Mahanoy City Issues Declaration of Disaster; Bans Vehicular Travel in the Borough

Due to the large amount of snow that Mahanoy City Borough is receiving, a Declaration of Disaster has been declared . We ask that you please announce this update so the public is aware of what is happening.

ALL VEHICULAR TRAVEL ON THE STREETS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ESSENTIAL
EMERGENCIES IS PROHIBITED. WE ARE ASKING ALL RESIDENTS TO REFRAIN FROM
THROWING SNOW IN THE STREETS AS THE BOROUGH CREWS ARE TRYING TO MAKE ALL STREETS PASSABLE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

SNOW PARKING BAN WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL 7:00 A.M. SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 TH
FOR THE FOLLOWING STREETS : CENTER STREET, MAIN STREET, AND SOUTH STREET
FROM SECOND STREET TO BOROUGH LINE. THERE WILL BE NO PARKING ON THESE
STREETS.

We are asking all residents that live near a fire hydrant to please keep them clear of snow.

I sincerely appreciate your help in notifying the public about our present conditions as we are concerned for the safety and well being of all of our citizens in Mahanoy City.

Patricia Schnitzius
Mayor, Borough of Mahanoy City

Chief John Kaczmarczyk
Mahanoy City Police Department
beeper@mahanoycitypolice.us

PennDOT Reduces Speeds on Area Interstates

(01/23/16) Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on several roadways in the region.

Mail Delivery Service Suspended Due to Storm in Parts of Pennsylvania

Due to the winter storm, the United State Postal Service has suspended Mail Delivery on Saturday, January 23rd, 2016 for the for zip codes beginning with the following numbers:

Interstate 81 Closed in Southern Schuylkill County

Interstate 81 southbound has been shutdown in southern Schuylkill County.

Rush Township Police Investigating Retail Theft

The Rush Township Police Department is investigating another retail theft at the Hometown Walmart that occurred Wednesday (1/20/2016) around 5:30 pm. 

Britax Stroller Recall

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall Thursday on Britax strollers.

Winter Storm Warning Issued for Schuylkill County

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Schuylkill County.

At 4:15am, Friday, The National Weather Service issued the following message:

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM 

EST SUNDAY... 

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER 

STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS 

EVENING TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN 

EFFECT. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...5 TO 10 INCHES. 

* TIMING...SNOW WILL BEGIN FRIDAY NIGHT. THE PERIOD OF HEAVIEST 

SNOW WITH RAPID ACCUMULATION RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR 

WILL BE FROM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY EVENING. SNOW WILL 

TAPER OFF SATURDAY NIGHT AND END BY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. 

* IMPACTS...DANGEROUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING 

SNOW. THE HEAVY WET SNOW WILL MAKE SHOVELING VERY DIFFICULT AND 

MAY CAUSE POWER OUTAGES

This alert also includes Berks, Carbon, Lebanon, and Dauphin counties and those in Southern Pennsylvania.

Fire Damages Home Near St. Clair Thursday

A fire damaged a home near St. Clair Thursday evening.

Schuylkill County Snow Emergencies & Parking Bans

The following Snow Emergencies are or will be in effect for the weekend.

Schuylkill County Man Charged with Rape in Bloomsburg

A Schuylkill County man has been charged with rape in Bloomsburg.

Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Celebrates School Choice Week

Pottsville, PA (January 21, 2016) – Members of the School Chamber of Commerce Education Committee demonstrated their support of National School Choice Week by hosting information session on Thursday, January 21, 2016.

Snowfall Forecast for Schuylkill County

(01/21/16)  Below is Skook News' first update on snowfall amounts for the upcoming winter storm expected to hit Schuylkill County this weekend.

** The amounts in this posting are subject to change by Saturday.

--------------------------------------------

UPDATE (10:00PM):  The latest models have upped Schuylkill County's numbers.  We will have an update on totals Friday morning.


We've seen reports of expected snowfall in the couple feet range but as we get closer to the event, that doesn't appear to be the case.

Pennsylvania could see a decent amount of snow, even enough for the Governor to declare a State of Emergency ahead of it's arrival.

We are estimating the time of this storm to start in the early morning hours of Saturday (3-6AM) and last until the early morning hours of Sunday.

But to get to the information you are really looking for, Schuylkill County SHOULD NOT see a lot of snow from this storm.

A good estimate and Skook News' official amounts to what we may see would be in the 1-6 inch range.

Click map above to see amounts.

To better understand what municipalities are covered in what areas.  Here is a breakdown:

• 1-3 Inches
• McAdoo
• Ringtown
• Sheppton
• 3-4 Inches
• Ashland
• Frackville
• Hegins
• Mahanoy City
• Pottsville
• Tamaqua
• 4-6 Inches
• Auburn
• Orwigsburg
• Pine Grove

Anyone south of Interstate 78 could see 6+ amounts but Schuylkill County will be just on the edge of the heavy stuff.  The more south you are in Schuylkill County, the better chances you are of seeing the higher end of the 3-6 inches.

If this storm should shift a little north or a little south, snowfall amounts could change drastically.

This doesn't mean we are free of issues.  This will still be enough to cause some travel problems so still use caution and stay off roads until PennDOT has them cleared.

As of Thursday afternoon, Schuylkill County is still under a Winter Storm Watch
http://www.skooknews.com/2016/01/winter-storm-watch-issued-for.html

Stay tuned to Skook News throughout the storm for updates.

Governor Wolf Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Winter Storm

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf today declared a state of emergency in preparation for the winter storm expected to impact Pennsylvania, especially in the southeast and south central regions of the state.

Man Dies After Falling Through Ice

A man died Tuesday after falling through ice in Klingerstown.

Winter Storm Watch Issued For Schuylkill County

(01/20/16)  A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Schuylkill County.

PennDOT Issues Reminder to Keep Snow off of Roadways

With the winter season in full swing, PennDOT is reminding residents of guidelines for shoveling or plowing snow around state-owned roadways to help ensure safe travel through the season.

Schedule Changes Due to Weather Forecast on Friday

The weather forecast for Friday has forced some sport schedule changes.

Wednesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 01/20/16

Wednesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/20/16

Pine Grove Area FBLA Aluminum Can Tab Collection

As part of a community service project, the Pine Grove Area School District Future Business Leaders of America is currently collecting aluminum can tabs to support the Ronald McDonald House of PA Charities.

Schuylkill County Woman Sought For Allegedly Setting Fire to Berks County Store

A Schuylkill County woman is being sought for allegedly setting fire to a Berks County store.