Community Corner
🌱 What Schuylkill’s 2026 no-tax-hike budget means for your wallet
And check out Helping Harvest Pottsville Mobile Food Market on the Pottsville Patch calendar
What's up Pottsville! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What Schuylkill’s 2026 no-tax-hike budget means for your wallet
- How 1,300 Schuylkill kids are getting Christmas gifts this year
- How Hazleton’s Yohansel Moran torched Pottsville and stunned Reading
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Pottsvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 42 and low of 38 degrees.
- Friday: A couple of morning showers, temps: high: 55, low: 24.
- Saturday: Some sun, then clouds; colder, with a high of 35 and low of 30 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. No tax increase in Schuylkill County's 2026 budget (republicanherald.com) — Schuylkill County commissioners meeting in Pottsville approved a 2026 budget that keeps real estate and per capita taxes flat while using reserves to close a general fund deficit. Leaders say strong cash balances and cost-saving steps, including in healthcare, helped avoid a hike, and they also awarded a $417,000 contract to repair the Julia Street bridge over Mahanoy Creek. 
Find out what's happening in Pottsvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Gifts from Salvation Army Angel Tree and Toys for Tots drives distributed in Pottsville (republicanherald.com) — Families lined up at Life Centre Foursquare Gospel Church in Pottsville on Wednesday to pick up Angel Tree and Toys for Tots gifts, helping nearly 1,300 children across Schuylkill County. Salvation Army staff, Marine Corps League volunteers, and church members coordinated donated toys, clothing, and bikes so local kids can wake up to presents and warm clothes on Christmas morning.
3. ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Yohansel Moran, Hazleton Area (centredaily.com) — A standout performance against Pottsville at Martz Hall helped Hazleton Area senior Yohansel Moran earn Athlete of the Week honors, after he scored 19 points with three three-pointers in that non-league win. He then followed with a 26-point, clutch shooting night in an overtime victory over Reading, highlighting his growing leadership on a balanced Cougars squad.
4. The 2026 Best Maternity Care Hospitals in Pennsylvania (metrokids.com) — Expecting parents in Pottsville may be reassured to see Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pottsville recognized among Pennsylvania’s best maternity care access hospitals, serving areas with limited options. The statewide rankings from U.S. News & World Report highlight hospitals evaluated on safety, breastfeeding support, and newborn outcomes, with Philadelphia the only Pennsylvania metro in the national top 20.
📸 Around Pottsville
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📣 Pottsville Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Williams Valley Boys Varsity Basketball @ Nativity BVM
Nativity BVM High School , 1 Lawtons Hill , Pottsville
7:30 pm - Armusik Academy of Classical Art: Tradition Renewed
Penn State Schuylkill , 200 University Dr , Schuylkill Haven
12:00 pm - Mount Carmel at Minersville
Minersville Area Jr./Sr. High School , 1 Battlin Miner Dr , Minersville
7:00 pm - Healing Touch Chakra Meditation with Melanie Jay
YOGA B YOGA , 1120 Centre Turnpike , Orwigsburg
10:15 am - Santa Claus Special
Reading and Northern Railroad Station Passenger Station , 12 W Main St , Schuylkill Haven
10:30 am - LLA Boys Varsity Basketball @ Nativity BVM
Nativity BVM High School , 1 Lawtons Hill , Pottsville
5:30 pm - Ewes & Yarns Fiber Faire--Vendor Registration
The Walk In Art Center , 220 Parkway , Schuylkill Haven
10:00 am
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Saturday February 21
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Good afternoon Neighbors I've been around for a little bit I don't post much but this holiday season I decided to try something different I make grave blankets Christmas wreaths and before I put my address out there I was wondering if anybody would
be interested I make horse head wreaths too I have a few things mean I've just been too nervous to post them okay well there it goes have a good day (Nextdoor Port Clair Areas) - Anybody in Schuylkill haven willing to give my buddy a jump?
He has to be at work in Port Clinton in about 30 min (Nextdoor Pottsville)
- GIANT Food Stores posted a job opening for PT Produce Associate - 6030 in Pottsville. Apply here.
- Ruby Tuesday, Inc. posted a job opening for Server Assistant in Pottsville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Pottsville here.
Ok Pottsville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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