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Environmental Protection

Police & Fire
Burn Ban Issued In Rockland County Due To Red Flag Warnings, Numerous Fires Burn Ban Issued In Rockland County Due To Red Flag Warnings, Numerous Fires
Burn Ban Issued In Rockland County Due To Red Flag Warnings, Numerous Fires In response to ongoing dry conditions and an increased fire danger, Rockland County Executive Ed Day has issued an executive order for a countywide burn ban, effective immediately.  This action was issued for Rockland County on Friday, Nov. 1.  Day said the ban was made in consultation with the Rockland County Office of Fire and Emergency Services in light of the National Weather Service's red flag warnings indicating heightened fire risk. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning activities, including but not limited to the burning of brush, leaves, and other yard debris, along with…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Construction Starts On $23 Million Clean Water Project In Hudson Valley Construction Starts On $23 Million Clean Water Project In Hudson Valley
Construction Starts On $23 Million Clean Water Project In Hudson Valley Construction has begun on a $23 million wastewater treatment plant and sewer project in the Hudson Valley, which will help ensure reliable wastewater service and protect water quality. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Thursday, Oct. 24, the start of the project in Dutchess County undertaken by the Water and Wastewater Authority to modernize clean water infrastructure in the village of Tivoli.  Hochul said the $23 million in state and federal investments will modernize the village’s 1930s-era sewer system, ensuring reliable wastewater service for the community and protecting the …

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Large Brush Fire Erupts In Hudson Valley Near Country Club Large Brush Fire Erupts In Hudson Valley Near Country Club
Large Brush Fire Erupts In Hudson Valley Near Country Club Several fire and police departments are battling a large brush fire near a country club in the Hudson Valley.  The fire began in Putnam County on Thursday, Oct. 24 around 11:30 a.m. in the area of Golf Ridge Road and China Circle Court near the Sedgewood Club golf course in the town of Kent, the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services announced around 12:45 p.m.  Several departments are now operating at the scene of the fire. A Department of Environmental Protection helicopter is also circling the skies over the blaze providing images from the air, officials said.  M…

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by Ben Crnic
News
750-Plus Acres Added To State Park In Hudson Valley: Provides Access To Appalachian Trail 750-Plus Acres Added To State Park In Hudson Valley: Provides Access To Appalachian Trail
750-Plus Acres Added To State Park In Hudson Valley: Provides Access To Appalachian Trail Two several-hundred-acre land parcels have been added to a popular state park spanning two counties in the Hudson Valley, officials announced.  In an announcement on Thursday, Oct. 3, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed the addition of 763 acres to Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park in Putnam and Dutchess counties.  The added acres will go towards meeting the state's goal of conserving 30 percent of its land and waters by 2030, Hochul said. The land acquisition consists of a 530-acre parcel with a new access point for the park's recreational facilities and the long-dist…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park
Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park Although a large, squirrel-sized snail found in a New York park may have looked harmless, it posed enough of a danger to people and the environment that its discovery prompted a police response.  The invasive giant African land snail was discovered within Brooklyn's Prospect Park in early May following a report from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.  After it was seen in the park, it was surrendered to the City Parks department in a box, officials said, promoting a response from …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Van Plunges Into Lake In Hudson Valley Van Plunges Into Lake In Hudson Valley
Van Plunges Into Lake In Hudson Valley Firefighters had to ensure no hazardous fluids entered a Hudson Valley lake after a van plunged into it. The crash happened in Putnam County on Tuesday, July 30, when a van drove into Lake Mahopac on South Lake Boulevard, according to the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department. After the incident, crews used hazardous material absorbent booms around the van to absorb any potential vehicle fluid leaks as it was removed from the water. The cause of the crash was not released. 

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by Ben Crnic
News
$26.1M Flood Mitigation Project Starts In Northern Westchester $26.1M Flood Mitigation Project Starts In Northern Westchester
$26.1M Flood Mitigation Project Starts In Northern Westchester Work has started on a $26.1 million flood mitigation project in Northern Westchester just east of the Hudson River. The project will elevate the Annsville Circle as well as a half-mile stretch along Route 6/Route 202 in the town of Cortlandt, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Monday, July 15. “Last July, dozens of state roads in the Hudson Valley were affected by one of the most intense and devastating storms in years, causing mass flooding and road closures, and overwhelming communities,” Hochul said. “Resilient infrastructure is necessary to ensure public safety, and this project in Wes…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Longtime Riverkeeper Captain To Retire After 24 Years Patrolling Hudson River Longtime Riverkeeper Captain To Retire After 24 Years Patrolling Hudson River
Longtime Riverkeeper Captain To Retire After 24 Years Patrolling Hudson River For the past 24 years, Hudson Valley native John Lipscomb has served as the eyes and ears of the Hudson River for Riverkeeper as its patrol boat captain. This month he retires, but not before he trains his successor, conservationist and vessel operator Luis Melendez.  Since 2000, Lipscomb, who grew up in Westchester County in Irvington and Tarrytown, has been the vice president for advocacy for Riverkeeper.  He has patrolled the Hudson, including New York Harbor, the Mohawk, and Upper Hudson, searching out and deterring polluters, monitoring tributaries and waterfront facili…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Democrat Pat Ryan Prevails In Razor-Thin Redrawn Hudson Valley Congressional Race District Democrat Pat Ryan Prevails In Razor-Thin Redrawn Hudson Valley Congressional Race District
Democrat Pat Ryan Prevails In Razor-Thin Redrawn Hudson Valley Congressional Race District New York Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan has squeezed out a win against Republican Assemblyman Colin Schmitt for the 18th US Congressional District.  Earlier Report - Rep. Pat Ryan Edging Out Republican Colin Schmitt In NY’s 18th District Race (Developing) Ryan won the contest by just over 2,000 votes, earning 50.4 percent of the total votes cast, according to the New York Times. Schmitt compiled 49.6 percent of the vote. In a tweet on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 9, Ryan, the former Ulster County executive, celebrated his hard-fought victory.  Now we begin the real work to unify our country an…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Republican Marc Molinaro On Track To Win In NY’s 19th District (Developing) Republican Marc Molinaro On Track To Win In NY’s 19th District (Developing)
Republican Marc Molinaro On Track To Win In NY’s 19th District (Developing) This story has been updated. Republicans appeared poised to win in New York’s 19th Congressional District, with Marc Molinaro seemingly on track to defeat Democrat Josh Riley early Wednesday, Nov. 9.  Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive, was leading Riley by 2.2 percentage points, 51 to 49 percent, as of early Wednesday morning, Nov. 9, with more than 95 percent of the votes in. The 19th Congressional District includes the counties of Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster, as well as portions of Broome, Dutchess, Montgomery, and Rensselaer counties. …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Legislation Banning Smoking At NY State Parks, Beaches Signed Into Law By Hochul Legislation Banning Smoking At NY State Parks, Beaches Signed Into Law By Hochul
Legislation Banning Smoking At NY State Parks, Beaches Signed Into Law By Hochul New Yorkers can no longer light up at state parks and beaches. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation Friday, July 15, that prohibits smoking in all state-owned beaches, boardwalks, marinas, playgrounds, recreation centers, and group camps. Those who violate the law could be fined $50. "Smoking is a dangerous habit that affects not only the smoker but everyone around them, including families and children enjoying our state's great public places," Hochul said in a statement. "I'm proud to sign this legislation that will protect New Yorker's health and help reduce litter in public parks and …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
NY Styrofoam Ban Takes Effect Jan. 1: Here's What To Know NY Styrofoam Ban Takes Effect Jan. 1: Here's What To Know
NY Styrofoam Ban Takes Effect Jan. 1: Here's What To Know New York State's ban on single-use Styrofoam food and beverage containers and packing peanuts will soon take effect. According to the state Department of Environmental Conservatism, the ban on packing peanuts and food and beverage containers made of polystyrene foam, often known by the brand name Styrofoam, will go into effect on Saturday, Jan. 1. The goal of the ban is to help protect the environment, as foam packaging is a major contributor to environmental litter, harming waterways, wildlife and more. Officials said under the new ban, no food service provider or store covered in the lis…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Damaged Fuel Line Cited As Cause For New Paltz's Tainted Water Damaged Fuel Line Cited As Cause For New Paltz's Tainted Water
Damaged Fuel Line Cited As Cause For New Paltz's Tainted Water Environmental officials have identified a damaged fuel line as the likely source of contamination of the water system in the Village of New Paltz. Village officials reported on Wednesday, Feb. 12, that during the installation of the village's water plant’s new filtration system, a third-party contractor damaged the fuel line to the treatment plant’s oil furnace creating a slow seepage leak into the ground approximately 500 feet from the reservoir on the Mountain Rest Road water treatment plant property.  "We believe oil began to leak from the damaged line once the heat was turned on th…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
SUNY New Paltz Closed Through Week's End Due To Reports Of Tainted Water SUNY New Paltz Closed Through Week's End Due To Reports Of Tainted Water
SUNY New Paltz Closed Through Week's End Due To Reports Of Tainted Water All classes have been canceled through the end of the week at SUNY New Paltz due to reported tainted water. College officials at the campus in Ulster County said they made the decision on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to close out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students after being notified by a precautionary advisory issued by the Village of New Paltz. They said the closure will last until at least Saturday, Feb. 15. The first water notice was issued on Monday, Feb. 10, after residents complained of an "odor" and "taste" problems coming from the water supply. During an inspection, a “s…

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by Kathy Reakes
Business
Wegmans, With New Store In Area Near Opening, Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bags In NY Wegmans, With New Store In Area Near Opening, Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bags In NY
Wegmans, With New Store In Area Near Opening, Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bags In NY Have your reusable grocery bags ready? With a new store set to open in the area over the summer, Wegmans announced that the company is planning to phase out single-use plastic grocery bags in all its New York stores as of Monday, Jan .27. The grocery store giant announced on Monday, Jan. 6, that ahead of a planned statewide ban on single-use bags that takes effect in March, they will begin encouraging customers to use reusable bags. Related story: Wegmans Sets Official Opening Day For Harrison Location Paper bags will still be available for a five-cent fee, with sales being donated…

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by Zak Failla
News
Feds Sue Orange County Horse Racing Training Center Over Violations Feds Sue Orange County Horse Racing Training Center Over Violations
Feds Sue Orange County Horse Racing Training Center Over Violations The federal government has levied charges against the owners of a Hudson Valley horse racing training center for allegedly violating the Federal Clean Water Act. It is alleged that from 2007 to 2017, the owners and operators of Mark Ford Stables in Wallkill destroyed existing federal wetlands and rerouted streams in the course of building a horse racing training center at both properties,” U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said. In addition, the owners allegedly have operated a concentrated animal feeding operation without a permit, allowing horse wash water and process wastewater to be discha…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bottle Toiletries Gains Steam In New York Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bottle Toiletries Gains Steam In New York
Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bottle Toiletries Gains Steam In New York Tiny plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash in hotels may soon be a thing of the past in New York as lawmakers continue efforts to reduce plastic waste statewide. Long Island Sen. Todd Kaminsky announced a proposal this week that would prohibit hotels from providing patrons with single-use plastic toiletries. Instead, guests may see wall-mounted dispensers, multi-use bottles or non-plastic containers used. It is estimated that hotels in New York City alone dispose of more than 25 million mini-plastic bottles each year. Some hotel chains have already taken measures to elimin…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Video: Joined By Billy Joel, Cuomo Signs Bill Banning Offshore Drilling In NY Waters Video: Joined By Billy Joel, Cuomo Signs Bill Banning Offshore Drilling In NY Waters
Video: Joined By Billy Joel, Cuomo Signs Bill Banning Offshore Drilling In NY Waters Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, joined by Billy Joel, signed legislation to ban offshore drilling in New York State waters. The festivities were held in Wantagh on Monday, April 29. The legislation (S.2316 (Kaminsky)/A.2572 (Englebright) will bar the state from granting permits for drilling, or oil or gas exploration in offshore areas controlled by the state.  The ban will protect New York State waters and coasts by making it more difficult for oil and gas drilling to occur close to coastal New York, even in waters controlled by the federal government.  In addition, the legislation p…

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by Donna Christopher
News
Plastic Bag Ban Measure Passes In Rockland Plastic Bag Ban Measure Passes In Rockland
Plastic Bag Ban Measure Passes In Rockland In an effort to “combat litter, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment for future generations,” Rockland County s banning single-use plastic bags at retailers, restaurants and grocery stores. In a bipartisan 14-3 vote, legislators in Rockland easily backed a measure that would ban the use of bags. The bill was sponsored by County legislators Laurie Santulli and Nancy Low-Hogan and will be sent to County Executive Ed Day for approval in the next three weeks. "Plastic bags not only make Rockland County look terrible, they cause problems for our solid waste facility a…

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by Zak Failla
News
New Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags Underway In New York New Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags Underway In New York
New Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags Underway In New York In an effort to “combat litter, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment for future generations,” New York is banning single-use plastic bags and is expanding the bottle bill to include most non-alcoholic containers. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week that a bottle bill expansion and a plastic bag ban will be included in the 2019 Executive Budget. The expansion on the bottle bill will make most non-alcoholic drink containers eligible for five-cent redemption. The expansion on the bottle bill will include sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit and vegetable b…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Cuomo Unveils $178 Billion Spending Plan Filled With Liberal Policies Cuomo Unveils $178 Billion Spending Plan Filled With Liberal Policies
Cuomo Unveils $178 Billion Spending Plan Filled With Liberal Policies New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has unveiled his annual state budget proposal that includes an aggressive liberal agenda. At the annual traditional State of the State speech on Tuesday, Jan. 15, Cuomo released his $178 billion spending plan that includes progressive voter reform, legal marijuana and safety reform for limousines. He also proposed making the state’s 2 percent property-tax cap permanent. Cuomo has called the budget his “most aggressive” during his three terms in office, spanning eight years. He and the Democrat-controlled New York Legislature have vowed to get long-awaited legislat…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Fire Breaks Out At Aluf Plastics In Orangeburg Fire Breaks Out At Aluf Plastics In Orangeburg
Fire Breaks Out At Aluf Plastics In Orangeburg A firefighter was injured when an overnight blaze broke out at Aluf Plastics in Orangeburg. The fire began around 2:50 a.m. Sunday in an air filtration system outside the building at 2 Glenshaw St., police said.  Upon arrival, officers found a smoke condition inside the building and discovered a fire inside components of the air filtration system on the east side of the building, police said.  Department of Environmental Conservation was notified to investigate potentially contaminated water runoff from fire department operations into nearby storm drains. A Blauvelt Firefighter suffered m…

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by Daily Voice
Politics
Cuomo Calls For Offshore Drilling Ban In New York Cuomo Calls For Offshore Drilling Ban In New York
Cuomo Calls For Offshore Drilling Ban In New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a ban against offshore drilling and exploration on Friday, May 4, something that President Trump has pushed for. Cuomo advanced the "Save Our Waters" bill to prohibit the leasing of lands, including underwater lands, for offshore drilling and exploration in New York state waters.  A draft of the legislation can be found by clicking here. The Governor's action to protect New York's waters from oil and gas exploration was prompted by the Trump administration's plan to vastly expand offshore drilling in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. "The federal…

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by Jon Craig
News
USR Officials: Stop-Work Order Report Is Wrong, Muddy Water Isn't Tainted USR Officials: Stop-Work Order Report Is Wrong, Muddy Water Isn't Tainted
USR Officials: Stop-Work Order Report Is Wrong, Muddy Water Isn't Tainted UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J. -- Upper Saddle River Mayor Joanne Minichetti said Wednesday that a report of a stop-work order being issued by a county or state agency against pumping muddy water into a nearby stream from a site slated for dozens of luxury homes in Upper Saddle River and Mahwah was incorrect. She also provided documentation from the borough director of code enforcement and the engineer for the project that the pumping was done properly and that all necessary measures were being taken to protect the environment. Daily Voice on Tuesday night reported a text sent by a state official…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Politics
Cuomo Announces Plan To Ban Plastic Bags Cuomo Announces Plan To Ban Plastic Bags
Cuomo Announces Plan To Ban Plastic Bags A day after the world celebrated Earth Day, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed a bill that would ban plastic bags throughout the state. Cuomo announced on Monday that he has introduced legislation that would ban single-use, plastic carryout bags based on the recommendation of the New York State Plastic Bags Task Force, which “outlined the environmental impact” of reducing the use of the bags at retail locations. Led by State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos along with co-chairs Sen. Thomas O'Mara and Assemblyman Steve Englebright, the Task Force was ta…

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by Zak Failla
News
Drug Take-Back Day Will Be Held At Five Rockland Locations Drug Take-Back Day Will Be Held At Five Rockland Locations
Drug Take-Back Day Will Be Held At Five Rockland Locations Rockland is once again offering residents the opportunity to empty their medicine cabinets of unused prescription drugs before they fall into the wrong hands, County Executive Ed Day announced.  Another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at the pharmacies listed below. “This is an easy way to get rid of medications you no longer need so that they don’t fall into the wrong hands,” Day said. “Disposing of medications, you no longer need by handing them over to the proper authorities also protects the environment by keeping prescript…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Residents, Clergy Hold Vigil Near Cuomo's Home, Seeking To Protect Planet Residents, Clergy Hold Vigil Near Cuomo's Home, Seeking To Protect Planet
Residents, Clergy Hold Vigil Near Cuomo's Home, Seeking To Protect Planet More than 80 faith leaders and residents gathered in prayer for "a safe and healthy future for all New York state residents and for our planet home" outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo's home in New Castle on Sunday, Feb. 25.  Led by the founders of the grassroots group, Healing and Protecting Our Land Together: A Call to Prayer, the attendees asked Cuomo to “walk the talk on his commitment for the environment and to demonstrate the courage to be a true climate leader," the group said in a news statement. They asked him to release the risk assessment of the Enbridge/Spectra AIM high-pr…

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by Jon Craig