An array of drugs, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm were recovered as part of the investigation that saw seven Hudson Valley residents arrested and charged in Dutchess County Court on Jan. 9 in an alleged drug-trafficking network in the region.
POUGHKEEPSIE — Following the conclusion of a year-long investigation, seven Hudson Valley residents were taken into custody by law enforcement on Jan. 9 and charged in Dutchess County Court with participation in a drug trafficking network in which cocaine and fentanyl were peddled throughout the region.
Damian Cunningham, 40, of Mount Vernon, Nicole Kane, 36, of Highland, Shamique Delaine, 33, Jonte Hatcher, 41, Romell Hearn, 45, Daquan Killian, 32, and Dwan Scafe, 36, all of Poughkeepsie, were charged on 155 wide-ranging counts of felony offenses including criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first and second degrees as well as Class A felonies.
Hatcher, Kane, Hearn and Scafe were charged with firearms offenses including criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, which is a class C violent felony. Hearn and Scafe were also charged with operating as major traffickers, which, if convicted on this charge, could potentially carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Cunningham was charged with trafficking cocaine. Delaine, Hatcher, Hearn, Kane, Killian and Scafe were charged with conspiracy and trafficking cocaine and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
The investigation, spearheaded by the Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force, recovered over 10,500 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl worth approximately $75,000, over eight kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $200,000, three firearms — including a ghost gun — and $14,000 in cash.
The investigation, which was carried out over a period of twelve months, was a collaborative effort between the organized crime task force and the New York State Police’s Special Investigations Unit — Hudson Valley and Troop K — Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team.
“Counterfeit opioids containing deadly amounts of fentanyl are a grave threat to New Yorkers,” New York State Attorney General Letitia James said of the success of the takedown operation. “Our investigation dismantled a drug trafficking network that was responsible for moving massive quantities of dangerous narcotics throughout the Hudson Valley, where communities have been hit hard by the opioid crisis. My office remains committed to tackling this crisis from every angle, and I thank the New York State Police for their cooperation and diligent work on this investigation that took dangerous drugs and guns off our streets.”
New co-owners of the Blue Door, Danny Greco, left, and Frank DiDonato, right, expect to open their new restaurant venture on Route 44, between Millbrook and Pleasant Valley, in March.
PLEASANT VALLEY — La Puerta Azul, the Pleasant Valley restaurant known for its Mexican fare and live music, abruptly shuttered its doors at the end of 2025. The space is now set to re-open under new ownership and a slightly new name — The Blue Door Steakhouse.
The Blue Door is expected to open in March and will shift to an American and Italian menu, including pasta, steak and seafood dishes.
New owners Danny Greco and Frank DiDonato — both Hudson Valley residents — have worked together for the past two years across the street at Salt Point Market and Cafe. They described the new concept as “a familiar place, but elevated.”
Greco, who will manage all front-of-house aspects of The Blue Door while DiDonato will serve as the executive chef, said he is excited about the new venture. “It’s going to be rooted in community, inspired by tradition and thoughtfully refined,” he said.
Chef DiDonato began working at Salt Point Market and Cafe years prior to Greco’s 2023 purchase of the establishment. The two have since developed a close working partnership — one they joke began when Greco walked in for a sandwich and never left.
After learning La Puerta Azul had closed at the end of 2025, Greco and DiDonato moved quickly to pursue the space. They signed the lease on Christmas Day and described the timing as a gift.
“When I look at this space, I don’t see it under construction,” Greco said. “I see it open and running — and a place that feels like home to our community.”
The restaurant is currently undergoing a full interior renovation, but the new owners plan to preserve several elements as an homage to La Puerta Azul. The hand-painted bar tiles imported from Mexico will stay on the bar top, they said, and the waterfall at the entrance will also remain.
The pair also plans to preserve a wall mural titled “La Ballena/Long Bar” attributed to “A. Favela” and dated 2005.
In a nod to the building’s history, additional tiles left behind will be repurposed across the street at Salt Point Market and Cafe, where they will be used to accent a new pizza bar top. Greco and DiDonato say they want to extend the story of the previous restaurant beyond its original walls.
While the partners initially considered infusing Mexican flavors into the menu to honor the restaurant’s history, they ultimately decided to focus on what they know best.
“We realized that we should do what we know, and do it really well,” DiDonato said. “We want to give the community the best version of what we know how to do.”
Both owners said their approach is rooted in building trust locally — something they believe will carry over from their work at Salt Point Market and Cafe.
“You can’t just come into a small town and beat your chest,” Greco said. “People want to feel comfortable, and we believe that being a real part of the community is everything.”
DiDonato has built a local following for his culinary expertise, including meatballs, lasagna, and other Italian dishes. Regular customers ask what’s on the schedule and when certain items will be available.
Greco and DiDonato said The Blue Door will combine a playful, welcoming atmosphere with a serious focus on craft and hospitality.
The restaurant is expected to be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 3 p.m. to closing, with lunch services provided on the weekends. The owners will also accept catering requests and consider opening on Mondays and Tuesdays for private events.
With the opening still a month and a half away, the buzz is already strong. Former La Puerta Azul performers have reached out about returning for live music, and early social media comments — including questions about vegetarian and gluten-free options — have helped inform planning for the new menu.
“This was a busy restaurant before, and we believe it can be again,” Greco said.
The Blue Door is currently hiring for several positions and interested candidates can apply at contact@thebluedoorny.com.
AMENIA — After nearly a month on the job, Dutchess County Legislator Eric Alexander, representing District 25, attended the Amenia Town Board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22, to report on the work of the county committees to which he has been assigned.
“The legislature has switched to a Democratic majority,” Alexander noted, adding that Republican County Executive Sue Serino has said that she welcomes the opportunity to work in a bipartisan framework.
Alexander said that he will be serving as chairman of the Public Safety committee. Responsibilities will include Emergency Management Services (EMS) and the Sheriff’s department.
“It will give me a platform to set the agenda and focus on priorities like the growing cost of emergency care,” Alexander said, adding that he is seeking affordability options.
In response to a request by Gov. Kathy Hochul, each county will need to submit a comprehensive plan. Alexander said that the plan must include EMS service plans.
Having reviewed bids from three qualified locksmiths, the Town Board accepted the lowestbid, that of Stat Locksmiths of LaGrangeville to update the locks on Town Hall doors.
In other action the Town Board approved the hiring of a consultant planner to assist the Planning Board with projects under their consideration. The planner could also assist the Comprehensive Plan Committee with its updating process. The planner might also advise the Town Board on occasion, said Town Supervisor Rosanna Hamm.
Planning Board engineer John Andrews will be asked to draft a Request for Proposals document, used to solicit applications. The vote was unanimous.
Hamm reminded residents of the town’s overnight parking ban that prohibits on-street parking between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. between Nov. 1 and April 1.
The first art show opening of the year at The Fountains in Millbrook on Thursday, Jan. 22, presented a retrospective of the works of Delores Levy, drawing the interest of Fountains residents and visitors alike. Ellen O’Shea, Fountains art program leader, at right, presented Levy with a bouquet. Also attending the opening and joining in the celebration were Levy’s daughter, Lynn Carson, and son, Bruce Levy.
MILLBROOK — Selections from a lifetime of creativity and an artist’s skilled depictions of scenic localesare on display at The Fountains in Millbrook. A retrospective view of the works of Delores Levy, 93, the new exhibit opened on Thursday, Jan. 22, drawing a significant turn-out of residents and friends.
Nearly 50 art enthusiasts attended the opening, marveling at Levy’s sensitive use of color and the varied subject matter within the collection of framed paintings, mostly watercolors, that were selected for the show. The exhibit will remain in place for one month.
Ellen O’Shea, art teacher at The Fountains, said that she had proposed the showing in December. It had developed from there as she took Levy’s portfolio home and made careful selections, seeing to the framing of a few to complete the exhibit.
“It was a pleasure to go through your portfolio,” O’Shea told Levy, presenting her with a bouquet to open the exhibit, a bouquet replete with Levy’s favorite yellow blooms.
“She’s magic; she’s fun to be around,” said Levy’s friend Joan Burgess of Millbrook, who attended the event. Within the two years of their friendship, Burgess said that Levy had painted a portrait of her dog, Sebastian, a painting that she displayed on her phone to the amusement of attendees. Burgess added that Sebastian himself is a popular canine figure along the sidewalks of Millbrook with his expansive welcoming personality.
A Fountains resident for the past four years, Levy was born in East Islip and raised in Oakdale, New York. Her interest in painting began in college, according to her daughter, Lynn Carson, who attended the event along with other family members. Levy’s career was in social work. She moved to Longboat Key in Florida upon her retirement, continuing to paint scenes in that locale.
“You should see how funny the house looks with so many hooks for paintings on the walls,” Carson said, adding that her sister, Karen Martin, is also an accomplished artist.
“There are a million things to say,” commented Deborah Slocum, Executive Director at The Fountains who attended the opening. “Delores is such an inspiration and so humble about her talent.”
Ronnybrook farm operates a dairy in Pine Plains.
Whole milk will return to school cafeterias across the U.S. following President Donald Trump’s signing on Jan. 14 of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a bipartisan measure that allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to serve whole and reduced-fat milk alongside low-fat and fat-free options.
“Milk in any of its forms is beneficial to consumers,” said Rick Osofsky of Ronnie Brook Farm. “Full fat is only 3.5% fat and it’s unfortunate it developed a bad rap. This will reintroduce milk to kids.”
Among the bill’s 118 House co-sponsors were Democrats from rural and dairy-producing regions, including Rep. Pat Ryan of New York, whose 18th Congressional District includes parts of Dutchess County, and Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, who represents the state’s 5th Congressional District. Both lawmakers joined the bipartisan coalition backing the measure, which was led by Republican sponsors but drew Democratic support. Supporters from both parties said the change would support student nutrition and benefit the nation’s dairy industry.
Decade-old policy reversed
The new law undoes part of the nutrition standards that had restricted schools to serving only low-fat or fat-free milk dating back to updates of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Actfrom 2012 in an attempt to reduce saturated fat and calories in school meals to combat childhood obesity.
Critics of the old policy argued that the absence of whole milk contributed to declining milk consumption among students, saying many children did not like low-fat options. Supporters of the new law contend that offering whole and reduced-fat milk will increase participation in school meal programs and reduce waste.
