Local News

Attention! The Barrett Township Supervisors are looking for artists, graphic designers or anyone that may be interested in submitting a new logo design for Barrett Township!  The logo will be used on the township's website, social media, newsletter, forms, vehicles, and more.  

Monroe County is starting work on a Price Township bridge, as well as two in Polk Township.

The bridge is over the Brodhead Creek on Clark Road (Township Road 533) near the intersection with Route 447.

Robert Gress, chief clerk for the county, said the bridge was built in 1956 and needs a steel I-beam replaced, wing wall work off the shoulder, and other structural repairs.

“We don’t want to close the bridge,” Gress said. “That isn’t an option.”

Gress said closing the bridge would cause a long detour. If limited access is needed during the work, then an announcement will be made.

The repairs were recommended by the county’s bridge engineer Borton-Lawson in Wilkes-Barre, a Verdantas Co. The Monroe County commissioners awarded the contract to Rylind Construction of Muncy, Pennsylvania at their meeting on Wednesday. The work will consist of repairs to this bridge, as well as a second bridge also over Brodhead Creek but in Barrett Township. It is located on Spruce Cabin Road (Township Road 606).

If a spouse dies in a suspicious car accident after a person is murdered, the procedure involves immediate police notification, scene preservation, evidence collection, autopsy, a thorough investigation including a negative investigation to determine the cause of death and any potential criminal involvement.

This investigation was never done, therefore; we demand our Mom’s highly suspicious car accident be investigated as a homicide as the police do nothing and will not investigate it because they are afraid of the people involved.

Madeleine’s Story:  On February 21, 1973 our Mom, Madeleine Leonard, called us, Debbie and Lori Leonard, at 10 pm after finishing a waitressing shift at the Top Hat Rotary Dinner in Mountainhome, PA to tell us she “had a tip on our Dad’s murder (John W. Leonard, Sr., September 8, 1970) and was going to Mount Pocono to check it out.” We begged her not to go alone but she said she “would be alright and would be home shortly.”

That was the last time we talked to our Mom and we, the five Leonard Children became orphans and began taking care of ourselves, as we had no other choice.

PARADISE TWP., Pa. - On Wednesday night, the Pocono Mountain school board voted to participate in a public hearing with the township regarding a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement (LERTA) ordinance.

At its last meeting in January, the board heard a request from the Pocono Mountain Economic Development Corp. and Pocono Township that the Pocono Mountain School District agree to participate in a public hearing on the LERTA ordinance, followed by the adoption of a resolution to participate. 

Michelle Bisbing of Pocono Mountain Economic Development Corp. attended the Wednesday night meeting with Jerrod Belvin, Pocono Township manager, to provide an update on the program and to answer any questions regarding the request to the Pocono Mountain School District. 

Recently appointed Township Supervisor - Grover Cleveland - recently interviewed by Associated Press.

Barrett Township has officially appointed Grover Cleveland as the newest Township Supervisor following the resignation of long-time Supervisor John Seese. This decision was made during a recent township meeting, as the Board of Supervisors moved swiftly to fill the vacant position within the required 30-day period.

Cleveland will serve in this role through the end of 2025, with a new election scheduled for November to determine the Supervisor for the 2026 term and beyond.

Residents are encouraged to attend upcoming township meetings to stay informed and engaged in local governance. For further updates, stay tuned to BarrettCommunity.com.

My Wesleyan Methodist family was loving and supportive, even as I rejected the church as a teenager. I had a profound religious experience the summer before college. While at college, I discovered one could have a strong faith and pursue serious intellectual questions. I was challenged to read the Sermon on the Mount in a new way.

In 1969 I became a draft resister. A friend and spiritual mentor suggested I attend a gathering of evangelical writers and leaders at Buck Hill Falls, Pa. There I met several young Mennonite leaders, including Art Smoker, Walt Hackman and Roy Yoder. We quickly bonded. I was delighted to learn about Anabaptism as a faith tradition.

Barrett Township recently held its annual reorganization meetings, bringing several key updates to the township's leadership and operations. Here’s a summary of the changes and updates impacting the community:

Roadmaster Retirement and Transition

Long-time Roadmaster John Seese officially retired from his position in October 2024. In addition, Seese resigned from his role as Township Supervisor on January 6, 2025. Following these transitions, Jim Seese has been appointed as the new Roadmaster to lead the township's road maintenance and infrastructure projects moving forward. His experience and commitment to the community will be vital as he steps into this role.

To my Awesome Community:

Grief and gratitude are kindred spirit.

There are no words that can express my gratefulness to this caring community who displayed an incredible amount of support,prayers and love during our time of grate loss of our son Akili.

From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

Recent discussions among Barrett Township residents have brought attention to the township's decision to outsource zoning enforcement to LV Codes, a Lehigh Valley-based company. Concerns are mounting over the company's compensation structure, alleged aggressive tactics, and the financial impact on the township.

BARRETT TOWNSHIP, MONROE CO. (WOLF) — Pennsylvania State Police are asking the public for help in solving the 1970 cold case homicide of a man in Monroe County.

On Sept. 8, 1970, at around 3:45 p.m., the body of John William Leonard Sr. was found in his taxi cab on the grounds of Buck Hill Falls Lodge, Buck Hill Falls, Barrett Township.

According to state police:

Leonard’s black 1966 Plymouth sedan was discovered approximately 150 feet south of the main entrance to the lodge in a slightly secluded area. Leonard was pronounced dead at the scene with the cause of death being multiple gunshot wounds.

What started out as a small effort to help people hit by Hurricane Helene now fills a closet at the Barrett Township Community Center.

Andrea Hermes of Paradise Township is spearheading an organization called, Mountain Strong Poconos to bring much needed supplies to the people of Lansing, North Carolina.

"Right now, people are living in tents on their land because they lost their homes, they have nowhere to go, no resources to go anywhere," said Hermes.