NY 22-Year-Old Was Killed Days After Graduation—Now His Name Is Giving Others A Second Chance NY 22-Year-Old Was Killed Days After Graduation—Now His Name Is Giving Others A Second Chance
NY 22-Year-Old Was Killed Days After Graduation—Now His Name Is Giving Others A Second Chance Just weeks ago, Simon Brault was celebrating a milestone: graduating from Hudson Valley Community College with a degree in Electrical Construction and Maintenance. Now, his family is preparing to lay him to rest—while launching a scholarship in his name that will help other young adults in need. Simon, 20, died after being stabbed on a Clifton Park street Saturday, May 31, in what investigators allege was a senseless attack involving two teens, as Daily Voice previously reported.  Both suspects have since been arrested. Investigators did not publicly speculate on a possible motiv…
Pastor's Daughter, 21, Killed In NY Jet Ski Accident Remembered As 'Caring, Talented' Pastor's Daughter, 21, Killed In NY Jet Ski Accident Remembered As 'Caring, Talented'
Pastor's Daughter, 21, Killed In NY Jet Ski Accident Remembered As 'Caring, Talented' Tributes are pouring in for a young woman who died following a jet ski crash on Great Sacandaga Lake in Fulton County. Grace Clark, 21, was killed when the jet ski she was operating collided with a pontoon boat just north of the Broadalbin Boat Launch on Monday evening, June 23, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. Clark’s passenger, a 29-year-old man from Schoharie County, survived the impact and remains hospitalized at Albany Medical Center. Nobody on the pontoon boat was injured. A preliminary investigation found that the boat was traveling at about 20 miles per hour, while …
Man Killed In Wrong-Way I-87 Crash In HV Was Well-Loved Educator With Big Heart Man Killed In Wrong-Way I-87 Crash In HV Was Well-Loved Educator With Big Heart
Man Killed In Wrong-Way I-87 Crash In HV Was Well-Loved Educator With Big Heart A 33-year-old man who was killed in a tragic wrong-way crash on Interstate 87 in Rockland County over the weekend was a cherished educator who hailed from Westchester and had big career aspirations.  Brian Tortora, a native of Yonkers who was living in New York City, was killed on Saturday, June 21, in a wrong-way wreck involving two tractor-trailers on Interstate 87 in Clarkstown, as Daily Voice previously reported.  Tortora was driving a 2024 Subaru WRX north in the southbound lanes around 3 a.m. when he struck two tractor-trailers near Exit 12, according to New York State Polic…
Longtime Firefighter, Deli Owner From HV Dies At 65: Family Now Seeking Help Longtime Firefighter, Deli Owner From HV Dies At 65: Family Now Seeking Help
Longtime Firefighter, Deli Owner From HV Dies At 65: Family Now Seeking Help A longtime Rockland County firefighter and well-known local deli owner is being remembered after his sudden death at age 65. Bernard "Bernie" Leavitt, a lifelong resident of Congers, died on Wednesday, June 12, according to the Congers Fire Department and his obituary. Leavitt had been a member of the department since 1980 and was a familiar face in the community for decades.  Leavitt was a life member of the fire department and also owned a deli on Lake Road for years.  He also worked for the sewer district and retired from ShopRite. Outside of work, Leavitt was a passionate bow…
Ex-Chief Of FD In HV Dies After 9/11-Related Cancer Fight: 'Lived, Breathed Fire Service' Ex-Chief Of FD In HV Dies After 9/11-Related Cancer Fight: 'Lived, Breathed Fire Service'
Ex-Chief Of FD In HV Dies After 9/11-Related Cancer Fight: 'Lived, Breathed Fire Service' A Hudson Valley fire department is mourning the loss of one of its own who died after a long and courageous battle with 9/11-related cancer.  Former Tappan Fire Department Chief Fredrick Simms Jr. died on Thursday morning, June 12 at home surrounded by his family, the department said in a statement.  Simms, known as “Freddie” to friends and fellow firefighters, was a lifelong firefighter. He joined the Tappan Fire Department in March 1998 and rose through the ranks, serving as Chief of Department from 2014 to 2016.  His passion for service extended beyond Rockland …
Father Killed While Trying To Save Sons From Fire Was Devoted Orange County Dad, Heroic Lineman Father Killed While Trying To Save Sons From Fire Was Devoted Orange County Dad, Heroic Lineman
Father Killed While Trying To Save Sons From Fire Was Devoted Orange County Dad, Heroic Lineman Services have been scheduled to honor the life of a Hudson Valley father and dedicated lineman who died while trying to save his sons from a burning home.  Shane Webb Munn, age 50, of Goshen, died on Saturday, May 31, after he rushed back into his burning home on Pulaski Highway in a desperate effort to rescue his two sons, Ryan, 17, and Travis, 12.  All three died as a result of the fire, which was reported around 8:10 p.m. at 876 Pulaski Highway, as previously reported by Daily Voice.  According to New York State Police, Munn had been seen using a weed trimmer outsid…
Former Owner Of Ice Cream Cafe In Hudson Valley Dies At 63 Former Owner Of Ice Cream Cafe In Hudson Valley Dies At 63
Former Owner Of Ice Cream Cafe In Hudson Valley Dies At 63 A Hudson Valley woman who brought joy to countless families through scoops of ice cream and warm conversation has died.  Debra Ann Travis, longtime owner of Debra T’s Ice Cream Café in Poughkeepsie and a resident of Dover Plains, died at home on Friday, May 30 at the age of 63, according to her obituary.  Born in Oneonta on June 11, 1961, Debra was the daughter of the late Don J. Lifgren and Beverly Ann Manchester. She graduated from Schenevus High School and eventually made her home in Dutchess County, where she ran the popular Debra T’s Ice Cream Café at 141 Overlook Rd.  …
'Profound Loss': Fire Chief, Grandfather Killed In NY Work Zone Crash 'Profound Loss': Fire Chief, Grandfather Killed In NY Work Zone Crash
'Profound Loss': Fire Chief, Grandfather Killed In NY Work Zone Crash Colleagues and loved ones are mourning the loss of a Department of Transportation employee, longtime fire chief, and beloved grandfather who was killed while overseeing a road project in upstate New York. Hoosick Falls Fire Chief Robert Bornt, 54, was struck by a vehicle while working as a highway maintenance supervisor on State Route 7 in Pittstown on Thursday, May 29, as Daily Voice previously reported. Bornt, of Hoosick Falls, suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center, where he died the next day, according to New York State Police. No arrests have been made,…
HV Crash Victim Was Loving Father, Loyal Friend: Support Pours In For Family Left Behind HV Crash Victim Was Loving Father, Loyal Friend: Support Pours In For Family Left Behind
HV Crash Victim Was Loving Father, Loyal Friend: Support Pours In For Family Left Behind Friends, family, and coworkers are rallying behind the loved ones of a devoted Rockland County father and husband who was killed in a tragic motorcycle crash earlier this week. Domingo Hasbun died in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday, May 27, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser launched to support his grieving family. The circumstances of the crash have not yet been publicly released, but the impact of Hasbun’s sudden death has reverberated across the community and within the company where he worked, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits.  "Domingo was not only known for his love of…
NYPD Officer From Hudson Valley Dies Suddenly At 37: 'Loved Deeply, Laughed Often' NYPD Officer From Hudson Valley Dies Suddenly At 37: 'Loved Deeply, Laughed Often'
Nypd Officer From Hudson Valley Dies Suddenly At 37: 'Loved Deeply, Laughed Often' A Rockland County father of three, decorated NYPD officer, and beloved member of his community died unexpectedly, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and deep devotion to family. Joseph Sabino Gravino, 37, of Orangeburg, died suddenly on May 23, 2025, according to his obituary.  A 12-year veteran of the NYPD, Gravino most recently served with the Strategic Response Group, where he earned the respect of colleagues for his integrity and dedication.  In addition to his service in law enforcement, Gravino co-owned Masterpiece Renovations, a general contracting business he ran w…
WWII Hero From HV Returns Home 80 Years After Pacific Crash: Here's When Services Will Be WWII Hero From HV Returns Home 80 Years After Pacific Crash: Here's When Services Will Be
WWII Hero From HV Returns Home 80 Years After Pacific Crash: Here's When Services Will Be More than eight decades after he was killed in action over the Pacific during World War II, the remains of a Dutchess County native have been brought home where they belong.  US Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Eugene J. Darrigan, 26, was killed on March 11, 1944, when his B-24D “Liberator” bomber, Heaven Can Wait, crashed into the waters off New Guinea during a World War II bombing mission. After 80 years, Darrigan’s remains have finally been identified and returned to his hometown in Dutchess County.  On Friday, May 23, New York State Police, along with the Dutchess County Sheriff…
Legendary NYPD ‘Son Of Sam’ Detective, Former Giants Farmhand Laid To Rest In NY At 93 Legendary NYPD ‘Son Of Sam’ Detective, Former Giants Farmhand Laid To Rest In NY At 93
Legendary Nypd ‘Son Of Sam’ Detective, Former Giants Farmhand Laid To Rest In NY At 93 A towering figure in New York City law enforcement — whose name became forever linked with some of the most infamous cases in the city’s history — was laid to rest this week on Long Island. Joseph Borrelli, the retired NYPD Chief of Detectives who helped crack the terrifying Son of Sam case and led some of the department’s most high-profile investigations over four decades, died Wednesday, May 7, at the age of 93 following a brief illness, according to his obituary. Borrelli, who was born in Brooklyn, began his career with the NYPD in 1959 after serving two years in the Army and spending se…