Hudson Valley Veteran Lies About Earning Purple Heart To Defraud Gov't, Charity Donors: Feds Hudson Valley Veteran Lies About Earning Purple Heart To Defraud Gov't, Charity Donors: Feds
Hudson Valley Veteran Lies About Earning Purple Heart To Defraud Gov't, Charity Donors: Feds An Army veteran from New York is accused of lying about earning one of the nation's highest military honors in order to rake in six figures from the government and donors to her charity. Orange County resident Sharon Toney-Finch, of Newburgh, was arrested by the FBI’s White Collar Crime Task Force on Wednesday, May 1, following a two-year investigation. According to federal prosecutors, Toney-Finch falsely claimed that she suffered combat-related injuries during a mortar attack and a separate vehicle rollover while serving in Iraq in 2010. Those claims reportedly led to her receiving hundr…
Former Brewster Police Officer Sentenced For Extorting Prostitution Rings For Sex Former Brewster Police Officer Sentenced For Extorting Prostitution Rings For Sex
Former Brewster Police Officer Sentenced For Extorting Prostitution Rings For Sex A former Hudson Valley police officer will spend time in prison for protecting prostitution businesses from law enforcement activity in exchange for free sexual services, federal officials announced. Ulster County resident Wayne Peiffer of Highland, a former officer in Putnam County who worked for the Village of Brewster Police Department, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for protecting two Queens-based prostitution rings, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York announced on Thursday, May 2.  According to federal officials, between 2010 and October 2018, …
Traffic Nightmare: Damaged Bridge To Be Demolished After I-95 Crash, Causing Days-Long Closure Traffic Nightmare: Damaged Bridge To Be Demolished After I-95 Crash, Causing Days-Long Closure
Traffic Nightmare: Damaged Bridge To Be Demolished After I-95 Crash, Causing Days-Long Closure This story has been updated. A closure in both directions on I-95 in Connecticut caused by an early morning crash and fire involving a tanker with thousands of gallons of gas will last for several days as a damaged overpass is removed, authorities have now announced. New Update - Watch Live - Work In Progress: Crews Repair Fire-Damaged I-95 Stretch The incident happened at the outset of the morning commute on Thursday, May 2 in Norwalk near exits 14 and 15. "Extensive damage occurred to the Fairfield Avenue overpass bridge," according to the Norwalk Fire Department. The Connecticut Dep…
Weight Loss Drugs Illegally Purchased On Social Media Sickens Hudson Valley Woman, Feds Say Weight Loss Drugs Illegally Purchased On Social Media Sickens Hudson Valley Woman, Feds Say
Weight Loss Drugs Illegally Purchased On Social Media Sickens Hudson Valley Woman, Feds Say A wannabe social media influencer from New York hoping to cash in on the medication weight loss craze illegally sold Ozempic and other drugs on TikTok, sickening at least one victim, federal prosecutors allege. Long Island resident Isis Navarro Reyes, age 36, of Shirley, is named in a six-count indictment that was unsealed in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, May 1. Prosecutors allege that Reyes posted dozens of TikTok videos advertising and selling various misbranded and adulterated weight loss drugs, including Ozempic, Mesofrance, and Axcion, between November 2022 and January 2024. S…
Public Radio 'Legend' Karen DeWitt Signing Off After 34 Years: ‘It’s Time To Go’ Public Radio 'Legend' Karen DeWitt Signing Off After 34 Years: ‘It’s Time To Go’
Public Radio 'Legend' Karen DeWitt Signing Off After 34 Years: ‘It’s Time To Go’ After more than three decades of covering New York State government and politics, public radio journalist Karen DeWitt is signing off. The longtime Capitol Bureau chief for the New York Public News Network will file her last story on Friday, June 21, she announced on X Tuesday, April 30. “Finally, I get to use this phrase: ‘Some personal news,’” DeWitt said. “It’s been a fabulous ride, but it’s time to go.” Since 1990, DeWitt has informed listeners on Albany affairs via the network's dozen public radio stations across the state, including WAMC in Albany, WLIW on Long Island, and WNYC in N…
These Hudson Valley Hospitals Get 'A' Grade For Patient Safety: New Report These Hudson Valley Hospitals Get 'A' Grade For Patient Safety: New Report
These Hudson Valley Hospitals Get 'A' Grade For Patient Safety: New Report Two Westchester hospitals have received top marks for keeping patients safe, according to a new report.  Both White Plains Hospital and Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco were given an "A" grade for patient safety in a new Spring 2024 report by the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog organization that advocates for safety in hospitals.  The new report grades nearly 3,000 hospitals across the country based on how well they protect patients from preventable medical errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, according to the group. The report is issued twic…
Mega Millions Player Wins $1 Million At Popular Hudson Valley Store Mega Millions Player Wins $1 Million At Popular Hudson Valley Store
Mega Millions Player Wins $1 Million At Popular Hudson Valley Store A Mega Millions player walked away with a cool $1 million cash after winning the second-place prize on a ticket purchased at a lucky Hudson Valley store. The winner picked all five numbers -- 10-18-27-37-61 and a Powerball of 5 -- but failed to pick the Powerball to win the large haul of cash for the Tuesday, April 30 game, said New York Lottery officials. The ticket was purchased in Orange County at the Smokes 4 Less store on Plank Road in Newburgh. No word yet on who the winner is. The winning numbers for the Mega Millions game are drawn from a field of one to 70, and the Mega Ball is d…
Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme: Goldens Bridge Man, Fellow Former Exec Sentenced Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme: Goldens Bridge Man, Fellow Former Exec Sentenced
Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme: Goldens Bridge Man, Fellow Former Exec Sentenced Two former high-ranking executives have been sentenced for stealing millions of dollars from their employer in Westchester County through a fraudulent scheme involving sham companies and fake invoices. The two worked at OrthoNet, a healthcare claims processing company based in White Plains. Shawn Rains, age 57, of Le Bouscat, France, who was previously convicted of mail fraud conspiracy, mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy after a two-week trial, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Northern Westchester resident Joseph Maharaj, age 42, of Goldens Bridge, had pl…
'Every Parent's Worst Fear': Hit-Run Leaves UAlbany Freshman With Brain Swelling, Broken Bones 'Every Parent's Worst Fear': Hit-Run Leaves UAlbany Freshman With Brain Swelling, Broken Bones
'Every Parent's Worst Fear': Hit-Run Leaves UAlbany Freshman With Brain Swelling, Broken Bones A University at Albany student remains hospitalized with serious injuries after she was struck by a hit-and-run driver on a dirt bike. Long Island resident Alexa Kropf, age 18, of Floral Park, was hit at around midnight Saturday, April 27, while walking along Hudson Avenue, just blocks from the UAlbany campus. When officers arrived, they found the freshman lying in the roadway with a serious head injury and a broken leg, according to Albany Police. Witnesses told investigators that Kropf was struck by a man who was driving an illegal dirt bike at a high rate of speed while weaving and ou…
Brothers Found Guilty In Killing Of Man Found Dead In Hudson Valley Driveway Brothers Found Guilty In Killing Of Man Found Dead In Hudson Valley Driveway
Brothers Found Guilty In Killing Of Man Found Dead In Hudson Valley Driveway Two brothers have been found guilty of killing a man found lying dead in his driveway in the region. Orange County resident Junando Dawkins, age 30, of Newburgh, and his brother, Juwaugh Dawkins, age 34, of Jacksonville, Florida, were convicted on Monday, April 29, in Ulster County Court of murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. According to the Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji, in January 2023, a homicide investigation was conducted by the New York State Police into the death of Daniel Spotards, a 41-year-old father of two, whose body was found at t…
Hudson Valley Man Headed To Prison, Admits Rape Of Child, DA Says Hudson Valley Man Headed To Prison, Admits Rape Of Child, DA Says
Hudson Valley Man Headed To Prison, Admits Rape Of Child, DA Says A Hudson Valley man is headed for prison after pleading guilty to rape of a child under the age of 13. Orange County resident Liborio Nieto, age 28, of Middletown, was sentenced on Monday, April 29, to 10 years in prison and 10 years post-release supervision. He will also be registered as a sex offender. According to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, Nieto admitted to the rape of a child under the age of 13. Hoovler thanked the Orange County Child Abuse Investigation Unit for their investigation and the arrest of Nieto. “The sexual abuse of a child is always an intolerab…
Severed Remains: 2 Charged With Murdering Hudson Valley Couple As Gruesome Details Revealed Severed Remains: 2 Charged With Murdering Hudson Valley Couple As Gruesome Details Revealed
Severed Remains: 2 Charged With Murdering Hudson Valley Couple As Gruesome Details Revealed Months after the mutilated remains of a Hudson Valley couple were found strewn across Long Island, prosecutors have charged two suspects with their murders. Jeffrey Mackey, age 36, and Alexis Nieves, age 33, both of Amityville, were arraigned on additional charges of murder and related offenses in Suffolk County Court on Friday, April 26 in the killings of Malcolm Brown and Donna Conneely. Prosecutors said the couple was stabbed to death after entering Mackey and Nieves’ Amityville residence on Railroad Avenue on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Earlier Report: Dismembering Dead Body Would Be Fel…