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James Skoufis

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Community Rallies To Support Family Of Orange County 17-Year-Old Killed In Crash Community Rallies To Support Family Of Orange County 17-Year-Old Killed In Crash
Community Rallies To Support Family Of Orange County 17-Year-Old Killed In Crash The community where a 17-year-old Hudson Valley boy who was killed in a single-vehicle crash goes to school and lives is showing their support and honoring his life by helping his family "in any way possible." Earlier Report: New Fatal Crash Update: 17-Year-Old Victim From Minisink Valley HS ID'd, Driver Charged Orange County resident Jack Braun of Slate Hill, a hamlet of Wawayanda, died in Sullivan County around 1:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, on Route 17 West in Mamakating. Three passengers were also severely injured. All attended Minisink Valley High School in Orange County, ac…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Latest Info: 2 Dead, Including Band Director, In High School Bus Crash On I-84 In Hudson Valley Latest Info: 2 Dead, Including Band Director, In High School Bus Crash On I-84 In Hudson Valley
Latest Info: 2 Dead, Including Band Director, In High School Bus Crash On I-84 In Hudson Valley Two adults were killed, including a high school band director, and at least five students suffered critical injuries in a bus rollover crash in the Hudson Valley.  New Update: Band Director, Retired Teacher ID'd As Victims In Horrific Hudson Valley Bus Crash The crash happened in Orange County on I-84 near Exit 15 at around 1:10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21. "This was a day of terror," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said just hours after the crash in the small town of Wawayanda, located about 45 miles northwest of New York City. Band, cheerleading, and dance students from Farmingdale H…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
It's The Tappan Zee: Hudson Valley Democrat Leading New Charge To Change Bridge's Official Name It's The Tappan Zee: Hudson Valley Democrat Leading New Charge To Change Bridge's Official Name
It's The Tappan Zee: Hudson Valley Democrat Leading New Charge To Change Bridge's Official Name A Hudson Valley Democrat has jumped on board with Republicans by sponsoring a bill to change the official name of the nearly 70-year-old bridge linking Westchester and Rockland counties to the Tappan Zee Bridge. The bridge's official name was changed to the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge during the governorship of his son, Andrew Cuomo, though it still universally remains known as the Tappan Zee Bridge. State Sen. James Skoufis, whose 42nd District represents much of northern Orange County, is sponsoring the three-year-old bill that was once championed by former Republican State Sen. Mike …

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
NY State Senator Resigns NY State Senator Resigns
NY State Senator Resigns A New York state senator has resigned after serving nearly eight years in the state Legislature. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat representing the state’s 9th District on the South Shore of Long Island in Nassau County, announced his resignation Friday, July 29, in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. "Today is my last day as an elected official, and I will start a new chapter in my life next week in the private sector,” Kaminsky wrote. “It has been an incredible honor and privilege to work on behalf of the residents of Long Island’s South Shore for the past eight years.  …

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Pine Bush School Superintendent Dies Suddenly Pine Bush School Superintendent Dies Suddenly
Pine Bush School Superintendent Dies Suddenly A school superintendent in the Hudson Valley has died suddenly. Tim Mains, the superintendent of the Pine Bush Central School District, in Orange County died following a medical emergency, according to a new report. Wallkill Police Chief Robert Hertman told Mid Hudson News that police received a call about a medical emergency on Thursday, Dec. 30, and Mains died despite efforts from police and EMS to save him. "We are deeply saddened to pass the news that Superintendent Tim O. Mains has passed away," the school district said in a Facebook post on Thursday, Dec. 30. "Please keep Mr. Mains …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Antisemitic Comments At Planning Board Meeting In Hudson Valley Spark Outrage Antisemitic Comments At Planning Board Meeting In Hudson Valley Spark Outrage
Antisemitic Comments At Planning Board Meeting In Hudson Valley Spark Outrage The is outrage in the Hudson Valley after hate speech was spewed at a community meeting. In Rockland County, a Haverstraw Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 10 was interrupted by disparaging comments by a local resident about the growing Orthodox Jewish community. “A certain sect of people tend to walk in the street, and nobody is wearing any reflective gear,"  the unidentified man reportedly said. "So if I run one of them over, and of course, I’m going back over them again." The comments drew swift and decisive backlash from elected officials, from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul …

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by Zak Failla
News
Anti-Semitic Graffiti Discovered At School In Area Anti-Semitic Graffiti Discovered At School In Area
Anti-Semitic Graffiti Discovered At School In Area A playground in the Hudson Valley was defaced with anti-Semitic symbols that were tagged on equipment, officials said. Vandalism at North Garnerville Elementary School in Rockland County was recently found with swastikas spray-painted on its steps and indistinguishable lettering that was hateful toward the Jewish community. The incident is currently being investigated as a potential hate crime by police.  Officials noted that the area is no longer used as an active elementary school, but its playground is still frequented by local children. “We're not sure what that means, we're not …

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by Zak Failla
News
Cuomo Says Administration Can Juggle Investigations, Governing Amid New Calls To Resign Cuomo Says Administration Can Juggle Investigations, Governing Amid New Calls To Resign
Cuomo Says Administration Can Juggle Investigations, Governing Amid New Calls To Resign In his first news conference since sexual harassment allegations were made against him, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that he and his administration are capable of juggling the sexual harassment and nursing home allegations against him while staying in office. Earlier report: Cuomo Says He Won't Resign In First News Briefing Since Three Sexual Harassment Allegations “We have a full plate," Cuomo said on Wednesday, March 3. "We’re recovering from COVID, rebuilding, we have a teetering New York City, a terrible financial picture, and we have to do vaccines. "So no (I’m not r…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Cuomo Calls For Nursing Home Reform Amid Federal Probe, Increasing Pressure COVID-19: Cuomo Calls For Nursing Home Reform Amid Federal Probe, Increasing Pressure
Covid-19: Cuomo Calls For Nursing Home Reform Amid Federal Probe, Increasing Pressure With pressure coming from both sides of the aisle into investigating New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has vowed sweeping reform as part of the 30-day amendments. Cuomo announced reforms to improve the health, quality of life, and safety of nursing home residents to ensure that “facilities prioritize patient care over profits.” “You can’t say to a nursing home that ‘either you can buy new beds, or you can make more money,' " Cuomo said during a COVID-19 briefing on Friday, Feb. 19. “It’s not a matter of hiring more staff or …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
COVID-19: 'I Have Fully Recovered,' Skoufis Says, Announcing He's No Longer In Self-Isolation COVID-19: 'I Have Fully Recovered,' Skoufis Says, Announcing He's No Longer In Self-Isolation
Covid-19: 'I Have Fully Recovered,' Skoufis Says, Announcing He's No Longer In Self-Isolation State Sen. James Skoufis has self-resolved and is out of self-isolation after contracting novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Skoufis, a first-term Democrat who represents much of Orange County and parts of Ulster, and Rockland counties, isolated himself and is was recovering at his home in Cornwall, he announced last week. Earlier story - COVID-19: State Sen. James Skoufis Tests Positive "I am relieved and happy to report that I have fully recovered and, as of today, am able to release from self-isolation," Skoufis wrote in an email. "It has been 14 days since I began showing Coronavirus …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Walk-In Testing Site Opens In Rockland COVID-19: Walk-In Testing Site Opens In Rockland
Covid-19: Walk-In Testing Site Opens In Rockland A new walk-in novel coronavirus (COVID-19) testing site will be opening in a hard-hit area of Rockland County. The Town of Haverstraw will have the testing site set up by noon Wednesday, April 28, according to state Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski. Haverstraw was selected use to its high infection rate, some of the highest in Rockland County, with virtually no private or public testing available. "It has been clear that Haverstraw has some of the highest infection percentages in the County and also was a testing desert," said Zebrowski. As of Tuesday, April 28, Rockland County had 11,…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
COVID-19: State Sen. James Skoufis Tests Positive COVID-19: State Sen. James Skoufis Tests Positive
Covid-19: State Sen. James Skoufis Tests Positive State Sen. James Skoufis has become the latest New York politician to test positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Skoufis’ office announced that the senator tested positive for the virus after he began becoming “increasingly symptomatic” on Tuesday, April 21.  Skoufis, a first-term Democrat who represents much of Orange County and parts of Ulster, and Rockland counties, isolated himself and is currently recovering at his home in Cornwall. In a statement, Skoufis’ Director of Communications Jess Gulotta said that “Skoufis and his wife, Hillary, urge constituents to continue treati…

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by Zak Failla
News
SUNY/CUNY Students Returning From Abroad Will Now Not Come Through Stewart Airport SUNY/CUNY Students Returning From Abroad Will Now Not Come Through Stewart Airport
SUNY/CUNY Students Returning From Abroad Will Now Not Come Through Stewart Airport There’s been a change of plans for SUNY and CUNY students studying abroad who are being brought back to the United States amid coronavirus concerns. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week that approximately 300 students and staff studying in China, Italy, Japan, Iran, or South Korea are being flown home and will be quarantined for 14 days “out of an abundance of caution.” Originally, the students were to be flown into Stewart Airport in New Windsor, and then quarantined in a “dorm-like” setting. However, State Sen. James Skoufis announced on Friday, March 6 that following discussi…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
22-Year-Old Hudson Valley Woman Dies Days After Being Diagnosed With Flu 22-Year-Old Hudson Valley Woman Dies Days After Being Diagnosed With Flu
22-Year-Old Hudson Valley Woman Dies Days After Being Diagnosed With Flu A 22-year-old woman who was a community activist in the Hudson Valley has died after battling a flu virus. Newburgh resident Rebekah Grohl, an outspoken activist who was the campaign manager for Orange County Legislator Kevindaryan Lujan and volunteered on the campaigns of Sen. James Skoufis and Congressman Antonio Delgado, died on Sunday, Jan. 5 after being diagnosed with the flu last week. Lujan took to Facebook to remember Grohl, calling her “courageous, fierce, loving, compassionate and truly powerful.” 
“Her light was unlike any other I have ever seen,” he said. “She inspired people …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
County Exec At Heart Of Measles Outbreak Hails Law Ending Religious Exemptions For Vaccines County Exec At Heart Of Measles Outbreak Hails Law Ending Religious Exemptions For Vaccines
County Exec At Heart Of Measles Outbreak Hails Law Ending Religious Exemptions For Vaccines Elected officials from across New York state, including Rockland County -- the epicenter of a measles outbreak -- hailed a new state law that bans non-medical exemptions from vaccinations.  "This is a great step forward in protecting the public health here in New York," said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. At least 924 of the nation's confirmed measles cases have been reported in New York state. More than 20,000 measles/mumps/rubella vaccinations have been given within Rockland County since the outbreak began in October 2018. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill Thursday, June 13 ending…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Control Of State Senate Could Hinge On Hudson Valley Control Of State Senate Could Hinge On Hudson Valley
Control Of State Senate Could Hinge On Hudson Valley Democrats managed to pull six key Sept. 13 primary upsets in the state Senate, as reported here by Daily Voice, but have they raised enough money and voter support to take back the Republican-controlled chamber in Albany on Nov. 6? The Hudson Valley and Catskills are expected to play a pivotal role because the retirements of Republican Sens. John Bonacic and Bill Larkin created two open seats in the GOP-led Senate. Hudson Valley labor unions have added at least three local Senate races to their "get out the vote" phone bank call lists in the final days of the campaign. Meanwhile,…

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by Jon Craig
News
State Sues Manufacturers Of Foam That Contaminated Drinking Water In Area State Sues Manufacturers Of Foam That Contaminated Drinking Water In Area
State Sues Manufacturers Of Foam That Contaminated Drinking Water In Area New York State is suing the 3M Company and five other companies to recover the cost for environmental cleanup and natural resource damages caused by the toxic chemicals in firefighting foam they manufacture. The lawsuit, the first of its kind, says the use of the foam at five military and civilian airports including Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, caused a public nuisance by threatening public health, contaminating the environment, damaging natural resources, and interfering with the public's use and enjoyment of these resources. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Barbara U…

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by Kathy Reakes