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By Travis Kellar

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WILKES-BARRE — Motorists traveling through Northeastern Pennsylvania are encouraged to take a safety break at interstate rest areas over the 4th of July holiday weekend.

Community groups will serve free coffee at rest areas through a program coordinated with PennDOT that’s designed to encourage drivers to take a break for safety’s sake during the busy holiday travel period from July 2 through July 5.

Breaks will be held at rest areas on Interstates 80, 81 and 84, as well as the Matamoras and Great Bend Welcome Centers at various times during the long holiday weekend.

PennDOT spokesman Michael Taluto said that safety breaks will be held at the following rest areas in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties:

Interstate 80

• I-80 eastbound near White Haven, mile marker 270 between Exits 262 and 273.

Members of the Conyngham United Methodist Church Sunday School will be on hand from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, while member’s of the church’s bell choir will be there from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

Interstate 81

• I-81 northbound near Dorrance, mile marker 156 between exits 155 and 159.

Members of Black Creek Township Alumni Park will be stationed between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and members of Boy Scout Troop 434 will be stationed between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

• I-81 southbound near Nuangola, mile marker 158 between exits 159 and 155

Members of Boy Scout Troop 300 will be station 24 hours a day on Thursday and Friday, while members of Cub Scout 433 will be stationed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

• I-81 northbound near Tomkinsville, mile marker 202 between exits 202 and 206.

Members of the World Cup Genesis will be stationed there from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, while members of Boy Scout Troop 34 will be stationed there from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.