Airport project starts

WHITE LAKE, NY — In preparation for a $20 million-plus rebuild, the John J.J. McGough Terminal of Sullivan County International Airport closed on May 30. The Sullivan County Legislature accepted an $18.5 million grant from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Upstate Airport Development & Revitalization Program to replace the aging 8,000-square-foot terminal and its detached utilities building with a 12,000-square-foot, two-story facility that will have a mezzanine, outdoor deck and rentable office space. An additional $4 million of county funding will contribute to the project. The airport will remain open throughout the two years of the project construction.

More money for child care

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $500 million investment in the FY 2024 budget to bolster New York’s child care workforce through the Workforce Retention Grant Program. Funding from the program will support 150,000 child care workers and can be used to provide bonus payments ranging from $2,300 to $3,000 to staff in caregiving roles, as well as to recruit new staff, offer sign-on and referral bonuses, and more. Applications will open on Thursday, July 13.

Cartwright, Molinaro vote to raise debt ceiling

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. House of Representatives voted on May 31 to raise the debt ceiling for the United States government; the Senate approved the bill on June 1. 

“I’ll vote yes on the debt ceiling deal. There are some items in the bill I dislike. But these are short-term issues. The alternative, allowing Kevin McCarthy to default on the American national debt for the first time since the War of 1812, would do irreparable damage to our economy and our standing in the world. And, as usual, the most vulnerable among us would pay the steepest price. I regret that Speaker McCarthy made this ugly threat, one which history has proven to be unnecessary. We have balanced the federal budget in the past without it, and we can do it again,” said Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08).

“The bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act closely resembles the legislation passed by the House last month and accomplishes what we set out to do. It raises the debt ceiling until January 2025 and makes historic cuts to the federal spending that is driving inflation. The bill also enacts bipartisan reforms to SNAP and TANF, strengthens Social Security, protects Medicare and veterans benefits, and grows the economy. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, this bill can save our nation $1.5 trillion. For these reasons, I will vote to pass the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act. This bill will provide relief to working families and takes a meaningful step to prevent future generations from being saddled with trillions of dollars in debt,” said Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19).

Molinaro introduces migrant bill

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) on May 26 introduced the Schools Not Shelters Act, a bill in response to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposals to house migrants in SUNY college dorms in Loch Sheldrake and in response to public school gymnasiums being used as shelters. The bill would prohibit schools that receive federal funding from being used as shelters for migrants. The prohibition would prevent SUNY colleges, high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools from being used for this purpose.

Fatal crash in Town of Callicoon

CALLICOON CENTER, NY — On May 29, at approximately 3 a.m., state troopers from the Liberty barracks responded to a car/pedestrian crash at 1524 Gulf Rd. in the Town of Callicoon. Investigation revealed that Alyssa Diaz, 24, from Roscoe, was driving a 2012 Honda when she struck two pedestrians who were walking along the roadway. Both pedestrians, William Hardenberg, age 22, and Maliya Mary Hardenbergh, age 14, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Diaz stayed at the scene and notified 911. This is an ongoing investigation.

Adams announces assistance opportunities for June

HAWLEY, PA — Rep. Joe Adams (R-Pike/Wayne) is providing the following service to assist individuals at his district office, located at 2523 Rte. 6, Suite 2. Those interested in scheduling an appointment should contact the district office at 570/226-5959.

On Monday, June 12, American Legion Department Service Officer William McGovern will be available to assist veterans and their dependents. Services include assistance with compensation, pension and death benefits, education and health care, plus other benefits. 

Highland river access nearing completion

BARRYVILLE, NY — Sullivan County and the New York State Department of Transportation have completed their work at the Highland access site to the Delaware River, according to reports to the Sullivan County Legislature on June 1. Later that day, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) representative Ryan Coulter told the Upper Delaware Council that the DEC had completed negotiations with the subcontractor who will complete the DEC’s part of the project, and that the access could hopefully open within a month, though nothing was guaranteed.