The LuLac Edition #5, 438, September 11th, 2025

 

911 NEVER FORGET!  

 

CHARLIE KIRK

SHOT, DIES

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, has died after being shot Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post The shooting comes amid a spike in attacks on political figures in the United States across all parts of  beliefs. 

More in future editions. 

 

THE DIVORCE IS FINAL

It all started in the summer of 1978. I was working the 2 to 10pm shift at WVIA and decided to step out on a Friday night. I never was a bar hopper and was uncomfortable in a bar situation trying to make an impression over the loud music. I wound up at Jim Dandy’s in Edwardsville and came across two women, Sally and Margaret. Sally was very nice, but Margaret was extremely unhappy. 

I later found out that Margaret was a staffer at the Times Leader and they were going out on strike. The strike turned out to be the most acrimonious this area had ever seen since the coal mining days. The strike spawned a new newspaper called The Citizens’ Voice.

That’s when my relationship with the paper began. My family in Pittston subscribed to the paper and when I did political consulting, I always made sure that the Voice had advertising. In my United Way days, my boss, the late Frank Pasquni and I, navigated the then very real troubled waters of being impartial to both papers.

At one time, I wrote opinion columns in the Voice on subjects from politics to baseball. The relationship grew strong when I handled publicity for various entities in the community. The paper was always receptive to me and my causes (employment and otherwise) and fair to me in other situations.

Through the 80s, 90s, 00’s, teens and early 20s the paper was a mainstay in our home. My brother-in-law worked for them as a union member.

During that time the paper had excellent writers like Carl Romanelli, Tony Pavloski, Mike McGlynn, John O’Malley, Richard Walton, Jerry Kishbaugh, John and Matt Engel, Sue Henry, Renitta Fennick, Barbara Loftus and too many others I could name.

In recent times the newspaper employed two of the best reporters in the area Steve Mocarsky  and Bob Kainowski. Bill O'Boyle worked for both. When the Scranton Times bought the paper, the service level continued. But then they sold their interests to an out-of-town entity. The paper became smaller. The stories became a repeat of the Scranton Times. Feature stories that should have been local now highlighted locales like Maine, California and out of the way places that put on similar festivals and events.

Meetings that occurred on a Thursday appeared in the paper on a Saturday. Despite the best efforts of the remaining staff members, the paper resembled a weekly reader we got in grade school. To give them credit, the Voice did large sized obituaries but I think that was mainly because of the exorbitant prices they charged as well as the need to make up local news space.

What many didn’t know was that the paper charged for special sections, so that if you bought your subscription in September the year before, you’d get a bill a few months earlier.  Any issues you had with delivery locally now were handled by a person in an Asian country.

Plus there was no notification that your prescription was up. NONE! So like a relationship that ended with a whimper, a ghosting and not a bang, it just ended. No memories, no recriminations, just a loss.

There was a last dash effort to have us come back, the price was attractive but the steam out of the 48 year relationship had evaporated.

A newspaper is like a family member. When that family member changes, you notice. When it stops caring about your concerns, you stop caring about it.

Then when that source of news leaves, you adjust. Like a divorce, you move on.

Sad to say this  many people who have done just that.Grieve, then leave.

The ironic thing is the Voice customers have now come full circle back to the Times Leader. I’d like to think that somewhere  Sally’s friend Margaret must be wondering why she walked that picket line in the first place only to see it handed over to out of town jaspers who ran it into the ground. To those living and dead who made Wilkes-Barre a two newspaper town, sorry that in my humble estimation, that didn't last. 

  

TERROR TRUCK DRIVERS

Somewhere along the line the pickup truck, once the bastion of the working man has become an instrument of terror. That might sound harsh but I have to tell you that a recent ruling by a Lackawanna County court has put reckless drivers on notice that they must remember they don’t own the road.   

Two men, aka “boys” John Darko and Paul Viscomi plead to involuntary manslaughter back in June. The two numbskulls were involved in a game of one upmanship on March 27^th 2024 when neither would yield on Keyser Avenue. One (Darko) was clocking speeds of over 60miles per hour, was ejected from his vehicle injuring his leg and arm while trying to make a game out of who might yield first. The other one (Viscomi) went from 20 mph to 52!

REALLY? Didn’t these stupid “macho men” think either of them were going to win?

Subsequently one of the trucks impacted Brian Nardella’s vehicle and killed him as his car rolled over an embankment several times. Both were sentenced to the max at 25 to 60 months in jail. I hope they serve the max 5 years and think about what they did.

Most people drive responsibly but there are others in this area, mostly frustrated young men who don’t realize these vehicles can kill. A few weeks back a huge pick-up truck couldn’t wait the 5 minutes it took DPW workers the time to pick up the garbage. Drivers in these trucks routinely  cut off sedans and SUV’s and rarely are within the posted speed limits in residential areas. What slays me is the guys with handicapped placards on their windshields. If they can jump into a high tricked out pick up truck………..they didn't need that placard.

  

CONGRESSMAN MEUSER, LOCAL LEADERS CELEBRATE AGRICULTURAL WINS OF THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AT THE FARM STORE IN POTTSVILLE

Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) joined community members, and local leaders this afternoon at The Farm Store in Pottsville to highlight provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill and the positive impacts they will have for Pennsylvania farmers and families.

The event, hosted by Americans for Prosperity and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, highlighted the bill’s role in strengthening the state’s agricultural sector, and supporting small businesses—which in tandem, ensure Pennsylvania families have greater access to fresh, local food.

“I had a great afternoon with Americans for Prosperity at The Farm Store in Pottsville, a true farm-to-table grocery store bringing fresh, local food to our community,” said Congressman Meuser. “The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers real wins for Pennsylvania farmers and the communities they serve. It was an honor to speak with many constituents about how this legislation will benefit Pennsylvania families and strengthen our agricultural economy.”

Congressman Meuser was joined by Senator Dave Argall, Representative Joanne Stehr, Representative Tim Twardzick, Schuylkill County Commissioner Larry Padora, Schuylkill County Controller Sharyn Yackenchick, and Schuylkill County Register of Wills Theresa Gaffney.

Attendees engaged in discussions on agricultural policy, the importance of local food systems, and the role of state and federal cooperation in advancing farming initiatives. The first 100 visitors received a $40 gift card to The Farm Store as part of the celebration.

Congressman Meuser extended his thanks to Americans for Prosperity, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and Angela and Josiah Meck, owners of The Farm Store for hosting the event and for their commitment to Pennsylvania’s farming community.

 

MEANWHILE

Keep in mind Meuser the Big Beautiful Bill reduced SNAP benefits that helps both farmers and economically disadvantaged people.

 

AND…………

BRESNAHAN ANNOUNCES $1.2 MILLION FOR AVP TERMINAL EXPANSION AND MODERNIZATION

Congressman Rob Bresnehan (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) announced two federal grants totaling $1,213,926 awarded to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) through the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These grants will support ongoing terminal expansion projects aimed at improving passenger experience and modernizing airport infrastructure.

 The awards include:

$980,000 from the FY24 Supplemental Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) program for general Terminal Expansion and Improvements at AVP in Wilkes Barre, PA.

$233,926 from the FY25 Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program to fund Phase 2 of the terminal expansion in Avoca, PA. This phase includes essential surveys, permitting, and geotechnical support for a planned 10,000 square foot addition to the terminal, improving passenger queuing, screening, and circulation areas.

“These federal investments will help ensure Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport continues to meet the needs of our growing region,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Improving this vital transportation hub means better service for travelers, stronger support for local businesses, and growing opportunities for Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

“We appreciate the congressional support of our Terminal Expansion Project, a needed upgrade that will expand the terminal footprint — improving the passenger experience with new amenities to serve our customers,” said Carl R. Beardsley, Jr., Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Executive Director.

This expansion project is a critical step in enhancing transportation access across Northeastern Pennsylvania and strengthening the region’s infrastructure. It will improve the passenger experience while ensuring that AVP remains a key asset for residents, visitors, and the local economy, part of a broader effort to keep our region competitive, connected, and prepared for future growth.

THAT STATED  

PREVENTION BRINGS TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS FOR FIRST ADVISORY GROUP CONVENING TO DISCUSS RESEARCH AND STRATEGIC PLANNING 

 

 

One year after Governor Shapiro signed Executive Order 2024-02, re-establishing the Pennsylvania Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP), the Shapiro-Davis Administration recognizes the critical progress the office has made over the last year to keep Pennsylvanians safe, and is marking the milestone by continuing to build on its work and bringing together stakeholders from across the Commonwealth for its first Advisory Group convening.

"The onvening marks a key step in our fight against gun violence and highlights the critical work that we've done over the past year to better understand and address the trends," saidLt. Gov. Austin Davis, Chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). "By bringing together committed individuals from every corner of the Commonwealth, we are turning research and stakeholder input into real strategies that will save lives and make our communities safer."

Under the Shapiro-Davis Administration, comprehensive investments in public safety have helped drive positive results. In 2024, homicides in Pennsylvania dropped 23 percent, outpacing the national decline of 15 percent. Data shows that 30 counties saw reductions in homicides in 2024, including Philadelphia, which recorded a 36 percent drop last year and a 22 percent decline so far in 2025.

  

MEDIA MATTERS

WVIA PLEDGE DRIVE

THIS COMING WEEK

Tune in this week from September 13^th through the 19^th to help support Public Radio. Here’s the link

WVIA

 https://www.wvia.org/

  

WALN

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

You'll hear the program Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400 am The Mothership and 7:30 am on 105 The River.

 

THE LAURIE CADDEN SHOW

Tune in every Saturday morning at 9am for The Laurie Cadden Show on WILK FM 103.1 and AM 980 and 910. Laurie’s program has been a northeastern Pennsylvania mainstay every Saturday. Tune in to hear her insights and take on local issues as well as entertaining and informative interviews.

 

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP

 

BEATLE EDD’S FAB FOUR MUSIC HOUR

Tune in every week to the Home of Rock and Roll for a jam packed, unpredictable hour starting at 9am Sundays. Host Edd Raineri gives you facts and great music from the immortal Fab Four on ROCK 107.

 

THE LULAC TIME MACHINE

September 1972

THE MUNICH MASSACRE

The Munich massacre was a terrorist attack during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, carried out by eight members of the Palestinian militant organisation Black September. The militants infiltrated the Olympic Village, killed two members of the Israeli Olympic team, and took nine other Israeli team members hostage. Those hostages were later also killed by the militants during a failed rescue attempt.

Black September commander and negotiator Luttif Afif named the operation "Iqrit and Biram", after two Palestinian Christian villages whose inhabitants were expelled by Israel during the 1948 Palestine war. Intelligence files suggest that some West German neo-Nazis may have assisted Black September in the 1972 Munich massacre, though the extent of their involvement remains debated. Shortly after the hostages were taken, Afif demanded the release of a significant number of Palestinians and non-Arab prisoners held in Israel, as well as one of the West German–imprisoned founders of the Red Army Faction, Ulrike Meinhof. The list included 328 detainees.

West German police from the Bavarian Police ambushed the terrorists, killing five of the eight Black September members, but the rescue attempt failed, resulting in the deaths of all the hostages.

A West German police officer was also killed in the crossfire. The West German government faced criticism for the rescue attempt and its handling of the incident. The three surviving perpetrators were arrested but were released the following month in a hostage exchange after the hijacking of Lufthansa Flight 615.

By then the Israeli government had launched an assassination campaign, which authorised Mossad to track down and kill anyone who had played a role in the attack.

Two days before the start of the 2016 Summer Olympics, Brazilian and Israeli officials led a ceremony where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) honoured the eleven Israelis and one German killed at Munich.During the 2020 Summer Olympics, a moment of silence was observed in the opening ceremony and 53 years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Alone  Again”  (Naturally)  by Gilbert O'Sullivan.