Schuylkill County

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.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — After a Schuylkill County Commissioner stepped down as the chair of the Board of Commissioners, another county official says the sexual harassment accusations against him are not being treated seriously enough.

Eyewitness News told you earlier Wednesday, George Halcovage stepped down as chair, but says he will remain on the board. Eyewitness News spoke with the Clerk of Courts, who says she was not satisfied with the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — 48-year-old Wade Meisberger from Indiana is the man behind the police chase and deadly standoff that ended in Hazleton Monday night.

Police shot him after negotiations failed and he fired multiple shots at officers. Meisberger was initially wanted for a homicide probation violation. He took off in the tractor-trailer after a traffic stop by U.S. Marshals.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — A tense standoff in Hazleton is over. The man who led police on a high-speed chase in a tractor trailer cab is dead.

Police have released the name of the suspect as Wade Russel Meisberger, 48-years-old from Whiteland, Indiana.

According to a report from police, the suspect was the passenger inside the semi who took over the vehicle while the driver was out of the cab during a traffic stop conducted by US Marshals. The suspect was initially wanted for a homicide probation violation.

MARLIN, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — Having equipment made for children with disabilities can make a world of difference for them. Monday, a group of kids in Schuylkill County experienced that joy.

Students at Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 received bikes and strollers that would accommodate their special needs. 

Having equipment made for children with disabilities can make a world of difference for them. Monday, a group of kids in Schuylkill County experienced that joy.

GIRARDVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) –Gilberton is no longer underwater, but many of the borough’s residents still have a lot of work to do to clean up the area. A group of Boy Scouts collected items the residents might need and donated them to an essential items drive held by the community of Girardsville.

Earlier this month, Gilberton’s Main Street was mostly under water. The flooding is now under control, but life is not back to normal. Residents still have to clean up their homes. That’s why the mayor of Girardville started the essential items drive.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) A Schuylkill County Commissioner is under internal investigation for alleged misconduct.

Schuylkill County Administrator Gary Bender confirmed to Eyewitness News that the Human Resources office along with County Risk Managers concluded an investigation into alleged misconduct by County Commissioner George Halcovage.

Bender says the report was finalized Thursday and brought to the other two commissioners Friday.

County officials expect to release more information next week.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — While many events had to cancel this year due to COVID-19, one event is still going on as planned this weekend in Schuylkill County.

“I never knew what direction I would take to make a change in my hometown, but this is something that I’m passionate about and you know when you follow your passion, you usually have success,” Mikaela Gavaletz, Managing Director of Pottsville’s LGBTQ+ Festival said.

TAMAQUA, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The pandemic took away many celebratory moments for graduating seniors, but Tamaqua has decided they are taking back prom.

Tamaqua Area School District’s Class of 2020 will have their traditional night of dancing and partying after all. A group of parents rallied together for seniors to have their prom on July 24th.

There will be music, a photographer, and more just like in past years. Tara Stauffenburg didn’t want her son Barron and his fellow classmates to miss out on the magical night.