If you’re driving through New City or catching the train in Nanuet this morning, you’ve probably noticed the air feels a bit different. It’s not just the January chill. There is a lot moving in Rockland County news today, and honestly, staying on top of it feels like a full-time job lately. From massive infrastructure shifts to some pretty heavy legal news coming out of the courts, the county is hitting the ground running for 2026.
Basically, the big story everyone is whispering about at the local diners is the finalization of the 2026 County Budget. After months of back-and-forth, the Rockland County Legislature actually pulled off a unanimous bipartisan vote. That doesn’t happen every day. They managed to hold the line on property taxes, which is a massive relief for homeowners who were bracing for a spike.
Infrastructure and the $30 Million Sidewalk Push
You might see more orange cones than usual this spring. A huge chunk of the new budget—about $30 million—is earmarked specifically for the county-wide Sidewalk Project. This isn't just about making things look pretty. It's a safety play.
Clarkstown just scored a $1.6 million grant through the State’s Climate Smart Communities Program to expand sidewalks in the Nanuet Transit-Oriented Development zone. If you live near the train station, this is huge. It’s going to connect over 2,500 homes to the library, schools, and the station itself.
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Walking to the train shouldn't feel like a game of Frogger.
The Legal Beat: Sentencings and Safety
On the darker side of Rockland County news today, we’re seeing the conclusion of some major court cases. Just yesterday, a 20-year-old man from Suffern was sentenced to 14 years in state prison. It was a heavy case involving the abuse of a child, and the New City courthouse was reportedly packed for the sentencing.
There’s also an ongoing investigation into a fatal accident on the Palisades Parkway. It happened a little over a week ago, but the New York State Police just released the identity of the victim. It turns out the pedestrian was struck by two different vehicles near Clarkstown. It’s a sobering reminder of how dangerous the Parkway can be, especially with the limited lighting and high speeds in that stretch.
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Health Alerts and Measles Concerns
The Rockland County Department of Health is still on high alert. We ended 2025 with 21 confirmed cases of measles, and Commissioner Dr. Mary Leahy is basically pleading with parents to double-check those vaccine records.
- Measles Clinics: Keep an eye out for mobile clinics popping up in Spring Valley and Monsey.
- The "Triple Threat": They are still pushing for Flu and COVID-19 boosters as we hit the peak of the winter respiratory season.
It's kinda frustrating to see these outbreaks pop back up, but the county is being very aggressive with the outreach.
Changes in Leadership at the Legislature
If you follow the politics of the Hillcrest area or Haverstraw, you should know that Jay Hood Jr. was just re-elected as Chairman of the Legislature for a fifth term. He’s been in the game since 2007. Aney Paul is back as Vice Chairwoman, too.
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Why does this matter to you?
Because they are the ones holding the purse strings for things like the $2 million emergency fund for local food pantries. That fund was set up late last year after federal SNAP funding lapsed, and it’s been a literal lifesaver for families in Ramapo and Haverstraw.
What You Should Do Next
Staying safe and informed in Rockland doesn't have to be a headache. Here are a few practical steps you can take right now:
- Check the Transit Schedule: If you use TOR or TRIPS, remember that the holiday schedules from the New Year might have shifted some of the regular routes—verify your bus times on the county website.
- Blood Donations Needed: County Executive Ed Day officially declared January as National Blood Donor Month. Local centers are reporting low supplies, so if you're able, head down to a local drive.
- Vaccine Records: If you haven't looked at your family's immunization status lately, now is the time, especially with the measles cases still being tracked by the RCDOH.
- Watch the Parkway: If you’re commuting on the Palisades, stay extra vigilant near the Clarkstown exits where pedestrian activity has been a known hazard.
Things are moving fast, and while the "no tax increase" news is the headline we all wanted, the infrastructure and health updates are what will actually impact your Tuesday morning commute.