In the web development industry, after a while it gets kind of boring. It’s probably why I ended up buying Rockland News in 2020. By the way, I don’t recommend starting a new business during a pandemic.
Fast forward to 2026, and both companies are doing well, thankfully. Not without a ton of effort on our entire web and news teams’ parts. For the 2nd year in a row, Rockland News hit over 500,000 views, of over 600 stories we published.
Oh, and also those music festivals…
So why the darn-tootin’ heck would we launch another news website?
1. Journalism isn’t truth. Reporting is truth.
Over the past five years, I’ve seen tons of news websites and local activists take very clear information, and skew it to the benefit of their goals, nefarious or otherwise – and then post it as if it is being written completely objectively.
There’s a difference between news and opinion. And while we aim to not post personal opinions on Rockland News (sometimes, but only by reporting on what other people witnessed or said) Stony Point News will eventually have an opinion section.
It is my hope that you use this site to cross-reference what our reporter network witnessed or observed, notably at local Town Board meetings, Chamber of Commerce events, and other local events.
I should note: This site will occasionally have opinion pieces, including from time to time, a post from myself (as a longtime resident of Stony Point from 1990 to today). I promise to not overuse the platform. This is for you, not me or anyone in my companies.
It’s my hope that it will help to wrestle away some potentially inaccurate narratives that have permeated the Town over the past few years, and help to clarify important disparities in agreement, for the long-term future of the Town.
2. Easier Access to Local Information
Our local Facebook groups have become inundated with advertisers from all over the Hudson Valley. You may find it a bit overwhelming to locate any important information that you need to access later – for instance, Town Board meetings, events and shopping – as well as community related questions.
This site will not replace social media, community groups or anything that has already been built. But it will serve to help people find the information they seek about local issues and matters, that may help you to make better informed choices.
We will also run a supplemental website, Rockland Shopping – which will also offer the ability for our local establishments to post their awesome products and services in a location that is easy to find, and is great for their search engine rankings. Trust me – we know. We’ve been doing that sort of thing since 2007.
3. Stories of Local Retailers, Artisans and Creators
Here’s where it really gets fun.
Yesterday, as I was returning from Tomkins Cove to meet up with one of our favorite local companies, Dana Pest Control – I noticed on the way back that a new restaurant opened up! I was in the car, so I didn’t even have time to check out the name of the store.
So, we’ll be going back there in coming weeks to do a future interview and spotlight, which will also be posted to our podcast/livestream, AM Rockland News.
Let’s face it. A lot of things that happen in a small Town are indeed newsworthy. However, the big news agencies around here don’t have time to post it, even though it is likely very interesting.
THANK YOU TO OUR MANY SUPPORTERS
This website is supported by local retailers and businesses, many of who I know since I started by first company Rockland Web Design in 2007. I’d like to thank them from the bottom of my heart for all their support of our wild business adventures over the years (that have resulted in thousands of more customers for each of these fine companies):
Conclusion
We’re not in a rush to post 8000 things on this website. At the ripe old age of 50, I’ve decided to let the chickens come home to roost some more, by organize what we’ve already built over the years.
We always aim at first for simplicity first. But there will be much more to come in future months.
If you have any questions or would like to participate in Stony Point News in some capacity, please fill out the form below. Thanks and have a great week! Hope to see you at the Stony Point Seals Plunge on Feb 8, 2026!
Thanks.
Tom Ossa is a local entrepreneur, businessman, musician and owner of Rockland News Inc., Rockland Web Design Inc., and Rockland Music Fest. He lives in Stony Point with his wife and very large dog, and has been a resident since 1990, except for a brief 2-year vacation in Highland Falls, NY.
Ossa’s Grandfather – Thomas Avenia owned the Bicycle Store in West Haverstraw NY for many years on Route 9W, and after his passing, was run by him and his Mother for nearly 8 years. Ossa later graduated from Ramapo College, and currently sits on the Workforce Development Board of Rockland County and the Rockland Chamber Alliance.
Stony Point, NY — The Town of Stony Point held its first board meeting of 2026 at the Patriot Hills Community Center, opening with moments of reflection and remembrance and transitioning into a full agenda centered on governance, planning, and community engagement.
Watch Town Board Meeting
Honoring Community Members The meeting began with tributes to two beloved residents: Lucy Nix, a long-time community supporter and Rockland County Sheriff’s Department employee, and Leonard Conklin, a Navy veteran and lifelong contributor to Stony Point’s civic life.
Reorganization of Town Government As the reorganization meeting, the board passed a series of procedural motions including setting the 2026 meeting schedule, confirming official banks and newspapers, and appointing or reappointing key personnel such as planning, zoning, and assessment board members, town historian, registrar officials, and marriage officers.
Community Communication and Transparency New Town Supervisor Amy Conklin-Stamm announced new measures to improve transparency, including the launch of a town YouTube channel for meeting recordings, active use of Instagram and Facebook, and the continuation of the Stony Point Dispatch newsletter. Residents are encouraged to sign up for email alerts and updates.
Upcoming Infrastructure and Beautification Projects The long-awaited 9W streetscape improvements are set to begin this year. Preliminary plans include sidewalk repairs, new landscaping, pocket park upgrades, and decorative lighting. Community input will be solicited to shape final designs.
Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary Plans are underway for a town-wide celebration marking the nation’s 250th birthday, including a community carnival and the potential installation of an 80-foot flagpole as a lasting monument.
Public Safety and Community Events Police Chief presented December’s crime and activity report, highlighting strong community involvement in events like the holiday parade and senior breakfast. The board also approved the Chief’s administrative reports.
Property Maintenance Enforcement The board addressed multiple property maintenance violations, ultimately approving town-led cleanups at several locations due to ongoing issues with trash and debris. Town officials emphasized maintaining neighborhood standards as a top priority.
Town Operations and Contracts The board approved several motions related to municipal operations, including engineering proposals for wastewater upgrades, energy contract renewals, and web system maintenance agreements. A public hearing was also scheduled for a sewer extension project.
Civic Engagement Continues Supervisor announced plans to continue community engagement events like “Coffee with the Supervisor” and shared news of attending a state-level training conference in Albany to better serve in the new role.
Stony Point, NY — The Town of Stony Point held its first board meeting of 2026 at the Patriot Hills Community Center, opening with moments of reflection and remembrance and transitioning into a full agenda centered on governance, planning, and community engagement.
Watch Town Board Meeting
Honoring Community Members The meeting began with tributes to two beloved residents: Lucy Nix, a long-time community supporter and Rockland County Sheriff’s Department employee, and Leonard Conklin, a Navy veteran and lifelong contributor to Stony Point’s civic life.
Reorganization of Town Government As the reorganization meeting, the board passed a series of procedural motions including setting the 2026 meeting schedule, confirming official banks and newspapers, and appointing or reappointing key personnel such as planning, zoning, and assessment board members, town historian, registrar officials, and marriage officers.
Community Communication and Transparency New Town Supervisor Amy Conklin-Stamm announced new measures to improve transparency, including the launch of a town YouTube channel for meeting recordings, active use of Instagram and Facebook, and the continuation of the Stony Point Dispatch newsletter. Residents are encouraged to sign up for email alerts and updates.
Upcoming Infrastructure and Beautification Projects The long-awaited 9W streetscape improvements are set to begin this year. Preliminary plans include sidewalk repairs, new landscaping, pocket park upgrades, and decorative lighting. Community input will be solicited to shape final designs.
Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary Plans are underway for a town-wide celebration marking the nation’s 250th birthday, including a community carnival and the potential installation of an 80-foot flagpole as a lasting monument.
Public Safety and Community Events Police Chief presented December’s crime and activity report, highlighting strong community involvement in events like the holiday parade and senior breakfast. The board also approved the Chief’s administrative reports.
Property Maintenance Enforcement The board addressed multiple property maintenance violations, ultimately approving town-led cleanups at several locations due to ongoing issues with trash and debris. Town officials emphasized maintaining neighborhood standards as a top priority.
Town Operations and Contracts The board approved several motions related to municipal operations, including engineering proposals for wastewater upgrades, energy contract renewals, and web system maintenance agreements. A public hearing was also scheduled for a sewer extension project.
Civic Engagement Continues Supervisor announced plans to continue community engagement events like “Coffee with the Supervisor” and shared news of attending a state-level training conference in Albany to better serve in the new role.
NEW CITY, N.Y. — A 20-year-old Suffern man has been sentenced to 14 years in state prison following his conviction in the sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl, according to the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.
Willmer Loja Aroca was sentenced in Rockland County Court by Judge David M. Ascher after pleading guilty to one count of first-degree rape. As part of the sentence, Aroca will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Prosecutors said the defendant first came into contact with the victim through Fortnite, an online video game, and later continued communicating with her through Snapchat. The case stems from events that occurred in the early hours of January 14, 2025, when authorities said Aroca arranged for the child to be transported to his home using a ride-share service.
Shortly after midnight, the victim’s mother reported her daughter missing to the Spring Valley Police Department, triggering an active search. Authorities later determined that the child was at the defendant’s residence during that time.
Later that morning, prosecutors said the defendant arranged additional transportation that dropped him off at Suffern High School and left the child near her elementary school. The victim then contacted her mother, who brought her to the Spring Valley Police Department, where the incident was reported.
In a statement, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said the guilty plea ensured accountability while sparing the victim from having to testify in open court. He also acknowledged the cooperation of the child and her mother during the investigation.
The case was investigated jointly by the Suffern Police Department and the Spring Valley Police Department and was prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Kristin Tirino.
Court officials said the sentence reflects the severity of the crime and the age of the victim.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the loan terms were adjusted, and the final payment was due in 2022. The owners still did not pay. The lender at the time, Wilmington Trust, filed a foreclosure lawsuit in 2023. By late 2025, a company called BD Palisades Holdings, linked to Black Diamond Capital Management, bought the unpaid loan at a discount and took over the case in court.
What Happens Next
While the auction is scheduled, there is still a chance the issue could be settled before the sale happens. As of now, the auction hasn’t been widely advertised to the public. However, local news outlets such as Lohud, WRCR Radio (now closed), RC Biz Journal and Rockland News have been reporting on this issue over the past several years, as developments have unfolded.
To be clear, the mall is still open and operating. A court appointed Spinoso Real Estate Group, based in Syracuse, to manage it. The Palisades Center is also notably home to hundreds of businesses—ranging from major stores like Best Buy, AMC Theatres, and Dave & Buster’s, to small kiosks and even nonprofits like BRIDGES, which opened a special sensory room for kids who get overwhelmed by noise and crowds.
Despite fewer visitors in recent years, the mall had a busy Black Friday and holiday season in 2025, showing signs of recovery. However, the retail receipts of these hundreds of stores likely do not directly translate to direct lease income.
The mall also plays a big role in Rockland County’s finances. It’s the largest taxpayer in the Town of Clarkstown, paying over $22 million a year in property taxes. In response to this article, Executive Ed Day stated today:
“While the county is not involved in this auction the unalterable fact is the Palisades Center is a major tax revenue driver for Clarkstown, the school district, and the County of Rockland. It is also one of the premiere tourist destinations in this county, bringing in visitors who generate additional outside revenue that pays for local services, and I hope to see the Palisades Center running – and successful – for as long as possible.“
Meanwhile, Clarkstown and nearby towns are moving toward new types of developments. Projects like the Nanuet Town Centre are speculated to be considering “Live | Work | Play” spaces that combine housing, shopping, and entertainment near public transportation. This trend could influence what happens next with the Palisades Center, depending on who buys it—and what they plan to do. According to an unnamed source, Black Diamond Capital Management reportedly stated that they wanted to bring the Palisades Mall “down to the lightbulbs”.
Stay tuned for more information about the future of the Palisades Center.
