Local News

CRESCO, PA (May 6, 2020) – As a result of declining enrollment and other serious challenges, the Diocese of Scranton announced today that Monsignor McHugh School will close, effective at the end of the current academic year on June 30, 2020.

Students, families, administrators, educators and pastors from the Monroe County school community have all been notified of the closure.

MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:
Sharon S. Laverdure,Chairman John R. Moyer, Vice-Chairman John D. Christy, Commissioner

Chief Clerk/Administrator:
Greg Christine

SOLICITOR: John B. Dunn

Public Notice MONROE COUNTY HAS BEEN AWARDED FEDERAL FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)/FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY UNDER THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM. Monroe County will receive $95,543 for Phase 37 (FY 2019 annual funding) and $136,217 CARES (FY 2020 COVID-19 supplemental funds) jurisdictional allocations to be administered concurrently was announced on Friday, May 1, 2020. The allocation made by a National Board, chaired by the US Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, consists of a representative from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide. The Monroe County jurisdiction will create a Local Board and develop a plan to supplement organizations providing food, shelter, and supportive service, including, but not limited to: food services, lodging in a mass shelter or hotel vouchers, one-month rent or mortgage assistance, utility assistance, supplies or small equipment for mass feeding or sheltering not to exceed $300 per item.

Any non-profit, faith-based, or local government agency that provides food and shelter services may apply for funds. To receive funds an agency must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Current or former EFSP participation is not required for participation. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply. Monroe County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with The Salvation Army, Family Promise of Monroe County, Pocono Area Transitional Housing, Monroe County Meals on Wheels, Women’s Resources of Monroe County and Pocono Services for Families and Children. Request for Funding Proposal (RFP) applications for the Phase 37 and CARES allocation will be accepted by the Monroe County Fiscal Affairs Office on or before May 18, 2020. Return proposals in the format described in the Request for Funding Proposal (RFP) packet to the Monroe County Fiscal Affairs Office. No applications accepted after May 18, 2020. Please email Jennifer Strauch This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an application. If you require any special accommodations to obtain or submit a proposal, please provide reasonable notice of your needs to the Monroe County Fiscal Affairs Office, address, and telephone listed below.

Direct all questions, comments, or inquiries to: Monroe County Fiscal Affairs Office Monroe County Administrative Center Monroe County Board of Commissioners One Quaker Plaza Room 204 Stroudsburg, PA 18360 __ 570-517-3190
Greg Christine, Chief Clerk/Administrator

Publish: 05/06/2020

Administrative Center, One Quaker Plaza, Room 201 Stroudsburg, PA 18360  570-517-3102 Fax 570-517-3851

via Jane Bartholomew:

Monroe County

Bushkill Outreach: Lehman Township Community Park, 168 Lehman Park Road, Bushkill. Hours: 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday or by appointment. Serves residents of Lehman and Middle Smithfield townships (Pike and Monroe counties). Federal income guidelines apply. Drive-up service only. Information: 570-588-0660 or BushkillOutreach.org.

Christ Episcopal Church: 205 Seventh St., Stroudsburg. Open from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 2. For information and updates: christchurchstroudsburg.net; Facebook at Christ Church Food Pantry; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or 570-421-7481. Download Remind App and text @cecfo to 81010 for updates as well.

Looking to starting your own flock of backyard chickens? We can help with obtaining chicks, coops (we'll help design & build), supplies and can help answer questions...

Is there a fee for your services?
If you only have basic questions about raising chickens, we will do our best to help for free. 
We charge an hourly fee for any hands-on services:  Building the coop, getting supplies, helping... Each situation is different.

Sustainable Source for Chicks (Egg-layers, straight run)
Our LOCAL network of fertile hens can currently incubate over 600 eggs at a time.  Please let us know if you you want to be added to the waiting list for chicks.  (It takes 21 days for them to hatch)

Coop Materials:
Options vary - we can order regular 2x4 material, 3/4" plywood, standard metal roofing, and custom-build a coop using new materials.  We also have sources for locally sawmilled, rough cut, live edge type lumber of varying species.  Coops can also be made from recycled materials like wooden pallets.

Read More:
https://www.poconoservices.com/backyard-chickens

Edit 4/22/20:

Are backyard chickens allowed in Barrett?

Attached is information pertaining to the Zoning Use H-8, Keeping of Livestock which pertains to chickens.

MX-M266N_20200422_084204.pdf

Original Title: "Monroe County EMS Company Worried It May Run Out Of Money Before Pandemic Is Over"

MONROE COUNTY, Pa. - Like many non-profits during the coronavirus, Pocono Mountain Regional EMS is hurting. 

The first responders serve six communities in Monroe County but say their call volume is down by 25% since the crisis hit, which affects their bottom line.

Visit votesPA.com/ReadyToVote to learn about mail-in voting, new voting systems and how you can get involved. 

Voters can skip the lines on election day with mail-in voting.
Read more about this convenient way to vote: votesPA.com/mailballot 

Dear Pennsylvania Taxpayer,

Please see the below update from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Kathy Boockvar, with an important message about the Pennsylvania primary election.


Dear Fellow Pennsylvanian,

These are unprecedented times, and we hope you and your families are staying safe. We are writing with IMPORTANT news about recent changes to the Pennsylvania primary election related to COVID 19. In order to protect the health and safety of all voters, poll workers, and election officials while also ensuring access to voting, the legislature, Governor Wolf, and the Department of State worked together to pass legislation to reschedule the PA primary election to Tuesday, June 2.

By Amy Leiser, Executive Director
Monroe County Historical Association

The influenza virus has been in existence for thousands of years. Since humans began domesticating livestock and living alongside them, the flu has been an illness that has plagued our species. Greek philosopher, Hippocrates, first described flu symptoms 2,400 years ago, but it wasn’t until 1933 that the influenza virus was correctly identified in humans by scientists and researchers Christopher Andrews, Patrick Laidrow, and Wilson Smith.

There have been documented epidemics and pandemics of the influenza virus for hundreds of years, but the Influenza Outbreak of 1918 was the worst on record. During the Spring of 1918, mild cases of the flu were reported across the globe, but by autumn of that year, the flu virus had hit pandemic proportions all over the world. The 1918 flu, also known as The Spanish Flu or La Grippe, killed an estimated 50 million people. By comparison,16 million people died during World War I. Individuals who caught this particular strain of the flu deteriorated quickly; some died within 24 hours of contracting the virus.

Looking out for our customers We’re facing this public health challenge together. Here are some of the things we’re doing to look out for our customers during this coronavirus pandemic.

Delivering on our core mission Our homes, health-care facilities and grocery stores need reliable electricity to keep moving during this crisis. Powering our communities remains our number one responsibility.

Rest assured, throughout this crisis and beyond, we’re working every day to maintain a strong, resilient and reliable power grid. You need us to keep your lights on, and we’re here for you. And we’re doing it safely by limiting direct interaction between our employees and customers and respecting social distancing at all times.

Offering assistance to customers in need

If you can’t pay your bill during this crisis, we will not cut off your electric service. We’ve also waived late payment charges for all customers, effective March 16, 2020.

Beyond that, a variety of payment assistance programs are available if you’re struggling to pay your bill during this time.

• OnTrack offers a lower, fixed monthly bill and debt forgiveness for customers who are income-eligible.
• Operation HELP is a fund supported by our company, employees and customers. It provides grants to help eligible customers pay their heating bills. We’re happy to say that our PPL Foundation recently donated an extra $500,000 to Operation HELP.
• LIHEAP is a federal program that provides cash and crisis grants to eligible customers. It’s open through April 10, so there’s still time to apply.
• Budget billing can smooth out your payments so they’re consistent and predictable throughout the year.
• We may be able to set you up with a payment arrangement to split up past due balances into installments.

Learn more and apply for assistance  

Registered voters can sign up today at VotesPA.com/ApplyMailBallot

For more voting information in the state of Pennsylvania, visit: VotesPA.com

New legislation introduced this month in the Pennsylvania House aims to add fees and limits to how Keystone Staters buy their ammunition.

Pennsylvania House Bill 2344 was referred to the chamber’s Judiciary Committee last week with a dozen sponsors. Filed by state Rep. Tom Murt, R-Montgomery, it would wrap the ammo buying process in layers of Harrisburg red tape.