UDC Announces Honorees for 33rd Annual River Valley Awards

BEACH LAKE, PA – The Upper Delaware Council, Inc. (UDC) will honor those who have enhanced the quality of life or protected the resources of the Upper Delaware River Valley at its 33rd Annual Awards Ceremony on Sunday, September 12.

The public banquet will take place at Central House Family Resort, located at 81 Milanville Road in Beach Lake, PA. A reception with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar begins at 3 p.m. The buffet dinner featuring Prime Rib, Chicken Marsala, and Shrimp Scampi with Penne Pasta is set for 4 p.m. Tickets are $30 and must be reserved by September 3rd.

New York State Senator Mike Martucci (42nd District) will serve as the keynote speaker. For a full list of award recipients, together with reservation instructions, visit www.upperdelawarecouncil.org. 

IPCC report shows climate change widespread, rapid and intensifying

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Scientists are observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system, according to the latest Intergovernmental  Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, released on August 9.  

Many of the changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, and some of the changes already set in motion—such as continued sea-level rise—are irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years. However, strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases would limit climate change. While benefits for air quality would come quickly, it could take 20-30 years to see global temperatures stabilize, according to the IPCC Working Group I report, Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis, approved on August 6 by 195 member governments of the IPCC. 

To read the report, or for more information, visit www.ipcc.ch. 

PA game commission expands CWD regulations

HARRISBURG, PA - The PA State Game Commission recently expanded regulations prohibiting the movement of high-risk carcass parts from deer, elk and other cervids to control the potential spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). These changes will impact hunters going out of state this fall or hunting within Disease Management Area (DMA) 2.

There are two changes.

First, hunters are prohibited from importing high-risk parts or materials from cervids harvested, taken or killed in any state or country outside Pennsylvania. In years past, the prohibition applied only to those parts from animals taken in states and provinces known to have CWD.

Second, hunters are prohibited from moving high-risk parts outside of the Established Area (EA), which is a subsection of DMA 2. That includes even into the surrounding DMA.

Both changes also apply to deer killed in vehicle collisions that are picked up for consumption.

High-risk parts include the head (including brain, tonsils, eyes and any lymph nodes); spinal cord/backbone; spleen; skull plate with attached antlers if visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; cape, if visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; upper canine teeth if root structure or other soft tissue is present; any object or article containing visible brain or spinal cord tissue; unfinished taxidermy mounts; and brain-tanned hides.

For more information, visit the game commission's website.

80 percent of Pennsylvania’s 18 and older population have received first dose of Covid-19 vaccine

Governor Tom Wolf announced on August 16 that 80 percent of Pennsylvania’s 18 and older population have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination. Pennsylvania ranks 9th for first doses administered and 5th for total doses administered among all 50 states.

“Today’s vaccination milestone is a reminder that Pennsylvanians are committed to the health and safety of themselves and their neighbors. Thank you to every Pennsylvanian who helped make it happen. I couldn’t be prouder,” said Gov. Wolf. “The pandemic has been unpredictable and unsettling throughout the last 18 months, but Pennsylvania has remained steadfast in our vaccination efforts. As COVID-19 variants spread throughout the country, it is vitally important that partially vaccinated individuals receive their second dose and individuals who haven’t been vaccinated get the vaccine today.”

To date, 64.3 percent of the 18 and older population are fully vaccinated.

Sullivan County issues road work alert

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County issued a road work alert on Thursday, August 12, stating that:

• County Route 183 (Airport Road) paving has been completed; shoulders should be finished Friday, August 13
• County Route 163 (Yankee Lake Road) mill & fill repairs to begin in Westbrookville (off US 209) on Monday, August 16; paving will continue for several days
• County Routes 162 & 166 (Mount Prosper Road) in Yankee Lake will be next (potentially the week of August 23)

Detour announced for Kimbles Bridge

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Commissioners announced Monday, August 16 that there will be a long-term detour at the Kimbles Bridge as it undergoes significant repairs.

Traffic utilizing Kimbles Road as a connector between US Route 6 and PA 590 may utilize:

Tow Path Rd to PA 590 (1.5 miles) + PA 590 to US Route 6 (3.4 miles) + US Route 6 to Kimbles Road (4.8 miles) = 9.7 miles

Or,

Tow Path Road to Rowland, PA (8.4 miles) + Rowland Road to Greely Road (4.5 miles) + Greeley Lake Road to US Route 6 (1.7 miles) + US Route 6 to Kimbles Road (6.7 miles) = 21.3 miles.