News

Rockland’s Congressman is looking to undo a move by the Trump administration to toss protections that prevent nearly half a million Haitians from being deported by August. That decision, announced last month, is part of the president’s attempt to scale back the use of the Temporary Protected Status designation, which gives people legal authority to be in the country but doesn’t provide a long-term path to citizenship. Rockland Congressman Mike Lawler of the Hudson Valley’s 17th district told “The Morning Show” recently that it was never meant to be a permanent program, but…

The Associated Press reported that the Department of Homeland Security estimates 57,000 Haitians were eligible for TPS protections as of 2011, but by last July, that number had risen to more than a half-million. Supporters have argued that sending the Haitians back to Haiti while the country is being overrun by gangs would be inhumane.

While a New Jersey congressman is calling for refunds for his state’s drivers who enter the congestion pricing zone in New York City, a Rockland state lawmaker is asking for the same. Bergen County Democrat Josh Gottheimer last week insisted New York give the money back that’s been taken from Jersey commuters, that coming after one day after the U.S. Department of Transportation withdrew support of congestion pricing. Rockland Assemblyman, Democrat Patrick Carroll of the 96th District, covering Clarkstown and parts of Haverstraw and Orangetown, says New York west-of-Hudson commuters shouldn’t be left out of that…

New York State Senator, Republican Bill Weber of the 38th District agrees a refund should be offered, but even if that doesn’t happen, there are those who should be paying more…

Though federal support for the plan hasn’t caused it to come to a complete halt just yet, the Trump administration has set a deadline for the state to end congestion pricing. The Federal Highway Administration set a date of March 21st, so that operations can be terminated in an orderly manner, though lawsuits from the state and the MTA are hoping to keep the plan alive.

The town of Ramapo is celebrating Irish Heritage Night tonight at town hall. Ramapo supervisor Michael Specht says you don’t have to be Irish to celebrate…

That’s tonight at Ramapo Town Hall at 7pm.

An Orange County man was killed Friday after a box truck drifted into his lane and crashed into him head-on. New York State Police say the incident happened around 4am Friday morning in the village of Harriman. Police say a box truck driven by 23 year-old Mohammed Abdulla of Richmond, Virginia, was traveling northbound on Route 17 when he entered the southbound lanes, striking a Honda driven by 37 year-old Edwin Ottenwalder Nuñez of Middletown. Police say Nuñez died at the scene, no word on injuries to Abdulla. The investigation is ongoing and anyone who saw the accident is asked to call the State Police Monroe BCI division at 845-344-5300.

Two Teens Arrested in Car Burglary Investigation in Haverstraw
Two more teens were arrested late last week in Haverstraw in connection with an alleged string of thefts from cars in the Garnerville area. Haverstraw Police Chief John Gould says Miciah Cozart and Rinoe Mitchell, both 19 years-old, face multiple counts of grand larceny and petit larceny. A 17 year-old was arrested last month in connection with the case. Gould says Cozart had outstanding warrants for criminal possession of a controlled substance and grand larceny. Cozart was arraigned in the Village of Haverstraw Justice Court, and bail was set at $25,000. Mitchell was released on an appearance ticket. Gould says the investigation remains active.

Two Reportedly Busted with Drugs on Thruway in Ramapo
Two alleged drug dealers were arrested Friday on the Thruway during a traffic stop in Ramapo. State Police in Tarrytown say they and K-9 “Odin” busted 57 year-old Robert Morales of Rensselaer and 51 year-old Irving Prado of the Bronx with about 48 1/2 grams of Fentanyl and around 56 grams of Crack Cocaine. Both were arrested and charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with intent to sell, and other charges. They were arraigned and transferred to the Rockland County Jail. They are due back in court tomorrow.

Tappan Man Linked to Alleged Cockfighting Ring in NJ
An Orangetown man was among four dozen people arrested last week in connection with an alleged cockfighting ring in Galloway, New Jersey. That’s according to Patch.com. 61 year-old Bienvenid Polanco of Tappan was among the alleged participants in the “elaborate cockfighting operation” that was reportedly uncovered near Atlantic City. The Prosecutor’s Office there said an arena was built specifically for the purpose of fighting roosters, but it was stopped before the fight took place. 50 roosters in varying degrees of health were reportedly discovered in crates, storage boxes and bags in and around the arena. The event was promoted online last year, with the organizer pleading guilty last year.