Three dead in Smallwood drowning

SMALLWOOD, NY — Three men from Brooklyn drowned in Mountain Lake in Smallwood on October 19 after their boat capsized. One of the men in the boat managed to swim to shore in the 49-degree water. Gianfranco Generoso, 20, swam to shore but lost track of his companions.

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at about 1:30 p.m. The Smallwood Fire Department, The Sullivan County Dive Team and a state police helicopter responded to the scene to aid in the search.

At about 4:30 p.m., divers recovered the bodies of Domenico Coluccio, 19 and Anthony Dupont, 18, both of Brooklyn. They were pronounced dead at the scene by Sullivan County Coroner Thomas Warren. A fourth man was still missing when the search was suspended because of darkness. The search resumed the next day and the body of Carlo Molito was recovered. Molito, who was 20, was also from Brooklyn.

Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff said that the four men, who were related, came to visit family in Smallwood and went fishing on the lake. “Our preliminary investigation reveals that one of the subjects stood up and caused the boat to capsize, sending all four men into the water,” said the Sheriff. The men, who were not wearing life jackets, were apparently dressed in several layers of warm clothing when they entered the 49-degree water. The lake is approximately eight feet deep in that area.”

The one survivor, Generoso, was taken to Catskill Regional Medical Center where he was treated for hypothermia and released.

Rendell announces grants to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste

HARRISBURG, PA — Governor Edward G. Rendell has created a new program of grants for small businesses to help them cope with rising energy costs. The grants will pay for new technologies that can improve efficiency, encourage conservation and reduce waste.

“Small businesses across the state are bracing for high heating costs this winter as they try to cope with the current international financial crisis,” said Rendell. “Companies that invest in equipment to reduce their energy costs or cut waste will be better positioned to compete and succeed in this difficult environment. The Small Business Advantage grants help businesses adopt innovative technologies and processes that will improve their bottom line and protect our environment.”

Rendell said the Commonwealth is investing more than $553,000 through the Small Business Advantage Grant Program that will help 92 companies reduce energy consumption and waste output to lower their expenses.

In Wayne County, the companies are Aldenville Log and Lumber, which will receive $1,947 for upgraded lighting with individual motion sensors to control new fixtures to conserve energy; and Settler’s Inn, which will receive $7,428 for high-efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment to conserve energy.

Bethel Woods ranked 34th in top 100 worldwide amphitheaters

BETHEL, NY — Bethel Woods Center for the Arts attracted 212,000 visitors to the center this season, which has just ended. According to a press release from the organization, the success of this season’s 27 performances drove Bethel Woods to climb 13 spots on the annual Pollstar “Top 100 Worldwide Amphitheaters” list, to reach number 34 for the 2008 season.

Sold-out crowds at several shows propelled ticket sales for the season to nearly 138,000. The total also includes the first season of the Music Under the Stars and Music in the Museum series, which drew over 3,400 guests.

Bethel Woods also initiated roundtrip bus transportation for the large concerts with Coach USA / ShortLine bus service from New York City’s Port Authority, the Ridgewood NJ Park & Ride, and the Middletown, NY ShortLine Terminal. Over 300 riders took advantage of the service, which was available for 12 concerts.

Power line sessions set

CALLICOON, NY — The Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management, in conjunction with Communities Against Regional Interconnect, will hold a question-and-answer session on Friday, October 24 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Delaware Community Center in Callicoon regarding the proposed powerline that will, if approved, run through Sullivan County.

The question-and-answer session is intended to help residents prepare for the upcoming public hearings that will be held by the New York Public Service Commission (PSC). In Sullivan County, two hearings will be held on October 29. One will be held at the Delaware Community Center, with an information forum at 1:00 p.m. and a public statement hearing at 2:00 p.m. The second will be held at Sullivan West High School, with an information forum at 6:00 p.m. and a public statement hearing at 7:00 p.m.

Pre-registration is requested for the question-and-answer session on the 24th. To register, call 845/794-3000 ext. 5028 or email planning@co.sullivan.ny.us.

Pre-registration is not required to offer public statements at the PSC hearings on October 29.

Hinchey bill on fracking

WASHINGTON, DC — A bill introduced by Congressman Maurice Hinchey and two congressmen from Colorado would end the exemption of the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, from the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Fracking and other activities involved with drilling for oil and natural gas were exempted from the act and other environmental laws with the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Hinchey has been a vocal opponent of parts of the act, which was formulated largely behind closed doors by Vice President Dick Cheney and representatives of the energy industry.

Hinchey’s bill was introduced on September 29, and will likely not be acted on this year, but it begins the process for possible action in the next session of congress.