News

8/8/19

by News Department on 08/08/19

Valley View has strategy...

Valley View residents armed with strategies to fight a proposed natural gas compressor station in their community shared them with Hegins Township supervisors.

According to the Republican Herald some of the strategy ideas include forming an advisory committee, pushing for a congressional inquiry and staying united against Williams’ efforts.

Williams filed an application July 31 with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seeking authorization for the Project, which includes constructing a 31,000-horsepower natural gas compressor station in Hegins Township. It’s proposed on approximately 105 acres near Deep Creek Road and Bridge Road, with the facility itself covering 23 acres.

8/8/19

by News Department on 08/08/19

Fugitive Captured...

A wanted fugitive in Schuylkill County was arrested, Wednesday, by Minersville and Cass Township Police.

According to Skook News, police received a call from the Quandel Car Wash that a Dodge Ram had been parked in a car wash bay all day. Upon arrival, officers found 48 year old Javier Guzman, of Summit Hill sleeping inside the vehicle.

Guzman was wanted for failure to appear in court on firearms charges and was found to have a loaded handgun along with methamphetamine in the vehicle.

He was taken into custody and is now facing additional charges. Guzman was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Plachko and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 cash bail.

8/7/19

by News Department on 08/07/19

Suspect caught in sewer...

An ATV theft suspect was taken into custody after attempting to flee through the sewer system in Ashland late Monday.

According to Skook News, an investigation was underway into the theft of an ATV in the 1900 Block of Walnut Street in the borough that occurred on July 31st.

Police say security cam footage showed 25 year old Michael Fickinger, of Ashland taking the ATV.

Authorities attempted to take him into custody, late Monday, but he fled on foot and was later located inside a sewer pipe in the area of 1st Street. After several hours, Fickinger was located and removed from the system through a manhole several blocks from where he originally entered the pipe.

He was taken into custody and arraignment by Magisterial District Judge Christina Hale. He was then locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $25,000 straight cash bail.

Pennsylvania State Parole also placed a detainer on Fickinger for violations of parole.

8/7/19

by News Department on 08/07/19

8/7/19

by News Department on 08/07/19

Purple Heart State...

Gov. Tom Wolf officially designated Pennsylvania as a Purple Heart State, demonstrating “extreme gratitude to the more than 91,000 Pennsylvania men and women either killed or wounded in war defending our freedom since 1917.

According to the Republican Herald, beginning today, Pennsylvania will honor these great heroes every Aug. 7, which is national Purple Heart Day.

The annual recognition is an opportunity for Americans to pause to remember and honor those who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice.

8/7/19

by News Department on 08/07/19

Serious charge dropped...

Prosecutors withdrew the most serious charge, Tuesday, against a Coaldale man arrested for shooting another man with a shotgun loaded with erasers on July 7.

According to the Republican Herald, 21 year old William J. Cannon was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer on felony & misdemeanor charges but prosecutors withdrew the aggravated assault charge at the request of the victim — Jason Englert — and Cannon waived the remaining offenses to Schuylkill County Court.

At the county court level, Cannon can now either plead guilty or enter a not guilty plea and request a trial.

8/7/19

by News Department on 08/07/19

Car Jacking / Chase...

A carjacker has been taken into custody after taking two vehicles in two separate counties.

According to officials, the first vehicle was stolen at gunpoint in Kelly Township, Union County on Monday afternoon.

Police say 29 year old Michael Coombs, from Nanticoke, then stole another car in Northumberland County, and led police on a chase before crashing near South Williamsport.

Coombs was arrested and is locked up in Union County prison, awaiting his preliminary hearing.

8/6/19

by News Department on 08/06/19

3 In Custody...

Three people wanted on warrants were taken into custody early Monday, in Tremont.

According to Skook News, officers from the Tremont Police Department in cooperation with the US Marshals Service and State Parole Fugitive Task Force made contact with the occupants of a house in the 100 block of West Laurel Street, in Tremont Borough.

As a result, three people were taken into custody. Lisa Scheibley was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant from Schuylkill County. Angela Sattizahn was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant from Lebanon County and Corey Leininger was taken into custody for absconding state parole.

8/6/19

by News Department on 08/06/19

8/6/19

by News Department on 08/06/19

Brother attacked with machete...

A Klingerstown man was jailed Sunday, charged by state police at Schuylkill Haven with attacking his brother with a machete.

According to the Republican Herald, police were notified by Sandy Lear, that her son, 35 year old Noah Vitrano, attacked her other son, 33 year old Joshua Vitrano, during a domestic incident at their home.

Noah Vitrano was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $50,000 straight cash bail.

8/6/19

by News Department on 08/06/19

ATV Stolen...

Police in Ashland are looking for a suspect after the theft of an ATV last week.

According to Skook News, Ashland Police say they are investigating the theft that occurred in the 1900 Block of Walnut Street in the borough.

Police say security cam footage showed 25 year old Michael Fickinger, of Ashland removed the ATV out of the resident's yard.

Police have issued a warrant for Fickinger's arrest and are still trying to locate the ATV. Anyone that may know the whereabouts of Fickinger or the ATV is asked to contact Ashland Police.

8/6/19

by News Department on 08/06/19

Woman/Infant missing...

Police from Berks County are looking for a woman and a baby that have been reported missing.

According to Skook News, State Police and the City of Reading Police Department are searching for 32 year old Ebony Armstead, and 3 week old Princess Nova Jennings.

Armstead is reportedly operating a silver 2013 Kia Sorrento bearing PA registration JVL7066. She was last seen wearing black jeans and a pink top. The pair was last seen on Aug. 3 at approximately 9 a.m. in the 400 Block of Walnut Street, in Reading.

Police believe these persons may be at special risk of harm or injury and may be confused.

Anyone with information on Jennings and Armstead should contact police immediately by calling 911.

8/5/19

by News Department on 08/05/19

Fatal fire ruled accidental...

An electrical problem is being blamed for a fire that claimed the life of a young woman in Northumberland County, last week.

Investigators determined Tuesday’s deadly fire started in the wall of a row home along North Franklin Street, in Shamokin.

23 year old Bree Scandle, did not make it out.

Several other row homes were destroyed in the fire which has been ruled accidental.

8/5/19

by News Department on 08/05/19

Trespass Charges filed...

A man is facing criminal trespass charges after returning to Walmart, which he was banned from earlier this year.

According to Skook News, the Rush Township Police Department has filed the charge against 27 year old Joshua Baran.

Authorities say he was observed on the property at 35 Plaza Drive, on August 3. Baran was previously given written notice that he was banned from coming on the property due to a previous incident earlier in the year.

The charge was filed with Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer.

8/5/19

by News Department on 08/05/19

8/5/19

by News Department on 08/05/19

Chase leads to charges...

A recent hit and run in Ashland turned into a vehicle chase around the borough.

According to Skook News, authorities received a call for a hit and run that occurred with a total of three vehicles involved. Police blocked Centre Street with a cruiser to stop all three drivers in the 1400 Block.

The incident reportedly began when the victim was leaving Willow Park and was struck by a blue Honda, driven by Brian Busler, of Ashland, at the intersection of 15th and Spruce Streets. The third vehicle involved was identified as a white VW Jetta operated by a female driver.

After the chase, when police attempted to question female driver, she refused to move her vehicle until the driver of the blue Honda paid for her broken windshield. Butler Township Police later arrived to assist and questioned her a second time, she fled the scene.

Busler now faces numerous charges.

8/5/19

by News Department on 08/05/19

Pottsville On Tap...

The "Pottsville on Tap" festival will be returning in September in Pottsville.

According to Skook News, the annual festival is presented by the Continued Progress Project. The day-long event will feature a Yuengling beer garden, ethnic foods, music, a special tour of the Yuengling Brewery, local crafts people, and activities.

Once again, there will be a trolley running through the streets, between downtown Pottsville, the Yuengling Brewery gift shop, and available parking.

Ongoing updates will be announced on the Downtown Pottsville and Pottsville on Tap Facebook pages. The event will take place September 21, 2019, 12:00pm – 6:00pm, on Centre Street in downtown Pottsville.

8/1/19

by News Department on 08/01/19

8/1/19

by News Department on 08/01/19

Senior Day...

The Schuylkill County Fair continues today and runs thru Saturday. Today is dedicated to appreciating our Senior citizens.

STS buses will be making special runs to the Fairgrounds. There will be presentations on Diakon Services, seated Yoga and Zumba Gold.

The 35th annual 4-H and FFA Livestock sale will be held this evening and as always, lots of entertainment with the Rehrig Brothers performing at 1PM and 3 PM and the Mudflaps Reunion at 7 and 9 PM.

For more information visit Schuylkillfair.com.

8/1/19

by News Department on 08/01/19

Drowning victim ID'd...

Police have identified a man from the Reading area who drowned in the Atlantic Ocean while trying to save his son, earlier this week.

Emergency personnel, in Atlantic City, said 58-year-old Thanh Bui tried to rescue his 11-year-old son, who was drowning.

A former police officer who saw what happened tried to pull the man to shore.Authorities were able to get the man out of the water. He later died at the hospital.

Police said his son somehow made it back to land on his own.