On November 16, 2017 the Nellie Jane Dewitt BPW held their monthly meeting. At this meeting they made five tie blankets for the children who come to the Women's Resource Center.
Pictured (L-R) are: Margret Biegert, Carol Dubas, Ethel Ambagies, Linda Bedford, Jenny Bixby- President, Darlene Slocum-Treasurer, Gay Keyes- Secretary, and Colleen Wilkes.
Along with the blankets, they also donated other items for the children, and items for the women. Donating to the Women's Resource Center is a club project each year. The club enjoyed doing these blankets for a worthy cause.
Using a network of up to 60 citizen scientists, a team of Penn State researchers will assess the levels of endocrine-disrupting compounds in the Susquehanna River next year, and in turn empower those volunteers to become part of the solution to water-quality problems related to emerging contaminants.
The one-year project, funded by the National Science Foundation, will address growing public concern about the presence of trace-level unregulated chemicals in the river. The Susquehanna's problems are well known -- a recent analysis conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection indicated that the presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products are contributing to the decline of smallmouth bass in the river.
The Susquehanna situation is not unique, according to lead researcher Heather Gall, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering, College of Agricultural Sciences. A significant factor contributing to the presence of these compounds in surface water is that wastewater treatment plants across the country were not designed to remove endocrine-disrupting compounds. Therefore, the chemicals and their metabolites often persist in the wastewater effluent, which is typically discharged into rivers.
Although the wastewater must be treated to meet permit requirements, most endocrine-disrupting compounds currently are not regulated and therefore the extent to which treatment plants remove them prior to effluent discharge varies widely, she pointed out.
"Given the link between the usage of pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products and the presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds in the environment, citizens can play a major role in the scientific discovery process," Gall said.
"With the lack of current water regulations or standards and the pressing need for research to better understand the chemicals' presence, fate, transport, and impacts, citizen scientists can participate in identifying potential courses of action and desired legislation."
In collaboration with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, researchers will recruit 50-60 volunteer citizen scientists to participate in data generation and focus group meetings to identify ways to reduce endocrine-disrupting compounds in the environment.
However, Gall's goal for the project is straightforward, commenting, "By doing this research with citizen scientists, we can help people understand that potentially dangerous compounds in products they use every day ultimately make their way through wastewater treatment plants into their streams. Given the lack of water-quality standards, the quickest way to reduce their presence in the environment is for people to become more informed consumers. We are hoping this project gives people a sense of empowerment that they can make a difference in water quality in their local river."
Also involved in the research are Lara Fowler, senior lecturer, Penn State Law and assistant director for outreach and engagement, Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment, whose focus is water-related conflicts and issues; and Bryan Swistock, senior extension associate and water resources coordinator for Penn State Extension. Penn State Survey Research Center personnel will lead focus group discussions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Services will analyze water samples under the direction of Ray Bryant.
Nicole Covage, 29 of Pocono Summit, PA was the sole operator of Fall in Ruv, Inc, which was a registered, non-profit entity for soliciting and accepting donations and conducting business as an animal rescue, with the location being listed at 505 Lake Avenue, Montrose, PA. In conjunction with the business, Covage also operated a website (fallinruv.org) and a Facebook page (Fall in Ruv) as well.
Acting on a complaint from a Susquehanna County Citizen, the PA Department of State began a review of the above business and noted irregularities, issuing a Cease and Desist Order to the business to stop soliciting contributions. Department of State, Special Investigator McCole contacted the Susquehanna County District Attorney's Office and a joint criminal investigation was initiated. That investigation has resulted in Covage being criminally charged with Theft by Deception and related offenses for her misuse of solicited charitable funds given to Fall in Ruv, Inc.
Covage was arrested without incident and arraigned before District Magistrate Jeffrey Hollister and released on $2,500.00 unsecured bond.
Too often, children and the elderly fal victim to these types of scams, either directly of indirectly. During the holiday season it is even more important for all residents to be on guard for scams and those that prey upon the good nature of others. Anyone who has questions or concerns about a charity is invited to contact the District Attorney Robert Klein.
State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) has announced that Bradford, Lycoming and Susquehanna counties have been awarded funding to clean up local waters through the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Growing Greener program.
Susquehanna County Conservation District will receive $71,808 for countywide spring developments, $32,651 for priority watershed spring developments; $38,328 for the Meshoppen Watershed barnyards project; $170,000 for the Tunkhannock Creek Watershed barnyards project and $180,000 for the Wyalusing Watershed barnyards project.
As part of a regional initiative, $46,200 has been awarded to the Endless Mountains Resource Conservation and Development Council for Applied Agroforestry Education and $425,000 has been awarded to the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy for focused sediment reduction in the Chesapeake Bay.
“Our local conservation districts and watershed associations are the boots on the ground when it comes to protecting the environment, regularly offering technical assistance and educational guidance to the people and communities in our region,” Yaw said. “I was pleased to hear that this funding will be directed to our region for site improvements.”
The grants awarded by DEP are funding over 106 projects to clean up rivers, streams and watershed resources across the state.
The Growing Greener program was created in 1999 to protect and improve watersheds, reduce storm water runoff and acid mine drainage (AMD), and to support educational programs and other critical conservation related efforts.
The program is supported by the Environmental Stewardship Fund, which receives its funding from landfill tipping fees. Since it was launched in 1999, the Growing Greener program has provided more than $296 million to environmental projects statewide.
For more information on DEP or the Growing Greener Program, visit www.dep.pa.gov.
