RIVER VALLEY — Before we charge ahead to 2024, let’s take a backward glance at some of the news stories that captivated us over the year gone by. If you’ve missed any of these stories, be sure to look them up at riverreporter.com.

PA State Rep. Adams takes the oath of office

JANUARY

Reassessment in Wayne

Wayne County’s completed its tax reassessment—the first one in 18 years—has revealed that property values in the area have risen substantially since 2004. (See “Wayne County: Prop. values up, millage rate down.”)

Cannabis in Highland

After the state rolled out its criteria for the first round of cannabis dispensary licenses, the Town of Highland passed a cannabis law that lays out where a dispensary can or cannot be located, and that does not allow for onsite consumption. (See: “Getting cannabis on the books, Highland does dispensary due diligence.”)

Slanted selection

The Honesdale Borough Council selected Honesdale High School English teacher Eric Cooley to fill a vacant seat for the remainder of the calendar year. “I just hope that we can get to a point where council reflects the people who are in our town too,” said council member James Jennings. “Not a big secret that we are all a bunch of men up here, and it would be great to have women serving.” (See: “In ‘odd,’ ‘slanted,’ process, Honesdale fills council seat.”)

U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-19) stopped at the Cornelius Duggan school in Bethel as part of a tour of his new district.

FEBRUARY

Climate resiliency

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded more than $195,000 to the Nature Conservancy for the acquisition of about 130 acres in Shohola Township slated to become state game lands, and $400,000 to Milford to rehabilitate its downtown West Anne Memorial Park. (See: “Pike: Conservationists pursuing ‘climate resiliency.’”)

White Lake Mansion House redux

The White Lake Mansion House project sought planning board approval to build a resort and spa at the site of the historic building in the Town of Bethel. It would be a public facility with a restaurant, offices, conference rooms and the like for the public’s benefit. (See: “Concerns raised for White Lake Mansion House.”)

Educational retreat

The Bobov Yeshiva Education Retreat, proposed for the former Welmet Camp on Blind Pond Road in the Town of Tusten, would house approximately 150 students from the Bobov Yeshiva in Monsey during the summer. (See: “Beaver Brook and Bobov Yeshiva, Community concerns for an educational retreat.”)

RR photo by Susan Waligunda Wade Rich Watts of Barryville puts the finishing touches on a food pantry that he erected in Eldred just after the …

MARCH

Hamill replaced

James Hamill was removed as president of the Honesdale Borough Council in a 3-2 vote after David Nilsen cited disapproval of Hamill’s leadership style and level of involvement in committees. Hamill had been in the position for just over a year. (See: “Hamill ousted, Augello takes over.”)

Resort sold

The sale of the Catskill Mountains Resort closed, and the Department of Health gave the Yad Yecheskel D’vertsky Foundation a permit to occupy the property as a temporary residence under certain conditions. When owned by William Zaccari, the property had a special use permit to operate as a family resort, restaurant and bar. (See: “Catskill Mountains Resort sold.”)

Former constable sues

Highland constable Marc Anthony filed a lawsuit against supervisor Jeff Haas, town board member Kaitlin Haas, and the town board alleging an improper suspension of the constable force in 2022.

Jennifer Garigliano, New York City Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Water Chief of Staff, presents on the Delaware Aqueduct shutdown …

APRIL

Care center understaffed

A survey found consistent understaffing at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center. Infinite Care, which manages the center, applied to take on its operations, which means that all staff will be employed by Sunset SNF Operation instead of the county. (See: “Needs at the care center.”)

Body cams in Wayne

Wayne County detectives were awarded a grant of $64,170 to purchase of six body-worn cameras, five in-car computer systems and other equipment. The body-worn cameras will be used by county detectives during traffic stops, arrest warrants, search warrant services and other contacts with the public. (See: “Body cameras, in-car computers for Wayne County detectives.”)

Supporting constables

The Town of Bethel authorized $53,734 for the purchase of a new constables’ vehicle and a new hire for the constables’ boat patrol. Constables Nicholas Stackhouse and Marc Anthony crewed the boat. The board agreed to hire Nicholas Field to assist constable Marc Anthony, who is the “head guy” on the boat. (See: “Bethel supports constables, building department.”)

Volunteers work on the Fremont Park’s fire pit.

MAY

Asylum seekers

After a group of about 80 asylum seekers arrived at the Knights Inn in Liberty, Sullivan County declared a state of emergency, saying it could not house them because of a critical lack of housing locally. (See: “Migrants arrive in Sullivan, state of emergency declared.”)

Fentanyl death of a child

An investigation into the death of a 16-month-old exposed friction between Sullivan County’s top two legal offices. The district attorney’s office accused the county attorney of not approving a request to remove children from a hazardous home. (See: “Charges in fentanyl death of child.”)

Infrastructure money

Infrastructure projects in Honesdale for a clean water supply and functioning sewer systems will be funded with $5.4 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. (See: “Honesdale gets $5.4 million.”)

Ned Lang was working out of a small trailer at the site of a devastating afternoon fire that destroyed the former Lenape Arena, and most of Lang …

JUNE

Elder abuse

Rampant reports of elder abuse in Pike County prompted a discussion of efforts that are being taken to stop it. (See: “PA talks tough on elder abuse while local senior struggles.”)

NPS nixes FIMFO

The National Park Service (NPS) determined that the Camp FIMFO resort proposed for the Town of Highland has elements that fundamentally conflict with the guidelines that manage the river corridor. (See: “NPS rejects FIMFO.”)

County attorney on defense

Sullivan County attorney Michael McGuire rejected allegations that his office did not grant a request by Child Protective Services to move a child months before the child died in fatal overdose. (See: “County attorney challenges accusations.”)

The Wayne County Junior Dairy Promoters’ team serves up ice cream sundaes.

JULY

New DA

Wrapping up the Democratic, Conservative and Republican nominations, candidate Brian Conaty was bestowed a clear path to the office of Sullivan County District Attorney. (See: “Conaty wins DA primary.”)

Garnet Health

Garnet Health said financial stresses on during the pandemic have not lessened the hospital’s commitment to serving Sullivan County, particularly bringing in expanded primary care. (See: “Garnet Health:Investing in Sullivan County.”)

Shifting landscape

Things are changing in Honesdale. Local businesses have either sought lower rent prices elsewhere or closed up shop indefinitely. (See: Growing pains: Local business owners weather shifting landscape.)

Ukrainian dancers wowed the audience at the St. Volodymyr UCC festival in Glen Spey.

AUGUST

Hospital layoffs

Wayne Memorial Hospital, the county’s second-largest employer, announced cutbacks of its staff and certain non-core services because of financial challenges.(See: “Wayne Memorial announces layoffs, refocus”)

Sullivan opioid rates

Sullivan County received the designation of High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. The designation provides assistance to law enforcement agencies operating in critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. (See: “The Way Forward. Sullivan has the highest opioid rate in the state. What’s being done?”)

Treatment, not punishment

Wayne County District Attorney A.G. Howell said addressing the heroin and opioid epidemic is a top priority. (See: “‘Treatment sooner than later’ DA talks his approach to curbing drug use.”)

George Varsam rides his 1948 John Deere, one of many restored tractors at Jammin’ in Jeff.

SEPTEMBER

Care center scrutinized

The state reviewed Sullivan County’s adult care center ahead of a planned transition of its operations to a private contractor, Infinite Care. (See: “Sunset Lake scrutinized.”)

Fossil found

The Upper Delaware Council announced the discovery of a fossil rock at the mouth of the Ten Mile River in Tusten determined to be almost 400 million years old. (See: “Ancient history.”)

Hospital expands

Wayne Memorial Hospital took its first step in its expansion into Susquehanna County while taking a step back from its presence in New York State. (See: “Wayne Memorial Hospital eyes first step into Susquehanna County.”)

Horselovers Club members qualified to go to the state competition at the district horse show.

OCTOBER

Family services faulted

A state report faulted the Sullivan County Department of Family Services for failing to address “safety concerns” in the case of Askasha Luvert, who died at one year of age after accidentally ingesting fentanyl. (See “Safety failings found in child’s overdose death.”)

War breaks out

Scott Schulte, the Sullivan County Public Safety Commissioner and a firefighter, went to Israel, near the Gaza border, to help provide emergency services after the Hamas attack of October 7. (See: Middle East war hits home.”)

Housing for victims

Pike County embarked on a partnership with the Greater Pike Community Foundation to provide permanent housing for the victims of domestic violence. (See: “For those beaten out of their homes.”)

Mel Baker celebrates turning 105 with cake at Smith Hill Methodist Church in Honesdale, PA.

NOVEMBER

Election upsets

All seats up for grabs in the Sullivan County Legislature, except for one, flipped to the Democrats, while the Town of Highland elected a new supervisor for the first time in 10 years. (See: “Big changes come to the Sullivan County Legislature” and “Election brings changes to Highland.”)

Cannabis in Bethel

Five cannabis retailers applied to open shops in Bethel, which is looking forward to reaping the benefits of the product’s 4 percent sales tax. (See: “Boom time for Bethel.”)

DV girls win

The Delaware Valley girls soccer team, a group that had been playing together for 14 years, won the state championship against Williamsport in a game that almost went the other way.

The new Landfield Avenue Synagogue menorah, designed by Zac and Barry Shavrick, was lighted for Hanukkah this year. Zac’s metal works can be seen …

DECEMBER

Camp FIMFO

The many public comments submitted about the Camp FIMFO resort proposed for Highland were sent to the town engineer. The company plans to put 145 cabin-sized RV park models on the 233-acre site. (See: “What will Camp FIMFO look like?”)

Tax nixed

After a public outcry, Honesdale officials backed off a plan to impose an earned income tax on people who work in the borough. To pay for urgent and costly repairs to deteriorating infrastructure, the borough council will instead raise property taxes. (See: “Honesdale scraps earned income tax.”)

Mental health crisis addressed

Officials agreed that a stabilization center for people in crisis, whether because of addiction or mental illness, is needed in Sullivan County. Now comes a tougher challenge: finding the money to build one. (See: “Getting urgent care to patients in mental health crisis.”)