NYSPHSAA Gives Scholar Athlete Awards to Minisink Varsity Teams
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association recognized 21 of 23 Minisink Valley varsity teams with the Scholar Athlete Team Award for the 2015-2016 academic year on June 16 . The girls track and field team had the highest composite GPA of all the awarded Minisink teams with 96.2 . “Reaching this level of academic and athletic achievement demands consistent focus, discipline and a brand of commitment that is not without hard choices and sacrifice,” said Tim Bult, director of the Minisink High School athletics department. NYSPHSAA, the governing body for interscholastic athletics in New York state, recognizes academic achievement through the program. Varsity teams must have a cumulative GPA of 90 or above to be recognized.
Scotchtown Avenue Bridge Closed Until July 1
The Scotchtown Avenue Bridge in Hamptonburgh will be closed until July 1 due to construction to reconnect County Route 83 (Scotchtown Avenue) to the bridge. The bridge is expected to be opened for two-way traffic as early as the first week of July. During the closure, normal through traffic using this portion of County Route 83 should use alternate routes or follow detour signs to Stony Ford Road and Hill Road.
Film Production Tax Credit Approved for Orange County
The state legislature has approved an expansion of state movie production tax credits to Orange County and seven other counties after a lobbying effort that included numerous celebrities from the Hudson Valley and Catskills. The state budget in 2014 created a 10 percent film tax credit for much of upstate New York, but it didn’t include Orange and seven other counties including Sullivan and Ulster. A letter urging expansion of the credit was signed by over 30 entertainment professionals including actors Chevy Chase, Debra Winger, Mark Ruffalo, and Aidan Quinn. The state Assembly passed the bill expanding the Empire State Film Production Tax Credit program on June 15. The Senate already passed the measure, which now awaits Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature.
From The Associated Press
Senate Passes Reserve Fund Bill for Minisink Valley School District
The State Senate on June 16 passed Sen. John Bonacic’s legislation, S.7756, that would allow the Minisink Valley School District to maintain a reserve fund for insurance and to make expenditures from that reserve fund for losses, claims, actions or judgments authorized or required to purchase or maintain insurance. In New York State there is a shift in how school districts continue to provide their services while staying within the tax cap. Health insurance reserve funds are seen as beneficial for a municipal corporation, Bonacic said. This bill extends the statute for the Minisink Valley Central School District. The bill has now passed both the Senate and the Assembly.
