Luzerne County

WEST PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A new pizza joint from a familiar owner is expected to open in West Pittston in January 2025.

Pizza runs in the family for Angelo Recchia, who formerly owned Angelo's Pizza in the Viewmont Mall since 2015. But now he is excited to make the move closer to home.

Recchia will soon be opening Luca Pizza at the former B3Q Smokehouse location in West Pittston.

Iconic piece of Lackawanna County land up for sale

"I always wanted to be part of the community and open a local spot," said Recchia.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police are investigating a shots fired incident in Wilkes-Barre early Wednesday.

On December 18 around 2:00 a.m., officers were called to a home on Lawrence Street for a reported gunshots being fired.

Heavy police presence in Wilkes-Barre Tuesday night

Once on the scene officers said the victim's residence was struck by gunshots while she and several others were inside the home.

Evidence was collected on scene and the investigation is ongoing.

HAZLE TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police report that three people 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 November and December.

On November 19 around 3:00 p.m., troopers were called to Walmart for a reported retail theft. As a result, a 30-year-old woman from Weatherly was arrested.

Mother charged in death of 1-month-old in Luzerne County

KINGSTON TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A woman is facing charges after police say she ignited a pizza box which caused a brush fire that damaged multiple homes.

According to the Kingston Township Police Department, on November 1 fire crews were called to the 100 block of Henry Street for a reported brush fire.

Investigators said three homes had different variations of damage done to their properties caused by the fire and crews believed it originated at a property where Kristian Bolton, 34, of Shavertown, lived.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A huge industrial building in Luzerne County could get new life with the Hanover Area School District.

A zoning hearing was held Tuesday night at the Hanover Township municipal building. A zoning variance was approved and the school district could start to work on having the building operational by the start of the 2026-27 school year.

Heavy police presence in Wilkes-Barre Tuesday night

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Lending a hand to those who served this holiday season, a local nonprofit that helps veterans in need is looking for donations for their annual holiday meals program.

The Valor Clinic Foundation helps veterans in NEPA and beyond with everything from housing to fighting hunger.

Pa. State Rep. calls for name change of Biden Expressway in Scranton

They are currently gearing up for their annual holiday meals program. This year, they plan to feed around 550 veterans' families.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police responded to Stanton Street in Wilkes-Barre Tuesday night for a break-in that led to shots being fired.

On December 17, around 9:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Stanton and Hazle streets for a report of a group of men actively discharging a gun.

Once on the scene, officers learned that the victim heard someone knock on the rear door of his house. He approached the door and three people wearing ski masks entered his home and a fight broke out, police stated.  

(WBRE/WYOU) — Newly-elected State Representative Brenda Pugh (R-Luzerne) 120th called on city officials to remove President Joe Biden's name from signage on the expressway that leads into Scranton, claiming it "will forever be a scar" to the people of northeastern Pennsylvania.

DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — President Biden's clemency action for Kids for Cash Judge Michael Conahan continues to draw harsh criticism from people from across Pennsylvania and the nation.

State Senator Lisa Baker, who spearheaded efforts to reform the Juvenile Justice System in Pennsylvania in the aftermath of the Kids for Cash scandal says the clemency is a travesty for the victims and their families.

Senator Baker also criticizes the way the situation was handled without notifying the victims.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A man has been found guilty on charges stemming from a shooting in Scranton that left a 27-year-old man dead.

31-year-old Travis Anthony Lanzo has been found guilty of first-degree murder of David Deshler.

Mother charged in death of 1-month-old in Luzerne County

The trial began on December 10 for the shooting and killing of Deshler. According to the Scranton Police Department, Lanzo shot Deshler on March 12 near Schultz Court and Mulberry Street in the Hill Section.