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The Village of Washingtonville Winter Wonkaland was humming on Saturday Dec. 6, bringing many out-of-towners from places like Warwick, Wallkill, New York City, Rockland, Sullivan County, and even all the way from Syracuse.  Many raved and said what a Wonderful Event it was, and how they wished their town did something like this. One of the favorite details was how The Grinch and Cindi Lou (Danielle Amatulli and her daughter Daughter Alexandra) were bringing laughter and gi

"Are they coming yet? Can you see them?" "Yes, I see them... Here comes Duncan with Rick Lewis!!" Waiting patiently for Santa This year a young girl was chosen to turn on the lights of the Magical Christmas Tree This year's Village of Washingtonville's "Whoville" Christmas Parade, hosted by the Town of Blooming Grove's Chamber of Commerce, was exceptional in every way. Even in the hours before the Parade began, the Village Center and Route 94 were filled with people as far

Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) has referred a trove of documents detailing irregularities and effective voter suppression in the Village of South Blooming Grove to the Attorney General’s office, urging them to invalidate the recent village election and pursue further investigation.  Over the past month, the Senator’s office has fielded numerous complaints from village residents, many of whom were completely unaware of the October 22, 2025, village election. Several h

Today, Senator James Skoufis announced a collection of scathing documentation about the Village of South Blooming Grove’s improper and likely illegal October election, which was rescheduled from last March, without notifying most of the village's residents. This is the 2nd round of documents he requested, and threatened to subpoena if they were not received in a timely manner. And THIS time many of the Hasidic residents are just as incensed as everyone else. They too, just as

Blooming Hill Farm - First Place Small Business on Small Business Saturday Small  Business Saturday in the Town of Blooming Grove and Village of Washingtonville  this weekend was a little on the quiet side, with residents using their energy for the big "Wonkaland" themed Whoville Christmas Events that begin 8:30am next Saturday, many of which are workshops that people are already signing up for online (see list below), getting floats ready for the Christmas Parade, also on Sa

A Wizard's Path: Camryn Ardovino For Washingtonville High School senior Camryn Ardovino, balance isn’t just something she practices on the court or the field — it’s a way of life. As a multi-sport athlete, STEM enthusiast, dedicated researcher and active member of several service clubs, Camryn has spent her high school years juggling a wide range of passions while delivering standout performances in the classroom, on the soccer field and on the basketball court. Since freshma

(Left to right) Pat Maiorino, Justine Maiorino, Joanne Fine, Richard Broderick The Village of Washingtonville’s Corner Candle Store has a new family owner and the Community could not be more pleased.  Patrick and Justine Maiorino have built close friendships and business relationships in the Washingtonville, Blooming Grove and even the greater Hudson Valley area as both owners of the favorite local Shop,”Guilty Pleasures Cheesecakes” (which is kind of like an old-fashioned co

Thursday, November 27, 2025 1 PM One more day until it is Small Business Saturday in the Village of Washingtonville , and folks have been working really hard to get ready to showcase all of their work this year, meet new people and make them happy customers. So come on by! There is ample parking in the Village Parking lot accessed just before the 208/94 intersection and if the village gets crazy busy there is always additional parking in the Washingtonville High School lot o

“For years, if not decades, the Orange County IDA has used and abused the taxpayers they are supposed to serve. Their latest gambit -- a fly-by-night approval of $80 million in property tax breaks for a 3.2 million square foot Amazon warehouse here in our community, an incentive that is so obviously not warranted or needed -- is as offensive as it is expensive.  “I am grateful to the state-appointed monitor, Brian Sanvidge, for his unbiased and thoughtful veto of this reckles

K-9 Kato & his handler Orange County Deputy Vinnie Iannuzzi Today we celebrate the incredible career of K-9 Kato, who is retiring after 9 years of dedicated service to the people of Orange County. At nearly 11 years old, Kato has spent the majority of his life protecting our community, standing side by side with his handler, Deputy Vinnie Iannuzzi. Deputy Iannuzzi, one of ou

Thanks to the kindness of our amazing Body by Juli clients, all donated food will be going directly to Washingtonville families in need. Your generosity truly makes a difference in our community! Up next… our final drive of the year: Adopt a Family for the Holidays! Let’s continue to spread love and support as we head into the season of giving. Editor's Note : Bear in mind this batch of contributions is only one of many collelctions that Body by Juli has provided during "Giv

I fought tooth and nail to secure this over $4 million in landmark funding for the Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh  because they go above and beyond to help our kids thrive. This unveiling is paving the way for programs and expansions that are going to transform Hudson Valley kids’ lives forever. I am so grateful to everyone that has helped get us to this point - especially the Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh  leadership and Board, New York State Council on the Arts , and the Ohn

Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge has announced that the Chester Town Board has accepted a subdivision from the developer of the Oak Woods project, located on Camp Monroe Rd and adjacent to Lakes Rd and the Lake Hill Farms neighborhood. The developer will be constructing four homes whereas the town will take ownership of around 13 acres of land in the back of the property with access to Camp Monroe Rd. It may be hard to tell by this map, but the land we saved is the shaded

On Saturday, Dragon Cross Country was in action in the NE regional competition at Bowdoin parks in Wappingers Falls. It's known as a very difficult course, and yesterday it was extra tough given the mud factor. Dragon, Liv Cibirka is a senior so this was her final XC run and I had the privilege of walking up the hill (the second half of it) from the start/finish to the parking area after the race was over so I'm claiming a PR for keeping up with her (and her mom). Great job b

Class of 2025 is Third Consecutive Class with Perfect Results: Program to Relocate to Newburgh Campus in 2026   MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – For the third consecutive year, SUNY Orange’s Radiologic Technology graduates have achieved a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the national certification exam, continuing the program’s record of excellence in preparing graduates for success in the healthcare field.   All 10 members of the Class of 2025 passed the American Registry of Radiologic

Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) joined Cornwall Town Supervisor Josh Wojehowski and members of the town board to celebrate the completion of the Riverlight Park playground. Made possible through $400,000 secured through Senator Skoufis’ office, installation of the equipment started in October and was completed just days ago. Upgrades were clearly necessary as the previous playground at Riverlight Park became a safety hazard with broken equipment and degrading structur

2025 SUNY Orange Middletown Campus Winter Chorus Concert Info: The SUNY Orange Mixed Chorus, under the direction of Kim Carver, will present their Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 3rd at 7pm in Orange Hall Gallery. The choir will present music from various genres and include a Jazz Arrangement of Route 66, a Contemporary version of Let it Be and a beautiful ballad entitled Behold How Good. The singers will end the program with some holiday songs and will include: Silver

Every parent instinctively knows the importance of children experiencing  the creative joy of the holidays. They learn that from their infants' first smile and laugh, and in later years when they see and enjoy both children’s and adults' abilities to feel hope during Winter’s cold and dark days. And it is more than just a little holiday cheer. The magic of stories like Willie Wonka and and the Chocolate Factory creates emboldens neural pathways that can carry both children a

Fastest Time 6th place out of 53 runners from multiple area schools Balancing schoolwork, home responsibilities, athletics, religion and community activities is often an overwhelming chore. With honor roll status, extraordinary assistance both at home and in community activities for Mom, Lola assisting her younger brother who is excelling in spite of some special challenges, and now Lola is becoming a Track Star in her own right, well there is no other way to say it, Lola is

At the Village of Washingtonville's Veterans Day Event, Elizabeth DeVinko had kind words about continuing to help veterans have better lives, beyond hosting "Recognition" gatherings. She added that the kind of actions needed that are additionally supportive are like the previous week, when she met a veteran who did not know about Washingtonville's VFW. When she brought him there and he had a chance to meet with other vets he told her "It felt like home". Liz gave a speech

Family members and friends gathered at Veterans Park on Main Street in the Village of Washingtonville. An invocation from a representative of Washingtonville's Presbyterian Church was followed with a prayer with the approximately 20 people who attended. on this very chilly and windy morning which actually ended with the first significant snoflakes of the season. Liz DeVinko (Mayor DeVinko's daughter, who is regularly involved with the work of the VFW), spoke of the importanc

By Edie Johnson Executive Editor Orange County Courier Journal At the Moodna Creek Trailhead The Trail goes through Cornwall, New Windsor, adjacent to and under the Moodna Trestle, and is in the process of being developed through Blooming Grove and the Village of Washingtonville, and ending at the new County Park being developed in Chester. This young lady is taking her dog on a peaceful Fall walk. ' Orange County and other hiking trail enthusiasts and environmental explorers

Blooming Grove Councilmembers give their questions and recommendations about designing a successful Firemen's Parade Jim Skelly and Tom Lynn of the Washingtonville Fire Department and the OCVFA Hard at work, the Blooming Grove Town Board spent the month of October's Work Session with Jim Skelly and Tom Lynn of the Washingtonville Fire Department Town Supervisor Rob Jeroloman invited them so they could join the Board and began tackling the mountain of details that will be f

Press Release - Senator James Skoufis 10/28/25 “I am deeply concerned by recent reports of irregularities in South Blooming Grove’s October 22 village election. In light of these reports, I have issued an information and document request to local officials and urge their full cooperation as we pursue answers on behalf of voters. “Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy. As New Yorkers head to the polls this week and next to elect local leaders, any attempt to subvert their

Wednesday 6PM at Orange Bank & Trust Co. 73 First Street, Room 101 at Kaplan Hall, Newburgh

Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) announced today the launch of a community outreach campaign intended to highlight just how little public support there is for giving the world’s richest company over $80 million in property tax breaks.  The move follows an October 23 Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) meeting, during which the IDA’s board moved swiftly to approve Amazon’s payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement, toward a complex in Waywayanda, despite

For Juli's Washingtonville Clothing Drive At the Spartan Races in New Hampton This is Body by Juli Fitness Center's first "Giving Season" in the Village of Washingtonville. Not only are they busy doing a huge variety of exercise and strength classes, they are helping local people stay well-dressed and well fed! Juli says their Washingtonville FIRST Clothing Drive was a HUGE SUCCESS! "We filled TWO trunks full of clothes and want to give THANKS to everyone who donated! All

Press Release : From the Office of Chester Town Supervisor Brandon Holdridge Town of Chester Community Preservation Fund Signed into Law I’m proud to announce that Governor Kathy Hochul signed NY State Legislative Bill S277A / A2022 on Friday, October 17th, 2025. This bill allows Chester’s residents to vote to establish a Community Preservation Fund that can be used to acquire development rights of open space, parklands, farmlands, trail rights-of-ways, agricultural and conse

Patrick Loughran and his Sister Erin ....Heroes Come in Many Forms - This One Was Not To Be Forgotten.... On Friday afternoon several generations of family, friends and neighbors gathered with area officials and unveiled the bright new Irish Green sign, formerly Schoolhouse Road, which is now officially James Loughran Way. In fact, the sign is such a bright green it made you wonder if it was a color called "Irish Pub" (sic). Left to right - Blooming Grove Town Supervisor Rob

Photo by Edie Johnson on December 22, 2022 Claims of corruption during election campaigns are nothing new. This week is no exception. That is not to say that election claims are never true. But this time there is a 99.9% chance that the claim that County Executive Steve Neuhaus was a participant in corruption during the construction from Mangin Road to Gonzaga Park and lied about it is FALSE How do I know this? Because I was there at the beginning of the construction. ri

It's hard to imagine that the Washingtonville Event Committee could outdo itself once again with its Before Dark Event, which emphasizes a Halloween suitable for families and especially for young children...especially just a week after their enormous After Dark Halloween Special. The "scary" Halloween stuff may have been toned down a little on Sunday, but that did not take one ounce away from the joy and community bonding it grew. For one thing, the costumes were by far the b

Photo: (right to left): Village of Washingtonville Mayor Tom DeVinko, Two Washingtonville Little League Members who unveiled the Historic Sign, Washingtonville Village Historian Jeanne Versweyveld Blooming Grove Councilmember and Town Historian Johanna Kiernan Mayor DeVinko emphasized the tremendous historic sites and records of important events that the Village is fortunate to have, and some plans he has to have other sites in the Village recognized as well (including Sewell

Kristin Jensen, Stephen D’Ambrosio, Carly Glassé: From left, Kristin Jensen, executive director of the SUNY Orange Foundation, joins student speaker and Presidential Scholarship recipient Stephen D’Ambrosio and Alumni Engagement Manager Carly Glassé at the SUNY Orange Foundation and Alumni Engagement Scholarship Awards Ceremony, held Oct. 8 at the historic Paramount Theatre in Middletown.hotos attached: 275 Student Recipients for the 2025-2026 Academic Year   MIDDLETOWN, N.Y.

This young man was enthralled talking to Gabe Laracuente who was monitoring the Strike Hammer. Looks like his hat and cape may have come from the same area of outer space as Gabe's suit. I have no doubt the Event made the young boy's week! Last week's giant "Witchingtonville" Event was a big win, and not just for the Village itself, but also gaves a special human touch for some of its participants. and remembering that Event would not have happened except for generous busine

Time is running out. Our local elections are just over 2 weeks away, and with a range of readership from 4,000 to 15,000 per month what better way to share why you believe you are the best choice for your Community. Most of our local readers live in Blooming Grove, Washingtonville, Chester, Cornwall, Monroe, Goshen and Newburgh. Courier Journal Ads are displayed both individually and inserted in an Advertising section called "Courier Journal Sponsors" at the end of numerous n

“The Court of Appeals’ unanimous ruling upholding the clear constitutionality of the Even Years Election Law is unsurprising yet extremely welcome. No longer will a small minority of voters choose who gets to hold critical local offices such as county executive and town supervisor. “The only disappointment has been watching some elected officials wage a senseless crusade to protect the status quo, low-turnout elections that won them office. Over a million dollars of taxpayer

Announcing Support for Renewing Monitor’s Oversight - Senator James Skoufis and Assemblymembers Jonathan Jacobson, Chris Eachus, and Paula Elaine Kay — Orange County’s majority party delegation in the State Legislature — strongly denounced the Orange County Industrial Development Agency’s (IDA) most recent illegal actions and announced their intention to renew the state monitor’s oversight of the agency upon its scheduled expiration next year.  In late September, the Orange C

An Evening in the Busy Village of Washingtonville's Annual Display of Totally Crazy Witchingtonville Fun McLaughlin Square was filled to capacity all evening, with several monsters and a huge black cat guarding the area. Foggers filled the air with eerie smoke. There were an incredible number of people along the streets and main intersection. A lot of teenagers were celebrating big time. They and their parents have been asking for more things their teens can do for fun, and

Washingtonvillians LOVE that the Corner Candle Store is all lit up and displaying its flag and flowers.  Last Monday the Corner Candle...

AFTER DARK IN WASHINGTONVILLE ON OCTOBER 11 FROM 5-10pm The Village of Washingtonville's Community Event Committe is always kind of...

Blooming Grove 9-7-2025 - Family, friends and fellow officers welcomed Officer Ryan King as part of their team, saying "Officer King...

The original ceremony was to take place the opening day of the Washingtonville Little League season on April 12. However, Mother Nature...

Join the FUN! "The House of Fire" Speakeasy & Films of Horror - Open One Night Only! Live Jazz - Steve Kaiser & Sarah Jane Scion! And so...

Campbell Hall- Halloween is just around the corner, and Washingtonville is celebrating next week with its "Witchingtonvville". That is...

Washingtonville -Participants in the Annual Monell Engine Company Car, Truck & Bike show must have been out polishing their antique...

Sample athletic field painting robot Blooming Grove, NY - At 2 of the Town's Board Meetings for September, Council members considered a...

There is increased use in recent years of the Town's Senior Transportation Program to transport people who no longer drive to complete...

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