Woman Escapes 209 Crash With Minor Injuries

Around 11:45am, Sunday,  Debra Moyer, 46, of Orwigsburg collided with Ronald Bornmann, 76, Reading at the intersection of Route 209 and Wood Street, in Cumbola.

Moyer escaped the accident with minor injuries while Bornmann was uninjured.

Schuylkill County High School Football Games For the First Week of Playoffs

Scheduled High School Football Games For the First Week of Playoffs

The field has been narrowed down but there is still a lot of football to play!

Orwigsburg Man Who Pointed Gun At Trooper To Be Arraigned Today

Edward C. Hill, 54, Orwigsburg is scheduled to be arraigned today for charges of criminal attempt to comitt criminal homicide, aggravated assault on police, terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment, and aggravated assault of a deadly weapon.

He is expected to plead not guilty.

Hill started a search off Route 895 on August 29th,  when he and Edward Welty got into an argument causing state troopers to be dispatched to their location in West Brunswick Twp.

When troopers arrived, Hill reportedly pointed a rifle at a responding trooper, then fled toward New Ringgold.

He was taken into custody a few hours later.

SKOOK SPOTLIGHT: Frackville, PA

Frackville was settled in 1861 and incorporated in 1876, when the villages of Frackville and Mountain City merged to form the borough of Frackville. The name "Mountain City", however, is still a common nickname for the borough. A past diner and beer distributor were both named after it. Early in the twentieth century, anthracite coal mining was the chief industry of the region, although Frackville remained a predominantly residential community. The Mahanoy Plane, which operated from 1862 to 1931 on Broad Mountain just to the north of the borough, was able to hoist 50,000 tons of coal daily. There is a small patch-town owning the name "Mahanoy Plane" at the northern foot of Frackville's Broad Mountain. Industrial relics and infrastructure remain in the thick forest north of the borough's youth baseball complex but historical preservation or restoration has yet to take place.

Kessler Posts Strange Video Towards County Elected Officials

Skook News came across a new video from Mark Kessler that he posted on October 27, 2013.

In the video called "Chief Kessler & Disgarded politicians "PARAPHERNALIA"", Kessler went on to call other candidates "scumbags" and "sh**bag politicians".  In the video he says he has message for them, and goes on to what looks he like to pour a bottle of water on the pamphlets of  Karen Byrnes-Noon and her family and Joe Groody and his family.  You make can make your judgement on what he is doing this video.

Skook News Week In Review

 

Skook News Week In Review

 

A busy week filled with fires, police activity, and even some  changes to the upcoming election.

Reynolds Suspends Campaign

 

The Republican candidate for Schuylkill County Sheriff has announced that he is suspending his campaign.  Reynolds was charged Wednesday with various charges after he allegedly pointed a gun at a man who was repossessing his mother-in law's car.

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #10

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #10

Our scores for Week #10 are in!

Blue Mountain 30 Schuylkill Haven 38
Shenadoah Valley 12 Mahanoy Area 36
Marian 10 Tamaqua 24
Minersville 8 Panther Valley 36
North Schuylkill 40 Elco 21
Juniata 6 Pine Grove 26
Twin Valley 7 Pottsville 27
Tri-Valley 14 Line Mountain 7
Williams Valley 40 East Juniata 19

County Sheriff Candidate Arrested

The Republican candidate for Schuylkill County Sheriff, Partrick Reynolds, 46, Branchdale was arrested Wednesday afternoon when the candidate's mother-in-law's car was to be repossessed.

Police say that as Bradley Blumenschein was repossessing Reynold's mother-in-law's 2007 Ford Edge from his driveway, when Reynold's appeared and pointed a handgun at Blumenshein around 12:30pm Wednesday.

Richard & Associates Inc. was the company repossessing the vehicle from Dorothy Miller.

Reynold's was charged with terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, and unsworn falsification to authorities.

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #10

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #10

Final week of the regular season and we have some great games lined up.  Who do you think will win tonight?

ALERT: Safety Pin Found In Candy in Schuylkill Haven

Schuylkill Haven's Facebook page reported this morning that police are investigating a report that someone found a safety pin in a lime-flavored Tootsie Roll in their candy that they received during Trick or Treating last night.

Overnight Police Chase

An overnight police chase raced through the borough's of Frackville and Shenandoah around 3am.

It was reported as a green Pontiac Grand Am with no hub caps.

Police had chased the vehicle through both boroughs and even collided with the  car after it slammed on the brakes causing a trooper to hit the back of the suspects vehicle.

It was reported that the chase was called off after it became too dangerous.

No details were given how the chase started.

We will have more on this as information becomes available.

Body Found In Shenandoah Park Ruled Suicide

On Tuesday evening, the body of Andrew Kelly, 47, was found in Girard Park, Shenandoah around 5pm.

Berks County Man Attempts To Flee Police in Pine Grove Twp., Injures 2

Around 12:15pm Wednesday, police spotted a SUV with another vehicle's license plate on it on Berger Road in Pine Grove Twp. 

The driver, Jason A. Brown, Bernville, drove through a stop sign and crashed into a vehicle driven by Paul Zuk of Pottsville, when police attempted to pull him over.

Zuk and his passenger were both injured in the collision.

Police also found drugs on him.  He was arrested at the scene and charged with driving without a proper license, reckless endangerment, possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property, and fleeing police.

Brown was sent to Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 bail.

Police Looking For Victims of Barnesville Contractor

Last week an arrest warrant was issued for Barnesville contractor, John Kachmar.  Police are saying that ripped off at least four home owners for a total of $17,000.

The police think there may be more victims and are asking if you know where Kachmar is or you believe you may also be a victim to to call them at (570) 462-1991.

Home Damaged By Fire in Pottsville, Pets Rescued From Home

Around 7pm, Tuesday evening, crews were called to a basement fire on Arch Street, Pottsville.  The 3 people who lived there were not home at the time.

No one was hurt in the fire and crews were able to rescue two pets from the home..

No cause of the fire has been given at this time.

Juveniles Find Body In Park In Shenandoah

Early Tuesday evening, the body of Andrew Kelley, 48, was discovered by juveniles in Girard Park, Shenandoah.  The body was said to have been found just north of the basketball court.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other information has been given about Kelley at this time.

Police are asking if anyone has any information about the gentlemen or his earlier whereabouts, to contact the Schuylkill County Communications Center by calling (570) 462-1991.  All information will remain confidential.

Storage Unit Facility That Caught Fire Now Burglarized

The storage unit facility, Saint Clair Storage, which caught fire early Sunday morning has now been the target of vandals.

Troopers are looking to see if eight storage units that had their padlocks cut off are connected with the blaze.

While the locks were cut, one of the owners says he doesn't think anything was stolen.

If you have any information regarding the burglaries or the fire you are to call the State Police.

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #9

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #9

Where does your team stand this week?  Lots of tough losses this week, and we have a lot of evenly matched games in week 10.

Overnight Fire in Washington Twp.

Approximately 1AM, emergency personnel were called to 862 Rock Road, Washington Twp. for a working house fire.

Smoke could be seen from a distance was crews fought the blaze.

No other details were given at this time.

Mahanoy City Native Continues To Fight 1991 Murder Conviction

Pennlive.com posted an article a couple days ago about Robert P. Russell, who lived in Mahanoy City before being found guilty of killing his estranged wife, Marine Capt. Shirly Gibbs Russell on March 4, 1989.

He was the first person convicted in federal court of first degree murder in which there was no crime scene, body, or weapon in the United States.

He is serving a life sentence at the Allenwood Federal Penitentiary and still maintains his innocence today.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/10/schuylkill_county_native_conti.html

Shenadoah Man Wanted By Police

Keshon Canyon

On October 15th, Shenandoah police pulled over a vehicle driven by Keshon Canyon, 22, whose last known address was 109 S. Main St., Shenandoah.  Police got this address from the individuals drivers license, but it was already suspended.

Canyon was cited and released for the suspended license and his vehicle was impounded.  A vehicle inventory was taken as part of department regulations and they found a black bag containing marijuana, cocaine, and heroine.

Fire Causes $400,000 Worth Of Damage, No Cause Determined Yet

A Sunday morning fire at Saint Clair Storage, 123 Industrial Park Road, in East Norwegian Township caused about $400,000 worth of damage, state police at Frackville are reporting.

The fire was discovered by a passing driver around 5:30am Sunday morning and when crews arrive, flames were already venting from the windows.

A cause to the fire is yet to be determined.

Anyone with information is asked to call the state police at (570) 874-5300.

Update on Last Night's Fire At Yuengling Brewery in Tampa FL.

Around 8pm last evening, fire crews were called the Yuengling Brewery in Tampa, Fl for a fire at the complex.   When crews arrived they found flames shooting from the roof of one of the buildings.  All workers were evacuated and there were no injuries reported.

Authorities say that fire started in a storage building at the facility.  They said it took about one hour to get control of the fire and cost about $1 Million in damage.  They've ruled the fire accidental but are still seeking an exact cause.

One firefighter was injured during the blaze but he was taken to a hospital were he was treated and released.

Fire Breaks Out At Yuengling Brewery in Tampa, Fl.

While this story is not near Schuylkill County, it still hits close to home.

Around 8pm this evening, fire crews were called the Yuengling Brewery in Tampa, Fl for a fire.   When crews arrived they found flames shooting from the roof of one of the buildings.  All workers were evacuated and there were no injuries reported.

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores- Week #9

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores- Week #9

Blue Mountain 27 Fleetwood 34

Jim Thorpe 14 Marian 7

Tamaqua 50 Minersville 19

Nativity BVM 30 Bucktail 32 in overtime

Panther Valley 21 North Schuylkill 48

Pine Grove 49 Tri-Valley 14

Exeter Twp 48 Pottsville 27

Schuylkill Haven 42 Mahanoy Area 12

Newport 6 Williams Valley 30

Coal Cracken BBQ's "Help Us Help Those In Need" This Thanksgiving

A BBQ Caterer and Restaurant in Schuylkill County is trying to help those in need this Thanksgiving.

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #9

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #9

We should see some close scores this week with a lot of evenly matched games.  Who do you think will win tonight?

County Officials Announce "Take Back" Initiative

From Sheriff Groody's Office

Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph Groody, Schuylkill County District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon, The Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, The Schuylkill County Drug & Alcohol program and the US Drug Enforcement Administration with cooperation of local law enforcement and community partners announced a sixth nationwide prescription drug "Take-Back" initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. County Law enforcement agencies have agreed to take part in this initiative and will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction on Saturday, October 26th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mayoral Candidate May Be Barred From Taking Office

Republican Dennis Wiessner, Mahanoy City, is running for mayor of the borough.  He  lost to Nancy Petritsch in the May primary by 6 votes but due to 79 Republican write-in votes, he is able to run in the general election in November.

But even if Wiessner does win the election, he may not be able to take office due to a felony conviction from over 40 years ago.

In 1972, Weissner was convicted of stealing 5 turkeys from a turkey coop just outside Allentown.  At the time, he paid a $50 fine and was on probation for two years.

The rule comes from the Pennsylvania Constitution which states:

"No person . . . convicted of infamous crimes shall be capable of holding any office of trust . . . in the Commonwealth"

Weissner has asked Governor Tom Corbett to remove this felony from his record.  He also said he will send an application to the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons.

If Weissner does win and is unable to take office, the Mahanoy City Borough Council would then appoint a mayor who would serve a two year term.

This story was first reported by WNEP.
http://wnep.com/2013/10/23/could-candidate-for-mayor-be-stopped-from-taking-office/

RECALL: Possible Listeria In Meat Products Sent To 27 States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is recalling more than 22,000 pounds of meat products.  Particularly chicken, beef, and ham.

The recall was issued because of possible cross contamination of products with Listeria monocytogenes from contact surfaces.

The bacteria can cause a serious infection called listeriosis.  Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems.  It can be treated by antibiotics.

Schuylkill Haven, Schools Lose Power This Morning

This morning at approximately 11:15am, Schuylkill Haven and some of the surrounding areas lost power.  Parts of Cressona were said to have lost power for a second but immediately came back on.

For a little more than an hour schools and Schuylkill Haven were without power but crews fixed the problem and the power is now on.

Reports were said the a squirrel took out a transformer causing the outage.

No reports on the condition of the squirrel at this time.

3 Injured When FedEx Truck Collides with Car

State Police are reporting that at approximately 4:30PM, a FedEx truck driven by Brian Krepps, 44, Lebanon, collided with a car on Route 895 in West Brunswick Twp.

The driver of the car was not identified other than that it was a 16 year old male from Orwigsburg.  He is said to have suffered minor injuries.  The passenger in the car was 43 year old Christa Meyers of Orwigsburg.

It is being reported that the FedEx truck rear-ended the car that had stopped for a flagman in a construction zone.  After the truck collided with the car, it pushed the car into a woodpile alongside the road.

The driver of the FedEx truck, Krepps, is said to have been cited.

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #8

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #8

Where does your team stand this week?  We have a team surging up the ranks on a 5 game win streak.

Skook News - Week in Review - Week Ending 10/19/13

Check out all of the news from the week ending 10/19/13

Pottsville Man Admits to Stealing Money From Crash Victims

Justin Kanezo, Pottsville, has admitted to stealing a donation can from a convenience store in Minersville.  The donation can was for the Moore Family who were hurt in a car crash in Cressona last month.

Police say it was with the help of surveillance video and people sharing the video on Facebook that led to police finding Kanezo

In the video, you could see Kanezo walk into the convenience store, grab the can, and walk out.

Home Damaged By Fire in North Manheim Township

Yesterday around Noon, crews were called  to 1073 Market St., North Manheim Township.  The fire was quickly classified as working and additional personnel was called in.

Police suspect a power strip caused the fire.

The owners were not home at the time.

Mark Kessler and Son Sued For Allegedly Shooting Girl With BB Gun

Just when you thought the Mark Kessler saga couldn't get any crazier . . .

The Republican Herald is reporting that Mark Kessler and his son, Zachary Kessler have been sued for Zachary Kessler allegedly shooting a girl with a BB gun that happened earlier this year.

You can find more about the law suit in the article from the Pottsville Republican
http://republicanherald.com/chief-kessler-son-sued-in-alleged-bb-gun-shooting-1.1571111

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #8

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores- Week #8

 

 

Tower City Man Arrested After 2 Year Old Found With Syringes

Ray Lucas, 27, of Tower City was arrested in Lebanon Thursday morning after police found Lucas sleeping in his car and a 2 year old playing with a syringe filled with heroin in the backseat.

Lucas is being charged with drug charges and child endangerment.

Reward for Info Leading To Arrest In Orwigsburg

A reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest of the person in the image to the left.

The following items were stolen in Orwigsburg

8 brass light fixtures
2 disconnects
2 2x4 light fixtures
well pressure tank

If you have any information regarding this, please contact the authorities.

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #8

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #8

SKOOK SPOTLIGHT: Our Obsession With Guers Iced Tea (8 Pics)

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #7

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #7

After some tough losses, we are down to one undefeated team.

Today's Weather Forecast - 10/15/13

Tuesday should be another pretty nice day after any morning low clouds and fog burn off (sound familiar?) Highs should average in the upper 60s to low 70s in normally warmer parts of the county.

Wednesday will cloud up ahead of our next system, a cold front. Showers are possible mainly in the afternoon and evening. Despite the clouds, temperatures will still be deep into the 60s and low 70s.

Don't get used to the mild weather, however. A pretty notable cool down looks to be in the cards in the long term, starting Thursday which will be our transition day. Some sun should return after the showers depart. Temperatures again will be in the 60s but a series of secondary cold fronts will knock temperatures down even more as we proceed into week's end and the coming weekend. 

 

Be sure to get more weather information by liking and following Monsoon Mike on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monsoon-Mikes-Weather-Headquarters/277030735667101

Lackawanna County Twp. Fire Dept. Donates Firetruck to Mahanoy City Dept.

Skook News has learned that the Washington Hook and Ladder in Mahanoy City has received a loaner truck from a department in Scott Twp., Lackawanna County.

The department says that loan would not have been possible without the help from surrounding boroughs, Jermyn, Dalton, and Clifford Twp.

Crash Victim Identified From Deadly Tremont Twp. Crash

Police say Barbara Shuster, Pine Grove, was the 73 year old woman who died in the crash on Route 125 in Tremont Twp., Saturday, around 3:30 PM.

Read more about the crash here
http://skooknews.blogspot.com/2013/10/woman-dies-in-tremont-twp-crash-heroes.html

Woman Dies in Tremont Twp. Crash, Heroes Save Another

Picture from Schuylkill County Firewire

Yesterday afternoon around 3:30PM, an accident occurred at the intersection of Route 125 and Molleystown Road in Tremont Twp.

A car driven by a 73 year old woman pulled out from Molleystown Road in front of  another car causing a fuel tank to catch fire and burst into flames.

Mt. Carbon /N. Manheim Twp. Fire Co. - WE WILL REBUILD

8 days ago, a fire that started in an abandoned house next door to the Mt. Carbon Fire Co. Headquarters, collapsed during the blaze, causing the fire company's building to catch fire as well.  Crews were able to salvage the equipment inside but their building wasn't.

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #7

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #7


Mahanoy Area 0  Jim Thorpe 26
Minersville 7 Marian 43
Carson Long Military Academy 13 Nativity BVM 33
North Schuylkill 13 Mt. Carmel 19
Shenandoah Valley 21 Panther Valley 34
Daniel Boone 14 Pottsville 17
Tamaqua 32 Schuylkill Haven 14


Saturday Games
Pine Grove @ Halifax
Tri-Valley 14 Williams Valley 28

Monday Games
Blue Mountain @ Schuylkill Valley

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #7

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #7

Mark Kessler Termination Hearing Postponed After Loaded Gun Falls To Floor

Earlier tonight , the borough council of Gilberton, their lawyers, Mark Kessler, his lawyers, and the hearing officer, Sam Falcone met for a termination hearing which was scheduled after the borough council voted to terminate Kessler pending the hearing.

What has already been a media circus, this hearing did not disappoint either.

Suspended Gilberton Chief's Termination Hearing Tonight

The termination hearing for suspended Gilberton Borough Chief Mark Kessler will take place at 5:30PM this evening in Gilberton.

Word is news crews are already beginning to park outside Gilberton's Borough Building.

While the whole thing started because of Kessler making Youtube videos with the Borough's guns, the hearing is expected to focus on unrelated job performance issues.  Some charges are that Kessler didn't fill out mandatory government crime forms, use a law enforcement discount to get tires for his own vehicle, destroying borough property and was insubordinate towards council members.

Skook News will keep you up to date on what happens during the hearing.

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #6

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #6


3 undefeated teams remain at the top, but how far did Williams Valley fall?

3 From County Honored At Spirit of Courage Awards

Last night at the 8th Annual Spirit of Courage Awards, at the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg campus in Bethlehem, 3 from Schuylkill County were honored.  The awards honor those for their acts of heroism or commitment to burn education.

Mahanoy City firefighters James Markiewicz and Paul Brutto Jr. were honored for when they rescued an elderly man and a couple from a burning building.

Girardville Fire Chief, Frank Zangari, was also honored for leading a smoke alarm distribution program that has put over 10,000 smoke alarms in Schuylkill County homes.

Police Investigating Missing Copper Wire

The State Police are looking for any information regarding missing copper wire in  Tremont Twp.

Police say 100 pounds of copper wire went  missing between October 4th and October 7th from two trucks in the 100 block of Mollystown Road.

Call state police at 570-739-1330 if you have any information.