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Schools
US Presidential Scholars: 6 NY High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor US Presidential Scholars: 6 NY High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor
US Presidential Scholars: 6 NY High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor These students have a date with the president. Six graduating seniors from New York were among just 161 high school students across the country to be selected as a US Presidential Scholar, one of the nation’s highest honors for students. Established in 1964, the award recognizes distinguished seniors who have shown exceptional accomplishments in areas like academics, leadership, and service to their school and communities. The program was later expanded to include students in the visual, creative, and performing arts, and in career and technical education fields. In the Empire State, the…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
Red Lobster Abruptly Closes Dozens Of Restaurants, Including Poughkeepsie Location Red Lobster Abruptly Closes Dozens Of Restaurants, Including Poughkeepsie Location
Red Lobster Abruptly Closes Dozens Of Restaurants, Including Poughkeepsie Location Fast-casual seafood restaurant Red Lobster has abruptly closed dozens of its restaurants. The company is also considering filing for bankruptcy protection, according to a CNN report. On its website, Red Lobster lists many of its restaurants as being "temporarily closed," including these New York locations: Kingston, Scarsdale, Nanuet, Poughkeepsie, Stony Brook No closures are currently listed for Connecticut or Massachusetts restaurants. Founded in 1968, Red Lobster has around 600 restaurants in the United States, Canada, and overseas. According to another CNN report, Red Lobster's prob…

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by Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
17-Year-Old Volunteer Firefighter From Region Dies; 'Loved Helping Other People' 17-Year-Old Volunteer Firefighter From Region Dies; 'Loved Helping Other People'
17-Year-Old Volunteer Firefighter From Region Dies; 'Loved Helping Other People' Tributes and donations are flooding in following the unexpected death of a beloved 17-year-old volunteer firefighter and EMT from the region. Saratoga County resident Anthony Stefanacci, of Saratoga Springs, died by suicide on Friday, May 10, according to the Ballston Lake EMS. Stefanacci, lovingly known by colleagues as “AJ,” had just passed his EMT exam and was a week shy of his 18th birthday. He was set to graduate from WSWHE BOCES, where he was enrolled in the Criminal Justice Studies program. In a post on Facebook, the school said it was devastated to learn of his passing, adding that…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
ID Released For 38-Year-Old Woman Struck, Killed By SUV On Busy Hudson Valley Roadway ID Released For 38-Year-Old Woman Struck, Killed By SUV On Busy Hudson Valley Roadway
ID Released For 38-Year-Old Woman Struck, Killed By SUV On Busy Hudson Valley Roadway The identity has been released of the victim of a fatal crash on a busy Hudson Valley roadway. The incident happened around 11 p.m. Friday, May 10, in Orange County on Route 211 near Route 17 in the town of Wallkill. New York State Police say that a preliminary investigation revealed that Connecticut resident Mary C. Shea, age 38, from the town of Naugatuck in New Haven County, was walking on Route 211 when she stepped off the curb and into the right lane of traffic when she was struck by a 2017 Ford Escape that was traveling west. The operator of the vehicle stopped, called 911 and attemp…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Mom 'Disgusted, Angry' After Teen Suffers Broken Nose In School Bus Attack In Region Mom 'Disgusted, Angry' After Teen Suffers Broken Nose In School Bus Attack In Region
Mom 'Disgusted, Angry' After Teen Suffers Broken Nose In School Bus Attack In Region A mother is demanding accountability after her teen daughter was left bloodied with a broken nose following an assault aboard a school bus in the region. The Saratoga County incident happened aboard a South Glens Falls High School bus that was transporting students home on Friday afternoon, May 10. Britney Shaffer said her 15-year-old daughter, Bella, was riding on the bus with her boyfriend when a 16-year-old girl became “enraged” that a student’s feet were in the aisle as she was trying to exit. Angered, the 16-year-old reportedly used her 32-ounce, stainless steel Stanley cup to first h…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
28-Year-Old Father Killed, Second Victim Airlifted Following 2-Vehicle Crash In Region 28-Year-Old Father Killed, Second Victim Airlifted Following 2-Vehicle Crash In Region
28-Year-Old Father Killed, Second Victim Airlifted Following 2-Vehicle Crash In Region A young father was killed and another motorist was hospitalized with serious injuries following a two-vehicle crash in the region. The Rensselaer County wreck happened at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, on State Route 67 in Pittstown. New York State Police said a disabled vehicle was stopped in the eastbound lane after several people moved it from the shoulder, when a motorcycle heading eastbound crashed into it. Matthew Disorda, age 28, of Hoosick Falls, was ejected from the bike and died at the scene, police said. The collision pushed the disabled vehicle into its owner, who was sta…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Dutchess County Police Officer Hit, Injured By Car Dutchess County Police Officer Hit, Injured By Car
Dutchess County Police Officer Hit, Injured By Car Two police officers were injured after allegedly being hit by a red Lexus that fled the scene during a traffic stop in the region. The incident occurred in Dutchess County around 10 p.m., Sunday, May 12, at Main and Church Streets in the City of Poughkeepsie. According to Poughkeepsie PD Det. Sgt. Sean Fitzgerald, a 2007 red Lexus, initially pulled into a parking space but backed into marked police vehicles.  The Lexus then rammed the passenger’s side of one of the marked police vehicles, causing it to strike one of the officers, sending him airborne and landing on the&…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
These 10 New York Pizzerias Among Nation's Top 100, New Rankings Say These 10 New York Pizzerias Among Nation's Top 100, New Rankings Say
These 10 New York Pizzerias Among Nation's Top 100, New Rankings Say The popularity of pizza now makes it possible to find delicious pies in almost any place, from sea to shining sea. Having said that, few could argue that New York stands alone from anywhere else. Yelp's Top 100 rankings of the best pizza spots for 2024 attest to just that. One-tenth of the places are in New York, and more specifically, New York City. Even more specifically still, Manhattan, where eat of the pizzerias are located. How did Yelp determine the rankings? "We identified businesses in the pizza category on Yelp, then ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the …

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
'Must Be Changed': Drugged Driving Loophole Target Of NY Bill Amid Rising Fatalities 'Must Be Changed': Drugged Driving Loophole Target Of NY Bill Amid Rising Fatalities
'Must Be Changed': Drugged Driving Loophole Target Of NY Bill Amid Rising Fatalities New York state lawmakers are considering legislation aimed at expanding the definition of drugged driving amid a rise in fatal crashes. A bill sponsored by Democratic Sen. John Mannion and co-sponsored by two Republicans would change the definition of “drug” in the vehicle and traffic law to include any substance or combination of substances that impairs one’s ability to drive. Under current state law, drivers who are obviously impaired by a drug can only be arrested and prosecuted if the substance they are on is listed in a specific section of the Public Health Law. The problem, proponent…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
Hudson Valley's Tortilla Project Ups The Taco Game With Unusual Selections Hudson Valley's Tortilla Project Ups The Taco Game With Unusual Selections
Hudson Valley's Tortilla Project Ups The Taco Game With Unusual Selections If you aren't burned out from tacos from Cinco de Mayo and need a taco fix, then a new restaurant in the Hudson Valley specializing in handmade tortillas (think jalapeno) and small plates might be a new favorite. Northern Westchester's The Tortilla Project, located in Baldwin Place, is making waves with foodies and Yelpers for its eclectic mix of tacos, side dishes, tapas, and craft cocktails. Opened in January and located in a strip mall, you will first notice that the small restaurant's sleek decor is not strip mall material, according to Yelpers.  One Yelper put it this way: "The v…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Numerous Dogs Found In 'Deplorable' Conditions At Home In Region, Police Say Numerous Dogs Found In 'Deplorable' Conditions At Home In Region, Police Say
Numerous Dogs Found In 'Deplorable' Conditions At Home In Region, Police Say A 29-year-old man from the region is facing dozens of animal abuse charges after allegedly neglecting numerous dogs that were in his care. Saratoga County resident Derrick Sud-Nieves, of Halfmoon, was arrested Friday, May 10, following an investigation by the Town of Halfmoon Code Enforcement Department. According to sheriff’s officials, they discovered “a large number” of dogs that were living in “deplorable” conditions on the property. No other details were given. Sud-Nieves was charged with 35 counts of violating the state’s Agriculture and Markets Law, which covers overdriving, tortur…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
'Connected By Evil': Unsolved Murders Of Teens Found In Region Focus Of New Podcast 'Connected By Evil': Unsolved Murders Of Teens Found In Region Focus Of New Podcast
'Connected By Evil': Unsolved Murders Of Teens Found In Region Focus Of New Podcast An ex-cop turned podcaster is hoping to breathe new life into the cold case killings of two young women whose remains were discovered in upstate New York. On a recent episode of his true crime podcast, APB Cold Case, retired Costa Mesa, California police chief Mark Spawn discussed the murders of 18-year-old Jennifer Hammond and 19-year-old Christina White. The women disappeared in August 2003 and June 2005, respectively, and were last seen near mobile home parks in the Saratoga County town of Milton. According to New York State Police, Hammond, a native of Littleton, Colorado, was last see…

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by Michael Mashburn