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TODAY’S
The Times Leader timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE, PA
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
DOWNTOWN W-B DEVELOPMENT
Sterling’s fate in county’s hands New study lists costs for demolition, development options of former hotel. By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES jandes@timesleader.com
Preservation group wants Sterling to stay
INSIDE: Read CityVest’s letter to the editor, Page 11A
study. CityVest asked county commissioners to decide whether the building will be saved or demolished because the county provided $6 million in funding for the nonprofit to acquire and preserve the building. “In recognition of the substantial investment the
The owner of the landmark Hotel Sterling wants Luzerne County government to determine the fate of the deteriorating structure, which would cost up to an estimated $26.8 million to $35.6 million to fully restore, according to a new See STERLING, Page 12A
By JERRY LYNOTT jlynott@timesleader.com
SUBMITTED SKETCH
One option for the old Hotel Sterling is keeping the lower two floors only and then building two more.
WILKES-BARRE – Either standing or reduced to rubble, Dave Kimmerly would like to see the Hotel Sterling preserved. A field representative for the nonprofit Preservation Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Kimmerly traveled to the corner of West Market and River streets Friday to see the structure that has been on the organization’s at-risk list since 2001. See STAY, Page 12A
Topics included bats, falcons, bugs, composting, recycling and wastewater treatment
Day to learn about Earth By EILEEN GODIN Times Leader Correspondent
WILKES-BARRE – East Stroudsburg Area School District student Anand Thakur, 14, was surprised to learn Friday that what appears to be a dead log in Nesbitt Park is actually “By building home to of and putting hundreds critters and out nest box- bugs. Anand es, we help was one of (the birds).” 1,200 stuRebecca Lesko dents to deon Endless Mountain scend Nature Center in Nesbitt and Tunkhannock Kirby parks for an Earth Day 2011 celebration that provided many companies and organizations an opportunity to offer a hands-on educational experience about the environment. The 15th annual Earth Day cel-
50¢
Obama: Raise the ceiling on debt limit
President warns of dire consequences if spending is not controlled. By BEN FELLER AP White House Correspondent
CHICAGO — Failure by Congress to raise the U.S. debt limit “could plunge the world economy back into recession,” President Barack Obama declared Friday, and he acknowledged that he “I’m the must compromise on person spending who is best with Republiprepared cans who control the for us to House to finish the avoid such a job so that crisis. “I think we’re on he’s absolutely right that track to it’s not going succeed in to happen without some the 21st spending century,” cuts,” the President president Barack Obama told The Associated Press in an interview in his hometown, agreeing with House Speaker John BoehnSee OBAMA, Page 4A
INSIDE S. JOHN WILKIN/THE TIMES LEADER
Ally Klinger, left, Baily Smith, Zhara Jean, and Anand Thakur dig for bugs at the Penn State Master Garden station during Earth Day events at Nesbitt Park in Wilkes-Barre Friday afternoon.
ebration was held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. along the Susquehanna River. The official Earth Day holiday is observed next Saturday. Vinnie Cotrone, president of the Riverfront Parks Committee said he began receiving calls from schools looking to register for the
popular event as early as February. “We have a school that came all the way from Stroudsburg,” he said. Past president of the Riverfront Parks Committee, John Maday, said they had 34 companies
or organizations volunteer to set up booths this year. Pennsylvania American Water, the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority, the state Department of Conservation and Nature Resources, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Wilkes University, King’s College
and the Luzerne Conservation District were among the supporters and presenters. “It is growing every year,” Maday said. With topics including bats, fal-
Ollie’s owner started with free meals to 40 needy children. Feeding even more is his goal. By MATT HUGHES mhughes@timesleader.com
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
EDWARDSVILLE – David Tevet is doing his part to end childhood hunger in Luzerne County. Tevet, owner of Ollie’s, An American Restaurant, in Edwardsville, in mid-February started a pilot nonprofit program to deliver nutritionally balanced meals cooked at his restaurant to area children in need for free. The Dinners for Kids program
began with a group of 40 children referred by Luzerne County Children and Youth Services and administrators in the Wyoming Valley West School District, funding the program at a cost of about $400 per week from his own pocket and even delivering some meals himself. Because he owns a restaurant and can order food wholesale, Tevet said he can reduce the production cost of meals to about $1.70 each, and by using volunteers to pack and deliver meals he can eliminate those costs as well. That doesn’t mean he skimps on quality. Tevet consulted two nutritionists in designing bal-
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See EARTH DAY , Page 12A
His program takes a bite out of hunger
Ollie’s restaurant owner Dave Tevet helps volunteers from All Saints Parish in Plymouth assemble prepared meals for area needy children on Friday. Others pictured (clockwise from right): Josephine Madura of Hanover Township, Tevet, Dolores Prutzman of Hanover Township, and Ann Januszewski and Peg Hogan, both from Plymouth.
A NEWS: Local 3A Nation & World 5A Obituaries 8A Editorial 11A
HOW TO HELP
WEATHER Nathanial Wren Rain, windy, cold. High 50. Low 42. Details, Page 12B
Donations to the Dinner for Kids program can be mailed to Dinners for Kids, c/o CEO, P.O. Box 1127, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703. For more information, contact: David Tevet, Ollie’s restaurant, 84 S. Wyoming Ave., Edwardsville, PA 18704, 570-288-6609.
anced meals with fresh fruits and vegetables, and has collected feedback from children receiving meals to find out which dishes they like best. “I treat the kids like my customSee PROGRAM , Page 9A
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