Local News WB

Overdose victim struggled with pain before his death

Sat, 06/16/2018 - 21:00
EDWARDSVILLE — The last years of Jack Zakrewski’s life were tough. After suffering a heart attack years earlier, Zakrewski, 62, had been on disability toward the end of his life and struggled with back pain as well. “I know he was in a lot of pain, becaus

Reader’s Delight: Pick up some books at the Osterhout Free Library annual sale

Sat, 06/16/2018 - 21:00
The Friends of the Osterhout Free Library 42nd Annual Book Sale is underway this week in Wilkes-Barre. The sale is held rain or shine under a tent on the library patio at 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. It ends Saturday which is also bag and box day. Ho

New state tool to evaluate schools to launch this fall

Sat, 06/16/2018 - 21:00
In an effort to increase transparency and provide a better progress report on achievement, growth and other outcomes, the state plans to launch a new evaluation tool this fall. The Future Ready PA Index meets federal requirements and replaces the School P

Area dads are making it work around the clock for their kids

Sat, 06/16/2018 - 21:00
DRUMS — From 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Eric Dudkowski works as an engineer. From 3 p.m. to midnight, he’s Dad. The father from Drums and his wife, Jen, have two children, two-year-old Grace and nine-month-old Andrew. After the couple had their first child, Dudkow

Real estate developer's website promotes amenities in NEPA

Sat, 06/16/2018 - 21:00
Real estate developer Robert K. Mericle has long touted the region’s skilled workforce and proximity to interstate highways when seeking to attract industries to locate in Northeast Pennsylvania. A website he launched in May adds a new pitch to the mix —

Three generations of haircuts

Sat, 06/16/2018 - 21:00
PLAINS TWP. — Inside an old-fashioned barbershop in Plains Twp., cutting hair is a family affair. Gregory Stella, 80, opened his own barbershop 55 years ago and three generations of his family now work there. His daughter, Susan Stella, 53, has been worki

Treatment centers focus of debate

Sat, 06/16/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — Most everyone agrees that Luzerne County is in the grip of a deadly opioid epidemic that is killing off residents by the dozens. But when it comes to treating the very people who are dying, most everyone wants that care to happen somewhere

Meyers High School holds graduation

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
E.L. Meyers High School in Wilkes-Barre held its 88th graduation ceremony Friday. For a list of graduates, be sure to check out our annual graduation special section on June 28.

Seven Tubs trail damaged by twister

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
PLAINS TWP. — A tornado that mangled several businesses in Wilkes-Barre Township on Wednesday night also tore through forest trails near the Seven Tubs Natural Area. Eric Mark, a Citizens’ Voice reporter, was hiking a trail near the popular recreational d

Longtime eyesore finally demolished in Wilkes-Barre

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
A work crew with A.R. Popple finally finished knocking down the former Academy Street Market in Wilkes-Barre on Friday. City Administrator Ted Wampole said an engineer determined the long-vacant structure should be demolished after a vehicle struck it sev

In Scranton, Sessions says illegal immigration is a danger to many

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
SCRANTON — Lax enforcement of immigration laws, sanctuary policies and “open-border” advocates encourage illegal immigration and put police and the public in danger, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions told a group of police academy cadets Friday. The nat

Massive cleanup begins in tornado zone

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — The power is on. Mundy Street is open. Cleanup is under way. Two days after a powerful tornado tore through the Wilkes-Barre Township Commons and Arena Hub Plaza — causing at least $18 million in damage and destroying nine businesses —

GAR holds 91st annual commencement

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
GAR High School in Wilkes-Barre held its 91st graduation ceremony Friday. For a list of graduates, be sure to check out our annual graduation special section on June 28.

Sessions visit met with protests in Scranton

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
SCRANTON — As U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ motorcade drove away from Lackawanna College on Friday, a peaceful crowd of protesters erupted. “Shame, shame, shame,” they chanted as his fleet of large black SUVs made their way out of Scranton. Session

Dallas High School holds commencement

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
Dallas High School held its graduation ceremony Friday. For a list of graduates, be sure to check out our annual graduation special section on June 28.

Coughlin graduates process into the future

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
Coughlin High School in Wilkes-Barre held its 128th commencement ceremony Friday at the F.M. Kirby Center. For a list of graduates, be sure to check out our annual graduation special section on June 28.

Court notes 6/16/18

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS n Jose Castillo-Gomez to Miguel Francisco et al., $70,000; Hazleton. n Videl Pena to Bernard G. Schneider Jr., $82,297; Wilkes-Barre. n Ronald Elwood Davis to Maynita Vaughn Wimbus, $70,000; Kingston. n Kelly Giberson et al. to Alche

Flower tent somehow weathered storm

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — It’s the post-tornado question many people are asking: How did a temporary flower tent survive 130 mph winds that destroyed nearby commercial buildings and caused millions of dollars in losses? Tim Ansilio, owner of The Flower Tent, do

In disaster’s wake, insurance adjusters must move quickly

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Jay Kittrick came to survey the tornado damage Friday, but he wasn’t looking as intently as usual. An independent insurance adjuster who has been dispatched to natural disasters around the country, he came to the township as a civilian

Businesses help businesses in storm zone

Fri, 06/15/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE TWP.— Although many businesses were damaged by the tornado Wednesday night, it hasn’t stopped local business owners and employees from helping each other out. Marty Anstett, manager of Lowe’s in the Arena Hub Plaza, held back tears as he said