Route 209 to be closed in Lehman

MILFORD, PA — Route 209 will be closed to traffic from July 9 to July 27 for structural repairs to the bridge across Bushkill Creek. The bridge is near the southernmost point of where Pike County and Monroe County meet. The action is being taken by the Delaware Water Gap Recreational Area, which owns the bridge.

All vehicles except those exceeding 15 tons gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) will follow a detour route, using Winona Falls Road, East/West Sugar Mountain Road and Bushkill Falls Road.

Vehicles exceeding 15 tons will be restricted from using Route 209 through the Delaware Water Gap Area during the entire bridge closure and must find alternate routes.

Hinchey bill would give first responders tax credit

WASHINGTON, DC — In an effort to boost the recruitment and retention of these vital first responders, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) has introduced the Supporting Emergency Responders Volunteer Efforts (SERVE) Act. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) will be supporting Hinchey’s efforts by introducing the congressman’s bill in the Senate.

“By providing a $1,000 tax credit to volunteer firefighters and emergency service personnel, we are thanking current volunteers for their continued service and providing an incentive to attract new individuals to join local fire and emergency response departments where their help is desperately needed,” Hinchey said. “Many communities, especially those in rural areas where budgets are tight, are dependent upon volunteer firefighters and paramedics. This bill will help ensure that volunteer departments are adequately staffed and that our heroic firefighters and emergency personnel are properly thanked for their selfless efforts.”

To qualify for the refundable tax credit, firefighters and paramedics would have to serve at least 40 hours over the course of six months of the year.

Beaverkill Campground to open on June 26

ROSCOE, NY — The Beaverkill Campground, which had earlier been slated to remain closed this season, will instead open on June 26 and remain open until Labor Day. The NY Department of Environmental Conservation, which owns and operates the site, had announced that it wanted to close the site because of budget concerns.

However, the Sullivan County Legislature, working at the behest of groups such as Catskill Mountainkeeer, Friends of the Beaverkill, Roscoe Chamber of Commerce and the Sullivan County Visitors Association, worked out an arrangement whereby the county would take over the operation of the campground for this year.

“This is how government should work” said Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. “Community leaders organized a campaign; the county and state heard the call and worked hard to find a solution.”

McDonalds robbed—in clown mask

MONTICELLO, NY — The McDonalds on Route 42 in Monticello was robbed at gunpoint by two men, one of whom wore a clown’s mask, at about 3:15 on the morning of Thursday, May 21. The second man wore a bandanna obscuring part of his face.

Although the front door of the restaurant is locked at night, the accomplices managed to squeeze through the drive-through window to hold up the two McDonalds employees who were in the building at the time. The value of their take was about $600, a mixture of cash, payroll checks and McDonalds gift cards.

It is believed that the men were picked up by a dark sedan not far from the restaurant after leaving on foot. The sheriff’s department is seeking further information on the incident. The confidential tip line may be reached at 845/807-0158.

Man wounded in hunting accident

FORESTBURGH, NY —Deputies from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office found 60-year-old Henry Gasiorowski of Greenwich, CT suffering from a shotgun wound when they responded to a report of a hunter shot on the property of the Hartwood Hunting Club at approximately 7:52 a.m. on Friday, May 22. Gasiorowski had been sitting behind a turkey hen decoy when his friend, Jerome Day, 47, also of Greenwich, snuck up on the decoy and shot at it. Gasiorowski was hit with BBs in the arm and back. He was taken by ambulance to Bon Secour Hospital in Port Jervis. His wounds were not life-threatening.

The sheriff’s office notified the NYS Environmental Conservation Police of the incident. Lt. Deming Lindsley and ECO Tim Canfield responded to the scene and conducted a hunting accident reconstruction investigation. The outcome of their investigation will determine if any laws were violated.

Hawley Silk Mill project gets off the ground

HAWLEY, PA — Hawley Silk Mill, LLC completed the purchase of the Hawley Silk Mill property last week, and work on the project is expected to begin in June. The complex includes the historic Bellemonte Silk Mill and “Cocoon” buildings, as well as two warehouses, located on Route 6 at the southerly entrance to downtown Hawley. Hawley Silk Mill, LLC is owned and operated by a group of investors with strong ties to the local community.

Preliminary plans for the Silk Mill building, which was built in 1880, include mixed commercial and educational uses, with an emphasis on a post-secondary education tenant to provide continuing education and job training for the region. Other planned uses include a local farm and fine arts market, and a Silk Mill Museum. A coffee shop is planned for the Cocoon building and warehouse space will also be available.

The Silk Mill was recently identified as a community anchor building by the Downtown Hawley Partnership and has a long history of contributing to the economic vitality of the lake region.

For more information visit www.hawleysilkmill.com or call 646/236-3400.