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Ex-football star Hamilton praised for intervening in alleged drug activity

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7 killed, scores wounded by Israeli fire in Gaza protest

<p>Gov. Tom Wolf announced the approval of $25 million in funding for renovating 12 abandoned mine sites statewide, including four in Luzerne County.</p><p>The restorations are expected to create jobs and new attractions in the area through environmental clean-up and revitalization at the sites, the governor&#8217;s office said in a statement released Friday.</p><p>Based on information from Wolf and state Sen. John Yudichak (D-Plymouth Township), the local projects are:</p><p>&#8226; The Earth Conservancy will receive $2.5 million for the construction Bliss Bank 3 Business Park, straddling Hanover and Newport Townships. The project will see a revitalization of 55 acres of mined land, including 1,200 feet of mine high walls. The releases said the project will add approximately 1,000 full-time jobs to the area.</p><p>&#8226; Hazle Township will receive a combined $3 million to revitalize land on the CAN DO North Park Drive Business Park along with the Hollars Hill South AML Site. The combined efforts will see nearly 280 acres of mined land in the township cleaned. A community ballfield complex is planned at the latter site, and new development plan called the Cranberry Creek Gateway Project.</p><p>&#8226; Swoyersville will receive $2.3 million, which will aid in the reclamation of culm bank, restoring approximately 15 acres of a 55 acre refuse pile. Part of this project will involve restoration to the floodplain, and seven of the reclaimed acres will be transferred to the borough for the construction of a new athletic complex.</p><p>A fifth Northeastern Pennsylvania project, planned in Scranton, will involve the filling in of mind voids beneath a building owned by Lackawanna College, enabling to building to be used for educational purposes in the future.</p><p>&#8220;While it protects public health and safety through environmental cleanup, the disbursement of this funding will also support the creation of thousands of jobs, create new residential and business opportunities, and revitalize communities and outdoor recreation spaces that attract people and improve quality of life,&#8221; Wolf said in his release. &#8220;I&#8217;m thrilled that we could support these important projects.&#8221;</p><p>Yudichak echoed Wolf&#8217;s comments.</p><p>&#8220;The environmental leadership exhibited by the communities and organizations throughout northeastern Pennsylvania should be commended for their steadfast approach to revitalizing the region by reclaiming mine scarred lands for community and economic growth,&#8221; Yudichak&#8217;s release added.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Patrick Kernan</p><p>pkernan@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @PatKernan</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wolf announces $25M for mining site cleanup, including 4 in Luzerne County