SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — A couple of swastikas appeared in public places in Western Sullivan County on August 5. One was painted on the road surface on Fourth Avenue in the Narrowsburg neighborhood known as The Flats. The swastika appeared beside the name “Nick.” Two state troopers were on the scene and said the police would investigate.

Another swastika, along with male genitalia, was painted on the back of a stop sign in the Town of Cochecton at the intersection of Short Cut Road and Devils Road on the same day. The sign was removed later that day.

“Seeing two swastikas spray painted in our small communities yesterday was chilling. The climate of hate is growing at an alarming rate. Forty-five [President Trump] is pitting us all against each other,” said Tusten council member Brandi Merolla in a statement. “We are a melting pot and no one is replacing anyone. Uniting us, not dividing us, is his sworn duty, and I fear our democracy is in peril.”

Man announces congressional run

NEW YORK 19th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, NY — A man named Mike Roth announced his candidacy for the New York 19th Congressional seat in a Facebook post on August 3. The seat is currently held by first-term Democrat Antonio Delgado. Roth’s Facebook page was unavailable as of August 5.

In the post Roth says “I’m announcing my candidacy for the 19th Congressional District in Upstate NY because Our country and Our district are in a perilous state of affairs. Democrats are trying to destroy our Republic by any means necessary. From attempted treason, in order to overthrow legally elected President Trump, to flooding our country with illegal immigrants, Democrats are creating chaos where legal system is used to delay, stop or reverse actions of our President. Our society is collapsing in front of our eyes where a few elected representatives, who hate our country, are running the whole Democrats’ Party toward Socialism, where ALL citizens will be at mercy of the totalitarian government.”

At the top of the list of the goals of his platform is to “Work on creating a separate state for Upstate region, or separate regions, from NYC, whichever comes first.” Also listed as a priority, “Make use of words ‘White Privilege’ is (sic) equal to a hate crime, punishable under federal statute.”
Also, “All monuments created or built in the past 200 years must be designated as historic places and restore (sic) to their original state to preserve our History.”

More prison staff hospitalized

CANAAN TOWNSHIP, PA — Two Bureau of Prisons staff members were hospitalized after coming into contact with an “unauthorized substance” at United States Penitentiary (USP) Canaan. They have since been treated and released.

USP Canaan has temporarily suspended inmate visitation and has been placed on modified operations. The prison is conducting an internal investigation regarding the incident.

A similar situation happened just weeks ago at USP Canaan, when five corrections officers were hospitalized after coming into contact with an unauthorized narcotic substance found in inmates’ possessions during a search. It has been reported that the substance came into the prison through the mail. Congressman Matt Cartwright visited the officers and posted on his Facebook page, “We must digitize the penitentiary mail system to avoid these incidents.”

Baker lauds parolee investigation

HARRISBURG, PA — In response to reports of murders committed by Pennsylvania parolees over the last few weeks, and discussions with corrections secretary John Wetzel, Sen. Lisa Baker issued a letter to Wetzel.

“This regrettable set of tragedies has set off alarms about the system across the state. The quick succession of murders necessitates an inquiry that is thorough, candid, and trustworthy in every respect.” The letter said, “The investigation you described should yield crucial information about how the system works in practice, any detectable flaws or misjudgments in the process and prospective remedies. Over the last several years, efforts to reform and realign our criminal justice laws and policies have been bipartisan and bicameral. It is my intention to approach this latest difficulty in the same manner.”