TOP TEN
LOCAL STORIES
1.THE NEW KIDS IN TOWN: The year started out with two new
Representatives at the Federal; level for LuLac land. Rob Bresnehan took the
oath of office in both Washington, D.C. and under the dome at the Luzerne
County Courthouse. Bresnahan hit the ground running engaging his staff at area
events. By contrast his Senate cohort Dave McCormick took forever trying to
establish an office in Scranton.
2.DÉJÀ VU FOR YOU: President Trump returned to the
region with an appearance at Mount Airy Lodge in the Poconos promoting his work
on tariffs and the economy. In a rambling 90 minute speech, Trump as well being
Trrump.
3.I’LL TAKE TWO PLEASE: Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti
announced a run for Congress in 2026 to oppose incumbent Rob Bresnehan. The
Democratic Policy Committee wanted a yes from her in order to solidify a
commitment to get the seat back. In the meantime Cognetti said she’d run for
re-election as Scranton Mayor. There were skeptics who thought this wouldn’t
work but the mayor prevailed.
4. MATT
SAYS BYE AND ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE: Incumbent County Commissioner resigned to take a
nonpolitical job and that set off a political odyssey in trying to name a
successor. There was more drama in this one than an old episode of “General
Hospital”. In the end though an interim commissioner was named and a special
election was held. Bottom line is Thom Welby won the Special Election and will
serve out the McGloin term.
5.MORE FOOD SIR, PLEASE? Because of the uncertain economic
circumstances brought on by the tariff nonsense of the President and his
chaotic economic policies food banks and pantries are relying on community
support more than ever. Other mitigating factors was the state budget impasse
delaying the distribution of funds, federal aid reduced by the Trump
administration and the effects of the federal government shutdown.
6.CAN WE FINALLY GET THIS
DONE NOW?
Luzerne County Council unanimously approved Tenor Health Foundation's
financing proposal to purchase Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, part of a larger
deal under which Tenor would buy three Commonwealth Health hospitals in
Northeast Pennsylvania.
7.JUDICIAL RACES WATCHED
CLOSELY: Candidates
running for the very crucial State Supreme Court made numerous visits to LuLac
land. Justices Wecht, Donahue and Dougherty
were making their presence known in a retention race. These contests are
usually pro forma but a MAGA based coalition spent millions trying to defeat
them. They did win retention.
In the Lac, DA Mark Powell had an easy path to be the new Common Pleas
Court Judge. Luzerne County was a bit more of a climb but Attorney Mark
Bufalino was elected as a Democrat and was sworn in as the County’s newest
Common Pleas Judge. It was the first time in ast least 6 years that a Dem got to the bench.
8.WATCHING OUT FOR THAT
AI: Local governments
are trying to grasp with the possibilities of data centers and how it will
affect the economic possibilities of their communities.
9.NO VICTORY LAP: Luzerne County Democrats won 4 of the
5 seats on Luzerne county council seats. They now have control of the council.
Instead of taking a victory lap, they fired the chair of the party before his
term was up, deposed the vice chair and began investigations into what they
thought was disloyalty to the party. Meanwhile in Pittston thee was a huge
gathering of moves and shakers, both Dems and Republicans celebrating the season.
10.
175 YEARS STRONG: This year marked the 175th anniversary of the Wilkes-Barre
Law and Library Association. The Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association is
the official name of the bar association of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The Bar Association is one of the oldest
county bar associations in the United States.
Founded on June 18, 1850 as the “Wilkes-Barre Law Association”, the name
of the association was altered in 1855 to the “Wilkes-Barre Law & Library
Association” to reflect the important role of the operation of a community law
library for its member attorneys. A series of events were held to mark the
occasion.
