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It’s hard to believe that autumn is already upon us, but here we are! With baby season finally slowing down after an unusually voluminous second round of little squirrels, we’re shifting gears to start preparing for the cold season. As usual, soon we’ll be winterizing the enclosures for our beloved ambassador animals, and we’re also updating our schedule to autumn hours. Beginning September 15th we will be open 7 days a week from 9am to 7pm. Everyone is welcome to drop off injured wildlife anytime between these hours, and otherwise please call us at 570-402-0223 to communicate any emergencies and determine next steps, and we will do our best to help!

State Budget Stalemate – We Must Act Responsibly The delayed passage of Pennsylvania’s full state budget is already creating real-world consequences for our communities. Service providers, local governments, and school districts are facing disruptions because they don’t have access to the funding they rely on to serve our residents. That’s why the Senate recently passed a short-term budget identical to last year’s, allowing funding to begin flowing immediately while broader negotiations continue. I strongly supported this action. Critical services should not suffer because of gridlock in Harrisburg. Unfortunately, the House Democrat Leadership and members would not support this temporary solution.

STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Music, food, and drinks, all coming together for a big weekend celebration. It is almost time for the Fifth Annual Pocono Irish American Festival. The free event is hosted by the Pocono Irish American Club. This year, they will have musical headliners like "Kilmaine Saints", "Glengarry Bhoys", and "Barleyjuice", and of course there will plenty of vendors and activities for children. "We got 47 vendors, that's seven more than last year, and I only see things being bigger and better. Please come on down! Beautiful Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg and check us out! You won't be disappointed. It's a free family event and just come join us, you'll love the Irish heritage that's out there," voiced Brian Gallagher, PIAC Parade Chair. The Pocono Irish American Festival will be at Stroudsburg Courthouse Square on Saturday. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.

Two students from East Stroudsburg University completed internships in the nation’s capital over the summer. They served as interns through the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, a nonprofit organization that provides internships and seminars to college students interested in learning more about government, politics, and how public policy is shaped. Lucie Miller and Bridget Snyder both participated in TWC’s National Security program in 2024 and subsequent programs, before returning as summer interns on a full scholarship.

TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Tennessee man is dead after a motorcycle crash in Monroe County. 75-year-old Philip Bramande of Harriman, Tennessee, crashed his motorcycle on I-80 West in Tobyhanna Township on Wednesday, August 20, around 10:30 a.m., according to police. Police conducting death investigation in Carbon County Police say Bramande veered off the roadway for unknown reasons. His motorcycle traveled down a grassy embankment when he was thrown off the vehicle and struck a tree. Life-saving measures were attempted on scene before Bramande was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital Pocono. Bramande was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers opposes the current PennDOT plan to improve and expand Interstate 80 within the bounds of Monroe County, specifically in and around East Stroudsburg and Stroudsburg, PA. Upon investigation into the public records for planning for this project, PennDOT and the Federal Highway Administration prepared a design plan which failed to include meaningful public dialogue, happened without public notice or public meetings, and without notifying regional and local politicians of their designs, plan, and intentions. Both PennDOT and the FHA have performed the bare minimum required by law with minimal oversight and have conducted their plans in secrecy failing to respond to regional and governmental requests for information.

STROUD TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A man is facing several charges Wednesday night after an hours-long standoff ended in Stroud Township. The Stroud Area Regional Police Department says they were called to Walnut Grove Road in Stroud Township around 11:35 a.m. for a man reportedly destroying the Walnut Grove community sign with a hammer. When officers arrived on scene, they identified the man as 29-year-old Alexander Ball from East Stroudsburg, who lived in the community. Authorities explain that the reporting party told officers she saw Ball damage the community sign with a hammer and then went back to his home and was screaming on his back deck. Police say officers tried to make contact with Ball but could only hear his screaming, breaking things inside the residence, and obscenities. A woman, later identified by authorities as Ball's mother, was seen by officers inside the home, visibly upset.

STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— As we turn the page on summer and look ahead to colder temperatures, local wildlife sanctuaries are starting to prepare. It is nearly time for the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center to begin "winterizing" their enclosures. They have several outdoor enclosures that need to be covered before it starts to get cold. They also need to protect the animals they house using equipment like boat tarps, heated water bowls, and heated huts. Restoring significant Scranton performing arts center They officially start next week and say "winterizing" gets expensive, so they're asking for the community's help to get everything they need.

STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A former elementary school in Monroe County now serves a new purpose. The Ramsey School in Stroudsburg now houses pre-k, Head Start classes, and college and career readiness programs for students ages zero to 24. Their first day of operation was Wednesday. The school closed back in 2014 and was updated thanks to the Pocono Services Families and Children's Re-Imagine Ramsey Project. Luzerne County Fair rings in 63rd year The expansion will also allow them to serve more than 500 low-income families.

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of BINGO, plants, and prizes – all to support the Eastern Monroe Public Library! Date: Sunday, October 12Location: Hughes LibraryDoors Open: 12:00 PMBingo: 1:00–4:00 PM $45 Registration Includes: 15 Bingo Games Charcuterie Box Free plant donated by The Potting Shed Extras & Fun: Special Game Board: 5 additional games for $10 (purchase at the door) Extra Bingo Cards: Available for $20 (day of event) Raffles (Cash only) Wine by the Glass sold by Tolino Vineyard — a portion of proceeds benefits EMPL! Must be 16+ to attend.

YOUTH INFUSION RECEIVES GRANT FROM PPL FOUNDATIONFOR TRIPS FOR KIDS – POCONO FLOW DISCOVERY TRAIL RIDESEast Stroudsburg, Pa. (September 1, 2025) – Youth Infusion, Inc. is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from the PPL Foundation. These funds will support the Trips for Kids – Pocono Flow Discovery Trail Rides, a mountain biking program that introduces young people and families in Northeast Pennsylvania to the outdoors while teaching environmental awareness, sustainability, and healthy living.

This hearing has been continued to September 15, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.PARADISE TOWNSHIPNOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNotice is hereby given that the Board of Supervisors of Paradise Township, Monroe County, PA, will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Paradise Township building located at 5912 Paradise Valley Rd., Cresco, PA 18326. The purpose of the hearing is to consider testimony and evidence and receive public comment on the Conditional Use Application of Chestnut Grove Resort Realty, LLC, for the property located at 106 Carlton Rd. in Paradise Township, more specifically identified as Monroe County PIN No. 11637503229137. The Applicant, in accordance with the Township of Paradise Code of Ordinances, Chapter 160, Sections 160-8, 160-010 and Attachment 1, Regulations Governing the Use of Land, filed a Conditional Use Application and is requesting conditional use approval for a Resort on the above-referenced property.

By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed AssociationIf you thought warehouses were a plague on the landscape, give your township a call and ask what the plan is for data centers. Because they’re on their way.  Right now, Tobyhanna Township is considering changes to their zoning ordinance to allow data centers, and a property owner in the headwaters of the Swiftwater Creek hopes to attract one. That’s a big deal. Not because it means good jobs — it doesn’t.   Except for upfront construction jobs, data centers need very few employees.It’s a big deal because a large data center can use 5,000,000 gallons of water a day.  You read that right: five million gallons a day. 

Help Restock Our Self-Care Cart at Hughes Library At Hughes Library, we serve a diverse community with varying needs. Often personal care items can make a significant difference in someone’s day. That’s why we offer our Self-Care Cart, providing essential hygiene and self-care items to anyone in need, with no questions asked. Currently, our Self-Care Cart is in urgent need of several key items, as our supplies have been depleted or are running low. The following items are especially needed:

STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — One local downtown street turns into a festival zone every Labor Day weekend. It's filled with food, music, and unforgettable memories. 28/22 News Reporter Brian Orbin got a look at how the annual Stroudfest keeps bringing people together year after year. Main Street in Stroudsburg is buzzing with music, food, and crowds as Stroudfest takes over downtown. The 19th annual celebration is bringing together more than 150 vendors and 16 live performances, turning Labor Day weekend into one big block party. "It brings people into the area that are in the area, but it also brings a lot of new faces from out of town, so it gives great exposure to all of the local businesses," Sherman Theater Special Events Manager Sarah Collier said. Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, and Stroudfest is the sendoff.

Update on East Stroudsburg Exit 308 on I-80 As we all know, there has been ongoing work at Exit 308 along I-80 in East Stroudsburg for an extended period of time now. I want to share some important updates on this project: When I-80 was first built in the Stroudsburg area in 1970 as part of the Eisenhower Interstate System, the standards for on and off-ramps were much shorter than what is required today. Over the years, this has created safety concerns for drivers, particularly during heavy traffic periods. The Exit 308 project is designed to address these issues by widening and lengthening the ramps, improving traffic flow, and making the interchange safer.