web1_Walter-Lewis-mug-8-1-15_toned.jpg

Citing tough childhood, Wilkes-Barre man wants 10- to 20-year sentence halved

web1_tonyedwards01.jpg

Interfaith Heights shooting suspect refuses plea deal, headed for trial

WILKES-BARRE TWP. &#8212; Work will be done from floor to ceiling at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza after contracts for two capital projects were awarded Monday.The Luzerne County Convention Center Authority awarded the contracts after opening bids for repairs to the ice floor and reinforcement of the roof trusses.Total Mechanical Services Inc. of St. Paul Park, Minnesota, received the go ahead to do the floor work on a time and material basis, said Dave Palermo, chairman of the authority that oversees the operation of the arena.The project involves repairing leaks in the tubing under the concrete floor and patching the areas where the floor has to be opened up to make the repairs. Palermo said the cost is to be determined.The project has to be completed before the start of the 2016-2017 hockey season in October for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the anchor tenant of the arena since it opened in 1999.&#8220;We&#8217;re hoping for them to get in by June 27 and be done by July 24,&#8221; Palermo said.The authority selected E.D. Pons and Associates Inc. of Wilkes-Barre to design and supervise the steel truss reinforcement project at a cost of $73,210.The authority decided to strengthen the steel supporting the roof in order to accommodate the rigging needs of productions with heavier equipment and bring in more shows.On Wednesday, the authority will open bids for the construction of a &#8220;club pub&#8221; project and the relocation of concessionaire Chickie&#8217;s &amp; Pete&#8217;s to another spot on the concourse. Contracts for the project will be awarded at a special meeting scheduled for noon on June 30 at the arena.<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Jerry Lynottjlynott@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott</shirttailMeta></div>

Capital project contracts awarded for Mohegan Sun Arena