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Business
$2M Con Job: NY Contractor Admits Defrauding Victims Of Hurricane Sandy $2M Con Job: NY Contractor Admits Defrauding Victims Of Hurricane Sandy
$2M Con Job: NY Contractor Admits Defrauding Victims Of Hurricane Sandy A former New York contractor confessed to stealing millions of dollars from homeowners who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy to fund his lavish lifestyle. Alexander Almaraz, age 56, who formerly lived on Long Island in Freeport, pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, Sept. 5. Prosecutors said Almaraz, who owned Design Concepts Group (DCG) in Freeport, targeted homeowners who suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 and later received relief funds from the governor’s office. Earlier Report: Lamborghini, Porsche, Jaguar,…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
'Despicable': Woman Who Intentionally Set Fire To Capital Region Home Sentenced 'Despicable': Woman Who Intentionally Set Fire To Capital Region Home Sentenced
'Despicable': Woman Who Intentionally Set Fire To Capital Region Home Sentenced A 23-year-old New York woman who admitted to setting fire to a home with several people inside will spend up to seven years behind bars, authorities said.  Allexus Pecoraro, of Erieville in Madison County, pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment in the first degree and was sentenced to two-and-a-third years to seven years in prison, the Albany County District Attorney's Office said.  Pecoraro was accused of starting a fire on the porch at 489 Hudson Avenue in Albany on May 8, 2022. The home is near the College of Saint Rose. The blaze gutted the house…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
'Dawson's Creek' Actor With Ties To Region Dies At 51 'Dawson's Creek' Actor With Ties To Region Dies At 51
'Dawson's Creek' Actor With Ties To Region Dies At 51 An actor with ties to the region who was known for roles on several popular television shows such as "Dawson's Creek" is being remembered for his enduring positivity following a battle against an eating disorder.  Actor Obi Ndefo died on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at the age of 51 after a long illness, his sister Nkem Ndefo announced in a social media post on Monday, Sept. 2.  "Tragically, Obi’s heart gave out in his longstanding battle against the eating disorder orthorexia," Nkem Ndefo wrote in a post on X, adding, "As his family, we share this news to bring attention to …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Man From Region Nabbed For Commercial Burglary, Police Say Man From Region Nabbed For Commercial Burglary, Police Say
Man From Region Nabbed For Commercial Burglary, Police Say A man from the region has been charged with two counts of burglary for allegedly breaking into the same business twice and stealing property. The incidents occurred in Sullivan County at the Taam Eden Baker at Mountain Square Mall in Monticello on Tuesday, Aug. 27, and Thursday, Aug. 29. According to Monticello Police Lt. Mark Johnstone, Ishmiel Agapito, age 24, of Monticello, was charged on Monday, Sept. 2, following an investigation. Johnstone said Agapito was caught on surveillance forcing his way in through a rear door and stole property from inside the business.  He was cha…

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by Kathy Reakes
Business
Store In Region Permanently Closes After 37-Year Run Store In Region Permanently Closes After 37-Year Run
Store In Region Permanently Closes After 37-Year Run After 37 years of business in the region, a popular discount store has decided to close its doors permanently. Located in Ulster County, the Kingston Just-A-Buck and Beyond store at 264 Plaza Road in Kingston Plaza said it has decided to close this location.  "We are so grateful for the wonderful staff and customers we have met and shared the last 37 years with," store officials said. "We will surely miss you all. Much thanks for all of your support throughout the years, it has been greatly appreciated." The store held deep discount sales until the final day in the last week of Augus…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Assisted Suicide Case In Region: Arizona Resident Convicted Of Manslaughter Assisted Suicide Case In Region: Arizona Resident Convicted Of Manslaughter
Assisted Suicide Case In Region: Arizona Resident Convicted Of Manslaughter An out-of-state man has been convicted of manslaughter in connection with the assisted suicide death of a woman in a Hudson Valley hotel room. Stephen Miller, age 85, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced to five years of probation on Tuesday, Sept. 3, in Ulster County Court in Kingston.  The conviction is in connection with the Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, death of a woman found unresponsive by the cleaning staff at the Super 8 Motel in Kingston, said Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji. According to Nneji, the Kingston Police Department, Fire Department, and other emergency person…

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by Kathy Reakes
Business
Person Who Consumed Recalled Boar’s Head Products May Have Permanent Injuries, Lawsuit Says Person Who Consumed Recalled Boar’s Head Products May Have Permanent Injuries, Lawsuit Says
Person Who Consumed Recalled Boar’s Head Products May Have Permanent Injuries, Lawsuit Says A person in the New York metropolitan area who purchased and consumed recalled Boar's Head products is believed to have permanent injuries, a new lawsuit alleges. Manhattan-based injury and food safety attorney John Beatty has been retained to file the suit against Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc. for a client who suffered severe health consequences due to Listeria contamination. The person, whose precise place of residence has not been released, contracted Listeria, leading to a near-fatal case of meningitis and an almost month-long hospital stay, according to Beatty. "The client is belie…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Bank Burglar From Capital Region Torches DPW Building In New Jersey Hours After Release: Police Bank Burglar From Capital Region Torches DPW Building In New Jersey Hours After Release: Police
Bank Burglar From Capital Region Torches DPW Building In New Jersey Hours After Release: Police A 32-year-old New York man arrested for faking a slashing while burglarizing a Paramus bank set fire to a DPW building in Paterson hours after being released, Daily Voice has learned. Jonathan Gardner, of Canastota and Schenectady, was captured on video pouring gasoline on a structure behind the DPW building on 800 Broadway (Pennington Park) in Paterson just after 1 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 2, a spokesperson from the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said.  He was found sitting near the scene and was lodged in the Bergen County Jail on charges of aggravated arson, burglary, a…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
New Lobster Tales: 2 More Rare Orange Crustaceans Found At NY Businesses New Lobster Tales: 2 More Rare Orange Crustaceans Found At NY Businesses
New Lobster Tales: 2 More Rare Orange Crustaceans Found At NY Businesses As families gathered over Labor Day weekend, these lucky crustaceans enjoyed a reunion of their own. Days after an ultra rare orange lobster was saved from a New York Stop & Shop, two of her siblings were rescued from businesses on Long Island. “Meet Tangerine and Navel, Clementine's sisters who were rescued and released this Labor Day following an influx of calls about orange lobsters turning up at the East Setauket Stop & Shop and Northport Fish & Lobster!” Humane Long Island announced on Facebook Tuesday, Sept. 3. Earlier Report: Ultra Rare Orange Lobster Rescued From…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Mom’s Meth-Fueled, Wrong-Way Crash Killing 9-Year-Old Son On NY Highway Was Murder, DA Says Mom’s Meth-Fueled, Wrong-Way Crash Killing 9-Year-Old Son On NY Highway Was Murder, DA Says
Mom’s Meth-Fueled, Wrong-Way Crash Killing 9-Year-Old Son On NY Highway Was Murder, DA Says A New York mother accused of causing a drug-fueled, wrong-way highway crash that killed her son has been charged with murder. On Long Island, a Suffolk County grand jury charged 32-year-old Kerri Bedrick, of Centerport, with second-degree murder and related charges on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Prosecutors said Bedrick was high on methamphetamine when a Suffolk County Sheriff’s deputy spotted her SUV speeding westbound in the eastbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway at around 2:15 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22. Earlier Report: NY Mom Accused In Wrong-Way Crash Killing Son Had License Suspend…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
18-Year-Old Killed In Head-On Crash In Region 18-Year-Old Killed In Head-On Crash In Region
18-Year-Old Killed In Head-On Crash In Region An 18-year-old  man was killed during a head-on crash in the region. The incident occurred in Dutchess County at 12:25 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the intersection of Route 343 and Altamont Road in the town of Washington (Millbrook). According to Trooper AJ Hicks of the New York State Police, Blaine M. Hadden, age 18, of Millbrook, was driving a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 westbound on Route 343 when he entered the eastbound lane and struck a 2004 Toyota Tundra head-on. Hadden, who had to be extricated by the Millbrook Fire Department, died from his injuries, Hicks said. The driver of the …

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Man Accused Of Capital Region Shooting That Left Teen Wounded, Struggling To Walk Man Accused Of Capital Region Shooting That Left Teen Wounded, Struggling To Walk
Man Accused Of Capital Region Shooting That Left Teen Wounded, Struggling To Walk A 33-year-old Capital Region man faces multiple felonies in a shooting following an argument earlier this summer that left a teenager struggling to walk, authorities said.  Maurice Steward, of Albany, was charged with second-degree attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon last week in the July 9 shooting, the Albany County District Attorney's Office said on Tuesday, Sept. 3.  Police said Steward and another man got into an argument at a home in the 300 block of Second Ave. around 5:15 p.m. Steward ran away but returned a short time later with a pistol and shot the…

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by Josh Lanier