Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In Dutchess County Home Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In Dutchess County Home
Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In Dutchess County Home James Earl Jones, the beloved actor and voice behind one of cinema's most memorable villains, died Monday, Sept. 9, at his home in Dutchess County, Variety reported.  The "Field of Dreams" star was 93. No cause of death was given.  Jones, a Pawling resident, is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. From the Broadway stage, the silver screen, and a galaxy far, far away, the Mississippi-born actor had a range that few others could replicate.  He was a large man but could play gentle and meek characters, and his baritone voice could be calm and reassurin…
'Dawson's Creek' Actor With Ties To Region Dies At 51 'Dawson's Creek' Actor With Ties To Region Dies At 51
'Dawson's Creek' Actor With Ties To Region Dies At 51 An actor with ties to the region who was known for roles on several popular television shows such as "Dawson's Creek" is being remembered for his enduring positivity following a battle against an eating disorder.  Actor Obi Ndefo died on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at the age of 51 after a long illness, his sister Nkem Ndefo announced in a social media post on Monday, Sept. 2.  "Tragically, Obi’s heart gave out in his longstanding battle against the eating disorder orthorexia," Nkem Ndefo wrote in a post on X, adding, "As his family, we share this news to bring attention to …
Fallen Detective From Hudson Valley Was About To Be A Grandfather Fallen Detective From Hudson Valley Was About To Be A Grandfather
Fallen Detective From Hudson Valley Was About To Be A Grandfather Richard Cunningham was a decorated police officer, but he's being remembered for his work outside of uniform following his sudden death last week.  Northern Westchester resident Cunningham, age 60, of Peekskill, died unexpectedly on Saturday, Aug. 31. He had been serving as a detective with the Greenburgh Police Department. He left behind a wife and three adult children. His obituary said that at the time of his death, Cunningham was about to become a grandfather. Police have not disclosed the cause of his death.  Cunningham was born in the Bronx in 1964 and joined the…
Vigil To Be Held For Fallen 26-Year-Old Firefighter From Hudson Valley Vigil To Be Held For Fallen 26-Year-Old Firefighter From Hudson Valley
Vigil To Be Held For Fallen 26-Year-Old Firefighter From Hudson Valley A candlelit vigil will soon be held to honor the memory of a 26-year-old firefighter from the Hudson Valley following his untimely death in Connecticut.  A vigil for Putnam County resident William "Billy" May of Brewster, who died on Friday, March 29, in Danbury at the age of 26, will be held on Monday, Aug. 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the field at Grace Life Community Church at 520 Route 312 in Brewster.  The memorial will be public and will be a way for community members to remember him during the week of what would have been his 27th birthday, according to hi…
11-Year-Old Girl Struck, Killed By Car In Region 11-Year-Old Girl Struck, Killed By Car In Region
11-Year-Old Girl Struck, Killed By Car In Region Friends and strangers from across the region have come together and donated to help a family bury an 11-year-old girl hit and killed by a car. The incident occurred in Sullivan County around 8:50 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4, on Route 52 in the Lava area of the town of Tusten. The girl, identified as Delana Weyandt of Lave by her big sister Sophia Weyandt, said the accident occurred as they were "walking, and we went to cross the road safely. "We looked both ways and held each other's hand," Sophia said in a GoFundMe. "A driver came speeding, and before I could move her, it was too late. He hit …
'Deeply Grateful': Support Swells For Family Of Capital Region Principal Killed In Crash 'Deeply Grateful': Support Swells For Family Of Capital Region Principal Killed In Crash
'Deeply Grateful': Support Swells For Family Of Capital Region Principal Killed In Crash The community is rallying around the family of a beloved elementary school principal in the region who was killed in a car crash. Saratoga County resident Nicholas Criscone, age 50, of Charlton, died Saturday, July 20, when his vehicle went off Stage Road in Charlton, struck a tree, and caught fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to New York State Police. Earlier Report: Scotia Elementary Principal Nicholas Criscone Dies In Crash News of Criscone’s death sent shock and sadness through the halls of the Scotia-Glenville Central School District in Schenectady County, w…
Greenwich Resident, Fandango Founder J. Michael Cline, 64, Was Father Of 6 Greenwich Resident, Fandango Founder J. Michael Cline, 64, Was Father Of 6
Greenwich Resident, Fandango Founder J. Michael Cline, 64, Was Father Of 6 Fairfield County resident J. Michael Cline, the founder of Fandango and other startups, who died from an apparent suicide after falling from the 20th floor of a luxury hotel in Manhattan, was a father of six. Cline, age 64, a homeowner in Greenwich, died around 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 16, at the Kimberly Hotel on 50th Street, said the New York City Police Department. "Upon arrival, officers found an unconscious and unresponsive male with injuries indicative of a fall from an elevated position. An investigation remains ongoing," NYPD said.  Original report: Fandango Founder Fr…
HS Student Killed In Crash At Westchester Shopping Center Was Beloved Baseball Player HS Student Killed In Crash At Westchester Shopping Center Was Beloved Baseball Player
HS Student Killed In Crash At Westchester Shopping Center Was Beloved Baseball Player A 16-year-old high school student from Westchester who was killed in a crash is being remembered for his love of baseball and his role as a mentor to young summer campers.  New Rochelle resident Aidan Galeano, age 16, was killed in a crash that happened just after midnight on Saturday, July 13, in New Rochelle at the Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center at 1062 Wilmot Road, New Rochelle Police Captain J. Collins Coyne said on Wednesday, July 17. Earlier Report - ID Released For HS Student Killed In Crash At Shopping Center In New Rochelle Born in 2008, Galeano spent hi…
Westchester Police Officer Killed In Crash Remembered For His 'Zest For Life' Westchester Police Officer Killed In Crash Remembered For His 'Zest For Life'
Westchester Police Officer Killed In Crash Remembered For His 'Zest For Life' A 23-year-old Westchester County police officer who died in a Hudson Valley crash is being remembered for his smile and zest for life. Original Report: 'Happy-Go-Lucky' Westchester Police Officer Killed In Highlands Crash Christopher Bernal, a lifelong resident of Port Chester resident and a police officer with the Village of Port Chester, died on Sunday, July 7, in Orange County in the town of Highlands in the motorcycle crash. He attended King Street Elementary School and Corpus Christi Middle School in Port Chester and graduated from Port Chester High School in 2018; Christopher …
'Tragic Loss': Newlywed Officer Killed In NY Salon Crash Remembered For 'Bravery, Compassion' 'Tragic Loss': Newlywed Officer Killed In NY Salon Crash Remembered For 'Bravery, Compassion'
'Tragic Loss': Newlywed Officer Killed In NY Salon Crash Remembered For 'Bravery, Compassion' Tributes are pouring in for a beloved NYPD officer who was killed alongside three others in an alleged drunk driving crash at a New York nail salon. Emilia Rennhack was off duty and getting her nails done when an SUV came barreling through the front window of Long Island’s Hawaii Nail & Spa, located in Deer Park on Commack Road, on Friday afternoon, June 28. Rennhack was pronounced dead at the scene alongside the salon’s owner, Jiancai Chen, age 37, of Bayside, Queens, according to Suffolk County Police. Also killed were Yan Xu, age 41, and Meizi Zhang, age 50, both of Flushing, Queens.…
Plane Crash IDs: 5 Killed Were Family Members Who Were In Cooperstown For Baseball Tournament Plane Crash IDs: 5 Killed Were Family Members Who Were In Cooperstown For Baseball Tournament
Plane Crash IDs: 5 Killed Were Family Members Who Were In Cooperstown For Baseball Tournament Five people killed in a small plane crash in New York have been identified as members of a family who were in the region for a baseball tournament in Cooperstown, the site of the sport's Hall of Fame and Museum. The single-engine Piper PA-46 went down in Catskill Park around 2 p.m. Sunday, June 30, in the small Delaware County village of Sidney. According to the Federation Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane had departed from Oneonta about 20 minutes earlier. Drones, ATVs, and helicopters were used during the hours-long search, leading to the discovery of debris and, ultimately, to th…
Beloved Northern Westchester High School Student Dies At Age 16 Beloved Northern Westchester High School Student Dies At Age 16
Beloved Northern Westchester High School Student Dies At Age 16 A 16-year-old Northern Westchester high school student is being remembered for her determination to keep working and learning throughout her courageous battle with cancer.  Brooke Audrey D’Aleo, a student at John Jay High School in Lewisboro, died on Thursday, June 27 at the age of 16 after a battle with leukemia, according to her obituary.  Born in 2007, D’Aleo began life as a joyful baby, "always smiling and giggling," her obituary said. As the years went on, she grew into a role model for her younger sister and best friend, Paige, and became known for her selflessnes…
Funeral Services Held For Boy, Mother Fatally Struck By Bus In Westchester Funeral Services Held For Boy, Mother Fatally Struck By Bus In Westchester
Funeral Services Held For Boy, Mother Fatally Struck By Bus In Westchester Community members came together to honor the memory of a 6-year-old boy and his mother who were killed while walking to a Westchester school.  A funeral Mass was held on Friday morning, June 28 at the St. Augustine Church in Larchmont for Mamaroneck residents Michael Donovan Volpe, age 6, and his mother, 43-year-old Molly Murphey Donovan, who were both killed on Thursday, June 20 after being struck by a school bus while walking to the Mamaroneck Avenue School.  Earlier Report - New Update: IDs Released Of Mother, Child Struck, Killed By School Bus In…
'Total Shock': 34-Year-Old Air Force Veteran Killed In Capital Region Crash Had 'Heart Of Gold' 'Total Shock': 34-Year-Old Air Force Veteran Killed In Capital Region Crash Had 'Heart Of Gold'
'Total Shock': 34-Year-Old Air Force Veteran Killed In Capital Region Crash Had 'Heart Of Gold' Tributes are pouring in for a beloved Air Force veteran following his untimely death in the region. Albany County resident Michael Furch, age 34, of Guilderland, died following a single-vehicle crash on I-787 in Albany on Thursday, June 20. New York State Police said Furch was operating a motorcycle when he lost control and struck a concrete barrier while exiting I-787 on the flyover ramp to I-90. He was ejected from the bike and landed on the shoulder of I-787 northbound below. Furch was pronounced dead at the scene. Earlier Report: Fatal Crash: 34-Year-Old ID'd As Victim In …
'Adventurous Spirit': Pilot Killed In NY Plane Crash Remembered For 'Palpable Zest For Life' 'Adventurous Spirit': Pilot Killed In NY Plane Crash Remembered For 'Palpable Zest For Life'
'Adventurous Spirit': Pilot Killed In NY Plane Crash Remembered For 'Palpable Zest For Life' Natalie Gillis saw much of the world in her 34 years, most of it from the air. The pilot from Toronto, Canada died Monday morning, June 17, when her twin engine Piper plane crashed just moments after taking off from Albany International Airport. Gillis, the aircraft’s sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Colonie Police. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the NTSB. Earlier Report: Pilot Killed In Small Plane Crash Near Albany Airport Her employer, KASI Aviation Services, confirmed her death in a Facebook tribute posted Thursday morning, Ju…
NY Veteran's Lifelong 'Secret' Revealed In Heartbreaking Obituary Going Viral NY Veteran's Lifelong 'Secret' Revealed In Heartbreaking Obituary Going Viral
NY Veteran's Lifelong 'Secret' Revealed In Heartbreaking Obituary Going Viral A decorated veteran and retired firefighter from upstate New York is going viral for his heartbreaking posthumous revelation. Lifelong Rensselaer County resident Col. Edward Thomas Ryan, of Rensselaer, died with a long-kept secret that rendered him “afraid of being ostracized,” he wrote in his own obituary, which was published in the Albany Times Union on Saturday, June 8. "I must tell you one more thing. I was gay all my life: thru grade school, thru high school, thru college, thru life,” Ryan wrote. “I'm sorry for not having the courage to come out as gay. I was afraid of being ostraciz…
'Ray Of Sunshine': Heather McNamara, NY Recipient Of Groundbreaking Surgery, Dies At 22 'Ray Of Sunshine': Heather McNamara, NY Recipient Of Groundbreaking Surgery, Dies At 22
'Ray Of Sunshine': Heather McNamara, NY Recipient Of Groundbreaking Surgery, Dies At 22 Heather McNamara, who stole hearts across the tristate area after undergoing groundbreaking cancer surgery as a child, has died at the age of 22. The Long Island resident from Islip Terrace died Saturday, June 1, due to multiple organ failure after spending months hospitalized in intensive care from a bacterial infection, her mother Tina announced. McNamara became a familiar face to many in 2011, when she appeared in a commercial for NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. In the black and white spot, the then 7-year-old recounted how two hospitals turned her family away before Dr. Tomoaki Kato ag…
New Update: 25-Year-Old NYPD Officer From Hudson Valley Killed In Crash Was 3-Year Veteran New Update: 25-Year-Old NYPD Officer From Hudson Valley Killed In Crash Was 3-Year Veteran
New Update: 25-Year-Old Nypd Officer From Hudson Valley Killed In Crash Was 3-Year Veteran A 25-year-old New York City Police officer from the Hudson Valley who was killed in a crash is being remembered as a dedicated officer with plenty of success already under her belt during her three years of service. Putnam County resident Juliana N. Torsiello of Putnam Valley, a member of the New York City Police Department, was killed in an Orange County crash on County Road 51 in the town of Hamptonburgh hamlet of Campbell Hall on Friday, May 24 just before 6 p.m., New York State Police announced. Earlier Report - 25-Year-Old Woman Who Was NYPD Officer Killed In Hudson Val…
Adored Army Vet, Nonprofit Founder From Hudson Valley Dies At 38: 'Larger-Than-Life' Adored Army Vet, Nonprofit Founder From Hudson Valley Dies At 38: 'Larger-Than-Life'
Adored Army Vet, Nonprofit Founder From Hudson Valley Dies At 38: 'Larger-Than-Life' A beloved US Army veteran from the Hudson Valley who dedicated much of his time and effort toward helping his fellow troops is being remembered for his large personality and ability to form a lasting bond with anyone.  Putnam County resident Luke Rathschmidt of Mahopac died unexpectedly in South Carolina on Saturday, May 18 at the age of 38, according to his obituary.  Born in 1986, Rathschmidt was a proud US Army veteran who served in Iraq in the 82nd Airborne Division.  His time in the military left a lasting impression on him that shaped much of the rest of…
Update: 23-Year-Old Killed In Westchester Crash Was Proud Electrician, Rock Climber Update: 23-Year-Old Killed In Westchester Crash Was Proud Electrician, Rock Climber
Update: 23-Year-Old Killed In Westchester Crash Was Proud Electrician, Rock Climber A 23-year-old Westchester man killed in a crash on a busy parkway is being remembered as a successful electrician who excelled at repairing computers and was always there for those who needed him. Mamaroneck resident Logan Spillane was killed in a crash on the Sprain Brook Parkway in Greenburgh on Saturday, May 18 around 1:30 p.m., New York State Police announced. 23-Year-Old Man Killed After Being Ejected From Car On Busy Parkway In Westchester Born in 2001, Spillane was a 2019 graduate of Rye High School and went on to become an electrician, which he took great pride in, according t…
Hudson Valley Teen Killed In Crash Remembered For His Love Of Fishing, 'Being On The Move' Hudson Valley Teen Killed In Crash Remembered For His Love Of Fishing, 'Being On The Move'
Hyde Park Teen Killed In Crash Remembered For Love Of Trucks A 17-year-old Hudson Valley student killed in a crash that also injured three others, one critically, is being remembered for his love of life. Related: Hyde Park HS Student Dead, 1 Critical Following Crash Daniel "Dan" George Noakes, age 17, of Hyde Park, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 15, at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie following a single-vehicle crash in which he was the driver. A Poughkeepsie native, Noakes was the son of Glenn A. and Nicole Liegey Noakes. His father lives in Poughkeepsie, and his mother and sister, Annie, in Hyde Park. Noakes, an 11th-grad…
'Devastating Loss': Mom Of 4-Year-Old Killed In Capital Region Crash; Support Swells For Son 'Devastating Loss': Mom Of 4-Year-Old Killed In Capital Region Crash; Support Swells For Son
'Devastating Loss': Mom Of 4-Year-Old Killed In Capital Region Crash; Support Swells For Son Support is flooding in for a 4-year-old boy who lost his mother in a head-on crash in the region that also killed a second driver. Rensselaer County resident Tricia Daigneault, age 29, of Hoosick Falls, was one of two women who died in the Washington County wreck, which occurred in White Creek on Wednesday morning, May 15. New York State Police said Daigneault was driving on State Route 22 near Grandma Moses Road when she collided with another vehicle head-on shortly after 6 a.m. She and the other driver, Shumeka Mentor, age 39, of Albany, were pronounced dead at the scene. There were no o…
Family Killed In Wrong-Way Merritt Parkway Crash On Way Home From Hospital Family Killed In Wrong-Way Merritt Parkway Crash On Way Home From Hospital
Family Killed In Wrong-Way Merritt Parkway Crash On Way Home From Hospital Three members of a Connecticut family killed in a wrong-way driver crash were on their way home from the hospital when killed. Related: IDs Released In Wrong-Way Merritt Parkway Crash With 4 Fatalities In Stratford ID Released For Driver In Stratford Crash That Killed 4 Fairfield County resident Steven P. Rowland, age 65, of Easton, was driving his aunt and uncle, Thomas and Olga Vitale, ages 80 and 81, also of Easton, home from Yale New Haven Hospital when all three were killed in the crash in Stratford, according to their obituaries. "While his death was abrupt and he…
17-Year-Old Volunteer Firefighter From Capital Region Dies; 'Loved Helping Other People' 17-Year-Old Volunteer Firefighter From Capital Region Dies; 'Loved Helping Other People'
17-Year-Old Volunteer Firefighter From Capital Region Dies; 'Loved Helping Other People' Tributes and donations are flooding in following the unexpected death of a beloved 17-year-old volunteer firefighter and EMT from the region. Saratoga County resident Anthony Stefanacci, of Saratoga Springs, died by suicide on Friday, May 10, according to the Ballston Lake EMS. Stefanacci, lovingly known by colleagues as “AJ,” had just passed his EMT exam and was a week shy of his 18th birthday. He was set to graduate from WSWHE BOCES, where he was enrolled in the Criminal Justice Studies program. In a post on Facebook, the school said it was devastated to learn of his passing, adding that…
Update: Support Pours In For Family Of Fallen Westchester Officer After Tragic Accident Update: Support Pours In For Family Of Fallen Westchester Officer After Tragic Accident
Update: Support Pours In For Family Of Fallen Westchester Officer After Tragic Accident A community has come together to raise tens of thousands of dollars to support the family of a fallen Westchester County Police officer who died in an accident at his home.  Westchester County Police Officer Alfred R. Mosiello, Jr. died on Thursday, May 2 after sustaining injuries in a tractor accident at his Putnam County home, according to the department, which did not detail his age. Earlier Report - Westchester County PD Officer Alfred R. Mosiello, Jr. Dies Since his sudden death, hundreds of friends, fellow officers, and other community members have taken action to ensu…
Police Department In Hudson Valley Loses Second Officer In 2 Weeks At Age 55 Police Department In Hudson Valley Loses Second Officer In 2 Weeks At Age 55
Police Department In Hudson Valley Loses Second Officer In 2 Weeks At Age 55 A Hudson Valley police department is facing the sudden loss of an officer for the second time in two weeks.  New, updated report - Funds Raised For Fallen Brewster Officer Jose Colon's Family In a statement on Sunday, May 5, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced the loss of Brewster Police Officer Jose Colon, who died on Friday evening, May 3 at the age of 55 while off-duty.  A cause of death was not released.  According to Brewster Police, Colon was an "excellent officer" who spent two decades with the New York City Police Department and two months in…
Community Heartbroken Over Loss Of Hudson Vallely Firefighter, School Bus Driver Community Heartbroken Over Loss Of Hudson Vallely Firefighter, School Bus Driver
Community Heartbroken Over Loss Of Hudson Vallely Firefighter, School Bus Driver Community members, firefighters, schoolchildren, friends, and family are "heartbroken" over the sudden passing of a popular Hudson Valley firefighter and school bus driver. Rockland County resident Matthew M. Duffy, age 57, of Orangeburg, died on Thursday, April 25. Duffy was the Deputy Director of Plant Facilities at Rockland Psychiatric Center for 37 years before retiring in 2021. After retirement, his obituary said that he worked for Peter Brega as a school bus driver for the Nyack school district.  He was an active life member of the Orangeburg Fire Department for 42 years and a m…
Sergeant Collapses, Dies Moments After Shift In Hudson Valley: 'Good Man Who Will Be Missed' Sergeant Collapses, Dies Moments After Shift In Hudson Valley: 'Good Man Who Will Be Missed'
Sergeant Collapses, Dies Moments After Shift In Hudson Valley: 'Good Man Who Will Be Missed' A Hudson Valley police department is mourning the line-of-duty loss of a beloved sergeant who collapsed and died mere moments after completing his shift.  In a statement on Saturday, April 20, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced the death of Brewster Police Sergeant Richard Gurniak, who collapsed after hanging up his keys after his shift during the early morning hours on Saturday.  Despite efforts to save his life from a fellow Brewster officer and two members of the Sheriff's Office, Gurniak later died at Putnam Hospital from a heart attack at the age of 57. A…
Beloved Sergeant, Army Vet From Hudson Valley Dies At 67: 'His Memory Will Continue To Inspire' Beloved Sergeant, Army Vet From Hudson Valley Dies At 67: 'His Memory Will Continue To Inspire'
Beloved Sergeant, Army Vet From Hudson Valley Dies At 67: 'His Memory Will Continue To Inspire' A sheriff's office in the Hudson Valley is mourning the loss of a retired sergeant and Army veteran who always followed his passions while also making time to serve his community.  Putnam County resident Doug MacCrae of Brewster died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 17 at the age of 67, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, April 19.  Known for his long career in law enforcement, MacCrae served with the Sheriff's Office as a Deputy and Sergeant for 25 years. He was also a Youth Officer and played a large role in developing Putnam's School Resource Progr…
Beloved Owner Of Popular Northern Westchester Deli Dies Beloved Owner Of Popular Northern Westchester Deli Dies
Beloved Owner Of Popular Northern Westchester Deli Dies A well-known business owner from Northern Westchester is being remembered for constantly dropping what he was doing to help others with no questions asked.  Chappaqua resident Richard Lange died peacefully at White Plains Hospital on Tuesday, April 9 at the age of 87, according to his obituary.  Lange, who owned Lange's Little Store and Deli at 382 King St. in Chappaqua for several decades, was a familiar face to many in the hamlet.  Born in 1936 in Wanna, Germany, Lange grew up on his grandparents' farm and immigrated to the US in 1956.  A few years later, in April 19…
Retired Police Sergeant Who Served For Decades In Westchester Dies Retired Police Sergeant Who Served For Decades In Westchester Dies
Retired Police Sergeant Who Served For Decades In Westchester Dies A police department in Westchester has announced the death of one of its former members who spent his life serving his community and country.  Dutchess County resident Andrew Fischer, Sr., a retired Eastchester Police sergeant, died on Tuesday, April 9 at the age of 84, according to his obituary. Fischer, an Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam War era, joined the department in 1964 and served until his retirement in 1987 after 23 years, according to Eastchester Police. Born in Yonkers in 1939, Fischer was also an avid outdoorsman in addition to his career in law enfor…