News: Page 298
Veteran Luzerne County employees retire
October 21, 2018
Someone else must handle the Luzerne County Courthouse rotunda holiday tree decorating this year because veteran employee Mark Krakowski has retired, according to the manager’s September personnel report. A 44-year building and grounds employee, Krakowski had received a proclamation in May during a ceremony unveiling the interior courthouse restoration, with officials praising his knowledge of […]
More alternative investments added to Luzerne County employee pension fund
October 21, 2018
Under pressure to meet a 7 percent investment return target, Luzerne County’s employee pension fund overseers are shifting more money from bonds and other fixed income to alternative investments. Alternative investments include hedge funds and private equity, real estate and credit. The public has an interest in the pension because annual taxpayer funding is required. […]
Near-misses between trains, cars in WB raise crossing safety questions
October 20, 2018
A railroad crossing sign and the blasting horn of an approaching train weren’t enough to stop a motorist who narrowly escaped getting hit on East Market Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre one recent morning. Video of the incident, attached to this story, shows the chilling close call as a blue Subaru speeds across the tracks only […]
Luzerne County infrastructure awards will go to new fire station, street work
October 18, 2018
Luzerne County Manager C. David Pedri announced the third round of municipal infrastructure project awards Thursday — $595,000 for a fire facility in Lehman Township and $374,734 for Ross Township street improvements. The money will come from $15 million in county community development business loan funds that are no longer in high demand and cannot […]
Payment delayed for downtown Wilkes-Barre train-station property
October 17, 2018
A development group has asked a Luzerne County authority for more time to pay $1.08 million owed on its purchase of a 6.36-acre downtown Wilkes-Barre tract that includes a historic train station. The Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority board has agreed to grant Market Square Properties Development LLC a one-year extension on its letter of credit, […]
Disagreement over job creation hashed out in Luzerne County budget session
October 16, 2018
A disagreement over the creation of a new $30,000 Luzerne County election services associate position this summer came to a head during county council’s first 2019 budget work session Tuesday. Councilman Harry Haas brought up the position and questioned the job duties during county Election Director Marisa Crispell’s budget presentation, saying council debated the request […]
Energy-savings firm completes $3.95M in Luzerne County government projects
October 15, 2018
Pennsylvania-based McClure Company has substantially completed $3.95 million in Luzerne County government projects expected to save $5.32 million in electric, gas and other utility expenses over 20 years, according to its recent county council presentation. The work included switching to more cost-efficient LED lighting, building sealing, mechanical system insulation, plumbing upgrades and boiler improvements. Some […]
Urban urges increase in Luzerne County non-union health care contribution
October 14, 2018
With a proposed 3 percent tax hike on the table for 2019, Luzerne County Councilman Stephen A. Urban has urged county Manager C. David Pedri to increase health insurance contributions paid by non-union workers. Pedri had included a $280,000 rise in health care costs as one of the reasons he is requesting higher real estate […]
Luzerne County staff size changes highlighted
October 14, 2018
Luzerne County government staffing levels were debated during last week’s 2019 budget presentation. County Manager C. David Pedri said his proposed budget covers 1,560 positions, including part-time ones. Councilman Harry Haas pointed out staffing was cut from 1,620 to around 1,430 due to “painful” layoffs in the first two years of the home rule government, […]
Luzerne County prison system remains top budget expense
October 13, 2018
As usual, Luzerne County’s prison system is the largest single department expense in the newly proposed 2019 budget. The administration is seeking $28.5 million to run the Water Street correctional facility and minimal offenders building on Reichard Street, both in Wilkes-Barre, which amounts to 20 percent of the proposed $140.9 million general fund operating budget. […]