Luzerne County

PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A 70-year-old Luzerne County man was struck by a vehicle and left for dead as he rode his bicycle along a busy highway. He says he wants justice.

Plains Township Police are still investigating the hit and run, but say there is nothing new to report. Ron Skiro was struck down near the intersection of Route 315 and Jumper Road. He believes it's a miracle he's alive.

"All I know is lights out, I'm in Geisinger trauma center, that's all I remember," recalled Skiro.

PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It's the most wonderful, but also the busiest time of year for area bakeries with Thanksgiving next week.

Slicing and weighing the perfect dough amount is routine before the sun comes up at Bakery Delite in Plains Township.

"Everything gets turned on at three in the morning, proof boxes, ovens, and then we’re baking all morning long. It could go into the afternoon, especially around the holidays," said Annette Kosmach, manager of Bakery Delite.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police report the driver of a pickup truck is facing DUI charges after they say he was found passed out at a stop light and then led officers on a chase.

According to the Hazleton Police Department, on Thursday, November 14, around 2:30 a.m., offices encountered a Ford pickup truck stopped at a green traffic light on Diamond Avenue and Laurel Street.

Officers said they approached the truck and saw a man passed out on the driver's seat and an open alcoholic container in the cup holder.

KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Well-deserved recognition on Tuesday for those working to fight childhood hunger in NEPA.

The program, Dinners for Kids, had its annual event at the Jewish Community Center in Kingston.

28/22 News Moring Anchor Kelly Byrne was a guest speaker at the event.

The program was founded by Edna and David Tevet out of a need to help end childhood hunger in the Wyoming Valley.

Dinners for Kids is able to feed around 240 kids across the Wilkes-Barre, West Side, and Dallas areas.

BEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Laurel Run Bridge is set to reopen after nearly nine months of being closed.

The closure was part of a $15,700,000 bridge replacement project on the PA Turnpike's Northeast Extension.

Line striping, paving, and guide rail installation had been completed by last Friday.

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Detours around the closure in Bear Creek Township totaled 14 miles and added over 20 minutes to driver's commutes.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Part of a road was blocked off in Wilkes-Barre due to heavy police activity.

Police were actively investigating an incident on Terrace Street in Wilkes-Barreon on Tuesday. Part of the street was closed off.

Police say they were serving court documents to a house on Terrace Street when the situation escalated.

It forced officials to call in Pennsylvania State Police, Wilkes-Barre City Police, and Luzerne County sheriff's deputies.

Shooting investigation underway in Luzerne County

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A former driver for ride-share service Lyft was in Luzerne County District Court on Tuesday to face charges that he sexually assaulted a male he picked up in August.

39-year-old Edwin Valentin Perez from the Hazleton area insists he did nothing wrong. The alleged victim says he wants justice.

This is the first time that the accused, Valentin Perez, and the alleged victim came face-to-face since the alleged assault, and at one point, they were only feet away from each other.

FREELAND, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A shooting in a quiet community leaves a man injured.

Officers said they were called to Freeland Village Apartments on Evancho Circle in Freeland around 12:30 p.m. for a shooting investigation.

Investigators say a man was shot and taken to the hospital.

28/22 News spoke with neighbors on scene who say they're shocked at what happened.

"I've been living here since '07 and we never had any shootings in here at all," a neighbor said.

WILKES-BARRE TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Officials have announced that Wawa is set to open in Wilkes-Barre Township early next month.

According to Wawa Inc., they are hosting its grand opening on Friday, December 6 in Wilkes-Barre Township.

The release states the countdown for the grand opening will begin at 7:45 a.m. followed by the doors officially opening at 8:00 a.m. with a T-shirt giveaway to the first 100 customers (as supplies last.)

Man accused of setting furniture on fire during burn ban

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Putting gifts under the tree for families in need is the goal of a local nonprofit organization.

Valley Santa is gearing up for its 41st year of giving.

Volunteers help push along the process of gift wrapping for Valley Santa.

The organization has been making Christmas miracles come true for more than 40 years and this year, they're getting ready to help more families than ever before.