Millerton DWI checkpoint nets one arrest

Millerton DWI checkpoint nets one arrest

Police officers from three agencies stopped 634 drivers Saturday, Aug. 23 in a DWI checkpoint on Route 22 in Millerton. The checkpoint led to one arrest.

Photo by Christine Bates

MILLERTON — A DWI checkpoint stopped all cars on Route 22 starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday night, Aug. 23, in front of Eddie Collins Field in Millerton.

Officers stopped all 624 cars that passed through the check point until 11 p.m., pulled over six for secondary screening and arrested one individual who tested over the legal .08% alcohol level.

Bill Johnson, the head of the STOP DWI Program in Dutchess County, was at the scene along with four Dutchess County Sheriff’s deputies, three state troopers and four members of the Millerton Police Department.

“Our intent is to deter drunken driving, not make arrests. We focus only on impaired driving, not other ticketable offenses,” explained Johnson. “Word gets out quickly on cell phones, Waze, and Google that the check point exists and everybody slows down. We want people to know law enforcement is out there and drink less. After COVID when there was less enforcement, driving behaviors degraded for a couple of years.”

Dutchess County Sheriff Tyler Wyman observed that the drivers who were stopped were eager to talk with officers and pleased with their presence. Wyman said the number of cars pulled over for secondary examination and the one arrest were on the low side. “That’s a good thing,” Wyman said. “It shows that people are being more aware and careful.”

The STOPDWI — Special Traffic Operations Program — began in 1981 when Dutchess County wide arrests for impaired driving ranged from 1,400 to 1,800 annually and around 10% of all auto crashes involved alcohol.

By 2024 there were 1,199 DWI arrests and only 3% of car accidents are attributable to drinking. The mission of the program is to deter alcohol and drug impaired driving through enforcement, prosecution, education and rehabilitation. It’s the only program of its kind in the country that is entirely funded by fines on drunken drivers rather than tax payers.

The current “High Visibility Campaign,” which includes check points and extra police patrols, is active during the 100 days of summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day when traffic accidents are the highest, and other holiday periods marked by impaired driving.

The cost of these extra patrols and traffic stops are covered by the STOPDWI program.

Latest News

County legislature candidates lay out their priorities

Contested seats in the Dutchess County Legislature are close to home this election season, with Districts 19 and 25 covering the rural towns across the northern and eastern corners of the county. Though the candidates bring distinct experiences and perspectives, they share common ground on some of the biggest challenges facing local communities, including emergency medical services and affordable housing.

Here’s a look at the candidates.

Keep ReadingShow less
Classifieds - October 23, 2025

Help Wanted

Weatogue Stables has an opening: for a full time team member. Experienced and reliable please! Must be available weekends. Housing a possibility for the right candidate. Contact Bobbi at 860-307-8531.

Services Offered

Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vincent Inconiglios brings ‘Face Time’ to Hunt Library
Artist Vincent Inconiglio’s show “Face Time” opens Oct. 25 at the Hunt Library.
L. Tomaino

Abstract artist Vincent Inconiglios' love and enthusiasm for color and form are evident all around him at his Falls Village studio, where he has worked for 25 years. He is surrounded by paintings large and small, woodcuts, photographs, collages and arrays of found objects.

The objects Inconiglios has found while out walking — in Falls Village, near his studio on Gansevoort Street in New York City, and in other places throughout the world — hold special importance to him. Appreciation of them, he says, comes from “seeing while exploring. I am always finding things.” His particular delight is finding objects that look like faces, many of which will be featured in the ArtWall show at the Hunt Library.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Thyme in Sheffield blends nature, wellness and community

The central communal space, featuring an A for Ara audio system, gong and Tibetan bowls, hosts up to 80 guests for sound meditations and healing music experiences.

Provided

The Thyme, on Route 41 in Sheffield, is a retreat center offering a variety of residential and non-residential programs and services to the local community and Berkshire‑area visitors. A new incarnation of what for many years was the Option Institute, The Thyme is the dream project of James Davies and Andrew Murray, business partners who left the pressures of international banking and moved with their families to this Berkshires campus in September 2024. They bought the 85‑acre property from Barry and Susan Kaufman for $5.35 million and, together with five other business partners, have been renovating the property’s many buildings ever since.

The center opened in January of this year and is a work in progress as the team continues to refine its offerings. Since opening, the venue has hosted events across 22 weekends, with most bookings for residential retreats with some spiritual element. Upcoming events include a women’s retreat (The Wild Rest), a family Halloween event called Curiouser, and a Thanksgiving weekend for those who have already visited the property. The year will culminate with a weekend retreat around the winter solstice facilitated by renowned astrologer Rebecca Gordon.

Keep ReadingShow less