Denied a raise for his work on the road crew, a Scott Twp. supervisor has sued township authorities.

On Jan. 5, the township board of supervisors approved Supervisor Ed Hlavaty, who works full time for the road crew, as the township roadmaster, with an hourly wage of $21.04. But the next day, the township’s board of auditors unanimously set the wage at a flat $17 per hour for supervisors employed by the township, according to the lawsuit.

In a complaint filed Feb. 5, Mr. Hlavaty claims that the board of auditors denied him a fair hourly wage for his role and that the auditors’ motives were political.

Mr. Hlavaty’s term ends 2018; he is a Republican.

The lawsuit also claims the auditors did not consider what similar employees of other townships in the area make. State law defines a “working supervisor” as someone elected to office who also holds a full-time position for the township.

Mr. Hlavaty’s lawsuit claims the “rate set by the board of auditors is substantially lower than the rate paid by the other second class townships in Northeast Pennsylvania.”

The flat rate for working supervisors does not distinguish between job classifications.

In some townships, the roadmaster is a supervisor who works full time as head of the road crew. In Covington Twp., Supervisor Thomas Yerke oversees the Road Department for $24 an hour.

However, Scott Twp. has a part-time road superintendent, Stanley Stracham, and Mr. Hlavaty is a full-time employee who acts as a liaison between the board of supervisors and the Road Department.

In March 2014, supervisors voted 2-1 to appoint Mr. Stracham as part-time road superintendent in charge of day-to-day maintenance of township roads and equipment, for 20 to 25 hours a week at $20.50 per hour. Mr. Hlavaty voted no, saying he believed it was a waste of money.

Attempts to reach Mr. Hlavaty and his lawyer, Richard Fanucci, were unsuccessful. Mr. Fanucci is a former township solicitor.

Representing the board of auditors, attorney Bill Jones said he is reviewing township and state statutes to see how the matter can be resolved. In the meantime, he plans to file a request for more time to respond.

“Hopefully, we can come to an agreement,” he said.

Contact the writer:

lranker@timesshamrock.com, @lrankerNEWS on Twitter

HARRISBURG — Expectations are building in advance of Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget speech Tuesday.

Advocacy groups are looking for a restoration of state education cuts and a minimum wage hike while Republican legislative leaders warn of big tax and spending hikes.

Like the previous two governors, Mr. Wolf is faced with serious fiscal problems, in this case a projected $2 billion deficit. The current $29 billion budget is built on one-time revenues that aren’t available again and the costs of pensions, corrections and health care keeps growing.

A prominent Harrisburg analyst predicts Mr. Wolf won’t just limit his proposals to the annual budget.

“I expect this to be ambitious — expansive, including the campaign promises plus a lot more programs,” said G. Terry Madonna, Ph.D, pollster at Franklin & Marshall College. “This could be a first-term agenda.”

The Democratic governor has already announced several budget proposals:

■ A 5 percent severance tax on natural gas production to help restore state education cuts.

■ Cutting the state corporate net income tax rate in half while closing residency loopholes that allow many businesses to avoid paying that tax.

■ A full-scale expansion of Medicaid health care for the uninsured.

■ Funds to enable more than 5,000 senior citizens to obtain care in their own homes.

Mr. Wolf received support for his severance tax proposal and Medicaid expansion plan from a coalition of advocacy groups rallying under the banner “Good Jobs and Healthy Communities” at the Capitol last week.

“We are asking for fair wages and a balanced budget to educate our children,” said Lee Dolph, a Wayne County resident employed at a Scranton nursing care home. “We know that Gov. Wolf is on board. But it’s the rest of the Legislature we need to convince.”

State education cuts in previous years have led to cuts in the music program and property tax hikes in Western Wayne School District, added Mr. Dolph. Chris Sloat, a Wilkes-Barre resident, supports a severance tax as a way to restore cuts made to education. She said those cuts have resulted in students sharing textbooks and a curtailing of services for students with disabilities in Wilkes-Barre Area School District.

Meanwhile, speculation also exists about whether Mr. Wolf will propose a tax on smokeless tobacco or another tobacco tax to generate revenue. The American Cancer Society is calling for a $1.60 increase in the state tobacco tax in order to discourage smoking.

“Our lawmakers have this tool at their fingertips to help prevent cancer related to tobacco, and there is no reason for them not to use it,” said Society government relations director Diane Phillips.

Mr. Wolf’s speech will set the stage for several weeks of budget hearings this month by the Republican-controlled Legislature. The House advanced a top priority last week by approving a bill to privatize the state-owned liquor stores. Mr. Wolf favors steps instead to make the state-owned stores more competitive.

House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh, said liquor privatization needs to be considered as part of any bipartisan accord.

“By that vote, we reemphasize for the House that moving into the 21st century for the sale of wine and spirits is a priority,” added Mr. Turzai.

Mr. Wolf’s proposal to halve the CNI tax rate and close the so-called Delaware loophole on business taxes drew support from Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He has sponsored similar legislation in previous sessions.

“Businesses see the 9.99 percent (CNI tax rate) and it’s like sticker shock,” said Mr. Blake.

Mr. Blake hopes to see a strong state investment in downtown urban districts. He said the state needs to increase its share for supporting public education from 34 percent to closer to 50 percent.

The speech should set off a full-scale discussion of state school funding and tax policies, said Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, Avoca, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. He also anticipates a proposal to provide school property tax relief.

House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-62, Indiana, said the best approach is to link state aid to a dollar-for-dollar reduction in property taxes.

Freshman Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-120, Kingston, said he’s looking forward to hear the governor offer some new ideas out for state.

State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale would like to see proposals addressing the rising costs of unfunded municipal pension obligations. He has warned that Scranton’s pension funds will go broke in a few years if funding levels remain the same.

“If the city of Scranton goes bankrupt, the state is going to have to deal with it anyway,” he said.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

Last month was the third- coldest February on record and it tied for fourth place as one of the coldest months ever in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The average temperature last month was 17.5 degrees as recorded by the National Weather Service at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.

January 1918 was just as cold.

Only two other Februaries locally have been colder since 1901, when record-keeping started: February 1934 with an average temperature of 15.4 degrees and February 1979 with an average temp of 15.9 degrees.

According to the weather service, the coldest months on average in Northeast Pennsylvania were:

• January 1977 — 15.0 degrees

• February 1934 — 15.4 degrees

• February 1979 — 15.9 degrees

• January 1918 — 17.5 degrees

• January 1970 — 17.7 degrees

The sub-freezing mean temperature represents a minus-11.3-degree departure from the normal average for February, which is 28.8 degrees.

That is a big divergence — and uncommon, too.

“It doesn’t happen all that often, obviously,” Joanne LaBounty, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Binghamton, said of the double-digit departure.

In the last five years, the only period for which National Weather Service records were readily available, there has been only one other double-digit departure in the monthly average temperature, and it was in the other direction.

The average temperature in March 2012 was 48.8 degrees, which was 11.7 degrees warmer than normal.

AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Edwards said last month a “ very deep dip in the jet stream” over the East Coast drew “the cold air, the consistent blast of arctic air, and the winter storms as well.”

Meanwhile, Pacific states are experiencing warmer and drier-than-average weather.

The Scranton area is not alone, Ms. LaBounty said.

Syracuse, New York, shivered through its coldest month on record with an average of 9 degrees, nearly 17 degrees below normal. In Binghamton, the temperature sank more than 12 degrees below the average 24.7 degrees.

“Pretty much everybody in the Northeast is suffering — that is, if you don’t like the cold weather,” Ms. LaBounty said.

Mr. Edwards didn’t offer a very optimistic forecast for the coming weeks.

“I would say it’s at least another seven to 10 days where we’re going to be dealing with these lower-than-normal temperatures,” Mr. Edwards said.

A significant ice storm is expected to strike the region Tuesday night into Wednesday, Mr. Edwards said, with up to ¼ inch of ice accumulating.

See the week’s forecast on page B10.

Times-Tribune Staff Writer David Singleton contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: joconnell@timesshamrock.com, @jon_oc on Twitter

Four men and one juvenile male are facing drug-related charges after a Scranton police officer accused them of dealing marijuana on Townhouse Boulevard in Village Park Apartments.

After a concerned resident called police about a suspected drug deal happening between two parked vehicles, just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday, police say they found more than 60 grams of marijuana, around $1,400 in cash, small plastic baggies and several cellphones in a red Toyota sedan.

When asked, the driver of the vehicle, Alexis Paramo, told police the items were his. Mr. Paramo is charged with possession with intent to deliver and other drug-related charges, police said.

His passenger, Brian Martinez, faces similar charges.

Police also have charged three passengers of a Jeep Liberty SUV that was parked nearby. Police say the three had purchased marijuana in red plastic baggies labeled with a red apple shortly before they were called to the scene.

Kevin Escalante and Alan Martinez face possession charges. A third juvenile male who ran from the SUV also was charged with possession, police said.

Bail and confinement information was not available Sunday night.

Contact the writer:

joconnell@timesshamrock.com, @jon_oc on Twitter

The Marcellus Shale Coalition had spent months and thousands of dollars on a rally and parade against drilling taxes.

It chartered buses. It rented Harrisburg’s minor league baseball stadium. It handed out free “Pennsylvania Jobs, Pennsylvania Energy Rally” T-shirts. It hired security guards. It erected screens and sound systems on the Capitol steps to amplify speakers extolling the economic benefits of fracking.

The organizers thought of everything — except Gene Stilp — as about 2,500 marchers paraded from the stadium toward the Capitol’s golden dome glistening in the spring sun.

Mr. Stilp, a lawyer-turned-activist with a flair for props and high jinks, had his own plan for the May 6 event. A $10 plan. If only he could get some help carrying his banner.

“He had the sign made up and he was asking people to help him carry it and no one would do it,” said Mr. Stilp’s friend, Wendi Taylor, president of the Sierra Club’s Pennsylvania chapter. “When he showed me the sign and I saw how many pro-fracking people were there, I thought it was a really cute idea and a way to turn their message a bit and I thought, ‘What the hell.’ ”

Whispering encouragement, Mr. Stilp directed a nervous Ms. Taylor to follow him between two parked cars and into the street, where they became unofficial grand marshals for the unsuspecting marchers. Walking ahead of the line, they unfurled Mr. Stilp’s banner — “Tax the Frackers Behind Me” — and led the troop up the Capitol steps in what was perhaps the greatest parade hijacking since Delta Tau Chi’s in “National Lampoon’s Animal House.”

“Gotta say, misguided as he may be, that guy is a master of political theatre,” Rep. Stephen Bloom, R-Cumberland, later noted on Twitter.

It was arguably Mr. Stilp’s greatest public performance. And it turned out to be his last.

Heading west

Citing personal and family health issues and a desire to lead tours through the Grand Canyon, Mr. Stilp has taken a bow. Last month, the 64-year-old Dauphin County resident announced he was retiring from his decades-long pro bono career of political and environmental activism. It was a career in which Mr. Stilp made many ill-fated runs at elected office, won over many fans who admired his idealism and drew many critics who condemned his antics as self-promotion. Drawing from a font of legal knowledge, he unleashed a torrent of lawsuits and ethics complaints against public officials, garnering headlines and raising the ire of many in office.

“What Gene does is immensely important,” Ms. Taylor said. “He shows his courage, and that gives other people courage to do things. When he stops, if he stops, we will lose a wonderful character.”

“He was a noodge,” countered House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin. “I’m not saying everything he says is wrong, but in the end he did not do things because he was a great guy, he did it for attention.”

Mr. Stilp might be best known for his inflatable pink pig and the pink school bus he used to travel across Pennsylvania and draw attention to the late-night pay raises lawmakers gave themselves, judges and the governor’s staff in 2005.

But his list of creative accouterments was long.

He strapped a 6-foot electrical plug on his back as he walked through the Lehigh Valley to protest PPL Electric Utilities’ proposed 36 percent rate hike in 2009.

He parked a 20-foot wheelchair, symbolizing Congress’ malpractice reforms, outside the office of then-U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey in 2003.

He placed a 30-foot ear of corn, a protest to genetically modified food, outside the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Washington, D.C., office in 1999.

He put a handmade replica of Lincoln’s bed, with a parking meter, outside Congress’ 1997 retreat in Hershey to protest President Bill Clinton’s letting lobbyists sleep in the White House.

He wrote and recorded “The Tom Ridge Liquor Plan Polka” in 1996 to poke fun at the former governor’s liquor store privatization plan.

He affixed 123 giant pencils to cars for Ralph Nader’s write-in candidacy in the 1992 New Hampshire presidential primary, and one of the pencils is in the Smithsonian.

“He has a unique gift for creating props that convey a message to a mass audience,” said Eric Epstein, a political activist who runs Rock the Capital. “That’s a combination of intelligence, energy and artistic genius.”

Humor needed

And wit. As Mr. Stilp noted in an interview this month, humor “is needed to make a point.”

Over the years, Mr. Stilp has filed numerous ethics and judicial complaints against public officials and judges caught in questionable or illegal activities. For example, last year he filed ethics complaints against Philadelphia lawmakers charged with taking cash from an undercover informant. He filed another against Gov. Tom Corbett’s $140,000 education adviser Ron Tomalis, who could not document his daily duties. And Mr. Stilp filed a judicial complaint against then-Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery for sending sexually explicit emails to government employees, as first reported by The Morning Call. After the emails came to light, Justice McCaffery retired.

In state court, Mr. Stilp filed the only lawsuit that challenged the legality of the 2005 pay raise and countered two lawsuits judges filed to keep the pay hikes. In 2006, the high court sided with Mr. Stilp in part, ruling the pay raises illegal for everyone but the judiciary.

In federal court, Mr. Stilp successfully challenged the constitutionality of a 1989 state law enacted to protect incumbents but found to infringe on First Amendment rights. The law, which a federal judge and later the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down, allowed the Ethics Commission to fine citizens $500, as it did Mr. Stilp, for talking about ethics complaints they planned to file or had filed and for criticizing the commission over the complaints.

“It was an extremely important case,” said Mr. Stilp’s lawyer in the case, Aaron D. Martin. “It established precedent in Pennsylvania and is being used in other suits filed in other states that have similar laws.”

The lawsuit proves Mr. Stilp has been much more than a prankster, said Mario Cattabiani, who worked for more than a decade as Capitol correspondent for The Morning Call and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Mr. Stilp was a true public servant who spent his own money and time to needle politicians into doing the right thing, he said.

“He always hated the term gadfly, but it really fitted him,” said Mr. Cattabiani, who now works for a Philadelphia law firm. “He got under the skin of those who deserved it and compelled change.”

Carpenter

Mr. Stilp grew up in

Wilkes-Barre in a family of five children. His father was a master carpenter who instructed young Gene in the craft. His mother worked for the Red Cross. Mr. Stilp attended Catholic schools and in the midst of the Vietnam War attended King’s College in his hometown.

At King’s, he caught the activism bug, helping to raise money for George Harrison and Ravi Shankar’s 1971 “Concert for Bangladesh” that benefited refugees. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1974, Mr. Stilp worked in construction and hitchhiked around the country, fell in love with the Grand Canyon, and then enrolled at George Mason University Law School in Virginia, where he earned a degree in 1980.

When Mr. Stilp leaves the public arena, there is no heir apparent to take up the gauntlet. While citizens with soapboxes may emerge, the Capitol may never see another inflatable pig, or watch a hijacked parade or read a sea of ethics and judicial complaints.

“It’s time to move on,” Mr. Stilp said. “I’ve done my share of pro bono good-government advocacy, and I think I’ve made a difference over the years. It’s time for another generation to get involved.”

Abington Heights

Of 28 students who participated in the American Mathematics Contest, seniors Nick Beckish and Sam Morano achieved the high school’s high score in the 11th- and 12th-grade

category.

Sophomore student Kevin Hu was the high scorer on the ninth- and 10th-grade category exam.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrrock.com

Carbondale Area

Carbondale Area students spread holiday cheer at the Gino J. Merli Center in Scranton in the form of homemade holiday greeting cards.

Members of the medical careers club and Mr. Gordon’s eighth- and 11th-grade world cultures classes crafted the cards and hand-delivered them to the retired veterans.

“It was a heart-warming experience,” said Chelsie Jones, sophomore member of the medical careers club.

While visiting with the veterans and their spouses the students enjoyed some Christmas music and walked with them through the hallways, she said.

“It made me feel good to see their smiles of appreciation,” Chelsie said.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrrock.com

Career Technology Center

Culinary arts student Connor Gilbride has been recognized for his culinary skills by his instructor, Mark

McAndrew.

Connor, a senior at Scranton High School, has been described as “a very respectful, focused student.”

Connor is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and is a CTC student ambassador, SkillsUSA competitor and Eagle Scout. Connor works part time at the Jewish Home as a dietary aide and has volunteered on multiple projects, including Operation Cookie and Friends of the Poor events.

He plans to attend the Culinary Institute of America, where he will pursue a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Delaware Valley

Senior Veronica Fernandez is a member of the art club and computer art club who was a nominee for both the fine arts student of the month and the spotlight artist for the school newspaper, as well as being the creative force for the anime club’s computer graphics posters.

“Being involved in art has taught me to be focused and passionate about my work,” she said.

Veronica has also volunteered with the Empty Bowl Project, raising money for local hunger, and has also drawn seasonal photos with the elderly at a local senior care home.

“After being able to sell my art in the Empty Bowl Project, it has inspired me to make things for friends and family and even try to sell my own work,” Veronica added.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino@

timesshamrock.com

Dunmore

Selected third- and fourth-grade classes are participating in an eight-week program called Architecture in Schools, which incorporates architecture into various

subjects.

Working with an architect from Hemmler & Camayd Architects in Scranton, students have been learning about the profession in reading classes, materials in science classes and designing with shapes in math classes. At the end of the program, students will take a field trip to Marywood University to see how architects work.

“I enjoy designing buildings in the program and learning about architecture as a career,” said Ashley Stefanac, one of the students in the program.

Mia Capooci said not only is the program fun, she likes to learn about famous

architects.

Lipika Mallick said she would like to be an architect when she grows up.

“I like the geometry, and I would like to work in a field that is hands-on,” she said.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Elk Lake

Alexis Drab did volunteer work at her church, St. Francis Xavier in Friendsville, for her graduation project.

“I already volunteer there so I figured that to keep volunteering was the easiest way to get hours, and I also like to help others,” Alexis said. “I cleaned the church, decorated for Christmas, served food at the picnic and festival, and picked vegetables for the food bank from a local garden.”

She is involved in student council, prom steering, basketball cheerleading and softball at school.

Alexis hopes to work in the health care industry as an ultrasound technician.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino@

timesshamrock.com

Forest City

Tyler DeBrino and Lauren Cook made an impact on the school and the sport they love.

As captains of the boys and girls cross country teams, the seniors took charge and cleared a path for the school’s new course.

“We had to go through the town board to make sure we could touch it (the course) and talk to homeowners,” Tyler said.

The duo filled spots with gravel and sand, cut through extra foliage and trimmed weeds to get the course ready for the home meet. They started the project in June, working at least one day a week for a few hours, and completed it in September.

In the end, they had a unique experience as they both competed on the course they created, alongside numerous runners.

“It was amazing,” Tyler said. “There is nothing like that feeling.”

— JOE BARESS

jbaress@timesshamrock.com

Lakeland

Cameron Bullet earned accolades for her performance at the mock trial championship hearing at the Lackawanna County Courthouse.

Playing the part of Corrin Boon, a college student who started a cheating scandal in the fabricated courtroom scenario, the sophomore received “Best Witness” honors.

“The cross-examination was tough,” Cameron said. “We practiced for days trying to anticipate the attorney’s questions and tactics.”

Lakeland finished second in the regional competition.

Cameron serves as a member of Future Business Leaders of America and Students Against Destructive Decisions and as an editor for the school newspaper, The Lakeland Lance. She also runs cross country and track for the Chiefs.

— JOE BARESS

jbaress@timesshamrock.com

Mid Valley

Mallory deQuevedo won a bronze medal in the regional Reflections competition for her poetry.

In eighth grade, Mallory enjoys sharing her thoughts through literature.

“I like writing poetry because it interests me. I also like reading it,” she said.

She stays involved with the arts by participating in the drama club and enjoys making arts and crafts with her little brother.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Montrose Area

With a few months left in his high school career, Bradley Wayman looks toward the future.

The senior shadowed his uncle, who works at Dell Computers, as his senior project, which he presented on Feb. 19.

“I’m going into computer sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, so I thought it would be a good experience,” Bradley said.

He also is a member of the National Honor Society and the ski club at the school.

— JOE BARESS

jbaress@timesshamrock.com

Mountain View

In his final year of high school, Keegan Ficarro captured one of his goals.

After his performance in the regional competition in February, the senior advanced to All-State Concert Band.

“I’m really excited,” Keegan said. “I tried since I was a sophomore, and I finally made it.”

Keegan started taking piano lessons at a young age, and eventually moved on to playing the oboe in grade school. He now plays the bassoon.

“The bassoon is really difficult to play, and there aren’t many bassoon players,” Keegan said. “You’ll only ever find no more than four in any band or orchestra.”

Keegan also is part of the Scholastic and track teams at the school.

Upon graduation, he will go to Rochester Institute of Technology for chemical engineering.

“I really like chemistry,” Keegan said. “I just think it’ll be a lot of fun.”

— JOE BARESS

jbaress@timesshamrock.com

Old Forge

J.J. Roberts and the Old Forge student council organized a donation delay day to help out a local family with medical expenses.

The teachers cannot start class until they finish counting all the money and change donated by the students, said J.J., who is student council president. The group raised more than $4,700 for the local family.

Delaying class gives students an incentive to donate money, he said.

J.J. is a junior and also a member of Leo club, French club and National Honor Society.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Riverside

Kiara Castillo and her kindergarten class at Riverside Elementary West celebrated the 100th day of school by creating 100-day projects.

“My favorite number is 100,” she said.

For Kiara’s project she made 100 three-dimensional flowers at home.

Kiara said if she had $100, “I would buy a cooking tool for my mother that she always wanted.”

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Scranton

West Scranton High School senior Miguel Mateo was selected to attend both the 2015 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 9 and Region 4 band festivals. The events featured the top student musicians from throughout the area.

Miguel qualified for both levels of competition on the trombone.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Scranton Prep

Junior Diana Franceschelli will be taking her experiment on the Stroop effect to a

competition.

For the regional competition of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, Diana looked at how long it took her subjects to test the theory, which looks at the length of time it takes people to say the color of a word, and not the word itself.

“Your brain is so trained to read the word and not the ink color,” Diana said.

She said she is looking forward to this week’s competition.

At Prep, Diana is a member of the varsity soccer team and classical languages club and sings with the choir and chorale. She has also taken dance classes since the age of 4.

She plans to pursue a career in either the medical field or forensics.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Summit Christian Academy

First-grader Sophia Loftis made an “Up” house to celebrate the 100th day of school.

The house consisted of 100 colorful balloons — one for each day of school. Sophia said that “Up” is her favorite movie and her parents helped her create the house and decorate it with the balloons. Math is Sophia’s favorite subject at school. She also likes art, especially drawing houses.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino@

timesshamrock.com

Susquehanna Community

Cori Glidden strives to help underclassmen.

Thanks to the student mentor program at the high school, the junior can provide firsthand aid to middle school students.

“The mentoring program is a great opportunity for upper and underclassmen that has been very successful in our school,” Cori said.

Carmella Bullick, high school principal, started the program this year. It aims to help middle school students who struggle either academically or with behavior issues by assigning upperclassmen to guide them in the right

direction.

“We meet with the student that we are assigned to when we can during study halls or in the after-school tutoring program,” Cori said. “We report weekly on our progress, and can ask for advice at any time from our principal, guidance counselors or teachers.”

For her hard work and dedication to the program, Cori has earned mentor-of-the-quarter honors for two consecutive quarters.

She also participates in volleyball, softball and the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit Reading Competition, and serves as a member of the art club and National Honor Society.

— JOE BARESS

jbaress@timesshamrock.com

Valley View

As a cancer survivor, Natalie DiGregorio was thankful to serve as the chairwoman of the Valley View High School Coaches vs. Cancer event.

Held during a girls basketball game, the event on Jan. 29 raised more than $6,000.

“It’s so amazing how we have such a caring and supportive community,” she said. “Each year our Valley View community shows the importance of reaching out and helping others. I would like to personally thank all that participated.”

In her senior year, Natalie is also in the dance club.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Wayne Highlands

Tyler Allen will have an opportunity to showcase his talents after landing a lead role in the upcoming school musical.

The fourth-grader will play the part of Warner Huntington in “Legally Blonde the Musical,” which is scheduled for May 1-2 at Preston Area School.

He also plays football in the fall and baseball in the spring.

— JOE BARESS

jbaress@timesshamrock.com

Western Wayne

Wyatt Bishop got a head start on his desired career path.

The senior chose to shadow employees at two news stations to gain firsthand knowledge of a day in the life of a meteorologist. In October, Wyatt shadowed Drew Anderson at WBRE. He also spent time with workers at the National Weather Service station in Binghamton, N.Y., in January. He likes the way forecasters make weather accessible to the public in a friendly, outgoing manner.

Wyatt also recently earned Senior of the Month honors from the Western Wayne School Board. Involved in the upcoming school musical, “Seussical,” he also serves as an active member of the school band, president of the Ultimate Frisbee team and a member of the National Honor Society and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

Upon graduation, Wyatt plans to major in meteorology.

— JOE BARESS

jbaress@timesshamrock.com

Riverside teachers are on strike and will be picketing today. All district classes are canceled.

“There’s no question, we’ll be there at 8 a.m., regardless of the weather,” Tom Borthwick, Riverside Education Association communications director, said Sunday. Teachers will picket at the Riverside Junior-Senior High School until 2 p.m., their union spokesman said.

District families received a global connection phone call Sunday notifying students school will not be in session, said Mr. Borthwick, who is a district English teacher.

Superintendent Paul Brennan also sent out a press release.

While Riverside is suspending classes, “Students who learn at a different facility other than a Riverside School District building will continue to attend classes,” Mr. Brennan said in the release. “That may include Career Technology Center students, parochial students and certain special education students.”

Those students “should follow the direction of the facility at which they attend,” for weather cancellations or delays, he said.

Students who attend parochial schools or an off-campus facility “should report and be transported as usual,” according to a district website set up for strike information. Directions on extra-curricular activities, which the website says will continue, and approved meetings can also be found on the website, teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/PBrennan/index.cfm. The link can also be found at www.riversidesd.com.

District officials and teachers will learn the duration of the strike later today after the state Department of Education receives official notification, Mr. Borthwick said.

Mr. Brennan is “envision(ing) the strike to be short-lived” in accordance with Act 88, the 1992 collective bargaining legislation which regulates contract negotiations and puts limits on the duration of strikes. The state, he says in his release, will issue a notice to the Riverside Education Association “as to how long they have to strike.”

Other details and updates will be available on the district website, Remind app, and through local media outlets, Mr. Brennan said.

In December, the union notified the district it would strike in February. The strike was on hold for four weeks after the district and union signed a postponement agreement on Feb. 1. The agreement, which also acted as a strike notice, gave the district a month to research negotiation points and proposals. The only meeting since then, a brief negotiation session on Wednesday, Feb. 25, failed to produce any results.

Education association representatives were disappointed with a presentation by the board negotiators and solicitor Raymond C. Rinaldi II, said Mr. Borthwick, noting that the union believed the information to be outdated and containing incorrect numbers.

The presentation showed the district’s and union’s proposals and what they would cost the district over five years, said Mr. Brennan, on Thursday, noting that for the district, those numbers “were quite alarming.”

Although neither side has divulged specifics, salaries and health care remain obstacles, in finalizing a contract. This is the second year the 100-member-plus union has worked under an expired contract.

No new negotiation sessions had been set up as of Sunday night.

Contact the writer: kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter.

PennDOT has reduced speed limits to 45 mph on the region’s major interstates because of the snow that continues to fall steadily.

Speed limits have been cut on:

• Route 80

• Route 81

• Route 84

• Route 380

Crews are working steadily, department spokesman James May said in a news release. But as the snow persists, their goal is to make roads passable, not completely clear of snow, Mr. May said.

“PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear,” he said.

Mr. May advises motorists to allow plow trucks plenty of space, and never to pass a truck that is actively plowing snow or spreading salt or anti-skid.

— JON O’CONNELL

SCRANTON — Robert Morris Elementary in Green Ridge is closed today because of a broken water pipe, acting Superintendant John Marichak said.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Scranton School District was scheduled to open on a 1½ delay today due to the inclement weather, according to a notice on the district’s web page.

Mr. Marichak is at the Green Ridge school now, he said in an email.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

TAYLOR — Riverside teachers are walking a picket line in front of the district’s high school. Pickets began arriving at 8 a.m. and are due to continue until 2 p.m. Classes are canceled.

Fifty-six teachers holding white on red signs that say “REA on strike,” “Fair contract now,” and “Support our teachers” picketed this morning.

A failed negotiation session Wednesday, Feb. 25 that came as a four-week postponement agreement was near its end led to the strike, Tom Borthwick, Riverside Education Association communications director, said last week.

The duration of the strike will be determined later today after the state Department of Education receives official notification, Mr. Borthwick said.

District Superintendent Paul Brennan said in a press release Sunday that he expects the strike to be “short-lived.” It’s length will be in accordance with Act 88, the 1992 collective bargaining legislation which regulates contract negotiations and puts limits on the duration of strikes. It will factor in the rule which requires students to be in classes 180 days per school year, as well as snow days already used by the district.

While students attending classes in district schools are not to report today, Career Technology Center students, parochial students and certain special education students “should report and be transported as usual,” according to a district website set up for strike information. Directions on extra-curricular activities, which the website says will continue, and approved meetings can also be found on the website, teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/PBrennan/index.cfm. The link can also be found at www.riversidesd.com

Neither side has divulged specifics, but salaries and health care remain obstacles, in finalizing a contract. This is the second year the 100-member-plus union has worked under an expired contract.

No new negotiation sessions had been set up as of Sunday night.

Contact the writer: kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter.

SCRANTON — A 36-year-old Scranton man is wanted for raping a 15-year-old girl, Scranton Police Detective Vincent Uher said in an email.

City police filed an arrest warrant for Demetrius Franklin today for an alleged rape that occurred in Scranton on Saturday, online court filings show.

Mr. Franklin’s last known address is 1406 Capouse Ave., police said.

He’s a 210 pound black man who stands 6 feet 1 inches tall. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on Mr. Franklin’s whereabouts can contact police at 570-348-4134 or by calling 911.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

The Fell Twp. woman, drunk and texting behind the wheel when she killed one man and badly injured another, pleaded guilty Monday in Lackawanna County Court.

Appearing in khaki prison clothes and shackles, Mary Timko, 33, agreed to plead guilty to homicide by vehicle under the influence, two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle and driving under the influence.

Ms. Timko faces a maximum of more than 30 years in prison and $80,000 in fines. By pleading guilty to the homicide by vehicle charge, she will receive a minimum sentence of at least three years, Judge Vito Geroulo told her.

Ms. Timko was arrested in 2013 for drunkenly crashing her Ford Explorer into a car on the side of the Casey Highway in Mayfield, killing a Good Samaritan and injuring another as they changed a tire.

She had been out on bail, but was thrown back in jail in late January for violating her bail conditions.

Check back for updates.

Partway through a trial on charges of homicide by motor vehicle and related counts Monday, a Carbondale man opted to plead guilty.

David Turano, 45, who hit a car carrying a 12-year-old boy and his father while driving drunk, killing the boy, pleaded guilty to homicide by a motor vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault while driving under the influence and driving under the influence.

As part of the deal, he also agreed to a sentence of 5 to 12 years in state prison. Judge Vito Geroulo accepted the plea deal, pending a pre-sentencing investigation, Deputy District Attorney Robert Klein said.

In August, Mr. Turano crashed his SUV into the Mustang driving by Leonard Zupon Sr., who was taking his son, Leonard Zupon Jr., to get ice cream. Mr. Turano fled on foot, and the seventh-grade boy was flown to the hospital, where he died several hours later.

Mr. Zupon Sr., critically injured in the crash, attended the partial trial and sentencing in a wheelchair with the rest of the family.

Check back for updates.

Abingtons

League gala: Abingtons Civic League Roaring ’20s Gala, March 28, 6-11 p.m., Country Club of Scranton, Clarks Sum­mit, dinner, dancing, music by Brass & Ivory, silent auction, basket raffle, wine pull, 50/50 raffle and a photo booth, black tie optional, $40; Gretchen, 570-878-9795.

Beach Lake

Children’s event: Beach Lake United Methodist Church kids’ Easter fun day, March 21, 9 a.m., ages 3-10, Bible stories, crafts, games, snacks, Easter egg hunt, 7 Milanville Road (across from Beach Lake Fire Hall); 570-729-7011 or www.beachlakeumc.com.

Dickson City

Purse bingo: Vera Bradley/Coach Purses and Totes bingo, April 12, 1 p.m., Eagle Hose fire hall, Eagle Lane, doors open at noon, advance tickets, $25, benefits National Inclusion Project-opening doors for children with disabilities.

Neighborhood watch: Dickson City Neighborhood Watch meeting, March 11, 7 p.m., Borough Building, Eagle Lane; representative of Friends of Lackawanna on landfill, question-and-answer session.

Dunmore

Society meeting: SS. Anthony and Rocco Altar and Rosary Society meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m., St. Rocco’s Church hall, Kurtz Street.

Green Ridge

Neighbors meet: Green Ridge Neighborhood Association meeting, Tuesday, 7 p.m., American Legion Post 908, 625 Deacon St.

Lackawanna County

International dinner: St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church International Dinner Club Irish dinner, March 12, 320 Mifflin Ave., seatings at 5:30 or 6:30 p.m., $20; 570-343-5151.

5k run/walk: Lackawanna Col­lege Police Academy Protect & Defend 5K Run/Walk to benefit state police Cpl. Bryon Dickson II and Trooper Alex Douglass Funds, registration, 8 a.m., run, 9:30, May 24, Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dun­more; www.lackawanna.edu.

Lackawanna Trail

Annual run: Lackawanna Trail class of 2017 Shamrock Shuf­fle 6k run, Sunday, 10 a.m., Key­stone College; registration, 9 a.m., $15/advance, $20/race day, race T-shirts; mail to LTHS — Attn. Katie Lane, P.O. Box 85, Factoryville, PA 18419; checks payable to LTHS, or Katie Lane, 570-945-5181.

Ledgedale

Auxiliary supper: Ledgedale Ladies Auxiliary poor man’s supper, March 21, 4-7 p.m., Goose Pond Road, $8/adults, $4/up to 12 and free/under 5, takeouts available.

Old Forge

Reunion meeting: Old Forge class of 1964 meeting, March 24, noon; Arcaro and Genell’s.

Pike County

Educational workshop: Dela­ware Highlands Conservancy and Women and Their Woods educational workshop, April 25-26, Milford, presentations, tours, catered lunch; Amanda Subjin, conserve@delawarehigh

lands.org, 570-226-3164 x2 or visitwww.DelawareHighlands.org/watw, by April 1.

Regional

Council dinner: Council 21 of the Polish Union of USA St. Joseph’s dinner and celebration, March 21, A Touch of Class at the Palace, Wilkes-Barre, pro­gram, 5:30 p.m.; dinner, 6, music by George Tarasek Orches­tra; 570-823-1611.

Lenten retreat: League of Ukrainian Catholics of America Lenten (Great Fast) Retreat, March 20-22, St. Mary’s Villa Retreat Center, Sloatsburg, N.Y., begins March 20, 7 p.m., concludes with lunch, March 22, time for individual reflection, mediation, fellowship, sacrament of reconciliation (confession) in preparation for Pascha (Easter), registration form/ program: 570-822-5354 or 570-759-2824.

South Scranton

Seniors meet: Young Adult Club meeting, Thursday, 2:30 p.m., St. Paul of the Cross Parish Center, Prospect Avenue.

West Pittston

Committee meeting: West Pittston Cherry Blossom committee meeting, March 15, 5 p.m., school building at Corpus Christi Parish, Luzerne Avenue, committee picture.

West Scranton

Seniors meet: Young at Heart Seniors meet Thursday, 11:30 a.m., Jackson Street Baptist Church.

Western Wayne

Potato dinner: Western Wayne Band and Color Guard baked potato dinner, March 20, 5-7:30 p.m., high school cafeteria, Route 296, Lake Ariel, $8, takeouts available.

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

SCRANTON — Robert Morris Elementary School will reopen today after a broken pipe Monday caused significant damage in a classroom.

The Green Ridge school closed after the damage was discovered.

A makeshift classroom will be set up in extra space at the school. Water from the classroom seeped into the basement below.

Crews will work this week to clean the classroom and the basement, said Justin MacGregor, the district’s community relations liaison.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

With Dr. Seuss characters on the windows and Truffula Trees in the background, Scranton police officers worked to build trust and communication with George Bancroft Elementary School students on Monday.

On the national Read Across America day, city police unveiled their newest program, “Cops and Kids.” Each month, Scranton police officers will volunteer as classroom readers at district elementary schools. The new initiative, which is modeled after similar programs nationwide, promotes literacy and opens lines of communication with students, Police Chief Carl Graziano said.

“Our children are our most precious commodity,” he said.

During a ceremony to thank officers for their dedication and bravery, kindergartners recited a poem about Dr. Seuss and first-graders read their ideas on how to save the planet, which were written on a cutout of the Lorax, a Dr. Seuss character. Second-graders read paragraphs on the importance of police officers.

“Any police officer is your friend,” Mayor Bill Courtright told the students. “Don’t be afraid to talk to them. They’re here to help you.”

The program is expected to last at least through the next school year. Cadets from Lackawanna College’s police academy will also be volunteer readers.

In a kindergarten classroom, Chief Graziano read “Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book.” Lackawanna County Sheriff Mark McAndrew and Scranton Lt. Leonard Namiotka read to students in other classrooms. After reading his book, Lt. Namiotka shared safety tips with the children, including the importance of using seat belts in cars, gun safety, and the dangers of sitting in the front seat of a car until they are big enough to not be seriously injured by an air bag.

Second-graders said they loved hearing from the officers.

“They are the ones who you should trust,” Ayshel Vasconez, 7, said.

Her classmate, Alexis Conde, 8, agreed.

“They always help you if you’re in trouble,” he said.

Contact the writer:

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

He’s ‘Ready now, anytime, anywhere’

Petty Officer 3rd Class Peter Howey, a Scranton native, “is a vital part of our nation’s Navy Reserve.”

Today, marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Navy Reserve. A Centennial Commemoration is underway, celebrating “the rich heritage of the Navy Reserve, the Navy and all the families that support their sailor’s service to our country,” MC3 Amanda Owens of the Navy Office of Community Outreach said in a press release. “The commemoration provides an opportunity to highlight the Navy Reserve’s extraordinary sailors and to illustrate its esprit de corps, value and relevancy — Ready then. Ready now. Ready always.”

Petty Officer Howey, a member of Navy Operational Support Center Avoca, is recognized in a story written by Lt. Jennifer Womble for the Outreach office website. It says he is pursuing a degree in criminal justice at Lackawanna College. He joined the Navy after graduating from West Scranton High School in 2006. Before becoming a Reserve sailor, he served 4½ years on active duty, deployed four times and traveled all over the world. He left active duty in 2011 to pursue his degree in criminal justice.

“I wasn’t ready to leave the camaraderie that goes along with being a sailor in the Navy,” Petty Officer Howey says in the release. “I also wasn’t ready to give up serving my country. The Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment are how I live my life.”

Petty Officer Howey dedicates time to the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center, started a Toys for Tots drive at Lackawanna College and serves as president of Lackawanna’s College Veterans in Action. He was also part of the team that converted the Vietnam Memorial at Nay Aug Park to a Peace Garden and helps maintain it.

In her article on Petty Officer Howey, Lt. Womble quotes Vice Admiral Robin R. Braun, chief of the Navy Reserve, as saying, “The commitment of our talented sailors to the Navy, their shipmates and their community is truly inspirational. Their continued dedicated service in support of the Navy, Marine Corps and Joint Force lends credence to our motto: ‘Ready Now. Anytime, Anywhere.’ ”

Super students

Natalie Horrocks of Factoryville will be inducted April 12 into Lebanon Valley College’s Phi Alpha Epsilon honor society during Inquiry 2015, the college’s celebration of scholarly, scientific and creative achievements of the student body. Natalie, a graduate of Lackawanna Trail High School, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education and special education. ... Regan Mulrooney of Lake Ariel is serving an internship this spring at Susquehanna University’s Office of Cross Cultural Program. Regan is a theater and communications major in the class of 2016. She is the daughter of Robert and Suzanne Mulrooney.

High notes

Tom and Bill Sheakoski , owners of Pizza by Pappas, will be the presenting sponsor of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s PurpleStride 5K walk/run, scheduled Saturday, June 6, at the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Tom and Bill presented an $8,847.60 donation representing 50 percent of their Nov. 18 and 19 pizza sales to Network NEPA Affiliate and national representatives, including Shanle Vandermeer, national office community outreach regional events manager; and affiliate representatives: Natalie Radtke, regional affiliate manager; Kevin Rizzardi, affiliate chairman; Jim Connors, affiliate spokesman; Susan Blum Connors, media relations chairwoman; Teresa Grabowski, community outreach chairwoman; Jessica Lehman-Connelly, volunteer chairwoman; Michele Taylor and Paul Savage, PurpleLight chairmen; Shannon Taylor, advocacy chairwoman; and Ellen Eiden, Sherry Savage, Sally Venesky and Alyssia Venna , volunteers.

JESSUP — A Chicago-based energy developer has asked borough council to amend Jessup’s zoning ordinance — another step along the way to building a contentious natural gas power plant.

On Monday night, council members agreed to send Invenergy LLC’s request along to the borough’s planning commission and the Lackawanna County Regional Planning Commission seeking recommendations.

During the council meeting, Dan Ewan, an Invenergy vice president, extended the invitation to a community open house Wednesday at Fiorelli’s in Blakely.

The open house will run from 5 to 9 p.m. and give concerned residents a chance to speak directly with Invenergy employees, environmental and technical experts as well as a dozen staff members from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

“Hopefully, it allows a lot of one-on-one dialogue so people get their questions answered,” Mr. Ewan said.

Council members also scheduled a public hearing to take comment on the proposed zoning change for 6:30 p.m. April 14; however, they delayed announcing a location while they seek a larger venue.

As council considers the zoning rule change, borough solicitor Richard Fanucci said it makes sense for council to set aside Invenergy’s land development application until the zoning matter is resolved.

Invenergy contends the zoning ordinance is vague in its description of an M-1A zone, the designation surrounding the plot at Sunnyside Road and Valley View Drive where the company proposes to build its 1,300-megawatt, natural gas-fired electricity generation plant.

Mr. Fanucci admitted the zoning rules are outdated and the borough has been considering an ordinance overhaul for some time.

The borough and Invenergy have agreed to extend Jessup’s deadline for deciding on the land-development application from March 17 to May 17, Mr. Fanucci said.

In other news, council accepted planning commission member Dave Valvano’s resignation and voted to appoint Michael A. Guida to the commission.

A single vacancy remains, but council is not obligated to fill it.

Contact the writer:

joconnell@timesshamrock.com, @jon_oc on Twitter

WHAT’S NEXT

• Invenergy LLC open house, 5 - 9 p.m. Wednesday March 4 at Fiorelli Catering, 1501 Main St., Blakely.

• Public hearing on zoning amendment request, 6:30 p.m. April 14, location to be determined.

■ The Friends of Old Forge will hold a campaign kickoff party with borough council candidates Lou Febbo, Jennifer Stone Cordiano and Allan McAndrew on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Arcaro & Genell Banquet Room. Admission is a $15 donation.

SCRANTON — A 22-year-old Dickson City man waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday on charges he used a knife and a table to assault two family members in November.

Thomas Sedorovitz’s case will go to Lacka­wanna County Court, where he faces charges of aggravated assault and related counts.

Police said Mr. Sedorovitz came out of Keystone Place Apartments on Main Street in November with bloody hands. Mr. Sedorovitz said he had tried to kill two family members, police said.

Mr. Sedorovitz remains in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.

A formal arraignment is scheduled for April 17.

— JOSEPH KOHUT