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Report includes 30 recommendations to improve W-B police department

Wed, 04/04/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — A report critical of city police department operations and leadership makes a total of 30 recommendations to help improve department operations. The Citizens’ Voice on Wednesday obtained copies of two pages of recommendations from the repor

Nurse to stand trial over patient death

Wed, 04/04/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — A registered nurse whose patient died under her care waived her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday, allowing a felony count of neglect of care to move forward to county court. Kelly E. Levandowski, 39, of Nanticoke, is accused of “int

Rock 107 celebrates 38 years with concert

Wed, 04/04/2018 - 21:00
In celebration of 38 years on the air, Rock 107 hosted its annual Birthday Bash concert Wednesday night at the Woodlands Inn & Resort in Plains Twp. The band Warrant headlined the event, and Kartune, Flaxy Morgan and Three Imaginary Boys also performed. P

Correction

Wed, 04/04/2018 - 21:00
An article in Tuesday’s edition on the Irem Shrine Circus contained incorrect information about where funding from the circus goes. The money raised goes to uniform units to help support them for equipment and operating costs, and to keep Irem Temple in D

W-B police chief will exit in June

Wed, 04/04/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — Embattled city police Chief Marcella Lendacky will step down from her post in June, Mayor Tony George announced Wednesday. Lendacky issued a letter to the mayor informing him she will retire on June 3, George said in a mid-afternoon press r

Police: Argument over steak leads to attack

Wed, 04/04/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — An argument over a steak dinner turned violent Tuesday night, leading to a man threatening his ex-girlfriend’s family with a kitchen knife and bashing her over the head with an empty bottle of Hennessy cognac, according to city police. Rash

False rape suspect, husband arrested for allegedly conspiring to deal meth

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — The woman accused of falsely blaming two state troopers of rape and the husband she says abused her showed up in court for a preliminary hearing Tuesday afternoon and left together in handcuffs. State troopers allege Donald Richard Cromer,

Pittston man charged with sex assault of girl, 14

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
PITTSTON — A city man was arrested Tuesday on charges alleging he plied a 14-year-old girl with booze and had sex with her in an auto garage on several occasions. Phillip Smith, 42, of 351 S. Main St., is accused of furnishing the girl with alcohol and th

Ciavarella gets OK to file appeal

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
HARRISBURG — A federal judge this week granted disgraced former kids-for-cash judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. the ability to appeal a ruling denying him a new trial on some counts. Ciavarella, 68, was initially convicted of 12 of 39 charges for accepting kic

Agents bust SCI-Dallas drug smuggling ring

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
JACKSON TWP. — A former State Correctional Institution Dallas inmate was arraigned Tuesday on charges he was involved in a conspiracy to smuggle drugs into the prison. Angel Roberto Serrano, 34, who is now in prison at Camp Hill, is accused of working wit

Crestwood sets meeting to discuss financial difficulties

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
Crestwood school officials will tell the public about financial difficulties that caused them to consider laying off teachers and reconfiguring elementary schools during a special meeting Thursday. The 6:30 p.m. meeting in the secondary school auditorium

Pittsburgh, Scranton Komen chapters announce merger

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
Two leading Pennsylvania charities in the fight against breast cancer have merged to find strength in combined resources. Scranton-based Susan G. Komen Northeastern Pennsylvania and Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh announced Tuesday a merger forming a unified Su

Hanover Area approved to borrow $7.2 million to pay short-term loan

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
HANOVER TWP. — The Hanover Area School Board approved a resolution Tuesday to borrow $7.2 million to pay a short-term loan of $6.5 million that must be paid by June 30. The school district received approval from a Luzerne County judge to borrow the $7.2 m

Grand jury report on dioceses expected soon

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
A grand jury that has been hearing testimony about sexual abuse by priests in six Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Scranton, will soon conclude its work and issue a report this spring, according to two sources. The grand jury, wh

Study will examine West Pittston's flood protection options

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
WEST PITTSTON — West Pittston is looking again at a way to protect the town from flooding. A $200,000 feasibility study will look at possibilities that could prevent disasters like the 2011 floods that came after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, wh

Groups raising funds for Narcan training

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — Local community groups are organizing a basketball tournament to help raise money for Narcan training and drug recovery efforts in Luzerne County. Erik Coolbaugh Foundation and United We Stand, Divided We Fall are planning a tournament from

Inmate pleads guilty to attacking guard

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — Luzerne County Correctional Facility inmate Kassandra Lee Martin pleaded guilty to attacking corrections officers who searched her for drugs at the jail in December. The attack fractured a vertebra of one of the guards who was searching Mar

Neighbor rescues 2 from burning home

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
DORRANCE TWP. — A neighbor helped two people escape their burning residence in the Valley Stream mobile home park Tuesday morning. The fire, which broke out just after 10:30 a.m., quickly tore through the mobile home. Firefighters from at least six compan

Franklin board OKs investments

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s board of directors approved investments in two Luzerne County companies. TierraNOVA LLC, Wilkes-Barre, which produces a safety software application, received $35,000. The company’s app, “

Warrant headlines Rock 107 Birthday Bash

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 21:00
In celebration of 38 years on the air, Rock 107 brings the legendary band Warrant to the stage at Woodlands Inn & Resort, 1073 Highway 315, Plains Twp., tonight for its annual Birthday Bash concert. Since band members Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon founded W