public safety

Columbia County deputies save man from burning building in Copake

COPAKE — Two Columbia County deputies rescued a man from a structure fire in Copake in the early morning Sunday, Aug. 18.
Around 2 a.m., Deputy Timothy Gladwin and Deputy Cody Falkner responded to a fire at an apartment building on County Route 7A. One of the ground-level apartments in the two story structure was engulfed when deputies arrived.

A tenant told the deputies they believed someone was still in one of the upstairs apartments, so the deputies sprang into action to retrieve the missing person.

Upon entering the apartment, the deputies found a single person sleeping in his bedroom. The deputies helped the man out of his apartment and down the stairs to safety.

Sheriff Donald Krapf said in a release that the two deputies’ quick action prevented loss of life and serious injury.
“This was outstanding police work, and without a doubt, these men are heroes,” Krapf said. “They exemplify what it is to be a deputy sheriff. I am exceptionally proud to have them as members of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.”

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Amelia R. Wright

Amelia R. Wright

Falls Village – Amelia Rosalie (Betti) Wright, 91, of Falls Village died September 30, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Robert Kenneth Wright.

Amelia was born September 6, 1933 in Torrington, CT, daughter of the late Benjamin and Mary Eliza (Passini) Betti. Amelia worked at Camp Isabella Freedman as the Head Housekeeper. She was employed there for 35 years. She attended the Falls Village Congregational Church and had been very active at the Senior Center in Falls Village. She enjoyed collecting. She also enjoyed the craft classes offered by Adult Ed at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School. She enjoyed traveling, especially to the Cape, Vermont and New Hampshire. An avid flower person, Amelia had traveled to the major flower shows in both Boston and Philadelphia.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Osborn and her husband David of Falls Village, her son, Robert H. Wright of Falls Village and her son, Donald Wright and his wife Kate of Millbrook, NY; her sister, MaryAnn Betti of Falls Village; her grandchildren, Benjamin and Katie Osborn and Jacob Wright. Amelia is also survived by her great grandson, Gunner Osborn. Amelia was predeceased by her brother, Donald Betti.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in the Mountain View Cemetery, Sand Road, North Canaan, CT. Calling hours will be held at the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, North Canaan, CT 06018 on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Falls Village Volunteer Ambulance Association, 188 US-7 South, Falls Village, CT. 06031

Stissing Mountain faces tough challenge in Rhinebeck rematch

Stissing Mountain faces tough challenge in Rhinebeck rematch

Makayla Robinson, no. 3 of Pine Plains, dribbles the ball down midfield past Rhinebeck’s Ellie Firestone, no. 13, at a soccer match at Stissing Mountain High School in Pine Plains Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Photo by Nathan Miller


“Use your head,” is particularly good advice in soccer, and Pine Plains senior Madison Spann, no. 7, obviously takes the advice to heart to win the ball from Rhinebeck senior Maddy Santoro, no. 6, in a girls’ soccer match at Stissing Mountain High School Wednesday, Sept. 25. The game ended 6-1 Rhinebeck, marking Stissing Mountain's second loss to the team.Photo by Nathan Miller

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sports

Let’s talk about dirt: soil ecology hikes at the Cary Institute

Let’s talk about dirt: soil ecology hikes at the Cary Institute

Jane Lucas, who holds a doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology, at right in all black, leads an educational hike through the woods at the Cary Institute in Millbrook Sunday, Sept. 29. The group followed Lucas down the trail to Wappingers Creek, where she explained the nitrogen cycle, the phosphorous cycle and the carbon cycle and the important role soil microbes play in each.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLBROOK — A crowd of nearly 30 went undeterred by cool rain for a hike and lecture on soil ecology at the Cary Institute Sunday morning, Sept. 29.

Jane Lucas, who holds a doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology, led the group on a brief hike in the frigid mist and discussed her research focus: microbial communities.

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environment