Schuylkill County School Delays/Closings For 2/4/14

Schuylkill County School Closings and Delays for 2/4/14

Assumption BVM - 2 Hour Delay

Blue Mountain - 2 Hour Delay

Gillingham Charter - 2 Hour Delay

Mahanoy Area - 2 Hour Delay

McCann School of Business/Pottsville - 2 Hour Delay

Minersville - 2 Hour Delay

Nativity BVM - 2 Hour Delay

North Schuylkill - 2 Hour Delay

Panther Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Pine Grove - 2 Hour Delay
Pottsville - 2 Hour Delay
Saint Clair - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Haven - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Health School of Nursing - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Maple Ave - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Special Ed. Center - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Tech North and South - 2 Hour Delay

Shenandoah Valley - 2 Hour Delay

St. Ambrose/Schuylkill Haven - 2 Hour Delay

St. Jerome's/Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay

St. Nicholas/Minersville - 2 Hour Delay

Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay

Tri-Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Trinity Academy - 2 Hour Delay

Williams Valley - 2 Hour Delay

BEST OF SKOOK: The Winner of the Best Place to Get Your Car Fixed in Schuylkill County is . . . .

Winner

Good Ole Day's Transmission and Auto Repair, Schuylkill Haven

https://www.facebook.com/GoodOlDaysTransmissionAutoRepair

2nd Place

Zinda's, Seltzer

3rd Place

Ken's Tire, Cressona

4th Place

Manbeck's, Schuylkill Haven

Honorable Mention (in no particular order)
A & F, Lavelle

W H Auto Repair, Ashland

Ferrari's Garage, Ashland

Och's, Minersville

Jack Beadle, Pottsville

Kip's, Auburn

Jeck's Service Center, Pine Grove

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jecks-Service-Center/247867295249915

Sosnoski Automotive

https://www.facebook.com/SosnoskiAutomotive

Schuylkill County Sports Postponements - 2/3/14

Schuylkill County Sports Related Announcements for 2/3/14

Woman Stabbed in McAdoo Saturday Night

A McAdoo woman is in the hospital after being stabbed by her own brother Saturday evening.

Robert Lucherra is in Schuylkill County prison after he allegedly stabbed his sister on South Cleveland Street in the borough, then ran from the scene.  He was caught shortly after. 

The woman was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital but her condition was not given at this time.

Lucherra is accused of aggravated assault an attempted homicide.

Tamaqua Woman's Body Found in Carbon County

WNEP is reporting that the human remains of a Tamaqua woman were found in Carbon County Saturday morning.  The investigation is being treated as a homicide.

The woman, Angela Steigerwalt, was last seen leaving work Friday in Lehigh County.

Her body was found by firefighters while fighting another fire near Jim Thorpe around 10am Saturday morning.  The victims car was found in North Carolina with a man inside.

http://wnep.com/2014/02/02/firefighters-found-body-in-woods-while-fighting-fire/

Fire Damages Port Clinton Home

Around 6pm Sunday evening, crews were called to 51 South Street, Port Clinton for a structure fire.

The top two floors of the three story home were ravaged by the fire.

No injuries were reported and the family is said to be temporarily homeless.

Hamburg, Deer Lake, Auburn, and Schuylkill Haven fire crews worked to put out the fire.

Schuylkill County School Delays and Closing for 2/3/14

Schuylkill County School Delays and Closing for 2/3/14

Assumption BVM - Closed

Blue Mountain - Closed

Child Development - no head start, day care open

Gillingham Charter - Closed

Mahanoy Area - Closed

Marion Catholic. - Closed

Minersville - Closed

Nativity BVM - Closed

North Schuylkill - Closed
Penn State/Schuylkill - Only Essential Personnel Report

Pine Grove - Closed

Pottsville - Closed

Saint Clair - Closed

Schuylkill Health School of Nursing - Closed

Schuylkill Haven - Closed

Schuylkill Maple Ave - Closed

Schuylkill Tech North and South - Closed

Shenandoah Valley - Closed

St. Ambrose/Schuylkill Haven - Closed

St. Jerome/Tamaqua - Closed

St. Nicholas/Minersville - Closed

Tamaqua - Closed

Tri-Valley - Closed

Trinity Academy - Closed

Williams Valley - Closed

Minersville Natives Commercial Wins Super Bowl Contest

In case you missed it and went for a bathroom break during the commercials, Minersville native's, Tommy Schaeffer, Time Machine Doritos commercial won!

Tommy's business partner was on Good Morning America this morning to accept their check.

Congratulations!!!

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores - 2/1/14

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores for 2/1/14

Schuylkill County High Schools Basketball Scores - 1/31/14

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores for 1/31/14

Man Injured in Hometown Crash

Posted from:  tamaquaarea.wordpress.com

An unidentified man was injured after losing control and flipping his SUV (sport utility vehicle) along Hauto Highway (SR54) in Hometown. The crash occurred around 8:30 AM today (Friday, Jan. 31, 2014) about one half mile east of the entrance to Lake Hauto. The SUV, a black Dodge Durango, was positioned upright about 40 feet from the road. Tire tracks in the snow show that the driver was traveling east. The man was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital via ambulance for unknown injuries. Responding were Rush Township Police, Hometown Fire Company, Quakake Fire Company, Tamaqua Ambulance and Hometown Fire Police. Tamaqua Rescue was also called, but later canceled.

Police Raid Home in Tamaqua

Posted By:  tamaquaarea.wordpress.com

East Elm Street, between Pine Street (SR309 north) and Rolling Mill Avenue in Tamaqua, was blocked off for a couple hours this morning (Friday, Jan. 31, 2014) while local and State Police raided the second floor of a two-unit home at 29 East Elm Street this morning. Neighbors said that they saw police carrying items outside in plastic bags, as well as placing numerous items on tarps. A nearby resident, who wished to remain anonymous, stated there were over dozen police cars on scene when the bust occurred. There is no official word regarding what the raid was for or if anything was found, although a sign on the front door reads: “Warning: A clandestine laboratory for the manufacture of illegal drugs and/or hazardous chemicals was seized at this location on 01/31/14 by the Pennsylvania State Police. Known hazardous chemicals have been disposed of pursuant the law. However, there still may be hazardous substances or waste products on this property either in buildings or in the ground itself. Please exercise caution while on these premises. Apt #2.” Officials cleared the scene around 11 AM.

Update:  According to the Pottsville Republican, this was a suspected Meth Lab.  Six people were taken into custody.

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores - 1/30/14

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores for 1/30/14

Police Looking For Help In Finding Abandoned Dog's Owner

Last evening, WNEP reported a story about an abandoned dog in McAdoo that was tied to a pole and abandoned for at least 2 hours.

The dog was found emaciated and injured.  Part of the dog was actually frozen to the sidewalk.

A state dog warden took the dog to the Hillside SPCA to get warmth, food, and care.

http://wnep.com/2014/01/30/police-dog-tied-and-abandoned-in-the-cold/

McAdoo Police ask that anyone with information about the dog's owner to call (570) 929-2590.

Smoke Causes Nursing Home To Evacuate For Second Time Within A Week

Overnight last night, smoke within the Broad Mountain Nursing Home caused the facility to evacuate for the second time within a week.

The nursing home was also evacuated on January 28th.

Both last night's evacuation and January 28th's incident were reported to be caused by a heating unit.

UPDATED: Cop Assaulted, Shoots Man Assaulting Him in Girardville

Updated:  12:30pm

Overnight, Girardville Borough Police were called to the 100 block of Line St. in the borough around 2am, after a woman showed up at the Girardville Police Station complaining of domestic violence and worrying about her kids.

When an Officer Mel Tomeo arrived at the address, Carmen Amonti began assaulting the officer in the street.

During the assault, Officer Tomeo attempted to use his stun gun on Amonti but it had little effect. Tomeo  managed to discharge his weapon and fire three shots hitting Amonti.

Tomeo was taken to a Pottsville Hospital with a mild concussion he suffered during the assault and Amonti shot was taken to Geisinger.  His condition was not given at this time.

Both State Police and the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Office are investigating.

Source:  http://wnep.com/2014/01/31/mayor-officer-assaulted-shoots-suspect/

Schuylkill Twp. Crash Sends 2 Adults, 2 Children to the Hospital

Emergency personnel were called around 3 PM today (Wed., Jan. 29, 2014) to the intersection of US209 and Catawissa Street in Schuylkill Township for a two-vehicle collision involving a student transport service van and a sedan. Two children and two adults in the van were taken via four ambulances to nearby hospitals for unknown injuries. The male teenage driver of the other vehicle, a green Dodge Neon, was not injured. Officials on scene said the two adults and two kids were taken to the hospital only as a precaution. Responding were Tuscarora Fire Company, Penn Mahoning Ambulance, Lehighton Ambulance, two Ryan Township Ambulance crews, area fire police and State Police.

Car Hits Utility Pole Near Delano

Posted from:  TamaquaArea.Wordpress.com

Two women escaped injury after crashing their car into a utility pole along Trenton Road in Delano. The incident occurred around 3:45 PM today (Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014). Responding were Ryan Township Rescue Squad, Delano Fire Company, State Police and fire police.

Schuylkill County Little League and Softball Signups

2014 Little League/Softball Signups

Ashland Little League Boys and Softball Girls Signups

Ashland Area Girls Softball/Tee Ball & Boys Little League Signups will be this Saturday and Sunday (2/1 & 2/2) from 2pm to 4pm and Mondays (2/3 & 2/10) from 6pm to 8pm at the Ashland Elks.

Mahanoy City Girls Softball

Ages 6-16
Feb 1 from 12-3pm middle school lobby
Feb 12 from 5-8pm middle school lobby

Feb 15 and 22 are try outs and sign ups from 9am- 12pm

9am instructional try-outs
10am minor league try-outs
11am major league try-outs

** If your league is interested in posting your signups, please contact us through our Facebook page or email us at skooknews@outlook.com.  Thank you

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores - 1/29/14

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores for 1/29/14

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores - 1/28/14

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores for 1/28/14

Klingerstown Fire Damages Post Office and Apartment

Photos from Schuylkill County Firewire

Around 2pm Tuesday, crews were called to Main Street in Klingerstown for a structure fire.  When crews arrived they found heavy flames and smoke coming from the roof.

The building was the location of the Klingerstown Post Office and also housed apartments upstairs.

One person is reported to have lived upstairs but made it out.

A home next to the fire is said to also been damaged.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Schuylkill County Basketball Scores

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores for 1/27/14

Boys

North Schuylkill - 81

Jim Thorpe - 33

Minersville - 48

Lourdes Regional - 27

Weatherly - 52

Panther Valley - 38

Tamaqua - 71

Pine Grove - 31

Marian Catholic -  57

Shenandoah Valley - 44

Schuylkill County School Delays/Closings for 1/28/14

Schuylkill County School Closings for 1/28/14

Assumption BVM - 2 Hour Delay

Blue Mountain - 2 Hour Delay

Child Development - CLOSED, Daycare Open

Gillingham Charter - 2 Hour Delay

Mahanoy Area - 2 Hour Delay

Minersville - 2 Hour Delay

Nativity BVM - 2 Hour Delay

North Schuylkill - 2 Hour Delay

Pine Grove - 2 Hour Delay

Pottsville - 2 Hour Delay

Saint Clair - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Haven - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Maple Ave - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Special Ed. Center - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Tech North & South - 2 Hour Delay

Shenandoah Valley - 2 Hour Delay

St. Ambrose - 2 Hour Delay

St. Jerome/Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay

St. Nicholas/Minersville - 2 Hour Delay

Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay

Tri-Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Trinity Academy - 2 Hour Delay

Williams Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Names of Victims from Friday's Morea Road Crash

Officials released the name of the other victim from Friday's motor vehicle accident on the Morea Road.

Daniel Jackson, 51, of Mahanoy City was pronounced at the scene of the crash.  The passenger in the car, Robin Capone, 52, also of Mahanoy City, was taken to the hospital but later died from her injuries.

Police are still investigating the crash.

BEST OF SKOOK: The Winner of "The Best Bar in Schuylkill County is . . . ."

We polled our followers on Facebook and Twitter and asked them "What's the Best Bar in Schuylkill County?"

And the winner of "Best Bar in Schuylkill County is . . ."

Minersville Native Needs Skook Votes to Get Ad on During Super Bowl

Tommy Shaeffer, 40, a native of Minersville, is 1 of 5 finalist's in a Dorito's Commercial Contest to have his commercial played during the Super Bowl.

Shaeffer, who now lives in Phoenix, Arizona, made his "Time Machine" commercial with his friends for the Crash the Super Bowl Contest.

The online votes are not disclosed but the video is in second place based on the Youtube votes.

The winner will be announced during the Super Bowl.

You can watch the video at the link below and vote
https://www.doritos.com/base/finalists?region_id=us-en&content_id=14397&tab_id=14

Car Crashes into Car Lot Along Route 309 Monday Morning

Posted by:  TamaquaArea.Wordpress.com

No one was injured today (Monday, January 27, 2014) after a female driver lost control and crashed her car into a parked Jeep Wrangler on the ’309 Auto Sales’ lot along North Railroad Street (SR309) in Tamaqua. The incident occurred just before 6:30 AM. Responding in addition to Tamaqua Police, were East End Fire Company and American Hose Company. Tamaqua Fire Police also responded. Hope’s Towing removed the vehicle

Crash Closes Southbound Route 61 Between Frackville and St. Clair

UPDATE:  As of 10:00am the road is now open

A multi-vehicle crash has closed Route 61 Southbound between Frackville and St. Clair around 8am Monday morning.  The call for the accident stated it was in the area of Dead Man's Curve.

The State Police have shut down the highway until further notice.

No injuries have been reported.

Stay tuned for more details.

Early Morning Englewood Fire

Posted from Firewire Schuylkill County

Around 3am Monday morning, crews were called to 717 West John Street, Butler Twp on a working structure fire.

When crews arrived they found flames showing from the right side of the double block home.

Within the hour firefighters had the fire under control.

The fire is still being investigated.

No injuries were reported.

We'll have more on this as we get more information.

One Man Dies in West Penn Township Crash

Posted from:  TamaquaArea.wordpress.com

A man was killed early today (Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014) after his pickup truck crashed and hit a utility pole along Andreas Road in Andreas (West Penn Township). Emergency personnel were called to the area of 25 Andreas Road around 2:45 AM for a report of a pickup truck, a black Nissan Titan, on its side with entrapment.

Two Killed in Morea Road Crash

Just before 4pm, Friday afternoon, crews were called to 301 Morea Road for a motor vehicle accident.   This address is the entrance to SCI-Mahanoy.

The driver of one of the vehicles, a 51 year old from Mahanoy City, died at the scene.  Robin Capone, 52, of Mahanoy City, was the passenger in the vehicle and died at the hospital.

Morea Road was closed for a few hours while the State Police and Coroner's office investigated the crash.

Two other people were also hurt in the crash but the extent of their injuries has not be released.

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores

High School Basketball Scores for 1/24/14

Updated: 9:40pm

Girls

Blue Mountain - 63

Panther Valley - 26

Minersville - 64

Williams Valley - 31

Marian Catholic - 36

Nativity BVM - 34

Televisions Stolen from Hometown Wal-Mart

Last evening, around 9:30pm,  two 60" televisions were reportedly stolen from the Hometown Wal-Mart.

It was reported that the thief or thieves left in a dark sports car.

SOURCE:  http://tamaquaarea.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/tamaqua-crime-watch-alert-crooks-steal-two-television-sets-from-hometown-walmart/

Thirty One Bingo - Girl Scouts/Sacramento Fire Company

The parents of Girl Scout Troop 31166 in Hegins/Valley View will be hosting a Thirty One Bingo on February 23 at Sacramento Fire Co..advanced tickets are available for $20 by contacting Christine Lettich @ clettich31@yahoo.com or 570-449-7149

Pottsville Native Appointed to the Diocese of Harrisburg

WNEP reported this morning that Reverend Ronald Gainer, 66, who has been appointed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, is a Pottsville native.

He has been serving as a bishop in Kentucky since 2003.

Link to story:
http://wnep.com/2014/01/24/bishop-appointed-to-diocese-of-harrisburg/

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores - 1/23/14

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores for 1/23/14

Schuylkill County School Delays - 1/24/14

Schuylkill County School Closings for 1/24/14

Mahanoy Area - 2 Hour Delay

St. Jerome/Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay

Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill County Deputy Sheriff Resigns, Under Investigation

The Schuylkill County Deputy Sheriff, Dennis Kane, resigned from his job today while an investigation is underway by the State Police.

The investigation is from an alleged conversation between Kane and 16 year old boy on Facebook.

Kane told WNEP that he denies doing anything wrong.

Kane, also the mayor of Ashland, says that his retirement as Deputy Sheriff is not related to the investigation and will not be resigning as mayor.

We'll have more on this as information becomes available.

Link to WNEP's article.
http://wnep.com/2014/01/23/deputy-sheriff-quits-under-investigation/

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores - 1/22/14

High School Basketball Scores from 1/22/14

Boys
Williams Valley - 62
Marian Catholic - 46

Schuylkill County School Delays - 1/23/14

Schuylkill County School Delays - 1/23/14

Schuylkill County Delays and Closings - 1/22/14

Schuylkill County Delays and Closings for  1/22/14

Assumption BVM - 2 Hour Delay

Blue Mountain - 2 Hour Delay

Gillingham Charter - 2 Hour Delay

Mahanoy Area - 2 Hour Delay

Minersville - 2 Hour Delay 

Nativity BVM - 2 hour delay

North Schuylkill - 2 Hour Delay

Pine Grove - 2 Hour Delay

Pottsville - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Headstart/Child Development - Pre-K Closed, Daycare opens at 8

Schuylkill Haven - 2 hour delay

Schuylkill Maple Ave.  - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Special Ed. Center - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Tech North and South - 2 Hour Delay

Shenandoah Valley - 2 Hour Delay

St. Ambrose/Schuylkill Haven - 2 Hour Delay

St. Clair - 2 Hour Delay

St. Jerome/Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay

St. Nicholas/Minersville - 2 Hour Delay

Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay

Tri-Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Trinity Academy - 2 Hour Delay

Williams Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Snow Covered Roads Made Travel Difficult Tuesday

The snow began falling around 8am Tuesday morning and by lunch time was the cause of many headaches across the county.

The snow layered with a this sheet of ice made back roads and any other untreated roads made travel very difficult.

The Vulcan Hill, Hometown-side, Mahanoy Township was closed for a few hours while the roads were treated and cleaned up after numerous cars and tractor trailers got hung up trying to make their way up the hill.  The road was open again by 2:30pm.

Vulcan Hill

Carbon Monoxide Investigation Monday Evening in Tamaqua

From tamaquaarea.wordpress.com

Tamaqua firefighters and EMS were dispatched to 327 Washington Street just before 8:45 PM tonight (Jan. 20, 2014) after family members called 911 to report a possible CO (carbon monoxide; a colorless, odorless gas) issue in the two-part home. Firefighters arrived and evacuated the home, as well as placed exhaust fans to expel the dangerous gas. During the response, some of the firefighters were covered with black smoke, as someone was working on the furnace when they arrived.

Tamaqua Fire Chief Tom Hartz said that the incident was related to the furnace. Two families were temporarily displaced while plumbers responded and did repairs. Prior to calling 911, a neighbor brought over a carbon monoxide detector to the home. The levels it showed were 250 ppm (parts per million).

One resident, a woman, was cared for by Tamaqua Ambulance while on scene. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention website states that any levels of CO at 1,200 ppm or higher are considered an immediate danger to life. It adds that a 60-minute EEGL (Emergency Exposure Guidance Level) to a CO level of 400 ppm or more can cause severe or permanent injuries; even death.

Hartz stressed that all homes should install a CO detector.

CO detectors are more affordable now than ten years ago. You can purchase a quality CO detector (with readout) for as low as $25 at Tamaqua area stores.

Weather Related Announcements

Schuylkill County Weather Related Announcements for 1/21/14

Sports

Panther Valley Girls Basketball game is postponed until tomorrow night

Mahanoy Area vs. North Schuylkill Boys Basketball is postponed until January 31st. 

Nativity BVM girls basketball postponed until tomorrow

Tuesday Morning Kitchen Fire in Ashland

Tuesday Morning around 10am, crews were called to 11 North 11th Street, Ashland, for a kitchen fire.

Schuylkill County School Early Dismissals

Early School Dismissals for 1/21/14

Blue Mountain  - MS and HS at 10:30, Elem. at 11:05

Gillingham Charter School - Early Dismissal

Minersville - EARLY DISMISSAL; HS11AM, ELEM11:30AM; LLEW 4KAM./Kdg. 11:45

Nativity BVM - dismiss at 10am

Penn State/Schuylkill - Campus closing early

Pottsville - HS @ 10am, MS @ 10:30am, and Elem @ 11:00

Schuylkill Haven - Dismiss 11am, No Evening Activities

Shenandoah valley - HS 11:30, Elem 12:00

St. Clair - dismiss @ 11am

St. Jerome/Tamaqua - 11:15 dismissal

St. Nicholas/Minersville - dismiss at 11:30am

Tamaqua - Early Dismissal - Secondary 10am, Elementary 11:15am, No PM kindergarten 

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores

Schuylkill County High School Basketball scores for 1/20/14

Boys

North Schuylkill - 69

Panther Valley - 45

Blue Mountain - 54

Tamaqua - 30

Marian Catholic - 36

Lourdes Regional - 29

Mahanoy Area - 50

Tri-Valley - 14

Minersville - 57

Shenandoah Valley - 40

Girls

Pine Grove - 56

Panther Valley - 32

Schuylkill County Delays and Closings - 1/21/14

Schuylkill County Delays and Closings for 1/21/14

Mahanoy Area - CLOSED

North Schuylkill - CLOSED

Pine Grove Area - CLOSED, All activities cancelled

Schuylkill Maple Ave. - CLOSED

Schuylkill Special Ed. Center - CLOSED

Schuylkill Tech North & South - CLOSED

Tri-Valley - CLOSED

Trinity Academy - CLOSED

Williams Valley - CLOSED

Motor Vehicle Accident, Kline Township, Saturday Evening

Posted from TamaquaArea.wordpress.com

Emergency personnel responded Saturday (Jan. 18, 2014) at 6:50 PM to mile marker 13.7 along Interstate 81 in Kline Township for a single motor vehicle accident with injuries. Kline Township B49-47 and McAdoo BLS 920 arrived on scene and found a single vehicle accident car into a rock embankment with front end damage with one driver still in the vehicle. The driver had to be removed from vehicle by crews and then transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Hazleton. E29-11 & E6-10, PSP and Medic 11 also assisted McAdoo crews. Crews were on scene for about an hour. Firefighters noted that this was the four vehicle accident in Kline Township in two days.

BEST OF SKOOK: And the Winner of "Best Burger" in Schuylkill County is . . . .

Well this shouldn't come as a surprise but Tony's Lunch, Girardville, was clear winner of "Best Burger" in Schuylkill County.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tonys-Lunch/153679787981975?rf=132310310155444