Two Times News area municipalities had new mayors take office in 2024, one due to the 2023 elections and the other due to an untimely passing.

Eric Cinicola was named the Jim Thorpe mayor, succeeding Michael Sofranko, who was elected to the Carbon County Board of Commissioners in the November, 2023, election.

Ted LaRizzio was named to fill the remainder of the term of the late Thomas Highland. Both terms run through Jan. 5, 2026.

Cinicola, a lifelong Jim Thorpe resident, retired from the Pennsylvania State Police after 20 years.

In Lehighton, new mayor Ryan Saunders was sworn into office by borough solicitor Jim Nanovic. Saunders, who was a borough councilman before his elevation to the mayor’s office, succeeds the late Clark Ritter, also a retired state trooper who passed away while in office on Oct. 23.

Jordyn Miller was appointed to Saunders’ vacant council seat.

Lansford Borough welcomed a new tax collector this year following the June 2 passing of Terrence McCall. Joseph Pavlis, who holds master’s degree in business administration, was appointed to the post which also runs through the end of 2025.