Jeff Lewis

A Haverstraw man faces 11 years behind bars stemming from the sexual abuse of two children that began nearly three years ago. Rockland D-A Tom Walsh says 34 year-old Alejandro Perez pleaded guilty to abusing an 11- and 14 year-old on multiple occasions over a two-year period. Walsh says both victims told out-of-state family members what happened, leading the Haverstraw Police Department to open an investigation. Perez will be sentenced July 30th.

The New York State budget that was passed last week, just shy of three weeks late, with one state lawmaker saying the budget had some good things and some not-so-good things in it, but what he would most like to change is the process itself. Rockland Assemblyman John McGowan of the 97th district, covering Orangetown and portions of Ramapo, says there’s no reason for annual budgets to be late…

McGowan agreed with some criminal justice expansion, but was hoping to see more backing off the reforms that were made. He also liked the investment in local schools, but disagreed with the spending on the migrant situation and investment in the Buffalo Bills’ stadium.

Plenty of stuff for Rocklanders to do this weekend as the weather looks like it’ll be cooperative for outdoor activities. In Orangetown Saturday, supervisor Teresa Kenny says Pearl River is hosting a 5K fundraiser in honor of a fallen firefighter…

Kenny says there’s also a fundraiser Sunday at the Rockland Gaelic Athletic Association in Orangeburg to help a little boy with high medical bills…

Over in Haverstraw, supervisor Howard Phillips says Saturday from 10-1 is the North Rockland Annual Charity and Family Sports Day at the Haverstraw Sports and Recreation Complex behind Helen Hayes Hospital on Central Highway…

Phillips also heads up Rockland Green, and he says in New City there’s a Repair Café Saturday from 10-2 at the Street School Community Center…

Saturday is also the 26th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the goal of which is to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, and educate people about the potential for medication abuse. Local police stations, and CVS and Walgreens pharmacies are participating in the event.

RCC is hosting their fourth annual “Unity in Community: Rising as One” festival. Visual and Performing Arts Professor Patricia Maloney-Titland helps run the event, and she says it began on Earth Day, and serves to bring people together…

The festival runs through May 7th. Most of the events are free and open to the public. For more information, click here.