Honesdale youth charged

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County District Attorney Michael Lehutzky brought a charge of vehicular homicide while driving under the influence against a Honesdale teenager who was driving last December when his passenger, Daniel Branning, 16, was killed in a rollover accident on Pine Mill Road in Lebannon Township.

The 17 year-old, who was not identified, was also charged with two counts each of driving under the influence of alcohol and aggravated assault by vehicle, and one count each of homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter.

Lehutzky said police are still seeking the person who provided the alcohol and additional charges will follow when that person is found.

PA house to study rifle shotgun hunting safety

HARRISBURG, PA — To protect the safety of residents and prevent accidental shooting during hunting season, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently endorsed a measure that authorizes the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the use of rifles and shotguns in special regulated areas within the commonwealth.

According to House Republican Caucus, the legislation is in response to an accidental shooting during deer season in Lehigh County, when a pregnant woman was shot in the head by a hunter.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will assist in the study.

Still time to sign up for second annual ‘great PA cleanup’

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection wants all Pennsylvanians to register their cleanups or join existing events as part of the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup on Saturday, April 23.

This ambitious statewide effort to remove litter and trash from the state’s roadways, parks, forests, riverbanks, neighborhoods and open spaces is being supported and sponsored by a wide range of businesses, trade organizations, civic and environmental groups, as well as local and state government agencies.

Last year during the first year of the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup, more than 182,000 Pennsylvanians took part in more than 5,100 organized cleanup projects, removing more than 233,000 bags of garbage from Pennsylvania’s communities.

PennDOT will provide free work gloves, safety vests and trash bags to registered cleanup groups in addition to a comprehensive safety package for groups interested in roadside and other cleanups.

For information on the Second Annual Great Pennsylvania Cleanup, or to find or register a cleanup, visit the DEP Web site at www.dep.state.pa.us or call toll-free 888/548-8372

Kohl’s looking to build store in Sullivan

MONTICELLO, NY — The Kohl’s Department Store chain, which operates a warehouse center in Mamakating, is reportedly now looking to open a retail store in the Kiamesha Lake area.

The Wisconsin-based chain, which already has 36 stores in New York State is said to be eyeing property behind the McDonald’s restaurant, off Route 42 and another location at the site of a former bungalow colony on Lanahan Road, which parallels Route 42.

The proposed store would be a minimum of 85,000 square feet in size.

Bonacic wins firefighters funding

MONTICELLO, NY — State Senator John Bonacic announced last week that he has secured $400,000 in funding to help fire departments in Sullivan County purchase needed equipment such as turnout gear, “jaws of life,” SCBA breathing units, defibrillators and thermal imaging cameras.

“Each department in Sullivan County has essential equipment needs that go unfulfilled. This funding will help every department meet needs such as radios, turnout gear and SCBA units. I applaud the senator for, again, making our volunteer firefighters a priority in the state budget,” said Sullivan County Public Safety Commissioner Dick Martinkovic, who will administer the funding.

A 2001 study commissioned by the Fireman’s Association of the State of New York demonstrated annual savings of $3 billion a year to taxpayers through volunteer firefighters. If volunteers went away, county property taxes would increase an average of 15 percent.

Senator Bonacic has secured similar funding in the past for the Ulster, Delaware and Orange County fire departments in his senate district.

DEC proposes deer hunting season changes

ALBANY, NY — New York is rescheduling the opening day of deer season to make it more available to working people.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced last week a series of proposed changes to the Southern Zone deer-hunting season for 2005-06.

Among the more prominent proposed changes is moving the opening day of the Southern Zone, which includes Sullivan County, from a Monday to a Saturday. This proposed change specifically provides opening day hunting opportunities for young hunters and others who are unable to take time off from work during the week.

A standard Saturday opening day for the early archery season is also proposed to provide similar benefits for bowhunters. DEC is proposing that the late archery and muzzleloader seasons occurring after the regular season both be extended to nine days each.

Public comment on the proposals begins on April 6, 2005 and ends on May 23, 2005. To view all changes visit dec.state.ny.us