Friday, April 29, 2016

Knoebels Opens For It's 90th Season Saturday

Elysburg, PA – It all started on July 4, 1926 with a carousel, a pool, and a few food stands. Fast-forward to 2016: 90 years later and Knoebels Amusement Resort still offers free admission, free parking, free picnic facilities and free entertainment. It is also still owned and operated by the Knoebel family. The resort in Central Pennsylvania has grown over the years to now include 63 rides; 35 unique food stands; a 900,000 gallon pool; two campgrounds; a golf course; and a plethora of gift shops, games and attractions.

Throughout the years, Knoebels has added both brand new attractions and classic rides of days gone by. Many visitors relish in the ability to experience amusement park rides of their childhood, or witness their children or grandchildren enjoying those same rides. Its classic wooden roller coasters have attracted visitors from all over the world, its new steel roller coaster appeals to the upside down thrill seeker in the family, and its 100+ year old Grand Carousel is consistently ranked among the finest. For some, the best ride at Knoebels is the food – It also consistently wins the industry’s top honors for best amusement park food in the world.

According to Knoebels’ public relations director Stacy Ososkie, this offseason, Knoebels has placed a heavy emphasis on bettering its current features.

“In general, there are three levels of improvements that are made at Knoebels,” said Ososkie. “One is a project like last season’s addition of Impulse – a brand new steel roller coaster near the entrance of the park was easily recognizable. The second is an upgrade that would be noticed by park enthusiasts who have memorized many aspects of the park, such as an upgrade to a well-known building or ride. The third is equally as important, but rarely recognizable by the public – that is adding infrastructure to ensure the future needs of the park can be met, and restoring structures or rides so that what we have now can exist for years to come.”

In addition to celebrating 90 years of family fun, a number of upgrades are being made to well-known structures in the park including its award-winning wooden roller coasters, its classic Haunted Mansion, and foods stands. Its laser tag game area will double in size and utilize new equipment, and the Galleon, a family pirate ship ride, will be replaced by a brand new version. The park will also host a record high of over 25 special events this season.

“Knoebels is proud to be a place all ages can enjoy, and is looking forward to the next 90 years,” added Ososkie.


Upcoming North Schuylkill Spring Concert Schedule

Upcoming North Schuylkill Spring Concert Schedule

Man Facing Theft and Drug Charges

Frackville Borough Police have filed charges against James Brown, Scranton, related to two incidents in the 200 block of N. Broad Mountain Ave.

Two Face Drug Charges After Disburbance

Frackville Borough Police have filed charges against Michael O’Boyle, Pottsville, and Debra Sewinsky, Ashland, after an incident on April 4th, 2016 at the Econo Lodge Motel, Frackville.

Big Diamond Races Cancelled for Friday Evening

MINERSVILLE – Those pesky April showers that bring May flowers found northeastern Pennsylvania on Friday and along with an unfavorable weather forecast, Big Diamond Speedway promoter Jake Smulley has cancelled tonight’s racing card.

Pilgrim's Pride Chicken Recall

WASHINGTON, On Tuesday, Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., a Waco, Texas establishment, recalled approximately 4,568,080 pounds of fully cooked chicken products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, including plastic, wood, rubber, and metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Tuesday.

PennDOT Announces First Use of Flashing Yellow Arrow Signals

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced it will be activating a new type of left turn signal that has been proven to improve left turn safety at intersections.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Abatement Work to Begin at Schuylkill County Courthouse

Early this year some concerns relating to Radon in the Schuylkill County Courthouse were raised and the Board of Commissioners responded proactively by engaging a professional environment firm to test and subsequently propose an abatement plan.

New Facility to Bring Over 200 Jobs to Schuylkill County

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf announced Thursday that Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), parent of Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and Saks OFF 5TH, will establish a new facility in Foster Township, Schuylkill County. The move will result in 207 new, full-time jobs.

“This is the nineteenth jobs announcement that my administration has made with the Governor’s Action Team this year, securing commitments for the creation of thousands new jobs all across the commonwealth,” said Governor Wolf. “Each announcement is another boost to Pennsylvania’s economy and the addition of HBC’s new facility in Schuylkill County means 207, new, full-time jobs for Pennsylvanians.”

HBC will move into an existing distribution facility in Foster Township. The company will establish an e-commerce fulfillment center and develop a 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art fashion photography studio. The company has committed to making an investment of at least $50 million in the project and has committed to creating 207 new, full-time jobs and retaining 391 positions over the next three years.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation.

“We are grateful to Governor Wolf and the Governor’s Action Team, and excited to become part of the Pottsville community,” said Jerry Storch, HBC’s Chief Executive Officer. “At HBC, we are laser-focused on our all-channel strategy, and this investment leapfrogs us to the forefront of internet distribution technology. As we execute on our digital strategy, we continue to invest in innovation that enables us to serve our consumers seamlessly, lead the evolution of trends in the retail industry, and expand our business which creates new job opportunities and investment in the community.”

HBC received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development that includes a $500,000 Pennsylvania First program grant, $93,150 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training, and $414,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs.

“There is no issue more important in Schuylkill County than good-paying jobs,” said state Sen. David G. Argall, R-Schuylkill/Berks. “I want to congratulate Governor Wolf and his team, as well as Frank Zukas at SEDCO and Rep. Goodman and all of our local economic development advocates on a job well done. The interstate and international competition for jobs of this kind is very intense and I am very pleased by the result today.”

“I’m thrilled that Hudson’s Bay Company has chosen to bring hundreds of family-sustaining jobs to my legislative district and to invest $50 million into this project,” said state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-Schuylkill. “Hudson’s Bay Company is one of the fastest growing department store retailers in the world, and its e-commerce fulfillment center in Highridge Business Park will help the company and Schuylkill County to continue to move forward.”

“Today’s announcement is great news for the economic future of Schuylkill County given the excellent reputation of the Hudson’s Bay Company as an innovative retailer and e-commerce leader with iconic brands such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor included in their family of companies,” said Frank Zukas, president, Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation.

Hudson’s Bay Company is the oldest company in North America. HBC’s leading North American banners include Hudson’s Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Gilt, and Saks OFF 5TH, along with Find @ Lord & Taylor and Home Outfitters. In Europe, its banners include GALERIA Kaufhof, the largest department store group in Germany, Belgium’s only department store group Galeria INNO, as well as Sportarena. The company has more than 460 stores and 66,000 employees around the world.

Schuylkill Mall Listed for Sheriff's Sale

According to the Schuylkill County Sheriff's Sale of Real Estate site, the Schuylkill Mall has been listed for Sheriff's Sale on a Judgement of $27,428,876.10.

The sale of the property is scheduled for June 17, 2016 At 10:00am in Courtroom No. 1 at the Court House in Pottsville.

More details when they are available.


Link to Schuylkill County Government site

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Coach Rizzo Still Teaching the Game

A few weeks ago, Coach John Rizzo, coach of the North Schuylkill Lady Spartans, announced he was stepping down from coaching to spend more time to spend with his sons.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day This Saturday

The 11th National Prescription Drug "Take-Back Day” will take place on Saturday April 30 from 10:00 am – 2:00pm.

Man Charged with Raping Girl

A man is facing charges after he was arrested for allegedly raping a 13 year old girl in West Mahanoy Township.

Big Diamond Current Point Standings

Big Diamond Speedway Points as of April 22, 2016

Who Won the Schuylkill County Vote?


Who won the Schuylkill County Vote?

Fire Crews Called to Overnight Fire

Around 2:00am Wednesday, fire crews were called to 622 North 2nd Street, Pottsville for a working structure fire.

Seven people were reportedly displaced because of the fire.

No injuries were reported and the cause is still under investigation.

More details when they are available.






Tuesday, April 26, 2016

2016 Primary Election Results


2016 Primary Election Results

Who Do you Want Representing You at the Republican National Convention?


So you are a registered Republican and Donald Trump doesn't get enough delegates from the primary to clinch the official nomination.  Who do you want representing you at the Republican National Convention?

Monday, April 25, 2016

Schuylkill County Primary Election 2016


Tuesday is the Primary Elections for 2016 and the following is what we will see on the ballot in Schuylkill County.  Do you know who you are voting for?

Ashland Man Facing Public Drunkeness and Drug Charges

On April 8th, 2016, Frackville Borough Police arrested Trevor Mitros, Ashland for public drunkenness in the 100 block of S. Fourth St.