By DIANE VALDEN
CATSKILL—A Columbia County man was killed in a fiery single-vehicle crash on State Route 9W, July 24 at 11 p.m.,
Troopers from the State Police barracks in Catskill responded to the scene.
Their preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 GMC Envoy driven by Thomas Konow, 61, of Claverack was traveling south on State Route 9W in the Town of Catskill when it went off the road for unknown reasons and struck the wall of a bridge overpass. The vehicle rolled over and became engulfed in flames. The driver was trapped.
Greene County 911 dispatched Catskill Fire and ambulance to the scene on Route 9W south at the first rail bridge. They found the vehicle on its side under the bridge and heavily involved in fire.
Three Good Samaritans had tried in vain to free the occupant before first responders arrived. But the fire consumed the vehicle before they could free the victim, according to the Catskill Fire Company Facebook post.
The fire company thanked the three local people “who gave a stranger the best chance at survival. That’s all anyone can do in that situation if they step up. That in itself is heroic despite the outcome.” The fire company’s “thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and their family. Again to the three brave strangers who came upon this scene we thank you for doing all you could.”
This accident remains under investigation.
Mr. Konow’s obituary appears on page 18 of this issue.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
Murderer sentenced for weapons possession in prison
HUDSON—An individual incarcerated at Hudson Correctional Facility has been sentenced to 1½ to 3 years in prison for charges stemming from allegedly being in possession of two potentially deadly weapons inside the medium security prison, according to a July 3 press release from Columbia County District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant.
Jose Dugger, 44, pleaded guilty in May to one count of first degree knowingly attempting to make/possess dangerous contraband in prison, a class E felony, and was sentenced July 1 by Columbia County Court Judge Michael Howard.
Mr. Dugger, who’s serving 20-years-to-life for a second degree murder conviction out of Dutchess County, was arrested in February in connection with the incident that occurred in September 2023 within the prison. At that time, he was alleged to be in possession of a homemade ice pick-type weapon or shank and a “weighted cloth-type weapon” in which a weighted object is placed within soft material.
The weighted cloth was recovered during a search of Mr. Dugger’s cell and the shank was later found allegedly in his possession after he was transferred to another unit within the facility, reports show.
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Rohlfing led the prosecution for the state. Mr. Dugger was represented by the Public Defender’s Office. The New York State Police worked in conjunction with the Hudson Correctional Facility on the investigation.
Mr. Dugger is expected to be transferred to another state facility in the near future, Chief ADA Rohlfing said in the release.
Report price gouging of essential items to AG
ALBANY—New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued an alert warning businesses against price gouging of essential items as severe weather impacts communities throughout New York. A state of emergency was recently declared by the Governor for the entire state as multiple tornadoes touched down in parts of Central New York and hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers experienced power outages and disruptions. New York’s price gouging statute prevents businesses from taking advantage of consumers by selling essential goods or services at an excessively higher price during market disruptions or emergencies. Attorney General James urges New Yorkers who see higher prices on essential goods and services to report the issue to her office.
“When severe weather hits, New Yorkers should be able to stock up on essential supplies without worrying that they will be overcharged by businesses taking advantage of a crisis. I encourage anyone who experiences price gouging to report the problem to my office so we can take appropriate action. With excessive heat and now extreme weather impacting communities throughout our state, I urge New Yorkers to be vigilant against price gouging, to check on vulnerable relatives, friends, and neighbors, and to above all, be safe,” Attorney General James said in a press release.
New York law prohibits businesses from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that are vital to health, safety, or welfare for an unconscionably excessive price during emergencies. The price gouging statute covers New York state vendors, retailers, and suppliers, and includes essential goods and services that are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers or the general public. These goods and services include food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options. When reporting price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), consumers should:
*Report the specific increased prices, dates, and places that they saw the increased prices; and,
*Provide copies of their sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices, if available.
Price gouging violations can carry penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. New Yorkers should report potential concerns about price gouging to OAG by filing a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755.
