News

The latest COVID and flu vaccines are now available at all GIANT in-store pharmacies, chain Vice President Laura Jacobs said.

Snyder County will provide severance pay to 14 former county prison corrections officers under a new agreement approved Tuesday.

DANVILLE — Three counselors in Danville are working to “bring beauty from the pain” with clients at Rose and Thorn Counseling.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The City of Scranton is introducing its 2025 capital budget Tuesday at the city council meeting.

Scranton City Council President Gerald Smurl says it's one of the best budgets the city has seen in years.

"When we have something like this a capital budget that by the end of this month should have over $5,000,000 sitting there to pay for these projects, I don't know if in my lifetime if I remember that happening in Scranton," said Smurl.

COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Schools are officially back in session. But for one district in Monroe County, a new resource for students and their families is also in full swing.

Excited voices and footsteps fill the halls of Clear Run Elementary Center in Coolbaugh Township as another school year has begun.

Aside from moving up a grade, students are also trying out a new program.

BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — New details are emerging Tuesday in the shooting death of a Luzerne County teenager over the weekend.

17-year-old Hunter Sipple was shot at a Nanticoke home Sunday afternoon. He died a short time later at a hospital.

An autopsy was conducted Tuesday and the Luzerne County coroner tells 28/22 News the investigation is ongoing into the cause and manner of death.

The deadly shooting took place inside a home on Minden Court in Nanticoke just before 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Two people are wanted for alleged retail theft at Dollar General.

Man sentenced for killing mother in Luzerne County

According to the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, the two suspects pictured were involved in a retail theft at the Dollar General store on Main Street on September 2 around 8: 30 p.m.

Wilkes-Barre City Police

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Verdekal at 570-208-7994.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A UTV crash is under investigation after police say the driver was speeding and lost control.

According to the Hazleton City Police Department, on Sunday, September 1 around 11:48 p.m., officers were called to the area of Diamond Avenue and Cedar Street for a report of a vehicle crash involving a side-by-side. 

Once on the scene officers said they found a Can-Am Maverick with significant damage. Police then learned the driver was trying to pass a vehicle on Cedar Street at high speed.

SUSQUEHANNA BORO, SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police report a 19-year-old died after a car hit her while she was riding her bicycle.

According to PSP, on Sunday, September 1 around 4:30 p.m., a crash happened on East Main Street near the intersection of Spring Avenue in Susquehanna.

Man charged in stabbing under Pierce Street Bridge

Police stated Hannah Saffer, 19, of Susquehanna, was riding her bike when she entered the area without stopping at a stop sign. This then led to a car traveling north on East Main Street to hit her, troopers reported.

SUGAR NOTCH, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A man has been sentenced after police say he brutally killed his mother in Luzerne County back in 2020.

Tuesday morning Erik Watkins changed his plea to guilty for criminal homicide of the 3rd degree in the death of his mother 60-year-old Patricia Watkins. Judge Vough accepted the plea and Watkins was immediately sentenced.

On December 13, 2020, Patricia was beaten to death in her Sugar Notch home on Maffett Street by her son, Erik Watkins, investigators stated.

Patricia Watkins