Local News

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — On a day much like any other, a single call sent the city of Scranton into hours of uncertainty and fear, Detective Kyle Gilmartin, was shot in the head on duty and left fighting for his life.

Saturday marks one year since the day that shook Scranton to its core, as Gilmartin of the Scranton Police was critically wounded in the line of duty.

"It was a call you never want to hear, but unfortunately, we heard it that day and we kicked into high gear," said Chief Tom Carroll, Scranton Police Department.

PERRY TOWNSHIP, SNYDER COUNTY — State Police say almost $20,000 worth of jewelry, gift cards, and cash were stolen from a home in Snyder County.

Police say some time between November 20, 2024, and December 23, 2024, around $20,000 worth of jewelry, gift cards, and cash were stolen. The victims were listed as a 53 and a 26-year-old female.

Some of the items stolen include numerous rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, cash and coins.

Shell casings found after report of shots fired in Wilkes-Barre

The investigation into the burglary is ongoing.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The City of Hazleton is the focus of a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department claiming the current at-large method of electing city council members is discriminatory to the city's Hispanic citizens who are in the majority of the city's population.

The complaint, filed in Federal Court in Scranton, alleges the city is violating the Federal Voting Rights Act and wants a judge to order the city to change the method by which council members are elected.

Hazleton-Complaint-1.7.25_1736358697-1Download

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A police investigation is underway after shots were fired near Huber Park in Wilkes-Barre Thursday night.

Police say they responded to the area of Moyallen Street and Almond Lane just before 7:00 p.m. for a report of gunfire.

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Once on scene, police said they spoke to a person who heard the shots but did not witness the shooter.

A member of the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department was seen searching for evidence Thursday night after a report of shots being fired.

MOOSIC, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A fire has damaged a home in Moosic.

Crews were called to the 3000 block of Lydon Lane in Moosic Friday morning around 9:30 a.m. for a report of a fire. Officials say the cause was electrical in nature and it started in the basement.

After an investigation, the cause of the fire was determined to be caused by a faulty power strip.

Woman loses almost $60K in Bitcoin scam

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police say a woman transferred around $58,000 to someone in a Bitcoin scam.

On January 8, a 64-year-old woman reported to police that she was contacted by someone claiming they were employed by Microsoft. The suspect then told her that her account had been "compromised," according to police.

Macy’s in Wyoming Valley Mall to close

Authorities say she was then instructed by the "employee" to withdraw money from her bank account and transfer it to a Bitcoin account.

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Macy's has announced it is closing 66 locations, including the store in the Wyoming Valley Mall.

The store is expected to close during quarter one of 2025. The Wyoming Valley Mall location is one of four Pennsylvania stores to close, including stores in Altoona, Exton, and Philadelphia.

Bitter cold chills region ahead of weekend snow

See the full list of closing stores.

DANVILLE — The Venue at Liberty Valley is bringing back a classier version of its Comedy Night on Saturday at 6 p.m. The show alone is $30, or make it a comedy and dinner combo for $60.

MIAMI — Penn State fell to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Thursday in a close finish.

SUNBURY — Valley students are being encouraged to sign up for the National Civics Bee after the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon with the director of Pennsylvania Chamber Foundation at Lackawanna College in Sunbury.