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Hey Scranton, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Homes under $300k ranking, Irish music and stories, and a free laser tag party + lots of fun things to do for free.

Quick money tip: 2025 was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%. Analysts expect the momentum to continue, making precious metals a smart way to protect your savings. Curious how it works? Check out AHG’s free investor guide.*

📰 In the news

Local market gains recognition: A Realtor.com report named Scranton/Wilkes-Barre among 10 desirable U.S. metros for homes under $300,000, citing health care growth, outdoor perks, and proximity to Philadelphia and New York — see what’s behind the ranking.

Honor local veterans: Applications are open for Hometown Heroes banners in West Scranton. Banners will hang on Main Avenue and Luzerne Street this spring on a first-come basis, with a $250 fee — see what’s needed to apply.

Traffic changes amid safety concerns: PennDOT will close parts of Marvine Avenue and Wells Street in Scranton for the Main Avenue Bridge replacement. Residents can access from North Main Avenue and drivers should follow detours — read the full story.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Celebrate Cal’s birthday with family fun
• Master basics of women’s street defense
• Arc Nor’easters face police for charity
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Let the zoomies fly: Let your pup sprint out the zoomies while you trade neighborhood gossip with fellow dog people, because Connell Park Dog Park delivers roomy fenced runs, considerate regulars who bring bags, and plenty of shade to linger. A quick reset for when home starts feeling smaller than your dog’s personality.

Low‑key pints ahead: Craving a no-frills reset? Poor Richards Pub is a bowling-alley hideaway locals swear by, with unfussy drinks, easygoing bartenders, and just enough buzz to shake off the workday. Perfect for meeting a friend, trading small talk, and skipping downtown chaos.

A quiet downtown reset: When your shoulders and mind need easing, Alexander’s Salon and Spa offers a genuine pause with licensed-therapist massages, complexion-boosting facials, and calming steams and wraps, all under one tranquil Scranton roof, the kind of place where the city slips away.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

The $1,300 mistake most Americans make every year: According to the National Financial Education Council, poor financial literacy costs the average American over a thousand dollars annually. That’s not investment losses. That’s money lost to bad decisions, missed strategies, and advice from people who may not always put your interests first. There’s a free way to fix that, and it starts with one question. Find out what it is →

$22k in interest (on a $30k balance): That’s what minimum payments cost you over 20 years. You’ll pay back nearly double what you borrowed, and your credit card company is counting on you not doing that math. Debt settlement programs negotiate balances down and get people out of debt in 2-4 years instead of 20. Learn more about how they work →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared five programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as “normal wear and tear,” and they’re 100% on you. We looked into solutions that fill that gap. Here’s what we found →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

👪 Family-to-Family @ NAMI Northeast Region PA | Tuesday (3/17) at 5:45 AM – Sign up for this free, in-person, eight-session NAMI course on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, taught by trained family members who get it. Expect plain-English info on mental illness, meds, communication, crisis skills, caregiver self-care, and resources. No jargon, no judgment, just practical help, registration required.

🩸 Blood Drive @ Moffat Student Center Gym | Thursday (3/19) at 10:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to do something decent between errands, here it is. Head to the Moffat Student Center gym at Johnson College, give a pint with the Red Cross, snag cookies, juice, and smug satisfaction, then carry on.

🎯 Laser Tag Party! @ Steamtown Church: Main Campus | Friday (3/20) at 6:00 PM – Parents, a free laser tag party for grades 3 to 6 is open to all local students, with dinner, video games, and friendly competition. Drop them off, enjoy a quiet evening, and let someone else supervise the sugar buzz for once.

🍀 Irish Music, Stories & Song @ The Rossetti Estate | Friday (3/20) at 6:00 PM – Whether you can tell a jig from a reel or just like a story with your wine, PA CELTS are back at the Rossetti Estate for round three. Expect toe-tapping tunes, history with heart, living room intimacy, and the best price, free, so get there early.

🏠 Lackawanna County Homebuyer Workshop @ NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – Ready to swap rent for roots? This free NeighborWorks workshop lines up a lender, realtor, inspector, insurance pro, and attorney to decode first-time buying, lunch included. Space is tight, register with NeighborWorks, not Facebook, and attend all to earn the money-saving certificate.

🌱 Seed Starting for Families @ The Greenhouse Project | Saturday (3/21) at 1:00 PM – Nay Aug Park’s Greenhouse Project hosts a family seed-starting workshop with 4-H and Master Gardeners, where you plant things. Learn soil, light, watering, and what to start indoors vs. out, then leave with a ready-to-grow kit. $5 suggested donation, drop-ins welcome, no green thumb required.

🎭 The Surreal & Folkloric: The Music and Poetry of Federico García Lorca @ Rossetti Estate | Sunday (3/22) at 5:00 PM – Rossetti House after dark means Lorca in the parlor, guitars in the hall, and a theremin making the wallpaper ripple. The NEPA Guitar Society, Marywood musicians, and vocalists spin poetry into sound with Spanish folklore and serious chops. Free to attend, donations appreciated.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Scranton report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 34°F – Low: 19°F – Precip: 6%

Partly sunny, with a high near 34. West wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. West wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 38°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 2%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Southwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. South wind around 6 mph.

This house is wild

This 5,000+ sq ft residence blends upscale details with everyday ease. Pristine hardwoods and a granite-clad gourmet kitchen lead to a spacious family room with a cozy corner gas fireplace. An enviable primary suite boasts two walk-in closets, a sitting room with pocket doors, and a spa bath. A full third-floor retreat plus a three-car garage completes it.

Take a peek inside →