Carl Beardsley Jr.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport board chairman Chris Belles said Thursday the board will meet during the next two weeks to decide on how to go about finding a new executive director after the chosen candidate withdrew.

Local board hired veteran airport management executive Kim William "Bill" Hopper as its new executive director.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport board member Bill Gaughan, a Lackawanna County commissioner, raised questions Thursday about how fellow Commissioner Chris Chermak became a finalist for the airport's executive director opening.

The Lackawanna County commissioners voted 2 to 1 to temporarily replace Commissioner Chris Chermak on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport board because he's a candidate to run the airport.

Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak told Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport board members he will step down temporarily amid the executive director search. He later confirmed he's a candidate for the job.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport pushed ahead with a terminal expansion Thursday as Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak hinted he might want to be the next airport executive director.

Irish culture is celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day with several area parades and other events showcasing Irish heritage. WVIA’s Haley O’Brien shares her family recipe for shepherd’s pie in the latest Recipes of the Region feature.

Carl Beardsley Jr. led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport to new heights. He won't be returning to work so the airport will seek a new leader.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Executive Director Carl Beardsley Jr., who has led the airport to record departure numbers since taking the job in January 2015, has taken a sabbatical leave, an airport co-solicitor said.

Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo accused Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan of 'grandstanding' and 'bush league' behavior in dispute about the counties paying for local police to supplement federal and airport security. Airport officials backed Gaughan.