Local News

DUPONT, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Dupont man is facing multiple charges after police say he sexually exploited a minor. He was arrested Tuesday afternoon after local and state authorities searched his home.

28/22 News Reporter Amelia Sack was in Dupont when it was all going down.

30-year-old William Christian Jr. is being accused of having inappropriate contact with a child.

He's facing multiple charges, including indecent assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and unlawful contact with a minor.

Family members charged in death of 8-year-old

HARRISBURG – Bashar Hanna will step down as Commonwealth University President effective July 31, he announced today.Hanna will assume the...

PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Problem properties are in virtually every community in the nation. One Luzerne County community is taking a proactive stance on these properties.

The open field on Prospect Place with the excavator is where a longtime blighted property once stood.

It was torn down last week, and it's not the first blighted property to meet the "wrecking ball," and according to Mayor Mike Lombardo, it won't be the last unless property owners do the right thing.

DURYEA, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Drug charges were filed Monday against a Massachusetts man after a burning power line in Duryea led police to a marijuana grow operation back in August of 2024, according to court records.

Police say after investigating arching wires that caused a fire, along with a smell of natural gas, they discovered an alleged marijuana grow operation inside a home in the 200 block of Marcy Street.

(WBRE/WYOU) — Two animal sanctuaries across state lines have teamed up to take care of an injured goat found in NEPA.

A one-year-old pregnant goat named ‘Peach’ looks to be living the good life, but she found herself at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in High Falls, New York, after she was hit by a car in NEPA.

Courtesy of Woodstock Farm Sanctuary

“A car came, flying by, and actually sped up and swerved to hit her. Knocked her over and drove away,” explained Indra Lahiri, founder of Indraloka Animal Sanctuary.

PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — You can start your Saturday mornings with a kegs 'n eggs breakfast at Molly O'Shea at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Starting on May 3, every Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., you can enjoy breakfast classics with a Celtic twist.

The menu will consist of The Emerald Isle Scotch Eggs, The Irish Coddle, The English Muffin Stackers, and The Irish Eyes French Toast.

More lane restrictions set for I-81

You can also start your morning off with one of five O'Sheas Shenanigans Bloody Marys.

HANOVER TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Two family members are facing charges after police say an 8-year-old died from a gunshot wound to the stomach.

The Hanover Township Police Department stated they arrested 38-year-old Phillicia S. Brantley for endangering the welfare of children after her 8-year-old daughter died from a gunshot wound. 

Investigators say on December 9, 2024, Brantley left her home and her children unsupervised. Her 12-year-old son then began playing with her Sig Sauer P365 .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun, police said.

CHESTNUT HILL TWP., MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police are investigating after a woman lost $5,000 during a Facebook hack.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, a 62-year-old woman from Gilbert reported losing $5,000 to a scammer who impersonated a former friend.

Police say the scammer accessed and used her friend's Facebook account to lure friends to invest money through a fake investment company.

Lackawanna DA confirms 3 teens in custody after Olyphant shooting

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (WTAJ) — Weeks after Penn State international students and scholars had their visas revoked, the federal government appears to be reversing the action.

Penn State University Public Relations Assistant Director Willy Medina said they were made aware the government started reactivating the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) status of some students whose status had previously been terminated.

She added the university is continuing to assist students who were affected.

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — PennDOT has announced lane restrictions on Interstate 81 to allow crews to perform electrical work.

According to PennDOT, these restrictions will take place in the northbound and southbound lanes between Exit 155 (Dorrance) and Exit 159 (Nuangola).

The work is expected to be performed Tuesday April 29, and Wednesday April 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This project is in addition to work on I-81 south from Pittston to Nanticoke from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Drivers should expect delays.