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WATCH: Dog Trapped In Storm Drain Rescued By Officer In Hudson Valley WATCH: Dog Trapped In Storm Drain Rescued By Officer In Hudson Valley
Watch: Dog Trapped In Storm Drain Rescued By Officer In Hudson Valley A police officer climbed into a storm drain in Dutchess County and endured a few nips to the hand while rescuing a trapped dog before reuniting the animal with its owner, police said.  The rescue happened on Saturday, Aug. 15, after Town of Hyde Park Police Officers Wolf-Davidson and Fein responded to a report of a dog trapped inside a storm drain, the department said on Monday, Aug. 17.  After arriving, the officers located the dog and could hear him barking from inside the drain, police said. The department also released body camera footage of the rescue, showing Wolf-Davidson …
New Website Reveals Millions Of Flock Searches: How To Check Your License Plate New Website Reveals Millions Of Flock Searches: How To Check Your License Plate
New Website Reveals Millions Of Flock Searches: How To Check Your License Plate A new website is helping drivers see whether their license plate has been searched in Flock Safety's controversial surveillance system. HaveIBeenFlocked.com says it has compiled data on nearly 242 million unique searches involving more than 4.6 million plates. The records range between December 2021 and July 2026. According to the website, the data comes from audit logs released through Freedom of Information Act requests and Flock-provided transparency portals. "The dataset is incomplete," the website says on its FAQ page. "Few governments provide easy access to these …
Aging I-84, I-684 Bridges To Be Replaced In $24.5M Project In Hudson Valley Aging I-84, I-684 Bridges To Be Replaced In $24.5M Project In Hudson Valley
Aging I-84, I-684 Bridges To Be Replaced In $24.5M Project In Hudson Valley A $24.5 million project is now underway to replace two nearly 60-year-old bridges at a key interstate interchange in Putnam County, state officials announced.  The project will replace two 59-year-old bridges carrying the ramp from I-84 westbound to I-684 southbound in Southeast, the office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Monday, Aug. 17.  One of the bridges crosses I-84, while the other crosses I-684. Both will be replaced with wider structures designed to improve safety and accommodate emergency vehicles.  The new bridges will also provide 16 feet, 6 inches of c…
Well-Known Westchester Teacher Fighting For Life After Being Struck While Riding Bike Well-Known Westchester Teacher Fighting For Life After Being Struck While Riding Bike
Well-Known Westchester Teacher Fighting For Life After Being Struck While Riding Bike A beloved longtime Westchester County teacher remains hospitalized weeks after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle, prompting an outpouring of support from the community he has served for decades. Ed Gruber, a longtime educator at Eastchester High School, was riding home from City Island on the morning of Friday, July 24, when he was hit by a vehicle while riding through a crosswalk on a familiar route, according to a GoFundMe page started by Zack Berbit on Saturday, Aug. 15.  Gruber has not regained consciousness since the crash, according to the fundraiser.  Afte…
Hospice Of Westchester Gala In Rye To Support Care Programs Hospice Of Westchester Gala In Rye To Support Care Programs
Hospice Of Westchester Gala In Rye To Support Care Programs Hospice of Westchester will host its annual “In Celebration” Gala Cocktail Reception in Rye this September to raise funds for several patient and family support programs. According to Hospice of Westchester, the event will be held Thursday, Sept. 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Westchester Country Club. The gala will honor Susan Fox, president and CEO of White Plains Hospital and regional senior vice president, Hudson Valley, Montefiore Einstein. It will also include a Celebration of Life for James P. O’Toole, described as a steadfast supporter, former board chair, and member of the Hos…
Westchester Spending $43M Over Budget — Here's What's Helping Close The Gap Westchester Spending $43M Over Budget — Here's What's Helping Close The Gap
Westchester Spending $43M Over Budget — Here's What's Helping Close The Gap Westchester County is on track to spend more than $43 million above its 2026 budget, as rising healthcare, insurance, overtime, and other costs put pressure on county finances, officials said.  The county is projected to spend around $43.4 million more than budgeted this year, according to its Second Quarter Financial Forecast released by Westchester County Government. However, much of that additional spending is expected to be offset by stronger-than-anticipated revenues, officials said. The county now expects to bring in about $34 million more than originally projected, driven large…
Newest Ride Opens At Playland Park — Here's What To Expect Newest Ride Opens At Playland Park — Here's What To Expect
Newest Ride Opens At Playland Park — Here's What To Expect Visitors to Playland in Westchester County have a new attraction to try before summer comes to an end.  Scorpios, a new swing ship ride at Playland Park in Rye, is officially open, Westchester County announced on Thursday, Aug. 13.  The attraction is a classic "pirate ship"-style ride that sends passengers swinging back and forth in a pendulum motion, according to manufacturer Metallbau Emmeln. The ride can carry 42 passengers and features a custom scorpion-themed ship surrounded by an old Mediterranean-inspired design. Scorpios uses AC technology designed to provide smooth …
High Bacteria Counts Close 2 Beaches In Westchester County High Bacteria Counts Close 2 Beaches In Westchester County
High Bacteria Counts Close 2 Beaches In Westchester County Two beaches in Westchester County have been closed until further notice after testing revealed bacteria levels above state standards, officials announced.  The Westchester County Health Department closed Harbor Island Beach in Mamaroneck and Surf Club Beach in New Rochelle on Thursday, Aug. 13, according to county officials. Beachgoers are being advised to stay out of the water at both locations because bacteria counts exceed New York State standards, officials said. The beaches will remain closed while more water-quality testing is conducted. The water at both beaches will be re…
Flock Unveils Major Changes Amid Growing Surveillance Camera Backlash Flock Unveils Major Changes Amid Growing Surveillance Camera Backlash
Flock Unveils Major Changes Amid Growing Surveillance Camera Backlash Flock Safety is making major changes to how it stores data as nationwide privacy concerns rise over the controversial surveillance cameras. The company announced the updates in a blog post on Thursday, Aug. 13. Flock says it will cut its recommended default retention period for automatic license plate reader (ALPR) data from 30 to seven days. The changes also include new safeguards that Flock says will prevent law enforcement from misusing data. Flock will require agencies to use a system that flags unusual searches, automatically locks some users out pending review…
Toxic Weedkiller Settlement Cash Going Toward Pollinator Gardens In Hudson Valley, LI: AG Toxic Weedkiller Settlement Cash Going Toward Pollinator Gardens In Hudson Valley, LI: AG
Toxic Weedkiller Settlement Cash Going Toward Pollinator Gardens In Hudson Valley, LI: AG Several Hudson Valley and Long Island organizations are receiving thousands of dollars to create pollinator gardens, restore habitats, and expand environmental programs through money stemming from a settlement over toxic consumer weedkillers.  New York Attorney General Letitia James and The New York Community Trust announced $505,000 in grants for 28 organizations across the state to support pollinator conservation projects in historically underserved communities.  The funding includes grants for organizations in Kingston, Hudson, Nyack, Newburgh, Ossining, Brookhaven, Mastic Beac…
Child Found Abandoned In Westchester Hallway Reunited With Cops Who Saved Her After Adoption Child Found Abandoned In Westchester Hallway Reunited With Cops Who Saved Her After Adoption
Child Found Abandoned In Westchester Hallway Reunited With Cops Who Saved Her After Adoption More than two years after being found abandoned as a newborn in the hallway of a Westchester apartment building, a little girl was reunited with the police officers and medical workers who helped save her — and this time with her new family by her side.  The child, who police identified as Baby Melanie, recently reunited with members of the Yonkers Police Department and staff at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Valhalla following the finalization of her adoption, Yonkers Police announced on Wednesday, Aug. 12.  Melanie's story began on Feb. 6, 2024, when Yonkers Police Officers…
Longtime EMT Recovering After Medical Emergency In Hudson Valley Longtime EMT Recovering After Medical Emergency In Hudson Valley
Longtime EMT Recovering After Medical Emergency In Hudson Valley After spending nearly four decades answering calls for help, a longtime Dutchess County EMT, paramedic, and firefighter is now receiving support from the community he has served following a medical emergency.  Jim Gallagher, whose career has included service with the LaGrange Fire Department in Dutchess County, is facing months of rehabilitation after recently suffering a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, according to a GoFundMe started by his friend and colleague Constance Levi.  Gallagher began his emergency medical services career with Empress Ambulance Service in 1987, accord…