6/25/2023
Horror film makers hope to place Nanticoke on the map
hsimerson@timesleader.com

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NANTICOKE — Zombies, vampires, ancient curses, and government secrets have been terrorizing the streets of Nanticoke for the past two weeks — but no need to panic.
The supernatural clan are only in town to record a horror film aptly titled “Nanticoke,” which follows a character named Brad, a professional baseball player who returns home after a career-ending injury only to find that things aren’t what they used to be.
When asked to describe the film in three words, producer Michael B. Judkins had only this to say: “Something to see.”
According to Scott Purdy, who plays Brad’s father in the film, the mash-up of horror monsters has a specific purpose — one that “you have to watch to find out.”
“Initially I was like ‘vampires, zombies, ancient curses…are they just throwing everything together?’ No. There’s a purpose,” Purdy said.
“It’s different — it’s not a cookie-cutter zombie movie,” he continued.
The film has been using locations in and around Nanticoke as sets, including Main Street, Luzerne County Community College, the Newport Little League Field, and more.
“When we were considering doing a horror movie, it seemed like the ideal place,” said Judkins, who noted that a few members of the executive team are from the area.
According to him, the surrounding community has shown immense support for the film, with the Nanticoke mayor, police, and firefighters making appearances.
“Residents of Nanticoke even came down in droves offering to be extras,” Judkins said.
While some locals managed to make their big-screen debut in the film, others found opportunities behind the cameras.
This is certainly the case for Robyn Shonk of Nanticoke, who acted as the film’s production coordinator.
“I live a few minutes from where we’ve been filming these last two weeks, and I could never put into words how it feels to see the town in such a different light,” Shonk said.
She noted it felt surreal to film in so many places she had known her entire life.
“We just got done filming at the little league field where I played for 12 years — it was magic,” she said, adding that it felt as if she’d gone “full-circle.”
According to her, the film’s helping hands consisted of a mix of local residents and those from out of town.
“Whether it’s individuals who originated here or are back to the area again or are visiting for the first time, I’ve heard all three from cast and crew members,” Shonk said.
The cast and crew not from the Northeastern Pennsylvania region all had the same impression of the area: the people are incredibly supportive.
“The people around here have been so welcoming everywhere I go,” said Purdy.
Bobby Newton, the film’s stunt and safety director, echoed Purdy’s sentiments.
“Nanticoke is a nice place, but more importantly, everyone I’ve interacted with in Nanticoke is nice,” he said.
“I’ve shot films in other places, and if we inconvenienced people by shooting the film, they were rude. That was not the case in Nanticoke,” he added.
Hunter Kohl, the Manhattan-based actor who plays Brad, said he first noticed the beauty of the area — then the kindness of the people he met.
“The first thing is, as a New Yorker, everyone is so nice,” he said.
The kindness and support is something the cast and crew hope the film’s success is able to repay.
The film locations might offer a tourism draw to the area, which could amp up the tourism sector, said Purdy.
“Those things do happen,” said Purdy. “People can be like, ‘Wow, Nanticoke! That’s where they made that movie — let’s go see where they filmed it.’”
“If it could help the local community by just bringing some people in, spending their money here, and helping out the community, that would be great,” he added.
Filming for “Nanticoke” officially wrapped on Friday. The crew hopes to see completion by next spring with a proposed premiere to take place in Nanticoke shortly thereafter.
Upon its premiere, “Nanticoke” will run in local theaters and on select streaming services.

6/23/2023

Greater Nanticoke Area School Board approves budget with no tax increase
mguydish@timesleader.com

NANTICOKE — The Greater Nanticoke Area School Board approved a final budget at Thursday’s monthly meeting that keeps property taxes at this year’s rate and projects an increase in the district fund balance. The budget projects spending at $39.7 million and income at $40.8 million. Business Consultant Tom Melone said if those numbers hold, the fund balance is expected to climb from $5.1 million the end of this month to $6.2 million by the end of June, 2024.
Both Superintendent Ron Grevera and Board President Tony Prushinski repeated one of Prushinski’s favorite mantras: “Elections have consequences,” suggesting the district — and most public school districts — would have been in much worse financial shape if Josh Shapiro had not won the election as governor. Shapiro has followed his predecessor Tom Wolf in supporting increased state funding for public schools.
Grevera also credited the overall healthy budget with the district’s ability to negotiate a three year contract with about 100 unionized support staff workers that increases pay to retain employees. The new contract boosts starting salary for new hires by $3 and hour, from $9.90 an hour. Current employees will see an average increase of $1.25 per hour the first year, and 75 cents per hour each of the next two years. The contract runs through June, 2026. The board also approved two Memoranda Of Understanding (MOU) with the teacher union. One involves appointing a part-time speech therapist. The other sets up special sick leave/sick days for the 2023-24 school year.
Continuing efforts to improve security, the board agreed to advertise for two additional School Police/Resource Officers, hired through private employment contracts, bumping the total from three to five. Existing contracts with three officers were renewed: Brian Stashak and Chris Wegrzynowicz at $51,000 each, and Ray Whitaker at $61,000. And a new Garrett walk-thru metal detector was approved from Firing Line Inc. for $4,252. Grevera said it is a portable detector that will be used at the Education and Elementary centers.
In sports, the board accepted the quote for equipment at the multi-purpose sports stadium from Sportsmens at a total cost of $45,477, and agreed to sanction a new co-ed bowling club team for the 2023-24 school year. The new sports equipment will be suitable for artificial turf being installed this summer, Grevera said, and includes nets, pylons and similar removable items.
The board also:
• Approved the purchase of Learnics for the coming school year for grades 3-12 at a cost of $1,830. Learnics provides digital tools to help teachers determine how much time students spend researching online for assignments.
• Approved quotes for insurance coverage from Joyce Insurance, $159,485 for Premium Coverage and $84,154 for workers compensation coverage.
• Approved summer hours for high school guidance counselors Bill Hischak and Sara Kneal, and cyber school coordinator Michele Wisniewski, each not to exceed 50 hours.
• Appointed Scott Dennis as paraprofessional for the Extended School Year (ESY) program from July 5 through Aug. 3.
• Accepted the resignations of instructional aide Beth Borowski and physical education teacher Alicia Kaiser.
• Increased the salary of parent educator Sarah Toback in the amount of $0.88 per hour, and the salary of Family Center Director Beth Kratz in the amount of $2,528. Both are funded through grants. Toback’s hours were also increased to 29 hours per week, while parent educator Wendy Skoniecki’s hours were reduced to 20 hours per week.
• Appointed Jennifer Olzinski, Amanda Lipowski and Christopher McGavin as teachers for the K-5 summer skills math and reading camp, all funded through federal grants.
• Appointed Beth Maney as head cheer coach.

6/23/2023
Greater Nanticoke Area approves $39.7M budget with no increase in property taxes 
Michael P. Buffer – Citizens Voice

NANTICOKE — The Greater Nanticoke Area School Board unanimously voted Thursday for a
$39.7 million budget that maintains the property tax rate and will add at least
$1 million to the school district’s fund balance.
The property tax rate will remain 12.8083 mills. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
The budget projects nearly $40.8 million in revenue, and the fund balance is projected to increase from $5.1 million to $6.2 million, Business Manager Tom Melone said. The budget does not include increases in state subsidy amounts, but it’s possible that the 2023-24 state budget will include at least another $1 million in state revenue, Melone said.
The state House and Senate have not yet agreed to a state budget that Gov. Josh Shapiro will sign for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The 2023-24 state budget will include funding allocations to local school districts for the upcoming school year.
“One of things Mr. Prushinski always says is elections have consequences,” Superintendent Ronald Grevera said, referring to board President Tony Prushinski. “... the fact that we have elections, we have people who are pro-public education. And that has been very helpful.”
Grevera noted that the state had been underfunding Greater Nanticoke Area for years and the district has benefited recently from Level Up state funding provided to the most underfunded districts. Greater Nanticoke Area received $774,228 in Level Up funds in the state’s 2022-23 budget.
The school board also voted to approve a new labor agreement with the support staff union that expires June 30, 2026. The union has 100 members, including custodians, maintenance workers, secretaries and cafeteria workers.
“It will give our support professionals who are new to the district a $3 an hour pay raise,” Grevera said. “Most of those positions were $9.90, which is really not a lot for a starting salary. No one will receive less than $1.25 for the first year, 75 cents the second year and 75 cents an hour for the third year. ... The goal of this contract is to recruit employees in a very difficult labor market, as well retain the current employees.”
Also at Thursday’s meeting:
•    The board agreed to advertise two new positions for a private contracted school police officer and renewed contracts with three school police officers — Ray Whittaker, $61,000 for the upcoming school year, Brian Stashak and Chris Wegrzynowicz, $51,000 for each.
•    The board voted to sanction a new athletic opportunity — a high school co-ed bowling club team for the 2023-24 school year.
 

6/16/2023
Filming of ‘Nanticoke’ horror movie underway 
Emily Allegrucci – pahomepage.com

NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A bit of the spotlight is making its way to a city in Luzerne County. The bright lights are shining in Nanticoke as a horror flick is being filmed.
When a baseball player returns to his hometown of Nanticoke, he quickly realizes it’s not how he remembers it.
Nanticoke the movie might be filmed in the city you know, but it takes a spooky twist that will make you watch with one eye shut.
“Within that, we incorporated the aspect of having zombies and vampires in it to make it one of the best horror movies of 2023,” said Nanticoke Producer Michael B. Judkins.
The horror flick has been in development since 2013, shooting finally began in April, and is now taking over the streets of Nanticoke.
“It’s one of those things where you know you sit there and you dream about how this is gonna go and you run every scenario in your head. You look around at the amazing talent and the people here and you go, ‘man. This is it. This is gonna work,” said Nanticoke Director Rick Berry.
One of the actors is a northeastern Pennsylvania native and says he is grateful to be part of a production like this.
“I’m so happy to be a part of this, especially being from the area to see something like this be brought together. It’s such a wonderful thing, the whole town’s been very supportive,” Nanticoke Actor Austin Monahan said.
And the community has been doing all it can to let the supernatural into the city.
“As a producer, it’s heartfelt to see that. Especially with the production of any size that you wanna see the community get together,” said Judkins.
The mayor of Nanticoke and the city’s first responders have not only supported the movie, but are actually starring in it.
“It certainly brings a little bit of notoriety here to our town and we need anything we could get. They certainly have people come here for whatever it’s worth and we’re certainly happy to have everybody here,” said Nanticoke City Police Department Chief Michael Roke.
“It’s a great opportunity for the city of Nanticoke, also for some of the residents to be starring in it,” said Nanticoke City Police Department Sergeant Chad Southern
And for those looking for spoilers…
“The rest I’m gonna leave up to you to come see the movie,” Monahan said.
If you love zombies, vampires, and Nanticoke, this movie may be for you.
Production says they hope to have the movie done by the end of 2023 and at the latest, spring of 2024.
The filming and zombie apocalypse in Nanticoke is expected to last for about two more weeks.

6/16/2023
Stanky and The Coal Miners to play at Saturday polka night
rdupuis@timesleader.com
John Stanky and the Coal Miners, featuring John ‘Stanky’ Stankovic, will perform Saturday night at Nanticoke American Legion Post 350, 23 W. Broad St., in a concert to benefit Hanover Fire Co., Nanticoke Fire Department Engine #4.
 

NANTICOKE — Two things have been constants in the life of John “Stanky” Stankovic over many decades: Polka music, and service to his volunteer fire department.
An event on Saturday will honor both.
John Stanky and the Coal Miners will present a night of polka music at American Legion Post 350, with proceeds to benefit Hanover Fire Co. N.F.D. Engine #4 on Espy Street.
The night also will celebrate Stanky’s 80 years of playing in a polka band.
“I got introduced to polka at a very early age,” Stanky said Thursday.
As he said in a 2022 Times Leader interview: “My father, he came from the old country and made me practice,” Stanky said. “I wanted to play baseball. I wanted to play basketball. He said, ‘You’re a pretty good ball player … but if you learn to play the accordion you’ll never starve.”
Lessons began when he was about 5. Within a few short years he was playing in a band, and a lifelong passion was born.
“We started playing in clubs and bars, but mostly we played house weddings,” Stanky recalled.
Such family gatherings often lasted three days — typically Saturday, Sunday, and Monday — and the band would stay at the bride’s house, he said.
Stanky went on to bigger gigs, and named his band in honor of his late father, who had worked in the anthracite mines. Many in the region will remember him and wife of 61 years, Dorothy Stankovic, from their many years on WVIA’s “Pennsylvania Polka,” where he and the band performed and she served as host, Stanky said.
When their daughters were children, Stankovic encouraged Debbie to play trumpet and Kim to play saxophone and clarinet.
When Stanky performs Saturday night, his daughters will accompany him, along with Mark Steinkirchner on trumpet, Bud Yacaboski on drums and Frank Westowski with a second accordion.
As the Times Leader noted in that 2022 interview, Stanky was honored by the fire company last year for 60 years of service as a firefighter, so the benefit is a chance to give back.
About the event
• The polka night will be held at Nanticoke American Legion Post 350, 23 W. Broad St.
• Doors open at 6 p.m., the show starts at 7 p.m.
•Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for children. They can be purchased at the door or from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight, Friday June 15, at the fire company, 108 Espy St.
• There will be food for purchase from the American Legion, basket raffles, and a 50/50.
• More information at https://www.audacy.com/985krz/events/stanky-and-the-coal-miners-polka-night

6/15/2023
Vampires, zombies walk in Nanticoke, set of new horror film
Steve Mocarsky – Citizens Voice

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NANTICOKE — If you round a corner here in the next several weeks and see a hoard of zombies or vampires coming your way, don’t freak out.
Nanticoke is playing host to the filming of a new horror film, the title of which happens also to be the name of the city.
A film crew was shooting a scene with zombies outside the Luzerne County Community College Life Sciences Center on East Main Street Wednesday afternoon and early evening.
“It’s just been an amazing ride,” said director Rick Berry. “Seeing how the city has just opened their arms to us — we’ve had the mayor, the fire department, the police department — everyone has just been totally amazing in helping us out with this.”
“One of our executive producers, Karen Metta, is actually a resident of Nanticoke and she thought it would be a great idea to bring the production to the town to kind of bring new light into creativity and kind of see if we could get the community involved,” said the film’s producer, Michael Judkins, of Allentown and formerly of New York.
“And that was a great idea; the whole executive team agreed. And we’ve been getting nothing but extremely good support,” Judkins said. “We are truly blessed to do this film here.”
Everyone from city Mayor Kevin Coughlin to police Chief Michael Roke, members of the police and fire departments have roles in the film, as do city residents who were excited to be cast as extras.
Roke said it’s his first time appearing in a film, “and probably my last,” he quipped.
“We’re helping out any way we can with the film and just basically doing what the director tells us to do,” he said, adding that Metta was his art teacher in ninth grade and she reached out to him to help with the film.
Metta said she taught at Nanticoke High School for 35 years, retired, and went to work for Giant Floor for 17 years.
“I just retired from there in October to do this, and here we are. We’re half-way through and it’s a lot of work,” she said.
Metta teamed up with her friend John Smith and they co-own Same World Productions.
“My partner is in the business for 50 years. He was with Columbia Pictures for quite a few years in New York, went out to (Los Angeles), started his own company, retired from there, said he thought he was done, came back here and we just told him we think you have one more in you, and here we are,” Metta said.
Asked why she wanted to produce a horror movie, Metta deadpanned: “I have no clue. Insanity? I don’t know, I just thought it would be fun to do it in Nanticoke. We have a ton of local people. The police were excellent, fire department, city hall, the mayor, … the R Bar, we’re doing a shoot there. We’ve just been all over Nanticoke, and LCC, especially,” she said. “Without these people, we couldn’t have done it.”
“Of course, we’d like to make our money back, but I would also like to see this launch somebody’s career,” Metta said.
Some young actors are eager to work in their starring roles.
Austin Monahan of Scranton plays David, a local doctor.
“The dude has a little bit of a back story. He’s a doctor at the local hospital here who actually helps Brad at the end of the movie. He’s been around for quite a bit, so he’s kind of been keeping his ear to the ground,” Monahan said.
Monahan said he’s had some smaller acting roles, including during some time he spent in New York City, but he’s happy to be working on the film locally.
“It’s a beautiful thing, to show that support for the community just brings everybody together that much more,” he said.
Hunter Kohl of New York City plays the main character.
“I play Brad Chase, who is an up-and-coming baseball star who gets injured at the top of his game and he moves back to a small town in Pennsylvania, and things aren’t what they used to be,” Kohl said.
“A lot of crazy things are happening during the film and he is constantly trying to find out what’s going on, trying to get to the bottom of things. So, I didn’t want to play it in kind of an expected, normal way, per se. So, I figured out a way to give him some nuances and make him a little bit more interesting,” Kohl said.
“Nanticoke” will be Kohl’s second horror movie.
“I’m excited to be a part of it because I grew up — I was almost raised watching horror films, which is crazy, but my grandmother, when she would babysit my siblings and I, we would stay
up and watch horror films with her till like 12, 1 in the morning, she was such a big horror fan,” Kohl said.
Kohl said the story begins normally, but soon throws his character into dealing with one crazy thing after another.
“I’m like, oh, my God, no, something else is happening, something else is happening. I couldn’t even guess how the film was going to end. So, people will be in for a surprise,” he said. “It’s got a good taste of what every good horror movie has and what makes a good recipe for a horror movie. So, I think for horror movie fans, it checks all the boxes for what they would like.”
 

6/2/2023
Bubbakoo’s Burritos brings the beach to Wilkes-Barre Twp. 
Nico Rossi – Pahomepage.com

    
WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Bubbakoo’s Burritos has officially opened the doors to its newest Pennsylvania location in an attempt to bring the beach to Wilkes-Barre.
Bubbakoo’s Burritos franchise owners Eric Spencer and Scott Brennan, both of Nanticoke, held a grand opening event on Tuesday at the restaurant located at 174 Mundy Street in Wilkes-Barre Township. 
Spencer says he and Brennan wanted to bring a brand to the area they were comfortable and confident with that stood apart from other chain restaurants.
“Right from the beginning we loved the brand’s flavor and atmosphere. We found something unique and different that stood apart and we felt comfortable and confident about bringing that atmosphere to Wilkes-Barre,” said Spencer.
Courtesy: Chris Hughes, General Manager of Bubbakoo’s Burritos-Wilkes-Barre 
Efforts to fight food insecurity in Scranton School communities 
Bubbakoo’s Burritos founders Paul Altero and Bill Hart originally opened the restaurant in the heart of the “skater and shore” scene of Point Pleasant, New Jersey in 2008. The “Mexican Fusion” style restaurant’s goal was to bring affordable, made-to-order food with fresh ingredients to people of all ages.
“We followed the brand for about a year and saw the growth the company had, with over 100 units along the east coast and we’re excited for it,” Brennan added. 
The new location is now open full-time, serving made-to-order burritos, quesadillas, tostada salads, tacos, nachos, and much more.
To check out Bubbakoo’s Burrito’s menu or information about becoming a franchise owner check out their website or Facebook page.
 

5/31/2023
No property tax hike in Greater Nanticoke Area budget proposed at $39.4M
Michael P Buffer – Citizens Voice

 
The Greater Nanticoke Area School Board is proposing a $39.4 million budget that keeps the property tax rate at 12.8083 mills.
A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. Last year, the school board approved a $35.6 million budget with a 2.9% increase in the property tax rate, which increased from 12.4473 mills to 12.8083 mills.
The school board plans to adopt a final budget for the 2023-24 school year on June 22. The proposed budget is posted on the school district website.
The proposed budget projects nearly $40.8 million in revenue with nearly
$10.7 million from local sources, $23.5 million from state sources and $6.5 million from federal sources. More than $4.6 million in federal funding is for COVID-19 assistance.
The unreserved fund balance is projected at $4.8 million when the fiscal year starts July 1 and is projected to increase to $6.2 million a year later.
Instruction costs for employee salaries is at nearly $8.2 million, up from $7.8 million in 2022-23. Instruction costs for employee benefits is at nearly $5.5 million, up from nearly $5.2 million in 2022-23.

5/31/2023
Nanticoke house fire injures one and displaces four
hsimerson@timesleader.com

NANTICOKE — A house fire left one person injured and four displaced in Nanticoke on Wednesday evening.
At around 5:30 p.m., Nanticoke firefighters were dispatched for a residential structure fire on West Grand Street.
Upon their arrival, heavy flames were visible from the back of the home, where the fire started with a malfunction in a gas grill. The fire then extended to a crawlspace in the home’s attic before firefighters brought it under control.
“We stretched a couple hose lines and made a quick knockdown,” Nanticoke Fire Chief Mark Boncal said.
Four people were inside the home at the time of the fire, and one was sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
At the time of reporting, firefighters were waiting for a response from the Red Cross to assist in providing temporary shelter for those living in the home.
 

5/25/2023
Father of poll worker charged in election sign theft
rdupuis@timesleader.com

NANTICOKE — The father of an election worker faces a misdemeanor theft charge after police say he was caught on video stealing a Luzerne County Council candidate’s campaign sign from a polling place in the city on the morning of the primary election.
The candidate whose sign was stolen, meanwhile, says dozens were taken during the campaign and believes it was a coordinated effort.
Paul P. Clisham, 52, of Nanticoke, is accused of taking a sign belonging to candidate Ronald D. Knapp from outside the Ward 2 voting area at the IBEW Training Facility, 41 W. Church St., on May 16 after he dropped his son off to work at the polls.
Twelve Republicans were seeking their party’s nomination for six open seats in this fall’s general election. Knapp, who was unsuccessful in his bid, said 47 out of his 250 signs went missing — many in high-traffic areas, such as along the Sans Souci Parkway — and he believes that was damaging to his campaign.
“It hurt me, definitely,” Knapp said during an interview Wednesday afternoon at his Nanticoke home, noting that his support had dropped substantially this year compared with his showing in the last primary.
“I came in with 8,546 votes in 2021, and this run for office I had 4,850,” Knapp said. “Publicity is very important in the process of running for office. With that many signs lost in a high-traffic area, it absolutely had an effect.”
Efforts to reach Clisham for comment were not immediately successful on Wednesday.
Video footage reviewed
According to an affidavit filed by Nanticoke police:
Camera footage from the IBEW Training Facility was reviewed after they received a complaint from Knapp about the missing sign on election day morning.
The footage shows Knapp putting his sign on the property at about 4:14 p.m. on May 15. The sign remained undisturbed until 6:17 a.m. the next day, when a white male is seen dropping off an election worker at the polling place. The male is seen coming out of the building, taking Knapp’s sign, and placing it in the trunk of the silver 2015 Toyota Camry he was driving.
Police responding to the scene spoke with Clisham’s son, who confirmed that his father had driven him to the polling place that morning.
Police attempted to make contact with Clisham, but he was not home. Police confirmed that Clisham owns a silver 2015 Toyota Camry and that he was the man seen in the video.
Knapp said he does not know Clisham.
Knapp: ‘Make an example’
Running for countywide public office can be challenging in such a large county, Knapp noted, and yard signs are an important component of any campaign.
“For me to canvass the entire 906 square miles of Luzerne County would have been impossible,” he said.
So Knapp began putting out signs on Easter Weekend, which fell at the end of March.
By April 7 he noticed many signs missing from the Sans Souci, and reported this to Hanover Township police. Soon after he approached Nanticoke police about several signs missing from private properties and high-traffic areas in the city.
With signs costing $8 each, at the end of the campaign season Knapp began collecting the signs for potential re-use, and the number missing started to climb.
On May 15 and in the early hours of May 16, Knapp was “running around” collecting his signs from private properties to display at polling places. He had placed the sign at Nanticoke Ward 2 on the afternoon of May 15.
When he arrived back at the polling place at 7 a.m. on May 16, he quickly noticed his sign was missing.
“Because there were cameras, immediately it came to my mind that I should contact the police in Nanticoke to report it,” Knapp said.
As noted in the affidavit, police responded to the polling place.
“They were investigating for about an hour-and-a-half. They came out and said, ‘we know where the individual lives, who he is, we’ve got the guy on video,’” Knapp said. “They have it on a zip drive to present at the hearing.”
According to court documents, a preliminary hearing for Clisham is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. June 28 in Luzerne County Central Court.
Knapp plans to be there.
“I’m going to be in the courtroom to ask the judge to not be lenient on him,” Knapp said. “There has to be an example made.”
A summons was issued Tuesday charging Clisham with theft by unlawful taking, a third-degree misdemeanor. As Knapp learned, such a charge carries a potential maximum sentence of one-year incarceration and a $2,500 fine.
“I was very perturbed, mad that someone was brazen enough to take it from that site,” Knapp said. “Nobody else’s sign, just mine. Theirs weren’t touched, just mine.”
But Knapp believes some leniency would be justified if it leads to information about the other signs that went missing.
“Was it a collaborative measure to keep me from gaining the seat? That’s my perception of it,” Knapp said.

5/25/2023
Suspicious fire damages vacant Nanticoke double block
James Halpin – Citizens Voice

A suspicious fire damaged a vacant double-block home in Nanticoke early Wednesday but resulted in no injuries, according to the Nanticoke City Fire Department.
Crews were initially dispatched to a report of smoke in the area of West Noble and Hanover streets at 1:11 a.m., and arrived to find smoke filling the street in the 100 block of West Noble.
Firefighters traced the source of the smoke to 177-179 W. Noble St. and declared a working fire at 1:19 a.m., drawing on additional crews from surrounding communities.
Crews began attacking the fire and brought it under control within 20 minutes, firefighters said.
The fire was contained to the room of origin in the 177 side, while the 179 side received smoke and heat damage, firefighters said. No injuries were reported.
Investigators say both units were vacant and neither was connected to electricity or gas. Calling the fire “suspicious,” firefighters called in a state police fire marshal to investigate.
Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call 570-735-2200.
 

5/24/2023
Nanticoke teen to graduate from college before high school 
Bob Kalinowski – Citizens Voice

NANTICOKE — Greater Nanticoke Area senior Grace Reed graduates college this week before she graduates high school next month.
Reed, 17, will walk the stage Thursday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. and receive her associate degree from Luzerne County Community College.
The four-sport star, who has a part-time job, started taking college classes following her freshman year that was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following her June 9 graduation from Nanticoke Area, Reed will attend St. Francis University in Loretto in Cambria County, where she will study physical therapy and play Division I field hockey.
“I’m very proud of myself for not giving up even though it was hard balancing sports, high school academics and LCCC academics. It’s very cool and a great accomplishment. I’m very excited,” Reed said. “It was a lot of time management. Basically, that was the key to it all.”
Reed is the treasurer of Nanticoke Area’s chapter of the National Honor Society and played field hockey, basketball, track and field and cross country.
She’s hoping to get her doctorate degree in physical therapy and treat athletes one day. She should accomplish that feat in five years or less after getting the associate degree head start from LCCC.
“I want to help people in sports because I have always been in sports my entire life,” Reed said.
Reed credits her parents, Brian and Jocelyn, with inspiring her to achieve her lofty goals. But she’s had a rivalry with her mother along the way. Her mother is a chemistry teacher at Hanover Area High School and is that school’s varsity field hockey coach.
“Every single year we beat them. It was always fun coming home every night after we beat them. She always tried to have someone mark me every game because she knows exactly how I play but it never worked out in her favor,” Reed joked.
In addition to taking a full course load of high school and college classes and playing four varsity sports, Reed works part time at The Creamery at Michael Mootz Candies on the Sans Souci Parkway in Hanover Twp.
As an educator, Reed’s mother thinks her daughter’s accomplishment is almost unprecedented in Nanticoke, Hanover or the region.
“She’s not the child prodigy that you see in the news graduating from high school at 12 and college at 15. She’s a normal teenage girl who put in a lot of extra work, when her friends were hanging out elsewhere, to do something no one else from her school has,” Reed’s mother Jocelyn said.
Greater Nanticoke Area Superintendent Ronald Grevera said the district was proud of Reed.
“Grace is accomplished both scholastically and athletically,” Grevera said. “She holds herself to high standards and has high expectations for herself. For a young woman to be taking high school and college credits at the same time is very difficult and time consuming. We are proud of Grace’s accomplishments.”
Athletic Director Ken Bartuska had similar praise for Reed.
“It’s very special that she is accomplishing this, but knowing her, it’s really not surprising,” Bartuska said. “... She is a leader on every team she’s a member of and relishes helping younger players improve. We’re going to miss her contributions, her leadership and her personality here at GNA.”
Reed’s guidance counselor Bill Hischak called her story “astounding” and unprecedented.
“When many of her classmates were on summer vacation enjoying themselves, Grace was in class at LCCC. Her tremendous work ethic as you know has also paid dividends athletically as well,” Hischak said. “In my twenty years as a high school guidance counselor, I have never had a student even come remotely close to earning the amount of college credits as Grace has. Grace is not only well-respected by her classmates, but also the faculty and administration here at GNA. Grace is a leader, both in the classroom and on the playing field.”
LCCC President Thomas Leary said Reed is among 13 high school students graduating Thursday who took part in the school’s Early College program. She is one of 523 students who will graduate from LCCC on Thursday.
“Grace did a tremendous job of balancing her high school classes and activities while taking the LCCC classes that she will transfer to St. Francis University this fall. We are very proud of these students who began their college education while still in high school, and I wish Grace, and all of our graduates, the best of luck in their future,” Leary said.

5/20/2023
Greater Nanticoke Area passes $39.4M proposed final budget
mguydish@timesleader.com

NANTICOKE — The Greater Nanticoke Area School Board passed a proposed final budget for 2023-24 at a Friday meeting that had been rescheduled from last week. The budget projects spending $39.4 million with no property tax increase, leaving the rate at 12.8083 mills. A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 of assessed value.
The budget outlook is promising, Business Consultant Tom Melone said, thanks in part to the federal COVID-19 relief money in recent years, the last of which will be spent in 2023-24. Superintendent Ron Grevera also said the state’s “Level-up” funding, which targets districts most in need of increased state spending, is also helping.
Melone said the proposed budget assumes no increase in state money for basic or special education, but that some additional money seems likely as Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a plan that would give Greater Nanticoke about $1.4 million more in the coming fiscal year. Both the state and the district must approve a final budget by June 30.
Melone’s proposed budget numbers show the district fund balance rising from $4.8 million at the end of this fiscal year on June 30 to $6.2 million by the end of next June. He said that money could help prevent or at least soften the blow of any tax increase needed to balance the budget down the road.
Board President Tony Prushinski said the district’s ability to avoid a tax increase shows “elections matter,” and that things would have been very different if Shapiro had not won the governor’s race. His opponent, Doug Mastriano had proposed a radical change in funding that would have cut state per pupil spending by more than half and given the money toward schools, public or private, of the parent’s choice.
The board also:
• Appointed Ryan Amos as head golf coach, Andy Kaminsky as golf assistant, Zachary Pientka as boys head basketball coach, Ed Lukowski as boys basketball assistant I, Zack Cardone as boys basketball assistant II, James Barna as boys basketball assistant IIIa, Robert Donahue as boys basketball assistant IIIb, Christopher McGavin as boys basketball assistant IV, Ed Grant as girls head basketball coach, Brian Reed as girls basketball assistant I and Lindsey Quinn as girls basketball assistant II.
• Increased the ticket price for football games to $5 per adult and $2 per student.
• Accepted the quote from Eastern Time to replace the fire alarm system in the Elementary & Education Center at a cost of $168,900, and from All American Athletics Flooring to refurbish the Education Center gym/cafeteria floor at a cost of $49,500. Both are being purchased through the state Costars system,which allows districts to piggy back on deals arranged through the state to save money and bypass bidding requirements.
• Approved an agreement with the Northeast Intermediate Unit for special education services for 2023-24.
• Awarded a $138,243 contract to Global Data Consultants, LLC, for a servers, firewalls and storage upgrade project. The money will come from federal COVID-19 relief grants.
• Approved the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center budget for 2023-24. The Center serves five member districts, and the School Boards of all five districts must approve the annual budget.
• Appointed Kylee Ritchie as cleaner and Aphiena Johnson as cafeteria worker.
• Accepted a three-year proposal from Rave Mobile Safety Application to provide one-push activation of any type of emergency, at a cost of $12,500.
• Added a school bus stop at West Green Street and Maple Street for the remainder of the current school year, and appointed the following bus drivers for transportation contractors: Michelle Sheppard for Bonk Transportation, Theresa Ryzner for Pace Transportation, Aisha Pearson for White Transit, and Destiny Kotsur, Nateli Marie Cappa-Ramos, Teresa M. Tencza, Naqueilla Paul and Emily Elick with Keystone Valley Transportation.
• Approved several cafeteria purchases from Rice’s Food Equipment and Consulting, Inc.: one mobile heated cabinet for $3,383, three gas convection ovens for $34,669, and one 24-inch, four-open burners range for $3,513.
• Increased the price of faculty lunch meals to $4.75, following the recommendation of the state Department of Education.
• Approved the purchase of student ID badge software and equipment for the Elementary Learning Center, Educational Center and High School from School Technology Associates for $15,776.
 

5/12/2023
Weis Markets remodels Duryea store, Nanticoke store is next 
Denise Allabaugh

Weis Markets has completed remodeling its Duryea store and celebrated the grand reopening by presenting $500 in donations to local organizations including the Commission on Economic Opportunity's Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, Holy Rosary School and Germania Hose Company.
Weis Markets has completed remodeling its Duryea store and celebrated the grand reopening Thursday by presenting $500 in donations to local organizations including the Commission on Economic Opportunity’s Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, Holy Rosary School and Germania Hose Company.
The remodeled Duryea store includes a new beer and wine cafe with adult slushy machines, a new deli with meal center and new interior decor as well as an upgraded produce section featuring fresh cut fruits and vegetables, a remodeled bakery and seafood sections, updated store fixtures and expanded variety throughout the store.
Weis Markets officials also announced work will begin on a major remodel at its store in Nanticoke.
“We’re pleased to celebrate the remodel of our Duryea store, which now offers our customers several convenient new features and amenities,” said Weis Markets vice president of marketing and advertising Maria Rizzo. “Our customers in nearby Nanticoke will soon enjoy a similar upgraded shopping experience when we complete the store’s extensive remodel later this year.”
Weis Markets operates 197 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Virginia.
 

5/6/2023
Nanticoke standoff ends with gunman’s suicide
elewis@timesleader.com

​

NANTICOKE — A lengthy standoff in the 300 block of East Church Street ended just before 11 p.m. Friday when a barricaded gunman took his own life, officials at the scene said.

Separately, Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Trooper Bill Evans late Friday said only that the scene would remain an active investigation and more information would be released later.

Nanticoke police responded to an apartment at 312 E. Church St. at about 5 p.m. when a man refused to exit and barricaded himself inside with a firearm.

State police at Wilkes-Barre assisted at the scene, unable to convince the man to surrender.

Troopers with the Special Emergency Response Team began arriving at about 6:30 p.m. along with two heavily armored vehicles and a fortified Bob-Cat with an attached battery arm.

Two blocks along East Church Street from College Street to South Walnut Street were shut down as SERT troopers geared up with protective vests and assault rifles.

A canine with a protective vest was also at the scene.

A communications vans equipped with radio, phones and television screens arrived and set up about one-half block from the apartment building.

Troopers received information about the layout of the apartment from a witness who managed to escape the building.

One tactic deployed was turning off electrical power to the building.

For the next several hours, a drone was continuously in the air hovering above the building and a bullhorn was heard telling the man to surrender.

Apparent gunfire was heard just after 9 p.m. and two flash grenades were ignited at 9:56 p.m. and 9:57 p.m.

Thirty minutes later, at 10:27 p.m., a three minute continuous siren was heard.

About 10 minutes after the siren ceased, troopers learned the man took his own life.

“Troop P Wilkes-Barre along with our SERT unit responded to the scene today to assist Nanticoke police with a barricaded gunman,” Evans said just before 11 p.m. “At this time, it is still an active investigation but we can say there is no threat to the public at this time. We’re going to keep this road closed until the investigation is complete.”

Evans said more information will likely be released Saturday.

Neighbors who live in the 300 block of East Church Street said the neighborhood is mostly residential. But two neighbors also recalled an April standoff in Nanticoke involving the U.S. Marshals when two wanted men were apprehended.

5/6/2023
Nanticoke DPW vehicle fleet grounded as keys melted in blaze
Bob Kalinowski – Citizens Voice

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NANTICOKE — Some trucks and heavy equipment machines parked outside the Nanticoke Department of Public Works garage survived Thursday night’s inferno that leveled the building and destroyed five vehicles, but the entire fleet remains grounded because all the keys melted in the fire.

“I’m going to have a mobile key service come. He’s going to rekey everything,” DPW foreman Rick Josefowicz said Friday.

Throughout Friday, leaders of municipalities from throughout the Wyoming Valley and state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp., called or visited to offer assistance to Nanticoke following the loss of all their equipment, multiple vehicles and the garage.

Neighboring Newport Twp. offered to let Nantcoke’s DPW operate out if its headquarters along the Kirmar Parkway with its remaining trucks and borrowed equipment.

Nanticoke Mayor Kevin Coughlin said he doesn’t think services will be impacted much.

“We’ll make it work,” Coughlin pledged.

He said the outpouring of support from throughout the area was appreciated.

“That’s how it should be, every community helping each other. We would do the same,” Coughlin said.

Nanticoke City Manager Donna Wall, a longtime city employee, agreed.

 “You make a lot of friends over the years,” Wall said.

Fire crews were dispatched to the garage at 76 N. Market St. around 8:40 p.m. Thursday and were met with an inferno consuming the building.

Destroyed in the blaze were a front end loader, a Skidster, a pavement roller, a utility truck and another vehicle.

The fire comes at a time when city officials are finalizing plans for a brand new $850,000 DPW garage at Prospect and Slate streets on land owned by Luzerne County Community College.

LCCC granted the city a 99-year lease for $1, Coughlin said, joking that he’s not sure the city could afford the deal.

The new building, paid primarily through state grant funding, is in the final design phase, Wall said.

State police fire marshal Joseph Montagna visited the fire scene on Friday. He did not immediately issue a ruling.

While he inspected the inside, other law enforcement officers took footage of the damage from the sky using a drone.

5/5/2023
Flames engulf Nanticoke DPW garage Thursday night 
Bob Kalinowski – Citizens Voice

NANTICOKE — An inferno consumed the Nanticoke Department of Public Works Garage on Thursday night with much of the department’s equipment inside.
“We’re not having good luck here. Oh my,” Nanticoke Mayor Kevin Coughlin said upon his arrival at the scene on North Market Street, noting the city fire department spent hours earlier this week battling a stubborn fire at a West Union Street home that was plagued with hoarding conditions.
City officials said a front end loader, a Skidster, a pavement roller, a utility truck and another vehicle were inside the garage with other equipment and all was destroyed in the blaze at 76 N. Market St.
Those items were vital to providing services to the citizens of Nanticoke and can’t immediately be replaced, Coughlin said.
“Other communities I’m sure will step up and help us out,” Coughlin said.
Hanover Twp. Manager Sam Guesto and Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo offered to help the city with any needed equipment, Coughlin said.
“I am overwhelmed that within minutes of our public works building being destroyed, Hanover Twp. and Pittston reached out and offered their assistance to the city. Thank you Sam Guesto and Mayor Lombardo,” Coughlin said.
The fire was reported around 8:40 p.m.
Firefighters responded to a heavy fire situation, Fire Chief Mark Boncal said.
The call came in while the Nanticoke Fire Department was hosting a joint trench rescue class with the Newport Twp. Fire Department., he said.
That made sure the initial attack on the fire had sizable manpower, he said. The fire was knocked down within 20 minutes.
Boncal said the building is a total loss.
A state police fire marshal was called in to investigate.

5/4/2023
Fire destroys vacant Nanticoke property 
Bob Kalinowski – Citizens Voice

NANTICOKE — A vacant city home plagued by hoarding conditions is a total loss following a stubborn fire Tuesday night on West Union Street, Fire Chief Mark Boncal said.
A state police fire marshal is investigating, Boncal said.
The clutter inside the home near the intersection with Fairchild Street made it difficult to navigate and fueled the flames, Boncal said.
“There was still hoarding conditions inside the building. It makes the job harder,” Boncal said.
For months, people have been cleaning the inside and outside of the property of debris, filling a dumpster many times. City code enforcement officials only allowed those clearing out the property to go inside during daylight hours, Boncal said.
The blaze, which appears to have started in the basement just before 9 p.m., remains under investigation, he said.
 

4/29/2023
Baker, Ryncavage hold ribbon-cutting at new offices in Nanticoke
boboyle@timesleader.com

NANTICOKE — A large crowd turned out on Friday to welcome state Sen. Lisa Baker and Rep. Alec Ryncavage to their new offices in the city.
Baker, R-Lehman Township, and Ryncavage, R-Plymouth, looked on as former Sen. John Yudichak cut the ribbon at a joint open house at their district offices at 50 North Walnut St., Suites 105 (Baker) and 102 (Ryncavage).
The lawmakers’ offices are in a new downtown building at 50 N. Walnut St., constructed for Nockley Family Pharmacy and Cawley Physical Therapy and Rehab.
Ryncavage said that as a new legislator he is grateful that he and a seasoned senator like Baker will be in close proximity to one another as they help their constituents.
Prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Baker and Ryncavage presented a Sue Hand painting of the Avondale Breaker in Plymouth Township to Joseph Yudichak, a former longtime Plymouth Township Supervisor who worked in the mining industry as a young man (and father of the former senator).
The presentation was held prior to Friday’s ceremony.
At the district offices, the legislators said constituents can get assistance with PennDOT paperwork, driver’s license and vehicle registration applications and renewals; information and applications for senior citizen benefit programs, including Property Tax/Rent Rebate and PACE/PACENET prescription drug programs; securing birth and death certificates (photo identification required); organizing tours of the state Capitol; copies of legislation; and many other services.
Some of the officials attending the ceremony included Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston; Plymouth Borough Council members Alexis Eroh, Bill Dixon and Council President Ronald Kobusky; Nanticoke Mayor Kevin Coughlin; former Sen. John Yudichak and his father Joseph Yudichak, a former Plymouth Township Supervisor; Gale Conrad, Plymouth Township Supervisor.
 

4/27/2023
Nanticoke funeral home consolidating to save costs, stay in business - a trend in the industry 
Bob Kalinowski – Citizens Voice

NANTICOKE — Like many funeral directors, Frantz Stegura in Nanticoke isn’t seeing the business he once did, forcing him to announce he’s selling his property and moving the company to his smaller home next door.
“We have to consolidate. I have to sell this property in order to afford the construction there,” Stegura said Wednesday.
With people choosing the cheaper alternative of cremation more and more over a traditional funeral and burial, the business is far less lucrative than it once was, he said.
“The economics of it is I have to do four cremations to equal one traditional funeral. The economics are I can’t afford to run the building with property taxes being the way they are,” Stegura said.
The National Funeral Directors Association cost comparisons for 2021, the latest available data, indicated that the national averages were $6,970 for cremation with a viewing and funeral and $9,420 for a burial with a vault and funeral.
Stegura’s great uncle started the Stanley S. Stegura Funeral Home in 1938. His late father, Jonathan F. Stegura, eventually took over and now he runs it with his brother, Jonathan Z. Stegura.
For sale are the current funeral home at 612-614 S. Hanover St., a three-story brick building, a two-story home behind it and a three-car garage — all on the same real estate deed. Selling the properties will alleviate him of one property tax bill and two sets of commercial utility bills, he said.
Stegura is keeping his next-door home at 630 S. Hanover St., the future site of the business, and its large parking lot. The business actually first started in 1938 at its future location at Stegura’s house before moving to its current location years later, which was a newly constructed building at the time.
“It’s coming full circle to where it began,” Stegura said.
After the business moved to its current location, Stegura’s grandfather, Dr. Barney Stegura, moved next door to 630 S. Hanover St. to run his medical practice for many years.
Since the building has been on the real estate market, many people — even relatives — assumed the third-generation family business was closing.
He said a first cousin recently stopped him and said, “Who is going to bury me? You’re going out of business.”
The rumored closing prompted Stegura to post a video to Facebook earlier this week to let people know the business is not closing despite the sale of the current location. He asked people to share the news with the people of Nanticoke. Within a day, the video got more than 100 shares and likes.
“I am extremely humbled by the outpouring of support from the community,” said Stegura, who is running as a write-in as a Republican candidate for Nanticoke City Council since there are no Republicans on the ballot.
The rumors about the Stegura Funeral Home come following the closings of the Grontkowski Funeral Home and the Kearney Funeral Home in Nanticoke, leaving Nanticoke with three funeral homes, Stegura’s, the Earl Lohman Funeral Home and Dinelli Family Funeral Home.
John Dinelli said he runs his business with his wife and they are doing “really well, actually,” despite the fact “a lot of people are doing direct cremation and a memorial service after.”
Former Luzerne County Coroner Dan Hughes, a longtime funeral director from Wilkes-Barre, said the business is certainly tougher than in the past.
“Cremation is a lesser expense than a burial, and that cuts into the business side. Funeral homes are not bringing in the revenue they used to. The need for as many funeral homes has dwindled,” Hughes said. “People are calling around for prices. They are ‘shoppers,’ as we call them. Lots of people are struggling financially and don’t have life insurance.”

4/25/2023
EPA’s Regan announces funding for electric school buses at Nanticoke
boboyle@timesleader.com

NANTICOKE — At Greater Nanticoke Area High School on Monday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan said the Biden Administration is taking another key step toward reducing climate pollution and building a healthier future where all children will have the clean, breathable air that they deserve.
Regan was in Luzerne County to announce that the Greater Nanticoke Area School District has received $6 million for the purchase of 15 new electric powered buses. The buses were purchased from Rohrer Enterprises, Duncannon.
Regan also announced that an additional $400 million will be added to the grant program to fund clean school buses and reduce emissions and protect the environment.
Regan said that so far, Pennsylvania has been awarded $34.6 million from EPA’s clean school bus program.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is already transforming school bus fleets across the nation, passing on cost savings to districts while improving air quality,” Regan said. “With new grant funding available, we will accelerate our work to transition to electric and low-emission school buses further and faster than ever before.”
Regan said under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, funding from EPA’s Clean School Bus Program will improve air quality in and around schools and communities, save schools money, create good-paying clean energy jobs and reduce greenhouse gas pollution, protecting people and the planet.
Regan was joined at the news conference by Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator; U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton; U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic; Greater Nanticoke Area Superintendent Ronald Grevera; and student Sophia Lukowski, who introduced Regan.
The grants are made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides an unprecedented $5 billion to transform the nation’s fleet of school buses.
Greater Nanticoke Area is part of the first round of grant funding available and follows the nearly $1 billion the Biden-Harris Administration awarded through the rebate competition last year to fund electric and low-emission school buses across school districts.
“President Biden and Vice President Harris believe our kids deserve cleaner school buses, which will improve the health of communities and reduce emissions,” Landrieu said. “Communities will also benefit from cleaner air and energy savings by replacing old, dirty diesel school buses with cleaner alternatives.”
Casey said clean school buses mean that students are breathing cleaner air and districts are saving money.
“This commonsense solution is a win-win,” Casey said. “With more grants to come this year and in the years to follow, more communities in Pennsylvania and across the nation will get this opportunity to set students up for a healthier and brighter future — all thanks to the infrastructure law.”
Cartwright added that running the clean, green buses will reduce harmful pollution, improve air quality in and around schools and communities, save money and reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
“This unprecedented investment will protect the safety and well-being of our most treasured resources — our children and our planet,” Cartwright said.
Regan said EPA is prioritizing applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs or those receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land, and rural areas.
Information provided by Regan’s office stated eligible applicants for this funding opportunity are:
• State and local governmental entities that provide bus service.
• Public charter school districts.
• Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, or Tribally-controlled schools.
• Nonprofit School Transportation Associations.
• Eligible Contractors (including OEMs, dealers, school bus service providers, and private bus fleets.)