Castle Point closure averted

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer announced on June 28 that the independent Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission (AIRC) process will not move forward. With formal opposition from members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, the AIRC process could not advance, signifying the end of AIRC and the preservation of Castle Point VA Medical Center.

In March, the AIRC released a set of recommendations for modernizing VA medical facilities, including the closure of Castle Point and the relocation of inpatient medical and urgent care services for the veterans who currently use the facility. Castle Point currently serves over 7,000 veterans within a community of nearly 40,000 veterans in Sullivan, Orange, Dutchess and Ulster counties, and over 52 percent of them are senior citizens. Sullivan County veterans had previously expressed opposition to the move, stating that many veterans rely on county-provided transportation to make their medical appointments and that veterans would have a much harder time accessing services if Castle Point ceased operations.

Supporting military families

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Senate has unanimously advanced Senate Bill 1083, which clarifies that a spouse’s move to follow his or her active-duty spouse will not be considered voluntary if the Department of Labor & Industry determines that continued employment would be impractical or unreasonably difficult. Currently, if an active-duty member of the armed forces is transferred, and if, as a result, his or her spouse is forced to resign their employment, it is possible, under Pennsylvania law, that the resignation would be considered voluntary and they may not qualify for benefits.

“Our existing unemployment compensation law is unfair to military spouses who relinquish their job as part of a transfer to a new duty station,” said Sen. Lisa Baker, prime sponsor of SB 1083.  “Nearly every state provides protection for a spouse caught in this difficult situation.”

Body recovered from Delaware River

STROUDSBURG, PA — The body of Christopher Schofield was recovered on June 25 from the waters of the Delaware River near Kittatinny Point, within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Schofield, 23, of Stroudsburg, was last seen at around 8 p.m. Tuesday evening while attempting to swim across the Delaware River from Prices Landing to the New Jersey shoreline, when he struggled in the current before going under the water. Two other swimmers made it to the shore and were rescued by volunteer crews with Portland Hook and Ladder Company. None of the three swimmers were wearing life jackets.  

The National Park Service reminds everyone to wear properly fitted and fastened life jackets while on or in the river.

Have a say

HONESDALE, PA — This summer, the Wayne County Commissioners and the Planning/GIS Department launches the county’s comprehensive plan update. The Wayne County comprehensive plan, a multi-year process, looks at where things stand at every level. The document, prepared by a pair of local consulting firms, involves studies of everything from population and demographics to economic development and transportation.

Wayne County is seeking participation in the comprehensive plan process through a pair of surveys. County residents can access a survey at surveymonkey.com/r/WayneResidentSurvey, while part-time residents and visitors can access a survey at surveymonkey.com/r/WayneVacationSurvey. Participants can download a printer-friendly version on the Wayne County website, or request a paper copy at their local libraries or senior centers, or from their townships or boroughs. They can also call 570/253-5970, ext. 4060 to request a copy by mail.

Recovery fund grants for Pike County

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County commissioners, along with the Office of Human Services, recently awarded nonprofit recovery fund grants totaling $429,812.69 to 23 local organizations that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funds granted include $25,000 to the Milford Fire Department, for the purpose of replacing SCBA packs to ensure firefighters’ safety on scene; $25,000 to the Pike County Historical Society, to compensate for monies lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and $25,000 for GAIT TRC, so employees can stay current on required skills.

Supreme Court rules against EPA

WASHINGTON, DC — On June 30, the Supreme Court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overstepped its authority in implementing the Clean Power Plan (CPP), which addressed carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants. The EPA had sourced its authority for the CPP from Section 111 of the Clean Air Act; the court concluded that a clearer delegation of authority from Congress was necessary to justify regulatory action as broad as the CPP.

“Make no mistake: today’s decision by the Supreme Court is a major setback in our fight against climate change,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “By limiting the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to protect our environment, the court is taking away some of the best tools we have to address the climate crisis.”

Support for community projects

HARRISBURG, PA — Community and economic development projects across Pike and Wayne counties will receive some assistance from the state in the form of grants totaling more than $1 million. Awarded on a competitive basis, funding was made available through the local share account program, which makes public interest, community improvement and economic development investments.

Funding was provided to such organizations as the Greater Honesdale Partnership, which received $175,000 for Phase II completion of the downtown Honesdale revitalization plan; Milford Borough, which received $71,149 for borough hall renovations; and Westfall Township, which received $100,000 for the Delaware Valley School District central sewer connection project.

Hochul, Zeldin win primaries

ALBANY, NY — Incumbent New York Governor Kathy Hochul and recently-appointed Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado won the Democratic nomination in primaries on June 28, according to reporting from Politico. Lee Zeldin won the Republican nomination for Governor, and Alison Esposito won the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

Correction

The article “Bringing back an old tradition” in the June 30 edition of the River Reporter misspelled Crystal Weston’s name.