GALLATIN—State Police from the Livingston barracks arrested Pedro Garcia Sanchez, 35, of Pine Plains for first degree sexual abuse, a class D felony; endangering the welfare of a child and forcible touching, both class A misdemeanors, June 18.

After receiving a tip, an investigation that began in March discovered that Mr. Garcia Sanchez allegedly sexually abused a victim under the age of 11.

He was arraigned before Justice Fred Schultz in Gallatin Court, who sent him to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 secure bond. Read more…

No firefighters or cows were injured during a barn fire at Wil-Roc Farm in Stuyvesant, June 7. Photo by Lance Wheeler

STUYVESANT—Firefighters from 15 companies responded to a blaze that destroyed an equipment barn at Wil-Roc Farm, a Columbia County dairy farm, June 7.

The fire started in a “sorting bin” in the barn and remains under investigation.

Columbia County 911 dispatched Stuyvesant Falls firefighters and Valatie Rescue to the barn fire at 550 County Route 26A at 2:55 p.m. that day. The afternoon was hot and sticky. Read more…

CLAVERACK—State Police from the Livingston barracks arrested Christopher W. McCaul, 40, of Claverack for first degree burglary, a class B felony; first degree attempted rape, a class C felony; second degree assault, a class D felony; third degree criminal mischief, a class E felony; forcible touching, criminal obstruction of an airway, fourth degree criminal mischief (preventing an emergency call) and resisting arrest, all class A misdemeanors, May 23.

At 11:35 p.m. May 22, Columbia County 911 dispatched troopers to a residence on State Route 217 in Claverack for a possible burglary.

Troopers and Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene to find Mr. McCaul allegedly attempting to rape the victim. After a brief struggle he was taken into custody. Read more…