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Putnam County, NY

Violation Issued After Wildland Fire Goes Up Behind Hudson Valley Business: Officials Violation Issued After Wildland Fire Goes Up Behind Hudson Valley Business: Officials
Violation Issued After Wildland Fire Goes Up Behind Hudson Valley Business: Officials A wildland fire that began behind a Putnam County business took several days to put out and led to the issuing of a ticket, officials announced.  The fire was reported on Friday, Jan. 3, at 2:15 p.m. in a swampy area behind Petersen's Patterson Greenhouses in Patterson, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8.  Forest rangers responded to the scene and determined that an ember from a burn pile at the nursery had likely ignited the blaze, officials said.  Additional rangers soon joined the effort to extinguish the b…
Anesthesiologist Who Drugged, Sexually Assaulted Victim In Hudson Valley Gets Years In Prison Anesthesiologist Who Drugged, Sexually Assaulted Victim In Hudson Valley Gets Years In Prison
Anesthesiologist Who Drugged, Sexually Assaulted Victim In Hudson Valley Gets Years In Prison A former Putnam County anesthesiologist will spend years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing and assaulting a victim, officials announced.  Paul Giacopelli, a Southeast resident and former chief anesthesiologist at Putnam County Hospital, was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to four years in state prison, according to the Putnam County District Attorney's Office.  Giacopelli's sentencing follows his guilty plea on Aug. 21, 2024, to charges stemming from an incident in which he used a chemical substance to render his victim unconscious before sexually abusing her. Th…
Watch Out! Scammers Use 'Surveillance Video' Ploy to Demand Bitcoin In Hudson Valley Watch Out! Scammers Use 'Surveillance Video' Ploy to Demand Bitcoin In Hudson Valley
Watch Out! Scammers Use 'Surveillance Video' Ploy to Demand Bitcoin In Hudson Valley Authorities in the Hudson Valley are warning residents of scammers claiming to have surveillance video of victims as part of a blackmail scheme.  In an announcement on Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Carmel Police Department in Putnam County said they had received reports of an email scam targeting those in the area.  According to the department, the scammers may include victims' accurate names and addresses in emails and will claim to have surveillance footage of them.  The sender will then request a "confidentiality tip" or "privacy tip" payment in Bitcoin, police said. To avoid fal…
'Combative' Person Trespasses On Middle School Campus In Hudson Valley: Police 'Combative' Person Trespasses On Middle School Campus In Hudson Valley: Police
'Combative' Person Trespasses On Middle School Campus In Hudson Valley: Police A person was arrested for trespassing on the grounds of a Putnam County middle school after refusing to leave and becoming combative, authorities said.  The incident happened on Monday, Jan. 6, around 9:20 a.m., at Mahopac Middle School, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. The individual was observed by the school’s Resource Officer (SRO) on the campus and was approached for questioning. The man refused to provide a legitimate reason for being on the property and declined to leave, officials said.  As the SRO attempted to gather more information, the individual becam…
Longtime Hudson Valley Dispatcher, Court Officer Kieran O'Hagan Dies Longtime Hudson Valley Dispatcher, Court Officer Kieran O'Hagan Dies
Longtime Hudson Valley Dispatcher, Court Officer Kieran O'Hagan Dies The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of Kieran “KO” O’Hagan, a cherished part-time dispatcher, retired court officer, and dedicated community member whose life touched many.  O’Hagan, a longtime New York Supreme Court officer for more than two decades, died on Friday, Jan. 3 at the age of 64, according to his obituary.  Born to Arthur “Artie” O’Hagan and Bridget “Bryda” O’Hagan in 1960, O’Hagan grew up in the neighborhood of Washington Heights in Manhattan alongside his beloved sister, Kathleen “Kiki” O’Hagan Venedam. Despite a 10-year age gap, th…
Christmas Eve Blaze: Support Pours In For Hudson Valley Family Who Lost Home (UPDATE) Christmas Eve Blaze: Support Pours In For Hudson Valley Family Who Lost Home (UPDATE)
Christmas Eve Blaze: Support Pours In For Hudson Valley Family Who Lost Home (Update) A Hudson Valley family who lost their home in a devastating Christmas Eve fire is now receiving overwhelming support from their community as they begin their rebuilding process. The blaze broke out shortly after 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, at a Putnam County home on North Salem Road in Southeast. Following the tragic incident, the residence's family was left without a home, according to the Brewster Fire Department. During the fire, the family, including two children, a husband, wife, and the wife’s mother, managed to evacuate before firefighters arrived, though one fami…
Beloved Artistic Director Involved In Dutchess Theater Scene Dies At 61 Beloved Artistic Director Involved In Dutchess Theater Scene Dies At 61
Beloved Artistic Director Involved In Dutchess Theater Scene Dies At 61 A Hudson Valley theater company is mourning the loss of Christopher Gladysz, a visionary director, actor, and choreographer whose passion for theater touched countless lives. Gladysz, the Artistic Director of the Brewster Theater Company in Putnam County, died in hospice care on Friday, Dec. 6 at the age of 61 after a courageous battle with cancer, according to his obituary.  A dynamic theater artist with decades of experience, Gladysz was known for his ability to bring out the best in everyone he worked with, both on and off the stage. Under his 15 years of leadership at the Brewster …
These Hudson Valley Towns Named Among Safest In Country In New Rankings These Hudson Valley Towns Named Among Safest In Country In New Rankings
These Hudson Valley Towns Named Among Safest In Country In New Rankings If you're looking for peace and quiet, you may want to settle down in one of three Hudson Valley towns named among the safest places in the country in new rankings by MoneyGeek.  In their list of the 25 Safest Small Cities and Towns in the US released on Monday, Dec. 16, the personal finance website ranked towns from Westchester, Putnam, and Orange counties among the country's municipalities with the lowest crime numbers.  The following towns were named:  Yorktown, which took No. 6; Carmel, which took No. 7; Wallkill, which took No. 8. In order to make their rankings, Money…
Fire Sparks In Chimney At Garrison Home Fire Sparks In Chimney At Garrison Home
Fire Sparks In Chimney At Garrison Home A chimney fire in a Hudson Valley home prompted a swift multi-agency response that kept the flames from spreading further, firefighters said. The incident occurred in Putnam County on Friday, Dec. 27, at a residence on Ferris Drive in Garrison, according to the Garrison Fire Department, which responded to a mutual aid call from the Continental Village Volunteer Fire Department. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of all responding departments, the fire was quickly brought under control, officials said. No injuries were reported. The Garrison Volunteer Fire Company emphasized the importa…
3-Car Crash Hospitalizes 2, Closes Route 301 In Carmel 3-Car Crash Hospitalizes 2, Closes Route 301 In Carmel
3-Car Crash Hospitalizes 2, Closes Route 301 In Carmel A crash involving three vehicles, one of which rolled over, closed a section of Route 301 in the Hudson Valley and sent two people to the hospital, authorities said. The crash happened in Putnam County just after 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28 near the Chuang Yen Monastery at 2020 Route 301 in Carmel, according to the Kent Volunteer Fire Department. Initial reports described a single vehicle striking a utility pole and rolling over with a possible trapped driver inside, but upon arrival, responders discovered that three vehicles were involved. One vehicle was found rolled over in …
'Aviation Operations' Taking Place In Putnam, Police Say: Here's Why 'Aviation Operations' Taking Place In Putnam, Police Say: Here's Why
'Aviation Operations' Taking Place In Putnam, Police Say: Here's Why Authorities in the Hudson Valley are advising residents not to worry about what's in the sky above popular recreational trails.  In an announcement on social media on Thursday, Dec. 26, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said they are "aware of aviation operations" near the county's bike paths.  Authorities added that the operations are being carried out to help maintain the paths. The Putnam Trailway, a paved path for bicyclists and pedestrians, spans 12 linear miles through the county. It begins at the Westchester border at Baldwin Place and goes to Brewster Village.  It …
Christmas Eve Blaze: Firefighters Save Cats, Family Escapes At Southeast Home Christmas Eve Blaze: Firefighters Save Cats, Family Escapes At Southeast Home
Christmas Eve Blaze: Firefighters Save Cats, Family Escapes At Southeast Home A Hudson Valley family was forced from their home during a Christmas Eve blaze that prompted a multi-department response.  The fire broke out shortly after 6 p.m. in Putnam County on Tuesday, Dec. 24, at a residence located at 414 North Salem Rd. in Southeast, according to the Brewster Fire Department.  Crews arrived within six minutes to find the house, located approximately 500 feet from the road, fully engulfed in flames.  The family inside the home managed to evacuate before firefighters arrived, though one family member sustained minor burns, Brewster Second Assistant C…
Christmas Miracle: ‘High-Hazard’ Dam Repairs Get Green Light In Cold Spring Christmas Miracle: ‘High-Hazard’ Dam Repairs Get Green Light In Cold Spring
Christmas Miracle: ‘High-Hazard’ Dam Repairs Get Green Light In Cold Spring A Hudson Valley village will soon see vital repairs to its water infrastructure after receiving a multimillion-dollar state grant. The Putnam County village of Cold Spring has been awarded $2.5 million by New York State for critical repairs to its Upper Dam, officials announced on Monday, Dec. 23.  Village officials added that the funding came through the state Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Program.  The grant, announced just days before Christmas, will help fund a long-awaited project to reconstruct the dam’s stone wall…
Contractor, Son Nabbed For Illegal Dumping In Brewster, Authorities Say Contractor, Son Nabbed For Illegal Dumping In Brewster, Authorities Say
Contractor, Son Nabbed For Illegal Dumping In Brewster, Authorities Say A contractor and his son were ticketed for illegal dumping in the Hudson Valley after environmental officials found material containing an address in construction debris on the side of a road, authorities said.   The debris was discovered on the side of a road in Putnam County on Friday, Nov. 29 by New York State Environmental Conservation Officers Franz and Schuck while patrolling in the village of Brewster, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced on Wednesday, Dec. 18.  During their investigation, officers found a piece of mail among the debris…
Don't Miss It: MTA Holiday Lights Train Adds Festive Glow To Hudson Valley Tracks Don't Miss It: MTA Holiday Lights Train Adds Festive Glow To Hudson Valley Tracks
Don't Miss It: MTA Holiday Lights Train Adds Festive Glow To Hudson Valley Tracks If you’re hoping to catch Metro-North's first-ever illuminated Holiday Lights train, here’s when it will be rolling through Westchester and Putnam counties this weekend. The train, adorned with colorful exterior lights, will travel on Metro-North's Hudson Line, Harlem Line, and New Haven Line with routes timed for daylight, dusk, and nighttime hours.  Here are the times for this weekend, which are subject to change, officials said: Friday, Dec. 20:  From Grand Central:  4:21 PM to Mount Kisco (daylight into darkness); 7:26 PM to Southeast (darkness). Toward Grand Central:…
'Erratic' Driver From Poughkeepsie Nabbed For DWI After Traffic Stop: Police 'Erratic' Driver From Poughkeepsie Nabbed For DWI After Traffic Stop: Police
'Erratic' Driver From Poughkeepsie Nabbed For DWI After Traffic Stop: Police A 61-year-old woman is facing drunk driving charges after being stopped on a Hudson Valley roadway, police said. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16 in Putnam County, when deputies from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to Route 9 near Old West Point Road in Philipstown after receiving a call about an "erratic driver." Deputies located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop, according to the Sheriff's Office. The driver, identified as 61-year-old Dutchess County resident Sandra Heron-Bryan of Poughkeepsie, was allegedly unable to perform field sobriety …
Dump Truck Hits 5 Crashed Vehicles On I-84 In Kent, Causes Closures Dump Truck Hits 5 Crashed Vehicles On I-84 In Kent, Causes Closures
Dump Truck Hits 5 Crashed Vehicles On I-84 In Kent, Causes Closures A multi-vehicle crash involving five cars and a dump truck caused lane closures on Interstate 84 and sent three people to the hospital in the Hudson Valley, police said.  The incident happened around 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18 on Interstate 84 westbound in the Putnam County town of Kent, New York State Police announced on Thursday, Dec. 19.  According to investigators, traffic was slowing for an unknown reason when a driver failed to reduce speed in time, triggering a chain-reaction rear-end crash involving five vehicles. They all came to rest in the lanes of travel, blocking…
Drunk Driver 'Violently' Resists Arrest After Erratic I-684 Stop In Brewster, Police Say Drunk Driver 'Violently' Resists Arrest After Erratic I-684 Stop In Brewster, Police Say
Drunk Driver 'Violently' Resists Arrest After Erratic I-684 Stop In Brewster, Police Say A traffic stop on Interstate 684 in the Hudson Valley led to a violent confrontation with an intoxicated Connecticut man who resisted arrest, authorities said. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, when a Putnam County Sheriff's deputy saw a vehicle driving southbound near Exit 10 in Brewster that was allegedly unable to maintain its lane, the Sheriff's Office said on Wednesday, Dec. 18.  After stopping the vehicle, the deputy identified the driver as 36-year-old Fairfield County resident Dimas Minero Argueta of Norwalk and noted that he appeared to be intoxicated, ac…
2 Cars Collide At Busy Mahopac Intersection 2 Cars Collide At Busy Mahopac Intersection
2 Cars Collide At Busy Mahopac Intersection Two vehicles were involved in a collision that blocked traffic at a busy Hudson Valley intersection. The crash happened in Putnam County on Tuesday, Dec. 17 just after 10 a.m., when two cars collided at the intersection of Route 6 and Jonathan Drive in Mahopac, according to the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department. Following the incident, two people were taken by ambulance to be evaluated for injuries.  More information about the crash was not immediately available. 
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…
Student Pictured With Suspected Firearm Sparks Investigation In Putnam Valley Student Pictured With Suspected Firearm Sparks Investigation In Putnam Valley
Student Pictured With Suspected Firearm Sparks Investigation In Putnam Valley Authorities are investigating a report involving a Hudson Valley student allegedly photographed with what appeared to be a firearm on school grounds, police announced. The investigation began in Putnam County late Tuesday, Dec. 10, when the concerning image was reported to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office School Resource Officer by the Putnam Valley School District, the Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The student was identified and interviewed at their residence. They did not attend Putnam Valley High School on Wednesday, authorities and school officials said. In a…
Hudson Valley Company Hits Jackpot with $7 Million Cash4Life Win Hudson Valley Company Hits Jackpot with $7 Million Cash4Life Win
Hudson Valley Company Hits Jackpot with $7 Million Cash4Life Win Consultant Jidderbug, a Putnam County-based liability company, has struck it rich, claiming a life-changing $1,000-a-day-for-life top prize in the Cash4Life lottery game. New York Lottery officials said the company, located in Garrison, clinched the Cash4Life game's grand prize in the Sunday, August 18 drawing. The win guarantees a minimum payout of $7 million, but lottery officials said the company opted for a lump sum and received $4,557,000. The winning ticket was purchased at Smokes 4 Less in Orange County in Newburgh, sparking curiosity about whether the prize would be shared among em…
Pets Endangered: Tacks Found Scattered in Dog-Walking Area In Southeast Pets Endangered: Tacks Found Scattered in Dog-Walking Area In Southeast
Pets Endangered: Tacks Found Scattered in Dog-Walking Area In Southeast A troubling discovery in the Hudson Valley has sparked an investigation after nearly 100 metal thumbtacks were found scattered in a grassy area commonly used for dog walking, authorities said.  The incident occurred at Twin Brook Manor in the Putnam County town of Southeast, according to the Putnam County SPCA, which received a report from a resident on Tuesday, Dec. 3.  The resident, who frequently walks their dog in the area behind the 200 block of houses, noticed dozens of metal tacks scattered across the grass and notified the SPCA. Upon further investigation, SPCA officials …
Stormville Woman Nabbed For DWI, Almost Hitting Cop Car Over Holiday Weekend: Police Stormville Woman Nabbed For DWI, Almost Hitting Cop Car Over Holiday Weekend: Police
Stormville Woman Nabbed For DWI, Almost Hitting Cop Car Over Holiday Weekend: Police Several people, including Connecticut residents, were apprehended for impaired driving over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in the Hudson Valley, including several incidents involving crashes and dangerous driving behaviors, authorities announced. The arrests, which occurred in Putnam County between Tuesday, Nov. 26, and Wednesday, Dec. 4, were announced by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday. The first of the incidents happened on Nov. 26, when deputies were dispatched to a two-car crash on Route 311 in Patterson near McManus Road North.  According to the Sheriff's Offic…
Driver Rescued After Plunging Into Reservoir In Carmel Driver Rescued After Plunging Into Reservoir In Carmel
Driver Rescued After Plunging Into Reservoir In Carmel A driver was rescued from a partially submerged vehicle in a Hudson Valley reservoir, authorities said.  The incident occurred in Putnam County shortly after noon on Tuesday, Dec. 3, when a vehicle crashed into the West Branch Reservoir near Washington Road in Carmel, according to the Carmel Police Department. The driver, a 76-year-old Mahopac woman, was unable to exit the vehicle, prompting an immediate response from Carmel Police officers, along with the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department, the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department Dive Team, and EMS units. Upon arriving, Carmel off…
New Details Revealed In Fiery Parkway Crash That Killed Firefighter From Fishkill New Details Revealed In Fiery Parkway Crash That Killed Firefighter From Fishkill
New Details Revealed In Fiery Parkway Crash That Killed Firefighter From Fishkill New details are being unveiled about a fiery crash on the Taconic State Parkway in the Hudson Valley that claimed the life of a beloved Army veteran and longtime Westchester firefighter. The crash, which killed 58-year-old Dutchess County resident Michael Fitzgerald of Fishkill, occurred at approximately 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, just south of Route 301 in the Putnam County town of Putnam Valley, according to the New York State Police. An initial investigation revealed that Fitzgerald had been driving a 2017 Toyota Rav4 southbound when the vehicle left the parkway for unkn…
Woman Killed In Head-On Southeast Crash With Box Truck Woman Killed In Head-On Southeast Crash With Box Truck
Woman Killed In Head-On Southeast Crash With Box Truck A Massachusetts woman was killed when she collided head-on with a box truck on a Hudson Valley road, police said.  The crash occurred on Monday, Dec. 2 at around 8:30 a.m., on John Simpson Road in the Putnam County town of Southeast, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. According to authorities, a southbound Honda CRV crossed over the double yellow line and struck a northbound Isuzu box truck head-on. The driver of the Honda, 82-year-old Worcester County resident Anna Catullo of Shrewsbury, was pronounced deceased at the scene, authorities said.  Meanwhile, …
Update: Suspect In Multi-County Chase In Dutchess Hit Cars, Fled Into State Park, Police Say Update: Suspect In Multi-County Chase In Dutchess Hit Cars, Fled Into State Park, Police Say
Update: Suspect In Multi-County Chase In Dutchess Hit Cars, Fled Into State Park, Police Say Police have released more details about a Hudson Valley chase that spanned multiple counties, including that the suspect rammed police vehicles, drove through a state park, and narrowly missed pedestrians before being apprehended.  The incident unfolded in Putnam County on Wednesday, Nov. 27, beginning with a reported domestic assault on Stoneleigh Avenue in Carmel, according to the Carmel Police Department. Earlier Report - Carmel Assault Suspect Leads Cross-County Pursuit In U-Haul Van, Police Say The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Noel Mendez Jr., of Fairview, New Jersey, …
Beloved Army Veteran, Retired Firefighter From Fishkill Dies In Crash At 58 Beloved Army Veteran, Retired Firefighter From Fishkill Dies In Crash At 58
Beloved Army Veteran, Retired Firefighter From Fishkill Dies In Crash At 58 A beloved Hudson Valley resident, Army veteran, and longtime Westchester firefighter is being remembered for his larger-than-life personality, unwavering support for his family, and dedication to his community following his tragic death in a car crash. New, updated report - New Details Revealed In Fiery Taconic Parkway Crash In Putnam Valley That Killed Veteran Dutchess County resident Michael Fitzgerald of Fishkill died on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at the age of 58 from injuries sustained in a crash on the Taconic State Parkway in the Putnam County town of Putnam Valley, according to his obi…
Blaze Breaks Out At Auto Dealership On Thanksgiving Night In Region Blaze Breaks Out At Auto Dealership On Thanksgiving Night In Region
Blaze Breaks Out At Auto Dealership On Thanksgiving Night In Region Responders in the Hudson Valley worked quickly to battle a blaze an auto dealership on Thanksgiving night, ensuring the business avoided significant damage. The blaze broke out in Putnam County just before 10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28, at Meadowland Car Dealership in Carmel, according to authorities. Firefighters from the Carmel Fire Department arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the building on Route 6 near Old Route 6. Crews traced the fire to a heating unit on the roof and in the building’s maintenance area, the Carmel Fire Department said. The Carmel FD said that "The source of t…
Man Caught With Fentanyl During Traffic Stop On I-84 In Southeast: Police Man Caught With Fentanyl During Traffic Stop On I-84 In Southeast: Police
Man Caught With Fentanyl During Traffic Stop On I-84 In Southeast: Police A 35-year-old man is facing a drug possession charge after police allegedly found him with fentanyl during a traffic stop on Interstate 84 in the region, authorities said.  The arrest occurred on Friday, Nov. 15, at around 3:45 p.m., when members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Enforcement Unit stopped a vehicle on Interstate 84 West in Southeast, according to Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville.  The driver, identified as 35-year-old Randy A. Cascino of Patterson, was found to be in possession of suspected fentanyl during the stop, the Sheriff's Office said.…