Timelines, September 1, 2016

A compilation of news shorts from the past week

Stolen Flowers from Army Vet’s Grave

Flowers from a local Army veteran’s grave have been stolen twice in August. Ronald Croci died in March, and his daughter Cheryl Croci left flowers to mark his birthday. The flowers were stolen twice from the grave at the Frederick Loescher Veterans Cemetery. The second instance revealed stolen flowers and missing holders. The two incidents happened days apart. “I’m not sure why (someone) would take them,” Cheryl Croci’s mother Bernadette said. Local officials were called after verifying the cemetery workers did not remove the bouquets. Veterans Service Agency Director Jerry Donnellan received reports of thefts from other families at Loescher. The cemetery currently does not have a gate and local officials are working to install cameras.

Steven Hill, former Law and Order actor, Dies at 94

Long-time versatile actor Steven Hill, best known for his later in life success portraying District Attorney Adam Schiff on “Law and Order” died Aug. 23 2016 at the age of 94. Hill, who was living in Monsey, New York, suffered from several ailments according to his wife. He died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “Steven was not only one of the truly great actors of his generation, he was one of the most intelligent people I have ever met,” Law and Order Producer Dick Wolf said in a statement. Hill was active in the Jewish community in Rockland. Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger, editor at Yated Ne’eman in Monsey, said “at the synagogue, when he came to pray, you would never know he was a legend in his field.”

Lohud Reveals High Town Supervisor Salaries

Lohud released an article on Aug. 26 stating Rockland county officials gave themselves raises in recent budgets including an increase of $21,000 for the Haverstraw mayor. The Journal News/lohud.com analyzed the pay of elected officials over two budget cycles in Rockland’s towns and villages. Their findings showed Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann is the county’s highest earner. The Journal News also found Spring Valley has the highest-paid village officials in all three counties, Rockland, Putnam and Westchester, which were reviewed. The top-paid mayors and supervisors include Hoehmann, Ramapo town Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence, Haverstraw town Supervisor Howard Phillips and Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart. These increases have led communities to suggest creating panels for creating elected official salaries.

Race Lawsuit Continues at Dept. of Social Services

The county was handed amended complaints from a 35-year-old county caseworker that claims she faced discrimination, was disrespected and bumped by a co-worker while working for the Department of Social Services. Marie Brevil began working for the department in 2007, and her list of allegations include a 2013 confrontation with a male co-worker, supervisors blaming Brevil for the man’s anger and being warned for speaking French Creole. “They kept harassing me,” she said in regards to her supervisors’ actions from April 2013 until October 2015. Brevil is representing herself and seeking 44.5 million in damages.

Gene Wilder Dies at 83

Gene Wilder, an American icon and comedic actor best known for his eccentrics in “Young Frankenstein” and “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” died Sunday from complications of Alzheimer’s disease according to his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman. Wilder worked closely with Mel Brooks staring in “Young Frankenstein” and “The Producers.” Wilder was married four times. Wilder and Karen Webb, a speech pathologist, married in 1991 and stayed together until he passed.

Ferry Strikes Kayakers in Hudson River

A NY Waterway ferry departing a pier in the Hudson River on Tuesday, Aug 30, hit a group of kayakers. Police originally reported 11 people were injured but current reports show five people received injuries. The kayakers were hit around 5:45 p.m. according to officials. The group was led by the Manhattan Kayak Co. One of the male employees had his arm severely cut exposing the bone according to NYPD Inspector David Driscoll. The victim was sent to Bellevue Hospital and the four other victims went to St. Luke’s Hospital. No alcohol or drugs were found in the pilot’s system and police are looking into the incident.