Scranton Times-Tribune

18 hours ago | thetimes-tribune.com | Jim Lockwood

Scranton has revamped its pave-cut rules for better oversight of restoration of utility excavations in roads, the mayor announced Tuesday. Earlier this year, Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti proposed improvements to Scranton City Council in the city’s street excavation and openings code, also known as the pave-cut ordinance. Amendments approved by council in April give the city new tools and regulations to improve the condition of roads, the announcement said.

1 day ago | thetimes-tribune.com | Mike Stobbe |Geoff Mulvihill

By MIKE STOBBE and GEOFF MULVIHILL, Associated PressThere were 30,000 fewer U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2024 than the year before — the largest one-year decline ever recorded. An estimated 80,000 people died from overdoses last year, according to provisional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Wednesday. That’s down 27% from the 110,000 in 2023. The CDC has been collecting comparable data for 45 years.

1 day ago | thetimes-tribune.com | Chris Kelly

It took 33 hours to choose a new pope. Three months after departed Lackawanna County Commissioner Matt McGloin abdicated his throne, we’re still waiting for white smoke over Courthouse Square. When voters go to the polls in Tuesday’s primary election, they will set the stage for several important mayoral, municipal and school board races to be decided in November. The highest official vacancy in Our Stiff Neck of the Woods won’t be on the ballot.

2 days ago | thetimes-tribune.com | James Halpin

An Edwardsville man accused of hurling a baked potato at the head of an 11-year-old boy pleaded guilty Monday to simple assault and was immediately sentenced to a year of probation. Lawrence Nathaniel Bowman, 50, was accused of assaulting the child during a domestic dispute reported on Scott Street in Wilkes-Barre early the morning of Oct. 4. Prosecutors alleged Bowman began arguing with and beating the boy because of perceived disrespect.

2 days ago | thetimes-tribune.com | Jim Lockwood

Pennsylvania American Water’s eight tank projects statewide for 2025 include repainting two in Northeast Pennsylvania, the company announced Monday. The NEPA tank locations, gallon capacity and cost to rehabilitate include:Clarks Green, Lackawanna County: Off Glenburn Road and Highland Avenue, a 300,000-gallon tank; $288,000. This location has two tanks; the white one closer to Highland Avenue is the one that will be repainted, according to PAW spokeswoman Susan Turcmanovich.