POUGHKEEPSIE – City police are investigating a homicide after first responders were summoned to a reported assault on Sunday at approximately 12:36 p.m.  The incident occurred in or near 25 South Grand Avenue and the victim was located in the house when emergency personnel arrived.

When City police and firefighters responded, along with Mobile Life EMS, they encountered a man with a stab wound to the head, with the knife protruding from the skull.  A female tenant in the house had begun CPR prior to the arrival of the first responders.  Life-saving measures were initiated by fire and EMS personnel at the scene before transporting the 24-year-old man to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

City of Poughkeepsie Police Captain Rich Wilson told Mid-Hudson News that uniform police had started their investigation and detectives were responding to the scene to gather additional information.

Anyone with information regarding the homicide is asked to call the police confidential tip line at 845-451-7577.

STAATSBURG – The annual “Mock DWI” event for FD Roosevelt High School seniors took place on Friday and showed students the harsh realities of drinking and driving.  The event has been taking place at the high school since the mid-1990s in an attempt to encourage the soon-to-be graduates to refrain from drinking and driving.

The all-morning event starts with seniors learning what a group of classmates was doing at a party before they decided to leave in a vehicle.  While the students are inside, the “victims” spend time at the firehouse across the street where they receive a make-up treatment to simulate blood and other injuries before they go and stage in the two vehicles on the school lawn.

When the students assemble outside, they listen as a student passerby comes upon the accident and calls 911.  The dispatcher can be heard asking questions so the information can be relayed to the police, fire, and EMS agencies that are dispatched in real time to the scene.

The students could hear the sirens of the approaching first responders, led by Hyde Park Police with Roosevelt, Hyde Park, and West Clinton Fire Departments responding to the multi-victim wreck, followed by a few ambulances.

Former Dutchess County Emergency Response Director DeWitt Sagendorph explained to the students each step of techniques the firefighters were using to extricate the victims, triage them, and get them to the waiting ambulances. A medevac helicopter landed at the high school and took the most seriously injured teen to the trauma center.  The students were actively engaged in the scenario as a result of the “real-life” action unfolding before them.  Dewitt’s wife, Dee, an EMT herself, has been instrumental in developing and improving the program since its inception and was present on Friday.

Hyde Park Police Chief Robert Benson has been supportive of the program and provided members of his department on Friday to add to the reality.  “I feel this is a very impactful presentation for the kids just before prom, graduation, and many of them getting ready to go off to college,” Benson said, adding “Making a bad choice when consuming alcohol or drugs, impacts everyone in the community.”

Chief Benson is a proponent of making the simulation as real as possible.  “You can lecture someone all you want, but when they see crashed vehicles and listen to the sounds of the sirens coming, along with the crunching of cars being cut apart, it has much more of an impact when compared to lectures or simply reading about it.”

Mid-Hudson News video of Friday’s simulated wreck and response:

ALBANY- A bill, sponsored by State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D, Saugerties) has been signed into law that extends cannabis cultivator and processor licenses.  Last year, Hinchey sponsored legislation signed into law by the Governor to create temporary cannabis cultivator and processor licenses aligning the rollout of New York’s cannabis program with the 2022 growing season so that New York farmers could grow product in time to meet the demand when dispensaries opened their doors.  The senator’s latest bill is a move to help mitigate the delays in the rollout of permanent licenses.

Due to delays in the permanent licensure rollout, temporary cultivator and processor licenses are still needed.  In addition to extending temporary license until June 30, 2024, the new legislation also extends the program’s social equity goals by requiring conditional license holders to participate in a social equity mentorship program.  In the program, license holder are provided training in cannabis cultivation and processing for social and economic equity partners, preparing them for roles in the industry.

“Across New York State, agriculture is a core industry that has shaped our local landscape, economy, and way of life, and I’m proud that four of my bills supporting different needs within this industry have passed the Senate this week,” said Hinchey, who serves as the chair of the State Senate’s Agriculture Committee.

NEWBURGH – Police in the City of Newburgh continue to investigate shooting and stabbing incidents within minutes of each other early Sunday morning.

The shooting occurred near the area of Poplar Street and Fowler Avenue at around 1:30 a.m. Two victims who were shot in the legs were transported to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospitals for treatment of their injuries.

About 15 minutes later police responded to the area of 160 South Street where they found a large crowd and one female victim with a wound to her left forearm.

Officers transported her to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone who may have information about either incident is asked to call the Newburgh City Police Detective Division at 845-569-7509. Callers can remain anonymous.

HUDSON VALLEY- Shocking crash video provided to Mid-Hudson News by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) from their “Help Trucks” show the real-life dangers of distracted driving.  DOT officials are reminding motorists ahead of the summer travel season about the importance of focusing on the road.

“Luckily, nobody was injured,” said Heather Pillsworth, NYS DOT’s Public Information Officer.  “This isn’t the first time this has happened, several years ago, another help truck was struck and the other motorist was injured.”

Pillsworth was referring to a video of a car striking a DOT “Help Truck” that was assisting a disabled motorist who was stopped along the highway on April 15, 2023.  “Unfortunately these incidents happen all of the time,” said Pillsworth.

Pillsworth wanted drivers to be reminded of the dangers of distracted driving and that during the summer season, highway workers are often on the roadways performing maintenance and repairs.

“Our folks are out on the road doing a job.  Just like other folks are out in their offices, this is their office.  So please, take that into consideration–they have families to go home to at the end of the day,” said Pillsworth.  “So please, slow down.”