Metzger releases statement on opioid manufacturer charges

ALBANY, NY — Sen. Jen Metzger said the following statement about recent charges filed against Endo Pharmaceuticals for fraudulently misrepresenting the safety of their opioid drugs and downplaying their addictiveness:

“I applaud this effort by the governor to hold Endo accountable for its shameful advertising tactics, which took countless lives for the sake of profit. By misrepresenting the addictiveness of opioids, the drug company encouraged over-prescription and helped create the crisis we are in...The communities I represent suffer opioid-related death rates that far exceed the state average.”

Wayne updates COVID-19 restrictions

HONESDALE, PA — Now that Wayne County is in the green phase of reopening, the Wayne County Commissioners voted to update its restriction policy.

Chief clerk Andrew Seder said that anybody who does not have an abnormal temperature, who does not exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms, and who has not come into contact with anybody who had the virus is now permitted to enter all county buildings and facilities, except for the Wayne County Correctional Facility.

Casey and Delgado cosponsor anti-police brutality bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Bob Casey and Rep. Antonio Delgado, who represent Wayne and Sullivan counties respectively, have both signed on as original cosponsors to the Justice in Policing Act of 2020. The bill aims to decrease police brutality, ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants, and increase police accountability through more comprehensive data collection.

“We must end police brutality and systematic racism in policing,” said Casey. 

Delgado said that “no single policy will undo centuries of systemic racism” but called the bill “an important step.”

Sullivan County Government Center open for appointments

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Sullivan County is moving slowly toward reopening. As of June 9, the county is at Phase Two. “Our facilities are open to all people by appointment only,” said Dan Hust, county director of communications. 

Hust said that visitors must “comply with state rules,” stay socially distant and wear face coverings. Eventually, legislature meetings will be open to the public, however, meetings will be held by teleconference as much as possible.

The county’s COVID-19 reopening plan is available and goes into detail. (See it yourself at www.sullivanny.us.)

Wayne County solicitor retires, former commissioner steps in

HONESDALE, PA — Lee Krause, who served as Wayne County’s solicitor for the past 40 years, has announced his decision to retire. His replacement is a familiar face in the courthouse, former commissioner Wendell Kay.

Chairman Brian Smith said that before getting to know Krause, all he knew about attorneys were from lawyer jokes. He said that after becoming friends with Krause and seeing him work, “most of the jokes about attorneys are just way, way off.” Kay said that he’s excited to “step into” Krause’s shoes, adding that it would be impossible “to fill those shoes.” 

Sullivan among best places to own home

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Financial technology company SmartAsset recently published a study that ranks Sullivan County as the second-best place to own a home in New York State. According to the study, the average home price in Sullivan is $258,313, the average monthly mortgage payment is $1,111, and it takes an average of 2.1 years for homebuyers to break even. For more information visit  https://smartasset.com/mortgage/rent-vs-buy#newyork

Wayne County man charged with growing marijuana

PRESTON TOWNSHIP, PA — Michael Lowell Crandall, 51, of Preston Township, PA, has been charged with the possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On the morning of May 29, Pennsylvania State Police were investigating information they had received regarding stolen firearms located in a tan Chevrolet Trailblazer parked at Crandall’s residence. The police arrived at the location and identified the vehicle in the driveway near a detached two-car garage. While conducting a search, the police smelled marijuana coming from the garage. From a window, the police identified live marijuana plants on a platform near the ceiling.

After receiving a search warrant, the police found 11 live marijuana plants, 19 jars containing marijuana, one Ziploc bag containing marijuana, eight glass pipes with marijuana residue and one false book containing marijuana residue.