GNH Lumber & Home Legacy of the Catskills

Eight fire companies douse smoky blaze in garage/apt

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By DIANE VALDEN

Fire damaged a garage containing an apartment at 6568 Hill Street, Stottvillle, May 24. Photo courtesy of Stottville Fire Co. #2’s Facebook Page

STOTTVILLE—Firefighters from eight fire companies were called in to battle a blaze in a commercial garage with an apartment inside at 6568 Hill Street, May 24 at 10:05 a.m.

Columbia County 911 initially dispatched Stottville firefighters and the Greenport Rescue Squad.

According to a report on the Stottville Fire Co. #2’s Facebook Page, the “Stockport fire district and Greenport fire with 25-45 with their fast team were called out for a reported structure fire. Kinderhook Car 1 reported heavy smoke in the area. Greenport Car 3 arrived confirming a working structure fire. Stottville Car 1 immediately called for a second alarm bringing in additional manpower and tankers. Operating on scene were Stottville, Stockport, Greenport, Hudson, Stuyvesant, Claverack, West Ghent, and Mellenville. Also on scene assisting were Columbia County Fire Coordinators office, Columbia County Cause and Origin team, Greenport Rescue, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Stockport Ladies Auxiliary.”

National Grid, the water department, and building inspector were also called to the scene.

Greenport Rescue obtained a refusal of medical attention (RMA) on the scene. No one was hurt, Stottville Fire Chief Mark Wendelken told The Columbia Paper.

Volunteers from the Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to two people after the fire. They provided financial assistance which can be used for necessities such as shelter, food, and clothing to two adults. Volunteers also offered health services, comfort kits containing personal care items, and blankets.

Firefighters were clear from the scene at 6:20 p.m.

To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.

Three felons sentenced in County Court

HUDSON—Three convicted felons were sentenced May 31 to state prison by Columbia County Judge Brian Herman on charges related to the illegal possession of guns, child pornography, and a home break in. The defendants pleaded guilty in County Court April 5 under deals put forth by the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, according to a press release.

Antonio M. McCalop, 43, of Hudson was sentenced to eight years in prison followed by five years’ post-release supervision on one count of second-degree criminal possession of weapon, a class C felony. Mr. McCalop was also ordered to forfeit $9,840 gained through illegal drug sales, Chief Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Botts said in the release. The money will be shared by the DA’s Office and other law enforcement agencies according to the forfeiture law.

Records show in December, New York State Police, working alongside Hudson City Police, executed a search warrant at Mr. McCalop’s Columbia Street apartment and found two loaded guns along with crack cocaine, cash, and a digital scale. This is Mr. McCalop’s third felony drug-related conviction.

Ethan R. Reck, 28, of Chatham was sentenced to two to four years in prison on one count of possessing a sexual performance by a child, a class E felony, and must register as a sex offender. At the time of his arrest in December by the New York State Police, Mr. Reck was living in the Town of Canaan and was on probation for 10 years following a 2017 Columbia County conviction for possession of child pornography.

Michael K. West, 32, of Hudson was sentenced to two to four years in prison on one count of third-degree burglary, a class D felony, for breaking into a home while on the run from police. Police reports show Mr. West escaped police custody last August by jumping from a window during a Claverack Town Court appearance. He proceeded to break into an unoccupied home on Stone Mill Road and worked his way through the homeowners’ closets and liquor supply, leaving behind empty vodka and tequila bottles. He was later found by police extremely intoxicated.

At the time of his escape, records show Mr. West was appearing in court on a warrant to answer assault charges for a domestic incident that allegedly took place in Hudson in July 2023.

ADA Botts led the prosecution for the state. The defendants were represented by the Public Defender’s Office. Following sentencing, the men were sent back to the Columbia County Jail to await transfer to state prison.

“I thank our law enforcement partners, including the State Police, Hudson Police Department and Columbia County Sheriff, as well as Chief Assistant Botts, for their work on these cases. Our combined efforts are making our County safer for all its residents,” District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant said in the release.

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