County board talks preparing for federal cuts

By DIANE VALDEN

HUDSON—On February 25, State Police investigators from the Livingston barracks arrested two people for allegedly stealing more than $2,220 from an elderly victim’s bank account and $690 in food stamp benefits.

An investigation determined that Samantha Mowris, age 46, of Philmont was working as a home health aide for the victim, who lived in Hudson, SP Executive Director of Public Information Beau Duffy told The Columbia Paper February 27. After the victim was placed in a nursing home in September 2024, Ms. Mowris allegedly fraudulently wrote a series of checks on the victim’s bank account and also allegedly used the victim’s food stamp card to purchase $690 worth of items at various stores.

The investigation also found that Christopher Nardone, age 43, of Philmont, an acquaintance of Ms. Mowris, allegedly cashed forged checks from the victim’s bank account.

Ms. Mowris is charged with: third degree grand larceny, second degree burglary, two counts of petit larceny, five counts of second degree possession of a forged instrument, first degree falsifying business records, second degree identity theft, fifth degree conspiracy and fourth degree grand larceny.

Mr. Nardone is charged with: petit larceny, three counts of second degree possession of a forged instrument and fifth degree conspiracy.

Ms. Mowris and Mr. Nardone were arraigned in Greenport Town Court and released pending a return court appearance March 17.

Chatham

According to a press release from Tri-Village Fire Chief Ricardo A. DeGroff, Jr., a reported plane crash did not happen.

February 26 at 8:30 p.m. Columbia County 911 received a report about a possible aircraft in distress in the area of Merwin and White Mills roads. The caller said the aircraft had no visible lights, appeared to be losing altitude and that a loud boom was heard in the vicinity of Golden Acres Mobile Home Park, the release says.

Emergency response agencies, including the Tri-Village Fire Company, Chatham Rescue, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, State Police and the Columbia County Fire Coordinators Office were immediately dispatched to the area.

The Chatham Fire Department was also on scene to assist. A command post was established at Merwin Road and Route 203 and crews conducted a thorough search of the area for 45 minutes. Despite extensive canvassing and additional follow-up information, no signs of a downed aircraft were found.

Further investigation the morning of February 27 by Chief DeGroff discovered that a large military aircraft had flown over the area during the time of the reported sighting and concern. Albany International Airport approach provided information that was consistent with the aircraft’s flight path during the reported incident. At this time, the situation is attributed to a military aircraft conducting low-level flight operations, the release says.

Residents are reminded that if they witness an emergency situation they should immediately contact local emergency services by calling 911.

To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com

State threatens jobs of striking correctional officers

By MELANIE LEKOCEVIC

Capital Region Independent Media

COXSACKIE—Thousands of correctional officers at prisons around New York have been on strike for weeks protesting working conditions at state prisons, and while some have gone back on the job following a “consent award” approved by the state and union last Thursday, February 27, thousands remained on strike Sunday, March 2 at press time.

The state has threatened those who remain on the picket line with possibly losing their job and health insurance if they don’t go back to work.

Retired Sgt. Rudy Pavlin, a spokesman for correctional officers (COs) at Coxsackie Correctional Facility, said Sunday the strike is continuing despite the state’s threats.

“The strike is still on here and around the state,” Mr. Pavlin said. “Some have walked back in in some jails but right now, the numbers appear to be quite strong that are still out up north and west.”

At the Coxsackie prison, he estimated about 140 COs went back to work over the weekend, but many remained on the picket line. At the more than two dozen prisons around the state where roughly 15,000 correctional officers went on strike in mid-February, Mr. Pavlin estimated about 12,000 remained on strike Sunday.

The “consent award” was agreed to by the state and NYSCOPBA, the union representing the officers, but the strike was never sanctioned and workers who remained on strike want the state to come to the negotiating table directly with striking officers.

Picketing COs in Coxsackie started receiving phone calls Sunday saying they could risk losing their jobs if they didn’t return to work. The first threats came a couple of days before, after the consent award was agreed to, claiming jobs would be lost if workers didn’t come back to work by Saturday, March 1.

“The threats started on Thursday to return to work or you will be fired and lose your health insurance,” Mr. Pavlin said Sunday. “Now, today, they softened their stance, it appears, and now it’s return to work by Monday or you could lose your job and health insurance. [Gov. Kathy Hochul] is just continuing to escalate instead of de-escalate the situation with everyone who is out.”

The COs are striking over concerns about safety and policies that are in place at state prisons.

“The only thing anyone here cares about is safety and security, not money that they are throwing around,” Mr. Pavlin said. “If they were to come back to the table with officers who are actually out on the line instead of talking to NYSCOPBA representatives who have not represented their members, we might be able to get something done.”

The strike started at prisons around the state in mid-February after two correctional officers at two prisons in western New York first went on strike. The strike quickly spread.

Officers and their supporters braved bitterly cold temperatures in the early days of the work stoppage and continued through last week to voice their discontent with work conditions and mandatory overtime hours that can lead to COs working 24-hour shifts.

Strikers also demanded the repeal of the HALT Act, which severely restricts the use of solitary confinement as a disciplinary measure. They also asked for staffing levels to be brought up to 100%, for all mail coming into the facilities to be screened for contraband and other steps for safer working conditions.

According to the state, the strike is not allowed under the Taylor Law, which prohibits state employees from going on strike, and was not sanctioned by the correctional officers’ union, NYSCOPBA.

Two days after the statewide strikes started, the governor activated the National Guard to help staff facilities where officers were on strike.

February 27, Gov. Hochul announced a “consent award” to end the work stoppage and said both DOCCS — the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision — and the correctional officers’ union, NYSCOPBA, had agreed on terms.

“My top priority is the safety of all New Yorkers, and for the past 11 days, I have deployed every possible state resource to protect the well-being of correction officers, the incarcerated population and local communities across New York,” Gov. Hochul said in a statement. “Working with a mediator, we have reached a consent award to address many of the concerns raised by correction officers, put DOCCS back on the path to safe operations, respect the rights of incarcerated individuals and prevent future unsanctioned work stoppages.”

Mediator Martin Scheinman, Esq., said the first negotiating session between DOCCS and NYSCOPBA took place February 24, and that it was clear the relationship between the two sides was “strained,” but that both sought “workable solutions.”

Under the consent award, the state and union agreed to changes in overtime, including making it “voluntary” if certain conditions are met. The agreement also continues the temporary suspension of the HALT Act, which severely restricts the use of solitary confinement as a disciplinary measure and deterrent to misbehavior by inmates. Other changes include securing a contract with a vendor to screen all mail delivered to inmates. Under the agreement, disciplinary action will not be taken against officers who participated in the strike provided they return to work by a set deadline.

Mr. Pavlin said the concessions in the consent award were not enough.

“Nothing was really addressed with safety and security,” he said. “They are never going to repeal HALT — that won’t happen — but if they amend it, that could go a long way, depending on how they amend it.”

Spring ahead safely: change clocks, check batteries

GHENT—As Daylight Savings quickly approaches, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) reminds New Yorkers to test their home’s smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries. On Sunday March 9, New Yorkers will be turning clocks one hour ahead for Daylight Savings, which is the perfect time to ensure that homes are equipped with functional smoke alarms to best respond to fire emergencies in the home.

This reminder is timely because unfortunately, according to the United States Fire Administration, New York State has once again taken the lead in fire deaths in the country, recording 34 civilian deaths thus far in 2025. Two thirds of fire deaths occur in homes with faulty either no smoke alarms or non-functioning smoke alarms, Smoke detectors provide an early warning of a threat and allow occupants precious extra minutes to evacuate their homes, which can be lifesaving.

Smoke detectors with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are effective for up to 10 years, however if you hear the alarm chirping, they should be immediately replaced. Smoke detectors with any other type of battery should be replaced at least once a year. If you have smoke detectors with replaceable batteries, also be sure to check the expiration date on the device – usually found on the back of the detector. Smoke detectors typically have a functional lifespan of 10 years.

Nearly half of all U.S. home heating equipment fires (46%) occur between December and February, especially as we rely on external heating sources such as space heaters and chimneys. Heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. It is important to also check carbon monoxide detectors, as it is a colorless, odorless gas that can be lethal.

Additionally, as we spring clocks forward, it’s important to tackle spring cleaning, too. Spring cleaning can help to reduce the risk in homes as it removes the dust and grime that can act as sources of ignition for a fire.

See additional tips provided by FASNY and the National Fire Protection Association below:

*Install smoke detectors at every level of your home. This includes the inside and outside of bedrooms and sleeping areas

*Ensure that you follow a manufacturer’s list of specific batteries to be used on smoke alarm models on the back of the alarm or manufacturer’s instructions. The smoke alarm may not work properly if a different kind of battery is used.

*A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet from the stove

*People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers

*CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of homes. Test alarms at least once a month.