Nathan Miller
Latest News
Self-storage and farm market plans move forward
Graham Corrigan
Jun 17, 2026
PINE PLAINS — The Planning Board unanimously approved the environmental review for a proposed storage facility expansion and farm stand at 2818 Church St. during its meeting Wednesday, June 10.
The property, located across from the high school, would expand the neighboring Stissing Storage business. Steve Hobson of HTWO Properties presented updated site plans that include additional storage units at the rear of the lot and a free-standing farm stand near the road.
Since first presenting the project in January, Hobson has made several revisions to the proposal. A row of Green Giant Arborvitae have been planted on the property’s north side to screen the additional storage units. A fence will be replaced along the south side, and a right-of-way for pedestrian traffic to the school has been added from the dead end at Nine Partners Lane.
More parking spaces were also added to Hobson’s plans. The next phase will include the demolition of an existing structure on the property, which will be replaced by storage units. Hobson says pending final approval from the county and a site visit from the New York Department of Transportation, he hopes to have the demolition done and new concrete laid before year’s end.
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Summer art opening shows off talent at The Fountains
Leila Hawken
Jun 17, 2026
Artistic talent is on display at the Fountains’ Summer Art Show, which opened Thursday, June 11. The exhibition features works by several residents and drew a strong turnout of artists and guests, who were welcomed on opening day by art instructor Ellen O’Shea.
Photo By Leila Hawken
MILLBROOK — There is no shortage of talent at The Fountains in Millbrook evidenced by the opening of the Summer Art Show on Thursday, June 11.
Works of several residents are on display in the Gallery for the coming weeks.
Resident Shirley Fernekes is one of the featured artists with several paintings on display, selected to show the breadth of her works over a lifetime. Included are depictions of wildlife, seascapes and New England scenes, reflective of her travels. She recalled beginning in acrylics before switching to her preference for oils and watercolors.
“I’ve always been painting…all my life,” Fernekes explained, having attended Wooster and Silvermine art academies for her studies.
Her work has brought several awards, including recognition by the Connecticut-based Kent Art Association.
“It’s almost like I can’t not do it,” said resident artist Gail Curcio whose father Theodore Wheldon was an accomplished artist, as was her grandfather.
“I’m thrilled with the art classes and Ellen’s encouragement,” Curcio said, speaking of Fountains art instructor Ellen O’Shea who mounted the exhibit.
“The talent is fantastic. Everyone is very interested in learning,” O’Shea said of the show, noting that all are welcome to join in art classes or work on their own. Several works were included that were by six resident artists who are improving with good results. They are Lucy Johnson, Margaret Cornell, Reiko Ramsey, Graham and Sheila Attlesey and Mary Kay Blasi.
The Fountains houses a significant presence of talent, including in the visual arts. The Summer Art Show that opened on Thursday, June 11, features the works of several residents, accomplished in interpreting the world around them. The opening was well-attended by residents and friends.Photo By Leila Hawken
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Francis Lynehan
Olivia Montoya
Jun 17, 2026
DOVER PLAINS — Francis “Butch” Lynehan, 75, a twenty-year resident of Dover Plains, New York, formerly of Sharon, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Vassar Bros. Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Born Aug. 29, 1950, in Sharon, he was the son of the late William W. and Nellie (Kluun) Lynehan.
Butch grew up in Sharon and attended Sharon Center School and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the United States Army and is a Vietnam War Veteran.
After his military service of three years, he was employed at the Kimberly-Clark Corporation and later worked many years for the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Butch was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the Chestnut Ridge Rod & Gun Club in Dover Plains, Millerton Gun Club and the Sharon Fish & Game. He was a longtime member of the V.F.W. Post 5444 in Dover Plains and the Sharon American Legion Post 126. He was a former member of the Sharon Fire Department.
Butch is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy (Stark), his former wife, Rosemarie (Marchi) Larosa and their two sons, Michael and Stephen. He was the proud grandfather of three grandsons, Mason, Noah and Tucker. He is also survived by his loving sisters, Pat of Sharon, and Yvonne of Chapel Hill, Tennessee, and several cousins and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother William “Billy” Lynehan and his niece Lisa Hoglen.
There will be no calling hours. A private burial will take place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Hillside Cemetery in Sharon, with Standard Military Honors, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Sharon Fire Department, 36 West Main Street, Sharon. All are invited to attend. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon American Legion Post 126, 15 New Street, Sharon, CT 06069 or Sharon Little League/NWCTSBLL, P.O. Box 569, N. Canaan, CT 06018. To send an online condolence to the family, flowers to the service or to plant a tree in Butch’s honor, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
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Richard McGriff
Millerton News
Jun 17, 2026
TACONIC — Richard McGriff died unexpectedly on May 16, 2026. This is a collection of loving reminiscences.
With a smile like that and a laugh like that and a soul like that, how could you not love him? Macey Levin and Gloria Miller
Richard McGriff knew about loyalty and honor; he practiced them both. He was a good friend and he will be missed. Dick Boyle
Whenever I saw Richard I asked how are you doing and he always replied, “Can’t complain because nobody wants to hear it.” I would always reply “I’ll listen, not that I’m going to do anything about it,” and we would laugh every time. Janet Hodgson
Rich had a wonderful tenor voice. We talked about starting an “oldies but goodies doo-wop” group as we both knew the words to a lot of those songs, but it never happened. John Hebdavny
Somebody shouting, “Hey Rev!” as they drove by. Turning around, it was a delight to see Richard waving exuberantly from his car! John Carter
Whenever I got to talk with Richard - I simply found optimism again, not only possible, but likely. The world was a better place with Richard in it. I sorely miss him. Paul DePaolo
I really enjoyed the time I spent with Richard. He was a warm and kind person and had a beautiful singing voice. Mike Mangini
He’d drive through town, see me at my coffee, blow the horn, call my name. It could just make my afternoon. Peter Fitting
There’s Hope and Crosby. There’s Rich and Macey. Rich and Macey put on a better show. Bill Anstett
Richard had an indomitable spirit and a positive outlook that made me feel better simply by being in his presence. Mark Shearer
We knew Richard only to say hello as he drove by, when we saw him at the P.O. Always with a smile, always with an “upbeat” comment to make.... just a really nice man who helped to make Taconic Road a place where we are happy to live. Joel and Terry Cohen
We will always remember Richard’s kindness and the familiar sight of him driving past our house each day to pick up the newspapers. He will be missed on Taconic Road. Bobby Graham & Matt Marden
Richard was such a lovely man. He always had a smile and a laugh for you. Although, if I was working outside, he would always hit the horn as he drove by and scare the crap out of me! Karen Bibro
We will miss you, Richard, and the genuine kindness and warmth you brought into our lives. Jeff Holt & Jillian Cleary
Always a smile on his face. Michael Kahler
Richard’s exuberant personality always brightened our day. His cheerfulness and charm blessed all around him. Ismael Ginouves
Great sense of humor, always kind and generous. He got us tee shirts that said “Be kind to your cashier!” Dawn Prince (LaBonne’s Market)
Richard was a fashion icon with the kindest heart and most beautiful soul and I feel privileged to have had him in my life. Ashley Radcliffe
He was a man who carried a constant smile, known for his warmth, humor, and truly positive spirit. I’ll always cherish our dinners at The Woodlands—his joy for life was contagious. Kelley Smith-Hull
What I loved most about Richard was he had a genuine interest in people. I will miss our encounters around town but take comfort that he is with his Dorothy. I’m truly overjoyed that he came into my life. Roger Crain
He was the kindest, fairest, caring and curious of humans. When I last saw him he left in laughter and smiles. There is a space I will hold for him.” Aimée D Davis
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Pine Plains softball and track teams cap off championship seasons at states
Graham Corrigan
Jun 17, 2026
A Pine Plains softball player slides into safety.
Photo By Nikki Beers Burton
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains softball and track teams rounded out two incredible seasons this year.
The softball team finished the year as Class C Regional Champions, defeating Tuckahoe 4-1 earlier in June to capture the title.
That secured the Bombers a place in the state semifinals in Binghamton. They faced off against Galway, and played a thrilling defensive battle before losing 1-0 in 10 innings. It’s been a remarkable run for the team — their record on the year was 19-3, and they finished as one of the best teams in the state.
There were individual honors, too: Anna Essery and Abbey Mayes were named Section IX All Stars, and Talia Durant took home Player of the Year honors. Coach Lester Funk was named Coach of the Year.
Meanwhile, the varsity track team capped off a memorable season of their own this weekend. The girls team qualified for states in the 4x400 (Michelle Blackburn, Izzy Montoya, Violet Bliss, Madison Williams) and finished 12th with a time of 4:13.57. Sophomore Madison Williams also qualified in the 200 meter dash, running 26.21 and finishing 10th. Senior Violet Bliss qualified in two individual events: the 1500 meter run and 3000 meter run, where she finished 18th and 13th, respectively, with times of 4:38.68 and 10:00.01.
For the boys, senior Daniel McPherson qualified in both the 1600 and 3200 meter run. He finished 25th in the 1600 with a time of 4:17.60, and 21st with a 9:30.09.
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Primary race for Assembly District 106 heats up in final weeks
Nathan Miller
Jun 17, 2026
Six-term Assemblymember Didi Barrett is facing a primary challenge from Democrat Sam Hodge, who argues the district needs stronger action on affordability and utility costs as voters head toward the June 23 election.
Barrett, a 75-year-old Columbia County resident who has represented the 106th Assembly District since 2012, is seeking a seventh term on a record she says includes delivering state funding to local communities and advancing legislation aimed at increasing oversight of utility companies and protecting ratepayers.
Hodge, a 39-year-old attorney and former chairman of the Columbia County Democratic Committee, launched his campaign in December, contending that Albany has failed to adequately address rising costs facing residents. The Claverack resident describes himself as a progressive and has centered his campaign on affordability issues, particularly utility rates, housing costs and access to childcare.
The district covers much of southern Columbia County and northern Dutchess County, including the towns of North East and Pine Plains.
Barrett said she is seeking reelection to continue the work she’s been doing over the past 14 years. She called attention to millions in state funding and grants that she helped deliver to organizations, municipalities and groups across her district, including funding for the NorthEast-Millerton Library, the North East Community Center, infrastructure and recreation upgrades across Millerton and the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.
She currently serves as chair of the assembly’s energy committee, a post that she has held since 2023.
Hodge presented his platform as a contrast to Barrett’s, saying that while securing grant funding for municipalities and nonprofit organizations is important, it does not solve the affordability crisis.
He aims to tackle affordability through greater regulation of utility companies and providing access to early childcare such as the Gov. Kathy Hochul-backed plan to eventually implement universal Pre-K statewide.
Both candidates agree affordability is a defining issue, but Hodge contends Barrett hasn’t acted to address it adequately. He said Barrett has been ineffective as chair of the energy committee.
“I looked into her record and I was thoroughly disappointed by it,” Hodge said. “That’s why I decided to jump in this race.”
Hodge called attention to rising utility rates in the region, saying the energy committee should be working to pass legislation limiting rate increases.
“Her responsibility is to make sure we can afford those bills,” Hodge said.
Barrett defended her record, calling attention to legislation that she said improves transparency and accountability at the Public Service Commission, a New York State regulatory board that oversees utility rate hikes.
Barrett championed the “Rate Transparency Act,” which passed in the assembly on May 14 and delivered to the New York State Senate. The bill had not been voted out of the Energy and Telecommunications Senate committee by the end of the 2026 legislative session.
The “Rate Transparency Act” would require utility companies to delineate some charges on customers’ bills under separate categories including delivery and supply of electricity and gas.
Barrett called attention to three other bills that she introduced in this legislative session that have passed the assembly and moved on to the senate.
Those bills include the “ASAP act,” which would set a new target for statewide solar energy production; a bill that would direct the Public Service Commission to enforce performance standards against utility companies; and a bill that requires the Public Service Commission to consider affordability in rate increase determinations.
“We passed a number of bills that are really refocusing the work that the Public Service Commission does,” Barrett said. “We’ve really looked at ways to protect consumers and ratepayers.”
Hodge said those efforts are too little and too late for the region. He pointed to the recent approval of a rate hike for utility company National Grid, which just entered the second-year of an approved three-year rate increase schedule.
Hodge argues that Barrett’s campaign contributions from energy industry political action committees raise questions about her approach to utility regulation.
Barrett has received a little over $160,000 in total contributions since the start of 2025, according to data from the New York State Board of Elections. Roughly $23,750, or about 14.6%, of the total contributions have come from energy industry political action committees.
“My votes have never been for sale, and during my time in office, I have sponsored, voted for and passed many bills to protect ratepayers and lower energy costs,” Barrett said.
She cited legislation she introduced as part of this year’s New York State budget that she said would require utility companies to return excess revenue to customers.
“Up until now, utility companies were allowed to keep profits earned above their approved ‘return on equity’ – but with my advocacy, that money will go back to ratepayers to give some relief from rising electricity costs. The utility companies have been fighting this bill since I first introduced it.”
Hodge rejected that defense.
The winner of the June 23 Democratic primary is expected to be heavily favored in the general election.
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