Monday's Weather Forecast 10/28/13

A really nice, seasonably cool start to the new work week but things slip a bit midweek. Right now, the all-important Halloween holiday looks on the cloudier side with some showers possible, but not looking enough to totally ruin the night for the trick-or-treaters. We'll continue to fine tune the forecast as we draw closer. The really good Halloween news for Halloween events is very mild temperatures soaring deep into the sixties before another chill down next weekend.

Update on Last Night's Fire At Yuengling Brewery in Tampa FL.

Around 8pm last evening, fire crews were called the Yuengling Brewery in Tampa, Fl for a fire at the complex.   When crews arrived they found flames shooting from the roof of one of the buildings.  All workers were evacuated and there were no injuries reported.

Authorities say that fire started in a storage building at the facility.  They said it took about one hour to get control of the fire and cost about $1 Million in damage.  They've ruled the fire accidental but are still seeking an exact cause.

One firefighter was injured during the blaze but he was taken to a hospital were he was treated and released.

Fire Breaks Out At Yuengling Brewery in Tampa, Fl.

While this story is not near Schuylkill County, it still hits close to home.

Around 8pm this evening, fire crews were called the Yuengling Brewery in Tampa, Fl for a fire.   When crews arrived they found flames shooting from the roof of one of the buildings.  All workers were evacuated and there were no injuries reported.

Sunday's Weather Forecast 10/27/13

I said yesterday that Saturday would turn less windy. I was partially right. It was a touch less windy, but that breeze was still pretty chilling on Saturday. With more sunshine, however, it was a pretty nice day.

I'm going to be safe for Sunday and not give up totally on the breeze, but each day, it becomes less windy. Temperatures in the 50s again.

First few days of the new work week are pretty peaceful with sunny, cool days and chilly nights. Temperatures actually increase into the 60s around Halloween but we also introduce some showers into the picture, as well. At this juncture, none of the rain looks like it will ruin trick or treating (if your area does it on Halloween night) but showers are possible at any time from mid-week on as a slow-moving front heads in. 

Saturday's Weather Forecast 10/26/13

After another breezy, chilly day on Friday, the breeze dies down for the weekend and Saturday, Sunday, and Monday offer partly sunny skies with temperatures a bit more comfortable in the 50s. While a brief rain or snow shower still cannot be ruled out any of the coming days, it'll feel a bit more like autumn instead of winter. 

Tranquil weather continues into the coming week but things start to slide downhill around Halloween as a system moves in from the west. Not a lot of rain is in the cards, but can't guarantee a totally dry holiday, either. I'll try to work on that. :) One good thing for many folks will be that temperatures will moderate even more into the new week, perhaps flirting with 60 by mid-week. 

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores- Week #9

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores- Week #9

Blue Mountain 27 Fleetwood 34

Jim Thorpe 14 Marian 7

Tamaqua 50 Minersville 19

Nativity BVM 30 Bucktail 32 in overtime

Panther Valley 21 North Schuylkill 48

Pine Grove 49 Tri-Valley 14

Exeter Twp 48 Pottsville 27

Schuylkill Haven 42 Mahanoy Area 12

Newport 6 Williams Valley 30

Coal Cracken BBQ's "Help Us Help Those In Need" This Thanksgiving

A BBQ Caterer and Restaurant in Schuylkill County is trying to help those in need this Thanksgiving.

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #9

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #9

We should see some close scores this week with a lot of evenly matched games.  Who do you think will win tonight?

Friday's Weather Forecast 10/25/13

Many areas saw their first snowflakes Wednesday & Thursday, especially in the Poconos and northern parts of Schuylkill County. Did you see any?

The windy, chilly pattern continues Friday before the bone-chilling breeze dies down a bit for the weekend, despite it staying on the cool side. Each of the coming days will feature a mix of sun, clouds, and random rain/snow showers with temperatures rising eventually into the 50s by weekend's end. 

A generally tranquil pattern continues into next week with temperatures rebounding a bit closer to seasonal rather than the below-seasonal levels we've been experiencing. 

County Officials Announce "Take Back" Initiative

From Sheriff Groody's Office

Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph Groody, Schuylkill County District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon, The Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, The Schuylkill County Drug & Alcohol program and the US Drug Enforcement Administration with cooperation of local law enforcement and community partners announced a sixth nationwide prescription drug "Take-Back" initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. County Law enforcement agencies have agreed to take part in this initiative and will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction on Saturday, October 26th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

First Snowflakes Fall in Schuylkill County

This afternoon at approximately 2:30PM, many around the county saw their first snow of the season.  The Tamaqua Weatherman posted to his Facebook Page.

2:38pm: Sitting in my car on my lunch break and witnessed FLURRIES!! Location: Deer Lake

When we posted it to our page we got responses from Ashland,  Hegins, Tremont, McAdoo, Primrose and other places all around Schuylkill County that saw flurries.

But while some places saw flurries, others did not.  We got reports from Kelayres and Pottsville that they didn't see any of the white stuff.

It was reported earlier today that the Poconos were to see some snowflakes but the chances were slim for Schuylkill County to see it.

Did you see snowflakes where you live today?

Mayoral Candidate May Be Barred From Taking Office

Republican Dennis Wiessner, Mahanoy City, is running for mayor of the borough.  He  lost to Nancy Petritsch in the May primary by 6 votes but due to 79 Republican write-in votes, he is able to run in the general election in November.

But even if Wiessner does win the election, he may not be able to take office due to a felony conviction from over 40 years ago.

In 1972, Weissner was convicted of stealing 5 turkeys from a turkey coop just outside Allentown.  At the time, he paid a $50 fine and was on probation for two years.

The rule comes from the Pennsylvania Constitution which states:

"No person . . . convicted of infamous crimes shall be capable of holding any office of trust . . . in the Commonwealth"

Weissner has asked Governor Tom Corbett to remove this felony from his record.  He also said he will send an application to the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons.

If Weissner does win and is unable to take office, the Mahanoy City Borough Council would then appoint a mayor who would serve a two year term.

This story was first reported by WNEP.
http://wnep.com/2013/10/23/could-candidate-for-mayor-be-stopped-from-taking-office/

RECALL: Possible Listeria In Meat Products Sent To 27 States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is recalling more than 22,000 pounds of meat products.  Particularly chicken, beef, and ham.

The recall was issued because of possible cross contamination of products with Listeria monocytogenes from contact surfaces.

The bacteria can cause a serious infection called listeriosis.  Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems.  It can be treated by antibiotics.

Thursday's Weather Forecast

After a good freeze early Thursday, the rest of Thursday turns out half decently with some sunshine but temperatures hanging mainly in the upper 40s to low 50s at best. A brief rain or snow shower is possible.

Similar weather is to be expected Friday and part of Saturday before our next system which may drop a few showers later in the weekend. Temperatures return to slightly less bone-chilling levels early next week but no real "mild" weather in view.

Schuylkill Haven, Schools Lose Power This Morning

This morning at approximately 11:15am, Schuylkill Haven and some of the surrounding areas lost power.  Parts of Cressona were said to have lost power for a second but immediately came back on.

For a little more than an hour schools and Schuylkill Haven were without power but crews fixed the problem and the power is now on.

Reports were said the a squirrel took out a transformer causing the outage.

No reports on the condition of the squirrel at this time.

3 Injured When FedEx Truck Collides with Car

State Police are reporting that at approximately 4:30PM, a FedEx truck driven by Brian Krepps, 44, Lebanon, collided with a car on Route 895 in West Brunswick Twp.

The driver of the car was not identified other than that it was a 16 year old male from Orwigsburg.  He is said to have suffered minor injuries.  The passenger in the car was 43 year old Christa Meyers of Orwigsburg.

It is being reported that the FedEx truck rear-ended the car that had stopped for a flagman in a construction zone.  After the truck collided with the car, it pushed the car into a woodpile alongside the road.

The driver of the FedEx truck, Krepps, is said to have been cited.

Today's Weather Forecast 10/22/13

In retrospect, Monday will have been our warmest day of the week and will feel like summer compared to what's to come. A strong cold front (our third such front in the past five or so days) will pass through Tuesday with little fanfare. Some showers are possible, but for the most part, the front looks dry.

Wednesday could turn downright raw as a low pressure skirts to the east. Most of the rain with this system will stay east, but we should get some of the action too. Wednesday temperatures may very well stay in the 40s (!) and with some rain falling, Wednesday may go down as downright nasty. Good soup weather.

Thursday things should improve, but the temperatures won't improve much. If we make it to 50, consider yourself lucky.

Welcome to November in October. Earlier this month, we had August in October. Too bad we never had much OCTOBER in October. :)

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #8

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #8

Where does your team stand this week?  We have a team surging up the ranks on a 5 game win streak.

Today's Weather Forecast 10/21/13

A one day break from the chilly air happens Monday under mainly sunny skies and temperatures into the 60s.

Things clouds up later on Monday, however, ahead of our next cold front which could produce some showers Tuesday when temperatures start their downward spiral.

Our mid-week storm potential isn't looking too impressive at this point, but Wednesday could turn out on the drearier side depending on the track of a storm. Either way, temperatures will feel more like November from Wednesday right through the end of the week and likely beyond! 

Skook News - Week in Review - Week Ending 10/19/13

Check out all of the news from the week ending 10/19/13