News

7/25/19

by News Department on 07/25/19

Burglary...

Ashland Police are investigating a burglary that occurred at a local pool hall.

According to Skook News, authorities say someone broke into Gal's Pool Hall by breaking a window between 2:30am and 10:15am, Wednesday.

After breaking in, the suspect or suspects stole cash from a register. Police say evidence found at the scene has been collected and is being processed by the Pennsylvania State Police at Reading Forensics Unit.

Anyone with information on the break in should contact Ashland police.

7/25/19

by News Department on 07/25/19

Fire destroys home; 2 pets perish...

Fire severely damaged a home in Rush Township Wednesday.

According to the Republican Herald, firefighters were called to the home of Tiffanie Wirth at 1 Oak Lane and found parts of the two-story building engulfed in flames.

Rush Township Police Chief Kenneth Zipovsky said the fire appears to have originated in the kitchen of the structure and that Wirth was not home at the time.

Authorities say an air conditioner will be examined as a possible cause, but there is no reason to believe the fire was intentionally set.

Damage is estimated at about $100,000.

2 pets perished in the blaze. No injuries were reported.

7/24/19

by News Department on 07/24/19

7/24/19

by News Department on 07/24/19

Survey...

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is seeking motorists’ input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through its annual online Highway Safety Survey.

PennDOT will use the feedback from this annual survey to better understand the attitude and actions of the public concerning a variety of driving behaviors.

The survey is available on PennDOT’s website through Aug. 12 and should take about five minutes to complete.

All responses, including the “comments” fields, are anonymous.

For more information on highway safety efforts, or to take the survey, visit www.PennDOT.gov/Safety.

7/24/19

by News Department on 07/24/19

York found dead...

A Tamaqua man, accused of raping a minor, and has been on the run since early July has been found dead.

According to reports, both Carbon County Coroner Robert Miller and Nesquehoning Police Chief Sean Smith confirm that 35 year old Craig A.York, was found dead of an apparent suicide at a shooting range in Nesquehoning.

Authorities had been looking for Craig, who was last seen on the Appalachian Trail, near Route 309. He had been scheduled to appear for a hearing on rape charges on July 12 but failed to show.

York had been arrested by Tamaqua police in June 2018 in the rape case.

7/24/19

by News Department on 07/24/19

Turnpike Award...

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association announced the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commissionhas been awarded the 2019 Toll Excellence Award for Technology for the development of a web based application.

“Catch it Early, Act, Analyze and Review,” allows on duty officers to respond proactively to situations as they arise in order to maintain traffic flow and more effectively monitor driver’s travel times across the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

The 2019 Toll Excellence Awards will formally be presented during IBTTA's 87th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, September 15-17.

One recipient will also be honored with the prestigious President’s Award for Excellence during the awards ceremony.

7/24/19

by News Department on 07/24/19

Hearing PPD...

A preliminary hearing for a Pottsville teenager has been delayed because the victim of the incident remains hospitalized.

According to the Republican Herald, 17 year old Christopher J. Rojas, was scheduled to appear, Monday, to answer to charges filed by Pottsville police in a stabbing incident.

Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley said he granted a continuance at the request of prosecutors, because 18 year old Owen Kelly, of Pottsville, remains hospitalized recovering from wounds he suffered in the July 12 attack.

Rojas faces numerous charges including attempted homicide. He remains in Schuylkill County Prison on $100,000 straight cash bail.

7/23/19

by News Department on 07/23/19

7/23/19

by News Department on 07/23/19

Prison Sentence...

A North Carolina man received a prison sentence for his participation in a Schuylkill County-based heroin-trafficking ring.

According to the Republican Herald, 30 year old Nicolai Varga, formerly of Shenandoah,previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.

Federal prosecutors allege that Varga, who is one of 11 people charged in the investigation, was involved in transporting and distributing between 400 and 700 grams of heroin.

Senior U.S. District Judge James M. Munley ruled that Varga must now serve three years in a federal correctional institution.

7/23/19

by News Department on 07/23/19

Fire still undetermined...

The cause of a fire that destroyed a house under construction in Lake Wynonah on Friday has not yet been determined.

According to the Republican Herald, damage is estimated at $1.5 million to the lakeside property at 829 Cayuga Cove.

State police Trooper Joseph Hall of the Frackville station said the home had temporary electric service, which is a common construction setup where an electrical line is run to the site for a contractor to tap into.

Hall said it’s still an active investigation, though the fire is not considered suspicious in nature.

7/23/19

by News Department on 07/23/19

Man in custody...

A Lebanon man was locked up after assaulting another man in Schuylkill County.

Police say Julio Lopez-Garay got into a fight with Siul Sepulveda-Muniz in the back seat of a car in Porter Township, Saturday.

According to officers, Lopez-Garay then took out a kitchen knife from his pocket and stabbed Sepulveda-Muniz in the chest.

He was taken to the hospital and is expected to be okay. Lopez-Garay was taken into custody and committed to Schuylkill County Prison.

7/23/19

by News Department on 07/23/19

Warning/WANTED...

Officials with the Appalachian Trail are warning hikers to be on the lookout for a Pennsylvania man who is wanted on charges that include rape.

Court records show a bench warrant is out for 35 year old Craig York, of Tamaqua, who is facing 15 charges that include rape and involuntary indecent assault of a person under 16.

According to a posting on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail’s Facebook page, York was last seen in the Fort Franklin parking area near the trail Thursday.

York is reportedly a Megan’s Law offender who was recently released after a 10-year prison sentence.

Anyone who sees him should call the Schuylkill County communications center or dial 911.

7/22/19

by News Department on 07/22/19

7/22/19

by News Department on 07/22/19

Hikers death-heat related...

This past weekend’s intense heat reportedly played a role in the death of man who died while hiking at Hawk Mountain on Saturday.

According to the Republican Herald, a center supervisor said a call came into the Schuylkill County Communcations Center at 10:40 a.m. from Berks County about the incident.

First responders were dispatched out to Wild Turkey Lane and Bear Creek Drive.

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III said 62 year old Rick Dale Medlock, of Delaware, died of a heart attack with heat being a contributing factor in his death.

7/22/19

by News Department on 07/22/19

Fire destroys home under construction...

A fire that destroyed a home under construction over the weekend, in Lake Wynonah, has been ruled accidental.

According to Skook News, emergency personnel were dispatched to the 800 Block of Cayuga Cove Friday evening.

The fire completely consumed the home that was said to be under construction. A nearby home also suffered heat damage. The cause of the fire was reported to be electrical and not suspicious.

No firefighters were said to be injured battling the blaze.

7/22/19

by News Department on 07/22/19

Power Outage...

Hundreds of homes were without power late Sunday into early this morning in Schuylkill County.

According to Skook News, PPL Utilities said power outages were reported in Butler, Cass, East Union, South Manheim, Tremont, Wayne and West Brunsick Townships along with Shenandoah.

The numbers totaled almost 1,000 homes without power as of 12:00am.

PPL was working on the outage and anyone still without power should contact PPL Utilities.

7/22/19

by News Department on 07/22/19

Drowning victim ID'd...

A Girardville man has been identified as the victim in a drowning near Girardville, Sunday afternoon.

According to Skook News, emergency personnel along with the West End Dive Team from Mahanoy City responded to a stripping pit known as the "A Hole" in Butler Township for a water rescue.

The victim, identified as 40 year old Robert Chuplis, reportedly went under and never surfaced.

The West End Dive Team rescued the victim, but were not able to revive him.

The incident is still under investigation.

7/18/19

by News Department on 07/18/19

7/18/19

by News Department on 07/18/19

Victim should recover...

A man stabbed by a teenager, in Pottsville, Friday, is expected to recover from his injuries.

According to the Republican Herald, Owen Kelly, of Pottsville, was stabbed multiple times by 17 year old Christopher J. Rojas, also of Pottsville. Kelly was treated at a Pottsville hospital and then flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.

Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said Kelly is expected to recover from his wounds.

As a result of incident at North George and East Norwegian streets, Rojas was charged with numerous counts, including attempted homicide. He remains in Schuylkill County Prison on $100,000 straight cash bail after being charged as an adult due to the seriousness of the crime.

7/18/19

by News Department on 07/18/19

Cause unknown...

The cause of a natural gas leak Tuesday near the Hydro Extrusion Plant remains unknown, but officials say it was not located on the plant property.

According to the Republican Herald, an employee discovered the leak during a routine patrol of the area. John Matz, Schuylkill Emergency Management Agency director, said the leak was where the UGI natural gas feed comes into the plant on the far end.

UGI employees responded to the area, located the leak and fixed it, but there was no word on the cause.

The leak led to the evacuation of about 300 employees from the plant and residents on Columbia Street.