A look at the winners in Corbett's budget

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:48:06 -0600

The big winners in Gov. Tom Corbett's second budget are income taxpayers, corporations and state police, state workers and prisons.

Budget fosters uncertainty, fear among human services providers

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:47:28 -0600

Social services agencies in Northeast Pennsylvania have a long history of pulling together in the face of state budget cuts. The budget proposed Tuesday by Gov. Tom Corbett could test that unity.

A look at the losers in Corbett's budget

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:46:51 -0600

In a budget that cuts overall spending for the second year in a row, the list of losers in Gov. Tom Corbett's second proposed spending plan is long.

Higher ed cuts hit bipartisan sour note

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:45:01 -0600

HARRISBURG - Gov. Tom Corbett's proposals to cut state aid for higher education immediately hit a sour note with lawmakers of both parties.

Senate approves Marcellus Shale drilling impact fee bill

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:44:28 -0600

HARRISBURG - As part of a budget day extravaganza, the Senate gave final approval Tuesday to a county-option Marcellus Shale drilling impact fee that provides some revenue for statewide environmental programs and state review of local zoning rules.

Senate approves Marcellus Shale drilling impact fee bill

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:44:28 -0600

HARRISBURG - As part of a budget day extravaganza, the Senate gave final approval Tuesday to a county-option Marcellus Shale drilling impact fee that provides some revenue for statewide environmental programs and state review of local zoning rules.

Scranton in billing dispute with embattled streetlight firm

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:43:21 -0600

Two Lackawanna County men charged this week in Northampton County with theft and conspiracy in a street light privatization project also are involved in a dispute with Scranton over $657,000 they claim the city owes their firm for maintaining the city's streetlights.

What's next with the state budget

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:32:16 -0600

What's next - Feb. 13-29: Senate Appropriations Committee hearings - Feb. 21-March 8: House Appropriations Committee hearings - April-May: Big months for state tax revenue collections - May-June: House and Senate unveil own budget bills - June 30: Deadl

Transportation, libraries, economic development, and the environment also take budget hits

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:31:41 -0600

Lackawanna County Library System Administrator Mary Garm readied herself Tuesday for a long fight after she saw the governor's proposed 2012-13 state budget. Libraries in the system would lose about $47,000 under Gov. Tom Corbett's $27.1 billion spending

School district funding mostly flat

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:31:10 -0600

After a state funding cut of almost $1 billion last year forced districts to slash programs and staff, area schools would see mostly flat funding under Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2012-13 budget, unveiled Tuesday.

Colleges would see major cuts in state budget

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:30:35 -0600

State colleges and universities would see some of the biggest cuts in Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget. The 14 universities in the state System of Higher Education, such as East Stroudsburg and Bloomsburg, would see a 20 percent cut - or a loss of $82 million.

State unemployment compensation crisis hitting local businesses

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:29:56 -0600

Gov. Tom Corbett's plan to deal with the state's unemployment compensation crisis resonates with business owners. "You don't leave people on unemployment for a year or two," said Joe Fasula, co-owner of Gerrity's Supermarket, a regional grocery chain

Scranton pharmacist thwarts alleged meth producer's plans again

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:08:52 -0600

For the second time in about six months, a sharp-eyed West Scranton pharmacist tipped off city police Monday about suspicious individuals buying cold medication commonly used to make methamphetamine.

Longtime Clarks Summit day care to close by end of the month

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:08:06 -0600

CLARKS SUMMIT - Economic pressures, including a six-figure federal lien, have led a Clarks Summit day care to close its doors for good by the end of the month.

Public offers input on fate of Scranton's Audubon School

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:06:45 -0600

Fourth-grader Jalique Gillyard stood before the Scranton School Board at a public hearing about the fate of his school and had a simple request. "Please, please keep our school open," said Jalique, 9, drawing a chorus of "aws" from teachers, parents and taxpayers at Scranton High School on Tuesday night.

Valley View to host career fair

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:03:59 -0600

ARCHBALD - Valley View High School will host an information night Thursday and a career fair Friday. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors are invited to the information night, Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Carbondale police track down alleged probation scofflaw

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:02:33 -0600

CARBONDALE - City police took a woman into custody on a bench warrant issued by Lackawanna County probation officials after she cut a tracking bracelet off her leg and fled her Powderly Street home, police said.

Federal money headed toward foreclosure prevention agency

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:01:17 -0600

WASHINGTON - A Lackawanna County agency that helps homeowners avoid foreclosure and low-income families rehabilitate their homes will get a $77,500 federal grant, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta announced Tuesday.

Police: Scranton woman gave 12-year-old daughter a black eye

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:31 -0600

SCRANTON - City police arrested a woman Sunday afternoon after learning she had allegedly punched her 12-year-old daughter in the face on Friday.

Lackawanna County Court Sentencings 2/8/2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:55:17 -0600

The following have been sentenced in Lackawanna County Court: n Joanne Gaetano, 47, 509 Fourth St., Dunmore; three months, time served, in county prison and 21 months' probation for possession of cocaine.

Court denies Scranton Redevelopment Authority's plan to condemn two properties on Lackawanna Avenue

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:54:41 -0600

Commonwealth Court on Tuesday upheld a ruling that the Scranton Redevelopment Authority had no power to condemn two properties in the 500 block of Lackawanna Avenue.

Olyphant supports natural gas tax

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:08:44 -0600

OLYPHANT - The borough is taking a stand on the impact of natural gas production. Council voted Tuesday to support a resolution from the Lackawanna County Association of Boroughs calling for a severance tax for natural gas producers in Pennsylvania.

Winter Festival skiers hope warming economy in 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:52:32 -0600

Skiers at the Winter Festival on Snö Mountain on Tuesday hoped the unseasonably warm winter signals a warming economy in 2012.

Shut by flooding, Redner's won't reopen in Mark Plaza

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:52:25 -0600

Redner's Warehouse Market will not reopen in the Mark Plaza in Edwardsville, a spokesman said Tuesday. The store was under water in September when the Susquehanna River crested at 42.66 feet and has been closed since the flooding. "Due to it being in a

Winestein: McManis consistent, exemplary

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:11:27 -0600

Ron McManis was the fourth generation of his family in agriculture. College was not in the cards for him. When he graduated high school, his father gave him 80 acres of land and told him to plant peaches, grapes and almonds.

Lifestyles Sidenotes: Dietrich to present "Love Letters"

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:11:18 -0600

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Tunkhannock's Dietrich Theater is presenting a reading of A.R. Gurney's beloved play, "Love Letters." Hildy Morgan, former executive director of the Dietrich, and David Zarko, former p

Scranton woman's Stuffed Artichokes shows Italian cooking simplicity with flair

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:11:07 -0600

Tradition is a big deal to Toni Bartlett. And for the West Scranton resident, it's no better reflected than in the old-school Italian recipes her family adores.

Video: Pets of the Week 2/6/2012

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:16:14 -0600

Find a pet who needs a new home at the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter.

Lavish's new products showered with attention

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:05:37 -0600

Rub-a-dub-dub, there's something Lavish in the tub. Those suds in traditional and exotic scents are courtesy of a series of popular organic soaps developed and sold by Scranton's Lavish Body & Home.

Free tax service begins today at University of Scranton

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:33:45 -0600

Free tax service begins today SCRANTON - Two months of free tax assistance programs offered by the University of Scranton and the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties will begin at 9 a.m. today in the university's Brennan Hall. The Volunteer Incom