Wilkes-Barre City Council Reorganizes, Picks Officers

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — City Council on Monday reelected its chairman, but replaced its vice chairman, who has been a frequent critic of Mayor Tom Leighton and his administration.

Bill Barrett will handle the gavel in 2014, keeping the chairmanship for another year. However, Tony George, a retired city police chief like Barrett, was replaced by Mike Merritt for the vice chairman’s post.

“I guess I must have offended them by not voting for all of the mayor’s proposals,” George said after the meeting. “I was elected to represent the people, and I will continue voting no when I feel it’s the right thing to do, and I will question issues when I see fit.”

Read more:  http://timesleader.com/news/local-news/1105905/W-B-council-reorganizes-picks-officers

Bethlehem Council Appoints Mark DiLuzio New Police Chief

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Northampton County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bethlehem police Lt. Mark DiLuzio is the city’s new top cop.

City council unanimously tapped DiLuzio to lead the department despite initial reservations from some council members.

Current cops, retirees, firefighters, lawyers and Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli packed Town Hall in support of DiLuzio tonight.

“I know a good cop and Mark is it,” said former Bethlehem Police Commissioner John Yerk, who spent 40 years in the department, four as commissioner.

Read more: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2014/01/bethlehem_lt_mark_diluzio_city.html

Schuylkill River Heritage Area Receives $226,000 Grant

POTTSTOWN — On the heels of a $395,000 grant, the Schuylkill River Heritage Area was awarded a $226,000 Community Conservation Partnership Grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The money will be used to fund annual events sponsored by the Heritage Area, such as the Schuylkill River Sojourn and the Scenes of the Schuylkill juried art show.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20140107/schuylkill-river-heritage-area-receives-226000-grant

With Gerlach Leaving, The Scramble For Candidates Has Already Begun

English: , member of the United States House of Representatives. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The scramble to become a candidate for U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach‘s seat has already begun and the battle for the post will be a national spectacle, political watchers said Monday.

The Chester County Republican announced Monday that he will not seek re-election to a seventh term.

And while Gerlach said he mainly made the decision to spend more time with his family, he acknowledged that frustration with Washington had to play a role.

“I just get the sense that he was very unhappy with the situation, the gridlock, the partisanship, the inability to get much done,” said G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster. “Many (politicians) have reached a point where many don’t want to go through this anymore.”

Read more:   http://readingeagle.com/article/20140107/NEWS/301079935/1052#.UsxmIfRDsxI

3rd Annual Soup Bowl Fundraiser At ArtFusion 19464 In Pottstown

Pottstown, PA – Winter Chill + Warm Soup = Perfection

ArtFusion’s popular fundraiser returns for a third year. The Soup Bowl fundraiser will take place Saturday, January 25 from 11am-1pm at 254 E. High St. in the ArtFusion facility. This year’s event will be even bigger and better than last year, with the Soup Bowl event taking over the entire building. Different soups will be set up on the first floor and also upstairs on the second floor, with more seating to accommodate a lot more soup lovers!

Guests will be able to try an amazing variety of home-cooked soups, created by local volunteer chefs and donated by local restaurants. Lunch will also include bread, beverages and homemade desserts. As a thank you for supporting the fundraiser, each guest will take home a handcrafted ceramic bowl, created by volunteers from the community throughout the previous year.

Each bowl is an artistic collaboration: one volunteer created the bowl from clay and another added the colorful decorations. Guest artists included Girl Scout troops, high school students, volunteers from local businesses, members of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and more. This event is truly a community effort, from the soups to the bowls.

This event was a sell-out in 2013. 2014 tickets are now available for purchase at ArtFusion’s 254 E. High St. location, and also online at their website http://www.artfusion19464.org The number of tickets is limited, so ArtFusion recommends purchasing your tickets early. All proceeds benefit the non-profit community art school.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.