Home → County Living ( April 22, 2026 )
Partnership Mini-Grants through the Endless Mountains Heritage Region are now officially open until Monday, May 4. The EMHR has $70,000 in funding available, and applicants can request up to $10,000 per grant with a new match requirement of just 20-percent of the project cost.
“The EMHR has been offering our Partnership Grants program for well over 20 years and, since it began, the program has brought well over $3 million in state funding to our region for various projects that preserve our heritage and cultural assets, enhance our outdoor recreation resources, and provide educational opportunities to our youth and the general public,” said Cain Chamberlin, Executive Director of the EMHR. “Whether it is a building restoration project for one of our many museums or historical societies, wayfinding or interpretive signage at a regional park, the expansion of a hiking or cycling trail, the construction of a kayak launch along the North Branch of the Susquehanna, or a new historic preservation club at one of our school districts, all of the projects funded by the program play a role in making the Endless Mountains a better place to live or to visit.”
Qualifying applications will help fund local projects relating to historic preservation, outdoor recreation development, special purpose studies, interpretive and wayfinding signage, public engagement and educational programming, certain building rehabilitation projects, environmental conservation and more.
Applicants can request funds of up to a maximum of $10,000, and the project's overall cost must be $50,000 or less. This can be a "phase" of an overall project, but the phase must be defined and have a final deliverable that is usable by the applicant.
DCNR guidelines have changed for 2026, which have changed the match requirements from 100-percent match to just-20 percent of the full project cost, which means that if a grantee receives a $10,000 grant from the EMHR for a $12,500 project, it must provide a $2,500 match that is cash, in-kind or a combination of the two.
Grant applicants to the EMHR program must be a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, a municipality or municipal agency, public education institution, or a county government within the counties of Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming. Applicants must also be a paid member of Endless Mountains Heritage Region to qualify.?
Those planning to apply are required to discuss their project with EMHR's Partnership Grants Program Coordinator, Vanessa Billings-Seiler, at vbillings-seiler@emheritage.org, or Executive Director, Cain Chamberlin, at cchamberlin@emheritage.org. You can also reach the EMHR office by calling 570-265-1528.
More information about our Partnership Grant as well as informational videos from our Annual Grants Workshop that was held in February can be found by visiting www.emheritage.org.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced the availability of free Pocket Meadow Kits for residents across the Commonwealth. These small meadow plantings provide environmental benefits for communities by improving stormwater absorption, supporting pollinators, and reducing long-term lawn maintenance.
“Pocket Meadow Kits give residents a simple and accessible way to transform small areas of lawn into thriving native habitat that supports pollinators, improves stormwater absorption, and strengthens biodiversity in communities across Pennsylvania,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “DCNR is proud to offer this free resource so more people can explore native planting and take meaningful steps toward creating healthier landscapes at home.”
Through DCNR’s Lawn to Habitat Program, free Pocket Meadow Kits will be available to help residents convert small areas of lawn into native meadow habitat. A total of 300 kits will be distributed statewide, with 100 kits offered in three regions.
Registration will open at 9:00am on the following dates: Central Region, April 21, Register for Central Region kits; Western Region, April 23, Register for Western Region kits; Eastern Region, April 28, Register for Eastern Region kits.
A list of counties and their corresponding regions can be found on DCNR’s Lawn to Habitat webpage
Applications will close on Friday, May 1 at 4:00pm. Kits are expected to ship during the week of May 11.
Each Pocket Meadow Kit will include:
Kits are designed for fall planting, when cooler temperatures and natural moisture support successful meadow establishment. This timeline also allows landowners to prepare their planting areas throughout the 2026 growing season – especially important for those using organic site-prep methods, which require a full season of preparation – so that the meadow can establish in 2027. Starting land use must be lawn in order to convert it to a meadow, and participants will need to store the provided seed in a refrigerator until they are ready to plant.
The Pocket Meadow Kits are intended for Pennsylvanians ready to replace a portion of their lawn with native habitat. They are a good fit for people interested in reducing mowing, creating wildlife-friendly spaces, converting a small area of lawn, or trying a manageable meadow project before moving on to something larger. Lawn-to-meadow conversions offer a meaningful way to support cleaner water across the Commonwealth, even for residents that don’t have waterways on their property. These plantings reduce polluted runoff, improve soil health, and provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
The Pocket Meadow initiative supports Pennsylvania’s leadership in Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. Governor Josh Shapiro serves as chair of the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, marking the first time in two decades that Pennsylvania has led the multi-state partnership. The initiative is part of DCNR’s broader Lawn to Habitat Program, created in 2020 as part of Pennsylvania’s Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan. The plan established a statewide goal of converting 10,000 acres of lawn to meadow and forest, representing about 0.5 percent of the Commonwealth’s two million acres of turf grass.
Residents seeking help with larger lawn-to-habitat projects may qualify for additional DCNR programs. The statewide Lawn to Habitat Program offers technical assistance, planning support, and educational resources, and Community and Watershed Forestry grants are available for application by eligible county and municipal governments, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions.
For reminders about application dates and more details on the Pocket Meadow Kits, follow DCNR on social media and visit the Lawn to Habitat Program webpage.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Bridging Pennsylvania Constructors (BPC) announce a traffic switch in support of the ongoing Interstate 81 (Great Bend Ramps) Susquehanna Bridge Project.
Starting Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 7:00pm, the contractor will begin the traffic switch to stage 4A, weather permitting. As part of this traffic shift, current southbound traffic will be moved from the existing median lanes to the newly constructed stage 3 southbound lanes.
Additionally, the Interstate 81 southbound on-ramp from Route 171, which has been closed, will reopen at this time. Ramps A and B to Interstate 81 southbound will also reopen, along with access to the PA Welcome Center.
Motorists traveling through the project area are advised to exercise caution, remain alert for changing traffic patterns, and follow posted signage. Drivers should be prepared for possible delays and are encouraged to allow extra travel time when passing through the work zone.
This project is part of the ongoing PennDOT Major Bridges P3 Program. Bridging Pennsylvania Developers – I (BPD-I), led jointly by Shikun & Binui Ltd and Macquarie Capital as Lead Project Developers and Equity Members. The Bridging Pennsylvania Constructors (BPC) joint venture consortium includes the design & construction expertise of S&B USA Construction (Pittsburgh, PA) and FCC Construction. S&B USA Construction is the construction arm of Shikun & Binui Ltd and is also the parent company of Fay, S&B USA Construction (Pittsburgh, PA), one of the four BPC Major Bridge subcontractors. Other Major Bridge subcontractors include the H&K Group (Skippack, PA), Kokosing Construction Company (Pittsburgh, PA), Wagman Heavy Civil (York, PA), and Lead Designer, Michael Baker International (Pittsburgh, PA).
To stay informed of upcoming Interstate 81 Susquehanna Bridges project updates, please register at www.penndot.pa.gov/i81Susquehanna or contact the BPD-I Public Information Office at PublicInformationOffice@PennBridges.com.
Drivers can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects. Subscribe to PennDOT news and find transportation results in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict4.
Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANTS for the following individuals as of 8:35am on April 17, 2026. Lloyd Baker, Jason J. Carroll, Patrick A. Fournier, Charles R. Groover, Jeremy W. Hall, Patrick E. Leblanc, Charles M. Lynady III, Christopher M. Stephens, Roy M. Wade. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals.
Rail Trail Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania Commonwealth of -Dept of Transportation for $1.00 in Uniondale Borough.
Fehnel, Eric to Fehnel, Eric and Fehnel, Jacqueline Patricia for $1.00 in Brooklyn Township.
Zappe, Mark and Zappe, Jennifer L to Campsite Road LLC for $82,500.00 in Thompson Township.
Baptista Gonzalez, Damon B (AKA) and Gonzalez, Damon B Baptista and Baptista, Amber Rose to Tucker, Desiree J for $154,500.00 in Susquehanna.
Brooks, Ronald A to Brooks-Hill, Jennifer and Hill, Jennifer and Hill, Brian for $1.00 in Rush Township.
Axworthy, Andrew and Axworthy, Elysia to Loveland, Jonathan and Loveland, Ashley for $290,000.00 in Choconut Township.
Hollenbeck, Patrick S to Spolar, Rocky for $220,000.00 in Franklin Township.
Dion, Wayne, C (AKA) and Dion, Wayne to Bremer Hof Owners Inc for $100.00 in Herrick Township.
Following are December, 2025 sentences as handed down by Susquehanna County Court.
Francisco Vasquez, 28, of Windsor, NY to 6 months of probation, the first 5 days of which shall be served on home confinement, pay a $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $25 EMS fee, pay $150 PA Department of Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $100 Act 198 fee, obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation, complete the Alcohol Highway Safe Driving School Program, not to utilize alcohol or controlled substances while on supervision, not to enter any establishment whose primary purpose is the sale of alcohol, submit to random drug and alcohol screenings, complete a CRN evaluation, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Driving Under the Influence on October 20, 2024 in Jessup Township.
Zachary Dean Swire, 34, of Oneonta, NY to 5 years of probation, to run concurrent with Wyoming County's sentence, pay a $500 fine, pay cot of prosecution, $50 Criminal Justice Enforcement Act fee, submit a DNA sample for Fleeing or Attempting to Elude the Police on November 25, 2024 in Choconut Township.
Brock Tyler Freer, 48, of Forestport, NY to 2 days to 6 months incarceration, with credit for time served, pay a $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee for Driving While Under the Influence on March 21, 2021 in New Milford Borough.
Tyler Christopher Fiske, 53, of Hallstead, PA to 24 months of probation, the first 60 days of which shall be served on home confinement, pay a $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the Victim in this case, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, not to utilize alcohol or controlled substances while on supervision, not to enter any establishment whose primary purpose is the sale of alcohol, submit to random drug and alcohol screenings, not to possess any firearms while on supervision, submit a DNA sample, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Receiving Stolen Property on March 6, 2025 in Hallstead Borough. Mr. was also ordered to pay a $100 fine, the cost of prosecution and pay the $100 Act 198 fee for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on April 3, 2025 in Hallstead Borough.
Robert William Staff, 56, of Springville, PA to 24 months of probation, to run concurrent with any sentence currently being served, pay a $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize alcohol or controlled substances while on supervision, not to enter any establishment whose primary purpose is the sale of alcohol, submit to random drug and alcohol screenings, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Tampering with Physical Evidence on August 11, 2025 in Springville Township.
The following were accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program: Storm A Visage.