Farmers' markets receive funding, brush burn ban, and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region March 16 through 22

Posted 3/14/23

Don’t burn your brush

ALBANY, NY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) commissioner Basil Seggos announced the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential …

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Farmers' markets receive funding, brush burn ban, and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region March 16 through 22

Posted

Don’t burn your brush

ALBANY, NY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) commissioner Basil Seggos announced the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins Thursday, March 16 and runs through Sunday, May 14. Since 2009, the DEC has enforced the annual brush-burning ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires.

Adams announces committee assignments

HARRISBURG, PA — Rep. Joe Adams (R-Pike/Wayne) has announced his assignment to the finance committee, the game and fisheries committee and the local government committees for the 2023-24 legislative session. “I look forward to getting to work on my committees,” Adams said. “They determine the legislation that will ultimately come to the floor of the House, where my fellow lawmakers and I can determine how to better assist all Pennsylvanians.”

New child-support debit card

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County residents using a New York State-issued debit card to receive child-support payments will soon need to transfer to a new debit card. On Thursday, March 30, deposits to the existing card will stop, and the new Way2Go Card will begin accepting deposits the next day, according to Sullivan County child-support enforcement coordinator Laura McKay.

Transfers of funds between the cards will not be allowed.

“I encourage everyone to activate their new Way2Go Card as soon as they receive it in the mail, which should be between March 23 and 30,” said McKay. “If you have questions or are concerned that we may not have your current mailing address on file, please call the New York Child Support Helpline at 888/208-4485 or leave a message on our new secure message line of 845/807-0346.”

Wayne County receives home-repair funding

HARRISBURG, NY — Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that Lackawanna and Wayne counties received over $2 million through the Whole-Home Repairs Program, the first counties to receive funding through the program. During his budget address, Shapiro announced that he had instructed the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to get the money out to counties as quickly as possible. On March 10, DCED transferred $330,819 to Wayne County and $2,128,437 to Lackawanna County. 

The Whole-Home Repairs Program provides funding for countywide agencies to address habitability and safety concerns, fund measures to improve energy or water efficiency, and make units accessible for individuals with disabilities. The program also provides funding to counties for construction-related workforce development.

Oberacker calls for increased state funding for roadwork

ALBANY, NY — State Sen. Peter Oberacker (R/C – Schenevus) on March 8 joined with legislators and highway superintendents from across the state at the Capitol, calling for increased state funding for local highway improvements.

It was part of Local Roads are Essential, a campaign sponsored by the New York State Association of County Highway Superintendents and the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways. The lawmakers and highway superintendents called on New York to strengthen support for local transportation by increasing the base funding level for CHIPS by $200 million to a total of $738 million, increasing Extreme Winter Recovery funding by $70 million to $170 million, increasing the CHIPS bidding threshold from $350,000 to $750,000, and restoring the Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund to a dedicated, pay-as-you-go funding source for critical transportation repairs and capital projects.

Brown forms senate mental health caucus

HARRISBURG, NY — Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-40) invited colleagues to join her newly-formed Senate Mental Health Caucus to bring awareness to mental health issues in Pennsylvania. “Ensuring the health and mental well-being of Pennsylvanians is a responsibility that I take seriously,” Brown said. “The Senate Mental Health Caucus is an opportunity to offer support for our communities while working with advocates to bring awareness to mental health issues.” The caucus will provide opportunities for legislators to address mental health policies, regulations and legislation, while also monitoring the impacts of mental health legislative measures.

Pike County fishing derby announced

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Commissioners announced that the 25th annual Fishing Derby has been scheduled for Saturday, April 15, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon, at Lily Pond, off Route 6 on Schocopee Road. Children aged 16 and under are welcome to participate. Prizes will be awarded to the largest trout caught within each age group. This year’s prizes include fishing poles, rods, reel kits and various fishing accessories. Random drawing prizes will also be awarded throughout the event. There is no fee to participate. Each child must have their own registration form completed and signed by a parent or guardian. Registration can be completed online at www.pikepa.org/fishingderby or in person at the derby.

Funding awarded to Sullivan farmers’ markets

ALBANY, NY — New York State agriculture commissioner Richard Ball announced that $700,000 has been awarded to 11 farmers’ market organizations across the state through the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program. Funding was awarded for the organizations to strengthen their markets and make local food more available to consumers by establishing online sales, improving infrastructure and expanding marketing and outreach efforts. The awarded recipients include Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County, for the Sullivan Catskills Farmers’ Markets. 

new york, pennsylvania, department of environmental conservation, burn ban, joe adams, committee assignments, child-support, debit card, sullivan county, home repair, funding, oberacker, roadwork, senate, mental health, rosemary brown, pike county, fishing derby, farmers markets,

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