Timelines 7/20/17

Nyack Library Workers Push to Unionize
Nyack Library workers are seeking to unionize but the Board of Trustees has hired a law firm organizers called hostile, displaying their opposition. An election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board is scheduled on July 24 in the library’s community room as a last step to establish a union. If the majority of staff vote for affiliation with a statewide labor union called the New York State United Teachers, the library’s board and management must begin negotiating a collective bargaining agreement.

Dominican College Becomes Test-Optional
Dominican College will no longer require incoming freshman students to submit a standardized test score for admission. It is the first college in Rockland County to adopt a test-optional policy. “We have found that a student’s overall high school academic record is the best indicator of a student’s success in college and the research backs that up,” said college President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien O.P., Ph.D. Students who have been home schooled, have gotten a General Education Diploma, do not meet the above 16-unit requirement and international students will still be required to submit SAT or ACT scores.

School Bus Violates Flashing Red Lights of Another Bus|
On July 18 at 8 a.m., Ramapo Police pulled over a school bus driver after he passed another school bus that had its red lights flashing due to a stop for picking up children on West Eckerson Road. Before the bus came, police pulled over a car that passed the bus while its red lights were flashing. Police indicated the incoming bus to pull over as well but the driver kept going until he was pulled over on the West Eckerson Extension. The 33-year-old bus driver was issued a ticket. Ramapo Police said that school bus violations are among their top traffic enforcing priorities.

Healthcare Bill Fails
A major healthcare bill that was supported by President Donald Trump collapsed. Congress claimed that Trump relied on Senate Republican leaders to master the details of the legislation. However, differences among GOP senators were too great to gather enough votes. Now Trump claims that he will let Obamacare fail and then Democrats will have to join in on fixing the healthcare system.

Pine Meadow Lake Gets a Makeover
The Pine Meadow Volunteer Corps will be cleaning up the 77-acre Pine Meadow Lake off Seven Lakes Drive on July 23. The campaign, named “Take Back the Trail,” includes volunteers from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Keep Rockland Beautiful and the Rockland Conservation and Service Corps. The Palisades Interstate Parks Commission and the Trail Conference will be stationing members at the trail head this weekend and the first weekend in August as a way to educate the public on proper clean up.

Gunshot Wound Investigation Leads to Massive Delays on I-95
On July 18, state troopers responded to a reported car crash when they found a man with gunshot wounds on Interstate 95 in Mamaroneck during rush hour. The incident was on the northbound side between exits 18B and 19, causing massive delays due to police investigation that led to road closures for about eight hours. A 24-year-old man from the Bronx was a passenger in a GMC U-Haul van with gunshot wounds and was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx where he is said to be in critical condition. Police are still trying to determine whether the man fled the van on his own or was forced out of the van. They’re looking for a U-Haul van with Arizona license plates that may have right front-end damage. Anyone with information is asked to call 914-769-2600.

Tappan Zee Bridge Construction Update
The new Tappan Zee Bridge now includes all roadway lighting fixtures on the westbound side and the upper main span tower aesthetic lighting fixtures. Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC will conduct periodic lighting tests to ensure it’s working properly.

Senator McCain Diagnosed with Cancer
Senator John McCain was diagnosed with a primary glioblastoma, a brain tumor. He underwent surgery to remove a blood clot on July 14 when the brain cancer was found and removed. McCain is recovering well at his Arizona home and considering further treatment options.

Rocklander earns first MLB win
(From Daily Voice)
Chris O’Grady, a Congers native, is a winner in the big leagues. O’Grady, 27, got his first victory as a Major League Baseball pitcher Saturday, leading the Miami Marlins to a 5-4 defeat of the San Francisco Giants. O’Grady, who graduated Clarkstown High School, pitched 5.1 innings, giving up five hits, three earned runs, two walks and striking out four over 81 pitches. It was O’Grady’s first ever start in the show. O’Grady signed with the Marlins after being released by the Angels. The Angels drafted O’Grady in the 10th round in 2012.

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