Coffee in hand, Wilkes-Barre? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: The Diamond of Downtown.
Today's riddle: What did the Buffalo say when his son left? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Wilkes-Barre Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Wilkes-Barre Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Wilkes-Barre.
1. Back-to-school shoppers flock to stores in Luzerne County (wnep.com) — Families are crowding Wilkes-Barre Township stores and the Wyoming Valley Mall as Luzerne County students gear up for a new school year. Shoppers from nearby districts, including Hazleton, say they're coming here for better options and enjoying the annual ritual of stocking up on clothes and supplies before classes begin.
2. Lawsuit: Salem Twp. planners illegally advanced data center plan with lockout (citizensvoice.com) — A lawsuit over Salem Township's handling of a massive data center zoning expansion will get its first major hearing Tuesday at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre. Residents say planners illegally locked people out of a key July meeting, while supervisors still plan a public hearing and vote next week that could reshape development near the Susquehanna nuclear plant.
3. Geisinger School of Medicine holds White Coat Ceremony (citizensvoice.com) — Two Wilkes-Barre residents, Rachael Sennett and Benjamin Yelland, were among the future physicians honored with white coats at Geisinger College of Health Sciences' School of Medicine ceremony in Scranton. They joined other Luzerne County students beginning medical training aimed at serving local communities and beyond.
4. 30 Shows to Watch This September on WVIA TV (wvia.org) — WVIA's September lineup includes a documentary on Wilkes-Barre film pioneer Lyman H. Howe, featuring early 1900s footage shot in the city. The schedule also highlights regional history, arts, science, and 9/11 remembrance specials, giving local viewers plenty of Northeastern Pennsylvania-flavored programming to explore next month.
5. Tomato takeover: Annual festival continues in Pittston (timesleader.com) — A Wilkes-Barre resident, Dana Germano, captured the women's title in the spaghetti-eating contest at this weekend's Pittston Tomato Festival, which drew more than 200 participants for its 5K race. The 43rd annual celebration wraps up today with the Little Miss & Mr. Tomato pageant, open to kids ages 2 to 6 with same-day registration allowed.
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
Ok Wilkes-Barre! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bison! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Wilkes Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.