TRAFFIC ALERT: Route 61 Southbound Between Frackville and Saint Clair

Traffic is backed up between Frackville and Saint Clair on Route 61.

Thunderstorms Expected Monday Afternoon and Evening

Summer-like temperatures will bring summer-like weather Monday afternoon into the evening for Schuylkill County.

Schuylkill County Primary Elections 2015

Tuesday is primary election day and you may be wondering who is on the ballot.

HELP WANTED: Skook News Looking to Expand

Would you be interested in joining the team of one of the fastest growing web sites in Schuylkill County?

Schuylkill County Road Work Scheduled for This Week

Schuylkill County Road Work Scheduled for This Week

Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Northern Schuylkill County, Including Snyder, Northumberland, and Columbia Counties

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Schuylkill County.

Schuylkill County Police Log for 05/15/15

Schuylkill County Police Log for 05/15/15

Frackville Man Arrested After Traffic Stop

Thursday, May 14, 2015 around 11:30 PM, an officer on patrol in the area of North 4th Street noticed a male acting in a suspicious manner. A license plate record check revealed the male was driving a car with another vehicle's registration plate attached.

Penn State's College of Engineering Network Disabled in Response to Cyberattack

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State College of Engineering has been the target of two sophisticated cyberattacks conducted by so-called “advanced persistent threat” actors, University officials announced today. The FireEye cybersecurity forensic unit Mandiant, which was hired by Penn State after the breach was discovered, has confirmed that at least one of the two attacks was carried out by a threat actor based in China, using advanced malware to attack systems in the college.

Spa at McCann Hosts Ribbon Cutting

Pottsville, PA (5/5/15) – The Spa at McCann Pottsville hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, May 15th at 11am at the new location, 2650 Woodglen Road in Pottsville. 

Lane Restrictions on Interstate 81 Next Week‏ in Schuylkill County

Lane Restrictions on Interstate 81 Next Week‏ in Schuylkill County

Spa at McCann Open House to benefit Schuylkill Alliance for Healthcare‏

Pottsville, PA (5/7/15) – The Spa at McCann Pottsville will host a SPA Open House on Wednesday, June 17th from 3-7pm to benefit the Schuylkill Alliance for Healthcare Access. SPA Open House is an opportunity for the general public to experience the benefits of massage and SPA services in a fun environment while giving back to the community.

Rest Haven Has New Purchaser

Photo from www.resthavennursing.com

The Schuylkill County Commissioners announced Wednesday that the County has selected a new purchaser of Rest Haven, the Schuylkill County Nursing Home located in Schuylkill Haven.

Settlement Announced with Sprint and Verizon for 'Mobile Cramming'

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane announced Tuesday settlements with two major mobile telephone providers accused of charging consumers without their consent for third-party services in a practice known as "mobile cramming."

Fire Crews Protect Homes from Brush Fire Overnight

An overnight brush fire, Tuesday into Wednesday, threatened homes in West Mahanoy Township.

At Least 6 Dead After Amtrak Train Derailment in Philaldelphia

Photo from ABC 6 / Philadelphia

At least 6 people are confirmed dead, dozens injured,  8 critical, after an Amtrak trail derailment Tuesday night around 9:30pm.

Large Brush Fire Reported in Shenandoah Heights

A large brush fire is reportedly burning near Shenandoah Heights, West Mahanoy Township Tuesday evening.

Governor Wolf Declares May Motorcycle Safety Month

With the promise of warmer weather and increased motorcycle riding on Pennsylvania roadways, Governor Tom Wolf has proclaimed May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, stressing the importance of all motorists sharing the road and riders practicing motorcycle safety.

State Police Conducting Free Child Safety Seat Fitting Stations in Schuylkill County

The national "Click It or Ticket" campaign occurs May 18-31, 2015. The State Police will be conducting high visibility enforcement and, as part of this campaign, Department members certified as Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians will be conducting free car seat fitting stations. 

At these fitting stations, caregivers can have their car seats checked for suitability and can receive instruction in the proper installation of car seats and harnessing of children in those seats.

In Schuylkill County, the following dates are scheduled

• 05/20/15 - Fairlane Village Mall, Pottsville - 2:00pm to 6:00pm
• 05/21/15 - Washington Fire Company, Ashland - 2:00pm to 6:00pm

Shenandoah Valley Students to Return to Class Thursday

The teacher strike that began Tuesday will only last couple days.

Majestic Awards Nominees Announced

The 10th Annual Majestic Awards which will take place Monday, May 18th, at 7pm at North Schuylkill County.  The awards honor Schuylkill County high school musicals and their performers.

Schuylkill County Police Log for 5/11/15

Schuylkill County Police Log for 5/11/15

Ashland Looking for Donations for New U.S. Flags

The Ashland Rotary purchases the flags that line Centre Street in the borough.

Knoebels, Walt Disney World Named Top Amusement Parks in America

Lombard, IL – The National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) released the results of its 29th annual NAPHA Amusement Park and Attractions Survey. The NAPHA survey is the oldest of its type.

Police Searching for 12 Year Old Boy from Jim Thorpe

An alert has been issued for a missing boy from Jim Thorpe

Schuylkill County Road Work Scheduled for This Week

Schuylkill County Road Work Scheduled for This Week

Police Investigating Gunshots Fired Thursday Night

Pottsville Police are investigating an incident where it was reported that gunshots were fired in the city just after 9pm.

Yuengling's Ice Cream's 1 Millionth Quart is Auctioned Off

ORWIGSBURG, PA (May 8, 2015) — Over the last 10 days, Yuengling’s Ice Cream and the Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation (CCRF) partnered to sell the ice cream company’s one millionth quart, along with a collector’s basket, to benefit CCRF.

WVIA Day and Mothers Day Events Planned for Knoebels This Weekend

Elysburg, PA – Knoebels Amusement Resort is happy to announce special events for the weekend of May 9 and 10. On Saturday, May 9, Knoebels is open from noon until 8:00 p.m. and will celebrate WVIA Family Day with special guest performances by PBS Kids talent. On Sunday, May 10, the park is open from noon until 7:00 p.m. In honor of Mother’s Day, there will be free corsages for moms visiting that day. Pay-one-price plans are being offered both days at a special, pre-season rate and can be purchased online.

Hillside SPCA Volunteer Wins 1 of 4 First Place Prizes in Purina Contest

The Hillside SPCA has won 1 of 4 First Places Prizes in a contest ran by Purina.

Coal Region Connections: Coal Region Potato Alternatives

TIRED OF FRENCH FRIES, MASHED POTATOES, BAKED OR SCALLOPED POTATOES? COAL REGION KITCHENS HAVE BEEN SERVING UP DELICIOUS POTATO ALTERNATIVES FOR DECADES! 

Mahanoy Area School District Receives Bomb Threat

Skook News just got word that the Mahanoy Area School District received an apparent bomb threat Thursday morning.

School District's Teachers to Strike Next Week

The Shenandoah Valley School District announced that their teachers will be going on strike next week.

Charges Filed Against Police Officer Involved in Fatal Crash

Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today announced criminal charges have been filed against a Nesquehoning Borough police officer accused of speeding excessively while on duty and causing a car crash that killed a woman and seriously injured her husband.

School Broken Into and Vandalized Tuesday Night

A school in Pottsville was broken into and vandalized overnight.

Lehighton Man Charged with Shooting Bald Eagle

A Lehighton man was charged Wednesday with multiple charges for shooting a bald eagle near Andreas.

Antique Tractor Pull to Take Place at Bear Creek Festival

There will be an Antique Tractor Pull on May 17 at the Bear Creek Festival. The Bear Creek Festival and the Antique Tractor Pull will be held in conjunction at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds.

Pennsylvania Lottery Millionaire Raffle Is Back!

Tickets went on sale May 5 for the 20th edition of Millionaire Raffle, offering the Pennsylvania Lottery’s best chances of winning a $1 million prize. This limited-time, twice-annual game features 6,000 cash prizes totaling more than $5 million.

Eleven Charged with Trafficking Heroin in Carbon County

Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today announced criminal charges have been filed against 11 individuals accused of taking part in a drug trafficking operation allegedly responsible for distributing $1.5 million worth of heroin in Carbon County over a four-month period.

Argall and Holman Teaming Up For Blight Summit

Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks), Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman and other local officials are teaming up for a forum on Wednesday in Pottsville to discuss strategies to fight blight.

Vehicle Rollover in Gordon Tuesday Morning

Photo posted to Firewire Schuylkill County
Photo taken by Jackie Babb

On Tuesday morning, emergency personnel were called to 301 Biddle Street, Gordon, for a vehicle rollover.

Candidate Accusing Opponent of Using Taxpayer Money for Campaign Materials

Schuylkill County Register of Wills candidate Kerry Ansbach is accusing his incumbent opponent in the primary election of using taxpayer money for campaign materials.

One Person Flown After Being Struck by Vehicle

One person was flown Monday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle in Ashland.

Red Flag Warning Issued

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING. THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

County Commissioners Seek Re-Election

On Sunday, Frank Staudenmeier and George Halcovage, officially announced that they will be seeking re-election for Schuylkill County Commissioner.

Fire Weather Watch Issued for Northeastern Pennsylvania

A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Northeastern Pennsylvania

UGI Replacement Project to Begin Monday in Pottsville

UGI Utilities, Inc. will begin a natural gas main replacement project in the City of Pottsville beginning Monday, May 4. This project is part of the Company’s multi-year $1.2 billion infrastructure betterment initiative. The focus of this initiative is to replace cast iron and unprotected steel pipelines with facilities made of contemporary materials.

Scheduled Schuylkill County Road Work

Scheduled Schuylkill County Road Work

Interstate 81 Road Work Scheduled for Schuylkill County

Interstate 81 Road Work Scheduled for Schuylkill County

Schuylkill County Police Log for 05/01/15

Schuylkill County Police Log for 05/01/15

Man Injured After Falling From Roof in Ashland

Around 9pm, Thursday evening, police and emergency personnel were called to the 1300 block of Centre Street for a reported man on a roof with a gun.

Schuylkill Health Campus Integration to Revitalize Patient Services

POTTSVILLE, PA -- The future is bright for healthcare services in Schuylkill County. That is the message leaders of Schuylkill Health shared with employees this week discussing changes that are coming to the system. These changes will enhance, improve, streamline and preserve hospital inpatient and outpatient services for our community.