Luzerne County

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Many people say their SNAP benefit cards have been compromised in an EBT card skimming scam.

Last week, 28/22 News told you about an EBT card skimming scam impacting people in NEPA. Many people were left without their SNAP benefits they need to buy food for the month for their families.

Wednesday, more people say their cards were compromised.

The state says they are aware of the issue, but a change in the law makes it impossible for people to get stolen benefits refunded.

DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — An SCI Dallas inmate has died at the hospital after officials say he got into a fight with another inmate on Christmas Day.

Jasen Bohinski, superintendent of the State Correctional Institution at Dallas, reports that inmate 66-year-old Manuel Morales died on January 13.

Pa. inmate dead after accusation of threatening prison staff

According to the report, on December 25, Morales was transported and admitted to Geisinger Wyoming Valley after fighting with another inmate at the facility.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Luzerne County Coroner Jill Matthews has submitted her resignation notice.

In a letter to the county, Matthews says she is accepting a position in the Luzerne County District Attorney's office.

Pa. grandfather in legal battle over backyard coaster

She also noted that she was grateful for the opportunity to serve as coroner and thanked her staff.

Her last day will be January 24th.

HAZLE TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Crews responded to a crash on an Interstate 81 offramp that left a driver injured Tuesday.

Man ‘with nowhere to go’ refuses to leave prison

According to the Hazle Township Fire & Rescue Company, crews were called to Route 424 at the I-81 southbound off-ramp for a crash.

On the scene crews said the driver was injured, semi-responsive, and confined in the vehicle.

Responders removed the door to get the driver out and looked at by EMS.

WHITE HAVEN, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Lawmakers are demanding action on a vacant state-owned property in northeastern Pennsylvania. The facility shut its doors nearly two years ago.

In 2019, the state announced the closure of the White Haven Center, a facility that housed individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The closure came from the Wolf administration's plan to reduce reliance on institutional care.

When the closure was announced, the center served 112 people and employed more than 400.

NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The massive wildfires rage on in the Los Angeles area. Fire officials say the death toll is expected to rise with more than 12,000 homes and businesses destroyed, including schools and tens of thousands of acres of land have been scorched with more being threatened.

Fire officials from around the nation and right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania are closely watching the ongoing efforts to contain and put out those fires.

28/22 News I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick spoke with area fire officials about the California fires.

KINGSTON TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — For many in NEPA, ice fishing is a common pastime during the winter months, but how do you know when the ice is safe for recreation?

Ice fishermen could be seen on Frances Slocum Lake Monday morning, enjoying the winter weather while hoping to land some fish.

The ice is about four inches thick, just thick enough for one fisherman to safely make their way onto the lake, according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Local clothing pantry in desperate need of donations

AVOCA, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Luzerne County District Attorney's office has identified the victim killed during a shooting in Avoca over the weekend.

According to Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, 67-year-old Robert Solo was killed at a home on Main Street in Avoca on Saturday, January 11 around 4:00 a.m.

Snow tracks help police find suspects in deadly party shooting

On Monday, January 13, an autopsy was done that determined Solo died due to multiple gunshot wounds and his death has been ruled a homicide.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — History is made in Luzerne County with the election of the first female President Judge in the nearly 250 years the county has been in existence.

Judge Stefanie Salavantis will set the direction and policies of the court.

Fellow judges elected her to the position.

Salavantis says she wants to be a role model for women and send the message that they can achieve anything. She also spoke about the importance of making children as comfortable as possible when dealing with court proceedings.

Video in the player above was provided by Cirque De Soleil.

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Cirque De Soleil is bringing their performance of OVO to the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in April.

From Thursday, April 3 to Sunday, April 6 there will be five shows at the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township.

Courtesy of Cirque De Soleil

Courtesy of Cirque De Soleil