A New City couple has been arraigned on charges of murdering the man’s grandfather and stealing from him while his corpse was hidden in their home. Rockland County D-A Tom Walsh and Clarkstown Police Chief Jeffrey Wanamaker announced that 32 year-old Constantinos Doonan and 26 year-old Jo-Ann Haughey both of New City were charged yesterday with second degree murder and other charges. They say 85 year-old Constantinos Mastakouris was killed January 29th or 30th earlier this year at their home on Ruth Drive in New City. They say the couple hid Mastakouris’ body in a crawl space in the house, not far from where they slept and near their two young children. They also claim the couple stole from him for about a month and a half after the killing. Representatives from the DA’s office and the Clarkstown Police Department said the body wasn’t discovered until March 19th this year, about six weeks after he was killed, but no word on what caused his death. The pair both face murder, burglary, grand larceny, concealment of a corpse and other charges. They were both sent to the Rockland County Jail and if convicted, face a maximum of 25 years to life in state prison.
Breaking News
Congestion Pricing Inches Closer to Reality as MTA Approves Toll Structure
Congestion pricing is one step closer to reality. The MTA Board yesterday voted to approve the pricing structure suggested by the Traffic Mobility Review Board, calling for $15 tolls for West-of-Hudson commuters, $24 for small trucks and $36 for large trucks. It also includes various discounts for city buses and yellow cabs, and other vehicles. Orange County Senator James Skoufis of District 42 says for West-of-Hudson commuters, the toll amounts to theft…
Last month, Rockland State Senator Bill Weber of the 38th District told “The Morning Show” that Rockland will likely see increased truck traffic and suffer environmental harm when the plan is implemented…
At $15 each day that comes out to about $4,000 a year to commute over the George Washington Bridge and into the pricing zone below 60th Street. If you don’t have EZPass it’ll cost $22.50 a day, or $5,000 annually. The MTA also wants to implement another 25 percent on “Gridlock Alert Days,” and they want have the ability to raise the fees next year 10 percent, just in case they feel the need. The plan is expected to bring in $1 billion for the MTA’s capital plan, and reduce congestion and pollution in Manhattan. The review board thinks they’ll see 17% reduction in the number of cars, 153,000 fewer each day. A four-month public comment period is now underway, and changes could still be made to the plan before it is implemented this spring.
Happy Birthday to Will!
Yesterday was Will’s birthday, he turned the big 2-5 – a quarter-century old. And since he rarely listens to anything Jeff says during the newscasts, you got to hear this…
William Patrick Thurston Robinette Hennessey the 3rd, 25 years old – Happy Birthday, Will!
Local State Lawmaker Optimistic Insurance Bills Could Pass Next Session
A local state lawmaker says people who were victims of last month’s flooding in North Rockland and Orange County have been dealing with major headaches from insurance companies that are reluctant to pay up or because they didn’t even have flood insurance. 99th district Assemblyman Chris Eachus, who covers Stony Point and portions of Orange County, says insurance companies need to be more responsive and more transparent…
Eachus says state senator James Skoufis has a similar bill in the Senate. Eachus says he is confident both bills would pass both houses and ultimately be signed by the governor.
Legal Battle with NYC Over Migrants Continues for County, Town of Orangetown
While New York City is predicting billions of dollars will have to be spent over the next few years to handle all the migrants that have been coming here, Rockland County has several court dates pending as part of its goal of keeping the city from using area hotels as homeless shelters. County Executive Ed Day told “The Morning Show” Friday, Rockland is simply looking to enforce its laws…
Meanwhile, the New York Post is reporting two restaurants in The Redbury Hotel, Marta and Maialino, will be closing thanks to the migrant situation. The hotel closed earlier this month in order to house migrants. The two restaurants will reportedly close for good on August 25th.