Local News

We are official! I want to thank the Barrett Township Supervisors for inviting Lansing, NC to be our Sister-Town for continued hurricane relief assistance. Lansing Mayor, Mack Powers, is literally overjoyed that Barrett wants to help out in this desperate time of need. Bob and I will present Mayor Powers with the certificate on behalf of the supervisors, and all of you, as we explain how this community instantly came together in support of Lansing. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts Please see our Mountain Strong Poconos FB page for MORE BIG NEWS!

Rowland Matthews, of Dreher Township, Wayne County, struck a utility pole on Route 191 about one mile south of Pocono Plateau Road in Cresco, Monroe County, the coroner's office said.

Canadensis, once a bustling village at the intersection of Route 447 and Route 390, has faced years of decline. With many of its buildings now in disrepair, the township has recently begun taking action. Property owners in the area have started receiving fines and violations as part of an effort to address the condition of their properties.

Barrett Township is facing questions regarding a proposed cell phone tower at High Acres Park following a Right-to-Know request appeal. Local resident Jason Delp submitted the request seeking correspondence about the tower plans from Joseph Fitzsimmons, who is spearheading the project. The township denied part of the request, citing a technical distinction between a "letter" and an "email," which has raised concerns about transparency.

MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — A fire destroyed a barn in Monroe County on Wednesday.

A call came in shortly after 4 p.m. for Lower Seese Hill Road in Barrett Township near Cresco.

Below is the video from the Barrett Supervisor meeting, 9/11/24

Written by Jason Delp

The issue of short-term rentals is a hot topic, but how are they really affecting Barrett Township? A 2019 Supreme Court ruling allowed townships to regulate short-term rental permits, and Barrett's supervisors mostly mirrored the state and county regulations. As of today, according to a Right-to-Know request submitted to the township zoning officer, 29 permits have been issued for short-term rentals.

In August, two local establishments, the Skytop Inn and Congregation Ohr Menachem, were cited for multiple health code violations during inspections conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

John and Madeleine Leonard Unsolved Murders Update as to What We Know:

John W. Leonard, Sr., father of five children, was an American Hero of WWII and survived a POW camp under Hitler for over two years and returned home only to be murdered after starting a family. John was a member of the American Legion Evans-Blitz Post 922, Canadensis PA for many years and was the only WWII POW from the Barrett community who was a member. Madeleine G. Leonard was a Goldstar mom who lost a son in the Vietnam War who gave his life to this country. Madeleine and her husband, John Leonard, are both now silenced victims of violent crimes and ignored by the PA State Police and District Attorney’s Office for the past 54 years.

After 18 years in Doylestown, and 10 years in Hunterdon County, we are coming to Monroe County! Homeschool Arts and Repertory starts Thursday programs this fall at the Barrett Administrative and Recreation Complex in Cresco!

I am writing in response to your August 21, 2024 letter, wherein, you request that I "cite any controlling Pennsylvania law, other than Dillon v. Erie, that stands for the proposition that an ordinance respecting discharge of firearms is preempted; or that it is in invalid for any other legal reason."

Barrett Township recently hired Neil L. Albert, a partner at the Ephrata-based law firm Zimmerman, Pfannebecker, Nuffort & Albert, LLP, to represent them in a legal challenge regarding the proposed firearm discharge ordinance. Albert was chosen over the township's standard solicitor.