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While the state has now approved marijuana for recreational use in the state, why can’t we go and buy some and toke up now? That’s because a new state agency created to regulate it will take the next year or so to iron out all the rules and regulations around the “where” and “how much” it can be smoked or sold. Rockland County Executive Ed Day says with the state getting into the pot business, they’re sending kids mixed messages…

Ramapo supervisor Michael Specht says the town hasn’t decided yet whether to opt out or not…

With the bill now law, New Yorkers can possess up to three ounces of marijuana for recreational use and smoke wherever it is legal to use tobacco, but the new agency may restrict that further, and reportedly local municipalities can decide to restrict its usage as well.

Thousands attended a service held Saturday for 35-year-old Lt. Jared Lloyd of Spring Valley’s Columbian Fire Engine Co. No. 1 at Palisades Credit Union Park in Pomona, right next door to the Fire Training Center. Lloyd died rescuing residents of the Evergreen Court Home for Adults that was destroyed in a blaze on March 23rd. After the service, Lloyd’s casket was taken in a procession through Spring Valley, past his firehouse, and to the Brick Church Cemetery where he was laid to rest.

Meanwhile, the investigation continues into the cause of the fire and what may have gone wrong. Rockland’s Director of Fire and Emergency Services Chris Kear says people need to be patient and let the investigation come to its conclusions…

In a press conference last week with several local, state and federal investigative agencies, Rockland District Attorney Tom Walsh emphasized a criminal investigation is also ongoing…

One other resident of Evergreen was killed, 112 residents made it out safely.

The long-awaited Rockland-based state-run COVID-19 vaccination center opened yesterday at RCC. At a press conference yesterday to open the site, Congressman Mondaire Jones said it was just too difficult for many Rocklanders to get vaccines outside the county…

And that’s what makes the site at RCC’s field house so critical to the vaccination effort. County Executive Ed Day said the RCC site will help get shots in the arms for those in areas of the county with low vaccination rates…

Rockland Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski warned the virus is still active, and getting more people vaccinated would help keep the numbers down…

District 14 Legislator and Legislative Vice Chair Aney Paul said the center’s location at RCC makes it easy for residents to get to…

And though the day yesterday started out with clouds and rain, RCC President Dr. Michael Baston said the opening of the facility should make things brighter in the days and weeks ahead…

You can make an appointment online (https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov) or by calling the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). Slots go fast so you have to be patient and keep trying.

COVID-19 by the numbers now, here in Rockland, the death count remained steady for the second day in a row at 923. We’ve got 58 hospitalized confirmed with coronavirus, and 1,802 active cases. Our total case count is 43,718, that’s 133 more than Thursday.

New York’s budget deadline has come and gone, and as of this morning there’s no budget yet. The midnight deadline has passed and lawmakers have yet to agree. One of the sticking points reportedly in the $200 billion spending proposal is the possibility of raising taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers, a move that Rockland Business Association CEO Al Samuels says, would just encourage the wealthy to move elsewhere…

The legislature is proposing $7 billion in new taxes on the wealthy and corporations.

New York lawmakers have passed a bill that would legalize adult use of marijuana. The AP says bill now goes to Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has said he will sign it. The Senate voted 40-23 and it passed the Assembly by a vote of 100-49.