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Public Safety

NY Firefighter, Father Of 3 Killed In Blaze Remembered As 'Fearless, Dedicated' Public Servant NY Firefighter, Father Of 3 Killed In Blaze Remembered As 'Fearless, Dedicated' Public Servant
NY Firefighter, Father Of 3 Killed In Blaze Remembered As 'Fearless, Dedicated' Public Servant A firefighter and father of three who was killed battling a blaze in upstate New York is being remembered for his dedication to the community. Binghamton Fire Department member John “JR” Gaudet, 40, was gravely injured when a wall collapsed during a firefight on the city’s Main Street on Wednesday night, Feb. 12, the agency confirmed. The 11-year veteran of the department later died at Wilson Hospital. Two other firefighters were hospitalized and listed in stable condition. Gaudet’s untimely loss sparked a flood of tributes, including from his brothers and sisters in uniform. “JR embodied…
School Bus Goes Up In Flames In Blooming Grove School Bus Goes Up In Flames In Blooming Grove
School Bus Goes Up In Flames In Blooming Grove A school bus was engulfed by flames on an Orange County road on Wednesday evening, Feb. 12.  The incident happened in Blooming Grove on Museum Village Road near Route 208, where the bus caught on fire.  The vehicle was initially reported to be a Kiryas Joel Village Union Free School District bus, but Superintendent Joel Peltlin said it belonged to a private vendor and was not related to the school district at the time of the fire.  More information about injuries and if any children were on the bus is not yet known.  This is a developing story. Check back to Daily…
Feds Suing NY State Officials Over 'Green Light' Immigration Law: 'We're Coming After You' Feds Suing NY State Officials Over 'Green Light' Immigration Law: 'We're Coming After You'
Feds Suing NY State Officials Over 'Green Light' Immigration Law: 'We're Coming After You' The US Justice Department is suing New York State officials–including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James–over alleged failures to enforce federal immigration law. A sweeping lawsuit accuses the Empire State of adhering to policies that protect undocumented immigrants at the expense of public safety, new US Attorney General Pam Bondi said. “This is a new DOJ, and we are taking steps to protect Americans,” Bondi said Wednesday, Feb. 12, standing alongside law enforcement officials and Tammy Nobles, an “angel mom" whose daughter was killed by an MS-13 gang member from El Salv…
New Update: Here Are Final Snowfall Totals For Orange County New Update: Here Are Final Snowfall Totals For Orange County
New Update: Here Are Final Snowfall Totals For Orange County Here's a look at snowfall accumulation totals from throughout the region released by the National Weather Service for the storm that moved through Saturday night, Feb. 8 into Sunday, Feb. 9. Location Amount Time/Date Provider New York Westchester County 1 N Eastchester 4.8 inches 0810 AM 02/09 Public Mamaroneck 4.8 inches 0630 AM 02/09 Public 1 SSE Port Chester 4.6 inches 0715 AM 02/09 Public 1 ESE Hartsdale 4.5 inches 1000 AM 02/09 Trained Spotter 2 N Mamaroneck …
Plan To Deputize Private Citizens In NY Faces Lawsuit From Dems: 'This Is Not The Wild West' Plan To Deputize Private Citizens In NY Faces Lawsuit From Dems: 'This Is Not The Wild West'
Plan To Deputize Private Citizens In NY Faces Lawsuit From Dems: 'This Is Not The Wild West' Long Island Democrats and civil rights attorneys are fighting back against a plan to deputize private citizens, calling the move illegal. A lawsuit filed by Nassau County Democratic legislators against County Executive Bruce Blakeman in New York Supreme Court on Wednesday, Feb. 5, seeks to block what they say amounts to an “illegal, taxpayer-funded militia.” Blakeman’s plan calls for deputizing private citizens as “special sheriff’s deputies” during emergency declarations. If activated, members would be paid $150 per day. Democrats blasted the move, arguing it lacks transparency, oversigh…
Hanukkah Shooting: Gunman Admits Opening Fire Outside NY Synagogue With Children Present Hanukkah Shooting: Gunman Admits Opening Fire Outside NY Synagogue With Children Present
Hanukkah Shooting: Gunman Admits Opening Fire Outside NY Synagogue With Children Present A New York man who fired a shotgun outside an Albany synagogue on the first night of Hanukkah pleaded guilty to federal civil rights and firearm charges. Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, 29, of Schenectady, pleaded guilty to obstructing religious freedom by threat of force, unlawfully acquiring a firearm, and brandishing it during the crime in Albany federal court on Tuesday, Feb. 4. The formal confession came more than a year after Alkhader took an Uber from Schenectady to Temple Israel in Albany, where he walked up the synagogue’s steps and pulled a shotgun from a duffel bag on Dec. 7, 2023. He the…
Dam Advisory Triggered By Water Discharge In Salisbury Mills (DEVELOPING) Dam Advisory Triggered By Water Discharge In Salisbury Mills (DEVELOPING)
Dam Advisory Triggered By Water Discharge In Salisbury Mills (Developing) Officials in Orange County are actively monitoring a dam advisory condition following reports of water discharge from a relief drain, officials said.  New, updated report - Water Leaks From Dam In Hudson Valley: Engineers Find Possible Cause (UPDATE) The Orange County Department of Public Works and Emergency Services is monitoring the  Beaver Dam Lake dam in Salisbury Mills as a result of the water discharge, Orange County government officials announced on Monday, Feb. 3 at around 6:45 p.m.  While there is no immediate threat to residents, authorities are work…
Teen Shot In Newburgh: May Have Been Self-Inflicted Wound, Police Say Teen Shot In Newburgh: May Have Been Self-Inflicted Wound, Police Say
Teen Shot In Newburgh: May Have Been Self-Inflicted Wound, Police Say Authorities are investigating whether or not a gunshot wound suffered by a 14-year-old boy in the Hudson Valley was self-inflicted following his contradictory account of events, police said. The incident happened on Monday, Jan. 27, around 3 p.m., when City of Newburgh Police responded to a report of gunfire in the area of 175 Robinson Ave (Route 9W).  Officers arrived to find the teen suffering from a gunshot wound to his groin. They immediately began life-saving measures before the boy was transported to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh. He was later transferred to…
Fallen Tree Hits Man, Causes Severe Head Injuries In Orange County Fallen Tree Hits Man, Causes Severe Head Injuries In Orange County
Fallen Tree Hits Man, Causes Severe Head Injuries In Orange County A 20-year-old man was airlifted to a hospital after suffering serious injuries from a fallen tree in the Hudson Valley.  The incident happened in Orange County on Monday, Jan. 27, just before 1 p.m. on Lake Trail in Warwick, according to the Warwick Police Department. Officers, along with the Greenwood Lake Fire Department and Greenwood Lake EMS, arrived to find the victim with serious injuries. EMS personnel treated the man at the scene before he was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center for further treatment. His current condition has not been released. Authorities said the cause…
Late-Night Gunfire In Newburgh Ends With Loaded Weapon Seized, Suspect Caught: Police Late-Night Gunfire In Newburgh Ends With Loaded Weapon Seized, Suspect Caught: Police
Late-Night Gunfire In Newburgh Ends With Loaded Weapon Seized, Suspect Caught: Police Shots fired in the middle of the night in the Hudson Valley led to the arrest of a man now facing multiple weapons charges, police said.  The incident happened in Orange County on Sunday, Jan. 19, at around 2:46 a.m., when City of Newburgh Police officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert for gunfire in the area of 35 Cerone Pl., the department announced on Friday, Jan. 24.  Police arrived at the scene and spotted a man in the area of the activation. As additional officers arrived, the man, identified as 50-year-old Samuel Ponder of Newburgh, allegedly threw a heavy object int…
Threats To Son Uncover Hidden Weapons: Orange County Man Nabbed With Illegally-Kept Guns Threats To Son Uncover Hidden Weapons: Orange County Man Nabbed With Illegally-Kept Guns
Threats To Son Uncover Hidden Weapons: Orange County Man Nabbed With Illegally-Kept Guns An argument and threatening text messages sent to his son led to the discovery of illegal firearms and the eventual conviction of a Hudson Valley man, officials announced. Orange County resident Justin Babik of Goshen, age 47, was convicted on Tuesday, Jan. 21, after a jury trial in Orange County Court on charges of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced. According to the DA's Office, on May 8, 2024, Babik allegedly argued with his son and sent him threatening text…
Intoxicated Person 'Wanting To Die' Rescued On Tappan Zee Bridge, Hospitalized: Police Intoxicated Person 'Wanting To Die' Rescued On Tappan Zee Bridge, Hospitalized: Police
Intoxicated Person 'Wanting To Die' Rescued On Tappan Zee Bridge, Hospitalized: Police Emergency responders in the Hudson Valley sprang into action to assist an intoxicated pedestrian on the Tappan Zee Bridge who reportedly expressed thoughts of self-harm, police said. Police responded to the northbound side of the bridge on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at around 4:15 p.m., after receiving reports about the person. Upon arrival, troopers found the pedestrian, who had reportedly made concerning comments about "wanting to die" and requested to be sent to a hospital, according to New York State Police. Troopers ensured the individual’s safety before Tarrytown EMS arrived at the scene. Th…
Juvenile Arrested For Setting Fires At Orange County High School Juvenile Arrested For Setting Fires At Orange County High School
Juvenile Arrested For Setting Fires At Orange County High School According to authorities, a juvenile has been charged with starting two fires at a Hudson Valley high school. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and Town of Montgomery Police Chief John Hank said the juvenile, whose name is not released due to his age, allegedly started the fires on Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Valley Central High School in Montgomery. According to court documents, the fires were set in two separate second-floor bathrooms around 12:30 p.m. while over 1,300 students were in the building.  One student was in a restroom stall when one of the fires ignited. The fir…
Shots Fired During Fight At Orange County School, Former Student Charged: Police Shots Fired During Fight At Orange County School, Former Student Charged: Police
Shots Fired During Fight At Orange County School, Former Student Charged: Police Police responded to an Orange County school after receiving multiple reports of shots fired during a large fight near the entrance of the building. The incident occurred on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Newburgh Free Academy Main Campus during school dismissal. According to Mike Neppl, spokesman for the Newburgh Police, the shooting began as a fight involving several students and a former student, later identified as Kevin Gaspar, age 18, of the town of Newburgh.  The altercation spilled into the Fullerton Avenue road, where the students left the fight. Gaspar then allegedly pulled out a g…
Suspicious Object At Ulster County School Found To Be Burnt Flashlight: Police Suspicious Object At Ulster County School Found To Be Burnt Flashlight: Police
Suspicious Object At Ulster County School Found To Be Burnt Flashlight: Police A suspicious object discovered in the parking lot of an Ulster County elementary school prompted an early dismissal and a thorough investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies. The incident occurred at Kerhonkson Elementary School around 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13.  According to Ulster County Sheriff's Office Capt. Joseph Sciutto, the school resource officer, was notified by staff about the object and markings on the pavement. The deputy secured the area and requested assistance from an explosive detection K9. A comprehensive search of the school and its property revealed no haza…
High-Speed Pursuit In Orange County Leaves Officer Injured, Suspect in Custody: Police High-Speed Pursuit In Orange County Leaves Officer Injured, Suspect in Custody: Police
High-Speed Pursuit In Orange County Leaves Officer Injured, Suspect in Custody: Police A high-speed vehicle pursuit in Orange County ended with the arrest of Alejandro Garcia and minor injuries to a police officer.  The incident began on Thursday, Jan. 9, around 11:35 a.m. on Carpenter Avenue in the Town of Wallkill, when Middletown Police Officers Jason Berman and Nicholas Langford attempted a vehicle stop as part of a narcotics investigation. According to Lt. Jeffry Thoelen of the Middletown Police, Garcia, age 34, of Middletown, was the subject of a search warrant and charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, suddenly fled the scene, driving over Officer L…
New Windsor Man, 34, Leads Police On Long Chase, Causes School Lockdown: Police New Windsor Man, 34, Leads Police On Long Chase, Causes School Lockdown: Police
New Windsor Man, 34, Leads Police On Long Chase, Causes School Lockdown: Police A vehicle pursuit that began on Interstate 84 led to a temporary hold-in-place at a Hudson Valley high school as a precautionary measure and also resulted in the arrest of an Orange County man. The incident started around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8 when a man was reported to be on the highway on I-84 West near I-684 trying to stop cars. When a Sheriff's Deputy and a New York State Trooper arrived at the location, the man got in a vehicle parked nearby and began driving away, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.  The man, 34-year-old New Windsor resident Ian Assad …
Drunk Driver Plows Into State Police Car, Van During Hudson Valley Traffic Stop, Police Say Drunk Driver Plows Into State Police Car, Van During Hudson Valley Traffic Stop, Police Say
Drunk Driver Plows Into State Police Car, Van During Hudson Valley Traffic Stop, Police Say Two New York State Troopers and two civilians were injured when an alleged drunk driver hit the back of a troop car while conducting a traffic stop. The incident occurred last week in Ulster County in the town of Lloyd, said Troop F officials. The collision caused the patrol car to hit the vehicle they had stopped, leaving two civilians and two troopers with minor injuries. "Thankfully, everyone is expected to recover, but this could have been far worse," the department said.  They added the incident was a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving not only for those directly …
Supermodel Dayle Haddon Killed In Suspected PA Carbon Monoxide Leak Supermodel Dayle Haddon Killed In Suspected PA Carbon Monoxide Leak
Supermodel Dayle Haddon Killed In Suspected PA Carbon Monoxide Leak Dayle Haddon, a celebrated Canadian actress, model, and humanitarian, has been identified as the victim of a fatal carbon monoxide leak at a Solebury Township residence, authorities confirmed. The tragedy unfolded Friday morning, Dec. 28, at a home on the 6900 block of Phillips Mill Road. Emergency responders were called to the property around 6:31 a.m. after Bucks County 911 received a report of an unconscious man on the first floor of a detached office/in-law suite, police said. The 76-year-old man was removed from the building by the New Hope Lambertville Rescue Squad and transported to…
NYC Taxi Jumps Curb: 9-Year-Old Boy Among 6 Struck On Christmas, NYPD Says (UPDATE) NYC Taxi Jumps Curb: 9-Year-Old Boy Among 6 Struck On Christmas, NYPD Says (UPDATE)
NYC Taxi Jumps Curb: 9-Year-Old Boy Among 6 Struck On Christmas, Nypd Says (Update) A 9-year-old boy was among three people hospitalized when a taxi drove up onto the sidewalk and plowed into six pedestrians on Christmas Day in New York City, the NYPD says. The 58-year-old male taxi cab driver was heading north when his vehicle went onto the sidewalk at 34th Street and struck the six people just before 4 p.m., a spokesperson for the NYPD said.  Among those injured were a 9-year-old boy who suffered a cut on his right thigh, a 19-year-old female, a 37-year-old female, a 41-year-old female, and two 49-year-old women, one of whom suffered a leg injury.  Police did …
21-Year-Old Man Charged With Rape Of Hudson Valley Minor, Police Say 21-Year-Old Man Charged With Rape Of Hudson Valley Minor, Police Say
21-Year-Old Man Charged With Rape Of Hudson Valley Minor, Police Say A 21-year-old Copake man has been charged with felony rape following an investigation into alleged sexual activity involving a minor, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office announced. Capt. John Watterson said William J. Mair, age 21, of Copake, was arrested on Friday, Dec. 20, in connection with an investigation into sexual contact with a person under the age of 17. Sheriff’s Office Detectives conducted the investigation, which led to Mair’s arrest.  Watterson said that no further details about the case will be released to protect the victim's privacy.  Officials emphasized that …
Hudson Valley Man Armed With Fake Gun Shot By Police Faces Felony Charges: Cops Hudson Valley Man Armed With Fake Gun Shot By Police Faces Felony Charges: Cops
Hudson Valley Man Armed With Fake Gun Shot By Police Faces Felony Charges: Cops A masked man armed with what appeared to be a handgun was shot by City of Poughkeepsie police after pointing the weapon at them during a confrontation, police report. The incident occurred, occurred around 10:15 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 22, when officers responded to a 911 call reporting a masked man with a gun outside an apartment at Fallkill Commons, located at 17 Rose St. According to Det. Lt. Sean McCarthy, the caller, later identified as Kevin Fitzpatrick, age 41, of Poughkeepsie, matched the description of the armed individual.  Upon arrival, officers confronted Fitzpatrick, who point…
Poughkeepsie Drug Dealer Who Sold To Undercover Agents Learns His Fate Poughkeepsie Drug Dealer Who Sold To Undercover Agents Learns His Fate
Poughkeepsie Drug Dealer Who Sold To Undercover Agents Learns His Fate A 47-year-old Poughkeepsie man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted on 10 felony counts related to drug sales in the, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office said. Spencer Green's sentencing took place on Friday, Dec. 20, following Green’s October conviction by a Dutchess County jury. The charges included five counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (both Class B felonies), and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the f…
Arrest Made In Connection To July Attempted Murder Shooting In Hudson Valley Arrest Made In Connection To July Attempted Murder Shooting In Hudson Valley
Arrest Made In Connection To July Attempted Murder Shooting In Hudson Valley Police have made a significant breakthrough in a case that rattled the community in July that left a man in critical condition and three women injured. Jaimez T. Freeman, age 20, of Poughkeepsie, was arrested on Friday, Dec. 13, in connection with the alleged attempted murder and illegal possession of a weapon in the City of Poughkeepsie on Friday, July 5, at 380 Main St. According to Det. Sgt. Terrence Beam, the shootings took place as a large disorderly group gathered on Main Street. During the shootings, Beam said a 28-year-old man was transported to a local hospital with life…
New Drone Detection System Coming To NY After Incident Forces Stewart Airport To Shut Down New Drone Detection System Coming To NY After Incident Forces Stewart Airport To Shut Down
New Drone Detection System Coming To NY After Incident Forces Stewart Airport To Shut Down Following an incident at a New York airport that disrupted operations, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that federal partners are deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system to New York State. The announcement follows a significant disruption in Orange County on Friday, Dec. 13, at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, where a drone forced a temporary shutdown of the airport’s runways, delaying flights. State and federal agencies are continuing their investigation into the incident. After that event, Hochul called for additional resources to bolster drone detection and response …
Drone Disruption Shuts Down Runways At Stewart Airport, Prompts Hochul Call For Federal Action Drone Disruption Shuts Down Runways At Stewart Airport, Prompts Hochul Call For Federal Action
Drone Disruption Shuts Down Runways At Stewart Airport, Prompts Hochul Call For Federal Action Runways at a Hudson Valley airport were brought to a halt after drone activity disrupted operations for approximately an hour, prompting New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to escalate calls for immediate federal intervention. Click here for a new, updated story: New Drone Detection System Coming To NY After Incident Forces Airport To Shut Down Hochul said the incident happened in Orange County on Friday, Dec. 13, at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor. “This has gone too far,” Hochul stated, addressing growing concerns over unauthorized drones in sensitive airspace. The incident ma…
'Stay Calm,' Say Rockland County Officials After Drone Sightings 'Stay Calm,' Say Rockland County Officials After Drone Sightings
'Stay Calm,' Say Rockland County Officials After Drone Sightings Rockland County officials are urging residents to remain calm after at least four sightings of drones were spotted flying over the region late Thursday, Dec. 12, and into New Jersey. “We understand that these drone sightings may be unsettling and are taking these reports seriously,” said County Executive Ed Day.  Day said he has notified federal authorities and written a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to have the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigate and provide answers about who is behind these drone sightings. The d…
Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA
Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA The senators representing New York and New Jersey are demanding answers about the drones that have been spotted flying in the skies of New York and New Jersey this past month. New York Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, all Democrats, wrote a letter on Thursday, Dec. 12 to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FAA Director Michael Whitaker demanding an immediate briefing on what they are doing to address the issue. "We are...especially concerned about how these drones may …
Bah Humbug! MTA Closes Tap On SantaCon Boozing For Metro-North, LIRR Riders Bah Humbug! MTA Closes Tap On SantaCon Boozing For Metro-North, LIRR Riders
Bah Humbug! MTA Closes Tap On SantaCon Boozing For Metro-North, Lirr Riders If you’re planning to ho-ho-hop on a Metro-North, NJ Transit or LIRR train this SantaCon weekend, leave the spiked eggnog at home — the MTA and NJ Transit are implementing its annual booze ban. In preparation for SantaCon 2024, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced a 32-hour alcohol ban across all Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad trains and stations. The restriction will take effect at 4 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, and remain in place until noon on Sunday, Dec. 15, aiming to ensure a safe and smooth ride for all passengers. “Our top priority is …
CEO Murder: How A Hash Brown At McDonald's Ended Manhunt For Luigi Mangione CEO Murder: How A Hash Brown At McDonald's Ended Manhunt For Luigi Mangione
CEO Murder: How A Hash Brown At McDonald's Ended Manhunt For Luigi Mangione The rare times in which Luigi Nicholas Mangione removed his face mask may have been the main reason for his arrest for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after a five-day manhunt. Click here for a new, updated story - CEO Murder: Luigi Mangione Notebook Detailing Shooting Plans Revealed, Reports Say In the first instance, Mangione was asked by a receptionist at a hostel in Manhattan's Upper West Side to remove the mask so she could compare his face to the photo on an allegedly fake ID. The 26-year-old Maryland native checked in there 10 days before the targeted shooti…
Drone Sightings Spark Multi-State Concerns Along East Coast Drone Sightings Spark Multi-State Concerns Along East Coast
Drone Sightings Spark Multi-State Concerns Along East Coast Authorities along the East Coast are grappling with a surge in drone sightings, raising security concerns and prompting high-level responses. In New Jersey, residents have reported numerous drone sightings since mid-November, particularly in Morris and Somerset counties, and more than a dozen mayors are calling for investigations. Gov. Phil Murphy is urging residents to report suspicious drone activity to law enforcement and emphasizing the state's commitment to public safety.  "We are actively monitoring the situation and in close coordination with our federal and law enforcement par…