Category Archives: Blotter

Police/Fire/Rescue/Courts Blotter

Police arrest Ghent man for machete threat

by DIANE VALDEN

GHENT—A Ghent man has been charged for allegedly threatening his neighbor with a machete.

State Police from the Livingston barracks arrested Albert J. Dalton, 52, of Ghent for third degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony, and second degree menacing, a class A misdemeanor, January 9.

On that date, troopers went to an address in Ghent for a 911 call reporting a man armed with a machete who was threatening a neighbor. Mr. Dalton was found allegedly in possession of the machete, and was taken into custody without incident. Read more…

Alleged knife threat leads to misdemeanor charge

by DIANE VALDEN

GREENPORT—Bruce Hotaling, Jr., 42, of Greenport was charged with third degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony, and second degree menacing, a class A misdemeanor, by State Police from the Livingston barracks, December 27 at 8 p.m.

Columbia County 911 dispatched troopers to a domestic disturbance involving a suspect armed with a knife on Joslen Boulevard. An investigation determined that Mr. Hotaling, during the course of the domestic dispute, used a knife to threaten the victim’s life.

He was arraigned in Claverack Court and released on his own recognizance to appear in Greenport Court at a later date. Read more…

Students escape injury when car strikes stopped TH bus

by DIANE VALDEN

The driver of a car was hurt when his vehicle crashed into the rear of a stopped school bus on Route 22, Copake, January 2. Photo by Lance Wheeler

COPAKE—The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accident involving a school bus on State Route 22, just south of Lackawanna Road, January 2 at 7:28 a.m.

No students were hurt.

Columbia County 911 dispatched deputies to the two-vehicle personal injury accident, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett. Read more…

Teen driver seriously injured in Route 23 crash

by DIANE VALDEN

Sheriff’s Office personnel investigated a two-vehicle crash in Claverack. A teenager was trapped when her vehicle rolled over into the woods. Photo contributed

CLAVERACK—A Copake teenager was seriously hurt in a two- vehicle crash at 1076 Route 23, December 14 at 7:41 a.m.

Columbia County 911 dispatched Sheriff’s deputies to the crash scene. Deputies determined that a 1996 Buick operated by Jessica Spencer, 17, of Copake, who was trying to turn around, pulled into the path of a 2011 Ford SUV operated by Amanda Baird of Hillsdale, who was headed west on state Route 23.

The collision caused the Spencer vehicle to leave the highway and roll over, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett. Read more…

Father, son charged in Greenport home invasion

by DIANE VALDEN

GREENPORT—A father and son were arrested in connection with a home invasion at a State Route 9G residence, December 8.

Clarence Scott, 52, of Philmont and Chad M. Scott, 24, of Copake were charged with first degree burglary, a class B felony, by State Police from the Livingston barracks.

Columbia County 911 called troopers to State Route 9G residence for a reported fight, December 8 at 4:45 p.m. Troopers and investigators from Livingston responded. An investigation revealed that Clarence Scott and Chad Scott allegedly forcibly entered the residence and assaulted a male victim. The Scotts and the victim knew each other. Read more…