Woman drowns in canoe accident

POND EDDY — A New Jersey woman and her male companion capsized at the Stair Step Rapids on the Delaware River, two miles south of the Pond Eddy Bridge, on June 4.

The woman, Suzanne Williams, 53, of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey drowned. She was pronounced dead at Bon Secours Hospital in Port Jervis at 4:25 p.m.

“Ranger Vince Paraego, in a canoe, saw the accident and assisted the woman with CPR and basic life supports,” said Cliff Daniels, Law Enforcement Supervisor of the National Park Service (NPS).

Her companion, Joseph O’Leary, was attempting CPR when Paraego arrived.

Also assisting was the Lumberland Fire Department Ambulance Corps, who continued CPR at riverside and while Williams was being taken to the hospital. The corps utilized its airboat because rescuers and the victim were on the Pennsylvania side of the river where there is no road access.

Neither canoers were wearing life jackets, as required by the NPS. “The canoe either was swamped or capsized,” Daniels said.

In his 20 years of experience along the river, Daniels said that some people succumb because they fight the current and panic, rather than floating with the rapids and controlling themselves in calmer water.

“We don’t know whether the woman could swim or not,” Daniels said.

Woodstock development

BETHEL — The Gerry Foundation will make a presentation at the Town of Bethel Planning Board meeting on June 12 at 7:30 p.m., at the White Lake Fire Department on Route 17B. The foundation will discuss the future performing arts center and development at the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival.

Verkhovyna saved

GLEN SPEY — Thanks to a $750,000 mortgage from the First National Bank of Jeffersonville, the Verkhovyna Ukrainian resort and cultural center won’t be sold.

Along with the fundraising efforts of the Ukrainian-American Cultural Foundation, the mortgage will allow the resort to remain in local Ukrainian hands. It will continue to serve the community with events such as the annual Ukrainian Youth Festival, which draws thousands of people to the area.

Additional help is expected to come from Industrial Development Agency tax breaks.

White Lake man killed on the job

MONTICELLO — A worker at the Wyde Lumber Company, on 17B, was killed on the job last Tuesday when a truck driven by a co-worker crushed him.

George L. Larkin, 63, was pronounced dead at Community General Hospital in Harris. Larkin, a White Lake resident, has been a worker at Wyde Lumber for 13 years.

According to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department said the accident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. Larkin was reportedly standing at the side of a flatbed truck while another truck, driven by Kenny S. Hirsch, 33, of Harris, backed up and crushed him.

No tickets have been issued by police.

The sheriff, the state police and the New York State Department of Transportation are investigating the incident.

Welcome new residents

SULLIVAN COUNTY — The Sullivan County Chamber will host a welcome reception for new residents of the county. The event is an opportunity to introduce these new neighbors to chamber members and the services offered.

The chamber is seeking items to include in the gift bags each family will take home. Discounts, promotional items and other “goodies” are welcome. It is anticipated that 30 families will attend. Donations must be received by June 15. For more information call 845/292-8500.

Racial slurs on car

BLOOMING GROVE — State Police are investigating a case of racial slurs scribbled on a car at the Greene Township home of 41-year old Kevin Clare. The message was written on the victim’s car while it was parked in his driveway along Kuhn Hill Road sometime between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Police say the words were written across the side of the car using a permanent marker.