MONROE UNFILTERED: THE DAILY BUZZ | July 9
The Swamp Thing Returns, Sanofi's $10.6 Million Green Machine, Storm Outages Down to a Trickle, and Gogo's Corner Comes Home
Thursday, July 9, 2026
DAILY WEATHER
Welcome to the swamp. Thursday brings the mugginess back with a 39% chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms, a high near 83°F, a low around 67°F, and a light breeze. Friday still looks like Thursday's twin: 44% chance of PM thunderstorms, a high of 85°F, and a low of 66°F.
But things are looking up this weekend. Saturday clears out nicely, with a high of 83°F, morning clouds giving way to afternoon sunshine, and just a 21% chance of rain. Sunday is about as close to a bonus day as Northeast PA gets this time of year: mostly sunny, high of 84°F, only a 9% chance of rain.
THE STATE OF THE KEYSTONE STATE: SANOFI'S $10.6 MILLION GREEN MACHINE
Monroe County's biggest name in vaccines just got a state-funded tune-up. Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley visited Sanofi Pasteur's Swiftwater facility on June 26 to highlight a new $10,646,316 grant through the state's Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) program.
The money will replace eight natural gas-fired dehydrators, the equipment Sanofi uses to process and dispose of egg waste generated during vaccine production, with a new paddle dryer and regenerative thermal oxidizer. The upgrade is expected to cut the facility's natural gas use by roughly 65% and to be completed by the end of Q4 2026. The project is expected to create 18 permanent jobs (running three shifts) in addition to the ~40 temporary construction jobs.
For context on why this particular plant matters: Sanofi's Swiftwater campus manufactures approximately 42% of the influenza vaccine doses used across the country every year, making it one of the company's primary global vaccine production sites and, as officials put it, a cornerstone business for the Poconos.
“Here in Monroe County, we're helping reduce energy costs, create jobs, and cut down on harmful air pollution by ensuring businesses like Sanofi can operate more efficiently and continue their lifesaving work producing nearly half of our nation's flu vaccine supply,” Shapiro said at the announcement.
Monroe County Commissioner John Christy was on hand too, calling the investment proof that “Monroe County continues to be a place where world-class companies choose to invest, grow, and modernize.” Sanofi Vice President Rakesh Kakkar noted the company has put more than $1.3 billion into the Swiftwater campus over the past 15 years.
THE DAILY RUNDOWN
Storm Outages Down to a Trickle. As of last night, poweroutage.us shows 249 outages remaining across Monroe County, a fraction of the thousands reported at the height of last week's storms. That number continues to drop as crews finish repairs.
MONROE MARKET MOVERS: GOGO'S CORNER COMES HOME
The Pocono Record reports that Jay and Alexis Lessig are opening Gogo's Cozy Corner today at 3150 Route 715 in Henryville, the same building that has been feeding the neighborhood since 1990, first as Hallet's Cozy Corner, later as The Cook's Corner.
The name is a tribute to Joanne Lessig, known as "Gogo" to her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, who died in May 2025. Gogo was a regular at the original Cozy Corner, often calling ahead to check the specials before deciding where to eat. Her handwriting is on the new sign alongside a black squirrel, a nod to something she always said about the animals being special.
"We couldn't not have her be a part of it," Alexis Lessig said. "She would love this."
The couple bought the property this year after an earlier attempt in 2025 fell through, and spent the weeks since closing painting and refreshing the space while keeping the original booths. And some good news for those with gluten intolerance: the menu will also include more gluten-free options than most spots around here offer.