RIVER VALLEY — Before we charge ahead to 2024, let’s take a backward glance at some of the news stories that captivated us over the year gone by. If you’ve missed any of these …
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RIVER VALLEY — Before we charge ahead to 2024, let’s take a backward glance at some of the news stories that captivated us over the year gone by. If you’ve missed any of these stories, be sure to look them up at riverreporter.com.
Reassessment in Wayne
Wayne County’s completed its tax reassessment—the first one in 18 years—has revealed that property values in the area have risen substantially since 2004. (See “Wayne County: Prop. values up, millage rate down.”)
Cannabis in Highland
After the state rolled out its criteria for the first round of cannabis dispensary licenses, the Town of Highland passed a cannabis law that lays out where a dispensary can or cannot be located, and that does not allow for onsite consumption. (See: “Getting cannabis on the books, Highland does dispensary due diligence.”)
Slanted selection
The Honesdale Borough Council selected Honesdale High School English teacher Eric Cooley to fill a vacant seat for the remainder of the calendar year. “I just hope that we can get to a point where council reflects the people who are in our town too,” said council member James Jennings. “Not a big secret that we are all a bunch of men up here, and it would be great to have women serving.” (See: “In ‘odd,’ ‘slanted,’ process, Honesdale fills council seat.”)
Climate resiliency
The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded more than $195,000 to the Nature Conservancy for the acquisition of about 130 acres in Shohola Township slated to become state game lands, and $400,000 to Milford to rehabilitate its downtown West Anne Memorial Park. (See: “Pike: Conservationists pursuing ‘climate resiliency.’”)
White Lake Mansion House redux
The White Lake Mansion House project sought planning board approval to build a resort and spa at the site of the historic building in the Town of Bethel. It would be a public facility with a restaurant, offices, conference rooms and the like for the public’s benefit. (See: “Concerns raised for White Lake Mansion House.”)
Educational retreat
The Bobov Yeshiva Education Retreat, proposed for the former Welmet Camp on Blind Pond Road in the Town of Tusten, would house approximately 150 students from the Bobov Yeshiva in Monsey during the summer. (See: “Beaver Brook and Bobov Yeshiva, Community concerns for an educational retreat.”)
Hamill replaced
James Hamill was removed as president of the Honesdale Borough Council in a 3-2 vote after David Nilsen cited disapproval of Hamill’s leadership style and level of involvement in committees. Hamill had been in the position for just over a year. (See: “Hamill ousted, Augello takes over.”)
Resort sold
The sale of the Catskill Mountains Resort closed, and the Department of Health gave the Yad Yecheskel D’vertsky Foundation a permit to occupy the property as a temporary residence under certain conditions. When owned by William Zaccari, the property had a special use permit to operate as a family resort, restaurant and bar. (See: “Catskill Mountains Resort sold.”)
Former constable sues
Highland constable Marc Anthony filed a lawsuit against supervisor Jeff Haas, town board member Kaitlin Haas, and the town board alleging an improper suspension of the constable force in 2022.
Care center understaffed
A survey found consistent understaffing at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center. Infinite Care, which manages the center, applied to take on its operations, which means that all staff will be employed by Sunset SNF Operation instead of the county. (See: “Needs at the care center.”)
Body cams in Wayne
Wayne County detectives were awarded a grant of $64,170 to purchase of six body-worn cameras, five in-car computer systems and other equipment. The body-worn cameras will be used by county detectives during traffic stops, arrest warrants, search warrant services and other contacts with the public. (See: “Body cameras, in-car computers for Wayne County detectives.”)
Supporting constables
The Town of Bethel authorized $53,734 for the purchase of a new constables’ vehicle and a new hire for the constables’ boat patrol. Constables Nicholas Stackhouse and Marc Anthony crewed the boat. The board agreed to hire Nicholas Field to assist constable Marc Anthony, who is the “head guy” on the boat. (See: “Bethel supports constables, building department.”)
Asylum seekers
After a group of about 80 asylum seekers arrived at the Knights Inn in Liberty, Sullivan County declared a state of emergency, saying it could not house them because of a critical lack of housing locally. (See: “Migrants arrive in Sullivan, state of emergency declared.”)
Fentanyl death of a child
An investigation into the death of a 16-month-old exposed friction between Sullivan County’s top two legal offices. The district attorney’s office accused the county attorney of not approving a request to remove children from a hazardous home. (See: “Charges in fentanyl death of child.”)
Infrastructure money
Infrastructure projects in Honesdale for a clean water supply and functioning sewer systems will be funded with $5.4 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. (See: “Honesdale gets $5.4 million.”)
Elder abuse
Rampant reports of elder abuse in Pike County prompted a discussion of efforts that are being taken to stop it. (See: “PA talks tough on elder abuse while local senior struggles.”)
NPS nixes FIMFO
The National Park Service (NPS) determined that the Camp FIMFO resort proposed for the Town of Highland has elements that fundamentally conflict with the guidelines that manage the river corridor. (See: “NPS rejects FIMFO.”)
County attorney on defense
Sullivan County attorney Michael McGuire rejected allegations that his office did not grant a request by Child Protective Services to move a child months before the child died in fatal overdose. (See: “County attorney challenges accusations.”)
New DA
Wrapping up the Democratic, Conservative and Republican nominations, candidate Brian Conaty was bestowed a clear path to the office of Sullivan County District Attorney. (See: “Conaty wins DA primary.”)
Garnet Health
Garnet Health said financial stresses on during the pandemic have not lessened the hospital’s commitment to serving Sullivan County, particularly bringing in expanded primary care. (See: “Garnet Health:Investing in Sullivan County.”)
Shifting landscape
Things are changing in Honesdale. Local businesses have either sought lower rent prices elsewhere or closed up shop indefinitely. (See: Growing pains: Local business owners weather shifting landscape.)
Hospital layoffs
Wayne Memorial Hospital, the county’s second-largest employer, announced cutbacks of its staff and certain non-core services because of financial challenges.(See: “Wayne Memorial announces layoffs, refocus”)
Sullivan opioid rates
Sullivan County received the designation of High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. The designation provides assistance to law enforcement agencies operating in critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. (See: “The Way Forward. Sullivan has the highest opioid rate in the state. What’s being done?”)
Treatment, not punishment
Wayne County District Attorney A.G. Howell said addressing the heroin and opioid epidemic is a top priority. (See: “‘Treatment sooner than later’ DA talks his approach to curbing drug use.”)
Care center scrutinized
The state reviewed Sullivan County’s adult care center ahead of a planned transition of its operations to a private contractor, Infinite Care. (See: “Sunset Lake scrutinized.”)
Fossil found
The Upper Delaware Council announced the discovery of a fossil rock at the mouth of the Ten Mile River in Tusten determined to be almost 400 million years old. (See: “Ancient history.”)
Hospital expands
Wayne Memorial Hospital took its first step in its expansion into Susquehanna County while taking a step back from its presence in New York State. (See: “Wayne Memorial Hospital eyes first step into Susquehanna County.”)
Family services faulted
A state report faulted the Sullivan County Department of Family Services for failing to address “safety concerns” in the case of Askasha Luvert, who died at one year of age after accidentally ingesting fentanyl. (See “Safety failings found in child’s overdose death.”)
War breaks out
Scott Schulte, the Sullivan County Public Safety Commissioner and a firefighter, went to Israel, near the Gaza border, to help provide emergency services after the Hamas attack of October 7. (See: Middle East war hits home.”)
Housing for victims
Pike County embarked on a partnership with the Greater Pike Community Foundation to provide permanent housing for the victims of domestic violence. (See: “For those beaten out of their homes.”)
Election upsets
All seats up for grabs in the Sullivan County Legislature, except for one, flipped to the Democrats, while the Town of Highland elected a new supervisor for the first time in 10 years. (See: “Big changes come to the Sullivan County Legislature” and “Election brings changes to Highland.”)
Cannabis in Bethel
Five cannabis retailers applied to open shops in Bethel, which is looking forward to reaping the benefits of the product’s 4 percent sales tax. (See: “Boom time for Bethel.”)
DV girls win
The Delaware Valley girls soccer team, a group that had been playing together for 14 years, won the state championship against Williamsport in a game that almost went the other way.
Camp FIMFO
The many public comments submitted about the Camp FIMFO resort proposed for Highland were sent to the town engineer. The company plans to put 145 cabin-sized RV park models on the 233-acre site. (See: “What will Camp FIMFO look like?”)
Tax nixed
After a public outcry, Honesdale officials backed off a plan to impose an earned income tax on people who work in the borough. To pay for urgent and costly repairs to deteriorating infrastructure, the borough council will instead raise property taxes. (See: “Honesdale scraps earned income tax.”)
Mental health crisis addressed
Officials agreed that a stabilization center for people in crisis, whether because of addiction or mental illness, is needed in Sullivan County. Now comes a tougher challenge: finding the money to build one. (See: “Getting urgent care to patients in mental health crisis.”)
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