Tag: Nanticoke

Pittston Area’s Brody Spindler (0) has brought a power running game to the Patriots. Tony Callaio | Times Leader File Photo

There are three longtime rivalries on the schedule as the Wyoming Valley Conference football completes its regular season Friday night.

There’s Lake-Lehman at Dallas in the Old Shoe Game, which dates back to 1958. The trophy itself goes even further back to 1948 when it was awarded to the best team in the Back Mountain.

Then there’s Nanticoke Area at Hanover Area in the Sans Souci Struggle, a moniker adopted in 2018. The schools first played under their current names in 1967 after several school mergers were completed. Nanticoke High School and Hanover High School, though, first played in 1920.

And finally, there’s Pittston Area at Wyoming Area which is called … well, it really doesn’t have a name. It’s just a game between cross-river rivals dating back to 1967. Still, it’s the best of the three Friday night.

Pittston Area and Wyoming Area both bring in 8-1 records, marking only the third time both teams enter the game with one loss. The other two occasions need asterisks.

The WVC and Lackawanna Conference merged for the 2000 and 2001 seasons to form the ill-fated Northeast Pennsylvania Football Conference. Pittston Area and Wyoming Area played Week 4 those years and each team was 2-1 those times.

There have been some oddities concerning final scores. Pittston Area won 7-5 in 1974 and 6-2 in 1989. The game has been decided by one point five times, with Wyoming Area winning three. The last seven meetings haven’t been close as the margin of victory has been double digits.

Here are some factors to consider in tonight’s game, which starts at 7 p.m.

• Playoff Picture: The game has more playoff implications for Pittston Area than Wyoming Area.

Pittston…

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Wicomico County, Md. — The Wicomico County Executive’s Office issued a statement on Facebook, regarding a recent filing by the Wicomico Environmental Trust, the Friends of the Nanticoke River, and local residents concerning the Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) storage tank on Porter… The post Wicomico County Issues Statement on Porter Mill Road DAF Tank Filing appeared first on TV Delmarva Channel 33.

Wicomico County, Md. — The Wicomico County Executive’s Office issued a statement on Facebook, regarding a recent filing by the Wicomico Environmental Trust, the Friends of the Nanticoke River, and local residents concerning the Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) storage tank on Porter Mill Road.
The statement reads: “The Wicomico County Executive’s Office is aware of the recent filing by the Wicomico Environmental Trust, the Friends of the Nanticoke River, and county residents concerning the Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) storage tank located on Porter Mill Road.
Wicomico County recognizes the importance of protecting our natural resources and ensuring that all zoning, permitting, and environmental regulations are properly followed. The County has maintained an open dialogue with residents, environmental partners, and state agencies throughout this process, and we remain committed to transparency and accountability in addressing community concerns. While this matter is now before the Wicomico County Circuit Court, the County intends to cooperate fully and adhere to any resolution or order deemed appropriate by the court.
As the litigation proceeds, the County will refrain from commenting further on the specifics of the case to ensure that the judicial process can move forward fairly and without prejudice. Wicomico County remains dedicated to upholding its responsibilities to the community through sound governance and careful consideration of environmental and public concerns.”

Photo: Wicomico County Executive Office Facebook Page

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Luzerne County and PennDOT are reviewing the technical scope and price for the first phase of the Nanticoke/West Nantkcoke bridge project.

“Once the technical scope and price are finalized, Modjeski & Masters can start gathering data for options for repair/replacement,” County Manager Romilda Crocamo said Tuesday in a project update.

In August, PennDOT approved Modjeski and Masters Inc., county council’s selection, as the firm responsible for design engineering work on the closed Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge. The Cumberland County firm designed the Carey Avenue replacement bridge that opened in 2002 over the Susquehanna River and links Hanover Twp. and Plymouth.

“Anticipated notice to proceed for the design team should occur in the November timeframe at which time the first phasing of scoping can begin,” Crocamo said.

The county owns the closed Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge over the Susquehanna River and has been going through PennDOT’s process to select a design firm to determine how to repair, reconstruct or replace the bridge. That will allow the county to receive $10 million in federal project funding through the state Transportation Improvement Program.

On March 20, Crocamo closed the bridge over the Susquehanna River shortly after engineers conducting a scheduled routine bridge inspection determined 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. and Plymouth Twp., is more than one mile.

The county administration “will provide monthly updates on the project’s progress,” and officials “will continue to meet regularly with stakeholders to address any questions or feedback,” Crocamo said Tuesday.

County council members heard presentations from the top three highest ranked engineering firms interested…

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A Maryland Department of Natural Resources surveyor holds a juvenile striped bass from the Nanticoke River. (Joe Zimmermann/Maryland DNR)

Striped bass reproduction has remained below average in parts of the Chesapeake Bay since 2018, and this year is no different.

The annual juvenile striped bass surveys from Maryland and Virginia give insight as to how the next generation of striped bass will sustain the population. With continuing poor results, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is considering stronger catch limits.

Striped bass are top predators in the Bay and support commercial and recreational fishing. They are found along the East Coast from Canada to Florida, but they spawn and spend the first few years of their lives in the Bay.

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science has conducted its annual survey on striped bass since 1967. This year, scientists caught more than 1,000 juvenile striped bass at 18 sites in the Rappahannock, York and James rivers with a 100-foot seine net. Fish are captured, counted, measured and thrown back.

This year’s survey from Virginia recorded an average of 5.12 juvenile fish per seine net catch, which is below the historic average of 7.77. It’s slightly better than the last two years, but the survey hasn’t found the average level of reproduction since 2022.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources sampled fish from 22 sites in the Choptank, Nanticoke and Potomac rivers and in the upper Bay. Maryland’s results were even more stark. This year, the young-of-year catch averaged four per seine haul, far below the historical average of 11. This marks the seventh year the striped bass juvenile population hasn’t met that threshold.

Carrie Kennedy, director of the Tidal and Coastal Monitoring and Assessment Division at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, said she doesn’t think anyone…

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NANTICOKE — Wyoming Area’s offense provided the big plays in the first quarter while the defense and special teams stepped up in the second quarter as the Warriors rode a complete game performance to a 60-7 defeat of Nanticoke Area Friday night at Frank Chicknosky stadium.

Wyoming Area moves to 8-1 on the season and continues its march into the District 2 playoffs and solidifying one of the top two seeds heading into next week’s showdown with Pittston Area.

“Our goals tonight were to come out and play a clean football game and execute at a high level and give our guys playmaking opportunities,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer said. “Our momentum is important going into the last week of the regular season with a big rivalry game and also then going forward into the playoffs.”

If it was momentum the Warriors were looking for, it was certainly found early on in the contest.

Trustin Johnson punched home an early touchdown, turning Wyoming Area’s first drive into a 7-0 lead after just two plays. Starting at its own 49-yard line, quarterback Jack Gravine dropped a long pass into the hands of a streaking Luke Kopetchny, who was ruled down at Nanticoke Area’s 1-yard line. Kopetchny’s next catch would be for far less yardage, though with much more effect.

On the following possession, after Johnson picked up 50 yards on a pair of carries, the Warriors were again a yard away. Looking at first-and-goal, Gravine took the snap and lofted a ball toward the back of the end zone. Kopetchny, blanketed by a Trojan defender, reached up and over just enough to get one hand on the ball before falling backward and somehow completing the one-handed catch in bounds, holding the ball up and away from his defender for the 14-0…

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Winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Wyoming Area). They blew past the Greater Nanticoke Area Trojans 60-7 on Friday. The result was nothing new for the Warriors, who have now won six games by 24 points or more so far this season.

Wyoming Area’s win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Nicolas Kondrosky, who rushed for 67 yards and two scores. Those 67 rushing yards gave Kondrosky a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Jack Gravine, who threw for 89 yards and a pair of touchdowns while completing 80% of his passes.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Wyoming Area was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 309 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they’ve now rushed for at least 238 rushing yards in three consecutive matchups.

Wyoming Area didn’t go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Hudson Sharpe and Trustin Johnson.

Wyoming Area’s record now sits at 8-1. As for Greater Nanticoke Area, they are on a 15-game losing streak (dating back to last season) that has dropped them down to 0-9.

Coming up, Wyoming Area will welcome Pittston at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Patriots will roll in looking for their eighth straight victory, something the Warriors…

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NANTICOKE — Wyoming Area was highly efficient on offense Friday.

The Warriors needed just 15 plays to score seven first-half touchdowns on their way to a 60-7 win over Nanticoke Area in a Wyoming Valley Conference game at Frank Cichanowski Stadium.

On the Warriors first play from scrimmage, Jack Gravine hit a streaking Luke Kopetchny with a 50-yard pass to set up the Warriors up at Trojans 1. From there, Trustin Johnson bulldozed his way into the end zone for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead just 23 seconds into the game.

Following a punt, Gravine hit Kopetchny with a 1-yard fade pattern in the corner of the end zone to cap a four-play drive and extended the Warriors lead to 14-0 with 7:59 left in the first quarter.

Josh Mruk ended the Trojans next drive with a fumble recovery and it was the Gravine-to-Kopetchny show again. This time, a swing pass covered 33 yards to the end zone for a 21-0 with 4:21 left in the first.

Trustin Johnson intercepted a Nanticoke Area pass on the next possession, and Nick Ciampi did the rest, rushing for 40 yards on two plays with the last 28 resulting in a Warriors touchdown and 28-0 lead with :37 left in the first.

Then, Wyoming Area’s special teams got in on the act. Ricky Rowles blocked a punt at the Trojans 5 and the Warriors took over. Two plays later, Gravine strolled in from 5 yards out for a 35-0 lead with 10:50 to play in the first half.

Another turnover on the Trojans next possession — this time a Hudson Sharp interception gave the Warriors possession at the Trojans 28.

Nick Kondrosky bulled his way into the end zone on a 2-yard run for a 42-0 lead.

Sharpe again ended the Trojans…

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Mid-week service and lunch: Noon, Wednesday, Oct. 15. Nanticoke First Church, 267 E. Main St., Nanticoke. All welcome. For information, call 570-258-2822.

Transfiguration clothing and more sale: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, and Saturday, Oct. 18, and noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, bag day. Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church hall, Bliss and Center streets, Hanover section of Nanticoke. Menu includes pierogis with butter and onions, clam chowder, sausage and peppers, whimpies, hot dogs and more to eat in or take out.

Opaline Arts Committee presents Arts at the Centre: Opening reception, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17; gallery hours, 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19. Cultural Centre of St. Faustina, 38 W. Church St., Nanticoke. Showcase of the work of more than 20 regional artists and Greater Nanticoke Area high school students. Free to the public. For information, visit Opaline Arts Committee on Facebook or email opalinearts@aol.com.

Nanticoke First Church flea market, bake sale and lunch: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Church, 267 E. Main St., Nanticoke. Sponsored by the church activity group. For information, call 570-258-2822.

LCCC alumni craft festival and car show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke. The 36th annual festival features around 150 artisans and crafters offering hand-crafted items including jewelry, soaps, floral arrangements, specialty foods and more. HiLites Car Club car show, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a trunk-or-treat for children. Vendor applications available at www.luzerne.edu/alumni/craft or by contacting the LCCC Alumni Office at 570-740-0734.

Friends of the Mill Memorial Library spring bingo: Doors open 1 p.m.; games 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19. West Side Hall, Nanticoke. Cash bingo, 50/50 raffle, basket raffle, refreshments for…

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Chesapeake Bay 2025 Young-of-Year Striped Bass Survey Results

October 15, 2025

Slight improvement documented, but spawning success is still below average

A juvenile striped bass caught and released by a survey crew in the Nanticoke River. Photo by Joe Zimmermann, Maryland DNR.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) 2025 juvenile striped bass survey recorded a young-of-year index of 4.0. This is an improvement over recent years, but still well below the long-term survey average of 11. This marks the seventh consecutive year of low spawning success for striped bass. The annual survey tracks the reproductive success of Maryland’s state fish in Chesapeake Bay.

“Management actions taken over the last decade have resulted in a healthy population of spawning-age striped bass,” said Maryland DNR Fishing and Boating Services Director Lynn Fegley. “However, continued low numbers of striped bass entering the population is a threat to this progress as there are fewer juveniles growing into spawning adults. Maryland will continue working with partner states along the coast to ensure responsible management of striped bass given recent low reproduction rates.”

During this annual survey, fishery managers sample 22 sites located in four major striped bass spawning areas: the Choptank, Nanticoke, and Potomac rivers, and the upper Chesapeake Bay. Biologists visit each site three times per summer, collecting fish with two sweeps of a 100-foot beach seine net. The index represents the average number of 3-inch or less juvenile striped bass caught in each sweep of the net. 

Similar fish surveys were conducted this summer in the Patapsco, Magothy, Severn, Rhode, West, and Tred Avon rivers, and St. Clements and Breton bays. Those surveys, which were conducted outside the annual survey locations, found even fewer young-of-year striped bass.

Biologists captured…

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The annual Nanticoke Fall Festival was held Saturday at Patriot Park featuring music, vendors, food trucks and more.

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  Gianna Jo Hines mixes paint to work on her pumpkin at the Peoples Security Bank table during the Nanticoke Fall Festival on Oct. 11, 2025 at Patriot Square in Nanticoke. (Dave Scherbenco / Contributing Photographer)

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  Alexis Hollednack with her children, Ariana and Grayson Vanderhoff, during the Nanticoke Fall Festival on Oct. 11, 2025 at Patriot Square in Nanticoke. (Dave Scherbenco / Contributing Photographer)

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  Vendor and artist Kelsey Camacho of Cand K Creative Creations with her pet Lucy shows off some of her designs during the Nanticoke Fall Festival on Oct. 11, 2025 at Patriot Square in Nanticoke. (Dave Scherbenco / Contributing Photographer)

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  Nanticoke Mayor Kevin Coughlin with his grandson, Nolan, during the Nanticoke Fall Festival on Oct. 11, 2025 at Patriot Square in Nanticoke. (Dave Scherbenco / Contributing Photographer)

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  Toasted performs during the Nanticoke Fall Festival on Oct. 11, 2025 at Patriot Square in Nanticoke. (Dave Scherbenco / Contributing Photographer)

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  Susquehanna Brewing Company staff member Jason Geary pours one of several craft beers during the Nanticoke Fall Festival on Oct. 11, 2025 at Patriot Square in Nanticoke. (Dave Scherbenco / Contributing Photographer)

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  Children crowd around to work…

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