News

As of April 2025, Eastern Pennsylvania is experiencing a series of closures across various sectors, including retail stores, banks, and restaurants. These developments reflect broader economic trends and shifts in consumer behavior. Below is an overview of the significant closures affecting the region. According to Better Homes & Gardens and Lower Bucks Times. Two popular retail store closures include JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts and Kohl’s. JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts, a retailer, has announced the closure of 500 out of its 800 stores nationwide following its second bankruptcy filing in January 2025. Pennsylvania is among the states most affected by these closures.

Hi, my name is Soul, and I am 1 year old. I’m a Labrador Retriever. I’m very playful, kind, and loving. I have a lot of energy. I’m also well-behaved as well. Help Soul find a home by sharing her spotlight on your social media page. You can also help by making a donation to your local animal shelter or volunteering at a local animal shelter. Age:   1 year old Gender:   Male Size:   Large Color:   Black Spayed/Neutered: Neutered House trained:   Yes Where: Blue Mountain Animal Rescue Society Hypoallergenic: No How long has the dog been there? 1 month

SMITHFIELD TOWNHSIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Another Wawa has opened in NEPA. After being under construction for the past several months Smithfield Township, Monroe County now has a Wawa. There are three other Wawa stores within a short drive of this one. But its location on Mosier Farm Drive is in close proximity to I-80 gives it an advantage. "We're happy to be here in Smithfield Township. We opened up this morning at 8:00 a.m. We had a great turnout. We're happy to see all the community come out. We have free coffee until Sunday. We have great menu 2-4-6. Come out and see us we're having to serve you guys," said Eric Karp, General Manager, Wawa. This is another addition to the Smithfield Gateway Project which is becoming a new welcome area to the Poconos.

DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Spring is here, which also means so is construction season. PennDOT announced its construction plans for this year. As winter gives way to spring, it also marks the start of construction season. PennDOT is moving forward with both new and ongoing projects PennDOT's District 4's agenda for 2025 includes $1.2 billion in active construction projects, from interstate upgrades to resurfacing roads to replacing bridges "For calendar year 2025, we are planning to do an additional 52 projects for a dollar amount of about $300 million, that's a combination of highway improvements on our interstate and local network, and it's largely bridge projects and other safety improvements," stated Richard Roman, district executive at PennDOT District 4.

MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A man is out on bail in Monroe County after being charged with a number of felony offenses. State Police have charged 35-year-old Eric Matthew Fisher of Stroudsburg is being charged with felony offenses in two separate instances. In the first case, Fisher allegedly giving two minors multiple shots of vodka and other alcoholic beverages after a video surfaced of one of the minors slurring their words, according to Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). Nursing center resident allegedly sells meth to other resident Troopers say one of the minors even "blacked out" and "had to be put to bed." In that case Fisher is charged with felony offenses of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and a misdemeanor charge of Corruption of Minors among other charges.

A total of $15,962 was raised in the fight against cancer as East Stroudsburg University and the American Cancer Society teamed up to host its annual Relay for Life on Friday, April 4. The six-hour event brought hundreds of students and community supporters together inside Koehler Fieldhouse from 6 p.m. to midnight to celebrate survivors, recognize caregivers and honor lives lost to cancer. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Relay for Life is also a major fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and, as such, a crucial tool for those battling cancer, said Lisa Hoey, senior community development manager for the American Cancer Society.

As Majority Chairwoman of the House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee, Pa. state Rep. Maureen Madden explains how vital home healthcare is for the most vulnerable individuals. People rely on this care to remain independent in their homes and communities. The Commonwealth is experiencing a major shortage of home healthcare workers as they flood to neighboring states seeking higher rates of pay and better opportunities. It’s imperative that these men and women earn a fair and respectable wage.

Description The Coolbaugh Township Historical Association is currently accepting artwork for their Annual Art Show. Please see the attached flyer and submission form in order to submit your artwork for the contest. There are multiple categories to enter. Artwork will be accepted on Sunday, May 4th from 1-4pm at the Wills Mansion located at 5590 Municipal Drive, Tobyhanna, PA. Any questions, please call 570.894.4207.

Description Coolbaugh Township Leaf Collection will begin at the end of this month on April 21st. The schedule for pickup is as follows: April 21st-25th collection will take place in Pocono Farms and Pocono Summit; April 28th-May 2nd collection will be in Pocono Farms East, Tobyhanna Village and surrounding areas as well as pickup at one location specified by the Community Associations in Private developments. Leaves must be raked to the road's edge (NO Bags or rigid containers). Also, the annual Shred Event will be held at the Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company parking lot on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 from 9am-2:30pm. There is a maximum of 20 boxes per residence allowed. (Flyers for both events are attached)

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is expanding its work-based learning initiative, thanks to new funding to further connect universities and employers and provide students with real-world, hands-on learning experiences. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded the PASSHE Foundation a $350,000 grant for a three-year investment in work-based learning at Commonwealth, East Stroudsburg and Slippery Rock universities. The ARC funding will benefit at least 700 students as the universities provide work-based learning earlier in students’ education through strategic faculty-employer collaborations. Participating faculty will partner with an employer to co-create learning opportunities that connect to the workplace through classroom instruction, projects or other coursework.

Dr. Christopher Fiorentino, current interim chancellor and former president of West Chester University, was selected as the chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) today by the Board of Governors. Fiorentino will be PASSHE’s sixth chancellor. An educator, economist and highly respected higher education leader, Fiorentino’s career in  PASSHE spans 42 years. He began as an assistant professor of economics at West Chester University in 1983, the year the State System was established. Fiorentino held many positions at the university, including department chair, dean, vice president and president. He retired from West Chester University in June and returned to serve as interim chancellor in October.

Goal! Alex Ovechkin breaks the record for most goals scored in a career (895), previously set by Wayne Gretzky (894) in 1994.  Alex Ovechkin is a Russian hockey player, who plays for the Washington Capitals. He has been playing for the National Hockey League (NHL) since 2004. Being the first pick of the first round of the draft in 2004 made him an all-star from the beginning.  “What he did was very monumental. Since Gretzky is the greatest hockey player of all time, it is great that Ovechkin broke his record. He is older, so it is more surprising,” says Zoey Zeballos, ’26. The goal came in a power play during the second period. Ovechkin is known for scoring from the left circle, and he did so with his record-breaking goal. Ovechkin celebrates with a diving slide on the ice, surrounded by his teammates. 

East Stroudsburg University’s Student Activity Association, in conjunction with the Student Government Association, hosted their annual Student Organization Awards Banquet on Sunday, April 6. The banquet honored select clubs and organizations for their achievements during the 2024 calendar year. During the banquet the following awards were presented:

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 Stroud Township 2025 SPRING CLEAN UP Spring Clean up is scheduled for Wednesday April 23 Thursday April 24 Friday April 25 and Saturday April 26 2025 from 8 00 AM to 4 00 PM NOTE THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY HOURS All materials shall be brought to the Township Maintenance Yard at 134 Gaunt Road Located off Route 611 mile North of the Stroud Mall PROOF OF TOWNSHIP RESIDENCY REQUIRED Fees Car Load 2 or 4 door 10 00 Mini Van SUV Hatchback vehicles 15 00 Utility Van or Pick up Truck 20 00 Utility Trailer Load 6 ft under 20 00 Utility Trailer Load over 6ft 1 axle 40 00 Utility Trailer Load tandem axle 100 00 Dual Wheel Truck Box Truck 150 00 Dump Truck 150 00 Car Tires up to 17 10 00 each Lt Truck Tires 18 to 20 20 00 each Heavy Truck Tires over 20 25 00 each Vehicle and Trailer Loads with Sideboards over 2 ft High will be surcharged 15 each APPLIANCES REQUIRING FREON REMOVAL 25 00 each NO CHARGE FOR Home Computers and Home Electronics Including PC s VCR s DVD player

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP FREE COMMUNITY SHRED EVENT Saturday May 3 2025 and Saturday October 4 2025 9 00AM 2 30PM Coolbaugh Twp Volunteer Fire Co 652 LAUREL DRIVE TOBYHANNA PA 18466 Must Bring Valid Photo ID to Prove Residency in the Township Shredding services will be provided on site by DES Community Partners Recycling There is a 20 box maximum per residence

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 INVITATION FOR BIDS OWNER: BRODHEAD CREEK REGIONAL AUTHORITY, MONROE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Separate sealed bids for the: WTP INTAKE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT Will be received online by the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority via the PennBid program (www.PennBid.net) until 2:00 P.M., prevailing time, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at which time they will be revealed. The Specifications and Drawings are available online at no cost at: https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com. The apparent low bidder will be required to submit one (1) original of all the Bid Documents to the Engineer within 3 business days of request as part of the award process. Without intending to limit or restrict the volume of Work required, the project includes but is not limited to the following: Construction of a permanent rock j-hook structure for re-directing stream flow and managing the deposition of gravel and sediment.

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Hamilton Township Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing at the Hamilton Township Municipal Building, 229 Fenner Avenue, Sciota, Pennsylvania 18354 commencing at 6:30 p.m., prevailing time, on April 17, 2025 for the purpose of hearing the Application of 611 Land Development LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company for the following dimensional variances from Section 303, Schedule II and Section 603.3 of the Hamilton Township Zoning Ordinance: (1) a variance from the Section 303, Schedule II 2.5 story and maximum 35 foot height of a building within the C-2 Zoning District.

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BARRETT TOWNSHIP ZONING HEARING BOARD The Barrett Township Zoning Hearing Board will conduct a public hearing at the Barrett Township Municipal Building, 1200 Route 390, Cresco, PA 18326 on April 24, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. to hear the application of Jason Delp for a variance for property located at 372 Lake Road, Canadensis, Pennsylvania, 18325, bearing a tax parcel number 1/6/1/3. The property is located in an R Zone and is 1.5 acres. Applicants presently maintain three (3) goats, five (5) chickens and seven (7) guinea hens in a barn and fenced area on the property. Applicants maintenance of the above described animals constitute keeping of livestock under § 525-23.H(8) of the Zoning Ordinance. Applicants seek the following variances: (A) Allowance of a lot of 1.5 acres, where the Ordinance requires two (2) acres for the keeping of livestock § 525-23.H(8)(b).

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PA CIVIL ACTION-LAW File No. C48-CV-2025-02993 IN RE: LYNNE STENDER CHANGE OF NAME NOTICE Notice is hereby given that on the 28th of March, 2025, the Petition of LYNNE STENDER, was filed in the above-named Court praying for a Decree to change her name to LYNNE ANNETTE STENDER. The Court has fixed the 28th of May, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Court Room No. To Be Determined as the time and place for the hearing of said Petition, when and where all persons interested may appear and show cause, if any they have, why the prayer of said the Petition should not be granted. P. CHRISTOPHER COTTURO, ESQUIRE Attorney for Petitioner I.D. # 59860