She thought she was on her way to help someone.

So, 14-year-old Serena “Retta” Caramanno left West Scranton for South Carolina with friends to pick up a woman who needed to get her and her 18-month-old child out of an abusive relationship, said her mother, Liza Caramanno.

The sedan, with six people inside, left the roadway about 8:15 a.m. Saturday on Interstate 95 in Florence County and crashed into some trees, South Carolina Highway Patrol said.

The driver of the vehicle, Scranton native Darhon Marquis McEachern who lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, died on the scene, police said. Serena also died from injuries sustained during the crash.

“She thought she could be a helping hand,” said Mrs. Caramanno. “That’s the kind of person she was. She was free-spirited and she would have given you her heart.”

In the end, that is just what she did.

Serena remained in South Carolina on Tuesday and Wednesday until her organs could be removed and immediately given to other patients in need, Mrs. Caramanno said.

Her kidney and pancreas went to people in South Carolina, she said.

Her heart went to a patient in Florida.

“There was no hope, she wasn’t coming back,” Mrs. Caramanno said. “She was brain dead from the beginning.”

Officials told the Caramannos that their daughter had suffered a brain stem injury, which cut off the oxygen supply to her brain.

The last time Mrs. Caramanno saw her daughter was last Thursday, when she said she was going with friends to baby-sit.

Later, Serena told her mother she was going to Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg. When she did not return, Mrs. Caramanno filed a missing person’s report with police, she said.

Scranton police confirmed they were investigating a missing person report related to the girl’s disappearance, but declined to go into further detail because she was a juvenile.

“I had heard through the grapevine that she was down in South Carolina,” Mrs. Caramanno said.

She spoke with her daughter through Facebook messages Friday night. She learned Serena had gone with her boyfriend and several others to pick up the woman – a friend or relative of someone in their group – and her child to bring them back to Scranton, she said. Mrs. Caramanno said she does not know who the woman is.

The wreck happened as they were northbound, about 20 miles from the North Carolina border.

Investigators told Mrs. Caramanno there was no alcohol involved, and they believed Mr. McEachern was overtired, she said.

“They just all went along for the ride,” Mrs. Caramanno said.

Identities and conditions for the other crash victims were not available Wednesday.

Mrs. Caramanno and Serena’s father, James Caramanno, signed papers allowing doctors to switch off life support Monday, she said.

Florence County Coroner Keith von Lutcken pronounced her clinically brain dead at 12:50 p.m. that day, but the coroner said they kept her on life support until her organs could be removed.

Serena had not expressed that she wanted to be an organ donor, but Mrs. Caramanno said they opted to give them up to save others.

“I thought ‘why not, if (we) can save lives,’” she said. ”My daughter’s not coming back.”

The family, who returned to Scranton on Tuesday, plans to return to South Carolina to retrieve their daughter’s remains soon, Mrs. Caramanno said.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced when they are finalized.

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

Scranton Sewer Authority received a $9.1 million, low-interest state loan for a federally-mandated project to reduce stormwater overflows into the Lackawanna River, state legislators announced Wednesday.

The loan covers nearly all of the $11 million cost of construction of a 1.2 million gallon detention basin below the Linden Street bridge on the eastern side of the river.

“This is tremendous for the ratepayers,” authority Executive Director Gene Barrett said of the loan.

The authority is under mandate by the federal Environmental Protection Agency to undertake more than $140 million in upgrades over 25 years to prevent pollution of the Chesapeake Bay watershed from “combined sewer overflows.”

The authority’s 25 million-gallons-per-day wastewater treatment plant serves about 87,000 people in Scranton and Dunmore. Its 275 miles of sewer lines in a 10,000-acre service area flow into a treatment plant that discharges effluent into the Lackawanna River, a feeder of the Susquehanna River, which flows into Chesapeake Bay.

The combined system, when overwhelmed by stormwater, has at times over the years polluted the Lackawanna River and its tributaries. To reduce combined overflows, numerous underground storage tanks will be installed to capture stormwater overflow and gradually release it after storms are over.

A long-term control plan is broken into four or five phases, the first of which has been underway in recent years and alone involves 19 projects to be completed by 2017, Mr. Barrett said.

The 1.2 million gallon detention basin, which is the largest of these 19 projects in the first phase, has three increments. The first increment is completed, the second step is underway and the third part should begin next month .

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Board, also called PennVEST, approved the $9.095 million loan at a 1-percent interest rate, to fund this detention-basin project, state Sen. John Blake and Rep. Frank Farina said Wednesday in separate, similar announcements.

“I want to commend the Scranton Sewer Authority for their great work in leveraging these state resources for the removal of combined sewer overflow problems,” Mr. Blake said in a statement. “This not only creates jobs in the short term but it protects the Lackawanna River Watershed and the Susquehanna River Watershed going forward.”

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

BRIDGEWATER TWP. — A Luzerne County woman was killed in a head-on collision Tuesday in Susquehanna County that left another person critically injured.

An autopsy found Anne Gober, 45, of Wyoming, died of multiple traumatic injuries, county Coroner Anthony Conarton said Wednesday.

According to state police at Gibson, Michael Argust, 33, of Montrose, was traveling south on North Road about 5:15 p.m. when his vehicle crossed into the northbound lane, hitting Ms. Gober’s vehicle head-on.

Ms. Gober was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Mr. Argust was taken by helicopter to Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, where he remained in critical condition Wednesday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Keith Williams visited the White House 25 years ago to watch then-President George H.W. Bush sign the Americans With Disability Act into law.

This week, the Clarks Green resident returned to the White House to celebrate how the act has improved the lives of millions of Americans living with a disability.

“What an experience,” the 54-year-old said Wednesday by phone.

Confined to a wheelchair after he was born with a disease that severely weakens his joints, both trips were a recognition of the work Mr. Williams did educating politicians and advocating for the landmark law.

When Mr. Williams got the email invitation to the White House last week, he originally thought it was a prank. But on Monday, he found himself sitting in the second row of the White House’s East Room — one row ahead of where he sat 25 years ago.

President Barack Obama addressed the crowd of about 400, thanking them for their work pushing the bill as Vice President Joe Biden stood beside him. In the crowd were at least two other people who attended the signing 25 years ago: former Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kan. Both longtime senators played key roles in the enactment of the landmark ADA a quarter century ago, according to the Associated Press.

When Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden waded into the crowd to mingle, Mr. Williams was able to clasp hands with the president. In their brief exchange, he told Mr. Obama where he was from.

“Scranton?” the president responded. “I’ve got to tell Joe.”

Mr. Obama yelled to the vice president, who was on the other side of the room, then moved on. Mr. Biden sauntered over a few moments later and the pair chatted about the Hanks Hoagies sandwich shop and Scranton’s Green Ridge neighborhood, where Mr. Williams works at the Center for Independent Living and Mr. Biden lived in his youth.

Mr. Williams said the two top American politicians were “both very friendly, outgoing.”

While the act has helped break down barriers for disabled people around the country, Mr. Williams said the struggle continues.

“We’ve made tremendous progress, but we can’t become complacent and rest on our laurels,” he said.

Contact the writer:

pcameron@timesshamrock.com, @pcameronTT on Twitter

Local honored as Marine of the Year

A Greentown native was honored this week as the 2015 Marine Corps Times Marine of the Year.

Staff Sgt. Zachary Rubart will appear in the print issue of Marine Corps Times and on MarineCorps

Times.com. According to the Marine Corps Times write-up, Zachary served combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan before being assigned to platoon sergeant for the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon in Washington, D.C.

“But on Sept. 16, 2013, while (he) was training on the Marine Barracks Washington parade deck, reports of an active shooter next door at Washington Navy Yard brought all his infantry experience and combat training into focus,” according to the Marine Corps Times story. “Without wasting a moment, (he) assembled a handful of Marines into a quick reaction force and took off for the armory.”

Zachary, 31, and his Marines teamed up with the law enforcement officers to clear several rows of buildings and secure the home of the chief of naval operations and the other flag officers who lived there, the Marine Corps Times reported.

Now, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the Marine Corps Security Force at the White House Communications Agency out of Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, Zachary supervises about 50 Marines who travel with the president for security and support, according to the Marine Corps Times.

He and other winners were honored Tuesday during a ceremony at the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill.

Posters presented

Students enrolled in the Misericordia University part-time accelerated evening Bachelor of Science degree nursing program recently presented their capstone research posters that addressed either a social justice or nursing practice issue at Nursing Research Poster Day.

The nursing students addressed assigned topics, including “Will the Obama Plan Improve Access to Health Care in the United States?”; “Has Malpractice Changed Nursing Practice?”; “How Could the Use of Technology Improve Quality and Safety in the Clinical Setting?”; and “Are Core Measures Improving Health Outcomes?”

Local Misericordia University nursing students who presented their research included Erin Lavey, Shavertown; Kimberly Kane, Courtdale; Arleen Reynoso, Forty Fort; Tara Monko, Shavertown; Alysha Micklo, Tunkhannock; Aubre Mayorowski, Old Forge; Jessica Gabel, Wilkes-Barre; Claire Kozick, Edwardsville; Jill Laibinis, Hanover Twp.; Alicia English, Dallas; Stephanie Harmer, Hop Bottom; Erika Woychio, Hanover Twp.; Nichol Williams, Tunkhannock; Courtney Slacktish, Hanover Twp.; Catherine Chung, Scranton; Deborah Kowalczyk, Plains; Christina Demellier, Wilkes-Barre, and Ashley Willis, Kingston.

High notes

Natalie Christopher of Newfoundland is one of 47 students recently inducted into the Susquehanna University chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-educational service fraternity.

Natalie is a business administration major in the class of 2018. A 2014 graduate of Wallenpaupack Area, she is the daughter of Dave and Lori Christopher.

Lackawanna County detectives charged three men Tuesday night after finding a large amount of heroin in the vehicle they were traveling in, police said.

Alex Victoriano, 26, 133 South Vine St., and Raudy Frias-Sanchez, 25, 578 North Church St., both of Hazleton, were taken into custody along with 29-year-old Pedro Perez, who is listed as homeless, on numerous drug charges after learning the three were planning to travel to Lackawanna County to sell heroin Tuesday, according to a criminal complaint.

A dark gray Nissan Altima they were in arrived at a McDonald’s parking lot on Pittston Avenue in Moosic about 8:20 p.m.

Detectives swarmed it. The windows were heavily tinted and police could not see inside, so an officer smashed the back window and took the three into custody.

The county’s drug dog, Riggs, found 400 bags of heroin and two grams of raw heroin in the car, detectives said.

Authorities also found a loaded .45-caliber semiautomatic handgun with an “obliterated” serial number.

All three were taken for arraignment on various drug charges. Mr. Victoriano and Mr. Frias-Sanchez also face firearm-related crimes.

All are in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $200,000 bail each. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for July 30.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com,

@jkohutTT on Twitter.

SCRANTON — A coalition of food banks and community gardens needs fresh produce donations for the needy.

The coalition consists of the Weinberg Food Bank and the Fresh Food/Food Distribution Committee, as well as the Abington, Hyde Park, Marywood University and Greenhouse Project community gardens.

Organizers ask everyone to spread the word and donate excess homegrown produce.

To donate, contact Michelle Santanna at 570-241-1639 or msantanna@ceopeoplehelpingpeople.org.

— PETER CAMERON

Gov. Tom Wolf appointed Wilkes University biology and geo-environmental science professor Kenneth Klemow to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s new pipeline infrastructure task force, the university revealed Wednesday.

The task force will recommend policies, guidelines and best practices to the governor to guide anticipated growth of natural gas pipeline infrastructure across the state over the next decade.

Dr. Klemow, the only academic scientist on the 48-person task force, was also appointed to the Environmental Protection work group. The ecologist, joined the Wilkes faculty in 1982 and serves as associate director of the university’s Institute for Energy and Environmental Research.

— STAFF REPORT

The Scranton Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a developer’s conversion of a former vacant garment factory in East Scranton into upscale apartments.

ATR Properties, owned by Art Russo, is nearly done converting the vacant factory at 970 Ridge Ave. near Petersburg Corners into upscale apartments, according to land surveyor Bob Mendola, who represented ATR at the meeting.

Noting the project earlier this month received a zoning variance to adjust the parking boundary, Mr. Mendola told the commission, “We have all approvals in hand. We’ve covered all the things we had to.”

City Planner Don King and Engineer John Pocius recommended that the commission grant final approval to the project.

The commission voted 4-0 — with Chairman James Thomas and members Jay Murphy, Thomas Galella and Thomas Schuster all in favor, and member Robert Weber absent — to give a final approval of the project.

Mr. Russo in recent years has redeveloped defunct industrial properties in the city into residences. In 2013, he bought the empty garment factory that had been unused since around 1988. Over the past year, ATR has transformed the formerly boarded-up building into one boasting six two-bedroom and four one-bedroom apartments. Mr. Russo has said the apartments rented quickly to Commonwealth Medical College students and he was hoping to have the structure ready for occupancy soon.

In other matters, the commission also voted 4-0 to approve each of the

following:

• A minor subdivision, by family members John P. and Marilyn A. Devine and John Devine Jr., of a vacant lot between their properties at 1656 and 1652 Sweeney St. The owners on each side of the vacant lot will each gain half of it.

• Acceptance for review of a final land development plan by Lackawanna Neighbors for the addition of a six-townhome building at the Midtown Apartments complex at Adams Avenue and Vine Street.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ George A. Mendez and Amanda Lynn Fox, both of Scranton.

■ Michael Stephen Balint and Linda Lou Munley, both of Jessup.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Michael J. Brown, Clarks Summit, agent for Louise T. Brown, Clarks Summit, to 1234 Group LLC, South Abington Twp.; a property at 944 Hem­lock St., Scranton, for $81,000.

■ Barbara J. DiLeo, executrix of the estate of Joseph J. Cos­tanzo, also known as Joseph John Costanzo, Dunmore, to Eric and Sarah Shigo, Dunmore; a property at 512 Third St., Dunmore, for $111,300.

■ Community Bank, Water­town, N.Y., to SKS Housing LLC, Mayfield; a property at 19 N. Washington St., Carbondale, for $45,000.

■ Kurtis A. and Sarah E. Epp, Clarks Summit, to Eric and Jennifer Emiliani, Scranton; a property at 431 Columbia Ave., Clarks Summit, for $225,000.

■ Todd L. and Amy L. Jones, Newton Twp., to Connor A. and Lindsey M. Young, Dalton; a property at 1261 Country Club Road, Newton Twp., for $224,750.

ESTATES FILED

■ Bette J. Coccetti, 112 First St., Eynon, letters testamentary to Gary A. Coccetti, 18 Depot St., Peckville.

■ Robert T. Williamson, 457 Route 106, Greenfield Twp., letters testamentary to Bonnie Pappacena, 6 Arrow Place, Randolph, N.J.

■ Thomas F. Sisko, 21 Ritten­house Place, Simpson, letters testamentary to Rebekah Gil­lette, 23 Rittenhouse Place, Simpson.

■ Kenneth L. Stimmel, Gino J. Merli Veterans Center, 401 Penn Ave., Scranton, letters of administration to Nicole Marie Stim­mel, 3001 Romain Trail, Spring Hill, Tenn., and Korey Stimmel, 4055 North Road, Montrose.

■ Donald W. Belcher, also known as Donald William Bel­cher, 302 E. Greenwood Ave., Clarks Summit, letters testamentary to Donald R. Belcher, 210 Center St., Apt. 1, Clarks Summit.

DIVORCE DECREES

■ Gina M. Gilgallon v. Roy J. Gilgallon

■ Carrielle Mickavicz v. Todd Christopher Mickavicz

■ Renee Gillott v. Michael Gillott

■ Erin McAndrew-Jervis v. Jason J. Jervis

■ Christopher D. Eibach v. Heather L. Eibach

■ Mary Edlind v. Dave Edlind

■ Christopher Arthur Mordan v. Erin Mordan

■ Tammy Speaks v. Nathaniel Speaks

BENCH WARRANTS

The following warrants have been issued by Judge Trish Corbett for failure to appear for child support contempt

hearings:

■ Paul Takacs, 929 Cedar Ave., Scranton; $2,954.29.

■ William R. Weida, 9769 State Route 106, Kingsley; $8,078.60.

■ Damion Williams, 22 Parish Court, Carbondale; $1,188.

■ Lawrence Wyman, Rear 421 Willow St., Scranton; $3,418.60.

Anyone with any information on the above is asked to call the child support hotline at 570-963-6721, ext. 8160.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

Second-degree murder, arson and fraud charges were pending Wednesday night for the owner of a home that burned Saturday, a fire that investigators say killed his brother.

Diomedes Ceballos, whose age and address were not available Wednesday, was to be charged in connection with the fire at a home on 12th Avenue’s 300 block, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Diomedes Ceballos agreed to pay his brother, Aurelio Ceballos, $5,000 to set fire to the home in an effort to collect insurance money, the affidavit says.

Aurelio Ceballos was found dead in a Valley View Terrace apartment unit Sunday. Lackawanna Coroner Tim Rowland determined he died from burn wounds and ruled his death a homicide.

Investigators said in the hours before his death, Aurelio Ceballos told a witness that his brother had offered to pay him and instructed him how to start the fire.

Aurelio Ceballos had doused the home with gasoline, but lit the fire while he was still inside and ignited his clothes, investigators said.

Diomedes Ceballos filed an insurance claim in the days following the fire; he was insured for approximately $500,000, investigators said.

When the Erie Insurance representatives tried to contact a witness Diomedes Ceballos had provided for them, they found the phone number and address belonged to Aurelio Ceballos, investigators said.

An arraignment was expected sometime Wednesday night; however, Diomedes Ceballos complained of chest pains and police took him to the hospital.

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

DURYEA — A Connecticut man was federally indicted late Tuesday for allegedly committing two bank robberies in Luzerne County.

David Sandy Lee Parks, 59, is accused of the armed robberies that occurred at the Peoples Security Bank in Duryea on July 3 and the Wells Fargo Bank in Plymouth on July 10.

Mr. Parks was arrested by Upper Macungie police on July 17 after he allegedly robbed the First Niagara Bank in Trexlertown earlier that day.

He is currently being held at the Lehigh County Jail in Allentown.

The case was investigated by the FBI, state police, 13 area police departments and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s office.

Mr. Parks faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, a probationary period following imprisonment and a fine.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A prominent local developer is hoping to revive Allentown's A-Treat soda, which abruptly shut down in January after nearly a century of production.

The Morning Call newspaper reports (http://bit.ly/1JeFEL8 ) Orefield turkey farmer and real estate developer David Jaindl is acquiring A-Treat's brand name, trademark, flavor formulas and related intellectual property.

Jaindl says production will be restored in the coming weeks and customers can find A-Treat back on the shelves by early fall. Retailers have told Jaindl they will stock A-Treat as soon as it becomes available.

A-Treat ceased operations Jan. 23, putting roughly 40 employees out of work.

Jaindl entered a co-packing agreement with Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Lehigh Valley and hopes to retain as many former employees of the brand as possible.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

A 57-year-old Scranton man was arraigned and taken to prison on second-degree murder and arson charges, court records show.

Diomedes Ceballos, 319 12th Ave., appeared before Magisterial District Judge John P. Pesota at 8:40 a.m. today, an online court docket shows.

On Wednesday, Scranton police said Mr. Ceballos paid his brother, Aurelio Ceballos, $5,000 to douse his West Scranton house with gasoline and burn it Saturday so he could make an insurance claim. Aurelio Ceballos was burned setting the fire and was found dead in a South Scranton housing project Sunday. Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland ruled his death a homicide.

Authorities expected a judge would arraign Diomedes Ceballos on Wednesday night but he complained of chest pains and was taken to a hospital and later released.

Diomedes Ceballos is held in Lackawanna County Prison without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday

Check back for updates.

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com; @jkohutTT on Twitter

With state budget talks dragging on, local Democratic legislators urged Republican legislative leaders to get serious about fixing the state’s major financial problems, properly funding public schools and cutting property and corporate taxes.

Joined by House Democratic policy chairman Rep. Mike Sturla, D-96, Lancaster, Reps. Marty Flynn, D-113, Scranton, Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-114, Taylor, and Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre, said they are ready to vote on a budget that does all that if Republicans finally show a serious willingness to negotiate with Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat.

The four stood before mostly cameras, reporters and their own staff members today outside Scranton High School to make their case. They called on local citizens to pressure Republican leaders to pass a budget.

“I want to go to Harrisburg. My colleagues here with me, they want to go to Harrisburg, too, and we want to vote on a budget that solves the problems that grew from the four years of the last administration,” Mr. Kavulich said, referring to former Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.

Mr. Wolf has proposed a budget that would increase the sales tax to 6.6 percent from 6 percent, and the income tax to 3.7 percent from 3.07 percent. He also wants to impose a 5 percent natural gas extraction tax. The new money would go toward lowering school property taxes and increasing funding for education, one of the governor’s top priorities. Mr. Wolf also proposes slashing the state’s corporate net income tax from 9.99 percent to 4.99 percent over the next two years, and ending the capital stock and franchise tax by closing a major tax loophole.

The deadline for passing a 2015-16 budget was June 30 with Republicans blasting Mr. Wolf mostly for proposing large tax increases. That day, the governor vetoed a $30.2 million Republican-passed budget because he said it was unworkable and did not properly fund education. He and Republican House and Senate leaders met Monday. He called the meeting productive while Republican leaders again chastised his push for higher taxes.

Check back for updates.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf is turning to his legislative liaison to be his next chief of staff as her predecessor prepares to run for U.S. Senate.

Wolf announced the choice of Mary Isenhour on Thursday during a Capitol news conference that also included his previous chief of staff, Katie McGinty.

McGinty resigned Wednesday and is expected to seek the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Sen. Pat Toomey next year.

McGinty says she'll make an announcement about her future shortly.

A Democratic official in Washington told The Associated Press that she's preparing to run. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because McGinty hasn't made the announcement herself.

Isenhour was a leading adviser to Wolf's successful gubernatorial campaign last year.

TUNKHANNOCK — A 30-year-old Meshoppen man involved in a high-speed chase stemming from a dispute over deer-baiting last December entered a guilty plea of reckless endangerment this morning.

Lucas Harley Davidson, formerly of Tunkhannock, appeared before Senior Judge Brendan Vanston in the Wyoming Court of Common Pleas for his role in the Wyoming County side of a chase that eventually ended the life of Stephen S. Sudosky Jr., 53, of Reyburn.

On the morning of Dec. 1, paramedics took Mr. Sudosky to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital in Luzerne County, where a family friend says he never regained consciousness in the two weeks before his death.

Based on witness statements and an accident reconstruction, investigators determined Mr. Sudosky tried to pass Mr. Davidson, resulting in some “paint rubbing,” and that Mr. Sudosky spun out and crashed into a tree on Upper Demunds Road in Luzerne County.

Because Mr. Sudosky appeared to be the aggressor, Luzerne County investigators determined Mr. Davidson was not at fault and would not face charges in connection with the death, police said.

However, according to criminal complaints filed by Wyoming County Chief Detective David A. Ide, authorities say that Mr. Davidson initiated a vehicle pursuit in his 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Northmoreland Twp., “following, chasing and pursuing” Mr. Sudosky in his 2005 Nissan Pathfinder.

Overfield Township police initially cited Mr. Davidson with reckless driving, alleging that he admitted to exceeding 100 miles per hour during the car chase. Those charges were withdrawn in December.

On Thursday, Mr. Davidson’s attorney Deborah Albert-Heise said that the guilty plea to a lone reckless endangerment charge meant that other charges of reckless driving, disorderly conduct and false swearing would be nolle prossed or dropped at the time of sentencing, the date of which Judge Vanston said had not yet been determined.

She also clarified, and Wyoming County assistant district attorney Timothy Carroll concurred, that the reckless endangerment admitted to was directed at people on or along the road and not at Mr. Sudosky.

Judge Vanston said the maximum penalty for the reckless endangerment charge was two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Mr. Davidson remains free on $10,000 unsecured bail.

Contact the writer: bbaker@wcexaminer.com

A Dickson City man is accused of bouncing checks to buy nearly $10,000 worth of jewelry from stores all over Lackawanna County and then pawning the pieces for dimes on the dollar.

Police charged Brian M. Davitt, 39, of 1114 Main St., with theft, receiving stolen property, issuing bad checks and related counts for the alleged buying and selling spree between about June 11 and June 21, according to a criminal complaint filed this week.

Patrolwoman Alicia Hallinan of the Dunmore Police Department, Detective Jeff Jones of the Scranton Police Department and Patrolman John Wilson of the Dickson City Police Department laid out the charges and created a timeline of the purchases and sales in the document.

Mr. Davitt opened an account at the NBT Bank branch in Dunmore on June 2, deposited $50 and withdrew $40 a few days later, the officers said. He started writing checks a few days later, police said.

Mr. Davitt bought about $9,319 worth of jewelry, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets and an engagement ring, from local stores, including La Nard Jewelry in Dunmore; Ross Jewelers, Duffy Jewelers, Ciccotti’s Jewel Case and Glint of Gold in Scranton; Triple J Jewelry in Blakely; The Golden Karat in Mayfield; and Steve Pronko Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, Littman Jewelers and George & Co Diamond Jewelers in Dickson City.

He turned around and sold the jewelry to other stores and pawn shops, making at least $927 from sales police discovered through the Northeast Pennsylvania precious metals database.

Within a week, NBT Bank noticed a flurry of bounced checks to jewelry stores and froze his account.

The three officers interviewed Mr. Davitt and reported the Dickson City man told them he knew there was no money in his account. But he was having financial problems and needed cash quickly.

“He stated he thought by the time the stores realized the checks were not good, he would have the money to repay the debts,” the officers said. “Davitt denied having opened the account for the purposes of writing bad checks; however, he had full knowledge that writing the checks would cause overdrafts, as he had no funds in the account to cover them.”

Police recovered most of the jewelry and estimated the businesses involved are owed about $4,066.

Mr. Davitt was being held at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Contact the writer: kwind@timesshamrock.com, @kwindTT on Twitter

Presenting colors

for RailRiders

Civil Air Patrol Cadets from the Scranton Composite Squadron 201 furnished the Color Guard during a RailRiders game at PNC Field. Displaying the American and Pennsylvania flags during the playing of the national anthem were CAP cadets including: Mstr. Sgts. Kyle Hordyszynski of Milford and Robert Klemens of Scranton, Lt. Thomas McCormick of Scranton and Capt. Michael Pope III of Old Forge.

Following the presentation, the cadets enjoyed the baseball game with their families and other squadron members.

Cadets practice presenting the colors as part of their Drill and Ceremonies training, Major Jim Bruck, CAP public affairs officer, says in a release.

“Civil Air Patrol,” the release says, “is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.” Volunteers assist in continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions and perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. “The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to over 25,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs.”

Lunch and dessert

Wallenpaupack Area School District administrators brought lunch when they visited Dyberry Day Camp.

Chris Caruso, Tony Cavallaro, Tanya Carrelle, Gwyn Devendorf, Keith Gunuskey, Mark Kirsten, Kevin Kromko, Clay LaCoe, Dan Nalesnik, Jay Starnes and Lisa Tait treated campers to McDonald’s cheeseburgers, fries and orange punch, and followed up with ice pops for dessert.

Dyberry Day camp and other ARC activities primarily are funded through community solicitation and a spring Bike-Hike supported by local schools. This year, William Theobald, assistant principal, said in an email, “(Wallenpaupack Area) organizers changed up the Bike-Hike and started a new tradition, the 5K Color Run/Walk Event.”

Proceeds stay in Wayne County and benefit camp staffing, transportation and supplies and for advocacy and special community activities for older challenged people, he said.

High notes

The Kirkus Review has taken a look at Ellen Alexander Conley’s latest book, “Queen Lear.” The novel by Ellen, who was born in Carbondale, and spends her summers at Crystal Lake, is about “a New York businesswoman who confronts embezzlement by her own son,” according to the reviewer, who concludes, “The result is a touching comedy/drama of family dynamics, finances, business, and legalities. ... (and a) Well-characterized, entertaining tale with a resilient heroine whose golden years take an unexpected turn.” Published through the Amazon self publishing company, CreateSpace, “Queen Lear” is available online from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

— TERRY BONIFANTI

Almost half the major roads in Scranton and its surrounding municipalities are in poor condition, ranking them sixth worst in the country among mid-sized urban areas, according to a new report by a transportation research group released Thursday.

The report by TRIP (The Road Information Program) found 46 percent of the major arteries in and around Scranton, including interstates and other highways, rated poorly, with fewer than 1 in 5 miles of road (18 percent) in good condition.

The poor condition of the roads causes local drivers to spend an average $717 a year in vehicle repairs, according to the report, up sharply from $539 two years ago.

Nationally, more than a quarter of similar roads (28 percent) were in poor shape with conditions costing drivers an average of $516, according to TRIP. The latest figures are based on 2013 federal highway data.

“American drivers are paying a very steep price in the form of high repair bills, hitting potholes, getting stuck in traffic. I think very few American drivers would be surprised to learn that more than a fourth of the country’s urban roads are in poor condition,” said Jill Ingrassia, managing director of government relations and traffic safety advocacy for AAA.

Ms. Ingrassia spoke during a TRIP-organized conference call Thursday with reporters nationwide.

“No, it doesn’t surprise us. Does it surprise you?” asked Patrick Sandone Jr., owner of Sandone Tire in Scranton.

Several times a week, a customer rolls into his Wyoming Avenue shop with a bent wheel, a tire with a bubble in the sidewall, front-end damage or an out-of-whack wheel alignment, Mr. Sandone said.

“It’s not just Scranton, it’s all over,” he said. “And you can’t miss them (the potholes and bad roads). I go home the same way every day and I hit the same potholes.”

The total cost of the rough roads nationally amounts to an estimated $109 billion a year, said Rocky Moretti, TRIP director of policy and research.

“The trends we’re seeing with urban pavements, which are the most critical and heavily traveled, are continuing to get worse,” Mr. Moretti said. “When roads are in rough condition, the costs fall onto consumers ... Once roads are in poor conditions, the costs and the types of repairs that are needed are far more expensive.”

The problem could worsen if the country does not spend more money on fixing roads soon because the amount of travel has begun ticking upward last year (up 1.7 percent) following six years of no growth after the 2008 recession, he said.

James May, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation regional office in Dunmore, pointed hopefully to former Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2013 transportation bill, which will generate up to $2.3 billion more a year for fixing roads and bridges. The bill is already funding repairs to Interstate 84 in Dunmore, Route 106 in Greenfield Twp., Routes 6 and 11 in Clarks Summit and Route 247 in Blakely, among others, he said. Last year, the regional office paved more than 300 miles of roads because of the bill.

“As we begin to see the positive impact of all this work going out now, we will start to see significant improvements to our roads,” Mr. May said.

What would really make a difference, however, is if the U.S. Congress comes up with a long-term transportation funding bill after the current one expires July 31, officials on the conference call said. Congress has passed several extensions of existing funding, but hasn’t been able to agree on a long-term way of coming up with more money to fix the nation’s crumbling roads and bridges.

“These problems are going to continue to grow unless leaders in Congress take action soon,” Ms. Ingrassia said.

U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11, Hazleton, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he voted recently against another extension to highway and bridge repair funding until the end of the year because Congress has extended funding 34 times.

It’s time for a long-term solution, Mr. Barletta said.

“The industry needs a longer solution,” he said. “They need five, six, seven years.”

He co-sponsors a bill that would raise the gas tax a half cent and indexes it to inflation for 18 months while a bipartisan committee of House and Senate members negotiate a way to raise additional money. If they cannot find one after 18 months, the gas tax would rise another three or four cents, enough to fund transportation for five years, he said.

The bill remains pending.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com

TRIP’s worst

Highest percentage of roads in poor condition among midsized urban areas — population 250,000 to 500,000.

• Flint, Michigan

• Antioch, California

• Santa Rosa, California

• Trenton, New Jersey

• Temecula-Murrieta, California

• Scranton*

*Scranton’s population is only about 73,000, according to the latest census, but tens of thousands more people live in the surrounding suburbs.