Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-New City, was a main sponsor of the proposal in the Assembly.

State and local law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on these animals in crime solving, rescue and recovery operations. Under current law, killing a police animal is a misdemeanor.

The legislation passed by both houses on Tuesday would make harming the animals a felony, punishable by up to 4 years in prison, the highest penalty for killing an animal in the state.

“The role of police animals has significantly expanded over the past few years leading to increased use in investigations and apprehensions,” Zebrowski said in a statement “These animals provide protection, assistance and improve public safety.”

“State and local police invest a great deal of time and resources in the training of these extraordinary animals,” he said. “These animals are viewed and respected as ordinary police officers and we should begin to reflect that by increasing the penalty for killing them.”

The rest of the Zebrowski press release says:

Sen. George D. Maziarz, R-C, Newfane, also sponsored the proposed law that helps recognize the important roles these animals have in crime solving, rescue and recovery operations and other duties by creating a felony-level offense.

“Police animals do a remarkable job protecting and serving the citizens of this state,” Maziarz said in a statement released by Zebrowski’s office.

“In 2011, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office lost their K-9, Rocky, when he fell off a roof tracking clues regarding a robbery,” Maziarz said. The use of police animals is increasing and they continually undertake tasks that our own police officers do. It is time that we provide these animals the protection they deserve under the law when they are injured or die in the line of duty.”

In addition to the loss of Rocky, another high-profile death of a police animal came in March 2013 when Ape, a newly-trained FBI dog, was fatally shot as police searched for Kurt Myers – a suspect in the deaths of four people in Herkimer.

“The role of police animals has significantly expanded over the past few years leading to increased use in investigations and apprehensions,” Zebrowski said. “These animals provide protection, assistance and improve public safety. State and local police invest a great deal of time and resources in the training of these extraordinary animals. These animals are viewed and respected as ordinary police officers and we should begin to reflect that by increasing the penalty for killing them.”

Photo: Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski

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The transplant program has a new director and other changes have been made to improve the outcome of patients undergoing a kidney transplant, the hospital said in a statement.

Kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organ. There are currently 2,989 people in New Jersey and 8,201 people in New York on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.

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The post NYS Softball rankings: Week 5 appeared first on Rockland.

Jose Ramirez, a student of Farley Elementary School in Stony Point, has been fighting brain cancer. Since his diagnosis, the school community and beyond came together as “Team Jose” to show their support for Jose and his family.

The local Wendy’s will donate 15 percent of all the sales during the Team Jose get together event to benefit the Ramirez family, who has been facing financial challenges because of expensive medical bills.

At the event, one of Farley Elementary teachers will dress up as Wendy.

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A the same meeting, the board will nominate a new police officer.

Call Haverstraw Town Hall at 845-429-2200 for more information.

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Casey Macchia went 5 for 6 with a double and drove in a run to propel Suffern to a 13-1 win at New Rochelle and help give coach Jim Lloyd his 300th win in his 20-year varsity coaching career which spans Tuxedo and Chester.

“I’m thrilled,” Lloyd said. “With the way we’ve played this year, I was wondering if it would ever happen. At the beginning of the week, the girls knew that we needed three wins to get the milestone so to seem them make it there mission was awesome. We played our best ball of the season and it’s a good time to do that going into the playoffs.”

Lloyd, who is in his sixth year at Suffern, currently stands at 300-116-1 (65-56-1 at Suffern).

Hayley Napier went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI. Teammate Sam Iodice had a home run and two RBI. Kelly Dillon had a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning for the Huguenots.

Valhalla 4, Pelham 3: At Valhalla, senior Alyssa Coluntuno hit a walk-off double down the left field line to score Jenna Saldi on Senior Day. Coluntuno went 2 for 4 on the day. Frankie Ann McCauley had the only RBI for the Pelicans.

Scarsdale 7, Westlake 2: In the championship game of the Westlake tournament, Greta Bodine had two RBI for the Raiders. Jordana Cooper went 2 for 3 with two doubles. Bianca Cevallos had a triple and a run for the Wildcats.

Hen Hud 5, Arlington B 1: At Hen Hud, Alyssa Small drove in two runs for the Sailors. Gabby Caruso allowed one earned run on three hits and struck out seven for the win. Cassidy Boyle (left) added a run and an RBI.

John Jay-East Fishkill 5, Carmel 1: At Carmel, Alyssa Rodia went 2 for 3 for the Rams. Jasmine Ennabe drove in the team’s only run and did not allow an earned run in the loss. Ennabe (14-3) struck out five and walked one.

Lincoln 12, Riverside 3: At Riverside, Emily Soriano was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Kevona. Jackson had two RBI. Kuri Borjas had two RBI for Riverside.

Kennedy 5, Pleasantville 1: In the consolation game of the Westlake tournament, Rachel Entwistle, Kaela Fields, Nicole Alleva, and Gabby Rosado each drove in a run for the Gaels. Alicia Marino drove in the run for the Panthers.

Westlake 6, Kennedy 5: In the first round of the Westlake tournament, Julie Lambrosa went 2 for 4, including a two-run walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh. Bianca Cevallos went 3 for 4 with a triple, three runs, and an RBI. Jen Jamieson had a triple and two RBI for the Gaels.

Valhalla 11, New Rochelle 4: In the championship game of the John Jay tournament concluding from May 11, Jenna Saldi had a double, a triple and two RBI. Alyssa Colantuno had an RBI and a run. Chloe Ciraco scored twice for New Rochelle. This game was continued from last Saturday.

Nanuet 11, Yorktown 2: At Nanuet, Carley Davin had a home run and three RBI. Danielle Dimodungo had a triple and five RBI. Marley Becker had two RBI for the Huskers.

North Salem 22, Putnam Valley 2, 6: At Putnam Valley, Samantha Floer had a triple and five RBI. Ashley Robson had two triples and four RBI. Lindsay Gasparri had a triple and three RBI for North Salem. Jessica Dubbioso had 14 strikeouts and allowed two hits in six innings to earn the win. Allie Dick and Justine Ortiz had a double and an RBI for Putnam Valley.

Tappan Zee 8, John Jay 3: At Tappan Zee Friday, Kelly Connolly went 2 for 3 with a triple and had two RBI for the Dutchies. Amanda Carroll (right) went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI. Teammate Nicole Speigelberg drove in two RBI. Devon Novick had a solo home run for the Indians.

Pawling 3, Kennedy 0: At Pawling Friday, Gabby Rosado had a double for the Gaels.

Irvington 21, Woodlands 8: At Woodlands Friday, winning pitcher Sonya Fowler had a home run and four RBI. Serena Stein added three RBI.

North Salem 19, Peekskill 1: At Peekskill Friday, Samantha Floer drove in five runs and winning pitcher Anastasia Pennacchio drove in three runs for the Tigers. Simmi Kauri had an RBI for the Red Devils.

The post Scarsdale wins Westlake softball tournament, Valhalla edges Pelham, Milestone reached; Saturday’s results appeared first on Rockland.

The event, titled “An Exhibition of the Best of North Rockland 2013,” will open Thursday and run through June 14  at the Arts Alliance of Haverstraw at 91 Broadway, Haverstraw.

The event is co-sponsored by the Arts Alliance of Haverstraw with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.

A reception for students, teachers, family members and friends will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday.

The gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11 am.m to 4 p.m.

Call 845-786-0253 or 845-942-3382 for more information.

The post N. Rockland schools art exhibit sets to open May 23 appeared first on Rockland.

At Pleasantville, the Panthers’ seniors celebrated senior day with Alicia Marino (left) scattering eight hits to pick up the win in a 9-2 victory over Harrison.

Marino also clubbed a two-run home run. Fellow senior Sara Powers had a bases-clearing triple and five RBI, Stephanie Rogers went 3-for-3 with an RBI and Nancy DelMastro had an RBI. Jordan Valentzas and Jenna Vaccaro drove in the Huskies’ runs.

Hen Hud 8, Beacon 7, 8: At Hen Hud, Anna Strang went 2 for 3had four RBI, including the walk-off single at the bottom of the eighth inning with the bases-loaded to seal the win and the regular season Conference I League C title. Megan Jahoda went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBI. Gabby Caruso pitched eight strikeouts and gave up five earned runs.

Lakeland 5, Yorktown 4, 10: At Lakeland, Jenna Houlahan singled down the rightfield line to score the winning run in the 10th inning for the Hornets. Colleen Walsh struck out 10 and gave up one earned run in notching the victory. Jade Draffin had two RBI for Lakeland. Dominique Bisaccia tripled, homered and had two RBI for the Huskers.

Irvington 22, Palisade Prep 7, 5: At Irvington Thursday, Taylor Clewell went 3 for 5 and drove in five runs.

Mahopac 3, Kennedy 2: At Kennedy Thursday, Dariana Wagman went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI for the Indians.. Alexia Faulkner allowed two earned runs, six hits, four walks, and eight strikeouts for the Indians. Patrice Grande went 2 for 4 with a stolen base and an RBI for the Gaels. Teammate Molly Feeney allowed two earned runs, 11 hits, and struck out two.

Briarcliff 7, Ossining 2: At Briarcliff, Denise Haxhia pitched a one-hitter, striking out five, and Summer Horowiz and Rachel Julie each drove in two runs for the Pride.

Sleepy Hollow 5, Yonkers 2: At Sleepy Hollow Thursday, winning pitcher Jenny Bucci tossed a four-hitter and had eight strikeouts. Nicole Frascati had a triple and an RBI for Yonkers.

Holy Child 11, King 1, 5: At Holy Child Wednesday, the Gryphons clinched a share of the Fairchester Athletic Association title along with Rye Country Day and St. Luke’s.

Saunders 20, Roosevelt 0, 5: At Saunders, Brittany Blair tossed a no-hitter and struck out 12 for the Blue Devils. Marisol Grullion went 3 for 3 with a double, triple and six RBI, Blair and Lissamarie Soler each had three RBI for Saunders.

Westlake 3, Port Chester 2, 8: At Westlake, Bianca Cevallos, Jules Lambrosa and Brianna Mancuso each had one goal. Kristen Miloro had a home run and a RBI for the Rams.

Scarsdale 28, Mount Vernon 9, 5: At Mount Vernon, Chrissy Gobes and Taylor Mancini each drove in three runs for the Raiders. Marjori Marques tripled and had three RBI for the Knights.

Tuckahoe 12, Yonkers 2: At Yonkers, Cassie McGrath struck out 12 and allowed four hits and Alexis Kargbo, Victoria Baez and Casey Stevko each drove in two runs for the Tigers. Kristina Rella and Alina Torres each had an RBI for the Bulldogs.

Nanuet 8, North Rockland 5: At North Rockland, Carley Davin was 3 for 4 with a double and two RBI. Christina Maher and Rebecca Richards each had two RBI. Amanda Smith had an RBI double for the Red Raiders.

Rye Neck 6, Horace Greeley 0: At Rye Neck, Diana King gave up three hit with 14 strikeouts. King also had two RBI and Brianna Cefaloni added two. Samantha Russo went 2 for 3 for the Quakers.

Eastchester 18, Pelham 2, 5: At Pelham, Danielle Cacciola had a three-run home run, four RBI and earned the win. Christina Zaccardi had three RBI. Jordan Amorelli had a double and an RBI for the Pelicans.

The post Clarkstown South wins Conference IV League A title, Pleasantville downs Harrison; more results running appeared first on Rockland.

Scott Johnson, owner of Northeastern Landscape & Lawncare, has donated his time and material for the garden.

Though it took a couple of years to finish the project, the garden was celebrated at the dedication ceremony Saturday.

Environmental Construction Inc. donated the welcome sign at the garden.

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