Pittston Sunday Dispatch

Luzerne County’s recent delinquent tax auction hit another record sales high, with bidders paying $4.68 million to purchase 143 properties, according to a post-sale report. The prior record was $4.616 million two years ago. County auctions have been attracting more bidders in recent years due to increased public awareness about the opportunity and heightened interest in potential bargains that may not be available through the traditional real estate market, officials have said.

The Pittston Area High School Class of 2027 recently selected their 2026 Homecoming Court. The Homecoming Queen will be announced Friday during a pep rally at the school. The Homecoming Court will be treated to a luncheon prior to the pep rally, hosted by the Yearbook Club. The 2026 Homecoming Queen will be crowned, and she and her court will be honored during halftime of the Pittston Area varsity football game on Friday .

Luzerne County Budget and Finance Division Head Mary Roselle provided an update on 2027 budget preparations at last week’s County Council meeting. County Manager Romilda Crocamo instituted status reports to better prepare the council in advance. The budget is set for introduction at the council’s Oct. 13 meeting and targeted for adoption at the Dec. 8 meeting. Roselle told the council she met with all division and department heads at least once to review every line item in their budget submissions.

Some of you may know, especially if you are on social media, that Friday was National Daughters Day. Naturally, Facebook, Instagram, and others were flooded with photos of daughters everywhere. Even I got into the act. Well, if I didn’t, my eldest daughter, Tiffany, would not be happy. She’s all about it, and I didn’t get a chance to post something before she reminded me — “just saying,” as she says. Of course, every day is Daughters Day, and as a matter of fact, every day is some kind of holiday.

With David Favata catching two of Luke Kopetchny’s three touchdown passes, Warriors have a winning record for the first time this season after beating host Western Wayne, 35-13, in a non-league football game. The Warriors have their first winning streak of the season as well as their initial road win after being shut out in their previous two trips.

Wyoming Area defeated field hockey opponents from three states in a three-day stretch to improve to 7-2 on the season. The Lady Warriors have posted six of the wins by shutout, including three during their current four-game winning streak. Bri Dragwa, Ella Keefer, Kayla Karcutskie and Shannon Kearns form the defense in front of goalie Adriana Fanti. Wyoming Area shut out Massapequa from New York and defeated South River from Maryland Sept.

HAZLETON — For Pittston Area to get this season turned in the right direction, the Patriots were going to need more from the defensive side of the ball. The early-season struggles from that unit were nowhere to be seen Friday night, as the Pittston Area defense shut down everything Hazleton Area offered. The Patriots held the Cougars to just 77 total yards of total offense, rolling back into the win column with a 46-7 victory over the short-handed Cougars at Harman Geist Memorial Field.

HAZLETON — For Pittston Area to get this season turned in the right direction, the Patriots were going to need more from the defensive side of the ball. The early season struggles from that unit were nowhere to be seen Friday night, as the Pittston Area defense shut down everything Hazleton Area threw at them. The Patriots held Hazleton Area to just 77 total yards of total offense, rolling back into the win column with a 46-7 victory over the shorthanded Cougars at Harman Geist Memorial Field.

Pittston Area had four players break 40 on the front nine at Fox Hill Country Club Wednesday afternoon to roll over Berwick 152-175 and advance to the Wyoming Valley Conference Class 3A boys golf final. The Patriots will play Dallas in an 18-hole match Wednesday at Irem Temple to try to land in the District 2 Class 3A championship match for the third straight year. Gianni Bartorillo and Marco Agolino followed with 38 to match Berwick’s best score, which was produced by Emmett Scheirer.

Golf: Pittston Area, Wyoming Area in WVC qualifier for District 2 individual golf championships, Fox Hill Country Club, 9 a.m. Boys and girls cross country: Pittston Area and Wyoming Area vs. Hanover Area, Holy Redeemer, Nanticoke, Wyoming Seminary at Wilkes-Barre Area, 4:15 p.m. Boys and girls cross country: Wyoming Area in NEPA Invitational, at Bloomsburg High School, 9 a.m.