Local News

TAMAQUA, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Two Schuylkill County residents have been arrested in connection with a New York homicide.

22-year-old Sgrollin Santana of Tamaqua, PA, and 19-year-old Jaslynn Garcia of Shillington, PA, were arrested on Wednesday after being wanted out of Nassau County, New York on Second Degree Murder and Criminal Possesion of a Weapon in the Second Degree charges.

According to a Pennsylvania State Police press release, the Nassau County Detectives contacted troopers regarding a criminal homicide investigation in Nassau County.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— It is May 1, May Day and many around the country are taking part in May Day demonstrations.

This was the scene in Scranton just after 5:00 p.m. on Courthouse Square.

Government making it easier for people to report scams

A number of people who were demonstrating told us they are fighting for the rights, security and needs of workers in our area.

May Day marks the struggles and gains made by workers and is observed around the world.

(WBRE/WYOU)— The Shapiro administration is making it easier for consumers to report things like scams.

The governor announced the launch of their new centralized consumer protection hotline, website, and email address.

Consumers will be able to use these resources to report scams, insurance issues, and much more. 

Something the governor says now falls on the commonwealth to provide.

JIM THORPE, CARBON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Grab your popcorn, an annual film festival has returned to Carbon County.

The Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival kicked off Thursday and features four days of celebrating film, music and culture.

In its eighth year, the event has become one of Pennsylvania's largest independent film festivals.

This year's theme is "Jim Thorpe Loves Philly" and will showcase some of Philadelphia's best talent.

End of the “Rhode” for Rocky Rhodes

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A new educational partnership program in Luzerne County hopes to fight the teacher shortage here in Pennsylvania.

According to state data there are currently around 5,500 teacher vacancies.

Those vacancies are why the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Luzerne County Community College (LCCC), and the Hazleton Area School District are teaming up to create the Teach in NEPA Project.

Fire department prepares for rescue training at coal mine

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Scranton firefighters took their training underground Thursday, literally, at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in McDade Park to prepare for the unexpected.

The drill focused on safely rescuing visitors if the mine car breaks down or there's a medical emergency.

That concern became real in 2024 when a tour group had to be hoisted out after a mechanical failure.

Closing of local bridge causing traffic disruption

On May 20, Pennsylvanians will vote for primary candidates to fill a vacancy each on the Commonwealth and Superior Courts, as well as municipal races that will vary by county.

DANVILLE — More than 225 vendors will line the streets Saturday as the 39th annual Spring Fling takes place in downtown Danville.

LEWISBURG — Super Bowl champion Saquon Barkley told a packed Sojka Pavilion that it’s OK to not have everything figured out.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Pottsville Bureau of Police are looking for the public's help identifying the person they say robbed a restaurant.

Pottsville Bureau of Police

Police say the person shown in the security video is a suspect in the robbery of the Hong Kong Buffet on April 29. Police say an undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the register during the incident.

Firefighter found burning in Hazleton had also been shot