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IN A CRISIS Local caseworkers for Helpline are available 24 hours a day to refer callers to resources available for those with drug and alcohol problems. Call 570-829-1341 or visit www.helpline-nepa.info. The state has a similar program, “PA Get Help Now.

Find more stories, resources, video, interactive features, a podcast and comments from our readers at citizensvoiceblogs.com/opioid/.

Camelback getting new restaurants The Poconos resort announced the opening of three new restaurants on the property in the coming months. They are: Graffiti Pizza, Kartrite Summit House and Berrelli’s Italian Kitchen. Local law firm relocates office Sweet

The fifth annual Edwardsville Pierogi Festival wrapped up Saturday at Johns Hopkins Memorial Park. Saturday’s events featured a pierogi cookoff. Winners were: n Best vendor pierogi: Joe’s Homemade, first place; EJK Concessions, second place; and The Polis

NEWPORT TWP. — Frank Slapikas came from Alabama to mourn an uncle he never met and greet a cousin he never knew existed. Frank Slapikas was 3-years-old when his dad’s brother, Edward F. Slapikas, was killed during the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor

Addiction can ruin or end a life at any age. Paul Sorokas was 75 when he died on April 1, 2017, the oldest person to die from a drug overdose in Luzerne County last year. Sorokas, a fun-loving but hard-working man known as “Bobo” who lived in Wilkes-Barre

Peter Butera plans to return to the scene of the crime for the upcoming Wyoming Area High School graduation ceremony. His so-called crime: The valedictorian went off script delivering a speech at last year’s ceremony, and Wyoming Area Secondary School Pri

Twelve people died of drug overdoses in Luzerne County in April 2017, according to the county coroner’s office. The Citizens’ Voice is naming only those whose families agreed to be interviewed. n April 1: Paul Sorokas, 76, from Wilkes-Barre. n April 1: Ma

MORTGAGES n Robert Watson et al. to American Advisors Group, $186,000; Central Avenue, Salem Twp. n Robert Watson et al. to Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, $186,000; Central Avenue, Salem Twp. n Gary J. Casale et al. to Mortgage Electronic

King’s College Six faculty members were recently granted tenure by the college’s board of directors. Granted tenure and promoted to associate professor were Deborah Carr, Ed.D., education; Chad Hogg, Ph.D., computer science; Janine Janoski, Ph.D., mathema

WILKES-BARRE — A city woman fraudulently collected more than $8,200 in welfare benefits by hiding income she earned as a hairstylist, according to charges filed in court. Asiana C. Williams, 24, of 74 Wyoming St., was arraigned Thursday on a single felony

The owner of a company that lost its contract to provide security for the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority said the authority cut ties because she questioned Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner’s use of authority property to land his helicopt

NANTICOKE — The Quality Hill Playground, a staple in the Nanticoke community, is in need of repairs. The park was severely damaged when a May 15 storm decimated several trees, ripped the roofing off the park’s two buildings and destroyed parts of the chai

PITTSTON — A woman caught stealing a battery charger from a drug store is facing robbery charges after pulling a knife in what she described as a “social experiment that went horribly wrong,” according to police. Rosaria Helyn DeAngelo, 33, is accused of

WILKES-BARRE — The female student at the center of a sex scandal involving a former Pittston Area High School teacher is seeking the court’s permission to contact the woman convicted of sexually abusing her. Through an attorney, the now 20-year-old colleg

DALLAS — A high school football star who was severely injured in a shooting years ago died this week — five years to the day after the mysterious home invasion. Paul Brace Jr., 24, died Tuesday afternoon after being found in a bathtub at the family home,

WILKES-BARRE — Fed up with crime, nuisance properties and feeling threatened in their neighborhoods, close to 100 city residents filled a church hall Thursday to tell city officials about the problems they’re dealing with and to have their questions answe

DUPONT — Officials from beverage contract manufacturer USHydrations unveiled a new $20 million high-speed beverage manufacturing line at a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday and announced plans for an additional multi-million dollar expansion. Prashant Shit

WILKES-BARRE — A Hudson man charged last month with abandoning a child at a local toy store was arraigned on a felony child endangerment charge Thursday. Thomas Heath Himlin Jr., 24, of 104 Union St., is accused of leaving the baby he was supposed to be w

A local funeral home and area emergency responders are getting ready to give a hero’s welcome to a U.S. Navy sailor killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor nearly 77 years ago. The remains of Seaman 1st Class Edward Slapikas are slated to arrive around 5