Breaking News

The southbound New York State Thruway reopened around 5 this morning after being closed overnight for about four hours by Woodbury Commons in Harriman following a fatal car accident involving a pedestrian around one this morning. News 12 says traffic had to be moved to Route 17 South and then back onto the Thruway in Sloatsburg. The incident is under investigation.

Nanuet Roofer Faces Prison and Fines After Death at New Square Work Site
A 41-year-old Nanuet roofer faces prison and a large fine for the death of an employee at a New Square construction site two years ago. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Jose Lema of ALJ Home Improvement faces six months in prison and a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty yesterday in federal court to willfully violating OSHA safety regulations. The unidentified victim was helping install a roof on a three-story, multi-family apartment building under construction at the time. The worker fell and there were no protections in place. Lima will be sentenced May 22nd.

A Spring Valley man faces murder charges after a woman was found dead in their apartment early Friday morning after a welfare check. That’s according to News 12. 37 year-old Warle Fernandez-Arias pleaded not guilty Friday night after being charged with second degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Spring Valley Police said he allegedly stabbed 36-year-old Carolyn Canela in the back with a large kitchen knife in their Sneden Place West apartment. Spring Valley police ask anyone with information about the incident to contact them at at 845-356-7400. Fernandez-Arias is due back in court on Wednesday.

Injuries in Two Fires Sunday in Rockland
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries after an early-morning house fire yesterday in Spring Valley. It took place around 4:30 Sunday morning at 17 Slinn Avenue, with more than a dozen departments responding. No word on damage or the cause of the blaze. WABC-TV reported that 63 adults and 23 children were displaced due to the blaze, with some staying at the Louis Kurtz Center. News 12 says the Red Cross has a reception center open at 200 North Main Street to support anyone displaced due to the fire.

One person was injured after a fire at an apartment in West Nyack Sunday. News 12 reported the fire began in the kitchen of the 82 Demarest Avenue apartment. The resident was treated for burns to the hands.

The MTA’s motives and math are coming into question as they continue to try and get their Congestion Pricing Plan up and running this spring. New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer yesterday announced he had filed an official Freedom of Information Law request to force the MTA to provide documentation on how they came up with their plan and how they specifically want to spend the money. Gottheimer’s concerned the MTA hasn’t been forthcoming…

The MTA has about a month to comply and respond to Congressman Gottheimer’s request. Meanwhile, New York State Assemblyman Chris Eachus of the 99th District, covering Stony Point and parts of Orange County, is one of several state lawmakers to join the United Federation of Teachers’ lawsuit looking to stop the plan. Eachus says in case that doesn’t work, he’s got another option up his sleeve…

The plan would hit drivers with a $15 charge each time they drive into midtown Manhattan below 60th Street. 

A Piermont man who managed the production and budget of a nationally syndicated TV Talk Show is being mourned following his mysterious death last week amid a financial investigation at the show. That’s according to The New York Post. Matt Uzzle was the executive in charge of the Sherri Shepherd program. He was reportedly found dead in his Piermont home after no one had heard from him, leading police to perform a welfare check on February 13th. The Post said police would not provide any additional comment, calling it an “open investigation.”

Report: Chester Man Arrested, Turned over to Haverstraw PD

A Chester man was arrested Friday night and turned over to Haverstraw authorities on an outstanding warrant after the Orange County Sheriff’s Office reportedly found three homemade explosive devices in his home. That’s according to Patch.com. It’s not clear why the Town of Haverstraw Police Department was interested in 37-year-old Aleksey Titov. He faces various charges in Orange County, including criminal possession of a weapon, after authorities found three intact incendiary devices and other related materials, with help from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Unit. They reportedly found a loaded firearm, four loaded magazines, approximately 17 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, and a ballistic vest. Titov was arraigned and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to return to the Village of Chester court at a later date.

Area lawmakers continue to hold out hope that they can stop the MTA’s congestion pricing plan, or at least get carve-outs for west-of-Hudson drivers once it launches, possibly in June. While several legal actions have been taken to try and stop the plan from moving forward, Rockland County Executive Ed Day says he’s working with the county attorney on a different strategy, opting instead to wait for the ongoing public hearing process to end…

Assemblyman Chris Eachus of the 99th District covering Stony Point and parts of Orange County, is one of the state lawmakers who joined the United Federation of Teachers’ lawsuit. Eachus says in case that doesn’t work he’s working on a bill that would exempt Orange and Rockland drivers. Eachus says others can foot the bill better…

Five public hearings remain scheduled over the next few weeks at the MTA’s Manhattan headquarters. The plan would hit drivers with a $15 charge each day to enter midtown Manhattan below 60th Street.