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Hey Scranton, hope your week’s off to a good start! Dinosaur adventure show, mine-water hydropower proposal, Frederick Douglass trivia, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Community care in action: Jessup’s Winton Street and Trailhead will host a family-friendly cleanup and invasive plant removal on April 26 in partnership with local groups. Bring your own gloves and trash bags — see how to get involved.

Community care in Scranton: Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen’s 48th Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign is underway, seeking $100 gifts to sponsor a day. It supports food and clothing programs, culminating April 29 at Fiorelli’s in Peckville — see how you can help.

New landing page for coverage: WVIA was awarded a $10,000 Robert H. Spitz Foundation grant through the Scranton Area Community Foundation to expand environmental reporting on proposed data centers’ water, energy, and land impacts in Northeastern Pennsylvania — read the full story.

Preliminary permit clears path: A firm proposes using the Old Forge borehole to clean mine water and generate hydropower, with reservoirs and a treatment plant on 1,300 acres in Old Forge, Ransom Township, Duryea — read the full story.

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!

Highlights this week:

• Save lives at a memorial blood drive
• Got debt? See if you qualify for relief
• Jeopardy-style trivia celebrates Frederick Douglass
• Hair thins as you age. Hims/Hers can help
• Grow fresh vegetables on a budget
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals
• Sip coffee and watch feeder birds
• Spicy wing showdown for charity

🫶 We got your back

Local dining scene expands: Italian Pub Meatball & More is now open in downtown Scranton, serving four kinds of meatballs with four sauces over your choice of pasta. A second spot in Blakely is planned for early March, though weather has pushed back the timeline a few times. Get all the details.

Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.

What this change means: Tenor Health Foundation’s purchase of Commonwealth Health has closed, covering three hospitals in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. The California nonprofit paid $33 million in cash plus a $15 million promissory note. The sale was approved by the state Department of Health and the union, and the hospitals will stay open. Get all the details.

Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.

Strings, reeds, inspiration: Main Street Music Store keeps it local with a deep mix of band instruments, guitars, and quirky used finds. Peek into Jack’s Basement. Considering lessons or dusting off an old skill? Their crew makes getting back to playing feel easy and fun.

A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.

Your pho reset: When the chill hits or you need a noodle hug, Saigon Corner warms things up with a 16-hour house phở, fresh herbs, and slurpable noodles. Still peckish? Grab a bánh mì or bubble tea, then add it to your weekly rotation.

📆 Around town this week

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.

This week

🩸 Paint the Planet Pink Blood Drive @ The University of Scranton | Tuesday (2/10) at 11:00 AM – Paint the Planet Pink, an all-volunteer nonprofit, is hosting a Celebration of Life blood drive honoring Greg Policare, Lisa Jones Kutra, and Brian Musto. Roll up a sleeve, chat with neighbors, and do some good that actually matters. Bonus, cookies.

🍿 American Girl Movie Night: Felicity @ Lackawanna County Children’s Library | Wednesday (2/11) at 5:30 PM – Whether you still have a doll trunk in the attic, or you just want wholesome screen time, catch the American Girl classic, Felicity, at the Lackawanna County Children’s Library. Colonial-era pluck, cozy stacks, and kids in kindergarten and up, all on Vine Street, cue nostalgia.

🔖 Bookmark My Heart @ Nancy Kay Holmes Branch Library | Thursday (2/12) at 4:30 PM – Get a head start on Valentine’s by swapping chocolates for chapters with local romance authors Tara Conrad, Cissy Mecca, and Tina Gallagher. They’ll chat about why romance sells, how they build swoon, and maybe restore your faith in happy endings, no roses required.

This weekend

🛍 Valentine’s Market | Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 AM – Skip the panic roses and overpriced prix fixe. Stroll the South Side Farmers Market for Valentine’s finds, sweet treats, and locally made goodies from your favorite vendors and new pop-ups. Grab honey, flowers, pierogi, and brownie points, then call it romance, Scranton-style.

💃 Music and Movement: Love to Move @ Nancy Kay Holmes Branch Library | Saturday (2/14) at 10:30 AM – Whether your tiny tornado prefers shaky eggs or storytime shimmying, this lively, interactive music session lets kiddos sing, dance, and explore together. Expect songs, simple instruments, and movement, plus the glorious possibility of an on-time nap. You supervise, they groove, everyone wins.

💘 Valentine’s Day Cupid Session for Two @ Noteology | Saturday (2/14) at 11:00 AM – Skip the crowded prix fixe and get hands-on at Noteology, where you and your Valentine design custom perfume or pour candles, sip bubbly, and raid the chocolate stash. Polaroid pics included, memories guaranteed, and yes, there’s an upgrade box if you’re feeling extra.

🦕 Dinosaur Adventure Show @ Lackawanna County Children’s Library | Sunday (2/15) at 2:00 PM – If you prefer your family outings fossil-fueled, head to the Lackawanna County Children’s Library for a dino adventure with paleontologists Mike and Roberta Straka, meet Mr. Nixon, an eight-foot Triceratops skull, and join a bone dig. All ages welcome, space limited to 60 children.

Live music & entertainment:

• 2/12 Corey Kizer @ Picciocchi’s Pasta – 5:30 PM
• 2/12 Galentine’s Event of Rom and Com @ Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art – 6:30 PM
• 2/13 Leadership Lackawanna & Countryside Conservancy @ Mutant Brewing – 6:00 PM
• 2/13 Dueling Pianos and Dinner @ The Green Ridge Club – 6:00 PM
• 2/13 Galentines Dinner @ The Burnt Norton – 7:00 PM
• 2/14 The Fabulous 45s @ The Tauras Club – 5:00 PM
• 2/21 Line & Partner Workshop @ Waldorf Park GAF – 2:00 PM
• 2/21 Perpetual Change @ The Ritz Theater – 6:30 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Scranton report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 37°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 32%

A chance of snow showers after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. South wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 35°F – Low: 22°F – Precip: 21%

A slight chance of snow showers after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Northwest wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of snow showers before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

This house is wild

This classic Hill Section up-and-down duplex pairs curb appeal with move-in ready interiors. Spacious layouts showcase natural light, neutral finishes, and updated flooring. Each unit offers generous rooms and large windows, with one occupied and one vacant. Highlights include a covered front porch, basement, gas heat, and off-street parking, close to the University of Scranton, downtown, hospitals, shopping, and transit.

Take a peek inside →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:

• This home warranty is $150 off right now
• Check out Chewy’s latest deals (they change every day)
• Get cash quickly with a HELOC from Figure
• Free guide: Learn how to add gold & silver to your IRA
• Save $ on vet bills with Lemonade pet insurance
• See if you can get a lower car insurance rate
• Bring the party home with this Wi-Fi karaoke machine
• See clearer-looking skin in as little as 7 days