County Roundup

What’s new and notable around the valley

Greene – The American Dance Institute has broken ground on its new headquarters in Catskill. The Institute is relocating from the Washington, DC, area to the site of the former Dunn Builders Supply complex on Water Street. When completed, the complex will include administrative facilities, a performance venue, and housing for more than two dozen artists in residence. Performances are scheduled to commence in May 2016.

Columbia – Columbia County holds the distinction of having the third-highest concentration of independent, professional artists of any county in the US, according to “Captivate: The Capital Region Creative Economy,” a study released by the Upstate Alliance for a Creative Economy. Columbia was bested by Kings County (aka Brooklyn) and Taos County, New Mexico.

Dutchess – County officials are partnering with law enforcement to crack down on drunk driving this summer. The $100,000 grant is intended to afford overtime for law enforcement on high-risk holiday weekends.

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Putnam – George Whipple, the dapper society and celebrity reporter for the NY1 cable news channel, has put his Carmel home on the market for $2.77 million. The eight-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom lakeside home was built in 1870. A second, three-bedroom home is also part of the estate.

Westchester –Drew and Jonathan Scott, of the HGTV hit Property Brothers, have been busy this spring and summer visiting homes in Scarsdale, White Plains, Harrison, and Mamaroneck. Look for the episodes to air later this year or early 2017. 

Rockland – It was a late night for police officers in Ramapo when they were called to wrangle a herd of cattle wandering around Saddle River Road. Calls from residents came in around 3 am, and, by 3:45, police were escorting the eight escaped cows back to their home with the help of a Duryea farm worker. Looks like that farm will have to beef up its security!

Orange – Middletown, home to such popular events as the Painting in the Park series, has something to celebrate: It was awarded the title of Playful City by KaBOOM!, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the improvement of play for children of all ages. This is Middletown’s first time on the KaBOOM! list, and it is the first city in the Hudson Valley to achieve this honor. 

Ulster – An Ulster County veterinarian may have sparked a discussion on revolutionary legislation regarding cat declawing. Eileen Jefferson, along with several other veterinarians, pushed for a ban on declawing procedures at a press conference in Albany with spokescat Rubio by her side, meowing his support. At press time, the bill was before the Senate and Assembly, but it was uncertain when the claw law will be officially up for a vote.

 

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