Year in Review 2013: Top News Stories and Events in the Hudson Valley

The good, the bad, and the truly bizarre: As 2013 draws to a close, we recall some of the people and events that sparked headlines in the Valley this year

Like most years, 2013 has had its ups and downs. Here in the Valley, we’ve had good news (the opening of new stores, restaurants, and breweries), bad news (layoffs, fracking woes), and downright weird news (a massive noggin drifts up the Hudson).

	Retail Group of America Opens 22 New European Stores in Local Malls Shopping spree: European fashion brands invade our malls
	The Bocuse Restaurant Opens in Hyde Park The Culinary Institute of America reinvents the French dining scene with the opening of its latest eatery
	Marist College, ESPN, and WGNY Launch New Sports Program “The Classroom” Sports radio, college-style
	Walkway Over the Hudson State Park Builds Elevator, Launches Mobile Web Tour, and Connects Dutchess County Rail Trail The Walkway continues to wow
	Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library Renovation Roosevelt Library gets a face-lift
	Edward Diana Retires as County Executive for Orange County After 12 years at the helm of Orange County, the local politician retires due to health issues
	Jimmy Fallon, Saugerties Native, Promoted to the Tonight Show Funny man: Jimmy Fallon takes over as host of the Tonight Show in February 2014
	WPDH (101.5FM) Radio Deejay Mark Cooper Passes Away Longtime DJ Mark Cooper dies
	Giant Head Found Floating in the Hudson River; Recovered by Marist Crew Team Heads up: A seven-foot-tall Styrofoam head sculpture has locals doing a double take
	Craft Brewing in the Hudson Valley Booms The craft brewing industry goes into overdrive
	Towne Crier Cafe Relocates to Beacon The iconic live music venue says goodbye to Pawling and hello to Beacon
$fracking$	Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) Banned in Several Hudson Valley Towns — For Now No fracking way: Drilling gets the thumbs-down
	IBM Announces Global Workforce Reduction, Lays Off 697 Dutchess County Employees More layoffs are headed to IBM’s Dutchess County facilities
	New York Yankees Play Exhibition Game at West Point on March 30, 2013 Put me in, coach: The Bronx Bombers and Army Black Knights revive an 86-year-old tradition
	Joann Nichols Murder Mystery Solved After 28 Years An ice-cold case solved: The remains of a 55-year-old school teacher are finally found