A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle earlier at Shoppers Haven on Main Street, Hatzoloh EMS, and Ramapo Police were on the scene. Injuries were reported.

GOP New York Rep. Mike Lawler, known for his sharp critiques of state Democrats, recently hinted at a possible run for governor during his annual “Festivus” airing of grievances. The Hudson Valley congressman used the occasion to skewer Governor Kathy Hochul and her administration’s policies while suggesting he might be the one to challenge her in 2026. “No doubt she’s going to face a real challenge in 2026. I wonder who could beat her. Hmm. I might know a guy,” Lawler said with a wink in the video, leaving little doubt about his aspirations. “Anyway, that’s a video for another day.” Lawler didn’t hold back in his critique of Hochul, blasting her for increasing state spending by more than $50 billion in under four years and allocating significant funds to support migrants.

As Monsey Scoop reported,  New Square Mayor Izzy Spitzer recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Congressman Mike Lawler. During their meeting, Mayor Spitzer extended a personal invitation to Speaker Johnson on behalf of the Skvere Rebbe to attend the wedding of the Rebbe’s grandchildren. Although Speaker Johnson could not attend the wedding due to Congress being in session, he expressed his warm regards through a heartfelt letter. The letter was delivered to the Rebbe during the wedding by Rafi Silberberg, Congressman Mike Lawler’s district director. In his message, Speaker Johnson conveyed his congratulations and admiration for the Skverer Rebbe’s leadership. He wrote, “Mazal Tov on the joyous occasion of your grandchildren’s wedding!

A Jewish resident of Monsey was tragically killed and another man was seriously injured in a small plane crash on Thursday night. The plane, a two-seater propeller aircraft was approaching Westchester Airport when it crashed onto Interstate 684 near Exit 2 in Harrison, New York. Troopers responded to reports of the crash at approximately 7 p.m. There were two individuals aboard the plane at the time of the incident. The victim was identified as Yankel (Yaakov) Friedman Z”L, from Monsey. He was 32 years old. The second individual on the plane, a resident of Linden NJ, was taken to Westchester County Hospital. Despite multiple messages on WhatsApp claiming he is in critical condition, he is stable and talking to authorities as well as his family members.

On Tuesday, Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Kamenetzky shlit”a, the zkan roshei yeshiva of America, and the esteemed Rosh Yeshiva of the Philadelphia Yeshiva, made a special visit to the Skverer Rebbe in New Square. The Rosh Yeshiva, who was in Monsey to attend a family simcha, took the opportunity to travel to New Square to meet with the Rebbe. During the visit, the Skverer Rebbe conveyed warm wishes to Rav Kamenetzky, who recently celebrated his monumental 100th birthday. The Rebbe expressed heartfelt brachos for the Rosh Yeshiva to continue his avodas hakodesh with good health and strength, inspiring and teaching Torah to Jews around the globe for many more years. Since suffering a stroke in May 2023, the Rosh Yeshiva has not made many public appearances. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Emergency responders were battling a residential structure fire at 29 Kaser Terrace, near Phyllis Terrace, in Monsey, on Wednesday morning. The Monsey Fire Department arrived on the scene, and promptly requested mutual aid from neighboring departments, due to the large fire. Amidst the chaos, Chaverim of Rockland displayed extraordinary heroism, ensuring all occupants of the home were safely evacuated. Chaverim also successfully removed a Sefer Torah from a neighboring residence, safeguarding it from harm, as there was fear that the fire was spreading No injuries were reported. The fire, which has been escalated to a second alarm, has drawn a robust response from multiple fire departments, including Hillcrest, Suffern, Tallman, South Spring Valley, Spring Valley, and New City.

The Clarkstown Police Department is investigating a deeply troubling act of vandalism that occurred at a shul on Tor Terrace early Thursday morning. Mispalllim arrived to find siddurim and chumashim discarded in a garbage can, three bookshelves destroyed, and seforim scattered across the floor, Monsey Scoop reported. This shocking act was promptly reported to the Clarkstown Police Department, and a police report has been filed. Additionally, Chaverim of Rockland has been enlisted to assist in the investigation. The shul, which currently operates out of a backyard tent, is in the process of obtaining the necessary permits from the Town of Clarkstown.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of HaRav Aron Zev Malik Z”L, the Sombor Rav of Williamsburg. HaRav Malik was 79 years old and was Niftar on Wednesday evening after several months of complications stemming from an accident on the New York State Thruway earlier this year. The accident, which YWN reported on in April, occurred between Monsey and Kiryas Joel on April 10. The Levaya was held on Thursday morning in front of the Sombor Beis Medrash in Williamsburg, and the Kevurah took place at the Beis Hachaim in Kiryas Joel. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The East Ramapo Central School District (ERCSD) announced a surprising $30 million budget surplus during Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, sparking calls for accountability and reforms in financial oversight, Monsey Scoop reported. This discovery, confirmed by an independent audit conducted by EFPR Group, contrasts sharply with earlier warnings of a $30 to $40 million deficit projected for the summer of 2024. The audit, which reviewed the district’s finances for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, found that financial statements complied with generally accepted accounting principles. The unexpected surplus comes on the heels of concerns raised by a state-appointed monitor last year, who predicted a severe fiscal shortfall.

In a bold initiative to prioritize community safety, Chaverim of Rockland has launched a countywide reflector campaign in response to the earlier nightfall caused by the time change, Monsey Scoop reported. Teams of Chaverim members have mobilized across Rockland County, patrolling villages, towns, botei midroshim, and major roads to distribute reflectors and promote visibility for pedestrians during these darker hours. Chaverim encourages all residents to “Be Seen” and take proactive steps to ensure their safety on the roads. Reflectors, a simple yet effective tool, can save lives by making pedestrians visible to drivers in low-light conditions.