Find Your Daily Voice
Family Affair: Father, Son Serve Together At Toms River Fire Department
Helping others runs in the Rice family’s blood.
Matthew Rice, 23, grew up surrounded by it.
His grandmother was an ICU nurse, his grandfather a police officer, and his dad, Dave, 47, is an EMT and firefighter. Matthew himself just graduated with his master’s degree in fire science: Explosion & investigation.
One of the best ways for father and son, Dave and Matthew, to spend time together is volunteering with Toms River Fire Co. No. 2 in the Toms River Fire Department.
“It can be a challenge at times volunteering together,” Dave laughed, “but it’s a lot of fun, a lot of ca…
Civil Air Patrol Cadet From Mamaroneck, Age 15, Youngest To Earn Highest Achievement Award
A 15-year-old Civil Air Patrol cadet from Westchester is now the youngest in New York to earn the program's highest achievement honor.
Cadet Colonel Arielle Nickerson of Mamaroneck, who serves with Westchester Cadet Squadron 1, is the youngest cadet to receive the General Carl A. Spaatz Award in the New York Wing, the Civil Air Patrol announced on Wednesday, March 13.
Nickerson earned the honor based on her leadership skills, moral reasoning, and physical abilities, according to Lt. Col. Thomas Vreeland, who said he has never seen a candidate with "more focus, confidence, en…
Who Is Kathy Hochul? Cuomo Resignation Shifts Focus To NY's Soon-To-Be First Female Governor
Longtime Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is set to become New York’s first female governor when she officially takes over for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who announced his resignation, effective later this month.
On Tuesday, Aug. 10, Cuomo announced that he would be stepping away from Albany, effective in 14 days on Tuesday, Aug. 24, paving the way for Hochul (whose last name is pronounced HOKE-ul and rhymes with "Local") to step in and seek to stabilize what has become a highly political climate in New York.
Hochul, age 62, has served as Cuomo’s top lieutenant for nearly seven years, the longest tenure of an…
Police Chief In Rockland County Announces He's Retiring
After 32 years on the Clarkstown police force, and three-and-half years as chief, Chief Ray McCullagh has announced he is retiring.
McCullagh's retirement is effective Friday, April 23.
He will be replaced by Captain Jeff Wanamaker, who will serve as interim chief until a new chief is named, said Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann.
McCullagh worked his way up through the ranks of the department from patrol officer, investigator, patrol sergeant, special operations sergeant, patrol lieutenant, to administrative lieutenant and was a member of the Rockland County Narcotics…