Luzerne County Government

Latest Headlines

October 12, 2008

County looks to gas for cash

Having witnessed the natural-gas drilling boom both in other counties and for some local residents, Luzerne County officials are considering the windfall potential for county lands.

October 11, 2008

Skrep to support Obama ticket

Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak on Friday said he has decided to support his party’s presidential ticket and wants to resolve his volatile relationship with fellow Democratic Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla.

October 10, 2008

Clerk of courts wants hearing on pay raises

A dormant plan to increase Luzerne County row officer salaries may be revived next week.

October 10, 2008

Budget talks set with row officers

Luzerne County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla said county officials will meet with row officers, probably next Tuesday, about a plan to cut the county budget 20 percent next year.

October 9, 2008

Exits will save $1.8M

Officials expect Luzerne County will save at least $1.8 million in 2009 with the acceptance of an early-retirement incentive plan by 127 county employees.

October 8, 2008

Judge grills Petrilla on ’08 deficit

Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Ann Lokuta said she needs time to rule on the county’s request to borrow up to $15.9 million for the 2008 deficit.

October 7, 2008

County faces battle to borrow

When Luzerne County commissioners went to court to borrow $17 million for debt in 2004, the proceeding lasted a half hour, if that, before the request was granted by Judge Michael Conahan.

October 7, 2008

LCCC contractor did work for Skrepenak

The president of a company awarded a $1.6 million contract to oversee Luzerne County Community College’s construction projects acknowledged he remodeled a room in Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak’s home several years ago, but insisted he and Skrepenak are not friends.

September 30, 2008

County’s early retire deadline here

Luzerne County employees must sign up for the early-retirement incentive by today, but the number and identity of those leaving won’t be publicly revealed until Oct. 8, county officials say.

September 27, 2008

Skrepenak says rift with Petrilla weakens party

WILKES-BARRE – Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak said his rift with fellow Democratic commissioner Maryanne Petrilla has weakened the Democratic Party.

September 23, 2008

Luzerne County replaces pension fund manager

The Luzerne County Retirement Board voted today to hire Smith Barney to oversee the county employee pension fund.

September 23, 2008

Skrep: Board’s tactic gives some agents an unfair edge

Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak doesn’t think the county should send letters to insurance carriers authorizing them to give price quotes to particular insurance agents, especially without discussing the move in advance at a public meeting.

September 19, 2008

Skrep pins fiscal woes on Petrilla

Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak issued a press release Thursday titled “Skrepenak Blasts Petrilla, Urban Over 2008 Budget Mess.”

September 18, 2008

County to request $16M loan

HAZLETON – Luzerne County’s reassessment will continue as planned, and the county will also seek court approval to borrow up to $16 million to plug the 2008 deficit, commissioners decided Wednesday.

September 17, 2008

Six pursue pension fund job

The Luzerne County Retirement Board interviewed six applicants Tuesday in its search for an employee pension fund manager.

September 16, 2008

Reports of county government indictments ‘premature’

A source familiar with a federal probe into Luzerne County government said reports that indictments will be handed down imminently against members of the judiciary and county officials are premature.

September 15, 2008

County eyes up to $16M in loans

Luzerne County Commissioners already used $18 million of a new bond to cover the 2008 deficit, and now they plan to vote Wednesday to seek court approval to borrow up to $16 million more to get the county through the rest of 2008.

September 3, 2008

Moran OKs $3.4M for firm

Luzerne County Prothonotary Jill Moran has once again entered a $3.4 million judgment against a law firm in a hotly contested legal malpractice case that included allegations of bias against Judge Mark Ciavarella.

August 29, 2008

Sources: Forfeited cash eyed

WILKES-BARRE - The latest FBI probe into Luzerne County finances is focusing on whether money forfeited by liquor license holders cited for gambling activities was turned over to the county treasurer’s office, according to two sources familiar with the investigation.

August 22, 2008

FBI asked to probe funds in judiciary

August 22, 2008

County officials delay votes

August 20, 2008

$10M county deficit projected

August 11, 2008

Military service helps Brace retire

August 9, 2008

Brace ‘retires’ to state job

July 18, 2008

Vonderheid owes back tax

July 9, 2008

Guesto threatens to sue Petrilla

July 5, 2008

TL’s lawsuit against commissioners reinstated

June 25, 2008

County closes on $87M+ bond deal

June 20, 2008

County early retirement plan OK’d

June 17, 2008

County may offer 368 early retirement

June 17, 2008

Bond-package deal nears for county

May 21, 2008

Hunsinger may see penalty

April 25, 2008

Ninety absentee ballots missed deadline, Luzerne County Commissioner Stephen Urban said

April 17, 2008

Commissioners halt bigger jail

April 16, 2008

Urban: Guesto should pay bill

April 7, 2008

Petrilla says she is breaking away joint campaign committee with Skrep

March 29, 2008

Skrep: Pals wrongly accused

March 28, 2008

Commissioners want county health dept.

March 11, 2008

Home rule push may be revived

February 28, 2008

Pape gets county clerk/manager post

February 22, 2008

Skrep: Debit card usage not criminal

February 7, 2008

Defender’s office finds cash for experts

January 29, 2008

Controller bid: Brominski in, Piazza out

January 24, 2008

Defenders say office is strapped

January 24, 2008

Ex-commissioner praises Guesto

January 11, 2008

Row office hikes to be eyed