Scofflaws beware, Valatie adds teeth to parking law

By DIANE VALDEN

KINDERHOOK—A Schenectady County man was killed in a motorcycle crash off County Route 28 near Apple Tree Court August 11 at 5:16 p.m.

A State Police investigation determined that a motorcycle driven by Randall D. Collins, 31, of Glenville was traveling east on Route 28 in the Town of Kinderhook when it went off the south shoulder, through a field and struck a tree.

Mr. Collins was pronounced dead at the scene.

State Police were assisted by Niverville and Valatie firefighters, Greenport Rescue and Columbia County EMS. Coroner Robert Donaghue was called to the scene. Firefighters were back in service at 8:02 p.m.

The investigation is ongoing.

Copake

On August 2, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Fisheries employees responded to reports of a fish kill of about 500 fish in Chrysler Pond off County Route 27A. Fisheries experts are working to determine the cause of the fish kill and will provide more information as it becomes available.

To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@coumbiapaper.com

Blue-green algae bloom forces Oakdale closure

HUDSON—Oakdale Lake Beach in the City of Hudson has been closed due to the presence of a blue-green algae bloom, the Columbia County Department of Health announced in a press release issued August 13.

The swim area will remain closed until the blue-green algae blooms have cleared and approval to reopen the beach is given by the Columbia County Department of Health.

People and animals should not swim at the bathing beach and should avoid contact with any algae blooms, scums and colored water.

Blue-green algal blooms can turn the water green and can form thick scums on the water surface. Blue-green algae exposure can cause skin or eye irritation, or if ingested, diarrhea and vomiting. People and animals should keep out of the water where blooms are present, according to the release.

The health department recommends taking the following precautions:

*Don’t swim, wade, boat or fish near blooms or scums and don’t eat fish caught from waters with blooms

*Don’t drink the water

*Keep children and animals away from any blooms or scums

*Rinse with clean water if exposed.

Report symptoms that may be associated with exposure to blue-green algae blooms, such as skin or eye irritation, or diarrhea and vomiting to the Department of Health at 518-828-3358.

For more information, contact the Columbia County Department of Health by phone at 518-828-3358 or via email at columbiacountynyhealth.com.

Learn more about blue-green algae at:

https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae

Repeat domestic violence offender sentenced

HUDSON—A Chatham man was sentenced August 7 to 1½ to 3 years in prison following his conviction on a charge designed by the state to hold repeat domestic violence offenders accountable.

Michael D’Alessio, 60, was sentenced before Columbia County Judge Brian Herman on one count aggravated family offense—more than 1 offense within 5 years, a class E felony, and one count act in manner [to] injure [a] child less than 17, a class A misdemeanor.

The charges stem from an incident that came to light last September when police were notified Mr. D’Alessio, who had a full stay away protection order in place, violated that order multiple times. He was subsequently arrested and arraigned December 12, 2023 in Greenport Town Court on multiple charges involving violating the order, criminal contempt and endangering the welfare of a child. He pleaded guilty May 31, 2024 in Columbia County Court to the two counts. The underlying order of protection that he violated resulted from domestic assault and felony weapons convictions from May 2023 involving members of D’Alessio’s family.

The charge of aggravated family offense was enacted in New York in 2012 to increase penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders. It is leveled against someone who commits a misdemeanor defined as a “specified offense” and he or she has been convicted of one or more specified offenses within the previous five years, and when the defendant and the person against whom each offense was committed were members of the same family or household.

Mr. D’Alessio was sent to the Columbia County Jail where he awaits transfer to state prison.

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Rohlfing led the prosecution for the state. Mr. D’Alessio was represented by Albany attorney Jasper Mills, III.