Skook News - Your #1 Source for Schuylkill County News

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Shenandoah Bridge Closed Until Inspectors Evaluate

On Monday, Construction workers in Schuylkill County closed the PA 924 bridge over Kehly Run in Shenandoah Borough to repair a hole on the bridge deck.

PennDOT Reminds Drivers to Focus Full Attention on the Road

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation joins the National Highway Traffic Safety administration in recognizing April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and reminds all motorists that driving is a skill that requires their undivided attention.

Monday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/11/16

(April 11, 2016) - REV Group, Inc. (“REV Group”), a leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles for commercial, fire & emergency and recreation markets, announced today the acquisition of Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (“KME” or the “Company”).

According to the Republican Herald, the Route 924 Bridge that is currently under construction has been completely closed Monday morning.

Around 3:30pm, Saturday, emergency personnel were called to Hillside Drive in Ryan Township for a motor vehicle accident.

Shenandoah Receives Grant for New Vehicles

Shenandoah, Pa. - The Borough of Shenandoah will soon be able to purchase two new municipal vehicles thanks to a USDA Rural Development loan and grant combination.

Schuylkill County Youth Summit Wins Governor’s Award

Each year, one week in April is designated by the PA Legislature as “Local Government Week” honoring the dedication of Pennsylvania’s local officials and encouraging citizens to learn how local government functions and affects each resident and business in the community. During this week, the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services has made a tradition of hosting a Local Government Day celebration, featuring the presentation of the Governor's Awards for Local Government Excellence to recognize local officials for their successes in undertaking innovative initiatives to improve the quality of life in their communities.

Ford is Making It Harder to Spot Police Vehicles

Lawbreakers will now have a more difficult time recognizing the profile of the best-selling police vehicle in their rearview mirrors.

Saturday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/09/16

Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Saturday

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Schuylkill County and others for Saturday, April 9th, 2016.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 7 PM EDT SATURDAY...

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 5 announced today PA 443 will be resurfaced in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County beginning Thursday, April 14.

Pennsylvania State Police announced on Friday that troopers seized over $19 million in heroin, marijuana and other prohibited drugs in the first quarter of 2016.

The "Our Haven Foundation", a non-profit group dedicated to revitalizing Schuylkill Haven is planning a Craft Brew Festival for next weekend.

York, Pa. (April xx, 2016) – Commuter Services of Pennsylvania is challenging commuters to give up driving alone to work and try a green commute mode during its annual Earth Day challenge, April 17-23, 2016.

Friday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/08/16

Due to recent rainy weather along with cold nighttime temperatures, the races for April 8 at Big Diamond Speedway have been postponed until next Friday, April 15.

Schuylkill County Agricultural Museum is sponsoring Plow Day 2016.

Hosted across from Heisler’s Cloverleaf Dairy. The Dairy is located a 743 Catawissa Rd. Tamaqua, PA 18252.

Plow Day will be held May 9 with no rain date. Registration begins at 9AM and Plowing to begin at 10AM.

Plowing demonstrations using antique tractors, horses and mules will be done throughout the day.

There will be a judged plowed competition at 1PM. Prizes will be awarded. Individuals interested in demonstrating their plowing abilities are welcome and may find more information on how to participate by contacting one of the individual’s below.

The event is free and the general public is welcome to come. Since this is a free event, donations will be greatly appreciated. Wagon rides will be available to take individuals attending this event to view the activities.

For more information contact Craig at 570.739.2446 or Darin at 570.366.1989. Come play in the dirt.

Hidden Valley Golf Course Clinics Scheduled

Photo from hidden.distinctgolf.com

The following are some upcoming clinics scheduled at the Hidden Valley Golf Course, Pine Grove.

Thursday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/07/16

(04/07/16) Just after 11:00 am, Thursday morning, emergency personnel were called to Milemarker 93.5 on Interstate 81 Northbound for a multi vehicle accident.

On 4/6/2016 Ramon Colon, 55 yrs old, from Hazleton was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver heroin.

According to East Union Township Police, Two brothers were arrested Wednesday.

Derek Lutz, Shenandoah, was arrested after a traffic stop Wednesday evening on a warrant and committed to Schuylkill County Prison.

His brother Shawn Lutz, also from Shenandoah faces charges after being found with a small amout of methamphetamine, pills, drug paraphernalia, and a pellet gun was also recovered.

Retail Theft Investigation

The Rush Township police Department is investigating a retail theft that occurred at 5:33PM on April 6th, 2016 at the Walmart in Hometown.

On April 6, 2016, Frackville Borough Police arraigned James Robert Brown of Scranton on charges related to burglary.

POTTSVILLE – The governor’s latest veto, issued on April 4, 2016, will cost school districts in Schuylkill County $5.9 million in reimbursement for construction projects, according Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).

Under the state’s Planning and Construction Workbook, otherwise known as PlanCon, school districts receive a portion of funding for new construction and renovation projects from the state. Eleven out of the county’s 14 school districts were set to receive the reimbursement under the state’s PlanCon program based on the passage of a budget-related bill, known as the Fiscal Code.

"Under previous law, our school districts had every reason to expect this funding, which is why I voted to release these dollars to the school districts,” Argall said. “Unfortunately, the governor’s veto will require school districts to wait even longer. I’m hopeful that we can resolve this issue soon.”

House Bill 1327, also known as the budget-related Fiscal Code, included the following reimbursements for the following local school districts:

Blue Mountain Area School District	$623,819.65
Hazleton Area School District	$2,280,069.62
Mahanoy Area School District	$325,905.40
Minersville Area School District	$324,060.09
North Schuylkill School District	$278,670.42
Panther Valley School District	$260,173.01
Pine Grove Area School District	$66,239.04
Schuylkill Haven Area School District	$431,301.01
Shenandoah Valley School District	$1,051,839.26
Tamaqua Area School District	$194,148.97
Tri-Valley Area School District	$69,577.71

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Lebanon Police Searching for Schuylkill County Woman

According to the Lebanon Daily News, Lebanon police are searching for a Pottsville woman who did not return her son to his father after a custody visit.

Wednesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/06/16

On April 12th, the Schuylkill United Way will host an information session on PA 2-1-1 in Schuylkill County.

Traffic fatalities in Pennsylvania totaled 1,200 in 2015, the second-lowest since record-keeping began in 1928 and five more than the record low in 2014.

Schuylkill Haven, PA (April 5, 2016) –The Greater Schuylkill Haven Area Business Association recently announced the winners of “A Child’s View of Schuylkill Haven”, art and essay competition offered to students in the Schuylkill Haven School District.

Schuylkill Technology Center Tech Trot 5k/Fun Run

Schuylkill Haven Area High School presents INTO THE WOODS.

Show dates are:
Friday, April 8 @ 7 pm
Saturday, April 9 @ 7 pm
Sunday, April 10 @ 3 pm

Link to Facebook Event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1689832517965891/

Argall’s Corrections Spending Study Approved by Committee

HARRISBURG – A measure to review mandatory corrections overtime costs was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning, according to the resolution’s prime sponsor, Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).

Senate Resolution 263 would direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the rising costs related to mandatory overtime spending within the Department of Corrections. The resolution will study staffing shortages within the department and compare the cost of mandatory overtime to hiring additional corrections officers.

“The legislature approved several cost control initiatives for our state prisons,” Argall said. “Conventional wisdom would dictate that a reduction in inmates would lead to a decrease in spending, but that has not been the case. Mandatory overtime is not just a concern for taxpayers, it’s a concern for corrections officers who are forced to spend less time with their families and more time at the state prisons. It’s not just a morale issue, it’s a public safety issue.”

During the budget hearings with the Senate Appropriations Committee in February, Corrections Secretary John Wetzel admitted that overtime costs for the current fiscal year will be around $96 million, and the department is anticipating $90 million for Fiscal Year 2016-17.

The department led all other state agencies in overtime spending from 2010 through 2014.

The Department of Corrections receives the third largest state appropriation from the General Fund compared to all state agencies.

The resolution moves to the full Senate for its consideration.

BB&T Acquires National Penn Bank

BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) today announced it has completed its acquisition of National Penn Bancshares, Inc., (NASDAQ: NPBC) effective April 1, 2016. The core banking systems conversion, along with signage and account changes for clients, is expected early in the third quarter of 2016.

(04/05/2016) WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - One person was flown after a crash Tuesday afternoon.

(04/05/16) Around 3:30pm, Tuesday afternoon, Emergency personnel were called to the Frackville Grade, Route 61 Southbound between Frackville and St. Clair for a motor vehicle accident.

PennDOT invites driver license and identification card holders to celebrate National Donate Life Month in April by registering to be an organ donor and sharing a unique opportunity to help others in need live longer, better lives.

PHILADELPHIA / COLUMBIA COUNTY: Missing Endangered Person Advisory. The Philadelphia Police Department is currently searching for Maxine Land, 75.

She is missing from Philadelphia but was last known to be at a gas station in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, at 5:20 a.m. Tuesday.

She left her home in northwest Philadelphia during the morning of Apr. 4, 2016, and that afternoon called her sister and indicated she was lost.

She is driving a gold 2001 Hyundai Elantra with PA registration ELJ6181.

Land has dementia and may be disoriented. She is 5'4", 135 pounds, and is wearing a black wig.

Anyone with information on Land’s whereabouts should call the Philadelphia Police Department Northwest Detectives at (215) 686-3353 or call 911.

Late-Race Pass Gives Doug Manmiller Opening Day Win At Big Diamond

BY: Shawn Wood

MINERSVILLE, PA. -- There’s nothing like getting an opening-day win in any division, but for Doug Manmiller, it helped erased a bit of frustration from a winless 2015 campaign.

Northwest Academy to Become New County Prison

On Tuesday morning, it was announced that the Northwest Academy, Coal Township, will close and be converted to the new location of the Northumberland County Prison.

Full Details from the News Item
http://www.newsitem.com/news/2016-04-05/Today's_Top_Stories/Northwestern_Academy_to_become_county_prison.html

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/05/16

LCCC ADN Student from Schuylkill County Wins National Office

Schnecksville, Pa., April 4, 2016 – Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) student Jennifer Kalenkoski, of Shenandoah, Pa., has won a national office in the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA). Kalenkoski, a first year ADN student and current president of SNAP (Student Nurses Association of PA), will take on the position of Breakthrough to Nursing- Director. As per the NSNA, she will address the following issues:

The adequacy of health care services for minority group members:

The need to increase the number of minority group health care providers.
The need to provide opportunities for minority nursing students to develop leadership skills.
The need for the nursing education system to be more responsive to the needs of the minority group students.

“I am very proud of Jen's dedication to our chapter and to nursing. She has proven herself to be an outstanding student leader. Her election to this position provides our chapter, program and school with national recognition,” states Gail Cummings MSN, PMH-RN, associate professor of psychiatric nursing and SNAP faculty advisor at LCCC.

For more information about LCCC’s nursing programs, visit the website at www.lccc.edu or contact Barbara H. Lupole RN, MSN, director of Nursing and Healthcare Science Programs, at blupole@lccc.edu.

Fire Crews at the Scene of a Working Structure Fire in Hegins Township

Around 2:30pm Monday afternoon, fire crews were called to 159 West Mountain Road, Hegins Township for a working structure fire.

Monday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/04/16

Feature Finish Results from Friday, April 4, 2016 at Big Diamond Speedway

A man suffering from dementia that was reported missing in Northumberland County was found safe early Monday.

(l-R) Brendin Freeman, Bennett Keller, Rep. Mike Tobash, Stephi Strouse and Sara Strouse of the Blue Mt. 4-H Livestock Club meet with Rep. Tobash and other PA State Senators and Representatives advocating for the reinstatement of the Land Script Fund for Penn State University so the 4-H program will continue.

Police Searching for Missing Man Suffering from Dementia

UPDATE: Mr. Boyer was found safe.

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Missing Endangered Person Advisory. PSP Stonington is searching for Roger Boyer, 77, who was last seen leaving his residence in Shamokin at 3:00 p.m. He may be heading towards the Pitman, Schuylkill County area.

He is driving a tan 2005 GMC Sierra truck with PA registration YCZ-3690. He is wearing a maroon plaid shirt and blue jeans.

He has white hair and wears glasses.

Boyer has dementia and may be confused.

Anyone with information on his location should call PSP Stonington at (570) 286-5601 or call 911.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Monday, April 11, 2016

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Friday, April 8, 2016

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Monday, April 4, 2016