Category Archives: News

Read the latest local news from Columbia County and surrounding areas.

Towns meet with CMH about future of Rapid Care facility

by DIANE VALDEN

Is CMH’s Copake Rapid Care facility closed permanently? File photo

COPAKE—Town and state officials, local community groups and citizens worked hard to get the Columbia Memorial Health (CMH) Rapid Care health facility to come to town—now they want to make sure it stays.

At the May 11 Copake Town Board meeting, Supervisor Jeanne Mettler said in her monthly report that the CMH Rapid Care facility in Copake was closed—maybe forever. Subsequently, Ms. Mettler arranged a May 17 meeting with CMH officials including new CMH President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dorothy Urshel, two CMH board members, representatives from three Roe Jan area towns (Copake, Ancram and Hillsdale), the Community Rescue Squad, the Copake Fire Company and Copake Economic Development Advisory Committee (CEDAC) Chair Tom Goldsworthy, among others.

Ancram Councilperson Amy Gold, who attended, reported on the discussion at the May 18 Ancram Town Board meeting. She said the Copake Rapid Care Center faces financial and staffing problems. She said the doctor who was going to anchor the center died and CMH has not been able to fill the position.

Just before it closed, when it was still operating, she said the center could only open random hours and could not post its hours because it was never sure when it could be staffed.

She said financially the center breaks even at 6,400 visits per year and last year only 1,700 patients showed up, so CMH is subsidizing in excess of $200 to $250 per visit. Read more…

Philmont lined with hometown heroes

by STAFF

Lest we forget Hudson American Legion Post #184 in conjunction with Boy Scout Troop 102 (sponsored by the Legion for nearly a century), Hudson VFW Post #1314 and other supporters have placed or replaced 2,500 American flags on the graves of local U.S. veterans in time for Memorial Day ceremonies, Monday, May 29. Volunteers are shown here taking a break at the old Hudson City Cemetery. Photo contributed

PHILMONT—Village of Philmont Minkler-Seery Post 252, American Legion will remember those fallen veterans from all wars and conflicts, Monday, May 29.

The 76th annual parade will line up at 8:30 a.m. and the parade starts on upper Main Street at 9 a.m. The parade contains many more marchers this year. For the past two years the parade was shorted due to Covid- 19.

Surface Operations Limited Duty Officer Anne Macfarlane. Photo contributed

Leading the parade will be the Philmont Police, followed by the Minkler-Serry American Legion Post 252 Color Guard and Legion members. Taconic Hills combined band of Jr. High/High school members will supply the music. Also in the procession will be Town of Claverack and Village of Philmont elected officials, local Girl Scouts, Little Leaguers, Town of Claverack volunteer fire companies, High and Mighty Therapeutic Riding and Driving Center with some mini horses. Local veterans visit the stable for therapeutic physical, cognitive and emotional issues. The guest speaker will be Anne Macfarlane.

Born and raised in Philmont, Ms. Macfarlane is the daughter of John and Theresa Macfarlane. She enlisted in the Navy in July 1981 as an ocean systems technician analyst (OTA), attending bootcamp in Orlando, FL, and “A” school in Norfolk, VA. She rose through the ranks to chief petty officer before being commissioned a surface operations limited duty officer (LDO). Her service took her around the world to Iceland, Europe, Japan, and the Middle East to include duty as the combat information center officer aboard the U.S.S. John Young (DD 973) during a Middle East Force Deployment and the U.S. strategic commands representative to Central Command for Space during OEF/OIF. LCDR Macfarlane retired in February 2005 and is currently employed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in Chantilly, VA, where she is a project manager and chief systems engineer. Read more…

This day has special meaning for these widows

by DEBORAH E. LANS

HUDSON—For most of us, Memorial Day is a long weekend, the start of summer, a time to plant the tomatoes and the occasion for barbecues. For the widows of local veterans, it is the time when the nation as a whole acknowledges what veterans have done for all of us, a time when pride of service is shared.

The Columbia County Veterans Service Agency in Hudson formed the first-in-the-state widows group about one year ago. It has grown to 15 dedicated members, the widows of veterans who fought at various times, from the Korean War to the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Polly Crosby’s husband, Fred, enlisted in the Army at 17 during the Vietnam War. He became a bulldozer operator, building the roads traveled by infantrymen and vehicles, facing sniper fire and enduring exposure to Agent Orange—the effects of which he suffered later in life.

Polly’s father also served, in World War II. “Veterans are my utmost heroes. On Memorial Day the country joins in thanking them for their service.” Read more…

Moore retires, Franklin sworn in

by DAVID LEE

New Hudson Police Chief Mishanda Franklin (l) taking the oath of office on Monday. Photo by David Lee

HUDSON – There was a historic changing of the guard at the Hudson Central Fire Station on Monday, May 22, as Lieutenant Mishanda Franklin took the oath of office as the city’s new Chief of Police. As Police Commissioner Shane Bower pointed out in his introduction, Chief Franklin will be the first woman of color to hold the post.

This came as former Police Chief L. Edward Moore announced his retirement after 10 years in that office. Having accumulated over 42 years of service in law enforcement to his credit, Chief Moore was duly celebrated by public safety personnel of every stripe and vintage as he ceremonially walked out of the police station at 701 Union Street on Friday, May 19, for the last time as its chief. His family stood with him and he thanked all of those who came to celebrate the moment.

When Chief Franklin took the oath of office at a ceremony on Monday morning, following introductions by Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson and Commissioner Bower, she addressed the gathering, thanking the women in the Hudson Police Department and other public service organizations who had paved the way for her.

Chief Franklin has worked in law enforcement for 20 years, having been promoted through the ranks at HPD from officer to sergeant to lieutenant. She said, “As a lifetime resident here, I am committed to a better future that emphasizes public safety, police accountability, transparency, integrity and trustworthiness.” Read more…

Young dancers rise to the occasion no matter what the season

by DAVID LEE

The Hudson Valley Academy of Performing Arts held its annual spring recital on Sunday, May 7. The studio on Route 82 in West Taghkanic was filled with families of the young dancers who showed their skills. The pre-ballet children enacted the springtime appearance of flowers and butterflies. Ballet I demonstrated class exercises and beginning positions and advanced ballet showed their appropriately advanced class exercises as well as a pointe demonstration. This was followed by specially prepared pieces by classes and individuals. Photo by David Lee