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The Times Leader timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE, PA
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2011
50¢
President defends military action Obama addresses the nation about U.S. intervention in Libya. By BEN FELLER AP White House Correspondent
Bridge switch is scheduled for today
would have stained the world’s conscience and "been a betrayal of who we are." Yet he ruled out targeting Moammar Gadhafi, warning that trying to oust him militarily would be a costly mistake. Obama announced that NATO would take command over the entire Libya operation on Wednesday, keeping his pledge to get the U.S. out of the lead — but offering no esti-
WASHINGTON — Defending the first war launched on his watch, President Barack Obama declared Monday night that the United States intervened in Libya to prevent a slaughter of civilians that See OBAMA, Page 10A
Area’s lawmakers split By JONATHAN RISKIND jriskind@timesleader.com
AP PHOTO
President Obama speaks about Libya in Washington on Monday.
WASHINGTON -- Republican U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta was left with questions after President Obama’s speech Monday. Democratic Sen. Bob Casey said he supported Obama’s actions in Libya, with a few caveats about what might happen going forward. Barletta, R-Hazleton, said
CLARK VAN ORDEN/THE TIMES LEADER
Dick Hughes is a candidate for county judge.
Hughes: Go beyond experience
By ANDREW M. SEDER aseder@timesleader.com
See BRIDGES, Page 12A
See REACTION, Page 10A
S O C I A L S E C U R I T Y/ M E D I C A R E
New Eighth Street Bridge set to handle its first traffic, with predecessor to be closed.
WYOMING -- By this evening, the new Eighth Street Bridge spanning the Susquehanna River between Wyoming and Jenkins Township should open to traffic. At the same time, just 12 feet upstream, the 111-year-old bridge it is replacing will support its final vehicle. “We know how anxious area motorists are to see the new Eighth Street Bridge open and we are happy that the day has come. We are pleased with the rate at which this project was delivered and certainly proud of the work,” said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 4 spokeswoman Karen Dussinger. The $23 million project got under way in 2008 with work being done by Nyleve Bridge Corp. of Emmaus. Construction of the concrete Ibeam span is complete with just some last-minute touches being done today, including line painting, inspection, the activation of signals and other work. The new bridge will have two 12-foot traveling lanes and two 10-foot shoulders as well as a 6-foot sidewalk on the downstream side. Part of the project included improvements made to the intersec-
that he still has “the same questions I had” prior to the speech. “The president didn’t answer my questions at all,” he said. “On Sunday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that our military action against Libya ‘was not a vital national interest to the United
CLARK VAN ORDEN/THE TIMES LEADER
Candidate for judge for the second time urges voters to choose the most qualified.
Joan Opplinger, 74, of Luzerne, is upset at the news that a possible Social Security increase will be offset by a hike in Medicare.
Entitlement news irks area seniors
Expenses vs. benefits concerns aired By BILL O’BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com
KINGSTON – The news turned a quiet Monday morning at the Kingston Senior Center into a table-to-table discussion. The buzz was created by reports that the government is projecting a slight cost-of-living adjustment in Social Security benefits next year – the first increase since 2009 – but for most senior citizens, rising Medicare premiums are likely to exceed any increase in payments. According to The Associated Press, about 45 million people —1in 7 in the coun-
Palmentera and others said their income stays the same, but their expenses keep growing. They said food, gas and taxes continue to rise, but they are expected to pay their bills on their fixed income that hasn’t increased for three years. “Everything goes up, but we don’t get a raise,” Palmentera said. “It’s not fair. Take some off of those that can afford it. I think this is terrible.” Betty Lee Frusciante, 76, of Swoyersville, has had seven surgeries during the last seven years. She pays $100 per month for Medicare and another $165 per month for Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
try — receive Medicare and Social Security. By law, beneficiaries have their Medicare Part B premiums, which cover doctor visits, deducted from their Social Security payments each month. When Medicare premiums rise more than Social Security payments – as expected this year – millions living on fixed incomes don’t get raises, the AP said. “Why are they always picking on the senior citizens?” asked Anne Palmentera, 88, of Swoyersville. “We worked for what we are getting. What are the seniors supposed to live on?” See SENIORS , Page 12A
By SHEENA DELAZIO sdelazio@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – For attorney Dick Hughes, experience is one important factor in the judicial race for one of six open seats on the Court of Common Pleas. He said voters must also consider the possibility that all 16 candidates could end up serving their elected 10-year term, and another 10 years if voters say yes to their retention. “I’m urging people to treat this as getting the most qualified people on the bench,” Hughes told The Times Leader’s endorsement board. See HUGHES, Page 12A
The Times Leader presents awards to outstanding local citizens under 40
Area accomplishments honored By STEVE MOCARSKY smocarsky@timesleader.com
SCRANTON – The Times Leader on Monday honored 40 outstanding Northeast Pennsylvanians who have achieved some impressive professional accomplishments and made significant contributions in their communities – all at relatively young ages. The newspaper presented the third annual 40 Under Forty awards during a dinner at the Hilton Scranton Hotel and Conference Center.
Movin’ on
N.D. women are in Final Four. Story, 6B
“All 40 of them are winners. They were ers,” said Rae Decker, Times Leader chosen out of hundreds of applications marketing associate. that we receive every year. We appeal to A panel of Times Leader executives the community, to 40 Under Forty alum- reviews the applications and chooses the ni … and ask 40 award recipients. who they feel “I think we had a realhave excelled ly good mix of honorees not only in the this year. We had people community, but from the arts to the auto DON CAREY/THE TIMES LEADER in the workindustry to law,” said place too and Rachel Pugh, Times Lead- Richard L. Connor, editor and publisher of The Times Leader, really stood welcomes guests to the 40 Under Forty event at the Hilton in Scranton, Monday. See FORTY, Page 6A out as lead-
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