Loss To Culinary And Community; 4th Of July Things To Do 📅 7/04/2025
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Citing Unsustainable Rent Increase, Stella's Fine Market Closes On Main Street
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Days after announcing their Reader’s Choice award of Best Specialty Food Shop In The Hudson Valley by Hudson Valley Magazine, Stella’s Fine Market next announced that they were closing by the end of of the month, citing an unsustainable rent increase.
“I didn’t want to end our stay on Main Street,” said owner Nikki Hayes to her Instagram audience, “but our rent increase became something I simply couldn’t afford any longer. But I’m choosing to see this as a blessing in disguise.”
Nikki’s husband, Adam. Photo Credit: Stella’s Fine Market
The closure announcement was contained in a post featuring Nikki and her daughter, Stella. On posts like this, the reader holds their breath a little, because posts like that are either re-introduction posts, or bad news. It was the latter: “I’ve been dreading writing this post…We will be closing Stella’s at the end of this month. It’s hard to put into words what this little shop has meant to me all these years & what you have meant to me.”
Stella’s Fine Market was known for tightly curated ingredients, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages that Nikki used in her everyday life.
“If you’ve ever appreciated what I built here, maybe some, almost 5,000 of you! who are following can help me find the perfect next step. I’m looking ahead with excitement and intention. I’m ready to bring everything I’ve learned curating emerging brands, building customer trust, and spotting what’s next in food and drink to a bigger platform. With a background in procurement, merchandising, packaging design and deep knowledge of the non-alcoholic space. I’d love to work with a brand that shares my values and building community through great products. I’m not rushing into the next thing I’m waiting for the right thing. The kind of role where I can keep doing this work I love, with impact and integrity, just on a larger scale.”
Beacon Culinary Legend, Sound Maker and Creative, Matt Hutchins, Has Passed
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All photos of Matt Hutchins are from his Instagram, @buttermilkjack.
Matt Hutchins was a game-changing culinary icon during a time of culinary renaissance that defined Beacon. That time period could be likened to when DIA:Beacon opened in the old Nabisco box printing factory and changed the trajectory of Beacon’s art and design scene. Matt, known as Matty to friends, passed away Saturday June 28, 2025 at age 51.
ALBB did not know him personally, but he regularly appeared as the chef in several new restaurant openings, so he was often in our articles. Regional food magazines are most likely going to devote a few pages to this culinary creative. Matt presented as: “A dreamer, chef, musician, vintage and vinyl enthusiast, forager, and earnest knucklehead,” reads his Instagram. A graduate of the Culinary Institute, he was also from the south.
He first appeared on ALBB’s radar when he was part of the opening of The Hop. Says beverage industry veteran and Beacon resident, Lynnette Marrero in Imbibe who designed cocktails for The Hop: “When a local beer bar called The Hop opened in 2012, things started to change. It really opened the local scene to craft, even evolving to have a small cocktail menu.” Food-wise, it was described as “country French with Southern inflection” at Upstater.
Prior to The Hop, in 2010, Matt was chosen as the chef for Birdsall House.
When The Hop announced its unexpected closure in October 2016, local journalist Brian Cronin of the Highlands Current declared: “It was the social-media equivalent of an earthquake on the east end of Beacon’s Main Street.” ALBB wrote about it here. The team at The Hop went on to create other establishments, like bar manager and former dolly grip in LA, John-Anthony Gargiulo, who opened Hudson Valley Brewery. Others went to newly formed Melzingah’s.
From January - April 2017, Matt was the first executive chef for the opening of the renovated Beacon Hotel (revisit that history and major renovation here). Beacon Hotel Restaurant ended and became Carter’s owned by Chef Jon Lombardi.
When Mama Roux opened at 96 Broadway in Newburgh in November 2019, Matt described the flavor as: “deep South with some Cajun influences, Creole, and country French” in the Times Hudson Valley.
By at least December 2022, Matt snuggled into Dogwood, formerly owned by George Mansfield (retired and current City Councilmember), which he sold to become what is now Cooper’s.
At the Dogwood, Matt’s menu was wide-ranging: “@buttermilkjack (aka chef Matt Hutchins) is rolling out his new expanded Dogwood menu tonight. there really is something for everyone now, so what are you waiting for? come on out to @dogwoodbeacon for some of what has now got to be the best bar food in town.”
Matt continued on at Quinn’s, which is owned by Yukie and Tom Schmitz since 2013, and where George Mansfield can be seen again (George was once a partner, as have been some others, but Yukie and Tom are the sole owners at present, Yukie told ALBB). Matt spread out musically.
In October 2024, Matt was part of the opening of the new-ownership version of Untouchable in Newburgh at 40 Liberty Street. The owners of Quinn’s set their sights on this dive bar. Yukie recalled to ALBB: “Thanks again for writing about Matt who was a wonderful human being and a big part of our community. We all will miss him for a long time.” Yukie let ALBB know that he also helped them open Untouchable in Newburgh last year. “Matty was a huge part of it. I miss him being behind the bar. It was such a fun moment.” Menu items included a French Taco (chicken and Gruyere cheese) and Le Smash (double smash burger).
Matt Hutchins behind the newly opened restaurant bar, Untouchable, in Newburgh.
PHoto credit: Yukie Schmitz.
Local friends have been mourning and expressing their unexpected grief. Yukie published in her Instagram with a picture of Matt in an airport: “A dear friend whom I treated like family. They helped me out at work and they helped me out a lot. This picture is of him just arriving at Narita Airport. He was always the one at the center of the circle. Until recently, I'm filled with unheard thoughts from many people that he cherished his memories in Japan.”
Food photographer Meghan Spiro said in her Instagram: “Sometimes we crossed paths in business while I captured your dishes, but more often, we found ourselves late night at Quinn’s - catching up on each of our hopes and dreams, reminiscing on southern family recipes, and encouraging each other to always be better humans.
Food photographer and painter Meghan Spiro responds to Matt Hutchin’s passing.
“I can’t believe you’re gone, Matt. I just saw you and said ‘see you later’ and not goodbye. I’m not ready. I thought we had more laughs, more collaborations.
“You were a maverick in the community and put Beacon on the map as a culinary destination over a decade ago. You packed so much flavor in your life and your food and your music. The force was always strong with you.
“You have a whole community in mourning. None of us were ready.”
How To Verify A Person Circling A Nighborhood Who May Be ICE (How-To Video)
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Since ALBB posted the verification video of the ICE person on North Elm and Wilkes in Beacon last Saturday, “ICE Spotted Again In Beacon On Soccer Saturday - "Community Is Watching," Neighbor States (With Video)” people have asked a few questions:
“How do I verify ICE?”
“Can I film them?”
“Can I go up to a car to ask them who they are?”
Yes you can. To all of these questions. Katie made this video for you, walking you through how to gently approach a vehicle or person who you think is stalking a neighborhood, house or street. Your goal would be to see if they identify themselves as being with ICE, and what kind of work they are doing here.
If you see a vehicle - or a person walking - who you think is ICE - you could nicely approach them to ask: “Hi…What’s going on here? Can you tell me what you’re doing?”
In Beacon, they have been spotted wearing:
Tan vests on that say POLICE or a blue jacket that says FBI.
All black (black shirt, black pants) and a black cap with sunglasses. May have something hanging in a covered holster from their waist.
Their cars won’t always say ICE on them, but ALBB is currently pursuing a lead where such a vehicle was seen near North Walnut Street (if you have any tips, please send them in). Usually these vehicles have been unmarked with all tinted windows.
This video gives suggestions on how to get verification of an ICE person. Once you get that verification - with video if you can - think about who you will share that video with. A trusted journalist source, your local ICE watch group, the City of Beacon Police, or a trusted source of yours who will know what to do with it.
The Mayor of Beacon, Lee Kyriacou, reaffirmed the City’s commitment to being a safe and inclusive city, with this statement after the person taken on June 20th from a neighbor’s backyard was made public: “I want to make clear that at no time leading up to this incident did City staff, including our Police Department, have any notice of or involvement in ICE operations. As a City, we remain committed to our safe, inclusive community policy, to preserving rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, and to avoiding any policies which engender fear among law-abiding families.” Click here for his full statement.
City Council Meeting Gold Nuggets Recap: June 2, 2025 (Video)
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This was a swift City Council Meeting the night of June 2, 2025, but a few Gold Nuggets emerged. Those are covered in this video recap, highlighted in brief in bullets below:
Gold Nuggets:
The Department of Homeland Security List that Beacon was on regarding immigration. Read more about that here.
The Loitering Law and marijuana after New York State de-criminalized it.
Councilperson Jeff Domanski bringing up Community Choice Aggregation again (the low price green energy deal that did save Beacon customers money that Jeff was connected to but it fell apart the first time after energy prices went up at the start of the war on Ukraine. The program is back for another go).
The so far undisclosed sale price or bidder for the Mase Hook and Ladder Fire House.
Speculation of what is in the “Personal” section of the private Executive Session when the agenda said there would only be discussion of “Real Property.” We do know that there were recently at least 2 suspensions in the Highway Department: Reuben Simmons and another person.
Free Sunglasses Giveaway From CareFull MD - Kids and Adult Sizes! (gafas de sol GRATI S 😎🕶️)
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💜🤍💜 F R EE 😎🕶️ sunglasses giveaway!
💜💟💜 gafas de sol G R A T I S 😎🕶️!
CareFull MD, Beacon’s first walk-in clinic urgent care is giving away sunglasses in Kids and Adult sizes.
You may have seen the flyer in elementary school kid’s folders or in the ad in the Beacon Free Press or here at A Little Beacon Blog. When you’re getting groceries - or any time or just to say “hi” to see what the spacious waiting room looks and feels like in CareFull MD’s air conditioning - come in for a pair of sunglasses. It’s CareFull MD’s housewarming gift to the community. 🤗
Open 10am-8pm Daily. Any day!
Located next to Key Food grocery store.
ICE Has Been Questioning Brown People In Beacon At Least 1.5 Months; At Least One Other Person Taken
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According to neighbors in Beacon who are residents and employees in Beacon, ICE has been circling the backroads of Beacon and Main Street for at least 1.5 months, questioning people. At least one other person was taken in that time, ALBB was told by people familiar with the situation.
Men Seeming Like ICE In The BACKROADS Questioning Residents
A resident who is Brown in the Spanish community who lives in the backroads of Beacon told ALBB that a white men dressed in the tan vest with yellow POLICE patch on it, wearing a ball cap and large sunglasses, approached them at their home, asking if a woman with a Spanish name (they identified the name) lived in their home. The white man pursued questioning the Beacon resident, asking more than once if the woman lived there, and did the resident know where she was. The resident declined each time saying they did not know her. The white man with the POLICE vest, cap and sunglasses left.
When the resident stepped out of their home to continue on with their day of errands, a car of 4 white men in similar costume of cap, sunglasses, tan vest and yellow POLICE approached the Beacon resident again, asking them more questions. The resident grew a little impatient, as the questioning was making them late to an appointment, and asked if they were free to leave. Eventually the car of white men drove away.
This resident confirmed to ALBB that a man from the Spanish community in Beacon was taken from a different street before the man was taken from North Elm Street. No one can verify where the person was taken.
MAN Questioning Employees On Main Street
Employees who are Brown who were out on the sidewalk on Main Street in the past weeks told ALBB that they were separately spoken to by a white man they did not recognize. The first employee said that the man, who was dressed in non-identifiable clothing, spoke to them in Spanish. However, the employee did not speak Spanish and did not understand him. They asked him to repeat in English, which he did. He told the employee that he wanted to let them know that ICE was in the area, and to be careful. He went on with his thoughts.
The second Brown employee at a different establishment said that they were approached by the same white man, who asked where they were from, how long they were in the country, and how long they were working at the establishment.
Both employees told ALBB that they felt that the questioning was not comforting, and both have decided to refrain from answering questions or warnings about ICE from men they do not recognize who linger around the place of business.
Last Saturday, when ICE was identified as being on North Elm and Wilkes Street in this video, a person on Main Street down by the Dummy Light said they saw a white man in a vest with an FBI patch on it. While this may been a poser, or imposter who ordered an FBI jacket off the Internet and felt like walking around, he was seen, and did not look like a backpacker. The Beacon resident told ALBB: “I saw him wearing beige cargo pants and the dark blue jacket with the 3 FBI letters on the back. He walked down Main Street and turned onto East Main Street, walking extremely fast away, almost in a rushing manner.”
When ALBB asked if they were positive they saw the three letters on the back, the resident said: “FBI jacket for sure.”
While it may not always be possible to verify if a person wearing a FBI jacket or tan POLICE vest is ICE, one can always approach them nicely and ask them. As in this video where the ICE person identified themselves, ICE can identify themselves. Bonus points if they present a badge or some sort of identification. Since they are searching for people with names, they can also state their name when asked.
Things To Do 6/28/2025
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Beacon Open Studios 2025 Is This Weekend - Here's A Partial Lineup And Event List
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It is one of the best times of the year in Beacon: sidewalk hopping through artists’ studios in Beacon. The map of all artists opening their studios is on Beacon Open Studio’s website. Another version of the map includes pictures of some artwork to give you an idea of what you will see.
This year, several locations are displaying multiple artists. For example, the studio pictured here is at the home of 243 Rombout Avenue, is branded as “Hudson Valley Guitar Fix” and will exhibit Eric Alfredo, Chris Ams, Bam Bowen, and Ellion Debryun.
Other home studios include Rho Tang Studio, Elizabeth Mihaltse Lindy, Procario Designs on Maple Street (will feature John Procario, Rachael Sage, Elizabeth Arnold, Kat Spontak, and Famous Meadow), another on Maple (Edward Miller, Laurel Smith, and Jennifer Smith), and the metalsmith Caiming Cheung Studio. Several others are listed on the map. Get on your bike or drive strategically.
Businesses and art galleries are also participating, usually showing several artists at once. This is a great opportunity to get into The Kube at 211 Fishkill Avenue (the Old Beacon High School up on a hill with a parking lot), who is exhibiting the ROLL OUT Group Show. ROLL OUT just completed its open call for artist applications for the 2025 interactive show in October. Stop to see artists carving large-scale woodblocks on site and the opportunity to create your own sticker print on a mini press.
Businesses include LotusWorks Garden at their outside lot location at 14 N Cedar St. Artists will include John Procario and John Menzie. Trax Coffee at 1 East Main Street showcasing Jennifer Blakeslee and Denise DeVore. The Yard Group Show Gallery will be open all weekend, and is the main destination for all of the performances.
New interactive gallery, Blooming Hearts Studio at 41 Mason Circle, Building 10, Studio #2 from photographer and painter Meghan Spiro will be open. Artist Christie Rose will be at the vintage boutique Another Door at 468 Main Street.
Beacon Open Studios Musical Performances At The Yard
There are several satellite events around this event. ....................................................................................
FRIDAY NIGHT, JUNE 27
LOVE IS AN ACTION: SUNSET DANCE SHOWCASE
The Yard | 4 Hanna Ln, Beacon NY (outside)
Doors at 7:00
Love is an Action 3.0 is the third installment of an ongoing performance series created by choreographer Skyla Schreter. A celebration of raw, real-time collaboration, this one-night-only outdoor event invites audiences into a moment of creative alchemy—where dance and music meet in spontaneous, unscripted exchange.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 28
BOS MUSIC SHOWCASE
The Yard | 4 Hanna Ln, Beacon NY (indoors)
Doors at 6:00 | Drinks will be for sale
THIS YEAR'S MUSICIANS:
Martin D. Fowler
Martin D. Fowler has composed music underscoring Pulitzer Prize-winning radio from This American Life and other number-one Podcasts, composed ad music for clients like MLB, BMW, Coke, and Spotify, co-produced on tracks for Lil Wayne, Princess Nokia, Aja the Kween, and Arthur Lewis (Freestyle Love Supreme), has had work appear on VH1, VICELAND, and many other media outlets.
Odetta Hartman with LETZ
With a heart-stopping voice & wide- ranging instrumental talent,Odetta Hartman carries cowboy soul into an era where country can clash with computers & bluegrass isn’t afraid of bass.
ILLARI
Illari is a project born from transition, rooted in resilience. Created by Peruvian percussionist Angel Lau after a canceled Fulbright dream, Illari is a personal and musical response to the longing for connection—with home, with ancestry, and with community. Drawing from Afro-Peruvian, Brazilian, Congolese, and jazz traditions, the music is danceable, spiritual, and deeply grounded.
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SUNDAY, JUNE 29th
BROADWAY IN BEACON: MUSICAL THEATRE
The Yard | 4 Hanna Ln, Beacon NY
Doors at 6:30 | Drinks will be for sale
After a year of sold out shows, Will Reynolds and Jen Malenke host a night of Broadway magic and mayhem! Prepare to be blown away as Broadway performers and incredible local talent sing your favorite show tunes. There will be surprise guests appearances…direct from Broadway! Plus, a special appearance by Choir Illume, Beacon's new all-gender choir.
Business Directory Highlight: Insulating A Hot Attic And Adding A Mini Split (Shelter Air)
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Shelter Air owner Kimberly Sevilla, an energy Auditor, provides benefits of insulating an attic.
Editor’s Note: From time to time, ALBB produces videos with our member advertisers in the Business Directory or Things To Do In Beacon Guides to bring you something extra spicy, or energy you need. This is one such video. Check our Media Kit if interested in playing.
Shelter-Air owner Kimberly Sevilla came over to Katie’s attic during the Heat Wave to speak to ALBB Readers about ways to insulate the attic; the benefits of insulating the attic to make the house more efficient in heating and cooling it; and programs to consider for rebates and grants for low to moderate income earners. Shelter-Air is independent and woman-owned, and ALBB Business Directory Member.
Kimberly is an Energy Auditor certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). She also works with The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
“I go into people’s homes and look for ways to improve their performance in their home so that it uses less energy to heat and cool,” she told ALBB. “Instead of putting a box into an inefficient house, is I make the house more efficient, and then I put the box in.”
She also well-versed in the NYS Clean Heat Program from New York State, that incentives purchasing and installing a heat pump through rebates and financing options so you can lower your bills and stay comfortable all year long. NYS Clean Heat rebates can be combined with federal tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act. She also mentions the EmPower Program for low to moderate income earners.
Ask Kimberly all about it, from financing to cooling, she can recommend you to the best solution. Call or Text: 845.204.8679 Website | Email
No Primary Vote For Beacon June 2025 - City Council Will Run Unopposed Again
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A reader wrote in to A Little Beacon Blog asking for details about voting in Tuesday’s primary, but there was no primary election for Beacon, as per the Dutchess County Board of Elections.
There has not been a primary in Beacon for City Councilmembers since at least June 2019, when Dan Aymar-Blair and Kelly Ellenwood ran for the spot as Democrats. Kelly lost but went on to run on the Independent line, but Dan won the general election. This year, Dan left his seat as Councilmember and successfully ran for Dutchess County Comptroller, and was replaced by George Mansfield, who came out of retirement with Mayor Lee’s appointment.
The Mayor and City Council ran unopposed last election. The Beacon Democrats usually put up one person they have selected for each Ward. There may not be an active Republican Party group in Beacon.
In 2023, Lastar Gorton tried to run for Ward 1 as a Democrat, but experienced this issue with a postmark problem that ALBB reported on and you can listen to and read here. At that time, all Councilmembers were running unopposed, as was Mayor Lee Kyriacou. Days before the election, Rueben Simmons, longtime employee of the Highway Department and one time Superintendent of that department, entered the Mayoral race as a write-in candidate, and earned 16% of the vote (usually the write-in line gets 1%).
This year, Lastar is the presented Democratic candidate to replace the current ward representative, Molly Rhodes, who is moving on to run for Dutchess County Legislature District 18. Lastar is running to improve livability in Beacon. “My moment of decision came because there were a lot of issues happening in my apartment complex (Tompkins Terrace) and I felt that the management company was doing nothing about it. Friends and neighbors encouraged me to join City Council to see if there was anything that could be done to help with the issues there, even though it is privately owned.”
Carolyn Bennett Glauda is running for Ward 4 (replacing George Mansfield), Sergei Krasikov is running for Ward 3 (replacing Pam Weatherbee), and Zack Smith is running for Ward 2 (replacing Jeff Domanski).
Cooling Stations In Beacon: Beacon Recreation Center & Beacon Public Library
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Two Cooling Stations are open for the first heatwave of the season: the Recreation Center (23 West Center Street) and the Public Library (313 Main Street). Both offer AC, bathrooms, and free WIFI.
The Beacon Recreation Center is open to the public for this heat wave on on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week from 9am-3pm.
Heat Stroke Symptoms
The City of Beacon amplified Dutchess County Emergency Management’s warning about the heat wave, which included a reminder of Heat Stroke Symptoms:
“‼️An EXTREME HEAT WARNING is currently in effect for Dutchess County through Tuesday, June 24 at 8pm. Dangerously high temperatures and humidity will make it feel like 110 degrees outside. This high heat index can cause heat-related illness for all people. Vulnerable populations, such as infants and young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women are at even greater risk. ‼️”
☀️LIMIT time spent outdoors. Stay in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible.
☀️HYDRATE – drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.
☀️CHECK on friends and neighbors.
☀️NEVER leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle for any reason!
☀️CALL 9-1-1 if you suspect someone has heat stroke. (Symptoms include throbbing headache, NO sweating, body temp of 103 or higher, red/hot/dry skin, nausea or vomiting, rapid & strong pulse, possible loss of consciousness.)
If you need to find a place to stay cool, visit https://dutchessny.gov/coolingcenters
For a list of cooling centers in other parts of NY State, visit https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/
ICE Spotted Again In Beacon On Soccer Saturday - "Community Is Watching," Neighbor States (With Video)
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Saturday morning in Beacon marked the last Soccer Saturday of the season as parents rose early to get ready for Championship Day. Dark vehicles with tinted windows suspected of being U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were parked in a line up North Elm and Wilkes Streets, with possible sightings at Orchard Place, the loop that is the base of East and West Willow Streets known as “The Willows.”
After the first Beacon resident was taken by ICE early Friday morning from their home on North Elm Street, residents in Beacon convened in an emergency meeting Friday night to share resources and connect phones to begin a Neighborhood Watch for ICE spottings in an attempt to distract and delay.
A Little Beacon Blog had just published the first article describing what was known so far about the previous ICE sting operation on North Elm, when a reader commented in ALBB’s Instagram that ICE was possibly at intersection of North Elm and Wilkes again for another hit.
Alex Berke, a local mom and employment lawyer who provides counsel on sexual harassment and discrimination cases, had been alerted via the Neighborhood Watch group, and biked over to seek verification by cautiously approaching one of the vehicles to inquire as to their purpose. “It doesn’t feel as hard for me to do this because I’m white and very comfortable speaking to authority figures,” Alex told ALBB.
When she approached the car, she gave a friendly greeting. “Hi…” she said. When she got no response, she tipped her bike helmet in head-nod to get his attention, and motioned for him to roll down his window.
“We all need to be sand in the gears right now. If you’re comfortable approaching, it’s time to do so. Those who have privilege can use it in these moments.”
“Can I help you, ma’am?” the driver asked. Another Beacon resident rolled up as well to join Alex in the interview. The driver was a white male, bald, wore a dark short-sleeved shirt and had a thick beige vest on with a yellow POLICE patch on the front, similar to what has been the costume in other ICE abduction videos. His New York license plate read LDY-3445.
“Yeah,” she continued. “I’m just a Beacon local, and we are trying to understand where you are from and what’s going on.”
“Um, we have something going on in the area,” he answered. “Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, if you’re wondering that. We have police activity going on in the area, so I’m letting you know that we are here.”
The second Beacon resident asked for clarification on which police were in the area. She asked: “Are you saying that local police are involved?”
“No,” he answered immediately. “Local police are not involved. We work independently. Ok?”
Suddenly his phone rang and chatter picked up on his walkie-talkie. “Is that good?” he asked. “That answers your questions?”
“That answers our questions for now,” Alex answered. “The community is out and we’re going to be watching.”
He told her to stay safe as he rolled his window back up, and she wished him the same. “You got it, thank you,” he said as he began driving away toward Verplanck. Soon after, all the cars were gone.
“We all need to be sand in the gears right now,” Alex told ALBB. “If you’re comfortable approaching, it’s time to do so. Those who have privilege can use it in these moments.”
FAQ: “Is This New? Has ICE Been In The Area?”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spotted in Newburgh on Sunday, June 22, 2025 on Broadway standing outside of a Hispanic restaurant with possible intent of wanting to get to apartments above.
Photo Credit: Neighborhood Watch Groups in Newburgh
ICE has been targeting people throughout Dutchess and Orange Counties for months, but Friday’s abduction from North Elm Street was the first for Beacon. Video footage and photos of ICE standing outside bodegas and restaurants in the Hudson Valley have flown around group chats in the immigrant community, but verifying them for reporting has been difficult.
For example, this photo of ICE was in Newburgh on Sunday, June 22, 2025 on Broadway standing outside of a Hispanic restaurant. The photo was circulated to share location and also visual identification, as ICE can be wearing different outfits or driving different cars on different days. In this case, these men had possible intent of wanting to get to apartments above.
Beacon’s back-to-back sing operation marked the fist opportunity to cross-confirm developments for verifications and reporting. Prior to the driver identifying himself as ICE in the video above, a Beacon resident who had witnessed Friday’s raid confirmed that it was the same car and license plate returning on Saturday. The Neighborhood watch in Beacon was active again on Sunday, but no sightings that could be verified came in.
“I’m going to park my car in the driveway,” laughed one neighbor who has a similar car to one found in videos of ICE spotted parked on Main Street early Saturday morning. Some residents were ruffled about their parked cars being considered as ICE vehicles, but one resident who noticed activity around her vehicle said she appreciated the watch efforts and was horrified that ICE was in Beacon.
FAQ: “Why Now? Is This Because Of the No Kings Protest 2 Weeks Ago?”
No. In fact, it may have been because most in the Beacon community protest so hard that ICE has not been here, and instead started with low hanging, unprotected fruit in Newburgh, Cornwall and other areas. The Walmart in Fishkill, for instance, was targeted months ago, with flash checkpoints set up outside in the parking lot to question people as they walked in, according to one resident of Beacon whose mother was questioned for papers in such checkpoint.
The list that Dutchess County and Beacon were added to that Mayor Kyriacou and the National Sheriffs Association responded to on June 2nd maybe have been a warning shot to the beginning of raids or attempted raids in Beacon.
Patterns For Identifying ICE
Area experts have said that ICE tends to come in the mornings between 5-8am for the commute to work, and again from 5-8pm for the departure from work. But ICE can wait late at night as well, as shifts get out at different times. This has been known to happen in parts of Newburgh and other municipalities. On Sunday’s, ICE is known to camp out for the church service release at 12pm noon. ICE’s “work” knows no bounds.
There are different levels of involvement and engagement for identifying ICE. If one is to approach a vehicle to seek verification of an ICE agent, it is encouraged that the person inquiring is polite when seeking more information.
Should a raid be about to happen, it has been encouraged to bring a bucket in order to bang on it to make noise. New York is a one-party consent state, in that a conversation can be recorded if one party consents, and that person can be the person recording the conversation.
Details From The Friday, June 20th ICE Raid In Beacon & The Taking Of The Neighbor
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Related Link: “ICE Spotted Again In Beacon On Soccer Saturday - "Community Is Watching," Neighbor States (With Video)”
According to multiple sources closely familiar with the taking of the neighbor on North Elm Street in Beacon, NY by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the early morning of Friday, June 20, 2025, the person was male, lived in a house he rented on North Elm, and worked in Beacon on Main Street.
According to neighbors in the area, dark vehicles with all tinted windows were parked along North Elm Street since at least 6am that morning. By 7:45am, said one neighbor, there were 3-4 unmarked cars blocking the street. “I drove right through it,” they told A Little Beacon Blog. “I did see a guy running, but was not sure if that was who they were after, or if he was helping trap who they were looking for.”
Another neighbor told ALBB: “ICE Agents arrested someone who tried running from a house. I saw them running through my yard. I went to my backyard and heard them tackle the guy. I took out my camera, but was so panicked, I got nothing,” they said.
This person did get a photo of an ICE operation car that had been parked in front of their house since 6:30am that morning. “It had dark tinted windows, which was part of the raid. I thought it was weird that they were parked out front of my house.”
The car parked in front of their house was a Nissan with New York license plate KZX-1439.
Beacon residents in the business community have confirmed that the taken neighbor did work on Main Street. Another neighbor said that the taken neighbor would walk to work.
How The City Of Beacon Responded
After learning about the raid from several residents, Mayor Lee Kyriacou issued a statement, where he said that the City of Beacon had no advance knowledge of the raid, but did get confirmation from the FBI that it was an ICE operation.
He said that the City of Beacon did not know who the individual was who was taken; if a judicial warrant was presented before taking him; or where he is now. “Our Police Department is actively seeking further information regarding the situation at this time,” he said. As of Sunday, the Beacon Police have not issued an update as to the taken neighbor’s location or status.
“As a City, we remain committed to our safe, inclusive community policy,” he continued, “to preserving rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, and to avoiding any policies which engender fear among law-abiding families.
ICE In Beacon...Things To Do! 6/22/2025
/This is a strange blend, but yesterday was a strange day…
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