Orange County Wildfire Prompts Voluntary Evacuations, Shelters Open For Residents, Pets Orange County Wildfire Prompts Voluntary Evacuations, Shelters Open For Residents, Pets
Orange County Wildfire Prompts Voluntary Evacuations, Shelters Open For Residents, Pets A wildfire spreading in the region has prompted voluntary evacuations as state and local agencies in New York work to control the blaze in the Hudson Valley. The fire, originating in Orange County near Jennings Creek and Sterling Forest, has crossed established containment lines, New York State Police said Saturday evening, Nov. 16.  Approximately 40 residences, from 32 to 120 Edgemere Ave., are under a voluntary evacuation order issued by the Town of Warwick Police Department. Residents in need of shelter can go to Greenwood Lake Middle School, which has opened its doors to evacuees a…
22-Year-Old Suspect Nabbed For Hudson Valley Garage Break-Ins, Vehicle Theft: Police 22-Year-Old Suspect Nabbed For Hudson Valley Garage Break-Ins, Vehicle Theft: Police
22-Year-Old Suspect Nabbed For Hudson Valley Garage Break-Ins, Vehicle Theft: Police A man from the region faces multiple charges after allegedly breaking into a garage and stealing cash and a vehicle, according to the New York State Police. Dutchess County resident Markus R. Rosien, age 22, of Milan, was arrested following an investigation by New York State Police from the Rhinebeck barracks. Authorities say Rosien forced his way into Triebel’s Garage in Red Hook on two occasions, taking a small amount of cash and a vehicle. Rosien has been charged with: Two counts of burglary in the third degree, a class D felony; Grand larceny in the fourth degree of a vehicle, a clas…
Man Headed To Prison For Sexually Abusing Child In Hudson Valley Man Headed To Prison For Sexually Abusing Child In Hudson Valley
Man Headed To Prison For Sexually Abusing Child In Hudson Valley A man has been sentenced to prison for sexually abusing a child under the age of 13 in the region. Sullivan County resident Anthony Villegas, 49, of Monticello, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Orange County Court to nine years in prison, followed by 10 years of post-release supervision. According to Orange County District Attorney David Hoolver, Villegas admitted that between June 2010 and April 2011, he engaged in two or more acts of sexual conduct, which included at least one act of sexual intercourse with an individual who was under 13 years old. Hoovler thanked the New York State P…
Some Police Services To Be Cut By Village In Hudson Valley Some Police Services To Be Cut By Village In Hudson Valley
Some Police Services To Be Cut By Village In Hudson Valley Residents of a village in the region were informed of a police service cut only two days before it took effect. The change is taking place in Dutchess County. As of Friday, Nov. 15, at 11:59 p.m., the Village of Wappingers Falls Police Department's operational hours will shift from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.  Village officials said in a press release that this means the village police will no longer provide overnight coverage, but alternative support will be in place.  "This decision was made after exhaustive consideration, dialogue, and review of the options&nbs…
1 Killed, 1 Hospitalized In Chain-Reaction In Town Of Woodbury Crash 1 Killed, 1 Hospitalized In Chain-Reaction In Town Of Woodbury Crash
1 Killed, 1 Hospitalized In Chain-Reaction In Town Of Woodbury Crash One person was killed and another injured when a Nissan van traveling north on a busy stretch of I-87 rear-ended a bobtail 2016 Freightliner tractor-trailer that was slowed in the right lane of traffic.  The collision occurred in Orange County at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the town of Woodbury. According to New York State Trooper Sgt. Jack Keller, an approaching work zone for line stripping, caused the slow traffic. The collision pushed the tractor-trailer forward and into the rear of a 1997 Freightliner tractor-trailer. The driver of the van was pronounced dead at the scene. …
Search Warrant Leads To Child Porn Charge For Orange County 60-Year-Old Search Warrant Leads To Child Porn Charge For Orange County 60-Year-Old
Search Warrant Leads To Child Porn Charge For Orange County 60-Year-Old A Hudson Valley code enforcement officer and fire investigator has been charged with allegedly possessing materials showing obscene sexual performances by a child. Orange County resident John Orr, age 60, of Pine Island, was charged on Wednesday, Nov. 6, following the execution of a search warrant by the New York State Police and the town of Warwick Police on Glenwood Road, in the Town of Warwick, said Trooper Steven Nvel. After the search, Nevel said Orr was arrested, processed, and released on an appearance ticket.  The investigation is continuing by State Police Monroe BCI and the …
Trooper Struck By Pickup Truck ID'd As Hudson Valley Native Trooper Struck By Pickup Truck ID'd As Hudson Valley Native
Trooper Struck By Pickup Truck ID'd As Hudson Valley Native A New York State Trooper from the Hudson Valley remains hospitalized after being struck by a pickup truck on I-87 while outside of his vehicle during a traffic stop. Putnam County native Nicholas Abbondola, from Mahopac, was severely injured in Albany County on Saturday, Nov. 2, on the Northway southbound lanes at 12:30 p.m. A tow truck driver from Saratoga County, Brett M. Dempsey, age 29, of Clifton Park, was also hit. He is recovering at home but has a long road ahead, said New York State Police Trooper Stephanie O'Neil.  O'Neil said Abbondola will be moved to a rehabilitation cent…
Remembering Dariel Vasquez: 18, HS Baseball Captain Killed In Sterling Forest Wildfire Remembering Dariel Vasquez: 18, HS Baseball Captain Killed In Sterling Forest Wildfire
Remembering Dariel Vasquez: 18, HS Baseball Captain Killed In Sterling Forest Wildfire Shock and sadness spread following the death of 18-year-old firefighter Dariel Vasquez, who was killed on Saturday, Nov. 9, while bravely battling the Jennings Creek Wildfire that spread from New Jersey into Greenwood Lake, New York.  Vasquez, a young Parks and Recreation Aide with the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department, lost his life in the line of duty, a heartbreaking end to a life full of promise and service. New York State Police are investigating the circumstances of his death. Known as a rising star in his community, Dariel was a former R…
Orange County Man Wanted For Crime Spree In Region Extradited Orange County Man Wanted For Crime Spree In Region Extradited
Orange County Man Wanted For Crime Spree In Region Extradited A Hudson Valley man wanted for a slew of alleged crimes in the region has been extradited after being arrested out of state.  Orange County resident Joseph Michael Flood, age 42, of Port Jervis, was returned to Sullivan County on Thursday, Nov. 7, after failing to show up in court in 2023 for a crime spree, said Sullivan County Undersheriff Eric Chaboty. Chaboty said Flood was picked up from the Morris County Jail in New Jersey and returned after being arrested by the New Jersey State Police. Flood was initially scheduled to appear on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 for sentencing in …
NY State Police Trooper Hospitalized After Cruiser Is Struck NY State Police Trooper Hospitalized After Cruiser Is Struck
NY State Police Trooper Hospitalized After Cruiser Is Struck A New York State Police trooper was hospitalized after his cruiser was struck by a vehicle. The Long Island incident happened shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, on the Southern State Parkway in the town of Hempstead. The trooper had just completed a traffic stop westbound on the Exit 22N ramp and was getting into the patrol vehicle when it was hit by the passing motorist. The trooper was transported to Nassau University Medical Center for a complaint of pain.  "Thankfully, the Trooper does not appear to have serious injuries," state police said. "This incident highlights…
Man, Woman Face Host Of Charges After Police Pursuit In Hudson Valley Man, Woman Face Host Of Charges After Police Pursuit In Hudson Valley
Man, Woman Face Host Of Charges After Police Pursuit In Hudson Valley A man and a woman were nabbed after a pursuit with New York State Police in the Hudson Valley on a host of charges, including allegedly possessing illegal weapons. The incident began in Westchester County at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6, when troopers attempted to stop a 2021 Nissan Sentra on I-87 in the village of Ardsley and ended in Rockland County in Nyack when the vehicle was stopped by the Orangetown Police on Route 59. According to Trooper Steven Nevel, after the stop, troopers arrived and interviewed the operator who was identified as Selena Lasco, age 26, and her passenger Jav…
Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over NY Highway Shooting Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over NY Highway Shooting
Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over NY Highway Shooting A New York State Police trooper who claimed someone shot him on a roadway in the region is now under criminal investigation amid growing doubts over his story. On Long Island, state police “have reason to believe that the incident did not occur the way it was reported” by trooper Thomas Mascia, an agency spokesperson told reporters Wednesday morning, Nov. 6. Police confirmed that the five-year department veteran is now the subject of both a criminal investigation and an internal probe being conducted by state police and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. Earlier Report: T…