New York’s governor and legislative leaders have come up with a tentative $229 billion spending plan for fiscal 2024. In an address last night, Governor Kathy Hochul called it a bold, transformative budget that will help make New York safer, more affordable, and more livable, starting with help dealing with inflation…
Additionally, Hochul said the budget includes investments of more than $1 billion for mental health care, $34.5 billion for schools, $100 million for reproductive care, $400 million for utility bill relief, and it gives judges more discretion on bail. The budget still needs to be reviewed by lawmakers, voted on and then eventualy signed by the governor.
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Rockland County has used the Open Space Acquisition Program to buy some properties in Clarkstown and Ramapo and preserve them as open space. One of the new properties is Davies Lake at 20 New Valley Road in New City. A press conference was held earlier this week at Haverstraw Bay Park, the first piece of land acquired under the program more than two decades ago. Scott Milich’s family owned the 12-acre Davies Lake site in New City, property that’s been in his family for generations…
The county bought the property for $4 million. Two other pieces being purchased add up to 12 acres of land known as the Gordon properties located on Route 45 in Pomona. They cost about $1.4 million.
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Nine teens were injured, three suffered life-threatening injuries, after a crash Wednesday in New Castle in Westchester involving a school bus and a car allegedly driven by an unlicensed 16-year-old. Published reports say the driver of the car reportedly lost control rounding a curve and hit the bus head-on.
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A 14-year-old student was arrested and charged with falsely reporting an active shooter at a Hudson Valley school Wednesday. New York State Police and Town of Crawford Police say Pine Bush High School was locked down around 12:30 after Orange County 911 received a call for a shooter in the school. Investigators believe the teen used another student’s cell to place the phony 911 call. He was issued a Family Court Appearance Ticket and released to the custody of his parents.
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A beloved former Haverstraw Police Detective, town Councilman, and president of the Rockland PBA is being laid to rest today after passing away last week. Hector Soto died at his home in Garnerville on Friday. Haverstraw supervisor Howard Phillips was friends and colleagues with Soto for many years…
Born in Puerto Rico, Soto came to New York when he was 14. He worked for the Town of Haverstraw Police for 36 years before retiring in 2007. He also served as Commander of the American Legion Post #46, president of the Rockland County Police Hispanic Society, and co-founder of the Rockland County Detectives Association. Burial will be at 10:00 AM at St. Peter & St. Mary Church in Haverstraw, with burial to follow at Saint Peters Cemetery in Haverstraw. He was 76 years old.