Labor Day weekend PA crashes

HARRISBURG, PA — Seventeen people were killed in crashes investigated by Pennsylvania State Police troopers over the four-day Labor Day holiday driving period.

In addition to the 17 fatalities, 448 persons were injured in the 812 crashes to which troopers responded during the official holiday driving period between Friday, August 29, and Monday, September 1.

A state policy press release said 13 of those killed were not wearing seat belts and that 83 of the 812 crashes were alcohol-related.

Last year, 18 people were killed and 421 others were injured in the 771 crashes which the state police investigated.

ATV accident kills 12-year old

BERLIN TOWNSHIP, PA — State police say a 12-year-old White Mills boy was killed in a Saturday night ATV accident.

Troopers say Dylan Meszler was killed when he was thrown from his Honda three-wheel ATV. The boy reportedly failed to negotiate a turn, went up an embankment, became airborne, struck a tree and was thrown from the vehicle into a second tree.

Police said the boy was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, but that he and others in his party were riding illegally on State Route 2003. That violation, they said, was a contributing factor in the accident.

Hawley replaces councilman

HAWLEY, PA — The borough council last week named William Reid to the seat of the late George Dewey through the remainder of the year.

The council’s decision came despite the request of Republican council candidate Rick Morgan that he be named.

Council members said that filling the post with a candidate would be unfair to Democratic candidate Bobbie Urich and Morgan failed to obtain a second for his appointment.

Mayor Ann Morgan also swore in Donald Kyzer to replace Dewey as the board’s president.

Reid will also seek the two-year term in November.

Senators feed lion

HONESDALE, PA — Stourbridge Lion rail excursions won another reprieve last week when Pennsylvania’s two U.S. Senators joined forces to win a $75,000 appropriation to fund the local tourism project.

Wayne County Chamber of Commerce officials had solicited Senator Arlen Specter’s assistance during a recent visit.

Declining freight traffic had threatened closure of the rail line last year, prompting a $70,000, one-time grant from the Pocono Vacation Bureau that saved this year’s excursions.

The chamber says that 12,000 to 15,000 people ride the excursions annually, bringing some $750,000 into the local economy.

Be our guest: crack your skull

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania’s 35-year-old helmet law expired on September 4, leaving motorcycle riders free to ride bareheaded again.

The legislature passed the repeal and Governor Rendell signed it after two decades of lobbying by motorcycle advocacy groups.

Helmets are still mandated for riders under 21 and operators with less than two years of riding experience who have not taken a motorcycle safety course.

Fallsburg wins grant

ALBANY, NY — Some $400,000 of $1.9 million in Small Cities Community Grants awarded last week went to the Town of Fallsburg for the rehabilitation of the old South Fallsburg School for use as a community center.

According to a statement from Lt. Govenor Mary Donohue, the center will benefit some 2,329 persons, providing space for youth and senior programs, as well special public events. The center will also host seniors meals-on-wheels and community meal programs.

Sullivan shares in health grant

ALBANY, NY — Sullivan County last week was awarded an $89,000 share in federal grants to combat bio-terrorism and other health emergencies.

Some $79.5 million was awarded statewide through the federal Health and Human Service Administration.

Grant activities are to help establish mechanisms for distributing materials from national stockpiles, such as vaccines, antidotes, antibiotics and other emergency supplies.

The grants also underwrite updates of local health emergency preparedness and response plans.

Counties win planning funds

HARRISBURG, PA — Pike and Wayne counties were among 67 Pennsylvania counties funded under a $3.9 million state emergency planning and training grant program.

The planning, part of the grant program, is designed to educate local officials and emergency management coordinators about the municipal planning process and to incorporate homeland security.

Grants will also assist each county in the development of coordinated Community Emergency Response Teams. Pike was awarded $38,151 and Wayne received $48,711.

Felony cocaine possession charged

BARRYVILLE, NY — A traffic stop turned into a felony drug charge on August 30.

Constable Marc Anthony said he stopped William Molina, 45, of Jersey City for a traffic violation and quickly saw Molina was in possession of marijuana. A further check of the vehicle revealed several grams of cocaine.

Molina was charged third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and remanded to the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.