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Greater Pittston residents announce candidacy for Pittston Area School Board

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Vietnam War veterans reunite in Luzerne County after 50 years of searching

The following are recent Luzerne County restaurant inspection reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. According to the agency: &#8220;any inspection is a &#8216;snapshot&#8217; of the day and time of the inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term cleanliness of an establishment. Also, at the time of the inspection, violations are recorded but are often corrected on site prior to the inspector leaving the establishment.&#8221;The information is taken from the inspection database at <a href="http://www.eatsafepa.com/" target="_blank" title="Pa. Department of Agriculture">www.eatsafepa.com</a>.Postal addresses used here are as listed on the state&#8217;s website, and may not correspond to the municipalities in the which facilities are physically located.St. Nick&#8217;s/ St. Mary&#8217;s Elementary School, 242 S Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, April 20. No violations.Revello&#8217;s Old Forge Pizza, 165 W. Union St., Kingston, April 20. Outside waste handling unit had drain plug removed.Polish Falcons Nest 128, 631 Main St., Duryea, April 20. Observed wet wiping cloths in the bar area, not being stored in sanitizer solution. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Interior of ice machine, a food contact surface, was observed to have soda residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Women&#8217;s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. Observed a container of liquid air freshener in the kitchen area not clearly labeled with a manufacturer&#8217;s label. The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Observed a half gallon of milk, expired April 18; person in charge voluntarily discarded. Food facility is not using an approved detergent-sanitizer in both compartments of the two compartment manual warewashing equipment. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the bar area to remind food employees to wash their hands. No paper towels or soap available at handwash sink in the bar area.Planet Fitness, Gateway Shopping Center, Unit 21B, Edwardsville, April 20. No violations.Pat&#8217;s on Heights, 440 S. Poplar St., Hazleton, April 20. Wiping cloths not kept in sanitizing solution when not in use. No hair restraints worn during food prep. Floor tiles in food prep area are deteriorated/broken/missing pieces.Meyers High School, 341 Carey Ave., Wilkes-Barre, April 20. Hot water heater is not producing enough hot water to supply in any of the sinks found in not one but all restrooms throughout school at time of inspection.Kwik Kook, 2386 W. Main St., Hunlock Creek, April 20. No violations.Henry&#8217;s Bar, 134 E. Broad St., Hazleton, April 20. No violations.Heights Murray Elementary School, 1 S. Sherman St., Wilkes-Barre, April 20. No violations.Georgio&#8217;s Subs &amp; Suds, 25 N. Laurel St., Hazleton, April 20. Surface coating on wire shelving in CRC 2 door cooler is deteriorated. High temperature dish washer is not achieving 160&#176;F plate surface temperature in final rinse; all equipment and utensils to be subject to a properly mixed chemical sanitizer on exit from machine until unit is repaired. Wire racks in walk in cooler have build up of mold on food contact surfaces and framework. Person(s) in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. No hair restraints worn during food prep. Food containers are stored on floor in walk in cooler and walk in freezer. Plastic pail of previously frozen chicken is thawing on counter at room temperature. Product is still partially frozen; product removed to refrigeration unit; discussed acceptable thawing methods. Potentially hazardous, re-packed, ready to eat foods held longer than 24 hours are not date marked for 7-day discard. No written procedures available for potentially hazardous pizza and meat filled baked items held at room temperature. Rear food prep area screen door is propped open. Food handler certification posted is a certificate of achievement, not a food handler certification as required; proof of certification or enrollment in an approved certification course required within 10 days.Cwiklas Quality Bakery, 623 Main St., Avoca, April 20. Icing in the refrigeration unit area stored open with no covering. Food dispensing utensil (scoop) observed stored in the bulk food container and not with handle above the top of the food and the container. Dough sheeter, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch; one half of the sheeter was cleaned and the other half of the sheeter was in the process of being cleaned. Observed metal shelving in refrigeration unit with an accumulation of rust and debris. Mechanical warewashing equipment observed with build up of slimy residue inside. Non-food contact surfaces (handles of refrigeration units, exterior of bulk food bins, mixers) not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of old food residue and debris. Receiving door located in the basement area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals; person in charge is in the process of placing a barrier at the bottom of door. Old unused equipment stored in basement area, should be removed from food facility. Wall in the basement baking area (coal bin door), has an opening and needs to be sealed.Colonial Pancake House &amp; Restaurant, 2001 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, April 20. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Observed boxes and containers of food stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer; this was corrected during this inspection. Loose and torn rubber door gaskets observed on the single door refrigeration unit in the kitchen. Observed a packet of rodent poison on the floor under the steps leading to the basement instead of in a secured box; the rodent bait was removed during this inspection. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view; owner stated she has a current certification and will e-mail it to this inspector by April 24. Observed a hole (approximately 3 by 6 inches) in the floor exposing the space between the floor joists at the archway in the warewash area.American Legion Post #495, 575 State Route 239, Shickshinny, April 20. Observed a build-up of pink slime on the drip edge inside the ice machine; the ice machine was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection.Vesuvio&#8217;s Pizzeria Ristorante, 101 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton, April 21. Three chemical sprayers are hanging on wire shelf, by actuators above three-basin sink. Wooden knife scabbard in use is not easily cleanable by design. Two chemical sprayers are not labeled for content. Person(s) in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. No hair restraints worn during food prep. Food containers stored on floor in walk-in cooler. Re-packed, ready to eat, potentially hazardous foods held 24 hours are not date marked. No written procedures available for potentially hazardous pizzas, meat topped pizza and assorted meat topped/meat filled baked items held at room temperature. No thermometers visible in all in use refrigeration units. Rear food prep screen door is open; basement man door is exhibiting open gaps around sealing surfaces.Sonic Drive-In, 58 Station Circle, Hazle Township, April 21. No violations.Pizzano&#8217;s Pizza, 733 Main St., Avoca, April 21. No sign or poster posted at the hand wash sink in the prep and rest room areas to remind food employees to wash their hands; signs were posted during this inspection. Hood filters and area around filters has an accumulation of grease. Floors underneath fryers and alongside pizza oven have an accumulation of grease and debris. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid. Owner provided proof that his wife is scheduled to take a Serv Safe class on May 12, 2015. Owner to fax a copy of certificate.Pine Springs Cakes and Pastries, 895 Saint John&#8217;s Road, Wapwallopen, April 21. No violations.Martin&#8217;s Candy &amp; Cake Supply, Rear 198 Simpson St., Swoyersville, April 21. No violations.Marianacci&#8217;s Restaurant, 252 W. Eighth St., West Wyoming, April 21. Food employee observed in prep area, wearing watch on arms. Raw chicken and eggs observed stored above prepared food items in reach-in refrigerator. Scoop being stored in the ice machine and ice storage bins with handle in contact with the ice. Observed wet wiping cloth in bar area, not being stored in sanitizer solution while not in use. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Can opener, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. No hot and cold water available at handwash sinks at the time of this inspection. Working containers in kitchen area, used for storing chemicals and cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Clams located in the walk-in cooler and small refrigerator area did not have identification tags attached to the container. Observed boxes of food (potato, lemon, tomato) stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Fan guards in walk-in coolers have an accumulation of static dust. No current Food Employee Certification at facility; sanitarian gave person in charge contact information for completing food safety course. No hot and cold water available at handwash sinks at the time of this inspection. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the prep area.Twin Oaks Golf Course, 469 Orange Road, Dallas, April 22. The food facility does not have a hand-wash sink located in the food prep/warewashing area; the owner placed a cambro with spout and is going to boil water and place in the cambro for hand washing until a handwash sink is installed. Women&#8217;s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.Treat Pizza &amp; Ice Cream, Memorial Highway, Dallas, April 22. Observed boxes and buckets containing food stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required; this was corrected during this inspection and all items were elevated off of the floor. The employee restroom is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. Plastic observed in the handwash sink, indicating uses other than handwashing; this was corrected during this inspection and lids were moved to warewash sink.Tomato Bar, 7 Tomato Fest Drive, Pittston, April 22. A food employee was observed touching lettuce &#8212; a ready to eat food &#8212; with bare hands. Working containers in bar area, used for storing *chemicals, cleaners* taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Food employees observed in kitchen area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the kitchen area to remind food employees to wash their hands. The handwash sink in the kitchen area was blocked by silverware tray and not accessible at all times for employee use.Subway #30026, 901 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, April 22. Tuna salad, seafood salad, sliced tomato were held at 48&#176;F/ 51&#176;F and 56&#176;F, in the bain marie area, rather than 41&#176;F or below as required. Also, deli meat and cheese were held at 49&#176;F. Deli meat and cheese removed to walk in cooler for cool down. Person in charge stated that product is in cold unit approximately two hours. Tuna salad, seafood salad were made on prior day. Tuna salad, seafood salad and sliced tomato disposed during this inspection. Bain marie is not holding 41&#176;F or below. Refrigerator not to be used to hold potentially hazardous foods. Internal temperature 48&#176;F. Reviewed process with person in charge for corrective action. No thermometer is available in all in use refrigerator units. The food facility does not maintain Food Employee Certification records as required.Nico&#8217;s Pizza, 142 Darling St., Wilkes-Barre, April 22. No violations.Lucky Charms Bar &amp; Grill, 224 E. 5 th St., Hazleton, April 22. Build up of grease, old food splatter on interior surfaces of ware wash sink compartments. Grease build up on kitchen wall surfaces; wall surfaces in process of grease removal.Lispi&#8217;s Lounge &amp; Restaurant, 1218 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, April 22. Observed in-use knives stored between table edges or between tables, an area not easily cleanable and sanitized.Kistler Elementary, 301 Old River Road, Wilkes-Barre, April 22. No violations.Johnny Rockets &#8212; Mohegan Sun, 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, April 22. Observed wet wiping cloths in cooking area, not being stored in sanitizer solution. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the front area. No paper towels provided at the handwash sink in the front area.III Guys Pizza, 11 Garbutt Ave., Dallas, April 22. Observed containers of food stored directly on the floor in walk in cooler, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required; this was corrected during this inspection. The handwash sink in the food prep area does not have single use towels, continuous towels, or air drying device; paper towels were placed at the handwash sink during this inspection. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the prep area; soap was placed at the sink during this inspection.Holy Redeemer High School, 139 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre, April 22. No violations.Half Time Lounge, 189 Simpson St., Swoyersville, April 22. Observed a build up of static dust on the fan guard inside the walk-in keg cooler in basement. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.Dollar Tree #2240, 1050 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, April 22. No violations.Di Pisa Italian Restaurant, 101 E. Broad St., Hazleton, April 22. Cold water faucet handle on food prep hand wash sink is missing; person in charge stated repairs would be made that day.Cafe Italia, 1723 River Road, Pittston, April 22. A food employee was observed touching cut lemons &#8212; a ready to eat food &#8212; with bare hands. Food in the walk-in refrigerator area stored open with no covering. Food utensils in kitchen area observed stored in a container of water with sanitizing solution. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in all refrigeration equipment. The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Food employees observed in kitchen area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats. Shellstock located in the walk in area did not have identification tags attached to the container. Observed food stored directly on the floor in walk in freezer area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the walk in freezer, is not being date marked. Observed a pink slime on the divider plate inside ice machine. The food facility does not have a designated handwash sink located in the food prep/warewashing area. Women&#8217;s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the rest room areas to remind food employees to wash their hands.Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s &#8212; Mohegan Sun, 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, Suite 1237, Wilkes-Barre, April 22. Working containers of cleaners were stored alongside and above paper cups and straws, single service articles in the counter area. Bulk food ingredient storage containers, and in use containers in the prep area, not labeled with the common name of the food. Food dispensing utensil (scoops) in bulk food observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food and the container. Observed paper cups with no handles being used as scoops in bulk foods. Lid covering sugar mixture is cracked, not easily cleanable. Working container of hand soap at the handwash sink in the prep area was not marked with the common name of the chemical. The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats. Single door refrigerator has an accumulation of standing water on the interior of the refrigerator. Observed a buildup of old syrup behind the soda dispensing nozzles. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the prep area to remind food employees to wash their hands. Observed a buildup of old food residue on the bottom of the pizza oven. Sink under mashup mixer has an accumulation of old dried residue in it. Food facility has an employee that has taken food safety training program; however, the food safety program was not an ANSI/CFP accredited Certified Food Manager program.Bear Creek Deli, 1099 Bear Creek Boulevard, Wilkes-Barre, April 22. No violations.

Restaurant inspections: April 20 - 24