Texas planners approve new hotel plan

TEXAS TOWNSHIP, PA — The Texas Township Planning Commission has approved the preliminary land development plan for the proposed hotel complex in Indian Orchard. The construction of the 80-room hotel, restaurant and office building can now move ahead, the commission said.

Proposed by a group called the Route Six Development Corporation, LLC, the complex will sit on the hill opposite Home Depot and use the depot’s main road for access to and from Route Six.

The commission approved the plan with conditions that include fulfilling the requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), a process that controls water pollution, and the development of an erosion and sedimentation plan affecting stormwater run-off. These requirements are monitored by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.

According to the contractor’s spokesman, Robert Suhosky, the project will create eight to 10 full-time jobs and 15 part-time jobs, along with funding for community projects through the hotel tax.

Tracks lead sheriffs to suspect

ROCK HILL, NY — The Sullivan County Sheriff’s office found and arrested a burglary suspect on December 19 by following his tracks in the snow.

Nelson C. Acevedo, age 48, was apprehended on the 19th after deputy Kevin Rogers responded to a residential burglar alarm at 84 Lake Shore Drive South and found that the door had been kicked in. Deputy Eric Briehof responded with Sheriff’s K-9, “RC,” and followed the trail to a residence down the street at 80 Lake Shore Drive South, where he found Acevedo, who said he was house sitting for a friend.

Acevedo was arrested after questioning, and has been arraigned and sent to jail without bail. Sheriff Mike Schiff said that his office is investigating Acevedo’s possible connection to five other burglaries that have occurred in the area since October 31, including one other on Lake Shore Drive South.

Local courts to receive state grants

ALBANY, NY — State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/I/C—Mount Hope) has announced that several justice courts in Sullivan County have been awarded funding grants under the State’s Justice Court Assistance Program.

Justice courts in the Village of Liberty will receive a grant in the amount of $26,750 and courts in the Village of Monticello will receive $3,770. Also, the Towns of Bethel, Callicoon, Fallsburg, Forestburgh, Mamakating and Tusten in Sullivan County will receive grants ranging from $4,300 to over $16,000.

Senator Bonacic said that the Justice Court Assistance Program grants are used to purchase critical computer and electronic equipment and to update the training and legal materials crucial for judges and clerks, all of which are essential to do the job.

Bethel to offer heating help

WHITE LAKE, NY — This winter, the Bethel Local Development Corporation (BLDC) is offering energy assistance to Bethel residents who are in need and do not qualify for the county Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). This effort was initiated by a group of Bethel residents and is fully funded by private citizen donations. The program is named Citizens’ Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). “We are concerned for the well-being of our residents, and this is one thing we can do to help our neighbors during these difficult times,” said town supervisor Daniel Sturm. The program will provide a one-time supplement for heating needs to qualifying Bethel residents.

Applications are available at www.town.bethel.ny.us or can be picked up at the Bethel Town Hall, 3454 Route 55. To qualify for CEAP you must have a HEAP denial letter. Mail completed application and supporting documentation to BLDC, Attn: CEAP, P.O. Box 300, White Lake, NY 12786 or drop-off at town hall. Tax-deductible donations can be made to BLDC, c/o Runnels, PO Box 732, Smallwood, NY 12778.

Federal emergency funds available

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced that he helped secure $11.96 million in federal funds for emergency food and shelter programs in New York, including $789,370 for counties in the congressional district he represents. The funds are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Sullivan County will receive a total of $54,648 and Orange County will receive $227,467.

EFSP funds are allocated to local nonprofit and public organizations to provide food, in the form of served meals or groceries; lodging in a mass shelter or hotel; one month’s rent or mortgage payment; one month’s utility bill; minimal repairs to allow a mass feeding or sheltering facility to function during the program year; and equipment necessary to feed or shelter people, up to $300 per item.

Look-alike theft at CVS stores

HAWLEY AND HONESDALE, PA — Two CVS stores, one in Honesdale and the other in Hawley, were hit with thieving sprees on December 10. The Honesdale incident occurred sometime between 4:45 and 5:25 p.m. In the surveillance video, five people are seen entering and leaving the store with large handbags. Merchandise valued at about $3,000 was found missing, consisting of Oil of Olay products, Aleve, Tylenol, Zyrtec and EPT tests. The Hawley incident occurred sometime between 3:00 and 9:00 p.m. The same type of merchandise was found missing as in Honesdale, for a total of about $3,800.

Anyone with information is asked to call 570/253-5752 (Hawley) or 253-1900 (Honesdale).