Schuylkill County

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) With many of us still stuck at home, we are finding virtual classes to keep us entertained and connected. A script reading class in Schuylkill County, that we recently told you about for high school students, had some special guests join them today.

“Perhaps you mean Mrs. Robert Gerard?” said one student.

High school students laughed as they read through the script of Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Sense and Sensibility in this old clip of their virtual script reading class.

MAHANOY CITY, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – Many people now use parades to celebrate moments that normally draw a crowd.

So one local borough decided to do one big parade to cheer on anyone with something to celebrate.

Jim Tucket caught the parade as he was walking his two dogs Saturday afternoon.

“I think it’s good for the community. Gets people out, people need to get air.”

After receiving multiple requests for celebration parades during the pandemic, west end fire and rescue decided to hold this parade for any and all events worth celebrating.

MAHANOY CITY, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) Sirens roared through Mahanoy City borough this afternoon but don’t be alarmed… there was no emergency.

West End Fire and Rescue held a celebration parade for people to enjoy. The department is receiving parade requests from different people who want help in celebrating different milestones like birthdays and graduations during the pandemic.

So they decided to hold one big parade, allowing everyone to commemorate their big moments from their porches and sidewalk.

(WBRE/WYOU) — On Friday, May 15, 2020, Eyewitness News showed a Coronavirus Response Special on WYOU.

Special guests included Luzerne County Manager David Pedri, Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage, and Columbia County Commissioner Dave Kovach.

Also joining the program were Dr. Al Casale, chief medical officer, Geisinger Surgical Services, Dr. Susheer Gandotra, infectious disease specialist with Lehigh Valley Hospital Pocono, and Dr. Eric Tesoriero, critical care anesthesiologist, medical director of critical care medicine St. Luke’s Monroe Campus.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Pottsville Area School District is facing an uphill financial battle.

Planned cuts to programs as well as staff furloughs have teachers and the community worried about the quality of education heading into the 2020- 2021 school year. Frustration continues to mount on several fronts in Schuylkill County. Teachers and staff with the Pottsville Area School District say they haven’t previously been able to organize and be properly heard. Thursday they took to the streets to garner community support.

KLINE TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) Jennifer Lee Haberle was arrested early in the morning on May 5th by a police officer stationed in the area, after multiple reports of stolen mail were made to Kline Township police.

She was delivering newspapers at the time.

Township police say she was charged with thefts from the mailboxes of residents and released, pending the issuance of a summons.

MCADOO, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) McAdoo Police will no longer be patrolling the community 24-7 due in part to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the town’s budget.

McAdoo officials confirm they will rely on state police to provide protection during the hours not patrolled by borough police officers.

Residents that Eyewitness News spoke with are not happy about the decision to cut local patrols. But McAdoo Borough officials tell us they have no other choice and insist public safety will NOT be placed in jeopardy.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) Schuylkill County commissioners took a step back from their plans to transition into the yellow phase, despite Governor Wolf never giving permission to do so.

George Halcovage, Commissioner Chairman of Schuylkill County, tells Eyewitness News,“We want to wait to hear directly from the governor and give us information as to why they are telling us we are still in the red.”

(WBRE/WYOU) – Governor Tom Wolf has issued a strong warning to counties going rogue, transitioning to the “yellow phase” without the governor’s consent. Plus, the latest coronavirus numbers report shows a sharp decline statewide from the previous day.

Catch those stories, plus your local forecast, in the Eyewitness News Webcast for Tuesday, May 12th.

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — As Governor Wolf brought the hammer down on the rogue counties, Pennsylvanians and small businesses got caught in the crossfire.

There are those in Schuylkill County who are bursting at the seams to get out and say the containment of COVID-19 is real. Others warn it’s too soon but all eyes are on the next official word.

“This transition could go forward tomorrow, or backward tomorrow. We just have to roll with the punches,” Colton Conway, manager of Roma Pizza, said.