Public Radio 'Legend' Karen DeWitt Signing Off After 34 Years: ‘It’s Time To Go’ Public Radio 'Legend' Karen DeWitt Signing Off After 34 Years: ‘It’s Time To Go’
Public Radio 'Legend' Karen DeWitt Signing Off After 34 Years: ‘It’s Time To Go’ After more than three decades of covering New York State government and politics, public radio journalist Karen DeWitt is signing off. The longtime Capitol Bureau chief for the New York Public News Network will file her last story on Friday, June 21, she announced on X Tuesday, April 30. “Finally, I get to use this phrase: ‘Some personal news,’” DeWitt said. “It’s been a fabulous ride, but it’s time to go.” Since 1990, DeWitt has informed listeners on Albany affairs via the network's dozen public radio stations across the state, including WAMC in Albany, WLIW on Long Island, and WNYC in N…
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Trying To Kill Mom, Aunt In Fit Of Rage Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Trying To Kill Mom, Aunt In Fit Of Rage
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Trying To Kill Mom, Aunt In Fit Of Rage A 32-year-old Hudson Valley man has been charged with allegedly attempting to kill his mother and aunt in a fit of rage by stabbing them numerous times.  Orange County resident Donnie Smith of Newburgh was charged on Tuesday, April 30, with two counts of first-degree attempted murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder. As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on Sunday, March 31, Smith violently attacked his mother in a residence in the city of Newburgh, stabbing her repeatedly with a sharp object in the neck and back.  As Smith was leav…
Suspect On Run After 2 Teens Shot In Neck Near Hudson Valley High School, Police Say Suspect On Run After 2 Teens Shot In Neck Near Hudson Valley High School, Police Say
Suspect On Run After 2 Teens Shot In Neck Near Hudson Valley High School, Police Say Police are searching for a suspect after two teens were shot in the neck near a high school in the region. The incident occurred in Dutchess County around 3 p.m., Tuesday, April 30, close to Poughkeepsie High School in the area of Fox Terrace and South White Street in Poughkeepsie. According to Det. Lt. Matt Clark of the Poughkeepsie Police officers responded to numerous calls of shots fired. Responding officers found one 17-year-old boy shot in the neck and "bleeding profusely." Clark said officers rendered first aid to the victim until EMS arrived and transported him to a local hospital.…
These Hudson Valley Hospitals Get 'A' Grade For Patient Safety: New Report These Hudson Valley Hospitals Get 'A' Grade For Patient Safety: New Report
These Hudson Valley Hospitals Get 'A' Grade For Patient Safety: New Report Two Westchester hospitals have received top marks for keeping patients safe, according to a new report.  Both White Plains Hospital and Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco were given an "A" grade for patient safety in a new Spring 2024 report by the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog organization that advocates for safety in hospitals.  The new report grades nearly 3,000 hospitals across the country based on how well they protect patients from preventable medical errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, according to the group. The report is issued twic…
Mega Millions Player Wins $1 Million At Popular Hudson Valley Store Mega Millions Player Wins $1 Million At Popular Hudson Valley Store
Mega Millions Player Wins $1 Million At Popular Hudson Valley Store A Mega Millions player walked away with a cool $1 million cash after winning the second-place prize on a ticket purchased at a lucky Hudson Valley store. The winner picked all five numbers -- 10-18-27-37-61 and a Powerball of 5 -- but failed to pick the Powerball to win the large haul of cash for the Tuesday, April 30 game, said New York Lottery officials. The ticket was purchased in Orange County at the Smokes 4 Less store on Plank Road in Newburgh. No word yet on who the winner is. The winning numbers for the Mega Millions game are drawn from a field of one to 70, and the Mega Ball is d…
Brewster Man Killed After Leading Troopers On Pursuit, Hitting Tree In Somers: Police Brewster Man Killed After Leading Troopers On Pursuit, Hitting Tree In Somers: Police
Brewster Man Killed After Leading Troopers On Pursuit, Hitting Tree In Somers: Police A 66-year-old Hudson Valley man was killed when he crashed into a tree after leading authorities on a short pursuit in Northern Westchester, police said. According to authorities, an incident occurred on Tuesday, April 30, around 3:40 p.m. when New York State Police attempted to pull over a 2019 Nissan Altima on Route 100 in Somers.  The car was allegedly not staying in its lane. After this, the vehicle did not stop and soon led police on a short chase before leaving the roadway for unknown reasons and striking a tree, state police said. The driver, identified as 66-year-old Putnam C…
Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme: Goldens Bridge Man, Fellow Former Exec Sentenced Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme: Goldens Bridge Man, Fellow Former Exec Sentenced
Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme: Goldens Bridge Man, Fellow Former Exec Sentenced Two former high-ranking executives have been sentenced for stealing millions of dollars from their employer in Westchester County through a fraudulent scheme involving sham companies and fake invoices. The two worked at OrthoNet, a healthcare claims processing company based in White Plains. Shawn Rains, age 57, of Le Bouscat, France, who was previously convicted of mail fraud conspiracy, mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy after a two-week trial, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Northern Westchester resident Joseph Maharaj, age 42, of Goldens Bridge, had pl…
Driver Rescued From Rolled Over Vehicle After Hudson Valley Crash Driver Rescued From Rolled Over Vehicle After Hudson Valley Crash
Driver Rescued From Flipped Car On Route 9D In Cold Spring A driver was injured after their vehicle flipped on its side after a crash on a busy Hudson Valley road. The incident happened in Putnam County on Tuesday, April 30 around 8:50 a.m., when a vehicle rolled over at the intersection of Route 9D (Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway) and Peekskill Road in Cold Spring, according to the Cold Spring Fire Company No. 1. Arriving crews were able to stabilize the car and cut off the roof to free the driver.  After they were rescued, the driver was then placed in the care of the Philipstown Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Officials did not reveal the ca…
19-Year-Old Assaults Father, Leads Officers On Short Chase In Hudson Valley 19-Year-Old Assaults Father, Leads Officers On Short Chase In Hudson Valley
19-Year-Old Assaults Father In Mahopac Falls A 19-year-old man was charged with assault after attacking his father and trying to escape arrest at a Hudson Valley residence, police said. The incident happened in Putnam County on Friday, April 26, when a physical fight at a Mahopac Falls residence was reported to Carmel Police.  According to the department, responding officers found a 19-year-old man assaulting his father, who was pinned to the ground.  The suspect then ran out the back door toward a tree line.  However, police caught up with him just before he escaped into the wooded area and took him into custody afte…
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Sale Of Drugs To Undercover Agents For Second Time Hudson Valley Man Charged With Sale Of Drugs To Undercover Agents For Second Time
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Sale Of Drugs To Undercover Agents For Second Time A Hudson Valley man is behind bars after allegedly selling drugs to undercover agents from a drug task force for a second time. The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force arrested Raequan Keemer, age 29, of Beacon, on Tuesday, April 30, for two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. According to Det. Sgt. Adam Harris of the task force, Keemer's arrest is related to an unsealed Dutchess County Grand Jury indictment for those charges. In June of 2023, Keemer pled…
'Every Parent's Worst Fear': Hit-Run Leaves UAlbany Freshman With Brain Swelling, Broken Bones 'Every Parent's Worst Fear': Hit-Run Leaves UAlbany Freshman With Brain Swelling, Broken Bones
'Every Parent's Worst Fear': Hit-Run Leaves UAlbany Freshman With Brain Swelling, Broken Bones A University at Albany student remains hospitalized with serious injuries after she was struck by a hit-and-run driver on a dirt bike. Long Island resident Alexa Kropf, age 18, of Floral Park, was hit at around midnight Saturday, April 27, while walking along Hudson Avenue, just blocks from the UAlbany campus. When officers arrived, they found the freshman lying in the roadway with a serious head injury and a broken leg, according to Albany Police. Witnesses told investigators that Kropf was struck by a man who was driving an illegal dirt bike at a high rate of speed while weaving and ou…
Brothers Found Guilty In Killing Of Man Found Dead In Hudson Valley Driveway Brothers Found Guilty In Killing Of Man Found Dead In Hudson Valley Driveway
Brothers Found Guilty In Killing Of Man Found Dead In Hudson Valley Driveway Two brothers have been found guilty of killing a man found lying dead in his driveway in the region. Orange County resident Junando Dawkins, age 30, of Newburgh, and his brother, Juwaugh Dawkins, age 34, of Jacksonville, Florida, were convicted on Monday, April 29, in Ulster County Court of murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. According to the Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji, in January 2023, a homicide investigation was conducted by the New York State Police into the death of Daniel Spotards, a 41-year-old father of two, whose body was found at t…