Pike father of four feared murdered in Iraq

TIKRIT, IRAQ — A Milford man serving with the New York National Guard in Iraq was killed on June 7, in what the U.S. Army is now investigating as a homicide.

First Lt. Louis Allen and Captain Phillip Esposito of Suffern were both killed by an explosive device which apparently came through the window of Allen’s room located in one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces. An investigation showed the pattern of the explosive, thought initially to be a mortar attack, was consistent with American ordinance. Allen was the father of four sons, ages one to six. The 34-year-old Chester native was a high school science teacher in Tuxedo.

Landfill conference rescheduled

MONTICELLO, NY — An issues conference, the next step in the Department of Environmental Conservation’s application process for the phase-two expansion of the Sullivan County Landfill, has been rescheduled.

The session, which includes attorney’s presentations and negotiation, was to take place this week, but has now been rescheduled at the government center for the June 29 and 30, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sessions are open to the public.

Legislators approve firearms penalties

HARRISBURG, PA — In an effort to reduce firearm violence and increase public safety, the state House of Representatives has passed legislation to increase penalties for theft of firearms and consolidate other theft offenses.

The bill would impose felony penalties for theft of a rifle or shotgun to equal that of a handgun. Currently, stolen property laws distinguish between individuals who are engaged in ongoing criminal enterprises and those who do not routinely deal in stolen property.

Look out for phone scam

HONESDALE, PA — The Pennsylvania State Police have issued a public warning about a telephone solicitation that could result in identity theft.

Police have received complaints about representatives of a company called Grant Express International, who have been calling area residents claiming that they can help obtain monetary grants of $5,000 to $25,000 from the federal government.

Callers have been seeking personal information from respondents including social security and bank account numbers. Police are warning residents to be wary of any unexpected requests for personal or financial information.

Wayne County man drowns

HANCOCK, NY — State police reported that a 20-year-old Pleasant Mount man was drowned on June 5 in a swimming mishap in the East Branch of the Delaware River.

Thomas Clayton Sampson experienced difficulty in the water while swimming at 3:30 p.m. at Fireman’s Park in Hancock. Other swimmers’ efforts to assist him were unsuccessful.

Sampson’s body was recovered from about 15 feet of water and he was declared dead at Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton.

Planners seeking public input

DAMASCUS, PA — The Damascus Township Planning Commission will be looking for public concerns when they meet on Wednesday, June 22.

The meeting is designed to acquaint the residents with the township comprehensive plan, which is being updated, and to solicit issues, concerns and ideas for the future of the township. These will be incorporated into a survey of township residents and ultimately into the comprehensive plan itself.

Township residents are encouraged to attend the 7:00 p.m. meeting at the township building on Conklin Hill Road.

Missing fisherman found in Delaware

BUSHKILL, PA — The body of a missing fisherman was recovered from the Delaware River on June 8 near its confluence with Bushkill Creek.

A search was initiated after Dr. William Runyeon, 78, of Wyomissing, PA, failed to appear for a family engagement following a Tuesday fishing trip to the Delaware River. Runyeon’s car was found just south of Bushkill Creek but a late night land search found no sign of him.

Early Wednesday morning, the park’s dive team began its search while a pair of search dogs from Northeast Search and Rescue sought Dr. Runyeon’s scent on the shoreline and water.

At approximately 11:20 a.m., divers found the body in about 18 feet of water not far from where Runyeon had evidently been fishing. The cause of death will not be determined until an autopsy is conducted.

Beaver Brook woman drowns in pond

BEAVER BROOK, NY — State police said Elda Svecak drowned in a pond on her property on Monday, June 13 during the early evening.

She was discovered by her husband, Alex Svecak, at 5:45 p.m. The 180-by-150-foot pond on Blind Pond Road is about 10 feet deep, police said.

Svecak, 62, was known to be an avid swimmer by her friends, and she swam in her pond almost every day in the summer.

Wayne Delaware Manor administrator Sandy Kline described Elda as a “wonderful employee.” Elda worked at the assisted-living residence in Atco, PA for about 10 years as the dietary manager.

“There was nothing she couldn’t cook for us or grow for us. There’s such a hole here now that I don’t know how to start filling it,” Kline said.

Investigation into the drowning was ongoing at press time.

Monday is disaster assistance deadline

ALBANY, NY — The deadline for New York residents to call for individual assistance and register for state and federal aid to help replace losses from the April 2 to 4 severe storms and flooding is June 20.

Individuals and business owners in the eligible counties, who sustained losses but still have not registered for assistance, should call the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) toll-free number at 800/621-FEMA (3362), Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can also register online at fema.gov.