Luzerne County

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.

PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Luzerne County Children, Youth, and Families hosted its 31st Annual Adoption Celebration Dinner on Monday at the Holiday Inn in Plains Township.

The dinner welcomes back children and their adoptive families.

The event gives children a chance to connect with other kids who have been through the system and have also found a forever home.

The event featured a full range of dinner options, desserts, a magician, and coloring games.

Feeling like the holidays in Honesdale

KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A road is closed in Kingston after a part of the road collapsed. Union Street from Mercer Avenue to Schuyler Avenue is closed.

Director of Public Works for Kingston Borough Adam Gober says a water main break at around 2:00 p.m. Monday is what started the issue.

Feeling like the holidays in Honesdale

He also said water started to enter a sanitary manhole causing a pressure build-up.

The Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority has inspected the manhole to ensure it's clear and functioning properly.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It's starting to look more like Christmas in Downtown Wilkes-Barre.

The Wilkes-Barre Department of Public Works (DPW) is working to set up Christmas lights and an ice skating rink in Public Square.

AM Water finishes dredging Roaring Brook in Lackawanna County

On Monday, they were putting sand down, then, eventually, the plastic to make the skating rink.

Those working to set up say it will take several days before the square is finished being transformed for the holidays.

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Avoca Ambulance Association announced they are ceasing operations.

The mayor of Duryea says the council named Hughestown Emergency Services Ambulance as the primary basic life support unit.

They cited staffing shortages and a reduction in calls.

Officials getting ready for US Senate race vote recount in PA

The Avoca Fire Department put out a statement assuring the community this does not affect their operations.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — What's that awful smell? That's the question many people who live and travel through one part of Wilkes-Barre have been asking in recent months.

The sewage odors have been noticeable, and at times, overwhelming near the Luzerne County Courthouse and several surrounding blocks.

28/22 News tracked it down. Those odors are connected to a major upgrade of a sewer pipeline that runs near the Susquehanna River and steps are being taken by the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority (WVSA) to reduce those odors.

FORTY FORT, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Wyoming Valley cemetery has its hands full with dozens of headstones that have been missing for decades.

They were discovered just days ago after they disappeared during the 1972 Agnes Flood.

35-to-40 headstones laid scattered near Abrahams Creek bank in Forty Fort. Those headstones were not originally in that spot.

"We're going to do our best to welcome them home," said Forty Fort Cemetery Association Board President Andy Tuzinski.

EDWARDSVILLE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Local pets can say hello to some sweet new suites.

The owner of Pawtopia Grooming in Plymouth held a ribbon cutting for Pawtopia Suites on Sunday in Edwardsville.

It offers a luxury cat and dog daycare and spa that also provides boarding services.

The owner believes those boarding services will be especially appealing to pet owners worried about locking up their furry friends.

Pawtopia Suites also plans to begin training classes soon.

PHOTOS: Susquehanna River levels near record low in Luzerne County