Vol. 117 No. 27 THE BACK MOUNTAIN'S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1889 Check out our library auction special section INSIDE SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF THE DALLAS AND LAKE-LEHMAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS BACK MOUNTAIN FLOODING HUNTSVILLE CORNERS AND HILLSIDE ROAD HIT HARD A section of Hillside Road near the five-way intersection at the Huntsville Reservoir was completely destroyed. Rip-roaring water TS kali + POST STAFF PHOTO/DAVE KONOPKI Water flows over the dam at the Huntsville Reservoir in Jackson Township. By DAVE KONOPKI Post Editor ACKSON TWP. - Jay Wilkes and Al Fox were astounded by what they saw Wednesday morning, when the township su- pervisors visited the five-way intersection near the Huntsville Reservoir. And both well-spoken men were at a loss for words. Overflowing water from the reservoir tore apart sections of roadway, destroying a section of Hillside Road. A nearby creek roared alongside the intersection, with the water reaching heights of more than five feet. “I've never seen anything like it,” said Wilkes, chairman of the town- ship board of supervisors. “Maybe on CNN. I can’t begin to describe what it looked like. I can’t even compare it to anything.” There was no damage to the dam itself, said Fox. Officials from American Water were at the scene most of the day, he said. And like Wilkes, Fox was stunned by the extent of the damage. “T've absolutely never seen anything like that,” he said. “I've lived here my whole life. It’s amazing to see how much damage can be done by the force of water.” It could take several weeks, perhaps more than a month before the intersection can be repaired. Wilkes won’t even guess at when the in- tersection will reopen. “That’s between the Lord and the engineers,” he said. “There is so much damage. As the water went down, we got to see extent of dam- age. ‘Shocking’ is the only word I can think of to describe it.” In the meantime, cars traveling portions of Huntsville Road, Old Route 115, Hillside Road, Chase Road and Sutton Road, are being re- routed. That means new driving patterns for many township residents — as well as people traveling to parts of Dallas, Lehman Township and Jackson Township. Many people travel through the intersection on their way to the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus and the State Correc- tional Institute at Dallas. “I think it’s going to be a terrible inconvenience,” said Jackson Town- ship resident Rob Seeley. “There are a lot of people from different loca- tions who go through that intersection to go different places. Now, not only will you have to take a route that is out of your way, that traffic route FROM THE EDITOR: Last week’s heavy rainfall and flooding not only prompted the evacuation of approximately 200,000 people in Luzerne County, it also played havoc with this week’s edition of The Post. In addition to creating several production prob- lems, the weather also forced the cancellation of our two biggest stories for this edition — an important Back Mountain COG meet- ing and Back Mountain Relay For Life’s annual cancer survivor dinner. That’s why this week’s issue of The Post is a small- er than usual. But not only did we work hard to pro- duce an eight-page paper under less-than-desirable circumstances, we also produced a 12-page special section for the 60th Back Mountain Memorial Li- brary Auction. We hope you enjoy it. When the COG meeting and cancer survivor events are held, we'll be there. And we'll also be back to normal for next week’s edition. Thanks for your under- standing and we apologize for any inconvenience. - Dave Konopki POST STAFF PHOTO/DAVE KONOPKI A portion of the Huntsville Corners intersection is ripped up by water. More flood photos, page 3 will be much more congested.” The rushing water forced township officials to declare a state of emergency in the township at 4:55 a.m. Wednesday. More than 300 people were evacuated from their homes and taken to Dallas High School. Township officials and members of the National Guard setup a command center at the township municipal building. The residents who were evacuated were allowed to return to their homes late Wednesday afternoon. Wilkes said an “unscientific” measurement recorded seven inches of rainfall in one hour on Tuesday. “At first, we thought we dodged a bullet,” he said. “But a call came into 911 early Wednesday and reported there was water in the intersec- tion. At first, we didn’t realize the magnitude of what was going to hap- pen. Once the water started rising near the bottom of Hillside (Road), we knew it was time to get the people out.” Wilkes had high praise for township employees, members of the Lu- zerne County Emergency Management Agency and the 109th National Guard. “Ithinkit was one of finest moments in Jackson Township,” he said of the response. Our police, fire and ambulance members did a great job. The county EMA was terrific and I can’t say enough about the National Guard. Those guys were great. It was a very well-coordinated effort.” Rain doesnt put a damper on GOH bazaar By CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Post Correspondent DALLAS —- Weather tried — but failed —to dampen the spirits of the hundreds of people who attended last week’s Gate of Heaven Church bazaar. The en- tertainment and food was fabulous at the 11th annual event. And just being able to hold the three-day event was al- most miraculous. “There was rain all around us Friday, in Lehman and other towns, but amaz- ingly, it wasn’t a wash out,” said co- chairman Bill Martin. Marilyn O’Connell agreed. “It rained from 5 until 6:30 on Friday then it stopped and the kids came out,” said the coordinator of entertainment. “They were wonderful.” Headed by Maureen Hozempa of Dallas, a newly organized group of Wilkes Conservatory and Wilkes Uni- versity students called the “World Play- ers” sang Broadway numbers to charm the audience. The night before, enter- tainment was provided by a band called “Ripple Effect.” Bob and Chris Oberst’s Back Mountain Dance School students also performed, as did the Emerald Isle Dancers . And then there was the food — halus- ki, porketta, potato pancakes, piero- gies, funnel cakes, ice cream. A free basket was a very popular event. The kids were entertained in the school gym with games and prizes. The “Oo-la-la” café gave adults some quiet relief, offering coffee and des- serts. The basket booth was a hit, as was the plant, odds and ends and bake ta- ble. A bingo board and roulette wheel rounded out the entertainment. “It all went very well,” said Martin. “Our parish people showed up and they all know their jobs. Many went beyond their own responsibilities, even stay- ing until the wee hours of the morning to clean up. It’s a lot of work but fun.” The final revenue figures for the three-day event will not be available for a few weeks, said Martin. FOR THE POST/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK From left, Tyler Shetlock, Stephen Zapoticky, Spencer Youngman and Jake Simon play a game of chance at the Gate of Heaven bazaar. July 2 - July 8, 2006
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers