Former Teacher Waives Right to Hearing, Case Heads to Trial

A former North Schuylkill teacher waived her right to a hearing on Wednesday.

Melinda Trezise, of Cressona, waived her right to a hearing on Wednesday to charges where she allegedly had sex with a 13 year old student.  Two charges were also withdrawn on Wednesday.

Trezise is facing charges statutory sexual assault, institutional sexual assault and related offenses after one of Trezise's former students told police the two had sex more than a dozen times at her home.

The assaults reportedly took place between February and April.

Trezise had resigned from her position as a 6th grade teacher and  turned herself in back in July and was later released on bail.

The case will now head to trial.

Story on charges
http://www.skooknews.com/2015/07/former-teacher-charged-with-having-sex.html

Yuengling Ice Cream Announces Launch of Online Merchandise Store

Orwigsburg, PA - Yuengling’s Ice Cream, an American-owned super-premium ice cream brand, announced the launch of its online merchandise store. Beginning today, fans may purchase a variety of merchandise, including trademarked collectors’ items and apparel in adult and youth sizes. Merchandise can be shipped anywhere in the contiguous United States.

American Legion Organizing Community Band

ASHLAND AMERICAN LEGION POST 434

Wants' you for a Community Band. Any age, gender or instrument . Need not be a resident of Ashland.

Pine Grove Man Confesses to Schuylkill Haven Robbery

After an investigation, Schuylkill Haven Borough Police have charged Cody Sticker, 22, of Pine Grove for a robbery that took place on August 29th.

Labor Day Holiday Crash Report from Pennsylvania State Police

Statewide, Nine people were killed and 230 others were injured in the 664 crashes investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police during the four-day Labor Day holiday weekend driving period.

Schuylkill County High School Power Rankings After Week #1

Schuylkill County HS Football Team Stats:

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*AS OF WEEK-1*

Frackville Police Arrest 2 on Drug Charges

On Tuesday, Frackville Borough Police arrested Jairol Q Abreu and Pablo E Padilla-Troche both of West Hazleton on drug delivery charges.

These charges are the results of a controlled buy of heroin conducted by Borough Officers and members of the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force. 

Both men have been charged with Delivery of a controlled substance, conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of communication faculty, conspiracy possession of a controlled substance, driving while suspended, driver required to be licensed and driving without a valid inspection. Both men will have to answer to the above charges before Magistrate Hale, Frackville.

Photos and information posted from

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frackville-Borough-Police-Department/1636188593263126

History of Grand Marshals of the ABA Parade

The Ashland Boys Association, which was established in 1901, celebrates it's annual homecoming in the borough on Labor Day with a parade.

Schuylkill County - Where My Story Begins Shirts Now Available!

"Schuylkill County - Where My Story Begins" t-shirts are now available in our Skook Apparel Store!

Woman Injured in Crash on Interstate 81 Monday Morning

Just after 98am, Monday morning, emergency personnel responded to a crash on Interstate 81 at Milemarker 138.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Route 309 Southbound Closed South of McAdoo

Just before 8am Tuesday morning, emergency personnel were called to the area of the Mile Hill for a motor vehicle accident.

Scheduled Interstate 81 Road Work in Schuylkill County

Scheduled Interstate 81 Road Work in Schuylkill County

Scheduled Schuylkill County Road Work

Scheduled Schuylkill County Road Work

North Schuylkill Holds Open House of Former Cardinal Brennan Campus

On Saturday, September 5, 2015, the North Schuylkill School District held an open house of the former Cardinal Brennan Campus.  The district purchased the campus in January 2015.

Photos of the 2015 Ashland Boys' Association Parade

Ashland's 2015 Ashland Boys Association Parade took place on Saturday at 6pm.

Man Dies After Going Into Cardiac Arrest While Being Handcuffed

Just after 4:00am Friday morning, police were called to the area of 2nd and Main Street in Girardville for a man who was running down the street yelling and trying to get into passing cars.

According to the Morning Call, when State Police arrived, they found the individual to be Lucas Marcus, 33, of Minersville.  After attempting to make contact with Marcus, he was then tasered and handcuffed.

While being handcuffed, Marcus then went into cardiac arrest.

Marcus was then airlifted to a hospital in Reading where he later died on Saturday.

Full story from the Morning Call
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-schuylkill-county-man-dies-after-arrest-20150905-story.html

Story from the Republican Herald
http://m.republicanherald.com/state-police-probe-death-of-minersville-man-1.1937964

Update with surveillance video provided by WNEP

Overturned Trailer Closes Interstate 81 Friday Afternoon in Schuylkill County

Labor Day travelers faced some traffic issues while trying to get through Schuylkill County Friday afternoon.

PPL Customers Could See Rate Increase If Settlement Approved

(PRESS RELEASE) - PPL Electric Utilities and the advocates and interest groups who intervened in the company's rate proceeding have reached a settlement that would increase delivery rates and help fund additional reliability improvements.

"This is a fair settlement among all the parties in the case," said Greg Dudkin, president of PPL Electric Utilities. "We appreciate the constructive dialogue that enabled us to reach this agreement."

The company will use the increased funding to continue its work to prevent power outages for the 3 million people who depend on PPL for safe and reliable electric service.

If approved, the settlement would mean a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month who does not shop for electricity supply would see an increase of about $7.55 a month. Their bill would increase from the current $147.31 per month to $154.86.

The majority of the company's residential customers – about 65 percent of them – uses less electricity and would have a smaller increase in their monthly bills.

There would be no increase in the fixed-charge portion of residential customer bills. PPL Electric Utilities would receive an overall increase in annual revenues of $124 million.

"We are in the midst of game-changing improvements in the quality of service for our customers," said Dudkin. The company plans to spend more than $5 billion during the next five years to renew, strengthen and modernize its electricity delivery network.

PPL Electric Utilities will continue to invest in smart grid technology, new power lines and substations, continued tree trimming activities and stronger poles and wires – all aimed at preventing outages from storms and other causes. The investments are paying off for customers:

• Customers now have 20 percent fewer outages than they did in 2007.
• Reliability is expected to improve by at least another 20 percent in the next five years because of additional investments.
• Tree-related power outages are down 18 percent compared to the average of the previous 10 years. Trees are the biggest cause of power outages in storms.
• In the first half of 2015, nearly 200,000 power outages were prevented because of work PPL is doing to improve its system.

"Our 2,300 employees are finding new ways every day to improve service to customers," Dudkin said. "And at the same time, we are focused on operating more efficiently to make sure electric service from PPL remains a good value for our customers."

The settlement must be approved by the state Public Utility Commission administrative law judge and the PUC. If approved, the increase would take effect on Jan. 1, 2016.

PPL Electric Utilities provides electric delivery service to more than 1.4 million homes and businesses in Pennsylvania and ranks among the best utility companies in the country for customer service and reliability. With 2,300 employees, PPL Electric Utilities is a major employer in the communities it serves. It is a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL). For more information visit www.pplelectric.com.

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores for Week #1

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores for Week #1

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

Around 8:45pm Friday evening, emergency personnel were called to a house fire at 311 West Walnut Street, Hegins.