KINDERHOOK—Hundreds of firefighters from Columbia and surrounding counties converged on the Village for the 2014 Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association Convention hosted by the Palmer Engine and Hose Company #1, July 25 and 26.
This year’s parade featured the New York State Army National Guard 42nd Infantry Division Band and Congressman Chris Gibson (R-19th) served as parade grand marshal.
Results of the association’s convention parade follow:
•Best Appearing in or out of county, 8 or more individuals marching, $1,000 prize, Athens Fire Company; •Best Appearing in or out of county, 7 or less individuals marching, $1,000 prize, Red Rock
•Columbia County Units: Group A, 20+ individuals marching, 1st place Hudson, 2nd Chatham, 3rd Niverville; Group B, 15 to 19 individuals marching, 1st place Ancram, 2nd Valatie, 3rd Philmont; Group C, 5 to 14 individuals marching, 1st place Ghent, 2nd Germantown, 3rd Red Rock. In-County Auxiliary, 1st place Niverville, 2nd Chatham, 3rd Ghent
•Visiting Units: Group A, 10 or more individuals marching, 1st place Athens; Group B, 9 or less individuals marching, 1st place Schodack Landing; Visiting Auxiliary, 1st place Schodack Landing
•Best Appearing Color Guard Firematic, 1st place Hudson, 2nd Chatham, 3rd Athens; Best Appearing Color Guard- Non-Firematic, 1st place Ghent VFW, 2nd Stuyvesant Falls VFW
Best Apparatus, 1st place Athens, 2nd Niverville, 3rd Red Rock; Best Musical Unit, 1st place Ghent Band, 2nd Red Cap; Drum Line, 1st place Greenport, 2nd Hudson, 3rd Philmont; All Round, 1st place 42 Infantry Band, 2nd Stuyvesant Falls VFW and 3rd Columbia District Pipe Band (A.W. Shaw).
County resurrects Victim Impact Panels
HUDSON—Through the cooperation of Columbia County’s STOP-DWI Program, District Attorney’s Office, Probation, Sheriff’s Office and Hudson Police Department, drinking and driving Victim Impact Panels will return to Columbia County starting this fall, according to a press release.
Victim Impact Panels (VIPs) have proven to be a valuable tool in reducing the number of repeat DWI offenders, the release said. Offenders will be required to pay a fee to attend the panel. Speakers are all volunteers, so the panels are self-funding and there is no cost to taxpayers. The speakers, who are all victims of DWI, share the impact that drinking and driving has had on them and their families.
The goal of the VIP is to make the offenders aware that drinking and driving doesn’t just affect the person who is arrested. Effects are more far-reaching, negatively impacting the families and friends of both offenders and victims, as well as endangering the entire driving public.
Columbia County STOP-DWI, Sheriff David Bartlett, Probation Director Daniel Kibler and District Attorney Paul Czajka are committed to partnering with Hudson Police Chief L. Edward Moore and other county and local agencies to make highways safer for all residents and Columbia County visitors, the release said.
State Police warn of phone scams
POUGHKEEPSIE—State Police from Troop K warn the public about recent phone scams reported in the Troop K area, which encompasses Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester counties.
Every year, victims report losing money to telephone scams. In addition to scamming money from an unsuspecting victim, scammers will say anything to obtain a victim’s personal information. They may claim to work for a trusted company, or claim to be calling on behalf of a loved one. Potential victims must remain vigilant to protect themselves, according to a State Police press release.
In a recent scam, a male caller claims to work for the United States Treasury. He says that he is contacting punctual taxpayers and offers them a bonus for paying their taxes on time. The male caller, who reportedly had a foreign accent, calls from a Washington, D.C. area exchange, requests bank account information to deposit the bonus.
In another reported scam that also originates from a Washington D.C. telephone number, this caller, who is also a male with a foreign accent, says he is calling about a recent bladder surgery or hospital visit. He attempts to gain knowledge of the household residents with small talk and may claim to be involved in a class action lawsuit. Do not supply such callers with personal information that could be used by identity thieves, the release advises.
Consider phone calls reporting that a friend or relative has been taken into custody while on vacation, and requests money be sent right away, to be highly suspicious. Call the friend or relative claiming to need support and confirm whether the story is true, using a genuine phone number. If unable to contact the person claiming to need assistance, call their friends or family members to confirm the situation. Do not send money prior to confirming the allegations presented over the telephone.
In general never give a social security number, banking information, date of birth or other personal information over the phone. Banks do not call and ask for this information. Additionally, if there is any doubt as to the legitimacy of the potential scam, verify the allegations by contacting the local bank using a publicly listed telephone number.
For more information on crime prevention visit: www.troopers.ny.gov/Crime_Prevention/.
To report a possible phone scam, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1
The FBI’s tips on phone scams: www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud.
