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 Busy Hudson Valley Road 3-Car Crash Hospitalizes 2, Closes Busy Hudson Valley Road
3-Car Crash Hospitalizes 2, Closes Busy Hudson Valley Road 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 Hudson Valley Home Christmas Eve Blaze: Firefighters Save Cats, Family Escapes At Hudson Valley Home
Christmas Eve Blaze: Firefighters Save Cats, Family Escapes At Hudson Valley 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 Hudson Valley, Authorities Say Contractor, Son Nabbed For Illegal Dumping In Hudson Valley, Authorities Say
Contractor, Son Nabbed For Illegal Dumping In Hudson Valley, 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…