By Tom Ossa, Correspondent
This episode is sponsored by:
Rockland School Bus Safety Plan Becomes State Law, County to Create Traffic Camera Violations Bureau
NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County’s school bus stop-arm camera enforcement program is moving into a new phase after a county-backed proposal was incorporated into New York State law, authorizing municipalities to create Traffic Camera Violations Bureaus to handle stop-arm camera cases.
County officials said the new process, included in the 2026 New York State Budget, allows municipalities to establish a dedicated administrative structure for school bus stop-arm camera violations. Rockland County said it is moving forward with its own Traffic Camera Violations Bureau, which will be designed to process cases connected to the county’s School Bus Stop-Arm camera enforcement program.
The program is aimed at enforcing New York’s requirement that drivers stop for school buses when stop-arms are extended and red lights are flashing. In Rockland, the program uses camera technology on school buses to record alleged violations. The county has partnered with BusPatrol, the company that provides stop-arm camera technology and related program support.
According to Rockland County, the new bureau is intended to speed up case processing, reduce pressure on local courts and provide a more specialized forum for hearing alleged violations. County Executive Ed Day said the new administrative process is meant to produce faster outcomes for residents while restoring the deterrent effect of enforcement around school buses. County Attorney Thomas Humbach said the bureau would be staffed by hearing examiners and would allow motorists to contest alleged violations more quickly and conveniently than in local court.
The county has reported measurable decreases in violations since the program began. Officials said notices of violation dropped by approximately 30.5% between the beginning and end of the 2024–25 school year. The county also reported a 23% year-over-year decline in violations and said more than 90% of drivers cited through the program do not receive a second violation.
A previous county release also stated that roughly 25,000 notices of violation were issued in 2024, compared with about 20,000 in 2025. As of that release, 1,179 in-service school buses were equipped with BusPatrol stop-arm safety cameras, up from 1,109 at year-end 2024.
The program has also drawn scrutiny. The livestream transcript cited reporting from RC Biz Journal stating that BusPatrol, the contractor behind Rockland’s stop-arm camera program, was paying the county’s lawyers in a Freedom of Information Law dispute seeking contract details. The transcript also noted that critics have argued that the arrangement presents a conflict of interest because the company being scrutinized is funding the legal defense. Those claims were presented in the livestream as reporting from RC Biz Journal and were not independently resolved in the transcript.
The county has defended the stop-arm camera program as a safety initiative. County officials have said the program is not designed to generate revenue, but to deter drivers from illegally passing stopped school buses and to protect children traveling to and from school.
Clarkstown June Updates Include Congers Community Cafe, Recreation Hours, Road Projects and Lawrence Rose Way Dedication
CLARKSTOWN, NY — Clarkstown’s June newsletter highlighted a series of municipal updates, including the grand opening of the Congers Community Cafe, expanded recreation hours, water infrastructure work, road safety discussions and the dedication of a local roadway in memory of a Vietnam veteran.
The town reported the grand opening of the Congers Community Cafe at the refurbished Congers train station. The cafe was described in the livestream transcript as part of a broader set of town updates included in Clarkstown’s June newsletter.
The newsletter also noted expanded operating hours at the Street Community Center, which is now open seven days a week. The update was included alongside other recreation and community announcements, including extended town clerk hours and the opening of the New York Pickleball Club.
Clarkstown also highlighted Veolia’s water main replacement work on West Nyack Road. The same newsletter referenced a June 17 public hearing connected to proposed safety improvements along Routes 303 and 304. Upcoming community events referenced in the newsletter included street fairs in Nanuet and New City.
The town also announced a June 6 ceremony dedicating Brook Lane and Lucille Boulevard as Lawrence Rose Way in memory of U.S. Army PFC Lawrence Rose, who was killed while serving in Vietnam. Rose was a Purple Heart recipient. Town officials invited the public to attend the dedication and honor his service.
State Senator Bill Weber’s newsletter was also referenced in the livestream. Weber reported that he voted against legislation he said would weaken New York’s independent redistricting process. His newsletter also noted visits to the Capitol by Miss America 2026 and Miss New York, and invited constituents to a veterans appreciation reception.
Together, the updates reflect a full early-summer municipal schedule in Clarkstown, including public works activity, recreation programming, road safety discussion, veterans recognition and local events.
Rockland DA Announces 14 Indictments From Fifth Grand Jury Term
NEW CITY, NY — The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office announced that its fifth grand jury term of 2026 concluded on May 27, with 14 indictments handed up after proceedings that began May 1.
The cases included charges ranging from driving while intoxicated and attempted arson to assault, robbery and aggravated family offense, according to the livestream transcript. The District Attorney’s Office emphasized that an indictment is an accusation and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Mid-Hudson News also reported that Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced the completion of the fifth grand jury term of 2026, which began May 1 and concluded May 27 with 14 indictments.
Grand jury indictments are part of the criminal court process in felony cases. An indictment means a grand jury found legally sufficient grounds for charges to proceed. It does not determine guilt.
The District Attorney’s Office said the term reflects its commitment to seeking justice for Rockland County residents in accordance with the law. The cases will continue through the criminal court system, where defendants may contest the charges and prosecutors must prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Palisades Residents Raise Concerns Over Planned Route 9W and Oak Tree Road Roundabout
PALISADES, NY — A planned single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Route 9W and Oak Tree Road in Palisades is drawing public concern as the New York State Department of Transportation advances the project.
The livestream transcript stated that NYSDOT plans to build a single-lane roundabout at the intersection, with estimated costs in the $5 million to $6 million range. Residents have argued that the project could disrupt the area and create safety concerns, while NYSDOT has said roundabouts are designed to reduce crashes and improve traffic flow.
RC Biz Journal reported that dozens of speakers opposed the proposed roundabout during a Town of Orangetown Board meeting, with many residents asking Town Supervisor Teresa Kenny to help stop the project. The outlet reported that the project is in final planning and development stages and that an open house was scheduled for residents to share concerns with NYSDOT.
According to that report, the project would replace the existing signalized intersection with a modern roundabout and include new sidewalks, crosswalks with pedestrian refuge islands, bus pads and curb ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The outlet reported that the project was originally described as a $4 million plan, with newer estimates placing the cost between $5 million and $6 million.
Residents cited in the report raised concerns about the grade of Route 9W, truck traffic, neighborhood character, pedestrian access and the effect of construction on the area. NYSDOT has said roundabouts can reduce the severity and frequency of crashes by lowering vehicle speeds and decreasing conflict points compared with traditional intersections.
The project is expected to remain a subject of discussion among residents, town officials and state transportation officials as planning continues.
East Ramapo Board Member Raises Budget Transparency Concerns in Bear Wires Podcast Interview
EAST RAMAPO, NY — East Ramapo school board member Sabrina Charles-Pierre raised concerns about budget transparency, district administration and the need for state oversight during a recent interview on the Bear Wires Podcast, according to the livestream transcript.
Charles-Pierre alleged that district administrators hid spending details and criticized a $700,000 budget line labeled “high school support system.” She said frequent turnover has undermined stability and called for state oversight to help ensure that funds serve public school students.
RocklandNews.com previously reported on the podcast interview, noting that Charles-Pierre questioned a budget presentation from district officials and said she asked for more detail on the $700,000 “high school support system” item. According to that report, she said officials were unable to provide a breakdown when she asked what the line item meant.
The East Ramapo Central School District has faced ongoing public scrutiny over governance, budgeting and state oversight. The livestream transcript did not include a response from district administrators to Charles-Pierre’s specific statements in the podcast.
Charles-Pierre’s comments were presented as allegations and criticism from a sitting board member. The district’s response, if any, was not included in the transcript. Any follow-up article should seek comment from the East Ramapo Central School District, the board president and relevant state education officials before publication.
Rockland Public Safety Roundup: Haverstraw Sentence, Pomona Bicycle Fatality, Hillburn Bear Rescue and Storm Response
ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Several public safety items were highlighted in the latest Rockland News livestream, including a Haverstraw kidnapping sentence, a fatal bicycle crash in Pomona, a wildlife rescue in Hillburn and storm-related utility preparations.
In Haverstraw, Eduardo Hernandez, 49, of Garnerville, was sentenced to 14 years in state prison after being convicted of second-degree kidnapping. The livestream stated that Hernandez previously served time for rape and kidnapping and that prosecutors noted his history of violence.
The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office announced that Hernandez was sentenced in Rockland County Court before Judge Kevin F. Russo. The DA’s Office said Hernandez was convicted of Kidnapping in the Second Degree.
In Pomona, 8-year-old Shaindel Herzberg died after being struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle on June 2. The livestream said emergency responders transported her to the hospital, where she later died from her injuries, and that police were investigating the crash.
RocklandNews.com reported that the child, identified as Shaindel Herzberg, was struck by a vehicle shortly before 6 p.m. on June 2 while riding in the Pomona area. Emergency responders performed lifesaving measures before transporting her to Montefiore Nyack Hospital in critical condition, where she later died. Authorities had not publicly released details about the driver or potential charges at the time of that report.
In Hillburn, Ramapo police freed a black bear cub after it got a plastic container stuck on its head. According to the livestream, a resident and officers carefully removed the container and the cub returned to the woods. Police urged residents to properly dispose of containers to help protect wildlife.
The livestream also referenced severe weather that affected parts of Rockland County. In Stony Point, a power outage lasted several minutes, and a heavy storm was reported in the Orangetown and Pearl River area. Orange & Rockland Utilities had issued a storm watch for June 6, warning residents to prepare for damaging winds, heavy rain and possible power outages. The utility said crews were pre-staged and urged customers to report outages and stay away from downed wires. The livestream reported no injuries connected to the storm.
7. Rockland Events Roundup: Major André Reenactment, Nanuet Street Fair, Kennedy Dells Fitness Loop, Kids’ Safety Day and Local Music
ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Several community events and local activities were highlighted in the latest Rockland News livestream, including a Revolutionary War reenactment, the Nanuet Street Fair, the reopening of a county park fitness loop, a children’s safety event and live music in New City.
The Nanuet Street Fair drew about 18,000 visitors over the weekend, according to the livestream. The event featured roughly 170 vendors, live entertainment, family activities and activity along Main Street. The transcript described it as one of the region’s most popular annual street fairs.
Rockland Report also announced “Fatal Ambition: The Trial of Major André,” a live reenactment of the 1780 British spy trial at the Old Tappan Reformed Church. The event is scheduled for June 14 at 10 a.m. and is intended to educate the public about the Revolutionary War espionage case involving Major John André and Benedict Arnold.
In county parks news, Rockland County reopened its 1.5-mile fitness loop at Kennedy Dells County Park. The upgraded trail includes modernized exercise stations and is now available for residents.
Monsey Scoop promoted Chaverim of Rockland’s Kids’ Safety Day on June 9. The event was described as including bicycle registration, free snacks, police safety demonstrations, a petting zoo, a helicopter flyover and helmet giveaways.
The livestream also highlighted the 55th annual pow wow at Kettle and Stony Point, noting that the event honors a Canadian Chippewa community and distinguishing it from local Native history.
In New City, Kobe Sushi Lounge is scheduled to host Leslie’s Friday Night Social Club on Friday, June 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event is expected to include music, an acoustic open mic, karaoke and a group sing-along. The restaurant is located at 185 North Main Street in New City.
The livestream also mentioned upcoming Rockland News interviews, including an interview with Stony Point Supervisor Amy Conklin-Stam and a video podcast with Haverstraw Supervisor Howard Phillips following Haverstraw’s recent 5K race.
