Local News WB

City approves new online policy directives system

Mon, 05/07/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — The city has settled on a solution to the police department’s outdated and confusing directives system that was criticized in a recent assessment. Police Chief Marcella Lendacky said Mayor Tony George has approved the purchase and implement

Dallas School Board rejects $38.6M preliminary budget

Mon, 05/07/2018 - 21:00
DALLAS TWP. — The Dallas School Board on Monday twice voted against a $38.6 million preliminary budget with a 1.5 percent property tax increase and now plans to propose a budget next week. Board members said they needed more time to review budget details,

Police seek identity of burglary suspect

Mon, 05/07/2018 - 21:00
KINGSTON — Police are trying to identify a person who broke into an auto parts store Saturday night. Investigators say the burglar broke into the Cee Kay Auto Parts store on Market Street around 9 p.m. Saturday and made off with an undetermined amount of

Pour Coffee House opens in downtown W-B

Mon, 05/07/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — A new local cafe is open in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Pour Coffee House opened Monday at 53 N. Main St. Mugs hanging in the front window tell customers they’re at the shop, which is in the former Polish Union Building. Co-owner Geoff Musti qua

People on the Move

Sat, 05/05/2018 - 21:00
Borton-Lawson The company announced several promotions in recognition of its employees’ superior performance in their roles and responsibilities. Craig Bound, IT director, has worked diligently managing projects such as the client ID rollout, text alert a

Business Briefcase

Sat, 05/05/2018 - 21:00
May 16: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Seminar, sponsored by the Northeast Chapter of the Pa. Society of Tax and Accounting Professionals, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Woodlands Inn, course answers practitioner questions on mortgage interest deductions, tax deduction limi

PSU W-B honors graduates

Sat, 05/05/2018 - 21:00
Penn State Wilkes-Barre honored 2018’s graduation class during a commencement ceremony Saturday in the campus’ athletic and recreation building in Lehman Twp. The following local graduates were recognized:

Coming home: Remains of Newport Twp. sailor killed at Pearl Harbor identified

Sat, 05/05/2018 - 21:00
NEWPORT TWP. — The remains of a township sailor killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor have finally been identified and are coming home. U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class Edward F. Slapikas was one of the 429 men killed when the USS Oklahoma was bombarded by J

Wilkes student wins business plan competition

Sat, 05/05/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — Wilkes University senior Michelle Lehman will graduate later this month with more than a diploma. The marketing major in the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership has earned $10,000 to start her own business as well as $100,000 of

Mohegan Sun hosts derby party

Sat, 05/05/2018 - 21:00
The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono hosted a day-long celebration of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, which included a double-header of live harness racing and the annual Run for the Roses Hat Revue. Also featured was a souvenir photo booth, with all proceeds

Business Buzz

Sat, 05/05/2018 - 21:00
Local bank makes donation The Dime Bank donated $5,000 to the Greater Pike County Community Foundation through the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. Through the foundation, the tax credit

Free comics a cause for celebration

Sat, 05/05/2018 - 21:00
WEST PITTSTON — Thor, Green Lantern, Supergirl and two Ghostbusters were outside the Rubber Mallet comic book store, waiving to drivers along Wyoming Avenue and trying to stir up business on Free Comic Book Day. The national event is held on the first Sat

Virtual reality lets you try before you buy

Sat, 05/05/2018 - 21:00
Thanks to augmented and virtual reality, shoppers can check out how furniture looks in their houses from the comfort of home. IKEA and Target are among international companies utilizing the technology. Locally, virtual and augmented reality are also makin

Growth eyed for stained glass business in Scranton

Sat, 05/05/2018 - 21:00
SCRANTON — Tammy Pilger transformed her love of stained glass from a basement hobby into a budding business downtown. Pilger, 47, of South Scranton, began in the craft as a student in 2011 at a former glass studio in Dickson City. “I fell in love with it,

Plains Twp. couple waives hearing; gets bail granted

Fri, 05/04/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — A month after being arrested on drug charges and denied bail, a Plains Twp. couple connected to a series of false rape allegations against two state troopers got a bail reduction Friday after waiving their right to a preliminary hearing. Do

Corrections & clarifications 5/5/18

Fri, 05/04/2018 - 21:00
A story on Page A1 in Friday’s editions about potential risks faced by confidential informants misspelled the last name of Philadelphia defense attorney Michael Fienman.

Brawling babysitter allegedly abandoned tot after car crash

Fri, 05/04/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — A Hudson man babysitting a friend’s infant got into a fight and car crash before abandoning the child at a local toy store this week, according to city police. Thomas Heath Himlin Jr., 24, of 104 Union St., is accused of leaving the baby wi

Judge: W-B officials don’t have to release police dept. assessment

Fri, 05/04/2018 - 21:00
The City of Wilkes-Barre doesn’t have to release a controversial police department assessment report to the plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit — at least for now. Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough approved an emergency petition that attorne

Investigators get search warrant for W-B Twp. homicide victim’s car

Fri, 05/04/2018 - 21:00
Homicide investigators have obtained a search warrant for the car of stabbing victim Cindy Lou Ashton, believing her killer moved her car around the block from her home. Authorities said they were looking for fingerprints, DNA, blood, hair and skin on ite