ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY – As outdoor activities increase with the arrival of warmer weather, the Rockland County Department of Health is urging residents to take proactive steps to protect themselves from tick bites and the diseases they may carry, including Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, and the rare but serious Powassan virus.

Lyme disease remains the most common tick-borne illness in New York State, and the Hudson Valley region, including Rockland County, continues to be a high-risk area due to the widespread presence of infected blacklegged ticks (deer ticks).

“Ticks, like many of us, become more active during warmer weather. Prevention is the best defense,” said Dr. Mary Leahy, Rockland County Commissioner of Health. “Simple steps like using tick repellent, wearing protective clothing, and performing regular tick checks after being outdoors can greatly reduce your risk of getting a tick-borne illness.”

Key Tick Prevention Tips

Avoid Tick Habitats: Stick to the center of clear, well-traveled trails. Avoid tall grasses, bushy areas, and stone walls.

Perform Frequent Tick Checks: Brush off ticks while outside, and do full-body tick checks when returning indoors—especially within two hours.

Proper Clothing: Wear light-colored long sleeves, pants, socks, and closed-toe shoes. Tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants for added protection.

Safe Tick Removal: Use fine-tipped tweezers to gently pull ticks straight out without twisting or squeezing. Prompt removal reduces the risk of infection.

Use Insect Repellent: Select repellents designed to deter ticks and always follow label instructions.

What to Do If You Find a Tick or Have Symptoms

If you discover a tick on yourself, a child, or a pet, remove it promptly and monitor for symptoms such as rash, fever, or flu-like illness. Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop, as early detection and treatment are crucial for preventing serious complications.

WEST NYACK, NY – Supervisor George Hoehmann has shared the latest progress report on the ongoing West Nyack Revitalization Project, highlighting key milestones achieved over the past week and previewing upcoming construction activity that will impact local traffic.

According to Supervisor Hoehmann, drainage and utility work continued throughout the week, with major progress made. Orange and Rockland Utilities, along with several other utility companies, have completed most of their work and successfully met the deadline required to proceed with the removal of utility poles. The remaining utility work is expected to be finalized within the next week, after which the poles will be taken down, clearing the way for the next phase of the revitalization effort.
Temporary Road Closure: West Nyack Rd. & Bensen Avenue

As part of the next phase of utility upgrades, a brief road closure is scheduled at the intersection of West Nyack Road and Bensen Avenue, starting Tuesday morning and continuing through Thursday morning. This temporary closure is necessary to allow Orange and Rockland to install a large underground pull box as part of their 705 line infrastructure.

During this time, access to Bensen Avenue will be rerouted through West Street, and a detour will be in place to assist drivers in navigating the area safely and efficiently.
Progress on Road Realignment and Parking

In addition to utility improvements, contractors are making visible progress on the realignment of West Nyack Way and Klein Avenue. The area near Sorce Funeral Home now shows a clearly defined outline of the new roadway and parking layout, signaling another step forward in the revitalization project aimed at improving traffic flow and community infrastructure.

Supervisor Hoehmann encourages residents to stay informed through weekly updates as the project advances. “We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as we work to bring meaningful improvements to West Nyack,” he stated.

For more information, traffic updates, and detour maps, stay tuned to the rocklandreport.com