Luzerne County

SHICKSHINNY, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The fire chief explains a man died in a fire after he went back to save two cats from his burning home.

Crews were called to 80 South Main Street in Shickshinny around 4:00 a.m. for reports of a shed fire, according to the Mocanaqua Volunteer Fire Company.

The fire was under control after two hours with help from multiple fire departments.

Roadblocks cause delays on I-81, I-380, and more

Luzerne County Coroner Dion Fernandes stated 70-year-old Kenneth Ritchotte and his wife were inside when the fire started.

Police say a 45-year-old man opened the valve of a 20-pound propane tank following an argument

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A man has been arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old he met up with to smoke marijuana with, police say.

According to the Hazleton City Police, the Hazleton Area School District contacted officers regarding a 15-year-old being raped.

The victim claimed she met up with 25-year-old Bryan Ramirez, aka B-Roll, to smoke weed in his vehicle, police stated. Officers said Ramirez picked up the victim at a gas station near her home in Schuylkill County, then began to drive to Hazleton.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Authorities have sentenced a Luzerne County man after he produced child pornography with a seven-year-old.

25-year-old Brandon Christopher Heck of Hanover Township was sentenced to 15 years for the production of child pornography.

According to the Acting United States Attorney, John C. Gurganus, in July 2023, Heck was communicating with a 7-year-old on the app Likee.

School district says worker’s social media compromised

There will be rolling roadblocks on I-81 North and South in Wilkes-Barre from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday as part of the Route 115 bridge project.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Food, music, and dancing: All to celebrate culture and community. The Annual Lebanese Festival filled West Scranton with flavors and family on Sunday.

At Saint Ann Maronite Church, grills were busy and tents were packed as hundreds turned out for the Lebanese Food Festival.

From kabobs and grape leaves to pastries and spinach pies, the event serves as a major fundraiser for the parish.

Over 60 vendors appear at the Harvest Festival on Sunday in Luzerne County.

DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — 28/22 News Anchor Nick Toma was helping out on Sunday at what was billed as Big Cash Bingo at the Irem Pavilion in Luzerne County's Back Mountain.

Events like this are important to benefit the Irem Shrine and all that its members do.

NEPA crowds honors late political activist

"It allows us to raise money, and that to support our mission, which is helping children and helping our community," Irem Shrine Dallas Potentate Jeffrey Pace

DUPONT, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Traffic is now flowing again for a major artery after what authorities say was a crash involving multiple vehicles Sunday evening.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says a multi-vehicle crash happened on Interstate 81 Northbound, almost a mile south of Exit 178, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, a little after 6:35 p.m.

Officials add there was a lane restriction in the area at mile marker 177.

Two dead, one in hospital after Hazleton shooting

The 109th will be replaced by the 28th Division Artillery, making sure to preserve the history and the lineage of soldiers tracing back to the Revolutionary War.