Dutchess County Employee Honored With 'Vision Of Hope' Award Dutchess County Employee Honored With 'Vision Of Hope' Award
Dutchess County Employee Honored With 'Vision Of Hope' Award Beth Alter, the service's director for the Department of Behavioral and Community Health office in Dutchess is being honored for her years of service.Alter is the recipient of the Vision of Hope Award from Access: Supports for Living. Alter will be presented with the award at the foundation's annual gala in New Windsor Saturday. The award is presented to healthcare leaders in the Hudson Valley who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in developing partnerships to positively impact healthcare transformation and have impacted the essence of the agency’s mission: to help people live the f…
Hudson Valley Resident Celebrates 108th Birthday Hudson Valley Resident Celebrates 108th Birthday
Hudson Valley Resident Celebrates 108th Birthday When Eleanor La Motta was born, the Cubs World Series drought was only one year. There were only 47 states. William Howard Taft was president.  La Motta, who lives in North Salem, celebrated her 108th birthday last month surrounded by family and friends. Ever resilient, LaMotta recently overcame a bout with pneumonia. "She's amazing," her daughter Fran Monti said. "She still has her facilities, she still votes. She watches TV and says her prayers." La Motta attributes her longevity to good genes, a life of prayers and a healthy diet. Born in Manhattan on Oct. 13, 1909, …
Patterson Family Donates Two K-9 Dogs To Putnam Sheriff's Office Patterson Family Donates Two K-9 Dogs To Putnam Sheriff's Office
Patterson Family Donates Two K-9 Dogs To Putnam Sheriff's Office PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. --  The Putnam County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit has two new pure-bred German shepherds along with two new vehicles, thanks to a donation from a Patterson family, said Putnam County Sheriff Don Smith. Joseph Stilwell and Monika Stilwell also paid to have the dogs—a male named “Lex” and a male named “Kato”—flown from Holland to the U.S., along with an obedience trainer, said Capt. William McNamara. The Stilwells’ donation also included monies used for the training of the dogs and their handlers in narcotics detection, tracking and patrol. Lex is assigned to Deputy Sheriff…
War Memorial Ceremony Highlights Dutchess Veterans Days Events War Memorial Ceremony Highlights Dutchess Veterans Days Events
War Memorial Ceremony Highlights Dutchess Veterans Days Events DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. --  Dutchess residents will have a chance to honor the county's veterans when the county holds a Veterans Day ceremony at the Dutchess County War Memorial on Saturday, Nov.11. Hosted by Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and retired Navy veteran Nelson Eddy Rivera, director of the Dutchess County’s Division of Veterans Services, the event will take place at 11 a.m., at the War Memorial at the John K. Rinaldi Memorial Park at the intersection of Raymond Avenue and Main Street in the Town of Poughkeepsie. To help make sure that all Dutchess County residents have a c…
East Fishkill Police Take Part In 'No Shave November' East Fishkill Police Take Part In 'No Shave November'
East Fishkill Police Take Part In 'No Shave November' If you notice a few East Fishkill Police officers looking a little scruffy this month, don't worry, they aren't going rogue.The officers are taking part in the annual "No Shave November," a national movement aimed at bringing attention to men's health and to help raise funds for charities. East Fishkill officers will raise money in support of Sparrow's Nest, a local charity that provides meals to support families with a member diagnosed with cancer.  To donate to help in their effort, visit the East Fishkill Police Department at 2468 Route 52.
Mahopac Fire District Open House Draws Quite A Crowd Mahopac Fire District Open House Draws Quite A Crowd
Mahopac Fire District Open House Draws Quite A Crowd PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. -  Rain did not deter Mahopac residents from turning out to show support for their firefighters and EMS responders during a district open house. The event on Sunday offered residents a chance to meet and get to know the local first responders including all of the fire chiefs. One big fan was four-year-old A.J. Kaoukakis and his mom, Liz. The future firefighter was dressed in turnout gear and got a huge welcome from all in attendance.  Guests were given demonstrations of extrication, CPR, and fire extinguisher instructions. Lunch was also provided. Others on hand includ…
Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department Installs Officers Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department Installs Officers
Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department Installs Officers PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. -- The Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department held its 80th installation of officers at Villa Barone in Mahopac, Saturday Oct. 28.  This year's incoming Firematic officers were installed by the Hon. James Reitz led by newly minted Chief Brian Sacher, as well as the Administrative officers led by President Hans Schweizer. Highlights of the evening included a dedication of the dinner to longtime member, rescue diver and current Department Treasurer Ralph Harkins. This year's Chiefs Awards were presented to Dive Team Captain Brandon Dwyer and Dive Team Lieutenant Matthew …
‘Wheels to Work’ Program Provides Vehicles To Dutchess Families In Need ‘Wheels to Work’ Program Provides Vehicles To Dutchess Families In Need
‘Wheels to Work’ Program Provides Vehicles To Dutchess Families In Need DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. --  Having the means to get to a job can make the difference between living in poverty or being able to support a family. That's what the Dutchess County Community Solutions to Transportation (CST) “Wheels to Work” program is all about. And five lucky participants received pre-owned cars free of charge Tuesday to do that just that -- have an opportunity to work.  Started in 2001, the “Wheels to Work” program is designed to help low-income residents get and keep a job, providing them reliable transportation to and from work. Qualified participants must come from a famil…
Community Rallies To Support Pleasant Valley Teen With Alopecia Community Rallies To Support Pleasant Valley Teen With Alopecia
Community Rallies To Support Pleasant Valley Teen With Alopecia When 13-year-old Kierstin North of Pleasant Valley first started losing hair from the top of her head last year, it was kind of strange.  Fast-forward a year, and the once selfie-crazy identical twin is now completely bald and will probably never have her hair regrow due to alopecia, said her mother Tanya Schweizer. "Although a lot of times people with alopecia often have their hair regrow and never have a problem again, Kierstin's doctor said because her's is so extreme she will probably be bald for life," her mother said. That's why the family has set-up a GoFundMe page to help…
Wanna Please Your Kids? Check Out The Books By This Dutchess County Author Wanna Please Your Kids? Check Out The Books By This Dutchess County Author
Wanna Please Your Kids? Check Out The Books By This Dutchess County Author EAST FISHKILL, N.Y. -- There's a lot of things we "wanna" do but Karen Kaufman Orloff has figured out a way to make money off that desire. The longtime children's book writer, who lives in East Fishkill, had her first book, “I Wanna Iguana” published in 2004. Others "I Wanna" include "I Wanna New Room," and "I Wanna Go Home." Kaufman Orloff said although they've been around awhile, they are still in print and often used in elementary schools for persuasive writing and letter writing. In all, the Rockland native - she grew up in Orangeburg - has writt…
Putnam Sheriff's K-9 Gets Bullet-Proof Vest Putnam Sheriff's K-9 Gets Bullet-Proof Vest
Putnam Sheriff's K-9 Gets Bullet-Proof Vest PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. --- It's common for officers to strap on their bulletproof vests each day, but pretty soon, one of Putnam County Sheriff's Office K-9 officers will be doing the same thing. K-9 Officer Lex will receive a bullet and stab protective vest that is being donated by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a non-profit who provides the vests and other assistance to dogs in law enforcement and other agencies across the country. According to the organization, it has provided more than 2,600 protective vests at a cost of over $2.1 million, with funding raised through private and corporate d…
Dutchess Senior Prom Draws Big Crowd Dutchess Senior Prom Draws Big Crowd
Dutchess Senior Prom Draws Big Crowd DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. -- Almost 400 local seniors turned out to have a little fun and dancing during the annual Dutchess Senior Prom on Monday. Sponsored by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, this year's event was co-sponsored by several local businesses including the Pines at Poughkeepsie, Hudson Cadillac Buick GMC, Windgate Health and numerous others. During the event, seniors were treated to a full buffet, raffles, and plenty of dancing.  The event is part of a full lineup of events sponsored by the Office for the Aging to keep seniors engaged and vital in the community.  Other …