Dancing mailboxes and free meals

Gov. Tom Wolf is planning some financial relief to the state’s hard-hit restaurants and bars. The governor is working with the PA Liquor Control Board to waive standard liquor licensing fees starting in 2021. Wolf’s office reported that more than 16,000 Pennsylvania restaurants and bars, clubs, catering clubs and hotels would see $20 million in relief.

The Wayne County government and local Cooperage Project are teaming up with the USDA to provide 800 meal kits to Wayne County families. The meals will be distributed at the Wayne County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, October 27 from 2-6 p.m. The only thing you need to bring is proof of Wayne County residency, such as a current utility bill. The meal package will contain a box of frozen meat, a box of dairy, a box of produce and a gallon of milk.

This weekend, a Wayne County arts collective is using song and dance to urge residents to vote in the General Election this year. The performance by Farm Arts Collective features a chorus of mailboxes performing a choreographed dance to the song, "Please Mr Postman." They are also giving out flyers with information on voting by mail, dropping off ballots, and voting in person. The troupe is performing at various locations in Wayne County throughout Saturday morning and afternoon.

Skiing and negotiations

Starting next month, ski resorts in New York State will be permitted to reopen at 50 percent capacity. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that although COVID-19 cases are expected to rise again through fall, he’s confident that the state’s microcluster strategy will keep numbers in check through the winter.

The Sullivan County government is currently negotiating its contract with the Sullivan County Visitors Association. Nearly $1.6 million in allocations is up in the air. Communications director Dan Hust said that the county is hoping to continue its relationship with the visitors association.

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther has sent a letter to Gov. Cuomo, urging him to reevaluate broadband access in New York State. She told the governor that the state urgently needs to reevaluate its stance on high-speed internet. Adding that her office has received hundreds of calls from residents in Sullivan and Orange Counties in desperate need of fast, reliable internet services to help them through the pandemic.

Protesters in Sullivan County successfully disrupted a press conference in front of the county courthouse last Wednesday. Repulican candidate Mike Martucci, lawmakers, county officials and a resident were planning to talk about New York State’s bail reform and the opioid epidemic at the conference, but protesters who feel that the cash bail system is racist and classist, used a bullhorn to interrupt the speeches and get the press conference to end early.