News

Looking for something to do with the family this weekend? Check out these activities around the Valley:

SUNBURY — Nick Osman had a moment of clarity while serving a state prison sentence at the state prison in Fayette in La Belle nearly 15 years ago.

LITITZ — When the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show kicks off in early December, the event will highlight the state’s role as a family-run agritourism destination, green-energy producer, and community economic driver.

MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — September 26 is recognized as Save a Life Day East. It's a national initiative to end overdose deaths and spread awareness.

One county in the Poconos is getting involved in the effort.

On Thursday, several organizations teamed up in Monroe County to distribute free Narcan as a part of Save a Life Day East.

"The goal is to get Narcan into as many hands as we can," said Carbon, Monroe/Pike County Drug and Alcohol Commission Recovery Specialist Stan Lewandowski.

HAZLE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A scary moment for local school students and their van driver after they crashed into a wooded area in Hazle Township.

The crash happened earlier Thursday afternoon and several students were sent to the hospital.

Hazleton Area School students are now safe and back with their parents after police say failed brakes led the school van to crash behind an apartment complex on Thursday.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Pottsville will soon be looking for a new mayor as Pottsville Mayor Dave Clews announced Thursday he will be stepping down from office on October 14.

Mayor Clews says this decision comes after ongoing health concerns.

Uptick in bear sightings across the area

Clews was elected mayor just two years ago.

So far, no word on his possible successor.

LUZERNE BOROUGH, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The state is working to complete a permanent fix to a mine subsidence that was draining a creek in Luzerne County.

Earlier this month, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) found Toby Creek seeping through the same area in Luzerne Borough that was previously fixed in April.

A temporary plug put in over the weekend appears to be working.

Uptick in bear sightings across the area

The DEP says it will use the material to fill in space around the rocks in the creek bed with work wrapping up next week.

EYEWITNESS (WBRE/WYOU) — The Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) stated in July and August that 103 people have been charged with public assistance fraud.

According to OSIG, 102 people have been charged with felonies for public assistance fraud.

OSIG says the restitution owed to the Commonwealth totals $680,303 and the defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits within the programs they allegedly defrauded.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — President Joe Biden paid a visit to his home in Scranton, for the funeral of his longtime friend; Lackawanna County native Thomas Bell.

The service took place at St. Paul's church in Scranton; the two attended St Paul's school nearby.

Biden arrived at the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport at 10:15 a.m

He soon made his way to St. Paul's Church, where he went in to deliver an emotional eulogy for his longtime childhood friend, Thomas Bell.

NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Fall foliage, pumpkin patches, cider, and campfires. Many people in northeastern Pennsylvania know the tell-tale signs that the fall season is upon us. But one autumnal treat you may not be as familiar with; pumpkin pie'rogi.

NEPA'rogi in Nanticoke is combining two local favorite foods into one. They recently started making what they're calling "pumpkin pie'rogi", a pierogi-like shell stuffed with pumpkin pie filling.

"It's a fun fusion of the original pierogi and the fall dessert," says Lauren Gorney, owner, NEPA'rogi.