A fire in Nyack yesterday forced three people from their home, damaged to the point that it is uninhabitable. Officials tell News 12 the fire started on the ground floor and spread to the upper floors of the Cedar Hill Avenue home around 3 Sunday afternoon. The three were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. Friends of the family have launched a GoFundMe page for them.
Shaping the Future of Letchworth Village in Stony Point
The head of a North Rockland environmental group wants to make sure future development at the Letchworth Village site in Stony Point does right by the environment. Stony Point supervisor Jim Monaghan says they are taking their time with the development project, but changing zoning on the site could make it easier for development to take place, which for years has been hard to come by…
George Potanovic is the president of the Stony Point Action Committee for the Environment, and says residents deserve a more methodical process that provides more detailed information…
The public hearing will continue at the next town board meeting tomorrow night at 7:00.
Governor Wants Pot Bill Passed by June; Sheriff and Local Lawmaker Say “Not so Fast”
Supporters of legalized marijuana for adult use will have to pass as a stand-alone bill before June if it’s going to become law in New York State this year. Stony Point and Orange County Assemblyman Colin Schmitt says he hopes if a law gets passed it isn’t just rammed through without full consideration for the consequences…
Rockland County Sheriff Lou Falco, an opponent of legalization, told “The Morning Show” Wednesday that increased crime, other drug usage and safety aren’t his only concerns…
In a speech last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo said he wants to get a law done before the end of the legislative session…
Cuomo’s proposed a 21 minimum purchase age and counties and cities could opt out of sales. Rockland and Putnam counties have already indicated they would opt out if the law is passed.
Big Potato Rolls into RCC Tuesday to Promote Organ Donation
You might see a really, big potato at RCC tomorrow but it’s not there only to sell French fries and other potato-based fare. It’s a marketing gimmick cooked up by the folks at the Idaho Potato Commission to help spread the word about – you guessed it – organ donation! Heart transplant recipient Roxanne Watson of Nanuet is with the Rockland Organ Donation Alliance, and says they’re helping draw attention to April as Organ Donation Awareness month…
The Big Idaho Potato Truck and Volunteer Fair rolls into RCC’s Academic Quad tomorrow from 10 am – 4 pm. It is free and open to the public. There will be music, games and prizes, food and, of course, Roxanne at her Donate Life sign-up table. She expects to sign up her 11,000th organ donor, so don’t be just a spec-tater – head down and sign up!
Judge Expected to Rule Friday on Rockland’s Measles State of Emergency
A judge is expected to rule today whether the county had the authority to declare a state of emergency over the measles outbreak. Judge Rolf Thorsen heard arguments yesterday. The county has defended the action, claiming the public’s health was at risk. Un-vaccinated children under the age 18 were barred from schools and public places on March 26th. In other measles news, Rockland State Senator David Carlucci is among a handful of lawmakers looking to end religious exemptions for vaccinations. The number of measles cases in Rockland County is now up to 166. When cases in Brooklyn and Queens are added in, it’s over 420.