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Orangetown Opens Cooling Center to Help Residents Beat the Heat This Week

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Orangetown, NY (June 23, 2025) — As temperatures soar across Rockland County, the Town of Orangetown has announced that it will open its facilities as a cooling center to help residents stay safe and comfortable during the heat wave.

The Orangetown Town Hall, located at 26 Orangeburg Rd, Orangeburg, NY 10962 will be a Cooling Center from from Monday, June 23 through Wednesday, June 25, operating daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Town officials are urging residents—particularly seniors, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions—to take advantage of the cooling center during this period of extreme heat.

The move comes as the National Weather Service has issued heat advisories across the region, warning of dangerous heat index values that can pose serious health risks.

Heat Safety Tips from Town Officials:

Stay indoors and limit strenuous activity during peak hours (11 AM–4 PM).

Drink plenty of water, even if you’re not thirsty.

Check in on elderly neighbors and relatives.

Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even for a short time.

This temporary cooling center is part of Orangetown’s proactive approach to public safety and wellness during the summer months.

For continuous updates and emergency notifications, residents are encouraged to follow the Town of Orangetown on social media and subscribe to local alerts.

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Government

Rockland County Urges Water Conservation as Climate Change Impacts Supply

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NEW CITY, NY — The Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management is encouraging residents to learn how climate change is affecting water availability and what steps they can take to protect the county’s supply.

Experts say climate change is increasingly being viewed as a water crisis, as rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns lead to stronger storms, flooding, and drought. Although water covers much of the planet, less than one percent of freshwater is readily available for human use, making conservation critical.

Rockland County depends entirely on local surface and groundwater sources to serve homes, schools, businesses, and healthcare facilities. As the population grows and climate conditions evolve, officials say responsible water use is essential to maintaining a stable supply.

“Protecting our water supply is essential to the long-term health and economic stability of Rockland County,” said Ed Day. “Education and conservation are key tools that help ensure our water resources remain reliable for future generations.”

💧 Simple Ways to Conserve Water

Residents can make a meaningful impact with small, everyday actions:

  • Fix household leaks promptly
  • Take shorter showers
  • Turn off the tap while brushing teeth
  • Use water-efficient appliances
  • Plant native or drought-tolerant landscaping
  • Water lawns and gardens efficiently

Reducing water use also lowers energy consumption, since energy is required to pump, treat, and heat water—helping cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Officials encourage residents to follow the task force online for updates, resources, and conservation tips. More information is available through the county’s water conservation program.

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Government

Rockland County Offers Free Mosquito Dunks and Minnows to Fight Summer Mosquitoes

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The Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) is giving residents two free tools to fight mosquitoes:

1. Mosquito Dunks®

  • Donut-shaped tablets placed in standing water
  • Kill mosquito larvae before they become biting adults
  • Safe for use in:
    • Unused/covered pools
    • Hot tubs
    • Other stagnant water containers

2. Fathead minnows

  • Small fish that eat mosquito larvae (up to ~200 per day each)
  • Good for:
    • Unused pools
    • Ornamental ponds
    • Water sources with at least 8 inches of water

 How to get Mosquito Dunks

  • Pickup location: Robert L. Yeager Health Complex (Pomona)
  • Appointment required
  • To request:
  • Bring a completed Mosquito Dunk Order Form to pickup

 Minnow giveaway details

  • Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
  • Time: 4:30–6:00 PM
  • Location: 50 Sanatorium Road, Pomona
  • Reservation required (call or reserve online)
  • ⚠️ Must be used within Rockland County (permitting rules)

 What residents should do

Even if you don’t pick these up, the most effective step is simple:

  • Check your yard weekly
  • Dump or remove anything holding water (buckets, tarps, gutters, planters, etc.)

Why it matters

These efforts help prevent mosquito-borne illnesses (like West Nile virus), which spread through standing-water breeding.

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