Winter Storm Watch Issued For Schuylkill County

WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM EARLY SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT...

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - Early Storm Predictions

By:  Monsoon Mike

After another bitterly cold day on Friday, we're looking into the eyes of a minor to moderate snow event on Saturday, beginning mid morning and lasting until late evening or pre-dawn Sunday.

A quick moving Low pressure will transfer its energy off coast and throw back a swath of plowable but non-crippling snow Saturday. As warm air gets worked into the storm, some mixing to sleet or freezing rain is possible, but I think the plain rain stays well to our south. Nevertheless, just depending where you are in Skook could vary how much I think you'll get.

This map is my FIRST CALL subject to change tomorrow as the storm draws closer.

Click on map to view larger

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https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monsoon-Mikes-Weather-Headquarters/277030735667101

School Closings and Delays 12/12/13

Mahanoy Area - 2 hour delay

Domestic Incident and Fire Last Evening In Mahanoy City

Last evening, authorities were called to 1031 East Pine St, Mahanoy City for a domestic incident and fire. 

While in route, Officers were advised that there were reported flames in the basement and a domestic dispute going on at the same residence.

Upon arrival at the scene officers saw heavy smoke coming from the residence of 1031 E. Pine St. Police also located the victim, Elrena L. Gibson, sitting on the sidewalk with massive head trauma. Gibson was bleeding profusely from her head and face. Gibson stated "Joe Yeich did this".

Witnesses told police that Yeich stated to them that Gibson tried to kill him, so he beat her up and set the house on fire, because the devil made him do it. Witnesses stated that Yeich ran around the corner and was located in a home on Market St.

Gibson was loaded onto a stretcher by EMS Personnel and transported to SCI Mahanoy, where she subsequently flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital near Allentown for treatment of her injuries.

Yeich was located at 1038 E. Market St. and was taken into custody. At the time he was taken into custody Yeich stated to police "the Devil made me do it".

EMS personnel told police stated that while treating the victim, Elrena Gibson, for head trauma they noticed a strong odor of Chemical Bleach.
Upon asking Gibson as to what happened, she told them that Joe Yeich poured bleach all over me. Gibson then continued to go in and out of consciousness.

Hospital personnel from Lehigh Valley Medical Center contacted the Mahanoy City police stating that they had secured the clothing of our victim, Elrena Gibson. The clothing was to have had chlorine bleach all over it.

Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal John Burns was called in to assist in the investigation of the fire. Trooper Burns concluded that the fire was in fact arson and was set in the basement portion of 1031 E. Pine St.

The deliberate setting of this fire caused the evacuation of approx. 20-30 neighbors into the sub freezing temperatures, and placed the threat of serious bodily injury or death to numerous Police, Fire and EMS personnel.

Yeich was charged with Aggravated Assault, Arson, Causing or Risking a Catastrophe, Criminal Mischief, Simple Assault, and Recklessly Endangering another Person. Yeich was arraigned by on-call District Justice Stephen Bayer and subsequently committed to the Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $50,000 straight cash bail.

This information is posted from Mahanoy City Police Department Facebook page

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

We've got quite a brutally cold airmass out there, more along the lines of January or February, but things seem to be rolling full speed ahead this winter so far, and we've got another storm to watch this coming weekend. While I'm not expecting anything monumental, I think areas farther inland from last time get a good batch of precipitation while areas closer to the big cities may have more liquid or ice; in other words, a more "typical" winter storm than the past two. Also am not expecting huge snowfall amounts before any changeover, but enough to be "plowable" is quite likely. One model indicates even that the storm may be in no rush to depart so both your weekend days may be less than stellar. Perhaps a good weekend to stay in and do some holiday baking.

Between now and then, not much else to say other than c .. c .. cold with a snow flurry or shower at any time. Temperatures Thursday will be the most shocking with highs only around 20 across Schuylkill, maybe 25 in my more southern regions and lows of about 9, yes I said 9, across Schuylkill and 15 in my more southern regions.

Schuylkill County Man Allegedly Attacks Middletown Police

Pennlive.com posted a story yesterday about a Schuylkill County man who allegedly turned on an officer and attempted to grab his firearm.

Swatara Twp. and Middletown police intended to arrest Eric Lee for his role in a domestic violence incident that happened Saturday morning and when he found out he was going to be arrested, that's when he turned on police.

He is currently in Dauphin County Prison.


Link to article:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/12/schuylkill_county_man_attacked.html

Truck Takes Down Multiple Poles in Tamaqua Crash

From www.tamaquaarea.com

A driver escaped serious injuries after crashing his truck into a pole along Owl Creek Road in Tamaqua around 2:15 AM Wednesday morning. The impact severed one pole and pulled down the top of another pole. Responding were Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Tamaqua fire department, Tamaqua Ambulance, Tamaqua Police and others. As of 4:30 AM, the road was still closed while PPL does repairs. Tamaqua Fire Police are controlling traffic.