2023 stories: Amtrak progress, tax news, Wawas galore, sports highlights
2023 was a year of changes at the Pocono Record.
We said goodbye to staff members who moved on to new opportunities. We welcomed Max Augugliaro as our public safety and government watchdog reporter, and Mason Smith as our sports reporter. I became the managing editor.
Through it all, our focus remained on telling stories that matter.
An eye on taxes
We explained why Middle Smithfield Township was considering a Local Services Tax, and why Stroudsburg considered an amusement tax. We were there when Middle Smithfield passed the $52 tax on those employed in the township. Stroudsburg has tabled the amusement tax for now, but we’ll keep an eye on future discussions.
Monroe County raised property taxes for 2024 — the first time in 12 years — although the overall budget is lower than last year. We explained that the county had been balancing the budget with contributions from the fund balance, which is no longer receiving new American Rescue Plan funds.
Route 611 closure
A stretch of Route 611 south of Delaware Water Gap was closed all year following a rock slide in December 2022. Last January, we covered the concerns and frustrations felt by local officials and business owners.
Later, we covered a change to the project timeline and another rockfall incident on the road.
New businesses in the Poconos
Numerous Wawa locations were approved, proposed or under construction in Monroe County in 2023. It's enough to make your head spin, but we hope our reporting helped readers keep all these projects straight. (Sorry to Sheetz fans; although a location has been proposed in Mount Pocono, there was far less news on this side of the Wawa vs. Sheetz battle in 2023.)
The Tannersville Inn was demolished in June to make way for one Wawa, and another Wawa is coming to Smithfield Gateway. Two more are proposed on Route 611, one in Pocono Township and one in Stroud.
Plus, Stroud Township could be getting the first Chipotle in the Poconos.
Starbucks is making moves in Monroe County too, adding drive-thru locations in Stroud Township and East Stroudsburg at former Mattress Firm and Friendly's locations, respectively.
Scranton to New York City Amtrak
We know — you've been hearing about the potential return of passenger rail for decades now. But 2023 was a crucial year for this project.
Amtrak released its study of the route, showing that nearly half a million people could be taking the train between Scranton and New York City annually by 2030. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, joined by the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority and New Jersey Transit, put in an application to the Federal Railroad Administration.
Most importantly, the FRA chose the Scranton-NYC route to move forward, awarding $500,000 for the "development of a scope, schedule, and cost estimate for preparing a service development plan."
That's just step one in the three-step Corridor ID Program, so you can't book your train trip just yet. But we'll be closely watching every phase of this project.
Sports highlights
We were thrilled to reinvigorate our sports coverage this fall, covering football rivalry games, reviewing players to watch this basketball season and bringing readers conversations with first-year coaches.
Of course, sports are about much more than wins and losses. We shared the legacy of longtime East Stroudsburg football coach Ed Christian, who died in August, and of Pocono Mountain East wrestlers honoring their teammate Scotty Raymond's memory with "Scotty Purple Night."
What's next?
We appreciate everyone who read our work in 2023, and we hope you'll stick around for 2024. There's no shortage of storylines to keep following.
And keep in touch — if you have an impactful story to share, please email us at newsroom@poconorecord.com. We also welcome your letters to the editor (up to 300 words) at letters@poconorecord.com.
Kathryne Rubright is the managing editor of the Pocono Record and the Tri-County Independent. Reach her at krubright@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Stories that matter: A look back at the Pocono Record's 2023 coverage
