Local News

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The world is mourning the loss of Pope Francis Monday morning, a man known for his humility, compassion, and historic firsts. 28/22 News spoke with a scholar from the University of Scranton, a local Jesuit institution, about what the pope meant to the Jesuit community and beyond.

Faculty say they're feeling the loss of someone they considered "one of their own," as the first Jesuit pope, Francis, left a deep mark on catholicism and on Jesuit institutions around the world.

SUNBURY — An inaugural Earth Day event was held on Saturday in Cameron Park along Market Street in Sunbury. It was organized by volunteers from the Climate Reality Project: Susquehanna Valley PA chapter and the Save Our Susquehanna group.

Pope Francis has died at age 88. The Vatican said Francis suffered a stroke which led to a coma and his heart to fail, as he recovered from a five-week hospitalization for double pneumonia. History’s first Latin American pontiff charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated many conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change. The pope recently spent 38 days in a hospital for a respiratory crisis in the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

SELINSGROVE — Bob Napp is quick to let you know the secret to reaching age 100.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Pope Francis was the first Latino pontiff, and on Monday, Latinos all over the world and in northeastern Pennsylvania are reacting to his life and impact on the catholic church.

The Hazleton area has one of the largest Latino communities in the region.

Hearts are heavy in Hazleton.

28/22 News was at the Annunciation Parish of the church of Saint Gabriel on the city's southside.

This is one of three churches in Hazleton that have Spanish-language masses.

For many of the folks there, Pope Francis is their hero.

ULSTER TWP., BRADFORD COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police are investigating human remains found along the Susquehanna River in Bradford County.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, between April 19 and April 20, troopers were called for human remains discovered along the Susquehanna River in Ulster Township.

Cold Case: I-81 body discovery remains under investigation

Details on the discovery and the remains are limited at this time.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call PSP Towanda at (570) 265-2186.

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — PennDOT announced pothole repairs on Interstate 81 that are now causing delays for morning commuters in Luzerne County.

Traffic backing up on Interstate 81 in Luzerne County Tuesday morning.

Starting on Tuesday, April 22, there will be a lane restriction on I-81 northbound between mile markers 174 to 178. All repairs will happen between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Trails and government buildings close due to brush fire

On Wednesday, April 23, I-81 northbound will have a lane restriction between mile markers 176 to 178.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A man is facing charges after police say he attempted to flee an undercover sting where hundreds of grams of marijuana seized.

On April 17, the Scranton Police Department began investigating the advertising of drug sales by 20-year-old Ezequiel Soto on social media, according to court records.

Undercover investigators stated they contacted Soto to meet up for a sale of marijuana worth $70.00. Police said Soto met with the undercover detectives at the location, and they pulled up behind and to the side of his vehicle.

DELANO TWP., SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police say they are continuing to investigate the death of a woman whose body was found off Interstate 81.

Pennsylvania State Police in Frackville continue their investigation of the homicide of 38-year-old Caryn J. Fortino.

On May 23, 2003, the body of Fortino was discovered in a wooded area off Interstate 81 in Delano Township, Schuylkill County, police say.

Theft reported at Walmart leads to high-speed chase

JIM THORPE, CARBON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The forest fire that started Saturday spanning over 600 acres is still burning, causing business and trail closures in Jim Thorpe.

The fire started on April 19 at the base of Bear Mountain and traveled up to the ridge and evolved into a fire spanning well over 600 acres.

Now, multiple government buildings, trails, and walking bridges are closed for the safety of the public and firefighters.

Pope Francis dies at 88

The following Carbon County government offices in Jim Thrope are closed today:

Main Courthouse