Jeff Lewis

With tensions rising in the Middle East, law enforcement officials in Rockland County are on high alert as Rosh Hashanah has begun. Earlier this week just hours after Israel began a ground invasion into southern Lebanon, Iran launched a long-range missile attack into targeting several areas within Israel. As the fighting continues overseas, Rockland County Sheriff Lou Falco is remaining vigilant in making sure Rockland remains a safe place…

According to the State Comptroller’s Hate Crimes Report for 2023, which contained the highest level of hate crimes since the recording was mandated back in 2000, Jewish-Americans were the highest targeted group in the state followed by African-Americans and Gay Men. Jewish people saw a total of 477 incidents across the state last year while Muslim people reported a total of 37.

Former Rockland Congressman Wants Investigation into County GOP
Former Rockland Congressman Mondaire Jones held a press conference yesterday in response to the allegations being lobbed at Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, current Rockland Congressman Mike Lawler, and other local officials. According to the Rockland Business Journal and the Journal News, Rockland GOP chairman Lawrence Garvey allegedly filed notice claiming Clarkstown officials retaliated against him for trying to block an illegal $60,000 corporate donation through the state’s GOP, money that was to be used to allegedly cover debt from Hoehmann’s 2023 re-election campaign. Lawler was allegedly asked to assist in this matter, but told the state GOP to not put any funds into Hoehman’s campaign account. However, Garvey claims Lawler did participate in intimidation tactics on Hoehmann’s behalf, discussing Hoehmann proposing the possibility of replacing Garvey with Lawler as head of the GOP and delivering a letter from Hoehmann demanding that Garvey not run for re-election in order to keep his job at Rockland Green. Jones is concerned Lawler could potentially be complicit in an illegal scheme…

Jones says he has sent letters out to the US attorney for the southern district of New York, the Rockland DA, and the NY State AG calling for an investigation. In a statement, Clarkstown attorney Michael Burke said Garvey’s filing is “full of baseless claims, gross misstatements of fact and outright lies, and is clearly a desperate attempt to preserve his chairmanship of the Rockland County Republican Committee.” Burke said the town denies all allegations AND referred to Garvey’s filing as an “abuse of the legal process.” Neither Lawler nor Garvey responded to WRCR’s requests for comment.

SOCSD School Board Member steps Down After Emoji Response to Assassination Social Media Post
South Orangetown School Board member Dawn Kitz has officially resigned her position from the school board. This comes after members of the community called for her resignation following her posting a laughing emoji reaction to a post on Facebook that appeared to mock the second assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. While she did send out an apology statement to the community expressing regret and attempting to explain that it was because of the “absurdity” of the post itself, the calls did not go away. Kitz posted in a statement regarding her resignation on Facebook that while she apologized and held herself accountable as the community had asked, she and the board received a multitude harmful and hostile comments which will be reviewed by her attorney. Kitz also sighted a troubling claim of inner turmoil within the board itself.

Retail Braces for Panic Shopping as Strike Hits Docks
A visit to Costco may induce some déjà vu as some people are expecting pandemic level supply issues as a result of the current strikes occurring at the docks along the east coast. Workers of the International Longshoreman’s Association began a strike on Tuesday seeking compensation increases and protection from automation. This comes as Ocean Carrier profits have had years of record profits even soring beyond pre-pandemic levels. As the strike continues with few optimistic on a quick end, companies are working at harnessing the west coast docks to get products in. This will still greatly affect supply lines and people are already beginning to prepare as market analyst Ken Mahoney of Mahoney Asset Management said on the Morning Show Wednesday…

This delay in reaching a deal is said to cost the US economy 5 billion dollars a day

Rockland County Republicans are bickering amongst themselves over threats of lawsuits, campaign donations and allegations of corruption. As reported by RCBizJournal.com and The Journal News, Rockland County GOP Chairman Lawrence Garvey allegedly has filed notice claiming Clarkstown officials retaliated against him for trying to block what he called an illegal $60,000 corporate donation through the state’s GOP, money that was to be used to allegedly cover debt from Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann’s 2023 re-election campaign. Garvey’s claim names Clarkstown’s Attorney Kevin Conway, Finance Director and former Assemblyman Colin Schmitt, the Town Board, and Congressman Mike Lawler, who was asked to intervene, though he did not. Former Congressman, Democrat Mondaire Jones, is calling for an investigation into the matter. In a statement, Clarkstown attorney Michael Burke said Garvey’s filing is “full of baseless claims, gross misstatements of fact and outright lies, and is clearly a desperate attempt to preserve his chairmanship of the Rockland County Republican Committee.” Burke said the town denies all allegations AND referred to Garvey’s filing as an “abuse of the legal process.” Neither Lawler nor Garvey responded to WRCR’s requests for comment.

History was made recently at Good Samaritan Hospital. Dr. Sophia Alexis has become the first female cardiac surgeon there. Dr. Alexis says most people don’t know that heart disease is the number one killer of Americans annually. While other diseases like breast cancer and ALS get more attention, one out of every three women dies of heart disease, and she’s concerned too many people ignore the signs…

Dr. Alexis says her patients have reported they’ve found themselves short of breath or used walkers more frequently, not realizing they can be signs of heart issues. She adds if you feel like something isn’t quite right with your body, contact your healthcare provider without delay.

Some of the bridges over the Palisades Interstate Parkway still need some more work on them, primarily ornamental, but it’s been years, and some are wondering what’s taking so long. Overpasses in Orangetown and Clarkstown have incomplete work, and Rockland State Senator Bill Weber says the Palisades Interstate Park commission has a unique reason for not completing the work yet…

Weber says he’s continuing to work with the PIPC to remedy other issues, including paving and cell service disruptions in the northern areas of the parkway.