BLUE STORES—A Hudson woman was killed in a three-car collision at the intersection of State Route 9 and county routes 31 and 8, July 19 at 6:50 a.m.
Columbia County 911 dispatched State Police from the Livingston barracks to the scene. Their preliminary investigation indicates that a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier was traveling east on County Route 31 when it failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of State Route 9.
The Cavalier, occupied by Daniel Rowe, 64, and Tammy L. Parker, 40, both of Hudson, subsequently collided with a 2017 Hyundai which was headed north on State Route 9. The Cavalier overturned and struck a vehicle parked in the Xtra Mart convenience store/gas station parking lot at 2224 U.S. 9, Livingston.
The Hyundai also overturned and came to rest at the south end of the Xtra Mart parking lot.
An occupant of the Cavalier, Ms. Parker, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene by responding medical personnel, according to State Police.
Mr. Rowe, the other Cavalier occupant, was taken by ambulance to the Albany Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.
Northern Dutchess Paramedics took the Hyundai’s operator, Denise Burpo, 62, of Livingston and her passenger, Denise Simmons, 53, of Hudson to AMC for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
State Police are still trying to determine whether it was Mr. Rowe or Ms. Parker who was driving the Cavalier, State Police Public Information Officer Trooper Melissa McMorris said.
The crash remains under investigation. At this time, no criminal charges have been filed.
State Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to contact the SP Livingston Bureau of Criminal Investigation by calling 845 677-7300.
Livingston firefighters were clear from the scene at 10:47 a.m. and State Route 9 was closed for about four hours.
Germantown
Two local 16-year-olds were charged by Sheriff’s deputies in connection with a string of larcenies from motor vehicles parked in the hamlet.
The Sheriff’s Office received calls Saturday, July 8 from several residents reporting their unlocked vehicles were rummaged through, and in some cases items were stolen from inside.
The larcenies occurred on Maple Avenue, Church Avenue and Main Street in Germantown.
Sheriff’s deputies conducted an investigation and with the help of the public, interviews and tips, two 16-year-old boys were identified. Authorities are not releasing their names due to their ages.
They were both charged with three counts of petit larceny, which are class A misdemeanors. They were issued tickets to appear in Germantown Court at a later date. Many of the stolen items have been recovered and are being processed as evidence.
The investigation was handled by Deputy Patrick Mayo, Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Jeffrey Hofstetter and Senior Investigator William Foster. The Sheriff’s Office was also assisted by Chief Brian Dubois of the Germantown Police Department.
*Three people were hurt in a two-vehicle crash at 4349 Route 9G, July 7 at 3:03 p.m.
According to State Police, Scott Rose, 53, of Germantown was traveling south on Route 9G in a Nissan Frontier.
Stephanie Moore, 40, of Rensselaer was operating a Toyota Camry on Crawford Lane. Ms. Moore made a right turn onto Route 9G northbound, failed to yield the right of way and struck the Rose vehicle.
Columbia County Emergency Medical Services took Mr. Rose to Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck with arm pain.
Northern Dutchess Paramedics took Ms. Moore to Albany Medical Center with back pain and a female passenger in the Moore vehicle to AMC for a shoulder/arm injury.
All injuries were non-life threatening.
It does not appear that any tickets were issued, according to State Police Public Information Officer Melissa McMorris.
Germantown firefighters were on the scene until 4:03 p.m.
Chatham
Steven Whiteman, 21, of East Chatham was charged with two counts of third degree assault, a class A misdemeanor, by Deputies Jordan Brahm and Zachary Sohotra June 30 at 8:45 p.m.
Mr. Whiteman allegedly had an altercation with a male and female victim at a private residence in the Village of Chatham. He allegedly punched and kicked them causing injury. He was arraigned in Chatham Town Court and released on his own recognizance. He was to appear in Chatham Village Court at a later date.
Claverack
Two people were taken to the hospital following a one-vehicle collision at 43 Millbrook Road, June 21 at 6:12 p.m.
Pamela Myshasko, 49, of Hudson was driving south on Millbrook Avenue when she lost control of her vehicle, exited the east shoulder of the roadway and struck a ditch.
No tickets were issued, according to State Police.
A second motorist who stopped to assist was also injured, according to Columbia County 911.
The Greenport Rescue Squad took two patients to Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson.
Claverack firefighters were on the scene until 6:39 p.m.
* Tyler Simmons, 22, of Copake was charged with second degree reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor, and illegally parking in handicapped parking space, a traffic infraction, by Deputy David Proper, July 2 at 5:50 p.m.
Mr. Simmons was allegedly parked in a handicapped parking space at a business in Claverack.
A female was behind his vehicle and Mr. Simmons allegedly backed up, almost striking her. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable in Claverack Court at a later date.
*Jeremiah Simpson, 38, of Philmont was charged with first degree aggravated unlicensed operation, a class E felony, by Sheriff’s Office Investigator William Dunspaugh and Deputy Samantha Plass, July 3 at 12:35 p.m.
Mr. Simpson was stopped on Stevers Crossing Road in Claverack. A license check revealed that he had 27 suspensions on his license. He was arraigned in Claverack Court and released on his own recognizance. He was to return to court at a later date.
Copake
Amelia Woods, 22, of New York City was charged with fourth degree criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor, by Deputies Patrick McMahon and Michael Meier June 28 at 6:57 a.m.
Ms. Woods is accused of damaging a fence with a motor vehicle at a private residence at Copake Lake. She was issued an appearance ticket returnable in Copake Court at a later date.
New Lebanon
Ernest Conley, 30, of Castleton was charged with second degree criminal contempt, a class A misdemeanor, by K9 Deputy Travis VanAlstyne, June 26 at 1:11 p.m.
Mr. Conley is accused of violating an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable in New Lebanon Court.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol related charges:
* Marlie Foshay, 24, of Hudson was charged with fifth degree criminal possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor, by Deputy Zachary Sohotra, June 28 at 9:40 p.m. Foshay was stopped operating a vehicle on State Route 23 in Copake for an equipment violation. She is accused of possessing in excess of 25 grams of marijuana. She was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Copake Court at a later date.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
Police allege Hudson man made ‘terroristic threat’
By DIANE VALDEN
HUDSON— Fred Starke, 42, of Hudson was arraigned on a sealed indictment charging two counts of making a terroristic threat, a class D felony, and two counts of second degree aggravated harassment, a class A misdemeanor, before Judge Kimberly O’Connor in Columbia County Supreme Court, June 28.
The crimes allegedly occurred in the City of Hudson. Hudson Police Detectives Jeff Keyser and Nicholas Pierro investigated this matter and arrested Mr. Starke.
The indictment alleges that Mr. Starke, “with intent to influence the policy of a unit of government, threatened to commit an offense and thereby caused a reasonable fear of the commission of that offense,” according to a press release from Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka.
Mr. Starke allegedly committed two counts between February and April and two counts June 26.
DA Czajka said he would not reveal the identity of the victims in the case, but said the threats were made by way of social media and the unit of government was the Judicial System.
A recent visit to Mr. Starke’s Facebook page found entries containing name-calling and profanity directed toward Columbia County Court Judge Jonathan Nichols. Also on the site, Mr. Starke identifies himself as a Fed Ex delivery man from Valatie. He also has numerous references, images to The Joker as portrayed by Heath Ledger in the “The Dark Knight.”
Mr. Starke was sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail.
Saratoga County Judge James A. Murphy, III, has been assigned to preside over the trial which is set for November 27. Mr. Starke is represented by Kingston Attorney Cappy Weiner, DA Czajka said.
In other court news from the DA’s Office:
*Gregorio Masso-Ramos, 18, of Binghamton was sentenced to 3 years with the state Department of Corrections upon his conviction by plea of 2 counts of second degree assault by Judge Koweek, June 12. The crimes were committed in the City of Hudson. State Police Investigator Jason Manchuck handled the case and arrested Mr. Masso-Ramos, who was represented by the Public Defender.
*Vince Mastrianni, 47, of New Lebanon was sentenced to 180 days in the Columbia County Jail, 5 years probation, ordered to pay $375 in fines and surcharges and ordered pay $2,100 restitution upon his conviction by plea of 2 counts of fourth degree grand larceny, class E felonies, by Judge Koweek, June 12. The defendant committed these crimes in New Lebanon. State Police Investigator Christopher Taylor handled this case and arrested Mr. Mastrianni, who was represented by Lee Greenstein, Esq.
*Aaron Silveraterry was sentenced to 5 years with the state Department of Corrections for his conviction at trial of menacing a police officer, a class D felony, by Judge Nichols, June 16. The defendant committed this crime in Greenport. State Police Investigator Andrew Berhens and Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Stephens handled this case and arrested Mr. Silveraterry, who was represented by the Public Defender.
*Phillip Reedy, 43, of Amsterdam was sentenced to 5 years probation upon his conviction by plea to third degree grand larceny, a class D felony, by Judge Nichols, July 7. The defendant committed this crime in the Town of Kinderhook. Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Sr. Inv. Kevin Skype handled the case and arrested Mr. Reedy, who was represented by Adam Parisi, Esq.
*Justin Decker, 34, of Philmont was sentenced to 5 years probation, had his driver’s license revoked, was ordered to pay fines and surcharges of $3,020, install an ignition interlock device and attend a victim impact panel upon his conviction by plea of 2 counts of driving while intoxicated, class E felonies, by Judge Nichols, July 7. The defendant committed these crimes in Ghent. State Trooper William Dufresne investigated the case and arrested Mr. Decker, who was represented by James Kleinbaum, Esq.
One cat found positive for rabies
HUDSON—The Columbia County Department of Health (CCDOH) handled a recent rabies exposure involving Animal Kind Cat Rescue.
One cat was found to be positive for rabies, according to a press release from the health department.
The Animal Kind director and staff have been cooperative in providing information for the investigation and have voluntarily closed for 10 days to monitor and protect the other animals, the release said.
Anyone who may have had exposure to the cat has been identified and cleared or is receiving post-exposure rabies vaccine.
One cat does not indicate a rabies outbreak, according to the release.
County residents can also limit their exposure to rabies by keeping pets properly vaccinated.
The health department hosts several free rabies clinics for cats, dogs and ferrets throughout the year. There is no
charge to Columbia County residents, but donations are accepted. Pet owners who bring animals to the clinic are responsible for the control of their pets. Cats and ferrets should be secured in a sturdy carrier, and dogs should be on a leash. CCDOH staff members are on hand at the clinics to assist pet owners as needed. Breeders should obtain rabies immunization through veterinary services.
The next rabies vaccination clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, August 8 at the New Lebanon Town Garage at the intersection of Route 22 and Old Post Road. Bring cats and ferrets from 4 to 5 p.m. and dogs from 5 to 6 p.m. for vaccination by Dr. Lisa Dietrich from the Nassau Veterinary Clinic.
Dates and times for additional rabies clinics are available at www.columbiacountyny.com and select “Department Links” to find the health department, or by calling 518 828-3358.