Luzerne County News Archives

State Police in Luzerne County are investigating a late night crash that killed a teenager. via PAHomepage.com

“The grand jury received credible evidence tending to show that Osticco acted on behalf of the Bufalino crime family as a favor to Louis A. DeNaples”

The grand jury report released Wednesday offers some new information on two mysteries in the Louis DeNaples story - the jury-fixing in his 1977 federal fraud case and his role in Theta Land Corp., which owns ... via Citizensvoice.com

“I was surprised he was home because he's usually at work at a bank”

Former Rice Twp. supervisor who lost his job at PNC Bank reportedly had financial, marital problems. via Times Leader

“A significant force caused this”

Charges of child abuse against a Nicholson man were forwarded to county court on Tuesday after a hearing in Central Court. via Citizensvoice.com

“The judge considered the evidence and made the right decision”

A district judge dismissed rape and sexual assault charges against a Wilkes-Barre man this morning in Luzerne County Central Court. via The Citizens' Voice

“I'm on board and it's my understanding this will be a trial”

Accused murderer Harlow Cuadra has put his fate in the hands of attorney Demetrius Fannick. via The Citizens' Voice

“My understanding is (Kabacinski) was concerned for the safety of other homeless individuals at the shelter. He contacted our department, and we have an outstanding working relationship”

The Luzerne County Sheriff's Department on Friday arrested eight wanted fugitives at the VISION emergency homeless shelter, according to Sheriff Michael Savokinas in a press release. via Citizensvoice.com

“Tammy Fassett simply got in the way”

Gruesome details of Michael J. Kerkowski's death emerged Friday when Paul Weakley pleaded guilty to killing the former pharmacist and his girlfriend Tammy Fassett in 2002. via The Citizens' Voice

A New York man wanted for attempted murder was arrested in Hanover Township on Wednesday, the United States Marshals announced. via Citizensvoice.com

Prosecutors scored an important victory yesterday in their pursuit of multiple-murder suspect Hugo Selenski, securing a guilty plea from his codefendant in the slayings of a man and woman whose bodies were ... via Philly.com

A 34-year-old man was arraigned Thursday on burglary charges after police say he burglarized one Kingston home and attempted to break into a second. via Citizensvoice.com

“I was surprised when I called and (Charlie) was home. He's normally working”

The suspect who police believe shot and killed two people in Rice Township will be arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Ronald Swank this evening. via Citizensvoice.com

Fire officials have determined a fatal overnight Duryea fire was accidental. Ronald Mateyka, 55, was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, said Luzerne County Coroner ... via Citizensvoice.com

“It the most responsible we can be with tax dollars by creating greater efficiency, greater protection and controlling costs”

A regional force for Nanticoke city and Newport and Hanover townships explained at forum. via Times Leader

“The firefighters are extremely distraught”

The fire that claimed the lives of two children and a man early Thursday morning on South Franklin Street has been ruled accidental, Fire Chief Jacob Lisman said. via Citizensvoice.com

“When we walked up to the house, there was mostly smoke coming out. After they brought somebody out of the house, that's when the fire actually broke through the downstairs window”

Four people died in two fires early Thursday in Luzerne County. The first happened in Duryea around 2:30 a.m. The second happened minutes later at an apartment house in Wilkes-Barre. When Newswatch 16 arrived ... via WNEP-TV Moosic

“We must do more than offer a band-aid solution to stem the increasing flow of the needs of the uninsured”

After spending 18 months on a waiting list, some 29,000 uninsured adults can now be covered under a state "band-aid" health insurance program, Gov. via The Citizens' Voice

“In criminal law we prosecute two things, intentions and actions”

A 61-year-old Dupont man who shot his landlord in the head over a parking space pleaded guilty to attempted criminal homicide and will serve six to 12 years in state prison. via The Citizens' Voice

A district judge agreed to release a Hazleton mother, accused of rolling over onto and killing her 21-day-old son while drunk and high, on $500,000 unsecured bail on Tuesday. via The Citizens' Voice

“Some day are worse than others”

John Edward Day was sentenced to at least four years in prison Tuesday morning for charges related to an April 4 fatal crash that killed 26-year-old Amber Seeman. via The Citizens' Voice

Attorneys for mass murderer George Banks have asked the state Supreme Court to reconsider its decision that ordered a new competency hearing for Banks, arguing the high court utilized the wrong legal standard ... via Times Leader

“Nobody's lifting a finger to do anything”

Woman was convicted of raping 2 boys. Husband says he coached boys to lie. The husband of a woman convicted of raping two boys said he told the boys to make up the rape allegations. via Times Leader

“I was speaking and Tratthen yelled 'slow down,'”

Luzerne County Judge Ann H. Lokuta testified Monday she had conversations with the FBI about scheduling in the county's court system. via Citizensvoice.com

Two were killed and one seriously hurt in a crash in Luzerne County. It happened on Airport Road in Hazle Township, near Hazleton after midnight Friday morning. via WNEP-TV Moosic

HAZLETON A Hazleton man will face a criminal homicide charge in Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas in connection with the death of a 2-year-old boy in December. via Times Leader

Two people from Hazleton were killed early Friday morning in a horrific crash on the Airport Beltway in Hazle Township. via Pocono Record

“She kept repeating, 'My baby.'”

By KELLY MONITZ Staff Writer Twenty-year-old Alexander L. Garcia didn't intend to kill his girlfriend's 2-year-old son in their West Diamond Avenue apartment and shouldn't be charged with first-degree murder, ... via Standard Speaker

“It's a great opportunity to do what I was elected to do”

Testimony in Luzerne County Judge Ann H. Lokuta's misconduct trial may have wrapped up Wednesday, but a verdict is still months away. via The Citizens' Voice

HAZLETON Police said a 24-year-old man driving a stolen car didn't get too far from the scene. via Times Leader

Thomas Walsh has already resigned as Luzerne County chief deputy sheriff, and he will be replaced by Duryea Police Chief Charles J. Guarnieri. via Times Leader

“Head trauma is the leading death in child abuse cases in the United States.”

Police are investigating an incident involving a baby in a home on Bator Street in West Hazleton. via Citizensvoice.com

A suspended Newport Township police officer who tried to plead no contest to a prostitution charge last week, pleaded guilty Monday to the charge in front of Luzerne County Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. via The Citizens' Voice

LUZERNE COUNTY'S newly sworn-in commissioner trio should log on to their respective computers this week and if they already haven't done it bookmark the Web sites of these three groups. via Times Leader

“I think it's one of those quirks of timing”

New tires for his truck. A washing machine for his home. Even a solar cover for his swimming pool. via Citizensvoice.com

“This death just punctuated it”

On a gray winter's day, a few passersby with umbrellas hurry across the rain swept "Emergency Responder Plaza" in the Capitol complex. via Daily and Sunday Review

“I think Tom Leighton is being ignorant and arrogant.”

Mayor Tom Leighton thanked several federal, state and county officials after being sworn in to another four-year term Monday, but Luzerne County Commissioner Stephen Urban was not one of them. via Citizensvoice.com

“I have every documentation and every license”

A Pennsylvania sporting goods dealer and a Russian businessman were charged with illegally smuggling military equipment out of the United States, federal prosecutors said Thursday. via Cumberlink.com

He's been in office for less than a week, but already Luzerne County Sheriff Michael Savokinas is being sued by an employee who claims he was fired for political reasons. via Times Leader

“They were misdemeanors, on probation anyways, require jumps through big loops and closer to supervision that way.”

There won't be any jail time for the former Chief of Police in Avoca. Edward Locowich was charged criminally last June and today was sentenced to probation on several misdemeanors. via PAHomepage.com

“It's really just a paper transaction.”

Wilkes-Barre political activist Tim Grier has filed a court appeal of a state administrative order dismissing his two complaints against Luzerne County's plans to borrow up to $93.5 million. via The Citizens' Voice

“I was actually sworn in as an assistant DA 20 years ago. This is a great day for myself and my family.”

Jackie Musto Carroll raised her right hand and made history Monday. With her husband and three sons at her side, Mrs. via The Times-Tribune

“Back in April, prior counsel waived the preliminary hearing”

More serious allegations in case of soliciting sex from a minor are withdrawn. WILKES-BARRE A second preliminary hearing ordered by a Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas judge benefited a 21-year-old man ... via Times Leader

“We will be filing a stay of execution and we will request the court to do an intervention”

A death warrant is signed, but lawyers say the execution set for Feb . 28 is unlikely. via Times Leader

A Presbyterian church that voted to leave the Presbyterian Church has filed a lawsuit to avoid any threat of seizure of its property by the local presbytery as it joins a more conservative denomination. via The Morning Call

“We have taken the opportunity for parents to come to us”

By KENT JACKSON Staff Writer Three kings representing those who traveled afar to greet the newborn Jesus helped guide people to educational opportunities on Friday after they migrated to Hazleton. via Standard Speaker

A flurry of court filings have been made in the federal case against a reputed Luzerne County mob boss, but it is unclear whether any link exists between William D'Elia's case and information he may have given ... via Citizensvoice.com

“I enthusiastically pass the torch on to Maryanne”

By MICHAEL P. BUFFER Staff Writer WILKES-BARRE -- Luzerne County Commissioner Chairman Greg Skrepenak announced Friday he plans to nominate his Democratic running mate, Maryanne Petrilla, to replace him as ... via Standard Speaker

“I just can't wait to get started.”

BARRE David Lupas considers his mentally disabled sister, Joanne, as extra special to him and his family. via Times Leader

Bail was set at $100,000 on Thursday morning for the man accused of robbing a Wilkes-Barre bank at gunpoint yesterday. via Citizensvoice.com

Lokuta, Solomon, Salitis due in court. Homicide trial of Perrego to begin. WILKES-BARRE Just as the last few months of 2007 held some high-profile court cases, the first few months of 2008 are looking to be ... via Times Leader

A 21-year-old man riding an all-terrain vehicle was killed Monday night in a crash on North Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilkes-Barre. Douglas Conahan of Wilkes-Barre died of multiple traumatic injuries, said Luzerne ... via Citizensvoice.com

Firefighters say they battled low water pressure and slippery roads at a house fire that killed a Luzerne County man. via Cumberlink.com

“It's in their hands now, and we await their decision”

By MICHAEL P. BUFFER Staff Writer WILKES-BARRE State officials conducted a "kangaroo court" hearing over the phone Monday on Luzerne County's plans to borrow up to $93.5 million, Wilkes-Barre political activist ... via Standard Speaker