Thursday, August 6, 2020

TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash on Route 61 Southbound South of Frackville

A crash on the grade south of Frackville is causing traffic backups Thursday afternoon.

Pottsville Police Investigate Stolen Vehicle

The Pottsville Police are investigate a vehicle that was stolen in the city.

Governor Wolf Recommends High School Sports Begin January 2021

During a press conference Thursday by Governor Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania's Governor recommended that high school sports shouldn't begin until 2021.

Mahanoy Plane Man Facing Charges After Threatening People with Gun on the Gold Star Highway

A Mahanoy Plane man is locked up in Schuylkill County Prison after threatening people with a firearm on the Gold Star Highway in Shenandoah.

Frackville Man Charged with Attempted Homicide After Shooting

Frackville Police have identified the man arrested on Wednesday after a shooting in the borough.

Skook News Obituaries: August 5th, 2020


Skook News Obituaries:  August 5th, 2020

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

NOW HIRING: Fabcon Precast to Hold Job Fair

Fabcon Precast will be holding a job fair next week.

One Person in Custody After Shots Fired in Frackville

One person is in custody and  police are investigating after shots were fired in Frackville on Wednesday afternoon.

Pennsylvania State Police Continue to Investigate 1993 Cold Case Involving Baby Found in Garbage Bag in Darkwater

Pennsylvania State Police in Schuylkill County continue to investigate a cold case that involved a baby being found in a garbage bag in New Castle Township in 1993.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY WEATHER FORECAST: August 5th, 2020


Schuylkill County Weather Forecast: August 5th, 2020

Skook News Obituaries: August 4th, 2020


Skook News Obituaries:  August 4th, 2020

Monday, August 3, 2020

State Police Make Arrest in Fatal Hit and Run in Luzerne County

Late Monday, the Pennsylvania State Police at Hazleton made an arrest in a fatal hit and run incident that occurred on Interstate 81 in Hazle Township early Saturday.

Pottsville and Jim Thorpe Medical Equipment Companies Accused of Price Gouging Face Masks

On Monday, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced that the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has shut down price gouging efforts at Keystone Medical Equipment, Jim Thorpe, and American Surgical Supply, Pottsville; local businesses selling medical supplies like orthopedic braces, PPE, and CPAP machines to consumers in Pennsylvania.

State Police Investigate Misuse of Gas Cards Owned by the Williams Valley School District

The Pennsylvania State Police at Lykens are investigating a report of misuse gas cards owned by the school district.

No Injuries Reported After Two-Vehicle Crash in Mahanoy Township on Sunday

No injuries were reported after a two-vehicle crash in Mahanoy Township on Sunday.

State Police Release Photo of Suspect Vehicle Involved in Fatal Hit and Run in Hazle Township

The Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate a fatal hit and run that occurred in Hazle Township early Saturday on Interstate 81.

Investigation Leads to Drug Charges Against Five in Ashland

A drug investigation led to five people being charged after a search warrant was executed on Friday in Ashland.

Response to Smoke Investigation Leads to Mahanoy City Man in Custody, Home Deemed Unsafe

A response to a smoke investigation in Mahanoy City led to a man in custody on Sunday afternoon.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast: August 3rd, 2020


Heavy Rain is expected Tuesday as Isaias moves through.

Skook News Obituaries: August 2nd, 2020


Skook News Obituaries:  August 2nd, 2020

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Two Drivers Under the Influence Involved in Crash on Route 61; One Seriously Injured

One person was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash on Route 61 on Sunday.

WEATHER ALERT: Flash Flood Watch Issued Ahead of Isaias Arrival; 2 to 4 Inches of Rain Possible

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Schuylkill County for Monday evening through Tuesday evening.

Two Injured After Motorcycles Crash on Pottsville Minersville Highway

Two people were injured after a crash involving two motorcycles on the Pottsville Minersville Highway near Minersville on Saturday evening.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast: August 2nd, 2020


Schuylkill County Weather Forecast: August 2nd, 2020

Skook News Obituaries: August 1st, 2020


Skook News Obituaries:  August 1st, 2020

Registered Sex Offender Reported Missing; Possibly in Northumberland County

According to Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania State Police at Lykens and Criminal Investigation Unit is investigating the disappearance of a Dauphin County man that is classified as a registered sex offender.

Saturday, August 1, 2020

Police and Humane Officers Investigate After 44 Cats Seized from Home in Mahanoy Township

Mahanoy Township Police as well as humane officers are investigating a case of animal hoarding and neglect.

One Injured in Mahanoy Township Crash Late Saturday

One person was injured in a crash on the Morea Road in Mahanoy Township late Saturday.

Construction Worker Struck and Killed Along Interstate 81 in Hazle Township Overnight

The Pennsylvania State Police are looking for a driver and vehicle involved in a fatal accident overnight where a construction worker was struck and killed along Interstate 81 in Luzerne County.

Mount Carmel Woman Charged with Assault in Upper Mahantango Township

A Mount Carmel woman is facing assault charges after an incident at her place of employment earlier this month.

Ringtown Woman Caught Stealing Adult Toy from Shop near Pottsville

A Ringtown woman is facing retail theft charges after she allegedly stole merchandise from an adult store near Pottsville.

Pine Grove Man Sentenced To 97 Months’ Imprisonment On Drug Trafficking And Firearms Offenses

On Friday, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brett Lamar Heinbach, 38, of Pine Grove, was sentenced on July 27, 2020, to 97 months’ imprisonment followed by four years supervised release by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Arrests Scranton Homicide Suspect in Manhattan, New York

On Friday, United States Marshal Martin J. Pane announced the arrest of Nasir Damani Williams, a 17-year old Wilkes-Barre man.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast: August 1st, 2020


Schuylkill County Weather Forecast: August 1st, 2020

No Injuries Reported After Crash on Aristes Road near Columbia/Schuylkill County Line

No injuries were reported after a two-vehicle crash near the Columbia/Schuylkill County line on Tuesday.

Friday, July 31, 2020

Skook News Obituaries: July 31st, 2020


Skook News Obituaries:  July 31st, 2020

PIAA Issues Statement on Fan Attendance at Athletic Events

On Thursday, the PIAA officially released a statement on fan attendance at athletic events once school resumes.

Two Charged After Altercation Over Dog Biscuits Leads to Fight

Two men were charged last week after an argument between the two led to a physical altercation.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville, on July 23rd, 2020, around 1:45am, Brian Andrewsky, 48, of Lost Creek, and Matthew Dietz, 30, of Mount Carmel were involved in an argument over dog biscuits when the altercation turned physical at a home on Mount Olive Boulevard in West Mahanoy Township.

The cops were called and Andrewsky and Dietz had minor injuries as a result of the fight.

State Police filed charges for harassment against both Andrewsky and Dietz for the incident.

State Police Investigate Drone Activity near SCI/Frackville

The Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville are investigating an incident involving a drone flying near SCI/Frackville, located on Altamont Boulevard in Ryan Township near Frackville.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast: July 31st, 2020


Schuylkill County Weather Forecast:  July 31st, 2020

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Skook News Obituaries: July 30th, 2020


Skook News Obituaries:  July 30th, 2020

Shenandoah Man Sentenced To 30 Months’ Imprisonment For Heroin Trafficking in Schuylkill and Luzerne Counties

On Wednesday, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Carlos Correa, 32, of Shenandoah, was sentenced on July 23, 2020, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 30 months’ imprisonment for his participation in a heroin trafficking conspiracy in Schuylkill and Luzerne Counties.

2020 Schuylkill County Firefighter's Association Convention Cancelled

Officials have announced the cancellation of the 2020 Schuylkill County Firefighter's Association Convention.

In a press release from the Association's President Dave Sattizahn,  it stated:

The officers of the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association (SCVFA), in agreement with the Ringtown Valley convention committee, and under the guidance of the Schuylkill County Commissioners have made the very difficult decision to cancel this year’s convention and all associated events. Hosting a convention requires several years planning along with a financial investment, and the association is very disappointed to cancel this event after all of the hard work that was done by the Ringtown Valley convention committee in planning the 2020 convention.

The event was scheduled to take place from August 16th, 2020 ending with the annual parade on August 22nd, 2020.

The 67th Annual convention will be hosted by the Minersville Fire Department with events throughout the week of September 5th through September 11th, 2021.

Minersville Police Seek Man After Seizing 30 Firearms During Search Warrant

The Minersville Police have obtained an arrest warrant for a man after they seized 30 firearms from his home.

According to Minersville Police Patrolman Jeffrey Bowers, officers executed a search warrant at a home of James Fitting, 35, at the address of 326 North Front Street, Minersville.

As officers executed the warrant, Fitting's mother answered the door and said Fitting was not home at the time.

A search of a 3rd floor bedroom led to the finding of 30 firearms and a large amount of ammunition.

Officers found that Fitting had removed paneling in the room to conceal firearms inside storage in the walls.

A hand grenade as well as a bullet proof vest were also fond.

Police said in all, they seized 30 firearms, a sawed off shotgun, three rifle barrels, the bullet proof vest as well as the hand grenade.

Fitting is a fugitive in Berks County on charges not to be carried without a license and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

During the incident in Berks County, Fitting was found in a vehicle with an AR-15, handgun, and a quarter pound of methamphetamine.  Fitting had pleaded guilty to those charges.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Fitting's arrest.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts are asked to contact the Minersville Police at (570) 544-2333.

Demolition Project Causes Unexpected Collapse in Minersville

A building that was being demolished in the 100 Block of Sunbury Street Thursday morning didn't go as planned.
Just after 12:00pm, a Minersville fire chief was called to the 100 Block of Sunbury Street for an investigation.

Officials tell us while crews were working on tearing down the building between the barbershop and former Wooden Keg, portions of the building's third floor collapsed causing debris to fall into the street prompting emergency personnel to close Sunbury Street.

No injuries were reported.

Traffic will be detoured around the area until further notice.