In Better News...Things To Do, Shop and Eat In Beacon Guides 11/08/2024
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Beacon Voters Can Vote in Any Location This Year Regardless Of Ward
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Voters in any Ward in Beacon can vote in any of the presidential election poll sites: the VFW Memorial Building on Main Street (pictured here), Rombout Middle School or South Avenue Elementary. This was first announced by City Councilmember Molly Rhodes during a previous City Council meeting, and reinforced by a robo call/text/email by the City of Beacon the Monday before voting.
In a change to make voting easier, Beacon joins a handful of other municipalities in Dutchess County to remove the polling site assignment, which some may call a restriction, as it has long plagued Beacon residents who would get confused on where to go and show up at the wrong location after waiting in line.
Other municipalities with multiple wards and locations that allow voters to vote in any location include the City of Poughkeepsie (but not the Town of Poughkeepsie), Pawling, and Beekman. See the Dutchess County Board of Elections website for information.
Voting was rolling early this morning. One reader commented that printers were down at the VFW Memorial Building at 6:15am, but ALBB confirmed with exiting voters and a volunteer that printers were rolling and voting was running smoothly.
Polling Site Locations In Beacon For All Wards:
South Avenue Elementary School
60 South Avenue
Beacon Memorial Building
413 Main Street
Rombout Middle School
84 Matteawan Road
Beacon Councilmember Silenced By City Administrator Over Traffic Safety Awareness
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City Administrator Chris White silenced City Councilmember Pam Weatherbee during the 10/21/2024 City Council Meeting at 1 hour 10 minutes, when she rose awareness about known dangers to bikers and pedestrians on Rte. 52/Fishkill Avenue, which is where Barking Frog, Stinson’s Hub, Auto Zone, Lanks Automotive, Family Dollar, Margaret’s Laundromat, Industrial Arts Brewing, and other establishments are located. It is a connecting road to numerous communities, including Groveville and the Hedgewood Home For Adults. During the meeting, he told the public that she had opened up the city to more lawsuits than the 3 “trip and fall” lawsuits they City is already contesting.
Hedgewood Home For Adults on the left on Rte. 52
City Administrator Chris’ silencing of Councilmember Pam demonstrated how important topics are talked about behind the public’s view when the cameras turn off after public City Council meetings. Some people call this “behind closed doors,” where councilmembers can speak with the city’s attorney about legislation, city employees, or other sensitive topics. It can be the reason why some councilmembers speak meekly in public on a topic, despite having strong viewpoints about it.
What Did Councilperson Pam Say?
Councilperson Pam was answering a seemingly organized turnout of bike-lane advocates, which included adults and kids, pushing for the Council to consider and implement bike lanes in different areas of Beacon, including on Rte. 52. Sidewalks have also been advocated for in this area because several senior citizens who live at the Hedgewood Home For Adults walk on the road as part of their daily activity and errands. These senior citizens are often in wheelchairs, with rolling walkers, are holding hands with one another, or are walking alone. They do not have a generous sidewalk to walk on, and often walk in the street, within the white line.
In her Report, Councilperson Pam said: "I myself live only one block from 52, and would love to ride a bike, but I'm fearful to get out onto Route 52. So I definitely hear that something needs to be looked at for safety. You know, my husband Stew has been biking lately on 52, and there's so many obstacles now for a biker, that it is shocking that nobody is killed. And it's not just from vehicles. It is from even just the how the side of the the road is for them, that it it's really…there's so many dangerous obstacles. So I would love a feasibility study. I know we keep talking that ‘we can't do it…we'd like to do it…’ Is it a reality and what could we get for it there before we start putting in new sidewalks."
City Administrator Chris was initially adverse to the creating of or fixing sidewalks in Beacon in various areas, including Rte. 52, as he said in the past that he was very busy with projects like the new Firehouse which recently completed. However, he has been paving what seems like everything in Beacon this summer and fall as he works with federal grants to pay for some of it, like the sidewalks on both sides of the streets of Fishkill and Teller Avenues crossing over Main Street and Verplanck. The City of Beacon’s Highway Department has been paving as well. Central Hudson has been doing line work underground, which has necessitated some of the paving.
What Did City Administrator Chris Say?
During Councilperon Pam’s speech, City Administrator Chris was otherwise occupied in his computer while she spoke. Until she said: “It is from even just the how the side of the the road is for them that it's really…there's so many dangerous obstacles.” With that, he looked up at Councilperson Pam from his computer work, fired up his phone, and took to the microphone to interrupt the Report session. He said:
"Mayor...Mayor can I just ask that the Council please not say things about infrastructure in the city that could come back and haunt us for a lawsuit. If [City Attorney] Nick was on [the call for this meeting]...I don't know exactly what you're talking about...but...um...you just put on the record that it's unsafe to bike, which is, I...I would challenge that assertion and I...I...I think we should be careful about what we say publicly."
Councilperson Pam persisted: “I’ll send you pictures of the ___,” her final word was muffled as City Administrator Chris spoke over her, saying: “I get that Pam, but we're in like 3 lawsuits already about trip-and-fall things, um so I, I would just ask the council if you have issues about our infrastructure, please talk to us and we can mitigate that. If you announce it in your Report, you're basically putting it on the record so that it can be used against us if somebody falls there. [City Attorney] Nick isn't on to usually say that, but I would have texted Nick to say something.”
While the regular attorney Nick was not in attendance, another attorney, Christian, from their firm was there, but did not speak at that time. Mayor Lee Kyriacou responded by saying: “Ok,” signaling his acknowledgement to move on. But City Administrator White continued: “I think you can make your point without saying ‘Our facilities are not safe.’ I've never been notified by anybody about something unsafe on Fishkill that we haven't immediately addressed. So just knowing what we're going through with the lawsuit at Teller Avenue, I would be very careful about what people say about our our infrastructure.”
What Is The Lawsuit At Teller Avenue?
The lawsuit at Teller Avenue that he may be talking about regards the grandmother, a Beacon resident Carla Giuffrida, 75 who was hit by another grandmother in Beacon, Jacqueline Milohnic, 59, at 3:11pm on a Wednesday, December 1, 2021, as reported by A Little Beacon Blog. Carla died 5 hours later from her injuries.
Jacqueline was driving her 2019 Jeep Rangler on Main Street and was turning left onto Teller Avenue when she struck Carla who was reportedly in the middle of the crosswalk. Jacqueline was ticketed for “failing to yield to a pedestrian,” as reported in the Highlands Current. According to the reporting, “Milohnic, who told police that Giuffrida had not been visible because of a blind spot caused by the front left pillar of the Jeep’s frame and sun glare.” Jacqueline contested that ticket, which Beacon City Court Judge Greg Johnston dismissed, ‘saying it would have only applied if traffic control signals were not in place at the intersection or not working correctly.” However, the paper reported that Judge Johnston did find her guilty of “failing to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian,” which is a lesser offense.
Jacqueline was due in court for sentencing, which could be 15 days in jail and up to a $500, the newspaper reported. During the trial, Detective Brian Lawrence testified that the traffic sign read “Don’t Walk” when Carla as in the middle of the crosswalk. However, back then, it was unclear if that traffic signal turned to “Walk” at all, and was broken at the time.
Readers of A Little Beacon Blog chimed in then, saying: “@janetmelissa: “So awful!! Sending healing thoughts to everyone reeling from this tragedy. Just FYI…the pedestrian lights were out at that intersection for some time. Idk if they’ve recently been repaired…but that makes an already dangerous crosswalk even more difficult for pedestrians to safely navigate!”
And @firstrun said: “Ah, my sister was seriously injured when she was hit by a car at the same intersection.”
When sentenced for her conviction, Judge Johnston fined Jacqueline $750, revoked her drivers license for 6 months, and ordered her to complete a driver’s safety course, according to the newspaper. However, she appealed that sentencing, which got reversed by an appeals court, who also dismissed the ticket.
But the pursuit for justice in Carla’s death and improved traffic safety for Teller Avenue was not over for Carla’s family. Her two children filed a civil suit in February 2023. According to reporting in the newspaper: “It names Milohnic and her husband, who is the owner of the vehicle she was driving; the City of Beacon; and Kearns Electric, the company that services the city’s pedestrian signals.”
Carla’s family’s lawsuit also pointed out the dangers of the Teller/Main Street intersection, by alleging “that between Jan. 1, 2018, and Nov. 30, 2021, there were at least 35 crashes there, at least two of which involved pedestrians. It charges Kearns and the city with failing to program the signal correctly to provide a “leading pedestrian interval” of at least three seconds before the traffic light turns green,” the Highlands Current reported.
ALBB does not have confirmation if this is the Teller Avenue lawsuit mentioned, or if there is an additional one.
Back To Councilmember Pam and City Administrator Chris:
After City Administrator Chris mentioned the Teller Avenue lawsuit, Councilmember Pam did not back down, and said: “We definitely need the Fishkill Avenue Concepts Committee here because it has been recorded there.” However, City Administrator Chris tried talking over her again to drown out what she was saying.
He continued: “You can make that decision, I'm…I'm just saying, I…I would rather this the council not hand lawsuits to people because we're in 3 right now and our insurance is going up because of them.”
Mayor Kyriacou tried to move the meeting along, by saying “Okay, so let's go on.”
By the very end of the meeting, as Mayor Lee wanted to end the evening, Attorney Christian, who was there, did chime in that he agreed with City Administrator Chris.
Inside The New Old Max's - Lyonshare Public House - During Their Soft Launch Party
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We see you peeping! And it’s not at the leaves, but through the new windows of the eatery that used to be Max’s on Main, after its complete transformation under new owners and has opened its front doors to welcome you into what is Lyonshare Public House.
The once warm, dark and cozy Max’s, adorned all year with Christmas lights accompanied by live music and Karaoke in the back corner, has completely transformed its look to be an equally as warm, white, brassy, dare we say “fancy”. The “f” word in Beacon (“fancy”) is to be used carefully, as some people in Beacon like fancy but not too fancy.
Lyonshare, brought to you by new co-owner Bud Schmeling, is like a gentle hand taking yours, telling you it’s OK to step into this beauty; to surround yourself with this white marble, brass table and toilet accents, and bistro inspired lighting, with notes from a black piano rising lightly from the former music corner. There may be no TVs, but you have your hand-held mini-computer phone device to watch anything from!
This spot might be referred to “The New Old Max’s” for a little white, much to any new business owner’s chagrin. But that’s how it works in Beacon. A property is known by its former personality for a time until it settles in, makes its own roots, and spreads out.
The Soft Launch Party
Attending Lyonshare’s soft launch party were a few local business celebrities, notably Terry Williams (some may know her as Terry Amoroso Greenough) and Vince Lemma from Antalek and Moore, as well as Jon Lombardi and Janelle Cruz from Carter’s (Carter is their young son). You may recognize Atticus Lanigan from her previous work with Beacon Farmers Market and trash and recycling. She’ll now be making sure you have a most pleasant dining experience. You may recognize other faces from past eateries, like Homespun, who were happy to find work in the new restaurant.
What Is “Lyonshare”?
The name Lyoneshare, Bud explains, pays homage to Capital John Lyon, “a legendary figure who navigated the waters of the Hudson River for 71 years never missing a day,” which is painted onto the portrait of the Captain hanging near the bar. Bud tells A Little Beacon Blog that he wanted to root the restaurant in the local, and was drawn to the river.
The captain was devoted to commanding ships from a young age, and was good with people. He was known to have celebrities on his ferry, including Babe Ruth and Theodore Roosevelt. John Lyon said to Theodore Roosevelt when he was running on the Bull Moose ticket: “You should have stayed at home. You shouldn’t break up the party.” You can read more about the captain here.
Much like Max’s, Lyonshare has a literary vibe. This space may inspire wordsmiths who care to pause to read the framed articles hanging on the wall. From the poem “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman to past media coverage in the Village Voice of Bud’s former restaurant Black Betty in Williamsburg just before the tipping point turned over that Brooklyn neighborhood. Co-owner Bud Schmeling (pictured below) is an English major, for those who majoring in English is notable and sparks a fire deep inside them.
The Bathroom
Regular readers of A Little Beacon Blog may know that we love a good bathroom in Beacon. Some of the best are at Reserva Wine Bar, Beacon Bread/WTF, and The Beacon Movie Theater (at one point StoryScreen). The bathroom at Lyonshare does not disappoint. It comes with a fancy little antique lock on the door knob, and a real fancy faucet. Notable to old time Max’s patrons are the doors of the bathroom, which once had XX and XY to indicate Female and Male bathrooms. The doors now simply read TOILET and anyone is welcome within.
The dark green walls feel like a nod to an Adirondack green, which is common in these parts. Not sure ALBB has seen a bird perched on any other toilet rolls in Beacon.
Do take note of the oyster bar! Lyonshare is not messing around. While this was a soft launch night, and these photographs did not capture anyone in action just yet, you can see the layout.
For those who loved the paper on the tables for drawing with crayons, you will still have your paper. Though paper is associated with fancy, the striped napkin rolls on the table indicate it’s OK to get messy and comfortable.
The menu for the soft launched was scratched in pen. While it was a short stay for ALBB, there was a young child who was enjoying the Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Tart and Creamy Slaw and Biscuits very much.
The first menu has been released, which you can see here:
Fight In "The Willows" Halloween Night In Beacon
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Several neighbors in Beacon reported that there was a fight at “The Willows,” which is the loop after Willow Street proper jumps Verplanck. This area is known for its yard displays, usually boasting of fire pits, sometimes interactive candy games, and a temporary haunted house set up in the street. If there are any rumbles or skerfuffles, it is usually not a surprise. This is a destination spot for kids to come from all over Beacon, if kids in Beacon haven’t traveled out, like to Cold Spring or the community across from Dutchess Stadium.
Not all years are teaming with people, as the crowd ebbs and flows with the weather and day of the week. This year Halloween was on a Thursday, which is traditionally an active pre-weekend day, the weather was fine, and crisp orange leaves danced through the air with warm wind gusts. Many kids, teenagers, parents and caregivers were out.
After dark, neighbors reported hearing sirens headed to East Willow, with a report of approximately 4 cop cars plus a “blinky lights car,” is how it was described. Other neighbors reported seeing a fight between two girls, where one girl allegedly opened her jacket or cloak to reveal a gun to whoever was versing her. The neighbors did not know if it was a real gun, or if they actually saw a gun. Young neighbors did not seem surprised to see girls fighting, as they say they see girls fight at Rombout Middle School. Either they allegedly fight, or allegedly talk about scheduling one. Girls have been known to fight on Main Street, as this writer witnessed years ago between two teenage girls with a skateboard. The fight was quickly broken up by a parent, uncle or community member.
Update 11/2/2024: Video has emerged of two girls fighting. This article is not interested in the identities of the girls. This article was reporting that there was a fight, or fights. And for anyone who is surprised about fighting in Beacon, this is to report that fighting is not unusual here. Despite what anyone would like to hide as a bad look. It just happens, and people move on. Wishing, of course, that everyone is safe and the people fighting are able to resolve between themselves. Reports remain that people also saw guys fighting.
Meanwhile, kids with orbie guns were about. Orbie guns, otherwise known as Gel Blaster Guns, look like assault rifles but shoot out plastic orbie circles that never really disintegrate from the earth. Kids of all ages in Beacon have been known to carry these Gel Blasters around Rombout Middle Schools, Memorial Park, the Skate Park during adult baseball games, Loopers Plaza, and other locations where kids gather to have fun. When school let out for summer, Beacon Police Chief Figlia issued a warning to kids and parents not to carry such guns as ALBB reported, as they could be mistaken for a real gun.
Some neighbors also reported seeing what they thought to be a guy in a pig mask trying to sell drugs to trick or treaters, who allegedly got into a few fights himself.
Last year, neighbors reported seeing a man with a flame gun approaching people to shoot their toes. Apparently, he then went into people’s property. Later, some neighbors saw a picture of the man with the flame gun in a mug shot with his outfit still on.
Meanwhile, the infamous trickster guy from Willow Street was out again this year, looking for prey to scare. He stays very still until the unsuspecting person passes him, and then he begins his pursuit.
Response To Social Media Response To This Article
After this article was published, a few individuals from Beacon took to tearing it down grammatically. What is interesting is that when articles are published about fights or police activity in other areas of Beacon that are not “nice” or “suburban” areas, those articles are not picked apart as viciously as one this was.
Below are two video responses from Katie the Editor, Publisher, and Creator of A Little Beacon Blog.
Beacon Parent Asks For Palestinian Flag To Be Added To Flag Mural In Rombout Middle School Cafeteria
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After a learning-session about the 7th grade Boston trip one night at Rombout Middle School, where Principal Soltish was standing in front of the flag mural on the front wall of the cafeteria, presenting need-to-know facts about the 7th grade Boston trip to prepare parents, this parent/writer was noticing the mural artwork and flags from around the globe, but noticed that there may not have been a Palestinian flag. Or a Yemeni flag, and maybe not a Lebanese flag. Or a Syrian flag
After the meeting, this parent/writer emailed Principal Soltish to inquire if the flags were there, and if they were not there, could they be considered to be added there, since there are Palestinian Americans living in the Beacon community, as well as Yemeni Americans, Lebanese Americans, and Syrian Americans.
However, Principal Soltish did not seem to respond, unless the email went missed somewhere. During this week’s BCSD Long-Range Planning Community Survey, in the question box asking if there was anything else the district could do, this parent/writer asked for them to consider adding the Palestinian, Yemeni, Lebanese, and Syrian flags to the mural wall in Rombout Middle School. If there is such a flag mural in the High School or Elementary Schools, could such an inclusive gesture be considered as well.
On the flag mural wall in the middle school is a quote from Steven Covey that reads:
“Strength Lies In Differences, Not In Similarities.” This quote has been attached to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work, the framework you can read briefly about here, which adds more considerations.
Perhaps students in the Beacon City School District would start a petition to request this addition be made by the administration.
Last Chance To Submit Ideas and Feedback For The Beacon City School District's Long-Range Planning Survey
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There are only hours left to submit your feedback and ideas for the Beacon City School District’s Long-Range Planning Survey. The online survey closes at 9pm Monday evening, Dr. Landahl told district families by email and robo-text.
The survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete, and asks questions like: “What would you like to see improve, grow, or change about our extra and co-curricular activities? (clubs, sports, art, music, theater, etc.)” and “How can we help make the district more welcoming and inclusive of all students, staff, and families?”
District families can find the link to the online survey in their inboxes or text or on the school’s website.
How To Vote Early In Dutchess County 2024 - Includes Beacon, Wappingers Falls, Fishkill, and Others
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Voting Early at the Fishkill Town hall Location on Route 52.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Early Voting for Dutchess County goes from Saturday, October 26th to Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. You can vote at any of the locations listed below. Once Voting Day comes, polls will be different per municipality. For Early Voting for Beacon, Wappingers Falls, Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, etc., the polling sites listed below are where you need to go:
Presidential Election Early Voting Polls
Pavilion at Brookmeade
34 Brookmeade Drive, Rhinebeck
Fishkill Town Hall
807 Route 52, Fishkill
Boardman Road Library
141 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie
Cornell Cooperative Extension
2715 Route 44, Millbrook
Mid-Hudson Library Auditorium
105 Market Street, Poughkeepsie
Board of Elections Training Facility
4280 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park
Wappinger Town Hall
20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls
Senior Citizen Center, Tymor Park Barn Complex
8 Tymor Park Road, Lagrangeville
Early Voting Dates and Hours
Saturday, October 26
9 AM - 5 PM
Sunday, October 27
9 AM - 5 PM
Monday, October 28
Noon - 8 PM
Tuesday, October 29
9 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday, October 30
Noon - 8 PM
Thursday, October 31
8 AM - 4 PM
Friday, November 1
9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday, November 2
9 AM - 5 PM
Sunday, November 3
9 AM - 5 PM
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UPDATE: Beacon Police Issue Press Release On The Shooting Of A Young Beacon Man In Groveville
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Related Link: For more details, this incident was first reported on here.
Hours after the shooting took place in the brick row houses known as Groveville (named for a carpet mill that was built there in the 1880s as the housing community surrounding it for workers), the City of Beacon Police Department issued a brief Press Release:
“On October 24, 2024 at approximately 6:20pm in the City of Beacon Police Department received a call reporting that a male had been shot on Mill St. Upon arrival all involved parties were still on the scene and members determined the male who had been shot to be a 23-year-old Beacon resident. He was transported to the hospital where he is currently in stable condition. The investigation into the cause of the shooting is ongoing but there is no threat to the general public. No names or further identifying information is being released at this time.”
According to the Police, “all involved parties were still on the scene,” which does not identify what kind of involved parties, but could imply that the shooter was still on the scene. In the moments after the shooting, Beacon Police did not seem panicked, and there did not seem to be a search for an active shooter. Residents were free to drive into the community to get back to their homes at the end of the day. Police, however, did seem to be looking for something with their flashlights.
The Press Release states that an “investigation into the cause of the shooting is ongoing,” which is worded in a way similar to when an investigation into the cause of a fire happens. The Press Release did not say if an arrest or identification of the shooter had been made.
Mill Street is the main entrance street to the Groveville community. Upon ALBB’s arrival to the scene at 6:45pm which was reported here, the young man had been taken to the hospital, and Beacon Police were interviewing residents between Lydia Drive and Front Street who have the green Halloween light on through cobwebs. Police were also searching the left side of the brick row house on Mill Street and Lydia Street, which is the first house on the right.
Upon arriving home from their commutes, residents spoke of how comfortable it is living in Groveville, and that this incident is unusual.
Young Man Allegedly Shot Outside In Groveville, The Row House Community On Fishkill Avenue
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Just before 6:45pm on Thursday evening October 24th, 2024, a person was allegedly shot outside in Groveville, which is the community of brick row houses across from Trax on Fishkill Avenue, which some people also call Rte. 52.
City of Beacon Police officers speaking with residents in the Groveville apartment community.
The driveway into the community splits three ways at first. Crime scene tape cordoned off an area from the first house on the right, to a house straight ahead with Halloween cobwebs and a glowing green light on the porch.
Upon ALBB’s arrival to the scene after the shooting, police were seen interviewing people at the house with the green porch light. Police were also scanning the first house on the right with flashlights. One officer also checked around the row of trashcans, before interviewing neighbors.
According to neighbors, Groveville is normally quiet. This evening was particularly quiet, one neighbor said, given that there were around 15 police cars that drove into the complex after the shooting. Neighbors expressed gratitude that the police arrived so promptly. Neighbors did not recall hearing any sirens.
According to neighbors, shots were fired, possibly 5 at close range, and a body was taken from the ground into an ambulance to St. Lukes in Newburgh. It was believed by neighbors that the person who was shot was a young man in his 20s who has a child around the age of 1, and was visiting someone in the Groveville community, and that he did not live there. Neighbors heard that he was in surgery in the hospital as of 7:15pm.
At first, neighbors did not know who the victim was, or the shooter. They were quite surprised that the shooting happened at all. But then texts started coming in as to who the victim was, and what his condition was at the hospital. Neighbors did not see anyone taken away in handcuffs, or a shooter identified. That does not mean that a shooter wasn’t taken into custody, or that other information is known about them. So far, there is no confirmed information about the shooter.
One officer had a rifle in his hand but police officers did not seem to be actively looking for a shooter after the victim had been taken to the hospital. Most officers were calmly interviewing residents, or looking for objects on the ground.
A City of Beacon Police Officer shining his flashlight around the trash can area near where the shooting allegedly took place.
An officer with the City of Beacon Police could not comment to ALBB on if there was a person shot, or if that person was in the hospital, or if the shooter had been apprehended.
A Little Beacon Blog contacted Police Chief Thomas Figlia for comment and confirmation of events, but has not received response yet. Chief Figlia did arrive on the scene by approximately 7:15pm or so.
Most residents driving home from their days seemed visibly confused at the police activity, and were surprised that a shooting took place.
This is a developing story. The City of Beacon Police will most likely issue a Press Release. When and if that happens, ALBB will republish it.
UPDATE: At around 10:30pm, the Beacon Police issued this press release.
City of Beacon Police Chief Thomas Figlia arriving on the scene.
Police Officers using a white truck that arrived.
Photo Credits for all photos: Katie Hellmuth
The Beacon High School Closing Due To Fire In Chemistry Room As Told By Students
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A joyful noise rose from the back-roads of Beacon: “School is closed tomorrow!!! Woooo!!!!”
A group of high schoolers were walking back from somewhere, or walking to somewhere else, when they celebrated the news. No robo-call had come in yet. No text. But in email, sure enough, there was Beacon City School District Superintendent Matt Landahl declaring a school closure for the high school only, due to a fire in the chemistry room that harmed no one. The robo-call and text came moments later
“Today, around 4:15pm, we had a small fire in one of the chemistry rooms at Beacon High School,” Dr. Landahl reported. “No one was hurt, and our staff and the fire department responded and contained the fire very quickly. Due to the need for cleaning, we are closing Beacon High School to students tomorrow, Thursday, October 24. High School staff will still report and Mr. Dwyer will be in contact with the staff shortly.”
The class field trip to Ellis Island the following day was still on schedule to go, as were after school sports games and the buses needed to transport students and coaches.
One student was at the Beacon High School when the fire trucks arrived to put out the fire. The student was attending the Girls Varsity Soccer Game behind the school in the bleachers. Below is an interview with the student.
ALBB: “You were there for the fire?”
Student: “Yeah.”
ALBB: “How did you know there was a fire?”
Student: “The fire alarm kept going off, and it wouldn’t stop. It was so annoying.”
ALBB: “So what did you do? Were you scared?”
Student: “No. I wasn’t scared. I saw the water come out of the fire hydrant.”
ALBB: “There is a fire hydrant by the bleachers?”
Student: “No, in front of the school.”
ALBB: “You went to the front of the school?”
Student: “Yeah. We went to watch. Poopy brown water came out of the fire hydrant.”
ALBB: “And then what happened? Was the water still brown when it came out of the hose? Did you see the fire fighters spray water into the school?”
Student: “No. The fire was inside. There was smoke.”
ALBB: “You saw smoke?”
Student: “No. We could smell smoke.”
ALBB: “Could you see the fire?”
Student: “Bro. It was a tiny fire. It was like the size of that plant.”
[motions to a small potted succulent]
ALBB: “Ok. So you saw no fire, you’re not sure what room it was in, but you smelled smoke, and the Girls Varsity soccer game continued.”
Student: “Yes.”
Remembering That Time The Old Dutchess Mall Was Marked "Free Palestine"
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On December 17, 2023, just 3 months into the genocide carried out by Israel on Palestine which is financially and legislatively supported by the United States, but not condemned by most local politicians who watch the tax dollars get spent on mass murder for maintaining imperialism, under the guise of “safety” and a “war on terror,” the Old Dutchess Mall was tagged with the message “Free Palestine” almost a year ago.
The Old Dutchess Mall is next to Home Depot in Fishkill on US-9. Once a retail destination, is remains a dilapidated, neglected building surrounded by trash and flooding from its parking lot. However, the “Free Palestine” message was cleaned within days of its marking. It is a wonder why the property owners are allowed to keep it in this unmaintained condition.
In terms of development, The Old Dutchess Mall has a long history of “almosts,” which you can read about here. Among other things, it almost became a women’s prison as part of a “Dead Malls” competition, according to Wikipedia. While it is deserted, someone or someones appeared quickly to make the “Free Palestine” disappear.
"Free Palestine" Spray Painted Onto American Flag Mural In Wappingers Falls
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On what appeared to be Tuesday evening, October 8, 2024, the American Flag mural in Wappingers Falls on the khaki building on East Main Street and Market Street had the message “Free Palestine” spray painted onto it in black, with splatters of red paint dripping down, a technique used in the past to symbolize blood of those slaughtered in Palestine during the Israeli assault on Gaza, the West Bank, other parts of Palestine, and now Lebanon, that has been intensified during the past year. Many international institutions call it a genocide, and popular opinion has been referring to it as a holocaust, with recent burning of people alive and rounding up of people to be executed or tortured.
Wappingers Department of Public Works covering a “Free Palestine” message spray painted onto a building.
Photo Credit: Possibly North Nelson in a Wappingers Falls Facebook group.
According to reporting at ESPN Radio 104.5FM, the “Free Palestine” message on the building was covered up and the flag repainted by noon on Wednesday by the Wappingers Department of Public Works and a local businessman Anthony Hardisty, who is a real estate agent with Sam’s Realty in Beacon, and a developer in Wappingers.
Reporting at ESPN Radio 104.5PM personified the building in the description of the application of the message, assigning emotions and actions to it: “The iconic American flag mural that greets visitors to the Village of Wappingers Falls has been vandalized with a political message.”
And “The flag has been a source of inspiration and pride for the village, standing tall during some of its darkest times, such as building collapses, fires and the devastating explosion on Market Street that occurred a year ago,” even though these events had nothing to do with the message written onto the building.
According to the article: “Wappingers Town Supervisor Joseph Cavaccini criticized the act, saying ‘Disrespecting the American Flag and acts of vandalism have no place in our community.’"
Not The First Time “Free Palestine” Tagged On A Building
In Fishkill near Home Depot, in December 2017, the Old Dutchess Mall was tagged with an enormous mural saying “Free Palestine.” While that part of the mall is trash, is surrounded by trash and is falling apart, someone or someones appeared within days to clean the message to make it disappear. They cleaned nothing else. The same trash lay in the puddles that had been there the day before the cleanup.
In Beacon in March 2024, a temporary “Free Palestine” was chalked onto a building in removable chalk. It was the back of the Sun River Health building. The first time it happened, someone threw white permanent paint over it. The person who threw the paint was never pursued, punished or discussed as a perpetrator. Only the artist who used temporary chalk was targeted with police action.
The ESPN Radio 104.5FM article pointed out that this is not the first time an American Flag was targeted with the “Free Palestine” message. An American Flag sculpture in New Paltz, as well as other objects, were painted with “Free Palestine,” as reported by the currently country radio station, The Wolf 97.7FM.
Fragility In The “Free Palestine” Message
Addressing the marking of a building without mentioning the message indicates the fragility of those who oppose its implication, which is a breakage of American imperialism, and thus, some may feel, a kink in their feelings of “safety” if they cannot be allowed to bomb Black and Brown and Arab and Muslim and Palestinian people with impunity.
“Free Palestine” means freedom to not be bombed and occupied, and it has also come to have more meanings for Americans, now that most of the country has become aware that billions of American tax dollars are and have been consistently sent to Israel to pay for the weaponry committing the mass murder in this genocide, as well as lifestyle amenities like free healthcare. Therefore, the “Free Palestine” message has patriotic meaning in America for Americans:
Free Healthcare for all Americans.
Free healthcare and mental health care and housing and groceries for all American Veterans.
Free School Lunches for all students in America.
Free politicians from AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) bullies and money so that American politicians will listen to their constituents demanding an arms embargo.
Free College tuition for all students in America.
Free Senior Living communities for all Americans.
Free care for people taken by Alzheimers so that they can be safer.
Free _____(fill in the blank) for all Americans. For all of this money spent to murder Black and Brown children, men and women, you might as well stick out your hand and demand free amenities for living here.
Arrest Made In Beacon For Drug Sales and Illegal Firearm Possession - Loud Device Used To Distract
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During the early evening of the Supermoon on Tuesday October 17, 2024, some Beacon residents near the west side of town heard a loud bang while gazing at the larger than usual moon. Those were the sounds of “distraction devices” used by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, with the assistance of the City of Beacon Police Department who has an officer on that Force. The Drug Task Force arrested George Cintron while he was driving down Beekman Street near his home, according to the City of Beacon Police’s Press Release. Beekman Street is where the apartment complex The Views is located, near the Beacon train station.
George was under investigation for “the sale of fentanyl and cocaine in the City of Beacon,” according to the Dutchess County Task Force’s Press Release. Their report continued: “The investigation resulted in the identification of George Cintron, age 37, who sold fentanyl to Drug Task Force Agents during this investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation a search warrant was obtained by the Drug Task Force to search the home of Cintron located in the City of Beacon.”
On that Tuesday night, George was driving, and it was during a traffic stop, the Beacon Police said, that he was pulled over, which was when the loud noise was used. According to their Press Release: “Due to the suspect's dangerous history that includes a federal conviction for possession of a destructive device (explosive) the Sherrif's ESU team utilized a loud distraction device to increase their safety on approaching the vehicle. No shots were fired, nor did anyone sustain any injuries." Neither Press Release indicated that George was in possession of an explosive device at the time, or how long ago he was found in possession of such a device.
After George was taken into custody, he was detained up the road at the City of Beacon Police Station as the Drug Task Force "executed a search warrant at his residence a short distance away." His arraignment was scheduled for the following day, October 18, 2024, according to the release.
It was during that search at George’s residence, the Drug Task Force said, that they found more than 16 ounces of cocaine, fentanyl, ecstasy, and an illegal “Ghost” handgun. Cintron was then charged with the following crimes:
(1) Count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st degree, an A1 Felony
(1) Count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm 3rd Degree, a class D Felony
In closing of the Drug Task Force’s Press Release, they say:
“If anyone has information regarding this case or about any other individuals selling drugs in Dutchess County, you are urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or by sending an email to the following web address: DrugTaskForceTips@gmail.com As with any criminal case, the charges described above are merely an accusation and those individuals named in this release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
ALBB’s Question: Is it a crime to buy cocaine, fentanyl, or ecstasy? Realizing that the assumption is that a buyer is addicted, and pity is usually given to that individual. But is it a crime to buy such narcotics? How many reseller markets are there in narcotic sales?
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