Joe Dolinsky, Times Leader

Joe Dolinsky

Times Leader

Wilkes-Barre, PA, United States

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Recent:
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Past:
  • Times Leader
  • Philly.com

Past articles by Joe:

35 years later, mass murderer George Banks remains on death row

The first call was chilling enough: Two lay shot on a Wilkes-Barre street. But as Robert Gillespie headed to the scene where George Emil Banks began his massacre 35 years ago this week, the scope of the situation began to mount as the bodies piled up. Gillespie was on Interstate 81 when the next call … → Read More

Three indicted in $6M identity theft, money laundering scheme

WILKES-BARRE — Three Luzerne County residents are facing a slate of federal charges for allegedly filing fraudulent tax returns with stolen identities and laundering more than $6 million in proceeds. Jonathan Jacome, 27, of Mountain Top, was indicted by federal grand jury earlier this month on 31 counts including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. with … → Read More

Trucksville firefighter’s sexual assault charges bound to Luzerne County court

WILKES-BARRE — Statutory sexual assault charges against a volunteer firefighter from Dallas were bound to county court Thursday, court records show. Joshua James Ralston, 20, saw 10 felony charges forwarded to county court following a hearing before Magisterial District Judge James Tupper. He is scheduled for a formal arraignment Nov. 2. According to police, Ralston … → Read More

Defense for attempted murder suspect: ‘They charged the wrong person’

WILKES-BARRE — The defense attorney for one of two brothers on trial this week for attempted murder told a jury Thursday that “the wrong person” was being prosecuted and suggested the victim of the 2015 city shooting should instead face the charge. Dashawn McClendon, 22, and Ibn McClain, 17, both of Wilkes-Barre, are charged with … → Read More

$11K reportedly missing from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Booster Club account

WILKES-BARRE — City police are investigating nearly $11,000 that was reported missing Wednesday from the accounts of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Booster Club. A representative of the club came to police headquarters Wednesday to report the missing funds, police said. The funds were missing from the general checking and trip accounts, police said. Further details were … → Read More

Police: Man tried to solicit oral sex from teen boy in Wilkes-Barre

WILKES-BARRE — Police are searching for a man who allegedly tried to solicit oral sex from a 17-year-old boy Wednesday near Public Square. The teen said he was walking in the area of Public Square and South Main Street when he was approached by a man who asked his age, according to police. When the … → Read More

Two armed robberies reported at Wilkes-Barre Turkey Hills

WILKES-BARRE — Two city Turkey Hills were hit by armed thieves Wednesday, city police said. A man wielding a gun robbed the Turkey Hill on Hazle Street at about 4:30 a.m., then another thief robbed the Turkey Hill on East Main Street at knife-point just before midnight, according to city police. Police have not said … → Read More

Mild temperatures, sunshine continue this week

WILKES-BARRE — Sunshine, low humidity and mild temperatures continue Thursday and will last into next week, according to the National Weather Service. Thursday marks the second straight day of the conditions. After some patchy fog clears this morning, look for sunny skies throughout the day and a high of around 76. The low overnight will … → Read More

County detectives sued by former Coughlin teacher once charged in student sex case

WILKES-BARRE — A former Coughlin teacher once accused of sexual misconduct with a female student sued two Luzerne County detectives Tuesday for allegedly omitting facts in a sworn affidavit used to secure the ex-educator’s arrest — including that the teen girl denied it ever happened. Brian Hampel, a teacher in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District … → Read More

Police: Robber held gun to man’s head during Wilkes-Barre home invasion

WILKES-BARRE — A robber burst into the home of a man who was holding his infant child and put a gun to his head Wednesday, according to police. The suspect stole two cell phones and a flat-screen television from the home on Thompson Street just after midnight, police said. The 32-year-old victim told police he … → Read More

Police: Robber held gun to man’s head during Wilkes-Barre home invasion

WILKES-BARRE — A robber burst into the home of a man who was holding his infant child and put a gun to his head Wednesday, according to police. The suspect stole two cell phones and a flat-screen television from the home on Thompson Street just after midnight, police said. The 32-year-old victim told police he … → Read More

Shots fired, pursuit leads to charges in Hazleton

HAZLETON — A city man was founding hiding in weeds after he fled from police who were investigating reports of gunshots near Columbus Court on Tuesday, city police said. Adam Maratese, 27, was one of two men who allegedly ignored officers’ orders to get on the ground after police encountered them walking out of the … → Read More

Gem of a week ahead as experts predict cool temps, plenty of sun

WILKES-BARRE — Settle in for seven straight days of sunshine and cool temperatures, according to the National Weather Service. After powerful storms hit parts of Northeastern Pennsylvania particularly hard Tuesday, the remainder of the week promises to deliver sunshine — and lots of it. Today’s high will reach 79 while the low will be around … → Read More

Defense attorneys: Drug deal gone bad led to shooting, crash

WILKES-BARRE — Two brothers accused of attempted homicide shot a drug dealer in self-defense after a buy went bad, defense attorneys argued Tuesday. Dashawn McClendon, 22, and Ibn McClain, 17, both of Wilkes-Barre, are charged with multiple crimes related to a 2015 robbery spree in the city, but are being tried this week in Luzerne … → Read More

Police: Man tried to pull officer’s gun during arrest at Sherman Hills

WILKES-BARRE — A man taken into custody after a fight at Sherman Hills early Tuesday morning grabbed onto an officer’s gun and attempted to unholster it, police said. Kirshawn Bowe, 26, of Chambersburg, was arrested after he allegedly punched a 22-year-old woman in the face, causing a cut and some swelling, police said. While cuffed, … → Read More

Man robbed at gunpoint in Wilkes-Barre; watch, keys among stolen items

WILKES-BARRE — A man was robbed at gunpoint just before midnight Monday on Sullivan Street, police said Tuesday. The thief threatened the victim, 28, with a pistol and made off with an Apple Watch, $60 and keys to the victim’s vehicle, according to police. The suspect is described as a black male wearing a white … → Read More

Severe thunderstorms to bring potential for hail, isolated tornado

WILKES-BARRE — Severe thunderstorms are expected to descend on the Wyoming Valley on Tuesday, bringing with them the potential for damaging winds, heavy rain, large hail and an isolated tornado, according to the National Weather Service. In the storms’ wake, however, a cold front will give us cool, fall-like temperatures for the rest of the … → Read More

$4.5 million settlement approved in Geisinger malpractice lawsuit

WILKES-BARRE — Geisinger will settle a medical malpractice lawsuit with the widow of a former patient for $4.5 million, a judge ordered Monday. Andrew J. Martin, 70, died on May 16, 2016, about 11 weeks after he arrived at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township, according to court documents. Martin is survived by … → Read More

Blaze at residence owned by Wilkes-Barre official intentionally set, fire chief says

WILKES-BARRE — A three-alarm fire that heavily damaged a South Sherman Street residence last week was intentionally set, city Fire Chief Jay Delaney said Monday. Delaney said the ruling is not the same as arson, which is a criminal charge filed following an investigation by police. A message left Monday at the city police department … → Read More

Attorney: seriously injured singer Jane Train ‘took turn for the worse’ over the weekend

WILKES-BARRE — Local musician Janet Rains, who performed under the moniker Jane Train in the prominent 80s cover band M80, “took a turn for the worse” over the weekend and is in “very, very, very critical condition,” her attorney said Monday. Rains, of Pittston, was in “pretty bad shape” Monday at the University of Florida … → Read More