Brothers Arrested After Traffic Stop

According to East Union Township Police, Two brothers were arrested Wednesday. 

Derek Lutz, Shenandoah,  was arrested after a traffic stop Wednesday evening on a warrant and committed to Schuylkill County Prison.

His brother Shawn Lutz, also from Shenandoah faces charges after being found with a small amout of methamphetamine, pills, drug paraphernalia, and a pellet gun was also recovered.

Retail Theft Investigation

The Rush Township police Department is investigating a retail theft that occurred at 5:33PM on April 6th, 2016 at the Walmart in Hometown.

Man Facing Burglary Charges

On April 6, 2016, Frackville Borough Police arraigned James Robert Brown of Scranton on charges related to burglary. 

Governor’s Veto of Budget-Related Measure Cost Schuylkill County Schools nearly $6 million in Construction Reimbursement

POTTSVILLE – The governor’s latest veto, issued on April 4, 2016, will cost school districts in Schuylkill County $5.9 million in reimbursement for construction projects, according Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).

Under the state’s Planning and Construction Workbook, otherwise known as PlanCon, school districts receive a portion of funding for new construction and renovation projects from the state. Eleven out of the county’s 14 school districts were set to receive the reimbursement under the state’s PlanCon program based on the passage of a budget-related bill, known as the Fiscal Code.

"Under previous law, our school districts had every reason to expect this funding, which is why I voted to release these dollars to the school districts,” Argall said. “Unfortunately, the governor’s veto will require school districts to wait even longer. I’m hopeful that we can resolve this issue soon.”

House Bill 1327, also known as the budget-related Fiscal Code, included the following reimbursements for the following local school districts:

Blue Mountain Area School District	$623,819.65
Hazleton Area School District	$2,280,069.62
Mahanoy Area School District	$325,905.40
Minersville Area School District	$324,060.09
North Schuylkill  School District	$278,670.42
Panther Valley School District	$260,173.01
Pine Grove Area School District	$66,239.04
Schuylkill Haven Area School District	$431,301.01
Shenandoah Valley School District	$1,051,839.26
Tamaqua Area School District	$194,148.97
Tri-Valley Area School District	$69,577.71

Lebanon Police Searching for Schuylkill County Woman

According to the Lebanon Daily News, Lebanon police are searching for a Pottsville woman who did not return her son to his father after a custody visit.

Wednesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/06/16

Wednesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/06/16

PA 2-1-1 Information Session Scheduled

On April 12th, the Schuylkill United Way will host an information session on PA 2-1-1 in Schuylkill County.

Pennsylvania Traffic Deaths in 2015 at Second-Lowest Level Recorded

Traffic fatalities in Pennsylvania totaled 1,200 in 2015, the second-lowest since record-keeping began in 1928 and five more than the record low in 2014.

Winners Announced for Schuylkill Haven Art Competition

  Schuylkill Haven, PA (April 5, 2016) –The Greater Schuylkill Haven Area Business Association recently announced the winners of “A Child’s View of Schuylkill Haven”, art and essay competition offered to students in the Schuylkill Haven School District.

Schuylkill Technology Center Tech Trot 5k/Fun Run

Schuylkill Haven Area High School presents INTO THE WOODS.

Schuylkill Haven Area High School presents INTO THE WOODS. 

Show dates are:
Friday, April 8 @ 7 pm
Saturday, April 9 @ 7 pm
Sunday, April 10 @ 3 pm

Link to Facebook Event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1689832517965891/

Argall’s Corrections Spending Study Approved by Committee

HARRISBURG – A measure to review mandatory corrections overtime costs was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning, according to the resolution’s prime sponsor, Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).

Senate Resolution 263 would direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the rising costs related to mandatory overtime spending within the Department of Corrections. The resolution will study staffing shortages within the department and compare the cost of mandatory overtime to hiring additional corrections officers.

“The legislature approved several cost control initiatives for our state prisons,” Argall said. “Conventional wisdom would dictate that a reduction in inmates would lead to a decrease in spending, but that has not been the case. Mandatory overtime is not just a concern for taxpayers, it’s a concern for corrections officers who are forced to spend less time with their families and more time at the state prisons. It’s not just a morale issue, it’s a public safety issue.”

During the budget hearings with the Senate Appropriations Committee in February, Corrections Secretary John Wetzel admitted that overtime costs for the current fiscal year will be around $96 million, and the department is anticipating $90 million for Fiscal Year 2016-17.

The department led all other state agencies in overtime spending from 2010 through 2014.

The Department of Corrections receives the third largest state appropriation from the General Fund compared to all state agencies.

The resolution moves to the full Senate for its consideration.

BB&T Acquires National Penn Bank

BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) today announced it has completed its acquisition of National Penn Bancshares, Inc., (NASDAQ: NPBC) effective April 1, 2016. The core banking systems conversion, along with signage and account changes for clients, is expected early in the third quarter of 2016.

One Flown After Crash Tuesday Afternoon Near Pine Grove

(04/05/2016) WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - One person was flown after a crash Tuesday afternoon.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Accident on Route 61 Between Frackville and St. Clair Tuesday Afternoon

(04/05/16)  Around 3:30pm, Tuesday afternoon, Emergency personnel were called to the Frackville Grade, Route 61 Southbound between Frackville and St. Clair for a motor vehicle accident.

PennDOT Customers Can Opt To Save a Life Through Organ Donation

PennDOT invites driver license and identification card holders to celebrate National Donate Life Month in April by registering to be an organ donor and sharing a unique opportunity to help others in need live longer, better lives.

Missing Endangered Person Suffering from Dementia Last Heard from in Columbia County

PHILADELPHIA / COLUMBIA COUNTY: Missing Endangered Person Advisory. The Philadelphia Police Department is currently searching for Maxine Land, 75.

She is missing from Philadelphia but was last known to be at a gas station in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, at 5:20 a.m. Tuesday.

She left her home in northwest Philadelphia during the morning of Apr. 4, 2016, and that afternoon called her sister and indicated she was lost.

She is driving a gold 2001 Hyundai Elantra with PA registration ELJ6181.

 Land has dementia and may be disoriented. She is 5'4", 135 pounds, and is wearing a black wig.

Anyone with information on Land’s whereabouts should call the Philadelphia Police Department Northwest Detectives at (215) 686-3353 or call 911.

Late-Race Pass Gives Doug Manmiller Opening Day Win At Big Diamond

BY:  Shawn Wood

MINERSVILLE, PA. -- There’s nothing like getting an opening-day win in any division, but for Doug Manmiller, it helped erased a bit of frustration from a winless 2015 campaign.

Northwest Academy to Become New County Prison

On Tuesday morning, it was announced that the Northwest Academy, Coal Township,  will close and be converted to the new location of the Northumberland County Prison.

Full Details from the News Item
http://www.newsitem.com/news/2016-04-05/Today's_Top_Stories/Northwestern_Academy_to_become_county_prison.html

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/05/16

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/05/16