Local News

(WBRE/WYOU)— President Trump signed the executive order around 4:30 p.m. Thursday shutting down the Department of Education (DOE).

Many are now wondering what that means for schools right here in NEPA, as well as across the country.

To fully eliminate the department requires an act of Congress, and while the White House says funding for essential programs for schools across the country will remain, local educators and analysts have concerns about how exactly schools will get the funding.

Police nab SNAP benefits skimming suspect

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The fate of two state-owned properties in Luzerne County is once again a hot topic of discussion.

SCI Retreat prison near Shickshinny closed in 2021 and White Haven Center closed in 2023.

State officials have been trying to sell the properties to private entities and/or make them available to Luzerne County officials.

"The meter is running for taxpayers and it's not right". That's what a state senator is saying about two vacant state owned properties in Luzerne County.

STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It’s officially the first day of spring and one local shop in the Poconos is making sure you’re up to date on your knowledge of all things plants.

All shades of green overwhelm the inside of The Potting Shed, off Ann Street in Stroudsburg.

House plants have taken over the shop on the first day of spring but manager Judy Henry says it’s all for an annual ‘plant explosion’ event on Saturday.

DRUMS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police say a woman stole over $11,000 from a man by writing herself checks and forging his signature.

Police say Kimberlie Tayoun, 34, wrote and cashed 35 checks that she forged from a victim in Drums.

U.S. Secret Service nabs SNAP benefits skimming suspect

According to the police, the victim knew about Tayoun writing the checks and gave her time to repay the money, but never did, which led the victim to go to the police on January 7.

NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Effective immediately, the Broadway Street Bridge that connects Nanticoke to West Nanticoke is shut down.

According to Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo, a recent inspection uncovered "advanced deterioration of load-carrying members" on the bridge.

U.S. Secret Service nabs SNAP benefits skimming suspect

Crocamo states that the county is working with PennDOT to implement the closure, with more information to come at a later time.

There has been no indication as to how long the bridge will remain closed.

TURBOT TOWNSHIP, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A tractor-trailer crash has a ramp and one lane closed on Interstate 80 eastbound.

Around 9:15 a.m. Thursday morning crews were called out to the area of mile marker 212 eastbound for a crash involving a tractor-trailer rolled over an embankment.

U.S. Secret Service nabs SNAP benefits skimming suspect

Courtesy to Turbot Township Fire Company

PennDOT says the right lane and just after Exit 212B Williamsport in Turbot Township, Northumberland County is closed. There is also a ramp closure in the area.

(WBRE/WYOU) — Police say they have identified and charged a Romanian national who is accused of using card skimming devices to illegally access over 4,600 account numbers, including over 1,000 SNAP benefit accounts.

According to the U.S. Secret Service, Florin Doroiman is believed to be a member of an organized Romanian criminal syndicate and is currently incarcerated in Virginia.

SNAP benefits drained by card skimmers

The case stems back to December 18, 2024, when Walmart filed the original report regarding stolen account numbers.

WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU — A woman has been charged after police say she threatened to shoot up a government building.

According to police, Kimberly Ann McCray, 32, was upset that her child was placed in protective custody and then sent several threatening text messages to a caseworker at the Lycoming County Children and Youth Services Office.

Police say McCray then called the office and told the staff she was going to "go get a gun and shoot up the building".

Death investigation underway in Exeter

LIME RIDGE -- For 42 years, Lorie Shadle and her family battled a laundry list of serious diseases, including...

FISHING CREEK TWP. -- A trailer home, an outbuilding, two classic cars, a dumpster and approximately 2 acres of land...