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Northern Lights From Rare Solar Storm Could Be Visible Through Weekend Northern Lights From Rare Solar Storm Could Be Visible Through Weekend
Northern Lights From Rare Solar Storm Could Be Visible Through Weekend The northern lights produced by one of the strongest geomagnetic storms to hit the Earth in two decades could be visible throughout the weekend, and scientists are warning that the storm could disrupt electrical and communication systems. Although there were clouds around on Friday night, May 10, there were numerous reports from the region of spectacular aurora displays (known as the northern lights). Those displays will continue on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12, and possibly linger even longer. Severe Geomagnetic Storm conditions were first observed at Earth at 6:54 p.m. Eastern Ti…

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by Joe Lombardi
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Child Predator From Region Admits Blackmailing Kids Into Sending Nude Images Child Predator From Region Admits Blackmailing Kids Into Sending Nude Images
Child Predator From Region Admits Blackmailing Kids Into Sending Nude Images A convicted child sex abuser from the region will spend decades in federal prison after confessing that he blackmailed young kids into sending nude images. Rensselaer County resident Zachary Cota, age 31, of Castleton-on-Hudson, pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography in Albany federal court on Friday, May 10. According to prosecutors, Cota admitted to using SnapChat to get three children to send him nude photos. Two of the victims were 8 and 13 years old. Once the children provided the requested photos, he reportedly threatened to reveal what they had done in order to get more illic…

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by Michael Mashburn
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Support Pours In For Family Of Beloved Fallen Hudson Valley Officer Who Died In Crash Support Pours In For Family Of Beloved Fallen Hudson Valley Officer Who Died In Crash
Support Pours In For Family Of Beloved Fallen Hudson Valley Officer Who Died In Crash A community is coming together to support the family of a US Army veteran and dedicated police officer from the Hudson Valley who died suddenly in a crash.  Following the untimely death of Putnam County's Jose Colon, a committed officer who served with the Brewster Police Department, dozens of friends, family members, and fellow officers have come together to support Colon's wife and son financially. Earlier report - Brewster Police Officer Jose Colon Dies Suddenly At Age 55 Colon, a US Army veteran who spent two decades with the New York City Police Department before serving in …

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by Ben Crnic
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Hudson Valley Sex Offender Headed To Prison For 'Severely' Beating And Robbing Man Hudson Valley Sex Offender Headed To Prison For 'Severely' Beating And Robbing Man
Hudson Valley Sex Offender Headed To Prison For 'Severely' Beating And Robbing Man A Hudson Valley Level 2 sex offender has been sentenced to prison for robbing and beating a man unconscious. Related Story: Middletown Sex Offender Charged With Violent Assault, Police Say Orange County resident David Johnson, age 47, of Middletown, was sentenced on Tuesday, May 7, to six years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision for the Sunday, March 12, 2023 incident, said Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler. According to documents filed and statements made in court, Johnson approached a man entering a grocery store in the City of Mi…

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by Kathy Reakes
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Check Your Fridge: Milk Sold In Region Recalled Over Possible Health Risk Check Your Fridge: Milk Sold In Region Recalled Over Possible Health Risk
Check Your Fridge: Milk Sold In Region Recalled Over Possible Health Risk A family-owned farm is recalling one of its milk products that was widely sold in the region over a possible health risk. Meadowbrook Farms Dairy issued a recall for its pasteurized chocolate milk due to the milk being improperly pasteurized, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. State inspectors discovered the error during a routine inspection at the company's Allegany County facility in Clarksville. The recalled milk was sold across the Capital Region and was packaged in half gallon, glass containers that were processed on Wednesday, April 24. The af…

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by Michael Mashburn
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Second Rabid Fox Found In Region Second Rabid Fox Found In Region
Second Rabid Fox Found In Region A second rabid fox has been discovered in the region. The fox was found Wednesday, May 8, in Sullivan County in the town of Fremont. Related story: Wild Fox In Town Of Bethel Test Positive For Rabies According to the Sullivan County Department of Public Health, a dead baby fox (kit) in Fremont tested positive for the rabies virus.  People exposed to the baby are currently receiving appropriate treatment. Another rabid fox was found earlier in the week in the town of Bethel. The fox was euthanized, public health officials said.  Rabies occurs commonly throughout the stat…

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by Kathy Reakes
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Hudson Valley Gun Buyback Event Aims To Reduce Crime Hudson Valley Gun Buyback Event Aims To Reduce Crime
Hudson Valley Gun Buyback Event Aims To Reduce Crime An upcoming Hudson Valley gun buyback event is aimed at reducing crime and gun violence and keeping families safe. The event, sponsored by New York Attorney General Letitia James and the Kingston Police Department, will be held in Ulster County on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Andy Murphy Midtown Neighborhood Center at 467 Broadway in Kingston. This event is part of James’ ongoing effort to help protect communities from gun violence.  During the buyback, residents can drop off working and non-working firearms in exchange for gift cards – with no questions a…

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by Kathy Reakes
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Deputy County Executive In Region Busted Driving Drunk, Police Say Deputy County Executive In Region Busted Driving Drunk, Police Say
Deputy County Executive In Region Busted Driving Drunk, Police Say A deputy county executive in the region is accused of driving drunk. Albany County Deputy Executive Michael McLaughlin was arrested on suspicion of DWI following a traffic stop in the town of Colonie on Wednesday, May 1. New York State Police said McLaughlin was stopped on I-87 at around 11:20 p.m. and refused to provide a sample to determine his blood alcohol content. He was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and was released to a sober third party. Following the incident, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy issued a statement supporting McLaughlin. “Here in this countr…

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by Michael Mashburn
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Electric Scooters Now Available For Hudson Valley Shoppers Electric Scooters Now Available For Hudson Valley Shoppers
Electric Scooters Now Available For Hudson Valley Shoppers Shoppers in the Hudson Valley who hate walking the mall or need help getting around will soon be able to rent an electric scooter or "Scoozer."  Located in Rockland County at the Palisades Center in West Nyack, a four-story mall with 17 restaurants, a comedy club, and more, said the "Scoozer" program offers shoppers an innovative way to navigate the expansive center. Mall officials said Scoozer offers a fleet of two-seater electric scooters, enhancing accessibility and enabling guests to explore Palisades Center together. The scooters have two seats and cost $39 for a full shopping da…

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by Kathy Reakes
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Man Sexually Assaults Paramedic At VA Hospital In Region, Feds Say Man Sexually Assaults Paramedic At VA Hospital In Region, Feds Say
Man Sexually Assaults Paramedic At VA Hospital In Region, Feds Say A man from the region is facing federal charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a paramedic at a Veterans Affairs hospital. Rensselaer County resident Robert Seifert, age 65, of Troy, was arraigned in Albany federal court on Tuesday, April 9. Prosecutors said Seifert grabbed the paramedic’s breast and groin at the Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center.  It was not immediately clear when the alleged assault occurred. If convicted, he could spend up to two years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

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by Michael Mashburn
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19-Year-Old Admits Smuggling Migrants Through Hudson Valley, Threatening Them 19-Year-Old Admits Smuggling Migrants Through Hudson Valley, Threatening Them
19-Year-Old Admits Smuggling Migrants Through Hudson Valley, Threatening Them A 19-year-old man faces years in prison after he was caught trafficking migrants in Northern Westchester, federal officials said. Mario Elpidio Chavez Millan of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to charges connected to his smuggling of people who illegally entered the United States as well as his participation in a kidnapping scheme, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Tuesday, May 7.  According to federal officials, on July 10, 2023, New York State Police in Cortlandt received a report from a person who said their relative had entered…

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by Ben Crnic
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New York Among Top 25 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why New York Among Top 25 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why
New York Among Top 25 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why New York continues to rank among the top 25 best states in the country. The Empire State came in at No. 23 – down slightly from No. 20 last year – on the 2024 Best States list by U.S. News & World Report, released Tuesday, May 7. Rankings were determined using 71 metrics across eight categories, including fiscal stability, infrastructure, education, health care, and the economy. Data was pulled from national surveys taken by nearly 70,000 people. New York made the top 10 for natural environment and health care, coming in at No. 5 and No. 8, respectively, while placing No. 12 in educat…

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by Michael Mashburn