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Long Term Care Association elects officers

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Scranton diner Linda Kay’s featured on Food Network’s “American Diner Revival”

<p>WILKES-BARRE TWP. &#8212;Richard Hart, a volunteer firefighter and son of the township&#8217;s fire chief, is heading to county court on felony charges of arson and reckless burning.</p><p>Hart, 20, appeared before Magisterial District Judge Michael Dotzel Tuesday for a preliminary hearing. Hart waived one charge each of arson and reckless burning to higher court. A felony burglary and two other arson charges were withdrawn.</p><p>Hart&#8217;s attorney, John Pike, said his client is expected to plead not guilty.</p><p>Pike said to his knowledge, Hart has no prior criminal history.</p><p>&#8220;He&#8217;s a young man,&#8221; Pike said. &#8220;It&#8217;s a lot for someone of his age. He&#8217;s coping, he&#8217;s got his family supporting him. It&#8217;s a lot of stress, this type of accusation.&#8221;</p><p>Some new bail modifications were also made at the hearing. Hart is prohibited from having contact with the victims or with the Wilkes-Barre Township Fire Department and he must remain at his residence other than for employment or medical purposes.</p><p>Hart is accused of starting <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/502072/volunteer-firefighter-son-of-a-chief-charged-with-arson" target="_blank">a blaze that damaged a residence on Casey Avenue</a> in the early morning hours of Dec. 21.</p><p>According to the criminal complaint, Hart allegedly admitted to officials he gained entry to the residence through a rear door after chasing a cat. Hart allegedly kicked a can of gasoline and then dropped a cigar on the fluid to ignite the blaze.</p><p>Hart left the residence and went home where he later awoke to his pager alerting him to a fire. He then fought the fire he allegedly set.</p><p>Hart is scheduled to appear in the Luzerne County Courthouse for a formal arraignment at 9 a.m. April 29. He remains free on $25,000 bail.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Richard Hart arrives for a hearing at Judge Dotzel's on arson charges.  2/9/2016 Aimee Dilger|Times Leader</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_TTL021016Richard-Hart1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Richard Hart arrives for a hearing at Judge Dotzel's on arson charges.  2/9/2016 Aimee Dilger|Times Leader</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Son of Wilkes-Barre Township fire chief headed to higher court on arson charge