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A local assemblyman has unveiled a new package of parole bills, aimed at preventing the most dangerous convicted criminals and domestic terrorists from being granted parole or clemency. At a press conference yesterday in New City, Rockland Assemblyman Mike Lawler said in the last few years, too many cop killers, like the Brinks participants, have been released early, and that has to stop…

Among other things, the bills would result in an equal number of Parole Board appointments for majority and minority leaders in the Legislature, and give the Governor the ability to override the Parole Board.

Spring Valley’s Assistant Building Inspector, a former village fire chief, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in New City yesterday on charges he falsified documents he filed with the state. Rockland County D.A. Tom Walsh says the charges stem from the continuing investigation into the fatal fire at a village adult home that killed a firefighter and a resident of the facility. 45 year-old Raymond Canario, faces nine counts while 64 year-old Building Department Chief Wayne Ballard faces three counts. Ballard’s due in court next week.

This comes as Rockland has been given the go-ahead by the state to take over fire and safety enforcement in Spring Valley. That means the county, once the legislature approves and adopts certain laws, would conduct inspections and prosecute violators. Justin Schwartz is the chairman of the Rockland Illegal Housing Task Force, and says he’ll be disappointed if the legislature doesn’t act to help save lives…

Callers to “The Morning Show” Wednesday were also on board with the plan for the county to take over inspection duties for the village of Spring Valley…

In a Facebook post yesterday, Legislature Minority Leader Lon Hofstein said he spoke with legislature Chairman Alden Wolfe, who indicated they have enough votes to pass the necessary laws for the takeover to happen. 35 year-old firefighter Jared Lloyd and 79 year-old facility resident Oliver Hueston both died in the March 22nd blaze. Rabbi Nathaniel Sommer and his son, Rabbi Aaron Sommer, who were cleaning the facility’s kitchen ovens for Passover, have been indicted on various felonies including involuntary manslaughter and arson. Two Evergreen employees, director Denise Kerr of Brooklyn and Emanuel Lema of Pomona, have also pleaded not guilty to charges for allowing the oven cleansings to take place. Canario is due back in court December 8th.

Some Rockland municipalities are still deciding whether to opt in or out of retail sales of recreational marijuana. They have until the end of the year to make that decision. The village of Nyack is holding a public hearing on the matter tonight. Orangetown has already opted out, and supervisor Teresa Kenny says that gives them the opportunity to opt back in, in the future…

The Nyack village board meeting is being held via Zoom and starts tonight at 8pm. Click here for the link to the Zoom meeting.

Rockland County government has been given the go-ahead by the state to take over fire and safety enforcement in Spring Valley. That means the county, once the legislature approves and adopts certain laws, would conduct inspections and prosecute violators. Mayor Alan Simon told The Journal News the move is illegal and they’ve hired a civil rights attorney. The takeover could start within 90 days, unless Spring Valley convinces the state they can do the job.

An 83 year-old man was killed after his car collided with a Mack truck Monday night and then struck a van on Route 303 in Blauvelt. Orangetown Police say Blauvelt’s Seymour Whynman was traveling westbound around 5pm on East Erie Street when his Subaru Forrester collided with the truck driven by 29 year-old Andrew Roe of Middletown, who was travelling northbound at the intersection of 303 and East Erie. Whynman’s Subaru then hit a Ford Transit van that was in the southbound left-turn-only lane of Route 303. Whynman and a female passenger were taken to Montefiore Nyack Hospital by South Orangetown Ambulance Corps where Whynman was pronounced dead. If you saw the collision or have additional information, contact the Orangetown Police at 845-359-3700.