Category: Luzerne County

Wyoming Ponders Aircraft Carrier

Wyoming Ponders Aircraft Carrier — With the Wyoming oil boom in full swing, the state is pondering what steps to take should there be a complete  breakdown of the rest of these United States.

The state legislature passed Friday, Feb. 24, a first reading of House Bill 85 that would create a government continuity task force to investigate as to how the state should prepare for potential catastrophes.

Among the things to be considered are an alternative currency, a military draft and the raising of a standing army, and the acquisition of strike aircraft and an aircraft carrier.

Don’t ask. I don’t know. I’m just reporting what was reported.

How many readers out there know that Wyoming is named for a part of Pennsylvania?

Gertrude of Wyoming by Scotsman Thomas Campbell, the hit poem of 1809, is set there.

It would actually be kind of scary if Luzerne County got an aircraft carrier.

Wyoming Ponders Aircraft Carrier
Wyoming Ponders Aircraft Carrier

Selling False IDs To Illegals

Luzerne County correspondent Dot Hayer reports that an arrest has been made in Hazleton regarding the sale of false identification to illegal residents.

Orlando Guzman Garcia was nabbed the morning of Jan. 11 at a home at 185 S. Wyoming St. He is charged with conspiracy to commit identity fraud.

He is accused of trafficking identity kits that included Social Security cards, birth certificates and other documents of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens to illegal immigrants.  He charged between $700 and $2,500 per kit.

Garcia allegedly got the documents from Caguas, Puerto Rico and paid for them with wire transfers.

Garcia faces 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Garcia was among of at least 50 arrested in the case.

 

Selling False IDs To Illegals

A Report From Wilkes Barre

Unheralded Tropical Storm Lee has brought the worst flooding to Northeast Pennsylvania since Hurricane Agnes of 1972. There have been four reported deaths as of this morning, Sept. 9.

Father James Hayer of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Wilkes Barre reported this at 6:09 a.m.

The Susquehanna River has flooded, cresting at almost 39 feet a few hours ago. It was expected to crest at 40.7 feet, which was a deep concern because the levee system maximum height is 41 feet.

We are only 2 blocks from the river, but everything here by the church (695 N. Main St.) is ok so far because we are on high ground. So far, 65,000 people have been evacuated from the Wyoming valley.  The river crested this morning at 1AM and has begun to recede, but is still flowing very fast.

If the levee holds within the next 12 hours, the water should slow down and recede even further – so we are thankful, but holding our breath. Unfortunately, many communities not protected by the dike system are now underwater.

Our biggest concern near the church is becoming landlocked and/or losing power. Deacon Ed and I went to bless the river yesterday morning after liturgy and, within 10 minutes, the dry grass was covered. 40 minutes later, that road was closed. The water levels rose very quickly yesterday, exacerbating the problem for many people.

Thanks for your prayers and concern.

Illegals Collect Benefits

Dot Hayer, our correspondent for Northeast Pennsylvania, reports that our Federales, as one suspects they will soon be calling themselves, forced the release of a Mexican man who had been living illegally in this country  for six years while apparently fraudulently collecting benefits.

Oswaldo Tlamis-Perez, 30, was stopped by Beaver Meadows Police Chief  Michael Morresi for speeding and showed him a Mexican registration card as identification along with two public benefit Access cards bearing different names. He also had $3,000 in cash.

The Access card is an electronic benefits transfer card now used in Pennsylvania in lieu of food stamps.

Tlamis-Perez was taken to the State Police barracks in Hazleton and agents of the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)  were contacted. ICE determined Tlamis-Perez had been living in the U.S. illegally for six years then told Beaver Meadows to let him go as he was not “a priority case”.

So Chief Morresi cited him for speeding and driving without a license and dropped him off at the Luzerne County line. Beaver Meadows is in Carbon County.

State Rep. Tara Toohil (R-116) and Congressman Lou Barletta (R-11) are demanding answers from the Obama administration.

And the people of Luzerne County are likely thinking a moat filled with alligators would look pretty good on the border.

Illegals Collect Benefits

Illegals Collect Benefits

Shocker! Poll Shows Top Dem Dog Down In Pa To Newbie

A poll released two days ago shows a 31-year-old Republican challenger to be five points up on one of the most powerful politicians in Pennsylvania.

The poll of 800 voters in Pennsylvania’s 116th legislative district shows challenger Tarah Toohil to be preferred to Democrat incumbent Todd Eachus 49 to 44 percent with 9 percent undecided. It was conducted Oct. 18 and sponsored by the Pennsylvania House Republican Campaign Committee.

Eachus is the majority leader in the State House. He was expected to easily win the race.

A Sept. 15 poll sponsored  by the committee showed Ms. Toohil down by 4 points.

Hat tip to Bob Guzzardi.

And in other poll news, Terry Madonna’s latest Franklin & Marshall Poll shows Republican Pat Toomey up by 7 points over Democrat Joe Sestak in the Pennsylvania senate race.

 

Obamacare Inspires Sale Of Catholic Hospitals

An attempt is being made to sell three financially solvent Catholic hospitals in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the motive is Obamacare, according to their owner.

On the block are Mercy Hospital in Scranton, Mercy Tyler Hospital in Tunkhannock and Mercy Special Care Hospital in Nanticoke, which are owned by Mercy Health Partners of Scranton.

Mercy Health CEO Kevin Cook told WNEP-TV that while the hospitals were “actually . . doing well” they expect that over the next five years “a different level of investment” would be needed that what they could do on their own.

He spelled it out by saying that the  required investment is the result of the federal health care reform bill passed last March. He said there will be the need for more spending and less federal reimbursements.

He said the legislation was “absolutely” a factor in their planning.

Mercy Hospital in Scranton was opened in 1917 by the Sisters of Mercy.

A sale is expected by the end of the year.

Poll Puts Carney Ahead Of Marino

A Lycoming College Poll released yesterday has incumbent Democrat Chris Carney ahead of Republican challenger Tom Marino in Pennsylvania’s 10th District congressional race. Carney was preferred by 43 percent of likely voters to 40 percent for Marino, a former U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The poll has a margin of error of 5.1 percentage points. Sampled were 370 likely voters, 54.7 percent of whom were Republicans, 37.8 Democrats and 7.5 percent third-party/independents.

It was conducted  between Sept. 26and Sept. 30 shortly after the NRA came out for Carney and in the midst of allegations that Marino helped a convicted felon get a casino license.

Marino led 40 percent to 36 percent in a Times-Leader Critical Insight Poll released Sept. 26.

There had been reports that the Democrat Congressional Campaign  Committee had been giving up on Carney.

Hat tip to GrassrootsPa.com.


NRA Picks Dem, GOA Picks Lou

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund has endorsed its third Democrat in Pennsylvania congressional contests. The pick announced Wednesday was embattled incumbent Paul Kanjorski who is considered to be behind GOP challenger Lou Barletta, Hazleton’s popular mayor, in the 11th District race.

“As a member of Congress, Kanjorski has demonstrated his commitment to our Second Amendment rights by voting for legislation to allow permit holders to carry and transport firearms for self-defense in national parks and wildlife refuges, as well as voting for legislation to restore self-defense rights in our nation’s capital.” the NRA-PVF said. “He signed the pro-gun congressional amicus brief to the Supreme Court supporting our individual right to keep and bear arms in the Heller case and signed the pro-gun congressional amicus brief that the Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental right that protects all Americans in the McDonald case.  Kanjorski also cosponsored legislation to force much-needed reform at the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
“In addition, Kanjorski voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which prevents attempts to bankrupt the American gun industry through bogus lawsuits, and signed a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder opposing the reenactment of the failed Clinton gun ban.  He also voted for the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act that prohibits gun confiscation during states of emergency as happened after Hurricane Katrina.”

Barletta, however, also considered to be a strong supporter of the Second Amendment  has the endorsement of the Gun Owner of America Political Victory Fund.

“Lou’s opponent, Paul Kanjorski, likes to play both sides of the fence on
the gun issue,” the GOA endorsement statement said.  “He will cast an occasional pro-gun vote so he can go
back to the district and try to convince voters that he is pro-gun, but
he votes for the Pelosi agenda most of the time.”

The NRA has also endorsed Democrat incumbents Chris Carney in the 10th District and Jason Altmire in the 4th District. The GOA has not yet announced endorsements in those races.

 

A Pet’s 10 Commandments


This is courtesy of Father James Hayer, pastor of Saint Mary Church in Wilkes Barre. He said he was greatly assisted by his 3-year-old German shepherd, Euro.

I. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

II. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

III. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

IV. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

V. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

VI. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

VII. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

VIII. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

IX. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

X. On the ultimate difficult journey go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Take a moment to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.

Barletta Up Double Digits Says Times Leader Poll

A poll of likely voters commissioned by the Wilkes Barre-based Times Leader showed  Republican Lou Barletta, Hazleton’s mayor, preferred 43-32 percent over long-time Democrat incumbent Paul Kanjorski in the Pennsylvania 11th District congressional race.

A Times Leader poll for the 10th District race showed Republican challenger Tom Marino favored 40-36 percent over Democrat incumbent Chris Carney.

The surveys were conducted by Critical Insights of Portland, Maine, and have a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent.

Of the people polled, 55 percent were women, who are far more likely to vote Democrat than men.