News

The New York Independent Redistricting Commission has one more chance to draw new voting-district maps for congressional and state legislative races. Last week, the Legislature rejected two sets of district maps submitted by the IRC. Rockland assemblyman Republican Mike Lawler voted for the plan because he doesn’t think the legislature should be in charge of re-districting…

Stony Point and Orange County assemblyman Republican Colin Schmitt also voted for the plan, and says this will continue to be a partisan issue…

Rockland state senator Democrat Elijah Reichlin-Melnick rejected the maps, because some of the alterations made no sense…

This was the second time the commission has been unable to agree on one set of district maps. Fair redistricting supporter Daniel Altschuler of the group “Make the Road New York” says months of public input must also be taken into account…

The next vote could come January 25th. Primaries are set for June 28th, with a candidates’ filing deadline of April 7th, and proponents say it’s critical that the maps be finalized in the next month.

New York’s governor proposed her first budget yesterday for fiscal year 2023. Governor Kathy Hochul called the $216 billion spending plan a bold proposal that would accelerate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen the state’s infrastructure…

The legislature needs to pass the budget by April first.

Four COVID tests per household are now available for free. To get them, go to https://www.covidtests.gov/ or http://usps.com/covidtest, enter your name, address and email address to request the kits.

The local AARP is hosting a virtual event today with Rockland’s Congressman Mondaire Jones. Lou Morris is with the AARP and says the group will likely have lots of questions…

The event gets underway online at 1pm. We have login information in this news article on our website.

https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 88262621409
Passcode: 947801
Or dial-in: 1-646-558-8656

North Rockland is mourning the loss of a local restaurateur who worked with two very popular charitable organizations in the county. Jerry Accomando, owner of Babe’s Bar and Grill, died Friday, reportedly after a two-year battle with cancer. A wake is being held today from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the George M. Holt Funeral Home on New Main Street in Haverstraw. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday at St. Peter’s and St. Mary’s Church on Broadway in Haverstraw, with burial to follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Haverstraw. The family requests donations be made to the Stony Point Seals or the Hudson Valley Chapter of the Nam Knights of America. He was 65.