Bill Demarest reports on local Hudson Valley happenings through his site, Nyack Free Press. Demarest caught the Monday morning driving blues action in Tuxedo when a dump truck flipped over and spilled its gravel load. Not a good way to start your week.

TUXEDO – An overturned heavy dump truck snarled traffic on Route 17 Continue Reading

It’s simple — all you have to do is eat at Characters after 5 p.m. Tuesday to help take a bite out of hunger.

Characters Restaurant & Bar has joined with the Sloatsburg UMC Food Pantry for a fundraiser to support Rockland Hunger Awareness Month, which was recently proclaimed by County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef. The effort is part of an initiative by members of the Rockland Community Against Hunger (RCAH) to highlight the silent issue of hunger and food insecurity throughout the county. Continue Reading

It’s a good late summer day to take a walk down Lafayette Aveneue, the Village of Suffern’s main street. This afternoon you’ll be able to stroll and loiter and look all day, walking right down the middle of the road, visiting shops while you people watch during the Suffern Greater Chamber of Commerce Street Fair, the last of the season. Continue Reading

The old Waldron property across from the Sloatsburg Library was once the hot heart of the village. In the early 1900s, the Waldron’s (yes, the Waldron Terrace Waldron’s) big barn served as the village livery stable while the smithy occupied another, smaller building on the property. It was the heyday of horseshoes and carriages. Continue Reading

In all the muss and mess of Thursday’s storm blow, that at one point left knocked power out to some 14,000 Orange & Rockland customers, the Town of Ramapo Police Department reported that an Orange & Rockland utility truck clipped a female Suffern High School cross-country runner out practicing with the team.

The accident took place along Grandview Avenue at Rt 306 in Suffern where a group of runners were on a practice run. The 15-year student suffered a lower leg fracture. The incident was first reported by Ryan Buncher of the Pearl River Patch. Buncher reported that the O&R truck was heading south on Route 306 and the accident took place at the intersection of Grandview and 306. The student was treated by the Spring Hill Ambulance and Rockland Paramedics and taken to Westchester Medical Center for evaluation.

Ramapo Police are currently investigating the incident and at this time have not issued a traffic summons related to the accident.

Thursday’s storm featured on and off buckets of rain, with rumbling thunder and lightening that downed trees and power lines across the county. Of the 14,000 O&R customers who lost power, 10,000 are back online.

Yes, that sudden power surge some felt when the thunder rumbled through Thursday afternoon knocked out power in many places across Rockland. Orange & Rockland is reporting that nearly 9000 people experiences some kind of power outage, with Spring Valley and Monsey being the hardest hit areas. In Spring Valley alone. O&T reported lights for some 3,100 people. Nearly a 1000 people in Viola lost power.

The storm rolled through at 1 p.m. and some area experienced sheets of rain while other areas only witnessed a bruised sky and winds.

O&R estimates that most power should be restored by 5 p.m. But where tree work is necessary, power may not be restored until midnight.

O&R spokesman Michael Donovan said the outages were in large blocks with concentrations in Spring Valley, New City and Suffern.

Sloatsburg power was not disrupted though St. Mary’s Villa may be out. And there was a larger power outage by the Tuxedo Club — which involves wires and should be taken care of soon. St. Mary’s is under investigation as is a small power outage in Hillburn.

Most of the outages were caused by trees and downed wires and took place on the other side of the mountain, beginning in Suffern and spreading east as far as Nyack.

The Lafayette Theater in Suffern invites all US military members to take in a movie Thursday evening, for free.

On September 12, 2013, the snazzy Lafayette Theater will join businesses across the country and participate in Freedom Day USA, a national event designed to thank members of the military, veterans and their immediate families for their service. Participating businesses provide a thank you by offering gifts and goods throughout the day.

The Lafayette will show its appreciation to the expansive military family by giving free admission to the Thursday, September 12 showing of the “The Butler,” the biopic about Cecil Gaines, an African-American pastry chef who worked in the White House for some 30 years. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Before the show, get on over to B-Balls Meatballs on Praire Avenue in Suffern. Home of the busted ball sandwich, B-Balls is also participating in Freedom Day by offering a free Italian Ice to all military members.

“The Town of Ramapo joins the Benmosche Family in giving the members of the Military, past and present, a small token of appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice,” said Supervisor Christopher P. St. Lawrence.

There will be various deals all across Rockland County. In New City, Dr. Ralph Berk and his team at Rockland Pediatric Dental will be offering free cleanings, x-rays, fillings, and other services. Dr. Berk is a Freedom Day National Committee Member and as well as a NY state director. Quality Care Dental will also be offering some free dental services and Eye Adventure is throwing in for free military member eye exams.

The Historic Lafayette Theater is located at 97 Lafayette Avenue, Suffern, New York.

All around Sloatsburg new 45 foot power poles have been planted in the ground by Orange and Rockland. The poles are part of a continuing O&R’s distribution line upgrade project that has involved right-of-way tree cutting along lines, new power poles and upgraded wire. Continue Reading

The new school school year is here for Ramapo Central students and just in time as mornings have been chilled by fall weather — perfect back to school weather.

Sloatsburg capped the summer season Sunday with a nice turnout for the Highlands Bluegrass Festival. The Harmony Hall Great Lawn was dotted with blankets and chairs and people from all over Rockland and the Hudson Valley. Vendors stationed colorful craft booths along the walkway and many Sloatsburgers showed for a sunny afternoon of music. Continue Reading

Bright red fire trucks and men dressed in sharp, clean uniforms parade today.

The volunteers of the Sloatsburg Fire Department will join with other Rockland County firefighters — volunteer all, mind you — and parade this afternoon, September 7, at 2 p.m. along the Main Streets in New City. The parade begins on Little Tor Road and moves north to Collyer Avenue, then moves north along South Main Street to New Hempstead Road, concluding at the Rockland County Courthouse. Continue Reading