Latest news with #LackawannaCounty
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
40 foot sinkhole opens up in Dunmore
DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Officials tell 28/22 News a sinkhole opened up in the backyard of a Dunmore home Sunday afternoon. Dunmore Police Sergeant Stephon Burgette told 28/22 News the sinkhole was reported by the residents near the intersection of College Avenue and Jefferson Avenue at about 5:15 p.m. after they returned home and found the hole. Police investigating body found in Susquehanna River Officials say the sinkhole was about 40 feet deep, and crews worked to fill it Sunday night. Residents were evacuated from their homes, but were able to return about 20 minutes later, according to authorities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lackawanna County pool now open for 2025 season
BENTON TOWNSHIP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It's not exactly swimming weather this weekend, but there's some good news for those who like to take a dip at a local outdoor pool. The William H. Scranton Pool at Lackawanna State Park is now open to kids and adults. 'Being smart on crime' leading to downtrend of overdoses It was off-limits since July 2021 due to construction repair issues and a lack of lifeguards. The pool is now open 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each weekend through mid-June before opening daily. The Lackawanna State Park pool is scheduled to be operational through Labor Day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Diesel Jam 2025 takes over Lackawanna County drive-in
DICKSON CITY, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local community event brought out truck owners and truck lovers in droves Saturday afternoon. Diesel Jam 2025 took over the Circle Drive-In on Saturday. It featured trucks, tractors, and big rigs of all shapes and sizes. The Andrew Mazza Foundation organized the event. Mazza was killed in a DUI crash in Susquehanna County in 2016. The event has been held since 2018 as a way to carry on Mazza's passion for diesel trucks and the trades. New law could legalize fortune telling in PA. Each year, the event raises thousands to give scholarships to local students planning to attend trade school. 'It just meant a lot to actually be able to get the scholarship for two years back to back and help me in my college,' Two Time Scholarship Recipient Chad Honeywell said. 'I think he would be very, very proud to see what this show has become and grown into,' Phillip Mazza, Father of Andrew Mazza, told 28/22 News. The foundation gives out roughly 30 $500 scholarships each year to help support the trades and trade students in NEPA. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lackawanna County rating drops one point above junk bond
LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— The financial reputation of Lackawanna County just took another hit. The credit rating agency has officially downgraded the county's credit rating. But while the rating dropped, there may be a sign of hope for what lies ahead. 28/22's Kathryn O'Leary explains what this means for county residents. Filmmakers highlight Lackawanna County boxing star Lackawanna county's credit rating has been lowered from BBB to BBB-, just one step above junk bond status, that drop stems from last year's budget crisis, but the outlook has now shifted from negative to stable. The credit agency says years of unbalanced budgets, delayed payments, and over-reliance on one-time fixes forced the downgrade. At one point, the county faced a 21% effective deficit, but officials say things are finally turning around with a tough 2025 budget that raised taxes, froze salaries, and eliminated vacant positions. 'The only thing that the taxpayers in Lackawanna County should know is we're finally on stable ground. And that's not just me saying that. That's the credit rating agency saying Lackawanna County is finally addressing the underlying problems that this government has faced the last 10 years,' voiced Bill Gaughan, commissioner, Lackawanna County. Gaughan says they don't plan to borrow more money anytime soon, so this drop shouldn't affect taxpayers, and if they stay on track with these financial fixes, the rating could improve again down the road. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cuts in produce vouchers to affect low-income seniors
LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Thousands of seniors statewide will soon be feeling the effects of federal budget cuts. This time the cuts take aim at a program that helps low-income seniors get fresh produce. Each summer, the senior farmers market nutrition program helps thousands of low-income seniors across the state. Lackawanna County rating drops one point above junk bond But cuts to the program are limiting the number of vouchers the program can give out. In Lackawanna County alone, 38,000 farmers market vouchers were requested by the county's agency on aging, the agency in charge of distributing them. But because of cuts to federal spending, they'll only be getting around 29,000. 'It really helps in your savings, but you want to help the farmer more-so than anything else,' said Denise Mehl, Scranton. Under the State Department of Agriculture program, residents over 60 who fall within the program's income requirements are eligible to receive up to five $5 vouchers each to spend at local farmers markets. Denise Mehl visits the Scranton farmers market regularly, and while not crucial to her budget, she says the vouchers help a lot. More than anything though, she worries about the farmers, about 1,000 farms participate in the program state-wide. 'If we didn't have them we wouldn't have anything,' voiced Mehl. According to the state department of agriculture, residents in Lackawanna County used these vouchers at a higher rate than any other county last year, over 90% of them were redeemed. 'It hurts people. It hurts the people that we serve here in Lackawanna County, those who need the help the most, and I just think that is really inhumane that they've done this,' expressed Bill Gaughan, county commissioner, Lackawanna County. State officials say the Trump administration has only released part of the funding congress approved, forcing agencies to slash their distribution by more than 25%. We reached out to GOP Congressman Rob Bresnahan for comment on the issue. He responded in-part: 'The recent decision to reduce benefits for the farmers market vouchers for seniors program was made at the state level. While I do not control those decisions, I am actively working at the federal level on a bipartisan bill to expand local food purchasing from our farmers to support those most in need. I look forward to announcing that legislation in the coming weeks.' Rep. Bresnahan Bresnahan says he and his team will be in contact with the Lackawanna County Agency on Aging to help ensure they receive the full funding and support they need for the program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
