WB_VOICE/PAGES [B01] | 04/20/19
20:49 | CONNORSSTE
tHE CItIzEns’ VOICE
Sports SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2019
THE DREAM STARTED HERE NFL prospect McGovern showed early greatness across the Wyoming Valley BY STEVE BENNETT STAFF WRITER
Most watching one particular 6-yearold run up the down the soccer field in Plymouth knew it wouldn’t be long before he traded in his shorts and shin guards for the shoulder pads and helmet of the Ed-Lark Hurricanes. Connor McGovern once played soccer, but that proved to be a brief blip on the radar, long before he spent his Sun-
PENGUINS
days traveling across the Wyoming Valley as a mini football player, playing for the Hurricanes. He played against kids maybe twice his size, and they had truly no idea where the little kid they were dominating would eventually wind up. McGovern’s destination will ultimately be learned later this week when the NFL draft begins Thursday night. Some see McGovern as a potential late firstround pick. Others see him going in the
second, while most mock drafts have him being selected no later than the third round. For now, all that is just speculation. McGovern put the work in, from the mini football field in Larksville to the high school stadiums around the Wyoming Valley Conference to Penn State’s Beaver Stadium and beyond. Please see MCGOVERN, Page B4
THE ANCHOR TRACK & FIELD
Fifth runner takes Valley West relay to finish line THE CITIZENS’ VOICE FILE
Sam Lafferty made his case this season to be a future Pittsburgh Penguin.
Young talent still the norm for WBS BY TYLER PICCOTTI STAFF WRITER
WILKES-BARRE — Getting to the Calder Cup playoffs is always a goal for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and they came up a little bit short despite their best efforts. But focusing too much on standings points and potential tiebreakers diverted from the more important takeaway from the season’s final weeks. When it comes to the future of Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the well is far from dry in terms of young players with great potential. With big names like Garrett Wilson and Teddy Blueger promoted to the NHL — and others like Thomas Di Pauli sidelined by injury — the Penguins were reliant on their rookies and youthful depth throughout 2018-19. Four of their first-year players played in 61 or more games, and it would have been five if not for midseason injuries to Sam Miletic. As the season wound down, college products like Jake Lucchini and Chase Berger played a significant role in the postseason chase. Littered throughout were noteworthy performances, especially by Miletic and forward Sam Lafferty. “They’ve made huge strides. They’re both going to be competing for games in Pittsburgh next year,” Penguins head coach Clark Donatelli said.
FRANK C. LAURI / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Valley West’s Lauren Konopke, left, takes the baton from Jillian Bonczewski to run the “fifth lap” of the 1600-meter relay. BY ERIC SHULTZ STAFF WRITER
WRIGHT TWP. — The fourth runner of Valley West’s 4x400 girls relay crossed the finish line — and then made a clean baton exchange. From there, Lauren Konopke began the fifth lap of the Spartans’ unique “5-by-4” relay during a recent track and field meet at Crestwood. Konopke started strong around the first turn, passing applause from some lacrosse players about to warm up for a game. She was all alone for the first 100 meters of her
run, but the track quickly filled up as she made her way down its backstretch. Spartans teammates from the girls and boys teams hustled across the infield turf and gathered behind Konopke. Every lane became crowded as she set the lead pace and took her team to the finish line of a close victory for Valley West’s girls. At this meet, and all others this season, Valley West isn’t done until Konopke finishes her relay’s fifth lap. It’s a tradition that’s gained steam over her three years on the team, to the point that even throwers
and opposing competitors join in for the day’s last event. It’s just one part of Konopke’s duties as a runner and assistant to coach Mallory Lewis during track and field season. “I love it so much,” Konopke said at a Spartans practice. Now a senior, Konopke has come a long way to get to her 400-meter finale. As her mother, Maria, explained in an email, Konopke is missing part of her 10th chromosome, a condition without a name or real prognosis. She also persevered through a number of other obsta-
cles in the first few months and years of her life. Maria said Lauren wouldn’t eat at birth, and trips to the NICU and Hershey Medical Center resulted in a diagnosis of bladder reflux, which went away without surgery. But weight and eating issues persisted through the first six months of Lauren’s life, and she began “extensive work” in physical, occupational and, later, speech therapy after the Konopkes determined she wasn’t meeting developmental milestones. Please see RELAY, Page B3
Please see PENS, Page B2
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WB_VOICE/PAGES [B03] | 04/20/19
SPORTS
SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2019
WVC LEADERS Softball Batting (Minimum 20 at-bats) Division 1 Name, school H AB Julia Franks, VW 14 27 Julia Mrochko, Haz 17 34 Bailey Loyack, PA 15 31 Lexi Felinski, PA 17 36 Kyra Antolick, Haz 12 26 Tiana Treon, Haz 13 30 Andi Blaski, VW 13 31 Marissa Trivelpiece, Haz 12 29 Gianna Gombeda, Haz 11 27 Division 2 Bri Pizzano, WA 19 36 Nicole Silinskie, WA 18 37 Faith Jones, Tunk 16 35 Samantha Kern, Dal 12 27 Katie Starr, Ber 9 21 Lilly Lombardo, Dal 9 21 Christina Schappert, Dal 14 33 Erin Dunn, Tunk 11 26 Jess Skladzien, WA 13 31 Jena Simmons, Tunk 12 30 Mackayla Quick, Tunk 12 30 Division 3 Sarah Tuzinski, Han 17 28 Kasidy Slusser, Han 14 25 Aubrey Mytych, Sem 15 27 McKenna Dolan, HR 11 21 Hayley Evans, L-L 9 20 Lael Walker, Mey 9 20 11 26 Lindsey Mendygral, Han Delaney Romanchick, Sem 10 25 Halle Kehl, Sem 10 25 RBIs Alexa McHugh, PA 17 Kari Melberger, WA 17 Julia Mooney, Haz 14 Lexi Felinski, PA 14 Nicole Silinskie, WA 14 Nicole Cragle, NW 14 Marissa Trivelpiece, Haz 13 Aubrey Mytych, Sem 13 Doubles Samantha Kern, Dal Nicole Silinskie, WA Kendra Schultz, Tunk Tinsley Sarnak, WA Kari Melberger, WA Alexa McHugh, PA Julia Franks, VW Hailey Farr, Tunk asidy Slusser, Han Tiana Wren, Sem
8 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4
Triples Lexi Felinski, PA Alexa McHugh, PA
4 3
Home runs Julia Mrochko, Haz Julia Mooney, Haz Jena Simmons, Tunk Nicole Cragle, NW Tiana Wren, Sem Marissa Trivelpiece, Haz Katie King, Nan Emilee Bobos, Han Courtney Cragle, NW Brenna Babcock, NW
4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3
Pitching Wins Alexa McHugh, PA Delaney Romanchick, Sem Sarah Tuzinski, Han Nicole Cragle, NW Aleah Kost, Haz
8 7 6 6 5
Avg .518 .500 .483 .472 .461 .433 .419 .413 .407 .527 .486 .457 .444 .428 .428 .424 .423 .419 .400 .400 .607 .560 .555 .523 .450 .450 .423 .400 .400
Strikeouts Alexa McHugh, PA Kendra Schultz, Tunk Sarah Tuzinski, Han Delaney Romanchick, Sem Sara Hoskins, VW Nicole Cragle, NW Kaylee Witner, MMI
8-22 8-22
.364 .364
14-25 14-26 17-32 18-35 12-24 11-23 12-26 10-24 11-27 13-34
.560 .538 .531 .514 .500 .478 .462 .417 .407 .382
Doubles Ty Federici, L-L Patrick Zarola, HR Joe Cencetti, PA Jerome Repetz, Haz Frankie Nockley, Sem Marcus Danchision, MMI Tony Egidio, Cou Gavin McGowan, Haz
6 6 5 5 4 4 4 4
Triples Todd Phillips, Sem Zach Luksic, Dal Darren Kerdesky, Dal Corey Zientek, Haz
2 2 2 2
Home runs Todd Phillips, Sem Henry Novicki, Ber Gavin Flanley, Sem
2 2 2
RBIs Ty Federici, L-L Kevin McNulty, MMI Justin Stefanowicz, Han Joe Stella, PA Kyle Sincavage, L-L Johnny DeLucca, PA Dylan Szychowski, Nan Henry Novicki, Ber Connor Hummer, Han Todd Phillips, Sem Derek Cunius, PA Blake Bynon, Mey Gavin Flanley, Sem
19 15 15 14 13 11 11 11 11 10 10 10 10
Strikeouts Nate Baranski, VW Aiden Murphy, Sem David Wickiser, HR Cole Coolbaugh, WA Todd Kolbicka, Han Will Youngman, Sem Darren Kerdesky, Dal Sawyer Kemp, Ber Luke Bottger, Mey Nick Matson, Nan Brady Antolick, Haz Gino Marrigi, PA Ty Federici, L-L
ERA 0.32 0.88 2.02 2.31 2.33 2.55 2.72 3.62 3.91 3.94
78 77 68 64 56 51 38
Baseball Batting Minimum 20 at-bats Division 1 Name, school H-AB Hunter Ralston, PA 12-22 Jerome Repetz, Haz 11-21 Joe Cencetti, PA 18-36 Tony Egidio, Cou 12-24 Derek Cunius, PA 15-31 Alex Amentler, Haz 9-20 Frank DeGaetano, Haz 10-23 Riley Brody, PA 12-28 Joe Stella, PA 14-33 Johnny DeLucca, PA 13-31 Division 2 Caleb Graham, WA 11-23 Cole Coolbaugh, WA 16-34 Nick Matson, Nan 13-28 Tyler Faux, Tunk 11-24 Shane Levan, Ber 11-24 Henry Novicki, Ber 12-27 Ian Kishbaugh, Ber 13-31 Chase Yochem, WA 11-27
Dylan Mislevy, Tunk Billy Dziak, Tunk Division 3 Kevin McNulty, MMI Auggie Georoge, Han Ty Federici, L-L Luke Spencer, L-L David Piestrak, NW Justin Stefanowicz, Han A.J. Jordan, MMI Connor Hummer, Han Marcus Kassick, MMI Frankie Nockley, Sem
Pitching Minimum 4 appearances APP Nate Baranski, VW 4 Brady Antolick, Haz 4 JJ Hood, WA 6 Gino Marrigi, PA 4 Kyle Hromisin, Sem 5 Todd Kolbicka, Han 6 Hunter Ralston, PA 4 Nick Finarelli, L-L 5
ERA (Minimum 20 innings pitched) IP Caitlyn Katchur, Haz 21 2/3 Sarah Tuzinski, Han 39 2/3 Nicole Cragle, NW 55 1/3 Aleah Kost, Haz 39 1/3 Delaney Romanchick, Sem 54 Kendra Schultz, Tunk 49 1/3 Alexa McHugh, PA 54 Sydney Hornlein, Dal 46 1/3 Sara Hoskins, VW 44 2/3 Tinsley Sarnak, WA 44 1/3
W-L 4-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-1 3-1 3-1
36 30 29 29 26 25 24 23 23 22 20 20 20
ERA Minimum 15 innings pitched IP Nate Baranski, VW 24 Colby Butczynski, Nan 20 1/2 Gino Marrigi, PA 16 Sawyer Kemp, Ber 18 Will Youngman, Sem 19 2/3 Aiden Murphy, Sem 19 Frank DeGaetano, Haz 17 1/3 Alex Kapral, Dal 17 David Wickiser, HR 20 1/3 Joey Noss, NW 15
ERA 0.58 0.69 0.88 1.17 1.42 1.47 1.62 2.06 2.07 2.33
Girls Lacrosse Name, School Kate Roberts, L-L Jess Evans, L-L Lauren Delamater, DAL Paige Parsons, WS Christina Kilyanek, WS Grace Parsons, WS Samantha Aben, L-L Bailey Fedun, DV Cassidy Orzel, WA Skyler Padgett, DV Ava Radel, L-L Makenzie Switzer, WA Shannon Barrett, DAL
G 50 38 42 38 35 30 27 33 24 21 22 20 19
A 25 21 16 12 13 16 18 5 8 9 6 7 8
P 75 59 58 50 48 46 45 38 32 30 28 27 27
A 26 18 25 15 17 18 8 14 10 10 10 8 12 8
P 56 48 47 46 46 44 40 36 34 32 29 28 24 24
Boys Lacrosse AVG .545 .524 .500 .500 .484 .450 .435 .429 .424 .419 .478 .471 .464 .458 .458 .444 .419 .407
22:29 | MALUSOANTH
Name, School Wyatt Malia, CRE Ryan Anderson, WS T.J. Herron, DAL Nick Solinsky, DAL Josh Balcarcel, DV Jackson Melnick, DV Shane Roche, DV David Lipinski, DAL Dan Meuser, DAL Jack Roche, NP Jason Parola, NP Anthony Caporuscio, CRE Greg Fisher, SP Dominic DeLuca, WA
G 30 30 22 31 29 26 32 22 24 22 19 20 12 16
Stats are as of April 19, compiled from all games as reported to The Citizens’ Voice.
THE CITIZENS' VOICE B3
Raptors’ Siakam having breakout playoffs BY TIM REYNOLDS ASSOCIATED PRESS
ORLANDO, Fla. — The stars have been stars in these playoffs. Kyrie Irving has Boston on the cusp of sweeping away the Indiana Pacers. Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Golden State are coming off a game against the Los Angeles Clippers where the Warriors looked very much like the NBA champions again. Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook are going at each other big-time in the Portland-Oklahoma City series. And then there’s Pascal Siakam. Toronto’s surprise story is no surprise anymore. Siakamhasbeenperhapsthe biggest breakout player in these playoffs, adding to his breakout season for the Raptors — who lead the Orlando Magic 2-1 in their first-round matchup thanks largely to the 25-year-old from Cameroon and his 24.3 points and 10 rebounds per gameintheseries. It’s easy to forget that Siakam only started playing organized basketball seven years ago. “Seriously?” Raptors guard Danny Green asked, unaware of his teammate’s unique background. Seriously. There’s four games on tap today: Boston has a 3-0 lead and can become the first team to advance to the second round if it wins at Indiana. All three other series on the
NBA PLAYOFFS what misleading, but Doc Rivers can’t have just one starter in double figures — as was the case in Game 2.
Raptors at Magic Raptors lead 2-1. Game 4, 7 p.m., TNT NEED TO KNOW: Entering Saturday, three players in these playoffs — Stephen Curry, James Harden and Pascal Siakam — had a 30-point double-double. Curry and Harden made a combined $68 million this season. Siakam made about $1.5 million. KEEP AN EYE ON: Orlando guard Evan Fournier is 12 JOHN RAOUX / ASSOCIATED PRESS for 42 in this series and was The Raptors’ Pascal Siakam, right, has been a break- 1 for 12 in Game 3. Among players with at least 10 shot out star early in the playoffs. attempts, there’s been only KEEP AN EYE ON: Pacers schedule — Golden State at five instances in Magic history the Los Angeles Clippers, starting forwards Bojan Bogwhere someone shot worse in Toronto at Orlando and Port- danovic and Thaddeus Young a home game. land at Oklahoma City — have will be free agents this sumthe road teams leading 2-1 and mer. Might this be their finales Trail Blazers at Thunder Trail Blazers lead 2-1. in position to all go home for in Indiana? Game 4, 9:30 p.m., TNT potential closeout wins if they Warriors at Clippers NEED TO KNOW: Oklahoma get victories on today. Warriors lead 2-1. Game 4, City clearly got its swagger Here’s a look at today’s 3:30 p.m., ABC back in Game 3. And Portland games: NEED TO KNOW: Golden needs to buck this history: Celtics at Pacers State sent a very clear mesThe Trail Blazers are 0-7 in sage in Game 3, blowing out their last seven playoff games Celtics lead 3-0. Game 4, Los Angeles by 27 with only immediately following a loss. 1 p.m., ABC KEEP AN EYE ON: The DaNEED TO KNOW: Boston is one starter logging more than seeking its first series sweep 30 minutes. And the Clippers mian Lillard-Russell Westhave allowed a staggering brook matchup is the presince 2011, when it rolled 129.7 points in their last six mier head-to-head tussle so past the Knicks. The Celtgames (going 2-4). far in these playoffs. Lillard’s ics’ other 4-0 sweeps came KEEP AN EYE ON: The Clip- 25-point third quarter in Game in 1959, 1980, 1981 and pers’ first unit. Lou Williams 3 was phenomenal, but the 1986. The Pacers are trying to avoid a fourth straight first- and Montrezl Harrell are great Thunder held him to seven off the bench and play startpoints in the other three quarround exit and their second ers’ minutes, so this is some- ters. 4-0 loss in three years.
Patriots blast 4 home runs in win STAFF REPORTS
Pittston Area softball totaled 18 hits, nine of them for extra bases, in a 13-7 win at Dallas on Saturday. Gabby Para had two of the Patriots’ four home runs. Madisyn Antal and Morgan Mesaris also homered. Antal added a double to her day. Lexi Felinski had two doubles and Tori Para one as part of the offensive outburst. Alexa McHugh picked up the win in the circle, finishing with nine strikeouts. Christina Schappert had four hits for Dallas including two doubles and a triple. Gianna Spaciano had a triple and two RBIs. Pittston Area
ab r h bi Para cf 4 3 2 2 Maisano cf 1 0 0 0 Felinski 2b 4 2 3 0 McHugh p 5 4 3 1 Antal 3b 5 2 3 3 Para 1b 3 0 1 2 Lieback ph 1 0 0 0 Mesaris 4 1 2 2 Williams lf 4 1 1 0 Bryk ph 1 0 0 0 Kivler rf 3 0 2 0 Weidlich ph 1 0 0 0 Loyack c 4 0 1 0 Totals 40 13 18 10
Pittston Area Dallas
Dallas
ab r Schappert ss 5 1 Spaciano 3b 5 1 Dixon cf 4 0 Kern lf 4 0 Hornlein p/p 4 0 Thomas ph 0 0 Lombardo 2b 2 1 Hockenberry c3 0 Berecin ph 0 1 Kocher rf 3 1 Sukulich rf 1 0 Hornlein 1b 4 2 Totals
523 010 2 020 003 2
h bi 4 4 1 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
2B: Christina Schappert (Dal) 2, Alexa McHugh (PA), Lexi Felinski (PA) 2, Madisyn Antal (PA), Tori Para (PA). 3B: Christina Schappert (Dal), Gianna Spaciano (Dal). HR: Morgan Mesaris (PA), Madisyn Antal (PA), Gabby Para (PA) 2. Pittston Area IP H R ER BB SO McHugh, WP 7 9 7 5 2 9 Dallas IP H R ER BB SO Hornlein, LP 7 18 13 10 2 4
Tunkhannock 7, Stroudsburg 2 At Tunkhannock, Hope Jones and Kendra Schultz combined on a one-hitter with nine strikeouts to lead Tunkhannock to a nonleague win. Hope Jones pitched the first four innings to get the win. She also had four hits, including a double, and two RBIs. Faith Jones had three hits and scored two runs. Hailey Farr and Erin Dunn each had two hits. Stroudsburg
35 7 9 7
ab Englehart cf 2 Bittiger ss 3 Guthy p 3 Weiss 1b 2 Stewart 2b 2 Longo c 3 Goldberg 3b 3 Drozal lf 2 Cramer rf 3 Totals 23
— 13 — 7
Stroudsburg Tunkhannock
r 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2
h bi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Tunkhannock
ab Jones ss 3 Jones p/p 4 Schultz 2b/p 4 Simmons c 3 Farr cf 4 Quick 1b 3 Howell 3 Walsh lf 3 Dunn rf 2 Totals 29
002 000 0 300 103 x
r h bi 2 3 1 2 4 2 1 1 1 0 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 7 15 6
— —
2 7
WVC ROUNDUP 2B: Hope Jones (Tunk), Gina Walsh (Tunk). 3B: Erin Dunn (Tunk). Stroudsburg IP H R ER BB SO Guthy, LP 15 7 7 0 3 1 Tunkhannock IP H R ER BB SO 4 0 2 0 2 5 Jones, WP Schultz 3 1 0 0 1 4
Baseball At Berwick, Henry Novicki had two hits, including a triple, scored two runs and drove in two as Berwick pick up a nonleague win over Northwest. Nick Feudale had two hits and an RBI, while Mike Lombargo had a single and three RBIs. Max Slusser, Mark McCracken and Xander Shaffer combined on a onehitter with Slusser picking up the win. Kevin Boyer had the only hit for Northwest, a double. Northwest Saxe 3b Piestrak ss Gregory cf Antolik p Mott c Boyer rf Verbinski ph Ridgely lf Sicora ph Capece 1b Pierontoni 2b
ab 3 2 3 3 3 2 1 2 1 1 2
r 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
h bi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Berwick
ab Kishbaugh ss 2 Campbell ph 1 Gearinger cf 3 Powers cf 1 Novicki 1b 3 Anderson 1b 1 Slusser p/p 0 Hughes lf 2 Levan c 2 Cerminaro c 1 Lombargo 2b 3
r 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 1
h bi 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
Copko ph Wilson p
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals
24 1 1 0
Northwest Berwick
Wygant rf 2 Sterner rf 0 Feudale dh 2 Kemp 3b 1 Creveling 3b 0 McCracken lf 2 Ridall ph 1 Shaffer p/p 0 Totals 27
000 001 0 430 000 x
2B: Kevin Boyer (NW). 3B: Henry Novicki (Ber). Northwest IP H Antolik, LP 2 6 Wilson 3 2/3 1 Pierontoni 1/3 0 Berwick IP H Slusser, WP 4 1 McCracken 2 0 Shaffer 1 0
R 6 0 0 R 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 7
— —
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 7
ER BB SO 5 3 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 ER BB SO 0 0 3 0 2 1 0 0 2
Boys Lacrosse At Lake-Lehman, the Black Knights got four goals from Zac Aben but came up short, 12-9, to Bellefonte in non-conference boys lacrosse Saturday afternoon. Jason Button and Marshall Woodrosky scored twice for Lake-Lehman (2-7). BELLEFONTE SCORING: Goals — Rees Kelley 5, Shea Chapman 3, Demetri Butts 2, Seth Chapman 1, Sam Horner 1. Assists — Kelley 3, Seth Chapman 2, Tanner Sell 1. LAKE-LEHMAN SCORING: Goals — Zac Aben 4, Jason Button 2, Marshall Woodrosky 2, Nick Zaboski 1. Assists — Aben 2, Zaboski 1, Button 1, Christian Diana 1, Bryce Burgit 1.
RELAY: Teammates and opponents join in on Konopke’s final lap FROM PAGE B1
A case of Duane’s Syndrome, which Maria said affected Lauren’s eye muscles, also required a fourhour surgery at 16 months to move and reattach those muscles. Lauren learned everything from scratch along the way. For instance, Maria said she would take Lauren’s hands and guide her into sitting upright as an infant — “we did this and other things over and over and over.” She wore leg braces, used a walker then started walking on her own at 4 years old. Nevertheless, Maria wrote that Lauren has undoubtedly exceeded the possibilities that were initially brought to the family early in her life. “For whatever reason, we feel we were chosen to have her,” she said. Nothing has stopped Konopke from being an active child. She played recreational soccer for several years and had Lewis, Valley West’s girls track coach, as an acting teacher a few years ago. One day, Konopke decided she wanted to join Lewis’ team. Lewis found a role on the team that Konopke has embraced. She’s there to help at practices and meets with equip-
FRANK C. LAURI / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of the Valley West track team run behind Lauren Konopke, right, during the team’s “fifth lap” of the 4x400 relay. ment like hurdles and starting blocks. Lewis can turn to her for assistance with attendance, directions or anything else she could use a hand in. That includes leading workouts. Lewis noted Konopke is “famous” for holding everyone accountable and pushing them. As a senior, her duties have expanded to taking the team through stretches with the rest of her classmates. Konopke said she likes being in charge, but she may have also understated how vocal she can get.
“I never yell,” she insisted. “I never yell.” Relay member Jillian Bonczewski didn’t let that slide, though, laughing, “Oh yeah you do, Lauren. “It’s always, ‘Come on, Jill!’” Konopke is the one hearing all the cheers by the end of meets. When she was added the Valley West’s 1600 meter relay, she’d make it to about the 200-meter mark of her fifth lap before slowing down to a walk. That’s how Lewis figures the team’s tradition
began, as they fell behind her and motivated her to finish strong. It took on a life of its own. Soon, Lewis was part-coach, part-traffic cop for her team when the relay’s fourth leg came around to pass the baton to Konopke. “Half the time I’m like, ‘Guys, you can’t start here. You have to get away from the finish line,’” Lewis said. Even Bonczewski, fourth in the relay order, finds the energy to catch up moments after she finishes sprinting her turn.
“I hand it to her, and then I just keep going. If I’m not dying too much,” Bonczewski said. Other teams have added the fifth lap to their last event over time, running alongside the Spartans. Runners fill Maria’s entire phone screen from a video of one of those occasions last year. Not that Lauren needs their encouragement now — she’s improved to running all 400 meters, no stopping. “ I r u n p re t t y f a s t , ” Konopke said. She wears that as a badge of pride through a necklace with a winged track spike dangling from it. The camaraderie on Valley West is genuine. Lewis stressed that she has never told anyone to get on the track for the fifth lap. “I think it’s nice for them to see her outside, doing other things and enjoying the team and being a part of everything,” Lewis said. “She’s certainly welcomed by every single one of them.” That’s good news for Konopke, who hopes this isn’t her last season with the Spartans. She’s a senior, finishing a school year of classes such as gym, chorus, language arts and law while spending parts of her day at the West Side Career & Technology Center.
But she said she still wants to help next year — especially because her 6-foot brother “is going to be a little freshman” she can keep her eye on. For now, though, Konopke still has this year’s relay to focus on. After all, they’ve put together a nice spring. Valley West’s 5x4 team has improved its time in nearly every meet, running as fast as 4 minutes, 37 seconds this past week. At Crestwood on April 10, the team of Cameryn Forgash, Olivia Burkhardt, Rina Tsioles, Bonczewski and Konopke won for the first time this season in 4:41. Valley West’s entire team cheered for Konopke as she crossed the finish line and made it official. Konopke gave out highfives as she worked her way back through the huddle of Spartans behind her and to the spectator’s fence, where her mom waited to congratulate her, too. It’s no wonder it was tough for Konopke to name a few of her favorite teammates. “They all love me,” she said. Contact the writer: eshultz@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2054; @CVEricShultz on Twitter
WB_VOICE/PAGES [A01] | 04/06/19
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Female contractor embarks on big housing project in Hanover Twp.
Mark MoraN / Staff photographer
Joe nardone Jr., right, surprised his father, Joe nardone Sr. by putting together a new record of his music, to be released april 13.
Nardone set to release record
BY DENISE ALLABAUGH Staff Writer
A new vinyl album of Joe Nardone Sr.’s hits from the 1960s will be released on National Record Store Day.
T
he region’s only licensed female general contractor is embarking on a major housing project in the Askam section of Hanover Twp. Dawn Davison-Monk, senior project manager and president of Twin City Builders, purchased an 18-acre wooded lot off 3111 South Main St. from the Earth Conservancy and will break ground Wednesday for 16 upscale housing units in a development called “The Villas at Hidden Acres.” Davison-Monk, who lives a half mile away from the site, said each 1,100-square-foot unit will have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a one-car garage, a private front porch and patios. The rent will start at $1,500 a month. “It’s an alternative for people who still want their own space without the headaches,” she said. “I don’t think people want to be in high rises where they don’t have a private entrance or garage. There are no stairs at the Villas.” The entire project has room for 80 units, she said. Four units will be located in each building and she expects 16 units will be completed on Aug. 1. She said the housing units are designed for people who don’t want to spend their week-
BY BOB KALINOWSKI Staff Writer
School and attended classes in business management, architecture and building technology. She also has participated in training classes, seminars and hands-on job site training. She said she is constantly being educated on new construction materials, methods and techniques. She directs the general contracting, project managing, construction management and design build components for Twin City Builders. In all, she has managed more than $55 million of construction projects of commercial construction projects for the company. “Twin City Builders is still my main focus and will continue to serve our clients,” she said.
The music of legendary local rock ‘n’ roll musician Joe Nardone Sr. is coming out on a new vinyl 45 record. That’s right. Nardone’s songs from the 1960s on a record album will be sold in 2019, another example of the comeback vinyl records have been making in recent years. The record is being released April 13, which is the 13th annual National Record Store Day. It will be available at the Joe Nardone’s Gallery of Sound stores in Wilkes-Barre Twp. and Dickson City. Nardone’s son, Joe Nardone Jr., 50, surprised his father with the record. “For me, it’s something I needed to do. It’s a tribute to the guy who started everything rock ‘n’ roll in the area,” Nardone Jr. said. The record features Nardone’s biggest hit, “Shake a Hand,” which was released by a national record label and became popular as far away as Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore. “If you ask anyone over 50, they know what ‘Shake a Hand’ is,” Nardone Jr. said.
Please see HOUSING, Page A6
Please see RECORD, Page A6
Mark MoraN / Staff photographer
Dawn Davison-monk bought land in the askam section of hanover twp. from the earth Conservancy and is going to build upscale housing units called the Villas of hidden acres. ends doing yard work, as well as people downsizing or who want to work from home in a “comfortable, quiet neighborhood.” “They are designed for people who do not have the desire to own and maintain a home,” she said. “They will be upscale and a great contribution to the town of Askam.” Davison-Monk, who has spent more than 25 years overseeing commercial construction, said she was looking for just the right spot for the project
for more than 10 years. She said her father introduced her to the construction field that she loves and has been “the best teacher and mentor.” Her father, Leo Davison, started Twin City Builders when she was 10 years old and she joined him in business at age 19. She said she also receives support from her mother and her husband. She has worked for Twin City Builders since 1993. She is a graduate of Hanover Area High
‘They are designed for people who do not have the desire to own and maintain a home. They will be upscale and a great contribution to the town of Askam.’ DAWN DAVISON-MONK general contractor
Reform sought as cyber charter school costs top $42M in NEPA BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL Staff Writer
Jake DaNNa SteveNS / Staff photographer
Scranton School District Cyber School teacher ken murphy talks with former cyber students katie fontini, right, and kassandra matthews at West Scranton high School on friday.
As cyber charter school enrollment grew over the last decade, Carbondale Area School District’s budget reserves disappeared. Now operating with a $2.5 million deficit, the district started its own cyber program last year, joining a growing number of districts trying to find relief. The 37 school districts in Northeast Pennsylvania pay a combined $42 million in cyber charter school tuition each year. The total amount paid —
and the way the state determines tuition — has many people calling for reform. Cyber charter schools are privately operated, publicly funded schools authorized by the state and paid for by school districts. Advocates say cyber schools provide options for families seeking choice for their children’s educations. Children learn virtually on charter school-provided computers, at no cost to the families. The cost comes to the districts instead. Please see CYBER, Page A6
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SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
cYBeR: Costs have ‘unfairly tapped into district resources’ From page a1
Reanne Roesemann, of Honesdale, gets tattooed by Angelo Parente, a tattoo artist at Black Casket Tattoo, during the convention Saturday.
ink flying at electric city tattoo convention
he Electric City Tattoo ConT vention kicked into high gear Saturday at the Hilton
Scranton and Conference Center. The event, presented by Electric City Tattoo & Piercing, opened Friday and continues today from noon to 8 p.m. Single-day admission for the convention, which includes dozens of artists from around the country, is $15. pHoToS by JaSon Farmer / STaFF pHoTograpHer
Mark Shannon, of Greenfiled Twp., reacts to the pain as Corey Thompson of Wayward Tattoo Studio works on his eagle tattoo.
The Electric City Tattoo Convention features artists from around the country.
HoUSing: Other parcels owned by Earth Conservancy seeing new life From page a1
Mike Dziak, president and CEO of the Earth Conservancy, said Davison-Monk purchased the land for $180,000 and he thinks the plans for the housing project are “fantastic.” The housing project is one of many developments that have recently come to Earth Conservancy land in Hanover Twp. and the nearby Nanticoke area. Other developments have included Missouri-based NorthPoint Development’s construction of Chewy, Patagonia and Adidas in the Hanover Industrial Park and two warehouses
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Want moRe infoRmation? a sign in front of a new housing project in askam says The Villas at Hidden acres are coming soon and encourages people to call 570-760-2536 for pre-lease information. For more information about the project, go to www.thevillashiddenacres.com. near Luzerne County Community College that will house True Value Company and Spreetail. The Earth Conservancy purchased more than 16,000 acres of bankrupt Blue Coal Corporation properties in 1994 after the mine-scarred land sat idle for decades. Dziak said the recent developments are exciting and mark the most activity he has seen in years. From an economic and jobs point of view, Dziak said the housing project is very timely for a demand and the developments offer an advantage. “I wish her success. The plans I saw are very impressive and I can’t wait to see it going and for her to get her first tenants,” he said. “The economic cycles have brightened for all of us. Hopefully, the economy stays healthy and we continue to see future economic developments of all kinds. It’s an exciting time.” Don Casterline, vice president of the Home Builders
Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania who lives in Askam, said the new housing project is a plus for the area and puts Askam “back on the map.” The new $90 million South Valley Parkway helped bring in the recent economic developments, alleviated traffic in Askam and made the area safer, Casterline said. Casterline said he also has seen a shift with more women getting involved in the building industry. The predominately male Home Builders Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania recently named its first woman president, Libby Hackel. Hackel will be installed as president at a meeting April 24 at Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center by the female president of the Pennsylvania Builders Association, Maria Coutts. Four of the Home Builders Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s 12 board members are women, and Casterline said they offer fresh ideas, which are welcome. “They really put their best effort into it,” he said. contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2115, @CVallabaugh
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Bills in the state House and Senate would allow districts with their own cyber programs to stop paying tuition to cyber charter schools. If a student decided to attend the cyber charter school, the family would be responsible for the tuition. Education Voters of Pennsylvania, a statewide public education advocacy organization, also called for reform. In a February report, the group found by basing cyber school tuition on what it actually costs to educate a child virtually, districts statewide could save more than $250 million annually. In NEPA, savings could be as much as $24.5 million each year. In the 2017-18 school year, 2,799 students in Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties attended cyber charter schools. “There are great proposals with cyber legislation,” said Robert Mehalick, Carbondale Area superintendent. “If that would come to fruition, it would be tremendous.”
Possible reform Pennsylvania bases cyber charter tuition on the cost of educating a student in physical school buildings, with no relationship to the actual instructional costs for regular and special education instruction online. In NEPA, those tuition costs range from $8,032 per non-special education student in Carbondale Area, to $14,718 for a non-special education student from Wallenpaupack Area. Even if students from both districts attend the same cyber charter school, those districts pay different tuitions. For a special education student, costs range from $16,225 in Hazleton Area, to $34,863 for Mountain View, according to the report from Education Voters. The group used 2016-17 numbers in its calculations. With students learning from computers at home, charter schools have lower costs than school districts. The schools “have a higher student-to-teacher ratio than district schools and frequent-
ly use recorded programs that can be re-used in many classes or for students individually. Infrastructure is greatly reduced. In spite of this different cost structure, the state bases tuition on the cost of educating a child in the school district buildings and not on the actual cost of providing a cyber education,” according to the organization. The report found that basing cyber school tuition on what it costs school districts to provide a full-time cyber education — $5,000 per student or less per year for a regular education student and basing tuition for special education students on the state’s special education funding formula, would save more than $250 million annually statewide. Beyond concerns about academic performance, with cyber charter schools generally having lower proficiency rates than traditional school districts, local educators want to increase financial accountability. Bob McTiernan, executive director of the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit and a former superintendent, knows about the issues of cyber charter school tuition. “I think it’s unfairly tapped into district resources,” he said. “Districts aren’t paying the cyber schools the actual costs to educate... the cost to educate a student in cyber is irrelevant.” Many students who attend cyber charter schools were previously homeschooled or enrolled in private schools. When the student moves to a cyber school, the district in which the student resides picks up the cost. When students leave a district to attend a cyber charter school, the district cannot reduce fixed costs enough to make up for the cost of the tuition bill, according to Education Voters. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 34 and House Bill 526, both introduced earlier this year and referred to their respective education committees, could change whether the cyber charter schools receive any funding at all. If districts offered comparable online programs, families would have to pay to send
their children elsewhere. State Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, signed on as a cosponsor of the Senate bill. While hoping lawmakers establish a bipartisan commission on charter school reform, something must be done immediately to ease school district’s burdens, he said. “All we’re trying to do is level the playing field here,” he said. “I would hope it garners bipartisan support.” State Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-116, Butler Twp., has cosponsored the bill in the House. Efforts to reach her were unsuccessful. Ana Meyers, executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition Of Public Charter Schools, called the efforts “blatant attacks.” “The legislations that have been recently introduced would eliminate public school choice for parents by forcing students to remain with a district that does not serve and meet the expectations of families,” she wrote in a statement. “Cyber charter schools are schools of choice in Pennsylvania whose demand has continued to increase dramatically over the past few years. Parents actively choose to leave a district because it does not meet their child’s needs or has failed their child either academically or from a relationship standpoint.” Students are leaving school districts for a reason, and districts must look at the cause, she said. The coalition “believes that cyber charter schools are a positive option for many families. We understand that for many others they may be perfectly satisfied with their neighborhood school,” Meyers wrote. “The bottom line is simple: it should be up to the parents, who know their children best, to decide where their child attends school, and these parents deserve to have cyber charter schools as an option. In Pennsylvania, we are fortunate to have public school choice. Limiting the types of public school choice offered will not result in better outcomes for students.” contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT
RecoRD: Annual event growing From page a1
The other songs include “Ride Your Pony,” “The Wiggle” and “Pizza Pie.” “It’s music people will hear for the first time, and be like, ‘Wow, they were pretty good,’” Nardone Jr. said. Joe Nardone Sr.’s band was known as Joe Nardone and the All Stars. They regularly played at Sans Souci Park in Hanover Twp., Hanson’s in Harveys Lake and other popular venues that attracted large crowds. Nardone Jr. said he had to track down some of the records his father’s band released in the 1960s. His dad’s originals were lost when his South WilkesBarre house was ravaged by the 1972 flood. “We cleaned them up. We did the best we could with the audio. We brought them up to the 1960s audio standard,” Nardone Jr. said. About 600 copies of the record were made, though not all will be available locally. Many record stores around the country that participate in National Record Store Day will have some available. “It’s a big part of the busi-
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A variety of records are for sale at Joe Nardone’s Gallery of Sound in Wilkes-Barre Twp. ness again. At the beginning of record store day 13 years ago, there were basically no records,” Nardone Jr. said. A recent Forbes magazine report said vinyl record sales were up 12% in 2018 over 2017. Last year, the magazine noted records almost disappeared entirely in the 2000s, but sales have surged more than 260% since 2009. Nardone said the commemorative record his son produced for him was “a major surprise.” “It’s a nice gesture,” he said. “I don’t have a lot of the details because I wasn’t aware of it.” The record, which will be pressed on red vinyl, will be a nice addition to National Record Store Day, Nardone Sr. said. “Every year it seems to be
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getting bigger and bigger — not because of my record of course. But vinyl is becoming very, very popular again,” Nardone Sr. said. “What makes it interesting is famous artists produce a limited amount of copies for that day and people line up around the building to get one of the 10 or 20 copies a store might have.” After all these years, people still are fans of Nardone’s music. While his band stopped playing regularly many years ago, it holds a reunion concert once a year in August at the Irem Temple Country Club in Dallas along with another former band, Eddie Day and the Starfires. “It sells out, believe it or not,” Nardone Sr. said. “The amount of people allowed in by the fire department is 700 people. That’s how many people come on that day.” contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2055, @cvbobkal
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GRADING OUR SCHOOLS
Crestwood tops again in testing
Leaders say people make the difference. BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER
KRISTEN MULLEN / CoNTRIbUTINg phoTogRAphER
Anne krothe-wolfe of shickshinny holds a sign during the stonewall 50: rally for Queer liberation on public square in wilkesBarre. krothe-wolfe is a member of the pennsylvania youth Conference. BY BOB KALINOWSKI STAFF WRITER
WILKES-BARRE — Mary Rapach pointed out the rainbow flag flying above Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday and noted it was a sign of progress for the LGBTQ community. MORE A Wyo m i n g INSIDE Valley native, Thousands Rapach left the join pride area for college parades and never expectaround the ed to retur n. world. Rapach wasn’t page A11. sure if the area would ever embrace the LGBTQ community. But after Rapach’s mother died
in 2004, Rapach returned to the area, met a woman and they eventually married. “I fell in love with a human and the area again,” Rapach said. Rapach, the treasurer of Queer NEPA, served as emcee of a rally Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal moment for LGBTQ rights following a June 1969 police raid of a New York City gay bar. The month of June is recognized as LGBT Pride Month to coincide with the anniversary of the Stonewall incident. Please see STONEWALL, Page A7
KRISTEN MULLEN / CoNTRIbUTINg phoTogRAphER
lisa napersky, left, and her wife michele kessler, of mountain top, both in attendance representing Action together nepA, listen to a speaker during the rally.
When it comes to achievement, four local school districts leaders say people make the difference. The districts, Abington Heights, Crestwood, Delaware Valley and Wayne Highlands, are the top-performers in this year’s Grading Our Schools analysis — a spot each has earned before. Consistency — and the desire by administrators, teachers and students to never settle — are keys to success, the leaders say. MORE The four districts INSIDE met or exceeded View the state averages on 17 final report standardized exams on pages and the SAT in A8-A9. Times-Shamrock Newspapers’ 19th annual report. Abington Heights has exceeded every average for the last decade. Five other districts — Greater Nanticoke Area, Hanover Area, Hazleton Area, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Area — performed the worst, missing state averages on all 18 tests. Seventeen districts missed at least half of the averages. This year’s Grading Our Schools report looked at 2017-18 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment math, English language arts and science tests, Keystone Exams and SAT scores, which are the most current test results, for 500 districts statewide, as well as a dozen other key educational factors. The report analyzes test scores and other demographics of the 38 districts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. Searchable and comparable databases, including teacher salaries, for all Pennsylvania public districts are available at citizensvoice. com. Plase see SCHOOLS, Page A7 ADVE RTISE M E NT
Democrats veer left on immigration at debates, pleasing base — and Trump
The top-polling candidates almost unanimously embraced decriminalizing illegal border crossings. BY JENNIFER MEDINA ThE NEW YoRK TIMES
For an issue as thorny and vexing as immigration policy, a question during the Democratic debate Thursday was remarkably clear. “Raise your hand if you think it should be a civil offense rather than a crime to cross the border without documentation?” José Díaz-Balart, one of the moderators, asked. WILFREdo LEE / ASSoCIATEd pRESS Eight candidates raised their democratic presidential candidates former hands, some more eagerly than othvice president Joe Biden, left, and sen. ers. Former Vice President Joe Biden Bernie sanders, i-Vt., speak at the same time raised a finger. during thursday’s debate in miami. When pressed by Díaz-Balart
about whether he would deport undocumented immigrants without a criminal record, Biden did little to clarify his specific stance, instead defending the Obama administration’s policies that deported roughly 3 million undocumented immigrants. He praised former President Barack Obama’s record on immigration and said: “To compare him to what this guy is doing is absolutely, I find close to immoral.” He added: “We should fundamentally change the way we deal with things.”
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WB_VOICE/PAGES [A07] | 06/29/19
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THE CITIZENS' VOICE A7
iMMiGRatioN: Dems pushed to left since Trump took office From page a1
TimeS-SHamroCK FiLe
a school bus drops off students at Fairview elementary School in the Crestwood School district in 2018.
schooLs: Parents, teachers share in success From page a1
Meeting expectations For the last 10 years, Abington Heights continued to meet standards as curriculum and state standards evolved. “We have a very supportive community that values the education of their children,” Superintendent Michael Mahon, Ph.D., said. “We have great leadership from our board and we have a great teaching staff. When you combine those things together, very good things happen.” Districts at the top credit the people who work with students each day — and the hiring practices for those teachers. Abington Heights, which requires finalists to teach a lesson in front of students while administrators observe, works hard to get the best teachers, Mahon said. “Our process produces excellent teachers, who do amazing work,” he said.
Student demographics can often help predict student achievement. For example, statistics show students in affluent districts, with parents more likely to have attained higher levels of education, often score at higher levels than children in poor districts. However, demographics are never the sole reason for high or low performance. In rural Wayne Highlands School District, 46.3% of students live in economically disadvantaged households and 20.3% of students receive special education services. Some children in the 460-squaremile district spend more than an hour on the bus to get to school each morning. Based solely on those demographics, many students face challenges. “We never look at it that way,” Superintendent Gregory Frigoletto said. “We don’t lower expectations... it’s about being unwavering with expec-
Socioeconomic status plays role By MichaeL P. BuffeR STaFF WriTer
Luzerne County and 24th in the state on the Keystone Literature Exam and fourth in the county and 66th in the state on the PSSA English Language Arts test for students in grades 3 to 8, Costello said. Recent high school graduates in Wilkes-Barre Area accepted more than $10 million in scholarship money, and 88% of the 510 graduates will attend post-secondary institutions, enter the military or join the workforce, Costello said. Greater Nanticoke Area is also showing growth when student progress is examined, and the district has the highest percentage of special education students in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties, Superintendent Ronald Grevera said. “Our first goal with those students is to meet their needs evident in their individual IEP’s,” Grevera said. An Individualized Education Program is a plan to help special-needs students with learning disabilities and other challenges. “We expose those students to the standards as much as possible through ensuring they are being taught in their least restrictive environment, but the scores of these students is secondary as we are looking at individual progress rather than making the state benchmark,” Grevera said. The population of specialeducation students is 22.7% at Greater Nanticoke Area. It’s 18.9% in Wilkes-Barre Area and 18.6% in Hanover Area. The lowest in the county is 10.7% in Crestwood. Scores for sixth and seventh grade students at the Greater Nanticoke Area Educational Center improved dramatically, Grevera said. The score that measures academic growth at that school was significantly above the state averages on both the PSSA English Language Arts test and math test. Greater Nanticoke Area has also increased opportunities for Advanced Placement courses in the high school and provides students opportunities to retake Keystone Exams, and next year, high school students will receive remedial help during the school day to better prepare for the Keystone exams, Grevera said.
Hanover Area School Board President John Mahle is not happy with student scores on standardized tests. “I am upset as a board member,” Mahle said. “Every year, I am told it’s improving. It doesn’t show.” Mahle said he wants the next superintendent to focus on improving test scores. Applications for the job are due Wednesday. The board appointed elementary school principal Terry Schnee as acting superintendent after the discovery of transportation overpayments and the suspension of Superintendent William Jones. Last month, the board approved a separation agreement with Jones. Hanover Area, Wilkes-Barre Area and Greater Nanticoke Area failed to meet state averages on 17 standardized exams and the SAT in Times-Shamrock Newspapers’ annual report. The Wilkes-Barre Area School District has made progress toward increasing standardized test scores, Superintendent Brian Costello said. The district also performs well above average when compared to similar school districts, Costello said, noting 77.5% of the Wilkes-Barre Area student population is considered economically disadvantaged. “Research indicates that a key factor in academic success is socioeconomic status,” Costello said. The economically disadvantaged population is 57.5% in Hanover Area and 66.7% in Greater Nanticoke Area. The lowest percentage in Luzerne County is 7.1% in the Crestwood School District. Wilkes-Barre Area’s economically disadvantaged population, along with a transient population, “presents our district with one of its greatest challenges in bringing up the proficiency levels of all our students,” and those “challenges are compounded” by state underfunding, Costello said. The district’s annual budget is $126 million, and Costello said the district is $33 million dollars underfunded according to the state’s Basic Education Funding Formula. The state’s academic-growth contact the writer: measurement shows Wilkes- mbuffer@citizensvoice.com Barre Area ranked first in 570-821-2073, @cvmikebuffer
tations. What we believe is truly that all means all. Every student can be successful. That’s a culture we try to maintain and develop.” The district recruits and attracts teachers drawn to that philosophy, he said. “When you have a culture that is filled with great teachers doing great things, every student can be successful,” Frigoletto said. “If we continue to work hard, hopefully we will continue to be a thriving school community.” Crestwood School Board President Bill Jones also said that people are the key to the district’s success. “Our parents really participate with our kids,” he said. “We have a lot of good teachers and a good community. We have a good school board. Education starts with the kids, from kindergarten on up.”
averages. Superintendent Brian Uplinger said the district is changing its curriculum, which usually makes scores dip. The district also has large numbers of students who spent a short time there before taking tests, he said. “We have some new programming for upcoming years that will assist students who have not been part of the (district) for a significant amount of years,” Uplinger said. Next year, Uplinger said the state will provide funding for extra staffing and technology at Freeland Elementary/Middle School, which is among the 5% of Pennsylvania schools that face the most significant challenges to student achievement and progress. KeNt JacKsoN aNd MichaeL BuffeR, staff writers, contributed to this report.
the writer: Room for improvement contact shofius@timesshamrock.com
Hazleton Area fell below all 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT
hiGhs aNd LoWs Third grade eLa Highs: North pocono, 83.6%; Dallas, 82.2% Lows: Hazleton area, 47.2%; Wilkes-Barre area, 47.5% Math Highs: North pocono, 79.9%; Dallas, 76.1% Lows: Hazleton area, 24.5%; Wilkes-Barre area, 35% FourTh grade eLa Highs: montrose area, 83.8%; Dallas, 79.4% Lows: Wilkes-Barre area, 37.7%; greater Nanticoke, 38.9% Math Highs: North pocono, 68.6%; Dallas, 68.2% Lows: Hazleton area, 14.6%; greater Nanticoke area, 16.6% Science Highs: montrose area, 95%; Dallas, 92.4% Lows: Hazleton area, 61%; greater Nanticoke area, 62.4% FiFTh grade eLa Highs: Dallas, 84.9%; Crestwood, 76.6% Lows: Wilkes-Barre area, 35.9%; Hazleton area, 39.5% Math Highs: Dallas, 76.8%; mountain View, 67.7% Lows: Hazleton area, 17.3%; greater Nanticoke, 17.8%
area, 11.4%; Hazleton area, 15.5% SevenTh grade eLa Highs: Crestwood, 80.2%; Dallas, 79.1% Lows: Wilkes-Barre area, 43.2%; Hazleton area, 45.5% Math Highs: Wayne Highlands, 60%; Crestwood, 56.5% Lows: Hazleton area, 16.7%; Wilkes-Barre area, 17.5% eighTh grade eLa Highs: North pocono, 78.9%; abington Heights, 77.2% Lows: Hazleton area, 36.4%; Wilkes-Barre area, 42% Math Highs: Crestwood, 47%; Forest City, 46% Lows: Blue ridge, 5.6%; Wilkes-Barre area, 9.3% Science Highs: Western Wayne, 72.1%; pittston area, 70.5% Lows: Hazleton area, 27.6%; Wilkes-Barre area, 32.7% KeySTone aLgebra Highs: Susquehanna Community, 93.6%; abington Heights, 88.9% Lows: Hanover area, 25.8%; greater Nanticoke area, 35.9%
KeySTone bioLogy Highs: abington Heights, 87.2%; Wayne Highlands, SixTh grade 84.6% eLa Lows: Lackawanna Trail, Highs: pleasant Valley, 79.9%; Crestwood, 78.9%; 28.1%; Wilkes-Barre area, 38% Dallas, 78.9%; Valley View, 78.9%; old Forge, KeySTone LiTeraTure 78.9% Lows: Hanover area, 44%; Highs: abington Heights, 95.3%; Susquehanna Wilkes-Barre area, 46.4% Community, 89.6% Math Highs: Crestwood, 66.5%; Lows: greater Nanticoke area, 35.8%; Wilkes-Barre elk Lake, 54.7% area, 52.8% Lows: greater Nanticoke
MoRe oNLiNe Check out a database featuring staff salaries and other district demographics at www.citizensvoice.com/datacenter.
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That even Biden endorsed changing the law showed just how much Democrats’ stances on immigration have changed since “this guy” — that would be President Donald Trump — took office. And nearly all the Democratic hopefuls in this past week’s debates offered a sharp example of how the Trump administration’s immigration policies have pushed Democrats to the left, embracing ideas that would have been seen as unthinkable before the Trump presidency. The debates, in which there was almost unanimous embraces by the top-polling candidates for decriminalizing illegal border crossings and for offering undocumented immigrants health insurance, excited many in the Democratic base. But the debates also raised questions about whether the Democratic candidates were entering terrain that would be perilous in a general election. Trump seemed to think so, taking to Twitter almost immediately, writing: “All Democrats just raised their hands for giving millions of illegal aliens unlimited health care. How about taking care of American Citizens first!? That’s the end of that race!” For more than a decade, politicians from both parties have tried and have failed to overhaul the country’s immigration policies. It proved to be an unsolvable conundrum for the Obama administration. As that administration stepped up border enforcement, and deported far more immigrants than previous administrations, advocates for immig rants labeled Obama “Deporter in Chief.” The creation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in 2012 allowed millions of young immigrants to work and to consider themselves secure in America. Just as Obama’s term was ending, hundreds of thousands of Central American migrants were showing up at the border, many of them unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. In response, his
administration put considerable effort into broadcasting one message to families sending children on their own: stop. Then, Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric helped send him to the White House. Until now, the discussion of details about laws along the border tended to be more technical than ideological. One section of immigration law makes it possible to criminally convict anyone who crosses the border illegally. The law enabled the Trump administration to enact its zero-tolerance policies to separate parents and their children, which was widely condemned by members of both parties. Julián Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio, was the first candidate to propose repealing the section on criminal convictions when he released his immigration plan in April. During Wednesday’s debate, Castro asked the other Democratic candidates to support his idea. Castro went on to attack Beto O’Rourke, a former congressman from El Paso, Texas, for not backing the idea. By Thursday, the question had already appeared to become a litmus test among the Democratic hopefuls. “The day for Democrats straddling this debate is gone,” said Howard Dean, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. “Now the question is, ‘Are you decent or not? Are you going to behave like Trump or not?’ He’s polarized the country and he’s really caused this shift.” He added: “We’re getting to get tarred with open borders no matter what we say.” Still, Dean suggested that Democrats would likely have to refine their position on border security throughout the campaign. Most immigration laws are part of the civil code, similar to tax laws. But section 1325 of the immigration code, which Castro referred to repeatedly during the debate, makes entering without authorization, or “improper entry,” a federal misdemeanor. A conviction is punishable by a fine and up to six months in prison.
KriSTeN mULLeN / CoNTriBUTiNg pHoTograpHer
naiymah Sanchez, representing the aCLu of Pennsylvania, speaks during Saturday’s rally on Public Square in Wilkes-barre.
stoNeWaLL: Fight continues for equality From page a1
“L-G-B-T-Q, we demand equality, too,” was one of the many chants from the crowd. Naiymah Sanchez of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania encouraged the crowd to continue working together. “Let’s fight this battle together,” Sanchez said.
“The Stonewall is still standing in New York City and we will always stand up for the veterans who fought for a future there,” said Anne Krothe-Wolfe of the Pennsylvania Youth Conference. Teara Keller, co-chair of Queer NEPA, noted that contact the writer: because of Stonewall the bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com true first Pride event was a 570-821-2055; @cvbobkal riot for gay rights. “Pride isn’t just a celebration, it’s a riot,” Keller said. Several dozen people attended the rally, with some holding rainbow flags and signs.
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WB_VOICE/PAGES [B01] | 10/19/19
23:05 | CONNORSSTE
tHE CItIzEns’ VOICE
Sports SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2019
PSu footBaLL
VaRSIty VoICE
GENE J. PUSKAR / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford throws a pass Saturday night.
Lions had quick start By DonnIE CoLLInS STAFF WRITER
perceived physical limitations, Sadie makes no excuses that could keep her from going after what she wants. “She’s no different than anyone else on the team. She’s the same person as everyone else,” said Dallas cocaptain Kanisha Cheshire. “We don’t look at her any different than anyone on the team. She’s an amazing player and I know she’s an inspiration to all of us.”
STATE COLLEGE — The big plays that eluded Penn State a week ago in Iowa got the Nittany Lions where they wanted to go Saturday night. Toward the end zone, and a big first half lead. Whether they’d be able to hold onto it became another question. A perfectly thrown ball to receiver Jahan Dotson led to one score, a 44-yard run by slumping running back Ricky Slade led to another, and a 53-yard touchdown strike to KJ Hamler helped No. 7 Penn State hold on in the face of the defense’s stiffest challenge yet to hold a 28-21 lead with 7 minutes to go in the game in front of 110,669 fans at the annual White Out, the fourth-largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history. A quick start for the Nittany Lions was negated by a hard-blitzing Michigan defense that controlled most of the third quarter. But quarterback Sean Clifford’s 53-yard pass to Hamler electrified the crowd before a 1-yard plunge on fourth-and goal by Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson got the Wolverines back within a score. The game started the way the script indicated it would, with defense dominating. The first three drives of the game ended in punts before Penn State finally broke through with the first of a series of big plays. On a second-and-9 from his own 46, quarterback Sean Clifford dropped a perfect throw to Dotson up the left sideline, a teardrop over the shoulder of cornerback Ambry Thomas into Dotson’s hands for a 37-yard gain. On the next play, Clifford lofted another perfect throw, this time for a 17-yard touchdown strike to tight end Pat Freiermuth for a 7-0 lead. Slade started Penn State’s next drive by sprinting up the middle, beating a blitz and splitting Michigan’s safeties, nearly breaking the run for a touchdown before Thomas tripped him up at the Wolverines 20.
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Please see PSu, Page B4
GAME ON
DAVE SCHERBENCO / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Sadie Grochal is here to play soccer, just like everyone else on the Dallas team By Matt Bufano STAFF WRITER
DALLAS TWP. — Sadie Grochal plays soccer because she can. She plays because she wants to. She plays because it’s fun. If Grochal’s teammates find inspiration in that, well, that’s just another positive but unintended contribution she’s made to the Dallas Mountaineers. Grochal is your typical 14-year-old girl in so many ways except for a
birth defect — tibial hemimelia — that led to her having both legs amputated from the knee down at 1 year old. “She amazes me with everything she does,” said Sadie’s mother, Angela Grochal. “I always like to say that whatever she lost in limbs, she gained in heart and motivation, because it’s just a remarkable thing to watch.” Sadie worked with the Hanger Clinic to create two sets of custom prosthetic legs, either of which she
can choose to wear depending on the function at hand. When she gets her driver’s license, for example, she’ll need to wear the hydraulic legs in which she stands as tall as 5-foot-3. But on the soccer pitch, where Sadie has a job to do and teammates to answer to, Sadie wears her “soccer legs” because they make her faster and more skilled even if she’s only 4-foot-4. No matter her circumstances and
MaJoR LEaGuE BaSEBaLL
Nats gain plenty of rest before Series By HoWaRD fEnDRICH ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Doing a little research ahead of the World Series, Washington Nationals second baseman Brian Dozier came across some numbers that made him feel OK about his team’s long layoff. “I saw a stat today where there’s been 12 times where teams have had five or more days off going into the World Series. And you know
what the record was? 6-6,” Dozier said. “So it’s not that big a deal.” Baseball is a sport that is more of a daily grind than any other, with game followed by game followed by game for six months, so this stretch is rather unusual for the Nationals: They haven’t played since finishing off a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series at home last Tuesday — and they won’t
play until Game 1 of the Fall Classic on the road next Tuesday. Wa s h i n g t o n ’ s n e x t opponent gets much less of a respite: The Houston Astros and New York Yankees played Game 6 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday night. The good news for the Nationals is that their pitchers get to recharge and they can set up their rotation
exactly how they want. The flip side is that their hitters might not be sharp when play resumes. “Baseball season’s kind of uncomfortable. Your body’s kind of under constant fire,” right fielder Adam Eaton said. “And when you get a breath of MATT SLOCUM / ASSOCIATED PRESS fresh air, sometimes it has a tendency to relax a little yankees try to force Game 7 bit.” Yankees’ Gio Urshela hits a home run during Game 6 Please see MLB, Page B6
on Saturday night. At press time, the Astros led the Yankees, 4-2, in the top of the seventh inning.
WB_VOICE/PAGES [B03] | 10/19/19
22:21 | CONNORSSTE
SPORTS
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2019
THE CITIZENS' VOICE B3
WvC LeADeRS
SOCCeR
Warriors top Tigers
Field Hockey Through Thursday Division 1 G Lauren Parente, Wa 31 Hannah Maxwell, Sem 23 abie Sorokas, WBa 21 alex Wesneski, Sem 15 Kayla Kiwak, Wa 13 Cameryn forgash, VW 14 ariane rupnik, VW 12 addy Bielski, Hr 16 emma Watchilla, Sem 13 Jolene Ulichney, WBa 13 toni Minichello, Wa 11 Coley Leo, L-L 14 Jill Buchman, Haz 11 Paige Williams, VW 11 Kari Melberger, Wa 9 ella Barbacci, Sem 7 Shaelyn Kobrynich, aH 10 Sarah richards, Cre 9 rachel Galasso, L-L 8 Bianca Pizano, Wa 7 Division 2 Sydney franchella, NW Belle Coleman, Lt Milana Straub, NW Bella Jagoe, Lt ariana Walker, NW Sy’raia Maney, Nan Grace reed, Nan
G 27 18 16 13 5 8 6
A Pts 8 70 15 61 7 49 16 46 17 43 14 42 14 38 5 37 11 37 11 37 10 32 2 30 6 28 4 26 7 25 8 22 1 21 3 21 4 20 6 20
Staff rePOrt
Kendall Heck, Luke Coolbaugh and Matt Lewis accounted for Wyoming Area’s goals in a 3-1 victory at Tunkhannock in Wyoming Valley Conference boys soccer Saturday. The Warriors (12-4-1, 9-2-1 Division 2) were victorious for the sixth time in seven games, finishing second in the division. They won their most WVC games in a season since going 9-4-2 as Division 3’s runner-up in 2013. Owen Stretch scored for the Tigers (6-6-1, 5-5-1 Division 2), who host Holy Redeemer on Monday in tDistrict 2’s final regular season game.
A Pts 5 59 2 38 4 36 8 34 16 26 3 19 7 19
Girls Soccer Through Thursday Division 1 G Kayla fernandez, Ber 43 ali francis, Dal 23 Kennadi Josefowicz, VW 20 allie Stover, Cre 14 emma Sweitzer, Dal 12 Sarina Definnis, Ber 8 emily Ouimet, Ber 8 Megan MacNeely, Dal 8 Hailey Kaschak, Haz 9 esa Mendola, WBa 9 Division 2 emily Smith, L-L annie Bagnall, Hr Kasey Danko, Hr Madison Brdaric, L-L abby Paczewski, L-L Chloe Weaver, L-L Halle Kranson, Wa anna Wisnewski, Wa talli Ormes, Nan Caitlin McDonough, Wa Christina Kosco, Wa Carly Cavanaugh, Hr Kalie Quaglia, Hr
G 43 34 35 33 13 12 14 13 12 8 10 6 7
A Pts 6 92 6 52 5 45 3 31 5 29 11 27 6 22 6 22 2 20 2 20 A Pts 14 100 25 93 7 77 10 76 31 57 17 41 4 32 4 30 6 30 9 25 4 24 12 24 6 20
Boys Soccer Through Friday
Max Paczewski, L-L Payton Glynn, Cre Dylan roberts, Dal Gabe fabian, Haz Zach Holthaus, Dal reggie Grayek, Sem tanner Nilon, WBa Luke Johns, Sem Nick ruggeri, Cre Landon Serbin, VW ethan Munley, tunk Justin Sterling, Cre adam eckhart, Na Chris Wolk, Haz Kyle Sincavage, L-L Logan Davison, WBa Joseph rosero, Haz Luke Coolbaugh, Wa Ben rossi, Cre Chris tecotl, VW La’Jean Berry, WBa Jimmy Dunleavy, Hr thomas iskra, Sem
G 25 23 20 20 22 17 17 18 16 15 14 15 13 12 8 12 9 11 7 8 8 8 3
FIRST HALF: Kendall Heck (WA) penalty kick, 35th minute. SECOND HALF: Luke Coolbaugh (WA) from Riley Gerhardt, 41st minute; Matt Lewis (WA) from Sean Burke, 59th minute; Owen Stretch (TUN) unassisted, 75th minute. SHOTS: WA 8, TUN 8. SAVES: WA 7 (Adam Wisnewski), TUN 5 (Logan Barbini). CORNERS: WA 3 TUN 6.
A Pts 9 59 5 51 11 51 9 49 1 45 8 42 7 41 3 39 5 37 6 36 8 36 4 34 5 31 7 31 15 31 5 29 9 27 3 25 11 25 7 23 5 21 5 21 14 20
TOP PeRFORMeRS Field Hockey 6-Goal Games Lauren Parente (Wa), Sept. 21 vs. tunkhannock Sydney franchella (NW), Oct. 8 vs. tunkhannock 5-Goal Games Lauren Parente (Wa), Sept. 5 vs. Delaware Valley abie Sorokas (WBa), Oct. 17 vs. tunkhannock Milana Straub (NW), Oct. 17 vs. Benton
Soccer BOYS 8-Goal Games Zach Holthaus (DaL), Oct. 17 vs. Pittston area 5-Goal Games Dylan roberts (DaL), Sept. 26 vs. Pittston area Gabe fabian (HaZ), Oct. 8 vs. Pittston area GIRLS 5-Goal Games Kennadi Josefowicz (VW), Sept. 6 vs. Wyoming area Kennadi Josefowicz (VW), Sept. 16 vs. Pittston area emily Smith (LL), Sept. 17 vs. Hanover area Kasey Danko (Hr), Sept. 21 vs. Hanover area Kayla fernandez (Ber), Oct. 2 vs. Pittston area emily Smith (LL), Oct. 4 vs. tunkhannock Kasey Danko (Hr), Oct. 15 vs. Hanover area Kasey Danko (Hr), Oct. 17 vs. Pittston area
volleyball (3-set matches unless noted) Most Kills in a Match 41 - Livia Moore (Hr), Sept. 24 vs. Berwick (5) 32 - Livia Moore (Hr), Oct. 7 vs. Hazleton area (4) 21 - Livia Moore (Hr), Sept. 19 vs. North Pocono (3) 20 - Livia Moore (Hr), Oct. 16 vs. Dallas (3) 19 - Livia Moore (Hr), Sept. 16 vs. tunkhannock (3) 19 - Dana Macko (tUN), Oct. 15 vs. Hazleton area (4) 19 - Livia Moore (Hr), Sept. 26 vs. MMi Prep (3) 18 - Livia Moore (Hr), Sept. 30 vs. Wilkes-Barre area (4) Most Assists 43 - Morgan Nevel (Ber), Oct. 3 vs. Pittston area (4) 39 - Mel Golden (Cre), Oct. 2 vs. Dallas (5) 38 - abby Lapinski (Hr), Oct. 7 vs. Hazleton area (4) 36 - rani Shrivastava (tUN), Oct. 15 vs. Hazleton area (4) 34 - Mel Golden (Cre), Sept. 26 vs. Pittston area (4) 33 - Mel Golden (Cre), Sept. 30 vs. Hazleton area (4)
Wyoming Seminary 3, Holy Redeemer 0
DaVe SCHerBeNCO / Staff PHOtOGraPHer
Holy Redeemer’s Alex Hajkowski and Lackawanna Trail’s Jeffery Resto battle for the pass Saturday.
Trail shuts out Redeemer By STeve BenneTT Staff Writer
WILKES-BARRE — The Gatorade shower Lackawanna Trail coach Steve Jervis received as the final seconds were ticking off the clock at Wilkes-Bar re Memorial Stadium had more meaning than just the a 35-0 victory over Holy Redeemer on Saturday afternoon. Sure, any victory is a big one, especially this time of the year with playoff implications on the line. But for Jervis, this one had an extra special meaning, as the veteran head coach secured the 100th win of his coaching career, one that began at Tunkhannock from 2002-07. “I really appreciate all the kids that have ever played for me, they deserve some of this,” Jervis said. “All the assistant coaches that have coached with me, this is one of those things you think about when you start. A lot of things factor into all of this. I feel blessed to coach at Lackawanna Trail where these things can happen.” With the win, the Lions improved to 6-3 on the year. Saturday’s game against the Royals was Trail’s final game of the season because the Lions were originally scheduled to play Holy Cross in Week 10. So with the Lions currently in second place in the Class A race for the district
FOOTBALL playoffs, they must sit back and wait on the outcome of F r i d ay n i g h t ’s g a m e between Northwest and R ive r s i d e. N o r t h we s t defeated Lackawanna Trail in Week 1 and hosts Riverside on Friday night. The top two teams in Class A play Week 11 for the District 2 championship and a berth in the state playoffs. “It is going to come right down to the wire,” Jervis said of the playoff race. “We are going to keep in our same routine this week. We did what we could, so now we will see what happens with Northwest and Riverside. We are going to be following that game closely.” Against the Royals, the Lackawanna Trail running game was just too much. The Lions rushed for 348 yards and four touchdowns. Ray Melnikoff led the charge with 126 yards and two rushing touchdowns. But to Redeemer’s credit, it did give Lackawanna Trail a long field to navigate on Trail’s first two possessions of the game. Kody Cresswell capped a six-play drive that began on Trail’s 8-yard line with an 18-yard touchdown run. On Trail’s next possession, the Lions started at their own 19 and Melnikoff fin-
ished it off with a 4-yard run. Quarterback Nico Berrios added an 11-yard run up the middle to put the Lions ahead 21-0 before Melnikoff made it 28-0 when he caught a well-designed screen pass and took it 67 yards for a touchdown. “After Week 1, this group has come a long way,” Jervis said. “I am very proud of how they developed throughout the season. We are a lot better football team.” Even though Holy Redeemer dropped to 0-8 on the year, first-year head coach Tyson Kelley is seeing progress. Junior tight end Alex Hajkowski is becoming a threat in the passing game and had four catches for 57 yards. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, he presents a nice target and can be lined up at any spot in the offensive scheme. “Alex is a heck of a guy,” said Kelley. “He is someone we can rely on and open up the game for us. We have the ability to put him in spots to the point people have to recognize it and pay attention. That opens things up for other guys. We are taking steps in the right direction regardless of what the scores are.” Redeemer quarterback Colin Conway threw for 74 yards, but the Royals had a difficult time running the
football. They finished the game with 25 yards rushing on 19 attempts. Jervis, who is in his 17th season as a head coach, and his 11th at Lackawanna Trail, is now 100-87 overall and 77-48 with the Lions. “This is one of those things that you can look back and reflect on,” Jervis said. “It is pretty special.” Lackawanna Trail 35 Holy Redeemer 0
Lack. Trail 7 21 Holy Redeemer 0 0
7 0
0 — 35 0 — 0
First quarter LT - Cresswell 18 run (Melnikoff kick), 5:14 Second quarter LT - Melnikoff 4 run (Melnikoff kick), 9:40 LT - Berrios 11 run (Melnikoff kick), 4:14 LT - Melnikoff 67 pass from Berrios (Semken kick), 1:22 Third quarter LT - Melnikoff 23 run (Semken kick), 5:17
Team statistics
LT HR First Downs 19 7 Rushing-Att-Yards 38-348 19-25 Comp-Att-Int 3-5-1 13-23-0 Passing Yards 118 74 Total Yards 466 99 Fumbles-Lost 2-1 2-0 Penalties-Yards 5-65 0-0 Individual statistics
Rushing: LT – R.Melnikoff 10-126, 2 TDs; J.Resto 6-52; T.Rozanski 5-45; K. Cresswell 4-42, 1 TD; O.Lisk 1-30; N.Berrios 5-24, 1 TD; J.Ella 3-20; L.Baldwin 3-11; M.Ella 1-(-2). HR – C.Conway 11-28; C. Leon 4-2; R.Williams 3-(-5); P.Shay 1-0; Team - 0-0. Passing: LT – N.Berrios 3-5-1, 118, 1 TD. HR – C.Conway 13-23-0, 74. Receiving: LT – R.Melnikoff 2-93, 1 TD; J.Resto 1-25. HR – A.Hajkowski 4-57; J.Halstead 3-1; P.Shay 2-8; Z.Perta 2-4; R. Williams 1-2; C.Leon 1-2. Interceptions: HR — D. Boich 1.
Contact the writer: sbennett@citizensvoice.com; 570 821-2062; @CVSteveBennett on twitter
Luke Johns scored twice, and Kyle Folkerson also found the net Friday night as the Blue Knights (12-1, 12-0 Division 2) completed the WVC’s first perfect division title run since Coughlin’s 16-0 Division 2 mark in 2014. Thomas Iskra assisted all three Sem goals. Gavin Flanley made three saves in the team’s fifth shutout in six games. Lance McGrane stopped 10 shots in goal for the Royals (5-10-1, 3-8-1 Division 2). FIRST HALF: Luke Johns (WS) from Thomas Iskra, 23:18; Kyle Folkerson (WS) from Iskra, 15:42. SECOND HALF: Johns (WS) from Iskra, 3:55.
MMI Prep 4, Salem Christian 0 Carter Frask scored two goals in Friday’s home win, which helped the Preppers (3-12-1) secure the sixth seed in District 2’s Class A tournament a year after they missed the playoffs. Grant Warren and Kai Mele also had goals. FIRST HALF: Carter Frask (MMI) unassisted, 20:49; Grant Warren (MMI) from Ben Putnam, 9:13. SECOND HALF: Kai Mele (MMI) from Putnam, 39:34; Frask (MMI) from Sydney Kohl, 4:45. SHOTS: SC 3, MMI 19. SAVES: SC 15 (Zach Held), MMI 3 (Jimmy Kelly 2, Morgan Strecker 1). CORNERS: SC 1, MMI 6.
Huber’s goal wins it for Comets Kennedie Huber scored on a feed from Hannah Kresge for the only goal of Crestwood’s 1-0 victory at Hazleton Area in Wyoming Valley Conference girls soccer Saturday. Mia Pollock made a save in goal for the Comets (6-10-1, 3-7-1 Division 1), who recorded their fourth shutout this season. Goalie Caitlyn Katchur stopped eight shots for the Cougars (6-9-2, 2-8-2 Division 1). SECOND HALF: Kennedie Huber (Cre) from Hannah Kresge, 24:00. SHOTS: CRE 15, HAZ 2. SAVES: CRE 1 (Mia Pollock), HAZ 8 (Caitlyn Katchur). CORNERS: CRE 5, HAZ 2.
vOICe: Dallas freshman Grochal just a part of the team frOM PaGe B1
Along with earning her teammates’ adoration, Sadie has earned their respect on the field. When Sadie plays for Dallas — and she’s appeared in every junior varsity match this season, as well as one varsity match — it’s not out of charity. Sadie’s teammates are tough and they challenge her, she said, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s how it’s been ever since Sadie first played soccer in third grade, when she learned the sport just the same as everyone else. She played for coach Ned Palka’s Soccer Rockers in the Back Mountain Youth Soccer Association. “I actually remember Ned quite well,” Angela Grochal said. “I couldn’t ask for a better first coach when she was learning to play soccer for the first time. He just had this amazing ability to put her in position and learn all of the girls’ strengths and weaknesses, and used that to the
advantage of the team as a whole. If it weren’t for him, I don’t know that she’d still be playing, to be honest.” Sadie earns her playing time at Dallas starting with her performance at practice. “She tries everything and does everything. Never an issue,” said Dallas head coach Nikki Pekarski. “She’s a great person to have on the team. She works as hard as everyone else, if not harder.” Senior Ali Francis is one of the program’s all-time leading scorers with well over 100 goals and two district championships to her name, and even she’s impressed by Sadie’s abilities. Francis and other team captains singled out Sadie’s kicking power and effort as two of her best skills. “It’s crazy how much she keeps up with running,” Francis said. “Sometimes she’ll sit out because it’s probably a lot harder for her than it is for everybody else. But no matter what the running drills we’re doing, she’s right up there with everyone else. It’s really amazing.”
Sadie plays center-back and thrives in her defensive role thanks to an ability to read where the ball’s going before it gets there. “My mom says that I know what I’m doing, but sometimes my physical ability is not always there,” Sadie said. “But since I know what I’m doing and where I’m placing, it sets me so I can just go and keep up with them.” While Sadie has learned to live with and embrace her disability, in her eyes, it could have been worse. Sadie hadn’t even been born when doctors discovered via Ultrasound that she was missing both tibias, among other anomalies like severe club foot. The Shriners Hospital for Children took a special interest in Sadie to get her the best care and multiple medical opinions before Sadie’s parents, Angela and Jesse Grochal, had to choose between amputation or wheelchairbound for life. “They chose amputation because they thought I can get active and involved,”
Sadie said. “I’m happy they chose that, because I wouldn’t be where I am now if I was in a wheelchair.” Sadie often chose not to wear her prosthetics in early childhood, instead walking around with her mother’s souffle cups — she called them her “high heels” — on her limbs. Around second grade is when Sadie realized she was physically a little different from her classmates, but that she also had to keep up with them regardless. When someone tells Sadie she can’t do something, she’s motivated to give it her all and do it, like when her father expressed doubt about Sadie’s ability to ride a bike. She now can ride a bike. “We’ve always raised her to embrace that she’s different — and to treat her like she wasn’t different,” Angela Grochal said. From the waist up, Sadie is just a normal high school freshman. She loves photography and playing soccer. She tried dancing, but didn’t like it too much.
She’s got plenty of friends and an inviting personality to thank for that. “You see her in the halls at school and she’s like, ‘Oh hi! How are you?’” Francis smiled. “She’s always so happy.” One of Grochal’s best friends is Natalie Conrad, a fellow freshman soccer player. “When we’re playing, she’ll say that she’s having a hard time and I’ll have to help her,” Conrad said. “She’ll help me, too.” Soccer officials at the start of the season occasionally approached Pekarski, asking if Sadie would play in the game. Pekarski understood the curiosity, but kept her answers short. “She has a uniform on,” Pekarski would deadpan. “Why wouldn’t she play?” After all, Sadie is just there to play soccer like everyone else. Contact the writer: mbufano@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2060; @CVBufano on twitter
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Suspended Ashley cop faces new charges Mark Icker is charged with allegedly groping a handcuffed woman in Lackawanna County. BY JOSEPH KOHUT STAFF WRITER
him repeatedly appearing on the verge of being fired. Yet in the end, he was largely in Trump’s corner. He joined Attorney General William Barr in determining that Trump had not obstructed the Mueller investigation — reaching a conclusion that Mueller himself pointedly did not make.
A suspended part-time cop accused in Ashley of coercing women into sex faces charges in Lackawanna County that he groped a woman he had handcuffed for smoking marijuana. Mark Icker, 29, of Dickson City, is charged with two counts of indecent assault and one count of official oppression. While working Oct. 24 in Jessup, Icker approached a woman he had stopped for smoking marijuana and started touching her thighs on the pretense of brushing away flakes of the IcKEr drug, police said. E v e n t u a l l y, h e started to rub her genitals over her clothing. The Citizens’ Voice does not identify victims of sexual assault. The woman “felt helpless because she was handcuffed,” according to a criminal complaint f i l e d F r i d ay by d e t e c t ive s Michelle Mancuso and Chris Kolcharno. “She stated she just put her head down and could not look at him,” the detectives wrote. Icker wrote his cellphone number on a piece of paper and slipped it into the handcuffed woman’s boot. “We do things a little different her (sic),” he said, according to the complaint. He told her to call if she “needed anything, wanted to talk or get together.” The victim did not face a criminal charge for the marijuana until after Icker was accused in Luzerne County, said Lackawanna County District Attor ney Mark Powell. Jessup police forwarded the complaint against Icker to the district attor ney’s of fice on March 28. In December, borough police Chief Joseph Walsh suspended Icker when allegations surfaced in Luzerne County that Icker pressured a woman for sex during a traffic stop in Ashley borough. Efforts to reach Walsh were unsuccessful Monday.
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Lt. Col. James Harvey grew up in Luzerne County in the 1930s and 1940s. He went on to become a member of Tuskegee Airmen, an elite all-black aviation unit. BY BOB KaLInOwSKI STAFF WRITER
As an African-American growing up in Luzerne County in the 1930s and 1940s, James Harvey says he never experienced racism until he was drafted into the military in 1943 during World War II. During his first train ride, he was ordered to the segregated rear car with other black draftees. He was later told his dreams of being a military pilot were not possible because of his race. But Harvey wouldn’t let the discrimination break him. Instead, he made history. Harvey became a member of the elite allblack aviation unit, the Tuskegee Airmen, and later became the first African-American fighter pilot to fly missions in the Korean War. He retired as a lieutenant colonel after 22 years of service. Nearly 70 years since he last visited Luzerne County, Harvey will be treated to
four days of local fanfare after he arrives in the area on Saturday from Denver, Colorado. He was invited by the community group, Mountain Top on The Move. Among the various events on the 95-year-old’s schedule is a speech he’ll give to Crestwood High School students next week. “It feels good to come home. I haven’t been back since 1952 when I came to visit my folks. I’m looking forward to meeting the people, maybe some of the people I knew when I was growing up there. I’m 95, that’s why I say hopefully I can meet some people I knew,” Harvey said Monday in a phone call. During the Great Depression, Harvey’s family moved from Montclair, New Jersey to Wilkes-Barre in 1930. They lived on Orchard Street for six years prior to moving to Nuangola Station in Rice Twp. in 1936. Please see aIrMan, Page A6
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Lt. Col. James Harvey became the first African-American fighter pilot to fly missions in the Korean War.
Rod Rosenstein submits letter of resignation The deputy attorney general’s last day will be May 11. BY ErIc TUcKEr and MIcHaEL BaLSaMO ASSocIATEd PRESS
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WASHINGTON — Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosensteinsubmittedhisresignation Monday after a two-year run defined by his appointment of
a special counsel to investigate connections between President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia. His last day will be May 11, ending a tumultuous relationship with Trump and a tenure that involved some of the most consequential, even chaotic, moments of the president’s administration. When Trump wanted to fire then-FBI Director James
Comey, who was overseeing the Russia probe, Rosenstein wrote the memo that the White House used to justify the dismissal. But eight days later, Rosenstein took a step that Trump feared would end his presidency: appointing Robert Mueller as special counsel. The move made Rosenstein the frequent target of Republican wrath and angry Trump tweets and left
Biden makes play for Pa. with first rally stop At the event in Pittsburgh, Biden accused Trump of abusing his office and ignoring most Americans. BY THOMaS BEaUMOnT and wILL wEISSErT ASSocIATEd PRESS
PITTSBURGH — Joe Biden accused President Donald Trump of abusing the powers of his office and ignoring everyone but his political base Monday in his first public rally as presidential candidate, arguing in the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania that strengthening unions
and promoting social and economic unity can restore Democrats to the White House. The former vice president told hundreds of supporters and labor activists that Saturday’s deadly shooting at a California synagogue proves anew that the country is “in a fight for its soul.” But he spent more time criticizing Trump for his political behavior than for the president’s past comments concerning white supremacists, unlike Biden’s video formally kicking off his presidential campaign last week. “There’s only one thing that stands in our way. It’s our broken political system that’s deliberately being undermined by our president to continue to abuse the
power of the office,” Biden said. He called Trump “the only president who has decided not to represent the whole country. He has his base. We need a president who works for all Americans.” Earlier in the day, Biden received the endorsement of the International Association of Fire Fighters, and many in the crowd wore union T-shirts and carried signs supporting him. They repeatedly interrupted him with cries of “We want Joe!” and the candidate declared: “I make kEITh SRAkocIc / ASSocIATEd PRESS no apologies. I am a union man” to susDemocratic presidential candidate former Vice tained applause. Please see BIdEn, Page A8
Hollywood mourns
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President Joe Biden speaks Monday during a campaign stop at a Teamsters union hall in Pittsburgh.
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AIRMAN: Part of winning ‘Top Gun’ team From page a1
His was the lone AfricanAmerican family in Mountain Top, but he said they weren’t treated differently than others in the community. Harvey was captain of the basketball team for Fairview High School. Classmates elected him senior class president and he earned the title of valedictorian of the Class of 1942. “I had a good life in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania. I was treated like everybody else. I didn’t know anything about segregation or racism. I thought the world was A-OK, but when I went to the military, I found out differently,” Harvey said. Upon getting drafted in the m i l i t a r y, H a r ve y w a s assigned to the U.S. Army Air Corps — but not as a pilot. He reapplied for flight CourTesy oF Deborah grigsby training and was later selectAs part of his visit, Lt. Col. James Harvey will speak to ed to be a part of an experistudents at Crestwood High School about his battle mental aviation program — a over adversity. segregated all-black unit that
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trained in Tuskegee, Alabama. The group became known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The unit was designed to fail, as Army brass made it no secret they didn’t think African Americans were smart or skilled enough to fly airplanes, Harvey said. But it turns out the military relied heavily on the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, using them to fly 15,000 missions. Harvey graduated from flight school just as World War II was ending. He was part of a Tuskegee Airmen team that won the United States Air Force’s first ever “Top Gun” weap-
ons meet in 1949 in Las Vegas despite being given inferior aircraft and equipment. The honor was not officially recognized by the military until the 1990s and the trophy they won ended up in a warehouse for decades. Harvey says the “Top Gun” win by the Tuskegee Airmen was the “last hurrah” of segregation and members of the unit were soon integrated with other American units throughout the world. He would go on to be the first black fighter pilot to serve in Korea, where he led nearly 130 missions. At Crestwood, Harvey Contact the writer: plans to talk about his battle bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2055, @cvbobkal over the adversity.
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“The problems we had at Tuskegee. The problems we had as a race of people. Why no one wanted us flying aircraft. They thought it was a waste of time and money. We were inferior to the white race. We were nothing,” Harvey said. Harvey has a website honoring his service, tuskegeetopgun.com. Katie Larsen-Lick, a board member with Mountain Top on The Move, said the group was honored Harvey accepted their invitation. Harvey’s main request was that he get to speak to young people during his visit, she said. “The fact we had a Tuskegee Airmen who lived here in his youth is remarkable,” Larsen-Lick said. “We are touched by the fact he wants to engage with the students. We are thrilled and honored to say the least.”
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DONALD TRuMP’s TAx RETuRNs
Treasury denies Dems’ request Steven Mnuchin said Monday the department won’t hand over Donald Trump’s tax returns. By ANDREW TAyLOR AND JONATHAN LEMIRE AssociAted Press
the citizeNs’ Voice File
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ Lukas Bengtsson sends the puck past Providence Bruins’ Jordan Szwarz during an AHL hockey game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. in 2016. By ERIc MARk stAFF Writer
the citizeNs’ Voice File
An agreement announced Monday by the Penguins and the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority will keep the team at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza through 2029.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team will stay at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza until at least 2029, officials confirmed Monday. The Penguins and the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority have reached an agreement on a 10-year extension of the team’s lease, which had been set to expire June 30, authority board chairman Gary Zingaretti said. The authority oversees the operations of the arena. Terms of the agreement will be released Wednesday, when the authority board meets and is expected to approve the lease extension, Zingaretti
said. A press conference to formally announce the agreement will be held at the arena following Wednesday’s board meeting, he said. The Penguins — the American Hockey League affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins — have played their home games at the arena since it opened in 1999, off Highland Park Boulevard in Wilkes-Barre Twp. The team will continue to play home games at the arena for the next 10 years, starting with the 2019-2020 season, according to a news release arena officials issued Monday. Please see PENguINs, Page A5
Lt. Col. Harvey: ‘We can never thank you enough’ WRIGHT TWP. — Welcome home, Lt. Col. efforts until James H. Harvey. years, even Harvey, one of the elite Tuskegee Airmen decades, latBOB who helped desegregate the military and er. KALINOWSKI win wars, returned to his native Mountain Some of Top on Monday for the first time in decades. us are just Quite the homecoming at age 95. learning Thank you for remembering Northeastabout it now. ern Pennsylvania as a place that gave you — You were a trailblazer, being the first as an African-American in the 1930s and black fighter pilot to serve our nation in the 1940s — a great upbringing without preju- Korean War. MArk MorAN / stAFF PhotogrAPher dice. We can never thank you enough. Lt. Col. James Harvey talks with students at You made us proud, though most in the Crestwood High School on Monday. Please see AIRMAN, Page A5 country didn’t get to hear about your heroic
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has made it official: The administration won’t be turning President Donald Trump’s tax returns over to the Democraticcontrolled House. Mnuchin told Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass., in a Monday letter that the panel’s request “lacks a legitimate legislative purpose” as Supreme Court precedent requires. In making that determination, Mnuchin said he relied on the advice of the Justice Department. He concluded that the Treasury Department is “not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information.” He said the Justice Department will provide a more detailed legal justification soon. The move, which was expected, is sure to set in motion a legal battle over Trump’s tax returns. The chief options available to Democrats are to subpoena the IRS for the returns or to file a lawsuit. Last week, Neal promised “we’ll be ready” to act soon after Monday’s deadline. Treasury’s denial came the same day that the House Judiciary panel scheduled a vote for Wednesday on whether to find Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena for a full, unredacted copy of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report. Fights with other House panels are ongoing. “I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response,” Neal said in a statement Monday. Neal originally demanded access to Trump’s tax returns in early April under a law that says the IRS “shall furnish” the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of top lawmakers, including the chair of the taxwriting Ways and Means Committee. Please see TAxEs, Page A5
Oh baby: Harry and Meghan welcome a boy By gREgORy kATZ AND MsTysLAV cHERNOV AssociAted Press
WINDSOR, England — The improbable love story between an American actress and a British royal took the best of all possible turns Monday with the arrival of a healthy baby boy. The as-yet-unnamed baby arrived less than a year after Prince Harry wed Meghan Markle in a spectacular televised event on the grounds of Windsor Castle that was watched the world over.
Meghan is now the Duchess of Sussex, but she still does things her own way: The couple bucked royal tradition by declining to say where the baby was born and opting not to come out to pose with the newborn just hours after the birth. Instead, an obviously overjoyed Harry emerged to tell the world — via its waiting TV cameras — that a baby had been born. It marked a moment the nation is likely to remember as a oncetroubled boy undone by the death of his mother Princess Diana in 1997 car
crash seemed giddy in his embrace of fatherhood. “This little thing is absolutely to die for,” the ginger-haired, bearded prince said. “I’m just over the moon.” The baby weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces at birth and was born at 5:26 a.m. local time. Harry said their son was a little bit overdue and that had given the royal couple more time to contemplate names. Harry promised that more details — such as the baby’s name — will be shared in the coming days.
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Britain’s Prince Harry speaks at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, on Monday after his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy.
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AIRMAN: Captivated Crestwood audience From page a1
Harvey captivated hundreds of students Monday morning at Crestwood High School during two presentations, telling the story about an African-American boy from all-white Mountain Top who never heard or knew of racism until he was drafted into the military turning World War II in 1943. “Obstacles you go over, around or through. But you don’t let obstacles stop you ever,” Harvey said. Harvey’s family moved from New Jersey to WilkesBarre in 1930. In 1936, he moved to the Nuangola Station section of Rice Twp. He later attended Fairview High School, where he was captain of the basketball team. Harvey graduated as class president and valedictorian in 1943. Then it was off to the military after being drafted. Harvey ended up at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, set up to appease people who were fighting the military’s ban on AfricanAmerica pilots. It was a segregated, allblack program. Top brass didn’t think black people were smart or skilled enough
to fly planes, Harvey said. Harvey told students the program was designed to fail. But he, and others, would not let that happen. “I was a perfectionist. I didn’t expect anything less than perfection,” Harvey said. “We were highly educated people who wanted to fly and fight for our country.” The Tuskegee Airmen proved crucial to the efforts of World War II, though many people — not even other white pilots flying beside them — knew they were African American. Harvey said they were kept “secret.” “They didn’t want anyone to know about us. We were too successful,” Harvey said. After he and members of the Tuskegee Airmen won the first-ever “Top Gun” competition held in 1949, the military was finally desegregated, he said. “We made it work in the military. We were the forerunners of desegregation. We proved it worked. It did work. It’s still working today,” Harvey said. Thank you. Well done, sir. BOB KALINOWSKI is a staff writer for The Citizens’ Voice. He can be reached at bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com.
TAXES: Mnuchin said the request would weaponize the returns From page a1
He maintains that the committee is looking into the effectiveness of IRS mandatory audits of tax returns of all sitting presidents, a way to justify his claim that the panel has a potential legislative purpose. Democrats are confident in their legal justification and say Trump is stalling in an attempt to punt the issue past the 2020 election. The White House and the p r e s i d e n t ’s a t t o r n e y s declined to comment on the deadline to tur n over Trump’s returns. Mnuchin has said Neal’s request would potentially weaponiz e private tax returns for political purposes. Trump has privately made clear he has no intention of turning over the much-coveted records. He is the first president since Watergate to
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decline to make his tax returns public, often claiming that he would release them if he was not under audit. “What’s unprecedented is this secretary refusing to comply with our lawful ... request. What’s unprecedented is a Justice Department that again sees its role as being bodyguard to the executive and not the rule of law,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J. “What’s unprecedented is an entire federal government working in concert to shield a corrupt president from legal accountability.” But the president has told those close to him that the attempt to get his returns was an invasion of his privacy and a further example of what he calls the Democratled “witch hunt” — like Mueller’s Russia probe — meant to damage him.
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The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins celebrate a goal from Tom Kostopoulos against the Syracuse Crunch during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. in 2015.
PENGUINS: Parent team happy with result From page a1
Monday’s announcement ended months of speculation that the Penguins might leave the WilkesBarre region next season. Negotiations between the team and the authority had dragged on since last year, with little infor mation revealed by either side because of a nondisclosure agreement. In May 2018, the authority board approved spending up to $250,000 to upgrade WiFi service at the arena. Board members said at the time that the Penguins needed better Wi-Fi to comply with American Hockey League standards for recording video. David Morehouse, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Penguins, said he is happy to continue the team’s relationship with the arena. “The Pittsburgh Penguins are excited to extend our long-term partnership with the Wilkes-Bar re/ Scranton Penguins and the many fans and community partners who have made it such a success,” Morehouse said, in a statement. “As we like to say in Pittsburgh, this is a ‘Great Day for Hockey.’” Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins CEO and President Jeff Barrett was at the AHL’s Board of Governors
meeting on Monday in Chicago and, thus, unable to respond to a phone message seeking comment. The Penguins, along with all 30 other AHL teams, were required to declare their intentions of participating in the upcoming season and where they would play at Monday’s meeting. Providence (1992) and Hartford (1997) are the only AHL teams that have longer active affiliations with the same NHL club. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s attendance has declined significantly since 2007 — when the team averaged more than 8,000 fans per game — fueling a lot of the rumors that Pittsburgh might opt to move the franchise. However, it has leveled off at an average of about 5,500 over the last three seasons. “The loyalty of our fans is second to none,” Barrett said in an interview last fall. “The reality is we are one of the smaller markets in the league. You look at San Diego and Ontario (California) and some of these larger markets, we do very well and we’re very happy with that. I think that the people who come are as dedicated as any fans in the league.” TYLER PICCOTTI, staff writer, contributed to this report.
Contact the writer: emark@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2117
KEY EVENTS IN PENGUINS’ HISTORY Since their debut at the mohegan Sun arena at Casey plaza in 1999, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton penguins have given area hockey fans plenty of memorable moments over 20 seasons. With monday’s announcement that an agreement will keep the team there for another 10 years, here’s a look back at some of the most significant hockey moments in arena history: ■ Nov. 13, 1999: after playing their first 13 games on the road, the penguins win the first home game in team history, 4-2, over the Kentucky Thoroughblades at the Northeastern pennsylvania Civic arena and Convention Center. ■ Jan. 14-15, 2001: The aHL all-Star Classic, a twoday event featuring the league’s top players, is held at the First Union arena at Casey plaza. ■ May 21, 2001: The penguins host a Calder Cup Final game for the first time, falling 4-1 to the St. John Flames. The penguins would lose the series, 4-2. ■ Feb. 20, 2002: The penguins sell out the arena for the 54th straight game, setting a then-aHL record. ■ March 17, 2002: The penguins and Syracuse Crunch set a new standard for on-ice pugilism, combining for 286 penalty minutes in a game dubbed the “St. patrick’s Day massacre.”
many fans consider it the most memorable moment in team history. ■ April 25, 2005: Colby armstrong scores at 12:26 of the third overtime period to give the penguins a 3-2 win over the Binghamton Senators at the Wachovia arena at Casey plaza in what still stands as the longest game in team history. ■ Sept. 21, 2005: Future Hockey Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby makes his professional debut in a preseason game against the Boston Bruins held at the arena. ■ Oct. 20, 2012: an upgraded mohegan Sun arena at Casey plaza makes its regular season debut. enhancements include a new high-definition video board and remodeled luxury suites. ■ Feb. 22, 2014: Two of the most popular players in penguins history, Dennis Bonvie and alain Nasreddine, as well as builder Kevin Blaum are honored as the team’s first Hall of Fame Class with a banner inside mohegan Sun arena. John Slaney would be inducted two years later. ■ Dec. 19, 2019: With the penguins facing Bridgeport, the arena introduces metal detectors at its entrances as part of measures to increase security. a clear-bag policy would be instituted shortly after. — Tyler PiccoTTi
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WHERE’S THE MEAT? How do new plant-based burgers compare to beef? PAGE C1
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8 hurt in Colo. school shooting
Two students were taken into custody. BY KATHLEEN FOODY ASSOCIATED PRESS
‘ROCK STAR’
SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Former Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. James Harvey, center left, walks beside his son-in-law, Ron Green, after being greeted at the American Legion Post 781 in Mountain Top on Tuesday.
Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. James Harvey overwhelmed by support Visit citizensvoice.com for video from Lt. Col. James Harvey’s visit to Mountain Top.
BY BOB KALINOWSKI STAFF WRITER
Retired Lt. Col. James Harvey wants to thank Northeast Pennsylvania for the overwhelming amount of love and support he’s gotten during his homecoming tour the past few days. “Just like a rock star. The reception was fantastic. Never had anything like it before in my life. I appreciate it. It was very good,” the 95-year-old said. Harvey, one of the famous Tuskegee Airmen who grew up in WilkesBarre and Rice Twp., was paraded through Mountain Top on Tuesday
with a police, fire and motorcycle escort to the Mountain Top American Legion for an event honoring him. It was his final full day in the region since arriving on Saturday as a guest of the community organization Mountain Top on a Move. After visiting his parents’ final resting place this morning in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Hanover Twp., he will fly back to Colorado.
“This is special. He wanted to come home and that’s what he did. He’s been wanting to do this and waiting for this,” said Harvey’s sonin-law Ron Green, who accompanied him on the trip. “This is over the top. Over the top in Mountain Top. I call it full circle.” Fairview Twp. police Officer Kevin Stahley, a self described World War II buff, told Harvey it was an honor lead Harvey’s procession through Mountain Top. “Anytime you want an escort we’ll give you one,” Stahley said. Harvey, an African-American, has often said he never knew of
racism or segregation while growing up in Luzerne County, first learning of bias and prejudice when he was drafted into the segregated military. He and other black draftees dreamed of flying in the military, but were told it was impossible because of their race. To appease lawsuit threats, they were later grouped in an all-black outfit in Tuskegee, Alabama. They were held to incredibly high standards because of their race, making them elite, Harvey said. Please see HARVEY, Page A5
Visit results in long overdue reunion Former classmates had not seen each other for nearly 77 years. BY BOB KALINOWSKI STAFF WRITER
They hadn’t seen each other since 1942. But James Harvey and Willard Swank picked up right where they left off nearly 77 years ago. Harvey, 95, while in town for a homecoming tour to celebrate his fame as a Tuskegee Airman, spent
several hours with Swank and his wife on Tuesday at the Comfort Inn in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Harvey graduated from Fairview High School in 1942. He and Swank, a member of the Class of 1944, played on the basketball team together. Harvey is 95, and going to be 96 in July. Swank, the uncle of a longtime Mountain Top district judge, is 92. They were thrilled to reunite. “There’s somebody watching over us right?” Swank said.
The high school buddies talked about what they’ve been up to the last seven-plus decades. “I was hoping I’d get to see someone I knew from back then,” Harvey said. “This is the first since 1942.” Swank was quick to interject. BOB KALINOWSKI / STAFF PHOTO “Not many people can do that,” Lt. Col. James Harvey, left, and Swank said. Harvey was the only black per- former Fairview High School classmate Willard Swank met son in school at Fairview High. Please see REuNION, Page A5
for several hours Thursday in Wilkes-Barre Twp.
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — Two students opened fire Tuesday inside a charter school in an affluent suburban Denver community not far from Columbine High School, wounding eight teenagers and spreading minutes of terror before they were taken into custody with no injuries, authorities said. Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said the pair walked into the STEM School Highlands Ranch and began shooting students in two classrooms. Within minutes, deputies at a nearby sheriff ’s de par tment substation entered the school and arrested the two suspects after a struggle. “As officers were arriving at the school, they could still hear gunshots,” Douglas County Undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth said. “I have to believe that the quick response of the officers that got inside that school helped save lives,” Spurlock said. He did not identify the suspects, but said they are an adult and a minor who were not previously known to authorities. Authorities planned to search their homes and a vehicle at the school, he said. The shooting comes nearly three weeks after neighboring Littleton marked the grim 20th anniversary of the Columbine school massacre that killed 13 people. The two schools are separated by about 7 miles in adjacent communities south of Denver. “Tragically, this community and those surrounding it know all too well these hateful and horrible acts of violence,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement. Please see SHOOTING, Page A7
Ex-White House lawyer defies House subpoena
McGahn refuses to provide documents he gave to Meuller in Russia probe.
BY MARY CLARE JALONICK AND LISA MASCARO ASSOCIATED PRESS
SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
McGovern returns to Lake-Lehman Connor McGovern hugs Lehman-Jackson sixth grade teacher and Dallas Cowboys fan Vanessa Parry before a celebration Tuesday at Lake-Lehman High School. McGovern, a Lake-Lehman graduate who played at Penn State, was drafted by the Cowboys in the third round of the NFL Draft last month. For more on Tuesday’s celebration, see page B1.
WASHINGTON — A former White House lawyer defied a congressional subpoena Tuesday, setting the Trump administration on course for another collision with the Democratic-led House over its pursuit of documents related to the Russia investigation. Don McGahn’s refusal to provide the documents to the House Judiciary Committee came at the instruction of the White House, which suggested they could be subject to executive privilege. Such a
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claim can shield some presidential material from disclosure. President Donald Trump has defied requests from House Democrats since the release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report last month. Republicans have largely united behind the president, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday declaring “case closed” on Mueller’s Russia probe and potential obstruction by Trump. McConnell said Democrats are “grieving” the result.
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‘Heartbeat’ abortion ban now law in Georgia. Page A10
Mueller said he could not establish a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia, but did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. M u el l e r d i dn’ t char g e Trump but wrote that he couldn’t exonerate him, either. Democrats say the case is anything but closed and are conducting their own review of Mueller’s investigation of Russian election interference. The Judiciary panel wants to speak to McGahn and review certain documents, in part because he was a vital witness for Mueller, recounting the president’s outrage over the investigation and his efforts to curtail it. Please see MCGAHN, Page A6
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PAIDADVERTISEMENT
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The New $1 Cream for All Your Neuropathy Discomfort
A cream, not a pill, may be the most effective solution yet for neuropathy sufferers; increases sensation in the legs and feet, relieving burning, tingling, and numbness
By Dr. Henry Esber, Ph.D. BOSTON − An exciting clinical use survey study shows that a new cream can relieve leg and foot discomfort in just 15 minutes of applying.
SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Legion Rider Shawn Harkins, of Larksville, left, shakes hands with Lt. Col. James Harvey after Harkins led the procession to American Legion Post 781 in Mountain Top on Tuesday.
And according to the study participants, burning, tingling, and numbness were the most common symptoms to be relieved. The cream, called Diabasens, recently developed by scientists in San Diego and became an instant hit among those suffering with neuropathy. It’s patent pending formula works within minutes of contacting the skin, initiating two phenomena’s in the body.
The first phenomenon is known as vasodilation which triggers arteries to expand, improving circulation in the extremities.
SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Former Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. James Harvey, right, shakes hands with Air Force veteran Ivan ‘Ike’ Pettit, 85, of Rice Twp. Pettit is an Air Force veteran of the Korean War and was childhood friends with Harvey in Nuangola Station.
The second is called TRPA1 activation and this is what really has people excited.
Research Shows Correlation Between Nerve Damage and Sensation Published research shows that neuropathy symptoms arise when the nerves in your legs and feet break down and blood flow is lost to the areas which surround them. As the nerves begin to die, sensation is lost. This lack of sensation is a major cause of burning, tingling, and numbness.
SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Lt. Col. James Harvey, bottom right, sits with his graduating class at Fairview High School in 1942. Harvey earned the title of valedictorian.
HARVEY: Welcome home FROM PAGE A1
He was among a Tuskegee Airmen team that won the Air Force’s first ever “Top Gun” competition, an achievement that helped lead to the desegregation of the military. “Welcome to your home, Mountain Top,” said Martine
Columbo, commander of the Mountain Top American Legion, Post 781, as she greeted Harvey upon his arrival Tuesday. The Mountain Top Historical Society then presented him with a photo of his graduation class of 1942 from Fairview High School. Harvey was class president and
valedictorian. Justin Behrens, chaplain of Mountain Top American Legion Post 781, addressed the crowd by telling them, “We are all here today to pay tribute to an American hero.”
Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2055, @cvbobkal
REUNION: ‘Great to see an old friend’ FROM PAGE A1
But his classmates never saw him any dif ferent, Swank said. He said he never experienced racism or segregation until he was drafted into the military in 1943. Harvey was elected class president, was captain of the basketball team and earned the title of valedictorian. “He was black, but we
never made anything of it — why is he black, why is he here, or anything like this. He was here and he went to school with us,” Swank said. Harvey became one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, an all-black fighter pilot unit. He became the first ever African-American fighter pilot to serve in the Korean War.
The friends said the meet up was special “It’s great to see an old friend,” Harvey said. “It’s been many moons.” Swank agreed. “I wanted to see him and shake his hand and congratulate him for what he did in his life,” Swank said. Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2055, @cvbobkal
Teen stabbing victim dies WILKES-BARRE — A teen who was stabbed last month by a man who was allegedly peeping on the teen’s mother while she was taking a bath died Monday. Luzerne County Coroner Dan Hughes confirmed the 17-year-old’s death on Tuesday night, but he declined to identify the victim by name until today because he didn’t have the correct spelling readily available. Hughes said the cause and manner of the teen’s death is pending an autopsy scheduled for 9 a.m. today. Police charged Milton
Clark, 59, with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of simple assault in connection with the incident. Police said Clark stabbed the boy, to whom he is related, after he was confronted for trying to watch the teenager’s mother take a bath inside 97 Holland St. on April 23. The teenager was stabbed in the left lower abdomen and was unresponsive when of ficers ar rived on the scene, police said. Lynn Williams, the 911 c a l l e r, s a i d a d i s p u t e between her son and Clark
arose after she noticed Clark looking at her taking a bath. She said she asked her son to get Clark to stop. By the time she tried to intervene in the fight, her son was stabbed, she said. Clark fled the scene when Williams called 911, police said. A city police officer later located Clark on South Main Street with a knife in his hand and Clark was taken into custody without incident, police said. Clark remains jailed on $100,000 cash bail pending a preliminary hearing. — STEVE MOCARSKY
Remarkably, Diabasens contains one of the few known substances to activate TRPA1, a special sensory pathway right below the skins surface which controls the sensitivity of nerves. It’s these nerves that allow you to feel hot, cold, and touch. And although this pathway has been known about for years, neither a drug or a pill has been able to target it successfully. That’s why Diabasens is so impressive. “It all comes down to sensation. When sensation is lost the foot feels constantly asleep. It may also burn and tingle. When sensation is increased, these nagging symptoms often go away”, explains Dr. Henry Esber, one of the scientists behind Diabasens. “That’s why Diabasens performed so well in our clinical use survey study. It increases sensation and blood flow wherever it’s applied. It’s impressive to say the least”
A Brilliant Technology Most Failed to Consider Until now, many pharma companies have failed to develop a means of TRPA1 activation to manage neuropathy. Diabasens is one of the first to take full advantage of this amazing discovery. “Today’s treatment methods have focused on minimizing discomfort instead of attacking its underlining cause. That’s why millions of adults are still in excruciating discomfort every single day and are always battling effects” explains Esber
A NEW WEAPON FOR FIGHTING NEUROPATHY DISCOMFORT: Diabasens increases sensation and blood flow wherever its applied. It’s now being used to relieve burning, tingling, numbness among other discomforts.
“Diabasens is different. Since the most commonly reported symptoms... burning, tingling and numb legs and feet...are caused by lack of sensation of the nerves, we’ve designed the formula increase their sensitivity. And since these nerves are located right below the skin, we’ve chosen to formulate it as a cream. This allows for the ingredients to get to the site faster and without any serious side effects” he adds.
Study Finds Restoring Sensation the Key To Effective, Long Lasting Relief With the conclusion of the human clinical use survey trial, the makers of Diabasens are offering it nationwide. And regardless of the market, its sales are exploding. Men and women from all over the country are eager to get their hands on the new cream and according to the results study participants reported, they should be. In the trial above, participants taking Diabasens as needed experienced relief in just 15 minutes after applying! Burning, tingling and numbness were the most commonly reported symptoms to improve. Even more impressive, when asked if this was the best product they used for their legs and feet, 90% gave a resounding “Yes” with all participants concluding they would absolutely recommend it to someone else.
A breakthrough in neuropathy management and supportive care, Diabasens is shown to provide relief from: • Discomfort • Numbness • Tingling • Swelling • Balance
Targets Nerves Right Below the Skins Surface Diabasens is a topical cream that is to be applied directly the legs and feet. It does not require a prescription. The active ingredient is a compound known as cinnamaldehyde. Studies show that neuropathy and discomfort caused when peripheral nerves breakdown and blood is unable to circulate into your legs and feet.
As these nerves deteriorate, sensation is lost. This is why you may not feel hot or cold and your legs and feet may burn, tingle and go numb. Worse, without proper blood flow, tissues and cells in these areas begin to die, causing pain that seems to never go away. The cinnamaldehyde in Diabasens is one of the very few compounds in that can activate TRPA1, a special sensory pathway that runs through your entire body. According to published research, activating this pathway increases the sensitivity of nerves, relieving feelings of tingling and numbness in your legs and feet. Supporting ingredients boost blood flow, support cellular health and stimulate the nerves for increased sensation.
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How to Claim a Risk Free Supply of Diabasens This is the official release of Diabasens. As such, the company is offering a special discounted supply to any reader who calls within the next 48 hours. A special hotline number and discounted pricing has been created for all Pennsylvania residents. Discounts will be available starting today at 6:00AM and will automatically be applied to all callers. Your Toll-Free Hotline number is 1-800-670-6444 and will only be open for the next 48 hours. Only a limited discounted supply of Diabasens is currently available in your region. Consumers who miss out on our current product inventory will have to wait until more becomes available and that could take weeks. The company advises not to wait. Call 1-800-670-6444 today.
THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FDA. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. RESULTS MAY VARY. DIABASENS IS NOT A DRUG.
WB_VOICE/PAGES [A01] | 07/26/19
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MAKING A RUN
Kurt Busch hopes to keep up the momentum this weekend at Pocono. B1
LITTLE LEAGUE: Greater Pittston’s run in majors state tournament ends. B1
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Murder victim wanted to leave boyfriend Tara Grob was planning to break up with Joshua Croop hours before he killed her. BY JAMES HALPIN STAFF WRITER
DAVE SCHERBENCO / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
From left, local Knights Rick Korpusik, David Yonki and Frank Ankenbrand show off their color guard uniforms.
WARDROBE
CHANGE
Mazur did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Faced with $22,467 in unpaid lunch money from about 1,000 students, school officials sent out about 40 letters to parents warning that non-payment could end with their children being placed into foster care.
with Joshua Winans Croop, whom Grob had been dating for about a month. “She definitely was done with him,” said Michael, 27. “He was becoming way too attached. He wouldn’t let her go anywhere by herself.” Michael remembered her sister as spontaneous and kind, the kind of person who went out of her way to help others — including the stray cats that she frequently took in. “She would help anyone the most she could,” Michael said. Michael said she often visited her sister and had gone to her house at 922 W. Eighth St. in West Wyoming last week to cook for her and Croop. Grob had just gotten out of surgery — the first of two sessions — to remove aneurysms from her brain that doctors discovered after she had a stoke a few months ago, Michael said. She said Croop, 37, of Tunkhannock, seemed nice but that she didn’t know too much about him. “All I knew about him was the negative things people told me — and this was before this happened — like that he was a thief and a liar,” Michael said. “But nothing, obviously, to the extent of he would hurt somebody.” A few hours before Grob was killed, she went to Michael’s home and revealed she was breaking off the relationship because Croop had been gaslighting her, Michael said.
Please see WVW, Page A6
Please see MURDER, Page A6
Local members of the Knights of Columbus aren’t happy about changes to color guard uniforms BY STEVE MOCARSKY STAFF WRITER
PITTSTON — The colorful capes, plumed chapeaus and black tuxedos of the Knights of Columbus color guard have been replaced with much more demure attire, and some local knights aren’t happy. “I myself am opposed to it. Probably one of the most recognizable uniforms worldwide is the Knights of Columbus regalia,” said Rick Korpusik, Knights of Columbus faithful navigator for the President John F. Kennedy Assembly 948 in Pittston.
“If you see the cape, the hat and the sword, you know who we are,” said the 71-yearold Korpusik, a Pittston resident and a knight for more than 25 years. But as of July 1, Knights of Columbus color corps members are only allowed to wear the new uniform at official functions, according to an edict from the organization’s national board. The new uniform consists of a dark blue blazer with a Knights of Columbus emblem on the left breast pocket, dark gray trousers, a blue fourth degree necktie
and a black beret with a gold fourth degree emblem. Corps members will be allowed to continue carrying their swords.
CNS PHOTO / KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Losing their identity A member of the Knights of Columbus is shown sporting the Knights’ new uniform. July 1 marked Local knights fear the the end of a 79-year era when the Knights change organization will lose its rec- the ceremonial Color Corps regalia long associated ognizability and part of its with the fraternal Catholic order. identity. “If they have to change their uniforms, the color corps as we know it now will cease to exist,” said David Yonki, chairman of the assembly’s family committee. “Nothing was put to us for input,” said Fran Anken-
brand, a past faithful navigator and current trustee for Assembly 948. The men are members of the assembly’s Fourth Degree, the highest of four levels of membership in the fraternal Catholic service
organization established in 1882 by the Rev. Michael J. McGivney, then a 29-year-old assistant pastor at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Please see KNIGHTS, Page A5
Challenger in WVW race criticizes board leader
Tiffany Brunson says district’s handling of letter controversy was ‘adult bullying.’ BY JAMES HALPIN STAFF WRITER
The challenger seeking to unseat Wyoming Valley West School District school board President Joseph Mazur this
fall on Friday blasted his handling of the controversy over the threatenBRUNSON ing letters the district sent to parents who owed lunch money. The letters, which suggested childrenof parentswhodidnot
pay their lunch debt could be placed in foster care, were too aggressive, and Mazur’s rejection of a Philadelphia businessman’soffertopayoff the$22,000 debt defies logic, said Tiffany A. Brunson, who will be on the Republican ballot in November. “I think that it was more geared toward shaming the parents and the kids. It was adult bullying,” Brunson said.
“I think that the school board members’ primary focus should be the quality of life for the kids ... more focusing on the kids and not the bottom line. I think that whole message got lost along the way. I think we should be doing everything we can to make it a better place community-wise, education-wise for all involved, the less fortunate especially.”
Tara Grob survived a stroke and surgery to remove aneurysms from her brain only to be murdered at the hands of the boyfriend she was trying to leave, her sister said Friday. A few hours before Grob, 38, was murdered Thursday, she saw her sister, Stephanie Michael, and said she was GROB breaking up
Impeachment unsettled as Dems enter post-Mueller moment Pelosi says she’s not ‘running out the clock’ as summer recess begins.
BY LISA MASCARO AND MARY CLARE JALONICK ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Midway through the first year of their House majority, Democrats J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / ASSOCIATED PRESS have yet to vote to impeach House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, President Donald Trump. D-N.Y., prepares for an interview Friday in Washington. And maybe they never will.
The House recessed Friday for a six-week summer break without opening impeachment proceedings, the Democrats no closer to taking a vote than they were when they swept to power at the start of the year, a searing blow to liberals in the aftermath of former special counsel Robert Mueller’s halting testimony on Capitol Hill. Yet, the House Judiciary Committee filed a fresh law-
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suit Friday, its lawyers arguing they need documents from the Trump administration as they pursue questions of impeachment. It mentions the word impeachment 76 times. The committee chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, said his panel is pressing ahead with investigating the president, with or without a formal House vote. “I think too much has been
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Cyberbulling on rise; girls bearing the brunt. Page A10
made of the phrase impeachment inquiry,” Nadler said Friday. “We are using our full Article I powers to investigate the conduct of the president and to consider what remedies there are,” he said, referring to the Constitution. “Among other things we will consider are obviously recommending articles of impeachment.” Please see TRUMP, Page A7
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from page a1
SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2019
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KNights: National leadership disputes locals’ portrayal of vote are aware some members would prefer to continue with the old uniform. “However, this is the first time I have heard anyone say that the new regalia could be confused with that of an active-duty military unit or that our members could be mistaken for students at a military academy,” he said. A June 5 memo from national Supreme Master Dennis Stoddard warns wearing old regalia to official functions would result in a written warning. Subsequent violations could result in suspension of membership.
FROM PAGE A1
Only members of the Fourth Degree can be in the color corps, and only color corps members had been authorized to wear the colorful regalia at official functions such as church services, funerals and parades. The men point to the $510 cost of the new uniform and worry they will be misidentified as active military service members, cadets or veterans in parades and other functions, given the beret. Korpusik said the feathered hats, called plumed chapeaus, and capes of retired members could be and have been donated back to the council for reuse by new members to help make membership more affordable. “And ours is not the only assembly against the new regalia,” Korpusik said. “I’ve talked with faithful navigators all the way down to Malvern and Philadelphia and no one I talked to was in favor of it.” The men also question the decision-making process, saying they heard 27 of the 29 members of the national Supreme Council abstained from a vote to change the uniforms.
Dissent or acceptance
DAVE SCHERBENCO / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Knight Rick Korpusik said he won’t refuse requests from families of deceased Fourth Degree members for him to wear the old regalia at funerals.
trayal of the vote “is not accurate. The resolution to change the uniform was passed by the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors by a 26-0 vote. Also, such a vote would require a quorum.” Cullen also took issue with the assertion that inadequate input was gathered on the issue. “For years, supreme offirumors dispelled cers and directors have Joseph Cullen, spokesman received comments from for the national leadership, members and prospective said the local knights’ por- members that the old regalia
As for the knights losing their identity, Cullen said that “might have some validity” if the Rev. McGivney “designed a particular uniform and asked that it be used in perpetuity,” but he did not. “The uniform of the fourth degree was adopted in 1900, 10 years after Father McGivney’s death. Since 1940, the changes have only been slight,” Cullen said. Cullen said national leaders
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ST. NICHOLAS CATHOLIC
CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
NEW LIFE
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226 S. Washington St., W.-B.
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WILKES-BARRE FIRWOOD UNITED METHODIST
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Rev. Craig C. Gommer SUNDAY WORSHIP 11:15 AM Children’s Sunday school 11:15 AM Safe Sanctuary Policy Handicap Elevator Available. firwoodunitedmethodist.org
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St. Maria Goretti Church 42 Redwood Drive. Laflin, PA 18702 570-655-8956 www.stmariagoretti-laflin.org Weekday Mass 8:00AM Weekend Masses:
Saturday: 4:30PM Sunday: 8:30AM & 11:00AM Confessions: Sat. 3:30PM to 4:00PM
65 Academy St., W-B 570-822-7246 Pastor Eugene Sperazza SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00AM SUNDAY SCHOOL Adults 9:45 AM Children & Youth 6 PM Child Care provided for infants & toddlers
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SECOND WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
475 HAZLE ST., WILKES-BARRE 570-829-3790 9:30 Sunday AM Service 10:45 AM Sunday School 6:00 PM Sunday PM Service 7:00 Wed. Bible Study & Prayer/Youth Groups
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Saint Mary’s Church of the Immaculate Conception 134 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre
CONFESSIONS SATURDAY 3PM-3:45PM SATURDAY MASS - 4PM SUNDAY MASSES- 8:00AM,10:00AM,12:10PM& 7:00PM
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COMMUNITY CHURCH 570 South Main Rd. (570) 868-5155 SUNDAY SCHOOL – 9:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE – 10:30 AM Pastor David Elick ALL ARE WELCOME
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FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH West Pittston, PA
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Worship 10:00 AM at The Wyoming Presbyterian Church Corner of Wyoming Ave. & Institute St.
SWOYERSVILLE
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
105 Hill St., Wilkes-Barre Sunday Service 11 A.M. Childrens Church 11 A.M. Sunday School 9:30 A.M. Prayer Meeting-Wed. 7:00 P.M. Bible Study-Wed. 8:00 P.M. Rev. Michael E. Brewster
Masses:
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 97 S. Franklin & Northampton Sts. W-B
Saturday: 4:30 pm Sunday: 8:30 am, 11:00 am & 5:30 pm Daily: 8:00 am Confessions: Saturday 3:45 pm
116 Hughes St. Swoyersville
www.setonpa.com (570) 287-6624
10:00 AM WORSHIP 11:00AM SUNDAY SCHOOL Rev. Dr. Robert M. Zanicky, Minister Air Conditioned Sanctuary Nursery Provided Handicapped Access John Vaida - Minister of Music Pamela Kerns - Christian Education Director
A friendly, inclusive and welcoming church Audio Sermons available on the web at www.fpcwb.com
FREE SUNDAY PARKING AT PUBLIC LOT, NORTHAMPTON ST. ACROSS FROMYMCA.
ST. MATTHEW
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
667 NORTH MAIN STREET, W-B
PHONE: 570-822-8233
REV. PETER HAENFTLING WORSHIP SCHEDULE: SUNDAY - 9:30 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL - 10:45 A.M. AMPLE PARKING / NURSERY PROVIDED CHAIRLIFT AVAILABLE COME AND HEAR GOD’S WORD WITH US!
KINGSTON
WESTMOOR
CHURCH OF CHRIST 57 South Goodwin Avenue, KINGSTON
Worship Service 10:30 A.M.
The ChurCh Of ST. IgnaTIuS LOyOLa 339 N. Maple Ave., Kingston “Without Sunday We Cannot Live” Saturday Weekend Masses 4 pm & 5:30 pm - St. Ignatius Church Sunday Weekend Masses 7 & 8:30 am - St. Ann’s Chapel 10:30 am & 12 - St. Ignatius Church Daily Masses: 7:30am & 12:10pm (M-F); Saturday 7:30am
DORRANCETON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 549 WYOMING AVE., KINGSTON 570-288-1477 SUNDAY WORSHIP - 10:30 AM CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL NURSERY AVAILABLE
REV. BRIAN WALLACE, PASTOR LOOK FOR US ON FACEBOOK
Parish of St. Andre Bessette SCHEDULE OF MASSES SATURDAY VIGIL MASSES WILL BE AT 4:00P.M. AND 5:30P.M. SUNDAY MORNING MASSES WILL BE AT 8:00A.M. AND 11:00A.M. ALL MASSES WILL BE AT THE SAINT STANISLAUS WORSHIP SITE 668 NORTH MAIN STREET WILKES-BARRE ALL ARE WELCOME!
Korpusik said he has no intention of refusing requests from families of deceased Fourth Degree members to wear the old re g alia at funerals or requests from priests or others that color corps members wear the old regalia to services and functions. “If I go to church for a confirmation in a uniform everyone wants to see and they say, ‘You can’t wear that,’ what are they going to do? Take me out?” Korpusik said. But not all local knights support such dissension. The Rev. Phillip Sladicka, pastor of Queen of the Apostles Parish in Avoca, dean of the Diocese of Scranton’s Contact the writer: Pittston Deanery and a mem- smocarsky@citizensvoice.com ber of the Knights of Colum- 570-821-2110, @MocarskyCV
was a barrier either to membership in general or to membership in the Fourth Degree,” Cullen said. He said reports that young Catholic men said they would not join the color corps if they had to wear the old regalia were accurate. “The new regalia was field tested and debuted in the spring of 2017 during a major pilgrimage to Lourdes in France, which was covered extensively on our media platforms months before the vote by the board of direc-
tors,” Cullen said.
Wyoming Avenue Christian Church 570-288-4855 881 Wyoming Ave., Kingston PASTOR: REV. DENNIS GRAY
SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:45 AM MORNING WORSHIP - 11:00 AM COMMUNION EVERY SUNDAY MORNING WED. BIBLE STUDY - 7:00 PM ELEVATOR ACCESSIBLE
EDWARDSVILLE BETHESDA
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 37 Zerby Ave., Edwardsville
Morning Worship 10:30AM Sunday School During Church Service Prayer Time Sundays 9:30am-10am Bible Study Wed. Night 6pm
PLAINS PLAINS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
133 North Main St., Plains 570-822-2730 SUNDAY SERVICE 9:00AM SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00AM Rev. Tenny Rupnick, Pastor www.PlainsUMC.org
Confessions Saturday 3:00pm-3:30pm
Saint Benedict
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
Main St. at Center Ave. 570-779-1614 10 A.M. Morning Worship Church School For all Ages 11 A.M. David E. Quesenberry, Pastor HANDICAPPED ELEVATOR SERVICE
WORSHIP Saturday at 5:30 PM; Sunday at 9:30 AM Christian Ed at 10:45 AM Prayer & Praise Worship 2nd Monday at 7 PM Phone A Prayer: 570-675-4666 163 N. Pioneer Ave., Shavertown Office 570-675-3616 shavertownumc.com Pastor: Judy Walker
NANTICOKE FIRST PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH OF NANTICOKE Corner Church @ Prospect Streets
Sunday Service: Worship Service at 10A.M.
Both 155 Austin Ave., Worship Sites Parsons, PA Saturday 5:30pm
DALLAS Dallas United
Methodist Church
4 Parsonage St., Dallas
Rev. Craig Gommer Service at 9:30 A.M.
PHONE 570-675-0122
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 474 Yalick Road, Dallas (Rt. 118) SATURDAY WORSHIP 5:30 PM SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:30 AM www.stpaulsdallaspa.org
stpaul@epix.net Rev. Charles Grube, Pastor
(570) 675-3859
ALL ARE WELCOME
309 N. to 415, Left to 118,Then 1st Rt
BACK MOUNTAIN CROSS CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH
Sunday Services 9am & 10:45am With Jr. Church & Nursery Available. Wednesday 6:30pm Family Night with College & Career, CrossRoads for Teens Deaf Ministry, Small Groups, Men’s & Women’s Ministry Groups Celebrate Recovery for Hurts, Habits, Hang-ups- Tuesday’s 6:30pm 370 Carverton Road, Trucksville , Pa. - 570-696-0399 www.crosscreekcc.org
FORTY FORT
FRIENDS & QUAKERS SUNDAY MORNING FIRST DAY SCHOOL AT 10:00AM SILENT WORSHIP AT 11:00AM
Pastor Joseph Roach Information y call 570-735-2726
Wyoming Seminary Lower School
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN
Visitors Welcome - northbranch.quaker.org
1560 Wyoming Avenue, Forty-Fort
231 State St., Nanticoke Holy Communion Sunday at 8am & 9:30am
Christian Education – 10:30am Office –570-735-8531 nanticokelutheran.org
NEBO
BAPTIST CHURCH
Rev. Tim Hall, Senior Pastor & Jacob Claypoole, Youth Pastor
PLYMOUTH
Rev. Jacek J. Bialkowski, Pastor
Shavertown United Methodist
YOUTH GROUPS - J.O.Y. GROUPS
13 Hudson Rd., Plains, PA 570-825-6663
570-288-0091
WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 4:00 pm Sunday 8:30 am & 11:00 am Confessions Saturday at 3:00 pm
MASS SCHEDULE
MON,WED,THURS,FRI MONDAY thru FRIDAY 9 9AM A.M. SATURDAY: 4:30 5:00 P.M. SUNDAY: 7:30 A.M., 9:00 A.M., 11 A.M. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION SATURDAY: P.M. 4:15 P.M. SATURDAY3:15 4PM TOto4:30PM
SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45 a.m.
Pastor Rocco DeMelfi
66 Willow Street Plymouth http://www.allsaintsplymouth.com
Rev. James J. Paisley
75 Prospect St., Nanticoke
Weekend Mass Saturday 4:00pm Sunday 8:00am & 10:30am
ALL SAINTS PARISH
Pioneer Ave. at Davis St., Shavertown
570-735-3932 • www.nebobaptist.org
Saints Peter and Paul
bus himself, said he hasn’t heard opposition to the uniform change from parishioners or other priests. Sladicka noted most priests no longer wear cassocks in public and many nuns no longer wear habits. “Many things are changing. Somebody is making those decisions and the decisions are thoughtful,” he said. “I don’t think we ought to get caught up in that.” S l a d i c k a , Ko r p u s i k , Ankenbrand and Yonki all agree that charitable service is the most important aspect of being one of the Knights of Columbus. Korpusik noted Council 372 in Pittston hosted an The Knights of Columbus International Bowling Association Tournament earlier this year, raising over $4,000 that was split between the nine churches in the council’s territory, Meals on Wheels and the Care & Concern Free Clinic. The Knights Women’s Association recently completed a free backpack project for children returning to school Sladicka said it’s the charitable work of the knights that gives the organization its identity, and at church services and functions, “the important thing is their presence.”
570-824-5130
FORTY FORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1224 Wyoming Ave., Forty-Fort 287 7097 570-287-7097 Pastor, William N. Lukesh
Sunday School – 9:15 am Sunday Worship – 10:30 am Nursery Provided – Air Cond. Visitors Welcome
FORTY FORT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Corner Wyoming & Yeager Avenues
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 10AM Rev. Dr. Michael Stine (570) 406-0836
Church Office (570) 287-3840
HANOVER TWP
ASKAM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2811 S. Main St. (Middle Road) Hanover Twp.
SUNDAY SERVICE 9AM
OPEN HEART, OPEN MIND OPEN DOORS ALL ARE WELCOME! Pastor Craig Mark
LARKSVILLE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH 126 Nesbitt St. Larksville, Pa 18651 A Welcoming, Growing, Faith Community
Weekdays Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9AM Mass. Saturday 4PM • Sunday 8AM & 10:15AM Ample, Easy Parking Confessions: Saturday 3PM
LUZERNE
BENNETT PRESBYTERIAN
501 BENNETT ST., LUZERNE PASTOR JAMES QUINN
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORSHIP
9:45 AM 11 AM
2 NURSERIES AVAILABLE
Luzerne Assembly of God A Community Church
A Welcoming Church • No membership needed Communion 1st Sunday of every month Sunday Worship schedule: Personal worship & Prayer (10:00 am) Morning Worship (11:00 am)
649 Bennett Street, Luzerne, PA • (570) 709-0054 Parking Available • Visitors Welcome
Please Call 570-821-2034 For Information Or If You Would Like To Place An Ad.