West Pittston facing sanctions
WEST PITTSTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has formally sanctioned the borough for failing to remedy deficiencies in its flood management plan by a Dec. 1 deadline.
The agency notified the borough by certified mail that it has been placed on a one-year term of probation which will require residents to pay a $50 surcharge on federal flood-insurance renewals. FEMA, through the National Flood Insurance Program, provides coverage for 358 properties in the borough.
Borough manager Savino Bonita said last week the "ultimate goal" was avoiding a suspension in June, which would bar residents from access to federal flood insurance.
2nd man charged in city mugging
SCRANTON - A second man wanted for two November muggings in the city turned himself in to Scranton police Thursday afternoon.
Christopher Young, a Lackawanna College student whose age and address were unavailable, was wanted on active robbery warrants after his suspected involvement in the Nov. 2 robbery, Detective James Pappas said.
Police said Mr. Young and fellow student Jihad Linney threatened a Marywood University student with a BB gun and made off with $17, a pack of cigarettes and the victim's cellphone. Bail and arraignment information on Mr. Young were unavailable Thursday night.
Two injured, one cited in Pike crash
MILFORD TWP. - Two people suffered minor injuries, and one of them was cited in a three-car crash in Pike County on Saturday morning.
State police at Blooming Grove said a 17-year-old male, whose name was not released, rear ended the back of a car driven by Dawn Riker, 31, of Milford, in the southbound lane of Milford Road.
The 17-year-old then swerved into the oncoming lane and hit a truck driven by Royce Schwinof, 63, of Milford. The 17-year-old and Mr. Schwinof were treated for minor injuries, police said. The 17-year-old driver will also be cited for driving at an unsafe speed, police said.
Police search for fuel thieves
NEW MILFORD TWP. - Police are searching for unidentified suspects who stole 212 gallons of home heating oil sometime over the past eight months. Police said someone stole the fuel from Hinds Oil Mart, 519 State Route 492, sometime between April 10 and Dec. 4. Call 465-3154 with information.
Two women charged after fight
GREAT BEND - Two women were charged with harassment after a fight in Susquehanna County on Monday afternoon. State police at Gibson said Tina Carvin, 24, and Helen Snyder, 25, got into a physical altercation during an argument at 145 Church Street in Great Bend. Each was charged with a single count of harassment, police said.
Police search for wanted man
SCRANTON - A Scranton man wanted on a robbery warrant out of Larksville led police on a short foot chase Thursday night before losing them near Pittston Avenue.
Scranton Police Lt. Marty Crofton said a police officer saw Nicholas Reed, 25, walking on Prospect Avenue around 5 p.m. Mr. Reed took off toward Pittston Avenue when the officer approached.
He is described as being a white male, 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds, with short, brown hair and hazel eyes. He may be armed, police said.
Barletta to close Taylor, Plains offices
WILKES-BARRE - U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta announced his district offices in Taylor and Plains Twp. will close Dec. 20. due to congressional redistricting. The phone numbers for the Taylor and Plains Twp. offices will also be disconnected, so anyone with questions or concerns for Mr. Barletta can contact him at the Hazleton office at 751-0050, at his Washington, D.C., office at 202-225-6511 or toll-free at 855-241-5144.
Woman dead after Wayne crash
DREHER TWP. - A Monroe County woman died after a one-car crash in Wayne County on Thursday night, state police at Honesdale said.
Kathleen Kenney-Konkoly, 61, of Cresco, died after she lost control of her 1997 Saturn while traveling south on Route 191, a mile north of Route 507, at about 6:40 p.m. and drove off the road, striking a tree, police said.
She was not wearing a seat belt and was declared dead at the scene by Wayne County Coroner Edward Howell.
Police were assisted by members of the Greene-Dreher Volunteer Fire Association, police said.
Former judge heads to halfway house
WILKES-BARRE - After 19 months in a federal prison in Minnesota, former Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Toole has been placed under the supervision of a Philadelphia office that oversees inmates staying in halfway houses, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons website reported Thursday.
Mr. Toole, 52, pleaded guilty in 2010 to accepting free use of a beach house from an attorney who won a favorable ruling in his court and failing to pay federal taxes on a $30,000 finder's fee he accepted from another attorney. He was sentenced to 2½ years in prison. Mr. Toole is scheduled to be released on probation in April.
W-B workers might not get paychecks
WILKES-BARRE - The city may not be able to pay its employees later this month.
City spokesman Drew McLaughlin said the city could withhold the entire two weeks' worth of pay or reduce the paychecks of its roughly 260 employees that are scheduled to be issued Dec. 21, the last pay day of the year. The city still faces a $1.9 million deficit, the majority of which is caused by an outstanding debt from former county tax collector Centax.