Two village of Spring Valley building department employees have been indicted on felony charges stemming from the fatal fire last March at the Evergreen Adult Home in Spring Valley that killed a resident and a volunteer firefighter. Rockland County D.A. Tom Walsh says a county grand jury indicted 45 year-old Raymond Canario and 64 year-old Wayne Ballard, on several charges, including Falsifying Business Records and Offering a False Instrument for Filing. 35 year-old firefighter Jared Lloyd, and 79 year-old Evergreen resident, Oliver Hueston, were both killed in the blaze. Arraignment dates have not yet been set.
Breaking News
Criminal or Hate-Crime Charges Could Be Filed Against Man Who Made Incendiary Comments at Haverstraw Planning Board Meeting
Officials from the Rockland D.A.’s office, Haverstraw Police and the state Attorney General’s Office are looking at whether a Thiells resident’s alleged anti-semitic comments at a planning board meeting last week could result in criminal or hate-crime charges. The remarks drew swift condemnation from local and state officials, and even the governor. In a statement, Rockland Congressman Mondaire Jones said he was “horrified by the antisemitic comments” noting the county won’t “tolerate antisemitism or any form of hate.” Haverstraw supervisor Howard Phillips says the town has historically been a place of tolerance…
Rockland County Executive Ed Day called the man’s comments “disgusting”…
Hillcrest CUPON Founder Micheal Miller was at the meeting, and says while some area residents were looking to form a local chapter of the group, which seeks to ensure local zoning codes are enforced, the man who made the comments won’t ever be a part of the group…
Callers to “The Morning Show” Friday criticized the man’s comments…
The public hearing was to consider a request by the owners of single-family home on one-point-two acres to add a second floor to the house to build a synagogue and off-street parking. The plan also needs the Zoning Board of Appeals to consider variances.
Rockland’s D.A. Reviewing Alleged Anti-Semitic Comments at Haverstraw Planning Board Meeting; Comments Slammed by County Executive, Town Supervisors, Governor
Rockland’s County Executive, the supervisors from Haverstraw and Ramapo, and the Governor of New York have condemned alleged anti-Semitic remarks made at the Haverstraw planning board Wednesday night. A man was at the podium discussing local zoning issues and complaining about what he called “a certain sect of people”…
A police officer then approached the podium and the man backed away. In response, Ramapo supervisor Michael Specht said the “heinous and hateful attack on the Jewish community” is “a painful reminder that antisemitism is regrettably alive and well.” Rockland County Executive Ed Day called the comments “beyond disgusting” and Governor Kathy Hochul said the remarks were “horrifying and unacceptable” adding that “Everyone has the right to walk down the street without fear.” Rich Levin of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County said the group appreciated the Haverstraw board members’ swift condemnation of the speaker’s inflammatory, hateful and violent remarks…
In a statement, Town of Haverstraw Supervisor Howard Phillips reportedly told the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council that the town is “determined to keep the man from attending future meetings based on his hate speech.” Rockland’s D.A. Tom Walsh said they’re working with the Haverstraw Police Department and will be contacting the New York State Attorney General’s office to determine whether any potential charges may be filed.
Convicted Brinks Killer Released from Prison
He’s 77 years old. He served 40 years of a 75-years-to-life sentence for his participation in the Brinks heist and murder in Nanuet and Nyack in 1981. And now he’s a free man. David Gilbert – prisoner number 83A6158 – was released last week from Ulster County’s Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Wallkill. That’s according to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Where he went is not clear. Rockland Assemblyman Mike Lawler says that he’s out in time for Thanksgiving is a slap in the face to his victims and their families…
Rockland Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski called it a sad day and says Gilbert should not have been let out…
Rockland State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick says he understands the argument about elderly people getting out of prison, but domestic terrorists and killers of police officers shouldn’t qualify…
Sergeant Edward O’Grady, Officer Waverly ‘Chipper’ Brown and Brinks guard Peter Paige were killed in the heist from the former Nanuet Mall 40 years ago last month. Gilbert was granted clemency by former governor Andrew Cuomo just before he resigned, and the parole board gave him his freedom last month.
Body of Missing Nyack Man Found in Nyack Beach State
The body of a Nyack man who went missing last week was found yesterday afternoon. Orangetown Police say 75 year-old Richard Kendall was found by detectives around 4:30pm Monday in a heavily wooded area in Nyack Beach State Park. He had last been seen in downtown Nyack on Wednesday.
Over in Spring Valley, a 13 year-old boy missing since last week has been found, but now they’re looking for another missing teen. Spring Valley Police say 14 year old Keyli Flores-Garcia (photo below) has been missing since November 5th. She has brown eyes and brown hair. If you have any information, contact Detective Matt Galli at 845-356-7400 or 845-517-1126.
