Skook News - Your #1 Source for Schuylkill County News

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

IRS Experiencing System Outage; E-File System Down

The IRS experienced a hardware failure Wednesday afternoon affecting a number of tax processing systems, which are currently unavailable. Several of our systems are not currently operating, including our modernized e-file system and a number of other related systems.

A Dense Fog Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for Schuylkill County overnight.

Friends of the Ringtown Library Annual Used Book Sale Scheduled for This April

SCRANTON—On Tuesday, The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 27-year-old Shenandoah resident connected to a large-scale heroin trafficking ring that operated in Schuylkill County during 2012 through September 2015, pleaded guilty yesterday before Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley in Scranton.

Lehigh County Man Caught Smuggling Drugs into Schuylkill County Federal Prison

A Lehigh County man is facing charges after he allegedly attempted to smuggle drugs into a Schuylkill County Federal Prison.

(Hershey, PA, February 2, 2016) – The temperatures outside may be cold but things are heating up in Hershey as Hersheypark prepares for the 2016 summer season which includes an array of shows, bands, and strolling entertainment. Interested performers and technicians are encouraged to audition for the upcoming season on Saturday, February 13 at Hershey Theatre.

HERSHEY, Pa. (February 2, 2016) – Pennsylvania American Water announced Tuesday that entries are now being accepted for its 14th Annual “Protect Our Watersheds” Art Contest. All fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students in schools served by Pennsylvania American Water are eligible, as well as individual students who live in the company’s service area. The contest encourages students to tap into their artistic talents to express the importance of protecting Pennsylvania’s water resources.

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 02/02/16

"Rome to Normandy"
Music from their upcoming 2016 European tour, featuring Schubert's Mass in G and other classical pieces.

WHEN:
Sunday, March 13- 3:00 PM

WHERE:

St. Patrick's Church, 4th and Mahantongo St., Pottsville

COST:
Adults $15.00 - Senior/Student $10.00

For tickets contact any Choral Society Member, call 570-628-3388 or purchase at the door.

Follow this event on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/events/470565686463529/

Monday, February 1, 2016

Schuylkill County Firedogs Semi Pro Men's Basketball Team Home Game This Saturday

The Schuylkill Firedogs Semi Pro Men's Basketball home game is scheduled for this Saturday, February 6th at 7:00 pm at Simon Kramer, 15 Alliance Street, New Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating and searching for a man they say attempted to purchase prescription medicine with a fake prescription.

Through a Facebook post, WWE Hall of Famer, Bret "The Hitman" Hart revealed he is battling prostate cancer.

It is with great remorse that I feel compelled to speak truthfully to my friends, family and my millions of fans around...
Posted by Bret Hart on Monday, February 1, 2016

Schuylkill County Native Searching for Biological Father

Tommy Pearce, a Frackville native, never knew who is father was and through social media, is asking for our help.

Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency on Monday reminded citizens to monitor local forecasts this week for possible flooding due to snow melt and rain. Right now, widespread river flooding is not forecast. However, several waterways will move into the action or minor flood stage with the chance for one or two to move into moderate flooding.

Around 10:30am, Monday, fire crews were call to 529 Second Mountain Road, near Orwigsburg for a reported structure fire.

2015-2016 PIAA District 11 Team Championship Wrestling Schedule

Register for the 2nd Annual Coach Rizzo's Anthracite Skills and Drills Clinic

Back by popular demand and brought to you by Phillips Brayford Ortho is the 2nd Annual Coach Rizzo's Anthracite Skills and Drills Clinic.

Parking Restrictions on Monday in Mahanoy City

Parking Restriction for Monday 2/1/16. There will be no parking on South Main St. from Mahanoy to Maple St between 7am & 3PM for Snow Removal.

The Borough also plans to continue to remove piles from Centre St, however no parking restrictions for that area are required at this time.

Keep alert for additional parking restrictions later in the week.
Please let your neighbors know.

Free Fly Tying Classes from Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited

Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited will be conducted free fly tying classes.

Drugs Found During Traffic Stop

On Friday night, Mahanoy City Police arrested Charles J. Koncsler, Shenandoah after finding drugs during a traffic stop.

According to police, Koncsler was in possession of 157 bags of drug including Meth, Oxy, Tramadol and Suboxone.

Koncsler was charged with Possession with intent to deliver, Possession of a controlled substance, DUI, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Driving while operating privilege is suspended and other traffic offenses.

Koncsler was committed to Schuylkill County Prison after he was unable to post $50,000 cash bail.

Saturday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/30/16

From now until February 3rd, 2016, all items purchased from Skook Apparel will receive free shipping.

To receive this promotion, you need to use the Keycode "2LOVE" when you purchase.

Head on over to check out our t-shirt designs at http://skooknews.spreadshirt.com.

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Skook Apparel is created and ran by Skook News.

Continental Hose Co. #3 Gilberton Wing Sale

Schuylkill Haven Youth Softball Association Open Registration

SHYSA (Schuylkill Haven Youth Softball Association) 2016 open registration will be held Thursday February 11, 2016, February 18, 2016, February 25, 2016, March 3, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00pm at the Schuylkill Haven Area Middle School Gym.

Hours of Service Waiver Extends Maximum Driving Time for Motor Carriers Transporting Fuels

Transportation Secretary Leslie S. Richards has signed an hours of service waiver to extend the maximum driving time to 14 hours for motor carriers engaged in the transportation of fuels.

The waiver was effective as of January 26, 2016 at midnight and remains in effect until February 6 at 11:59 p.m.

Exemption is also granted from the requirements of the 60/70-hour limits rule. This rule requires drivers to stop driving upon accumulating 60 or 70 on-duty hours (including all on-duty and driving time) over a period of seven or eight consecutive days, respectively. Any period of seven or eight consecutive days may end with the beginning of any off-duty period of 34 or more consecutive hours.

Drivers are reminded that the waiver must be in their possession when traveling extended hours. This also only applies when the contents being transported are exclusively listed under the “Type of Operation.”

Frackville Free Public Library Story Time Programs Scheduled

The Frackville Free Public Library will be having the following programs.

Friday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/29/16

Schuylkill County Road Work Scheduled for Next Week

Thursday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 01/28/16

Thursday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/28/16

Unclaimed Winning Lottery Ticket Sold in Schuylkill County Nears Expiration

Middletown, PA – Players, check your tickets: a $225,000 jackpot-winning Cash 5 ticket sold in Schuylkill County will soon expire.

POTTSVILLE – Six community improvement projects in Schuylkill County will receive state grants, according to Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) and Rep. Neal P. Goodman (D-Schuylkill).

On Wednesday morning, a fire took place on the 1200 block of Market Street, Pottsville. All residents escaped but the family's dog reportedly ran away during the incident.

(01/27/16) Around 8:00am, Wednesday morning, fire crews were called to 1247 West Market Street in Pottsville for a working structure fire.

Rush Township Police Investigating Retail Theft

The Rush Township Police Department is investigating a retail theft that occurred on 1/19/2016 around 2pm. Anyone with information on the suspect please call 570-668-4242. All tips will remain confidential

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/26/16

Around 2:45am, fire crews were to the area of 324 East Norwegian Street, Pottsville for an apartment building fire.

(01/26/16) The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Rain Advisory lasting until 9:00am Tuesday morning.

Snowmelt May Refreeze and Cause Slippery Roads This Evening

RoadTrafficSigns.com

SNOWMELT ON ROADS WILL REFREEZE THIS EVENING...

Schuylkill County School Delays - 01/26/16

Assumption BVM - CLOSED
Blue Mountain -CLOSED

Gillingham Charter - CLOSED
Mahanoy Area - CLOSED

Minersville - CLOSED
Nativity BVM - CLOSED

North Schuylkill - CLOSED
Pine Grove - CLOSED
Pottsville - CLOSED
Schuylkill Haven Area - CLOSED
Schuylkill Maple Ave - CLOSED
Schuylkill Special Education Center - CLOSED
Schuylkill Tech North and South - CLOSED
Shenandoah Valley - CLOSED
St. Clair Area - CLOSED
St. Jerome / Tamaqua - CLOSED
St. Nicholas / Minersville - CLOSED
Tamaqua - CLOSED
Tri-Valley - CLOSED
Trinity Academy - CLOSED
Williams Valley - CLOSED

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Sunday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 1/24/16

Due to fire apparatus on Route 209 near Tuscarora, road conditions may be icy.

Schuylkill County School Delays and Closings - 01/25/16

(01/24/16) Around 11:00am Sunday morning, fire crews were called to a commercial fire in Tuscarora.

(01/24/16) Winter Storm Jonas will go down as one to remember in Schuylkill County.

Schuylkill County Residents Asked to Stay Home

As the snow tapers off Saturday evening, Schuylkill County residents are asked to stay home.

Fire crews called to fire in McAdoo Saturday afternoon.

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.

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.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Monday, February 1, 2016

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Friday, January 29, 2016

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Monday, January 25, 2016

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Friday, January 22, 2016