Latest news with #Smurl
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Smurl announces independent campaign for Scranton council
Scranton City Council President Gerald Smurl will seek reelection as an independent candidate after withdrawing from Democratic primary contention in March over issues with his nomination petitions. Smurl, an incumbent Democrat who's served on council since December 2022, announced his independent run in a news release. 'Thanks to the overwhelming support and encouragement from my family and friends, I am happy to announce that I am running for reelection to Scranton City Council as an Independent candidate,' he said in the release. 'I want voters to know that I am committed to leading the city's future with independence, integrity and a shared intent to continue moving Scranton forward by supporting economic development, restoring parks and pools, and promoting cleaner, safer neighborhoods.' He joins a field of council candidates that includes Virgil Argenta, Patrick Flynn, Sean McAndrew, Marc Pane and incumbent Councilman Tom Schuster. Flynn, McAndrew and Schuster are all Democrats who won Democratic nominations in May's primary election. Pane, the lone Republican council candidate in that race, secured a GOP nomination in the primary. Argenta, who finished last in the Democratic primary for council, received enough Republican write-in votes to win a GOP nomination and advance to November's municipal election. McAndrew, a Scranton school director and nephew of Democratic Councilman Mark McAndrew, also won a GOP nomination with write-in votes and will appear on the November ballot as having both Democratic and Republican nominations. Council appointed Smurl in December 2022 to temporarily fill former Democratic Councilman Kyle Donahue's vacant seat after voters elected Donahue state representative. Smurl won reelection in 2023 to fill the remainder of Donahue's unexpired term and has served as council president since the beginning of 2024. Smurl filed earlier this year to run for reelection as a Democrat but withdrew from the primary field in mid-March, citing an issue with signatures on his nomination petitions. 'It came to my attention over the weekend that some of my campaign people got a bit overzealous … and actually got signatures that were not verified,' Smurl told The Times-Tribune on March 17. 'All it means is they didn't actually see the people sign a few of these.' He described the signatures in question as valid, but said at the time he didn't want the mistake to become an issue. The release announcing Smurl's independent candidacy says he felt an obligation to run despite the setback 'in order to continue supporting Scranton's senior citizens and working families, as well as small business owners and laborers throughout the city.' 'I heard from so many folks, urging me to run, that I felt I just couldn't let them down,' he said. 'And even though elections are never easy, I have a great team of supporters and volunteers that I'm incredibly grateful to have by my side. We're looking forward to fighting the good fight for the people of Scranton.' Smurl lives in South Scranton, is well-known for his annual 'Christmas Lights House' display on Prospect Avenue and is the longtime proprietor of Smurl HVAC LLC. He's also generally seen as a political ally of Democratic Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and, as council president, communicates regularly with the mayor and her administration. Cognetti also seeks reelection this year. She comfortably defeated former Scranton School Board President Bob Sheridan in May's Democratic primary and will face Republican accounting executive Patricia Beynon and possible independent candidates for mayor in November. There are three council seats up for grabs in the November's election. The winners will serve alongside Councilman Mark McAndrew and Councilwoman Jessica Rothchild, both Democrats. 'I know that what I'm doing is working,' Smurl said Wednesday in a phone interview. 'Just look at what we're doing and how well the city is doing.'
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Is The Conjuring: Last Rites based on a true story? Meet the real Smurl family that battled a demon in 1986
If you thought The Conjuring: Last Rites was just another popcorn-sprinkled Hollywood horror movie, think again. This spine-chiller is rooted in one of the most infamous real-life hauntings that paranormal power couple Ed and Lorraine Warren ever investigated: the haunting of the Smurl family in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. Before the devil made her do it, the Smurl family did It all started innocently enough in 1976. Jack and Janet Smurl moved into a humble duplex with their daughters. Jack's parents lived in the other half. Cute setup, right? Wrong. Things went sideways a decade later in 1985 when a ceiling light fell and gashed their daughter's forehead. From there, it was like Paranormal Activity meets The Exorcist, but in real life. Reality behind the story of the Smurl family The Smurls reported chilling screams, mysterious stinks, and even their German shepherd being hurled across the room like a chew toy. One of the most disturbing claims? Jack said a demonic entity had assaulted him. It was chaos, and the family was desperate. Enter the Warrens—Ed and Lorraine—the ghost-hunting legends who had just wrapped their work on the Amityville horror and were ready for round... whatever. The Warrens jumped in with holy water, crucifixes, and a suitcase full of exorcism gear. Ed told reporters at the time that the temperature dropped 30 degrees, a dark mass appeared, and furniture started going poltergeist-mode. Lorraine, ever the clairvoyant, sensed four entities: a gentle grandma ghost, a little girl with violent vibes, a sad dude who died in the house, and one demon using the rest as puppets. The Conjuring: Last Rites release date Hollywood may have added some spice, but the core story? Totally real. Jack and Janet eventually wrote a book in 1986 titled The Haunted: One Family's Nightmare. A TV movie followed. And now, with Last Rites hitting theatres on 5 September 2025, the Smurl saga is getting the full Conjuring Universe treatment. Jack passed away in 2017, but his daughter Carin still investigates the paranormal. According to her, their story was never about fame, it was about surviving the unexplainable and helping others do the same.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Conjuring: Last Rites - Trailer promises some terrifying 'Smurl Haunting' experience
The eagerly awaited new trailer for The Conjuring: Last Rites has finally dropped, confirming that the film will delve into the chilling real-life case known as the Smurl Haunting . This disturbing series of alleged paranormal events plagued the home of Jack and Janet Smurl in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, for a harrowing fifteen-year period, and the upcoming movie is expected to center around the Warrens' involvement in 1986. Operation Sindoor 'Pakistan army moving its troops in forward areas': Key takeaways from govt briefing 'Pak used drones, long-range weapons, jets to attack India's military sites' 'Attempted malicious misinformation campaign': Govt calls out Pakistan's propaganda The Disturbing Claims of the Smurl Family Between 1974 and 1989, the Smurl family recounted a terrifying ordeal of demonic infestation within their residence. Their claims included a barrage of unsettling phenomena, from inexplicable loud noises and foul, pervasive odors to instances of violent physical attacks. The family reported their dog being violently thrown against a wall, their mattresses shaking uncontrollably, and one of their daughters allegedly being pushed down a flight of stairs. Some members of the Smurl family even claimed to have been subjected to physical and sexual harm by the malevolent entity. The Warrens Enter the Investigation by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Remarkable Oscar Outfits Ever Interesticle Undo In 1986, the renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were called in to investigate the Smurl's claims. Ed Warren described the entity as a powerful demonic force, noting the presence of chilling cold spots and a menacing dark shadow within the house. He also recounted a chilling message that purportedly appeared on a mirror, demanding that he leave the premises. In their attempts to exorcise the demon, the Warrens employed religious music and prayer. Ed Warren further claimed to have captured audio recordings of the demon manifesting as knocks on the walls. Their investigation into the Smurl Haunting spanned several months, adding another dark chapter to their extensive case files. Public Scrutiny and Differing Explanations The Smurl Haunting garnered significant media attention, drawing various individuals to the case, including not only the Warrens but also clergy members, psychologists, and skeptical investigators. Each group offered differing perspectives on the events, with some suggesting natural or psychological explanations for the family's experiences. The lack of definitive physical evidence led many to question the validity of the supernatural claims. From Haunted House to Book and Screen Intriguingly, the same year that the Warrens initiated their investigation, the Smurl's alleged experiences were chronicled in a book titled The Haunted. This book further amplified the family's claims and the details surrounding the haunting. In 1991, the story was adapted into a made-for-television movie bearing the same title, The Haunted, bringing the Smurl's terrifying narrative to a wider audience. The Conjuring Universe Takes on the Last Rites The upcoming film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, will likely narrow its focus to the intense 1986 investigation led by Ed and Lorraine Warren, rather than attempting to cover the entire fifteen-year span of the alleged haunting. The newly released trailer strongly suggests a dark and unsettling tone, hinting at the terrifying events that unfolded within the Smurl household. Fans of the Conjuring universe can anticipate the chilling exploration of this infamous case when The Conjuring: Last Rites arrives in cinemas on September 5, 2025. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . And don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Conjuring: Last Rites, final chapter of the horror franchise releasing soon
A horror film series sequel is coming to the theatre near you this September. The final instalment of the 'Conjuring' film series, titled 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' will be released on September 5, 2025. The film will conclude the Warrens' story with a focus on the Smurl family haunting and the Warrens' daughter, Judy. #Operation Sindoor India-Pakistan Clash Live Updates| Missiles, shelling, and attacks — here's all that's happening Pakistani Air Force jet shot down in Pathankot by Indian Air Defence: Sources India on high alert: What's shut, who's on leave, and state-wise emergency measures Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are reprising their roles as Lorraine and Ed Warren for this fourth instalment of the main Conjuring movies. The film will explore a more personal story, delving into the family dynamics and faith that have driven the franchise. 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' takes place in 1986, five years after the events of 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It'. The Warrens have largely retired from exorcisms following Ed's heart attack, but are drawn back in by the Smurl family haunting case. GIF89a����!�,D; Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Jacket Every Hiker Needs [Buy Now] Trek Kit India Shop Now Undo The Smurl family, consisting of Janet and Jack Smurl, their daughters, and Jack's parents, claimed to experience supernatural occurrences in their West Pittston, PA, home in the 1970s. Their story gained public attention through appearances on TV programs and a book titled 'The Haunted: One Family's Nightmare'. Rebecca Calder and Elliot Cowan will portray Janet and Jack Smurl in 'Last Rites'. According to Safran, the Smurl case "percolated on a regular basis" as the filmmakers plotted the earlier films. Live Events Mia Tomlinson plays Judy Warren as an adult, and Ben Hardy plays her boyfriend, Tony. The film explores Judy's experience growing up as the daughter of the Warrens and her relationship with her parents. Tomlinson anticipated her real-world inspiration would be closed off to life-probing questions from the actress playing her, especially with such a sensitive family story lingering in her background, but she was surprised by Judy's openness. Hardy teases "some fun dynamics" that occur when Tony is introduced to the Warrens. Chaves sees Wilson's Ed as serving a Father of the Bride role when it comes to Judy and Tony. Wilson agrees that it is an accurate portrait of that dynamic: "I don't have girls, so it was my only time to act like that," he says as a dad to two boys. Flashbacks to young Ed and Lorraine, played by Orion Smith and Madison Lawlor, will also be featured in the film. Wilson feels it's a poetic choice made for this final chapter. "Whether it's dealing with mortality or dealing with where they are at the end of their career, you're forced to look in the mirror," he comments. "Who's on the other side may not be the most pleasant. Those are themes we definitely explore." Chaves explains that "Ultimately, this is a story about a family," he explains. "At its core, it's about parents and a child. It's about the experience of being a parent, and our children often mirror ourselves. They are reflections of who we are. That might be an element of the film." On the last day of filming his final Conjuring movie, Patrick Wilson didn't have some momentous cathartic moment. There was no, "Oh my God, it's all over," he says of wrapping this fall's The Conjuring: Last Rites and, with it, his 12-year stint as demonologist Ed Warren. Wilson just doesn't look at life in those terms.
Geek Culture
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
‘The Conjuring: Last Rites' First Looks Set Stage For The Warren's 'Darkest' Case Yet
Few horror franchises have maintained both longevity and consistency the way The Conjuring has. Since its debut in 2013, audiences have followed Ed and Lorraine Warren across haunted houses, courtrooms, and possessed basements. Now, after more than a decade of facing the supernatural, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are ready to close the book on their iconic roles. The Conjuring: Last Rites will serve as a farewell not just to the characters but to a chapter of the franchise defined by their onscreen partnership. Set in 1986, five years after the events of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It , The Conjuring: Last Rites finds the Warrens in retirement — at least until one final case lures them back. This time, the haunting isn't just about what's lurking in the shadows, but what's been buried in the past. 'I felt strongly that the biggest, most emotional story we could tell was the most personal story,' irector Michael Chaves told Entertainment Weekly. Vera Farmiga hinted that The Conjuring: Last Rites introduces a 'moment that makes time stand still.' Her comments suggest the Warrens will face something unlike anything they've encountered before: something deeply tied to their own history. Wilson, meanwhile, described the film as a return to the franchise's core: a story centered on family, faith, and fear. 'The third film was more of a true crime detour,' he said. 'This really felt like a proper ending to get back to the heart of the franchise, the family of it all.' The Conjuring: Last Rites adapts the infamous Smurl haunting, a real-life case that drew national attention in the late '80s. For producers, the true story's media exposure became an asset. Executive producer Peter Safran pointed out that it's 'one of the more Googleable ones,' giving audiences an eerie head start before stepping into theaters. The Smurls' claims made the rounds on TV shows like Larry King Live , turning their story into one of the most well-documented cases in the Warrens' archive. Safran confirmed that Last Rites marks the final appearance of Wilson and Farmiga as the Warrens, but not necessarily the end of the franchise. 'It's the end of the story with Patrick and Vera,' he said, leaving the door open for future projects set within the same universe. New Line Cinema president Richard Brenner echoed that sentiment, calling this the end of The Conjuring 's 'phase one' and teasing additional entries including new titles and potential crossovers with other Warner Bros. horror properties like Evil Dead . Whether or not the Warrens return in some future form, The Conjuring: Last Rites closes a chapter that began with a quiet knock on a farmhouse door in Rhode Island and ends with a case that may reveal just as much about the Warrens as it does the spirits they chase. Fans will soon find out what haunts a ghost hunter when the ghosts are personal. The Conjuring: Last Rites opens in cinemas on 5 September. Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she's not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she's probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace . The Conjuring The Conjuring: Last Rites
