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Diamonds to the dealmakers who ensured the area’s District 2 high school basketball championship games will be played in Mohegan Sun Arena. Beginning in 2016, and continuing for at least two years after that, the Wilkes-Barre Township site will serve as local hoopsters’ coveted destination. Proponents say the venue offers more parking and more convenience to spectators. Separately, we think, from the players’ perspective, there is probably something special about being able to say, “I played in an arena.”
Coal to greed-driven Gloria Riegel. She and her late husband, former executors of a $1.2 million estate, dipped into the account intended to benefit the United Way of Wyoming Valley and lavished gifts upon themselves, prosecutors said. In the end, the community suffered – as did the couple’s reputation. Riegel, 66, of Exeter, was sentenced this week to serve up to 30 to 60 months in state prison.
Diamonds to student volunteers whose vigor improves the Wyoming Valley. Six members of Wyoming Seminary Lower School’s environmental club on Thursday planted trees in Forty Fort. Their project potentially will beautify the street and reduce stormwater runoff for decades to come. Simultaneously, teen and young adult participants in a training program run by Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 helped to prepare apples for distribution to needy families during the Thanksgiving holiday. No matter your interest or abilities, there’s something you can do to strengthen our community. For volunteer options, contact agencies such as the United Way of Wyoming Valley. Visit unitedwaywb.org or call 570-829-6711.
Coal to cat killer Donovan E. Mackey. The Wilkes-Barre resident, 21, received the maximum allowable sentence of six to 18 months in county prison for his barbaric treatment of a feline belonging to his girlfriend. Mackey claims he was high on synthetic marijuana known as spice when he supposedly stuffed the animal in a washing machine, then later beat it against a wall. Research suggests there is often a link between animal abuse and a propensity to act violently toward people. For that and many other reasons, we hope Mackey receives the counseling he badly needs to clean up his life.
Diamonds to the young man who confessed to smashing a Wilkes-Barre family’s window during Halloween weekend. The unidentified student, who reportedly attends Wilkes University, won’t face criminal charges but could be disciplined by the institution, sources told the Times Leader. “The guy apologized and has already paid for the window,” one of the victims said.
Coal to poachers. Despite ample animals in the woods and Pennsylvania’s multiple hunting seasons, some jerks resort to illegal tactics to take home deer, bear and turkey. If you have credible information on a poaching incident, call 1-888-PGC-8001 or fill out the state Game Commission’s online Operation Game Thief Reporting Form.