Category: Orange County NY

Orange County Deputy Executive Harry Porr Resigns From MTA Board

Orange County Deputy Executive Harry Porr resigned from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board in March after serving in the post for just under two years. Porr told The Epoch Times on June 14 that he had left the board to concentrate on county affairs. He was first appointed to the MTA board two years…


Port Jervis Police Programs Help Students Cultivate Responsible Lifestyles

The Port Jervis police recently taught two 10-week educational programs that reached over 300 elementary and middle school students in the local district. The two programs, D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and Too Good for Drugs, are designed to help students make healthy and responsible life decisions about drinking, drugs, and relationships, according to Police Chief William…


Dragon Boat Festival to Be Held for the First Time in Mount Hope, Orange County

A Chinese cultural association will host a Dragon Boat festival in the Town of Mount Hope on June 18. The group said the event will offer a “unique experience” and “fun for the whole family” as it coincides with Father’s Day. The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duan Wu Festival, falls on June 22…


Orange County Asks Judge to Extend Ban on NYC Relocation of Illegal Immigrants

The Orange County government asked a judge on June 9 to extend a stay on the relocation of illegal immigrants arranged by New York City, according to a court filing.  If granted, the request—formally called a preliminary injunction—will make the ban effective throughout the county’s lawsuit against the city, according to county attorney Richard Golden.  A…


Orange County IDA’s Controversial Accelerator Program Down to 2 Tenants

The controversial Accelerator program of Orange County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) has been slashed down to two tenants as of a June 6 committee meeting. Designed as an incubator providing subsidized rental spaces to small businesses, the Accelerator program was central to a high-profile corruption scandal involving three convicted OCIDA officials in 2021. Bill Fioravanti,…


Middletown Passes Resolution in Support of New Forensic Psychiatric Hospital

The Middletown City Council passed a resolution on June 6 to support the construction of a new state forensic psychiatric hospital to replace the old facility on the New Hampton campus. The new hospital will tap Middletown’s water and sewer systems through lines to be constructed along Route 17M, a win-win for both the state…


Nick Fitzpatrick Awarded Most Valued Partner by Orange County Partnership

Nick Fitzpatrick, president of Aden Logistics, was named the most valued partner by Orange County’s frontline economic development organization on June 6. Orange County Partnership President Maureen Hallahan said at the award ceremony that Fitzpatrick was behind some of the largest land sales in the county in the past few years, resulting in almost half a…


John Bell Reflects on 1st Year as Port Jervis District Superintendent

Port Jervis School District Superintendent John Bell said his first year leading his alma mater was marked by infrastructure improvements that would benefit future generations. “These facilities are so great that when I leave, they will impact generations of Port Jervis kids,” he told The Epoch Times. “That’s pretty rewarding. It sure beats buying and…


Health and Economic Benefits of Trails Discussed at Vision Hudson Valley Conference

A group of field experts, nonprofit leaders, and government officials discussed the health and economic benefits of trails at an annual conference by Vision Hudson Valley on June 2. Garnet Health Foundation President Bill Dauster, an avid outdoorsman, opened the health panel discussion by citing his personal observation. “I wonder all the time when I…


NY Department of Transportation Informs Residents of Exit 122 Improvements in Wallkill

A public meeting was hosted by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) at Wallkill’s town hall on June 1 to inform residents about the upcoming phase two improvements of Exit 122 on Route 17. The improvement will widen and lengthen Exit 122 lanes on the eastern side of the highway and enhance the…