Category: Nanticoke

Firefighters from multiple departments battle a blaze at old Pulaski School in Glen Lyon, facing challenges from freezing temperatures, ice, and water flow issues.

LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Smoke continues to pour out of the old Pulaski School in the Glen Lyon section of Newport Township. Crews from several departments across Luzerne County, including the Nanticoke City Fire Department, have come out to provide mutual aid. Fire crews have been working to contain the flames since 8:30 p.m. on Monday. 

“We have to band together in order to make these things work, just to share resources, volunteers,” said Andy Kopco.

Kopco is a firefighter with the Nanticoke City Fire Department. He says one of the biggest challenges has been the bitter cold and single-digit temperatures.

“There’s no way to prepare yourself for it, you just kind of do…” the four-year fire veteran said.

The cold weather brought water tankers Monday night to help battle the blaze.

“There was a problem with water flow. That’s part of the problem we have in the wintertime; you can have hydrants that freeze,” said Deputy Chief Tom Sadowski, Nanticoke City Fire Department.

Sadowski said portions of the trucks can also freeze, where just about everything gets coated in water and ice.

“Climbing up and down the ladder when it’s iced up, you know, that causes its own challenges. Trying not to fall in every direction you’re going. Hoses tend to freeze up,” recalled Kopco.

The ice was on the trucks and gear, as well as the firefighters. Many fought the major fire on South Market Street in Glen Lyon for over 10 hours.

“They don’t realize they’re sweating enough, with it being wintertime. Then, when they stop moving after all that sweating, the cold air comes in, and now you’re…

Continue reading

SEAFORD, DE – Governor John Carney, joined by other state and local officials, announced 3 million dollars in federal funding aimed at cleaning up the abandoned power plant along the Nanticoke River in Seaford Thursday. 

Seaford Mayor Matt MacCoy told WBOC the plot of land has been on the radar for years. 

“This is the number one property in the city of Seaford that we get asked about all the time, ‘What are you gonna do with that old powerplant?” MacCoy said. “Today is the very first step in that process.”

That brownfield grant aims to demolish the building, as well as decontaminate the soil and riverbeds surrounding it. 

“It’s to protect the Nanticoke and to protect the citizens of Seaford,” DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin said. “It’s a public health, it’s an environmental, and it’s an economic investment in the community.”

City officials told us this grant money will go towards the first step of their plan to revitalize the riverfront area. After the site is repurposed, city officials said they hope to turn the property into a community space. 

While nothing is set in stone, Fisher Architecture LLC. provided WBOC with a rendering of potential ideas for the space. 

A rendering of potential uses for the Seaford Riverwalk. Courtesy of Fisher Architecture LLC. 

“I know our residents would love to see something on the riverfront that they can enjoy,” MacCoy said. “People talk about a restaurant or bar. The opportunities are endless.”

City and state officials said they do not have a set timeline for when the work will begin. However, they said receiving this grant is a big step towards the work beginning. 

Continue reading

Governor John Carney yesterday joined Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Secretary Shawn M. Garvin and other officials to announce a $3 million investment in cleaning up a riverfront site for redevelopment as part of the City of Seaford’s revitalization. The funding will be used by DNREC’s Remediation Section to manage the environmental cleanup of the former city power plant site next to the Nanticoke River. 

 

Additional information:

The property is part of a riverfront redevelopment plan by the city and developers David Perlmutter, Faith Perlmutter Diamond and Warren Diamond. More than $207,000 in State funding – from Delaware’s Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act (HSCA) and DNREC’s Brownfields Program – has gone into a site investigation and remediation (cleanup) of the property where Seaford’s oil-fired power plant operated for more than 80 years before it was decommissioned in 2015.

 

The developers already have created luxury apartments along the Nanticoke River in downtown Seaford. The current proposal is to create a riverwalk area containing luxury living with retail stores, restaurants and office space. The plan concept stretches from Front Street to Oyster House Park and includes a partnership with the Chesapeake Conservancy.

 

“I am proud to invest more resources in Seaford’s rejuvenation,” said Governor Carney, who also has committed funds toward the transformation of the Nylon Capital Shopping Center into a multi-purpose community facility that includes health care services, an education hub, an early learning center, co-working space and a job skills center. “As we have done in Wilmington and as we are doing in Dover, we are focusing on Seaford as a place to support revitalization efforts. We want people to know that Seaford is a strong community attractive to residents and visitors to live, work and raise their families. This…

Continue reading

DALLAS — Dallas led by 10 after one quarter and rolled to a 55-41 over Wyoming Valley West on Thursday in a Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 boys basketball victory.

The Nocito boys had another big night, combining for 28 of the 55 points. Jude Nocito had 16, and Joey Nocito netted 12. Pat Flanagan added 13 in the win.

Kaden Dittus finished with 12 for Valley West.

Pittston Area 44, Crestwood 39: At Yatesville, Pittston Area rallied from a six-point deficit after one quarter to pick up the WVC Division 1 win.

Silvio Giardina continued his hot start to the season, scoring 18 points. Teammate Paul Jordan McGarry hit three 3-pointers in his 11-point night.

Connor Wagaman hit five 3-pointers to lead Crestwood with 21 points.

Wilkes-Barre Area 80, Nanticoke Area 42: At Nanticoke Area, Wilkes-Barre Area scored 22 in the first quarter and followed it with 29 in the third en route to the WVC win.

Jacob Johnson had a huge night, scoring 31 points — 15 of those coming in the third quarter. Mike Keating added 20 points, and David Jannuzzi finished with 12.

Mathis Mitchell had 16 for the Trojans.

Tunkhannock 39, Holy Redeemer 34: At Tunkhannock, the Tigers took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter, and outscored the Royals by three to pick up the WVC Division 2 win.

Jayden Ransom and Bode Lukasavage combined for 30 of the Tigers’ 39 points. Each scored 15 in the win.

David Popson netted 12 of his team-best 14 in the fourth quarter.

Wyoming Area 61, Berwick 56: At Wyoming Area, sophomore Luke Kopetchny had a big night, and the Warriors scored 21 in the third quarter to hold off Berwick.

Kopetchny hit 11 field goals, scored 16 in the first half and netted a team-high 30 points. Lukas Burakiewicz added 19 points in the win.

Berwick’s William Hanson had a…

Continue reading

File Photo

Listen to this

A Nanticoke woman was arrested Monday on murder charges in connection with the death of a one-month-old girl.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Natalee Michele Rasmus, 19, was charged with murder of the third degree, involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child following the death of her infant daughter, Avaya Jade Rasmus-Alberto, in October 2022.

She was arraigned before District Judge Donald Whittaker and bail was denied. She remains in custody at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.

Police said they were dispatched to 167 West Green Street in Nanticoke on Oct. 24, 2022 for the reported death of an infant, who was at the time in the custody of her mother, Rasmus.

An autopsy report determined the cause of death was asphyxia due to mechanical compression.

It was previously reported by the Times Leader in April that the death was being investigated by Pennsylvania State Police at Wilkes-Barre and the Luzerne County district attorney’s office as a criminal homicide.

An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Gary Ross initially ruled the manner of death as accidental, but investigators then said they uncovered suspicious online searches from the phone of the mother, who was 17 at the time.

A review of the mother’s phone uncovered online searches about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is it safe to give a newborn melatonin drops, pictures of shaken baby syndrome, why a newborn won’t stop crying, and can an infant sleep on their stomach, stated search warrant affidavits filed at the time.

After the autopsy, Ross gave a medical opinion that the infant did not have the strength to wiggle into a position to cause death, according to search…

Continue reading

While many are checking off those shopping lists and getting those gifts wrapped, one business in Luzerne County is pinching their way into the holidays.

NANTICOKE, Pa. — Dough is stretching for miles, as pierogi pinching is in full force in Luzerne County. Tens of thousands of pierogi will take shape at NEPA’rogi in Nanticoke.

The Polish staple is a Christmas tradition on many tables across Northeast PA, which means it comes with quite the demand this holiday season.

“I also think it’s the nostalgia of the smell and taste of the food, reminding you of the happiest of holidays growing up in Northeast PA. Of course, you could go to the grocery store and buy pierogi, but I think the magic of what we’re doing here, that hand pinching, is what gives it that extra spark,” said Lauren Gorney, owner of NEPA’rogi.

This is the shop’s first Christmas in their new space on South Market Street, and with it, they’re able to take on more orders than ever: 1,000 dozen, or 12,000 pierogi to be exact.

“These ladies are working on 200 dozen a day. Of course, we’re trying to push past that. We could always automate and do more, but the magic of the hand-pinched pierogi can’t be matched,” said Gorney.

To meet the demand, they’re also accepting walk-ins this year, which means owner Lauren Gorney will be doubling that pre-order count—totaling more than 24,000 pierogi throughout the season.

“We stock up mainly on potato and cheese—that’s our best seller. Farmer’s cheese is more traditional, and we try to have cabbage available, but as you can see, even until the last minute, we’re cooking cabbage to finish the orders,” said Gorney.

And before they even get through Christmas, NEPA’rogi already has their sights set on…

Continue reading

Nathan Schimelfenig had a shooter’s confidence to go for an emotional win.

West Scranton had a fourth-quarter comeback fueled by Schimelfenig’s outside shooting. A rally in the final minute included two of his eight 3-pointers, with the final one coming with 10 seconds left that lifted West Scranton to a 59-58 victory over Nanticoke Area to highlight last week’s nonleague boys basketball action.

He finished with a career-high 33 points as the Invaders snapped a four-game losing streak.

“We had some guys in foul trouble, and guys came off the bench and did a great job,” Schimelfenig said. “I felt like I couldn’t miss. My teammates supported me on the court and the bench. That gave me the confidence to shoot it if I was open.

“That was the loudest gym I think I played at. I fed off the energy that circulated through the team. Now we have some momentum heading into this week.”

Schimelfenig’s efforts helped the Invaders win a pair of games in coach Hasiin Dixon’s first season. He received honorable mention in voting by the Lackawanna League Division I coaches for the all-star team as a junior when he averaged 8.1 points and 1.5 3-pointers per game.

This year, he is one of three returning players with starting experience.

In the semifinals of the Jerry Finan Tournament, Schimelfenig scored 17 points and had two 3-pointers, but the Invaders lost to Honesdale. That pushed them into the consolation game, where he scored 20 points with three 3-pointers, which put him on the all-tournament team.

“In the Honesdale game, we didn’t come out like we wanted,” Schimelfenig said. “I felt like in the second game we got into a groove and started to build trust in each other. It was a good win, and it was the first win for our coach.”

After the 1-1 start, West…

Continue reading

Luke Kopetchny scored 21 points and joined Lukas Burakiewicz and Mitchell Rusinchak in leading a late-game comeback that allowed Wyoming Area to rally past host Nanticoke 62-59 Tuesday night in a non-league boys basketball game.

The Warriors trailed by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter and were still down seven in the last four minutes. Their last seven points in a game-ending, 9-2 run came at the foul line where they hit their last five attempts.

Kopetchny’s second three-point play in less than two minutes started that run.

Burakiewicz ended a second-half Wyoming Area drought and scored eight of his 14 points in the fourth quarter.

Rusinchak was a big part of the late-game defense that allowed Wyoming Area to limit Nanticoke to four points over the final 3:25 and force five fourth-quarter turnovers while not committing any.

Anthony DeLucca’s 3-pointer gave the Warriors a 36-32 lead with 6:04 left in the third quarter, but then they went cold and the Trojans used their control of the boards to move in front.

Nanticoke scored the next 13 points and grabbed the first six rebounds of the fourth quarter.

The lead grew to 46-38 after three quarters and the Trojans added the first basket of the fourth as the Warriors went 4:27 without scoring and 7:36 without a field before Burakiewicz hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key.

Kopetchny not only gave Wyoming Area its first rebound of the fourth quarter, but he took it the length of the floor, weaving between players in the lane for the three-point play with 3:40 left to cut the deficit to 53-49.

The remaining three Warriors field goals all came from within the paint, including Kopetchny’s next three-point play on a floater down the left side of the lane.

…

Continue reading

Both Pittston Area teams came out on top when they opened the Wyoming Valley Conference swimming season with a home meet against Nanticoke Tuesday.

The Lady Patriots rolled 112-38 while the Patriots won 69-56.

Pittston Area girls 112, Nanticoke 38

Gabby Gorzkowski won three times and added a second-place finish to lead the rout.

Gorzkowski won the 50-yard freestyle and was part of wins by both the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams.

Brooke Hintze, who took first in the 200 freestyle, and Ali Butcher, who won the 200 individual medley, were also part of both relay wins.

Hannah Garcia, the other member of the two relay wins, added a second in the 50 freestyle.

Ashlynn Selden won the 100 butterfly and added seconds in the 100 breaststroke and 200 medley relay.

Gianna Martinelli won he 500 freestyle and was on a second-place relay team.

Elinor Sahardian had three second-place finishes and a third.

Nina Albertelli contributed seconds in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly.

Margaret Gruber, Natalia Gonzalez and Elysia Conflitti were second in two events.

Bailey Staton, who also had a third, and Jemma Mead, were the others with second-place finishes in relays.

Jess Soroka was third in two events while Olivia Pantucci, Vivian Katchkus and Elizabeth Howells were third one time.

Pittston Area boys 69, Nanticoke 56

Tanner Osborn, Frank Garcia and Jake Grzech each had three wins and a second-place finish to lead the Patriots.

Osborn won the 200- and 500-yard freestyles along with the 200 medley relay. He was second in the 400 freestyle relay.

Garcia won the 50 freestyle and was second in the 100 freestyle. He was part of wins in the 200 medley and freestyle relays.

Grzech won the 200 individual medley and two relays.

Vincent Burgio won the 200 freestyle and…

Continue reading