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Video: Candlelight Vigil Held For Northern Westchester Police Officer Who Died Suddenly Video: Candlelight Vigil Held For Northern Westchester Police Officer Who Died Suddenly
Video: Candlelight Vigil Held For Northern Westchester Police Officer Who Died Suddenly Community members gathered to hold a candlelight vigil for a Northern Westchester police officer who died suddenly on Thanksgiving night.  Earlier Report - Thousands Raised For Family Of Peekskill Police Officer Who Died Suddenly The vigil was held in Peekskill on Tuesday, Nov. 29, to honor the life of Gregory Jones, an officer with the Peekskill Police Department originally from Middletown, who died on Thursday night, Nov. 24, at the age of 48, according to his obituary.  At the vigil, which was released in a video shared by the police department, several attendees spoke in…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
'Most Difficult News': Police Department In Northern Westchester Mourns Death Of Officer 'Most Difficult News': Police Department In Northern Westchester Mourns Death Of Officer
'Most Difficult News': Police Department In Northern Westchester Mourns Death Of Officer A police department in Northern Westchester is mourning the sudden loss of one of its own.  Gregory Jones, an officer with the Peekskill Police Department, died on Thursday, Nov. 24 at the age of 48, according to his obituary.  A native of Orange County, Jones was born and raised in Middletown and earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill before beginning his law enforcement career with the Orange County Sheriff's Office, his obituary said.  Jones later transferred to the Peekskill Police Department, where he stayed for…

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by Ben Crnic
News
'Animal Abuse In Service Of Greed': Hudson Valley Duo Sentenced In Racehorse Doping Case 'Animal Abuse In Service Of Greed': Hudson Valley Duo Sentenced In Racehorse Doping Case
'Animal Abuse In Service Of Greed': Hudson Valley Duo Sentenced In Racehorse Doping Case A veterinarian and racehorse trainer from the Hudson Valley have received their sentences for their role in a racehorse doping scheme.  Orange County Veterinarian Louis Grasso, age 65, of Pine Bush, and trainer Richard Banca, age 47, of Middletown, were sentenced to 50 months in prison, and 30 months in prison, respectively, for producing, distributing, and administering performance-enhancing drugs as part of the doping case, according to an announcement by the US Attorney's Office from Wednesday, Nov. 16. A third man, 35-year-old trainer Rene Allard of Canada, was also sente…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Hudson Valley Man Charged In Stabbing Death Of 52-Year-Old In Garage, Police Say Hudson Valley Man Charged In Stabbing Death Of 52-Year-Old In Garage, Police Say
Hudson Valley Man Charged In Stabbing Death Of 52-Year-Old In Garage, Police Say A Hudson Valley man has been charged in the stabbing death of a 52-year-old found dead in a detached garage of his home. Orange County resident Damante Troy Stansberry, age 23, of Middletown, was arrested around 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1 for the Sunday, Oct. 30 death of Jeffrey Harris, of Wallkill. According to Wallkill Chief of Police Robert Hertman, Town of Wallkill Detective Dane Wakefield arrested Stansberry following an investigation into the stabbing at the Harris residence at 33 Brookline Ave. Earlier report: Fatal Stabbing Under Investigation In Town Of Wallkill Stansbe…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Police Officer In Hudson Valley Named NY State Cop Of Year Police Officer In Hudson Valley Named NY State Cop Of Year
Police Officer In Hudson Valley Named NY State Cop Of Year A Hudson Valley police officer has been named the state's top cop by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Orange County's Middletown Police Officer Evan Barone received the state's Police Officer Medal of Valor for demonstrating exceptional courage and bravery in service to his community during a special ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 2. Barone was on routine patrol when he was flagged down by a woman whose ex-boyfriend refused to leave her home. Seconds after stopping to help, Barone was shot and despite being seriously wounded, he fired back, struck his assailant, and protected the woman, several children, an…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Seen Him? Police, FBI Looking To Locate Man Wanted For Rape Of Minor In Hudson Valley Seen Him? Police, FBI Looking To Locate Man Wanted For Rape Of Minor In Hudson Valley
Seen Him? Police, FBI Looking To Locate Man Wanted For Rape Of Minor In Hudson Valley The New York State Police and the FBI are asking the public for help locating a man who allegedly raped a minor in the Hudson Valley. Jesus Torres, age 31, of Goshen, is wanted on an extraditable warrant for raping a female child in Orange County, said Trooper Steven Nevel. The Southern District of New York has also issued a warrant for Torres for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, Nevel said. Nevel said charges were filed against him on Tuesday, Oct. 18, but Torres has eluded capture.  Torres is described as being 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds.  He was last known to be in the are…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Off-Duty Police Officer From Hudson Valley Robbed At Gunpoint Off-Duty Police Officer From Hudson Valley Robbed At Gunpoint
Off-Duty Police Officer From Hudson Valley Robbed At Gunpoint An off-duty Hudson Valley cop was mugged at gunpoint with the thieves making off with his police badge and his wallet. The incident took place in the Bronx around 1 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 23 at Givan Avenue and Merrit Road, said the NYPD. According to the NYPD, a 36-year-old and another 35-year-old man had just parked their vehicle when they noticed a Mercedes Benz driving in their direction. Four men got out of the vehicle and approached the off-duty Wallkill officer, from Middletown, with one of the suspects pulling a gun and they were robbed. The Wallkill officer reportedly handed over his …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Hudson Valley Man Stabbed To Death By 22-Year-Old During Fight, Police Say Hudson Valley Man Stabbed To Death By 22-Year-Old During Fight, Police Say
Hudson Valley Man Stabbed To Death By 22-Year-Old During Fight, Police Say A Hudson Valley man was stabbed to death during a fight with another person. The incident took place in Orange County in the town of Wallkill around 9:45 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Route 17 westbound exit ramp at the intersection with Route 302. According to Wallkill Deputy Chief of Police Antonino Spano, officers responded to the area for a report of a fight in progress. During the course of the investigation, officers located the victim in front of 2580 Route 302, suffering from at least one stab wound to his body. The victim, a 74-year-old, male, identified as Joel A. Lad…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Suspect Nabbed For String Of Burglaries In Hudson Valley Suspect Nabbed For String Of Burglaries In Hudson Valley
Suspect Nabbed For String Of Burglaries In Hudson Valley Following a month-long investigation, a Hudson Valley man has been arrested for burglary and a host of other charges. Leonard L. Taylor, age 66, of Middletown, was arrested on Monday. Oct. 3, by the Village of Walden Police after a brief foot chase in the village. Taylor's arrest concludes a month-long investigation into three commercial burglaries and two attempted commercial burglaries affecting businesses in the Village of Walden, the department said. "Our local Village businesses work tirelessly to provide services to our residents, and we greatly appreciate their efforts," the departm…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
NY AG Won't Pursue Charges After Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting In Hudson Valley NY AG Won't Pursue Charges After Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting In Hudson Valley
NY AG Won't Pursue Charges After Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting In Hudson Valley A police officer will not face charges in an officer-involved shooting that killed a man in the Hudson Valley. New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation said on Friday, Sept. 30 a Town of Wallkill officer will not face charges in the Saturday, June 12, 20221 shooting death of Orange County resident Christopher Van Kleeck, age 31, in Middletown. Following a thorough investigation, including interviews with witnesses and a review of physical evidence, photographs, dashboard camera footage, and civilian security camera footage, OSI concluded that criminal charges…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
36 Nabbed In Drug Bust Centered In Hudson Valley 36 Nabbed In Drug Bust Centered In Hudson Valley
36 Nabbed In Drug Bust Centered In Hudson Valley A four-month-long investigation into drug trafficking in the region led to the arrest of 36 people and the seizure of a large number of drugs. The investigation, dubbed “Operation Final Blow” was initially started by the City of Port Jervis Police Department, and also included: The Orange County Drug Task Force The New York State Police Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team The Pike County Criminal Investigations Division of the Pike County District Attorney’s Office The Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and The investigation included the use of court-ordered e…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Man Driving Drunk With Kids In Car Crashes Into Cruiser In Hudson Valley, Police Say Man Driving Drunk With Kids In Car Crashes Into Cruiser In Hudson Valley, Police Say
Man Driving Drunk With Kids In Car Crashes Into Cruiser In Hudson Valley, Police Say A state police cruiser was hit by an alleged drunk driver with kids in his car as officers were arresting a woman for DWI. The incident took place in Rockland County around  5:20 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 25 on the Palisades Parkway in the town of Stony Point. According to Trooper Steven Nevel, troopers were stopped behind a vehicle on the Palisades Parkway. Troopers spotted a 2020 Nissan Rogue stopped on the Parkway northbound in the town of Stony Point with its hazard lights on.  Troopers approached the vehicle and spoke with the operator. While speaking to the operator troopers dete…

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by Kathy Reakes