Scranton City Council at its meeting tonight may amend and adopt legislation on two separate issues — tightening rules on temporary storage containers and loosening thresholds on bids and professional services, officials have said.

Council in July proposed ordinances from the Courtright administration on both matters, but tabled them for review and possible changes before adoptions.

The administration and council have been considering raising thresholds for bids and professional services that were lowered in 2010 by the council led by Janet Evans. That council lowered the threshold requiring competitive bidding on contracts from $20,000 to $10,000, and for obtaining quotes from $5,000 to $4,000. At that time, council members said the purpose was to boost competitiveness and transparency in purchasing.

Now, members of the new administration and council have said at recent meetings that the Evans-council thresholds are stricter than state guidelines require and have created slower, inefficient purchasing processes. They want to raise thresholds to save money on advertising of public notices in The Times-Tribune, speed up procurement and bring Scranton in line with similarly sized municipalities and state guidelines.

To that end, council proposed and tabled in July a pair of administration ordinances that would raise the threshold for competitively bidding city contracts to $19,400 and for obtaining quotes to $10,500; and raise the threshold for publicly bidding professional services from $10,000 to $25,000.

In a caucus Sept. 17, city Business Administrator David Bulzoni suggested the city consider setting thresholds in line with state Act 84 of 2011. That law raised thresholds for townships and certain counties and authorities for bidding from $10,000 to $18,500, and for telephone quotes from $4,000 to $10,000. This law also requires minimum bid amounts to be adjusted annually based upon the Consumer Price Index.

“Whatever we do should likely comply with Act 84 of 2011. That’s where we should be. Anything beyond is based on your discretion,” Mr. Bulzoni told council. “There’s a balance ... the balance should be between efficiency and transparency.”

Councilman Pat Rogan said he favored lowering thresholds in 2010 to increase transparency but now thinks adjustments are needed and, “Probably the right area is right between the two” levels.

Councilman Bill Gaughan asked what is the problem with current thresholds.

Mr. Bulzoni said, “It would be a much more efficient process if those thresholds were a little bit more realistic. When you compare it to what state law allows, yeah, I think there should be some adjustment, because it is a time-consuming process in some cases to be able to assemble quotes or assemble bids.”

Councilman Joe Wechsler said the key is to get competition on bids. Councilman Wayne Evans said he likes Act 84’s requirement to make adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index.

Councilmen also said they hope to have bids and services falling under higher thresholds posted on the city’s website, which they believe would increase transparency.

Meanwhile, regarding legislation for new rules, definitions, permits, fees and timelines for portable temporary storage containers — sometimes called PODs — council tabled this ordinance to ensure it meshes with the zoning ordinance from the early 1990s. Council now will hold a hearing on this ordinance tonight at 5:45 p.m.,at City Hall, before the regular 6:30 p.m. meeting, according to a public notice in Monday’s edition in The Times-Tribune.

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

Lackawanna County commissioners on Wednesday agreed to ask the state for $750,000 to fix the Mall at Steamtown.

Commissioners approved the application, which was the biggest-ticket item among nine funding requests for gaming money that total $2.1 million.

The project would assist owner John Basalyga’s efforts to address lingering maintenance problems since the Roaring Brook Twp. developer bought the mall for $5.51 million in an auction in July. The long-struggling downtown Scranton retail hub cost $101 million to build in the 1990s.

The plan is to use the money to upgrade the nearly 559,000-square-foot mall’s food court, security equipment, lighting, windows and retail fixtures, according to county officials and Mr. Basalyga.

“We are in the early stages of addressing maintenance issues at the mall which have been deferred for years,” Mr. Basalyga said in a prepared statement. “We have extensively cleaned the property inside and out. We have replaced doors and addressed landscaping. We have made façade repairs and modifications, and updated the HVAC system.”

Commissioner Jim Wansacz thought the proposal deserved strong consideration because the state’s program to give communities local shares of casino revenue was set up to funnel money to economic development projects.

“If that building were to go dark, think about what that would do to the downtown,” Mr. Wansacz said. “For him as a private investor trying to save retail to keep this part of Scranton vibrant, he’s going to need help.”

Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright said he had not spoken with commissioners about the application but was open to supporting it, given its importance to the city’s economy.

State Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, said he met with Mr. Basalyga and was impressed by his plans.

“The redevelopment of the Mall at Steamtown footprint is critically important to job creation and to economic vitality in Scranton’s downtown business district,” Mr. Blake said. “The ... grant process is very competitive and a $750,000 application is certainly an aggressive request. That said, I look forward to joining with my colleagues in the Northeast (Pennsylvania) delegation to offer strong support and advocacy for the award of a grant to leverage private investment in the city.”

The developer earlier this month announced the mall will invest close to $1 million in new lights for its parking garage and recover the cost through energy savings. Other recent improvements have ranged from pressure-washing the facility’s façade to renovating the planters at the main entrance.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com, @kwindTT on Twitter

Other grant requests

n $225,000 for pool improvements project at the Greater Scranton YMCA.

n $225,128 for a buildings and grounds improvement project at Friendship House.

n $125,000 for an ADA parking and paving project at St. Anthony’s Memorial Park in Dunmore.

n $100,000 for an Old Forge Little League field lighting project.

n $60,000 for equipment to maintain Ed Staback Regional Park in Archbald.

n $250,000 for seed money for the new Lackawanna County land bank.

n $101,824 for the Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency to buy two weatherization vehicles to expand the program.

n $275,000 for Goodwill Industries of Northeastern Pennsylvania to create a lifestyle enrichment center focused on job development, as well as improving health and quality of life.

An ex-boyfriend of Stephanie Tarapchak, D.O., described Wednesday how she gave him pain pills to sell on the black market and used his own addiction to prevent him from leaving their abusive relationship.

Dr. Tarapchak, 46, of Ashland, a doctor of osteopathic medicine who specializes in internal medicine, is accused of illegally dispensing thousands of Schedule II controlled substances, including oxycodone and hydrocodone, between January 2008 and August 2011. Prosecutors believe her prescriptions led to multiple overdoses, including a fatal overdose of a 52-year-old patient in June 2011. She’s also accused of smuggling Vicodin, Adipex and Ambien into Lackawanna County Prison in her rectum while she served 10 consecutive weekends in county prison for being in contempt of court after 2011 child-custody hearings.

Taking the stand Wednesday on the third day of the physician’s trial, Delton Bolton Jr., 30, of Ashland, described his romantic and business relationship with the doctor.

Introduced through a mutual friend when an uninsured Mr. Bolton was suffering from a broken hand, the pair started by taking drugs and spending time together, Mr. Bolton said.

“I just thought it was awesome, hanging out with a doctor at (age) 24, partying with a doctor,” he said.

Throughout the relationship, Dr. Tarapchak provided Mr. Bolton with a variety of drugs, including testosterone, Valium, ketamine, and later, pain pills, he testified under questioning from Deputy Attorney General Matt Connolly.

It was a “chaotic relationship, filled with alcohol, filled with drugs,” he said.

The physician frequently prescribed him pain pills like Percocet and Oxycontin, which he picked up at pharmacies in Schuylkill County and then sold on the black market, often for as much as $50 a pill. Eventually, Mr. Bolton became hooked on pain pills, he said.

After one of their many fights in the summer of 2010, Mr. Bolton said he took 70 to 80 Adderall pills in a suicide attempt when the doctor openly set up a romantic encounter with another man.

“‘I hope you (expletive) die,’ is what she said,” he testified.

The police found him 19 hours later, wandering the woods around Centralia, barefoot and wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, he said.

When Dr. Tarapchak pulled him out of the hospital several days later, she tempted him with a bottle of morphine pills, Mr. Bolton said. Following arguments, he would often return to her for pills, because she was his source, he said.

Dr. Tarapchak’s lawyer, Bernard Brown, will cross examine Mr. Bolton today. In his opening statements, the defense attorney prepped the jury of eight men and six women for Mr. Bolton’s testimony, characterizing the witness as an addict holding a grudge against Dr. Tarapchak because she cut him off from his prescriptions.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the attorneys also questioned a DEA agent, an investigator from the insurance company Capital Blue Cross and the sister of Mr. Bolton, Ashley Bolton Schwartz. She recalled a bizarre moment when an enraged Dr. Tarapchak attacked Mr. Bolton and then urinated into her own purse while the three were riding in a van.

Mr. Brown expects the trial to last through next week.

Contact the writer:

pcameron@timesshamrock.com, @pcameronTT on Twitter

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ James Shotto and Melodie Joy Jordan, both of Dalton.

■ Joseph A. Fisher, Scranton, and Beth Haiges-Peduto, Jermyn

■ Peter Joseph White, Wash­ing­ton, D.C., and Kira Leishear, Rockville, Md.

■ Andrew Joseph Simonik Jr. and Kristine Ann Stolitca, both of Throop

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Jim Eric and Regina Lynn Miller, South Abington Twp., to Cartus Financial Corp.; a property at 1016 Westwood Drive, South Abington Twp., for $227,500.

■ Joseph W. Marx, by his agent, Dorothy E. Marx, and Dorothy E. Marx, his wife, New­ton Twp., to Jason M. and Eliza­beth Malek, Clarks Summit; a property in Newton Twp. for $159,000.

■ First Citizens Community Bank, Mansfield, to Walter J. and Diane Woehrle, Moscow; three parcels in Covington Twp. for $106,700.

■ Donald L. and Luanne E. Sebastian, Moosic, to Joseph Kleback and Erin Saracino, Luzerne County, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property at 3602½ Springer Ave., Moosic, for $213,500.

■ Specialized Loan Servicing LLC, attorney-in-fact for Bank of New York Mellon, to Charles Weisberger; a property at 1807 Vine St., Scranton, for $67,000.

■ Kenneth and Linda Powell, Scott Twp., to Ann Patricia Rebar, Archbald; a property at 220 Foxtail Circle, Archbald, for $195,600.

■ David DelVecchio and Steven Yanisko to Joseph Lemoncelli, Lisa Gibbons and Kelsey Lemoncelli, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; a property at 451 Hickory St., Blakely, for $98,580.

ESTATES FILED

■ Rosella Davis, also known as Rosella Danilo Davis, 124 Shust Road, Greenfield Twp., letters testamentary to Helen E. and Robert Lyman, both of 1323 Crystal Lake Road, Carbondale.

■ Stavros Romanakis, 500 Bobcat Lane, South Abington Twp., letters testamentary to Eleanor Romanakis, same address.

■ Gertrude E. Race, 455 Carbondale Road, Scott Twp., letters of administration to Barbara Race, same address.

■ Robert Dixon, 522 N. Everett Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Jean Arcan­geletti, same address.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

A gathering

of cousins

An impromptu gathering of the descendants of Frank and Angelina Sanzero Bonifanti was conducted over Labor Day weekend with representatives of the families of eight of the Bonifantis’ 10 children in attendance. The last surviving member of that generation, George Bonifanti , passed away in December.

The oldest cousin on hand, Ann Marie Colangelo Salva of West Scranton, is the daughter of Carl and Vicky Bonifanti Colangelo. She was accompanied by her daughter Denise Chilipko to the family dinner at Colarusso’s Restaurant in Clarks Summit. The youngest cousin, Liz Bonifanti Reviello, also of West Scranton, joined in with her husband Glenn and son Mark. Liz, and her sister Maureen Bonifanti Bernardi of Chinchilla, who was accompanied by her husband, Paul , are the daughters of Enrico “Jake” and Alice Cavanaugh Bonifanti.

Also attending were: Mary Bonifanti Cosgrove Blanchette of Florida, formerly of Factoryville, the daughter of Joe and Belle Malloy Bonifanti , and her husband, Dave; Kay Bonifanti McElhenny of West Scranton, the daughter of Nick and Anna McCaffrey Bonifanti , and her husband, Paul ; Diane and Nick Bonifanti of New Jersey and Massachusetts, respectively, the daughter and son of Frank and Teresa LaManna Bonifanti, Diane’s friend, Bernadette Riley Rose , and Nick’s wife, Carol Hokana, and their daughters, ShanShan and Bo ; Larry Bonifanti of Clarks Summit, the son of Larry and Romaine Barrett Bonifanti , and his wife, Dianne ; Sam Bonifanti-Romanelli of Philadelphia, the daughter of George and Alice Altier Bonifanti , and her husband Ron; and Terry Bonifanti (aka Namedropper) of Scranton, the daughter of John and Catherine Lahey Bonifanti.

Frank and Angelina Bonifanti also were the parents of the late Theresa Bonifanti Minelli Hoffecker and Caroline Bonifanti.

Super students

Misericordia University teacher education majors receiving student teaching classroom assignments for the fall semester include: Ashley Cesare, Old Forge, Pittston Area School District; Charles Hampton, Duryea, Wyoming Valley West and Wyoming Area; Elizabeth Klee, Shillington, Pittston Area; and Alyssa Zekoski , Harding, Lake Lehman.

High notes

Patti S. Hozempa of P.A. Designs of Tunkhannock, crafted a custom quilt that will be raffled at the P.A. Designs & Friends Quilt and Artisans Show, Saturday, Oct. 3, at Triton Fire Hall in Tunkhannock to benefit True Friends (no-kill) Animal Welfare Center in Montrose. The quilt raffle and show, featuring one-of-a-kind fine artists and artisans, is being held in conjunction with Tunkhannock Quilt & Artisan Walk.

N.J. man arrested on drug charges

SCRANTON — City police arrested a Piscataway, New Jersey, man on drug charges Tuesday in South Scranton.

Billie Williams, 41, was arrested by members of the Special Investigations Division and the Street Crimes Unit at Cherry Street and Pittston Avenue, police said. During the investigation, police seized 10 bags of heroin, along with $105 and a cellphone.

Mr. Williams was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Alyce Farrell on charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy and two counts of criminal use of a communication facility. He was held in Lackawanna County Prison on $100,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for next Thursday at 9 a.m.

— STAFF REPORT

Boback’s office changes locations

TUNKHANNOCK — The Tunkhannock district office of state Rep. Karen Boback, R-117, Harveys Lake, is moving, effective Friday.

The new office will be at 133 W. Tioga St., Suite 3, Ms. Boback said. The phone number will remain the same at 570-836-4777. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The new location replaces the office at 608 Hunter Highway in Tunkhannock.

— STAFF REPORT

Cyclist charged in Water Gap chase

SCRANTON — A Pike County man faces charges he led a park ranger on a chase through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in July.

A federal grand jury Tuesday indicted Matthew J. Woj­ciechowski, 24, Shohola, on one count of fleeing and eluding a police officer while on federal grounds.

U.S. Attorney Peter Smith said a ranger tried to stop Mr. Wojciechowski, who was riding a 2006 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle, after observing him speeding in the recreation area July 6. Mr. Wojciechowski fled on Route 209, leading the officer on a 10-mile chase at speeds that exceeded 100 mph.

The chase ended when Mr. Wojciechowski crashed.

If convicted, Mr. Wojcie­chow­ski faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, Mr. Smith said.

— STAFF REPORT

Wallenpaupack teacher wins award

NEWFOUNDLAND — Elizabeth Conklin, a Wallenpau­pack Area kindergarten teach­er, won a national award for a schoolwide science project.

School Principal Mark Kirsten said Mrs. Conklin involved kindergarten through fifth grade in a carton garden project. Students started seeds for vegetables like tomatoes, zucchini, squash, peas and beans and grew them into a garden that donates food to the local food pantry.

“It was a great project,” Mr. Kirsten said.

Mrs. Conklin won $2,500 for the school from Evergreen Packaging. Mr. Kirsten said the prize money will likely be used for future recycling and environmental projects.

— SARAH SCINTO

Pike County drug dealer convicted

MILFORD — A man caught with about $20,000 worth of drugs in his pockets after leading a high speed chase last year was convicted of his crimes on Tuesday.

A jury found Jorge Arroyo O’Neill, 32, Spring Brook Twp., guilty of possession with intent to deliver heroin and cocaine, DUI and eluding arrest on morning of June 29 in Blooming Grove.

State police had attempted to pull him over that morning when he fled and led troopers a chase. Mr. O’Neill then ran into the forest where troopers used a stun gun and pepper spray to apprehend him.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 3.

— JON O’CONNELL

JESSUP — A controlled burn is expected to close several trails at the Dick and Nancy Eales Nature Preserve on Moosic Mountain today, the Nature Conservancy said.

The final decision on ignition will be made this morning after weather conditions and the behavior of a test fire are assessed, the organization said.

The preserve as a whole will be open during the burn and the Nature Conservancy advised visitors to observe all posted signage and keep a safe distance from the fireline and the fire crew. Smoke from the fire will be visible from many parts of the valley.

— DAVID SINGLETON

OLYPHANT — Three people face drug-related charges after a raid Tuesday night at a borough home.

Jon Charles Scalley Jr., 23, and Alexis Case, 20, both of Olyphant, and Ryan A. Lamberton, 19, Waymart, were arrested when the Scranton Police Special Investigations Division and borough police executed a search warrant at 510 E. Grant St. around 8:30 p.m.

Officers seized 39 LSD tabs and two jars of psilocybin mushrooms, along with marijuana, $532 in cash, two digital scales and packaging material, police said.

Mr. Scalley was charged with four counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and three related offenses and held in the Lackawanna County Prison on $100,000 bail.

Police charged Ms. Case and Mr. Lamberton with one count each of possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy. They were jailed when they could not post $25,000 bail each.

— STAFF REPORT

SCRANTON — A West Scranton man was arrested early Tuesday after police say he punched a woman in the face and then lied about his identity.

Officers found John Furlough Jacques, 43, of 151 Morris Ave., banging on the door of girlfriend Tamara Jones’ Green Place residence when they responded to a reported disturbance about 2:05 a.m., police said. Ms. Jones, whose right eye was swollen and black and blue, told police Mr. Jacques punched her earlier during an argument at the Normandy Bar.

Mr. Jacques later provided a booking officer with a fake name, date of birth and Social Security number, police said.

Police charged Mr. Jacques with simple assault, harassment, unsworn falsification to authorities and false identification to law enforcement.

He remains in Lacka-

wanna County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is set for Tuesday.

— DAVID SINGLETON

DUNMORE — The long-awaited decision on a grassroots group’s challenge against Keystone Sanitary Landfill’s nearly half-century expansion plan is coming next week.

The Dunmore zoning board’s last meeting on the Friends of Lackawanna challenge against the Dunmore and Throop facility’s proposal to expand up to 165 feet higher than currently permitted is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday at the borough building, 400 S. Blakely St.

Friends of Lackawanna contends the plan would violate a 50-foot height restriction in the borough’s zoning ordinance; Keystone contends the limitation does not apply to landfills.

Whichever side loses at the borough level is likely to appeal the decision to Lackawanna County Court.

—KYLE WIND

With the threat of a teachers’ strike in the Scranton School District looming Friday, the West Scranton at North Pocono football game is moved up to tonight.

School administrators formulated a plan to change the date of the Lackawanna Football Conference Division I game earlier in the week. After negotiations broke down Tuesday, a decision was made early Wednesday morning by administrators to hold the game a day earlier.

The Scranton Prep at Scranton game will be played Friday at 7 p.m. at Valor Field at Scranton Memorial Stadium as scheduled.

On Wednesday, there was a threat the Knights’ game would be canceled if an agreement couldn’t be reached. However, after learning of the change for the West Scranton at North Pocono game, Rosemary Boland, the president of the Scranton Federation of Teachers, said the union decided teachers who are coaches can coach that one game — but not any others.

“We’re not letting them cheat the Scranton High kids out of their football game,” she said.

The district is still unsure how the planned strike will affect other sports.

“I want to thank the North Pocono School District, Superintendent Bryan McGraw and principal Ron Collins for being so helpful and understanding of these unique circumstances and allowing us to change the game,” West Scranton High School principal Robert Gentilezza said.

Gentilezza did not comment on the strike nor the impact the threat had on the decision, and also said that future sports changes have not been discussed.

“I am taking things minute by minute, and I will know more Monday morning,” he said.

On Tuesday night, it was announced that, should the strike go on as scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Friday, the district would allow sports to continue “as long as Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association regulations are followed and the coaching staff cooperates,” according to Superintendent Alexis Kirijan, Ed.D.

However, Boland said at that time that many of the district’s coaches are teachers and would not be crossing the picket lines. She also encouraged AFL-CIO members and families of union members to not attend the games or allow their children to participate during the strike.

On Wednesday, however, she encouraged all union members to attend the game.

Scranton School Board President Cy Douaihy questioned why the strike is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Having taught 35 years in the district and being involved in six strikes, Douaihy said work stoppages generally start at 7 a.m. the first day of the strike.

“They never started in the afternoon, in an effort not to put our high school athletes in a hostage situation,” he said. “It’s so disappointing to put those kids in that spot.”

Boland said the strike is scheduled to start on Friday afternoon to let the district know she is willing to negotiate all weekend.

In tonight’s game, West Scranton (1-2) is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Dunmore last week. The Invaders were led by quarterback Matt Gaul, who threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns in the game. Shyann Jackson had nine receptions for 107 yards, including a 22-yard reception that brought the Invaders to within 27-25 on the final play. A failed 2-point conversion ended the game.

North Pocono is off to a 3-0 start to the season. The Trojans rallied to defeat Wyoming Area last week as senior quarterback Luke Fetter threw for 183 yards and three touchdowns, the final of which went to Matt Kelly for the game-winning score with 1:02 remaining.

Contact the writer:

jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com @JobyFawcett26 on Twitter

Pope Francis will have a unique piece of art to take back to the Vatican with him, one created by an artist from Hazleton.

U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, gave the artwork of Hazleton resident Salvadore DeFazio to the House sergeant-at-arms, who was tasked with collecting all gifts meant for Pope Francis. The painting was then given to the pope’s traveling staff in Washington.

“The message of the painting, that we are praying for peace, is aligned with pope’s message for all mankind,” Mr. Barletta said. “I was proud to be able to send along a piece of Hazleton with Pope Francis, in a way that represents Mr. DeFazio’s talents, and our region of Pennsylvania, so well.”

“It’s an honor,” Mr. DeFazio said of Pope Francis receiving his give, which will eventually make its way to Italy. He said he was pleased with Pope Francis’ speech to Congress Thursday.

— TOM RAGAN

Keystone to hold Mathewson Day

LA PLUME TWP. — Keystone College and Factoryville residents are celebrating the life of borough native and baseball Hall of

Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson.

The 20th annual Christy Mathewson Day is set for Saturday, with a morning 5K walk/run (registration at 7:30 a.m.), a parade and educational talks.

There will be a baseball history symposium from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the college’s Hibbard Campus Center, where baseball historians will discuss the sport.

A parade and fireworks at the Joint Municipal Park in Factoryville will wrap up the day. For more information, visit www.keystone.edu/christymathewson

days.

— JON O’CONNELL

Pair held in phone wire burning

CARBONDALE TWP. — Police charged a Carbondale man and woman with several counts after they said they caught the pair burning stolen spools of phone wire on Wednesday.

Carbondale Twp. police, investigating numerous wires along the ground near Park Street, spotted black smoke and found Warren Todd Clark, 29, and Brandi Clark, 31. At the scene, Mr. Clark told police he was burning the wires for a friend for $50.

A Verizon technician identified the wires as company property, police said. Verizon had previously notified police of a theft of phone lines in the area.

Both Mr. Clark and Ms. Clark were charged with receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy, reckless burning and criminal mischief. Mr. Clark was unable to post bail and remained in Lackawanna County Prison Wednesday night. Ms. Clark was free on $5,000 bail. Both awaited preliminary hearings set for Wednesday at 10:15 a.m.

— SARAH SCINTO

Iron Furnaces gets landmark award

SCRANTON — The Scranton Iron Furnaces has been selected for a 2015 ASM Historical Landmark Award by ASM International.

The award recognizes the furnaces’ role in spurring the nation’s industrial revolution in iron and coal through the use of anthracite, noting locally produced rails contributed to the growth of America’s railroads.

The award will be presented at a public ceremony Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. at the furnaces, 159 Cedar Ave. Refreshments will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the Anthracite Heritage Museum at McDade Park.

Founded in 1913 as the American Society for Metals, ASM International is the world’s largest association of metals-centric scientists and engineers with more than 30,000 members. The landmark designation was established in 1969 to identify sites that had a prominent role in the discovery, development and growth of metals and metalworking.

— STAFF REPORT

SCRANTON — The Police Department has added to its fleet a two-wheeled Segway vehicle for rolling patrols.

Using drug forfeiture funds, the department bought a Segway i2 SE Patroller, a self-balancing, battery-powered electric vehicle that can go up to 12.5 mph.

Officer Joseph Janczak will use it during peak hours downtown in the area from Lackawanna Avenue to Olive Street and from Mifflin Avenue to Jefferson Avenue.

Chief Carl Graziano said the officer will be more accessible in the community and better able to patrol parking garages and buildings, including the Mall at Steamtown.

— JIM LOCKWOOD

JESSUP — They moved slowly through the brush.

Dressed in yellow shirts, green pants and protective helmets, they tipped over metal containers while they walked Moosic Mountain on Thursday. A diesel-and-gasoline mixture spilled out and mingled with the small flame burning on a wick.

The fuel caught fire and a steady stream of flame poured onto the brush. Smoke rose as the heat built, just as planned.

Crews from the Nature Conservancy and state Game Commission set fire on Thursday to a small section of the Dick and Nancy Eales Nature Preserve in Jessup as a method of decreasing wildfire risk and maintaining the scrub land’s unusual vegetation, said conservancy Fire Manager Patrick McElhenny.

“These burns are carefully planned and implemented, and are a necessary management tool,” Mr. McElhenny, the “burn boss,” said in a notice posted for the public. “Every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of the public and the burn crew and the prescribed burns will not take place if the proper weather and fuel conditions are not met.”

The burn crews met at 8:15 a.m. and began monitoring the weather to determine whether to set the fire. The dew burned off by about 10 a.m., and they tried a test burn. By 10:30 a.m., the test burn became the real thing. A line of fire crackled, burning up trees and brush so the ridge-top heath barrens’ historical vegetation can remain dominant. They worked on about a 40-acre area of the park and hope to do more, weather permitting, until November, Mr. McElhenny said.

Nature Conservancy forest ecologist Scott Bearer, Ph.D., watched the smoke shift direction with the wind during the test burn and called out. They kept a close eye on the fire, making sure it didn’t burn out of control.

Dr. Bearer said crews set fires along a perimeter while others set fires in the 40-acre zone’s interior. Much of the brush burned quickly, leaving behind blackened ash safe to walk on and thick plumes of white and gray smoke that were visible for miles around.

By 2 p.m., crews completed their goal and wrapped up the fire, Dr. Bearer said. Though the land looks burned now, by next spring, the barrens habitat will be far healthier. The risk for wildfires likewise will be lower.

“You’re consuming those fuels in a very controlled way so if a wildfire did move through there, there wouldn’t be any fuels to burn,” Dr. Bearer said.

A few members of the Nature Conservancy will return today to check that spots are safe, Mr. McElhenny said. The trails in that area, closed Thursday, will likely reopen today.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com,

@jkohutTT on Twitter

JESSUP — The borough’s zoning ordinance no longer excludes power plants.

Borough council voted 4-3 Thursday night to fix a zoning ordinance that had been challenged earlier this year, and opened up an area south of the Casey Highway for a possible plant construction.

Council members James Brunozzi, Maggie Alunni, Pat Kurpis and Michael Gasper voted to amend the borough’s zoning ordinance, allowing power plants as a conditional use in M-1A zones, during a special meeting Thursday.

Council members Joseph Mellado, Lorraine Stevens and Randy Santarelli voted “no.” They could not be reached for comment afterward.

The decision inches forward a 1,500-megawatt, natural-gas-fired power plant on 80 acres off Sunnyside Road proposed by Chicago-based developer Invenergy LLC.

“Certainly we’re pleased,” Invenergy Vice President of Development Daniel Ewan said. “It is one more step. I’ve said this all along: We have a lot of steps to go.”

Borough solicitor Richard Fanucci composed the three-page amendment after five months of hearings and a work session Sept. 17. Council passed his amendment without altering it.

In addition to adding such plants to M-1A zones, the amendment removes height restrictions for structures associated with power plants and clarifies the term “existing development” to mean residential and nonresidential uses.

It also removes restrictions that power-plant equipment must be housed in a building, and says that no two power plants can be less than 2,000 feet from each other.

Plant opponents maintain the ordinance’s original writers intended for smaller plants to be built elsewhere in the borough.

Sam Sebastianelli, a resident, countered statements Mr. Fanucci made last week and quoted Times-Tribune articles from 1993 when council rezoned the area in preparation for the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce to build a business park.

He referenced a quote in which former chamber President Austin J. Burke listed “unsightly, offensive businesses” that would not be allowed in the area.

“Landfills, trash haulers, incinerators, power plants, slaughterhouses, junk yards, dog kennels and similar businesses would be absolutely prohibited,” he read. However, a review of Times-Tribune archives shows the phrase “power plants” does not appear in the quoted list.

Invenergy’s next step is to apply for a conditional-use permit.

An air-quality permit application filed with the state Department of Environmental Protection remains under review.

For the group of residents fighting the plant, their next step is to appeal the council’s decision made Aug. 26 that the ordinance is defective. The group also plans to appeal Thursday’s vote, claiming the borough officials violated the state Municipal Planning Code by voting without first printing the amendment in the newspaper’s notice section and sending it to both local and county planning commissions for review.

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

The ex-boyfriend of a Schuylkill County doctor recalled at trial Thursday how she injected herself with drugs and smuggled more in her rectum to pass the time while she served her sentence at the Lackawanna County Prison.

Stephanie Tarapchak, D.O., of Ashland, is accused of illegally dispensing thousands of Schedule II controlled substances, including oxycodone, between 2008 and 2011. Prosecutors say the prescriptions led to overdoses, including the death of a 52-year-old patient. She’s also accused of smuggling Vicodin, Adipex and Ambien into the county jail while she served 10 consecutive weekends there for being in contempt of court after 2011 child-custody hearings.

On his second day of testimony on the fourth day of the trial, ex-boyfriend Delton Bolton Jr. of Ashland explained to the jury a series of text messages between himself and the doctor. Images of those messages were projected during his testimony. The messages contained a reference the doctor made of her “robin egg stash,” a slang term for a diet pill, and a photo of pain pills she sent to Mr. Bolton’s phone.

The previous day of the trial, Mr. Bolton, 30, testified that Dr. Tarapchak, 46, had prevented him from leaving the relationship by keeping him addicted to pain pills she supplied. When she wanted to break up, she refused to prescribe him Suboxone, used to wean addicts off opioids.

Mr. Bolton then began cooperating with law enforcement officials who were investigating Dr. Tarapchak, he said.

To blunt the defense’s cross-examination, prosecutors coaxed Mr. Bolton to admit he had lied under oath in Schuylkill County in order to help Dr. Tarapchak at a custody hearing with her ex-husband, Alex Tarapchak.

During his cross-examination, defense attorney Bernard Brown reminded jurors that the witness had already admitted to dealing and using illegal drugs. The lawyer also tried to portray Mr. Bolton as an addict seeking revenge after Dr. Tarapchak refused to prescribe him more pills.

“When did you turn from Team Stephanie to Team Alex?” Mr. Brown asked, a question silenced by an objection from prosecutors.

Mr. Tarapchak, who engaged in a long custody battle with his ex-wife, also testified Thursday. While he questioned the ex-husband, Mr. Brown noted that Mr. Bolton and Mr. Tarapchak had physically fought at one point, but now Mr. Tarapchak “is using (Mr. Bolton) to get back at his ex.” The ex-husband responded he was just trying to get his children back.

Mr. Bolton has not been charged with any of the crimes to which he admitted in court, Deputy Attorney General Robert LaBar said. The prosecutor refused to explain, citing the progressing trial.

From the stand Thursday, Mr. Bolton said he had not received any promises from prosecutors for his cooperation.

The trial is expected to last through next week. Dr. Tarachak is charged with drug delivery resulting in death, administering contraband substance and related counts. She remains in Lackawanna County Prison.

Contact the writer:

pcameron@timesshamrock.com,

@pcameronTT on Twitter

Judge Michael Barrasse sentenced the following defendants recently in Lackawanna County Court:

■ Denise Ann Merrifield, 51, 814 Rock St., Archbald, to 5½ years of court supervision including four months of house arrest and a $750 fine for forgery, DUI and reckless

endangerment.

■ Alfredo Munoz-Torres, 26, 1910 Stanford Ave., Apt. 19F, Scranton, to six months of court supervision including two weeks of house arrest and a $500 fine for DUI.

■ Samantha Leah Perry, 21, 12037 Rose Drive, Clarks Sum­mit, to three months’ probation and a $100 fine for disorderly conduct.

■ George Eric Zarcone, 58, 112 Fawn Circle Drive, Moscow, to 90 days’ probation for disorderly conduct.

■ Amanda Marie Correa, 20, 417 Harrison Ave., Scranton, to one year of probation for receiving stolen property.

■ Timothy W. Knowles, 20, 105 River St., Jessup, to 40 hours’ community service and a $100 fine for disorderly

conduct.

■ Gina Vangarelli, 23, 113 W. Mary St., Old Forge, to one year of probation for escape.

■ Rochelle D. Tigue, 29, Scran­­ton, to 21 months of court supervision including 30 days in county prison and $150 in restitution for retail theft.

■ Eugene Canfield, 36, 202 Oak St., Old Forge, to time served (62 days) to six months in county prison and a $750 fine for DUI.

■ Jesus Rosaly J. Castro Estrada, 28, 1220 Dartmouth St., Scranton, to two years of court supervision including three months’ house arrest for simple assault.

■ Steven Johnson, 27, 414 Wilbur St., Scranton, up to one year in county prison and one year probation for default in required appearance.

■ Christine Lloyd, 31, 12 Harlem Ave., Carbondale, to 44 months of court supervision including 14 days in county prison for possession with intent to deliver.

■ Ralph E. Ricino, 52, Dickson City, to 18 months to eight years in state prison, three years’ probation and $4,300 in fines for DUI, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, disorderly conduct and driving under a suspended license.

■ Gregory Labinski, 35, Madi­son Twp., to six years’ probation and $5,489.10 in restitution for theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

■ Ronald G. Surplus, 45, Scran­ton, to four years of court supervision and $6,652 in restitution for burglary and possession of a controlled substance.

■ Evan Digiammo, 27, 707 Mill St., Dunmore, to two years’ probation for theft by unlawful taking.

■ Steve Alton Becker, 49, Car­bondale, to two years of court supervision and $15,453.96 in restitution for theft by unlawful taking.

Judge Vito Geroulo sentenced:

■ Juvencio Veiga, 26, 801 Quincy Ave., Second Floor, Scran­ton, to 11-23 months in county prison and one year of probation for conspiracy to commit possession with intent to deliver and carrying firearm without license.

■ Ali Shaina Butler, 24, 2241 Sunset Mobile Home Park, Clarks Summit, to three years’ probation for theft by unlawful taking.

■ Jomo A. Clark, 40, 539 Birch St., Scranton, to six to 23 months in county prison and one year of probation for possession with intent to deliver.

■ Kim Davies, 59, 521 Arthur Ave., Scranton, to one year of probation for disorderly conduct.

■ Greg Fetterman, 49, 738 River St., Blakely, to two years’ probation, 75 hours’ community service and $4,205.03 in restitution for receiving stolen

property.

■ Mark Samuel Grimes, 20, 128 Depot St. Apt. 2, Clarks Summit, to 18 months’ probation and 100 hours’ community service for criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

■ Kelly Hallock, 34, Scranton, to one year of probation for theft by unlawful taking and possession of a controlled

substance.

■ Paul Kenneth Johnson, 51, 160 Private Drive, Spring Brook Twp., to five years of court supervision including 90 days of house arrest and a $1,500 fine for DUI.

■ Hector Miro-Hernandez, 34, 431 Fourth Ave., Scranton, to five to 23 months in county prison and one year of probation for delivery of a controlled

substance.

■ Michelle Pace, 44, 937 Mary St., Throop, to six months’ probation for possession of a controlled substance.

■ Justin Rogers, 23, 80 Elizabeth St., Pittston, to time served to 23 months in county prison and one year of probation for criminal use of a communication facility.

■ Buck Dallis Ann, 21, 1155 Main St., Dickson City, to six months’ probation and 50 hours of community service for possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ Matthew J. Mullen, 24, 202 Morse Ave., Simpson, to time served (342 days) in county prison for possession of a controlled substance.

Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle sentenced:

■ Joshua Allen Otto, 20, 520 S. Irving Ave., Scranton, to one year of probation for escape.

Jimmy Lipko said what you’d expect from a senior at a Jesuit prep school who is blessed to participate in the first Jesuit pope’s first visit to America.

Patrick Tully was no less effusive in sharing his excitement, but was surprised to learn that sometimes the devil really is in the details.

“We really didn’t know what to expect,” said Jimmy, 17, of Forest City, a senior at Scranton Preparatory School. “But now we’re here, and we actually get to see the pope, and see for ourselves how he is changing the world. The challenge is for us to take Pope Francis’ message back to our school community and the Greater Scranton area.”

“We get to see the successor of (the apostle) Peter,” Patrick said. “I’ll probably never get to see the pope in person again in my lifetime. It’s an honor.”

Jimmy joins Patrick of Fleetville and classmates Katie Walsh of Dunmore and Liam Seymour, Megan Siebecker and Emily Jonsson, all of Clarks Summit, as Catholic pilgrims this week. All are 17 except Emily, who is 18, and all are sleeping on the floors of classrooms at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in North Philadelphia.

They couldn’t be more comfortable bunking with 350 other road-tested souls. Students and chaperones from across continental America, Puerto Rico and Canada are at St. Joseph’s this week, a gathering rooted in some inside information school officials acted upon in January.

“We knew Pope Francis had committed to coming here, and we had a choice what to do with that information,” said St. Joseph’s spokesman Bill Avington. “That information was a gift to us, and we decided to share that gift with our Jesuit (school) family. We sent an email in January, and in four minutes, we had our first responses.”

I took the subway over to see the Scranton Prep kids because it will be closed today and I didn’t think I’d get another chance. St. Joe’s is in a rough neighborhood, and as I walked the two or three blocks from the station to the school, I witnessed many signs of the poverty and hopelessness Pope Francis laments.

As I got closer to the school, I heard the strains of Rick Springfield’s “Jesse’s Girl” and Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance.” A DJ pumped up the jams as kids who hours earlier were strangers played Frisbee and touch football. There was a tent serving genuine Philadelphia cheesesteaks. It was a scene of contagious joy, something Pope Francis hopes to spread.

Every new arrival of a bus from a Jesuit school drew wild cheers. Emily said it’s “amazing” meeting young Jesuits and being introduced to “new ways of thinking and acting on Jesuit ideals.”

All were thrilled about Saturday’s hike over the hill to see Pope Francis in person.

“Wait, we have to walk?” Patrick said, drawing laughter from his companions.

Details. Even pilgrims are tried by them.

CHRIS KELLY, the Times-Tribune columnist, hopes his “Francis Fever” is never cured. Contact the writer: kellysworld@timesshamrock.com. Read his award-winning daily blog at http://blogs.thetimes-tribune.com/kelly

SCRANTON — A seventh Scranton double-pension recipient opted to accept a settlement offer approved Wednesday by the city’s nonuniform pension board.

Christopher Powell, attorney for Terri Barrett, said Mrs. Barrett decided late Wednesday afternoon to sign the settlement agreement.

The agreement calls for retirees to forgo receiving enhanced benefits starting in January. In return, the city agreed not to seek repayment of excess benefits the retirees received since 2003.

Six other double-pension recipients agreed to the settlement earlier this week.

—TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER