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Luzerne County concludes write-in vote tally, slowed by names written in jest

“Bruce Springstein!,” Luzerne County Election Board Vice Chairwoman Alyssa Fusaro announced to the room of county workers and board members processing May 20 primary election write-in votes. A few minutes later, another voter write-in selection of Bart Simpson for a school board seat was shouted out by someone else. To break the monotony of […]

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“Bruce Springstein!,” Luzerne County Election Board Vice Chairwoman Alyssa Fusaro announced to the room of county workers and board members processing May 20 primary election write-in votes.

A few minutes later, another voter write-in selection of Bart Simpson for a school board seat was shouted out by someone else.

To break the monotony of reviewing more than 20,000 write-in votes and illustrate the scale of the problem of write-ins submitted in jest, the group decided to log the questionable ones on a dry-erase board.

The board eventually had to be flipped to the other side to squeeze them all in. A second board would have been needed if the group had recorded off-color write-ins, participants said.

It was funny but not funny.

Fusaro said many voters also write in their own names or those of friends or family, even though none of them want the seat.

Unlike the ones on the dry-erase board, these potential real contenders must be made part of the official record in races that have no candidates appearing on the ballot.

Some voters also go out of their way to write the same name for every single race on the ballot — local, county and statewide offices.

Write-ins that are not serious slow down completion of the write-in tallying while the public is pushing to see the write-in results as fast as possible, Fusaro said.

In addition to the usual cartoon characters, celebrities both dead and alive, classic figures from fiction, national-level politicians and random criminals, there were these verbatim selections in the county primary: “someone different,” “no one else,” “anybody else,” “anybody honest,” “unknown,” “none of you,” “all suck,” “stop stealing,” “someone new,” “why I pay,” “I’ve no kids,” “anyone represent taxpayer,” “none,” “no buddy,” “not me,” “not you” and “not any of these clowns.”

Other voters tried to convey a broader message by writing in “the U.S. Constitution,” “life,” “liberty,” “justice,” “property,” “corruption,” “sleaze,” “racist,” “connected” and “Free Palestine.”

Also worth mentioning were selections of “box of paper,” “baloney and ham sammich” and “box of rocks.”

County officials started observing a marked increase in write-in votes in 2006 when the county switched to electronic ballot marking devices, with some theorizing the write-in option was more noticeable than it had been on the old lever machines.

The May 20 primary election tallying group spent six days at the county’s Penn Place Building in downtown Wilkes-Barre adjudicating write-in votes and ballots that had been flagged due to extraneous marks and other issues.

Around 3 p.m. Tuesday, county Election Director Emily Cook alerted everyone that there were 39 ballots remaining for review.

“We can do this,” someone yelled.

A collective countdown erupted when the last ballot review was underway about 10 minutes later.

Cook said a report on the write-in winners will be posted on the election page of the county website at luzernecounty.org.

Letters will be sent to write-in winners asking them to accept or decline the nomination by a certain deadline. Those accepting will be required to submit paperwork.

The election board is set to certify the primary results at 10 a.m. Monday in the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre, said Election Board Chairwoman Christine Boyle.

Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.



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Hugh Freeze addresses Auburn recruiting, defends against low rankings

Recruiting has long since been the name of the game in college football, but particularly in the SEC. The Auburn Tigers know that, as does head coach Hugh Freeze, which is part of what makes their current struggles to recruit frustrating. This comes at a time when the House settlement is taking effect in college […]

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Recruiting has long since been the name of the game in college football, but particularly in the SEC. The Auburn Tigers know that, as does head coach Hugh Freeze, which is part of what makes their current struggles to recruit frustrating.

This comes at a time when the House settlement is taking effect in college sports. Auburn and Freeze need to adjust and, while it hasn’t worked out on the recruiting trail just yet for Auburn, Freeze believes in the school’s plan and that things will end up working out.

“It’s hard to feel great when you’re not one of the top-ranked recruiting classes,” Hugh Freeze said. “And I think Auburn should be. But I’m confident in our administration and the way that they lead and trust them immensely that we’re doing things the right way. At the end of the day that’s really what we have to do, in my opinion, is we can’t put ourselves in jeopardy. We’ve got great interpretations from our administration and our legal team on what the settlement really means and how we should operate, and that’s what we’re doing. And if others are operating in a manner not with that, I’m hopeful that they’ll be called out on that at some point.”

Auburn currently has the 79th-ranked recruiting class in the 2026 cycle. That’s 16th in the SEC. Ultimately, it is likely being hurt by just how few recruits Auburn has, with only seven players currently committed. Nobody else in the SEC has fewer than 10 commits. That’s also a season removed from Auburn producing the eighth-ranked recruiting class in the entire country.

“It does seem kind of strange that we’re like some of the lowest range of numbers. I mean, we’re like, you know, really, really low compared to some. And I’m trying to figure that out, but I do think it will shake out in the long run,” Freeze said. “But it is complicated and hard to sit there and feel great about. But I feel great about our relationships and I feel great about Auburn, and I know the families know that. And I do think just after we win games this fall, which I’m confident we will, I think it’ll all kind of shake itself out.”

While the House settlement in a new challenge to overcome, Hugh Freeze has found himself getting criticized amid those recruiting struggles. In particular, some fans are upset with his golfing numbers. In the month of June alone, a very slow month for coaches, Freeze reportedly golfed 10 times. Kirby Smart and Kalen DeBoer have combined for six golf outings in all of 2025.

Hugh Freeze explains how House settlement has impacted Auburn, ability to recruit

The House settlement has certainly taken its toll. That’s something that Hugh Freeze is still trying to find a way to deal with moving forward.

“It’s quite different. First of all, you want to make sure you are operating with what the settlement says, and we think we are. We’re going by what we believe to be the accurate interpretation of it. It’s not really to our advantage to what we’re doing right now because others, I think, are operating in a different manner. But the main thing that I don’t think people understand is retaining your current roster. It used to not affect high school recruiting. You were going to sign your 20-25 guys. But now, with the salary cap, you have to look at a room like our wide receiver room where on paper, we’re not losing a single kid, and we’ve got to retain those guys because I like that room a whole lot,” Freeze said.

“So you don’t have the means, so to speak, to go after the number of high school receivers that you would normally go after because you can’t really – again, on paper, we’re not losing anyone and I don’t want to lose one. I really like that room. I love our young d-linemen. It’s kind of difficult. You’re sitting here trying to sign a class when you really don’t know what your current roster will be in January. So that’s a challenge, but you have to operate within the manner of what the settlement really says and the interpretation that we’ve received, and that’s what we’re doing.”



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Local soccer players use WPSL season to prep for college season

Tough summertime competition fuels the growth of the Mankato United WPSL players and regional women’s soccer. That’s been part of the plan, according to team general manager Rustin Luedtke, who wrapped up his seventh season with the team. That growth has spawned exponential expansion of summer women’s soccer in Minnesota. “It’s kind of crazy,” Luedtke […]

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Local soccer players use WPSL season to prep for college season

Tough summertime competition fuels the growth of the Mankato United WPSL players and regional women’s soccer.

That’s been part of the plan, according to team general manager Rustin Luedtke, who wrapped up his seventh season with the team. That growth has spawned exponential expansion of summer women’s soccer in Minnesota.

“It’s kind of crazy,” Luedtke says. “There were just five teams in the state when we joined the WPSL (in 2019). Now there’s close to 100. It’s really grown. It’s a great place for college women’s soccer players.”

But there’s also the hope that Mankato area soccer players get additional time together as teammates as they look to improve on Minnesota State’s Division II runner-up effort in 2024. Twelve Mavericks played this summer with Mankato United in the regional WPSL program, finishing 4-4-3.

“It went really well,” Luedtke says. “The team progressed nicely through the season. It goes by really fast. For us, it was a really fun season.”

Luedtke, who coached at Mankato West for six years, said the team’s “high pressure, high press” style of play takes some getting used to and is an added conditioning opportunity for college-level women’s soccer players. Luedtke adds that several St. Peter High School soccer players have also played for Mankato United, growing the level of play in the region.

MSU soccer player Ella Huettl, a Mankato East graduate, echoed Luedtke’s sentiments.

“It’s (a) super quick (season),” Huettl said of the 7-week season, which wrapped up June 28. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Huettl also enjoyed the presence of three internationals on the Mankato United team, from Scotland, the U.K. and New Zealand.

“That was a super fun experience playing with them,” said Huettl, enjoying the “different style” of play, calling it “more technical.”

With 11 Mavericks on Mankato United, it seemed like an extension of the historic 2024 fall season for Huettl and teammates. Despite the 2-1 loss in the Division II national championship match to Cal Poly Pomona, there’s hope for another great run this coming fall for the Mavericks.

Improving on the 2024 run, which included a 12-1-5 regular season record and 11-0-3 NSIC championship, won’t be easy. But Huettl notes the tough summer competition, often against DI players, helps.

“The biggest desire is to go back (to nationals),” Huettl says.

Still, Huettl looks forward to a soccer break. MSU’s preseason begins Aug. 19, she notes.

Better facilities fuel growth.

“When I moved back to town in 2017, there wasn’t any turf,” Luedtke says.

Now, there are numerous indoor and artificial turf surfaces throughout the area.

Improved facilities through the Mankato area have allowed for additional practice time. Luedtke says nearly a third of Mankato United’s summer practices were moved inside the MSU field house due to wet conditions. And as soccer programs and facilities improve, “it just keeps compounding.”

“That really makes a difference,” he added.

Luedtke plans to return as Mankato United’s general manager next summer.

“Both my daughters played soccer,” added Luedtke, including one for Mankato United and with MSU. “As a family, we’ve kind of been soccer nuts for some time.”

And he’s looking forward to seeing more growth as the MSU players return to coach Brian Bahl’s successful program.

Bahl, who just received a contract extension, has an overall record of 190-29-32, an .820 winning percentage.

His daughter, Aubrey, a Mankato West graduate, will be entering her final year with the Mavericks. She and Julia Fischer, an East graduate, also played for Mankato United this summer and will again dot the MSU fall women’s soccer roster.

Huettl and Fischer were among East soccer players in 2022 that helped the Cougars to a 20-1-1 season and third-place finish in the Minnesota Class AA tournament. The East girls soccer program kept it up the next two seasons.

In 2023, East qualified for the Class AA tourney but lost an opening-round match to eventual champion Benilde St. Margaret’s. This past fall, East dropped a semifinal match to eventual AA champion Mahtomedi, then topped Orono 1-0 for a third-place finish.

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Penn State earns commitment from 4-star EDGE Tyson Harley | Penn State Football News

Penn State’s newest commitment in the class of 2026 comes from a school that recently produced an NFL talent for the Nittany Lions. Saturday, Tyson Harley announced via Instagram he will be taking his talents to State College for the next chapter of his football career. He is a 4-star who ranks as the No. […]

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Penn State’s newest commitment in the class of 2026 comes from a school that recently produced an NFL talent for the Nittany Lions.

Saturday, Tyson Harley announced via Instagram he will be taking his talents to State College for the next chapter of his football career.

He is a 4-star who ranks as the No. 348 player nationally, No. 33 EDGE and No. 2 in Washington, D.C.

Harley chose the Nittany Lions over Maryland, Rugters, Michigan State and Virginia Tech. He plays for Gonzaga College High School, which former Penn State offensive tackle and current New York Jet Olu Fashanu played for.

MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE


3-star OT Marlen Bright announces commitment to Penn State

Phil Trautwein continues to load up his offensive line for the foreseeable future. 

If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.



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Rhea Ripley Declares Old Character Is Dead To The World

Rhea Ripley has come a long way in WWE and now revealed that an earlier, insecure version of her in the company is gone forever. Rhea Ripley reached new levels of popularity when she fully embraced her dark side as part of The Judgment Day. Since then, Ripley has gone her separate ways from that […]

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Rhea Ripley Declares Old Character Is Dead To The World

Rhea Ripley has come a long way in WWE and now revealed that an earlier, insecure version of her in the company is gone forever.

Rhea Ripley reached new levels of popularity when she fully embraced her dark side as part of The Judgment Day. Since then, Ripley has gone her separate ways from that group, but she’s in the hunt once again for the Women’s World Championship that she lost to IYO SKY back in March.

Ripley has climbed the ranks in WWE, beginning in NXT UK before graduating to NXT proper and winning the NXT Women’s Title in 2019 with a very different look. And it seems, there is no going back for the star now.

Rhea Ripley Happy To Grow The Hell Up

Appearing on Haroons YouTube channel, Rhea Ripley was shown a picture of her younger self from NXT with Ripley noting that version of her is now dead and she’s happy about that:

Well, as you can see, I grew the hell up. The difference is that the smile is fake. This one is real. She was not happy, not confident, and very, very insecure. So, that would be the biggest difference.

I don’t care what people think about me anymore because this Rhea Ripley, she’s dead to the world. She died a long time ago. She’s innocent, and I’m glad that she’s gone.

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Sweet Amythist loves gymnastics, arts & crafts

Amythist is a smart, sweet, and creative young girl who enjoys a variety of fun activities. She loves gymnastics, dancing, music, riding her bike, and doing arts and crafts. She attends elementary school and enjoys being around her peers, especially during social or creative activities. Though she can be a bit shy at first, Amythist […]

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Amythist is a smart, sweet, and creative young girl who enjoys a variety of fun activities.

She loves gymnastics, dancing, music, riding her bike, and doing arts and crafts. She attends elementary school and enjoys being around her peers, especially during social or creative activities. Though she can be a bit shy at first, Amythist opens up as she becomes more comfortable and shows a fun, caring personality.

She enjoys indulging in girly things and shares a special connection with her social worker over their shared love of Bath & Body Works products. Amythist thrives when she feels safe, supported, and encouraged to be herself.

Can I Adopt?

If you’re at least 18 years old, have a stable source of income, and room in your heart, you may be a perfect match to adopt a waiting child. Adoptive parents can be single, married, or partnered; experienced or not; renters or homeowners; LGBTQ+ singles and couples. As an adoptive parent, you won’t have to pay any fees, adoption from foster care is completely free in Massachusetts.

The process to adopt a child from foster care includes training, interviews, and home visits to determine if adoption is right for you. These steps will help match you with a child or sibling group that your family will fit well with. To learn more about adoption from foster care visit www.mareinc.org. Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) can give you guidance and information on the adoption process.

Reach out today to find out all the ways you can help children and teens in foster care.



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WWE’s acquisition of AAA brings a monumental shift in its operations. The Stamford-based company also recently produced AAA Worlds Collide, showcasing to fans the fast-paced and captivating Lucha Libre style of wrestling. Many wrestlers of the Mexican promotion drew attention, sparking speculation about which talents would sign with the American promotion. As it turns out, […]

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WWE’s acquisition of AAA brings a monumental shift in its operations.

The Stamford-based company also recently produced AAA Worlds Collide, showcasing to fans the fast-paced and captivating Lucha Libre style of wrestling.

Many wrestlers of the Mexican promotion drew attention, sparking speculation about which talents would sign with the American promotion.

As it turns out, a 39-year-old’s move was confirmed of late.

Psycho Clown competed in a six-man tag team match at Worlds Collide alongside El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Pagano.

The character is a nightmarish clown with a long plastic tongue protruding from his mouth, enhancing his unsettling appearance.

WrestleVotes Radio reported that WWE had a significant interest in signing Psycho Clown to its main roster.

A post shared on X confirmed where the wrestler was headed next.

Tonight at the Neza arena, it is announced at the start of the event that this is the last time Psycho Clown will be seen in this arena, as his destination is WWE.

WWE Reportedly Not Keen To Work With Ex-Champion

While the acquisition of AAA was monumental, it was also bittersweet due to the presence of a former champion.

Alberto El Patron (fka Alberto Del Rio), who is signed to AAA, by default, became a part of the company’s extended roster.

However, due to his past controversies and reputation, he may not be welcomed on board with open arms.

El Hijo Del Vikingo recently defeated him to claim the AAA Mega Championship.

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