News digest

Driver dies in head-on collision Chester — Roger Rhoss, 44, of Greenwood Lake, died Monday night in a head-on collision on Lakes Road in Chester. At about 11:40 p.m. on Nov. 15, the Town of Chester Police Department received a report of a two-car accident about one half-mile south of Camp Monroe Road. Rhoss was traveling south in a 1999 Nissan Maxima when he collided with a 2008 Hyundai Azera traveling northbound, according to the police.. The Hyundai was operated by Angel Barrios, 24, of the Town of Chester. Kaitlyn Marsh, 22, of Campbell Hall was the front-seat passenger. The Chester Ambulance Corps transported them to the Arden Hill campus of Orange Regional Medical Center in Goshen to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Rhoss was pronounced dead at the scene by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office. An autopsy is pending. Police were assisted by the New York State Police and the Chester, Lakeside and Greenwood Lake fire departments. Both vehicles were heavily damaged and were towed from the scene. An investigation is continuing. Garbage collection schedule in Monroe adjusted during Thanksgiving week Monroe - The Town of Monroe Highway Department has released the following schedule for refuse collection during Thanksgiving week: Monday, Nov. 22: Village of Monroe Tuesday, Nov. 23: Town of Monroe Friday, Nov. 26: Village of Monroe Saturday, Nov. 27: Town of Monroe Normal scheduling resumes on Monday, Nov. 29. Tuxedo School District to appoint interim superintendent in December TUXEDO - The Tuxedo School Board will appoint an interim superintendent to take the place of retiring schools chief Joseph Zanetti as its December meeting, as its search begins to find Zanetti’s permanent replacement. The district announced this past Tuesday that Orange-Ulster BOCES Chief Operating Terrence Olivo will serve as the search consultant to find a replacement for Zanetti, who will leave his position March 1, 2011. Zanetti announced his retirement in late September after 25 years in the district. He remains the longest serving school superintendent in Orange County’s history. The interim superintendent’s position will begin on or about March 1 to June 30, 2011. According to a school district statement, final date for submission of applications will be mid-January 2011 and officials expect to hire a new superintendent on or about July 1, 2011. The statement also said the district is preparing a qualifications brochure and will advertise both regionally and nationally “to secure the strongest candidate pool possible.” The search and selection process, the district said, will include opportunities for parents, community members and district staff to participate in the recruitment and hiring process. - Nancy Kriz Our Father’s Kitchen offers Thanksgiving meal to anyone in need MONROE - A group of 150 volunteers are ready to provide a free Thanksgiving dinner to anyone in need next Wednesday, Nov. 24, at Our Father’s Kitchen, the soup kitchen based in the basement of Sacred Heart Chapel on Stage Road. Sacred Heart Parish Committee Outreach Chairman Jonelle Rizzi said everyone is welcome to take part in the traditional Thanksgiving feast, which will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Rizzi expects a large turnout and has three seatings planned within that time frame. Reservations are required so that the volunteer chefs, servers and assistants can accommodate everyone who is need of a free, hot turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Rizzi also expressed her gratitude to the hundreds of people and groups who donated food items and/or their personal time to make the special Thanksgiving dinner possible. “Everyone has been so fabulous,” she said. “We couldn’t do it without them.” The soup kitchen opened in September 2009 in response to the declining economic conditions and the increasing unemployment. Rizzi stressed the soup kitchen welcomes everyone, regardless of color or creed. In addition to providing meals to those who are hungry, it also provides referral information to those in need, and socialization opportunities to those who may be lonely or disenfranchised. The soup kitchen is open regularly every Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and every other Saturday from 12 to 2 p.m. Takeout is available for those who are home bound and drivers are available to provide transportation to and from the kitchen for those who don’t drive. To make a dinner reservation, call 783-7840. - Nancy Kriz Nancy Calhoun holds 500-vote lead in re-election bid against Roxanne Donnery Goshen - Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun, R-C-Blooming Grove, appears headed to an eleventh two-year term in Albany. According to information provided by her campaign, Calhoun has a lead of more than 500 votes in her contest against Orange County Legislator Roxanne L. Donnery, the Democrat from Highland Falls. The 96th District includes Woodbury, Highland, Blooming Grove, Chester, New Windsor, Montgomery and Crawford in Orange County and Stony Point in Rockland. When the polls closed Nov. 2, unofficial returns had Donnery leading Calhoun by 16,519 to 15,933. The race, then, rested on absentee ballots - 1,016 in Orange County and 196 in Rockland. “I am very thankful to all who voted in this election cycle, and will continue working for their needs regardless of party,” Calhoun said in her press release. “I am pleased to move forward and get to work on issues of concern to the constituents of the 96th District. We need to ensure that New York’s policies foster job growth, keep more dollars in the pockets of hardworking families and reform government to function ethically and efficiently. “Again, I am humbled and wish to make it known that I am here for my constituents,” Calhoun added. “My door is always open; I welcome everyone to share their concerns and ideas with me to help to make New York and the 96th Assembly District the best it can be.” Calhoun’s campaign Web site is www.calhoun4ny.com. Monroe PBA kicks off annual toy drive Monroe - Beginning Friday, Nov. 26, the Monroe Police PBA will be collecting new, unwrapped toys and gifts for children. People or organizations who would like to donate can do so by dropping off toys anytime at the lobby of Monroe Police Headquarters, 104 Stage Road in the Village of Monroe. The last day to donate will be Monday, Dec. 20. Officers will begin distributing toys the week of Dec. 20 until all toys have been given away. “Our goal is to get at least one toy or gift to every local child that needs one, and each year, with support from the residents, business owners, and local organizations, we meet that goal,” said Det. James Frankild. Families in need of gifts can call the station at 782-8644 or stop in and ask to be put on the list.