This week’s News + Notes
Dutchess County:
County parks to be open later beginning Monday
As days get longer, so does the time you can spend at one of Dutchess County’s parks. Starting Monday, February 9, Bowdoin Park, Wilcox Memorial Park and Upper Landing Park will be open until 6pm. dutchessny.gov/parks.
Dutchess libraries to receive $12K, readers to receive more access to e-books
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has announced a partnership with the Dutchess County Library Association to expand the eBook and audiobook collection available across all 22 libraries in Dutchess County with a $12,000 Agency Partner Grant to give residents greater access to digital titles.
While convenient and expansive, eBooks and audiobooks create new challenges for local libraries as they are much more costly compared to print copies. To provide digital titles, the Dutchess County Library Association uses Libby, as user-friendly app, but libraries must purchase special licensing to allow them to lend to multiple users. These licenses must be renewed periodically, or after a set number of checkouts, and ultimately cost libraries three to four times more than print editions of the same book.
A valid library card is required to sign in and access book titles within the Dutchess County library system.
Wappingers Falls business creates opportunities for women, and bags for Super Bowl wives
The women of Unshattered are rebuilding their lives after addiction through community support and keen craftsmanship – including designing and making over 100 toiletry bags were shared with the wives and girlfriends of the players.
One of the creators at Unshattered, Cecelia, recently completed her Transition to Employment program and joined Unshattered as a full time employee. She says, “Even in my addiction, I’ve had many jobs but I’ve never built a skill.”
The bags created for the Super Bowl contained Unshattered’s trademark touch: Cecelia proudly sewed gold seams on each toiletry kit – a nod to the art of Kintsugi where pottery is mended with gold – symbolizing that “we are more beautiful for having been broken.”
Read more about Unshattered from our 2024 visit to their headquarters in Wappingers: https://hvny.info/news/2024/unshattered
Ulster County:
24/7 Crisis Support Center Opens in Kingston
Ulster County officials recently announced the opening of a new crisis support center in Kingston that provides “around-the-clock support” for youth and adults in crisis.
The Crisis Support Center, located on the first floor of the Ulster County Center for Well-Being at 368 Broadway, offers “a safe and welcoming space where people can feel comfortable and supported, and will reduce visits to the hospital emergency room.”
Services provided at the site include clinical assessments, intervention, peer support, and coordinated follow-up care.
New York State:
Deadline to change party enrollment approaching
The New York State Board of Elections is reminding residents that only voters enrolled in a political party holding a Primary Election are able to vote in that election. If you'd like to be eligible to vote in the June 2026 Primary Election and need to change/update your party enrollment, the deadline to do so is February 14, 2026.
Review Your Enrollment
Update Your Registration
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