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Commonwealth court rules in NEPA race that's too close to call
Pa Commonwealth Court ruled Monday on one of three pending appeals in the tight race for the Republican 117th House District contest — this one granting incumbent Michael Cabell’s request to count one paper provisional ballot and reject another. Cabell and Republican April 23 primary election challenger Jamie Walsh are currently three votes apart, with Walsh in the lead. A majority of the three-judge Commonwealth Court panel agreed with Cabell’s legal arguments. In Monday’s decision, Commonwealth Court Judges Anne E. Covey and Stacy Wallace issued the opinion reversing the county court decision.
NEPA university closing due to financial issues
A university in Lackawanna County is closing its doors. Because of ongoing financial problems, leaders at Clarks Summit University in Lackawanna County have decided to close the school prior to the Fall semester. The school in South Abington Township, formerly known as Bible Baptist College, will now help students to transition to other universities. The announcement was posted Monday on the Clarks Summit University website. Workers and faculty were furloughed last month in an effort to close the university's financial gap. Courses will continue until completion for students presently enrolled in summer session courses.
I-81 traffic work set for today, delays likely
Part of Interstate 84 in Pike County was closed last night due to a tractor-trailer fire. The fire happened around 9 p.m. on I-84 East between the Lord's Valley Exit and the Route 6 Exit at Milford. Both east and westbound lanes are currently closed on Interstate 84. Both sides of Interstate 84 reopened earlier this morning in Pike County.
Armed robbery under investigation in Luzerne County
Police are searching for a suspect after an armed robbery in Luzerne County. Police were called to the Dollar General along Kidder Street in Wilkes-Barre Township just after 9 p.m. Friday night. Investigators say a man entered the cash room in the store where staff were counting cash, brandished two guns, and demanded money before fleeing the store. Anyone with information on the suspect's identity is asked to contact police at (570) 208-4635.
Former NEPA band director guilty of sex assault
A former Crestwood band director was convicted on all counts on Thursday after a two-day trial on allegations he inappropriately grabbed a female student’s buttocks. A jury in Luzerne County found Theron Roberts guilty of institutional sexual assault, corruption of minors and two counts of indecent assault stemming from an incident that occurred in October 2019. Roberts was terminated by the Crestwood School District in 2020.
Man charged with arson in Scranton fire
A man has been charged with arson after a fire caused an evacuation of the Lackawanna County Government Center on Wyoming Avenue in Scranton. According to police 35 year old Paul Strope is also charged with risking a catastrophe, and
Suspect arrested in Luzerne County machete attack
A machete attack in one part of Luzerne County has led to the arrest of an Old Forge man. According to State Police, 37 year old Anthony Brotzman is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault and others. Troopers responded to North Church Street in Hazle Township around 1 a.m. Wednesday. A woman told the troopers that her son and daughter were being chased by a male wearing a mask and swinging a machete. A juvenile male ran to the troopers, saying he was slashed by a man wearing a mask. They say Brotzman was found in a nearby alley holding a mask and machete. He's locked up in Luzerne County.
Local man killed in pedestrian accident in Allentown
A Lackawanna County man was killed in a pedestrian accident in Allentown. According to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office, Li-Qiang Hu of South Arlington Township was struck by a motor vehicle in the 2000 block of Hamilton Boulevard Tuesday night shortly before 10pm. Hu was pronounced dead early Wednesday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest. His death was ruled an accident caused by multiple traumatic injuries due to a pedestrian/motor vehicle collision.
Thousands without power after strong storms in NEPA
Thousands of people were left in the dark throughout Northeast Pa. as a result of strong thunderstorms last night that knocked down trees and power lines. UGI reported more than 1200 people were without power in the Harvey's Lake area, and PPL reported numerous power outages in the Berwick Nescopeck area, due to downed trees & power lines. In Lackawanna County, lightning struck a home in Throop, no one was hurt, and a tree crashed into a home on Front Street in Jessup.
Former Scranton Mayor Jim Connors has died
Sad news from Scranton this morning, Former Scranton Mayor Jim Connors has died at the age of 77. Connors worked as Scranton's Director of Community Development for four years prior becoming mayor in 1990, and served 3 terms as the 28th Mayor of Scranton. In 2003, then Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell appointed Connors as the deputy director of his Northeastern Pennsylvania office. Connors retired from the position at the end of 2009 to focus on his family and volunteer work. Jim Connors, former Mayor of Scranton is dead at the age of 77. No word on a cause of death.
New non-stop destination added to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport
Starting this fall direct flights to Tampa, Florida will be available from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. Breeze airlines made the announcement on Tuesday. The new service to Tampa starts October 18, as well as an additional weekly flight to Orlando beginning October 8. Nonstop flights to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were announced in April.
House passes bill to ensure contraception access in Pa.
A proposal to ensure access to contraceptives cleared the Democratic majority Pennsylvania House on Tuesday, drawing dozens of Republican votes but facing an uncertain future in the GOP-controlled state Senate. The bill was approved 133-69, with 14 women among the 32 Republicans voting yes. The bill would have the state health secretary or physician general issue a statewide standing order for FDA-approved over-the-counter contraceptive drugs, including emergency contraception. It would mandate that health insurance and government programs cover all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products that have been prescribed, without copays.
Cuts in staff and academic programs at Keystone College
An area college is making cuts to faculty and staff and eliminating some academic programs. Keystone College is hoping to realize $3.5 million in savings to its budget, according to Tuesday's announcement. The cuts impact 29 faculty and staff positions, including a few summer furloughs, along with the elimination of positions that were currently vacant. The academic programs to be eliminated include forensic biology, chemistry and child and family studies. Keystone College's campus spans La Plume in Lackawanna County and Factoryville in Wyoming County.
Concerns after recent uptick in violence in Wilkes-Barre
Residents are speaking out after a recent uptick in violence in the City of Wilkes-Barre. Two violent crimes just days apart in the Diamond city have people on edge. Police are investigating the shooting of a man who was sitting in his car parked in the area of South Main and West South Streets in Wilkes-Barre. And early Saturday morning on Old River Road, a man was walking while approached by two suspects. The victim says he was challenged to a fight before being pistol whipped and then stabbed in the lower back. Police in Wilkes Barre are continuing to investigate both incidents.
Overturned propane truck snarls traffic on I-80
An overturned propane truck snarled traffic for several hours Monday along Interstate 80 in Columbia County. State police say the truck went over an embankment and rolled over between the Buckhorn and Danville Exits. Two people were inside the truck at the time and suffered minor injuries; they are expected to be OK. Interstate 80 Westbound reopened to traffic around 2am this morning.
Strong winds cause damage in NEPA Monday
Emergency crews responded to a downed tree that trapped several people in their home in Scranton Monday afternoon. Crews were called to the intersection of Luzerne Street and 15th Avenue around 12:30 p.m. A person who was in the home said they heard a noise and when they came out, the tree was on their porch blocking the exit. Residents say there were heavy winds in the area when the tree came down. In Waverly, a tree landed on a fence near the tennis courts of the Waverly Community House. There were no injuries. In Luzerne County, there were widespread power outages and tree damage in the Back Mountain and Harvey's Lake area.
Searching for two suspects in Luzerne County stabbing
A search is underway for two suspects after a stabbing in Luzerne County. It happened early Saturday morning on the 300 block of Old River Road in Wilkes-Barre according to police. Investigators say a 14-year-old was walking along the road around 3 a.m. when the two started fighting with him. One of the suspects allegedly hit the teen with a gun and stabbed him in the back. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Road work schedule released for NEPA this week
PennDOT announces the following roadwork plan for this week in the Northeast Pa. region. Interstate 81 northbound in Luzerne County from Exit 165 (Mountain Top/Wilkes-Barre) to Exit 168 (Highland Park Boulevard/Wilkes-Barre) for bridge deck repairs. Work will occur Monday, June 24, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Interstate...
Concerns about the poor condition of NEPA bridges
22% percent of bridges in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area are rated in poor condition according to a new study by TRIP. Nearly 1.4 million vehicles travel across those bridges each day. The report includes bridges 20 feet or longer in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties. A bridge in poor condition shows signs of significant deterioration on the bridge deck, supports, or other components that wear with age. The average age of bridges in Pennsylvania is 55 years, although bridges rated in poor condition, the average age is 84 years," says Rocky Moretti, Director of Policy and Research at TRIP.
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