Neversink fox tests positive for rabies

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — Sullivan County Public Health is advising the public to stay away from wild animals and be aware of surroundings while camping, hiking or playing in area parks near wooded areas.

“A gray fox that was acting aggressively in the Town of Neversink was captured by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, sent to the NYS Department of Health laboratory, and tested positive for rabies,” said public health director Nancy McGraw. “There were no known exposures to humans or domestic animals, although it was found wandering near a residential home.”

Wayne County delivers budget proposal

HONESDALE, PA — While the 2023 revenue-neutral tax millage rate remains to be finalized, the county commissioners have presented the proposed budget for public inspection. The budget calls for $38.9 million in total estimated expenses.

From the onset of the budget process, the commissioners were committed to a revenue-neutral tax millage, a spokesperson said. This required all departments to be cognizant of rising prices for both supplies and inflation. On the expenditure side, the county continues to invest in technology to reduce processing time and provide more online content and services for constituents in a safe and efficient manner.

The actual tax millage, the fraction used to calculate tax bills, is determined when the budget is adopted on Thursday, December 22. Until then, the budget documents are available for public inspection online or at the Wayne County Commissioners Office, 9225 Court St. in Honesdale, during regular business hours.

Joe Adams steps down, steps up

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County Commissioner Joe Adams offered his resignation from the board effective November 30, when he will begin his service as representative of the 139th Legislative District in the PA House of Representatives.

Adams’ term expires in December 2023. Any interested registered elector of Wayne County and the Republican Party (as of January 2020) who wishes to fill the remainder of his term can submit a letter of interest by mail to Wayne County District Court Administrator, 925 Court St., Honesdale PA 18431 or via email to nhendrix@waynecountypa.gov. on or before Wednesday, December 19.

Mobilemedic acquired by Empress

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Empress Ambulance Services has acquired the assets of Mobilemedic EMS, the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) reported on November 23. Empress provides ambulance services throughout Westchester County, in the Bronx and Manhattan boroughs and in the Hudson Valley region.

According to the announcement, Mobilemedic will preserve its current brand name, and CEO Justin Bockman will remain in his leadership role.

Soon, on a cereal box near you?

ALBANY, NY — New state legislation allows New York collegiate student athletes to receive compensation for the use of their names, images or likenesses without the risk of forfeiting their scholarships or their eligibility to participate in collegiate athletics, as reported by the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Specifically, this legislation prohibits a college or collegiate athletic conference—including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)—from upholding any rules preventing students from participating in college athletics competitions because they earned compensation as above.

This legislation, the press release continued, will now establish express law in New York allowing students to share in the economic benefits created by their athletic accomplishments, “alongside their colleges and universities which may generate revenue through media, ticket sales and merchandise.”

Rural entrepreneurs sought

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) office of rural development is accepting applications for projects that would support economic development and create jobs for people in rural America. Eligible entities are rural towns, communities, state agencies, authorities, nonprofits, federally recognized Tribes, public institutions of higher education and nonprofit cooperatives.

Applications for grants, including all set-aside funds, must be submitted in paper or electronic format by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, to the USDA Rural Development state office in the state where the project is located. For additional information, visit grants.gov or see page 71571 of the November 23, 2022 Federal Register.

Recovery-to-Work project nets grant

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Community Foundation announced that $2 million in funding was secured for the Wayne Recovery-To-Work Ecosystem project, thanks to a grant from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. The funds will be used to supplement construction costs for the facility and will be disbursed at the rate of $1 million each year for two years. This is an instrumental piece in the planning and execution of this project, according to a press release.

The Recovery-to-Work Ecosystem is a multi-discipline treatment, rehabilitation and long-term care hub designed to address key service gaps for individuals struggling with substance use disorders and behavioral health challenges.

Northwell Health welcomed to Pike County

MILFORD, PA ― At the State of the County Dinner, on November 17, 2022, the Pike County Commissioners announced that Northwell Health has verbally committed to open urgent care locations in the county. Northwell Health is the largest private employer in New York state, with 21 hospitals and more than 850 ambulatory facilities with a service area of 12 million individuals. Northwell Health approached the commissioners three years ago to discuss the healthcare landscape of the county and evaluate the possibility of bringing more significant healthcare services to Pike County. Out of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania, Pike is the only county that does not have a hospital or urgent care facility located within its boundaries.

Sullivan County introduces new virtual agent

MONTICELLO, NY ― Sullivan County has become the first municipality in upstate New York to deploy Google’s “chatbot” service, known as Dialogflow CX. Developed in collaboration with technology services provider SpringML and the county’s Information Technology Services Division, the Sullivan County Virtual Agent debuted this month at www.sullivanny.us. When users click on the chatbox logo in the lower right of their screen, the Virtual Agent will provide a list of clickable topics and a spot to type in questions.

Corrections

The article “Legislature addresses voting delays, village finances,” published in the November 24 to 30 edition of the River Reporter, misspelled the name of Mary Allison Farley.