Luzerne County

LARKSVILLE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local church is celebrating a big milestone.Saint John the Baptist Church in Larksville is marking more than 125 years of service since the parish was founded.

Parishioners, past and present, showed up for a mass on Saturday to commemorate the anniversary and honor the church's legacy.

"I wish this church very many, many years to come," Annette Fetchko of Larksville said. Fetchko is a lifetime parishioner of Saint John the Baptist Church. She's been involved with the church for more than 72 years.

The proceeds of the event to benefit the Geisinger Heart and Vascular Institute and the Geisinger School of Medicine scholarships.

"Spartival" was hosted on Saturday by school's own PBIS club.

Police are searching for 40-year-old Ryan McDermott after charges were filed.

ROSS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are actively searching for a suspect that they say is armed and dangerous.

40-year-old Ryan McDermott of Sweet Valley has a felony warrant for rape by forcible compulsion and multiple related charges, according to police.

Officials say McDermott made numerous threatening statements toward law enforcement. Numerous explosive devices and firearms belonging to McDermott were recovered on Saturday, police say.

Luzerne County home destroyed after fire

FOSTER TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A home is destroyed after an intense fire in Luzerne County.

The communication center says the fire broke out around 3:30 this afternoon on the 6000 block of North Buck Mountain Road in Foster Township.

Lake Township man charged with sexually assaulting teenager

You can see flames pouring out of the home.

No injuries have been reported.

It is not yet clear how the fire started or how many people lived in the home.

G.A.R. Memorial alumni relived cherished memories while celebrating its 100th anniversary, sharing stories of friendships and lifelong connections.

Crews were called to a fire that destroyed a home in Foster Township near Freeland around 4 p.m. Friday.

LAKE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Pittston Township Police say they have charged a 40-year-old man with sexually assaulting a teenager on multiple instances, who later became pregnant.

Ryan McDermott allegedly sexually assaulted and recorded several instances that took place across multiple Luzerne County hotels.

Police say they first became aware of the incident when contacted by a college police department in Illinois.

WYOMING, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — In light of two high-profile police shootings in Pennsylvania, 28/22 News wanted to take a closer look at police training practices.

28/22's Joe Mason spoke to area police chiefs today and has a look at how police train for a crisis.

Two Pennsylvania state troopers were seriously injured after a shooting in Susquehanna County in early August. On Wednesday, three police officers were shot dead, and two were left in critical condition in York County.