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Violent crime and its potential solutions highlight campaign platforms for Wilkes-Barre’s Democratic mayoral candidates

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Consumer Watchdog: Pennsylvania’s sales tax rules baffle retailers at times

The following are recent Lackawanna 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.Rite Aid No. 11064, 791 Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Eynon, April 2o. No violations.Froyo-Lux, 1506 B Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Dickson City, April 20. No violations.Foliage Chinese Restaurant, 43-45 7th Ave., Carbondale, April 20. Right bay of the three compartment sink has been repaired with a rubber like material not approved for repairing equipment. The surface is not smooth and easy cleanable.Alpine Swirl, 1150 Main St., Peckville, April 20. Observed food ingredient storage containers, in the kitchen area, not labeled with the common name of the food. Ice cream scoops are stored in water that is not maintained at or above 135 degrees F. Reviewed acceptable options for storing ice cream scoop with person in charge for corrective action. Spray bottle in kitchen area was not labeled to indicate the type of chemical in container. Observed half gallon of skim milk with expired dates of April 19 intended for sale in the food facility; milk was pulled from sale during this inspection. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.Subway No. 13596, 860 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, April 21. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the under counter refrigerator. Temperature noted at 34 degrees F during this inspection. Non-food contact surfaces (self service soda dispenser) not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dust and soda sugar residue.Subway, 95 Brooklyn St., Suite 2, Carbondale, April 21. No violations.Russens Sports Bar, 201 River St., Olyphant, April 21. Food Employee Certification expired in February 2015. Manager is in the process of registering to take a class. A list of courses was provided during this inspection. Once course is completed, manager to fax a copy of certificate to PDA regional office.Meat Your Dinner, 710 N. Main Ave., Apt. 1, Scranton, April 21. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in freezer equipment.Julia&#8217;s Restaurant, 501 N. Main St., Old Forge, April 21. Can opener, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Observed black residue forming around cuber inside ice machine bin; person in charge cleaned during this inspection. Food Employee Certification has expired. Person in charge stated they intend to complete exam in May; owner to fax servsafe certification. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the prep area.Carbondale Area JSHS, Brooklyn Street, Route 6, Carbondale, April 21. Prepackaged meat cheese wraps and salads prepared in the facility are not labeled properly with a complete ingredient statement, to clearly indicate any &#8220;Big 8&#8221; allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement.Arcaro and Genell, 443 S. Main St., Old Forge, April 21. Non-food contact surfaces a fan located in the ware wash area of facility and walk-in cooler not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Observed above mechanical dishwasher equipment, in ware wash area, with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces.Trojan Diner, 135 N. Main St., Moscow, April 22. No violations.Thick &amp; Thin Pizza, 919 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, April 22. An unopened pack of cigarettes was observed in the dry storage area during the inspection; the cigarettes were removed during this inspection. Food ingredient storage containers, in the prep and storage area, are not labeled with the common name of the food. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Chemical sanitizer not available in the facility; owner went to Weis Market and purchased chlorine bleach during this inspection. Wall in the ware wash area near the mop sink has food splash.Taco Bell No. 28964, 100 Sumner Ave., Clarks Summit, April 22. Temperature measuring devices for ensuring proper temperatures of equipment are not available or readily accessible in the under counter refrigerator units. Temperatures were noted at 36 degrees and 34 degrees F during this inspection; thermometers were placed in the units during this inspection. No sign or poster posted at the hand wash sink in the men&#8217;s restroom area to remind food employees to wash their hands; a sign was posted during this inspection.Otown Craft House, 400 Lackawanna Ave., Olyphant, April 22. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible. Women&#8217;s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view; The person in charge has a valid Serv Safe Certificate which he will fax to PDA regional office. Ceiling tiles missing in the kitchen area, and need to be replaced.Moxie Club, 80 Orchard St., Carbondale, April 22. Grease grime build up on floor surface behind commercial oven and deep fryers and in need of cleaning.M and J&#8217;s, 542 Wildcat Road, Olyphant, April 22. Working containers in ware wash area, used for storing chemicals taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical; the containers were labeled during this inspection. Observed bags of potatoes stored directly on the floor in kitchen area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required; the potatoes were moved off the floor during this inspection. Hood filters have an accumulation of grease. Non-food contact surfaces (soda gun holder) not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of sugar syrup. The interior ceilings of the two microwave ovens, food contact surfaces, were observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch; the microwaves were cleaned during this inspection. The potato slicer, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch; the slicer was cleaned during this inspection. Food facility is using an approved non-public water system, but does not have current laboratory testing results for water potability; lab results will be mailed to the PDA regional office.Brew House Mini Mart Cafe, 36 Sturges Road, Peckville, April 22. No violations.Tony B&#8217;s Convenient Mart, 1591 Heartlake Road, Scott Township, April 24. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Food facility does not have a certified food employee as required; a list of courses was left with the person in charge. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid.Subway NNo. 54001, 741 Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Unit 5, Archbald, April 24. Observed plain omelette in the walk-in freezer area stored open with no covering. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in Coca-Cola refrigerator equipment. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.Sebastianelli&#8217;s Restaurant, 221 Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Eynon, April 24. Observed rust on walk-in cooler floor. Missing and broken floor tiles observed in dish washing area. Exit door located in the kitchen area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals; this was in the process of being corrected at the time of this inspection.Schwann&#8217;s Home Delivery Service, 1254 Midvalley Drive, Jessup, April 24. No violations.Dukes Pizza, 601 Main St., Carbondale, April 24. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available in baine marie or Pepsi refrigerated equipment used for holding temperature controlled foods. Several floor tiles in the food prep area are cracked broken and in need of repair. Exhaust hood vents have been removed and need to put back in place. Food prep area floor surfaces of the food facility is dirty, dusty, and in need of cleaning. Non-food contact surfaces baine marie rubber door gaskets not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of black mold-like residue. Dust and webbing observed on hood vents stored on floor behind pizza oven.Chocolate Creations, 1520 Pennsylvania Ave., Peckville, April 24. Food facility does not have available chlorinated sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Excessive clutter and old unused equipment observed in dry storage and kitchen area, should be removed/clean in the food facility; person in charge in process of cleaning at the time of this inspection. A Food Employee Certification is displayed, but the individual is no longer employed by the food establishment.Al-A-Cart, 101 Horseshoe Drive, Moscow, April 24. No violations.Kentucky Fried Chicken No. C253001, 531 Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Eynon, April 27. Water filter attached to ice machine is not dated to indicate when filter was replaced.Greek American Grill, 1253 Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Route 6, Dickson City, April 27. The handwash sink in the food area was blocked and not accessible at all times for employee use.Dollar General No. 4023, 860 Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Eynon, April 27. No violations.Rich&#8217;s Restaurant &amp; Catering, LLC, 1000 S. Keyser Ave., Taylor, April 28. Observed a half quart of chocolate milk with a sell by date of April 21 for use in the facility. The milk was voluntarily discarded during this inspection.Afieri&#8217;s Family Restaurant, 488 S. Keyser Ave., Taylor, April 28. Observed an accumulation of grease between fryers and wall and stove and refrigerators. Food facility using rodent bait placed in bait stations which are not covered and tamper resistant in the basement; the bait stations were removed during this inspection. A food employee was observed washing their single gloved hands after handling raw sausage at the ware wash sink rather than the designated hand wash sink; employee was instructed that gloves are for single service use and hands must be washed in between changing tasks; employee was also instructed to use the designated hand sink for hand washing. Non-food contact surfaces (shelves in the glass reach-in refrigerator) not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Trash receptacle/waste handling unit outside does not have a tight-fitting lid or cover and the bottom is not sealed.Tomaino&#8217;s Restaurant, 273 N. Main St., Archbald, April 29. No violations.Summit Hills Golf Course, 1235 Country Club Road, Clarks Summit, April 29. Food facility using rodent bait placed in bait stations which are not covered and tamper resistant; the bait station was removed during this inspection.Ponderosa Hotel, 719 Pine St., Mayfield, April 29. Working containers of cleaners were stored above or on the same shelf with food; the cleaners were moved during this inspection. Food was held at 44-45 degrees F, in the Snapple reach-in cooler, rather than 41 degrees F or below as required; the foods were moved to walk-in cooler during this inspection. Snapple reach-in cooler was noted at 45 degrees F during this inspection; all foods were removed from unit during this inspection; the unit will not be used until it can maintain an ambient air temperature of 41 degrees F or lower. The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility, as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. The blade of the can opener, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch; the can opener was placed at the sink to be cleaned during this inspection. End caps missing on the lights in the main kitchen. Non-food contact surfaces (shelving in walk-in cooler) not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Non-food contact surfaces (handles of hand wash sink) not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Non-food contact surfaces (soda gun holster) not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil.Waverly Elementary School, 103 Waverly Road, Waverly, April 30. No violations.Sacchetti&#8217;s Pizza, 230 Oak St., Old Forge, April 30. No violations.Lakeleand Golf Club, Route 107, Box 206, Fleetville, April 30. No violations.

Lackawanna County restaurant inspections: April 20 - May 1