Month: May 2023

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Nanticoke

Man pleads guilty to killing woman in South Wilkes-Barre

May 22—WILKES-BARRE — One of two men charged by Wilkes-Barre police with conspiring to kill a woman inside her Willow Street residence more than 20 months ago reached a plea deal with Luzerne County prosecutors Monday.

Charles Reilly Bierly, 24, pled guilty to third-degree murder, criminal conspiracy to commit homicide and illegal possession of a firearm for the slaying of Judith Comisky, 52, on Sept. 16, 2021.

President Judge Michael T. Vough accepted the plea agreement between assistant district attorneys Drew McLaughlin and Julian Truskowski and Bierly’s attorney, John Pike.

City police detectives in court records say Bierly was pressured by co-defendant James Raymond Alberto, 34, to kill Comisky as Alberto wrongly believed she was an informant reporting to authorities about his street business.

Bierly claimed Alberto threatened to harm his girlfriend and himself if he did not kill Comisky, court records say.

Alberto previously lived inside Comisky’s home at 123 Willow St. and advised another roommate to leave the house on a certain date.

Comisky’s body was found in the kitchen. An autopsy revealed she died of multiple sharp force injuries.

After Comisky was killed, Bierly was arrested outside a motel in Wilkes-Barre Township. During an interrogation with city police detectives, he admitted he discarded weapons used in the murder in the Susquehanna River near the Nanticoke-West Nanticoke Bridge. A dive team recovered the weapons.

As Bierly’s case proceeded through court, Pike successfully had certain statements Bierly made to detectives suppressed as he wanted to cease talking because he was tired.

Bierly is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 17.

Alberto’s trial on charges of criminal homicide, criminal solicitation to commit homicide, criminal conspiracy to commit homicide, burglary, criminal conspiracy to commit burglary and illegal possession of a firearm is scheduled for the week of May 30 before Vough.

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Mohican

Into NJ – The Trek

The guy you’ve seen in several of my photos in the orange shirt is my friend BeeZ (yes, BeeZ). We both started hiking our flip flops on the same day at the south end of Shenandoah National Park. BeeZ is from Atlanta and a mathematician by trade. So, while his jokes may be lacking, he’s an experienced hiker who’s been keeping an eye on me. He handles all the logistics on a daily basis so I don’t have to.  We don’t typically hike shoulder to shoulder since I can’t keep his pace, but we normally end up in the same place at day’s end.

Day 33 – Delaware Water Gap to Mohican Outdoor Center (9)

Day 34 – Mohican Outdoor Center to Gren Anderson Shelter (21)

Day 35 – Gren Anderson Shelter to Route 443, Mosey’s Place (11)

Day 36 – Rest at Mosey’s (0)

I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but it’s nice to be out of Pennsylvania. As they say on the NJ lottery commercials – “Anything can happen … in New Jersey.”

The trail has been a bit easier for us, and we came to an impressive beaver pond. These pictures will speak to a beaver’s determination. These are really big trees. Note the white AT blaze on the tree in the first photo.

I’m almost surprised they weren’t able to drag that first tree away.

On day 34, I spent my first night in a shelter rather than a tent and had a few harrowing minutes.  During the night, I slipped out of my sleeping bag to, you know, answer nature’s call. When I reached for my shoes at…

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Mohegan

Light & Wonder selected to supply systems portfolio to Korea’s Mohegan INSPIRE

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Global gaming supplier Light & Wonder has announced a systems agreement with Mohegan INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in Incheon, South Korea under which it will provide its portfolio of systems solutions to the property.

The agreement also includes the installation of a full complement of Light & Wonder’s slots and electronic table games, the company confirmed overnight.

“A partnership with Mohegan INSPIRE offers a tremendous opportunity for Light & Wonder in the Asian market,” said Siobhan Lane, Light & Wonder’s CEO of Gaming. “INSPIRE will be an incredible all-new, state-of-the-art destination and we look forward to its historic debut.

“We couldn’t be more proud to expand our existing relationship with Mohegan and continue to provide our robust portfolio to enable the highest level of efficiency for the resort, while also allowing guests to enjoy an unmatched player experience throughout the property.”

Mohegan COO Jody Madigan added, “Light & Wonder offers one of the most technologically advanced systems in the industry. Integrating Light & Wonder’s advanced solutions into the new property will be integral to the success of our operations and will allow us to obtain real-time insights to drive business­. Implementing these technologies will help us deliver significant value to our players.”

The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority confirmed last week that it was on track to open the non-gaming elements of Mohegan INSPIRE in late 2023, with casino operations expected to launch in early 2024.

The US$1.6 billion development will comprise a foreigner-only casino, three hotel towers with a combined 1,200 rooms, a 15,000-seat arena and convention space plus dining, retail, a year-round indoor water dome experience and an outdoor family park.

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Lenni Lenape

Look At All Of The Fishing In Atlantic City, New Jersey In 1957

First, thank you to the Facebook Page, “I Grew Up Or Lived In Atlantic City, NJ.”

I love this social media page and they are “The Keeper” of so much amazing Atlantic City history.

The photos and encyclopedia of information are wonderful on this site.

The administrators of this Atlantic City Facebook Page do an incredible job.

Early this morning, I saw this photo. Look how many fishing opportunities were available in Atlantic City in 1957.

I Grew Up Or Lived In Atlantic City, NJ via Facebook.

I Grew Up Or Lived In Atlantic City, NJ via Facebook.

While the above ad is about 1957, I also want to take this opportunity to share some amazing history about both Absecon Island and Atlantic City.

The history of Atlantic City as a fishing town runs deep.

The first to live on Absecon Island was The Lenni-Lenape Indians. They spent summers here (migrating from The Mainland) at what is Florida Avenue, today.

There was an abundance of food available in the ocean and bay.

Thomas Budd is officially listed as the first official owner of Absecon Island in the late 1670s.

In those days, Mainland properties were valued at 40 cents per acre, and the beach land sold for 4 cents per acre.

Can you believe that? An acre today is worth millions of dollars.

The Lenni-Lenape Indians and other early Mainland settlers would visit Absecon Island for the next 100 years to hunt and fish.

Among those early rugged individuals was Jeremiah Leeds.

Leeds was the first white man to build a permanent structure on Absecon Island, doing so in 1785 at what is now Arctic and Arkansas Avenues.

Jeremiah Leeds and his family are the first residents of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

SOURCE: ACNJ.gov

The Atlantic City Area Great Hurricane Of 1944 (AMAZING PHOTOS)

What Are These Atlantic & Cape May, NJ Communities Best Known For?

 

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Mohegan

Buter/Butenschoen sophomore trotter rules at Pocono – U.S. Trotting News

Buter/Butenschoen sophomore trotter rules at Pocono

May 15, 2023, by Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania

Wilkes-Barre, PA – On Monday (May 15) afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, the theme of the day was “Driver Tyler Buter and Trainer John Butenschoen Click With Another Three-Year-Old Trotter,” as the trotmeisters sent out four winning diamondgaited sophomores, including both winners in the $15,000 featured races.

The faster of the featured performers was the Tactical Landing colt Purple Lord, who bounced back from a break in his seasonal debut at Philly, circling up off cover and catching pacesetting favorite Bella Macchiato by a neck in 1:54.3. Purple Lord, second to Volume Eight in the Kindergarten Final last year, is owned by Harmony Oaks Racing Stable Inc., Berg Brothers Stable, and Rich Preziotti.

Purple Lord was part of a big day for driver Tyler Buter and trainer John Butenschoen on Monday at Pocono. Curtis Salonick photo.

The Helpisontheway gelding Help Page also righted the ship after a Philly break in his 2023 bow, trotting steadily up to the lead in front of the stands and maintaining a length lead over pocketsitter Quite Fast for a 1:56.4 triumph. Harmony Oaks and Preziotti combine in the ownership of Help Page with James Crawford IV.

Buter/Butenschoen also clicked with the Crazy Wow gelding Some Kinda Crazy in 1:55.2 for Crawford, Preziotti, Andray Farms, and VIP Internet Stable LLC, while the Father Patrick filly Baby Take A Vow broke her maiden in 1:58.2 for Butenschoen, David J. Miller (an actual USTA legal entity); Heritage Standardbreds; Lawrence Means; and VIP. Buter would add a fifth sulky success with the pacer Mikiteen, breaking his maiden in 1:52.3.

A $475,000 yearling Unicorn Blue Chip,…

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Unami

Briefing Security Council, Special Representative Urges Iraq’s Parties Prioritize National Interest over Partisan Concerns

Many Speakers Call on Baghdad to Carry Out Reforms, Tackle Corruption, Impunity

Despite a “very rough road”, Iraq’s Government continues to show resolve in tackling numerous pressing issues it is confronted with, including corruption, poor governance and an overreliance on oil, the senior United Nations official in the country told the Security Council today, underscoring the need for parties to prioritize the national interest over partisan concerns and to help sustain an active, empowered civic space.

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), presented the Secretary-General’s latest report (document S/2023/340) on key political developments in the country since February, ahead of the Mission’s imminent mandate renewal.  Underscoring the need for ambitious Government plans to be fully implemented to address persisting drivers of instability, she stressed that, given that there is no tolerance for a return to the status quo that existed before the political crisis sparked by widespread protests in October 2022:  “The harsh reality is that there is no time to lose.”

While the ambitious Government programme has been signed off on by all coalition parties comprising the State Administration Alliance, constant compromise is needed to balance differing interests, she said, adding:  “The fact is that Iraq has a full ‘to-do’ list.  And narrow or partisan actions will not help in checking it off.”  To this end, she called for the swift passage of the federal budget by Iraq’s Council of Representatives, without which goals such as public service delivery cannot turn into realities.

In an address that covered a range of topics, including the Kurdistan region, which was recently driven to the brink due to disagreements between the two ruling parties, and the need for progress on the implementation of the Sinjar Agreement, as well as the need to address the climate emergency, represented by…

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Nanticoke

Hamilton employer, Stelco face probe after worker dies following incident at Nanticoke plant

A worker who suffered serious burns on the job at Stelco’s site in Nanticoke, Ont., has died, the second workplace tragedy in recent years involving the Hamilton steelmaker after Kirk Moore’s 2022 death.

The victim worked for Hamilton-based John Kenyon Limited, which provides metal wall cladding and metal roofing services.

The victim’s union identified him on its website as Gabriel Cabral, a 32-year-old sheet metal worker.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help Cabral and his family with expenses, surpassing the $30,000 goal by raising nearly $50,000 as of Friday afternoon (May 19).

According to the GoFundMe page, Cabral was involved in the workplace incident through “no fault of his own” on the morning of April 25. He and his coworker were injured and airlifted to the Sunnybrook Hospital burn ward with “severe life-threatening and life-altering burns.”

It’s not clear if the worker, described as “an avid fisherman” with a passion for the outdoors, lived in Hamilton. The funeral is set for May. 24 in Hamilton, according to the obituary posted on legacy.com and published by a local media company on Friday, May 19.

“Gabriel passed-away after a long hard fight. He was surrounded by his loving family,” according to the obituary.

Ministry issues orders to Hamilton employer, Stelco

The Ministry of Labour was notified of the incident involving John Kenyon Limited workers at Stelco’s Lake Erie Works facility in Nanticoke, Ont., on April 25, according to Anuradha Dhar, the government’s spokesperson.

“It was reported that two workers received burns while working with materials,” Dhar said.

The ministry was notified on May 16 that one of the injured workers had died.

“Our thoughts are with…

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Mohegan

Cherokee Nation Cuts Ribbon on New Community Building

Kansas Community CenterL-R: Cherokee Nation Community & Cultural Outreach Director Kevin Stretch; Kansas Cherokee Community Organization Board Member Shelby Mefford; Kansas Cherokee Community Organization Board Member Brittany Stovall; Cherokee Nation Veterans Center Director Barbara Foreman; Deputy Chief Bryan Warner; Kansas Cherokee Community Organization Board Member Michele Summerfield; Kansas Cherokee Community Organization Board Member Jennifer Barnett; Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.; Kansas Cherokee Community Organization President Brittney Mason; Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh; and Cherokee Nation Senior Advisor for Community Engagement Canaan Duncan.

KANSAS, OK – Leaders from the Cherokee Nation and Kansas Cherokee Community Organization (KCCO) gathered recently to cut the ribbon on a new community building in Kansas, OK.

The building was constructed through the Cherokee Nation Respond, Recover and Rebuild COVID-19 plan with an investment of approximately $2 million that covered the building, parking lot and a nearby helipad to assist community first responders.

“For many Cherokees, their greatest source of connection to our tribe is through local Cherokee community organizations and this building is going to be so vital to the Kansas community,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “The Cherokee Nation is dedicated to supporting grassroots and the hard work of community groups like the Kansas Cherokee Community Organization. This building and the hard work of the organization and community members will help serve this area for many years to come.”

The new building is approximately 4,000 sq. ft. The project also included substantial infrastructure improvements to the property, which will support future building expansion and overall growth of the site. The new community building, located at 1328 E. Tulsa Ave., is adjacent to property owned by the Town of Kansas, which will be developed into a new local police headquarters.

“There is a long-standing desire…

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Delaware Tribe

Scurci’s grandy leads Indians to win over Central for HAC crown

Sophomore leadoff batter Sophie Scurci has been playing softball against some of the best competition in the country for the past couple years as a member of the Delaware Tribe travel softball team. She is no stranger to being in the spotlight for big spots in a game.

However, last Friday, May 12, there may not have been a bigger spot for her in the top of the 7th inning of the Henlopen Athletic Conference (HAC) championship game against district rival Sussex Central.

Scurci stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded, and her IR team just taking a 1-0 lead earlier in the inning. She jumped on the first pitch she saw, fouling it off before taking a ball. She swung through the next pitch to fall into a 1-2 hole. With her back against the wall, Scurci locked in on the next pitch from Central’s Madge Layfield, and drilled the ball high and far over the left-centerfield fence for a grand slam, sending her teammates, coaches and all the IR fans in attendance into a frenzy.

The Indians had a 5-0 lead, which proved to be more than enough for senior fireballer Kinsley Hall, as they would win the game and the HAC championship, 5-2. It was the first conference title for IR in softball since 2006, and may have been the first time they’ve beaten Central since that same year.

“That was so awesome,” said IR head coach Sara Powell, who was on that 2006 IR team as a player, of Scurci’s performance. “Honestly, she works so hard at practice every day, and you can just see it in her face. She is always so focused. She’s one of those kids that makes adjustments every at-bat, and that makes a huge difference. You see there, on the…

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Unami

Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Iraq

Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis
Acting Deputy Representative to the United Nations
New York, New York
May 18, 2023

AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert, for your comprehensive briefing. And thanks to Ms. Latif for your briefing on the situation of women and girls.

The United States welcomed Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani’s participation in the March Summit for Democracy, where he declared that the Government of Iraq strives to meet the demands and aspirations of the Iraqi people, and that combatting corruption was at the top of the government’s list of priorities.

We also took positive note of the Prime Minister’s focus on promoting and safeguarding democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and sustainable development, and were particularly encouraged by his emphasis on empowering women politically and socially. We encourage the Government of Iraq to maintain its commitment to those essential reforms.

Since the formation of the government, we have witnessed great strides in stability and prosperity. But the appetite for change is immense among Iraq’s dynamic youth – men and women who deserve economic opportunity and effective governance as a foundation for achieving their aspirations.

We encourage Iraq to work with UNAMI in securing these reforms. UNAMI is well positioned to provide assistance across the spectrum of social and economic challenges, including on elections, promoting and safeguarding human rights, combatting climate change, and governance reform. We also encourage Iraq and UNAMI to continue collective efforts to support the members of Iraq’s religious and ethnic minority communities.

We are pleased to see Iraq take steps to implement the Yezidi Survivor’s Law, and we encourage UNAMI and Iraq to support full implementation of the Sinjar Agreement as well as ensure that victims of ISIS’s brutality can access the compensation they deserve without burdensome evidentiary standards. We…

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