Millerton woman charged with stealing ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Hobbit’ props

Brenda McKay, 49, of David Road in Millerton, was arrested on Wednesday, May 29, by the New York State Police for alleged theft.According to the police, McKay allegedly stole “highly valuable personal property and original movie memorabilia.”The memorabilia was from the motion picture series, “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”According to a press release, “among the property stolen were two of the original swords from the movies, the value of which is estimated at $150,000 for each sword.”The items were stolen from a storage facility in eastern Dutchess County, though authorities would not specify the location of the facility.Other items, which are currently being authenticated, would increase the total value of the stolen property to $500,000 or more, according to the police.McKay was charged with burglary in the third degree, and more charges are anticipated by the New York State Police once a final estimate of the reported theft is tallied.McKay was arraigned in the town of Dover Court by Judge Abrams and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Latest News

North East Planning Board suggests clearer language in proposed zoning plan

North East Town Hall in Millerton, where officials continue to discuss updates to the town’s zoning code.

By Nathan Miller

MILLERTON Planning Board members raised a mix of broad and detailed concerns about the Town of North East’s proposed zoning plan during a special meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 3 — their final discussion before the public hearing set for Jan. 8.

The 181-page draft plan represents a rewrite of the town’s decades-old zoning code, updating definitions, commercial use rules, and standards for parking, lighting and design. Town officials say the overhaul is meant to eliminate inconsistencies and give applicants and reviewers a clearer, more functional set of rules.

Keep ReadingShow less
Classifieds - December 4, 2025

Help Wanted

CARE GIVER NEEDED: Part Time. Sharon. 407-620-7777.

SNOW PLOWER NEEDED: Sharon Mountain. 407-620-7777.

Keep ReadingShow less
Legal Notices - December 4, 2025

Legal Notice

Notice of Formation of Studio Yarnell LLC

Keep ReadingShow less
‘Les Flashs d’Anne’: friendship, fire and photographs
‘Les Flashs d’Anne’: friendship, fire and photographs
‘Les Flashs d’Anne’: friendship, fire and photographs

Anne Day is a photographer who lives in Salisbury. In November 2025, a small book titled “Les Flashs d’Anne: Friendship Among the Ashes with Hervé Guibert,” written by Day and edited by Jordan Weitzman, was published by Magic Hour Press.

The book features photographs salvaged from the fire that destroyed her home in 2013. A chronicle of loss, this collection of stories and charred images quietly reveals the story of her close friendship with Hervé Guibert (1955-1991), the French journalist, writer and photographer, and the adventures they shared on assignments for French daily newspaper Le Monde. The book’s title refers to an epoymous article Guibert wrote about Day.

Keep ReadingShow less