Radio Unscripted!
Fans of the Rockland Boulders for the last nine seasons can vote for their favorites for each position all summer long. Starting right now, you can decide who belongs on their “All-Decade Team,” starting this week with the catcher’s position. Boulders’ V-P of Business Development Seth Cantor says it’s easy to vote…
Each successive week brings a new vote for another position. You can vote for catcher through Thursday. Just go to NYBoulders.com or click here.
New York’s state budget passed on April 3rd but it’s taken a back seat to the coronavirus crisis. Area lawmakers say there weren’t any big surprises tucked into it this time around. One of the governor’s bigger pet projects was recreational marijuana, but Rockland assemblyman Ken Zebrowski says it didn’t get into the budget this year…
Rockland and Westchester state senator David Carlucci says the governor was forced to scale back some of the things he originally wanted for the budget. Carlucci says some campaign finance reform measures will begin after 2022…
The budget also reportedly mandates the city contribute $3 billion to the state-run Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
SUEZ North America is waiving late bill fees for all customers until further notice due to the coronavirus situation. The company also had recently said they were suspending service shutoffs for non-payment. Suez New York’s Director of External Affairs Bill Madden says though many company employees are working from home during the crisis, they still eventually intend to move into new facilities in West Nyack…
Madden is hopeful the company can still hold its annual Lake Deforest Day on June 27th.
The governor signed an executive order yesterday allowing the state to redistribute ventilators and personal protective equipment to hospitals with the highest need. In his daily press briefing yesterday, Governor Andrew Cuomo said, at the moment, every hospital has what they need…
The governor also said yesterday the State Department of Health has developed a test to detect antibodies to coronavirus in an individual’s blood. The test could help determine whether people are developing immunity to the virus. The total number of cases of coronavirus across the state is now around 139,000 and 5,489 deaths as of Tuesday afternoon, with 135 confirmed deaths here in Rockland.
The Town of Ramapo is mourning the loss of its long-time director of communications, Phil Tisi. Supervisor Michael Specht says the Sloatsburg resident died yesterday evening. On his Facebook page, Specht called Tisi a trusted friend and “a giant, a man whose dedication to our town and our residents will never be replaced.” Tisi was also a teacher in the former Ramapo Central School District. No further details were available.
After some concern about how to enforce the state’s social distancing rules, the county’s local police will now to be able to pursue complaints of alleged violations. Residents can report suspected violations to the state about a non-essential business they see operating improperly or a gathering that are too crowded. Complaints can be filed by calling 1-833-789-0470. Governor Andrew Cuomo says the state would be continuing its shut down through April 29th…
Fines are also being increased from $500 to $1,000 for people found not adhering to social distancing rules. Meanwhile, the National Rifle Association has filed a lawsuit against Cuomo over the closure of New York gun stores, deeming them non-essential businesses. The total number of cases of coronavirus across the state is now near 131,000, and there have been 119 confirmed deaths here in Rockland.
For the foreseeable future, all County Parks are closed as of 6AM this morning. Rockland’s Division of Environmental Resources has shut down all park facilities, including trails, parking lots, boat ramps, restrooms, offices and playgrounds, and all upcoming park events have been cancelled. Barricades are being placed at County Park parking lots and trail heads. Over in Clarkstown, supervisor George Hoehmann says as of noon yesterday, town residents can no longer enjoy Congers Lake Boardwalk and the Dog Park, at least for the next two weeks…
Hoehmann says he’s asked the state to consider closing Rockland Lake State Park, as well. He says they are taking it under advisement. Parks in Orangetown will be closing as of 7am tomorrow.
The Rockland County Executive’s request for a containment zone for a portion of Ramapo where coronavirus infections are at their highest has thus far gone unfulfilled. Clarkstown legislator Laurie Santulli told “Who Wants to be a Volunteer” on Friday that Rockland too often gets overlooked by state authorities…
Of Rockland’s five towns Clarkstown has the second most confirmed cases with just over 400.
The Ramapo Police Department is mourning the loss of retired Captain Thomas Pugliese. Known as “Pug,” Capt. Pugliese served from 1952 to 1998. He served in the Air Force and was a graduate of the 68th FBI National Academy. Funeral services have not yet been scheduled. He was 89.
A 400-foot stretch of River Road in Grandview starting at Stevenson Street will be closed for sewer repairs starting today for about two weeks. Orangetown Police are encouraging travelers in that area to find alternate routes.
