Category Archives: Blotter

Police/Fire/Rescue/Courts Blotter

State Police check child seats for safety today

by STAFF

The New York State Police will be hosting a child passenger safety seat event Monday, May 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. at SP Livingston, 3353 Route 9, Hudson, NY 12534.

Child safety seat technicians will be on hand to assist with the installation of child safety seats and answer any questions. An appointment is preferred, contact Sergeant Anderson at 845-677-7331 or via email at for more information.

DA’s office clarifies charges in Elizaville murder case

HUDSON—In last week’s May 11 press release from the District Attorney’s Office about the couple who allegedly murdered Edward Kessler, 64, in their Elizaville home, some of the charges listed were incorrect. Here is the corrected release:

Cassandra Fischer, 30, and Ryan Woods, 29, both of Elizaville, were arraigned on a Columbia County Grand Jury indictment in Columbia County Court May 11. Read more…

Kinderhook man arrested for alleged sexual assault of minor

by DIANE VALDEN

STUYVESANT—State Police in conjunction with the Columbia County Child Advocacy Center arrested Misael Chun Pastor, 36, of Kinderhook for first degree predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A-II felony; five counts of first degree rape; first degree sexual conduct against a child, all B felonies, and first degree sexual abuse, a class D felony, May 5.

After receiving a tip May 4, an investigation determined Mr. Chun Pastor allegedly sexually assaulted a child under the age of 13-years-old on multiple occasions.

State Police personnel began searching for him the night of May 4 in the Kinderhook and Chatham areas. He was subsequently located and arrested early May 5. Read more…

Valatie man arrested for sexual assault of a minor

by DIANE VALDEN

VALATIE—State Police in conjunction with the Columbia County Child Advocacy Center arrested Ruben Martinez Cruz, 32, of Valatie for first degree criminal sexual act, a class B felony, April 22.

Subsequent to a tip, investigators from SP Livingston and the Columbia County Child Advocacy Center determined Mr. Martinez Cruz allegedly sexually assaulted a victim under the age of 11-years-old.

He was arraigned in Kinderhook Village Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail or bond. He is next scheduled to appear before the court May 17.

Kinderhook

Two drivers were taken to the hospital following a three vehicle collision involving a Chatham School District bus at the intersection of Route 203 and Novak Road, April 25 at 1:21 p.m. Read more…

State police arrest Rensselaer man in sexual abuse case

by DIANE VALDEN

NEW LEBANON—State Police in New Lebanon in conjunction with the Columbia County Child Advocacy Center arrested Patrick Williams-Batchelder, 22, of Rensselaer for first degree sexual abuse, class D felony, April 15.

Following a tip, a law enforcement investigation determined Mr. Williams-Batchelder allegedly sexually abused a victim under the age of 11-years-old.

He was arraigned in Claverack Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.

Philmont

Volunteers from the Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to four people after fire extensively damaged a two-story multi-family residential building at 144 Main Street, Sunday, April 17 at 4:42 p.m. Read more…

Missing man found by DEC officer

by DIANE VALDEN

CHATHAM—State Department of Environmental Conservation Officer Jeffrey Cox found a missing man, April 3.

ECO Cox responded to the Town of Chatham to assist the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office with a reported missing elderly man.

The man took a walk with his dog and after an hour and a half, the dog came back alone, prompting the man’s wife to call 911, according to a press release from the DEC. Read more…