Seasonal Decorations Lead To Pothole Repair

A large pothole opened up along Sturdevant Street in Wilkes-Barre. Residents reported it to the city, but the hole wasn't being repaired. Neighbors were fed up that the sinkhole was growing over the past few weeks without a fix.

Resident Marietta Spak decided to place an artificial tree in the hole in an attempt to keep drivers from hitting it and to bring attention to the safety issue.

Gary Muchler (above) posed for a picture with a watering can after a blow mold Santa was added to the hole. Photos of the festive hole went viral, quickly resulting in a metal slab being placed over the hole and repairs being scheduled.

"We have a lot of comedians in the area who put trees in there. I think it's funny, too, Christmas spirit," DPW worker David Iskra told WNEP.

City officials say that repairs were backed up due to other jobs.