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Daylight Saving Time Starts Sunday March 10th Check your Emergency Supply Kit, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

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2 years ago

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Use Daylight Saving Time to not only change your clocks, but to update your emergency supply kit. Is it missing any items? Is anything out-of-date, leaking, or damaged?

Don’t have an emergency supply kit yet? Now is the time to put one together! Have a several-day supply of food and water stored in your home, with at least one gallon of water per person per day. Choose foods that are ready to eat, such as peanut butter and canned meats, fruits, and vegetables. Remember your pets too! They need their own food and water. Your emergency supply kit should also contain flashlights, a hand-operated can opener, a radio, batteries, and copies of important documents. Depending on your family’s needs, you may also need other supplies.

“Make sure your supplies are relatively up to date, check for expiration dates on your batteries and food, and make sure you keep your supplies in a dry and cool place away from direct sunlight,” said Eric Medina, Director of Emergency Preparedness/Public Health.

Daylight Saving Time is also a great time to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and change replaceable batteries, if needed. Following is information from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

  • Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
  • Smoke alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
  • When replacing a battery, follow manufacturer’s list of batteries on the back of the alarm or manufacturer’s instructions. Manufacturer’s instructions are specific to the batteries (brand and model) that must be used. The smoke alarm may not work properly if a different kind of battery is used.

The Rockland County Department of Health’s Healthy Neighborhoods Program can assist low to moderate-income residents and seniors, at no charge, with battery changes and alarm replacements as supplies last. For more information, call (845) 364-3290.

For more information about being prepared for emergencies, visit the Rockland County Department of Health’s Emergency Preparedness web page.

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West Point Memorial Monument Unveiled at La Fière Bridge Honors WWII Leaders

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18 hours ago

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June 10, 2026

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A new West Point Memorial Monument was unveiled on June 4, 2026, at La Fière Bridge in Sainte-Mère-Église, France, as part of the 82nd Anniversary commemoration of D-Day.

The monument honors more than 150 graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point’s Long Gray Line who led and fought during Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy that began on June 6, 1944.

Among the most notable West Point graduates associated with the Normandy campaign are General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force; Lieutenant General Omar Bradley, who commanded U.S. ground forces on D-Day; Lieutenant General J. Lawton Collins, who led VII Corps during the assault on Utah Beach; and Major General Maxwell D. Taylor, who commanded the 101st Airborne Division during the airborne operations preceding the landings. These leaders played pivotal roles in planning and executing the operation that helped turn the tide of World War II in Europe.

Situated near the historic La Fière Bridge, a strategic objective during the Normandy campaign and the site of intense fighting following the airborne landings, the memorial stands as a lasting tribute to the courage, leadership, and sacrifice of West Point graduates who served during the liberation of Europe.

The bridge itself was a critical objective for Allied airborne forces, particularly elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, who fought to secure crossings and protect the inland advance from Utah Beach. The surrounding area remains one of the most studied and visited battlefields of the Normandy campaign.

The unveiling ceremony brought together military leaders, dignitaries, historians, veterans, and members of the public to honor the legacy of those who fought during D-Day and the broader Normandy campaign. The monument serves as a permanent reminder of the contributions made by generations of West Point graduates in defense of freedom during World War II.

Photo: Samantha Sergi

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Government

Rockland County Promotes Native Plants and Water-Smart Landscaping

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1 week ago

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June 3, 2026

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The Water Advisory Council is encouraging residents to embrace water-smart landscaping practices that conserve water and support environmental health.

Officials recommend reducing nonfunctional lawn areas and replacing them with native plants, drought-tolerant landscaping, rain gardens, bioswales, and rain barrels. These practices help reduce water consumption, manage stormwater runoff, improve groundwater recharge, and increase resilience to climate change.

According to the Council, water demand in Rockland County rises from an average of 30 million gallons per day to as much as 45 million gallons per day during the warmer months, placing additional strain on local water supplies.

Residents are encouraged to consider native plants such as Creeping Phlox, Foamflower ‘Elizabeth Oliver,’ and Jacob’s Ladder, which require less watering once established and are well-suited to local conditions.

Examples of successful rain gardens featuring native plants can be found at Orangeburg Library, Bowline Point Park, Kennedy Dells County Park, and Piermont Library.

By replacing sections of lawn with native plants and incorporating features that manage rainwater naturally, residents can play a direct role in protecting Rockland County’s water resources.

The initiative is part of the county’s ongoing effort to promote sustainable landscaping and encourage participation in the national “Less Lawn More Life” movement.

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