News

10/18/19

by News Department on 10/18/19

Hero Show...

Some people from Schuylkill County will be featured this weekend a new episode of “Hearts of Heroes.”

Zachary Reichert and Kyle Cleary were trapped in their car during a flash flood in Pine Grove in August of last year. Members of

the Pine Grove North End Fire Department risked their own lives to save the men.

Their story will be featured in “Hearts of Heroes” Saturday morning at 11:30 here on ABC TV.

10/18/19

by News Department on 10/18/19

Charter Schools...

A Saint Clair man has been hired as an assistant principal to the Statewide Public Cyber Charter School.

Skook News reports that interest in cyber schools continues to increase across the state of Pennsylvania, and Reach Cyber Charter School has appointed Devin Rushannan along with four other new directors and program heads during the 2019-20 school year to ensure student needs are continuing to be met and additional resources for educational success are being provided.

Reach Cyber Charter School delivers an award-winning curriculum with STEM enrichment opportunities, engaging electives, technology tools, and online and in-person social experiences for families who want an individualized approach to education.

10/18/19

by News Department on 10/18/19

Fire destroys home...

A Saint Clair man has been hired as an assistant principal to the Statewide Public Cyber Charter School.

Skook News reports that interest in cyber schools continues to increase across the state of Pennsylvania, and Reach Cyber Charter School has appointed Devin Rushannan along with four other new directors and program heads during the 2019-20 school year to ensure student needs are continuing to be met and additional resources for educational success are being provided.

Reach Cyber Charter School delivers an award-winning curriculum with STEM enrichment opportunities, engaging electives, technology tools, and online and in-person social experiences for families who want an individualized approach to education.

10/17/19

by News Department on 10/17/19

10/17/19

by News Department on 10/17/19

Recreational Marijuana...

Some Pennsylvania senators are proposing another bill for growing cannabis, after Governor Tom Wolf announced his support for the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Under the bill, people 21 or over could pay $50 a year for the right to have up to 10 marijuana plants for use in their own home.

Another provision would allow adults to pay $50 a year for a permit to deliver recreational marijuana from licensed dispensaries.

The senators who proposed the bill expect it to generate $500 million in tax revenue after the first year.

10/17/19

by News Department on 10/17/19

PMG to retire...

The United States Postal Service announced Wednesday that Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan, a Pottsville native, is retiring.

According to the Republican Herald, Brennan is the 74th postmaster general and first woman to serve in the role.

As postmaster general, Brennan advanced technology and customer-centric strategies to invest in the future of the postal service and to shape growth opportunities for the organization and the industries it serves.

Upon her retirement, effective Jan. 31, 2020, she will have served in the position for five years.

10/17/19

by News Department on 10/17/19

Sandusky re-sentencing...

Jerry Sandusky will learn his new sentence next month for sexually abusing 10 boys.

The former Penn State assistant football coach will be resentenced on Friday, November 8 at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte.

The resentencing hearing had been scheduled for last month but was put on hold after the judge removed herself from the case.

Sandusky was sentenced in 2012 to up to 60 years in prison, but a state appeals court ruled that sentence was improperly applied.

10/17/19

by News Department on 10/17/19

LGSR to close...

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway has announced they will cease train operations in Jim Thorpe next month.

According to Skook News, the President of LGSR, Wayne Michael, stated that Jim Thorpe Borough Council has recently sought to force the company to pay an amusement tax and also brought a lawsuit against the company to recover close to $100,000 in "alleged" back taxes.

Michael announced that train operations will cease on November 25, 2019.

Refunds will be issued for all people who have already purchased tickets for the Santa trains.

10/16/19

by News Department on 10/16/19

10/16/19

by News Department on 10/16/19

White House Tree from NTH'D County...

A Christmas tree farm in Northumberland County received an honor on Tuesday as representatives from the White House were on hand to select a Christmas tree that will be placed in the Blue Room during this holiday season.

Mahantango Valley Farms, which straddles the Northumberland/Schuylkill county line, has been in the Snyder Family for well over 200 years.

After the farm won a state and national competition, the White House chose a tree from here to adorn the Blue Room over the holidays.

The tree will be harvested at the end of November and then delivered to the White House in Washington, D.C.

10/16/19

by News Department on 10/16/19

Mobile Mammogram...

Geisinger has opened a new Mobile Mammography Coach, in Schuylkill County.

The mobile unit, which looks like a large, bright pink bus, was unveiled Tuesday at the Geisinger Pottsville Clinic at 529 Terry Reiley Way.

The bus is equipped with advanced 3-D mammography technology that gives doctors a clearer, more accurate view compared to a traditional mammogram.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Dr. Jose I. Castillo, a Geisinger medical oncologist, said the best method of detecting it and catching the disease early is through a mammogram.

The mobile vehicle will be at the Pottsville clinic site from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday now through Nov. 15. It will then be available one day a month at the Pottsville clinic lot.

10/16/19

by News Department on 10/16/19

RECALL...

A massive recall of seasoned beef used in Taco Bell burritos and tacos has taken place in restaurant locations across the country.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said Kenosha Beef International recalled the products over concerns that they may be contaminated with metal shavings.

The bags of meat were shipped from the supplier to five distribution centers and then to restaurant locations across the country.

The restaurant chain announced it had voluntarily recalled about 2.3 million pounds of seasoned beef.

By Monday, 100% of the product had been removed from all restaurants across 21 states.

10/16/19

by News Department on 10/16/19

Man cut brake lines on bus...

Mahanoy Township Police have arrested a man they say was attempting to cut the fuel line of a school bus.

According to Skook News, Township Police said the incident occurred around 2:00am, while Police Patrolman Kaid Apel was on patrol and spotted someone laying under a school bus attempting to cut the fuel line.

The male suspect who was identified as 38 year old Richard Davis, of Harrisburg, told police he was cutting the line because he needed gas.

He was taken into custody awaiting arraignment.

10/15/19

by News Department on 10/15/19

10/15/19

by News Department on 10/15/19

Motorcycle crash...

A motorcyclist was seriously injured this afternoon when involved in a crash along Route 895 in West Brunswick Township.

State police from Schuylkill Haven said the crash occurred at 2:10 p.m. as 51 year old Jeffrey Mintzer, of Schuylkill Haven, was traveling east and apparently slowed down to make a left turn onto Stevens Road. Mintzer’s motorcycle was struck from behind by 73 year old Gary Schaeffer, of Middleport, who was driving a tri-axle dump truck.

Mintzer was flown to Lehigh Valley-Cedar Crest.

Route 895 was closed as state troopers from Schuylkill Haven reconstructed the crash.

10/15/19

by News Department on 10/15/19

Schimf sentenced...

A former Nativity BVM High School band director, 71-year-old Dale Schimpf, of Frackville, will spend the next three to six years in state prison for having sexual relations with a 13-year old boy.

Schimpf was first arrested in for the charges back in February. Shortly after that, Tamaqua police discovered that three more men had sexual relations with the same victim.

Former Port Carbon councilman, Charles Joy, 36-year-old Brad Murphy and a 28-year-old were also arrested. Investigators say all of the men met the boy on a dating app. Joy was already sentenced and is serving between three to 23 months. Murphy is awaiting a trial date.

10/15/19

by News Department on 10/15/19

PennDOT seeks solutions...

If you have an idea on how to fix Pennsylvania’s infrastructure, PennDOT wants to hear from you.

PennDOT is currently accepting unsolicited public-private partnership proposals or P-3’s until the end of the month. During this period, the private sector is encouraged to submit proposals offering innovative ways to deliver transportation projects or offer proposals to more efficiently manage existing transportation-related services and programs.

The state’s P3 law allows PennDOT and other transportation authorities and commissions to partner with private companies to participate in delivering, maintaining, and financing transportation-related projects.

10/15/19

by News Department on 10/15/19

Charges...

29 year old Matthew Delgado of Tamaqua, will spend time in prison, and more on probation, after recently admitting to a Schuylkill County judge that he had sexual contact with a pre-teen boy in September 2018, in Tamaqua.

According to the Republican Herald, police charged Delgado with assaulting the boy, who was 11 or 12 years old at the time.

Judge James P. Goodman sentenced Delgado to serve nine to 23 months in prison and an additional five years on probation.

He also ruled Delgado is a Tier 1 sex offender under state law and, consequently, imposed Megan’s Law sanctions on him for 15 years.

10/14/19

by News Department on 10/14/19