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Summary:
This week’s Rockland News Week in Review podcast covers major housing developments, legal issues, educational expansions, and exclusive interviews with business and security professionals. Highlights include new grants by Rockland County for housing projects, a federal lawsuit against Rockland County and Spring Valley regarding a prior housing project, updates on the contested Chair Factory redevelopment project in Haverstraw, and St. Thomas Aquinas College’s latest academic expansion.
The podcast also features interviews with Jim Keenan of Tactical Citizen discussing personal safety training, and Hopeton Scott from Business Financial Compass, financial planning, and IRS tax strategies.
This Week’s Key News Stories:
Housing Developments & Legal Challenges
- County Executive Ed Day announced HALO Fund grants totaling $13.5 million for affordable housing in Clarkstown and Haverstraw, aimed at addressing Rockland’s housing crisis without using local taxpayer dollars.
- The federal government has sued Rockland County and Spring Valley over failure to fulfill a 2018 agreement requiring 62 affordable housing units. Only four units have been completed, despite a HUD extension.
- Chair Factory redevelopment remains a contentious issue in Haverstraw. Concerns persist over housing density, affordability, and a proposed 34-year PILOT tax incentive, which some fear could burden taxpayers. The North Rockland School District is also reviewing the project’s impact on student enrollment.
Education & Business Growth
- St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) is launching its first-ever STEM master’s programs in Exercise Science in Fall 2025. The programs will provide hybrid learning and financial incentives, including $10,000 scholarships and 50% tuition discounts for early applicants.
- STAC becomes the new host site for the Lower Hudson Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC), assisting 570 businesses in Rockland, Westchester, and Putnam counties. The center has contributed over $7.8 million in business funding and will provide students with internship opportunities.
Weather Update
- Saturday: 32°F, Sunny
- Sunday: 34°F, Cloudy
- Monday: 49°F, Cloudy
- Tuesday: 41°F, Sunny
- Wednesday: 36°F, Cloudy
- Thursday: 48°F, Chance of Snow
- Friday: 40°F, Sunny
Exclusive Interviews
Jim Keenan – Tactical Citizen (Personal Safety & Security)
- Jim Keenan, founder of Tactical Citizen, discussed self-defense, situational awareness, and emergency preparedness.
- He emphasized the importance of de-escalation, stress management, and training for handling violent encounters, natural disasters, and self-defense scenarios.
- Keenan is expanding his CPR training program to Spanish-speaking communities in Rockland.
- Training workshops, including CCW firearm courses and situational awareness classes, are planned for February 2025.
- Classes are often held at local venues like Fiesta Acapulco and community centers.
Hopeton Scott – Business Financial Compass (Taxes & Financial Planning)
- Hopeton Scott, an IRS-enrolled agent, covered legal tax avoidance strategies for business owners.
- Explained “ordinary vs. necessary” business expenses, tax deductions for home offices, business networking fees, transportation, and software expenses.
- Offered insights into IRS resolutions such as installment agreements, offer-in-compromise, and effective tax administration.
- Stressed the importance of compliance and proactively communicating with the IRS to avoid financial penalties.
- Encouraged small business owners to leverage tax rules legally while planning for long-term financial success.
- Upcoming tax and financial planning seminars to be announced soon.
Closing Remarks
- Rockland News celebrates five years of providing community-focused journalism, reaching 500,000 readers since its launch.
- Acknowledgment of key advertisers and supporters, including Dana Pest Control, Emerald Medicare, and St. Thomas Aquinas College.
- The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and RocklandNews.com.
More stories:
Rockland Music Fest Returns With Traffic Safety Mission
Photo courtesy: News 12 Hudson Valley Haverstraw, NY – Rockland Music Fest will return for its 12th year on Saturday, Sept. 12, bringing live music, food vendors and community activities to Bowline Point Park while using this year’s event to raise awareness about traffic safety in Rockland County. The festival opens at noon, with live…
Continue Reading Rockland Music Fest Returns With Traffic Safety Mission
Families Sue Nyack Housing Authority Over Vouchers
Nyack, NY – Nine Orthodox Hasidic families have filed a lawsuit against the Nyack Housing Authority in Rockland County Supreme Court, arguing that the agency improperly allowed their Section 8 housing voucher eligibility to expire or threatened to let it expire while they searched for apartments large enough to accommodate their families. The families had…
Continue Reading Families Sue Nyack Housing Authority Over Vouchers
Rockland Sheriff Investigates Ballot Fraud Allegation
Stony Point, NY – The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a complaint alleging possible ballot fraud connected to the June Republican primary election in Stony Point, according to Sheriff Louis Falco. The complaint involves Aidan Rowan, a 24-year-old Republican political operative and member of the Rockland County Republican Committee. Authorities have not announced any…
Continue Reading Rockland Sheriff Investigates Ballot Fraud Allegation
Rockland 9/11 Hero Receives Medal of Freedom
Upper Nyack, NY – Welles Remy Crowther, the Rockland County native remembered as the “Man in the Red Bandana” for helping people escape the World Trade Center during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, has been posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. President Donald Trump presented the award to…
Continue Reading Rockland 9/11 Hero Receives Medal of Freedom
$350K Awarded to Rockland Organizations
Pearl River, NY – New York State Assemblyman Aron Wieder announced $350,000 in state funding for 11 organizations and community partners serving Rockland County, with grants directed toward public safety, emergency response, education, youth programs and family services. Wieder, who represents the 97th Assembly District, presented the funding during a recent gathering at his district…
TOR 59 Bus Returns to Pascack Road Bridge
Spring Valley, NY – Transport of Rockland’s TOR Route 59 bus has resumed service over the Route 59 bridge at South Pascack Road in Spring Valley, ending a detour that had affected the county bus route since 2020. The return follows the completion of a New York State Department of Transportation bridge reconstruction project and…
This Week’s Featured Event:
Whiskey Crossing & Line Dancing at the Patriot Lounge
Nashville recording artist Whiskey Crossing is currently signed with Perry Music Group of Nashville for distribution. Whiskey Crossing is an upbeat high energy country act that is sure to bring the heat and excitement to any stage. Bringing down the house with a sing-along set with original country covers from the 90s to today as well as original music that is available for streaming worldwide. LEARN MORE
Thanks for joining us on this week’s edition of the Rockland News Week in Review.