News

 The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announced the extension of a successful program that enhances Pennsylvanians’ access to the Unemployment Compensation (UC) system by offering in-person appointments to claimants in communities throughout the Commonwealth. Labor & Industry Announces UC Connect, Extends Statewide Program Offering In-Person Appointments for Unemployment Compensation Claimants (pa.gov) This program will continue in-person UC services offered to claimants throughout the Carbon, Monroe, Wayne, and Pike County service centers. UC claimants that are interested in UC services can contact their local Service Centers here.

Visit the PA CareerLink-Monroe County website for more information:  https://www.monroecountycareerlink.org/

The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is located within the 77,000 acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and is the education partner of the National Park Service in this area. Pre-registration is requested until otherwise noted. Ecozone Discovery Room! Sunday, April 2, 1:00pm-4:00pm $2/person Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave, explore a beaver lodge, and dig in a fossil pit! Explore this indoor discovery room and enjoy hands-on exhibits on natural history, sustainability and the local environment. No registration required. Pocono Knitting Retreat April 13-16 $280 Full Workshop / Day & Commuter Rates Available Join us for our spring Fabric Arts weekend!

Fabian’s nature inspired art will be at Brodhead Creek Heritage Center this May! I was born in New Jersey but escaped to Berks County, Pennsylvania when I was three years old. In my childhood I developed a deep love of the natural world. After a brief stint, on academic probation, as a Biology major at Penn State I transferred to Kutztown University where I earned a BFA and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Throughout my years I have had the privilege of studying drawing, painting, and other art forms under many wonderful people.

Moments: Pen & Ink Illustrations by Mark S. Ciocca will be on exhibition at The Gathering Place through May 10th. The French artist Edgar Degas said that his teacher, Ingres, “insisted that line, and only line, is important”. Line is the element of art and design that flows throughout my pen and ink illustrations and linocut prints. These two uses of art media compliments one another in all aspects of imagery and gives one both a challenge and satisfaction in the art making process. I am inspired by the greater NEPA (Northeastern Pennsylvania) architecture, trains, historical sites, and beyond. The more than eighty fine pen and ink illustrations to date celebrates our shared heritage and history and offers appreciation through this medium.

Originally scheduled for tomorrow, we are re-scheduling tomorrow's Meditation Class to March 24th due to bad weather. So if you haven't already, there's plenty of time to register! To sign up, call us at 570-894-8860 or email joe@poconolibrary.org.

Mount Pocono Spring 2023 Newsletter   The post The Forks Post – Spring 2023 Edition appeared first on Mount Pocono, PA.

To learn about the I-80/Exit 308 PennDOT Project and to view the project maps, please visit https://www.i80project.com/

To learn about the I-80/Exit 308 PennDOT Project and to view the project maps, please visit https://www.i80project.com/

To learn about the I-80/Exit 308 PennDOT Project and to view the project maps, please visit https://www.i80project.com/

All branches of the Eastern Monroe Public Library will close at 2 pm on Saturday, January 6th, on account of the winter weather. Visit the library online where you can download e-books, e-audiobooks, and streaming video available free through our website with your library card.  Click here to renew an item or place books on hold. The post Early Closure – Libraries close at 2 pm appeared first on Eastern Monroe Public Library.

Follow this link to find out what’s happening at Barrett Paradise Friendly Library. Click here to get our monthly newsletter and other occasional updates delivered directly to your inbox.

We can help you locate forms and we have internet computers available for your use. If you need help filing, free tax help is available at the Eastern Monroe Public Library from VITA and United Way for those who are eligible. Appointments are required: call 211 or 1-855-567-5341 for information and to schedule. Walk-ins not permitted. AARP also offers local tax assistance. To find locations and get information, visit aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or call 1-888-227-7669.

Law enforcement officials have revealed more details regarding items seized from the Pennsylvania home where they arrested a graduate student charged with stabbing four University of Idaho students to death.

The Pocono Township Board of Commissioners implemented a one mill tax increase for 2023 to address continued stagnant revenues, an ongoing budget deficit and significant personnel-driven cost increases. In addition, the Township has been taking definitive steps to plan for the renovation and/or relocation of the Township municipal facilities. In real numbers, one mill is equivalent to $100 for every $100,000 in assessed value. Therefore, if Monroe County assigns a property an assessed value of $200,000, a one mill tax increase is $200. The Township exists primarily to provide public services to residents – including police/public safety, roads, parks and permitting – which means the majority of the Township’s General Fund is comprised of personnel costs required to provide these services. These costs increase each year due to numerous factors, including union contractual obligations, salaries and healthcare costs.

As of March 1, 2023 GFL is entering a new three-year residential trash collection service contract with the Borough. The new rate is $32.93 per dwelling unit for trash and recycling services. Please note that the old rate was a rate that was secured over five years ago. With inflation and rising labor costs this rate was due to increase during the next contract which is this year. Out of only a few bids received by the Borough, GFL was still the cheapest rate. As per the new contract, residents are entitled to one 96 gallon trash container and one 64 gallon recycling container, though smaller sized containers can be issued upon request. If you have accumulated extra GFL/County Waste trash containers that are no longer in use you can contact GFL and request the cans be collected. Collection days will remain the same. Please make sure all trash is secured in bags and that all bags are placed in the container with the container lids closed.

3/8/23 Planning Commission Meeting is canceled due to lack of business.

Congressman Matt Cartwright toured the Smithfield Gateway development project in Monroe County on February 23, 2023 where elected officials provided exciting updates.  Chuck Leonard, PMEDC Executive Director participated in the project update and tour along with Project Developer Jim DePetris of DEPG/Legend Properties, project partners and local elected officials. Located at Routes 209 and 447 in Smithfield Township, the multi-phase, mixed-use project will consist of retail, office and residential spots, including 236 apartments and 200 additional units for residents over the age of 55. The new development is designed to be a concentrated area of activity, where residents can live, work and play all in the same place, while providing good-paying jobs and contributing to the regional economy.

All branches of the Eastern Monroe Public Library will be closed Friday, January 19th, on account of the winter weather. Visit the library online where you can download e-books, e-audiobooks, and streaming video available free through our website with your library card.  Click here to renew an item or place books on hold. The post Eastern Monroe Public Library – Closed Friday appeared first on Eastern Monroe Public Library.