County Sheriff’s Office a Triple Winner
The County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook that the department has achieved three national accreditations, a first in the state. Sheriff Carl Dubois accepted the Triple Crown award on the behalf of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office from Executive Director of the National Sheriff’s Association John Thompson and President Sheriff Danny Glick on Feb. 8. The Triple Crown Award recognizes sheriff’s offices having three national accreditations. Orange County is the first sheriff’s department in New York State to receive the award, and the 40th sheriff’s office nationwide.
It Happened to Her
Like the Nicolas Cage movie “It Could Happen to You” about a police officer who splits his lottery jackpot with waitress Bridget Fonda, Henry Brown did the right thing and shared a $10,000 lottery win with Kimberly Cruver, a waitress at Maddy’s in Wallkill. According to the Times Herald-Record, Brown played two $2 Win 4 tickets at Middletown Liquor on Route 211 on New Year’s Eve. A Latin percussionist, Brown was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2003. Cruver will spend the money on her two sons. Brown paid some bills.
YWCA Orange County Joins Campaign to Reintroduce Itself
YWCA Orange County will link up with YWCA USA and more than 220 other YWCAs around the country to participate in a brand awareness campaign meant to reintroduce YWCA, share its life-changing work, and invite people to join its mission to empower women and eliminate racism. “YWCA Orange County is proud to be a part of an international organization committed to the mission of eliminating racism and empowering women,” said Christine Sadowski, Executive Director, YWCA Orange County. For more than 150 years, YWCA has supported voting and civil rights, and for affordable housing, pay equity, violence prevention, and health care reform. YWCA is one of the top 25 largest charities in the United States with revenue of more than $775 million. YWCA helps more than 2 million women and children each year in the United States. YWCA Orange County has been a part of the county’s human services network for more than 100 years.
Possible Offer From Organic Herb Grower for New Windsor Fish Farm
The Rockhedge Herb Farm of Pleasant Valley may bid for the now-closed Continental Organics aquaponic greens and fish farm in New Windsor, reported the Times Herald-Record. Company owner John Alva said he would not continue the fish production. The Orange County Industrial Development Agency voted to rescind tax breaks but will hold off if the business is sold. Rockhedge employs 70 in Newburgh. The company produces greens such as basil, garlic, sorrel, and thyme to supermarkets and distributors in New York City and Boston. Continental filed for bankruptcy on Oct. 7 of 2015.
Port Officer Passes DARE Program
Port Jervis police officer Nicole McGowan was credentialed as a DARE instructor on Jan. 29. The two-week training certifies officers to educate youth in drug abuse prevention and serves as a role model in schools. DARE officers educate students in critical thinking and problem solving, and with real life scenarios to which students can relate to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe, healthy, and positive decisions in life. The Port Jervis School District partners with the Port Jervis and Deerpark police departments in ten class sessions of prevention education. Officer McGowan will start DARE instruction at Anna S. Kuhl School during the week of February 8.
Airport Park in Matamoras Gets Development Grant
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded a $248,000 grant to Matamoras Borough to improve Airport Park near the Delaware River. The grant will be used to construct a concession area, a radio-controlled airplane park, a pedestrian walkway, landscaping, and signage. The Biondo Foundation previously funded a playground, dog park, and playing field.
Wawayanda Gets Greenway Grant
The Town of Wawayanda has received a $7,500 matching grant from the Hudson River Valley Greenway program for a comprehensive plan update. The update to Wawayanda’s 2006 comprehensive plan will continue to outline visions, policies and recommendations for the planning of this historic Hudson Valley community. The funding is intended to support community planning, public access, and trail projects. The program funds projects that protect natural and cultural resources in the Hudson Valley, educate the public about the region’s heritage and environment, provide public access to the Hudson River, and develop the local economy. The Greenway also manages the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
Kikkerfrosch Brewery Clears Construction Site in Goshen
German-style lager producer Kikkerfrosch plans to begin construction of a 100,000 square-foot brewery in the spring, now that it has received approval from the Village of Goshen Planning Board, reported the Times Herald-Record. Owners Michael and Demetri Politopoulos operate the Macedonian Thrace Brewery in Greece. The brewery, larger than the many microbreweries in the county, will produce over 300,000 barrels a year and employ around 80 at its facility.
Newburgh Agrees to Reduce Pollution in Hudson River
In an agreement with the Department of Environmental Conservation, the City of Newburgh has agreed to decrease storm water and untreated sewage discharges into the Hudson River during heavy rain, reported the MidHudsonNews. Dan Shapley, manager of Riverkeeper’s water quality program, told the News the city will reduce almost 100 million gallons of pollution into the river every year, eliminating more than half of Newburgh’s combined sewage overflow. The water treatment plant will be improved to prevent the city’s wastewater treatment from being flooded. The city also qualifies for a “hardship” designation that allows it to receive the zero-interest loans and makes it eligible for future grants. “The City of Newburgh recognizes the economic, social and environmental impacts from combined sewer overflows and has been working diligently to usher in a new era of upgraded wastewater infrastructure to protect public health and safety, facilitate economic development through wastewater capacity, and to protect the water quality of the Quassaick Creek and Hudson River,” City Manager Michel Ciaravino told the news.
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