ECS reports COVID exposure

ELDRED, NY — News was received on October 22 that an Eldred Central School elementary student tested positive for COVID-19. In a prudent course of action according to superintendent Dr. John Morgano, both MacKenzie elementary and the high school were closed on Friday, October 23 and Monday, October 26.

The high school reopened for students on October 27; the elementary school will reopen on Wednesday, November 4. Until that time, all students will have remote learning.

Through contact tracing, 10 people, including several teachers, are quarantining.

Potential COVID-19 exposure in Liberty

LIBERTY, NY — Sullivan County Public Health Services is alerting anyone who visited Autozone Auto Parts, located at 1985 State Rte. 52, on October 17 between 12 noon and 9 p.m., or October 18 between 12 noon and 9 p.m. They may have been exposed to an employee who tested positive and worked during the infectious period on these dates.

“Although we believe that the employees wore masks routinely, many customers may not have been doing the same,” said public health director Nancy McGraw. “If someone thinks they have been exposed and develops symptoms, they should self-quarantine for 14 days and call their health care provider if symptoms develop, or call Sullivan County Public Health Services at 845/292-5910.”

As of October 26, there were 82 active COVID cases.

PA county commissioners request patience on Election Day

PENNSYLVANIA — County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Executive Director Lisa Schaefer is calling for patience when election officials begin tallying millions of votes on November 3:

“Counties in Pennsylvania today are now pleading with voters, candidates and the media to be patient regarding the timeline for completion of election results, because state law continues to only allow counties to begin pre-canvassing starting at 7 a.m. on Election Day. That time-consuming process involves verifying the voter’s information, opening two envelopes for every ballot and preparing the ballots to be scanned—all while administering an in-person election on the same day,” she said, “Your vote will count—it just may take a little longer than we all would have liked.”

Gunther calls on Cuomo to rethink broadband

MONTICELLO, NY — Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (NYS-100) has sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo urging him to reevaluate broadband access across the state:

“We urgently need to reevaluate where our state stands in terms of broadband internet access… The pandemic has had a huge impact on all of us and has truly exposed the need for all New Yorkers to have access to reliable broadband internet service. My office has received hundreds of calls from constituents throughout Sullivan and Orange Counties in desperate need of fast and reliable internet services to help them work from home and educate their children. It is 2020, internet access is not a luxury—it is a necessity. We all need to work together to ensure that all New Yorkers have access.” 

Pike County Correctional Facility receives recidivism reduction award 

PIKE COUNTY, PA — The Pike County Correctional Facility (PCCF) has received the best practices award in the small jail category of the 2020 Criminal Justice System for the 21st Century Best Practices Awards in recognition of its Model Recidivism Reduction Programs. 

Beginning in 2002, PCCF proactively developed and implemented a suite of offender programs, which have been successfully providing tools for personal betterment, preparation for release and rehabilitation.

“Under the leadership of Warden Lowe and Assistant Wardens Robert McLaughlin and Jonathan Romance, the team at PCCF works hard every day to maintain a disciplined and safe correctional environment while providing offenders with tools for societal success upon release,” said the Pike County Commissioners.

WJFF Radio Catskill names new general manager

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — WJFF Radio Catskill’s Board of Trustees has named Tim Bruno the station’s new general manager. Bruno had served as interim general manager since September, and as assistant general manager since early this year.

During Bruno’s short tenure as a WJFF employee, he has worked with program director Jason Dole to expand the station’s local public affairs programming, with a robust schedule of community interviews and public service announcements, to help local residents grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bruno plans to build on this success by further expanding local news coverage. His top priority, though, is to complete the station’s move to a new, state-of-the-art facility in the town of Liberty, NY. 

Care center welcomes new administrator

LIBERTY, NY— Sullivan County Division of Health & Family Services Commissioner Stephanie Brown is pleased to introduce Burt Kohn as the new Administrator of the Care Center at Sunset Lake. An experienced nursing home administrator, he started on October 26.

“A seasoned leader, Mr. Kohn brings with him many years of administrative service in hospital-based, corporate and privately-owned nursing homes, overseeing facilities with more than 200 staff during that time,” Brown stated. “I welcome his professional and capable leadership.”

Wayne County conducts saturation control

WAYNE COUNTY, PA — Members of the Wayne County Drug Task Force conducted a “saturation patrol” throughout the county on October 21 from 2 to 10 p.m. A total of 21 officers from the Waymart Borough Police Department, Honesdale Borough Police Department, Hawley Borough Police Department, Lehigh Township Police Department, Wayne County Sheriffs, Wayne County Adult Probation and Wayne County Detectives participated.

Officers conducted a total of 69 traffic stops which resulted in numerous traffic citations being issued. Six of the stops resulted in arrests for DUI and drug-related offenses.