Local News

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.

With the thaw out of spring comes the growth of potholes on Pennsylvania’s roads. To help combat potholes and prevent them from becoming a danger to vehicles and drivers on the road, PennDOT is encouraging motorists to report the potholes they encounter.

Report potholes by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD or by clicking here to file a report online.

Membership Makes a Difference

Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services (PMREMS), a nonprofit organization, would like to first thank you for last year’s support. Your membership and donations truly make a difference. Last year, PMREMS responded to over 6500 emergency calls showing an increasing need for our services. As call volume increases, so do operating costs which include building and vehicle maintenance, equipment purchases, and training classes for our medical professionals. To help offset these costs and continue to give the quality of care you deserve, we turn to our community for help.

On Sunday, Worthington State Forest in New Jersey went up in flames. Worthington State Forest is on the “Jersey side” of the Delaware Water Gap and is home to Mount Tammany, where the brush fire claimed more than 80 acres overnight.

The cause of the brush fire, which started in the afternoon, has not yet been determined as of Tuesday. The New Jersey Herald reported that the fire was fueled by leaf litter and “dead and down fuel,” and dead hardwoods, which were killed by gypsy moth caterpillars. Officials cited that the mountain side is typically covered by at least two feet of snow this time of year.

In Pennsylvania, our wildfire season begins in March and lasts until May, before the risk rises again in the fall.

Important Notice: 
Based on the Davey inspection, tree crews contracted by PPL will be in your area in the near future to perform this important work at no cost to you.