A plea deal has reportedly been offered to the two rabbis charged in connection with the fatal adult home fire in Spring Valley that killed a volunteer firefighter and a resident of the home in March 2021. That’s according to News 12. The plea deal reportedly includes no prison time for the rabbi and his son. Back in January, during an appearance on the show “Who Wants to be a Volunteer,” firefighter Jared Lloyd’s mother, Sabrail Davenport, said she was concerned that Rabbi Nathaniel Sommer and his son Rabbi Aaron Sommer would be getting a plea deal. They face felony charges for allegedly starting the fire while cleaning the Evergreen Adult Home for Passover. We reached out to the Rockland County District Attorney’s office and the Sommers’ attorney for comment, but did not hear back.
Breaking News
Officials to Meet Today to Discuss Holtec Plans for Indian Point Cleanup
Lawmakers and representatives from Holtec, the company tasked with cleaning up the de-commissioned Indian Point nuclear power plants, are scheduled to meet today in Westchester to figure out alternatives to dumping radioactive wastewater into the Hudson River. Rockland Congressman Mike Lawler of the 17th District told “The Morning Show” yesterday that each of the current options on the table has drawbacks…
Lawler noted there is still legislation pending in the state that could prevent the company from dumping into the river. The bill passed the Senate, and the Assembly may take it up as early as next week, if they are called back to Albany. Rockland Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski of the 96th district says the wastewater should not be put into the Hudson…
Holtec’s Director of Government Relations Patrick O’Brien was a guest on “Tough Times with Lou Young” here on WRCR on Saturday, and said the company’s water release plan is within acceptable limits and is a common practice in the industry…
In April, Holtec backed off their accelerated plans to start the dumping process in May, rather than in August, which is still the current plan that is under discussion.
Clock is Ticking on Clarkstown’s Plans for Soon-to-be-Vacant Town Justice Position
The Clarkstown town board has some time before any decision is made on the opening on its justice court now that Scott Ugell has stepped down. His retirement becomes official at the end of June, after which Clarkstown supervisor George Hoehmann says there are a number of things that could happen…
Hoehmann says the board would have to act within 30 days after Ugell’s retirement becomes official otherwise a special election becomes automatic. Ugell resigned earlier this month as a New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct investigation began. His current term would have concluded at the end of 2025. In a statement to News 12, Ugell’s attorney focused on his 32 years of dedicated public service, and noted he fully cooperated with the investigation, adding there was no admission or concession of any guilt, and no finding of wrongdoing.
Rockland Health Dept: Summer Air Could be Bad
Rockland’s Department of Health is predicting more air quality health advisories to continue over the summer. The main concern is fine particulate matter, also known as “PM 2.5,” which can cause adverse health events particularly in young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with underlying respiratory conditions and heart disease. The state has given the county adult N95 masks. You can one free at your local town hall. At a press conference update yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul said the state is sending Forest Rangers to Canada to help them battle the blazes in remote areas. Hochul said the smoke also caused significant delays at many area airports, but it appears the conditions are starting to improve…
Hochul also urged residents to check on neighbors, especially senior citizens. To check the air quality in your neighborhood, visit AirNow.gov or New York residents can call the Air Quality hotline at 1-800-535-1345.
Haze and Smoke Persists in Hudson Valley, NYC Metro, from Canadian Wildfires; Officials Urge People to Stay Indoors if Possible
Smoke and haze from wildfires in Canada continued to linger in our area and across the state and the northeast. At a press conference yesterday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the New York City metro and Syracuse areas were among the regions with the worst air quality in the world. Hochul said the DEC has been issuing air quality health advisories for nearly every region in the state, including New York City Metro, and the Hudson Valley…
Hochul says if you don’t have to go outside, it’s best to stay indoors. When the air quality is this bad, it poses significant risks for individuals with asthma, as well as seniors and children. To check the air quality in your neighborhood, visit AirNow.gov. The conditions could reportedly persist through the weekend. Published reports say Canadian officials are calling this thier worst wildfire season on record. More than 6.7 million acres have already burned, and many are still not under control.