News

If you’re under the age of 18 and you haven’t had your measles shots, as of midnight last night you are not allowed in public. There have been 153 cases of measles and 84% of those have been in children under the age of 18. As such, Rockland’s County Executive declared a State of Emergency over the largest outbreak of measles since 2000 when it was virtually eradicated in the U-S. County Executive Ed Day says he’s not looking to arrest people, but rather use the state of emergency as an education tool…

Kate Johnson Southern of the Rockland Health Department says the majority of Rocklanders have been cooperating with efforts to contain the outbreak, but more help from the community is needed…

The Health Department is hosting a free MMR vaccination clinic from 1-3 this afternoon on the 2nd floor of Building A at the Pomona Health Complex. Parents of kids who violate the emergency order could face a $500 fine and/or six months in jail.

Meanwhile, Rockland’s got a shortage of blood and your help is needed. Rockland County Executive Ed Day says there’s a blood drive today in Pomona…

The blood drive runs from 8am to 5pm at the Health Complex in Pomona, building A.

Published reports are suggesting congestion pricing could become a reality for those who commute into the city. Even Rockland Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski thinks it’s looking more and more likely to pass…

It is unclear how much the congestion pricing toll could be, but one theory says it could be as high as $11 a day. The governor has said he wants congestion pricing in the state budget, which is due April first, but the numbers are still up for negotiation. He warned without the toll, transit fares would have to go up.

The supervisors of each of Rockland’s five towns, the county Sewer District and the Solid Waste Authority are lining up to oppose the water company’s recent rate hike request. Clarkstown supervisor George Hoehmann says they’ve hired an attorney who specializes in utilities’ litigation to fight Suez New York’s $31.5 million rate hike request…

SUEZ New York Director of External Affairs Bill Madden says the filing includes a pledge to invest $277 million in infrastructure upgrades in Rockland County…

On average, Rockland water bills would go up $10.43 per month. The request must be approved by the Public Service Commission. If it is, the hike would go into effect February of next year.

The Rockland County legislature voted 14-3 Thursday to ban plastic bags from, but not limited to, many retail and drug stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers’ markets. Legislator Nancy Low-Hogan of Clarkstown and Orangetown calls plastic bags a major problem and says the law is a huge step forward for Rockland…

On Sunday, at an event out on Long Island, Governor Andrew Cuomo suggested plastic bags should be banned state-wide…

Rockland County Executive Ed Day says he has an open mind about the issue, but some research still needs to be done…

The proposed Rockland law does not ban bags used by pharmacies to contain prescription drugs, newspaper bags, or laundry-dry cleaning bags. The county executive has until April 10th to sign the bill, do nothing or veto it.