Schuylkill County

BUTLER TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A standoff Wednesday in Schuylkill County between a man armed with a semi-automatic pistol and state troopers is now over.

54-year-old John Miller held police at bay for hours on Fountain Street in Butler Township. Police say they first came out to the home because Miller was throwing things from the second-floor window of the house.

Troopers say they saw Miller with a semi-automatic pistol. The 54-year-old eventually came out of the home and surrendered.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — The city of Pottsville is taking more action in the fight against blight by adding commercial properties to their already standing nuisance ordinance in hopes of attracting more new businesses.

“We always believe we need to do our part to set the stage for any type of private investment and the community, whether it be working with our infrastructure or with our ordinance system, to make sure they compliment development,” Tom Palamar, a city administrator, told Eyewitness News.

TAMAQUA, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A popular Pottsville restaurant opens up its second location this weekend.

The wheel now serves both the Pottsville and Tamaqua areas, opening up along Broad. In the face of adversity and in the time of coronavirus precautions, it’s another vital piece to Tamaqua’s emphasis on local business.

Eyewitness News reporter Kevin Hayes takes us inside and will have more details coming up on Eyewitness News at 11.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Thursday Governor Wolf announced to extend eviction protection for people impacted by the pandemic.

It was expected to expire this month but will now last through August. While people still worry what will happen next, a local non-profit is working to provide relief. Schuylkill Community Action opened applications for their renters relief program. The staff is already busy answering the call to serve.

PORTER TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – Fire broke out this morning on East Grand Street in Porter Township. 

One resident was home at the time of the fire. No one was injured. The cause is unknown but it started somewhere in the kitchen. 

Several crews responded, calling extra tankers in. 

Fire officials say the house is a total loss.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — The investigation into a Schuylkill County Commissioner has intensified. Multiple women have accused Commissioner George Halcovage of sexual harassment. 

District Attorney Mike O’Pake told Eyewitness News he will not be leading the investigation. Instead, the Attorney General’s Office is now handling it.

In the meantime, Commissioner Halcovage remains in office but, during a commissioners meeting Wednesday morning, several people voiced that they want him out.

EDWARDSVILLE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) Slow moving thunderstorms are bringing local rainfall amounts around 1-2 inches per hour and up to 3 inches in isolated areas.

A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for portions of Columbia County and Schuylkill County until 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Minor flooding has also been recorded in southern Luzerne County.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Flood advisory for portions of Luzerne County until 2 PM Wednesday.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – An unnerving discovery was made on Friday after an anonymous tip was made to an SPCA in Schuylkill County.

A humane officer with the Hillside SPCA went to check on a tip in the Village of Valley View along Fairlane Road.

What she found was a a shed filled with malnourished, sick and in some cases deceased cats.

Hillside obtained a search warrant through Hegins Township police and spent the afternoon clearing the shed.

The number of cats present at any time? Undiscernable.

SHENANDOAH, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) Schuylkill County’s oldest continuously running seasonal farmer’s market is now open. It was opening day for the farmer’s market in downtown Shenandoah.

The market committee chairman says he expects more growers to join the market as the season continues when crops become more available. While many businesses struggled through the coronavirus pandemic, some local growers say their season has been successful.

(WBRE/WYOU) – Masks are now required whenever someone leaves their house, effective immediately. Plus, Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage steps down as the chairman of the board of commissioners, but will not resign from the board.

Catch those stories, plus your local forecast, in the Eyewitness News Webcast for Thursday, July 2nd.