Tioronda Avenue, in the direction of where the woman was found in the woods after being attacked and “seriously assaulted” Wednesday morning while walking, according to Beacon Police. This is on the other side of Wolcott Avenue, near Sargent Elementary School.
The Beacon community was jolted on Wednesday when news of a violent assault of a woman, allegedly walking her dog along Tioronda Avenue early in the morning, circulated on social media and in personal texts. While few details of the attack have yet to be officially confirmed, the Beacon Police Department wrote in a press release that "the victim is in stable physical condition."
Chief of Police Thomas Figlia noted in the press release that "though we understand the public's safety concerns and desire to know more, the department must balance that with our obligation to the victim's privacy and wellbeing.” He confirmed that at this time, a suspect has not been identified.
When the Beacon Police Department issued their first press release, their wording was vague, leaving community members frustrated, as Chief Figlia referred to the event as: “a possible, past occurred assault on Tioronda Ave. in the area of Wolcott Ave." But people had seen police activity in the area just that morning, and the text already circulated.
The term “past occurred” indicated no time - 5 days ago or 5 hours ago, and “possible” indicates that the assault did not happen at all, or that doubt was placed on the person who said they experienced the assault. Phone calls and FOIL requests to the Police Department, and social media posts about the department were made by the public to attempt to push the department to release more information for public safety and tip gathering.
A second statement was issued later in the afternoon with more detail, such as confirmation of the assault and time of arrival of the police. That release also stated that she “may have been the victim of a crime,” but did not state what the crime was, before confirming that she was “seriously assaulted” in the next sentence. In the text circulating on social media, she had been allegedly been walking her dog, who allegedly connected with humans, alerting them to the woman’s whereabouts. However, detail of the dog was not in the Police Department press release.
By the time the first press release was posted to the Police Department’s Facebook, many people in the public knew alleged details, which included an elementary school lockout. But none of that was mentioned in the first statement, which angered the public, as the Police Department held tight to protecting the privacy of the victim and the integrity of the investigation.
The public was not demanding to know the identity or description of the victim - who is now a survivor who has a journey of physical and emotional healing before her - but was demanding to know location and timing so as to keep themselves and loved ones safe from a future attack. Hearing that the attacker was not found in the surrounding area was not received as a comfort, but as a concern, as the person is still at large, with so far, no description.
To say Tioronda and Wolcott by itself indicates multiple locations of violent actions occurring - usually on the side between Main Street, like this one; and the murder of Rene Vivo “Scout” that resulted from a stabbing on Main Street that remains unsolved. It was because of the circulating text that the community learned it was on the other side of Wolcott, the side of Sargent Elementary school which is very isolated and wooded with hills and rocks, with houses and the new residential apartment buildings known as the Arno at 248 Tioronda.
Also not confirmed in the press release was the woman’s dog, and the dog’s alleged involvement in alerting humans to be able to find her in the woods. Many people with and without dogs walk, jog and bike down that strip of Tioronda. First instinct of most community members was to think about which area to avoid on their outing that day, and if any stranger was lurking. Parents thought about their children walking home from school, especially if on that path, and if they wanted to pick up their children instead.
Paramount to protecting the victim, the Beacon Police felt it necessary to not include any details. The second press release urged people to have caution as they would any day when outside. But the public felt they needed more information in order to maintain that caution, as the attacker remains at large.
This, in the context of a federal blessing of immunity on violence unleashed on women and people of color, which is playing out in Minnesota and other cities in the country. One ALBB reader said of the first press release: “This is not enough information to keep people safe. They’re not saying what happened.”
The First Wave Of Information
The Dutchess County Scanner Feed group in Facebook, run by moderator Patrick O'Dell, published a notice that there was increased police presence in Beacon at 10:30am. That action alone triggered people to text their people with an alert. Hours after that, Patrick closed comments on his post, saying that people had broken his page’s rules by speculating on the situation.
By then, the text of alleged details had been sent to ALBB and published in at least one private Facebook group. ALBB emailed Chief Figlia saying we would wait to publish anything until the Police Department issued a press release. A source told ALBB that police activity was seen that morning at the Arno residential building parking lot at 248 Tioronda, where a tent had been set up in the parking lot near a construction trailer where police vehicles were parked. The tent was allegedly broken down shortly after that and police vehicles left, the source said.
Meanwhile at Dutchess County Scanner Feed, Patrick did a hard close of comments saying: “Apparently, if I forget to turn off commenting on a post a bunch of people decide to disregard/disrespect all rules of the page, others, PD & me. EVERYONE has been banned or suspended who did so. Wasted time but I decided to still do it. Thanks to all the others."
When the Beacon Police Department published their first press release, Patrick reposted it to his Dutchess County Scanner Feed, saying in part: “I do not want non factual information, or details put out to the public that could possibly interfere with their investigation. I CANNOT STOP ANYONE FROM VISITING THOSE BEACON PAGES AND READING WHAT IS ON THEM. I can only control what is posted here for the integrity of the page.”
When the Beacon PD’s first press release published, barely any detail was confirmed. Not the gender of the person, age, location or time. It was assumed that the perpetrator was still at large. Not knowing if this was an intimate partner domestic violence situation, or a random attack, or a combination of both.
Police activity parked at the Arno residential building the Wednesday morning of the assault, where a tent was set up and then broken down.
In response, community members took to other groups to get the information out. The text was shared in a group in an effort to encourage women to walk in pairs and to be alert and careful. A group participant stated that Sargent Elementary had conducted a lockout, which is located in the vicinity of the attack.
The first press release mentioned Beacon City Schools, but only that they had been alerted that a search was being conducted. ALBB sought out and received confirmation that Sargent’s principal emailed school families an email which they received at 11:02am that Sargent had conducted a lockout, which locked the doors of the school while kids continued learning inside. Other schools did not go on lockout. It is noteworthy for this and future emergency situations that caregivers were alerted during the school day close to when the incident happened, and not at the end of the day.
The second press release confirmed the lockout, stating: “Upon arrival it had been determined that there was reason to believe that the female victim had been seriously assaulted. At that time, given the proximity to the Sargent School, the Beacon City School District was notified and advised to place the school on lockout until the area could be searched.” No one was found in the search, the statement confirmed.
To provide context of when district families are robo-called about an incident at school: when a school goes on lockdown or lockout, district families are robo-called about that; if it is a practice drill or unexpected occurrence. This week, in fact, a bat was found in the Beacon High School. District families were robo-called immediately about the bat, which was contained by pest control within the day.
In this situation, Sargent families were emailed by their principal about the lockout related to the assault. Families at other schools were not alerted. ALBB sought out and received content of the email, but not yet received confirmation of the time of which the parents were emailed as of this publishing. Part of the email read: “Out of an abundance of caution, Sargent was placed in a ‘lockout’ for approximately 90 minutes while there was a police investigation on Tironda Avenue.”
Details Confirmed In The Beacon Police Department’s Second Press Release
"On 1/14/2026 at approximately 9:20am the Beacon Police Department received a call from Dutchess County 911 to assist Fire and EMS who had responded to a call regarding a female who was unconscious in the area of Tioronda Ave. and Wolcott Ave. and may have been the victim of a crime.
"Upon arrival it had been determined that there was reason to believe that the female victim had been seriously assaulted. At that time, given the proximity to Sargent School, the Beacon City School District was notified and advised to place the school on a lockout until the area could be searched. The area around the school was searched and no one was located. Therefore, BCSD was advised of the same. As of that time the department was confident that the suspect was not in the that immediate area.
"The victim is in stable, physical, condition. Given the nature of the incident, however, the department is, even now, still working with her in order to determine key details of the crime. Because of this, we are not releasing any information that is not yet fully confirmed. Additionally, though we understand the public's safety concerns and desire to know more, the department must balance that with our obligation to the victim's privacy and wellbeing as well as our obligation not to put out information that could compromise this investigation. We are urging others to also please respect this victim's privacy as much as possible.
"At this time a suspect has not been identified, nor is anyone is custody. As with any other time, people should use caution, be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the police. If anyone has any information specific to this case, we again urge you to call 845-831-4111."
People who have experienced Sexual Assault or know someone who has are encouraged to contact RAINN for help, healing and resources.
1st ARTICLE 1/14/2026: This article. Each article will have these links in the series.
Several tips came in to A Little Beacon Blog this morning about a possible assault to a person along Tioronda Avenue.
At 10:30am, the Dutchess County Scanner Feed made an awareness post that there was a "heavy police presence in Beacon."
Readers wrote into ALBB with more information, at which point, ALBB emailed the Chief of Police Tom Figlia requesting a Press Release to report from, knowing that the work of the Police Department requires precision and time and that they usually do not release information to reporters during an open investigation or when actively pursuing someone at large.
ALBB emailed Chief Figlia for further information on what "past occurred" means - if it means that the "possible" assault happened hours ago or days ago. A response has not been received as of this publishing.
The Press Release stated that the Beacon City School District was notified as a precaution during the investigation and check of the area. "The area was checked and there does not appear to be a specific danger to the public in that area at this time," the Police Department said in the statement.
The investigation remains ongoing. People who may have information or were witness are asked to contact the City of Beacon Police Department at 845-831-4111.
TONIGHT: Monday 1/12/2026 City Council Meeting in Chester, NY. Orange County.
A Little Beacon Blog reported on this development for Orange County last week. Both the Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus @steve.neuhaus and Representative Pat Ryan @patryanforcongress were against it:
“ICE ‘Processing Site’ Proposed For Chester, NY ‘Disgusts’ Pat Ryan and ‘Disappoints’ Steve Neuhaus; ICE Likens It To ‘Like Amazon Prime, But With Human Beings’”
A City Council Meeting for Chester, NY is having a meeting tonight. While the topic of the warehouse conversion is not on the agenda, the Daily Voice reports, organizations have rallied people to attend in opposition of the project. “Rural & Migrant Ministry, Inc., a nonprofit based in Cornwall-On-Hudson, announced Sunday, Jan. 11, that it and several immigrant-serving organizations will attend the Chester Village Board meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, to voice opposition to the proposal, in addition to holding a protest before the meeting begins.“
The local news source reports that the meeting has been moved to Chester Senior Center at 81 Laroe Rd. because of the anticipated high attendance. A protest will be held at 6:30pm before the meeting starts.
“According to the nonprofit, one potential site is a warehouse in the Chester Industrial Park owned by billionaire investor and former Trump adviser Carl Icahn,” Daily Voice reports.
Pat Ryan said of the project in a tweet on X: “‘Like Prime, but with human beings.’” That’s how ICE is describing its new facilities, including a proposed location in Chester (which hasn’t been coordinated with local leaders in any way, FYI). It’s disgusting, infuriating, & UNAMERICAN. Our community will not stand for it.”
News12 reported that Neuhaus said he “does not want the county to host a facility that might be holding good, innocent people.”
Single purchases of Event Promotions are available. Membership for discounted recurring events are available.
Winter Coat Community Giveaway from Beacon High School Student Council Day: Saturday January 10th, 2026 Time: 9:30-11:30am Location: 15 South Ave., Beacon, NY, St. Andrew/St. Luke Episcopal Church
Community members are encouraged to attend the January 10th free coat giveaway. Any remaining coats after the event will be donated to Dutchess Outreach to continue supporting individuals in need. Information >
Beacon Photo Club Presents "The Process" Day: Saturday January 10th, 2026 Time: 4-6pm Location: 484 Main Street, Beacon, NY, Super Secret Projects
From the organizers: "Exciting news! The Process, a Beacon Photo Club photo exhibition, is opening THIS Saturday (1/10) at Super Secret Projects." Information >
No War On Venezuela
Stop The Bombings Now! Day: Sunday January 11th, 2026 Time: 1-3pm Location: Newburgh: John Lewis Statue (Broadway and Liberty)
Albany: Townsend Park (Central & Henry Johnson). Organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL).
Community Fridge Ribbon-Cutting with Beacon Public Library and Fareground
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026 Time: 10am Location: 313 Main Street, Beacon, NY, Howland Public Library
From the organizers: "Please join us for a ribbon-cutting for the new community fridge at Howland Public Library in Beacon. Please join us in celebrating this partnership to increase access to nourishing food in our community. Beacon Library and Fareground are pleased to announce the opening of a new Community Fridge located inside the library, expanding access to free, healthy food and strengthening local food access efforts. Information >
Coffee with Comrades, from Mid Hudson Valley DSA (Democratic Socialists of America)
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026 Time: 10am Location: 15 South Ave., Beacon, NY, St. Andrew/St. Luke Episcopal Church
From the organizers: "Looking to connect with your community in a fun and casual setting? Our Culture & Political Education Working Group is hosting a new series, starting this Saturday (1/10) in Newburgh and Poughkeepsie: Coffee with Comrades & Cocktails with Comrades. In times like these it’s important for us to solidify bonds with our neighbors and foster solidarity." Information >
Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu?
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon NY
There is a Croque Madame in Beacon! "One of our best sellers," says Oui Oui HV, "Croque means 'crunch' in English. She’s a crunchy yummy beast this gal, just like our Croque Monsieur but Madame always gets an Egg 😉." Open until 8pm Saturday for their January Hours - Bisous Bisous 💕🥂💕
BAGEL-ISH
226 Main Street, Beacon NY
After this week, as we were all triggered by the immunity happening in Minneapolis and elsewhere in this country, Katie made a video calling for an action regarding Hilton Hotels, which has now been viewed over 44K times in just 2 days. Some people had words after that. Based on those words, Bagel-ish owner Beth vocalized her own words. They have been recorded for you in this video. Instagram > Bagel-ish is a Sponsor!
CARTER'S RESTAURANT Main Street, Beacon NY
At last...Carter's has turned their wildly, deliciously fresh Eggplant dish into a new appetizer. 🍆✨ The Eggplant Stack
Layers of perfectly cooked eggplant with:
🤍 Creamy ricotta
🌿 Fresh pesto
🍅 Classic, fresh, house-made marinara
🌶 Roasted red pepper sauce
Rich. Savory. Comfort with a gourmet twist. Catering and Private Parties available. Call them for details. 845-743-6527 Instagram > Carter's is a Sponsor!
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm
Pick up some of Eggbert's Free Range Farm Ground Beef in a pound, or in a stack of pre-formed patties. Available at 3 Farmer's Markets in the Hudson Valley: FARMERS MARKETS: Wednesdays: Cornwall Farmer's Market: 11am-3pm Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 9am-1pm Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm SHOP ONLINE:Online ordering is available 24/7. DELIVERY: 🚚 Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Website > Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor!
The Blushery 528 Main Street, Beacon NY
Shape those brows! Book your spot at the Brow Bar at The Blushery for a refreshing wax. Add in your chin and lip if you like. Spots available in the back for bikini wax or other parts of your body. Book Online >
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
(door is on Eliza Street, near Citizens Bank)
Classes are available in Japanese swordsmanship and Okinawan weaponry, in addition to traditional karate and Japanese jujitsu.
Being that this is a new art being taught in Beaecon, anyone is allowed to stop by for a free introductory class. Watch ALBB for an upcoming video showing you the outfit preparation for the Japanese swordsmanship class.
Call or email today to learn more.
(845) 526-BUDO
info@MountainStreamBudo.com Class Schedule & Signup >
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
Two of the Li’l Dragon karate students spar with foam boppers and shields on one leg to work balance. This is a fun drill they practice every Thursday in class! Mountain Stream Budo doesn't believe in binding contracts for their Martial Arts programs, as other centers do. With membership, your child can attend as many classes as they want. Come in and try a class any time! Speak with owner Noah about how it works. Class Schedule & Signup >
Howland Chamber Music Circle's Classics for Kids presents "Silent Films with Live Accompaniment: Buster Keaton"
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026 Time: 5:30pm (1 hour event) Price: Children Free/Adults $15 Location: 477 Main Street, Beacon, NY, Howland Cultural Center Buster Keaton’s Silent Films: Day Dreams & Electric House
with live music by Jesse Stacken, piano
Back by popular demand! Classics for Kids presents a special screening of two beloved Buster Keaton classics—Day Dreams and Electric House—presented by the Howland Chamber Music Circle and the Howland Cultural Center. Enjoy Keaton’s hilarious antics on the big screen with live piano accompaniment by Jesse Stacken, recreating the authentic movie-house experience of a century ago. Information >
"The Peekskill Riots"
Learn about the African American Civil Rights Activist Paul Robeson through the storyline of the Peekskill Riots, one of the most covered up mob attacks in our region in 1949, from the master storyteller and documentary filmmaker, Jon Scott Bennett, in our interview with him. Listen Now >
Tin Shingle's Content Planning Template
Coming Soon: Tin Shingle's 2026 Editorial Calendar Template will be available for free to Tin Shingle Members, or for purchase or fresh download for those who already have lifetime access. This template is a spreadsheet of the 12 months of the year with national themes included. Perfect for coordinating planned publish dates with your team. Learn More >
Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508
They have a Wish List of food items! If you're in the mood to donate, find the list here. Information >
FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate >
A targeted Boil Water Advisory has been issued for at least 4 days by the City of Beacon for businesses and residents “along Fishkill Avenue from Conklin Street to the Town of Fishkill border, including all side streets,” according to the City’s Facebook announcement. After issuing updates via social media during the day, the City announced that they have completed the emergency repairs, and that water service is fully restored. “We also are grateful to our Water Dept which went above and beyond today to address this emergency,” they said.
While they have been advising people who experience brown water coming out of their faucets to run cold taps until water runs clear, they have issued a Boil Water Advisory for specific streets.
According to the Boil Water Advisory, the water main break happened at 9:30am on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. “The water system lost pressure due to significant water main break on 10 inch water,” the document said. Beacon’s City Administrator told the Highland Currentthat the pipes were not those of the new infrastructure work conducted in the major upgrade at Fishkill/Teller Avenue over the past year in that area, but was due to an old pipe breaking. Also at that time, he said that the water was “safe to use.
Beacon City Schools will resume classes tomorrow Thursday. Dr. Landahl robo called/texted/emailed district families to let them know that students can return, and thanked the Transportation Department for making scheduling changes during the day, the Administration Department offices for fielding phone calls, and the Facilities Department for checking on the buildings this evening.
Boil Water Notice Issued
At 7pm, the City of Beacon posted their Water Boil Notice, which advises people on those streets mentioned to boil their water for at least 4 days and 12 hours. It is posted below, and typed out in full for people to read.
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING
Bring tap water to a rolling boil, boil for one minute, and cool before using. Or use bottled water certified for sale by the New York State Department of Health. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice.
This Boil Water Notice applies to Fihkill Avenue from Conklin Street to the City border at Prospect Street including Meade Avenue, Desoto and State Street.
What Happened?
At about 9:30am on January 2026, the water system lost pressure due to significant water main break on 10 inch water. When water mains lose pressure it increases the chance that untreated water and harmful microbes can enter your water.
Harmful microbes in drinking water can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms and may pose a special health risk for infants, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. But these symptoms are not just caused by microbes in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you should seek medical advice.
What Is Being Done?
City of Beacon personnel installed a new section of water main and a contractor installed additional valving to assist with the isolation. City of Beacon Operators will be conducing bacterial sampling of the water for safety.
It is likely that you will need to boil water for the next 4 days 12 hours until the problem is fixed. You will be informed when tests show that you no longer need to boil your water.
For more information, please contact Edward Balicki of the city of Beacon at 845-831-3136 or the Dutchess County Department of Health at 845-486-3404.
Please share this information with other people who drink this water especially anyone who may not get this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
State Water System ID: NY 1302760 Date Distributed: January 7. 2026
“UPDATE (5:30 p.m.): City crews have completed the replacement of the water main segment that experienced the break, which has caused low pressure or loss of water across much of the City. Crews are slowly re-pressurizing the water lines, and we hope to have water restored in the next hour or two absent some additional break.
“We apologize for the inconvenience and will issue further updates on this page and our website as additional information is available. If you're experiencing discoloration of your water, please run the cold water until the water runs clear.”
“UPDATE (4:00pm): City crews have made progress in replacing the water main that experienced the break, which has caused low pressure or loss of water across much of the City. We are hopeful that water service will be restored late this evening, but there is still a lot of work to do. We apologize for the inconvenience and will issue further updates on this page and our website as additional information is available.
“NOTICE: Water service along parts of Fishkill Avenue, from Conklin Street towards the Town of Fishkill, will experience disruption today due to continued work in repairing a water main break. We apologize for the inconvenience and will work to restore service as soon as possible.
“Once water is available again, run cold taps until water runs clear. Thank you for your patience while this emergency repair work is completed.”
The City of Beacon is currently experiencing low water pressure city-wide due to a water main break off Fishkill Avenue down the embankment from the car wash that the Beacon Water Department is currently managing and working to repair. The break was underground, so water was not spilling into public areas. They shut all valves available to contain, and are awaiting a part to be delivered. City officials say that drinking water is being maintained and is safe to drink for those who do have water.
At 11:07am, Beacon City School District Superintendent Dr. Landahl issued a robo call/text/email advising district families of an emergency early dismissal, and released the stacked release schedule with buses accommodating students who normally ride the bus.
After dismissal, Beacon High School Principal Dr. Dwyer updated district families with how field trips in progress would continue working, with pickups and other modes of previously scheduled transportation. He said: “Just a quick note of thanks to our students for their patience and cooperation during the time that we were without water and during our early dismissal. Parents and guardians, thank you for your understanding and support.”
At 11:19am, the City of Beacon issued a robo call/text/email announcing the water main break, and advising residents about the water. The alert said: "This is the City of Beacon, reaching out to inform you of a major water main break along Fishkill Avenue. Portions of the City will experience service disruption, and other areas may experience low pressure. Check the City Facebook page for updates as to timing for restored service. Once water is available again, or if you experience any discoloration, run cold water taps until water runs clear. Thank you for your patience while this emergency infrastructure work is completed."
At 1:30pm, the City of Beacon issued an update in their original post: "City-wide may experience low-pressure as repairs are done. Thank you for patience as these emergency repairs are being completed. More updates will be posted here and the City website, as available. We currently do not have an estimated time for the restoration of water service."
By 2pm, the water pressure remained low but consistent. Stinson's Hub on Rte. 52 confirmed that they needed to close due to no water. However Roma Nova, down the road, remains open. The Fresenius Kidney Care Beacon Dialysis across from the stadium was unable to run treatments for a period of time due to the water main break and directed patients to other locations or rescheduled treatments.
By 2:30pm, some residences experienced increased water pressure.
The City of Beacon Fire Department reported that the fire hydrants are included in the possible water loss and low water pressure, and issued a calling back of any available off duty personal, saying on their Facebook page:
"Due to a large water main break on Fishkill Ave, leaving possibly half the City without water (including fire hydrants), a 10-35 has been transmitted calling back any available off duty personnel.
Engine 33-15 is currently staffed with 3 Career Firefighters. Engine 33-16 is staffed with 1 Lieutenant and 2 Career Firefighters. Ladder 33-48 is staffed with 1 Lieutenant and 2 Career Firefighters.”
During the City of Beacon's budget process in October 2025, Fire Chief Tom Lucchesi requested that the City Council consider adding more professional fire fighters to the staff for Beacon.
The City of Beacon's Water Department is a finely tuned department and is known for fixing issues as quickly as they can.
This is a developing story as updates are made by the City of Beacon. Citizens are encouraged to refresh the City of Beacon's Facebook page and main website. People may also leave tips here at A Little Beacon Blog in the Comments below or by emailing in describing how they are/were impacted by the water main break.
Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc. Prepares to Kick Off National Cookie Season by Welcoming Exploremores™ to the Cookie Lineup and Adobe as National Sponsor.
Girl Scouts in the Hudson Valley will embark on the highly anticipated 2026 Girl Scout Cookie season on February 1st, channeling their entrepreneurial skills through creativity and exploration.
Today, Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc. (GSHH) officially starts counting down to the kick off the 2026 Girl Scout Cookie™ season as Girl Scouts explore more possibilities through the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. Girl Scouts in GSHH will begin taking orders on Sunday, February 1st.
Exploramores, the new 2026 Girl Scout Cookie.
Exploremores™, a rocky road ice cream–inspired sandwich cookie, will join the legendary lineup for the 2026 Girl Scout Cookie season. Filled with delicious flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond–flavored crème, Exploremores reflect the spirit of exploration at the heart of every Girl Scout. In addition to the exciting new cookie, the 2026 cookie lineup will include fan favorites such as Thin Mints®, Samoas®, Tagalongs®, and more.
GSHH CEO Dr. Kari L. Rockwell, is excited for the upcoming season and for cookie consumers to get a taste of the new cookie, Exploremores. “It is always exciting when a new Girl Scout Cookie enters the market, and Exploremores is the right balance of uniqueness and classic flavor profiles that Girl Scouts and customers are looking for,” said Dr. Rockwell. “At GSHH, we’ve heard positive feedback from Girl Scouts and volunteers about Exploremores and they are eager to share this new cookie with customers throughout GSHH’s seven-county footprint.”
The Girl Scout Cookie Program® provides invaluable entrepreneurial skills for Girl Scouts across the country and funds experiences such as service projects, troop travel, and summer camp. From a curious kindergartener, amazed by jellyfish at the local aquarium, to a middle schooler finding the courage to go on her first overnight trip with her troop, Girl Scouts know the road to discovery starts with exploration.
Each cookie season, Girl Scouts develop important life skills like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics through the Girl Scout Cookie Program. All proceeds from cookie sales stay with local councils and troops to power Girl Scouts’ amazing experiences year-round.
Learn About The Fanny Fay Girl Scout House In Beacon
The Poughkeepsie Journal has an article dedicated to the history of the Fanny Fay Girl Scout House: “Originally built as barracks for one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps camps, the building at 1 John St. in Beacon has been in the possession of the Girl Scouts organization for the past 85 years. The CCC was a segment of FDR’s New Deal programs that were developed to assist Americans suffering from the Great Depression.”
How to Purchase Girl Scout Cookies This Year
If you know a Girl Scout, reach out to her to make a purchase. Or, look for opportunities from your school or extra curricular events. Spread the wealth/education, and buy from several scouts.
If you don’t know a Girl Scout, check with your local council or use the Girl Scout Cookie Finder by entering your zip code. ALBB tried 12508 for Beacon, but no results are coming up at the moment. We have reached out to Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc. to see if there is another way to recommend connecting you with troops.
🗓️ ALBB Calendar: https://www.alittlebeaconblog.com/annual-events Events have been and continue to be updated at A Little Beacon Blog’s Event Calendar and Classes Guides. Upcoming events include pre-events from @thebeaconlitfest at @savagewonderground and @denningspointdistillery . The free Community Coat Giveaway from @bhs_studentco and partners including @i.am.beacon . 📣 Sponsor Members of ALBB: Submit your events to us via DM or email editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com. Sponsors of certain levels get free event listings. Use this format: Title: Day: Time: Location: Description: Link for tickets or info if applicable.
📣 Organizations or random or creative pop-ups: Submit to same email using same format for considerations.
Thank you for hosting such cool events. We look forward to learning about them.
📣 Businesses and other for-profit Organizations: Branded Content opportunity available for larger events with lots of photos and dedicated email sent to our newsletter subscribers. Info: https://www.alittlebeaconblog.com/event-promotion-1
I Am Beacon has announced via press release that Beacon community members are invited to attend the Winter Coat Giveaway from the Beacon High School Student Council on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9:30–11:30 AM at St. Andrew/St. Luke Episcopal Church, located at 15 South Ave., Beacon, NY.
The event is the culmination of the annual Winter Coat Drive, a student-led initiative designed to ensure children and teens across Beacon have access to warm winter clothing. BSCD Superintendant Landahl told Beacon families in this week’s Superintendent Weekly Update email: “This was a great partnership with our Beacon High School students, and I Am Beacon. Thanks to the community for donating over 300 coats!”
The Winter Coat Drive is led by Beacon High School Student Council and supported by a strong network of community partners, including National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, Beacon City School District, I Am Beacon, and Dutchess Outreach. Together, these organizations work to ensure that every donated coat directly benefits a local resident in need.
The project unfolds in three phases: District-wide Community Collection Period, School-Based Distribution, and a Public Community Giveaway. The Public Community Giveaway phase is this weekend.
Timothy Newman, Social Studies teacher at Beacon High School and faculty advisor to the Student Council, serves as the Lead Coordinator for the Winter Coat Drive. This initiative is coordinated with the help from Kimberly Gonzalez, a 6th Grade teacher at Rombout Middle School, whose support and collaboration were instrumental in organizing both the collection efforts and organizing the community giveaway event.
“The Winter Coat Drive reflects the power of student leadership and community collaboration,” said Reuben Simmons Jr., Executive Director and Founder of I Am Beacon. “By working together, we are able to meet immediate needs while also engaging young people in meaningful service.”
Community members are encouraged to attend the January 10 giveaway. Any remaining coats after the event will be donated to Dutchess Outreach to continue supporting individuals in need.
The Washington Post published a story in the last week of December 2025 highlighting plans that ICE is targeting warehouses across the nation to house people it has rounded up, including families, before they are deported to other countries. According to the reporting which sources internal ICE documents, the federal government intends to convert warehouses into at least 7 large-scale detention centers and 16 smaller processing sites. One such center is located in Chester, NY, in a warehouse formerly occupied by a Pep Boys. A representative from Pep Boys has confirmed with A Little Beacon Blog that they do not own the property.
According to the article, ICE detained 68,000 people at the beginning of December 2025 alone, which their reporting says is the highest number on record. "Nearly half, or 48% of these people, have no criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, ICE data shows," the article said.
“The administration’s goal, he said, was to deport immigrants as efficiently as Amazon moves packages: ‘Like Prime, but with human beings.’”
— ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons
ICE Acting Director Todd. M. Lyons was quoted in the article as saying: “We need to get better at treating this like a business,” the Arizona Mirror first reported at a border security conference in April 2025. "The administration’s goal, he said, was to deport immigrants as efficiently as Amazon moves packages: “'Like Prime, but with human beings.'”
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said he was "disappointed" to learn of this business decision Westchster News12 reported, and said he was not consulted. The news outlet reported that Neuhaus said "the owner of a vacant warehouse formerly used by Pep Boys in the Chester Industrial Park told the county ICE officials have been inquiring about using the warehouse as a detention center for immigrants. Neuhaus said Friday in a Zoom interview that he is disappointed since the county has been hoping the warehouse would become a film studio."
The Orange County Executive also said he did not want to "deal with" clashes between protesters and the ICE facility that would likely arise. "The federal government is hunting people down," Neuhaus said to News12 reporter Ben Nandy. "They say they're mostly bad people, but if there are families with children, that's a problem. We owe it to ourselves to come up with a better solution than to round them up as cattle in a temporary center in a warehouse."
Representative Pat Ryan expressed outrage, saying in a tweet on X: “'Like Prime, but with human beings.'” That’s how ICE is describing its new facilities, including a proposed location in Chester (which hasn't been coordinated with local leaders in any way, FYI). It’s disgusting, infuriating, & UNAMERICAN. Our community will not stand for it."
News12 reported that Neuhaus also said he "does not want the county to host a facility that might be holding good, innocent people."
According to the Washington Post article, the Department of Homeland Security had awarded one $29.9 million contract to KPB Services LLC, for help with “due diligence services and concept design” for the new facilities. KPB Services LLC is a tribal subsidiary of The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, who fired their senior management of their economic development corporation responsible for seeking and securing the contract after backlash over the contract, according to Native News Online.
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Prairie Band LLC issued a joint statement that said in part: “Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Prairie Band LLC understand the concerns raised about a recently awarded Department of Homeland Security planning contract that involves feasibility studies and technical assessments,” the statement said. “As a sovereign Nation, our values guide the decisions we make, and we acknowledge that this contract does not align with those principles.”
The Washington Post reported from the contract solicitation that ICE intend to transform the warehouses "to include intake areas, housing units with showers and restrooms, a kitchen, dining areas, a medical unit, indoor and outdoor recreation areas, a law library, and administrative offices. "Some of the facilities will include special housing designed for families in custody," the article said.
In 2015 under President Obama, the Washington Post reported that "a government watchdog report found that deportation flights often leave the country with empty seats because of the logistical difficulty of bringing enough people eligible for deportation to an airplane at the same time."
The term "eligible for deportation" is a questionable term at this time, since it is not something one aspires to reach, and at times the people deported are taken while at mandatory court hearings during their legal immigration process. The term "eligible" has arguably lost credibility in this case.
Ventured down to the vintage shop Another Door in search of a light switch cover (Another Door is the first stop in Beacon before searching Anthropology’s website if the delicacy is not there) and while we did search each corner of the room for the mysteries beholden in this shop, we did not find a light switch cover - this time.
1. But what WAS there was more than one snow suit! Like this red one from North Face. And so begins our Shopping Drop for this Saturday evening.
2. Sorel boots in a high chunky heal - size 8. And they weren’t the only size 8s. Ladies are lucky right now at Another Door in that size range.
3. These Victorian style heels! Also size 8. Damn, ALBB is a size 9. So close.
4. However, there is a clearance rack for Lucky $13!
5. This 50% off sale shelf for delicate tea trinkets was where a light switch might have been. Alas. Maybe one will show up another time.
6. Journals!!! And a gold embossed one at that. This journal will be ALBB’s next purchase when the golden journal mentioned earlier is filled up. It’s been 3 in a row with that one, so is time for a floral print to return.
7. Holiday! Fuchsia sequence.
8. A box collection and gloves.
9. Purse collection, locked behind the antique cabinet. Ask for assistance.
10. Black Leather Jacket collection. They get their own rack!
New York Times article reporting that at least 40 civilians and some military officials were killed in Venezuela by the U.S. air strike conducted to kidnap President Maduro and first lady Cilia. Pictured is Wilman Gonzalez, who carries furniture from his home. His aunt, Rosa Gonzalez, 80, lived with him, was killed in the attack, Photo Credit: New York TImes;
Early Saturday morning, as residents and visitors of Beacon checked their socials for news and uplifting content after coasting through Friday’s extension of the entrance to the New Year, they learned that the 47th president of the United States ordered the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro, who is a Venezuelan lawyer and politician.
The U.S. air strike to seize the couple resulted in the killing of 40 people in Venezuela, including military officials and civilians, the New York Times reported who sourced Venezuelan officials, Here’s Why With Kevin reported. Also highlighted was that an 80 year old woman named Rosa Gonzalez was killed by the air strike, one which “ripped through her apartment.” It was reported that she lived in a 3-story apartment building in Catia La Mar near the Caracas airport among other elderly residential neighbors, who were also badly injured.
The Venezuelan President and First Lady were flown to Stewart Air National Guard Base on Saturday evening, which has an office for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) component, according to DHS’ website.
Why Stewart?
The unexpected association of Stewart Airport and Newburgh with the Venezuelan kidnapping has prompted many Hudson Valley locals to ask: “Why Stewart?”
The airport started as Stewart Airfield, located in the Town of Newburgh, NY, and opened in 1934 under the direction of Douglas MacArthur, General and former Chief of Staff of the United States Army, on land donated by “a 19th-century Scottish-born sea captain, Lachlan Stewart, and his son.” It was built out for the then original Department of War during WWII.
In 1948, the Stewart air force base became a base for the then newly formed United States Air Force and was called the Stewart Air Force Base. The year of 1948 is also the year of the Nakba in Palestine (aka النَّكْبَة, “the catastrophe”) which was the beginning of the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to set up the occupation for what is now labeled as Israel. Stewart Air Force Base continued training missions with West Point.
The base was deactivated in 1970 and was taken over by New York State to become a civilian airport, known more widely as Stewart International Airport (which only had one international airline, which just left) and locally for cheap flights for Florida and Iceland (but not anymore), as well as inconsistent arrangements with commercial air carriers who pull out of servicing the airport amid multi-million dollar improvement grants for Stewart International Airport.
In 1980, the base was opened in an agreement with New York State and the New York Air National Guard (ANG), and is now also known as Stewart Air National Guard Base, according to Wikipedia. The following year, American hostages freed from Iran were flown to the base.
Questions About The International-ness of Stewart International Airport
But wait - is Stewart International Airport even commercially International anymore? Aside from flying in kidnapped dictators or presidents from outside the country?
The Chronogram asked in July 2025 when news broke that international airline Play pulled out: “For Hudson Valley-area residents with a taste for travel, Play’s parting is most unwelcome news, and questions abound as to why airlines keep failing there, and about what comes next for the beleaguered airport.”
The Chronogram also pointed out in their article: “The airline’s departure is expected to cut into already lagging airport traffic. Following a peak of over 900,000 passengers in 2007 and $220 million in investments since then, the airport received just 277,000 passengers last year, according to data from the airport’s operator, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.”
Who is getting all of the infrastructure investments?
The Charges To Try To Justify Kidnapping Circle Back To Tren de Aragua
In addition to Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, the indictment also charges Maduro’s son, Nicolas Ernesto Maduoro Guerra, Diosado Cabello Rondon, Ramon Rodriguez Chachin, and Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores (aka Niño Guerrero, the supposed leader of Tren de Aragua, the group alluded to often when ICE is kidnapping someone in the United States for deportation).
The charges, as reported by CNBC, include a narco-terrorism conspiracy charge; cocaine importation conspiracy; possession of machine guns and destructive devices; and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices. The charges can be read here.
Before being flown to New York City for detainment of Maduro and Cilia, the plane was met by protesters organized in part by Mid Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists. “We got word earlier in the afternoon that they were flying Maduro in,” a source told A Little Beacon Blog. “So we went and protested the whole day.”
Protest posters read: “No War For Venezuelan Oil” and “Kidnapped President Inside” and “Hands Off Venezuela” and “No Illegal War,” among others.
“No War On Venezuela,” Mid Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists declared on their Instagram. “We won’t stand for the Trump administration’s unilateral attack on Venezuela. A U.S. Military plane brought President Maduro to Stewart Airport today, while our members held the line outside to make it clear: this war will hurt working people across the globe. We stand in solidarity with the sovereign people of Venezuela and call on Congress to pass a War Powers Resolution to block Trump’s military aggression.”
Photojournalist Alexa B. Wilkinson was on the scene and filmed this video, giving ALBB permission to publish.
Alexa reported what they witnessed at the scene: “On Jan 3 at 21:30 UTC, Nicolas Maduro’s transport flight landed at Stewart Air [National Guard] Base in Newburgh, NY. OTG (On The Ground) press wasn’t able to get anywhere close to the part of the base where he was disembarking, however press choppers were circling above providing footage now widely seen of DEA & FBI agents boarding the plane and preparing him for his NYPD chopper ride down to NYC. Locals came out to film and watch the base from afar, causing traffic jams on NY-17K and a spectacle at the restaurant across the street. From a distance, you could see transport vehicles circling a plane moving into different positions, but it’s unknown which agency they belonged to.”
Complex reported on New York’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s statement expressing concern about the taking of the Venezuelan President: “The blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad. It directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home. My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance.”
Some people in the Comments who said they were from Venezuela told the new mayor to “sit this one out,” and supported Maduro being taken out of power. Meanwhile, the United States President is suspected of pedophilia and convicted of 34 felony accounts of falsified business records for hush money for a sex scandal. He was successfully sued for sexual assault for $88.3 million in awarded damages, while other lawsuits may begin after release of the Epstein Files. Yet, no one has violently taken him out of power for these crimes.
Regarding the local landing, the Town of Newburgh’s Mayor Torrance Harvey stated on his Facebook page: “The United States President has Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in custody!!! They first arrived at the Newburgh Stewart Airbase!! They are in transit to a Brooklyn Detention Center!! This is developing right now!!”
On Friday, Neuhaus did express disappointment that ICE allegedly wants to convert a warehouse into a detention center. News12 reported that “the owner of a vacant warehouse formerly used by Pep Boys in the Chester Industrial Park told the county ICE officials have been inquiring about using the warehouse as a detention center for immigrants.”
News12 reported that Neuhaus said he is “disappointed since the county has been hoping the warehouse would become a film studio.” Further, “County Executive Steve Neuhaus said he does not want to deal with clashes between ICE agents and protesters and that he does not want the county to host a facility that might be holding good, innocent people.”
Meanwhile, more leaders with actual arrest warrants have gone uncaptured by United States law enforcement while recently spending New Year’s Eve partying with the U.S. President in Mar-a-Lago in Florida. “International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for two senior Israeli officials, Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, and Yoav Gallant, the former Minister of Defense of Israel, alleging responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts during the Gaza war,” reads Wikipedia. Netanyahu and his wife were left unbothered at Trump’s Florida residence.
Colombia’s President Petro issued a statement against the kidnapping, while the U.S. president told Colombia’s President to “watch his a**.” President Petro said: “A clan of pedofiles wants to destroy democracy in Colombia." He went onto to talk about the politics of Venezuelan leadership, then said: "Nor would I trick the people of Venezuela into a trap of an invasion that is only about their oil, driven by greed and violence, to turn this beautiful corner of South America into another Syria, another Iraq, another Libya full of slaves, slave trading and new forms of slavery.”
In Shopping News - The Gray Nike Track Suit
Meanwhile, Maduro’s grey Nike track suit he was wearing while captive in transport to New York City is trending. Marca reports that the Nike track suit sold out hours after the kidnapping, but may still be available in stores. Check A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide for where you can find and buy Nike gear and other name brands in one of the several vintage shops located here on Main Street.
Marca.com calls Stewart airport simply: “a military airport.” Perhaps they know best, and those of us in the Hudson Valley region will never get the true international airport we deserve.
This photo was taken with Instagram publishing in mind - a quick and honorary time stamp of the changing of the year, as first published at our sister couture branding agency Katie James, Inc.
ALBB has been in a winter break pause, finishing with travel and accomplishing things on our own Things To Do lists. May your new year be filled with the fresh air you need right now. Journaling is highly recommended ✍🏼 in any form: including rage journaling, sexy journaling, normal journaling.
This photo is dedicated to ALBB reader Carman Johnson, who also loves pens and is particular about her ball point or jell.
Sometimes ALBB does head up to Barnes and Noble on Route 9 to their journal section (but Stanza has many of the same styles), and most recently to Staples, who has a particular golden journal for $11.99 from the Martha Stewart stationery line. After writing through piles of journals with different prints on them, the pause of the single golden cover on repeat has been pleasant.
ALBB prefers buying office supplies such as HP LaserJet toner from an IRL location, and Staples is such a spot. You should see their office pen selection. Some of which can also be found in Key Food Beacon new Gift Wrapping and Stationery section.
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A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog. Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
