Pike County to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial

MILFORD, PA — On July 4, 2026, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding. Through the bipartisan efforts of the legislature and the governor, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has created the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA), consisting of current and past leaders of Pennsylvania, private citizens and industry leaders. At its full complement, the commission will have one representative from each county serving on its county advisory committee. Pike County passed its America250PA resolution and created a commission at the March 16 commissioners meeting. Residents interested in joining the commission can contact Pike County advisory committee member Shannon DeVuyst at sdevuyst@pikepa.org or 570/296-9826.

Monticello students charged with illegal sales of cannabis edibles

MONTICELLO, NY — On Tuesday, March 15 at 1:57 p.m., members of the Village of Monticello Police responded to a 911 report of a female student who had possibly overdosed on an unknown substance. Upon the arrival of the school resource officer, it was learned that two additional female students were exhibiting similar symptoms. All three students were transported to Garnet Catskill Health Center in Harris by Mobilemedic EMS for medical evaluations.

An investigation by Monticello police in full cooperation with the Monticello Central School District administration showed that illegal sales of cannabis edibles (cookies) had taken place at the high school campus and the three female students had been adversely affected after ingesting the edibles. The department arrested three male juvenile Monticello High School students on drug-related charges. The district has been in contact with the impacted families and is providing support and resources to these families as necessary.

Work resumes on Kayden’s Law

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania could soon receive $25 million in federal funding to keep children safe through the passage of Senate Bill 78, also known as Kayden’s Law. Last week, Congress passed the 2022 Reauthorization of Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA), which makes $25 million in new federal grants available to states that modernize and reform their child custody laws.

“We applaud Congress for funding state efforts to reform their child custody laws,” said Sens. Lisa Baker (R-20) and Steve Santarsiero (D-10).  “We were proud to see our bill pass the state Senate and hope Pennsylvania can soon take advantage of this new federal funding to protect children.”

Kayden’s Law, which would help protect children by making their safety and welfare the principle focus in any custody dispute, passed the Pennsylvania Senate earlier this session and is being considered by the House Judiciary Committee. For more information, visit bit.ly/RR-kaydens-law.

Mortgage assistance for homeowners

MILFORD, PA — Pike County is partnering with Family Promise of Monroe County to help homeowners in Pike County who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $3,000 in mortgage assistance. For more information or to apply, contact Katie Blake at 570/877-9277 or go to PikeForward.com.

Time for spring cleaning

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County’s annual Roadside and Trail Litterpluck is set for April 1 through June 30. By resolution of the county legislature, the disposal fee will be waived during that time for roadside and public-trail litter. Residents who wish to participate may pick up their free disposal coupons and program guidelines at their town or village hall, county-operated transfer station or the Sullivan County Parks, Recreation and Beautification Department in the county government center. For more information about the Litterpluck, call 845/807-0287 or email scparks@sullivanny.org.

Massey, Jenkins, Solomon take Village of Monticello elections

MONTICELLO, NY — Elections were held in the Village of Monticello on March 15 for two village trustee positions and one village justice position, each for a four-year term. Rochelle Massey and Gordon Jenkins won the trustee seats with 513 and 502 votes respectively, running on the Democrat and the G-Men lines. They beat out Charles Sabatino and Michael Greco, who earned 182 and 198 votes respectively, running on the Republican and People’s Choice party lines. While Massey and Jenkins ran on the Democrat line, having won the party’s primary on January 25, the Sullivan County Democratic Committee endorsed their opponents in the race.

Douglas Solomon won the village justice position with 392 votes, running on the Democrat and People’s Choice party lines; Gary Sommers earned 240 votes running on the Republican line for the position.

‘Pick Up Pennsylvania’

PENNSYLVANIA – Join the momentum in cleaning up PA roads by sponsoring a pickup campaign.

Volunteering is easy. People can organize their own local event and register it at Pick Up Pennsylvania, or can sign up to participate in an already registered event. So far, 290 events are registered, with an estimated 21,000 volunteers.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful coordinates the statewide Pick Up Pennsylvania campaign each spring and fall. Gloves, trash bags and safety vests are provided by PennDOT and DEP. In addition, DEP and the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association sponsor no- or low-cost trash disposal for registered events at participating landfills for the month of April.

“Clean green spaces and waterways factor into our physical and mental health and enable the function of the ecosystem we depend on. They foster thriving communities that attract investment and support our recreation, tourism and shopping economies. As the weather warms and we move outdoors, we benefit ourselves and our families by dedicating a morning or afternoon to Pick Up Pennsylvania,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

McAteer & Will vandalized again

MILFORD, PA — The moving van that McAteer & Will Real Estate lends to its clients was vandalized as it was parked at Key Foods sometime on March 12. A tire was slashed and swatikas were painted on the images of the real estate team. According to Lisa McAteer in a video on Facebook, one perpetrator was caught on camera and a $5,000 reward has been issued for any information that would lead to additional arrests. Anyone with information is asked to call the Pennsylvania State Police at 570/226-5718 or McAteer at 973/903-6936.

Route 209 closed for now

BUSHKILL, PA — A section of Route 209 between Raymondskill Road and Route 739 has been closed due to erosion that had caused the road to become unstable. The road is expected to be opened for single-lane travel as soon as traffic signals are located and installed.

Correction

In the article “Book-banning brouhaha at DV,” in the March 17 edition of the River Reporter, Matthew Contreras was incorrectly identified as an elected Inspector of Elections. He works as a poll watcher. Additionally, Contreras called school teachers out for “gestapo-like” mask enforcement at the November 18, 2021 Delaware Valley School District meeting, not school board members.