Commissioners open Prison Board meeting to public

HONESDALE — The next regular meeting of the Wayne County Prison Board has been re-scheduled as an evening session on Tuesday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m. at the Wayne County Courthouse to allow increased public participation.

Properties considered for the new prison include sites near Bunnell’s Pond, K-mart and the PENNDOT maintenance shed in Indian Orchard. Commissioners indicate they have recently been receiving offers and suggestions regarding several other sites that appear to have “potential,” although the properties warrant further investigation.

The meeting will include a prison consulting team presentation and a question-and-answer session for the general public. Information is available on a special “pop-up” page at the Wayne County website at www.co-wayne-pa-us.org.

Motorist dies in Route 42 accident

SPARROWBUSH — A Sparrowbush woman died in a one-car January 25 accident after her car swerved off the roadway.

While driving near the intersection of Hagen Road at 11:30 a.m., Irene Schaefer, 71, apparently lost control of her Toyota Camry, which left the road and struck a tree.

Pataki wants seniors’ STAR
income range raised

ALBANY — Governor George Pataki’s new budget calls expanded accessibility to a state program which aids property owners in paying ever-increasing school tax bills.

Pataki’s $88.6 billion spending plan includes a proposal to raise the $60,000 income cap for seniors to get the Enhanced-Star benefit, and requires that seniors apply for the program every three years instead of every year.

The cap would be based on cost-of-living increases, and the annual increase would be based on the rate of inflation. The change would cover increases in Social Security and other income.

STAR is available to all homeowners for their primary residences. For school taxes, it reduces the assessed value of a primary residence by $30,000 in Sullivan County. Depending on income, seniors over 65 can get “enhanced” STAR, which carries a $50,000 exemption.

Contact your local tax assessor for more information or visit www.orps.state.ny.us/star on the Internet.

Recruiter dies in bus collision

LEHMAN TOWNSHIP — State police say 16 kindergartners and an East Stroudsburg bus driver were uninjured in a January 24 Bushkill Falls Road collision that took the life a Marine Corps recruiter.

Sgt. Scott C. Anslow, 27, reportedly lost control of his southbound car while rounding a curve on Bushkill Falls Road (SR 2003), and collided with the bus.

Anslow was airlifted to Pocono Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:38 p.m.

The recruiter, who was assigned to Harrisburg, had just left a recruiting session with East Stroudsburg high school students.

PA drug program widens guidelines

HARRISBURG — New Pennsylvania law has widened the allowable income range for seniors seeking help with prescription drug costs through the state’s PACE and PACENET programs.

With this year’s $1,000 increase in the cap income, seniors who are 65 and older with incomes between $14,000 and $17,000, and married seniors with incomes of $17,200 to $20,200, can participate in the program.

For more information contact Representative Jerry Birmelin’s office at 570/253-5533.

Sullivan tax deadline and auction

MONTICELLO — Tuesday, February 5 is the last day to redeem property scheduled for foreclosure for unpaid 1999 taxes.

Installment and deferred payment plans may be arranged prior to that date, according to Sullivan County Treasurer Olga Parlow.

Sullivan County will hold a special tax auction at 1:00 p.m. on February 28 at the government center to auction off 11 county-owned properties.

There will be a February 21 informational meeting about the properties at 7:00 p.m. in the lobby of the government center. For more information call 845/794-3000, extension 3242.

Wanted: a new police chief

WESTFALL — Westfall Township is looking for a new chief for the police department.

After eight years on the job, Chief Tim Mitchell has departed to join the Pike County district attorney’s office as a detective.

Westfall has advertised the vacant position and will accept resumes up until the township’s next meeting on February 5. A new chief will be selected at or before the supervisors’ March 5 meeting.

Until that time, Sgt. Mark Moglia will oversee the department.