Bush approves flood disaster aid

REGION — President Bush approved New York State’s request on April 20 and declared 13 counties eligible for federal disaster assistance related to the flooding of April 2 to 4.

With the declaration, homeowners, renters and small businesses in Delaware, Orange, Sullivan and eight other counties are eligible for federal individual assistance for private property damages.

Funding coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), includes the Individual and Households Program, which provides grants to help pay for temporary home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. It does not replace property insurance.

People eligible for federal individual assistance are encouraged to begin the disaster relief process by calling FEMA’s telephone registry service at 800/621-FEMA (3362).

On April 22, Governor George Pataki asked that the disaster aid be expanded to include Greene, Putnam and four other upstate counties.

On April 26, the IRS announced special tax relief for the affected counties, extending penalty waiver periods to June 20. For detailed information visit “The Newsroom” and “Around the Nation” at www. irs.gov.

New York State legislators are introducing legislation that would allow assessment reductions on flood-damaged properties in the affected counties. Normally, property taxes are based on values as of March 1 of the calendar year.

State says Pike deer density is greatest

HARRISBURG, PA — A researcher contracted by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to do aerial surveys of deer herds in state forests has found that so far, the highest concentrations of deer were found in the Promised Land area of the Delaware State Forest in Pike County.

The announcement came from the initial round of data provided by Vision Air Research, an independent wildlife researcher that will be surveying white-tailed deer populations on about 250,000 acres of state forest land. About 30 percent of the survey has been completed.

Promised Land’s 23.69 deer per square mile was far beyond what the Pennsylvania Game Commission deems suitable for available habitat, researchers said.

The lowest density found thus far has been 9.64 per square mile in Tioga County.

Woman guilty of insulting flag

HONESDALE, PA — Sunny Christ, 24, of Honesdale reportedly pleaded guilty last week to a charge of “insulting” an American flag.

Christ was said to have played no role in the November theft of the 10’X15’ flag from Irving Cliff, but was implicated in later assisting to dispose of it in a dumpster behind the Route 6 Mall.

Christ faces up to two years in prison or a $5,000 fine when she comes before Wayne County Court Judge Robert Conway for sentencing on May 26.

It is a crime in Pennsylvania to insult a national or commonwealth flag.

PA legislator calls for American made flags only

HARRISBURG, PA — Representative Paul Clymer of Bucks County has introduced legislation in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives that would require that all state purchased flags be made in the United States.

Clymer’s bill was said to be in response to a recent world trade agreement that eliminates import quotas on hundreds of textile products.

State prepares for ATV hearings

KINGSTON, NY — State Senator John Bonacic announced on April 24 that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold one of several public meetings on draft ATV (all-terrain-vehicles) regulations in the Catskill region.

DEC’s draft policy will establish the criteria for determining which roads or trails on state-owned land should be open to ATVs. The hearing is scheduled for May 12 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Ulster County Community College.

A link to DEC’s Draft Policy for ATV access on public lands is available at Bonacic’s website at www.senatorbonacic.com.

Flooding is over, burn ban begins

HONESDALE, PA — At the recommendation of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Wayne County Commissioners approved on April 19 a temporary ban on outside burning. The ban, which went into effect on April 21, must run for 30 days, despite intervening weather.

The ban, according to DCNR, covers all outdoor disposal burning but exempts ringed campfires, outdoor grills and smoking tobacco.

DCNR called for the ban because of the increased seasonal danger of brushfires in old vegetation before new foliage appears.

Rep. Siptroth in place at new office

MARSHALLS CREEK, PA — State Representative (D-189) John J. Siptroth moved into his new District Constituent Services Office in the Jay Park complex just of Route 209 in Marshalls Creek on April 25. The office is located directly across from the Marshalls Creek Post Office. The formal opening celebration for the new office is expected to be announced in early May.

No wasting disease in NY deer tests

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced on April 21 that its initial round of sampling results for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Oneida County wild deer has shown no signs of the disease to date in New York State’s wild deer population.

Sample tissues from 64 wild deer were sent to the state veterinary lab at Cornell University to be analyzed for CWD and none of the samples showed a positive result for CWD.

DEC has implemented intensive monitoring efforts after CWD was found in two captive white-tailed deer herds in Oneida County—the first incidents of CWD in New York State.