Meet Coal Region Canary's Authors

Coal Region Canary

Coal Region Canary is published by a veteran journalist with more than two decades of experience in local news. Since 2000, the Canary has covered nearly every aspect of community life in Schuylkill County—from local government and courts to investigative reporting, sports, and feature stories. Before launching Coal Region Canary, the publisher worked as a reporter for The Pottsville Republican & Evening Herald, The Morning Call, and The Hamburg Item. In 2025, the site earned the Schuylkill Conservation District’s Media Award for its commitment to local reporting. The Canary has been at the forefront of several major stories impacting the region, including an investigation into a former Pottsville mayor’s reckless IT decisions and extensive coverage of the ongoing Schuylkill County property tax reassessment. The site has consistently shined a light on government transparency issues and works to hold public officials accountable.

Pottsville Business Burglarized Monday Morning, Teen Charged

Canary Newswire

School Delays Announced for Dec. 15

Canary Commenter

Schuylkill County Weather for December 15, 2025

Mike Guta

Mary J. Cappel, 78 – Graduate of the Ford School of Business

Lisa Von Ahn

OPINION: The Fog Of Gaslight

Canary Admin

Schuylkill County Fugitive of the Week: Lonnie Stevens-Goldburg

Lisa Price

Dog Found Abandoned Inside Locked Storage Unit Outside Pottsville

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE: Greater Pottsville Sewer Authority 2026 Meeting Dates

Porcupine Pat

“Porcupine Pat” McKinney is a part-time environmental education coordinator for the Schuylkill Conservation District and provides programming for people of all ages with a special emphasis on schools, nature center development and public programming. “Porcupine Pat” is originally from Marion, Ohio and holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree with Distinction in Natural Resources with an emphasis on Environmental Interpretation from The Ohio State University. He is a recipient of the prestigious Sandy Cochran Award for Excellence in Natural Resources Education from the Pennsylvania Forestry Association in 2005, the 2007 Schuylkill Pride Award, the 2010 Schuylkill Outdoors Personality of the Year and a recipient of the 2013 PA Association of Environmental Educators “Outstanding Environmental Educator Award.”