DUNMORE - The driver's license and photo center at 81 Keystone Industrial Park, Dunmore, will be closed Saturday and Monday in observance of the Labor Day holiday, the state Department of Transportation said.

PennDOT said customers may still obtain many driver and vehicle products and services through the department's website, www.dmv.state.pa.us.

Dunmore

THURSday, Aug. 26

n DUI: Dunmore and Sander­son streets, 7:04 a.m.

n Alarm: Knox Road, 8:58 a.m.

n Welfare check: Third Street, 10:44 a.m.

n Theft: Jefferson Avenue, 11:14 a.m.

n Traffic stop: East Drinker Street, 12:30 p.m.

n Theft: Jefferson Avenue, 12:43 p.m.

n Traffic stop: North Blakely and Harper streets, 3:37 p.m.

n Traffic stop: North Blakely Street, 4:08 p.m.

n Dog complaint: South Blakely Street, 6:21 p.m.

n Theft: Jefferson Avenue, 7:03 p.m.

n Criminal mischief: Dim­mick and Pancoast streets, 7:06 p.m.

n Fighting: East Drinker Street, 8:05 p.m.

n Dog complaint: Delaware Street and Clay Avenue, 8:45 p.m.

n Domestic incident: Key­stone Court, 8:46 p.m.

n Medical: Advanced life support assistance, Webster Avenue, 9:07 p.m.

n Dog complaint: South Blakely Street, 10:06 p.m.

n Nuisance complaint: North Washington Avenue, 11:31 p.m.

Moscow

Thursday, Aug. 26

n Traffic stop: Warning, Market Street, 4:13 p.m.

n Suspicious person/vehicle: Moscow Elementary Center, 9:50 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 27

n Burning ordinance violation: Market Street, 12:22 p.m.

At council's request, zoning and code enforcement officer Joseph Lorince is researching an ordinance that would assess a fine on any property owner who begins construction work without first obtaining the proper building and inspection permits.

"It's been an ongoing problem for years," said council Vice President Paul Nardozzi.

Mr. Nardozzi mentioned possibly instituting a flat fee of $200 for every infraction. Mr. Lorince is looking into an ordinance that would double the original building permit and inspection fee of a project.

Either way, obtaining the correct permits beforehand will likely be cheaper than paying the fines. Fees vary from project to project but generally have a $50 minimum. For a $10,000 kitchen renovation, for example, Mr. Lorince said the building permit and inspection fee would likely be about $140.

Not all projects require permits or inspections, but Mr. Nardozzi said it's better for a residents to check with the borough beforehand.

Both Mr. Nardozzi and Mr. Lorince said obtaining the proper permits and inspections protect homeowners, ensuring they are using a licensed contractor.

"When they come in with a permit, we actually ask for their Pa. license, as well as a certificate of insurance," Mr. Lorince said.

The borough follows International Property Maintenance Code. Council on Monday adopted the 2009 code. Mr. Lorince said the biggest difference in the updated code is a $300 fine that could be assessed on property owners who do not comply with a stop-work order.

Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com

Mr. Morton, 21, recently received the gold, silver and bronze Congressional Awards from the senator.

"It is my great honor to present these awards to Mr. Morton today," Sen. Casey said recently. "Jack has shown great dedication to public service (and) personal development. I congratulate Jack and his family on this special occasion."

To qualify for the gold medal, Mr. Morton had to complete 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness and a minimum of four consecutive overnights on an expedition or exploration activity.

It was a huge undertaking to shoulder, especially as a teenager, But as an Eagle Scout, Mr. Morton, the son of Lawrence and Jean Ann Morton, was prepared for the challenge.

"It seemed like something good to do," he said simply. "When I got to college, it was definitely a larger workload. It was a bit of a challenge, but eventually it worked out."

To clock in his voluntary public service, Mr. Morton conducted interviews for the Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. The majority of veterans he interviewed served in World War II.

"They were in all branches of the service, which was definitely nice," Mr. Morton said. "It's great, and now (the interviews) are in the database for years to come."

For his expedition, Mr. Morton went on a 12-day hike in the Rocky Mountains of New Mexico with the Boy Scouts.

"It's one of the few areas where you can go now and not see civilization for a few days," Mr. Morton said of Sangre de Cristo mountains. His hike took place shortly after some extensive wildfires swept through the area.

"It was just amazing to see the scale of the damage," he said. "When you're hiking for 12 days and you just see miles and miles of burned-out forest, it was pretty amazing."

In the spring, Mr. Morton will receive his teaching certification in physical education from John Carroll University in Ohio. After attending graduate school, he plans to teach English as a second language, hopefully overseas. Mr. Morton has already visited Russia and will study abroad in England next month. He is also applying to the Fulbright Scholar Program.

"I definitely like to expand my knowledge (and) help people learn about our culture," Mr. Morton said.

Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com

Archbald

Tuesday, Aug. 24

n Alarm: 2100 block of Scranton-Carbondale Highway, 2:46 a.m.

n Nuisance: 100 block of Ontario Street, 3:23 a.m.

n Harassment: 1000 block of Beech Street, 6:11 p.m.

n Accident: 600 block of Scranton-Carbondale Highway, 7:41 p.m.

Dunmore

Wed., Aug. 25

n Suspicious person: Smith Street, 2:02 a.m.

n Fraud: East Drinker Street, 8:07 a.m.

n Traffic stop: O'Neill Highway, 8:09 a.m.

n Traffic stop: Electric Street and Monroe Avenue, 8:42 a.m.

n Traffic stop: East Drinker Street, 8:45 a.m.

n Police escort: East Drinker Street, 8:55 a.m.

n Traffic stop: Electric Street and Monroe Avenue, 8:56 a.m.

n Traffic stop: Electric Street and Monroe Avenue, 9:13 a.m.

n Traffic stop: Delaware Street and Clay Avenue, 9:23 a.m.

n Traffic stop: Electric Street and Monroe Avenue, 9:32 a.m.

n Traffic stop: Electric Street and Monroe Avenue, 9:49 a.m.

n Traffic stop: Green Ridge Street, 11:33 a.m.

n Burglary: Wheeler Avenue, 1:09 p.m.

n Traffic stop: Electric Street and Jefferson Avenue, 1:30 p.m.

n Criminal mischief: Key­stone Court, 2:36 p.m.

n Shoplifting: Wheeler Avenue, 2:53 p.m.

n Traffic stop: Jefferson Avenue and Larch Street, 3:22 p.m.

n Harassment: Madison Avenue, 3:30 p.m.

n Suspicious vehicle: University Drive, 4:09 p.m.

n Motor-vehicle violation: Wheeler Avenue, 4:17 p.m.

n Parking violation: South Blakely Street, 4:51 p.m.

n Landlord/tenant dispute: University Drive, 6:34 p.m.

n Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle: Allen Street, 11:05 p.m.

n Suspicious person: Meade Avenue, 11:26 p.m.

Scott Twp.

Wednesday, Aug. 25

n Assist motorist: Green Grove Road and Lakeland Drive, 10:03 a.m.

n Assist motorist: Green Grove Road and state Route 632, 12:13 p.m.

n Investigation: 600 block of Montdale Road, 1:30 p.m.

n Traffic: 1300 block of Lakeland Drive, 3:07 p.m.

n Traffic: Lakeland Drive and Green Grove Road, 3:25 p.m.

n Traffic: 1200 block of Lakeland Drive, 3:39 p.m.

n Traffic: Lakeland Drive and Green Grove Road, 3:56 p.m.

n Traffic: Commerce Boulevard and Wemberly Hills Road, 5:31 p.m.

n Traffic: Justus Boulevard and Fieldstone Drive, 6:54 p.m.

South Abington Twp.

Wednesday, Aug. 25

n Traffic: 200 block Highland Avenue, 10:15 a.m.

n Animal complaint: 400 block of Haven Lane, 10:25 a.m.

n Traffic: 600 block Northern Boulevard, 12:39 p.m.

n Traffic: 200 block Fairview Road, 12:57 p.m.

n Accident: West Grove Street at Eston Wilson Park, 1:10 p.m.

n Criminal mischief: 2700 block of Dark Region Road, Ransom Twp., 3:45 p.m.

n Traffic: Maggies Road and Hunts Court, 4:30 p.m.

n Traffic: Maggies Road and Hunts Court, 7:40 p.m.

n Investigation: 100 block of Parkwood Avenue, 11 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 26

n Traffic: 200 block of Shady Lane, 2:55 a.m.

n Possible DUI: 300 block Northern Boulevard, 3:50 a.m.

DUNMORE - In July, state representatives spoke to borough council about assistance programs to help the municipality struggling with over $14 million in long-term debt.

One month later, council has not reached a unified decision on what kind of help - if any - to pursue. President Timothy Burke, however, said one option is definitely off the table at this point.

"Right now, we are not qualified for bankruptcy because we are paying our bills," he said.

Bankruptcy, along with the state's Early Intervention Program and municipal distress, were the financial assistance options Matthew Domines, a local policy expert with the state Department of Community and Economic Development, presented to council last month.

If the borough enrolls in the Early Intervention Program, a contracted, outside agency will analyze Dunmore's financial history and then provide a three-year plan with recommendations for financial stability.

Designed to save municipalities from entering distressed status, the EIP requires a municipality to provide 50 percent - 25 percent in extreme cases - of matching funds.

Mr. Domines has said an Early Intervention Plan for Dunmore could cost between $50,000 and $100,000.

Monday night, Dunmore resident Marcie Williams stood at the podium to ask councilmembers where they stand on seeking the state's assistance.

"It's going to take more than just (the programs presented) to get the borough back on its feet again," Mr. Burke said.

The president favors filing for distressed status, since he believes Dunmore has been financially distressed for a decade.

"We are distressed and don't need the state to tell us," he said.

For council Vice President Paul Nardozzi, the EIP is the borough's best option.

"I think everybody wants to do something here," he said. "I think we're at the crossroads now that something has to be done."

Councilman Gene Ruddy said the borough has already been the subject of various financial studies, and he doesn't think the EIP plan will work. Council, he said, is chipping away at cutting costs.

"These little battles that we're fighting to save money, those are going to be our homeruns," he said.

To Councilman Sal Verrastro, caution is best before proceeding with a major decision.

"It takes longer than a month before I personally jump into something that affects everyone else (in the borough)," he said.

Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com

Archbald

Sunday, Aug. 22

n Traffic: Main and Betty streets, 1:52 a.m.

n Arson: First block of Kapinus Road, 2:31 a.m.

n Fight: Scranton-Carbondale Highway, 2:45 a.m.

n Investigation: 300 block of Betty Street, 6:12 a.m.

n Alarm: 100 block of Ledge­wood Lane, 11:55 a.m.

n Investigation: 100 block of Main Street, 1:27 p.m.

n Investigation: First block of Valley View Estates, 5:51 p.m.

n Assault: First block of Val­ley View Estates, 6:21 p.m.

n Traffic: 900 block of Scranton-Carbondale Highway, 9:08 p.m.

n Domestic: 200 block of Main Street, 11:45 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 23

n Trespassing: 1100 block of East Filbert Street, 12:13 p.m.

n Accident: 500 block of Scranton-Carbondale Highway, 2:55 p.m.

n Alarm: 700 block of Scranton-Carbondale Highway, 4:08 p.m.

n Traffic: Kennedy Drive and South Main Street, 5:41 p.m.

n Theft: First block of Valley View Estates, 11:54 p.m.

Dalton

Tuesday, Aug. 24

n Bear: reported near Gar­ney Street, 9:15 a.m. Officer responded, told bear ran into the woods near Third Street.

Dunmore

Tuesday, Aug. 24

n Suspicious vehicle: Smith Street, 2:09 a.m.

n Dog complaint: Sand Street, 1:39 p.m.

n Nuisance complaint: Decem­ber Drive, 1:40 p.m.

n Accident: Keystone Indus­trial Park Road and O'Neill Highway, 4:06 p.m.

n Accident: North Blakely Street, 5:15 p.m.

n Alarm: Meade Street, 11:52 p.m.

Moscow

Monday, Aug. 23

n Water main break: Assist DPW at Gardner development, 1:30 p.m.

n Warning: Traffic stop along South Main Street 4:07 p.m.

n Warning: Traffic stop along Route 435, 4:09 p.m.

n Streetlight out: Assist PPL at Sunrise and Greenfield, 10:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 24

n Found paycheck: returned at 10:38 a.m.

n Assist motorist: North Main Street, 6:53 p.m.

n Suspicious person: reported on Church Street, 10:27 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 25

n Citation: Traffic stop on Church Street, 3:15 a.m.

n Streetlights out: Assist PPL on Van Brunt Street, 6:30 a.m.

n Dog at large: Warning issued, Sunrise Boulevard, 10:19 a.m.

South Abington Twp.

Monday, Aug. 23

n Car accident: 200 block of Northern Boulevard, 5:15 p.m. No injuries.

n Reports of vehicle leaking gas: 1100 block of Northern Boulevard, 6:30 p.m.

n Possible drug overdose: 300 block of South Abington Road, Clarks Green, 6:45 p.m. Call unfounded.

Tuesday, Aug. 24

n Domestic: 200 block of Rabbit Run, verbal dispute between husband and wife, 1:10 p.m.

n Possible DUI: 800 block of Fairview Drive, 10:55 p.m., car into a tree.

Taylor

Monday, Aug. 23

n Parking complaint: Price Chopper, 1510 S. Main Ave., 3:10 a.m.

n Parking complaint: Kennedy Boulevard, 12 p.m.

n Alarm: South Keyser Avenue, 1:10 p.m.

n Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle: Mackie Lane, 2:30 p.m.

n Sibling dispute: Kennedy Boulevard, 6:10 p.m.

n Harassment: Rockledge Terrace, 7:23 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 24

n Hit and run: Loomis Avenue, 4:30 p.m.

During Monday's meeting, Councilman Gene Ruddy asked why the borough is still paying part-time police salaries, since Borough Manager Dominic Rinaldi issued a memo last month regarding their scheduling.

A July 14 e-mail from Mr. Rinaldi to borough council and borough solicitor Thomas Cummings said, "I spoke to Chief (Patrick) Reese and the mayor today regarding the use of part-time officers. The mayor advised the chief to use overtime when needed but I advised Chief Reese that council decided to use part-time officers when necessary."

Part-time police officer salaries for June and July totaled $12,255.75.

"We have our hands tied," council President Timothy Burke said, explaining that Mayor Patrick Loughney - not council - oversees the police department.

The mayor was absent from Monday's meeting and declined to comment on the matter Tuesday.

"I'll make a comment when it's appropriate," he said. "Now's not appropriate."

Chief Reese was also absent from the meeting. Efforts to reach him Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Earlier this year, council slashed the part-time police budget from $50,000 to $25,000 for 2010. The borough spent more than $100,000 on part-time police salaries in 2009. As of Aug. 19, part-time police salaries have cost the borough more than $39,000.

Councilman Sal Verrastro said he believes a few full-time officers are changing shifts, so the police chief is giving them a few weeks to make the adjustment.

"Right now, we can only keep asking the mayor to come through on this promise," Mr. Burke said.

Pointing out that council makes and controls the budget, Mr. Ruddy said, "I totally disagree."

Resident Bill Torbeck of Dean Court hopes the police presence on his street will only be stronger. He spoke Monday about safety concerns, in light of recent criminal activity - gunshots and a robbery - in his area of the borough.

"We have a serious problem, and we're talking about cutting police," Mr. Torbeck said. "Safety is of the utmost (importance)."

He also presented council with a petition signed by about 30 neighbors requesting a street light at Adams Avenue and Larch Street.

Mr. Burke assured Mr. Torbeck that council does not want to reduce police protection.

"We're not looking to cut police officers," the president said. "If we had money, we'd like to hire more."

Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com

Dunmore official still learning job

DUNMORE - Running down a list of what he perceives as inadequacies in borough administration, Councilman Gene Ruddy on Monday made a motion to immediately fire borough Manager Dominic Rinaldi.

"This is nothing personal, but we need to move forward," Mr. Ruddy told The Times-Tribune after the meeting. "We are circling the drain right now."

During the meeting, Councilman Michael McHale seconded Mr. Ruddy's motion, but said he wanted to discuss the matter further.

With the exception of Mr. Ruddy, all council members voted to table the motion to fire Mr. Rinaldi.

"I think we're opening ourselves to a lot of liability," Councilman Sal Verrastro said of discussing a personnel matter publicly.

Solicitor Thomas Cummings told council it would be appropriate to discuss the matter in executive session and not on the floor.

Mr. Rinaldi was not present at the meeting. Reached afterward, he declined to comment.

"I'm not aware of it; I'm on vacation," he said.

During the meeting, Mr. Ruddy made a public apology to a former borough employee who found out he was laid off last month after reading it in the newspaper. The councilman said he thought the borough manager would inform the employee of the layoff prior to the meeting. Mr. Ruddy also said the borough needs to work on obtaining more grants and use manpower effectively.

Council Vice President Paul Nardozzi frequently sends e-mails and photographs of delinquent properties or other problems in the borough, Mr. Ruddy said.

After the meeting, Mr. Nardozzi told The Times-Tribune he is not acting as the borough manager but is simply reacting to resident concerns and is "not at all disappointed in Mr. Rinaldi's job performance."

"He's still in the learning stage of the job," Mr. Nardozzi said. "You don't learn the job in two or three months. It's a very difficult job."

Council hired Mr. Rinaldi on Feb. 22 at an annual salary of $45,000.

Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com

DUNMORE - Borough residents 65 and older can receive free admission to Dunmore School District-sponsored events under the school board's Golden Age Policy.

Eligible citizens may obtain passes Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, in the Dunmore High School athletic director's office in the school's lower foyer. Passes will be distributed from 1 to 2 p.m. each day.

The passes are nontransferable and, in the case of athletic events, are valid only for Bucks home games.

The Dunmore Historical Society found plenty of treasures among the donated items for Saturday's flea market. Surveying the basement of the former Tripp Avenue Christian Church, Mary Ann Mecca figures there are at least 15 tables loaded with goods ready for sale.

Starting July 24, society members opened the church doors two days a week to accept donations - excluding clothing - for the flea market. They were stunned at the outpouring of items from the community, which includes a silver tea service, lead crystal and Hawthorne Architectural Register miniature English cottage replicas.

Pausing in front of a stack of Taylorstone Daisy Wreath dinnerware in green, Mrs. Mecca reveals a secret that helped society members price the bigger items.

"We looked them up on eBay," she said.

While there are large-ticket items including a stationary bike, a baby stroller and luggage, there are hundreds of small items to purchase as well. There's everything from seed packets to children's toys, kitchenware and an entire table of books. Saturday morning, there will also be a table loaded with fresh-baked homemade goods. Mrs. Mecca is baking apricot braids, dill bread and chocolate-cherry cake. Dunmore Historical Society T-shirts and ornaments are also for sale.

The flea market is important to the society, which is trying to raise $250,000 to renovate the church. The society was deeded the church a few months ago and desperately wants to restore the building, built in 1936, to its former glory.

To date, the society has raised about $1,900 to repair the building, said Sal W. Mecca, society president. He estimates the society needs to raise about $15,000 to renovate the parsonage so it can be rented out and start bringing in a steady income.

"You don't get woodwork like this anymore," Mr. Mecca said, tapping his fist against a door frame in the parsonage.

Fundraising has been more baby steps than leaps and bounds for the society, but members appreciate any donations and are determined to keep going, remembering Dunmore's part and recordings its future.

"There's a lot of history here in Dunmore," Mrs. Mecca said.

Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com

If you go

n What: Dunmore Historical Society flea market and bake sale, featuring electronics, decorations, household items and baked goods.

n When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

n Where: Former Tripp Avenue Christian Church, 126 Barton St., Dunmore

n Why: The society is trying to raise $250,000 to renovate the former Tripp Avenue Christian Church.

SCRANTON - All charges against Shane Connor, 29, of 98 Willow St., Dunmore, a self-described Bloods street gang member, were held for court Monday after a preliminary hearing on charges he sexually assaulted several children.

He is accused of assaulting four girls, 9 to 12 years old, and a 7-year-old boy at homes in Dunmore and Scranton in June and July.

"Basically, we bring the parable method up to modern times, using technology," Dr. Ortner said before putting on a demonstration of light and color for about 160 people at Grace Bible Church. "We're using science as a vehicle to illustrate the claims of the Scriptures."

Dr. Ortner, who teaches science at Whittier Christian Schools in California and has toured as the Million Volt Man since 1973, used black light, sodium vapor light and chemical "liquid light" to help illustrate Christian themes. He debunked the notion of "white light," displayed a "talking flashlight" and illuminated a pickle with electrodes during his presentation.

"We wanted to show that science and the Bible are not contradictory, they are complementary," said Pastor Terry Ribble, leader of the Grace Bible Church congregation. "There is logic in the way that science progresses."

The church sponsored the presentations, which will continue today, Tuesday and Wednesday at 6 p.m., with the Scranton Rescue Mission, which provides services and ministry to needy and homeless people.

Some people who attended Sunday's session found Dr. Ortner's performance affirmed their faith.

"His knowledge of science was unbelievable," said Hardy Pankratz, a Grace Bible Church member from Mount Cobb. "How he related it to God and the world is really fantastic."

Contact the writer: jhaggerty@timesshamrock.com

2nd request necessary for morgue

DUNMORE - A borough businessman received his requested zoning variance for a 6,000-square-foot medical office along Madison Avenue - but he'll have to reappear before the board if he wants to make it a morgue.

The borough Zoning Hearing Board on Thursday approved the variance for Paul Woelkers, but only for a medical or dental clinic or laboratory to be constructed on the vacant lot he owns at 1302 Madison Ave.

Prior to the vote, there was much discussion - sometimes heated - about the validity of the variance for a medical clinic in a residential zone, and whether a morgue can be classified as a medical office.

Mr. Woelkers testified that he has been approached about opening a morgue in the building once it is constructed, but stressed that he has no contract pending for such an arrangement and has also received calls from people in other areas of the medical field. He questioned, however, how a mortuary differs from a medical facility.

"It's the same as a funeral home," Mr. Woelkers said. "What's the difference?"

The difference is found in the borough's zoning code, which lists a medical office and a mortuary in different zones.

Former borough Councilwoman Melanie Naro spoke at the hearing on behalf of her brother, who owns property near Mr. Woelkers. She praised Mr. Woelkers as a good neighbor who keeps up his property, but said a mortuary should be mentioned specifically when the borough advertises for the public hearing, so surrounding residents do not feel blind-sided.

Tom Notchick, who owns property on Jefferson Avenue, said that he views a morgue as a medical facility and has no qualms about the project.

If the building were to be a morgue, "I don't think we're going to have dead bodies on the porch," he said.

Mr. Woelkers must now appear before the borough planning commission to advance his project.

Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com