MONROE UNFILTERED: THE DAILY BUZZ | July 29
More Rain, Star-Crossed Stabbing, a Flashback to the Flood of '55
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT
The National Weather Service extended Monroe County's Flood Watch overnight, so it now runs through about 8 p.m. tonight rather than this afternoon as originally posted. Forecasts for today's thunderstorm chances range from 35-50%. Tomorrow is looking a little better than earlier forecasts, with a chance of thunderstorms after 2 p.m. High temperatures both days will be in the high 70s. Friday looks to be much nicer, with highs in the mid-80s and only a 20% chance of precipitation.
EAST STROUDSBURG HOME INVASION ENDS IN ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE CHARGE
A Stroud Township man is facing the county's most serious violent charge after police say he broke into an East Stroudsburg apartment early Saturday and stabbed his ex's boyfriend before she pulled him off.
According to the criminal complaint, Stroud Area Regional Police were called to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono around 2 a.m. July 25 after a stabbing victim arrived with his girlfriend, following a home invasion at her Ridgeway Street apartment in East Stroudsburg. She told police she was on her back porch when her boyfriend ran inside with a man chasing him, later identified as 25-year-old Star K. White, whom she recognized on sight. White forced his way in, cornered the boyfriend in a closet upstairs, and stabbed him four times (twice in the thighs, once in the calf, once on a finger) before she pulled him off. Police say White also held a blade to the throat of a friend who had driven the victim to the apartment, and that a large stone was thrown through the girlfriend's car windshield during the incident.
White faces first-degree felony charges of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and burglary, along with additional felony and misdemeanor counts. As of Tuesday afternoon (4 p.m.), Stroud Area Regional Police Chief Jennifer Lyon had not responded to questions about White's arrest status, and no court hearings were listed in online records.
HISTORY WITH A TWIST: MOTHER NATURE'S SERIOUS GRUDGE
As the flood warnings have flashed across our screens and we collectively debate whether to move the lawn furniture to the roof, let's take a little stroll through the archives of the Monroe County Historical Association to the infamous late summer of 1955.
According to historical accounts preserved by our local historians, the Poconos were having a remarkably peaceful, albeit dry, summer. Tourists were clogging up the local boarding houses, traffic was standard-issue tourist season annoying (some things never change), and everyone was enjoying the sun.
Then, Mother Nature dealt Monroe County a double wallop: the remnants of Hurricanes Connie and Diane.
The remnants of Hurricane Connie swept through on August 12-13, dumping nearly 10 inches of rain and turning the soil into a giant, slip-and-slide sponge. Before the water could even think about receding, the remnants of Hurricane Diane swaggered into town less than a week later on August 18, dropping over a foot of rain on already soaked land.
According to the Monroe County Historical Association's archives, Barrett Township alone lost 22 out of its 26 bridges. Trains became stranded near Cresco, houses were ripped from their foundations, and Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg's charming historic downtowns looked more like mid-century water parks. Helicopters were even needed to fly in supplies.
So, as bad as the weather has been the last couple days, remember: at least nobody has to bust out the rowboats quite yet. Stay dry, Monroe County!
The accompanying photo is an aerial view of the Interborough Bridge after it was swept away by floodwaters from Hurricane Diane. The bridge connected Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg across Brodhead Creek. (Associated Press file photo, 1955.)
Source: Monroe County Historical Association archives.
SILVER LININGS: A BARK BASH THIRTEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING
Stroudsburg's Sit, Stay 'N Play Center marked its 13th anniversary Saturday with its 4th Annual Bark Bash, bringing dogs, their families, and a lineup of local small businesses together at the training center. As Fox56 reported, owner Lisa Kirschner opened the center after discovering there was nothing quite like it in the Poconos while training her own dog, and the annual bash has become her way of celebrating both the local dog community and the small businesses around it.