A dozen local, state and federal law enforcement agencies combined to get 13 weapons off the streets of Rockland earlier this month, and the indictment of four area men last week. Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh says the four were indicted for illegally possessing “ghost guns” or illegally possessed firearms that don’t have a serial number. Three handguns and 10 assault rifles, which are illegal to possess in New York State, were also seized in the operation. The men were from Congers, Pomona and Nanuet and each faces several charges. The investigation is ongoing.
Governor Lifts Mask Mandates for Schools
The statewide mask requirement for schools in New York is coming to an end this week. Governor Kathy Hochul said yesterday the school mask requirement will end this Wednesday…
Hochul says if anyone wants to continue wearing masks, they can do so. New York will continue to distribute more than 20 million COVID tests to school districts across the state. Masks will still be required in certain settings, including healthcare and correctional facilities, transportation hubs, adult homes and homeless shelters.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID deaths in Rockland since the last report on Wednesday is up while hospitalizations and total cases are both down, that’s based on Friday’s update by the county health department, and that’s been the trend for the past month or so. We’ve got 1,159 fatalities due to COVID, that’s up four. We’ve got six hospitalized with coronavirus, that’s down five, and the total number of active cases is at 451, down 87.
Victim in Fatal Pedestrian Accident in West Nyack ID’d
Last week’s victim of a fatal pedestrian accident has been identified. Clarkstown Police say 54 year-old Rockland resident Patrick O’Neill was struck whole crossing Route 303 near Palisades Center in West Nyack on Wednesday night. Police say the driver remained on-scene and did not appear to be impaired. The Clarkstown Police Detective Bureau asks anyone who may have seen anything or has video of the incident to contact them at 845-639-5840.
Deadline to Apply to Operate Stony Point Golf’s Grille Room is This Week
If you think you have what it takes to operate the Grille Room and catering hall at Stony Point’s Patriot Hills Clubhouse and the Halfway House near the 9th Hole, you have until Thursday to get your proposal to the town. Supervisor Jim Monaghan says the goal is ultimately to bring in new golfers…
The RFPs are due March third. We have a link to the RFP here.
County Executive Announces Staffing Changes
The County Executive’s office has announced several new staffing changes slated to take effect today. Replacing the now-retired Deputy County Executive, Guillermo Rosa, is current Chief of Staff, Mike Hoblin. Director of Strategic Communications, John Lyon, has been promoted to Chief of Staff, and former News12 Hudson Valley reporter, Beth Cefalu, is taking over the Director of Strategic Communications position.