Ringtown Man Charged After Suspicious Activity and Attempting to Flee Police

Photo courtesy of
Shenandoah Police Department
Facbook Page

Shenandoah Police were called to the area of North Gilbert St. and West Lloyd Street around midnight March 12, 2014 for a male acting suspiciously over a period of one to two hours.

Woman Admits Shooting Boyfriend, Killing Him

WNEP is reporting that Jessica Alinsky, 30, formerly of Shenandoah, pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to murdering her boyfriend, Matthew Gailie in 2011.

The death happened in September 2011 when police say Alinsky shot Gailie point blank in the face in their home in Eagle Rock.

She is scheduled to be sentenced sometime next month.

http://wnep.com/2014/04/02/woman-admits-shooting-boyfriend-in-the-face-killing-him/

High Speed Chase Through Tamaqua/Schuylkill Twp. Monday

Posted from TamaquaArea.com

A domestic incident yesterday (Monday, March 31, 2014) in Tamaqua ended with a Tamaqua man leading police on winding pursuit through parts of Tamaqua and a high-speed pursuit through Schuylkill Township.

Man Homeless, Dog Dies in Fire in Schuylkill Township

Image from TamaquArea.com

Around 5:30am Tuesday, crews were called to Old Route 209 Road near Tamaqua for a house fire.  When crews around they found flames and heavy smoking coming from the home.

Schuylkill County Man Dies in Carbon County Crash Monday Evening

According to WNEP, Andrew McAloose, 64, of Kelayres was killed when the vehicle he was driving on Teskow Road, near Weatherly around 7pm Monday night,  went off the road and rolled several times.

According to the report, McAlloose was not wearing his seat belt.

http://carboncounty.wnep.com/news/news/1203273-one-killed-following-car-rollover

Coroner's Inquest into Death of Inmate Took Place Today

Last Easter, Matthew Koncsler, 21, was found dead in his prison cell inside Schuylkill County Prison.

This morning, a coroner's inquest took place at the Simon Kramer Institute, New Philadelphia with a jury of 6, 3 males and 3 females.

Schuylkill Haven Man Dies in Interstate 81 Accident Saturday

A Schuylkill Haven Man died in Saturday's motor vehicle accident on Interstate 81.

BEST OF SKOOK: And the Winner of "Who Serves the Best Ice Cream" in Schuylkill County is . . . .

And the Winner of "Who Serves the Best Ice Cream" in Schuylkill County is . . .

Individuals from Schuylkill County Announce Re-Election Bid for Republican State Committee

Scott Thomas, Pottsville, and Mary Beth Dougherty, Girardville, announced this morning in a press release, their intention to seek reelection to the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania.

Dougherty, a former member of the Girardville Borough Council, was first elected to the position in 2000, while Thomas, a former member of the Pottsville Area School Board, was elected in 2008.  Both were also elected as the Delegates to the Republican National Convention in 2012 representing the 17th. Congressional District.

Hundreds in County Without Power Monday Morning

According to PPL, as of 7:00am, there are approximately 630 customers without power within Schuylkill County Monday morning.  The outages appear to be in the western portion of the county near Hegins, Upper Mahantango Twp., Hubley Twp., and Porter Twp.

We also received reports of outages in Pine Grove and Tremont.

Schuylkill County School Delays for 03/31/14

Schuylkill County School Delays for 03/30/14

Mahanoy Area - 2 Hour Delay
Minersville Area - 2 Hour Delay

McCann School of Business/Pottsville - 2   Hour Delay
Nativity BVM - 2 Hour Delay

North Schuylkill - 2 Hour Delay

Our Lady of Lourdes Regional - CLOSED

Pine Grove - CLOSED

Pottsville - 2 Hour Delay
Schuylkill Maple Ave. - 2 Hour Delay
Schuylkill Special Ed. Center - 2 Hour Dela
Schuylkill Tech North and South - 2 Hour Delay

Shenandoah Valley - 2 Hour Delay
St. Clair - 2 Hour Delay

St. Jerome Regional/Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay

Tamaqua Area - 2 Hour Delay
Tri-Valley - CLOSED

Trinity Academy - 2 Hour Delay

Williams Valley.- 2 Hour Delay

Winter Weather Advisory Issue For Schuylkill County

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

Gilberton Borough Council Votes to Abolish Police Department

In 1981, the Gilberton Borough established an ordinance to create a Police Department and Fire Chief position.  On Thursday, the borough's council voted to abolish the Police Department portion of that ordinance 6-0.

The borough has been without it's sole member of the police force, Mark Kessler, since July, when he was suspended after creating Youtube videos using the borough weapons with it's permission.

In February, the borough settled with Kessler

2 People Killed in Crashes in County Saturday Morning

On Saturday morning, 2 separate crashes claimed the lives of 2 individuals.

Human Bones Found Between Frackville and St. Clair

WNEP is reporting that State Police are investigating human remains that were found in a woooded area along Route 61 between Frackville and St. Clair yesterday evening.

They say a skull and hip bone were found by 2 hikers around 6pm Thursday evening.

The investigation is still ongoing.

http://wnep.com/2014/03/28/hikers-find-human-remains-in-schuylkill-county/

Flood Watch Issued For Schuylkill County

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING ...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A
* FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA ...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS ...ADAMS ...COLUMBIA ...CUMBERLAND ... DAUPHIN ...FRANKLIN ...JUNIATA ...LANCASTER ...LEBANON ...MONTOUR ... NORTHERN LYCOMING ...NORTHUMBERLAND ...PERRY ...SCHUYLKILL ... SNYDER ...SOUTHERN LYCOMING ...SULLIVAN ...TIOGA ...UNION AND YORK.
* FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING
* A STORM SYSTEM WILL LIFT NORTH FROM THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AND ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA SATURDAY AND POSSIBLY REDEVELOP ALONG THE DELMARVA COAST ON SUNDAY. RAIN FROM THIS SYSTEM WILL SPREAD FROM SOUTH TO NORTH ACROSS ALL OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA ...AND CONTINUE INTO SATURDAY NIGHT. RAIN IS EXPECTED TO BE HEAVY AT TIMES ...MAINLY ALONG AND EAST OF INTERSTATE 81.
* STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THIS TIME OVER THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER VALLEY. THIS RAINFALL MAY PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT RISES AND POSSIBLE FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS ...CREEKS AND MAINSTEM RIVERS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ...
A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING ON SMALL STREAMS ...CREEKS ...POOR DRAINAGE ...URBAN AND LOW-LYING AREAS BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS.

Breast Cancer Awareness Football Game Saturday

On Saturday, March 29th, the Schuylkill County Predators will be taking on the Mifflin County Tomahawks at the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute, New Philadelphia in a Breast Cancer Awareness Game.

Both teams are 2-0 and are asking that all people that attend should wear pink.

Kick off is at 1PM.

The game is free to attend.

Parking Restrictions for Mahanoy City Residents

The Mahanoy City Police Department posted on their Facebook page parking restrictions for the borough that will start Monday, March 31st.

Web Site Set Up To Donate to Boy Struck By Boulder

A web site has been setup if you are interested in donating to the family of Michael Allen, 7,  who was injured on March 20th when he was playing on a hill in Pottsville and a boulder gave way and struck him.  He has been in a medically induced coma since the accident.

If you would like to help out, you can donate through a page that has been setup at the link below

https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/2794/hope-for-mikey-allen

Reported Man Poses As Cop in West Brunswick Twp.

According to a report from WGAL out of Lancaster, State Police are looking for a 6 foot tall, white male, with a bald head, no facial hair, in his late 30's, for posing as a cop in West Brunswick Twp. over the weekend.  The suspect was said to be wearing jeans and a black shirt.

Fire Chief Says Pottsville Fire Is Suspicious

The Republican Herald is reporting that authorities are considering last evening's fire on Schuylkill Ave. in Pottsville suspicious.

You can read the story below

http://republicanherald.com/fire-chief-considers-pottsville-blaze-suspicious-1.1658363

The newspaper is also reporting that the two firefighters that were injured were electrocuted when their ladder struck a PPL line.  Both were taken to the hospital where they were treated and released.

4 Homes Damaged By Fire In Pottsville, Firefighters Injured

 Around 9pm, Wednesday evening, crews were called to 734 Schuylkill Ave. in Pottsville on a working structure fire.

"Skook State of Mind" Official Video Released

Matt Freiler, of Deer Lake, the man behind the "Skook State of Mind" video that went viral earlier this month, has finally released an official video.

Mahanoy City Native Hired As Head Coach of University Basketball Team

Getty Images

According to multiple reports, including CBS Sports, Mike Rhoades, a native of Mahanoy City, has been hired as Head Coach of the Rice University Owls Men's Basketball team.

In prior years, the Owls have posted single digit wins for consecutive seasons and have missed the NCAA Tournament 44 years consecutively.

Rhoades has been an assistant coach for Virginia Commonwealth University since 2009. In 2011, VCU reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournment.

Prior to VCU, Rhoades was head coach of the Division III Randolph Macon.  As head coach Rhoades posted a record of 197-97 over 10 years.

We'd like to wish Rhoades the best of luck.

Jamie Barton Drops Out of State House Race

The Republican Herald is reporting this morning that one of the Republican candidates for the 124th State Legislate District, Jamie Barton, has dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination.

Barton was attempting to unseat the incumbent Republican Jerome Knowles.

Below is the full story
http://republicanherald.com/barton-drops-out-of-race-for-state-house-nomination-1.1657301

Schuylkill County School Delays for 03/26/14

Schuylkill County School Delays for 03/26/14

Williams Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Reports of Fuel Stolen in Porter Township

Reports are stating that someone stole about 250 gallons of off road diesel fuel from the Rausch Creek Coal Co. in Valley View, Porter Township.

It's said that the gas was stolen from the gas tanks on an excavator and bulldozer between 4pm Friday, and 7am Monday.

Anyone with information is to call State Police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-739-1300.

2 Injured in Accident on Frackville Grade Saturday

Saturday Morning, crews were called to Route 61, between Frackville and Saint Clair, in the area of Deadman's Curve for a motor vehicle accident.

Its being reported that Robert Barlow, 32, of Ashland was driving south on Route 61 when he made an abrupt right turn causing the vehicle he was driving to hit the berm of the road.  The vehicle  struck a rock and became airborne and hit a tree, and then finally resting on an embankment.

Barlow only suffered minor injuries but his passenger, Leighann Pflueger, 48, of Pottsville was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital.  No word on her condition at this time.

List of Winners from Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Girardville

List of Winners from Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Girardville

State Police Investigating Death of Resident After Orwigsburg Nursing Home Fight

According to an article posted by the News Item, the State Police are investigating the death of a male resident at Pinebrook Assisted Living, Orwigsburgh, where two residents got into a fight last Monday, March 17th.

John Govern, 92, was transported to a hospital for a minor head injury, facial pain, and abrasions on both arms.  While being treated, Govern went into cardiac arrest and later died.

The name of the other male involved has not been released.

News Item:  http://newsitem.com/news/police-probe-death-after-nursing-home-fight-1.1655011

PAHomePage.com:  http://www.pahomepage.com/story/d/story/nursing-home-death-investigation/33691/g-fCDRMTi0aM49YIp6zzeA

BEST OF SKOOK: And the winner of "Best Hoagie/Sub" in Schuylkill County is . . . . .

And the winner of "Best Hoagie/Sub" in Schuylkill  County is  . . . . .

Yuengling Ice Cream Donates First Cases For Charity

When the iconic Yuengling Ice Cream relaunched earlier this year, one promise they made was that they would donate three percent of it's profits to charity.

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".

Wind Advisory Issued For Schuylkill County for Wednesday Evening Into Thursday

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO NOON EDT THURSDAY...