By June Mercer | Friday, October 16, 2026
No new Dutchess County arrest releases were found for today's blotter, aside from the Hyde Park charging update noted below.
Hyde Park | Haviland Middle School
A bear was spotted on the Haviland Middle School campus Thursday during fifth period. Staff called a reverse evacuation, bringing students and staff back inside before recess. Outdoor activities were suspended for the rest of the day. No injuries were reported.
Also this week: Daniel Prospero, 54, was charged after his release from the hospital in connection with the October 5 incident near the school. He faces six counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, one count of fourth-degree weapon possession, and trespassing. Police say a search of his apartment turned up no firearms, he had none on him when taken into custody, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Source: 943 Lite FM
Poughkeepsie | Mid-Hudson Bridge
Expect alternating traffic on the Poughkeepsie approach to the Mid-Hudson Bridge on two overnight windows: tonight, Friday, 10 p.m. to Saturday 10 a.m., and Saturday 10 p.m. to Sunday 10 a.m. Both may wrap up ahead of schedule. Crews are demolishing deck sections and installing asphalt as part of the east approach rehabilitation, with work winding down ahead of a winter pause.
Source: 943 Lite FM
New York State Police | Columbus Day Weekend Enforcement
State Police released results October 16 for the October 9 to 12 Columbus Day weekend enforcement campaign.
Statewide:
10,803 tickets issued
200 DWI arrests
768 crashes, four fatal
Troop K (Eastern Hudson Valley, including Dutchess County):
1,123 total tickets
19 DWI arrests
526 speeding violations
25 distracted driving
56 seat belt and child restraint violations
33 Move Over violations
27 penal law arrests
Source: Utica Phoenix
Neighboring | Putnam County
Bus monitor Magalie Speranza, 65, of Yorktown, was arrested October 8 following an alleged October 2 incident aboard a moving Mahopac school district bus. A 12-year-old student sustained minor injuries; three other students were on board. Speranza faces third-degree assault, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree harassment. She was arraigned in Town of Southeast Justice Court, where an order of protection was issued for the student.
Source: 943 Lite FM
Neighboring | Putnam County
Mark Kenny pleaded guilty to two counts of grand larceny in the second degree and one count of falsifying business records in the first degree. As treasurer for both the Garrison Fish and Game Club and the Catfish Pond Association, he stole a combined $212,000 over four years, investigators said. A court date is set for January 26, 2027.
Source: 943 Lite FM
Charges are accusations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
