Luzerne County

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — Pennsylvania has been granted over $40 million on Thursday to increase residents' access to faster internet.

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) announced Thursday that according to Senators Lisa Baker (R-20), Rosemary Brown (R-20), and Marty Flynn (D-22), Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) is being granted $42.5 million to increase access to reliable, high-speed internet.

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It's Primary Election Day 2024 and federal, state, and county races are on the ballots. In many races, candidates are running unopposed.

Voters in Luzerne County voted on a referendum question regarding a government study commission.

Voter turnout is traditionally low in primary elections and the same is true this year. Voter turnout is about 20 percent.

Voters, 28/22 News spoke with say they will turn out to vote, to make sure their voices are heard.

HAZLE TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police report that five women were arrested after being accused of retail thefts at a Walmart in Luzerne County.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, troopers responded to Walmart in Hazle Township for separate retail theft incidents throughout April.

On April 9 around 5:30 p.m., troopers say they were called for a reported theft after a 38-year-old man from Drums tried to leave the store with two boxes of baseball cards without paying.

PD: Two women wanted for retail theft at Walmart

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police say a man was arrested for allegedly slashing another man's face with a knife in Wilkes-Barre.

On Sunday around 6:50 a.m., officers were called to the 150 block of Dana Street for a reported domestic dispute.

Once arriving on the scene, police said they found a man who had a laceration on his face.

Woman allegedly taunts police K9 while being arrested

The victim stated that Flossie Haskins, 44, of Wilkes-Barre, had cut his face with a knife while they were fighting, Wilkes-Barre City Police reported.

NEWPORT TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A woman being arrested for a domestic disturbance is now facing charges for taunting a police K9, officers stated.

On April 19 around 10:00 p.m. in Newport Township, police were called for a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of Old Newport Street.

According to the Newport Township Police, a man told officers that 48-year-old Ivy Meres was refusing to give the man his belongings unless he provided her with a marijuana vape pen.

Police search for missing Monroe County woman

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)— The Primary Election Polls are open. Today, Pennsylvanians will vote for which candidates in their party they want to move on to the general election in November.

28/22 News Reporter Sydney Kostus met with voters in Luzerne County Tuesday.

Polls at the Toyota Sportsplex polling location opened at 7:00 a.m. and a handful of people made their way inside when the doors opened.

KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — In Luzerne County, dozens gathered to observe the beginning of Passover with the Seder Dinner, a Jewish ritual celebrated during the first two nights of Passover.

On Monday, the JCC in Kingston held the dinner along with the annual reading of the biblical story of the exodus, when the Israelites fled from slavery in Egypt.

Two dogs rescued from Lackawanna River

Passover is a major Jewish holiday meant to symbolize freedom, celebrated over the course of a week.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A rally was held on Monday in NEPA spreading awareness during Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Crime Victims' Week.

The rally was held by the Victims Resource Center on the campus of Penn State Hazleton.

Scranton residents react to activated flood siren

Local victims of crimes and their families were honored during the event, some victims even stood up to tell their stories.

The theme was "Start by Believing", hoping to create a community that supports and believes victims of abuse.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It's Earth Day, and to celebrate, an annual community event took place Monday in Luzerne County.

The Hanover Crossings Marsh held its Earth Day Cleanup along Spencer Road and South Main Street organized by the North Branch Land Trust to clean up the protected wetlands.

Trash bags, gloves, safety vests, and other materials were provided to everyone who came to help.

Mothers’ still seeking justice for murdered teens

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — On Monday, the Supreme Court began a case considering whether cities can punish people experiencing homelessness for sleeping outside when they have nowhere else to go.

Homelessness has risen 12 percent nationally, and it's also on the rise in parts of Luzerne County, according to experts.

The City of Wilkes-Barre says they've seen an increase in the homeless population over the past six months, with encampments popping up across the area.

The largest exists behind Kirby Park near the Susquehanna River.