Release from Public Utilities Commission Regarding New Area Code Overlay

***NEW AREA CODE OVERLAY FOR SCHUYLKILL COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES IN 570 AREA CODE***
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) announced today that mandatory ten-digit dialing is set to begin in September 2013 for residential and business customers within the existing 570 area code.

Presently, customers in this area are taking part in a permissive dialing period. However, beginning Sept. 21, 2013, mandatory 10-digit dialing will be required. During the upcoming mandatory dialing period, all calls must be made using the area code plus the seven-digit number. If only the seven-digit telephone number is dialed, customers will reach a recorded announcement stating they must hang up and redial the number using the area code plus the seven-digit number. This recording will be available permanently.

On July 15, 2010, the Commission approved an overlay plan for the 570 code, after consideration of public input and area code relief options. An overlay plan means that once the existing telephone numbers in the 570 area code are exhausted, new telephone services in that geographic region will be assigned telephone numbers out of the new area code, which has been designated as 272. 

Tractor Trailer Fire Shuts Down 81 South

A tractor trailor fire has 81 south shut down at exit 131.   Around 2:15pm, authorities got a call that a tractor trailor was on fire at mile marker 129 going south on 81 in Schuylkill County.

Picture from Ryan Twp Facebook page

Mahanoy Area School Bus Has Misspelling

What would you think if a school district, who was teaching your kids how to read and write, had a misspelling of their own?

Well, in Schuylkill County, that's the case, particularly Mahanoy Area.

One of our readers sent in the picture to the left today.  It's one of Mahanoy Area's buses with a misspelling.

The side of the bus reads "Mahanoy Area Schools District".

The left side of the bus contains the misspelling, but the right is correct.

Skook News: Week #2 High School Football Power Ranking

We have a new number 1!!!

Skook Spotlight - St. Clair, PA (11 Pics)

Today's Weather Forecast 9/9/13

After starting out very cool in the 40's, we are are going to have a Partly Sunny day with a high around 73.

Tonight, will be cloudy and much warmer then it's been at night with a low of 64.

Tomorrow, the heat is back!  Mostly Sunny and breezy with a high of 85

Wednesday is going to be Partly Sunny and hot.  There's a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.  High around 90.

Thursday will be cloudy with rain and thunderstorms throughout the day.  High in the lower 80's.

Friday, I think Autumn will arrive, with Partly Sunny skies and much cooler with a high only reaching into the mid 60's.

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #2

Blue Mountain 49  Jim Thorpe 19
Mahanoy Area 52  Nativity BVM 6
Marian 6  Schuylkill Haven 30
Minersville 0 North Schuylkill 48
Panther Valley 7  Schuylkill Valley 46
Newport 9 @ Pine Grove 26
Berwick 56 @ Pottsville 7
Tamaqua 21  William Allen 0 
Juniata 22  Tri-Valley 29
Upper Dauphin 7  Williams Valley 26
University Prep 42 Shenandoah Valley 24

Our Latest T-Shirt Design - Breast Cancer Awareness

We've had 2 t-shirts that sold really well in the past and we wanted to do a shirt that we could do something for the good.

We've all been affected by Breast Cancer in one way or another.  I lost an Aunt to breast cancer back in June and another Aunt who fought and won.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we all need to do our part and "Save the Boobs".

For every shirt we sell, $1 will be donated to Susan G Koman.

You can buy the shirt at the link below for $12.50,
http://teespring.com/SkooksSaveBoobs

This sale will run until September 15th and will ship in time so you have the shirt by the beginning of October.

Schuykill County High School Football Week #2

Week #2 of Schuylkill County High School Football

Blue Mountain @ Jim Thorpe
Mahanoy Area @ Nativity BVM
Marian @ Schuylkill Haven
Minersville @ North Schuylkill
Panther Valley @ Schuylkill Valley
Newport @ Pine Grove
Berwick @ Pottsville
Tamaqua @ William Allen
Juniata @ Tri-Valley
Upper Dauphin @ Williams Valley

Firetruck to be Donated to Mahanoy City Fire Department

2 weeks ago, just hours before the start of the Fireman's Convention in Mahanoy City, Mahanoy City's Washington Hook and Ladder truck was destroyed when a fire started in their firehouse.

WNEP has reported this morning that an anonymous fire company has come to their aide and will donate an aerial firetruck to the Mahanoy City fire department.

The only information known about the fire company is that they are from Lackwanna County.

Today's Weather Forecast 9/5/2013

Today is going to be sunny and pleasant.  The humidity is gone for now and this whole week is going to feel really comfortable.  It's going to be a mostly sunny day with high around 72.

Today is going to be the coolest night we've had in a long time.  It's going to be clear with a low around 42.

Tomorrow is going to be pretty much the same as today but only reaching a high around 70.

The weekend is looking great with temperatures rising to the upper 70s to around 80.  There will be a slim chance of a shower on Sunday.

Half Way to St. Pattys Day Bash, Mahanoy City

WHEN:  September 14th 9:30PM-1:30AM

WHERE:  Citizen's Fire Company #2, Mahanoy City

$5 cover, Toolshed Jack will be playing

Today's Weather Forecast 9/4/13

Today is going to be gorgeous, Mostly Sunny, low humidity, and just a little warm then today, High of 78

The rest of this week and weekend is looking just as nice,  sunshine every day with no chance of rain and high's won't cross the 80 degree mark. 

Skook News: Week #1 High School Football Power Ranking

Based on the performance of each of the county's high school football teams, we will rank them based on their record and there performance on the field

Jewelry Stolen From Home in Barnesville

Police are asking for your help in finding a thief that stole jewelry from a home in Barnesville sometime Sunday night into early Monday morning.

Police say someone stole approximately $1,500 worth of jewelry from a home on Maple St.

If anyone has any information abou this burglary, please contact police

Schuylkill County Road Projects - Week of 09/03/13

Information provided by PennDOT
________________________________________
Municipality: Frailey, Foster, and Cass Townships
ROAD NAME: Interstate 81
BETWEEN: Exit 104 (Ravine) AND Exit 119 (Highridge)
Type of Work: Other
RESTRICTION: No restriction for shoulder work. Please use caution while traveling in this work zone.
START DATE: 09/03/2013  Est. Completion Date: 09/06/2013
Restrictions in Effect (time of day): 7:00 AM To 3:00 PM
________________________________________
Municipality: Union Twp.
ROAD NAME: Brandonville Road
BETWEEN: Ringtown Borough AND PA 339
Type of Work: Construction
RESTRICTION: Lane restriction with flagging. Please use caution while traveling in this work zone.
START DATE: 09/03/2013  Est. Completion Date: 09/06/2013
Restrictions in Effect (time of day): 9:00 AM To 3:00 PM

Skook Spotlight: Schuykill Haven (12 Pics)

Ashland Police Looking For People That Fled Fire Scene

On Monday, investigators were back at the scene of the fire at 714 W. Centre St. Ashland, that left 8 people homeless.

The fire happened early Monday morning around 3.A.M.

Ashland police actually called in the fire after they got a call that there were  individuals on the roof of the Mineshaft Restaurant which is up the street from where the fire took place.

Today's Weather Forecast 9/3/13

Today is going to be a gorgeous day!   Lots of clouds and sun all day and not nearly as warm or humid.  High around 75.

Tonight, Mostly Clear and a low around 52.

Tomorrow, Mostly Sunny, low humidity, and just a little warm then today, High of 78

The rest of this week and weekend is looking just as nice,  sunshine every day with no chance of rain and high's won't cross the 80 degree mark.

Overnight Fire, Ashland

An overnight fire, hit 714 W. Centre St., Ashland at approximately 3:30am.

The police department called in the fire with flames showing from the rear of the building.

Fire crews from around the county and nearby counties responded but the fire was quickly put down.