Skook News - Your #1 Source for Schuylkill County News

Friday, January 22, 2016

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.

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

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.

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

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.

(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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

(01/19/2016) SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 50-year-old Shenandoah resident connected to a large-scale heroin trafficking ring that operated in Schuylkill County during 2012 through September 2015, pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley in Scranton.

A cop who is accused of faking an attack appeared in court Tuesday for her preliminary hearing.

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/19/16

A Shenandoah man is facing assault charges.

"Groundhog Day" at Sweet Arrow Lake Park

Grover the Groundhog is still cozy and snoozing in his burrow but will emerge to be with us at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park on Monday, February 2, 2016 to make his weather prediction.

Monday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/18/16

10 Great Things About Schuylkill County

Police Investigating Sunday Morning Theft

The Rush Township Police Department is investigating a theft at the Hometown Walmart that occurred Sunday morning (1/17/2016) at 4:00AM.

Saturday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/17/16

Preparing Your Home for Frigid Weather

Pennsylvania has been pretty lucky this year in terms of frigid temperatures, but we should be mindful and use this time to prepare our homes in case the temperatures drops.

Retail Theft Investigated

The Rush Township Police Department is investigating a retail theft that occurred on January 14th, 2016.

Friday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/15/16

A Pottsville man is facing sexual assault charges.

Preliminary Hearing for Wilkes Barre Twp. Wal-Mart Shooter

On Thursday, the preliminary hearing was held for a Shenandoah man accused of opening fire on cops at a Wilkes Barre Twp. Walmart.

A bank in Valley View was robbed Thursday morning.

Schuylkill County School Delays for 1/14/16

Delays for Thursday

Mahanoy Area - 2 Hour Delay

Shenandoah Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Hit and Run Wednesday Night in Ashland

Photo of Parked Vehicle that
was struck

A hit and run occurred around 10:00pm in Ashland.

Man Facing Attempted Homicide Charges

According to WNEP, Jamie Zulkowski, 37, of Ashland confronted the victim inside a house in Gordon Tuesday afternoon. Zulkowski reportedly fired several shots at a victim and when he missed, punched and kicked the victim.

The Rush Township Police department is investigating a theft from Walmart that occurred Tuesday, January 12th, at 245pm.

SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two Shenandoah residents connected to a large-scale heroin trafficking ring that operated in Schuylkill County during 2012 through September 2015, pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley in Scranton.

State Farm has some tips on what you should do just in case you win the Powerball tonight.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/13/16

Frackville Man Charged for Making Threat

Frackville Borough Police have filed charges against Jason Greiner, Frackville, as a result of an incident on January 3rd.

Schuylkill County School Delays for 1/13/16

Delays for Wednesday

Assumption BVM / Pottsville - 2 Hour Delay
Blue Mountain - 2 Hour Delay
Gillingham Charter - 2 Hour Delay
Mahanoy Area - 2 Hour Delay
Minersville - 2 Hour Delay
Nativity BVM - 2 Hour Delay
North Schuylkill - 2 Hour Delay; No Early Dismissal for the HS
Pine Grove - 2 Hour Delay
Pottsville - 2 Hour Delay
Schuylkill County Child Development - Head Start, Pre-K Counts; Classrooms 1HR Delay; Child Care Open on Schedule
Schuylkill Haven Area - 2 Hour Delay
Schuylkill Maple Ave. - 2 Hour Delay
Schuylkill Special Education Center - 2 Hour Delay
Schuylkill Tech North and South - 2 Hour Delay
Shenandoah Valley - 2 Hour Delay
St. Ambrose / Schuylkill Haven - 2 Hour Delay
St. Clair - 2 Hour Delay
St. Jerome / Tamaqua - 2 Hour Delay
Tamaqua Area - 2 Hour Delay
Tri-Valley - 2 Hour Delay
Trinity Academy - 2 Hour Delay
Williams Valley - 2 Hour Delay

Road Closures in Schuylkill County

Current Schuylkill County Road Closures as of 7:15pm, Tuesday.

- Heights Hill north of Shenandoah.(Reopened)
- Route 61 between Danny's Drive In and Fountain Springs
- Two Miler Mountain between North Schuylkill and Frackville
- Interstate 81 northbound between MM 100 (Pine Grove ) and MM 104 (Ravine)

Traffic Alert: Interstate 81 Northbound Closed in Southern Schuylkill County

(01/12/16) Just after 6:00pm Tuesday, Interstate 81 Northbound was closed at Milemarker 100 (Pine Grove) due to a motor vehicle accident.

More details when they are available.

*Interstate Closed in Southern Schuylkill County*
Posted by Skook Fire Calls on Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Schuylkill County Weather Related Announcements - 01/12/2016

Mahanoy Area - No After School Activities

Nativity BVM - No After School Activities

North Schuylkill - No After School Activities

Pine Grove Area - No After School Activities

Mahanoy City West End Bingo - Cancelled

Children's Cold Medicine Recalled for Overdose Risk

Perrigo Company Medicine is recalling some of it's cold medicine due to a potential overdose due to incorrect markings on it's dosage cup.

On Tuesday, the Powerball Jackpot rose again.

As part of an expanded technology pilot, the public can now view hundreds of plow trucks on interstates and expressways this winter at www.511PA.com, Governor Tom Wolf announced Monday.

Monday, January 11, 2016

Did You Share This Photo Today?

Did you share this photo today?

Tuesday evening's commute could get messy with snow squalls in the forecast.

Middletown, PA – The Powerball® jackpot for the January 13 drawing was increased today to a world record $1.4 billion annuity value or an $868 million cash prize – thanks to strong ticket sales in participating states.

Schuylkill County Road Work Scheduled for This Week

Friday, January 22, 2016

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Monday, January 18, 2016

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Friday, January 15, 2016

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Monday, January 11, 2016