Schuylkill County Native Eyes NCAA Wrestling Championship

A Schuylkill County native is eyeing the NCAA Wrestling Championship in Oklahoma City.

Josh Kindig, a native of Auburn, and graduate of Blue Mountain High School will be in the championship round of the NCAA Championships.  He went into the tournament as the 11th seed.

Kindig is a Red Shirted Junior for Oklahoma State University.

Special thanks to Allen Schrader for informing us of this story.

One Sent To Hospital After Middleport Motor Vehicle Accident

Posted from tamaquaarea.wordpress.com

According to witnesses, two children and four adults were involved in a two-vehicle accident Thursday in Middleport. Just before 4:45 PM, emergency personnel were called to the intersection of US209 and Washington Street for a report of a motor vehicle accident with injury.

Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Under Investigation After Audit

The Republican Herald is reporting that the Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts is under investigation after an audit revealed about a dozen "irregularities"

The Republican Herald broke the story
http://republicanherald.com/schuylkill-county-clerk-of-courts-under-investigation-after-audit-1.1654389

Pottsville Native to Be Installed As Bishop of Diocese of Harrisburg Wednesday

Bishop Ronald Gainer, a native of Pottsville, is to be installed as the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg this afternoon.

The ceremony is to begin at 2 p.m..

Bishop Gainer will oversee 15 counties.

WNEP is running a live stream of the ceremony beginning at 2pm.
http://wnep.com/2014/03/19/live-installation-of-bishop-ronald-w-gainer/

BEST OF SKOOK: And the winner of "Best New/Used Car Dealership" is . . . .

And the winner of "Best New/Used Car Dealership" is . . . .

Washington Township Fire Monday Morning

Crews were called Monday morning to 1246 Deturksville Road for a working structure fire.  The location is Blue Mountain Enterprises.

The fire is reported to have started in the building where they store wood chips, shavings, and sawdust.

The Republican Herald posted the following.
http://republicanherald.com/fire-damages-business-in-washington-township-1.1652083

Week in Review - Week Ending 3/15/14

Skook News Week In Review for the Week Ending 3/15/14

Wind Turbine Fire Saturday Evening

Crews were called to the Locust Ridge Wind Farm, Mahanoy Township,  Saturday Evening for a fire of one of the turbines.

Hit and Run Along Route 54 Near Girardville

The State Police are investing a hit and run along Route 54 in Girardville.

Jesse Coolbaugh, of Lost Creek, was walking along Route 54 near Girardville when he was struck by a vehicle that kept on going.

Man Taken To Hospital After Flipping Vehicle on Interstate 81 on Friday

Posted from TamaquaArea.Wordpress.com

An unidentified man was taken to the hospital for unknown injuries after flipping his vehicle around 5:45 PM, Friday along the northbound lane of Interstate 81 in Mahanoy Township.

790 Bags of Heroin Seized By Mahanoy City Police Friday Evening

Image Courtesy of the
 Mahanoy City Police Department

Friday evening, John Wronski, 27, of Mahanoy City was arrested after 790 bags of heroin and other drugs along with cash were seized by Cpl. Dissinger and Officer Rentschler of the Mahanoy City Police Department.

A controlled buy was done by the department when they discovered the drugs, which had a value nearly $16,000.

Schuylkill Haven Man Dies After Being Hit By Tractor Trailer in Orwigsburg

Thursday, Orwigsburg Police were dispatched to 403 North Warren Street, Classtex Mills, in the borough just after 7:00 am for a report of someone struck by a vehicle.

Soldier from Ashland Returns From Aghanistan

Spc. Kevin Blank, a 2010 graduate of North Schuylkill High School, a member of the American Hose Co. #1 Ashland, and the American Hose Co., Fountain Springs, returned home Monday.

Graco Car Seat Recall

In addition to Graco's recall of over 3.8 million car seats last month, they now added an addition 403,000 car seats to the recall.

Aviation Web Site Offers Aerial Views of Schuylkill County

David Truskowsky, who's been flying for the past 24 years, has built a web site for aviation enthusiasts in the Schuylkill County area..

Mahanoy City and Reading Man Attempt to Evade Shenandoah Police After Traffic Stop

Images Courtesy of Shenandoah Police FB Page

In the early morning hours March 8, 2014 around 1:15am, a Shenandoah Police Officer observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation at the intersection of Main and Centre St. in the borough.

Two in Custody After Police Chase Tuesday Evening

Brian Shafer, 43, of Hazleton, and the passenger of the vehicle he was driving were taken into custody after a high speed chase that ended in a crash outside of Mahanoy City, in Union Township Tuesday evening.

WNEP has all the details of the chase in the article below.
http://wnep.com/2014/03/12/state-police-investigate-high-speed-chase/

"Skook State of Mind" Video Going Viral Around Schuylkill County

A video made by a young man out of Deer Lake is going viral around Schuylkill County.

Matt Freiler, from Deer Lake,  was bored last Wednesday and began writing lyrics.  By that evening, he had "Skook State of Mind".

Rush Township Police Looking For Woman with Two Outstanding Warrants

UPDATE:  Rush Township Police are reporting that White has been found.

The Rush Township Police Department is looking for the public's help in finding Katherine Rose White, 39.  The Department has two outstanding warrants on White.  She may be in the Summitt Hill or Lansford Area.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of White, you are asked to call the Rush Township Police Department at (570) 668-4242, or the Schuylkill County Comm Center at (570) 668-6100.

All tips will remain confidential.

Mahanoy City Borough Approves Purchase of New Fire Truck for Washington Hook and Ladder

During Mahanoy City's Regular Borough Council meeting Tuesday evening, the council approved unanimously  the payment of $225,000 from fire insurance proceeds from the Southhampton Fire Company in Bucks County for the purchase of a ladder truck for the Washington Hook and Ladder.  The truck is a 1997 Emergency One Custom 75' Quint.

They also approved a refurbishment contract from Fireline Equipment to refurbish and outfit the truck for the amount of $132,485.43.

The Washington Hook and Ladder have been without a truck since a fire in their fire house destroy their ladder truck on August 24, 2013.

PIAA State Basketball Playoff Scores for Schuylkill County - 3/11/14

PIAA State Basketball Playoff Scores for Schuylkill County - 3/11/14

Girls

Neumann-Goretti - 60
Minersville - 42

Boys
Church Farm - 56
Mahanoy Area - 52

Susquehanna Twp. - 52
Pottsville - 45

2 Arrested on Outstanding Warrants in Shenandoah, Heroin Found

Images from Shenandoah Police FB Page

In the early morning hours of March 5, 2014, around 1:30am.  Shenandoah Police observed Tiffany Jadus, 24, and Dimetrius Crawley, 18, walk out from between two buildings in the 100 block of South Market St..  When Jadus and Crawley spotted police, they attempted to run into another building.  Police stopped them before entering.

BEST OF SKOOK: And the winner of "Best Location for Live Music" in Schuylkill County is . . . .

And the winner of "Best Location for Live Music" in Schuylkill County is . . . .

Gilberton Woman Wanted on Drug Charges

The Schuylkill County DA and Detective's office are looking for Amy Marie Dower, 39, of Gilberton.  Her last known address was 2424 Water St., Gilberton.

She is wanted on multiple drug charges including delivery of a controlled substance bath salts.

Dower is said to be Caucasian, 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing approximately 135 pounds.

If you or anyone you know has information on Dower's whereabouts, you are to call the District Attorney's office at (570) 628-1350 and refer to incident 03-09-14.

Saturday's PIAA State Girls Basketball Playoff Scores

Saturday's PIAA State Girls Basketball Playoff Scores - 3/8/14

Saturday, March 8th, 2014

Girls
Marian Catholic - 47
Northeast Bradford - 23

Shenandoah Valley - 33
Phi-Mont Christian - 56

Rush Township Police Arrest 2 For Intent to Deliver

Images from Rush Township Police FB Page

Friday, the Rush Township Police Department made 2 arrests for intent to deliver drugs.

Schuylkill County PIAA Basketball State Playoff Scores

PIAA Basketball Stye Playoffs for Schuylkill County for

Friday, March 7th, 2014

Girls

Final

Minersville - 55

Central Columbia - 36

Boys

Final

Mahanoy Area - 57

Galeton - 20

Philadelphia Electric - 68

Blue Mountain - 50

Final
Pottsville - 58

Lower Moreland - 38

2014 Schuylkill County Lent Specials

And the Winner of the Cesar Millan Tickets Is . . . .

And the winner of the 2 tickets to see Cesar Millan is . . .

Tuesday Morning Fire in Pottsville

Just before 6am, crews were called 211 Deerfield Drive.  Police were first on the scene and smoke was visible coming from the roof.  When fire crews arrived they found a working fire in the attic of the home.

Crews were able to knock down the fire quickly and were on scene for just more than an hour.

No injuries were reported and no cause has been given.

The Schuylkill Haven RIT Team assisted.

Information provided by www.pottsvillefire.com

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

The winner of "Best Family Restaurant" in Schuylkill County . . . .

Ashland Borough Tickets Cars For Snow Emergency, Revoking Tickets Issued

Last evening, the Ashland Borough announced a snow emergency.  During the overnight hours, the police still ticketed vehicles on the Snow Emergency route even though the borough didn't receive any snow.

According to the Ashland Borough office, the tickets should not have been written due to there being no snow fall.

Any residents that received a ticket for the 3/2/14-3/3/14 snow emergency can take their ticket to the Ashland Police Station where they will revoke the ticket. No fine needs to be paid.

1 Person Dies, 2 Injured in Lykens Fire

Just after 10pm, Sunday night, fire crews were called to the 600 block of Main Street in Lykens.  1 woman has reportedly died in the fire.  2 other people were injured when they jumped from a second story window.

Fire crews had the fire under control in about 45 minutes.

The cause of the fire is not yet know but one of the homes was reported to have contained oxygen tanks.

8 people reportedly have been displaced by the fire.

Man and Woman Arrested for Theft at Hometown Walmart

Images from Rush Township Facebook Page

Posted from TamaquaArea.com

The Rush Township Police Department arrested Steven A. Smith, 36, of Plains, and Barbara L. Figueiredo, 34, also of Plains, on retail theft, receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy and drug paraphernalia charges. In addition, the pair is facing charges for 4 other theft-related incidents at the Hometown Wal-Mart. Both were arraigned by Judge James Reilly early today (Sunday, March 2, 2014) and are currently lodged in the Schuylkill County prison. Sgt. Duane Frederick said the total value in the 5 thefts is over $2,000.

Skook News: Week in Review for 2/23/14 through 3/1/14

Week in Review for 2/23/14 through 3/1/14

PIAA State Basketball Playoff Schedule

The schedule for Schuylkill County Basketball teams in the State Playoffs are as follows

Rush Township Police Make Arrest For Burglary

Rush Township Police arrested David Halaburda, 19, Barnesville for a burglary on Forest Ave in Rush Township.

Halaburda has been placed in Schuylkill County Prison after being arraigned by Judge James K. Reilly.

Halaburda was out on bail for a previous Burglary.

Posted from Rush Township Police Department Facebook Page

PIAA District 11 Championship Scores

District 11 Championship Scores

Boys

District 11 Class AAA Championship
Allentown Central Catholic - 64
Pottsville - 34

District 11 Class A Championship
Mahanoy Area - 62
Pius X - 42

Consolation Game
Blue Mountain - 70
Bethlehem Catholic - 63

Girls

Distrist 11 Class AA Championship
Minersville - 48
Salisbury - 29

District 11 Class A Championship
Marian - 47
Shenandoah  - 22

Gilberton Decides To Disband Police Department

Now that the Gilberton Borough has settled with Mark Kessler, they have decided to disband their police department all together.

During this week's borough council meeting, the council decided it would be best to disband the department and use that money elsewhere.

Last week, the borough settled with Mark Kessler for $30,000 and in return Kessler retired.

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 2/28/14

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 2/28/14

Man Arrested on Warrant, In Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia

On February 10, 2014, Officers were on patrol in the area of East Centre and Grant St. when they observed Nathaniel Shoup walking in the area. Officers were aware of warrant for Shoup that had recently been issued through Schuylkill County Probation.

One Man Injured in Overnight Crash in Ryan Twp.

Posted from TamaquaArea.com

A man was taken to the hospital via ambulance after flipping his sport utility vehicle just before 12:30 AM today (Friday, Feb. 28, 2014) along SR54, near the Lakeside Ballroom, in Barnesville (Ryan Township). Responding were Ryan Township Police, Ryan Township Fire/Rescue, Ryan Township Ambulance/Emergency & Rescue Squad, Delano Fire Company, Citizen’s Fire Company of Mahanoy City and Hazleton APTS Ambulance.

St. Clair Man Dies in Overnight Crash on Route 61

Just after 1 am,  crews were called to the area near the Tiger's Den where Ann St. and  Route 61 intersect in St. Clair for a vehicle rollover over an embankment.

UPDATE:  The Republican Herald has released the name as George W. Williams, 62, of Saint Clair.

Deputy Coroner, Joe Pothering, is investigating. A virtual autopsy is scheduled for today.

Man and Woman From Ashland Arrested After Lehigh Valley Bank Robbery

Images from WNEP

A man and woman from Ashland, have been arrested in connection with a bank robbery in the Lehigh Valley.

Beth Marsteller and Joseph Misero, both of Ashland, are charged with the bank robbery of the Bethlehem Wells Fargo Branch. Marsteller and Misero are both suspects for a mini market in the Bethlehem area as well.

Schuylkill Haven Police Investigating Hit and Run

The Schuylkill Haven Borough Police are investigating a Hit and Run that occurred at 8:36 PM at the intersection of Dock Street and East Main Street. The white male driver estimated to be in his late teens to mid 20's fled the scene driving a Gray or silver colored Subaru possibly an Outback or Legacy. The vehicle would have damage to the front driver side bumper and possibly additional damage to the driver side of the vehicle.

Anyone with information on the identity of the driver can contact the Schuylkill Haven Police Department at 570-385-9111

Attorney General Concerned About Spikes in Electric Bills

The Attorney General's office posted the following article on their web site yesterday regarding their concern in the spikes in electric bills this winter.

They've received hundreds of complaints regarding unexpected spikes.  They reported that they've received almost 300% more complaints in recent months.

In order to help them investigate or file a complaint, they've provided instructions on what to do and submit your information.

http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=7535

Did you see an unusual spike in your bill?

PIAA District 11 Schuylkill County Basketball Scores - 2/25/14

The PIAA District 11 Schuylkill County Basketball playoff scores are as follows:

PIAA District 11 Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores

PIAA District 11 Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores

Tractor Trailer Driver Causes 2 Accidents in Tamaqua

Photos courtesy of Justin Startzel

Updated story from TamaquaArea.com

Two people were taken to the hospital after the driver of a tractor-trailer crashed his rig into multiple vehicles this afternoon (Feb. 26, 2014) along southbound SR309 in borough of Tamaqua.

Shenandoah Police File Charges for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Shendandoah Police have filed misdemeanor charges against three women that were in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Minersville Police Seeking Identity of Individual in Picture

The Minersville Police are looking for the identity of the individual in the picture to the left in relation to a theft investigation.  Anyone who may know the identity of this person, please call Minersville Police at (570) 544-6212.  All information will remain confidential.

Mahanoy City Native Loses Round in Appeal of Murder Conviction

Robert Russell, a Mahanoy City native, who in 1991 was the first person to be convicted of first degree murder with no crime scene, in Federal Court, in the United States, lost another appeal of his conviction Monday.