News

MIDDLEBURG —  A 34-year-old Beavertown man accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The 2025 General Budget for Wilkes-Barre was announced on Tuesday by Mayor George Brown.

The budget does not pose a tax increase for the city because of an anticipated increase in earned income tax.

Mayor Brown says the city is also facing challenges with the loss of Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital's annual real estate tax.

Lackawanna County releases 2025 preliminary budget

The mayor says this will be offset by investments in the city through construction and building permit revenue.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Lackawanna County released a preliminary budget for 2025 on Tuesday, and it includes a hefty tax increase.

At $167,000,000, the proposed budget from Commissioners Bill Gaughan and Matt McGloin aims to tackle a nearly $29,000,000 deficit by raising property taxes, cutting healthcare costs, and eliminating 90 vacant jobs.

It also puts a freeze on wage increases for county employees.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A small business in Scranton is collecting donations to help Hurricane Helene victims in North Carolina stay warm as the weather grows cold.

This store owner felt compelled to help the victims of Hurricane Helene in any way she could.

We've seen many drives of supplies across the region but this one focuses on necessities needed to keep warm as the weather turns cold.

SUNBURY — A state police helicopter circled Sunbury and Northumberland and was able to spot 300 Shikellamy students looking up in the sky as they waited for the chopper to land on the 50-yard line of the All Sports Complex.

CHESTNUTHILL TWP., MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Monroe County coroner has identified the man who was killed after being hit by a car on Route 115.

According to Coroner Thomas A. Yanac, Eric Schecter, 57, from Chestnuthill Township, was pronounced dead at the scene after being hit by a car on October 10.

Police seek theft suspect at Pocono Premium Outlets

Schecter was struck while walking along Rt 115 in Chestnuthill Township. After an autopsy report, the cause of death remains pending.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Officials say a report of two unknown people inside the West Scranton High School caused a lockdown Tuesday.

Officials with the Scranton School District say they activated the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and were on lockdown due to a security concern on Tuesday around 1:00 p.m.

District officials stated the school administration was told two unknown people, who were not students, entered the building with a group of students.

KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A man will stand trial on charges that he allegedly stabbed another man in Kingston back in August.

Ryan McCawley Mathis

22-year-old Ryan McCawley Mathis, of Plains Township, was in Luzerne County Central Court in Wilkes-Barre Tuesday morning.

Police say he stabbed 20-year-old Aiden Gregorowicz several times during an altercation under the Pierce Street Bridge on August 30.

Teen charged with robbing Wilkes-Barre pharmacy

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A teenager is being charged with robbing a Wilkes-Barre pharmacy for a box of syringes.

According to the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, on Monday around 10:45 a.m., officers were called to Harold's Pharmacy on Old River Road for a report of a robbery.

Once on the scene, officers said the victim claimed the suspect entered the business and asked to be given a syringe.  

Man shot during robbery attempt in Scranton

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The opioid epidemic in northeastern Pennsylvania continues to plague local communities and claim the lives of people from all walks of life. Luzerne County is ramping up its efforts to address opioid use.

The mission is to save lives by getting drugs off the streets and putting a potentially life-saving tool in the hands of the public.

"You know what we are seeing is opioid abuse is still as prevalent as it ever was and sometimes it's hard to imagine that people are untouched by it," said Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce.