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Von Miller signs record-breaking $114.5M deal with Broncos

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Zeroing In: Hillary Clinton’s dishonesty makes her unworthy of nation’s top post

<p><strong><strong>Diamonds</strong> </strong>to the two impromptu &#8220;snake handlers&#8221; who, in a Kingston parking lot Thursday, crawled under an SUV to remove a wayward, 10-foot boa constrictor. Cameron English, owner of CDE Exotics in Hanover Township, and bystander Nathan Fortson sprang into action, untangling the serpent from the vehicle&#8217;s drive shaft. The extraction took about 45 minutes. A tow truck operator reportedly assisted by lifting the SUV so the men could shimmy underneath to tug on the boa&#8217;s scaly body. Presumably an abandoned or escaped pet, the snake will stay with English. He <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/565454/boa-constrictor-found-wrapped-underneath-suv-in-kingston" target="_blank">told a Times Leader reporter</a>, &#8220;I&#8217;m happy it worked out that there was no harm to the snake or anyone else.&#8221;</p><p><strong>Coal</strong> to swindler and ex-Hazle Township solicitor Charles R. Pedri. The Hazleton resident, 64, pleaded guilty this week to the theft of more than $100,000 that he drained from what should have been an escrow account, according to federal prosecutors. He has since repaid the sum. But for his offense, Pedri faces the loss of his freedom (the charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison), as well as the loss of his law license, a lot of money in potential fines and, of course, people&#8217;s respect. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. Each time a white-collar crime of this sort gets uncovered in Northeastern Pennsylvania, it chips away out our collective confidence &#8211; in our governments, our institutions and in each other. Chip, chip, chip.</p><p><strong>Diamonds</strong> to Wilkes-Barre council members Tony Brooks and Beth Gilbert. Each voiced concerns in recent months about Mayor Tony George&#8217;s proposal to move a handful of city checking accounts to Dunmore&#8217;s, cloud-covered First National Community Bank. FNCB was fined $1.5 million last year for violating the Bank Security Act, reportedly having failed to file suspicious activity reports on transactions involving illicit proceeds from the &#8220;kids for cash&#8221; judicial corruption scheme. On Thursday, Brooks and Gilbert voted against establishing the accounts at FNCB. However, three council colleagues apparently had no qualms about the arrangement, and they approved it.</p><p><strong>Coal</strong> to crooked ex-credit union CEO Sean Jelen. The 33-year-old pleaded guilty this week to bank fraud charges connected with his underhanded activities while at Valor Credit Union, formerly known as Tobyhanna Federal Credit Union. Prosecutors accused him of spending company funds on his personal expenses: credit card and tuition bills, expenses for a spouse&#8217;s birthday party, and a golf tournament sponsorship. They also say he rigged elections for the credit union&#8217;s board of directors. (There goes more of the public&#8217;s confidence. Chip, chip, chip.)</p><p><strong><strong><strong>Diamonds</strong></strong></strong> to area residents who provide positive experiences for children and teens attending summer camp. Whether an instructional camp &#8211; focusing on a theme such as computers, science or conservation &#8211; or one run just for fun, these programs create lasting memories. Camp on!</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Photo courtesy of Lonnie Miller | Eyewitness News</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_boa1-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Photo courtesy of Lonnie Miller | Eyewitness News</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>

Our Opinion: Snake wranglers deserve praise for getting driver out of tight squeeze