THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON OFFICIALLY KICKED OFF THIS MORNING WITH BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS AND EARLY OPENINGS. IN FACT WAL-MART AND OLD NAVY WERE AMONG THE STORES JUMP STARTING THINGS WITH OPENINGS ON THANKSGIVING DAY. LOCAL KOHLS STORES IN WAPPINGERS AND ULSTER WERE REPORTED TO BE VERY POPULAR WITH CROWDS EARLY THIS MORNING AND TRAFFIC WAS SAID TO BE HEAVY AT TIMES AT THE POUGHKEEPSIE GALLERIA AND HUDSON VALLEY MALL.

IN ORANGE COUNTY AT WOODBURY COMMONS BLACK FRIDAY TRAFFIC WAS MOVING BETTER THEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS AND POLICE ESTIMATE ABOUT 60 THOUSAND VEHICLES WILL TRY TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE POPULAR OUTLET MALL SHOPPING AREA TODAY. SHOPPERS COULD CAUSE SOME SLOW-DOWNS AROUND EXIT 16 OF THE NEW YORK THRUWAY.