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Hey Wilkes-Barre, hope your week’s off to a good start! Grandparents as influencers campaign, the Indigo Girls concert, German Nite, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Who really shapes student decisions: Luzerne County Community College launched a first-of-its-kind Grandparents as Influencers campaign, using media that grandparents around Northeast Pennsylvania follow to encourage family talks about college, costs, and careers for future students — see how they’re reaching grandparents.
Easing entry to civic roles: Luzerne County Council’s committee is pushing transparency, seeking membership requirements for nine boards and asking details be posted on the county website as Brittany Stephenson has drafted a letter — see what the committee seeks.
Mine-scarred land project advances: Wilkes-Barre Township Council approved a LERTA tax break extension for Bluecup’s planned warehouse, pushing deadline to Dec. 31, 2027, with 65% tax forgiveness and estimated $840,000 annually to taxing bodies — get all the details.
Stability returns to county coffers: Luzerne County says it will save at least $100,000 after skipping an early-year loan, the second straight year without a TRAN, as finances strengthen and its credit rating improves — get all the details.
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:
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🫶 We got your back
Celebrate tradition and tunes: Wilkes-Barre’s 59th annual German Nite will be held Feb. 14 at St. Nicholas and St. Mary Parish, with dinner of pork and sauerkraut, chicken Francaise, bratwurst, mashed potatoes, green beans, and haluski. Afterward, Schnitzel will play polkas, waltzes, and American tunes. Father Joseph Verespy calls it a romantic night. Get menu and music 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.
Beloved artists hit Wilkes-Barre: The Indigo Girls will perform at the F.M. Kirby Center on June 7. The Grammy-winning folk duo celebrates 40 years with more than 15 million records sold. Tickets are on sale following last week’s presale. See presale and sale dates.
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.
Vinyl fix, anyone? If your turntable’s whispering for a refill, Musical Energi is Wilkes‑Barre’s standby for deep crate dives: new discoveries, vintage gems, and the stereo bits to make them sing. Pop in for five minutes, emerge an hour later… blissed-out and clutching exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
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.
Pho vibes, right here: Craving pho energy without leaving town? Shinjiru Ramen ladles out silky, slow-simmered broths, springy noodles, and donburi if you’re not slurping, plus shareable apps and a relaxed neighborhood feel. It’s an easy, cozy, reliably delicious reset for your midweek.
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📆 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
💘 Hearts & Crafts – The Cupid Project @ Abide Coffeehouse | Tuesday (2/10) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats making valentines over a cup of coffee, then mailing the love to our neighbors in local nursing homes. At Abide Coffeehouse, it’s free, all ages, and supplies are ready, with easy parking by the Masonic Temple, so just bring heart and handwriting.
♟ Chess, Checkers, & Chai – Game Night @ Abide Coffeehouse | Wednesday (2/11) at 6:00 PM – Ready to trade doomscrolling for checkmates, friendly trash talk, and a warm chai at Abide Coffeehouse? Whether you’re a chess shark, a casual checkers meddler, or just here for the mug and the vibes, play, learn, or spectate, and maybe snag a free drink.
👯 Galentine’s Day Store Party | Thursday (2/12) at 4:00 PM – Nothing beats a Galentine’s Day store party where you cruise the racks with your friends, celebrating the only two relationships that never flake, friendship and retail therapy. Expect try-ons, shameless self-gifting, and compliments that fit better than any prix fixe date night.
This weekend
💐 Mini Bouquets & Coffee @ Abide Coffeehouse | Saturday (2/14) at 8:00 AM – If you want to look effortlessly thoughtful, this is your move. Pre-order a Stelladora mini bouquet and coffee from Abide, grab any drink, then pick up both in a carrier. Limited quantities, and drink cards if you prefer to gift later or dodge the line.
🦵 How to End Knee Pain Workshop @ Elite Spine And Sports PT | Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 AM – Got knees that pop like Rice Krispies on the porch steps? This free workshop at Elite Spine and Sports PT in Wilkes-Barre shares simple, natural ways to get back to walking, gardening, and grandkid wrangling, without surgery or shots. Seats are limited, so call 570-970-0402.
🌷 Stelladora Pop-Up Flower Bar @ Abide Coffeehouse | Sunday (2/15) at 9:00 AM – Swing by Abide Coffeehouse and play florist for a change. Build your own bouquet at Stelladora’s pop-up flower bar, nab a photo at the flower wall with balloon garland, and cross your fingers for the gift basket giveaway, while supplies last.
🎳 Ruler Of The Lanes @ Wilkes-Barre Township | Sunday (2/15) at 9:30 AM – Feel like showing the kids who’s boss of the lanes at Chackos? Ruler of the Lanes is a three-game tourney, top five to stepladder, $30 to enter, $350 up top, handicap to a 200 average, juniors welcome, bragging rights mandatory. Scan QR, lace up.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Wilkes-Barre report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 35°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 26%
A chance of snow showers between 7am and 5pm, then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 36°F – Low: 23°F – Precip: 15%
A slight chance of snow showers between 7am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Northwest wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.
This house is wild
An 8-unit property in Wilkes-Barre offering a 10.9 cap, near downtown, shopping, and public transit. Four rented garages add $4,800 per year, coin-operated laundry yields $120 per month. Most leases are month-to-month for rent flexibility. Tenants mostly handle utilities, landlord covers water, sewer, and heat on two units. A dry basement adds storage. Current gross is $99,708 with $82,053 net.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 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:
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