This special feature is sponsored by Laugh It Up Comedy Club. For information on upcoming shows at their Poughkeepsie venue, visit their website by clicking HERE.
HUDSON VALLEY – The Hudson Valley was gripped by COVID in 2021. Throughout it all, Mid-Hudson News continued to bring readers timely, breaking news. The following is a month-by-month recap of the most-read stories at Mid-Hudson News.
In January, an insurrection at the US Capitol brought a swift response from authorities across the nation. Less than two weeks after the January 6 riot, Newburgh resident Edward Lang was arrested by the FBI for his participation in the riot. The Mid-Hudson News story with exclusive video can be found HERE.
February brought tragedy to the Jehovah’s Witness community when a fire broke out at the Shawangunk sawmill. The story was reported HERE. Readers also mourned the death of a 7-year-old child who passed away in Newburgh. One of the original reports can be viewed HERE.
In March, many marine suits were dispatched to the area of the Bear Mountain Bridge for reports of a person that had jumped from the span. A body was not discovered after several days of searching and the State Police are still investigating the incident. The original story can be found HERE.
April brought warmer weather and many visitors to the famed Walkway Over the Hudson span. Unfortunately, a man decided to take his own life by leaping from the former rail bridge. The initial account of the tragedy can be read HERE.
A New York State Trooper was arrested in May for his involvement in a drug trafficking ring. The story about the 46-year-old trooper can be read HERE.
In June, a Wallkill Town Police Officer fatally shot a man. The family said the 31-year-old had a long history of mental illness before he was killed. The family story can be read HERE. The case was taken over by the NYS Attorney General because the shooting involved a member of law enforcement. The story can be read HERE.
In July, as the first wave of travel restrictions were being lifted, Frontier Airlines announced they would begin service to the Florida destinations of Orlando, Tampa, and Miami. It is one of the only commercial airlines with passenger service from NY Stewart International Airport. The story can be read HERE. To book a flight, click HERE.
In August, then Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation in the midst of a brewing sex crimes scandal. That story can be found HERE. During the same month, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District erupted in turmoil when Superintendent Roberto Padilla was suspended over sexual harassment allegations. Mid-Hudson News broke the story that can be found HERE. Newburgh also made the news in August with the arrest of Newburgh City Councilman Omari Shakur by New York State Police. The story can be found HERE.
September brought tragic losses to Dutchess County. Dutchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson passed away unexpectedly. His passing was mourned by thousands and the Mid-Hudson News coverage can be found HERE. Earlier in September, a teenager was stabbed to death during a large fight at Arlington High School. The original report can be found HERE. The funeral service for 16-year-old Quraan Smith was covered HERE. War hero, attorney, and former candidate for Congress, Kyle Van De Water took his own life in September, renewing calls for increased mental health services for veterans. The story can be found HERE.
In October, a well-respected vascular surgeon, Dr. John Hordines, was killed in a hit and run accident in Cornwall. That story can be found HERE. A substantial number of readers also took interest in a story of a murder-suicide that occurred in Pine Island. The story is available HERE.
November was election season and also brought increased violence to Hudson Valley cities. Mid-Hudson News provided up-to-the-minute coverage of major elections in the Hudson Valley. The original election story can be found HERE. Violence erupted in the City of Newburgh, with six shootings in less than a week. That popular story can be found HERE. In Poughkeepsie, a shooting incident at the high school caused the school to close for more than a week to implement new security policies. The breaking story at the time of the shooting can be found HERE.
To close out 2021, the most read story in December was the coverage of the attempted prison escape in Fishkill. That story can be viewed HERE. The second most-read story involved the City of Poughkeepsie firefighters escorting Santa Claus throughout the community delivering toys. That story can be found HERE.
