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Support Rising For 'Wonderful' Volunteer EMT, Minister In Capital Region Battling Cancer Support Rising For 'Wonderful' Volunteer EMT, Minister In Capital Region Battling Cancer
Support Rising For 'Wonderful' Volunteer EMT, Minister In Capital Region Battling Cancer Support is on the rise for a volunteer EMT and minister from the region facing what colleagues describe as a long battle with cancer. Greene County resident Ken Aurigema, of Prattsville, has been a volunteer at the Lexington fire department for 27 years, serving as an EMT and fire police officer, according to a GoFundMe campaign organized by Liza Dwon. In August 2022, Aurigema underwent surgery for colon cancer and began chemotherapy treatments. The grandfather of ten, who is also a minister at West Kill Christian Church, makes his living as a self-employed electrician, but has had a toug…

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by Michael Mashburn
Neighbors
'You're On Live Television': Today Show Surprises NY Man On National Good Neighbor Day 'You're On Live Television': Today Show Surprises NY Man On National Good Neighbor Day
'You're On Live Television': Today Show Surprises NY Man On National Good Neighbor Day An upstate New York man got the surprise of a lifetime when he answered a knock at the door and found himself on live, national television. Rensselaer County resident Ernie Mann, age 75, opened the door to his City of Rensselaer home Wednesday morning, Sept. 28, and was shocked to find a camera crew from the Today show accompanied by two dozen cheering neighbors. Moments before the big surprise, Today correspondent Donna Farizan explained to viewers that Mann’s longtime friend, Amy Mooney, had nominated him for National Good Neighbor Day. Farizan then proceeded to knock on Mann’s front do…

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by Michael Mashburn
Neighbors
Daily Voice Founder Shares "A Lifetime of Work" in His New Book Daily Voice Founder Shares "A Lifetime of Work" in His New Book
Daily Voice Founder Shares "A Lifetime of Work" in His New Book Ten years after founding Daily Voice, Carll Tucker is bringing out a new book called Collected Words. We sat down to talk to him about his book, Daily Voice, and what he’s been doing since his retirement in 2019. DV: So what is Collected Words? Tucker: Collected Words is five books I’ve written during the last thirty years. The first, Good Morning, was mined from the daily email missives I’ve been sending to my friends every day for eight years. Our Rift is a book of poems. Paddle’s Last Gift is a memoir of our beloved family dog. Dear David is a letter I wrote to my youngest son on his bar…

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by Daily Voice
Neighbors
Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes
Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes With winter slowly transforming to spring and temperatures warming up, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released its annual guide on how to avoid conflicts with coyotes. DEC officials released the guide on Monday as warmer weather will soon bring coyotes out from the wild to set up dens for pups that will arrive during the spring. "This time of year, DEC sees an uptick in questions from New Yorkers regarding coyotes and their behavior," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in the statement. "While coyotes are an integral and beneficial part of our natural ecosys…

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by Zak Failla
Neighbors
Registered Sex Offender Convicted Of Sodomizing Teen Boy Reports Move In Newburgh Registered Sex Offender Convicted Of Sodomizing Teen Boy Reports Move In Newburgh
Registered Sex Offender Convicted Of Sodomizing Teen Boy Reports Move In Newburgh A registered sex offender convicted of sodomizing a teenage boy has reported a move in Orange County. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to Orange County residents regarding the residency of 52-year-old Gregory Gonzalez, who has moved from Poughkeepsie to a residence on Taft Avenue in Newburgh. The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned Gonzalez as a level two threat, which means he is at "moderate risk of a repeat offense." According to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, Gonzalez had deviate sexual intercourse with a 16-y…

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by Zak Failla
Neighbors
Six Dutchess County Residents Charged With DWI In State Police Stops Six Dutchess County Residents Charged With DWI In State Police Stops
Six Dutchess County Residents Charged With DWI In State Police Stops New York State Police troopers busted nearly two dozen local motorists who were allegedly driving while impaired in the area over the past week. The local residents charged were: Dutchess County On Friday, Jan. 11, State Police troopers from Rhinebeck arrested Gerard V. Ollis, 43, of Poughkeepsie, for DWAI Drugs. He was traveling on Route 9 in Rhinebeck, when he was struck a mailbox and then left the scene. Ollis was stopped on Mills Cross Road in Hyde Park, the investigation revealed that he was impaired by drugs, and he was subsequently arrested. On Saturday, Jan. 12…

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by Zak Failla
Neighbors
Bridgeport Radio Host Is Third Trans Contestant In 'Jeopardy!' History Bridgeport Radio Host Is Third Trans Contestant In 'Jeopardy!' History
Bridgeport Radio Host Is Third Trans Contestant In 'Jeopardy!' History This is one of the most popular stories of 2017 in Fairfield County. The fourth time’s a charm for former WPKN-FM radio host Fran Fried, who had a quartet of auditions over 13 years before she finally snagged a spot as a contestant on TV’s “Jeopardy!” Fried, who is only the third transgender contestant ever to pick up a buzzer on the ABC game show, will appear on Tuesday night’s episode. “It’s all been like an out-of-body experience,” said the Prospect resident who spent 13 years as a host of WPKN’s “The Sleep Deprivation Experiment” and “Franorama.” Fried first tried out for the game sho…

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by Meredith Guinness
Neighbors
New York Woman Celebrates Second Chance At Life New York Woman Celebrates Second Chance At Life
New York Woman Celebrates Second Chance At Life When Orange County physical therapist’s assistant and mother Ellen Dunn first started feeling run down and short of breath, she assumed it meant that she was out of shape. She soon began working out but noticed that things didn’t get any better. That’s when her doctor diagnosed her with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung disease that results in scarring of the lungs and makes it hard to take in enough oxygen. “I knew my only option was a lung transplant, but I was in denial,” said Dunn. “It was a lot to take in and very scary – not just for me, but also for my husband and …

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by LiveOnNY
Neighbors
Westchester Resident Received Life-Saving Liver Transplant After 14 Year Wait Westchester Resident Received Life-Saving Liver Transplant After 14 Year Wait
Westchester Resident Received Life-Saving Liver Transplant After 14 Year Wait At age 32 Westchester resident Janet Ocasio was a mother to three children and a successful hospital executive who started feeling run down. Her doctor told it was likely just stress and sent her home. But things didn’t improve and soon Janet was unable to walk a block or play with her children without getting winded and needing a break. She returned to the doctor where she learned the devastating news that her liver was failing. She was told she only had 4-6 years to live. “I was terrified to leave my children,” she said. “So I began doing research and went to see another doctor who sent m…

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Content Partner: LiveOnNY
Neighbors
VIDEO: Eastchester Teen Spreads 'Love, Smiles' With Random Acts Of Kindness VIDEO: Eastchester Teen Spreads 'Love, Smiles' With Random Acts Of Kindness
Video: Eastchester Teen Spreads 'Love, Smiles' With Random Acts Of Kindness A Westchester teenager’s video showcasing random acts of kindness in Dutchess County has gone viral, with thousands of viewers watching her “spread love, smiles, laughs and kindness.” Eastchester resident Gabriella Ricciardi, 19, a student at Marist College, produced a video showcasing her and her friends handing out dollar bills to unsuspecting strangers around Poughkeepsie in acts of random kindness. The entire video was shot on Ricciardi’s iPhone, with a total budget of just $23. The video was shot and edited together in less than 24 hours, she said. Since it was posted earlier this mon…

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by Zak Failla
Neighbors
Real Life Hero Cop Meets TV Hero Cop In Yonkers Real Life Hero Cop Meets TV Hero Cop In Yonkers
Real Life Hero Cop Meets TV Hero Cop In Yonkers Fantasy met reality in Westchester last week as a real-life hero cop met a prominent actress who stars as one on television. Yonkers Police Officer Kayla Maher, who was shot in the jaw as she approached two suspected criminal in a car last year, met Mariska Hargitay this week, who is filming scenes for the TV show "Law & Order SVU" in the city. Hargitay is best known for her starring role as Olivia Benson on "Law & Order." She has also become an outspoken advocate against gun violence, equality and women’s rights. Shortly after 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, office…

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by Zak Failla
Neighbors
Ex-Westchester DA Jeanine Pirro To Pay Fine, Take Course For 119 MPH Ticket Ex-Westchester DA Jeanine Pirro To Pay Fine, Take Course For 119 MPH Ticket
Ex-Westchester DA Jeanine Pirro To Pay Fine, Take Course For 119 MPH Ticket After several months, Fox News host and former Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro has pleaded guilty to a speeding charge against her. New York State Police troopers stopped Pirro driving 119 miles per hour on Nov. 19 last year in the Town of Nichols, which is in upstate Tioga County near Owego and her hometown Elmira.  When she was stopped by troopers, Pirro, who lives in Harrison, was driving in a 65 mph zone. According to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, Pirro faced up to 11 points on her license for driving more than 40 mph over the speed limit, though that was…

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by Zak Failla
Neighbors
Westchester Residents Named Volunteer Spirit Award Winners Westchester Residents Named Volunteer Spirit Award Winners
Westchester Residents Named Volunteer Spirit Award Winners Six Westchester residents have been selected to be honored as extraordinary volunteers by Volunteer New York! during National Volunteer Week and the 38th annual Volunteer Spirit Awards Gala. Hosted by Regeneron, the gala is set or Friday, April 20, at the Westchester Marriot in Tarrytown, the event will pay homage to all of the people who selflessly give their time and money to help others in need.  “There will be six awards given to the outstanding honorees from throughout Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam, chosen from a stellar group of nominees submitted by local nonprofits,” said Volunt…

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by Kathy Reakes
Neighbors
Phyllis DeWitt Of Putnam Sheriff's Department Calls It A Career Phyllis DeWitt Of Putnam Sheriff's Department Calls It A Career
Phyllis DeWitt Of Putnam Sheriff's Department Calls It A Career Phyllis DeWitt, a longtime employee of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office called it a career on Friday. DeWitt, who started working for the county in 1985 with the Probation Department where she worked until 2001 when she moved to the Sheriff’s Office's Civil Division.  After 23 years, fellow employees wished her well and thanked her for all her years of service.

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by Kathy Reakes
Neighbors
Production Crew/Casting Call For Movie Being Shot In Hudson Valley Production Crew/Casting Call For Movie Being Shot In Hudson Valley
Production Crew/Casting Call For Movie Being Shot In Hudson Valley For those looking to break into the movie business, now's your chance to work for free on a short horror film filming in the Hudson Valley next month.  Kaleidoscope Productions is working on a "no budget" short film in Newburgh on Saturday, Feb. 24 and Sunday, Feb. 25 to be entered into film festivals. The film is about a sheriff in small town in upstate New York who uncovers a satanic haunting while investigating a domestic violence call. The company is looking for the following positions: Sound person with sound mixer Art Director Makeup Artist Gaffer They are also looking to …

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by Kathy Reakes
Neighbors
Drive To Aid Putnam Sheriff's Deputy Battling Cancer Nears $45K Drive To Aid Putnam Sheriff's Deputy Battling Cancer Nears $45K
Drive To Aid Putnam Sheriff's Deputy Battling Cancer Nears $45K Putnam County Sheriff's Deputy Michael "Mo" Schmidt, 39, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in September 2016.  According to this GoFundMe page set up by his uncle, Schmidt had been sick since Thanksgiving 2015, but was misdiagnosed for almost a year. At this time there is no known cure for this disease, but its progression can be slowed. So far, family and friends have raised nearly $45,000 of their $150,000 GoFundMe goal to help defray some of Schmidt's medical costs. Schmidt has been a Putnam County Sheriff's deputy for aobut 10 years. During his career, he has served as the …

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by Jon Craig
Neighbors
New St. Greg's Court Honors Late Danbury Athlete, 26, Killed In Crash New St. Greg's Court Honors Late Danbury Athlete, 26, Killed In Crash
New St. Greg's Court Honors Late Danbury Athlete, 26, Killed In Crash Emmanuel Omokaro of Danbury has been thinking of ways to keep Joe Neumuller's name alive ever since he was killed in a 2016 car crash. Last October, the idea to build a basketball court in Neumuller's came to Omokaro. He is currently seeking a playground permit from the city so construction can begin at St. Gregory The Great School on Great Plain Road. Neumuller was a parishioner of the church. Omokaro says the court will solve two positives. "Everyone always looking for somewhere to play basketball in Danbury," the 28-year-old told Daily Voice. "That gives people a new spo…

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by Cecilia Levine
Neighbors
Lost Dog Reunited With Owner In Red Hook Lost Dog Reunited With Owner In Red Hook
Lost Dog Reunited With Owner In Red Hook RED HOOK, N.Y. --- It was a joyous reunion between man and his best friend in Red Hook. A lost dog was reunited with his owner in Red Hook after an overwhelming response to a Facebook post by the Red Hook Police Department.  The dog was found at 79 Hapeman Hill Rd. and the post was shared 1,100 times by 45,184 people. A Rhode Island resident, who previously lived in Red Hook, recognized the dog and contacted police.  The owner is an elderly resident who has owned the dog for 17 years. "Since his wife's passing she is his only companion and was very excited to have her back," Red…

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by Sam Barron
Neighbors
Hudson Valley Resident's New Album Pays Tribute To Famed Folk Musician Hudson Valley Resident's New Album Pays Tribute To Famed Folk Musician
Hudson Valley Resident's New Album Pays Tribute To Famed Folk Musician Andy Biskin is hoping people love the music of Alan Lomax as much as he does.Biskin and his band, 16 Tons, have launched a Kickstarter to help fund the recording of his band's new record, which features a collection of American folk songs previously collected by Lomax.  The campaign, which runs through Feb. 1, is hoping to raise $8,000 to help cover fees for musicians recording, editing, mixing, mastering and producing the CDs. As of Saturday morning, 51 people have already pledged $4,521. Biskin must raise the full amount or he receives nothing. The album will begin recording in January an…

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by Sam Barron
Neighbors
Know It? Police Seek Owner Of 'Cold, Scared' Pit Bull In Hyde Park Know It? Police Seek Owner Of 'Cold, Scared' Pit Bull In Hyde Park
Know It? Police Seek Owner Of 'Cold, Scared' Pit Bull In Hyde Park The Hyde Park Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance as it attempts to reunite an anxious pit bull with its family. Police issued an alert this week regarding a “cold and scared” pit bull mix that has been spotted several times in the woods and properties between Beck Road and Kari Boulevard. According to police, the dog too shy for officers to get near him, but they are hopeful of helping it find a warm, safe home. Anyone who knows the owner or recognizes the dog have been asked to contact the Hyde Park Police Department by calling (845) 229-9340. You can share this story…

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by Zak Failla
Neighbors
Lagrangeville Resident Named Publisher Of Hudson Valley Magazine Lagrangeville Resident Named Publisher Of Hudson Valley Magazine
Lagrangeville Resident Named Publisher Of Hudson Valley Magazine Hudson Valley Magazine has a new man in charge.Dan Burnside, a Lagrangeville resident, was named publisher of Hudson Valley Magazine this week. The magazine recently celebrated its 45th anniversary. Burnside previously worked at The Blue Book Network for 15 years. At Hudson Valley Magazine, Burnside will oversee the sales and marketing teams.

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by Sam Barron
Neighbors
Hyde Park Police Helping Needy Families Over Holiday Season Hyde Park Police Helping Needy Families Over Holiday Season
Hyde Park Police Helping Needy Families Over Holiday Season HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- Hyde Park Police are doing what they can to help those in need over the holidays. The police kicked off the holiday season by joining other first responders at Target in Poughkeepsie for their Heroes and Helpers event, where local first responders help kids shop for things they need for the holidays. Last week, the police announced they have sponsored some local families for Christmas and will be working to distribute presents soon.

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by Sam Barron
Neighbors
Animal Sanctuary Will Honor 6-Year-Old Sandy Hook Massacre Victim Animal Sanctuary Will Honor 6-Year-Old Sandy Hook Massacre Victim
Animal Sanctuary Will Honor 6-Year-Old Sandy Hook Massacre Victim NEWTOWN, Conn. — Six-year-old Catherine Violet Hubbard once caught a butterfly on her hand. As she set it free, she whispered: “Tell your friends that I am kind.” That one sentence is the inspiration behind the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, a tribute to the little girl who was one of 20 children and six adults who perished in the Sandy Hook School massacre on Dec. 14, 2012. It has been five years since that tragic day and family, friends and supporters of the sanctuary gathered this month to celebrate Catherine’s memory and raise more than $700,000 for the new sanctuary. “If …

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by Meredith Guinness
Neighbors
Police Officers In Dutchess Honored For 'Courage In Face Of Danger' Police Officers In Dutchess Honored For 'Courage In Face Of Danger'
Police Officers In Dutchess Honored For 'Courage In Face Of Danger' Several Dutchess County police officers were recently honored for "Courage in Face of Danger," by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 333 during their annual Appreciation Award Ceremony. Officers recognized included Police Officer Gregory Stanis of the East Fishkill Police Department, Police Officer Peter Boutros of the Beacon Police Department, and Detectives Robert Perrotta and Jeffrey Wright of the City Of Poughkeepsie Police Department.  The FOP said the officers were honored for displaying courage in the face of danger, diligence, and hard work to bring many criminals to just…

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by Kathy Reakes
Neighbors
Mahopac Falls Volunteer FD Gets In Candy Cane Run Before Snow Arrives Mahopac Falls Volunteer FD Gets In Candy Cane Run Before Snow Arrives
Mahopac Falls Volunteer FD Gets In Candy Cane Run Before Snow Arrives The Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department renewed a tradition Saturday that is now approaching a half century. As the snow began to fall on Saturday morning, Mr & Mrs Claus gathered their firefighter/EMS family for the 2017 Candy Cane Run group picture before heading out to visit the children of the Mahopac Falls Fire District, a tradition that is almost 50 years old.  With candy canes in hand, firefighters and EMT's got on board trucks pulling out of headquarters at 10 a.m. with lights flashing and sirens blaring 

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by Daily Voice
Neighbors
Red Hook Library Earns Five-Star Rating Red Hook Library Earns Five-Star Rating
Red Hook Library Earns Five-Star Rating RED HOOK, N.Y. -- Red Hook has one of the top libraries in the country. The Red Hook Library recently received a five-star rating from Library Journal, and was named one of its "Star Libraries." "Thank you to our incredible community for making this possible," the library said on Instagram. 

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by Sam Barron
Neighbors
East Fishkill Police Sergeant Calls It A Career East Fishkill Police Sergeant Calls It A Career
East Fishkill Police Sergeant Calls It A Career HOPEWELL JUNCTION, N.Y. - Sergeant Eric Fields is heading into retirement. The East Fishkill Police Sergeant retired last week. Fields joined the East Fishkill Police Department in 1995 and was promoted to Sergeant in April 2008.  "Please join us in wishing Sergeant Fields a long and healthy retirement," the department said on its Facebook page.

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by Sam Barron
Neighbors
Meet Hudson Valley's Newest Millionaires: NY Lottery Winners Identified Meet Hudson Valley's Newest Millionaires: NY Lottery Winners Identified
Meet Hudson Valley's Newest Millionaires: NY Lottery Winners Identified It was easy for four Hudson Valley residents to offer up huge smiles when handed giant checks from the New Lottery making them the area's newest millionaires. The winners, Paul and Norma Fox of Cortlandt won $5 million playing the Mega Millions megaplier, and Katherine Lukin of West Nyack won $1 million on a Cashword scratch-off game, received their winnings during a ceremony Wednesday. Along with them was Anthony Vitolo of Wallkill in Orange County, who picked up his $10 million winnings from a luck $350 million Cash Spectacular scratch-off tickets. Lukin, who said she likes to play her f…

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by Kathy Reakes
Neighbors
Hero Cop, Wife Save 2-Year-Old Who Fell Alongside Train In Beacon Hero Cop, Wife Save 2-Year-Old Who Fell Alongside Train In Beacon
Hero Cop, Wife Save 2-Year-Old Who Fell Alongside Train In Beacon An off-duty police officer and his wife went above and beyond the call of duty on Sunday, jumping into action to rescue a 2-year-old who had fallen into the gap at the Beacon Train Station and was in danger. City of Beacon Police Officer Peter Boutros was enjoying his day off with his wife on Sunday afternoon, and while they were at the train station, the Beacon PBA said that he heard a woman screaming after her child had fallen fully into the gap between the train and platform. Boutros’ wife was able to hit a button to notify train staff, while Boutros jumped down to the ground, reaching d…

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by Zak Failla
Neighbors
Cuomo Talks Turkey, Distributing Food For 32,000 Hungry New Yorkers Cuomo Talks Turkey, Distributing Food For 32,000 Hungry New Yorkers
Cuomo Talks Turkey, Distributing Food For 32,000 Hungry New Yorkers Just in time for Thanksgiving, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Monday that New York state is partnering with Walmart, Wegmans, FreshDirect and The Coca-Cola Co. this week to deliver meals to feed more than 32,000 people statewide. "New Yorkers have a long and proud history of helping neighbors in need, and Thanksgiving provides a special opportunity to give back and reflect on what we are thankful for," said Cuomo of New Castle. "I am proud to partner with these organizations to provide thousands of families throughout the state with a warm meal. I encourage all New York…

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by Jon Craig
Neighbors
Community Mourns Loss Of Teen Killed In Pleasant Valley Crash Community Mourns Loss Of Teen Killed In Pleasant Valley Crash
Community Mourns Loss Of Teen Killed In Pleasant Valley Crash As the community mourns Saturday's loss of Nolan Evanicki of Poughkeepsie, the 18-year-old killed in a two-car crash near the Taconic State Parkway onramp in Pleasant Valley, friends have raised nearly $9,000 for funeral expenses. A GoFundMe account has been created online here for Nolan's family. "Nolans life was tragically taken in a car accident Saturday night," the GoFundMe site says. "We are setting up this go-fund-me to assist the family with these unexpected funeral expenses. Any donation that can be made, no matter how big or small will be greatly appreciated by the e…

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by Jon Craig