Luzerne County

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Today is a beautiful day to be outside and an even better day to focus on wellness.

Several non profits, local universities, and hospitals came together on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre to hold a Wellness Fair.

Doctors, dentists, and clinical experts there performed consultations, vaccinations, and screenings.

Detective Spike

Organizers say the event focused on providing free healthcare for the day for those who need it in the community.

WILKES-BARRE LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)—A retired Luzerne County detective and his K-9 are helping children in NEPA with a new book.

This is detective spike: a children's book inspired by the K-9's important work he does to help kids.

Meet ESD K-9 spike and his handler Chaz Balogh, a retired detective sergeant with the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The circus is back in town in Luzerne County as it makes its return to the place it's called home for decades.

It’s called the Sphere of Fear, with two daredevils zooming inside even upside down. It’s an act that Ring Master Billy Martin says will put you on the edge of your seat. And it's all part of the Irem Shrine Circus.

“That’s the best thing, when you can feel the audience, the family coming in on that circus adventure, it’s like nothing else.”

SHAVERTOWN, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Shavertown Fire Department is turning 100 years old, and to celebrate, they are hosting a community day on Saturday, May 3.

Courtesy of Shavertown Fire Department

From 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., there will be local vendors, food trucks, opportunities to touch the trucks, a mobile safety smokehouse, vehicle/fire safety demonstrations, face painting, games, and more.

Courtesy of Shavertown Fire Department

Carbon County nonprofit hands out air quality monitors

Rebecca Wolfe's family will hold a benefit in her honor to raise funds for a preschool scholarship.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A prayer service to remember the late Pope Francis was held at King's College Wednesday night.

Many people attended the service to honor him with a mass of remembrance at the Chapel of Christ the King.

The event brought together prayers that were a big part of Pope Francis' life.

Students get insights into tech industry in Wilkes-Barre

The event was marked by a reading of scripture.

There were also moments of silence, along with the praying of the rosary.

FORTY FORT, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A branch of Homeland Security is coming to Luzerne County. The Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority approved contracts for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which is overseen by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to work out of its facility.

HSI is a department under ICE. This agency will soon occupy a vacant section of the facility.

The executive director tells 28/22 News the leasing deal has been a few years in the making, and it's one a county resident I spoke with feels unsure about.

Stacey Louder and Amanda Gregorio face several charges in connection with a child abuse case in Luzerne County.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Local high school students got a fun, interactive look on Wednesday at careers in technology. It's called CIS Day at King's College in Wilkes-Barre.

More than 200 students met with around 30 tech companies to meet the region's top employers and learn about jobs firsthand.

Graham Academy students take over top Wilkes-Barre positions

It wasn't all talk, students played a tech-themed version of Monopoly, solved puzzles in an "IT Escape Room," and even cracked secret code-words.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — In celebration of April's World Autism Awareness Month, a group of students got to experience first-hand what it's like to be a city leader.

A group of students from the Graham Academy took over the top positions in the city of Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

Each student sported a sash with their new title: Mayor, police chief, fire chief, and city councilman.

All were sworn in before heading out to their respective offices.