It’s a common winter occurrence in many parts of the north: the notorious roof ice dam. As the past few weeks snow piled up and temperatures fluctuated, ice dams have grown and grown on many local roofs. Some houses have stretches of icicles that nearly run from the roof to the high snow banks beneath the eaves. Continue Reading

This past week saw a double whammy of snow fall on Sloatsburg and the whole Lower Hudson Valley. With the village Department of Public Works pushing snow to the side of the roads, as well as NY State and Rockland County services, snow banks along road shoulders are now nearly head high.

             Photo courtesy TrendPhotos.org

If there’s one thing a snow storm leaves in its wake, beside lots of snow, it’s transportation problems and the terrible condition of roads. Continue Reading

Update: With the mini mountains of snow shoveled from walkways this past week, area emergency services have requested some community assistance.

Sloatsburg’s All Volunteer Fire Department members are making an effort Sunday to clear the village’s 140 hydrants. Residents can help by clearing a hydrant closest to your home. Continue Reading

The Town of Ramapo will remain open Thursday, February 13, until the regularly scheduled closing time of 5pm.

In the meantime, Superintendent Christopher St. Lawrence urged residents to “Stay Safe…Stay Home!”

Ramapo Highway Superintendent Tony Sharan reported that main roads are passable but very slippery, while some side-roads have 6-7 inches of accumulated snow. Sleet will begin mixing with snow this afternoon and early tonight. An additional 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected to fall after midnight.

Ramapo Police Officer Captain Brad Weidel reported that roads are getting more treacherous by the hour.

“Our new marked police cars are able to travel with ease in the heavy snow,” said Weidel about the Ramapo Police Department weatherizing some of their vehicles. “We are in the process of installing chains on our older cars, and deploying them to strategic locations throughout the town.” he added.

Highway Superintendent Sharan said forecasts show that snow will continue today as an icy mix until early Friday morning with total accumulations between 12-14 inches.

For emergencies please call 911 and/or the Ramapo Police Dept. My office number is 845 357 5100 ext 201.

Sloatsburg Department of Public Works making a plow run through the village Thursday afternoon, Feb. 13.

The weather outlook for Thursday’s nor’easter is snow, wintry mix, rain, snow. Snow accumulation is expected to get worse. In the words of NY Governor Andrew Cuomo:

Under a state of emergency, critical resources normally restricted to State use are mobilized to assist local gov’ts: http://t.co/fEVetHPM4Y

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 13, 2014 Continue Reading

The Suffern Police Department posted a dramatic account of a police officer doing his job while perhaps saving a baby’s life — all over the phone

Police Officer Tim Dunn was on communications duty when a 911 call came through. A Parkside Drive mother was frantic and believed that her baby was choking — the child apparently was not responding. Officer Dunn, “in a calm manner,” talked the mother through emergency procedures over the phone. Continue Reading

The Village of Suffern recently announced the formation of a new Downtown Committee that will be tasked with helping to shape a revitalization effort that attracts more people to the village center.

Marcello’s Ristorante in Suffern takes over the Lafayette Theater Sunday for two pre-Valentine concert. Tickets are $30.

One business owner in particular enthusiastically endorsed Mayor Trish Abato’s plan, even inviting the committee to hold its first meeting at his restaurant, with lunch on the house. Marcello Russodivito, owner and chef extraordindaire of Marcello’s Ristorante, has been off working on his own as a one-man economic whirlwind. His popular Italian eatery in Suffern already serves  as a lively center of dining and nightlife along Lafayette Street. Whether it’s a quite birthday dinner celebration, wine tasting with friends, cooking class, or jazzy evening at the restaurant’s piano bar, Marcello’s is a hive of activity. Continue Reading

From left, Assembywoman Jaffee, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, state Senator David Carlucci, Suffern Mayor Trish Abato, Deputy Mayor Jo Meegan-Corrigan and a Squires Gate Resident from Suffern.

When the winds and waters of Hurricane Irene washed through Rockland County some two years ago, certain parts of Suffern got hit particularly hard. The Mahwah River flooded homes in the Squires Gate community along the Mahwah River, especially on Lonergan Drive, where some residents found themselves waist deep in water that made their homes uninhabitable. Continue Reading

With the sun threatening to shine, Sunday afternoon should feel downright balmy when compared to the recent zero degree weather. And what better way to spend a nice afternoon than watching the very last football game of the season? Continue Reading

The Slaughter Stand-Up comedy celebration rolls into Characters Friday night for an evening of insults, agita and astute commentary.

With Sloatsburg as its home base of operations, the Slaughter comedy collective has increased it’s reach throughout the Lower Hudson Valley. Continue Reading