From Crystal Club Soda to Gertrude Hawk Chocolate

The proposed Commonwealth Medical College will soon own a 3-acre lot to build a $75 million headquarters beside the Northeast Intermediate School.  Medical school officials reached perhaps their biggest milestone yet tonight when the Scranton School Board unanimously approved the nearly $1 million sale of the Pine Street parcel.  Commonwealth administrators now expect construction of the future college’s headquarters to begin as soon as this fall and completion is set for early 2011. Before construction begins, they hope to secure the necessary state and city permits by this summer.  [Times-Tribune]

After four years, work has begun in earnest on the 500 block of Lackawanna Avenue, with crews working on the state Department of Transportation’s streetscaping project and local developer Donald Rinaldi’s renovation and restoration of much of the block.  When completed, he envisions one of the most distressed blocks in the city reborn as a downtown showpiece that includes commercial space in the front and rear of the buildings, condos, public spaces and a park. Since work began in earnest in February, new gas, electricity, water and sewer service has been installed and subterranean vaults below sidewalks have been filled. Upper stories of Rinaldi-owned buildings are being subdivided and outfitted for residences. Several false facades have been removed to be replaced or restored to their original form.  [Times-Tribune]

1954 Crystal Club Soda Bottle.  [ebay]

Times-Tribune reporter Stacy Brown had exclusive access to a fundrasier featuring former President Bill Clinton at Mayor Doherty’s house Wednesday night. [Times-Tribune]

The cause of the fire at Coney Island Texas Lunch was ruled arson by fire investigators this afternoon, after traces of an accelerant were discovered, said Scranton Fire Chief Tom Davis.  This came less than 24 hours after firefighters were dispatched to the Thursday night blaze that damaged the historic lunch spot.  There were no reported injuries.  [Times-Tribune]

The reputed boss of a northeastern Pennsylvania crime family pleaded guilty Friday to reduced charges, a possible sign that he has agreed to testify against a businessman accused of lying to get a casino license.  William D’Elia, 62, the alleged boss of the Bufalino crime family, was charged in 2006 with laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds and trying to have a co-defendant in the case killed.  D’Elia had been facing 18 counts, including solicitation of murder, but pleaded guilty to only two, witness tampering and conspiracy to launder money.  [Associated Press]

A Scranton man who works as a security guard was arrested Thursday for having in excess of $10,000 worth of cocaine, marijuana and other drugs at his home. Police also found a cache of 13 semi-automatic rifles and handguns, several boxes of ammunition, two bullet-proof vests and gas masks at the home of Thomas J. Evanitsky at the rear of 523 Hemlock St. in Scranton. [Times-Tribune]

Businessman Gerry Donahue told The Times-Tribune on Saturday he has purchased the Lackawanna Avenue building that has sat mostly empty since the former gas company built the $16 million structure in 2005.  The news was met with enthusiasm by Mayor Chris Doherty and Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce President Austin Burke.  Mr. Doherty called the building the best in Northeast Pennsylvania and said the purchase was another example of businesses investing in the downtown.  [Times-Tribune]

Officials estimated 130,000 to 150,000 revelers packed the downtown for the festivities and to possibly catch a glimpse of presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., who marched in the parade.  Despite such a high-profile guest, the parade ran smoothly.  However, as expected, there were some alcohol-related incidents.  State police said two adults were arrested for disorderly conduct, and four minors ages 18 to 20 were cited for carrying false identification cards.  A 21-year-old male will be charged with two counts of misdemeanor furnishing alcohol to minors, police reported, and one establishment will be charged for sales of alcohol to minors. Police did not release the name of the establishment or the names of adults who were arrested.  Police investigated 19 alcohol-related incidents and issued 59 non traffic citations during the parade patrol.   [Times-Tribune]

I hate paper ballots!  We can put a man on the moon and clone animals, yet I have to cast my ballot the same way the founding fathers did.  Unbelievable!   [Times-Tribune]