Skook News - Your #1 Source for Schuylkill County News

Friday, June 26, 2015

Supreme Court Declares Same-Sex Couples Have Right to Marry Anywhere in the United States

On Friday, the Supreme Court Declares Same-Sex Couples Have Right to Marry Anywhere in the United States.

Pottsville Fireworks Postponed; Parade Cancelled

Saturday's weather forecast has forced organizers to change plans for this weekend festivities in Pottsville.

A hike is scheduled in July at Locust Lake State Park.

The Department of Health recently released their 2014 report on new Lyme Disease cases in Pennsylvania and Schuylkill County ranked low on the list.

Based on the report, Schuylkill County ranked 49th out of Pennsylvania's 67 counties in new cases in 2014.

The report does show that 2014 recorded the most cases since 1999 in the county.

Out of the entire state of Pennsylvania, 36 cases were reported in the county. Allegheny County reported the most cases with over 800 cases reported. Sullivan and Greene Counties ranked at the bottom with 5.

Some surrounding counties ranked higher

Luzerne County - 8th - 206 cases
Berks - 18th - 150 cases
Lehigh - 19th - 140 cases
Columbia - 22nd - 106 cases
Northumberland - 49th - 59 cases

The image below depicts the average in new cases over the last 5 years.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection released information back in April that all counties were at risk of Lyme Disease due to the findings of Blacklegged (deer) ticks.
http://www.skooknews.com/2015/04/lyme-disease-risk-in-all-67-counties-of.html

Full report at
http://www.health.pa.gov/Documents/LymeReport2014.xlsx

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Schuylkill County Fair Food Contests

Have a great potato recipe? Do you have best chocolate cake in Schuylkill County? On certain days of the Schuylkill County Fair you may enter special food contest. Monetary awards will be given for first, second and third prize. The general public is encouraged to participate in one or all of the contests listed below. For complete rules, call 570-527-0294 or email schuylkillfair@gmail.com

From this page, we will try to update you on all the latest concerts in the area

On Tuesday, an Allentown man was convicted for a Tamaqua woman's murder.

PRESS RELEASE - The Public-Private Partnership (P3) project to rebuild 558 bridges all across Pennsylvania will get under way in Schuylkill County the week of July 6.

Nickelback Cancels North American Tour Due to Medical Emergency

Nickelback has cancelled their North American tour due to a medical emergency.

Victim's Name Released from Fatal ATV Crash

The victim's name from Monday's fatal ATV crash has been released.

A reported ATV crash turned fatal.

Interstate 81 has been shutdown at the Pine Grove Exit.

On Saturday, K-Mart in the Schuylkill Mall closed.

Interstate 81 Road Work Scheduled for This Week

One Person Flown After Crash in East Union Township Friday Night

The Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture, Environmental Protection (DEP), and Health are advising consumers that spring water bottled by Niagara between June 10 and June 18 at its facilities in Hamburg, Berks County or Upper Macungie, Lehigh County should not be consumed due to the possibility of contamination.

Scheduled Schuylkill County Road Work for Next Week

Sheriff Groody and his staff will be at the Schuylkill County Fair on Tuesday, July 28 and Saturday, August 1 to assist with sign your child in the Child I.D. Me Program. Tuesday, which is Kids Day at the Fair, he and his staff will be operating the I.D. Me Program from 11AM to 7PM. The staff will also be available to I.D.

Schuylkill County Police Log 06/18/15

A crash involving and ATV and tractor trailer killed two from Nuremberg on Thursday.

Shenandoah Police have filed drug charges against two after drugs were found during a traffic stop.

First Pennsylvania State Troopers Administer Naloxone to Unresponsive Male

Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced Tuesday that troopers from the Troop B, Uniontown Station, successfully administered the anti-overdose drug Naloxone to an unresponsive male on June 12, 2015.

PennDOT has announced lane restrictions on Route 61 in Pottsville for Wednesday and Thursday.

A major security flaw in Samsung Galaxy phones could allow attackers to gain access to the phone.

Pottsville Train Excursions Announced

Train excursions from Pottsville have been announced for June 27th, 2015.

DCNR Seeking Information in Northeast Pennsylvania Wildfires

Harrisburg, PA - The state Bureau of Forestry is seeking the public’s help in its investigation of a series of suspicious wildfires in April and May that scorched hundreds of acres in three counties in the northeast section of Pennsylvania.

Schuylkill County's only professional fireworks display company has announced they will be opening tents over the 4th of July holiday for residents to buy fireworks.

The following events are planned by the Ringtown Library for June and July.

You will think that the dogs are playing when you see them demonstrating their skills at the first ever
Therapy Dog Demonstration to be held in conjunction with the Schuylkill County Fair.

Koch's Turkey Farms Launching Yuengling "Brewhouse" Product

TAMAQUA, PA – Koch’s Turkey Farms, located in Walker Township, Schuylkill County, is announcing a new product in partnership with All-N-Food of Illinois and D.G. Yuengling & Son of Pottsville.

A drug bust in Ashland seized $18,000 in bath salts.

Suspects Charged in Drug Sweep in Schuylkill and Berks Counties

Harrisburg, PA - Governor Tom Wolf announced today that fees for child abuse clearances and criminal background checks required by the Child Protective Services Law will be waived for volunteers working with children. Additionally, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) will be reducing the cost of both the child abuse and criminal history record checks from $10 to $8 for all other applicants. These changes will take effect July 25, 2015.

The Schuylkill River Sojourn is an annual 112-mile guided canoe/kayak trip on the Schuylkill River that begins in rural Schuylkill Haven and ends seven days later in Philadelphia's Boathouse Row. Participants paddle 14-18 miles per day and can register for the entire trip or as little as one day. Sometimes it is wet and wild. At other times it is peaceful and inspiring. There are a few rapids, calm water, plenty of laughs, songs at the campsites, and celebrations in the river towns. There is a little bit of everything for paddlers throughout the week-long sojourn that begins the first weekend of June. And though the same route is paddled every year, a different river greets us every June.

Fire Crews at the Scene of a Fully Involved House Fire in Walker Twp.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 5 announced today repairs are underway on Interstate 81 between the Lebanon County line and Exit 104 (PA 125) in Pine Grove and Tremont townships in Schuylkill County.

Congratulations to the Class of 2015

A senior from Pottsville Area has been chosen in the MLB Draft

Gallery of storm photos sent to Skook News by our followers from around Schuylkill County.

Fire crews responded to a fire in Frackville on Monday afternoon.

The beach at Locust Lake State Park has reopened.

Schuylkill County Police Log 06/08/15

Second Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Schuylkill County

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE PA HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... NORTHEASTERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA...

* UNTIL 515 PM EDT

* AT 436 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS OF 60 TO 70 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED OVER TUSCARORA...AND MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... MAHANOY CITY...POTTSVILLE...ST. CLAIR...TAMAQUA...COALDALE... DELANO...GRIER CITY-PARK CREST...HOMETOWN...LOCUST LAKE STATE PARK...MCKEANSBURG...MCADOO...NEW BOSTON-MOREA...NEW PHILADELPHIA...PORT CARBON...SNYDERS...TUSCARORA...BROCKTON... CUMBOLA...KASKA AND KELAYRES. THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 81 FROM MILE MARKERS 128 TO 139.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA. ALTHOUGH A TORNADO IS NOT IMMEDIATELY LIKELY...IF ONE IS SPOTTED...ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM. THE THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS ARE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE DAMAGE. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SHELTER...PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING. TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS.

Police Looking for Mini Van Involved in Hit and Run

On Sunday afternoon, a mini van struck a pickup truck and left the scene of the accident on North Broad Mountain Avenue, Frackville.

On Sunday, The former Bertolino Building was imploded.

POTTSVILLE – A Senate committee will hold a public hearing in Pottsville on June 11 to receive an update on current economic conditions as well as state and federal regulations affecting the anthracite coal industry and coal-refuse fired alternative energy plants, according to Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).

Tractor Trailer Rollover on Interstate 81 Late Sunday

A tractor trailer rolled on Interstate 81 late Sunday.

Interstate 81 Road Work Schedule for Schuylkill County This Week

Schuylkill County Road Work Scheduled for Next Week

On Sunday June 28th, Re-Cycle Sports will be wearing purple as they spin to raise funds for Schuylkill Women in Crisis.

Friday, June 26, 2015

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Monday, June 22, 2015

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Friday, June 19, 2015

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Friday, June 12, 2015

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Monday, June 8, 2015

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Friday, June 5, 2015