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WILKES-BARRE, PA timesleader.com FRIDAY,APRIL 29,2011 50¢ SEVERE WEATHER CONTRACTIMPASSE General Newflooding fearsgrip the region nurses to River on strikeon rise from heavy rain Sunday
By EDWARD LEWIS Union membershave been [email protected] working under expired Heavy rain threatened al- ready swollen streams and contract fortwo years. creeks on Thursdayasthe Sus- quehanna River is expected to crest just over28feet this By MATT HUGHES morning in [email protected] Wilkes- WILKES-BARRE –Citing frus- First reported at Barre, tration with the hospital oper- 6:08 prompting ator’s refusal to negotiate in good a.m. fearsof faith, nurses at General Hospital timesleader.com flooding in will walk out Sundaymorning. some areas. The Wyoming Valley Nursing Bright Association, the union forthe sunshine brokethrough the hospital’snursing staff, and the clouds late Thursdaymorning Pennsylvania Association of Staff after severaldaysofsevere and Nurses and Allied Professionals torrential thunderstorms top- (PASNAP) areplanning a24- pled trees, interrupted power hour strikestarting at 7a.m. Sun- and left some roads flooded. day. Nurses at the hospital have Twotofiveinches of rain had S. JOHN WILKIN /THE TIMESLEADER been working fallen across Apasser-by checksout the rising Susquehanna River under the Market Street Bridge along the River Common after heavyrain under an ex- General Hos- WEEKEND Luzerne movedthrough the area and across the upper Susquehanna River basin Thursday morning. pired contract pital spokes- FORECAST County since forapproxi- Tuesday, ac- mately two man JamesP. Forecast from cording to years. McGuiresaid the National Rain washes out storm reports The nurses’ Weather Ser- the hospital is vice: to the Nation- union, repre- prepared to Today,57, al Weather senting more Service in Cherry Blossom than 400 nurses bring in re- scattered showers. Binghamton, at the hospital, placement Saturday,67, N.Y. Some streetsare flooded in INSIDE: Forrelated story, see accused the op- workersif sunny. Similar Page 3ofThe Guide. erator,Commu- Sunday,72, the outbreak of wet weather. nurses strike, partly sunny. rainfall totals nity Health Sys- fell in the up- Pumping stations working. Drew McLaughlin, assistant tems, based in adding that per Susque- to MayorTom Leighton, said Tennessee, of doctorsand hanna River the recent rains have soaked the bad faith bar- other medical basin, resulting in higher than By BILL O’BOYLE gaining tactics. city and caused large areas of staff arenot expected river levels in Wilkes- [email protected] pooling in Kirby Park,site of the “Their poli- Barre. WILKES-BARRE –Heavy festival. cies and their involved in According to the Middle At- rain has caused the postpone- “The ground conditions in bad faith bar- the strike. lantic River Forecast Center in ment of the city’s annual Cherry Kirby Park arenot optimal for CLARK VANORDEN/THE TIMESLEADER gaining is ac- Blossom Festival that had been Rich Krzywicki, chaperoning children at KirbyPark Thursday tually driving SeeFLOODING, Page 7A scheduled this weekend. SeeRAIN, Page 7A afternoon, found the pond overflowing itsbanks. staff out of the area; that has adi- rect impact on our quality of care,” said union President Fran Prusinski, acritical careunit nurse at the hospital. “Our pa- tients come first,and we need to South’s whirlwind of death recruit and retain the nurses that we have.Everyone should be con- cerned if they’redriving nurses Hundreds of lives arereportedlost hit areas surveyed obliterated homes and out of the area.” in the massiveoutbreak of storms. debris-strewnstreets. Some told of dead- The union has clashed with ly winds whipping through within sec- Community Health Systems over Alabama is hardest hit. onds of weather alerts broadcast during contracts, bargaining practices the storms Wednesdayafternoon and eve- and company policies since the ning. provider purchased the hospital By GREG BLUESTEIN and JAYREEVES “It happened so fast it wasunbelieva- and other assets of the Wyoming Associated Press ble,” said Jerry Stewart,a63-year-old re- Valley Health CareSystem in PLEASANT GROVE, Ala. —Massive 2009. tired firefighter who waspicking through tornadoes toreatown-flattening streak The strikewill coincide with the remains of his son’s wrecked home in across the South, killing at least 281peo- the two-year anniversary of the ple in six states and forcing rescuersto Pleasant Grove,asuburbofBirmingham. company’s takeoverofGeneral carry some survivorsout on makeshift “They said the storm wasinTuscaloosa Hospital; it will also markthe sec- stretchersofsplintered debris. Twoof and it would be herein15minutes. And ond nurses’ strikesince CHS as- Alabama’smajor cities were among the beforeIknewit, it washere.” sumed control. AP PHOTO places devastated by the deadliest twister He and his wife, along with their daugh- Nurses threatened to walk out JoyceHartsfield hugs LauraGibbsinCalhoun County,Ala. on Thursday.President outbreak in nearly 40 years. Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama todaytoviewdamage. As daybroke Thursday, people in hard- SeeSTORMS, Page 6A SeeSTRIKE, Page 14A
WEATHER INSIDE Jillian Graham ANEWS: Local3A Union titan Biancoremembered forlifetime of service Partly sunny, ashower. Nation &World 5A High 57.Low 46. Obituaries2A, 8A Details,Page 10B Birthdays 12A Theregional labor leader,who Union and long-time leader of Wilkes-Barre Editorials 13A died in 2010,headed ILGWU the Greater Wilkes-BarreLa- MayorThomas bor Council. Leightonreads a BSPORTS: Scoreboard2B and W-BLabor Council. proclamation Baseball 3B “Bianco wasthe labor coun- cil,” said Edward Harry,the honoring the late Business 8B SamBiancoat Stocks9B council’scurrent president. By STEVEN FONDO “Fromthe time Samwas elect- the GenettiHotel CCLASSIFIED: Comics16C Times Leader Correspondent ed to head the organization in &Conference THE GUIDE: WILKES-BARRE –Area 1978 until the dayhedied, he Center in Wilkes- BarreonThurs- Crossword/Horoscope leadersturned out at the Ge- wastireless. He wasinvolved day. Biancowas Television netti Hotel&Conference Cen- in every aspect of the area’sla- Movies known forhead- ter on Thursdaynight fora bor movement. ing the Greater memorial to honor local union “This tribute wasoriginally Wilkes-Barre official SamBianco. planned forlast October,” con- Labor Council. Bianco, who passed away in tinued Harry.“But unfortu- 2010,was the former presi- nately,Sam passed away 6 0981510011 dent of the local International Ladies Garment Workers SeeBIANCO, Page 14A DON CAREY/ THE TIMESLEADER K
PAGE 2A FRIDAY,APRIL 29,2011T➛ timesleader.com HE TIMESLEADER www.timesleader.com Corbett says colleges could drill forcash DETAILS LOTTERY MIDDAY DRAWING Six of the 14 state campuses ameeting of the proposed budget forthe fiscal drilled in the past three yearsand als likebarium and strontium, DAILY NUMBER 6-1-3 in Pennsylvania arelocated on Pennsylvania As- year that starts in July would cut many thousands moreplanned. trace radioactivity and small sociation of Coun- $2 billion from education and re- Drilling forgas in deep shale amounts of toxic chemicals in- BIG FOUR 2-7-9-9 Marcellus Shale formation. cils of Trustees at duce aid to colleges and universi- deposits is emerging as amajor jected by the drilling companies. QUINTO 0-5-8-1-4 EdinboroUniversi- ties by 50 percent.The newspa- newsource of energy that sup- Most big gasstates require TREASURE HUNT ty. per said Corbettemphasized the porterssay is homegrown, cheap drillerstodump their wastewa- 08-13-18-25-27 The Associated Press Corbettsaid six cuts areonly proposals and that and friendlier environmentally ter into deep shafts drilled into EDINBORO—Some Pennsyl- of the 14 campuses in the Penn- funding foreducation could than coal or oil. the earth to prevent it from con- NIGHTLYDRAWING vania universities should consid- sylvania State System of Higher changeashenegotiates the bud- But shale drilling requires in- taminating surface water.Al- DAILY NUMBER 0-8-5 er drilling fornatural gasbelow Education arelocated on the getwith state lawmakers. jecting hugevolumes of water though it has movedtolimit it, BIG FOUR 3-8-0-4 campus to help solvetheir finan- Marcellus Shale formation, part The Marcellus Shale forma- underground to help shatter the Pennsylvania still allows hun- cial problems, Gov. TomCorbett of avast region of underground tion lies primarily beneath Penn- rock —aprocess called hydrau- dreds of millions of gallons of the QUINTO 0-1-7-5-9 said Thursday. natural gasdeposits that arecur- sylvania, NewYork, West Virgin- lic fracturing. Some of that water partially treated drilling waste- CASH FIVE The Erie Times-News report- rently being explored and ex- ia and Ohio; Pennsylvania, how- returns to the surface, in addi- water to be dischargedinto riv- 04-13-24-29-32 ed that Corbettmade the sug- tracted. ever, is the center of activity, tion to the gas, in the form of ul- ersfromwhich communities MATCH SIX gestion during an appearance at The Republican governor’s with morethan 2,000 wells tra-salty brine tainted with met- draw drinking water. 06-21-22-29-34-36
HARRISBURG–Noplayer matched all five winning Votes fordrill fee, budget cuts linked numbersdrawn in Thurs- Twoworkerssue drilling firm day’s“Pennsylvania Cash 5” The Associated Press wells. game so the jackpotwill be HARRISBURG—Pennsylva- The Jefferson County Republi- worth$330,000.Lottery Theemployees of atrucking tractors. the well near Avella, about 25 nia’stop state senator says it’ll be can says thereare strong feelings officials said 86 players firm were injured in explosion The Observer-Reporter in miles west of Pittsburgh. difficult to find amajority of law- about the issue in the Legisla- matched four numbersand Washington, Pa.says50-year- The Pennsylvania Depart- during testing at gas site. makerstovote fordeep budget ture. Lawmakershaveintro- won$216 each and 2,818 old RichardLancaster,ofSar- ment of Environmental Protec- cuts if the state does not also re- duced about ahalf-dozen bills al- players matched three num- dis, Ohio, and 36-year-old tion has said the driller failed quirecompanies drilling forMar- ready to requirethe drillersto bersand won$11 each. Frank Lancaster,ofNew Mar- to properly manageflammable cellus Shale natural gastopay a payatax or afee. Monday’s“Pennsylvania The Associated Press tinsville, W.Va.filed the suit in byproducts beforethe Feb. 23 tax or fee. Gov. TomCorbettisproposing Match 6Lotto”jackpotwill AVELLA, Pa.—Two work- the Circuit Court of Kanawha fireinwhich five500-barrel be worthatleast $1,000,000 ersinjured in afiery explosion County,W.Va. storagetanksofthe liquid con- Senate President ProTempore to fill a$4billion project deficit JoeScarnati made the comments without raising taxes and says he becausenoplayerholds a during testing at anatural gas- The men were working fora densate ignited, but has yetto ticket with one rowthat Thursdaywhile describing de- opposes aseverance tax on drill- drilling site in southwestern trucking firm that is not being sayiffines arewarranted. matchesall six winning tails of abill he’swriting to col- ers, but not necessarily alocal im- Pennsylvania aresuing the sued, and areblaming Chesa- AChesapeakespokeswoman numbersdrawn in Thurs- drilling firm and twosubcon- peakeAppalachia forthe fireat declined comment. lect fees on Marcellus Shale pact fee. day’sgame.
toxicated. He waschargedwith Street,aone-way street,early POLICE BLOTTER public drunkenness, and the Wednesdaymorning. MOM AND DAUGHTER storewill prosecute him forthe Apassenger in Navarro’s OBITUARIES WILKES-BARRE –City alleged thefts, police said. vehicle, Jennifer Alneida, 19,of police reported the following: •Police said they arrested South Welles Street,was cited Airhart, Michael •Amanda Noll of Garnet Thomas Sosa,21, of South with underagedrinking, police Baldrica, Albert Lane said Thursdaythat some- Hancock Street,onevidence of said. Butera,John one withdrew $503 from her drunken driving after investigat- •Police said windows were Diamanti, Mary state debit cardand that her ing ahit-and-run crash in the smashed on three vehicles on Dobzinski, John passwordtouse the cardwas area of Lehigh Street and Ivy George Avenue early Wednes- Grochowski, Loretta changed. Noll said on April 20 Lane at 12:20 a.m. Thursday. daymorning. she left her purse in avehicle Sosa wasspotted driving a •Chairsand atable were Habgood, Peggy with aman known to her as vehicle without afront bumper stolen from aporch at 69 S. Hornlein, Thomas Sr. “Joe.” The next dayshe noticed on Wilkes-BarreBoulevard.He Hancock St.Tuesdaynight. Klein, Murial multiple denial fees on her card waspursued by police to South •Police chargedAntoinette Law, Alice and an unauthorized withdraw- Hancock Street,wherehestop- Virginia Evans, 20, with simple Mosher,Charles al. ped. assault and harassment and •Christine MyersofReese Police said Sosa wasgiven a JavanThomas, 32, with harass- Nallon, Alice Street said Wednesdaythat she breath test.Chargesofdriving ment after adisturbance at 324 Orbacz-Kubiski, wasstruck in the face by Va- under the influence, accidents ParkviewCircle on Tuesday. Susan nessaGamble of Hazle Avenue involving unattended vehicle Police said Evans struck Tho- Pavone,Massimo while at afriend’sresidence on and driving the wrong direction mas in the head with aglass Suchoski, Loretta Blackman Street.Myers said on aone-way street will be filed ashtray,and Evans claimed Winter-Haslin, Nancy she sought medical treatment against Sosa,police said. Thomas struck her. and wastreated and released. •Aman armed with ahand- •Police said Lori Dopko, 33, Page 2A, 8A Gamble waschargedwith ha- gunrobbed the TurkeyHill on of Plymouth, wascited with rassment. Hazle Avenue late Tuesday public drunkenness when she •MarkStritzinger of High night.Police said the man en- wasallegedly found intoxicated WHO TO CONTACT Street,Plymouth, wastaken tered the storearound 11:30 in the area of Carey Avenue and MissedPaper...... 829-5000 into custody Thursdayfor alleg- p.m. and demanded money.The Oak Street at 5:20 p.m. Tues- Obituaries ...... 829-7224 edly stealing three pairsofblue armed man fled the storewith day. Advertising...... 829-7101 jeans valued at $90 from Bos- an undetermined amount of •Police said Chris Correllof Classified Ads...... 829-7130 cov’sonSouth Main Street, cash. East Northampton Street re- Newsroom ...... 829-7242 police said. Astoreemployee •Police said they arrested ported Wednesdayafternoon Vice President/ExecutiveEditor said she observed Stritzinger Jennifer Navarro, 20, of West that apassenger-side window Joe Butkiewicz...... 970-7249 leave with the jeans through a Academy Street,onevidence of on his vehicle wassmashed to Asst. Managing Editor truck delivery entrance. He was drunken driving after she was getinside and astereo, aSirius Anne Woelfel...... 970-7232 later apprehended by police, stopped traveling the wrong satellite radio and speakers Photo Editor who said Stritzinger wasin- direction on South Washington were stolen. The total cost of Clark VanOrden ...... 970-7175 the damageand loss wasnot CommunityNews ...... 970-7245 available. AP PHOTO nAsian elephantcalf born at the Oklahoma CityZoo E-MAIL Mary Diamanti News tips: [email protected] HANOVER TWP. –Township Atwo weeksago walkswith her mother,Asha, a16- CommunityNews:[email protected] April 28, 2011 police said they chargedJared year old Asian elephant, Thursday. Lee Beretsky, 28, of Waller Mary Dia- Family Church, SugarNotch. Street,Wilkes-Barre, on Tues- BUILDING manti, age83, Preceding her in death, in addition daywith retail theft after an of Hanover to her parents, were her husband, Pe- TRUST Township, ter Diamanti; son, Orlando Peter Dia- investigation of atheft at the simple assault beforeLuzerne died Thursday, manti; brothers, Tony and Benjamin Wine and Spirits, Sans Souci COURTBRIEFS County JudgeChester Mu- April 28, 2011 Karboski; and sisters, Loretta Kar- Parkway, in December. roski. TheTimesLeader strives to at Hampton boski and Regina Garzilla. correct errors, clarifystories House, Hanov- Surviving aresisters, Helen Kol- BUTLER TWP. –Township WILKES-BARRE –AScran- PLAINS TWP. -Anindecent and updatethem promptly. er Township. bickaand Jeanette Karboski, both of Corrections will appear in this Born in Ash- Ashley; and numerous nieces; neph- police reported the following: ton man chargedwith sexually exposurecharge against Wil- ley,Mary wasadaughter of the ews; great-nieces and great-nephews. •Police said an Emglo paint assaulting athen-9-year-old liam Marvin Altman, 57, of spot. If youhave information late Benjamin and Helen Alexa Funeral services will be held at10 compressor wasstolen from the girlwas sentenced Thursday Waldorf, Md., wasdismissed to help us correct an inaccu- Karboski. a.m. Saturdayfromthe Harold C. paint trade area at Keystone Job to sevento14yearsinstate during apreliminary hearing racy or coveranissue more Sheliked music and enjoyed Snowdon Home forFunerals Inc., thoroughly,call the newsroom Corp. prison. beforeDistrict JudgeDiana participating in many activities at 420 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. Dea- at 829-7242. the Hampton House. Sheespecial- con John O’Connor will officiate. In- •Aresidence on South Old MarkJuice, 29, of North Malast on Thursday. ly enjoyedjoking with the staff at terment will be made in St.Mary’s TurnpikeRoad wasstruck by Main Street,was sentenced on State police gaming enforce- Hampton House, who were always Cemetery,HanoverTownship. yellowpaintballs on April 20. asingle count of aggravated ment unit had chargedAltman ASTORY IN WEDNESDAY’S very caring and compassionate to- Friends maycall from 9a.m. until ward Mary. time of services at the funeral home •Police said money and a indecent assault of achild by with exposing himself to an edition of TheTimesLeader Marywas amember of Holy Saturday. watch wasmissing from aroom Luzerne County JudgeDavid employeeatMohegan Sunat featured three membersof at apersonal carefacility.The Lupas. Juice pleaded no con- Pocono Downs casino on Feb. the firstChallenger Little resident discoveredthe theft test to the charge in October. 25, according to the criminal League program from 1991. upon return to the facility after Lupas said Juice must regis- complaint. Included wasBilly Sukus, now Alice R. Law ahospital stay. ter his address under Megan’s 33. DebraMyers of Kingstonis Billy Sukus’ birth mother. April 28, 2011 •Police said they charged Lawfor his entirelife and PITTSTON –Aman accused Elvis Saracinaj, 18,ofJoy Lane, undergo amental health eval- by Avoca police of loitering lice R. Law, of Wyoming Ave- Surviving areher nephewJoseph with criminal mischief foralleg- uation. outside an occupied house Anue, Wyoming, died Thursday M. Reynolds Jr., Mountainside, N.J.; edly smashing awindshield He is to have no contact pleaded guilty during aprelim- morning, April 28, 2011,atthe niece Marylou Beglin of Mountain- near Carmen’s County Inn on with the victim in the case or inary hearing beforeDistrict Meadows Nursing and Rehabilita- side, N.J.;stepdaughter,Elizabeth Freedom Road on Saturday. any other minorsorplaces JudgeFredPierantoni on tion Center,Dallas. M. Law, SanJose, Calif.; and step- •Severaltires on aBobcat they frequent. Thursday. +(ISSN No. 0896-4084) Shewas born in Forty Fort and son James B. LawIII, Etters, Pa. USPS 499-710 wasadaughter of the late Isaac J. AMassofChristian Burial will loader and aconstruction truck According to court papers, John Kachinsky, 43, of Pitt- and Mary Curley Reynolds. She be held at11 a.m. SaturdayinSt. An- were punctured on Riccardi on Nov. 8, 2009, police were ston, pleaded guilty to loiter- Issue No. 2011-119 graduated from Forty Fort High thony of Padua Church, Memorial Drive. dispatched to aPittston home ing and prowling at night. Advertising Newsroom School and Wyoming Seminary 829-7293 829-7242 Avenue, Exeter,with Fr.Joseph D. •Avehicle owned by Brian forthe report of agirlbeing Police withdrew chargesof [email protected] [email protected] Dean School of Business. Sibilano officiating. Friends and rel- Eroh, of Drums, wasstruck by sexually assaulted. The girl flight to avoid apprehension Circulation Prior to her marriage, she was atives areasked to go directly to the Jim McCabe –829-5000 another vehicle that sped away said the assaults occurred and defiant trespass against [email protected] employedasasecretary at the Grea- church forthe Mass. The interment Published daily by: ter Wilkes-BarreChamber of Com- will be in Saint Ignatius Cemetery, after the crash in the parking between July 2007 and Novem- Kachinsky. merce. Shehad resided in Forty Fort Pringle. Therewill be no calling lot of Dano’sPub on South ber 2009. Police chargedKachinsky Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company until 1974, and then she movedto hours. Hunter HighwayonMonday. after he wasspotted looking 15 N. Main St. Wyoming. Shewas amember of Memorial contributions, if desir- Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Saint Anthony of Padua Church, ed, can be made to the charity of the •Aresident of St.John’s WILKES-BARRE –ALarks- into an occupied house in the Periodicals postage paid at Wilkes-Barre, PA and additional mailing offices Exeter. donor’s choice. Road reported that the pas- ville man pleaded guilty 800 block of North Main Street Postmaster: Send address changes Preceding her in death areher Arrangements areentrusted to senger-side windowofhis pick- Thursdaytoassaulting ajuve- on April 15,according to the to Times Leader,15N.Main St., husband James B. LawJr.;sister, the Hugh B. Hughes &Son Inc., Fu- up truck wasshot out while it nile male and taking money. criminal complaint. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Anne J. Reynolds; and brother,Jo- neral Home, 1044 Wyoming Ave., wasparkedinfront of his resi- Alan M. Kocher,20, of Pack Kachinskytold police he DeliveryMonday–Sunday $3.50 per week seph M. Reynolds. Forty Fort. Mailed Subscriptions Monday–Sunday dence Fridaybetween 7p.m. Street,pleaded guilty to one waslooking foraplace to $4.35 per week in PA MoreObituaries, Page 8A and 8p.m. count each of robbery and ingest bath salts. $4.75 per week outside PA CMYK
THE TIMESLEADER www.timesleader.com ➛ timesleader.com FRIDAY,APRIL 29,2011PAGE3A LOCAL
BLOCK GRANTS Cuts mayimpact street paving projects,emergency services and communityprograms IN BRIEF
HARRISBURG Pocono solar farm honored Asolar farm at Pocono Racewayin Wilkes-Barrereceives lessfunding Long Pond, Monroe County,onThurs- daywas honored with one of 13 state Environmental Excellence Awards. The winnerswereselected from a Leighton says $1.75 million in CDBG said, adding that future pool of applicants by the state Depart- funding appropriated to the cityfor CDBG allocations areun- ment of Environmental Protection and certain. “Wehope Wash- 2011 is its lowest amount since 1990. the non-profit Pennsylvania Environ- ington realizes they may mental Council and include programs To see have made amistake focusing on abandoned mine drainage video,visit here.” reclamation, solar By BILL O’BOYLE www.times The CDBG program is panelinstallation, leader.com [email protected] funded by the U.S. Depart- and reducing the WILKES-BARRE –It’sCommunity ment of Housing and Ur- environmental Development Block Grant Week and ban Development and is impact of glass MayorTom Leighton Thursdayan- spent on avariety of different projects. processing. nounced that the city’s annual allocation Brian Sullivan, spokesman forHUD in The solar farm has been cut by16.2 percent,or$342,610. Washington, said the CDBG cuts came wasfunded without state incentives “These cuts will negativelyimpact real as aresult of the 11th-hour budget agree- and offsets the racetrack’soperating people,” Leighton said at apress confer- ment severalweeks back that Congress costs. It also provides enough surplus ence at the Hollenback Fire Station on approvedand President Obama signed electricity to power1,000 homes and North Washington Street that wasbuilt and averted agovernment shutdown. displace the production of morethan with CDBG money. “Municipalities likeWilkes-Barrewill 3,400 tons of carbon dioxide each year. Leighton said the cuts will affect the see a16to17percent cut in CDBG fund- number of streets to be pavedand demo- ing,” Sullivan said. LUZERNE COUNTY S. JOHN WILKIN/THE TIMESLEADER lition of blighted properties. He said the Leighton highlighted the impact the Wilkes-BarreMayorTom Leightonannounces cuts in the CommunityDevel- city donations to community groups like cuts will have on the city,noting that the Drug collection is set opmentBlock GrantProgram at the Hollenback FireStation Thursday.Behind the Osterhout Free Library and the YM- $1.75 million in CDBG funding appropri- Expired, unused and unwanted pre- Leightonare Nicole Ference, left,communitydevelopmentoffice; Kurt Sauer, CA Summer Camp also will be affected. scription drugsmay be turned in at any director of communitydevelopment; Marie McCormick, cityadministrator. “This is atragic situation,” Leighton SeeFUNDING, Page 14A of the nine collection sites in Luzerne County from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. on Sat- urday. RED HATSOCIETY The service is free and anonymous. Syringes will not be accepted. Lokuta says Collection sites arelocated at the Butler Township Police Department, 415 W. Butler Drive, Drums; Dupont Police Department,600 Chestnut St., Republicans Dupont; Duryea Police Department, 315 Main St., Duryea; HarveysLake Police Department,state Route 415, HarveysLake; Kingston Township eyed her as Police Department,180 E. Center St., Shavertown; Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office at the Wilkes-Barre DA write-in Police Department,15N.Washington St., Wilkes-Barre; state police at Hazle- ton, 250 Dessen Drive, West Hazleton; Theformer countyjudge makes the state police at Wyoming, 475 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming; and the Wright Town- claim as she speaksofreturning to ship Police Department,321 S. Moun- privatelaw practice. tain Blvd., Mountain Top.
WILKES-BARRE By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER [email protected] Paralegal mayaid Selenski DUPONT –Former Luzerne Coun- Aparalegal requesting to be appoint- ty JudgeAnn Lokuta said she wasap- ed to assist in the case of double hom- proached by persons within the Re- icide suspect HugoSelenski does not publican Party to launch awrite-in need the permission of the court,a campaign fordistrict attorney,but de- Luzerne County senior judgesaid clined the offer to focus on re-estab- Thursday. lishing aprivate legal practice. Senior JudgeChester Muroski said Lokuta, 57, of Dupont,said she in acourt filing that amotion filed by hopes to open her practice by the sum- Gerald P. Deady ask- mer.She will focus on ing to be appointed to the general practice assist in Selenski’s of law, including civil BILL TARUTIS PHOTOS/FORTHE TIMESLEADER case does not need and criminal work. Sharon SmitsofBartonsville,left, buyscash raffle tickets from Marilyn Burton of Auburn Center at the NEPARed permission from the Lokuta wasre- Hat Queens Council seventhannual RedHat Daycelebration at Genetti’sHotel &ConferenceCenter, Wilkes-Barre, court because Muroski movedfromoffice Thursday.Below, Loraine RisleyofKingstonwalksdownthe runwayatafashion show. ForClicks, seePage 9A. previously said in December 2008 by court papersdefense the state Court of Ju- attorneyscan appoint Selenski dicial Discipline whomeverthey wish “I have to based on its findings to the case. that she brought dis- Ared-hot hat day Selenski, 37, is chargedwith hom- have a repute to the judici- icide in the deaths of MichaelKerkow- source of ary.The ruling fol- ski and Tammy Fassettafter their bod- lowedadisciplinary Society providessocial outletfor Membersattend high teas, pajama par- her birthday, along with acopy of the ies were unearthed from his Kingston income. Township property in June 2003. trial at which cour- women overthe age of 50. ties and Halloween parties, among poem “Warning”byJenny Joseph. I’mcer- thouse employees other events. The poem reads, in part: “When I Defense attorneyspreviously re- quested they be allowedtohavesup- tainly not and attorneyspor- “Welook foractivities am an old woman Ishall wear trayed Lokuta as aju- By DAWN DRUMIN that would be fun forwom- purple/ With ared hat that portiveservices in January,which was abandoning dicial bully. Times Leader Correspondent en our age,” said NEPA doesn’t go and doesn’t suit granted by Muroski. Prosecutorslater filed court papersasking if Deady was my appel- The order preclud- WILKES-BARRE –Genetti’sonQueens Council Vice Pres- me.” Forthis reason, women ed Lokuta from ever MarketStreet wasawash with asea of ident Romaine Stout of wear redhats and pur- helping defense attorneys. late again serving as a redhats and purple frocksonThurs- Plains Township. “We’re all ple clothes to the WILKES-BARRE rights.” judge, but it did not daywhen the NEPA about sisterhood and events. impact her ability to Queens Council held its fun.” Women young- Rhee to speak at Wilkes Ann Lokuta practice law. seventh annual RedHat The RedHat So- er than 50 may Former judge The decision to re- Society redhat daylun- ciety is anational join the group, but Michelle Rhee, founder and chief establish her legal cheon. Morethan 400 organization must wear pink executiveofficer of StudentsFirst and practice does not women donning bright with branches all hats. On the month the former chancellor of the Washing- mean she has given up on her efforts To see redhats came from all overthe U.S. Six- of their birthdays, ton, D.C., public schools, will deliver video,visit to regain her seat on the bench, Lok- overNortheastern ty chaptersare ac- membersover50can the 30th annual Max Rosenn Lecturein www.times Lawand Humanities on Sundayat uta said. leader.com Pennsylvania to attend tiveinNEPA. switch the colors Sheiscurrently working on are- the event. The first RedHat Society they wear to apurple Wilkes University. quest that will be filed with the U.S. The RedHat Society’s wasfounded in 1998 when Sue hat and redclothing. Rhee will speak Supreme Court –known as awrit of members, called “Red Hatters,” are Ellen Cooper of Fullerton, Cal- about educational certiorari –that asksthe justices to women over50seeking asocial outlet. if., gaveafriend ared hat for SeeRED HAT, Page 14A reform at 7:30 p.m. in hear her appeal of the Pennsylvania the Arnaud C. Marts Supreme Court decision that upheld Center on South Fran- her removal. klin Street.Admission “I have to have asource of income,” is free and the event is Lokuta said. “I’mcertainly not aban- W-Boutlaws bath salts, other synthetic drugs open to the public. Local educatorsare doning my appellate rights.” Rhee encouraged to attend. Lokuta previously served as an as- ond reading, will takeef- morning that wasrequested by District Ordinancesupersedesemergency Featured in the award-winning docu- sistant district attorney from January fect in 10 days and will su- Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll. measure; also, council is told that mentary “Waiting forSuperman,” Rhee to May1988 beforeresigning follow- persede the emergency Also Thursday, Fred Heller,ahome has workedfor 18 yearstogivechildren ing adispute with then-district attor- cityisunfair to contractors. ordinance passed on improvement contractor from Moun- the skills and knowledgethey will need ney Correale Stevens. Shewas elected April 14. tain Top, addressed council forthe sec- to compete in achanging world. She judgeinNovember 1991 and took of- The penalties outlined ond consecutivemonth, asking that began her career as athird-grade teach- By BILL O’BOYLE fice in January 1992. in the ordinance call fora the city become “morebusiness-friend- er in the Baltimoreschools before [email protected] Incumbent District Attorney Jac- fine up to $500 and/or incarceration of ly.” moving into roles as an administrator queline Musto Carroll, aDemocrat,is WILKES-BARRE –City Council up to 30 days,upon conviction. At last month’smeeting, Heller and education reformer. running unopposed on that party’s Thursdayunanimously approvedan The action comes three days after a asked council to look into the oper- On June 12,2007, Rhee wasappoint- ticket in the May17primary election. ordinance banning the sale and con- Luzerne County judgeissued an in- ations of the city and reviewall policies ed to lead the District of Columbia ThereisnoRepublican candidate, sumption of synthetic drugsinthe city, junction permanently banning the sale and fees. He said the current system is Public Schools, aschool district serv- meaning Musto Carroll virtually is as- especially the chemicals commonly of bath salts in Luzerne County.Presi- unfair and makes competition difficult. ing morethan 47,000 students in 123 called bath salts. dent JudgeThomas Burke signed the schools. SeeLOKUTA, Page 14A The ordinance, approvedonits sec- injunction after ahearing Monday SeeSALTS,Page 14A CMYK
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