HARRISBURG - A Republican state senator is preparing legislation to ban use by municipalities of complex financial transactions known as "swaps" and provide tighter state oversight of municipal debt in response to a fiscal crisis in the city of Harrisburg.

Sen. Mike Folmer, R-48, Lebanon, plans to introduce the legislation in the new session that starts in January. He said the bills will affect municipalities across the state.

The ban would close a financing mechanism know as interest-rate swap agreements first made available to municipalities under a 2003 state law.

In addition to the swaps ban, Mr. Folmer wants to give the state Department of Community and Economic Development stricter criteria under the Local Government Debt Unit Act for approval of a municipal debt financing that is "self-liquidating" through steady revenue from, for example, parking fees.

He proposes to add criminal penalties for officials filing false certifications that municipal debt is self- liquidating.

DCED certifies about 1,000 municipal debt financing plans annually to determine if they are self-liquidating, but this is mainly a legal review to ensure debt statements and other documents are in order.

The senator is also preparing a bill to amend the state Sewer Rental Act to require formal justifications for sewer rates and charges.

Mr. Folmer wants a special prosecutor appointed to investigate how a massive $300 million debt tied to Harrisburg's trash incinerator has pushed that city to the brink of bankruptcy.

A forensic audit has raised questions about how bonds issued to meet new federal environmental standards piled up the debt.

"I want to ensure the flaws, weaknesses and mistakes that cause these financial problems will not be replicated in other municipalities across the state," added Mr. Folmer.

Mr. Folmer participated in hearings this fall by the Senate Local Government Committee on municipal debt issues highlighted by the Harrisburg incinerator debt.

Now he is moving on his own ahead of a bipartisan effort by panel chairman John Eichelberger, R-30, Hollidaysburg, and ranking Democrat John Blake, D-22, Archbald; to develop legislation to provide more taxpayer protection against "irresponsible debt" as Mr. Blake described it.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

WILKES-BARRE

"Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro whipped the audience into a Christmas confectionery frenzy Friday at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts.

The master pastry chef demonstrated his cake artistry techniques and gave his creations away during the "Homemade for the Holidays" tour stop.

Mr. Valastro also shared traditions and stories from his family and their business, Carlo's Bake Shop in Hoboken, N.J.

Mr. Valastro stars in TLC's reality television "Cake Boss," revolving around his work at the bakery. He also hosts a competitive baking show, "Next Great Baker," which premiered last month on TLC. He greeted the audience as he walked through the theater to the stage, where he used a T-shirt gun to give away the first prizes of the night.

"You make me feel like a rock star up here," he said.

He talked the audience through several of his decorations, including icing an easy Santa Claus cake and using fondant for holiday-themed treats.

"These are something you could totally do at home," he said as he iced a cupcake. "… put a little green in the middle and you have a poinsettia. Bada bing, bada boom. I'm going to show you how to do it Hoboken style, baby!"

His daughter, Sophia, helped her dad guide audience members through several competitions to win his cakes, from a Hula Hoop contest to a family contest reminiscent of "Double Dare," which required a family member to squeeze icing into a pie crust, only using their posterior.

The most memorable competitor award goes to the father who won a cake, not for his ability to capture a ball in a cup on a contraption around his waist, but for his enthusiastic dance to PSY's "Gangnam Style."

As he decorated, Mr. Valastro also answered questions submitted by audience members - most about baking, but also one about the availability of the cameraman recording his decorating onstage.

"I believe he's single. Wink, wink," he said.

Mr. Valastro also told the audience about what's coming up on the show, as well as his new bakeries opening in Ridgewood, N.J., and Times Square in New York City. He plans to open another somewhere in Pennsylvania within a year, he said.

Contact the writer: kgaydos@citizensvoice.com

Police: Student brandished knife

SCRANTON - City police said a classmate's challenge to fight prompted a 13-year-old Northeast Intermediate School student to pull a knife in school Thursday.

Acting police Capt. Glen Thomas said a classmate was laughing at the 13-year-old boy, then challenged him to a fight while in the school's auditorium.

The 13-year-old then pulled out a 2-inch pocketknife and said, "I'm not afraid to stab you," Capt. Thomas said. The other student then backed away.

The 13-year-old was arrested on charges of terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, reckless endangerment and possession of a weapon on school property.

Three arrested after traffic stop

TOBYHANNA TWP. - Three people were arrested in a heroin trafficking bust after a traffic stop in Monroe County on Thursday.

Danielle Mitchell, 27, of Mount Pocono, was pulled over on Route 940 in Pocono Summit for speeding and careless driving. Further investigation revealed she was under the influence of heroin and prescription medication, police said.

Ms. Mitchell and passenger Jasmine Ackerman, 33, of Cresco, were returning from a drug run in New Jersey and had 170 bags of heroin, police said. Both women face drug possession charges related to the incident. A second passenger, Benjamin Farah, 22, no address given, was arrested after police found him in possession of a small amount of marijuana.

All three were arrested and placed in Monroe County Correctional Facility pending arraignment on the charges.

It was hard. It was challenging. Not everyone made it.

But after walking across the stage and receiving his Lackawanna College Police Academy diploma, Cadet Tyler Watson knew the hours he poured into training was worth it.

"It was a long 785 hours," Mr. Watson of Lewisburg said. "I feel very accomplished. We all followed our dreams to get here."

Mr. Watson, the class president, and eight other cadets from Hazleton Class 205 graduated from the college's police academy Friday night in front of cheering family and friends in Mellow Theater.

Academy Director Dan Duffy said the cadets met the standards laid before them by the municipal officer training program.

"They aren't given these certificates. They earn it," Mr. Duffy said.

Graduates included James Baptiste of Freeland; Brandon J. Cohick of Coal Twp.; Jennifer L. Dempsey of Weatherly; Ryan J. Engle of Ringtown; Tori L. Harrison of Bloomsburg; John C. Kaczmarczyk of Mahanoy City; Philip J. Mainiero of West Hazleton and Rhonda A. Paisley of Drifton.

Mr. Kaczmarczyk won the driving and high scholastics awards, while Mr. Watson took home the firearms award.

Mr. Duffy and the police academy also awarded a Lifetime Service Award plaque to former state police officer and "living legend" Gerald Tallo, who served as a trooper from 1951-1986 and also served as an instructor at Lackawanna College Police Academy from 1975-2005.

Hazleton Class 205 also adopted Philadelphia Police Department Highway Patrol Sgt. Patrick McDonald as their class's fallen officer. Sgt. McDonald was killed in the line of duty in 2008 when a traffic stop turned into chase, where he was ultimately shot and killed by the suspect.

Mr. Duffy said the class would carry Sgt. McDonald's memory on through their dedicated service and good police work.

"Understand that when you get hired at a police department, you're serving for others, too," he said.

Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter

Blakely

Club meeting/film: Blakely High's Papa Bear Club meeting, Monday, 6 p.m., Bombay Cafe, Main Street, Archbald, showing film of the last championship game of Blakely and Mount Carmel high schools in 1968, pizza and refreshments served.

Clarks Summit

Santa breakfast: All-you-can-eat breakfast with Santa, Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon, Clarks Summit Fire Company 1 Inc., 321 Bedford St., $8/adults and $5/children.

Clifford Twp.

Christmas party: Clifford Twp. Volunteer Fire Company children's Christmas party, Sunday, 3 p.m., fire hall, featuring Jo Jo the Clown and a visit from Santa.

Dickson City

Church concert: Dickson City Primitive Methodist Church Senior Choir cantata "Bethlehem's Child," Sunday, 11 a.m., Lincoln and Jackson streets; luncheon, visit from Santa follow.

Christmas bingo: St. Mary's Special Christmas Bingo Monday, doors open, 4:30 p.m., early bird, 6:40; bingo, 7, Bingo Hall, Dundaff, Scott, and Carmalt streets, handicap accessible; kitchen open at 4:30, homemade pizza at 7:30; more than $2,000.00 in extra door prizes.

Dunmore

Wreath laying: Friends of the Forgotten, National Wreath Laying Day, today, 1 p.m., Mount Carmel Cemetery, 745 O'Neill Highway; honoring Vietnam veteran Army SP4 Karl Rynearson, who died Nov. 1, 1967; nepa.friendsoftheforgotten.org.

Eynon/Archbald

Lions meet: Eynon/Archbald Lions Club meeting, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Wild Cat Saloon, Sturges; agenda: Snowflake Gala to be held Jan. 12, 6 p.m., Fiorelli's, Peckville, $70; hors d'oeuvres, open bar, dinner, entertainment by Top Shelf; tickets: Lisa, 351-5649, Joanne, 650-1017 or members.

Honesdale

Artisans' market: Holiday Artisans' Market, Dec. 16, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., the Cooperage, 1030 Main St.; jewelry, toys, home decorations, candles, teas, children's books, food, Anthill Kitchen serving lunch and snacks, live music, photos with Santa, noon-3 p.m., www.thecooperageproject.com or 253-2020.

Jermyn

Bread sale: St. Michael's Ortho­dox Church, Thanksgiving bread sale, Wednesday, noon-4 p.m., church center, 403 Delaware St.; plain/$4.50, raisin/$5; orders, 876-1456, by Monday.

Mayfield

Santa visit: Santa and Mrs. Claus, accompanied by the Fire Department, distributing treats to children, today, 4 p.m., beginning on the west side of the borough and continue until all streets have been visited, parents of ill or homebound children, 499-7595 before 1 p.m. to schedule an in-home visit.

Olyphant

Fund drive: Liberty Fire Department annual fund drive under way, mail donations to Fire Department, 820 N. Valley Ave., Olyphant, PA 18447.

Roaring Brook Twp.

Breakfast buffet: All-you-can-eat buffet breakfast, Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Eulalia's parish hall, 214 Blue Shutters Road.

Scranton

Community supper: Myrtle Street United Methodist Church, free community supper, Monday, 6:30 p.m., fellowship hall, 840 Harrison Ave.; open to public.

South Scranton

Community dinner: St. Paul's United Methodist Church free community dinner, today, 4:30-6:30 p.m., church hall, Birch Street and Prospect Avenue.

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

The bang of the gavel still stirs him.

And, for Senior U.S. District Judge William J. Nealon, his passion for the law will never recede.

Fifty years ago today, Judge Nealon officially entered the ranks of the federal judiciary as a district judge in Scranton.

President John F. Kennedy appointed him to the post in 1962.

He is now the longest-serving judge in the history of the 3rd U.S. Judicial Circuit, a jurisdiction that includes district courts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and the Virgin Islands. He surpassed Willard Hall, who was appointed to the U.S. District of Delaware by President James Monroe in 1823 and served until 1871.

He is also the third-longest-serving judge still sitting in the federal court system.

The 89-year-old jurist still heads to work at the federal building in the city, which happens to be named after him, and continues to take on cases.

"I love the law," Judge Nealon said in an interview this week. "I'm not as productive as I once was, but I try to do my share."

Born in Scranton on July 31, 1923, Judge Nealon was the first member of his family to become a lawyer, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics from Villanova University in 1947 and earning his law degree from Catholic University in 1950.

He came from humble, working-class roots - his father drove a bread truck for Spaulding Bakery and his mother was a nurse, said his son, Lackawanna County Judge Terrence R. Nealon.

"For me, he's been the consummate role model, always led by example, and demonstrated the importance of honestly, fairness, hard work, and treating everyone with respect and courtesy," his son said.

After practicing law locally for several years, he began his judicial career as a county judge in 1960.

Along the way during his up-and-coming career as a young lawyer and judge, he credited the kindness of others who helped him get to where he is today.

A county employee let him use a library room in the courthouse at no cost to meet clients because he had little money to rent his own office.

Trying to disguise his predicament, he would tell clients that he would happen to be in the library at a certain time, so they should just meet there to discuss their case, he said.

Later as a county judge, he had one man before him, accused of armed-robbery, that he felt would one day commit a much more heinous and ruthless act. He had an "evil look in his eyes," the judge said of George Banks, who at the time in 1961 was 19 and accused of shooting a bartender in South Scranton.

"You're going to have to be watched," the judge recalled thinking at the time, a premonition that the young man would walk the dark path of crime.

Twenty-one years later, Mr. Banks killed 13 people in Wilkes-Barre and Jenkins Twp., including five of his own children.

He is now in state prison.

In one of his most publicized cases as a federal judge, he ruled to allow student-initiated prayer meetings at a Williamsport public high school, despite arguments that providing space for those meetings would violate Supreme Court decisions on the separation of church and state.

The U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals reversed his decision, but it was later reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court. "My ruling was predicated on deprivation of access," Judge Nealon said.

Why should some after-school student groups be allowed to use school space, when other groups, like the Bible reading club, be denied just because of their religious affiliation? he asked.

One of Judge Nealon's federal law clerks would much later become a 3rd Circuit judge, Thomas I. Vanaskie.

They were also colleagues, serving together as district judges in Scranton.

"He certainly taught me the value of hard work," said Judge Vanaskie, "and he taught me the value of family and friendship."

And, Judge Nealon helped him shape his legal acumen, he said, turning him into a better thinker and writer. Both qualities serve him well on the Philadelphia-based appellate court, he added, because he often has to deconstruct arcane legal arguments and craft opinions affirming or reversing district court decisions.

Judge Nealon and his wife, Jean, have been married for 65 years. They raised 10 children, and have 27 grandchildren and 10 great-grand-children.

"His family has always been the center of the universe," said his son, Terrance, who presides over cases at the county courthouse across the street from the William J. Nealon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse.

"And what really provides him with the greatest joy are the personal and professional successes of his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren," he said. Judge Nealon said he has no plans to retire.

"My public life, I was very fortunate," Judge Nealon said. "I had a lot of good people who supported me and stuck with me all the time. Now, I'm 89 and I'll be 90 in July, ... but I still manage to move around."

Contact the writer: smcconnell@timesshamrock.com, @smcconnellTT on TwitterJudge William J. Nealon Timeline

Jan. 1951 -- William Nealon is admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar.

Jan. 1960 -- Atty Nealon is appointed to the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas.

Dec. 13, 1962 - - Judge William Nealon is appointed to be a United States Court judge in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Dec. 15, 1962 -- Judge William Nealon is sworn in as a United States Court judge in the Middle District of Pennsylvania by Chief Federal Judge Michael Sheridan in a ceremony at the Federal Courthouse in Scranton.

1964 -- Judge Nealon ruled that pinball machines seized in a raid on a Scranton restaurant should be considered gambling devices. He found that the games were designed "so that their play may deliver or entitle the person playing to receive cash or merchandise." The ruling, the first of its kind, was affirmed by the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

1970 -- Judge Nealon ruled that police in York did not follow a pattern of racism and physical abuse during citywide race riots, nor did he believe the Police Department tolerated or espoused such attitudes. The plaintiffs in the case were asking the court to order the Police Department to write new regulations and be monitored by a newly appointed police supervisor who would report back to the court.Judge Nealon denied the request. That decision was affirmed by the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

n In 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Judge Nealon's ruling stating that a Moose Lodge in Harrisburg violated the civil rights of K. Leroy Irvis, the first black speaker of the state House of Representatives, when it denied him service because of his race. Judge Nealon declared the organization's liquor license invalid as long as it continued to discriminate because discrimination was a violation of the 14th Amendment. In overturning that ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that the Moose Lodge can withhold service to anyone it wants because it is a private club.

1975 -- Judge Nealon is honored with the Americanism Award by Amos Lodge, B'nai B'rith, Scranton.

1983 -- Judge Nealon ruled to allow student-initiated prayer meetings at a Williamsport public high school despite the defendants' contention that providing space for those meetings would violate Supreme Court decisions on separation of church and state. His decision was reversed by the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals but later reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court.

1985 -- Judge Nealon presided over the investment-fraud cause of the E.F. Hutton brokerage house. The company ultimately pleaded guilty to 2,000 counts of fraud that had cost about 400 financial institution billions of dollars. The case was the first of large-scale financial scandals in the 1980s, and Judge Nealon openly criticized the Department of Justice for not prosecuting Hutton executives individually. When the case ended with a plea agreement, Judge Nealon required Hutton President Scott Pierce, the brother-in-law of then-Vice President George H.W. Bush, to enter the pleas on behalf of his company.

1989 -- Judge Nealon takes senior judge status.

1991 -- while sitting by designation on the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Nealon wrote an opinion that set aside the prison sentence in a criminal case because prosecutors had violated the plea agreement by making comments during the sentencing that could be construed as a recommendation. Under the plea agreement, though, prosecutors had agreed to make no specific recommendation. Judge Nealon's opinion put prosecutors on notice that they must abide by plea agreement terms without the slightest deviation or face reversal on appeal.

1997 -- Judge Nealon ruled that a prison inmate suing for money damages after an alleged beating by corrections officers was still required to exhaust administrative remedies, even though the state's inmate grievance process could not provide him with any money award. Both the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the decision.

1999 -- The federal building in Scranton is renamed William J. Nealon Federal Building and United States Courthouse. The renaming took place after a construction of new building and renovations to the original building.

Nov 2008 -- WVIA-TV premiered a documentary on Judge Nealon. The documentary is entitled "Judge William J. Nealon: At the Heart of it All."

Sept 2010 -- Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. presents Judge Nealon with the Department of Justice Medallion of Service.

July 2011 -- Judge Nealon becomes the longest-serving district judge in the history of the 3rd Circuit, having been on the bench for 48 years and eight months.

Nov. 2011 - Judge Nealon was honored with the 2011 Professionalism Award for the U.S. Third Circuit at the the American Inns of Court Celebration of Excellence.

Detention escape

A story in Friday's edition incorrectly reported the day a 15-year-old boy escaped from the Lackawanna County Juvenile Detention Center. The boy, who was apprehended late Wednesday, escaped from the facility on Sunday, police confirmed.

Day care center ordered to close

STROUD TWP. - The state Department of Public Welfare has ordered the day care center where a child died earlier this year to close after a failed inspection.

A 3-month-old boy was found unresponsive at Thompson Family Day Care in late November though the death was not considered suspicious at the time.

The state DPW later inspected the facility and found several violations, including children sleeping on beds with cats and car seats beside them.

The department revoked the facility's registration. It now has 30 days to appeal the decision or it will close, said DPW spokeswoman Donna Morgan.

Appointments to board challenged

WILKES-BARRE - Luzerne County's top prosecutor Friday filed a court action challenging the validity of three appointments to the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority board.

District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said an investigation found the appointments of authority board members William D. Falls, Douglas J. Ayers and Kevin J. O'Brien violated either the panel's articles of incorporation or the county charter.

If a judge upholds the action, which is akin to a civil lawsuit, Mr. Falls, Mr. Ayers and Mr. O'Brien will be removed from the board.

Ms. Salavantis said she initiated the action after being approached by several county officials. She emphasized the action did not arise from any wrongdoing by Mr. Falls, Mr. Ayers and Mr. O'Brien.

Medical students exceed average

SCRANTON - For the second consecutive year, students at the Commonwealth Medical College exceeded the national pass rate for Step I of the United States Medical Licensing Examination.

Ninety-eight percent of TCMC third-year students, compared with 96 percent of all U.S. and Canadian first-time test takers, passed the exam as reported January through Oct. 3.

The first step of the exam assesses whether medical students can apply concepts of the basic sciences to the practice of medicine and can demonstrate a foundation for the safe and competent practice of medicine.

Car stolen from city's Hill Section

SCRANTON - City police are looking for a car that was stolen in the Hill Section on Thursday.

Michael Rossi, 69, noticed Thursday morning that his white Ford Fusion was missing from its parking space in front of his home at 807 Clay Ave., acting police Capt. Glen Thomas said.

The vehicle's license plate number is HNH4654.

Anyone with information is asked to contact city police at 348-4134.

BOWEN, ROBERT R., Scranton, Thursday, Jacob Davis Funeral Home, Taylor, by the Rev. Donald Roberts, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, Taylor. Pallbearers: Bill Bowen, Randy, Justin and Jessica Gipe; Christopher Shuman and Mark McCandless. Interment, Milwaukee Cemetery.

CERRA, JOSEPH F. "RED" JR., Kingsley, 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. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill. Condolences: parisefuneralhome.com.

COLANGELO, DOMENICK W., Elizabethtown, formerly of Belvidere, N.J., Mass, Dec. 27, 11 a.m., St. Patrick R.C. Church, 327 Greenwich St., Belvidere. Interment, St. Patrick Cemetery, Belvidere. Calling hours, Dec. 26, 4 to 8 p.m., MacFadden Funeral Home, 325 Hardwick St., Belvidere. Condolences: macfadden funeralhome.com. Contributions: Belvidere Lions Club or Norwescap.

DELONTI, LUCY, Eynon, today, James M. Margotta Funeral Home, 1019 Main St., Peckville. Mass, 10 a.m., Christ the King Parish, St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Interment, St. Thomas Cemetery, Archbald. Condolences: margotta funeralhomes.com.

DEROSA, LOUISE F., Waymart, today, 11 a.m., New Hope Church, 349 Buckingham Road, Honesdale. Contributions: Healing Rooms at New Hope Church, 349 Buckingham Road, Honesdale, PA 18431. Condolences: teetersfu neralchapel.com. Arrangements: Teeters' Funeral Chapel, 505 Church St., Hawley.

DUNIO, CATHERINE, resident of St. Mary's Villa Nursing Home, Elmhurst Twp., formerly of Scranton, Friday, Mass, St. Clare's Church, Scranton, by Monsignor William Feldcamp. Pallbearers: John, Joseph and Michael Dunio, sons; Matthew and James Dunio, grandsons; and Shawn Corcoran. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Msocow.

DWYER, MERLE BAMBACH, Venice, Fla., originally of Scranton, today, 10 a.m., Yurkanin Funeral Home, 1115 Main St., Dickson City. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst.

EDWARDS, PATRICIA, formerly of Clifton Twp., private. Arrangements: Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Condolences: kearneyfuneralhome.com.

FOGARTY, DANIEL THOMAS, Clarks Summit, Mass, today, 9 a.m., Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit, by Monsignor James McGarry, pastor, and the Rev. Robert McLaughlin, great-nephew. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Arrangements: Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411. Memorials: Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. Condolences: lawrenceey oungfuneralhome.com.

GAETANO, ANTHONY J., Jefferson Twp., Mass, Monday, 11 a.m., St. Eulalia's Church, 214 Blue Shutters Road, Roaring Brook Twp. Go directly to the church. Interment with military honors, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Calling hours Sunday, 2 to 6 p.m., Duffy & Snowdon Funeral Home, 401 Church St., Moscow. Contributions: American Legion Post 579 Baseball Fund, 111 Church St., Moscow, PA 18444.

GARRITY, MARGARET M. "PEG," Doylestown, Mass, today, 10 a.m., Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 235 E. State St., Doylestown. Interment, private. Calling hours, 9:15 to 10 a.m., church. Contributions: donor's choice. Condolences: varcoe thomasfuneralhome.com.

HENDRICKS, EDWARD J., Simpson, private. Arrangements, Brennan & Brennan Funeral Home Inc., 55 Lincoln Ave., Carbondale. Condolences: brennanfuneral homes.com.

HORGER, ULRICH PETER, Taylor, today, 11 a.m., Jacob Davis Funeral Home, 422 S. Main St., Taylor, by the Rev. Donald Roberts, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, Taylor. Interment, Abington Hills Cemetery. Contributions: Commonwealth Medical College, 525 Pine St., Scranton, PA 18509.

JESSE, NINA, Tunkhannock, Sunday, noon, home of her son, Edward Jr., 162 Jenkins Lane, Tunkhannock. Arrangements: Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Condolences: kearneyfuneralhome.com.

KEKLAK, JULIA, Clifford Twp., today, Joseph W. Scotchlas Funeral Home Inc., 621 Main St., Simpson. Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m., SS. Peter & Paul Greek Catholic Church, Rittenhouse Street, Simpson, by the Rev. Myron Myronyuk, pastor. Interment, Union Dale Cemetery. Condolences: scotchlasfuneralhome.com.

KOVAL, LEO A., Greenwood section of Moosic, Monday, 9:45 a.m., Semian Funeral Home, 704 Union St., Taylor. Mass, 10:30 a.m., Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis St., Scranton, by the Rev. Francis Pauselli. Interment with military honors, St. Mary Czestchowa Cemetery, Greenwood. Calling hours Sunday, 3 to 6 p.m. Condolences: semiancares.com.

KRZYKWA, STANLEY J., Dickson City, today, 9:30 a.m., Frank T. Mazur Funeral Home Inc., 601 Dundaff St., Dickson City. Mass, 10, St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City. Entombment, St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum, Dickson City. Condolences: mazur funeralhome.com.

LAHOTSKI, JOHN W., Peckville, memorial, later date. Contributions: Northeast Autism Center, 1401 Mulberry St., Scranton, PA 18510. Arrangements: Vanston and James Funeral Home.

LOSCIG, MARGARET, Honesdale, today, noon, Hessling Funeral Home Inc., 428 Main St., Honesdale. Cremation follows. Calling hours today, 10 to service time. Condolences: www.hessling funeralhome.com.

MEGARGLE, JOYCE E., St. Mary's Villa Residence, formerly of Scranton, today, 10:30 a.m., Vanston and James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton, by the Rev. Betty Reilly. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Callling hours, 9 a.m. until service. Contributions: Myrtle Street United Methodist Church, 840 Harrison Ave., Scranton, PA 18510. Condolences: vanstonandjames.com.

MINELLA, VITO DOMNICK, Duryea, today, noon, Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of West Pittston, 317 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston, by Pastor Don Strope of the church and Assistant Pastor Jeremy Mullen, Trinity Congregational Church. Contributions: Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of West Pittston, 317 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston, PA 18643. Arrangements: Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home Inc., 728 Main St., Avoca. Condolences: bestlifetributes.com.

MOON, JAMES OLIVER, Nicholson, today, 1 p.m., Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit. Interment, private, Mount Bethel Cemetery, Justus. Calling hours, today, noon to 1. Contributions: Dalton Food Pantry, c/o Abington Ecumenical Ministerial, P.O. Box 125, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. Condolences: jenningscalvey.com.

NATISHAK, VIOLET, Mayfield, Friday, Ryczak-Harrison Funeral Home Inc., Mayfield, by the Rev. Christopher Sahd and Deacon Edward Kelly. Mass, Christ the King Parish, St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, Eynon. Pallbearers: Justin Burns, Michael, Nicholas and David Natishak; Jeremy and Matt Alfano; and Bob Ashwell, all grandsons. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill.

ORLOSKI, WILLIAM, Scranton, today, 11:30 a.m., Sacred Hearts Cemetery Chapel, Davis Street, Scranton, by the Rev. Scott P. Sterowski, pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Parish. Interment with military honors, Sacred Hearts Cemetery, Minooka section of Scranton. Arrangements: Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, South Scranton.

PETERS, LEE J., formerly of Nanticoke, Monday, Mass, 10 a.m., Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Twp. Calling hours Monday, 9:30 to 10 a.m., church. Arrangements: Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit. Contributions: Luzerne County Historical Society, 49 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. Condolences: jenningscalvey.com.

PHILLIPS, CATHERINE E., Scranton, today, 9:45 a.m., Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1240 St. Ann's St., Scranton. Mass, 10, St. Ann's Basilica. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery. Calling hours, today, 8:45 to 9:45 a.m.

PITONIAK, VIVIAN, Olyphant, today, Mass, 9:30 a.m., Queen of Angels Parish at St. Michael's Church, Jessup. Interment, Valley View Memorial Park, Montdale. Arrangements: Robert E. Decker Funeral Home, 702 River St., Peckville.

PRICE, SHARON LORENE, Scranton, today, 1 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 1132 S. Main Ave., Scranton. Family will receive friends after the service. Contributions: Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. Arrangements: Sznyter Funeral Home, 1101 Prospect Ave., Scranton.

SELAND, LIZBETH A., Honesdale, Mass, Monday, 10 a.m., St. Mary Magdalen Church in Honesdale. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery. Calling hours Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m., Hessling Funeral Home Inc., 428 Main St., Honesdale. Condolences: www.hesslingfuneralhome.com.

SINKAUS, JOSEPH A., Scranton, Mass, today, 10 a.m., St. Patrick's Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery. Calling hours today, 9 to 10, church. Contributions: American Red Cross, 545 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510-2486. Condolnces: millerbeanfh.com.

SMITH, SISTER M. VIRGILIUS, I.H.M., Tuesday, 11 a.m., Mass, Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton. Viewing, Monday, 3 to 6 p.m., Our Lady of Peace Residence. Prayer service, 4 p.m. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Contributions: IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.

STRUGALA, ROSALIE M., Scott Twp., Friday, Mass, St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, by Monsignor Patrick Pratico. Pallbearers: Ted Strugala Jr., Michael and Erica Budzinski; Glenn Brecht, and Christopher Smiegel. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery, Dickson City.

SYMONS, SPENCER KENWOOD, Houston, private. Calling hours, today, 2 to 4 p.m., Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Contributions: for Spencer's daughter, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411.

TALARICO, DEUENNA "HONEY," formerly of Scranton and Throop, today, 10 a.m., John F. Glinsky Funeral Home, 445 Sanderson St., Throop, by the Rev. Jon Eastwood. Interment, Union Cemetery, Peckville. Condolences: jfglinskyfuneralhome@gmail.com.

VENESKI, JOHN "SHOES," Scranton, private. Interment, Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. No public calling hours. Contributions: Philadelphia Shriners Children's Hospital, c/o Irem Shrine Center, P.O. Box 307, Dallas, PA 18612-0307; or donor's favorite charity. Condolences: millerbeanfh.com.

WALSH, DOROTHY, West Scranton, Friday, Mass, St. Lucy's Church, Scranton, by the Rev. Samuel Ferretti. Pallbearers: Christopher Mazzucca Jr., Kenneth and Joseph Pehanick Jr.; Joseph and John Zimmie; and Joseph Arcurie Sr. Honorary Pallbearer: Christopher Mazzucca Sr. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery.

WRIGHT, DAVID J., Remsen, N.Y., formerly of Fleetville, private memorial service, later date. Interment, Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly. Arrangements: Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home. Condolences: law renceeyoungfuneralhome.com.

YALINSKY, JOHN A., Eynon, today, Mass, noon, St. Mary's Church, Eynon. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill. Arrangements: Louis M. Margotta Funeral Home. Condolences: margottafuneral home.com.

Two pounds lighter than her birth weight, covered in a fungal rash caused by lack of hygiene and afflicted with nearly a dozen fractured ribs.

That is what four months of her parents' care did to the infant daughter of Emanuel Lyons, 24, and Nadine Rosa, 24, both of South Side, according to charges filed Thursday against the couple by city police.

The investigation began in April, when Ms. Rosa brought her 4-month-old daughter to Regional Hospital of Scranton for treatment of the rash.

Lackawanna County Children and Youth Services contacted city police Detective Vince Uher when it became clear that not only had an apparent lack of hygiene caused the rash but the child weighed 2 pounds less than her birth weight and appeared to have two broken ribs.

As the investigation unfolded, Detective Uher learned that after the child's first checkup 11 days after her December 2011 birth, Ms. Rosa failed to bring the child in for several scheduled doctor visits, according to the complaint.

In March, the child was brought to the hospital for an illness and, before discharging the child, doctors took X-rays.

When Detective Uher contacted the hospital regarding the March 16 visit after the investigation began in April, officials informed him that upon re-examining the X-rays ,it appeared the child had fractured ribs when the X-rays were taken.

By the time Ms. Rosa brought the child in to the hospital in April the 4-month-old had suffered a total of 11 rib fractures, further inspection of X-rays revealed, authorities said.

In an interview with police in April, Ms. Rosa said that typically Mr. Lyons watched the child while she worked.

She denied claims that her child was not fed or bathed properly but did admit that on one occasion she came home from work to find her daughter crying and the child's father unwilling to help take care of her.

Angry over this, Ms. Rosa squeezed the child, who then began to cry more. Asked to describe the severity of the squeezing on a scale of one to 10, Ms. Rosa said five, according to the complaint.

On Friday, Mr. Lyons and Ms. Rosa were arraigned on charges of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. Ms. Rosa was also charged with aggravated assault and simple assault.

City police attributed the delay in charging the couple to the examination of medical records as well as other aspects of the investigation.

Ms. Rosa was taken to the Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail which she later posted and Mr. Lyons was remanded to the prison in lieu of $15,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Dec. 19.

Contact the writer: domalley@timesshamrock.com, @domalleytt on Twitter

With the tragedy of the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., rattling students, parents and educators around the nation, local experts and school districts spoke about their plans for dealing with the potential for emotional and psychological stress in local students.

Be sure to monitor what your children see with the inundation of information through a 24-hour news cycle and a saturation of information in social media, said Ann Cook, a child trauma therapy coordinator with Marley's Mission.

"Limit children's exposure to media. The more they see, the more they're going to ask, 'Can this happen to me?' " said Ms. Cook, a Connecticut native, who grew up not far from Newtown.

Parents should plan ahead for questions their children might ask after the high-profile shooting. After an event with the amount of coverage this received, it's likely children may have some idea what happened or at least picked up on the emotions, she said.

"It's tough to know what to say as a parent," said Karen Bierman, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Penn State. "It was a terrible and unpredictable thing. Most parents are pretty distressed themselves."

With so many questions and answers hard to find, parents can still offer support to their children and explain what happened in terms they can understand.

"This person made a terrible, terrible mistake. There's no reason to do what he did. What he did was wrong. Clarify for kids this was the wrong thing to do. That's a message they can translate to their own life," Dr. Bierman said. "Talk to a parent or adult, someone who can help sort it out."

Ms. Cook suggests being open and honest with children but says to be sure to keep the conversation age-appropriate and within their scope of comprehension. Check in with how they are feeling and calm fears and sleep loss by talking rationally about the unlikeliness of the situation.

Most importantly, reassure the child they are loved and safe, she said.

The same goes for students who might be nervous about returning to a school environment.

Abington Heights Superintendent Michael Mahon, Ph.D., said the main message when students return Monday will be that they should feel safe and comfortable at school.

"First and foremost, as horrific as this tragedy is, we have to remind our students tens of thousands of children went to school today and were fine. Our elementary schools are a safe place," he said.

Scranton Superintendent Bill King agreed and said his district would be reviewing security measures, evacuation plans and safety precautions.

"We're going to have to sit down as a group on Monday and talk to kids about tragedies such as this. One thing we want to do is assure those kids that … we're working hard for their health, safety and welfare," he said.

Educators should encourage students to use counseling resources if they feel affected by the shooting, said Scranton High School counselor Sue Sileo.

She and her colleagues gathered Friday afternoon to discuss how to bridge the situation with students.

"Be alert and triage any of our students who come in and are affected by the news they are hearing," she said.

She recommended parents do the same thing at home with their young students. As parents, be sure to allow open discussions about the issue, but be sure not to give children more than they are capable of dealing with.

"Don't hide it. Let them drive the discussion. Let them engage and drive. Let them ask the questions, and answer them on a need to know basis," she said.

BILL WELLOCK, staff writer, contributed to this story.

Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter

A panel of judges hearing Scranton's request for a 1 percent commuter tax were surprised Friday by a new estimate submitted by the city showing the tax would actually generate more money than initially thought.

The judges - Lackawanna County Judges Terrence Nealon and Robert Mazzoni and visiting Pike County Judge Harold Thomson - at times also were confused by city witnesses' differing explanations of their revised estimates of how much revenue a commuter tax would generate next year. Judge Nealon also expressed dismay that the new figures show the city would go beyond merely balancing its 2013 budget with a commuter tax and generate a surplus.

The city initially estimated - based on a 2010 study - that a 1 percent nonresident earned-income tax on people who work in the city but live elsewhere would generate $2.5 million next year and a minimum of $4 million in each of 2014 and 2015, with the difference attributed to getting the tax up and running in the first year. That study was done by the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development, for the city's Act 47 coordinator, Pennsylvania Economy League.

However, new, more comprehensive information was received Wednesday by the city from the firm that collects the city's earned-income taxes, Berkheimer Tax Administrator Inc. Its report listed the municipalities of taxpayers employed in Scranton during the second quarter of 2012, the total number of taxpayers and earnings by municipality, and total tax withheld by employers.

A PEL analysis of the data showed the city actually would stand to gain some $6.7 million a year with a 1 percent commuter tax, although it would probably only be around $4 million next year because of the first-year lag, PEL Executive Director Gerald Cross testified Friday.

Judge Nealon said, "If we approve 1 percent (commuter tax), we wouldn't be closing that (budget gap), we'd be closing that and piling on top of it."

"You'd be following the recovery plan under Act 47," Mr. Cross said. "The way you're defining the target is different than the way we were looking at it."

Mr. Cross said the city's revised Act 47 recovery plan, which was adopted in August and calls for a commuter tax, contemplates long-term stability and that building a "fund-balance" surplus if possible would be in the city's best interest. If the city generated more in a commuter tax than first anticipated, the surplus would be rolled over for use in the following year to help the city recover, he said. That's the point of a commuter tax - otherwise it wouldn't exist under state law, Mr. Cross said. Furthermore, if the city received $4 million next year instead of $2.5 million, that would be helpful in securing borrowing that the city will need next year, Mr. Cross added.

Judge Nealon was skeptical and said the "Serafini" requirements - a more rigorous three-pronged test legislated in 1996 to create more hurdles for the city to obtain court approval for a commuter tax - do not say to create a surplus.

Though the hearing and testimony began Tuesday and initially concluded Wednesday, the judges kept the record open until Friday to give the city time to submit additional information, including its 2013 budget, which was adopted by council Thursday and signed by the mayor Friday, and other budgetary items.

The judges also had asked on Wednesday for the city to supply the rationale and underlying figures of how it determined that a 1 percent commuter tax would generate $4 million. That resulted in the revised revenue estimate and more than two hours of additional testimony Friday by Mr. Cross and city Business Administrator Ryan McGowan.

At one point, Judge Nealon asked the other two judges if they understood the explanations.

"I'm not getting it," Judge Mazzoni said. "I don't understand these numbers."

Administration solicitor Paul Kelly also contradicted his own witness - Mr. McGowan - regarding one of his answers about earned-income tax, and told the judges that the issue is confusing and Mr. Cross would be able to better explain the matter.

Armand Olivetti, attorney for commuter-tax opponents, said after the hearing, "I think the testimony you heard today suggests just how confused everybody is about what the city is asking for."

Mr. Kelly also argued that the judges have discretion to allow a commuter tax of less than 1 percent, but the judges disagreed.

"We either grant the petition or we deny it," Judge Nealon said. "It's not our role to grant it for less."

Mr. Kelly declined to comment after the hearing, saying it would not be appropriate because a ruling is pending.

As for the judge's questioning of the new, higher revenue estimate, Mr. Olivetti said, "I think that has just cut the wrong way with the judges."

Judge Nealon said a ruling likely would be made before the end of next week.

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com

The father of an 8-month-old West Scranton boy found dead in August has been charged for smoking marijuana and sleeping in bed with the infant before his death, then moving the body afterward.

Reginald Rollins, 25, was "highly intoxicated" on marijuana when he fell asleep in bed with his 8-month-old son beside him on Aug. 3, city police said.

When he woke up and found the child deceased, Mr. Rollins picked up the body and put him in a crib to make it appear the child had died there, police said. The cause of death was asphyxia, caused by Mr. Rollins rolling over on the child in his sleep accidentally, Scranton police Detective Vince Uher said.

City police said Mr. Rollins admitted doing so because he "was afraid that he would get in trouble for the baby's death," according to a news release prepared by Detective Uher, who investigated the death.

Mr. Rollins - who was already in Lackawanna County Prison on two bench warrants - was charged Friday with endangering the welfare of children, reckless endangering another person and tampering with physical evidence.

Contact the writer: domalley@timesshamrock.com, @domalleyTT on Twitter

Moosic police said Charles "Tiny" Bray asked a female friend for a ride early Thursday and, after she picked him up, proceeded to grab her by the throat, rape, stab and threaten to kill her and her family if she told anyone.

Police responded to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital to speak with a woman who said she'd been raped and stabbed by a Scranton man she called "Tiny," whom police later identified as Mr. Bray.

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

The woman told police Mr. Bray, 42, 1840 N. Main Ave., called just after 12:30 a.m. while she was at a friend's house in Wilkes-Barre and asked her for a ride to his mother's in Scranton. On the way to the city, he told the woman to pull off Interstate 81 at the Moosic exit so he could pick up clothes from a friend's house.

Mr. Bray then directed the woman to an open lot near Moosic Heights Mobile Home Park. He got out of the vehicle, opened the rear driver's side door, put a knife to the woman's neck and strangled her by wrapping his hand around her neck, police said.

Mr. Bray told the woman, "If you do what I say, you won't get hurt," then instructed her to take her clothes off and get in the back of the car, according to the complaint.

The man then demanded the woman have sex with him, police said.

At one point, while she was being raped, the woman said Mr. Bray became very angry and stabbed her in the back, according to the complaint.

When she tried to move away, Mr. Bray told her to continue to do what he said and he wouldn't stab her any more, according to the complaint.

When the woman asked why Mr. Bray was doing this to her, she told police he said, "For three years I tried to be with you, but you blew me off, so it's your fault," then called her a "tease."

Mr. Bray proceeded to drive to the Sunoco gas station at 234 S. Main Ave. in Scranton, where he discarded the bloody knife into a flower pot, purchased $20 worth of gas, and bought an Arizona iced tea and asked for some napkins, which he put on the woman's wound, according to the complaint.

Mr. Bray drove the two back to Wilkes-Barre, where he pulled over on Loomis Street, got out of the vehicle and told the woman, "If you tell anyone, I will kill you, your family and kids," and said he had a gun, she told police.

The woman drove to the home of a friend, who took her to the hospital. She was later released after getting five staples in her back for her stab wound, according to the complaint.

A search of the vehicle the woman was driving revealed bloody napkins, a bloody blanket and blood-stained washcloths, police said. They also recovered the bloody knife from the gas station.

A police query into Mr. Bray revealed he'd been arrested in the region for drug-related charges and failure to comply with Megan's Law registration, and that he'd been previously arrested for rape in New York City.

Mr. Bray was charged with criminal attempt to commit homicide, rape, kidnapping, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats and related charges.

He was arrested Friday in Wilkes-Barre and taken to the Moosic police station. He was taken to the Lackawanna County Central Processing Center on Friday night, police said. Arraignment and bail information for Mr. Bray were unavailable Friday night.

Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter

DUNMORE MIDDLE SCHOOL

GRADE 8

Distinguished honors: Ahmed Alanazi, Gina Bernotsky, Erika Bistran, Noah Blasko, Maxwell Borgia, Sarah Cantarella, Ryan Carey, Thomas Carroll, Ryan Choa, Kathleen Coar, Patrick Conway, Cameron Coyer, Kyle Delhagen, Mark DeLuccie, Brianna Frable, Colin Holmes, Timothy Hopkins, Kathleen Klatt, Stephanie Kolodzieski, Matthew Kosack, Cory Lawless, Justine Lim, Daniel Lopatka, KC King Lorilla, Nicolette Lucas, Nina MacClean, Maryse Madrazo, Nicholas Maldonato, Madeline Martin, Olivia Miller, Marisa Moraski, Alexander Murray, Elizabeth Nolen, Grace Nolen, Justin Occhipinti, Emily Pavlowski, Cessna Pendon, Taylor Ruane, Alec Sabia, Nico Summa, Gina Tallo, Vanessa Vinskofski and Jordan White.

Honors: Razan Alanazi, Helena Albert, Matthew Cadden, Jeremy Clouse, Noah Cogliette, Summer Czekaj, Michael Dougherty, Thomas Ferrario, Ashley Fischetti, Shawn Gaetano, Joseph Galenas, Andrew Kirby, Mark Lavelle, Nicholas Lawler, Julia Lowe, Nicholas Maceyko, Tyler Marchese, Nicole Marzzacco, Logan McCoy, Tessa McDonald, Mark McHale, Joseph Pinto, Kacie Posten, Allison Talarico and Matthew Taylor.

GRADE 7

Distinguished honors: Kaitlyn Andrews, Alyssa Bielinski, Maria Borgia, Lauren Brown, Mary Katherine Cadden, Anna Chiaro, Anthony Costanzo, Tia Coyer, Shannon Czekaj, Gavin Darcy, Tessa Davis, Sean Dempsey, Gianna DiPietro, Samantha Domzalski, Dylan Dunda, Daniel Edwards, Alexa Fangio, Nathan Fangio, Joseph Ferguson, Mark Finan, Thomas Griffiths, Richard Grippi, Sam Hanni, Robert Kennedy, Jordan Lavelle, Gerard Longo, Ethan MacDonald, Aislinn McDonald, Brian McKitish, Elizabeth McNeff, Michael Muracco, Christopher Murray, Noah O'Malley, Londyn Occhipinti, Maren Oprisko, Marley Palmere, Braiden Palmiter, Sean Pietruszkiewicz, Kelly Quinn, Sean Rogan, Joseph Schmidt, Emma Tigue, John Tulaney, Luke Yanisko and Jakob Yanochik.

Honors: Daniela Alunni, Rita Aronica, Cecelia Barchak, Mackenzie Black, Dakota Chesla, John Culkin, Matthew Culkin, Frank Damiano, Amanda Delhagen, Salvatore DePrimo, Brianna Engle, Luke Gratkowski, Keyrah Mallory, Mia Mandarano, William Meade, Allie Meyers, Marlena Pegula, Lauren Pichiarella, Jerry Sanchez, Christian Schlesser, Joseph Talutto, Matthew Valunas and Joseph Williams.

ABINGTON HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

Allison M. Abdalla, Brandon J. Addeo, Sean R. Albright, Jake G. Arnold, Doaa H. Atamna, Marc A. Balzani, Jason S. Bamford, Emily L. Barrett, Grayson D. Basalyga, Madeline M. Belknap, Natalie H. Belknap, Brianna Benson, Heather M. Bloom, Michelle M. Bohenek, Ellen K. Brown, Jacob A. Brown, Kelsey J. Brown, Celine A. Brunetti, Joseph M. Brutico, Matthew T. Bruzzano, Troy M. Bunnell, Margaret R. Carter, Sierra N. Caswell, Paul A. Cheng, Peter J. Cheng, Melianie A. Coles, Patrick Conahan, Gerald R. Connor, Sean M. Conway, Sean P. Corcoran, Cali M. Crapella, Emily P. Davis, Taylor E. Davis, Alexandra E. DeQueiroz, Samantha Dench, Colleen M. Devine, Ryan M. Devine, Jennifer A. Drazba, Evan Eckersley, James C. Egan, Paige N. Eisenlohr, Kevin C. Elwell, Rachel L. Ezrin, Kasey M. Feather, Megan E. Fellows, Christian J. Ferreira, Connor J. Fialko, Andrew J. Fiegleman, Gina R. Fiore, Ryan J. Fiorillo, William P. Fitzgerald, Steven R. Floyd, Tara Foley, Heidi J. Frantz, John L. Fruehan, Kristie J. Furiosi, David A. Galaydick, Rebecca A. Gervais, Shomik N. Ghosh, Maria B. Gibson, Rhiannon M. Gray, Matthew J. Gronsky, Patrick J. Haggerty, Lindsey A. Hannigan, Katrina A. Helcoski, Kory P. Helcoski, Cassidy R. Henry, Jamie C. Henzes, Kellan E. Hirschler, Max H. Hollander, Geoffrey M. Hoyt, Peter G. Hubbard, Mary C. Jakes, Victoria E. Jeschke, Thomas E. Jubon, Martha K. Kairis, Mohamed Kasim, Ryan J. Kiernan, Paige L. Kinney, Rebekah K. Kisser, Brynn L. Kizer, Corryn B. Klien, Kaylee R. Kline, Kyle R. Kocsis, Jason D. Kohn, Alicia K. Kohut, Nicholas A. Kremp, Ryan J. Kresge, Jessica A. Kurey, Holly L. LaCapra, Josephine R. LaCoe, Claire P. Lakatos, Patrick J. Lange, Ellen A. Leightcap, Andrew R. Leister, Richard C. Lenahan, Alicia A. Lesneski, Ariana S. Lomeo, James E. Lowe, Nicole K. Madensky, Chloe N. Maloney, Abigail M. Mappes, Joseph M. Marciano, Christian J. Mazur, Courtney L. McCreary, Casey L. McDermott Katherine M. McDonald, Jessica L. McMinn, Madeline Z. McNichols, Andres Medina, Anthony T. Mercuri, Christopher A. Michaels, Laura B. Moeller, Laine M. Murphy, Thomas J. Murray, Emma K. Musto, Sarah Myers, Celeste Neary, Paige K. Neidrich, Kelsey M. O'Donnell, Jacob O'Leary, Kacey E. Olver, Amelia Oon, Lucas B. Ortiz, Caleb J. Overholser, Rachel L. Owens, Monica L. Pacyna, Gina M. Palmiter, Maitri S. Pancholy, Sarah J. Parkinson, Brittany C. Parry, Dante D. Pasqualichio, Dillan Patel, Ryan J. Patrick, Zackary J. Peercy, Neil D. Petersen, Matthew P. Pettinato, Michael G. Pettinato, Melissa M. Pierre, Amy E. Pisanchyn, Faith O. Purdy, Alexandra M. Pusateri, Hannah Radkiewicz, Nathan J. Ratchford, Laura E. Regula, Demi N. Richardson, Sarah C. Richardson, Kenneth M. Rink, Jake A. Roba, Jean M. Robacker, Katherine G. Rosencrance, Taylor Ross, Danielle R. Rothka, Thomas J. Ryder, Daniel C. Schlosser, Tyler A. Sebastianelli, Kierstyn D. Selig, Morgan A. Seymour, Steven A. Shields, Kiana L. Sladicki, Joshua F. Slocum, Sarah A. Sopinski, Cole E. Srebro, Nicole A. Stefko, Bethany M. Stevens, Brooke A. Storms, Madison V. Strony, Dante L. Surace, Zachary D. Sutter, Mary E. Swift, William G. Swisher, Zackary N. Tamimi, Irene Torresani, Panagiotis C. Tsaklas, Thomas D. Twiss, Krysta L. VanDeinse, Bradley M. Wagner, Eric M. Washo, Stacey C. Watkins, Meredith E. Westington, Amy S. Wolsiffer and Zachary L. Yahn.

GRADE 11

Lauren M. Archbald, Grace M. Arnold, Danielle Barrasse, Brittany S. Barrows, Sebastian Barry, Sarah Beamish, Cierra Beck, Sierra D. Berardelli, Erika L. Beyrent, Noah Bianchi, Kyle Blasi, Kyle Bormann, Krista A. Brickel, Samuel D. Brock, Sarah Brouillard, Gabriel Brutico, Mikaela Brutico, Salvatore M. Bulzoni, Eliza Burdick-Risser, Abigail C. Burke, Jennifer K. Burke, Blair R. Cacciamani, Siobhan M. Cahill, John Calcerano, Caitlyne R. Calvey, Leila R. Cappellano-Sarver, Natalie Carleo, Brian Carpenter, Mathew L. Carr, Joseph Carroll, Alexandria Y. Catania, Brooke Chapple, Kanak M. Chattopadhyay, Daniel J. Check, Isabelle C. Clauss, Lauren Coggins, Chloe Cummings, Jeremy Cummings, Scott M. Curran, Serena DeSeta, Katie L. Decker, John Dempsey, Adraina Dubas, Alexandra L. Epstein, Rebecca Fallk, Christopher Ferrario, Joseph Fiorillo, Rebecca A. Fiorillo, Katie-Sue Fischer, Michael Fitzpatrick, Ryan D. Gilbert, Caleb F. Green, Samantha Gregorowicz, Annarose Gromelski, Richard S. Guditus, Mia C. Gurganus, Tara M. Hambrose, Matthew P. Heckman, Aidan G. Hodge, Nathan H. Hollander, Jennifer N. Horne, Matthew R. Huggler, Erin Jaeger, Camilla M. Jones, Meghan Judge, Olivia E. Julian, Tyler J. Julian, Quinn D. Karam, Luke A. Kazmierski, Tarek Khalil, Samuel D. Kontz, Kristara Kopicki, Nicholas G. Ksiazek, Andrew P. Kuzma, Zia Lawrence, Justin P. Levy, Spenser R. Lionetti, Kelsey A. Loughney, Nina Lyubechansky, Kevin S. Malone, Alexa R. Matillano, Anthony Matsell, Richard A. McDermott, Ryan J. McDonald, William Messler, Kelly Mitchell, Corey Moletsky, Abby Monczewski, Matthew R. Monteleone, Morgan Muller, Brenden J. Murphy, Jerry Murray, Joseph L. Murray, Audra F. Nealon, Catherine Nealon, Maura Nealon, Christabel G. Newman, Claire E. Notarianni, Elyse A. Notarianni, Paige M. Notarianni, Eric M. Onofrey, Jennifer L. Page, Julia Pagnani, Morgan C. Palmiter, Gregory J. Pascale, Michael Pfister, Abigail M. Pipcho, Adrienne S. Pitchford, Kyle Pitts, Alivia Plevyak, Kevin Quinn, Thomas A. Racek, Benjamin Rarrick, Andrew P. Rebensky, Roy J. Renninger, Brennah Riley, Katherine R. Roberts, Sean Rock, Nicholas Rose, Emma Ross, Ashley K. Rozelle, Scott Salmon, Shane D. Schake, Ian B. Schobel, Kevin Schumacher, Dylan M. Sebring, Kathleen Shedlock, Jack Show, Stephen Shumaker, Urwa Siddiqui, Bradley M. Smertz, Mason K. Spangler, Daniel L. Stevens, Noah Strony, Allison E. Stroyan, Kevin D. Suh, Maria Sunick, Chloe Sweeney, Ashley Tarabek, Michael Thiel, Kyle K. Tierney, Breanna Toro, Francesca Toth, Shirley Tung, Samuel Vale, Tyler VanGorder, Alyssa R. Vielee, Elizabeth E. Walker, Sarah E. Walsh, Katharine Wardach, Bridget C. Welsh, Megan E. Werner, Justin White, Kenneth V. White, Casey E. Wrobel and Marissa Yannuzzi.

GRADE 10

Tyra Abdalla, Brett S. Andrisani, Joseph Arcangelo, Elizabeth Bamford, Andrew K. Barren, Matthew Barrett, Nicholas F. Beckish, Celeste Belknap, Bobbi S. Benson, Zachary J. Bird, Christopher A. Blacker, Mallory Brayer, Cameron Buckbee, Nicole A. Campbell, Mia Caputo, Nora Caputo, Jessica M. Cerra, Shreyas Chandragiri, Andrew Chow, Christopher Clark, Amanda L. Colombo, Jasmin L. Colon, Hannah Conahan, Zachary Coupland, Jeremy Critchley, John R. Czubek, Madison R. Dinger, Caitlin M. Dingler, Vanessa A. Duboski, Elizabeth Durdan, Brad Eckersley, Samuel Errigo,Thomas J. Flowers, Elise K. Frelin, Melanie A. Fricchione, Alexander P. Fried, Jonathan Galaydick, Clare Gallagher, Paula Galvao, Catherine Gee, Olivia E. Gentilezza, Nicholas Gerardi, William Gerrity, Andrew J. Gibson, Katie Gilarde, Patrick J. Gilhooley, Sean M. Gilhooley, Rachel B. Gilmore, Kaitlin Glidewell, Alex Gockley, Edward G. Goff, Alexa M. Graham, Sydney Gualtieri, Ian C. Halloran, Brittany Harris, James T. Harris, Mariah Hawley, Matthew S. Hayner, John F. Henzes, Michaelina Holmes, Caroline E. Hopkins, George Houck, Brent J. Hudak, Terry L. Hurst, Kristopher Igoe, Emily Jeschke, Griffin Joyce, Alyssa A. Judson, Jordan A. Kane, Megan S. Kane, Jonathan Kizer, Tucker Kizer, Samantha M. Klapatch, Matthew R. Klucher, Ronald J. Kochmer, Ethan Kreinces, Tyler M. Ksiazek, Kelly N. Kwolek, Kaitlyn A. Lacey, Nathan R. Langan, Nathan L. Laubham, Mark Lazar, Calvin Lee, Patrick J. Lenahan, Sarah Lingle, Amber Loomis, Michael P. Lynn, Kelly G. McHugh, Kathleen M. McMahon, Abigail J. McMinn, Alyssa McMinn, Alanna C. Mecca, Elizabeth A. Melliand, Michelle Mensah, Sarah A. Mensah, Dominick L. Mitchell, Matthew Molinaro, Bianca C. Montes, Samuel J. Morano, Ronald J. Moschorak, James Negvesky, Jerome M. Nidoh, Nicole Olver, Michelle J. Pacyna, Matthew W. Parry, Molly Pash, William B. Petty, Martha S. Phillips, Alexandra A. Pisano, Morgan Reiner, Dylan Reynolds, Jessica K. Rickwood, Jordan M. Rippon, William Roditski, Jacob Ross, Jessa Sablan, Eric Salerno, Taylor J. Schirra, Cassandra A. Schlosser, Jonathan A. Schmidt, Andrew C. Schoen, Phillip A. Schoen, Erin E. Schumacher, Michael R. Sebastian, Daimen Seid, Noah A. Shapiro, Joseph A. Sileo, Rachel Smertz, Maria Smith, Corey Sochovka, David J. Sorokanich, Melissa A. Spencer, Kessyde Stiles, Carla E. Stillwagon, Jordan M. Stranieri, Leah E. Stuenzi, Michael B. Sullivan, Hunter L. Suraci, Anthony V. Sylvester, Sean C. Terrinoni, Elizabeth Thornton, Eden M. Tinkelman, Francesco Torresani, Leo C. Tully, Sarah E. Uhranowsky, MariKay VanFleet, Regina M. Volpe, James M. Voyce, Perrine Wasser, Chase Wickenheiser, Anna C. Wildner, Christopher D. Williams, Michael J. Wynn and Brendan Yesil.

GRADE 9

Samuel E. Arnold, Fahad Ashraf, Byonne Atamna, Gabriel Azevedo, James Barrett, Riley T. Barrett, Brett S. Barrows, Anna Baruffaldi, Meghan L. Beahan, Taylor M. Bender, Holly A. Beppler, Taya Black-Kobrynich, Maanasa Boini, Emily Bonsick, Hannah Braid, Grant Brand, Kristina M. Bruzzano, Jennifer Burkey, Alexandra Calvey, Katie M. Carlin, Sahas C. Chandragiri, Ally E. Christman, Samantha Chrysler, Cameron J. Cleary, Thomas S. Clifton, Jared M. Cohen, Madeleine A. Cohen, Brendan Conahan, Nikitha Dalavai, Carly J. Danoski, Mark DeSeta, Lauren M. Dempsey, Maura I. Dickinson, Jillian Doran, Dylan H. Eisenlohr, Dominique C. Emmett, Murray S. Fallk, Emily Fazio, Joseph C. Fazio, Alex A. Figueroa, Colin R. Florey, Cuinn T. Foley, Brandon R. Fritsch, Joseph D. Fulton, Matthew A. Galaydick, Alyssa M. Garbin, Philip T. Gattorna, Hannah Gaul, Kyle Gerrity, Georden Gesford, Lindsay A. Getz, Abby M. Gilman, Jeramie R. Glynn, Jacob S. Graziano, Adrianna L. Green, Kathryn A. Green, Kara A. Greskovic, Andrew Haggerty, Grace E. Hambrose, Paige E. Harris, Emma H. Henzes, Carolyn M. Hickman, John P. Hildebrand, Tait Hoffmeier, Jordan Hollander, Brooks Houck, Nicole Howells, Kevin Hu, Matthew K. Hughes, Jacob B. Ingalls, Nadeen M. Jafar, Andrew Jalowiec, Anneliese Jewell, Isabella Jones, Samuel P. Jubon, Faith Judson, Patrick G. Kelly, Colin Klingman, Abbey M. Knoepfel, Courtney Kocsis, Amanda L. Kohut, Jason A. Kontz, Lauren Kuchinski, Carly N. LaCoe, David A. Larar, Nadiya A. Latif, Jared S. Levinson, Marissa G. Lewis, Richard M. Ling, Katherine Lingle, Jacob A. Linker, Samuel D. Linker, Sondra G. Lionetti, Jamie L. Loughney, Samuel MacGregor, Anisha Mallik, Jack J. Malone, Caroline Mattise, John P. McGarry, Matthew Mecca, Hannah Mendo, Olivia Mendo, Ashley M. Mercado, Dominick J. Miller, Tyler L. Milo, Rachael V. Muir, Raeva Mulloth, Rishi Mulloth, Enis Murta, Kyle S. Napierala, Daniel F. Neary, Peter M. Nolan, Noah O'Donnell, Benjamin Oon, Brandon Ostrowski, Heather J. Page, Shahil K. Patel, Olivia Perez, Melissa J. Perfilio, Elisabeth G. Phillips, Evan C. Phillips, Ana P. Prahalad, Jared Rasmussen, Manon S. Riley, Matthew C. Robinson, Lorran Rodrigues, Taylor E. Rose, Sean Salmon, Susan Scappatura, Cayden M. Scarantino, Sydney E. Schilpp, Sloane V. Schubert, Alyssa M. Scoda, Julia M. Sebastian, Taylor G. Shepard, Logan M. Shook, Johanna G. Show, Autumn Shumaker, Sarah Sickler, Maaz Siddiqui, Catherine R. Simakaski, Noah Sirianni, Nicholas B. Skierkowski, Emily M. Smith, Stephen Sokalsky, Savannah Solan, Zachary S. Spangenberg, Ellie Sullum, Abigale E. Sutton, Robert M. Swift, Jason J. Tinsley, Timothy Toro, Cassandra A. Toth, Claire Traweek, Mariah E. Tulaney, Sidney Tung, Tyler N. Walter, Melissa B. Wasserman, Devyn Wylam, Rachel E. Yannuzzi, Chase C. Yarns, Rhys J. Yarns, Tiana E. Yarns, Trey D. Yarns, Landon York and Shiqi Zhou.

ALL SAINTS ACADEMY

GRADE 8

High honors: Meghan Healey, Katie Naughton, Reilly Ruane and Melissa Smith.

Honors: Joseph Arbie, Patrick Belardi, Braden Burrier, Cassandra Groncki, Paul Marmo, Cory Miller, Colleen Needham, Brett Para, Elizabeth Pearson, Kyle Polishan, Mary Ratchford, Kendall Reinisch, Amanda Ross, Kenya Sanchez, Aubrey Savage, Anthony VanDusky, Lauren Walker, Victoria Yatko and Sarah Zwiebel.

GRADE 7

High honors: Mollie Burda, Matthew Cerep, Luke Fiscus, Patrick Galvin and Alexis Walsh.

Honors: Amanda Alfano, Brenda Ayala, Corey Blackledge, Carson Cacioppo, Nicholas Cerep, Kelly Coolican, Grace DiBileo, Anthony Ferraro, Maggie Ferraro, Griffin Gilroy, Estrella Gonzalez, Kelsey Hartman, Karli Kozel, Daniel Kuzdro, Isabel Lopez, Morgan Mills, Emma Perih, Jake Rooney, Stephani Stiner, Daniel Stolten, Katie Sompel and Fatima Torres.

GRADE 6

High honors: Olivia Bloskey, Theresa Dutter, Mia Gianello, Meghan Keenan, Anna Ligorio, Tess McGovern, Ericka Pica, Zane Price, Jacob Rasimovich, Abigail Sempa, Alana Simrell, Abigail Walsh and Myah York.

Honors: Elizabeth Arbie, Victoria Barbosa, Daniel Belardi, Erik Bentler, Patrick Burke, Joshua Charles, Sarah Connor, Jeremy Fick, Alexander Hammer, Kiernan Harris, Matthew Herne, Leslie Hessmiller, Abigail Lynott, Matthew Para, Kaylee Magda, Sean Needham, Amber O'Rourke, Olivia Osborne, Kyle Rusinko, Anthony Scartelli, Sophia Serfini and Joshua Walker.

WESTERN WAYNE HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

Principal's list: Hannah Peifer and Nicole Buehring.

Distinguished honors: Tyler Beck, James Berger, Charnelle Blackwood, Janine Cavage, Tyler Cohawitz, Jacob Covey, Shannon Croney, Elizabeth Curtis, Kaleb Davis, Sierra Decker, Alyssa DeKenipp, Evelyn Dekle, Robin Deming, Samantha Dougherty, Autumn Fahnestock, Ian Fairclough, Alec Fink, Jennifer Finkle, Emily Funk, Tyler Gale, Samanth Giombetti, Ryan Gisinger, William Gleason, Brittney Greaney, Natasha Gregorski, Brandon Hadden, Sarah Hampton, Jonathan Hanna, Tanya Harty, Diana Hassan, Aubri Heaslet, Rebecca Hebert, Allison Hess, Kaelyn Jacques, Amber Javier, Sally Jellock, Mari Johansen, Frank Juhasz, Cameron Karnick, Lucas Karnick, Matthew Lawler, Jordan Liptak, Krista Locklin, Kevin Lopatofsky, Samantha Marconi, Elijah Matoushek, Tyler Murphy, Amanda Ostroski, Allison Poltanis, Sky Pope, Matthew Poska, Bridget Quinn, John Rhodes, Julie Rieutort, Hannah Robinson, Dana Rooney, Robert Siclari, Jacob Silfies, Ariel Stine, Roberta Swingle, Alfred Thorne, Jamie Thorpe, Michael Trygar, Alexander Tufano, Acacia Urian, Louis Vitorio, Kaitlin Warnock, Sean Waters, Samuel White, Veronica Witt, Cassidy Wombacker, Rachael Yamialkowski and Douglas Yatsonsky.

Honors: Jeffrey Thomas, Alexis Tomasetti, Katlyn Troiano, Molly Troiano, Nathan Valvano, Molly VanLeuven, Alexander Williams.

GRADE 11

Principal's list: Caleigh Wildenstein and Michaela Killian.

Distinguished honors: Ashlyn Anderson, Autumn Booths, Samantha Burge, Heather Butler, Angelena Campisi, Michael Carrasquillo, Alicia Cook, Salvatore Culotta, Andrew Davidson, Micayla Davis, Billie Jean Durkin, Isabella Esposito, Alixandra Fils-Aime', Samantha Franklin, Paige Fratamico, Morgan Fuller, Olivia Funk, Jacob Gillis, Lauren Hanna, Samuel Hoch, Jordyn Jacques, Kourtney Jones, Kathleen Kellar, Caroline Laabs, Scott Lehutsky, Brandon Lepkowski, Tristen Locklin, Elisa Lore, Mikayla Maher, Finn Malakin, Samantha Merrifield, Candice Moser, Nicholas Mosomillo, Kayla Phillips, Sara Podunajec, Cassandra Reeke, William Rennekamp, Kimberly Rodriguez, Kelsey Russo, Haley Salak, Tanya Scott, Austin Spindler, Bradley Stiffler, Myranda Strada, Kyle Strada, Danielle Swingle, Zachary Taylor, Courtney Teeple, Carly Thorpe, Tarina Usher, Dylan Wallace, Devon Williams and Courtney Zebrowski.

Honors: Kyle Orehek, Shannon Ortman, Samantha Schroder, Ashley Stone and Marod Thoman.

GRADE 10

Principal's list: Timothy Lescinski and Bethany Giombetti.

Distinguished honors: Julie Alvarez, Michelle Arnold, Victoria Aughe, Sean Batzel, Tyler Bergsma, Wyatt Bishop, Kayla Bolduc, Christel Booths, Michael Burkhardt, Madeline Carey, Zachery Carey, Rachel Carmody, Rebecca Carmody, Nicholas Caucci, Faith Cavage, Kylea Clark, Joseph Clauss, Kyle Coons, Adam Curtis, Zachary Curtis, Kaitlyn DeBeras, Mallory DePew, Nicholas DeVito, Sabrina DiTucci, Marissa Dowse, Alexsys Dunn, Brooke Enslin, Lila Fairclough, Sarah Gardner, Kaitlyn Good, Kelsi Good, Brandon Hall, Zachary Hall, Jessica Hampton, Juli Hineline, Westen Johnson, Kellyn Kemmerer, Matthew Lombardi, Cheyenne Mikes, Alison Miller, Leanna O'Hora, Tyler Podunajec, Christopher Poska, Matthew Roberts, Stephanie Robinson, Scott Sauers, Timothy Shaffer, Noah Shandor, Anastasia Skold, Julie Stine, Carly Swingle, Brooke Swingle, Catherine Tuman, Adam Vaccaro, Rebecca Verrastro and Matthew Witt.

Honors: Shayanna Infante, Jason Kelleher, Lawrence Komar, Tori Krenitsky, Anthony Langendoerfer, Tracey Lanza, Victoria Locklin, Kaitlin Long and Gary Masgula.

GRADE 9

Principal's list: Ryan Batzel and Alexandra Mosomillo.

Distinguished honors: Tyler Atcavage, Tyler Bagnick, Sarah Bifano, Justin Black, Sarah Burrier, Rachel Christina, Alexandria Cruz, Richard Cucura, Kylie Emerson, Makenna Enslin, Haskey Fleming, Edward Harsch, Taylor Hedden Autumn Hefty, Erin Herlihy, Andrew Hobbs, Joshua Hoch, Mark Jacob, Victoria Juhasz, Courtney Karabin, Katherine Kelch, Ryan Kelly, Laura Kern, Jacob Klemovitch, Callia Kroll, Luke Krompasky, Alaina Lengner, Tyler Lepkowski, Emily Levison, Samantha Locklin, Alyssa Mackiw, Adam Mattern, Jessica McCormick, Breanna Murphy, Jacob Nagle, Abbey Poltanis, Matthew Robinson, Kayla Rosengrant, Matthew Russo, Paul Salak, Grace Schneider, Taber Starnes, Edward Strada, Rebecca Telese, Kyle Thorpe, Evan Tochydolowski, Joseph Tomasetti, Alyssa Tufano, Brandon Tuite, Bennett Urian, Michael Vanyo, Alison Warnock, Emily Wartella, Jillian Weston, Luke Wildenstein, Nicole Williams, Shannon Wittich.

Honors: Lukas Berger, Cossette Bock, Rachel Chamberlain, Richard Dobrzyn, Steven Dyer, Joseph Fawcett, Michael Franc and Zackery Hemmler.

Having spent the last few weeks fixing "all the computers (he) could get his hands on," Kalvin Soulsby felt pretty confident walking out of the Skills USA District 1 competition at the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County on Friday.

"It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," he said of his event, which tasked him with fixing the hardware and software of a broken computer faster than students in other area high school and career technology centers.

"I don't want to be overly confident, but I think I won," he said.

The 17-year-old from Jessup was one of 350 students participating in the competition from high schools and career and technical schools from Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wyoming and Wayne counties, said Jenine Ikeler, career resource coordinator for the CTC of Lackawanna County.

"The best student in the classroom now competes on the district level," Vincent Nallo, executive director of the CTC of Lackawanna County said of Friday's competition.

The students who won their trade events - from advertising design and architectural drafting to technical computer applications and welding - on Friday will now be able to compete on the state level, Mr. Nallo said.

"The students are able to show the skills they've acquired in their preferred trade area," he said.

Anthony Anzalone, 16, of North Pocono, made sure to practice answering the questions he would face Friday in the job interview event and donned a red blazer and black tie to appear fit for his hypothetical job, though he hoped the experience may carry over into real life soon enough.

"The practice of the interview is really helpful," he said.

Contact the writer: domalley@timesshamrock.com, @domalleytt on Twitter

TUNKHANNOCK - Communication failures left some emergency agencies uninformed when a Monroe Twp. natural gas dehydration station allowed more than 5 million cubic feet of gas to vent loudly into the atmosphere the morning after Thanksgiving, officials said Friday during a meeting at the Wyoming County Emergency Management Agency office.

Those "unacceptable" communication gaps have been identified and largely fixed, officials said, but they acknowledged that more needs to be done to inform residents whether a situation is dangerous or simply startling.

"If a resident comes to me and says, 'Were we in danger?' and my answer to that is, 'I don't know, and I didn't know,' that is totally unacceptable," Wyoming County EMA Director Eugene Dziak said.

The loud venting happened at about 3 a.m. on Nov. 23 at PVR Partners' Chapin dehydration station on Route 309 near the border of Monroe Twp. in Wyoming County and Dallas Twp. in Luzerne County. The facility is used to strip moisture from gas as it travels from Marcellus Shale wells into interstate pipelines.

It was the third but longest such event since the station was installed, residents at the meeting said.

In the early hours of Black Friday, Luzerne County 911 dispatched the Kunkle Volunteer Fire Company to the site but did not notify the emergency management agency in Wyoming County, where the station is located. That slowed notification of other agencies, including the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Public Utility Commission and Department of Environmental Protection, officials at the meeting said.

A protocol is now in place to make sure notifications happen across counties and agencies, Mr. Dziak said.

The public meeting Friday included state Rep. Karen Boback, R-117, Harveys Lake, and state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp., as well as representatives from state and county emergency management agencies, environmental and utility regulators, area fire and police departments, county commissioners and township officials. PVR Partners was invited to the meeting but declined, officials said.

The fact-finding session followed an earlier private meeting to address communication gaps that included many of the same people and PVR representatives.

Officials at the Friday meeting identified other communication obstacles on Nov. 23. When Kunkle fire crews asked Luzerne County 911 to contact PVR, the county found that it did not have numbers for the company, Kunkle Fire Chief Jack Dodson said. A PVR worker arrived about 20 minutes after fire crews and stopped the venting.

Company representatives have said that no one was in danger during the incident, but fire department and DEP officials said Friday that they could not be certain because there was limited air monitoring at the site during the release.

Both the PUC and DEP are investigating the cause of the release and the response. The PUC also plans to inspect PVR's compliance with its public notification obligations.

Officials emphasized that residents who suspect an emergency hazard at the station should call 911 first.

Chief Dodson said the fire company will set up a command post at its station with phone numbers residents can call for information during any future incident.

In a "true emergency," firefighters will sound the siren at the fire station and try to go house to house to alert residents, he said.

Ms. Baker suggested that PVR begin a reverse 911 system to convey "timely, direct" information to residents about releases from the station.

"The public education component ... was woefully inadequate and continues to be," she said.

Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.com