New York State Police are desperately seeking help finding a man who allegedly committed larceny at a Wappingers Falls a photo was circulated of a man who police say stole items from a Hudson Valley grocery store before fleeing the scene The images show a man who appears to be in his late 20s or 30s with a beard and mustache The suspect was wearing dark clothing with a hat and hood while pushing a cart that appeared to be filled with two bags of groceries and a case of bottled water Troopers were dispatched from the Wappingers Falls barracks to the Hannaford Supermarket on Route 9 to respond to a call of a man who allegedly stole the items before leaving the scene Police say the man pictured in the photo from surveillance footage left the store without paying for his merchandise the man left the scene in what witnesses say was a white Hyundai It appears that the investigation has hit a dead end so police have turned to social media to see if anyone can identify the individual they believe is responsible for the theft If you have any information that can assist in the location of the suspect state police are asking you to call them at (845) 677-7300 and refer to case number NY2500337631 New York State Police are desperately seeking help finding a man who allegedly committed larceny at a Wappingers Falls, New York grocery store.\nRead More We are now accepting applications for the NYS Trooper Entrance Exam! Please visit joinstatepolice.ny.gov to learn more New York State Police in Wappingers arrested a Wappinger Falls man for domestic abuse.   Troopers responded to a residence in the Town of Wappinger for a report of a domestic dispute involving a knife struck the victim in the face and then grabbed a knife lunging towards the victim’s neck and head The victim ultimately was able to gain control of the knife but sustained severe lacerations to her hands.   Quiles was arrested on scene and has been charged with the following: Quiles was remanded to Dutchess County Jail.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 23 Kevin Huber has retained his seat as Village of Wappingers Falls mayor A state supreme court justice ruled election law was not violated in the Village of Wappingers Falls 2025 mayoral election and recounted votes by the Dutchess County Board of Elections would be honored who ran as a Democrat in the March 18 election — he has previously run as a Democrat and Republican — faced Republican Jennifer Niznik and Charles Ferry the race was handed over to the board for a recount Village officials have confirmed Huber received the most votes The Dutchess County Board of Elections has not responded to repeated requests for comment Niznik had accused Village of Wappingers Falls Clerk John Karge of conducting an unauthorized recount and not turning over all election materials to the board of elections She further accused the village of failing to verify voters' identities through signature comparison Acker ruled on Monday that the election materials had been properly turned over and election law was not violated More: Dutchess' first cannabis dispensary, Black Market, nears first anniversary. How the business is doing the court only had the ability to determine the validity of paper ballots review the election and recount by the Dutchess County Board of Elections correct an error and the execution of duties by the board of canvassers there is no proof that the Village Respondents failed to follow the Election Law," the decision read Huber and Ferry did not respond to requests for comment I take great pride in maintaining the utmost integrity in all election procedures," Karge said in an email statement and I am committed to ensuring that each election reflects transparency and accuracy." and I will continue to uphold the trust of the public in every election," Karge concluded the original count results of the March 18 election are void and the Dutchess Board of Elections and the Village of Wappingers will proceed with legal obligations in relation to the recount completed on March 24 The Dutchess County Board of Elections did not respond to requests for comment on the official election results Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect wanted in connection with a larceny at a Hannaford Supermarket in Dutchess County Police released an image of the suspect captured by security cameras New York State Police said in an announcement on Friday in which they also shared an image of the suspect captured by a security camera Details about what was taken during the alleged theft were not immediately released police urged anyone who can help identify the person to come forward Anyone with information is asked to contact New York State Police at 845-677-7300 and reference case number RMS NY2500337631 Huber was first elected mayor in 2023 as both the Republican and Democratic candidate Huber appeared on the Democratic line and faced challenges from Republican Jennifer Niznik and Charles Ferry He and Niznik also had their own similarly-titled lines: Huber’s “Village First Party” and Niznik’s “Village Unity Party.” When votes were counted on election night on March 18 That’s according to a petition she filed in court over the race which says a canvass by election inspectors identified 412 votes for Niznik A recount by Village Clerk John Kargethe next day and called for the Dutchess County Board of Elections to conduct a recount Her petition levied multiple accusations against the village “Based on what had happened leading up to the election which I think carries just as much importance I was very skeptical of [Karge recounting the votes] and that’s why I went forward with taking this to court," she tells WAMC "Because if nothing else happens from this election we can have a fair election in the village of Wappingers Falls through the Board of Elections I don’t think it should be handled by our village clerk.” a Dutchess County Supreme Court judge decided to dismiss Niznik’s petition void the election night count and honor the recount completed by the county Board of Elections on March 25 the BOE directed WAMC to Village Hall for the results but Clerk Karge says he hasn’t received the final tally Officials have recognized Huber as the winner Karge defended himself against Niznik’s accusations in a statement to WAMC and I am committed to ensuring that each election reflects transparency and accuracy…I put my heart and soul into my work and I will continue to uphold the trust of the public in every election.” Niznik’s petition alleged that Karge’s recount was unauthorized and that he failed to submit all the necessary voting materials to the BOE for its recount It also said the village did not properly verify voters by comparing their signatures But Judge Christi Acker dismissed those claims she says poll watcher testimony shows voters were properly identified and checked for their signatures and that Karge turned over all the required materials to the BOE there is no proof that the Village Respondents failed to follow the Election Law.” Niznik says she accepts the outcome of the petition but she maintains the scope of the case was “very small.” Speaking with WAMC she lists other concerns she wished Acker had heard “As far as John Karge goes and leading up to the election "He let people vote that weren’t registered to vote at his discretion He handed out independent lines to candidates that didn’t qualify for independent lines Bottom line is: my hope going forward is that the Village of Wappingers Falls hands their election process over to Dutchess County and the Dutchess County Board of Elections.” The BOE and Mayor Huber did not return multiple interview requests from WAMC The winner of the race serves another two-year term Be one of the first to know what's coming up on WAMC See additional subscription options The Village of Wappingers Falls has called for the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a mayoral candidate who accused the village clerk of violating election law a Republican candidate in the race for Village of Wappingers Falls mayor filed a petition in state Supreme Court two days after the election Niznik claimed there was a recount by the village clerk The Dutchess County Board of Elections began a recount of the ballots on Monday More: Wappingers village mayor race results disputed after recount. What happens next In an answer to the petition filed on Wednesday the Village of Wappingers Falls Board of Trustees and Karge through their attorneys claimed Niznik did not follow proper protocol in filing — including not serving documents to the parties involved — and said the petition "fails to set forth the purported fraud with sufficient particularity." the village denied the petition's allegation that Karge performed an unauthorized recount and rejected the idea that he was "resisting" giving the ballots to the Dutchess County Board of Elections said he had served the documents to the Dutchess County Board of Elections on Friday and claimed documents were also given to all of the other mayoral candidates that afternoon the Dutchess County Board of Elections had not yet released the results of its recount A State Trooper out of Wappingers Falls is under investigation by State Attorney General Letitia James James has announced that an unnamed member of the New York State Police is being investigated for his involvement in the death of a Hudson Valley man the off-duty officer was driving his own vehicle when he struck and killed Luis Morocho. The incident occurred in the evening hours in front of the Rite-aid at the corner of New Hackensack Road and Route 9 The officer was traveling North on Route 9 when Morocho was struck the road was shut down to allow first responders to attend to Morocho who was rushed to the hospital where he ultimately died from his injuries little information about the incident was released to the public We were unable to find any press releases or details about the incident originating from any police department which is usually common in incidents that result in the death of a pedestrian We were also unable to uncover an obituary for Morocho Police departments have been criticized in the past for keeping incidents involving one of their own quiet while quickly identifiying victims and drivers in other accidents James announced the investigation last week stating that an inquiry into the fatal crash is mandated under New York State Law The Office of Special Investigations must open a case for any incident where a police officer peace officer or corrections officer causes the death of someone else The fact that the officer was off-duty and operating his private vehicle has no bearing on whether a full investigation is launched A State Trooper out of Wappingers Falls is under investigation by State Attorney General Letitia James.\nRead More The race for Village of Wappingers Falls mayor still has not been decided faced Republican Jennifer Niznik and Charles Ferry Niznik accused the Village of Wappingers Falls clerk of conducting an unauthorized recount She further accused the clerk of not turning over all of the election materials in his possession to the Dutchess County Board of Elections she also claimed the Village of Wappingers Falls failed to verify voters' identities in a hearing regarding the petitions filed by Niznik Acker said the question of the clerk's recount was "outside the scope of the hearing" because a recount was completed by the Dutchess County Board of Elections on March 24-25 accusing the village of not verifying voters' identities using a signature comparison against their registration required for all voters "save only for cases of disability," remains under review More: Village of Wappingers Falls rejects illegal recount claims in mayoral race dispute The county board of elections was also asked to produce all the election materials turned over or received from the Village of Wappingers Falls as well as the materials from its recanvass "I feel confident that I didn't do anything wrong and I followed election procedures," Karge said after the proceeding on Monday Acker said they will take the special proceeding "day by day" until Monday when she will make a determination on the case Dutchess County Board of Elections Democrat Commissioner Lisa Jessup said there is "no information" on when the results of the election will be released The hearing was scheduled to continue Tuesday There will be a village election recount following a dispute over the race for Village of Wappingers Falls mayor Niznik filed a petition in state Supreme Court two days later violated election law — the recounted tally identified Huber as the winner Niznik said election inspectors who canvassed in-person ballots on election night as well as absentee and early voting ballots determined Niznik won the race with 412 votes compared to Huber's 370 votes and Ferry's 151 votes Niznik did not respond to a request for comment Friday More: Enjoy sake, sushi at this Hudson Valley Cherry Blossom Festival Karge said he added up the election results that were given to him by election inspectors around 11 p.m "Wednesday morning when I started to certify the election," Karge said "I discovered what looked to me as an overcount on one of the mayor candidate's lines I notified the candidates and verified there was an error." Karge said he requested a recanvass from the county and the county Board of Elections came down Republican Commissioner for the Dutchess County Board of Elections said Friday there will be a recount of the ballots at 1 p.m Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation is being accused of multiple violations regarding the November 2023 gas explosion on Brick Row in Wappingers Falls by the New York Public Service Commission The devastating explosion lead to the collapse of a building one responding firefighter and four police officers The State of New York Public Service Commission called on Central Hudson to provide a reason not move forward with enforcement action and civil penalties from alleged violations of Public Service Law and related gas safety regulations revealed from the Department of Public Service’s Office of Investigations and Enforcement's and the Office of Energy System Planning and Performance's investigation "We understand the impacts this incident had on the residents of Brick Row and the surrounding community," Central Hudson's director of media relations "and will continue to work closely with regulators and all other stakeholders to support everyone involved "We will closely review the Commission’s report and provide a comprehensive response to the allegations within the timeline requested by our regulators." More: 15 people injured at Wappingers Falls explosion scene: What caused it The commission's report said department investigators have secured 10 sworn testimonies from witnesses of the explosion internal communications and emergency procedures from Central Hudson as part of their investigation Documentation was also obtained from third parties site visits were conducted by the ESPP staff along with physical inspections of Central Hudson's underground facilities occurred when Central Hudson's third-party contractors struck an unmarked natural gas service line and caused a high-pressure gas leak while conducting natural gas distribution upgrades in the Wappingers Falls area as part their distribution improvement project Investigators believe the contractors were missing key information from a project binder provided by Central Hudson The commission found "sufficient factual basis and credible information," to require Central Hudson to respond within 30 days of the date of the order as to why the commission should not move forward with a "administrative enforcement proceeding," along with imposing "civil penalties or other remedies," for their alleged violations "We take our responsibility to provide safe and reliable service to our customers very seriously and have fully cooperated with the Department of Public Service as it conducted its investigation into the event in Wappingers Falls last year," Jenkins said The report alleges Central Hudson knew of 7 Brick Row's natural gas line prior to the explosion due to an archived service sketch within their custody which was discovered during their investigations Central Hudson employees had allegedly interacted with this service line — reading the natural gas meter — dozens of times within a two-year period before the explosion the service provider failed to maintain "atmospheric corrosion survey records and leakage survey records" for the site Internal discussions were also had about this specific service line including a report created for the installation of a replacement line as part of Central Hudson's distribution improvement project and 7 Brick Row was listed as an active customer in the service provider's records That information was allegedly not included in the project binder given to the contractors working at the Brick Row site called the "DIP Book," was unorganized and informal the active gas line was "not visually designated as an existing underground facility prior to excavation operations," according to the commission's report and Central Hudson's "failure to relay information to its contractors in the field is the cause of the explosion incident." What happens nextThe state commission's report outlines 15 violations which may be amended as the investigation continues Central Hudson could face a civil penalty for each violation of up to $250,000 or 0.03% of their annual intrastate gross operating revenue If Central Hudson submits their responses to the Commission's order the Commission will consider whether or not to proceed with enforcement proceedings "Utilities are required to provide safe and reliable service and when they fail to provide this most basic protection the Department and Commission will investigate and 2025) – New York Red Bulls II have signed midfielder Dylan Sullivan to a one-year MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2025 season “We are happy to have Dylan [Sullivan] back with the team” said Head Coach Ibrahim Sekagya “He is an athletic midfielder with great soccer IQ that will be valuable for our team for the upcoming season.” including 22 starts with New York over the past two seasons scoring one goal and one assist The midfielder scored his first career professional goal in a 5-1 US Open Cup win over Hudson Vally Hammer on March 20 He tallied his first MLS NEXT Pro goal against Toronto FC II on July 28 and dished his first career MLS NEXT Pro assist against Chicago Fire FC II on April 14 Sullivan made his MLS NEXT Pro debut on March 26 N.Y native featured for the Red Bulls Academy at the U-16 and U-18 levels Sullivan was a member of the Clemson University soccer team for four years he appeared in 16 matches and logged 350 minutes TRANSACTION: New York Red Bulls II have signed midfielder Dylan Sullivan to a one-year MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2025 season on January 27 Route 9 has reopened in both directions after a significant fire including multiple storage units in Wappingers Falls New Hackensack Fire Company responded to a fire at Prime Storage facility just before 2 p.m both directions on Route 9 between New Hackensack Road and North Mesier Avenue were closed as crews battled the blaze and community members were advised to avoid the area but fire crews remained on the scene for an extended period of time to overhaul and investigate the cause of the incident and where it originated Southbound Route 9 was reopened at that time and fire operations were finishing up at the scene Town of Wappingers Supervisor said Sunday night in a Facebook post that remains under investigation at this time underscores the critical need for ongoing vigilance and safety measures concerning what is stored in our community's storage units." and we extend our deepest gratitude to all who responded with such professionalism and commitment." Crews who responded to support New Hackensack Fire Company Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division Town of Wappinger Highway and Town of Wappinger Codes New York cannabis consumers are making plans and stocking up for one of the most celebrated days of the year While major cities often steal the spotlight towns like Wappingers Falls are cultivating their own cannabis culture—with legal access and a growing roster of high-quality products For those looking to elevate their 4/20 experience in the Hudson Valley Silly Nice offers a curated collection of premium weed products that hit hard Black and Veteran-owned cannabis brand that has quickly gained traction across New York’s legal market and stylish yet down-to-earth presentation the brand offers something for everyone—whether you’re a flower purist Silly Nice is a go-to for those seeking reliable and top-shelf quality this 4/20 For seasoned users who crave high potency and flexibility this crystalline concentrate is perfect for dabbing or sprinkling into joints and bowls Its versatility makes it one of the most effective ways to elevate any smoke session without compromising flavor or clarity Diamond Powder delivers a clear-headed euphoria that kicks in quickly and sustains with intensity Whether you’re spending 4/20 at home or outdoors this concentrate is perfect for those who want to maximize the moment The Frosted Hash Ball from Silly Nice is ideal for those who appreciate tradition and potency in equal measure Whether broken up into a joint or smoked in a pipe releasing layers of terpene-rich flavor with every hit Perfect for pairing with your favorite flower or enjoying solo this one-gram hash ball brings depth to any 4/20 ritual delivering not just potency but a sense of care and intention rarely found in today’s market For those who want a premium flower that goes far beyond the average eighth Silly Nice’s Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower is a top-tier choice this small-batch Papaya Wine strain is infused with live resin and coated in THC diamonds for a uniquely powerful experience flavorful smoke that’s ideal for celebratory joints and a full-bodied high that delivers both cerebral stimulation and physical relaxation Silly Nice’s Bubble Hash is a strong contender for anyone seeking a solventless option that doesn’t skimp on flavor or effect With 52.10% THC and 61.93% total cannabinoids this one-gram product is produced through a clean ice-water extraction method that preserves the plant’s natural terpene profile clean smoke with robust flavor and a deep high It’s a great pick for 4/20 users who want something pure and powerful that can stand alone or enhance other products Vape users can choose from two standout 1G 510-thread cartridges in the Silly Nice collection The Runtz cart delivers 81.96% THC with a sweet candy-like profile that’s perfect for those who enjoy hybrid effects and bold taste the Northern Lights cart offers 84.66% THC and leans into relaxing indica territory with earthy and floral undertones Both cartridges are made with 100% cannabis-derived terpenes ensuring purity and a full-spectrum experience Designed for compatibility with most vape batteries For those who want double the volume and none of the hassle Silly Nice’s 2G All-In-One Rechargeable Vapes are an excellent choice Available in Tangerine Cookies (81.24% THC) and Pink Starburst (82.46% THC) these sleek pens are perfect for on-the-go use and offer a flavorful Infused with cannabis-derived terpenes and built for long-lasting performance these vapes are ideal for those who want a dependable and potent option for 4/20 sessions throughout the day If you’re located in or around Wappingers Falls and want to experience Silly Nice for yourself this 4/20, head to their official New York dispensary locator map to find a licensed retailer near you Silly Nice has a product that fits seamlessly into your celebration They’re often the first point of contact between you and a next-level cannabis experience skip the guesswork and choose products that are lab-tested and made by a small team that understands both the plant and the people who enjoy it From Wappingers Falls to every corner of New York Silly Nice delivers high-quality weed products designed to elevate any celebration Whether you’re reaching for Diamond Powder to level up your bowl or grabbing a Tangerine Cookies vape for your day out Silly Nice is a brand that reflects what 4/20 is truly about—freedom For the full product lineup and to find a location near you, visit sillynice.com/menu and sillynice.com/locations Input your search keywords and press Enter Smile 2 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Smile 2 is a psychological horror film about a pop sensation who experiences terrifying events and must confront her past Also See: Poughkeepsie Cheerleading Squad to Compete in Nationals at DisneyThe movie was filmed in 2024 and was released in theaters in the United States on October 18 It was released on premium video on demand (PVOD) on November 19 the film received positive reviews from critics with Scott receiving critical acclaim for her performance According to Hudson Valley Film Commision Actors and Crew page on Facebook Smile 2 was one of the top grossing films of 2024 joining half a dozen other Hudson Valley films that have been box office successes The page posted recently some really cool behind the scenes screenshots from the filming of Smile 2 in Wappingers Falls Read More Also See: Poughkeepsie Cheerleading Squad to Compete in Nationals at DisneyThe movie was filmed in 2024 and was released in theaters in the United States on October 18 According to Hudson Valley Film Commision Actors and Crew page on Facebook One of the areas most popular parades celebrates a major milestone on March 1 One of the more popular Hudson Valley area St Patrick's Day parades is celebrating a major milestone Patrick's Day Parade is held on the first Saturday of March in Wappingers Falls and people come out in droves to be a part of it Patrick's Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday The parade route will proceed through the downtown streets of Wappingers Falls and Townsquare Media of the Hudson Vallley is always a part of this major parade Look for 101.5 WPDH "The Home of Rock n Roll" in the parade The WPDH truck will be passing through along with sister stations WRRV and Hudson Valley's New Country The Wolf Please note that the parade will proceed rain or shine. Attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and arrive early to secure a good viewing spot. In addition to the parade, the committee is hosting an Emerald Ball to celebrate the occasion. The annual Mass will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 9:00 AM at St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls Get more info at the official parade website here There is a planned closure for major Dutchess County road on Saturday Route 9D in Wappingers Falls will be shut down for several hours in both directions on Saturday afternoon to accommodate the 30th annual Dutchess County St Read More Please note that the parade will proceed rain or shine. Attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and arrive early to secure a good viewing spot. In addition to the parade, the committee is hosting an Emerald Ball to celebrate the occasion. The annual Mass will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 9:00 AM at St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls Get more info at the official parade website here There is a planned closure for major Dutchess County road on Saturday Sadly, the news of cars crashing into houses and/or storefronts continues here in the Hudson Valley. Even within the past few days, reports of a car crashing into the popular Saugerties Restaurant Dallas Hot Wieners circulated the Hudson Valley Just days before, a scary situation unfolded a few hours away in Dryden, NY, where a speeding car crashed through a home finally coming to a halt in the homeowner's kitchen a TD Bank in Wappingers was the site of an incident the day before Thanksgiving Reports indicate that at 12:47pm on Wednesday November 27 as well as the Village of Wappingers Fire and Empress EMS were called to the scene of an accident 'car into building,' at the TD Bank on Rt 9 and Vassar Road first responders arrived to the scene to find a vehicle in the lobby There were no customers or employees injured during the accident Chief Jeffrey Renihan of the New Hamburg Fire Department indicated that the vehicle occupants Photos from the incident show what appears to be a silver Honda CRV having crashed into the building via the bank's main entrance Chief Renihan indicated that there was no structural damage to the building firefighters did remove the door frame in order to safely remove the vehicle from the site of the crash At the time this story was published (Wednesday 11/27/24 7:30pm) google shows the bank as 'temporarily closed.' In addition to New Hamburg Fire Department Village of Wappingers Fire and Empress EMS, Town of Poughkeepsie and Town of Poughkeepsie Building Department also assisted at the scene There were no customers, employees or vehicle occupants injured after the vehicle crashed into TD Bank on Wednesday afternoon.\nRead More Sadly, the news of cars crashing into houses and/or storefronts continues here in the Hudson Valley. Even within the past few days, reports of a car crashing into the popular Saugerties Restaurant Dallas Hot Wieners circulated the Hudson Valley Just days before, a scary situation unfolded a few hours away in Dryden, NY, where a speeding car crashed through a home One of the Hudson Valley's favorite Mexican restaurants has shuttered its doors and staff says they're "not sure" when it may reopen Back in the fall of 2021 we reported that the owner of Cafe Maya in Wappingers Falls and Maya Cafe in Fishkill had put both of his Dutchess County restaurants up for sale in anticipation of his retirement Since then there have been no updates to either of the business' social media pages and the restaurants' Google listing now points to broken links With the restaurants for sale and the imminent retirement of their owner customers of Cafe Maya in Wappingers Falls were understandably concerned when they were greeted with locked doors at the end of December Hoping the restaurant was just on a holiday break fans of the Mexican eatery took to social media this week to raise concerns after the restaurant still appeared to be closed with an empty parking lot Calls to the Wappingers Falls restaurant are now being routed to the business' Fishkill location When we called to inquire about the status of Cafe Maya we were told that it was shut down for "maintenance" A representative for the restaurant was unable to tell us how long it would be closed for or an approximate reopening date There is now a sign on the door of Cafe Maya that says the restaurant is "temporarily closed" due to maintenance work Customers are being redirected to the business' Fishkill location which the sign does not offer a time frame for when Cafe Maya may reopen only saying "We hope to see you soon" The restaurant's listing was just updated in November. Jon Car Realty in Beacon is offering Cafe Maya and its adjoining rental units for $1.3 million Gallery Credit: Paty Quyn One of the Hudson Valley's favorite Mexican restaurants has shuttered its doors and staff says they're \"not sure\" when it may reopen.\nRead More Back in the fall of 2021 we reported that the owner of Cafe Maya in Wappingers Falls and Maya Cafe in Fishkill had put both of his Dutchess County restaurants up for sale in anticipation of his retirement The restaurant's listing was just updated in November. Jon Car Realty in Beacon is offering Cafe Maya and its adjoining rental units for $1.3 million A former diner sitting vacant on Route 9 is expected to be transformed into the second location of one of the Hudson Valley's most highly-rated restaurants It's several months since the Odyssey Diner in Wappingers Falls shut its doors for good The family-run restaurant appeared to have been struggling since the pandemic placing giant "OPEN" signs out on Route 9 in hopes of getting the attention of cars passing by Long-time Hudson Valley residents remember that the Oddesy Diner opened in 2014 after the owners completely renovated and rebuilt the former Pizza Hut that occupied the lot. The restaurant went up for sale in March of 2023 eventually serving its last meal in October According to the Town of Wappinger Planning Board paperwork has been submitted to expand the diner to allow for more seating in anticipation of a new tenant planning to move in The owners of Casa Amigos are seeking permission to add rooftop dining and a large bar to the existing Oddesy Diner before moving in and making it their second restaurant location The Mexican restaurant has received rave reviews since opening up at the Country Commons on Route 55 in Lagrangeville Casa Amigos has earned an almost-perfect five stars from Yelp with rave reviews from customers who call it the "best" Mexican food in the area that the restaurant's original location had to be expanded last year to accommodate more diners Casa Amigos is planning to branch out with a second location in Wappingers Falls just as one of the area's other Mexican Restaurants has shut its doors. As we reported last month, Cafe Maya on Route 9D in Wappingers has been shuttered since the holidays for "maintenance work" with no reopening date announced Plans for the second Casa Amigos location were presented to the Town of Wappingers Planning Board last week It's unclear how soon renovations of the former Oddesy Diner would begin once approved A former diner is expected to be transformed into the second location of one of the Hudson Valley's most highly-rated restaurants, complete with rooftop dining.\nRead More Long-time Hudson Valley residents remember that the Oddesy Diner opened in 2014 after the owners completely renovated and rebuilt the former Pizza Hut that occupied the lot. The restaurant went up for sale in March of 2023 Casa Amigos is planning to branch out with a second location in Wappingers Falls just as one of the area's other Mexican Restaurants has shut its doors. As we reported last month, Cafe Maya on Route 9D in Wappingers has been shuttered since the holidays for "maintenance work" with no reopening date announced A new retail business has chosen Wappingers Falls New York as the perfect place to open up its very first store say they chose the location of their new store for many reasons but mostly because they "fell in love" with the Village of Wappingers Falls The small village has been on the rise for the past decade bars and businesses choosing the up-and-coming Main Street as a place to call home Wappingers Falls has faced some big challenges including several devastating fires a global pandemic and a tragic gas explosion But that hasn't stopped new businesses from seeking out the village In the last year a British pie bakery a trendy nightclub and a Thai restaurant have all opened their doors in Wappingers Falls another new business is ready to open its doors in the quaint a fiction-only bookstore on West Main Street The newly renovated building at 2692 West Main Street sits directly next to the municipal parking lot overlooking Wappingers Creek customers will be able to find an assortment of romance novels The store will have an emphasis on indie authors and small press publishing companies Page and Petals will be more than just a book store it will also be a community gathering place The store will schedule events such as floral bars and workshops hosted by local florists a variety of book clubs. The book lover says she has been delighted with how welcoming the other business owners in the village have been Page and Petals will officially open its doors on Saturday A Grand Opening celebration will take place until 6pm with a coffee cart It will also be customers' first opportunity to check out Wappingers Falls' newest business A new retail business has chosen Wappingers Falls, New York as the perfect place to open up its very first store.\nRead More The Hudson Valley's newest cannabis dispensary is now open New York State is finally getting its act together when it comes to the legalization of marijuana a long list of licenses was granted for recreational marijuana shops throughout the Hudson Valley Businesses are breaking ground and planning grand openings in Kingston Bethel and more communities across the region The former Planet Wings on Route 9 in Wappingers Falls has sat vacant for several years. Originally, it was slated to become a combination restaurant and meal prep service but after that plan fell through a cannabis business submitted approval to open up a store in the space Root 9 has been teasing its Instagram followers with photos of the new dispensary and sneak peeks of the products they will be selling at their new location The family-run business was founded by former hemp farmers who say they are looking forward to "fostering a culture of respect and innovation within the cannabis community" The Root 9 Instagram page has been teasing its opening for months but this week announced that the store was officially welcoming customers A soft opening is taking place at the Wappingers Falls store through Monday the store hours will be from 10am to 6pm during the trial run Root 9 will be open Monday through Thursday from 10am to 9pm Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 10pm and Sundays from 11am to 6pm.  Online sales will also be available for pickup Gallery Credit: Nick Kessler The Hudson Valley's newest cannabis dispensary is now open.\nRead More The former Planet Wings on Route 9 in Wappingers Falls has sat vacant for several years. Originally, it was slated to become a combination restaurant and meal prep service but after that plan fell through a cannabis business submitted approval to open up a store in the space giving lessons and serving as a hub for musicians all over the Hudson Valley one of the area's most iconic stores is up for sale another legendary Hudson Valley music shop is up for sale but its owner says the sale is just one part of a bigger plan to help his thriving business grow even larger Jon Haber was just 26 years old when he opened Alto Music the local business owner says he needs to make some changes in order to keep the business running for the next 30 years In just three decades Alto Music has amassed the largest inventory of any independent music retailer in the United States While many customers are familiar with the store's locations in Wappingers Falls and Middletown Alto Music also maintains warehouses in California Texas and Indiana that handle orders from all over the world Haber says it's "amazing" that the Wappingers store has been up and running for 33 years But as consumer habits continue to evolve maintaining two huge retail locations "doesn't make sense physically" Haber says putting the Wappingers location on the market is the first step towards the next phase of Alto Music one that will still include a local presence The company president says he has no plan to close the Middletown location which still attracts many customers from as far away as New York City Haber also made it very clear that any future sale would not result in a reduction of his staff we still sell a ton of s---.We didn't wither and dye on the vine like many others have...because I know it's my job as the CEO to give this business to its employees so it can last another 30 years and make decisions that are going to ensure that happens The building on Route 9 was originally built in 1991 as a Gateway Computer store (with a black and white cow-print paint job). Now, sporting a giant guitar neck across its front windows, the property is currently listed for $2.9 million Gallery Credit: Michael Karolyi After 33 years, one of the Hudson Valley's most iconic stores is up for sale.\nRead More The building on Route 9 was originally built in 1991 as a Gateway Computer store (with a black and white cow-print paint job). Now, sporting a giant guitar neck across its front windows, the property is currently listed for $2.9 million American Idol begins search for next star with auditions in New York American Idol is preparing for their Spring 2025 season currently and auditions are starting in New York City Host Ryan Seacrest returns to host the musical phenomenon with returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie of course, won the fourth season of American Idol in 2005 Thanks to a video shot by Paula's Runway Cafe we know that one of the judges from American Idol was spotted flying into Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Wappingers Falls It's said that many celebrities will fly into Hudson Valley Regional Airport to avoid the craziness of the city Many would rather fly into Wappingers Falls and then drive down rather than deal with the crowded city airports We have the video of him at the airport below The video was posted to Paula's Facebook Saturday evening Richie posted these photos and videos from an undisclosed airport more than likely wherever he was flying in from A post shared by Lionel Richie (@lionelrichie) You can watch the video of Lionel Richie at Hudson Valley Regional Airport below As American Idol preps for the Spring 2025 season, one of the judges was spotted in this Dutchess County town.\nRead More American Idol begins search for next star with auditions in New York Thanks to a video shot by Paula's Runway Cafe A post shared by Lionel Richie (@lionelrichie) A horror movie star took some time off scaring people on the big screen to visit one of the Hudson Valley's most popular Halloween attractions You know it's fall when Kevin McCurdy opens up his legendary Haunted Mansion at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls the attraction has been scaring and delighting horror fans who make their annual trek through the spooky attraction McCurdy and partner Holly Dillon operate Imaginart Studios which transforms the wooded area of Wappingers Falls into a terrifying display every fall This year's theme is Grim's Wonderland live performances and cleverly designed attractions guests are transported into a spooky world  "where screams come true." and Halloween Ends surprised visitors to Kevin McCurdy's haunted Mansion Horror fans were shocked to see Andi Matichak who stars as Allison Nelson in the Halloween franchise alongside film icon While Matichak also played the role of Meadow in Orange is the New Black and appeared in the ABC series 666 Park Avenue, she is most known for her work in the Halloween trilogy According to Kevin McCurdy's Haunted Mansion Matichak had "a blast" visiting the Wappingers Falls attraction. A photo posted to the Haunted Mansion's official Facebook page shows the actress posing with Dillon and McCurdy The Haunted Mansion's last night of operation for the season will be on Saturday the attraction will shut down as it transforms into the Holiday Spirit Festival A horror movie star took some time off scaring people on the big screen to visit one of the Hudson Valley's most popular Halloween attractions.\nRead More A visit by none other than ANDI MATICHAK One person has died after a one-car crash Wednesday in the Town of Wappinger The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office responded around 6:20 p.m to All Angels Hill Road near Dugan Lane where a 2007 Infiniti sedan carrying five people had left the roadway and struck a utility pole Deputies said the car was traveling southbound when the driver lost control Four of the people in the car were transferred to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries who was a passenger seated in the back of the car was transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital and later pronounced dead The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday they believe unsafe speed was a factor in the crash The office's detective bureau and crash investigation unit are looking into what happened Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or the moments leading up to it can call 845-486-3820. The sheriff’s office can also be contacted via the tip line at 845-605-2583 or dcsotips@gmail.com A 34-year-old man in connection with a deadly house fire in Dutchess County that claimed the lives of two individuals The fire happened on Marlorville Road in Wappinger.  A fire engine at the scene of the explosive house fire on a snowy morning According to the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office emergency responders extinguished the blaze and discovered two deceased victims inside the home was taken into custody and charged with second-degree arson The Sheriff's Office alleges that Buda intentionally set the fire Buda was arraigned in Wappinger Town Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center on $500,000 cash bail or $1 million bond The Sheriff's Office emphasized that there is no ongoing danger to the public Investigators are continuing their work and have not yet released the identities of the victims Officials are urging anyone who may have information about the case or who may have been in the Marlorville Road area on the evening of Jan Tips can be directed to Detective Griffin at 845-486-3809 or jgriffin@dutchessny.gov Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the Sheriff’s Office tipline at 845-486-CLUE (2583) or dcsotips@gmail.com Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include new details shared with Daily Voice by authorities The skeletons are back and this year they've returned with a purpose Anyone who has ever driven through the Village of Wappingers Falls in October has surely noticed the famous "Skeleton House". The beautifully maintained brown home right sits on the corner of the falls where East and West Main Street meet in October the house is transformed into one of the spookiest sights in the Hudson Valley Homeowner Matthew Desiderio has lived in the Village of Wappingers for 15 years with his wife Karina. During that time he's slowly accumulated an army of skeletons. Desiderio says he adds one or two each year and now has just about enough to cover each window of the home The famous skeletons spend most of the year in the basement but during the last week of September Desiderio drags them up two at a time and painstakingly affixes them to each window The result is a jaw-dropping display that has drawn attention from all over the Hudson Valley If you think the home looks good during the day Purple lights make the skeletons glow casting shadows on the brick building the eerie sight becomes one of the most Instagramed locations in the Hudson Valley Desiderio says he gets a thrill from spreading the Halloween spirit but I most enjoy seeing how many kids and also adults it brings a little Halloween spirit to Looking out and seeing everyone taking photos from the bridge and smiling is pretty awesome Christopher and Karina decided they wanted to put the attention they get for their annual decorations to good use While trick-or-treating with their son last year they learned about Skeletons for St Jude from one of their village neighbors The fundraiser was started in 2020 by a family in North Carolina with a locally-famous Halloween display. After being showcased on the local news, the family decided to put up a sign asking visitors to donate to St. Jude's. That year, they raised $8,000. Since then, the fundraiser has spread to hundreds of other homes across the country Visitors to the Wappingers Falls display can scan a QR Code on the front window to visit the fundraiser online and make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Desiderio says he hopes his decorations which bring so much joy to the community can also have an impact on families who are going through a tough time Halloween is all about kids having fun and making great memories so anything we can do to help local children do that and also help some in need I love being a part of that You can check out the Skeleton House through Halloween at 2668 West Main Street in the Village of Wappingers Falls Scroll down for more photos of this impressive Halloween display The skeletons are back in Wappingers Falls and this year they've returned with a purpose.\nRead More The fundraiser was started in 2020 by a family in North Carolina with a locally-famous Halloween display. After being showcased on the local news, the family decided to put up a sign asking visitors to donate to St. Jude's. That year, they raised $8,000. Since then, the fundraiser has spread to hundreds of other homes across the country Visitors to the Wappingers Falls display can scan a QR Code on the front window to visit the fundraiser online and make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital New business that has become a pleasant surprise has opened in the spot formerly occupied by the popular weight loss center even though the Jenny Craig staff won't be there to guide them Since the closing of the Jenny Craig on rt 9 which sits in the same plaza as a other business like Joe Willy's Seafood House along with a Domino's Pizza and a State Farm Insurance office the former Jenny Craig had been sitting empty waiting for a new tenant to move in A restaurant that is already a popular spot at 216 Broadway Newburgh has opened a second spot on this side of the river at 1817 South RD Wappingers Falls. People are already raving, including one customer on the business Facebook page that said My brother actually visited this week and had the chicken and lamb over rice and raved about it New business that has become a pleasant surprise has opened in the spot formerly occupied by the popular weight loss center.\nRead More A restaurant that is already a popular spot at 216 Broadway Newburgh has opened a second spot on this side of the river at 1817 South RD Wappingers Falls. People are already raving, including one customer on the business Facebook page that said was sentenced Wednesday for stealing from an 81-year-old man who was in her care Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said Aboshanab was sentenced before Judge Edward McLoughlin to 5-15 years in prison followed by a consecutive 1-3 years in prison and must pay $164,332.26 in restitution for her part in stealing from the victim Aboshanah pleaded guilty to second- and third-degree grand larceny on June 17 particularly when entrusted with their care is a betrayal of the highest order," Parisi said "It not only violates the law but also undermines the trust and respect that should be afforded to our most vulnerable citizens" Ulster County scam: Father-daughter duo accused of stealing $280K from 92-year-old eventually moving into his home to work as his caregiver in lieu of rent around 2017 In 2022 when the man was admitted to a nursing home he reported to police that his bank account had been essentially depleted by Aboshanab Aboshanab was arrested by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office in 2022 but the district attorney's office said she continued to steal from the man's account using his personal information to transfer money to herself via online and app-based services such as Apple Pay pleaded guilty to first-degree identity theft and was sentenced to 1-3 years in prison Longobardi Restaurant has been in business for over 40 years We are lucky to have quite a few great Italian restaurants throughout the Hudson Valley, some which have been around for as long as we can remember. We learned recently that one of the most popular Italian restaurants in the area was on the market Longobardi Restaurant has been a mainstay on rt 9 in Wappingers Falls NY located in the Imperial Plaza Shopping Center I have been to Longobardis on numerous occasions since I was a young kid and the chicken parm was always a personal favorite And "biggest pizza slice in the Hudson Valley" according to some After recently hearing that there was a new listing for Longobari Restaurant being up for sale we were able to confirm that the business has actually been up for sale for a number of years With the news of the restaurant being for sale there was apparently rumors going around that they would be closing after over 40 years but that is definitely not the case according to the establishment Longobardi Restaurant took to social media to rest rumors that were reportedly going around about the establishment being closed or closing Longobardi Restaurant owner Claudio stated "To help clear up the many rumors circulating Longobardi Restaurant is NOT CLOSED nor are we CLOSING." Thank The announcement was met with over 400 reactions and 75 comments from loyal customers very happy to hear the news as the restaurant has been a spot where many memories have been shared from first dates to wedding anniversary dinners it looks like Longabardi Restaurant will be around for a longtime to come Gallery Credit: 2023 Global MLS Read More We are lucky to have quite a few great Italian restaurants throughout the Hudson Valley, some which have been around for as long as we can remember. We learned recently that one of the most popular Italian restaurants in the area was on the market To help clear up the many rumors circulating Longobardi Restaurant is NOT CLOSED nor are we CLOSING \n\nThank You Claudio Authorities have identified the victims of a deadly Dutchess County house fire and filed upgraded charges against the man accused of setting the blaze allegedly killed Paul and Jo-Ann Hait and their dog at 78 Marlorville Rd Paul and Jo-Ann Hait, ages 63 and 65, were killed in the fire that tore through their home at 78 Marlorville Rd. in Wappinger on Sunday, Jan. 26 the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday murdered the couple and their dog before setting their home on fire but authorities have not released additional details about the nature of their relationship to protect the integrity of the ongoing case who was previously charged with second-degree arson is now facing the following upgraded charges:  where he was remanded without bail to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case or who may have been in the Marlorville Road area on the evening of the fire to contact Detective Griffin at 845-486-3809 or jgriffin@dutchessny.gov Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the Sheriff’s Office tip line at 845-486-CLUE (2583) or dcsotips@gmail.com The investigation is being conducted with assistance from multiple agencies including the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division Hudson Valley residents may be feeling immune to the amount of closures and sudden shutterings of favorite businesses and restaurants here in the area as the frequency of these announcements seems to be increasing every week Though this latest announcement may not be surprising as there's been speculation surrounding this business lately after it hit the real estate market earlier this year It has truly been a sad state of affairs for many businesses lately here in the Hudson Valley On the 'big box' or chain side, this year alone, the Hudson Valley has said farewell to Red Lobster, several Big Lots locations, with an additional Big Lots store closure just announced this week, multiple movie theaters including the recent news of the Fishkill Regal location's closure last weekend On the locally owned side, and in the same location as the former Regal Cinemas, 18 North Grill just closed after only a few years in business, and another newer spot in New Paltz shuttered after just two years of operation in the New Paltz plaza The locations referenced above are just a few of the announcements and sudden closures from the past few weeks with the list below covering some of the others from earlier in 2024: a popular Route 9 diner that has served the area for nearly a decade 1515 Route 9 in Wappingers Falls was on the market but now the listing no longer appears on the Re/Max Town and Country site On Sunday October 6th, just before 6pm, a post to their official Facebook page shared the following: 'It is with a heavy heart we announce...today will be the last day of Odyssey Diner in Wappingers.' Their announcement of closure went on to detail that as of 9pm on Sunday 10/6 the Odyssey would be closing their doors for good they shared that 'unfortunately it was not enough to keep us in business.' Given the real estate listing is no longer active and the closure announcement also indicated that a new dining establishment would be opening soon it appears that the business has been sold We will update this story with any information about the new establishment when those details become available Following a listing earlier this year on a real estate site, this nearly decade old Route 9 diner has closed for good, effective October 6th.\nRead More On the 'big box' or chain side, this year alone, the Hudson Valley has said farewell to Red Lobster, several Big Lots locations, with an additional Big Lots store closure just announced this week, multiple movie theaters including the recent news of the Fishkill Regal location's closure last weekend On the locally owned side, and in the same location as the former Regal Cinemas, 18 North Grill just closed after only a few years in business, and another newer spot in New Paltz shuttered after just two years of operation in the New Paltz plaza On Sunday October 6th, just before 6pm, a post to their official Facebook page shared the following: 'It is with a heavy heart we announce...today will be the last day of Odyssey Diner in Wappingers.' We will update this story with any information about the new establishment when those details become available.