MONTICELLO - Park Place Entertainment reportedly says the October 19 death of its chief executive Arthur Goldberg will not impact ongoing plans to develop a gambling casino hotel complex at Kutsher's in the Town of Thompson.

Spokesmen for Park Place, the world's largest gaming firm, quickly contacted local officials after Goldberg's death to reassure them about the company's ongoing plans. Park Place claims to be able to complete federal approvals for the casino to be operated with the St. Regis Mohawks, within one year.

ELDRED - A new paved shoulder, some five to six feet in width, will be added to portions of Route 97 next year to better accommodate cyclists, a state Department of Transportation (DOT) spokesman said Monday.

Regional Landscape Architect Joel Robinson told the Route 97 Scenic Byway planning committee that the new work, from the Orange County line north to Minisink Ford would complement a similar project already completed from Hancock to the Sullivan County line.

Local planners have been meeting since this spring to prepare a management and marketing plan that will become a formal application to include Route 97 in the state's scenic byway system.

WASHINGTON - Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (20th District-NY) reports that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding a grant to the Rural Sullivan County Housing Opportunities office in Monticello.

According to Gilman, the grant is in the amount of $14,900, and will be used to provide housing counseling for one year to homebuyers, homeowners, and renters. "It is important in today's society that individuals seeking affordable, safe, and comfortable housing be provided with assistance," stated Congressman Gilman. "Rural Sullivan County Housing Opportunities, Inc., has a well-earned reputation for remaining on the cutting edge of consumer services. I am pleased that HUD has deemed them worthy of this financial assistance."

Patrice Chester, Executive Director of Rural Sullivan County Housing Opportunities, Inc., advised Congressman Gilman's office: " We are deeply grateful to our good friend, Ben Gilman for all of the support he has provided to us over the years and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the years to come. This countywide program will permit us to provide counseling to homebuyers, homeowners and renters so that they can avoid certain pitfalls associated with finding and maintaining appropriate living quarters throughout Sullivan County."

MONTICELLO - Sullivan County Attorney Ira Cohen had asked the state supreme court to sanction attorney Monroe Davis recently after the court dismissed Davis' recent lawsuit against Sullivan.

The request was denied, but in response Davis last Thursday read a statement before the county legislature detailing numerous charges against Cohen's handling of the Concord Hotel bankruptcy, including an allegation that Cohen hired legal defense at county expense to defend him against charges that he lied to the bankruptcy court.

Cohen said counsel was retained in part to defend him as a county employee and he was never accused of lying to a judge. He said he had beforehand warned Davis that his suit against the county was legally erroneous and that sanctions would be sought if the case were pursued.

PITTSTON - A variety of state agencies local governments and school districts in Northeastern Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the state are eligible to apply for grants from the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps according to the Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania (EDCNP).

Funds available through the program may be used to purchase approved construction materials and contracted services (municipalities must provide a 25 percent cash match). The wages of corps members and crew leaders are paid directly by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

Applications for projects will be accepted from political subdivisions through Friday, January 5, 2001. For more information contact Pennsylvania Conservation Corps at 570/655-5581, fax 570/654-5137, e-mail info@edcnp.org or visit www.edcnp.org.

HONESDALE - The Wayne County Business and Professional Women (BPW) have chosen Teresa "Terri" Lynn Henderson, a Honesdale resident, as their Woman of the Year. Henderson was awarded this honor at the regular meeting of the Wayne County BPW on Monday, October 16.

Henderson joined BPW in 1997. She has served on the sidewalk sales, membership, National Business Women's Week and the art auction committees. She also held the office of recording secretary for two years and has agreed to co-chair the 2001 art auction. She was born and raised in Battlecreek, Michigan.

Henderson is the lead occupational therapist for the Wayne Memorial Hospital.