Sullivan grants for non-profits 

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Legislature is encouraging not-for-profit agencies to apply for consideration of inclusion in the Legislative Discretionary Contract Program.

The application process helps the legislature identify local entities, including community and not-for-profit organizations throughout Sullivan County that have specific needs or countywide significance by tying applicants to identified county and municipal goals. The applicant must be a not-for-profit agency or civic organization operating within Sullivan County but is not part of county government.

The application deadline is September 30. To submit the application, you can complete it online via a fillable PDF form on the Sullivan County website, www.sullivanny.us (click on “Application and Guidelines For Legislative Contracts (Program Year 2019)” under “Helpful Links”); submit the application and supporting documentation as email attachments to Michelle Huck at michelle.huck@co.sullivan.ny.us; or mail or hand-deliver the printed application to Michelle Huck, County Government Center, 100 North St.

Baker’s rural hospital initiative 

HARRISBURG, PA — With more than 30 rural hospitals currently at risk of closure in the state, Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chair Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) is joining with Rep. Tina Pickett (R-110) and the state Department of Health (DOH) to offer ways to continue providing quality health care.

“In recent years, we have heard a great deal about the challenges facing many of our rural hospitals,” Baker said. “The DOH has developed a substantial initiative to address critical problems and change the operating climate from one of decline to opportunity. Today, I introduced Senate Bill 1237 to establish the Rural Health Redesign Center (RHRC) to oversee the transformation.”

The effort will be initially funded by a $25 million grant from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. As a public-private partnership operating independently from the commonwealth, the RHRC will also have the capacity to raise funds from other sources, such as foundations. The DOH will provide various opportunities for rural hospitals to ensure they receive the tailored, consistent support they need to be successful.

Wildlife Officer of the Year

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos on August 20 announced that Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) Ricky Wood was recently honored with the “Wildlife Officer of the Year” Award from the Shikar Safari Club International. Wood is based in Sullivan County.

“DEC’s Environmental Conservation Police Officers are on the front lines daily protecting New York’s wildlife, natural resources and citizens,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Throughout his career, ECO Wood has demonstrated outstanding service and commitment that has justifiably earned him the respect of the public and his peers. I extend my congratulations to him on this well-deserved honor.”

Shikar Safari International Club was founded in 1952 by an international group of hunters interested in exchanging ideas about the sport and to promote the ethical and conservation-minded hunting of big game animals, primarily in Asia and Africa. In 1966, the Shikar Safari International Foundation was formed to support various wildlife conservation projects with funds raised by club members.

ECO Wood graduated from SUNY Cobleskill in 2002. He attended DEC’s 17th basic school for uniformed officers at the DEC training academy and graduated in 2007. He is currently stationed in Sullivan County, where he has been on patrol for the past 10 years. In 2013, ECO Wood was selected to train as a K-9 officer. 

PA fishing opportunities

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is offering two special fishing opportunities to entice adults and kids to fish on Labor Day, September 3.

The first is a $1 license for adult residents and non-residents. The license—good for Labor Day only—provides an easy and affordable way for everyone to enjoy a special day with family and friends while fishing on the Commonwealth’s waters.

The second opportunity is the Mentored Youth Panfish Day. This provides youth anglers who have obtained a free mentored youth permit or have purchased a voluntary youth license an opportunity to fish on 19 Panfish Enhancement lakes, which include Lower and Upper Promised Land lakes in Pike County.