trouble.”

Mr. Widdick first told police that the baby fell, but later admitted dropping Silas down a flight of steps. He also said he was forceful while placing the infant in a crib, squeezing the baby’s torso and hitting the child’s head. He explained that he was angry at other children in the home.

Silas died at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville on March 28, two days after Mr. Widdick’s arrest.

Forensic pathologist Barbara Boilinger ruled the manner of death as homicide, following an autopsy. Dr. Boilinger found brain injuries, rib fractures, hemorrhages in both eyes, bruises and other injuries.

Deputy District Attorney Jennifer McCambridge said the age of the baby was an aggravating factor, which makes seeking the death penalty an option.

“It’s certainly something that we will consider,” she said.

The six other children who lived in the home, including Silas’ twin sister, are being cared for in protective custody while the investigation continues. Five children under the age of 13 had bruising as well. No charges have been filed against Ms. Nelson.

“We don’t believe that mom had any involvement in Silas’ injuries,” Ms. McCambridge said.

Mr. Widdick remains in the Lackawanna County Prison without bail.

Contact the writer:

rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

A life member of the Covington Independent Fire Company and role model to its members died Sunday while crossing a road near his house on an all-terrain vehicle.

Paul Wonders, 48, collided with a Subaru on Route 435 in Covington Twp. shortly before 6 p.m. He died about an hour later at Geisinger Community Medical Center, Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland said. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

“As of right now it appears the ATV was crossing the road when he pulled out in front of the vehicle,” said Covington Twp. Police Officer Brian Leadem, who is investigating the crash.

Police say the Subaru, driven by Ronald Luzasky and occupied by his wife, Catherine Luzasky, tried to swerve out of the way. Mr. Wonders collided with the passenger side. Mrs. Luzasky, suffered minor injuries, Officer Leadem said.

She was taken to Geisinger Community Medical Center, then treated and released, hospital spokeswoman Westyn Hinchey said. It does not appear alcohol played a role in the crash.

Mr. Wonders’ death has left a hole in the company he has been a part of for more than 20 years, department President Chett Havenstrite said.

“He was always the guy you could talk to,” Mr. Havenstrite said. “He never brought you down. He was always there to help you, definitely a very good

person.”

Mr. Wonders enjoyed being outdoors riding his ATV or motorcycle. At the Fire Department, Mr. Wonders was considered a role model for younger members. He was frequently a confidant for everything from firefighting questions to personal strife.

“It’s like you lose a family member,” Mr. Havenstrite said. “It’s just like losing a brother.”

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com;

@jkohutTT on Twitter

Lackawanna County West Nile program coordinator Michael Chisdock knew it would only be a matter of time.

The county has reported its first positive test result for the West Nile virus of 2014: a mosquito collected July 21 in Scranton’s East Mountain section.

“I was waiting for one to come back positive,” Mr. Chisdock said Monday. “It’s about that time of year.”

Lackawanna joins 29 other counties, the vast majority in the eastern half of the commonwealth, where the virus has been detected this year, according to the state’s West Nile Virus Control Program website. Nearly all have been in mosquito samples; no human cases have been reported.

The mid-July emergence of mosquitoes testing positive is typical for the county, with activity usually picking up in August, Mr. Chisdock said.

In 2013, the county had its first positive — actually, two of them — in mosquito samples collected July 8 in Mayfield and Archbald. By the end of the season, there were 19 positives reported.

Mr. Chisdock collects 17 samples each week at various locations. He said he will increase surveillance within a 2-mile radius of the East Mountain collection site “to see if there is anything else going on” but stressed there is no cause for alarm.

“People should just take the usual precautions,” he said. “Put on repellent if you are going to be out and mosquitoes are active.”

The West Nile Virus Control Program said the best defense against mosquitoes that spread the virus is denying them a place to breed. It recommends that people dispose of or regularly empty containers and other items around their homes where water can accumulate and stagnate.

Contact the writer:

dsingleton@timesshamrock.com

Pittston Area hires 4 more employees

YATESVILLE — The Pittston Area school district hired four employees on Tuesday night.

The school board unanimously appointed Aryanna Engelman as an art teacher.

Amanda Knowles was appointed as a special education teacher. The board also named Joseph Warunek as a part-time custodial employee and Brian Pesotine as a maintenance mechanic. Salaries for all four were not available Tuesday.

Board president Anthony Guariglia, Ph.D., said all four employees had been recommended by the district’s administration.

— SARAH SCINTO

A hearing was postponed Monday for a man who traveled from Tennessee to Scranton to have sex with a 14-year-old girl.

A new date for Joshih Bobb’s preliminary hearing has not been scheduled.

Scranton and Dunmore police arrested the Houston, Texas, man last month, charging him with statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors, concealment of the whereabouts of a child, and other charges.

Mr. Bobb, 25, who initially identified himself as Brent Morgan, told police he took a bus from Tennessee to Scranton to meet his girlfriend, whom he met online. He was referring to a 14-year-old Scranton girl who had been missing for several days.

She was reported missing on July 21. She had some contact with her family through Facebook, saying she did not want to come home.

She then sent messages saying she was cold and didn’t know where she was on July 23 and July 24.

The girl said Mr. Bobb said he was 17 years old and the two met through Facebook. He had sex with her and told her that “love was stronger than family,” suggesting she move to Texas with him.

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

Contact the writer:

rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

An investment group including two men who specialize in conversion of urban and industrial buildings for housing purchased a former manufacturing facility in Scranton for $2 million.

Dixon Ave LLC bought the vacant Daron Northeast plant in the Green Ridge section from a Clarks Summit realty company, according to paperwork filed with the Lackawanna County recorder of deeds office.

The corporation includes Art Russo, a Scranton building contractor and developer, and John Basalyga, a developer from Roaring Brook Twp.

“We’re very excited about the Dickson Avenue project, and we think it has great potential for the city,” the developers said in a statement.

Plans for the nine-acre site were not revealed.

The property includes a 149,000-square-foot structure and potential parking for hundreds of vehicles and about five acres of open space for potential development.

Daron Northeast, which manufactures architectural and masonry products, relocated to Archbald in 2009 and 2010 after residents of the Green Ridge neighborhood complained for years about truck traffic, dust and noise.

Daron bought the former Eureka printing plant site at Electric Street and Dickson Avenue in 2001 for $126,000 from the Scranton Redevelopment Authority, which acquired it through condemnation.

Daron invested more than $6 million in the Green Ridge plant but drew fire from nearby residents shortly after its opening in 2003. It had been for sale since 2010.

James Keisling, an owner at Daron Northeast and an officer of the realty company

that sold the former plant, said the developers have a successful track record and Mr. Russo’s projects have improved numerous properties.

“I’m sure they have a real good idea what is going to happen” at the former plant, Mr. Keisling said. “I wish them well.”

Mr. Russo, who declined to discuss plans for the site, has invested heavily in downtown residential development. He has apartment projects under way at the Bittenbender Building on Franklin Avenue, which once housed Whistles Pub and Eatery, and at 324-26 Penn Ave., location of the former Penguin Lounge.

Mr. Basalyga’s developments include loft-style housing at the former Moscow train station and the conversion of a former silk mill in Olyphant into apartments. His company currently is constructing apartments at a former Dickson City textile plant.

Contact the writer: jhaggerty@timesshamrock.com

FACTORYVILLE — A 64-year-old Meshoppen man accused of assaulting a 14-year-old girl earlier this year is headed to trial.

Larry Allen Bauer of Fairview Street is charged with corruption of minors and indecent assault. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday before Magisterial District Judge David Plummer in Factoryville.

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

According to a police complaint, there was inappropriate messages sent by Mr. Bauer to the teen’s cell phone over the past two months.

On July 28, the teen met with Meshoppen Police Chief John E. Krieg and said Mr. Bauer had been kissing and fondling her on a daily basis for the last two months.

She also stated that Mr. Bauer asked her to send him inappropriate pictures, which she did.

He has been in the Wyoming County jail since July 27 for lack of $50,000 bail.

On Tuesday his attorney, Jair Novajosky, asked for a reduction of bail to $25,000, which prosecutor Jeff Mitchell opposed. Judge Plummer denied the request.

Mr. Bauer will be arraigned in the Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 5.

Contact the writer:

blopes@wcexaminer.com

It was Mike Marino’s turn to play the bad guy.

The Scranton K-9 Police Officer donned a thick, protective jacket and pants that protected his body when he was attacked and bitten by a police dog at a demonstration Tuesday for the Scranton Police Department’s National Night Out.

In between commands to find objects hidden in the grass and get the “bad guy,” the officers played with the furry beasts as a reward for good listening.

“All our dogs live at home with us,” K-9 Police Officer Robert Stelmack told a crowd of about 100 sitting on a hill outside Scranton High School as dark clouds and whipping winds threatened. “They’re members of our family.”

Through the Night Out event, which also featured a bouncy house, free food and an American Red Cross robot that tried to talk to shy kids, the department is trying to replicate that harmony with the community.

Scranton Police have been holding the event for more than a decade, Chief Carl Graziano said, and aim to strengthen the bond between residents and the department into a unified force and open up lines of communication.

“If someone sees that you care, that their complaints are being heard, then it’s something where they want to jump on that wagon, they want to be part of it,” the chief said.

Several neighborhood watches set up booths at the event to introduce themselves to residents, recruit members and gather

information.

Mayor Bill Courtright and state Rep. Marty Flynn D-113, Scranton, also

attended.

Contact the writer:

pcameron@timesshamrock.com, @pcameronTT on Twitter

At least 8,500 rural people in Northeast Pennsylvania live within a mile of a state salt stockpile, the kind of facility that contaminated groundwater in Covington Twp., a Times-Tribune investigation found.

That’s an estimate of the number of people with private water wells who live within a mile of one of these stockpiles. The pile in Covington Twp. contaminated at least a dozen private water wells because of poor environmental practices that ended in the 1980s.

The state Department of Transportation shared a list of stockpiles in its District 4 region, which includes Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

The Times-Tribune mapped those sites using Google Earth to verify they are used for salt storage, then used an online tool on FreeDemographics.com that linked with 2010 U.S. Census data to find the population in a 1-mile radius of each stockpile.

More than 61,000 people live within a mile of a stockpile, but many of these are in urban areas where residents are connected to a water utility. Eliminating those with 1,000 or more people in a mile radius leaves an estimated 8,500 people who depend on private water wells.

This does not include salt storage by local cities, townships and boroughs.

In Covington Twp., PennDOT stored salt in an open container until 1986. Salty runoff eventually migrated to groundwater and into private wells.

The state Department of Environmental Protection began investigating resident complaints in 2008, spokeswoman Colleen Connolly said. It has investigated around 100 similar incidents over 20 to 25 years involving governments and private contractors, she said.

One major PennDOT salt pile incident in the early 2000s led to an investigation of 37 properties in Mt. Cobb, she said. PennDOT had to pay for a new water line to affected residents.

DEP began working with PennDOT in the 1990s to ensure salt piles are covered, Ms. Connolly said.

PennDOT’s practices have improved to the point where five of its Luzerne County stockpiles were among those recognized for “Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting” in 2013 by industry trade group the Salt Institute in February.

Lori Roman, the institute’s president, said that means they had to meet a checklist of environmental and safety goals, with independent verification by institute staff sometime within the past five years.

“Over the years, departments of transportation have ... done a fantastic job of improving salt storage techniques and salt application techniques on the road, ensuring they don’t use more salt than they need to but enough to keep people safe,” she said.

But because groundwater can move so slowly through rock, the environmental errors of the past have come back to haunt Covington Twp. residents on Route 307.

As it infiltrated the ground, the salt moved slowly, PennDOT’s environmental coordinator for maintenance John Pfeiffer said. The hydrology was complicated because of two layers of water-bearing rock connected by fractures, he said. Samples of private water wells have showed various trends in salt concentrations over the years. Some have plateaued, and the residences closest to the stockpile are seeing a downward trend, he said.

PennDOT plans to purchase homes and one business in the area in three phases, he said. In the first phase, it will purchase and demolish four homes and an auto repair shop and build a park-and-ride lot. In the second phase, it plans to purchase three homes, he said. The third phase is “more of a monitoring situation,” he said. PennDOT has not determined if it will make more offers after the first two phases. It wants to reach a mutually-agreeable solution with the owners, he said.

To keep watch for legacy contamination, PennDOT samples groundwater monitoring wells regularly at many of its stockpiles, he said.

Private well owners should also keep watch for salt and any other sources of contamination, Dallas-based independent geologist Brian Oram said.

“One of the interesting things about groundwater is it takes a long time to naturally move,” he said. It might be 10, 20 or 30 years before contamination shows up in a private well, he said.

Stockpiles aren’t the only source of potential road salt contamination, he said. Well owners should also be wary if they live near a road with frequent, heavy salt application.

Wells with salt problems would show high chloride, alkalinity and conductivity with low hardness, he said.

“For 20 years, I’ve been trying to get homeowners to look around their homes and get their water tested at least annually based on what’s around them,” said Mr. Oram, owner of B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. and chairman of the nonprofit Keystone Clean Water Team, which provides information and support for private well owners. The group offers basic test kits and information through its website, Pacleanwater.org.

Contact the writer:

bgibbons@timesshamrock.com, @bgibbonsTT on Twitter

The operators of a halfway house for recovering substance abusers filed a federal lawsuit against Scranton, accusing city officials of illegally shutting down the property as a “drug house” after a guest at the facility overdosed.

The city violated the operators’ rights when it condemned the home at 1701 Linden St. and evicted its seven residents without providing the owners the opportunity to challenge the action, says Steven Polin of Washington, D.C., attorney for Oxford House Inc. and Chris and Rob Properties LLC.

City officials condemned the home on May 14 after emergency medical crews responded there for a report of a drug overdose, according to the suit filed Monday. Police officers on scene conducted a warrantless search and discovered narcotics in a room of a resident, who was arrested.

The suit states that the condemnation was based on an ordinance that allows the city to condemn any rental property if the owner or occupant had “implied or actual knowledge” of drug activity or was convicted of selling drugs from the

property.

Contacted Tuesday, Police Chief Carl Graziano said he could not comment on specific allegations in the lawsuit. Speaking generally, he said the ordinance in question has been on the books for several years and gives the city the right to close down any property where there is evidence drugs are being sold.

Mr. Polin questioned how police made that determination as there are no allegations of drug sales at the property.

“All they did was find drugs in one bedroom,” Mr. Polin said in a phone interview. “They find drugs in a house and they deem it a drug house? What about other properties? If someone is charged with possession of marijuana, are they going to close their house down as being a drug house?”

The suit states the property had been used as a halfway house for recovering alcoholics and drug users who were discharged from the criminal justice system. It is among several facilities Oxford House, which leased the property from Chris and Rob Properties, operates through a contract it signed with the state in 2012.

Mr. Polin said his clients were given no chance to challenge the closure before the city shut off electricity to the property, forcing the residents to move elsewhere. Since their eviction, five of the seven men have relapsed into addiction, he said.

“There was no due process. You have a right to a hearing as to what constitutes a drug house. They can’t just go and pull the power meter if they feel like it,” he said.

The suit alleges the city’s action violated the federal Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act by denying housing to recovering addicts. It seeks an injunction forbidding the city from interfering with the home’s operations, as well as compensatory damages for loss of income.

Attempts to reach city solicitor Jason Shrive for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com

Accused contractor waives hearing

SCRANTON — A Taylor contractor accused of stealing more than $33,700 in services from 22 people waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Joseph Senese, 32, 514 Grove St., was charged last month with home improvement fraud for accepting payments to perform work, but never following through on the projects.

The fraud stretches back to 2012. The result was shoddy, incomplete and needed to be redone when Mr. Senese did show up to work, police said.

Mr. Senese remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $35,000 bail.

A formal arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 19.

— JOSEPH KOHUT