Tractor Trailer Carrying Cattle Crashes Friday Morning

On Friday morning, around 7:00am, emergency personnel were called to Milemarker 114 on the Southbound lanes of Interstate 81 for an overturned tractor trailer hauling cattle.

Schuylkill County Author Successfully Publishes Second Novel, with a Third Novel in the Works

Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania -- Melissa Alina Strouse, the self-published author of The Cellar, has recently self- published a sequel,Lake Hamlet.  As she has proclaimed when she released her first novel, she writes to promote literacy and to encourage others to learn more about history, with the hopes of not repeating the past.  The Book is currently available through Amazon in both book and Kindle formats.

While magic, suspense, and mystery surround the general story line (again), as it is considered of a fiction genre, Strouse has stated that a lot of research was invested in the second novel as well, to ensure that the historical accounts, specifically the mystical adventures involving Abraham Lincoln, were communicated as accurately as possible without practicing defamation.  

The synopsis for Lake Hamlet reads as follows: 

Merely a year after discovering that she, Helen Chambers, was born into a specially abled type of family that possesses many unusual gifts, the young woman is still trying to master her newly founded abilities all while attempting to adjust to her newly established lifestyle and recently developed friendships.  Thinking that her adventure ended when she discovered what lay behind the cellar door, she encounters an even greater challenge than what she was ever prepared to confront.  Now, in addition to desperately trying to decipher the messages that she has received in her dreams in time to prevent a tragedy, she has also made it her mission to prevent other newcomers from suffering from the same startling experience she had when she learned about her abilities.  From a world unlike any other, the story of the unique continues...

As of the present, Strouse is in the process of writing a third novel, The Legacy, which will conclude the trilogy.

The trilogy facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/thecellarfanpage/timeline   The author also hosts a website which can be found at:  /melissastrouse.wix.com/melissaalinastrouse

Schuylkill Health and Lehigh Valley Health Network Sign Agreement to Merge

Access to expanded healthcare services, more advanced technology and more medical specialists available to the residents of Schuylkill County have taken a major step forward today. Schuylkill Health System (SHS) and Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) announced they have signed a definitive agreement to merge. The boards of directors of both organizations recently approved the agreement. The transaction is subject to the typical regulatory review associated with this type of transaction, and is expected to be complete by the end of 2016.


“We are very excited about the future,” said Anthony Baran, chair, board of directors of SHS. “This agreement will shape health care delivery right here in our community for generations to come. It is something our community not only expects but deserves. Merging our two organizations will mean that Schuylkill County residents will have better local access to specialized services and physicians, sophisticated technology and the highest-quality clinical care in the region.”


Brian Nester, DO, MBA, FACOEP, LVHN’s president and chief executive officer, acknowledged LVHN’s desire to extend an already successful partnership to care for the residents of Schuylkill County. The two organizations have worked together to care for patients suffering from burns and stroke through the use of telemedicine and other patients who require a higher level of specialized care. “The nature of health care delivery is changing and many organizations are finding that coming together in an integrated system creates the most efficient, quality enhancing and accessible environment in which to meet the needs of the patient,” Nester said. “We look forward to developing with Schuylkill Health, a model for delivering health care in this region that meets the community’s needs close to home and, when possible, keeps people healthy and out of the hospital.”


Nester said LVHN is committed to increasing the number of physicians in the community, including primary care and specialists, as well as maintaining many services that SHS already offers and further developing some of those services. These include maintaining services such as ER, obstetrics, surgery, behavioral health and expanding specialty services such as cardiology and orthopedics. LVHN also plans to invest in building the medical staff at SHS and implementing an electronic medical record that integrates with the LVHN network.Schuylkill Medical Center South Jackson Street


In November of 2014, Schuylkill Health announced its intention to pursue some type of partnership with a larger health system. “Initially, seven organizations were identified as potential partners,” said Marc H. Lory, Schuylkill Health president and chief executive officer “Over the next 14 months, the field was reduced to two and then a letter of intent with LVHN was completed. We relied on our boards and created a special physician advisory group to review and give input on all of the possibilities,” Lory said. “We are very pleased that we have been able to accomplish so much in such a relatively short period of time. We recognize the many benefits to our community going forward. We are also very thankful and appreciative of the efforts of our boards, physicians, senior leadership and management teams as well as our employees for continuing to do the good work that community hospitals do each day.”


Schuylkill Health was established in August of 2008 when the former Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and The Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic merged. Pottsville Hospital was established in 1895 and Good Samaritan was founded in 1925. Schuylkill Health employs approximately 1,300 full and part time employees and has a medical staff of approximately 180 members. It is Schuylkill County’s largest employer and offers a full range of general and specialty services. While merged, the two Pottsville hospitals never fully integrated services, something that is now underway as part of a campus integration plan, which should be completed in 2016.


Schuylkill Health provides inpatient units for medical/surgical, critical care, behavioral health (geriatric, adult and adolescent), acute rehabilitation, maternity and pediatrics. In addition, Schuylkill Health is a leader in outpatient physical rehabilitation services with Schuylkill Rehabilitation Center, as well as outpatient facilities in Orwigsburg and Frackville.


For outpatients, Schuylkill Health provides a physician-staffed, 24-hour emergency department, home health department and other extensive outpatient programs and services including an outpatient surgery center, cardiac rehabilitation program, nutrition & wellness center, women’s imaging center as well as speech language pathology services, occupational medicine center and clinical diabetes educators. In addition, Schuylkill Health is the home of the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing, a 32-month RN diploma program, which serves as the primary supplier of registered nurses in Schuylkill County.


Both Schuylkill medical centers are accredited by the Joint Commission, licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and have been recognized for numerous quality initiatives such as the most recent Gold Plus Awards and Honor Roll from the American Heart Association in the treatment of congestive heart failure and cardiac disease.

Posted from Lehigh Valley Health News

Man Facing Drug Charges After Meth Found During Traffic Stop

A Port Carbon man is facing drug charges after a traffic stop.

On Monday, April 11, 2016 at approximately 7:35 pm, the Orwigsburg Police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding in the 800 block of W. Market Street in the borough.

Hershey Theatre Announces Audition for Young Actor to Portray Role in National Tour of Tony® Award-Winning

(HERSHEY, PA) Hershey Theatre, in conjunction with Phoenix Entertainment, is searching for a young male actor(s) to portray the role of “Young Coalhouse” in the National Broadway Tour of RAGTIME when the show comes to Hershey, April 26 to May 1, 2016 for 8 performances. Anyone fulfilling the below requirements should submit their entry in person on Monday, April 18 , between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Hershey Theatre Grand Lobby.

SEEKING: “Young Coalhouse”

REQUIREMENTS: Young Coalhouse is a young African American boy, ideally around 4 years old and 3’6” tall and 40 pounds. Young Coalhouse should have an “innocent” and “pure” quality about him. In role, Young Coalhouse will be picked up by an adult cast member, sit on a cast member’s lap and pretend to play piano. Young Coalhouse will also skip in a circle holding hands with other young actors. Young actor will need a chaperone over 18 years of age to accompany him at all times.

WHAT TO SUBMIT: Young actor must submit a full length front and full length side photo, in addition to a headshot (if available).

WHAT TO PREPARE: Parent or guardian and young actor must submit photos, headshot and audition card in person at Hershey Theatre, 15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey PA 17033 on Monday, April 18, 2016.
· Submissions will be accepted Monday, April 18 between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
· Come to the table in the Grand Lobby of the theatre, just inside the doors on Caracas Ave.
· Parking is available directly across from the theatre marquee on Caracas Ave.
· You must bring completed submission materials (see WHAT TO SUBMIT above).
·Young actor will participate in a brief interview with Hershey Theatre staff.

Please direct any questions to Dennis Norton, Manager of Entertainment Programming, DNorton@HersheyPA.com.

RAGTIME takes place at the dawn of a new century, when everything is changing…and anything is possible. Set in turn of the century New York, the musical tells the stories of an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician - all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow. Their compelling stories are set to the theatre’s richest and most glorious Tony® Award-winning scores.

RAGTIME comes to Hershey Theatre for eight performances April 26 to May 1, 2016. Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM, and Sunday at 1:00 PM & 6:30 PM. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at [www.hersheytheatre.com]www.hersheytheatre.com or by calling 717-534-3405 or in person at the Hershey Theatre Box Office. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling Janet Dise at 717-534-3352

Group Looking to Keep Ashland Fireworks Tradition Alive

Earlier this year it was announced that Ashland borough would no longer have their annual fireworks display "Thunder Over Ashland".  But some individuals from the borough have come together to keep the tradition alive.

Police Investigating Retail Theft

The Rush township Police department is investigating a retail theft that occurred on 4-12-16 at approximately 4:10PM at the Hometown Wal-Mart.

Meth, Guns, Marijuana, Pipe Bombs, and Money Seized in Drug Trafficking Investigation

On Wednesday, The State Police and Schuylkill County District Attorney's office held a press conference to announce an arrests from and investigation into a large scale methamphetamine trafficking organization.

Avenues Foundation 28th Annual Duck Race

The Avenues Foundation is proud to host its 28th Annual Duck Race Sunday, April 24, 2016 at the Walmart Supercenter in St. Clair. 

Schuylkill Health Signs Agreement with Lehigh Valley Health Network

On Wednesday, staff, doctors, and volunteers of Schuylkill Health received a letter from Marc Lory, the acting chief executive office for Schuylkill Health, announcing that Schuylkill Health has signed an agreement with the Lehigh Valley Network.

Crews Battle Fire in Shenandoah Wednesday Evening

Photo posted to Schuylkill County Firewire
by David Lindenmuth

Around 7:00pm, fire crews were called to 508 West Vernon Street, Shenandoah for a working structure fire.

Arrests Made in Meth Trafficking Operation

The Pennsylvania State Police and Schuylkill County District Attorney's Office held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to announce arrests to investigation into a meth trafficking ring that was operating out of San Diego, CA to Schuylkill County.






This past weekend 7 suspects were taken into custody: (All facing drug charges)

• Anthoney Haughton, 55, of Orange, NJ
• Angel Romeu, 32, St. Clair, PA
• David Bainbridge, 35, Seltzer, PA
• Chad Bainbridge, 39, Pottsville, PA
• Michael Donlin, 41, Pine Grove, PA
• Brett Heinbach, 33, Pine Grove, PA
• Jonathan Spiess, 36, Auburn, PA

3 other suspects are still reported to have active warrants for their arrest

• David Botek, 36, Pottsville, PA
• Todd Hoke, 36, Branchdale, PA
• Wayne Lenosky, 35, Pottsville, PA

3 more suspects have active summons

• Terry Dewitt, 53, Schuylkill Haven, PA
• Samantha Digilio, 24, Branchdale, PA
• Scott Haberstroh, 46, Tremont, PA

Link to Full Story from Pennlive.com
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/04/10_arrested_and_meth_guns_pipe.html#incart_river_home

This bust was a coast to coast operation. Drugs were being trafficked in from Cali into Schuylkill County @wnep pic.twitter.com/L4G5grXQxl

— Alicia Nieves WNEP (@NievesReporting) April 13, 2016

PSP: Meth ring operating out of San Diego, CA to Schuylkill Co. 13 suspects involved. 3 remain at large. @69News pic.twitter.com/gbbGrRyuC0

— Ryan Hughes (@RHughes69News) April 13, 2016

.@PAStatePolice dismantle meth ring in Schuylkill Co. Cash, guns and drugs seized. More details to come. @69News pic.twitter.com/EZ3mmRyqWE

— Ryan Hughes (@RHughes69News) April 13, 2016

High School Softball Field Vandalized

Authorities and school officials are looking for whoever vandalized the Tamaqua Area Girls Softball Field Tuesday night.

Anyone with information should call Tamaqua Police at (570)668-6100.

Shenandoah Bridge Reopens to Traffic

On Wednesday, a bridge near Shenandoah that was being worked on and later closed due to a hole in the deck, has reopened.

Paul McCartney to Play Hersheypark Stadium This Summer

Paul McCartney has confirmed he will perform for the first time ever in Hershey as part of his brand new One On One tour on Tuesday, July 19th at Hersheypark Stadium.

As with the launch of every new Paul McCartney tour, One On One promises to unveil a dazzling re-designed set, dozens of classics from the most beloved catalog in popular music, spanning Paul's entire career--as a solo artist, member of Wings and of course as a Beatle—and no shortage of surprises.

One On One will open today, April 13 with Paul's first ever appearance in Fresno, CA at the SaveMart Arena. On April 15, Paul will play the Moda Center in Portland, OR, ending the near-11-year stretch since his last show in the Rose City on the US Tour in 2005. The One On One tour will then proceed to Seattle, WA, for an April 17 evening at the Key Arena—a return engagement Seattle has been anxiously awaiting since the last notes of the encore featuring the living members of Nirvana that wrapped Paul’s sold out Safeco Field extravaganza in 2013. On April 19 and 20, Paul will roll into the Rogers Arena in Vancouver BC for two nights, returning to Vancouver for the first time since the magical evening at the BC Place Stadium during the final week of his On The Run tour in 2012. And on April 30 and May 2, Paul will visit two more U.S. cities for the very first time, appearing respectively at the Verizon Arena in Little Rock, AR, and the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Today, Paul just announced two more dates – Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA on July 12 and Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, PA on July 19th. This will be the first time Paul has ever performed in Hershey.

One On One is the first new Paul McCartney tour since the juggernaut that was Out There came to its stunning conclusion on October 22, 2015 with Paul’s first ever concert in Buffalo, NY. Out There’s finale capped off an incredible 2015, in which the tour played 27 shows in 22 cities throughout the world, with highlights including Paul’s historic debut in South Korea—where the crowd at Seoul Olympic Stadium’s refusal to stop singing the refrain to “Hey Jude” literally forced Paul to reprise the song in the first encore, playing that signature bassline live for the first time—three nights at the Tokyo Dome and one at Budokan, a sold out stand at Paris’ majestic Stade de France, more than a dozen packed arena shows across the U.S., UK and Europe, and triumphant headlines at festivals such as Firefly, Roskilde, and Lollapalooza in Chicago—the latter a tour de force performance for a 100,000-strong crowd featuring a guest appearance from Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard on “Get Back.”

The Paul McCartney live experience is everything any music lover could ever want from a rock show—and so much more: Nearly three hours worth of the greatest moments from the last 50 years of music, dozens of songs that have formed the soundtracks of our lives. Paul and his band have played an unparalleled range of venues and locations: outside the Coliseum in Rome, Moscow's Red Square, Buckingham Palace, The White House, a free show in Mexico for over 400,000 people, the last ever show at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park where The Beatles played their final concert 1966, and even one performance broadcast live into Space! Featuring Paul's band of the last 10+ years – Paul "Wix" Wickens (keyboards), Brian Ray (bass/guitar), Rusty Anderson (guitar) and Abe Laboriel Jr (drums) – the show is never anything short of life-changing.

The One On One Tour will debut a brand new production, as always utilizing state of the art audio and video technology and to ensure an unforgettable experience from every seat in the house. Employing massive screens, lasers, fireworks and, of course, a staggering selection of the best songs ever written or performed, every Paul McCartney show promises a once in a lifetime evening that transcends and elevates the potential of live music.

Tickets for the Hershey date will be on sale Friday, April 22 at 10am EST via Ticketmaster.com, HersheyEntertainment.com, GIANT Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Outlets or by-phone at 800-745-3000. 

American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Monday, April 18 at 10am EST through Thursday, April 21 at 10pm EST.