Council reverses course on SPA debt
In a stunning about-face, city council on Thursday voted to introduce a measure to cover a debt of the Scranton Parking Authority, only a week after refusing to do so and plunging it into default.
But it would appear to be only a temporary fix, as council solicitor Boyd Hughes cited a June 7 notice of default from bond trustee Bank of New York Mellon saying a takeover of the beleaguered authority is inevitable in 30 days because SPA has preliminarily defaulted on four other counts.
Council introduced a proposed ordinance to wire $1.03 million to cover the balance of a $1.2 million bond payment that was due June 1. The proposed ordinance will be up for consideration June 14.
Tax delinquents pony up $1 million
After 14 years, Scranton held its first sale of tax-delinquent properties on Monday - and accrued only $25,280.32 in back property taxes after 19 properties were sold, city Treasurer Christopher Boland said.
But Mr. Boland said the city collected a net total of $1.041 million in delinquent property taxes, including back taxes paid by property owners before the sale.
The sale was an effort on behalf of the city to recoup the $4.1 million it is owed in back property taxes on properties deemed delinquent from 2004-2009. After notices were sent out to owners of delinquent properties last month, the city collected $1.27 million in back taxes before Monday's sale, Mr. Boland said.
Wright unretires for TCMC post
Two days after Robert Wright, M.D., announced his retirement as president and CEO of his namesake, the Wright Center for Graduate Education, the Commonwealth Medical College board of trustees announced Wednesday his appointment as the school's interim president and dean, effective June 29.
Dr. Wright said he planned to stay until the fall, when the medical school expects to select the permanent president.
City council lawyer says pay justified
Scranton City Council solicitor Boyd Hughes defended a 67 percent pay raise for him that council has introduced.
On Thursday, councilmen Frank Joyce, Jack Loscombe and Pat Rogan voted to introduce a fund transfer that would give an additional $30,000 in salary to Mr. Hughes, who currently earns $45,000 a year in the part-time post.
Councilman Bob McGoff voted against the raise, while council President Janet Evans was absent.
The pay raise was tabled at council's meeting Thursday.
City may open only one pool this year
Scranton residents may be looking for alternative ways to keep cool this summer as
Mayor Chris Doherty announced Thursday that, aside from Nay Aug Park, Scranton pools could be closed for the summer in an effort to cut costs amid an unfurling budget crisis. Mr. Doherty said he does not anticipate other cutbacks.
Rosetti out on bail after violations
After 12 nights in Lackawanna County Prison, Fred Rosetti, Ed.D., the former executive director of the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit, regained his freedom. But he will have to follow additional conditions to remain out of jail before his upcoming Nov. 5 trial on 13 counts of fraud, theft and money laundering. He had been jailed since May 25 because of the contact with potential witnesses.
Casey calls for additional flood aid
Standing on a Lackawanna River levee off Nay Aug Avenue in Scranton, Sen. Bob Casey called on Congress to reauthorize the 44-year-old National Flood Insurance Program for another five years when it comes up for a vote this summer, rather than grant it another short-term extension.
"If we're not willing to put in place measures to protect people after a flood, we might as well not have a federal government," Mr. Casey said.
ATF raids South Side business
Special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives combed through a tobacco warehouse at 1111 S. Washington Ave. in South Scranton on Wednesday as part of an investigation that spanned three states and included simultaneous raids of a dozen businesses and homes in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Scranton.
County sets up hotline for waste
Lackawanna County Controller Gary DiBileo announced Friday his office is establishing a hotline on which citizens can report suspected fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars at the county level and beyond.
Mr. DiBileo said the hotline, which will allow individuals to submit tips by telephone, email or regular mail, will be up and running by July 1. People will be able to find the hotline contact information on the county website, www.lackawannacounty.org.
State
Sandusky jury set; trial under way
In a room on the second floor of the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, prosecutors, defense attorneys and Senior Judge John M. Cleland agreed Wednesday on the fourth and final alternate juror - the last of 16 people picked for the panel that will weigh child sex abuse charges against former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
Legislative district change wins OK
A reapportionment plan to move a state House district based in Lackawanna County to neighboring Monroe County in 2014 was given final approval Friday by a special state commission. The Legislative Reapportionment Commission voted 4-1 for the plan that moves the 115th House District, effective in 2014. The plan now goes to the state Supreme Court for final approval.
Ex-state senator ordered to prison
Former Republican state Sen. Jane Orie was ordered Monday to serve 2½ to 10 years in state prison for using her taxpayerfunded legislative staff to do campaign work and forging defense exhibits to try to cover it up.
Ms. Orie, 50, said nothing before being sentenced by Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey Manning, who directed her to report to prison immediately. The judge must still decide whether Ms. Orie must repay up to $2 million in restitution, legal fees and other costs.
Nation
Venus marches across sun
Filtering the sun's light to a minuscule fraction of its true power allowed sky-gazers around the world to watch a silhouetted Venus travel across the sun, an extremely rare spectacle that served as a reminder of how tiny our planet really is.
The next transit is 105 years away - likely beyond all of our lifetimes but just another dinky speck in the timeline of the universe.
World
Rebels battle in Assad stronghold
Bullets and shrapnel shells smashed into homes in the Syrian capital of Damascus overnight Friday as troops battled rebels in the streets, a show of boldness for rebels taking their fight against President Bashar Assad to the center of his power. For nearly 12 hours of fighting that lasted into early Saturday, rebels battled Syrian forces in the heaviest fighting in the Assad stronghold since the 15-month-old uprising began.
U.K. celebrates Queen's reign
A fireworks display outside Buckingham Palace in London marked the end of a Diamond Jubilee concert Monday as thousands of flag-waving fans watched music royalty celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 60-year reign. The queen took the throne in 1952 on the death of her father, King George VI, and most Britons have known no other monarch. She is the longest-serving ruler among Europe's current royalty, and the second-longest reigning monarch in English history. Her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, ruled for 64 years, from 1837 to 1901.