This week in the Villages: A shooting in Nyack left two people wounded and a community thinking about public safety in an otherwise quiet village. Plus, a Nyack schools focus on inclusivity, a very public urination incident, health story updates, your weekly weather prediction, upcoming meetings and much more!
Note to readers: What do you think we should be covering in your Rockland village? Send us stories, ideas, pictures and feedback at info@nyacknewsandviews.com. Read about our plans for the future here.
L’shana Tova to all who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah! Nyack News & Views wishes nothing but the best to everyone this new year!
Two People Shot on Depew Avenue
Unfortunately, we have to follow our happy new year wishes with an unsettling report of two people shot in Nyack near Depew Manor — on Depew Avenue, between Liberty Street and Franklin Street.
On Tuesday night, September 20, at 11:52 pm, officials at Montefiore Hospital called Orangetown police to say they were treating someone who had been shot in the forearm.
An investigation of the crime scene by the Rockland County sheriff’s office uncovered two .380 caliber shell casings, but no weapons.
On Wednesday afternoon, Montefiore called again to tell Orangetown police about another victim — with “a gunshot wound to their buttocks”. Police later determined that the two shootings stemmed from the same incident on Tuesday night.
Police said both gunshot victims’ injuries were considered “not life threatening.”
A week later, police confirmed that no arrests have been made yet. Police did not release any additional information about the victims or circumstances surrounding the shootings.
In a press release, Orangetown police said detectives are continuing “to investigate this incident and are requesting anyone who may have witnessed or have information on the incident to contact the Orangetown Police Detective Bureau at 845-359-2121 or call Tip 411.”
You can also send any information to us about this or other public safety issues at info@nyacknewsandviews.com and we’ll do our best to follow up.
Please correct us if we’re wrong, but the last shooting we can recall in the village of Nyack was the shocking and devastating murder of 35-year-old Gregory Dubuisson, back in November of 2020. That year, there were also two other shooting incidents in Nyack.
Although there haven’t been any arrests in this latest shooting, police said they did not think there was any additional danger to residents because of the incident on September 20.
We’ll be keeping an eye on this.
Stay tuned …
Quote of the Week
“Orangetown Police Detective Bureau continues to investigate this incident and are requesting anyone who may have witnessed or have information on the incident to contact the Orangetown Police Detective Bureau at 845-359-2121 or call Tip 411.”
Captain Michael Shannon of the Orangetown Police Department in a press release last week
In other relevant news
- A little update on a previous story. A month ago, we reported on the redistricting effort underway at the Rockland County legislature. There have been a couple of meetings since then and perhaps a vote, but we hadn’t been able to find an actual copy of the map. Laura Incalcattera, the communications director for the Rockland County legislature, let us know that “there are no maps as of yet. Once there are, we will make them public on the website for all to view.”
- Oh great. On top of Covid, monkeypox and polio, according to LoHud and health officials, we now have a mini outbreak of whooping cough, aka pertussis, here in Rockland County. Awesome.
- FYI, that same LoHud, health officials they haven’t seen any new cases of polio yet, “thank goodness.”
- Another leftover you should be aware of: Rockland is no longer under any water restrictions due to dry conditions, but according to LoHud, officials remind us that saving water is always a good idea! (More coming on Rockland water coming up in the next week or so.)
- When I called Orangetown police today, they first thought I was looking for information about a grave site urination incident in Tappan that has apparently garnered national attention. Click on this Daily Voice story if you must. It’s sad and weird.
ICYM NNV’s weekly features: Bill Batson’s latest “Nyack Sketch Log”, Mike Hays’ most recent “Nyack People & Places”; and our coverage in last week’s “The Villages”. If you haven’t read it yet, please check our vision for the future of Nyack News & Views and how you can help build our coverage and capacity.
Weather prediction
Mostly clear with temperatures ranging between 60 and 70 during the day and dropping into the 50s at night. Yes, indeed, it’s fall. [click here for National Weather Service‘s latest 7-day forecast for Nyack]
Covid Update (as of Sept. 26)
Severe cases and hospitalizations in the greater Nyack area have essentially leveled off, but there’s been a slight uptick in positive cases. As of September 26, the CDC is still classifying Rockland County at a “low” Covid threat level.
- The county is reporting 1.9 gross hospitalization per 100,000 people (up from 2.09 on Sept. 12)
- Hospital capacity, however, is not threatened.
- A total of 24 people (last updated Sept. 12) in Rockland County were hospitalized for Covid related issues; only 6 of those patients were symptomatic.
- With four new deaths recorded recently, Rockland’s Covid-related death total remains at 1,213.
- To find out what case and hospitalization trends look like in your town, click here.
- Here’s the CDC’s data on Rockland.
Testing Info
- Get free at-home Covid tests sent to your home, visit Covidtest.gov. Or pick them up at Village Hall in Nyack, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
- More than 82% of eligible people in Rockland County are vaccinated with at least one dose. To schedule an appointment for a 1st dose, 3rd dose (for immunocompromised), or booster COVID-19 vaccine from any Rockland County Department of Health Clinic visit rocklandgov.com/departments/health/. To search for additional COVID-19 vaccination opportunities nearby visit vaccines.gov.
- Find a COVID-19 testing site near you, by visiting coronavirus.health.ny.gov. Individuals who have questions regarding eligibility or access for testing should call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the NYSDOH website covid19screening.health.ny.gov.
Village updates
Nyack
Here’s the list of all upcoming meetings posted for the Village of Nyack.
Powell Sensei of Karate Nyack has announced that his Karate School is offering an “Intro to Karate” program Thursday’s & Saturdays. All are welcome! Seniors, Teens & Adults.
For more info, text Powell Sensei at 917 627 8199. Karate Nyack is located at 85 South Piermont Avenue, Nyack, NY. karatenyack.com
Put it on your calendar: The Halloween Parade is back! Oct. 29 this year.
- If you haven’t seen it, take a look at the second draft of Nyack’s Appropriations budget (what they plan to spend). And the second draft of their Revenue budget (how they make their money). Not clear how or if it all those numbers have changed, but we’ll keep you updated. As of now, the budget is $6,055,600.91 coming in and going out 2022-2023.
- Drop off humanitarian aid for victims of the war in Ukraine (, including first aid, painkillers, blankets, baby food, diapers, non-perishable food, antibiotics and more, at Village Hall, 9 N. Broadway (or at the Orangetown town hall, 26 W. Orangeburg Rd.).
Upper Nyack
- Click here for updates from the Village of Upper Nyack.
South Nyack
- Due to reader request, we have re-added South Nyack, which dissolved as an official village earlier this year. Please send us info about what’s going on in South Nyack at info@nyacknewsandviews.com.
Orangetown
- Check out the draft chapters of Orangetown’s new 2022 Comprehensive Plan.
- ICYMI: Here’s the official resolution Orangetown enacted with regards to the sale of two South Nyack properties, which appears to say the proceeds will go toward wiping out South Nyack’s debt, which is what South Nyack officials were lobbying for as the dissolution date approached.
- Help limit greenhouse gasses and curb pollution by joining this new food scraps recycling program.
- Check out the Orangetown YouTube channel, and this video of a recent special town board meeting, which included renderings of a new town hall.
Clarkstown
- The Technical Advisory Committee, which “evaluates the technical adequacy of land development applications and decides their readiness for Planning Board review,” meets most Wednesdays, including this Wednesday, from 10 am to noon, in the town hall’s Historic Map Room.
- For a calendar list of all Clarkstown meetings and events, click here.
Other Local Updates
South Nyack advocates have filed a petition with the town of Orangetown seeking to show support for a new Elizabeth Place Playground — the grassy play area and dog park just south of 87 and right off the Esposito trail. After South Nyack dissolved in March, the town found the playground equipment at Elizabeth Place was unsafe and not compliant with ADA regulations and removed it. A new ADA compliant park has been proposed and advocates want to see the proposal approved and implemented. Click here to read and/or sign the petition.
Nyack Schools
- Last week, we reported that Nyack Schools were hoping to have a new superintendent in place by January 2023.
- Check out our latest Nyack Schools Report, a new regular feature we will be posted every couple of weeks or so.
- Applications are now being accepted for universal pre-K and full-day kindergarten.
- Masks are currently optional for all students and staff in all Nyack district schools.
- Find out what else is going on in Nyack-area schools at Home Page – Nyack Public Schools (nyackschools.org)
Rockland-wide
A rare polio case was recently discovered in Rockland County. Here’s some info on how to protect yourself:
- New Yorkers can pre-register for a free polio vaccination appointment here or call 845-238-1956 to schedule. Walk-ins will also be accepted.
- Vaccines are also available through local healthcare providers, including Federally Qualified Health Centers.
- For more information on polio including symptoms and spread, visit NYSDOH’s page here.
- New Yorkers can learn more about the polio vaccine available in the U.S. at CDC’s page here.
- The Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program will reimburse businesses between $5,000 and $25,000 for past expenses or fund future expenses for eligible outdoor dining COVID-19 mitigation equipment. Eligible entities include restaurants, food stands, food trucks, bars, saloons, lounges, taverns, bakeries, delis, cafes, breweries, wineries, and other similar places of business. For more information and to download an application visit rocklandgov.com.
- Fill out this survey to help the county provide better digital services.
Connect with Nyack News and Views
We want to hear from you! Send thoughts, ideas, news tips, as well as meeting and events announcements to us at info@nyacknewsandviews.com.
