Missing Endangered Person Advisory from Lebanon County

Photo of Alicia Buzzard

The Pennsylvania State Police have issued a Missing Endangered Person Advisory from Lebanon County.

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/09/16

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/09/16

Get Caught Doing Something Good

The Schuylkill County VISION Suicide Prevention Task Force and the Mahanoy City Police Department are partnering to make a positive impact on the youth in the Borough of Mahanoy City during the remainder of 2016.

Schuylkill County Police Log 08/08/16

Schuylkill County Police Log 08/08/16

Monday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/08/16

Monday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/08/16

VonDohren Becomes First Back-To-Back 358 modifed Feature Winner At Big Diamond In 2016

The competitiveness of the CJ’s Tire & Automotive Services 358 modified division has been only display all season long at Big Diamond Speedway.

Nearly five months into the season, there hadn’t been a back-to-back winner in the division.

Until Friday night.

Craig VonDorhren raced to his second straight win and moved into second place in the point standings.

Other winners on Friday were Tim Fitzpatrick (U.S.S. Achey sportsman), Andy Fayash III (Savage 61 roadrunners) and Chris Derr (No Sweat Service Group street stocks).

This coming Friday, July 12, the speedway presents Prelude to the Coalcracker as the 358 modifieds race 30 laps for $4,000 to win and $400 to take the green with an open draw for the 358s and 50 show-up points for modified teams.

Also on the card will be the sportsman and roadrunners and a modified challenge race for the top 10 in points. The event carries an Aug. 19 rain date.

The gates open on Friday at 5:30 with warm ups at 7:45 and racing at 8:15. Admission is $22 and kids 12-and-under and active military with a valid are free.

VonDohren, who has won three of the last five features at the speedway, took the lead on the restart of lap 10 after Ron Haring, Jr. and Shawn Fitzpatrick had a spirited duel for the lead to the point of the 25-lap feature.

VonDohren passed Fitzpatrick for the runner-up spot on lap nine and then took the lead when Harding, Jr., slid high in Turns 1 and 2 on the restart.

From there, VonDohren would be challenged for the lead by two-time winner Rick Laubach as the pair opened up a lead over Fitzpatrick over the final few laps.

Laubach had one last shot at VonDohren after a late-race caution but VonDohren pulled away for the win.

“We have a good car and I got some breaks and I needed to be on the outside as it was the place to be and I just had to get their first,” VonDohren said.

Laubach held on for second with Fitzpatrick, third, Ryan Godown, who had a flat tire on lap three of the race, rebounded to finish fourth and Ryan Grim was fifth.

Sixth through 10th were Ryan Watt, Kevin Beach Jr., Haring, Gary Hager and Duane Howard. Heats for the 358 modifieds were won by Beach Jr., Haring Jr., and Godown.

Tim Fitzpatrick led the lap the counts as he took the lead from Wayne Witmer on the final lap, passing him on the inside of Turn 2 to win the 20-lap sportsman feature event. It was his first win of the year after going winless last year.

“I would have been happy with second as Wayne’s a tough competitor and he ran go and we were just going for the win there,” Fitzpatrick said.

Witmer took the lead of the race on the start and then held off the field as Fitzpatrick began to apply pressure to the leader starting on lap 8.

Witmer held on for second with a hard charging Shawn Light, third, while Doug Hendricks and Mike Lisowski completed the top five.

Sixth through 10th were Ray Woodall Jr., Brandon Grosso, Glen Rowan, Chuck Fayash, and T.J. Lilly. Heats for the sportsman were won by Rown and Lisowski.

Andy Fayash III continues his strong season with another win and this time it was a bit of luck that helped him add to his points lead.

“I was in a good position as I was on the outside on the second restart and the bottom lane just didn’t go out of two and it just all opened up in front of me,” Fayash said.

Fayash went from seventh to second on the opening lap of the feature as he would take the lead on lap 4 when leader Chris Holland broke.

Jim Kost, who was part of a five-car battle for the runner-up spot finished second while Steve Gromis, Kris Ney and Devin Trexler completed the top five.

Sixth through 10th were Nate Hill, Tim Spesak, Billy Wingle Jr., Jon Schlauch and Dave Long Jr. Heats were won by Wingle and Holland.

The No Sweat Service Group 20-lap feature proved to be a last-man-standing when it came to being the leading the event as four different drivers were on point at one time during the feature but it was Chris Derr who used the inside lane on the lap 15 restart to take the lead and go on to score his second win of the year.

Derr had a challenge for the lead on lap 18 fro Eric Tripp but Tripp was not able to complete the pass on the inside of Turn 3.

“I drove the wheels off this car,” Derr said. The 43 car (Tripp) was down their challenging me a litlle bit and there were some fast guys up front. I knew it was going to be a work out to get the win.”

Tripp would hold on to second with Bobby Krupp, Chris Heller and Mike Radocha rounding out the top five.

Sixth through 10th were Leroy Long, Tyler Stump, Justin Rhoads, Kyle Saylor and Dean Hine. Heats for the streets stocks were won by Tripp and Kupp.

This Friday, fans are encouraged to stop by and listen to HunttheGiant.com for live music beginning at 7 and presented by Jimmy Reppert Racing. All fans can enjoy free ice cream and activities at the tent by the band which begins at 6:30. Adults will have the chance to win VIP seating for the night and kids will have the chance to win a trip to victory lane and have their picture taken with the modified winners.

Modified driver Kevin Beach is holding their third annual bike give away also on Friday. Kids can pick up a packet as the winners, one boy and one girl in three age groups; up to 3; 4-6 and 7-10, will be determined by a coloring contest.

For the latest information, be sure to like the Big Diamond Speedway facebook page; www.facebook.com/Bigdiamondspeedway and on Twitter, @BigDSpdwy

Sunday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/07/16

Sunday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/07/16

Upcoming Schuylkill County Road Work

Upcoming Schuylkill County Road Work

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Municipality: INTERSTATE 81

ROAD NAME: Interstate 81
BETWEEN: Exit 124 (PA 61) AND Exit 131 (Delano)
Type of Work: Pothole Patching
Work being Done By: PENNDOT Maintenance Forces
Type of Restriction: Daytime
RESTRICTION: Lane restriction in both directions.
START DATE: 08/01/2016 Est. Completion Date: 08/12/2016
Restrictions in Effect (time of day): 7:00 AM To 3:00 PM
Will Rain Cause Delays? YES


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Municipality: Wayne Township

ROAD NAME: PA 895
BETWEEN: PA 61 AND PA 183
Type of Work: Bridge Repair
Work being Done By: PENNDOT Maintenance Forces
Type of Restriction: 24hours
RESTRICTION: PA 895 will be closed and detoured for repairs to the bridge over Bear Creek. Crews will be performing a steel beam superstructure replacement. Traffic will be detoured on PA 61, PA 443 and PA 183. Local access will be maintained on either side of the bridge.
START DATE: 08/08/2016 Est. Completion Date: 08/26/2016
Restrictions in Effect (time of day): (Select Time) To (Select Time)
Will Rain Cause Delays? YES


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Municipality: Washington Twp.

ROAD NAME: Dad Burnham's Road
BETWEEN: PA 443 AND PA 895
Type of Work: Pothole Patching
Work being Done By: PENNDOT Maintenance Forces
Type of Restriction: Sporadic
RESTRICTION: Lane restrictions with flagging.
START DATE: 08/08/2016 Est. Completion Date: 08/12/2016
Restrictions in Effect (time of day): 7:00 AM To 3:00 PM



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Municipality: Washington Twp.

ROAD NAME: Hetzel's Church Road
BETWEEN: PA 895 AND PA 443
Type of Work: Other
Work being Done By: PENNDOT Maintenance Forces
Type of Restriction: Daytime
RESTRICTION: Lane restriction with flagging for pipe replacement work.
START DATE: 08/08/2016 Est. Completion Date: 08/12/2016
Restrictions in Effect (time of day): 7:00 AM To 3:00 PM
Will Rain Cause Delays? YES


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Municipality: East Norwegian Twp

ROAD NAME: PA 61
BETWEEN: Pottsville AND St. Clair
Type of Work: Pothole Patching
Work being Done By: PENNDOT Maintenance Forces
Type of Restriction: Sporadic
RESTRICTION: Lane restriction in both directions for patching work.
START DATE: 08/08/2016 Est. Completion Date: 08/12/2016
Restrictions in Effect (time of day): 7:00 AM To 3:00 PM

Saturday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/06/16

Saturday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/06/16

Route 209 / Route 901 Intersection Project to Begin This Week

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced Thursday a project will begin August 8 to improve the western intersection of US 209 and PA 901 in Branch and Norwegian townships, Schuylkill County.

Woman Charged with Killing Husband Thursday Afternoon

(08/05/16) A Kline Township woman has been charged with killing her husband Thursday afternoon.

Friday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/05/16

Friday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/05/16

Death Investigation in Kline Township

(08/04/16) A death that occurred in Kline Township on Thursday is under investigation.

Thursday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/04/16

Thursday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/04/16

DEP Declares Drought Watch

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a drought watch declaration this week for 34 Pennsylvania counties and a drought warning declaration for Potter County following a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force where members evaluated recent data that indicate conditions for water supplies are continuing to deteriorate.

State Police Remind Public Regarding Peace Rock Area

On Wednesday, The Pennsylvania State Police reminded the public that the land area in the vicinity of Peace Rock in the Port Clinton area of southern Schuylkill County is owned by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Wednesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/04/16

Wednesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/03/16

Final Full Month Of Racing At Big Diamond Speedway Begins Friday; Coalcracker Weekend Set For Sept. 2 and Sept. 4

MINERSVILLE, PA. -- The No Sweat Service Group, the title sponsor of the street stock division at Big Diamond Speedway, will help kick off the final full month of racing on Friday night.

A four-division show is on tap for the CJ’s Tire & Automotive Services 358 modifieds, U.S.S. Achey sportsman, Savage 61 roadrunners and the No Sweat Service Group street stocks.

The gates will open at 5:30 with warm ups at 7:45 and racing at 8:15. Admission is $15 while kids12-and-under and active military with a valid ID are free.

The No Sweat Service Group is a fabrication and mobile hydraulic hose repair company located in Pottsville. They offer repairs and more at competitive prices. To learn more, call them at 570-527-1304 and like them on Facebook, www.facebook.com/NoSweatServiceGroup

Heading into Friday nights racing action, Ryan Godown leads Jeff Strunk in the 358 modified point standings by184 points with Craig VonDohren, Duane Howard and Rick Laubach rounding out the top five.

VonDohren leads the division with three wins while Godown and Laubach have two wins each. Seven different drivers have won a feature this season.

Brandon Grosso leads the sportsman point standings over Ray Woodall, Jr., by 89 points with Tim Fitzpatrick, Wayne Witmer and Mike Lisowski completing the top five.

Andy Fayash III maintains a healthy points lead of 377 points over Steve Gromis with Jim Kost, Kris Ney and Terry Kramer rounding out the top five.

Rich Bossinger leads the street stock standings by 28 points over Eric Trip with Elvin Brennan III, Jeremy Becker and Chris Derr rounding out the top five.

Next Friday, Aug. 12, its the Prelude to the Coalcracker with the 30-lap 358 modified feature paying $4,000 to win and $400 to take the green. Also on the card that night is the modified challenge races, sportsman and roadrunners.

The Prelude will be an open draw for the modifieds and a non-points event. There will be 50 show-up points to those who support the race. The night is also 'Hunt the Giant' night sponsored by Jimmy Reppert racing.

Friday, Aug. 19, the track will host Breast Cancer Awareness Night and CJ's Tire & Automotive Services Night along with the Andy Fayash Memorial for the sportsman. The 30-lap sportsman feature pays $1,750 to win and $157 to take the green. Also on the card that night will be the 358 modifieds, roadrunners and street stocks. The track is planning a Pink-out for that evening and encourages everyone to wear pink in support of breast cancer.

The final Friday of the month, Aug. 26, will see the a three-division show of 358 modifieds, sportsman and roadrunners along with the Kim’s Kreations Power Puff race and if needed, the rain date for the Andy Fayash Memorial.

Then one week later on Sept. 2, it will be Leindecker Race Engines Night as the Coalcracker weekend begins with the 40-lap sportsman feature paying $1,600 to win and $160 to take the green. Also on the card that night will be the roadrunners, street stocks, modified underdog race, vintage cars and the Enduro Dash 60.

Finally, the season concludes for Big Diamond on Sunday, Sept. 4 with the prestigious Jach Rich Inc., Coalcracker 72 for the 358 modifieds. The 72-lap feature pays $10,000 to win with $1,000 for 10th and $500 to take the green. The roadrunners, 600 modifieds and a fireworks display will round out the evening with racing getting underway at 7:45 p.m.

The Coalcracker began in 1979 when it was won by Bob Emerich and in its history, no driver have ever won the event three straight year. The defending winner of the race is Ryan Godown, who now owns three Coalcracker wins to his credit.

For the latest news, be sure to like the Big Diamond Speedway Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Bigdiamondspeedway and follow the speedway on Twitter, @BigDSpeed.

Schuylkill County Woman Dies in Northumberland County Crash

(08/03/16) A Schuylkill County woman died in a Northumberland County crash on Tuesday.

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/02/16

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 08/02/16