2025 Newport News
9/3/2025
Newport Township police charge Ashley man with rummaging through vehicles
NEWPORT TWP. — A man from Ashley was arraigned over the weekend on charges by
Newport Township police that he stole items from several vehicles in August.
Joel Mario Perez, 31, of West Hartford Street, was identified as the man who entered parked vehicles on Old Newport Street and stole golf clubs, a pool cue stick, a wallet and a sweater on Aug. 22, according to court records.
Surveillance footage showed Perez arriving in the area of Old Newport Street driving a black 2024 Honda Civic reportedly stolen from the parking lot of Mohegan Pennsylvania casino in Plains Township, court records allege.
When a resident of Old Newport Street confronted Perez, he allegedly claimed he was delivering mail before speeding away in the Honda.
Police in Newport Township identified Perez as the suspect based on surveillance footage and Wilkes-Barre police.
Perez was also identified by the Pennsylvania State Police at Wilkes-Barre of initiating a pursuit while driving the Honda in the area of Kidder Street and North Wilkes-Barre Boulevard just after 11:30 p.m. Friday. State police say they spotted the reported stolen Honda driving by Perez, who sped away at speeds reaching 90mph on Kidder Street.
The pursuit was terminated due to public safety.
It was not immediately known when Perez was arrested. He was booked into the Luzerne County Correctional Facility Saturday night and was arraigned Sunday by District Judge Thomas Malloy of Wilkes-Barre on three counts of theft and a single count of driving without a license filed by Newport Township police.
Perez remained jailed Tuesday at the county correctional facility for lack of $50,000 bail. Perez is considered a person of interest by Ashley police for allegedly rummaging through vehicles and stealing a bag of tools on Barnes Street on Aug. 27.
8/30/2025
Newport Township man sentenced for drug trafficking, firearm offense
Staff Report - Times Leader
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SCRANTON — The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Scranton announced Justis Shea, 32, of Glen Lyon, was sentenced to 130 months’ imprisonment and three years probation for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a felon.
U.S. District Judge Julia K. Munley sentenced Shea.
According to a news release from acting U.S. Attorney John Gurganus, Shea pled guilty to trafficking a quantity of fentanyl and a synthetic cannabinoid, commonly referred to as K2, in a Luzerne County hotel room in June 2024. As part of the plea agreement, Shea also admitted to possessing a stolen Smith & Wesson 15 cal. rifle, which had previously been shipped across state lines, knowing he had previously been convicted of a felony.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the police in Kingston, Pittston and Wilkes-Barre City, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
7/4/2025
Nanticoke man gets up to 23 months for statutory sex assault
jhalpin@citizensvoice.com
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A Nanticoke man charged with molesting a minor in Newport Twp. was sentenced Thursday to serve up to 23 months in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
David Jay Murphy, 28, previously pleaded guilty to a felony charge of statutory sexual assault in exchange for prosecutors dropping charges of indecent assault and aggravated indecent assault.
The charges alleged Murphy had inappropriate contact with the minor on Nov. 18, 2018.
Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough on Thursday sentenced Murphy to six to 23 months
in the county jail followed by three years of probation.
Murphy, who had been free on bail, was remanded to serve his sentence after receiving credit for one day time served.
6/18/2025
Glen Lyon man charged in credit union robbery
jhalpin@citizensvoice.com
A Glen Lyon man has been charged with stealing a fistful of cash during a robbery of a Plains Twp. credit union on Tuesday afternoon.
John T. Pratt, 63, is charged with robbing the City Mark Federal Credit Union at 225 S. River St. shortly before 3 p.m.
Police said Pratt entered the credit union and asked a teller to speak to a Mr. Clark. Pratt then passed a note saying, “This is a robbery give me 2000 dollars,” according to the charges.
When the teller began counting a stack of $100 bills, Pratt said, “Just give it to me” and grabbed the wad of money from her hands, the complaint alleges. Pratt then fled the scene with $2,400 in cash, police said.
Police say they recognized Pratt as the robber seen in surveillance footage based on prior contacts with him.
Investigators captured Pratt without incident after finding a vehicle he had been using in the 100 block of Hazle Street in Wilkes-Barre later on Tuesday.
Pratt is charged with felony counts of robbery and receiving stolen property.
Magisterial District Judge David A. Barilla arraigned him on the charges Wednesday morning and set bail at $20,000.
6/10/2025
3 teens charged in Facebook Marketplace robbery
jhalpin@citizensvoice.com
Three teens have been charged with robbing a man at gunpoint of a diamond watch he had advertised to sell on Facebook Marketplace over the weekend, according to court documents.
Helder Constantino, 18, of Plymouth, is charged along with two 16-year-old boys from Glen Lyon with robbing Travis Crawley of the watch he was attempting to sell on Sunday night.
According to the complaint, Crawley had advertised the diamond watch for sale on Facebook and agreed to sell it for $220 to a woman using the account name “CayThree Tweakalot.”
He agreed to meet the woman in the area of 88 Simon St. around 11:25 p.m., but when he stepped out of his vehicle a man wearing dreadlocks and a face mask approached instead, police said.
The robber pulled out a black and silver pistol and demanded the watch, which Crawley handed over, police said.
The robber and two accomplices then fled the scene to the area of some apartments at 143 Old Newport St., according to the complaint.
Police detained six people as suspects in the robbery, and say Crawley as well as a passenger in his vehicle identified Constantino and the two juveniles as the culprits.
Police say a K-9 alerted to the presence of a firearm in a vehicle associated with one of the juveniles and that they found drugs and drug paraphernalia in the home of the other.
Investigators charged Constantino with robbery, carrying a concealed firearm without a license, making terroristic threats, theft, corruption of minors, harassment and disorderly conduct.
Magisterial District Judge Brian James Tupper arraigned him on the charges and set bail at $75,000.
Constantino was being held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility with a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 18.
The 16-year-olds, who are not being named because of their ages, are charged as adults with conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit theft, conspiracy to commit terroristic threats, harassment and disorderly conduct.
One of the boys who is accused of attempting to flee is also charged with resisting arrest and evading detention by foot.
Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough arraigned them on Monday morning and set their bail at $100,000 each.
They are scheduled to face a preliminary hearing alongside Constantino on June 18.
5/30/2025
3 veterans presented Quilts of Valor at Glen Lyon American Legion
boboyle@timesleader.com
GLEN LYON — The Glen Lyon American Legion Post 539 and VFW Post 8353 recently held a Memorial Day Quilt of Valor ceremony honoring three veterans for their service to our country.
The honorees were presented with patriotic quilts, crafted by members of the NEPA Quilts of Valor Chapter, in recognition of their courage and sacrifices, which will never be forgotten.
• Corrine Linker, of Nanticoke, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1983 and trained as a Radio Operator.
She served in Stuttgart, Germany, with Unit 75 Administration Seventh Corps Headquarters and the 2nd Armored Division in Carlstadt, Germany. She also served at Edgewood Arsenal, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md.
During her tenure, she served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and in Somalia for Operation Restore.
Linker received the Bronze Star, Kuwait Ribbon and Meritorious Service Award among others.
Prior to her honorable discharge, Linker served at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, completing 11 years of military service.
She is the Commander of the Glen Lyon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8353.
• Joseph Molski, of Wanamie, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force following graduation from Newport Township High School in 1952.
After basic training at Sampson Air Force Base, Geneva, N.Y., and training as a radio operator, he later transitioned to the role of clerk serving at Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda. He then served in Wiesbaden, Germany, for two years with the Military Air Transport Wing providing top-secret administrative support to the adjutant.
After returning to the U.S., our honoree served with the Atlantic Division Military Air Transport Service, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.
He received an honorable discharge in 1956, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He has been a member of both Glen Lyon posts for 65 years and past commander for many years. He now serves as Chaplain.
• Timothy Derr, of Unityville, enlisted in the U.S. Marines shortly after graduating from Newport Township High School in 1967. After basic training at Parris Island, S.C., he completed intensive infantry training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and further underwent jungle warfare training in San Diego, Calif.
Deployed to Vietnam in 1968, he joined the 1st Marine Division in DaNang, serving as a Lance Corporal and squad leader during major fire fights as part of I-Corps located nearest North Vietnam.
The honoree earned the Vietnam Campaign and Vietnam Service Medals and Combat Action Ribbon.
He concluded his active service in 1970 and subsequently joined the Marine Corps Reserves, where he received an honorable discharge in 1974.
He serves as finance officer of the Glen Lyon American Legion and quartermaster of the VFW.
For information on the NEPA Quilts of Valor Chapter, email nepaqov@gmail.com or visit the chapter’s Facebook page at Northeast PA Quilts of Valor.
5/13/2025
St. Adalbert’s Church in Glen Lyon closing next year
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St. Adalbert’s Church in the Glen Lyon section of Newport Township is set to close permanently on Jan. 11, 2026 due to “significant diminishment in Mass attendance and financial challenges,” The Diocese of Scranton announced.
In a letter circulated to parishioners of Holy Spirit Parish this weekend, the Rev. Joseph Bambera said the financial burden of the maintaining the site can no longer be sustained.
“I understand this announcement will be a day of sadness for many, especially those who have prayed, celebrated Sacraments, and grieved the loss of loved ones within our walls,” the letter read. “In making this difficult decision, I must acknowledge the many faithful of Glen Lyon who have already been through previous consolidations and remained committed and faithful to the Church. Please know that I share your sorrow and honor the generations of faith and devotion nurtured there.”
With the closure of St. Adalbert’s Church, Holy Spirit Parish, which also includes St. Mary Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Mocanaqua and St. Martha’s Church in Stillwater, will no longer operate as an independent parish.
According to the letter, St. Mary’s Church and St. Martha’s Church will continue to service in connection with other neighboring parish communities, with Saint Mary’s becoming a part of the St. Faustina Kowalska Parish in Nanticoke and St. Martha’s being absorbed by Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Hunlock Creek.
Because of the restructuring, Bambera said it was necessary to end a partnership between St. Faustina Kowalska Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.
Bambera said that would mean that each parish will have a pastor assigned to and living at each one.
The Diocese plans to release information regarding the statistics and factors that led to this restructuring in the coming weeks, according to the letter.
It will also offer a listening session to support parishioners amid the change.
“May we remain a united flock, listening to the voice of the Good Shepard, and walking forward in faith, together,” Bambera wrote.
The Diocese of Scranton began working with Pastoral and Finance Council at Holy Spirit Parish in August 2023, regarding its financial challenges, Mass attendance, religious education enrollment and church maintenance needs.
These conversations were part of a larger process the Diocese has undertaken in the last five years called the Vision 2030 Pastoral Planning, which, according to the letter, has the goal of, “looking proactively at the realities of our local church in the present moment” and “strives to meet the opportunities and challenges of the coming decade in order to create vibrant expressions of parish life rooted in the life of Jesus Christ.”
Holy Spirit Parish was established in August of 2010 as part of a previous restructuring plan by the Diocese of Scranton.
St. Adalbert’s Church celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2014.
5/13/2025
St. Adalbert’s, last Catholic church in Newport Twp., to close
The Diocese of Scranton plans to permanently shutter St. Adalbert’s Church in Glen Lyon, the last Roman Catholic parish in Newport Twp., as part of continued consolidation plans in response to dwindling attendance and finances.
Bishop Joseph C. Bambera announced the pending closure this past weekend in a letter delivered at Mass to parishioners of St. Adalbert’s and other churches that will be affected as a result.
“.. I write today with a heavy — but hopeful — heart to announce some restructuring that will be necessary,” Bambera wrote.
St. Adalbert’s at 31 S. Market St., which traces its roots in Glen Lyon back to 1889, has been part of the Holy Spirit Parish community since 2011, along with St. Mary’s Church in Mocanaqua and St. Martha’s Church in Fairmount Springs.
When St. Adalbert’s closes on Jan. 11, 2026, the Holy Spirit Parish community will dissolve, the bishop wrote.
St. Mary’s and St. Martha’s will remain as worship sites, but St. Mary’s will be absorbed by the St. Faustina Kowalska Parish Community in Nanticoke and St. Martha’s will join Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Hunlock Creek, Bambera said.
An existing partnership between St. Faustina and Our Lady of Mount Carmel will dissolve.
When St. Adalbert’s closes, church goers will be faced with the option to drive to St. Mary’s four miles away or St. Faustina six miles away.
“We could go to Mocanaqua or Nanticoke. I am sad,” said lifelong Glen Lyon resident Janice Howell, 72, who has lived a few doors down from the church for 47 years. “I used to walk to church. Now, it’s going to be either go miles this way or go miles that way.”
Howell received all her sacraments St. Adalbert’s and loyally supported the parish, boosting her weekly and holiday donations in recent times. She even gave $1,000 recently when the church made a plea for donations due to reported financial problems.
But she realizes the church was in jeopardy of closing.
“Attendance has been down. There’s no births, no baptisms, no weddings,” Howell said.
Currently, the church hosts just one Mass on Sundays at 8 a.m. and one on Fridays at 8:30 a.m.
The original St. Adalbert’s Church burned down in 1908 around the same time another Catholic church, St. Michael’s the Archangel Church, opened next door. The current building opened in 1914.
As of 2001, Glen Lyon still had three Catholic churches. St. Michael’s, which was featured in the 1945 movie “Miracle of the Bells,” starring Frank Sinatra, was torn down while St. Denis was sold.
St. Adalbert’s will celebrate its 135th anniversary this year prior to is closing next year.
“In making this difficult decision, I must acknowledge the many faithful of Glen Lyon who have already been through previous consolidations and remained committed and faithful to the church,” Bambera wrote in his letter. “Please know that I share your sorrow and honor the generations of faith and devotion nurtured there.”
5/4/2025
Look back: Army master sergeant from Glen Lyon served in three wars
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“Somewhere in Korea” was the dateline of an Associated Press story published in the Times Leader Evening News on June 4, 1951, that involved U.S. Army Sgt. Maurice William Mosher and his heroic actions that killed an estimated 300 enemy soldiers in 15 minutes in a battle during the Korean War.
Mosher was 15-years-old in 1943 when he left an orphanage in New Jersey to live with his sister, Ruth Mosher Namowicz, at 37 Engle St., Glen Lyon. Mosher became employed as a laborer for a coal mine where he earned the nickname, “Bud,” but enlisted in the Merchant Marines at 17 and served four months before World War II ended.
Having the brief experience in the military at the end of World War II, Mosher enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1949, naming Glen Lyon as his home, and made the military his career, serving during the Korean War and Vietnam War, where he was killed in action on May 25, 1965.
For his heroic bravery during the Korean War battle where he was credited with killing hundreds, he was awarded three Bronze Stars and the Silver Star, the third highest combat medal in the U.S. Armed Services.
“Sgt. Maurice Mosher, 23, a resident of Glen Lyon, yesterday was recommended for the Silver Star for killing 300 Chinese Reds in 15 minutes in Korea,” reported the Times Leader Evening News on May 25, 1951.
The story reported Mosher was alone when he secretly entered a town surrounded by communist North Korean and Chinese soldiers and destroyed tanks and ammunition dumps before he retreated. As hundreds of enemy soldiers pursued him through a narrow path guided by high cliffs, Mosher took cover and fired back.
“Only one could come through the pass at a time, Mosher said, and that was where my gun was mowing them down. As one Red would go down, another would take his place and meet the same end,” the Associated Press story on June 4, 1951, reported.
Mosher’s machine gun burned out and he picked up another firearm he found near him.
“While Mosher was firing upon the enemy, the rest of his platoon covered his retreat with deadly rifle fire but the Chinese kept coming but could not overrun the Yankee positions,” reported the AP story.
One Army private was hit by enemy fire and Mosher used his field jacket as a stretcher to pull the injured solider to safety.
Mosher continued to serve during the Korean War and was one of the first U.S. combat ground troops to enter Vietnam in early 1965, where at this time, he was an Infantry and Intelligence Specialist with the Special Forces (Green Beret) serving as an advisor with the Vietnamese Army.
According to an accumulation of reports from military websites, Mosher gathered a small team of U.S. soldiers and Cambodian troops in response to a U.S. Army supply truck being fired upon near Tay Ninh. It was learned a Viet Cong sniper fired three shots at the supply truck, striking a solider.
Mosher and a small team boarded several trucks and drove to the area where the sniper was believed to be, and as they disembarked the trucks and began a slow march through rice paddies to a tree line, they took fire from the Viet Cong.
Mosher charged at a Viet Cong machine gunner firing his AR-15 in return but was struck and killed.
Mosher was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., with an interment date listed as May 23, 1985.
3/30/2025
Woman hospitalized after brush fire in Newport Twp.
By Julia Priest WBRE/WYOU
NEWPORT TWP. — Authorities are encouraging residents to follow local burn bans after a woman was sent to the hospital for severe burns.
Officials say the Newport Township Fire Department was called to the unit block of Newport Street at about 3 p.m. for a reported brush fire.
Newport Township Department Fire Chief Jason Kowolski told 28/22 News the brush fire was not major, but some wind blew debris off the pile and causing a woman to suffer severe burns to her lower extremities.
The woman was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of her injuries, according to Chief Kowolski.
Chief Kowolski says the fire was contained fairly easily, but he wanted to emphasize that residents should abide by local burn bans as windy conditions could cause a fire to grow rapidly.
Officials say the Newport Township Fire Department is investigating the fire.
3/8/2025
Fatal crashes lead to new safety measures at intersection
Andy Mehalshick (WBRE/WYOU)
NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Efforts are underway to improve safety at a busy Luzerne County intersection that’s been the site of numerous crashes in recent years.
The intersection in question is located at the boundary of Nanticoke and Newport Township.
There have been two deadly crashes at the intersection in the last year.
Efforts on underway to improve the safety of a Luzerne County intersection that some community leaders and drivers say is a tragedy waiting to happen.
It’s been the site of two deadly crashes within the last year, the most recent just last week.
We are near the intersection of Alden Road and West Main Street in Nanticoke. It is close to the the boundary of Nanticoke and Newport Township.
Just this past week, Newport Township officials set up this speed warning sign underneath the actual speed limit sign. Newport Township and Nanticoke Police tell me they believe speed is a factor in many of the crashes.
The most recent deadly crash occurred last Monday when a 71-year-old woman was killed when two vehicles collided at the intersection of Alden Road and West Main Street. That crash is still under investigation by Nanticoke Police.
Less than a year ago, a woman was killed in a crash at this same intersection.
This past week, Newport Township installed a speed warning sign. It tells drivers how fast they are going. The speed limit here is 35 miles per hour.
Joseph Waiter owns an auto repair shop near the intersection. He’s been in business here for more than 50 years. He says he has seen way too many crashes.
“I got to give credit to Newport Township because it wasn’t too long after your segment they went down there and moved a sign back to give us more vision. It got a little bit better and a speed warning radar sign they put up I guess you call it, and it seems to be working; people are slowing down,” said Joseph Waiter, Owner of Broadway Garage.
Newport Township Manager Joe Hillan believes speed is one of several factors that may be contributing to some of these crashes.
“The speed limit should be lowered. Main Street in Glen Lyon, the speed limit is 25 miles per hour and there’s less traffic that in that area,” voiced Hillan.
Nanticoke Police Chief Michael Roke says the state has to take a close look at this intersection and all possible factors that may be leading to crashes.
“We’re looking at and working with PennDOT. We sent them a letter requesting a traffic study done at that intersection and once they come and do that, we most certainty will be able to focus on some of the mitigating factors in that intersection basically leading to the crashes that we have been having,” explained Roke.
A memorial is at the site of last week’s deadly crash. People in this area say they want this to be the last memorial ever set up here.
“Again it’s been terribly unsafe for all this time, but again got to thank you and the Eyewitness News Team for coming down and bringing this to light,” stated Waiter.
A PennDOT spokesperson tells the I-team once the receive the traffic study request, they will review the area and see what if any additional safety measures can be taken. We are still working the story more in the days ahead.
1/9/2025
Charges dismissed against caretaker
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WILKES-BARRE — A district judge in Luzerne County Central Court dismissed charges of striking or shoving a care-dependent person and harassment against Edith Alice Calderon, 53, of Warrior Run, on Wednesday.
Newport Township police charged Calderon in December on allegations she struck a woman in her legs during a dispute about wanting more money for gas mileage on Nov. 16, according to court records.
Calderon was the woman’s caretaker employed by a home health care agency. The alleged incident happened inside the woman’s residence in the 100 block of West Main Street in Glen Lyon.
The charges were dismissed when the woman failed to appear to testify at a preliminary hearing.