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DREHER TOWNSHIP, PA — A storage space at the Newfoundland Area Public Library will become an activity and technology center.
It’s all thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The announcement was made by U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08).
The library will work with local partners in the Newfoundland area, with help from Wayne Tomorrow!, to transform their storage space into a community-centered technology hub. They will install a smartboard, projector, high-powered computers, printers and flexible furniture.
“Our library isn’t entirely equipped to address community needs, especially after COVID hit, so it’s my hope that by transforming our second floor into a community space and technology hub it will address some of those deficiencies,” said Kristina Russo, library director. They plan “to offer telehealth services, career counseling, a meeting space, access to high-powered technology, quality programming for all ages, and so much more.”
Beach Lake, PA — Even though the water’s cold, you still have to wear a life jacket.
The National Park Service reminds everyone out on the Upper Delaware River this fall or winter in a boat, canoe, or kayak that each person, regardless of age is required to wear a Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (life jacket or PFD) during cold-weather months. This regulation is effective immediately through April 30, 2022.
This mandatory cold-weather life jacket regulation was established in 2012 by Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and can save someone’s life during these cold-water boating months. Cold-water shock is a major factor in boating fatalities, when water temperatures are less than 70 degrees. The water does not have to be freezing; cold-water shock often occurs in water temperatures above 50 degrees. Wearing a life jacket in these conditions greatly increases the chance of survival and will save lives through insulation from the cold, buoyancy, and reduced risk of aspiration of water. If you don’t wear a life jacket, your chances of survival in a cold-water immersion are greatly decreased.
If you do plan to be out fishing, boating, duck hunting, or ice fishing on the Upper Delaware River between now and next April here are some cold-water survival safety tips:
Always wear a life jacket, even when not required. Many models also offer insulation from cold air.
Never boat alone.
Leave a float plan and be familiar with the waters you plan to boat.
Bring a fully charged cell phone with you in case of emergency.
Wear clothing that still insulates when wet, such as fleece, polypropylene, or other synthetic materials.
If you are about to fall into cold water, cover your mouth and nose with your hands. This will reduce the likelihood of inhaling water.
While in the water, do not remove your clothing.
If you can’t get out of the water, get into the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP). (See https://www.boatus.org/cold-water-boating/help/.)
Once out of the water, get out of the wet clothes and warm up as soon as possible.
Since 1980, there have been 74 drownings on the Upper Delaware River; however, nobody has ever drowned wearing a properly fitted life jacket. No matter the season, safety on the water is everyone’s responsibility.
For more information, visit the Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/upde.
COVINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — If you are interested in a career as a park ranger or in a similar field, you should consider getting a conservation and natural resource certificate.
A 15-week program, offered at the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center (LCEEC) in Covington Township, offers five undergraduate-level field biology courses.
Courses may be taken individually and the credits are transferable to two- or four-year degree programs.
The curriculum focuses on the conservation and interpretation of the natural environment and includes instruction in subjects such as environmental interpretation, wildlife management, freshwater ecosystems, dendrology and ornithology. Students will experience both classroom and hands-on field training throughout the program.
The dates for the spring session are January 24 to May 13, 2022.
For more information, contact Sharon Yanik-Craig at 570/842-1506 or email yaniks@lackawanna.edu.
Visit https://explore.lackawanna.edu/inquiryform to apply.
MILFORD, PA ― The Pike County commissioners recently launched a new website with more streamlined information about county services, resources and news. This is the first time in about 20 years that the county website has undergone a significant redesign.
The shift to remote access throughout the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the website’s role as a central source of information and services a county spokeswoman wrote. The new website includes functionality such as text or email alerts, a request center for questions or comments, a central source for meeting agendas and minutes, easy access to resources, ADA accessibility features and much more.
The website redesign was supported by American Rescue Plan funds.
To help visitors navigate the new site, video tutorials are available on the county’s YouTube channel, which can be accessed from the top right of the new website at https://www.pikepa.org.
WOODRIDGE, NY — Since 1956, Kiwanis of Woodridge has been helping kids. You might have attended a pancake breakfast or contributed money or supplies to a food drive, winter clothing drive or backpack program.
“You probably know some of our members,” a news release noted. “You’ve seen us in the neighborhood, in school, or at the grocery store.”
Projects are selected after the club gets input from people in the community. Do kids need books? Kiwanis provides them...We believe everyone can serve others – and benefit from serving.”
Members come from the Town of Fallsburg, Liberty and surrounding areas.
They are now looking for new members. “We know life is busy—work, family and other daily demands can interfere with even the best intentions. We also know that more children than ever need what Kiwanis provides.”
Learn more about Kiwanis on their Facebook page, woodridgenykiwanisclub or call 845/434-7023.
JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Jeffersonville Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQB—JFBC) announced third-quarter net income of $1.45 million or $0.34 per share.
Third-quarter earnings in 2020 were $1.296 million or $0.30 per share.
The increase of $157,000 in quarterly net income was primarily attributable to an increase in securities and other interest and dividends of $259,000, decreases in provision for loan losses of $250,000 and in interest expense of $50,000. There were also increases in fee income of $142,000 and service charges of $47,000.
These improvements were partially offset by a decrease in loan interest and fees of $347,000 and increases in total non-interest expense of $87,000 and in tax expense of $54,000.
Year-to-date net income as of September 30 was $4.5 million or $1.06 per share compared to $3.6 million or $0.85 per share for the same period in 2020.
The increase of $896,000 in year-to-date net income compared to 2020 was attributable to a decrease in provision for loan losses of $750,000, an increase in unrealized gains on securities of $557,000, an increase in securities and other interest and dividends of $400,000, an increase in fee income of $327,000, and a decrease in interest expense of $197,000. These improvements were partially offset by a decrease in loan interest and fees of $792,000, an increase in tax expense of $297,000, and an increase in total non-interest expense of $231,000.
“COVID-19 pandemic-related economic stimulus, combined with the inability of consumers to increase spending due to continuing disease outbreaks and supply chain bottlenecks, has led to an industry-wide increase in deposits,” said George W. Kinne Jr., president and CEO of the Jeff Bank.
“Due to the excess cash that has resulted from the rise in deposits, competition for earning assets such as loans and securities has driven down both volume and rates in an already historic low-rate environment, pressuring net interest margins at most financial institutions. On the positive side, the increase in loan losses anticipated by shutdowns and loss of business revenue” has not materialized yet, he said.
“We continue to be optimistic that our focus on our core business, strong capital position, and high levels of liquidity will enable us to take advantage of competitive opportunities as they arise.”
Jeffersonville Bancorp is a one-bank holding company, which owns all the capital stock of Jeff Bank. Jeff Bank maintains full-service branches in Sullivan and Orange counties in New York.
MONTICELLO, NY — The data indicated that Black and Hispanic students in the Monticello Central School District showed a “lack of progress in outcomes.”
The district has been working on change.
Last year, it formed an equity workgroup that identified three priorities: perspectives on family engagement, professional support for anti-racism and equity work and student experiences at school—priorities which, the district says, will be a focus for this school year and beyond.
Tiffany Hall was hired as director of student equity.
“I gravitated towards Monticello because I loved the diversity and the different ways the district has been working to cultivate equity at the schools,” Hall said. “I’m very passionate about equity work and saw there was a need here that fits in with my mission as an educator.”
Part of her remit is to help the district “successfully mee[t] the academic, social and emotional needs of each learner,” according to a recent news release. Hall will be responsible for assessing current practices related to curriculum review, professional development, school climate, social-emotional learning (SEL) and family engagement and implementing change as necessary.
Hall has a master’s degree in education, expertise in curriculum development and has taught in Harlem and the South Bronx. She has two daughters.
BETHEL, NY — Shannon Cilento, former resources and land-use specialist for the Upper Delaware Council, has joined Sullivan Renaissance as the new community development program manager. She will lead the municipal partnership and community impact grant programs, working with municipalities on the care of public spaces, enhance code enforcement and more.
She has a master’s degree in historic preservation and planning.
HONESDALE, PA — Ten thousand more books were donated than in the previous year. Six hundred book-lovers took home 17,000 books.
Numbers don’t lie: not only was the Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support (SEEDS) free book swap a success, but it broke records.
Held earlier this fall at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, the event met its goal of making sure that no books ended up in the landfill.
A total of 30,000 books were donated.
Unadopted books were either brought to the Diamond K paper recycling facility in Scranton or the Wayne County Recycling Center, allowing for 6,000 pounds of paper to be recycled.
“What a fantastic job the volunteers did to make this such a success!” said SEEDS chair Katharine Dodge. “We are so grateful for the lugging, sorting, and stacking. And for the community members who gave homes to so many of them!”
“Only in my wildest dreams would we be able to say that we have kept 125,000 books out of landfills in the past 10 years,” said event coordinator Jenna Mauder.
The book swap is one of the single largest recycling events in the area, and won an Environmental Partnership Award in 2019 from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
For information on the 2022 book swap, visit https://www.freebookswap.wordpress.com or sign up for the monthly SEEDS e-newsletter at https://www.SEEDSgroup.net.
For more information about SEEDS, visit https://www.seedsgroup.net, call 570/245-1256 or email Olga@seedsgroup.net.
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