Skook News - Your #1 Source for Schuylkill County News

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Brothers Arrested After Traffic Stop

According to East Union Township Police, Two brothers were arrested Wednesday.

Derek Lutz, Shenandoah, was arrested after a traffic stop Wednesday evening on a warrant and committed to Schuylkill County Prison.

His brother Shawn Lutz, also from Shenandoah faces charges after being found with a small amout of methamphetamine, pills, drug paraphernalia, and a pellet gun was also recovered.

Retail Theft Investigation

The Rush Township police Department is investigating a retail theft that occurred at 5:33PM on April 6th, 2016 at the Walmart in Hometown.

On April 6, 2016, Frackville Borough Police arraigned James Robert Brown of Scranton on charges related to burglary.

POTTSVILLE – The governor’s latest veto, issued on April 4, 2016, will cost school districts in Schuylkill County $5.9 million in reimbursement for construction projects, according Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).

Under the state’s Planning and Construction Workbook, otherwise known as PlanCon, school districts receive a portion of funding for new construction and renovation projects from the state. Eleven out of the county’s 14 school districts were set to receive the reimbursement under the state’s PlanCon program based on the passage of a budget-related bill, known as the Fiscal Code.

"Under previous law, our school districts had every reason to expect this funding, which is why I voted to release these dollars to the school districts,” Argall said. “Unfortunately, the governor’s veto will require school districts to wait even longer. I’m hopeful that we can resolve this issue soon.”

House Bill 1327, also known as the budget-related Fiscal Code, included the following reimbursements for the following local school districts:

Blue Mountain Area School District	$623,819.65
Hazleton Area School District	$2,280,069.62
Mahanoy Area School District	$325,905.40
Minersville Area School District	$324,060.09
North Schuylkill School District	$278,670.42
Panther Valley School District	$260,173.01
Pine Grove Area School District	$66,239.04
Schuylkill Haven Area School District	$431,301.01
Shenandoah Valley School District	$1,051,839.26
Tamaqua Area School District	$194,148.97
Tri-Valley Area School District	$69,577.71

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Lebanon Police Searching for Schuylkill County Woman

According to the Lebanon Daily News, Lebanon police are searching for a Pottsville woman who did not return her son to his father after a custody visit.

Wednesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/06/16

On April 12th, the Schuylkill United Way will host an information session on PA 2-1-1 in Schuylkill County.

Traffic fatalities in Pennsylvania totaled 1,200 in 2015, the second-lowest since record-keeping began in 1928 and five more than the record low in 2014.

Schuylkill Haven, PA (April 5, 2016) –The Greater Schuylkill Haven Area Business Association recently announced the winners of “A Child’s View of Schuylkill Haven”, art and essay competition offered to students in the Schuylkill Haven School District.

Schuylkill Technology Center Tech Trot 5k/Fun Run

Schuylkill Haven Area High School presents INTO THE WOODS.

Show dates are:
Friday, April 8 @ 7 pm
Saturday, April 9 @ 7 pm
Sunday, April 10 @ 3 pm

Link to Facebook Event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1689832517965891/

Argall’s Corrections Spending Study Approved by Committee

HARRISBURG – A measure to review mandatory corrections overtime costs was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning, according to the resolution’s prime sponsor, Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).

Senate Resolution 263 would direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the rising costs related to mandatory overtime spending within the Department of Corrections. The resolution will study staffing shortages within the department and compare the cost of mandatory overtime to hiring additional corrections officers.

“The legislature approved several cost control initiatives for our state prisons,” Argall said. “Conventional wisdom would dictate that a reduction in inmates would lead to a decrease in spending, but that has not been the case. Mandatory overtime is not just a concern for taxpayers, it’s a concern for corrections officers who are forced to spend less time with their families and more time at the state prisons. It’s not just a morale issue, it’s a public safety issue.”

During the budget hearings with the Senate Appropriations Committee in February, Corrections Secretary John Wetzel admitted that overtime costs for the current fiscal year will be around $96 million, and the department is anticipating $90 million for Fiscal Year 2016-17.

The department led all other state agencies in overtime spending from 2010 through 2014.

The Department of Corrections receives the third largest state appropriation from the General Fund compared to all state agencies.

The resolution moves to the full Senate for its consideration.

BB&T Acquires National Penn Bank

BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) today announced it has completed its acquisition of National Penn Bancshares, Inc., (NASDAQ: NPBC) effective April 1, 2016. The core banking systems conversion, along with signage and account changes for clients, is expected early in the third quarter of 2016.

(04/05/2016) WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - One person was flown after a crash Tuesday afternoon.

(04/05/16) Around 3:30pm, Tuesday afternoon, Emergency personnel were called to the Frackville Grade, Route 61 Southbound between Frackville and St. Clair for a motor vehicle accident.

PennDOT invites driver license and identification card holders to celebrate National Donate Life Month in April by registering to be an organ donor and sharing a unique opportunity to help others in need live longer, better lives.

PHILADELPHIA / COLUMBIA COUNTY: Missing Endangered Person Advisory. The Philadelphia Police Department is currently searching for Maxine Land, 75.

She is missing from Philadelphia but was last known to be at a gas station in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, at 5:20 a.m. Tuesday.

She left her home in northwest Philadelphia during the morning of Apr. 4, 2016, and that afternoon called her sister and indicated she was lost.

She is driving a gold 2001 Hyundai Elantra with PA registration ELJ6181.

Land has dementia and may be disoriented. She is 5'4", 135 pounds, and is wearing a black wig.

Anyone with information on Land’s whereabouts should call the Philadelphia Police Department Northwest Detectives at (215) 686-3353 or call 911.

Late-Race Pass Gives Doug Manmiller Opening Day Win At Big Diamond

BY: Shawn Wood

MINERSVILLE, PA. -- There’s nothing like getting an opening-day win in any division, but for Doug Manmiller, it helped erased a bit of frustration from a winless 2015 campaign.

Northwest Academy to Become New County Prison

On Tuesday morning, it was announced that the Northwest Academy, Coal Township, will close and be converted to the new location of the Northumberland County Prison.

Full Details from the News Item
http://www.newsitem.com/news/2016-04-05/Today's_Top_Stories/Northwestern_Academy_to_become_county_prison.html

Tuesday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/05/16

LCCC ADN Student from Schuylkill County Wins National Office

Schnecksville, Pa., April 4, 2016 – Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) student Jennifer Kalenkoski, of Shenandoah, Pa., has won a national office in the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA). Kalenkoski, a first year ADN student and current president of SNAP (Student Nurses Association of PA), will take on the position of Breakthrough to Nursing- Director. As per the NSNA, she will address the following issues:

The adequacy of health care services for minority group members:

The need to increase the number of minority group health care providers.
The need to provide opportunities for minority nursing students to develop leadership skills.
The need for the nursing education system to be more responsive to the needs of the minority group students.

“I am very proud of Jen's dedication to our chapter and to nursing. She has proven herself to be an outstanding student leader. Her election to this position provides our chapter, program and school with national recognition,” states Gail Cummings MSN, PMH-RN, associate professor of psychiatric nursing and SNAP faculty advisor at LCCC.

For more information about LCCC’s nursing programs, visit the website at www.lccc.edu or contact Barbara H. Lupole RN, MSN, director of Nursing and Healthcare Science Programs, at blupole@lccc.edu.

Fire Crews at the Scene of a Working Structure Fire in Hegins Township

Around 2:30pm Monday afternoon, fire crews were called to 159 West Mountain Road, Hegins Township for a working structure fire.

Monday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/04/16

Feature Finish Results from Friday, April 4, 2016 at Big Diamond Speedway

A man suffering from dementia that was reported missing in Northumberland County was found safe early Monday.

(l-R) Brendin Freeman, Bennett Keller, Rep. Mike Tobash, Stephi Strouse and Sara Strouse of the Blue Mt. 4-H Livestock Club meet with Rep. Tobash and other PA State Senators and Representatives advocating for the reinstatement of the Land Script Fund for Penn State University so the 4-H program will continue.

Police Searching for Missing Man Suffering from Dementia

UPDATE: Mr. Boyer was found safe.

--------------------------------------------------

Missing Endangered Person Advisory. PSP Stonington is searching for Roger Boyer, 77, who was last seen leaving his residence in Shamokin at 3:00 p.m. He may be heading towards the Pitman, Schuylkill County area.

He is driving a tan 2005 GMC Sierra truck with PA registration YCZ-3690. He is wearing a maroon plaid shirt and blue jeans.

He has white hair and wears glasses.

Boyer has dementia and may be confused.

Anyone with information on his location should call PSP Stonington at (570) 286-5601 or call 911.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

South Schuylkill Garden Club has New Officers

New Officers for the South Schuylkill Garden Club serving for the next two years are (l-R) Glen Stevens, Treasurer; Kim Morgan, Secretary; Joan Cairnes, 2nd Vice-president; Linda Bollinger, 1st Vice-president; Melissa Seigfried, President

Police File Charges for Armed Robbery of Pharmacy

Ashland Borough Police have filed charges on Jason Pryce, Ashland, for the October 27th, 2015 armed robbery of Bracey's Pharmacy.

On April 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., Hershey’s ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park will once again make an appearance at the Sweet Arrow Lake County Park clubhouse to present “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tails”. This variety program focuses on the adaptations that animals use for survival in the wild. Paws, claws, scales and tails are important for defense, finding food, eating, swimming and escaping predators. Live animals will be featured. This program is free and open to the public and is made possible through a grant from the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation. For more information call 570-345-8952.

Sweet Arrow Lake Park Hosting Disc Golf Tournament

Sweet Arrow Lake County Park will be hosting its first Disc Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. Come check out the newly redesigned disc golf course. The event will include 2 rounds of disc golf, player packs, games and raffles, trophies for top division placers, and a free picnic lunch!

The fee is $30 for all divisions (open, amateur, masters, & women). All proceeds benefit the non-profit organization "Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation” whose goal is to promote and support recreational opportunities in Schuylkill County.

On-line registration is highly encouraged at www.discgolfu.com. For more information or if you wish to be a tournament sponsor please contact Drew Kline at 570-527-2505 or drewkline9@gmail.com.

Power Outages Reported in Southern Schuylkill County

As of 12:45am, Sunday, Over 1,000 homes are currently reported to be without power.

Rain Barrel Make ‘N Take

The Penn State Master Gardeners are pleased to be able to offer an environmental information session followed by a workshop to help you with drilling and constructing your own rain barrel. Learn how a few small and inexpensive changes by residents can improve water quality, reduce flooding damage, and reduce soil loss through erosion.

Join us at the Sweet Arrow Lake County Park large pavilion on April 26, 2016 at 6:00-8:00 p.m. to learn how to construct, paint, use and winterize your barrel. Convenient on–line registration is available at http://extension.psu.edu/rain-barrel/schuylkill. Registration and payment of $35 (includes rain barrel and fittings) is required by April 19, 2016.

High Wind Warning Issued

A High Wind Warning has been issued for Schuylkill County and counties south.

For the third time in just as many days, a tractor trailer has crashed on the Broad Mountain near Nesquehoning, Carbon County.

LCCC to Hold Info Sessions for Prospective Adult Students from Schuylkill County

Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) will hold information sessions at the college’s Tamaqua campus to promote training programs in CDL, Industrial Automation and Health Careers.

Saturday, April 2

10 am - 5pm

Art Show and Sale

The Main Gallery at The Walk In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven

The WVIA documentary “Knoebels” has received the Excellence in Broadcasting Award for Outstanding Television Documentary in the 2016 Documentary Television Program competition juried by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB).

Police Investigating Theft of Child's Purse

Shenandoah Police are investigating a theft that occurred at the Family Dollar on 4/1/2016 at approximately 7 p.m.

Any one with information regarding the identity of the female is asked to contact 570-462-1991.

Female in the photos stole a purse that belonged to an 11 year old juvenile.

Wind Advisory Issued for Overnight Saturday into Sunday

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for Schuylkill County and Counties south for overnight Saturday into Sunday.

(04/01/16) A line of strong storms will cross parts Schuylkill County Friday afternoon.

Friday's Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - 04/01/16

HARRISBURG – The Schuylkill Conservation District will receive a $67,024 grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection to again monitor water quality on the Upper Swatara Creek, state Reps. Neal P. Goodman and Mike Tobash and state Sen. David G. Argall announced.

“Unfortunately, routine monitoring in the watershed stopped in 2007,” Goodman said. “I’m pleased that the state is again providing funding that will give us a fresh look at the water quality in the creek and locations of acid mine drainage in the watershed.”

“Past monitoring of Upper Swatara Creek led to acid mine drainage and abandoned mine land reclamation projects,” said Tobash, R-Schuylkill/Dauphin. “The stream now supports native trout, but the new round of monitoring will help us learn if more action is needed.”

“The Upper Swatara Creek Watershed has a long history of anthracite mining in the late 1800s through the mid-1900s,” said Argall, R-Schuylkill/Berks. “This funding, which comes from fees placed on the coal industry, will go a long way to improve the quality of our waterways as well as recreational opportunities in Schuylkill County and beyond.”

The monitoring will take place in Tremont, Frailey, Reilly and Porter townships over two years, said Wayne G. Lehman, county natural resources specialist with the Schuylkill Conservation District.

“It will let us know about improvements we have made to the creek, and what we still need to do,” Lehman said.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

2 Injured in Thursday Afternoon Crash

Around 3:00pm, authorities were called to Pine Creek Drive (Route 54) and Church Road for a motor vehicle accident.

The Pennsylvania State Police has issued an Amber Child Abduction Alert for the Upper Merion Township Police Department Montgomery County.

UPDATE: BABY FOUND SAFE
http://6abc.com/news/police-baby-boy-kidnapped-from-king-of-prussia-mall-found-safe/1271388/

On March 31, 2016 at approximately 5:35 p.m. Ahsir Simmons a seven week old black male with black hair was abducted from the King of Prussia Plaza Mall located at 160 North Gulp Road, Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania. The child was last seen wearing a bright orange shirt. He was abducted from his stroller by an unknown black female, approximately 5 foot 3 inches tall and approximately 135 pounds, long black straight hair wearing a light colored short sleeve shirt with horizontal stripes, black pants and dark shoes. She was carrying a bright orange pocket book. She was last seen fleeing with the child on foot towards Gulp Rd.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ahsir Simmons should call 911.

Skook News is Looking for Some Help

Would you be interested in joining the team of one of the fastest growing web sites in Schuylkill County?

Seven-time Grammy winner and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Carrie Underwood will bring her tour to GIANT Center in Hershey, PA on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 7 PM with Easton Corbin and The Swon Brothers.

Information from the FBI regarding the "Grandparents Scam"

Around 7:00am Thursday morning, emergency personnel were called to 49 Pinedale Industrial Road, West Brunswick Township, near Orwigsburg for working commercial structure fire.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Monday, April 4, 2016

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Friday, April 1, 2016

Thursday, March 31, 2016