NY State Police investigating possible murder/suicide near Wurtsboro

WURTSBORO, NY — At approximately 8:50 a.m. on August 19, New York State Police Wurtsboro and Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office responded to 286 Mount Vernon Road, Summitville, Sullivan County, for a report of a shooting.
Upon arrival, troopers and deputies located a female outside of the residence deceased, with multiple gunshot wounds. She was later identified as Ashley Greene, age 33, of that residence where she resided with her mother.

The suspect was later identified as Richard S. Boniface, age 70 of Ski Run Rd., in the Town of Mamakating. Boniface fled Mount Vernon Road in an unknown direction in a black 2006 Ford F250 pick-up. The vehicle was located in a wooded area of Roosa Gap Road in the Town of Mamakating. A search involving troopers, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), New York State Police Aviation and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the location of the subject who was found deceased 100 yards in the woods off of Roosa Gap Road with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation is ongoing.
Celebrity couple to conduct voter registration drive

Wayne child welfare support revealed

HONESDALE, PA — Based on approved increases sought in last year’s child welfare budget request, PA plans to spend more in Wayne County this year than proposed, but less than requested the following year.

According to an August 8 letter to the Wayne Commissioners from the Department of Human Services, total County Child Welfare appropriations increased some $34 million in 2019-20, a “roll forward” of some $154 million from the 2018-19 request, and a “reduction for the roll forward” of $177 million to the 2020-21 request.

The state has approved a $5.99 million Needs-Based Budget (NBB) for 2019-20.

According to the state, this represents a 2.77% funding increase in the NBB. Other Child Welfare grants are budgeted separately and show Wayne funding at $698,952, with a local share of $103,010 (14.7%).

Human Services funding always represents a major portion of Wayne County budgetary costs, according to county officials. A Wayne Children and Youth Services fiscal report (July through March) amounted to $4.37 million, with a local share of some 22%.

Grant for Hebrew Congregation of Mountaindale

MOUNTAINDALE, NY — The New York Landmarks Conservancy has announced 23 Sacred Sites Grants totaling $256,000 awarded to historic religious properties throughout New York State.

The Hebrew Congregation of Mountaindale was awarded $10,000 to help fund roof replacement. In the first half of the 20th century, Mountaindale was a popular Catskills vacation railroad destination, with nearby resorts and bungalow colonies. The synagogue, of wood frame construction with stucco cladding, was constructed circa 1915-1917, and a one-story, front vestibule addition was added in 1930. Original marbleizing finishes in the sanctuary interior, in a rich variety of colors and styles, were restored in the 1970s.

The synagogue includes a one-story mikveh, or ritual bath, next door to the east, also stucco-clad, dating from 1940. Although the builder of the synagogue is unknown, the interior marbleizing and painting were done by local residents, and the mikveh was constructed by a group of congregation members. This Orthodox synagogue is the oldest seasonally operating congregation in the Catskills region.

Celebrity couple to conduct voter registration drive

BARRYVILLE, NY — Entertainers, activists and married couple Amber Tamblyn and David Cross, who own a home in the Town of Highland, will be conducting a nonpartisan voter registration drive at the Barryville Farmers Market on August 24, 31 and September 7.

Tamblyn said “I have lived in the Town of Highland for more than a decade and voting in local or national elections [has] always been an extremely important right for me. The right to vote is a fundamental pillar of our democracy and one of the most important American freedoms we have.
“But it means nothing if we don’t exercise that right. So I’m excited to ask others to join me in signing up to use their voice, their vote, to speak for what they believe in, what they value and what they stand for.”

The Barryville Farmers Market is located on Route 97 in Barryville, next to the United Methodist Church, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.