Dover resident arrestedafter New Year’s Day standoff

DOVER PLAINS — On Wednesday, Jan. 1, Richard P. Danko was arrested in the Town of Dover following an hours-long standoff with law enforcement after a complaint was lodged against him for allegedly threatening another party with a shotgun.

At approximately 6:10 a.m., deputies arrived at 16 Old State Route 22 in Dover Plains to investigate the report and Danko was subsequently identified as the suspect in the case. But when addressed by authorities, Danko refused to cooperate and fled into a home. Over the next five hours, members of multiple law enforcement units unsuccessfully attempted to convince Danko to surrender. Finally, authorities gained access to the premises and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office’s Emergency Services Unit took him into custody without further incident.

Following his arrest, Danko was charged with third degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, and three second degree misdemeanors including criminal contempt, menacing and resisting arrest as well as bail jumping, also a misdemeanor. Unrelated to this incident, Danko was also sought on a warrant for reckless endangerment. He was charged in connection with both the preexisting warrant and this most recent incident. Danko was arraigned at the Town of Dover Court, and was remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center where he remains in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.

When reached for comment, Captain John Watterson at the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident is still under investigation and no motive has yet been established. Watterson was unable to confirm at press time whether Danko is being represented by an attorney.

Latest News

Home field advantage holds true for Webutuck softball and baseball

Olivia Wickwire, no. 2, tags out a runner at first base. The Webutuck Warriors varsity softball team beat the Germantown Clippers 14-7 at home Friday, April 25.

Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Webutuck girls varsity softball beat visiting Germantown 14-7 Friday, April 25.


Keep ReadingShow less
Kent Hollow Mine case resolved after years of litigation
Amenia Town Hall
Photo by John Coston

AMENIA — The Town Baord signed a resolution bringing an end to a history of litigation between Amenia’s Zoning Board of Appeals and principals of Kent Hollow Mine at a special meeting on Thursday, April 24.

It was a brief meeting with no public discussion before the vote except to make a clarifying change in the resolution’s wording, suggested by the Special Counsel to the town, George Lithco.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historians and neighbors celebrate Revolutionary War veterans at old Amenia Burying Ground

Tim Middlebrook, President of the Columbia Mid-Hudson Valley chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, left, Amenia Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, center, and Amenia Historical Society President Betsy Strauss unveiled a new historical marker at the Old Amenia Burying Ground on Saturday, April 26. The marker commemorates revolutionary war veterans buried at the cemetery where the Red Meeting House once stood on Mygatt Road.

Photo By Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Tim Middlebrook of the Sons of the American Revolution and Amenia Historical Society President Betsy Strauss unveiled a new historical marker honoring Revolutionary War vets in the Amenia Burying Ground.

Rain all morning had threatened the event, but historical society members, lovers of history and sons of the revolution persisted and the rain let up just in time.

Keep ReadingShow less
New priest takes the altar in Amenia

Father Andrew O'Connor

Photo by Christine Bates

AMENIA — Father Andrew O’Connor celebrated his first Easter at the Church of the Immaculate Conception after arriving in February to serve the parishioners of Amenia, Pine Plains and Millerton.

In an interview with The Millerton News, he commented that Easter was a time to see whole families together and meet young people home from college or prep school. His busy schedule includes masses on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and another on Sunday night at Choate Rosemary Hall prep school when he visits his family in Connecticut.

Keep ReadingShow less