Editor’s Note: We at Rockland News wish to take a moment to honor those who fought and died on June 6, 1944 – far from home – to protect and preserve the freedoms that we hold dear today, and forever. For more information on this pivotal moment in our nation’s History, please visit this Wikipedia page: Normandy Landings
Rockland News Week in Review:
June 1 to June 7, 2025
Village of Nyack Mayor Joe Rand Discusses Fires, Relief Efforts, and Donations
In a recent interview with Rockland News, Village of Nyack Mayor Joe Rand provided an update on the devastating fires that broke out on Tuesday, displacing 13 families. These fires, which occurred in two separate apartment complexes within an hour of each other, left residents in dire need of assistance. While one fire, which occurred on Gedney Street in a high-rise building, was quickly contained, the second fire at the Nye Plaza—a subsidized housing community—required a more intensive response. The latter saw the involvement of 17 different fire companies from both Rockland and Westchester counties.
The fires were intense, particularly at Nye Plaza, and while no fatalities were reported, several individuals, including a firefighter and a civilian, sustained minor injuries. The quick response of firefighters and the community ensured that everyone managed to evacuate safely, despite some missing pets initially. Fortunately, there have been no reports of fatalities among the animals.
As of the latest updates, about $70,000 had been raised through a GoFundMe campaign, with donations continuing to be crucial as affected families struggle to rebuild their lives. The funds are being managed by the NAACP and can be accessed through the link at nyack.link/plaza.
Mayor Rand stressed that while the Red Cross had assisted with initial sheltering, the long-term housing needs for the displaced families would rely heavily on private donations.
Rand expressed immense gratitude for the quick response of local organizations, including the Red Cross, the United Way, and the County Department of Social Services, which helped expedite the relief efforts. Additionally, the village of Nyack temporarily housed displaced residents in local hotels, with some units in the Nye Plaza expected to be habitable by the end of the week.
To further assist, the United Way is accepting in-kind donations such as clothing, and residents are encouraged to contribute gift cards to help the affected families. The NYAC Center is also serving as the drop-off point for physical donations, including food and personal care items. Mayor Rand also acknowledged the overwhelming support from local businesses offering meals and other services to the victims.
Stony Point’s Busy Summer: Events, Services, and Community Fun
This summer, the Town of Stony Point is offering a packed schedule of events, making it an exciting time for residents. Amy Stamm, the Deputy Supervisor for Stony Point, joined the Rockland News podcast to discuss several community-driven events coming up in the town.
One notable event is the Unclaimed Funds Workshop held by the county, which gives residents an opportunity to find lost or unclaimed money under their name. The workshop, which took place at the Patriot Hills Senior and Community Center, allows participants to search for unclaimed funds with help from representatives.
But that’s just the beginning. This weekend, two significant events are happening: the North Rockland Community 5K Race and Bike Safety Day and Touch a Truck event organized by the Stony Point PAL. The 5K, celebrating its 20th annual race, is a fundraising event benefiting local families, particularly those dealing with health challenges. The race kicks off at Bowline Park with registration starting at 7:30 AM.
Simultaneously, Stony Point’s PAL will host a Bike Safety Day and Touch a Truck event at Charles Ecker Park. From 11 AM to 3 PM, children and families can enjoy bike safety lessons, interactive truck displays, and fun activities.
Additionally, the Stony Point Pool will open on June 28th. The pool is also home to a summer camp program for kids, run by Craig Robinson. Registration for pool memberships and summer camps has been streamlined this year, with an easy online registration process available at stonypointny.gov.
For families with younger children, the Playground Program, which includes outdoor activities and water play at the Splash Pad, will run throughout the summer. There are still spots available for registration.
Stamm also highlighted the Town’s commitment to improving resident experiences with their new online registration system, simplifying processes that previously required in-person visits. With events for all ages, the summer in Stony Point promises to be full of fun, community bonding, and good times.
New City Chamber of Commerce Prepares for Annual Street Fair
Roxanne Peronucci from the New City Chamber of Commerce recently shared exciting details about the upcoming New City Street Fair, which will be held on Sunday, June 8th, from 10 AM to 5 PM, rain or shine. This year, the event has several exciting additions, including free rides for all attendees. There will be performances from two local bands, arts and crafts vendors, and various entertainment options for the whole family.
The fair is expected to draw a large crowd to Main Street, which has become a vibrant downtown area with numerous restaurants and shops. Local businesses are encouraged to participate, with the event serving as a major traffic driver for the community. Parking is available in several municipal lots along with additional spaces in the nearby St. Augustine Church lot.
In addition to the street fair, the Chamber also hosted a Spring Gala at the Paramount Country Club, a successful event that featured a live Elvis performance and was attended by over 100 people. This annual event serves as a thank-you to Chamber members and has quickly become a cherished tradition in New City.
Looking ahead, New City will host its Summer Concert Series starting July 9th at Riverfront Park, bringing more outdoor activities to the community. Whether it’s the street fair this weekend or the concert series in July, there’s plenty to look forward to for residents of New City.
Perrone emphasized the collaborative nature of the event planning, especially with the involvement of local government officials and other organizations, ensuring that the street fair and other events continue to grow in success each year.
Additional News and Updates:
- Gun Buyback Event: The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the Haverstraw Police Department, is hosting a Gun Buyback event on Saturday, June 7th, from 12 PM to 4 PM at Village Hall. This initiative encourages residents to turn in unwanted firearms in exchange for prepaid gift cards, aiming to reduce gun violence in the region.
- Firefighters Memorial Parade: The Village of Nyack will hold its Firefighters Memorial Parade this weekend to honor local volunteer firefighters. The parade will start at 9 AM and conclude at the Oak Hill Cemetery, with representatives from 15 surrounding fire departments joining the procession.
- Serendipity Saturday: Clarkstown will kick off its summer season with Serendipity Saturday on June 14th, featuring an afternoon of swimming and picnicking at Germans Pool, open to all Clarkstown residents. This event marks the opening of the pool for the summer season.
- CABs Training: Clarkstown will also offer a Child and Babysitting Safety (CABs) training session for young residents aged 11 to 15. The session will teach young babysitters essential skills like supervision, basic care, and emergency response. It will take place on Wednesday, June 11th, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Street Community Center.
Stay tuned for further updates and more news from around the county, from Rockland News.
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