Thom Welby

During Commissioner Thom Welby's first public meeting, the Lackawanna County commissioners voted Wednesday to table a final vote on the 2026 budget until the county gets a clearer idea of electricity costs next year. The final vote is scheduled for Dec. 17 at 10 a.m.

Thom Welby, Lackawanna County’s newest commissioner, is sworn in and on the job. And The Woodlands, a hotel and resort in Luzerne County, is shut down by code enforcement.

Former state Rep. Thom Welby took the oath of office Tuesday as Lackawanna County commissioner. He replaces Brenda Sacco, who served only 34 days after her appointment to the seat ended a long legal battle over who should replace former Commissioner Matt McGloin. Welby won the seat in a Nov. 4 special election.

Former state Rep. Thom Welby won a special election for Lackawanna County commissioner on Nov. 4 and will take the oath of office Tuesday.

Lackawanna County commissioners Brenda Sacco and Chris Chermak authorized hiring Scranton School Director Jenna Strzelecki — who also is Pittston city's business administrator — as the county's new human resources director, even though Commissioner-elect Thom Welby will soon replace Sacco in office. Welby called Strzelecki 'fabulous.' Commissioner Bill Gaughan said the hiring was an example of 'backroom politics.'

The Lackawanna County Democratic Party and Commissioner Brenda Sacco plan to withdraw lawsuits that sought to declare illegal a special election meant to choose someone to serve out the remainder of former Commissioner Matt McGloin's term. Former state Rep. Thom Welby, a Democrat, won that election Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Wednesday to obtain a line of credit of up to $5 million to cover social services program bills as the state budget stalemate continues.

Democrats won a lot of elections statewide Tuesday and that includes in Northeast and North Central Pennsylvania. Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti won the marquee race of the night, the third time city voters elected her mayor.

Former state Rep. Thom Welby, a Democrat, easily defeated two challengers to win the right to finish out the term of former Commissioner Matt McGloin.

State Sen. Marty Flynn contributed $100,000 to Lackawanna County commissioner candidate Thom Welby, his former employee, and offered to give more. Welby's opponents question the contribution.