Breaking News

New York Governor Kathy Hochul presents her Fiscal Year 2025 budget this morning. Rockland Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski of the 96th district, primarily representing Clarkstown, says New York needs to be more competitive and more affordable, making this upcoming budget more challenging with its projected deficit…

Assemblyman John McGowan of the 97th district, covering Orangetown and portions of Ramapo, says he was disappointed the governor didn’t mention the migrant crisis in her State of the State last week…

Legislators have until April first to approve a budget for 2025.

Also, all Rockland Community College campuses will be closed. All in-person classes are canceled. Fully remote and online classes will proceed as scheduled.

Tappan Zee Bridge Walking Path is closed

2-hour delay:
TRIPS buses

Closings:

Tappan Library

Finkelstein Library

Tense moments in Sloatsburg over the weekend. Ramapo Police say they and officials from the Rockland County REACT Team and the Sheriff’s Department arrested a man after an over eight-hour standoff. They responded to the scene of a suicidal man around 11:40 Saturday night near Route 17 after they got word he had a rifle and a shotgun. He was taken into custody around 8:25 Sunday morning and brought to a local hospital.

Landlord Faces Fines Following Fire

An area landlord faces nearly $12,000 in fines after multiple illegal bedrooms and construction were found inside a single-family house on John Street in Spring Valley following a fire there last week. That’s according to The Journal News. An inspector for the Rockland County Office of Building and Codes reportedly found the two-story house had no heat, but renters were reportedly being charged $6,000 a month in rent. They also allegedly found the dining room, cellar and a second-floor closet, had illegally been converted into bedrooms. The Brooklyn-based owner reportedly owns several properties in the village. Around 14 people lived in the home, no one was reported injured in the blaze. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

A Spring Valley man faces a fine of $886 and nine points on his license for his involvement in a fatal crash on Route 6 that killed a Monticello man. That’s according to News 12. 24 year-old Chaim Gordon was driving in a caravan with New Square Grand Rabbi David Twersky in August 2022 when State Police said Gordon crossed a double yellow line while speeding. He struck 62-year-old Iksong Jin head on, killing him. Though he was originally ticketed for reckless driving and other charges, the reckless driving charge against Gordon was eventually dropped, having reportedly been “filed in error.” Gordon pleaded guilty to going 76 miles per hour in a 50 mile per hour zone, a hazard violation for an unsafe lane change, and a parking ticket.

A memorial service is being held today for the New City technology teacher in the Bronx, and her two young sons, students at Felix Festa Middle School and Laurel Plains Elementary, who were allegedly killed at the hands of her husband. Clarkstown Police have said that Bronxville Police Sergeant, 49 year-old Watson Morgan failed to show up for his 11:30 shift the night of Friday, December 29th. Clarkstown police went to his home and found the 49 year-old Morgan appeared to have fatally shot his family, including his wife, 43 year-old Ornela Morgan, his sons, 12 year-old Gabriel and 10 year-old Liam, and then turned the gun on himself. Rockland County Executive Ed Day says it may never be known why this tragedy happened…

The service is being held this afternoon from 4 to 7pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Parrott Road in West Nyack. A funeral service will be held tomorrow in Worcester, Massachusetts, with burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for any donations to be made to Rockland’s Meals on Wheels, the 9/11 Foundation or St. Mary’s Albanian Church in Worcester.