River ‘snapshot’ time again

NARROWSBURG, NY — As they have this time of year for the past seven years, volunteers are going to be out testing the health of the Delaware now through May 4.

The annual Delaware River Snapshot is sponsored by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and locally by the Upper Delaware Council (UDC).

Volunteer testers receive sampling kits and instructions for the sampling. Sampling data must be returned to the DRBC by May 31.

Some kits and instruction materials are available at the UDC office in Narrowsburg.

For more information, contact Laurie Ramie at UDC at 845/252-3022, or email udcramie@ezaccess.net.

You can also visit the water snapshot page at the DRBC website at www.nj.gov/drbc.

Newsman pleads guilty

MILFORD, PA — Radio and Internet newsman Paul Lester last week pleaded guilty to felony possession of child pornography.

Lester was charged last year after a computer service technician discovered illegal files on a hard drive storage unit that Lester had brought in to be replaced.

The Westfall resident was not sentenced at his April 10 court appearance and remains free on bail as a pre-sentencing investigation was conducted.

State funds car buying program

MONTICELLO, NY — The Workforce Development Board of Sullivan County received $242,370 as its share amid $10 million in the Wheels for Work II program funding announced by Governor Pataki this week.

The Wheels for Work II program provides funding for eligible recipients, primarily public assistance clients, with help in obtaining vehicles that would provide transportation to work.

Under the program, vehicles may be donated to local social services agencies or participating non-profit groups, and low interest loans may be granted to individuals to assist in the purchase of a vehicle.

Sullivan County created the first demonstration pilot for this program. Some 21 Wheels for Work programs are now operating around the state.

Manchester plans for emergencies

EQUINUNK, PA — Township emergency officials are trying to gather data to update Manchester’s existing Emergency Management Plan and have scheduled a special meeting.

The session will be tuned to determine special-needs individuals in the township, as well as the availability of machinery and equipment that may be called upon in an emergency.

Persons with special needs, requiring oxygen or dialysis, may confidentially provide that information to the township by calling 570/ 224-4070.

The meeting is scheduled 7:00 p.m. on May 1, at the municipal building on Route 191, about two miles south of Equinunk.

Legion calls for Agent Orange action

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Legion says the results of a new Columbia University study provides the evidence that an in-depth health study is needed for Vietnam veterans and the effects of chemical herbicides.

The legion says the study, conducted by Dr. Jeanne Mager Stellman of the Mailman School of Public Health, compiled numerous records of the locations and quantity of Agent Orange and other herbicides that were sprayed.

The study also revealed some two million gallons of unaccounted-for spraying during the war.

The federal government has never accepted Agent Orange-related health problems as service related injuries qualifying for disability.

Celebrating tourism week

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Sullivan County Visitors Association (SCVA) will be celebrating National Tourism Week in Narrowsburg on May 7.

A three-part program is planned beginning with an 11:00 a.m. video presentation about the SCVA website at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.

At 1:00 p.m., association members will be treated to a raft trip on the Delaware provided by Lander’s River Trips. Non-members pay $10.

The finale begins at 3:00 p.m. at Fort Delaware where there will be a members information/brochure exchange and complimentary barbecue. Again, non-members will pay $25 to attend.

Contact the SCVA for more information at 845/794-3000, ext. 5010.

Couple charged in check forgery scheme

BARRYVILLE, NY — Two Highland residents were charged with felony criminal possession of a forged instrument last week following a state police investigation.

Police said Miranda Southard, 20, of Eldred and Matthew Daub, 23, of Barryville, stole an acquaintance’s personal checks, forged signatures and cashed $500 worth of them at area businesses between March 18 and April 4.

Both were arraigned on April 17 in Highland Town Court and remanded without bail to the Sullivan County Jail.

Seven killed in PA holiday accidents

HARRISBURG, PA — Seven people were killed and 261 others were injured in 543 crashes investigated by Pennsylvania State Police during the three-day Easter holiday driving period, Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller reported.

The official three-day Easter driving period covered Friday, April 18, through Sunday, April 20.

Miller said four of those killed were not wearing seat belts. Alcohol played a role in 59 of the crashes, including two of the fatal crashes.