Man, 22, Drowns In NY State Park: Family Seeks Help Sending Him Back To Home Country Man, 22, Drowns In NY State Park: Family Seeks Help Sending Him Back To Home Country
Man, 22, Drowns In NY State Park: Family Seeks Help Sending Him Back To Home Country The family of a 22-year-old man who tragically drowned in an Orange County state park over the weekend is now seeking help from their community in sending him back to his home country as well as funeral expenses.  The incident happened in Orange County on Saturday, Aug. 16, when Darwin J. Chuiza-Tagua went hiking with a friend in the Turkey Hill area within Harriman State Park, located in the town of Highlands.  Around 11:35 a.m., he entered the water to cool off, quickly submerged, and did not resurface. Emergency crews recovered him about 20 feet from shore in 10 …
Decorated Vietnam Vet, TV Producer, Philanthropist From NY Dies At 75 Decorated Vietnam Vet, TV Producer, Philanthropist From NY Dies At 75
Decorated Vietnam Vet, TV Producer, Philanthropist From NY Dies At 75 A decorated Vietnam War veteran, award-winning television producer, and devoted philanthropist from the Hudson Valley is being remembered for leading a full life. Michael John Mancino Jr., a resident of Burnt Hills in Saratoga County who hailed from Monroe in Orange County, died at his home on Thursday, Aug. 7, at the age of 75, according to his obituary.  Born Nov. 5, 1949, to the late Michael and Patricia Mancino, he grew up in Monroe, graduating from Monroe-Woodbury High School in 1968, where he served as senior class vice president.  Drafted into the US Army in 1969, Man…
Longtime News Publisher In Westchester Dies At 53: Remembered For Decades Of Local Reporting Longtime News Publisher In Westchester Dies At 53: Remembered For Decades Of Local Reporting
Longtime News Publisher In Westchester Dies At 53: Remembered For Decades Of Local Reporting Westchester County is mourning the loss of a longtime news publisher whose coverage of local politics and community issues spanned more than two decades.  Delfim Heusler, publisher of the Yonkers Insider, died this week at the age of 53.  Born in 1971, he was known for keeping Yonkers and Westchester residents informed through his online publication, which frequently featured exclusive interviews with public officials, election coverage, and stories on issues affecting the community.  "Delfim was committed to keeping residents informed, providing consistent coverage of …
Active Officer Dies Suddenly After Medical Emergency In Westchester: Was 6-Year Veteran Active Officer Dies Suddenly After Medical Emergency In Westchester: Was 6-Year Veteran
Active Officer Dies Suddenly After Medical Emergency In Westchester: Was 6-Year Veteran A police department in Westchester County is mourning the sudden loss of one of its own.  Officer Pasquale “PJ” Barile, a six-year veteran of the White Plains Police Department, died on Monday night, Aug. 11, following a medical emergency, according to White Plains Police. Barile, who joined the department in July 2019, was most recently assigned to the Neighborhood Initiatives Unit.  Before becoming an officer, he worked as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor at UFC Gym from 2016 to 2019, according to his LinkedIn profile. “Our deepest condolences go out to the…
NY Legislator Killed In Plane Crash 'Passed Doing What He Loved,' Colleague Says NY Legislator Killed In Plane Crash 'Passed Doing What He Loved,' Colleague Says
NY Legislator Killed In Plane Crash 'Passed Doing What He Loved,' Colleague Says Tributes are flooding in for a New York county legislator who was killed in a small plane crash in Rhode Island that injured two others. Montgomery County Legislator Dan Wilson, 77, died Wednesday, July 30, when the single-engine Piper Cherokee Archer went down during a failed landing attempt at Block Island State Airport, colleagues and police confirmed. Two other passengers—an 87-year-old pilot from Mechanicville and a 77-year-old woman from Clifton Park—survived and were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, North Shoreham Police said. The plane, owned by the Condair Flyers F…
Navy Vet, Cemetery Caretaker Killed In NY UTV Crash 'Lived Life Marked By Strength, Service' Navy Vet, Cemetery Caretaker Killed In NY UTV Crash 'Lived Life Marked By Strength, Service'
Navy Vet, Cemetery Caretaker Killed In NY UTV Crash 'Lived Life Marked By Strength, Service' Carl Gray will be laid to rest in the same cemetery he spent years caring for. The 74-year-old retired Navy chief from Fort Plain died following a UTV crash in the Fulton County town of Ephratah on Thursday, July 24, according to New York State Police. Gray was operating the vehicle on Tilboro Road when he went off the south side of the roadway and struck a utility pole at around 9:20 p.m., police said. He was pronounced dead at Nathan Littauer Hospital. A Little Falls native, Gray graduated from Fort Plain High School before “proudly” serving in the US Navy for 24 years, retiring at the r…
Much-Loved Former Substitute Teacher Remembered In NY: 'Always Had Her Door Open' Much-Loved Former Substitute Teacher Remembered In NY: 'Always Had Her Door Open'
Much-Loved Former Substitute Teacher Remembered In NY: 'Always Had Her Door Open' The Dutchess County community and beyond are mourning the passing of a former substitute teacher, cherished matriarch, and beloved neighbor, who died after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.  Audrey Lillian Watson, a resident of Millerton, died on Sunday, July 20, at the age of 72, according to her obituary.  Watson, who once worked as a substitute teacher in the Webutuck School District, left a lasting impact on students, staff, and countless families throughout Dutchess County. Thought of as “Nanny” to many—not just her grandchildren—Watson was a warm, steady pre…
31-Year Former Police Chief Of Westchester Town Dies: 'Pillar Of Public Service' 31-Year Former Police Chief Of Westchester Town Dies: 'Pillar Of Public Service'
31-Year Former Police Chief Of Westchester Town Dies: 'Pillar Of Public Service' A town in Westchester is mourning the loss of its former police chief who helped protect the community for more than three decades.  Michael W. Driscoll, Sr., a well-known figure in local law enforcement and longtime chief of the Somers Police Department, died on Monday, July 21 at the age of 87, according to his obituary.  Chief Driscoll’s career in public service spanned more than five decades, including 31 years as chief in Somers and two decades with the New York City Police Department, where he earned recognition for his bravery, humility, and deep dedication to duty.&nb…
Successful Photographer, Advocate From Hudson Valley Dies At 56 Successful Photographer, Advocate From Hudson Valley Dies At 56
Successful Photographer, Advocate From Hudson Valley Dies At 56 An award-winning photographer and storyteller who hailed from Rockland County before moving to Israel later in life has died after a hard-fought battle with cancer.  Laura Ben-David, a native of Monsey who moved to Israel in 2002 and became a well-known voice for the Anglo-Israeli community, died on Thursday, July 17 at the age of 56, her husband Raphael M. Barishansky announced.  Ben-David had been the social media director at Nefesh B’Nefesh, a nonprofit that helps facilitate Jewish immigration to Israel from the United States and Canada, according to a report fro…
Retired Police K9 Named For 9/11 Hero Mourned In NY Retired Police K9 Named For 9/11 Hero Mourned In NY
Retired Police K9 Named For 9/11 Hero Mourned In NY A Rockland County police department is mourning the loss of one of its most loyal and courageous K9s who served the community for years alongside his handler.  The death of retired Clarkstown Police K9 Remy, who served alongside his handler, retired Officer Reekie, was announced by the department on Friday, July 18.  “K9 Remy served with honor and distinction,” the department said in a statement on Friday, adding, "Throughout his years of service, K9 Remy exemplified courage, loyalty, and dedication protecting our officers and the Clarkstown community with unwavering commitment." …
'Go-To Person': Well-Known NY Town Employee Dies After Cancer Battle 'Go-To Person': Well-Known NY Town Employee Dies After Cancer Battle
'Go-To Person': Well-Known NY Town Employee Dies After Cancer Battle A Dutchess County town is mourning the loss of a dedicated and beloved employee who died earlier this week after a courageous battle with cancer. Edward “Butch” Kidney, an East Fishkill town employee since 2016, died on Tuesday, July 15, the town announced on Thursday, July 17. Kidney served in the Highway Department and most recently worked as a Foreman for Buildings and Grounds. Known as a go-to resource for his colleagues, he was admired for his deep knowledge, generosity, and unwavering willingness to help others without seeking recognition. "Butch had a wealth of knowledge t…
Marine From NY Dies At 22: Community Rallies To Bring His Platoon To His Services Marine From NY Dies At 22: Community Rallies To Bring His Platoon To His Services
Marine From NY Dies At 22: Community Rallies To Bring His Platoon To His Services When Rockland County native and Lance Corporal Ryan James Barnard died earlier this month while serving with the US Marine Corps in Hawaii, his community he called home responded with one goal: bringing his brothers in arms to his services to say goodbye.  Barnard, a 22-year-old from Valley Cottage, died on Wednesday, July 2, while stationed at Kaneohe Bay, assigned to the Third Littoral Combat Team, Second Platoon, Ares Company. A Marine through and through, Ryan was known for his deep loyalty, quiet strength, and unwavering commitment to those around him, his obituary said.  His…