Luciana “Lucy” Monarchi, a longtime Red Hook resident, died at her home on Dec. 9, 2025.  Born on July 31, 1943, in Montesecco, Italy, Lucy immigrated to the U.S. aboard the ship Cristoforo Colombo at age 10, speaking only Italian. By age 11, she was fluent in English. She became a naturalized citizen and lived in Jessup, PA, until she was 21. Lucy married her hometown sweetheart, Albert “Bucky” Monarchi, in Jessup, and they soon moved to New York to raise their family. Lucy lived a life grounded in faith and family. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime parishioner...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/luciana-m-monarchi-beloved-grandmother-dies-at-82/

Red Hook farmer Ken Migliorelli was counting on another three to four weeks of late-season greens when the snow hit. Instead, he woke up to nearly ,000 in lost sales—boxes of kale, collards, spinach, broccoli rabe, arugula, turnips, and radishes he could no longer sell at farmers markets, farmstands, or to wholesale accounts. The region’s first significant snowfall of the season swept across northern Dutchess and Columbia counties on Dec. 2, and when nighttime temperatures plunged into the single digits, the fields froze solid. A hard crust locked the greens in place, ending the season overnight. Snow blankets late-season greens...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/early-snowfall-wipes-out-winter-income-for-local-greens-farmers/

When Principal Kyle Roddey first arrived at Red Hook High School in 2023, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program was known mostly as a niche opportunity geared toward the school’s highest achievers. That is starting to change. In Red Hook, the number of high schoolers choosing to participate in the school’s IB diploma program has increased significantly. (Photo by Tony Adamis) In just two years, the number of Red Hook juniors and seniors choosing to complete the full IB diploma — a two-year sequence of advanced classes, essays, and independent projects — has increased significantly, rising from about 12% participation to...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/from-elite-track-to-broad-appeal-ib-diploma-enrollment-doubles-at-red-hook-high-school/

Costs have continued to increase, even as student enrollment has trended downward, Red Hook Central School District officials informed School Board members in a special presentation on Thursday. Enrollment at the Red Hook Central School District has steadily declined since 2007, according to a presentation by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Erin Hayes at Thursday’s Board of Education meeting. (Photo by Claire Greenburger) While district officials are closely monitoring these trends, the district remains on stable financial ground as it heads into the 2026 budget season, administrators reassured the Board.  “I am confident we will [balance the budget] successfully again for 2026–27,”...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/red-hook-student-enrollment-down-31-but-costs-up-as-district-prepares-for-another-tight-budget-year/

After a temporary delay, the five honey locust trees on Mill Street/Route 9 in front of the Beekman Arms will be fully removed on Friday, Dec. 12, Beekman Arms owner George Banta Jr. told The Daily Catch. Banta said he also hopes to have the Inn's new sidewalk and additional upgrades finished by Christmas. The owner of the Beekman Arms said that what is left of five trees lining Route 9/Mill Street in front of the Inn will be removed on Dec. 12. (Photo by Eloise Goldsmith) The Inn will plant four hybrid elms to replace the honey locust trees....

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/beekman-arms-hopes-to-have-new-sidewalk-and-trees-in-place-by-christmas-after-permitting-hiccup/

As below-freezing temperatures threaten unhoused individuals in northern Dutchess County, a new overnight homeless shelter is expected to replace the shelter at St. Christopher’s Church in Red Hook, which ceased operation on March 15, according to Father Jeffrey Maurer of St. Christopher’s Church. St. Christopher’s Church closed its overnight homeless shelter in March, but Fr. Jeffrey Maurer said a new solution is in the works. (Photo courtesy of Fr. Jeffrey Maurer) The new facility, to be located in another church, is awaiting final confirmation from the church’s board of directors before its location will be announced publicly. “I do believe...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/new-overnight-warming-shelter-coming-to-red-hook-after-st-christophers-site-forced-to-close/

Rhinebeck students outperformed their state peers last school year, according to state assessment data presented to the Board of Education on Tuesday. Rhinebeck students outperformed state averages on last year’s assessments. (Photo by Tony Adamis) Grades 3–8 English and math scores surpassed statewide averages by 23 and 21 percentage points, respectively. While high school scores dipped slightly in certain math, science, and social studies classes compared to the previous year, the district saw a 10-point rise in the percentage of students earning a 3 or higher on AP exams. The top score is a 5. But district leaders said the...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/rhinebeck-students-beat-state-averages-but-district-warns-scores-tell-only-part-of-the-story/

After several weeks of deliberation and continued protests by members of the Red Hook Boat Club, the Red Hook Town Board voted on Tuesday night to pass two new laws that will modify the Town zoning code for parks, boat clubs, docks, ramps, and marinas, among other changes. Red Hook Boat Club supporters packed Town Hall on Tuesday to oppose zoning changes they say could ease a potential eminent domain takeover. (Photo by Athan Yanos) Town Supervisor Robert McKeon said the changes are necessary to better align the Town's zoning code with its comprehensive plan. But Boat Club members worry...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/town-board-resubmits-and-passes-waterfront-zoning-after-judge-faults-earlier-version/

Rhinebeck Village Mayor Gary Bassett reassured residents on Tuesday that the holiday spirit remains very much alive, with a decorated tree to return to “Doughboy Park,” and the polar bear from Sinterklaas set to cavort in the heart of the Village in less than two weeks. In a turn of events, there will be a holiday tree in the Village’s “Doughboy Park” this year. (Photo by Eloise Goldsmith) “The holidays have not been canceled,” said Bassett at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting. “Our Village is made up of people who are here to work and help us with all of our...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/village-mayor-holidays-not-canceled-as-rhinebeck-rallies-to-restore-traditions/

The Red Hook Community Center is preparing for a transformative, building-wide accessibility overhaul after securing two major public grants totaling 0,000. Together, the funds position the center to reimagine its heavily used facility for residents of all ages and abilities. Woodworker workshops are among the many activities on offer at the Red Hook Community Center. (Photo by Emily Sachar) The dual awards – a 0,000 award from New York State’s BRICKS program and an additional 0,000 from Dutchess County’s Municipal Investment Grant (MIG) – come at a pivotal moment. The building, which serves as a daily hub for youth programming,...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/red-hook-community-center-to-launch-five-year-470000-accessibility-overhaul-with-state-and-county-grants/