No tax hike for Scott Twp. in 2013
SCOTT TWP. - Supervisors Thursday adopted the township's 2013 budget with no tax increase.
Supervisors voted 2-0 to approve the $3.34 million budget. Supervisor Michael Giannetta was absent.
The millage rate will stay at 14. A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 of a property's assessed value.
"Our biggest goal was to keep the taxes the same, and we were able to do that," Supervisor David Makala said. "We are extremely happy with how this turned out."
100 mph in fatal crash on I-81
RICE TWP. - A Wapwallopen man killed Wednesday afternoon in a violent rollover crash on Interstate 81 was speeding about 100 mph and passing cars at the time he lost control of his car, state police at Hazleton said.
John Kosko, 44, was pronounced dead at the scene after being thrown from his car during the 3:48 p.m. crash, state police said.
Police said Mr. Kosko was southbound about 100 mph and passing vehicles on the shoulder of the road when he attempted to get back onto the road. Mr. Kosko overcorrected his car, crossed both lanes of the interstate and smashed into a guardrail. The car slid across the guardrail, then rolled over several times, tossing Mr. Kosko from the car, police said.
Police said Mr. Kosko was not wearing a seat belt. There were no other injuries.
Info released on abduction attempt
PITTSTON - Pittston police say they believe they know the type of vehicle used in two attempted bus stop abductions Tuesday in the city.
The two would-be victims, boys ages 12 and 14, and witnesses said the vehicle was a maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, between the model years of 2002 and 2005, police said.
The first abduction attempt occured at a bus stop at Butler and Church streets. Anyone with information about the incident may call Pittston police Sgt. Neil Murphy at 654-2425, ext. 509.
Prayer service scheduled in city
SCRANTON - A prayer service is scheduled at St. Peter's Cathedral to honor the victims of the shooting in Newtown, Conn.
The nondenominational prayer service will begin at the Wyoming Avenue cathedral at 5:30 this afternoon. the Rev. Phil Altavilla will lead the service. Organizers asked that those attending wear either white or green, the school colors of Sandy Hook Elementary, where Adam Lanza took 26 lives before killing himself.
Donations of new school supplies or money will be accepted and sent to school officials in Connecticut, according to a news release.
Violence just rumors at school
WILKES-BARRE - Seeking to dispel rumors of potential violence at a Crestwood school, the school district administration sent out alerts to parents through a districtwide system on Thursday.
The strategy seemed to have the opposite effect. Soon, the superintendent's office was fielding calls from dozens of concerned parents and administrators at other school districts who had heard the rumors.
Superintendent Dave McLaughlin-Smith said the rumors have since been proven unfounded.