Luzerne County

FAIRVIEW TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Investigators say a Luzerne County tax collector has pleaded guilty to embezzling $400,000 of public funds for personal use.

According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, 46-year-old Karen McGinnis of Mountain Top pleaded guilty to embezzling public funds.

From March 2023 to January 2025, McGinnis was the tax collector for Fairview Township and was responsible for collecting property taxes from residents. This included taxes payable to Fairview Township, Luzerne County, and the Crestwood School District.

(WBRE/WYOU) — Two suspects on the Pennsylvania State Police Ten Most Wanted list have been arrested. Troopers are offering a $5,000 reward for information on any of the suspects.

Two suspects have been arrested from the PSP’s Ten Most Wanted list:

Daryl Eugene Beckett Jr., who was wanted for homicide in 2023 in Delaware County

Bradley Andrew Buchanan, who was wanted for the rape of a child in Lancaster County

PSP is now offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of any of the suspects remaining on the list.

State police were searching for Blake Hicks, 16, after he went missing Monday morning in Conyngham Township.

PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — As the colder months approach, many stray animals are forced to brave harsh conditions. With the help of her friends, a woman in Pittston is helping those animals find shelter during the wintertime.

"You don't need to be a big organization to make a big impact," Skye Fedkenheuer from Pittston said.

Skye Fedkenheuer has been helping animals survive the winter months for years.

She turns totes and styrofoam containers into shelters that can keep stray cats warm and gives them away for free.

CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A teen who disappeared while hunting with his father in Luzerne County is safe.

State police say 16-year-old Blake Hicks got lost Monday morning near Sawmill Road in Conyngham Township.

Arrest made in Columbia County homicide investigation

Crews searched through the night using helicopters, drones, and a specialized wilderness rescue team.

Officials confirm Hicks was found early Tuesday morning and has been reunited with his family.

HAZLE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State Route 924 in Hazle Township is now reopened after officials say a crash sent a man to the hospital and led to a diesel fuel spill.

Officials with the Luzerne County Communications Center confirmed that crews were called to the 500 block of Can Do Expressway, or State Route 924, for a tractor-trailer crash at about 7:00 p.m.

Carbon County woman pleads guilty in Whitehall homicide investigation

LAKE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A manhunt that began late last week is over in Luzerne County. While the suspect is in custody, there are still plenty of unanswered questions.

28/22 News Reporter Joe Mason has more on what led up to the manhunt.

40-year-old Ryan McDermott is now in custody. He's now facing several charges in connection with sex crimes.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), McDermott is now in custody after a four-day manhunt in Luzerne County.

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It's with heavy hearts that 28/22 News shares the passing of the 2025 Remarkable Woman, Lisa Urbanski.

Lisa was a champion for children with special needs and their families. She was a wife, mother, and friend to so many in our community.

Now, 28/22 looks back at the incredible difference she made over the years.

Lisa had no idea she was about to be honored as our 2025 Remarkable Woman.

"No clue, honest to God, I had no clue whatsoever," Lisa said.

Her dedication, however, had been clear for years.

Not every veteran gets the thank you they deserve, which is why Allied Services Hospice is making sure that our heroes are honored even in their final days.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It's listed in the top 20 mass murders in the history of the United States of America, and it happened right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

George Banks went on a shooting rampage in the Wilkes-Barre area in September of 1982, and despite the passage of more than 40 years, the crime is still talked about by people in the area and beyond.

Northeastern Pennsylvania was the focus of the national and world media, and keep in mind, at that point in time, 1982, the words "mass shootings" were rarely used.