Joe Sylvester

2 weeks ago | newsitem.com | Joe Sylvester

The fire that damaged a former Shamokin church on Monday night was “lit intentionally,” while a house fire that broke out 14 minutes later in Kulpmont was ruled accidental, according to Shamokin’s fire investigator, Police Chief Raymond Siko II. “The church, at this time, the investigation is continuing,” Siko said. “It appears the fire was lit intentionally.”kAmw6 D2:5 :E 2AA62C65 E96 7:C6 DE2CE65 @? 2? 6=6G2E65 A=2E7@C> ?62C E96 62DE6C? H2== @7 E96 49FC49]k^AmkAm%96 7@C>6C {:?4@=?

2 weeks ago | newsitem.com | Joe Sylvester

KULPMONT — Borough Solicitor Edward Greco said he will provide borough officials with information on a Luzerne County municipality’s ordinance that could help fight blight. Greco explained during borough council’s monthly meeting Wednesday night that the Kingston ordinance requires inspections of homes that are up for sale. The only exceptions are family transactions and tax sales. kAm“xE’D 2 H2J E@ 86E 2 92?5=6 @? H9@’D 4@>:?8 :?

2 weeks ago | newsitem.com | Joe Sylvester

SHAMOKIN — Mayor Mike McLaughlin said he has no agenda to fire or get rid of any city employees, as long they they do their job. McLaughlin made the comments during City Council's monthly meeting on Monday night, saying he wanted to clear up some rumors. kAmw6 2=D@ 925 D@>6 H@C5D 7@C E9@D6 H9@ >:89E 8@ E@ 9:> E@ ECJ E@ 86E @FE @7 2 E:4<6E @C 2 4:E2E:@?]k^AmkAmQs@ ?@E 4@>A=2:?

2 weeks ago | newsitem.com | Joe Sylvester

SHAMOKIN — City council voted 3-1 on Monday evening to appoint Angie Arnold to fill the council seat vacated when Councilman Mike McLaughlin was appointed mayor last month. Arnold, 55, chair of the Shamokin Housing Authority, was one of three candidates who applied to fill the vacancy. The others were Joseph Leschinskie and Michael Deitz, both of whom won Republican nominations in the May 20 primary to run for two council openings in November. Arnold’s appointment is just until the end of the year.

2 weeks ago | newsitem.com | Joe Sylvester

SHAMOKIN — Claude Harrington put the finishing touches on her painting of a vase of sunflowers. Painting the bright flowers on the canvas took under an hour and a half as a couple of spectators watched. She signed the painting "Claude 2791," indicating the number of paintings she has completed in the past 30 years. kAm%96 =@42= 2CE:DE 5:5 E96 A2:?E:?8 F?56C 2 42?@AJ D6E FA :? x==F>:?2E:@? $E2E:@? :? 5@H?E@H? $92>@<:? 2D A2CE @7 pCE:D2? p==6J u:?6 pCE v2==6CJVD pCE :? E96 !2C< @? $2EFC52J]k^AmkAmw2CC:?8E@?