Columbia County

BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — While many programs and businesses laid dormant during coronavirus shutdowns, one local women’s shelter quietly moved and improved.

Beyond Violence, a Berwick nonprofit organization, used the time to increase the number of beds and resources by relocating.

Eyewitness News Reporter Kevin Hayes talks with the organization about the move and the importance of these resources, especially with what we’ve learned about domestic abuse reporting during a pandemic shutdown.

BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — It’s an event that’s highly anticipated every year from people across the state, but it’s not happening this year.

The Bloomsburg Fair is officially canceled due to COVID-19. Every year the Bloomsburg Fair draws in thousands of people, but this year the fairgrounds will stay empty.

“It’s something you look forward to every year. I have kids, I’m going to have a grandson soon so I was excited to take him. But we’ll have next year,” Melissa Kremer said.

BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — Following recent controversy, over 50 Pennsylvania LBGTQ community organizations have joined together to send a demand letter to the Bloomsburg Fair.

The letter follows a Facebook post by the Bloomsburg Fair which seemed to have shown a man dressed as PA Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. “Dr. Levine? Thank you you were a hit and raised a lot of money for the local fire companies. Wonder why so many were trying to dunk you,” the post, which has since been deleted read.

COOPER TOWNSHIP, MONTOUR COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — An elderly man is dead in what police say is a random act of violence. The alleged murderer’s story leaves investigators and an entire community scratching their head.

Kathleen Reed is charged with the murder of an elderly man. Court documents say she attacked him with a knife, slashing his throat.

“This is just not something that we see in Montour County or in Danville so I think everyone is kind of blown away by what transpired here,” Montour County District Attorney Angela Mattis said.

BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — Officials at the Bloomsburg Fair held a news conference at the fairgrounds on Tuesday to address a controversial post that was made on Facebook over the weekend.

The post, which has since been deleted, shows a man in a dress in a dunk tank with the post reading, “Dr. Levine? Thank you. You were a hit and raised a lot of money for the local fire companies. Wonder why so many were trying to dunk you. Thanks everyone that came out to support our local fire companies.”

ELYSBURG, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY  (WBRE/WYOU-TV) The Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau announced the 2020 Covered Bridge and Arts Festival will be canceled.

The festival is held annually at Knoebels Amusement Park. Local leaders in accordance with Knoebels management decided that the risk is too high to have such a large crowd gathering.

BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – “The force” was strong in Columbia County Saturday.

The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum held their 7th-annual “May the Force be with You” Day.

It was the perfect “photo op” for any Star Wars fan, as volunteer groups were there dressed in movie costumes.

“If we do nothing else we bring smiles to kid’s faces. We’ve certainly done it this year, and to be honest with you if there’s been a year when we need some smiles, this is it,” said a volunteer dressed as a Storm Trooper.

BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – Live music, food vendors and even a dunk tank were scattered around the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds Friday night.

“I kind of miss the fair. So I kind of wanted to it to be something like that. It’s a little bit smaller but I’m still having fun,” said Kassie Bond of Buckhorn.

Its not time for the Bloomsburg Fair, but people were walking around enjoying food. The hands behind the annual weekend event pulled this carnival together to help about a dozen fire departments from Montour and Columbia Counties.

HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) Governor Wolf announced on Thursday that $30.2 million in grants will be distributed to 23 Pennsylvania counties for construction across the state.

Wolf’s administration says the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) made selections on the projects based on criteria of safety benefits, regional economic conditions, the technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency and operational sustainability.

Counties in our area receiving grants include: Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming Counties.

FAIRMOUNT TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) If you ever wish to go for a hike that includes not one, not two, but 22 waterfalls in a single trip — then Ricketts Glen State Park is a place to add to your bucket list this year!

30-miles north of Bloomsburg and spread across Luzerne, Columbia and Sullivan Counties, lies the state park.