Luzerne County

EDWARDSVILLE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Monday marks one year since one former church community in Luzerne County was devastated by a fire at their former place of worship.

The former Saint Hedwig's Church in Edwardsville caught fire in the early morning hours of February 19, 2023.

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St. Hedwig's closed in 2007 and held many memories for dozens of locals since it was founded in 1901.

No one was hurt in the fire. The church has since been demolished.

PLYMOUTH, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A 15-year-old Wyoming Valley West High School student is raising money and awareness to fight a type of cancer.

After losing her grandfather to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Nora Zekas was inspired to help others battling similar illnesses.

"I wanted to carry on his legacy through him, and this is all in honor of him," Nora said.

Nora currently holds the title of Miss Wyoming Valley Teen Volunteer. She was selected as a candidate for Student Visionary of the Year with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — On this Presidents' Day we're in full swing for the 11th annual Pittston St. Patrick's Parade.

Workers were out in full force painting the green line on Main Street in Pittston. It's a tradition that begins the countdown to the upcoming Pittston St. Patrick's Parade on March 2.

WEST HAZLETON BOROUGH, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Pennsylvania State Police Troop N Captain Norman Cramer and Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce announced Friday that the suspect in a four-year-old homicide was extradited to Luzerne County.

According to PSP, Giovanni Morales Jr., 27, of Brooklyn, New York, was named a suspect in the homicide and was brought back to Luzerne County for the 2020 murder of 29-year-old Jonathan Hernandez.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — An investigation is underway after police say a burglary occurred in Luzerne County over the weekend.

According to the Hazleton City Police Department, on February 17 around 8:00 p.m., officers were called to the 400 block of South Poplar for a reported burglary.

Once on the scene, police say they spoke to victims who said several men forcibly entered the apartment building, armed with weapons.

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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.

Update: All lanes are now open on I-80 eastbound at mile 249 in Luzerne County.

Update 18:25: The right lane is now open on I-80 eastbound at mile 249 in Luzerne County. The left lane remains closed for cleanup.

Motorists are advised that Interstate 80 eastbound is closed at the Mifflinville exit in Columbia County due to a vehicle crash at mile 249 in Luzerne County.

A detour is in place using Exit 242 (Mifflinville) and Route 93.