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Liberty, NY

Business
ShopRite To Close Hudson Valley Store ShopRite To Close Hudson Valley Store
ShopRite To Close Hudson Valley Store After more than 30 years of serving Hudson Valley grocery shoppers, a popular ShopRite store will close by the end of next year. The 55,500-square-foot store, located in Ulster County in Ellenville, at 1 ShopRite Boulevard off Route 209, was opened in 1993 by Wakefern Food Corporation in New Jersey.  It is the only major grocery store in the village. Karen Meleta, Chief Communications Officer for Wakefern Food Corp., said the company decided not to renew its lease and will close in the summer of 2024. "All associates will be offered positions at that time in nearby ShopRite stores lo…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Man From Region Caught With Gun, Bullets At JFK, TSA Says Man From Region Caught With Gun, Bullets At JFK, TSA Says
Man From Region Caught With Gun, Bullets At JFK, TSA Says A man from the region was arrested by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers detected a handgun and bullets in his carry-on bag at a JFK airport security checkpoint. The Sullivan County resident, from the town of Liberty, was charged on Wednesday, April 19 after the unloaded firearm was found alongside five bullets in a gun magazine said TSA officials. The man's name is pending release by the New York New Jersey Port Authority.  The handgun was detected when the man entered the security checkpoint with his carry-on items. The checkpoint X-ray unit triggered…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Welfare Fraud: 3 Women From Region Charged With Theft Of Funds Welfare Fraud: 3 Women From Region Charged With Theft Of Funds
Welfare Fraud: 3 Women From Region Charged With Theft Of Funds Three women from the region have been charged with allegedly stealing government funds following an investigation by the Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force. Those charged are: Lisa Keitt, age 26, of Liberty, was arrested and charged on Sunday, March 19, and charged with theft of services and offering a false instrument. It is alleged that Keitt stole services totaling $505.74 in Medicaid transportation benefits. On Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, and on eight other dates, Keitt obtained a medical transportation ride by deception to two separate medical facilities to which s…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Popular TV Actor Accused Of Stealing Cooking Oil At Restaurant In Hudson Valley Popular TV Actor Accused Of Stealing Cooking Oil At Restaurant In Hudson Valley
Popular TV Actor Accused Of Stealing Cooking Oil At Restaurant In Hudson Valley A former star soap opera actor from such popular shows as "One Life To Live," and "All My Children," has been charged in connection to an alleged cooking oil theft in the Hudson Valley. Forbes March, age 49, was arrested along with another man on Thursday, March 2 following a complaint from Michael's Diner in Ulster County for the theft of used cooking oil. Ulster Police Chief Kyle Berardi said members of the department responded to the diner, at 1071 Ulster Ave. in the town of Ulster for a report that two men were siphoning used cooking oil from a container in the rear of the restaurant. …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexual Assault Of Woman Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexual Assault Of Woman
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexual Assault Of Woman A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting a woman in 2017. Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan Galligan announced that Rockland County resident Jose Gomez, age 40, of Haverstraw, was sentenced to 20 years in prison plus 15 years of post-release supervision on Friday, Nov. 4, following his convictions for criminal sexual act and assault.  A Sullivan County grand jury indicted Gomez in 2019, following the victim’s disclosure that she and Gomez, who had previously been romantic partners, traveled to Liberty in 2017, where Gomez assaulted and sexually ab…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Seen Her? Alert Issued For 14-Year-Old Girl Who's Gone Missing In Region Seen Her? Alert Issued For 14-Year-Old Girl Who's Gone Missing In Region
Seen Her? Alert Issued For 14-Year-Old Girl Who's Gone Missing In Region Authorities in the region are asking the public for help locating a missing 14-year-old girl who hasn't been seen in two days. Luisa Campos went missing from her Sullivan County home in the village of Liberty on Monday, Sept. 26, said the Liberty Police. She may be in the company of a man in the local area, police say. Campos is described as being 5-foot, 102 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. If seen, contact the New York Persons Clearing House at 1-800-346-3543 or the Liberty Police at (845) 292-4422. Share this story by clicking on the Facebook icon below. Check back to Dai…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Man Accused Of Helping His Wife Die By Suicide In Region Man Accused Of Helping His Wife Die By Suicide In Region
Man Accused Of Helping His Wife Die By Suicide In Region A man from the area has been arrested and charged with manslaughter for allegedly helping his wife commit suicide. Sullivan County resident Kenneth Alger III, age 38, of Liberty, was arrested in March after his wife's body was found in a cemetery in Liberty. Alger was indicted by a grand jury for manslaughter that alleged around Tuesday, Feb. 28, he intentionally "caused and aided Amanda Alger, age 31, his wife, to commit suicide," the indictment said. Her body was discovered by Village of Liberty Police officers on Wednesday, March 2, in a secluded area of the Liberty Cemetery on Cold Spr…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Massive Blaze Breaks Out At Garden Apartments In Region Massive Blaze Breaks Out At Garden Apartments In Region
Massive Blaze Breaks Out At Garden Apartments In Region A massive late-night two-alarm fire at an apartment complex in the region left at least one hospitalized and others injured. In Sullivan County, first responders responded to the Buckley Garden Apartments senior living center on North Main Street at approximately 11 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, when a fast-moving fire tore through the five-story building. At least one resident reportedly suffered burns from the fire and was airlifted by paramedics to Westchester Medical Center for treatment of unknown injuries. One firefighter also issued a mayday call while battling the blaze and had to be …

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Area Murder Victim Was A Musician Who Enjoyed Hiking, Fishing Area Murder Victim Was A Musician Who Enjoyed Hiking, Fishing
Area Murder Victim Was A Musician Who Enjoyed Hiking, Fishing A visitation is planned for an area musician and tattoo artist who was murdered earlier this week in the region. Sullivan County resident Michael A. Hankins, age 29, of Woodridge, was killed on Tuesday, Jan. 11 in Shawangunk in Ulster County, said the New York State Police. Walter D. Post Jr, age 26, of Shawangunk, was arrested and charged with Hankins murder, state police said. Related Story: ID Released For Victim Of Fatal Shooting In Area The son of Michael H. and Maria LoCicero Hankins, Hankins enjoyed his work as a tattoo artist and musician; he liked hiking and fishing, an…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: New Vaccine Pop-Up Sites Announced In Hudson Valley Area COVID-19: New Vaccine Pop-Up Sites Announced In Hudson Valley Area
Covid-19: New Vaccine Pop-Up Sites Announced In Hudson Valley Area New York State officials have announced a series of new COVID-19 vaccination pop-up sites across the Hudson Valley area. The new sites are part of the state's #VaxtoSchool campaign, an effort to increase vaccination rates among school-aged New Yorkers, the state said.  The first two sites will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 3. One will be held in Rockland County at the Robert L. Yeager Health Center, Building A, located at 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona.  The site will be open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the state said an incentive of Amazon Gift Cards will b…

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by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Man Drove Wrong Way For 18 Miles On Busy Roadway In Region, Police Say Man Drove Wrong Way For 18 Miles On Busy Roadway In Region, Police Say
Man Drove Wrong Way For 18 Miles On Busy Roadway In Region, Police Say A confused 86-year-old wrong-way driver made it 18 miles navigating his way driving the wrong way in opposing traffic before ultimately safely coming to a stop in the region with an assist from State Police in Sullivan County. At approximately 3 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 25, New York State Police Troop F received a report of a suspicious vehicle driving the wrong way on State Route 17 in the area of Hancock in Delaware County. In total, police said that they received approximately 30 phone calls regarding the wrong-way driver, though none were able to give an adequate description of the vehicle,…

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by Zak Failla
News
Man Accused Of Committing Arson To Cover Up Burglary In Area Man Accused Of Committing Arson To Cover Up Burglary In Area
Man Accused Of Committing Arson To Cover Up Burglary In Area An alleged Bloods street gang member from the region was arrested for allegedly intentionally setting a fire in an attempt to cover up a burglary, authorities announced. Firefighters in Sullivan County were called to a reported structure fire at 1:40 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 2 on Fraser Road in the Town of Thompson, across from the Kiamesha Bowling Alley. According to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, firefighters were able to evacuate seven residents from the multi-family home, including an 11-month-old child, and a 59-year-old man who found himself trapped and suffered burns. The investi…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
State Police Recover Two Drowning Victims In Separate Incidents In Region State Police Recover Two Drowning Victims In Separate Incidents In Region
State Police Recover Two Drowning Victims In Separate Incidents In Region State Police responded to two separate drownings over the weekend in the region. Both bodies were recovered in Sullivan County. The first incident took place around 10:35 p.m., Saturday, June 26, when state police responded to State Route 97 in the town of Highland for a possible drowning on the Delaware River, said Trooper Steven Nevel.  The initial investigation indicates that Louis Pellot, age 31 of Brooklyn, entered the water from a campsite and became fatigued and was seen struggling in the water.  He went under the water and was not seen. Pellot’s body was recovered by members of t…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Driver Flees After Striking, Killing Man Unloading Groceries Outside Hudson Valley Home Driver Flees After Striking, Killing Man Unloading Groceries Outside Hudson Valley Home
Driver Flees After Striking, Killing Man Unloading Groceries Outside Hudson Valley Home Click here for an updated story: Arrest Made In Hit-Run Crash That Left Man Dead While Unloading Groceries, Police Say Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating the driver and vehicle involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision that left a popular area man dead. The incident took place around 9:45 p.m., Saturday, April 10 in Sullivan County at 2642 State Route 52 in Liberty. At the scene, deputies found 60-year-old Dennis Toscano dead on the shoulder of the highway, Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff said. An investigation revealed that Toscano was unloading…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Details Emerge On Would-Be Dad Killed In Gender Reveal Explosion Details Emerge On Would-Be Dad Killed In Gender Reveal Explosion
Details Emerge On Would-Be Dad Killed In Gender Reveal Explosion An upstate New York father-to-be who died while assembling a gender reveal device for a celebration was known for being very mechanically inclined and "could fix anything." Christopher Pekny, age 28, of the town of Liberty in Sullivan County on the edge of the border of the Catskills and the Hudson Valley, was killed around 11:55 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 21, at a residence on the Lt. JG Brender Highway, said Trooper Steve Nevel of the New York State Police. An investigation revealed that Christopher Pekny was building a device to be used at a child gender reveal party when it exploded, killing hi…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
28-Year-Old Killed, Brother Injured While Building Gender Reveal Explosive For Party In Area 28-Year-Old Killed, Brother Injured While Building Gender Reveal Explosive For Party In Area
28-Year-Old Killed, Brother Injured While Building Gender Reveal Explosive For Party In Area Click here for an updated story: Details Emerge On Would-Be Dad Killed In Gender Reveal Explosion A Hudson Valley man planning his child's gender reveal party was killed and his brother seriously injured while building an explosive device to be used during the celebration. Christopher Pekny, age 28, of the town of Liberty in Sullivan County, was killed around 11:55 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 21, at a residence on the Lt. JG Brender Highway, said Trooper Steve Nevel of the New York State Police. An investigation revealed that Christopher Pekny was building a device to be used at a child gende…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
COVID-19: These Hudson Valley School Districts Had Most Cases This Fall COVID-19: These Hudson Valley School Districts Had Most Cases This Fall
Covid-19: These Hudson Valley School Districts Had Most Cases This Fall With students set to return to the classroom - whether fully in-person or partially remote - this week, school districts will once again come face to face with the COVID-19 pandemic they battled for four months. In New York, the state has been monitoring school districts’ progress in combating the virus, posting daily data updates on how many teachers, staff members, and students have tested positive for COVID-19 since classes resumed in September. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the state launched the New York State COVID-19 Schools “Report Card,” which requires districts to send data to the Depart…

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by Zak Failla
News
Mount Vernon Man Charged For 2017 Slaying Of 47-Year-Old Mount Vernon Man Charged For 2017 Slaying Of 47-Year-Old
Mount Vernon Man Charged For 2017 Slaying Of 47-Year-Old A suspect from Westchester County has been charged for a 2017 slaying in Sullivan County. Naheem Liles, 22, of Mount Vernon has been charged with felony second-degree murder in connection with the Sept. 30, 2017 shooting death of Shaun Chadwick, 47, of Liberty.  Liles was arrested on Thursday, June 4 in New York City by officers from the Monticello Police Department, Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office and New York State Police. Police say Liles, acting in concert with another person, shot Chadwick in the area of Holmes Street and Wood Avenue in the Village of Monticello. An i…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Westchester Man Charged With DWI In State Police Stop Westchester Man Charged With DWI In State Police Stop
Westchester Man Charged With DWI In State Police Stop More than a dozen motorists in the Hudson Valley were arrested by New York State Police troopers for alleged impaired driving in the area. Area residents charged include:  Westchester County On Sunday, Sept. 29, State Police troopers in Liberty arrested Gerardo Casarella, 56 of Hartsdale, for DWI. He was traveling on State Route 17 in the town of Thompson when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol and was subsequently arrested. Dutchess County On Saturday, Sept. 28, State Police troopers in Kingston arrested H…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Former Trooper In Area Dies From Injuries Suffered In Crash Former Trooper In Area Dies From Injuries Suffered In Crash
Former Trooper In Area Dies From Injuries Suffered In Crash A New York State Trooper who began his career at the Middletown and Liberty state police barracks was killed in a motor vehicle crash when he was rear-ended by a box truck. Trooper Jeremy J. VanNostrand, 36, was killed around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday when reporting to work at the State Police barracks in Fonda when he was involved in the crash, announced New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II.  The crash occurred while VanNostrand was stopped in the westbound lane of State Highway 5S waiting to turn into the station in his personal vehicle when he was rear-ende…

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by Kathy Reakes