November 6
Hazleton residents trash garbage-fee rates

HAZLETON – City Council didn’t discuss Mayor Lou Barletta’s 2010 budget proposal at Thursday night’s meeting, but it did address comments from citizens who complained about a proposed garbage fee increase noted in the plan.

The budget, put together by Acting City Administrator Mary Ellen Lieb and released to the council clerk on Monday, proposes raising real estate taxes from 1.40 mills to 2.38 mills – a $98 increase for every $100,000 in assessed property value – an earned income tax hike from 1.9 percent to 2.25 percent, and increasing the annual garbage collection fee from $208 to $240.

The income tax hike is necessary for the city to meet its minimum municipal obligation to the pension fund as required by state law. And the real estate tax hike was necessary to balance the budget and meet contractual obligations, even though the proposal factors in savings from layoffs of some city employees, Lieb had said.


Layoffs, tax hikes part of Hazleton plans

HAZLETON – A homeowner in the city with a $30,000-per-year job and a home valued at $100,000 could expect to pay another $235 in taxes and fees next year, according to a budget proposal Mayor Lou Barletta released to council on Monday.

Freeland losing 225 workers

FREELAND – About 225 employees at Garland Commercial Industries, by far Freeland’s largest employer, were told Monday that Garland’s parent company has decided to close the manufacturing plant on July 1, 2010.

Man gets 12-25 in brutal beating of 71-year-old

WILKES-BARRE – Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Chester Muroski wanted to know why Giacomo Pisciotta went so far when he brutally beat a 71-year-old man with a bat and took $25 from his home.

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Relay victory lifts Dallas over Hazleton

DALLAS – The 400 free relay team of Caitlyn Barry, McKenzie Kelley, Erin Fallon and Stacey Stepniak won the final event to give Dallas a 97-89 victory over Hazleton Area in Wyoming ...

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Obama says it's now Senate's turn on health care

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Sunday it was time for the Senate to "take the baton" on health care reform after the House passed its plan for overhauling the nation ...








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1. Freeland losing 225 workers
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4. Man gets 12-25 in brutal beating of 71-year-old
5. Changing his tune to penance
6. Election Bureau looks into violations
7. 8 arrested in Hazleton area drug bust
8. Hazleton residents trash garbage-fee rates


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