News

LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A river project has been completed in Lackawanna County. Pennsylvania American Water has finished the dredging of Roaring Brook.

The project was in response to an accidental release of silt and sediment into the waterway earlier this year.

Avoca Ambulance Association announces closure

Dredging began in early September along Cedar Avenue in Scranton to remove sediment from the stream channel and its banks.

The effort was part of a corrective action plan required by the DEP.

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Avoca Ambulance Association announced they are ceasing operations.

The mayor of Duryea says the council named Hughestown Emergency Services Ambulance as the primary basic life support unit.

They cited staffing shortages and a reduction in calls.

Officials getting ready for US Senate race vote recount in PA

The Avoca Fire Department put out a statement assuring the community this does not affect their operations.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Fire crews in Lackawanna County are back on Montage Mountain Monday, as they continue to put out a brush fire near the ski resort.

The fire started late Saturday night and is contained. Roughly 60 acres burned up on the mountain.

28/22 News had the opportunity to go back in the forest with Scranton Fire Chief John Judge to see the damage and the crews working to maintain it.

Deep into the woods on Montage Mountain, dozens of crews work to continue to contain the brush fire that began late Saturday night.

MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — In this week's Here's to You Kid, we revisit a teenager who turned a hobby into a way of helping save lives.

The high school student is a Ham Radio Operator. 28/22 News re-introduces us to the teen and his role at the Monroe County Public Safety Center.

Samuel Thrall is not seated at a Pleasant Valley School desk where you would usually find him.

Instead, he is lending a hand at the Monroe County Public Safety Center.

The 14-year-old McMichaels teen can help behind the mic in the event of an emergency.

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — It seems the incumbent Pennsylvania US Senator Bob Casey is going to need quite a surge of votes from a recount to hold onto his seat in Washington.

With nearly all of the estimated vote total reported, Casey trails Republican Dave McCormick by a little more than 17,000 votes.

The margin is about a quarter of a percentage point.

Due to the razor-thin margin, all counties in the commonwealth were ordered to hold a recount. It must begin by Wednesday.

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — Investigators announced seven people have been charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud that involved "foot baths."

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania stated the following people were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud:

Frank Suess (a.k.a., Franz P. Suess), 78, of Wellington, Florida

Luis Salgado, 50, of Naperville, Illinois, and Davenport, Florida

Melissa Driscoll, 43, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

YEMASSEE, S.C. — Six monkeys were still on the loose early Monday after dozens escaped earlier this month from a South Carolina compound that breeds the primates for medical research, according to authorities.

CARBON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A woman is facing charges after being accused of stealing thousands of dollars while acting as the treasurer of a parent-teacher organization (PTO).

Melissa M. McCloskey, 34, of Lansford, is accused of taking money from the Panther Valley PTO and spending it on numerous retail items, dinners, and personal bills.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police are searching for a bank fraud suspect in Scranton.

The Scranton Police Department is asking for help with any information regarding the identity of the man pictured.

Man accused of starting multiple fires throughout Williamsport

Police say the suspect is wanted for questioning about a fraud investigation that happened at First National Bank on West Lackawanna Avenue.

CLARKS SUMMIT, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A tractor-trailer rolled over on a PA Turnpike entrance ramp Monday afternoon causing delays.

The crash happened around milepost 130.3 near the Clarks Summit area entrance to the southbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

The truck was overturned on its side near the shoulder of the highway and into the grass.

Man dies after barn fire in Wayne County