News

If you’d like to learn about, or even be inspired by, the story of how a poor family from a 19th century German ghetto rose to become among the most powerful families in all of Europe, you’ll want to head over to the JCC in West Nyack tomorrow. Lou Morris of the local chapter of the AARP says Dr. Marty Cohen will explain how the Rothschilds rose to escape Frankfort and become rich and powerful movers and shakers…

The event is being held at the JCC in West Nyack tomorrow at 12:30. The event is free and open to everyone. For more information, call 845-623-7606.

If you want to vape, you won’t be able to do it in Ramapo facilities or parks. The Ramapo Town Board last week passed a resolution banning vaping and e-cigarettes in all town parks and buildings. Supervisor Michael Specht says it’s a natural extension of the town’s anti-smoking laws…

At a press conference yesterday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an emergency executive action to ban the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes in the state. Health Commissioner Howard Zucker called vaping a public health crisis…

Governor Cuomo said in four years, the percentage of high schoolers who use e-cigarettes has increased 160 percent, with 40 percent of 12th graders now vaping and 27 percent of all high school students doing it…

The governor said with names like “Bubblegum,” “Cotton Candy,” and “Captain Crunch,” vape companies are obviously targeting kids. The minimum age to purchase vaping products will increase from 18 to 21 on November 13th.

The 4th Annual New York State Suicide Prevention conference is being held this week in Albany, and an area lawmaker is calling on the governor to sign legislation that would assist suicide prevention programs, particularly among black children, where the numbers are growing at alarming rates. Rockland state senator David Carlucci encouraged colleagues earlier this year on the Senate floor to back his bill, which would create a task force to study the issue, and he’s urging the governor to sign it into law…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the suicide rate for black children increased 77 percent from 2006 to 2016. This week’s suicide prevention conference will feature presentations highlighting recent developments in suicide prevention.

Tappan Zee Constructors will be doing some nighttime road grooving and grinding operations on the New York State Thruway this week. South Nyack mayor Bonnie Christian says the work, which includes the new bicycle and pedestrian pathway, will be taking place behind walls that dampen the sound…

On the Rockland side of the bridge, work continues on the construction of a new intersection at Hillside Avenue and Route 9W, which will eventually provide access to the Thruway in both directions. The work includes fencing, signage, drainage work, and the dismantling of the old bridge’s foundations.

The State Department of Transportation says travel could be slower than usual on Route 9W thanks to some single-lane closures expected this week. They’ll take place on the nearly 2-mile stretch of Route 9W between Christian Herald Road and Rockland Lake Road in Clarkstown. Crews will be doing construction and maintenance work in the area.