Sunday, January 31, 2016

Register for the 2nd Annual Coach Rizzo's Anthracite Skills and Drills Clinic

Back by popular demand and brought to you by Phillips Brayford Ortho is the 2nd Annual Coach Rizzo's Anthracite Skills and Drills Clinic.

Parking Restrictions on Monday in Mahanoy City

Parking Restriction for Monday 2/1/16. There will be no parking on South Main St. from Mahanoy to Maple St between 7am & 3PM for Snow Removal.

The Borough also plans to continue to remove piles from Centre St, however no parking restrictions for that area are required at this time.

Keep alert for additional parking restrictions later in the week.
Please let your neighbors know.

Free Fly Tying Classes from Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited

Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited will be conducted free fly tying classes.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Drugs Found During Traffic Stop

On Friday night, Mahanoy City Police arrested Charles J. Koncsler, Shenandoah after finding drugs during a traffic stop. 

According to police, Koncsler was in possession of  157 bags of drug including Meth, Oxy, Tramadol and Suboxone.

Koncsler was charged with Possession with intent to deliver, Possession of a controlled substance, DUI, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Driving while operating privilege is suspended and other traffic offenses. 

Koncsler was committed to Schuylkill County Prison after he was unable to post $50,000 cash bail.

Saturday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/30/16


Saturday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/30/16

Free Shipping from Skook Apparel

From now until February 3rd, 2016, all items purchased from Skook Apparel will receive free shipping.

To receive this promotion, you need to use the Keycode "2LOVE" when you purchase.

Head on over to check out our t-shirt designs at http://skooknews.spreadshirt.com.

Also be sure to head on over and like the "Skook Apparel" Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SkookApparel.



Skook Apparel is created and ran by Skook News.

Continental Hose Co. #3 Gilberton Wing Sale


Schuylkill Haven Youth Softball Association Open Registration

SHYSA (Schuylkill Haven Youth Softball Association) 2016 open registration will be held Thursday February 11, 2016, February 18, 2016, February 25, 2016, March 3, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00pm at the Schuylkill Haven Area Middle School Gym.

Hours of Service Waiver Extends Maximum Driving Time for Motor Carriers Transporting Fuels

Transportation Secretary Leslie S. Richards has signed an hours of service waiver to extend the maximum driving time to 14 hours for motor carriers engaged in the transportation of fuels.

The waiver was effective as of January 26, 2016 at midnight and remains in effect until February 6 at 11:59 p.m.

Exemption is also granted from the requirements of the 60/70-hour limits rule.  This rule requires drivers to stop driving upon accumulating 60 or 70 on-duty hours (including all on-duty and driving time) over a period of seven or eight consecutive days, respectively. Any period of seven or eight consecutive days may end with the beginning of any off-duty period of 34 or more consecutive hours.

Drivers are reminded that the waiver must be in their possession when traveling extended hours. This also only applies when the contents being transported are exclusively listed under the “Type of Operation.”

Frackville Free Public Library Story Time Programs Scheduled


The Frackville Free Public Library will  be having the following programs.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Unclaimed Winning Lottery Ticket Sold in Schuylkill County Nears Expiration

Middletown, PA – Players, check your tickets: a $225,000 jackpot-winning Cash 5 ticket sold in Schuylkill County will soon expire.

Argall, Goodman announce state grants for six Schuylkill County community projects

POTTSVILLE – Six community improvement projects in Schuylkill County will receive state grants, according to Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) and Rep. Neal P. Goodman (D-Schuylkill).

Family Looking for Missing Dog After Wednesday Morning's Fire

On Wednesday morning, a fire took place on the 1200 block of Market Street, Pottsville.  All residents escaped but the family's dog reportedly ran away during the incident.

Reported Working Structure Fire in Pottsville Wednesday Morning

(01/27/16) Around 8:00am, Wednesday morning, fire crews were called to 1247 West Market Street in Pottsville for a working structure fire.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Rush Township Police Investigating Retail Theft

The Rush Township Police Department is investigating a retail theft that occurred on 1/19/2016 around 2pm. Anyone with information on the suspect please call 570-668-4242. All tips will remain confidential




Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/26/16


Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/26/16

One Person Dies in Overnight Fire in Pottsville

Around 2:45am, fire crews were to the area of 324 East Norwegian Street, Pottsville for an apartment building fire.

Freezing Rain Advisory Issued for Schuylkill County Tuesday Morning

(01/26/16)  The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Rain Advisory lasting until 9:00am Tuesday morning.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Snowmelt May Refreeze and Cause Slippery Roads This Evening

RoadTrafficSigns.com
SNOWMELT ON ROADS WILL REFREEZE THIS EVENING...

Schuylkill County School Delays and Closings - 01/26/16


Schuylkill County School Delays  - 01/26/16

Assumption BVM - CLOSED
Blue Mountain -CLOSED
Gillingham Charter - CLOSED
Mahanoy Area - CLOSED
Minersville - CLOSED
Nativity BVM - CLOSED
North Schuylkill - CLOSED
Pine Grove - CLOSED
Pottsville - CLOSED
Schuylkill Haven Area - CLOSED
Schuylkill Maple Ave - CLOSED
Schuylkill Special Education Center - CLOSED
Schuylkill Tech North and South - CLOSED
Shenandoah Valley - CLOSED
St. Clair Area - CLOSED
St. Jerome / Tamaqua - CLOSED
St. Nicholas / Minersville - CLOSED
Tamaqua - CLOSED
Tri-Valley - CLOSED
Trinity Academy - CLOSED
Williams Valley - CLOSED

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Sunday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/24/16


Sunday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/24/16

TRAFFIC ALERT: Route 209 Conditions Due to Fire in Tuscacarora

Due to fire apparatus on Route 209 near Tuscarora, road conditions may be icy.

Schuylkill County School Delays and Closings - 01/25/16


Schuylkill County School Delays and Closings - 01/25/16

Reported Commercial Fire in Tuscarora

(01/24/16)  Around 11:00am Sunday morning, fire crews were called to a commercial fire in Tuscarora.

Winter Storm Jonas Dumps Nearly Two Feet of Snow on Schuylkill County

(01/24/16) Winter Storm Jonas will go down as one to remember in Schuylkill County.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Schuylkill County Residents Asked to Stay Home

As the snow tapers off Saturday evening, Schuylkill County residents are asked to stay home.

Crews Called to Fire in McAdoo Saturday Afternoon

Fire crews called to fire in McAdoo Saturday afternoon.

Mahanoy City Issues Declaration of Disaster; Bans Vehicular Travel in the Borough

Due to the large amount of snow that Mahanoy City Borough is receiving, a Declaration of Disaster has been declared . We ask that you please announce this update so the public is aware of what is happening.

ALL VEHICULAR TRAVEL ON THE STREETS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ESSENTIAL
EMERGENCIES IS PROHIBITED. WE ARE ASKING ALL RESIDENTS TO REFRAIN FROM
THROWING SNOW IN THE STREETS AS THE BOROUGH CREWS ARE TRYING TO MAKE ALL STREETS PASSABLE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

SNOW PARKING BAN WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL 7:00 A.M. SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 TH
FOR THE FOLLOWING STREETS : CENTER STREET, MAIN STREET, AND SOUTH STREET
FROM SECOND STREET TO BOROUGH LINE. THERE WILL BE NO PARKING ON THESE
STREETS.

We are asking all residents that live near a fire hydrant to please keep them clear of snow.

I sincerely appreciate your help in notifying the public about our present conditions as we are concerned for the safety and well being of all of our citizens in Mahanoy City.

Patricia Schnitzius
Mayor, Borough of Mahanoy City

Chief John Kaczmarczyk
Mahanoy City Police Department
beeper@mahanoycitypolice.us

PennDOT Reduces Speeds on Area Interstates

(01/23/16) Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on several roadways in the region.

Mail Delivery Service Suspended Due to Storm in Parts of Pennsylvania

Due to the winter storm, the United State Postal Service has suspended Mail Delivery on Saturday, January 23rd, 2016 for the for zip codes beginning with the following numbers:

Friday, January 22, 2016

Interstate 81 Closed in Southern Schuylkill County

Interstate 81 southbound has been shutdown in southern Schuylkill County.

Rush Township Police Investigating Retail Theft

The Rush Township Police Department is investigating another retail theft at the Hometown Walmart that occurred Wednesday (1/20/2016) around 5:30 pm. 

Britax Stroller Recall

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall Thursday on Britax strollers.

Winter Storm Warning Issued for Schuylkill County

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Schuylkill County.

At 4:15am, Friday, The National Weather Service issued the following message:


...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM 
EST SUNDAY... 

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER 
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS 
EVENING TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN 
EFFECT. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...5 TO 10 INCHES. 

* TIMING...SNOW WILL BEGIN FRIDAY NIGHT. THE PERIOD OF HEAVIEST 
SNOW WITH RAPID ACCUMULATION RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR 
WILL BE FROM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY EVENING. SNOW WILL 
TAPER OFF SATURDAY NIGHT AND END BY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. 

* IMPACTS...DANGEROUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING 
SNOW. THE HEAVY WET SNOW WILL MAKE SHOVELING VERY DIFFICULT AND 
MAY CAUSE POWER OUTAGES

This alert also includes Berks, Carbon, Lebanon, and Dauphin counties and those in Southern Pennsylvania.

Fire Damages Home Near St. Clair Thursday

A fire damaged a home near St. Clair Thursday evening.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Schuylkill County Snow Emergencies & Parking Bans


The following Snow Emergencies are or will be in effect for the weekend.

Schuylkill County Man Charged with Rape in Bloomsburg

A Schuylkill County man has been charged with rape in Bloomsburg.

Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Celebrates School Choice Week

Pottsville, PA (January 21, 2016) – Members of the School Chamber of Commerce Education Committee demonstrated their support of National School Choice Week by hosting information session on Thursday, January 21, 2016.

Snowfall Forecast for Schuylkill County

(01/21/16)  Below is Skook News' first update on snowfall amounts for the upcoming winter storm expected to hit Schuylkill County this weekend.

** The amounts in this posting are subject to change by Saturday.

--------------------------------------------

UPDATE (10:00PM):  The latest models have upped Schuylkill County's numbers.  We will have an update on totals Friday morning.


We've seen reports of expected snowfall in the couple feet range but as we get closer to the event, that doesn't appear to be the case.

Pennsylvania could see a decent amount of snow, even enough for the Governor to declare a State of Emergency ahead of it's arrival.

We are estimating the time of this storm to start in the early morning hours of Saturday (3-6AM) and last until the early morning hours of Sunday.

But to get to the information you are really looking for, Schuylkill County SHOULD NOT see a lot of snow from this storm.

A good estimate and Skook News' official amounts to what we may see would be in the 1-6 inch range.

Click map above to see amounts.

To better understand what municipalities are covered in what areas.  Here is a breakdown:
  • 1-3 Inches
    • McAdoo
    • Ringtown
    • Sheppton
  • 3-4 Inches
    • Ashland
    • Frackville
    • Hegins
    • Mahanoy City
    • Pottsville
    • Tamaqua
  • 4-6 Inches
    • Auburn
    • Orwigsburg
    • Pine Grove

Anyone south of Interstate 78 could see 6+ amounts but Schuylkill County will be just on the edge of the heavy stuff.  The more south you are in Schuylkill County, the better chances you are of seeing the higher end of the 3-6 inches.

If this storm should shift a little north or a little south, snowfall amounts could change drastically.

This doesn't mean we are free of issues.  This will still be enough to cause some travel problems so still use caution and stay off roads until PennDOT has them cleared.

As of Thursday afternoon, Schuylkill County is still under a Winter Storm Watch
http://www.skooknews.com/2016/01/winter-storm-watch-issued-for.html

Stay tuned to Skook News throughout the storm for updates.

Governor Wolf Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Winter Storm

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf today declared a state of emergency in preparation for the winter storm expected to impact Pennsylvania, especially in the southeast and south central regions of the state.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Man Dies After Falling Through Ice

A man died Tuesday after falling through ice in Klingerstown.

Winter Storm Watch Issued For Schuylkill County

(01/20/16)  A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Schuylkill County.

PennDOT Issues Reminder to Keep Snow off of Roadways

With the winter season in full swing, PennDOT is reminding residents of guidelines for shoveling or plowing snow around state-owned roadways to help ensure safe travel through the season.

Schedule Changes Due to Weather Forecast on Friday


The weather forecast for Friday has forced some sport schedule changes.

Wednesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 01/20/16


Wednesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/20/16

Pine Grove Area FBLA Aluminum Can Tab Collection

As part of a community service project, the Pine Grove Area School District Future Business Leaders of America is currently collecting aluminum can tabs to support the Ronald McDonald House of PA Charities.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Schuylkill County Woman Sought For Allegedly Setting Fire to Berks County Store

A Schuylkill County woman is being sought for allegedly setting fire to a Berks County store.