News: Page 297
Tax auctioning of Duryea site postponed due to environmental issues
October 30, 2018
A former former industrial print shop in Duryea that has been tax-delinquent for more than a decade was removed from a recent Luzerne County tax sale at the state’s request, officials said. The state Department of Environmental Protection sought the delay because it is close to wrapping up contamination remediation at the site and would […]
Final round of Luzerne County infrastructure grant awards announced
October 30, 2018
Four municipalities will receive a combined $3.29 million for infrastructure projects — West Pittston, Edwardsville, Wyoming and Plains Township, Luzerne County Manager C. David Pedri announced Tuesday. It’s the final round of awards from $15 million in county community development business loan funds that are no longer in high demand and cannot be used for […]
Luzerne County Controller seeking $5,000 for outside legal counsel in 2019 budget
October 28, 2018
Luzerne County Council’s proposed 2019 budget review will continue Tuesday with presentations from Controller Michelle Bednar and Correctional Services Division Head Mark Rockovich. The work session is at 5 p.m. in the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre. The controller’s proposed budget would increase from $271,682 to $276,180, or $4,500. Bednar requested something new […]
Tab for assessment appeal refunds frustrates Luzerne County officials
October 28, 2018
A $500,000 allocation to cover assessment appeal refunds in Luzerne County’s proposed 2019 budget is frustrating county officials. “When is this long nightmare going to be over?” Councilman Harry Haas said during last week’s budget/finance division presentation, in reference to big-ticket commercial refunds. County Manager C. David Pedri told Haas he shares the sentiment. The […]
Chewy.com hiring another 200 at Hanover Township site
October 26, 2018
HANOVER TWP. — Online pet-supply retailer Chewy.com is hiring 200 more employees, which will bring its local staff count to 1,600, the company has announced. The new positions are not seasonal, said Gregg Walsh, the company’s vice president of human resource operations. “A lot of companies this time of year are hiring temporary workers. These […]
Bidders purchase 101 properties at Luzerne County back-tax auction
October 25, 2018
Bidders snatched up 101 properties in Thursday’s Luzerne County free-and-clear tax auction, including a former Wilkes-Barre manufacturing building with a real estate tax delinquency dating back more than a decade. Bids for the 56,000-square-foot building on Oregon Street started at $8,158, and competition drove up the purchase to $43,000. Brooklyn resident Joeli Weiss prevailed and […]
County budget plan includes $675K for litigation settlement and outside legal costs
October 24, 2018
Luzerne County’s law division is still seeking $675,000 for special legal services in 2019. This earmark covers litigation settlements and outside legal counsel fees that fall within the county’s insurance deductibles. The request is a 10 percent reduction from this year’s $750,000 special legal allocation. Citing pending litigation confidentiality, county Chief Solicitor Romilda Crocamo met […]
Absentee-ballot increase may mean higher voter turnout in Luzerne County
October 23, 2018
If absentee voting is an indication, Luzerne County turnout will be higher than expected Nov. 6, county Election Director Marisa Crispell said Tuesday. Her office has issued 4,155 absentee ballots to date, compared to a final 2,430 in the last mid-term general election in 2014. The number of absentee requests will grow because voters have […]
Urban accuses Pedri of politicking, seeks probe of county manager
October 23, 2018
Luzerne County Councilman Stephen A. Urban approached the podium during public comment Tuesday to seek an investigation of county Manager C. David Pedri over statements attributed to the manager in a new book. Author Ben Bradlee Jr.’s book, “The Forgotten: How the People of One Pennsylvania County Elected Donald Trump and Changed America,” says Pedri, […]
Landmark Hazleton property in Thursday’s Luzerne County back-tax auction
October 22, 2018
Two years after an announcement of grand plans for the historic former Altamont Hotel in downtown Hazleton, the property is headed for a Luzerne County back-tax auction. Assessed at $2.5 million, the property is listed in Thursday’s free-and-clear sale, with bids starting at $13,092. The owner, Conshohocken-based Hazleton Partners LP, owes $271,585 in real estate […]