Mid Hudson News

02/14/2025

TOWN OF WALLKILL – Former Wallkill Town Councilman and Deputy Supervisor Ralph Carr announced on Friday that he will run for town supervisor on the Republican line this November. Carr’s announcement comes after incumbent GOP Supervisor George Serrano said Thursday night that he would not seek a ...

02/14/2025

CATSKILL – Greene County Undersheriff Michaele Overbaugh died unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 12. “Not only was he a valuable asset to our office, but he was also a US Navy veteran, a retired lieutenant with the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, an active Town of Hun...

02/14/2025

From Award-Winning Journalist Hank Gross

02/14/2025

TOWN OF WALLKILL – George Serrano, in his second two-year term as Wallkill town supervisor, will not seek reelection this fall. He told Mid-Hudson News by telephone Thursday night that he will not run for a third term in November to spend more time with his family and for health reasons. Serrano s...

02/14/2025

CARMEL – For decades Putnam County’s health needs fell under the purview of a commissioner of health; however, in 2025, the county will be hiring a public health director instead. Rian Rodriquez, director of Clinical Quality of HealthFirst, a managed care organization in the Bronx, was named as ...

02/14/2025

POUGHKEEPSIE – “We agree that climbing energy costs are a concern for residents throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley and across the country,” said Joe Jenkins, Central Hudson Gas and Electric’s spokesman. “We believe it takes a collaborative effort between utilities, lawmakers and our regulato...

02/14/2025

GOSHEN – First responders in emergency services in Orange County will now have someone to turn to if they face a traumatic situation that warrants someone to talk to. The county has its first peer support coordinator with the appointment of Phillip Salinardi. In Orange County, he will help lead a ...

02/14/2025

Senator Charles Schumer is urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to immediately reopen the acute inpatient care unit at Castle Point VA hospital in Dutchess County, which was recently shut down. The unit provides critical care for veterans dealing with substance use disorder, and its closure has created uncertainty for those in need. Schumer emphasized the importance of proper staffing and better communication from the VA to ensure New York veterans are not left without essential healthcare. Local advocates, including Mental Health America of Dutchess County, stress that the closure has made it difficult to find immediate treatment options for veterans in crisis.

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WASHINGTON – US Senator Charles Schumer is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to re-open the Castle Point VA hospital’s acute inpatient care unit, which was abruptly shut down recently. The Senate minority leader said the unit at the facility’s Dutchess County center provides care t...

02/14/2025

Judge Tracy MacKenzie has received the unanimous endorsement of the Dutchess County Republican Committee for re-election to Dutchess County Family Court. First elected in 2015, Judge MacKenzie is recognized for her fairness, compassion, and commitment to protecting children and families. She has presided over Family Court for nearly a decade and also oversees the Integrated Domestic Violence Court. Expressing gratitude for the endorsement, she emphasized her dedication to experienced, compassionate leadership. A Poughkeepsie native, MacKenzie remains active in the legal and local community, serving on multiple committees and frequently administering oaths at public ceremonies.

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POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Republican Committee has unanimously endorsed Dutchess County Family Court Judge Tracy MacKenzie who is seeking re-election to a second term. Judge MacKenzie was first elected to the bench in 2015 and has developed a reputation for being caring and compassionate ...

02/14/2025

Governor Kathy Hochul has directed the New York State Public Service Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of non-union utility management compensation, aiming to protect residents from unfair rate hikes. The audit, covering major utilities like Central Hudson, NYSEG, and Con Edison, follows concerns that current bonus structures prioritize financial performance over service quality. Findings will inform future rate cases to ensure utility companies focus on delivering reliable and affordable service. Hochul emphasized accountability, stating that utility compensation should reward customer-focused improvements rather than expected behavior.

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ALBANY- Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that at her direction the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has initiated a comprehensive review of utility management compensation. The audit, which will include Central Hudson and NYSEG, will focus on compensation for non-union utility manag...

02/13/2025

Putnam County residents are facing skyrocketing NYSEG utility bills, with some seeing increases of nearly sevenfold in the past month. Congressman Mike Lawler’s office has received numerous complaints, while NYSEG has not yet responded to media inquiries. Experts cite a state-approved rate hike and colder-than-usual winter temperatures as key factors driving the surge. Homeowners using electric resistance heating are particularly affected, as delivery charges have risen nearly 20% and supply rates by 40%. Consumers struggling with high bills can seek assistance from the Public Utility Law Project at 1-877-669-2572 or [email protected].

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CARMEL – If you haven’t received your utility bill from NYSEG this month, be prepared for quite a shock! A number of Putnam County residents have received bills increasing by as much as nearly sevenfold during the past month. A Patterson woman reported her NYSEG bill went from $152 to $713 while...

02/13/2025

State Budget Director Blake Washington addressed Sullivan County business leaders at a Chamber of Commerce event, emphasizing the state’s commitment to supporting local needs. He highlighted past investments, including funding for swimming pools under the New York Swims initiative and record water infrastructure improvements in Thompson, while reaffirming Albany’s ongoing efforts to assist residents and businesses. Chamber President Ashley Leavitt underscored the importance of such discussions for economic development in the region. The event also took place against the backdrop of Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed $233 billion state budget for 2025, reflecting a significant increase from $173 billion just five years ago.

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​ THOMPSON – ​State Budget Director Blake Washington had a message for Sullivan County businesspeople on Wednesday as he spoke at a chamber of commerce gathering at Resorts World Catskills: “People in Sullivan County can rely on their state government to provide the needs​ they depend on,....

02/13/2025

Congressman Josh Riley has introduced the bipartisan Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act (HPAIA) to support family farmers, stabilize grocery prices, and combat the spread of avian flu. The bill addresses a critical gap in current USDA compensation policies by extending financial relief to all farms affected by avian flu outbreaks, not just those with confirmed cases. With several cases recently reported in upstate New York, local farmers face significant disruptions, as poultry farms within 10 kilometers of an outbreak are unable to restock their flocks for months. Riley emphasizes the importance of ensuring these farmers receive timely support to sustain their businesses and protect the local economy.

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WASHINGTON – Congressman Josh Riley (D, NY-19) on Wednesday joined a bipartisan group of House Agriculture Committee members in introducing the Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act (HPAIA) to support family farmers, bring down grocery prices and stop the spread of avian flu. “When ...

02/12/2025

WAPPINGER – The Dutchess County Industrial Development Corporation Wednesday gave preliminary approval for POU Development, LLC, a division of Sky Harbour Group, to build roughly 100,000 square feet of aircraft hangar space at the county-owned Hudson Valley Regional Airport in the Town of Wappinge...

02/12/2025

Ken Jenkins won the special election for Westchester County Executive, defeating Christine Sculti by a wide margin. Previously serving as Deputy County Executive, Jenkins stepped into the role earlier this year after George Latimer’s congressional win. Governor Kathy Hochul attended his victory event, where Jenkins expressed gratitude for the support. He will face Sculti again in November when he runs for a full four-year term.

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WHITE PLAINS – Democrat Ken Jenkins won a special election for Westchester County Executive on Tuesday, easily defeating Republican challenger Christine Sculti by a margin of approximately 63 to 36 percent. Jenkins, who formerly served as Westchester’ Deputy County Executive, was named County Ex...