Holiday Heart: Hudson Valley Church To Host Christmas Dinner For Homeless, Lonely Holiday Heart: Hudson Valley Church To Host Christmas Dinner For Homeless, Lonely
Holiday Heart: Hudson Valley Church To Host Christmas Dinner For Homeless, Lonely Christmas is usually a season of joy and family gatherings. But for the homeless or lonely, it can be challenging to cope. To help, the First Baptist Church of Spring Valley will serve Christmas dinner and distribute coats and food packages to the homeless, indigent, and lonely on Christmas Day. Deacon Michael Williams said the church, whose theme is "Love thy Neighbor," will also deliver dinners and food packages to homebound members, their neighbors, and the homeless in Spring Valley and surrounding communities.  According to Williams, the number of attendees can reach 200…
'You're On Live Television': Today Show Surprises NY Man On National Good Neighbor Day 'You're On Live Television': Today Show Surprises NY Man On National Good Neighbor Day
'You're On Live Television': Today Show Surprises NY Man On National Good Neighbor Day An upstate New York man got the surprise of a lifetime when he answered a knock at the door and found himself on live, national television. Rensselaer County resident Ernie Mann, age 75, opened the door to his City of Rensselaer home Wednesday morning, Sept. 28, and was shocked to find a camera crew from the Today show accompanied by two dozen cheering neighbors. Moments before the big surprise, Today correspondent Donna Farizan explained to viewers that Mann’s longtime friend, Amy Mooney, had nominated him for National Good Neighbor Day. Farizan then proceeded to knock on Mann’s front do…
Daily Voice Founder Shares "A Lifetime of Work" in His New Book Daily Voice Founder Shares "A Lifetime of Work" in His New Book
Daily Voice Founder Shares "A Lifetime of Work" in His New Book Ten years after founding Daily Voice, Carll Tucker is bringing out a new book called Collected Words. We sat down to talk to him about his book, Daily Voice, and what he’s been doing since his retirement in 2019. DV: So what is Collected Words? Tucker: Collected Words is five books I’ve written during the last thirty years. The first, Good Morning, was mined from the daily email missives I’ve been sending to my friends every day for eight years. Our Rift is a book of poems. Paddle’s Last Gift is a memoir of our beloved family dog. Dear David is a letter I wrote to my youngest son on his bar…
Trapped: Man, 72, Accidentally Gets Pinned By Car In Congers Garage Trapped: Man, 72, Accidentally Gets Pinned By Car In Congers Garage
Trapped: Man, 72, Accidentally Gets Pinned By Car In Congers Garage A 72-year-old man found himself in a dangerous position after accidentally getting pinned against the wall by his car, sending him to the hospital, police said. First responders from the Clarkstown Police Department were dispatched to a Snedecker Avenue home in Congers at approximately 1 p.m. on Monday, June 24, where there was a report of a man pinned by a vehicle inside his garage. Police said that when the homeowner pulled into his garage he accidentally struck a pillar. When he exited the sedan to assess the damage, he failed to put the vehicle in park, which then proceeded to inch forw…
Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes
Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes With winter slowly transforming to spring and temperatures warming up, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released its annual guide on how to avoid conflicts with coyotes. DEC officials released the guide on Monday as warmer weather will soon bring coyotes out from the wild to set up dens for pups that will arrive during the spring. "This time of year, DEC sees an uptick in questions from New Yorkers regarding coyotes and their behavior," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in the statement. "While coyotes are an integral and beneficial part of our natural ecosys…
'Sexually Violent' Offender Convicted Of Raping Four Children Reports Move In Sparrow Bush 'Sexually Violent' Offender Convicted Of Raping Four Children Reports Move In Sparrow Bush
'Sexually Violent' Offender Convicted Of Raping Four Children Reports Move In Sparrow Bush A registered "sexually violent" offender convicted of raping four children under the age of 11 has reported a move in Orange County. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to Orange County residents regarding the residency of 21-year-old Robert Kelly, who has moved to an apartment on Darraugh Lane in Sparrow Bush. The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned Kelly as a Level 3 threat, which means he is a “high-risk repeat offender and possible threat to public safety.” He has also been designated as a sexually violent sex offender. Acco…
Sex Offender Convicted Of Abusing Teen Reports Move To Newburgh Sex Offender Convicted Of Abusing Teen Reports Move To Newburgh
Sex Offender Convicted Of Abusing Teen Reports Move To Newburgh A registered "sexually violent" offender convicted of having sexual intercourse with a teenage girl has reported a move in Orange County. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to Orange County residents regarding the residency of 49-year-old Harold Romer, who has moved to an apartment on Washington Street in Newburgh. The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned Romer as a level two threat, which means he is at "moderate risk of a repeat offense." He is also designated as a sexually violent offender. According to the Division of Crimin…
Registered Sex Offender Convicted Of Abusing Teenage Girl Reports Move In Newburgh Registered Sex Offender Convicted Of Abusing Teenage Girl Reports Move In Newburgh
Registered Sex Offender Convicted Of Abusing Teenage Girl Reports Move In Newburgh A registered sexual offender convicted of having deviate sexual contact with a teenage girl has reported a move in Orange County. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to Orange County residents regarding the residency of 41-year-old Harold McPherson, who has reported an address change from Carter Street to Broadway in Newburgh. The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned McPherson a Level 3 threat, which means he is a “high-risk repeat offender and possible threat to public safety.” According to the Division of Criminal Jus…
Local Resident Brings Gifts To 120 Residents Of Schervier Pavilion Local Resident Brings Gifts To 120 Residents Of Schervier Pavilion
Local Resident Brings Gifts To 120 Residents Of Schervier Pavilion Niki Folina has brought the spirit of community giving to residents of Schervier Pavilion through her Adopt a Grandparent program. All 120 residents of Schervier, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), received presents as a result of her work. Folina’s Adopt a Grandparent program asked area businesses to donate gifts to the skilled nursing facility’s residents. She then matched each of those contributions. “When you do something for other people, it really matters, both to them and to you. Giving back feels good, all around,” she said. Folina and her son Mic…
Registered Sex Offender Convicted Of Sodomizing Teen Boy Reports Move In Newburgh Registered Sex Offender Convicted Of Sodomizing Teen Boy Reports Move In Newburgh
Registered Sex Offender Convicted Of Sodomizing Teen Boy Reports Move In Newburgh A registered sex offender convicted of sodomizing a teenage boy has reported a move in Orange County. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to Orange County residents regarding the residency of 52-year-old Gregory Gonzalez, who has moved from Poughkeepsie to a residence on Taft Avenue in Newburgh. The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned Gonzalez as a level two threat, which means he is at "moderate risk of a repeat offense." According to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, Gonzalez had deviate sexual intercourse with a 16-y…
Winding Through Warwick Raises More Than $47,000 To Support St. Anthony Community Hospital Winding Through Warwick Raises More Than $47,000 To Support St. Anthony Community Hospital
Winding Through Warwick Raises More Than $47,000 To Support St. Anthony Community Hospital More than 550 people attended the Winding Through Warwick holiday house tour on December 1 to support St. Anthony Community Hospital, Schervier Pavilion and Mount Alverno Center, all members of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth). More than $47,000 was raised to support advances in care for patients and residents of these facilities. Seven distinguished homes were on the 2018 tour, uniquely decorated for the holidays in styles that complemented their architectural and ornamental features. Homeowners included Pat and Frank Fornario, Greg Galluccio and Dixie Comeau, Charl…
New York Woman Celebrates Second Chance At Life New York Woman Celebrates Second Chance At Life
New York Woman Celebrates Second Chance At Life When Orange County physical therapist’s assistant and mother Ellen Dunn first started feeling run down and short of breath, she assumed it meant that she was out of shape. She soon began working out but noticed that things didn’t get any better. That’s when her doctor diagnosed her with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung disease that results in scarring of the lungs and makes it hard to take in enough oxygen. “I knew my only option was a lung transplant, but I was in denial,” said Dunn. “It was a lot to take in and very scary – not just for me, but also for my husband and …
Separated At Birth: Video Shows Wayne Teacher's Emotional Reunion With Long-Lost Twin Sister Separated At Birth: Video Shows Wayne Teacher's Emotional Reunion With Long-Lost Twin Sister
Separated At Birth: Video Shows Wayne Teacher's Emotional Reunion With Long-Lost Twin Sister A 54-year-old Wayne woman was reunited with her long-lost twin sister after watching this summer's hit documentary "Three Identical Strangers." The film follows three triplets who were part of a study designed by late psychologist Dr. Peter Neubauer, who took sets of multiples and sent them to a now-defunct adoption agency called Louise Wise Services. The multiples were then separated and placed in families of varying socioeconomic backgrounds. While watching the film, Wayne's Michelle Mordkoff, a Packanack Elementary School teacher, recognized the name of the agency.  Mordkoff -…
Westchester Resident Received Life-Saving Liver Transplant After 14 Year Wait Westchester Resident Received Life-Saving Liver Transplant After 14 Year Wait
Westchester Resident Received Life-Saving Liver Transplant After 14 Year Wait At age 32 Westchester resident Janet Ocasio was a mother to three children and a successful hospital executive who started feeling run down. Her doctor told it was likely just stress and sent her home. But things didn’t improve and soon Janet was unable to walk a block or play with her children without getting winded and needing a break. She returned to the doctor where she learned the devastating news that her liver was failing. She was told she only had 4-6 years to live. “I was terrified to leave my children,” she said. “So I began doing research and went to see another doctor who sent m…
Real Life Hero Cop Meets TV Hero Cop In Yonkers Real Life Hero Cop Meets TV Hero Cop In Yonkers
Real Life Hero Cop Meets TV Hero Cop In Yonkers Fantasy met reality in Westchester last week as a real-life hero cop met a prominent actress who stars as one on television. Yonkers Police Officer Kayla Maher, who was shot in the jaw as she approached two suspected criminal in a car last year, met Mariska Hargitay this week, who is filming scenes for the TV show "Law & Order SVU" in the city. Hargitay is best known for her starring role as Olivia Benson on "Law & Order." She has also become an outspoken advocate against gun violence, equality and women’s rights. Shortly after 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, office…
Ex-Westchester DA Jeanine Pirro To Pay Fine, Take Course For 119 MPH Ticket Ex-Westchester DA Jeanine Pirro To Pay Fine, Take Course For 119 MPH Ticket
Ex-Westchester DA Jeanine Pirro To Pay Fine, Take Course For 119 MPH Ticket After several months, Fox News host and former Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro has pleaded guilty to a speeding charge against her. New York State Police troopers stopped Pirro driving 119 miles per hour on Nov. 19 last year in the Town of Nichols, which is in upstate Tioga County near Owego and her hometown Elmira.  When she was stopped by troopers, Pirro, who lives in Harrison, was driving in a 65 mph zone. According to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, Pirro faced up to 11 points on her license for driving more than 40 mph over the speed limit, though that was…
Westchester Residents Named Volunteer Spirit Award Winners Westchester Residents Named Volunteer Spirit Award Winners
Westchester Residents Named Volunteer Spirit Award Winners Six Westchester residents have been selected to be honored as extraordinary volunteers by Volunteer New York! during National Volunteer Week and the 38th annual Volunteer Spirit Awards Gala. Hosted by Regeneron, the gala is set or Friday, April 20, at the Westchester Marriot in Tarrytown, the event will pay homage to all of the people who selflessly give their time and money to help others in need.  “There will be six awards given to the outstanding honorees from throughout Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam, chosen from a stellar group of nominees submitted by local nonprofits,” said Volunt…
Production Crew/Casting Call For Movie Being Shot In Hudson Valley Production Crew/Casting Call For Movie Being Shot In Hudson Valley
Production Crew/Casting Call For Movie Being Shot In Hudson Valley For those looking to break into the movie business, now's your chance to work for free on a short horror film filming in the Hudson Valley next month.  Kaleidoscope Productions is working on a "no budget" short film in Newburgh on Saturday, Feb. 24 and Sunday, Feb. 25 to be entered into film festivals. The film is about a sheriff in small town in upstate New York who uncovers a satanic haunting while investigating a domestic violence call. The company is looking for the following positions: Sound person with sound mixer Art Director Makeup Artist Gaffer They are also looking to …
$16K Raised In Memory Of Bullied Westchester Teen Who Committed Suicide $16K Raised In Memory Of Bullied Westchester Teen Who Committed Suicide
$16K Raised In Memory Of Bullied Westchester Teen Who Committed Suicide A GoFundMe fundraising campaign has been started to honor the memory of a Westchester teenager who was bullied in high school and later took her own life. Nearly $17,000 has been raised in just two days on behalf of Julianna Carraturo, a former Tuckahoe High School student attending SUNY Cortland committed suicide last month after allegedly being bullied by fellow students. The proceeds raised through the GoFundMe campaign will be donated to The Kind Campaign, “an internationally recognized nonprofit organization that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-…
Paramus Girl Who Reads The Dictionary Stars On NBC Gameshow Paramus Girl Who Reads The Dictionary Stars On NBC Gameshow
Paramus Girl Who Reads The Dictionary Stars On NBC Gameshow PARAMUS, N.J. -- A new NBC show premiering next month features an 11-year-old from Paramus. Shivani will star on "Genius Junior" episode "The Dork Side" -- with host Neil Patrick Harris -- a gameshow that celebrates the smartest kids in America. Shivani's bio Shivani is an 11-year-old who dreams of moving from her home in Paramus, New Jersey, to Broadway someday. She has a beautiful voice and loves to act and sing. When she's not performing, she likes to read the dictionary for fun. Her friends call her the "Talking Dictionary" because she has a great vocabula…
Sgt. Dave Campbell Says Goodbye To Orange County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Dave Campbell Says Goodbye To Orange County Sheriff's Office
Sgt. Dave Campbell Says Goodbye To Orange County Sheriff's Office After 20 years of dedicated service, Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois helped celebrate the retirement of Sgt. David Campbell with a large reception. Held on Friday,  deputies and administration from the Sheriff’s Office joined personnel from law enforcement agencies throughout the Mid-Hudson to pay tribute to Campbell, known for his professionalism and dedication to public service.  Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus and District Attorney David Hoovler were also guests at the event.  Campbell was recognized for his 20 years of service with the Sheriff’s Office, including the last 16 w…
Amazing Grace: VanderWaal Takes Center Stage In East Ramapo Amazing Grace: VanderWaal Takes Center Stage In East Ramapo
Amazing Grace: VanderWaal Takes Center Stage In East Ramapo EAST RAMAPO, N.Y. -- Grace VanderWaal gave her hometown a special treat Monday night. The "America's Got Talent" winner and Suffern native performed with East Ramapo's Little Miracles choir at Chesnut Ridge Middle School. VanderWaal founded the choir last year as part of her Little Miracles foundation. A select audience of parents, faculty and school officials on Monday night were treated to the first-ever performance by the choir, which VanderWaal formed last year as part of her Little Miracles foundation. She recently donated Fender ukeleles to the choir.  VanderWaal kicks off …
Haverstraw Landslide Remembered: 19 Lives Lost Haverstraw Landslide Remembered: 19 Lives Lost
Haverstraw Landslide Remembered: 19 Lives Lost HAVERSTRAW, N.Y. -- This month, the village of Haverstraw is commemorating the 112th anniversary of the Haverstraw Landslide. Nineteen people, including four firefighters, lost their lives in the tragedy, which occurred on Jan. 8. Clay that was being excavated for brick use under a 100-foot embankment slipped out, destroying the Rockland Street business section and homes from Liberty to Jefferson Streets. Overall, 21 businesses were destroyed. The damage could've been worse, but a snowstorm stopped a fire that could've burned a large section of Haverstraw, according to "South of the Mo…
Pearl River Family Devastated By Fire Still Searching For Missing Dog Pearl River Family Devastated By Fire Still Searching For Missing Dog
Pearl River Family Devastated By Fire Still Searching For Missing Dog Members of a Pearl River family who lost their home to a fire last week are asking for help in finding their dog Barrett who disappeared during the devastating blaze. The family is asking for help putting up posters or for residents to just keep an eye out for him. Barrett is described as being a very shy and scared dog, so anyone who might see him is asked not to approach him, but to call 845-596-6271. The dog was in the home at  314 Orangeburg Road at the time of the fire on Monday, Jan. 8 and has not been seen since.  For more information on the search, visit Budda Dog Rescue and Recov…
Teaneck Brothers Find Lost $4M Rembrandt Painting Under Ping-Pong Table Teaneck Brothers Find Lost $4M Rembrandt Painting Under Ping-Pong Table
Teaneck Brothers Find Lost $4M Rembrandt Painting Under Ping-Pong Table TEANECK, N.J˘. — What three Teaneck brothers thought was just another inheritance painting under the ping-pong table in their basement turned out to be a lost Rembrandt recently auctioned off at nearly $4 million, Fox Business reports. The Landau brothers -- Ned, Roger (formerly of Cliffside Park) and Steven -- will tell their story on Fox Business Network's Strange Inheritance on Monday, Jan. 15, at 9 p.m. The three held an estate sale following their mother's death but held onto a few items they didn't want to give up, the article says. Among them was a painting that "creeped Ned ou…
Support Surges For Beloved Dumont Bartender's Niece, Critical After Crash Support Surges For Beloved Dumont Bartender's Niece, Critical After Crash
Support Surges For Beloved Dumont Bartender's Niece, Critical After Crash DUMONT, N.J. — The community is rallying around Joe Roberto, a beloved bartender at Dumont's Grant Street. On Tuesday morning, Roberto discovered that his niece -- Liz Smith -- had been in a horrible car accident in Antigua.  She was flown via medical transport Tuesday night from Antigua to Florida with two broken arms, a shattered pelvis, broken femur, broken ankle, broken sacrum and other injuries, Roberto said.  Since Wednesday morning, she’s had two -- six hour surgeries repairing her broken bones and is breathing on her own again. "The doctors are saying Liz’s survival is truly …
Sparrowbush Nurse Helps Out Hurricane Harvey Victims Sparrowbush Nurse Helps Out Hurricane Harvey Victims
Sparrowbush Nurse Helps Out Hurricane Harvey Victims SPARROWBUSH, N.Y. -- When Kimberlee Dean was flying to Houston to help out after Hurricane Harvey, she had no idea what to expect. Dean, a Sparrowbush nurse who works for Orange County Regional Medical Center, had volunteered to go to Houston and help out. On a Wednesday night, she received an e-mail telling her to be at Teterboro Airport in 12 hours. She asked her co-workers if they would cover her shift and her boss if she could go. "She told me to just let me know when you're getting back," Dean said. "It doesn't get any better than that." Dean was one of 50 nurses w…
Middletown Boy Collects Socks For Homeless Shelter Middletown Boy Collects Socks For Homeless Shelter
Middletown Boy Collects Socks For Homeless Shelter MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. -- Logan Eisenberg, an 11-year-old Middletown resident, is doing what he can to help the homeless. Eisenberg, a sixth grader at Monhagen Middle School, has launched a sock drive for the people at the homeless shelter run by Helping Others Needing Our Resources. With his mother, Danielle, Logan would visit a gas station every week and encounter a man who would ask for spare change, who lived at a nearby shelter. One day the man wasn't there and it began a conversation with Logan and his mom about homeless people. "He wanted to volunteer," Danielle said.  "He …
Hudson Valley Resident's New Album Pays Tribute To Famed Folk Musician Hudson Valley Resident's New Album Pays Tribute To Famed Folk Musician
Hudson Valley Resident's New Album Pays Tribute To Famed Folk Musician Andy Biskin is hoping people love the music of Alan Lomax as much as he does.Biskin and his band, 16 Tons, have launched a Kickstarter to help fund the recording of his band's new record, which features a collection of American folk songs previously collected by Lomax.  The campaign, which runs through Feb. 1, is hoping to raise $8,000 to help cover fees for musicians recording, editing, mixing, mastering and producing the CDs. As of Saturday morning, 51 people have already pledged $4,521. Biskin must raise the full amount or he receives nothing. The album will begin recording in January an…
Driver Falls For Hero Rockland Firefighter Who Saved Her In Holiday Wreck Driver Falls For Hero Rockland Firefighter Who Saved Her In Holiday Wreck
Driver Falls For Hero Rockland Firefighter Who Saved Her In Holiday Wreck Jennifer Lind Angelus of River Vale, New Jersey says vulnerability she experienced in a 2013 highway crash made room for a magical romance with the hero who saved her -- her now-husband, Nick Angelus. Jennifer, 27, was driving home from a holiday potluck in Parsippany when she hit a patch of ice and her car spun out, hitting barriers on the I287.Route 80 ramp "like bumper cars," she wrote in the New York Times. Paralyzed with fear, she sat in her car facing oncoming traffic and was hit twice by other cars. One of those two cars was the 26-year-old Angelus, a volunteer firefighter…
It's A Girl: Donkey Makes Special Delivery In New Windsor It's A Girl: Donkey Makes Special Delivery In New Windsor
It's A Girl: Donkey Makes Special Delivery In New Windsor ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. -- It was the night before Christmas when Molly the donkey gave birth. Molly, who has been living at Devitt's Nursery and Supply in New Windsor, gave birth to her baby foal Angel on at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. The birth was live-streamed on YouTube and mother and foal are doing well, according to the farm. Molly is currently residing on the nursery's Christmas on the Farm trail having been borrowed from Goodnow Family Farm in Ulster.