Good morning, Poughkeepsie.

A quirky Grinch tree in Hopewell Junction honors the late Butch Kidney, a beloved local known for his festive spirit.

Assemblyman Anil Beephan said the display was created to celebrate his unique legacy.

Rich Mayfield received the Distinguished Service Award at CCE’s 110th Annual Meeting held at The Country Club at Otterkill this week, recognizing his decades of service; several volunteers were also honored, and a new Board of Directors was elected to serve through 2026 (including Amy Minutolo, Edwin Estrada, and others).

In the Hudson Valley, December sees the highest rates of home fires from unattended cooking, dry Christmas trees and heating equipment hazards.

Local fire officials urge residents to water trees, keep decorations away from heat and check smoke alarms to reduce risks.

National Grid and other utility companies will invest over $4 billion to upgrade New York’s aging electric grid (adding new transmission lines and substations) to support renewable energy and manufacturing projects; Poughkeepsie residents may see higher rates in coming years.

State legislators (including Assemblywoman Shrestha and state Sen. Hinchey) propose a Hudson Valley Power Authority to take over Central Hudson operations, and a report projects customers will see bills drop 1.9% in the first year and 13% over 30 years (including local PILOTs).

Voting is open for the Poughkeepsie Journal boys athlete of the week for Dec.

8-14, with coaches submitting player stats before polls close at 8:30 p.m. Sunday while Red Hook's senior Rileigh Jackson was named athlete for Dec. 2-8 after nearly 11,000 votes (a record share).

Small Business Holiday Party

6-11 p.m. — The Grandview — $90 — Celebrate the season with cocktails, a delicious buffet, and dancing overlooking the Hudson River.

MET Live in HD: Andrea Chenier

1-3 p.m. — Bardavon — Ticket prices vary — Experience the majestic opera performance of Andrea Chenier broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera.

New Year’s Celebration at Noon

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum — $12-$18 — Celebrate 2026 with music, crafts, science demos, and a lively countdown to noon.