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Community Service

‘He Was Just Wonderful’: Tributes Pour In Following Death Of Longtime Teacher In Region ‘He Was Just Wonderful’: Tributes Pour In Following Death Of Longtime Teacher In Region
‘He Was Just Wonderful’: Tributes Pour In Following Death Of Longtime Teacher In Region 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…
Lifelong Firefighter, Hudson Valley Native Dies: 'His Legacy Will Undoubtedly Live On' Lifelong Firefighter, Hudson Valley Native Dies: 'His Legacy Will Undoubtedly Live On'
Lifelong Firefighter, Hudson Valley Native Dies: 'His Legacy Will Undoubtedly Live On' A Hudson Valley resident who spent decades protecting his community as a firefighter is being remembered for his selflessness and outgoing nature.  Putnam County resident Dennis Rotenberg of Garrison died on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the age of 71, according to his obituary.  Born in the Northern Westchester city of Peekskill in 1952, Rotenberg attended Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak and went on to work with City Carting of Westchester for three decades.  After moving to Garrison, he joined the Garrison Volunteer Fire Company in May 1985 and served as a firefighter f…
Former Dutchess Fire Chief, Owner Of Catering Business Dies At 70 Former Dutchess Fire Chief, Owner Of Catering Business Dies At 70
Former Dutchess Fire Chief, Owner Of Catering Business Dies At 70 A popular lifelong Hudson Valley former fire chief and catering business owner known for his love of cooking has died at the age of 70. Ulster County resident Michael B. Hackett, of Highland, passed away on Monday, Jan. 15. He was born on Sunday, June 7, 1953, in Poughkeepsie, to the late Francis and the late Rita (McGrath) Hackett, according to his obituary.  He was a resident all of his life. He was a graduate of Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls and a member of St. Martin de Porres Church in Poughkeepsie, his obituary said,  Retired from Geodis/IBM of Poughkeepsie…
Beloved Hudson Valley Firefighter Dies Years After Collapsing At Residential Blaze Beloved Hudson Valley Firefighter Dies Years After Collapsing At Residential Blaze
Beloved Hudson Valley Firefighter Dies Years After Collapsing At Residential Blaze A city in Westchester is mourning the loss of a beloved firefighter who is being celebrated for his bravery and dedication to his community.  Mount Vernon Firefighter Lamont “Wise” Killian, Jr., died from heart-related issues on Monday, Dec. 11 at the age of 51, city officials announced.  According to the US Fire Administration, Killian had been off-duty since collapsing at the scene of a residential fire on June 22, 2019, when he suffered a heart attack.  Killian's city is now remembering him as someone who was always prepared to help people.  "Your bravery …
Police Detective In Region Who Died At Age 37 Remembered For 'Unwavering Commitment' Police Detective In Region Who Died At Age 37 Remembered For 'Unwavering Commitment'
Police Detective In Region Who Died At Age 37 Remembered For 'Unwavering Commitment' Colleagues and loved ones are mourning the sudden loss of a police officer from the region being remembered for his commitment to the community. Albany Police Detective Conor O’Shea died Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the age of 37, according to his obituary. A cause of death was not given. Born in Albany, O’Shea grew up in the hamlet of Slingerlands and attended Bethlehem Central Schools, where he fell in love with hockey, his obituary said. “He forged many lasting relationships with teammates and coaches in local youth hockey organizations,” reads his memorial. “As a goalie, Con stopped many…
Popular Realtor, Youth Sports Coach From Putnam County Dies At Age 66 Popular Realtor, Youth Sports Coach From Putnam County Dies At Age 66
Popular Realtor, Youth Sports Coach From Putnam County Dies At Age 66 An award-winning Hudson Valley real estate broker who lived in Northern Westchester is being remembered for the impressive services he provided to his community as well as his dedication to coaching young athletes in several sports leagues.  Yorktown Heights resident and prominent real estate broker John Kincart died on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the age of 66 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to his obituary.  Kincart was known for his professional career in real estate, becoming the number-one agent for the firm Houlihan Lawrence in both the Yorktown School District since…
Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Hudson Valley Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Hudson Valley Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community
Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Hudson Valley Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community Students at two Westchester schools were treated to a visit from the grandson of famed activist and politician Nelson Mandela, who encouraged them to take some time to give back to their communities and stand up for others.  Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, visited the Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School and Mount Vernon High School on Tuesday, Nov. 21, Mount Vernon City School District officials announced. During his visits to the schools, Mandela discussed his grandfather's legacy and his activism efforts and also participated…
'Time Is Not On Our Side': Beloved Restaurateur In Region Seeking Kidney Donor 'Time Is Not On Our Side': Beloved Restaurateur In Region Seeking Kidney Donor
'Time Is Not On Our Side': Beloved Restaurateur In Region Seeking Kidney Donor A beloved chef and restaurateur known for giving back to the community is now turning to that same community in desperate need of help. Chef Yono Purnomo, founder of Yono’s Indonesian restaurant in Albany, suffers from kidney failure that has progressed to end stage renal failure. In early October, doctors told him he would need a live kidney donation. “It hit us both like a ton of bricks,” Yono’s wife Donna said on a Facebook page dedicated to the cause. “We knew based on his declining kidney function over the past few years that dialysis would become a life-saving necessity. We didn’t…
Business Owner From Hudson Valley Dies At 58: 'Giving, Thoughtful Soul' Business Owner From Hudson Valley Dies At 58: 'Giving, Thoughtful Soul'
Business Owner From Hudson Valley Dies At 58: 'Giving, Thoughtful Soul' A Northern Westchester man who grew his family business into an award-winning enterprise is being remembered for his willingness to give back to both his loved ones and his community. Eugene “Bud” Hammer III of Katonah died on Tuesday, June 13 at the age of 58 after a brave battle against leukemia, according to his obituary. Born in White Plains in 1964, Hammer graduated from Pace University with a bachelor's of business administration in Marketing before going on to begin a career with Atlantic Westchester, Inc., a Bedford Hills-based heating, ventilation, and air conditioning business tha…
Hudson Valley Woman Killed In Crash Remembered For 'Genuine Interest In Other People' Hudson Valley Woman Killed In Crash Remembered For 'Genuine Interest In Other People'
Hudson Valley Woman Killed In Crash Remembered For 'Genuine Interest In Other People' A well-known Westchester County woman killed in a crash is being remembered for her "genuine interest in other people" and for her love of the community where she was born. Christine Kenney O’Rourke, age 70, died tragically on Sunday, June 11 near her Yonkers home when she was struck by a car driven by a White Plains woman while on one of her daily walks. Since her death, her family has received an outpouring of support from the community and the many people she held dear. Born in Yonkers, Chris’ love for her hometown was deep and abundant, according to her obituary. She attended Sacred H…
Former Volunteer Firefighter In Region Who 'Always Put Others Before Herself' Dies At Age 85 Former Volunteer Firefighter In Region Who 'Always Put Others Before Herself' Dies At Age 85
Former Volunteer Firefighter In Region Who 'Always Put Others Before Herself' Dies At Age 85 Friends and loved ones are mourning the loss of a former firefighter in the region with a history of serving her community. Saratoga County’s Carole McBride, of the Town of Halfmoon, died Friday, Dec. 23, at the age of 85, according to her obituary. A cause of death was not given. Born in Troy on Feb. 26, 1937 to parents Hubert and Helen Muckle, “she was known for her warm and welcoming personality, always putting others before herself, and going out of the way to help those in need,” reads her memorial. McBride volunteered in the Clifton Park Halfmoon Emergency Corps, where she rose to t…
'Most Difficult News': Police Department In Hudson Valley Mourns Death Of Officer 'Most Difficult News': Police Department In Hudson Valley Mourns Death Of Officer
'Most Difficult News': Police Department In Hudson Valley Mourns Death Of Officer A police department in Northern Westchester is mourning the sudden loss of one of its own.  Gregory Jones, an officer with the Peekskill Police Department, died on Thursday, Nov. 24 at the age of 48, according to his obituary.  A native of Orange County, Jones was born and raised in Middletown and earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill before beginning his law enforcement career with the Orange County Sheriff's Office, his obituary said.  Jones later transferred to the Peekskill Police Department, where he stayed for…
Doctor From Region Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns, Ordered To Pay $245,212 Doctor From Region Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns, Ordered To Pay $245,212
Doctor From Region Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns, Ordered To Pay $245,212 A New York doctor will avoid prison after admitting that he filed false tax returns. Albany County resident Ehab Kodsi, age 56, of Watervliet, was sentenced to pay $245,212 in restitution and pay an additional $25,000 fine Thursday, Nov. 3, in federal court in Albany. The sentence followed Kodsi’s guilty plea to filing a false tax return and admission that he deliberately underreported revenue from both his pain management company in Queensbury, in Warren County, and his real estate company between 2015 and 2018. He was also accused of improperly deducting personal and business expenses.…
'Kindhearted' Marine, Paramedic From Region Dies At Age 30 'Kindhearted' Marine, Paramedic From Region Dies At Age 30
'Kindhearted' Marine, Paramedic From Region Dies At Age 30 Colleagues and loved ones are mourning the loss of a man from the region with a history of serving his country and his community. Albany County resident Andrew Durand, of Guilderland, died Wednesday, Aug. 31, at the age of 30, according to his obituary. “Unfortunately approaching the one year anniversary of his father’s passing, Andy suffered a relapse and was airlifted from a local hospital to Albany Medical Center where he eventually passed,” reads a GoFundMe established to help his family with medical expenses. Born in Rostov-On-Don Russia on Dec. 29, 1991, Durand graduated from Guilder…
Beloved High School Teacher In Area Dies Suddenly At Age 64 Beloved High School Teacher In Area Dies Suddenly At Age 64
Beloved High School Teacher In Area Dies Suddenly At Age 64 A beloved teacher and longtime Hudson Valley resident has died at the age of 64. Dutchess County resident Michael Ambron, of Fishkill, died suddenly of heart failure at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie on Tuesday, July 26, according to his obituary. Ambron grew up in the Bronx, and he graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers. He went on to earn degrees from Manhattan College and Iona College, his obituary said. For 25 years, he worked for IBM in East Fishkill and Southbury, Connecticut, and he served as director of programming, according to his obituary.  In …
Man From Region Sentenced For Fraudulently Obtaining Over $400K For His Business Man From Region Sentenced For Fraudulently Obtaining Over $400K For His Business
Man From Region Sentenced For Fraudulently Obtaining Over $400K For His Business The former owner of a book-printing business in the Capital District will avoid prison after admitting that he defrauded a commercial finance company out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Rensselaer County resident John Paeglow, age 65, of Troy, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and 100 hours of community service Wednesday, July 20, in federal court in Albany after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud. Prosecutors said that between October and December 2014, Paeglow fraudulently solicited and received more than $400,000 for his business, Integrated Book Technology/Ha…
Woman Shot To Death In Region ID'd As Music Entrepreneur With 'Kind Heart' Woman Shot To Death In Region ID'd As Music Entrepreneur With 'Kind Heart'
Woman Shot To Death In Region ID'd As Music Entrepreneur With 'Kind Heart' Authorities have identified a 27-year-old Capital District woman who was fatally shot in broad daylight in Albany. Dominique Eley, of Albany, was found at around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, near North Pearl Street and Livingston Avenue, according to Albany Police. She had been shot multiple times in the torso, police said. Earlier report: Police Seek Tips After Woman Fatally Shot In Albany Medics treated Eley at the scene, but she was later pronounced dead at Albany Medical Center Hospital. So far police have made no arrests and are still working to determine what led up to the shooti…
Six Brand-New High School Grads In NY Rush To Battle Blaze After Getting Diplomas Six Brand-New High School Grads In NY Rush To Battle Blaze After Getting Diplomas
Six Brand-New High School Grads In NY Rush To Battle Blaze After Getting Diplomas Six brand-new high school graduates rushed to battle a fire shortly after receiving their diplomas. On Long Island, the Port Jefferson Fire Department announced that the department responded to a garage fire on Arlington Avenue in Port Jefferson shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 24. Officials said six of the responding firefighters had just completed their graduation from Port Jefferson High School. "In the midst of taking pictures with their families, they responded to the firehouse to handle the alarm," officials said. The fire department said no one was injured in the blaze, and …
Food Bank In Region Needs Food, Hygiene Products Food Bank In Region Needs Food, Hygiene Products
Food Bank In Region Needs Food, Hygiene Products An emergency food pantry in the Capital District is reaching out to the community for donations. In Saratoga County, Karl’s Kupboard in Halfmoon said the need for food and hygiene products in the community is great this time of year, when donations typically wind down after the holidays. As a result, the New York School Nutrition Association (NYSNA) is hosting a food and hygiene product donation drive all week on the pantry’s behalf, with the goal of collecting “10,000 by the tenth.” By that, they mean 10,000 pounds of food and $10,000 in donations. Online contributions are best, because …
Beloved Former High School Teacher, Coach In Hudson Valley Dies Beloved Former High School Teacher, Coach In Hudson Valley Dies
Beloved Former High School Teacher, Coach In Hudson Valley Dies A lifelong Hudson Valley resident who was a beloved high school coach, and teacher, as well as the chief of a local fire department, and a standout college athlete in Connecticut, has died. Northern Westchester resident Michael Repp, of Somers and formerly of Katonah, died on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at age 82 at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco.  He was born in Orange County on May 15th, 1939, in Cornwall, to the late Michael and Irene Repp. He was raised in Katonah, attended Saint Mary’s School in Katonah, and was a member of the first graduating class from John Jay High S…
Dutchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson Dies Dutchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson Dies
Dutchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson Dies This story has been updated. Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian "Butch" Anderson, who has led the department for more than 20 years, has died. Anderson, age 73, of Pawling, died in his sleep on Wednesday, Sept. 29, according to officials. Anderson, who started his career with the Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 1, 1970, as a deputy sheriff worked his way up the ladder and was elected sheriff in 1999 and took office in January 2000. “We are all deeply saddened by the passing of Sheriff Anderson," said Undersheriff Kirk Imperati. "This is a tremendous loss for all of us. "Sheriff Anderson f…
Body Of Ex-Hudson Valley Resident Recovered After Florida Condo Collapse Body Of Ex-Hudson Valley Resident Recovered After Florida Condo Collapse
Body Of Ex-Hudson Valley Resident Recovered After Florida Condo Collapse As the digging continues at the site of a condo collapse in Surfside, Florida, members of one family with New York connections announced their mother has been found dead. Judy Siegel, age 65, formerly of Plainview, in Nassau County, Southhampton, in Suffolk County, and Ardsley, in Westchester County, was recovered on Friday, July 9, by first responders working at the scene, her daughter Rachel Spiegel said on Instagram. "Today was one of the hardest days of our lives," Rachel wrote. "We were told by the Miami Dade Police Department that our mom, Judy Spiegel, was recovered on Friday, July …
Area College Student Charged With Rape Admits To Sexual Abuse, DA Says Area College Student Charged With Rape Admits To Sexual Abuse, DA Says
Area College Student Charged With Rape Admits To Sexual Abuse, DA Says A college student in the Hudson Valley who was charged with rape has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Anthony Pennachio, age 19, of Brooklyn, a student in Orange County at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, pleaded guilty to third-degree sexual abuse in connection with an alleged rape that occurred during a party at the college last February. According to Orange County District Attorney's Office Assistant District Attorney Christopher Borek, Pennachio was sentenced to 80 hours of community service, in addition to a final order of protection for the victim. "The defendan…
Man Sentenced For Distracted Driving Crash That Injured State Trooper Man Sentenced For Distracted Driving Crash That Injured State Trooper
Man Sentenced For Distracted Driving Crash That Injured State Trooper A Long Island man will avoid prison, but still spend time behind bars after admitting to distracted driving during a crash that left a New York State Police trooper “severely disabled” in a case that was prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. West Islip resident Jesse Cohen, 24, was sentenced to 30 days in jail, in addition to three years' probation and 1,000 hours of community service after he pleaded guilty to third-degree assault in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office recused themselves from the case due to a conflict…
Lori Loughlin, Designer Husband Sentenced For College Admissions Scam Lori Loughlin, Designer Husband Sentenced For College Admissions Scam
Lori Loughlin, Designer Husband Sentenced For College Admissions Scam Long Island native Lori Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, will spend time behind bars for paying bribes in the so-called "Operation Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal. Loughlin, the former “Full House” star, was sentenced to two months in prison on Friday, Aug. 21, while her husband was sentenced to five months for their roles in conspiring to pay a half-million-dollar bribe to get the couple’s two daughters into the University of Southern California. The two had been engaged in a legal battle over the "Operation Varsity Blues" college admissions scam for…