Wallkill Valley Times Aug. 07 2019 | Page 4

4 Wallkill Valley Times, Wednesday, August 7, 2019 I n B rief Crawford police car involved in accident; officer injured An automobile accident involving a Crawford Police vehicle and two civilian vehicles occurred last Saturday, leaving one officer injured. Crawford Police Chief Dominick Blasko said the incident occurred at 6 a.m. on Aug. 3 at NYS Route 52 and Country Route 17. The incident is under investigation, Blasko said. The officer injured in the accident is resting at home. n Montgomery town board approves RFP for Berea Park bathroom The town board approved a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the construction of the Berea Park bathrooms at their regularly scheduled board meeting on Aug. 1. The project was last brought up in September of last year, when Town Supervisor Rodney Winchell and town board member Mike Hoyt had a disagreement over whether the project should be completed by volunteers. The board passed a resolution at that September meeting to have the bathrooms built by volunteers. No action was taken on the project until Aug. 1. The RFP approved on Aug. 1 has a due date of Aug. 26. n Skoufis to host meet and greet in Walden Senator James Skoufis announced that he will be bringing his “Skoufis on Your Street” summer tour to the Town of Montgomery. The tour is a series of meet and greets that are being hosted around the district in locally owned small businesses to give residents an opportunity to speak with Skoufis in their own neighborhood. The Montgomery meet and greet will be held on Tuesday, August 13, from 12 -1:30 p.m., at Walden Diner at 23 Orange Ave, Walden. “The most important part of my job is listening to the concerns of the people I represent and these events make it easier for our residents to share their thoughts on the issues that matter to them most,” said Skoufis. “Bringing my office to my constituents is part of my continued effort to be as accessible a representative as possible because local residents deserve nothing less.” P olice B lotter For questions regarding “Skoufis On Your Street” events or any other community issue, please call Skoufis’ district office at 567-1270 or send an email to Skoufis@ nysenate.gov. n Gardiner FD hosts EMT training The Gardiner Fire Department will host a Stop the Bleed training session on Thursday, August 8 at 7 p.m. The public is invited to train side by side with firefighters and EMTs. Stop the Bleed (stopthebleed.org) is a national awareness campaign and call-to-action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. For more information, go to Facebook: Gardiner Fire and Rescue - New York. n Gardiner resource committee to host luncheon The Gardiner Senior Resource Committee (GSRC) invites all Gardiner area seniors to enjoy their next gathering at the Gardiner Library on Monday August 19 from 12:00 to 3:00 PM. This will be a Potluck luncheon with participants bringing a protein, vegetable, fruit or dessert. After an hour of fun and food, attendees will break out the games and play. Those that are not in games are free to sit and talk and enjoy some coffee/tea. Space is limited in the Community Room so those who wish to attend are asked to call 255-4442 to reserve a spot. If no one answers, please leave a voice mail specifying if you need transportation; this cannot be guaranteed, but every effort will be made to accommodate. Although this is a free event, a small donation is requested to defray library and club expenses. Events take place in the library community room, 133 Farmer’s Turnpike in Gardiner For directions or further information call 255-1255 or visit ardinerlibrary.org. n Uke club to meet The Gardiner Library will host another meeting of the new ukulele club, the Ukuleleans, led by Jeff Pfeffer on April 10 from 7 - 9 p.m. This free monthly club is for all ages of ukulele players, from beginner to experienced. The aim will be to encourage one another along as group members have fun with this uniquely upbeat instrument. Individuals will also be given the opportunity to perform for the group, if they desire, building confidence to perform in front of audiences. Jeff Pfeffer has been playing the ukulele for over 20 years, giving lessons to beginners along the way. He has performed locally in nursing homes and hospitals, as well as open mics and other venues. He particularly enjoys tin-pan-alley, novelty songs, and sing-a-longs, with a focus on performance. TOWN OF SHAWANGUNK Gina Gasparro, 25, of Poughkeepsie, was arrested on June 27 for Aggravated Unlicensed Operator 3rd and Uninspected Vehicle. Gasparro was released to appear in town court on July 15. Mark Toboika, 56, of New Paltz was arrested on June 28 for DWI, First Offense. Toboika was released to appear in town court on Aug. 13. Kayla Yeaman, 24, of Ellenville was arrested on July 2 pursuant to a Bench Warrant. Yeaman was released to appear in town court on July 16. STATE POLICE AT MONTGOMERY A high-speed chase that began last Thursday on the New York State Thruway ended with a head-on collision, injuring six. On August 1, at approximately 10:54 a.m., State Police attempted to stop a black Chevy Tahoe on I-87 near the Newburgh exit, based on a BOLO (be on the lookout) for a suspect vehicle wanted for questioning regarding a felony investigation. The Tahoe, operated by Willie T. Cuyler, 26, of Lauderdale Lakes, FL, failed to comply and a pursuit ensued. When Troopers attempted to stop the suspect vehicle for a vehi- cle and traffic violation, Cuyler exited the Thruway at the Newburgh exit and fled onto I-84. He continued to State Route 52, and eventually traveled east on State Route 17K where he drove into the westbound lane and struck a 2012 Mazda operated by Mark A. Newsome, 62, of Middletown. Newsome’s vehicle was pushed into the path of a 2016 Honda CRV, traveling eastbound on State Route 17K, being operated by Cynthia M. Diaz, 59, of New Windsor, The suspect vehicle then spun around in the westbound lane and struck a 2015 Chevy Tahoe operated by Stacey M. Ackerson, 39, of Walden, head on, becoming disabled. Diaz and Ackerson were both transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Newsome was not injured. The 4 occupants in the suspect vehicle were entrapped as a result of the crash. Cuyler and passenger, Deonte S. Damon, 24, of Lauder Hill, FL, were transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Farrell M. Kam, 25, of Boca Raton, FL, was transported to Westchester Medical Center for serious injuries and Darius D. Henry, 26, of North Lauderdale, FL, was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center, also for a serious injury. Cuyler, 26, was released from St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital on Sunday and processed at SP Montgomery. He was charged with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 1st degree; a Class C Felony, Assault 2nd degree; a Class D Felony, Reckless Endangerment 1st degree; a Class D Felony, Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle 2nd degree; a Class E Felony, Reckless Driving; an Unclassified Misdemeanor, and numerous Vehicle and Traffic Violations. Cuyler was arraigned before the Town of Newburgh Court and remanded to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond. He is to re-appear on August 6 at 10 a.m. Damon was released from the hospital on Friday, August 2. He was charged with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 1st degree; a Class C Felony. He was arraigned before the Town of Newburgh Court and remanded to Orange County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or bond. Damon is to re-appear on August 6, 2019 at 10 a.m.