PHOTO: South Schuylkill Garden Club Collecting for Annual Plant Sale

The 3 co-chairs of the South Schuylkill Garden Club are busy collecting and potting plants for the annual plant sale on May 21st. Carol Haldeman from Pine Grove,Jeanne Zulick from Schuylkill Haven, and Helen Moyer from Freidensburg.

Canoe and Kayak Rental at Sweet Arrow Lake

Sweet Arrow Lake County Park canoe and kayak rentals open at the canoe launch near the clubhouse on Memorial Day weekend, May 29, 2016.

Thursday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 05/05/16

Thursday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 05/05/16

Schuylkill County Small Town Makes List of Top 10 in Pennsylvania

AreaVibes is a web site that uses a Livability Score that was designed to help you find the best places to live.

It is created using a unique algorithm that takes into account dozens of characteristics in 7 different categories including nearby amenities, cost of living, crime rates, education, employment, housing and weather. A total Livability Score is then calculated out of 100 for any area across America.

The web site has ranked small towns in Pennsylvania based on

• Population Density
• Lowest unemployment rates
• High housing costs (shows demand)
• Adjusted Median Income
• Education (Lowest number of high school dropouts)
• Low crime

The following is the list of 10 Best Small Towns in PA, according to the web site

1. Mount Gretna
2. Patterson Heights
3. Thornburg
4. Rosslyn Farms
5. Ben Avon Heights
6. Goldsboro
7. Deer Lake
8. Dauphin
9. Glen Osborne
10. Rutledge

Check out the list here at http://www.areavibes.com/library/10-best-small-towns-pennsylvania/

Fish for Free at Sweet Arrow Lake

Some things in life are free and that includes Fish for Free days that are held twice a year and apply to all waters of the Commonwealth of Pa. This year the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will allow anyone, resident or non-resident, to fish without a fishing license on Memorial Day weekend (May 29th) and Independence Day (July 4th). These free fishing days are the perfect way to reacquaint yourself with the sport or introduce someone young or old to a lifetime of the relaxing sport of fishing. All PFBC fishing regulations will apply.

Group Discusses Future Needs for Hospital Care in Schuylkill County

Pottsville, Pa – Workers at Schuylkill Medical Center hosted a Community Town Hall meeting on Wednesday May 4th,  2016 just weeks after the hospital announcement a partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network.

“It was important to bring people together to find out what the community is hoping for with this new partnership,” said Brian Symons, a cook at the hospital. “We have a great opportunity with LVHN to build something really special, and we’re looking forward to working with them to do just that.”

The workers were joined by community leaders and other area residents for an open discussion, including what key services would be provided in the future.

“In the months leading up to the partnership announcement, there were a lot of rumors about departments closing,” said Pam Smith, nurse assistant in the psych department. “People would ask me ‘Will we have OB? Will we have cancer treatment? Will we keep the mental health services?’ These are really important issues that are on the public’s mind, so we wanted to make sure people had the opportunity to share their thoughts.”

Another issue discussed was the need for good, family-sustaining jobs.

“It’s no secret that this area struggles economically,” said Heather Mannon, from housekeeping. “Since SMC is one of the largest employers in the region, people look to it to provide good jobs.”

Over 60 people attended the event, including dozens of supporters from the community, representatives from Congressman Cartwright and Rep. Goodman's offices, and physicians.

“Whether it’s workers, patients, neighbors, or LVHN, we all want the same thing – and that’s a successful hospital that serves this community in the best way possible – with outstanding service and quality jobs” continued Mannon. “This is a new chapter in our hospital’s history, and we are excited to be a part of it.”

Posted from Press Release from Karen Gownley

Man Facing DUI Charges from Motor Vehicle Accident

Frackville Borough Police have filed charges against Blake Tiley, 24, of Ashland, after the investigation of a Motor Vehicle Accident that occurred on March 25th in the 400 block of S. Balliet St.