Blue Valley Times

12/07/2025

Visit bluevalleytimes.com to see all the content in this weeks issue

12/07/2025

12/07/2025

Valley Youth House Granted $10,000 from Robert H. Spitz Foundation

By Sarah Pammer
Funding received from Robert H. Spitz Foundation’s grant helped support Valley Youth House’s Rapid Re-Housing program in Lackawanna County.
Lackawanna County, PA – Valley Youth House has received a $10,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation to support the agency’s Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) program in Lackawanna County as part of the Foundation’s Spring 2024 grant cycle. The funding received from this grant helps Valley Youth House toward their mission of being the catalyst for youth to achieve their desired future through genuine relationships that support families, ensure safe places, and build community connections.
Valley Youth House’s Rapid Re-Housing program in Lackawanna County assists single, pregnant, and/or parenting transition-age youth (18-24) who are experiencing homelessness. The following supportive services are provided to help clients live independently and break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their children:

Rental assistance
Weekly case management services
Helping youth develop hard and soft skills necessary to find and maintain employment
Assistance in applying for mainstream benefits
Connections to community resources to sustain independence

Christina J. Schoemaker, Senior Vice President of Advancement at Valley Youth House, shared, “On behalf of everyone at Valley Youth House, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the Robert H. Spitz Foundation for their generous $10,000 contribution. This support is essential for initiatives like our Rapid Re-Housing program in Lackawanna County. Partnerships like this make it possible to connect local young people and their families with the secure housing that allows them to plan for a better tomorrow. We truly value their commitment to our mission.”
Valley Youth House’s Rapid Re-Housing program is the only program of its kind in Lackawanna County that focuses on transition-age youth. Agency staff provides trauma informed care and Positive Youth Development, which builds upon the strengths and resiliency of youth to support learning skills, discovering abilities and interests, and developing mutually beneficial adult-youth relationships.

12/07/2025

That’s A Wrap For 2025!

By Adrienne Fors
In 2025, WM’s Grand Central Complex continued its commitment to environmental stewardship, education and community partnership throughout the Slate Belt Region. We are proud to share some of this year’s highlights:

‌‌Education and Outreach
‌Our Education programs reached 2,354 guests and delivered 57 hours of hands-on learning, helping students and visitors understand the importance of sustainability, recycling and responsible waste management.

‌‌‌Community Cleanups
‌Students in the Character Education Program joined WM’s Adrienne Fors to help clean up litter around Wind Gap and Pen Argyl Boroughs. Together, they collected 125 pounds of trash and helped to keep their neighborhoods cleaner and greener.

‌‌Support for the Slate Belt Regional Police
‌Grand Central Landfill provided a $5,000 donation to the Slate Belt Regional Police Department’s K9 Program, bringing WM’s total support to $101,000 since 2021. We are honored to help ensure the public safety and strengthen vital local services.

‌‌Character Education Program Funding
‌We proudly continued our investment in local youth with another year of funding for the Character Education Program, contributing $20,000 to support its mission of leadership, responsibility, integrity and community involvement.

‌‌Chili Cookoff Tradition
‌Our annual Chili Cookoff was another great success! We love how this event brings the community together, raises awareness of local non-profits and offers an opportunity for our neighbors to tour our facility!

‌‌Grand Central Recycling Facility Opens!

‌This year marked the exciting opening of the Grand Central Recycling Facility, expanding our ability to collect and divert more materials from the landfill and increase regional recycling efforts.
‌And so much more...
‌We are incredibly proud to be part of the Slate Belt Community and are deeply grateful for the partnerships, volunteers, students and residents who made 2025 a year of progress and positive impact. Thank you to everyone who joined us this year for our events, the meetings to help secure our continued operations and continued efforts to support wildlife habitat preservation. We are proud to be in the community alongside all of you!
‌We look forward to 2026!

12/07/2025

New Traffic Pattern Coming to I-80 East Stroudsburg

By Senator Rosemary Brown
As part of the ongoing improvements at Exit 308 in East Stroudsburg, drivers should be aware of a key traffic shift beginning in December. This change is necessary to allow crews to safely set the beams for the new Prospect Street bridge and construct west bound roadway of Interstate 80.
Here’s what to expect:
Eastbound traffic will be shifted onto the newly constructed lanes.
Westbound traffic will temporarily cross over and use the original eastbound lanes.
Exit 308 (East Stroudsburg) will remain fully accessible in both directions.
This traffic adjustment marks an important milestone in a multi-year infrastructure project aimed at modernizing and enhancing the safety and flow of one of Monroe County’s busiest interchanges.
Originally constructed in 1970 as part of the Eisenhower Interstate System, the I-80 corridor in Stroudsburg was built to outdated standards that no longer meet today’s traffic demands. Short on- and off-ramps, narrow lanes, and limited capacity have created challenges for local commuters and travelers alike. The Exit 308 project directly addresses these concerns with:
Widened and lengthened ramps for safer merging and exiting;
New stone-finished roundabouts to improve traffic flow and create a welcoming gateway into East Stroudsburg;
Expanded lanes on both I-80 and Prospect and Brown Streets, improving access to East Stroudsburg University and Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono;
Upgraded water, sewer, and utility infrastructure;
New drainage systems, retaining walls, and sound barriers.
With more than half the project already completed, this update includes the Prospect Street bridge and over 10,000 feet of new drainage installed. The next phase will focus on finalizing the bridge, widening the remaining lanes, and constructing the roundabouts.
The project remains on schedule and is expected to be completed by late 2027.
I want to thank residents, commuters, and businesses for their continued patience as PennDOT, and its partners work toward delivering a more efficient transportation corridor for our region.

12/07/2025

December 7th: Remembering a Day of Infamy

By Senator Rosemary Brown
Each year on Dec. 7th, we remember the 2,403 service members and civilians killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1941. A further 1,178 people were injured in the attack, which permanently sank two U.S. Navy battleships and destroyed 188 aircraft.
We remember not just the surprise attack, but the steely resolve of Americans to do whatever it took to defeat the Axis forces of World War II. May we never forget their courage, their service, and the lessons of that day.

12/07/2025

2026 Fishing Licenses, Permits, and Gift Vouchers on Sale NOW

By State Rep. Joe Emrick
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission reminds anglers and boaters that beginning December 1, 2025, licenses, permits, and vouchers for the upcoming 2026 season can be purchased easily at HuntFish.pa.gov or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. 2026 licenses, permits, and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately for up to 13 months, from December 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.
(*Customers can choose from annual or multi-year licenses and permits with 3, 5, and 10-year options. All documents may be printed immediately upon purchase or saved digitally to a smart device which serves as proof of possession.)
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat CommissionWhile in-person retail purchases remain popular, online purchases can save time and help you avoid long lines, especially right before the spring trout season, which begins statewide on Saturday, April 4, 2026. For added convenience, customers can choose an auto-renew option at the time of purchase.
In addition to licenses and popular add-ons such as the Trout Permit, Lake Erie Permit, and Trout/Lake Erie Combo, customers may choose to purchase vouchers that can be given as gifts and be redeemed by recipients.
Once again for the 2026 license year, customers can purchase a collectible fishing license button. This year’s button features the vibrant and colorful pattern of Pennsylvania’s beloved state fish, the Brook Trout. In 2026, a limited-edition production of 10,000 buttons will be produced, and customers will receive a randomly numbered button between 00001-10000. Please note that buttons are not issued at the time of purchase and will be mailed to the buyer.
2026 Fishing LicenseAnglers who visit a license issuing agent in person can receive a printed copy of the 2026 Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook free of charge. The book outlines current fishing and boating regulations, seasons and creel limits, and safety information, and includes advertising and coupons. A digital version of these publications can be viewed and printed for free on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com) beginning on January 1, 2026 (2025 regulations still apply through December 31, 2025). Customers should note that 2026 Fishing Summary/Boating Handbooks are still being shipped to many retail locations in early December and may not be immediately available at all locations. Customers can return to retail locations at a later time to obtain a printed copy.
If you have any questions or concerns – or need assistance – please do not hesitate to contact one of my offices and my staff will be more than happy to assist you!