Celebrity Showman Contest Set for Schuylkill County Fair

A Celebrity Showman Contest is Set for the Schuylkill County Fair.

New Shirts Added to Skook News Apparel

Head on over and check out our "Skook News Apparel" store for our newest t-shirts we just added this morning.

http://skooknews.spreadshirt.com

If you haven't already, head on over and check out our other shirts as well.

Police Chase in Mahanoy Twp. Ends in Drug Arrest

A Mahanoy City man was arrested Monday evening on drug charges after leading police on a chase.

Six County Firemen's Association of PA Announces 2014-2015 Officers

The Six County Firemen's Association of PA has announced there 2014-2015 Officers!

Standing from L to R: William Tarby, Vice President, Lackawanna County, Deanna Force, Vice President Montour County, Joseph Judy, Vice President Northumberland County, Gary Perna Sr., Vice President Schuylkill County, Gerald Guscott, Vice President Luzerne County. Seated L to R, Gary Perna Jr., President, Schuylkill County and Robert Mandak Sr., Chaplain Luzerne County. Missing from photo Secretary John Nilles, Treasurer Joseph Simonovich and Michele Fry, Vice President Columbia County. 

Man Arrested for Drug and Weapons Possession Following Traffic Stop

Photo posted from
Mahanoy City Police Dept.

A man was arrested for drug and weapons possession following traffic stop Sunday.

Stolen Dog Returned to Hillside SPCA

A dog that was reported stolen on Saturday was returned Sunday.

One Killed in Fire Overnight in Cass Township

One person was killed in an overnight fire in Cass Township.

Woman Reportedly Takes Dog From Hillside SPCA

According to the Hillside SPCA's Facebook page, the woman in the image to left reportedly has taken a Yorkie that was not available for adoption from the Hillside SPCA Saturday around 2:45pm.

If you know who this woman is, please contact the Hillside SPCA (570) 622-7769 or the State Police at Schuylkill Haven (570) 593-2000 immediately.

More information as it comes available.

Link to Hillside SPCA Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/hillsidespca

Photos from Mahanoy City's Community Day

Coal Region Connections: Postie's Birch Beer

SUMMERTIME, JULY 4TH PICNICS, FIRE COMPANY BLOCK PARTIES, CHURCH FESTIVALS, COMPANY OUTINGS, WEDDINGS--all had 1 thing in common throughout the coal region decades ago. Click LIKE if you remember & loved POSTIE'S delicious birch beer soda on tap.

Coal Region Connections Radio Show Launches Saturday

The Coal Region Connections Facebook page is expanding onto your airwaves this Saturday.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Schuylkill County

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Schuylkill County until 6:15pm.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Schuylkill County

Schuylkill County is included in a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9:00pm Thursday.

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

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

Flash Flood Watch Issued for Schuylkill County

FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT...

Matty Fresh to Release Album By the End of the Summer

For those of you who have followed Matt Freiler into his transformation of Matty Fresh, you are in for some good news.  He's currently working on more songs to compile a full album.

Coal Region Connections: Coal Region Customer Reward Programs

COAL REGION CUSTOMER REWARD PROGRAMS WERE MUCH DIFFERENT 50 YEARS AGO! Click LIKE if you remember S&H, Gold Bond, King Korn trading stamps & the horrible taste of "licking & sticking" those stamps into coupon books.

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 06/27/14

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 06/27/14

PennDot Beginning to Work on Route 309 in Tamaqua

Photo courtesy of Ryan Fannock

PennDot has begun work on Route 309 (Railroad St.) in Tamaqua.

1 Dies Motor Vehicle Accident Near Gilberton

NOTE:  The vehicle in the photo was not the vehicle
that the person died in.

Before 1PM Wednesday, Emergency personnel were called to 2730 Main Street, Gilberton (Mahanoy Plane) for head on collision with possible entrapment.

Bottoms Up Hideaway Opens Wednesday!!!!

Schuylkill County’s newest entertainment facility. We will open their doors on Wed. June 25th for Yings and Wings, June 26th country line dance lessons, 27th live request Dj and the 28th their grand opening featuring UUU .

Come out and enjoy great food being served by Johnz’ Kitchen & Catering with the family. Stay for the entertainment. Live band weekly, Karaoke, Line Dancing, Live DJ and also nights for the under 21 crowd as well. Formerly the Flying Dutchman Motorcycle Track on RT# 895 (670 Rock Rd) Pine Grove.

Police Investigating Arson at Mining Company

Police are investigating a car fire in Reilly Township at mining company early Saturday.

According to a story by WNEP, Police are investigating an car fire that was found around 5am Saturday morning near the Hegins Mining Company on Swatara Road in Reilly Township.

A person reportedly parked a Toyota Sedan near the company and set it on fire.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information concerning the arson can contact the State Police at Schuylkill Haven at (570) 739-1330.

Link to WNEP
http://wnep.com/2014/06/22/vehicle-fire-troopers-calling-it-arson/

Emergency Crews Respond to Shenandoah Fire Sunday

Photo Posted to
Schuylkill County Firewire
by Cassandra Lynn Dillon-Foresman

Emergency crews were called to 200 Block of Lloyd Street, Shenandoah Sunday.

Dead Body Found Near New Philadelphia, St. Clair Man Charged With Homicide

Around 7pm Saturday Evening, a dead body was found near New Philadelphia.

22 Year Old Tamaqua Man Missing Since June 2nd

A Tamaqua man has been reportedly missing since June 2nd.

Body Found Near New Philadelphia

According to officials, a body has been found near New Philadelphia Saturday evening.

Coal Region Connects: Were Golden Sun Chips the Best Chips Ever Made?

SOME SAY THE BEST POTATO CHIPS WERE MADE BY A LITTLE COMPANY IN SLATINGTON. Click LIKE if GOLDEN SUN Potato Chips rings a bell to you.

Hazleton Police Looking for Help Finding Man Who Robbed Bank

The Hazleton Police Department is looking for the public's help in finding a suspect who robbed a bank Thursday.

South Tamaqua Man Missing Since Saturday, 6/14

South Tamaqua man missing since Saturday, 6/14/14.

SUV Towing Camper Overturns On Hometown Hill

Photo Courtesy of TamaquaArea.com

A SUV Towing a campter overturned on the Hometown Hill Wednesday evening.

Standoff in Frackville Ends Peacefully Early Thursday

A nearly 4 hour standoff ended peacefully early Thurday morning in Frackville.

Police and SWAT Surround Home In Frackville

As of this writing (10:30pm), police currently have 29 South 4th Street surrounded in Frackville.  At this time we know that a gunman has barricaded themselves in the home.  The area has been blocked off and people who live by are to stay in their homes.

UPDATE (12:25am):  Both suspects gave up willingly and came out with hands up.

UPDATE:  8:45am:
http://www.skooknews.com/2014/06/standoff-in-frackville-end-peacefully.html

Coal Region Connections: Happy 100th Birthday to Tastykake

HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY TO A COAL REGION LUNCH BOX & BROWN BAG STAPLE FOR DECADES! Click LIKE if you grew up enjoying "tasty-breaks" with TASTYKAKE & tell us what's YOUR favorite TASTYKAKE product.

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

And the Winner of "Best Band" in Schuylkill County  is  . . . . .

Schuylkill County Firefighters Respond to Northumberland County Fire Overnight

Photo by Thomas Jeffrey / Posted to
Schuylkill County Firewire

Schuylkill County emergency were called to Northumberland County to help with an overnight fire.

Female From Shamokin Missing in Hazleton Area

A female from Shamokin went missing in the Hazleton Area late Monday.
Sabrina Mclaughlin of Shamokin, PA has been missing since late Monday night and was last known to be in the Hazleton area.

She was reported to be wearing a black tank top and jean shorts with a pink zebra backpack.  She is reported to be about 5 foot tall, weighs about 100-115 pounds, with long brown hair and green eyes.

Anyone with information or who may have seen Sabrina is too call the Hazleton Police at 570-459-4940 or dial 911.

5:30pm Update:  She has been located, thanks to all who shared

Water Plant Employee Caught Urinating Into Filtering System

A water plant employee of the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority was caught urinating into a filtering system.

17 People Targeted in Tamaqua Drug Raid Monday Morning

According to multiple sources, 17 people were targeted Monday morning in a drug raid in Tamaqua.

COAL REGION CONNECTIONS: Who Remembers Charles Chips?

THE MILK MAN, THE BREAD MAN, THE ICE MAN, THE FISH MAN-- ALL GONE! Click LIKE if you remember the pretzel & chip man--CHARLES CHIPS--making coal region deliveries to homes & businesses in the late 50s, 60s, & early 70s.

Missing Girl From Coal Township

A 15 year old girl from Coal Township, Northumberland County, has been missing since Sunday.

Woman and Child Taken to Hospital After Crash in Tamaqua Wednesday

Photo and Story posted from TamaquaArea.com

A woman and small child were taken to the hospital after their car crashed into the rear of two parked vehicles around 5:45 PM Wednesday (June 11, 2014) along East Broad Street (in front of Griffiths Funeral Home) in Tamaqua.

Man Wanted for Robbery in Lansford Taken Into Custody in Rush Township

A man wanted in connection with a robbery in Lansford was taken into custody in Rush Township Tuesday.

Update on Capt. Jason Jones Procession

The procession for Capt. Jason Jones will take place Wednesday.

Father's Day Train Rides This Sunday in Tamaqua

This Sunday, June 15th, Father's Day, train rides will be available at the Tamaqua Train Station.

Sketch Released of Suspect from Schuylkill Mall Bank Robbery

Police have released a composite picture of the suspected bank robber from last week's robbery at the National Penn Bank in the Schuylkill Mall.

If anyone recognizes him, they are to call 911.

PIAA Baseball/Softball State Semi-Finals Results

The schedule for Schuylkill County teams remaining in the PIAA State Playoffs for Baseball and Softball




Class A - Softball

Minersville - 10
Bristol - 1

Class A - Baseball

Devon Prep - 4

Schuylkill Haven - 0

Class AAA - Baseball

Pope John Paul II - 1
Tamaqua - 0

Watch PIAA Semi-Finals Online!

Looking to follow Schuylkill Haven and Tamaqua's Baseball games today?

Coal Region Connections: Time for Ice Cream Memories

By Mark Marek, Coal Region Connections

TIME FOR ICE CREAM MEMORIES.

I recall the late afternoon & early evening Mr. Softee & Chilly Willy trucks well. Your heard the music from the trucks when they were a block away. Mr. Softee was my favorite because of the soft ice cream & their double cones pictured below.