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Pennsylvania schools would get billions more under Democratic plan passed by the state House
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Democratic-sponsored proposal to boost public school funding by billions in the coming years and impose stricter rules on cyber-charter schools passed the Pennsylvania House on Monday in a test of political will as lawmakers haggle over the state budget. The bill responds to a...
Investigating vandalism at Lackawanna County park
Police in Lackawanna County are searching for vandals who damaged sports equipment. Soccer gear at VFW Park in Dickson City was wrecked over the weekend according to officials with The Mid Valley Youth Soccer League. A board member noticed the bent and broken goals and other damage. The equipment might cost as much as $5,000 to replace. The league is considering going to Dickson City borough council for help with security and lighting at the park off Jermyn Avenue.
NEPA community rallies for child hit by car
A community in Luzerne County came together Sunday to show support for 10-year-old girl Alexis Brown, who was struck by a car last week while walking to the Butler Street Park. Alexis' parents say she is being cared for at Geisinger near Danville after suffering a brain bleed that has since healed, a broken leg, and facial injuries. The American Grill of Exeter is hosting a giveback night, 'Alexis's Amigos" on June 12th and 13th, just mention Alexis when ordering dine-in or take-out.
One dead after standoff in Scranton
An hours-long standoff Saturday morning in Scranton has ended, with a woman wounded and one man dead. Police responded to a home along the 1600 block of Pine Street just after 10 a.m. for a report of shots fired. When officers arrived, a 27-year-old woman suffering a gunshot wound came out of the home and was taken to the hospital. Police were then joined by the Scranton Special Operations Unit and Lackawanna County SWAT to help arrest the alleged shooter and spent hours communicating with him, hoping he would surrender peacefully. Around 2 p.m., police say tactical members went into the home to search for the man but were ambushed with gunfire from the attic. The standoff ended just after 5 p.m. when police found the man dead in the attic of the home from a single gunshot wound. Authorities say it was a domestic-related incident, and not a threat to the community. The suspect's name has not yet been released.
Local hospital put newborn babies at risk; two died
Immediate danger. That was the determination the Pa. Department of Health made for Lehigh Valley Hospital in Hazleton. That came when they inspected the facility following the recent deaths of two newborns. In both cases, there was a delay in response from pediatricians on call at the facility. In the two separate cases, newborns died shortly after birth from complications related to collapsed lungs. In another case, the pediatrician couldn't be reached and didn't call back until an hour later. The Department of Health also found other deficiencies in staffing. Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton could have lost federal funding but has avoided that due to corrective actions they are said to have taken.
Luzerne County man sentenced for selling fentanyl
A Luzerne County man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling fentanyl. U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam announced 62-year-old Lee Crawford of Wilkes-Barre received the sentence for conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Crawford previously pleaded guilty and admitted to conspiring with other individuals to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl in the Luzerne County area between July 2020 and February 2021.
Warning regarding car thefts in Lackawanna County
With car thefts on the rise in Scranton, Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell is warning the public to pay close attention to protect your car by keeping it locked with valuables out of sight. He also says a tracking device might not be a bad idea. Powell says these thefts aren’t kids going for joy rides, it’s part of a complex and organized ring. The cars are put on a carrier and taken out of the area as quickly as possible where they are often shipped overseas or taken to chop shops breaking them down for parts.
Sex offender charged with murder in Luzerne County
A registered sex offender was arraigned in Luzerne County this morning and charged with homicide in the death of a Nanticoke woman last year. According to state police, 39 year old Kawan Scarborough was charged for the beating death of his girlfriend, 27 year old Lastarr Williams, who was found dead in her home last May. Bail for Scarborough was denied, and he is locked up in the Luzerne County Prison. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 21.
New law signed that bans the use of hand-held devices cellphones while driving
A 12 year mother's mission has concluded with Governor Josh Shapiro's signature. The governor signed into law the Paul Miller Jr. Bill, banning the use of cell phones by drivers on the roadway. It also makes it a primary offense, meaning you can get pulled over. Eileen Miller has never stopped fighting for the new law after a distracted tractor-trailer driver struck and killed her son Paul in 2010 on Route 33 near East Stroudsburg. State police say they will be educating the public before this law is rolled out, and there will be a year of warning before it officially takes effect.
Update on recent mine subsidence in Luzerne County
An update on the mine subsidence that temporarily drained Toby Creek back in April. According to reports, the DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation is removing the “cofferdam” structure on Toby Creek near the spot of the mine subsidence. It’s a temporary barrier built around the water to create a dry working environment. The work involves removing the material used for the stream diversion to restore the channel to the pre-subsidence configuration. The DEP says there is no evidence of stream loss or additional subsidence as per the last inspection in May. Work began on Monday and it should only take a few days.
Renovations announced for PNC Field in Moosic
Major renovations are coming to PNC field in Moosic. The announcement was made this morning during a press conference at the ballpark. Team and County officials said the 13.5 million dollar renovation plan includes better training facilities, batting tunnels, and places to work out as well as an improved locker room area. Also included in the project will be an improved fan experience, which includes better video boards, seating, and hospitality areas. The work will begin at the end of the baseball season and is expected to be finished for the start of the 2025 season.
Re-opening date set for Scranton grocery store closed by fire
A grocery store in Scranton damaged by a fire 2 weeks ago plans to reopen later this week. The Giant grocery store in the Green Ridge Plaza will reopen on Friday June 7th at 6am. Early in the morning of May 20th, a pressure washer sparked a roof insulation fire in the back of the supermarket. The free COLTS transportation provided by the company to the Giant supermarket in Dickson City will end at 6 p.m. Thursday evening.
Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Robert Baron killer
The estate of murder victim Robert Baron filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking $1 million from his convicted killer, Justin Schuback. According to reports, Baron's daughter, Brittany Baron, filed the civil complaint against Schuback, who was found guilty May 15 of first-degree murder of Robert Baron Sr. at Ghigiarelli's Restaurant, 511 S. Main St., Old Forge on Jan. 25, 2017. The lawsuit also seeks to have liens placed on two Schuback properties with Old Forge mailing addresses — his house at 3 Foundry St. and 1.09 acres on Miller Street — to prevent their transfers or sales before adjudication on of the suit. Schuback, 38, automatically received a sentence of life in prison on the first-degree murder charge. He is incarcerated in the Lackawanna County Prison.
Local man charged with robbery and assault after police chase in Luzerne County
A heavy police presence in Glen Lyon Monday afternoon ended in an arrest. According to reports, Joshua Goodwin of Wilkes-Barre, was apprehended about 12 p.m. after a several hour search that began on Orchard Street in Newport Township, with Goodwin assaulting a woman, then stealing a Nanticoke police cruiser. Police say a woman who was with Goodwin, Melanie Hunter Miscavage, 52, of Glen Lyon, conspired with him in the burglary. Goodwin was arraigned by District Judge Michael Dotzel of Wilkes-Barre Township on several counts, including aggravated assault and simple assault, two counts of terroristic threats, and one count each of robbery, burglary, criminal trespass, robbery of a motor vehicle, and Miscavage was arraigned on charges of criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery and hindering apprehension. Both are locked up at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
Local mall tax assessment is dropped dramatically
The Wyoming Valley Mall’s real estate tax assessment has plunged from $68.7 million to $13.6 million through negotiations with taxing bodies in a court-level appeal, records show. According to reports, Attorneys involved in the case say the new assessment reflects a nationwide value drop in many traditional shopping malls. The dramatic reduction knocked the Wilkes-Barre Township mall from its ranking among the top five highest commercial real estate taxpayers countywide Mall owner Wyoming Valley Realty Holding LLC will pay a total $375,201 in real estate taxes under current rates, which is a reduction of $1.5 million, analysis shows. It's also reported that during settlement negotiations it was discovered that Macy's plans to close it's anchor store.
Why a Scranton nursing home evacuated residents Friday
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Announced late Friday night it needed to relocate nearly 100 people that lived at Mountain View Care and Rehabilitation Center in South Scranton because of the risk to their health and safety. Scranton’s code enforcement office shut the building down.According to the Department of Health, the facility was on a provisional license. A building safety inspection in October noted the sprinkler system didn't work, but a follow up in January didn’t mention the issue. The facility was also on a list released in 2019 by Sen. Bob Casey and former-Sen. Pat Toomey highlighting the country’s poorly performing nursing homes. 85 residents in all were relocated to other facilities. Vans from other facilities such as Maple Ridge, Birchwood, Lakewood, Mountain Top, and Oak ridge were on site.
I-81 work today to cause issues in Lackawanna & Luzerne counties
A heads-up for drivers in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Road work is back on Interstate 81 on Monday. There will be lane restrictions on parts of I-81 north and south from Dickson City to Clarks Summit (exits 191 to 194) this Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. There will also be a restriction on 81 north from Mountain Top to Moosic (exits 165 to 180) on Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Charges filed in animal hoarding situation in Lackawanna County
One person was taken into custody last night after dozens of animals were found inside a home in Lackawanna County. Animal control responded to reports of animal hoarding along Meylert Avenue in Scranton around 5 p.m. 26 cats and two dogs were removed from the property. Seven puppies were removed from that same house last week. The house in Scranton has been condemned.
Company lays off dozens in Susquehanna County
Dozens of employees from a Susquehanna County energy company have been laid off. According to officials for Coterra Energy, 55 employees out of 170 have been laid off after the business announced it would close its facility in Lenox. Officials say Coterra will remain actively engaged in the production of natural gas and community engagement.
Local attorney sentenced for stealing from clients
A Scranton attorney was sentenced to nearly 2 years in prison for stealing from his clients. Eugene Daniel Lucas pleaded guilty to five counts of theft by deception in February and was sentenced this week to three to 23 months in jail by Lackawanna County Judge James Gibbons. Once he's released, Lucas will be on probation for one year and be required to do 150 hours of community service, and be required to pay restitution to his victims and to pay $10,656 . Prosecutors said Lucas deceived clients promising to pay them back with interest.
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