🌱 Patch AM: Wilkes-Barre woman turns her own struggles into a lifeline for others

Hey hey Wilkes-Barre! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Wilkes-Barre woman turns her own struggles into a lifeline for others
• What Wilkes-Barre residents shared at this year's 9/11 remembrance
• What a Wilkes-Barre audit found in Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program

Also on today's calendar: Wyoming Seminary College Prep at Holy Redeemer and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: Why are crows so alert and curious? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Humid, with a high of 83 and low of 61 degrees.
• Monday: Sunshine and not as warm, temps: high: 72, low: 46.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 72 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Local organization tackles mental health stigmas (2822news.com) — In Wilkes-Barre, a new nonprofit called NEPA Mental Health is working to reduce stigma by giving neighbors a safe place to talk openly about mental illness. Founder Stephanie Gerek, drawing on her own experiences, organizes community events and hopes to launch monthly wellness fairs so local residents feel supported instead of isolated.
   

• Keeping promises to 'never forget' (2822news.com) — In Wilkes-Barre, residents gathered at the Luzerne County Courthouse to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and honor nearly 3,000 lives lost. Councilwoman Dawn Simmons shared vivid memories from working near the World Trade Center that day, underscoring why the community's promise to "never forget" still feels urgent and deeply personal.
   

• Capitol Roundup: Auditor General DeFoor releases performance audit of medical marijuana program (timesleader.com) — From Wilkes-Barre's auditor general is urging the Health Department to tighten oversight of the state's medical marijuana program after an audit found weak inspection controls and complaint review processes. The roundup also notes a congressional resolution to mark Sept. 11–17 as Patriot Week and a state initiative cutting fees on PA 529 college savings plans, which could help Wilkes-Barre families save for education.
   

📸 Around Wilkes-Barre

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Wilkes-Barre

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday September 19
• The Diamond of Downtown →
  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

Tuesday September 15
• Wyoming Seminary College Prep at Holy Redeemer →
  Holy Redeemer, 159 S Pennsylvania Blvd, Wilkes-Barre
  4:15 pm
• Classic TV Trivia Night at Breaker Brewing Company →
  787 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre
  6:30 pm
Wednesday September 16
• Cork – Clam Night →
  Cork Dining, 463 Madison St, Wilkes-Barre
  3:00 pm
• Bank + Vine – Build Your Own Charcuterie →
  Bank+Vine, 268 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre
  5:00 pm
• Sip Smart – Healthy Smoothie Workshop →
  Osterhout Free Library – Central Branch, 71 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre
  5:00 pm
• Breaker BINGO →
  787 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre
  6:30 pm
Thursday September 17
• Paint Your Own Porch Goose with NEPA FURN →
  787 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre
  6:00 pm
• PISTOL SKILL BUILDER →
  The Cabin Armory and Training Center, 10 Pethick Street, Wilkes-Barre
  6:00 pm
Friday September 18
• Halfway to St. Patrick's Day with Ceol Mor Pipe & Drum Band →
  787 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre
  6:00 pm
Saturday September 19
• Tunes in the Taproom with Jeremy Burke →
  787 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre
  4:00 pm

📣 Wilkes-Barre Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday September 15
• Meet the Teacher Night @ HS (6:00 PM-8:00 PM)
  Wyoming Valley West SD Plymouth, PA 18651

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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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Ok moving past all negative anything!!!!
  My baby is a senior in high school and is turning 18 Sunday!!!!! My oldest will be 21 on the 17th! I say success for me! Jackie is in the Navy,… (Nextdoor Miners Mills)

🗞 Nearby News

Kingston

• Wyoming Valley West navigates bus-driver shortage (citizensvoice.com)
• Luzerne County court notes: Property transfers 9/12/26 (citizensvoice.com)

Edwardsville

• Luzerne County allocating $451K in opioid settlement funds (citizensvoice.com)

Plains

• Wilkes-Barre Area falls to big plays, Valley View (timesleader.com)
• The Morning America Changed Forever: A Minute-by-Minute 9/11 Timeline (fox56.com)
• WB man sentenced for toddler's manslaughter death (timesleader.com)

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: They start each day with a cup of caw-fee. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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