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LCTA unveils new headquarters in Wilkes-Barre
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — A new facility was unveiled in Luzerne County on Thursday. The Luzerne County Transportation Authority hosted the grand opening of the new administration and bus storage facility in Wilkes-Barre. The 12-acre site along Pennsylvania Avenue took about four years to construct. The new building will replace...
New young adult center opens in Scranton
SCRANTON, Pa. — It was a celebration at the Outreach Center for Community Resources in Scranton. It officially opened the young adult center with a ribbon cutting on Thursday. "My dream has long been to have a place where you can come and be safe and work on those...
Body of cold case victim to be exhumed in Luzerne County
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Maple Hill Cemetery near Ashley has been the resting place for the body of a woman known only as "I-80 Jane Doe". Her body was found on August 9, 1973, along Interstate 80 in Black Creek Township near Sugarloaf. "She was wrapped in a blanket, and...
Wyoming Valley Mall closed after reported explosion
WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Fire crews were called to the Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre Township Thursday for a reported explosion. Officials with the Wilkes- Barre Township Fire Department told Newswatch 16 that the water heater exploded inside the K-Pot Korean BBQ, which has not opened yet at the mall.
Helping their community one glass at a time in Lackawanna County
ARCHBALD, Pa. — In front of Tri-Star Academy in Archbald, kids were setting up shop. "We have some bracelets, some keychains, some rocks here," said Molly Lewis of Jermyn. As customers lined up for a taste of some lemonade, a stand that's been well in the works. "They've been...
Campers set up at Pocono Raceway
LONG POND, Pa. — The RV's are lined up for Nascar weekend at Pocono Raceway near Long Pond. Once everyone makes it to their site, it's time to kick back and relax. "It's really a lot of fun just hanging out the cars are the second part of it, you know," said Richard Foy from New Jersey.
Pennsylvania lawmakers pass nearly $48B budget almost 2 weeks late
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania lawmakers ground through a flurry of votes Thursday to approve a budget deal, nearly two weeks into the new fiscal year after being slowed by disagreements during closed-door negotiations over Democrats' push for more public schools aid. The $47.6 billion plan for the fiscal year...
State cuts Pennsylvania American Water rate hike in half
LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — On Thursday, the state reduced Pennsylvania American Water's large rate hike request and made several major changes to the proposal. Pennsylvania American Water proposed a rate hike in November of 2023 for nearly $1 billion in increases, which would increase PAWC's total annual operating revenues for water service by approximately $199.2 million, or 24.2 percent. For the average residential customer, the proposed rates would increase the monthly water bill by about $17.
Group Violence Initiative | New approach to the problems of youth crime in Scranton
SCRANTON, Pa. — As the city of Scranton continues to combat juvenile and gang violence, top officials are now taking a new approach to help stop this problem in its tracks. Scranton has seen five homicides so far in 2024. The spike began after the shooting of Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin back in January. Police have called that shooting 'gang-related.'
Two men arrested after stealing cooking oil in Luzerne County
EXETER, Pa. — Two men are locked up after stealing from a restaurant in Luzerne County. Carlos Alfredo Pinas Vargas and Jorge Vargas were arrested for stealing cooking oil from Pizza Loven in Exeter. The two said they worked for "Ecua Cooking Oil Recycle" and were sent to the...
Looking for any information on former cop charged with child sexual abuse in Schuylkill County
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. — A Pennsylvania attorney general is looking for anyone who may have information on a former cop who was charged with child sexual abuse in Schuylkill County. Former Tamaqua officer Christopher Cordes was charged in May with numerous child sexual abuse crimes. He is accused of...
Coffee with the Chief: Sunbury police partner with local business and state nonprofit for community outreach event
SUNBURY, Pa. — Police in Sunbury held a Coffee with the Chief event on Thursday, July 11, in an effort to bridge the gap between officers and their community. Located outside a local Weis Markets store, Sunbury police partnered with them, and PennDOT funded Highway Safety Network to organize the event.
Mother sentenced after death of child in Luzerne County
LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — A mother accused in connection with the death of her 19-month-old daughter has been sentenced in Luzerne County. Valentina Varela-Luis, 26, was sentenced on Thursday to two years of probation. Varela-Luis and James Kasisky, 27, the child's father, were charged in March 2023. Troopers say...
Dutch Wonderland is adding new sensory friendly evenings in July
LANCASTER, Pa. — A Lancaster County amusement park is finding new ways to be inclusive. Dutch Wonderland announced this week it is introducing two all-new sensory friendly evenings in the month of July. The amusement park's Kingdom for Kids will host sensory friendly evenings on Wednesday, July 17 and...
A visit with Sharon Budd ten years later
CANTON, Ohio — When James and Joey Budd want to visit Sharon Budd, their mom, they go to the Inn at Belden Village in Canton, Ohio. Visiting Sharon at an assisted living facility, where their dad Randy's ashes sit on a shelf, is not where the Budds saw their lives ten years ago.
Soggy opening at fair in Lycoming County
HUGHESVILLE, Pa. — Wednesday was opening night at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds. As the horse races began, storm clouds loomed in the distance. "We are sitting right next to a shelter in case it comes out as fast," said Curtis from Muncy. Curtis said the potential for a storm...
Bikers for Backpacks event helps students in Monroe County
STROUDSBURG, Pa. — Wednesday night marked the 3rd annual Bikers for Backpacks school supply drive at Timbers Terrace in Stroudsburg. The Pocono Mountain H.O.G. Chapter #3325 organizes the event to help stuff 1,500 backpacks for elementary students in Monroe County. "So we pack them with colored pencils, markers, regular...
Florida man charged after state police find explosives during traffic stop in Monroe County
MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — A man is locked up after state police found several explosive devices in his car in Monroe County. State police conducted a traffic stop Friday night on I-80 East in Tobyhanna Township. Troopers found Juan Cosme, 46, of Frostproof, Florida, driving under the influence and,...
Structure fire at camp in Wayne County
LAKE COMO, Pa. — An investigation is underway for a structure fire at a camp in Wayne County on Wednesday morning. Crews responded to a fire at an unoccupied bunk at Camp Lohikan on Lake Como around 5:55 a.m., according to Northern Wayne Fire Company. There were no injuries...
Finding ways to chill out in Luzerne County
HAZLETON, Pa. — People spent their Wednesday cooling off at Lake Irena at Hazel Township Community Park along Hazel Township Boulevard. Daniela Dani has lived in Hazleton for over 20 years. This is her go-to summer spot. "Because it's big. It has the lake. You know, you can feed...
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