By DIANE VALDEN
HUDSON—Hudson Police Chief Mishanda Franklin announced that skeletal remains found in the City of Hudson the morning of December 9 were identified as those of Robert J. Coons, 63, who had been missing since July 2023.
December 9, 2024 at 11:18 a.m. Hudson Police received a call transferred from State Police reporting that a survey crew on Mill Street in the City discovered skeletal remains.
HPD officers and detectives confirmed that the remains found in a wooded area were human. HPD worked with the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Forensic Investigation Unit to identify the discovered remains. The femur bone was sent to the New York State Forensic Investigation Center in Albany, December 10, 2024. On January 3, Hudson Police received a report stating that the DNA extracts were tested and the results matched Robert J. Coons. HPD contacted Mr. Coon’s family advising them of the findings.
In July 2023, Mr. Coons was reported missing. HPD detectives led the missing person’s investigation which was still active and ongoing upon the recovery of the remains. Following the autopsy, Pathologist Dr. Bernard T. Ng advised HPD that the cause of death is undetermined; but his findings do not suggest that there were any signs of trauma or foul play.
Mr. Coons was last seen July 6, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. in the area of the Columbia Mental Health Center, 325 Columbia Street, Hudson.
He was described as a white male, 5’ 9”, 210 lbs, with blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a dark blue t-shirt. Hudson Police received a call from a relative of Mr. Coons’ Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 7 p.m., reporting that they had not had contact with him for several days. It was initially reported that he was living in the Schodack area, his last known address is 931 Schodack Landing Road, Schodack, but he traveled to Hudson for an appointment. Hudson Police were able to confirm that Mr. Coons did in fact attend his appointment.
Police checked several known locations that Mr. Coons frequented when he visited Hudson. The Detective Division along with New York State Police Troop K Major Crimes Unit conducted extensive interviews, executed multiple search warrants and followed-up on numerous leads.
Based on investigative leads September 21, 2023 Hudson Police along with State Police, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Park Rangers and Amtrak Police conducted a large scale multi-agency search operation, covering about two miles north and south of the Hudson boat launch. No new information regarding his disappearance was found at that time.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
Blaze consumes main barn at multi-generational farm
By DIANE VALDEN
KINDERHOOK—A wind-driven blaze ravaged the large main storage barn at Samascott’s Orchard, 5 Sunset Avenue in the village.
Dozens of firefighters responded, battling the roaring blaze, stiff winds and sub-freezing temperatures. The barn contained produce and farm equipment.
Columbia County 911 sounded the alarm for 17 fire companies and the Valatie Rescue Squad, Tuesday, January 7 at 7:11 p.m. Called out to the structure fire were fire departments from: Kinderhook, Niverville, Valatie, Chatham, Canaan, Austerlitz, Claverack, East Chatham, Ghent, Greenport, North Chatham, Stockport, Stuyvesant, Tri Village, Red Rock, Lebanon Valley and West Ghent. The Richmond, MA, Fire Department stood by in Red Rock, Schodack Landing firefighters stood by in Stuyvesant. Columbia County Fire Coordinators, State Police, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control all assisted on the scene.
According to a Kinderhook Fire Company (Palmer Engine & Hose Company # 1) Facebook Post units arriving on the scene at 7:15 p.m. reported a working structure fire. “There were many challenges fighting the fire including outside temperatures, explosions from propane, kerosene and ammonia. The embers from the fire also started multiple fires in the area which were extinguished. Battalions 4 and 5 were called in for tankers because the village water system was struggling with keeping up with the water demand for extinguishing the fire. The fire was contained to the one building and is being investigated” by the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.
Despite the dangerous conditions, no injuries were reported.
Samascott Orchards, a family owned pick-your-own farm, operating in Columbia County for more than 100 years, issued a Facebook post at 10:51 p.m. the night of the fire, saying, “We lost our main barn tonight. So thankful everyone is safe. We can’t thank all the firefighters enough who have been working for hours to put out this massive fire, and are still hard at work right now.”
Though the family did not initially know when they would return to sell at farmers’ markets, a subsequent post January 10 said, “Thank you all so much for your messages and support over the last few days, it really means a lot to us.
Although many bins of apples were burned in the fire Tuesday night, we thankfully had some stored in another barn too.” They announced their return to the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market January 11. “We’ll have apples and baked goods for sale… Hope to see you there.”
The Kinderhook Fire Department thanked everyone that helped at the fire the night of January 7 noting in a Facebook post, “the teamwork of dedicated firefighters contained it to the one building even with the high winds and heavy fuel load.
Firefighters were back in service at 4:02 a.m. January 8.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
Winter months bring highest number of speed-related crashes
GHENT—The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) recently joined with state and local traffic safety and law enforcement partners to remind drivers to stay aware of winter driving conditions and to adjust speed accordingly. Statewide data from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research shows that an average of 32% of speed related crashes from 2021 through 2023 occurred during the months of December through February, when the state’s weather is the most hazardous.
“Speeding at any time is not acceptable and the heightened risk in inclement weather is not worth taking the chance. Changing weather requires you to slow down to be more vigilant of your driving behaviors,” Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said in a press release.
“Education and enforcement are vital in bringing awareness to the dangers of speeding and speed related crashes. If motorists must travel in inclement weather, we ask that they be mindful of the current road conditions by slowing down and obeying the reduced speed limit and staying alert and focused. I thank our partners at the Department of Motor Vehicles for their shared efforts to reduce speed related crashes and improve safe travel for drivers and passengers on New York’s roads,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said in the release.
Before driving, the DMV and GTSC recommend these tips:
•Check tire tread.
•Fill the gas tank.
•Clear/clean all lights and windows.
•Remove all snow and ice including on top of the vehicle.
•Ensure the vehicle’s heater and defroster are working properly.
•Make sure the recommended amount of antifreeze is in the radiator.
•Get familiar with a new vehicle before driving in harsh weather conditions.
•Equip your car with emergency supplies, including shovel, flares, jumper cables, rope, ice scraper, portable radio, flashlight, blankets and extra warm clothes.
•Winterize your vehicle by checking windshield wipers, filling washer fluid and maintaining good tire tread.
•Inform a responsible person of your destination, intended route, and estimated time of arrival.
When ready to drive, follow these tips:
•Warm up the car so the defroster clears the windows.
•Turn on headlights whenever windshield wipers are on. New York State law makes this mandatory
•Do not exceed the speed limit and always adjust speed to the road conditions
•Leave plenty of room between vehicles
•Don’t try to pass or weave in and out of traffic. All drivers must be prepared to react if other drivers start to slide
•Do not drive during ice or snowstorms unless absolutely necessary
•When sleet, freezing rain or snow begins to fall, remember that bridges, ramps and overpasses will freeze first. Be aware that slippery spots may remain after snow is removed
•Never follow a snowplow too closely or attempt to pass one Drive well behind a snowplow where the road has been freshly cleared
•Adjust speed for road conditions and schedule extra time for winter travel
•Use extra caution on bridges, as they freeze more quickly than road surfaces
•Have a cellphone handy but do not text while driving; texting while driving is dangerous and illegal, but and it becomes even more dangerous during storms.
The National Highway Safety Administration also offers winter driving tips and suggests keeping these supplies in the vehicle:
•Snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper
•Abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter in case the vehicle gets stuck in the snow
•Jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices such as flares and emergency markers
•Blankets
•A cell phone with charger, water, food, and any necessary medicine.
For more information about safe winter driving, visit: www.ny.gov/safewinterdriving