Daily Voice Readers’ Choice

Accepting Votes Now Through Friday, December 20th

Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment
Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment As accused serial killer Rex Heuermann faces his seventh murder charge, the stories of his alleged victims – young women whose lives were tragically and violently cut short – offer a haunting reminder of the human toll behind the Gilgo Beach case. Here’s a closer look at the seven victims named in the indictment: Melissa Barthelemy, 24 Melissa Barthelemy Suffolk County Police Described by family as a talented hair stylist from the Bronx, she dreamed of opening her own salon. She was last seen alive on July 10, 2009, in her basement apartment on Underhill Avenue.  Barthelemy’s…
Traffic Impact To Last Nearly 2 Years As $30M Road Project Begins Near Carmel HS Traffic Impact To Last Nearly 2 Years As $30M Road Project Begins Near Carmel HS
Traffic Impact To Last Nearly 2 Years As $30M Road Project Begins Near Carmel HS Drivers should brace for delays, as a major $30 million construction project near a Hudson Valley high school is expected to impact traffic for nearly two years.  The project, which began in the Putnam County town of Carmel in September, will widen Fair Street from Simpson Road to Route 52, add sidewalks and streetlights, improve drainage, and create a new turning lane to make it easier to enter and exit the Carmel High School parking lot. The work is expected to continue through summer 2026, Carmel Central School District officials said in an announcement on Friday, Dec. 13.  Pu…
CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days
CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Mangione is charged with one count of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and two counts of second-degree murder. Mangione, a 26-year-old Maryland native, had fled New York City after the high-profile targeted assassination outside the New York Hilton in Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 4.  After a days-long manhunt, Mangione was apprehended at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Monday, Dec. 9. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said…
Blaze Damages Apartment Complex In Mohegan Lake Blaze Damages Apartment Complex In Mohegan Lake
Blaze Damages Apartment Complex In Mohegan Lake Firefighters battled a blaze that damaged multiple residences at a Northern Westchester apartment building.  The fire happened at the Eagle Rock Apartments at Mohegan Lake on New Chalet Drive, the Mohegan Fire Department announced on Monday, Dec. 16.  According to the department, arriving crews found a blaze in the apartment's cocklift void space and transmitted a 10-75.  After several hose lines were stretched to the scene, the fire was extinguished and the apartment where the blaze began was extensively overhauled. Three other apartment units sustained minimal damage,…
Update: Police ID Victim In 3-Vehicle Hudson Valley Crash Update: Police ID Victim In 3-Vehicle Hudson Valley Crash
Update: Police ID Victim In 3-Vehicle Hudson Valley Crash Police have identified a 40-year-old Hudson Valley man who was killed in a three-vehicle crash. Alberto Mata, of Chester, was killed around 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, on Route 94 (Main St.), in front of the Chester Firehouse, said the Village of Chester Police. An exact cause for the crash that involved two SUVs and a pickup truck was not immediately apparent.  The crash remains under investigation. 
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…
NJ Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say NJ Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say
NJ Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was formally charged with murdering a seventh victim. Heuermann, 60, of Massapequa Park, was indicted for second-degree murder in the killing of Valerie Mack in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday morning, Dec. 17. Mack, a 24-year-old Wildwood, NJ woman was working as an escort when she disappeared in 2000. A group of hunters discovered her skeletal remains wrapped in a plastic bag in a wooded area of Manorville in November 2000. She had been decapitated, and both of her hands had been severed from her body, prosecutors said. Her right leg had a…
Update: Five Vehicle Hudson Valley Crash Injures 5 On I-84 Update: Five Vehicle Hudson Valley Crash Injures 5 On I-84
Update: Five Vehicle Hudson Valley Crash Injures 5 On I-84 A five-car crash in Orange County on I-84 westbound has sent five people to the hospital with minor injuries.  According to the New York State Police, the crash occurred in Montgomery around 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17. State police said an investigation determined that Judith Lorveus-Feqyuere, 46, of Monroe, was driving westbound when she stopped in the passing lane for no apparent reason. A second vehicle behind was able to stop but was rear-ended by a third vehicle, pushing it into Lorveus-Fequiere. Vehicle three was hit by vehicle four, followed by vehicle five, state police said…
CEO Murder: Stunning Poll Shows Shift In Views Among Young Americans CEO Murder: Stunning Poll Shows Shift In Views Among Young Americans
CEO Murder: Stunning Poll Shows Shift In Views Among Young Americans A new national poll from Emerson College reveals a startling trend among young American voters: More respondents aged 18 to 29 believe the targeted assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was acceptable than those who do not. The poll highlights a sharp generational divergence on the issue. A total of 41 percent of voters aged 18-29 find the killer’s actions acceptable, 24 percent somewhat acceptable and 17 percent completely acceptable), while 40 percent find them unacceptable. Noting that 68 percent of voters overall reject the killer’s action, Spencer Kimball, executiv…
Purple-Haired Woman Steals Car From Motel Parking Lot Then Crashes On PIP: Police Purple-Haired Woman Steals Car From Motel Parking Lot Then Crashes On PIP: Police
Purple-Haired Woman Steals Car From Motel Parking Lot Then Crashes On PIP: Police A 36-year-old woman with purple and blue hair was nabbed for allegedly stealing a car from a Hudson Valley motel parking lot. Kayla Jones, of the Bronx, was charged with grand larceny on Tuesday, Dec. 10, after security video showed a purple-haired woman wearing a black sweatshirt and grey pants, get into the car at the Stony Point Budget Inn and drive away on Route 9W, said Lt. Daniel J. Schoales of the Stony Point Police.   While investigating the incident, Schoales said it was determined that Jones was involved in a single-car accident on the Palisades Interstate Park…
Putnam County Sees Snow Accumulations, Nelsonville Reports 4.5 Inches Putnam County Sees Snow Accumulations, Nelsonville Reports 4.5 Inches
Putnam County Sees Snow Accumulations, Nelsonville Reports 4.5 Inches The National Weather Service has released snow totals from this week's winter storm. Snowfall accumulation impacted areas across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York, with Sussex County, NJ, and Putnam County, NY, seeing the highest totals from Sunday, Dec. 15 into Monday, Dec. 16. Below are detailed figures reported by state, county, and town, as per the National Weather Service: New Jersey Mercer County: Trenton Mercer Airport: Trace (11:59 PM, 12/15) Morris County: Butler (1 S): 3.0 inches (5:15 AM, 12/16) Sussex County: Wantage Twp: 4.1 inches (5:00 AM, 12/16) Wan…
This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies
This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies Move over gingerbread and sugar cookies — sesame balls are quietly making their way onto holiday dessert tables this year.  Traditionally found in Chinese, Vietnamese, and other Asian cuisines, these golden, chewy orbs are earning a buzzworthy reputation as a standout complement to classic Christmas sweets. Known as Jian Dui in Chinese cuisine and Bánh Cam in Vietnamese culture, sesame balls are made from glutinous rice flour, stuffed with sweet fillings like red bean or lotus paste, and fried to perfection.  The result? A crispy exterior coated in toasted sesame seeds, with a sa…
Rapist Gets Maximum 25 Years In Jail: Orange County DA Rapist Gets Maximum 25 Years In Jail: Orange County DA
Rapist Gets Maximum 25 Years In Jail: Orange County DA A Hudson Valley man received a 25-year prison sentence, the most severe penalty under the law after a jury found him guilty of forcibly raping an individual. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said Jesse Boniface, age 52, of Middletown, was also sentenced to 20 years of post-release supervision on Monday, Dec. 16. Hoovler added that the swift arrest by the Town of Crawford Police, assisted by the New York State Police in forensic analysis, led to the conviction for the Nov. 2023 assault. According to court documents, Boniface engaged in sexual intercourse and oral sexual co…
Brand-New Storm To Bring Mix Of Rain, Sleet, Up To Half Foot Of Snow In Some Spots Brand-New Storm To Bring Mix Of Rain, Sleet, Up To Half Foot Of Snow In Some Spots
Brand-New Storm To Bring Mix Of Rain, Sleet, Up To Half Foot Of Snow In Some Spots A complex new storm will bring a mix of rain and sleet, and as much as a half foot of snow to some northernmost locations. First, clouds will give way to gradual clearing and eventual sunshine on a mild day Tuesday morning, Dec. 17, according to the National Weather Service. "A roller-coaster ride of a forecast is in store across the Northeast this week, featuring a wintry mix, rain, a warmup and then the potential for an impactful storm late in the week into the weekend that can feature accumulating snow and very chilly air settling in," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. …
Iconic Waldorf Astoria To Reopen After Years-Long Makeover: Here’s When Iconic Waldorf Astoria To Reopen After Years-Long Makeover: Here’s When
Iconic Waldorf Astoria To Reopen After Years-Long Makeover: Here’s When An iconic New York hotel will soon be reopening after a years-long renovation. The Waldorf Astoria is on track to be up and running in the spring. It has been closed for renovation since February 2017. The hotel's online reservation system went live last week. An announcement on its website states, "We are opening Spring 2025 and are now accepting reservations for stays and groups beginning September 2025." Known for its Art Deco design and rich history, the Waldorf Astoria has been a symbol of luxury since its original opening in 1931. Over the decades, it has hosted countless celebriti…
Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 16 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $58M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 16 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $58M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 16 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $58M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Monday, Dec. 16 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $58 million with a $27.1 million cash option after a player in New York recently won the jackpot and reset the prize pool.  If no winner claims the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The winning numbers for Monday's drawing were 09-30-33-57-61 with a Powerball of  17 and the Power Play was 2X. Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot by matchi…
NY Baby Formula Suppliers Accused Of Price Gouging Agree To $675K Settlement NY Baby Formula Suppliers Accused Of Price Gouging Agree To $675K Settlement
NY Baby Formula Suppliers Accused Of Price Gouging Agree To $675K Settlement Thousands of cans of baby formula are being distributed to families in need across New York after a settlement was reached with two companies accused of illegal price gouging. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Monday, Dec. 18, that her office had secured $675,000 worth of baby formula from Marine Park Distribution Inc. and its affiliate, Formula Depot Inc., following an investigation into price gouging during the nationwide formula shortage in 2022. The companies allegedly raised formula prices by more than 60 percent in some cases, with costs doubling for certain product…
Santos Spills: Viral Milkshake Attack Was Planned Publicity Stunt, Ousted NY Rep. Confesses Santos Spills: Viral Milkshake Attack Was Planned Publicity Stunt, Ousted NY Rep. Confesses
Santos Spills: Viral Milkshake Attack Was Planned Publicity Stunt, Ousted NY Rep. Confesses Turns out this milkshake drama was all whipped up. A video appearing to show disgraced former New York congressman George Santos being doused in ice cream in Times Square went viral over the weekend. The clip, which had been viewed millions of times on X, shows the 36-year-old convicted felon being accosted by a man seemingly outraged that Santos has “the audacity to show his face.” Watch video of the incident below. After getting the ex-Long Island congressman’s attention, the man tosses a milkshake all over Santos' jacket and asks, “How do you like that?” “You are un-[expletive] believ…
Popular Hudson Valley Brewing Company/Restaurant To Begin Food Truck Catering Popular Hudson Valley Brewing Company/Restaurant To Begin Food Truck Catering
Popular Hudson Valley Brewing Company/Restaurant To Begin Food Truck Catering Popular Hudson Valley brewery and restaurant owners Daniel Crocco and Jamie Bishop are taking on a third business, a food truck for catering special events. The duo, the Mill House Brewing Company owners in Poughkeepsie and the soon-to-open The Ridge by Mill House in Ulster County, Highland, said they dreamed of owning a food truck. So when word got out that the owners of Embers Wood-Fired Oven food truck were selling, they jumped on the chance to take on the new venture. “I’ve always dreamed of owning and operating a food truck, so Embers by Mill House marks a fascinating new chapter for …
Film Based On Rehabilitation Program At Hudson Valley's Sing Sing Prison Gets Re-Release Film Based On Rehabilitation Program At Hudson Valley's Sing Sing Prison Gets Re-Release
Film Based On Rehabilitation Program At Hudson Valley's Sing Sing Prison Gets Re-Release A movie based on events at a maximum security prison in the Hudson Valley that may be a major Oscars contender is set to be re-released in theaters, according to reports.  "Sing Sing," based on the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in the Northern Westchester village of Ossining, will again be released in theaters on Friday, Jan. 17, Variety reported.  The film, originally released by A24 on Friday, July 12, follows an inmate named Divine G (played by Colman Domingo) who joins a theatre group with fellow prisoners after being imprisoned at …
Amazon Dismissed Warnings On High Rates Of Worker Injuries, Report Says Amazon Dismissed Warnings On High Rates Of Worker Injuries, Report Says
Amazon Dismissed Warnings On High Rates Of Worker Injuries, Report Says ityAmazon is under fire following a US Senate report accusing the company of prioritizing speed over worker safety.  Released by the majority staff of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee late Sunday night, Dec. 15, the report claims Amazon’s intense focus on productivity has led to unsafe working conditions. The Senate report outlines how Amazon’s warehouse workers face high rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and other injuries caused by repetitive tasks and demanding quotas.  It accuses Amazon of knowingly exposing employees to these risks, …
Traffic Alert: Route 9W Closed In Parts Of Rockland/Orange Counties Following Crash Traffic Alert: Route 9W Closed In Parts Of Rockland/Orange Counties Following Crash
Traffic Alert: Route 9W Closed In Parts Of Rockland/Orange Counties Following Crash Drives will want to avoid Route 9W in parts of Rockland and Orange County after a crash brought downed power poles and lines, closing the roadway. According to the New York State Police, the roadway is closed in both directions between Seven Lakes Parkway (Stony Point) and River Road (New Windsor); all lanes of two lanes are closed. This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates. 
New Townhouse Community Planned In Yorktown Moves Closer To Approval New Townhouse Community Planned In Yorktown Moves Closer To Approval
New Townhouse Community Planned In Yorktown Moves Closer To Approval A proposed over-100-unit adult townhouse community that would generate a large amount of property taxes for a Northern Westchester school district has cleared a major hurdle. The Yorktown Town Board has approved a zoning change for a proposed 118-unit, age-restricted townhouse development at the Catharine Field Home property on Catherine Street, officials announced on Monday, Dec. 16. The project, led by developer Toll Brothers, would sit on a 50.5-acre parcel and include a clubhouse, pool, roads, and a stormwater management system as part of the new age 55+ community. The plan follows mor…
Gilgo Beach Murders: 'Significant Development' To Be Announced By Investigative Task Force Gilgo Beach Murders: 'Significant Development' To Be Announced By Investigative Task Force
Gilgo Beach Murders: 'Significant Development' To Be Announced By Investigative Task Force Investigators in the Gilgo Beach serial murders are gearing up to announce a major break in the case. The Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force – which includes the Suffolk County DA’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Police – will reveal a “new significant development in the investigation” during a press conference planned for Tuesday morning, Dec. 17. It will follow a scheduled appearance by accused serial murderer Rex Heuermann inside a Suffolk County courtroom in Riverhead, the DA’s Office said. Suffolk County DA Raymond Tierney, Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr, Acting Suf…
CEO Murder Case: Luigi Mangione's New Lawyer Signals Defensive Strategy CEO Murder Case: Luigi Mangione's New Lawyer Signals Defensive Strategy
CEO Murder Case: Luigi Mangione's New Lawyer Signals Defensive Strategy Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has retained high-profile attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who could mount a defense centered on Mangione's mental state. Friedman Agnifilo, a former Manhattan Chief Assistant District Attorney turned criminal defense lawyer, suggested a possible strategy even before formally joining Mangione’s legal team.  “It looks to me like there might be a not guilty by reason of insanity defense that they’re going to be thinking about because the evidence is going to be so overwhelming that he did wh…
Medical Care Building's Structural Stability Damaged In Somers Crash  (UPDATE) Medical Care Building's Structural Stability Damaged In Somers Crash  (UPDATE)
Medical Care Building's Structural Stability Damaged In Somers Crash (Update) Crews had to shore a compromised part of a Northern Westchester medical care building after a vehicle crashed through its wall.  The crash happened on Thursday, Dec. 12 around 2:45 p.m., when a car crashed into the Optum Medical Care building at 342 Route 202 in Somers, according to the Somers Volunteer Fire Department.  According to the department, arriving fire crews began shoring the building's compromised area while removing the driver from their car. Several other agencies helped respond to the crash, including the Westchester County Technical Rescue Team and the Bedford Hil…
Hudson Valley Family Displaced By Fire, Firefighter Injured Hudson Valley Family Displaced By Fire, Firefighter Injured
Hudson Valley Family Displaced By Fire, Firefighter Injured A Hudson Valley family was displaced after a fire ripped through the home, traveling through the heating duct system. The incident occurred at 60 Gove St. in the City of Newburgh at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, December 12. According to Mike Neppl, chief of staff for the City of Newburgh, the seat of the fire was located in the basement of the home, with fire traveling in the heating system ductwork to the upper floors. The fire was put out by 11 a.m. Neppl said one firefighter was struck by debris when the first-floor ceiling failed. He was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was trea…
Arrest Made In Connection To July Attempted Murder Shooting In Hudson Valley Arrest Made In Connection To July Attempted Murder Shooting In Hudson Valley
Arrest Made In Connection To July Attempted Murder Shooting In Hudson Valley Police have made a significant breakthrough in a case that rattled the community in July that left a man in critical condition and three women injured. Jaimez T. Freeman, age 20, of Poughkeepsie, was arrested on Friday, Dec. 13, in connection with the alleged attempted murder and illegal possession of a weapon in the City of Poughkeepsie on Friday, July 5, at 380 Main St. According to Det. Sgt. Terrence Beam, the shootings took place as a large disorderly group gathered on Main Street. During the shootings, Beam said a 28-year-old man was transported to a local hospital with life…
Police On The Hunt For Suspects In 2 Hudson Valley Home Burglaries Police On The Hunt For Suspects In 2 Hudson Valley Home Burglaries
Police On The Hunt For Suspects In 2 Hudson Valley Home Burglaries Police in the Hudson Valley are hunting for suspects involved in two home burglaries during the early morning hours. Capt Michael Shannon of the Orangetown Police said the break-ins occurred on Friday, Dec. 13, around 4:15 a.m. in Pearl River and Orangeburg. Shannon said the first burglary occurred on Pinto Road in Pearl River. The suspects gained entry through a lower lever window. The suspects, dressed in dark-hooded sweatshirts and ski masks, left the home without taking anything. Shannon said the second incident occurred a short time later at a Howard Avenue residence in Orangeburg. T…
Filming To Close Major Rockland County Roadway Filming To Close Major Rockland County Roadway
Filming To Close Major Rockland County Roadway A busy Rockland County roadway will be closed on Monday, Dec. 16, to film a popular television series. The causeway will be closed between Ridge Road and Stonewall Lane in Clarkstown from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the filming of the NBC Peacock series Poker Face. Clarkstown Police said a detour route would be posted, routing vehicles to Route 304, Route 9W, and Old Haverstraw Rd. Laurent Rejto, director of the Hudson Valley Film Commission, confirmed the filming and said, "Unfortunately, unlike Season 1, most of Season 2 was filmed in New York City." Poker Face stars Natasha Lyonne as quirk…
Pair Who Flew Drone Dangerously Close To Boston's Logan Airport In Custody After Pursuit: Cops Pair Who Flew Drone Dangerously Close To Boston's Logan Airport In Custody After Pursuit: Cops
Pair Who Flew Drone Dangerously Close To Boston's Logan Airport In Custody After Pursuit: Cops Two Massachusetts men were arrested on Saturday, Dec. 14, after a hazardous drone operation near Logan International Airport triggered a coordinated safety response, police said. Boston Police officers apprehended 42-year-old Robert Duffy of Charlestown and 32-year-old Jeremy Folcik of Bridgewater, on Long Island in the Boston Harbor Islands around 10:22 p.m. Both face charges of trespassing, with additional charges potentially pending. The incident began at 4:30 p.m. when a Boston Police Officer monitoring real-time crime surveillance detected a drone dangerously close to Logan Internation…