Luzerne County News Archives

“He didn't really have to convince me”

Kelleher, 67, the newly appointed pastor at All Saints Parish on Willow Street, had been married for 27 years, raised three children, and taught English and Philosophy at Luzerne County Community College. via The Citizens' Voice

The married couple who died in a house fire Saturday in Dallas were identified Sunday as Margaret Delaney, 51, and Donald Thomas, 48, Luzerne County Coroner John Corcoran said. via Citizensvoice.com

“One person should not have all the financial responsibility”

Accused embezzlers Carolyn Tirone, Michele Hivish and Ruth Ann Lyons all had access to the checkbook at their work place. via Citizensvoice.com

The Pittston Township Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night formally accepted the resignation of Carolyn Tirone, a secretary who allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars in township funds over the last two ... via Citizensvoice.com

“She lost her mother, she lost her stepfather, she lost the house. She lost everything she knew.”

A neighbor tried Sunday afternoon to coax the lone survivor from the charred remains of the home where Margaret Delaney and Donald Thomas died in a fire the night before. via The Times-Tribune

“And it puts quite a burden on the county, which ought not happen”

By MICHAEL P. BUFFER Staff Writer WILKES-BARRE -- Illegal immigration is adding to the rising number of inmates at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility. via Standard Speaker

“Compared to what I was looking at, I thought, 'What the heck, it's worth a shot.'”

At 48 years of age, Charlie Bogert figured it was high time to get his high school diploma. via The Citizens' Voice

“It seems unfortunately to be a trend here in Luzerne County with these types of cases”

A former Pittston Township secretary stole more than $31,000 from the municipality starting in 2005, according to arrest papers. via Citizensvoice.com

“They have been criticized and called criminals, and that's unfair.”

Luzerne County finances and debit cards were hot topics at the county commissioners' meeting Thursday. via Citizensvoice.com

“I detected a very strong odor of alcohol on his breath”

Charles Silsby, 54, faces trial on a count of recklessly endangering another. EDWARD LEWIS elewis@timesleader.com WILKES-BARRE A Larksville police officer testified that Charles Silsby had a blood-alcohol level ... via Times Leader

“She came forward and said, 'I did it,'”

The township board of supervisors Tuesday night formally accepted a letter of resignation from Carolyn Tirone, a secretary who allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars in township funds over the last two ... via Citizensvoice.com

Two women were charged with stealing from their employers in separate cases in Luzerne County. via WILK-AM Pittston

“The Diocese brought this to the attention of the district attorney and we are cooperating fully”

Police say a longtime secretary at a Catholic school in Wilkes-Barre stole nearly $50,000 from the school's coffers by forging checks over the last five years and tried to conceal the thefts by transferring ... via The Citizens' Voice

“I'm not even dealing with them”

AirportBusiness.com Online Article Page Top News Headlines Most Read Most E-mailed Airport tenant falls behind again: Dupont Airport Realty, which hasn't found replacement for restaurant closed since March, ... via Airport Business

There is a precautionary boil water advisory for Pennsylvania American Water Company customers in part of Luzerne County due to a water main break along Main Street in Sugar Notch. via WNEP-TV Moosic

“I'm sad to see him go. I've agreed with him 95 percent of the time and I commend his work ethic”

The Wilkes-Barre Area School Board on Wednesday voted to accept the resignation of John Corcoran, who stepped down after the State Ethics Commission ruled he could not serve as both school director and Luzerne ... via Citizensvoice.com

“The people of Luzerne County aren't sold on this”

The fate of U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski's 20-year quest for an inflatable dam in Luzerne County could be sealed by the county Flood Protection Authority by April. via The Times-Tribune

“We look forward to working with the Luzerne County commissioners”

Luzerne County paid two law firms a total of $31,227 before suspending legal work on preventing the sale of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, records show. via Citizensvoice.com

A man accused of stabbing a woman and trying to rape her in 2005 during an attempted robbery of a convenient store in Pittston is back in Luzerne County to face charges. via Citizensvoice.com

“It's the court's prerogative on who they hire. They're the ones who answer to the people on this. That's where the heat should go.”

By MICHAEL P. BUFFER Staff Writer WILKES-BARRE -- Sam Guesto won't be out of a Luzerne County job after all. via Standard Speaker

Police say the man charged last month with causing widespread graffiti vandalism in the area is in trouble again - this time for a copper theft spree in the Sweet Valley area that included a Wilkes-Barre ... via Citizensvoice.com

“As an administrator, you try to protect your residents and ensure they receive good quality care.”

David Michael Gula crossed his arms and shook his head in disbelief as a Luzerne County jury found him guilty Thursday on all charges related to an attempted sexual assault of a 90-year-old woman with advanced ... via The Citizens' Voice

“Furthermore, I plan to examine the underlying laws which enable federal bureaucrats to value 'riffle pool' complexes over the needs of human beings.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has scrapped plans to construct an inflatable dam in Wilkes-Barre. In a statement released Thursday night, the Corps announced it denied an application submitted by the Luzerne ... via The Citizens' Voice

Prosecutors said Monday they have 385 "prospective" witnesses to rebut a possible alibi defense for suspected killer Joseph Kerekes. via Citizensvoice.com

“She asked me what I was doing and I said, 'What does it look like I'm doing,'”

Just three witnesses, including David Michael Gula, took the stand Wednesday at Luzerne County Courthouse for his defense. via Citizensvoice.com

“Therefore, as my renovations are taking a little longer than expected at Harveys Lake, we decided to use the old address on the petition to fully comply both with the letter and the spirit of the law.”

Dan Meuser, a Republican candidate for the 10th Congressional District seat, has filed nomination petitions that show he continues to live outside the district. via Citizensvoice.com

“This was a couple who had a baby together and wanted to do the right thing.”

By ERIN L. NISSLEY Staff Writer A federal judge ruled that Luzerne County cannot force couples applying for marriage licenses to prove they are in the country legally, a decision that could affect other ... via Standard Speaker

“I think there is not a general understanding as to how many people are being released who are dangerous criminals.”

U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter on Monday told Luzerne County officials he wants to help the county deal with its rising prison population of illegal immigrants. via The Citizens' Voice

“These people are so well-trained at what they do”

A massive 68-vehicle pileup killed one woman, injured dozens and closed Interstate 81 for hours Sunday. via Citizensvoice.com

“Now, Kehler is facing serious jail time for his actions rather than simply paying fines”

By SAM GALSKI Staff Writer A Weatherly man who led Hazleton police on a high-speed pursuit after he allegedly attempted to run down a Hazleton police patrolman during a Monday morning traffic stop in the city ... via Standard Speaker

Pittston Area School Board member John A. Adonizio on Wednesday waived driving under the influence and related charges to Luzerne County Court. via The Citizens' Voice

“Thus, there were no police emergency lights to capture the attention of”

Erik Mark Vannucchi, 19, was killed in hit-and-run after Plymouth police stopped him. via Times Leader

A Mountain Top man was killed in an accident early Wednesday at Sword and Elmwood drives in the Crestwood Industrial Park. via Citizensvoice.com

“It sounds like somebody added a middle man to make the money on these goods”

Ex-Key Stores workers say officials paid marked-up price for items to Rodano firm. via Times Leader

A Sweet Valley man wasn't driving the van that crashed head-on into another vehicle in Lake Township in 2005 and caused severe head injuries to the passenger in the other vehicle, his attorney said during ... via The Citizens' Voice

BARRE Suspended Wilkes-Barre Township tax collector Ruth Ann Lyons, 41, waived her right to a preliminary hearing in Central Court on Tuesday on charges she stole $48,000 from the township's payroll account. via Times Leader

“We're very pleased for our client”

A Hazleton law firm mishandled a deceased Luzerne County man's estate, a jury found Monday, awarding the man's executors more than $3.4 million in damages and fees. via Citizensvoice.com

“A little bit of financial woes? It says in court documents? Lyons Attorney Peter Moses replied, "I'm not going to speculate on the reasons. At the appropriate time she'll have the chance to address the court and at time maker her feelings known.”

Wilkes-Barre Township's Tax Collector turns herself in, accused of stealing thousands of taxpayer dollars. via PAHomepage.com

“We figured the easiest way to get signatures would be to have some place for people to go”

A group of area Republicans is helping Lou Barletta get on the ballot for a run at incumbent Democrat Paul Kanjorski's congressional seat, even though the Hazleton mayor has not yet declared whether he will be ... via Citizensvoice.com

“These types of infections have always been present, mainly in contact sports, but we've got to respond to this stuff”

Having experienced firsthand the dangers of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, better known as MRSA, those who have encountered the deadly bacterium say the community desperately needs to promote ... via Citizensvoice.com

Luzerne County authorities say a longtime tax collector stole more than $48,000 from Wilkes-Barre Township. via The York Daily Record

“Some people are worried I'm going to get hurt”

It's not everyday somebody eats and breathes fire outside of Penn State Hazleton's library. via Citizensvoice.com

“And certainly we're not going to be distracted just because of all the drug related incidents or homicides or any other type of crime going on. This is just as serious ... as those crimes and they're going to be pursued.”

A long-time Wilkes-Barre Township tax collector stole more than $48,000 from township payroll because of "money problems," Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll said at a press conference ... via Citizensvoice.com

“I feel I have the judicial temperament and the objectivity to do this job”

A former Luzerne County judge confirmed this week he has applied to get his old job back. via The Citizens' Voice

INTERSTATE 81 in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties have experienced several crashes this morning. via The Citizens' Voice

A Nescopeck man died Thursday night in a tragic accident on his luzerne county farm. via PAHomepage.com