Skook News - Your #1 Source for Schuylkill County News

Monday, July 16, 2018

Identifying Heat Related Illnesses

What’s your secret to staying cool in the summer?

Von Dohren comes out victorious in classic duel with Howard at Big Diamond. Doug Hendricks tops Sportsman field.

Help is always needed to operate the largest weeklong event here in Schuylkill County.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast for 07/16/18

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 07/15/18

Schuylkill County Police Log for 07/15/18

Schuylkill County Police Log for 07/15/18

Upcoming Schuylkill County Road Work

As of 10:30am, Sunday morning, over 400 homes were without power in Schuylkill County.

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 07/14/18

Fire Crews Responding to Working Church Fire in Tamaqua

As of 11:30pm, Saturday, fire crews are responding to a working church fire in Tamaqua.

On Saturday, Mahanoy City celebrated Community Day with local vendors, food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, and live music.

A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash on Interstate 81 Saturday afternoon.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast for 07/14/18

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 07/13/18

State Police Seizes Heroin, Other Illegal Drugs Valued at Over $7 Million in the Second Quarter of 2018

The Pennsylvania State Police announced Thursday that troopers confiscated $7,050,174 worth of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and other prohibited drugs in the second quarter of 2018.

Acting Commissioner Robert Evanchick announced today that 95 cadets graduated from the State Police Academy in Hershey and have been assigned to troops across the commonwealth. The men and women represent the 152nd graduating cadet class.

"I am the firefighter I am today, because of this man".

Many who live or have lived in the borough of Ashland, recognize the name Joe Halko. You knew him personally, passed him on the street, or just knew the family name.

Joseph Halko, was a mentor to many, and this week, he was laid to rest and honored, as any firefighter and community leader, deserves.

Halko spent 38 years of his life as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, mainly doing an Ashland route.

Halko was also a life member of the American Hose Company #1, Ashland, where he volunteered for 65 years. During his active time with the Department, he served as Chief Engineer and President, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Marshal and was the President of the Fireman's Relief.

Aside from the Post Office and fire department, he also served as President of the Board for the Pioneer Tunnel, was one of the original founders of The Men of Brennan for Cardinal Brennan High School, Ashland, was a member of the VFW and American Legion, as well as a Little League baseball coach for the Ashland A's.

Outside of his community work, Halko served in the Army from 1950-1952 during the Korean War and was a sergeant 1st class and received a Purple Heart.

At the age of 90, Halko passed away last Sunday at his home in Ashland.

During Wednesday's borough council meeting, Council President Ann Marie Groody held a moment of silence for Halko. Ashland Mayor Raymond Walacavage also made a proclamation to designate, Friday, July 13, 2018 as "Joe Halko Day" in the borough.

On Thursday, Halko was laid to rest and was honored by his brothers with the fire department during a service at St. Borromeo's Church, Ashland.

Kevin Groody, a member of the American Hose Company #1, Fire Chief of the Worthington Fire and Rescue, Kentucky, spoke of Halko's leadership.

Kevin Groody said "Joe was the kind of man that walked into a room and you knew he was a leader".

He added that Joe exercised true leadership. "He was the kind of person that could adapt to any situation, listen to both sides of a problem, he could deal with people, and took accountability for himself." Groody said.

Groody also said Halko was a leader that put his men first.

He recalled a story from 1977 when Halko was injured in a fall during a fire in the borough. When Groody first visited him after the fire, the first words out of his mouth were "How are the rest of my men?"

Also speaking at the service was the Ashland's Fire Chief Phillip Groody.

Phillip Groody called Halko his "mentor" and the reason he joined the American Hose Company.

Groody spoke on how over Halko's 65 years of service with the fire department, he witnessed 3 eras of fire apparatus in the borough.

He told a story on how when they first began fighting fires together. "It was a time when fire calls came in through phones, not radios and pagers." He also referenced a time when Halko and Groody caught a fire bug together on Brock Street in the borough and how when the fire calls came in, they knew the homes by who lived them, not by their address.

Groody spoke on prior to becoming fire chief in 2000, he worked as assistant engineer under Halko until he left the position in 1992.

He also spoke about a conversation with the Frank Zangari, Chief of the Ranger's Hose Company, Girardville, during the viewing service. "We lost our mentor, Frank", Groody stated.

He ended his eulogy with, "Remember a person not by what they did, but what goes on after they leave".

After the service, members of the American Hose Company and Halko's family carried his flag draped casket. An arch was erected in front of the American Hose Company on Walnut Street by Washington Fire Company Ladder Truck and the 1959/93 American Lafrance 85' ladder truck that resides with the Schuylkill County Fire Historical Society (A former Washington Fire Company, Ashland, Ladder Truck).

At the graveside services, Halko was honored by Military Honor Guard as well as the Ashland VFW and American Legion.

As one last honor, a Final Call was announced from the Schuylkill County Communications Center. (The procession and final call can be seen and heard in the video below).

Two Families Displaced After Port Carbon Fire on Thursday

Two families are being helped by the Red Cross after a fire in Port Carbon on Thursday.

The Orwigsburg Police is investigating a string of vehicle breaks in the borough that occurred overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast for 07/13/18

Shenandoah Police Investigating Theft of Credit Card

The Shenandoah Borough Police are investigating the theft of a credit card.

A man was taken into custody early Thursday morning after an incident where he threatened to shoot police.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast for 07/12/18

No Injuries in Rollover Crash in Mahanoy Township on Wednesday

A driver escaped injury in a crash in Mahanoy Township on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania's West Nile Control Program and Department of Health announced that three mosquitoes tested positive for the West Nile Virus in Schuylkill County.

A man has been cited after a crash in Pottsville on Tuesday.

The Schuylkill County Sheriff's Office is warning county residents about a telephone scam.

With the announcement of Chief Zipovsky leaving to be the Rush Township Police Chief, a new Officer in Charge was appointed at Tuesday night's Borough Council Meeting.