Hank Gross

WASHINGTON – Threats of attack by North Korea on the US and its allies is “very concerning” to Congressman Christopher Gibson (R-NY19).

The House member said on Wednesday that the administration in Washington is taking the “proper steps” in preparation of any action by the North Koreans.

GOSHEN – Top officials of Orange County NAACP chapters and a leading civil rights attorney, on Wednesday, called for the Orange County Legislature not to approve its redistricting plan when it meets on Friday saying it is purposely designed to keep minority representation in the City of Newburgh to a minimum.

MAMARONECK – Effective Monday, disposable plastic bags will not be available at check-out counters in the Village of Mamaroneck. That municipality joins the City of Rye and Larchmont, all in Westchester County, in banning those bags.  The Towns of Mamaroneck and the Village of Tuckahoe are next to consider outlawing them.

The Citizens Campaign for the Environment lauds the efforts, said Jordan Christensen, the Hudson Valley program coordinator for the organization, who said Long Island communities are also enacting similar legislation.

POMONA – The Rockland County Department of Health announced on Monday an investigation into the death from Meningitis of a 12-year-old Rockland girl who attended St. Gregory’s School. Officials explained preventative measures and means to reach out to those who might have been exposed.

“I want to stress that we are responding, and we are responding quickly and appropriately,” Rockland Commissioner of Health Kathy Henry said.

POUGHKEEPSIE – When the elevator from the Poughkeepsie waterfront is constructed to the Walkway Over the Hudson, it is expected that the linear park over the Hudson River will become even more of a tourist attraction.

Grants are going to pay for the glass enclosed elevator that will lift people to the top of the bridge, said Walkway Executive Director Elizabeth Waldman Hart.

NEWBURGH – The fastest growing population across the nation is Latino and with that said, one area organization wants to recruit more Hispanics to run for public office.

Latino Democratic Committee of Orange County Coordinator Sonia Ayala said the move is on to attract candidates.

“We are going to be reaching out to recruit qualified Latinos to run for office and train them and discuss the issues that are affecting the community, and it’s not just Latinos that it’s affecting, it’s affecting everybody,” she said.

ALBANY – Area state lawmakers are divided on increasing the minimum wage, a provision approved Thursday night in the 2013-14 budget.

Assemblyman James Skoufis (D, Town of Woodbury) supports the wage hike.

“Over three years we phase it in to $9 an hour, which is something I pushed strongly for and the Assembly pushes strongly for since I took office in January,” Skoufis said.

But, another freshman lawmaker from the Hudson Valley, Kieran Michael Lalor (R, Fishkill), has a different take on the issue.

ALBANY – The just-adopted state budget includes funds to help redevelop the Beacon Correctional Facility, the women’s prison the governor targeted for closure.

A total of $6 million has been placed in the spending plan to aid in redevelopment of the property, said Assemblyman Frank Skartados (D, Milton), who represents Beacon.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D, Cold Spring) asked President Obama and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to reduce the impact of sequestration on civilian employees.

The lawmaker’s request came in a letter to both officials in support of legislation to give more flexibility to the Pentagon on sequestration cuts and to shift more than $10 billion into Pentagon operations and maintenance accounts.

HAMLET OF WALLKILL – Cardinal Timothy Dolan visited the Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Wallkill Wednesday where he celebrated a special mass with inmates and staff as he delivered his Holy Week message of hope.

Cardinal Dolan first prayed with the inmates at the maximum security facility and then gave a heartfelt sermon assuring those who are incarcerated that they are not alone spiritually and God has not forgotten about them.