Luzerne County Council members sought further explanation during Tuesday’s work session about a proposed county purchase of the historic former train station in downtown Wilkes-Barre for $615,000.

A council majority would have to grant approval at a future meeting for a purchase of the 154-year-old landmark to proceed.

Owned by Market Square Properties Development LLC, the 4,000-square-foot station on Wilkes-Barre Boulevard had been listed for sale at $625,000.

The county is interested because its tourism office, Visit Luzerne County, has been housed inside the train station since February 2022.

County council had approved the leasing of 2,100 square feet inside the station for the county tourism office in April 2021, agreeing to pay $32,400 annually for five years, with the option to renew for two additional three-year terms.

Due to the lease, a purchase could “stabilize the county’s long-term occupancy costs and prevent potential relocation disruptions,” the administration said.

Constructed in 1868, the train station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and is a “significant architectural and cultural asset,” the administration said.

If the purchase is authorized, the county would pay cash using miscellaneous county community development office funds, it said.

County Manager Romilda Crocamo told council Tuesday the administration believes the station is the “ideal” and “perfect” location for the tourism department, and ownership would be beneficial to the county as public policy.

The station is a “symbol” of the county, she added.

“Its historical value is extremely important to the identity of Luzerne County,” Crocamo said. “I believe we are stewards to ensure our historical structures are maintained, and the building is in great condition.”

Council Chairman John Lombardo asked about the structure’s condition, saying that was one of his concerns. He also inquired about the potential to lease the second floor to an outside entity to recoup funds.

County Chief Solicitor Harry W. Skene said the county’s roofing consultant identified needed repairs during negotiations, and Market Square has completed all specified work while supplying inspection reports.

Skene said the second-floor space could be rented out or used to house county offices that do not require public access because there is no elevator. Crocamo said the county may consider seeking a grant to add an elevator if clearances are granted for such a change in the historic structure.

Councilman Harry Haas asked if there is any chance of paying less, and Skene said the county negotiated the “lowest price we could get.”

Councilman Greg Wolovich sought verification that no county general fund operating budget money will be used for the purchase.

County Budget/Finance Division Head Mary Roselle said the $615,000 will come from unused surplus funds available in community development.

Haas said the tourism bureau also covers its expenses through revenue from the hotel tax and other outside sources — not the county’s general fund.

He said he wants to make it clear this is not funded by property taxes and that it’s not “one of those old county deals.”

Market Square Properties bought the 6.36-acre station complex in June 2016 for $1.2 million from the county Redevelopment Authority, which had purchased the property in 2006 from businessman Thom Greco for $5.8 million.

Prior county commissioners had authorized federal community development funds for the county Redevelopment Authority purchase. With no funds to develop the site, the authority sold the property to Market Square.

Market Square recently completed a subdivision that allows the train station portion to be sold separately.

Crocamo said the county is only purchasing the station and adjoining parking — not the entire parcel originally sold by the redevelopment authority.

Since the county would be purchasing the building outright, Roselle said the $2,700 the tourism office currently pays in rent could be shifted to cover other expenses.

Council Vice Chairman Brian Thornton cited the historic significance of the structure and said he also “cannot overemphasize the economic value of having functional rail lines right there” that could be used for passenger or freight.

“There’s a certain amount of economic value for the future that bodes well for the county,” Thornton said.

American Rescue

In Tuesday’s voting meeting, council unanimously approved five requested extensions for American Rescue recipients to complete their projects:

• Dallas Area Fall Fair Inc., the nonprofit overseer of the county fair, had received a $500,000 award to repair flood damage at its Dallas fairground caused by severe September 2023 rain.

Alan Pugh, president of the nonprofit’s executive board, sought a project completion deadline extension to Aug. 31, saying additional time is needed to finish the work, which will be completed before the September 2025 fair.

• The Greater Wilkes Barre Chamber of Business and Industry had been awarded $500,000 for its “Luzerne Learns to Work,” which exposes high school students to the range of careers available locally and paths to obtain them.

Council granted the chamber’s request to delay completion to Sept. 30 so remaining funds can be used to continue the program through that period.

• Hazleton had obtained a $995,357 earmark to complete stormwater management work on James, Peace and 21st streets.

The city sought a completion extension to Sept. 30, largely due to the discovery of unmarked and unexpected utility lines that had to be relocated and supply-chain delays of some materials.

• Sugar Notch had been awarded $650,250 for sewer and road work on Broadhead Avenue and Oak and Maffett streets and Woodland Road.

The borough asked to extend the deadline to April 1, 2026, in part due to delays in manufacturing some needed materials and equipment.

• Greater Hazleton Senior Citizens Services Inc. had received a $385,000 earmark to install an elevator.

It obtained an extension until June 30, 2026, due to an unanticipated material delivery delay.

In three other American Rescue projects, the county will have access to the following leftover funds because recipients completed their projects and spent less than anticipated, council decided Tuesday: General Municipal Authority of Harveys Lake, $26,783; Lang Beverage Co. in Nanticoke, $932; and Wilkes-Barre Area Community Gardens, $3.52.

Department merger

In another unanimous decision, council adopted an ordinance to consolidate the county Mapping/GIS Department with Planning and Zoning.

County officials said the merger will enhance decisions related to planning and development.

Staff for both departments would remain the same with the exception of reducing department heads from two to one.

Farm leases

Council unanimously approved the leasing of county-owned farmland in Butler Township to two outside entities.

This property is part of approximately 530 acres tied to the county’s operation of the Kis-Lyn work camp for juvenile delinquents from 1912 to 1965.

The two farm leases:

• Haz-Wald Farms LLC, two sections totaling 77.5 acres at $91 per acre for three years, or $7,052.50 annually.

• Long Hollow Cattle Co., one section totaling 69 acres at $75 per acre for three years, or $5,175 annually.

Council moved the leases from the work session to voting meeting after concerns were raised that waiting would negatively impact crop preparation and planting.

Opioid earmarks

Council unanimously voted Tuesday to remove three opioid litigation settlement fund earmarks from the agenda.

Councilwoman Brittany Stephenson made the motion, saying information for each was not properly presented to the public with the meeting agenda.

The opioid earmarks totaling $359,063 were proposed by the county’s Commission on Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement, which was created to make recommendations to county council on how to spend the funds.

PLAINS TWP. — Ella McKernan won the 800-meter run title and helped spark a strong relay performance by Wyoming Area Monday, helping the Lady Warriors finished third in a 14-team field in the Wyoming Valley Conference Track and Field Championships at Wilkes-Barre Area.

McKernan ran the 800 in 2:14.75. She anchored a win in the 3200 relay and a second-place finish in the 1600 relay.

The 3200 relay team won by 12.48 seconds over Crestwood in 9:35.33.

“We’ve worked literally all of our high school career for this,” McKernan said. “It shows us that we know what it’s like to win.”

Isabella Costa anchored a fifth-place finish in 52.56 seconds in the 400 relay and also ran on the other two relay teams.

Hannah Stoss, in the lead-off position, and McKernan, as anchor, each ran their legs in under a minute as part of a 4:05.90 in the 1600 relay.

Stoss also got the 3200 relay started.

Shannon Kearns was the fourth member of the 3200 team and Lucia Campenni was the other runner on the 1600.

Jenesa Sanchez, who placed second in both hurdles races, led off the 400 relay that also included Talia Pizano and Julianne Potter. Sancho ran the 100 hurdles in 15.83 and 300 in 47.70.

Taylor Gashi scored points for Wyoming Area in four events by placing in the top eight. She was second in the triple jump with 36-7½, third in the long jump with 17-1 and third in the discus with 102-10. Gashi qualified third for the 100 hurdles final in 16.02, but slipped to eighth in the final with 23.25.

Sarah Mizenko placed third in the javelin with a throw of 96-0.

Lucia Campenni, in the 100, and Shannon Kearns, in the 300, each placed fourth in hurdles.

Gwendoline Lowry was sixth in the javelin and eighth in the high jump.

Division 1 champion Dallas won the team title with 146½ points. Crestwood was second with 111½ and Division 2 champion Wyoming Area had 96½.

Hazleton Area was fourth with 77 points and Pittston Area took fifth with 59½.

Ali Butcher won the 100-meter dash, led off a second-place 400 relay team and took seventh in both the 200 and 400 to lead Pittston Area. She led qualifying for the 100 in 12.61, then won in 12.82.

Isabella Dessoye also scored in four events. She was third in the 800 in 2:23.77 and 1600 in 5:28.77, led off a fourth-place finish in the 3200 relay and took seventh in the 3200.

Elinor Schardien was second in the pole vault and contributed to the second in the 400 relay.

Annika Lien and Emmy Savakinas were also on the 400 relay team, which finished just four-hundredths of a second behind Holy Redeemer in 50.73.

Savakinas also placed sixth in the triple jump and seventh in the 100 hurdles.

Maggie Gruber, Nadia Rawhouser and Olivea Scalese were the other members of the 3200 relay.

Scalese was also eighth in the 1600.

Paige Bittman was fourth in the high jump with 5-0.

Wyoming Area throwers combined for two wins plus second-, third- and fourth-place finishes Monday, May 5, in the boys portion of the Wyoming Valley Conference Track and Field Championships at Wilkes-Barre Area.

Ben Gravine won the discus with a throw of 155-1 and Jack Gravine won the javelin with 185-3.

Josh Mruk was second in the shot put with 51-6 and third in the javelin with 165-0.

Josh Turner added a fourth in the shot put in 46-7 ¾.

Lidge Kellum also had a big day as the Warriors placed fourth in the 14-team field.

Hazleton Area won the team title with 112½ points. Wilkes-Barre Area outscored Crestwood 111-106 for second. Wyoming Area had 77 points. Lake-Lehman placed ahead of Dallas 56½-55 in fifth and Pittston Area was seventh with 48.

Kellum finished second in the 100 hurdles in 16.11, was fifth in the 300 hurdles in 42.79 and was part of both the second-place 400 relay and seventh-place 1600 relay.

Michael Janosky and Gage Speece were also part of both relays. Speece added a fifth in the 200.

Jack Gravine was part of the 400 relay team that finished in 44.47.

Brady Kearns, who was fifth in the 400, completed the 1600 relay lineup.

Nicholas Kondrosky placed fourth in the long jump.

Jalen Moore’s sprinting led the way for Pittston Area.

Moore was second in the 400 in 50.53 seconds, third in the 100 in 11.14 and third in the 200 in 22.65.

Caden Boettger was third in the 800 in 2:01.76 and part of the third-place 3200 relay team, which posted a time of 8.41.57.

Jakob Mead was fourth in the 3200.

Lucas Lopresto took fifth in the javelin and seventh in the long jump.

Brady Tucker was seventh in the 800.

Luzerne County Council is set to vote Tuesday on three opioid litigation settlement awards totaling $359,063, the agenda said.

Council also will discuss a proposal to lease county-owned farmland to two outside entities.

The opioid projects were proposed by the county’s Commission on Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement, which was created to make recommendations to county council on how to spend the funds. The latest figures indicate the county should receive approximately $30 million over 18 years from the state’s settlement against opioid manufacturers and wholesale distributors.

The proposed award recipients and amounts, along with a synopsis of the projects based on information they submitted:

• Willow Foundation, $193,808

The foundation’s Heartwood Center in Hazleton is the first and only drop-in center and day shelter servicing the homeless in the county’s southern half, and funds would help meet the needs of those impacted by opioid use disorders.

Heartwood Center provides access to breakfast and lunch, personal hygiene items, a food pantry and support services.

“Studies indicate that drop-in centers provide short-term assistance, but empower long-term solutions. Individuals often come to the Heartwood Center seeking immediate relief from day-to-day struggles. Once there, they find stability, support, resources, education and connections that lead to continued engagement and relapse prevention,” it said.

• Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance, $81,305

The licensed Advanced Life Support EMS provider, which services the greater Pittston area and surrounding municipalities, would use the funding to implement a more technologically advanced system to track and audit opioids that it procures, stores and administers.

Its barcode labeling and electronic inventory management system requires manual verification and tracking, which increases risk and inefficiency.

“This investment represents a significant advancement in our commitment to patient safety, regulatory compliance and opioid stewardship in Luzerne County,” it said.

• Dress for Success, $83,950

This funding would provide a range of services to an estimated 200 women impacted by opioid use disorder, including evidence-based recovery strategies focused on empowering them to find purpose.

The program also provides appropriate workplace attire and support and training to help them find employment and acclimate to the workplace.

“By offering tangible tools and materials that make it possible for a woman in recovery to obtain and retain employment, Dress for Success Luzerne County is removing one of the major roadblocks to continued sobriety for women,” it said. “Many of the women we serve do not seek employment simply because they do not have the means to purchase the appropriate attire for the workplace. That continues a cycle of unemployment and risks a woman in addiction recovery from opioid use disorder relapsing.”

Opioid fund status

The three allocations would come from a pot of $1.7 million that must be spent by the end of June.

In addition to the proposed new $359,063 earmark, council had voted earlier this year to use $260,000 for outpatient substance use disorder treatment services provided through the county’s drug and alcohol department, including medication-assisted treatment.

County Manager Romilda Crocamo said Monday the commission has been reviewing other applications and is on track to propose additional project earmarks for the remaining funds before the upcoming deadline.

Separate from this portion, the county has received $7.4 million in opioid litigation settlement funds that must be spent by June 2026, county Budget/Finance Division Head Mary Roselle said Monday.

In addition to Crocamo, the following serve on the opioid commission: county Council Chairman John Lombardo, council-appointed citizen Mary Butera, county District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, county Drug and Alcohol Administrator Ryan Hogan, county Human Services Division Head Megan Stone and county Correctional Services Division Head James Wilbur.

Council voted last August and December to earmark $2.56 million for a range of internal and outside projects that met eligible uses, including programs that provide medication-assisted treatment at the prison, warm hand-off and recovery specialist services and treatment and prevention education.

Applications and information about eligible uses for the settlement funds are posted on the commission’s section at luzernecounty.org.

Farm leases

The county recently sought proposals from farmers interested in leasing sections of 146.5 acres of county-owned property in Butler Township for crops.

This property is part of approximately 530 acres tied to the county’s operation of the Kis-Lyn work camp for juvenile delinquents from 1912 to 1965. Portions are locked into long-term leases for the Ferrwood Music Camp (17.8 acres), and the Keystone Job Corps Center, which operates a federally funded, residential educational/vocational program on 122.9 acres.

The two proposed farm leases:

• Haz-Wald Farms LLC, two sections totaling 77.5 acres at $91 per acre for three years, or $7,052.50 annually

• Long Hollow Cattle Co., one section totaling 69 acres at $75 per acre for three years, or $5,175 annually

Both leases require use of the property solely for soil cultivation and crop production and indemnify and hold the county harmless from any claims, liabilities or damages arising from use of the land.

Council had contemplated subdividing some of the land so it could be sold and returned to the tax rolls, but a council majority expressed opposition to a sale last year, largely due to citizen complaints about additional development in the municipality.

The farm leases will be discussed during Tuesday’s work session, which follows the 6 p.m. voting meeting at the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre. Instructions to attend remotely are posted under council’s online public meetings section at luzernecounty.org.

Luzerne County added five new 911 telecommunicators in April, but more are needed.

The county still has 17 vacant telecommunicator positions and is seeking applicants for a training class in July, said a posting under the human resource department’s career opportunities section at luzernecounty.org.

Telecommunicators start at $40,250 annually and must handle emergency calls while simultaneously dispatching responders.

The five new telecommunicators, listed at an hourly compensation of $19.35, according to the latest county monthly personnel report are: Nicholas Colianni, Destiny Gonzalez, Cassidy Hudock, Krista Masterstefone and Alyssa Ruzzano.

More hirings

The remaining 15 new workers, their positions and hourly compensation, the April personnel report said, are: Nancy Allan, Children, Youth and Families (CYF) clerk typist, $17.43; Molly Ank, Aging Agency care manager 1, $20.12; Thomas Cook, Aging Agency care manager 3, $23.33; Nicholas Ganz and Domonique Kinds, deputy sheriffs, $17.97; Kenayah Kisic, probation services administrative aide, $15.53; Matthew Laporte, CYF fiscal technician, $18.23; Joan Leban, CYF caseworker 1, $20.91; David Lewis, emergency management planning specialist, $18.46; Jeremy Marmolejo, courts help desk technician, $25.55; Nadine Parnther, Aging Agency clerk typist, $15.01; Magdeline Vazquez, domestic relations receptionist/clerk, $14.35; Keith White, probation officer, $23.08; Kayla Will, probation services administrative aide, $15.53; and Nicole Psaila, part-time assistant public defender, $41.93.

In addition to these new hirings, past worker Joseph Dessoye was rehired as a CYF attorney at $23.90 per hour, it said.

Departures

Sixteen workers left county employment in April, the report said.

Three employees retired: Maria Benfante, Aging Agency care manager 2; Thomas Wall, prison captain; and John Brawley, prison lieutenant.

The following workers resigned: Charyl Nagy, human resources business partner; Helen Kosteva, Aging Agency part-time food service worker; Rosemary Krispin, alternate senior center operator; Robert McAllister, Mental Health/Developmental Services program specialist 2; Tori Lavelle, CYF caseworker 1; Justine Love, prison nurse; Richard Naprava, district attorney’s office detective; Evan Newell, deputy sheriff; Johnathan O’Dell, IT information technician; Danielle Stair, prothonotary clerk 3; Nicole Trout, prothonotary clerk 5; and Casey Kusma, prison corrections officer.

One termination was listed on the report of Rachel Gonzalez, a public defender’s office clerk/stenographer.

Position changes

Six workers changed positions in April through the internal merit hiring process, the report said.

These employees, their new positions and hourly compensation, are: Jessica Adametz, human resources business partner, $27.18; Lauren Colianni, DA’s Office opioid outreach coordinator, $21.79; Zachary Hill, community development office deputy director, $34.36; Kristina Jordan, office of human services operations manager, $31.79; Ryan Thomas Kane, 911 PSAP supervisor, $25.64; and Andrew Watkins, 911 PSAP supervisor, $23.58.

Council

County council will hold a voting meeting and work session starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre.

Instructions for the remote attendance option will be posted under council’s online public meetings section at luzernecounty.org.

Study commission

The county’s government study commission will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre.

The seven-citizen commission is drafting a revised county home rule charter for voters to consider adopting in November.

A link to attend the meeting remotely will be posted under council’s online meeting section (scroll down) at luzernecounty.org.

EXETER — Tiny Learners Learning Center recently held the annual Mother’s Day Luncheon at Fox Hill Country Club.

Pre-school owners are Kelly Argenio and Mary Bone.

WEST PITTSTON — Moose International Chairman of the Board Robert K. Funkey and his wife, Catherine, stopped by the West Pittston Moose Lodge 1207 as a part of his tour of 40 United States since August 2024 upon his selection as chair.

Since being appointed International chairman of the board, Funkey has stopped at various locations throughout the country, such as West Pittston, which excelled in growing its membership and providing fraternal support to their communities.

Moose Lodge 1207 has received the prestigious Premiere Lodge Award five years in a row and was selected for a meet and greet with Chairman Funkey.

During Funkey’s visit, the Lodge presented the West Pittston Boy Scout Troop #302 with a kayak.

State representatives Jim Haddock and Brenda Pugh were on hand to deliver citations from the House in honor of Scout leaders Pat Messina and Ralph Salerno for serving the Scouts for 50 years.

The West Pittston Moose Lodge then presented Messina and Salerno Lifetime Achievement Awards.

West Pittston Moose Lodge 1207 also presented Chairman Funkey a check of $1,000 for the Pennsylvania Moose Association HVAC project at the Moose member retirement home at Moosehaven, Orange Park, Florida.

EXETER — Members of the Luzerne County Historical Society made an appearance at the May Exeter Borough Council meeting Tuesday evening to introduce themselves as one of the newest landlords in town.

Will Conyngham and Carol Lavery, chair and vice chair, respectively, of the LCHS, spoke to the council to share their enthusiasm on acquiring the former St. Cecilia Catholic Church property, next door from Wyoming Area Catholic School.

“When the diocese of Scranton decided to sell St. Cecilia’s, we got early word on it, and we thought that’s an awful lot of space for a very attractive price, so we bought it at the beginning of last month,” Conyngham said. “It’ll take years before we are what we want to be. We have so much design work; we’re talking to architects.”

Conyngham estimates it could take it up to three years before they get the building to where they would like it to be for their needs.

The former church has been vacant for approximately four years and much has deteriorated since and needs to be repaired to cause any further damage.

Lavery said she’s currently chairing the fundraising committee and the new facility committee responsible for the new design of the building, the contracting, and future plans for the structure.

“We are really here because we just wanted to introduce ourselves and our main purpose is to be a good neighbor,” Lavery said. “We can assure you that we are very soon going to have the shrubs and everything cleaned up, so the building will look once again as it had done four years ago before it was put on the market. We were just starting right now to do some renovation or some structural work to ensure that stop the roof from leaking and stop the damage that is occurring.”

Lavery said the LCHS is very happy to be situated next door to Wyoming Area Catholic School where students would be able to utilize their building for educational purposes.

“Our building is going to be most of all a community center, somewhere where people can come, particularly children, and we’re so excited that it is right there next door to that school, and that those school children can come in every day, if they wish to have an opportunity to learn,” Lavery said.

There will be many different kinds of exhibits that will be changing. Currently, the LCHS has over 200,000 items in their collect that need to be displayed and the former church is ideal, according to Lavery.

In addition to a community room and a research library planned, there will be plenty of parking behind the building.

Programs to help homeless families and veterans are up for discussion at Tuesday’s Luzerne County Council work session, according to the agenda.

County Children, Youth and Families (CYF) is working with outside entities to find housing for homeless families — a problem that has increased largely due to rising rents for privately-owned apartments and waiting lists for public housing, said county Human Services Division Head Megan Stone.

Stone said she’s observed one-bedroom, non-luxury apartments listed at $1,500 per month in the county, and larger ones with two or more bedrooms needed for those with children are more expensive and out of reach for many.

“That’s the struggle,” Stone said.

According to Tuesday’s agenda, council will discuss a proposed memorandum of understanding between the county and Nanticoke UAW Housing Co. that would provide some housing preference at its 76-unit Eastside Apartments complex in Nanticoke to homeless families referred by the county agency.

Eastside Apartments is owned and operated by the Region Nine Housing Corporation, a nonprofit that was founded by members of Region 9 of the United Auto Workers in 1970 to provide subsidized housing to low-income families, seniors and those with disabilities, according to online information.

The memorandum on Tuesday’s agenda would provide housing preference to county-referred families for every fifth vacancy that occurs at the complex, the agenda said.

Eastside Apartments receives funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the agenda said.

In the last year, county CYF has received referrals from 532 families seeking assistance with housing-related issues, the agency said.

County officials had previously approved a homeless housing project with the nonprofit Keystone Mission that would have provided $312,400 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to lease and remodel space to create apartments for four homeless families in Wilkes-Barre.

However, Stone said that is no longer a feasible option for her agency because the rent that had been presented would be too high for families seeking assistance through county CYF.

Justin Behrens, who oversees the Keystone Mission, said the homeless housing apartment project is still being completed regardless of whether county CYF participates. He said Keystone Mission will use its own funds to finish the project, noting his nonprofit did not receive the full American Rescue allocation from the county.

Behrens previously served as Keystone Mission executive director and said he returned in an unpaid capacity about a month ago because the oversight position was vacant.

The apartments will be in a leased building at 64 E. Union Street in the Thomas C. Thomas complex in Wilkes-Barre. Keystone Mission already leases space in an adjacent structure at the complex for its Innovation Center for Homeless and Poverty at 90 E. Union St.

Behrens said the homeless count is dramatically increasing. His facility had approximately 40 to 50 people when he first returned a month ago, and the number seeking shelter is now in the 100 to 120 range, he said. The lion’s share are from Northeastern Pennsylvania and not other states, he added.

“I don’t have room for all these people,” Behrens said.

He expressed a determination to return to a “solution focused” approach that will require those seeking help to obtain skills to support themselves.

Veterans

In the program for veterans, the county is considering expanding a real estate property tax exemption program for all honorably discharged military veterans permanently disabled in the line of duty.

The exemption is currently available only to veterans disabled during a period of war.

Prior county veteran affairs director James Spagnola had pushed for the program last year, citing increasing statewide discussion about the unfairness of excluding veterans who are 100% disabled due to their service solely because they were not enlisted during a war.

Attorneys at the state determined counties have the ability to grant the exemption without the wartime requirement, and a few counties already implemented the change, including neighboring Lackawanna County, he had said.

As of last year, approximately 763 Luzerne County veterans were participating in the tax exemption because they served during wartime.

The state requires veterans to be “100% total and permanently disabled” and meet annual income limits to receive an exemption, officials have said.

Work session details

Council must vote on work session items at a future meeting for them to take effect.

Tuesday’s work session follows a 6 p.m. voting meeting at the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre.

Instructions for the remote attendance option are posted under council’s public online meetings link at luzernecounty.org.

Alexa Toniati tripled, singled and drove in three runs Thursday as Crestwood defeated host Pittston Area 11-8 in Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 softball.

The Lady Comets led 5-0 after 3½ innings. They scored five times in the top of the sixth for a 10-2 lead, but the Lady Patriots answered with six in the bottom of the inning.

Pittston Area fell to 5-5 in the division and 8-7 overall.

Lili Hintze had three hits and drove in three runs for Pittston Area.

Julia Long had two hits, two runs and two RBI.

Marina Antal added a double.

Lake-Lehman 9, Wyoming Area 1

Hannah Chipego struck out 11 while going the distance in the circle for visiting Lake-Lehman in Wednesday’s victory at Wyoming Area.

Kirsten Finarelli homered, doubled, scored three runs and drove in two.

Alexa Gasek had two hits for Wyoming Area. Marisa Giardina drove in Allison Layland with the only run.

The Lady Warriors are 5-3 in the division and 8-7 overall.

Pittston Area 17, Wilkes-Barre Area 9

Marina Antal drove in five runs with three extra-base hits Tuesday to lead Pittston Area to the road victory in WVC Division 1.

Antal homered to center field for two runs in the first inning, doubled in a run in the second and doubled again to drive in two more in the sixth. She also scored three times.

Samantha Herbert doubled, homered and drove in three runs.

Jillian Haas and Julia Long each had two hits and scored twice. One of Long’s hits was a triple.

Lili Hintze tripled, stole two bases and scored three times.

Gabby Roman doubled and scored three times.

Julianna Cocco doubled and drove in two runs.

Berwick 5, Wyoming Area 0

Makayla Brown tossed a three-hit shutout Monday as host Berwick downed Wyoming Area in a WVC Division 2 game.

Brown struck out 10 and walked two.

Renee Haddock had two hits for the Lady Warriors.

HUGHESVILLE — Runner-up no more.

After finishing second to Hazleton Area the past three seasons, Pittston Area dethroned the five-time defending Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 baseball champion Monday.

The Patriots used four consecutive RBI singles to break open the game in the fourth inning on the way to a 6-2 victory over the visiting Cougars.

Pittston Area became the first team other than Hazeton Area to win the division since Crestwood in 2018. The Patriots also finished second to Hazleton Area in 2019. There was no 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Patriots entered the fourth inning Monday with just one hit and locked in a 1-1 tie. They made plenty happen with two out.

Dom Innamorati snapped the tie with an infield single, scoring Richie Tonte from third base. Elijah Barr was then hit by a pitch. The four straight RBI singles – by Silvio Giardina, Jake Aftewicz, Beau Widdick and Chase Montigney – followed as Pittston Area sprayed the ball around the outfield to take a 6-1 lead.

Hazleton Area didn’t go quietly in its last trip to the plate. Dom Marino led off the seventh with a double and Bryant Diaz followed by reaching on an error. The Cougars could only manufacture a sacrifice fly by Chris Knelly.

“That was the first game where it was baseball baseball,” Pittston Area coach Paul Zaffuto said. “You look at every guy in the lineup and that team could put a beating on you if you don’t do what you’re supposed to do. We didn’t panic. They took the early lead and we battled back.”

The Cougars made contact throughout the game, striking out just twice, but Pittston Area starter Barr was backed by an error-free defense in six innings of work.

“They’re a tough team and they’re undefeated for a reason,” Hazleton Area coach Russ Canzler said. “They don’t let a deficit or adversity get to them. They do a really good job battling. It’s a testament to their coaching staff and the culture they have here.”

Hazleton Area took a 1-0 lead in the first as Ryan Racho singled, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Nick Ledger.

Pittston Area tied the score 1-1 in the third when Giardina singled in Innamorati, who walked to reach base.

Giardina was the only player in the game with two hits and the only player with two RBI. He also stole three bases.

Widdick pitched the seventh inning.

Barr gave up just three hits while walking two and striking out one.

Second-place Hazleton Area slipped to 10-3 in the division.

Pittston Area 3, Dallas 2

Silvio Giardina struck out eight as the winning pitcher and provided two hits to the offense as Pittston Area won at Dallas Wednesday.

It was the first time in 13 WVC Division 1 games that an opponent came within a run of the unbeaten Patriots. Pittston Area remained unbeaten through 19 games overall.

T.J. Johnson came on to strike out the only batter he faced with the tying and winning runs on base in the bottom of the seventh.

Beau Widdick doubled for the only Pittston Area extra-base hit.

Wyoming Seminary 11, Wyoming Area 3

Wyoming Seminary scored 10 runs over the final three innings to beat Wyoming Area at Atlas Field Thursday.

Ben Rogish, who scored and drove in a run, and Alex Vacula each had two hits for the Warriors.

Wyoming Area is 5-3 in the division and 9-8 overall.

Emma Kelleher wrapped up her Susquehanna University women’s lacrosse career May 1 in a Landmark Conference playoff loss at top-seeded University of Scranton.

Kelleher had two of the River Hawks goals in the 16-6 loss.

The Wyoming Area graduate finished second on the team in most statistical categories, ranking behind different players. She was second in goals (35), assists (24), points (59), draw controls (68), groundballs (27) and turnovers caused (14).

Susquehanna went 5-4 in the Landmark and finished 9-10 overall.

In four years at Susquehanna, Kelleher scored 83 goals, along with producing 48 assists, 81 groundballs, 148 draw controls and 37 caused turnovers.

Will Conyngham and Carol Lavery, chair and vice chair, respectively, of the LCHS, spoke to the council to share their enthusiasm on acquiring the former St. Cecilia Catholic Church property, next door from Wyoming Area Catholic School.

“When the diocese of Scranton decided to sell St. Cecilia’s, we got early word on it, and we thought that’s an awful lot of space for a very attractive price, so we bought it at the beginning of last month,” Conyngham said. “It’ll take years before we are what we want to be. We have so much design work; we’re talking to architects.”

Conyngham estimates it could take it up to three-years before they get the building to where they would like it to be for their needs.

The former church has been vacant for approximately four-year and much has deteriorated since and needs to be repaired to cause any further damage.

Lavery said she’s currently chairing the fundraising committee and the new facility committee responsible for the new design of the building, the contracting, and future plans for the structure.

“We are really here because we just wanted to introduce ourselves and our main purpose is to be a good neighbor,” Lavery said. “We can assure you that we are very soon going to have the shrubs and everything cleaned up, so the building will look once again as it had done four years ago before it was put on the market. We were just starting right now to do some renovation or some structural work to ensure that stop the roof from leaking and stop the damage that that is occurring.”

Lavery said the LCHS is very happy to be situated next door to Wyoming Area Catholic School where students would be able to utilize their building for educational purposes.

“Our building is going to be most of all a community center, somewhere where people can come, particularly children, and we’re so excited that it is right there next door to that school, and that those school children can come in every day, if they wish to have an opportunity to learn,” Lavery said.

There will be many different kinds of exhibits that will be changing. Currently, the LCHS has over 200,000 items in their collect that need to be displayed and the former church is ideal, according to Lavery.

In addition to a community room and a research library planned, there will be plenty of parking behind the building.

WYOMING – Former Wyoming Area English teacher-turned-children’s book author Lucille Colandro returned to the Wyoming Area Primary Center to read a few of her books to the children.

Colandro is best known for her whimsical and humorous “There Was an Old Lady” series, which playfully reimagines the classic cumulative rhyme with a modern twist.

Her books are especially popular among early readers for their rhyming text, silly scenarios, and vibrant illustrations by Jared Lee.

She left Wyoming Area in 1977 and began writing her first book, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat! and her career was off and running.

According to Colandro, she has penned 24 books, many with the theme, “There Was an Old Lady.”

In 2016, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey! became a New York Times bestseller.

Colandro’s books are frequently selected by literacy programs like Book Trust, highlighting their role in promoting reading among young audiences.

She has two more books coming out in 2025; There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rainbow! And There Was an Old Lady Who Said Trick or Treat!

Her books are available through Barnes & Noble and Amazon as well as local libraries and bookstores.

PITTSTON – Pittston Area Lions Club is looking to re-activate, with the aid of sponsoring club, Dupont Lions, in holding an Information Night on Thursday, May 22 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the school’s library.

Guiding Lion Linda Zaneski and Zone Chair Lion Bob Price, of Dupont Lions Club, will be on hand to answer questions and concerns on joining the Pittston Area Lions Club. Refreshments will be provided.

At the meeting, you will learn about the benefits of joining a Lions club while making connections and making a difference and serve the Pittston Area.

The mission of the Lions is to empower volunteers, to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions’ clubs.

Free raffle tickets will be given to all sending in an RSVP by May 15 to Linda at 570-709-9519.

Dupont Lions is the sponsoring club of Pittston Area School District’s Leo’s Club under the direction of faculty member Kim Collins.

The Lions Club is a global service organization founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones in Chicago.

With the motto “We Serve,” Lions Clubs International focuses on community service, humanitarian aid, and promoting peace.

Members engage in various initiatives, including vision care, youth programs, disaster relief, hunger relief, and environmental sustainability.

The organization is particularly known for its commitment to preventing blindness and providing eye care through programs like SightFirst.

Operating in over 200 countries, the Lions Club empowers volunteers to improve local communities while fostering international understanding and cooperation. It is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations.

HUGHESTOWN — Our Brothers Keepers Foundation will sponsor its 4th annual Alcoholism and Addiction family event at the Robert Yaple Memorial Park at 1p.m. Saturday, May 17.

The nonprofit organization helps people with addictionsand their families find resources and information so they have a better chance at recovery. Local businesses and the community are volunteering to support their cause through this free event.

The alumni from the Salvation Army Adult Recovery Center will grill hot dogs and hamburgers. Kaylene Chaump, owner of Whimsy Wonders Body Art, will volunteer painting faces. A bounce house will be donated by local business Ashley Machine & Tool. Raffle baskets will be gifts from the community. Restaurants will donate gift cards for the baskets. Mental health facilities will put together baskets as well. There will also be 50/50 tickets. Rachel Wydra of the PA Department of Health will bring boxes of narcan and will make a presentation about how and when narcan should be administered.

Our Brothers Keepers Foundation was started by Hughestown resident Katrina Gentner in March 2022. Her brother, Chris Gentner, passed away form a drug overdose in January 2022. Katrina is currently recovering from using drugs. She has been clean for 10 years running. This inspired her to help people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol.

“I decided that we needed to try to help these people and get the community to understand what addiction actually is and that there is help out there,” she said.

Volunteer Robert Moyer has been Katrina’s go-to person for this endeavor. Our Brothers Keepers Foundation recently had its annual bowling fundraiser called Strike Out Addiction. Rehab centers brought clients for them to bowl at this event.

This year, the organization raised its personal best of $1,400. At the end of the year, any money raised from the bowling event and the family event is used for buying Christmas presents and drop them off to rehab centers so parents can send them to their children. Katrina believes in giving hope to people in rehab so they can build a strong foundation for them to continue their recovery for when they get to leave their facility.

“That is our whole purpose throughout the year,” said Katrina, who witnesses firsthand the broken residents of her workplace Clearbrook Treatment Center. “Any kind of hope and love I can bring to other people struggling, I feel that’s my purpose and that’s why God allowed me to get sober.”

Katrina looks forward to the family event.

“The support that we get from the community is amazing,” she said. “It’s a beautiful thing to watch people come together for this type of a cause.”

PITTSTON - The Pittston Area held a “We Make Learning Days” at Pittston Area Intermediate School on Wednesday, May 7. Students did exercises in building and testing in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

I always think of my late mother on a daily basis in one way, shape or form, so for me, I guess everyday is Mother’s Day.

Often I find myself in a conversation with someone and we could be talking about food, for example, and I invariably would bring my mom into the conversation.

I’ve noted many times in this column on how my mom was an excellent cook and her baked goods, she would get the chef’s kiss. Everything was wonderful.

How often do we celebrate a holiday and never know its origin? Probably most of them, I’m guessing.

Mother’s Day in the United States has its roots in the 19th century, evolving from various local efforts to honor mothers and promote peace.

The holiday as we know it today is largely attributed to Anna Jarvis, who campaigned for a national day to honor mothers in the early 20th century.

Ann Reeves Jarvis, Anna’s mother, organized the earliest notable precursor in the 1850s. She created “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” in West Virginia to improve health and sanitation.

During the Civil War, these clubs promoted peace and unity, and afterward, she organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day” events to bring together families divided by the war.

Inspired by her mother’s activism, Anna Jarvis launched a campaign to establish Mother’s Day as a national holiday after her mother’s death in 1905. She held the first official celebration on May 10, 1908, at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia.

Simultaneously, a large event was held at a department store in Philadelphia, funded by philanthropist John Wanamaker.

Anna Jarvis envisioned the holiday as a deeply personal occasion to honor the sacrifices mothers make for their children. She emphasized handwritten letters and personal gestures over material gifts. Her efforts gained momentum, and by 1911, all U.S. states observed the day in some form. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation officially designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day, a national holiday.

Jarvis became one of the holiday’s most vocal critics in later years. She was dismayed by the commercialization of Mother’s Day, particularly the profit-driven sales of greeting cards, flowers, and candy. She spent much of her later life protesting what the holiday had become, even attempting to have it rescinded.

Despite her protests, Mother’s Day grew into one of the most commercially significant holidays in the U.S. It is now celebrated with cards, gifts, flowers, and family gatherings. While the tone of the holiday has changed from Jarvis’s original intent, it remains a widely recognized day to appreciate and honor the role of mothers.

I would always try to get my mom something special for Mother’s Day, something unusual, if possible, but something she would really like.

The biggest joy I received was the look on her face when she opened a gift or a card from me.

What I would do to see her face and her reaction just one more time.

Of course, I thought of my mom a few days ago when the first American Pope was selected. She told me we may never have an American Pope, at least in her lifetime and she was correct. It didn’t happen in her lifetime, but it did in mine and it was a shocker.

I don’t believe I heard the name of Robert Francis Prevost from any of the commentators.

I was working at a newspaper job when the white smoke appeared and I missed it live. My sister Maria called me to tell me we had a Pope and my daughter Tiffany, who teaches at Wyoming Area Catholic School, informed me he is an American.

Maria said he came out to the balcony and he looked very Pope-like. I’m not sure what that is, but I understood what she was saying. Tiffany told me the whole school had the TV coverage on in all the classrooms.

I don’t know what it was that overcame me, but I felt like I was on a pro football team and we just won the Super Bowl. I’ve lived through a few conclaves in my lifetime, but this was the first time I got that excited. What was really crazy, when I heard he was an American, I got the chill bumps on my arms.

Watching the TV coverage on Pope Leo XIV has been, at times, electrifying. The crowd went crazy when Pope Leo came out to the balcony and when it was announced he was an American; it felt like it was a huge upset to put it in sports terminology.

I loved watching the TV interviews with his two brothers. His one brother has always called him Bobby from priesthood through being a Cardinal and he said he would always be Bobby. I guess it would be a bit strange to call my own brother Pope.

Congratulations and best wishes to Pope Leo XIV.

I’d also like to congratulate Scott Meuser, Pride Mobility Corp. president and CEO, after receiving the Titan of Industry Award this past Thursday at The Banks – A Waterfront Venue.

Sandy and Scott, two great selections.

Quote of the Week

“Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.” – Linda Wooten

Thought of the Week

“Our priority has to be to live the good news, to live the Gospel, to share the enthusiasm that can be born in our hearts and in our lives when we truly discover who Jesus Christ is.” – Pope Leo XIV

Bumper Sticker

“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.” – Rudyard Kipling

Lyla Rehill and Addison Byers scored four goals each Wednesday when Wyoming Area celebrated Senior Night with a 12-4 victory over visiting Pittston Area in Wyoming Valley Conference girls lacrosse.

Ava Menditto scored a goal and assisted two others.

Ashlynn Selden scored twice for Pittston Area.

Wyoming Area improved to 8-5, with all games coming in the WVC.

The Lady Patriots slipped to 1-11 in the WVC and 1-13 overall.

Lakeland 10, Wyoming Area boys 6

Lakeland defeated host Pittston Area in Thursday’s WVC game.

The Warriors are 3-8 in the WVC and 3-11 overall.

Wyoming Area boys 10, Tunkhannock 6

Wyoming Area won the WVC game at Tunkhannock May 3.

Wyoming Area girls 17, Hazleton Area 5

Julianna Gonzales reached the 200-goal mark for her career in Wyoming Area’s home-field romp Monday.

Gonzales has scored more than 100 goals this season.

Scranton Prep 16, Pittston Area girls 7

Pittston Area fell to visiting Scranton Prep Monday.

Pitcured is the Nativity of Our Lord Parish First Holy Communion Class. First row, from left: Anna Alba, Reagan Russick, Zoe Zlotek,Nora McGowan, Bridget Soy, Fiona Melucci, Mina Boam, Carley Davies. Second row: Fr. Michael Bryant, Aubree Evans, Eli Bomber, Domnick Pizzola, Gianni Inman, Roman Riviello, Harrison Lukasavage, Aubrey DePrimo, Deacon Andre Kabacinski. Third row: Camden Matos-Davis, Spencer D’aniello,Louis Ciuccio,Jackson Talarico.