Engineering firm selected for power line

CHICAGO, IL — PPL Electric Utilities has awarded Sargent & Lundy of Chicago a contract to provide transmission line engineering services for the Susquehanna-Roseland Project.

The proposed route for the Susquehanna-Roseland power line runs north from Berwick, PA, past Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, then east to Hawley and southeast to Bushkill, where it crosses the Delaware River.

Sargent & Lundy’s scope of work includes development of the design basis document, detailed transmission line design, permitting support, development of material specifications, preparation of construction packages and engineering support during construction. Engineering will be completed in stages for the various line segments to support a project schedule with an in-service date for the total project in mid-2012.

For more information visit www.pplreliablepower.com .

Businesses offered emergency funds

LIBERTY, NY — Businesses in the Village of Liberty can obtain short-term emergency relief loans of up to $3,000 to cover essential bills during the current recession and the traditional winter slowdown. The loans are low interest, and payback periods will not begin until June of this year to allow for cash flow to pick up again.

The village board of trustees, in its meeting on February 4, decided unanimously to set aside part of the village’s Economic Development Fund for this program as a way to assist businesses that are hit hard by the current economic climate and have trouble making payments, as income traditionally slows down during the winter months.

Application forms are available at Village Hall, 167 North Main Street in Liberty.

For more information email info@liberty-cdc.org.or call 845/292-8202.

Jeff fire department gets grant

WASHINGTON, DC — The Jeffersonville Fire Department will receive a $50,085 federal grant to purchase new firefighting and communications equipment. The funds come from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (ASFG), which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Fire Administration.

The majority of the funds will go toward the purchase of new hoses for the department’s firefighting vehicles. In addition, the grant funding will also pay for new pagers for the volunteers and allow the department to purchase and install an emergency generator at the firehouse.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey has sponsored a number of workshops across his district to help fire departments successfully navigate the grant application process for ASFG funds. He is also the author of the Supporting Emergency Responders’ Volunteer Efforts Act, which would provide a $1,000 federal tax credit to individuals who are active members of volunteer firefighting and EMS organizations.

Health plans for volunteer workers

ALBANY, NY — A new law took effect in New York State on January 17 that allows volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to participate in certain public employee health insurance plans. According to the act, the Volunteer Firefighter and Volunteer Ambulance Worker Health Program, the total cost of participation in these insurance plans will be borne by the volunteers. However, the costs of the public health plans are typically below those for private plans.

“Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers provide a critical service to our communities,” said Assemblywoman Gunther, who championed the law. “Dedicating their time and energy and often risking their lives to ensure the safety of other members of the community—and they do it for no pay. This law benefits these committed individuals and helps to recruit and retain personnel for these vital volunteer organizations.”

Dairy support kicks in

REGION — The Wayne Pike County Farm Bureau (W/PCFB) is urging local dairymen to sign up for the federal Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program by contacting their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

A recent nosedive in milk prices has added to the weakening economy, reduced exports and high costs to exert stress on dairy farmers. The MILC program is a federal program to benefit family dairy farms during such times. Some sections of the latest Farm Bill Act strengthened the program, but farmers should make sure they understand the new provisions.

“Dairy farmers should call the FSA office in Mayfield to get the details before making the trip over,” said Marian Schweighofer, information director for the local farm bureau. “Some of the provisions have changed and there are some catches in the signup procedures. So call the Mayfield FSA office at 570/282-8732 to get the details first. The signup is now underway.”

Horses starve in cruelty case

THOMPSON, NY — An animal cruelty investigation by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office has led to the arrest of a man in the Town of Thompson.

Sheriff Mike Schiff says that deputies, acting on a tip from a concerned citizen, went to a farm located at 124 South Maplewood Road last week and found seven horses starving and one dead. Deputies seized the dead horse for examination, and had the remaining horses examined by a veterinarian. The investigation revealed that the deceased horse had starved to death and the other seven were suffering from malnutrition.

Deputies arrested Vernon E. Houghtaling, age 62, who is the caretaker of the farm, and charged him with 15 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. The deceased horse belonged to Houghtaling and the other horses were in his care. Houghtaling was released on his own recognizance.

“Cases like this are becoming more common” said Sheriff Mike Schiff. “With the tough economy and the loss of jobs, people are having trouble taking care of their animals.”