In a private ceremony, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati was sworn in today as the next Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Funeral arrangements for Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, who died Wednesday after a four-month battle with cancer, have been made.

Due to the unfortunate passing of Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) will be the next Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The swearing-in and transition of Senator Scarnati will be determined in the near future.

 Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll died Wednesday from complications resulting from a cancer she was diagnosed with four months ago.

 Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll died Wednesday from complications resulting from a cancer she was diagnosed with four months ago.

Sen. Barack Obama’s win in the Presidential election was historic, but voters in Wayne and Pike counties still favored Sen. John McCain as the polls closed Tuesday night.

For the first time in PA, all the counties in the state are being given names of all potential jurors from a central statewide jury list compiled by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC).

A joint investigation between the Pike County Drug Task Force, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Unit, the Port Jervis Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police resulted in the arrest of four individuals.

Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested six internet predators from across Pennsylvania during the past week, including suspects from Fayette, Lebanon, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties.

Three Alfred State College students are in the Allegany County jail for what police are calling a prank gone bad.

In announcing the most recent results of its ongoing investigation into an alleged mountain lion attack on Oct. 9, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced tests conducted on a knife allegedly used by Samuel Fisher, 42, of Sadsbury Township, Lancaster County, were positive for human blood.  The tests were conducted by East Stroudsburg University in Monroe County.

Travelers to Northeastern Pennsylvania will find winter conditions throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne & Wyoming counties.

Steve Fountain, Publisher of the Wayne Independent, will be moderating a question and answer session with four state representatives -- and is looking for your questions to ask.

Senator Lisa Baker and representatives Sandra Major and Michael Peifer will be attending the Breakfast with Our Legislators event 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Ladore Conference Center in Waymart.

The public is invited to attend a 10th Congressional District candidates debate 7-9 p.m. today in the auditorium at Honesdale High School. The Wayne Independent has invited incumbent Democrat Chris Carney and Republican challenger Chris Hackett to attend.

The event is free and will include questions asked by Publisher Steve Fountain and those submitted by the public.

A Salem Township man was taken into custody Tuesday night after a six hour standoff with PA State Police and Police are investigating the accidental shooting of a State Trooper by another Trooper during the incident.