96-degree heat, Canada Wildfire Smoke Affects Rockland

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96-degree heat, Canada Wildfire Smoke Affects Rockland

July 15, 2026

Stony Point cancels opening concert as state air-quality advisory remains in effect through Wednesday night

By Rockland News Staff | July 15, 2026

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. — Smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires settled over Rockland County on Wednesday, combining with dangerous heat to create unhealthy outdoor conditions and disrupt evening activities.

The Town of Stony Point canceled Wednesday night’s Summer Concert Series performance at Riverfront Park because of the smoke, heat and unsettled weather. The concert, featuring the band 8th Grade Science, had been scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. as the opening performance of the town’s five-week series.

No additional Rockland municipal event cancellations had been independently confirmed by Rockland News as of publication. Because conditions and local decisions were changing quickly, residents planning to attend an outdoor concert, recreation program or sporting event Wednesday evening were advised to check directly with organizers before leaving home.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health expanded an Air Quality Health Advisory to include the entire state Wednesday. Rockland County is included in the state’s New York City Metro air-quality region, along with New York City and Westchester County.

Clarkstown Says Ethics Investigation in Progress for Engineer Employed by Town

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By Rockland News Staff
July 14, 2026

NEW CITY, N.Y. — The Town of Clarkstown says an ethics investigation into its director of engineering began months before he raised concerns about billing under a multimillion-dollar contract with Siemens, directly challenging his contention that he was placed on leave in retaliation for questioning the use of taxpayer funds.

Town Attorney Kevin Conway said in a statement Tuesday that Michael Gianatasio, Clarkstown’s director of Engineering and Facilities Management, was placed on paid administrative leave after an independent investigation allegedly uncovered undisclosed private business interests and potential conflicts involving companies that sought to work with the town.

The allegations have been referred to the Clarkstown Ethics Board. No final determination has been issued, and Gianatasio has not been charged with a crime.

The competing accounts present sharply different explanations for why Gianatasio was removed from his position. The town portrays him as an official attempting to deflect attention from an investigation that was already underway. Gianatasio says he was targeted after identifying what he considered substantial and unsupported labor charges connected to Siemens’ work for Clarkstown.