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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:
Reverend Doctor William Barr Doster, Jr.
The Reverend Doctor William Barr Doster, Jr., 91, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Saturday, June 27, 2026. William (“Bill”) was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on February 27, 1935. A man of profound faith and intellect, he dedicated his life to spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and lifelong learning. He served as…
Warehouse Project Advances In West Haverstraw
West Haverstraw, N.Y. – A proposed 454,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in the Village of West Haverstraw has moved another step forward after the village’s Planning Board accepted a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the project, allowing the environmental review process to continue. The proposal has been under consideration by local officials and state…
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Is Your Shopping Center Getting Noticed in 5 Seconds or Less?
This guest article is from the team at 99Signs, located in Nyack, NY. NYACK, NY – For shopping centers, visibility is not just a design issue. It is a business issue. A successful retail property depends on people being able to see it, understand it, navigate it, and feel confident entering it. Long before a…
Continue Reading Is Your Shopping Center Getting Noticed in 5 Seconds or Less?
Helen Carol Bottari
Helen Carol Bottari, 67, of Northvale, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 29, 2026. Helen was born in the Bronx, New York, and grew up in Blauvelt, New York. She attended Albertus Magnus High School and graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, New York. She dedicated many years to education and…
Residency Law Changed For Correction Officers
NEW CITY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation amending New York’s Public Officers Law to change residency requirements for current correction officers employed by the Rockland and Orange County Sheriff’s Offices, a move local officials say could help address staffing and retention challenges within county correctional facilities. The legislation specifically affects correction officers…
Continue Reading Residency Law Changed For Correction Officers
Chestnut Ridge Awarded Road Safety Grant
CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. — The Village of Chestnut Ridge has been awarded approximately $568,000 in state funding to support traffic and pedestrian safety improvements along South Pascack Road, a heavily traveled corridor that serves residents, businesses and nearby schools. The funding was announced as part of New York State’s ongoing efforts to improve roadway safety…
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.
