Pocono News Section

Wilkes-Barre yard sinks again

Wilkes-Barre yard sinks again - Monday, May 5, 2008 at 4:45PM EST

Monday, May 5, 2008 @ 04:45pm EST

Neighbors in the parson's section of Wilkes-Barre thought their mine subsidence problems were over.

But after drilling last week, more holes were found on Matson Avenue .

Grout was dumped into a mine subsidence on Matson Avenue in Wilkes-Barre .

Bonnie Lukachinsky owns the home at 439 Matson Avenue and she says she's fed up.

"If I did put the property up for sale, most likely who would really want to buy this. So we're stuck with as you may say dark horse now that isn't worth anything."

Lukachinsky's house was recently reassessed, but says she'll challenge it, because of constant subsidence problems.

She dealt a mine subsidence in October, a big hole in her driveway.

It was filled in, but the problem's just not going away.

Neighbors wonder when the problem will be fixed for good.

Michelle Desiderio of Matson Avenue says, "As far as we're concerned we're like the no-mans land up here."

Desiderio and Lukachinsky both say the problem may start somewhere else.

Lukachinsky says no matter how much work is done to fill in her subsidence in her front yard, it's the Laurel Run Creek in her backyard that needs to be fixed first.

Neighbors say every time the creek rises, the ground goes down.

They plan to bring their problems this weeks Wilkes-Barre city council meeting.

Desiderio says "I'm talking about everybody. You know what i don't really care who's responsible. We just want help"

Office of surface mining workers say they'll continue to drill after this round of work is finished.

They say that's the only way to check for hollow ground after a subsidence is filled in.