Police seeking attempted armed robbers

BEACH LAKE, PA — Pennsylvania State Police are looking for two men who attempted an armed robbery at Kuester’s Café early last Friday morning.

The men, both wearing ski masks and dark clothing, forced their way into the café and brandished a weapon at owner Robert Kuester, demanding money.

They left empty-handed after another employee called 911.

Police are asking that anyone with information about the incident contact the Honesdale Barracks at 570/253-7126.

$6 million to protect NY waterways

ALBANY, NY — The Sullivan County Soil and Water Conservation District won a $427,397 award last week as Governor Pataki announced nearly $6 million for 36 projects that will help farmers protect New York’s lakes, streams and rivers from agricultural runoff.

The award will implement manure storage, barnyard runoff management and other Best Management Practices on 12 dairies and one poultry farm in the Callicoon Creek watershed. This project is part of a phased effort that has already produced reductions in nutrient and bacteria counts in water bodies.

Funding was awarded through the New York State Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program.

New history of gravity railroad

PORT JERVIS, NY — The Minisink Valley Historical Society is offering a new photographic history of the Delaware and Hudson Canal and Gravity Railroad, written and compiled by Milford, PA resident and society member Matthew Osterberg.

The book is an anthology of 200 photographs that begin at the railroad’s operations in Carbondale and end at the canal’s terminus at Kingston, NY.

Images of America: The Delaware and Hudson Canal and Gravity Railroad comes in soft cover and is 128 pages long. For more information, call 845/856-2375.

Gunther gets Renaissance funding

MONTICELLO — Assemblyman Jacob Gunther (DC-98) announced last week that he has secured $50,000 in state budget funding for the Sullivan Renaissance Project.

In two years, thousands of volunteers in dozens of communities have raised and spent almost $1 million for 59 beautification projects. Initial program funding is provided by the Beaverkill Foundation, Sullivan First and over a dozen corporate sponsors that support the program.

Railways implementing security measures

HARRISBURG, PA — The state Office of Homeland Security Director Earl Freilino said Pennsylvania officials and representatives of the railway sector are continuing to implement appropriate measures to detect, disrupt, deter and defend against potential attacks against railways.

Last week the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warning to state and local law enforcement nationwide about a possible attack against transportation systems, particularly railroads.

Freilino said Pennsylvanians who travel should look out for suspicious behavior. Pennsylvanians who observe activities or have information that they believe should be reported should call 911 for emergencies or immediate threats. To report tips about suspicious behavior, call the Pennsylvania State Police Tip Line toll free at 888/292-1919 or the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces in Philadelphia at 215/418-4000.

Farm market guide available

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania is urging residents to enjoy the abundance of the fall-season produce found at Pennsylvania’s farmers’ markets, roadside stands and orchards.

To assist in the search for home-grown goodness, the 2002 edition of “A Consumer’s Guide to Pennsylvania Farm Markets” is available through the Department of Agriculture. This guide provides a listing by county of farmers’ markets and roadside stands across Pennsylvania. Each of the 1,006 entries provides the markets’ days and hours of operation, available produce, activities and location.

To request a free guide contact the Bureau of Market Development at 717/787-6901 or one of the Department of Agriculture’s seven regional offices. The guide also is available on the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: “agriculture.”

Drs. protect patient privacy

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation last week protecting physicians from being forced to report cases of domestic violence without the consent of a patient.

House Bill 796, sponsored by Elinor Z. Taylor (R-156), exempts a physician, intern or resident from having to report domestic violence-related injuries to the police under certain circumstances.

The rationale for passage is that many times when domestic violence is reported to the police, the abuser becomes more violent. If the victim has not secured a safe haven, such violence can result in more injury or even death. Currently a doctor who does not report domestic violence incidents may be held criminally liable. The bill is now before the Senate.