Breaking News

If you haven’t been vaccinated for polio, you might want to do so as soon as possible. The first case of polio in the United States in nearly ten years has been found here in Rockland. County Executive Ed Day and Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert made the announcement yesterday afternoon. Published reports suggested the person who got infected is a student from Rockland’s Orthodox community.

For those who are not vaccinated, or are at high risk for contracting polio, the county is holding a polio vaccine clinic starting today from 10:00 am to noon, at the Pomona Health Complex on Sanatorium Road, Building A. The next clinic will be held on Monday, July 25th, from one to four pm at the same location.

To pre-register for an appointment, click here. For help making an appointment, call: 845-238-1956. Walk-ins are also welcome.

For more information on Polio, its symptoms, and how it spreads, click here for the NYSDOH website.

Click here to learn more about the Polio vaccine and its availability in the U.S. at the CDC’s page.

Four teens were arrested yesterday and charged with attacking pedestrians in the Monsey area over the weekend. The charges of attempted assault and reckless endangerment, both hate crimes, as well as weapon, conspiracy, aggravated harassment and endangering the welfare of a child charges were filed after complaints were made by several members of the Orthodox community. Ramapo Police say pedestrians reported being struck with projectiles from a passing vehicle, WABC-TV says they were BBs and eggs. Police say 19 year-old Cody Vascak-Katchmar of Valley Cottage, and 19 year-old Kristina Fogarty of Tomkins Cove, were arraigned yesterday. Vascak-Katchmar was being held on $10,000 bail while Fogarty was released on $2,000 bail. An unidentified 18 year-old, who was eligible for Youthful Offender status, was released on $10,000 bail, while an unidentified 17 year-old was released from custody to a parent pending a Family Youth Court appearance. Rockland Assemblyman Mike Lawler was pleased with the arrests and said all acts of anti-Semitism must be denounced.

The Stony Point Police Department says Route 9W is expected to be closed most of the day today between Tomkins Avenue and Walnut Street as repairs are made following an accident late Monday. The accident and the rain storms reportedly took down several poles and power lines. Police suggest finding alternate routes.

We got through yesterday’s storms and heavy rain, a tree did come down in Stony Point that blocked the entrance ramp to the Palisades Parkway for a few hours, but no injuries were reported. Unfortunately, today brings a new weather issue: the heat. Today promises to be a scorcher reaching into the 90s with more hot and humid days to come. There is a heat advisory in effect from the National Weather Service until Wednesday night, which means it’ll feel like the high 90s and even the low 100s. O&R’s Mike Donovan says there are ways to keep comfortable and save money on your energy bill…

You should also pull your curtains and shades closed during the day to help block out the sun and heat. Donovan says you can get customized energy savings tips from your online account at www.ORU.com/myaccount.

Rockland health officials are warning residents in a specific area of Ramapo of possible rabies exposure. Residents who live near Union Road across from the Hempstead Elementary School, including Patricia Lane and Barrie Drive, may have been exposed to a rabid cat. The young, solid grey shorthair cat was captured by the health department on July 12th. We have a photo of the cat in this news article on our website. If you or someone you know has been scratched or bitten by this cat, please contact the Rockland County Health Department as soon as possible at 845-364-2594 or 845-364-8600 for after-hours staff.

For more information on rabies, just click the links below.

http://rocklandgov.com/departments/health/environmental-health/rabies
https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html