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Business
Acclaimed Restaurant Closing In Capital Region After Decade: 'We Are Forever Touched' Acclaimed Restaurant Closing In Capital Region After Decade: 'We Are Forever Touched'
Acclaimed Restaurant Closing In Capital Region After Decade: 'We Are Forever Touched' For husband-and-wife team Nick and Sarah Suarez, it’s about to be a wrap on a decade of culinary excellence. Their Columbia County restaurant – Gaskins in Germantown — will hold its final dinner service on Sunday, Nov. 24, the couple announced on Facebook. “Deciding to close has been the hardest decision of our life,” they said in their post Wednesday, Sept. 11. “As strange as it feels to say goodbye, we know that what we have created, with all of you, has been truly spectacular.” The Suarezes said there was no single reason for the closure, “rather an understanding that after 10 years of …

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
30-Year-Old ID'd As Victim In Fatal Crash Involving Stolen Car In Region 30-Year-Old ID'd As Victim In Fatal Crash Involving Stolen Car In Region
30-Year-Old ID'd As Victim In Fatal Crash Involving Stolen Car In Region A man who was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle was killed when he crashed into a tree, and the SUV burst into flames while fleeing police in the region. The incident occurred in Dutchess County at 4:50 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10, in the parking lot of Dunkin' Donuts on Violet Avenue in the town of Hyde Park. According to New York State Police Trooper AJ Hicks, responding troopers found the 2015 Honda Pilot still running and left unattended on Violet Avenue. A vehicle and traffic stop was initiated, but the operator failed to comply and fled south on Violet Avenue. The pursuit then entered…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Pizza Guru Portnoy Fulfills Capital Region Man's Dying Wish With Unique Review Pizza Guru Portnoy Fulfills Capital Region Man's Dying Wish With Unique Review
Pizza Guru Portnoy Fulfills Capital Region Man's Dying Wish With Unique Review Barstool Sports CEO Dave Portnoy has had some tense moments when giving a "One Bite Pizza Review," but he faced what could have been one of his toughest reviews ever during a recent stop in the region. That's because he wasn't reviewing a restaurant or pizzeria. He was critiquing the pie from a family grieving the loss of a loved one to fulfill a Rensselaer County man's wish.  Derek Murphy, of Troy, died in May at 23 years old after a lifelong battle with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  The degenerative disorder slowly strips away the sufferer's strength and bodily contro…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Suspect Nabbed For Allegedly Harassing Trooper In Hudson Valley ATV Mob Incident Suspect Nabbed For Allegedly Harassing Trooper In Hudson Valley ATV Mob Incident
Suspect Nabbed For Allegedly Harassing Trooper In Hudson Valley ATV Mob Incident An out-of-state man was charged with harassing a New York State trooper during an alleged "street takeover" in the Hudson Valley, which included 30 to 40 ATVs and motorcycles. Related: ATV Mob Causes Havoc On Roadway In Wappingers Falls The incident occurred in Dutchess County around 4:10 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, on Route 9D in Wappingers Falls.  According to State Police Trooper AJ Hicks, troopers responded to a report of 30 to 40 motorcycles and off-highway vehicles operating "recklessly" on Route 9D in Wappingers Falls and on sidewalks. When a trooper arrived in a mark…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Teen Accused Of Making Threat Against Student At High School In Region Teen Accused Of Making Threat Against Student At High School In Region
Teen Accused Of Making Threat Against Student At High School In Region A teen was charged with making a terroristic threat after allegedly threatening to shoot a student outside a private school in the region. The incident occurred in Dutchess County on Wednesday, Sept. 4, when police responded to the home of an Our Lady Of Lourdes High School student for an anonymous terroristic statement threatening to target the victim with a gun after school in Poughkeepsie. According to Trooper AJ Hicks of the New York State Police, an investigation determined the terroristic threat was made by Jacob J. Leo, age 19, of Pleasant Valley. Leo, who was never a student at the…

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by Kathy Reakes
Business
Big Lots Expands Store Closures Amid Bankruptcy Filing: Here's Rundown Of NY Closures Big Lots Expands Store Closures Amid Bankruptcy Filing: Here's Rundown Of NY Closures
Big Lots Expands Store Closures Amid Bankruptcy Filing: Here's Rundown Of NY Closures Discount retail chain Big Lots has filed for bankruptcy as its list of planned store closures expands. It currently has around 1,425 stores nationwide. The company announced on Monday, Sept. 9 that it will sell its assets to an affiliate of private equity firm Nexus Capital Management. In announcing initial store closures late in late July, Big Lots said a bankruptcy filing could be coming. Stores in the Northeast now slated for closure are as follows: New York Delaware Avenue, Buffalo South Ogden Street, Buffalo Route 5 & 20, Canandaigua  Voice Road, Carle Place Centereach …

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia
Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump came out swinging at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in their first and possibly only presidential debate before the Tuesday, Nov. 5 election. Harris made the first move by shaking Trump's hand on stage — in their first face-to-face encounter. Political observers noted how Harris "baited" the former president, prompting him to look increasingly angry. But Trump entered the "spin room" less than an hour after the debate, saying, "I think it was the best debate, personally, that I've ever …

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by Jon Craig
News
Cop Impersonator Sexually Assaults Woman At Knifepoint At Capital Region Home Cop Impersonator Sexually Assaults Woman At Knifepoint At Capital Region Home
Cop Impersonator Sexually Assaults Woman At Knifepoint At Capital Region Home Police are on the hunt for a man who impersonated a police officer before sexually assaulting a woman at her home in the region. The incident happened in Albany, at a residence on Mercer Street near South Lake Avenue, shortly after 10 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9. Albany Police said a man knocked on the door of the victim’s apartment and announced that he was a member of the Albany Police Department. When the woman unlocked her door, the man forced his way inside and pulled a knife before sexually assaulting her, police said. He then fled the scene on foot. The victim suffered a cut to the right …

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
ATV Mob Causes Havoc On Roadway In Region ATV Mob Causes Havoc On Roadway In Region
ATV Mob Causes Havoc On Roadway In Region State Police are investigating a mob of ATVs and motorcycles who took over a roadway in the region, injuring one and threatening a trooper. The incident occurred in Dutchess County around 4:10 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, on Route 9D in Wappingers Falls. According to State Police Trooper AJ Hicks, troopers responded to a report of 30 to 40 motorcycles and off-highway vehicles operating "recklessly" in the roadway and on sidewalks. When a trooper arrived in a marked State Police vehicle, members of the group began circling the patrol vehicle, revving their engines and shouting profanities, Hick…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
New Law Will Put A Student On Every School Board In NY New Law Will Put A Student On Every School Board In NY
New Law Will Put A Student On Every School Board In NY There will soon be a student on every school board in New York.A new law requiring all state boards of education to have at least one student member will take effect on July 1, 2025. The students will attend public meetings, but not executive sessions, and won't be allowed to vote. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the bill on Thursday, Sept. 5. It will also remove the current law requirement that a student member seat be authorized by referendum of the voters of the district.  The bill would also remove the requirement that a student member be a senior at the school and instead require only …

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by Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In Hudson Valley Home Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In Hudson Valley Home
Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In Hudson Valley Home James Earl Jones, the beloved actor and voice behind one of cinema's most memorable villains, died Monday, Sept. 9, at his home in Dutchess County, Variety reported.  The "Field of Dreams" star was 93. No cause of death was given.  Jones, a Pawling resident, is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. From the Broadway stage, the silver screen, and a galaxy far, far away, the Mississippi-born actor had a range that few others could replicate.  He was a large man but could play gentle and meek characters, and his baritone voice could be calm and reassurin…

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by Josh Lanier
Sports
Mixed Reviews, Epic Fail Taint Tom Brady's Debut As NFL Announcer Mixed Reviews, Epic Fail Taint Tom Brady's Debut As NFL Announcer
Mixed Reviews, Epic Fail Taint Tom Brady's Debut As NFL Announcer Tom Brady always seemed comfortable on a football field, but he struggled to adjust looking down on one.  That seems to be the consensus review following his first day as an NFL analyst.  The seven-time Super Bowl champion debuted as an NFL commentator for Fox on Sunday, Sept. 8, covering the Dallas Cowboys' 33-17 win over the Cleveland Browns. Though many fans were left talking about Brady's performance rather than anything in the game.  Critics dinged him for his nervousness and stiffness in front of the camera. They were shocked to see a man so full of emotion and fire o…

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by Josh Lanier