CLARKS SUMMIT - Sophia Rinaldi couldn't just sit and watch as the same 20 children's faces flashed across her television screen a couple of weeks ago.

More than 120 miles from Newtown, Conn. - where a gunman killed 27 people, including 20 elementary students, on Dec. 14 - the 15-year-old Scranton Prep student racked her brain, thinking of ways to help the families affected.

She found it in music.

More than 30 people filed into Duffy's Coffee House Sunday for "Summit Sings for Sandy Hook" - a benefit concert organized to raise money for the Newtown Family Recovery Fund.

"When I heard about it, I immediately wanted to do something to help the Newtown community," said Sophia, who said they had raised more than $300 after just one hour. "I love music, so this was just a natural fit."

Organized by Sophia and several of her friends, the concert featured live musical performances from a number of area high school students, including Scranton Prep's Jillian Gratz and Lakeland's Bradley Strong.

But most importantly, said Duffy's owner Mari Walker, it provided additional support to "those who need it the most."

"Everyone in the world is so horrified by what happened in Newtown," Ms. Walker said. "What the kids did here is heartwarming."

Standing alongside each other on the stage, the three Mackarey sisters adjusted the microphones and performed a song they never had before - "Heaven Holds You Now," by the Storys.

"We wanted to have a tribute song for when we came here," said Amelia Mackarey, 21, whose younger sister, Marala, attends Scranton Prep. "This is actually the first time we are performing together. But we will always remember it because of why we decided to do it.

"It is for the victims' families."

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

A guided hike at Lackawanna State Park on Tuesday will offer visitors the chance to greet 2013 with the wind in their face instead of face-down on a pillow.

The park is one of 18 across the state and hundreds across the country participating in First Day Hikes, a series of free, coordinated hikes meant to encourage people to embrace nature in the new year.

"It's a nice way for people with a New Year's resolution to get healthy to take it outdoors," said Angela Lambert, environmental education specialist at the park complex.

The hike will begin at 1 p.m. at the park office and last about an hour. It will be a mile-long hike to accommodate most skill levels and ages. Snowshoes will be available if there is deep-enough snow on the trail.

The afternoon hike was designed to appeal to people "who are enthusiastic about it but maybe not bright and early," Ms. Lambert said.

"It's not too ambitious. It's just enough to get people thinking about getting out."

Registration is available online at www.visitPAparks.com or by calling 945-7110.

First Day Hikes started more than 20 years ago in Massachusetts and spread to all 50 states for the first time in 2012. Pennsylvania's state park system joined the initiative last year.

Lackawanna State Park has had volunteer-led New Year's Day hikes in the past, but this year will be the first time the park's staff is organizing the hike.

In Northeast Pennsylvania, First Day Hikes will also be held at Promised Land State Park in Pike County and Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County.

The nationwide program is an initiative of America's State Parks and the National Association of State Park Directors.

Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.com

BARBER, ROBERT D. SR., Tunkhannock, today, 10 a.m., Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, by Pastor Jim Pall of the Huntsville United Methodist Church. Interment, Mount View Cemetery, Harding. Condolences: shel donkukuchkafuneralhome.com.

BETLEY, ELMER A., Dickson City, private. Arrangements: John F. Glinsky Funeral Home, Throop.

CAMPBELL, JANETTE SCAVONE, Ocean View, Del., today, 8:30 a.m., McLaughlin's - the Family Funeral Service, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. Mass, 9:30, Church of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Wilkes-Barre. Entombment, St. Mary's Mausoleum, Hanover Twp. Contributions: American Cancer Society, 712 S. Keyser Ave., Taylor, PA 18517. Condolences: cele brateherlife.com.

CAPPELLINI, ANTHONY W. "TONY," Allentown, formerly of Dingmans Ferry, Mass, today, 10 a.m., Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, 444 N. Jasper St., Allentown. Calling hours, 9 to 9:50, church. Contributions: American Lung Association c/o O'Donnell Funeral Home, 908 Hanover Ave., Allentown, PA 18109.

CHAMPAGNE, RITA T., Taylor, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Semian Funeral Home, 704 Union St., Taylor. Mass, 11, Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Oram Street, Scranton. Entombment, Cathedral Mausoleum, Scranton. Calling hours, Wednesday, 9:30 to 10:30. Contributions: donors favorite charity. Condolences: semiancares.com.

CHERUNDOLO, CHARLES "CHUCK," Lakeland, Fla., formerly of Old Forge, funeral with military honors, today, 9:15 a.m., Victor M. Ferri Funeral Home, 522 Fallon St., Old Forge. Mass, 10, St. Mary of the Assumption Church, West Grace and Lawrence streets, Old Forge. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Contributions: Cornerstone Hospice of Polk County, 2590 Havendale Blvd. NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881. Condolences: ferrifuneralhome.com.

EVANS, JOHN "GEVEO," North Scranton, today, Edward Knight O'Donnell Funeral Home, 323 William St., Scranton. Mass, 9:30 a.m., Holy Rosary Church, 320 William St., Scranton. Go directly to church. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Contributions: Penn Transplant House, c/o UPHS Development Office, 3535 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.

FIELD, MARY JUNE, Madisonville, today, 11 a.m., Madison Union Cemetery, Route 690, Madisonville. Go directly to the cemetery. Arrangements: Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 3 First St., Spring Brook Twp. Arrangements: Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. Condolences: strauchfuneralhomes.com.

GABELLO, WILLIAM ANGELO, 90, Old Forge, today, noon, Victor M. Ferri Funeral Home, 522 Fallon St., Old Forge. Mass, 12:30, St. Mary of the Assumption Church, West Grace and Lawrence streets, Old Forge. Interment with military honors, SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Scranton. Condolences: ferrifu neralhome.com.

GILES, KATHERINE FORNEY, Scranton, today, Mass, 10 a.m., Immaculate Conception Church, Scranton, by the Rev. Joseph Sica. Cremation will follow. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Go directly to church. Arrangements: Donahue Funeral Home, 303 S. Main Ave., Scranton.

JOSEPHITE, SOPHIE, Scranton, Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Mass, 11, Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 1605 Oram St., Scranton, by the Rev. Stephen Krawontka. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours Thursday, 9 to 10:30. Condolences: www.KearneyFuneralHome.com.

KILLIAN, ELIZABETH "BETTY," Dickson City, today, 9 a.m., Frank T. Mazur Funeral Home Inc., 601 Dundaff St., Dickson City. Mass, 9:30, St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery, Dickson City. Condolences: mazurfuneralhome.com.

MARVIN, LLOYD W., Hallstead, Saturday, 6 p.m., Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home Inc., Hallstead. Spring inurnment, North Jackson Cemetery. Calling hours, 3 to 6. Contributions: Ronald McDonald House, 1100 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210.

METRO, ALYCE, Moosic, today, 9:15 a.m., Edward J. Chomko Funeral Home, 254-268 Railroad Ave., Scranton. Mass, 10, St. Eulalia's Church, Roaring Brook Twp., by Monsignor John W. Jordan, pastor. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Contributions: St. Eulalia's Church, 214 Blue Shutters Road, Roaring Brook Twp., PA 18444. Condolences: chomkofuneralhome.com.

MIGLIORE, IRENE D., West Wyoming, services at the convenience of the family. Arrangements: Metcalfe-Shaver-Kopcza Funeral Home Inc., 504 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. Interment, St. Rocco's Cemetery, Pittston.

MUSKEY, DIANE LEE, Dalton, today, noon, Davies & Jones Funeral Chapel, 135 S. Main Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. Arthur Davis, pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church. Interment, Shady Lane Cemetery, Chinchilla. Calling hours, today, 11 a.m. to noon. Contributions: Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 or Dalton Fire Company, 109 S. Turnpike Road, Dalton, PA 18414.

NOONE, THOMAS W., Pittston, today, 9 a.m., Peter J. Adonizio Funeral Home, 251 William St., Pittston. Mass, 9:30, St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston. Interment, parish cemetery. Contributions: Care and Concern Free Health Clinic or the Care and Concern Kids Closet, Pittston. Condolences: peter jadoniziofuneralhome.com.

PUSATERI, ANTHONY P., West Scranton, today, Carl J. Savino Funeral Home, 157 S. Main Ave., Scranton. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Lucy's Church, 949 Scranton St., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Contributions: Hospice Memorial Fund of the VNA Hospice Home Health, 301 Delaware Ave., Olyphant, PA 18447.

RECIPKO, WILLIAM JOHN "BILL," Jessup, Saturday, Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, Jessup. Divine Liturgy, Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church, Jessup, by Monsignor John T. Sekellier and Deacon Robert Behrens. Pallbearers: William Jr., Barry and Kyle Recipko; David Botscheller Jr., Patrick Houlihan Jr. and David Wiltz. Interment, parish cemetery, Jessup.

SCHELL, BETTY, Scranton, Asbury United Methodist Church, later date. Contributions: Asbury United Methodist Church, Scranton, or the Lackawanna Branch of the Association for the Blind, Scranton. Arrangements: Auer Cremation Services of Pennsylvania Inc.

TAWYEA, JULIE ANNE, Lake Ariel, today, 11 a.m., Cross Road Assembly of God Church, Routes 435 and 590, Elmhurst. Calling hours, today, 10:30 until service. Arrangements: James Wilson Funeral Home, Lake Ariel. Cremation, Lake Region Crematory at the James Wilson Funeral Home. Condolences: jameswilson funeralhome.com.

TIERNEY, EMILY "PAT," Clarks Green, Thursday, Mass, 10 a.m., Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green, by the Rev. John M. Lapera and concelebrated by Monsignor John H. Louis. Interment, Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly. Calling hours, Wednesday, 5 to 8 p.m., Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit. Contributions: Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore, PA 18512, or the Waverly Community House, Waverly. Condolences: jenningscalvey.com.

TOMKO, RICHARD JOHN, Bluffton, S.C., formerly of Dickson City, Mass, Saturday, 10:30 a.m., St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City. Interment, St. Mary's Visitation Cemetery. Memorials: St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City; or United Hospice of Beaufort, 1605 North St., Beaufort, SC 29902.

TONKIN, LENORE S., Carbondale and Cottrell Lake, today, 10 a.m., First United Methodist Church, Church Street, Carbondale, by the Rev. Donald Perry. Interment, Jermyn Cemetery. Go directly to church. Arrangements: Oliver Shifler & Scotchlas Funeral Home Inc., 62 N. Main St., Carbondale. Contributions: First United Methodist Church. Condolences: shiflerfuneralhome.com.

TRAVIS, ALICE DOLAN, resident at Little Flower Manor and St. Therese Residence, Wilkes-Barre, formerly of Scranton, today, Mass, 11 a.m., St. Patrick's Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton. Interment, private, St. Joseph's Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours, 10:30 until Mass. Arrangements: Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Condolences: sol fanellifiorillofuneralhome.com.

WOOD, DONALD J., Milanville, private, today. Burial, Calkins Union Cemetery. Arrangements: Rasmussen Funeral Home, Narrowsburg, N.Y. 12764. Contributions: Calkins Union Cemetery Association, Attn: Mary Wilcox, 581 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA 18443. Arrangements: Rasmussen Funeral Home.

A regional initiative targeting a growing sector of the economy in an attempt to attract high-paying jobs to the region sounds like a familiar story.

As with past efforts, Northeastern Pennsylvania Regional Biosciences Initiative launched with grand goals: "We have today - within our grasp - tools to reduce unemployment, create better-paying jobs for residents, build sustainable and more secure careers for our children," said a news release at the announcement of the initiative.

The big promise seemed to echo Wall Street West, an effort championed in 2004 by a similar cross-section of local business and civic leaders. Then-U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski fanned the hopes, predicting "a lasting prosperity" would result from promoting the region as a back office for the New York City financial industry at a time when it was concerned about terrorism and blackouts.

Founders of the Great Valley Technology Alliance said the region could become "the next great knowledge economy in the U.S."

The bioscience push stepped off with similar determination but muted promises earlier this month. While most states and many regions have concerted efforts to attract bioscience jobs, local leaders proceed on the idea that you can't win unless you play.

"You don't hit a home run every time at bat," said William Scranton III, a force behind the initiative. "We aren't promising pie-in-the-sky. We are saying that we are going to work at this."

The region still needs its grand slam, finding the sector in the new economy to overcome the looming legacy of coal and the decline of manufacturing. Ideally, it will be an industry that will define the region as a center of something.

Technology alliance

Some past efforts fouled out or at best got on base. They were also remarkably ill-timed. Nine months in the making, the Battelle Memorial Report was received in December 1999 and the Great Valley Technology Alliance, GVTA, formed three months later to carry out its directives to help foster an entrepreneurial culture, encourage collaboration between businesses and higher education and create an environment attractive to tech companies. Battelle branded the region from Hazleton to Scranton "The Great Valley." The Battelle report said "The Great Valley is poised to recast its economy, its destiny, its future." The dot-com bubble burst on March 10 and the tech sector collapsed, impairing the ability of the effort to develop jobs in the region.

Wall Street West began as a collaboration between economic development marketing firm Penn's Northeast and GVTA to pitch Pennsylvania as the location for financial data backup centers and secondary offices. But by 2004, companies' worries were ebbing. That effort was hampered by a discovery that real-time, synchronous backup was just about impossible in the Keystone State. It was too far away, even for the speed of light through fiber-optic cables. The Wall Street West dreams came down, completely, with Lehman and Bear Stearns as a recession was unleashed by the financial sector collapse.

Nevertheless, armed with a $15 million grant from the Department of Labor, the Wall Street West effort recast as a 10-county skills development program and made more than 60 grants, "laying the foundation of a regional transformation." Jobs created, while not a goal of the program at that point, were few.

Fell short

Past initiatives fell short of the promise, admitted state Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald. They weren't bad ideas, or poorly executed. They were victims of massive shifts in the economy. They paid off in increasing collaboration in the region, growing jobs incrementally, and creating a welcoming environment for startups.

"The Great Valley Technology Alliance and Wall Street West were buffeted by macro economic trends," he said. "You can't discount the seeds that were planted. That work brought us to this point."

The unveiling of the Regional Biosciences Initiative is the result of a study issued by AngelouEconomics, an Austin, Texas, consulting firm, in June 2011. The region will likely find plenty of competition in wooing growing or startup biotech firms. Biosciences is the hot buzzword in economic development. According to the Biotechnology Industry Organization, as of February, 42 states had programs specifically targeted toward technology and biosciences. A quick Internet search shows concerted efforts nationwide, such as the New Orleans Bio Innovation Center and the Kansas Bioscience Initiative.

What gives Northeast Pennsylvania a leg up?

The area has the assets, said James Cummings of Mericle Commercial Real Estate, who serves on a subcommittee of the biotech effort. The area may have more going for it now than it had angling for Wall Street firms or tech companies. A growing medical services sector, a large pharmaceutical company in Sanofi-Aventis, other existing biotech companies, related higher educational programs, proximity to a biotech corridor extending from Boston to Washington - all offer the foundation of a larger biotech sector.

Building blocks

"We have the building blocks in place already and now we also have the Commonwealth Medical College," Mr. Cummings said. "It is not a reach or far-fetched to think that we can't grow what we have at least a bit more."

Mr. Scranton goes further, citing the investment in medical service delivery by Community Health Systems and Geisinger. The stability of the local population lends itself to study and research. While the region lacks a major research university, area schools have staff expertise and facilities capable of high-level research in collaboration with each other, or an industry partner, Mr. Scranton noted. The results may not be immediate, but the potential is there.

"You don't recast an economy over a few years; you do it over a decade or more - then it is ongoing," Mr. Scranton said. "We are not going to be Silicon Valley or the Research Triangle. We have a way to provide very good jobs to a good number of our people."

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

SMITHFIELD TWP. - A Monroe County woman was arrested Saturday for driving an emergency medical services vehicle while under the influence.

State police at Swiftwater stopped Stacy M. Ems, 23, Paradise Twp., around 1 a.m. for speeding and following another vehicle too closely on Buttermilk Falls Road, a report said.

When speaking with Ms. Ems, police found her to be intoxicated to a degree that "rendered her incapable" of driving safely, police said.

Around the corner and down a hallway, the melody of "Feliz Navidad" is coming from a room with a two-way mirror.

Inside the room at Marywood University, Alex Conte strums a guitar. His therapist sings a verse of the popular Christmas song, and Alex, who has severe autism, sings a few of the words. His mom, sitting behind the glass, smiles.

For 19-year-old Alex, communication is found in music.

Alex is one of more than a dozen people who are seen weekly at the music therapy clinic at Marywood University. He started going to the clinic at age 4.

"He loves it. He looks forward to it," said his mother, Debbie Conte of Blakely. "It's just what makes him happy."

Marywood is now looking to expand the music therapy program, which has 32 students. If more students are enrolled, the clinic will be able to help even more people, said clinic coordinator Maria Fay.

Music therapy can be used to manage stress and meet specific needs, including developmental, psychological, social and emotional. For Alex, it gives him a way to communicate.

Curriculum for Marywood students includes courses on musical and clinical foundations, and students must complete a six-month internship after graduation before taking a national certification exam. Families are charged $20 per 30-minute session.

Senior Anna Rennekamp of Lake Twp. works with Alex each week. Once she becomes certified, she hopes to work in a hospice setting.

"You can reach any population," she said. "Music is something everyone can relate to."

At the clinic, after Alex had lost interest in "Feliz Navidad," he pointed to the next instrument he wanted to play: the tone bars. It was time for "Row, row, row your boat." He hit the tone bars to the beat of the song.

"This is just what he enjoys," Ms. Conte said.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

WAYNESBURG, Pa. (AP) — State prosecutors have appealed the probation sentence given to a southwestern Pennsylvania man whose company dumped millions of gallons of wastewater into streams and mine shafts.

The state attorney general says in a Superior Court appeal that a Greene County judge erred in June when he sentenced 51-year-old Robert Allan Shipman to seven years' probation instead of prison.

Judge Farley Toothman ordered Shipman, formerly owner of Allan's Waste Water Service, to perform 1,750 hours of community service and to pay $257,000 in restitution plus a fine of $100,000.

The judge also barred Shipman from ever working again in the wastewater disposal industry. Shipman's firm disposed of wastewater containing natural gas drilling byproducts, sewage sludge and restaurant grease.

But the Observer-Reporter of Washington, Pa. (http://bit.ly/S1En1R ) reports prosecutors say the sentence didn't "fit the crime" and won't deter other polluters.

Surrounded by party music, champagne and pizza, Anne Marie Daquino sat close to her husband of 40 years at the nursing home, ready for another year.

Since John Daquino, 85, a retired Scranton Fire Department employee, left the family home nearly three years ago, his wife, 70, visits him each day at Geisinger-Mountain View Care Center, usually from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

With declining health, Mr. Daquino cannot move his legs and has problems remembering things - he doesn't always remember his wife. That doesn't matter to Mrs. Daquino. She said he will never lose her love and attention.

"We can still be together," Mrs. Daquino, a retired preschool teacher, said of the nursing home experience. "It's the best it could be."

The Daquinos and others gathered at one of the nursing home's entertainment areas Monday to celebrate the approaching New Year. A disc jockey played music while friends and family joined many of the residents. Staff at the nursing home even dropped large bags of colored balloons as the party ended.

Feeling like home

The nursing home is known for its regular parties and weekly happy hours. While most people don't want to leave home to live somewhere else because of failing health, the staff at the facility tries to make the situation as comfortable as possible for residents living there.

A few tables away at the New Year's party, Bernice McAndrew sat next to her mother, Mary Crisafulli, 86, who moved there in April after she could no longer walk or otherwise use her legs. While her daughters visited after work each day, Ms. Crisafulli said she felt lonely and depressed staying at home.

The right move

At the nursing home, Ms. Crisafulli said she isn't as depressed and has made friends. Reflecting on the past year, she said leaving her home was emotionally hard. But she feels thankful to have her daughters visit her daily.

"They take care of me, make sure I get my medications," she said just before catching a red balloon.

While many people associate New Year's Day with future possibilities, some people in nursing homes can struggle to find positive reasons to look forward. Health problems and other situations in their lives can cause grief. Scranton resident Ann Marie McKeel, 68, president of the facility's auxiliary group, knows.

Not only did Ms. McKeel work at Mountain View for years, she also was a resident there in 2003, when she broke her hip. No longer directly associated with the facility, she volunteers to help organize events that can help keep residents in high spirits.

"If they don't have a good time here, they give up," Ms. McKeel said. "That's why we do our best to make it like a family here."

Contact the writer: rward@timesshamrock.com, @rwardTT on Twitter

Scranton must provide to a city resident listings of all current police officers and firefighters and their years of service, according to a determination by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.

Resident Gary Lewis submitted to the city on Oct. 10 a Right to Know Law request for the employee lists and two other items: a clarification of a portion of the fire union contract, specifically whether $162,892 in damages owed to union members was owed to them individually or collectively; and an update on the status of the city's long-overdue 2011 audit and an explanation of why it was more than 100 days late.

On Nov. 20, the city denied Mr. Lewis' request by claiming the items he sought were not public records.

Regarding lists of employees and their years of service, the city simply asserted in one sentence - without giving any legal basis - that such lists are not public records, the decision states.

As for the contract clarification and an audit update, the city said Mr. Lewis was seeking answers to questions, but not records or documents that the city must provide.

Mr. Lewis appealed on Nov. 26 to the OOR, which on Wednesday issued a split decision.

The OOR disagreed with the city that lists of employees and their years of service are not public records, and it upheld Mr. Lewis' request on these two lists.

"The information sought here, a listing of an agency's employees' names and years of service, properly meets the definition of a 'public record' under the Right-to-Know Law," states the "final determination" of appeals officer Angela Eveler, Esq., that is posted on the OOR's website.

The city now has 30 days to either provide the lists to Mr. Lewis or appeal the determination to Lackawanna County Court.

However, regarding Mr. Lewis' requests for information about the contract and audit, the OOR agreed with the city that these requests were akin to seeking answers to questions but not specific records. The OOR dismissed these two requests.

Mr. Lewis also can appeal these dismissals to court. But he said he instead would simply resubmit to the city another Right to Know Law request that is worded in a way to seek specific records rather than answers.

Efforts to reach the city's Right to Know officer, Business Administrator Ryan McGowan, were unsuccessful.

A financial consultant who became civically active in the city in 2012, Mr. Lewis has advocated for the city filing Chapter 9 bankruptcy to solve its fiscal woes and also testified against the city's petition for a commuter tax.

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com

A preliminary hearing was postponed Monday for a Scranton man accused of raping a woman in his home and again in her car last month.

Anthony Sellitto, 25, 460 S. Keyser Ave., told the victim he planned to kill himself on Dec. 10, so she went to check on him, she told police when she reported the crime on Dec. 19.

An argument ensued between Mr. Sellitto and the victim before he choked and hit her, police said.

Mr. Sellitto ultimately pressed the woman's face into his mattress, removed her clothes and raped her before she managed to kick him away and flee into her car outside his home, police said.

Before she could lock the vehicle's doors, however, Mr. Sellitto got into the car, dragged the victim into the back seat and raped her a second time, according to police.

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

Once the woman reported the crime, Officer William Golden reviewed text messages Mr. Sellitto sent to the victim, which are outlined in the criminal complaint filed against him.

"I can't believe I raped u. Honny I'm so sorry," one of the text messages read, according to the complaint.

In another text message, Mr. Sellitto said he planned to kill himself and the victim, according to the complaint.

Mr. Sellitto, who purchased a gun on Dec. 11, was later served with an involuntary mental health commitment.

He was arraigned on charges of rape, simple assault and reckless endangering another person on Dec. 21 and was sent to Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.

The hearing scheduled for Monday was continued to Jan. 14 at 9:30 a.m.

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

R&L Civic Club honors pair

Brian Tomasetti of Old Forge and Dave Sweetman of Riverside, were the honorees when the R&L Civic Club of Taylor conducted its 65th annual banquet at St. George's Hall.

Robert McGuire, president, welcomed guests to the annual event and presented Brian and Dave with their Outstanding (football) Player Awards. Ed Day was toastmaster. The Rev. Philip Altavilla led a moment of prayer for departed members. Brian, Dave, and their coaches, Mike Schuback and Evan Prall, offered remarks.

Taylor Mayor Richard Bowen inducted officers, including Mr. McGuire, president; Andy Panek, vice president; Mike Day, treasurer; Edward Fortuna, secretary; James Digwood, Jim Schiavo, Walter Arens and Ed Day, executive board members; and committee chairmen: Gene King, Chef De Cuisine; Fran DeAngelo, clambake; Jim Digwood, fundraising, Mike Day, banquet coordinator, and Neil DeAngelo, programs.

Members on the 65th anniversary, along with honorary member Richard Wielebinski, include John Adamiak Jr., the Rev. Philip Altavilla, Walter Arens, Harry Armstrong Jr., George Beiber, Craig Bowen, Rich Bowen, Paul Brennan, George Cavanaugh, Gene Cudo, Joseph Cudo, Edward Day, Michael Day, Francis DeAngelo Sr., Francis DeAngelo Jr., Neil DeAngelo, Daniel Digwood, Dave Digwood, Dr. Glen Digwood, James Digwood, Joseph DiStasi Jr., Ron Fish, Edward Fortuna, John Fortuna Sr., Lee Frutchey Sr., Jim Fuller, Eugene Gallagher, Mike Gawel, Kevin Harchar, Donald Hart, Leonard Janeski, Ed Jezorwski, Fred Johnson, Ron Jordan, John Kapacs, Gene King, Thomas King, Rich Kobeski, George Kofira, Jack Kreig, Greg Krenitsky, Zandy Lebiak, Bob McGuire Jr., Michael McKeefery, Chuck McKeel, Jack Mekilo, Leonard Mickavicz, Joe Moceyunas, Raymond Molinaro, Sal Mulea, Shawn Murphy, John Nageli, Rob Naro, Andy Panek, Dave Patrizi, Bernie Poslusney, Evan Prall, Tom Price, Bill Puluka, Tom Reed, Rich Rossi, Peter Sanko, Jim Schiavo, Steve Seftchick, Joseph Semion, Lou Steffanelli Jr., Al Serino, Eugene Shimko, John Souter, Bill Taylor, John Tigue, Jeff Thomas, Robert Thomas, Al Vanchieri Jr., David Walsh, David Weisenfluh, Dave Wilce, George Williams, Mark Williams, Ronald Williams, James Wincovitch and Dr. Edward Zaloga.

High notes

Anne Quinn Butler of Wells Fargo Advisors, Scranton, and Sandy Insalaco, president and chief executive of Nature's Way Purewater Systems, Pittston, are leading the Employment Opportunity & Training Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania's 25th anniversary celebration and 2013 Make A Change campaign. "We are making every effort to reach individuals and families involved with EOTC over the past 25 years, including EOTC program graduates, current participants, volunteers and other supporters. Our invitation also extends to the community at large," Anne said. Sandy added, "EOTC is looking ahead as well as reflecting on its 25-year history. Noting the Million Quarter Campaign, he said, "That's $250,000. One million quarters that will assure families in Lackawanna County, including the growing numbers on EOTC waiting lists, will find much-needed help getting jobs, handling the many challenges facing parents and children, and successfully re-entering our community as productive citizens."

LACKAWANNA COUNTY COURT NOTES

Marriage licenses

- Yedrick Edel Rodriguez and Jaenid Colondres, both of Scranton.

- Jason Michael Flesher, Dickson City, and Nofar Harazi, Pittston.

- Stephen Earl Page, Clarks Summit, and Jennifer Ann Suchecki, Old Forge.

- Edward Joseph Naniewicz, Scott Twp., and Autumn Shawn Rogers, Scott Twp.

- Dennis Pesik and Julien Item, both of Dickson City.

Property Transactions

- Donna Hobert, Olyphant, to Robert Galli and Jessica L. Kobesky, Dickson City, holding tite as joint tenants with right to supervisorship; a property at 507 Delaware St., Olyphant, for $139,175.

- James D. Jr. and Elizabeth A. Carter, Kingwood, Texas, to John P. and Cynthia Diane Martin, Valley Center, Calif.; a property at 318 Oakford Road, Clarks Summit, for $315,000.

- Mark J. Conway, trustee for the estate of Dixon Paving & Trucking Inc., Dunmore, to Conor Properties LLC, Mechanicsville; a property in the 300 block of Sherman Avenue, Scranton, for $95,000.

- Anthony S. and Ther­ese Talarico and Marie M. and Ray Ryder, Fell Twp., to Donald and Susan Mancuso, Carbondale, a property on Woodlawn Avenue, Fell Twp., for $350,000.

- David Verdetto, Old Forge, to Highworks LLC, Old Forge; a property at 200 Union St., Taylor, for $47,500.

- Jacob Ohaion, Scranton, to MCG Rentals LLC, Scranton; a property at 1247 Diamond Ave., Scranton, for $73,000.

- Todd Hiller, Scranton, to Jason Orlando, Scranton; a property on Blucher Avenue, Scranton, for $38,000.

- Timothy and Shannon Miller, Carbondale, to Dennis L. and Cassandra Secor, Carbon­dale; a property at 210 Wash­ington St., Carbondale, for $87,766.

- Kimberly Romanski, Fell Twp., to Gail Properties, Fell Twp.; a property at 514 Morse Ave., Fell Twp., for $36,778.

- D&L Realty Co., Scranton, to Tomaur LLC, Scranton; a property at 322 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, for $40,000.

- Federal National Mortgage Association to George W. and Sheryl A. Edwards, Greenfield Twp.; a property at 2 River St., Jessup, for $32,600.

- John Basalyga, Lackawanna County, to Nicole Genova and Robert Kaville, co-partners, Old Forge; a property at Blue Shutters Road, Roaring Brook Twp., for $343,000.

- Andrew G. Zubert, as an individual and trustee of the borough of Clarks Summit, to JCJ Realty Holdings LLC, Pitts­ton; two parcels at Moosic Street and Meadow Avenue, and Cedar Avenue, Scranton, for $1,080,000.

- Northern Boulevard Associ­ates, Clarks Summit, to JCJ Realty Holdings LLC, Pittston; a property at 330 Northern Bvd., South Abington Twp. for $990,000.

- Patrick and Angela Perih, Moosic, to Stanley Skonieczki, Drums; a property at Golden Oak Drive, Covington Twp., for $556,000.

- David J. Amori, executor of the estate of Amelia F. Amori, Scranton, to Patrick Rogan, Scranton; a property at 1301 Schlager St., Scranton, for $85,000.

- Jeffrey J. and Cheryl Cali to Stone Financing LLC, Scotts­dale, Ariz.; a property at 809 Beechwood Drive, Dickson City, for $166,000.

- Paul F. Jr. and Teresa McDermott, Clarks Sum­mit, to Michael and Carolyn Catalano, West Chester; a property at 830 N. Webster Ave., Scranton, for $145,000.

- Irene Zuchlewski to Chris C. Curran Jr., both of Scranton; a property at 1452 W. Locust St., Scranton, for $52,000.

- Jane and Robert Becchetti, Bradenton, Fla., to Lynn M. Fagan, Jermyn; a property at 533 Birch St., Scranton, for $44,000.

- Paul A. Minella, as individual and as executor of the estate of Mark D. Minella, deceased, Chalfont, to Robert and Jane Kuniegal, Spring Brook Twp.; a property at 119 Drakes Lane, Old Forge, for $120,000.

- George H. Jr. and Mary F. Birtel, Scranton, to Colin Kear­ney, California; a property 639 N. Hyde Park Ave., for $55,000.

Estates filed

n Ruth Elva Reese, 536 Edella Road, Clarks Summit, letters testamentary to Daneen Elva Reese, 536 Edella Road, Clarks Summit.

n Claire M. Delaney, 944 N. Irving Ave., Scranton, letters of administration to Kevin Delaney, 547 Grandshire Drive, Cranberry Twp.

n Shirley M. Ensminger, 150 S. Lincoln Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to John Klein, 374 Howell Road, Susquehanna.

n Bryan E. Swingle, 563 Hillside St., Vandling, letters testamentary to Ashley M. Knittel, 1 Holiday Drive, Cort­land, N.Y., and Jeffrey Swingle, 17631 Machay Ave., Lake Elsinore, Calif.

Divorces sought

n Joseph Repella v. Kelly Ann Repella, both of Scott Twp., married Nov. 12, 2005, in Archbald; Joseph R. D'Andrea, attorney.

n Michael R. Chapman v. Natalie Chapman, both of Madison Twp.; married Aug. 2, 1997, in Lackawanna County; John J. Mercuri, attorney.

Lawsuits

n Michalene Manko, 16 Dela­ware St., Texas Twp., v. Wal-Mart USA Inc., 702 SW Eighth St., Bentonville, Ark.; seeking an amount in excess of the mandatory arbitration limits for injuries suffered Jan. 7, 2011, in a fall in Texas Twp.; John J. Notari­anni, attorney.

n Harry Collins, 1416 Penn Ave., Scranton, v. Wells Fargo/Wachovia Bank, 130 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, and Lilac Group-W Scranton Corp., 5 Rieger Drive, Monroe, N.Y.; seeking $50,000 for injuries suffered Feb. 10, 2011, in a fall in Scranton; Edward G. Krowiak, attorney.

The New Year brings higher electricity bills starting today, as electricity customers pay for damage from 2011 storms and other improvements, including poles, wires and substations that deliver power.

The state Public Utility Commission entered an order last week that made official PPL's increase in its customer charges and a modest decrease in distribution rates. Combined, the changes result in a 3 percent increase in the monthly bill. For a home using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, a bill will increase from $117.63 to $121.19.

PPL's latest rate case underscores how the utility is shifting the growing costs of maintaining, upgrading and repairing the electrical delivery system from the distribution rate, based on usage, to the flat rate customer charge.

The PPL customer charge will jump 62 percent from $8.75 per month to $14.09 per month. The flat customer charge is often considered regressive, because it does not account for usage and does not encourage conservation or energy efficiency.

The distribution rate will go down a fraction of a cent per kilowatt hour, from 2.55 cents to 2.51 cents.

"It makes sense to move more of our monthly charges to a fixed basis to more closely reflect the costs of providing services that don't vary by usage," said PPL spokesman Bryan Hay. "Few of the costs involved in maintaining, upgrading and operating our distribution system vary according to usage."

With PPL Electric Utilities formally separated from the power generation business as a result of deregulation, the utility has become a deliverer of electricity. The distribution rates and customer charge are the key way the company recoups costs and makes money. The PUC rate-making process allows PPL to earn a 10.4 percent profit on its operations and incorporates that into rates charged to customers.

This most recent rate increase will result in a $71 million in additional revenue for the utility. PPL sought $106.6 million in hikes.

In a prepared statement, PPL Electric Utilities president Gregory Dudkin said the rate increase will allow the company to recovery costs from distribution system improvements over the last two years and access capital market to pay for future improvements. The company will spend $3.6 billion through 2016 to upgrade transmission and distribution systems.

PPL's last major rate case was in 2010, when the PUC awarded PPL $77.5 million of a requested $114 million rate increase. That hike kicked in Jan. 1, 2011.

PPL provides service to 1.4 million customers in 29 counties in eastern and central Pennsylvania.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.comBy the numbers

- 62 percent increase to PPL customer charge, from $8.75 to $14.09 per month.

- 4 tenths of a cent decrease in distribution rate, from 2.55 cents to 2.51 cents per kilowatt-hour.

- 3 percent net increase in monthly bills. For a home using 1,000 kilowatt-hours, that means $121.19 per month instead of $117.63.

- 10.4 percent profit the PUC allows PPL to earn.

- $77.5 million awarded to PPL in 2010 by the PUC. It had requested $114 million.

- 1.4 million customers served by PPL.

High wind blamed for one-car wreck

MOOSIC - State police blamed high wind in the wake of this weekend's winter storm for a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 on Sunday.

Devin Smith, 19, of Plains Twp., lost control of her Jeep Wrangler when a sudden gust of wind blew across I-81 at mile marker 179.6, according to state police.

The Jeep ended up traveling into a snow-covered embankment and rolled over onto its driver's side, police said.

Ms. Smith was hospitalized with an injury to her neck and back.

Her condition was not available Monday.

CW reality show looking for locals

MOOSIC - Aspiring models in the area are invited to audition Thursday for the CW Network's "America's Next Top Model" during an open casting call at the Shoppes at Montage.

In a change to the show's style, casting directors will be looking for both female and male models this year, according to a news release.

The prospective models must be between ages 18 and 27 and at least 5 feet 7 inches tall for women and 5 feet 10 inches tall for men.

Auditions will be held at the shopping center from 2 to 7 p.m.

The cycle of the show for which the casting call is slated will begin airing in the summer, according to the release.

It doesn't matter if they are skinny or baggy, indigo or faded blue.

As long as the jeans are in good condition, county library officials want them.

Starting today, the nine member libraries of the Lackawanna County Library System will kick off "Just Jeans January" - a month-long collection drive for patients at Clarks Summit State Hospital.

Spearheaded by Leah Rudolph, director of the Abington Community Library, the drive is aimed at providing the hospital's mental health patients with more clothing, as many patients arrive with "just the clothes on their back," Mrs. Rudolph said.

"As a member of the Lackawanna County Medical Society Alliance, I found out about the hospital's need for clothing," Mrs. Rudolph said. "When I asked how we could help, they said a blue jean drive would be great."

Efforts to reach hospital Superintendent Thomas Comerford and volunteer director Patricia King were unsuccessful.

The acute-care psychiatric hospital in Clarks Summit has capacity for 242 patients, according to the Department of Public Welfare's website. It serves Lackawanna and 10 surrounding counties.

"It is the first time we are doing something quite like this where all the libraries are working collectively," said Jack Finnerty, director of the Scranton Public Library. "This year we want to work together and collect for organizations that will benefit the entire community."

Marked plastic bins will be placed near the circulation desk this week in the nine libraries scattered throughout the county.

While the brand of jeans or shade of blue doesn't matter, officials do have a preference for waist size: 12 or larger in women's jeans and 32 or larger for men's.

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on TwitterWhere to help

 Members of the Lackawanna County Library System:

- Abington Community Library, Clarks Summit

- Albright Memorial Library, Scranton

- Carbondale Public Library, Carbondale

- Dalton Community Library, Dalton

- Lackawanna County Children's Library, Scranton

- Nancy K. Holmes Branch Library, Scranton

- North Pocono Public Library, Moscow

- Taylor Community Library, Taylor

- Valley Community Library, Blakely

HARRISBURG - A new report issued by a special House committee sidesteps taking a position on high-profile bills introduced last session to replace school property taxes with revenue from an expanded state sales tax and higher state income tax rate.

The report by the House Select Committee on Property Tax Reform instead offers recommendations to address long-standing issues involving education spending, property taxes levied by school districts, municipalities and counties and calls for creation of a successor panel in the new legislative session starting in January.

The committee was formed last June with a wide-ranging mandate after a push to approve the property tax replacement bill stalled in the House. The panel wrapped up its work when the 2011-12 legislative session ended last month.

This legislation proposed to increase the sales tax rate from 6 percent to 7 percent and subject more goods and services to the sales tax. It proposed increasing the state personal income tax rate from 3.07 percent to 4 percent.

However, an analysis by the state Independent Fiscal Office found that combined revenue from the replacement state sales and income taxes under the bill would fall $1.5 billion short in meeting school district aid distribution requirements in the first fiscal year.

"I believe this select committee played a part in bringing this IFO report to the forefront of the discussion and providing a blueprint for future efforts," said former Rep. Tom Quigley, R-146, Pottstown, the committee chairman who lost re-election in November.

The committee's report is not an effort to "reinvent the wheel or find the proverbial silver bullet" to address burdensome property taxes, but rather to stress legislative proposals that have broad support and can be acted upon relatively quickly, added Mr. Quigley.

Some of the committee's recommendations:

- Push again for a House-passed bill to allow local governments to completely exclude homesteads from property taxes. This requires an amendment to the state Constitution. Currently, local governments can exclude 50 percent of the median homestead's assessed value. But the report mentions the need to address replacement revenue if an amendment was approved.

- A generalized call to give local governments more local taxing options that are revenue neutral.

- Revamp delinquent tax collection efforts.

- Amend the state Right to Know Law to allow local governments to recoup actual costs of meeting information requests, especially from commercial firms.

- Tie special education aid to the actual costs of providing services.

It's also important to change state school aid formulas to help fast-growing schools in the Poconos and elsewhere, said Rep. Mario Scavello, R-176, Mount Pocono.

No decision has been made on whether to recreate the committee, said Stephen Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.comCommittee recommendations

- Push again for a House-passed bill to allow local governments to completely exclude homesteads from property taxes. This requires an amendment to the state constitution. Currently, local governments can exclude 50 percent of the median homestead's assessed value. But the report mentions the need to address replacement revenue if an amendment was approved.

- A generalized call to give local governments more local taxing options that are revenue neutral.

- Revamp delinquent tax collection efforts.

- Amend the state Right to Know Law to allow local governments to recoup actual costs of meeting information requests, especially from commercial firms.

- Tie special education aid to actual costs of providing services.

W-B stolen gas probe continues

WILKES-BARRE - Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said Monday that her criminal investigation into possible misuse of Wilkes-Barre's fuel will continue into the new year.

Ms. Salavantis said in November that she hoped detectives would finish interviewing former and current city employees by the end of the year and that she'd announce any plans to file charges. However, that is no longer the case, she said. She declined to say who came forward or if they offered new or significant evidence.

Ms. Salavantis said she expects the investigation to be finished by mid-January. The investigation began in July after receiving evidence that fuel taken from the city's pump at the Department of Public Works garage was not properly recorded in log books kept at the facility. Ms. Salavantis said she's investigating whether city officials, employees or anyone else stole gasoline.

Demolition slated to move forward

WILKES-BARRE - The city is going to demolish the seven-story Hotel Sterling without financial or administrative assistance from Luzerne County, officials said Monday.

Since the city condemned the Sterling as unsafe in September 2011, the city has spent more than $35,000 to rent concrete barriers to reroute traffic around the building.

County officials last September offered $232,729 to the city for demolition but insisted on a three-party agreement with the city and CityVest, owner of the Sterling property. Disputes over liability concerns and waivers prevented the county and CityVest from agreeing to terms last month.

Winning lottery ticket sold locally

FORTY FORT - The Turkey Hill on Wyoming Avenue in Forty Fort sold a jackpot-winning Cash 5 ticket in the Dec. 29 drawing, Pennsylvania Lottery officials said Monday.

The ticket matched all five balls, 2, 4, 10, 24 and 40, to win $1 million. Turkey Hill will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

The winner has not yet stepped forward. Cash 5 winners have one year from the drawing date to claim their prizes. The winner has to sign the back of the ticket, call the Pennsylvania Lottery at 717-702-8146 and file a claim at Lottery headquarters.

CAINES, RITA, Winton Village, Jessup, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Rite of Christian Burial and Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, St. James-St. George Church, 398 Washington Ave., Jermyn, by the Rev. Joseph P. Rafferty and concelebrated by the Rev. Graham Cliff. Calling hours, today, 4 to 8 p.m., Robert E. Decker Funeral Home, 702 River St., Peckville. Interment, Valley View Cemetery, Montdale. Go directly to church. Contributions: St. James-St. George Episcopal Church, 398 Washington Ave., Jermyn, PA 18433.

CHAMPAGNE, RITA T., Taylor, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Semian Funeral Home, 704 Union St., Taylor. Mass, 11, Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Oram Street, Scranton. Entombment, Cathedral Mausoleum, Scranton. Calling hours, Wednesday, 9:30 to 10:30. Contributions: donors favorite charity. Condolences: semiancares.com.

CHERUNDOLO, CHARLES "CHUCK," Lakeland, Fla., formerly of Old Forge, funeral with military honors, Monday, Mass, St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Old Forge, by the Rev. Ronald J. Hughes, associate pastor. Pallbearers: J.C., Allison and Leanne Cherundolo; Dr. Richard Burns; David Selingo and Jim Zeszutek. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

ENSLIN, RUSSELL K., Lake Ariel, Thursday, 10 a.m., James Wilson Funeral Home, 143 Gravity Road, Lake Ariel, by the Rev. Arthur Davis. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Calling hours, Wednesday, 4 to 8 p.m. Contributions: Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. Condolences: jameswilsonfuneral home.com.

EVANS, JOHN "GEVEO," North Scranton, Monday, Mass, Holy Rosary Church, Scranton, by the Rev. Martin Gaiardo. Pallbearers: Corey Evans, son; and Danny, Brian and Tommy Evans; Bobby and Billy Guiren; Jerry Coyle and David Delgurcio, all nephews. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst.

GABELLO, WILLIAM ANGELO, Old Forge, Monday, Mass, St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Old Forge, by the Rev. Joseph F. Cipriano, pastor emeritus. Pallbearers: Richard and Dane Rafalko, Mark Gabello, Frank Wilensky and Thomas Kevin Krawczyk. Interment with military honors, SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Scranton.

HELME, ROBERT G., West Pittston, Mass, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Corpus Christi Parish, Luzerne Avenue, West Pittston. Go directly to church. Interment, Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton. Calling hours, today, 4 to 8 p.m., Peter J. Adonizio Funeral Home, 251 William St., Pittston. Condolences: peterjadon iziofuneralhome.com.

JOSEPHITE, SOPHIE, Scranton, Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Mass, 11, Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 1605 Oram St., Scranton, by the Rev. Stephen Krawontka. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours Thursday, 9 to 10:30. Condolences: www.kearneyfuneral home.com.

KASZUBA, LILLIAN MARY, Olyphant, Thursday, 9 a.m., Hudak-O'Shea Funeral Home Inc., 115 Garfield Ave., Olyphant. Mass, 9:30, Holy Cross Parish at St. Patrick's Church, Delaware Street, Olyphant. Interment, St. Patrick's Cemetery, Blakely. Calling hours, Wednesday, 5 to 7 p.m., funeral home. Contributions: Northeast Cancer Institute, 334 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18505-3234. Condolences: hudak-osheafuneralhome.com.

KAZOKAS, MARY ROSE, Aiken, S.C., formerly of Taylor, services and interment, St. Ann's Basilica Church, Scranton, later date. Arrangements: George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Aiken. Contributions: St. Association Basilica Church, 1250 St. Ann's St., Scranton, PA 18504. Condolences: georgefuneral homes.com.

KILLIAN, ELIZABETH "BETTY," Dickson City, Monday, Mass, St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, by Monsignor Patrick Pratico. Pallbearers: Greg Kohut, Jerry Furtack, Mike Yakacki and David Knapp. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery, Dickson City.

MARVIN, LLOYD W., Hallstead, Saturday, 6 p.m., Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home Inc., Hallstead. Spring inurnment, North Jackson Cemetery. Calling hours, 3 to 6. Contributions: Ronald McDonald House, 1100 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210.

McDONALD, JOSEPH G., Carbondale, Thursday, Oliver Shifler & Scotchlas Funeral Home Inc., 62 N. Main St., Carbondale. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 N. Church St., Carbondale. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill. Calling hours, Wednesday, 5 to 8 p.m. Condolences: shiflerfuneral home.com.

METRO, ALYCE, Moosic, Monday, Mass, St. Eulalia's Church, Roaring Brook Twp., by Monsignor John W. Jordan, pastor, and the Rev. John J. Kilpatrick. Pallbearers: Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew McAndrew; Russ McAndrew; Karl Gallis, Ph.D.; and Brian Gallis, all grandsons; William Gallis, son-in-law; and Michael Duricko, cousin. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Condolences: www.chomkofuner alhome.com.

OLFANO, SALVATORE J., Peckville, Sunday, John F. Glinsky Funeral Home, 445 Sanderson St., Throop, by the Rev. Arthur W. Davis. Internment at the convenience of the family.

PETCH, ELIZABETH A., Scott Twp., Thursday, 10 a.m., Howard J. Snowdon Funeral Home, 1810 Sanderson Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. Allen Rupert. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery. Calling hours, Wednesday, 3 to 6 p.m., and Thursday, 9 to 10. Contributions: Jermyn Primitive Methodist Church, 763 Jefferson Ave., Jermyn, PA 18433. Condolences: duffyands nowdon.com.

PUSATERI, ANTHONY P., West Scranton, Monday, Mass, St. Lucy's Church, Scranton, by the Rev. Sam Ferretti. Pallbearers: James, Ron, Tom and Joe Pusateri, sons; Geo, Michael and Don Romiti, nephews. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

SNODGRASS, JANE "JEAN" M., Old Forge, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., by the Rev. Andrew Sinnott. Interment, private. Calling hours, Wednesday, 4 to 6, Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main St., Duryea. Condolences: piontekfuneralhome.com.

TIERNEY, EMILY "PAT," Clarks Green, Thursday, Mass, 10 a.m., Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green, by the Rev. John M. Lapera and con-celebrated by Monsignor John H. Louis. Interment, Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly. Calling hours, Wednesday, 5 to 8 p.m., Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit. Contributions: Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore, PA 18512, or the Waverly Community House, Waverly. Condolences: jennings calvey.com.

TOMKO, RICHARD JOHN, Bluffton, S.C., formerly of Dickson City, Mass, Saturday, 10:30 a.m., St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City. Interment, St. Mary's Visitation Cemetery. Memorials: St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City; or United Hospice of Beaufort, 1605 North St., Beaufort, SC 29902.

TONKIN, LENORE S., Carbondale and Cottrell Lake, Monday, First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, by the Rev. Donald Perry. Pallbearers: Tim, Glen, Raymond, Brian, Thomas, Brett, Garth Jr. and Alex Tonkin. Interment, Jermyn Cemetery. Arrangements: Oliver Shifler & Scotchlas Funeral Home Inc., Carbondale.

TRAVIS, ALICE DOLAN, a resident at Little Flower Manor and St. Therese Residence, Wilkes-Barre, formerly of Scranton, Monday, Mass, St. Patrick's Church, Scranton, by the Rev. Philip S. Rayappan, the Rev. Martin Boylan, Monsignor David L. Tressler, the Rev. P.J. Naughton and the Rev. James Paisley. Pallbearers: William Lewis, Jerry Judge, William Cusick, Michael Dunn, Brian Bronson and Paul McHale. Interment, private, St. Joseph's Cemetery, Scranton.

Judges Michael J. Barrasse and Vito P. Geroulo recently sentenced the following in Lacka­wanna County Court:

- Dawn Coleman, 47, 4273 Route 2012, Clifford Twp., 12 months' probation for carrying a firearm without a license.

- Brianna Tucker, 33, 607 Valley St., Avoca, two years' probation for criminal attempt - theft by deception.

- John A. Catalano, 54, 3715 Winfield Ave., Moosic, one year's probation for theft.

- Shannon Neishell, 30, 11050 Spring Drive, Ransom Twp., 30 days' house arrest and five months' intermediate punishment for DUI.

- John Marcello, 71, 138 Grant St., Olyphant, 90 days' probation for harassment.

- Dasia Grayman, 25, 611 Palm St., Scranton, 90 days in Lackawanna County Prison, 60 days' credit for time served, and nine months' intermediate punishment for possession of a controlled substance.

- Donna S. Capo, 47, 1109½ Rundle St., Scranton, 30 days' house arrest for DUI.

- Jerald Austin, 51, 626 Leggett St., Scranton, 3-6 months in Lackawanna County Prison for possession of drug paraphernalia.

- Thomas J. Maher, 29, 129 S. Main Ave., Scranton, one year's probation for disorderly conduct.

- Kevin Ortiz Cardona, 21, 32 Crown Circle Drive, Apt. 2B, one year's probation for conspiracy-obstruction of administration of law or other government function.