WILKES-BARRE — If Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis are to be successful in getting more funding approved for fighting gun violence, stories like the one told on Wednesday by Scranton’s Kathy Lee Toothill need to repeated over and over. Toothill, 70, told her story at Wednesday’s news conference in the rotunda of the Luzerne County Courthouse and while she spoke… Source ..read more

PLAINS TWP. — William Smith, U.S. Army veteran and Department of Veterans Affairs Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center volunteer, cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the VA’s new $15 million parking garage. Roman Baran was chosen to be the first veteran patient to drive in and park in the new garage. Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center director Russell Lloyd hosted the grand opening of the new… Source ..read more

Fork Over Love will host five meal distributions in May in communities throughout the region. • Wednesday, May 8, 5 p.m. Hanover Area High School 1600 Sans Souci Parkway, Wilkes-Barre Drive Up/Walk Up • Wednesday, May 15, 5 p.m. Greater Wilkes-Barre YMCA 40 W. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre Walk Up — Entrance on South Franklin Street • Wednesday, May 15, 5 p.m. Source ..read more

WILKES-BARRE — McCarthy Tire Service, a leading provider of tire sales and service, on Tuesday announced a new partnership with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) a national nonprofit dedicated to ending human trafficking. Through this partnership, McCarthy Tire Service has launched a comprehensive company policy aimed at equipping its teammates to identify and report potential human trafficking… Source ..read more

WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis on Wednesday will join local leaders and a gun violence survivor in Luzerne County to highlight investments in local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute gun violence and make our communities safer. Under the leadership of the Shapiro Administration, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has granted more… Source ..read more

WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, Rep. Dan Moul and Sen. Gene Yaw, on Tuesday hosted a news conference to unveil their legislative efforts to establish a Rural Population Revitalization Commission. The commission would report on rural population changes and make recommendations for attracting and retaining residents in rural Pennsylvania. Sen. Judy Schwank has also supported these… Source ..read more

PITTSTON TWP. — Rep. Jim Haddock on Tuesday said his commonsense approach to workplace safety would ensure that not only is the food we put on our tables safe, but the workers are as well. The PA House Labor and Industry Committee has approved a bill authored by Rep. Haddock, D-Pittston Township, that would help to protect workers at meat packing and food processing facilities. Source ..read more

PLAINS TWP. — The Department of Veterans Affairs Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, Plains Township, will hold a grand opening of its new $15 million parking garage at noon Wednesday. The three-level structure has three entrances and two exits and has a total of 322 parking spots (25 handicapped). All levels are accessible by elevator, with the bottom two levels being sheltered from the elements. Source ..read more

WILKES-BARRE — A four act “Evening of Solid Gold” is coming to the F.M. Kirby Center on Saturday, May 18, with Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone. Four acts singing their countless, unforgettable hits, transporting the audience back on a musical journey to a wonderful era in the United States. Get your tickets now at the Kirby Center Box Office, by phone at 570-826-1100, or on the web at… Source ..read more

WILKES-BARRE — State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski on Monday said feeling safe in school is essential for our future leaders to get the education they need. Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, announced that state funding has been awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to Luzerne County schools to improve school safety and support mental health programs for both students and staff. Source ..read more