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

Ready for a change

The Millerton News has been a trusted source of news and information for our community for nearly a century. That’s at least four generations of readers who have turned to the paper for a weekly report on life in our towns, maintaining a tradition as a reliable go-to for news and information. And we’re still here, thanks to our readers, advertisers and donors.

It’s reassuring to realize that through all those decades — and all the necessary change that came over time — the many generations of reporters and editors have stayed the course, fulfilling our mission of providing in-depth news and arts coverage of the communities we serve.

Today, the paper once again is ready for a change — to hand over the reins to the next generation. John Coston, Editor-at-Large, who has spent a career in newsrooms — including The Millerton News and The Lakeville Journal since 2022 — will step back from the top editorial role in September. This week, we will launch the search for an Executive Editor who will work with Managing Editors Nathan Miller and Riley Klein, Arts & Lifestyle Editor Natalia Zukerman and the rest of the newsroom staff to lead the newsroom into the next era.

You, our readers, can be assured that through this transition, one thing that won’t change is our commitment to community-centered journalism. But it is an opportunity to build on the progress we’ve made — to expand our coverage, grow our digital presence, and continue finding new ways to serve and connect with our communities.

Our newsroom is stronger, even as we continue to tackle the challenges facing local journalism. Because of community support from our readers, advertisers, and donors, we have been able to bring on additional staff, making it possible to expand our coverage to give you a solid weekly report on what’s happening in your towns and across the region.

That continued support has also put The News on stronger footing, allowing us to plan for a change like this without missing a beat. As it has for generations, the paper will continue to evolve — not only to keep pace with the times, but to serve our communities with deeper, more meaningful coverage in the years ahead.

Latest News

Empress outlines EMS plans for northeast Dutchess

The former Northern Dutchess Paramedics substation, now owned by emergency medical service provider Empress, sits along Route 22 south of the Village of Millerton. The building would become one of a network of substations utilized by emergency medical technicians and paramedics as they roam North East, Amenia, Washington and Stanford in a proposed dynamic EMS model.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — Empress Executive Director Robert Stuck provided details of a proposed regional emergency medical service system to North East Town Board members on Wednesday, Nov. 4. He said the changes would save each town hundreds of thousands of dollars in EMS costs by pooling resources with neighbors.

Stuck said the new so-called dynamic system would better use the company's labor and equipment and would ultimately reduce the total number of ambulances servicing North East, Amenia, Washington and Stanford. Under the new agreement, the four towns would share three ambulances that, placed strategically between each of the towns and repositioned to provide backup for occupied EMTs and paramedics. Stuck said the dynamic model would cut North East's upcoming 2028 contract by $675,000.

Keep ReadingShow less

Democrats earn big wins in 2026 elections

Democrats earn big wins in 2026 elections

Voters wait in a line that stretch out the door to receive their ballots at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voting machines had recorded a total of more than 700 ballots cast in Millerton by 4:45 p.m.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

Democratic candidates in northeast Dutchess County succeeded along with their counterparts in state and federal elections. Voters turned out to express dissatisfaction with a turbulent economy, the Trump administration and — in the case of Pine Plains's race for Town Supervisor — issues with transparency and police surveillance.

Pine Plains was the only town in northeast Dutchess County with a contested Town Supervisor race. Republican incumbent Brian Walsh, seeking his third reelection, lost to Democratic challenger Trevor Roush. Roush is a sitting Town Board member who was first elected to the board in November 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

Eric Alexander wins County Legislature reelection campaign

Eric Alexander wins County Legislature reelection campaign

County Legislator Eric Alexander leads a meeting of the Dutchess County Legislature's Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Alexander represents the towns of Amenia, Washington, the Village of Millbrook and a portion of the Town of Pleasant Valley

Photo by Aly Morrissey

Democratic candidates made gains and held ground across Northern Dutchess County in elections on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

County Legislator Eric Alexander has retained his seat after winning against Republican challenger Stefanie Hubert. As of 10:15 p.m., Alexander had secured 56.8% of the vote.

Keep ReadingShow less
A Halloween scream with David Arquette

David Arquette, left, talks with moderator Victor Dandridge during “Behind the Scream” at the Warner Theatre in Torrington on Oct. 31.

D.H. Callahan

This December marks the 30th anniversary of Wes Craven’s “Scream,” one of the most influential movies in horror history. On Saturday, Oct. 31, David Arquette, one of the film’s stars, came to the Warner Theatre in Torrington for a Halloween screening and conversation billed as “Behind the Scream.”

“Scream” was met with critical praise when it premiered in 1996, with many noting its satirical, self-aware look at the horror genre without the usual trappings of camp or kitsch. Featuring a cast of mid-1990s A-listers including Drew Barrymoore, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Liev Schreiber, Neve Campbell and “Friends” star Courteney Cox, the movie was destined to be part of the cinematic zeitgeist.

Keep ReadingShow less
After 30 years, Dave Jones is shifting into lower gear


Now, 30 years later and in his late 60s, Jones is at the point in his life where he’s ‘figuring out how to land the plane.’

My husband and I first met Dave Jones in 2019, after we’d just moved into our house in Lakeville, a former auto repair garage with 14-foot-high ceilings that had been renovated into a residence. One day, when we woke up to a dead car battery, we called Lakeville Automotive, the nearest repair shop. Jones answered the phone a bit gruffly but then surprised us by showing up in half an hour to jump-start our car. We invited him inside for coffee, and looking around, he said with a grin that for 10 years, back in the day, he’d stored his Mazda Miata right in our living room.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

google preferred source

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