In a packed courtroom before one of his victims and dozens of families, martial arts instructor Tyler LeClerc of Hyde Park was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison following his June plea to sex acts with minors. In addition to the prison term, LeClerc will serve 10 years of post-release supervision and be subject to registration as a sex offender. “With this sentence, the defendant has been held accountable for his crimes," said Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi. "This outcome not only removes a predator from our community but also honors the courage of the young victims and...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/tyler-leclerc-hyde-park-sex-act-offender-with-minor-girls-sentenced-to-10-years-in-prison/

Diana J. (Moore) Thorley, 72, died at home on Aug. 30, 2025. Born on Jan. 16, 1953, in Hudson,  Diana graduated from Hudson High School, then earned her Associate's Degree from Hudson Valley Community College. Diana worked for 17 years at Northern Dutchess Hospital as a medical transcriptionist. She married  Les Thorley in 2001, at Mariner's Harbor in Red Hook. At the age of 50, Diana joined the office staff at Linden Avenue Middle School, where she discovered meaningful work and made lifelong friendships and connections.  Diana was a longtime member and secretary for both the Chancellor Livingston Chapter of the...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/diana-thorley-longtime-linden-avenue-school-office-worker-dies-at-72/

Gloria J. Arsenault, 76, died on Sept. 1, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Born on May 18, 1949, in Sharon, CT, Gloria married Philip "Butch" Arsenault on February 11, 1966, in Pine Plains.  For over 37 years, Gloria was dedicated to her work as the Director of Housekeeping at Cornerstone of Rhinebeck until her retirement in 2018. Being with her family, especially preparing Sunday family dinners, brought her joy. She also loved a game of chance, and enjoyed her time at the casinos. Gloria is survived by her husband, Philip; her children, Brenda Jahoda, Michele (John) Jennings, Tina (Earl)...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/gloria-j-arsenault-cornerstone-housekeeping-director-dies-at-76/

An unusual decision for the Rhinebeck Center for the Performing Arts' production of the musical "Annie" has resulted in two casts for all the key roles. The talent was there, and with children in key roles, the choice made sense. This week, the Catch-Up talks to Director Lisa Delia and Co-Producers Wendy Urban-Mead and Duane Joseph Olson about the casting decisions, what they meant for rehearsals, and how the Center is doing roughly one year after the death of its legendary founder, Lou Trapani. The transcript is here. Listeners can find the podcast here and on all major podcasting platforms. The Catch-Up is produced...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/the-catch-up-episode-21-an-unusual-choice-for-the-centers-annie-lands-two-casts-for-one-show/

Pieter Staats stared up into the tree, eyes moving carefully over his crop, and beamed. “Look at this,” he said, carefully fondling an almost-ripe Bartlett, a hint of pink shining through the yellow pear patina. “We worked very hard for these. They’re beautiful.” Staats then spied the leaves, a shiny forest green, most free of spots and curling. Then, he nodded to two pear pickers as they maneuvered a 12-foot aluminum ladder through the orchard. “I could hug this tree,” Staats said, pausing. “We’re looking at the finest, nicest pears in the Hudson Valley, certainly ones we haven’t had in...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/meet-the-pear-whisperer-who-outsmarted-dreaded-psylla-insect-and-revived-red-hooks-orchards/

For Hudson Valley farmers, the pest pear psylla has become a devastating scourge. The Daily Catch, in cooperation with Marist College film student Will Haydon, presents our latest documentary. https://youtu.be/rTUhEAfm8QY

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/the-hidden-plight-of-pear-blight-a-daily-catch-mini-documentary/

Shirley Ann "Mouse" Smith, a lifelong area resident, died on her 84th birthday at Health Alliance Hospital in Kingston. Born on Aug. 28, 1941, in Hudson, NY, Shirley worked as both a cook and a housekeeper at Astor Home for Children in Rhinebeck for over 30 years. She took great pride in her work and especially loved interacting with the children. Shirley loved holidays and decorated her home for each one. She was an avid gardener and a devoted bird watcher, with a special fondness for cardinals.  She took great joy in her family, particularly her beloved grandchildren. She is...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/shirley-ann-smith-longtime-worker-at-astor-home-dies-at-84/

Police arrested a Valatie man for forcibly touching a woman he didn't know aboard an Amtrak train as it was pulling into the Rhinecliff station just after noon on Friday. The female victim reported that she was seated in the same row as the man, later identified as Antonio G. Perez, 49. The victim was able to distance herself and await law enforcement’s arrival at the station.  Both uniformed and plainclothes detectives of the State Police, in coordination with MTA Police, responded to the incident. As the train stopped, Perez was taken into custody and subsequently charged with Forcible Touching,...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/valatie-man-arrested-for-forcible-touching-aboard-an-amtrak-train-at-rhinecliff-station/

From trusses to structural materials, from finishes to railing styles, from decking to toe kicks, design choices abound for the next bridge project on the docket for the Town of Red Hook. And Town Supervisor Robert McKeon is inviting citizens to weigh in on the options, which center on 20 aesthetic and functional choices. The 50-foot bridge, which will cross a narrow section of the Saw Kill and create a connector between the Cookingham Trails and Rec Park East, is now being referred to as the Saw Kill Trail Link. McKeon said Wednesday at a meeting of the Town Board...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/the-bridge-beauty-contest-citizens-can-weigh-in-with-preferences-for-cookingham-to-rec-park-bridge/

The wooded hills and wetlands of Camp Rising Sun on Oriole Mills Road will likely soon become one of Red Hook’s most significant new public landscapes as plans cohere for a restored wildlife viewing platform, access to more than a mile of Saw Kill frontage, and 1.5 miles of planned trails on the 142-acre parcel. The broad contours of the project, which is adjacent to the Red Hook Golf Course, were first announced in March 2024. If approved, it is expected to be ready for public use in the Fall 2026. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Red Hook Town...

https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/red-hook-moves-forward-with-ambitious-new-park-project-at-camp-rising-sun-trails-picnic-spot-and-wildlife-viewing-platform-planned/