Town of Thompson to update its master plan

MONTICELLO, NY — The Town of Thompson will soon begin the process of updating its comprehensive plan (also called a master plan). The town’s current master plan—which was developed jointly with the Village of Monticello—was last updated in 1999.

Anyone who lives in the Town of Thompson (including the Village of Monticello), and who is interested in serving on the comprehensive plan advisory committee, should email lanning@townofthompson.com with their contact information and a brief bio no later than September 23.

DEP declares drought watch for 36 counties

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on August 31 announced the Commonwealth Drought Task Force has declared a drought watch for 36 counties, including Pike and Wayne counties, and asks for voluntary water conservation in those counties.

Residents on drought watch are asked to reduce their individual water use by 5 to 10%, or a reduction of three to six gallons of water per day. DEP is notifying all water suppliers in these counties of the need to monitor their supplies and be prepared by updating their drought contingency plans as necessary. Varying localized conditions may lead water suppliers or municipalities to ask residents for more stringent conservation actions.

Microplastics in the Delaware River

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has released a new technical report, titled “Reducing Microplastics in the Delaware River Estuary.” The study focused on the Delaware River Basin between Trenton, N.J., and the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. Samples were collected at 15 sites in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware; microplastics were found at all 15 sites.

The DRBC developed an interactive map of the results, which is available at rpubs.com/jwb5096/860798/. Read the full report and related information at nj.gov/drbc/programs/quality/microplastics.html.

U.S., PA Commonwealth flags at half-staff in honor of Pvt. Alyssa Cahoon

HARRISBURG, PA — In accordance with the U.S. flag code, Gov. Tom Wolf ordered the United States and commonwealth flags on the Capitol Complex, at all commonwealth facilities, and all public buildings and grounds throughout the commonwealth to fly at half-staff in honor of Pennsylvania National Guard Pvt. Alyssa Cahoon of Wayne County, who died Thursday, August 25. The U.S. and commonwealth flags shall be lowered to half-staff until the date of interment, which has not yet been determined.

Informational session on Camp FIMFO

BARRYVILLE, NY — The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development will hold an informational session about the Northgate / Camp FIMFO project. It will take place on September 15 at 6 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Restaurant, 3799 Route 97, Barryville.

Cartwright endorses Rosenfeld

 PIKE AND WAYNE COUNTIES, PA — Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08) gave his official endorsement of Meg Rosenfeld for the PA State House 139 on Sunday afternoon, following a “Coffee With Your Congressman” gathering in Milford. “I’m proud to support Meg Rosenfeld for State House District 139,’’ said Cartwright. “I know Meg to be a true leader and ready to take on the issues that matter most to the people of this district. Whether it’s expanding access to quality healthcare in the region, providing the best education opportunities possible, or taking on the opioid epidemic, we need to send Meg Rosenfeld to Harrisburg,  where I know she’ll be a real voice for this community.”

Become a child advocate

MILFORD, PA — The Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA) of Pike will begin its second round of training beginning September 12.

The program, established in January, has recruited and trained 12 advocate volunteers that are currently serving 19 of Pike County’s dependent children.  Advocates serve to advance the well-being of children in dependency court proceedings.

To become an advocate, contact program director Dawn M. Allison email dmallison@pikepa.org or call 570/296-9827, ext 1027.

Expanded eligibility for NY child care assistance

ALBANY, NY — Eligibility for child care assistance administered by the NY State office of Children and Family Services has been expanded. The expanded elibility includes families earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level. This is up from 200 percent, and extends eligibility to an estimated 394,000 young children throughout New York. A family of four earning up to $83,250 is now eligible for child care assistance; previously, the threshold was $55,500 or less. Eligibility is also available for a second round of federally funded Child Care Provider Stabilization grants. All school-age child care programs and more than 900 providers that were licensed by January 1, 2022 can apply for these grants. Families and providers can learn more by visiting OCFS.ny.gov/ccap.   

$700,000 grant for Sullivan County nursing  program

ALBANY, NY — New York State Assembly speaker Carl Heastie and assemblymember Aileen Gunther joined SUNY Sullivan president Jay Quantaince, SUNY Sullivan director of nursing Chyrise Taylor, and SUNY Sullivan board of trustees vice chair and Center for Discovery president Dr. Terri Hamlin in announcing $700,000 to improve and expand health studies programs. The programs will update facilities and improve access to technologies, according to a press release. This will benefit programs for certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, respiratory care and medical assistants.

PA pardons for marijuana convictions

HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman announced a coordinated effort for a one-time, large-scale pardoning project for people with select minor, nonviolent marijuana criminal convictions. “Nobody should be turned down for a job, housing or volunteering at your child’s school because of some old nonviolent weed charge, especially given that most of us don’t even think this should be illegal,” Fetterman said.

The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons will accept applications for the PA Marijuana Pardon Project through Friday, September 30.

Anyone with two or fewer select marijuana offenses Possession of Marijuana (Title 35 Section 780-113 Subsection A31) or Marijuana, Small Amount Personal Use (Title 35 Section 780-113 Subsection A31I) on their record is eligible to apply, and there is no limit for the age of the conviction. Visit pa.gov/mjpardon for more information.

Congressman Cartwright to give UDC keynote address

BEACH LAKE, PA — U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-8) will deliver the keynote address at the Upper Delaware Council’s 34th annual River Valley Awards Ceremony on Sunday, September 18, at Central House Family Resort in Beach Lake.

The event is open to the public, with reservations at $31 per person due by Sept. 9; contact the UDC at 211 Bridge St., P.O. Box 192, Narrowsburg, NY 12764, 845/252-3022 or info@upperdelawarecouncil.org for more information.

Monticello bridge to close for five weeks

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Division of Public Works is closing a portion of Waverly Avenue in the Village of Monticello to replace County Bridge 449, located approximately 0.2 mi. south of the intersection of East Broadway and Waverly Avenue. This section of Waverly Avenue is scheduled to be closed to all traffic starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, September 6, and will remain closed for approximately five weeks.

Correction

The choreography for the “Night of the New Moon” was created by HX Theater and Amy Piantaggini. The immersive dance-theatre performance celebrating female voices was presented by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance on August 27. The original review by Jonathan Charles Fox, which named Piantaggini as the performance’s choreographer, was published in the September 1-7 issue of the River Reporter. As a soloist, Piantaggini received the credit for her own choreography.