Local News WB

PNC branch in Avoca to close in June

Tue, 03/20/2018 - 21:00
The PNC Bank branch at 650 Main St. in Avoca will close Friday, June 15, at 3 p.m., according to a bank spokeswoman. Its closing follows an announcement that M&T Bank will close its branch on 44 W. Market St. in downtown Wilkes-Barre on June 15 and that P

Geisinger clients’ email addresses exposed

Tue, 03/20/2018 - 21:00
Geisinger Health System recently exposed hundreds of email addresses of those who participated in a survey about customer satisfaction. The mass email, which thanked customers participating and gave overall survey results, listed the email addresses of al

W-B Area reveals new renderings of consolidated school

Tue, 03/20/2018 - 21:00
The Wilkes-Barre Area School District has released preliminary renderings of its new consolidated high school in Plains Twp. On March 5, the school board agreed to buy 78 acres between Maffett and Main streets for the new school. The land purchase from Pa

Highland Park TIF funds to be disbursed; city could take court action

Tue, 03/20/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — A dispute that has divided the city of Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County for years could play out in the courts soon. The dispute centers around funding for the proposed extension of Coal Street across Wilkes-Barre Boulevard to Union Street i

Former Lackawanna County Prison guard headed to trial

Tue, 03/20/2018 - 21:00
The attorney for a former Lackawanna County Prison guard forcefully denied Tuesday that his client had a sexual relationship with a female work-release inmate nearly a decade ago. Moments before that denial, the judge sent the case against his client, Jef

Condos, hotel part of Sterling site plan

Tue, 03/20/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — Members of a team proposing a $30 million to $40 million development at the site of the former Hotel Sterling revealed specifics of the project on Tuesday. Plans for the project, which has been dubbed “Gateway Center,” include upscale condo

No meeting set for Thursday at Crestwood

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
A rumored special meeting of the Crestwood School Board on Thursday morning does not exist “at the moment.” “At the moment, there is no meeting scheduled,” a secretary to district Superintendent Joseph Gorham said Monday afternoon. There has been no indic

Owner of dogs that killed poodle in W-B identified

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
A state dog warden says he has identified and contacted the owner of two dogs that killed one dog and wounded another in a South Wilkes-Barre park on Sunday. Dog warden Jim Spencer did not identify the man whose German shepherds attacked a boxer and a toy

Salem Twp. fire company gun raffle may be in jeopardy after ‘cease-and-desist’ order

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
SALEM TWP. — A Luzerne County fire department is under the gun to clear up a “cease-and-desist” order issued by the state that forbids it from holding fundraisers, like its annual gun raffle slated for next month. The Salem Twp. Volunteer Fire Department

Bridge replacement on Route 115 in Bear Creek Twp. set for April 2

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
BEAR CREEK TWP. — Work to install a new bridge over Little Shades Creek on state Route 115 will start on April 2, officials announced Monday. Construction is expected to be complete in July, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Moto

Alleged drug house busted in Hanover Twp.

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
HANOVER TWP. — State and local narcotics officers busted an alleged drug house Monday morning and took three people into custody. During the raid at the Hazle Street residence, police arrested Corey Arnott, 25, of Hazle Street, Hanover Twp.; Zachery Thied

Officials: Turnpike bridges are safe

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
There are no safety concerns at two bridges on the Pennsylvania Turnpike that were constructed with the same technique used to build the pedestrian bridge that collapsed in Florida last week, a turnpike commission spokeswoman said Monday. The two turnpike

Redevelopment authority meeting moved to courthouse

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — Today’s meeting of the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority has been moved to the county courthouse to accommodate an expected large turnout, according to Andrew Reilly, the authority’s executive director. The redevelopment authority norm

Metal detector policy begins at Wyoming Area

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
The Wyoming Area Secondary Center began using metal detectors for everyone entering when the school day began Monday. All bags were also inspected, school district Superintendent Janet Serino said. The change comes after a threatening message written on a

Harveys Lake official concerned over stormwater management

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
A Harveys Lake official fears a council majority at tonight’s meeting will try to push through what she suspects is a politically motivated initiative to have Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority take over the borough’s stormwater management. Councilwoman Mi

Historical preservation official to have say in Hotel Sterling site development

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — It’s not city council that will have final say on a proposed development at the former Hotel Sterling site, but a state historical preservation official. Mayor Tony George has recommended that council approve the sale of the 2-acre Sterling

Asphalt company, county partner to patch potholes on some roads in Jackson Twp.

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
JACKSON TWP. — Two Back Mountain roads are less bumpy after patching from a nearby asphalt company. Employees at American Asphalt Paving Co. on Chase Road have seen the pernicious potholes and the signs of their damage this winter on county-owned roads ne

Head Start scrambling to find classroom space

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
Luzerne County Head Start is scrambling to find classroom space for 34 preschool children because Corpus Christi Parish in West Pittson needs the space to get ready for an upcoming summer flea market and bazaar. Luzerne County Head Start started using two

Correction

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
A story published Monday incorrectly reported the time of an Easter play at Saint John the Baptist Church in Larksville. The play, “Relics of the Passion,” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the church, 126 Nesbitt St.

Poisoning suspect avoids re-trial with plea deal

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — Poisoning suspect Helen Galli reached a last-minute plea agreement with prosecutors Monday morning, averting a highly anticipated re-trial with a no-contest plea that will result in her serving the next nine months on house arrest. Galli, 8