Greeley bridge work to cause delays

GREELEY, PA — Work to replace the Route 434 bridge over Balliard Creek, located just south of the place where Route 434 splits with Route 590, began on June 2, and is expected to continue through late December. While the bridge is being repaired, northbound motorists on Route 434 will be led over a four-mile detour. The detour reroutes northbound Route 434 traffic left onto Greeley Lake Road just before the bridge. It then follows a right on Rowland Road, and from there another right on Market Road, brining traffic back to Route 590 north of the construction. There will be no disruption for traffic traveling south from 590 to Shohola.

Driving simulators help offset drivers’ ed cutbacks

LIBERTY, NY — With fiscal constraints cutting down on student driver’s education programs, the Not One More Committee of Sullivan County is seeking to purchase driver simulators that will help local school districts to develop a comprehensive educational program that promotes safe teen driving.

Simulators can put drivers in dangerous driving scenarios without the risk of injury. They also provide students with individual records, allowing them to see progress as they improve their driving skills. The simulators are portable and can be shared by schools.

The Not One More committee seeks funds to purchase the simulators, which cost approximately $11,000 per unit. Sullivan County BOCES has taken on the role of spearheading the effort to raise the necessary funds. Once enough money has been raised, BOCES will coordinate the use of the machines with the school districts. With the help of the United Way of Sullivan County and the local school districts. the committee aims to purchase at least one unit to be used in the 2010-2011 school year.

Contributions may be made by emailing unitedwaysullivan@verizon.net or calling 845/794-1771. For information on the committee email dhemmer@scboces.org or call 845/295-4011.

Lackawaxen claims drowning victim

HONESDALE, PA — The season has seen its second drowning in this area, this time in the Lackawaxen River in the area of industrial point, located off Park Street.

One June 5 at around 5:30 p.m., Honesdale Police responded to reports of an accidental drowning. A little after 6:00 p.m., members of the Ledgedale Fire Company dive team located the body of 16-year-old Sharrod Moses of Honesdale in a deep hole in the river. Attempts to resuscitate the boy were unsuccessful. The Honesdale EMS, Honesdale Fire Department, PennsylvaniaState Police at Honesdale and Honesdale fire police also assisted at the scene.

The investigation into the incident was ongoing at press time.

‘Gasland’ to premiere in Milford, PA

MILFORD, PA — “Gasland,” winner of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival’s Special Jury Prize for U.S. Documentary Film, will premiere in Milford on June 14th at Delaware Valley High School on Route 6 and 209.

A reception beginning at 6:00 p.m. will be followed by the film at 7:00 p.m. The evening will conclude with a question and answer period featuring local filmmaker Josh Fox and others. The documentary explores issues related to natural gas extraction across the nation. Tickets cost $5 each. The showing was arranged by the Twin and Walker Creeks Watershed Conservancy (TWCWC). The next meeting of the TWCWC will address both sides of the drilling issue and is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 12 at the Walker Lake Clubhouse, Shohola.

Sullivan gets solid waste permits

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued three transfer station permits to address Sullivan County’s solid waste needs.

In late 2009, the Sullivan County Landfill exhausted its disposal capacity, and the county has been managing its waste through temporary facilities while looking to transition to a long-term, sustainable solution. Led by Sullivan County Manager David Fanslau, the county expedited the submission of transfer station permit applications for three locations: Monticello, Ferndale and Mamakating. The Ferndale and Mamakating facilities, which are the current waste transfer stations, are now permitted and upgraded. The new Monticello transfer station, when operational, will take most of the county’s waste. The ultimate destination for the waste is the Seneca Meadows Landfill in Waterloo.

Input sought on aging in community

LIBERTY, NY — Sullivan County TRIAD is conducting a survey titled “Empowering Communities in Sullivan County for Successful Aging.” The survey seeks input from Sullivan County residents, seniors, community groups and all parties interested in the future of senior needs. It will help identify services that would enhance Sullivan County seniors’ ability to age securely in the location of their choosing.

TRIAD will examine the results of the survey, as well as comments during open forums held around Sullivan County, to develop new services to create livable communities. The survey will be conducted until Friday, July 30.

You can take the survey online at blogs.cce.cornell.edu/sullivan/ on the Caregiver Resource Center page (look under the “Welcome to the Caregiver Resource Center” sub-category) and clicking on the survey link at the bottom of the page. Surveys may also be picked up at Cornell Cooperative Extension on Ferndale Road, the Liberty public library or the office for the aging in Monticello. Completed surveys may be left at those locations or mailed to Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, Caregiver Resource Center, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty, NY 12754.