News
Schools plan response to nationwide student walkouts
Area school administrators have been busy deciding how to address Wednesday’s nationwide walkout to advocate stricter gun control laws and honor the 17 people killed Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Do they allow stude
Former prison librarian admits illicit relationship with inmate
WILKES-BARRE — A former prison librarian at State Correctional Institution Retreat pleaded guilty Monday to a felony sex charge for having an ongoing sexual relationship with an inmate. Karen Stroup, 44, of Berwick, pleaded guilty to a single count of ins
Mrs. T’s Pierogies enjoying success at Long John Silvers
CRESSONA — Long John Silvers and Ateeco Inc. joined forces during February and March to serve Mrs. T’s Pierogies in 23 restaurants, and that partnership is causing many customers to smile. This is the first time that Ateeco and a national restaurant chain
Woman faces drug charges after raid
HANOVER TWP. — A township woman is facing drug trafficking charges after police say she sold heroin to an informant. Police raided the South Main Street home of Larissa Perry, 26, about 6:40 a.m. Monday on a search warrant stemming from the previous drug
Correction 3/13/18
Back Mountain ice hockey player Zach Aben was incorrectly identified in Monday’s Citizens’ Voice. He had two goals and two assists in the NEPASHL All-Star Game.
Church: Trusted accountant stole thousands from congregation
WILKES-BARRE — Authorities have launched an investigation after a parishioner at a local church admitted to stealing thousands of dollars from the congregation, according to the priest in charge. Officials at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral at 35 S.
Construction on final leg of Warrior Trail delayed
The Susquehanna Warrior Trail’s final leg will not be constructed this year and trail completion could be put off further into 2020. The delay impacts not only the trail but also development of the Avondale Mine historic site. “We’re looking to 2019, but
Three men, juvenile busted for drugs, stolen gun in W-B Twp.
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Officers found drugs and a stolen gun during a traffic stop on Saturday and arrested three men and a juvenile, according to township police. Police identified the suspects as Dominque Oko, Michael Rivera, Lashawn Harrison and a 17-year
Crowds flock to W-B for annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
WILKES-BARRE — The city’s 38th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday featured Irish music, bagpipes, kilts, lots of people marching and even more watching and cheering as the parade wound its way north to Public Square. Most of them wore green, some f
Have a seat, Mr. Boredom
Dear J.T. & Dale: I started a job and loved it, but it’s been a year and now I’m bored. The company says I can create an opportunity for myself as long as it can be justified, but I have lost interest and don’t even want to do that. This has happened to m
Annuities may offer a security blanket in uncertain times
Our friends are starting to retire, and we get to celebrate with them and hear all about their exciting plans. Yet often enough I hear about sleep-killing money anxiety, too, even from the best-prepared. Only when it happened again recently did I realize
County council to vote on budget transfers to fund various projects
WILKES-BARRE — Luzerne County Council on Tuesday will vote on three requested budget transfers to fund projects supported by the county administration. Council will vote on county Manager David Pedri’s request to transfer $150,000 left over from a roof re
Lawsuit faults Lackawanna child welfare office for boys’ sex abuse
Two children molested by a Wilkes-Barre man might not have been victimized had Lackawanna County child welfare officials warned the man’s adoptive parents he had a history of sexual abuse, according to a federal lawsuit. Wilkes-Barre attorney Barry Dyller
Community Cat Project seeing success in Freeland
FREELAND — The Community Cat Project continues to make strides forward as its volunteers work to reduce the feral/stray population and find homes for abandoned kittens and cats they find in the North Side communities. They’ve helped 149 cats and kittens s
Power outage affects Dupont area residents
DUPONT — Nearly 1,200 people were still without power Friday night after an afternoon outage in Dupont and nearby areas. PPL Corporation said a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse was to blame for the outages. After originally estimating the outage woul
New officers join Wilkes-Barre police force
WILKES-BARRE — Decorated military veterans and a former city police officer are among four new officers who joined the police force Friday. Mayor Tony George administered oaths of service to Samuel S. Davis, Gregory D. Perez, Michael R. Dennis and James R
VA medical center hosting town hall
The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center will host a town hall next week for veterans, family members and the public to provide feedback on the department’s operations. The meeting will be at 5 p.m. March 13 in the second-floor recreation room at
Teen injured in hit-and-run incident
WEST PITTSTON — A 19-year-old man was injured in a hit-and-run incident Friday night on Wyoming Avenue. Brandon Banta broke his elbow and collarbone after being hit. “I can’t move the whole right side of my arm,” he said. Banta was crossing at Wyoming and
Funding for oil paintings of federal officials would end under Cartwright-backed bill
Taxpayers won’t be footing the bill for painted portraits of government officials under a bill that cleared the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The measure — dubbed the Eliminating Government-funded Oil-painting, or EGO, Act — makes permanent a b
Scouts take heat for honoring candidate Meuser
WILKES-BARRE — The Northeastern Pennsylvania Council of the Boy Scouts of America has come under fire after an awards ceremony Thursday night paid homage to a contender for U.S. Congress. When the scouts awarded a 2018 Distinguished Citizen award to forme