Subway Death: Judge Dismisses Manslaughter Charge Against NY Ex-Marine After Jury Deadlocks Subway Death: Judge Dismisses Manslaughter Charge Against NY Ex-Marine After Jury Deadlocks
Subway Death: Judge Dismisses Manslaughter Charge Against NY Ex-Marine After Jury Deadlocks A New York judge dismissed the top criminal count against an ex-Marine accused of choking a New Jersey street artist to death aboard a Manhattan subway after the jury deadlocked. Manhattan Judge Maxwell Wiley granted a defense motion to dismiss the manslaughter charge against Daniel Penny late Friday afternoon, Dec. 6, after jurors were unable to reach a verdict on the top count, NBC News reports. The dismissal came hours after jurors told Wiley they were deadlocked on whether Penny was guilty of second-degree manslaughter and the judge ordered them to continue deliberations.…
Mystery In The Skies: FBI Probing Unexplained Drone Sightings In New Jersey (VIDEO) Mystery In The Skies: FBI Probing Unexplained Drone Sightings In New Jersey (VIDEO)
Mystery In The Skies: FBI Probing Unexplained Drone Sightings In New Jersey (Video) The skies over New Jersey remain a puzzling hotspot for drone sightings as reports continue nearly two weeks after they first emerged, with residents growing increasingly uneasy (scroll for video). On Wednesday, Dec. 4, Warren County officials confirmed they are working with the FBI-Newark, New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to monitor, assess, and investigate the unusual activity. This follows a similar announcement from Morris and Somerset counties, where prosecutors, sheriffs, and emergency management offices are coordinating efforts …
Police In Hudson Valley De-escalate Suicidal Woman With Knife At Store Police In Hudson Valley De-escalate Suicidal Woman With Knife At Store
Police In Hudson Valley De-escalate Suicidal Woman With Knife At Store A suicidal woman with a knife was safely talked into dropping the weapon after a stand-off at a Hudson Valley store. The incident occurred at the All In One Food Mart in Dutchess County, in Beacon, on Monday, Dec. 2. According to Beacon Police Chief Thomas Figlia, officers who responded to the area of 1020 Wolcott Ave., along with a Mental Health America specialist, found the woman calm but incoherent. While they attempted to speak with her, she produced a kitchen knife from her pocket, held it to her own throat, and then slowly retreated into the grocery store as officers contin…
New Hudson Valley Fire Station Celebrates Opening New Hudson Valley Fire Station Celebrates Opening
New Hudson Valley Fire Station Celebrates Opening Hundreds of residents, city officials, and firefighters turned out to unveil a fire department's new station, which consolidates three stations into one. The event occurred in Dutchess County on Saturday, Nov. 16, in Beacon. According to Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou, the new central station for the Beacon Fire Department, located at the “gateway” to Beacon on Route 9D opposite City Hall, represents the culmination of decades of studies and plans to consolidate three fire stations into one central location. Kyriacou said the 17,000-square-foot facility, which costs $14.7 mi…
Gunfire Near Hudson Valley YMCA Leads To Teen Found With Loaded Handgun: Police Gunfire Near Hudson Valley YMCA Leads To Teen Found With Loaded Handgun: Police
Gunfire Near Hudson Valley YMCA Leads To Teen Found With Loaded Handgun: Police Early on a chilly morning, gunfire shattered the quiet streets of a Hudson Valley city.  At approximately 6:53 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, calls flooded into the local police station, reporting shots at the intersection of Liberty Street and Wickham Avenue, said Middletown Police Lt. Jeffrey Thoelen. Responding swiftly, Middletown Police officers arrived on the scene to discover a lone shell casing in front of 33 Wickham Ave. They quickly cordoned off the area to ensure public safety. As the morning unfolded, police officers and detectives meticulously combed through the neighborhood, b…
Bomb Threat Made To High School In Hudson Valley Bomb Threat Made To High School In Hudson Valley
Bomb Threat Made To High School In Hudson Valley Acting on a tip, the FBI and local law enforcement charged a person with allegedly making a bomb threat against a high school in the region. The incident occurred in Dutchess County on Sunday, Nov. 17. Dr. Dwight Bonk, superintendent of schools for the Wappinger Central School District, said the threat was made against Orchard View Alternative High School in Wappingers Falls. Bonk said the FBI received a tip about some online activity that led them to a home in the District. "The FBI, as well as the East Fishkill Police Department, were quick to notify us of the situation," Bonk said. "Tha…
Don’t Be Fooled: Police Warn Of Email Scammers Ahead Of Holidays Don’t Be Fooled: Police Warn Of Email Scammers Ahead Of Holidays
Don’t Be Fooled: Police Warn Of Email Scammers Ahead Of Holidays Police in New York are warning residents to beware scammers heading into the holidays. In a public service announcement Wednesday, Nov. 13, Nassau County Police were especially concerned about computer scams that claim someone’s bank or shopping account was “hacked.” Other scams include phony computer viruses and software updates, unsolicited job offers, fake lotto prizes, and bogus overdue notices from purported utility companies. “Legitimate agencies never ask for immediate payment via gift cards and never come to your home to collect cash,” the agency said. Police warned that the follo…
Seen Him? 23-Year-Old On Run After Murdering His Father At Suburban NY Home, Police Say Seen Him? 23-Year-Old On Run After Murdering His Father At Suburban NY Home, Police Say
Seen Him? 23-Year-Old On Run After Murdering His Father At Suburban NY Home, Police Say Police are seeking the public's help in locating a man accused of stabbing his father to death on Long Island. The incident happened in Rocky Point at 30 Quail Road on Saturday, Nov. 9, around 1:25 a.m.  Officers arrived to find Joseph Zoll, age 61, with stab wounds, according to Suffolk County Police.  Zoll was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 10, Suffolk County Police said its Homicide Squad detectives are looking to locate Matthew Zoll, who is wanted for the murder of his father. Matthew Zoll, 2…
Rabid Raccoon Seen 'Acting Aggressively' Near School In Hudson Valley Rabid Raccoon Seen 'Acting Aggressively' Near School In Hudson Valley
Rabid Raccoon Seen 'Acting Aggressively' Near School In Hudson Valley A raccoon found acting aggressively near a school in Westchester has tested positive for rabies, health officials announced. The raccoon was seen on Thursday, Oct. 31 near the John Paulding School in Tarrytown at 154 Broadway, the Westchester County Department of Health announced on Wednesday, Nov. 6. The animal was also seen near the Warner Library and Patriots Park down the street from the school, health officials said. After it was found, the raccoon was confirmed to be rabid. Because of this, the Health Department is now urging residents to call as soon as possible if they or…
18-Year-Old State Parks Worker Killed Battling Hudson Valley Wildfire 18-Year-Old State Parks Worker Killed Battling Hudson Valley Wildfire
18-Year-Old State Parks Worker Killed Battling Hudson Valley Wildfire A teenage New York State Parks and Recreation worker died battling one of the latest in a rash of wildfires in the region. Click here for a new, updated story - 18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At Sterling Forest Remembered As HS Baseball Standout The blaze broke out in Orange County at Sterling Forest State Park in Tuxedo on Saturday, Nov. 9, and spread into parts of neighboring New Jersey. He's been identified as 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez, police said. Vasquez suffered fatal injuries after a tree fell, according to the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Pr…
Beloved K9 Who Served With 'Gentlemanly Attitude' In Hudson Valley Dies Beloved K9 Who Served With 'Gentlemanly Attitude' In Hudson Valley Dies
Beloved K9 Who Served With 'Gentlemanly Attitude' In Hudson Valley Dies A sheriff's office is mourning the loss of a beloved K9 who dutifully served the public for several years while still keeping a playful side.  In an announcement on Monday, Nov. 4, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office PBA revealed the death of K9 Satch, who served the county for more than seven years.  After beginning his career in January 2015 with his handler, Deputy Christopher Tompkins, Satch went on to become certified in tracking, evidence search, criminal apprehension, handler protection, and explosive detection.  In a post on social media memorializing the fallen …
School Bus Goes Up In Flames In Hudson Valley School Bus Goes Up In Flames In Hudson Valley
School Bus Goes Up In Flames In Hudson Valley A busy road in the region was temporarily closed as crews battled a school bus fire.  The blaze happened on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 7 in Northern Westchester County when the bus caught on fire in Valhalla on Grasslands Road (Route 100), according to the Valhalla Fire Department. Luckily, no students were aboard the bus at the time and no injuries were reported. The blaze was quickly put out and the bus was removed from the road, the department said, adding that the roadway was then reopened to traffic.