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'Unhappy Valley' struggles to cope.
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STATE COLLEGE — Veteran Penn State football coach Joe Paterno began talks that resulted in a sweetened retirement contract in the same month that he testified before a grand jury in the Jerry Sandusky sex-abuse case, and all members of the board of trustees weren't informed of the new pack- age before the scandal en- gulfed the university, ac- cording to a published re- port. Paternoandtheuniversi- ty reached agreement on the amended con- tract that eventually totaled $5.5 million in August, months before charges were filed against Sandusky, but they began negotiat-
Report claims Paterno had deal to retire
Amended contract included $3 million career bonus if he retired.
The Associated Press
Paterno
SeePATERNO,Page10A
FIRSTPITCH SWINGING
Greater Pittston
showed patience at the plate Saturday in its American Legion League game, except when it counted. Bart Chupka hit a first-pitch fastball down the left field line for a three-run double as Pitt- ston defeated Tunkhan- nock 6-0.
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EX-SWBYANKEEA HITINMILWAUKEE
CodyRansom
, now 36 years old, was a big con- tributor to Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre's Governors' Cup championship run in 2008 and in 2009 when the SWB Yankees were runner-up in the Interna- tional League. The journeyman infielder seems to have found a spot with the Milwaukee Brewers. In a career season, he's already hit more home runs this year for Mil- waukee (8) then he did in parts of three seasons with Philadelphia and New York.
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SPORTS SHOWCASE
AMERICAN LEAGUE
YANKEES 5 ANGELS 3 ORIOLES 8 TIGERS 6 RAYS 5 REDSOX 3
NATIONAL LEAGUE
BRAVES 8 METS 7
IL BASEBALL
SWBYANKS 8 CHIEFS 1
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WILKES-BARRE – Geisinger Health Sys- tem wants its employees to slim down and take control of their health, and is offering themanincentivetodosointheformoflow- er monthly insurance payments. Under the plan, employ- eeswhoenrollwillundergo free health screenings test- ing their body mass index, blood pressure, total and LDL cholesterol and blood glucose. Those whose met- rics fall within a healthy range or who make pro- gresstowardbringingthem below employer-defined maximums by October will pay a smaller share of their insurance premium in 2013 than those who do not. Employeeswhomeetthe conditions will pay 6 per- cent of their health insur- ance premium next year, while those who don't will pay 12 percent. Employees currently pay 8 percent, but Geisinger's Human Resources head insisted the increase is not a tax on out- of-shape employees. "There's a basic increase in the cost of health insurance anyway," Margaret Heffers said. "Part of it is our usual cost adjustment thatweseeeachyear.CertainlyIthinkinsur- ance premiums will continue to rise." Geisinger Health System is not the first company to enroll in the program offered by its affiliated health insurer the Geisinger
Slim down, trim health insurance
Geisinger Health System will offer lower insurance payments to employees who take control of health.
ByMATTHUGHES
mhughes@timesleader.com
SeeGEISINGER,Page10A
"Employ- ers are looking at incentive programs that drive behavior change."
AllisonHess
Geisinger director of wellness programs
Thisregionisamagnetfor drugtraffickers,anexpertin gangassessmentsaid. That's because of a net- work of highways and inter- states crossing the land- scape, a dozen low-income apartment complexes with- in a 12-mile radius and six colleges and universities in onecounty. "When I was the assistant
Several factors make region very attractive for dealers from N.Y., Philly.
ByEDWARDLEWIS
elewis@timesleader.com
SeeROUTES,Page12A
M
urders, according to FBI statistics, occur every 35.6 minutes in the UnitedStates.Some– like the recent triple homicideinPlymouth sparkedbyadrugdeal gone bad – prompt public outcry for ac- tion and change. But, according to a Times Leader review of homicides in Luzerne County over the past five years, fatal drug violence has only accounted for about 13 percent of the caseload. Doublethatnumberdiedfrom domestic violence. ButLuzerneCounty is poised to see more deadly violence from the growing drug trade, according to Paul Lindenmuth, a professor of criminal justice at King's
Expert: Area on brink of more drug deaths
BySHEENADELAZIO/
sdelazio@timesleader.com
SeeHIGHER,Page12A INSIDE:
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Hitting hard
Obama targets Romney.
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ELECTION
PLYMOUTH – Even before the July 7 fatal shootings dur- ing a drug deal inside an apart- ment on First Street, officials wereworkingonalandlord-ten- ant ordinance in the borough where renters nearly equal the numberofhomeowners. Boroughcouncilhasbeenre- viewing ordinances from other municipalities and fashioning its own, picking and choosing thebestitemsfromthem. "It has to help," said Ply- mouth Mayor Dorothy Petros- ky. Theboroughhasalargenum-
Plymouth ordinance would make landlords accountable
ByJERRYLYNOTT
jlynott@timesleader.com
SeeORDINANCE,Page12A
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PAGE 2A SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012 THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com
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Issue No. 2012-197
DailyNumber,Midday
Sunday: 4-2-5 Monday: 8-3-9 Tuesday: 0-9-0 Wednesday: 0-0-0 Thursday: 4-6-3 Friday: 0-7-8 Saturday: 4-4-9
BigFour,Midday
Sunday: 2-5-1-6 Monday: 0-1-7-2 Tuesday: 6-5-3-6 Wednesday: 5-7-0-8 Thursday: 2-2-1-4 Friday:1-7-4-6 Saturday:1-6-9-3
Quinto,Midday
Sunday: 3-1-3-6-4 Monday: 9-5-0-5-6 Tuesday: 0-5-9-8-1 Wednesday: 2-2-0-6-5 Thursday: 8-5-0-0-3 Friday: 3-4-8-8-5 Saturday: 3-2-1-4-6
TreasureHunt
Sunday: 06-10-11-16-20 Monday: 02-13-14-17-28 Tuesday: 01-03-11-25-26 Wednesday:11-15-21-25-28 Thursday: 04-12-16-18-21 Friday: 02-11-16-19-28 Saturday:11-15-22-28-29
DailyNumber,7p.m.
Sunday: 9-9-7 Monday: 9-2-9 Tuesday: 3-8-6 Wednesday: 5-0-4 Thursday:1-4-4 Friday: 4-8-8 Saturday: 3-9-1
BigFour,7p.m.
Sunday: 6-5-5-4 Monday:1-7-7-7 Tuesday: 3-9-4-1(7-6-3-3, double draw) Wednesday: 0-7-8-4 Thursday: 5-2-5-4 Friday: 3-1-7-2 Saturday: 6-8-4-6
Quinto,7p.m.
Sunday: 0-2-5-0-0 Monday: 9-4-7-5-3 Tuesday: 7-8-6-9-4 Wednesday:1-3-3-3-4 Thursday: 7-7-3-7-0 Friday: 8-5-1-9-6 Saturday: 5-2-5-5-0 (6-5-7-7-1, double draw)
Cash5
Sunday: 07-19-28-30-34 Monday: 01-05-14-17-27 Tuesday: 01-12-13-30-33 Wednesday: 08-09-14-18-35 Thursday:10-14-16-29-39 Friday:12-20-29-35-37 Saturday:17-22-32-37-42
Match6Lotto
Monday: 05-10-28-29-30-38 Thursday: 02-17-26-28-32-36
Powerball
Wednesday: 05-22-36-49-55 powerball: 23 Saturday: 04-16-32-37-46 powerball:13
MegaMillions
Tuesday: 03-11-19-23-36 Megaball: 21 Megaplier: 04 Friday: 06-07-13-24-46 Megaball: 34 Megaplier: 02
WEEKLY LOTTERY SUMMARY
PAYINGTHEIRFINALRESPECTS
DON CAREY/THE TIMES LEADER
F
amily and friends attend a memorial service Saturday for Nicolas Maldonado,17, of Stroudsburg at the Desiderio Funeral Home Inc. in Hanover Township. He was among the three people killed last week in a shooting inside a Ply- mouth apartment. His brother, Danny Maldonado,19, survived and remains in critical condition at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township. Half brothers Shawn Hamilton,18, and Sawud Davis,16, of Philadelphia were charged in the shootings.
WILKES-BARRE
– Seth Rollins,18, of 79 S. Welles St., was charged with simple as- sault after a domestic dispute with Hailey Williams, who reported to police that Rollins grabbed and slapped her at his residence at about 5 p.m. Thursday, police said in court papers.
WILKES-BARRE
– Joseph Bullaro, 48, of17 W. Ross St., Wilkes-Barre, was charged with retail theft after he allegedly tried to leave Schiel's Family Market, 30 Hanover St., on Thursday morning with two packages of Delmonico steaks down his pants without paying for them. The steaks were val- ued at $48.77, police said. Police said Bullaro was on probation and a detainer was issued on him. Bullaro was arraigned before District Judge Richard Cronauer, who set bail at $3,500, and was placed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
HAZLETWP
. – Peggy Bu- chanan, 58, of Hazleton, report- ed that someone stole the hand- icap placard from her unlocked vehicle while it was parked in the Walmart parking lot be- tween 4 p.m. Tuesday and 2 a.m. Wednesday, state police in Hazleton said.
FOSTERTWP.
– Christine Drauschak, 56, of Foster Town- ship, reported that someone cracked the windshield of her vehicle, causing $600 in dam- age, while it was parked on state Route 940.
WILKES-BARRE
– Police are investigating several reports of criminal mischief overnight Thursday into Friday. Accord- ing to police, on that evening the windshield of a vehicle parked at 293 S. Welles St. was smashed, someone spray paint- ed the side of 8 Hillside St., someone slashed three tires and damaged the passenger- side window of a vehicle parked at193 S. Meade St. and some- one slashed the front passenger tire of a vehicle parked at 57 Logan St.
HAZLETON
– Police charged Alexis Paulino, 21, of Allen- town, with drug-related offens- es and assault following an incident in the area of West1st Street and Lee Court Wednes- day. Police said Paulino struck an officer during the incident, but the officer was not injured. Police also arrested Krystal Brito, 21, of Parkwood Street, and charged her with hindering apprehension or prosecution, tampering with evidence and other charges. Police said Brito attempted to grab items that police discovered in Paulino's possession. Both women were arraigned before District Judge Joseph Zola, Hazleton, and committed to Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of bail. Paulino is being held on $50,000 mone- tary bail; Brito is being held on $40,000 monetary bail.
PITTSTON
– Diane's Deli and Internet Café, 206 S. Main St., was cited by the Pennsylva- nia State Police Bureau of Li- quor Control Enforcement, Wilkes-Barre, on charges the establishment used a loud- speaker that could be heard beyond the property line of the business in violation of the state Liquor Code.
HAZLETON
– State police are searching for an inmate who escaped from the MINSEC transitional living facility at145 West Broad St. Friday. State police said Richard Joseph Hazelton, 39, of Scranton, was given a pass to leave the facility temporarily on Friday. He was to return by 4 p.m. State police filed a charge of escape against Hazelton and issued a warrant for his arrest when he did not return by that time. Hazelton is described as a white male, 5 feet,10 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing khaki shorts, work boots, a gray T-shirt with a logo and a black baseball cap.
HANOVERTWP.
– Police said Saturday they arrested Martin Gushock, 43, of Boland Avenue, on charges he violated a protection from abuse order held by his wife. Gushock was transported to Luzerne County Correctional Facility, where he is being held on charges he violated terms of his probation, police said. • Police said Saturday they arrested Jabar Williams, 22, of Philadelphia, on an outstanding bench warrant from Philadel- phia related to drug charges. Williams' arrest followed a traffic stop on Lee Park Avenue for alleged traffic violations, police said.
WILKES-BARRE
– Police Saturday arrested Justin Foster for allegedly stealing a bag of M&Ms from the Rite Aid store on East Northampton Street. A cashier told police she saw Foster place the bag in his pocket and leave the store. Police said they located Foster, who admitted stealing the candy and removed the bag from his right front pants pock- et.
WILKES-BARRE
- Police issued citations to two men after they allegedly caused a disturbance at the McDonald's fast food restaurant on East Northampton Street late Friday night. Police said Walter Lewis,18, of Wilkes-Barre was cited for criminal trespass and disorderly conduct and Harley Aria,18, also of Wilkes-Barre was cited for obstructing highways or other public passages and dis- orderly conduct.
POLICE BLOTTER
WILKES-BARRE – Should the mayoractoncouncil'srecommen- dation and set up a committee to review the performance of LAG TowingInc.,thecompany'sowner saidhewouldlookforwardtothe scrutiny. At its meeting Thursday night, counciloptednottostarttermina- tionproceedingsagainstLAGand Leo Glodzik and instead voted to ask the administration to create a reviewpanel. "Iwelcomeit,"GlodziksaidSat- urday. "Because every question theyhaveIhaveananswerforit." Atthemeeting,councilmanTo- ny George accused Glodzik of price gouging and failing to re- spond to the city's request for re- ceipts.GeorgeproposedthatMay- or Tom Leighton begin the proc- ess of ending LAG's contract, but the three other council members present did not back him. Mau- reenLavellewasexcusedfromthe meeting. CouncilmanBillBarrettrecom- mendedthecreationofthereview panel to look at the severability and performance clauses in the contract.Hisproposalpassedbya 3to1marginwithGeorgecasting the lone "No" vote. It's up to the mayortoactontherecommenda- tion,saidBarrett. Glodzik addressed council at the meeting and had the support ofthemayor,whosaidcomplaints against LAG are acted on and thereisnoreasontoterminatethe contract. LAG is in the third year ofitssecondfive-yeartowingcon- tract. "Ihadtogotothemeetingtode- fendmyname,"saidGlodzik. Hesaidheissuesareceiptwhen payment is made to retrieve a towedvehicleandnotallvehicles areclaimed.Eachmonth,hesaid, he provides a list to the police de- partmentofeverytow. The people who complained to councilaboutLAGhaddonesobe- fore and fabricated their stories, hesaid. They showed no respect at the meeting, he said, and in turn showed,"Theydon'thaverespect forthemselves."
Tower says he welcomes scrutiny
W-B council suggests mayor have a review panel look at clauses in LAG Towing pact.
ByJERRYLYNOTT
jlynott@timesleader.com
FORTY FORT – An eager crowd of people lined the tarmac at the Wyoming Valley Air- port on Saturday, each waiting their turn for anairplaneridehighabovethevalley,aspart thelocalaviationhub's"AirportDay"celebra- tion. Airportofficialssaidthedaywasorganized as a way for local residents to find out about the history of the West Side facility, learn about the various aircraft housed in the facil- ityorgetinformationonlearningtofly. The all-day event featured a slow-smoked barbecue,face-paintingforthechildren,hang- artours,aswellaplaneridesandflyingdem- onstrations by Valley Aviation pilots in vin- tageaircraft. "We do two or three of these events each year," explained Maj. John Baum of the U.S. Air Force, a demonstration pilot and former member of the Air Force's world-famous Thunderbirds team. "We want to generate communityinterestintheairport." BaumsaidtheWyomingValleyAirporthas aproudhistoryandactuallyservedasatrain- inggroundforpilotsduringWorldWarII. Baum thrilled the crowd when he took to theskyinhisAlbatrossL-39jet-poweredfight- er as part of an aerial demonstration in sup- portofthelocalchapterofMake-a-Wish. According to Baum, proceeds from past eventshavegonetoWoundedWarriorsandto helppurchasebodyarmorforlocalpoliceoffi- cers.
Airport officials hope event gives airfield a lift
BySTEVENFONDO
Times Leader Correspondent
FRED ADAMS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
BobLynchofMountainTop,front,isabouttogoforarideinaXtra300planepiloted byAirForceMaj.JohnBaum,aformerThunderbirdpilot.
SAN DIEGO — Godzilla is coming. Legendary Pictures chief Thomas Tull made the an- nouncement Saturday at Com- ic-Con without saying a word. He just rolled the never-be- fore-seen footage and the crowd of more than 6,000 erupted. The brief clip showed crum- bling buildings, a flattened train and human bodies flat- tened like bugs, then a glimpse at the massive, multi-limbed monster. The clip closed with Godzilla's threatening roar. Tull introduced the film's di- rector, Gareth Edwards, who said he almost cried at the au- dience's enthusiastic response. Edwards "wanted to see this movie his whole life." He said, "There's nothing sci-fi about this movie. It's all very realis- tic, down to Earth."
Guess who's coming to a city near you
The Associated Press
C M Y K
THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012 PAGE 3A
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KINGSTON
Urbanski wants chair
B
ill Urbanski of Kingston is seek- ing election as chairman of the Luzerne County Republican Party at today's convention of the county party. He will seek to oust current chair Terry Casey, who is expected to seek re-election. Urbanski said he would be a more visible party leader during his four- year term and work to re-elect Repub- licans in key county posts, including District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis and Controller Walter Griffith, as well as U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta of Hazleton. He also said he would work to eliminate unnecessary ex- penditures and bureaucracies and build a more inclusive county party. Urbanski is a graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School. He attend- ed Wilkes University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Dickinson College in Carlisle as well as a law degree from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. He has been active in local Repub- lican politics for the last14 years and serves on the Kingston Zoning Board. He maintains a solo private law practice in Scranton, resides in Kingston, and owns a family farm in Rice Township. The Luzerne County Republican Party holds a convention for the election of its chairperson every four years. This year's convention will be held at the Genetti Hotel and Confer- ence Center in downtown Wilkes- Barre. All Republican committee persons elected in April's primary are eligible to vote.
HAZLE TWP.
Summer Picnic is planned
The Greater Hazleton Health Alliance will hold its annual Senior Choice Summer Picnic on Tuesday from11:30 a.m. to1:30 p.m., rain or shine, at the Hazle Township Com- munity Park's large pavilion. Picnic-style food, entertainment, refreshments, bingo and more are on the agenda. Approximately 85 mem- bers have pre-registered for the pic- nic. The park is located off of state Route 93 behind Nathan's Furniture Store. The park can also be accessed from the Airport Beltway by turning onto Community Park Road. The Senior Choice program was designed with a commitment to provide its members with education- al, social, and healthy living opportu- nities to help them maintain their mental and physical vitality now and into the future. The program is spe- cifically for persons 55 years of age and older. Members pay an annual membership fee. Membership in the Senior Choice program includes monthly Lunch & Learn education programs along with a variety of other health and wellness, social opportunities and free or discounted programs. Contact Joan Warner, Senior Choice adviser, at (570) 454-4752 for additional information or to register for the Senior Choice program.
KINGSTON TWP.
Water Day Camp is set
Pennsylvania American Water and The Lands at Hillside Farms will hold the Wonderful World of Water Day Camp next month. Campers will learn how human activity affects the quality of water in rivers and streams, discover solu- tions to water pollution and explore watershed basics. The campers also will be able to participate in various activities on the farms and learn about the importance of water in the farms' operation. The free camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. between Aug.13 and17. Children between the ages of 7 and 11can attend. To register visit www.hillside- farms.org/watercamp. A $10 deposit will hold a reservation and will be refunded upon arrival at the camp. For more information contact The Lands at Hillside Farms by e-mail at paawcamp@hillsidefarms.org or call 570 995-1711and leave a message.
N E W S I N B R I E F
Urbanski
Members of the recently formed Wilkes-Barre Taxpayers Association are seeking to bridge the contentious divide between their group and Wilkes-Barre'sCityCouncil–in a physical sense, anyway. Association member Linda UrbansaidinanemailSaturday the group will send a letter to councilandthecityadministra- tion asking that the railing di- viding the City Council cham- ber be removed. She calls the barrier"aformofintimidation." "Whyarewerequiredtositor stand inside a gated area," Ur- ban asks. "Are we being held againstourwillorpurposelybe- ing held up for humor by the elected… as (we) wrestle with the gate? "The notorious gate and rail system is always a problem for taxpayers. And especially for firsttimetaxpayercommentors (sic)." The City Council chamber is divided by a wooden and iron railabout3feethighwithmetal gates to the left and right pro- viding access to the two sec- tions of the chamber. Council members typically enter the chamber from an office on one sideoftherailingwhilethepub- lic enters through a door at the otherendofthechamberacross the railing. Members of the public wish- ing to address council must pass through one of the gates and speak from a table directly infrontofthedeskwherecoun- cil members sit. Council Vice Chairman Bill BarrettsaidSaturdayhedoesn't believe the barrier is intimidat- ing to city residents, citing in- stances when Bob Kadluboski,
Group wants city hall railing removed
Wilkes-Barre Taxpayers Association calls barrier 'a form of intimidation.'
ByMATTHUGHES
mhughes@timesleader.com
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
Linda Urban turns and speaks to someone before addressing council from within the rail in the council chambers last week.
See RAILING, Page10A
An old train car at the Mar- ketStreetSquarecomplexauc- tioned off nearly two months ago still hasn't moved. The delay stems from verifi- cationthatthetraincarobtains asbestos, said Andrew Reilly, acting director of the Luzerne CountyRede- velopment Authority, which is try- ing to sell it. Asbestos is an issue be- cause the high bidder – Lackawanna County met- al recyclers Jim Williams Jr. and his fa- ther, Jim Wil- liams Sr. – want to cut the car into three pieces on site and haul away the material for scrap, Reilly said. The authority is working with the state Department of Environmental Protection to determine what procedures must be followed by the Wil- liamsestocomplywiththelaw, Reilly said. "If they're willing to comply, we can move forward," Reilly said. A contract placing liability ontheWilliamsesalsomustbe executed before the work pro- ceeds, Reilly said. TheWilliamsesdidnotwant to remove the car in one piece because of the road permit coststomoveanoversizeload. The Williamses submitted a bid for $5,000 at an auction on May19. The auctioneer has re- ceived their check but has not cashed it. Reilly said the au- thority has not discussed how it will proceed if an agreement isn'treachedwiththehighbid- der. The car was once part of the Joe Palooka Diner. Reilly said discussions still continue on county Manager Robert Lawton's suggestion the authority sell the historic downtown train station at the 6-acresiteatthecornerofMar- ket Street and Wilkes-Barre Boulevard. Lawton wants to cancel a $2 million county allocation for train station renovations, and the authority doesn't have its
Old train car still sits idle in W-B
It had been auctioned off nearly two months ago at Market Street Square.
ByJENNIFERLEARN-ANDES
jandes@timesleader.com
See TRAIN, Page10A
"If they're willing to comply, we can move forward."
Andrew Reilly
Acting director of the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority
WILKES-BARRE – Sporting a purple T-shirt with the words "Walkin' with Jesus," Maxine Harrell, 55, swayed to the music during the annual Drug-Free Block Party on Public Square Saturday. Harrell, 55, said she moved to Wilkes-Barre from Newark for a more peaceful life – away from crime and drugs. "They have to be with God and he'll help them get over it," she said referring to drug addicts and dealers. "He helped me a lot." The annual event, spon- sored by United We Stand, Divided We Fall, featured music, food, raffles, and a dunk tank. Bridget Lemon, 33, of Kingston, said the increase in recent drug crimes has given the area a bad name. "We need more things like this," she said. "We still have people that care about each other and future generations." Julius Zuckerwar, 49, of Swoyersville, said being arrest- ed 8 ½ years ago saved his life. "Every time I drank I got into fights," he said. Having battled drug and alcohol abuse, Zuckerwar said he wants to help Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis and law enforcement catch drug deal- ers and clean up the streets. "You can have more fun without using drugs and alco- hol," said Zuckerwar. "It's a joyful high to not wake up in a jail cell or wonder if I hurt anyone last night." Recalling last week's sen- tencing of Jaboar Stanley, who shot and killed Emmanuel Felix in February 2011during a poker game in Hazleton, Salavantis said drug abuse ruins lives. "He and his friend were playing cards and he was un- der the influence of several illegal drugs," she said. "That person must not only live with the grief of killing his friend but will spend the next 20 years locked away from his family – imprisoned for some- thing that should have never occurred. "Ultimately, I cannot ade- quately convey in words the very serious dangers and trag- ic results associated with drug use," added Salavantis. "It is a battle that myself and law enforcement cannot fight alone. We need every parent, every child, and every friend not only to heed the warning, but to pass the word and fight the battle with us."
AIMEE DILGER/THE TIMES LEADER
London Jenkins dances during the United We Stand, Divided We Fall's Drug-Free Block Party on Public Square, Saturday.
United against drugs
Block party features music, food and fun
ByCAMILLEFIOTI
Times Leader Correspondent
WILKES-BARRE – The city is seeking bids to repair damage to the Hollenback Golf Course clubhouse and maintenance buildingcausedbylastyear'sfloodingfrom TropicalStormLee. The property was inundated when the SusquehannaRiverreachedarecordlevelof 42.66 feet on Sept. 8 and prevented Laurel RunandMillcreeksfromemptyingintoit. The creeks flow near the golf course on NorthWashingtonStreet. Drew McLaughlin, assistant to Mayor Tom Leighton, said the clubhouse is open anddescribedtherepairsas"routine." "Thereareinteriorandexteriorimprove- ments that are funded through the federal government,"hesaid. Thelow-lyingpropertywasoneofthelast areasinthecitytodrainastheriverlevelre- ceded last year and has experienced flood- ing in the past including in 1996 and 2006 whentheSusquehannacrestedatmorethan 34feet. The Wyoming Valley Levee System pro- videsTropicalStormAgneslevelprotection. Duringthatstormtherivercrestedat40.91 feetonJune24,1972. Bids will be accepted at City Hall until 3 p.m.onJuly26andpubliclyopenedat3:30 p.m., according to a legal notice published FridayinTheTimesLeader.
W-B will repair golf course clubhouse, building
Hollenback structures were damaged by last year's flooding.
ByJERRYLYNOTT
jlynott@timesleader.com
AIMEE DILGER/THE TIMES LEADER
The Hollenback Club House was damaged by the 2011flooding.
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Source: https://www.scribd.com/document/100114218/Times-Leader-07-15-2012