News

Published reports say the Airmont home where three were found unconscious, likely due to high levels of carbon monoxide, did not have any carbon monoxide detectors inside. Rockland’s new director of Fire and Emergency Services, Chris Kear, says homes should have both carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, and this weekend when we change the clocks is a great time to make sure yours are functioning properly…

The three victims from Tuesday’s Airmont incident were reportedly still hospitalized in stable condition. Kear was approved to his position by the legislature earlier this week.

There are now 144 confirmed cases of measles within Rockland County as well as two more suspected cases. If you think you may have the measles or need the vaccine, contact your healthcare provider. For information on the measles, click here, or call the State Department of Health’s toll-free Measles Information line at 1-888-364-4837.

For decades, signs that read “Future 86” have dotted Route 17 from Orange County heading west. A group looking to make it happen launched their campaign yesterday. The project would add a third lane to Route 17 each direction from exit 131 in Harriman to Monticello at exit 103. Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, whose district covers western Ramapo and parts of Orange County, says it’s a bipartisan effort backed by local labor unions, residents, businesses, chambers of commerce and tourism associations from across the Hudson Valley…

Assemblyman Colin Schmitt, whose district covers Stony Point and parts of Orange County, says widening the road will ease traffic, improve the environment, add jobs, and provide economic opportunities…

According to the group “17 Forward 86” the project could generate $82 million in additional state sales tax revenue over the next decade. The coalition is seeking inclusion in the DOT’s five-year capital plan at $100 million a year starting next year.

An area lawmaker is looking to codify net neutrality rules into New York State law so the internet can be open and accessible as a resource for everyone. The FCC changed rules governing how Internet Service Providers can go about their business, but Rockland State Senator David Carlucci says they don’t go far enough to protect consumers…

Last June when the new rules took effect, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said regulations that were developed over 80 years ago were replaced with strong consumer protections and increased transparency, and the laws that were set up in 2015 had to themselves be corrected, to promote investment and broadband deployment…

Meanwhile, Democrats in the House and Senate yesterday also introduced legislation to restore the open internet rules that were implemented last June. Vermont, Washington, Oregon and California have already passed their own laws reinstating net neutrality rules.

Three members of an Airmont family were hospitalized yesterday after they were found unconscious in their home. Ramapo Police say three females at the Bolger Lane home were taken to Westchester County Medical Center, one was then transferred to Jacobi Medical Center for further evaluation.  Police suspect there may have been high levels of carbon monoxide in the house, but that’s still under investigation.