Lev Tahor operatives convicted of kidnapping

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Mordechay Malka and Matityau Malka were convicted in White Plains federal court of kidnapping following a three-week jury trial. The defendants, members of an extremist Jewish sect called Lev Tahor, participated in a scheme to kidnap a 14-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy from their mother in Woodridge in December 2018, and smuggled the children across the U.S. border to Mexico.

After the children were recovered and returned to their mother, the defendants and their co-conspirators tried to kidnap the children a second time in March 2019. Two co-conspirators, Nachman Helbrans and Mayer Rosner, were previously convicted of kidnapping and sexual exploitation charges in connection with this case after an October 2021 trial and have each been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Click here for more information on the case.

Comments sought for Wayne County homeless grant

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County Human Services’ housing department is applying for emergency solutions grant funding in the amount of $168,838. The purpose of this funding is to provide services that will assist the community with street outreach, rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, emergency shelter and services. The grant will also be used for the Homeless Management Information System and administrative costs.  

As of press time, the housing department was to seek approval of the application submission from the Wayne County commissioners.

NYS protects reproductive care

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Senate passed legislation protecting the rights of individuals seeking abortion care or gender-affirming care in the state. The package of legislation includes measures to further protect the identities of those seeking safe and legal reproductive healthcare. New protections for abortion providers include certain legal protections for New York-based abortion service providers.

“Thank you to the bill sponsors and Sen. Cordell Cleare, chair of the Senate Committee on Women’s Issues, for your work to ensure that New York remains a beacon for women’s right to choose and that no person seeking reproductive health care in this state or nation is left in the shadows,” said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

New food pantry and senior center for Pike and Monroe counties

LEHMAN TOWNSHIP, PA — On June 2, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced Lehman Township will receive a $4,324,950 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a rural development investment to finance a new community food pantry and senior center to better serve Monroe and Pike counties. The Bushkill Outreach and Community Center will support the growing needs of the region’s senior population and will include a multipurpose room, a large general storage room, thrift store, office space, a kitchen pantry and food preparation and distribution rooms.

UDC technical assistance grant applications due by August 19

UPPER DELAWARE REGION — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) announces the opening of its fiscal year 2023 technical assistance grants program. Applications from the UDC’s member municipalities will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 19.

Projects that support land use planning, Geographic Information Systems planning, zoning ordinances and revisions, codification of local laws, and updates of comprehensive and master plans are emphasized for solicitation. Grants may also be used to develop local zoning to protect cultural and historical resources; for planning projects related to land use, building and site design plans for the protection of historic resources in the river valley; and for eligible education-oriented projects.

Looking for state grants?

MONTICELLO, NY — The latest round of New York State’s consolidated funding application (CFA) program is open. Local organizations and initiatives could receive significant funding to boost specific projects. This round makes available $150 million in core capital grant and tax-credit funding that can be combined with a wide range of programs from various state agencies. The deadline for many applications is Friday, July 29 at 4 p.m. Open enrollment programs, however, are not subject to the July 29 deadline and will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until funds are exhausted.

“The Sullivan County Division of Planning is available to provide technical support in identifying appropriate CFA funding programs, shaping projects, and assisting with CFA applications,” said planning commissioner Freda Eisenberg. “Feel free to contact our team at planning@sullivanny.us to tell us about your project.”

For more information, contact the Division of Planning at 845/807-0527.

Sen. Mike Martucci will not seek re-election

ALBANY, NY — Sen. Mike Martucci has announced his withdrawal from the race for the NY-42 senate seat, citing the uncertainty of the redistricting process. “Stepping away from this race is a very difficult decision for me, because it has been the honor of a lifetime to serve communities across four counties, and I believe that my team and I have done tremendous work in just two years in office,” he said.

Sullivan stolen sign solved

TOWN OF MAMAKATING, NY — The Roosa Gap State Forest sign is back where it belongs after it was stolen on April 21. Forest Ranger Franke first received the complaint and referred it to Investigator Conway in the Division of Law Enforcement’s Bureau of Environmental Crime Investigations Unit. The sign was stolen from the signpost on Firetower Road in the Town of Mamakating and information obtained from photos posted online led investigators to a residence in the town.

Conway executed a search warrant and found the sign in the subject’s garage. After initially claiming they found the sign on the side of the road, the subject eventually admitted he and a friend had taken it. Conway contacted the second subject, who admitted the theft and bragged he didn’t need a ladder to take it down. Both men are charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. The pair are scheduled to appear in Town of Mamakating Court on Wednesday, June 15.

Special election announced for NY-19

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Hochul issued a proclamation declaring that special elections to fill the vacancies in the 19th and 23rd Congressional Districts will be held on Tuesday, August 23. The special elections will fill the vacancies created by the resignations of Antonio Delgado and Tom Reed. Delgado, who formerly served Sullivan County and others as the representative for the 19th Congressional District, was sworn in as lieutenant governor on  May 25, and will run for re-election in the 2022 gubernatorial election.