Local women tell Cecile Richards how Planned Parenthood has helped them
The visit comes as Congressional Republicans, including local rep John Faso, consider voting to defund the organization.
All posts by Jesse J. Smith
Medical marijuana slow to take off, with legal recreational use not happening any time soon
Three years after the state adopted a law enabling the use of medical marijuana, some 900 doctors are prescribing cannabis oil to more than 5,000 patients. But state health officials and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say that more can — and should — be done to make the treatment more widely available.
Pot busts not the top of local cops’ priority list, though arrests can and do happen
While marijuana remains illegal in New York, statistics show that 1960s-era horror stories of pot smokers languishing for years behind bars for possession of a few joints is largely a thing of the past.
Now that age is raised, things will change for court system
Legislation approved this week as part of the state budget process will raise the age of criminal responsibility in New York from 16 to 18 — and bring major changes in the local criminal justice system.
Can the Hudson Valley get a Lyft?
Nothing’s for sure, but ride-sharing company might operate locally.
Kingston mayor may drop plan to charge for lots
Kingston Mayor Steve Noble said Tuesday that the city will dramatically scale back a proposal to introduce paid parking kiosks in all city-owned lots. Noble also suggested that if the economics didn’t work out, the city may abandon the by-the-hour parking scheme for the currently free-of-charge lots entirely.
Stella the storm costs Kingston $45K
The mayor said the Department of Public Works, which worked round-the-clock shifts for three days to cope with the storm, had billed $38,000 in overtime during the most recent payroll period.
Statistics shed light on opioid OD’s but aren’t complete
A new report attempts to provide a snapshot of Ulster County’s raging heroin epidemic. But law enforcement officials conceded this week that collecting data remains a work in progress and the report likely undercounts the true toll of opioid abuse in the region.
Ulster DA, sheriff oppose legislation that would raise age of criminal responsibility
With New York State moving swiftly towards legislation that would raise the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18, Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright sounded a dire warning that the sweeping changes to the state’s juvenile justice system could hinder the prosecution of violent crimes and endanger public safety.
Judge: Cut to Ulster Comptroller’s office OK
Auerbach claimed that the cuts were intended to hamstring his ability to perform his duty as a watchdog on county finances and were enacted as retaliation for his scrutiny of spending by the Hein administration.