Mark Powell

District Attorney Mark Powell will fill a Lackawanna County common pleas court judge vacancy while attorney Brian McDonald will fill a vacancy on the common pleas court that serves Columbia and Montour counties. The Senate also confirmed Brian Vennie as the new Pike County sheriff.

If the full Senate agrees, Powell would fill a vacancy created when Judge Julia Munley became a federal judge. The committee also unanimously recommended confirming attorney Anthony McDonald to fill a vacancy on the common pleas court that serves Columbia and Montour counties.

During a press conference Wednesday, Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell recognized a number of law enforcement officers, forensic specialists, and legal teams who worked together on one of the most infamous cold cases in recent memory.