Sullivan County International Airport declared a Superfund site

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County has begun a detailed environmental investigation of contamination at the Sullivan County International Airport site located at 74 County Road 183 A, Swan Lake. Preliminary investigations have determined that per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination exists at the site, associated with past use of Aqueous Film Forming Form during fire training activities on site.

The investigation work plan was submitted to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) under New York’s State Superfund Program. The airport is listed as a Class “2” site in the State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites, representing a significant threat to public health or the environment; action is required. The DEC and the New York State Department of Health will oversee the investigation.

DUI sobriety checkpoints Thanksgiving holiday weekend

DUNMORE, PA — In order to help protect the traveling public from intoxicated drivers, the Pennsylvania State Police of Troop R, Dunmore will be conducting DUI sobriety checkpoints and DUI roving patrols this Thanksgiving weekend, November 24 through 28. Troop R covers the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Lackawanna.

Before drinking and driving, motorists should consider that Pennsylvania’s DUI laws prescribe a legal limit of .08 percent blood alcohol concentration.

Delgado calls for oil reserves release

WASHINGTON, DC — On Wednesday, November 17, Rep. Antonio Delgado (NY-19) called on President Joe Biden to release inventory from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower gas and home heating prices for upstate New Yorkers. Severe market disruptions caused by the pandemic have resulted in price spikes at the gas pump. Upstate communities depend on heating oil, propane, and other gas sources to heat their homes; as they enter the winter months, they need lower prices now, according to a news release.

DEP proposal to set stricter PFAS limits approved

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced on Tuesday, November 16 that the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) approved its proposed rule to set maximum contaminant levels (MCL) of two forms of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to be protective of adverse developmental and immune system effects. The board approved the rulemaking with a vote of 17 to 2.

PFAS are a class of synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s to make water, heat, and stain resistant products such as cookware, carpets, clothing, furniture fabrics, paper packaging for food, and other resistant materials. These chemicals are persistent in the human body and throughout the environment.

Medicare open enrollment period underway

HARRISBURG, PA —The Pennsylvania Department of Aging reminds Medicare beneficiaries that the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period is now underway until December 7 and Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight, PA MEDI, can assist residents with information.

PA MEDI, formerly known as APPRISE, is Pennsylvania’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program. PA MEDI, through the local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), provides unbiased education and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers to assist them in making informed health insurance decisions that optimize cost-savings and access to health care and benefits.

Beneficiaries can visit https://medicare.gov or call 800/MEDICARE to compare plans. Older adults can visit https://aging.pa.gov/Medicare-counseling to find a PA MEDI event for open enrollment or an informational presentation in their area. They can also call the toll-free PA MEDI Helpline at 800/783-7067, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All services are free and confidential.

Heating and utility assistance

ALBANY, NY — On Thursday, November 18, Gov. Kathy Hochul launched a new digital media campaign designed to raise awareness of the various state programs available to help struggling New Yorkers pay heating and utility expenses, available at https://www.ny.gov/helping-new-yorkers-keep-heat. With utility prices expected to spike this season, the campaign will also provide tips and best practices to help contend with higher-than-average home heating costs.

Eligible homeowners and renters may apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which can provide up to $751 depending on income, household size and how they heat their home. A family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,249 or an annual gross income of $62,983 and still qualify for benefit—a modest increase from the previous year’s threshold.

The Sullivan County HEAP Office can be reached at 845/807-0142 or heap@sullivanny.us. The fax number is 845/292-4651.

Celebrating National Rural Health Day

HONESDALE, PA  — The Wayne County Commissioners joined Wayne Memorial Hospital (WMH), Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (CHC), The Wright Center for Community Health (TWC), the Himalayan Institute (HI) and Wayne Tomorrow! in recognizing the innovation, quality of care, and dedication of health and wellness professionals and volunteers in the community during National Rural Health Day 2021.

National Rural Health Day falls on the third Thursday in November each year and recognizes the efforts of those serving the health needs of an estimated 57 million people across the nation. The county commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing the unique and evolving health care needs of rural communities and the role of rural health care providers in meeting those needs, all while celebrating the selfless, creating and community-minded spirit of rural America, a spokesperson wrote.