LIVINGSTON—State Police began investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash on State Route 9 in the Town of Livingston, February 10.

At 2:50 p.m., troopers were dispatched to State Route 9 and County Route 8 for a vehicle off the road. An investigation determined the 2012 Nissan Titan, operated by Thomas F. Jahoda, 59, of Germantown left the roadway. It struck a gravel pile and then a tree near the Xtra Mart/Citgo gas station.

Northern Dutchess Paramedics took Mr. Jahoda to Columbia Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. An obituary for Mr. Jahoda appears on page 15 of this issue.

Hudson

Hudson City Police arrested Jamel Brandow, 40, of Hudson, February 7 on an active bench warrant out of Columbia County Court for failure to appear in court December 15, 2021.

Mr. Brandow was indicted June 19, 2019 in Columbia County. He was charged with four counts of first degree felony rape for allegedly having intercourse with person less than 11 years old.

When Mr. Brandow failed to appear for court Columbia County Court Judge Richard M. Koweek issued a bench warrant for his arrest. His whereabouts were unknown.

The Hudson Police’s Detective Bureau has been attempting to locate Mr. Brandow since the warrant was issued. Detectives were able to track him down in the Utica area. Assistance was requested from the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Task Force and Utica PD. Working together, members of the agencies found Mr. Brandow and ultimately took him into custody. He was held at the Utica Police Department and later turned over to HPD detectives.

Mr. Brandow was arraigned by Judge Koweek and sent to the Columbia County Jail with no bail. He was to return to court at a later date. An additional temporary order of protection was issued to the victims.

Mr. Brandow also currently has an outstanding bench warrant in the Town of Greenport, where he failed to appear in court for third degree robbery, a class D felony, February 14, 2022. He is alleged to have robbed a Greenport convenience store.

“Detective Sgt Jason Finn and Detective Nicolas Pierro scoured social media, obtained a warrant, and located the computer address that Brandow was using. When they tracked him to a shelter in Utica, they wisely solicited the help from the U.S. Marshals and Utica police. It was a great piece of police work,” Hudson Police Chief L. Edward Moore said in a press release.

*At 11:23 a.m. February 9, the Columbia County 911 Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a possible weapon on school grounds at the Donald R. Kline Technical School (Questar III VOTEC), 131 Union Turnpike. Multiple law enforcement agencies immediately reported to the scene, including the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, State Police, and Greenport Police. The school was immediately placed on lockdown per the school’s safety procedures, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office.

The Ichabod Crane Central School District and Hudson City School District also commenced lockout protocols and put out updates on their school websites.

An investigation was initiated by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with the other law enforcement agencies. All persons involved in the incident were interviewed and it was determined that there was no credible threat. It was also determined that there was not a weapon at school. At 1:56 p.m. the lockdown was lifted, and the technical school began to dismiss students back to their home school districts. Hudson and ICC school activities resumed as normal and dismissal proceeded on-time for all students, including Questar III VOTEC.

New Lebanon

A husband and wife lost their home to fire, February 11.

Columbia County 911 dispatched the Lebanon Valley Task Force and Chatham Rescue at 11:05 a.m. for a reported house fire at 897 Route 20 near Mill Road in the Town of New Lebanon. The fire was located just west and across from Smitty’s Pub and Pizza.

Firefighters from Lebanon Valley, East Chatham, Canaan, Red Rock, Nassau, Tsatsawassa and Richmond were on the scene along with the Columbia County Fire Coordinators Office, Columbia County Cause and Origin Team and State Police.

New York State Electric and Gas and the Town of New Lebanon building inspector were also called in. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Firefighters were back in service at 4:49 p.m.

Volunteers from the Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to two people after the fire.

The Red Cross provided financial assistance which can be used for necessities such as shelter, food, and clothing to two adults. Volunteers also offered emotional support and health services. 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.

Donations for the Bruce and Josie Bates family can be dropped off at Smitty’s Pub & Pizza at 882 Route 20, when it is open.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family at: www.gofundme.com/f/bates-house-fire?

To contact Diane Valden email

State Police list Troop K activity

LIVINGSTON—State Police Troop K weekly activity January 30 to February 5 was as follows:

*Arrests—18 felony, 43 misdemeanor, 3 violations

*28 DWI arrests

*Crash investigations—88 property damage, 19 personal injury, 0 fatalities

*1,812 vehicle and traffic tickets issued

*1,057 total calls for service.