WILKES-BARRE — For more than a century, St.

It is a bittersweet moment — and one that will pass without formal ceremony due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak — but that didn’t stop Father Paul Damien and members of the parish from reflecting on the history of the Loomis Street church last week.

George, is another lifelong parishioner who has been active in the parish — from worship to working in the rectory and serving on boards — since she was in her 20s.

By 1911, however, the community was in a position to establish its own church — in the event, two separate parishes were created, St.

As members grew old and died, or moved away, the parish community has diminished in size — 114 parishioners have passed away in the last decade alone, Father Damien said.

George in 1952, while his own children — Robert, Alicia and Tara — also belonged to the church.

January 17, 2020.

TRUCKSVILLE — Fire And Ice was only closed for 10 days as its new owner, Rob Friedman, renovated it, but those 10 days were enough to drastically rejuvenate the venue’s already good looks.

Friedman said he employed a small team of local contractors — who he said did “amazing work” — in the 10 days the restaurant was closed in order to wrap the renovations up as quickly as possible.

January 16, 2020.

WILKES-BARRE — A Hanover Township man has sued Boscov’s, claiming he was injured when the store’s escalator violently sped up.

January 16, 2020.

— The police chief of Exeter Township has filed a suit in federal court against the township, claiming he was pressured to illegally force the department to issue more traffic tickets.

January 16, 2020.

— The new Weis Market in the Country Club Shopping Center will be “clean, well-organized and very friendly,” store manager Carmine Lupio said Thursday.

The supermarket on Tunkhannock Highway marks the seventh Luzerne County location for the Sunbury-based chain — and Weis’ second store in the Dallas area, albeit less than two miles from an existing Weis store on the Memorial Highway.

The chain’s other Luzerne County locations are in Plains Township, Nanticoke, Mountain Top, Duryea, and West Hazleton.

The company also makes a point of supporting community organizations, a policy continued Thursday as the Dallas ceremony included donations to two Back Mountain charities — Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge and the Back Mountain Food Pantry, each receiving a check for $500.

Joseph Hardisky, associate manager of the Back Mountain Food Pantry — located in the Trucksville United Methodist Church — said the food pantry serves about 185 people and he said the number of people in need is always growing.

January 16, 2020.

Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township, called the entire process “a charade.”.

And Mullery took his disappointment a step further, recommending that Department of Corrections Secretary John E.

“I remain steadfast in my belief that (Wetzel) doesn’t possess the temperament, professionalism, or competence to run a used car lot, let alone the DOC,” Mullery said.

“We’ve known from the onset of this process that it was nothing more than a charade and violative of the spirit of Act 133,” Mullery said, referencing a law that requires closures of public institutions like correctional facilities to come after a period of public comment and investigation into the economic impact of the closure.

“Secretary Wetzel’s comments caught on a microphone at the first SCI-Retreat hearing told us all we needed to know,” Blackwell said.

David Pedri, Luzerne County manager, called the report “truly upsetting,” saying “it does not take into account the truly negative economic impact that this closure will have on Luzerne County and Newport Township.”.

Regarding the employees, Mullery said that once closure is finalized the state must focus on their transition to new facilities, adding that those who can’t transition should receive education and/or career training.

“Secondly, we need to assist the communities directly affected by this closure,” Mullery said.

January 15, 2020.

Police said they found three loaded handguns and an unloaded handgun inside a Dodge truck occupied by Donald Joseph Scavone, 25, of Meeker Outlet Road.

Scavone does not have a conceal weapons permit to possess the handguns, police said.

Scavone was arraigned Wednesday in Luzerne County Central Court on three counts of firearms not to be carried without a permit and two counts of driving under the influence.

Police said Scavone reeked of an alcoholic beverage and had to lean against the truck to maintain his balance, the complaint says.

Full and empty beer cans were found inside the truck, police said.

Police said in the complaint a breath test showed Scavone had an alcohol level of 0.163%.

January 15, 2020.

WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Wednesday passed Senate Bill 906 that would prohibit the closure of White Haven State Center and Polk State Center.

Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township.

906, a moratorium would be enacted on the scheduled closing of White Haven Center in Luzerne County and Polk Center in Venango County.

Lee James and the members of the Luzerne County House Delegation, both Republican and Democrat, who he said fought hard to advance Senate Bill 906.

“The passage of SB 906 is a significant victory for people with intellectual disabilities, the families that love them and the dedicated employees who provide loving care to them at our state centers,” Yudichak said.

“I am pleased to see my colleagues on both sides of the aisle recognized the importance of protecting hundreds of residents, their families and their caregivers,” Mullery said.

In October, Luzerne County Council declared its opposition to the White Haven State Center shutdown, passing a resolution supporting the Senate bill.

January 15, 2020.

— The Luzerne County Convention Center Authority on Wednesday approved its annual budget and projected an approximate 10% increase in net income from operations compared to last year.

January 15, 2020.

January 15, 2020.

WILKES-BARRE — The Residents’ Association of Rolling Mill Hill held their monthly meeting Wednesday night with multiple topics of discussion, including police statistics, aggressive driving in the neighborhood and illegal street parking.

Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Joe Coffay and Community Policing Officer Kirk Merchel addressed the crowd for over an hour, answering questions and letting the people know where the police stand with major issues in Wilkes-Barre.

“I’m very proud of the work our police officers have done,” said Coffay.

Merchel focused primarily on the work police have done in responding to some of the minor crimes piling up around town.

“I walk my dog every night, and four or five years ago I would have been nervous,” Lindbuchler said.

January 15, 2020.

Andre Fuller, 29, was found convicted of two felony counts of making terroristic threats on Wednesday, after having been on trial before Luzerne County President Judge Michael T.

Fuller, who was on parole for the 2013 attempted homicide of then 19-year-old William Uggiano, was arrested in September 2019 after Kingston police say a woman came to the police station to report the threats.

The woman, who is not identified by name in court records, told police she had previously been in a relationship with Fuller, and that Fuller had been making threats of violence against her and her current boyfriend.

He said he waited about 10 minutes, then began to walk home when he turned around and saw Fuller with a gun.

Fuller was sentenced by Luzerne County Judge David W.

January 15, 2020.

January 15, 2020.

LaBounty says that the Luzerne County area could see up to 3 to 4 inches of snowfall on Saturday, with temperatures hovering in the mid-30s before dropping below freezing on Saturday night.

January 15, 2020.

WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections issued a report Wednesday morning that recommends the closing of the State Correctional Institution at Retreat.

“We stand with the brave men and women who have given their heart and soul working at SCI Retreat and the communities of Luzerne County.

The Department of Corrections clearly gave less than a good faith effort during the hearing process, and we do not believe it was fair to the workers of SCI Retreat, their families or the communities of Luzerne County.

Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township, addressed the closure via Twitter, including a video of past meetings on SCI Retreat and protests to keep it open.

“We have an obligation to explore all of our options and protect our residents, their families and caregivers,” Mullery tweeted.

Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township; Shickshinny Borough and Sewer Authority and Conyngham Township.

Yudichak also said Newport Township would face cutting its police department because of the loss of revenue.

Gerald Mullery (@RepJerryMullery) January 15, 2020.

January 15, 2020.

Gerald Mullery Monday expressed his disappointment over a Department of Corrections report recommending the closure of the State Correctional Institution at Retreat, calling the entire process “a charade.”.

And Mullery, D-Newport Township, took his disappointment a step further — recommending that Department of Corrections Secretary John E.

“I remain steadfast in my belief that (Wetzel) doesn’t possess the temperament, professionalism, or competence to run a used car lot, let alone the DOC,” Mullery said.

Regarding the announcement to close the facility, Mullery said there were no surprises contained in the DOC report or recommendations.

“We’ve known from the onset of this process that it was nothing more than a charade and violative of the spirit of Act 133,” Mullery said.

“But it appears he will move forward with his recommendation,” Mullery said.

For those who cannot undertake a transition, Mullery said the state must offer assistance in the form of education and/or career training.

“Secondly, we need to assist the communities directly affected by this closure,” Mullery said.

“The report Department of Corrections is truly upsetting as it does not take into account the truly negative economic impact that this closure will have on Luzerne County and Newport Township.

January 15, 2020.

WILKES-BARRE — City police arrested a man they say is wanted in Illinois from a vehicle parked the wrong way on Tuesday.

Police said the female driver, Olivia C.

Police spotted the parked Subaru with an out of state license plate parked the wrong way and impeding traffic at about 6 p.m.

Police said they recovered a bag from under the seat allegedly containing marijuana.

Totra was arraigned Wednesday in Luzerne County Central Court on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and fugitive from justice.

January 15, 2020.

January 15, 2020.

WEST PITTSTON — A man from West Pittston vomited during a break in an interview with police about his alleged sexual grooming of a girl, according to court records.

The mother of the girl spoke with police on Nov.

Police reviewed the messages including one from Terek asking the girl to meet him on tracks on Luzerne Avenue.

Terek responded he was on his way to a restaurant to pick up a menu but police said the eatery was closed at the time.

After police briefly told Terek about why they wanted to question him, Terek went into a restroom and was overheard throwing up and gagging.

He told police he pressed his genitals against the girl’s buttocks on Oct.

The girl told police Terek added her as a friend on “Snapchat” on Oct.

Police said the girl reported “all he wanted was sex from me and there was times all I wanted to do was talk,” the complaint says.

Police said the girl was questioned by a forensic interviewer at the Luzerne County Children’s Advocacy Center.

Police said Terek in messages he sent the girl requested her to send him sexually explicit pictures and videos.

He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $100,000 bail.

January 15, 2020.

WILKES-BARRE — A Hazleton man who was legally intoxicated when he crashed head-on with an Ashley police cruiser was recently sentenced to a special probation program.

Hanover Township police investigated the crash

January 14, 2020

Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Joe Coffay and Community Policing Officer Kirk Merchel will be the speakers and talk with residents

January 14, 2020

Penn State issued a statement Tuesday saying its Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response and the Office of Student Conduct investigated, and that Penn State police turned over results of its own investigation to Centre County District Attorney Bernie F

January 14, 2020

Bender was arraigned by District Judge Brian James Tupper in Luzerne County Central Court as a fugitive from justice

January 14, 2020

EXETER — A Schuylkill County man was arrested Tuesday after police allege he exposed himself and urinated in the student parking lot at Wyoming Area High School

Police said they responded to the high school for a man who exposed himself and urinated in a parking lot just before 10:30 a.m

A surveillance camera allegedly recorded Scott with his genital exposed and urinating, police said

August 09, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Sunday confirmed 10 new cases of COVID-19 in Luzerne County and no new deaths

August 09, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — For more than a century, St

August 08, 2020

August 08, 2020

August 08, 2020

August 08, 2020

August 08, 2020

August 08, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — A busy downtown street will be closed temporarily on Tuesday for construction on the Citizens’ Bank building

August 08, 2020

Luzerne County had increases in all coronavirus benchmark categories in the state health department’s latest weekly early warning dashboard released Friday

August 08, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — The local Ocean State Job Lot store on Wednesday donated personal protective equipment and supplies to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic to Wilkes-Barre emergency response personnel

August 08, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — Attorney General Josh Shapiro this week said the scourge of gun violence in Pennsylvania is unacceptable, and “we’re going to keep pushing for new ways to stop crime guns from getting into our neighborhoods and prevent shootings until the violence ends.”

August 08, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Saturday confirmed 29 new cases of COVID-19 in Luzerne County and no new deaths

August 08, 2020

Walter Griffith’s recent sharing of a critical Facebook post about Luzerne County Council colleagues Kendra Radle and LeeAnn McDermott has prompted a proposed resolution of reprimand, according to a council work session agenda released Friday

August 08, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — A mother charged by city police after her 2-year-old daughter was found wandering a street unsupervised has been sentenced in Luzerne County Court

August 08, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — The smoke stack and water tower at the former Murray Complex will be the last structures to come down during as the building is razed and the debris cleared in preparation for a new operations center for the Luzerne County Transportation Authority

August 08, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — The $12 it cost to “Adopt a Wilkes-Barre Cop” paid dividends with an outpouring of gratitude from the chief on down

August 08, 2020

August 08, 2020

August 07, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — An attorney defending a Hanover Township woman accused of coughing and spitting saliva on food items inside a supermarket earlier this year believes prosecutors have misapplied the law

August 07, 2020

August 07, 2020

Walter Griffith’s recent sharing of a critical Facebook post about Luzerne County Council colleagues Kendra Radle and LeeAnn McDermott has prompted a proposed resolution of reprimand, according to a council work session agenda released Friday

August 07, 2020

— An investigation into the theft of scratch-off lottery tickets from a gasoline service station resulted in the capture of a suspect wanted for causing the death of a person in Union County and the arrests of four people for various offenses

August 07, 2020

Tonight’s Rockin’ the County — Kingston/ Forty Fort, presented by DiscoverNEPA has been postponed

August 07, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — In its annual report, Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania provided information to funders to determine the most pressing needs in the region and also advised the community of the top agency referrals

August 08, 2020

August 08, 2020

August 08, 2020

August 08, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — Attorney General Josh Shapiro this week said the scourge of gun violence in Pennsylvania is unacceptable, and “we’re going to keep pushing for new ways to stop crime guns from getting into our neighborhoods and prevent shootings until the violence ends.”

August 07, 2020

August 07, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — It had to happen

August 06, 2020

August 06, 2020

For two weeks, we waited for the pandemic police to come

August 05, 2020

August 05, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — The COVID-19 pandemic continues to take away so many aspects of our lives

August 04, 2020

August 04, 2020

August 02, 2020

August 02, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — Driving in my neighborhood the other day, I slowed as I passed my old home —the place where I grew up and lived for 18 years

August 01, 2020

I wanted to write this letter to address the recent article in the paper about bullying and the current state of the Luzerne County Council

I first want to address the ordinance to extend the deadline to pay county taxes at face value without a 10% late payment penalty until Dec

August 01, 2020

August 01, 2020

August 01, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak this week reminded Pennsylvanians of the warning signs associated with the widespread identity theft fraud ring targeting COVID-19 unemployment compensation (UC) benefits programs across the nation

August 01, 2020

WILKES-BARRE — The deer pictured we call Bad Paw

WILKES-BARRE — On hot summer days like we’ve been having recently, I thought about how we coped with the heat back in those good old days on Reynolds Street in Plymouth

WILKES-BARRE — Looking at the picture, I kept thinking about the movie “Hoosiers” with Gene Hackman as the headstrong coach, clutching his playbook and stressing fundamentals, like five passes before a shot is taken