Larkin says no power line

MONTICELLO, NY — State Senator Bill Larkin says a power transmission line along the railroad tracks in the Upper Delaware isn’t going happen.

Commenting on September 24 regarding the proposal of a Canadian company to build a DC power, high voltage transmission line along the Norfolk-Southern right of way, the state senate’s majority whip said simply, “Can’t do it. It’s a park.”

Larkin said recent legislation approved in the senate, to simplify state approvals for energy transmission projects, did not apply here.

During the creation of the river plan in the mid-1980s, Larkin represented portions of the river valley in the state assembly.

Neighbors’ dispute gets serious

YULAN, NY — State police say that a Highland man turned his truck on two people during an apparent neighbors dispute.

Frank P. Untener, 62, of Yulan, NY was arrested September 20, on numerous charges. Police say Untener trespassed on the property of another, shoved a person and then drove his 1987 Jeep at two people forcing them to jump on top of the hood where they were carried for approximately 20 yards.

Untener was charged with felony second-degree reckless endangerment trespass, and harassment in the 2nd degree. He was arraigned before Highland Justice Anthony LaRuffa and jailed in lieu of $2,500 bail.

Pennsylvania considers tighter drunk driving law

HARRISBURG, PA — The PA House of Representatives will vote next week on legislation designed to cut down on dangerous incidents of driving under the influence of alcohol by lowering the state’s blood alcohol level to 0.08 percent, increasing penalties and mandating treatment for repeat DUI offenders.

The bill, approved by the senate last week, toughens penalties for drivers with especially high blood-alcohol levels. It also increases the punishment for anyone caught driving under the influence of a controlled substance and mandates a drug and alcohol screening for every person convicted of DUI.

The bill meets a federal mandate to lower blood alcohol limits to 0.08 percent nationwide; currently, Pennsylvania’s legal limit is 0.10 percent.

Authorities seek help investigating fires

HONESDALE, PA — State police fire marshals are asking for help from anyone with information related to 10 arson fires that have occurred in the vicinity of Torrey in Oregon Township over the past three months.

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers has also offered a $2,000 reward for information leading to one or more arrests in the same incidents.

Anyone with information is asked to call PA Crime Stoppers at 800/4PA-TIPS, or the state police fire marshals at 570/963-3156.

Alzheimers patient missing three weeks

DINGMANS FERRY, PA — Pennsylvania State Police are looking for a 77-year-old Alzheimer’s disease patient who has been missing from his home since he got into his car and left his Birchwood Lakes home on September 12.

Police say Thomas Pisciotta was last seen driving his 1987, dark blue, four-door, Plymouth Reliant with a PA registration of DLJ-7399.

Pisciotta is described as white, 5’ 7” tall, weighing about 190 pounds. He has hazel eyes and is balding with white hair.

Anyone who has seen him or the car is asked to contact state police at 570/226-5718.

Postmaster assaulted

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Sullivan County Sheriff’s deputies say a Lake Huntington man was arrested September 19 after he struck the hamlet’s postmaster with a “large set of keys attached to a chain.”

James Schurr, 53, was charged with felony second-degree assault after he allegedly struck postmaster Gerald Kinney during a dispute. The blow caused a scalp laceration and Kinney was transported to the Grover Hermann Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Schurr was arraigned before Cochecton Justice Steven Sauer and ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail pending a September 23 hearing.

New Pike assistant DA named

MILFORD, PA — Pike County District Attorney Doug Jacobs has announced the appointment of a new first assistant, Raymond Tonkin.

Tonkin replaces Joseph Kameen who resigned to seek election as county court judge.

Tonkin began working with Jacobs over 10 years ago, while Tonkin served as a Westfall Township and Milford police officer. In addition, Tonkin served on the Pike County Drug Task Force.

Tonkin is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Scoping session on Mohawk’s environmental plan

MONTICELLO, NY — A public scoping session to help determine the elements to be addressed in an environmental impact study for the proposed Mohawk Mountain Casino has been scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on October 8 at the Sullivan County Government Center.

According to a notice in the Federal Register, a draft EIS is expected to be completed by November 1 of this year.

An existing Environmental Assessment addressing issues such as traffic, noise, water supplies and quality, wetlands, wildlife, sewage, air quality, community character and socio-economic impacts, will be incorporated into the expanded EIS.

For more information, contact James Kardatzke at 615/467-1675.