An Irvington, New Jersey, man has been arrested and charged with 2nd degree Manslaughter exactly one year after a fatal accident he’s accused by Police of causing on the Palisades Parkway in Clarkstown. New York State Police say on April 13, 2023, 20 year-old Valentino Merceda was speeding in a BMW southbound near exit 10 when he and the driver of another car, 20 year-old Cyrus Silverio, of Clifton, New Jersey, attempted to pass a Nissan Rogue and merge into the right lane at the same time. Silverio and Merceda collided, causing Silverio to hit the Rogue, then a rock bridge abutment as he came off the exit 10 ramp onto the Parkway. Silverio’s car overturned and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Merceda was arraigned in Clarkstown Court and sent to the Rockland County Jail. Bail was set at $5,000 cash or $20,000 secured bond.
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RCC’s Financial Woes Concern Local State Lawmaker
A local state lawmaker is hoping Rockland Community College can get on its financial feet. Announced layoffs have Rockland State Senator Bill Weber of the 38th District and other local lawmakers concerned about the school’s future. Weber says he’s met with the administration, unions and teachers’ groups, and one of the main issues is, enrollment is down…
In addition to declining enrollment, RCC is also reportedly wrestling with budget shortfalls, furloughs, and hiring freezes. The Rockland County Business Journal reported last month that the school’s Faculty Senate called for the RCC Board of Trustees to remove the president, who took over just last July. The board was reportedly going to review the faculty’s request.
Large, but Harmless, Snake Spotted at Congers Lake in Clarkstown
If you plan on taking a trip over to Congers Lake, be careful not to step on its latest resident! Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann says photos of a large snake have been making the rounds online. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation identified it as a large, native black rat snake. They average between three and five feet in length, though they can be as long as eight feet. In a post on Facebook, Hoehmann said not to fret, the snake only feeds on small rodents, it’s not venomous, and poses no harm to people. If you do encounter it, just give it some space.
Governor Announces “Conceptual Agreement” on $237 Billion 2025 Fiscal Year Budget
New York’s governor yesterday announced what she called a “conceptual agreement” on the $237 billion 2025 fiscal year budget that includes plans for new housing construction, addresses the migrant situation and crack down on illegal marijuana shops. In a surprise speech late yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul said the budget reflects needs now and in the future. On education, Hochul said the foundation aid formula for schools, including the “hold harmless” provision, would be studied and adjusted…
Other highlights in the governor’s budget announcement yesterday, creating a statewide tax incentive for multi-family housing; making $650 million in discretionary funds exclusively available to Pro-Housing Communities; providing incentives for communities that want more accessory dwelling units; there would be new efforts to fight toll evasion on the roads and fare evasion in the subways; the expansion of Medicare coverage for seniors and the establishment of “Empire AI,” a consortium to create and launch a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence computing center in Buffalo for New York colleges and universities to use and put the state at the technology’s forefront to advance AI for the public good. The Senate and Assembly still need to approve the budget before it goes into effect.
Report: Rockland Files Suit Against Owner of Evergreen Adult Home to Force Cleanup of Site
Rockland County filed suit Friday in New York State Supreme Court, to force the owners of the Evergreen Court Home for Adults in Spring Valley to demolish or vacate the premises immediately, or bring it up to code. That’s according to The Journal News. Evergreen burned to the ground following a fire three years ago that killed a resident and a village volunteer firefighter. The wreckage of the blaze remains fenced-in off Lafayette Street, the county argues one of the owners, Jacob Schoenberger of Monsey, has had enough time to clean it up. The Rockland Office of Building and Codes inspected the site twice in the last three weeks. They reportedly found four unsafe structures being lived in by vagrants; they found garbage, drug paraphernalia, open flame Sterno cans, human feces and mold; and no running water, heat, or electricity. An attorney connected to one of Evergreen’s owners told News 12 ongoing litigation is preventing the site from being cleaned up just yet.