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VIENNA, Md. – Community members and artisans gathered at the Handsell house for the annual Nanticoke River Jamboree on Saturday. The event is dedicated to restoring the “Handsell” House and shedding some light on the deep history that intertwines Native Americans, African Americans, and Europeans. “There’s all different facets of lifestyles that went together and merged to create the American experience that we know today,” says Midge Ingersoll, a trustee with Nanticoke Preservation Alliance.

The old ivy-covered brick building located in the middle of what is known as “the Indian town,” isn’t just a historical landmark, it’s also host to the annual Nanticoke river jamboree; showcasing multiple cultures. “We made an important contribution to who and what you are now, to this country being being here,” says an actor with the jamboree.

Edward Hector was an African American soldier who fought in the revolutionary war. The actor who plays Edward, also known as ‘Ned,’ says he wants to bring lesser known history to light. He says, George Washington was a general of some of the most integrated armies, and America would not see one again until 1940.”That means it would take over 150 years before black and whites could be in the same unit fighting the same enemy,” says Hector.

Hector represents how American history, and African history is one in the same, and organizers say that stands for all cultures that have intertwined on this land. “We want to encourage this to be a home for all people to learn about the black story to learn about the Native American story and tell them about the settlers,” says Ingersoll.

Since taking a year off during COVID, the Nanticoke…

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WILKES-BARRE — City police arrested a Nanticoke man on evidence of drunken driving nearly colliding into a cruiser on Public Square.

Timmy Franklin Williams, 34, of West Noble Street, suffered a minor head injury during a struggle with officers inside police headquarters where he was taken after his arrest, according to court records.

Police in court records say Williams with a cut that bled above his eye thrashed his head causing blood to spatter in a holding cell.

Williams was arraigned by District Judge Daniel O’Donnell in Butler Township on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault by prisoner, driving under the influence, failure to stop at red traffic signal, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $25,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

An officer patrolling Public Square spotted a Hyundai driving erratically between West Market and South Main streets just before 11:30 p.m. Friday.

Police said the driver of the Hyundai, identified as Williams, pulled from the right lane into parking spaces facing the wrong way, then pulled back into traffic.

Williams stopped for a green traffic signal at South Main Street as the officer blew the horn on the cruiser. After the light turned red, Williams proceeded through the red light when the officer activated the cruiser’s lights initiating a traffic stop.

Police in the complaint say Williams stopped, then reversed nearly striking the front of the cruiser.

As the officer approached the Hyundai, Williams asked why he was stopped and claimed he did not see the cruiser behind him despite the emergency light bar being activated.

The officer detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Williams.

Williams allegedly refused to submit to a breath test and a…

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