Local News WB

Pair of alleged drug dealers charged

Fri, 03/16/2018 - 21:00
A pair of accused drug dealers were caught in Wilkes-Barre with their stash hidden in a baby’s sock, arrest papers say. Police arrested Devon Beckford, 23, of Main Street, Sugar Notch, and Jack Pugsley, 34, of Woodside Street, Wilkes-Barre, following an u

Parking to change at Scranton mall

Fri, 03/16/2018 - 21:00
SCRANTON — Long-planned parking changes at the Marketplace at Steamtown remain in the works, a representative of the parking-system operator said Friday. The operators of the parking system have removed old entrance/exit booths, installed new automated, p

Police seize 400 bags of heroin

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — A Plymouth man sold 400 bags of heroin possibly laced with fentanyl during a controlled drug purchase Tuesday, according to police. Kharyee Idrees Abdurruzzaq, 29, sold the drugs to a confidential informant at an arranged drug buy in t

Family feud flares with acid attack

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 21:00
CONYNGHAM TWP. — A long-simmering family feud turned toxic on Tuesday when a man doused his son with acid during a domestic dispute, causing severe injuries, state police at Shickshinny said. Ricky M. Polgar, 60, is charged with aggravated assault, simple

Ceremony to honor two fallen firefighters

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 21:00
PITTSTON — Some friends forget to call Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo on his birthday, but they always remember to reach out every March 15. Tragedy struck the Pittston area that day in 1993 when his brother John, 25, a Pittston firefighter, and Leonard Ins

Election board member’s eligibility under question

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — The newest member of the Luzerne County Board of Elections might not be eligible to serve because he holds an elective office, former county Controller Walter Griffith said Wednesday. Luzerne County Council on Tuesday appointed Keith Gould,

City, county at odds over tax deferment

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 21:00
The final resolution of the tax deferment project that helped turn Highland Park Boulevard into a bustling commercial corridor could come next week. Or maybe not, if Wilkes-Barre city officials get their way. Luzerne County, Wilkes-Barre Twp. and Wilkes-B

Avoca man accused of molesting boys

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 21:00
AVOCA — An 18-year-old Avoca man sexually assaulted three boys at a victim’s home and in woods in the borough on several occasions, police said. Austin W. Quick of the 100 block of Main Street was jailed in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu

‘It’s a miracle:’ Child is unharmed after train hits car in Avoca

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 21:00
AVOCA — Mikayla Davis says it is a miracle that her son is still alive. Her son, 3-year-old Camden Davis, was in her car when a train collided with it on tracks crossing York Avenue in Avoca. Davis, 22, of Duryea, was driving the car during Tuesday’s cras

LCTA focus group set for Tuesday at LCCC

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 21:00
NANTICOKE — The Luzerne County Transportation Authority will host a Public Transportation Focus Group Tuesday at the Nanticoke campus of Luzerne County Community College. The event will begin at 2 p.m. in the third-floor President’s Conference Room, LCTA

Pa. Supreme Court to hear Frein case

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 21:00
The state Supreme Court will hear arguments on May 17 about Eric Matthew Frein’s challenge of his first-degree murder conviction and death sentence. Frein, 34, of Canadensis, was convicted on April 19 of first-degree murder and other offenses for the Sept

Local students honor 17 killed in Florida school shooting with walkout demonstrations

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 21:00
A long line of Dallas High School students exited the school at 10 a.m. Wednesday, and senior Andrew Francis explained why as roughly 300 fellow students gathered by the grandstand on the snow-covered football field. “They say we’re only focussed on our p

Student arrested for gun threat at community center

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 21:00
State police charged a Lackawanna Trail High School senior with pointing an air-powered handgun Saturday at a Factoryville community center in what they say is his latest in a series of violent threats. Police charged Brian M. Peterson, 18, of Nicholson,

Griffin Pond picks new executive director

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 21:00
Following a national search, Griffin Pond Animal Shelter officials announced a new permanent executive director, set to assume her post early next month. Vanly Pierson of Lehigh County will take the helm of the nonprofit shelter in South Abington Twp. the

Police: More than $2.6K in panties stolen from Victoria’s Secret

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Did the bra bandit become the panty pilferer? Police are investigating another big theft from the Victoria’s Secret store at the Wyoming Valley Mall — this time more than $2,600 worth of underwear. A store manager told investigators so

Tamaqua school board president finds support despite sexual misconduct scandal

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 21:00
Larry Wittig is perhaps the most improbable of Pennsylvania school board presidents. He has been tried for and acquitted of rape. He has admitted to having a sexual relationship with a teen whom he met as her crew coach. He has been accused by other forme

W-B officials propose revised fee plan for local golf course

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 21:00
WILKES-BARRE — The city administration has sent council a new proposed fee schedule for the Hollenback Golf Course since last week’s council meeting. Many of the fees initially proposed to council in a Feb. 18 email based on discussions between city Admin

Dallas to open bids for new school building

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 21:00
DALLAS TWP. — The Dallas School District plans to open bids March 20 for the construction of a new intermediate school building. The school board also plans to approve the low bids for the project April 9, Superintendent Thomas Duffy said at Monday’s scho

Trooper settles suit with state police

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 21:00
SCRANTON — A state trooper who alleged fellow members of the Pennsylvania State Police wrongfully arrested her and then engaged in sexual discrimination has settled a federal lawsuit against the agency, prompting a judge on Monday to dismiss the case. Cpl

Schools plan response to nationwide student walkouts

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 21:00
Area school administrators have been busy deciding how to address Wednesday’s nationwide walkout to advocate stricter gun control laws and honor the 17 people killed Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Do they allow stude