Camper found after river search

MINISINK FORD — A domestic dispute at a river edge campground led to an early morning search on July 1.

Yulan Fire Department Chief Daryl Barnes said authorities were called at 4:20 a.m. when an unidentified camper at Ascalona Campground disappeared after a dispute with his wife. “She’d gone to the rest room and heard splashing in the river when she came back,” Barnes said.

Divers and rescue boats from Yulan, Highland Lake, Lumberland and Sparrowbush were called to the scene.

The lost man was found, uninjured, at about 5:30 a.m. in Lackawaxen. He had apparently swum the river to the Pennsylvania shore opposite the campground.

Prison opponent seeks higher fines for federal prison contractors

WAYMART — Efforts to rectify the erosion and sedimentation problems at the construction site of a federal prison in Canaan Township are continuing, as are residents’ concerns.

Denise Malloy, a member of the Organization of Concerned Citizens (OCC) has called on the Wayne County Commissioners to request heavier penalties against the contractors for the runoff into Middle Creek. Silt was carried for miles downstream along the waterway and site work has been stopped for the second time while corrective measures are made.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has filed two related charges and Bell Constructors is now facing two charges of pollution of water.

Malloy also urged the County Commissioners to review more closely, and monitor the sewage plan for the project. Approval of the sewage plan is on appeal by the OCC.

It’s official in NY, no hand-held
cell phones in cars

ALBANY — Governor George Pataki made New York State the first in the nation to ban the use of hand-held cellular telephones in vehicles when he signed the bill into law last week.

Drivers will still be able to use cell phones but they must be hands-free models or adaptations. The new law will not go into effect until November 1. Police will issue warnings until December, when the warnings will turn into tickets and fines up to $100 per offense.

The new law received the full support of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.

PA police seek public’s help

BUCKINGHAM — State police say they need the help of any motorists or pedestrians who saw a damaged vehicle involved in a June 23 fatal hit-run accident on Route 191, near the Hancock Bridge.

Priam Singh, 71, died after being struck by a vehicle as he walked along the road.

State police say a suspect vehicle was located in Wyoming County the following day, but have not released information about its owner. The vehicle, a 2000 GMC Yukon, sustained front end damage during the accident and would likely have been traveling with only one headlight after 11:00 p.m.

State police are asking anyone with information about the vehicle to contact state police at Honesdale at 570/253-7126.