Good morning, Poughkeepsie.

Residents from Orange, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene and Ulster counties can get a free six-week membership at Mohonk Preserve; registrations are accepted online + in person until March 22 with valid proof of residency, and memberships run through April 30.

A free children's book festival is set for Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dutchess Community College’s Falcon Hall where kids can meet popular authors and illustrators, get books signed, and snap photos with costumed characters.

Gas prices in the Hudson Valley have risen due to global tensions and seasonal travel needs, yet several Poughkeepsie stations offer lower mid-$3 prices.

Local drivers can stop by sites (on Dutchess Turnpike and Main Street) to save money as rates continue to climb.

Poughkeepsie High School administrators Phee Simpson and Felicia Schinella were relieved of their roles last week, and Assistant Principal Joseph Mazzetti now manages daily operations while further details remain undisclosed (district policy prevents comment).

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado visited Sojourner Truth Elementary on Wednesday to read with second graders (Mar.

16-20) as part of Agriculture Literacy Week, a statewide event led by New York Agriculture in the Classroom that highlights farming and career paths in the industry.

Today a new state law requires many businesses to accept cash for in-person purchases.

Poughkeepsie's local shops and cafes that once relied on cards must adjust immediately to avoid fines starting at about $1,000 (a step to ensure fairness for all customers).

Flu cases are rising in the Hudson Valley, with Westchester County recording 603 new infections for the week ending Saturday, March 7.

Health officials advise residents to get vaccinated as experts warn of a second flu peak + rising hospitalizations.

Easter Dinner Celebration

1:15 p.m. — Shadows on the Hudson — Prices vary — Delight in a sumptuous Easter feast with a stunning view of the Hudson River.