Falling light poles have Ashland residents concerned

ASHLAND, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Light poles continue to fall in a Schuylkill County community, four in the last month. It’s happening in Ashland, and residents want something done about it.

Metal light poles are falling. Two fell on Centre Street Monday night during an extremely windy thunderstorm. The poles are rusted, Especially at the base.

One pole is being held up with a rope.

Two other poles fell two weeks ago also on Centre Street. It was also windy that day.

28/22 News Reporter Andy Mehalshick spoke to residents who want PPL, which owns the poles, to do something about this situation.

“I’m fearful of it because there are so many factors they have to look at. When is it going to come down on top of somebody? It missed two cars yesterday, it came close to, what it is not going to come down on somebody,” Ashland resident Frank Rice said.

The I-Team also reached out to PPL and a spokesperson sent us a statement.

We are working closely with Ashland Borough to expedite the replacement and removal of the fallen streetlights, which are more than 50 years old. The streetlights fell during periods of high winds and storms and did not cause power outages for customers.

PPL Electric Utilities Director of Communications Dana Burns

PPL will also inspect the remaining light poles in the borough.

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