Amanda Christman

Oct 14, 2023 | standardspeaker.com | Amanda Christman

HAZLETON — Seth Gwaltney doesn’t understand why someone gunned down his half brother 11 years ago and he doesn’t know who pulled the trigger. But, loss and stolen time he comprehends. A gunman killed Erick Gwaltney 34, of 649 Alter St., as he walked to a store on Alter Street to buy cigarettes and a six pack on Sept. 1, 2012. The gun handler set his sights on Erick near Fourth Street as other people exited local barrooms at 2:10 a.m., blasting bullets into his shoulder, chest and stomach.

Oct 14, 2023 | standardspeaker.com | Amanda Christman

These unsolved deaths await answers:■ Joseph Pawlowski, 48, of 138 Putnam St., West Hazleton. A neighbor called police on Sept. 11, 2010 after not seeing him for a while. Police found Pawlowski shot to death in the kitchen of his home. State police at Hazleton said the father of three was killed between Sept. 8 and 11 by someone familiar to him. Troopers believe there are still people in the Hazleton area with knowledge of the case that could aid in the investigation.

Sep 22, 2023 | standardspeaker.com | Amanda Christman

They came to America with little more than their faith but they started a generations-long legacy. Sacrifices made by members of St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church allowed parishioners who came after to keep the Catholic faith and keep close to God, the Rev. Boguslaw Janiec, parish priest said. That’s why Janiec honors not only their religion but the people who made it possible on its 100th anniversary Sunday.

Sep 22, 2023 | standardspeaker.com | Amanda Christman

State agents uncovered six straw gun purchases made in 2021 as they investigated a Luzerne County homicide. Investigators with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General didn’t indicate which homicide led to the illegal gun purchase arrest but said one of the guns recovered from the crime was a 9 mm Taurus purchased on July 12, 2021, by Justin J. Otero, 25, Wilkes-Barre. A records check of guns bought by Otero showed he purchased five other 9 mm firearms in Hazle Twp.

Sep 22, 2023 | standardspeaker.com | Amanda Christman

HAZLETON — City firefighters responded to 596 N. Vine St., between West Fourth and Fifth streets around 8:15 a.m. Friday after someone noticed flames at the rear of the house. Deputy Fire Chief Brian Mandak said three to four neighbors grabbed fire extinguishers and put out most of the flames before firefighters arrived. Firefighters doused the remaining fire and called in the fire marshal to determine cause. No injuries were reported.