Latest News
Letters to the editor — Thursday, August 20
Millerton News
Aug 18, 2026
Cannabis industry running Big Tobacco’s playbook on children
As a local area resident and former Obama and Bush drug advisor, I oppose the expansion of marijuana dispensaries in our community, and I’m urging my neighbors to speak up before we normalize an industry whose business model depends on addiction.
This isn’t an abstract issue for me. I’ve spent more than two decades working on drug policy — advising three presidential administrations, Democrat and Republican — but more importantly, I’m a dad raising my kid in this community. When I see THC gummies packaged to look like the candy at the corner store, or a storefront going in near where our kids walk to school, I don’t see “economic development.” I see an industry that has studied Big Tobacco’s playbook and is running it on our children.
And make no mistake — this is not your parents’ pot. Unlike the marijuana of the 70s, which was around 1-3% THC, today’s flower hovers around 20-25%, with concentrates like dabs and waxes reaching up to 99%. What would we expect when one of the industry’s largest investors is Altria, the parent company of Marlboro? Kid-friendly marketing, downplayed harms, addiction for profit — we’ve seen this movie before.
The research on what dispensaries do to communities is clear. A study from Washington State University found that regular exposure to marijuana advertising, including storefronts and billboards, increased the odds of adolescents using marijuana. A 2025 study from the Public Health Institute found that teens living in areas where marijuana storefronts are banned are significantly less likely to have a recent diagnosis of a psychotic disorder compared to teens who live near retail marijuana stores.
Users of today’s high-potency marijuana are more likely to experience psychosis, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. A study from Europe found that 30% of schizophrenia cases among young men would have been avoided if not for cannabis use disorder (CUD), the scientific term for addiction. And the incidence of CUD among users has risen dramatically, with 30% of people who use marijuana developing it.
We also can’t ignore what pot shops bring with them. Legalization was sold as a way to put criminals out of business — the opposite has happened. According to the DEA’s National Drug Threat Assessment, Chinese and Mexican criminal organizations have exploited state legalization to build a multi-billion-dollar black market, with illegal grow operations identified in more than 20 states — including right here in the Northeast — many staffed by trafficked workers, with profits funneled into other criminal enterprises. Oklahoma alone has shut down more than 3,000 illegal farms, most linked to organized crime. And the crime doesn’t stay at the grow sites: a peer-reviewed study in Justice Quarterly found that Denver neighborhoods with dispensaries experienced significantly higher rates of crime and disorder than comparable neighborhoods without them.
Our towns have a choice. We can learn from what Denver, Oklahoma, and California are living through — or we can repeat it. I’m asking my neighbors to join me in saying no to dispensary expansion here.
Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D.
Fellow, ISPS, Yale University
President and CEO, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM)
President and CEO, Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS)
One Nation Under the Influence, (Wiley/Polity)
Ancram
Keep ReadingShow less
Light gun to be shown, Aged center, Keeping cool in the heat
Millerton News
Aug 18, 2026
The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.
Aug. 22, 1935
Light Gun To Be Shown At State Meet Bullets Travel At Speed Of 187,000 Miles Per Second
LAKE PLACID - A gun which shoots bullets of light, which travel at the speed of 187,000 miles per second, or more than 350,000 times faster than bullets from a standard army rifle, will be demonstrated at the state-wide rod and gun meet here Sept. 12 to 14 as part of New York’s celebration of fifty years of conservation. This gun, built in the research laboratories of the General Electric Company, contains a small powerful light source in the breech. When the trigger is pulled, the light flashes from the barrel for an instant. The target is painted on a box containing a photo-electric relay, and the bull’s-eye is a narrow slit in the face of the box, behind which was a photo-electric tube or “electric eye.” When the projected light “bullet” strikes the “electric eye” a hit is scored, and a large red colored lamp is lighted, or a bell can be automatically rung. Unlike the army rifle bullets, the light bullets are perfectly harmless; the gun doesn’t have to be reloaded after each firing: the firing is silent, and the “bullets” are not deflected by wind or the downward pull of gravity. It operates at practically no expense, the ammunition being the electricity required by a small incandescent lamp.
The light gun will be set up in the Olympic arena and will be in operation during the three days of the meet for the free use of all who want to use it.
About Millerton
Mrs. Miles Jenks and daughter, Janet, and Miss Violet Simmons were in Great Barrington Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Myron Puff attended a dinner party in Copake Monday evening.
John Canevari, who has been ill at his home, is steadily improving.
Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Simmons and daughter, Jean, returned on Saturday to Mountain Lakes, N. J., after a week’s visit with relatives here.
Mrs. Helen Secor of Dover Plains is spending the week with her daughter, Mrs. Oliver Valentine.
Miss Edna Mae Prancis leaves this week for the Green Cross Nurses Association at Newark, N. J., where she will take a nurse’s training course.
Wallace Hoster has obtained a position as cook at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, He will begin his duties Sept. 9.
Over 200 At Bake
More than 200 people attended the clambake held by the Methodist Church last Thursday night.
Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Clark are the parents of a son born last Wednesday at Sharon Hospital.
Miss Marian Sadler with a party of friends spent the weekend at Lake George.
Dr. Gilbert S. Tabor was honored with a family dinner party Saturday evening in celebration of his thirty-seventh birthday. Guests were present from Dover Plains, Monticello and New York City.
Injures Foot
Clayton Sprague suffered painful injuries Saturday when a radiator fell on his right foot.
Howard St. John has returned to his home in Boston after a visit with Mr. and Mrs. David Traver.
Miss Helen Hallenshead of Hackensack, N. J., was a week-end guest of Mr. and Mrs. Ward Blanchard.
Mr. and Mrs. David Traver are spending the week-end at Moosup, Conn.
Mr. and Mrs. John Butler of New York City visited Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Swanson on Sunday. Mr. Butler and Mr. Swanson were both members of the 323rd machine gun company, first division, during the World War.
August 19, 1976
North East Board Backs Aged Center In Town
The NorthEast Town Board has sent a letter to the Dutchess County Office of the Aging encouraging the placement of a nutrition site in the town. By a 3-2 vote at its Thursday, Aug. 12 meeting, the Board resolved that there was a need for a facility for the area’s elderly.
North East is currently under consideration by the County Office as a possible site for a facility for the feeding and care of the aged. In a letter addressed to County Nutrition Coordinator Mary Lou Yeager, the Board wrote that it was “in favor of funds being allocated to the Millerton-North East area regarding a center for the aging and having the “meals on wheels” programs available to the aged in our community.”
The vote was taken after a lengthy discussion in which County Legislator William Bartlett cited the vital statistics involved. Bartlett stated that each meal would cost an average of $2.38 including transportation to the center. He mentioned that people could leave a donation for the meal, but that the average at the site in operation at Wassaic is 75 cents.
Town Supervisor Frank Perotti voiced opposition to a local site on what he felt to be a lack of need. “I don’t mind taking action for people who need it,” he commented. “I don’t like the idea of the County soliciting people to go on the program.”
Town resident Louis Peck raised the idea of writing a letter to the County office. He contended that if North East didn’t get the federal and county money, then some other community would. Councilman Robert Russin, who also voted against the resolution, took issue with Peck’s reasoning and voiced general disapproval of welfare spending.
Councilman Ed Downey concurred with Peck and urged that the letter be written “It’s good to have Millerton considered as a center for anything,” he commented, adding “I think there is a need and that the money will be used.” Eleanor Singleton and Art Royal voted with Downey to write the letter.
August 16, 2001
Area Keeps its Cool in Heat
MILLERTON — Not since 1995 has this area had to endure such oppressive temperatures as was the case last week. The bank thermometer read 103 degrees at one point and the official high temperature recorded at The Millerton News Aug. 9 was 100 degrees.
Although temperatures finally cooled off after some help from summer showers, last week’s heat called for cold water, shady places and slow movement. The temperature reached triple digits in the village center Aug. 9 and, because of the extreme levels of humidity, the heat was literally sticking to people. But with good sense and caution, most residents were able to “stick” it out.
Gov. George Pataki launched a “Beat the Heat” initiative in order to keep New York residents cool and conserve energy at the same time. “When it gets this hot, we all need to work together to “beat the heat,” read a press release from Mr. Pataki’s office. “Go to a movie, go to the mall, hit the beach. Just don’t go home and turn on the air conditioner.”
The governor encouraged residents to seek air conditioning in public places, rather than using individual units.
In order to conserve energy, the governor closed state offices at 2 p.m. last Thursday and Friday and encouraged officials of major public employee unions to also dismiss their workers early.
Under the governor’s direction, the Department of Environmental Conservation also waived admission fees to state park beaches last Thursday, hoping that New York residents would cool off with a swim, rather than using their air conditioners.
Mr. Pataki said, “As the temperatures continue to soar, I am urging all New Yorkers to take advantage of nature’s air conditioning at any one of our state’s spectacular parks with swimming beaches.
Meanwhile, the state continues to offer a $75 rebate to residents who replace their working air conditioners with an Energy Star unit. So far, roughly 20,000 units have been replaced.
Despite the free admission, Rudd Pond and Lake Taghkanic did not see an increase in visitors. In fact, there were hardly any swimmers at all.
Sharon Hospital had an increase in heat-related illnesses during the high temperatures, according to Dr. Jared Zelman, head of the hospital’s emergency room. “We had not just elderly [patients] and people without air conditioning, but occupational injuries,” Dr. Zelman explained, referring to two chefs who were brought in for severe heat exhaustion and high fevers.
The hospital had a total of five cases related to the heat.
Despite the heat, Central Hudson managed to avoid brownouts and black-outs, having taken preventative measures. “We were pleased with the way things held up,” said Denise VanBuren, vice president of corporate communications. She expressed gratitude to Central Hudson customers who made an effort to conserve energy. “Customers were great in helping us out.”
The only brownout that occurred in Millerton was due to a tree which fell on power lines, affecting roughly 50 residences.
The heat wave was a hot topic of conversation everywhere, including during town meetings. Amenia Supervisor Arlene Iuliano told her colleagues prior to last Thursday’s workshop session, “The thermometer outside my house read 120 degrees this afternoon. But right now, it’s a downright chilly 88.”
Another heat wave is not expected in the near future and temperatures should remain cooler and closer to normal, according to the National Weather Service.
Pie Contest Successful
MILLERTON — The lure of last Saturday’s parade attracted a number of onlookers to Eddie Collins Field for the pie-baking and pie-eating contests, both part of the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the village of Millerton.
The Altar Rosary Society of St. Patrick’s Church of Millerton sponsored both contests.
The winning apple pie was baked by Millerton’s Mary Hoysradt. Her recipe will be shared with executive chef Mike Myers of Simmon’s Way Inn and will be featured on the menu.
Following the baking contest, the 22 pies, baked in nine-inch pie tins, were served up for the pie-eating contest. Contestants attempted to eat the pies in the traditional pie-eating manner with their hands behind them.
Twelve-year-old Courtney Herman of North East, her hair and face smeared with blueberry pie, ate her way into first place.
Keep ReadingShow less
Legal Notices - August 18, 2026
Millerton News
Aug 18, 2026
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Chapters & Charm LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on May 22nd 2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 16 Barton Street, Millerton NY 12546. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
07-16-26
07-23-26
07-30-26
08-06-26
08-13-26
08-20-26
Legal Notice
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC). Name: Garnet IT Consulting LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/01/2026 . Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 22 South Randolph Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
07-23-26
07-30-26
08-06-26
08-13-26
08-20-26
08-27-26
Legal Notice
Coldworks Mechanical LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/28/2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: P.O. Box 353, LaGrangeville, New York 12540-0353. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
07-23-26
07-30-26
08-06-23
08-13-26
08-20-26
08-27-26
Legal Notice
Notice is hereby given that an Application for Authority of Jones & Daughters Hudson Valley LLC, a foreign limited liability company, was filed with the Secretary of State of New York pursuant to Section 802 of the Limited Liability Company Law. The name of the limited liability company is Jones & Daughters Hudson Valley LLC. The jurisdiction of its formation is Connecticut. The date of its formation is January 28, 2026. The county within New York State in which the office of the limited liability company is to be located is Dutchess County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served, and the post office address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process served upon the Secretary of State is Jones & Daughters, 34 Main Street, Millerton, NY 12546. The principal office address of the limited liability company is 34 Main Street, Millerton, NY 12546.
07-23-26
07-30-26
08-06-26
08-13-26
08-20-26
08-27-26
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of GREEN VILLAGE CONTRACTORS LLC Articles of Organization filed with the NYS Department of State (SSNY) on 05/15/2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: Tomas Tun Ico 766 Old Route 22 Amenia, NY 12501 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
08-06-26
08-13-26
08-20-26
08-27-26
09-03-26
09-10-26
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Polonia Hudson Valley, LLC (the "LLC"). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York ("SSNY") on July 27, 2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to: 4 Marshall Rd, Unit 143, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
08-13-26
08-20-26
08-27-26
09-03-26
09-10-26
09-17-26
Legal Notice
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY True Kettle Corn, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/30/2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 14 Wright Boulevard, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
08-20-26
08-27-26
09-03-26
09-10-26
09-17-26
09-24-26
Legal Notice
Notice of formation of West Ridge Farm LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 8/04/2025. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC, PO Box 5061 East Hampton, NY 11937. Purpose: real property management.
08-20-26
08-27-26
09-03-26
09-10-26
09-17-26
09-24-26
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the Planning Board of the Town of North East on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at the North East Town Hall, 19 N. Maple Ave., Millerton, NY at 7:30 PM or as soon thereafter as possible on the application of GRJH, Inc.for Site Plan Approval for GRJH Grey House Apartment Conversion on Tax Parcel #7271-00-715245 located at 181-185 US Route 44, Millerton, NY in the BD-E Zoning District of the Town of North East. The above application is open for inspection at the Town Hall or via email. Please request a copy by emailing the Planning Board office at pb@townofnortheastny.gov or calling 518-789-3300, Ext. 608. Persons wishing to appear at such hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative. Communications in writing relating thereto may be filed with the Board prior to such hearing. Dale Culver
Chairman, Planning Board
08-20-26
Keep ReadingShow less
Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.
Pine Plains median home price holds steady with three sales in July
Christine Bates
Aug 18, 2026
Located at the intersection of Route 199 and Birch Drive in Pine Plains, 2800 Church St. was transferred in July for $345,000. Built in 1963, the home sold for $299 per square foot, above the $246 median in Pine Plains for the 12 months ending in July 2026.
Photo by Christine Bates
PINE PLAINS — The 12-month trailing median price for a single-family home in the Town of Pine Plains held steady at $520,000 for the period ending July 31, 2026 – the same as June and not too far from January’s high for the year of $548,250.
The figure marks a 6% decrease from the $555,000 median recorded for the 12 months ending July 31, 2025, and a 46% increase from $357,000 for the comparable period ending July 31, 2024. Single family home prices started rising sharply in Pine Plains last summer from about $350,000. Since the beginning of the year, median home prices have remained above $500,000. The peak median price attained recently was $624,250 in November of 2025.
The number of annual sales on a 12-month trailing basis in Pine Plains remains within its three-year range of 10 to 18 a year. A total of 17 single-family homes were sold in the 12 months ending July 31, 2026, while 12 sales occurred in the period ending July 31, 2025.
Inventory of all homes remained stable in August with 20 homes listed mid-month compared to 19 homes a month ago with ten showing price reductions. Six are listed above $1 million including 85 Hammertown Road listed at $1,975,000 with its two homes and retail space reduced from $2,475,000 after40 days on the market. Nine residential properties are currently listed below the $520,000 median price with six price reductions. Five parcels of land are still listed for sale on the MLS and three commercial buildings including a converted church in the center of the hamlet for $698,000.
July transfers
Jackson Corners Road, Parcel 554250 — 66.17 acres of vacant farmland transferred to the Winnakee Land Trust Inc. for $1,397,150.
73 Meusel Road — 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home on 1.01 acres transferred to John Shaughnessy for $400,000.
2800 Church St. — 3 bedroom/1 bath ranch on .31 acres of land transferred to Travis Hengen-Chason for $345,000.
* Town of Pine Plains real estate transfers recorded between July 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026, provided by Dutchess County Office of Real Property. Transfers without consideration are not included. Current market listings from First Key MLS and single-family home market statistics from InfoSparks. Note that recorded transfers frequently lag sales by a number of days and include properties sold privately. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Salesperson with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in Connecticut and New York.
Keep ReadingShow less
Classifieds - August 18, 2026
Millerton News
Aug 18, 2026
SERVICES OFFERED
Hector Pacay Landscaping, LLC. Residential & Commercial. Tree service, Painting, Masonry, Stone Walls, Lawn Mowing, Gardens, Construction. 845-636-3212. CT and NY.
LOJA CLEANING AND JANITORIAL Home and Apartment Cleaning. Commercial Janitorial and Maintenance. Offices & Commercial Spaces. Move In/Move Out. Customized Deep Cleaning Projects. Licensed & Insured. 475-746-8621 or 475-529-6484. lojacleaningservices@gmail.com
HELP WANTED
Garden Help. Looking for an experienced person to weed my acre garden and cut back some plants. In Salisbury. For July and August. Could continue into Fall. naylor99@gmail.com
Weekend Worker Needed. Weed whacking, Brush clearing, Firewood, Lawn and Garden work, plus more. Good work ethics required. Pay according to skill. Call 518-567-8277.
Wyantenuck Country Club is seeking waitstaff. Lunch shifts available for weekdays with flexible shift options for weekends and some dinners as well. Call 413-528-0350 or send resumes to brandon@wyantenuck.org
BOOKKEEPER WANTED. Part time. Sharon. 407-620-7777.
Local Reporter: The Lakeville Journal is seeking a news reporter to cover Northwest Connecticut towns and school district. Writing skills and basic knowledge of how Connecticut town government functions are a must. Email Resume and Writing Samples to Executive Editor, Christian Murray, christianm@lakevillejournal.com
Managing Editor: The Lakeville Journal seeks a dynamic, community-focused managing editor. The managing editor will be primarily responsible for editing and writing articles to serve communities of Northwest Connecticut. Duties include planning news coverage, ensuring there is a balance of quality stories and photos, and that deadlines are met. The successful candidate will have a strong news background and desire to grow news coverage across the region. This position is full time with medical, dental and vision benefits, a 401(k) plan, generous PTO. Send resume and inquiries to Executive Editor, Christian Murray, christianm@lakevillejournal.com
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
PUBLISHER'S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or:rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
HOUSE FOR RENT
MT RIGA LAKEFRONT CABIN. Private beach, canoe, kayaks, fishing. $1,275/week. 585-355-5245.
2 Bedroom House. Millerton, NY. Quiet. 4 miles from town. No Dogs. $2475 monthly, plus utilities. 518-567-8277.
APARTMENTS FOR RENT
1Bd/1b apartment in Amenia. $900 a month. 860-309-4482.
AUTOS FOR SALE
1990 Mazda Miata hard top/soft top. Manufactured Oct. 1989. 64,000 plus miles. 99% original parts. $19,500. 203-215-0729.
TAG SALES SHARON, CT
Tag Sale @ Sharon Station Rd. Sharon, CT, Aug. 22 & 23 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carpenter tools, air compressor, generator, etc. Mechanical tools, odds and ends.
TAG SALES SALISBURY, CT
YARD SALE Saturday August 22, 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine. Musician and PA gear, household items, yard tools, and more. 92 Canaan Road, Salisbury.
Keep ReadingShow less
Run now, wine later
Aly Morrissey
Aug 18, 2026
Runners gather at the starting line for the annual 5K Wine Run at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery on Sunday, Aug. 16. The event ends with a wine tasting.
Photo by Aly Morrissey
Runners gather at the starting line for the annual 5K Wine Run at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery on Sunday, Aug. 16. The event ends with a wine tasting.
Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.
loading
