News

CLEVELAND TWP. -- After being closed for 12 years, the Happy Valley Road bridge here reopened to traffic Monday.
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WEST PITTSON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — More and more houses in our area are getting decked out for Halloween. This house is a part of Halloween Row on Wyoming Avenue in West Pittston.

South Abington Township home transforms into eerie cemetary for Halloween season

They have a large display of animatronics, like a skeleton on an old horse and buggy!

Pumpkins are also lit up, along with scary skeletons.

There's even a Pennywise display and an archway that reads "Nevermore Academy."

PITTSTON TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A man is dead after flames ripped through his mobile home in Luzerne County.

The fire broke out around 6:00 p.m. and hauled in multiple fire and police departments from across two counties.

A man was inside his home at the time the fire broke out.

He was sent to the hospital where he later died.

A neighbor tried helping him out before it was too late.

Fire destroyed this mobile home at 34 Decker Lane in Pittston Township and sent its disabled owner to the hospital where he later died.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The smell of Greek take-out is in the air and pre-orders are open for the Greek Food Festival in Luzerne County.

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church kicked off its Greek Food Festival in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

Many Greek favorites will be available including gyros, Greek chicken, baklava, and more.

George W Childs Park in Pike County reopens with new upgrades

Food is available for take-out only and you are encouraged to pre-order by phone or internet at least two hours in advance.

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — Help is on the way for residents of the southeast from all over the country.

The Red Cross and Salvation Army are dispatching volunteers and hot meals to victims of Helene.

"Volunteers are what make us strong in northeast Pennsylvania," said Sherry Nealon-Shrive the exec. Dir., American Red Cross Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter.

Volunteers from NEPA are joining efforts from all over the country to help victims of Hurricane Helene.

Daniel Rosado of Scranton is a Red Cross volunteer.

BUSHKILL, PIKE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A park in Pike County has re-opened to the public with some upgrades.

The George W Childs Park in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is back open.

It features three waterfalls, a hiking trail, and several observation areas which were closed since 2018 because of winter storms destroying the site.

Spirit Halloween opens in Wyoming Valley Mall, new Korean Barbecue restaurant

The trails have all been repaired and improvements to the accessible portion of the trail have been made.

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — A high school principal is facing charges for failing to report an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and a student in Wyoming County.

42-year-old Mark Murphy, of Clarks Green, was the principal at Lackawanna Trail High School when several teachers reported the allegations to him.

Police say the investigation began after a concerned parent reported a possible sexual relationship between a teacher and a student.

DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Dunmore woman will go to trial for the death of a school janitor.

On Wednesday, 39-year-old Christine Hessmiller waived her right to a preliminary hearing.

She is accused of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of her co-worker 81-year-old Gary Porter.

Both of them worked for a cleaning company contracted by Dunmore School District.

What we know of ACLU lawsuit filed in Luzerne County

WILKES-BARRE TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Spirit Halloween found its spot in the Wyoming Valley Mall, and a new Korean Barbecue restaurant has taken over David's Bridal.

According to the Wyoming Valley Mall's General Manager Joseph Ohrin, the world’s #1 Halloween costume store is now open in the former SEARS location.

Officials say hours will slowly extend throughout the Fall season but to check for current hours, visit spirithalloween.com

Wyoming Valley Mall 

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit over the Luzerne County manager's decision to remove all ballot drop boxes ahead of the general election.

In September, it was announced the county would not be deploying the boxes. The decision has sparked plenty of controversy. The ACLU of Pennsylvania says Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo did not have the authority to make her decision.