News

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Crews in Lackawanna County battled a small brush fire in Nay Aug Park earlier Tuesday.

28/22 News can confirm the call came in just after 1:00 p.m. and by 2:30 p.m., the flames were out by the Scranton Fire Department.

Training underway for new 911 dispatchers 

According to Assistant Fire Chief Jack Davis, there are no reported injuries and no damage to the surrounding area.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Training is underway for the largest Luzerne County emergency services class to date.

It's welcome news after years of staffing shortages and the growing need for dispatchers.

The merger between the county's 911 center and Emergency Management Agency is off to a promising start.

Class is in session for more than a dozen new members of the Luzerne County EMS team. They're completing weeks of paid training followed by floor rotations to become 911 dispatchers.

LANSFORD BOROUGH, CARBON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Pennsylvania State Police say they are investigating new information about an arson that occurred in 2016 in Carbon County.

According to PSP on Monday, January 11, 2016, at 4:12 a.m. a fire ignited at an unoccupied double-block home in the 500 block of East Front Street, Lansford Borough in Carbon County.

PSP says the Lansford Borough Fire Department and police department responded to the blaze to extinguish the flames and requested the PSP Fire Marshal Unit to assist.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — According to the City of Scranton a street in Scranton will be closed until further notice.

The City of Scranton says beginning on Tuesday, February 27, Theodore Street between Return and Ralph Avenues will be closed.

An inspection conducted on the Railroad Bridge over Theodore Street caused the closure after concerns that pieces were falling from the bridge onto the street.

Caught on Camera: Police look to identify alleged burglary suspect

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — White House officials visited the city of Scranton as part of the Biden-Harris administration's Investing in America tour.

They stopped in several small businesses to learn how they have used federal funding to start or expand.

It was a celebration as the city of Scranton awards its fourth round of ARPA startup and expansion grants to nine more businesses which makes 28 businesses in all.

Included in Tuesday's recipients is a local coffee shop in Green Ridge and that's also where Tuesday's tour started.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Mayor George C. Brown announced that the City of Wilkes-Barre will enact a CODE BLUE due to severe cold temperatures for the evening of Wednesday, February 28, and Thursday, February 29.

The CODE BLUE Emergency Shelter Program is administered by Keystone Mission. The Code Blue Emergency Shelter is located at the Keystone Mission Innovation Center, 90 East Union Street, Wilkes-Barre.

EYEWITNESS WEATHER (WBRE/WYOU) — A power storm system will take Pennsylvania on a wild weather ride through Thursday morning. 

We can expect scattered showers Tuesday night into Wednesday. At times, the rain will be heavy, and the best chance for a severe thunderstorm is Wednesday afternoon.

Weather Alerts

The main threat is damaging winds. Rain will end by Wednesday evening. As it gets colder Wednesday night, a few snow showers are possible. Wind Advisories are in effect for Wednesday and Wednesday night with gusts of 40-55 MPH are possible.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — There was some work, but mostly play Tuesday in Wilkes-Barre.

Plenty of people were enjoying the warm weather while on the job and at a local park. Lots of people were taking advantage of the temperature.

The Wilkes-Barre City Department of Public Works (DPW) pothole crew spent their sunny day working on the road on South Main Street.

It's a job they say gets a little easier with warmer weather.

LACEYVILLE BORO, WYOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police are reporting after a tip was received two wanted people were arrested and various drugs were seized.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, on Saturday, February 24 around 6:00 p.m., troopers responded to a warrant service attempt in Laceyville Borough, Wyoming County.

Police say they received a tip that two wanted people, Ashley Turner, 27, and Steven Smith, 22, were near the 400 block of Main Street.

PD: Driver wanted for hit-and-run after striking pedestrian

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police have charged a man after they say he forcibly raped two children in Luzerne County.

According to the Hazleton City Police Department, back in May of 2023 officers received a report of two juveniles being sexually assaulted.

Mother charged with abandoning child at hair salon

After an investigation was conducted, detectives say they identified the suspect as Giordano Lara-Baez of Hazleton and the alleged abuse had occurred over seven years.