The North Rockland High School Cheer Team is headed for the Nationals after winning the 73rd Annual Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational. News 12 says the team won the co-ed division, giving them the right to move onto the grand champion round. Congrats!
News
Power Restored After Cold Winds Bring Down Trees Friday into Saturday
Power company crews worked Friday through the weekend restoring electricity to those who lost it when cold temperatures and high winds hit the area late Friday and early Saturday. Around 11,700 customers were affected by the heavy wind gusts, the majority of them had service restored by Saturday morning. O&R says there were no interruptions in gas service.
Head of Rockland Illegal Housing Task Force Calls on DA to Resign Following Dismissal of Evergreen Case
The head of the Rockland Illegal Housing Task Force wants the District Attorney and his staff, which prosecuted the ill-fated Evergreen Adult Home case that was tossed last week, to resign. Justin Schwartz is also a member of the Spring Valley Fire Department where one of the Evergreen fire victims worked, and he laments that justice isn’t being served…
Rockland County Judge Kevin Russo Thursday dismissed the charges in connection with the 2021 fatal Spring Valley adult home fire against the former village Building Inspector, Wayne Ballard. In a statement to WRCR News, Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said he believes “sufficient evidence was presented to establish the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Rockland County Judge Kevin Russo disagreed and we will comply with the decision.” On Thursday, Judge Russo dismissed the charges in connection with the 2021 fatal Spring Valley adult home fire against the former village Building Inspector, Wayne Ballard. Two people died in the blaze nearly two years ago, including 35 year-old Spring Valley volunteer firefighter Jared Lloyd, and 79 year-old adult home resident, Oliver Hueston. Former fire chief Ray Canario, a former village building inspector, faces the same charges as Ballard. His trial has yet to start. Rabbis Nathaniel and Aaron Sommer still face manslaughter, negligent homicide, arson, assault, and other charges in causing the blaze when they were preparing the home’s kitchen for Passover. They have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to go before Judge Russo on February 14th.
Rockland to Stay Put Despite Lack of Transportation Options from the MTA
Few seem to like the amount of money Rockland pays into the MTA system, despite the lack of transportation the county gets in return. Rockland County Executive Ed Day says at this point, it doesn’t make any sense, though, for Rockland to try and leave the MTA…
Al Samuels is the president and CEO of the Rockland Business Association, and says other area leaders have determined that leaving the MTA isn’t the way to go..
In her budget announcement last week, New York governor Kathy Hochul proposed an increase in the state’s payroll tax to help save the cash-strapped MTA. She wants to raise the payroll mobility tax on businesses in the MTA’s service region — that’s the lower Hudson Valley, the city, and Long Island — and send them a share of the annual tax revenue that’s expected from new casinos.
Two Arrested in Suffern on Charges of Selling Pot Illegally from Downtown Shop
Two people were arrested after allegedly, illegally, selling pot to adults and children. The sales were discovered during several undercover investigations by the Suffern Police Department detective bureau working with the Rockland County Intelligence Unit and the Rockland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Suffern Police say the Zava Smoke Shop located at 28 Lafayette Avenue was raided last week by the police and several local and state agencies, netting thousands of dollars’ worth of THC products, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and other evidence. The investigation is ongoing and Suffern Police say it may result in additional charges.