News
Bubbles fly at school show
Students at Ross Elementary School in Hunlock Creek were treated to a bubble show on Friday. Jeff Boyer Productions brought his Bubble Trouble show to the school to perform for students. The show, which was presented by the school’s PTO group, featured a
Pennsylvania licensing more medical marijuana growers, dispensaries later this year
About a month after the first medical marijuana products were sold in Pennsylvania, the state Department of Health is preparing to roll out the permitting process for a second round of businesses. The health department will issue up to 13 permits to grow
Mediterranean cuisine headed downtown
Another ethnic eatery is coming to “restaurant row” in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Istanbul Grill is set to open at 40 S. Main St. and will replace Oz’s Pizza. The restaurant, which will feature Turkish and Mediterranean food, is slated to open in the next few
More local projects receive funding from gaming money
An additional $5.5 million will be pumped into Luzerne County through money generated by the gaming industry. Last week, state Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, of Plymouth Twp., announced more than $6 million in projects in his senatorial district, which include
Donor gives county grant for rotunda restoration project
An anonymous donor has given Luzerne County a $16,500 grant through the Luzerne Foundation for the county courthouse rotunda restoration project. The grant was used for new lighting in the rotunda. The row of lights in the rotunda has been inoperable sinc
Cadets graduate from State Police Academy
Commissioner Tyree C. Blocker announced Friday that 92 cadets graduated from the State Police Academy in Hershey and have been assigned to troops across the commonwealth. The men and women represent the 151st graduating cadet class. The ceremony at Bishop
Sterling artifacts located
WILKES-BARRE — Some artifacts salvaged from the Hotel Sterling before its demolition that appeared to be missing earlier this week have been found. According to a memorandum of understanding between the City of Wilkes-Barre and a state historic preservati
School’s rocks defense taken ‘out of context’
ORWIGSBURG — What is only a part of Blue Mountain’s plan to deal with an intruder is being mistaken for the whole plan, the district’s superintendent said Friday. Blue Mountain School District Superintendent David Helsel said he was answering a lot of pho
Forty Fort youth will sing national anthem at Wizards game
FORTY FORT — A local 8-year-old working her way up the performance venue ladder is scheduled to sing in Washington, D.C., this weekend. While Apalonia Passetti won’t be fulfilling her goal of performing at the White House, she will be leading the national
Students celebrate all things math
Students from Misericordia University presented a Math Day program at St. Jude School in Mountain Top on Friday. More than 40 Misericordia students from the teacher education department and Math Club participated in the event to celebrate math in honor of
Area turnpike toll plazas set to become cashless
By late April, Pennsylvania Turnpike users can leave cash at home whenever they hit the road at the Keyser Avenue and Clarks Summit toll plazas. New, cashless tolling systems will go online there starting April 29. It’s an extension of the turnpike’s pilo
State auditor takes issue with Shickshinny fire association
SHICKSHINNY — The Shickshinny Volunteer Fire Company Fireman’s Relief Association made unauthorized payments and had improper financial controls and other problems, according to a state audit. The Department of the Auditor General report puts future state
Suicide prevention group to host community reception
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter is hosting a free community meet-and-greet reception in the Ballroom of The Woodlands Resort, Plains Twp., at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 28. Board members and volunteers
Substance abuse treatment center expected to open in W-B by fall
WILKES-BARRE — Over the objections of some neighbors, a 14-bed residential substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation center is expected to open on North River Street by late fall. The Wilkes-Barre Zoning Hearing Board voted 4-1 Wednesday to grant Josep
Leadership W-B group hosts trivia fundraiser
Healthcare Heroes, a Leadership Wilkes-Barre Class of 2018 group project, hosted a PUB TRIVIA fundraiser Wednesday benefiting their group project for the Wilkes-Barre Free Clinic. Above: Tony Brooks reads questions in the Wilkes-Barre history category dur
Marketplace at Steamtown to offer up to 3 hours free parking
SCRANTON — Marketplace at Steamtown patrons will get up to three hours of free parking there with validations, and without any minimum purchase required for a validation, under a new parking-rate system starting Monday,the parking system operators announc
Council plans to postpone vote on new Hollenback fees
WILKES-BARRE — City council Chairman Tony Brooks intends to have a new fee schedule for Hollenback Golf Course ready for tonight’s meeting, but he said he’ll seek to postpone a vote on the matter to avoid breaking the law. Mayor Tony George’s administrati
Ex-White Haven police chief accused of credit card fraud
A former White Haven police chief was charged with a felony by Wright Twp. police after they say he used a woman’s credit card to buy Apple watches without her permission. Gary R. Shupp, 66, of Mountain Top, who faces a count of access device fraud, maint
Miccarelli says he won’t seek new term
A state legislator from suburban Philadelphia who is accused by Rep. Tarah Toohil of threatening to kill her announced Wednesday he will not seek re-election. Rep. Nick Miccarelli, R-162, Ridley Park, said in a statement that his decision “should in no wa
W-B man accused of drug trafficking
WILKES-BARRE — A Wilkes-Barre man had more than $20,000 worth of drugs when officers arrested him after a buy-bust operation Tuesday night conducted by the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, according to a press release. Police charged Bryan Pearl, 38, of th
