DUNMORE — A Scranton School District administrator and former history teacher and football coach will take over as superintendent of the Dunmore School District in July.

John Marichak, current associate superintendent and supervisor of secondary education at Scranton, was unanimously hired as Dunmore’s next superintendent by the school board at a meeting Wednesday.

“It’s a great opportunity at a community-based school,” Mr. Marichak said by phone after the meeting; he had a previous engagement and could not attend the meeting.

Mr. Marichak’s five-year contract at an annual salary of $120,000 begins July 1. Annual raises at a minimum of 1.5 percent are contingent upon a yearly review, said Solicitor Matthew Dempsey.

Dunmore Superintendent Richard McDonald will retire at the end of this school year. The district began accepting applications for the position in July and received five, Mr. Dempsey said, noting they held interviews in September.

“He is a very talented and experienced administrator and he is a great fit for our school district and community,” said Mr. McDonald.

Shortly after being appointed as Scranton’s supervisor of secondary education in July 2014, Mr. Marichak moved into the position of acting superintendent after William King resigned.

He resumed his original position in July when Alexis Kirijan, Ed.D., took over as superintendent. His title

was recently changed to associate superintendent but with the same salary and responsibilities.

Mr. Marichak’s teaching career began in the Scranton School District. He also coached football for both Scranton High School and briefly at Honesdale High School, where he also taught history. Before joining the Scranton School District in 2014, he was principal of North Pocono High School.

Mr. Marichak completed and passed his superintendent certification this year, said Mr. Dempsey, noting he is waiting for his letter of eligibility to arrive. The certification is required for superintendents by the state.

In the 2013-14 school year, Dunmore had a total enrollment of 1,550 students while Scranton had 10,009 students, according to data from the state Department of Education. Scranton’s expenditures from that school year totaled $132.8 million while Dunmore’s spending was $18.1 million.

Contact the writer:

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

State police are investigating a former Lackawanna Trail High School cheerleading adviser for an incident where the mouths of 16 cheerleaders were allegedly taped during a practice last month, Wyoming County District Attorney Jeff Mitchell said.

Dina Berrios lost her position as the adviser after the Oct. 29 incident. She had been the cheerleading adviser there for eight years and remains a special education teacher at the school district, Superintendent Matt Rakauskas said.

The details of what previously happened were not clear. Mr. Mitchell declined to comment further but said the investigation is ongoing.

“During a cheerleading practice, the adviser, in an exercise in nonverbal communication, placed tape on the cheerleaders’ mouths during practice,” Mr. Rakauskas said in a prepared statement.

Ms. Berrios is “no longer in her position” as cheerleading adviser for football and boy’s basketball.

“Beyond that, the Lackawanna Trail School District is not at liberty to discuss further,” Mr. Rakauskas said.

School board President David Thorne also declined to comment, saying it is a personnel matter.

Efforts to reach Ms. Berrios were not successful. A woman who answered the door at her home Wednesday declined to comment.

James Maria, a UniServ representative with the Pennsylvania State Education Association representing the teacher’s union, declined to comment.

The district will search for a new cheerleading adviser, Mr. Rakauskas said. She made $75,986 as a teacher in the 2013-14 school year.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com,

@jkohutTT on Twitter

A jury found a fired Abington Heights Middle School teacher accused of assaulting a student not guilty of two charges.

William Henry Yelland, 32, of Dalton, was suspended without pay and then fired after an April 8 involving a student. He was charged with simple assault and endangering the welfare of children.

The victim, Trey Koehler, left an eighth-grade science class April 8 with a bruised chin. Prosecutors showed a photo of the mild abrasion to jurors several times during the first day of trial. Now a 14-year-old freshman at Abington Heights High School, Trey testified Monday that Mr. Yelland applied pressure on the boy’s neck and put him in a choke hold.

Mr. Yelland testified Wednesday that he merely put his hand on the shoulder of the boy, who pulled it down as the man tried to pull away.

Check back for updates.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Luis Otero-Rodriguez, Scran­ton, and Sara Azucena Alvarez-Villon, Avoca.

■ Mahmoud Mansour and Noor Alkrad, both of Carbondale.

■ Thomas Swift and Pattiann Jacqueline Trichilo, both of Jessup.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Kurt and Lisa Bauman, both of Old Forge, to John Holland, Taylor; a property at 34 Breaker St., Old Forge, for $300,000.

■ Christopher S. and Nikole A. Capozzi, both of Waverly Twp., to Christina Stofko, Waverly Twp.; a property at 607 Clinton St., Waverly Twp., for $369,000.

■ Boston Land Co. Inc., to Gary and Jean White, both of South Abington Twp.; a property at Country Club Road, South Abington Twp., for $253,000.

■ Samir Phillip and Glenna H. Dagher, both of Winter Garden, Fla., to Christopher and Nikole Capozzi; a property at 213 Knapp Road, Clarks Summit, for $182,000.

■ Diane Grabin and James Shanley, both of Dickson City, and Sandra Lee Bianca, to William Charles Hazelton; a property at West Lackawanna Avenue, Dickson City, for $147,000.

■ Christy G. White Jr. and Melissa White, both of Scott Twp., to Stephen E. Midura, Dick­son City; a property at Heart Lake Road, Scott Twp., for $118,000.

■ Joshua and Kristie Bram­blett, to R & B Properties LLC; a property at South Main Street, Taylor, for $70,000.

■ J Eileen Connolly, to Arman­do and Karen Sorchini; a property at 106 Livingstone Lane, Clifton Twp., for $105,000.

■ Kristen Manley, Buxton, Maine, to Maureen Tatulli, Scran­ton; a property at 105 Andrew St., Dunmore, for $112,500.

ESTATES FILED

■ Eleanor M. Metzgar aka Eleanor Margaret Metzgar, 1050 Skyline Drive, Clarks Summit, letters testamentary to Ralph E. Metzgar, 1049 Skyline Drive, Clarks Summit.

■ Suzanne M. Petronio, 506 Storrs St., Dickson City, letters testamentary to Collette Cote, 29 LaSalle Ave., Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.

■ Robert Racht, 1201 Penn Ave., Mayfield, letters of administration to Jule Racht, same address.

■ John Petak, 2 Lord Ave., Simpson, letters testamentary to Janet Rusnak, 151 Jefferson St., Simpson.

■ Americus Villani, 125 S. Hyde Park Ave., Scranton, letters of administration to Victor Villani, same address.

LAWSUIT

■ Jeffrey Hudak, 322 Flower St., Old Forge, v. Emily Ann Gontarski, 200 Gontarski Road, Hallstead, seeking in excess of $50,000 plus interest, costs and damages for injuries suffered Nov. 25, 2013, in an automobile accident at North Keyser Avenue and Flume Street; Rose M. Randazzo, attorney.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

The Lackawanna County district attorney’s office is investigating a pre-election automated telephone call that urged residents against voting for Republican county commissioner candidate Bill Jones.

District Attorney Andy Jarbola confirmed he assigned a detective to investigate the complaint filed with his office by the county Republican Party.

“We’ll see where the evidence leads us,” Mr. Jarbola said. “Wherever the evidence leads, it leads.”

Under Pennsylvania’s Campaign Finance Reporting Law, anyone who spends money to “expressly” advocate for the election or defeat of a candidate “through any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, direct mailing or any other type of general public political advertising” must disclose who paid for the advertising.

The penalty for breaking the law is a fine of up to $1,000 or at least a month and up to two years in prison.

In a text, county Republican chairman Lance Stange Jr. confirmed he sought the investigation, but efforts to reach him for further comment were unsuccessful.

Mr. Jones, one of the county Republican Party’s two endorsed candidates, lost his bid for commissioner in the Nov. 3 election by finishing only 73 votes behind his running mate, commissioner-elect Laureen Cummings. He welcomes the investigation, he said.

“If any laws were broken, I hope anybody who broke the law related to this matter is prosecuted,” Mr. Jones said.

Ms. Cummings, whom the county Republicans also endorsed, said she had nothing to do with the call and would also like to know who was behind it. Write-in candidate Charlie Spano said he had nothing to do with the call and was pleased to learn Mr. Jarbola’s office is investigating.

Democratic commissioner-elect Jerry Notarianni said he had nothing to do with the call either and welcomed the investigation.

“Politics is bad enough, never mind that kind of (stuff),” he said.

Efforts to reach Mr. Notarianni’s running mate, Commissioner Patrick O’Malley, who was re-elected, were unsuccessful.

The call, narrated by a male voice, portrayed Mr. Jones as an inexperienced liar and Harrisburg lobbyist. It contended he lied like two imprisoned Republican former commissioners. Though the call doesn’t name the jailed ex-commissioners, that’s a clear reference to former commissioners A.J. Munchak and Robert Cordaro, who are serving lengthy prison sentences on bribery and other charges.

It is unknown how widely the call circulated in the few days before the election, but Mr. Stange made the one he obtained available publicly after the election.

Mr. Stange traced it to a phone number whose owner he could not determine.

A call to the number produced another automated message that gave no hints of its source.

“You have reached the campaign voicemail. If you’d like to be added to the do not call list, press ‘9’ now. Otherwise, leave a message after the tone,” a recorded female voice says.

The call was one of several automated pre-election calls made without a disclosure of its source. The Times-Tribune has obtained a recording of a second promoting Ms. Cummings as a supporter of strong female candidates such as Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton.

Ms. Cummings has denied having anything to do with that call and denied supporting Mrs. Clinton.

Insurance executive Chuck Volpe has said he also received reports of an automated telephone call of someone pretending to be him and urging voters to back Mr. Jones and Mr. Notarianni. He said he had nothing to do with that call.

Mr. Jarbola said he’s only obtained the call provided by Mr. Stange so far, but acknowledged hearing others exist.

“Certainly, if others exist, hopefully they’ll come forward or we find them as part of our interviews,” he said.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com

DUNMORE — The state Department of Transportation will close all driver’s license and photo centers for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Centers will be closed Nov. 26-27 for the holiday, PennDOT said Thursday. Customers still may obtain a variety of products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.state.pa.us.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

In just under a year, Greenspace Properties rehabilitated and transformed a crumbling and dilapidated 88-year-old historic former Scranton school into a modern early child care center and apartments for graduate students.

On Thursday, the University of Scranton, which maintains the facility, held a tour and blessing ceremony at the renovated Madison School, which has been in operation since August.

“Not only did we bring a near-century-old, three-story, 43,000-square-feet piece of neighborhood fabric back to life after being vacant for 14 years, we did it through an innovative collaboration with the University of Scranton and Hildebrandt Learning Centers,” said Tom Romanowski, president and CEO of Greenspace Properties.

The West Pittston real estate development company owns the building and leases the learning center space to Hildebrandt, a Dallas-based company that operates 47 learning centers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia. Hildebrandt partners with colleges, universities and businesses to open centers because they receive instant credibility, said Hildebrandt CEO William Grant.

The former East Scranton Intermediate School houses the Hildebrandt learning center on the first floor. On the second and third floors are one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for university graduate students.

The historic facade of the building at 528 Quincy Ave. in Scranton and much of the interior layout were kept intact, but peeling paint, broken glass and a crumbling front wall were fixed, new flooring installed and a new roof and new windows for additional natural light added, said Mr. Romanowski. Energy-efficient lighting and new mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems, safety and security systems were installed. The outside of the center was landscaped and two playgrounds installed.

The learning center features an infant room, toddler rooms for 1- and- 2-year-olds, and three preschool classrooms, said Deb Swartout, center director.

Teachers at the Madison School are employed by Hildebrandt. Spots are still available for the preschool class at the learning center, and registration is free until Jan. 30. For more information visit, www.hildeb

randtlearningcenters.com.

Contact the writer:

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

SCRANTON — Police charged a city man with assault after two women accused him of hitting them, police said.

Kurt Fredrick, age unavailable, was escorted in handcuffs from his home on the first floor of 217 S. Main Ave. on Wednesday night by city officers, according to a criminal complaint filed by Patrolwoman Melissa Forsette.

Two women there — Mr. Fredrick’s cousin Tiara Fredrick and Diamond Garrett — told officers Mr. Fredrick struck them after an argument. Police charged Mr. Fredrick with simple assault and harassment.

He was jailed at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $5,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

Congress should pass laws and President Barack Obama should act to restrict the sources of the Islamic State’s money that pays for its terrorist activities, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey urged Thursday.

Though Mr. Casey highlighted ISIS militants’ sales of valuable antiques looted across Syria, he also said the terrorist group benefits from the sale of oil obtained in areas it has seized in Syria and Iraq. He advocated passing a bill that restricts U.S. imports of looted antiques and would direct the State Department to find ways to cut off ISIS’ money. He also said the Obama administration should target the terror group’s financiers in other countries.

“Financing allows ISIS to buy more weapons, more ammunition and also IED (improvised explosive device) components on the black market,” Mr. Casey said during a conference call with reporters.

Money also helps ISIS propaganda efforts and its recruitment of soldiers, whom it pays more generously than other groups that oppose ISIS, he said.

“This is a major concern, especially if you have a young jihadist who has no job and no money and who is desperate and not only a likely candidate for extremism, but to be persuaded to become a terrorist on the battlefield,” he said. “If the bad guys are offering him a lot of money, and the other side can offer just a fraction of that, I don’t think we need to guess who’s going to win that battle.”

“We cut off their money, we significantly diminish their ability to operate,” Mr. Casey said.

In a statement, Sen. Pat Toomey said he supports his Pennsylvania colleague’s efforts.

“Cutting off important avenues of financing is a preliminary step, but more is needed to be done to completely destroy ISIS and protect Americans from the serious threat of violent Islamist extremists,” he said.

He did not elaborate on what else needs to be done in the statement, but Mr. Toomey has said military experts told him defeating ISIS will require American troops.

Contact the writer:

bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com

Dunmore

Elementary fundraiser: Dun­more Elementary Center McTeacher night, Tuesday, 5-8 p.m., McDonald’s, O’Neill High­way; administrators, teachers, staff serving; portion of proceeds to Toys for DEC program.

Equinunk

Book sale: Manchester Commu­nity Library blowout book sale, Saturday and Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-noon, 3879 Hancock Highway; 570-224-8500.

Green Ridge

Neighbors fundraiser: Green Ridge Neighborhood Association fundraiser Sunday, 4-7 p.m., Mickey Gannon’s bar, 1925 Sanderson Ave., cash bar, light fare, $20; benefits association’s community projects.

Honesdale

Open house: Highlights for Chil­dren Holiday Open House, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 803 Church St., treats, entertainment, craft room, Hidden Pictures Coloring Book for Grown-Up Children display, coloring sheets: Highlights editorial offices or http://bit.ly/1W4hgyo; 570-253-1080.

Jermyn

Bread sale: St. Michael’s Ortho­dox Church Thanksgiving bake sale, Tuesday, noon-4 p.m., church center, 403 Delaware St.; plain or raisin bread; nut, poppyseed, lekvar, apricot and pineapple coconut rolls, restaurant 10-inch apple and pumpkin pies; advance orders, 570-876-1456, by Saturday.

Keyser Valley

Finance meeting: Keyser Valley Citizen’s Association finance meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m., Keyser Valley Community Center; annual donations discussed.

Lackawanna County

Veterans workshop: R-VETS Program at Marywood University free finance workshop for veterans, current military members and their spouses/partners, Monday, 1 p.m., Marywood University; RSVP, 570-961-4584 or rvets@marywood.edu, include number of people attending.

Society benefit: American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk Drink to Pink event, Saturday, 5-8 p.m., Backyard Ale House; Jack­son Vee & Melissa Krahnke, basket and 50/50 raffles; $10; pink attire encouraged; mcfadden289

@gmail.com or Facebook event, fourth annual Drink to Pink.

Tree festival: “Scranton Through the Decades…” themed Festival of Trees exhibit/Toys for Tots fundraiser; opening night, Dec. 4, former Bon Ton space, Mall at Steamtown, part of Lacka­wanna County sponsored Scran­ton Made Holiday Market Place, organizations, businesses and schools supply/sponsor/decorate artificial trees; sponsorships available, payable to Toys for Tots, mailed to Michele Newberry, community relations coordinator, Lackawanna County Commissioners Office, 200 Adams Ave., sixth floor, Scran­ton, PA 18503, 570-963-6590, ext. 016, or email arts-culture@lackawannacounty.org by Dec. 1.

Riverside

Flag football: Riverside Junior Senior High School’s 10th annual faculty vs. seniors flag football game, Nov. 25, 1 p.m., Veterans Memorial Stadium, admission: canned/nonperishable food items.

Scranton

Thanksgiving dinner: Court Street United Methodist Church free community Thanksgiving dinner, Saturday, 4-7 p.m.; reservations, 570-342-0898.

Wallenpaupack Area

Craft fair: Wallenpaupack Area High School Band Parents craft fair, Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., high school gym, Route 6; $3/adults, free/under 12; artisans, crafters, holiday entertainment, food, children’s craft corner; cookies and milk with Santa on Sunday.

Waverly Twp.

Comm events: Waverly Com­mu­nity House wreath making with Abby Peck, Dec. 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., $2; breakfast with Santa, Dec. 12, 10 a.m., $12; holiday film festival, Dec. 12, noon-3:30 p.m., auditorium and Scout Room, “Frozen,” the Muppets’ “A Christmas Carol,” George C. Scott’s “A Christmas Carol” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” all at 1115 N. Abington Road; 570-586-8191, ext. 2, or www.waver

lycomm.org.

Wayne County

Performance reading: Cooper­age performance reading of “A Tender Thing,” by Ben Power, Sat­urday, 7:30 p.m., 1030 Main St., Honesdale; doors open, 7, directed by Mimi McGurl, performed Cass Collins, John Hig­gins, Racquel Davis, $15/advance, $20/at door; 570-253-2020.

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

Scranton City Council on Thursday advanced Mayor Bill Courtright’s 2016 budget, which raises property taxes $42 on the average homeowner.

Council voted 4-0, with Pat Rogan, Wayne Evans, Joe Wechsler and Bill Gaughan all in favor, to advance on second reading of a budget ordinance.

Earlier Thursday, council held a public hearing on the $132.2 million budget, which raises property taxes 5.7 percent.

City Business Administrator David Bulzoni explained the budget and said the administration’s various initiatives have begun to restore the city’s creditworthiness and reputation with the financial community. The 2016 budget continues that effort, though the city’s massive unfunded pension liability remains a “red flag” on the city, he said.

As such, 2016 will be a “watershed year” when the city must accomplish various tasks, including asset monetizations, that would help the bottom line, he said.

“The budget is trying to create fiscal stability,” Mr. Bulzoni said.

At the same time, the administration also strives to improve services. New positions are “value-added” posts, such as a recycling coordinator and a workers’ compensation coordinator, that would help deliver more cost-effective services, he said.

Most of the several residents who commented raised various questions and concerns, including about the new positions and some pay raises. Lee Morgan said he wants council to cut the budget 30 percent. Bob Bolus and Doug Miller urged council to reject the mayor’s budget and create a leaner council budget.

Councilman Joe Wechsler said most of the budget is locked in via contracts and the mayor and council are trying to steer the city through rough waters. He also said the city’s recovery coordinator, Pennsylvania Economy League, has reviewed the budget, as required by a new state law, and has approved it.

“We have to get the city through the next couple of years or there will be dire consequences,” Mr. Wechsler said.

Resident Les Spindler said he views a 5.7 percent tax hike as not too bad, compared with the much larger hike of two years ago by the outgoing mayor and council. He praised Mr. Courtright for getting the city on the right track, saying the budget demonstrates that the city is “turning the corner.”

However, Mr. Gaughan sharply criticized the mayor for not attending the hearing to explain or defend the budget.

“Mayor Courtright is asking us to add positions to his administration and approve raises, and he doesn’t even have the decency to show up to defend his decisions,” Mr. Gaughan said. “Mayor Courtright needs to be reminded that he’s not playing with Monopoly money.”

Mr. Wechsler agreed that the mayor should have attended the hearing — to take pride in the budget and take credit for it.

Mr. Gaughan also said the mayor has not given council a breakdown of savings from new police and firefighter contracts that the mayor renegotiated earlier this year. Mr. Bulzoni said the new contracts have had positive impacts, including savings and new revenue.

Mr. Evans said the city has to figure out how to eliminate some fees as way to spur business development and send a signal to the business community that “we don’t hate you.”

The budget also contains $27.6 million in new debt to pay the arbitration backpay award long overdue to the firefighter and police unions. Mr. Evans said one of his criteria for approving that debt would be to have the unions agree to put the accruing interest penalty into the city’s severely underfunded pensions system.

Mr. Gaughan asked if the unions are amenable to foregoing the interest penalty. Mr. Bulzoni said there have been discussions about that.

Mr. Rogan noted 2016 has an extra pay period because of a calendar quirk that occurs every 11 years. Salaries across the board appear higher because of the extra pay period. Mr. Rogan asked if the salaries in 2017 would go back to the prior levels. Mr. Bulzoni said he was not sure how that would work out.

A third vote on adoption of the budget likely would be held Dec. 3, as there won’t be a council meeting Thursday because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

BUSHKILL — Letters from local students are sought for a time capsule at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area that will be buried for 50 years, recreation area Superintendent John J. Donahue said in a news release.

Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to “write a letter to the future” and mail it to the recreation area at 1978 River Road, Bushkill, PA, 18324. The submission should be labeled “ATTN: Time Capsule.”

Letters should be no longer than one page and should include name, age, where the student lives and what school the student attends. They should discuss experiences at the park and what people might do at national parks 50 years from now.

Submissions are due Dec. 31, and the time capsule will be buried April 22 at the park headquarters.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

Man sentenced in child porn case

SCRANTON — A Pittston man convicted of distributing child pornography was sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison, according to the U.S. attorney’s 0ffice.

Steven Wolfe, 25, previously pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child porn to others, including people in the United Kingdom, prosecutors said. U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani on Wednesday sentenced Mr. Wolfe to 97 months in prison followed by five years of probation.

A grand jury indicted Mr. Wolfe in April as a result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and Kent Police in England.

He will be required to register as a sex offender.

— STAFF REPORT

Family settles hit-and-run suit

WILKES-BARRE — The parents of 5-year-old hit-and-run victim Kevin Miller have settled their civil lawsuit against the driver’s insurance carrier for $30,000, according to documents filed in court Wednesday.

Kevin, whose December 2012 death brought about “Kevin’s Law” last year, was killed by hit-and-run driver Thomas W. Letteer Jr., 25, of 9 Mack St., Plains Twp., as he crossed North Street in Wilkes-Barre with his family after leaving a Christmas party.

His parents, Stephen and Caroline Miller, of 20 Orchard Lane, Dallas, sued Mr. Letteer and his father, Thomas W. Letteer Sr., in May 2013, citing witnesses who claimed Thomas Letteer Jr. had been drinking and struck Kevin with such force that he was pulled from his father’s grasp and knocked out of his shoes.

The tragedy traumatized Kevin’s siblings, who watched their brother die; and left the family suffering from depression, nightmares, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, the complaint alleged.

— JAMES HALPIN

Exeter man facing gun, drug counts

DURYEA — An Exeter-area man faces gun and drug charges after he allegedly ran from police who questioned him in Duryea on Thursday.

Joseph Lombardo, 39, was arraigned Thursday on charges of possession of a prohibited firearm, resisting arrest, defiant trespass, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and evidence tampering.

An officer investigating an apparent abandoned car Thursday morning found Mr. Lombardo and a woman walking from a wooded area toward the car. The officer noticed a shotgun in the trunk of the car and something sticking out of Mr. Lombardo’s pocket that appeared to be a crack pipe.

The officer asked Mr. Lombardo to empty his pockets onto the roof of the car. As he did so, the officer noticed a knife and a plastic baggie filled with pills. As the officer questioned him, Mr. Lombardo suddenly ran off. Police found him walking by the nearby riverbank, shirtless and soaking wet.

After taking him into custody, police searched the car and found several firearms, none of which was registered to Mr. Lombardo, according to the criminal complaint.

He was sent to Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail.

— ERIC MARK

Retired Cpl. John Richards Jr. was dragging a wounded Marine toward safety when a bullet struck him in the face.

Forty-six years after the ambush in Vietnam left him scarred and wearing a patch on his right eye, the Kingston resident is still trying to help his comrades.

The Gino Merli Veterans Center on Thursday inducted the 69-year-old into its hall of fame to recognize a leader in the region’s veterans community. Mr. Richards’ contributions run the gamut from calling bingo at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center to speaking at schools about Vietnam and veterans issues.

Other examples of his post-military service include coordinating with area Boy Scout troops to place flags on graves for Memorial Day through the Veterans of Vietnam War Inc. Post 2, and serving on the board of the Black Diamond American Legion Post 395, which has helped two homeless veterans get back on their feet.

He is also a life member of VFW Post 283 in Kingston and the Disabled American Veterans, and past president of his Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club chapter.

Before he retired from the Marines, Mr. Richards earned several medals, including the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions when his platoon attempted to save Americans in a downed helicopter — the day he was shot.

Mr. Richards didn’t see who shot him or ever find out what became of the helicopter’s crew. The man he tried to save, William St. John of Oakdale, Connecticut, did not survive. Mr. Richards said he hopes that if Mr. St. John were alive today, the private first class would consider him a friend.

Despite his injuries, Mr. Richards said part of the reason he volunteers is that others gave even more for their country, and many veterans are still suffering. “I’ve seen what they gave,” Mr. Richards said. “They gave part of their life. They wrote a check many, many years ago, and nobody has cashed it in yet because they’re still here. And we’re trying to help them the best that we can.”

The center added Mr. Richards as the 47th name to its hall of fame at a ceremony Thursday. About 50 people attended, including his family, center residents and members of veterans organizations who wore leather and denim vests covered with patches displaying their military pride.

Induction into the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Hall of Fame is the highest honor the organization can confer, and the agency’s Bureau of Veterans’ Homes Director Andrew Ruscavage visited the Merli Center for the event.

Sam Greenberg, Merli advisory council president, read a citation that described Mr. Richards’ service.

“Volunteering to help veterans is one of J.R.’s great loves, besides his grandchildren,” it read.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com,

@kwindTT on Twitter

Wine Train proves to be fall foliage hit

Great weather, camaraderie and a unique idea set in vibrant fall foliage proved a successful combination for the Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural NEPA Wine Train.

Three hundred passengers filled six train cars traveling from Carbondale to Archbald, Olyphant, Jessup and Scranton. Each stop featured vendors equipped with wine bottles and hors d’oeuvres. Sounds of the Jazz Assassins led by Bob Wilson and Vince Marrone set the mood.

Happy with the “enthusiastic wine crowd,” Greg Betti of Capra Collina Winery told the chamber the event provided “intense, fast-paced fun.” Along with Capra Collina, wine aficionados chose selections from Three Ponds, Ferrone, Fred Magnotta, and Vinter’s Circle. Pettinato’s of Carbondale served delicious mini meatballs. Fern Hall of Crystal Lake offered a spread of tastings. Rossi’s of Archbald served polenta. Mariano’s Cucina prepared risotto. Starbucks at Steamtown served croissants. O Town of Olyphant had bacon wrapped bourbon sriacha shrimp.

The event created a “fabulous sense of community” and “great marketing opportunity,” O Town’s Kristen Shandra told the chamber. Paul Daugevelo of Forest City dubbed the Wine Train “a pleasurable event.”

“The success of the NEPA Wine Train will guarantee this to be in an annual event,” Greater Carbondale Chamber director Laure Carlo said in an email.

The chamber acknowledged the assistance of the wineries and restaurants and Steamtown National Historic Site. It gave special thanks to PPL, Propst Transportation, the Dime Bank, Enhanced Hearing Specialists, Lamar Advertising, and East Coast Specialties.

New Beta Rhos

Lackawanna Trail School District special education teacher Donna Biglin, retired music teacher Janeen Nieratko and retired computer science teacher Linda Zalewski were initiated into the Beta Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International at the October meeting in Montrose. Their candlelight initiation ceremony was conducted by Membership Chairman and Second Vice President Dr. Nancy Simon, and her committee, Rachael Gilleran, Kathleen Hinkley and Ann Marie Leber.

Co-president Jeanette Saulo reported that Beta Rho member and past State President Rebecca Place received the society’s highest state honor, the Alpha Alpha State Achievement Award. Members Mary Ann Cunningham and Kathy Fuller were awarded enrichment grants for travel at the convention.

Co-president Sheri Wolfe conducted the business meeting. Webmaster Heather Dunn reported that the chapter website is certified by international and accessible as a link through the state website.

Nancy Simon won a basket donated by Ann Marie Leber.

High notes

Beverly O’Hora, president, and other officers of the Catholic Women’s Club were installed during a recent meeting. Maryellen Gizzi is president-elect, Kristin Krowiak, outgoing president; Barbara Marta, treasurer; Karen Davis, corresponding secretary; Mary Ann Riedmiller, public relations chairwoman; Ann Vaida, program chairwoman; and Mara Pugliese , membership chairwoman.

The state Public Utility Commission approved a base rate increase for PPL customers that will add about $7 per month to the typical electricity user’s bill.

Since the increase affects the distribution rate, the hike will be borne by all electricity users in the PPL service area, including those who purchase power from a competitive supplier.

Distribution rates, which cover PPL’s cost in delivering electricity and maintaining the system, will jump from the current rate of 2.511 cents per kilowatt hour to 3.535 cents per kilowatt hour, a 40.8 percent hike.

A typical bill for a residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month will increase by $7.53 per month, or 5.11 percent after Jan. 1, according to the PUC.

That increase is softened by two other changes in the bill. PPL customers will not, for the time being, pay a distribution system improvement charge, or DSIC. That charge, which allows the utility more immediate recovery of expenses, will be zeroed, effectively rolling it into the distribution rates. The typical customer pays about $2.46 per month in DSIC charges.

PPL also recently announced a large drop in its price to compare, or provider-of-last-resort rate, the wholesale price it passes onto customers who do not select competitive electricity supply. That rate is slated to fall to 7.9 cents per kWh on Dec. 1. However, several competitive suppliers currently offer prices lower than PPL’s, and customers who are already with another supplier won’t see that savings.

In an announcement on the approval of the rate increase, PPL incorporated the new price-to-compare, although it is market-based and independent of the distribution rate, and touted a decrease in the total bill, taking the impact of both rates into consideration. The announcement doesn’t mention the current or future distribution rate.

“We believe our customers mostly care about the bottom line and where their electric bill is going,” said PPL spokesman Paul Wirth.

The revenue raised from the increase will help improve the delivery system and help further reduce the number and duration of power outages. PPL plans to spend about $5 billion during the next five years to upgrade and modernize its electricity delivery network.

Contact the writer:

dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

SCRANTON — Federal charges were filed against a city woman Thursday after investigators allege she was the getaway driver in two Northeast Pennsylvania bank robberies last year.

Stephanie Ann Ware, 26, is accused of helping Lee Sokalsky, 36, Scranton, rob the NBT Bank, 736 Main St., Dickson City, in July 2014 and the Mauch Chunk Trust Bank at 226 Claremont Ave., Tamaqua, a month later, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Court documents indicate about $15,000 was taken from the Dickson City bank and about $25,000 from Tamaqua. If convicted, Ms. Ware faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each of the robberies, prosecutors said.

A federal grand jury previously indicted Mr. Sokalsky. He is awaiting trial on bank robbery charges.

— CLAYTON OVER

The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties fell about $450,000 short of its $3.45 million goal because of the lingering state budget impasse.

After 12 weeks of fundraising, Northeast Pennsylvanians managed to raise a little more than $3 million for the local United Way. Until the state budget is passed, United Way officials don’t know whether they can count on an estimated $600,000 in educational tax credits to push the campaign over its goal.

Businesses that donate to programs that provide educational opportunities for low- and middle-income families get tax credits. Interested businesses applied for the tax credits before the budget impasse began, and the United Way projected the money into this year’s campaign goal.

Without the anticipated money from educational tax credits, United Way officials revised this year’s goal to $2.8 million, which they surpassed.

“We are ecstatic about the way the community came together for this campaign,” President and CEO Gary Drapek said. “If you look at the numbers and if the budget was signed in Harrisburg and we were getting the tax credit dollars, we would actually be well over our goal.”

United Way officials praised the community for stepping up.

“People sent in a check and then sent in another one. We also had foundations give who never gave before,” Tom Donohue, campaign co-chairman said.

“Tonight is very memorable,” added Sandy Chickeletti, campaign co-chairwoman. “This is a once in a lifetime thing for Tom and myself, but in addition, the fact that we raised $3 million, that’s a lot of money between Wayne and Lackawanna County in just 12 weeks.”

The state budget impasse has lasted more than four months. Legislators are working on reaching a resolution, which could involve passing up to 40 separate bills.

But Mr. Drapek worries that not having a state budget by the end of the year would mean the United Way would miss out entirely on educational tax credits.

“We are running into a December 31 deadline,” Mr. Drapek said. “If the budget isn’t signed December 31, it closes. So that is why we can’t sit back and say we will get this.”

Ms. Chickeletti and Mr. Donohue will keep the community updated on whether the United Way receives the educational tax credits and hope to give an updated total by February.

Contact the writer: agranza@timesshamrock.com

With uncertainty about state funding and increases to special education, pension and health care costs, the Scranton School District faces a 2016 preliminary budget deficit of $18 million.

“I honestly do not know where that’s going to come from,” school board President Cy Douaihy said after Thursday’s special meeting at which directors passed the $150 million budget unanimously. “I’m terrified.”

While the district’s preliminary budgets routinely include “wish list” items from administrators and some bloated costs, the 2016 deficit is unprecedented. The budget may lead to program cuts, layoffs or higher taxes.

Property owners could see school taxes increase by as much as 2.8 percent — or about $33 for a property assessed at $10,000. That tax increase would only raise an additional $1.1 million in tax revenue. The district has not yet learned whether the state will allow an exception for a higher rate, but any tax increase permitted by the state would not come close to covering the deficit.

Directors must pass a budget — and any tax increase — by the end of the year.

For 2015, the district borrowed $10 million to balance the budget. The district may again look to refinance debt, called “scooping,” which would provide temporary financial relief by deferring debt and extending it into the future.

Any action for 2016 is separate from the funding the district is trying to secure due to the state budget impasse. Earlier this month, the school board approved a $14.3 million tax anticipation note and voted to file a petition with the court to take on as much as $32 million in unfunded debt to pay off that note, as well as a tax anticipation note issued earlier in the year. The district is one of only two in the state with a calendar-year budget.

Without knowing how much the district could receive in state funding for 2016, the preliminary budget includes a slight decrease in state revenue, due to increased costs from charter schools. Total revenue is budgeted at $132 million.

School directors first saw the budget on Thursday and did not publicly discuss the budget prior to the vote, the only item on the agenda. No members of the public were present for the vote.

The budget includes:

■ $3.3 million in additional state-mandated pension costs.

■ An additional $6.3 million for health insurance.

■ An increase of $840,000 for workers compensation.

■ $1.2 million more for special education, increasing the department total to $21.4 million.

Despite a new teachers contract, total costs for non special-education salaries decreased.

After the meeting, Mr. Douaihy called the budget “sobering.”

“I don’t want to cut programs, but I don’t know what we’re going to do,” he said.

With program cuts, layoffs could also be a possibility, he said.

Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Kyle Donahue, who is wrapping up his term on the board, said he has warned directors that this deficit was coming.

“The new board is going to have to make decisions on how to fund it,” he said.

Three new directors will take their seats on the board early next month. Budget hearings have not yet been scheduled.

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

Once part of the world’s tallest building, a piece of steel from the World Trade Center has a permanent home in Dickson City.

The borough’s first responders, police and firefighters, handled the ordinary piece of steel with reverence for its extraordinary providence: witness to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in which 2,606 people perished, including 411 emergency workers rendering aid before the towers collapsed.

Borough officials worked for 1½ years to get one of the highly coveted pieces of steel.

The beam, about 114 pounds and 27 inches high, spent much of the last 15 years in the silence of JFK Airport’s Hangar 17 , a ghostly repository for WTC parts and personal items found at the site, from eyeglasses and cellphones to mangled vehicles. In the wake of the search for survivors, and later remains, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey employees and archivists retrieved and cataloged items, saving them for use by designers of the on-site memorial. When that work took final shape in 2010, the authority made more than 2,000 pieces that remained available for community groups, municipalities, police and fire departments.

Dickson City received one of the fewer than 30 pieces that remain, said Steven Coleman, a spokesman for the port authority.

Dickson City Police Chief William Bilinski, Fire Chief Joe Chowanec, and firefighter and father of police Chief Bilinski, William Bilinski Jr., pulled up to a hanger at JFK Airport with flags of Pennsylvania and the United States, with the idea of draping the article for the ride to the borough.

They knocked on a door, signed paperwork and the box was waiting for them.

“The process was sterile and the box was dirty,” Chief Bilinski said. “We transported the piece with the flags, but not wrapped in the flags.”

The idea came after the new Borough Building was constructed and borough leaders and citizens began brainstorming about the type of monument or memorial to have the new public space. One Dickson City resident said he was tired of seeing implements of war on display such as tanks and cannons. Bill Bilinski Jr., suggested a Sept. 11 memorial, prompting Councilwoman Rose Louryk, whose son is a police officer in Washington D.C., to research how the borough could obtain WTC steel. It was an arduous process.

The authority has strict rules about how pieces of the building are to be used. Dickson City had to submit evidence of its intent and plans for how it would be used: as a public memorial on municipality grounds. The port authority prohibits anyone from profiting from WTC artifacts, for example, by charging admission or selling pieces. The pieces cannot be altered and must be displayed publicly.

“The Sept. 11 attacks were a signature event for the nation and the world,” Mr. Coleman said. “People want something in their communities for future generation.”

Parts of the World Trade Center are on display in all 50 states and some foreign countries, Mr. Coleman said. The authority does not charge for pieces once an interested recipient is approved.

The traumatic event affected everyone, but first responders, who identify with those who rushed into danger on Sept. 11, were affected on a different level.

“This memorial will be for everyone,” Chief Bilinski said. “We want to honor and remember victims who were caught unaware that day, as well as those who sacrificed their lives helping them.”

For those who lived through it, Sept. 11, 2001, doesn’t seem that long ago. Borough manager Cesare Forconi can see how the significance of such important events can fade with time and following generations when he considers his 15-year-old son.

“Our children, the next generation, need to understand what happened,” he said. “My son will be able to come here and see this artifact and it will help start a conversation.”

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com