College Student Faces Final Year Of School After Mother Killed In Fiery Hudson Valley Crash College Student Faces Final Year Of School After Mother Killed In Fiery Hudson Valley Crash
College Student Faces Final Year Of School After Mother Killed In Fiery Hudson Valley Crash A New York college student now facing his final year of school without his mother after she was killed in a fiery crash in Orange County earlier this week is receiving a wave of support from community members.  SUNY Oneonta senior Devin Lester lost his mother, Jodi Lester, 56, of Monroe, when her vehicle crashed and caught fire early Sunday, Sept. 6.  As Daily Voice previously reported, New York State Police troopers came upon the vehicle fire on Cedar Cliff Road in the Town of Monroe at around 2:26 a.m. The Town of Monroe Fire Department extinguished the flames.  …
NY Man, 26, Battling Cancer For Third Time — But Isn't Facing It Alone NY Man, 26, Battling Cancer For Third Time — But Isn't Facing It Alone
NY Man, 26, Battling Cancer For Third Time — But Isn't Facing It Alone A 26-year-old man from Northern Westchester who survived cancer twice as a child is facing the disease for a third time — and his community is now rallying around him.   Cortlandt Manor native Ian Manzares was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in November 2025 at age 25, according to family and friends. It is the latest chapter in a battle with cancer that began more than two decades ago. Manzares was just 4 years old when he was diagnosed with stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma. He underwent treatment and beat the disease, only to receive another cancer diagnosis 10 years…
NY Ranked Among 15 Happiest States In US, New Study Finds: Here's Why NY Ranked Among 15 Happiest States In US, New Study Finds: Here's Why
NY Ranked Among 15 Happiest States In US, New Study Finds: Here's Why The Northeast is home to some of the happiest people in the country, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2026 Happiest States in America ranking on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The study compared all 50 states across 30 measures of happiness, including depression and suicide rates, work hours, unemployment, income growth, family stability, volunteer rates, and safety. The personal finance website also looked at how many adults feel active and productive, along with factors like sleep, leisure time, job security, and community support. "The happiest states are those that provide above-ave…
Best, Worst Places To Retire In US Revealed In New Ranking: How NY Fared Best, Worst Places To Retire In US Revealed In New Ranking: How NY Fared
Best, Worst Places To Retire In US Revealed In New Ranking: How NY Fared A new report shows which cities offer the best affordability, activities, and other benefits for retirees. WalletHub released its 2026 Best & Worst Places to Retire ranking on Monday, Aug. 31. The personal finance website compared 182 US cities across 45 measures covering affordability, activities, quality of life, and health care. The study evaluated cities using factors including adjusted cost of living, taxes, recreation and senior centers, museums, weather, crime rates, access to health care providers, hospital quality, and life expectancy. The analysis assumes retirees ar…
Vaccines Vaccines
Vaccines Vaccines are the safest and most effective way to prevent disease. They significantly reduce risk by working with your body’s natural defenses to build protection. When you get a vaccine, your immune system responds and helps build protection. In some cases, the protection can last a lifetime from a series of vaccine doses. In others, such as tetanus or the flu, booster doses are needed every few years to keep you healthy. So, let’s talk about why it’s important for you and your family to stay up to date with your vaccines! How do vaccines work? Infections are caused by a disease-causing o…
4 WMCHealth Hospitals Earn National Stroke Care Honors 4 WMCHealth Hospitals Earn National Stroke Care Honors
4 Wmchealth Hospitals Earn National Stroke Care Honors Four WMCHealth hospitals in the Hudson Valley have received national American Heart Association honors for stroke care, spotlighting a regional system built to speed access to specialists. The Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus awards went to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston, and Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern. According to WMCHealth, the designation is awarded to hospitals that meet high standards for quickly identifying strokes and beginning treatment. The 2026 honors are tied to data from …
Family Seeks Help Sending NY Man Home After Fatal CT Crash Family Seeks Help Sending NY Man Home After Fatal CT Crash
Family Seeks Help Sending NY Man Home After Fatal CT Crash The family of a New York man killed in a Connecticut dirt bike crash is asking the community's help in sending him home. Jose Eduardo, 21, of Mount Carmel, New York, died Sunday, Aug. 23, after crashing a dirt bike on railroad tracks in Waterbury. His family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to return his body to his homeland.  “There are no words to comfort our family at this time,” the fundraiser said. “We asked for help to be able to send my nephew’s body to Guatemala since his body will have to be taken to his native country." The campaign had raised more than $2,400 by Monda…
Got Tennis Skills? NY, NJ Players Can Earn Cash For 8 Hours On Camera Got Tennis Skills? NY, NJ Players Can Earn Cash For 8 Hours On Camera
Got Tennis Skills? NY, NJ Players Can Earn Cash For 8 Hours On Camera Tennis players across the New York and New Jersey area have a chance to earn some cash in front of the camera. Grant Wilfley Casting is seeking people with a high level of tennis skill to portray players in the “Untitled Tennis Project,” according to a casting call. The background role pays $241 for eight hours and will film outdoors in Queens, the casting company said. Tentative shoot dates are Sept. 14 and 15 at night and Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 during the day. Applicants must be at least 18, local to the New York/New Jersey area, and provide their tennis experience and skill level. Both SAG…
Connecticut Mom ‘Overwhelmed With Gratitude’ After Taylor Swift’s $50K Donation Connecticut Mom ‘Overwhelmed With Gratitude’ After Taylor Swift’s $50K Donation
Connecticut Mom ‘Overwhelmed With Gratitude’ After Taylor Swift’s $50K Donation A Connecticut mother who was nearly killed after stopping to help three teenagers who crashed on Interstate 95 in July said she is "overwhelmed with gratitude" after Taylor Swift donated $50,000 to support her recovery. Ashlie Taunton, of Ledyard, was severely injured July 18 after she stopped to help teenagers whose vehicle had hydroplaned off I-95 in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, during a rainstorm. Moments after she helped the last person out of the vehicle, a second car veered off the road. She shoved a teenager to safety before the car struck her. The 42-year-old's heroism has drawn nationa…
Off-Duty Poughkeepsie Firefighter, Nurse Race To Save Person At Dutchess County Fair Off-Duty Poughkeepsie Firefighter, Nurse Race To Save Person At Dutchess County Fair
Off-Duty Poughkeepsie Firefighter, Nurse Race To Save Person At Dutchess County Fair Two off-duty first responders jumped into action when a person became unresponsive at the Dutchess County Fair, helping perform CPR until the patient could be taken to a hospital.  The medical emergency happened inside Barn 30 at the fairgrounds in Rhinebeck on Friday afternoon, Aug. 28, according to the Rhinebeck Fire Department.  Rhinebeck Firefighter/EMT Erik Stroka and his girlfriend, Skylar Jackson, an Albany Med registered nurse and former EMT, were in the barn showing cows when the emergency unfolded, according to the Rhinebeck Fire Department and City of Poughkeepsie …
Taylor Swift Drops $50K Surprise On Mom Who Nearly Died Saving Teen On I-95 Taylor Swift Drops $50K Surprise On Mom Who Nearly Died Saving Teen On I-95
Taylor Swift Drops $50K Surprise On Mom Who Nearly Died Saving Teen On I-95 Ashley Taunton isn't out of the woods yet, but Taylor Swift is helping her get there. The 42-year-old Connecticut mother who suffered critical injuries while assisting a group of teenagers on I-95 got an unexpected assist from a certain 36-year-old singer. You may have heard of her. Taylor Swift donated $50,000 to the GoFundMe campaign for Ashley Taunton, whose recovery from a July crash has gone viral. PEOPLE confirmed on Friday that the pop star had contributed to the fund, which has since jumped to more than $87,000 since it was created in July. Taylor Swift made a big donation…
NJ Farm's 8-Acre Dolly Parton Corn Maze Requires Visitors To Know Dolly Parton Trivia NJ Farm's 8-Acre Dolly Parton Corn Maze Requires Visitors To Know Dolly Parton Trivia
NJ Farm's 8-Acre Dolly Parton Corn Maze Requires Visitors To Know Dolly Parton Trivia The company that designs Tim Stockel's corn mazes had been trying to get Dolly Parton into cornfields for nearly three years. The idea was simple: honor an American icon in the fall, when denim jackets, country music, and getting lost in a cornfield just seem to fit. Finally, in February, Parton's team agreed to a one-year licensing arrangement allowing participating farms to use her image in corn mazes designed by The Maize Company. "To me, she was everything," said Stockel, who runs the 130-acre Happy Day Farm in Manalapan alongside his wife, Olivia Stockel, a massive Dolly Parton fan. …
Historic Estate Once Home To Famed Broadway Stars Lists For $2.8M In Hudson Valley Historic Estate Once Home To Famed Broadway Stars Lists For $2.8M In Hudson Valley
Historic Estate Once Home To Famed Broadway Stars Lists For $2.8M In Hudson Valley A century-old Westchester County estate once home to a famous pair of Broadway entertainers has hit the market for nearly $2.8 million.   The seven-bedroom residence at 215 Soundview Ave. in White Plains is now listed for $2.795 million by Stacey Pinkas and John Oliveira of Douglas Elliman. Built in 1924, the approximately 6,254-square-foot home was once owned by Rosie and Jenny Dolly, the Hungarian-born identical twins better known as the Dolly Sisters, according to the listing.   The sisters, who rose to fame as vaudeville and Broadway performers in the 1910s…
Virginia's Justus Kelley Makes History As First Mother To Win Miss USA Virginia's Justus Kelley Makes History As First Mother To Win Miss USA
Virginia's Justus Kelley Makes History As First Mother To Win Miss USA Virginia waited more than half a century for another Miss USA. The wait ended in historic fashion on Thursday, Aug. 27, when Miss Virginia USA Justus Kelley was crowned Miss USA 2026 during the 75th edition of the pageant in Miami. Kelley, 31, became the first mother and first married woman to win the Miss USA title, according to People and Business Insider. She is also reportedly the first woman in her 30s to win. And she ended quite the drought back home. Kelley became the first woman representing Virginia to win Miss USA since Deborah Shelton took the crown in 1970, according to B…
Over 100 Hot Air Balloon Rides Coming To Dutchess County — Here's When, Where Over 100 Hot Air Balloon Rides Coming To Dutchess County — Here's When, Where
Over 100 Hot Air Balloon Rides Coming To Dutchess County — Here's When, Where Hot-air balloon rides will soon be taking off over Dutchess County as a popular Hudson Valley festival returns for its 35th year.  The JPMorganChase Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival will return to Tymor Park in the Town of Union Vale from Friday, Sept. 4 through Sunday, Sept. 6, the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce announced.  More than 100 hot-air balloon flights are scheduled throughout Labor Day weekend, giving visitors the chance to take a full balloon ride or get a shorter taste of flying aboard a tethered balloon.  The colorful launches will depend on…
Cause Of Death Revealed For LI Teacher, Mom Whose Car Plunged Into Pool: Report Cause Of Death Revealed For LI Teacher, Mom Whose Car Plunged Into Pool: Report
Cause Of Death Revealed For LI Teacher, Mom Whose Car Plunged Into Pool: Report The cause of death for Allison "Ally" Rahmani, a 40-year-old Long Island teacher and mother who died when her SUV plunged into her backyard pool late last week, has been released by the New York Post. Citing a source close to the investigation, the outlet said Rahmani suffered a medical emergency, causing her to send her 2023 GMC into her family's Hewlett Bay Park backyard pool. Rahmani was able to call 911 from the vehicle but died en route to or at the hospital, according to The Post. Rahmani worked as a math coordinator for Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR), a J…
West Point Names New Superintendent — Here's Who He Is West Point Names New Superintendent — Here's Who He Is
West Point Names New Superintendent — Here's Who He Is A West Point graduate and longtime Army officer with decades of command experience has returned to the Hudson Valley to lead the U.S. Military Academy. Maj. Gen. James B. Bartholomees III was promoted to lieutenant general and officially took command as West Point's 62nd superintendent on Monday, Aug. 17, succeeding Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland, West Point Public Affairs announced.  The change of command ceremony was held at Eisenhower Hall.  Bartholomees, a 1995 West Point graduate, most recently served as commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division and U.S. Army Hawaii. …
NY Ranked Among 5 Most Fun States, New Study Finds: Here's Why NY Ranked Among 5 Most Fun States, New Study Finds: Here's Why
NY Ranked Among 5 Most Fun States, New Study Finds: Here's Why The Northeast has some of the most fun states in the country, but several others landed near the bottom of a new ranking. WalletHub released its 2026 list of the Most Fun States in America on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The study compared all 50 states across 26 metrics of entertainment, recreation, and nightlife, including restaurants, amusement parks, movie theaters, national park access, music festivals, bars, casinos, and recreation spending. The personal finance website split the study into two main categories: entertainment and recreation, which made up 80% of the score, and nightlife, which ac…
Chinese Restaurant Rebuilding After Fire In Dutchess County, Seeks Help Chinese Restaurant Rebuilding After Fire In Dutchess County, Seeks Help
Chinese Restaurant Rebuilding After Fire In Dutchess County, Seeks Help A family behind a Dutchess County Chinese restaurant is working to rebuild after an early-morning fire earlier this month left the business with extensive damage and disrupted their livelihood.   Kai's Chinese Kitchen at 145 Route 22 in Pawling has been closed since a fire broke out around 3:15 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 3, leaving the restaurant with significant smoke and water damage, as previously reported by Daily Voice.   On the morning of the fire, Pawling firefighters were initially dispatched to the restaurant for an automatic fire alarm. Within minutes, heat dete…
These Are Hudson Valley's Best High Schools, New Rankings Show These Are Hudson Valley's Best High Schools, New Rankings Show
These Are Hudson Valley's Best High Schools, New Rankings Show U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026-27 list of the best high schools in the country, with several Hudson Valley schools landing among New York's top 100.  The new rankings, released Tuesday, Aug. 18, rank nearly 18,000 public high schools across all 50 states and Washington, DC, out of more than 27,000 reviewed.  U.S. News scored schools on six factors: college readiness, which carried the most weight at 30 percent; state assessment proficiency and state assessment performance, at 20 percent each; and underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and …
WATCH: Dog Trapped In Storm Drain Rescued By Officer In Dutchess County WATCH: Dog Trapped In Storm Drain Rescued By Officer In Dutchess County
Watch: Dog Trapped In Storm Drain Rescued By Officer In Dutchess County A police officer climbed into a storm drain in Dutchess County and endured a few nips to the hand while rescuing a trapped dog before reuniting the animal with its owner, police said.  The rescue happened on Saturday, Aug. 15, after Town of Hyde Park Police Officers Wolf-Davidson and Fein responded to a report of a dog trapped inside a storm drain, the department said on Monday, Aug. 17.  After arriving, the officers located the dog and could hear him barking from inside the drain, police said. The department also released body camera footage of the rescue, showing Wolf-Davidson …
New Website Reveals Millions Of Flock Searches: How To Check Your License Plate New Website Reveals Millions Of Flock Searches: How To Check Your License Plate
New Website Reveals Millions Of Flock Searches: How To Check Your License Plate A new website is helping drivers see whether their license plate has been searched in Flock Safety's controversial surveillance system. HaveIBeenFlocked.com says it has compiled data on nearly 242 million unique searches involving more than 4.6 million plates. The records range between December 2021 and July 2026. According to the website, the data comes from audit logs released through Freedom of Information Act requests and Flock-provided transparency portals. "The dataset is incomplete," the website says on its FAQ page. "Few governments provide easy access to these …
Aging I-84, I-684 Bridges To Be Replaced In $24.5M Project In Hudson Valley Aging I-84, I-684 Bridges To Be Replaced In $24.5M Project In Hudson Valley
Aging I-84, I-684 Bridges To Be Replaced In $24.5M Project In Hudson Valley A $24.5 million project is now underway to replace two nearly 60-year-old bridges at a key interstate interchange in Putnam County, state officials announced.  The project will replace two 59-year-old bridges carrying the ramp from I-84 westbound to I-684 southbound in Southeast, the office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Monday, Aug. 17.  One of the bridges crosses I-84, while the other crosses I-684. Both will be replaced with wider structures designed to improve safety and accommodate emergency vehicles.  The new bridges will also provide 16 feet, 6 inches of c…
Vassar Brothers Medical Center Again Ranks No. 1 In Poughkeepsie-Newburgh Metro Vassar Brothers Medical Center Again Ranks No. 1 In Poughkeepsie-Newburgh Metro
Vassar Brothers Medical Center Again Ranks No. 1 In Poughkeepsie-Newburgh Metro Vassar Brothers Medical Center has again been named the No. 1 hospital in the Poughkeepsie-Newburgh Metro Area by U.S. News & World Report. According to Northwell Health, the Poughkeepsie hospital earned the top metro ranking for the third consecutive year and was ranked No. 20, tied, in New York state. Vassar Brothers Medical Center, part of Northwell Health, was also recognized among the best hospitals in the Hudson Valley. The hospital was rated “High Performing” in 16 Common Adult Procedures and Conditions, up from 15 last year. Those areas include abdominal aortic aneurysm repair,…
Flock Unveils Major Changes Amid Growing Surveillance Camera Backlash Flock Unveils Major Changes Amid Growing Surveillance Camera Backlash
Flock Unveils Major Changes Amid Growing Surveillance Camera Backlash Flock Safety is making major changes to how it stores data as nationwide privacy concerns rise over the controversial surveillance cameras. The company announced the updates in a blog post on Thursday, Aug. 13. Flock says it will cut its recommended default retention period for automatic license plate reader (ALPR) data from 30 to seven days. The changes also include new safeguards that Flock says will prevent law enforcement from misusing data. Flock will require agencies to use a system that flags unusual searches, automatically locks some users out pending review…
Toxic Weedkiller Settlement Cash Going Toward Pollinator Gardens In Hudson Valley, LI: AG Toxic Weedkiller Settlement Cash Going Toward Pollinator Gardens In Hudson Valley, LI: AG
Toxic Weedkiller Settlement Cash Going Toward Pollinator Gardens In Hudson Valley, LI: AG Several Hudson Valley and Long Island organizations are receiving thousands of dollars to create pollinator gardens, restore habitats, and expand environmental programs through money stemming from a settlement over toxic consumer weedkillers.  New York Attorney General Letitia James and The New York Community Trust announced $505,000 in grants for 28 organizations across the state to support pollinator conservation projects in historically underserved communities.  The funding includes grants for organizations in Kingston, Hudson, Nyack, Newburgh, Ossining, Brookhaven, Mastic Beac…
Child Found Abandoned In NY Hallway Reunited With Cops Who Saved Her After Adoption Child Found Abandoned In NY Hallway Reunited With Cops Who Saved Her After Adoption
Child Found Abandoned In NY Hallway Reunited With Cops Who Saved Her After Adoption More than two years after being found abandoned as a newborn in the hallway of a Westchester apartment building, a little girl was reunited with the police officers and medical workers who helped save her — and this time with her new family by her side.  The child, who police identified as Baby Melanie, recently reunited with members of the Yonkers Police Department and staff at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Valhalla following the finalization of her adoption, Yonkers Police announced on Wednesday, Aug. 12.  Melanie's story began on Feb. 6, 2024, when Yonkers Police Officers…
Longtime EMT Recovering After Medical Emergency In Dutchess County Longtime EMT Recovering After Medical Emergency In Dutchess County
Longtime EMT Recovering After Medical Emergency In Dutchess County After spending nearly four decades answering calls for help, a longtime Dutchess County EMT, paramedic, and firefighter is now receiving support from the community he has served following a medical emergency.  Jim Gallagher, whose career has included service with the LaGrange Fire Department in Dutchess County, is facing months of rehabilitation after recently suffering a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, according to a GoFundMe started by his friend and colleague Constance Levi.  Gallagher began his emergency medical services career with Empress Ambulance Service in 1987, accord…
$1.7M 'Woodland Escape' Boasting Pool, Pond, Secret Gardens In NY Now On Market $1.7M 'Woodland Escape' Boasting Pool, Pond, Secret Gardens In NY Now On Market
$1.7M 'Woodland Escape' Boasting Pool, Pond, Secret Gardens In NY Now On Market A nearly seven-acre Northern Westchester property filled with gardens, water features, and a contemporary home built among rock outcroppings has hit the market. Known as "Woods Home," the property at 1750 Baptist Church Rd. in Yorktown Heights sits on 6.74 acres in the Huntersville neighborhood and is now listed for $1.7 million, according to a listing from Houlihan Lawrence.  The 4,976-square-foot home has four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and one half-bathroom.  Described by Houlihan Lawrence as a "woodland escape," the property includes sprawling lawns, a Sylvan pool, woodlan…
Sally Jessy Raphael's $4.75M Estate In Dutchess County Featured By Zillow Gone Wild Sally Jessy Raphael's $4.75M Estate In Dutchess County Featured By Zillow Gone Wild
Sally Jessy Raphael's $4.75M Estate In Dutchess County Featured By Zillow Gone Wild A sprawling, over 150-year-old Dutchess County estate owned for nearly three decades by former talk show host Sally Jessy Raphael has caught the attention of Zillow Gone Wild. Elmwood Farm, a historic estate at 618 Quaker Hill Rd. in Pawling, was featured in the popular real estate account's newsletter on Monday, Aug. 10.  The property, built in 1860 and owned by Sally Jessy Raphael for nearly 30 years, is currently listed by Jake Garay of SERHANT for $4.75 million. The newsletter highlighted the estate's massive size and historic character.  Set on 25.5 acres atop…
NY Among 15 Best States To Live In US, New Study Says: Here's Why NY Among 15 Best States To Live In US, New Study Says: Here's Why
NY Among 15 Best States To Live In US, New Study Says: Here's Why From strong schools and health care to high incomes and low crime, several Northeast states are among the best places to live, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2026 Best States to Live In list on Monday, Aug. 10. The study ranked all 50 states using 51 measures of livability, from housing affordability and income growth to education, health, quality of life, and safety. Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said it's important to look beyond just economic reasons. "When deciding on a place to move, you should first consider financial factors like the cost of living, housing price…