Mount Carbon Fire Destroys Home and Fire House, One Firefighter injured

Picture from Schuylkill County Firewire

 This morning at approximately 4:30am, crews were called to 118 Main St. Port Carbon.  When fire departments arrived on scene, the home was already fully engulfed and quickly became a 2nd Alarm fire.

Orwigsburg Man In Critical Condition After Motorcycle Crash

Christopher Evans, Orwigsburg crashed early this morning along Route 61 between Coal Mountain Road and Laurel Drive while riding his motorcycle northbound, in West Brunswick Township.  State police say the crash happened around 12:40AM

Evans slid with the motorcycle about 165 feet before stopping on the edge of the highway.  The bike continued to slide for about another 1,000 feet.

Evans was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

Skook Spotlight: Tamaqua, PA

Tamaqua was founded in 1799 by German immigrant Burkhardt Moser. Originally to be named Tuscarora, the name Tamaqua was chosen after it was realized that there already was a community named Tuscarora about four miles (6 km) to the west. Roughly half of Moser's original log cabin is still intact and visible behind a house on the east side of Broad Street. The discovery of anthracite coal in the region in the early 19th century led to the town's rise as a coal producing community. The town was incorporated as a borough in 1832.  German, Irish, and Welsh immigrants came to the borough in the 1840s and 1850s, followed by a large influx of Italians, Lithuanians, Slovaks, and Poles in the 1890s and early 20th century. During the 1860s and 1870s, Tamaqua was the geographic center hub for the Molly Maguires. One murder commonly attributed to the Mollies was that of town policeman Benjamin Yost, who was shot to death early one morning while extinguishing a gas lamp at the corner of West Broad and Lehigh Streets.

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #6

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #6

Hamburg @ Blue Mountain

Panther Valley @ Marian

Minersville @ Jim Thorpe

North Schuylkill @ Tamaqua

Williams Valley @ Pine Grove (Game to Watch, Both Undefeated)

Pottsville @ Conrad Weiser

Shenandoah Valley @ Schuylkill Haven

Millersburg @ Tri-Valley

Scheduled for Saturday
Mahanoy Area @ Carson Long
Nativity BVM @ Columbia Montour Vo-Tech

Rep. Cartwright Calls A Schuylkill County Constituent A "Troll"

In a story that , PoliticsPA.com posted, it looks like Schuylkill County's US Representative Matt Cartwright has got himself in a bit of a Twitter battle.

A constituent, Leo Knepper, from right in Schuylkill County, asked Rep. Cartwright a question of why he voted a certain way on HJ Res. 72.   The bill restores veteran's benefits during the government shutdown.   You can see the response he got in the picture below

Lancaster Woman Arrested in Schuylkill Haven In Connection with Daughter's Death

Ranasia Knight

Last November, Jessica Bachman, Lancaster, sought out a protection from abuse order from Lester Johnson, her then live-in boyfriend after he threatened to kill her and her children.

A year before that, she sought out a PFA after he pulled her hair, attempted to pull her down the stairs, and threatened to kill her.  He also said he would have her and her children kidnapped.

Ashland and Hegins Men Sent to Prison

On Monday, 2 Ashland men were sent to prison on drug charges from incidents that happened in 2011.

Charles Bechtel, 31, was sentenced to 4 to 24 months, plus 23 additional months of probation, and undergo drug and alcohol evaluation.

Bechtel had earlier pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and use of an incapacitation device, and prosecutors withdrew earlier charges  of prohibited possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

State Police at Reading had charged Bechtel with committing the crimes on June 30, 2011.

Also sentenced on Monday was Kevin J. Clews, 33, of Ashland.  He was sentenced to 3 to 12 months in prison and undergo and drug and alcohol evaluation after revoking his probation.

Clews' probabation was revoked after the defendant admitted to possessing drugs and failing a drug test.

Clews had already pleaded guilty to the charges.

Ashland Police charged Clews when he was driving under the influence and possessing drug paraphernalia  in a November 19, 2011 incident.

Also, Bradley L. Merwine, 34, of Hegins was sentenced to 6 to 12 months in prison when he failed to report and not complete substance abuse treatment.

Merwine originally pleaded guilty to charges of false reports to law enforcement.  He was then placed on probation.

Schuylkill Haven State Police charged Merwine with the false reports on January 3, 2010.

Minersville Man In Prison After Gun Incident

Minersville Police got a call of a domestic violence incident where shots were fired around 7AM Sunday morning at 313 Pine St.

When police arrived, they could hear yelling coming from the second floor of the home of John G. Chistakoff, 47.

ATV Crash Victim Dies

Shawn Day, 20, of Pottsville, was pronounced dead at 10PM, Monday evening at Lehigh High Valley Hospital.

State police report that Day drove past a state trooper on his ATV without headlights in the 2300 block of West End Avenue early Sunday morning.  A short while later, police found the ATV crashed after hitting a wall on private property and then a utility pole.

Christopher Ostrousky, 23, of Pottsville was riding the ATV with Day.  Both were ejected when they crashed.  Ostrousky was taken to Geisinger in Danville.

Neither Day or Ostrousky were wearing helmets.

4 Undefeated Schuylkill County High School Football Teams

This season in high school football in Schuylkill County has been a memorable one.  We've seen the big districts that usually dominate the county lose and we now have 4 smaller districts who have gone undefeated for 5 weeks.  Those teams are Mahanoy Area, Tri-Valley, Pine Grove, and Williams Valley.

Early Morning Fire In Atlas

This morning, a fire spread through 4 homes in Atlas, Northumberland County.  Out of the 4 homes only one was occupied.  The fire is said to have started in one of the vacant homes.

Route 61 leading into Mt. Carmel and Girard Street were closed while crews were fighting the blaze.

From Schuylkill County, Ashland and Friendship Fire Co., Butler Twp. responded to the fire with their Tanker.

WNEP is reporting that fire officials are calling the fire suspicious.

Skook News: Week #5 High School Football Power Rankings

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #5

Top 4 holding strong but 1 will have to lose in Week 6.

Attempted Robbery At Pine Grove Truck Stop

This morning, at approximately 1:45AM, three men entered the Pilot Truck Stop along Route 443 in Pine Grove Township and forced a clerk to the ground.  One of the men held a handgun to the clerk's head.

After not being able to access the safe or cash register, the three fled the scene on foot toward Interstate 81.

All 3 were said to be wearing dark clothing, hooded sweatshirts, masks, and gloves.

Anyone with information regarding this, please call police at 570-739-1330.

CORRECTION: Copper Pipes Stolen From Porter Twp. Home

State police are looking for information regarding a burglary in which copper piping was cut from a basement in a home in Porter Twp.

The burglars cut half-inch, three quarter inch, and one and one quarter inch pipes from a basement of a house on the 200 block of West Grand Avenue, Porter Twp between September 22 and 27.

Anyone with information is to call 1-570-739-1330


NOTE:  An earlier article stated that this took place in Schuylkill Haven.  We apologize for the mistake.

Copper Piping Cut From Home In Schuylkill Haven

State police are looking for information regarding a burglary in which copper piping was cut from a basement in a home in Schuylkill Haven.

The burglars cut half-inch, three quarter inch, and one and one quarter inch pipes from a basement of a house on the 200 block of West Grand Avenue, Porter Twp between September 22 and 27.

Anyone with information is to call 1-570-739-1330

Victims of Interstate 81 Crash From Mechanicsburg

The victims of yesterday's crash on Interstate 81 near milemarker 121 in Schuylkill County where from Mechanicsburg, PA.

http://skooknews.blogspot.com/2013/09/2-die-in-accident-on-interstate-81.html

The driver Alberto Hernandez, 42, lost control of his vehicle, went off the side of the highway over an embankment where his vehicle struck several trees and ended up on it's roof.  Hernandez was said not to be wearing his seat belt.

Also in the car was his 11 month old daughter, Anastacia Marie-Carman Hernandez who also died in the crash. Authorities say the child was restrained in a child car seat.

Delano Man Arrested On Drug Charges After Traffic Stop In Hazleton

A Delano man was arrested on a warrant from Schuylkill County following a traffic stop in Hazleton Friday.

Hazleton police said Ronald Kennedy, 34, was taken into custody around 1:30 p.m. after police discovered he was wanted by the Schuylkill County Sheriff's office on a charge of possession of narcotics. 

Hazleton police released Kennedy to the custody of the Schuylkill County Sheriff's Department.

2 Die in Accident on Interstate 81

At approximately, 10:50 am this morning, a car traveling northbound on interstate 81, lost control and went over an embankment striking several trees around milemarker 121 in Butler Twp.

A man and young child were both killed in the accident.

No names were given until the families were notified.

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #5

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #5

Berks Catholic 37 Blue Mountain 7
Minersville 7 Mahanoy Area 47
North Schuylkill 26 Marian 27
Panther Valley 15 Schuylkill Haven 41
Pine Grove 42  Millersburg 7
Pottsville 18  Muhlenberg 42
Jim Thorpe 27  Shenandoah Valley 14
Tri-Valley 20  Upper Dauphin 0
Williams Valley 55  Halifax 6

Annville-Cleona 34  Tamaqua 43

3 Injured in Ashland Crash

Friday afternoon at approximately 2 PM, a car heading south on 61 towards Ashland from Centralia, slammed into a parked car in the block of 2100 Centre St., Ashland.

The car missed houses by inches and stopped on the sidewalks of the homes along Centre.  The impact was hard enough that it turned the parked car completely around and facing it the opposite direction.

3 injuries were reported at the time of the accident which included chest pains, broken leg and someone hit the windshield.

A fourth person who was in the car was not injured.

All 3 were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

UPDATE:  We had reported earlier that the car lost it's brakes, that was not confirmed.

Skook Spotlight: Minersville, PA (12 Pics)

Settled:  1783

Incorporated:  1831

Zip Code:  17954

Population:  4,552

2013 Schuylkill County Halloween Parades and Trick or Treats

Here's a list of the rundown of Halloween Parades for Schuylkill County next month, if you have any additions, please message us on our Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/SkookNews

Half Naked Haunted House?

It's being reported now that a Berks County Haunted House that was offering a "Naked and Scared" Haunted House will now require you to wear underwear.

Overnight Fire In Barnesville

Around 1AM Friday Morning, crews were called to a trailer fire at 808 Barnesville Road.  Crews from Mahanoy City, Shenandoah, Hometown, and Frackville responded.  Shortly after crews arrived, the fire was considered fully involved.

No word at this time if anyone was home or how the fire started.

Traffic was shut down in the area for a short time.

Firefighters quickly put the fire out within an hour.

Where will you be able to find Yuengling Ice Cream and where will it get it's ingredients?

Two days ago when it was announced that a family member of Dick Yuengling would be bringing back the Yuengling ice cream brand, people began talking.  One of the biggest questions is where are you going to be able to find the ice cream?

County Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project Receives National Award From DEP

From DEP's website

The Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation has received the National Excellence in Reclamation Award for its work on the Newtown South II-2 reclamation project in Schuylkill County.

 "The Newtown South project demonstrates how DEP develops innovative solutions to complex environmental problems," Acting DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo said. "This award recognizes how our problem-solving has made DEP a national leader in successfully reclaiming abandoned mine lands." 

The National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs sponsored the awards to recognize agencies that reclaim mine sites and this week presented them at their annual conference in West Virginia. John Stefanko, DEP's Deputy Secretary for Active and Abandoned Mines, accepted the award on behalf of the department.

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #5

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #5

Berks Catholic @ Blue Mountain
Minersville @ Mahanoy Area
North Schuylkill @ Marian
Panther Valley @ Schuylkill Haven
Pine Grove @ Millersburg
Pottsville @ Muhlenberg
Jim Thorpe @ Shenandoah Valley
Tri-Valley @ Upper Dauphin
Williams Valley @ Halifax

Annville-Cleona @ Tamaqua

Saturday
Perkiomen @ Nativity BVM

Hometown Farmers Market Vendor Celebrates 90th Birthday

A funnel cake maker who has been in business at the Hometown Farmers Market celebrated her 90th birthday yesterday.

Martha Katchur, Saint Clair, did was she loves to do on her birthday, made funnel cakes.

Before working at the farmers market, she worked at the Atlas Powder Company.

Friends of hers, traveling as far as from Maryland, came to celebrate with Katchur.

Girardville Man Enters Plea For Injury of Son

Peter Howard, 39, of Girardville, entered a plea of "No Contest" to injuring his then 2 Month Old Son back in September 2011.

Howard was charged with endangering the welfare of children, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.  There was also an aggravated assault charge but that was dropped.

According to testimony, Howard says he accidentally sat on his son, but police say his son suffered a fracture in his left femur and significant bruising around his eye, which is inconsistent with Howard's testimony.

District Attorney Says Shooting Justified

The Schuylkill County District Attorney, Karen Byrnes-Noon said yesterday that the shooting of John A. Pino, 69, of Shenandoah, by St. Clair Police Chief Michael Carey was justified.  Pino had just led police on a 15 mile car chase that started in the St. Clair Wal-Mart parking lot and ended in Mahanoy Township.

Pino was shot after revving his engine and refusing to get out of his vehicle following the chase.

After reviewing tapes and interviewing officers involved, they determined it was justified to prevent the fleeing felon, protect himself, and protect the public.

It was said that Pino forced many cars off the road during the chase, including a school bus while leading police on chase of speeds up to 70-90 mph.

Benny The Goat For Schuylkill County Sheriff?

Yes, you read that correctly.  A Facebook Page has surfaced for write-in votes for the Schuylkill County Sheriff election in November.

The page's info states, "This page really isn't about any specific person or persons running for office, it is just a page to have some fun about politics with clean farm humor in place of the typical mud smearing that goes on with most elections. Who am I you may ask? Well I am Benny the Goat, and I endorse this ad."

The link to the Facebook Page is below:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Benny-the-Goat/199983200173597

The page itself doesn't have any motive behind it, just for some satire.

Benny is said to be available for Q&A sessions.

Minersville Woman Dies in Route 61 Crash

Yesterday afternoon around 4:30PM in New Castle Twp., Edith Lescavage, 78, Minersville, was killed when she was attempting to turn left onto 61 North from East Darkwater Road when a southbound pickup truck slammed into the driver-side door of her vehicle.

Vicki Hesse, 43, of Port Carbon, was driving the pickup truck with Florence Doyle, 80, Minersville as a passenger.  Both Hesse and Doyle were taken to local hospitals for injuries.

Yuengling to Start Making Ice Cream Again

One thing that might not come to mind when hear the word "Yuengling" is ice cream, but that is about to change.

Yuengling started making ice cream back in the prohibition days but back in 1985, it stopped production of it for unknown reasons.

A relative of Dick Yuengling, David Yuengling, and a partner have decided to revive the family's ice cream brand.

A Naked Haunted House?

Do you think of yourself as a REALLY brave person?  Do you love haunted houses?

A Sinking Spring haunted house is looking to scare the bravest of the brave with something called "The Naked and Scared Challenge".

Recent Vandalism in Schuylkill County

Over the past two days, two incidents of Vandalism have happened within the county

Last night, Xtreme Fitness, St. Clair was broken into and robbed.  If you know any information about this, please call the St. Clair Police

Early Monday morning in Minersville, someone damaged construction trucks and two large dump trucks along Route 901 near Minersville, near the Reading Anthracite Company.  If you know any information about this, please call the Schuylkill County State Police

SKOOK, The Movie, All About Coming Home to the Skook

We were contacted yesterday about a feature-length movie that was selected for the New Orleans Film Society's Narrative and Documentary Competition that will take place in New Orleans October 10th-October 17th.

This movie, simply called, "Skook", is about a New York City art student who returns home to rural Pennsylvania, aka Schuylkill County, and unexpectedly falls for the guy who made her life hell throughout high school.  Caught off guard by the excitement, she starts to have flashbacks of the high school event that made her leave Schuylkill County in the first place.

The writer/producer/lead, Ashley Pishock, grew up in Schuylkill County.

You can find out more about this movie at

https://www.facebook.com/skookfilm

http://www.skookfilm.com

Check it out!

Juvenile Arrested Minutes After Tamaqua Robbery

A juvenile who robbed the Turkey Hill Minit Market at 2:30AM, Monday in Tamaqua  with a knife was arrested within 10 minutes after the holdup.

The Tamaqua Police Department did not disclose the name or age who will be charged with robbery, prohibited offensive weapons, terroristic threats, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and simple assault.

The boy entered the store, wearing a trench coat and ski mask, and forced the clerk at knifepoint to hand over the cash in the register.

The juvenile was turned over to the Schuylkill County juvenile court for prosecution.

Ashland Woman In Court For Prostitution Charges

A Lehigh County judge ruled that an Ashland woman will be charged with prostitution-related offenses after a sting at strip club in Allentown earlier this year.

Tawnia J. Brown, 23, of Ashland, along with 3 other women went before a judge this morning for a preliminary hearing on the charges.

Skook News: Week #4 High School Football Power Rankings

Will any stop Mahanoy Area, Williams Valley, Pine Grove, or Tri-Valley?

ASHLAND BOROUGH - WATER BOIL ADVISORY

Just released on Ashland Borough's Facebook Page at 9:10AM - 9/23/13

WATER BOIL ADVISORY - 
Sept. 23, 2013 3:00 AM
Ashland Area Municipal Authority
401 So. 18th Street, Ashland, PA 17921
Drinking Water Warning
Boil Your Water Before Using
Due to a water main break in the Borough of Ashland, we are issuing this warning to boil your drinking water. After repairs have been made, we will chlorinate and flush the system. The affected area includes all customers of the Ashland Area Municipal Authority. Bacterial contamination can occur due to breaks in the distribution system (pipes). We will inform you when tests show no bacteria and you no longer have to boil your water.
What should I do?
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.
Bring all water to a boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Boiling kills bacteria and
other organisms in the water.
For more information, please contact:
Ashland Borough
401 So. 18th Street
Ashland, PA 17921
(570) 875-2411

Four Hurt in Crash on Gordon Nagle Trail

This afternoon at approximately 2:30PM,  an SUV driven by Nicole Moore, Minersville, crossed the yellow line and hit Debra Scripcoe, Llewellyn, head on, on the Gordon Nagle Trail.

Also in the car with Moore were 3 children, 2 of which were flown from the scene. Both drivers were also taken to a local medical center.

Moore was said to have shown signs of impairment, Police say charges are pending.

Gordon Nagle Trail was closed for a few hours after the accident, while police investigated and recreated the accident.

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #4

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #4

Wyomissing 21 Blue Mountain 13

Tamaqua 28 Mahanoy Area 53

Shenandoah Valley 41  Minersville 14

Pope John Paul The Great 55 Nativity BVM 0

Schuylkill Haven 0 North Schuylkill 19

Jim Thorpe 49  Panther Valley 20

Reading 16  Pottsville 28

East Juniata 0  Tri-Valley 28

Line Mountain  2 Williams Valley 39

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #4

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #4

Wyomissing @ Blue Mountain

Tamaqua @ Mahanoy Area

Shenandoah Valley @ Minersville

Pope John Paul The Great @ Nativity BVM

Schuylkill Haven @ North Schuylkill

Jim Thorpe @ Panther Valley

Reading @ Pottsville

East Juniata @ Tri-Valley

Line Mountain @ Williams Valley

Saturday

Conwell-Egan Catholic @ Marian

Upper Dauphin @ Pine Grove

Kidnappers Brought To Schuylkill County

On Thursday afternoon, the mother and son who were charged with kidnapping a Gordon girl on August 13th and taking her to New York, were brought back to Schuylkill County to be arraigned.  After arraignment, both were sent to Schuylkill County Prison after they weren't able to make bail.

The two individuals are Peter Tarbox, 39, and his mother, Annette M. Williams, 55, both of Norwood, NY.

The two were charged with felony kidnapping and interference with the custody of children and a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of children.

Cressona Gas Station Robbed

Last evening at approximately 10PM, the Mobil Gas Station in Cressona was robbed.

The State Police are looking for a white male, between 6 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds and green eyes.

The suspect wore a brown bandanna with a grey hooded sweatshirt during the robbery.

The suspect used a knife but the clerk who was working at the time was not hurt.

Kessler Marked For Termination, Kessler to Plead Case At Public Hearing

At a special borough council meeting last night in Gilberton, the council voted 6-1 to suspend Police Chief Mark Kessler pending his termination.  You may ask why Kessler couldn't be terminated immediately?  This is because Kessler has a right to a public hearing.

No date has been set yet for the public hearing but it could happen as soon as within the next 10 days.

Kessler will have the right to plead his case to an independent council and they will make the final determination.

Some of the borough charges that were announced against Kessler are

• Misuse of a borough discount to purchase tires for a personal humvee
• Tampered with a borough computer system ahead of his July 31st suspension
• Using the borough's automatic weapons in the viral video without permission
• Refused to hand over attachments that made 5 of his weapons fully automatic
• Made derogatory statements about certain council members

Kessler's attorney Nahas said that all the borough's charges all lacked proof.

After the meeting, the borough council had nothing else to say.

It's not over yet folks!

LIVE COVERAGE: Special Gilberton Borough Council Meeting

Tonight at 7PM, the Borough Council of Gilberton will meet to decide whether or not to fire Police Chief Mark Kessler.

Please stay tuned to this page for the live results

Skook Spotlight: Girardville, PA (15 Pics)

SPCA Called to Home In Fountain Springs, Butler Township

The SPCA was called to a home yesterday in Fountain Spring, Butler Township after a dog was killed by two other dogs in the yard of 308 Fountain St.

Originally police were called, then the police called the SPCA.

When they arrived, they found more than a dozen dogs, 2 tortoises, two ducks, 25 guinea pigs, 17 rabbits, and dozens of birds.

There was also a pot bellied pig in the basement.

Animals were found not to have food or water.

The animals were taken to the Hillside SPCA where they will be put up for adoption.  They also ask for donations because of the amount of care all of these animals will need until they are adopted.

KESSLER DISCIPLINARY HEARING: No Decision Yet, Special Meeting Tonight

This morning Mark Kessler had his disciplinary hearing with the Gilberton Borough Mayor, Mary Lou Hannon,  there are very few details about what said during the hearing but there has been no decision yet. The Borough Council will vote this evening at 7 P.M.

The area outside the borough building was surrounded by Kessler supporters and news media.  Gene Stilp was also on hand.

Joseph Nahas, Kessler's attorney said the council rejected his motion to dispute arbitration.

When asked, Kessler's lawyer, Joseph Nahas, expects him to be fired.

Below are some images from this morning that were found through Twitter @JohnLuciew

Suspended Gilberton Police Chief's Disciplinary Hearing Scheduled For Tomorrow

Gilberton should be a busy place tomorrow morning at 10AM.  That is when the suspended Police Chief of Gilberton, Mark Kessler, will sit down with his lawyer and Mayor Mary Lou Hannon for a disciplinary hearing.

The original date of the hearing was postponed when Kessler's lawyer could not attend.

No other members of the borough council are to attend this hearing.  Kessler's lawyer says a press conference will follow immediately after the hearing.

Mahanoy City Hook & Ladder 457 Removed From Firehouse

Photo From Schuylkill County Firewire

This morning in Mahanoy City began the rebuilding process for the Washington Hook and Ladder.

Approximately 10AM, a small crowd gathered with cameras in hand and remained silent as the shell of the fire truck was removed and then taken away.

Mahanoy Street was close while the work was being done.

The Hookies, as Mahanoy City refers to the department is still to receive a loaner truck from an anonymous fire department in Lackawanna County while they rebuild.

Schuylkill County Man Killed on Route 183 Crash in Berks County

William B. Weikel, 55, of Zion Grove, was killed Monday morning when the pickup he was driving that was part of a convoy escorting an over-sized load down route 183 just below the Schuylkill County line in Berks County.

Route 183 was closed for about 3 hours because of the crash and a second crash that happened shortly after.

Today's Weather Forecast - 09/16/2013

The rain for today is over, but the rest of the day will be mostly cloudy  High around 68.

Tonight, the clouds will break and we'll have clear skies with a bright moon.  Low around 50

Tuesday is going to be a beautiful day.  Sunny all day with a high around 65.  Tuesday night is looking to be pretty cool with temperature dipping into the upper 30's.

Wednesday will start with some fog but once that breaks, we'll have a beautiful sunny day.  Highs in the lower 70's.

Thursday will look an awful like Thursday with highs reaching more into the mid 70's.

SKOOK NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: Fake Facebook Profiles of Older People

Facebook has grown to be the largest social networking site in the world, and it's arguably the safest as well.  Myspace was great at the time but eventually lost it's steam when viruses and other problems began being shared through the site.

What I am about to talk about may or may not be a virus, but it's definitely a security problem that I've witnessed on more than one occasion with friends of mine on Facebook within Schuylkill County.

Skook News: Week #3 High School Football Power Rankings

Mahanoy Area holding strong but North Schuylkill's loss has shaken up the board

Police Identify People Killed In Route 61 Accident

Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner, Andrew Szczyglak released the names of the two individuals killed this morning in a head on crash on Route 61, north of St. Clair.

The victims were Ervin Wallace, 48, Shenandoah and Brian A. Hibshman, 32, Berks County.

Double Fatality On Route 61

Emergency personnel received a call last around 3:30AM this morning for a head on collision just north of St. Clair in the area of Dark Water.

Route 61 was closed for a short period of time while the accident was cleaned up and investigated.

Two victims of the crash died from their injuries.  As of the writing of this article, the names have not been released of the victims.

Stay tuned to Skook News for further details.

Man Crushed By Car Identified

On Friday Afternoon, Police released the name of the man that was crushed by a car as Raymond Yocum, 57, of Tamaqua.

It was said that he was working on a car on a hill and the car accidentally slipped out of gear causing the car to roll on top of Yocum.

Yocum's death has been ruled accidental.

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #3

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #3

Marian 6  Mahanoy Area 40
Pottsville 23  Blue Mountain 21
Schuylkill Haven 41  Minersville 7
North Schuylkill 21 Jim Thorpe 41
Panther Valley 40 Kutztown 26
Pine Grove 33 @ East Juniata 14
Shenandoah Valley 15  Tamaqua 38
Tri-Valley 13  Newport 7
Williams Valley 54 @ Millersburg 13

Suspended Gilberton Police Chief Declares Candidacy for County Sheriff

It looks like suspended Gilberton Borough Police Chief Mark Kessler is looking to bigger and better things when it comes to his job.

While Kessler is still suspended from his current job of Police Chief of Giberton, he has announced that his is running for Schuylkill County Sheriff as an Independent write-in.

He said he has been thinking about running for awhile.

Kessler will be running against the incumbent Sheriff Joseph G. Groody (Democrat) and Patrick Reynolds (Republican) in the November 5th election.

Further on Kessler's disciplinary hearing, it will be held  at 10AM on September 19th at the borough municipal building.

Schuylkill County Upcoming Events

Sunday September 15th -  5PM
Dedication of Monument to first settler in Minersville

Union Cemetary on 5th Street, Minersville

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Lewis' General Store Storytime and Crafts for kids - 10AM - Saturday, September 14th
22 East Main St. Schuylkill Haven

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Shenandoah Town Wide Yard Sale - September 21st

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Autumn Stroll Followed By Halloween Parade - October 19th
Pine Grove

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Frackville Museum Open House - 1-4PM, Saturday, September 14th

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TOB Marching Band Competition - Williams Valley Football Stadium - 6PM, September 14th

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Chinese Auction -Schuykill County Predators Semi-Pro Football Team.
Masonic Hall, Pottsville

All proceeds go to benefit Breast Cancer and Autism

Schuylkill County Man Dies When Car Falls and Pins Him

This morning around 9 AM emergency personnel was called to South and South 3rd Streets, Minersville for what was originally reported as a vehicle accident with injuries.  The individual hurt was pinned beneath the car.

We have now learned that someone in the accident has died from their injuries.  All we know at this point is that the person was male.

Look at our site for future updates on this story.

UPDATE:  WNEP is reporting that it was not a motor vehicle accident but the man was working beneath the car when it fell and pinned him.

Schuylkill County High School Football Week #3

Week #3 of Schuylkill County High School Football

Pottsville @ Blue Mountain
Marian @ Mahanoy Area
Schuylkill Haven @ Minersville
North Schuylkill @ Jim Thorpe
Panther Valley @ Kutztown
Pine Grove @ East Juniata
Shenandoah Valley @ Tamaqua
Tri-Valley @ Newport
Williams Valley @ Millersburg

Saturday Games
Our Lady of Mount Carmel @ Nativity BVM

Washington Hook and Ladder's Fire Truck Being Removed

The Washington Hook and Ladder, Mahanoy City, is reporting on their Facebook page that at 9AM, Wednesday, September 18, they will be removing their chard fire truck from their firehouse.

On the morning of Saturday, August 24th, their fire house caught and destroyed their aerial truck.  This was also the morning of the 2013 Firemen's Convention that also took place in the borough.

Since then they've received an outpouring of donations from the borough and surrounding areas.

Help is even coming as far as Lackawanna County where it's been said that a department is to donate an aerial truck to them.

Mahanoy Area Fixes Bus Misspelling

Mahanoy Area's spell check must have kicked in!

The MA school bus, that Skook News reported on Monday having a misspelling on the side,was corrected as of yesterday morning.  This was reported by numerous people who saw the original misspelling.

Original Article from Monday
http://skooknews.blogspot.com/2013/09/mahanoy-area-school-bus-has-misspelling.html

Help Save The Rack for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we would like to do our part and spread the awareness of breast cancer.

We've created the shirt below to sell and the proceeds from this shirt will go directly to the Susan G Komen.

Help us Save The Rack!!

http://teespring.com/SaveDaRack

Today's Weather Forecast - 9/12/13

We are going to start out the day with some fog and a thunderstorm.  Clouds will stick around all day with the chance of thunderstorms all afternoon and evening.  High of 79 and humid

Tonight we will still have the chance of thunderstorms and by midnight just partly cloudy skies.  Low of 56

Tomorrow, things finally cool off.  We will have a partly sunny day with a chance of a stray shower late in the afternoon.

Saturday and Sunday are looking perfect with sunny skies, clouds, and highs around 70 degrees.