NEPA early childhood education receives $9.5 million

SCRANTON, PA — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that the Agency for Community EmPOWERment of NEPA has received $9,527,902 from the Department of Health and Human Services for its Head Start programs in Lackawanna, Wayne, Pike and Susquehanna counties. Head Start provides low-income families and children with high-quality, comprehensive early childhood education to prepare them for a successful transition to elementary school.

Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award seeks nominees

HARRISBURG, PA — Are you a Pennsylvania farmer or forestland owner improving soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on your working land? You can now apply for or nominate someone for the 2023 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award®. Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the award to private landowners in 25 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Pennsylvania, the $10,000 award is presented with state partners the Heinz Endowments, Horizon Farm Credit and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.

The application deadline date is August 1. Applications must be emailed to award@sandcountyfoundation.org. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from Pennsylvania.

New corporate compliance officer for Garnet Health

MIDDLETOWN, NY — Garnet Health System announced that Andrey Dovletov has joined the organization as corporate compliance officer and director of audit and HIPAA privacy. Dovletov is responsible for all aspects of daily compliance and for ensuring that privacy laws, regulations, standards and ethical practices within the organization are followed. He is also responsible for the overall corporate compliance and audit program for the health system.

Sixth annual Working Pike job fair

MATAMORAS, PA — The sixth annual Working Pike job fair will be held on Tuesday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Best Western Inn at Hunt’s Landing, 120 US-6. The event is expected to include employers from across the tri-state area, and highlight vacant positions ranging from entry-level to managerial in a variety of sectors, including healthcare, hospitality, financial, manufacturing, warehouse, law enforcement and sales. There is no fee for job seekers and no RSVP necessary. Come dressed to impress and bring your resume. Contact the Workforce Development Agency at 570/296-2909 if you need help creating or updating your resume.

Results in for youth deer-hunt pilot program

ALBANY, NY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the results of the second year of a pilot program allowing mentored 12- and 13-year-old hunters to harvest deer with a firearm or crossbow. The results show youth big game hunters enjoyed another safe, successful and well-attended season afield, a spokesperson said. Last fall, more than 9,400 12-and 13-year-old hunters, representing nearly 9,200 families, were eligible to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow and youth hunters submitted more than 1,800 deer harvest reports.

“Once again, DEC is hearing from families across the state who were thrilled to share their traditions of hunting and wildlife conservation with younger family members,” Seggos said. “DEC’s review of data collected also shows youth hunters followed safety guidelines and showed both respect for wildlife and their fellow hunters while afield. I’m proud to see that New York’s environment is in good hands with this next generation of environmental stewards.”

Lifeguards wanted for Honesdale

HONESDALE, PA — Honesdale Borough Council is accepting applications for the positions of seasonal lifeguard and pool personnel for admissions and concessions at the Honesdale pool. Facing a nationwide shortage of lifeguards, the Honesdale Parks & Recreation Commission and the borough council have offered a one-time bonus to guards who work a minimum of eight weeks this season. Applications are available from honesdaleborough.com or can be picked up in the office at 958 Main St.

Molinaro demands answers and action from NYSEG

BINGHAMTON, NY — U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) called on Patricia Nilsen, CEO of New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), to provide answers on the company’s billing issues and take immediate action to address them. NYSEG provides natural gas, electric or both services to communities in every county in New York’s 19th Congressional District.

In September 2022, NYSEG made changes to its billing and customer information system. Following these changes, thousands of customers in the district received incorrect bills, late bills or bills that charged customers far more than what they owed, according to a press release from Molinaro’s office. In one such instance, an Ithaca resident who contacted Molinaro received two bills in one month—one for $500 and another for over $1,000—when she only owed approximately $300.

In a letter to NYSEG’s CEO, Molinaro requested information related to the company’s billing errors and a report on how the company is fixing the issues.

March 1 deadline for the enhanced STAR property tax exemption

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance reminded seniors that, for most localities, the deadline to apply for greater property tax savings through the enhanced STAR property tax exemption is Wednesday, March 1.

To be eligible to upgrade to the 2023 Enhanced STAR property tax exemption, seniors must currently receive the basic STAR property tax exemption, have one owner of the property who will be at least 65 years of age by December 31, and have had 2021 income equal to or below $93,200. Eligible seniors should apply to their assessor’s office by the application due date, which is March 1 in most towns and some cities, but there are exceptions. Seniors should verify their exact due date with their local assessor.

Additional food assistance available for February

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive a supplemental allotment of food benefits for February. The recipients will include those already receiving the maximum allowable allotment level.

Issued monthly to help New Yorkers weather the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the supplemental benefits will conclude after this month, due to the changes prescribed by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which was adopted by Congress late last year.

Growing trees at school

NEW YORK STATE — Applications are now being accepted for the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery’s school seedling program. From now until Friday, March 31, schools and youth education organizations across New York State can apply to receive up to 50 free tree or shrub seedlings for the students to plant.

All schools (public, private, nursery, elementary, secondary, vocational, college or university), homeschool groups, and any youth education-based organization can apply, provided the trees are planted within New York State. Individual homeschools must apply through a homeschool group, co-op or other association. Seedlings are two to three years old, about four to 12 inches tall, and bare-root.

Three types of packet are available—50 white spruce, 25 red oak, or 30 mixed shrub species good for wildlife habitat—and each school or organization can only receive one packet per year.

Visit the DEC’s website for more information and to apply online. For assistance or questions, email the nursery at nysnursery@dec.ny.gov or call it at 518/581-1439.