Gunther announces CHIP’s funding

MONTICELLO, NY — Assemblyman Jacob Gunther (DC-98) announced last week that he has secured $375,000 in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding for the 15 Sullivan County towns.

State highway funding in past years has been a fundamental part of town highway department construction funding for local roads, but in recent years CHIP’s has suffered in state budgeting.

Each town will receive $25,000 allocated from the 2002-03 budget.

Reward for vandalism info

BUSHKILL, PA — Delaware Water Gap NRA is offering rewards of up to $500 for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons who vandalized a historic bronze marker on Old Mine Road on the New Jersey side of the park on November 3 or 4.

The bronze marker commemorates the history of Old Mine Road, thought to be the oldest highway in the country, and Fort Shapanack, which dates back to the French and Indian War.

Anyone with information about the vandalism should contact Chief Ranger Phil Selleck at 570/588-2414.

NPS reschedules Roebling Bridge closure

MINISINK FORD, NY — Recent weather conditions have prompted engineers to delay paving the deck of the historic Roebling Bridge until early spring, Upper Delaware National Park Service Superintendent Dave Forney announced last week.

The bridge, between Minisink Ford and Lackawaxen, had been scheduled to be closed to traffic for 25 days beginning on November 1.

Forney said the work will take place in the spring, prompting a closure of some 45 days. Two weeks prior to the closure, electronic signs will again be placed at the bridge to forewarn of the upcoming detour.

Sexual predators info now available online

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania State Police announced last week that information on people determined by a court to be sexually violent predators under Pennsylvania’s “Megan’s Law” is now available on the Internet.

The information, which includes a photograph and current address for each predator, can be accessed on the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: “predator”.

Auction buyers deadline set

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Legislature voted last week to accept bids on more than 220 foreclosed properties that were placed up for sale at last month’s Real Property Auction.

Successful bidders now have until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 to complete the purchase of their property.

For more information, contact the Sullivan County Treasurer’s Office at 845/794-3000, extension 5016, well in advance of the deadline.

ECS schedules meetings on bond issue vote

ELDRED, NY — The Eldred Central School Board of Education will hold two public information meetings to detail work to be funded by the upcoming district building referendum.

The sessions will take place on Thursday, November 14, at 7:00 p.m., prior to the regular board meeting at the high school and on Thursday, November 21, at 7:00 p.m. at the MacKenzie Elementary School in Glen Spey.

Fewer kids buying illegal tobacco in PA

HARRISBURG, PA — Statistics show there has been a significant drop in the number of stores and vending-machine locations selling tobacco products illegally to Pennsylvania’s kids.

The results, showing a drop of total sales to minors from 27.9 percent last year to 14.5 percent, are based on random unannounced inspections of Pennsylvania retailers conducted this summer by the state Department of Health.

Ongoing educational and enforcement efforts are credited for the drop.