PennsNet

Good morning, NEPA! It's a weekend wrap-up kind of Monday — lots of veterans tributes, fall festivals, and a couple of fires to keep in your thoughts, plus the November election clock is officially ticking.

Woman rescued from thigh-deep mud at drained Lackawanna State Park lake (WNEP-TV 16)
First responders spent more than an hour freeing a woman trapped in deep mud at the Lackawanna County lake, which was drained for dam work. A reminder to steer clear of that soft lakebed.

Early morning fire destroys Dallas Township home (WBRE/WYOU 28/22 News)
Flames consumed a home on Lake Catalpa Road in Luzerne County's Back Mountain on Sunday. Crews battled the blaze with the house left in ruins.

Lackawanna County data center fight hinges on PA's Environmental Rights Amendment (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
After township officials didn't hold a hearing within 60 days, the developer argued its proposal was automatically approved — now the state's Environmental Rights Amendment is at the center of the dispute.

Luzerne County starts testing its new voting system for Nov. 3 (Fox56 WOLF-TV)
Luzerne County has begun the required testing of its new voting equipment, becoming the first county in Pennsylvania to do so ahead of the general election.

Vietnam War Traveling Memorial honors thousands at Nay Aug Park (WBRE/WYOU 28/22 News)
The traveling memorial wrapped up its display in Scranton on Sunday, honoring tens of thousands of American service members. It capped a weekend heavy with veterans tributes across NEPA.

Quick Hits
· The NEPA Philharmonic pairs the 1922 silent classic 'Nosferatu' with a live string quartet at Montage Mountain.
· ChalkFest 2026 returned to the River Common in Wilkes-Barre for its 16th year of sidewalk art.
· A California fugitive wanted by parole authorities was arrested in Scranton, city police say.
· The Driven to Duty Car Show drew hundreds to Toyota of Scranton in support of local veterans.
· Fall foliage is beginning to emerge across Northeast and Northcentral PA, per the first color report of the season.
· Heads up, drivers: a lane closure is planned on I-81 north in Lackawanna County this week for brush and tree removal.
· Pennsylvania is logging record numbers of problem gamblers, a new Gaming Control Board report warns.
· Everything you need to know about requesting, filling out, and returning your mail ballot for the Nov. 3 election.


Thanks for starting your morning with us — go enjoy that fall color while it lasts.