Daily Voice Readers’ Choice

Accepting Votes Now Through Friday, December 20th

NY's Alec Baldwin Says Americans 'Very Uninformed' About Important Issues NY's Alec Baldwin Says Americans 'Very Uninformed' About Important Issues
NY's Alec Baldwin Says Americans 'Very Uninformed' About Important Issues Actor Alec Baldwin – no stranger to controversy – is once again drawing the internet’s ire after recent comments on Americans’ intelligence. The 66-year-old New York native is facing backlash after suggesting that US citizens are ignorant about important world events and that watching films is the remedy to bridge the information gap. “Americans are very uninformed about reality, what’s really going on – with climate change, Ukraine, Israel, you name it, all the biggest topics in the world. Americans have an appetite for a little bit of information,” the Beetlejuice star told reporters at a…
Teen Accused Of Selling Fentanyl On Main Street In Hudson Valley Teen Accused Of Selling Fentanyl On Main Street In Hudson Valley
Teen Accused Of Selling Fentanyl On Main Street In Hudson Valley Authorities in the region say an ongoing investigation into fentanyl sales led to the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect. The Dutchess County Drug Task Force, with assistance from the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit, executed a search warrant on Monday, Nov. 25, at a residence on Main Street in Poughkeepsie.  According to officials, the search followed undercover purchases of fentanyl made from Jahking Z. Murphy, age 19, in the area of 455 Main St. Murphy was taken into custody without incident and charged with: Two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the thir…
Human Remains, Car Found In Pond Linked To Hudson Valley Couple Missing For Over 40 Years Human Remains, Car Found In Pond Linked To Hudson Valley Couple Missing For Over 40 Years
Human Remains, Car Found In Pond Linked To Hudson Valley Couple Missing For Over 40 Years A vehicle containing a human bone found submerged in an out-of-state pond may be the clue needed to figure out what happened to a Westchester County couple missing for over four decades. In an announcement on Saturday, Nov. 23, the Glynn County Police Department in Georgia revealed that a submerged Lincoln Continental had been found on Friday, Nov. 22 in a pond between the Royal Inn Hotel and Interstate 95 on New Jesup Highway in the town of Brunswick.  According to the department, the Continental is similar to the description of a vehicle believed to have been driven by Scarsdale…
NJ Woman Strikes Overpass, Dies In I-87 Crash In NY: Troopers NJ Woman Strikes Overpass, Dies In I-87 Crash In NY: Troopers
NJ Woman Strikes Overpass, Dies In I-87 Crash In NY: Troopers A New Jersey woman was killed when her vehicle overturned and crashed into an overpass in upstate New York's Capital Region, authorities said. Jennifer Okoro-Ibiam, 42, of Pemberton, died in the Warren County crash in Queensbury, on Monday, Nov. 18, New York State Police said in a news release. Troopers responded to the scene on Interstate 87 North at around 6:20 a.m. Investigators said the vehicle overturned before colliding with the Gurney Lane overpass and going off the highway. Okoro-Ibiam suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was in the v…
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…
NY's Idina Menzel Had One Stipulation Before Agreeing To Showstopping 'Wicked' Cameo NY's Idina Menzel Had One Stipulation Before Agreeing To Showstopping 'Wicked' Cameo
NY's Idina Menzel Had One Stipulation Before Agreeing To Showstopping 'Wicked' Cameo Thank goodness it all worked out. While it may be true that no one mourns the wicked, fans certainly would have mourned the absence of New York native Idina Menzel had she not made her scene-stealing cameo in the spellbinding new “Wicked” movie. The musical fantasy film – a two-part adaptation of the Broadway stage musical that was loosely based on the 1995 novel – tells the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Menzel, who grew on Long Island in Syosset, was the first actress to portray its protagonist, Elphaba, a role for which sh…
NY Native Lindsay Lohan Reacts To Vikings Players Doing Her Iconic 'Parent Trap' Handshake NY Native Lindsay Lohan Reacts To Vikings Players Doing Her Iconic 'Parent Trap' Handshake
NY Native Lindsay Lohan Reacts To Vikings Players Doing Her Iconic 'Parent Trap' Handshake Lindsay Lohan has officially weighed in on a viral NFL moment that paid homage to one of her most popular movies. Appearing on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” the 38-year-old actress reacted to Minnesota Vikings players Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus performing the iconic handshake from her 1998 hit, “The Parent Trap.” The footballers acted out the intricate moves – a secret handshake between Lohan’s character Annie and her butler – after intercepting a pass from Aaron Rodgers against the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 6. “They did your handshake from ‘The Parent Trap,’” Fa…
Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says
Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says A rare case of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in a child in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The child, who is a resident of California, experienced only mild symptoms and is now recovering. The case, detected through routine flu testing, revealed low levels of the virus in the initial sample, and follow-up tests were negative for bird flu, but positive for other common respiratory viruses.  The CDC is working with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to determine how the child might hav…
Search Warrant Yields Cocaine, Fentanyl, Charges For Pomona Suspect Search Warrant Yields Cocaine, Fentanyl, Charges For Pomona Suspect
Search Warrant Yields Cocaine, Fentanyl, Charges For Pomona Suspect A Hudson Valley man is facing drug charges after a months-long investigation into narcotics sales. Richard Fernandez, age 40, was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 20, following a five-month investigation by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force. Investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence in Pomona, recovering cocaine, fentanyl pills, and other pharmaceutical drugs during the search. Fernandez has been charged with: Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree; Four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in t…
Thanksgiving Storm Update: Final Path Will Determine Strength, What Areas Will See Snow Thanksgiving Storm Update: Final Path Will Determine Strength, What Areas Will See Snow
Thanksgiving Storm Update: Final Path Will Determine Strength, What Areas Will See Snow The arrival of an unsettled weather pattern will bring separate rounds of rain, including a Thanksgiving storm whose potential track and strength is still being monitored by forecasters. A cold front that will move through Tuesday, Nov. 26, will bring some rain, according to the National Weather Service. After a mostly sunny day on Wednesday, Nov. 27, the storm system will shift eastward during the night on Thanksgiving Eve, gathering more moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and later the Atlantic as it gains strength through Thanksgiving night on Thursday, Nov. 28. If the storm tracks f…
Here's What To Know Now About Food Illness Outbreaks, Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving Here's What To Know Now About Food Illness Outbreaks, Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving
Here's What To Know Now About Food Illness Outbreaks, Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving With Thanksgiving meals just a couple of days away, there are concerns over the nation's food supply after multiple major recalls the last few days. Federal authorities are now saying that all products linked to the outbreaks are off the shelves and products currently being sold are safe to eat. After a deadly E. coli outbreak, a California-based company pulled bagged organic carrots from such popular retailers as Whole Foods, Walmart and Trader Joe's.  For the latest info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), click here. In a Listeria outbreak linked to meat and…
Prepare With Care: Health Officials Share Food Safety Tips Ahead Of Thanksgiving Prepare With Care: Health Officials Share Food Safety Tips Ahead Of Thanksgiving
Prepare With Care: Health Officials Share Food Safety Tips Ahead Of Thanksgiving As you gear up to prepare that Thanksgiving feast, don’t forget the tenets of food safety. The New York State health and agriculture departments offered up several tips to help keep family and friends safe from foodborne illness this holiday season. “The Thanksgiving meal is often the most elaborate meal cooked all year, which could be a contributing factor in mistakes that could lead to foodborne illness,” said state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “We want to ensure that New Yorkers stay healthy by taking simple food safety precautions and encourage everyone preparing meals to fo…
Mysterious ATV May Have Caused Rollover Hudson Valley Crash That Left Teen Injured, Cops Say Mysterious ATV May Have Caused Rollover Hudson Valley Crash That Left Teen Injured, Cops Say
Mysterious ATV May Have Caused Rollover Hudson Valley Crash That Left Teen Injured, Cops Say A late-night rollover crash in the region that injured a 19-year-old girl led police to investigate whether a mysterious all-terrain vehicle may have been involved, authorities said.  It happened in Putnam County just after 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, on Baldwin Place Road in Carmel, the Carmel Police Department said on Monday, Nov. 25.    Emergency responders arrived at the scene within three minutes after receiving a 911 report that a vehicle had rolled over, potentially trapping the driver inside.  The driver, a 19-year-old Mahopac resident, had safely exited the v…
Pilot Known For Rescuing Dogs Killed In Plane Crash In Region: 'A Friend To All' Pilot Known For Rescuing Dogs Killed In Plane Crash In Region: 'A Friend To All'
Pilot Known For Rescuing Dogs Killed In Plane Crash In Region: 'A Friend To All' This story has been updated. A Virginia pilot who regularly flew dogs in need to safe homes around the country was killed when his small plane crashed in a remote area of New York. The Greene County incident happened in the Town of Windham at around 6:10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. Sheriff’s officials said a single-engine Mooney plane was traveling from Maryland to Albany carrying the pilot and three dogs when it crashed in a remote area. The impact killed the pilot, 49-year-old Seuk Kim, of Springfield, Virginia, and one of the dogs. A second dog, a lab mix puppy, survived but suffered two bro…
Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency
Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency US Attorney Damian Williams, who has overseen high-profile cases in the Southern District of New York, has announced his resignation, a move that comes ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term and the expected nomination of his successor.  Williams’ resignation will take effect at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, according to a statement from his office on Monday, Nov. 25.  The resignation comes as President-elect Trump has announced plans to nominate Jay Clayton, a former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman under Trump’s first administration, to lead the of…
Microsoft Outage Affects Users Globally, Restoration Time Unclear Microsoft Outage Affects Users Globally, Restoration Time Unclear
Microsoft Outage Affects Users Globally, Restoration Time Unclear An outage is affecting Microsoft users around the world. Programs that have been reported down include Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Teams, according to the website Downdetector. Microsoft said in an announcement at around midday on Monday, Nov. 25 that "Our targeted restarts are progressing slower than anticipated for the majority of affected users. An ETA for resolution will be provided as soon as available." About 5,000 reports of issues were reported on Downdetector at around 11:30 a.m., and the majority of issues were with Outlook. Our targeted restarts are progr…
Final Suspect In 2022 Hudson Valley Murder Case Arrested, Closing Multi-Agency Investigation Final Suspect In 2022 Hudson Valley Murder Case Arrested, Closing Multi-Agency Investigation
Final Suspect In 2022 Hudson Valley Murder Case Arrested, Closing Multi-Agency Investigation A local police department in coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies, has arrested the final suspect in a 2022 murder in the Hudson Valley, marking a significant breakthrough in a complex, multi-year investigation. On Thursday, Nov. 21, Beacon Police, aided by extensive inter-agency cooperation, apprehended 24-year-old Zyree Downing in Pennsylvania, where he was already incarcerated, According to Beacon Chief of Police Thomas Figlia. Downing, from Middletown, Delaware, has been charged with murder for his alleged involvement in the death of Lionel Pittman. This arrest follo…
Couple Accused Of $1M Lululemon Theft Spree Across 5 States, Including NY Couple Accused Of $1M Lululemon Theft Spree Across 5 States, Including NY
Couple Accused Of $1M Lululemon Theft Spree Across 5 States, Including NY A Connecticut couple has been accused of orchestrating a multi-state theft operation targeting Lululemon stores, resulting in approximately $1 million in stolen merchandise. Jadion Anthony Richards, age 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, age 45, both from Danbury, were charged in in Minnesota on Friday, Nov. 22, at Ramsey County District Court with organized retail theft, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.  Their alleged activities spanned over two months and involved thefts in several states, including New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, Colorado, and Utah, the Star Tri…
Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says
Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says A Macy’s employee misstated up to $154 million in delivery expenses over several years, the company just said. The development forced the retailer to delay its third-quarter earnings report. The employee, whose name has not been released, has been fired. According to the company, the employee responsible for accounting small package delivery expenses made erroneous accrual entries to conceal the costs from the fourth quarter of 2021 through the most recent quarter. During that time, Macy’s reported a total of $4.36 billion in delivery expenses. The company conducted an independent investi…
McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When
McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When McDonald’s will ring in the new year by serving more for less. The fast food giant will unveil its new “McValue” menu nationwide starting on Tuesday, Jan. 7. McValue will include current fan-favorites, like the $5 Meal Deal, and a new “Buy One, Add One for $1” offer, allowing customers to mix and match their order. Breakfast options include classics like the sausage McMuffin and hash browns, while lunch offerings feature the 6-piece chicken McNuggets and double cheeseburger. McDonald’s is also extending through next summer its $5 Meal Deal, a combination of a McDouble or McChicken sandwi…
NY State Launches Statewide DWI Crackdown, Extra Patrols For Thanksgiving Travel NY State Launches Statewide DWI Crackdown, Extra Patrols For Thanksgiving Travel
NY State Launches Statewide DWI Crackdown, Extra Patrols For Thanksgiving Travel New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced a statewide surge in law enforcement patrols and safety measures to protect travelers during Thanksgiving week, one of the busiest and riskiest times for road travel. The detail will run through Sunday, Dec. 1 after launching Saturday, Nov. 23. “Thanksgiving kicks off the busiest travel season of the year, and we want everyone to reach their friends and loved ones safely,” Hochul said. “I urge drivers to stay alert, stay sober, and move over when you see vehicles stopped on the side of the road.” In response, New York State officials are rampin…
Newly Identified Chemical In Drinking Water Could Be Toxic, Study Says Newly Identified Chemical In Drinking Water Could Be Toxic, Study Says
Newly Identified Chemical In Drinking Water Could Be Toxic, Study Says A newly discovered compound in drinking water has raised questions about its potential health risks.  The chemical, known as chloronitramide anion (Cl–N–NO₂⁻), was found in all samples from 10 US drinking water systems that use chloramines, according to a study published in the journal Science on Thursday, Nov. 21. The research, led by Julian L. Fairey, an associate professor at the University of Arkansas,  identified chloronitramide anion as a decomposition product of inorganic chloramines, which are commonly used to disinfect municipal water supplies.  The study estimates …
Take 5 Lottery Ticket Worth $31K Sold In Hudson Valley Take 5 Lottery Ticket Worth $31K Sold In Hudson Valley
Take 5 Lottery Ticket Worth $31K Sold In Hudson Valley A lucky player can purchase an enormous turkey after hitting all the correct numbers in the latest Take 5 Lottery game. The top winning ticket worth $31,707 was sold in Dutchess County at the All In One Foodmart on Wolcott Ave in Beacon for the Thursday, Nov. 21, evening drawing. The winning numbers were: 07-16-18-23-30.  TAKE 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. The drawing is televised twice daily at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. 
Record 8.7M Thanksgiving Travelers Expected At Port Authority Crossings: What You Need To Know Record 8.7M Thanksgiving Travelers Expected At Port Authority Crossings: What You Need To Know
Record 8.7M Thanksgiving Travelers Expected At Port Authority Crossings: What You Need To Know The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is preparing for a record-breaking 8.7 million travelers to use its airports and crossings during the Thanksgiving travel period, from Monday, Nov. 25, to Monday, Dec. 2.  Travelers should expect heavy traffic, longer wait times, and parking challenges, the agency announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Approximately 3.2 million passengers are expected to travel through John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and New York Stewart International airports—an increase of 2% from last year’s record volume. To accommodat…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Violent 2017 Home Invasion Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Violent 2017 Home Invasion
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Violent 2017 Home Invasion A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to nine years in prison following a dramatic burglary incident where he and an accomplice posed as FBI agents during a violent home invasion.  Westchester County resident Oscar Castillo, age 37, from Yonkers, was sentenced on Monday, Nov. 18, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. He was also sentenced to five years of post-release supervision.  The sentence stems from Castillo's 2023 guilty plea to burglary charges linked to a 2017 incident in Washingtonville. Castillo, who initially evaded sentencing by not appearing in c…
New Update: Thanksgiving Storm Will Dampen Travel With Mix Of Rain, Sleet, Snow New Update: Thanksgiving Storm Will Dampen Travel With Mix Of Rain, Sleet, Snow
New Update: Thanksgiving Storm Will Dampen Travel With Mix Of Rain, Sleet, Snow A new storm will bring a mix of snow, sleet, and rain on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, causing widespread disruptions for travel and holiday festivities. A pair of scenarios will be at play as the holiday week progresses, one of which could produce accumulating snow across portions of the Ohio Valley and Northeast, AccuWeather meteorologists say. "The first scenario involves a slow-moving storm, meaning potentially longer-lasting impacts from the Tennessee and Ohio valleys through the Northeast," says AccuWeather. "The second scenario sends the same storm farther south and off the Ca…
Rockland County Corrections Sergeant Charged With Child Exploitation Charges Rockland County Corrections Sergeant Charged With Child Exploitation Charges
Rockland County Corrections Sergeant Charged With Child Exploitation Charges A 44-year-old sergeant at the Rockland County Jail is facing over 50 charges of possessing and promoting alleged child sexual abuse material, authorities announced. Daniel Dworkin, a corrections officer sergeant, was arrested Thursday, Nov. 21, following an investigation sparked by a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II. Dworkin is charged with 51 counts each of promoting and possessing a sexual performance by a child. A search of his home and digital devices reportedly uncovered disturbing…
Supermarket Game Changer? ShopRite Rolling Out Smart Carts In NY, Along East Coast Locations Supermarket Game Changer? ShopRite Rolling Out Smart Carts In NY, Along East Coast Locations
Supermarket Game Changer? ShopRite Rolling Out Smart Carts In NY, Along East Coast Locations Imagine strolling through your local supermarket, scanning items, calculating your total, and then, skipping the checkout line? Thanks to an AI-powered "smart cart," that's now possible. This futuristic shopping experience is now a reality in select ShopRite locations in the East Coast as the supermarket chain introduces technology designed by Instacart to save shoppers time and make grocery runs smoother than ever. The so-called "Caper Carts" are designed to make grocery shopping faster, smarter, and more interactive. To date, about a dozen ShopRite stores have added the carts as another…
Alex Jones Sues Sandy Hook Families In Fight To Keep Control of Media Empire: Report Alex Jones Sues Sandy Hook Families In Fight To Keep Control of Media Empire: Report
Alex Jones Sues Sandy Hook Families In Fight To Keep Control of Media Empire: Report In a case that reads like dark satire itself, Alex Jones is suing the comedy website The Onion and the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre claiming they colluded to buy his right-wing conspiracy theory show "InfoWars" in a bankruptcy auction, reports said. Lawyers for Jones, who owes a $1.5 billion judgment to Sandy Hook families after spreading false claims that the 2012 school shooting was a hoax, argued in court documents that The Onion's winning $1.75 million bid was "flagrantly non-compliant" and designed to "rig the process," according to NPR. Earlier Report: Back…
1 Dead, 10 Sickened, Including In NY, In Listeria Outbreak Involving Meat, Poultry Products 1 Dead, 10 Sickened, Including In NY, In Listeria Outbreak Involving Meat, Poultry Products
1 Dead, 10 Sickened, Including In NY, In Listeria Outbreak Involving Meat, Poultry Products A multi-state Listeria outbreak linked to meat and poultry products has killed an infant and sickened at least 10 others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health officials are investigating infections linked to recalled Yu Shang Food ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. The illnesses were in New York, New Jersey, California, and Illinois between Wednesday, July 31 and Thursday, Oct. 24, the agency said. Of 11 people with information available, nine have been hospitalized. In California, one pregnant woman and her twins were sick and both infants died. But …
Luxurious Oceanfront Estate With 10 Bedrooms Among NY's Priciest Listings At $85M Luxurious Oceanfront Estate With 10 Bedrooms Among NY's Priciest Listings At $85M
Luxurious Oceanfront Estate With 10 Bedrooms Among NY's Priciest Listings At $85M Life’s a beach at this sprawling oceanfront estate in New York. Located on Long Island in the Southampton village of Sagaponack, 635 Daniels Lane is currently among the priciest residential listings in Nassau and Suffolk counties at $85 million. Clocking in at 13,690 square feet situated on more than 5 acres overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the coveted home boasts 10 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms. 635 Daniels Lane in Sagaponack. The Corcoran Group “Purchased over 60 years ago by real estate family scions, this owner carved out a generous slice of beachfront for himself and developed a m…