Daily Voice Readers’ Choice

Accepting Votes Now Through Friday, December 20th

New Update: Snow, Sleet, Rain To Hit These Areas As Storm System Nears New Update: Snow, Sleet, Rain To Hit These Areas As Storm System Nears
New Update: Snow, Sleet, Rain To Hit These Areas As Storm System Nears A quick-moving storm system will bring a mix of snow, sleet, and rain at the tail end of the weekend. A mix of cold air and moisture might cause light wintry precipitation overnight Sunday, Dec. 15 into Monday, Dec. 16 in these locations: Hudson Valley, New York Western Connecticut and Massachusetts Northwestern New Jersey Southeastern Pennsylvania North-central Maryland For projected precipitation types by location, click on the first image above from AccuWeather. Areas shown in the darker shade of blue in the second image above from AccuWeather could see up to 3 inches of snowfall and i…
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Fewer high school graduates began college this fall, with enrollment in that age group dropping 5 percent from last year, according to an analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.  Four-year institutions were hardest hit, with public colleges seeing an 8.5 percent drop in first-year enrollments and private nonprofit colleges reporting a 6.5 percent decline.  This trend poses significant challenges for colleges and universities, particularly those reliant on tuition revenue.  As the competition for students intensifies, institutions face mounting pressur…
Winning Numbers For Friday, Dec. 13 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $695M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Friday, Dec. 13 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $695M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Friday, Dec. 13 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $695M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Friday, Dec. 13 Mega Millions drawing. The estimated jackpot is $695 million with a $322 million cash option. The winning numbers were 36-43-52-58-65 with a Mega Ball of 16 and a Megaplier of 3X. MegaMillions If no winner wins the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Lottery players have a 1 in 302,575,350 chance of winning a Mega Millions jackpot by matching all five balls plus the gold Mega Ball, according to officials. Prizes then range…
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…
Snow, Ice To Hit These Spots As Rounds Of Precipitation On Way: Here's Timing Snow, Ice To Hit These Spots As Rounds Of Precipitation On Way: Here's Timing
Snow, Ice To Hit These Spots As Rounds Of Precipitation On Way: Here's Timing An active weather pattern will bring multiple rounds of precipitation in the days ahead, with some parts of the region seeing a wintry mix and accumulating snow. 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. A mix of cold air and moisture might cause light wintry precipitation in these locations: North-central Maryland Southeastern Pennsylvania Northwestern New Jersey Hudson Valley, New York Western Connecticut and Massachusetts Areas shown in the darker shade of blu…
NY Dad's Epic 'Christmas Vacation' Light Display Would Make Clark Griswold Proud NY Dad's Epic 'Christmas Vacation' Light Display Would Make Clark Griswold Proud
NY Dad's Epic 'Christmas Vacation' Light Display Would Make Clark Griswold Proud In a quiet Long Island neighborhood, one house stands out this holiday season – not just for its 25,000 twinkling lights, but for the sheer joy and nostalgia it radiates. Crowds are flocking to Jason Orsini’s Smithtown residence each evening to take in his jaw-dropping light display: a painstaking recreation of the beloved holiday classic, "National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” The Griswold family station wagon donning their Christmas tree. Cousin Eddie’s RV. Aunt Bethany’s lime Jell-o mold. It’s all there. “I didn’t expect [the response] to be this big,” the 45-year-old Orsini, a marrie…
Two Men From Region Nabbed With 2 Kilograms Of Cocaine On I-87 Two Men From Region Nabbed With 2 Kilograms Of Cocaine On I-87
Two Men From Region Nabbed With 2 Kilograms Of Cocaine On I-87 In a significant drug bust, the New York State Police apprehended two Staten Island men during a routine traffic stop on I-87 in Catskill.  Walter A. Harris, age 38, and Johnny C. Mitchell, age 35, were busted shortly after midnight on Saturday, Dec. 7, said Trooper AJ Hicks.  Hicks said an investigation led to the discovery of approximately 2.2 kilograms of cocaine and more than $3,200 in cash. Both men were charged with possession of a controlled substance and intent to sell.  They were arraigned and held without bail at the Greene County Jail. 
Cops ID Pilot, Passenger Killed In I-684 Plane Crash At NY/CT Line Cops ID Pilot, Passenger Killed In I-684 Plane Crash At NY/CT Line
Cops ID Pilot, Passenger Killed In I-684 Plane Crash At NY/CT Line Authorities have released the identities of both the pilot who survived and the passenger who died in a small plane crash that shut down Interstate 684 at the border of Fairfield, CT and Westchester, CT counties for hours. Kalmen Goldberger, 26, of Linden, NJ, had reported engine trouble before the single-engine Tecnam P-2008 went down in the center median of I-684 near Exit 2 in Harrison Thursday, Dec. 12 around 7:15 p.m., officials said. Goldberger survived, however, his passenger, Jacob Yankele Friedman, 32, of the Rockland County hamlet of Monsey, was pronounced dead at the sc…
'Stay Calm,' Say Rockland County Officials After Drone Sightings 'Stay Calm,' Say Rockland County Officials After Drone Sightings
'Stay Calm,' Say Rockland County Officials After Drone Sightings Rockland County officials are urging residents to remain calm after at least four sightings of drones were spotted flying over the region late Thursday, Dec. 12, and into New Jersey. “We understand that these drone sightings may be unsettling and are taking these reports seriously,” said County Executive Ed Day.  Day said he has notified federal authorities and written a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to have the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigate and provide answers about who is behind these drone sightings. The d…
Disturbance At Poughkeepsie Homeless Shelter Leads To 2 Deputies Injured Disturbance At Poughkeepsie Homeless Shelter Leads To 2 Deputies Injured
Disturbance At Poughkeepsie Homeless Shelter Leads To 2 Deputies Injured The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office reported the arrest of Isaiah E. Lodge, age 27, after deputies responded to a disturbance call and he bit them and held one in a chokehold. Capt. John Watterson said the incident occurred in Poughkeepsie around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12. They were called to a homeless shelter on North Hamilton Street for a disorderly person threatening staff. As the deputies attempted to arrest Lodge, Watterson said the incident escalated when he resisted arrest, injuring two deputies by biting them and employing a chokehold.  The altercation required the resp…
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. Asma Khan, MD, Sun River Health Urgent Care, Nyack 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 …
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…
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. …
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. UPDATE: Cops ID NJ Pilot, NY Passenger Killed In I-684 Plane Crash 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-…
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,…
Drones To Be Seen In Hudson Valley Skies: Here's Why Drones To Be Seen In Hudson Valley Skies: Here's Why
Drones To Be Seen In Hudson Valley Skies: Here's Why Amid a rise in drone sightings along the East Coast, the devices will be seen in the skies over Northern Westchester—although these will be flying for a specific reason, police said. Drones will be used in the area of Route 134 west of the Taconic State Parkway in Yorktown during the daylight hours of Thursday, Dec. 12, the town's police department announced. The reason? The drones will be used for a movie shoot, according to authorities.  The department said it wanted to warn the public "due to the current uncertainty involving recent drone sightings in New Jersey."  In the Gar…
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…
Teen Known To Frequent Areas In Hudson Valley Goes Missing For Second Time In 3 Months Teen Known To Frequent Areas In Hudson Valley Goes Missing For Second Time In 3 Months
Teen Known To Frequent Areas In Hudson Valley Goes Missing For Second Time In 3 Months Authorities in Northern Westchester are searching for a 16-year-old girl who was reported missing nearly three months after her previous disappearance.  Daisyana Suscal, age 16, was reported missing by her family on Thursday, Dec. 12, according to New York State Police. Suscal is described as 5-foot-2 and weighs 120 pounds. She has dark eyes and hair with red highlights.  She is known to frequent the areas of Cortlandt and Peekskill, police said. Suscal previously was reported missing on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and was found and returned to her family the next day.  Anyone…
Police Ramp-Up Patrols After Series Of Car Break-Ins In Hudson Valley Police Ramp-Up Patrols After Series Of Car Break-Ins In Hudson Valley
Police Ramp-Up Patrols After Series Of Car Break-Ins In Hudson Valley 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…
Hudson Valley Man On Tracks Injured After Jumping Out Of Way Of Oncoming Train Hudson Valley Man On Tracks Injured After Jumping Out Of Way Of Oncoming Train
Hudson Valley Man On Tracks Injured After Jumping Out Of Way Of Oncoming Train 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…
Man Admits To Sexual Abuse Of 2 Young Girls For Years In Hudson Valley Man Admits To Sexual Abuse Of 2 Young Girls For Years In Hudson Valley
Man Admits To Sexual Abuse Of 2 Young Girls For Years In Hudson Valley 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 …