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Protect Yourself and Your Family from Tick Bites This Spring And Summer

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1 year ago

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As the warmer weather is welcomed and families spend more time outside, remember to protect yourself and loved ones from tick bites. A bite from an infected tick can cause Lyme Disease and other diseases such as Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Powassan.  The risk of encountering an infected tick in the Hudson Valley region is high.  

“Ticks, like many of us, become more active during warmer weather.  Ticks that carry Lyme disease continue to be found in Rockland; therefore, we advise residents to follow these precautions for an enjoyable and healthy season,” said Dr. Chitra Punjabi, Rockland County Department of Health Director of TB & Communicable Disease Control: 

  • Avoid contact with ticks – stay on cleared, well-traveled trails, walk in the center of trails, avoid dense woods and bushy areas, and avoid sitting directly on the ground or stone walls. 
  • Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors. Brush any ticks off before they attach. Do a complete check of your skin when you go back inside. Be sure to check for ticks on your children and pets, too!  It is easy to check when you bathe or shower, preferably within two hours, to wash off and more easily find ticks that may be on you. Do a final, full-body tick check at the end of the day (also check children and pets) and remove ticks promptly. 
  • Remove any attached ticks using this safe method: Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick near the mouthparts as close to the skin as possible. Do not twist, turn, or squeeze the tick’s body. Instead, pull the tick in a steady, upward motion away from the skin until the tick lets go. To lessen your chance of infection, remove an attached tick as soon as possible. 
  • Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, and shoes. Tuck your shirt into your pants and pant legs into your socks. Wear sneakers or boots, not sandals. Tie back long hair or wear a hat. 
  • Consider the use of an insect repellent. Carefully read and follow the directions on the repellent label. 

If you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms after a tick bite, contact your health care provider immediately to discuss any treatment and further prevention options. 

For more information visit these webpages: Rockland County Department of Health and New York State Department of Health.

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North Rockland HS Senior Analyse Veras Awarded Prestigious NROTC Scholarship to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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1 week ago

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May 30, 2025

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THIELLS, NY – Analyse Veras, a standout senior at North Rockland High School and Cadet Lieutenant Commander in the school’s NJROTC program, has been awarded the highly competitive Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship, covering 100% of college tuition, room and board, textbooks, uniforms, and more at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

Following her graduation from RPI, Analyse will serve a minimum of five years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy, furthering her dedication to leadership and national service.

Out of thousands of applicants nationwide, only 20–30% are selected for the NROTC Scholarship, making this a remarkable achievement. Analyse stood out among the elite for her academic excellence, strong moral character, and exceptional leadership potential developed through years of NJROTC training and community involvement.

This milestone not only highlights Analyse’s personal achievements, but also reflects the strength and excellence of North Rockland’s NJROTC program, which continues to develop future leaders with a commitment to service, discipline, and integrity.

Photo by North Rockland Central School District.

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Community

Pearl River Public Library Appoints Nancy Aravecz Shah Director, Meet-and-Greet Scheduled for June 10

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2 weeks ago

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May 29, 2025

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PEARL RIVER, NY – The Pearl River Public Library (PRPL) invites local residents to meet its newly appointed director, Nancy Aravecz Shah, during a special Meet-and-Greet event on Tuesday, June 10. The community is welcome to stop by for light refreshments and conversation anytime during the two-hour window between 4p.m. and 6 p.m. The library is located at 75 East Central Avenue in Pearl River.

A distinguished librarian and library director, Ms. Shah has spent several years in the public library environment and higher education and joins PRPL from the Florham Park Public Library in Morris County, New Jersey where she served as Director. After a
comprehensive regional search to find a leader with the experience and vision necessary to propel the library forward, the Pearl River Public Library Board of Trustees unanimously approved her appointment on April 28.

In her most recent leadership position in Florham Park, Ms. Shah was instrumental in building partnerships with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and local businesses to support and enhance library services. She also led the planning and
preparation for a major renovation project, ensuring both materials and staff were ready for the transformation.

Previously, Ms. Shah served for nearly six years as a Senior Librarian at the New York Public Library – Jefferson Branch in Manhattan.

Ms. Shah holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University, a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in English, cum laude, from Wagner College with a minor in History.

“The Pearl River Public Library is an absolutely amazing community resource,” said Shah. “I am so impressed by the many offerings it provides. Just seeing all that this library team is able to achieve from its temporary space has been inspiring.”

With a strong commitment to access, education and preservation, Ms. Shah brings valuable expertise that will greatly benefit the library and the community it serves.

Said Shah, “I feel honored to have been chosen to lead the Pearl River Public Library as it embarks on the next phase of its renewal project. I can’t wait to see this institution realize its fullest potential in its new space. I am looking forward to getting to know this community and the PRPL team. I’m ready to dig in and get to work.”

Ms. Shah succeeds Interim Director Edward Falcone.

With more than 10,000 active cardholders, the Pearl River Public Library provides equal access for all to vast educational, cultural, literary, historical and digital resources.

Photo by Pearl River Public Library.

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