Interstate 81 Police Chase After Vehicle Stolen in Minersville

Scot Lee Mace, 38, of Minersville was taken into custody, Tuesday, after leading police on a chase on Interstate 81 that started in Kings Village Parking Lot, Minersville.

PENNDOT Announces Launch of Web Site For Public's Recommendations

PENNDOT announces the launch of a web-site for the public to submit their recommendations for future projects.

Grand Opening of the Skook News Apparel Online Store!!! With a Special Offer!!

Skook News is pleased to announce the grand opening of the Skook News Apparel Online Store!!!

FBI and State Police Search Clerk of Courts Office Wednesday Morning

The Republican Herald is reporting that FBI Agents and Pennsylvania State Police searched the Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Office for about 3 hours this morning.

The search was related to the investigation into alleged misappropriation of public money.

http://republicanherald.com/fbi-and-state-police-search-clerk-of-courts-office-1.1669561

Pine Grove Area Dismissing Early Due to Water Main Break

The Pine Grove Area School District will be dismissing early Wednesday (04/16/14) due to a water main break.

Secondary School will dismiss at 1PM

Elementary will dismiss at 1:45PM

Woman Charged with Mahanoy City Stabbing From December

The Republican Herald is reporting tonight that Kimberly Lynn Hons, 33, of 739 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City has been formally charged with voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault from the stabbing of Lawrence Quinn, 52, in his home in Mahanoy City on December 1, 2013.

Hons was committed to Schuylkill County Prison without bail.

http://republicanherald.com/woman-charged-with-deadly-stabbing-1.1669150

AMBER ALERT ISSUED FROM BERKS COUNTY

The Pennsylvania State Police have issued an Amber Alert from  Berks County.

Minersville Police Looking for Help Identifying Woman

Photos from Minersville PD Facebook Page

The Minersville Police are looking for help in identifying a woman relating to a retail theft.

Anyone with information is to call (570) 544-6212

All information will remain confidential.

Three Hurt in Crash Tuesday in North Maheim Twp.

The Republican Herald is reporting this morning that three people were injured in a crash on Glenworth Road in North Manheim Twp around 10am Tuesday.

Man and Woman Taken to Hospital After Overturning SUV

Posted from TamaquaArea.com

An unidentified man and woman were taken to the hospital via ambulances for unknown injuries after overturning their SUV (sport utility vehicle) around 8 PM, Monday, April 14, 2014 along US209 in Schuylkill Township.

Tamaqua Man Shoots Another in Face in Walker Township

WNEP is reporting Sunday that John Edwin Clause, 58, of Tamaqua shot Mark Scheitrum in the face in his home in Walker Township after an argument.

Fired Mahanoy Area Teacher Denied Jobless Aid

In an article posted by Pennlive.com, John Kozura, a science teacher who was fired from Mahanoy Area School District for disobeying orders not to teach physics to seventh graders is not eligible for unemployment compensation, a Commonwealth Court has ruled.

Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Resigns

The Republican Herald is reporting that the Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts, Stephen M. Lukach Jr., has resigned.

http://republicanherald.com/lukach-resigns-1.1666905

On March 20th, it was announced that Lukach was under investigation after an audit that revealed some "irregularities".

Pottsville Police Raid Home Friday Morning

The Republican Herald is reporting that Pottsville Police executed a warrant this morning at 517 W. Race St. just before 9.

Ashland Man Charged with Indecent Assault

WNEP is reporting tonight that police arrested Thursday, Shawn Schlaugh, 20, of Ashland on charges of indecent assault.

The charges stem from an incident with a 14 year old girl.  Per the report, Schlaugh may face more charges for 4 separate incidents.

He is currently locked up on $15,000 bail.

http://wnep.com/2014/04/10/alleged-indecent-assault-lands-a-man-in-jail/

One Person Killed in Crash in East Norwegian Twp.

Crews were called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident on Route 209 near Port Carbon in the area of Boardman Brothers this evening just after 6:30pm.

Woman Charged After September Crash in North Manheim Township

According to multiple reports, the State Police have charged a Minersville woman with DUI related to a crash in September.

One Woman Injured, Flown to Hospital After Rush Township Crash Sunday

Around 8:30pm Sunday evening, crews were called to Fairview Street, in Rush Township for a motor vehicle accident.

Pottsville Police Seek Robbery Suspect

The Republican Herald is reporting that the Pottsville Police are looking for a tall white male, wearing a gray hoodie, who is said to have entering the "Ambrose Hearing Center" located at 434 E. Norwegian St., and pulled a hand gun and fled after robbing an employee.

Fatal Crash Near Pine Grove Early Saturday

Around 1am, early Saturday morning crews were called to 293 Birds Hill Road, near Pine Grove for a motor vehicle accident.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 4/4/2014

After the rain from Friday evening heads out over night, we'll have bright sunny skies for Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday is going to be a windy day so it may feel a little cooler than the 50's.  Sunday will be much warmer with temperatures nearly hitting the 60's.

Monday clouds return with some rain possible in the afternoon.

Weather Related Postponements for Friday and Saturday

Friday's list of postponements:

Schuylkill County Burn Ban FAQ

Below are some questions you may have about the burn ban currently in place for Schuylkill County

Shenandoah Valley Schools Close Friday Due to Lack of Staff

The Republican Herald is reporting that Shenandoah Valley School District closed Friday due to lack of staff

http://republicanherald.com/shen-valley-closes-schools-for-day-due-to-lack-of-staff-1.1662730

According to the report, 22 percent of the district's staff called off and the majority that called off was due to illness.

The elementary school closed prior to the start of school but the high school was dismissed at 9am.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

Schuylkill County Under Burn Ban Starting Friday

Starting Friday, April 4, 2014, Schuylkill County will be under burn ban for 30 days.

The county commissioners approved the ban Wednesday after the Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency requested the ban at the recommendation of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Ringtown Man Charged After Suspicious Activity and Attempting to Flee Police

Photo courtesy of
Shenandoah Police Department
Facbook Page

Shenandoah Police were called to the area of North Gilbert St. and West Lloyd Street around midnight March 12, 2014 for a male acting suspiciously over a period of one to two hours.

Woman Admits Shooting Boyfriend, Killing Him

WNEP is reporting that Jessica Alinsky, 30, formerly of Shenandoah, pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to murdering her boyfriend, Matthew Gailie in 2011.

The death happened in September 2011 when police say Alinsky shot Gailie point blank in the face in their home in Eagle Rock.

She is scheduled to be sentenced sometime next month.

http://wnep.com/2014/04/02/woman-admits-shooting-boyfriend-in-the-face-killing-him/

High Speed Chase Through Tamaqua/Schuylkill Twp. Monday

Posted from TamaquaArea.com

A domestic incident yesterday (Monday, March 31, 2014) in Tamaqua ended with a Tamaqua man leading police on winding pursuit through parts of Tamaqua and a high-speed pursuit through Schuylkill Township.

Man Homeless, Dog Dies in Fire in Schuylkill Township

Image from TamaquArea.com

Around 5:30am Tuesday, crews were called to Old Route 209 Road near Tamaqua for a house fire.  When crews around they found flames and heavy smoking coming from the home.

Schuylkill County Man Dies in Carbon County Crash Monday Evening

According to WNEP, Andrew McAloose, 64, of Kelayres was killed when the vehicle he was driving on Teskow Road, near Weatherly around 7pm Monday night,  went off the road and rolled several times.

According to the report, McAlloose was not wearing his seat belt.

http://carboncounty.wnep.com/news/news/1203273-one-killed-following-car-rollover

Coroner's Inquest into Death of Inmate Took Place Today

Last Easter, Matthew Koncsler, 21, was found dead in his prison cell inside Schuylkill County Prison.

This morning, a coroner's inquest took place at the Simon Kramer Institute, New Philadelphia with a jury of 6, 3 males and 3 females.

Schuylkill Haven Man Dies in Interstate 81 Accident Saturday

A Schuylkill Haven Man died in Saturday's motor vehicle accident on Interstate 81.

BEST OF SKOOK: And the Winner of "Who Serves the Best Ice Cream" in Schuylkill County is . . . .

And the Winner of "Who Serves the Best Ice Cream" in Schuylkill County is . . .

Individuals from Schuylkill County Announce Re-Election Bid for Republican State Committee

Scott Thomas, Pottsville, and Mary Beth Dougherty, Girardville, announced this morning in a press release, their intention to seek reelection to the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania.

Dougherty, a former member of the Girardville Borough Council, was first elected to the position in 2000, while Thomas, a former member of the Pottsville Area School Board, was elected in 2008.  Both were also elected as the Delegates to the Republican National Convention in 2012 representing the 17th. Congressional District.

Hundreds in County Without Power Monday Morning

According to PPL, as of 7:00am, there are approximately 630 customers without power within Schuylkill County Monday morning.  The outages appear to be in the western portion of the county near Hegins, Upper Mahantango Twp., Hubley Twp., and Porter Twp.

We also received reports of outages in Pine Grove and Tremont.

Schuylkill County School Delays for 03/31/14

Schuylkill County School Delays for 03/30/14

Mahanoy Area - 2 Hour Delay
Minersville Area - 2 Hour Delay

McCann School of Business/Pottsville - 2   Hour Delay
Nativity BVM - 2 Hour Delay

North Schuylkill - 2 Hour Delay

Our Lady of Lourdes Regional - CLOSED

Pine Grove - CLOSED

Pottsville - 2 Hour Delay
Schuylkill Maple Ave. - 2 Hour Delay
Schuylkill Special Ed. Center - 2 Hour Dela
Schuylkill Tech North and South - 2 Hour Delay

Shenandoah Valley - 2 Hour Delay
St. Clair - 2 Hour Delay

St. Jerome Regional/Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay

Tamaqua Area - 2 Hour Delay
Tri-Valley - CLOSED

Trinity Academy - 2 Hour Delay

Williams Valley.- 2 Hour Delay

Winter Weather Advisory Issue For Schuylkill County

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

Gilberton Borough Council Votes to Abolish Police Department

In 1981, the Gilberton Borough established an ordinance to create a Police Department and Fire Chief position.  On Thursday, the borough's council voted to abolish the Police Department portion of that ordinance 6-0.

The borough has been without it's sole member of the police force, Mark Kessler, since July, when he was suspended after creating Youtube videos using the borough weapons with it's permission.

In February, the borough settled with Kessler

2 People Killed in Crashes in County Saturday Morning

On Saturday morning, 2 separate crashes claimed the lives of 2 individuals.

Human Bones Found Between Frackville and St. Clair

WNEP is reporting that State Police are investigating human remains that were found in a woooded area along Route 61 between Frackville and St. Clair yesterday evening.

They say a skull and hip bone were found by 2 hikers around 6pm Thursday evening.

The investigation is still ongoing.

http://wnep.com/2014/03/28/hikers-find-human-remains-in-schuylkill-county/

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 A PORTION OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA ...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS ...ADAMS ...COLUMBIA ...CUMBERLAND ... DAUPHIN ...FRANKLIN ...JUNIATA ...LANCASTER ...LEBANON ...MONTOUR ... NORTHERN LYCOMING ...NORTHUMBERLAND ...PERRY ...SCHUYLKILL ... SNYDER ...SOUTHERN LYCOMING ...SULLIVAN ...TIOGA ...UNION AND YORK.
* FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING
* A STORM SYSTEM WILL LIFT NORTH FROM THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AND ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA SATURDAY AND POSSIBLY REDEVELOP ALONG THE DELMARVA COAST ON SUNDAY. RAIN FROM THIS SYSTEM WILL SPREAD FROM SOUTH TO NORTH ACROSS ALL OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA ...AND CONTINUE INTO SATURDAY NIGHT. RAIN IS EXPECTED TO BE HEAVY AT TIMES ...MAINLY ALONG AND EAST OF INTERSTATE 81.
* STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THIS TIME OVER THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER VALLEY. THIS RAINFALL MAY PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT RISES AND POSSIBLE FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS ...CREEKS AND MAINSTEM RIVERS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ...
A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING ON SMALL STREAMS ...CREEKS ...POOR DRAINAGE ...URBAN AND LOW-LYING AREAS BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS.

Breast Cancer Awareness Football Game Saturday

On Saturday, March 29th, the Schuylkill County Predators will be taking on the Mifflin County Tomahawks at the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute, New Philadelphia in a Breast Cancer Awareness Game.

Both teams are 2-0 and are asking that all people that attend should wear pink.

Kick off is at 1PM.

The game is free to attend.

Parking Restrictions for Mahanoy City Residents

The Mahanoy City Police Department posted on their Facebook page parking restrictions for the borough that will start Monday, March 31st.

Web Site Set Up To Donate to Boy Struck By Boulder

A web site has been setup if you are interested in donating to the family of Michael Allen, 7,  who was injured on March 20th when he was playing on a hill in Pottsville and a boulder gave way and struck him.  He has been in a medically induced coma since the accident.

If you would like to help out, you can donate through a page that has been setup at the link below

https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/2794/hope-for-mikey-allen

Reported Man Poses As Cop in West Brunswick Twp.

According to a report from WGAL out of Lancaster, State Police are looking for a 6 foot tall, white male, with a bald head, no facial hair, in his late 30's, for posing as a cop in West Brunswick Twp. over the weekend.  The suspect was said to be wearing jeans and a black shirt.

Fire Chief Says Pottsville Fire Is Suspicious

The Republican Herald is reporting that authorities are considering last evening's fire on Schuylkill Ave. in Pottsville suspicious.

You can read the story below

http://republicanherald.com/fire-chief-considers-pottsville-blaze-suspicious-1.1658363

The newspaper is also reporting that the two firefighters that were injured were electrocuted when their ladder struck a PPL line.  Both were taken to the hospital where they were treated and released.

4 Homes Damaged By Fire In Pottsville, Firefighters Injured

 Around 9pm, Wednesday evening, crews were called to 734 Schuylkill Ave. in Pottsville on a working structure fire.

"Skook State of Mind" Official Video Released

Matt Freiler, of Deer Lake, the man behind the "Skook State of Mind" video that went viral earlier this month, has finally released an official video.

Mahanoy City Native Hired As Head Coach of University Basketball Team

Getty Images

According to multiple reports, including CBS Sports, Mike Rhoades, a native of Mahanoy City, has been hired as Head Coach of the Rice University Owls Men's Basketball team.

In prior years, the Owls have posted single digit wins for consecutive seasons and have missed the NCAA Tournament 44 years consecutively.

Rhoades has been an assistant coach for Virginia Commonwealth University since 2009. In 2011, VCU reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournment.

Prior to VCU, Rhoades was head coach of the Division III Randolph Macon.  As head coach Rhoades posted a record of 197-97 over 10 years.

We'd like to wish Rhoades the best of luck.