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Bandits’ 2nd-half defense leads to season-opening win over Swarm

The Buffalo Bandits were interlocked with their arms draped over their teammates’ shoulders as they christened a third consecutive championship banner to the KeyBank Center rafters.  

Defensively in the second half, the Bandits played like a group ready to chase another trophy. 

Dhane Smith scored a team-high four goals with a game-high eight points, Josh Byrne tallied six points and the Bandits allowed just three goals in the second half en route to a season opening 15-11 win over the Georgia Swarm on Saturday at KeyBank Center.  

Buffalo’s second-half shutdown marked a shift in the game after they’d allowed eight goals in the opening half and trailed 9-8 early in the third period.  

The Bandits allowed just two goals over the final 29:15 and prevented Georgia from scoring for over 14 minutes from the 14:15 mark of the third quarter to the 14:22 mark of the fourth quarter. 

“Defensively, we’re a lot more stingy down there,” head coach John Tavares said. “Didn’t give them as many step-down shots that they had in the first half. [Shayne] Jackson was shooting the ball very well, and he did get one in the second half, but I thought we came out with a little pressure. We made a few adjustments and they seemed to work today.” 

A key piece to the Bandits’ second-half success was also predicated on playing better defensively in transition. Tavares said Buffalo allowed four transition goals in the first half and it became a focus for the final two quarters, which included eight created turnovers and 42 loose ball recoveries.  

The Bandits finished the game with 12 blocked shots, 13 created turnovers and 80 loose ball recoveries. Buffalo held Georgia to 1-for-5 on power-play opportunities including two killed penalties in the fourth quarter.  

Bandits goaltender Matt Vinc shined in the second half with 11 of his 32 saves coming in the fourth quarter. His performance proved pivotal as the Bandits dressed eight defensive players instead of their traditional nine. 

Smith – who along with captain Steve Priolo was joined…

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Luzerne County updates closed Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge project

The closed Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge project is moving out of a technical scoping phase and advancing toward the start of preliminary engineering work, according to the latest Luzerne County update on the project.

The county owns the closed Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge over the Susquehanna River and closed the bridge in March. In August, PennDOT approved Modjeski and Masters Inc., the county council’s selection, as the design firm responsible for determining how to repair, reconstruct or replace the bridge.

The county went through PennDOT’s process to select a design firm, which allows the county to receive $10 million in federal project funding through the state Transportation Improvement Program.

Modjeski and Masters re-submitted a scope and fee plan after receiving comments from PennDOT, Luzerne County and the Federal Highway Administration, the county said in the latest project update on Wednesday. Representatives from the county, PennDOT and the FHA will review the revised information and provide final comments, and that process could take a few weeks.

“If there are no additional comments, the next step in this lengthy process will be to fully execute the agreement between Luzerne County and Modjeski and Masters,” the county said in a news release. “Once the agreement is signed, the first task is for preliminary engineering work to begin. Regular meetings are held between all parties to ensure that this project moves forward in a timely manner.”

On March 20, County Manager Romilda Crocamo closed the bridge after engineers conducting a scheduled routine bridge inspection determined that advanced deterioration and section loss of primary, load-carrying components were critical deficiencies.

The bridge, built in 1914, links Nanticoke City to the West Nanticoke section of Plymouth Twp. The distance between the West Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge and the next-closest bridge over the river, the Route 29 bridge connecting Hanover Twp….

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Community Spotlight: Nanticoke area – Nov. 27, 2025

Transfiguration of Our Lord Christmas fundraiser: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6. Church hall of Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church, 240 Center St., Nanticoke. Food sale; church-made pierogis with butter and onions, clam chowder, haluski, whimpies, potato pancakes, etc., to eat in or take out. Also, gently used Christmas trees, lights, ornaments, toys, furniture, garland, blankets, holiday kitchen ware, books, coats, tablecloths, curtains, candles, cards and more for sale. Basket raffle tickets, $5 for 11 chances.

Hunters breakfast at Glen Lyon Legion: RSVP as early as possible; event 3 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. American Legion Post 539 Hall, 62 Newport St., Glen Lyon. Cost is $15 per person; includes scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon and sausage, buttered biscuits, sausage gravy and baked goods, catered by TND Deserts and More. Call 570-592-4251 for reservations.

Newport Twp. Christmas tree lighting: 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. Wanamie Municipal Building. There will be children’s crafts, cookies, hot chocolate and caroling; food trucks available. Santa will arrive on fire truck and he will listen to the children’s Christmas wishes.

West Side Playground bi-monthly bingo: Doors open at 5 p.m.; games begin at 6 p.m. Every first and third Tuesday of the month; next bingo Dec. 2. Association’s hall, 389 W. Grand St., Nanticoke. Two magic numbers. Food, refreshments and door prizes. Non-smoking. Call 570-905-0524 for information.

American Legion bingo: Doors open at 6 p.m.; games start at 7 p.m. Second Wednesday of every month; next bingo Dec. 10. American Legion Post 350, 23 W. Broad St., Nanticoke. Kitchen open 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Food distribution: Newport Twp. Community Organization and the Weinberg Regional Food Bank conduct a monthly food distribution. An outdoor, drive-through distribution takes place from 11 a.m. to noon on the…

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Young Lady Tigers look to improve on court

Tunkhannock's Mackenzie Gregory gets past Lackawanna Trail's Hannah Phillips during a game on Wednesday, Dec. 11.Tunkhannock’s Mackenzie Gregory gets past Lackawanna Trail’s Hannah Phillips during a game on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

More steps forward, that’s what the Tunkhannock Lady Tigers are hoping for in their 2025-26 campaign.

After a 9-14 record last season, the Lady Tigers come into this season still very young, but not short on varsity experience as many seniors have seen the court early on in their careers. Although Tunkhannock has a smaller team than in year’s past, head coach Dan Williams said this is a hard working group of girls who are eager to get better every day.

“These girls have developed a lot of cohesion,” Williams said. “This year we’re planning to play in a way that we’re able to get almost everyone individual time which I think is going to strengthen the unit. The girls have been working really hard, doing a great job and enjoying each other.”

Among the returning players with varsity experience are senior Olivia Williams who will enter her third year as the starting point guard. She provided a steady hand as a ball handler and defender last season, and is looking to become a better all-around player and leader this season.

“I’m trying to be more aggressive and score and drive a little bit more,” Olivia Williams said. “I’ve been playing a long time with these girls and know them all very well. We all love each other so the team chemistry has been very good so far.”

Sophomore Elizabeth Moore will lead the Lady Tigers in the low post. She got her feet wet as a freshmen last year, and really showed some promise as a reserve to leading scorer Lourianna Alston. She’ll…

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Nanticoke

Reflections on Native American Heritage Month

Written By: Marissa McClenton

November is Native American Heritage Month, and I want to encourage folks to reflect on the legacy of stewardship, conservation, and the rich traditions that indigenous peoples have maintained for centuries. As environmental and other protections come under attack from the federal administration, it can feel like we are losing the battle for our environment and the plants, animals, and people that call it home. When I reflect on the ways that indigenous folks globally, and the Nanticoke and Lenni-Lenape Nations locally, have persisted despite horrific attempts to erase culture, ancestry, and ties to the land- I feel a deep sense of gratitude, appreciation, and wonder that give me hope. In this moment, uplifting Native American heritage and stewardship practices feels like a crucial piece to building a better world.

One of the groups that has brought this realization to life for me is The Native Roots Farm Foundation, a Native (Lenape) and woman-led nonprofit with a mission to “reclaiming, cultivating, and celebrating Native relationships with land, plants, and community for the next Seven Generations.” For years, they have connected the native plants with which many are familiar with their names in native languages and held other events to highlight rich cultural practices like beadwork. When I look back at the events they host across the Delmarva region, it reminds me how much knowledge about caring for the natural world is missing from larger environmental conversations. This is what I hope folks can reflect on if they celebrate Thanksgiving, a day The United American Indians of New England protest as a National Day of Mourning, which can serve as a reminder of both the resilience, oppression, and rich ancestry of indigenous peoples here and around the globe.

In a country where apathy towards people and the environment is…

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Salisbury, MD – Rollover Crash Involving 3 Vehicles Injures 1 at Nanticoke Rd & Willow Creek Dr

Salisbury, MD (November 22, 2025) – Emergency crews responded Friday morning to a rollover crash involving three vehicles at the intersection of Nanticoke Rd and Willow Creek Dr in Salisbury. The crash occurred around 6:59 a.m., leaving at least one person injured and requiring medical attention at the scene.

Responders arrived quickly to secure the area and tend to the injured individual. The nature of the person’s injuries has not been publicly detailed, but the incident prompted an active medical and law enforcement presence due to the rollover and multi-vehicle involvement. One vehicle was reportedly overturned, creating a hazardous situation for both occupants and passing drivers.

The cause of the crash has not yet been released, and officials are continuing their investigation. Nanticoke Rd was partially blocked during the morning commute while crews worked to clear the scene and recover the overturned vehicle.

We extend our best wishes to the individual injured and hope for a full recovery.

Rollover Accidents in Maryland

Rollover crashes are among the most dangerous types of collisions, often resulting in severe injuries due to the violent motion and risk of ejection. In Maryland, intersections like Nanticoke Rd and Willow Creek Dr—especially during early hours—are known to carry a mix of local and regional traffic, increasing the potential for high-impact collisions.

Friday’s three-vehicle crash in Salisbury illustrates how quickly a routine drive can turn into a serious emergency. Factors commonly contributing to rollover accidents include excessive speed, overcorrection, and side-impact collisions, particularly when SUVs or trucks are involved.

Maryland traffic safety officials continue to urge drivers to maintain safe speeds, especially in the early morning when visibility may be low and driver alertness reduced. Defensive driving and allowing greater stopping distance are key to avoiding multi-vehicle incidents in residential and semi-rural areas.

If you or a…

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11 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire On the Atlantic Coast

Thousands of miles of Atlantic shoreline stretch from rocky coves in Maine to sandy beaches in Florida, creating a coastal corridor of working waterfronts, riverfront villages, and barrier-island communities that share a slower pace of life. From the Penobscot River in Maine to the Indian River Lagoon in Florida, many small towns combine lower median home prices with dependable hospitals, walkable historic districts, and everyday essentials such as grocery stores and pharmacies. The following wallet-friendly communities provide coastal settings, practical services, and year-round amenities that support a comfortable seaside lifestyle.

Bangor, Maine

Bangor Opera House in downtown Bangor, MaineBangor Opera House in downtown Bangor, Maine. Image credit Wangkun Jia via Shutterstock

Bangor gives retirees a way to enjoy four-season living without the higher housing costs often found along Maine’s immediate coastline. A median home price of around $280,000 keeps the market accessible, and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center provides comprehensive care close to downtown. Everyday errands stay simple with Hannaford Supermarket, several pharmacies, and year-round clinics throughout the city. Bangor International Airport adds another practical benefit with regional flights for family visits or winter travel.

Fall scenery at Bangor, Maine.Fall scenery at Bangor, Maine.

The city supports a steady cultural scene. The Bangor Public Library anchors a historic district with galleries and performance spaces, and the Maine Discovery Museum adds hands-on exhibits that draw residents throughout the year. The Bangor State Fair remains one of the area’s most familiar community events.

Outdoor recreation is easy to reach. The Bangor City Forest holds miles of wooded trails, and the Orono Bog Boardwalk gives a close view of a rare natural landscape. Together, these elements create a balanced retirement setting.

Seaford, Delaware

High Street in Seaford, Delaware Continue reading

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Nanticoke

Northwest Area High School held its first Regional Life Skills Dance

Newswatch 16’s Valeria Quiñones was there for all of the fun, where a sense of community is the most important part.

The vibes are high here at Northwest Area High School’s inaugural Regional Life Skills Dance.  

Mary Agnes Kratz is the special education director here at Northwest Area. She says the school’s life skills students always travel elsewhere for regional life skills dances. This year, she wanted to bring the fun home. “I think it’s important for our special students and our regular students to understand community, and to involve themselves in community, and to extend that to others within our area.”

Apart from the dancing, the event includes food, face painting, tattoos, and some fall-themed activities. Hundreds of life skills students from around the region are here, including students from Benton, Berwick, Hanover, Nanticoke, and Millville.

“Out of all of them, I love how everybody does everything. They’re all so different, so nice, everybody is so kind to them. All of that,” says Lucas Evans, a life skills student from Nanticoke High School. 

Volunteers from Northwest Area’s Youth in Philanthropy and Aevidum Club helped organize and put the fun together.

“I just think it’s like very inclusive, and you get to be around this amazing community, and I just love it so much,” says Madison Thomas, Aevidum member at Northwest. 

“To be able to see our kids just giving back to the community, bringing different communities together, students from other schools, an opportunity for them to meet each other and spend a day together. It’s just been awesome,” says Ryan Miner, Northwest Area High School Principal.

Organizers say they hope to expand their invitation list for next year’s Regional Life Skills Dance. 

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Cool Things to Do Nov. 21-23

DELMARVA- There’s plenty of festive fun happening across Delmarva this weekend and if you’re not ready to jump into the holiday chaos just yet, there are options for you too.

Holidays at the Hammock — Lewes 
At Crooked Hammock Brewery, it’s snowing every weekend. “Holidays at the Hammock” brings seasonal specials, Crooked Hot Chocolate, s’mores and a Holly Jolly Brunch on Sundays.

Winterfest of Lights — Ocean City
The 33rd annual Winterfest of Lights is now open at Northside Park. Visitors can walk through millions of twinkling lights, animated displays and a 50-foot Christmas tree. The event runs until the end of December.

Festival of Trees — Milford
Milford is getting in the spirit with the 38th annual Festival of Trees. Guests can explore dozens of decorated trees and shop local vendors. The event supports Delaware Hospice.

Nanticoke Cultural Immersion Event — Selbyville
For something different, the Nanticoke Cultural Immersion event on Saturday offers a look into Nanticoke history, heritage and traditions. It begins at 2 p.m.

Broadkill River Cruise — Lewes to Milton
Cape Water Tours is offering cruises down the Broadkill River on Saturday and Sunday. The trip runs about 90 minutes each way and departs at 10 a.m.

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Luzerne County court notes: Divorces sought

Luzerne County court notes: Divorces sought – Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice Skip to content

DIVORCES SOUGHT: 11/4/25-11/10/25

  • Dyneline Caraballo, Wilkes-Barre, v. Joel Caraballo, The Bronx, N.Y.; married July 11, 2019, in The Bronx, N.Y.; pro se.
  • Julia Marczak, Nanticoke, v. John F. Marczak, Nanticoke; married Sept. 20, 2013; pro se.
  • Elias D. Villatranca, Plains Twp., v. Mirta G. Cabrera Medina, Nanticoke; married Oct. 11, 2017, in Roaton, Honduras; pro se.
  • Joseph Wolff, Scranton, v. Alyssa Wolff, Pittston; married Aug. 10, 2022, in Clarks Summit; attorney.
  • Rayquan Watt, Plains Twp., v. Dorsia Watt, Plains Twp.; married July 28, 2015, in Castries, St. Lucia West Indies; pro se.
  • Jessica Lynn Slater, Benton, v. Joshua James Slater, Benton; married Sept. 14, 2013, in Bridgewater, M.J.; pro se.
  • Ashley Suarez, West Pittston, v. Luis Suarez-Perez, Plains Twp.; married Oct. 29, 2020, in West Pittston; pro se.
  • Sarah Lyn Fischi, Hunlock Creek, v. Zachary Fischi, Plymouth; married Oct. 20, 2018, in Edwardsville; pro se.
  • Wendy Marie…

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