Paving of Some Public Parking Lots and Residential Streets Begins For October

The City of Beacon has published its paving schedule. Milling and paving began on October 5th for some areas. Two public municipal lots are being paved: the Cliff Street lot in between Beacon Bread and Luxe Optique, and the Church Street/Eliza Street behind the old Rite Aid. For the original Guide to Public Parking Lots in Beacon, click here.

Milling for the public lots started on Friday, October 9th and are closed until Wednesday, October 14th.

Residential roads include those near the mountain, like Vail Avenue (from Judson Street to Phillips Street), Russell Avenue (from East Main to Madison Avenue), Grove Street (from Liberty Street to Leonard Street), and Washington Avenue (from East Main Street to Davidson Street).

For a full list of streets getting milled and paved in this schedule, click here.

The City of Beacon’s Highway Department milling the public parking lot behind the old Rite Aid.

Confirmed: Beacon's HR Director Departs Her Role; City of Beacon Approves Ability To Grant Salary Increase Mid-Year As Effort To Retain Management Staff

In early August 2026, word began circulating that the City of Beacon’s HR Director, Sara Morris, was leaving her position. Shortly after, the rumor expanded to include that Sara was moving to serve within the New York State Bridge Authority. The City of Beacon does not customarily comment or announce when city employees resign or are terminated, reserving these announcements for select celebratory retirements.

A Little Beacon Blog has been waiting for a public announcement of Sara’s departure in order to report the employment change, but none had come thus far. The supposedly open position is not listed on the HR Director page of the City’s website.

How Confirmation Of The Employment Departure Was Acquired

On Monday’s City Council Workshop Meeting 10/5/2026 Agenda was a seemingly benign proposed resolution titled “Local Law Concerning Mid-Year Salary Increases for Appointed Employees and Officer.” The Workshop is when the Council discusses the pros and cons of the law.

Basic information about the law was given by Ben Swanson, the City Administrator, who stated: "Essentially this law is pretty straight forward. Gives the city the flexibility of making non-budget cycle amendments to salaries for leadership and management simply as a way that would give us the flexibility that if we have staff that are considering other opportunities that we may have some flexibility in changing compensation to retain key leadership staff. It doesn't obligate us to do anything, but gives us some flexibility in that regard."

Attorney Nick Ward-Willis further clarified to state that the amendment to the charter mandates that while the Mayor can make this recommendation, it requires that the salary change be brought to the Council to approve that change.

After no one commented at Public Hearing, Mayor Kyriacou began to close the Public Hearing, but added: "This was prompted by the loss of one of our senior managers to a adjacent state agency, who I didn't think was a better place to go, but was paying better. And so that's what prompting this. I'll take a motion to close the - "

As he took the motion to close, Katie Hellmuth of A Little Beacon Blog asked to make a question. “I’ll allow it,” the Mayor said. Katie asked: "Are we allowed to know who that person was? We see who gets hired, but we do not see who leaves, unless they have a..."

"It was our Head of HR," the Mayor confirmed.

Screenshot of Sara Morris as new HR Director for the New York State Bridge Authority.

While Mayor Kyracou did not specify where Sara went, the New York State Bridge Authority has since updated their website to include Sara as their HR Director. Which now validates what was suspected over the summer.

It was revealed during the meeting that there have been at least 100 applications for Beacon’s HR Director position.

At the bottom of this article is the video portion of this meeting capturing the discussion.

When Did News Of The Departure Begin?

This rumor began months after A Little Beacon Blog published in May that a Highway Department employee, James Cottrell, had been fired the day after filing his complaint of targeted harassment within his department by department heads, which included being filmed with video glasses by another employee. James rejected his termination and elected to move forward with an arbitration hearing, which was to begin in September 2026.

Shortly before that, in March, the City Administrator Chris White abruptly retired. While the announced plan was for Chris to leave mid-June, he never returned to the office. While Chris is no spring chicken, he could be considered a young buck. There was no stated reason why he left. Speculation remains open and A Little Beacon Blog is seeking confirmation on how events unfolded in that departure.

Since then, employees have come and gone from the City of Beacon, including Chris Servedio who signed on as a supporting witness to James’ claims of targeted harassment, according to the complaint that ALBB has seen. Chris was hired in April 2023, and resigned in 2026. He was replaced by John Testerman in July 2026.

Sara was the City of Beacon’s second HR Director, having replaced Gina Basile who was hired in a shared services arrangement while the City of Beacon was financially investing in firing Reuben Simmons, who at one time, served as the Highway Department’s Superintendent of Streets. His position was dissolved during an internal dispute led by the department of that time, was replaced by current head Michael Manzi. Reuben usually drives the Street Sweeper truck and continues with his arbitration hearings, while continuing to pursue leadership roles such as Union President, a position he once held.

Beacon Police Issue Press Release Defending Not Arresting Mooner On Main Street

The day after an article published on A Little Beacon Blog showing the video of a citizen speaking at Beacon’s City Council during Public Comment asking why the man who was caught on camera mooning another citizen on August 28th was not arrested, the Beacon Chief of Police Tom Figlia issued an Information Release to defend the decision of the Beacon Police Department in not arresting him, citing they employed de-escalation techniques.

Chief Figlia defended their lack of arresting action, saying they deal with people “across the spectrum of society.” While public lewdness does happen in Beacon by people who are on the spectrum and are known to the Beacon Police for their condition and treated with compassion, it seems that for others, mooning in Beacon is acceptable if the stars align.

Chief Figlia’s Information Release is published in full in this article below. To add to his timeline:

• 8/28/2026: ALBB acquired video of a portion of the incident that included the mooner mooning again while the police were de-escalating him, and while their backs were turned. Before mooning for the second time, he threatened the man in the pale pink shirt, stating that “these guys know me” referring to the police officers and then continued to threaten the man walking away, saying that he would “kick his ass” and “put him into an ambulance.” He then mooned another individual which was recorded on camera while police back’s were turned.

• 8/28/2026: The video showed this, and was published the same day.

• 8/31/2026: ALBB emailed Chief Figlia to ask if the mooner had been arrested for his action. Chief Figlia did not reply.

• 9/8/2026: A Beacon citizen spoke at the City Council meeting, asking “How much butt crack do the Beacon Police need for it to become a Class B Misdemeanor? Do they need a tape measure to measure that crack to make sure it's ‘enough exposure’ before they take action?” The article was widely shared. Some readers who are usually in the Law and Order crowd, who demand that laws be followed, instead became a “Mind your business!” crowd. Chris Prezbyl proclaimed: "Should’ve just finished your mango lassi and move on with your day." Tray Dirito Hockler was outraged, saying: "OMG...The white man is from GENERATIONS of Beaconites. Mind your business before someone kicks your A-S-S..AHAHA..Karen!!!!" Tray continued: "Nobody cares about Dean [Catalano] mooning Flackey, the cops or other wise because it's hysterical."

• Flackey was not mentioned in any of these articles, and was only mentioned by citizens in Comments. It was the unexpected mooning by Dean of anyone that was caught on camera, that was the focus of the article and the speech.

“The white man is from GENERATIONS of Beaconites. Mind your business before someone kicks your A-S-S...AHAHA..Karen!!!! Nobody cares about Dean [Catalano] mooning Flackey, the cops or other wise because it’s hysterical.”

— Tray Dirito Hockler

Beacon PD History of Use Of Force and De-Escalation Techniques

Police departments change over time with different leaders and officers. In 2010, the Beacon Police Department emerged from a federal investigation, where it was concluded that: “Today’s agreement concludes the investigation without any finding that the BPD violated the law, but implements a series of reforms and improvements designed to improve the operation of the BPD. On June 21, 2005, and Nov. 14, 2008, the department’s Civil Rights Division Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office issued technical assistance letters to the BPD. The agreement, signed today by the department, implements those recommendations.”

Some of those recommendations included “use of force policy to emphasize verbal de-escalation techniques,” among other reforms. In 2018, officers began wearing body cameras under Chief Kevin Junjulas. Chief Figlia was a Lieutenant at that time, and was in charge of the program. Then Chief Junjulas said that the cameras are a “good tool for internal investigations, to determine what actually happened. The video is right there.”

In April 2024, Beacon Police responded to a call about a man threatening to shoot a couple near Peaceful Provisions donut shop when they asked him not to touch their dog during morning coffee. That individual continued walking down the sidewalk and was apprehended several blocks down at the car wash, where he was taken to the ground by Beacon PD. A rifle was used, and an officer knelt down to put his hand on the man’s head to keep him down. ALBB reported on this incident and had video footage of that as well, which was published.

Chief Figlia, who was a Lieutenant at the time, eagerly called ALBB for a copy of the video that he could use in his use-of-force training, since the officers carried through the action within their training.

The Beacon Police can use cameras on Main Street to roll back within that moment to see if the alleged exposure happened. The Beacon Police have not commented to say if their cameras picked the alleged first buttocks exposure. A civilian video did, however, capture at least a second indecent exposure by the mooner. It is this video footage of an intended exposing action that is being questioned by some in the public. Not any Disorderly Conduct the Beacon Police allege all three individuals were doing. This is a separate violation that was captured and published on video.

The Information Release

The following is the Information Release published on Facebook by Beacon’s Chief Figlia.

On August 28, 2026, at approximately 3:40pm the Beacon Police Department received a call for an unknown problem at the county building at 223 Main St. While we usually do not do releases about violation level incidents, this one has apparently caused concerns of favoritism or police inaction among some members of our community.

On that day, upon their arrival officers found three subjects, all of whom they were familiar with from multiple interactions, yelling on the street. One was wearing a pale pink Spirit of Beacon Day t-shirt, one was wearing a blue t-shirt and one was wearing a darker pink t-shirt. They were also approached by security from the county building and were advised that the individual in the pale pink Spirit of Beacon Day t-shirt caused a disturbance inside and was not allowed to return inside the building at that time.

When the officers arrived all three individuals were legally committing the act of Disorderly Conduct, a violation level offense, by yelling, cursing and causing alarm for other people in a public area. One subject was alleged to have exposed his buttocks at another, which constitute Exposure of a Person, also a violation level offense. One subject was visibly intoxicated and stated he had consumed "a couple of beers" and another was expressing emotional concerns over a recent death in the family.

Though all three individuals could have legally been charged with violation level offenses that carry similar consequences to a traffic ticket, officers determined that given the totality of the circumstances, the best course of action was advise the one subject not to return to the county building at that time, and to employ de-escalation techniques to calm and separate the involved parties, which they successfully did.

When feasible and safe, the Beacon Police Department routinely attempts to employ de-escalation techniques rather than immediate arrests for low level offenses and people in crisis across the spectrum of society. Despite widespread public calls for just this course of action, the untrained public often reacts negatively when they actually see it in practice and mistakes it for favoritism.

When it can be safely employed, de-escalation techniques usually involve things such as reinforcing that the officers are there to help the person, lowering voices, validating feelings, using the involved individual's name and attempting to create unity between the officer and the person in need of de-escalation, all of which were done in this incident. That does not mean that the officers favor one person or another, or approve of that individual's behavior. Rather it likely means that they attempting to use best practices to de-escalate a non-violent incident, where there does not appear to be an imminent danger to anyone, involving a low-level offense such as the incident above.

Signed,
Thomas Figlia
Chief of Police

Video of the second exposure of buttocks is here.

Beacon Citizen Asks City Council: "How Much Butt Crack Do The Beacon Police Need To See To Arrest For Public Lewdness?"

The City Council Meeting before Beacon Police Chief Figlia presented his defense of the City’s use of Flock cameras for license plate tracking for pre-identified targets driving in or out of Beacon, as well as the cameras placed along Main Street that track movements of people out on the sidewalk, a Beacon resident presented her dissatisfaction with the apparent lack of arrest of a local male resident who had mooned the public at least three times (see video here) on a Friday afternoon, one of those times being recorded on civilian video, if not also on the City’s cameras.

Dean Catalano was identified as the man who mooned a car with a child in it, and was caught on camera again mooning a civilian at a public picnic table by the DMV parking lot while the Beacon Police’s backs were turned.

“All these cops know me!” Dean screamed to another man who was in disagreement with his actions. Dean implied that he was protected by the Beacon Police, knowing they would do nothing to him as he verbally threatened a man walking across the street, announced he was going to moon everyone again, and then did moon again.

The transcription of the public statement is below the video published here.

Good evening. Katie Hellmuth, Ward 1.

Many years ago, a white man stood at this podium to complain that he brought his friends to Memorial Park, and saw a Black Power fist flag on a building across the street. He said Beacon wasn't racist, and was embarrassed about the flag. A legal battle followed between the building owner and the City, with the building owner defending himself to keep the flag up. It was an expensive battle.

Last Friday afternoon, as I sipping my iced mango lassi, enjoying the late summer Friday in Beacon, I saw Beacon Police activity at the corner of the DMV parking lot. I learned that a white man had allegedly mooned a car with a child in it. Several other men were yelling at him.

Multiple people had their videos out and were recording.

I am a reporter. I came into possession of a video of this man. I learned that he is a longtime member of the community. I reviewed the video and had the displeasure of watching each frame to capture any quotes and body language for my article.

From the video, in front of Beacon Police, the mooner offered to re-enact his mooning. He said he would "moon everybody now."

The police officer discouraged him, and other officers tried to de-escalate him. But he was enraged. He threatened another man who was walking away from the scene, telling him he wanted to kick his a.s.s., and put him in an ambulance.

At some point, the two police officers who were with him, walked away. It was at this point that the mooning man looked at another community member sitting at a public picnic table, lifted his shirt, pulled down his shorts, yelled "Now!" and mooned this person. The video showed full cheek and a half. The mooning man looked back at the police officers, put himself back together, and acted as if nothing happened.

As far as I know, no arrest was made.

As a reporter, I know of stories from women of assault and abuse that do not make it into Beacon Police reports. Their abusers walk these streets of Beacon.

The Beacon Police Department and this administration continue to not respond to me when I email questions, like I did to Chief Figlia about the location of Flock cameras several weeks ago after the high school student was at this podium to complain about them and wonder why we have them if the Tioronda Assaulter is still at large.

Today I ask the Beacon Police: Section 245 Public Lewdness: I witnessed the man have intent to moon the community member at the picnic table while people walked by and was caught doing it on civilian video. How much butt crack do the Beacon Police need for it to become a Class B Misdemeanor? Do they need a tape measure to measure that crack to make sure it's "enough exposure" before they take action?

Otherwise, this man on the yellow e-bike has just been enabled to threaten to assault people, moon us, and who knows what else.

A local reader responded to the article, suggesting that people get over it. That the Spirit of Beacon Day used to have Mooning Contests. I checked with the Spirit of Beacon Chair. He confirmed to me that mooning contests have not happened in recent years, and will not be happening this year.

I stand at this podium today to say I am discomfortable with a white man mooning and getting away with it.

Graduate In Criminology And Current UPS Driver, John Maraia, Voted In As Police Hire Before Attending Academy And Pending Medical and Fingerprint Results

Photo Credit: Image of Police Department and vehicle is from the City of Beacon Police Department Facebook Page.

On the night when cybersecurity professional Dustin Benedict was provisionally appointed before starting the Police Academy, which was the evening before the media reported that the City of Beacon had been victim of an alleged phishing-based hack that exposed numerous private documents from the computers of various departments including City Administrator, HR, and Finance, as well as personal documents of former employees including fire and police, the City of Beacon made a second provisional appointment of another police officer before he started the Police Academy: John Maraia, currently a UPS delivery driver and a graduate of SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology, lives in Mahopac and graduated from Yorktown High School.

These two hires leaves one more vacancy in Beacon's Police Department, a number seen as a triumph as the City of Beacon has struggled with retaining and securing officers. In December 2024, at the suggestion City Administrator Chris White, who suddenly retired in March 2026, Beacon began a $5,000 Referral Bonus program to incentivize new hires.

During the appointment of these two candidates by Chief Thomas Figlia, Councilperson Amber Grant clarified that this would close the gap to one vacancy left. "That's correct," the Chief replied.

"Are we going to have a party?" Councilperson Amber asked, which was followed by laughter.

"We'll have a party when there's zero vacancies," Chief Figlia answered.

The appointee John Maraia did not attend the evening in person, but was presented to be voted on. The Chief begin: "John's not here this evening because we are this close to completing his background check." The Chief made a tiny inch symbol with his index finger and thumb. "But we can't swear him in tonight. We would like to vote on him pending his completion of his medical and his background check because the next meeting is going to be too far away for us to get him in, get him his initial in-house training before the Academy, and get him to the Academy on the 14th of next month [September]."

In person, the Chief stated in his presentation before City Council: "He's passed the testing in the written form…We are waiting his results of his final phase of his background check, which is the fingerprints. They actually might have come back today, but the system was down all day. So, we kind of got a knife in the back on that one. The final part of his medical exam should be available probably by the end of this week.”

John was voted in pending his clearance of the incomplete requirements, pending the results cleared.

City of Beacon Computer Files Hacked And Published On Dark Web After Ransom Note Allegedly Ignored

Personal and financial information "for hundreds of current, former and retired city employees, including police officers and firefighters" has been published on the dark web by the hacker group RansomHouse, the Highlands Current reported today. Documents that the newspaper say they have reviewed "appear to contain the contents of computers used by the City Administrator, Building Inspector, Finance Director, Tax Assessor and Human Resources Director, among other employees."

There have been several Building Inspectors in recent years. Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White retired unexpectedly in March 2026, stating that his final day would be in June. However, he was on leave after his announcement through April, and never returned.

According to a message the paper found, the hackers allege that they informed the City about the breach, but did not get a response: "Dear management of City of Beacon, we were waiting for you for quite some time, but it seems that your IT department decided to conceal the incident that took place in your company.”

The article stated that City Administrator Ben Swanson gave a statement that the City is aware of the incident, but that statement is neither at the City of Beacon’s Facebook page nor the City of Beacon’s Police Facebook page.

RansomHouse allegedly said that they hacked in on July 23rd, and allegedly announced that they did so on August 6th. New York State's Cybersecurity Incident and Ransom Payment Reporting law requires municipalities to report breaches and ransom demands within 72 hours to authorities, and to people whose data was compromised within 30 days. Authorities include the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Division of Consumer Protection, the Attorney General, and New York State Police.

The state law also states that a ransom payment be reported within 24 hours of payment, and that a ransom payment explanation within 30 days of payment.

Cliff Diving Death Into Fishkill Creek In Beacon - Young Man From Newburgh Did Not Resurface

Photos from Google Maps; News12 Instagram; News12 Video Screenshot.

On the evening of Thursday, June 25th, 2026, Vincent Javinett, age 34, dove into the Fishkill Creek at the dam location of 508 Fishkill Avenue at the cliffs, and did not resurface. At 7:34pm, the Beacon Police, Fire and EMS were dispatched to respond to a call about an individual who cliff dove into the Fishkill Creek and had not resurfaced, Beacon Chief Figlia said a day after the incident in a press release published at 10:32am.

Reporting for News12, Ben Andy said that people living in the Groveville community behind the dam said they see kids jumping from the cliffs all of the time, “one after the the other, off the cliff into the water.”

First responders arrived within minutes, but assessed that given the amount of time Vincent had been under the water, “there was no chance of survival,” Chief Figlia said. Regardless, Beacon Fire entered the water to recover the victim, but they could not locate him. A dive team was called in from New York State Police, where he was then recovered from the water.

“The dive team found him. They found his body here,” Ben referred to a crevice between rocks. “They pulled him up in a stretcher, where many people could see what was going on,” Ben reported.

Chief Figlia confirmed that the jump was a tragic accident. “Beacon Police conducted an investigation and recovered video evidence from the scene, which confirmed, beyond a doubt, that the incident was a tragic accident.”

“It’s a super dangerous situation. People knew about it already, and sadly, they are not surprised this happened,” Ben reported.

“[Cliff diving at the Fishkill Creek] is a wheel chair at best, suicide at worst.”

— Kelley Durkin, USA & World Team Level Dive Coach

Chief Figlia continued: “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Mr. Javinett and his family and loved ones.

People in the Comments of the Beacon Police’s Press Release acknowledged that cliff diving at this location has been going on for years. Said Sara Lynn: “I can’t believe after all these years, people are still doing this. These well known ‘spots’ should be guarded and tragic events such as this can be avoided. I’m sorry for this person’s family and friends, as well as those who bared witness.”

“Close this cliff.”

— Kelley Durkin, USA & World Team Level Dive Coach

Kelley Durkin said (ALBB has edited for FB typos): “I am a lifetime diver + USA & World Team level coach. In 1970's, all the local divers would cliff dive off Castle Rock in S. Salem at 55 ft. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't do it. When you are young, you function off ‘thrill, dare & invincibility.’ I saw an experienced diver and coach do a normal front dive fine, and break his neck near death. Another diver got knocked out and was under dark water until a friend ‘felt him’ and saved him at the last minute.

“The Olympic 10M Platform is 33 ' and a diver is moving 40+- MPH. I've seen experienced divers miss a dive and go to the hospital. So that's only 33'. My Castle Rock is 55'and this cliff here is some say 80'. You are likely moving 60+ MPH! After a life of high level diving and coaching, I will not let a trained diver of mine on 10M Platform at 33' for ‘years’ after extensive training. Today, I would never let myself or anyone I knew go off the 55' and 80' should be closed off to everyone.

“various objects are present at the creek bottom - submerged logs & stumps, bicycles, shopping carts, pipes, construction debris, etc. Storms and high water flows constantly change the creek bottom.”

— Beacon Councilperson Sergei Krasikov

“Further, just about everyone on these cliffs are local dare non-divers with zero training. This is a wheel chair at best, suicide at worst. And I have not even got into how the cliff rock shapes out under water, how deep the water is, what's down there, that current you talk about, etc. Close this cliff - I don't care how ‘dare’ you are.”

A Little Beacon Blog reached out to Beacon Councilperson Sergei Krasikov, who works closely with the Fishkill Creek, for comment about what he knows about the depth and condition of the creek there. He responded: “I do not know the depth or the condition of the creek bottom in the area. From general experience and observations at various sites during kayaking, clean ups, water quality sampling etc., various objects are present at the creek bottom - submerged logs & stumps, bicycles, shopping carts, pipes, construction debris, etc. Storms and high water flows constantly change the creek bottom. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous, but especially so in creeks with constantly changing conditions and the water you cannot see through. My heart goes to the family and friends of the man who has died so tragically.

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EVENT: An Act Introduced To Replace Central Hudson With A Non-Profit: "Hudson Valley Power Authority Act"

A group is meeting on Thursday, June 25 from 6-7:30pm at St. Andrew & St. Luke Episcopal Church • 15 South Avenue, Beacon, NY to learn and ask questions about a bill introduced by Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha and Senator Michelle Hinchey called “The Hudson Valley Power Authority Act.” This legislation would create a state-owned corporation, the Hudson Valley Power Authority (HVPA), that “is authorized to acquire Central Hudson and run it as a publicly-owned and democratic energy with no profit motive,” according to the bill’s website.

Promoters of the legislation describe it as: “Central Hudson is a for-profit monopoly owned by a Canadian holding company, Fortis. A state bill, called the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act (A02127 Shrestha /S02026 Hinchey), would replace Central Hudson with a not for profit state corporation. That means getting rid of investors who have a right to make profits from our utility bills, and lowering rates to serve energy as a public good!”

It is not indicated if the lawmaker presenting at this panel, Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, will address regulations created by New York State that have impacted higher rates of gas and electricity. The morning co-host on K104, DJ Bill Bael, who is a Town of Wappinger Councilman since 2007 and former Deputy Town Supervisor, and current Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response Commissioner, often discusses how New York legislation has contributed to the increase in pricing of gas and electric for Central Hudson customers.

Central Hudson’s website briefly describes its origin story of one that was started by three individuals with the aim to consolidate multiple energy providing companies in this region.

Central Hudson’s origin story description states:

“In 1900, three men – Thaddeus Beal, his father William R. Beal and John Wilkie – purchased two companies which provided 5,000 Newburgh, New York customers with electricity and gas.

“It was a bold move to reach beyond the economic activity of the city into a sparsely populated region, but Beal, Wilkie, and their associates recognized the need for consolidation of the many separate electric and gas companies serving our region. Over the next 25 years these men realized their vision. With the emergence of new energy technology and through the merger of 80-plus independent electric and gas companies, the Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation was formed.

“The year 2000 saw the formation of CH Energy Group, Inc., a holding company/parent organization of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation and a family of subsidiaries known as Central Hudson Enterprises Corporation. And in 2013 CH Energy Group and Central Hudson joined Fortis Inc.’s federation of utility companies. The merger, which was voted for by CH Energy Group shareholders, took place following state and federal regulatory approvals. It provided Central Hudson with improved access to capital to make infrastructure improvements and provided customers with nearly $50 million in financial benefits.

For people interested in supporting Hudson Valley Power Authority (HPVA), there is a petition they can sign.

For questions people want to ask, registration is available here.

Police Department Of The Village of Fishkill Concludes Review Of Nazi Salute Made By Daniel Mandia

Commissioner Glenn R. Scofield Jr. of the Village of Fishkill Police Department responded to A Little Beacon Blog’s inquiry on the response of law enforcement based on the actions of Daniel Mandia, sole owner of Mandia Construction and Sons, where he stepped into the TikTok video being made by two girls of color, performed a Nazi salute, stepped out of the camera. He then allegedly asked the girls if they knew what the salute meant, and allegedly encouraged them to post it to the Internet.

Commissioner Scofield Jr. said: “The Village of Fishkill Police Department has completed its review of the video circulating on social media. Following investigation & consultation with members of the District Attorney’s office, it has been determined that the individual's actions, while deeply offensive and disruptive to community values, constitute speech protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Because the behavior did not include a direct, credible threat of violence or physical harm, it does not meet the statutory requirements for criminal prosecution. Our agency remains committed to ensuring the safety of all community members within the boundaries of the law.”

UPDATE 6/8/2026: A Little Beacon Blog wrote to the Village of Fishkill Police with the following question, and received the following response:

Dear Commissioner Scofield:
One of our readers suggested the Endangerment of a Child Law 260.10.

Can you speak to why this law does not refer to Daniel Mandia’s actions? How he gave a salute that is known to be extremely divisive and inciting, and then allegedly made sure the girls did not know what the salute meant, and encouraged them to post it online. Which has resulted in a region-wide disruptive reaction.

From the law:
"He or she knowingly acts in a manner likely to be injurious to the
physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than seventeen years
old or directs or authorizes such child to engage in an occupation
involving a substantial risk of danger to his or her life or health”

It certainly seems like Daniel intentionally was "injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare” of the girls, which can lead to "substantial risk of danger to his or her life or health” of the girls.

Thank you.

---

Katie

Dear Ms. Hellmuth -
I refer you to the statement issued on June 5,2026.

Commissioner Scofield

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Birthday Gift Wish During Permit Driving Session TO School

Pride Flag To Be Raised By City Of Beacon In Ceremony Monday June 1; Short Speeches Given Prior To Council Meeting

The City of Beacon first raised its Pride flag in 2022. At that time, Mayor Kyriacou made a point to mention that he purchased the flag himself. This year, the City of Beacon will raise the flag again with a short ceremony at 6:30pm before the City Council Meeting, during which Mayor Kyriacou will read an annual City of Beacon proclamation of June as Pride Month.

kk Naimool (kay-kay, all pronouns) will also deliver a short speech. kk is a Founding Partner at Collective Justice, and is the former Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Beacon’s Human Rights Commission before the commission was dissolved by the City of Beacon.

Read speeches given by KK and Donna Minkowitz at that time.

Beacon Police Bring Man To Safety From Jumping Off Newburgh-Beacon Bridge Pedestrian Fence

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

On Saturday, May 23rd, the Beacon Police responded to a call about a man attempting to jump off the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge near Newburgh on the eastbound side, who was standing on the top wrung of the fence, overlooking the Hudson River. “Though the bridge is not patrolled by the City of Beacon Police Department,” Beacon Chief Thomas Figlia said in a press release issued later on Wednesday, May 27th, “when calls like this come in, we respond due to our proximity.”

According to the press release, the man had climbed up the pedestrian fence, and was being spoken to by a woman who was trying to help. “He was speaking to a female passerby, who stopped to try to assist him, and was stating that he wanted to kill himself.”

It was at that time that “officers acted quickly to take hold of the male and bring him down off of the fence to safety.” Town of Newburgh Officers arrived at that point, who then took the man for a mental health evaluation.

If anyone is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call the New york State Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Bridge Jumps on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge Happen On A Regular Basis

Scenarios like this happen on a regular basis from the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, but do not have such an outcome. On a Saturday in September 2025, a woman jumped from the opposite side of the bridge where there is no pedestrian walkway or fence at all. After hitting the water, she was rescued alive by first responders in the water.

The Beacon Police will at times station an officer at Pete and Toshi Riverfront Park while a rescue is in motion, in case anyone is found in the water downriver.

VIDEO: Juneteenth 2026 Lineup In Beacon Has Dropped - What To Expect

🎉🗓️🐦‍🔥The Juneteenth in Beacon lineup as dropped. ALBB published a Sneak Peek video on our Instagram before heading to Sun River Health for a kid’s dental appointment (you know we love Beacon Dental too, but Medicaid is available at Sun River until we can fit Delta Dental Insurance back in the budget).

Look for appearances from Bosco and the Storm - who is the brainchild behind this event. The Marching Cobras of New York will be there, with DJ King Cyrus spinning. Maya Moore will preform. Listen for the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice And Sing” to be sung and arrive on time so that you don’t miss it.

For food, look for mozzarella sticks and steak sandwiches from the Number Seven Sandwich Hub food truck, Pats Kitchen and others.

Shopping from Brown Girlz Crafts, Crowned Natural Haircare, Jades Collection, Allor Romance, Shopping Reveal, Four Winds Crafts and others.

Non-profits like LesSouers Amiable Civic Club, Beacons Backyard Kitchen, and Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail will be there.

ALBB will be there too! With our face painting table. This year, we are trying something new: offering Sponsor Opportunities for readers and businesses to buy the kids’ face painting sessions so that parents can have for free. Link and levels will drop here shortly.

VENDOR LIST:
Browngirlz Crafts
Team Hart at Epique Realty
Corky Chev CreaTions
LesSouers Amiable Civic Club
The Potluck @thepotluck845
Kandles-n-Things /Ellen’s Unique Boutique
Evie Eats @evie_eats
Four Winds Crafts
Snack Shack
Kappa Eta Eta Chapter Inc.
Rise Up Project
Self-Care JS
Allor Romance
Desmond Fish Library
Shopping Reveal
Number Seven Sandwich Hub
Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail
AbuBashir Oils
Sun River Health
Jades Collections
A Little Beacon Blog Face Painting
Howland Beacon Library
Behind THe Chair Ministries
Crowned Natural Haircare
Pat’s Kitchen Corp
5HeartProducts
Backies All Natural
Just a Taste Foods
Big Apple Concessions
Fable and Sow
Beacon Backyard
Craftsman’s Serious Soulfood
Sips on The Hudson
American Red Cross
River Pool
Incredible Creations
Weichert Realtors The Spiesman Group
Cafe Verde

Performers:
Maya Moore
Bosco and The Storm
Jayda Woodall
LBC
Tommie Stephens
Marching Cobras
D.J. Cyrus

Alleged Sink Hole At MTA Beacon Train Entrance Discovered Or Treated Wednesday Night

Police officers looking into what may be a sink hole, surrounded by other cracks that may or may not be related to the alleged sink hole.
Photo Credit: A Beacon community member of the Original Beacon Facebook Group.

The call came in to A Little Beacon Blog on Wednesday night at 10:30pm: “There’s a lot of police activity at the train station right now. It’s completely blocked off,” the caller said. While ALBB was asleep and still in a dream at that hour, it was hard to comprehend where exactly the person was talking about, and which parts were blocked off. Tempted to roll out of bed, ALBB took in more information, and then decided that the police had it handled, and that something would percolate up in the morning.

Indeed, photos surfaced at the Beacon NY Facebook group with a resident report that the issue was allegedly a sink hole at the top of the driveway to the train station, Railway Drive, right off Beekman Street, in front of the new townhouses, and down the street from the MTA Police Station. Photos show at least two police officers shining a flashlight into a hole in the pavement in what seems to be late afternoon when Wednesday’s light rain drizzle started, before it was patched soon after.

A crack that may be connected to the alleged sink hole that was patched by Thursday morning.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

By 7am Thursday at least, the road was cleared and a wide patch set. Traffic was normal. Said one reader and resident who lives in the area to ALBB: “When we went to bed, there were just police blocking the entrance and a barricade up. By the time we woke up to drive to school, it seemed back to normal.”

A wide patch was made, but other cracks surround the area. It is not clear if this area has been patched over time to address the same problem.

Neither the City of Beacon nor the Beacon Police Department posted a notice about a sink hole, nor answered ALBB’s inquires by the time of this publishing.

Beekman Street is slated for a major street rehabilitation upgrade project with a “tentatively awarded $3 million federal grant” announced in last year’s Capital Projects Budget presentation in June 2025, which is for street, sidewalk and crosswalk design and a new bike lane on one side of the street. But that does not necessarily include this Railroad Drive down to the MTA train station. Last summer 2025, residents remember Beekman Street being torn up for pipe replacement “all summer loooooong,” recalled one resident to ALBB.

Photos are below of the patched hole (photo credits Katie Hellmuth). Also below are unanswered questions that ALBB has asked the City:

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ALBB’s questions awaiting answered:

• Is this indeed a sink hole?

• Whose property is Railway Drive? The MTA’s or the City of Beacon’s? Who is responsible for paying for maintaining and infrastructure upgrades in this spot of the entrance road?

• Which entity produced the patch on Wednesday night? An outside contractor? The City of Beacon Highway Department? State or County workers?

• What are the future plans for addressing the sink hole, if it is a sink hole?

What Is A Sink Hole?

As described in a report produced by CBC/Radio Canada, which described Montreal’s aging infrastructure that was causing sink holes:

“A sink hole is a steep walled hole that opens up when material has been removed from underneath the surface and then the surface collapses into it,” said Christie Rowe, an Associate Professor at McGill University to CBC/Radio Canada. “Normally that process of removal is due to dissolution. Like when rain water runs through cracks and rock. If that rock is dissolving into the rain water as it percolates down, or is lost from the City plumbing systems through leaks in the pipes, that water can move underneath the ground and create voids. Then when it collapses from the surface down into the hole, that creates the sink hole.”

Dutchess County Legislature Passes Partial, Temporary Gas Sales Tax $3 Cap

On April 13, 2026, the Dutchess County Legislature voted unanimously to pass a temporary and partial gas tax reduction at the pump. Effective June 1, 2026, sales tax on gasoline and highway diesel will be capped at $3/gallon. This means that the portion of the price of gas that exceeds $3 will not be taxed. For example: if gas is $3.50/gallon, then the first $3 will be taxed, but the remaining $.50 will not be. A deadline for this partial tax reduction was not included in the press release published by Dutchess County Chair Yvette Valdés Smith (D - Fishkill and Beacon). Legislator Michael Polasek (R-LaGrange) confirmed to ALBB that this gas tax reduction expires December 1, 2026..

In 2022, a similar temporary gas tax reduction was granted under a different administration. Introduced by then County Executive Marcus Molinaro (R), the cap was set to $2 and expired December 1, 2022, as per New York State Law. The law also requires that local taxes on gas be collected and cannot be eliminated, Molinaro explained in his press release at that time.

New York State sales tax on gas is 8.125% (it is 8.75% on New York State MCTD). Of that, each county decides which percentage or cents per gallon it takes from this tax. According to New York State’s March 2025 Local Sales and Use Tax Rates on Qualified Motor Fuel Highway Diesel Motor Fuel, and B20 Biodiesel, Dutchess County’s share is 3.75%.

Most counties use percentage, and most counties take 4% or above from that tax. Erie and Suffolk Counties, for instance, take 4.75%. Dutchess County takes below that at 3.75%. At this time, ALBB has not yet pursued why it is advantageous to residents of Dutchess County to take less than it is entitled from the state collected tax the county is required to collect.

Said Chair of the Dutchess County Legislature, Yvette Valdés Smith (D), who was the Minority Leader during the 2022 tax cap of $2 which was made in the name of fighting inflation: “As gasoline prices continue to surge as a consequence of the war in the Middle East, members of the Dutchess County Legislature are putting forward a resolution to cap the County's sales tax on gasoline and highway diesel at $3 per gallon. The proposal would prevent Dutchess County from collecting windfall tax revenue from residents who have seen gas prices rise more than 25% in recent weeks.”

The 2022 temporary gas tax cap was also voted on in April, taking effect June 1, and ending December 1 of that same year. That is because, as explained in former County Executive Molinaro’s press release: “New York State law states local sales tax enactments of this kind can take effect only on March, June, September or December 1st of any year and a certified copy of the local enacted resolution must be transmitted to the State at least 90 days prior to the effective date.”

After the Legislature met to vote to advance the gas tax reduction, Dutchess County Legislator Chair Yvette said: “The hardworking people of Dutchess County are hurting. The leadership of the Republican federal administration has been a disaster for everyone who’s not a millionaire or a billionaire. Whether it’s tariffs driving up the cost of goods, disastrous energy and environmental policies skyrocketing our energy and utility bills, or irresponsible and downright dangerous foreign policy like the War in Iran, which has caused our gas prices to go up more than a dollar in barely a month. This Legislature cannot allow the County to profit off of the people’s pain.”

Several Democrats were quoted in the 2026 press release, but no Republicans were quoted, nor was current County Executive Sue Serino (R). As a Senator, Serino consistently resisted taxes on gas and other driving mechanisms such as registrations and licenses. In fact, in 2021, Serino led a campaign to “Trash The Gas Tax.”

“Suspending the gas tax could save average New Yorkers hundreds of dollars each year,” said Senator Serino in 2021. “For too long, state government has turned a blind eye and put blame squarely on the shoulders of the federal government when it comes to increased costs on necessities like gas and home heating oil, but the reality is there are steps the state can take to provide immediate relief to hardworking New Yorkers who are being charged more just to get to work, take their children to school or daycare, or operate their businesses. It is far past time for the politicians in Albany to hear the concerns of their constituents and do what they can to provide relief now.”

Sounds like both sides of the isle are saying the same thing on the gas tax.

Back to present, County Legislator Emma Arnoff (D-LaGrange) stated of the 2026 temporary $3 gas cap: “Out-of-control gas prices are crushing constituents who are already struggling with rising electricity costs, rent, and interest rates.”

This morning, A Little Beacon Blog reached out to every Republican Legislator, as well as County Executive Sue Serino for comment. Michael Polasek (R-LaGrange), Minority Leader responded: “We supported the gas tax holiday as a starting point, because even modest relief matters to families who are struggling with rising costs. But we also believe we need to have serious discussions about more meaningful affordability measures that could provide greater impact for residents. That’s why it was disappointing that the proposal supporting a utility tax and surcharge holiday was not placed on this month’s agenda for consideration. At a time when families are feeling real pressure from energy costs, every reasonable idea deserves an open discussion.”

Sue Serino’s office responded with her quote: “I signed the gas tax cap legislation into law to provide residents with some relief from rising gas prices. While the County has little control over prices at the pump, we are working to do what we can to provide some relief to people who are feeling the effects of a volatile market.”

How This Will Work For Consumers At The Pump

In terms of how this will work for the consumer at the pump, ALBB asked County Executive Sue Serino’s office to expand upon how the sales tax will be lowered for the consumer, since New York State collects the gas sales tax, and then distributes to the counties.

“The State’s Department of Taxation & Finance will notify gas stations of the change and the stations will adjust the sales tax rate in their point of sale systems. It is important to remember that sales tax has several components – the State portion 4%, Dutchess County’s portion 3.75% and in our county, the MTA portion .375%, which total the full 8.125% rate. The State and MTA portion will remain.”