The war memorial at dusk, lit green for veterans.
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By June Mercer | November 11, 2026
Dutchess County agencies put out no new arrest releases Wednesday. The news came from a courtroom, a Beacon parking lot, and a war memorial.
Hyde Park Driver Sentenced to Prison in Fatal Crash
Richard C. Rider, 47, was sentenced in Dutchess County Court to 7½ to 15 years in prison for first-degree vehicular manslaughter. Judge Karen Edelman-Reyes imposed the term alongside a concurrent 1⅓ to 4-year sentence for driving while ability impaired by drugs.
The crash happened December 14, 2025, on Albany Post Road near Huyler Drive in the Town of Hyde Park. Rider was driving a white Ford F-150, impaired by Methadone, THC, Clonazepam, and Diazepam. He crossed into the southbound lane and struck a Honda Accord. Crash reconstruction showed he failed to maintain his lane and took no evasive action in the five seconds before impact.
The District Attorney's office said toxicology reports of Rider's blood revealed five substances: Clonazepam, Diazepam, Nordiazepam, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Methadone.
Alijah M. Johnson, 28, of Hyde Park, was driving the Honda. He died.
It was Rider's sixth arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
District Attorney Anthony Parisi said no sentence can undo the tragic loss of Johnson's life. He said his office "fought diligently to secure the strongest sentence available under New York State law." He added that his office remains "committed to holding individuals accountable when their reckless decisions take innocent lives."
Source: 94.3 Lite FM
Film Crew Takes Over Part of Beacon
A film production occupied a private parking lot between North Brett and North Walnut streets in Beacon on Wednesday. Key Food Marketplace and the adjacent restaurant stayed open. Portions of the lot remained available for customer parking.
Public street parking was restricted on both North Brett and North Walnut between Main Street and Church Street. After 5 p.m., intermittent closures went into effect on North Walnut. City police officers helped residents get in and out. Loop Bus service was not affected. Police signage marked the restrictions throughout the day.
Sources: City of Beacon and HVNY
County Marks Veterans Day at the War Memorial
Dutchess County held its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Dutchess County War Memorial, at the intersection of Raymond Avenue and Main Street in the Town of Poughkeepsie.
Shondra Usher delivered the keynote. A former U.S. Army sergeant from Poughkeepsie, Usher served in Iraq and Germany. The Poughkeepsie High School JROTC presented the colors. The program included a wreath presentation and community prayer.
The county also ran Operation Green Light from November 4 through November 11. The County Office Building and the Veterans One Stop in Pleasant Valley glowed green during that stretch. Residents and businesses were encouraged to display green lights as a show of support.
Source: Dutchess County
No New Local Agency Releases
No arrest or incident release dated November 11 appeared from any of the main Dutchess County law enforcement agencies. The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office most recently published a release October 30. Nothing new came from the City of Poughkeepsie Police, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police, Hyde Park Police, Beacon Police, or Fishkill Police. The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office issued no standalone release. No Troop K arrest release appeared in the State Police newsroom on November 11.
Charges are accusations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
