Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.
police

Millerton police officer wins ‘Life Saving Award’

MILLERTON — Local police officer Erik Breen recently won a Life Saving Award for his response to an attempted suicide in October 2025.

Breen was patrolling the Irondale Cemetery on Oct. 2, 2025, when he encountered a group of people in distress. Upon approaching the group, he was informed that a 95-year-old man was suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck from a suicide attempt, according to a nomination statement provided to the Millerton News by Millerton Police Chief Joe Olenik.

Breen then contacted emergency medical personnel and began providing first aid, keeping the elderly man alive until EMTs arrived on scene to transport him to the hospital.

Olenik and Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek announced the award at a village Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, Oct. 26. Breen won the award as part of the second annual Dutchess County Police Officer Hero Award Dinner hosted by Hopewell Junction-based insurance company Vetare Insurance & Consulting Services.

The dinner honors police personnel who “have gone above and beyond the line of duty,” according to Vetare’s website. This year’s dinner was hosted in Hopewell Junction on Thursday, Oct. 15.

Officer Erik Breen did not respond to requests for comment on the award as of press time.

Olenik praised Breen’s quick response, writing that Breen acted with “sound judgment, compassionate care, and unwavering commitment to duty.”

“Officer Erik Breen displayed exceptional professionalism and played a critical role in the preservation of Mr. Ingersoll’s life,” Olenik wrote in the nominating petition.

Nathan Miller
police

Latest News

Flock Safety begins removing county’s license plate readers

Flock Safety begins removing county’s license plate readers

Flock Safety license plate readers in Millerton, Pine Plains and Amenia have been removed, but others remain standing elsewhere in Dutchess County after the county’s Oct. 25 removal deadline.

The three local cameras came down by Monday, Oct. 26, following county officials’ September decision to discontinue the surveillance system amid public opposition over privacy concerns.

Keep ReadingShow less
dutchess county

Millerton farmer adopts ‘virtual fencing,’ ditching fence posts and wires for GPS

Millerton farmer adopts ‘virtual fencing,’ ditching fence posts and wires for GPS

Jason Culver feeds a bull a cookie during a visit to one of his leased pastures on Downey Road in Millerton on Thursday, Oct. 15.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — Cattle grazing without a visible fence at the former Kaplan dairy farm on Route 22 have prompted calls from passing motorists and visits from police. But farmer Jason Culver says the cows are right where he wants them.

The Millerton beef producer is using GPS-enabled collars to keep his cattle within boundaries he draws on his cellphone. When a cow approaches the invisible boundary, its collar sounds a warning. If it keeps going, it receives an electric shock.

Keep ReadingShow less
farming

Trunk-or-treat draws crowds in Millerton and Amenia

Trunk-or-treat draws crowds in Millerton and Amenia

NorthEast-Millerton Library representatives had mini-axe throwing and a goody dispenser for visitors at Millerton’s Festival of Frights held on Halloween night.

Photo by Nathan Miller

Photo by Nathan Miller

Trick-or-treaters depart a home on Simmons Street after picking up candy.

halloween
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Franklin Avenue frights

Franklin Avenue frights

Hundreds of trick-or-treaters descend upon downtown Millbrook to collect candy on Halloween this past Saturday, Oct. 31. The village is a popular destination for trick-or-treaters across rural Dutchess County due to its walkability. In an effort to bring down costs for village residents, Millbrook operates a community candy drive that distributes thousands of pieces of candy to village residents to hand out at Halloween.

Photo by Santi Slade

Hundreds of trick-or-treaters descend upon downtown Millbrook to collect candy on Halloween this past Saturday, Oct. 31. The village is a popular destination for trick-or-treaters across rural Dutchess County due to its walkability. In an effort to bring down costs for village residents, Millbrook operates a community candy drive that distributes thousands of pieces of candy to village residents to hand out at Halloween.

An oyster, snoopy, and the Michelin man pause at the corner of Church and Reservoir drive in Millbrook amid a night of trick-or-treating.Photo by Santi Slade

halloween

Millerton undeterred by high candy prices

Millerton undeterred by high candy prices

MILLERTON — Candy prices have jumped this year, but Millerton residents said the extra cost is worth it for a night of fun in the village.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported candy prices have risen by 7.7% since last year, outpacing inflation over the same period. Residents of Simmons Street in Millerton who were handing out candy on Halloween reported spending between $50 to $75 and as much as $150 for goodies to hand out that night.

Keep ReadingShow less
halloween

Millbrook fights candy prices with community

Millbrook fights candy prices with community

MILLBROOK — The Town of Washington received more than 6,700 pieces of Halloween candy as part of its annual donation drive. Recreation Director Danielle Szalewicz said “our delivery wagon is almost overflowing, and there is more at the Village Hall.”

Szalewicz and Erin Fox delivered the candy to participating houses on Thursday, Oct. 29. The team allocates sweets to a different area in Millbrook every year. This Halloween, residents on Merritt Avenue and Elm Drive were the beneficiaries. Last year, it was ReservoirDrive and Maple Avenue. Szalewicz says about 60 houses received a share of the donations.

Keep ReadingShow less
halloween
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.