Masks won't be mandatory in schools soon; YouthFest is back! Rockland Angle

We're marching toward March! Nancy Cutler here, with a wrap up of what's been going on in Rockland.

And the big news: Gov. Kathy Hochul is lifting the mask mandate for schools on March 2. So come Wednesday, teachers, staff and students can wear masks, or not, in buildings.

ICYMI, here's a summary of Tom Zambito's look at how the leader of a nonprofit in Monsey won millions of dollars of competitive contracts awarded by the East Ramapo school board while court transcripts showed the executive director, Rabbi Hersh Horowitz, played a role in selecting candidates to run for that same board. Here's the full report, and a statement from Horowitz.

And, looking forward to warmer weather: YouthFest is back! After two years of pandemic cancellations, Rockland County is again planning its daylong kid-focused free event that showcases local businesses and nonprofits that serve families. This year, YouthFest will be outdoors, at Clover Stadium, home of the New York Boulders. It's scheduled for June 12, with a June 26 raindate. Want to be a sponsor or host an exhibit during the event? Contact the Rockland County Youth Bureau, 845-364-2929 or email Kathy Parisi at ParisiK@co.rockland.ny.us.

Nancy Cutler writes about People & Policy. Click here for her latest stories. Follow her on Twitter at @nancyrockland.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rockland Angle newsletter for Monday February 28 2022