Slipknot Coming to the Giant Center

(Hershey, Pa. – March 1, 2016) — Slipknot will bring their massive summer headline tour with Marilyn Manson and Of Mice & Men to Giant Center on Sunday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets for this show are $32.35, $47.85 and $62.35 (tax and applicable fees apply), and are available at Giant Center Box Office. They can be charged by phone at 717-534-3911 or 800-745-3000, and online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com orwww.TicketMaster.com. 

Slipknot’s shows are unrivaled in jaw-dropping excitement and intensity, and this summer’s stage show will push even greater limits. Slipknot’s raw and poignant new single “Goodbye” is currently impacting Rock Radio outlets nationwide and following the success of the band’s Top 10 hit “Killpop.” Earlier this year Slipknot released their official music video for “Killpop” which was directed by the band’s own Shawn “Clown” Crahan and has since amassed over 23 million views streaming on Slipknot’sofficial YouTube channel. “Killpop” marked the band’s second Top 10 radio hit from their acclaimed new album .5: The Gray Chapter, the other being the blockbuster first single “The Devil In I,” which proved a multi-format rock radio smash. 

.5: The Gray Chapter, Slipknot’s fifth studio album for Roadrunner Records and first since 2008’s RIAA platinum certified chart-topper, All Hope Is Gone made a stunning chart debut upon its arrival in October of 2014, entering the SoundScan/Billboard 200chart at #1 with sales in excess of 131,000 albums – the highest debut for a hard rock record in 2014. 

Slipknot emerged at the tail end of the Twentieth Century and quickly established itself as the most enigmatic, provocative, and aggressive collective of the modern era. 1999’s SLIPKNOT stands as a true milestone, named by Metal Hammer as the “Best Debut of the Last 25 Years.” The album fast earned 2x RIAA platinum certification, with each of Slipknot’s following releases – including 4 video albums – all receiving additional platinum certifications in the US and around the globe. All told, the band has 11 platinum and 39 gold record certifications worldwide.
For more information please visit www.Slipknot1.com. 

The wristband policy will be in effect for this concert. Fans are permitted on the Hersheypark Entertainment Complex property beginning at 7 a.m. on Friday, March 4. Two hours prior to the on-sale, fans will be directed in front of Giant Center Box Office, where they will be issued a numbered wristband. Wristbands are available for one hour, and at the conclusion of that hour, a selected fan will randomly choose a wristband that will determine the line order. For example: If 1,000 wristbands are issued during that hour and the number 500 is selected, the person wearing wristband 500 will be the first person in line. Numbers 501 to 1,000 will proceed in line behind, followed by numbers 1 through 499. Once the line is in place, fans arriving after the wristbands were issued will be escorted to the end of the numbered line.

Funding Available for Home Repairs through USDA Rural Development 504 Loans

Harrisburg, PA- Homeowners in rural areas who need repairs to their homes but can’t afford regular loans may be eligible for participation in USDA Rural Development’s Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants Program.

Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants, also known as the Section 504 Home Repair Program, aims to provide loans for very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their homes. A 504 loan can reach a maximum of $20,000 at a fixed interest rate of 1%. The 504 Program also provides grants, which can be worth a maximum of $7,500 and may only be issued to eligible seniors aged 62 and older, and may only be used for the removal of health and safety hazards.

In order to qualify for a 504 loan, an applicant must be the homeowner and occupy the house, be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere, and have a family income below 50% of the area’s median income. For grants, the only qualification is that an applicant must be 62 years of age or older and must be unable to repay a repair loan.

Applications for this program are taken year-round. For more information on the 504 Home Repair Program call (717) 237-2266. For more information on the other programs Rural Development has to offer in Pennsylvania visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/pa.

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 03/01/16

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 03/01/16

PA News: State Representative from Allegheny County Charged in Connection with Illegal Gambling Ring

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane's office today announced the filing of criminal charges against Marc J. Gergely, a state representative from Allegheny County accused of using his position as an elected official to assist the illegal gambling enterprise of a longtime friend.

The charges filed against Gergely, 46, were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General and the Pennsylvania State Police.

The charges were recommended by a statewide investigating grand jury. The grand jury reviewed testimony and evidence that Gergely allegedly agreed to assist in the illegal gambling enterprise headed by Ronald "Porky" Melocchi, a man Gergely allegedly knew for more than 20 years.

"This is an unfortunate case in which the players traded political capital and favors to advance their own agendas and illicit business," Attorney General Kane said. "The evidence clearly shows that Mr. Melocchi relied heavily on his relationships — including with Mr. Gergely — to conduct his illegal business."

Melocchi and 15 other individuals were criminally charged in September 2013 by the Attorney General's office. Those charges stemmed from the installation and maintenance of illegal video gambling devices in bars, restaurants and other businesses in the McKeesport area. Law enforcement officials seized more than 330 video gambling machines during the investigation. Illegal lotteries and sports betting also were part of the evidence that investigators uncovered.

A court-approved wiretap was part of the Melocchi investigation and confirmed he used a phone to run and promote his illegal business interests. The wiretap also intercepted phone calls that show Gergely allegedly assisted Melocchi's attempts to place illegal gambling machines in McKeesport-area businesses.

Melocchi came to refer to Gergely as part of his "Super PAC," and used his connection to Gergely in efforts to convince business owners to place illegal gambling devices within their establishments, a grand jury presentment alleges.

The grand jury also reviewed evidence concerning a letter that law enforcement investigators drafted in an undercover capacity and delivered to Gergely's state office. The letter describes a woman whose husband has a gambling addiction. The husband allegedly spent the couple's money on gambling machines that were part of Melocchi's illegal enterprise, the letter drafted by investigators claimed, according to the grand jury.

An intercepted phone call played for the grand jury showed Gergely tipped off Melocchi about the letter, the grand jury presentment states. Gergely allegedly failed to turn over the letter to the authorities.

Further evidence presented to the grand jury alleged Gergely collected a campaign contribution from Melocchi and later wrote a check to a colleague’s political campaign during a chain of events that resulted in a relative of Melocchi being hired by the McKeesport Area School District.

Gergely, 1943 Dearborn Drive, White Oak, Allegheny County, represents the 35th legislative district, which includes McKeesport and various other municipalities in Allegheny County. He is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations and one count each of dealing in the proceeds of illegal activity, criminal attempt/gambling devices, criminal conspiracy and violation of state election code prohibiting cash or anonymous contributions.

Gergely is expected to appear tomorrow for his preliminary arraignment.

Attorney General Kane stressed this is an ongoing investigation and additional charges are expected. She thanked the Pennsylvania State Police for its diligent work on the investigation.

Gergely's case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Mark A. Serge of the Office of Attorney General's Organized Crime Section.

Zac Brown Band Returns to Hersheypark Stadium this Summer

(Hershey, Pa. – March 1, 2016) — Zac Brown Band will kick off their sixth headlining US concert tour Black Out The Sun, and will include a stop at Hersheypark Stadium on Saturday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. Special guests for the evening will be Drake White & The Big Fire. 

Tickets for this show are $34.10, $49.00, $69.00 and $79.00 (tax and applicable fees apply), and are available at Giant Center Box Office. They can be charged by phone at 717-534-3911 or 800-745-3000, and online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com orwww.TicketMaster.com. 

Released this past April, ‘JEKYLL + HYDE’ debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, earning the Grammy Award-winning band its third consecutive #1, and is officially certified gold by the RIAA. Zac Brown Band also recently earned a 2016 ACM nomination for “Vocal Group of the Year.”
Zac Brown Band consists of: Zac Brown (vocals/guitar), Jimmy De Martini (vocals/violin/guitar), John Driskell Hopkins (vocals/guitar/banjo/ukulele), Coy Bowles (vocals/keys/guitar), Clay Cook (vocals/guitar/keys), Chris Fryar (drums), Daniel de los Reyes (percussion) and Matt Mangano (bass). 

For more information please visit www.ZacBrownBand.com.

The wristband policy will be in effect for this concert. Fans are permitted on the Hersheypark Entertainment Complex property beginning at 7 a.m. on Friday, March 4. Two hours prior to the on-sale, fans will be directed in front of Giant Center Box Office, where they will be issued a numbered wristband. Wristbands are available for one hour, and at the conclusion of that hour, a selected fan will randomly choose a wristband that will determine the line order. For example: If 1,000 wristbands are issued during that hour and the number 500 is selected, the person wearing wristband 500 will be the first person in line. Numbers 501 to 1,000 will proceed in line behind, followed by numbers 1 through 499. Once the line is in place, fans arriving after the wristbands were issued will be escorted to the end of the numbered line.

PA News: Hundreds of Children Sexually Abused by Priests in Altoona-Johnstown Diocese

ALTOONA — A statewide investigating grand jury has determined that hundreds of children were sexually abused over a period of at least 40 years by priests or religious leaders assigned to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane's office announced today.

Schuylkill County Treasurer Reminds Dog Owners that 2016 Dog Licenses are Now Past Due

Schuylkill County Treasurer Linda Marchalk reminds all Schuylkill County dog owners that 2016 dog licenses are now past due. March is Dog Awareness Month. State law requires that all dogs three months or older be licensed by January 1. Failure to license a dog is a summary offense and a maximum fine of $300 for each unlicensed dog may be issued.