Commissioners Welcome Northwell Health To Pike

MILFORD – The Pike County Commissioners have announced that Northwell Health has verbally committed to open urgent care locations in the County.
Last month, Commissioners introduced Northwell, the largest private employer in New York state, at the State of the County Dinner organized by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, Pike County Economic Development Authority, and Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau.
The expansion of medical services has been a priority for the Board of Commissioners for the past eight years.
In that time, they have met with numerous medical providers to discuss the healthcare climate of the county.
Out of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania, Pike is the only county that does not have a hospital or urgent care facility located within its boundaries...............................For more information subscribe to our paper.

Baker Joins GOP Senate Leadership

HARRISBURG – As part of the new Senate Republican Caucus leadership team for the 2023-24 legislative session, today, Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) was appointed by Interim Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39) to serve as the Senate Majority Caucus Administrator.
In the position of Senate Majority Caucus Administrator, Baker will have a greater role in shaping and advocating solutions and reforms. She will take the place of Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46), who will serve as Caucus Secretary for the upcoming session.
“I am honored to be appointed to serve as a member of the Senate Republican Leadership team for the 2023-24 session,” Baker said. “Being the sole member from the northeastern portion of our state, I will have the chance to be an even stronger voice for the communities that I am privileged to represent. I am excited about this new opportunity to help determine the General Assembly’s agenda and engage in bipartisan work to accomplish results for the people of Pennsylvania.”
With the start of the new legislative session in January, Senator Baker will begin serving her fifth term representing the 20th Senatorial District, which includes substantial parts of Luzerne and Wayne counties and all of Pike, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties.

Park Rangers Nab Man With Fentanyl

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Stephen M. Smith, age 42, of Bushkill, Pennsylvania, was charged on November 9, 2022, by criminal information with possession of fentanyl at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on August 29, 2022, Smith was stopped in his vehicle by Park Rangers at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and was found to be illegally in possession of packets of fentanyl.
The charge against Smith resulted from an investigation conducted by Park Rangers from the National Park Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
Under federal law, the maximum penalty for possession of controlled substances on federal property is up to one year in prison. The charge also carries a minimum fine of $1000. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.