Sullivan County burning ban

MONTICELLO — Continuing dry weather conditions last weekend prompted the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to institute an outdoor burning ban for Sullivan County.

A spokesman for the Sullivan County Communications, 911 Center said Tuesday that the ban covers all outdoor burning including campfires and will be in effect until further notice.

The situation is similar in Pennsylvania. Pike County townships including: Delaware, Greene, Lackawaxen and Shohola have all put outdoor burning bans in place.

No Wayne County communities have thus far instituted any restriction on outdoor burning.

Forecasters are predicting another dry week ahead.

Pike County Prison warden resigning

MILFORD — A Hatch Act, elections related probe has apparently prompted the resignation of Pike County Prison Warden Richard Caridi.

Caridi reportedly was contacted by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel last week regarding an apparent violation of the Hatch Act, a 1930’s federal law which restricts a person whose employment is associated with programs utilizing federal grant money from political activity.

Caridi is a candidate for Blooming Grove Township supervisor, a position he was appointed to in 1999. He served on the school board at the Wallenpaupack Area School District from 1981 until 1999.

Later that same year, he became the Prison Warden and has remained in that position since. Caridi said the law was enacted with good intentions but it’s antiquated. In his letter of resignation, Caridi acknowledged that someone intentionally precipitated his dilemma. His resignation is effective May 18.

Highland honors former community leader

ELDRED — The Highland Town Board on May 8 passed a memorial resolution honoring William “Coach” Werneke, a retired teacher at Eldred Central School, who is believed to have been the only person ever to simultaneously serve on both the Eldred School Board and the Highland Town Board.

The resolution will be presented to the family at memorial services for Werneke, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony’s R.C. Church in Yulan. A public reception will follow the services at the Highland Senior Center in Eldred.

West Nile monitoring begins
in Wayne County

HONESDALE — Wayne County officials say now is the time to start monitoring and surveillance for the West Nile Virus.

Pat Mohn, coordinator of the county’s program said college students studying science and the environment will get some on the job training as part of the manpower in the program. The West Nile virus has not been detected in Wayne County so far, but positive results showed up last year in surrounding counties.

State’s Neversink Unique Area expanded

FORESTBURGH — The acquisition of 1600 additional acres in Forestburgh has extended the Neversink River Unique Area.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation last week announced it had acquired a tract known as the Leonard Parcel, which brings the state’s holding to 7,160 acres. DEC paid $2.05 million for the parcel, funded by the Clean Water-Clean Air Bond Act. The new tract includes some 2 miles of river front property.

The purchase completes state plans for the area, with the exception of 82.5 acres still owned by Sullivan County.