WILKES-BARRE — Global ecommerce giant eBay will expand in downtown Wilkes-Barre and plans to add 35-40 jobs over the next 18 months.

EBay extended its lease for five years on the third floor of the Innovation Center on South Main Street, where the company currently employs 78 people, said Joe Boylan, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber vice president of economic development. Upgrades have begun and OPTiMO Information Technology moved to the second floor to make way for eBay’s expansion from 8,500 square feet to 14,000 square feet.

Its downtown Wilkes-Barre site is the corporate headquarters for eBay Enterprise Marketing Solutions. Mr. Boylan would not discuss the range of salaries of eBay’s new positions, but he said they will be good-paying jobs.

Mr. Boylan and Wilkes-Barre Chamber CEO Wico van Genderen will join Mike Jones from eBay and others for a press conference today at 11:30 a.m. about eBay’s future.

Pepperjam, started by area Internet marketing veteran Kris Jones, was sold to GSI Commerce in 2009 and then to eBay in 2011. EBay will remain in the space until at least 2020 and is investing its own private money in an expansion, Mr. Boylan said.

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber owns the Innovation Center. It formerly was the Woolworth’s store until it was renovated from 2003-04 into the innovation center that has since grown into a hub for technology companies.

The original intent of the building, Mr. Boylan said, was to have a shared common area on the first floor where Barnes & Noble is located, an incubator center for start-up businesses on the second floor and an anchor graduate tenant on the third floor.

“That actually happened,” he said. “This is one of the rare occasions where the original intent came to fruition.”

Mr. Boylan said chamber officials can now leverage what eBay is doing to continue to drive other developments and attract more ecommerce and technology companies.

“We already have education partners that can provide them with the workers they need,” he said. “EBay is really our attraction piece. So when we start to go out and look at other companies and we say we have their corporate headquarters right here, it’s an easy sell.”

Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com

CARBONDALE — City public works employees spent part of Thursday painting over graffiti in Russell Park.

Vandals armed with brightly colored spray paint tagged the stage and playground equipment, Mayor Justin Taylor said, continuing an ongoing battle between vandals and the city at Russell Park.

“Every single year, something is damaged up there,” Mr. Taylor said.

— JON O’CONNELL

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Janelle Marie Wasser and Jake Randall Winowich, both of Houston.

Sanchez Natanael Vijil and Xiomara Vasquez, both of

Scranton.

Andrew Charles Marsteller and Stephanie Perry, both of Dunmore.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

John E. Parrish, Fort Myers, Fla., and Marsha A. Parrish, Lackawanna County, to Donna Eget Bessoir and Carolyn Beers; a property at 1001 Chapin Drive, Glenburn Twp., for $372,500.

Alexander P. and Delores Zeshonski, Scott Twp., and Ronald M. and Ellen Zeshonski, Mayfield, to Edward and Linda A. Young, Jermyn; a property at 18-20 Lackawanna Ave., Jermyn, for $75,000.

Irene Demchak, Mayfied, to Timothy G. and Heather Phelps, Greenfield Twp.; a property at 327 Delaware St., Mayfield, for $165,000.

Jeffrey C. Zelno, Archbald, to Cory Calvert, Blakely; a property at 721 Chestnut St., Archbald, for $107,700.

Arthur E. and Catherine M. Rush to Ronnie Raykin; a property at Laurel Lane, Covington Twp., for $25,000.

Albin and Catherine Raguckas to Assol Khodeeva and Igor Mnatsekanov; a property at Lake Road, Covington Twp., for $240,000.

Mary Ann and Ralph J. Bensing III, Jermyn, to United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Scranton; a property at 419 Alder St., Scranton, for $55,000.

Marla Farrell, Clarks Summit, Layne Dornblume, Philadelphia, and Marlene Errigo, Peckville, to John and Mauri Scritchfield, Scranton; a property at 198 S. Laurel St., Archbald, for $79,900.

Thomas P. O’Connor, Scranton, to Brian and Rebecca Irving, Scranton; a property at 1215 S. Main Ave., Taylor, for $60,000.

Anthony F. Karpinski, executor of the estate of Phyllis Karpinski, Taylor, to Robert Jensen, Dunmore; a property at 99 Vine St., Taylor, for $139,000.

Karl F. Sidnam, Scranton, to David Bryant, Olyphant; a property at 2502 Olyphant Ave., Scranton, for $65,000.

Vincent R. and Jill Rodriguez, South Abington Twp., to John and Angelina A. Mitchell, Clarks Summit; a property at 2000 Elden Drive, South Abington Twp., for $465,000.

John F. and Jenifer M. Habeeb, South Abington Twp., to Carol Strauch, South Abington Twp.; a property at 1024 Circle Green Drive, South Abington Twp., for $526,500.

ESTATES FILED

Georgia E. Hilgert, 1918 Jackson St., Scranton, letters testamentary to Grace Jessie Reid, 220 Market St., Moscow.

Erick T. Price, 1122 N. Irving Ave., Dunmore, letters testamentary to Sophie G. Price, same address.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

Paul M. Skutack, Old Forge, v. Joan Skutack, Old Forge; married Feb. 10, 2007, in Old Forge; Brian J. Cali, attorney.

Marie C. Banicky, Scranton, v. John D. Banicky, Aulander, N.C.; married Nov. 30, 1985, in Scott Twp.; Howard M. Spizer, attorney.

DIVORCE DECREES

John Monroe v. Cassie Monroe

James Penzone Jr. v. Colleen Penzone

Benjamin R. Koch v. Sierra C. Koch

Erika Lorenzo Gonzalez v. Neftali Nieves Carire

LAWSUITS

Eugene O’Neill, P.O. Box 1695, Scranton, v. Travis J. Merrill, 183 Spruce St., Archbald, and Travis and Wilfre Merrill, 65 Peifer Road, Lake Ariel, seeking in excess of $50,000 on two counts, for injuries suffered in an automobile crash on Mulberry Street, Scranton on July 10, 2013; Christopher J. Osborne, attorney.

Maria Bonacuse, individually and as parent and natural guardian of Vienna Bonacuse, 1948 Myrtle St., Scranton, v. Heather and Aaron Holzman, 109 Weatherby St., Dalton, seeking in excess of $50,000 on four counts, for injuries suffered in an automobile crash on Capouse Avenue, Scranton, on Jan. 24, 2014; Susan L. Luckenbill, attorney.

ONLINE:

thetimes-tribune.com/courts

After a 1-hour-and-13 minute-long meeting Thursday with department store magnate Al Boscov explaining his plan to acquire and revive the Mall at Steamtown, Scranton council members said they emerged with more questions than answers.

Mr. Boscov attended a council caucus to give an update on his plan, which includes a $10 million application for a state grant to fix the mall’s parking garages, as part of a larger, $33 million reconstruction of the mall that would include $8.3 million in cash and $15 million from a federal loan program called Section 108. Mr. Boscov said his firm intends to bid in an upcoming auction to acquire the foreclosed mall. Council members have expressed reservations about Mr. Boscov gaining mall ownership.

The caucus was held after The Times-Tribune on June 10 reported details of Boscov’s Corp. May 18 grant application that contains an endorsement letter from Mayor Bill Courtright saying there is unanimous city backing for the plan and promising council’s support. However, council was unaware of the Boscov application details and mayor’s endorsement letter.

After that article, Mr. Courtright did an about-face on June 11 and sent Mr. Boscov a letter with caveats and stating supposed verbal promises that Mr. Boscov made on May 18, including agreeing to make good on $18 million owed to the city by his firms from prior loans.

But Mr. Boscov and his attorney, Scott Esterbrook, told council that the mayor must have misinterpreted the discussions and Mr. Boscov never promised to repay $18 million that he doesn’t owe. Rather Mr. Boscov said he told the mayor would make donations to make good on certain Section 108 loans that if go unpaid get deducted from the city’s block grants for community programs.

Mr. Esterbrook said the mall foreclosure wiped out all obligations by the Boscov-related firm that had owned the mall. There also were loan subordination agreements, and some loans started as grants but were converted for tax or political reasons into loans, he said.

“I think there’s a little confusion about the history of these obligations and what was out-of-pocket” by the city, Mr. Esterbrook said.

Councilman Bill Gaughan said, “But you could understand the confusion from council. Maybe we should ask the mayor what meeting he was at (with Mr. Boscov), because I don’t know what happened there.”

Mr. Esterbrook said, “Maybe the mayor had a different understanding. It just might have been that simple, of two people talking about two different things. This is complicated, the history of this.”

Mr. Courtright did not attend the caucus.

Councilman Pat Rogan said Mr. Boscov was being “disingenuous” about his level of control with related firms and mall direction. Councilman Wayne Evans noted Mr. Boscov recently pronounced that his Boscov’s store lease gives him final say over mall uses. They believe that devalued the mall and discouraged other bidders.

Mr. Boscov replied, “Well, if you were stupid you would do that (devalue the mall). We have a store here. If you wanted to kill a mall, why would you have your own store here.”

Mr. Boscov said he is committed to the city and the mall and believes continuing it as a reconstructed retail center offers the best chance for its revival.

“We don’t have to do this. The only reason we’re sticking to it now is we think we can accomplish another mall that we’ll be proud of, that you’ll be proud of, and that will help our store. Otherwise why would be willing to stay here,” Mr. Boscov said.

Mr. Boscov and Mr. Esterbrook acknowledged the grant application was rushed to meet a submission deadline.

Councilman Joe Wechsler said, “Usually when we have a caucus, we come out of the caucus much more informed than when we went in. I have to say that tonight was not the case. The issues that were discussed, a lot of questions that came out, remain unanswered.”

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

Scranton High School valedictorian Alison Barrett spoke bluntly when she said that last year her alma mater was designated a “low-achieving school,” but she didn’t stop there.

“Low-achieving?” she said emphatically. “Tell that to the over 100 colleges, universities and trade schools that have not only accepted us ... but offered us over $14 million in scholarships, grants and incentives.”

Scranton High marked the achievement of 366 graduates Thursday night in the school’s gymnasium during its 14th annual commencement.

Supporters crammed the stands and spilled out into the hallway, where they reached through the double doors, holding cellphones in hopes of snapping a shot of their graduates. Principal John P. Coyle followed Ms. Barrett’s lead and unloaded a barrage of achievements.

“Ninety students are wearing white and gold stoles representing membership in the National Honor Society; 87 members of the class of 2015 have taken an advanced placement class for college credit,” he said, going on to list awards and accomplishments in academia and athletics and the number of graduates who earned them.

“People always ask if I think our students will be ready to face the challenges of today’s society,” Mr. Coyle said. “You have dealt with success and you have dealt with loss, you have learned to rise to a challenge. For the past four years, you’ve been a part of the real world right here at Scranton High.”

In his address, acting Superintendant John Marichak doted over the students briefly, and reminded them they have everything they need for success.

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than the things that you did do,” Mr. Marichak said, quoting Mark Twain. “Catch the tradewinds in your sails, go out, dream and discover.”

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

Graduates are: Michael Abbott, Eilyas Abdul Latif, Abdul Qadir Abdul Quddus, Kailon Adams, Damber Adhikari, Anna O. Aebli, Karla M. Aguirre, Salma A. Ahmed, Jonathan Altamirano, April M. Altier, Ryan Jordan Ancherani, Hector A. Andujar, Livia Angelyn, Tristan Scott Aubin, Ashyia August, Himran R. Aziz, Farah Azizi, Matthew Babinski, Jeremiah D. Baker, Kazim Bakhriyev, Niyaz Bakradze, Sabrina R. Bannister, Alison C. Barrett, Michael Barrett, Yerlina Manuela Bautista, Brandon Jai Bazan, Molly Jane Belles, Dora Corrine Bergeron, Sabitri Bhattrai Chhetri, Hari Kumar Bhujel, Bradley Mitchell Bodine, Lisa Marie Bogaski, Joseph Bonczek, Christopher J. Borgia, David Mitchell Bradshaw, Bhupal Budathoki, Dambari Budathoki, Monica Marie Burda, Gissel Buret, Isaiah N. Burgette, Victor Burns, Nataya Burrows, Najwree S. Burrus, Jarod M. Calpin, Victormanuel Caltenco, Trevor Jordan Calvey, Fernando Carvantes, Nicholas J. Castagnaro, Francis M. Castaldi, Alexis Lynn Caviston, William Maxey Lyons Cawley, Zahra R. Cepeda, Jessica Leigh Cerra, Sahara Doris Chandler, Nicholas Cimino, Liam Clark, Megan Elizabeth Coggins, Elijah L. Colon, Bryanna Colosimo, Kari Rea Condel, Matthew Condrad, Brianna Cook, Justine Lee Cook, Brenda E. Cortez Ruiz, David Costa, William Craven, Brittany Creegan, Charity A. Crowell, Cailee Cruise, James M. Cruz Ramirez, Colin Cutro, Victoria L. Dabney, Lea E. Dakunchak, Joshua P. D’Annunzio, Pura M. Darjee, Jinal D. Dave, Sadaf Delawar, Sahar Delawar, Harsh Umanath Desai, Matthew DeStefano, Heena Dhakal, Hinkish Dhakal, Bhagi Dhungel, Alex Diaz Knight, Demetrius Dickey, Deyanna Dickey, KeAsha Dillon, Sianli Djakasetia, Christopher Doherty, Hugh Doherty, Juan Manuel Dominguez, Efrain Dones, Colin Dougher, Calah Dougherty, Brandon Dunbar, James Dunbar, Ilona Duverge, Rosemary Echevarria, Brody Edsell, Tyler Eiden, Atalyia Eisenhauer, Kelvin Encaranacion Torres, Brett Engleman, Melissa Renee Evans, Melissa Rose Evans, Sean Evans, Daniel Evarts, Tara Farinas, Triston Farrell, Alvaro Fernandez Maldonado, Ramon Fields, Tyzanay Fields, Angel Fisher, Morgane Flynn, William Foster, Stephen Frantz, Jayleen Galeno, Ashlynn Gallagher, Brittney Gallagher, Clarence Gallagher II, Brianna Galvin, Rutu Gandhi, Alvaro Garcia, Luis Angel Garcia, Meaghan Gavin, Gabriella Marie Gentile, Nirmal Ghalay, Sanjay Ghalley, Samantha Giehl, Connor Gilbride, Nancy Kayla Gillyard, Tim Gingerlowski, Ashley Gnall, Nathan Goberdon, Jose Gonzalez, Kevin Gonzalez, Nildaliz Rolon Gonzalez, Scott Gorton, Sabrina Ann Gray, Matthew Grippo, Paul Gronski IV, Maria Guido, Narges GulMohammad, Regita Handijaya, Grace Noel Harvey, Colin Hastings, Barbara Hathaway, Courtney Helm, Lucas Herbert, Abigail Hernandez, Armando Hernandez, Aryssa Hill, Kayla Hill, Andrea Hiller, Kayla Hineline, Dashawn Tyreck Hogan, Emily Ann Holden, Briana Holdip, Kimberly Holleran, Kurkham Alinna Homesombath, Paul Howe Jr., Lorraine Marie Irizarry Gonzalez, Elijah Izak, Helen James, Josh Jeremy James, Jean Marie Jenkins, Yasmin Jenkins, Sadeed Johnson, Sasha Johnson, Kristen Jones, Tyra Jones, Erin Kazmierczak, Justin Keiper, Catherine Kelly, Daniel John Kelly Jr., Pierce Kelly, Jolie Kerekes, Robert Kirchner, Damani Elexus Kizer, Nicole Camille Kmiec, Isaiah Knight, Steven Koch, Megan Kolata, Samantha Kollock, Caitlin Kurey, Keshab Lagun, Kishan Anilkumar Lalkiya, Lester Lancaster Jr., Katelynn Lapiers, Michelle Renee Lavender, Jordan Lawson, Carray Leepier Jr., Keyser Leepier, Kristopher Brandon Sakevich Lepka, Deanisha Avon Lloyd, Samantha Loch, Emily Loftus, Kalei Loposky, Hailee Lovell, Trey Loyd, Rebekkah Anne Lucas, Tam Ly, Cory Lynch, Jayne Maconeghy, Paul Maglioli, Robert T. Major, Colin Joseph Maldonato, Taylor Maloney, Caleb Mandile, Beth Mangan, Rachel Marichak, Merily Martinez, Jonathan Mason, Gabbriella Matis, Gretchen Mattern, Milton Matybel, Kelly McAfee, Mackenzie McAndrew, James McCabe, Jacob McCarthy, Marcus McCarthy, Catherine McDonnell, Emily McDonnell, Shaniyah McFadden, Robert McGowan, Brianna McGuire, Iviah McNally, Aramis Medina, Jennifer Mehall, Eleanor Mikelatis, Cody Miller, Prakash Mongar, Ian Montoro, Jaleel Mora, Ali Muhammad, Jordan Mullin, Kasey Murphy, Abbagale Nardelli, Kenzie Nash, Corey Naughton, Brandon Noble, Kamila Ochakli, Jordan O’Hearn, Biankmarie Ojeda DeRoode, Mark Opsasnick, Michael Orr, Thomas Orzello, Cristian Osuna, Ashley Otero, Ian Owens, Matthew Charles Pabst, Stephanie Pacheco, Christopher Pakutka, Edwin Paramo De La Rosa, Leticia Paramo, Amanda Patchoski, Jinal Patel, Kanan Patel, Kinjal Patel, Krina Patel, Kuntal Patel, Niki Patel, Prerak Patel, Satyam Patel, Sheel Patel, Vaikal Patel, Cole Perechinsky, Gage Cooper Pertuit, Julie Petrucci, Andrew Piasecki, Jessica Pineda, Rashawn Plunkett, Victoria Polkowski, Chrisny Polynice, Christine Prendergast, Lorenzo Pugliese, Eric Raebel, Scott Rafaiani, Bimal Rai, Dal Bir Rai, Som Bhadur Rai, Ingris Ramos, Luis Ernesto Ramos, Aubrie Rasalla, Dharti Ray, Kaitlyn Rebernik, Stephen Redensky, Shawn Reed, Khalil Reeder, Brooke Reinhardt, Ryan Reuther, Alexander Rink, Shakira Rivera, Mario Roani, Moses Rodriguez, Elana Roman, Juan Carlos Rondon Jr., Jerica Marie Rosado Nieves, Ramona Crystal Rosado, Emilia Rosas, Rashaud Sylvester Roseway, Jordan Rowe, Stephen Ruddy, Emily Rudolph, Annie Russo, Tyler Saar, Alexander Salazar, Paul Sandy, Mahammed Sangre, Ricardo Santiago Jr., Michael Santorsa, Melissa Sawko, Gleyci Segura, Daniel Sensi, Bhumi Shah, Margi Shah, Kareem Shelton, Crystal Shields, Michelle Shostek, Smriti Sitaula Sharma, Mark Sleboda Jr., Edward Slocum, Alexandria Small, Matthew Spory, Nafis Stewart, Jason Strasburger, Brigitte Stuckart, Ada Suarez Saldivar, Felisha Sutedja, Lal Bir Tamang, Michael Tart, Tatiana Tell, Sabina Thapa, Dexter Thomas, Reyna Thomas, Kalpana Timsina, Sean Elise Tomlinson, Anthony Tooson, Shania Torres, Donmenic Torres Zayas, Verenice Ubera, Anjelica Vaccaro, Alexi Vega, Luis Velez, Ivonne Villegas, Rebecca Voldenberg, Kayla Wademan, Justin Wagar, Benjamin Waldeck, Eileen Walsh, Edward Wandell, Marcus Ward, Melissa Lynn Warner, Julius Warnero, Nadia Wegleski, Jemma Weibrecht, Autumn Raine West, Keziah White, Victoria White, Jehdeiah Williams, Travis Winsor, Austin Woyshnar, Jeffrey Wright, Jakira Young, Kevin Zaleski and Margaret Zaleski

Valedictorian: Alison Barrett

Parents: Matt and Lori Barrett

Activities: Mock trial, speech and debate, Knight Rhythms Advanced Chorus, National Honor Society, Scholastic Bowl, Link Crew, Coaches vs. Cancer

Plans after high school: Penn State University, The Schreyer Honors College majoring in biology with a concentration in medical research

Salutatorian Robert McGowan

Parents: Ronald and Marjorie McGowan

Activities: SHS Orchestra President; Concert Band; Double Bass Tutor; Marywood University Orchestra; National Honor Society; Tri-M Music Honor Society; PMEA District, Region, and All-State Musician

Plans after high school: Attending the University of Scranton on a full presidential scholarship to study psychology

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Andrew Muscarelle and Marianne Barber, both of Kingsley.

■Clark Reeder and Carrie Maciuska Johnson, both of Union Dale.

■Mark Machell and Pamela Showalter, both of Thompson.

■Kyle Pedro and Kellie Keller, both of Great Bend.

■William Sibio and Sherry Hoxie, both of Union Dale.

■Daisy Swanson and Dawn Gerichten, both of Forest City.

■Michael DeMaio and Connie Giamanco, both of Staten Island, N.Y.

■Lacy Walker and Amanda Abston, both of New Milford.

■ Alfredo Morales and Rebecca Schmidt, both of Kingsley.

■Christopher Dedonis and Robin Fassett, both of Montrose.

■David Lathrop and Christine Gill, both of Montrose.

■Bryan Tewksbury and Autumn Ferris, both of Tunkhannock.

■Justin Robinson and Holly Morrison, both of Dickson City.

■Lukas Jones and Susanne Tewksbury, both of Friendsville.

■David Rider and Kristina Smith, both of Brackney.

■Amos Dixon and Mary Singer, both of Hallstead.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

■Kenneth and Melanie Luff to William and Laura Squier, a property in Bridgewater Twp. for $379,000.

■Kimberly Szpakowski and Catherine Stover to Francis and Mary Ciamaichelo and Joseph and Marissa McAndrew, a property in Herrick Twp. for $255,000.

■Consolidated Resources Inc. to Nick and Erica Johnson, a property in Franklin Twp. for $50,000.

■Kevin and Heidi Woodruff to April Harvey, a property in Montrose for $108,000.

■Jeffrey and Michele Gregory to Brett Kile, a property in Forest Lake Twp. for $195,700.

■Sarah and Brian Murphy to Tyler Emmerick, a property in Dimock Twp. for $135,500.

■Charles and Colleen Bennett to Paul Mack, a property in Forest Lake Twp. for $57,816.

■Raymond and Ann Jennings to Flynnagans Inc., a property in Great Bend for $65,000.

■Joseph DiGirolamo to Eric Vohrer, a property in Dimock Twp. for $600,000.

■Robert II and Shari Lewis to Joann Parkinson, a property in Great Bend for $75,000.

■Sean and Kristine Morris to Timothy and Kelly Gaughan, a property in Hallstead for $118,000.

■Mark and Michelle Antinnes to Zachary Magdin and Crystal Greene, a property in Dimock Twp. for $131,000.

■R&S Realty of New York LLC to Charles Snyder Jr., a property in Oakland Twp. for $135,000.

■Joseph and Debra Stone to Anthony and Bridgette McKennas, a property in Bridgewater Twp. for $125,000.

■Richard and Nancy Celeste to Paul and Irma Laver, a property in Springville Twp. for $225,000.

ESTATES FILED

■Marjorie Inderlied, 17488 Dimock to Nicholson Rd., Lathrop Twp.; letters testamentary to Ida Strickland, 1655 East Mountain Rd., Union.

■ Joseph Sanauskas, 21 South Center St., Hop Bottom; letters testamentary to Brenda VanVleck, 1180 SR 374, Nicholson, and Sale Sanauskas, 84 Finn Rd., Factoryville.

■Joyce Cook, 1150 Booth Rd., Hallstead; last will and testament, Jesse Cook, executor.

■ Philip Peake, 55 Todd Ave., Union Dale; letters testamentary to Jason Peake, 521 Brush Creek Lane, Snowmass Village, Colo.

■ Olga Buberniak, 37991 SR 2023, Clifford; letters testamentary to Denise Cobb, 3745 SR 2023, Clifford.

ONLINE:

thetimes-tribune.com/courts

Former Lackawanna County Commissioner Robert Cordaro’s trial attorneys made a series of “inexcusable blunders” that so seriously hampered his case that he deserves a new trial, his new attorney argued Thursday.

Brian T. Kelly of Boston said Mr. Cordaro’s attorneys effectively “threw him to the prosecutorial wolves” by failing to review documents or adequately prepare him for his testimony at his 2011 corruption trial. Their “harebrained” decision not to ask him any questions when he took the stand also had disastrous results that significantly affected the case, he said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Brandler acknowledged some decisions made by the defense were “arguable.” Even if the attorneys made mistakes, the errors do not warrant a new trial because the evidence was so overwhelming that Mr. Cordaro would have been convicted anyway, he said.

“There were multiple witnesses who testified they paid Mr. Cordaro cash,” he said.

Mr. Brandler and Mr. Kelly appeared Thursday before Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo to present closing arguments from a three-day hearing held in January regarding Mr. Cordaro’s claims that his defense was so ineffective that he did not receive a fair trial.

Mr. Cordaro and former Commissioner A.J. Munchak were convicted in June 2011 on charges they extorted money from companies that did business with Lackawanna County. Mr. Cordaro was found guilty of 18 of 39 charges and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Mr. Munchak was convicted of eight of 25 counts and sentenced to seven years.

Should Mr. Cordaro win a new trial, it would only be on the charges for which he was convicted. Prosecutors could not retry him on the 21 counts for which he was found not guilty. The decision will not impact Mr. Munchak’s case, which remains on appeal before the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Cordaro did not attend Thursday’s hearing but was permitted to listen by phone at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey, where is he serving his sentence.

Mr. Kelly, a college friend of Mr. Cordaro’s who is representing him for free, hopes to convince Judge Caputo that there was no reasonable basis for the decisions made by Mr. Cordaro’s trial attorneys, William Costopoulos and Jerry Johnson. That is not enough to win a new trial, however, as he must also prove the decisions had a significant impact on the outcome of the trial.

That is where Mr. Cordaro falls short, Mr. Brandler said.

Mr. Kelly focused his arguments on several key errors he says the trial attorneys made, including failing to review boxes full of records prosecutors produced.

Mr. Brandler said that may be so, but that failure did not impact the case because Mr. Cordaro has not shown that any of the documents in question were pertinent to his defense.

“He’s had four years (since his conviction) to do a forensic analysis. He’s not produced one piece of documentary evidence that would have impacted the trial. That ends this case,” Mr. Brandler said.

Mr. Kelly argued Judge Caputo must consider the cumulative effect of all the errors the attorneys made. If he does, he will see they were “woefully deficient” in representing Mr. Cordaro.

Mr. Kelly was particularly critical of the “bizarre” decision Mr. Costopoulos made not to ask Mr. Cordaro any questions when he took the stand other than if he would answer questions truthfully.

At Thursday’s hearing, Mr. Brandler agreed the strategy was risky but pointed out that Mr. Cordaro got more of his story out during cross-examination than he would have on direct examination.

Judge Caputo took the matter under advisement and said he expects to issue a ruling soon.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timessharmrock.com

Incentives for school retirement

A story on Page A3 in Tuesday’s editions gave the wrong requirements for an early retirement incentive for maintenance and clerical employees in the Scranton School District. Unit I employees must be at the top scale to receive $10,000 per year for seven years or co-pay medical insurance for seven years. Unit II employees with a minimum of 10 years of service can receive $6,500 and co-pay medical insurance for three years.

To the West Scranton seniors seated in white and Invader-blue gowns Thursday, their salutatorian remarked on the momentous occasion that they had finally reached “their high school graduation.”

“Tonight, we step out of our path. ... This is the last time we will stand together as a group, and we must not forget the imprint we have left on our beloved school,” said Leah Farino.

West Scranton High School’s 73rd commencement ceremony took place Thursday in the school’s auditorium. Graduates filled white bleachers on stage while a likeness of the school’s mascot hung high behind them. The class of 2015 left behind “these halls that have served as a home for us for 720 days out of the past four years,” Sarah Purawic said during the invocation.

Before tassels were turned and diplomas delivered, Leah added “I hope our alma mater recalls us as fondly as we shall remember her.”

After asking the audience and his classmates to applaud for their families and teachers, valedictorian Jason Palauskas said, “School has provided us with something deeper than equations. ... School has actually provided us with many life lessons — dedication and hard work.”

School taught Jason and his classmates science, math and English, and to respect authority, “but to also speak up when authority is wrong” and take responsibility for their actions and “learn from our mistakes.”

He challenged the class of 2015 to define its own success.

“Life will be difficult for the next few years. ... Overcoming challenges is what builds character and makes you a better person,” said Jason.

Acting Superintendent John Marichak shared with the class his personal experience with West Scranton pride.

His mother’s house collapsed in a mine subsidence during her junior year at West, he said. But when her family moved across town, she hitchhiked to get to West Scranton High School, completed her senior year and graduated.

“She found a way to accomplish her goal. To me that is what West Scranton pride is,” Mr. Marichak said.

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

Graduates are: Thomas Abbott, Travis Lee Abbott, Imani Abduallah, Anthony Alongi, George Anderson, Joseph Anuszewski, Michael Auer, Timothy August, Madaline Baer, Vincent Baglivo, Tristan Baldoni, Kenneth Barrett, Ali Basalyga, Katlyn Beidler, Anthony Beltran, Yaditza Benitez Rodriguez, Betty Marie Bergstrom, Tyler Besecker, Olivia Bodnar, Matthew Bourassa, Tyrique Turner Boyd, McKenzie Armande Bradley, Christina Calamaco, Jason Camp, Earl Stefhen Caple-Watson, Joseph John Cawley, Isaac Michael Charleson, Maritza Cherry, Antonio Cicco, Ryan Clarkson, Matthew Clutter, Jessy Cocozello, Cesar Colchado, Bailey Conforti, Breonna Brittany Conklin, Carl Anthony Cordero, Jerald Coyne, Brianna Cramer, Jacob Cron, Kelsey Cwalinski, Tristan James Dale, Camille Dantone, Debray Lynn Davis, Aaron Carl Denicola, Eric Carmen Denicola, Jefersson Inoa Estrella, Autumn Everett, Leah Farino, Candace Jane Fox, Rebecca L. Freeman, Jerome Gayle, Christopher Gentile, Emily Gerrity, Noah Gerrity, Kaylie Gilmore, Bastian Gilroy, John Giordano, Felisia Gonie, Wynter Gowarty, Cloward Grant, Tristen M. Grant, Karla Gutierrez, Patrick J. Hart, Timothy Hart, Jadiel Angel Hernandez, Allison Hill, Ashley Hill, Richard Mark Hiller, Francis Jacob Horn, Dany Huanira, Andrew Hudak, Victoria Hunsinger, Sarah Hunt, Jamar Jackson, Tyler Jakes, Morgan James, Thomas Jennings, Tyler Johnson, Brandon Lee Kaminski, Mark Kashuba, Brad Killian, Kaitlin Marie Korgeski, Taylor Kozielski, Kyle Kroptavich, Neasa Leibert, Robin Terri TSyra Lewis, Leonard Licata, Faatima Loughney, Cara Alexis Lutchko, Lila MacDonald, David Malewich, Emily Mancus, Ava Maria Maroni, Kamani Martin, Madalyn Marx, Miguel Mateo, Tristan McMyne, Raymond Meoni Jr., Miana Michaylo, Ryan Miller, Daniel Mitchell, Brandin James Monaco, Jasmine Lynn Montevechi, Rowland Morrison, Siobhan Nee, Shannon O’Donnell, Jeffrey O’Hara, Matthew O’Malley, Taylor Osview, Jason Palauskas, Carlos Perez, Austin Peters, Brittany Yvonne Phillips, Rebecca Pierson, Kory Price, Rebecca Price, Sarah Purawic, Jasmine Quintana, Guadalupe Altagracia Ramirez Duran, Cameron Rawlings, Catherine Mae Riley, Tyquan Jared Roach, Michael Robert Roche, Neishmy Rodriguez, Ryan Rosario, Bryan Ross, Aileen Ann Royce, Kaylana Regina Rukse, Champagne Monigue Rumovitz, Jenna Lynn Santarsiero, Pedro Santiago, Annah Marie Scaccia, Marressa Sciartilli, Sydney Schmidt, Devinne Scott, Yalda Sediqi, Natalie Sedorovitz, Paisley Seymour, Caylin Michelle Shea, Elizabeth Sherman, Emily Sherpinskas, Sarah Shygelski, Andrew Simpson, Michael Joseph Simrell, Nicole Christine Sinclair, Morgan Sledzinski, Bailey M. Smith, Larry Smith, Austin Souryavong, Kristen Marie Southard, Holly Stafursky, Lindsy Stevens, Tara Anne Stratz, Shayne Syrylo, Taylor Szymanski, Kierra Taylor, Alexis Thomas, Laurencia Thomas, Amanda Leigh Tucker, Emily Tuffy, Joshua Tulaney, Corey Ronald Robert Ubaldini, Joshua Ulrich, Kamron VanWert, Obdulia Gigy Vazquez, Alexis Walls, Robert James Thomas Waltos, Jade Watson, Gabriele Wegielewski, Elizabeth Marie White, C J Michael Williams, Meghan Michaeline Williams, Morgan Williams, Sarah Williams, Chantel Willis, Dante Wise, Deyvone Wise, Nasir Zakera Woods, Jordan Taylor Wyatt, Brooke Lynne Young, Adam Youshock, Brittany Zang and Christopher Zindle.

Top of the class

Valedictorian: Jason Palauskas

Parents: Teresa and Jerry Palauskas

Activities: vice president of Student Council, NEIU Scholar of the Year, Scholastic Bowl Team, National Honor Society, vice president of the German Club, Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference, Engineering Olympics, Build-an-Invader Mentor, vice president of the Outdoor Club, varsity swimming, varsity track and field and captain of the varsity soccer team.

Plans: will attend the University of Scranton as an Army ROTC student and major in exercise science.

Salutatorian: Leah Farino

Parents: Cindy and Dominic Farino

Activities: Spirit Club, Speech and Debate, Drama Club, Art Club, SADD Club, chorus club, cross country, track and field and vice president of the senior class

.

Plans: Will attend Temple University and major in Media and Communications.

The graduates are:

Thomas Abbott, Travis Lee Abbott, Imani Abduallah, Anthony Alongi, George Anderson, Joseph Anuszewski, Michael Auer, Timothy August, Madaline Baer, Vincent Baglivo, Tristan Baldoni, Kenneth Barrett, Ali Basalyga, Katlyn Beidler, Anthony Beltran, Yaditza Benitez Rodriguez, Betty Marie Bergstrom, Tyler Besecker, Olivia Bodnar, Matthew Bourassa, Tyrique Turner Boyd, McKenzie Armande Bradley, Christina Calamaco, Jason Camp, Earl Stefhen Caple-Watson, Joseph John Cawley, Isaac Michael Charleson, Maritza Cherry, Antonio Cicco, Ryan Clarkson, Matthew Clutter, Jessy Cocozello, Cesar Colchado, Bailey Conforti, Breonna Brittany Conklin, Carl Anthony Cordero, Jerald Coyne, Brianna Cramer, Jacob Cron, Kelsey Cwalinski, Tristan James Dale, Camille Dantone, Debray Lynn Davis, Aaron Carl Denicola, Eric Carmen Denicola, Jefersson Inoa Estrella, Autumn Everett, Leah Farino, Candace Jane Fox, Rebecca L. Freeman, Jerome Gayle, Christopher Gentile, Emily Gerrity, Noah Gerrity, Kaylie Gilmore, Bastian Gilroy, John Giordano, Felisia Gonie, Wynter Gowarty, Cloward Grant, Tristen M. Grant, Karla Gutierrez, Patrick J. Hart, Timothy Hart, Jadiel Angel Hernandez, Allison Hill, Ashley Hill, Richard Mark Hiller, Francis Jacob Horn, Dany Huanira, Andrew Hudak, Victoria Hunsinger, Sarah Hunt, Jamar Jackson, Tyler Jakes, Morgan James, Thomas Jennings, Tyler Johnson, Brandon Lee Kaminski, Mark Kashuba, Brad Killian, Kaitlin Marie Korgeski, Taylor Kozielski, Kyle Kroptavich, Neasa Leibert, Robin Terri TSyra Lewis, Leonard Licata, Faatima Loughney, Cara Alexis Lutchko, Lila MacDonald, David Malewich, Emily Mancus, Ava Maria Maroni, Kamani Martin, Madalyn Marx, Miguel Mateo, Tristan McMyne, Raymond Meoni Jr., Miana Michaylo, Ryan Miller, Daniel Mitchell, Brandin James Monaco, Jasmine Lynn Montevechi, Rowland Morrison, Siobhan Nee, Shannon O’Donnell, Jeffrey O’Hara, Matthew O’Malley, Taylor Osview, Jason Palauskas, Carlos Perez, Austin Peters, Brittany Yvonne Phillips, Rebecca Pierson, Kory Price, Rebecca Price, Sarah Purawic, Jasmine Quintana, Guadalupe Altagracia Ramirez Duran, Cameron Rawlings, Catherine Mae Riley, Tyquan Jared Roach, Michael Robert Roche, Neishmy Rodriguez, Ryan Rosario, Bryan Ross, Aileen Ann Royce, Kaylana Regina Rukse, Champagne Monigue Rumovitz, Jenna Lynn Santarsiero, Pedro Santiago, Annah Marie Scaccia, Marressa Sciartilli, Sydney Schmidt, Devinne Scott, Yalda Sediqi, Natalie Sedorovitz, Paisley Seymour, Caylin Michelle Shea, Elizabeth Sherman, Emily Sherpinskas, Sarah Shygelski, Andrew Simpson, Michael Joseph Simrell, Nicole Christine Sinclair, Morgan Sledzinski, Bailey M. Smith, Larry Smith, Austin Souryavong, Kristen Marie Southard, Holly Stafursky, Lindsy Stevens, Tara Anne Stratz, Shayne Syrylo, Taylor Szymanski, Kierra Taylor, Alexis Thomas, Laurencia Thomas, Amanda Leigh Tucker, Emily Tuffy, Joshua Tulaney, Corey Ronald Robert Ubaldini, Joshua Ulrich, Kamron VanWert, Obdulia Gigy Vazquez, Alexis Walls, Robert James Thomas Waltos, Jade Watson, Gabriele Wegielewski, Elizabeth Marie White, C J Michael Williams, Meghan Michaeline Williams, Morgan Williams, Sarah Williams, Chantel Willis, Dante Wise, Deyvone Wise, Nasir Zakera Woods, Jordan Taylor Wyatt, Brooke Lynne Young, Adam Youshock, Brittany Zang and Christopher Zindle.

Top of the class

Valedictorian: Jason Palauskas

Parents: Teresa and Jerry Palauskas

Activities: vice president of Student Council, NEIU Scholar of the Year, Scholastic Bowl Team, National Honor Society, vice president of the German Club, Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference, Engineering Olympics, Build-an-Invader Mentor, vice president of the Outdoor Club, varsity swimming, varsity track and field and captain of the varsity soccer team.

Plans: will attend the University of Scranton as an Army ROTC student and major in exercise science.

Salutatorian: Leah Farino

Parents: Cindy and Dominic Farino

Activities: Spirit Club, Speech and Debate, Drama Club, Art Club, SADD Club, chorus club, cross country, track and field and vice president of the senior class .

Plans: Will attend Temple University and major in Media and Communications.

The graduates are:

Thomas Abbott, Travis Lee Abbott, Imani Abduallah, Nitea Allen, Anthony Alongi, George Anderson, Joseph Anuszewski, Michael Auer, Timothy August, Madaline Baer, Vincent Baglivo, Tristan Baldoni, Kenneth Patrick Barrett, Ali Basalyga, Katlyn Beidler, Anthony Beltran, Yaditza Benitez Rodriguez, Betty Marie Bergstrom, Laura Bergstrom, Tyler Besecker, Olivia Bodnar, Matthew Bourassa, Tyrique Turner Boyd, McKenzie Armande Bradley, Andrew Michael Cadwalder, Christina Calamaco, Jason Camp, Earl Stefhen Caple-Watson, Sierra Caramanno, Joseph John Cawley, Isaac Michael Charleson, Maritza Cherry, Antonio Cicco, Ryan Clarkson, Matthew Clutter, Jessy Cocozello, Cesar Colchado, Bailey Conforti, Breonna Brittany Conklin, Carl Anthony Cordero, Jerald Coyne, Brianna Cramer, Jacob Cron, Kelsey Cwalinski, Tristan James Dale, Camille Dantone, Debray Lynn Davis, Aaron Carl Denicola, Eric Carmen Denicola, Jefersson Inoa Estrella, Autumn Everett, Leah Farino, Candace Jane Fox, Rebecca L. Freeman, Jerome Gayle, Christopher Gentile, Emily Gerrity, Noah Gerrity, Kaylie Gilmore, Bastian Gilroy, John Giordano, Felisia Gonie, Wynter Gowarty, Cloward Grant, Tristen M. Grant, Karla Gutierrez, Patrick J. Hart, Timothy J. Hart, Jadiel Angel Hernandez, Allison Hill, Ashley Hill, Richard Mark Hiller, Paulina Holodnak, Francis Jacob Horn, John Robert Horvath III, Dany Huanira, Andrew Hudak, Victoria Hunsinger, Sarah Hunt, Jamar Jackson, Tyler Jakes, Morgan James, Thomas Jennings, Kristen Elizabeth Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Brandon Lee Kaminski, Mark Kashuba II, Brad Killian, Kaitlin Marie Korgeski, Taylor Kozielski, Kyle Kroptavich, Neasa Leibert, Brett Lesh, Robin Terri TSyra Lewis, Leonard Licata, Faatima Loughney, Cara Alexis Lutchko, Lila MacDonald, David Malewich, Emily Mancus, Ava Maria Maroni, Kamani Martin, Madalyn Marx, Miguel Mateo, Jordynn Matthews, Tristan McMyne, Raymond Meoni JR, Miana Michaylo, Ryan Miller, Daniel Mitchell, Brandin James Monaco, Jasmine Lynn Montevechi, Rowland Morrison, Siobhan Nee, Shannon O’Donnell, Jeffrey O’Hara, Matthew O’Malley, Anthony Jose Ortiz, Jason Palauskas, Carlos Perez, Austin Peters, Brittany Yvonne Phillips, Thomas John Phillips, Rebecca Pierson, Kory Thomas Price, Rebecca Price, Sarah Purawic, Jasmine Quintana, Guadalupe Altagracia Ramirez Duran, Cameron Rawlings, Peneorah Chanel Reyes, Catherine Mae Riley, Tyquan Jared Roach, Michael Robert Roche, Neishmy Rodriguez, Ryan Rosario, Bryan Ross, Aileen Ann Royce, Kaylana Regina Rukse, Champagne Monigue Rumovitz, Jenna Lynn Santarsiero, Pedro Santiago, Annah Marie Scaccia, Sydney Schmidt, Marressa Sciartilli, Devinne Scott, Yalda Sediqi, Natalie Sedorovitz, Paisley Seymour, Caylin Michelle Shea, Elizabeth Sherman, Emily Sherpinskas, Sarah Shygelski, Andrew Simpson, Michael Joseph Simrell, Nicole Christine Sinclair, Morgan Sledzinski, Bailey M. Smith, Eric Marcel Smith, Larry Smith, Tyler Jose Soto, Austin Souryavong, Kristen Marie Southard, Holly Stafursky, Lindsy Stevens, Shannon Stoveken, Tara Anne Stratz, Devin James Swiderski, Shayne Syrylo, Taylor Szymanski, Kierra Taylor, Alexis Thomas, Laurencia Marie Thomas, Michael Trager, Amanda Leigh Tucker, Emily Tuffy, Joshua Tulaney, Corey Ronald Robert Ubaldini, Joshua Ulrich, Kamron VanWert, Obdulia Gigy Vazquez, Erik N. Wahlmark, Alexis Walls, Robert James Thomas Waltos, Jade Watson, Gabriele Wegielewski, Justice Weidman, Elizabeth Marie White, Cejay Michael Williams, Cory Williams, Meghan Michaeline Williams, Morgan Williams, Sarah Williams, Chantel Willis, Dante Wise, Deyvone Wise, Nasir Zakera Woods, Jordan Taylor Wyatt, Brooke Lynne Young, Adam Youshock, Brittany Zang and Christopher Zindle.

Wedding minister Kristen Barner needed a church quickly.

On a cold and rainy February day in Charleston, South Carolina, the 47-year-old West Scranton High School graduate was officiating at an outdoor wedding. The wedding needed to move indoors and the couple had their eye on a beautiful and historic church — Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church, she said.

Securing a church wedding in a popular wedding town like Charleston is no easy task, but the church’s pastor and state senator, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, was “gracious and wonderful” and everything went smoothly, she said.

The weather turned and cleared enough for the couple to have their wedding outdoors, as originally planned, but the Rev. Barner did not forget the Rev. Pinckney’s help. She kept his card.

“The Rev. Pinckney made it the easiest, most natural thing and he didn’t have to at all,” she said.

She awoke early Thursday morning and saw text messages that there had been a shooting at the Rev. Pinckney’s church. She pulled out his card and thought she would call him to offer her help and support. When she learned he died in the massacre, she wept for hours.

“Really, the whole town has been rocked,” she said. “Just absolutely rocked.”

— JOSEPH KOHUT

DUNMORE — A borough man was arrested Thursday on felony drug-dealing counts after police say they watched him sell alprazolam, an antidepressant, and buprenorphine, a drug used to help opiod addicts get clean.

James McHugh, 64, 320 N. Apple St., sold the drugs in the parking lot of Joe’s Kwik Mart on North Blakely Street, police said.

Bail and confinement information was not available.

— JON O’CONNELL

HARRISBURG — State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale warned a Senate panel Thursday of the unintended consequences for a city such as Scranton going into bankruptcy because of insurmountable municipal pension debt.

He said the legal fees alone would run into the tens of millions of dollars, while a city under bankruptcy would never get back its fiscal reputation.

Mr. DePasquale outlined several recommendations that a gubernatorial task force on municipal pensions is preparing to send to Gov. Tom Wolf as a way to avert a bankruptcy in one of Pennsylvania’s municipalities. He has warned since last summer that Scranton will go bankrupt in the next several years because of pension debt if nothing is done to bring solvency.

Senate hearing

Mr. DePasquale testified at a Senate Finance Committee hearing on a bill to give municipalities the option of putting future paid police and fire employees under a defined contribution benefit plan instead of continuing with the traditional defined-benefit pension plan for them.

In a traditional pension plan, workers typically negotiate deferred compensation in lieu of current salary or raises, and the amount is paid directly by the employer into a pension fund. In a defined contribution plan, workers designate a portion of their current salaries to be paid into an investment account. The most common type of defined contribution plan is a 401(k).

Recommendations

The four-member task force headed by Mr. DePasquale is preparing a list of recommendations for the governor.

These include:

■ Giving the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System, an independent state agency, a role in running the most troubled municipal pension plans.

■ Setting statewide minimum standards to govern municipal pension plans.

■ Requiring municipal pension plans to set a more conservative anticipated rate of return on investments in the range of 6 percent. Scranton’s pension fund has an 8-percent rate of return, said Mr. DePasquale. The rate of return determines how much money goes into a fund.

■ Giving municipalities the option to sell or lease assets such as public water systems to help pay off pension debt once steps have been taken to stabilize their pension plans.

A statewide business leader echoed Mr. DePasquale’s warning on the perils of municipal bankruptcy.

Domino effect

“The potential for municipal bankruptcy scares the heck out of us,” said David Patti, president of the Pennsylvania Business Council, referring to a potential domino effect.

Pension problems are making it more difficult to persuade municipalities to share services or cooperate on regional matters, said Gerald Cross, executive director of the Pennsylvania Economy League Central Division in Wilkes- Barre.

Legacy costs

“A municipality is less likely to join forces with its neighbor if that neighbor has a distressed pension plan,” he said. “Legacy costs also drain money from the system that could be used to create a regional tax base to pay for regional services.”

The Pennsylvania Municipal League testified in favor of the defined-contribution bill while the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association submitted testimony opposing it.

Sen. John Eichelberger, R-30, Hollidaysburg, the bill sponsor and committee chairman, is preparing for an initial vote on this bill soon.

Contact the writer:

rswift@timeshamrock.com

SCRANTON — Police charged a 19-year-old woman with making false reports after she called 911 to report her boyfriend had fallen on a knife. When police arrived at Janis Myers’ home, 857 Capouse Ave., Wednesday evening, they found her boyfriend, Dylan Deats, with a deep wound on his calf. The wound did not look like it was caused by a fall, and upon questioning, Ms. Myers began crying, police said.

“He asked me to cut his leg so he wouldn’t have to go to work,” Ms. Myers told police. Mr. Deats was taken to Geisinger Community Medical Center for treatment.

— JON O’CONNELL

A man who hit and killed his teen cousin while driving drunk in Wayne County last year was sentenced Thursday to five to 14 years in state prison.

Judge Raymond Hamill sentenced Jason Day of Otego, New York, for the 2014 hit-and-run death of Zachary Possemato.

A 10-year-old boy told state police he and the 19-year-old victim were walking back to the New York state line on Route 191 near the Hancock Bridge in Buckingham Twp. on the night of May 16, 2014.

A truck hit Mr. Possemato and sped away.

Mr. Possemato was de-clared dead at the scene.

Mr. Day, now 33, turned himself in to state police about 12 hours after the incident. He told authorities he had been drinking and may have hit a deer while driving home.

Last month, a jury found Mr. Day guilty of all charges: homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and accidents involving death, both felonies, and driving under the influence.

The crime occurred just six weeks before the signing of Kevin’s Law in Harrisburg, state legislation that increased the minimum penalty for drivers who flee the scene of a fatal crash from one year to three, Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards noted in a press release.

Before this crash, Mr. Day was convicted of DUI in New York.

The sentence in the Pennsylvania case “is appropriate and should serve as a warning that driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident will not be tolerated in Wayne County,” Ms. Edwards said in the release. “The results of such activity by drunk drivers are devastating.”

Contact the writer:

pcameron@timesshamrock.com, @pcameronTT on Twitter

Carbondale

Electronics recycling: Electronics recycling, Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., City Hall parking lot near the fire- house, no fee for fully intact items, nominal fee for stripped items.

Daleville

Open house: Anthracite Hi-Railers Model Railroad Club open house, Sunday, 1-4 p.m., Bill’s Shop Rite Plaza; free, collecting supplies for North Pocono Dry Goods Pantry; Facebook: AnthraciteHiRailers.

Factoryville

Sportsmen meet: Factoryville Sportsmen’s Club meeting, Wednes-day, 7:30 p.m., drawing for Henry Rifle raffle, limited tickets available.

Lackawanna County

Survivor picnic: Northeast Suicide Prevention Initiative survivor picnic and memory tree dedication, today, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Nay Aug Park; monthly support group meetings, third Mondays, 1327 Wyoming Ave., Scranton; Kathy Wallace, 570-575-2343 or nspiinformation@gmail.com; www.northeastsuicidepreventioninitiative.org.

Train excursion: Steamtown National Historic Site excursions to Gouldsboro Station, Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., $34/adults, $29/62 and older, $22/6-15 and free/5 and younger; 570-340-5204.

Moscow

Summer concerts: Young Visionaries “Fabulous Fortunes” free summer concert, Saturday, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Centennial Park, Van Brunt Street. Bring blanket or lawn chairs.

South Scranton

Prayer shawl: St. Paul of the Cross prayer shawl group meeting, Monday, 6 p.m., parish center, Prospect Avenue.

West Scranton

Reunion meeting: West Scranton High School class of 1969 meeting, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., St. George’s Restaurant, Jessup, to discuss June 26 dance, next year’s reunion and 50th reunion; Facebook: Class of 69 WSHS.

Whites Crossing

Pig roast: Whites Crossing Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company pig roast, Saturday, takeout, 3-5 p.m.; buffet, 6-7 p.m., $9/adults and $6/children, roast of Frank “Ron” Lapka, 8-10 p.m., $10, 18 and older; 570-282-5021.

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

An Olyphant man punched his mentally disabled sister in the stomach and arms Monday because she was using her phone during family visits, borough police said.

Robert Harvey, 25, 308 Lynch St., Apt. 5, told police he did argue with his sister, Jessica, but said there had been “absolutely no physical contact between anyone,” according to a criminal complaint filed by Officers Lewis Kline and Kevin Murphy.

Mr. Harvey told his sister to “stop talking on the phone during visits or don’t visit,” police said. Ms. Harvey is a resident at Keystone Community Resources.

A van driver for Keystone flagged officers at the end of the block and pointed out Ms. Harvey as a passenger in the front seat. She told police her brother assaulted her, and a later examination by Keystone medical staff found scratches and bruises on her left arm and back. Ms. Harvey’s written statement to police said she was punched and had her hair pulled.

Sherry Hudson, a group home manager for Keystone, told police she overheard Mr. Harvey speaking to his sister in a demeaning fashion on several occasions.

Police said they found a witness to the alleged assault but did not include the person’s name in the charging document because he or she feared retaliation if identified, police said. That witness said Mr. Harvey swung “wildly” with a closed fist and dragged his sister down the apartment’s entrance steps. Ms. Harvey screamed through the entire incident, police said.

Mr. Harvey is charged with one count of simple assault, a misdemeanor.

Attempts to reach Mr. Harvey were unsuccessful. A spokesman for Keystone Community Resources said the group cannot comment on an ongoing investigation.

Mr. Harvey was released on $5,000 unsecured bail after his preliminary arraignment Wednesday night before Magisterial District Judge John P. Pesota. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:45 a.m.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com,

@jkohutTT on Twitter

An office complex that sought to recoup nearly $219,000 in rent it lost while Dunmore fought the opening of a methadone clinic lost an appeal of a Lackawanna County judge’s ruling that denied the claim.

Monahan Office Complex sued the borough in 2013, alleging it violated the company’s due process rights in 2009, when it refused to allow Habit OPCO Inc. to open a methadone clinic at 118 Monahan Ave.

The borough refused to allow the clinic to open based on an ordinance that prohibited methadone treatment facilities from operating within 1,000 feet of an existing development. Habit OPCO challenged the ordinance, which was initially upheld by a county judge. That decision was overturned by the state Commonwealth Court in 2011, which ruled the ordinance was discriminatory.

Habit OPCO filed a federal lawsuit against the borough seeking to recoup income it lost during the appeal process. In 2012, the borough agreed to pay $300,000 to settle that case.

In the Monahan lawsuit, attorneys for the firm argued it should also be permitted to recoup its lost income based on the borough’s violations in the Habit OPCO case. The suit sought $8,100 for 27 months the clinic remained closed as Habit OPCO battled the borough.

Visiting Senior Judge Richard N. Saxton Jr. dismissed the lawsuit last June, finding that Monahan lacked legal standing to bring the case. Monahan appealed the ruling to the state Commonwealth Court. The court on Thursday upheld Judge Saxton’s ruling.

While it agreed Monahan was adversely affected by the borough’s actions against Habit OPCO, the court stated that the ordinance in question did not specifically target landlords renting office space to methadone clinics, therefore Monahan was too far removed from the issue to bring suit.

“There was no direct regulatory impact of the ordinance on Monahan,” the court stated. “The ordinance neither prohibited anyone from leasing Monahan’s property, nor prevented Monahan from entering into a lease agreement.”

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com

Judge Vito Geroulo sentenced the following defendants recently in Lackawanna County Court:

■ Patrick James Cahill, 57, Scranton, to four to 10 years in state prison for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.

■ Rashawn Edwards, 35, 1548 Blackbirch Way, Tobyhanna, to 15 months to three years in state prison for possession with intent to deliver.

■ Christian Spindler, 41, 640 Jefferson Ave., Apt. 2d, Scranton, to 9-18 months in state prison for attempting to elude officer and DUI.

■ Brandon Rocco, 22, Carbon­dale, to two to four years in state prison and $5,644.75 in restitution for receiving stolen property, theft and theft from a motor vehicle.

■ Fuquan Johnson, 32, Irving­ton, N.J., to 166 days to one year in county prison for harassment.

■ Charles Harrah, 52, 221 Dun­more St., Throop, to one year of probation for possession of a controlled substance.

■ Charles Petrisky Jr., 29, 720 Gino Merli Drive, Archbald, to five years of court supervision, in­­clud­ing 90 days of house arrest, and a $1,500 fine for DUI.

■ Eleanor Tomkins, 47, 4 Market St., Pittston, to six to 23 months in Lackawanna County Prison for theft.

■ Matthew Speck, 28, 601 Sixth St., Moosic, to time served to one year in county prison, $48 in restitution and one year of probation for theft and receiving stolen property.

■ Kadesh Johnson, 36, 852 Lake Henry Road, Lake Ariel, to five years of court supervision, including six months of house arrest, and a $1,500 fine for DUI.

■ Robert Lasky, 43, 124 W. Parker St., Scranton, to six days to one year in county prison and $290 in restitution for simple assault — mutual consent fight.

■ Joshua Long, 28, 1670 Reservoir Road, Madison Twp., to 18 months of court supervision, including 90 days in county prison and 90 days of house arrest, and $230 in restitution for criminal trespass.

■ Pedro Rosado, 57, 1314 Prospect Ave., Scranton, to one year of court supervision and a $200 fine for reckless endangerment and theft.

■ Jabree Cummings, 24, 137 Belvedere Drive, Scranton, to two years of court supervision, including two months in the work release program at the county prison and three months of house arrest, for reckless endangerment.

■ John Joseph Sekelsky, 31, 418 River St., Dickson City, to one year of court supervision, including three months of house arrest, and a $50 fine for accident involving damage and other charges.

■ Ian David Scott, 31, 10041 Valley View Drive, Clarks Summit, to one year of probation for possession of a controlled substance.

■ Frank Sawlulich, 40, 925 South Main Ave. Rear Apt., Scranton, to one year of probation for theft.

■ Gary Lombardo, 46, 209 Batten St., Dunmore, to 30-120 days in county prison for harassment.

■ Jeffrey Maikranz, 31, 1420 Gardner Ave., Scranton, to 20 days to one year in county prison for disorderly conduct.

■ Jennifer Nicole Rorrer, 26, 1716 Wayne Ave., Scranton, to one to two months in county prison for theft.

■ Rick Dean Potts, 25, 394 Route 447, Newfoundland, to one year of probation for possession of a controlled substance.

■ Jason Rodriguez, 33, 722 Maple Ave., Honesdale, to four days to six months in county prison for unsworn falsification to authorities.

■ Marques Xavier Dais, 22, 69 E. Parker St., Scranton, to six months of probation for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ Margaret Jean Dick, 55, 239 Damon St. Front Apt., West Pittston, to two years of court supervision, including 90 days of house arrest, and a $1,500 fine for DUI.

■ James Steven Battaglia, 37, 245 S. Smith Road, Waymart, to six months of court supervision, including three days of house arrest, for DUI.

■ Jerry Edward Younger Jr., 26, 417 Orchard St., Scranton, to six months of court supervision, including two days of house arrest, and a $500 fine for DUI.

■ Christopher Paul Tigue, 32, 734 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, to one year of court supervision, including 10 days of house arrest, and a $500 fine for DUI.

Judge Michael Barrasse

sentenced:

■ Dennison Herbert, 26, 224 S. Main Ave., Apt. 4, Scranton, to 18 months to three years in state prison and five years of probation for possession with intent to deliver and criminal use of a communication facility.

■ Gregory Rudis, 37, 432 Brook St., Scranton, to one year of probation for drug paraphernalia.

■ Joshua Germano, 41, 114 Oak St., Scranton, to one year of court supervision, including 90 days in county prison, for possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ Jeffrey Grunza, 46, 714 E. Lackawanna Ave., Olyphant, to two years’ probation and $3,729 restitution for theft by deception.

■ Brian Doughton, 25, 822 E. Scott St., Olyphant, to five years of court supervision, including one year of house arrest, and a $2,500 fine for DUI.

■ Nadine Tulloch, 55, 1427 N. Sumner Ave., Scranton, to four years of court supervision, includ­ing 90 days in county prison and 90 days of house arrest, for possession of a controlled substance.

■ Brian O’Boyle, 39, 14½ Pros­pect St., Pittston, to six months of court supervision, including two months of house arrest, and a $1,000 fine for DUI.

■ Anthony Antonello, 36, 116 Johnson St., Pittston, to three years of court supervision, including 90 days of house arrest and 50 hours of community service, for retail theft.

■ Joseph Durkin, 56, 195 Spudeno Road, Moscow, to two years of probation for habitual driving offender.

■ Jerome Stephen Marciniak, 55, 1717 Monroe Ave., Scranton, to one year of probation for escape.

■ Phyllis Sopko, 37, 55 Bel­mont St., Apt 2, Simpson, to one year of probation for possession of a controlled substance.

■ Damion E. Williams, 35, 22 Paris Court, Carbondale, to six months of court supervision, including one month of house arrest, and a $1,000 fine for DUI.

■ Edward Huffsmith, 26, 115 Huffsmith Lane, Nicholson, to one year of probation for possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ Matthew R. Johnson, 33, RR 1, Box 1434, Nicholson, to one to two months in county prison for retail theft.

■ Joseph Skorets, 22, Carbon­dale, to 21 to 42 months in state prison and 30 months of probation for theft and possession of a controlled substance.

■ James Dominick Forgione, 34, 801 Brenda Lane, Dunmore, to five years of court supervision and a $2,500 fine for DUI.

■ Rufino Seren Morales Jr., 35, 342 Railroad Ave., Scranton, to four years of court supervision for theft and possession of a controlled substance.

■ Matthew Fitzgerald Flynn, 27, Scranton, to eight years of court supervision for receiving stolen property, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and theft.

Judge Patricia Corbett

sentenced:

■ Ryan Evan Miller, 18, Old Forge, to 54 to 108 months in state prison and more than $500 in restitution for theft and conspiracy to commit arson.

The Olyphant Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Association could lose state funding if it does not correct several problems found in a prior audit, according to a state Department of Auditor General audit released Friday.

The audit, which covered Jan. 1, 2011, to Dec. 31, 2013, faulted the association for allowing $156 in unauthorized expenditures and for allowing officers to sign blank checks, which increases the likelihood funds could be misappropriated. The audit also noted the association contributed $12,500 toward the purchase of a fire truck for the Excelsior Hose Company No. 1, but failed to have its name added to the title as part owner.

Regarding the expenditures, the audit found the association spent $384 for education methodology training and to purchase food while members attended an interviewing techniques training class, both of which are not authorized under state law. The association was reimbursed $228 but $156 remains unreimbursed.

The audit noted the association was previously notified to take more care in determining if expenditures were authorized. It was also advised to add its name to the fire truck title, but officials failed to abide by either of those directives. Repeat violations could result in the loss of state funding, the audit states, but that can be avoided if a corrective plan is implemented.

Contacted Friday, Christine Powell, president of the relief association, said it receives roughly $28,000 a year in state funding. The association is taking action to address the audit’s findings.

“We called a meeting to take care of it as soon as possible,” she said. “We are definitely getting it rectified.”

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com

Wyoming County Court notes appear weekly in The Times-Tribune.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Wells Fargo Bank to Collin Morrison, property in Mehoop­any Twp., for $36,300.

■ Norman L. Kline to David R. Wiernusz, property in Eaton Twp., for $300,000.

■ JP Morgan Chase Bank to Shloime Friedman, property in Exeter Twp., for $14,971.

■ Richard Damato and Jacque­line L. Damato to Adam Fisher and Samantha Fisher, property in Forskston Twp., for $5,000.

■ Wyoming County sheriff, Bradley Capwell and Dorothy Capwell to First National Bank of Pennsylvania, property in Overfield Twp., for $5,900.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

■ Michelle Coolbaugh and Desiree Honeywell, both of Falls.