Luzerne County

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Christmas is a little brighter for struggling kids this year in Lackawanna County.

The annual Gifts for Kids distribution started Sunday at the Byron Recreation Complex in Scranton.

Families could be seen lining up picking gifts from books to toys to winter clothes.

Half of the gifts were donated by the community while the other half from Toys for Tots drives.

Teddy bears take the ice in Luzerne County

PITTSTON TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — PennDOT has crews out across the area helping aid in the preparation for this evening's snowfall.

Workers at the salt storage shed in Pittston Township say they are geared up and prepared for more snowy weather of the season.

PennDOT began sending dozens of trucks out onto the road earlier Sunday afternoon.

Crews at the salt shed say they are following their typical procedures in preventing the snow and ice from sticking to the roads.

Winter advisory in place overnight as temperatures drop

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Hearts are warm on the ice tonight after a beloved holiday hockey tradition.

Saturday was the annual "Teddy Bear Toss" hosted by Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins at their game against the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Volunteers lay over 450 wreaths for Wreaths Across America Day in Luzerne County

You could "bearly" see the ice Saturday as a sea of stuffed bears fill the Mohegan Arena.

Fans brought new unwrapped plush toys to the game and to toss on the ice after the Pens scored their first goal.

WRIGHT TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— You can take a stroll back in time this weekend in Luzerne County.

Mountain Top Family Church is hosting "A Walk Through Bethlehem" offering a guided tour to experience the time and place where Jesus was born.

The scene is complete with characters of the time and live animals.

Volunteers lay over 450 wreaths for Wreaths Across America Day in Luzerne County

There is even a marketplace to buy food or a gift to complete your Christmas shopping and a hayride to enjoy.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A local business will get some much-needed equipment upgrades and even employees thanks to a fund-raising run.

Roughly 70 runners braved the cold this morning for the inaugural Santa dash 5k in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

The first-time run supports Coffee Inclusive in Pittston, which employs people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Luzerne County auto business holds annual Toys for Tots event

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Crews in Luzerne County were called to a house fire in Wilkes-Barre Saturday night.

According to Luzerne County Communications Center, crews were called to the unit block of Barney Street for a reported second-alarm structure fire.

Wilkes Barre City Fire Department Deputy Chief Alan Klapat says the fire started on the second floor near the back of the house.

Klapat states that five people were in the house at the time of the fire , but all made it out on their own.

SWEET VALLEY, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Crews were called Friday night around 11:30 p.m. to Holy Smoke Market on Route 118 in Sweet Valley.

Firefighters say the fire destroyed a shed next to the cheese shop before it spread to the main building.

Holy Smoke wrote to their customers on Facebook this morning, saying their smokers sustained devastating damage.

The market was closed while utilities were restored.

No injuries were reported, according to officials.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

SYBERTSVILLE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A local business is helping keep the spirit of the season alive and well.

SJM Auto Sales and Repair hosted its annual community Christmas festival, Saturday.

It featured reindeer, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and food and beverages.

The community event doubles as a way to collect donations for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's "Toys for Tots" drive which SJM has been doing for a decade.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Families in need are getting some help less than two weeks before Christmas.

Hazleton City Police and the grocery store chain Giant teamed up today for a food drive called "Pack The Cruiser".

The first-time event aimed to fill a police SUV with non-perishable food, snacks, juices, and other items.

In only two hours, the police cruiser was nearly filled.

The food will go to what police call "Blue Santa Families", families with children from infants to teens who are victims of fire, crime, or just need a helping hand.

DRUMS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A local cemetery is among those participating in an annual event to remember veterans no longer with us.

Volunteers laid wreaths at veterans' gravesites at Calvary Cemetery in Drums for "Wreaths Across America Day".

The wreaths were dedicated to fallen vets as well as friends and loved ones who serves and whose final resting place is at Calvary Cemetery.

American Legion Post 795 coordinated the event and got help from others.