Mid Hudson Times Jun. 21 2017 | Page 4

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Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , June 21 , 2017

18 people arrested in

Southside street gang bust

Police say the corner of South and Chambers streets was the territory center of the “ Southside ” street gang .

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shootings . Today ’ s arrests stand as a testament to cooperation among our federal , state , and local partners , and our shared commitment to stamping out gang violence and the drug trade in Newburgh .”

Eighteen people were arrested last week and charged in White Plains Federal Court . Two of those charged - Michael Simmons and Dwight McArdle - remain at large .

The charges relate to gang-related activities stretching back to 2014 . The gang ’ s territory was centered at the intersection of South Street and Chambers , a street corner where , in recent months , swarms of young men could be seen standing around on any given time of the day in the city .

“ In order to fund the gang , protect its territory and promote its standing , members of Southside engaged in , among other things , narcotics trafficking , robbery and acts involving murder ,” the U . S . Attorney ’ s Office for the Southern District of New York states . “ Southside members sold heroin , crack cocaine , and marijuana in the gang ’ s territory , promoted their gang affiliation on social media sites such as Facebook , possessed firearms and engaged in shootings as part of their gang membership .”

According to the U . S . Attorney ’ s Office , one of the shootings occurred in December , 2015 , when defendant Skylar Davis , also known as “ S-Dot ,” shot at rival Yellow Tape Money Gang members as they drove near South and Liberty streets . The shooting caused an accident and injuries . Davis was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder in aid of racketeering . He faces up to 20 years in federal prison .

“ As alleged , evidence in this case shows the gang members arrested today by the FBI ’ s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force used shooting other people as a way to maintain their standing in the gang ,” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney Jr . said .

“ These gangs show no respect for human lives and they have a direct impact on our communities . Our goal as law enforcement is to take out the leaders of these gangs and make sure they can ’ t recruit more members .”

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said narcotics are the “ number one driver of all types of crimes ,” particularly those involving violence and weapons . “ It is only through the coordinated efforts of police and prosecutors , on both the federal and local level , that violent street gangs can be effectively eliminated ,” Hoovler said .

The investigation was a joint effort of the U . S . Attorney ’ s Office for the Southern District of New York , the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives , Orange County District Attorney ’ s Office , City of Newburgh Police , Town of Newburgh Police , Town of New Windsor Police , New York State Police , Orange County Sheriff ’ s Department , and the New York Dept . of Corrections and Community Supervision .

In Brief

Man killed in Quaker street crash

The Town of Newburgh Police Department is investigating a one-car fatal motor vehicle accident .

On June 18 at aprox 8:45 p . m ., Michael Trunzo , 31 , was traveling northbound on Quaker Street . The vehicle he was operating , a 2009 Pontiac Vibe , left the roadway , shearing a telephone pole and striking a tree .

Trunzo , who was the only occupant of the vehicle , was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene . The cause of the accident is still being investigated , pending results from this agency ’ s Accident Reconstruction Team and the Orange County Medical Examiners Office .

City Democrats announce endorsements

At its recent endorsement meeting , the City of Newburgh Democratic Committee endorsed the following candidates for the Newburgh City Council :

Ward 1 – Karen Mejia , Ward 2 – Nancy Colas , Ward 3 – Anthony Grice , Ward 4 – Patty Sofokles .

Karen Mejia defeated Radee Anglin , 351 to 90 votes . Nancy Colas defeated Ramona Monteverde , 157 to 90 votes . Anthony Grice defeated Jonathan Jacobson 302 to 213 votes . Patty Sofokles defeated Cindy Holmes 263 – 0 votes .

The Democratic Primary will be held on September 12 , 2017 .

9W bridge repairs announced

Recently , the state Department of Transportation announced plans to replace or repair several local bridges :

-Willow Avenue Bridge over 9W ( Cornwall - replacement )

-Angola Road Bridge over 9W ( Cornwall - replacement )

-River Road Bridge over 9W ( New Windsor - replacement ) -9W over Quaker Avenue ( Cornwall - rehabilitation ) -9W over Route 218 ( Cornwall - rehabilitation ) “ These repairs have been a long time coming ,” said Assemblyman James Skoufis . “ Over the last few years , I ’ ve been fighting for the funding needed to get these projects started , and I ’ ll keep pushing to make sure all our roads and bridges are repaired in a timely manner :”

More flights to Florida

In addition to transcontinental service , Stewart airport passengers will now have more opportunities to reach the sunshine state .

Allegiant Air will begin year-round service to Orlando / Sanford on November 16 and to Fort Myers / Punta Gorda beginning on November 17 . The airline currently flies non-stop to Tampa / St . Pete and Myrtle Beach , South Carolina .