The number of confirmed measles cases in Rockland has climbed to 118 with another five suspected cases. In addition to Rockland County, nearly 60 cases have been identified in Brooklyn, and on Tuesday officials in Clark County, Washington near Portland, Oregon, declared an emergency after identifying at least 23 cases of measles, most of them in children. An infected person had gone to a Portland Trail Blazers basketball game. Additionally, 33 people in Ocean and Passaic counties in New Jersey also contracted the measles, but officials there say the outbreak is over. If you think you may have the measles or need the vaccine, contact your healthcare provider. For information on the measles, click here, or call the State Department of Health’s toll-free Measles Information line at 1-888-364-4837.
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NYS GOP Wants Lower Property Taxes, Increased STAR Rebate and Tax Freeze for Seniors
Just because the Democrats have majorities in both houses of the state legislature doesn’t mean the minority is sitting still. GOP Members of the Assembly pushed Tuesday at a press conference in Albany for passage of an eight-bill legislative package designed to lower property taxes in New York State.Among the proposals in the package introduced by North Rockland Assemblyman Colin Schmitt are bills to make the property tax cap permanent, increase the STAR rebate and create a property tax freeze for seniors…
The GOP is also looking for a 3/5ths super-majority to be required for the State legislature to enact new taxes to be passed by the State Legislature and a state takeover of Medicaid. In Schmitt’s district of 44% of Rockland County’s property taxes and 58% of Orange County’s property taxes are spent on Medicaid costs alone. On Wednesday, the Governor also announced he wants to see the tax cap made permanent. The legislature also passed the Reproductive Health Act late Tuesday and the Governor signed it into law. The controversial legislation protects and expands abortion rights.
Stony Point Planning Board to Discuss Eagle Bay and other Projects at Tonight’s Meeting
The Stony Point Planning Board is meeting tonight to discuss plans for Eagle Bay, the proposed 264-unit condo development on the Hudson River waterfront. George Potanovic is the president of the Stony Point Action Committee for the Environment, and he’s concerned the town isn’t sharing all the information that’s available about the project…
Stony Point supervisor Jim Monaghan says the town is doing its due diligence on the project and is going through the process properly. Also on the agenda, a new application for Ba Mar Manufactured Home Park and a new proposed local law for the redevelopment of Patriot Hills. The meeting is being held tonight at 7 at the RHO Building on Clubhouse Lane in Stony Point.
Village of Haverstraw Looks to Update Comprehensive Plan
The village of Haverstraw is looking to update their comprehensive plan. Town supervisor Howard Phillips says the move could help the village bring in new ratables…
The village is scheduled to start a series of meetings on January 30th to get feedback from residents, business owners and other interested parties.
Actor Alec Baldwin Pleads Guilty in Fight with Orangeburg Man over Parking Spot
Actor Alec Baldwin pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree harassment for fighting with an Orangeburg man who he said took his parking spot in the city last November. Published reports said 49-year-old Wojciech Cieszkowski, the owner of a construction company in Pearl River, had scuffled over a parking spot in the West Village. Baldwin will reportedly pay a $120 fine and take an anger-management program.