Luzerne County officials finalized response plans for the approaching snowstorm, County Manager Romilda Crocamo said Friday.

WILKES-BARRE — Randy Padfield, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, began Friday’s news conference by recommending avoiding unnecessary travel during the anticipated winter storm, having extra bottled water on hand, charging phones ahead of the weekend, and checking in on elderly neighbors.

Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat said Thursday, Luzerne County is welcome to place the southern county mail ballot drop box in city hall.

WILKES-BARRE — As issues from a centuries-old sewer line continue to plague the city, council at Thursday’s regular voting meeting approved a resolution to conduct an assessment of the sewer system, the first step in exploring the possible sale of the system.

Luzerne County’s new voting system supplier is still awaiting required state certification for its latest equipment leased by the county, which means the county must temporarily use the company’s past-certified version in the May 19 primary election, county Election Director Emily Cook said Wednesday.

WILKES-BARRE — An apartment building on East Union Street, soon set to begin major renovations, was approved for three additional units at Wednesday’s Zoning Hearing Board.

A consultant is immersed in documenting Luzerne County rail property so a solicitation can be prepared seeking offers to purchase the line, the county Redevelopment Authority Board said during Tuesday’s meeting.

Laura Holbrook was promoted Tuesday to the Wyoming Valley Levee System oversight position.

“I’m so emotional that so many people showed up today,” said Melissa Rivers, president of the Luzerne County NAACP, marveling with Jane Messinger, president of the Friedman Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Kingston.

KINGSTON — The first time Hanover Area and Wyoming Seminary met this year, the Hawkeyes had to fend off a fourth-quarter Sem rally to grind out the win.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins came out on top in a shootout thriller against the Hershey Bears, winning 4-3 on Friday night at Giant Center.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock, and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is officially available.

The College Football Playoff resolved a few of its thorny issues Friday — including how to deal with Notre Dame — but left the toughest one unresolved, staying at 12 teams for next year and failing to expand the postseason to 16 or more.

John Brodie, who won an MVP award and was one of the NFL’s most prolific passers during a 17-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, has died. He was 90.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Even without Bo Nix, the Denver Broncos are radiating plenty of swagger heading into the frigid AFC championship game against the New England Patriots behind backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham.