SCRANTON — While three of the city’s pool facilities will open today, Connell Park’s pool won’t be ready until June 27, city recreation specialist Tom Lynch said.

The Nay Aug Park, Weston Field and Weston Park pool sites will have their summer openers today.

Repairs to Connell Park pool’s surface have been delayed by inclement weather. The city was hoping Connell Park would be ready by Wednesday, but work there will take a few more days to complete, Mr. Lynch said.

“We’re not having too good of a run with the weather,” he said.

— JIM LOCKWOOD

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Luis Angel Velez and Sharon Marie Kopec, both of Scranton.

Michael Jason Marino and Amanda Corrine Bombar, both of Scranton.

Kirill Vladimirovich Krolikov and Sabrina Berlin Cottrell, both of Jefferson Twp.

Nicholas Ryan Schell and Janet Anna Ianuale, both of Simpson.

Crystal Lee Johnston and Marc Joseph Deantona, both of Scranton.

Jennifer Joy Santarelli, Archbald, and David Michael Baum, Jessup.

Amyann Dorothy Deluccie and Thomas Carden Jr., both of Dunmore.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

Albert H. Jr. and Janet Frank, Jermyn, to Paul Smalla­combe and John Sheridan, Jermyn; a property at 546-548 Madison Ave., Jermyn, for $45,000.

Patricia Hernandez, executrix of the estate of Kathryn Behonick, Dunmore, to Edward Smith and Janice Reilly, Dun­more; a property at 1305 Webster Ave., Dunmore, for $30,000.

Charles Mark and Nanette L. Fitch, Clarks Summit, to Jeffrey C. and Jennifer E. Zelno, Eynon; a property at 308 Maple Ave., Clarks Summit, for $174,400.

Justin and Sharon Pulman, Jefferson Twp., to Vincent T. and Ashley M. Walker, Old Forge; a property at 406 Church St., Jessup, for $160,970.

Fred and Kathleen Rosetti, Archbald, to Louis A. Cicci, Olyphant; a property at Haley Nicole Drive, Archbald, for $53,000.

Charles J. Jr. and Bernard C. Krzan, both individually and as co-executors of the estate of Charles J. Krzan Sr., Dunmore, to Thomas and Paulette Fabri­catore, Dunmore; a property at 218 Reilly St., Dunmore, for $50,000.

Carol Williams, Fredericks­burg, Va., to Michael and Rosa Fiorillo, Clarks Green; a property at 439 Benton Road, North Abington Twp., for $50,000.

Kenneth and Linda Powell, Scott Twp., to Peter L. and Mary Jane O’Malley, Archbald; a property at Ruth Dilly Tract, Archbald, for $228,900.

Mark A. and Kathryn S. Meier, Richmond, Va., to Teresa Peters, Dunmore; a property at 2009 Adams Ave., Dunmore, for $179,000.

Robert Leggat and Donna Barbano, Ellicott City, Md., to Christina Hill, Oak Hill, Va.; a property at 213 Cherry St., Dun­more, for $90,000.

ESTATES FILED

Ann Marie Pucilowski, 920 Orange St., Avoca, letters of administration to Alex F. Pucilowski, same address.

Joseph J. Pelucacci, 1522 Elizabeth St., Scranton, letters of administration to Kathleen Tagliaferri, 116 Taroli St., Old Forge.

Rosemary J. Nichols, 2216 Comegys Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Patricia A. Martin, same address.

Joseph Goldberg, 447 Clay Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Dr. Yitzchok Barr (Barry) Kurtzer, same address.

Theresa Tunis, 1319 Diamond Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Frank J. Tunis Sr., 706 Woodmere Ave., Dick­son City, and Angela T. Valvano, 4388 Elmhurst Boulevard, Moscow.

John J. McColligan, 38 Honor Trailer Court, Moosic, letters of administration to Mark McColligan, 704 W. Elm St., Scranton.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

Sharon Rena Streeter, Tobyhanna, v. David Lee Clowney Jr., Scranton; married May 22, 2006, in Allentown; Tullio DeLuca, attorney.

Michael Cooper, Dunmore, v. Lauren MacBlane, Blossburg; married June 7, 2012; Curt M. Parkins, attorney.

Robert M. Heffron Jr., Scran­ton, v. Diane Heffron, Scranton; married Nov. 9, 1985, in Scranton; pro se.

DIVORCE DECREES

Curtis L. Cortazar v. Noel Cortazar

Michael J. McNerney v. Kimberly McNerney

Nicholas R. Padden v. Amanda A. Padden

Mary Ann Prokarym v. James Prokarym

Maurice Edward Dennis v. Donna Marie Dennis

ONLINE:

thetimes-tribune.com/courts

WILKES-BARRE — EBay Enterprise’s plan to expand and add high-paying jobs in the Innovation Center on South Main Street is proof that Wilkes-Barre can not only support a high-tech business, but it can grow here.

“In this new economy, we can build businesses outside the major metropolitan areas, regardless of how complex or sophisticated they are,” said Michael Jones, head of the company’s performance marketing as he was surrounded by eBay employees at a press conference Friday at the Innovation Center.

The company’s plan to add 35-40 jobs over the next 18 months and expand its space on the third floor of the Innovation Center is foundational in making downtown Wilkes-Barre emerge as a vibrant “innovation district,” said Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber CEO Wico van Genderen.

Innovation districts are areas where leading anchor companies such as eBay connect with other businesses and entrepreneurs to stimulate growth and modernize economies to become more technology driven.

The districts partner with higher education institutions.

Mr. Van Genderen also called eBay’s plan “game-changing” for the area and said it ramps up its ability to attract more businesses of its kind.

“EBay, to me, is really at the center of a growing innovation district,” he said. “It leverages the academic capital that we already have here in Wilkes-Barre. It embraces Wilkes-Barre for what it is: a college town. EBay, in many ways, has tapped into this academic capital and turned it into a world-class economic engine for Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

EBay is investing about $500,000 in the expansion, Mr. Jones said. New jobs being created at eBay include sales, marketing, account managers, tech and engineering positions. The jobs will pay more than $50,000 a year, he said.

EBay Enterprise’s Wilkes-Barre site is headquarters for its affiliate marketing programs.

“We service and help some of the largest brands in the world grow their commerce efforts and we do it right here out of Wilkes-Barre,” Mr. Jones said.

A report from Bloomberg Business said eBay plans sell the enterprise division by July 1. A sale could value the unit between $1 billion and $1.5 billion, according to the report, which relied on unnamed sources. Private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners is one of the remaining bidders.

Mr. Jones and current ReferLocal.com CEO Kris Jones, long-time friends, started the Internet marketing company Pepperjam in 2004. It was sold to GSI Commerce in 2009 and then GSI was sold to eBay in 2011.

Today, eBay employs nearly 80 people in Wilkes-Barre and occupies the entire third floor of the Innovation Center. 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. EBay extended its lease for five years in the Innovation Center.

“That growth will continue. Our growth is nothing short of amazing,” Mr. Jones said. “We haven’t succeeded in spite of Wilkes-Barre. In many ways, we’ve succeeded because of it.”

The Innovation Center is currently 92 percent occupied with 14 companies and about 140 employees, said Joe Boylan, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber vice president of economic development.

Plans to build another innovation center in downtown Wilkes-Barre are uncertain. Chamber officials received a grant for $2.2 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration in 2010 to build another innovation center where the former Blum Brothers building was demolished.

It was never built.

Chamber and city officials joined Wilkes University officials in March as they opened the Wilkes Enterprise Center on the sixth floor of the Luzerne Bank building on Public Square.

“We worked more with Wilkes to get their Enterprise Center up and running and now that that’s in play and we’re filling this one up and filling that one up, we’re looking at a lot of different spaces to see what to do with, including that site,” Mr. van Genderen said.

He said they would have to build on the former Blum Brothers’ site and are wondering “whether there’s a better way to do it.”

“We are keeping our options open right now,” he said.

Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com

MOSCOW — Until now, about 227 North Pocono High School seniors had been preparing for “someday” when they would have to go out into the world, Sophia Parola told her peers during Friday’s graduation ceremony.

“Say goodbye to the people sitting next to you,” the class of 2015 salutatorian said. “Say goodbye to your coaches. Say goodbye to your teachers. Say goodbye to Taco Tuesday, and say goodbye to North Pocono High School. Because someday is here, and it’s time to make the most of it.”

Sophia highlighted many of the accomplishments of her class along the way, whether athletic ones such as five league championship teams, school drama productions ranging from “Seussical” to “Much Ado about Nothing” or Science Olympiad regional champion teams.

“None of these accomplishments were handed to us,” she said. “We have been taught discipline, respect and hard work we will utilize in our future endeavors, whether they are further education, the military or the workforce. We will surely make the faculty and administration of North Pocono proud.”

Superintendent Bryan McGraw shared a handful of anecdotes he will remember about the class of 2015 and said the group showed a strong work ethic, a belief in helping others and a competitive spirit.

Members of the class were accepted at more than 100 colleges and universities locally and nationally, garnered more than $4 million worth of scholarships and will be represented in each branch of the U.S. military, he added.

“This group exemplifies what greatness is about,” Mr. McGraw said.

Valedictorian Anna Dyska wanted that to continue and advised her classmates to focus on what is important in life.

“Don’t live a life full of regret,” she said. “Take your life in your hands, and lead it in the direction you want it to go. And don’t get caught up in the useless drama or little insignificant things.”

THE GRADUATES: Alexandria Marie Alfano, Olivia Ann Alle­grucci, Gavin William Anderson, Joseph John Antosh, Jr., Adrian Manuel Arroyo, JT Austin, Paul John Baldauff, Star Banks, Jona­than A. Basila, Blakelynn Belles, Ashley Alexandra Berlot, Adam Bernatowicz, Olga Joyce Bilardi, Aaron Joseph Bistran, Morgan Nicole Bocan, Kelly Cahill Bollard, Jonathan T. Boruta, Kylie M. Bor­uta, Jillian Anne Bosley, Destiny Reneé Brallier, Amanda Maria Bray, Michael R. Brenkosh, Chris­tian Michael Anthony Brown, Bran­don Lee Bruch, Brandon James Butler, Cayla Cahill, Rob­ert William Canova, Jr., Gianna Elizabeth Caputo, Mitchell G. Carling, Jason E. Chumard, Sean Michael Coles, Andrew B. Collins, Sean Eric Cummings, Stephen J. Czachor, Morgan Elise Daniels, Maria Lynn Day, Chase Christo­pher DeRossi, Mallorie M. Des­chaine, Broderick Ross Dial, Caelin A. Docalovich, Victoria Rose Dombek, Anna Louise Dyska, Leah Eason, Delaney A. Edwards, Alec Matthew Elmquist, Shane S. Ely, Nathan Todd Emer­son, Sahara Engle-Ghameshlouy, Olivia Karen Evancho, Alexa Diane Fanslau, Ricky A. Federici, Jr., Raymond John Felins, Cory Ferguson, Kara L. Fesolovich, Shannon Patricia Festa, Tyler J. Fisch, Alexa Rae Flood, Fernando R. Forte, Ryan J. Fox, Nicholas M. Froelick, Spenser J. Fromert, Colin Glen Gardner, Joseph Cole Gay, Caitlin Marie Gear, Zachary William Gething, Matthew J. Gibbs, Allyson Gonzalez, Vinny Donavan Gonzalez, James Fran­cis Graham, II, Adam Michael Gresko, Christian A. Griffaton, Kaylee Marie Griffith, Leonna Guenst, Lucas Guenst, Justin Chironna Guse, Brooke A. Hall­stead, Brayden F Hanna, Ali Marie Hawley, Sierra M. Hicks, Timothy Michael Hillis, Ashlynd Kathleen Huber, Aaron J. Humic, Jose Daniel Ildefonso, Cara Anne Imbalzano, Jacelynn Jenkins, Tur­han Delano Jerome, Rory Jordan, Matthew S. Kaneski, Kristen Marie Karaliunas, Michael Sean Kavanagh, Emily Nicole Keating, Megan Kishbaugh, Mark A. Knecht, Cameron R. Knicker­bocker, Jerid A. Kopa, Donald D. Korshnak, Morgan K. Kronick, Ashleigh Patricia Kuester, Mat­thew Edwin Kuniegel, Alexandria Kathleen Kuplack, Madison G. Lalli, Jason C. Lamanna, Kristo­pher Lane, Kendra J. Larnerd, Victoria Jean Leach, Jake V. LeClaire, Matthew T. Lees, Melis­sa E. Lees, Kaelyn C. Legg, Zach­ary Thomas Lehman, Dana Marie Lenzer, Kaitlyn E. Lewis, James Edward Limberoplos, Nicholas Dominick Linko, Tucker Matthew Loescher, Kevin Michael Long, II, Brandi Shiane Love, Nicholas Mario Mackarey, Kenneth Lynn Maconeghy, III, Whitney Marie Maconeghy, Mariah Brittney Mag­lio, Kenneth W. Major, Rhea M. Mancia, Sarah Ann Marsh, Cody W. McCormack, Kaitlyn McDon­ough, Leah Elaine McHale, Cody Ryan McLafferty, Alicia Laurie Meade, Michael G. Merced Lam­bert, Alexander Millan, Morgan Marie Mistysyn, Kathleen Ann Mitchell, Patrick Robert Mona­han, Jr., Jake Montana, Colin J. Morgan, Matthew D. Morris, Richard Motter, Austin Takoda Mousley, Madison Carolynn Mower, Jordan Danielle Mullikin, Mary Margaret Murphy, Nicole Lynn Nardella, Tauren Berkley Nelson, Casey Katherine O’Con­nell, Meaghan Elizabeth O’Con­nor, Jose Hector Olivares, Kaleigh A. Orr, John P. Parola, Jr., Sophia Rose Parola, Gabriella Danielle Parsons, Olivia L. Pehanick, Alexa Elizabeth Petroziello, Tyler Jacob Pittsman, Kendra Mariah Portas, Emma Veronica Quinn, Kaylyn Quirico, Marissa Raffaela Reuther, Sidney J. Richards II, Pia Francesca Ripley, William Gerard Roman III, Angelina Philomena Rosa, Melissa S. Rowe, Katlyn Elizabeth Ruffner, Brian Rutkow­ski, Ryan Matthew Samsell, Gian­na M. Scartelli, Loni L. Schneider, William Jack Schuster, Nathaniel Taylor Seely, Brett Michael Seidita, Amanda Cathryn Sember, Kelly Therese Shannon, Matthew James Sheerer, Dyanna­jean Shyna, Brandon Sicovitch, Bobbi Ann Silfee, Joseph D. Silvestri, Zachary T. Silvia, Kylie Simons, Alexander Robert Smith, Kelsey Claire Smith, Megan Lynn Smith, Mikaela Smith, Timothy Ian Smith, Zachary Thomas Smith, Todd Stephen Snee, Tyler M. Spoonhower, Matthew Charles Stangline, Alexis Bri Stephens, Rylie Kai Stout, Jacque­line Elizabeth Strausser, William Warren Strausser, Agnes Maria Stypulkowski, Jonathan D. Swaen, Caitlin Noelle Sworin, Mario Michael Tarquini, Angelina Joy Tenore, Michelle Joy Tenore, Kassaundra M. Thiel, Taylor Thomas, Nicole Lorraine Thurber, Sean Michael Todd, Julia Tofilska, Dylan Daniel Turner, Chas N. Valenza, Grace S. Watkins, Cait­lyn Cherub Webber, Mary-Kate Weeks, Tristan S. Weidow, Sadie Noelle Wentland, Michael J. Werner, Ricky White, Jared T.W. Williams, Tyler Williams, Shane T. Wolf, Brandon M. Wombacker, Bran­dalyn Rose Wood, Dawna Wood, Zackary T. Wyckoff, Jacob Phillip Yablonski, Ariel K. Young, Noah John Yurkanin, Elisa Zadra, Danielle Zadzura, Brandon F. Zajaczkowski and James Michael Zielinski.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com,

@kwindTT on Twitter

Valedictorian

ANNA DYSKA

Town: Roaring Brook Twp.

Parents: Greg and Nancy Dyska

Activities: Marching band, soccer team, track team, Reading Celebrations Club, Science Olympiad, president of student council, National Honor Society and church volunteer

Plans: Attending West Chester University Honors College, studying secondary education, math and chemistry

Salutatorian

SOPHIA PAROLA

Town: Moscow

Parents: Bruce and Christine Parola

Activities: Soccer team, track, Red Cross Club, student council vice president, Students Against Destructive Decisions, school’s Big Brother/Big Sister program, junior member of Moscow Borough Council, the borough’s Young Visionaries Committee chairwoman and National Honor Society.

Plans: Attending Lehigh University Honors College, studying industrial engineering and finance

A Clarks Green woman charged with committing two bank robberies pleaded not guilty to the offenses in federal court Thursday.

Lisa Alexis Jury, 47, was arrested May 21 after authorities say she used a stun gun to rob $7,070 from the P&G Mehoopany Federal Credit Union on Business Route 6 in Archbald on May 19. Two weeks after her arrest, a federal grand jury handed up an indictment charging her with robbing $15,644 from the Peoples Security Bank and Trust Co. on North Gravel Pond Road in Clarks Summit on Oct. 30.

In the May 19 robbery, authorities say Ms. Jury wore a black mask and hooded sweatshirt. She fled the credit union in a Hyundai SUV. Authorities suspected Ms. Jury in the October heist because both involved women of similar height who used stun guns to rob the banks at around the same time in the morning. A grand jury indicted her in that case on June 2.

Ms. Jury is charged with one count each of bank robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. She is being held in the Lackawanna County Prison pending trial, which has been scheduled for Aug. 10 before Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Conaboy.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com

PPL Electric Utilities is treating about 48 miles of Lackawanna County power line rights of way with herbicide this summer to keep them clear of trees and brush.

The project, which contractor Asplundh Tree Expert Co. started June 1, is expected to last until early September, utility spokesman Paul Canevari said in an email.

The state Public Utility Commission requires electric distribution companies to file vegetation management plans and to treat tree and vegetation growth every four and eight years.

“While PPL is not obligated to use herbicides, the use of herbicides is an industry best practice to prevent outages and to keep our rights of way accessible,” Mr. Canevari said.

Treatment is planned for lines in about half of Lackawanna County, but Mr. Canevari could not say exactly where because locations are subject to change dependent on weather and resources available.

Primarily, PPL uses the herbicides Garlon and Rodeo to keep stumps from resprouting and to control invasive plants.

PPL’s contractors notify property owners who have rights of way on their land; however, PPL owns some of the power-line paths, and those who live or own land adjacent to the lines may not be notified, Mr. Canevari said.

PPL encourages its contractors to inform municipal officials of the planned spraying, but that wasn’t the case in Archbald, where spraying began this week.

Borough Councilman Randy Grandinetti first learned of the spraying project from a concerned resident.

“We should have been notified way ahead of time,” he said.

Lisa Godino, who lives along the transmission lines near Valley View School District, worried that the spraying would affect her daughter, who has had reactions to Roundup. Roundup has ingredients similar to the Rodeo herbicide that PPL uses.

She had asked PPL to use a different treatment method near her home, but the utility would not oblige.

“My whole plea with them is change their options,” Mrs. Godino said.

Just as Roundup is the consumer version of Rodeo, Weed B Gon uses the same ingredients as Garlon.

Side effects for light exposure to the herbicides include skin and eye irritation, with more severe side effects for heavy exposure, which includes ingestion.

James Sellmer, Ph.D., a Penn State University plant scientist, didn’t rule out possible harm to people living and playing nearby, but said the workers mixing and spraying the herbicide run the greatest risk of being injured. On the other hand, in his experience, he’s never seen that happen, he said.

In the application, workers typically wear protective equipment and use spray wands to apply the herbicide directly to the severed tree stumps. They also are required to monitor wind speed and direction, he said, and Mr. Canevari confirmed that if wind speeds are too high, they don’t spray.

“You’re going to be so low on the plant that you’re not going to get a lot of drift or spray,” Dr. Sellmer said. “It shouldn’t leave anything but on the plant.”

Contact the writer:

joconnell@timesshamrock.com, @jon_oc on Twitter

When the conversation between city residents Jade A. Lingham and David J. Boone turned to his ex-wife, their quiet night turned violent.

Scranton police responded to a domestic violence call about 1 a.m. Thursday at the couple’s 1725 Lafayette St. apartment and found Mr. Boone, 56, bleeding from a gash on his head and Ms. Lingham, 25, with bruises and cuts on her neck and chest.

After the couple pushed and shoved each other, Mr. Boone tried to leave. He told police Ms. Lingham hit him in the head with a hammer, but he began gathering his things to leave for good. Then she went outside and smashed windows of Mr. Boone’s 2000 Dodge van with the hammer.

Ms. Lingham admitted she went outside when the argument got heated and smashed the van’s windows, police said. She also told police she never meant to hit Mr. Boone but said he was struck in the head when they wrestled over the hammer.

Ms. Lingham was charged with aggravated assault and three related counts. Mr. Boone faces charges of simple assault and harassment. Both are being held in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $7,500 and $5,000 bail, respectively.

Contact the writer:

bgibbons@timesshamrock.com, @bgibbonsTT on Twitter

WESTFALL TWP. — For Delaware Valley salutatorian Lance Williams, graduating felt like competing in the Olympics.

“Today’s contestants are the 2015 graduating class, the teachers, the families and everyone else in the audience,” he said. “Our events included sitting, standing, walking, speaking, clapping, stair climbing and most importantly, congratulating.”

Lance was the third speaker to congratulate his class of more than 400 from the podium at Warrior Stadim Friday night. Wearing reflective aviator sunglasses, he looked out at the graduates clad in black and white, and their caps decorated with logos of their future colleges, “thank you” messages to parents and other testaments to their achievements and time at Delaware Valley High School.

He imparted some “senior wisdom” to underclassmen in the audience and finally thanked the school, teachers and friends he made at Delaware Valley.

“Most importantly, thank you everyone, because in the Graduation Olympics, everyone wins a gold medal,” he said.

Although they came from a large class, the class of 2015’s leaders spoke about the close community of friends, classmates and faculty at Delaware Valley. Student Council President Brandon Morley called Delaware Valley unique in his address.

“When you walk down the hallways of DV, there’s an atmosphere you can’t find at many other schools,” he said. “I constantly find myself waving and smiling at someone as I pass them by and I see many others doing the same.”

Senior class President Christopher Duncan asked his classmates to recognize their accomplishments — both those recognized by the school through awards and accolades and the ones that may have gone unnoticed throughout high school.

“We should all reflect and celebrate on this special day, our last together as a class,” he said.

In the final student address of the evening, valedictorian Cathy Li looked toward the future, offering her class advice for their coming endeavors.

“Congratulations and good luck my fellow graduates of the class of 2015,” she concluded. “Wherever we go and whatever we do, may we always be friends when we meet again.”

The graduates: Cole Acoveno, Jacob Ahner, Paula Alcala Aragon, Dakota Amant, Laila Andujar, Kaitlyn Angradi, Joshua Arena, Lowza Aziz, Ronald Bacus, Jason Bak, Fox Banach, Galdim Bardhi, Zachary Barie, Kaitlyn Barry, Claire Barthelemy, Logan Baiiz, Rachel Beats, Corrado Belle, Jacob Benson, Nicholas Bergbauer, Marina Bllello, Jewel Bias, Marshayla Blizzard, Erika Bloomer, Hebecca Bloomer, Kyra Boocio, Paige Bodnar, Matthew Boswell, Rachel Boyd, Carl Braunagel lll, Clare Brennan, Alexander Brown, Laura Brown, Scott Brown, Zatoria Brown, Flebecca Brush, Meagan Buckle, Crystal Builis, Timothy Bullock, George Burkert, Alex Byron, Timothy Cabagnaro, Deanna Calaro, Kristen Cappello, Alan Carey III, William Carey, James Carr, Frank Carroua, Tyler Casey, Marielle Cavaliaro, Danielle Cawley, Samantha Cebalio, Bryan Chacha, Yael Chapo, Corey Cheiak, Angela Chesiock, Madison Chlebowski, Arthur Cohan, Brett Cohen, Alexandra Coilado, Rachel Collins, Skyler Colon, Brianna Connolly, McKenna Conseiyea, Kyiee Cortes, Nicholas Cotter, Kaylee Craft, Colleen Craige, Victor Crisalulli, Nicolette Cuccio, Christian Cuny, Eileen D’Auria, Jedediah Daniel, Jennifer DeSiiva, Michael Da Silva, Nicholas Daum, James Davis, Joshua Davis, Jason Day, Collin Deans-Brandt, Joseph Decker, Matthew Decker, Quinn Decker, Andrea DeCola, Jacob DeMasi, Jessica DePaoils, Ryan DePoiito, Victoria DeFlemer, Anthony Digirolamo, Dominick Divirgilio, Liam Donahue, Lucas Donlon, Tadhg Dowd, Jacinda Downing, Kierra Downs, Skyler Drew, Zachary Drinko, Kailee Dube, Christopher Duncan, Heather Eddy, Mikaela Edeiman, Karlee Edison, Amber Eiohele, Glen Engels, Joseph Englehardt, Brian Epstein, Joshua Eslok, Todd Evans, Samuel Evers, Jammie Fabela, Matthew Falkenburg, Sydney Famuiaro, Cyrus Farr, Jacob Faulkner, James Faulkner, Jason Feakins, Bonnie Fehr, Gabrielle Felix, Baylee Felo, Shannon Ferguson, Matthew Fernandez, Veronica Fernandez, Emah Finn, Amy Fortuin, Ryan Fosmire, Gabrielle Fraulo, Gaeron Friedrichs, Mitchell Fuller, Matthew Gaichin, Brianna Galbraith, Timothy Gaieano, Erin Gallagher, Kaylee Gallagher, Heather Gamboni, Brianna Gannuscio, Sabrina Garcia, Soo Gartland, Conner Gawel, Kalyn Gaynor, Alyssa Gentile, Tyler Germann, Bekhtawar Ghaltar, Gregory Gilibeni, Chrissy Gonzalez, Jordan Goodrow, Steven Gosch, Brandon Goulelte, Matthew Gray, Donald Greenland, Ashley Griflin, Amanda Grosz, Rebecca Gundersen, Angelica Gutter, Emily Hann, Kayla Hardy, Shane Harley, Sarah Hartmann, Alexandra Haydu, Robert Herbert, Trever Herman, Joshua Hernandez, Noah Higgins, Dyllinger Hines, Zachary Hines, Renzo Huaman, Makeyla Hughes, Matthew Hunt, Jeffrey Hupler, Curtis Jaeger, Samantha Jahoda, Fllchard Jerger, Richard Joerger, Sarah Johnson, Kristin Jones, Jonathan Jorritsma, Nicholas June, Matthew Kelly. Sarah Kendl, Marlah Kenney, Carissa Kemoschak, Jessica Keveson, Jeffrey Kientzler, Nicholas King, Scott King, Rebeoca Kinien, Kathleen Kitchen, Justin Knoepfei, Thomas Koenig, Daniel Kollien, Kimberly Koncelik, Andrew Krasinski, Jeremiah Krauss, Danielle Krick, Austin Kuhn, Ashley Kushner, Dylan La Fe, Alexis Lambert, Leanne Landman, Ayla Larick, Isaiah Larry, Grant Larsen, Megan Leary, Brandon Lebron, Heaven-Leigha Leggio, Kaitlyn Leiner, Jonah Levy, Morgana Leyden, Cathy Li, Kristi LiCausi, Erik Lindaas, Alexa Lissie, Janel Llewellyn, Dylan Lobbregt, Lindsey Lockwood, Brian Loefller, Peter Loiacono, David Lukan, Frank Lukyanovskiy, Grace Lutty, Connor Lutz, Faye Mackey, Catherine Madsen, Brittney Maisco, Kyra Majano, Surje Mancuso, Jacob Marcial, Stephanie Marcucci, Tyler Martin, Alayna Masker, Kyle Masker, Matthew Mastrelli, Angelo Matz IV, Christopher Mazzel, Keith McAndrew, Callum McCaslin, Wctoria McCrory, Kelly McGowan, Kelly McKean, Cameron McKeeby, Ashley McMickle, Thomas McNeely, Alexander Mecca, Jonathan Mecca, Samuel Mecca, Michaela Melander, Julianna Menzies, Madison Metzger, Cassandra Miller, Dillan Miller, Eric Miller, Ryan Miller, Christopher Mobilio, Aaron Mohns, James Montemarano, Brandon Morley, Katarina Mortensen, Jasmine Mueller, Vlfilliam Mullen, Paula Munera, Justin Napoli, Michael Neale, Ryan Negron, Elijah Nekich, Hayley Nekich, Payton Nekich, Zachery Nekich, Sawyer Newman, Nicole Nlckolich, Jessica Nolty, Richard O’Connell, Justin O‘Dell, Kourtney O‘Leary, Luis Ocasio, Troy Odynsky, Thomas Oellerich, Christopher Olejnlk, Zachary Olenick, Jordan Oliver, Faith Osler, Alissa Outwater, John Owens Moricone, Payton Padgett, Joseph Palmadessa, Nicholas Paolella, William Pearn, Emery Peine, Jordan Peters, Ray Peltenger, Ann Marie Piazza, Phillip Plotkin, Brandon Plumley, Devan Polanis, Shannon Poore, Nicolas Poupos, Noah Pratz, Brian Pycik, Melanie Quinn, Amber Regeling, Patrick Reilly, Nicholas Retallick, Edward Reynolds, Christopher Rhoades, Kevin Riccio, Matthew Rioclo, Kayla Riehle, Tanya Riker Romano, Kristina Rios, Gregory Ritz, Johnathan Rivera, Natalie Rivera, Patricia Rivera, Richard Rivera, Caitlin Roa, Alexis Flobbins, Jacob Roberts, Kailey Robinson, Lelann Flocheny, Rebacka-Leigh Rock, Alyssa Rodriguez, Brittany Rodriguez, Baylee Roeder, Christina Rombousek, Alexander Rosa, Alexis Rosario, Gianna Rose, Aidan Rubenstein, Joseph Russo, Laura Rutkowski, Kyle Ryan, Rachael Rylka, Deanne Sacher, Rachel Sahagian, Nicholas Saita, Catherine Sanchez, Jay Santana, Troy Savercool, Kasimur Saydah, Daniel Schaeier, Justin Scott, Andrew Seepes, Tara Seger, Angelina Serrano, Nichole Seul, Dustin Shares, Tristen Sharp, Brianne Shaw, Joshua Shepard, Brianna Shima, Andrew-James Sieber, Alex Smashnov, Natalie Smetana, Thomas Smith, Katelyn Snyder, Hannah Sorrell, Andrew Sorton, Michael Sousa, Rebeoca Spry, Tyler Stacey, Melissa Stager, Dana Stephens, Aaron Stevens, Rebecca Stieb, Chloe Stone, Howard Stone, Kameron Stopyra, Nicholas Sudano, Stephen Taggart, Justin Tants, Samantha Taylor, Patrick Testino, River Thomas, Adam Tidridge, Jonathan Tjornhom, Brooke Todd, John Tomik, Josette Tormos, Noah Toussaint, James Towers, Matthew Traverse, Courtney Triplett, Angelina Trujillo, Jennifer Turkmany, Lindsey Twaits, Katlyn Vallis, Connor Van Wie, Taylor Vasconi, Nestor Veras, Rhiannon Vesely, Erica Vibert, Timothy Volavka, Taylor Volpe, Matthew Wagner, Sean Wagner, Allison Wall, Ryan Wall, Dale Walter, Richard Wardlaw, Lisa Wassmer, Ryan Weeks, Morgan Weems, Kayla Weldner, Jordan Whinnery, Nathaniel White, Carlee Whitehead, Olivia Wilkins, Lance Williams, Peter Wlliams, Shemar Williams, Brianna Wilson, Olivia Woolsey, Nicole Wright, Amanda Yencik, Matthew Zekas, Sabrina Zekas, Kayli Ziolkowski and Caitlin Zuckerman.

Contact the writer:

sscinto@timesshamrock.com, @sscintoTT on Twitter

Valedictorian

CATHY LI

Parents: Fuhai Li and Hong Hu

Hometown: Milford

Activities: Cross country team, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America

Plans: Attending Dartmouth College

Salutatorian

LANCE WILLIAMS

Parents: Lance and Patty Williams

Hometown: Sciota

Activities: Jazz Band, Concert Band, High School Pit Orchestra, golf

Plans: Attending Penn State - University Park

SCRANTON — An early retirement incentive for Scranton School District maintenance and clerical employees was passed during a school board meeting Monday.

Unit I maintenance employees at the top of the salary scale — those who started employment before Jan. 1, 2007 — can receive $10,000 for seven years or co-pay medical insurance for seven years. With co-pay insurance, employees continue to pay for their health insurance through the district after retirement. Unit I incentive for health care is capped at 65 years of age.

Unit II clerical employees with 10 years of service can receive $6,500 over three years and co-pay health insurance.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

SCRANTON — Villa Maria II is open for business again. The city’s Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits ordered the West Side restaurant to close Tuesday for what inspectors said were numerous health and other code violations.

The business reopened fully on Friday, owner Joe Maccioccio said, after he spoke with city officials.

Mr. Maccioccio said the only violation was for emergency lighting. The exit signs needed battery backups, he said.

“It was a misunderstanding; it should have never went that far,” he said.

Efforts to reach Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits Director Patrick Hinton on Friday were unsuccessful.

— BRENDAN GIBBONS

Abingtons

Informational meeting: Abington Christian Academy informational meeting, Mmonday, 6:30 p.m., 204 S. Abington Road, Clarks Green; on classical high school launch, grades 9-12, 2015-16 academic year.

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: bathroom tissue, soap, facial tissues, household cleaners, laundry detergent; Facebook: AnthraciteHiRailers.

Fleetville

Chicken barbecue: Fleetville Volunteer Fire Company chicken barbecue June 28, pickup noon-1:30 p.m., station, Route 407; chicken halves only, orders: 570-563-1576.

Keyser Valley

Seniors meet: Keyser Valley Senior Citizens meeting Monday, 1 p.m., community center; games and refreshments follow.

Lackawanna County

Leadership celebration: Lead­er­ship Lackawanna’s Celebration of Leadership, Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, 100 Adams Ave., Scranton.

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; Share the Journey prevention walk, Sept. 12, 9 a.m., Lacka­wanna County Courthouse Square; Kathy Wallace, 570-575-2343 or nspiinformation@gmail.com; www.northeastsui

cidepreventioninitiative.org

Public meetings: Lackawanna Heritage Valley public meetings and information sessions, Wednesday, 5 p.m., Greater Carbondale YMCA, 82 N. Main St., to discuss the Carbondale Riverwalk, and Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Lackawanna Heritage Valley headquarters, 213 S. Seventh Ave., Scranton, to discuss plans for the Historic Scranton Iron Furnaces and create an Iron District in South Scranton; www.LHVA.org.

Ledgedale

Chicken barbecue: Ledgedale Volunteer Fire Company chicken barbecue, July 4, 1-6 p.m., fire hall, Goose Pond Road, takeouts available.

North Pocono

Dessert theater: North Pocono Cultural Society and Local Commotion Walking History presenting Dessert Theatre with Lotta Crabtree, June 28, 2 p.m., Maple Lake United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 632 Route 690, Spring Brook Twp., $10, reservations appreciated; Kati, 570-843-5002; http://northpoconoculturalsociety.yola

site.com.

Old Forge

Strawberry socai: Stewart Mem­orial United Methodist Church strawberry social, June 27, noon-4 p.m., 174 N. Main St., strawberry sundaes, hot dogs, lemonade and homemade straw­berry pies.

Peckville

Chicken barbecue: VFW Shopa-Davey Post 6082 chicken barbecue, July 19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. or sold out, post home, 123 Elec­tric St., Peckville, takeouts available, $10 from members or at door.

Regional

Golf tournament: 109th Infantry Regiment Golf Tournament, June 27, 1 p.m., Pine Hills Country Club, 140 S. Keyser Ave., Taylor, captain and crew format, $75/golfer/buffet); $30/buffet only, Anthony J. Mozeleski, MSG (USA, Ret.), 570-561-7887 or bossmoz@echoes.net; or Robert A. Hilborn, CSM (USA, Ret.), 570-947-4327 or deputyrah@hotmail.com.

Riverside

Golf tournament: Fourth annual Vikings Helping Vikings Golf Tournament, Aug. 1, Pine Hills Country Club, 140 S. Keyser Ave., Taylor, registration, 7 a.m. and tee-off time, 8 a.m., $95/golfer and $380/team, must be paid by July 25, captain and crew format, shotgun start with three flight payouts, awards, door prizes, grab and play lunch at the turn, and dinner to follow at Divine Mercy Parish Center, top of Davis Street, 144 golfers max — first come, first served, $100/hole sponsorships; Michael McKeefery, 570-575-6624 or Jared Godlewski, 570-540-0612; golf ball drop taking place just prior to start of tournament, $5/ball, all purchased balls dropped onto the green from high above, with the ball that goes into the hole winning the prize money, if no ball goes in the hole, the closest to the hole will win money.

Scranton

Class meeting: Technical High School class of ’62 meeting, Thursday, 5 p.m., Calabria’s, Dunmore, supper and get-together; Jan, 570-842-6034.

Karate camp: New Life Assem­bly of God Kickin’ It for Jesus free karate camp for ages 7-12, Tuesdays and Thursdays starting June 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 415 Hickory St. (former St. Mary’s School), Bible-based martial arts to gain self-confidence, discipline and physical fitness, karate techniques and self-defense, light lunch and snacks; 570-489-8321.

Simpson

Bus trip: Simpson Seniors bus trip to Woodloch Pines in Haw­ley, Sept. 1, bus leaves Sar­noski Civic Center on Veterans Drive at 3:30 p.m.; $58, includes bus, smorgasbord meal, show, dancing and tips; $20 deposit to reserve seat, final amount due Aug. 1; Tom, 570-282-2299.

South Scranton

Pasta dinner: St. Paul of the Cross Parish takeout-only pasta dinner, June 28, noon-3 p.m., parish center, 1217 Prospect Ave., $10, rectory, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. daily or 570-343-6420 by Tuesday, advance tickets only.

West Scranton

Church festival: St. Patrick’s summer festival, July 10 and 11, 5-10:30 p.m., church grounds, 1403 Jackson St.

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.

A large housing project is coming to a part of Taylor that has been dormant for several decades.

Joining the borough and the Riverside School District, Lackawanna County commissioners approved this week a $3.11 million tax incentive to support a project to build 76 to 100 one-story rental duplexes on a 25-acre, blighted property along Oak Street near Keyser Creek.

The incentive is through the Tax Increment Financing program, which uses a government bond or loan to build infrastructure like sewer lines, sidewalks and roads. The difference between taxes generated before and after development will be used to pay back the loan over a set period of time — in this case, 12 years.

“Right now, the (undeveloped property’s) base taxes are a little under $27,000 per year for all three taxing bodies,” Economic Development Director George Kelly said. “It is anticipated that when this project is built out ... that it’s going to be in excess of $460,000 per year in taxes for the three bodies

All three taxing bodies will continue receiving taxes the property currently generates.

“So we’re not taking a haircut on the project, but we can see the potential gain,” he said.

The developer is Taylor 1 LLC, whose leadership includes developers Thomas Navage and George Plisko Jr. The pair are behind projects in Moosic to build about 100 rental units on Ash, Elm and Marion streets and are exploring building a senior assisted-living center on the same property, separate from the TIF.

“This is one of the reasons communities do TIFs,” Commissioner Jim Wansacz said. “If we didn’t do a TIF ... you get no development, you don’t get anything else out of it and you’re left with land that’s very difficult.”

Mr. Navage said he expects the total project cost to end up around $20 million.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com,

@kwindTT on Twitter

A search for a missing teenager turned into a series of strange encounters with police for a 37-year-old woman and her 27-year-old boyfriend this week in Old Forge.

“One thing snowballed into another and before you know it, we have a mess on our hands,” Old Forge Police Chief Jason Dubernas said Friday.

Late June 12, Old Forge police received a call that 14-year-old Shayla Glogowski was missing. They spent the weekend searching for her, he said, eventually involving state police and the FBI.

Meanwhile, bizarre messages were coming to her parents’ phones from a number in Hernando County, Florida, he said. Hernando County sheriff’s deputies assisted them Sunday night in trying to trace the number, he said.

A tip line received messages from the son of an Old Forge woman named Athena Leader, who lives half a block from Shayla’s house, Chief Dubernas said.

On Monday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a missing-child alert. Shayla’s photo appeared all over Florida news sites.

Meanwhile, Old Forge officers visited Ms. Leader’s home at 176 Sussex St. on Monday. Her boyfriend, 27-year-old Brian Rubes, answered the door, Chief Dubernas said.

Ms. Leader told police that Shayla was not there. Officers entered the home and spoke to several children who claimed they did not know where the girl was.

While upstairs, officers found a marijuana-growing operation, Chief Dubernas said. They collected the drugs and supplies with plans to file charges later, then left the house.

Soon after they got back to the station, a few blocks from Ms. Leader’s house, they received another call saying the girl was still hiding in the Sussex Street home. Chief Dubernas sent an officer back there while he went to obtain a search warrant.

This time, they found Shayla. She had been hiding earlier under a mattress in a box-bed frame, Chief Dubernas said. They later learned someone had likely used a software application to make calls from a Florida number.

For that incident, Ms. Leader faces charges of concealing the whereabouts of a missing child, manufacture and possession of marijuana and related counts.

Police then began working through some of the leads they received through interviews with various juveniles, the chief said.

Following up on a report that Ms. Leader and Mr. Rubes had held two boys against their will and threatening to throw them off a railroad bridge, officers arrived in the 900 block of South Main Street on Wednesday, according to an arrest affidavit.

There, they found Ms. Leader, Mr. Rubes and other individuals along the railroad tracks.

Two witnesses told police a juvenile agreed to sell marijuana to the couple but placed a different substance in the bag. When the ruse was discovered, Ms. Leader and Mr. Rubes confronted the seller and other youths along the tracks and demanded their money back.

One boy told police another juvenile, who was with the couple but is not named in the affidavit, hit him with a crowbar. Ms. Leader then wrapped the drawstring of her hooded sweatshirt around the boy’s neck and choked him as Mr. Rubes threatened to smash his face, the affidavit said.

At one point, the boy told police, Ms. Leader held a rock to his eye and threatened to take his eye out.

A second juvenile said Mr. Rubes hit him in the back with an object, and a third said Mr. Rubes held a crowbar toward him and ordered him to sit down while Ms. Leader was choking the first boy, the affidavit said. Police found a crowbar at the scene.

For this incident, Ms. Leader and Mr. Rubes were charged with aggravated and simple assault, unlawful restraint, corruption of minors, harassment and disorderly conduct. Ms. Leader faces additional charges of terroristic threats and resisting arrest.

The are being held in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $20,000 bail each for the assault charges. Ms. Leader also faces $75,000 bail for the earlier charges.

Preliminary hearings for the pair are scheduled Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Contact the writer: bgibbsons@timesshamrock.com, dsingleton@timesshamrock.com

HARRISBURG — Spring water bottled by Niagara Bottling LLC may contain E. coli, state agencies warned Friday.

Water bottled June 10 through 18 at the company’s Hamburg and Upper Macungie Twp. plants could contain water from Far Away Springs, an Auburn-based bulk water supplier that tested positive for the bacteria, the state departments of Agriculture, Health and Environmental Protection said.

E. coli can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches and other symptoms. Consumers should contact Niagara at 877-487-7873 for further information, the agencies said.

— BRENDAN GIBBONS

“Trouble” is coming soon to a screen near you.

Nearly a decade after Lackawanna County helped fund the Paul Sorvino-directed film, “The Trouble with Cali,” taxpayers will finally have a chance to see the fruit of their $500,000 investment.

The commissioners announced Friday the county will present three free screenings of the beleaguered movie on July 9, 10 and 11 at the Scranton Cultural Center.

Commissioner Jim Wansacz emphasized the word “free.”

“I think this is something this community has waited a long time for,” he said. “We are very pleased to show it to the public and let the public decide whether it was a good movie or not a good movie.”

With then-Commissioner Robert C. Cordaro taking the lead, the county agreed in 2005 to invest $250,000 from its cultural and education fund in the project and kicked in $250,000 more the following year. Mr. Sorvino, who also acts in the movie, opened filming in Scranton in late 2006.

The motion picture languished in the years that followed, first as Mr. Sorvino sought additional funding to finish it and later as he tried to get a distribution deal. After a potential deal with a Canadian distributor fell through earlier this year, Mr. Sorvino declared the movie “unsaleable.”

That prompted the commissioners to ask Mr. Sorvino for a copy of the movie and the right to show it publicly. The county received three Blu-ray disc copies in April.

Commissioner Patrick O’Malley said while the former administration should never have invested in the project, it happened. He hopes the members of the public who helped pay for the film will come to the cultural center to see it.

“This is the people’s film. ... The taxpayers never got anything out of this, and this is their opportunity,” he said.

Each screening will start at 7:30 p.m., with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

The commissioners said tickets will be required for the first showing July 9.

The free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis during regular business hours at the cultural center, 420 N. Washington Ave.; the commissioners office, 200 Adams Ave.; the reception desk of The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., and, beginning next week, all branches of the Lackawanna County Library System. There is a four-ticket limit.

No tickets will be required for the July 10 and July 11 screenings, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis.

Mr. Wansacz said the commissioners have not yet viewed the film and will see it for the first time at the July 9 premiere.

County solicitor Don Frederickson, who worked with Mr. Sorvino’s attorney to obtain the clearances to show the movie, said the film is unrated. However, the county is giving it an NC-17 rating — meaning no one under 17 will be admitted — based on “what we have heard about it and seen in some of the previews.”

“It’s for a mature audience,” Mr. Frederickson said. “We wouldn’t recommend it for children.”

The commissioners thanked Mr. Sorvino for his cooperation in granting the county permission to show the movie. The county invited him to the screenings, but he is not expected to attend, Mr. Wansacz said.

Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com

■ Dec. 6, 2005: Lackawanna County majority Commissioners A.J. Munchak and Robert C. Cordaro set aside $250,000 to help finance a feature motion picture that would be directed by actor Paul Sorvino and filmed in the Scranton area.

■ May 19, 2006: Lackawanna County invests another $250,000 in Mr. Sorvino’s movie, bringing the county’s total investment in the $3 million production to $500,000. “He needed that to trigger his other financing,” Mr. Cordaro said.

■ Nov. 22, 2006: Mr. Sorvino announces plans for a $12 million to $15 million film production facility in the Scranton area.

■ November 2006 to January 2007: “The Trouble With Cali” is filmed in

Scranton.

■ Jan. 29, 2008: Recently elected Lackawanna County Commissioners Mike Washo and Corey O’Brien request a detailed account of how Mr. Sorvino spent $500,000 in county money for his movie. The idea was that the county would receive a return on the $500,000 investment. “At this point, there are no profits. Now, it’s Jan. 29, 2008, and we’ve heard nothing with respect to our investment,” Mr. O’Brien says. Mr. Sorvino provides a detailed ledger within a month that shows expenses related to the movie.

■ Feb. 11, 2008: Mr. Sorvino reconsiders putting his film studio in Lackawanna County because recent publicity regarding “The Trouble With Cali” has left him wondering if “it’s worth it.”

Meanwhile, it’s learned Mr. Cordaro is listed as the film’s sole executive producer, unbeknownst to the former commissioner. Mr. Cordaro said he had jokingly asked Mr. Sorvino for the title.

■ July 21, 2008: Mr. Sorvino says “The Trouble With Cali” ran out of funding and is shy about $300,000 of its $1.3 million budget. Mr. Sorvino reveals there is a signed investment agreement on how the county will get back its investment if the film returns a profit that current commissioners were unaware of.

■ Dec. 1, 2008: Mr. Sorvino said the movie is in post-production. “I am hoping that within four or five months the movie will come out, but that I have no control over,” he said. Weeks later, he says the film will be completed in a month or so.

■ Jan. 27, 2012: Mr. Sorvino confirms “The Trouble with Cali” will premiere at the 18th annual Sedona International Film Festival in February. Sedona will be the start of the effort to market “Cali,” he says, with the ultimate goal of finding a distributor for the movie.

■ Feb. 21, 2012: “The Trouble with Cali” makes its public debut.

“To me, it was a glorified B-movie,” says Jefferson Twp. resident Al Micka, who attends the debut.

“It was bizarre,” says his wife, Donna Micka. “If I had known it would be this bad, I wouldn’t have come.”

■ April 21, 2014: Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O’Brien acknowledges the county’s chances of recovering its $500,000 investment from the movie “are zero.”

■ March 30, 2015: Mr. Sorvino says he is still looking for a distributor for the movie and may be closing in on a deal with a Canadian company.

■ April 1, 2015: Mr. Sorvino now says the deal with the Canadian company is “effectively dead.”

During an interview on radio station WILK, he blames radio announcer Steve Corbett and The Times-Tribune columnist Christopher J. Kelly for making the film “unsaleable.”

■ April 13, 2015: Mr. Sorvino agrees to allow “The Trouble with Cali” to screen in Lackawanna County.

■ April 21, 2015: After requesting copies of the movie, Lackawanna County Commissioners receive three unmarked Blu-ray discs via Federal Express from Mr. Sorvino. The county says it needs to work out legalities of showing the movies, and then plan public screenings of it.

■ June 19, 2015: Commissioners announce three free screenings of the movie at 7:30 p.m. on July 9, July 10 and July 11 at the Scranton Cultural Center.

— DAVID SINGLETON

One of the most heavily trafficked and visible corners in Northeast Pennsylvania will likely transform as six parcels hit the market on Main Street in Dickson City.

All but two properties between Johnson Street and Viewmont Drive are for sale. Owned by Jan and Wanda Kuha, some lots contain single- and multiple-family residences that are currently unused. The properties were listed by Cowley Real Estate of Scranton.

John Cowley said the listings generated interest. While he declined to disclose the identity of prospective buyers, he anticipates all or most of the properties will be purchased by a single, national commercial entity. The six parcels together have an asking price of about $1.5 million.

The block is zoned “commercial mixed use,” which allows for residential uses and a broad range of other business and commercial uses, according to the borough zoning code.

Mr. Cowley said he would expect an interested buyer would approach the other property owners separately and make an offer to purchase their properties, giving them the entire block back to Grant Court.

The corner boasts high traffic and visibility. Interstate 81 buzzes almost overhead as it empties motorists on the properties’ doorstep via the Dickson City/Main Avenue exit.

While restaurants, retail and maybe a gas station may seem like natural additions, Mr. Cowley suggests medical offices or an outpatient center might end up there.

Until about two decades ago, the area had been a residential neighborhood along the street connecting Dickson City to North Scranton. Over the years, the area transformed, precipitated by the addition of Viewmont Drive. Built in the mid-1990s, the road plunged through the neighborhood to connecting Route 6 to Main Street, spurring development above and eventually on Main Street, where a plaza and Microtel Inn popped up.

Seven years ago, George and Kim Duffy saw that part of Main Avenue tilting toward commerce and converted a church to a George & Co. Jewelry store.

Chrissy Grunza, assistant manager of George & Co., would be happy to see the block turn commercial.

“We’d like to see more little shops like us and maybe a walking environment,” she said.

The visibility from 81 and high traffic counts has made a huge difference for the business, she said, and she suspects the neighboring tract will draw commercial interest.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

The Wright Center drew Qasim Malik, M.D., to Northeast Pennsylvania after graduating medical school in Lahore, Pakistan.

After graduating from the three-year, post-medical school program with 33 other physicians, the young internal medicine doctor plans to stay here.

“This is the place to be,” he said, citing the area’s growing medical field and the possibility of providing care for a diverse group of patients. “I’m sure this is where I want to live.”

The Wright Center provides education for young doctors from around the world. Its goals are to create patient-centric physicians, engage with the community and deliver excellent care, senior vice president of mission delivery Brian Ebersole said.

The program is highly competitive, with roughly 7,500 applicants for the most recent round of 60 openings, he said. The nonprofit entity recruits in 20 different countries, he said.

The program immerses the students in the community with residencies in local hospitals and required community service projects. Roughly 66 percent of graduates stay in Northeast Pennsylvania to practice medicine, he said.

Michael Saleeb, M.D., who studied medicine in Egypt, researched treatment options for hepatitis C for one of his service projects. His work lead to a new treatment program for Wright Center patients, he said.

Dr. Saleeb sought out the Wright Center for its reputation, he said. Its friendly environment, innovative approach and focus on the patient made him glad he did, he said.

The patient-centric approach is crucial for training 21st-century physicians, director Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., said.

“We need to produce doctors that understand and respond to the needs of the American public,” she said.

Dr. Saleeb will now go on to work in internal medicine for Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Twp.

“I’m grateful to have a chance to give back to this community,” he said.

Contact the writer:

bgibbons@timesshamrock.com, @bgibbonsTT on Twitter

Fleetville

Classic lines and shiny chrome will be the focus for a fundraiser later this month.

The 11th annual Calli Memorial Car Show will be held Sunday, June 28, at the Fleetville Fire Company grounds on Route 407 starting at 9 a.m. The show is held in memory of Calli Irene Walter, who died Oct. 10, 2003, at age 4. In addition to raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of NEPA, the event also raises money for toys and treats for hospitalized children at Christmas and Easter.

In addition to cars, the event will feature a flea market, craft fair, yard sale, food, live entertainment, games, raffles and door prizes. Car registration is $10 the day of the show. Spectators are admitted free.

Calli’s father, Jeff Walter, said he never dreamed the car show would have such longevity. Each year, it gets a little bigger, he said.

“When it’s for children, people care more,” he said.

And while he appreciates all the support in memory of his daughter, he still gets emotional when he thinks about Calli.

“I can talk about the show,” he said. “It’s still hard for me to talk about her.”

— ERIN NISSLEY

enissley@timesshamrock.com

Jessup

It wasn’t until years after Bruce Kovatch returned home from war-torn Vietnam that it became clear his service would have lasting, devastating side effects.

The 67-year-old Jessup native, currently of Honesdale, was exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange while fighting in Vietnam, and only until recently he suffered increasingly severe heart problems associated with congestive heart disease.

After waiting two years for a donor match, Mr. Kovatch now is recovering from a successful heart transplant at Houston’s Memorial Hermann hospital. The nature of the operation means he and his wife, Ann, will have to live in Houston for a year so hospital staff can monitor him.

The Department of Veterans Affairs paid for the transplant, but the Kovatch family will have to pay day-to-day living expenses, so friends have planned a benefit to pull together much-needed funds.

The event, A Heart For Bruce, is scheduled for 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the VFW Post 5544 on Dolph Street in Jessup. Tickets cost $50 for adults 21 and older and $25 for teenagers 13 to 20. Children 12 and younger are admitted free.

The event includes food, drink, live music, raffles and children’s games.

“He’s a heck of a nice man,” said one event organizer, Jim Biondo. “It breaks your heart to see what they’re going through.”

To donate, visit www.

gofundme.com/pcbfcw. To purchase tickets to the event, email heartforbruce@yahoo.com or call 570-689-1442.

— JON O’CONNELL

joconnell@timesshamrock.com, @jon_oc on Twitter

Lackawanna County

County commissioners on Wednesday gave final approval to the collective bargaining agreement that ended the county’s Children and Family Services employee strike.

The deal provided raises over three years of 2 percent, 3 percent and 2 percent. The approximately 100-member union went on strike for nearly two weeks in May.

“They protect our children,” Commissioner Pat O’Malley said before the board of commissioners approved the contract. “It’s not an easy job.”

Other action included:

• Entering into a letter of understanding with the Palumbo Group to study buildings as part of the effort to find a new Lackawanna County hub to consolidate operations in one place. The letter includes fees for using the company’s staff ranging from $49 per hour to $140 per hour.

• Approved a professional service agreement between the Area Agency on Aging and Maria Pavuk to serve as a translator for the area’s growing Nepalese population. The contract calls for the service as needed and is capped at $10,000 per year.

• Reappointed George Sheypuk of Jermyn to a four-year term on the Lackawanna County Conservation District Board.

— KYLE WIND

kwind@timesshamrock.com, @kwindTT on Twitter

Newton Twp.

The Rotary Club of the Abingtons will help the community celebrate our nation’s birthday with an old-fashioned fireworks show starting at 5 p.m. Friday, July 3.

In addition to fireworks, the event at Abington Heights Middle School, 1555 Newton Ransom Blvd., will feature several live bands, food trucks and vendors and activities for families. A $5-per-car parking fee helps defray costs of the event. Donations will also be accepted.

“The Rotary Club of the Abingtons presents this show each year because we cannot imagine our community without a Fourth of July celebration,” said fireworks show co-chairman John Hambrose in an email. “We began working on this year’s show in December and as the weeks and months have progressed more of our club members and friends have become busy attending to the long list of tasks that need to be completed to present a successful show.”

Organizers said parking along Newton Ransom Boulevard is prohibited before, during or after the event. If there is bad weather, the event will be postponed until Saturday, July 4.

— ERIN NISSLEY

enissley@timesshamrock.com

Scranton

The Green Ridge Neighborhood Association has been very busy in its first few months of rejuvenation.

After being dormant for some time, the group revived several months ago and got to work on various community projects.

In recent weeks, the association organized cleanups of Crowley Park and the islands between Electric and Sunset streets. Next on the agenda is a cleanup of Pretzel Park at North Washington Avenue and Electric Street on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

“I think we’ll have a really good turnout. People are enthused about getting involved,” said group President Jim Mulligan.

The association’s next meeting will be Tuesday, July 7, at 7 p.m. at the American Legion at 625 Deacon St.

■

City council on Thursday:

• Authorized a $33,400 contract with Reilly Associates Consulting Engineers of Pittston for the design of a traffic signal at North Main Avenue and Parker Street. The intersection has a signal dangling from overhead wires. The design will include mast arms, signal heads, pedestrian signals, controller and cabinet, wiring, detection, signing, ramps, curbing, pavement markings, a 10-foot-wide left-turn lane, 11-foot-wide through lanes and an optical emergency pre-emption system.

• Authorized the city’s formal acceptance of a $5,000 donation from Allied Services Integrated Health System given to help cover swimming fees for teens at Nay Aug Park, which is the only city pool that charges fees. Pools at Nay Aug Park, Weston Field and Weston Park opened Saturday, while Connell Park’s pool is scheduled to open this coming Saturday.

■

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce at its 147th annual dinner Wednesday marked some transitions of key people and honored one employee’s longtime dedication.

New board Chairman Mark Volk, who is president of Lackawanna College, spoke of the chamber’s activities and mission.

“This year we adopted the mantra ‘attract, grow and sustain business in Northeastern Pennsylvania,’” Mr. Volk told a crowd of around 300 people at the dinner at Genetti Manor in Dickson City. “It’s a recognition that our efforts must balance the needs of startups, of existing businesses as well as candidates for relocation to our area.”

The chamber recognized past board chairman Daniel Santaniello, president and chief executive officer of Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank, for his service as chamber chairman during 2013-15.

Mr. Santaniello told the crowd that the chamber is in good hands under Mr. Volk and chamber President Robert Durkin.

“We’re in a great position, guys; that’s really my message to you,” Mr. Santaniello told the crowd. “It’s full steam ahead for Northeastern Pennsylvania with this leadership team.”

Mr. Durkin noted the chamber is somewhat unusual in complexity and affiliated organizations, chiefly Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Co., which develops and creates jobs in the region. The chamber also recognized SLIBCO’s former president for four years, Pat Acker, who recently transitioned out of that post.

The chamber also presented its executive secretary, Virginia Goodrich, with a certificate of commemoration for her half-century of dedication to the organization.

— JIM LOCKWOOD

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

■

A bus trip to the Finger Lakes Wine Festival will raise money for the annual Scranton Reads initiative, which usually kicks off in October, announced Martina Soden, reference librarian at Albright Memorial Library.

The bus will leave from Albright at 8 a.m. Sunday, July 12, and return about 8 p.m.

The trip costs $75 per person and features more than 80 New York wineries offering 600 different wine samples, educational wine seminars and art and cooking demonstrations. People who want to participate should call 570-348-3000.

In other library news, the library system is once again gaining access to the Heritage Quest genealogical database starting July 1.

“We know how much patrons loved using that at home,” Ms. Soden said.

— KYLE WIND

kwind@timesshamrock.com, @kwindTT on Twitter

Throop

Every year, the Throop Little League’s biggest two-day

fundraiser is pretty crappy, but that doesn’t stop folks from turning out in droves.

The 27th annual Throop Cow Flop takes place next weekend. The fundraiser, filled with live entertainment, beer and barbecue chicken made by the Throop Fire Department at the Washington Street Park, has been built up around a single bovine going number two.

Guests buy a 2-foot-by-2-foot block for $10, said longtime Throop Little League and booster club member Bill Shevchik. The cow is put in a field and “when he does his business, if it goes on your block, you win $5,000,” he said.

The event includes a firemen’s parade at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 28, from Sanderson and Charles streets left onto Cypress Street and then right onto Murray Street to end at the park. There will be entertainment for kids as well, with a magic show, rides and games. It concludes with fireworks around 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, find the Throop Cow Flop on Facebook.

— JON O’CONNELL

joconnell@timesshamrock.com, @jon_oc on Twitter

A female prison lieutenant who was in charge at Lackawanna County Prison when an inmate savagely attacked a fellow prisoner was demoted because she lacked leadership ability, not because of her gender, an attorney for the county says in court papers.

Nancy Carroll failed to immediately notify police, failed to secure the crime scene and was evasive in answering questions after Michael Simonson’s Aug. 8, 2010, attack on Nicholas Pinto, attorney Joseph Joyce of Scranton said in a court motion. Those shortcomings clearly support the prison board’s decision to demote her, he said.

Ms. Carroll was demoted to correctional officer in December 2010, which resulted in a $20,000 pay cut, and she never returned to work. She resigned in September 2011 and filed suit against the county and commissioners in 2012, alleging she was treated more harshly than male officers who failed to prevent the attack, which left Mr. Pinto with permanent injuries.

Mr. Joyce’s motion, filed April 30, contends Ms. Carroll failed to present any evidence to support her claims of gender discrimination. Ms. Carroll’s attorney, Cynthia Pollick of Pittston, vehemently disputes that claim.

In a reply filed June 1, Ms. Pollick notes Ms. Carroll was not present when the attack happened, yet her punishment was more severe than that of several male prison employees who were directly responsible for monitoring Mr. Simonson. Ms. Pollick also notes male employees involved in other serious security breaches, including Mr. Simonson’s escape from the county prison on Sept. 28, 2011, were not punished as severely as she was.

Mr. Joyce acknowledged Ms. Carroll’s punishment was more severe but said that was warranted because she was the shift commander at the time of the Simonson attack and therefore was responsible for all conduct within the facility.

The motion marks the third time Mr. Joyce sought to dismiss all or part of Ms. Carroll’s suit. He previously filed a motion seeking to dismiss her claim that her due process rights were violated. Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo initially granted that motion but later reversed his ruling to allow that count to proceed.

The latest motion seeks to dismiss all counts in the lawsuit. Judge Caputo will review the filings and issue a ruling.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com

As summer’s heat and humidity set in, locals’ thoughts turn toward finding some relief, somewhere. One such spot has been a crown jewel of Nay Aug Park for more than a century.

The park was already an established recreation area by the time Lake Lincoln opened in 1909. To build it, the city engineer and his staff focused on an area of Nay Aug Park that had once belonged to the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Co., in part because of a large slab of rock that served as a natural retaining wall for the east end of the pool. Improvements took place over the ensuing decades, including the addition of a concrete bottom in 1929 and a recirculation system three years later.

By the 1970s, the popular spot looked more like the pool with which residents are familiar today.

Saturday marked the 106th summer that Nay Aug’s pools have offered relief from Scranton’s sweltering summers.

— ERIN L. NISSLEY