from the archives

Handkerchief clue in shooting; beer on fairgrounds

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn, Vivian Sukenik, Nancy Vialpando and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.


Aug. 17, 1933

‘Handkerchiefs are Clues to Dover Gunman’; Two handkerchiefs bearing the initial “B,” one bloodstained, are the clues on which the police are working in the hope of discovering the identity of the youthful, blond gunman who shot and fatally wounded Otto J Schwarzwalder…similar handkerchief bearing the same initial was found in a garage owned by Dr. Frederick S. Baston, of Norwood, Mass., [sic] from whom the car driven by the gunman was stolen… Sheriff Oakleigh T Cookinghom of Dutchess County has practically established that the slayer is the same man who engaged in a half-hour gun battle with state police in Massachusetts on July 23 after stealing an automobile. It has also been disclosed that a rifle the gunman used in the Chestnut Ridge shooting foray was stolen in Massachusetts.

‘Beer Will be Sold at County Fair’; Beer will be sold on the grounds at the Dutchess County Fair. It was disclosed during the week-end following a conference between Senator Webb and state commissioner of agriculture and markets, Charles H. Baldwin. A “drought” was threatened by Commissioner Baldwin’s recent blanket ruling that no beer might be sold at county fairs.…

‘Bread Contest Judging Monday Night at Grange’; Judging in the Millerton Grange bread baking contest, the winning entry to be entered in the state Grange contest, will take place at the Millerton Grange Hall Monday evening… The Paramount Theatre has announced an award of ten free tickets to the winner of the local contest…

Aug. 22, 1974

A Split Decision… This girl did not quite make it to the top of the greased pole to capture the $5 bill at the Millerton Days event on Sunday…

‘Millerton Personals’;

Mrs. Assunta Terni celebrated her 89th birthday on Friday, Aug. 16, with a family gathering at her home. Mrs Terni received many cards, gifts and flowers from family and friends.

Congratulations to William Melius, a lifelong resident of Millerton who celebrated his 82nd birthday on Aug. 21.

Poking Fun… The balloon clown, Bev Gordon, pokes jungle explorer Sanford Kaplan in the ribs after he threatened to pop all of her colorful balloons.

Aug. 19, 1999

‘Showdown Brewing Over Village Purchase of Karl’s Auto Property’; The village is considering purchasing a commercial property on South Center Street to turn into a parking lot for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. But the man who runs a business on the site is promising a fight… Dutchess County now owns the property, because the former owner… has not paid back taxes. The village was given an opportunity to purchase the property prior to a public auction. But Karl Sublew, who run’s Karl’s Auto Care, said he has no intention of closing down his business. “I have a five year lease, with an option for renewal,” he said.

‘Brooks Appointed Interim Principal’; Retired educator Eugene L. Brooks has been appointed the interim principal of Webutuck Elementary School effective Sept. 1… A popular former principal and dean at Webutuck and at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Connecticut.

from the archives
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Millerton Police Dept. rebuilds after fire; new cruisers on the way

Millerton Police Dept. rebuilds after fire; new cruisers on the way

The borrowed Pine Plains cruiser parked on Main Street in front of the Millerton Inn during the Millerton Street Fair on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissy

MILLERTON — After receiving substantial state grant funding in July 2024 and beginning to roll out new equipment that fall, the Millerton Police Department suffered a setback when the February fire at the Village Water and Highway Department building destroyed much of its newly acquired gear — including patrol vehicles outfitted with cutting-edge technology.

Thanks to full-value insurance coverage and swift support from the Town of Pine Plains — which loaned the department a vehicle — Millerton officers were able to remain active in the community. Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik said two custom-built, four-wheel-drive Ford Interceptor cruisers are now in production and are expected to arrive by the end of the summer.

Keep ReadingShow less

Uncertainty looms over Millerton community pool timeline

Uncertainty looms over Millerton community pool timeline

Groundbreaking of the new pool planned for Eddie Collins Park has been delayed after the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation intervened to determine the status of wetlands in the proposed building site.

Archive photo

MILLERTON — The long-awaited groundbreaking for a new community pool at Eddie Collins Memorial Park — once expected this past April — now faces significant delays with no definitive timeline in sight, Mayor Jenn Najdek said.

The primary setback stems from a still-pending permitting process, as the village awaits final approvals from the Dutchess County Board of Health and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regarding septic placement and wetland buffers. A patch of wetlands on the site — roughly five feet by five feet, Najdek said — requires a protective buffer, which could range anywhere from 5 to 100 feet. That determination will dictate whether the current pool design needs to be altered or moved altogether.

Keep ReadingShow less

North East town records brought into the digital age

North East town records brought into the digital age

Chris Virtuoso reorganized parcel records in the North East Town Hall basement by parcel number during the process of scanning and digitizing the documents.

Photo by Grace DeMarco

MILLERTON — Within the walls of the two-story Victorian housing the North East Town Hall lies a room-full of town records dating back to the late 19th century. Stored in labeled cardboard boxes and protected by dehumidifiers, the records are in the process of being dated, organized, and scanned into categorized online programs.

As the Town Hall works to relocate to 5603 Route 22 at the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, the consolidation and digitalization of records, as well as the disposal of those unneeded, is a time-sensitive project. Marcy Wheatley, the Deputy Town Clerk, emphasized their current heavy focus on organizing and scanning. “Now, when we move, we can get rid of a lot,” Wheatley stated.

Keep ReadingShow less

Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Nora Garcia, 6, of Millerton, bottom right, gets a face painting treatment from Maddy Rowe, a Webutuck High School senior. Nora’s sister, Juliana, 8, top right, is decorated by Giana Kall, a Webutuck senior. The program was sponsored by the Webutuck PTA.

Photo by John Coston

Locals and visitors packed into downtown Millerton Saturday, June 28, for the first ever Millerton Street Fair hosted by the Millerton News, the Millerton Business Alliance and Townscape. Representatives from local nonprofits, businesses along Main Street, Bee Bee the Clown and face painters from Webutuck High School drew in crowds all afternoon.

Festivities officially opened at 10 a.m., and a steady stream of visitors soon followed. Volunteer firefighters hosted a bouncy castle, a duck pool, a “put out the fire” ring toss game, and the “touch a truck” event at the fire department’s garage.

Keep ReadingShow less