Fire company receives grant
CLIFFORD TWP. - The Clifford Twp. Volunteer Fire Company received an $8,337 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for operations and safety, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said Thursday.
"Pennsylvania's firefighters endure risk and sacrifice every day to keep their community safe," Mr. Casey said in a news release. "This money will help provide Susquehanna County's firefighters with the resources they need to ensure their safety and the safety of those they serve."
The funds were awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, in hopes of improving health and safety conditions for first responders across the country.
North Pocono talks to continue
MOSCOW - The North Pocono School District and union leaders met for three hours Friday and plan to meet again Monday as they continue to negotiate to avoid a strike set to begin Thursday.
North Pocono teachers do not currently contribute to health insurance premiums, and school board member William Burke said Friday that remains a "point of contention."
Jeanne Yazinski, president of the union, said last week that the union had submitted a premium-sharing offer but would not specify the percentage. At the time, school board President Paul Kowalski Jr. said he would not comment on the proposal because it was not a formal offer.
On Friday, Mr. Burke said the North Pocono Education Association was not offering to pay a portion of premium costs and that Ms. Yazinski denied saying the union had made such an offer.
Ms. Yazinski could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Multiple pot charges in Monroe
TOBYHANNA TWP. - Pocono Mountain Regional Police arrested multiple people for separate marijuana-related incidents.
Steven Ruiz, 19, of Tobyhanna, was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after police found him in possession of a small amount of marijuana and a digital scale April 5, police said.
Tyree Hargroves, 36, of Coolbaugh Twp., was charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana and related charges when police found him hiding a package of the drug in his groin Wednesday during a traffic stop, police said.
Jill Perez, 48, and a juvenile from Effort were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia when police found them in possession of the drug Sunday during a traffic stop, police said.
Mr. Hargroves was in Monroe County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 bail. Additional information on Mr. Ruiz, Ms. Perez and the juvenile was unavailable.
Mother's trial to begin next month
WILKES-BARRE - Angelina Deabreu is willing to give a local jury a try.
The 30-year-old mother accused of helping cover up a fatal shooting involving her teenage son has abandoned her efforts to get her upcoming trial moved out of Luzerne County because of extensive, negative publicity.
Attorneys had been prepared to offer arguments regarding a change of venue motion filed by Ms. Deabreu, accused of hiding the gun and cleaning the crime scene after 14-year-old Tyler Winstead was fatally shot inside her home last April in Wilkes-Barre.
The agreement sets the stage for Ms. Deabreu's trial to begin May 6. Ms. Deabreu is charged with tampering with evidence, corruption of minors and making false reports to police.