Truck smacks signal in city
SCRANTON - Scranton police are investigating an incident in which a vehicle fled after crashing into a downtown walk signal.
Witnesses told police a "vehicle transport truck" struck the "walk/don't walk" signal at Spruce Street and Adams Avenue at about 9:30 p.m. Monday, Lt. Joseph Arbie said.
Officers said the witnesses could not provide any pertinent information about the vehicle, but they did tell officers the vehicle fled the scene.
The impact of the crash caused minimal damage to the signal, though it does need to be reattached to the pole, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call 348-4134.
Police investigate strangling of dog
HAZLE TWP. - State police say a Hazleton man who strangled a dog is the focus of an animal cruelty investigation.
Police said Gino Anthony Saullo Sr., 53, was walking a mixed-breed pit bull in the 1300 block of Harwood Road in Hazle Twp. when the dog jumped into a yard about 4 feet below street level.
Mr. Saullo repeatedly pulled up on the leash, pulling on the dog with a choker collar until the dog died, police said.
The dog was found about 7:25 a.m. Saturday with a leash, collar and 2012 dog license. It wasn't immediately clear whether Mr. Saullo had been charged in the case.
United Way offers a new scholarship
SCRANTON - High school seniors may be eligible for financial help through a new scholarship.
The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties announced the one-year, $6,300 2013 Mike Munchak Community Services Scholarship. The amount pays homage to Mr. Munchak's No. 63 Houston Oilers football jersey.
Those applying must be actively involved in community service within programs receiving funds from United Way, be a full-time student of a Lackawanna County or Wayne County school and be accepted to an accredited institution for 2013-14.
Applications must be postmarked by April 30 and can be found at www.uwlc.net or by calling Frank Kincel at 343-1267, ext. 233.
Woman sentenced for rape of child
WILKES-BARRE - A 45-year-old woman must serve decades in state prison for raping a minor, a Luzerne County judge ruled Monday.
During a sentencing hearing, Judge Tina Polachek Gartley deemed Carol Hann a "sexually violent predator" and ordered her jailed for up to 41½ years.
Ms. Hann was convicted in December of rape of a child, criminal conspiracy, corruption of minors, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and other charges. The abuse occurred at homes on North Chestnut Street in Nanticoke and Gould Street in Plymouth, police said.
Judge Gartley ordered Ms. Hann to serve a separate sentence on each charge, not concurrent sentences that would allow her to serve one or more of the sentences at the same time. In all, Judge Gartley ordered Ms. Hann imprisoned for 20 years, 9 months, to 41 years, 6 months.