Services are being held tomorrow for retired Orangetown Police Chief Homer Wanamaker who died on Saturday. Chief Wanamaker began his career with the Orangetown Police Department in 1955, became Chief in 1992 and retired in 1997. The Nyack High School graduate joined the Empire Hook and Ladder Company Number One in Upper Nyack in 1950 and was a life member. Visiting hours are today at Hannemann Funeral Home in Nyack from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. A funeral service will be held at the Grace Episcopal Church in Nyack tomorrow morning at 10. Burial follows at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Nyack. He was 86 years old.
News
Harper’s Law One Step Away from Becoming Law in NYS
All that’s needed is the governor’s signature. Harper Fried died in November 2016 when she was just three years old and a dresser toppled onto her while she played in her room. A bill named for her just passed both the New York State Assembly and the Senate. Rockland Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski says the governor may not sign the bill until December, but he optimistically expects it to happen sooner…
The bill would require kids’ furniture to include tip-proof safety mechanisms. Harper’s grandfather is Sandy Fried, former owner of the Spring Valley Tire Warehouse, and he says accidents like what happened to Harper happen far too often…
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says there were 195 fatalities between 2000 and 2016 because of furniture that tipped over.
Cat Declawing Ban Approved by NYS Legislature
The Senate and the Assembly this week also approved a bill to prevent the declawing of cats. Advocates have called it a brutal surgical procedure. Hi Tor animal shelter president Debbie DiBernardo is glad the bill is that much closer to reality…
Some New York veterinary associations have opposed the bill, arguing that cat owners would take their pets out of state to have the procedure done. Violators would face fines up to $1,000, though vets would still be allowed to declaw cats for certain medical reasons.
NYS Legislature Passes Bill to Require Kindergarten
A Rockland state lawmaker’s bill to allow boards of education to require five-year-olds to go to kindergarten has passed the full legislature. The bill passed the Senate in March, and the Assembly this week. North Rockland senator James Skoufis says right now only eight school districts in the state have that right…
Add this one to the pile of bills on the governor’s desk that need his signature before going into effect.
Orangetown Auxiliary Police Looking for Volunteers
Members of the Orangetown Auxiliary Police were sworn in last night. It’s an annual ceremony in which the volunteers renew their commitment to their position, serving the town and the village of Nyack. The group could use more members. You must be at least 20 years old. Contact Sergeant Robert Ruggiero at 845-359-3700 ext 3146 for more information.