News

7/18/19

by News Department on 07/18/19

I-81 Crash...

A family of five and a truck driver were seriously injured after a crash on Interstate 81 Wednesday morning.

According to Skook News, State Police at Hazleton said the crash occurred around 10:30am, in the North-bound lanes, near the McAdoo exit, when a Chevrolet Tahoe, towing a U-Haul trailer, rear-ended a Kenworth Dump Truck.

A male driver, female passenger, and 3 minor children, in the Tahoe were all entrapped in the vehicle and seriously injured.

The driver of the dump truck, 48 year old James Gyle, of Hunlock Creek, suffered minor injuries.

Interstate 81 was closed for several hours while the scene was cleared. The crash is still under investigation.

7/18/19

by News Department on 07/18/19

Heat Advisory for the weekend...

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for this upcoming weekend from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening.

According to Skook News, the HEAT INDEX VALUES will be higher than 105 on Friday and Saturday. The highest values will be in the afternoons, but overnight low temperatures will be very warm and the air oppressively muggy.

Officials are warning that the heat and humidity may cause heat stress during outdoor exertion or extended exposure.

The excessive heat watch is in effect for numerous counties, including Northumberland and Schuylkill.

7/17/19

by News Department on 07/17/19

Wanted...

The Rush Township Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a man that was recently involved in a retail theft and is wanted on warrants.

According to Skook News, police filed two criminal complaints against 25 year old Allen Schrader III, with a last known address in Lehighton.

Schrader reportedly committed the retail theft on July 12th and 14th.

Authorities say he currently also has warrants for his arrest from Dauphin and Columbia Counties, and also has a probation violation from Lehigh County.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Schrader is asked to contact the Rush Township Police Department.

7/17/19

by News Department on 07/17/19

Housing Grants...

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency announced, Tuesday, that three Schuylkill County community grants will fight blight and create more housing options in Frackville, Minersville, and Tamaqua.

According to Skook News, the Frackville Flats project on Center and Frack streets will be a new, three-story building consisting of 30 different units that will be available for persons aged 62 or older.

The Miners Loft project will rehabilitate a long-vacant garment factory on Lewis Street, in Minersville, into 30 senior citizen residential units. It will also feature commercial space for adult day care and medical services.

And the Bank on Broad project will substantially rehabilitate three different three and four-story buildings for general occupancy in downtown Tamaqua.

7/17/19

by News Department on 07/17/19

Gas Leak...

A reported natural gas leak led to evacuations in Cressona Tuesday evening.

According to Skook News, emergency personnel were dispatched to the Hydro Extrusion Plant on Pottsville Street, in Cressona for a reported natural gas leak, around 9:45pm.

The plant, along with homes on Columbia Avenue, Alcoa and several other nearby streets, were also evacuated while authorities use monitors to test the air quality.

Cressona and Schuylkill Haven Fire were called to scene to assist with air monitoring and evacuations. UGI was called in to the scene.

7/17/19

by News Department on 07/17/19

7/17/19

by News Department on 07/17/19

Gun policy nixed...

The Tamaqua Area school board voted Tuesday to rescind a controversial policy that would allow teachers and other employees of the district to voluntarily carry guns.

According to the Republican Herald, the board dropped Policy 705, a decision made as the result of a recently enacted state law that prohibits teachers from carrying weapons.

The district is planning to move forward and will create a new policy with language that adheres to state law and will also be forming a committee that will be comprised of police, first responders, parents and teachers who will make recommendations to the board dealing with school safety and security.

The new legislation signed recently by Gov. Tom Wolf specifically states who is allowed to carry firearms on school properties, and teachers are not included.

7/16/19

by News Department on 07/16/19

7/16/19

by News Department on 07/16/19

Sweetest Bakery Contest...

A well-known bakery in Schuylkill County is up for an award recognizing not just some of the top bakeries here in Pennsylvania, but across the country, too.

Momma Millie’s bakery, located in the 200 block of North Centre Street, in Pottsville, is up for a nationwide award for the sweetest bakery in America.

The competition is overseen by Dawn food products.

Voting is very easy and can be done twice a day by texting "sba 1735" to "474747" or vote at sweetestbakeryinamerica.com.

7/16/19

by News Department on 07/16/19

Charges filed in police assault...

Three people have been arrested after assaulting a police officer in Luzerne County.

According to reports, police were called to a home along East Oak Street, in West Hazleton, for reports of loud music. Authorities say when they arrived; Emilli Colon refused to give officers any identification.

Two men, at the residence identified as Adrian Jourdain and Jorge Colon, refused to leave the area and Jourdain punched a police officer.

The trio is now facing riot and other charges. Jourdain was also cited for assaulting an officer.

7/16/19

by News Department on 07/16/19

Prison Sentence...

A Tamaqua man is headed to state prison after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him Monday for unlawfully possessing a pistol.

According to the Republican Herald, Schuylkill County deputy sheriffs had charged 37 year old Jason W. Eberts with possessing the pistol on Aug. 20, 2018, in Rush Township.

Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled that Eberts must serve two to four years in a state correctional institution, with the sentence becoming effective Aug. 1.

7/16/19

by News Department on 07/16/19

Suspect sought...

Pottsville Police are asking for public's help in locating a man they say is responsible for a shooting in the city on Saturday afternoon.

According to Skook News, 22 year old Isaiah Jared Samuels, of Pottsville, was identified as the suspect who had fired the handgun from a black Chevrolet Colorado at pedestrians on Third Street and then west on Harrison Streets.

Investigators were able to recover the Taurus 9mm handgun used in the incident. An arrest warrant for Samuels was obtained.

Anyone with information on Samuels’ whereabouts is asked to contact police.

7/15/19

by News Department on 07/15/19

7/15/19

by News Department on 07/15/19

Medical Marijuana update...

Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine announced that effective July 20, anxiety disorders and Tourette syndrome will be approved serious medical conditions in the medical marijuana program.

The recommendation is based off of the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board and a review of medical research on the use of marijuana to treat these conditions.

There are currrently close to 111,000 active patient certifications as part of the medical marijuana program. More than 1,600 physicians have registered for the program, more than 1,160 of whom have been approved as practitioners.

7/15/19

by News Department on 07/15/19

WANTED...

Police in Columbia County are looking for a man that has ties back to Schuylkill County.

According to Skook News, 36 year old Jeffrey Murphy, of Catawissa, is a wanted fugitive after he fled the Catawissa Magistrate's office prior to a hearing to revoke his bail.

Murphy is described as having brown hair and blue eyes and stands 5'10" tall. Anyone with information on Murphy's whereabouts is asked to contact the Catawissa Police or call 911.

7/15/19

by News Department on 07/15/19

17 year old in custody...

A Pottsville teen is locked up in Schuylkill County Prison for a stabbing that occurred, Friday evening.

According to Skook News, police responded to the 400 block of East Market St. for the stabbing of an 18 year old male.

e victim told officers that he had been stabbed by a male who he identified as 17 year old Christopher James Rojas, of Pottsville.

Pottsville located Rojas and after a brief foot chase he was taken into custody. Rojas was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Reiley who committed him to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $100,000 straight cash bail.

7/15/19

by News Department on 07/15/19

Yuengling celebrates 190th...

Thousands of people took part in the 190th Anniversary celebration of Yuengling, Saturday, in Pottsville.

The event kicked off at 1:00pm at the Yuengling Brewery and Gift Shop with 5% of gift shop sales going to Pottsville's Continued Progress Project.

The Sixth Generation Yuengling sisters; Jennifer, Wendy, Sheryl, and Debbie toasted the crowd and thanked everyone for coming to celebrate.

Local bands, The Boys Upstairs, Toolshed Jack and Hooligan entertained the crowds before national recording artists Better than Ezra took the stage.

The night concluded with fireworks provided by the City of Pottsville

7/12/19

by News Department on 07/12/19

7/12/19

by News Department on 07/12/19

Grants Awarded...

Congressman Dan Meuser announced that the borough of Mahanoy City has been awarded $72,000 in federal grants by United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

According to Skook News, the release from Meuser's office states the grants will be used to purchase a 2019 Ford Police Interceptor with equipment along with a Truck and Plow.

With the addition of a new police vehicle, the police department will be able to patrol at times when they currently can’t.

The plow truck will also enable increased road service during inclement weather.

7/12/19

by News Department on 07/12/19

Cause unknown...

Insurance investigators say the cause of a fire that destroyed a Ringtown business, Wednesday morning, may never be found.

According to the Republican Herald, the fire completely destroyed Ringtown Mill and Hardware at 655 N. Main St. Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue Company Chief Joseph Gilbert Jr. said the insurance investigator surveyed the area and feels that due to the amount of fire damage, coupled with collapses throughout the structure, determining the exact cause and origin is almost impossible.

Gilbert said, with that thought in mind, he will rule the cause of the fire as undetermined.