Poughkeepsie: Civic Center Sues Hockey Owner
The Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie last month sued a former member of the state Assembly for allegedly defaulting on a loan he received to develop two semi-pro hockey teams.
Pat Manning, the owner of the Hudson Valley Vipers and a Newburgh team, the HC Venom, last year personally guaranteed a $50,000 loan from the civic center, according to the legal filing. The civic center said it also provided the Vipers with an additional $9,200 and has not received $13,200 in rent for its ice arena.
The Vipers no longer exist, and the Federal Prospects Hockey League reclaimed HC Venom before reaching an agreement with the civic center to have the team continue to play at McCann Ice Arena, according to Mid Hudson News.
Newburgh: Residents Ask for Coaches to Be Reinstated
The Newburgh school board heard from residents on Tuesday (March 11) who asked that nine dismissed varsity football coaches be rehired.
Coach Bill Bianco had led the Newburgh Free Academy program since 2009. The dismissals came after an investigation into an Oct. 17 locker-room fight in which a student was hurt. The team forfeited its last regular-season game and a playoff game, ending its season.
After hearing from residents, the board went into executive session for two hours, returning to say it would ask the coaches to attend a separate meeting.
According to the Times Herald-Record, the fight began when a “rap battle,” in which students hurl insults at each other, got out of hand.
[Update: On March 26, the school board approved a resolution lifting the suspension of Bianco and the other coaches, effective immediately.]
Kingston: Council Will Spend $145K on Pickleball Study
The Common Council on March 3 approved a resolution to spend $145,000 on a study to reduce noise from pickleball courts at Loughran Park.
The funding is part of a $685,000 project to upgrade and expand tennis and pickleball, according to Mid Hudson News.
“Pickleball is a great sport, but it’s loud, and it has created a real quality-of-life issue for neighbors,” an alderman said. Other council members wondered if mandating quieter paddles and balls would be less expensive.
Shrub Oak: Putnam Valley Man Faces Charges
A Putnam Valley man was arrested for allegedly impersonating a police officer and attacking a 16-year-old girl at the Shrub Oak Shopping Center.
According to police, Charles Santiago, 42, pulled his vehicle in front of the Lakeland High School student while she was on a sidewalk, jumped from his vehicle wearing a police-style badge around his neck and identified himself as a police officer.
Police said he pushed the girl against a building, took her phone while she was recording and threw her to the pavement.
Two bystanders intervened and the girl was taken to a hospital. Santiago was arrested at the scene and released after posting a $3,500 bond.
Kingston: Legislators Pause Over Tesla Stations
An Ulster County legislative committee voted 4-3 to allow a Tesla charging station in Kingston Plaza, but not without pushback about the firm.
A resolution authorized Tesla to install an underground utility crossing to power two charging facilities that will be owned by the firm.
“Normally, I would be more than happy to vote in the affirmative on any EV chargers,” Legislator Eric Stewart said. “But seeing that this is Tesla, I will be a no.”
Legislator Manna Jo Greene wondered if the technology would exclude hybrid and electric vehicles not made by Tesla. “I have a hybrid, and I can’t use a Tesla charger, so I think it’s kind of exclusive,” Greene said. Legislator Kathleen Nolan said some non-Tesla vehicles could access Tesla chargers with an adapter.
