Schuylkill County Ambulance Catches Fire on Interstate 81 in Lebanon County

Photo Courtesy of Andrew Leibenguth/TamaquArea.com
Public Forum

A Schuylkill County Ambulance caught fire Tuesday afternoon in Lebanon County.

Big Diamond Speedway Point Standings as of May 27

Big Diamond Speedway Point Standings as of May 27

Lottery Winning Employees Charged for Stealing Money from Store

The Pennsylvania State Police have charged four employees of a Schuylkill County store with stealing money and using it on the Pennsylvania Lottery and other items.

According to Police, Kerry Titus, 54, Joan Lechleitner, 51, Samantha Schaeffer, 25, and Tyler Schappell, 21, all of Pottsville were arraigned Tuesday afternoon on charges of theft by unlawful taking and theft by deception for allegedly stealing over $175,000 from the Cressona Agway, located on 22 North Second Street where they all worked.

The thefts were reportedly made through fraudulent product returns between May 2011 and March 2016.

The accused then reportedly spent the money on various items including Pennsylvania Lottery tickets.

According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, the four hit the Cash 5 Jackpot on September 11, 2015 for $261,000.

The four were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

USDA Rural Development Funds Two New Minersville Trucks through a Loan and Grant Combo

USDA Rural Development is funding the purchase of two new trucks for the use of the Borough of Minersville, Schuylkill County. The Borough of Minersville is an eligible rural area in the state of Pennsylvania.

“USDA Rural Development is happy to fund vehicles for communities like Minersville,” said Rural Development State Director Tom Williams. “Funding these vehicles will ensure that the Borough of Minersville continues to respond to calls around the community in a timely and efficient manner.”

The funding comes in the form of a Rural Development Community Facility loan of $96,600 as well as a Community Facility grant of $20,600. This loan and grant combination will be used to purchase two 2016 Chevrolet 3500HD trucks. One truck will come equipped with a dump box, snow plow, and salt spreader packages while the second truck will come equipped with a snow plow package. A $200 applicant contribution puts the total project funding at $117,400.

In Pennsylvania last year, the USDA Community Facility Program invested over $199 million in rural Pennsylvania through 58 community facilities loans and grants. Community Facilities programs help build, expand, rehabilitate, purchase, and support the development of police and emergency fire stations and equipment, museums, child care centers, hospitals, clinics, schools, and more.

Photos of Mahanoy City's Annual Memorial Day Parade 2016

Friday's Results from Big Diamond Speedway - 05/27/16

Friday's Results from  Big Diamond Speedway - 05/27/16

Upcoming Schuylkill County Road Work

Upcoming Schuylkill County Road Work

Hawk Mountain Council to Host Service to Youth and Community Breakfast

The Hawk Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America will hold a Distinguished Citizen Breakfast to honor the Schaeffer Family, H. Slayton Altenburg and other local community leaders.

Schuylkill County Fireworks Schedule for 2016

Schuylkill County Fireworks Schedule for 2016

Yuengling to Present Donation to VFW at National Convention

D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., announced Thursday that it will recognize the sacrifices that America’s veterans have made by presenting a generous donation to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) at the 117th VFW National Convention in Charlotte N.C. this July. The donation will go toward the VFW’s many veteran and military assistance programs which help countless veterans, service members and military family members each year.

Man Charged with Sexually Assaulting Teenage Girl

A Girardville man has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

Fire Company to Celebrate Engine Milestone

The Rangers Hose Company, Girardville, is planning a day of activities for June 4th, 2016 to celebrate their 1916 Ford Model T fire engine turning 100 years old.

Pennsylvania Gas Stations Will Soon Be Allowed to Sell Six Packs

Pennsylvania Governor Wolf announced Wednesday that you soon will be able to buy six packs at your local gas stations.

Fire Crews Called to Fire in Shenandoah

Around 11:30am Wednesday,  fire crews were called to 219 West Oak Street, Shenandoah for a house fire.

Fire Crews at the Scene of a Fire in East Brunswick Township

Around 9:00am, Wednesday, fire crews were called to 111 Bear Creek Drive, East Brunswick Township for a house fire.

The fire is reported to be a trailer.

More details when they are available.

Hallmark Closing in the Fairlane Village Mall

Photo from HeritageShop.com

The Hallmark Heritage Shop in the Fairlane Village Mall announced Monday that they will be closing.

Auditor General Reports that 42,000 Calls to Child Abuse Hotline Went Unanswered

HARRISBURG (May 24, 2016) – Thousands of children across the commonwealth could have been left in dangerous situations, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said Tuesday, because of severe deficiencies at ChildLine, the state hotline for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.

Gone But Not Forgotten Race to Wrap Up May Races at Big Diamond and Current Point Standings

MINERSVILLE, PA. -- Over the years, Big Diamond Speedway has been blessed to have some of the greatest people in racing grace the track as drivers, car owners, crew chiefs, mechanics or dedicated fans.

On Friday, the speedway will honor their memories with the Mark’s Service Station will present the Gone But Not Forgotten Race.

A list of names appears on a billboard behind the scoring tower for fans to see at the speedway and one of those names is Fran Purcell.

A long-time racer and car owner, Purcell died in November of 2008 and he was remembered in victory lane last Tuesday night by Ryan Watt while celebrating his win in the 50-lap Short Track Super Series Anthracite Assault modified feature.

“It’s a real big thing as I never ran Big Diamond that much and he gave me a shot at it and we got along real well,” Watt said. “Fran was so well known and to be involved with someone who was a big supporter of Big Diamond is really big to me.”

Friday’s race will be the first point race for the CJ’s Tire & Automotive Services 358 modifieds in a month thanks to rain outs.

They’ll be joined on the card by the U.S.S. Achey sportsman, Savage 61 roadrunners, No Sweat Service Group street stocks and the vintage cars.

General admission is $15, $13 for seniors and kids 12-and-under along with active military with a valid ID are free.

The gates opens at 5 with warm ups at 7:45 and racing getting underway at 8:15.

Current Point Standings
CJ's Tire & Automotive Services 358 Modifieds:
1. Ryan Godown 837
2. Billy Pauch Jr. 779
3. Jeff Strunk 774
4. Ryan Grim 749
5. Ray Swinehart 702
6. Rick Laubach 669
7. Ryan Watt 659
8. Duane Howard 653
9. Brett Kressley 628
10. Shawn Fitzpatrick 541.

U.S.S. Achey Sportsman:
1. Brandon Grosso 1466
2. Tim Fitzpatrick 1369
3. Wayne Witmer 1282
4. Ray Woodall Jr. 1182
5. Doug Hendricks 1065
6. Chuck Fayash 993
7. Matt Clay 972
8. Ed Mrochko 964
9. Ray Woodall Sr. 929
10.Kyle Gruber 888.

Savage 61 roadrunners:
1. Kody Sites 1133
2. Andrew Fayash III 1129
3. Terry Kramer 996
4. Tim Fitzpatrick Jr. 972
5. Jim Kost 972
6. T.J. Fitzpatrick 904
7. Steve Gromis 892
8. Kris Ney 875
9. Chuck Eckert 854
10. Devin Trexler 823.

No Sweat Service Group street stocks:
1. Eric Tripp 614
2. Rich Bossinger 577
3. Chris Derr 537
4. Jeremy Becker 505
5. Jasen Geesaman 480
6. Leroy Long 460
7. Bobby Kupp 459
8. Jim Somers 452
9. Scott Strickler 438
10. Elvin Brennan III 404.

Fishing Licenses Available; Price to Increase June 1st

Schuylkill County Treasurer Linda L Marchalk reminds all Schuylkill County residents that 2016 fishing licenses are available for purchase during regular business hours.

Fire Crews Battle 2nd Alarm House Fire Tuesday Morning

Just after 5:00am Tuesday morning, fire crews were called to the scene of a working house fire in Orwigsburg.