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🌱 Patch AM: Man jailed after Verizon facility burglary and van arson in township

And check out Ray LaMontagne on the Wilkes-Barre Patch calendar

Friday September 4th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi Wilkes-Barre! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Man jailed after Verizon facility burglary and van arson in township
  • What could finally rise on Wilkes-Barre's long-empty Hotel Sterling lot?
  • Which Wilkes-Barre events are happening this month and how to join?

Also on today's calendar: The Diamond of Downtown.

Today's riddle: Why did the chicken go to the gym? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Wilkes-Barre.

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-shower, with a high of 82 and low of 60 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 79, low: 57.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 78 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Man arrested in arson, burglary case in Wilkes-Barre Township (newportdispatch.com) — Police in Wilkes-Barre Township have arrested a man in connection with an August burglary at a Verizon facility on Casey Avenue and the theft and burning of a company work van. Investigators from the township and state conservation agency used surveillance, electronic records, and search warrants before the suspect was jailed on $75,000 cash bail.
   

2. Former Hotel Sterling lot owner working on site development prospect (timesleader.com) — A long-stalled vacant lot at the former Hotel Sterling site in downtown Wilkes-Barre may finally see new life, as its owner negotiates a privately funded mixed-use building with ground-floor shops and apartments above. City officials, including the mayor, are backing the effort, which would reshape a prominent gateway by the Market Street Bridge and bring new jobs, tax revenue, and activity to the riverfront.
   

3. Community Spotlight: Wilkes-Barre area – Sept. 4, 2026 (citizensvoice.com) — Wilkes-Barre residents have a full slate of upcoming community events, from Saturday's Sokol Day picnic in Plains Township to local theater, concerts, church festivals, and fundraisers throughout September and October. Several take place right in Wilkes-Barre, including performances at Little Theatre and First Presbyterian, a pasties sale, and a women's club fashion show benefiting scholarships.
   

4. Registration Open for 2026 'Be Utility Wise' and 'Be Wise' Consumer Education Conferences Throughout Pennsylvania (beavercountyradio.com) — Human-service workers and advocates in the Wilkes-Barre area can now register for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's "Be Utility Wise" conference at Mohegan Sun's conference center on October 16. The free, daylong event offers tools, contacts, and program details to help local households manage energy, water, and other essential utility bills, alongside similar sessions held across the state this fall.
   

5. GAMEFACE WEEK 2: Wilkes-Barre Area's Terry is all grown up (citizensvoice.com) — Wilkes-Barre Area senior lineman Altamir Terry has grown from an undersized freshman into one of the Wyoming Valley Conference's most dominant two-way players. Now anchoring both lines, he's using last year's playoff loss and his wrestling background to push the Wolfpack to improve after a tough season-opening defeat.
   

📸 Around Wilkes-Barre

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Wilkes-Barre

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Wednesday September 9
  • Ray LaMontagne →
    F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre
    7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Saturday September 19
  • The Diamond of Downtown →
    F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre
    7:00 pm
  • Thursday September 24
  • BRAD PAISLEY LIVE →
    Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, 255 Highland Park Blvd, Wilkes-Barre Township
    6:00 pm

📣 Wilkes-Barre Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Monday September 7
  • Labor Day (No School)
    Wyoming Valley West SD Plymouth, PA 18651
  • Labor Day Weekend: No School
    Pittston Area SD Pittston, PA 18640
  • Labor Day - No School
    Lee Park El Sch Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
  • No School-Labor Day
    Hanover Green El Sch Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
  • Tuesday September 8
  • Back to School Night - 5pm to 7pm
    Lee Park El Sch Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
  • Wednesday September 9
  • Memorial Elementary Meet Our Teachers
    Hanover Area Memorial El Sch 80 W St Mary's Rd, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18706, USA
    5:00 pm
  • September School Board Meeting - 7:00 PM
    Wyoming Valley West SD Middle School
    7:00 pm
  • Friday September 11
  • Patriot Day- Wear Red, White, and Blue
    Hanover Green El Sch Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
  • Patriot Day - Wear Red, White & Blue
    Lee Park El Sch Wilkes Barre, PA 18706

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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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: He was working on his pecks (pecs). (Thank you W F C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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