Luzerne County

SUGAR NOTCH, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) - A woman is found dead and her son is locked up, accused of killing her.

A woman was found dead in Sugar Notch. Investigators believe it was her son who killed her. Just before 2 a.m. Sunday morning, Pennsylvania State Police Wyoming Patrol Unit responded to a domestic dispute at the 300 block of Maffett Street. When they got to the scene, a woman was dead.

SUGARLOAF TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE WYOU) - In its 8th annual year, the Toys for Tots event in Sugarloaf aims to bring joy during the Holiday season.

Toys for Tots organizer, Steve Martonick, hopes to give back to the community, in light of the stressed the pandemic has brought on this year.

The event included a 70 foot Christmas tree, along with Santa and his reindeer stopping by to meet with children.

Donations for Toys for Tots are being accepted at the business of SJM Auto Sales and towing on route 93 in Sugarloaf Township, Luzerne County.

MOUNTAIN TOP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A woman and her dog are safe tonight after a close call in a Luzerne County lake.

Fire crews were called out to reports of a water rescue in Laurel Lakes, Mountain Top Wednesday evening. Officials found a dog and its owner stuck in the icy lake.

Crews used wetsuits to bring the woman and her dog to safety. Wright Township crews were assisted by three nearby stations with their boats. Responders say it could have been much worse had it not been for the efforts of a nearby neighbor.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — There were dozens of crashes across the area Wednesday.

We were seeing snowfall for the majority of the day. The slushy roads were a result. These slippery conditions made for several safety concerns for drivers.

Driving in the snow is not one of the easiest things to do.

"We almost got into an accident, hit a car, coming down Park Avenue, and we were going slow," Michael Walter said.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — A local community hard hit this year by COVID-19 rolled in some help Wednesday.

A mobile medical unit made its way to the Hazleton which once represented 88% of Luzerne County’s COVID-19 positive population. Although numbers subsided during the summer, they have come up in recent months which led to a mobile COVID testing effort Wednesday.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — More than 800 small businesses and non-profit organizations in Luzerne County will be receiving over $10 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) funding, County Manager Dave Pedri announced Wednesday.

"As the County Manager, I see difficulties that so many of our neighbors are facing," Pedri wrote in a statement. "Hopefully these grant funds will help ease some of the financial strain for our small businesses and non-profit groups that have struggled in these last few months."

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) - The pandemic has many in the arts on or at the brink of bankruptcy. Over the last eight months, we've seen the music and art scene come together to keep doors open.

Anybody who's ever thrown a fundraiser event thinks about the entertainment. That hasn’t really changed, although we've taken to gathering in wide-open spaces.

But as many of those who are more than willing to give their time, talent, and efforts to help out are hurting, local help is on the way.

ROSS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) - A barn fire in Luzerne County sparked when a tractor part failed.

Fire crews quickly put out the blaze in Ross Township Tuesday night around 10:40.

The fire has been ruled accidental.

The pole barn and equipment inside were damaged by the fire.

No injuries were reported.

WYOMING, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A wife is shot dead and her husband hasn't been seen in months.

Now investigators say he's responsible for her murder. State police have been looking for Richard Walski from Larksville since August. They believe he killed his wife Patricia then took off. And, that evidence found before her death supports their theory.

Police say Walski is likely alive, armed and dangerous and possibly still in the area. State police were out again Tuesday looking for evidence. People Eyewitness News talked with are nervous he hasn't been located yet.

Motorists traveling on Interstate 80 are advised the interstate is closed in both directions between Exit 242 (Mainville/Mifflinville) in Columbia County and Exit 256 (Conyngham/Nescopeck) in Luzerne County due to a tractor-trailer crash.