Tag: Nanticoke

Karen Cholewa OBITUARY

Karen Cholewa, 66, of South Carolina and formerly of Nanticoke, passed away peacefully, Friday, May 30, 2025 at Embrace Hospice House in Myrtle Beach, SC after a courageous battle with PSP disease.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, on September 9, 1958, Karen was the daughter of Edward Chacko, of West Wyoming and the late Ann (Jasulewicz) Chacko.

Karen was a member of St. Faustina Kowalska Church in Nanticoke. She was a graduate of Wyoming Area High School, Class of 1976.

Karen dedicated over 40 years to a fulfilling career as a medical coder. She was a highly experienced and respected professional, working at both Mercy Hospital and Commonwealth Health. In her role, she was known for her dedication and precision, contributing significantly to the efficiency and accuracy of patient billing and record keeping.

Karen was a woman of remarkable strength and unwavering spirit. She faced her illness with dignity and grace, inspiring all who knew her. She will be remembered as a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Though her presence will be deeply missed, her spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of her family.

In addition to her father, Karen is survived by her husband of 40 years, David Cholewa; her son, David Cholewa Jr. and his fianc, Brandy, SC; her granddaughter, Avery; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Linda Cholewa, Wapwallopen; and Daniel Cholewa, Nanticoke; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A blessing service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the Bednarski Funeral Home, 168 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, with the Rev. John J. Chmil, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville, officiating.

Family and friends are invited to attend Karen’s viewing which will be held on Monday from 5 to 7 P.M.

Private interment will be held in…

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Restoration Efforts Help Quadruple Quail Population in Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area

June 4, 2025

Quail habitat on the Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Rachael Pacella, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The softball-sized, onomatopoeically-named bobwhite quail needs four things in its habitat: a place to nest and raise its young, a place to hide from predators, a place with food, and a place for the winter.

A century ago it was easy to find all four. By a decade ago, it was almost impossible. The groundbird’s early morning “poor, bob-white” calls that have long been a fixture of rural life were fading. 

But today, quail are calling once again in the Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area in Wicomico County, thanks to habitat restoration by the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service.

Wild Turkey and Upland Game Bird Project Manager Bob Long is leading the department’s efforts to restore quail in Maryland. In addition to making improvements on public lands, Long and private groups such as Chesapeake Bay Quail Forever are encouraging private property owners to make quail-friendly improvements.

Northern bobwhite quail. Photo by Rachel Rahm, submitted to the 2023 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.

Overall, quail have declined more than 90% in Maryland since the 1950s. A reduction in large predators through the centuries allowed smaller predators such as raccoons and foxes to thrive — bad news for the prey of those small predators, quail included.

Farming practices have also changed over time, as there are fewer small farms and more large farms on Delmarva, which tend to use every inch of land for crop production, which leaves limited space for the scrub and brush habitat where quail…

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Thanks to a $1,000,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, students can complete the program at no cost until the end of the 2027 school year.

NANTICOKE, Pa. — Starting this fall, some students in Luzerne County will have the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma on one hand and a college diploma on the other. 

“We’re here today to celebrate the creation of the new Luzerne County Community College Career & Technology Academy,” says John Yudichak, President of LCCC.

The academy is based at LCCC’s campus in Nanticoke. The program offers students a 17-credit diploma for careers including welding, electrical technology, HVAC, plumbing, culinary arts, and early childhood education.

The first students in the two-year program will not pay anything thanks to grants from the state and scholarships funded by local business owner Bill Rinaldi. 

“To me, the most important thing is for a young man is to get educated and have an opportunity. Opportunities at high-paying jobs are not common like they were,” says Rinaldi.

“We recognize we need to build that skilled workforce here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Bill wanted to give back to the community. He wanted to give back to the college, and most importantly, he wanted to invest in the economy in Northeastern PA,” says Yudichak. 

Bill Feist owns the welding company J&E Sheet Metal in Wilkes-Barre. He’s experienced a shortage of skilled workers in recent years and thinks this program will help fill the gap. 

“I mean, without the skilled trades, without skilled employees, stuff like this, you can’t have schools. You can’t have buildings. You can’t have hospitals. It’s a high demand right now,” says Feist.

While the Career and Technology Academy will initially focus on students from the Wilkes-Barre CTC, West Side CTC, and Hazleton CTC,…

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John Francis Patackas OBITUARY

John Francis Patackas, 75, of Scranton, died unexpectedly at home on Friday, May 18, 2018. He was born in Nanticoke, Pa. to the late Matthew and Bernice (Grisman) Patackas.

He received an associate degree in electrical and technology engineering from Penn State University. He was a member of the United States Army Reserve. He worked several years for PennDOT as a bridge surveyor. He also worked at McGregor Iron as a project manager for many years. He was currently semiretired and working from home for Pleasant Mount Welding, Carbondale, Pa.

John truly enjoyed life. When God made him, he broke the mold. He was always happy, never complained and would help anyone, anywhere at any time. He was one-of-a-kind. John also loved reading, writing and working in his garden. He was also a silent member of the band Main Offender. He was well-known in the neighborhood and was known as the “neighborhood dad” when his kids were growing up.

John’s greatest accomplishment in life was his family. He, along with his wife of 53 years, Rose, built a family of true unconditional love. He was a great role model for his children and grandchildren. He was proud to see his children grow up to be fine adults. He loved being a part of the different stages of their lives. His greatest role in life was that of being a grandfather. He spent countless hours with his grandchildren playing games, going for ice cream, mini-golf, amusement parks and Sunday dinners with the family. His grandchildren adored him immensely. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.

Surviving are his wife, Rose (Avena); children, John Patackas Jr. and wife, Teresita, Tunkhannock; Denise Cosgrove and husband, Bill, Scranton; Jeff Patackas and wife, Gena, Olyphant; and…

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  Dallas swimming standout Lydia Gonzales will swim at Division I University of Connecticut. Front, from left: Apryl Gonzales, mother; Lydia Gonzales; Madelyn Gonzales, sister; and Matthew Gonzales, father. Back: Ed Zawatski, club team coach; Romayne Mosier, retired Dallas head coach; Grant Luksic, current Dallas head coach; Dwin Doran, club team coach; and Mike Richards, Dallas athletic director. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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  Dallas standout Kaden Coyne will play baseball at Division I University of Massachusetts. Front, from left: Kevin Coyne, father; Kaden Coyne; Karen Coyne, mother; and Liam Coyne, brother. Back: Mike Viglone, Dallas baseball head coach; Mollie Coyne, sister; Gracie Coyne, sister; Sal Biasi, trainer; and Michael Richards, Dallas athletic director. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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  Dallas soccer senior Jamie Timlin will continue her academic and athletic careers at Division II Lock Haven University. Front, from left: Sue Timlin, mother; Jamie Timlin; and George Butwin, father. Back: Matt Flannigan, Fame Strength; Nicole Pekarski, Dallas girls soccer head coach; and Michael Richards, Dallas athletic director. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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  Nanticoke Area basketball player Caityln Majiros will attend Gwynedd Mercy University. Front, from left: Ann Majiros, mother; Caitlyn; Jason Majiros, father; and Emily Majiros, sister. Back: Ed Grant, Nanticoke Area girls basketball head coach; Brandon Collins, Nanticoke Area assistant principal; Amy Scibek, Nanticoke Area principal; and Ken Bartuska, Nanticoke Area athletic director. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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  Nanticoke Area swimmer Brady Rushton will attend Wilkes University. Front, from left: Kristin Rushton, mother;…

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Knights

Lake-Lehman‘s game last Monday was a loss, but they didn’t let that memory haunt them on Thursday. They were the clear victors by an 11-2 margin over the Western Wayne Wildcats. Considering the Knights have won 14 matchups by more than five runs this season, Thursday’s blowout was nothing new.

Hannah Chipego spent all seven innings on the mound, and it’s clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on three hits and racked up 13 Ks. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn’t tossed less than seven strikeouts any time she’s pitched this season.

On the hitting side, Kirsten Finarelli was incredible, firing off two home runs, three runs, and four RBI while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. That’s the most RBI she has posted since back in May of 2024. Another player making a difference was Kaitlyn Brudnicki, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, two stolen bases, and two runs.

They weren’t the only ones working in the home run department: Lake-Lehman lost a few balls and finished the game with three home runs. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Western Wayne didn’t launched any home runs.

Lake-Lehman pushed their record up to 18-2 with the victory, which was their fifth straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.4 runs on average over those games. As for Western Wayne, their loss dropped their record down to 8-12.

Lake-Lehman has already played their next contest, a 6-4 defeat against Mid Valley on…

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Luzerne County Community College conferred almost 600 degrees during its 2025 commencement ceremony on May 29 at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp.

David Pedri, President and CEO of the Luzerne Foundation, delivered the principal address.

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  Photography major Amber Rose Jones, of Wilkes-Barre, waves to family at the 57th annual commencement of Luzerne County Community College at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. on Thursday, May 29, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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  Stephanie Evans, of Nanticoke, celebrates getting her photography degree in the line of graduates at the 57th annual commencement of Luzerne County Community College at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. on Thursday, May 29, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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  Luzerne County Community College President John Yudichak leads the procession of graduates in his first year as president during the 57th annual commencement at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. on Thursday, May 29, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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  Class of 2024 alumna Trinity Brown sings the national anthem at the 57th annual commencement of Luzerne County Community College at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. on Thursday, May 29, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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  Nursing graduate Riza Talingting Corbo, left, high-fives mascot Blaze before the procession at the 57th annual commencement of Luzerne County Community College at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. on Thursday, May 29, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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