New York State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec with constituents in Washington, D.C., on Inauguration Day, Monday, Jan. 20. From left are Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, Brabenec, Orange County GOP treasurer Joseph Coleman, Wallkill Councilman Mark Coyne, Ryan Greene, Orange County GOP chairwoman Courtney Greene, Orange County Teen GOP chairman Sean Coyne, Ray Jagos, Thomas Brabenec and Tina Kakascik. ( Photo provided) Orange County residents attend inauguration New York State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec organized a trip to Washington, D.C., for President Donald Trump’s second inauguration... Local News 21 Jan 2025 | 08:12
Local homeless population rises A warm place to shelter from brisk winter weather is a luxury that many people can’t afford. The population of homeless people... Local News 21 Jan 2025 | 10:29
‘Too stressful’: why some students are saying no thanks to standardized tests As students across the tristate region sharpened pencils - or, increasingly, fired up computers - in preparation for multiple... Local News 02 May 2024 | 11:23
High schools in Middletown and Newburgh, N.Y., purchased Yondr pouches for all students in attempt to curb the negative effects of cell phone use in school. Photo: Yondr. As screen time soars, high schools turn to Yondr bags and phone cubbies Should schools ban cell phone use among students? In a survey completed by more than 600 local readers, 73% said yes. But... Local News 12 Jan 2024 | 06:04
A historic photo of First National Bank of Warwick, on the corner of Bank Street and Main in Warwick, N.Y. More recently known as the Chase Bank Building, the bank is now being renovated into a restaurant: The Fed of Warwick, slated to open in March. Photo provided by the Warwick Historical Society. Small businesses bank on new locations Banks have steadily shuttered their brick-and-mortar branches nationwide for more than a decade in response to the rise in... Local News 14 Dec 2023 | 11:14
West Milford Messenger wins awards in national newspaper contest The West Milford Messenger and its eight sister publications published by Straus News won 15 awards in the National Newspaper... Local News 29 Sep 2023 | 09:10
Data source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services A look at local COVID data as updated vaccines arrive As cold and flu season approaches, COVID-19 is on the rise nationwide. The most prevalent variant, EG.5 (nicknamed “Eris”)... Local News 18 Sep 2023 | 01:09
How local districts combat bullying In response to a reader survey of 127 parents, 85% said they believe their child has been bullied in school. 69% of those... Back to School 16 Aug 2023 | 03:01
Christina Stephens of Vernon Valley Farms, with her helper Theo, shows her “miracle garden” to attendees at last year’s Kitchen Garden Tour. Her veggie patch was voted as one of the best gardens. Stephens will open her gates up to ticketholders again this year at the Kitchen Garden Tour on Sunday, Aug. 13. Tickets are available at kitchengardentours.com Sneak peek: Kitchen Garden Tour returns today Your neighbors are feasting out of their backyards, and this Sunday, you’re invited to explore their veggie patches on Dirt’s... Entertainment 13 Aug 2023 | 04:25
Pups explore Wantage Dog Park. Photo by Jeremy Hubbard. A bone to pick: Local dog park etiquette and safety Forty-four percent of Americans are dog owners, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. “You can make a... Local News 26 May 2023 | 02:10
In a survey of 145 local parents, only 24% of those who reported a bullying incident to their school were satisfied with the outcome. Graphic by Christina Scotti. The bully system Since April 2022, Paula Fetherman has filed 14 harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) reports at High Point Regional... Local News 28 Apr 2023 | 05:10
Between March 2020 and February 2023, SNAP Emergency Allotments provided a second monthly payment to recipients, either an extra $95 or bumping the monthly total to the household maximum, whichever was greater. (Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture, New York State Academy of Dietetics & Nutrition, N.Y. Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance) Snapping out of it After nearly three years of providing eligible households with extra money for groceries, the final SNAP Emergency Allotments... Local News 28 Feb 2023 | 10:08
William Vealey, who owns Vealey Landscaping in Wantage, hasn’t had his plow on his truck in more than a month. Photo by Kathy Shwiff. ( Photo by Kathy Shwiff) No snowfall, falling profits “As I sit here in my office looking out at the mountain, every flake of snow I see has been made by us, and not mother nature,”... Local News 15 Feb 2023 | 12:28
A sign in the Walgreens in West Milford, N.J., informs customers that some over-the-counter medicines for children are not available because of supplier shortages. ( Photo by Kathy Shwiff) As immunity falls, 3 threats rise As three viruses make waves across the community, local moms struggled to find fever-reducing medicine for their children... Local News 23 Dec 2022 | 02:17
Monroe-Woodbury driver Kim Coomey. Photo provided. ‘An awesome responsibility’ Kim Coomey’s alarm goes off at 5:08 every morning. It’s a later start than most of her coworkers get. “I’m not your typical... Local News 06 Oct 2022 | 12:06
