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Geisinger, Highmark announce joint plans in region

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H.S. Boys Basketball: Crestwood eliminated by Pottsville in 5A state playoffs

Several Luzerne County school boards face unusually crowded races based on nominating petitions filed by the end of Tuesday, the deadline to appear on the May 21 primary ballot.In both Wilkes-Barre Area and Crestwood, groups formed in opposition to many board decisions in recent years have names attempting to get on the ballot.In Wilkes-Barre Area, the vote could shape up as a sort of referendum on the current plan to consolidate all three high schools into a new building in Plains Township. The district opened bids for major construction contracts last week, and is expected to award them at the March 27 meeting.Incumbents James Susek, John Quinn and Shawn Walker, all of whom have supported the project (albeit sometimes with reservations), filed to run for re-election, as did Mark Atherton. He was chosen by the board to complete the term of Dino Galella, who resigned late last year and moved out of the area.Newcomers seeking a seat include Therese Schiowitz, Robert Holden and Robin Lynn Shudak, all of whom have been critical of the consolidation. The group Save Our Schools was formed shortly after the board voted initially to consolidate Meyers and Coughlin high schools, and all three have routinely sided with the SOS call to maintain three neighborhood high schools.Former district school psychologist Beth Ann Owens-Harris has also filed to run, as has Debra Formola.A group dubbed &#8220;Citizens Preserving Quality Public Education&#8221; has been opposing some recent decisions by the current Crestwood School Board, and members of the group&#8217;s Facebook page have tossed their names into the race. That includes Kimberly Spath, James Brogna, Lauren McCurdy, Irene Webby, Stacy Haddix and Tom Stavitzski. Dan Cornelius also filed nominating petitions.Incumbents Bill Jones, Joe Kaminski, Anna Hollock Bibla, and William Thomas have filed to run for re-election.Candidates who filed in other districts:&#8226; Dallas: Patrick Musto, Kristin Pitarra and Larry Schuler. All are incumbents.&#8226; Greater Nanticoke Area: Tony Prushinski, Mark Cardone, Leonard Olzinski and Kenneth James. All are incumbents.&#8226; Hanover Area: John Mahle, Joyce Potsko, Michael David Mazur Jr., Matthew Redick Sr. and Paul Holmgren.&#8226; Hazleton Area: Wister Yuhas Jr., Sherri Ann Homanko, Robert Fiume, Jackie Scarcella, Anthony Bonomo, John Busher, Ellen McBride, Clarence John, Marilyn Calderon-Cruz, Yesenia Rodriguez, Ivelisse Eufracio and Taira Ferreras.&#8226; Lake-Lehman: Marilyn Glogowski (Region 3); Karen Masters, Robert Wright and Russell Bigus (Region 2); and Lorraine Farrell and John McDonald (Region 1). All but Bigus are incumbents.&#8226; Northwest Area: Marvin B. LeValley, Clement Benson (who cross-filed for both a two-year seat and a four-year seat), Edward Beleski, Gerald Conger and Ryan Sutliff. All are incumbents.&#8226; Pittston Area: Michael Crawford, Francis Lawler, Rosanne Ricotta, Joseph Salvo, Frank Serino, Charles Jones, John Lombardo and Maria Gina O&#8217;Boyle.&#8226; Wyoming Area: Toni Valenti, Gerald Stofko, Matt Bartoli, Lara Ann Best, Ross Giamusso, Leonard Pribula Jr. and Philip Campenni.&#8226; Wyoming Valley West: Thomas Pieczynski (Region 9), Brian Dubaskas (Region 3), Joseph Mazur (Region 1), Tiffany Brunson (Region 1), and David James Usavage (Region 4). All but Brunson are incumbents.<style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Mark Guydishmguydish@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish</shirttailMeta></div>

Crowded school board races include opposition groups in WB Area and Crestwood