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Man accused of urinating on store merchandise turns self in to police

Letter to the Editor: Republican budget failed to make Pennsylvania schools a priority, governor’s aide says

<p><strong><strong>Diamonds</strong> </strong>&#8211; or should we say, black diamonds &#8211; to area ski resorts. <a href="http://www.montagemountainresorts.com/" target="_blank">Montage Mountain</a> in Scranton and other meccas for winter-weather fanatics finally got down to business this week, churning out artificial flakes and opening at least some of their trails for snow tubing, snowboarding and skiing. An unusually mild December had made some people wonder if this season would be a total wipeout. Not so. Before long, with Mother Nature&#8217;s assistance, every beginner and expert trail could be deeply snow-coated, allowing intrepid people to whoosh down runs such as Cannonball, Rattler and White Lightning.</p><p><strong><strong>Coal</strong></strong> to casino cheater Dustin Raynor Laird. The former Mohegan Sun Pocono employee pleaded guilty this week to conspiring with pai gow players to rip off more than $17,000 from the Plains Township casino. The Wilkes-Barre resident, 30, was approached by a man in the casino&#8217;s bathroom and coached on how to conduct the scheme, police said. Laird is scheduled to be sentenced in March. Rule No. 1 of the casino industry: The house <em>always</em> wins.</p><p><strong>Diamonds</strong> to New Year&#8217;s baby Alejandro Wickham II, whose birth at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township was the first reported in Luzerne County for 2016. May your life, Alejandro, be long and fruitful. And may you and others of your generation be able to innovate and embrace change such that the world enjoys new levels of prosperity and peace.</p><p><strong><strong>Coal</strong></strong> to inconsiderate sorts who risk further spreading colds, flus and other illnesses by not talking basic precautions. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands frequently. And, by all means, if you&#8217;re sick and can stay home from work, do so. A case of &#8220;whooping cough&#8221; has been confirmed in the Crestwood School District, according to a note sent to parents this week. The incident reinforces the heightened need in winter for parents to monitor their kids&#8217; health and exercise good judgment when deciding if it is OK for a child to be in the classroom.</p><p><strong>Diamonds</strong> to Marcella Lendacky, the longtime Wilkes-Barre police officer who this week was named the force&#8217;s acting chief. By virtue of the appointment, Lendacky, 55, secured a footnote in Wilkes-Barre history; she is the first woman to hold the city&#8217;s top law enforcement post. She replaces Chief Robert Hughes, who intends to soon retire. Her tenure will be closely watched for two reasons: curbing violent crime in the city became the centerpiece of incoming Mayor Tony George&#8217;s campaign &#8211; and likely represents how his administration&#8217;s legacy will be judged &#8211; and securing the confidence of all her fellow officers won&#8217;t be a breeze. &#8220;I know I&#8217;m going to have some resistance,&#8221; she said. Good luck on all fronts, Chief.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">It&#8217;s liftoff &#8211; at last &#8211; for ski season in Northeastern Pennsylvania, much to the delight of snowboarder Tristan Hunter and others attending Montage Mountain Ski Resort&#8217;s opening day this week in Scranton. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_Ski.jpg</photo0><caption0>It&#8217;s liftoff &#8211; at last &#8211; for ski season in Northeastern Pennsylvania, much to the delight of snowboarder Tristan Hunter and others attending Montage Mountain Ski Resort&#8217;s opening day this week in Scranton. </caption0><photoCredit0>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>

Our Opinion: Snowless winter won’t prevent region’s ski resorts from pleasing customers