Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why are Hazleton students heading to Wilkes-Barre Township for supplies?
Coming up on the Wilkes-Barre Patch calendar: Ray LaMontagne

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:
- Why are Hazleton students heading to Wilkes-Barre Township for supplies?
- How a Wilkes-Barre court hearing could reshape a massive data center plan.
- Meet the Wilkes-Barre students just starting their medical school journey.
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
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Find a T-Mobile store near Wilkes-Barre.
- Sunday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 78 and low of 56 degrees.
- Monday: Partly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 73, low: 56.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, showers around, with a high of 75 and low of 54 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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📸 Around Wilkes-Barre
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Wilkes-Barre
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Ray LaMontagne →
F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre
7:00 pm
Wednesday September 9
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- The Diamond of Downtown →
F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre
7:00 pm
Saturday September 19
📣 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
- Teacher In-Service
Pittston Area SD Pittston, PA 18640 - Luzerne County Council Voting and Work Sessions →
Luzerne County, PA Calendar, 200 N River Street, Wilkes-Barre
6:01 pm - First Day of School 26-27
Pittston Area SD Pittston, PA 18640 - Luzerne County Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Commission Meeting →
Luzerne County, PA Calendar, 200 N River Street, Wilkes-Barre
10:00 am - 9th Grade Orientation (High School)
Wyoming Valley West SD Plymouth, PA 18651 - 6th Grade Orientation (Middle School)
Wyoming Valley West SD Plymouth, PA 18651 - New Teacher Orientation - 9:00 AM @ High School
Wyoming Valley West SD Plymouth, PA 18651 - Luzerne County Operational Services Committee Meeting →
Luzerne County, PA Calendar, 200 N River Street, Wilkes-Barre
4:00 pm - Greater Pittston Chamber 106th Annual Dinner
Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce Fox Hill Country Club - 454 Tunkhannock Avenue - Exeter - PA
5:30 pm - GPCC Breakfast Club
Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce Marie's Diner 207 McAlpine Street, Duryea (side room)
8:45 pm
Monday August 24
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
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!
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