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BACK FROM BROADWAY NEPA native Jessie Hooker-Bailey returns to region for Sem performance. INSIDE
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NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA’S LARGEST NEWS TEAM
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2020
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Levee meetings not open to public
MR. PEANUT 1916-2020
NUTS!
FEMA reps will discuss levees with W-B, Hanover Twp., Plymouth officials.
Iconic Planters mascot, a W-B native, dead at 104 BY BOB KALINOWSKI STAFF WRITER
Mr. Peanut, the iconic mascot of the Planters Peanut Co. that was founded in WilkesBarre in 1906, has died. Planters released a preSuper Bowl ad Wednesday in which Mr. Peanut was killed following a crash of his NUTmobile. “It is with heavy hearts that we confirm that Mr. Peanut has died at 104,” a message on Mr. Peanut’s Twitter page said. The page is now named “The Estate of Mr. Peanut.” A meme tweeted by the page — which featured a teardrop falling from Mr. Peanut’s famous monocle — noted the lovable character’s lifespan, 1916 - 2020. Planters says the full ad, which will include Mr. Peanut’s funeral, will air during the third quarter of the Super Bowl on Feb. 2. Wilkes-Barre businessman Thom Greco, an avid collector of Planters and Mr. Peanut memorabilia, said he couldn’t believe the company would kill off the face of the franchise. “I guess there is some whiz kid marketing person
BOB KALINOWSKI / STAFF PHOTO
Genetti’s Best Western in Wilkes-Barre remembered Mr. Peanut on Wednesday.
‘It is with heavy hearts that we confirm that Mr. Peanut has died at 104.’ THE ESTATE OF MR. PEANUT Via Twitter
that says Generation X and Generation Y can’t relate to Mr. Peanut,” Greco said. “The purists will always
BY STEVE MOCARSKY STAFF WRITER
Federal and local officials will meet Friday to discuss two stretches of levee in Luzerne County that no longer meet criteria to qualify for lower flood insurance rates for nearly 6,000 properties, and a former WilkesBarre mayor wants the meetings open to the public. A spokesperson at the Federal Emergency Management Agency confirmed on Wednesday that FEMA representatives will have two meetings — one with officials from Plymouth and the other with officials from Wilkes-Barre and Hanover Twp. Chris Belleman, executive director of the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority, which owns the levee systems, said he, too, will attend the meetings, which will take place at the authority offices. F E M A s p o ke s p e r s o n Corey DeMuro said in an email that the agency has been engaging with several communities in Luzerne County about levee systems to ensure that “communities and residents understand the
remember Mr. Peanut.” Italian immigrant Amedeo Obici, along with his friend and business partner, Mario Peruzzi, founded Planters Peanut Co. in Wilkes-Barre in 1906. In those early days, Obici announced that his company was in need of a trademark to represent the growing brand. In 1916, he announced a contest seeking designs. A Virginia schoolboy won the contest with his drawing of ninefoot tall peanut with arms and legs. Later an unnamed Wilkes-Barre artist added a top hat, monocle, spats and a cane, giving birth to Mr. Peanut. Mr. Peanut became a local icon who would go on to become a national and international symbol of the peanut company, helping it become a global brand. The business began at 632 S. Main St. in Wilkes-Barre. Please see PEANUT, Page A9
Please see LEVEE, Page A9
THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
Dems appeal for GOP help to convict ‘corrupt’ Trump House Democrats outline what they say is Trump’s abuse of presidential power. BY LISA MASCARO, ERIC TUCKER AND ZEKE MILLER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — House Democrats launched into marathon arguments in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial Wednesday, appealing to skeptical Republican senators to join them in voting to oust Trump from office to “protect our JOSE LUIS MAGANA / ASSOCIATED PRESS democracy.” Trump’s lawyers sat by, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks to reporters Wednesday on Capitol Hill waiting their turn, as the president blasted the proin Washington.
ceedings from afar, threatening jokingly to face off with the Democrats by coming to “sit right in the front row and stare at their corrupt faces.” The challenge before the House managers is clear. Democrats have 24 hours over three days to prosecute the charges against Trump, trying to win over not just fidgety senators sitting silently in the chamber but an American public, deeply divided over the president and his impeachment in an election year.
Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, outlined what the Democrats contend was the president’s “corrupt scheme” to abuse his presidential power and then obstruct Congress’ investigation. He then called on senators not to be “cynical” about politics, but to draw on the intent of the nation’s Founding Fathers who provided the remedy of impeachment. “Over the coming days, we will present to you — and to the American people — the extensive evidence collected during the House’s impeachment inquiry into the presi-
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Please see TRIAL, Page A9
WORLD
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dent’s abuse of power,” said Schiff standing before the Senate. “You will hear their testimony at the same time as the American people. That is, if you will allow it.” After a dinner break, Schiff returned to the well of the Senate to detail the administration’s hold on military aid to Ukraine. He played several clips of testimony from Ambassador William Taylor, who said the assistance was held back as Trump pushed the country to announce investigations of Democrats.
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