Former Hudson Valley Fire Chief Dies From 9/11 Related Illness Former Hudson Valley Fire Chief Dies From 9/11 Related Illness
Former Hudson Valley Fire Chief Dies From 9/11 Related Illness The Rockland County community is mourning the loss of a former Fire Chief and longtime FDNY firefighter who died after a long battle with a World Trade Center–related illness. Orangeburg resident Pieter Grosbeck, an ex-chief and life member of the Blauvelt Volunteer Fire Company, died on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the age of 63, according to his obituary.  The Blauvelt Volunteer Fire Company announced his death on Wednesday, Dec. 10, saying Grosbeck died at the Joe Raso Hospice.  Grosbeck served the department for 46 years and was an active member at the time of his death, serving o…
NY Teen’s Killing Spurs Memorial Tree, Annual Dance Sponsorship: ‘More Than A Tragic Statistic' NY Teen’s Killing Spurs Memorial Tree, Annual Dance Sponsorship: ‘More Than A Tragic Statistic'
NY Teen’s Killing Spurs Memorial Tree, Annual Dance Sponsorship: ‘More Than A Tragic Statistic' A national youth advocacy foundation is honoring the life and legacy of 18-year-old Emily Finn with a permanent memorial and a new annual sponsorship for aspiring dancers, weeks after the Long Island college freshman was killed in what prosecutors called an execution-style shooting. The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation — also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids — announced the expanded tribute this week, describing it as a way to turn grief into meaningful action in Finn’s name. As part of its national Trees for Peace initiative, the foundation will plant a memorial tree for Finn in t…
Newlywed, ‘Devoted’ Volunteer Suffered Emergency Before Fatal Crash Into NY Storefront Newlywed, ‘Devoted’ Volunteer Suffered Emergency Before Fatal Crash Into NY Storefront
Newlywed, ‘Devoted’ Volunteer Suffered Emergency Before Fatal Crash Into NY Storefront Loved ones are revealing new details about a Long Island man who was killed in a high-speed car crash into a vacant storefront. Scott Letizia, 42, of Patchogue, died Tuesday evening, Dec. 2, at NYU Langone Hospital–Suffolk, one day after the early-morning crash, as Daily Voice reported. Letizia was driving a Honda Accord when it blew through the intersection of North Ocean Avenue and Main Street around 5:40 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, and slammed into a commercial building, Suffolk County Police said.  No other vehicles were involved, and nobody else was injured. The commercial space was va…
NY Village Trustee, Fire Commissioner, Barber Dies At 66: 'Respected Pillar' NY Village Trustee, Fire Commissioner, Barber Dies At 66: 'Respected Pillar'
NY Village Trustee, Fire Commissioner, Barber Dies At 66: 'Respected Pillar' A Rockland County village is mourning the loss of a deeply respected village trustee, Fire Commissioner, and barber.  Rafael A. “Rafaelito” Bueno Sr. of Haverstraw died peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the age of 66, according to his obituary.  Bueno, who immigrated from the Dominican Republic as a young man, built a life defined by service, mentorship, and community devotion.  He was first elected a Haverstraw Village Trustee in 2003, serving under former Mayor Francis “Bud” Wassmer and current Mayor Michael F. Kohut. During that time, he also served as Fire Com…
Community Mourns Beloved “Farmer John,” Heart of Augustine’s Farm For Generations Community Mourns Beloved “Farmer John,” Heart of Augustine’s Farm For Generations
Community Mourns Beloved “Farmer John,” Heart of Augustine’s Farm For Generations Greenwich is mourning the loss of its beloved "Farmer John." John Augustin of Augustine’s Farm died after a fall the day before Thanksgiving, the farm said in a Monday, Dec. 1, Facebook post. He was 81.  John Augustin and his wife, Kathy, had run the Greenwich farm since taking it over from John's parents in 1952. The couple grew pumpkins, corn, and Christmas trees and tended to their chickens and the wild animals that could always find a good meal at the King Street farm.  The couple's seasonal farm stand was a major draw for people across the region, both for the produce and…
CT Grandfather Killed In NY Hunting Cabin Shooting Remembered For Big Laugh, Bigger Heart CT Grandfather Killed In NY Hunting Cabin Shooting Remembered For Big Laugh, Bigger Heart
CT Grandfather Killed In NY Hunting Cabin Shooting Remembered For Big Laugh, Bigger Heart The Connecticut grandfather, 70, who was shot dead along with his brother in a New York hunting cabin, is being remembered for his big laugh and sharp sense of humor. Mark D. Thompson, of Canterbury, was shot to death on Nov. 23 in the tiny town of Allen, New York, about an hour south of Rochester. Thompson was on a hunting trip with his brothers, David E. Thompson, 69, of Port Charlotte, Florida, and their younger brother, Scot D. Thompson, 65, of Englewood, Florida. Police say the youngest brother shot the older two before driving off in one of their vehicles. He was captured soon after a…
Well-Known Hudson Valley Farming Icon Dies: 'Friend To Many' Well-Known Hudson Valley Farming Icon Dies: 'Friend To Many'
Well-Known Hudson Valley Farming Icon Dies: 'Friend To Many' The Hudson Valley farming community is mourning the loss of a longtime farm owner who spent his life doing what he loved.  Carl “Rick” Vreeland, the longtime owner of Freedom Hill Farm in Otisville, died on Friday, Nov. 28, at the age of 72, according to his obituary.  The announcement was made by the farm, located at 115 Grange Rd., which said it was heartbroken to share the news and expressed condolences to his family.  Vreeland, 72, was a lifelong Orange County resident and a well-known figure in local agriculture. According to his obituary, he was born in Middletown…
Cause Of Death Released For Hollywood Star Diane Ladd, Mother Of Actress Laura Dern Cause Of Death Released For Hollywood Star Diane Ladd, Mother Of Actress Laura Dern
Cause Of Death Released For Hollywood Star Diane Ladd, Mother Of Actress Laura Dern A cause of death has now been released for Diane Ladd, the Oscar-nominated actress and mother of Laura Dern, who died earlier this month at age 89. According to a death certificate obtained by People, Ladd died of acute on chronic hypoxic respiratory failure on Mon., Nov. 3. She was cremated a week later, on Mon., Nov. 10, the outlet reported. Ladd’s career spanned more than seven decades, earning her acclaim for roles in both film and television.  Earlier report: Acclaimed Hollywood Star Diane Ladd Dies She received three Oscar nominations, including for her performance as Fl…
Remains Of Man Missing Since 2004 Pulled From CT Lake Remains Of Man Missing Since 2004 Pulled From CT Lake
Remains Of Man Missing Since 2004 Pulled From CT Lake Connecticut detectives, working with a state anthropologist, have identified the remains of a man found in a lake last month as a man who went missing in 2004, authorities said.  Connecticut State Police were called to Mansfield Hollow Lake on Oct. 5 after someone spotted human remains floating on the surface.  After a month of investigation and DNA testing, police have identified those remains as Robert Cavanaugh, who had been missing since Christmas Eve 2004. Police said they believe he left a suicide note at his home before leaving.  He was 51 when he disappeared.&nb…
Hudson Valley Dad, 35, Dies Suddenly; Community Rallies Around Widow, 2 Kids Hudson Valley Dad, 35, Dies Suddenly; Community Rallies Around Widow, 2 Kids
Hudson Valley Dad, 35, Dies Suddenly; Community Rallies Around Widow, 2 Kids Support is pouring in for the heartbroken widow and two children of a Hudson Valley man who died unexpectedly. Westchester's Hernan Kenny, of Pelham Manor, died Monday, Nov. 10, at Jacobi Hospital at the age of 35, according to his obituary. A cause of death was not given. Born in Santiago, Chile, Kenny was a longtime Westchester resident who leaves behind a wife and two young sons “who were the center of his world,” his memorial said. He graduated from Pelham Memorial High School, where he played football and lacrosse. He later earned a finance degree from Fordham University’s Gabelli Sch…
Teen Killed In Car Fire Was ‘Good-Hearted Guy’ Building First Corvette In Region: Friends Teen Killed In Car Fire Was ‘Good-Hearted Guy’ Building First Corvette In Region: Friends
Teen Killed In Car Fire Was ‘Good-Hearted Guy’ Building First Corvette In Region: Friends A young Rensselaer County man who died when the car he was working on erupted in flames is being remembered by family and friends as a good-hearted car enthusiast. North Greenbush Police identified 19-year-old Jason Cupp Thursday, Nov. 13, days after he was killed in a vehicle fire on Judd Lane in Wynantskill, as Daily Voice reported. The fire broke out shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in a residential driveway, where a passerby discovered a vehicle fully engulfed and attempted to put out the flames with a garden hose, police said. The passerby then realized someone was trapped benea…
Sister Pleads For Justice After Brother's Murder On Quiet NY Street: 'Showed Up For Anyone' Sister Pleads For Justice After Brother's Murder On Quiet NY Street: 'Showed Up For Anyone'
Sister Pleads For Justice After Brother's Murder On Quiet NY Street: 'Showed Up For Anyone' Grief is turning to anger for a Long Island family in the wake of a man’s murder on a quiet Stony Brook street. Christopher Millwater, 52, of Selden, was found fatally injured along Shore Road, near the Stony Brook Yacht Club, around 3:40 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, Suffolk County Police said. UPDATE: A suspect has been arrested. Click here for our updated article.  He was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, as Daily Voice reported. His death was quickly ruled a homicide. No suspects had been arrested as of Wednesday, Nov. 12, and investigators did not sp…