Good morning, Poughkeepsie.

At Barton Orchards in Poughquag, a vandalism incident on Friday, July 24 caused over $1,000 in damage, but two local kids visited with their parents to apologize and help with repairs.

Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley awarded more than $1M in grants to seven local groups, including $45,000 to Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming and $30,000 to Cornell Cooperative Extension in Putnam and Dutchess.

The three-year awards will support fresh produce distribution, meal deliveries, and student farming education programs.

Julie's Jungle has installed a new communication station that lets visitors use picture points to express themselves; Beacon Speech Therapy designed the board (with local help) to expand the park's accessibility features.

David Roger, known for waving to everyone on Old Hopewell Road, died Saturday, July 25 at age 90.

He worked at IBM in Poughkeepsie + enjoyed fishing and trips to the casino during retirement, leaving a warm legacy in the community.

Hudson Valley farms are celebrating sunflower season with festivals featuring family activities, live music, food trucks and pick-your-own blooms from mid-August through early September.

Meadowbrook Farm hosts its Sunflower and Sangria Festival Aug. 14-16 while Kelder’s Farm features a multi-day Extravaganza from Aug. 9 to Sept. 1.

Bright blue road signs along Route 9 now direct drivers to Destination Dutchess on Neptune Road, where a tourism office offers maps+travel guides to help visitors explore Hudson Valley history and local attractions, serving as a nod to an earlier era of travel.

As August unfolds, bright green katydids fill Hudson Valley nights with chirping sounds—these insects, which camouflage as leaves, play a key role in the ecosystem while delivering a painful bite if disturbed.

County officials and the Putnam Youth Bureau launched the Parents as Driving Partners program — a booklet and agreement to boost safe teen driving in partnership with Dutchess County — to reduce auto accidents and promote better driver habits today.

Ticks are now active in the Hudson Valley as temperatures rise above freezing, with nymphs appearing in May and posing Lyme disease risks.

Putnam Health Department said 466 Lyme cases occurred last year and urged residents to take precautions amid rising tick risk scores identified by TickZone.

While hiking near Windham in the Catskills, local hiker Keith Hendriks found 20 lone star ticks outside his tent, which can spread Bourbon virus (a rare virus that does not respond to antibiotics).

Health officials urge caution and specialized testing for tick bites.

Minisink Valley track star Ella Michelitch will join the University of Oklahoma in less than two weeks, preparing to balance tougher competition and rigorous academics.

Several Section 9 freshmen expect their transition to college sports to include new roles on the team plus increased challenges beyond high school.