HUDSON—Volunteers from the Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to 18 people after a fire at 225 Allen Street, affected multi-families, Saturday, May 2 at 4:10 p.m.
Initially, the Red Cross provided financial assistance for necessities such as shelter, food and clothing to seven adults and eight children, ages 2 through 14.
May 4, the Red Cross provided assistance to three additional people: one adult and two children, ages 5 and 8, bringing the total number assisted to 18.
Volunteers also offered emotional support, health services, and comfort kits containing personal care items, as well as stuffed animals for the children. One resident is eligible for veterans’ services. In the coming days, Red Cross staff and volunteers will remain available to help those affected by the fire as they navigate the road to recovery.
The Greenport Rescue Squad and six fire companies responded to the structure fire—Hudson, Greenport, Catskill, Claverack, Stottville, Germantown and Athens stood by.
The Red Cross and National Grid were called to the scene.
Hudson Police and Columbia County Fire Coordinators assisted. Firefighters were back in service at 9:35 p.m.
The Red Cross relies on the generosity of local donors to help families prepare, respond and recover from disasters in the Hudson Valley. Visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to donate to Disaster Relief and help people affected by disasters big and small.
Kinderhook
Shannon Reagan, 60, of Kinderhook was charged with second degree criminal trespass, a class A misdemeanor, by K9 Deputy Jason Garvey and Deputy Joseph Favorito April 27 at 5:03 p.m.
Mr. Reagan is accused of entering an Kinderhook apartment without permission from the individual residing there. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable in Kinderhook Town Court June 16.
*Ronald Boyles, Jr., 35, of Copake was charged with second degree criminal contempt, a class A misdemeanor, by Deputy Thomas Merante April 14 at 3:30 p.m.
Mr. Boyles is accused of violating an order of protection. He was arraigned in Columbia County Court and he will appear in Kinderhook Town Court at a later date.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:
*John Ford, 49, of Austerlitz was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated (DWI), a class U misdemeanor; failure to use designated lane and unsafe tires, both traffic infractions, by K9 Deputy Jason Garvey and Deputy Joseph Favorito, April 28 at 5:45 p.m.
Mr. Ford was stopped on State Route 9 in Stockport for traffic infractions. A breathalyzer test revealed a 0.24% blood alcohol content. He was issued tickets returnable in Stockport Court June 22.
*Austin Dandridge, 25, of Greenport was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fourth degree criminal diversion of a prescription medication, both class A misdemeanors, by Deputies Peter Merante and Joseph Bruno, April 25 at 1:30 a.m. Mr. Dandridge was stopped while operating a motor vehicle on State Route 66 in Greenport for an equipment violation. He was in possession of a quantity of liquid methadone, which was not prescribed to him. He was issued appearance tickets returnable in Greenport Court May 15.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.
Sheriff’s Office K9 Kira retires
GREENPORT—After serving the citizens of Columbia
County for 10 years, K9 Kira will retire from the Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff David P. Bartlett announced in a May 1 press release.
K9 Kira is a female German Shepherd from East Slovakia who was acquired through a grant from the New York State Department of Homeland Security in 2010. Since joining the Sheriff’s Office, Kira has received specialized training in explosives detection, patrol and tracking.
Deputy Travis VanAlstyne is Kira’s handler and partner. During the course of Kira’s career, she has tracked many missing and wanted persons, performed many explosive sweeps, and assisted many other agencies across the State of New York and Massachusetts.
In addition, K9 Kira has taken part in many community events and demonstrations throughout the county to educate the public on the role of a K9 in law enforcement.
Sheriff Bartlett reports that K9 Kira will be living with her family in retirement.
