Latest news with #CourtofCommonPleas
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Court gives ruling on vacant Commissioner's seat
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A decision on how to proceed with filling the Lackawanna County Commissioner Vacancy was announced in a ruling. In that ruling, the judges voted 2-1 in favor of siding with the Lackawanna County Democratic Committee that the vacancy of the County Commissioner seat should be filled in line with the Home Rule Charter instead of Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 1908, proposed by Commissioner Gaughan. The Home Rule Charter states that Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County shall choose from the three names submitted by the Lackawanna County Democratic Committee (LCDC). The Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 1908 states that when a court is filling vacancies to an elected official under a statutory duty, The Court shall receive applications from any interested candidates prior to the deadline established. The LCDC will now proceed with taking applications and choosing the best three and passing them onto the Court of common Pleas to make a final decision on the candidates. Commissioner Gaughan provided a brief statement saying: ''We have just received the opinions. We're reviewing them and will decide soon how to proceed.' The Court also ruled unanimously to take Lackawanna County off Commissioner Gaughan's lawsuit, meaning the county would not have to pay for it with taxpayer's money. Commissioner Chermak released a statement stating: 'I am pleased with the unanimous decision by the Lackawanna County judges to remove Lackawanna County and the County Solicitor from Commissioner Gaughan's lawsuit. I fought to have the county removed from this suit because the taxpayers of Lackawanna County should not be responsible for paying for a fight between Bill Gaughan and the Democrat Party of Lackawanna County. First and foremost, I will always fight for the taxpayers of Lackawanna County. This why I strongly opposed the 33% tax increase and continue to monitor the ongoing reassessment to make sure it is fair, accurate and transparent. This ruling protects taxpayer funds, and I remain dedicated to advocating for fiscal responsibility in our county. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New faces on boards throughout Sunbury and Northumberland County
SUNBURY — Several new faces will take their seats on boards throughout Northumberland County, including, Sunbury Council, the Shikellamy School District and the Court of Common Pleas, according to unofficial results. In the Shikellamy School District, voters rejected reelection bids by Tom Webb and Justin Lenner, both incumbents who got beat by political newcomers Dennis Deitrich and Chris Bucher. Bucher won both the Republican and Democratic nominations. Director Jenna Eister-Whitaker was the incumbent who survived the primary election by winning both the Repubican and Democratic nominations. Another polictial newcomer, Tara Sprenkel also won both nominations, while Deitrich won the Republican nomination. Sprenkel, who was the top vote-getter, said she was thankful to voters. 'There is a lot of work that needs to be done once the new board gets seated,' she said. 'I am happy to see the voters put their faith in me to possibly be on the board in December to make the changes that are needed and move the district forward for betterment of our students.' Sunbury resident Victoria Rosancrans won the Democratic nomination, thus leaving five people for four open seats. With the new names in the field it will guarantee that at least three new faces join the board that consists of current directors, Wendy Wiest, Lori Garman, Slade Shreck, Julie Brosius and Joe Stutzman. In Sunbury, City Treasurer Kevin Troup won a nomination for City Council, after he announced earlier this year he was retiring from his position. Current Councilman Nate Savidge won a Republican nomination and Andres Manresa won the Democratic nomination setting up a three-person race for two seats in the fall. Sumbury attorney Ed Greco won both Republican and Democratic nominations for a seat on the Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas bench, while Shamokin attorney Frank Garrigan, who serves as the Northumberland County solicitor, won the second open seat. Mount Carmel District Judge Bill Cole finished third and was ousted from the race. The fall will also see longtime Northumberland County Coroner Jim Kelley, a Democrat, square off against Republican challenger Scott Lynn Jr. Both were unopposed Tuesday night. Northumberland County Prothonotary Jamie Saleski and Recorder of Deeds Tina Mertz also retained their seats as they were unopposed Tuesday. Milton District Judge Michael Diehl also ran unopposed and will retain his seat as a district judge with no competition in the fall.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Elections office, polls poised for primary
Lawrence County's voter services team is ready for today's historic May primary. It's historic because it's the first time Lawrence County has had three judgeships open at one time in the Court of Common Pleas. Seven candidates are vying today for nominations on the Republican and Democratic ballots. Voters also will nominate candidates for many open borough and township elected positions, county government offices and school board seats, and on the Republican ballots, they will elect people to serve as Republican committee members. County positions in addition to the judge race include district attorney, sheriff and register and recorder. "We're ready for tomorrow," county elections director Tim Germani declared at a meeting of the Lawrence County Board of Elections. The board, comprised of the three commissioners, convened Monday and recessed at the call of the chair. If no issues arise during the election process that require a decision of the board, it will reconvene when the elections are ready to be certified. Germani reported at Monday's session that the county has a total of 57,165 registered voters. Of those, 29,918 are registered Republicans; 19,953 are registered Democrats; 255 are registered as Libertarians and 7,039 comprise other parties. Germani emphasized that "this is a closed election," meaning only Democrats and Republicans can vote on ballots for candidates running under their own parties. The seven judge candidates are cross-filed under both parties, as are some school board candidates. There are no nonpartisan questions on the ballot, he said, so other party voters won't be able to vote until November. Germani also reported on number of mail-in ballot applications he received and how many have been returned as of Monday morning. His office sent out 5,059 mail-in ballots to applicants. Of those, 3,615 or 65 percent had been returned so far. Germani reported a total of 1,713 Republican ballots were sent out and 1,175 returned so far and 3,346 Democratic ballots were sent out and 2,440 were returned. Voters still have until 8 p.m. to return the ballots to the county drop box in the courthouse entrance or at the voter registration office. He also reported 10 ballots were sent back with no signatures, and one had no secrecy envelope. "We will call you if you do not sign or date your ballots," he said. "We'll give you a chance to cure them." "They'll be notified to come in and remedy the problem so these ballots will be able to be counted. They have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to come in." Germani also reminded voters of two polling site changes. Those who usually vote at the North Beaver Township municipal building instead will go this time to the North Beaver fire hall at 969 Mount Jackson Road, because the township building is undergoing renovations. The Gettings Annex, which is the church across the lot from the courthouse, is no longer a polling spot. Those voters now will go to the New Creation Free Methodist Church at 725 Pearson St., formerly known as St. John's Hall. First-time voters in a precinct are reminded they need to present their identification at the polls. County employees Michael Occhibone and Sarah Eppinger will sit as the elections resolution board to resolve any damaged or illegible ballots. Seven high school students from Mohawk Area School District and sons and daughters of courthouse employees will assist the elections staff as the cars deliver supplies and ballots after the polls close. Jacquie Graziani, an elections staff member, explained Mohawk class had a mock election and the elections office invited the students to help. The student workers are paid $10 per hour on election night. Commissioner Chris Sainato, who sits on the election board, encouraged voters to treat poll workers with respect. "They work long hours, and for not a lot of money," he said. "The laws are the laws and they have to follow them. Don't take out your anger on them. We need to keep each and every one of them."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Historic judicial race on the ballot in Huntingdon County
HUNTINGDON, Pa. (WTAJ) — Voters in Huntingdon County will head to the polls to cast their ballot in a historic race during Tuesday's primary election. For the first time ever, voters will decide who sits in the second judge's seat in the Court of Common Pleas in the race between current Huntingdon County Judge Ray Ghaner and Julia Wilt, an Assistant District Attorney in Blair County, both lifelong Huntingdon residents. Ghaner currently holds the seat after Governor Shapiro temporarily appointed him in February. He is the first person to have served in this seat. He said the time he spent practicing in all areas of law makes him a strong candidate. 'I basically have handled every type of law that a small town, rural judge would hear. And I think that's what really sets me apart is my experience,' Ghaner said. 'It's not just one area of the law, but it's in everything. So I've done everything from custody to civil. I've done criminal defense. But probably what I'm most proud of is I spent a lot of my career protecting children and the elderly.' Voters set to select new council for City of DuBois If elected, Ghaner hopes to preside over a veterans specialty court to connect veterans facing criminal charges with the resources they need. He said he's inspired to do this after seeing the way veterans in his own life support one another through hardship. 'They have a veterans food bank. It's called 'Military Share' and it happens once a month down at the football field. It's just a wonderful experience. You get all of these veterans there and the brotherhood and the camaraderie that they have. And of course, they're needing each other,' Ghaner said. When he's off the bench and not on the campaign trail, Ghaner enjoys spending time with his wife and kids and helping coach the Huntingdon High School football team. Wilt, his opponent, said she's running to put the choice of who should be judge in the hands of Huntingdon County, not Harrisburg. Wilt is hopeful to be the first woman to ever serve as judge in the county's history. She said her experience in the courtroom and the lessons she learned from her father, a former lawyer and magisterial district judge have prepared her to rule from the bench. 'I remember being very little and asking him one time what he was doing and he said he was preparing for his meeting with the inmates. And I thought that's very scary, are you not scared? And he said no, I always treat people with respect and that was a very important lesson for me to learn as a young child that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, deserves to be treated with respect,' Wilt said. Wilt said, if elected, she'd want to focus on using specialty courts to support families navigating the legal process and to make sure teens in the juvenile system receive the support they need. 'There are a lot of children living under the poverty line so they may not have the resources family–wise. As far as you know, mom and dad may not be able to provide support. They may be requiring some sources outside such as juvenile probation or mental health counseling or anything like that. That's a huge issue I think in Huntingdon County,' Wilt said. Outside of the courtroom, Wilt can be found on the road, helping transport rescued pugs to shelters or to their new homes. Both Wilt and Ghaner said they'll be strict on drug traffickers coming to Huntingdon for the sole purpose of committing crime. The candidates are cross-filed, running on both the Republican and Democratic tickets. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Detective: Homicide suspect Justice Flenory led 'charge' in fatal stabbing
May 2—WILKES-BARRE — An "abundance" of video footage was gathered during the homicide investigation of Scott Edward Knox, who was fatally stabbed in an alley behind the Mofon Lounge at South River and Academy streets in May 2024, Wilkes-Barre police Detective James Conmy testified Friday. Conmy provided commentary as First Assistant District Attorney Anthony Ross played footage of the stabbing during the preliminary hearing for Justice Supreme Flenory, 24, before District Judge Rick Cronauer held at the Luzerne County Courthouse on Friday. After nearly one hour of testimony by Conmy and video footage played, Cronauer determined Ross established a case against Flenory, sending charges of criminal homicide, robbery and criminal conspiracy to commit robbery to the Court of Common Pleas. Flenory is the fourth and last person to have a preliminary hearing as co-defendants Fernando Cupeles Bracero, 35, Jaime B. Knights, 64, and Jary Javier Fortuna, 32, are already facing criminal homicide and conspiracy charges in county court for their alleged roles in Knox's death. Janelle Oshman, a field investigator for the Luzerne County Coroner's Office, briefly testified Knox suffered three stab wounds and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. Knox was found on a rear porch of a residence in the 300 block of S. River St. and was transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, where he died shortly after arrival. Video footage showed Flenory driving Knox's truck with Knox in the passenger seat arriving in the alley behind the lounge just before 3:30 a.m. on May 7, 2024. Minutes later, a Mercedes arrives in the parking lot with Bracero, Knights and Fortuna approaching Flenory and Knox. As explained by Conmy while footage was played in court, the detective testified Flenory, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt,, Bracero, Knights and Fortuna attacked and stabbed Knox. Knox managed to break free and was chased by the four men with Flenory being the first to run after Knox. "Who is leading the charge?" Ross asked, with Conmy replying, "Mr. Flenory." Flenory's attorney, Sidney D. May, objected to Conmy's identification of Flenory solely based on video footage as no other witnesses testified Flenory was at the scene. Ross played recorded jailhouse phone calls that allegedly involved Flenory admitting to being in the alley because Knox owed money for a drug sale that took place hours before Knox was fatally stabbed. "What you have here is a lot of hearsay testimony," May argued. "(Conmy) claims Flenory was wearing a red hoody. I don't know how he could identify Mr. Flenory. If it was such a strong case against Mr. Flenory, they would have a witness here to say he was wearing a red hoody." Ross said it was Flenory who drove Knox to the alley in a pre-planned "ambush" involving Bracero, Knights and Fortuna. "Scott was stabbed not once, not twice but three times and that shows a specific intent to kill by the defendant as a principle (participant) and as an accomplice," Ross argued.
