It didn’t take long for Rockland’s Congressman and Rockland’s former Congressman to weigh in after former president Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts at his State trial in New York City yesterday. The verdicts were read in court just after 5pm yesterday, all 34 counts, guilty. Less than 15 minutes later, former Congressman and Congressional candidate Democrat Mondaire Jones released a statement criticizing current Congressman, Republican Mike Lawler, for supporting the former president, who Jones said, “incited a violent insurrection and continues to cozy up to Nazis.” Lawler’s reaction came about a half-hour later, calling yesterday “a sad day for America,” calling the charges little more than “a campaign finance violation” and slamming “New York Democrats like Attorney General Letitia James, Manhattan D-A Alvin Bragg, and Governor Kathy Hochul” for waging a “political war on their enemies.” About five hours later, the Lawler Campaign sent out a fundraising email, asking those who agreed with him to “stand against this injustice.” Sentencing is set for July 11th. The Republican National Convention begins July 15th.
Former School Superintendent in Westchester from Stony Point Charged with Corruption
A Stony Point man, formerly the superintendent of schools in the Greenburgh-Graham Union Free School District in Westchester, was arrested yesterday on corruption charges. Westchester D-A Miriam Rocah and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli say 55 year-old Oliver Levy and 47 year-old Surendra Kumar of Yonkers, a former security system specialist, allegedly stole school district funds set aside for students between 2018 and 2022. They say the pair schemed to use $12,000 in school funds to buy 168 gift cards and use them to buy jewelry, luxury handbags, private school fees for relatives, and veterinary services. They are both due back in Hastings-on-Hudson Village Court June 26th. Levy’s attorney told Lohud.com he is not guilty of the charges.
Haiti Gets New Prime Minister, Bodies of Missionaries Returned to U.S.
The bodies of two missionaries from Missouri were returned to the United States yesterday after they were killed by a gang in Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince last week. CNN reported intense negotiations were necessary between the U.S. government and Haitian authorities, local organizations and gang leaders to get the bodies of 23 year-old Davy Lloyd and his wife, 21 year-old Natalie Lloyd, back home. Meanwhile, vital humanitarian supplies, medical facilities and key roads have been destroyed and blocked by criminal groups, which Rockland Congressman Mike Lawler of the 17th district says continues to be a major challenge in restoring calm…
In other news out of Haiti, the Associated Press reported earlier this week that U.N. development specialist Garry Conille was named Haiti’s new prime minister.
19th Annual North Rockland Community 5K Run-Walk Sunday in Haverstraw
The 19th annual North Rockland Community 5K Run-Walk is Sunday. Haverstraw supervisor Howard Phillips says the event benefits two local kids with some high medical bills…
It’s at Bowline Point Park in Haverstraw, the opening ceremony starts at 9AM.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland Host Friendship Bracelet-Making Event in West Nyack Sunday
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland is hosting a special event at Palisades Center on Sunday to mark May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Jahmel Johnson is the group’s Program Manager, and says their “Bigs” and “Littles” will be making friendship bracelets in Palisades Center’s fourth floor Raso Community Room…
For more information about this and other programs, click here, or visit their booth at the African-American parade in Nyack’s Memorial Park tomorrow at 11AM.