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Beyond Byline: In 2021, let’s leave mean-spirited feelings behind

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Luzerne County shows improvement in latest weekly coronavirus dashboard reading

In yet another sad statistic from 2020, Luzerne County has exceeded its 2019 drug overdose deaths.
				County Manager C. David Pedri&rsquo;s annual public forum report, released Dec. 21, said there were 144 overdose deaths at that time, with another 15 pending.
				In comparison, there were 128 county overdose deaths in 2019.
				Most of these deaths are related to opioids and the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, the coroner&rsquo;s office has said.
				Mapping portal 
				While a free online public mapping portal remains available, the county&rsquo;s mapping/GIS department has added an enhanced portal for a fee.
				The popular free portal shows boundary lines for each parcel throughout the county along with the parcel identification number (PIN) and name of the property owner.
				It is posted on the mapping/GIS page at <a href="https://www.luzernecounty.org/1331/GISMapping-Portals" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">luzernecounty.org</a>.
				The new subscription portal, available on the same page, offers additional data from multiple departments, including deed references, acreage, zoning and soil and flood information. Subscriptions are $10.58 for 24 hours, $91.88 for 30 days and $1,008.72 for a year.
				Pedri highlighted the new revenue-generating service in his yearly forum report, saying it provides 24/7 access helpful for real estate transactions, title searches and zoning change applications.
				Security cameras
				The county has completed a $261,300 sheriff security project to add more cameras at county properties and a central monitoring station, Pedri&rsquo;s recent report said.
				County Sheriff Brian Szumski has said more than 100 interior and exterior security cameras would be installed at the county courthouse in Wilkes-Barre and other county-owned locations, including these also in the city: Bernard C. Brominski Building, North Street; Courthouse Annex, River Street; Penn Place and the human services buildings, both on Pennsylvania Avenue; the courthouse parkade and Emergency Management Agency building, both on Water Street; and the engineering/road and bridge building, Reichard Street.
				Officials have said the project was needed because buildings relied on an insufficient number of cameras installed in 2001.
				County Cares
				The County Cares Commission will hold a virtual meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday to update plans for its upcoming food and clothing drive.
				Commission members are holding a &ldquo;Luzerne County Resource Day&rdquo; at Luzerne County Community College to provide food, clothing and access to a spectrum of available services for those struggling with homelessness and substance use disorder.
				The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 23 at the community college auditorium, 1333 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke. The snow date will be Jan. 30. Public busing routes will be available to the site.
				Donations of food and gently used clothing and blankets can be dropped off at the Keystone Mission &mdash; which provides outreach services to the homeless in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton &mdash; before Jan. 20, commission members said. The mission is at 290 Parkview Circle in Wilkes-Barre.
				Instructions on attending Tuesday&rsquo;s meeting are posted under council&rsquo;s public meetings online section at <a href="https://www.luzernecounty.org/1279/Public-Meetings-Online" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">luzernecounty.org</a>.
				Treatment court
				The county&rsquo;s drug treatment court program recently agreed to remove debris from a section of Mundy Street in Wilkes-Barre as part of the state transportation department&rsquo;s Adopt-a-Highway program, according to a release.
				Clients and staff members will monitor the highway on a monthly basis, weather permitting.
				&rdquo;Engaging in this community service program provides treatment court clients the opportunity to become active members in their community and has a lasting, positive impact on society at large,&rdquo; the release said.
				Initiated in January 2006, the treatment court assists adults who have been charged with non-violent criminal offenses related to or motivated by their addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Luzerne County overdose deaths higher this year