Bergen County police nabbed two Rockland teens after they allegedly threatened passengers on a commuter bus with a fake gun and fireworks Thursday night. That’s according to DailyVoice.com, which reported the incident took place on a Monsey Trails bus on Chestnut Ridge Road in Montvale. Police cleared the bus of passengers and found the 14- and 16 year-old brothers with a black BB replica of a Glock 9mm pistol and fireworks. The boys were reportedly sent to the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center in Teterboro awaiting a hearing in Hackensack Superior Court. No one was injured.
Pushback on Mask Mandate in NY Frustrates Governor
Pushback on the new mask mandate has been a source of frustration for New York’s governor, who implemented new rules on Monday. Also frustrated are the county health departments tasked with enforcement, and residents who are mask- and COVID-weary. Governor Kathy Hochul says the solution is simple – get vaccinated and wear masks…
Hochul noted that businesses aren’t being forced to shut down, people are just being told to wear masks. Rockland assemblyman Mike Lawler disagrees that the mask mandate was necessary, and prefers to keep the focus on getting people vaccinated…
Rockland state senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick says it’s in the interest of public health to have the mandate…
Meanwhile the number of COVID deaths here in Rockland has increased by one since Monday, we’re now up to 1,006, and there are 34 hospitalized confirmed with COVID, that’s down from Monday’s report of 36.
NY PSC to Conduct Feasibility Study on Potential Municipalization of Rockland Water System
The Public Service Commission has reportedly launched a feasibility study on the municipalization of Rockland’s water system, currently operated by Suez New York. Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski applauds the move, calling it a necessary step in potentially reducing costs on ratepayers and improving service. The results of the study are expected June 2022.
Rockland Legislator: Potential County Takeover of Spring Valley Code Enforcement — “Wait and See”
The village of Spring Valley is trying to fix what’s wrong with its code enforcement procedures so that the county doesn’t end up taking over that function for them. Last month, the state gave the county the green light to start the process of temporarily handling those responsibilities, but the village was given 90 days to prove they can do it themselves. The village hired a consultant, and he made a presentation last week to the county legislature, which would still have to vote to take over the code enforcement duties. Rockland legislator and minority leader Lon Hofstein says it’s a “wait-and-see” process…
This all began following the fatal March fire at the Evergreen Home for Adults in Spring Valley. Volunteer firefighter Jared Lloyd was killed, along with one of the home’s residents.
Haverstraw Last Rockland Town to Decide on Marijuana Sales
Four of Rockland’s five towns have opted out of recreational marijuana sales, leaving just Haverstraw to decide what to do. Haverstraw supervisor Howard Phillips says the town board is still considering what move to make before the end of the year…
The village of Haverstraw has decided to opt in and allow sales in the village. Phillips expects a decision to be made at a meeting next week, the day and time still to be determined.