News

EDWARDSVILLE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Blighted properties plague many area communities one such problem property in Luzerne County was the focus of a recent 28/22 news report.

That property was torn down, and officials say our coverage helped call attention to the problem and safety concerns. Fighting blight is a community effort that improves quality of life one project at a time.

This pile of rubble is all that's left at 31 Plymouth Street in Edwardsville. After 10 years, the dilapidated home was torn down Tuesday morning.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A former account pleads guilty to allegedly stealing $1.5 million from his employer.

On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam announced that 39-year-old Lawrence Malachefski from Wilkes-Barre pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to wire fraud.

Man pleads guilty to gambling money from $1.5M embezzlement scheme

PITTSTON TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police are actively investigating a body discovery on Route 315 in Pittston Township.

Police are actively on the scene of an investigation Tuesday afternoon near Ken Pollock Volvo Dealership on Route 315.

Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce told 28/22 News investigators arrived on the scene around 2:30 p.m. for a report of a body found.

Sanguedolce stated a 56-year-old man who was an employee of Ken Pollock Dealership was found dead by another employee.

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of PA announced Tuesday that an East Stroudsburg man was sentenced to prison for conspiring to straw purchase firearms.

Officials say that Windall Mitchell, 34, of East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, was sentenced on Tuesday, to two years and six months in prison on the charge of conspiracy to make false statements in connection with the purchases of multiple firearms from federally licensed dealers.

KINGSTON TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police in Luzerne County confirm they helped catch a man for allegedly attempting to rape a child and other charges in North Carolina.

According to the North Carolina Invictus Task Force, on April 29 multiple agencies conducted a joint investigation into the solicitation of a child by computer.

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) announced Tuesday it's hosting a two-day job fair to fill several positions at SCI Mahanoy and SCI Frackville.

The job fair will be held on the following days:

Tuesday, May 7, SCI Mahanoy, 301 Grey Line Drive, Frackville, 17931, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 8, SCI Mahanoy, 301 Grey Line Drive, Frackville 17931, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The two facilities are hiring for correction officer trainees and other positions across multiple fields.

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) —  The Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) stated in March that 87 individuals have been charged with public assistance fraud.

OSIG says the restitution owned to the Commonwealth totals $345,405 and the 87 defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they allegedly defrauding.

"These charges highlight the Commonwealth`s commitment to preserving public trust and ensuring that public assistance reaches those in need," said State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller.

EAST SIDE BORO., CARBON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police are investigating after over $4,000 worth of diesel fuel was stolen from a gas station.

According to PSP, on April 24 around 9:40 a.m., troopers were called to Onvo Travel Plaza in White Haven for a reported theft.

Search for two wanted after alleged retail theft

Police say 1200 gallons of diesel fuel was stolen between 2:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. by a white box truck with "metro EAZY EXPRESS" written on the front. Four men were allegedly seen tampering with the pump, PSP stated.

STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Two people are wanted for an alleged retail theft at the Stroud Mall.

On April 28 officers were called to the JC Penney in the Stroud Mall for a reported retail theft. 

Police say a man and a woman entered the store around 2:30 p.m., hid clothing and jewelry, walked past sales associates without paying, and fled the store.

Chagres filed after coop purposely set on fire killed chicken

Both suspects got into a red Kia SUV driven by another person and fled the scene.

FREELAND BOROUGH, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced on Tuesday that troopers continue to search for an alleged stabbing victim.

According to PSP Troop N-Hazleton, on September 17, 2021, troopers responded around 11:43 p.m. to a disturbance in the 300 block of Washington Street in Freeland, Luzerne County.

Upon arrival, state police say they found one victim with a stab wound to the torso.

Hazleton man charged with fleeing, filing false report