Daily Voice Readers’ Choice

Accepting Votes Now Through Friday, December 20th

CEO Murder: UnitedHealthcare Parent Company Chief Calls For Change CEO Murder: UnitedHealthcare Parent Company Chief Calls For Change
CEO Murder: UnitedHealthcare Parent Company Chief Calls For Change The head of UnitedHealth Group is calling for change in the healthcare industry after the targeted killing of the CEO of one of its two subsidiaries. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down outside the Midtown Hilton Hotel in Manhattan at around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. On Monday, Dec. 9, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the case. At the time of his arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Mangione was found to be in possession of a three-page manifesto critical of healthcare companies. He condemned UnitedHealthcare's increasing ma…
Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA
Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA The senators representing New York and New Jersey are demanding answers about the drones that have been spotted flying in the skies of New York and New Jersey this past month. New York Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, all Democrats, wrote a letter on Thursday, Dec. 12 to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FAA Director Michael Whitaker demanding an immediate briefing on what they are doing to address the issue. "We are...especially concerned about how these drones may …
Violent Stabbing Near High School In Region Leads to Multiple Arrests Violent Stabbing Near High School In Region Leads to Multiple Arrests
Violent Stabbing Near High School In Region Leads to Multiple Arrests A 16-year-old boy is in critical but stable condition after being stabbed multiple times near his high school in the region. The incident occurred on Buckley Street around 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, in Sullivan County's village of Liberty. According to Liberty Police Chief Steven D'Agata, officers responded to Liberty High School after the injured teen had entered school grounds seeking help after being stabbed.  School Resource Officers applied a tourniquet to stop severe bleeding from multiple stab wounds, D'Agata said. The teen was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center in Vaha…
Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Hudson Valley's Best! Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Hudson Valley's Best!
Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Hudson Valley's Best! Hudson Valley, it’s time to show some love for your favorite local businesses! Daily Voice has officially launched the voting phase of its inaugural Readers’ Choice competition, and the power is in your hands to crown the best of the best. Our readers submitted nominations earlier this fall, and now the top contenders are ready for your votes. With over 80 categories spanning six major groups, this is your chance to celebrate the local gems that make Hudson Valley a vibrant place to live, work, and play. From the tastiest eats to top-notch services, your vote can help highlight the business…
Cold Air Mass Will Be Followed By Separate Precipitation Chances: Here's Timing Cold Air Mass Will Be Followed By Separate Precipitation Chances: Here's Timing
Cold Air Mass Will Be Followed By Separate Precipitation Chances: Here's Timing A cold air mass that will linger into the start of the weekend will be followed by an active weather pattern that bring multiple rounds of precipitation. Both Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14 will be brisk and dry. (See the first image above from AccuWeather.) The first round of precipitation will come on Sunday, Dec. 15. Most locations will see rain either during the day or at night, according to the National Weather Service. Areas in the interior Northeast could see up to 3 inches of snowfall and icy conditions from the system that will linger into Monday, Dec. 16. (Click on the se…
Cold Moon Will Light Up Night Sky: Here's When Cold Moon Will Light Up Night Sky: Here's When
Cold Moon Will Light Up Night Sky: Here's When Skywatchers are in for a treat as the Cold Moon, December’s full moon, illuminates the night sky.  Known as the Cold Moon for its association with the chilly winter season, this celestial event will be visible at its peak Sunday morning, Dec. 15, passing opposite the sun at 4:02 a.m. Eastern time, according to NASA. But that's not the only time to keep an eye on the sky. The moon will appear full for about three days from Friday evening, Dec. 13 through Monday morning, Dec. 16, NASA says, calling it "a full moon weekend." The Cold Moon rises just after sunset and will remain vis…
'Heinous, Dehumanizing:' Twin NYC Luxury Realtors Face Federal Sex Trafficking Charges 'Heinous, Dehumanizing:' Twin NYC Luxury Realtors Face Federal Sex Trafficking Charges
'Heinous, Dehumanizing:' Twin NYC Luxury Realtors Face Federal Sex Trafficking Charges Three luxury real estate agents and brothers known for operating in the New York City area are accused of drugging and raping numerous women dating back over a decade. Brothers Oren and Tal Alexander, founders of the real estate firm Official, and their brother Alon are charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking, according to a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York on Wednesday, Dec. 11. “The charges outlined in this indictment reflect some of the most heinous and dehumanizing crimes of sexual exploitation that our NYPD detectives investigate," NYPD Commissioner Jessica …
Luxury French Department Store Set To Open First US Location in NY Luxury French Department Store Set To Open First US Location in NY
Luxury French Department Store Set To Open First US Location in NY A touch of Parisian luxury will soon be arriving in America. Printemps, the iconic French department store, is prepares to open its first US location in the spring of 2025.  The new store, which will be located in Manhattan, will occupy 55,000 square feet within the historic One Wall Street building in the Financial District, blending classic architecture with modern elegance. Founded in 1865, Printemps is celebrated for its high-end fashion, beauty, and lifestyle offerings.  The Manhattan location aims to capture the spirit of its flagship Paris store, showcasing a carefully cu…
Shake Shack Offers Free Burgers With Purchase During Holiday Promotion Shake Shack Offers Free Burgers With Purchase During Holiday Promotion
Shake Shack Offers Free Burgers With Purchase During Holiday Promotion Shake Shack is launching a limited-time promotion offering free burgers with a qualifying purchase during the holiday season.  The “Holiday Burger Blitz” will run from Monday, Dec. 16, to Tuesday, Dec. 24, providing customers with a free burger each day when they spend a minimum of $10 and use the code BURGERBLITZ at checkout. The promotion features a different burger each day, including popular items like the ShackBurger, SmokeShack, and Avocado Bacon Burger. The schedule for the free offerings is as follows: Monday, Dec. 16: ShackBurger Tuesday, Dec. 17: SmokeShack Wednesday, Dec. …
Keeping Your Sugar Levels In Check Keeping Your Sugar Levels In Check
Keeping Your Sugar Levels In Check With the holiday season underway, it’s safe to say that many of us indulge in a little more sugar than usual at this time of year. Being responsible with sugar intake is important, as many of us may be prediabetic or at risk of prediabetes without knowing. Let’s talk a little bit about what prediabetes is, its causes and risk factors, and how to prevent and treat it. Sun River Health What is Prediabetes? Prediabetes is a pre-diagnosis or “warning sign” of diabetes. It happens when your blood glucose (sugar) level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. B…
Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System
Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System Hackers have found a hole in Krispy Kreme's online ordering system, leaving some customers temporarily unable to place digital orders for their favorite donuts.  The company has confirmed the incident and stated that its technical team is actively working to resolve the issue. Krispy Kreme reported that the breach influenced its web-based platforms but did not affect in-store operations or the safety of customers' personal data.  The attack was first discovered at the end of November, the company said in a filing with Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Krispy Kreme said it "i…
I-684 Reopens After Fatal Plane Crash In Westchester, Pilot Had Reported Engine Issues: FAA I-684 Reopens After Fatal Plane Crash In Westchester, Pilot Had Reported Engine Issues: FAA
I-684 Reopens After Fatal Plane Crash In Westchester, Pilot Had Reported Engine Issues: FAA One person was killed and another survived a small plane crash along I-684 in Westchester, NY, on Thursday night, Dec. 12, New York State Police confirmed. The FAA said that the pilot of the single-engine Tecnam P-2008 had reported engine issues before crashing around 7:15 p.m. The crash occurred near Exit 2 in Harrison, according to a statement from NYSP. Flight data shows that the plane departed from Linden, NJ. Multiple Jewish news outlets including the Monsey Scoop identified the person killed as 32-year-old Yankel (Yaacov) Friedman, of Monsey. Law enforcement officials h…
Husband Killed By Wife In Oceanfront High-Rise Murder-Suicide Was From Hudson Valley Husband Killed By Wife In Oceanfront High-Rise Murder-Suicide Was From Hudson Valley
Husband Killed By Wife In Oceanfront High-Rise Murder-Suicide Was From Hudson Valley A 34-year-old man shot dead by his wife in a murder-suicide at a high-rise luxury condo in Florida hailed from Westchester.  Yonkers resident Pajtim Krasniqi was fatally shot by 27-year-old Sabrina Krasniqi at the Beach Club II Hallandale at 1830 South Ocean Dr. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 around 12:30 a.m., according to a report by NBC6 South Florida.  Once officers arrived at the shooting scene, they also discovered that Sabrina Krasniqi had died as well. An investigation determined Sabrina had fatally shot Pajtim several times before turning the gun on h…
Victim Stabbed During Student-Involved Fight Outside Hudson Valley HS Victim Stabbed During Student-Involved Fight Outside Hudson Valley HS
Victim Stabbed During Student-Involved Fight Outside Hudson Valley HS At least one person was injured during a student-involved fight and stabbing mere steps from a Hudson Valley high school. The Sullivan County incident happened in the town of Liberty, just outside Liberty High School, at the end of the school day on Thursday, Dec. 12. A fight broke out between a group of Liberty students and others who are not students, and at some point one of the non-students was stabbed, the Liberty Central School District said in a letter to parents. The victim ran to the campus and sought medical attention, and a medevac helicopter landed on the school’s football fiel…
Woman, 26, Killed In Fiery I-87 Wreck Probed As Hit-Run Crash: NYSP Woman, 26, Killed In Fiery I-87 Wreck Probed As Hit-Run Crash: NYSP
Woman, 26, Killed In Fiery I-87 Wreck Probed As Hit-Run Crash: Nysp State Police believe a 26-year-old woman found dead on the side of I-87 after a fiery crash in the region is the victim of a hit-and-run. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, near Exit 21 in Catskill, Greene County. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2014 Subaru was traveling southbound when it left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck the median, Trooper Jennifer Alvarez said. The driver, Sara Llorens, age 26, of Burlington, VT, got out of the vehicle before it became engulfed in flames. Llorens was found dead on the northbound shoulder of I-87,…
Sudden Death Of Boy, 9, Spreads Sadness In Rockland County: 'Pure Loving Energy' Sudden Death Of Boy, 9, Spreads Sadness In Rockland County: 'Pure Loving Energy'
Sudden Death Of Boy, 9, Spreads Sadness In Rockland County: 'Pure Loving Energy' Shock and sadness spread through Rockland County following the death of a 9-year-old boy. Ocean Torres was a "pure loving energy" before he lost his life over Thanksgiving, according to his obituary on the George M. Holt Funeral Home website. He died Saturday, Nov. 30. News12 said Ocean died of a medical emergency and was a student at Farley Elementary School in Stony Point. "At just nine years old, he had this incredible way of making everyone around him feel special and loved," his obituary reads. "Every single night, Ocean would make sure his siblings - Castiel, Delinda, and his tw…
Police Ramp-Up Patrols After Series Of Car Break-Ins In Rockland County Police Ramp-Up Patrols After Series Of Car Break-Ins In Rockland County
Police Ramp-Up Patrols After Series Of Car Break-Ins In Rockland County Police have ramped up patrols after a series of car break-ins in the Hudson Valley over the weekend. The incidents occurred in the Airmont area during the early morning hours of Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, said Det. Sgt. Michael Higgins with the Ramapo Police. Higgins said there had been seven victims and several other attempted larcenies from locked vehicles. "The majority of the victims had left their vehicles unlocked," Higgins said. Police are reviewing security cameras in the area to identify the suspects involved. Residents are reminded to lock vehicles and remove all v…
Man On Tracks Hit, Injured By Passing Train In Rockland County Man On Tracks Hit, Injured By Passing Train In Rockland County
Man On Tracks Hit, Injured By Passing Train In Rockland County A man walking along the train tracks in Rockland County was struck on the shoulder by an NJ Transit passenger train as he jumped out of the way. Dave Steckel of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the incident occurred in Nanuet around 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, as the train on the Pascack Valley Line passed the unidentified man. The train had just department Spring Valley and was due to arrive in Hoboken, New Jersey, at 1:30 p.m., when it struck the man west of Clarkstown Road. "The extent of the injuries is unknown at this time," Steckel added. There were no reported i…
Rockland County Man Admits Sexual Abuse Of 2 Young Girls For Years Rockland County Man Admits Sexual Abuse Of 2 Young Girls For Years
Rockland County Man Admits Sexual Abuse Of 2 Young Girls For Years A Hudson Valley man pled guilty to the repeated sexual abuse of a child under the age of 13 just minutes before a pre-trial hearing was to begin. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh II announced that Fresnel Paul, age 60, of Spring Valley, made the plea on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Beginning in 2018, Paul routinely sexually abused a girl in the Village of Spring Valley. The repeated sexual abuse consisted of sexual intercourse, Walsh said. In addition, Paul also sexually abused a girl under the age of 11, officials said.  “The actions of the defendant in this ca…
GM Axes Robotaxis, Refocuses On Personal Cars GM Axes Robotaxis, Refocuses On Personal Cars
GM Axes Robotaxis, Refocuses On Personal Cars General Motors (GM) has announced a major shift in its autonomous vehicle strategy, discontinuing the development of robotaxis through its subsidiary Cruise LLC.  The company will instead focus on integrating autonomous and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) into personal vehicles. The decision, announced this week, comes as GM evaluates the time, costs, and competitive challenges associated with scaling a robotaxi business.  “GM is committed to delivering the best driving experiences to our customers in a disciplined and capital-efficient manner,” said Mary Barra, GM Chai…
Shoplifting Costs Retailers Billions: These Are Most Frequently Stolen Items Shoplifting Costs Retailers Billions: These Are Most Frequently Stolen Items
Shoplifting Costs Retailers Billions: These Are Most Frequently Stolen Items Shoplifting in the US is a costly epidemic, with retailers losing over $120 billion last year. The trend focuses on easily concealed, high-demand products at major retailers like Walmart and Target, posing a nationwide challenge for store owners and law enforcement. Electronics, health and beauty products, and food items are among the most commonly stolen goods, Capital One Shopping reports.  Small gadgets such as headphones and phone chargers, alongside over-the-counter medications and cosmetics, are frequent targets.  Alcohol, baby formula, and packaged meats are also popular …
Winning Numbers For Wednesday, Dec. 11 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $30M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Wednesday, Dec. 11 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $30M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Wednesday, Dec. 11 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $30M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Wednesday, Dec. 11 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $30 million with a $14.7 million cash option. If no winner wins the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 with a $45 million jackpot. The winning numbers for Wednesday's drawing were 13-44-50-52-54 with a Powerball of 20 and the Power Play was 2X. Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot by matching all five balls plus the Powerball, according to officials. Pri…
ChatGPT Goes Down, X Users Coming In Hot With Memes ChatGPT Goes Down, X Users Coming In Hot With Memes
ChatGPT Goes Down, X Users Coming In Hot With Memes Hours after a Meta outage left Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users in the dark, ChatGPT seems to be following suit. Users of the AI website began experiencing technical difficulties sometime around 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. A message on the website as of 9:20 p.m. reads: "ChatGPT is currently unavailable. Status: Identified - We have identified the issue and are working to roll out a fix." Naturally, X users had a field day. #ChatGPT is down. Looks like everyone will have to finish their assignments the old fashioned way. pic.twitter.com/68xVq9DNf8 — Xon Kurama (@XonKurama) D…
Ousted NY CEO Dodges $12K In Losses Trading On Insider Info, Feds Say Ousted NY CEO Dodges $12K In Losses Trading On Insider Info, Feds Say
Ousted NY CEO Dodges $12K In Losses Trading On Insider Info, Feds Say The former CEO of a New York telecommunications company is accused of engaging in insider trading just hours after he was fired, dodging thousands in losses. Ken Peterman, 67, was arrested Wednesday, Dec. 11, on federal charges of insider trading and securities fraud. Prosecutors said Peterman exploited non-public information about Melville-based Comtech Telecommunications’ poor financial performance and his impending termination to sell company shares, avoiding significant financial losses. According to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), he violated two trading blackouts whe…
Stunning $3.3M Cottage Relisted in Region Offers Luxurious Retreat Stunning $3.3M Cottage Relisted in Region Offers Luxurious Retreat
Stunning $3.3M Cottage Relisted in Region Offers Luxurious Retreat Nestled on 130 acres in the heart of Columbia County in Claverack, the Normandy-style estate, designed and renovated by a popular local artist, boasts architectural elegance and sweeping woodland views. It is now on the market for $3.3 million. Agent Chris Getman with Houlihan Lawrence said the recently relisted estate at 35 Harlemville offers a seamless blend of European sophistication and the ambiance of the upper Hudson Valley. The estate features a great room with expansive glass walls that provide uninterrupted views of the surrounding woodlands and a private swimming pond.  Each…
Just Released New iOS Update Brings AI, Custom Emoji Access To iPhones, iPads Just Released New iOS Update Brings AI, Custom Emoji Access To iPhones, iPads
Just Released New iOS Update Brings AI, Custom Emoji Access To iPhones, iPads Apple has unveiled new updates that bring advanced AI and emoji tools to its iPhone and iPad devices.  Released on Wednesday, Dec. 11, iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 expand Apple Intelligence with features like ChatGPT integration, custom emoji creation, and visual design tools. Key Updates ChatGPT Integration: Siri and Writing Tools now support ChatGPT for generating content, solving problems, and enhancing productivity. Privacy settings ensure user control over data. Image Playground: This tool allows users to design custom visuals by inputting text descriptions, wit…
Gotham Meets Hudson Valley: 'The Penguin' Filmed In Region Earns Golden Globe Nods Gotham Meets Hudson Valley: 'The Penguin' Filmed In Region Earns Golden Globe Nods
Gotham Meets Hudson Valley: 'The Penguin' Filmed In Region Earns Golden Globe Nods Westchester has another claim to Hollywood-related fame: several scenes for HBO's "The Penguin," which is now nominated for several Golden Globes, were filmed within the county.  The miniseries, a spinoff of the 2022 film "The Batman," was revealed to have been nominated for three Golden Globes on Monday, Dec. 9.  Several scenes for the show, which centers on iconic Batman villain The Penguin (otherwise known as Oswald "Oz" Cobb), were filmed within the city of Yonkers, parts of which were turned into "Gotham City," according to Mayor Mike Spano.  Some of these filming locat…
Ex-Abercrombie CEO Asks Judge To Rule On Mental Fitness Ahead Of Sex Trafficking Trial Ex-Abercrombie CEO Asks Judge To Rule On Mental Fitness Ahead Of Sex Trafficking Trial
Ex-Abercrombie CEO Asks Judge To Rule On Mental Fitness Ahead Of Sex Trafficking Trial Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries is hoping to delay his federal sex trafficking case. An attorney for the 80-year-old Jeffries filed a motion on Monday, Dec. 9, asking a Manhattan judge to schedule a hearing to determine whether Jeffries is mentally competent to stand trial. “[The motion] will be dealt with in court as, and when, appropriate – according to the judge,” Jeffries’ attorney, Brian Bieber, told Daily Voice. Federal prosecutors are expected to challenge the move, potentially delaying the case by months. An indictment unsealed in October accused Jeffries of pr…
Hudson Valley Company Hits Jackpot with $7 Million Cash4Life Win Hudson Valley Company Hits Jackpot with $7 Million Cash4Life Win
Hudson Valley Company Hits Jackpot with $7 Million Cash4Life Win Consultant Jidderbug, a Putnam County-based liability company, has struck it rich, claiming a life-changing $1,000-a-day-for-life top prize in the Cash4Life lottery game. New York Lottery officials said the company, located in Garrison, clinched the Cash4Life game's grand prize in the Sunday, August 18 drawing. The win guarantees a minimum payout of $7 million, but lottery officials said the company opted for a lump sum and received $4,557,000. The winning ticket was purchased at Smokes 4 Less in Orange County in Newburgh, sparking curiosity about whether the prize would be shared among em…
Police ID Man Killed In Late-Night Minivan Crash In Orange County Police ID Man Killed In Late-Night Minivan Crash In Orange County
Police ID Man Killed In Late-Night Minivan Crash In Orange County A Brooklyn man was killed late Tuesday night, Dec. 10 when his van veered off the road and struck an embankment in Monroe, authorities said. Ulugbek Yunussov, 62, was behind the wheel of a 2012 Chrysler van that left the roadway and struck an embankment on Larkin Drive around 11 p.m., NY State Police said. Yunussov was extricated from the vehicle as EMS began lifesaving measures. Yunussov was transported to Garnet Health Medical Center in serious condition but later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead, police said. The crash remains under investigation. Authorities …
Meta Outages: Thousands Experiencing Issues With Facebook, Instagram, Other Platforms Meta Outages: Thousands Experiencing Issues With Facebook, Instagram, Other Platforms
Meta Outages: Thousands Experiencing Issues With Facebook, Instagram, Other Platforms Tens of thousands of Meta users are experiencing outages across its platforms. Just before 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, there were numerous reports of outages on Downdetector.com, including 69,000 on Instagram, over 1,000 on Facebook, and 10,000 on WhatsApp. Meta issued a statement on the outages on X at around 1:45 p.m. "We’re aware that a technical issue is impacting some users’ ability to access our apps," the statement said. "We’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible and apologize for any inconvenience." We’re aware that a technical issue is impacting some use…