Missing man’s body found in Yulan lake

YULAN, NY — The body of Martin Marticek, 28, who had been reported missing by his family on May 9 and was the subject of an extensive manhunt early last week, was found in a lake at Timber Lake Estates on May 15.

Marticek’s body was found floating beneath the surface of the lake by a fisherman just after 12:00 noon. The cause of death was determined to be asphysia by drowning. Marticek’s car was found at a house on Airport Road where he had been staying.

The police do not know how Marticek wound up in the lake, and are currently treating it as a suspicious death. He was most recently seen on Tuesday, May 6 at Peck’s Market in Eldred.

Second city man in a week goes missing in Sullivan County

GLEN SPEY, NY — For the second time in about a week, police have been searching for a man reported missing in Sullivan County. Grzegorz Fabrowicz, 37, was reported missing on Monday, May 19 by some friends with whom he had been staying at Mohican Lake Resort. Fabrowicz left the resort at 8:00 p.m. Sunday night to buy cigarettes at a convenience store, and did not come back.

Fabrowicz is 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighs about 195 pounds and has a full beard. He was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt, black jogging pants and white sneakers, and was driving a gold 2004 Nissan Murano. Fabrowicz has a history of seizures, and friends say he had been complaining of a stomach ailment.

The first man reported missing was Margin Marticek (see above), whose body was subsequently found in a lake. The police do not consider the two cases to be connected.

Sullivan voters approve all school budgets

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Budgets in all eight of Sullivan County’s school districts were approved in the vote on Tuesday. It was the second year in a row of unanimous approval in the county’s school budget votes.

The vote was close in Eldred and Liberty, but substantial in many other districts, including Sullivan West, where the unofficial total as of Wednesday morning was 572 to 352.

Most propositions were approved as well, though there were a few proposals that met with voter disapproval. A controversal proposition to reduce the size of the school board from 9 to 7 was defeated overwhelmingly in the Sullivan West district, and a proposal to reduce bus service was voted down in Livingston Manor.

In Eldred, Linda Bohs defeated Michael Halloran for a seat on the school board. In Sullivan West, Angela Daley, Anna Nieman and Mary Scheutzow all retained their seats, unopposed.

Gerry Foundation partners with state for $5 million ER renovation

HARRIS, NY — Alan Gerry and State Senator John J. Bonacic have announced a combined state and private partnership that will invest more than $5 million in Catskill Regional Medical Center’s emergency room to completely renovate and upgrade the facility.

The partnership will be funded by $2.5 million from Alan and Sandra Gerry and the Gerry family, and $2.55 million secured by Bonacic. The current hospital emergency room was built with the expectation it would serve 17,000 patients per year. Instead, it serves 26,000 patients per year.

Gerry said, “A hospital is the last place anyone wants to go to, but when you go to it you want it to be well equipped, have up-to-date technology and highly skilled medical staff. Helping to take this hospital to the next level is a wonderful opportunity and I am pleased to partner with Senator Bonacic to make happen.”

Siptroth introduces legislation to help animal shelters

HARRISBURG, PA — State Rep. John Siptroth (D-Monroe/Pike) has introduced legislation (H.B. 2447) to assist organizations like the Pike County Humane Society pay for the services they offer.

The bill would provide financial assistance to animal shelters by using revenues from dog license purchases, which would be raised by $2.50.

“Many shelters in Pennsylvania are facing tremendous financial difficulties in providing a very valuable community service,” Siptroth said. “I have previously supported small grants for the Pike County Humane Society, but a dedicated funding stream is essential to its long-term survival.”

Siptroth said he has also worked with groups in Monroe County to find funding for a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. He recently submitted a grant request for $30,000 on their behalf to help establish the clinic, which would be run by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“I anticipate that this legislation would provide about $37,000 every year for projects in my district alone,” Siptroth said.

Pike prison warden is Warden of the Year

MILFORD, PA — Craig Lowe, Warden of the Pike County Prison, was singled out by the Pennsylvania Prison Warden’s Association 45th annual Spring Training Symposium and declared Warden of the Year.

Lowe, a 20-year veteran in the field of corrections, was chosen from a field of approximately 100 eligible wardens and superintendents who manage county, state and federal correctional institutions throughout Pennsylvania.

Lowe has served as warden since 2003 and has been ranked as one of the most efficient and humane correction officials in the state.