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Lifestyle
New Italian Restaurant In Region Cited For 'Delicious, Fresh Pasta In A Beautiful Space' New Italian Restaurant In Region Cited For 'Delicious, Fresh Pasta In A Beautiful Space'
New Italian Restaurant In Region Cited For 'Delicious, Fresh Pasta In A Beautiful Space' A new restaurant in the region serving classic Italian fare with a side of rustic charm is already garnering rave reviews. Columbia County eatery Via Cassia opened in March 2024 in Hudson at 214 Warren Street, in the former Ca’Mea Restaurant space. Under the direction of seasoned restaurateur and chef Gaetano Arnone, Via Cassia has a mouthwatering menu of lunch and dinner options highlighting its housemade pasta.  Among them are the spaghetti with roasted garlic, calabrian chilis, and pecorino romano, and the rigatoni with braised pork and garlic breadcrumbs. Diners can also opt for …

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Best High Schools: Hudson Valley Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Best High Schools: Hudson Valley Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings
Best High Schools: Hudson Valley Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings New York is well-represented on U.S. News & World Report's latest rankings of the nation's best high schools. The brand-new rankings were released Tuesday morning, April 23, and determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. The highest-ranked school outside New York City is on Long Island: Jericho, at No. 13 statewide and 104th nationally. The top-rated high school in Westchester County is Edgemont at No. 14 in the state and 128th in the nation, with Bronxville, at No. 16 in the state and 151st nationally. Another W…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Beloved, Refurbished Local Landmark Returns In Somers Beloved, Refurbished Local Landmark Returns In Somers
Beloved, Refurbished Local Landmark Returns In Somers An iconic statue has returned in a more durable form in Northern Westchester. The statue in front of The Elephant Hotel in Somers known as Old Bet has returned to its post after being taken down in July 2023, Somers town officials announced on Monday, April 22.  The beloved landmark had been a fixture in Somers since 1827 when a gilt wood replica of an elephant was installed on iron scrollwork on top of a granite shaft in front of the hotel, which was built between 1820 and 1825 and is now used as Town Hall.  The old statue was taken down after cracks were discovered in it. …

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Transcripts Of Trump Trial To Be Posted Online Daily Transcripts Of Trump Trial To Be Posted Online Daily
Transcripts Of Trump Trial To Be Posted Online Daily Those interested in the details of the "Hush Money" criminal trial against former President Donald J. Trump may read every word of what happened at Manhattan Criminal Court when the New York Court system publishes the transcripts online daily. Beginning Monday, April 22, the full transcript will be available here on the court system's website. The New York Unified Court System said it is doing so because the trial is not being televised and to push the courts to ensure broad and continuous public access to the high-profile case.  A certified transcript of each day’s trial pr…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Murdering Woman, Dismembering Her Body, Police Say Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Murdering Woman, Dismembering Her Body, Police Say
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Murdering Woman, Dismembering Her Body, Police Say A man from the region has been charged with allegedly killing a woman and then dismembering her body before disposing of the parts. Ulster County resident Damon Foy, age 50, of Kerhonkson, was arraigned in Ulster County Court on Friday, April 19, for a murder charge and remanded to Ulster County Jail without bail. According to the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, between Sunday, March 31, and Monday, April 1, Foy murdered Alberta Dale, age 44, of Pennsylvania, dismembered her and was in the process of disposing of her body when law enforcement intervened.  Dale’s remains were loca…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Hudson Valley Man Killed In Single-Vehicle Crash Hudson Valley Man Killed In Single-Vehicle Crash
Hudson Valley Man Killed In Single-Vehicle Crash A 65-year-old Hudson Valley man was killed during a single-vehicle crash. The crash occurred in Ulster County around 12:30 p.m., Saturday, April 20, in Mamakating on Mamakating Road near the intersection of Sky Top Road. According to Trooper Steven Nevel of the New York State Police, a preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Harley Davidson, driven by Orange County resident Kevin Epstein of Pine Bush, was traveling West on Mamakating Road when he lost control of the motorcycle and was ejected.  Epstein was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the crash is under investiga…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Active Shooter Drill Held At Monastery In Hudson Valley Active Shooter Drill Held At Monastery In Hudson Valley
Active Shooter Drill Held At Carmel's Chuang Yen Monastery Although it looked like a real response, an influx of emergency agencies and police at a Hudson Valley monastery was only a drill to prepare for an active shooter scenario.  The exercise was held in Putnam County on Sunday, April 21 at the Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel at 2020 Route 301, according to the Carmel Fire Department.  During the drill, which was hosted by the Kent Fire Department, several local, county, and regional agencies acted as if there were an active shooter with "victims" played by volunteers.  After the exercise was complete, the agencies then gathe…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Police In Hudson Valley Use Force To Control Man Who Threatened To Shoot People, Cops Say Police In Hudson Valley Use Force To Control Man Who Threatened To Shoot People, Cops Say
Police In Hudson Valley Use Force To Control Man Who Threatened To Shoot People, Cops Say Police are reporting using force against a man who allegedly threatened to shoot people on a major roadway in the region. The incident occurred in Dutchess County on Sunday, April 21, on Main Street in Beacon. According to Lt. Thomas Figlia of the Beacon Police, officers responded to a call for a man wearing gray sweatpants, a grey hoodie, and sunglasses who was threatening to shoot people on Main Street. Reviewed body camera footage showed that an officer located the man, pulled out his patrol rifle, and attempted to get him to put his hands on the wall, Figlia said. T…

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
Sergeant Collapses, Dies Moments After Shift In Brewster: 'Good Man Who Will Be Missed' Sergeant Collapses, Dies Moments After Shift In Brewster: 'Good Man Who Will Be Missed'
Sergeant Collapses, Dies Moments After Shift In Brewster: 'Good Man Who Will Be Missed' A Hudson Valley police department is mourning the line-of-duty loss of a beloved sergeant who collapsed and died mere moments after completing his shift.  In a statement on Saturday, April 20, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced the death of Brewster Police Sergeant Richard Gurniak, who collapsed after hanging up his keys after his shift during the early morning hours on Saturday.  Despite efforts to save his life from a fellow Brewster officer and two members of the Sheriff's Office, Gurniak later died at Putnam Hospital from a heart attack at the age of 57. A…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Loaded Handgun Recovered At Scene After 15-Year-Old Shot In Hudson Valley Loaded Handgun Recovered At Scene After 15-Year-Old Shot In Hudson Valley
Loaded Handgun Recovered At Scene After 15-Year-Old Shot In Hudson Valley An investigation is underway after a 15-year-old was found shot in the region. The incident occurred in Dutchess County around 2:44 p.m. on Friday, April 19, in the area of 86 Smith St., in Poughkeepsie. According to the City of Poughkeepsie Police, officers responding to the report of a shot fired found a 15-year-old suffering from a severe gunshot wound to the leg. Responding officers secured the scene and immediately rendered medical aid, including applying a tourniquet.  The victim was transported via EMS to an area hospital and is expected to recover.  During a search of …

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Guide Dog Graduation: Northern Westchester-Based Nonprofit Provides Pups To Homes Across US Guide Dog Graduation: Northern Westchester-Based Nonprofit Provides Pups To Homes Across US
Guide Dog Graduation: Northern Westchester-Based Nonprofit Provides Pups To Homes Across US A new class of guide dogs that graduated from a New York nonprofit organization – including one dog going to serve the organization’s CEO – demonstrates the group’s 60-year commitment to changing the lives of people with vision loss or blindness. On Friday, April 12, Guiding Eyes for the Blind held one of its biannual guide dog graduations, celebrating the hard work of volunteers and pups alike and officially transferring the furry friends’ care to their new owners. However, this graduation was a little different from others — one of the graduates was a yellow lab named “Ten,” who had tra…

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by Sophie Grieser
Schools
These Putnam School Districts Named Best Communities For Music Education These Putnam School Districts Named Best Communities For Music Education
These Putnam School Districts Named Best Communities For Music Education Several school districts in Westchester and Putnam counties are being recognized as amongst the best in the entire nation for music education.  A total of 10 school districts across both counties have been named winners of the Best Communities for Music Education Award for 2024 by the NAMM Foundation.  These districts are some of only 975 across the country to receive the award, which recognizes "outstanding" efforts from teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who make sure students can include music as part of their education, according to th…

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by Ben Crnic