Launch Day! Stony Point News is Live

Find out why we did this.

By Tom Ossa, CEO RockWeb Systems Inc.

In the web development industry, after a while it gets kind of boring. It’s probably why I ended up buying Rockland News in 2020. By the way, I don’t recommend starting a new business during a pandemic.

Fast forward to 2026, and both companies are doing well, thankfully. Not without a ton of effort on our entire web and news teams’ parts. For the 2nd year in a row, Rockland News hit over 500,000 views, of over 600 stories we published.

Oh, and also those music festivals…

So why the darn-tootin’ heck would we launch another news website?

1. Journalism isn’t truth. Reporting is truth.

Over the past five years, I’ve seen tons of news websites and local activists take very clear information, and skew it to the benefit of their goals, nefarious or otherwise – and then post it as if it is being written completely objectively.

There’s a difference between news and opinion. And while we aim to not post personal opinions on Rockland News (sometimes, but only by reporting on what other people witnessed or said) Stony Point News will eventually have an opinion section.

It is my hope that you use this site to cross-reference what our reporter network witnessed or observed, notably at local Town Board meetings, Chamber of Commerce events, and other local events.

I should note: This site will occasionally have opinion pieces, including from time to time, a post from myself (as a longtime resident of Stony Point from 1990 to today). I promise to not overuse the platform. This is for you, not me or anyone in my companies.

It’s my hope that it will help to wrestle away some potentially inaccurate narratives that have permeated the Town over the past few years, and help to clarify important disparities in agreement, for the long-term future of the Town.

2. Easier Access to Local Information

Our local Facebook groups have become inundated with advertisers from all over the Hudson Valley. You may find it a bit overwhelming to locate any important information that you need to access later – for instance, Town Board meetings, events and shopping – as well as community related questions.

This site will not replace social media, community groups or anything that has already been built. But it will serve to help people find the information they seek about local issues and matters, that may help you to make better informed choices.

We will also run a supplemental website, Rockland Shopping – which will also offer the ability for our local establishments to post their awesome products and services in a location that is easy to find, and is great for their search engine rankings. Trust me – we know. We’ve been doing that sort of thing since 2007.

3. Stories of Local Retailers, Artisans and Creators

Here’s where it really gets fun.

Yesterday, as I was returning from Tomkins Cove to meet up with one of our favorite local companies, Dana Pest Control – I noticed on the way back that a new restaurant opened up! I was in the car, so I didn’t even have time to check out the name of the store.

So, we’ll be going back there in coming weeks to do a future interview and spotlight, which will also be posted to our podcast/livestream, AM Rockland News.

Let’s face it. A lot of things that happen in a small Town are indeed newsworthy. However, the big news agencies around here don’t have time to post it, even though it is likely very interesting.

THANK YOU TO OUR MANY SUPPORTERS

This website is supported by local retailers and businesses, many of who I know since I started by first company Rockland Web Design in 2007. I’d like to thank them from the bottom of my heart for all their support of our wild business adventures over the years (that have resulted in thousands of more customers for each of these fine companies):

Conclusion

We’re not in a rush to post 8000 things on this website. At the ripe old age of 50, I’ve decided to let the chickens come home to roost some more, by organize what we’ve already built over the years.

We always aim at first for simplicity first. But there will be much more to come in future months.

If you have any questions or would like to participate in Stony Point News in some capacity, please fill out the form below. Thanks and have a great week! Hope to see you at the Stony Point Seals Plunge on Feb 8, 2026!

Thanks.

Tom Ossa is a local entrepreneur, businessman, musician and owner of Rockland News Inc., Rockland Web Design Inc., and Rockland Music Fest. He lives in Stony Point with his wife and very large dog, and has been a resident since 1990, except for a brief 2-year vacation in Highland Falls, NY.

Ossa’s Grandfather – Thomas Avenia owned the Bicycle Store in West Haverstraw NY for many years on Route 9W, and after his passing, was run by him and his Mother for nearly 8 years. Ossa later graduated from Ramapo College, and currently sits on the Workforce Development Board of Rockland County and the Rockland Chamber Alliance.

Tom Ossa’s main passion is music. He is the founder of the annual Rockland Music Fest series, established in 2015.

Have a Question? Want to Get Involved? Contact Us.