Indians wrestlers are Colonial Council champions

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

RAVENA — The Ravena fire department is looking for a few brave souls.

The firehouse held an open house Saturday, seeking new volunteers to help with all kinds of roles in the department.

“This week is Recruit NY, a program that FASNY does in an attempt to recruit more people,” said Fire Chief Kevin Phillips. “We are holding an open house.”

The fire department had equipment and trucks on display as a demonstration of what the department can do, from fighting fires to responding to vehicle accidents and other emergencies.

The goal of the open house was to encourage people to sign up — most volunteer fire departments are in need of a fresh influx of volunteers.

“We are hoping people who have even the slightest interest will come in and see what we are all about,” Phillips said. “We have a lot to offer and there are a lot of programs that New York state offers that people may not know about.”

Volunteer firefighters may be eligible for property tax breaks from the government and even discounts at their favorite shops.

There are dozens of local volunteers who work with the department to some degree, but there is a need for more.

“We currently have about 40 active volunteers — some are more active than others, which proves that there is a job for everyone at the firehouse,” Phillips said. “You could be a little bit active or more active.”

Phillips has been with the department since he was a teenager.

“I have been here for 16 years,” he said. “I started as a junior member and then I became a lieutenant and then I became chief a few years ago.”

Why does he do it?

“Helping the community is the greatest benefit you get out of this,” Phillips said.

Second lieutenant Jack Morrow has been with the department for six years.

“I volunteer to give back to my community,” Morrow said. “I experienced a trauma when I was little and since then I have wanted to give back and help other people who need it.”

There are many ways to help — volunteers don’t necessarily have to be the ones rushing into a burning building.

“There are interior and exterior firefighters,” Morrow explained. “Interiors are the ones who go into the building to fight the fire. Exteriors work outside with crowd control and working with the equipment and hoses. It all comes down to helping out.”

There is also a need for volunteers to fill other roles in the department, such as fire police and the auxiliary, which supports the firefighters.

Recruit NY is a statewide recruitment campaign held at firehouses across the state. It was held this year on April 13 and 14, and is hosted by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, or FASNY, to show prospective volunteers the value and rewards of volunteering with their local fire department.

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

BETHLEHEM — A South Bethlehem woman has been sentenced to one and a half to three years in prison for stealing $53,121.86 from a 96-year-old Selkirk man, Bethlehem Police said Wednesday.

Denise Houghtaling, 50, was arrested in October 2020 after the man’s family contacted Bethlehem Police upon reviewing the victim’s estate.

The man, whose name has not been released, died in February 2019. Houghtaling was the man’s caretaker, according to police.

The family contacted law enforcement Sept. 14, 2020, and Houghtaling was arrested Oct. 20, 2020.

“An investigation was conducted and revealed that $53,121.86 had been stolen from the victim’s accounts by Houghtaling, who was a caretaker for the victim prior to his death,” police said in a statement.

Houghtaling was charged with felony counts of second-degree grand larceny as a hate crime, first-degree identity theft, and first-degree falsifying business records. The grand larceny charge was filed as a hate crime because Houghtaling specifically targeted an elderly victim, police said.

Anyone who may have used Houghtaling’s services and has concerns should contact Bethlehem Police at 518-439-9973.