Wednesday, the New York State Police arrested Robert U. Kreppein, age 47, of Walden, NY for Grand Larceny 4th, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th, and Official Misconduct.

The arrest was a result of an ongoing Internal Affairs Bureau investigation into the misappropriation of NYSP property.  While employed by the NYSP and assigned to the Aviation Unit, Kreppein did misappropriate an aviation Garmin GPS, which was purchased by the New York State Police for $2,432.81 in 2008.

Robert U. Kreppein

Prior to his recent retirement, Mr. Kreppein held the rank of Major, and was in charge of the State Police Aviation Unit.  He was a 24 year veteran of the State Police.

Mr. Kreppein was released on an Appearance Ticket with a return date of August 3, 2011 at 6:00pm in the Town of Colonie Court.

A 59 year old Walden resident scratched his way to retirement with a $5 million jackpot.

Donnie Hayes went into a smoke shop in new York City on New Years to buy a pack a cigarettes and purchased a popular new NY State Lottery’s Mega Money Multiplier $20 scratch off game.

Hayes who has spent 19 years working for th Big Apple Circus plans on retiring and moving closer to his sister in Georgia.

Hayes spoke to media at the Lottery’s Fishkill claims office on Wednesday and the soft spoken man said that when he scratched off the numbers and saw he won $5 million, he simply put the ticket back in his pocket and went back to work. He added that there was a 9:30 show and he had to go back to do his job.

Donnie Hayes New York Lottery Winner

After taxes, Hayes will receive a little more than $3.3 million in a lump-sum payment, which is the only payment option in the Mega Money Multiplier game.

Hayes is the second New Yorker to win the $5,000,000 top prize on the popular Mega Money Multiplier scratch-off ticket. The first jackpot winning ticket was purchased by Edwin Zhingre of Queens Village in December 2011.

The Walden Village Police Department would like residents of Walden, as well as other jurisdictions, to know that every summer there are groups of solicitors who walk around neighborhoods attempting to sell magazine subscriptions.

In order to solicit in the Village of Walden, and some other jurisdictions, you need a permit.  Most of these solicitors never apply for the permit.

Their tactics are sometimes suspicious: Requesting multiple times to gain entry to the residence; Become irate when denied a sale; Attempting to distract the resident away from the door.

We are requesting that residents contact us when one of these solicitors come to their door. A good description of the subject and a direction of travel helps.

ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE BRIAN MAHER TO TAKE BIKE TOUR OF 101ST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Candidate to spend several days on the ground familiarizing himself with new district.

To help better understand and familiarize himself with the district he hopes he will have the honor to represent, Assembly Candidate Brian Maher will take a bike tour through the new 101st Assembly District between April 30th and May 6th.

Walden Mayor and Assembly Candidate Brian Maher

Maher, who kicked off his campaign for the sprawling seven county district on March 26th feels that a bike tour will allow him the greatest opportunity to become intimately acquainted with the district. Maher announced the bike tour plan at his kick off fundraiser held at the Spruce Lodge in the Town of Montgomery, Orange County on Tuesday Night, April 17th.

Maher stated. “There are many people who believe the 101st Assembly District is impossible to navigate through.  There are those that believe it cannot be represented effectively.  While it is apparent that this district is the product of yet another gerrymandered redistricting process, that does not mean we shouldn’t focus on what kind of candidate will be able to effectively represent it.”

Maher feels it is important for the people of this district to know that there is someone who has the time, energy, passion, and conservative principles that will be necessary to effectively represent them. “I feel a bike tour is the best way to show district voters I possess that drive and passion needed to represent this district” Maher said.

Maher continued “It would be easy to just get in a car and drive through the district. However, the world often passes you by while driving along at 55 MPH. I feel that by biking the 101, I can really experience the district first hand. I can experience the beautiful scenic areas of the Catskills, the many great downtowns and small business districts and most important of all to meet the fellow New Yorker’s I wish to represent along the way.  I am very passionate about getting to know this district first hand. I feel in order to be the best candidate I can be, I need to see every corner of the 101st.”

Maher continued, “This is one of the most diverse spread out districts in the state. It includes people from many different walks of life.  It is going to need a dynamic candidate who has a record of not just voting the right way…but someone who is willing to fight to bring people together. I presently am the Mayor of one of the largest most diverse villages in Orange County. I have a record of bringing people of all walks of life together to better serve the place they live.”

Maher concluded, “I am proud to be part of the newly established 101st District and I hope after this bike tour is over we can create a sense of pride throughout all 25 towns, 1 city, and 7 counties.  It is easy to point out what separates this district… I plan to focus on what will bring us together while at the same time fighting for specific issues that matter to a large number of residents.”

Maher will start his bike tour on April 30th in the southern portion of the district, the Village of Maybrook in Orange County.  The 259 mile bike tour will conclude in the Oneida County Town of New Hartford on May 6th.

To follow Maher’s progression on the seven county bike tour and when he will be visiting your area go to www.mahertoalbany.com

ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE BRIAN MAHER OPENS CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS

Walden Mayor and New York State Assembly candidate Brian Maher opened his local campaign headquarters yesterday in the Village of Walden.

Maher, who is seeking the Republican nomination in the newly drawn 101st Assembly District cut the ribbon to campaign office alongside dozens of friends and supporters.

The headquarters is located at 41 Main Street in the center of the Village of Walden.

Maher said one of the key tasks of any campaign is to make sure there is a central location where the candidate and his team can meet people face to face. Maher stated “Having a headquarters creates a buzz around town and gives people in the community direct access to the campaign” Maher emphasized however, that with such a large district, people from the furthest stretches of the 101st cannot be expected to visit the headquarters. “We will be taking this campaign on the road with many events that are in the planning stage. I will be spending a lot of time traveling around this district between now and the fall” said Maher.

Maher stated that the headquarters will likely be staffed with volunteers and the campaign is also exploring internship opportunities for local college students. “I am a firm believer of getting people involved in their community and government. My goal for this campaign, besides being elected of course, is to engage as many people in the political process as possible.”

In the next few days the campaign will be setting a schedule for when the office will be manned. Information will be posted on the website at www.mahertoalbany.com The phone number at headquarters is 845-787-2751

The new 101st Assembly District covers parts of Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, Delaware, Otsego, Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

Assembly candidate Brian Maher reached the 100 mile mark Wednesday, during his bike tour of the newly created 101st District, when he arrived in the Delaware County town of Bovina.

Maher, who began his bike journey on Monday, April 30th with a send off from the Orange County village of Maybrook is on a tour of the district he will be running in this fall. Maher stated on Monday that he felt a bike tour would be the best way to become acquainted with the large, seven county district. The brand new district, created under the recent redistricting, links diverse communities who have never been connected in such a way.

Maher stated Wednesday that the trip has so far exceeded his expectations. “In the past three days I have met fellow New Yorkers of all walks of life. I have had the privilege to enter people’s homes and small businesses. I have heard first hand the many stories these individuals have had to tell. While many have said that they are disappointed in the direction of our state, in the end, they are proud and dedicated New Yorkers who are trying to make a go of it here.”

Brian Maher in Bovina

Maher continued, “Meeting people face to face has allowed me to get an even better grasp of the issues residents of this district are dealing with every day. I have promised them that I will not forget their stories and if they give me the honor to represent them in Albany; I will fight each day on their behalf.”

Along the way, Maher has also had the opportunity to meet with several local elected leaders to get a better understanding of the issues many of these towns will be facing in the next year. Maher saw first hand that many of these towns; especially Neversink in Sullivan County, felt the wrath of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Maher stated, “I have assured local leaders that, if elected, I will fight tooth and nail for our fair share of recovery funds.” Maher, as Mayor of Walden, was also able to relate with many of the struggles these community leaders are facing on budgetary matters, and increased mandate burdens from Albany. “As I have stated before, the 2% tax cap was just the first step in getting local taxes and spending under control”. Maher continued, “The next step is true mandate reform to lessen the burden these local officials face in creating fiscally conservative budgets.

Maher spent remainder of Wednesday meeting with residents of the Village of Delhi, students at the SUNY Delhi campus and spent time in the Town of Meredith.

On Thursday morning, he departed for Day 4 of his journey which will take him through much of the Otsego County portion of the district.

After Otsego County, Maher’s journey will then take him onward to Herkimer County and conclude with a rally on Sunday in Oneida County.

To follow Maher on his tour of the 101st District and read daily blog entries of his experiences, please visit www.mahertolabany.com. There is a link available on the main page that will directly take you to a dedicated bike tour page. Maher’s campaign is actively utilizing new media such as Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and Instagram during the tour

Assembly candidate Maher also welcomes the opportunity to meet individually with any members of the media, local elected officials or the public during his journey. Arrangements can be made by contacting Mike Scheels at 845.537.5152.

The 101st District includes portions of Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, Delaware, Otsego, Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

The Walden Village Police Department is currently investigating the theft of their Decatur “speed sign” from South Montgomery Street (also known as River Road).

The sign displays a driver’s speed as they approach it by the use of a radar “gun” which is enclosed in a metal box.  The sign, radar “gun” and electronics were stolen sometime early Tuesday morning.

The unit appears to have been removed with the use of cutting tools.

Walden Police believe the sign was taken as a “trophy”.  Anyone with information leading to the recovery of the sign, radar gun and electronics should contact the Walden Village Police Department at 845-778-5595, or by E-mail.

All information will be kept confidential.  A reward is also possible. The photo below is the actual sign.

On Wednesday May 9, at approximately 6:50 PM, Walden Village Police received a complaint of a subject driving a lawn tractor with a trailer in tow on the streets of Walden, asking for directions.

Officers stopped the tractor on Oak Street and conducted their investigation.  The driver, Joseph Spielberger, 56 of Montgomery, was driving the lawn tractor from his residence on Zwart Lane to the area of the Thruway Market – over two miles from his residence.  He was found to be operating under the influence of alcohol as well as a revoked license.  His BAC was .17, which is twice the legal level for operating a motor vehicle.

Spielberger was charged with Driving While Intoxicated as a misdemeanor, felony Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Possession of an Open Container, and numerous other vehicle and traffic infractions.

He was released to return June 13, 2012 in Walden Court.

On Sunday August 25, 2013, officers from the Village of Walden Police Department were dispatched to the area of 22 Ridge Avenue for a reported stabbing. When officers arrived at the scene, the found 26 year old Daniel Atkinson of Walden lying in the road bleeding from his right side.

Donisha Henderson, 29 also of Walden was also at the scene standing next to the victim.

An investigation revealed that that the couple was involved in a verbal and physical altercation inside their apartment which led to Henderson stabbing Atkinson with a kitchen knife.

Atkinson was transported to Westchester Medical Center via helicopter where he is said to be in stable condition with internal injuries.

Henderson has been charged with assault. She was remanded to Orange County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Walden Police were assisted by State Police Montgomery, Montgomery Town Police, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and Orange County DA’s Office.

State Police are assisting Walden Police with an investigation into an early morning assault at a North Montgomery Street home that resulted in the death of one person.

According to Village of Walden Mayor Brian Maher, the police are investigating the incident as a homicide.

Police are not commenting at this time if anyone is in custody.

Police activity could be seen in the area and passer-bys contacted Hudson Valley Insider to say there was police tape blocking off a residence and blood could be seen covering the ground.

As details emerge, Hudson Valley Insider will update this story.