Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over NY Highway Shooting Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over NY Highway Shooting
Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over NY Highway Shooting A New York State Police trooper who claimed someone shot him on a roadway in the region is now under criminal investigation amid growing doubts over his story. On Long Island, state police “have reason to believe that the incident did not occur the way it was reported” by trooper Thomas Mascia, an agency spokesperson told reporters Wednesday morning, Nov. 6. Police confirmed that the five-year department veteran is now the subject of both a criminal investigation and an internal probe being conducted by state police and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. Earlier Report: T…
Trooper Suspended, Stripped Of Gun After 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting Trooper Suspended, Stripped Of Gun After 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting
Trooper Suspended, Stripped Of Gun After 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting A New York State Police trooper who claimed he was shot on a roadway in the region has been sidelined amid doubts about his story. On Long Island, trooper Thomas Mascia, age 27, was suspended without pay and stripped of his agency-issued service weapon, an NYSP spokesperson told Daily Voice. The agency is investigating whether Mascia, of West Hempstead, shot himself in the leg, NBC New York reports. It comes after state police confirmed it was conducting a joint investigation with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office into what DA Anne Donnelly described as “certain inconsisten…
Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns
Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Cases of whooping cough are five times higher than at this time a year ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning. Officially known as pertussis, those infected have persistent, chronic fits of coughing followed by a “whoop” sound. "Reports of pertussis cases were lower than usual over the past few years, during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.," the CDC said in a new advisory. "However, the United States is beginning to return to pre-pandemic patterns where more than 10,000 cases are typically reported each year. It's likely mitigation measures used during the…
Trooper's 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting Under Investigation By State Police, DA Trooper's 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting Under Investigation By State Police, DA
Trooper's 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting Under Investigation By State Police, DA A New York State Police trooper who suffered a gunshot wound on a roadway in the region may not have been entirely truthful about what happened. On Long Island, state police and the Nassau County District Attorney’s office are investigating “certain inconsistencies” in Trooper Thomas Mascia’s reporting of the alleged incident, a spokesperson for DA Anne Donnelly told Daily Voice. On Monday, Nov. 4, State Police executed a search warrant at Mascia’s home in West Hempstead. The agency also canceled the BOLO (be on the lookout) for the suspect vehicle. Earlier Report: Trooper Shot In W…
Fire Company Financial Secretary In Region Admits Stealing $17K, DA Says Fire Company Financial Secretary In Region Admits Stealing $17K, DA Says
Fire Company Financial Secretary In Region Admits Stealing $17K, DA Says A financial secretary for a fire company in the region has admitted to stealing more than $17,000 from the department.  Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced on Friday, Nov. 1, that Lynn T. Simpson, age 43, of Wallkill, pled guilty to grand larceny in the Third Degree in connection with the theft of $17,947 from the parade fund of the Washington Heights Fire Company in Middletown.  As part of the plea agreement, Simpson will repay all the stolen money, Hoovler said. The department was scheduled to host a parade in September 2023, which includ…
NY Mom Jumps To Death With Her 2 Young Children At Niagara Falls NY Mom Jumps To Death With Her 2 Young Children At Niagara Falls
NY Mom Jumps To Death With Her 2 Young Children At Niagara Falls A days-long search for a New York mother and her two children was unsuccessful after police say the woman jumped with them off Niagara Falls. State Police say that 33-year-old Chianti Means, Roman Rossman, age 9, and Mecca Means, 5 months old, crossed over the guardrail and went over the falls on Luna Island, which is attached to Goat Island, on Monday night, Oct. 28. "The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation," according to New York State Police. All three were residents of Niagara Falls. New York St…
Euthanasia Of NY's 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation Euthanasia Of NY's 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation
Euthanasia Of NY's 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation Outrage is swirling after New York wildlife officials seized and later euthanized beloved social media sensation “Peanut” the squirrel. Chemung County resident Mark Longo, of Elmira, took to Instagram Wednesday, Oct 30, telling his 581,000 followers that Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers had seized the animal, which he rescued in 2017 after its mother was struck by a car. “Well internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness,” he wrote. “To the people who called (DEC), there’s a special place in hell for you.” In a…
Woman Killed, 1-Year-Old Hospitalized After Jeep Crashes Into Amish Buggy In NY Woman Killed, 1-Year-Old Hospitalized After Jeep Crashes Into Amish Buggy In NY
Woman Killed, 1-Year-Old Hospitalized After Jeep Crashes Into Amish Buggy In NY A young woman was killed and an infant hospitalized after a vehicle crashed into an Amish carriage on a New York road. The incident happened around 4:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, in Herkimer County in the village of Newport, located about 70 miles west of Sarasota Springs. New York State Police say a preliminary investigation revealed that a 2017 Jeep Renegade operated by a 36-year-old Newport man was traveling east on Butler Road when it struck the rear portion of the Amish Buggy traveling in the same direction. As a result of the collision, Rebecca Swartzentruber, age 31, from Newport, and 1…
Man From Region Admits Sex Abuse Of Child Under 11, Faces 18 Years In Prison, DA Says Man From Region Admits Sex Abuse Of Child Under 11, Faces 18 Years In Prison, DA Says
Man From Region Admits Sex Abuse Of Child Under 11, Faces 18 Years In Prison, DA Says A 73-year-old man has pleaded guilty to sex abuse of a child under the age of 11 for several years. Orange County resident Allan Bressler of Pine Bush made his plea in court on Thursday, Oct. 3, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. At the time of the plea, the District Attorney’s Office said it would recommend Bressler be sentenced to 18 years in state prison, followed by 10 years of post-release supervision.  At the time that he pleaded guilty, Bressler admitted that between March 2008 and February 2013, in the vicinity of his Pine Bush home, he engaged in two or…
Trooper Shot On NY Highway Released From Hospital As Reward For Suspect Info Grows Trooper Shot On NY Highway Released From Hospital As Reward For Suspect Info Grows
Trooper Shot On NY Highway Released From Hospital As Reward For Suspect Info Grows A New York State Police trooper who was shot and injured while trying to help a highway motorist is back home with his family. Thomas Mascia, age 27, was released from Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow on Friday morning, Nov. 1. Law enforcement officers from across Nassau and Suffolk counties gathered outside the hospital for a “walk-out” ceremony honoring the injured trooper. Earlier Report: 'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot In West Hempstead; Cash Reward Being Offered “I’m feeling good,” he told the crowd. “I’m going home.” The jubilant scene came two d…
Body Of Man From Neighboring Town Found Along Road In Region Body Of Man From Neighboring Town Found Along Road In Region
Body Of Man From Neighboring Town Found Along Road In Region Authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found along a Hudson Valley road.  The body of  Northern Westchester County resident Charles Flowers, age 81, of Somers, was discovered on Stoneleigh Avenue in Putnam County on Wednesday, Oct. 30 around 1 p.m. in the town of Carmel, according to Trooper AJ Hicks of the New York State Police. Hicks said that Flowers had been a patient at Putnam Hospital in Carme but had been discharged before his death.  Authorities are now investigating the circumstances of Flowers's death along with the Putnam C…
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Cases of walking pneumonia have spiked significantly, especially among children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning in a brand-new advisory. The agency said increases in M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia infections began late this past spring, peaked in August, and have remained high.  The CDC said it's using various surveillance tools "to better understand any differences in demographics, severity of illness, and outcomes as compared to M. pneumoniae infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic." The agency said it's also contacting heal…
'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot On NY Highway; $5,000 Reward Being Offered 'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot On NY Highway; $5,000 Reward Being Offered
'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot On NY Highway; $5,000 Reward Being Offered Authorities said an “all-out” manhunt was underway after a New York State Police trooper was shot on a Long Island highway. The incident happened on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead, in the westbound lanes near exit 17, at around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. New York State Police said a trooper patrolling the highway pulled up behind what he thought was a disabled vehicle and took down the license plate number. Earlier Report: NYSP Trooper Shot On Southern State Parkway In West Hempstead; Suspect On Run He then exited his patrol car and was walking toward the vehicl…
Trooper Shot On NY Highway; Suspect On Run (Developing) Trooper Shot On NY Highway; Suspect On Run (Developing)
Trooper Shot On NY Highway; Suspect On Run (Developing) A New York State Police trooper is recovering after being shot on a Long Island highway. The incident happened on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead, in the westbound lanes near exit 17, late Wednesday night, Oct. 30. According to police, a trooper exchanged gunfire with a suspect before the suspect fled the scene.  The trooper was taken to a hospital and was listed in stable condition early Thursday, Oct. 31. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of their injuries. Police said the suspect was a dark skinned man driving possibly a black Dodge Charger with temporary Ne…
Suspect In Murder At Posh LI Resort Found Dead 200 Miles Away As Friends Mourn 'Gifted Artist' Suspect In Murder At Posh LI Resort Found Dead 200 Miles Away As Friends Mourn 'Gifted Artist'
Suspect In Murder At Posh LI Resort Found Dead 200 Miles Away As Friends Mourn 'Gifted Artist' A Pennsylvania man suspected of murdering a woman at a high-end resort in the Hamptons was found dead hundreds of miles from the crime scene in New York. Thomas Gannon, age 56, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, according to Suffolk County Police. Gannon was considered the prime suspect in the killing of 33-year-old Sabina Rosas at the posh Shou Sugi Ban House, located in the Long Island hamlet of Water Mill, on Monday, Oct. 28. Earlier Report: Update: Woman Murdered At Water Mill Resort ID'd Rosas, a Brooklyn artist who also went by th…
First Person Sentenced In Large Capital Region Drug Trafficking Ring Of 25 First Person Sentenced In Large Capital Region Drug Trafficking Ring Of 25
First Person Sentenced In Large Capital Region Drug Trafficking Ring Of 25 The first person charged in a major drug trafficking ring in the Capital Region and Dutchess County, busted last year and included 25 people, has been sentenced to prison. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday, Oct. 29, the convictions of members of the major drug trafficking ring that distributed heroin and fentanyl, as well as powder and crack cocaine in Albany, Dutchess, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties.  An investigation led by the Attorney General's Office recovered more than three kilograms of cocaine and approximately 40 grams of heroin laced…
Man From Region Tried To Orchestrate Murder Of Woman From Prison, DA Says Man From Region Tried To Orchestrate Murder Of Woman From Prison, DA Says
Man From Region Tried To Orchestrate Murder Of Woman From Prison, DA Says A man who is behind bars for life for killing a 21-year-old college student has been found guilty again of hiring a hitman from prison to kill another person. On Tuesday, Oct. 29, Cornelius Stubbs, age 53, of Newburgh, was convicted by a jury in Orange County Court of attempted murder for having attempted to cause the death of a Newburgh woman by commanding another man to kill her. At the trial, prosecutors argued that in October 2011, Stubbs attempted to cause the death of the mother of one of his children while she was in her home on Washington Street in Newburgh, by h…
Name Released Of 15-Year-Old Killed In Hudson Valley Shooting That Led To Manhunt, Arrest Name Released Of 15-Year-Old Killed In Hudson Valley Shooting That Led To Manhunt, Arrest
Name Released Of 15-Year-Old Killed In Hudson Valley Shooting That Led To Manhunt, Arrest This story has been updated. The name has been released of a teenage boy who was killed in a fatal shooting in Northern Westchester that led to a 12-hour manhunt and the arrest of a suspect. Fernando Jimenez, age 40, shot his girlfriend and her two children with an illegally possessed handgun in the Baldwin Place section of Somers during a domestic dispute at about 11:35 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, according to New York State Police. One of the children, a 10th-grade student at Somers High School now identified as Michael Raimondi, age 15, was killed.  The boy's brother, a 13-year-…
Lawsuit Alleges New York's Sean Combs Sexually Assaulted 10-Year-Old: Report Lawsuit Alleges New York's Sean Combs Sexually Assaulted 10-Year-Old: Report
Lawsuit Alleges New York's Sean Combs Sexually Assaulted 10-Year-Old: Report The latest lawsuits filed against hip-hop mogul and New York native Sean Combs are accusing him of sexually assaulting both a 10-year-old and a 17-year-old boy in separate incidents, according to reports.  The two civil lawsuits were filed against Combs on Monday, Oct. 28, according to a report by ABC News. The outlet reported that the first of the lawsuits alleges that the parents of a 10-year-old boy beginning a music career brought him to New York from Los Angeles to meet with Combs so he could meet people in the industry. Once there, Combs allegedly told the family's consultan…
McDonald's IDs Source Of E. Coli Outbreak Tied To Quarter Pounders McDonald's IDs Source Of E. Coli Outbreak Tied To Quarter Pounders
McDonald's IDs Source Of E. Coli Outbreak Tied To Quarter Pounders Health officials have pinpointed the specific ingredient that triggered an E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s that killed one person and sickened dozens more across several states. Testing done by the Colorado Department of Agriculture eliminated Quarter Pounder beef patties as the source of the outbreak, McDonald’s confirmed on Sunday, Oct. 27. That leaves the restaurant’s slivered onions, which are primarily used on Quarter Pounder hamburgers, as the likely source of contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Earlier Report: E. Coli Outbreak Tied To McDonald'…
Major Brush Fire In Region Spreads Smoke For Miles Major Brush Fire In Region Spreads Smoke For Miles
Major Brush Fire In Region Spreads Smoke For Miles A major brush fire over at least a dozen acres in the Hudson Valley produced smoke that spread across the New York border into Connecticut. The blaze broke out at around 12:05 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in Putnam County in the area of Route 301 and East Boyds Road in the town of Kent and was finally contained late in the day on Sunday, Oct. 27. While responding, crews observed a large fire on the mountain and immediately requested mutual aid from neighboring departments, according to the Kent Fire Department.  Responding crews located the large brushfire of approximately 5 to 6 acres…
Red Light Camera Programs To Be Extended In This Capital Region  Locale Red Light Camera Programs To Be Extended In This Capital Region  Locale
Red Light Camera Programs To Be Extended In This Capital Region Locale To protect motorists on New York roads, Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced the creation of a new red light camera program in the Hudson Valley and the expansion of other initiatives across the state.  In an announcement on Wednesday, Oct. 23, Hochul revealed that she signed legislation to extend several existing red light camera programs in Westchester, Albany, and Nassau counties.  The legislation also includes the "largest expansion" of the red light camera program in New York City's history, Hochul's office said. "The safety of all New Yorkers is my top priority and we know that …
Here's When You'll Need To Change Your Clocks As Daylight Saving Time Ends Here's When You'll Need To Change Your Clocks As Daylight Saving Time Ends
Here's When You'll Need To Change Your Clocks As Daylight Saving Time Ends Get ready to kiss that sweet sunlight goodbye, as Daylight saving time will soon be coming to an end. For Eastern Standard Time, the big change will happen on the first Sunday of November. Specifically, EDT will be observed until 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, when we will gain an hour of sleep but push the time back on the clock by one hour. Daylight saving time, sometimes referred to as daylight saving time or Eastern Daylight Time, is the practice of advancing the clocks four hours behind Coordinated Universal Time. That's the change that happens in the spring and summer Eastern Standard …
NY Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say NY Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say
NY Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say A months-long investigation has led to the arrest of a man who authorities say impersonated a federal agent and used fear and intimidation to convince a Long Island victim to hand over money. On Friday, Oct. 25, the suspect, Om Parkash, age 31, of Queens, was charged with second-degree grand larceny (a Class C felony). In late July of 2023, Parkash contacted the victim in Sag Harbor stating she was involved in a fraud scheme involving large amounts of money, according to New York State Police.  From there, Parkash advised the victim she would have to give money to “federal a…
NY Native Busta Rhymes Seen In Profanity-Laden Altercation At Airport (Video) NY Native Busta Rhymes Seen In Profanity-Laden Altercation At Airport (Video)
NY Native Busta Rhymes Seen In Profanity-Laden Altercation At Airport (Video) Busta Rhymes took a break from spitting bars to spit some profanities – lots of them – during a heated airport confrontation that was caught on video. The 52-year-old rapper and actor, whose real name is Trevor Smith Jr., was seen going toe-to-toe with a suited gentleman outside Detroit’s Metro Airport on Sunday, Oct. 20, video obtained by TMZ shows. In the clip, Rhymes is heard repeatedly yelling “f*** you” to the man as they stand in a loading and unloading zone. “Do somethin’,” he tells the man. He eventually turns to walk away before the video abruptly ends. It was not immediately cl…
Drug Dealer In Region Faces 30 Years In Prison After Guilty Verdict Drug Dealer In Region Faces 30 Years In Prison After Guilty Verdict
Drug Dealer In Region Faces 30 Years In Prison After Guilty Verdict A dealer in the region who was found guilty of numerous counts of drug sales and possession faces up to 30 years in prison. Dutchess County resident Spencer Green, age 47, of Poughkeepsie, was convicted on Monday, Oct. 21, of 10 felony drug-related crimes with less than an hour of deliberations from the jury. According to Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi, the jury concluded that on multiple dates in late November and December of 2023, at various locations in the town of Poughkeepsie, Green unlawfully possessed cocaine with the intent to sell it, sold the cocaine to individua…
'What Is He Do–?' Dashcam Captures Attempted 'Insurance Fraud' Ramming On NY Highway 'What Is He Do–?' Dashcam Captures Attempted 'Insurance Fraud' Ramming On NY Highway
'What Is He Do–?' Dashcam Captures Attempted 'Insurance Fraud' Ramming On NY Highway Authorities are investigating a case of attempted insurance fraud after the victim’s shocking dashcam video of the incident went viral online. “Everything happened so fast,” Ashpia Natasha, recounted in a video on TikTok that had more than 68M views as of press time. She said she was alone driving eastbound on the Belt Parkway in Queens, toward the Southern State Parkway, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, when another driver cut her off and slammed on his brakes. At first, her dashcam video shows what appears to be just a close call; she hits her brakes and avoids crashing into the other ve…
NY Business Admits $2.1 Million Medicaid Fraud, AG Says NY Business Admits $2.1 Million Medicaid Fraud, AG Says
NY Business Admits $2.1 Million Medicaid Fraud, AG Says A Hudson Valley business and three employees admitted stealing more than $2.1 million from Medicaid by submitting fake claims for service. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday, Oct. 22, that the Orange County owners of DYD Universe, a New York Medicaid-enrolled transportation company, have pleaded guilty for their roles in a scheme that stole more than $2.1 million from Medicaid and paid illegal kickbacks to Medicaid recipients.  According to James, Damir Yuldashev, age 64, his son Daler Yuldashev, age 38, and Daler’s mother, Nigina Iskandarova, age 60, all of Monr…
DA Recommends Menendez Brothers With NY Ties Be Resentenced DA Recommends Menendez Brothers With NY Ties Be Resentenced
DA Recommends Menendez Brothers With NY Ties Be Resentenced Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has recommended brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, who spent their childhoods in New Jersey and New York, be resentenced after spending decades in prison for the shotgun murder of their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion. The brothers, now in their 50s, should be freed and placed on parole for the murders of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez in August 1989, Gascón said at a news conference Thursday, Oct. 24, that comes amid worldwide viewership of a series on their story on Netflix. The case now moves forward to a Los A…
Massive Warehouses Planned For Region Causes Uproar From Residents Massive Warehouses Planned For Region Causes Uproar From Residents
Massive Warehouses Planned For Region Causes Uproar From Residents The development of two large warehouses in a small farming town in the region, with plans for more, has residents up in arms. Many say the developments come to their property line and cause health hazards.  The outrage, and now a committee to save the town #SaveWawayanda, is occurring in Orange County in Wawayanda. Residents filled the chamber during a Planning Board meeting on Friday, Oct. 18, to complain about the warehouses and the possible health hazards associated with hundreds of trucks coming and going from the buildings at all hours.  Resident George Alberston said one 4,…
Yale Grad, CNN War Reporter Held Hostage In Sudan By Warlord For Days Yale Grad, CNN War Reporter Held Hostage In Sudan By Warlord For Days
Yale Grad, CNN War Reporter Held Hostage In Sudan By Warlord For Days Clarissa Ward, CNN's chief international correspondent and 2002 Yale University graduate, released a story on Wednesday, Oct. 23 detailing her capture by a Sudanese warlord who held her and her crew hostage for days.  In a post on CNN, Ward details how she was on her way to Tawila, a town in Darfur, earlier this month to report on the ongoing humanitarian crisis. But as they arrived, she and her crew weren't welcomed by their host but confronted by heavily armed militia members, who believed they were spies.  Two weeks ago, our team was held captive by a militia in Darfur. As a…