Lackawaxen youth dead in collision

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP, PA — A 13 year-old boy in a group headed for President Bush’s October 22 rally in Wilkes-Barre was killed in a car-bus crash on Route 507.

Pike County Coroner Kevin Stroyan identified the victim as Michael John Armona of Lackawaxen.

Armona, an eighth-grade student at the Wallenpaupack Area middle school, died last Friday morning, when the car in which he was a passenger, reportedly driven by his older brother, collided with a school bus carrying 43 other school students.

According to school officials, Armona and his companions were on their way to the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre to see the President speak. State police at Blooming Grove said the accident occurred just north of Ironwood Point about two miles north of Interstate 84.

The 17-year-old driver, and three other students, a 16-year-old girl and two 16-year-old boys who were seated in the back seat of the 2003 Kia Spectre were hospitalized. Three of the four, none of whom were identified, were said to be remaining at Scranton’s Community Medical Center as of Monday. The fourth had been airlifted for treatment at Lehigh Valley Medical Center.

Police said several students on the bus were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Tusten sets Halloween curfew

NARROWSBURG, NY — A curfew will go into effect on Friday, October 29 in Narrowsburg and the Town of Tusten and will continue throughout the entire Halloween weekend.

Unless accompanied by an adult, youths under the age of 18 will not be permitted at large between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on October 29, 30 and 31.

WEDCO continues efforts to secure corporate park

HONESDALE, PA — The application of the Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) for a new corporate park in Sterling Township has reached a new stage.

After being approved by the Economic Development Administration of the Commonwealth, the application moved on to the Commonwealth Financial Authority where it was reviewed on October 20.

Sterling Township has already conducted two public hearings on the issue and is planning a third on November 1.

“WEDCO has provided testimony concerning engineering, landscaping and zoning on each of the proposed 23 parcels,” said Robert Suhosky, executive director of WEDCO.

Murder case ends in mistrial

HONESDALE, PA — The murder trial of 20-year-old Lynn Lilfee ended in a mistrial on October 19 after a prosecution witness identified the accused as a drug dealer.

Judge Robert Conway initially told the jury to ignore the remark of Bradley Saam of Uniondale, but after conferring with the attorneys he declared the mistrial.

Silfee has been charged in the March 12 murder of Matthew Maciuska, 27, of Forest City.

A new trial date has been scheduled on January 10, 2005.

Two cocaine arrests in Highland

ELDRED, NY — Town of Highland Constables participated in two arrests last weekend that led to cocaine-related charges. On October 23, Constable Marc Anthony stopped a 17-year-old woman for driving with no headlights near the Eldred school parking lot. He found she was intoxicated and observed what she admitted was cocaine on the car’s seat.

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department was called and cited the woman for misdemeanor possession of cocaine.

Later on Saturday, constables and state police found four underage males drinking alcohol at the state’s Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area. Further investigation determined that the group was also in possession of cocaine. Appearance tickets for underage drinking and cocaine possession were issued to all four.

Disaster relief assistance

REGION — Victims of this falls flooding may be able to get some financial relief by amending their 2003 income tax returns to report the 2004 disaster loss.

Susan Lynn Brown, a Jeffersonville CPA, reports that there are special income tax rules for reporting disaster losses that are incurred in the current year, for the preceding tax year. In addition, there are special rules regarding whether one itemizes the amount of the loss, the amount of the individual’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). More information is available irs.gov.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster recovery centers in Sullivan County closed this past Sunday, but assistance is still available through FEMA’s toll-free Helpline at 800/621-3362 and the information is available from the agency Internet site, fema.gov.

Mountain Laurel gets federal grant

BUSHKILL, PA — The Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts has received a $198,000 grant from the United States Department of Education, to fund creation an arts education institute for local children.

Mountain Laurel CEO Richard T. Bryant said the grant will launch the Mountain Laurel Institute, in the spring of 2005 with the goal of serving up to 35,000 K-12 students in Pike and Monroe Counties and the surrounding region.

Bonacic secures funds for river corridor

REGION — State Senator John J. Bonacic announced Tuesday that $125,000 in state funding will be directed to organizations along the Route 97 communities. Six thousand will be directed to the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway and $50,000 will be directed to the Upper Delaware Council.

All funds will go toward ongoing efforts to enhance the Route 97 corridor communities and promote tourism in the region, Bonacic said.

Additionally, the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance will also receive $15,000 to make needed repairs and capital improvements to their arts facility.

The funding for the Upper Delaware Council can be utilized for municipal improvements, recreational enhancements or beautification.