Bethel board nixes moving fire department

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — All five members of the Town of Bethel Town Board have signed on to a letter condemning a suggestion that the Kauneonga Lake Fire Department be moved or consolidated with other fire departments in the town. (See the full letter this week in “Opinion” at riverreporter.com, and next week in print on our editorial pages.)

The letter, signed by supervisor Dan Sturm, deputy town supervisor Vicky Simpson and council members Dawn Ryder, Lillian Hendrickson and Bernie Cohen, says the suggestion came in response to a request for ideas from residents about how to improve the hamlet. It said, “In this case there has been one particular idea from a local business owner that has called for the removal of the Kauneonga Lake firehouse from its present location, as well as to consolidate all local fire companies, to provide for more parking and maybe a new green space or park area in that location. This idea has caused great concern, angst and animus in our town, especially with our local fireman.”

It continues, “As members of the Bethel Town Board for many years, we must categorically reject any notion of removing the Kauneonga Lake firehouse for parking. That idea is OUTRAGEOUS. If and when any fire company wants to consolidate, that would be up to the fire company, the commissioners and the tax-paying residents in those districts.”

New Pike pre-K scholarship

MILFORD, PA — Through a partnership with The Dime Bank and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the Greater Pike Community Foundation has awarded its first pre-kindergarten scholarship for tuition assistance to the Culleny family of Milford for their son Tristan to attend the pre-K program at the Center for Developmental Disabilities (CDD) in Milford. Tristan’s family will receive $800 in tuition assistance for the 2018 fall semester. Greater Pike hopes to offer pre-K scholarships yearly through DCED’s Pre-Kindergarten Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program in conjunction with approved businesses such as The Dime Bank.

Tristan’s mother recently suffered an injury resulting in loss of work. “This is really going to help them a lot,” said Patrick Culleny, Tristan’s grandfather who was present to accept the award.

Queens woman wins $1 million at Resorts World

MONTICELLO, NY — Resorts World Catskills announced that Marlyn Landicho of Astoria, Queens is the winner of its $1 million grand prize after being selected in a final drawing on September 15. Landicho prevailed over the other four final contestants in the culmination of the three-month “Imagine a Million” promotion at the casino. In addition to the $1 million, the final drawing included the following single prizes to the other finalists: $10,000 in cash for Brian Pekera of Highland Mills; $10,000 in free play for Dimitrija Noceski of Clifton, NJ; $5,000 in cash for Michael Lessing of Wurtsboro; and $5,000 in free play for William Brenner of Newburgh.

“Congratulations to Marlyn on winning the grand prize of $1 million in the thrilling conclusion to our wildly successful ‘Imagine a Million’ promotion,” said Jennifer Anthony, vice president of marketing of Resorts World Catskills. “Additionally, congratulations to our four other winners in the grand prize round. We’re excited to have been able to bring these truly unique, one-of-a-kind opportunities to win luxurious experiences and prizes as part of our ‘Imagine a Million’ promotion to our guests this summer.”

Spotted lanternfly program

HONESDALE, PA — With the invader on the doorstep, the Penn State Cooperative Extension will host an informational program on the spotted lanternfly on October 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with expert horticulturalist Emelie Swackhamer, an extension educator from Montgomery County. The session will include a question-and-answe session and be held at the Part Street Complex.

Since it was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, the spotted lanternfly has spread to 13 counties, including Monroe County. Those 13 counties are under quarantine and residents can learn ways they can help prevent the spread of this threat.

The quarantine restricts the movements of any living life stage of the pest, but the insect’s egg masses pose the greatest threat in terms of spreading the pest into other areas. That’s because the female spotted lanternfly lays her egg masses, with 30 to 50 eggs in each, on adult host trees, moderately sized stones, and just about any other smooth outdoor surface such as lawn furniture, stone and brick work, outdoor recreational vehicles and gas grills.