Free Republic

A curve ball thrown by Luzerne County on Monday could jeopardize a baseball stadium renovation plan put forward by Gov. Ed Rendell last month. Luzerne County commissioners filed a lawsuit against Lackawanna County and the Lackawanna County Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority to enforce their belief that Luzerne is entitled to half of the "gross proceeds" of any sale of the triple-A baseball franchise. While Lackawanna County does not comment on litigation, it has previously indicated an October 1986 agreement entitles Luzerne County to "net proceeds," or rather, the profits after Lackawanna County deducts almost $14 million it has put into the...

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Perhaps unaware our cameras had followed him out of a meeting room on Wednesday morning, Governor Ed Rendell proceeded to tell Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees President Kristen Rose, "This TV station doesn't get it, about spending the $20 million. But I think I gave good answers." A Rendell spokesman said a station reporter likely didn't understand the economical impact a new stadium would have. The complex issues surrounding reported deals investigating the possibility of a new stadium bubbled to the surface last week at a stadium authority meeting. Claims that local funding would come from the sale of...

Gov. Ed Rendell pledged Thursday to provide up to $20 million in state funds to finance up to half the cost of repairs at Lackawanna County Stadium. Lackawanna County commissioners declined to comment on Rendell’s statement or how they would foot the rest of the bill, estimates of which have ranged from $13 million to $30 million, but Luzerne County commissioners made it clear Friday, Lackawanna will need to look elsewhere for help. Luzerne will not fund the project. Lackawanna County Commissioner Mike Washo said Friday that he was aware of the governor’s statements, but that the commissioners have decided...

Attendance soared to 590,000 when the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees started playing at PNC Field in Moosic in 2007– a count that hadn’t been achieved since 1992, according to minor league statistics. But the numbers have been steadily declining since then, with last year’s attendance dipping to 363,000. It’s a record low in recent years because attendance hasn’t dropped below 381,000 in the preceding 19 years, the statistics show. The numbers don’t show an improvement this season, which is more than halfway through. PNC Field currently ranks second to last in attendance among the 13 other Triple-A venues in the International League,...