Mid Hudson Times Jul. 20 2016 | Page 4

Crane collapses at Tappan Zee Bridge construction site
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Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , July 20 , 2016

Jehovah ’ s Witness gathering draws thousands to Newburgh

In Brief

Mom charged with leaving toddler in car with 100 degree temps
A Walden woman has been arrested for leaving her 23-month-old son in her car in scorching temperatures Sunday that reached above 100 degrees inside the vehicle .
Newburgh Town Police were called to the Marshall ’ s parking lot for a report of an unattended child crying in a secured car seat inside an SUV . The front windows were up and the back windows were cracked open about a half inch .
Officers unlocked the vehicle and removed the child . The mother , Melanie Nixon , 35 , was located shopping in the Dollar Tree store while her son was left in the hot car .
Nixon was charged with felony reckless endangerment and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child . The tot was treated at the Newburgh campus of St . Luke ’ s Cornwall Hospital and later released . Nixon posted $ 2,500 bail and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date .
Jehovah ’ s Witnesses from New York and Connecticut gathered at the Newburgh Assembly Hall of Jehovah ’ s Witnesses , this past weekend at 23 Unity Place ,
The annual three-day gathering held just off I-84 in Newburgh drew several thousand people from the surrounding area to a hilltop convention hall between Friday and Sunday .
While smaller than international conventions held at major venues like Metlife stadium , that routinely draw 40-50,000 attendees , the key concepts of the event remain the same .
Loyalty , respect and community were just some of the themes addressed at this year ’ s get together . The Regional convention featured 49 presentations , 35-videos and two-films over the Three-day timeframe . Admission was free and open to the public in New York and Connecticut .
Joshua Joorabchi of Bloomingburg was tasked with the role of spokesman and public relations this year . The witnesses believe in having no titles so the roles among the volunteers rotate yearly . Joshua has attended such conventions for 39 years and is in his second year ably
Coast Guard crews are enforcing a safety zone on the Hudson River around the Tappan Zee Bridge after a crane collapsed Tuesday afternoon . filling the PR role .
“ It ’ s important to us as witnesses that how we worship reflects a lifestyle of respect and loyalty ,” Joorabchi said . “ We strive to emulate the lifestyle of first century Christians .”
Upon entering the event center , you immediately encountered a beautiful painting of the Hudson Valley and tastefully done architecture . With a flooded main presentation area , overflow areas were set up with video screens to ensure access to the carefully planned content that is the staple of the Witness ’ conventions .
Prior to the event , the witnesses traditionally spend around three-weeks canvassing the region to invite the public . “ It ’ s important to us to set a good example ,” Joorabchi said . “ We strive to be good positive members of our respective communities .”
Those looking for more information on this convention , other conventions or general material can find it at jw . org .

Crane collapses at Tappan Zee Bridge construction site

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At approximately 12:15 p . m . Tuesday , Coast Guard Sector New York received a report of a partial crane collapse across the western end of the Tappan Zee Bridge , which has closed the roadway to traffic for an undetermined period of time .
A crane operator was safely recovered from the water by a Westchester County Marine unit after the collapse .
A Smallboat crew from Coast Guard Station New York is enforcing a safety zone around the site of the incident and will remain in place for as long as necessary .
The major implications of the safety zone are as follows : no entry into the immediate vicinity of the incident , heed caution for any debris that could be in the water , and for vessels to proceed at a slow speed to prevent a wake .
A response team from Sector New York is on scene to examine the area for any pollution and damage to the barges .
Guilty pleas in beating death
Orange County District Attorney David M . Hoovler announced on Tuesday , July 19 , 2016 , that , Richard Vallejo , aka “ Rico ,” age 28 , and Kelsin Rivera , age 30 , of Newburgh , pled guilty in connection with the March 30 , 2016 , beating death of a 48-yearold man that they attacked on Lake Street in the City of Newburgh . Vallejo pled guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree , and Rivera pled guilty to Assault in the Second Degree , before County Court Judge Nicholas
Rivera DeRosa . When the two are
sentenced on Sept . 9 , 2016 , Vallejo is expected to receive a 20-year prison sentence , and Rivera is expected to receive four years in prison .
On March 30 , 2016 , both defendants attacked their victim at 1 Lake St . in the City of Newburgh . Rivera admitted to striking
Vallejo the victim more than once with his hands , and Vallejo admitted to kicking the victim repeatedly in the head as the victim lay on the ground . The victim was declared brain dead at St . Luke ’ s-Cornwall Hospital shortly after the attack , and never regained consciousness . He was eventually taken off life support , resulting in his death on April 6 , 2016 .
Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for their efforts in the investigation and prosecution of the case .