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VIDEOS: Bodycam Of Ex-Fulop Aide's DUI Arrest Released By Jersey City's New Mayor VIDEOS: Bodycam Of Ex-Fulop Aide's DUI Arrest Released By Jersey City's New Mayor
Videos: Bodycam Of Ex-Fulop Aide's DUI Arrest Released By Jersey City's New Mayor Jersey City Mayor James Solomon has released bodycam footage of the September 2025 DUI arrest of a high-ranking aide to then-Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. Phillip A. Orphanidis, who served as deputy chief of staff in the Fulop administration at the time, was arrested after a motor vehicle crash near 8th Street and Marin Boulevard in Jersey City on Sept. 30, 2025, according to Jersey City police reports obtained through an OPRA request and released this week by Solomon's office. Police were dispatched around 5:20 p.m. to a report of a three-car crash involving a gray Tesla, a black Cadilla…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
This Hudson Valley City Named One of America’s Greatest In New Report This Hudson Valley City Named One of America’s Greatest In New Report
This Hudson Valley City Named One of America’s Greatest In New Report A city in the Hudson Valley has officially earned its bragging rights. The City of Poughkeepsie has climbed to No. 82 on World’s Best Cities.com’s list of the top 100 cities in the US for 2025, which recognized it for its revitalized downtown, walkability, and vibrant community life—all nestled alongside the scenic Hudson River.  "It is no secret that the City of Poughkeepsie faces a pivotal turning point in its lifespan," said Mayor Yvonne Flowers in response to the rankings, also adding, "That's why it was especially encouraging to be recognized once again as one …

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by Ben Crnic
Sports
David Ortiz Launches New Rum Available In NY: See What Inspired 'Big Papi' David Ortiz Launches New Rum Available In NY: See What Inspired 'Big Papi'
David Ortiz Launches New Rum Available In NY: See What Inspired 'Big Papi' "Big Papi" is taking a big swing with a new spirit that has deep roots in his native Dominican Republic. Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz officially launched Ozama Rum, according to a news release on Wednesday, May 28. The Baseball Hall-of-Famer also hosted pre-launch parties with distributors and influencers in Boston, Miami, New York City, and Santo Domingo. The premium liquor is made entirely in the Dominican Republic using 100% local sugarcane. The rum is aged for at least one year in oak barrels before being bottled locally and labeled with the official "Ron Dominicano" label. The th…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
New Supermarket To Open In Hudson Valley New Supermarket To Open In Hudson Valley
New Supermarket To Open In Hudson Valley A new 24-hour-a-day supermarket is opening in the Hudson Valley, focusing on everything fresh.  The Garden Fresh Market, located in Rockland County in Spring Valley, will have its soft opening on Wednesday, Oct. 23, and its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 26, said owner Wilson Bermeo of New City.  This will be the fourth supermarket for Bermeo, who immigrated from Ecuador in 1995 to live the American Dream. "You work all the time, every day, and you can have that dream," Bermeo said with a laugh. And busy he is. He said he also owns the Nyack Fresh Market, Huerto del Eden in Spr…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
$20K Awarded To 3 Libraries Each In Hudson Valley For Upgrades, Projects $20K Awarded To 3 Libraries Each In Hudson Valley For Upgrades, Projects
$20K Awarded To 3 Libraries Each In Hudson Valley For Upgrades, Projects Three Hudson Valley libraries that serve as community pillars have been awarded tens of thousands of dollars in state funds, officials announced.  The three institutions, all located in Putnam County, each will receive $20,000 in bullet aid in state funding to help them with needed upgrades and new development projects, New York Assemblyman Matt Slater announced on Thursday, Aug. 22. The libraries to receive this aid include:  The Kent Public Library at 17 Sybils Crossing, which plans to use the funds to offer more downloadable audiobooks and e-books to patrons; The Putnam Valle…

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by Ben Crnic
News
New Waterfront Park On Hudson River Opens In Westchester County New Waterfront Park On Hudson River Opens In Westchester County
New Waterfront Park On Hudson River Opens In Westchester County A new park providing access to the Hudson River waterfront has opened in Westchester County. The Sleepy Hollow RiverWalk at Edge-on-Hudson, which will let visitors walk along the river from River Street to the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Oct. 31, according to the village's Parks and Recreation Department.  The RiverWalk was funded by the Edge-on-Hudson mixed-use community being developed in Sleepy Hollow on the Hudson River and was dedicated to the village, Parks and Recreation officials said.  The new park restores access to a s…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Police Chief In Northern Westchester Calls It A Career Police Chief In Northern Westchester Calls It A Career
Police Chief In Northern Westchester Calls It A Career A police chief in Northern Westchester is calling it a career later this month. City of Peekskill Police Department Chief Don Halmy announced his plan to retire as of Saturday, Sept. 25, after more than 22 years with the department. Halmy was hired in 1999 and worked on patrol, including the overnight shift, earning the title of sergeant in 2009, lieutenant in 2017, and appointed chief of the Department in 2018.  He has accepted a position in the private sector at a school where he will draw on both his experience in public safety and his first career as an educator whe…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
New Market To Open In Ulster County New Market To Open In Ulster County
New Market To Open In Ulster County A family-owned Caribbean catering company, known for its line of hot sauces and seasonings sold at local farmers markets and grocery stores, is opening its own market and cafe in Kingston. Seasoned Delicious Foods will open to the public after a Sunday, Sept. 26 ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Owners Tamika and Martin Dunkley were inspired in 2016 by the latter's mother, 74-year-old "Mama Blossom" from Kingston, Jamaica, to bottle and distribute Old-World West Indian condiments, cooking oils, spice mixes and, most famously, hot sauces.  The pair developed a presence in ne…

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by Christina Coulter
Lifestyle
Sen. Harckham, Mayor Rainey Honor Hudson River Health Care Founder In Peekskill Sen. Harckham, Mayor Rainey Honor Hudson River Health Care Founder In Peekskill
Sen. Harckham, Mayor Rainey Honor Hudson River Health Care Founder In Peekskill One of the Founding Mothers of Hudson River Health Care – a network of 43 nonprofit community health centers in the Hudson Valley, Long Island and New York City – was honored by state Sen. Peter Harckham and Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey. The Rev. Jeanette J. Phillips received a proclamation in her honor from the state Senate in recognition of her lifetime of service and pioneering contributions to community-based health care statewide.  The Senate proclamation, introduced in February, was presented to Phillips on Monday at the HRHCare Peekskill health center which b…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
One More Try: Cuomo Begs Amazon To Bring H2Q Back To NYC One More Try: Cuomo Begs Amazon To Bring H2Q Back To NYC
One More Try: Cuomo Begs Amazon To Bring H2Q Back To NYC New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has met with Amazon executives, including CEO Jeff Bezos, in an effort to encourage them to reconsider pulling out of a planned second headquarters in Long Island City. The online retail giant announced on Thursday, Feb. 14 that it is backpedaling out of the planned deal to construct a headquarters in New York, despite strong support from area residents. The reversal of fortune came following a vocal outcry from some politicians due to their displeasure over tax incentives. “After much thought and deliberation, we've decided not to move forward with our plans to b…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Poughkeepsie's New Logo Leaves Some Wondering What It Means Poughkeepsie's New Logo Leaves Some Wondering What It Means
Poughkeepsie's New Logo Leaves Some Wondering What It Means Poughkeepsie residents will soon see a new logo -- PKGO -- popping up around the city and attached to special events and might wonder what it means. It's pretty simple really, PKGO stands for "Poughkeepsie Go!" and is meant to symbolize that the city is a place on the go, with great people and businesses. "It's a fresh branding start for Poughkeepsie," said Paul Hesse, the city's Community Development coordinator. "It's also a chance for residents and businesses to let people know why they love the city." Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison touched briefly on the n…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Port Jervis Native Taps Into Craft Beer Movement Port Jervis Native Taps Into Craft Beer Movement
Port Jervis Native Taps Into Craft Beer Movement Matt Curtin has been homebrewing for more than 20 years. Now, the Port Jervis native is about to take the plunge with his own place. Curtin is a partner -- and head brewer - in the soon-to-be-opened Sing Sing Kill Brewery (SSKB) in Ossining. The new business -- set to start pouring its beers sometime later this month -- is all about paying homage -- and celebrating—local history. Hence, the name -- and reference to the famous prison. “Naming ourselves Sing Sing Kill Brewery is about embracing our local heritage," explained Eric Gearity, Head of Operations.  "Sing Sing Prison is …

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by Jeanne Muchnick