NYACK — State Sen. David Carlucci, D-New City, stood with Nyack Mayor Jen White, John Corlett, Chairman of the Legislative Committee for AAA New York State, Mike Hekker of the Nyack River Club and employees of the club to announce a new first of its kind toll relief plan specifically designed to ease the burden for commuters traveling throughout our area. Continue Reading

The long rumored sewer project for Pine Grove Lakes in Sloatsburg is winding its way to an actual starting time.

A public meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 22, at 7 p.m. at the Sloatsburg Fire Hall that will discuss the planned construction phase of the Western Ramapo Sewer Extension Project related to Pine Grove Lakes. Continue Reading

The Ramapo Central School District has a long, proud educational history that has provided a recognizably high quality education to students throughout the western communities of the Town of Ramapo. The 2013 school budget process brought together many voices, both for and against busting the state property cap to fund the district’s expansive personnel and programs. 

In the end, district residents voted 1,602-528 for the $128 million dollar budget, which had a tax levy of 1.99%. The budget included a number of program and staff cuts and the vote implied that district residents were in agreement with the Board of Education to hold the line on taxes while the district streamlined the system to meet budget demands.  Continue Reading

NANUET – This winter’s severe cold is hurting Rockland families who can’t afford to buy warm coats, according to Rockland People to People.

The Nanuet-based food pantry has sent out a call this weekend for donations of used coats that can be distributed to local residents. Continue Reading

The gavel came down on Sloatsburg’s own Village Justice Thomas Newman, Jr., who has served the village in that post for many a long year.

In a ruling filed December 18, 2013 but made public this past Tuesday, Newman was censured by the New York State Commission of Judicial Conduct for an incident that occurred in August of 2011 when Newman tail ended a car lawfully stopped at the Rt. 17 and NY Thruway traffic light. Continue Reading

Election coverage for the Town of Monroe in Orange County / News 12

The odd case of Town of Monroe culture and politics took an interesting turn in the New Year.

In the recent three candidate race for Town of Monroe Supervisor, former town councilman Harley Doles won his controversial bid on the Democratic and Working Families tickets, earning roughly 375 votes from the entire town. Doles’ main opponent, United Monroe candidate Emily Convers, captured approximately 6,600 votes throughout the town. Continue Reading

Suffern Marching Band during a halftime show this past fall. Photo still courtesy of Groovisthemoovis.

It’s one of those Ramapo Central Schools groups that adds spirit and music to most any event — the Suffern High School Marching Band. Continue Reading

A small Piper plane made an emergency landing on the Cross Bronx Expressway Saturday afternoon/ NYC Fire Wire

With the Hudson Valley chilled out in frosty winter weather, there were a few recent aerial-related odd incidents in other parts of New York state. Take the small plane that landed on the Major Deegan cross Bronx expressway Saturday evening, January 4, as an example. Continue Reading

Storm Watch Hercules Update: Ramapo Central Schools have been cancelled for Friday, January 3.

With impending winter weather blowing toward the Hudson Valley, Ramapo Central Schools announced an early dismissal for Thursday, January 2, with all after school and evening activities cancelled.

Friday’s schedule is yet to be determined.

The early dismissal is as follows:

Suffern High School — dismissed at 1:05 p.m.

Suffern Middle School — dismissed at 1:35 p.m.

Elementary schools — dismissed at 2:05 p.m.

Volunteer firefighters at Manhattan Beer Distributors in Montebello early New Year’s day. / Mahwah Fire Department

MONTEBELLO –  Bill Demarest, Nyack Free Press — Rockland County volunteer firefighters didn’t have to wait long to get their first fire of 2014.

A fire involving a piece of floor cleaning equipment at Manhattan Beer Distributors at 10 Dunnigan Drive – between the New York State Thruway and Route 59 near Airmont Road – filled portions of the company’s recycling warehouse with thick smoke at about 12:30 a.m. Continue Reading