Apply for Highland’s Hometown Heroes

ELDRED, NY — The Town of Highland Hometown Heroes program will accept applications until Sunday, April 30. The program will honor and recognize Town of Highland men and women who have served, or who are currently serving, in the United Sates Armed Forces, by hanging banners in the hamlet of Eldred and on State Route 55 starting at Stege Road and going south toward the hamlet of Barryville. An application form for the banners is available on the Town of Highland website; for more information, contact Linda Anderson at 845/557-8349, Doreen Hanson at 845/701-1330 or Susan Hoffman at 845/557-6085.

Broadband funding for PA

HARRISBURG, PA — As the House Republican designee for the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-69) announced that the authority will begin the process of disbursing $200 million of federal funding in the Pennsylvania Broadband Infrastructure Program. The program aims to boost broadband deployment to aid unserved and underserved communities in the commonwealth.

Businesses, nonprofit entities, municipalities and economic development organizations can apply. Grants start at $500,000; the maximum is $10 million. Applications will be accepted starting Wednesday, May 10, through Monday, July 10. In order to apply, the applicant must submit the electronic online Department of Community and Economic Development Single Application for Assistance, which is located at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us. Once submitted, email one copy of the application and required supplemental information to PBDA_CapitalProjectsFund@pa.gov.

NEPA health centers get funding

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that Scranton Primary Health Care Center, Maternal and Family Health Services and the Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education/Wright Center Medical Group will receive a total of $4.96 million in federal grants from the Department of Health and Human Services. The Wright Center, which serves clients in Wayne County, will receive a Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Program grant in the amount of $1.5 million for the planning and development of three residency programs: obstetrics, pediatrics and pediatric dentistry.

National County Government Month in Pike

MILFORD, PA — Pike County will celebrate National County Government Month (NCGM) during the month of April to showcase how the county achieves healthy, safe and vibrant communities. This year, Pike County will celebrate NCGM by highlighting county projects and initiatives on its website and social media platforms to raise public awareness about the programs and services local government can provide to residents.

Pike County launches Imagine Pike 2035 Community Survey

MILFORD, PA — Pike County is conducting a community survey to gather community input on priorities for the future of the county. This community survey is part of the Imagine Pike 2035 Comprehensive Plan process. The comprehensive plan will guide the county’s vision and efforts for the next 10 years. Feedback from the community survey will help identify how the county will plan for roads, utilities, housing, economic development, community facilities, natural resources and more.

Pike County invites the entire community to participate in the survey and help us imagine the future of our community. The survey will be open until Wednesday, May 31. Take the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/WVJCM3V. Hard copies can be requested by contacting Mike Mrozinski, Pike County planning director, at mmrozinski@pikepa.org.

Bethel receives sewer infrastructure funding

WHITE LAKE, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced over $70 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State. The Town of Bethel received $2,474,520 in long-term interest-free financing to rehabilitate and replace portions of the sanitary sewer collection system serving the Kauneonga Lake Sewer District.

Wayne County fire departments receive funding

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that $321,210 in federal funds has been awarded to three local fire departments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program. Lake Ariel Fire Company will receive an AFG in the amount of $169,980 to purchase self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA), a device worn to provide breathable air in an atmosphere that is immediately dangerous to life or health. Waymart Volunteer Fire Company will receive an AFG in the amount of $88,380 to purchase SCBA. Forest Volunteer Fire Company (Hawley) will receive a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant in the amount of $62,850 to retain and recruit nine new firefighters over the next three years.

Bills introduced for older Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG, PA — Social Security and Supplemental Security Income) recipients benefitted from an 8.7 percent increase in January through a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) based on the rate of inflation. While the additional money will help those living on fixed incomes pay for some necessities, it could disqualify them from state programs based on financial eligibility, according to the office of Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20). 

Sens. Baker and Judy Ward (R-30) are introducing legislation to address the problem. Senate Bill 607 and Senate Bill 608 will target senior citizen programs where the commonwealth determines eligibility, like the popular Property Tax Rent Rebate Program.

Senate Bill 609 would require the state PA Department of Human Services to update its program income guidelines based on the Social Security COLA. This would ensure Social Security recipients would not lose access to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Medical Assistance or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Vehicles, knives up for auction

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County will offer 13 vehicles for auction on Saturday, April 15, at Whetmore Auctions, 39 Happy Hollow Lane. The auction begins at 10 a.m. and more information and details are available online at www.auctionzip.com/Listings/3786099.html. All vehicles will be sold in their existing condition, and include a 2011 Ford Explorer with 123,770 miles from the sheriff’s department and a 2001 Kristin 7 by 12-foot enclosed trailer. The sheriff’s department is also offering a number of pocket knives abandoned by visitors to the Wayne County Courthouse.