More than 30,000 Orange and Rockland customers were without power after last night’s heavy downpours and winds pummeled the region. O&R overhead line crews, tree removal experts, customer service operators and the entire emergency response team worked through the evening and overnight to get things back up and running. As of this morning, O&R reports, around one-thousand customers in Rockland still remain without power, most of those in the town of Orangetown.
MTA Scales Back Plans After Pause in Congestion Pricing Plan
The MTA on Wednesday unveiled scaled-back plans to maintain the transit system — following New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s pause in the controversial congestion pricing program that was scheduled to begin on Sunday. That’s according to “The City Report.” The program was designed to discourage the use of cars in the city to cut down on emissions, courtesy of the increased tolls. The MTA decided to cancel some station repairs, accessibility upgrades, and expansion projects, and delay the purchase of hundreds of electric buses. Rockland State Senator Bill Weber of the 38th district says lawmakers may be called back to Albany next month to sort out the MTA’s funding issues…
In a statement following the board’s vote, Hochul said she’ll work with the agency and the state legislature to find alternative funding streams for the MTA.
Rockland Congressman Surprised by Sudden WikiLeaks-Assange Plea Deal
The founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, pleaded guilty Tuesday to violating U.S. espionage law. The plea deal brought an end to his imprisonment in Britain and lets him return him to Australia, where he arrived yesterday. Reuters reported the 52 year-old’s 14-year legal journey ended after he admitted to conspiring to obtain and disclose classified U.S. national defense documents. Rockland Congressman Mike Lawler of the 17th district says he was surprised when word first broke of the plea arrangement…
In 2010 and 2011, Wikileaks published hundreds of thousands of sensitive military and government documents supplied by former Army intelligence analyst, Chelsea Manning. The U.S. had accused Assange of endangering the lives of confidential sources.
Clarkstown, Ramapo to Host Independence Day Celebrations Tonight
If you’re feeling extra-patriotic but you can’t wait until next week for July 4th, you might want to head over to Ramapo Day tonight in Pomona. Supervisor Michael Specht says Ramapo residents can get free tickets to the event which includes a baseball game and fireworks tonight at the ballpark…
Tonight’s game features the Boulders against the New Jersey Jackals at 7pm. For more information call 845-357-6100. The town of Clarkstown is holding is their Independence Day celebration in West Nyack tonight, as well. Supervisor George Hoehmann says there’s plenty for all to enjoy…
The fun gets underway at Felix Festa Middle School on Parrott Road in West Nyack tonight at 6pm.
13 Year-old Struck by Car in Pomona While Riding Bike, Dies
A thirteen year-old was killed this afternoon after being struck by a car while riding his bike in Pomona. Haverstraw Police say the incident happened around 2:44pm near the intersection of Overlook and High Mountain Road. When police arrived on-scene they found the boy underneath the vehicle, the driver remained at the scene and had called for help. Paramedics pronounced the boy dead. The Town of Haverstraw Detective Division was assisted by the Town of Ramapo Accident Reconstruction team and The Rockland County Sheriff’s Department BCI. Police say eyewitness accounts of the accident and surveillance video recovered at the scene show it appeared to be a tragic accident and no charges are being filed against the driver at this time.