The LuLac Edition #2808, December 30th, 2014

TOP TEN LULAC LAND STORIES

10. HUGO SELENSKI

This has to be a record of some sort. For the last 11 years Hugo Selenski, the charges against him, the revolving door of lawyers representing him and his "upcoming" trial have made the top news stories here in this area. Hugo's new trial in 2015? Well a key witness died so that trial date in January...we're not so sure anymore. And the beat..as well as Hugo goes on.

9. SCRANTON COMMUTER TAX

When I worked at Rock 107 there was talk about a commuter tax to help Scranton get out of debt. That was 18 years ago!!! 2014 once more saw Scranton in debt and once more proposing a commuter tax. The tax was shelved and one has to wonder where Scranton will get the money. Deja Vu anyone?

8. BINACCI MURDER TRIAL

A judge sentenced convicted murderer Neil Pal to life in prison plus 20 to 40 years for the murder of Frank Bonacci in 2013. Pal was convicted of first degree murder by a jury in June for working with his friend Jason Dominick to shoot Frank Bonacci last summer and cover up the crime. Jason Dominick was convicted of shooting Frank Bonacci in the head last in July of 2013. The trial made headlines because the murder was over a woman among three friends. Pal and Dominick were convicted of shooting Bonacci in his SUV, then sending it over a ravine along Roaring Brook in Scranton. Bonacci’s body was found a week later

7. CORRUPTION RESIDUE

2014 saw still more residue from the Judicial and County government scandals that began in 2007. Developer Robert Mericle learned his fate when he was sentenced to one year in jail. That edict came down after former State Senator Ray Musto died in April. Mericle found himself expendable by the Feds. The documentary "Kids For Cash" was released in 2014 too. In Lackawanna County former County Commissioner Bob Cordaro was allowed to represent himself as he tries to get a new trial. I hope he won't insist that he testify again...but that's up to his lawyer, right? No guarantees there.

6. POLITICS: HOME RULE IN THE LU AND LAC AND A NEW STATE REPRESENTATIVE

In Luzerne County the Council discussed chickens, tried to fire Bob Lawton, gave away Moon Lake Park and to the chagrin of residents some attended meetings by phone. The debt is still high, the homestead exemption is gone and there is no majority other than the 6-5 margin that has been the hallmark of every vote.
There are some residents that were asking Times Leader writer Jennifer Learnes Andes how they can get petitions to revoke the charter. Meantime elections are coming up and it will be interesting to see who will run and who will win. In Lackawanna County voters rejected home rule in the 2014 primary opting to keep the Commissioner form of government. 

There is also a new State Representative heading to Harrisburg. Republican Aaron Kaufer reclaimed the 120th seat held by Phyllis Mundy for over 24 years. Kaufer beat Eileen Cipriani in a heated contested race.

SHERMAN HILL AGAIN

This year saw more work from the Sherman Hills task force as well as a new owner. Treetop Development put up a fence, increased security and put money into a playground. There have been incidents but are much more diminished since 2013.

4. SEX AND THE TEACHER!!

Two stories made the news regarding teachers and sex. In Wilkes Barre Stephen Stahl a Dean of Students at Coughlin High School was charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a student about a decade ago. His trial is set for January.
Meanwhile in the Wyoming Valley West School District Lauren Harrington Cooper plead guilty to having sex with male students. Harrington and her husband appeared on ABC's "20/20" speaking about what motivated her to act that way. She was sentenced to 9 to 23 months in jail. Another teacher from Hanover Area had was found not guilty in a jury trial of all charges. (Correction noted: 123114, 5:24PM)

3. GHOST RIDERS GO TO TRIAL

The investigation into the ghost riders for the Luzerne County Transportation Authority resulted in the arrests of Executive Director Stanley Strelish and Robb Henderson the operations manager. Both were charged with threatening employees if they did not increase ridership numbers to maintain or increase funding. The trial is set for next year in Harrisburg.

2. MALL FORECLOSURE

Twenty years ago it was the grand showplace for the City of Scranton. But in 2014 the Mall at Steamtown was in foreclosure and at year’s end 70% of the tenants were gone. What happens next will be an ongoing story in 2015 and beyond.

1. AMBUSH, TROOPERS ATTACKED "SURVIVALIST" FOUND 48 DAYS LATER

From CNN on the night of September 12th, Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers shot late Friday, one fatally, were ambushed just outside the police barracks in Blooming Grove, Commissioner Frank Noonan told reporters.Cpl. Bryon K. Dickson was killed and Trooper Alex T. Douglass was in stable but critical condition, Noonan said Saturday. The shooting happened at 10:50 p.m. Friday in a rural, wooded area.
"It cuts us to the core that such an event could happen," Noonan told CNN. "[They] really had no chance to defend themselves. It's a cowardly attack."48 days later Eric Frein was caught hiding out in an airport hanger. Cowering. 

Sources: CNN, Times Leader, Citizen's Voice, Times Tribune, LuLac archives).