Pick a path for National Trails Day

WOODRIDGE, NY — Come out and celebrate National Trails Day with the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance on Saturday, June 3 at 9 a.m. on the O&W Rail Trail between Woodridge and Fallsburg. The trail cleanup event will gather and begin at the trailhead at 269 River Rd. Trash bags will be provided to volunteers.

An additional trail cleanup event will be hosted in Liberty by the Liberty Middle School Class of 2027, the National Junior Honor Society, and the Liberty Middle School Wellness Committee, along with other community partners. The Liberty event starts at 10 a.m. at the Bridge & Tunnel Brewery, 50 Lake St. in Liberty.

Interactive parks map debuts

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Planning Division; Sullivan County Office of Parks, Recreation and Beautification; and Sullivan County’s Information Technology Services GIS program has introduced a new parks locator. “Designed by our GIS coordinator, Jennifer Stone, [and] supported by GIS Specialist Alison Heaney, the parks locator is meant to help residents and visitors easily locate parks and other outdoor recreation sites owned [and/or] maintained by the county, local municipalities and New York State,” said parks director Brian Scardefield. 

The parks locator, as well as its companion “Explore our County Parks” project, is currently available at www.sullivanny.us/Departments/GIS. The experience can also be found at www.sullivanny.us/Departments/ParksRecreation.

Hochul calls for expedited work authorization

ALBANY, NY — On May 22, Gov. Kathy Hochul, joined by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, called for expedited work authorization for asylum seekers. “I’m hearing not just in the city, but all over the state, [restaurants] only being able to have shorter hours, reducing the days they’re open, having to only serve half of a dining room instead of the whole dining room, because there are not enough workers here in the State of New York… We have a historic labor shortage. We also have this unprecedented influx of individuals arriving in New York, all of them legally seeking asylum. They’re eager to work… Get them shelter. Get them food. Get them legal services. And then help them get to work.”

Wildland fires in Neversink, Forestburgh

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — On May 16 at 3 p.m., an individual in the Peekamoose Blue Hole area reported seeing a wildfire on “top of a mountain.” Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) forest rangers and multiple fire departments, including Grahamsville and Woodridge, responded and determined the fire was in Neversink. By 6 p.m., fire crews had the fire contained the fire to two acres. On May 18 at 5:20 p.m., the fire was officially declared out.

On May 18 at 3:45 p.m., Sullivan County Dispatch requested DEC forest ranger assistance for a wildland fire on Plank Road in Forestburgh. Rangers and firefighters from Forestburgh, Huguenot, Hurleyville, Kauneonga Lake, Lava, Loch Sheldrake, Monticello, Port Jervis, Rock Hill, Smallwood, South Fallsburg, Sparrowbush, Swan Lake and Woodridge fire departments had the 9.7-acre fire contained by 5:30 p.m. The cause of the fire was debris burning in an empty lot near the Swinging Bridge Reservoir. On May 20 at 4:25 p.m., the fire was declared out.

Now hiring GED and ESL instructors

HONESDALE, PA — Workforce Alliance has partnered with North Hampton Community College to establish in-person GED and ESL classes in Wayne County. The program is seeking part-time instructors. English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education, and GED Preparation experience preferred, but the program will train the right candidate. Day and evening opportunities are available. Visit bit.ly/43jB7Ug for more information. 

Beware of free phone scams

LIBERTY, NY — Sullivan County’s Department of Social Services (DSS) has received reports of free phone and tablet giveaways in the community that might not be sanctioned by a trusted partner organization or government entity. “Folks have been approached by individuals in front of grocery stores and on sidewalks, offering them free electronics. These devices may or may not be safe to use, and we encourage people to let us know anytime they encounter such an offer,” said John Liddle, social services commissioner.

There are legitimately free phones and tablets available via the government and from private sources to those who qualify. Providers such as Q Link Wireless (www.qlinkwireless.com) or the Assurance Program (www.assurancewireless.com) offer legitimate, federally sanctioned products and services at little to no cost, if eligible. A list of discounts on electronics and digital services can be found at the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program’s website, www.fcc.gov/acp.

PA to develop master plan for aging adults

SCRANTON, PA — On May 25, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order directing the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to develop its master plan for older adults—a 10-year roadmap to meet the needs of Pennsylvania’s senior population and improve commonwealth services for older Pennsylvanians. In addition to creating the master plan, the executive order calls for the identification of relevant services to older Pennsylvanians provided by other agencies under the governor’s jurisdiction; for the department to partner with traditionally disadvantaged or underserved communities to understand their specific needs as older Pennsylvanians and where gaps in services may exist; and to establish at the secretary’s discretion a working group to assist in gathering, reviewing and studying data necessary for the master plan.

Public input sought on farm bill

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08) is asking for public input from regional farmers, consumers and all those involved in the agriculture industry as Congress prepares a new farm bill. An online survey portal can be found at the top of Cartwright’s page at cartwright.house.gov. The deadline to fill out the 2023 Farm Bill survey is Friday, June 9.

“As we begin to work on this year’s Farm Bill in Congress, I’m asking farmers and agriculture workers across Northeast Pennsylvania to share their priorities,” Rep. Cartwright said. “We only write a farm bill every five years so it’s important we get it right. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’m committed to working hard for our local farmers and delivering the results they need.”

Lake Superior opening

BETHEL, NY — Lake Superior State Park on Dr. Duggan Road in Bethel will open for picnicking and boat rentals starting Memorial Day Weekend and remain open every weekend through the end of June, when it will commence daily operations through Labor Day. Daily admission to enter the park is $5 per person. Season passes cost $15 per person; visit www.sullivanny.us/Departments/ParksRecreation for more information.