C M Y K WILKES-BARRE, PA WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011 50¢ timesleader.com The Times Leader 3 0 0 9 5 5 $ 50 VOUCHER FOR ONLY $ 25 But old favorites to remain on menu at the Beer Deli. BUSINESS, 8B Popular eatery to change hands Get your hands on a guide to this year’s festival. Inside Time to celebrate Pittston tomatoes SPORTS SHOWCASE BRAVES 2 GIANTS1 NATIONAL LEAGUE D-BACKS 3 PHILLIES 2 AMERICAN LEAGUE RED SOX 3 RAYS1 Game 1 RAYS 6 RED SOX 2 Game 2 JoePa discusses ‘the hit’ On Aug. 7, Penn State coach Joe Paterno chewed out his players for complaining about tough practices. “You get knocked down and get hurt a little bit, and you walk around like, ‘Ohhhh boy, does it hurt!’” Later that day, receiver Devon Smith crashed into Paterno while running down a pass during practice. Paterno went to the hospital to get checked out later that day for injuries to his right arm and hip.

These were Lt. Austin Alonso, Lt. Christopher Byron, Sgt. Ryan Daley, Sgt. Brien Kloese, Sgt. Jose Nunez, Sgt. Matthew Segarra and Lt. He can be reached at Back-to-school supply drive in full swing Providedby MARYFREDCLEMMONS The Charlotte Local Education Foundation is soliciting local businesses.

He remained there until Aug. When he got back to practice the next day, his players gave it right back to him.

Page 1B NANTICOKE – Mayor Joseph Dougherty has a simple message for the three menaccusedof beat- inghimwithbrass knuckles anda wooden club before stealing his company-issued vehicle. “Enjoy jail,” Dougherty said.

Authorities allege Daniel Banks, 24, Steven Brannigan, 20, and Thomas Owens, 21, all from Wilkes-Barre, went on a two-day crime spree on June 25 and 26 in four munici- palities, steal- ing vehicles, burglarizing businesses and intentionally setting a fire, in addition to the violently as- saulting Dougherty. The three men were ar- raigned by District Judge Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke on a host of felony and misdemeanor as- sault, theft and conspiracy charg- es that were filed after a joint in- vestigation by state police at Wyoming and Shickshinny, and police in Hanover Township, Nanticoke and Newport Town- ship. They were jailed at the Lu- zerne County Correctional Facil- ity -- Banks for lack of $1.25 mil- lion bail and Brannigan and Owens, $1 million bail each. “They attempted to steal a ve- hicle on Prospect Street (Nanti- coke) ownedby Peter Kanjorski,” said Nanticoke police Detective Capt.

“Whenthat failed, they went down two 3 charged in beating of mayor AIMEE DILGER/ THE TIMES LEADER Nanticoke Mayor Jo- seph Dougherty talks with reporters Tuesday about the arrests of those be- lieved to be responsible for beating him and stealing a vehicle he was in. Trio also accused of going on a crime spree after taking Nanticoke official’s car. By EDWARD LEWIS To see video, scan this QR code into your smartphone or visit www.ti- mesleader.com O N L I N E See MAYOR, Page 14A 6 1 INSIDE A NEWS: Local 3A Nation & World 5A Obituaries 8A Editorials 13A B SPORTS: Scoreboard 2B BUSINESS 8B Stocks 9B C TASTE: Birthdays 3C Television/ Movies 6C Crossword/Horoscope 7C Comics 8C D CLASSIFIED: 1D WEATHER Kate Bart. Lots of sunshine. Details, Page 10B nia fared worse in several cate- gories, including: percent of low birth weight babies (up 8 per- cent), infant mortalityrate (up7 percent), percent of children in poverty (up13 percent) and per- cent of children in single parent families (up 10 percent).

How- ever, the state’s overall ranking, when factoring in 10 key indica- tors, improved from 23rd to 20th among the 50 states, Puer- to Rico and the District of Co- lumbia. Pennsylvania did see im- provements in some categories, including child death rate The lingering recession has had a major impact on people across Pennsylvania, but a study released today by a national charitable organization shows that children are bearing the brunt of the weak economy. According to data contained in the annual Kids Count Data Book, compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Pennsylva- Study: Economy hurting children Kids Count Data Book shows Pennsylvania fared worse in several categories. SEDER See STUDY, Page 6A DALLAS TWP.

– Two of the three township supervisors signed an agreement Tuesday evening with Williams Field Ser- vices LLCregardinga natural gas pipeline and meter- ing station. Supervisors Frank Wagner and Phil Walter signed the deal, which took about two and a half months to reach.

Supervi- sor Glenn Howell recused him- self fromvoting on natural gas is- sues within the township be- cause he has signed an easement with a natural gas company. The agreement includes re- strictions on setbacks for the pipeline, removing equipment fromthe meteringstation, a deed restriction to prohibit any future developments on the planned site and a clause that would re- strict the company from con- structing, managingor operating any “natural gas extraction and gathering activities within a 1.75 Dallas Twp. OKs gas pipeline agreement Accord includes restrictions on Williams Field Services LLC’s line, metering station. By SARAH HITE See PIPELINE, Page 14A A-ROD A BIG DRAW AT PNC FIELD PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER A lex Rodriguez plays third base for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees on Tuesday at PNC Field in Moosic on a rehab assignment from the New York Yankees. A-Rod went 1-for-3 from the plate against the Durham Bulls, who won the game 2-0. Rodriguez is ex- pected to play in Moosic again tonight.

For complete coverage, see Page 1B. WILKES-BARRE–In24years, AnneMarieMcCawleyneversaw the display of compassion and charity that poured through the doorsat St. Vincent dePaul Kitch- en following a Times Leader arti- cleabout thepaltryreserveslimit- edtoa singleshelf. “Onemanbroughtinacartfulof canned chicken,” McCawley re- counted.

“Alittle boy came to the door witha caseof ravioli.” Suddenlythebareshelveswere overflowing, but the generosity didn’tstopthere. “We’vealsobeen getting cash donations,” the food PETE G.

WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER Last week St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen director Anne Marie McCawley’s shelves were so bare she warned the facility could be forced to shut down. This week, donations flowed in. Donors fill shelves of charity kitchen Times Leader story about food depletion at St. Vincent de Paul prompts response.

By MARK GUYDISH See FOOD, Page 14A INSIDE: United Way seeks input, Page 14A K PAGE 2A WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011 THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com Biggs, Theodore Jr. Dopko, Joseph Hurst, Richard Kolodziej, Arlene Matusek, Anne Musto, Richard Reese, Kathleen Slusser, James Stecco, Ann Sworen, Mary Waschek, Joseph Willis, Michael OBITUARIES Page 8A BUILDING TRUST The Times Leader strives to correct errors, clarify stories and update them promptly. Corrections will appear in this spot. If you have information to help us correct an inaccu- racy or cover an issue more thoroughly, call the newsroom at 829-7242.

HARRISBURG – Two players matched all five winning numbers drawn in Tuesday’s “Pennsylvania Cash 5” game so the jackpot will be worth $125,000. They each re- ceived $262,196. Lottery officials said 154 players matched four num- bers and won $223.50 each; 5,581 players matched three numbers and won $10 each; and 64,353 players matched two numbers and won $1 each. LOTTERY MIDDAY DRAWING DAILY NUMBER – 4-2-8 BIG 4 – 1-3-8-3 QUINTO – 0-9-4-9-2 TREASURE HUNT 04-13-23-24-28 NIGHTLY DRAWING DAILY NUMBER – 4-0-5 BIG 4 – 9-5-7-3 QUINTO – 7-4-3-8-4 CASH 5 11-18-24-28-34 MEGA MILLIONS 04-38-41-42-43 MEGA BALL 44 DETAILS ➛ timesleader.com Missed Paper...829-5000 Obituaries....829-7224 Advertising....829-7101 Classified Ads....829-7130 Newsroom....829-7242 Vice President/Executive Editor Joe Butkiewicz....970-7249 Asst.

Managing Editor Anne Woelfel.....970-7232 Editorial Page Editor Mark Jones.....970-7305 Features Editor Sandra Snyder....970-7383 Director, Interactive and New Media Nick DeLorenzo....970-7152 Photo Editor Clark Van Orden....970-7175 Community News....970-7245 E-MAIL News tips: Community News: WHO TO CONTACT Newsroom 829-7242 Circulation Jim McCabe – 829-5000 Delivery Monday–Sunday $3.50 per week Mailed Subscriptions Monday–Sunday $4.35 per week in PA $4.75 per week outside PA Published daily by: Impressions Media 15 N. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Periodicals postage paid at Wilkes-Barre, PA and additional mailing offices Postmaster: Send address changes to Times Leader, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 +(ISSN No. 0896-4084) USPS 499-710 Issue No. 2011-229 HARRISBURG — Three ex- aides to former state House Speaker JohnPerzel are expected to plead guilty this week in ex- change for their cooperation in prosecuting other Republicande- fendants in a corruption probe, the state Attorney General’s Of- fice said Tuesday. The expected pleas will come less than three weeks before jury selection is slated to begin in DauphinCounty court inthe con- solidated trial of the Republican defendants. They include Perzel, of Philadelphia, and another for- mer high-ranking state represen- tative, Brett Feese of Lycoming County, who also had served as chief counsel for the House GOP caucus.

Scheduled to enter pleas Wednesday are Samuel “Buzz” Stokes, 68, a Philadelphia man who is a former employee of the state House of Representatives and Perzel’s brother-in-law, and Don McClintock, 43, a former Perzel campaign aide, the attor- ney general’s office said. Paul Towhey, 40, of Blue Bell, one of two former Perzel chiefs of staff chargedinthe case, is sched- uled to enter a plea Friday before the same judge. Each of the three was original- ly charged with at least two doz- en counts of conflict of interest, theft and conspiracy. The pleas are expected to include felonies, said Attorney General’s office spokesman Nils Frederiksen.

Robert Donatoni, a West Ches- ter lawyer representing Stokes, said his client plans to plead guilty totwocounts, but declined to specify the charges. A tele- phone message left for Towhey’s lawyer was not immediately re- turned.

Court records do not list an attorney for McClintock, and no one answered the phone at his home address in Vorhees, N.J. The trial of the other GOP de- fendants is expectedto last sever- al months. Jury selection is set to start Sept. 6, and the trial is ex- pected to being Sept. Prosecutors allege that House GOP leaders and staff members spent millions of taxpayer dollars on computer technology to ille- gally gain the advantage in politi- cal campaigns.

They say Perzel aggressively accumulated power and that he punished fellow Re- publicans who voted against him on legislation with “dirty tricks” that includedtaxpayer-paidrobo- calls to tarnish their image among their constituents. Perzel, long one of the state GOP’s most prodigious fundrais- ers and campaign strategists, gave up the speaker’s rostrum in 2007 after Democrats won con- trol of the House and was ousted from the House in the 2010 elec- tion. He insists he is innocent and has questioned the motives of GOP Gov. Tom Corbett, who as attorney general had launched the ongoing legislative investiga- tion in early 2007. Perzel’s lawyer, Brian J. McMo- nagle of Philadelphia, did not im- mediately return a telephone message left Tuesday by The As- sociated Press.

The investigation also resulted in the arrests of 15 current and former Democratic legislators and aides, including three who were convicted at trial and seven who pleaded guilty. Mike Veon of Bea- ver County, formerly the House Democratic whip, and one of his ex-aides, Brett Cott, are serving prison terms after being convict- ed of conspiracy, theft and con- flict of interest stemming from what prosecutors described as a wide-ranging scheme to use leg- islativeemployees andother pub- lic resources for electioneering. Three other Democrats are awaiting trial. 3 Republicans to plead guilty in probe Ex-aides to former Pa. House Speaker John Perzel will make plea bargain agreement.

By PETER JACKSON Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. —Four of the five largest U.S. Tobacco compa- nies sued the federal government Tuesday over new graphic ciga- rette labels that include the sewn- up corpse of a smoker and a pic- ture of diseased lungs, saying the warnings violate their free speech rights andwill cost millions of dol- lars to print. The companies, led by R.J. Rey- nolds Tobacco Co., Lorillard To- bacco Co., said the warnings no longer simply convey facts to al- low people to make a decision whether to smoke.

They instead forcethemtoput government anti- smoking advocacy more promi- nently on their packs than their own brands, the companies say. They want a judge to stop the la- bels. “Never before in the United States have producers of a lawful product been required to use their own packaging and advertising to convey an emotionally-charged government message urging adult consumers to shun their prod- ucts,” the companies wrote in the lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C.

The FDA refused to comment, sayingtheagencydoes not discuss pending litigation. But when she announcedthe newlabels inJune, HealthandHumanServicesSecre- tary Kathleen Sebelius called them frank and honest warnings about the dangers of smoking. The FDA approved nine new warnings to rotate on cigarette packs.

They will be printed on the entire top half, front and back, of the packaging. The newwarnings also must constitute 20 percent of any cigarette advertising. They al- so all include a number for stop- smoking hotline Onewarninglabel is a pictureof a corpse with its chest sewed up and the words: “Smoking can kill you.”Another label hasapictureof a healthypair of lungs beside a yel- lowand black pair with a warning that smoking causes fatal lung dis- ease.

The lawsuit said the images were manipulated to be especially emotional. The tobacco compa- nies said the corpse photo is ac- tually an actor with a fake scar, while the healthy lungs were san- itized to make the diseased organ look worse. The companies also said the newlabels will cost themmillions of dollars for new equipment so they can frequently change from warning to warning and designers tomakesurethelabels meet feder- al requirements whilemaintaining some distinction among brands. Reynolds and Loril- lardinthesuit areCommonwealth Brands Inc., Liggett Group LLC and Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Inc. Altria Group Inc., parent company of the nation’s largest cigarette maker, Philip Morris USA, is not a part of the lawsuit. Tobacco firms sue FDA AP PHOTO Two of nine new warning labels cigarette makers will have to use by the fall of 2012 are shown.

Four of the five largest U.S. Tobacco companies sued the federal government Tuesday. Graphic labels upset companies By JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press The tobacco companies said the corpse photo is actually an actor with a fake scar, while the healthy lungs were san- itized to make the dis- eased organ look worse. COURTDALE – Council voted Tuesday to purchase signs for the municipal parking lot, stating parking commercial vehicles in the lot is prohibited.

An ordinance that restricts parking to residential and bor- ough vehicles only was passed at last month’s meeting but will not go into effect until the signs are posted, which should be within two weeks, council said. Council President Carl Hodo- rowski said residents have been complaining they can’t find a parking spot when they visit the boroughbuildingtopay their tax- es or sewer bills. “There are about six big trucks always in our parking lot,” he said. Once the signs are inplace, vio- lators will be towed and fined at owner’s expense, he added. Council member Debbie Youngblood asked Hodorowski if the borough has a dumping or lit- tering ordinance. She com- plained about the gas cans and other miscellaneous objects that are scattered across the grass next to the lot. The objects be- long to Steven Zomerfeld, who runs a tree removal business out of his home, adjacent to the lot.

Zomerfeld attended the meet- ing. He objected to Youngblood’s remarks that his collection was “junk” and should be cleaned up. He fired back, by telling her that sheshouldcleanupher ownfront yard. “You haven’t even seen my yard,” Youngblood said.

After the meeting, Zomerfeld said he is being constantly ha- rassed and singled out by council and the police department for parking his trucks in the lot. He saidhe has receivedmore than30 citations for parking in the lot and along Blackman Street, which runs behind his property. “Ours are the onlyvehicles that they’re targeting,” he said.

Council looked over snapshots providedbya resident showingil- legal dumping on a private prop- erty on Helen Court. Hodorow- ski said he is not sure if the bor- ough has an ordinance on dump- ing and littering, and said he would pass the photos on to the police department and the bor- ough’s code enforcement officer, Andy Kratz. Inanother matter, Hodorowski told council the borough’s back- hoe needs a new transmission.

An estimate he received to re- place the transmission is $4,894. Council votedtoauthorize Hodo- rowski to solicit three estimates for the repairs. Trimming overgrown brush on Corby Road was interrupted re- cently due to breakage of the bor- ough’s weed whacker and leaf blower. Council voted to pur- chase a new weed whacker for $369 and a new leaf blower for $319. Liquid fuels funds will be used for the purchases.

Courtdale buying no-parking signs Ordinance restricting parking at municipal lot not in effect until posted. By CAMILLE FIOTI Times Leader Correspondent WILKES-BARRE – The regular 6th District Repub- lican Committee meeting will be at 7 p.m.

Tuesday at GOP Headquarters, 41 S. Main St., across from the Park & Lock. POLITICAL BRIEF PITTSTON – A city fire fight- er was the victim of a hit-and- run outside the fire station on Monday at around 2:30 p.m. Michael Shovlin was tending to housekeeping duties outside the firehouse on Kennedy Street when he was struck by a red pickup, the driver of which then fled the scene, according to televised reports. As of press time Monday night, Shovlin was in stable condition and being transferred from the emergency room to a patient room at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Cen- ter. Although Pittston police were said to be seeking information on the incident, they did not return messages left at the po- lice department, nor did they reply to a request through Lu- zerne County 911 to return a call to a reporter.

WILKES-BARRE – City police reported the following: • Police said Rochelle Hub- bert, of New Alexander Street, and Latisha Aiken, of Beekman Street, Wilkes-Barre, were cited with disorderly conduct and harassment after police respon- ded to a report of a fight at Hubbert’s home at 5:14 p.m. Hubbert told police Aiken came to her home and began yelling at her, that she struck Aiken in the face with a closed fist and that Aiken pulled a pistol on her and bit her daugh- ter on the left arm, police said. Police said they found no weapon at the scene. • Police cited Claudette Ro- berts, of East Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre, with scat- tering rubbish after Debbie Saracino, of 72 S.

Sherman St., reported on Monday that some- one left a bag of trash on a lot she owns across from her home. Police said items in the bag belonged to Roberts. • Police said simple assault charges would be filed against Johnny Lassiter, of South Welles Street, Wilkes-Barre, after police responded on Tuesday after- noon to a report of domestic violence at 69 S.

Hancock St., Apartment 1, where resident Tonya Washington told them that Lassiter knocked on her door and, after she answered it, he argued with her guest, Court- ney Souder, who lives at the same address as Lassiter. Washington told police Lassi- ter struck Souder in the face six or seven times and knocked her to the ground before Washing- ton broke up the fight and Lassi- ter fled, police said. PITTSTON – A man was arraigned Tuesday on charges he conspired to rob a man. Michael Scott Gentner, 28, of Rock Street, Hughestown, was arraigned in Wilkes-Barre Cen- tral Court on three counts of robbery, and one count each of criminal conspiracy and receiv- ing stolen property. He was jailed at the county prison for lack of $30,000 bail.

Police allege Gentner and Jeremy Asay, 24, of Stanton Street, West Pittston, conspired to use a knife to rob a man walk- ing on South Main Street on March 4, 2010, according to the criminal complaint. The two men got away with $11 that Gentner used to buy a 12-pack of beer, police alleged. Asay pleaded guilty to a sin- gle count of robbery in a nego- tiated plea agreement with prosecutors. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 15 by Luzerne County Judge David Lupas. A preliminary hearing for Gentner is scheduled on Aug. 24 before District Judge Fred Pie- rantoni III in Pittston.

POLICE BLOTTER Pickup hits firefighter outside fire station FREEMANSBURG — Mourn- ers paid tribute Tuesday to a po- lice officer killed in the line of du- ty last week as a motorcade es- corted the coffin through the small Pennsylvania town he served and funeral services drew 1,000 law enforcement officials from at least three states. Private and public services were held for Freemansburg po- lice officer Robert Lasso, who was remembered as a great cop and devoted father. “Protect and serve —those are not just words, they really repre- sent the life of Robert Lasso,” the Rev. Richard Teitsworth said at Northampton County Communi- ty College, where some 2,000 people attended a public memo- rial. “The lawenforcement frater- nity honors one of their own who gave the supreme sacrifice.” Added Lasso’s police chief, Ge- orge Bruneio: “Those who knew Robert knowhowmuch we lost.” Lasso, who had been on the force nine years, was shot in the head while investigating a report of a domestic disturbance. Services held for slain officer The Associated Press C M Y K THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011 PAGE 3A LOCAL ➛ timesleader.com HARRISBURG Exeter woman nominated An Exeter woman has been nomi- nated by Gov. Tom Corbett to the state board of cosmetology.

Morgan’s nomination requires confirmation by the state Senate. Morgan has owned and operated The Sapphire Salon and Destination Spa on South Main Street in Pittston since November 2001. She also operates another location at the Shoppes at Montage in Moosic – the Sapphire Salon and Spa, an Aveda Concept Sa- lon and Lifestyle Store – that opened in 2007.

WILKES-BARRE County time clocks installed Luzerne County government’s new employee time clocks have been in- stalled at the prison, Penn Place build- ing and minimal offenders’ building, officials say. The time clocks will soon be installed at the courthouse. County officials say the new clocks should start being used by some em- ployees in several weeks, with the rest phased in around November. The new system will require employ- ees to enter a four-digit personal code and insert a finger into a scanning device to clock in and out of work.

The county purchased the time clocks and software for $233,405 from Chelmsford, Mass.-based Kronos Inc. Another $273,765 is being paid to Minnesota-based ACS Enterprise Solu- tions Inc. To implement and maintain the time clock system, in addition to a $5,000 monthly fee to provide web- based services.

The purchase is being funded with money previously borrowed through bonds for capital projects. County officials have estimated the system will save $1.8 million, in part by curtailing absenteeism, unwarranted overtime and errors caused by the manual entry of data. DALLAS Baker hosts VFW network State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Twp., is hosting the Pennsylvania Vet- erans of Foreign Wars Service Officer Network on Friday to help area veter- ans receive free information and assist- ance for government benefits including VA health care, compen- sation, pension, edu- cation and dependent benefits. Surviving spouses can also use these service officers at no charge to learn about their eligibility for VA benefits.

A VFW service officer or claims consultant will be available for sched- uled appointments at Dallas. The office address is 22 Dallas Shopping Center, Dallas. All veterans can request ap- pointments between 8:30 a.m. To schedule an appointment at this location, call (570) 675-3931. WILKES-BARRE Wellness fair planned Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre is hosting a free Back-to-School Wellness Fair for children and families from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the campus of Geis- inger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, 25 Church St., Wilkes-Barre.

The event will include screenings, health information booths staffed by Geisinger health experts and activities designed to prepare families for the new school year. All ages are welcome, and refreshments will be served. For more information, contact There- se Pramick, 808-3248. HARRISBURG TV cameras come to court Television cameras are coming to the state’s highest court, as Pennsylvania joins the majority of states that allow video or audio recording of arguments in front of their supreme courts. The state Supreme Court said Mon- day it will allow the nonprofit Penn- sylvania Cable Network to videotape oral arguments, beginning Sept. PCN cameras will be welcome at oral arguments in the justices’ Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia cour- trooms.

According to the Williams- burg, Va.-based National Center for State Courts, many other states are ahead of Pennsylvania, in terms of such access to courtrooms. Twenty states allow either live video or videotaping, while 34 states allow audio or video coverage.

I N B R I E F Baker KINGSTON TWP. – Shaded from a sunny sky by creek side trees, Katie Luksa gave out an unexpected squeal Tuesday afternoon: “It’s raining on me!” Undeterred, Chelsea Morgan contin- ued to spritz water from a bottle onto a miniature farm inches from where Luk- sa sat. Freshly plowed earth (cocoa powder) and recently applied fertilizer (green Kool-Aid) ran off the field and into a farmer’s well. “And what’s happening to the cow poop by the creek?” asked Scott Sharp, the man making a pollution lesson look like fun during a day camp for youngsters at the Lands at nonprofit The Lands at Hill- side Farms.

“Cow pies!” Luk- sa chirped, evoking a round of laughs from children and adults alike. In real- ity, the gooey choc- olate paste Sharp had applied earlier to the tiny farm was loosening and slipping into a mini creek. The exercise in pollution caused by water runoff – done on a tiny landscape complete with factory discharging chemicals, housing development with oil on the roads, deforested mountain and an overflowing sewage treatment plant – was part of a week-long free camp for students, ages 7 to 11, sponsored by Power over pollution BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER Abby Lauer, 6, of Shavertown, examines a model of an urban landscape at the ’Wonderful World of Water’ education camp at The Lands at Hillside Farms. Pennsylvania American Water Co. Camp teaches about runoff woes at The Lands at Hillside Farms. By MARK GUYDISH See HILLSIDE, Page 9A Scott Sharp, a water quality supervisor for the company, asked the pre- teens what type of pollutants they might find in everyday locations. KINGSTON– Autility pole carrying a power transformer toppled Tuesday morning, damaging several new cars for sale at Wyoming Valley Motors’ Kia and Subaru dealership on Pierce Street.

The fallen pole forced emergency personnel to close the westboundright lane on the Veterans Memorial Street bridge. Steve Ubaldini, the dealership’s gen- eral manager, said no one was hurt.

He said one or two employees were in the area a few minutes before the pole col- lapsed. “Fortunately, no one was injured.

We can always replace a damaged car but not a person,” Ubaldini said. He said there was no indication Monday night or Tuesday morning when the business opened that the pole was about to fall. Don Brominski, spokesperson for UGI Utilities, said it appeared a guide rail was struck possibly by a motorist that caused the utility pole to fall.

He added that soggy ground from above- normal rainfall may have been a factor. “A guide rail was hit,” Brominski ex- plained.

“If that happened, it loosens tension on the pole and adds tension onthewires, whichpulledonthepole.” Tension on the wires from the downed utility pole caused a second utility pole to lean. The toppled utility pole fell on a new Kia and on a light pole in the dealer- ship’s parking lot.

Electrical wires laid across several other new cars lined up in the lot. Brominski said he was aware of lost electrical service only to lights on the bridge, which was expected to be re- stored by Tuesday night. Downed pole damages cars AIMEE DILGER/THE TIMES LEADER A pole and transformer fell over just after 9 a.m. Tuesday onto a row of new vehicles at Wyoming Valley Motors in Kingston.

Part of the Veterans Memorial Bridge was closed during the incident. No injuries at Wyoming Valley Motors By EDWARD LEWIS “Fortunately, no one was injured. We can always re- place a damaged car but not a person.” Steve Ubaldini Dealership GM WILKES-BARRE – Prosecutors ready to try a Shickshinny man who al- legedly used a hatchet to kill his girl- friend told a judge Tuesday they might present evidence that the two had an altercation days before the woman was killed. Assistant district attorneys Jarrett Ferentino and Rebecca Reimiller told Judge David Lupas they have evidence of an altercation between John Stone, 59, and Catherine Tabit, 37, which in- clude medical and dental records and a statement by Tabit. The details of the altercation were not disclosedTuesday, but prosecutors said that issue -- as well as issues Stone’s attorneys have with autopsy photos -- may need to be addressed at another hearing.

Stone is charged in the September 2009 death of Tabit. Police said Stone used a 13-inch hatchet to strike Tabit after the two argued at Stone’s North Canal Street home. Stone’s attorneys have said they in- tend to use a mental infirmity claim at their client’s trial. Defense attorney Joseph Albert said he would object to any autopsy photo being shown at Stone’s Sept. 19 trial, and that the photos may prejudice the jury.

“Diagrams are available rather than actual autopsy photos,” Albert said. Ferentino said that although the photographs might be “unpleasant,” they are needed to demonstrate med- ical testimony. Ferentino said he would be willing Evidence of fight might be introduced in homicide case AIMEE DILGER/THE TIMES LEADER John Stone arrives at the Luzerne County Courthouse Tuesday for a hearing. See STONE, Page 9A Attorneys air issues in advance of trial of John Stone, 59, accused in hatchet death of Catherine Tabit. By SHEENA DELAZIO Luzerne County commissioners have been asked to take $162,940 out of a program that encourages new home ownership and use it to save another program that tries to help people avoid losing their homes in foreclosure. The county court started the foreclo- sure mediation program last November, inviting property owners to face-to-face meetings with their lenders where they could negotiate payment agreements so their properties wouldn’t be auctioned at a sheriff sale. County Judge Lewis Wetzel, who oversees the foreclosure media- tion, said the federal and state govern- ments cut funding that covered credit counseling, an essen- tial component of the program.

The counsel- ing is provided by two outside agencies: the Commission on Eco- nomic Opportunity in Wilkes-Barre and Con- sumer Credit Counsel- ing Services, Pittston. “You can’t do mort- gage foreclosure diversion without credit counseling. Without that, of course, our program is dead,” Wetzel said. The only alternative is the county’s Housing Trust Fund, which was set up in 2002 to fund home ownership, Wet- zel said.

The fund, established by state Act 137, is supported by a $13 fee on every mortgage and deed recorded in the county. The fund is currently worth about $3 million, though $1 million of that is committed to the Courtright Housing Development, an affordable housing project at a Wilkes-Barre site once dominated by a burned-out lace mill. County commissioners held off a vote on the diversion of money last month, citing the need for additional informa- tion. The matter is expected to be dis- cussed at today’s 1 p.m. Commissioners work session at the courthouse. Commissioner Stephen A.

Urban said the fund was created to allow more peo- ple to access affordable, quality housing through the Growing Homeowners Ini- tiative, and he’s concerned the fund would be drained by the foreclosure program, particularly if allocations are needed year after year. The trust fund isn’t growing as rapidly as it has in the County eyes aid to foreclosure program Commissioners asked to divert money from program that encourages home ownership. By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES See HOMES, Page 4A Wetzel Urban C M Y K PAGE 4A WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011 THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com ➛ N E W S 2 9 3 1 4 6 LOW PRICE GUARANTEE!* Construction Services A1 *ROOFING SPECIALISTS* Flat – Metal – Rubber FREE 301-6040 ESTIMATES Gen Contractor-Licensed-Insured-PA-071996 *Contractor Quality* *Lifetime Warranties - References* CHEAPEST ROOFS! ARMANDO CONSTRUCTION (570) 751-6085 √ Roofing √ Siding √ Decks √ Additions Bu yingGoldJewelry D ia m onds,Pla tinu m, Pu reS ilver,S terling, Indu stria l & Coin S ilver A ntiqu eJewelry(Brok en OK) Dental Gold,Gold Filled Eyeglasses,Etc.

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CALL US FOR ALL YOUR INTERIOR & EXTERIOR REMODELING NEEDS FREE EST FREE EST 33 0 3 0 33333 0 3 9 5 9 5 9 5 9 5 9 5 999 WILKES-BARRE – The retrial of a city man scheduled to begin next week on charges relating to thedeathof hisformergirlfriend’s 1-year-olddaughter has beencon- tinued to October. Lamont Cherry, 37, appeared Tuesday in Luzerne County Court for a hearing in the May 2009deathof ZalayiaMcCloe. As- sistant District Attorney Michael Vough said he had received a re- port withinthe last 24hours from defense attorneys regarding a neurologist they intend to call to testify. Vough said because he had just received the report, a week was not sufficient time to have an ex- pert look over it and prepare a re- buttal. Judge Tina Polachek Gartley said she was prepared to try the case next week, but due to Tues- day’s revelations, continued the trial to Oct.

“No more surprises, gentle- men,” Polachek Gartley warned Vough and Cherry’s attorneys, William Ruzzo, Christopher O’Donnell and Michael Kostela- ba. “No more continuances will be granted.” Cherry faces charges of third-degree murder and in- voluntary man- slaughter after a mistrial was declared at his first trial in Ja- nuary.

He was foundnot guilty of first- degreemurderinMcCloe’sdeath, thereby avoiding the deathpenal- ty or life in prison. The mistrial was called after a two-week trial, including jury se- lection, when a juror conducted research about retinal detach- ment – a complication of shaken baby syndrome that McCloe al- legedly sufferedbefore her death. The juror’s misconduct was brought to Polachek Gartley’s at- tentionbyother jurors, anda mis- trial was declared, but only after thejuryhadalsofoundCherrynot guilty of the most serious charge. An investigation was conduct- ed, andthe juror, GretchenBlack, was not charged with any wrong- doing. Polachek Gartley reiterated Tuesday that her biggest concern is publicity of the case because Black’s misconduct was widely reported by local media outlets. The judge said details will be worked out closer to the time of the trial, but jurors likely will be asked specifically about what they know or have heard about the case.

Retrial of Lamont Cherry is delayed Judge Tina Polachek Gartley warns attorneys that no more continuances will be granted. By SHEENA DELAZIO Cherry WILKES-BARRE – A Hazle- ton man was sentenced Tuesday to 10 to 20 months in county prison on charges he struck a man with his car after a physical altercation. John Carlos Paulino, 24, of Seybert Street, was sentenced on charges of aggravated as- sault, accidents involving dam- age and careless driving by Luzerne County Judge David Lupas. Paulino, who pleaded guilty to the charges in June, was also ordered to pay just over $1,400 in restitution costs and fines. Paulino was charged on June 25, 2010, after police said they were called to 13th and Carson streets for the report of a vehicle striking a pedestrian and then a parked vehicle. Through an investigation, police learned Paulino was the driver of the hit-and-run vehicle, and questioned him about the incident.

Paulino told police he got into an altercation with his sister’s boyfriend, Elton Molina, and he followed Molina in his vehicle after he got punched. Paulino said he then inten- tionally backed up his car, hit- ting Molino, and injuring him. COURT BRIEF WASHINGTON — Bigger de- fense cuts triggered by failed deficit reduction negotiations wouldhave “devastating” effects on the nation’s security, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday. In a rare joint appearance at the National Defense University, Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made their case for limiting their bud- gets’ exposure to the political battles in Congress over identi- fying additional ways of reduce future government spending. Panetta said the Pentagon is prepared to make $350 billion in cuts over the next 10 years, as agreed by Congress. But he warned of dangers if bigger re- ductions are required. The deficit compromise reac- hed between the White House and Congress set up a special bi- partisan committee to draft leg- islation to find more govern- ment cuts.

If the committee can- not agree on a deficit-reduction plan by year’s end or if Congress rejects its proposal, it wouldtrig- ger some $500 billion in addi- tional reductions in projected national security spending. “This kind of massive cut across the board —which would literally double the number of cuts that we’re confronting — that would have devastating ef- fects on our national defense; it would have devastating effects on certainly the State Depart- ment,” Panetta said. Clinton said Americans should understand that in addi- tion to preserving the nation’s military strength, it is in the na- tion’s security interests to main- tain the State Department’s role in diplomacy and development. She suggested the political stale- mate over spending cuts has put that in jeopardy. “It does cast a pall over our ability to project the kind of se- curity interests that are in Amer- ica’s interests,” she said. “This is not about the Defense Depart- ment or the State Department. This is about the United States of America.

And we need to have a responsible conversation about how we are going to pre- pare ourselves for the future.” Panetta was asked about news reports that the Pentagon is con- sidering reducing military re- tirement benefits, which, along with military health costs, have ballooned in recent years. Though those payments have been considered part of the bar- gain the nation makes with those who protect it, the eco- nomic and debt crises have put those issues squarely in the crosshairs. A private sector ad- visory panel last monthdrafteda planto eliminate the current sys- tem under which those who re- tire with 20 years of service get immediate, lifetime payments of some 50 percent of their salaries and those with less than 20 years get nothing. The board recommends the system be scrapped and re- placed with a 401(k)-type de- fined contribution plan, grandfa- thering in the disabled and reti- rees. Panetta, Clinton oppose cuts AP PHOTO Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, accompanied by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, speaks during an event Tuesday at the National Defense University in Washington. Secretaries of defense and state say bigger reductions would harm U.S. By ROBERT BURNS AP National Security Writer “It does cast a pall over our ability to project the kind of security interests that are in America’s interests.’’ Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State past because of a decline in deed and mortgage filings, he said.

“The money was intended to help people become homeown- ers, and I don’t want to see the fund depleted,” Urban said. However, he and other county officials have expressed con- cerns about underutilization of the trust fund for home purchas- es through the homeowner ini- tiative.

Fifteen properties were pur- chased through the initiative last year, he said. The initiative provides money toward closing costs and/or a down payment on a home any- where in the county The county kicks in up to $7,500, matching $2 for every $1 provided by the prospective home buyer. Participants must own and oc- cupy the property for at least five years and attend at least three homeowner-readiness work- shops that cover topics such as budgeting, credit repair and finding a real estate agent.

To be eligible, a single person may not earn more than $40,650. The maximum income ranges up to $67,400 for a family of six. Wetzel said he’s optimistic that commissioners will allocate the funding because his program has an 80 percent success rate in resolving pending foreclosures.

“It’s a model for the state. We’re hopeful it will be funded by the county. There’s nowhere else to go,” Wetzel said. HOMES Continued from Page 3A K THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011 PAGE 5A LOS ANGELES Congress hits a new low I t is the institution that everyone loves to hate and according to the latest Gallup poll released on Tuesday, there is seemingly no bottom to Amer- icans’ disapproval of Congress. According to the poll, a bare 13 per- cent of those surveyed approve of Con- gress, tying the worst record recorded in December 2010.

Disapproval of the national lawmakers stood at 84 per- cent, a percentage point higher (hence, worse) than last December’s. The findings are based on telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,008 adults conducted Aug. It has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.

Politically, the poll comes after Washington was paralyzed before reac- hing an agreement to raise the debt ceiling and agreed to more than $2 billion in spending cuts. PHILADELPHIA Target of Facebook killed Authorities are investigating two possible theories in connection with the death of a man gunned down hours after a judge upheld felony charges against his ex-girlfriend, who was ac- cused of offering $1,000 on Facebook for someone to kill him. Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said Tuesday that police are investigating leads about whether Monday night’s fatal shooting of Corey White, 22, was possibly con- nected to the alleged Facebook threat or to a shooting last month outside a nightclub in Upper Darby, a Philadel- phia suburb.

Police believe another man was the shooter in the nightclub shooting, but they had been trying to track down White for questioning because they believed he may have been the getaway driver. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Kidnap attempt stopped Police are crediting an alert neighbor with saving a 6-year-old girl from a man who snatched her and shoved her into a van as she walked home from a neigh- bor’s house where she had been sent to pick up tostadas. A pair of 911 calls came in to police Monday afternoon, including one from the wife of the neighbor and a breath- less call from the girl’s 12-year-old sis- ter.

A neighbor, Antonio Diaz Chacon, heard commotion and saw the ab- duction just before 5 p.m. Police said he hopped in his car and chased the van and the van’s driver tried to lose Chacon but crashed into a light pole. Chacon rescued the girl while the suspect, whom police identified as Phillip Garcia, ran away.

After Chacon left with the girl, the suspect returned to the van and took off but was later apprehended by police. LONDON Spill hurts Shell’s image Royal Dutch Shell struggled to con- tain the worst North Sea oil spill in a decade as well as damage to its cred- ibility Tuesday as a second leak was found in an oil line the company had said was “under control.” Although the amount of oil involved in the Shell spill off the coast of Scot- land is an order of magnitude smaller than BP’s 2010 Gulf of Mexico disaster — around 1,300 barrels so far com- pared to an estimated 4.9 million in the Gulf — the spill undercuts Shell’s earli- er suggestions that it is a safer compa- ny than BP. I N B R I E F AP PHOTO Aiming for a good time in Russia Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is seen in a wetsuit Tuesday after under- water shooting on holiday on the Volga River in Astrakhan region, about 800 miles south of Moscow, Russia. WASHINGTON — Secretary of State HillaryRodhamClintondefendedtheU.S. Response to crises in Libya and Syria on Tuesday, saying the Obama administra- tion is projecting “smart power” by refus- ing to act alone or with brute force to stop autocratic repressioninthe two countries. Clinton said the United States remains the world’s strongest leader but is wisely building coalitions to respond more effec- tively and better promote universal values of human rights and democracy. “The United States stands for our val- ues, our interests and our security, but we have a very clear viewthat others need to be taking the same steps to enforce a uni- versal set of values andinterests,” she told an audience in a joint appearance at the National Defense University withDefense Secretary Leon Panet- ta.

“We are by all mea- surements the stron- gest leader in the world and we are leading, but part of leading is mak- ing sure that you get other people on the field. Andthat’swhat I thinkwearedoing,” she said. Clinton has been a champion of the ad- ministration’s“smart power”policy, which aims to combine defense, diplomacy and development to advance U.S. Foreign pol- icy goals. The term is most commonly used to describe the strategies President Barack Obama has employed in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the U.S.

Has placed heavy emphasis on civilian projects de- signed to eliminate the roots of extre- mism. But Clinton said other elements of smart power are also at work in Libya and Syria. She andPanetta bothnotedthat Libyan rebels had scored recent significant mili- tarygains intheir strug- gle to oust Moammar Gadhafi after months of stalemate. Meanwhile, the Unit- ed Nations’ special en- voy for Libya said Tues- day he was meeting with representatives of both sides of the conflict, days after rebels made a dramatic advance that brought them within 30 miles of Moammar Gad- hafi’s stronghold in the capital Tripoli. A Tunisian security official said the dis- cussions late Monday centered on a “peaceful transition” in Libya.

The official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity matter, said the rebels reactedangrily tothe proposal with one member of their delegation throwing a shoe during the meeting to show his deep disdain. Abdel-Elah al-Khatib, Jordan’s former foreign minister, arrived in the Tunisian capital Tunis on Monday for the meetings with representatives of both Gadhafi and therebels. Hesaidtherewerenodirect ne- gotiations as he met the two sides sepa- rately in the neighboring country.

InSyriaonTuesday, heavymachine-gun firerangout across thebesiegedof Latakia as the death toll from a four-day military assault rose to 35. The British foreign sec- retary said President Bashar Assad was losing “the last shreds of his legitimacy.” Assad has dramatically escalated the crackdown on a 5-month-old uprising since the start of the holy month of Rama- dan at the beginning of August. Despite broad international condemna- tion, the regime has unleashed tanks, groundtroopsandsnipersinanattempt to retake control in rebellious areas.

“The Syrianregime has besiegedtowns and cities across the country, using anti- aircraft guns against civilians, a dispropor- tionate and unacceptable response to peaceful demonstrations,” British Foreign Secretary WilliamHague said Tuesday. “He is fast losing the last shreds of his legitimacy. He must stop the violence im- mediately. The G Summary Eqe Tools Of The Mind. ” Clinton defends U.S. ‘smart power’ Secretary of state says administration is smart to refuse to act alone or with brute force.

The Associated Press Clinton Panetta WASHINGTON — The U.S. Military estimates that $360 mil- lion spent on combat support and reconstruction contracts in Af- ghanistan has ended up in the hands of people the American-led coalition has battled for nearly a decade: the Taliban, criminals and local power brokers with ties to both, The Associated Press has learned. The losses, measured over the past year by a special task force assem- bled by Gen. DavidPetraeus, underscore the challenges the U.S. And its in- ternational partners face in overcoming corruption in Afghanistan. A central part of theObamaadminis- tration’s strategy has been to award U.S.-financed contracts to Afghanbusinessestohelpimprove quality of life and stoke the coun- try’s economy. But until TaskForce 2010 began its investigation, there was little visibility into the connections these companies and their vast network of subcontractors had with insurgents and criminals, what military officials call “malign actors.” The murky process is known as “reverse money laundering.” Pay- ments from the U.S.

Pass through companies hired by the military for transportation, construction, power projects, fuel and other ser- vicestobusinessesandindividuals withtiestotheinsurgencyor crim- inal networks. “Funds begin as clean monies,” according to task force documents obtained by the AP, then “either through direct payments or through the flow of funds in the subcontractor net- work, the monies become taint- ed.” The conclusions by Task Force 2010 represent the most definitive assessment of how U.S. Military spending and aid to Afghanistan has been diverted to the enemy or stolen by criminal elements.

Only asmall percentageof the$360mil- lion has been garnered by the Tali- ban and insurgent groups, said a senior U.S. Military official in Ka- bul.

The bulk of the money was lost toprofiteering, briberyandex- tortion by criminals and power brokers, said the official, who de- clined to provide a specific break- down. $350M lost in Afghan conflict Taliban, criminals and local power brokers with ties to both rip off United States.

By RICHARD LARDNER and DEB RIECHMANN Associated Press The losses underscore the challeng- es the U.S. And its in- ternational partners face in overcoming corruption in Afghanistan. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An Australian investment banker accused of attaching a fake bomb to a teenager’s neck as part of an extortion plot once worked for a company with ties to the victim’s fam- ily, according to federal court docu- ments released Tuesday. Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin on Tuesday ordered 50-year-old Paul Douglas Peters jailed pending an extra- dition hearing Oct.

14 in Louisville. The FBI arrested Peters on Monday without incident at his ex-wife’s house in a well-heeled suburb near Louisville. An 11-page arrest complaint filed in court does not elaborate on Peters’ business tie with the victim’s family or describe a motive. Peters, who was bound at the legs coming into the courtroom, made a brief appearance in court with his law- yer, Scott Cox. His ex-wife, Debra Pe- ters, sat alone in the front row, weeping quietly. Paul Peters showed no emotion and spoke quietly to his attorney.

He glanced briefly at his ex-wife. He was bound at the wrists and taken away when the hearing ended.

“I will tell you that he will contest these charges” in Australia, his attorney told reporters outside on the cour- thouse steps following the hearing. Cox said that Peters is an attorney and an investment banker in Australia and owns his own company, but he didn’t elaborate. Peters makes his living in investment banking, Cox said. Peters and his ex-wife divorced in 2007 and have three school-age children together, Cox said. He didn’t know how long they had been married. “She’s in shock,” Cox said of Peters’ former wife. “This is hard on her and her children.

She’s not involved in any respect to this, at all.” Cox said he did not know yet if Pe- ters would fight extradition to Austra- lia. AP PHOTO Paul Douglas Peters, left, of Sydney, Australia, is escorted from the Federal Courthouse in Louisville, Ky., on Tuesday after he was arraigned in connection with a bomb hoax in Australia. ‘Collar bomb’ suspect is detained Australian banker accused of attaching fake bomb to teenager’s neck in extortion plot in Kentucky.

By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa — Rick Perry’s red-hot rhetoric -- well known in Texas -- is on full display in his presidential cam- paign.