Orange County, NY | featured news

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York's governor says legislation that would end the ability of parents to object to vaccinations for their children on religious grounds is "legally questionable."Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo during interviews this week called the recent surge in measles cases a serious public health concern but said eliminating the religious exemption to school vaccine requirements could [...]

He was the puppy that fell from the sky.On Jan. 12, the Austin, Texas, Animal Center released a photo of a 1-pound chihuahua it called “miracle puppy” that had been rescued by construction workers who heard his cries and then watched as he was dropped in midair by a hawk.“He really did beat the odds,” said Jennifer Olohan, spokeswoman for the Austin Animal Center. “It was a true miracle. Not only that the hawk dropped him instead of taking off, [...]

PORT JERVIS - Police have filed new charges against Port Jervis city building inspector David Rivera, officials confirmed Friday.Port Jervis police charged Rivera, 39, on Friday in connection with two incidents in the City of Port Jervis and another in the Town of Deerpark.Police said they charged Rivera with two counts of forcible touching and two counts of third-degree sexual abuse, misdemeanors, and one count of second-degree harassment, a violation, in the Port [...]

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said on Friday that his auditors have recovered 82 percent more in fraudulent tax refund money for 2018 returns filed through April 8 compared with the same point last year.As of Monday, DiNapoli’s office has blocked $43.7 million worth of bogus personal and business tax refunds, compared with $24 million through April 8, 2018.This year, DiNapoli has halted 12,619 state tax refunds, including 10,415 for ineligible credits such as a fake [...]

WEST POINT — Forty-nine teams preparing for military careers are spending two days testing their skills at West Point.They’ve been practicing for months, but that only goes so far because they didn’t know exactly what they would be asked to do when the competition began Friday.“It changes every year,” said Walker Dunlap of Ackworth, Ga., whose University of North Georgia was tops in the racing part of the competition last year. ”We [...]

CITY OF NEWBURGH - A 17-year-old is facing felony weapon and reckless endangerment charges in connection to shots being fired near Gidney Avenue and Chambers Street about midnight Thursday, City of Newburgh police said.City police initially responded to an area near North Miller and South streets after receiving reports of gunfire through the police department’s ShotSpotter equipment, according to a news release from Newburgh police on Friday.While officers [...]

MONROE — When you visit Museum Village — as you can starting Saturday, opening day for the season — the staff would be obliged if you’d leave your cell phone in the car.The curators, the costumed interpreters, probably even the chickens and goats, would prefer you unplug when you come to this longstanding living history museum. Relax and learn a bit (while having fun, of course) as you stroll around the Village Green and learn what life was [...]

MIDDLETOWN — To some, it's just a utility pole on Wallkill Avenue. To the family of Coree "CJ" White Jr., who was murdered beside it more than a year and a half ago, the pole holds much more meaning.Coree's mother, Emily Rivera, and his father, Corey White Sr., light a candle at the pole on the 18th day of each month, symbolizing another month passing after the death of their son on Aug. 18, 2017. For holidays like Valentine's Day and New Year's, they deck the pole out. [...]

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he supports making attending a state college or university free for the children of service members who died while performing their official duties.The Democrat's comments Wednesday come after Republicans blamed state lawmakers from Cuomo's party for blocking the proposal.The proposal would also cover room and board without the need for additional scholarships.Republicans objected this week after a [...]

The Sullivan County Sheriff is warning the public that deputies have found marijuana laced with fentanyl in the county.A deputy was patrolling the Walmart parking lot in the Town of Thompson Monday night when he spotted a car parked facing the wrong way in the crosswalk at the front entrance, according to a news release from Undersheriff Eric Chaboty.When the deputy approached, the car, the driver became belligerent and tried to run [...]