Category Archives: Blotter

Police/Fire/Rescue/Courts Blotter

Red Cross steps in to help 14 after Livingston fire

by DIANE VALDEN

LIVINGSTON—At least 14 people were displaced as the result of a fire in a commercial space with attached apartments, February 14 at 10:45 p.m.

State Police responded with Livingston firefighters to the building at 1637 County Route 31 (Blue Hill Road) near State Route 9.

All residents were evacuated to safety with no reported injuries, according to a press release from State Police. Columbia County 911 reports that Northern Dutchess Paramedics and Columbia County EMS Greenport Rescue each transported one patient to Columbia Memorial Hospital. Read more…

State Police seek help finding suspect in German shepherd case

by DIANE VALDEN

GALLATIN—A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever was responsible for fatally shooting and disposing of the body of a two-year-old German shepherd named Duke.

State Police are investigating and seeking the public’s assistance.

The dead dog was found near the shoulder of Silvernails Road about a quarter mile from the Pine Plains border by a local resident, who reported the discovery to the dog warden, who then contacted the State Police after noticing a bullet wound on the animal. Read more…

Florida man wanted for abuse in Copake found in Wisconsin

by DIANE VALDEN

COPAKE—A Florida man was charged with first degree sexual abuse, January 27 at 1:45 p.m.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit began an investigation January 8 after receiving a report of alleged child abuse from Child Protective Services in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Senior Investigator Mark Dunspaugh, with the cooperation and assistance from Manitowoc Police Department detectives, determined that the alleged sexual abuse occurred in Copake during the summer of 2019 when the victim was less than 11-years-old, according to a press release from Sheriff David P. Bartlett.

Senior Investigator Dunspaugh and Deputy Andrew Horst arrested Xavier Canning, 22, on one count of first degree sexual abuse, a class D felony. Read more…

Woman walking on parkway fatally injured by car

by DIANE VALDEN

AUSTERLITZ—A pedestrian was struck and killed by a motor vehicle on the Taconic State Parkway, about a mile south of State Route 203, January 26 at 12:57 a.m.

Columbia County 911 dispatched Sheriff’s deputies, Austerlitz firefighters and the Chatham Rescue Squad to the scene near mile marker 97, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett.

Deputies found that a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, operated by Ernest Sigler, 30, of Ancram was traveling southbound when it struck a woman, who was walking north in the southbound lane of travel. The woman, Fiona Tobin, 25, of Albany died at the scene. Read more…

Jury convicts arsonist; attempted murderer pleads

by DIANE VALDEN

HUDSON—A Columbia County Jury convicted Barry Goldstein, 76, of Stockport of first degree insurance fraud and third degree arson, January 15, with Judge Richard M. Koweek presiding.

Mr. Goldstein committed the crimes in Stockport. He intentionally employed the assistance of another to set fire to his house in an attempt to fraudulently collect on an insurance policy of more than $1 million, according to a press release from Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka.

The judge will sentence Mr. Goldstein, March 13 at 1 p.m. Read more…