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US Army

Obituaries
Adored Army Vet, Nonprofit Founder From Region Dies At 38: 'Larger-Than-Life' Adored Army Vet, Nonprofit Founder From Region Dies At 38: 'Larger-Than-Life'
Adored Army Vet, Nonprofit Founder From Region Dies At 38: 'Larger-Than-Life' A beloved US Army veteran from the Hudson Valley who dedicated much of his time and effort toward helping his fellow troops is being remembered for his large personality and ability to form a lasting bond with anyone.  Putnam County resident Luke Rathschmidt of Mahopac died unexpectedly in South Carolina on Saturday, May 18 at the age of 38, according to his obituary.  Born in 1986, Rathschmidt was a proud US Army veteran who served in Iraq in the 82nd Airborne Division.  His time in the military left a lasting impression on him that shaped much of the rest of…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Councilman From Region Dies Suddenly At 54 Councilman From Region Dies Suddenly At 54
Councilman From Region Dies Suddenly At 54 A popular and accomplished Hudson Valley councilman died after suffering a heart attack at age 54. Rockland County Councilman Mark Woods, of Clarkstown, died on Friday, May 17, from an apparent heart attack, town officials said.  Woods, a member of the Clarkstown Board and director of peer veteran services at the nonprofit BRIDGES was elected to represent Ward 1 in November 2023. A graduate of the Citadel, Woods was a decorated retired New York Police Department (NYPD) detective and combat US Army veteran who served in Iraq.  "From an early age, Mark chose service to others…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Support Pours In For Family Of Beloved Fallen Officer From Region Who Died In Crash Support Pours In For Family Of Beloved Fallen Officer From Region Who Died In Crash
Support Pours In For Family Of Beloved Fallen Officer From Region Who Died In Crash A community is coming together to support the family of a US Army veteran and dedicated police officer from the Hudson Valley who died suddenly in a crash.  Following the untimely death of Putnam County's Jose Colon, a committed officer who served with the Brewster Police Department, dozens of friends, family members, and fellow officers have come together to support Colon's wife and son financially. Earlier report - Brewster Police Officer Jose Colon Dies Suddenly At Age 55 Colon, a US Army veteran who spent two decades with the New York City Police Department before serving in …

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Beloved Sergeant, Army Vet From Region Dies At 67: 'His Memory Will Continue To Inspire' Beloved Sergeant, Army Vet From Region Dies At 67: 'His Memory Will Continue To Inspire'
Beloved Sergeant, Army Vet From Region Dies At 67: 'His Memory Will Continue To Inspire' A sheriff's office in the Hudson Valley is mourning the loss of a retired sergeant and Army veteran who always followed his passions while also making time to serve his community.  Putnam County resident Doug MacCrae of Brewster died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 17 at the age of 67, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, April 19.  Known for his long career in law enforcement, MacCrae served with the Sheriff's Office as a Deputy and Sergeant for 25 years. He was also a Youth Officer and played a large role in developing Putnam's School Resource Progr…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
West Point Cadet Dies In Drowning Accident West Point Cadet Dies In Drowning Accident
West Point Cadet Dies In Drowning Accident A West Point cadet died while on leave in what police say was an accidental incident. Havin Morris, age 21, of Pleasanton, California, a student at West Point in Orange County in the town of Highlands, drowned on Monday, March 25, while on leave in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “Cadet Morris was a valued member of the Corps of Cadets, committed to serving his country as an Army Officer," said West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steve Gilland. "The entire West Point community offers our heartfelt condolences to the Morris family." According to the Fort Lauderdale Police, his death appears t…

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
‘He Was Just Wonderful’: Tributes Pour In Following Death Of Longtime Capital Region Teacher ‘He Was Just Wonderful’: Tributes Pour In Following Death Of Longtime Capital Region Teacher
‘He Was Just Wonderful’: Tributes Pour In Following Death Of Longtime Capital Region Teacher Loved ones and former students are mourning the loss of a longtime teacher in the region. Albany County resident Walter Lipka, of Cohoes, died Tuesday, Jan. 30 at the age of 86 at Health Alliance Hospital in Kingston. His death followed a two-month battle with sepsis, according to his obituary. A native of Cohoes, Lipka served in the US Army as a military police officer in the early 1960s. He later received his bachelor’s degree in art education from Suny New Paltz and a master’s degree in Studio Art from UAlbany. His love for art landed him a teaching job in the Cohoes City School Distric…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
'Not An Easy Decision': Veteran-Owned Restaurant In Capital Region Shutting Its Doors 'Not An Easy Decision': Veteran-Owned Restaurant In Capital Region Shutting Its Doors
'Not An Easy Decision': Veteran-Owned Restaurant In Capital Region Shutting Its Doors A struggling, veteran-owned restaurant in the region serving breakfast and lunch is shuttering after just over a year in business. Rensselaer County eatery Cafe Twelve 04, located in Rensselaer at 1204 Washington Avenue, will serve its last guests on Sunday, Oct. 29, the business announced on Facebook. “Whelp… Not a post I want to be posting but it’s only right, Sunday will be my last day open at the cafe,” owner Chris Phelan said. “Definitely not an easy decision by any means.” After launching the restaurant in August 2022, Phelan, a US Army veteran, spent “countless dollars and hours” t…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Sergeant From Region Nabbed For Murder Was Due To Be Deployed Overseas Sergeant From Region Nabbed For Murder Was Due To Be Deployed Overseas
Sergeant From Region Nabbed For Murder Was Due To Be Deployed Overseas A United State Army sergeant from the Hudson Valley who has been indicted in the murder of an area man was due to be deployed overseas Orange County resident Junando Dawkins, age 29, of Newburgh was apprehended at the US Army base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, said the Ulster County District Attorney's Office. The indictment stems from a homicide investigation conducted by the New York State Police, in collaboration with the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office into the death of Daniel Spotards, a 41-year-old father of two, whose body was found at the end of his driveway by a sanitatio…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
US Army Soldier Charged In Connection To Murder Of 41-Year-Old In Region US Army Soldier Charged In Connection To Murder Of 41-Year-Old In Region
US Army Soldier Charged In Connection To Murder Of 41-Year-Old In Region A months-long investigation into a murder in the Hudson Valley has led to the arrest of a United States Army soldier. Orange County resident Junando Dawkins, age 29, of Newburgh was apprehended at the US Army base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, New York State Police announced on Saturday, March 11. The body of the victim in the case, 41-year-old Daniel Spotards, was found in Ulster County early Monday, Jan. 2, in the town of Plattekil, on the Campbell Lane extension near Saul Trail. Spotards was located outside his residence with multiple gunshot wounds. Dawkins was indicted on the …

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by Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
Former Police Officer, Army Veteran From Hudson Valley Dies Former Police Officer, Army Veteran From Hudson Valley Dies
Former Police Officer, Army Veteran From Hudson Valley Dies A beloved husband and father from the Hudson Valley who was both a US Army veteran and a former police officer in Westchester County has died.  Putnam County resident Richard Kennedy of Carmel died on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the age of 72, according to his obituary.  Born in 1949 in New York City, Kennedy served in the US Army from 1968 to 1970 and then served as a police officer in Port Chester until he retired in 1977, his obituary said.  A lover of the outdoors, Kennedy could often be found hunting and loved spending time with friends at his "Hunting Cabin," according to his…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Counterfeit Batteries Sold By Area Biz To Defense Dept. Caused Military Equip. Failures: Feds Counterfeit Batteries Sold By Area Biz To Defense Dept. Caused Military Equip. Failures: Feds
Counterfeit Batteries Sold By Area Biz To Defense Dept. Caused Military Equip. Failures: Feds A New York military contractor will pay $75,000 to resolve allegations that it sold counterfeit batteries to the Department of Defense that later caused “military equipment failures.” With the payment, Industrial Equipment and Supply Company (IESC), located in Latham in Albany County, along with its principals, Mark and Sandra Nystoriak, settled allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District, IESC contracted to sell batteries to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), which manages the worldwide supply chain for the Dep…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
US Soldier From Connecticut Killed By Lightning Strike US Soldier From Connecticut Killed By Lightning Strike
US Soldier From Connecticut Killed By Lightning Strike A soldier who was killed by a lightning strike during a training mission has been identified as being a Connecticut resident. Tolland County resident Sgt.1st Class Michael D. Clark, of the town of Bolton, died on Wednesday, July 20, at Fort Gordon, in Augusta, Georgia. During the training exercise, Clark, age 41, was killed and nine others sustained injuries associated with the lightning strike, said the Department of US Army Reserves. Fort Gordon’s EMS responded to the scene immediately, and the soldiers were transported to Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center for medical care, offici…

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by Kathy Reakes