TAGHKANIC—State Police began investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash on the Taconic State Parkway and Post Hill Road in Taghkanic, November 2 at 3:55 p.m.

The initial investigation determined Craig A. McNulty, 59, of Troy was traveling northbound on the Taconic State Parkway operating a 2018 BMW motorcycle and he was struck by an eastbound Taconic Hills Central School District-owned 2019 Chevrolet Traverse student transport vehicle. The SUV was operated by Christine M. Costa, 60, of Claverack crossing the northbound lanes from Post Hill Road.

Mr. McNulty was taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Ms. Costa was taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The school vehicle also contained three student passengers who were all uninjured. This investigation remains ongoing.

Hudson

In a November 1 Facebook post, Hudson City Police alerted residents that they had recently received four reports of catalytic converter thefts from vehicles.

The vehicles were parked at West Court Street, the John L. Edwards parking lot off State Street, Worth Avenue and Green Street. It only takes thieves a minute or two to saw the converters off. Police asked residents to be vigilant and report anything that appears suspicious. A link was provided to an informative video describing this nationwide rash of thefts:

According to Police Chief L. Edward Moore, in the post, “Three of the four cars involved were Honda Elements. Thieves target vehicles with higher ground clearance. Also, Hondas have a more accessible converter. It’s easier to get under with the tools to remove your converter.”

To contact Diane Valden email

Funds help rural fire depts. buy wildfire equipment

ALBANY—The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is accepting applications for nearly $640,000 in Volunteer Fire Assistance grant funding to help rural fire departments protect public safety and natural resources. The deadline for applications is November 15.

“DEC’s Forest Rangers work closely with volunteer fire departments to battle wildfires, and this grant program is a great way to help fire personnel across the state. These grants bolster local capacity to fight wildland fires, protecting property and communities,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in a press release.

The Volunteer Fire Assistance grant program is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and administered by DEC Forest Rangers. Fire departments will receive 50/50 matching funds up to $1,500. Last year, the program provided $1,500 grants to 412 fire departments.

Only expenses directly related to wildfire suppression efforts are eligible for funding. These include the purchase of portable pumps, portable backpack pumps, hand tools, hoses, approved lightweight fire-resistant clothing, hard hats, turnout gear, portable radios, generators and dry hydrants. Expenditures not directly related to firefighting, such as search and rescue, acquisition of land, construction of buildings and facilities, major apparatus purchases, and maintenance items are not eligible for funding.

Eligible fire departments include: those that serve a single town with a population under 10,000; those that serve multiple communities, one of which is a rural town of less than 10,000 residents; and fire departments in towns with a population of 10,000 or more that meet the application requirements. Fire departments that receive a grant award must complete all required grant paperwork.

For applications and additional information about the grant program, contact DEC at 518-402-8839; write to NYSDEC, Division of Forest Protection, 625 Broadway 3rd Floor, Albany 12233-2560; or visit the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2364.html.

Test smoke alarms to help stay safe from home fires

GHENT—Those who did not already do it last weekend are encouraged by the American Red Cross to test their smoke alarms to help stay safe from home fires.

Seven people lose their lives to home fires every day in U.S.

“Home fires claim more lives in a typical year than all natural disasters combined, but working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. The sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get out. Test your smoke alarms to help prevent a tragedy in your home,” Red Cross Regional CEO, Eastern New York Region Kevin Coffey said in a press release.

Over the past 12 months, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help 1,350 families affected by more than 700 home fires, which account for most of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.

Test smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to create and practice with your family, or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores.

The Red Cross recommends that residents:

*Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas

*Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older Components such as sensors can become less sensitive over time. Follow the alarm’s manufacturer instructions

*Practice a two-minute home fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in the household can get out in less than two minutes—the amount of time someone may have to escape a burning home before it’s too late.

*Include at least two ways to get out of every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from the home, such as a neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in the front yard, where everyone can meet.

For those who cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact the Eastern New York region by calling 518-694-5121 or email .

Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign with community partners has saved at least 1,414 lives—including 26 in Eastern New York—by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing more than 2.4 million free smoke alarms in high-risk neighborhoods across the country. Visit redcross.org/homefires for more information.