TIMELINES 6/1/17

START-UP NY PROGRESS: RCC to Work With Company Relocating to Nyack
York Analytical Laboratories Inc., a full service environmental laboratory, has been added to expand Rockland Community College’s presence into Nyack. York Labs analyzes environmental samples. The company has re-located their corporate offices from Connecticut due to a designation from Start-Up NY, which offers expanding businesses the opportunity to operate tax-free for 10 years on or near an eligible university or college campus in the state. The relocation will allow RCC students and alumni access to the fast growing industry of environmental science. York Labs was involved in the new construction of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

1980 Pearl River Murderer Gets Denied Early Release
Former Pearl River resident Richard LaBarbera was sentenced to 25 years to life for murder in 1980 and has been denied early release for the eighth time since 2005. LaBarbera was found guilty of murdering 16-year-old Paula Bohovesky along with other charges. In May 2019, LaBarbera gets another parole hearing after being turned down last week. 

Toll operator from Rockland accused of stealing Spring Valley toll monies
A toll operator from Pearl River was arrested after investigation showed they stole less than $1,000 from a state Thruway tollbooth. The 61-year-old toll collector, Matthew Carle, allegedly filed false paperwork to cover up the theft and was removed from the job. He is charged with petty larceny and falsifying business records.

Nyack Reform Temple Rallies for Refugees
On June 6, The Reform Temple of Rockland will host a gathering at Main and Cedar streets in Nyack beginning at 7:30 p.m. to provide a vigil regarding safety for fleeing refugees. The vigil is part of a nationwide commemoration organized by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society to remember the death of Jewish refugees in Havana in 1939. After the U.S. State Department turned away the SS St. Louis, the ship returned to Europe where the passengers were killed by Nazis.

Spring Valley activist’s home to be renovated on NBC-TV Show
After education others on organ donation and signing up almost 10,000 New Yorkers to Long Live NY, Roxanne Watson is getting a home makeover in return for her hard work. The NBC show “George to the Rescue,” which is known for doing home makeovers in return for good deeds, will be doing the renovation for Watson. The renovation will revamp the backyard, costing around $50,000. Watson is the recipient of a heart donation, which restricts her from doing yard work that the show can now do for her.

Trump Expected to Withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement
President Donald Trump is expected to announce his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. This agreement was established in 2015 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Every nation signed with the exceptions of Syria and Nicaragua. The decision to withdraw would reverse the efforts made by the Obama administration concerning climate change.

Tiger Woods Found Asleep in Running Vehicle
On the morning of May 29, police approached professional golfer Tiger Woods asleep in his running vehicle. Upon arrival, police noted that the car had two flat tires and damage to the front and rear bumpers. Woods was arrested on a DUI charge. However, after taking a breathalyzer test, no alcohol was found in his system. Woods made a statement saying, “What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications. I didn’t realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly.” His arraignment is scheduled for July 5 in Palm Beach County court.

Increasing Use of H-2A Worker Visa Program by Farmers
Throughout the nation, farmers are increasingly turning to the H-2A worker visa program to recruit workers and to avoid scrutiny from federal immigration officers regarding undocumented workers. The Department of Labor reported last week that it approved 69,000 H-2A farm job applications in this year’s first three months, which is a 36 percent increase from the same time period last year. Farmers using this resource have to post job opening weeks in advance, pay the prevailing wage and provide housing for workers. New York Representatives Elise Stefanik and Chris Collins are pushing a bill that could ease some of the H-2A processes.

Bob Dylan to appear in small Westchester venue
On June 14 at 8 p.m., Bob Dylan will take the stage at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. Dylan is known as one America’s leading pioneers in both folk and rock n’ roll music. He gained notoriety in the early and mid-1960s with folk tunes focused on social protest like “Blowing in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A Changing,” before transitioning to a rock n’ roll sound that also was very successful. His 1997 album, “Time out of Mind,” won three Grammys.

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