DRBC announces start of basin-wide reservoir storage study

DELAWARE RIVER — The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) announced the start of a basin-wide study to explore the feasibility of additional freshwater storage to meet future water availability, climate adaptation, drought management and flow management needs.

It is known the water resources of the basin and its many designated uses, such as recreation, public water supply, industry, agriculture and aquatic habitat, will be affected by climate change. The basin is expected to experience changes in the seasonality and volume of stream flows. The Delaware River is subject to tidal influence below Trenton, NJ and Morrisville, PA and, as such, sea level rise will impact the location of the salt front in the Delaware River Estuary. The availability of adequate freshwater storage is critical to manage complex water needs including the management of salinity in the estuary.

For more information, visit www.drbc.gov.

First-grade students become published authors

MONTICELLO, NY — Joana Dutcher and Emily Post’s first-grade students at the George L. Cooke Elementary School—all of whom attend classes fully remote—have become published authors.

First, the students worked together to decide on a topic and title for their book. Being a group of animal lovers, they chose to write about animals and titled their book “Our Class Zoo.” Each student then wrote about and drew a picture of their favorite animal.

The project helped students learn about the entire writing process: pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, illustrating and publishing. The final product was published and available for families to purchase as a special keepsake, and the students held a virtual guest reading.

“Due to COVID, teaching the writing process to remote students posed a challenge,” Dutcher said. “We are all so thankful for the help and support of parents, grandparents and families at home that helped guide the students while we taught them in a virtual setting. We are so appreciative and couldn’t have done it without you.”

Charitable gifts move transformative medical village project forward 

PORT JERVIS, NY — The Bon Secours Community Hospital Foundation, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), has disbursed $500,000, raised from local donors, to bolster the Investing in a Healthier Community Medical Village project. This landmark initiative will benefit residents throughout the tri-state region. 

Investing in a healthier community is a $40 million project that is expected to advance local healthcare quality and access with facility, equipment, technology and service upgrades through the development of a community Medical Village at Bon Secours Community Hospital.

The cost of the project is supported by a $24.5 million grant from New York State. WMCHealth and Bon Secours Charity Health System have agreed to fund the balance of the construction costs, estimated at $20 million, with $1 million coming from community member donations. 

To support advancing healthcare in Port Jervis and surrounding communities, call the Bon Secours Community Hospital Foundation at 845/368-5151.

For more information, visit www.WMCHealth.org.

Wayne County Community Foundation proposes community recovery challenge 

WAYNE COUNTY, PA — The Wayne County Community Foundation has established the Wayne Tomorrow! Fund to focus on building up a reserve to address the future needs of Wayne County. The Wayne Tomorrow! Fund will be able to provide matching dollars for community grants and projects, seed money for innovative ideas and emergency funding when a crisis strikes.

Recently, many people in the community have received stimulus dollars from the federal government in response to COVID-19. The Wayne County Community Foundation is proposing a recovery challenge for Wayne County community members to donate a portion, or even all, of your stimulus money to support the future of Wayne County. All donations are tax-deductible and will support future projects in Wayne County.

The Wayne County Community Foundation will match all donations up to $10,000 to support this fund. 

For more information and to donate, visit www.waynefoundation.org or send a check to the Wayne County Community Foundation with “Wayne Tomorrow Fund” in the memo to 214 9th St., Honesdale, PA 18431.

Delgado visits Liberty and Ellenville school districts

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Rep. Antonio Delgado visited Liberty Central School District and Ellenville Central School District to donate books from the Library of Congress Surplus Books Program and discuss American Rescue Plan educational funding.

“Help is here with $130 billion in K-12 American Rescue Plan funding,” said Delgado. “From Liberty to Ellenville, this funding will help keep upstate teachers, staff and students safe. I want to thank our educators for their innovation and persistence during this difficult time. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they have worked around the clock to support our students and community.”

The American Rescue Plan delivers $170 billion for education and $45 billion for child care providers. This includes a $130 billion investment to help K-12 schools re-open and provide support to students who have fallen behind. Specifically, funding can be used for reducing class sizes, modifying spaces so that students and teachers can socially distance, improving ventilation, implementing more mitigation measures, providing personal protective equipment or providing summer school or other support for students that help make up lost learning time this year.

Dispose of up to 500 pounds of household debris during spring cleanup 

TOWN OF THOMPSON, NY — The Town of Thompson has announced the Spring Clean Up dates for 2021. From Saturday, May 1 to Saturday, May 15, Town of Thompson residents located outside the Village of Monticello can dispose of up to 500 pounds of household materials at no charge.

Drop off at the Monticello Transfer Station-Landfill, located at 91 Landfill Dr., off East Broadway, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

To take advantage of this service, residents must acquire vouchers from the Town of Thompson Clerk’s Office. Vouchers will be available as of April 19. 

For more information, contact the town clerk’s office at 845/794-2500 ext. 302. 

Civil Air Patrol announces cadet change of command

SWAN LAKE, NY — Civil Air Patrol’s Sullivan County Cadet Squadron recently held a cadet change of command in which Cadet Captain Galen Ferrara relinquished the position of cadet commander to Cadet Second Lieutenant Christian Vargo. The ceremony was held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

The cadet commander is in charge of planning squadron meeting, training cadets and advising the squadron commander on matters that concern the cadre of cadets. 

Those interested in learning about Civil Air Patrol can visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or contact the Sullivan County Cadet Squadron via its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ny387cap. 

Visit www/nyw.cap.gov or www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information. 

Wayne/Pike Farm Bureau donates to libraries

WAYNE AND PIKE COUNTIES — “What’s in the Garden?” by Marianne Berkes, was donated to all public libraries in Wayne and Pike counties by the Wayne/Pike Farm Bureau. 

With illustrations by Cris Arbo, the book teaches kids (geared to kindergarten through fourth grade) about fruits and vegetables. Each page features a different fruit or vegetable followed by a kid-friendly recipe for parents to cook with their child.