W-B stolen gas probe continues
WILKES-BARRE - Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said Monday that her criminal investigation into possible misuse of Wilkes-Barre's fuel will continue into the new year.
Ms. Salavantis said in November that she hoped detectives would finish interviewing former and current city employees by the end of the year and that she'd announce any plans to file charges. However, that is no longer the case, she said. She declined to say who came forward or if they offered new or significant evidence.
Ms. Salavantis said she expects the investigation to be finished by mid-January. The investigation began in July after receiving evidence that fuel taken from the city's pump at the Department of Public Works garage was not properly recorded in log books kept at the facility. Ms. Salavantis said she's investigating whether city officials, employees or anyone else stole gasoline.
Demolition slated to move forward
WILKES-BARRE - The city is going to demolish the seven-story Hotel Sterling without financial or administrative assistance from Luzerne County, officials said Monday.
Since the city condemned the Sterling as unsafe in September 2011, the city has spent more than $35,000 to rent concrete barriers to reroute traffic around the building.
County officials last September offered $232,729 to the city for demolition but insisted on a three-party agreement with the city and CityVest, owner of the Sterling property. Disputes over liability concerns and waivers prevented the county and CityVest from agreeing to terms last month.
Winning lottery ticket sold locally
FORTY FORT - The Turkey Hill on Wyoming Avenue in Forty Fort sold a jackpot-winning Cash 5 ticket in the Dec. 29 drawing, Pennsylvania Lottery officials said Monday.
The ticket matched all five balls, 2, 4, 10, 24 and 40, to win $1 million. Turkey Hill will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
The winner has not yet stepped forward. Cash 5 winners have one year from the drawing date to claim their prizes. The winner has to sign the back of the ticket, call the Pennsylvania Lottery at 717-702-8146 and file a claim at Lottery headquarters.