Good morning, Poughkeepsie.

Police reported an elderly man was found dead in a white SUV outside a Target parking lot near the Poughkeepsie Galleria on Wednesday around 5:30 p.m. — early indications suggest his death may be due to a health emergency with no foul play suspected.

The Wappinger Central School District asked Moody’s Investment Services to review its fiscal stability and its credit rating was upgraded to MIG 1 — the top short-term bond rating due to strong fiscal management.

Superintendent Dr. Dwight Bonk said the district will continue careful planning and work with the community for future improvements.

State Assemblyman Brian Maher and State Senator Rob Rolison toured a daycare on Tuesday in Montgomery to draw attention to a growing childcare crisis as funding for the Child Care Assistance Program remains inadequate— they urged Governor Hochul to allocate more funds and call for an emergency legislative session to support affected families.

Ulster County announced $586K in grants to nine local farms to improve energy efficiency and build climate resilience under its new Farm Viability & Sustainability Grant Program—funds ranged from $25K to $75K provided through the Agricultural Crisis Relief Program via ARPA—helping farmers strengthen their operations for a secure future.

On Tuesday, Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps board president Dr. Paul Ostrovsky unveiled a new ambulance made possible by a $250,000 grant secured by Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson—this unit will help the service respond more quickly and safely to community calls.

Gerson Josue Santamaria Turcio, a 23-year-old Honduran immigrant and local business owner, was arrested by ICE on July 18 as he was returning home from work and a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on July 22 to halt his deportation—community members raised over $55,000 for his legal defense—and he remains in custody at Orange County Correctional Facility awaiting his hearing.

Northwell Health’s Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie launched a robotic cardiac surgery program that offers minimally invasive heart procedures—such as coronary bypass and valve repairs—with shorter recovery times.

The hospital is the only one in the Hudson Valley to provide this advanced service and expects it to improve patient outcomes.

Open House Tour

1-3 p.m. — 208 Hudson View Terrace — Free entry — Explore this beautifully upgraded townhome in a welcoming community with exceptional amenities.

Spanish Conversation Meetup

6-8 p.m. — McGillicuddy's — Free to attend — Enjoy casual Spanish conversations over pub food and drinks in an inclusive environment.

Mid-Hudson Comic Con: VIP 2-Day Pass

10 a.m. — MJN Convention Center - Mid Hudson Civic Center — Weekend VIP pass available — Discover a weekend of cosplay, gaming, panels, and special exclusives at the Hudson Valley's biggest pop culture event.

Dinosaur Adventure

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. — MJN Convention Center — Ticketed event — Explore life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and engage in hands-on activities for all ages.

Summer Preview Day at Mount Saint Mary College

10 AM — Mount Saint Mary College — Possible Visit Grant Available — Explore career-focused programs and experience campus life with student ambassadors.

Big Lawn Music Festival

2-10 p.m. — Plan Bee Farm Brewery — Free for children 12 and under — Celebrate live music with diverse artists in a festive outdoor setting.