Luzerne County

Students from several Luzerne County high schools competed in an environment-themed event at Camp Kresge on Tuesday.

DUPONT, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Dupont man is facing multiple charges after police say he sexually exploited a minor. He was arrested Tuesday afternoon after local and state authorities searched his home.

28/22 News Reporter Amelia Sack was in Dupont when it was all going down.

30-year-old William Christian Jr. is being accused of having inappropriate contact with a child.

He's facing multiple charges, including indecent assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and unlawful contact with a minor.

Family members charged in death of 8-year-old

PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Problem properties are in virtually every community in the nation. One Luzerne County community is taking a proactive stance on these properties.

The open field on Prospect Place with the excavator is where a longtime blighted property once stood.

It was torn down last week, and it's not the first blighted property to meet the "wrecking ball," and according to Mayor Mike Lombardo, it won't be the last unless property owners do the right thing.

DURYEA, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Drug charges were filed Monday against a Massachusetts man after a burning power line in Duryea led police to a marijuana grow operation back in August of 2024, according to court records.

Police say after investigating arching wires that caused a fire, along with a smell of natural gas, they discovered an alleged marijuana grow operation inside a home in the 200 block of Marcy Street.

PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — You can start your Saturday mornings with a kegs 'n eggs breakfast at Molly O'Shea at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Starting on May 3, every Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., you can enjoy breakfast classics with a Celtic twist.

The menu will consist of The Emerald Isle Scotch Eggs, The Irish Coddle, The English Muffin Stackers, and The Irish Eyes French Toast.

More lane restrictions set for I-81

You can also start your morning off with one of five O'Sheas Shenanigans Bloody Marys.

HANOVER TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Two family members are facing charges after police say an 8-year-old died from a gunshot wound to the stomach.

The Hanover Township Police Department stated they arrested 38-year-old Phillicia S. Brantley for endangering the welfare of children after her 8-year-old daughter died from a gunshot wound. 

Investigators say on December 9, 2024, Brantley left her home and her children unsupervised. Her 12-year-old son then began playing with her Sig Sauer P365 .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun, police said.

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — PennDOT has announced lane restrictions on Interstate 81 to allow crews to perform electrical work.

According to PennDOT, these restrictions will take place in the northbound and southbound lanes between Exit 155 (Dorrance) and Exit 159 (Nuangola).

The work is expected to be performed Tuesday April 29, and Wednesday April 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This project is in addition to work on I-81 south from Pittston to Nanticoke from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Drivers should expect delays.

BUTLER TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Butler Township Police are investigating a crash that left a man seriously injured after a motorcycle slammed into a school bus Monday afternoon.

Police say the crash happened at about 2:20 p.m. Monday at the intersection of North Hunter Highway, State Route 309, and Corporate Drive.

As the investigation into the burning body found on Sunday in Hazleton continues, more information about the victim has been released.

OLYPHANT, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A young boy who was shot in the streets of Lackawanna County is expected to survive. The shooting happened Sunday night in Olyphant, where the alleged teenage shooter shot a 12-year-old in the chest.

Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher tells 28/22 News this act of youth violence comes down to a parenting crisis.

He says the young boy who was shot last night is in critical but stable condition and is expected to survive.

Those in the neighborhood still can't believe what happened.