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

Sharon Hospital upgrades helipad

Sharon Hospital upgrades helipad
Sharon Hospital President Christina McCulloch (second from left holding scissors) cut the ribbon on the hospital’s new, upgraded helipad Thursday, Jan. 12. 
Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

SHARON — Sharon Hospital held a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new helipad on Thursday, Jan. 12.

Hospital President Christina McCulloch cut the robbon Thursday morning as the green landing lights gleamed behind her.

The new helipad has an 80 foot walkway, up from 60 feet in the previous iteration. The pad itself is slightly smaller at 40 by 40 feet, down from 50 x 50.

David Jensen, the Regional EMS Coordinator for the hospital’s parent company Nuvance, said 40 x 40 feet is the federal standard.

He said the LED lights prevent pilots using night vision equipment from being blinded by the lights.

The helipad and walkway have a heating system so they won’t freeze up in winter weather. The pipes underneath the pad contain glycol, an antifreeze ingredient.

Jensen said if the power goes out, the backup diesel generator nearby will kick in.

Patrick L. Sullivan

Latest News

Nearly 3,000 flags mark the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11

Nearly 3,000 flags mark the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11

Firefighters, veterans and color guards stand before a hillside covered with nearly 3,000 American flags during Stanford’s ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

STANFORD — Nearly 3,000 flags covered the hillside at Stanford Recreation Park as hundreds of people gathered for the town’s annual ceremony honoring those killed in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Residents from across the region attended the ceremony, along with veterans groups and fire and rescue crews from Stanford, Millbrook, Amenia, Pine Plains and West Clinton.

Keep ReadingShow less
events

Family taps into craft beer dream at Hopyard Brewery

Family taps into craft beer dream at Hopyard Brewery

The restored farmhouse at Hopyard Brewery.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

WASHINGTON HOLLOW — Craft beer fans in northern Dutchess County have a new local haunt to add to their rotation.

The 40-acre Hopyard Brewery at Washington Hollow opened its doors last month on Route 82, joining a small but growing cluster of farm breweries and distilleries that have reshaped the region’s rural crossroads. This month, the brewery is offering house-brewed Oktoberfest beers, Apple Cider Donut Hard Cider and Pumpkin Ale.

Keep ReadingShow less
businesses

Climber dies after 40-foot fall at St. Johns Ledges in Kent

Climber dies after 40-foot fall at St. Johns Ledges in Kent

St. Johns Ledges along the Appalachian Trail in Kent, where a 30-year-old Great Barrington man died Thursday, Sept. 10, after falling approximately 40 feet while rock climbing.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

KENT, Conn. — A 30-year-old Great Barrington man died Thursday, Sept. 10 after falling approximately 40 feet while rock climbing at St. Johns Ledges along the Appalachian Trail in Kent.

The man was identified as Collin Salmon, who previously lived in Warren.

Keep ReadingShow less
regional news
google preferred source

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

Kent Tritle’s annual Smithfield organ concert coming up on Sept. 19

Kent Tritle’s annual Smithfield organ concert coming up on Sept. 19

Acclaimed organist and choral director Kent Tritle, pictured at the Smithfield Church organ at his 2024 concert, is returning for his annual recital on Saturday, Sept. 19 to benefit the Oratorio Society of New York.

Photo provided

AMENIA — New York Philharmonic organist and acclaimed choral director Kent Tritle will bring his lively, personable and intimate performance style to The Smithfield Church in Amenia on Saturday, Sept. 19. A highlight of the area’s performance season, the 3 p.m. concert will benefit the Oratorio Society of New York, where Tritle serves as Music Director.

This will be the 14th annual organ recital Tritle has performed on the Smithfield Church’s historic 1893 Johnson and Son tracker organ, meticulously restored and moved from its original location at the First Congregational Church in Kent, Conn.

Keep ReadingShow less
smithfield church concert

Propane delivery truck dispute continues in Pine Plains

Propane delivery truck dispute continues in Pine Plains

PINE PLAINS — A dispute between neighboring property owners at 2775 Church St. over equipment storage, drainage and driveway conditions continued before the Pine Plains Planning Board last week.

CEEN Properties owns the industrial lot behind Gallatin Barn Creations. Crown Energy employees use the CEEN property to store propane delivery trucks and reach the lot through a driveway easement across Gallatin’s property.

Keep ReadingShow less
pine plains planning board

Innisfree hosts fall bird walk Sept. 20

Innisfree hosts fall bird walk Sept. 20

Naturalist Dr. Loren Merrill will host his second early-morning walk of the month at Innisfree Garden on Sunday, Sept. 20, turning his focus to the peak of the autumn bird migration.

Merrill, a scientist, writer, and photographer who began leading popular programs at the 185-acre Millbrook garden earlier this season, will guide participants through the landscape during the quiet hours before the property opens to the public.

Keep ReadingShow less
events
google preferred source

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