Community Corner

🌱 Will the Newburgh-Beacon ferry really come back next year?

Also check out Bark Culture on the Beacon Patch calendar

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
Thursday December 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Coffee in hand, Beacon? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will the Newburgh-Beacon ferry really come back next year?
  • Which Beacon school water fountains tested above New York’s new lead limit?
  • How was Beacon police involved in this major Dutchess drug bust?

Also on today's calendar: Free Farm Stand Beacon — FAREGROUND FOOD + COMMUNITY.

Find out what's happening in Beaconfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Find out what's happening in Beaconfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 44 and low of 40 degrees.
  • Friday: Windy; rain in the morning, temps: high: 55, low: 27.
  • Saturday: Some sun, then clouds; colder, with a high of 36 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Coalition pushes Hochul to restore Newburgh-Beacon ferry across Hudson (lohud.com) — Beacon commuters may soon see renewed pressure on Albany to bring back the Newburgh-Beacon ferry, as a local coalition and Rep. Pat Ryan push Gov. Hochul and the MTA to restore service. While a big increase in free shuttle buses starts January 2, 2026, advocates say bridge traffic and lost river access mean only the ferry can truly fix Beacon’s commuting crunch.
   

2. Lead Found In Water At Dozens Of Schools In Hudson Valley, State Data Shows (dailyvoice.com) — Beacon City School District is among dozens of Hudson Valley districts where at least one school water outlet recently tested above New York’s stricter lead limit, triggering required shutdowns and remediation. State health officials stress that only specific fixtures are affected, but schools must provide safe alternative drinking water and fix the problem before reopening those outlets.
   

3. Undercover Drug Task Force Sting Leads To Capture Of Dutchess County Drug Dealer: DA (patch.com) — Dutchess County’s Drug Task Force arrested a Poughkeepsie man after seizing cocaine and other evidence from a South Hamilton Street apartment, and several additional charges are pending. Beacon residents should know their city’s police department was part of the multi-agency collaboration credited with making the operation and arrest possible, and tips about drug activity are still being sought.
   

4. Democratic county lawmaker launches Senate campaign (midhudsonnews.com) — A Dutchess County legislator has launched a campaign for State Senate in District 39, which includes the City of Beacon along with much of Dutchess County. She’s emphasizing affordability, infrastructure, and services like childcare and eldercare, and points to her local government experience and community activism as reasons she believes she can better represent Hudson Valley residents in Albany.
   

📸 Around Beacon

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Beacon

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Thursday December 18
  • Bark Culture
    The Yard, 4 Hanna Ln, Beacon
    7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Beacon Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Beacon PatchAM possible:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • A vehicle collision on the Mid-Hudson Bridge eastbound from Highland to Poughkeepsie has cleared, with the right lane previously blocked.
    10:10AM on Dec 16: Accident on the Mid-Hudson Bridge Eastbound with the right lane blocked. (Nextdoor )
  • Beacon Mobility posted a job opening for Payroll Specialist in Beacon. Apply here.
  • The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Lot Associate in Beacon. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Beacon here.

Ok Beacon! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
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