News

BRIAR CREEK TOWNSHIP, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A home has been declared a total loss after a fire in Columbia County.

The fire started around 9:00 a.m. Monday morning in Briar Creek Township.

Officials say the home is considered a total loss and no one was injured during the fire.

Raising awareness about neglected cemeteries

One man lived at the home and the Red Cross will be helping him out.

Several crews responded to battle the flames and the cause remains under investigation

(WBRE/WYOU) — Cold air is firmly in place across Pennsylvania. While we do expect this to continue through the weekend, we're tracking snow showers early Thursday.

LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — PennDOT is alerting drivers of lane restrictions on Interstate 81 this week in Lackawanna County.

The lane restrictions will allow crews to perform bridge inspections and will impact traffic between mile markers 193 and 194 in Clarks Summit.

On Tuesday, December 3 restrictions are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Interstate 81 northbound, and Wednesday, December 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Interstate 81 southbound.

You can check road and traffic conditions by visiting 511PA.com.

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — State police report over 500 DUI arrests were made during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Pennsylvania State Police released the results of its annual Thanksgiving holiday weekend crash and enforcement totals.

From November 27 to December 1, PSP investigated 1,075 crashes, resulting in seven deaths. Impaired driving was a factor in 64 of those crashes, one of which was fatal.

Seven charged during DUI checkpoint

PLAINS TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — There are calls to strengthen state laws pertaining to the upkeep of cemeteries and the handling of what's called "perpetual care" funds.

28/22 News has been looking into the deplorable conditions at the abandoned Good Shepherd Cemetery in Plains Township, Luzerne County for more than a decade.

Just last week, a family removed the remains of loved ones from a crumbling mausoleum at that cemetery.

HAZLE TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police report that three people were arrested after being accused of retail thefts at a Walmart in Luzerne County.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, troopers responded to Walmart in Hazle Township for separate retail theft incidents throughout November.

On November 20, around 10:00 a.m., troopers said they were called for a 41-year-old man from Hazleton who failed to pay for five bottles of vitamins.

Seven charged during DUI checkpoint

BEAR CREEK TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police report a deadly two-car crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike killed a woman on Thanksgiving Day.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, on November 28, around 1:00 pm. a two-car crash occurred on I-476 in Bear Creek Township.

Police say a car entered the southbound lane through the Wilkes-Barre Interchange but traveled north on the southbound ramp.

Seven charged during DUI checkpoint

PENN FOREST TOWNSHIP, CARBON COUNTY — Rudolph is not the only one with a red nose, as the cold weather is officially welcoming in the holiday season.

Cassandra Hoover and Dave Mead are working before the sun comes up in Penn Forest Township. Opening the gates and checking in on the dogs, before greeting their other mystical animals, Reindeer.

"I actually walked into a local tractor supply store many years ago and they’re like, ‘Hey it’s the reindeer lady!’ So it just kind of stuck," said Cassandra Hoover, Spruce Ridge Reindeer.

COURTDALE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police in Luzerne County had a DUI checkpoint set on Thanksgiving Eve that resulted in seven arrests.

On Wednesday, November 27, the Courtdale Police Department held a DUI checkpoint on Courtdale Avenue.

Police say 401 vehicles came through the checkpoint in less than four hours.

Shooting under investigation in Luzerne County

Pennsylvania is one of 42 states with a law that preempts local governments from passing or enforcing gun statutes stricter than those allowed by the legislature.