State Legislature Gives $800,000 for Breakthrough PTSD Treatment
The Middletown-based Research and Recognition Project got an $800,000 shot in the arm from William Larkin and John Bonacic, state senators from Orange County. The new treatment does not utilize medication and is non-invasive, according to project founder Dr. Frank Bourke. “We get the people disassociated and we take out portions of the very particular traumatic memory and alter it,” Bourke said.
Larkin, a retired army officer, said helping people overcome PTSD “is our responsibility.” The MidHudsonNews reported that Bonacic said this treatment can replace the 30-year-old practice of utilizing medications, which do not cure the illness.
Eco Shrimp Garden: a Sustainable Urban Farm in Newburgh
The Eco Shrimp Garden in Newburgh celebrated its grand opening on September 4 with its first shrimp harvest. The urban farm on South William Street is dedicated in providing “a tasteful, natural, sustainable product” according to its website. Using a new process called “Indoor Zero Water Exchange Aerobic Heterotrophic System” the company says it can deliver fresh shrimp to restaurants within hours. The company says “it’s possible to feed the world without threatening the environment and endangering human health.”
The MidHudsonNews.com reported that owner Jean Claud Frajmund’s aquaculture production method serves as an alternative to traditional shrimp ponds. The company uses eight salt water tanks that support thousands of shrimp without hormones, antibiotics, or chemicals. The Eco Shrimp Garden is open to the public seven days per week.
Bald Eagle Rescued From Hudson River
The Orange County Sheriff’s department reported that an injured bald eagle was rescued near Bear Mountain Bridge on Aug. 1. About 3:45 in the afternoon Deputy Schmitt and Deputy Sagala were on the Hudson River when they observed a stationary boat attempting to remove an injured bald eagle from the river. The deputies assisted in the effort and transported it to the Bear Mountain dock where the bald eagle was turned over to a certified wildlife rehabber for evaluation and medical treatment. The State Park Marine unit and Westchester County Marine unit also assisted with the rescue.
Wallkill to Purchase Korn Campgrounds for $680,000
The Town of Wallkill announced on Sept. 3 that it will buy Korn Campgrounds for $680,000 in cash to retain as open space for the town. The 75-acre property includes the Shawangunk Kill stream. The land, according to Supervisor Daniel Depew, is adjacent to the Moonbeams, held in a land trust by the county. “With the development pressure that seems to be happening on the other side of the kill in Sullivan County in this region, we feel this property is a key piece of property for the town to have control of to preserve as open space,” Depew said.
“Its position on the kill makes the property all that much more valuable. Its history of public use being a campground since 1972 has offered hundreds of thousands of families and tens of thousands of individuals the benefit of being able to enjoy some of the nicest property within the town.” The funds used for the purchase are part of $1.5 million from the sale of the former town hall. The town plans to hire a company to continue operation of the campground.
State Authorizes $25,000 Study to Merge Village of Highland Falls With Town of Highlands
The New York Department of State has given $25,000 to the Village of Highland Falls to study a reorganization with the Town of Highlands. Five years ago the village and town discussed how to streamline overlapping services to residents. The MidHudsonNews reported that Village Mayor Patrick Flynn said Highland Falls would remain as a hamlet just as Fort Montgomery is, but with one central town government. The state money will allow the village to consider a possible dissolution and consolidation of police and public works services.
Orange County Managers Receive Small Increase in Salary Cap
The Orange County Legislature voted on September 3 to raise the salary cap of the county’s 153 managers by three percent for one year. Administration had sought a 15 percent increase noting that one-third of the department heads are at the cap right now and noted that some managers return to staff positions because they could make more money.
Legislature Chairman Stephen Brescia said, “We have taken care of all the other contracts but we haven’t taken care of management as far as paying them.” Brescia said. He noted that 49 manager are at the cap now and did not want the legislature to micromanage. “We have a lot of managers who save the county quite a bit of money and they deserve to be compensated as well as other employees.”
Illegal Road Racing Results in 17 Traffic Tickets in Enforcement Effort
State Police began an enforcement campaign on September 4 targeting illegal racing on state and interstate highways. Other violations included an unregistered vehicle with race-related equipment for a race. The MidHudsonNews reported that Captain Brendan Casey of Troop F said the campaign will continue to make state roads safe for the motoring public.
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