Schuylkill County

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – For barely two weeks, the old Giant Grocery Store building on Progress Street in Pottsville has sat vacant.

But now, the site is home to a great debate: should the property be used to house inmates due to overcrowding at the Schuylkill County Prison?

“This would kind of be a nail in a coffin for us,” said Mark Atkinson, Pottsville City Councilman.

Pottsville Councilman Mark Atkinson would rather use the site for revitalization.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) Living a plastic free life may be a challenge, but there are steps we can take to cut down usage.

In honor of National Plastic Free Month, a local community garden and non-profit is showing people some handy tricks on how to eliminate plastic.

16-year-old Hannah Burke, manages the Schuylkill Haven community garden. It’s a place that brings residents together.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — “We were finishing up our scrimmage and it got announced that we weren’t going to be playing and we weren’t even allowed to shake hands with the other team. It was just upsetting.” Pottsville Area third baseman Ryan Lindenmuth said.

Just like back in March, many across the nation and commonwealth were robbed of three years of hard work. But summer and Pennsylvania reopening meant a second chance for some. A special legion baseball game in Pottsville. A special sendoff for seniors who lost their final season.

PORT CARBON, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – One of the Little Leagues held their opening ceremony today, just in time to show off much needed improvements at their field.

It’s late in the season for an opening day, but the Port Carbon Little League players like Liam Garrity are just happy to be back on the field.

“You get to come outside and play with friends,” said Liam Garrity, baseball player.

And families are happy to be cheer on the players.

MINERSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) One local community is gearing up to have its first special needs playground.

The non-profit Dustin’s Playground just signed the lease for the land and showed us images of what the playground will look like once complete.

It will be located at the Minersville Area Lions Club pavilion. The playground is named after Amy Freed’s 9-year-old son who has autism. The land will have have everything from zip-lining to a see-saw accessible to kids whether or not they have any disabilities.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — A long-running gymnastics training center is making a comeback since the pandemic forced its doors to close.

Pottsville Gymnastics and Theatrical Center has been training young gymnasts for nearly 35 years.

“It’s really good to be back,” said Cambrie Herb, a student gymnast.

The pandemic forced the facility, located above the Salvation Army in downtown Pottsville, to close, stopping many students from sharpening their skills.

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.