Trail blazers

With spring now almost over, the Harlem Valley Rail Trail has been welcoming a steady stream of local residents, area visitors, families and outdoor enthusiasts during the past couple of weeks. Whether they’ve been blazing across the trail on foot, on bicycles, on skateboards or on roller blades, chances are trailgoers have caught a glimpse of the region’s resident wildlife that live along the trail while getting their exercise, some fresh air and hopefully relaxing along the way.

Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

If they were to take a closer look at the ponds that border the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, trail enthusiasts heading from Coleman Station in Sharon, Conn., to Amenia Station in Amenia, might find a swan or two taking a leisurely swim. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

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Back to school

Back to school
Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.


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New Millerton police cruisers arrive to replace fire-ravaged vehicles

New Millerton police cruisers arrive to replace fire-ravaged vehicles

Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik shows off the new gear. Brand new police cruisers arrived last week.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton Police Department has received two new patrol cars to replace vehicles destroyed in the February 2025 fire at the Village Water and Highway Department.

The new Ford Interceptors are custom-built for law enforcement. “They’re more rugged than a Ford Explorer,” said Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik, noting the all-wheel drive, heavy-duty suspension and larger tires and engine. “They call it the ‘Police Package.’”

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Amenia back in court over Kent Hollow mine

Amenia back in court over Kent Hollow mine

The main entrance to Kent Hollow Mine at 341 South Amenia Road in Amenia.

Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Amenia residents and a Wassaic business have filed suit against the Town Board and Kent Hollow Inc., alleging a settlement between the town and the mine amounts to illegal contract zoning that allows the circumvention of environmental review.

Petitioners Laurence Levin, Theodore Schiffman and Clark Hill LLC filed the suit on Aug. 22. Town officials were served with documents for the case last week and took first steps in organizing a response to the suit at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4.

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Historical Society talk to explore the life and times of a Revolutionary Era loyalist

Historical Society talk to explore the life and times of a Revolutionary Era loyalist

AMENIA — While the courage and perseverance of Revolutionary era patriots is well understood and celebrated, the stories of the fate of British loyalists in New York are not as clear.

Seen as the initial event in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Amenia Historical Society will present a talk titled, “The Plight of a Loyalist in Revolutionary New York,” examining the journal of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., spanning the period of 1777-1779. The speaker will be noted author, genealogist and historian Jay Campbell.

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