Weather Related Announcements

Schuylkill County Weather Related Announcements for 1/21/14

Sports

Panther Valley Girls Basketball game is postponed until tomorrow night

Mahanoy Area vs. North Schuylkill Boys Basketball is postponed until January 31st. 

Nativity BVM girls basketball postponed until tomorrow

Tuesday Morning Kitchen Fire in Ashland

Tuesday Morning around 10am, crews were called to 11 North 11th Street, Ashland, for a kitchen fire.

Wind Chill Advisory Issued for Schuylkill County

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST WEDNESDAY ... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED ...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS CANCELLED THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.

* LOCATIONS ...SOUTH-CENTRAL MOUNTAINS ...AND A PORTION OF THE MIDDLE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY.

* HAZARD TYPES ...DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILLS.

* ACCUMULATIONS ...4 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW.

* WIND CHILLS ...15 TO 20 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING ...SNOW HAS TAPERED TO JUST SCATTERED FLURRIES. WIND CHILLS WILL BE DANGEROUSLY LOW TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS ...TRAVEL MAY BE SLOWED SIGNIFICANTLY DUE TO SNOW COVERED ROADS AND PERIODS OF POOR VISIBILITY. DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS TONIGHT COULD CAUSE FROSTBITE TO EXPOSED SKIN AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA.

* WINDS ...NORTH 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.

* TEMPERATURES ...ZERO TO 5 BELOW ZERO.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ...

IF YOU WILL BE OUTDOORS ...DRESS IN LAYERS AND WEAR A HAT AND GLOVES. FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA ARE POSSIBLE IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. FOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION ...GO TO WEATHER.GOV/CTP OR STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

Schuylkill County School Early Dismissals

Early School Dismissals for 1/21/14

Blue Mountain  - MS and HS at 10:30, Elem. at 11:05

Gillingham Charter School - Early Dismissal

Minersville - EARLY DISMISSAL; HS11AM, ELEM11:30AM; LLEW 4KAM./Kdg. 11:45

Nativity BVM - dismiss at 10am

Penn State/Schuylkill - Campus closing early

Pottsville - HS @ 10am, MS @ 10:30am, and Elem @ 11:00

Schuylkill Haven - Dismiss 11am, No Evening Activities

Shenandoah valley - HS 11:30, Elem 12:00

St. Clair - dismiss @ 11am

St. Jerome/Tamaqua - 11:15 dismissal

St. Nicholas/Minersville - dismiss at 11:30am

Tamaqua - Early Dismissal - Secondary 10am, Elementary 11:15am, No PM kindergarten 

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores

Schuylkill County High School Basketball scores for 1/20/14

Boys

North Schuylkill - 69

Panther Valley - 45

Blue Mountain - 54

Tamaqua - 30

Marian Catholic - 36

Lourdes Regional - 29

Mahanoy Area - 50

Tri-Valley - 14

Minersville - 57

Shenandoah Valley - 40

Girls

Pine Grove - 56

Panther Valley - 32

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By:  Monsoon Mike

Everything appears to be on target for a minor to borderline low-end moderate snow event Tuesday across the Skook. What two days ago looked like just a round of light snow has turned into a reputable snowstorm for folks down near Philadelphia. For us, however, we'll be on the very far north-western fringe of a compact clipper that will generate a bit offshore and throw back a decent amount of snow across a good part of south-eastern Pennsylvania, but again, not so much over Skook.

Schuylkill County Delays and Closings - 1/21/14

Schuylkill County Delays and Closings for 1/21/14

Mahanoy Area - CLOSED

North Schuylkill - CLOSED

Pine Grove Area - CLOSED, All activities cancelled

Schuylkill Maple Ave. - CLOSED

Schuylkill Special Ed. Center - CLOSED

Schuylkill Tech North & South - CLOSED

Tri-Valley - CLOSED

Trinity Academy - CLOSED

Williams Valley - CLOSED

Schuylkill County Weather Update

By:  Monsoon Mike

A perfect example of what a pain in the proverbial behind this storm is to forecast is what will happen over Schuylkill County, one of my hotbeds for fans. Skook will be right on the border of where there should be a sharp cutoff of very little snow to perhaps more significant snow. I made a map of my thinking for Schuylkill County for all of my Skook fans and for the fine folks at Skook News who use my forecasts.

Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Schuylkill County

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 10 PM EST TUESDAY ...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW ...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 10 PM EST TUESDAY.
* LOCATIONS ...SOUTH-CENTRAL MOUNTAINS ...AND A PORTION OF THE MIDDLE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY.
* HAZARD TYPES ...SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS ...2 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW ...WITH THE HIGHER AMOUNTS FALLING TO THE SOUTH OF ROUTE 22 ...AND INTERSTATE 81.
* TIMING ...BEGINNING BEFORE DAYBREAK IN THE GREATER JOHNSTOWN AND ALTOONA AREA ...AND DURING THE LATE MORNING HOURS ACROSS THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY ...CONTINUING THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY EVENING.
* IMPACTS ...TRAVEL MAY BE SLOWED SIGNIFICANTLY DUE TO SNOW COVERED ROADS AND PERIODS OF POOR VISIBILITY.
* WINDS ...NORTH TO NORTHEAST WIND AROUND 10 MPH ...INCREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
* TEMPERATURES ...IN THE LOW TO MID TEENS.
* VISIBILITIES ...AVERAGING AROUND ONE MILE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ...
HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. USE CAUTION IF TRAVELING. FOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION ...GO TO WEATHER.GOV/CTP OR STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO.
REPORT SNOW OR ICE ACCUMULATION TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO CTP.STORMREPORTS@NOAA.GOV ... POSTING TO THE NWS STATE COLLEGE FACEBOOK PAGE ...OR TWEET @NWSSTATECOLLEGE WITH THE HASHTAG #CTPWX.

Schuylkill County Midday Weather Forecast

By:  Monsoon Mike

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! How things have changed in 24 hours as our Tuesday clipper today looks more like it wants to take a turn and a ride up the coast. This will be a similar situation to that one or two storms in 2010 (though far less precipitation) where southern regions get more than northern regions (opposite of usual) & there is a very sharp cutoff to the north. By cutoff, I mean it is viable for southern Jersey to see 6 (or even more) inches and Schuylkill County see an inch tops. Philly would see about 4 under that theory. Reading/Allentown about 2 at best. I still want to see the midday models before I commit but this is how I am leaning for now. Prime times tomorrow daytime.

Motor Vehicle Accident, Kline Township, Saturday Evening

Posted from TamaquaArea.wordpress.com

Emergency personnel responded Saturday (Jan. 18, 2014) at 6:50 PM to mile marker 13.7 along Interstate 81 in Kline Township for a single motor vehicle accident with injuries. Kline Township B49-47 and McAdoo BLS 920 arrived on scene and found a single vehicle accident car into a rock embankment with front end damage with one driver still in the vehicle. The driver had to be removed from vehicle by crews and then transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Hazleton. E29-11 & E6-10, PSP and Medic 11 also assisted McAdoo crews. Crews were on scene for about an hour. Firefighters noted that this was the four vehicle accident in Kline Township in two days.

BEST OF SKOOK: And the Winner of "Best Burger" in Schuylkill County is . . . .

Well this shouldn't come as a surprise but Tony's Lunch, Girardville, was clear winner of "Best Burger" in Schuylkill County.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tonys-Lunch/153679787981975?rf=132310310155444

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By:  Monsoon Mike

Good evening! Martin Luther King Jr. Day will actually be the warmest of the week as temperatures sneak into the 30s in some areas ahead of our next strong frontal boundary which will send temperatures plummeting for the rest of the week. No major storms to go along with the cold but several "minor" storms. As I said this morning on my Facebook fan page, one of those "mini" storms could surprise us with a little more juice (much like the one this past Friday/Saturday in northern areas) and late model runs confirm TUESDAY may be just that sort of situation. Models have shifted a bit further northwest with Tuesday's clipper. By no means does this mean a major snowstorm. But from Philadelphia on south into south Jersey, those guys could actually be in the sweet spot for several inches of snow if everything worked out right. Still thinking a coating to an inch or two at best in the Skook but that being said, this northward "trend" needs to be watched in case it continues, whereupon I would "up" my prognostication. Hope everyone had a great weekend and hope you are one of the folks who has a three day weekend continuing tomorrow! 

Man Dies From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Sunday morning, authorities received a 911 call from a woman feeling confused in the borough of St. Clair.

When authorities arrived at 434 S. 2nd Street, they found Charles Gately and his girlfriend, who has not been identified and who made the 911 call.  Both were taken to the hospital where Gately was pronounced dead.  His girlfriend remains in intensive care.

Police believe Gately attempted to start his coal furnace and the flue pipe was clogged causing the fumes to fill the home.

WNEP spoke to some of his neighbors and friends earlier today.

http://wnep.com/2014/01/19/man-dies-after-clogged-coal-furnace-fills-home-with-co-fumes/ 

One Man Injured, Utility Pole Snapped in Rt. 209 Crash

Posted From tamaquaarea.wordpress.com

A man was taken to the hospital for unknown injuries after snapping a utility pole early this morning (Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014) along US209 between Tamaqua and Coaldale. Emergency personnel were called to US209, just past Sisters Cantina Restaurant, in Tamaqua just after 12:30 AM for a report of an overturned pickup truck with wires down. Firefighters and EMS arrived and placed the man on a stretcher for transport to St. Luke’s Hospital – Miners Campus. The man was said to be the only person in the vehicle. Responding were Tamaqua firefighters, Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Tamaqua Police, Tamaqua Fire Police and Tamaqua Ambulance. Firefighters on scene stated that the wires were communication lines, and not power lines. Both lanes US209 were closed for the duration.

Dispute Between Neighbors Ends in Fatal Shooting in Shenandoah Heights

State Police were called to the 500 Block of Indiana Ave., Shenandoah Heights, West Mahanoy Twp. for a shooting around 11:30am.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By:  Monsoon Mike

Get ready for the freezer again this coming week! Not overly brutal Sunday and perhaps even somewhat comfortable Monday before another major cold front puts us down into the arctic depths for Tuesday until the end of the coming week. A frustrating thing for snow lovers, however, is that no major snowstorms look to happen this coming week. A potential larger potential around Thursday now looks to stay on the more minor side. That's not to say we won't see ANY snow this week. They'll actually be two, if not three chances for "minor" snowfalls, but that's it for this week. Still looking at the final week of January for more "active" weather. 

When are those "minor" events that we've grown frequently used to this winter season? Some snow showers possible Sunday morning (but less than today's event). Some more snow showers Tuesday. And some more Thursday. One of those Tuesday or Thursday events could "surprise" us with a little more snow than "showers," much like today's did, but that's about it for the week. The biggest story will be the c ... c ... cold with highs only in the teens and nights in the single digits. Have a good evening!

Pole Sheered in Rush Township Accident Saturday Morning

Photo from tamaquaarea.wordpress.com

Posted from TamaquaArea.Wordpress.Com

A male driver of a white SUV lost control and sheered into a pole along near 431 Fairview Street in Rush Township just before 11 AM today (Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014). The man was treated on scene and refuse further medical care. Responding were Rush Township Police, Hometown Fire Company, Ryan Township Fire Company, Quakake Fire Company and fire police. No power or services were said to be affected. PPL was called to repair the line.

Saturday Morning's Shenandoah Heights Shooting

State Police were called to the 500 Block of Indiana Ave., Shenandoah Heights, West Mahanoy Twp. for a shooting around 11:30am.

Early Morning Crash in Rush Twp.

Picture from TamaquaArea.com

Posted from TamaquaArea.com

Two young men escaped serious injury after narrowly missing a deer and crashing their car into two connected fences in Rush Township early this morning (Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014). Emergency personnel were called to a single motor vehicle accident shortly after 1:30 AM just northeast of the Fairview Street and Marian Avenue intersection. When they arrived, they observed a car entangled in a fence along Marian Avenue, just short of an Air Products water pumping station. Responding were Rush Township Police, Ryan Township Police, Quakake Fire Company, Hometown Fire Company, Ryan Rescue Squad/EMS and others. The two males in the vehicle were treated on scene by Ryan Township EMS.

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores - 1/17/14

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores - 1/17/14

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By:  Monsoon Mike

A small system is moving in from the west and a bit of snow will fall overnight. I think the National Weather Service's call for 2 to 4 inches is a bit on the heavy side, but not to say it couldn't happen in isolated locations. Best call I think is 1 to 2 inches, maybe an isolated 3. If you're heading south into our Berks County neighbors' territory, a coating to an inch or two at best. Just a dusting to perhaps very little to nothing near Philly. Key times will be from about 1 a.m. through the early morning hours of Saturday. I'd recommend not venturing out until the afternoon Saturday if you don't have to, to let the road crews do their thing. Another batch of light snow is possible later in the weekend, followed by a brief respite Monday followed by our second huge arctic plunge of 2014. Expect highs barely through the teens by mid week! Still no MAJOR snowstorms on the horizon, but I think it's only a matter of time before the atmosphere breaks down and lets one of these quick moving mini-storms blow into a bigger storm, probably during the last week of January.

Super Bowl Sunday Events

Super Bowl Events for February 2nd, 2014

Scheduled Road Work in Schuylkill County

From Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Schuylkill County: Road Work
***NOTE 6 PROJECTS***

Winter Weather Advisory Issued For Schuylkill County

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 PM EST SATURDAY ...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW ...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 PM EST SATURDAY.

* LOCATIONS ...MIDDLE AND UPPER SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY.

* HAZARD TYPES ...SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS ...2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW.

* TIMING ...LATER THIS EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS ...POOR ROAD CONDITIONS AND HAZARDOUS TRAVEL.

* TEMPERATURES ...IN THE MID 20S.

* VISIBILITIES ...REDUCED TO UNDER A MILE AT TIMES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ...

HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. USE CAUTION IF TRAVELING. FOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION ...GO TO WEATHER.GOV/CTP OR STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

REPORT SNOW OR ICE ACCUMULATION TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO CTP.STORMREPORTS@NOAA.GOV ... POSTING TO THE NWS STATE COLLEGE FACEBOOK PAGE ...OR TWEET @NWSSTATECOLLEGE WITH THE HASHTAG #CTPWX.

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores - 1/16/14

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores from 1/16/14

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By: Monsoon Mike

Today turned out pretty darn nice in the afternoon, albeit chilly. More clouds, unfortunately, invade the region tomorrow as our next minor disturbance arrives. Snow showers over the weekend will be sporadic, but any snow shower could temporarily dust the ground to as much as an inch and make for tricky travel. Temperatures take another dive into arctic vicinities mid next week and by the end of next week or first thing the week after, those "minor" bouts snow may turn into some more major winter weather just in time for the end of January/early February 

Yuengling Ice Cream Began Production This Week

At a special new conference this morning at the Leiby's Dairy Inc., Tamaqua, Yuengling Ice Cream President, and Rob Bohorad, the Chief Operating Officer, announced that because of an overwhelming response, they have begun production this week.

Production was not suppose to begin until March.

The first batches of ice cream are expected to hit the shelves in major grocery stores by mid-February.  Weis and Acme were both mentioned as locations.

The suggested retail price will be $5.49 to $5.99 per quart

Ten all-natural flavors of ice cream are being produced for their first run

Vanilla, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Black and Tan (chocolate and caramel), Vanilla Fudge Chunk with Pretzels, Espresso Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Chocolate Marshmallow, Root Beer Float, and Mint Chocolate Chip.

At the state-of-the-art facility, they will be able to make 40 quarts of ice cream per minute, 14,000 quarts per day, and 100,000 quarts in the initial 10 day run.

Yuengling ice cream initially was in operation from 1920-1985.  Yuengling introduced ice cream  to supplement the brewery's revenue during prohibition.

Production stopped in 1985 when no successor to the then-president Frederick "Fritz" Yuengling could be identified.

The new president, David Yuengling, is the son of Fritz.

Schuylkill County High School Basketball Scores - 1/16/2014

Scores from last night's games - 1/15/2014

SKOOK EVENTS: All You Can Eat Breakfast - Independent Hose Company

The Independent Hose Company, Diener's Hill, sponsors all-you-can-eat breakfasts from 7:30 a.m. to noon on the third Sunday of the month. The cost is $7 for adults and $3.50 for children. Patrons may eat in the fire Hall or take meals out. For more information, call 570-429-0867. All are welcome.

SKOOK EVENTS: Block Shoot - East End Fire Company, Tamaqua

BLOCK SHOOT FEBRUARY 9TH AT TAMAQUA'S EAST END FIRE COMPANY!

SKOOK EVENT: Chili Cook Off

On Saturday 1/18 from 12-4 Galen Glen Winery, 255 Winter Mountain Drive, Andreas 18211 is hosting a free chili cook off. All visitors to the winery get to sample each chef's chili and vote for a favorite. Please invite your followers to join us. More info www.galenglen.com or 570-386-3682. Thanks, Kathy Tasting Room Manager

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By:  Monsoon Mike

Freezing fog (now there's a term you don't hear every day) surprised some folks Wednesday morning, and even me (hey, I'm not an egotistical weather guru who always has to be right) and even lead to some school delays in cooler regions. I think fog is a problem again overnight, but not nearly as thick or "freezing" as last night's version. 

Looks like we finally get a bit of a break from the dreary cloud cover on Thursday with some sun breaking out by afternoon after morning clouds and fog burns off. But it's short-lived as a series of disturbances move through contributing to some rain or snow showers Friday and then again Saturday. There's still a renegade computer model or two that insist Saturday may turn into a period of outright snow, but I'm going with the majority here and saying it's a miss. Sunday then looks better again but turning notably colder.

Even colder weather by mid next week. No "major" storms in the next seven days, but once we get out to about 8 to 14 days, things look much more interesting. Hang in there, snow fans. 

County Cartoonist Memoir To Be Published By Scholastic

Cartoon by Jimmy Gownley

Scholastic Books, publishers of such worldwide hits as Harry potter and the Hunger Games, is publishing a new graphic novel about growing up in Schuylkill County.

Dense Fog Advisory For Schuylkill County

...DENSE FOG ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST TODAY...

* VISIBILITIES...BELOW A QUARTER MILE.

* IMPACTS...POOR DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH DANGEROUS REDUCTIONS IN VISIBILITY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO SLOW DOWN...USE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS OR FOG LIGHTS...TO MAKE YOUR VEHICLE MORE VISIBLE TO OTHERS AND KEEP A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE. CONSIDER ALLOWING EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. FOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION...GO TO WEATHER.GOV/CTP OR STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO. &&

Work to Begin on Route 61 Mady's Bridges

From Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency

Work Set to Begin on PA 61 “Mady’s” Bridges in Schuylkill County

Allentown – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today work to replace the structurally deficient PA 61 “Mady’s” bridges (one over Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad in the City of Pottsville and Palo Alto Borough, and the other over the Schuylkill River in the City of Pottsville) in Schuylkill County is set to begin. The project also includes bridge roadway approach work on PA 61 in North Manheim Township.

Schuylkill County School Delays for 1/15/14

Schuylkill County School Delays for 1/15/14

Assumption BVM - 2 Hour Delay

Blue Mountain - 2 Hour Delay

Minersville - 2 Hour Delay

Nativity BVM - 2 Hour Delay

Panther Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Pine Grove - 2 Hour Delay

Pottsville - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Haven - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Maple Ave. - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Special Ed. Ctr - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Tech North - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill Tech South - 2 Hour Delay

St. Ambrose/Schuylkill Haven - 2 Hour Delay

St. Clair - 2 Hour Delay

St. Jerome Regional/Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay

St. Nicholas/Minersville - 2 Hour Delay

Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay Modified Kindergarten

Tri-Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Williams Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By:  Monsoon Mike

Our slow but sure descent in temperatures continues Wednesday with temperatures slipping a few more degrees, ushered in by some flurries or snow showers later in the day and at night. If you've been paying attention, I have been watching that snow potential for Wednesday Night for quite some time. As of now, I am pretty convinced it will be very minor and just be in the form of some snow "showers." Could one or two of those "showers" dust up the road? Sure. But I think it'll be in the minority and not the majority. 

We then end the week fairly calm and chilly before our next storm chance this weekend. Some weather outlets are hyping a potential snow event, but I think it'll be a near miss for us. Some light weekend snow, however, is a possibility. 

I know, snow lovers. Getting a bit boring of late after a good start to winter, right? Hang in there. I think January will end and February will begin quite cold and active. 

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By:  Monsoon Mike

Tuesday will be a generally dreary, grey day with some light rain, but nothing too heavy like this past weekend's event. Temperatures will still be generally on the mild side and deep into the 40s to low 50s. 

I'm still debating whether or not we see any wintry precipitation Wednesday as temperatures begin to drop and as mentioned the past few days. If anything, if we did, as it would be more in the way of later Wednesday as our next system is trending slower and warmer. Again, this would just be a nuisance event at most late Wednesday into early Thursday, but as you know, it's those "nuisance" events that wind up causing the 40 car interstate pileups as we've seen happen as of late. I'll keep you posted.

Beyond that, it looks like we gradually continue our downward trend of more wintry weather and by the weekend, it looks like we may be back into the freezer, although not as historically brutal as last week but rather more in the way of typical January weather. 

BEST OF SKOOK: And the Best Pizza in Schuylkill County Is

Before I get to the winner, I wanted to thank everyone who voted.  We had nearly 1,000 votes for this poll.  I only hope we can continue to break that record.

Now onto the winner!  After combing through hundreds of votes  . . . . .

The restaurant who was voted as "Best Pizza in Schuylkill County" is:


The Roma Pizzeria in Pottsville!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Roma-Pizzeria/116142961743998?rf=141070012595014

Second Place goes to!
Centioles in Girardville
https://www.facebook.com/groups/65409403637/

Third Place Went to Palermo's
http://palermopizzarestaurant.com/

Fourth to the Pizza Place in Frackville,
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pizza-Place-Frackville-Pa/113620615405872

and not far behind was the Pottsville Pizzeria

Our honorable mentions are (in no particular order)
- Prima - Valley View
- Miones - Tower City
- Rut's Cafe - Mahanoy City
- Pascoli's - Mahanoy City
- Suglia's - Schuylkill Mall
- Valenties - Orwigsburg
- Vito's - St. Clair

Fire That Destroyed Mansion Caused By An Extension Chord

The fire that destroyed the James B. Neale mansion in Foster Township on Friday was caused by an extension chord.

The state police fire marshal said that the fire began in a room on the first floor.

Damage to the mansion is said to exceed $400,000.

Suspect in Custody in Shenandoah Robbery

Early Sunday afternoon, Shenandoah police were called to the Rite Aid Parking Lot for a robbery.

A female called 911 and reported a young male stole her purse from inside her occupied vehicle. The female's description of the suspect was a dark skinned male, scruffy facial hair and wearing a Camo jacket with a yellow hoodie underneath.

Police located the stolen purse under some leaves on unit block of North Market street and there was nothing taken from the purse.

Through investigation, at 1:30pms, police learned the suspects name to be Bobby Taylor and took him into custody at 13 North Main street. Taylor was arraigned before Judge Reiley of Pottsville and was unable to post $25.000, 10% cash bail.

Taylor was committed to the Schuykill County prison on charges of Robbery, Theft of property and receiving stolen property.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By:  Monsoon Mike

Monday may start on the sunnier side but end cloudy as another low pressure system skirts in from the west. Rain moves in once again Monday Night but nothing as heavy as what we just went through. 

Models are still confused if this turns into a period of snow late Tuesday night and/or Wednesday. If it did, it would be minor, but a nuisance travel period nonetheless. 

Things then turn notably colder as the week progresses and we get another batch of arctic, but fortunately not truly "polar" air this time around. Have a good new week! 

Body Found in West Mahanoy Twp. Parking Lot

WNEP is reporting that the body of a 64 year old man from Pottsville was found in the State Police Barrack's parking lot in West Mahanoy Twp. around 6pm Saturday.

At this time the death is not considered suspicious but the investigation is ongoing.

The man's name has not been released yet.

Dense Fog Advisory For Schuylkill County

DENSE FOG ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EST THIS MORNING...

* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.

* IMPACTS...DANGEROUS REDUCTIONS IN VISIBILITY AND RAPIDLY CHANGING CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO SLOW DOWN...USE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS OR FOG LIGHTS...AND KEEP A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE. CONSIDER ALLOWING EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. FOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION...GO TO WEATHER.GOV/CTP OR STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By:  Monsoon Mike

A hefty dumping of rain is on the way Saturday on the order of one to two inches. Some of the rain in the afternoon especially could be heavy & believe it or not, I cannot rule out a flash of lightning or rumble of thunder. This all opens up the door to another problem which is rapid meltoff of leftover snow & ice which could cause flash flooding issues. It will also be unseasonably warm with temperatures perhaps approaching 60 especially in southern parts of the county. A strong cold front then sweeps through and Sunday will be chilly here but not overly brutal.

Areal Flood Watch Issued For Schuylkill County

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WATCH FOR CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA.

* FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING.

Friday Morning's Fire in Rush Township (Pictures and Video)

From TamaquaArea.com

Firefighters were called around 8:15 this morning (Jan. 10, 2014) to 92 Ben Titus Road in Still Creek (Rush Township) for a working structure fire. Despite a quick response by firefighters, the home was severely damaged. Two pets were also lost in the fire. The family of five will be staying with family.

Thursday's Two Vehicle Accident on Route 309

From TamaquaArea.com

Firefighters responded to SR309 (between PennDOT shed and Lofty Road) just before 7:45 AM today (Jan. 9, 2014) for a two-vehicle accident with a Jeep on its roof and entrapment. Reportedly, one woman was trapped in the vehicle while McAdoo firefighters worked to extricate her. Traffic was backed up heavily during the rescue and as a MedEvac helicopter landed on SR309 to transport the entrapped woman.

Crews Contain Pine Grove Fire To Attic Area

Just after 5am Thursday, crews were called to 241 South Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove for a structure fire.

When crews arrived, they found an electrical fire in the attic of the home.

The fire was quickly put out by the responding fireman and were able to keep the fire contained to the attic area.

The fire has left the 2 adults and 3 children who live in the home temporarily homeless until the repairs can be made.

The American Red Cross was on scene to provide food and lodging for the family.

The Pine Grove, Suedberg, and Ravine companies responded to the fire.