Water storage study available

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN — The Delaware River Basin Commission has released a review of future water storage options for the Delaware River Basin, titled “Evaluation of Additional Storage in the Delaware River Basin.” The study explores the feasibility of additional freshwater storage to meet future water availability, climate adaptation, drought management and flow-management needs in the Delaware River Basin. The report is available at www.bit.ly/3LZoOGz.

Sullivan BOCES administrative budget passes

LIBERTY, NY — The Sullivan BOCES 2023-24 administrative budget ($4.7 million) was unanimously approved by the county’s component school boards on April 26. Carol Bliefernich (Eldred CSD), Anthony Sinacore (Liberty CSD) and Susan Horton (Monticello CSD) were reelected to the BOCES board, and the board welcomed Jackie Rutledge (Sullivan West CSD) to the board. Rutledge filled the seat of Kenneth Hilton (Sullivan West CSD), who served on the board for three terms.

WSPL budget passes

CALLICOON, NY — The Western Sullivan Public Library held its annual budget vote and trustee election on April 19. The 2023-2024 proposed budget passed 114 to 17. Phyllis Haynes and Susan Bodenstein were elected to serve five-year terms as library trustees starting July 1.

Additional ERAP funding for Pike

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Commissioners announced that they have secured an additional $500,000 in Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funding for the county.

“I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication that the Office of Human Services of Pike County has shown in administering the ERAP program,” said Pike County Commissioner Chairman Matthew Osterberg. “Their efforts have been vital in ensuring that those who have been struggling due to the pandemic have been able to keep a roof over their heads. This additional funding will allow them to continue their important work and help even more people in need.”

Public works positions available

HONESDALE, PA — Honesdale Borough is seeking qualified people for the positions of public works director (to supervise the activities of various public work sectors including streets and sanitation, parks and grounds, engineering, utilities and equipment maintenance) and public works foreman (to oversee, plan and execute the day-to-day public works department duties and operations). Applications are available at www.honesdaleborough.com/forms or at the borough office, 958 Main St., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Free breast cancer screening legislation signed

HARRISBURG, PA — On May 1, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a law that will require insurers to cover preventive breast and ovarian cancer screenings for high-risk women at no cost. The legislation, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, passed both the House and the Senate unanimously. It removes out-of-pocket costs associated with genetic testing for hereditary breast, ovarian, prostate and other cancer syndromes—as well as supplemental breast screenings for women with a high lifetime risk of breast cancer.

Still tapping phones in PA

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania State Senate on May 3 approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) that would extend Pennsylvania’s wiretap law to 2029; the law was originally set to expire in 2023. “In this time when some people are raising doubts about law enforcement, our action to extend wiretapping authority is a clear and definitive step to support our law enforcement agencies and personnel,” said Baker.

NYSP warn residents of a phone scam

MIDDLETOWN, NY — New York State Police (NYSP) is reminding the public that its agency does not solicit money or information by phone. State police in Ulster County have heard from people who have received phone calls from a male caller claiming to be a representative of the NYSP. The caller is spoofing the state police number in Kingston, claiming to be enforcing unpaid taxes and threatening arrest. The NYSP will not call on behalf of the federal government or any other agency or business to collect unpaid taxes or money from unpaid bills.

DRBC clarifies ‘conventional’ label

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN — In January 2023, Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (DCS) filed a legal complaint challenging an element of the new regulations of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) regarding importing frack waste into the basin. According to DCS, initial FAQs stated that “...road spreading of wastewater from conventional drilling activities” is “an activity not within the scope of DRBC’s proposed rulemaking,” opening the door for discharge of highly toxic substances. DRBC’s revised FAQs following the DCS lawsuit clarified that regardless of the “conventional” or “unconventional” well label, discharge of any imported wastewater from any well subject to high-volume hydraulic fracturing (or mixtures with some fracked waste) is not allowed.

Three injured in Monticello shooting

MONTICELLO, NY — At 10:05 p.m. on May 5, members of the Village of Monticello Police (MP) responded to a 911 report of shots fired at 15 Holmes St. Upon arrival, officers found a total of three persons who had sustained gunshot wounds. A 15-month-old was flown by Medevac to the Westchester Medical Center, and is currently listed as being in a critical but stable condition. A 27-year-old male is listed as being in stable condition; a 20-year-old female was treated and released. Preliminary investigation of the scene shows that multiple rounds appeared to have been intentionally fired from the outside and into the residence. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call MP in confidence at 845/794-4422.

Arrests made in death of one-year-old

LIBERTY, NY — On Tuesday, May 2, a 16-month-old female child was found unconscious and unresponsive in the lobby of the Knights Inn Motel. Responding officers from the Village of Liberty Police Department and EMS first responders attempted to perform live-saving measures; the child was pronounced deceased at Garnet Health Medical Center-Catskills. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death resulted in the arrests of Jimmie Lubert, 41, and Lisa Keitt, 26, both of Liberty; they were charged with criminally negligent homicide and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.