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Why Did The Turtle Cross The Road? Animal Rescued On Area Highway Why Did The Turtle Cross The Road? Animal Rescued On Area Highway
Why Did The Turtle Cross The Road? Animal Rescued On Area Highway Officers rescued a snapping turtle after the animal attempted to cross a busy highway in the Hudson Valley. The turtle attempted to cross a highway in the Orange County town of Tuxedo on Sunday, May 29, according to The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement. The DEC said officers Lovgren and Schuck facilitated the turtle's safe crossing of the road and returned it to the Ramapo River. The DEC added that snapping turtles often avoid confrontation, and they snap at things they find threatening. Observers are urged to maintain a safe…

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by Nicole Valinote
Lifestyle
Uptick In Coyote Sightings Now Being Reported In Region Uptick In Coyote Sightings Now Being Reported In Region
Uptick In Coyote Sightings Now Being Reported In Region Coyote sightings have been on the rise in the Hudson Valley, prompting some pet-owners to be on high alert as they seek to protect their furry friends. For coyotes, February marks the beginning of mating season, which lasts between four and six weeks, peaking late in the month and early in March, according to animal experts, who noted that it varies year-to-year depending on weather, prey, quantity, and other mitigating factors. Researchers said that the season begins with mating, followed by pup raising, and then dispersal, leading to the rise in sightings in recent weeks. Related story…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
New Bear Sighting Reported In Hudson Valley New Bear Sighting Reported In Hudson Valley
New Bear Sighting Reported In Hudson Valley Another bear sighting was reported in the Hudson Valley, this time from an area resident who spotted the animal enjoying a morning snack. A Dutchess County resident reported that the bear was on his property in Hyde Park early on Wednesday, June 30, where he was caught snacking on bird seed that had fallen out of a feeder on his Brower Boulevard home. Related story - Bear Spotted At Northern Westchester Condo Complex Before Climbing Fence Toward Woods After breakfast, the bear moseyed off without any incident, while the resident notified the Hyde Park Police Department about the sight…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Police Issue Alert After Coyote Sighting In Westchester Police Issue Alert After Coyote Sighting In Westchester
Police Issue Alert After Coyote Sighting In Westchester A coyote warning has been issued in a Westchester town following a recent rash of sightings in the area. While noting that seeing a coyote in Rye is not an unusual thing, the local police department issued an alert to the community advising them to take common-sense precautions to ensure that man and animal can peacefully coexist. Officials said that homeowners should never approach or feed a coyote, and if one approaches, it is suggested one is aggressive making loud noises and forceful behavior to scare away the coyote.  The DEC has also issued a series of tips to reduce the risk of…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Teen Swimmer Goes Missing In Hudson River Teen Swimmer Goes Missing In Hudson River
Teen Swimmer Goes Missing In Hudson River A massive search for an 18-year-old teen who was reportedly seen in the Hudson River yelling for help failed to find the man. The incident took place around 3:20 p.m., Monday, March 9, when the City of Poughkeepsie Police received multiple 911 calls about a male drowning in the river, said Det. Lt. Matt Clark. Police said on Monday the area of the search was behind the pavilion at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum. Responding officers were told by several people at the scene they had seen a man in the river yelling for help, who then disappeared underwater, Clark said. The man reportedly s…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
These Hudson Valley Towns Rank Among Highest In State For Most Black Bears Taken In 2018 These Hudson Valley Towns Rank Among Highest In State For Most Black Bears Taken In 2018
These Hudson Valley Towns Rank Among Highest In State For Most Black Bears Taken In 2018 Hunters in the Hudson Valley were among the most proficient in taking bears, according to the DEC’s Black Bear Harvest summary. During the 2018-2019 hunting season, New Yorkers hunted down 1,295 black bears statewide, a decrease of 125 from the previous year. Of the bears that were hunted, 349 were killed by bow, 66 were killed by a muzzleloader and 11 were taken by youth hunters. In the Southern Zone, 804 bears were killed, 60 percent of which were male, and 491 bears were killed in the Northern Zone. In Dutchess, a total of 16 bears were killed in Amenia, Dover, Northeast, Pawling, Stanf…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Plastic Bag Ban, Congestion Pricing, Mansion Tax: Here Are Highlights Of New $175B State Budget Plastic Bag Ban, Congestion Pricing, Mansion Tax: Here Are Highlights Of New $175B State Budget
Plastic Bag Ban, Congestion Pricing, Mansion Tax: Here Are Highlights Of New $175B State Budget Congestion pricing for motorists in Manhattan, a plastic bag ban and a new “mansion tax” are coming to New York. New York lawmakers worked late into Sunday night, March 31 before finally approving Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $175.5 billion state spending plan early on Monday morning, April 1. The budget calls for a ban on single-use plastic bags, will charge motorists driving below 60th Street in Manhattan a fee and ad the “mansion tax,” which is a one-time fee for some of the state’s wealthiest residents and is expected to bring in approximately $365 million. Much of the additional revenue being …

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by Zak Failla
News
New Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags Underway In New York New Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags Underway In New York
New Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags Underway In New York In an effort to “combat litter, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment for future generations,” New York is banning single-use plastic bags and is expanding the bottle bill to include most non-alcoholic containers. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week that a bottle bill expansion and a plastic bag ban will be included in the 2019 Executive Budget. The expansion on the bottle bill will make most non-alcoholic drink containers eligible for five-cent redemption. The expansion on the bottle bill will include sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit and vegetable b…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
They're Everywhere: Coyote 'Taken Into Custody' By NYPD They're Everywhere: Coyote 'Taken Into Custody' By NYPD
They're Everywhere: Coyote 'Taken Into Custody' By Nypd Following numerous reported sightings in and around the suburbs of New York City, NYPD officers were called to duty and able to corral a so-called “vicious animal” that was on the loose. Members of the New York Police Department received a report early on Sunday morning, Dec. 23 of the “vicious animal,” prompting the response. Police said that first responders were able to barricade the coyote on Pier 59 in Chelsea with barriers and the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit was able to safely tranquilize it. Once subdued, police were able to transport the coyote to the Brooklyn Animal Shelter with…

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by Zak Failla
News
State Warns Hudson Valley Residents 'Free Dirt' Might Actually Be Contaminated State Warns Hudson Valley Residents 'Free Dirt' Might Actually Be Contaminated
State Warns Hudson Valley Residents 'Free Dirt' Might Actually Be Contaminated The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is warning Hudson Valley residents to be cautious when offered free fill material for use to level or grade their properties.  The Buffalo News reported that radioactive waste had been discovered in fill near the entrance to Niagara Falls State Park, in this article.  State officials confirmed to the Buffalo News that tests by the DEC found low levels of radioactivity, along with petroleum waste and traces of benzopyrene, a cancer-causing chemical found in coal tar, cigarette smoke and vehicle exhaust. There are only two tiny signs m…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Coyote Sighting Reported Near Congers Elementary School Coyote Sighting Reported Near Congers Elementary School
Coyote Sighting Reported Near Congers Elementary School Residents have been cautioned to be on high alert after a coyote was spotted at the Lakewood Elementary School in Congers. The Clarkstown Police Department issued an alert this week following the spotting, cautioning that “coyotes are wild animals and (one) should never approach them.” No children were near the animal at the time of the sighting, and it was dispatched without incident. According to officials, “with the onset of warmer weather, many of New York's resident coyotes will set up dens for pups that will arrive this spring. Coyotes are well adapted to suburban and even some urban …

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by Zak Failla