Citizens' Voice from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania • 35

Obituaries fto 44th murder pushes Pittsburgh over number for killings in year Injunction filed against owners of alleged Plains nuisance property Salmonella claim against firm, grocer settled on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice from 1979 to 1984. All but five of the people murdered in Pittsburgh this year were shot, and Pittsburgh police have nearly doubled gun arrests from last year. Pittsburgh Assistant Chief Charles Moffatt said drug and turf wars have contributed to more murders in the city, but "we have everything." "We had a recent shooting and it could have very well ended in a homicide because one person broke another person's sunglasses," Moffatt said. Even with the increase, Pittsburgh still hasn't gotten close to the 83 people killed in 1993. Mayor Tom Murphy was out of town and could not be reached for comment by The Associated Press.

Other Pennsylvania cities haven't seen similar increases. Philadelphia has had 168 homicides this year, 32 fewer than this time last year and not on pace to tie the 319 people killed last year. Three people have been murdered in Allen-town and two in Erie, the state's third and fourth largest cities respectively Pittsburgh's problems, however, are not unique. Hartford, has tied last year's total of 18 murders and officials cited similar reasons for the increase. "It is drug-related turf battles more than anything else.

Heroin is very readily available here and very cheap," said Lt. Neil Dryfe, a spokesman for the Hartford police department. Hartford police have seized 300 guns, a 25 percent increase over the same period last year, and have made 112 arrests for illegal guns, up from 81 during the first eight months of last year. By Mike Crissey Associated Press Writer PITTSBURGH With four months left in the year, Pennsylvania's second largest city has already seen more murders this year than in 2000. Early Sunday, men barged into a bar and opened fire, wounding four and killing one, police said.

The death of 25-year-old Robert Threet gave Pittsburgh its 44th murder, one more than all of last year. Community activists and academics blame a host of problems, including an influx of drugs, particularly heroin, more guns on the street and turf battles for more murders. Police say no one factor has contributed to the rise. "The impression I have is When GUNS BECOME PLENTIFUL THERE IS AN INCENTIVE TO STRIKE PREEMPTIVELY Alfred Blumstein Carnegie Mellon Institute that a good part of it is in the increased traffic of drugs and heroin," said Alfred Blumstein, a Carnegie Mellon University professor who specializes in criminology "There is a lot of battling among individuals for turf in those markets." And a steady supply of firearms is making the battle more bloody, Blumstein said. "When guns become plentiful there is an incentive to strike preemptively to get somebody who might be seen astiostile before he gets you," said stein, who served as chairman of the National Academy of on Research the premises so they can take any necessary steps to prevent a fire from occurring.

Township Solicitor Stephen Menn wrote in the suit that the property owners were advised of the problems, but have failed to take any action. He added the commissioners have received numerous complaints from many residents, including the Plains United Methodist Church, which borders the North Main Street property. Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. scheduled a hearing on the township's request for Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m.

Stephen R. Hudak August 19, 2001 Stephen R. Hudak, Lackawanna Avenue, Swoyersville, died Sunday in Hospice Community Care Unit, Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, son of the late John J. and Anna Benedict Hudak, and was a graduate of Coughlin High School and attended Penn State.

He resided in Swoyersville the last 12 years. Mr. Hudak was a Navy veteran of World War having served as an electrician's mate second class in the Pacific aboard an LST. Before retiring, he was employed by Superior Combustion Industries Wilkes-Barre, and was a quality insurance inspector for U.S. Testing Company, New York.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre; Holy Trinity Church, Swoyersville; American Legion Post 644, Swoyersville; and VFW Post 283, Kingston. He and his wife, the former Eleanor Nemetz, celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in July Brothers, Joseph Hudock and John, Edward and Emil Hudak; sister, Anna Tirpak, preceded him in death. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are nieces and nephews. The funeral will be held Wednesday at 9:30 with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 in Sacred Heart Church. The Revs.

Michael Zipay, David Michael and Richard Cir: ba, will officiate. Interment will be in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville. Friends may call Tuesday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Wake service will be conducted Tuesday at 8. Memorial contributions may be made to charity of donor's choice.

Plains Township Board of Commissioners on Monday filed suit in county court asking for a preliminary injunction against the owners of an alleged nuisance property. In the suit, the commissioners are asking the court to declare property at 143 N. Main St. as a nuisance in violation of township ordinances. The commissioners are further asking the court to enjoin the property owners, Irwin and Marie Eyet, from continuing the nuisance.

The commissioners also are asking the court for permission to send the Plains Township Fire Department onto Myron Shudak August 20, 2001 Myron Shudak, South Grant Street, Wilkes-Barre, died Monday in Hospice Community Care Inpatient Unit, Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre. A life resident of Wilkes-Barre, he was born Aug. 23, 1924, in Miners Mills, son of the late John and Catherine Zak Siudak and was a graduate of James M. Coughlin High School. Mr.

Shudak was an Army veteran of World War serving in Normandy Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He received the Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five bronze stars. Before retiring, Mr. Shudak was employed by Superior Motors, Kingston, as an auto mechanic. He was a member of St.

Mary's Church of the Maternity, Wilkes-Barre. He and his wife, the former Matilda Skoronsk celebrated their 55th anniversary July 4. Surviving in addition to his wife are sons, Richard and James, Wilkes-Barre; daughter, Joan Schiffhauer, Wilkes-Barre; eight grandchildren; brother, John Siudock, Plains Township; sister, Helen Chabala, LarksviUe; nieces and nephews. Funeral will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. from Bednarski Funeral Home, 27 Park Wilkes-Barre, with Funeral Mass at 10 in St.

Mary's Church of the Maternity. Interment will be in parish cemetery, West Wyoming. Friends may call Wednesday, 6 to 9. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sister Sponsa Beltram, co Mrs. Angie Cebulski, 760 Mount Zion Road, Conyers, GA 30012.

Luzerne County Judge Thomas Burke on Monday approved set-: tlement of a claim that a child contracted salmonella from a cereal. Kylie Kellmer, a minor from Mountain Top, allegedly contracted salmonella after eating a Malt-O-Meal Inc. cereal called a "Milleville Toasted Oats" in May 1998. The cereal allegedly was purchased at Aldi Kingston, in April 1998. Malt-O-Meal and Aldi were named as defendants in a 1998 civil action.

According to court documents, the liability insurance carrier for Malt-O-Meal, Liberty Mutual Insurance agreed to settle the minor's complaint in a structured settlement. A total of $2,666 is to be placed into a bank account for the minor and cannot be withdrawn until the minor becomes an adult. Rev. Alfred E. Unterreiner August 12, 2001 Rev.

Alfred E. Unterreiner, 76, of Colbert, died Aug. 12 at home. He was born March 7, 1925, in Stamford, son of the late Bernard Rein-hardt and Marguerite Daugher-ty Unterreiner, and was a retired minister and member of Oklahoma Conference of the Methodist Church. Rev.

Unterreiner was a Navy veteran of World War n. Cp He was a commander of VFW and member of Waples Memorial United Methodist Church, Texas. He. served as pastor of the United Methodist Church, Slocum Township, 1973-75, and Lehman United Methodist Church in the late 1970s. Surviving are his wife, the former Audrey Snow, whom he married June 20, 1949; children, Mrs.

Tom (Donna) Meade, Cartwright, Mrs. Charlie (Alice) Ward, Denison, Texas; Mrs. Mike (Kathie) Florkiewicz, Wapwal-lopen; Richard, Colorado Springs, 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, B. William, Sherman Mills, Maine. Memorial services were held Wednesday in Denison, Texas, with Rev Ken Hildebrand officiating.

Arrangements were by Bratcher Funeral Home, Denison, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Waples Memorial United Methodist Church Adult Choir. A i CM RoseM. Sokol August 17, 2001 CM .0 "3 CO LU 3 lJ -UJ 'CO LU ai CO UJ Rose M. Sokol, 90, of North Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, died Friday in South Nassau Communities Hospital, Long Island, N.Y.

She was born in Wilkes-Barre, daughter of the late Leon and Agnes Puk Norczyk. Mrs. Sokol and her late husband, Anthony J. who died Aug. 29, 1977, owned and operated Finn's Beverage Soda Company, Wilkes-Barre.

She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Wilkes-Barre. Her daughter, Theresa Zu-liani, died March 28, 1983; son, Bart, died April 14, 1990. Brothers Joseph and John, and sisters, Helen Jurkiewicz and Mary Mahosky also preceded her in death. Surviving are daughter, -Rose Marie Butler, Long Island, N.Y; son, Anthony at home; 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Victoria Horner, Riveredge, N.J.; brother, Anthony, Saddle-brook, N.J.

The funeral will be held Wednesday at 11:30 from Mark V. Yanaitis Funeral Home, 55 Stark Plains, with Funeral Mass at noon in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Plains. Friends may call Tuesday from 10:30 until the time of service.

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