Day 11 Prison Strike: Not Ending Any Time Soon. Increase In Officers Striking. A Recap

The prison strike is in Day 11 and is not letting up any time soon. In fact, the number of Corrections Officers striking is increasing, according to this Cease and Desist court document that was served to them (possibly served illegally if it was served on a Sunday and/or left on a porch or somewhere else, according to one Fishkill Correctional Officer who spoke with ALBB).

“As of Sunday, February 23, 2025, the number of correctional facilities with officers on strike has risen to thirty-eight (38). The number of officers participating in the strike has also risen dramatically since February 18, 2025,” New York State Department Of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) states as the petitioner in their order for Corrections Officers to return to work immediately.

New York State says the strike is illegal under the Taylor Law that says state employees cannot strike. Corrections Officers dispute that. One officer told ALBB: “What we are doing, the courts are going to find that what we are doing is not illegal. There is an exemption to the Taylor law. If the reason for the strike is working in extremely dangerous working conditions.”

ALBB observed to one of our sources that these officers didn’t seem like the protesting types. Our source agreed, and said they are very scared. This week, SCAB posters were zip-tied to the street signs along Matteawan Road, which is the road to both the prison and the school. The literal school-to-prison pipeline.

The posters were removed. These officers popped up with more posters in their hands, to psychically stand there if the posters were going to get cut down again. One officer wears a rat mask with red eyes, which symbolizes a person working through a strike. The officers are trying to encourage their fellow officers to strike in order to end the strike sooner (read about that here).

Seeing these officers standing here on the street corner - a new location, as they are normally on Rte. 52 at the other end of this road - it is clear they are getting the hang of this protest thing. Their signs read:

• No One Is Safe Inside

• It’s Not Too Late: Join Us

• Stop The 24 Hour Mandates

• Repeal H.A.L.T.

Why Are The Corrections Officers Striking?
Before we get into that, let’s ask:

Who Are The Corrections Officers?
For those new to Beacon, you will learn that Beacon is surrounded by prisons. Therefore, there is a large employment population here of Corrections Officers (COs) - people who work in the prisons. There are also people who prepare meals, do administrative jobs, etc.

There are also retired Corrections Officers. Sometimes they enjoy their retirement and have long lunches, and sometimes they find other jobs, like as security guards in the public schools. Is it fair that they are earning pension and a salary, when some people just want to earn a salary? That is a topic for another time.

Where Do They Work?
In Beacon, some work at the Fishkill Correctional Facility, or at the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center, or other places. One formerly incarcerated person, Ryan Manzi (the Free Palestine chalk artist), describes the Dutchess County facility as “a 💩 way of making a poorly run jail facility sound less offensive.”

Ok. So Why Are The Corrections Officers Striking?
Both formerly incarcerated people and the officers have told ALBB that life inside the jail is like the Wild West. Violent and unfair. For both the officers and the incarcerated people. For the latter, their stories sometimes make it out, sometimes they don’t, and sometimes they die. For officers, because they are in power, their gripes don’t usually make the news.

Until now. “We come out here because we can’t deal with it anymore,” one Fishkill Correctional Office told ALBB. “We are working for a lawless state agency. DOCCS is violating our contract by failing to maintain safe staffing levels inside.” DOCCS has declared that staffing to 70% is the new 100%. For reasons unknown, DOCCS will pay officers overtime on the regular, and without the officers’ permission, but won’t hire as many officers as they need. Recruitment is also an issue, because who wants to work in these conditions.

The officer went onto describe several violent scenarios that happen on a daily basis. “Before H.A.L.T., it was controlled chaos. The Wild West. Fishkill is a war zone on a daily basis. We spend our days running code to code. UI. Unusual Incident. We had 850 UIs last year. When I started, that number was in the mid 200s.” He provided an example: “It’s like Mad Libs. You see the same ones over and over. Guy (incarcerated person) got sliced across the face. Ear cut off. Blood everywhere. But, so many things do not get registered UI. Unless we Narcan the guy, it’s not a UI. If we didn’t have to Narcan him, it’s nothing. No paperwork on him.”

The officer is referring to what they say is rampant drug use and exposure that comes into the jail from the outside. Which is a major reason why the officers are demanding searches of visitors, and changes in how the mail is sorted. The drugs - like fentanyl and household chemicals made into drugs - are liquefied and put onto the envelope or stamp. The incarcerated person then receives the mail, touches the drugs, and gets high, sometimes dangerously so. Officers also can come into contact with the drugs, and also get high. It is common now, the officer says, to Narcan a fellow officer to bring them out of a overdose while sorting the mail.

The Demands Of The Officers

Corrections Officers were protesting several safety issues, including:

Corrections Officers are demanding the repeal of the H.A.L.T. Act, which was

• Mandated 24hr shifts. Officers are locked into their hallways once told that they have to stay past their shift. They are not given a choice.

• Mandated Overtime. They are paid to stay, but they are not agreeing to it.

• Exposure to fentanyl through mail sorting methods.

• DOCCS being “lawless” and abusing officers. Said the Fishkill Corrections Officer to ALBB: “DOCCS is harassing officers out on workers compensation who are laying in hospital beds reviving from knee replacements, surgeries, incidents at work by being assaulted by inmates or falling down stairs in buildings DOCCS owns but doesn’t maintain. DOCCS demands they come back to work. Even though the doctor says they are in no condition to do anything.”

• Unmaintained equipment: “They [incarcerated people] break the chairs. $7,000 for a chair. There is not a wheelchair or striker chair in working condition in the Fishkill Correctional Facility,” the officer told ALBB. “After a fight between incarcerated people, we got to drag a guy in a broken wheelchair between buildings for medical treatment. We have to sit on him for 30 mins to make sure he’s OK. Then release him back into the population because he can’t go into the SHU (Special Housing Unit) to be protected against the guy who beat him because H.A.L.T. makes it so difficult to get him in there.”

• Speaking of H.A.L.T.: “We had 40 charges we could use, now we have 6 charges to choose from. He would have to do something very violent to get put into SHU if he wants to go in there to get away from another inmate.”

• Repeal of H.A.L.T. Act. This was a bill signed into law to create more humane and therapeutic ways of responding to incarcerated people, where they get put into the SHU (Special Housing Unit). Corrections Officers refer to this confinement as “jail within the jail.” It was punishment based. Bill signers wanted a rehabilitation approach. In practice, however, things seemed to have resulted differently.

  
  The Corrections Officers say they want H.A.L.T. gone. The officer told ALBB: “The inmates do not like H.A.L.T. Nobody wants halt except Albany legislature.” He went onto explain that the incarcerated people used Special Housing Unit to get away from other incarcerated people who have targeted them for rent money inside the jail (there is a hierarchy), ordered cut hits on other incarcerated people, and other situations.
  
  According to the bill: “This bill will be known as the "Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement" Act (the H.A.L.T. Solitary Confinement Act.) This bill would limit the time an inmate can spend in segregated confinement, end the segregated confinement of vulnerable people, restrict the criteria that can result in such confinement, improve conditions of confinement, and create more humane and effective alternatives to such confinement.” The bill also makes it illegal to use special or modified food diet as a punishment.
  
  Some Corrections Officers are saying they have lost the ability to “punish” inmates for violence to other incarcerated people or officers. Other Corrections Officers are saying they have lost the ability to protect a beaten incarcerated person from their aggressor.
  
  Violence to both inmates and officers is on the rise, according a breakdown presented by Spectrum News.

Social Security Office In Poughkeepsie Remains Closed - Renovations Unconfirmed

The Social Security Administration office in Poughkeepsie remains closed with no renovations having started in sight. It was reported that the office closed on January 30th, and was set to re-open temporarily, but nothing temporary has appeared. A phone number offered in the article saying it is for Poughkeepsie actually goes to West Nyack, which is also closed. An operator answering the West Nyack phone number said that they had not seen renovations at West Nyack themselves.

A reader of ALBB was unaware of the closure in Poughkeepsie and tried to utilize the office this week, but to no avail. They asked ALBB to inform the public, and also noted: “I just lost $60 on Uber, and one woman who came to the door cried. Thanks! 🍉”

The Social Security office in Newburgh closed in June 2024. The next closest is in Middletown. Both Congressman Pat Ryan and Senator Rob Rolison wrote letters demanding that it stay open, but to no avail.

Google says that the Poughkeepsie office is Open, but it is not. Additionally, the phone number listed in the Google listing routes to a different but similar circle of nowhere. When you hit 0 for Operator, the recording requests that you enter your entire social security number before advancing. ALBB did not do that, and hung up.

Congressman Pat Ryan had demanded that the Poughkeepsie office be opened, and doubted that renovations were the reason. The Congressman said in an email sent to the Poughkeepsie Journal: "It’s absolutely outrageous that the only Social Security office in Dutchess has closed its doors to seniors seeking in-person assistance," He had pursued the Social Security office for a timeline of renovations, and demanded communications with the public, but received no reply. He continued: "And it’s completely unacceptable that almost two weeks later, the Social Security Administration still hasn’t responded to the most basic of questions."

Former Mayor of Poughkeepsie and current New York State Senator Rob Rolison also said to the Poughkeepsie Journal: "Disruptions like this, temporary or not, cause real, tangible challenges for those who need timely access and support. The well-being of so many in the Hudson Valley depends on access to the Social Security Administration office and staff, and forcing transportation to Middletown is simply not an option for too many individuals."

Neither elected officials were successful in keeping the Newburgh office open, so chances look bleak for Poughkeepsie. ALBB reached out to Congressman Ryan’s Poughkeepsie office, spoke to his staff, but has not received an update.

The Poughkeepsie Journal interviewed a Poughkeepsie resident, Ernest Robinson, about how he would access the next closest Social Security office in Middletown if he needs help with accessing his benefits. Ernest said: “You would have to take Metro-North all the way down to, I think, Croton-Harmon. Then switch over and come back up on the Amtrak line," Robinson said. "So it would be definitely difficult.” The trip would take over an hour.

People use Social Security offices to get new cards and to access their benefits, which include:

• Retirement Benefits

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Benefits for spouses and other survivors of a family member who has died

The auto-loop answering service said that those applying for Disability Insurance would need to wait at least 200 days for their application to be processed.

Re Solicitors: City Administrator Says To "Call The Police;" vs Shut The Front Door

In a post to the City of Beacon’s Facebook page, Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White encouraged people to call the police after a person comes to an individual’s residence to sell services, as it is a violation of the City’s Peddling and Soliciting Law instead of simply shutting the front door.

People who come around selling services include local roofing companies, who will tell you they are “just finishing up a job on your street, and we wanted to give you an estimate or give you our card.” You can shut the front door.

Most common are younger people who come around selling alternative energy choices, and ask to see your Central Hudson bill to determine how much money you can save with their company. These people are usually from out of state and hired by those alternative energy companies to go around neighborhoods soliciting. These people are sometimes put up in hotels in Fishkill to do this work. For them, they are doing what they were hired to do. For us, they may be breaking Beacon’s local Peddling and Soliciting Law.

When you ask to see their Peddler’s Permit, they may say: “My manager has it,” or “I didn’t bring it with me.” All you need to do is shut the front door. In 2018, there was a convincing campaign going around for testing the water. The company did apply for an receive a Peddler’s Permit, according to then City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero, but their marketing was masked, as reported by ALBB. Read about that here.

If your child is home with you, and they see you swiftly deny this person consideration for their services, your child may tone-police you and say: “Mommy, why were you rude to that person?” You can simply say: “It is not rude to deny a person entry to our home, or consideration for their services. If that is rude, then sometimes Mommy is rude.”

No included in the Peddler’s Permit requirement are Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, school groups, and politicians. Former Beacon City Councilmember and current Chair for the Spirit of Beacon Day, Ali T. Muhammad, responded to the Facebook message with this comment: “And this is not a message telling you not to participate in the electoral process of signing someone’s petition to get on the ballot. Support the process. It’ll help you become an informed voter.”

Calling the police is an escalation. Just say no. Or “No thank you, have a nice day.”

During campaign seasons, people seeking to get onto the local ballot are required to get a number of signatures to be considered. Especially if that person is new to politics, this might be a new face.

Message From The City Administrator Chris White:

From the original post, the message reads: “The City has received reports over the past week of solicitors going door to door to sell services. If someone comes to your door, please ask them to show their City of Beacon permit and check the date to make sure it is not expired. All solicitors are required to obtain and carry a "Peddling and Soliciting Permit" under our local law with the exception of local youth (e.g. Scouts, school groups) and political candidates. If they cannot show their Peddler Permit, please call the Police at 845-831-4111 and report them for violating the City's Peddler Law. Also, if you do not want any solicitors at your home, you can either put up signage stating "No Solicitors" or register your address on the City's "No Knock List."

The Return: New Fu Xing Chinese Restaurant To Re-Open March 1st

Like a 🐦‍🔥 phoenix, the Chinese restaurant at 250 Main Street next to Key Food is reopening on March 1st. True to the message stenciled on their building: #strength

This news first published on ALBB’s Instagram, and the comments were matched:

_elijahhughes: U can shakeback from anything in life

tonyechandy: best chinese spot in beacon

thegreenbowlny: Yessss

libgaza: I hope they don’t change the name. Never been there, but I loved the name.

chefkellzylieu: They’re not new to this, They’re TRUE TO THIS!!

kaydiane27: Omg! :-D

flexinoverzeke: YESSSS

bigmeechavelii: @_elijahhughes 🔥🔥

Striking Corrections Officers Write Messages On Protest Posters For Fellow Officers To Join Them

On the way to school - to the Beacon High School or Middle School - parents, caregivers, students, staff, and retired Corrections Officers who are security guards, have most likely seen the strike posters that have been popping up on Matteawan Avenue, which is the main artery to the schools and the prison. Some call it a living metaphor for the school to prison pipeline. For some, it’s all a loop. Even some retired teachers become Corrections Officers, who were standing on the picket line today outside the Fishkill Correctional Facility.

This week there were two new posters. One reads: “Stop By And Thank Us For 2.5 OT, SCAB Cowards.”

The 2.5 OT is in reference to the additional pay that current Corrections Officers are getting for working through the strike. They are getting 2.5 times their normal rate.

Today, ALBB asked one Corrections Officer out on the line if it was hard to publicly call out other officers who are working. The officer responded: “I have mixed emotions for people not on strike. We work with them. Someone who is a single parent. Special needs. They have special circumstances, and I get it. I for one don't feel good about pushing on them. But lots of people don’t have special circumstances. People are afraid of NY State. Some people are greedy. One officer driving by rolled down the window and said 'I’m going work!' because he knew we knew he was getting paid so much more now in Over Time.”

“We are from all cultures,” the officer continued. “We are a giant dysfunctional family most days. The biggest thing is, when we are out here on the street, we can’t be in there to protect them,” the officer said, in reference to other officers, nodding to the jail across the street. “The protectors are all out here. Sometimes they [those not striking] don’t recognize the seriousness of the situation.”

“DOCCS violated federal law by refusing to accommodate for Muslim officers to grow beards. They [DOCCS] lost that. We won. The officers won.”

— Correctoins Officer at Fishkill Correctional

While the officer was listing what he viewed as several federal violations made by DOCCS (Department of Corrections and Community Supervision) over the years, the officer included an example of fellow officers suing the DOCCS for prohibiting officers from growing and wearing beards. “DOCCS violated federal law by refusing to accommodate for Muslim officers to grow beards. They [DOCCS] lost that. We won. The officers won.”

Another officer today expressed concern over what was going to happen when Ramadan starts on Friday. “Who is going to give the Muslims their special meals?” one officer asked. “They [the Muslim male incarcerated people] don’t screw around. They have issues with the female officers. Their special meals and times are accommodated, but I don’t know how that is going to happen while we are outside.”

“Another officer today expressed concern over what was going to happen when Ramadan starts on Friday. “Who is going to give the Muslims their special meals?” one officer asked. “They [the Muslim male incarcerated people] don’t screw around. They have issues with the female officers. Their special meals and times are accommodated, but I don’t know how that is going to happen while we are outside.””

— Corrections Officer at Fishkill Correctional Facility

As new developments happen each day with the National Guard inside, who have no experience in the correctional world, some officers who are hearing what the National Guard is experiencing were imagining what might be next.

ALBB did not have time to inquire further on the accommodations or idiosyncrasies around incarcerated Muslim males and female officers, but will try during another visit.

Today, there was a large spread of donated food, including warming dishes from catering for Spanish and Italian food. Another Corrections Officer, a quiet person who was organizing the food spread, wanted ALBB to take a photo of the birthday cake, as it was a different officer’s birthday today.

Correction Officers Served Court Orders To Stop Striking By NY State Police - Threats Of Arrest - Loss of Health Care

Over the weekend, Corrections Officers who are striking in what has become a state-wide prison strike (read more of the origins here), began to be served court orders to stop striking. New York State Police Officers began delivering the cease and desist letters that were ordered by Governor Kathy Hochul.

The Times Union reports that some letters are being sent by mail and email. A Fishkill Corrections Officer told A Little Beacon Blog today 2-25-2025 that some court orders were served to striking Fishkill officers on Sunday, a day which is not allowed in New York State, and being left somewhere not in a person’s hands, which may be part of a Conspicuous Service, which is when a person cannot be found and the server makes at least 2 attempts to find them, and then leaves the paper in an approved place and sends a copy by mail. Conspicuous Service, however, can only be done under certain circumstances. Serving the papers incorrectly could be reason to delay or throw out the start of a legal case.

Corrections Officers of the Fishkill Corrections Facility confirm that some officers have received the court order at their homes, which some felt was an unlawful delivery on the weekend. “These are scare tactics from Albany,” one Corrections Officer told ALBB. “They were out serving people on Sunday between 10pm and Midnight.” NY State Law states that the hours between 6am and 10pm be used.

“They can’t serve those cease and desist orders on a Sunday. Some police were leaving the paperwork on the Corrections Officers’ doorsteps. There are rules about getting served. It has to be in person. They need to verify that it’s you. An admission that ‘Yes I am the person.’ No signature by you is required when getting served.”

Said another officer: “One person I know was standing outside when the police came. We are telling everyone to stay inside.” The Times Union reported: “On Saturday, striking Correction Officers were informed that they are not being paid and have been listed as ‘absent without leave’ during their ‘illegal work action.’ In addition, they were cautioned that their health insurance coverage is being terminated.”

One Corrections Officer stated to ALBB: “They (DOCC) are lawless. This is the problem with our agency - the Department Of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) - and the State of New York. They use emotional scare tactics on people already scared of this job.”

In the interview with ALBB, the Corrections Officer continued with an example of a fellow officer who was not striking but was out on Family Medical Leave (FMLA) for his wife who has been battling cancer for 2 years: “I called one of our officers to check in on him. He’s not striking, but he’s out on FMLA. He can’t deal with anything. His wife has cancer. When he called DOCCS to check on his own status, they said: ‘Just so you know, you’re being classified as AWOL.’ They were threatening to use that to threaten him off payroll and lose health insurance. Now that guy is sitting at home, looking at his wife, thinking my health insurance is going to get canceled. What am going to do.’”

Corrections Officers who are working in place of striking officers are getting paid 2.5 times their usual rate. The Times Union also reports that in addition to National Guard being used to assist in securing the prisons, and supplying meals and medicine, NY State Police are also being called to work in the prisons. “State Police also are assisting with security at multiple prisons; a missive shared with members on Friday said that officials at the agency’s headquarters had ‘sent out a request to compile a list of all troopers with prior NY State Department of Corrections experience.’”

When serving court documents, parties who are involved in the situation cannot serve the papers. It is unclear at this time if the NY State Police would be considered a participating party, since some of them may be filling in for striking Corrections Officers.

“We don’t want to be out here,” the Fishkill Correctional Officer told ALBB. “We have tried for 5 years to bring these issues before the jail.” He was referring to rising acts of violence on inmates by inmates, as well as inmates on officers. Spectrum News did a analysis of rising acts of violance on inmates and officers in the last 5 years since H.A.L.T. was s started.

“There are 15 officers to cover the RRU program. The most violent program.” The RRU (Residential Rehabilitation Unit) is a part of the H.A.L.T. program, which to the public, is known as a program that eliminated the concept of “solitary confinement,” or made it more difficult to put an incarcerated person away from the general population of the jail. The Corrections Officers say that after a fight between incarcerated people, where the injuries are serious, they want to separate them and put those people or one of them out of the general population for their own safety, and that of who they fought with.

According to the NY State manual, the “RRU is the separate housing unit used for therapy, treatment, and rehabilitative programming of incarcerated individuals who have been determined to require more than 15 days of disciplinary confinement pursuant to Department proceedings. Such units shall be therapeutic, trauma-informed, and aim to address individual treatment and rehabilitation needs and underlying causes of problematic behaviors.”

The Corrections Officer continued: “But you got 5 officers. You call them (DOCC) and you say ‘I don’t have enough staff,” and they say ‘make it work.’ That’s always been DOCCS’ motto. We have made shit work at our own peril. I’m amazed that none of use have been murdered. There is a line in corrections ‘no one walks alone.’ We are all walking alone now.”

Memo Issued Last Week From DOCCS To Officers to Pause Parts Of H.A.L.T. As Concession To Strike

Fishkill Correctional Facility Superintendent Michael Daye, who last Thursday walked down a piece of paper to the group of people standing across the street from the prison.
Photo Credit: ALBB

One day after a New York Supreme Court Judged issued a restraining order against Corrections Officers refusing to go to work as they reject mandated 24-36 hour shifts and demand safer working conditions through the repeal of H.A.L.T., a law enacted to eliminate solitary confinement used as punishment or retaliation against incarcerated people in their care, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Commissioner, Daniel Martuscello III, issued a memo on Thursday that would temporarily suspend parts of the H.A.L.T. Act, which stands for Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement.

As explained by WSKG, "The HALT Act is meant to limit extended solitary confinement. It allows for some hours outside the cell while in solitary holding. Its use is prohibited to those 21 years or younger, or 55 years and older—and those who are disabled or pregnant. Solitary confinement is also limited to 15 consecutive days."

Retired Corrections Officers who have been speaking on behalf of currently employed Corrections officers have indicated that the officers will not end the strike until H.A.L.T. is repealed, citing unsafe working conditions when incarcerated people cut and injure other incarcerated people or other officers.

Retirees have told ALBB that without disciplinary repercussions for physical abuse, there is incentive for people not to get into fights who feel compelled to do so. Separating two individuals fighting has become almost impossible.

Yet, as is common in the judicial system, revenge can be carried out by those in authority within the judicial system to send someone into solitary confinement who otherwise did not deserve to be separated or punished in that manner.

The recent death of Robert Brooks by a group of Corrections Officers who took turns beating him is fresh in the news as a reminder to how unsafe an incarcerated person can be within prison walls. As of this reporting, at least 10 officers have been charged in his beating, as reported by Syracuse News. The beating death of Robert Brooks was only revealed because body cameras were on some officers involved in the killing.

The memo from DOCCS offered that solitary confinement "can take place under 'exceptional circumstances' that 'create a significant and unreasonable risk to the safety and security of other incarcerated persons, staff or the facility,'” WSKG reported.

DOCCS also offered to take no disciplinary action against anyone striking if they reported to work the next day. However, the number of people on the picket line across from Fishkill Correctional Facility has only increased since then.

WSKG reports that the DOCCS memo also "eliminated" the 70/30 memo issued by DOCCS Commissioner Daniel that codified a lower staffing requirement. Fewer people on staff means more employees are mandated to work 24-36 hour shifts and forced to earn overtime that they did not sign up to earn. The 70/30 rule established 70% staffing as the new 100%. The Commissioner has since offered to reverse that in this latest memo, according to WSKG.

For those officers not on strike, overtime will be granted at 2.5 times the regular rate of pay.

The memo also stated that DOCCS would work with the Corrections Officers Union, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) to increase recruitment issues. Retirees have stated that recruitment is a problem because of the increased violence that happens to incarcerated people and officers since the H.A.L.T Act was enacted. Spectrum News published the rate of increased violence to both parties over the years.

It is not clear why anyone would want to work as a Corrections Officer under these conditions. It is clear that people who become incarcerated are not always safe from other incarcerated people, Corrections Officers, or people on the outside who want to enact revenge with increased charges to lengthen time spent in prison by tweaking levers of the judicial system to their advantage.

The National Guard remains deployed in several prisons throughout New York State to provide meals and medication to incarcerated people.

Pictured here is Fishkill Correctional Facility Superintendent Michael Daye, who last Thursday walked down a piece of paper to the group of people standing across the street from the prison. On video taken by ALBB, he can be heard saying to a retired officer representing the group: “I can’t make them take it, but I attempted to deliver it.”

ALBB could not confirm the content contained on the paper, and if it was the Thursday memo from DOCCS. Moments after he attempted to deliver the document and walked away, a person followed the Superintendent to retrieve the piece of paper.

Judge Grants Temporary Restraining Order Mandating End To Strike Of Some Corrections Officers

Last Wednesday, a New Yorker Supreme Court Judge granted a temporary restraining order that mandated that Corrections Officers end their strike. Officers are striking for unsafe working conditions, mandated 24 shifts, unsafe mail sorting practices, and purposeful low staffing known as 70/30, where 70% staffed is the new 100%, as reported by ALBB last week. The Union representing the Corrections Officers, the NYSCOPBA, has maintained since the beginning of the strike that it is “not in any way sanctioned,” reports numerous outlets including WIVB4.

In court documents obtained by WIVB4, the strike is deemed illegal by the Taylor Law, which prohibits public employees from striking without permission from their union. Workers can be docked "twice their daily rate of pay," the legislation says, "not earlier than 30 nor later than 90 days following the date of such determination."

A National Guard truck headed to Fishkill Correctional Facility during the strike of some corrections Officers.
photo Credit: Anonymous

Governor Hochul ordered the National Guard to replace Corrections Officers who are outside striking. The National Guard is to distribute meals and medicine to incarcerated people.

WIVB4 reported that Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said: “Deploying our National Guard makes this situation even more dangerous. As a former member of the New York National Guard, I have the highest regard for these soldiers,” he said. “This is not what they are trained for.”

It's Today :: Things To Do! 2-22-2025

Happening before 12pm noon, so we will let you get to it! Event Listings: If you want your event listed here, it can be considered gratis if it's a free community event. Submit here. If it is a fundraiser or ticket price, then you can list it here beginning at $185 with other options. Purchase here. Huge thanks to ALBB's Member Advertising Sponsors featured here below! Pilates PopUp From ROC Pilates @ Alchemy Day: Saturday February 22, 2025 Time: 12pm Price: $23 Location: Alchemy, 418 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Unleash your inner powerhouse in this fun and dynamic Contrology (Pilates) class. Rooted in the original method developed by Joseph Pilates, this classical Pilates class will challenge your strength, flexibility, and mind-body connection through precise, flowing movements. Expect a low-impact, high-intensity workout that focuses on your entire body. Whether you’re a Pilates pro or brand new to the practice, you’ll leave feeling stronger, taller, and more energized. Book Now > Beacon Open Studios Show @ The Yard Day: Saturday - Sunday, February 22-23, 2025 Time: 12-6pm Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 Join Beacon Open Studios for their curated Winter Group Show at The Yard, This year's show is curated and themed "BAGGAGE CLAIM," about the nature of growth, seldom linear, occasionally cyclical. Pieces are for sale. Information > GARRISON ART CENTER Artist Talk with Amy Cheng, Erik Schoonebeek and Zac Skinner About Their Exhibition "Home Is Where the Heart Is" Day: Saturday, February 22 Time: 2-3pm Price: Free Location: 23 Garrison's Landing, Garrison, NY 10524 Artists Amy Cheng, Erik Schoonebeek, and Zac Skinner will discuss their exhibition, 'Home Is Where the Heart Is.' “The exhibition expands our perspective on where we live, exploring the multifaceted concept of 'home' across three scales—the personal, the planetary, and the cosmic—to deepen our appreciation for the delicate balance that sustains us all.” — Amy Cheng, Erik Schoonebeek, and Zac Skinner The Artist Talk is free and open to the public. Information > Beacon Spring Celebration Of Light Will Day: Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 Theme: Wood Snake Location: Pohill Park, walk all the way down Main Street, ending at The Yard (4 Hanna Lane) for celebration gathering with music and bonfires. 5:30pm Gather Pohill Park (corner Main Street, Wolcott Ave., South Ave.) Information > THE YARD All Upcoming Events Day: Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 Theme: Wood Snake Location: 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY Feb. 22, 23 (Sat./Sun.): Beacon Open Studios Winter Show Gallery Hours Feb. 22 (Sat.): Beacon Spring of Light Celebration Feb 26 (Wednesday): Beacon's Big Button Game Show! March 1 (Sat.): Heavy Resin - The Same Heinous DX Sculptures from Clutter March 6 (Thursday): Broadway in Beacon! March 7 (Friday): Live Music: Jake Sherman & Julia Zivic March 8 (Sunday): Live Music: Zed Star Seven & Ears with Eyes March 14 (Friday): Live Music: Songsmith with Leah Valentine Information > Rally for a Free Palestine Day: Every Sunday Time: 12-1:30pm Location: Orange Plaza, corner of NY-211 and Dunning Road Rally Middletown is a Jewish-participated, all-inclusive group locally advocating for the liberation of Palestine. Information > Beacon's St. Patrick's Day Parade Of Green Day: Saturday, March 8th, 2025 Time: 12pm Location: Main Street   Fishkill Avenue Concepts Committee Community Feedback Session Day: Sunday, March 9th, 2025 Time: 2-5pm Location: Industrial Arts Brewing Company 511 Fishkill Avenue, Beacon NY 12508 The Fishkill Avenue Concepts Committee will give a presentation on proposed recommendations for the proposed rezoning of this area, ever since the Healey Car Dealership left. Currently, they are wanting to do away with all auto-related zoning (car wash, auto mechanics, Auto Zone), except for the businesses currently there. They are inclined to not let any drive-throughs in, and are getting pressured by community members to create comfortable and safe bike lanes. The Mayor is inclined to have the bike lanes be on the future Rail Trail. Some community members are pushing back against new storage facilities. The discussion overall is curating what types of businesses can open there, and where parking will be in relation to neighboring homes. Let your voice be heard by participating in the feeedback discussion following the presentation.   New Community Soup Kitchens In Beacon FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate >   Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 Information >   Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu? Subscribe to ALBB's Advertising Membership here. HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY Beacon's newest burger spot is open. Palmetto Burger Co. It's a smashburger infused with South Carolina flavor. Follow HV Food Hall's Chefs: Nami Yum Yum Roosevelt Bar Dulce Cielo Mexico Tara Fusion Cuisine Old Dhaka Coffee House Five Pennies Creamery Palmetto Burger Co. Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor! BAGEL-ISH 226 Main Street, Beacon, NY Doris, the Lebanese sandwich maker in Bagel-ish, brought her Middle Eastern flavor to the new Baba Ganoush spread at Bagel-ish. Order with a sliced bagel of your choice, and enjoy! This Baba Ganoush has a light and creamy texture with no creme. ALBB enjoyed it with a sliced Za'atar bagel, which is another Middle Eastern spice blend flavoring the bagel. NOTE: Available limited time only. Instagram > Bagel-ish is a Sponsor! ZIATUN 244 Main Street, Beacon, NY Just down the block from Bagel-ish is the mecca of Middle Eastern food, Ziatun, which is Palestinian-owned and also has Baba Ganoush. Try them both and experience the difference! Both authentic recipes will leave you satisfied and returning for more. Ziatun is Palestinian-Owned. Open everyday. Instagram > Ziatun is a Sponsor! CARTER'S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 424 Main St. They're so pretty...Carter's New York sour, made with whiskey sour topped with red wine, mixed with lemon juice and simple syrup. Delivery: Call 845-743-6527 to place your order and name your time. Happy Hour Monday-Friday. Catering and Private Parties available. Instagram > Carters is a Sponsor! BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193-195 Main Street, Beacon, NY Fuel up at Beacon Bread Co. with the bacon, eggs and pancakes. Did you see Kamel making his favorite egg dish, the Huevos Rancheros? ALBB went into the kitchen to film the chef. Watch it here. Open everyday. Wholesale, special orders, and events/catering available. Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor! Features from our Sponsors. Is your shop stocking your shelves? Subscribe to ALBB's Advertising Membership here. Eggbert’s Free Range Farm Hot dogs can get fancy too! Eggbert's All Natural Beef Hot Dogs are used in Hibino's Lunch PopUp at Little King. These are the Mini Maki with lettuce, Japanese karashi mustard and white rice. Follow Eggbert's Instagram for new popup announcements from Hibino. Order online if you can't make the market > FARMERS MARKETS: Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 10am-1pm Sundays: Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm SHOP ONLINE: Online ordering is available 24/7. DELIVERY: 🚚 Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Website > Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor! THE STATION DISPENSARY 463 Main Street, Beacon The ounces are in! The most potent flower in the store, Hudson Valley based Alchemy Pure is in stock. Coming in HOOCH, Train Wreck, and be sure to ask about the Space Panda. The Oreo x Oreo blend. A video featuring Dapper Dan telling you all about it is dropping on ALBB's IG later today. +21 plus Bring ID Open Daily from 11am-9pm. Instagram > The Station is a Sponsor, thank you! BINNACLE BOOKS Take yourself on a blind date to Binnacle Books. Their famous "Blind Date With A Book" section remains. Wrapped as a little package, each book comes with hints of what it is about, without giving the title away. A mystery. Instagram > R O C PILATES 124 Rombout Avenue P I L A T E S Classes Small Group or Private Lesson. Using the Magic Circle while on the Reformer machine, this small group class works on core strengthening. The movements are small, but the results go a long way. Small Group classes start at $35. C L A S S E S Monday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 5pm Tuesday: 5:30pm Wednesday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 5pm Thursday: 5:30pm Friday: 9am Saturday: 9am, 10am Sunday: 9am Book Online > Art "Be Creative" Drop In Days Location: Beacon Recreation Center, 23 West Center Street Day: Wednesdays Starting Oct 2nd Time: 11:00 am and 1:00pm Looking to make time for more creativity in your life? Drop-in at the Beacon Recreation Center and find your inspiration with other local creatives. Bring your own art supplies. This is a self-directed program - no instruction is planned, but they'll be plenty of support and encouragement! Questions? Reach out to Liz Foster 845-375-6884 • fostee5@yahoo.com Information > BUSINESSES IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ART > ANTIQUES Hudson Valley Auctioneers > AUTOMOTIVE > TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Luxury Taxi Service, AQ Services, Inc from Luther Lopez > BEAUTY The Luminous Bride >  Makeup By Jenny Magliano > BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES See them here > BRANDING  >  MARKETING & PR Tin Shingle Katie James, Inc. DAYCARE PlayTivity DENTAL Beacon Dental ENTERTAINMENT + EVENT SPACE The Yard HEALTH AND WELLNESS > MASSAGE River Therapeutic Massage  HOME IMPROVEMENT > APPLIANCE REPAIR See them here > HISPANIC OWNED BUSINESS See them here > MUSIC Miss Vickie's Music List Your Business In The Business Directory >  LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY Read Our Latest Articles Advertise With Us! Stay Up To Date With City Council Meetings

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National Guard Called To Fishkill Correctional While Some Officers Join State-Wide Strike

By day 3 of the striking Correction Officers across New York State including Fishkill Correction Facility in Beacon, NY, the National Guard, executive ordered by Governor Kathy Hochul on Day 2 (Wednesday), arrived with troops to stand in for officers outside who are demanding better working conditions, as reported by Democrat and Chronicle. “A New York supreme court judge granted a temporary order Wednesday to stop the strikes at prisons across the state,” the newspaper reported. ALBB reported on the demands of the Correction Officers on Tuesday.

Retiree Sargent Dale Larson holding a sign that says “Governor Hochul Do Your Job!” as he is there to support current Correction Officers.

Men and women stood on the curb of Rte. 52, holding their signs high while their faces were covered out of fear of retribution from their union, who does not approve of the strike. There were more people there today than on the first day. Governor Hochul made it clear her displeasure in her Executive Order: “Whereas on February 17, 2025, and continuing thereafter, an illegal and unlawful strike by correction officers has created an imminent threat to the safety of corrections officers who are currently on the job, the more than 33,600 individuals in the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's care and the communities surrounding these correctional facilities.” It was in this order that she directed the National Guard to arrive at various prisons.

A National Guard truck driving to Fishkill Correctional Facility.

It was rumored by Beacon locals close to the situation that possibly 100 National Guard were inside Fishkill Correctional Facility as of Thursday morning. By the late afternoon, more trucks were seen arriving. According to one retiree, there are at least 100 Correction Officers on duty at Fishkill Correctional Facility during the day or night.

At 1:45pm on Thursday, Fishkill Correctional Facility Superintendent Michael Daye walked down from the prison to the strike group with another man to “deliver paperwork to whoever wanted it,” according to retired Sargent Dale Larson who was there to represent the Correction Officers who are masking to keep their identities protected against retribution by their union or the state, who do not approve of the strike.

As Superintendent Daye walked down the icy driveway of the property across from the prison that is serving as the strike location, Correction Officers yelled “Walking!” to signal that someone was incoming, and turned their backs to walk away from Superintendent Daye to the far end of the property.

Fishkill Correctional Facility Superintendent Michael Daye delivering paperwork that was later turned away.

Fishkill Correctional Facility Superintendent Michael Daye delivering a document to retired Correction Officer Dale Larson, who was serving as the leader of the currently employed Correction Officers.

Retired Sargent Dale approached Superintendent Daye to receive the document. As he considered the document, the Correction Officers kept their backs turned and chanted “Hold the line!” As Superintendent Daye hands the paper to Dale, he says: “I can’t make them take it, but I attempted to deliver it.”

Correction Officers outside of Fishkill Correctional Facility, who turned their backs to Superintendent Daye after he walked down paperwork that was initially turned away.

Governor Hochul’s Executive Order grants authority to pay officers more for working: “Sections 134 and 135 of the Civil Service Law, to the extent necessary, to pay additional compensation and/or increased overtime rates of pay to individuals who continue to work in correctional facilities during the illegal strike,” the order reads.

Around Kid Pickup time of 2:30pm at Beacon’s Middle and High Schools, one of the strikers was putting up posters on Matteawan Avenue, which is the main road into the Fishkill Correctional Facility. Several parents, caregivers, and members of the Beacon Community are Correction Officers or retired officers.

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Demands include the rejection of the mandated 24-36 hour work shift and over time, changes to mail sorting to reduce exposure to fentanyl intended for incarcerated people inside, more staff so that they can do simple things like take lunch breaks. Perhaps the most important to the striking officers is the repeal of the H.A.L.T. Act, which they say endangers them and incarcerated people when violent fights happen between anyone in the jail, where a disciplinary system cannot be implemented.

Read more about their demands here.

Picketing Prison Employees Demand A Stop To Mandated 24hr Shifts, Fentanyl Exposure and More

Picketing prison employees demonstrated on Rte. 52 in Beacon, NY in the early morning of Tuesday 2/18/2025 across from the Fishkill Correctional Facility entrance. Around 20-30 employees participated, who were joined by retirees who were there to support and speak to members of the media. Most employees were masked and did not want to be identified, to protect themselves against retaliation from their union.

Corrections Officers were protesting several safety issues, including:

Corrections Officers are demanding the repeal of the H.A.L.T. Act, which was a bill signed into law to create more humane and therapeutic ways of responding to inmates. Corrections Officers refer to confinement as “Jail within the jail” and punishment based, whereas bill signers may have sought a rehabilitation approach.

• Mandated 24hr shifts

• Mandated Overtime

• Exposure to fentanyl through mail sorting methods

• Repeal of H.A.L.T. Act. According to the bill: “This bill will be known as the "Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement" Act (the H.A.L.T. Solitary Confinement Act.) This bill would limit the time an inmate can spend in segregated confinement, end the segregated confinement of vulnerable people, restrict the criteria that can result in such confinement, improve conditions of confinement, and create more humane and effective alternatives to such confinement.” The bill also makes it illegal to use special or modified food diet as a punishment. Corrections officers are saying they have lost the ability to “punish” inmates for violence to other inmates of officers, or drug use. Violence to both inmates and officers is on the rise, according a breakdown presented by Spectrum News.

A sign spray painted with the word “STRIKE” was erected at 9:30am, about an hour into the picket on Tuesday morning.

Since their demonstration, and while corrections officers throughout the state went on strike for these demands, Governor Kathy Hochul called up the National Guard to “protect striking corrections officers and communities,” as reported by MidHudson News. The Governor demanded that “the illegal and unlawful actions being taken by a number of correction officers must end immediately,” according to the newspaper.

While the gathering was initially called a “picket,” a sign spray painted with the word “STRIKE” emerged at around 9:30am. It could not be confirmed or denied if any demonstrating employees were striking, or if they were not on shift today.

Demand: End Mandatory 24hr Shifts

Retired correctional officers who spoke to A Little Beacon Blog stood with a sign saying “Retirees Stand With CO (Correctional Officers): FCF Strong” and said they were there to get the word out about “how unsafe the working conditions are for the officers in Fishkill Correctional and state-wide.”

Unsafe conditions include “officers being told they have to work 24 plus hours, having to stay awake that long with a house full of people that aren’t so nice,” retiree Rob Johnson told ALBB.

Demand: End Mandatory Overtime

Mandatory overtime is another issue corrections officers are refusing. Said one retiree to ALBB: “It’s one thing if you wanted to stay in overtime. But some guys are getting hit with 80-100 hours overtime every two weeks. My one friend had over 3,000 hours overtime in one year. He did a double every day for almost a year.”

The retirees also described corrections officers who drive inmates in vans. “Trip officers can do 30 plus hours driving in a van. Armed. Sometimes two guys, with sometimes 4-6 inmates in a van too. How safe is that?”

Demand: Lunch Breaks

“There are no lunch breaks,” Rob told ALBB. “You can’t get a relief to get off the door. You bring your meals and hope you get time to eat.”

Last Week’s Walk-Out At Collins and Elmira Corrections Facilities

A strike began yesterday on President’s Day when several employees at the state prisons in Collins and Elmira walked out, prompting a cancellation of visitation, the New York Post reported. Striking is illegal in New York State “and could lead to severe consequences for individuals and unions that participate in them,” the newspaper reported.

But when alleged “uprising inmates” injured three guards while employees were vocalizing about understaffing issues and mandatory overtime, and when a agency memo circulated talking about more reductions in staff, the employees in Collins and Elmira walked out last week, the New York Post reported.

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision spokesman Thomas Mailey issued a statement: “The job actions initiated by some rogue NYSCOPBA [NYS Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association] members at Collins and Elmira Correctional Facilities this morning are illegal and unlawful,” he said “The staff that have gathered outside of both facilities, and who refused to enter the facility for their respective shifts, was not in any way sanctioned by NYSCOPBA,” the union said in a statement.

Demand: Change Mail Sorting Methods and Raise Awareness About Fentanyl Exposure To Corrections Officers

The retirees told ALBB of the continued exposure to fentanyl that corrections officers face when doing activities like sorting mail intended for inmates, and frisking them. “People from the outside are sending in envelopes laced with fentanyl,” one retiree told ALBB. “They liquefy the fentanyl and the put it on the glue of the envelope, or the glue of the stamp. This is intended for the inmate to get high. But corrections officers are coming into contact with it when they touch the envelopes, and some have needed Narcan treatment.” These envelopes are usually placed inside of an envelopes that goes through the USPS.

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Employment and Assault Issues Across The State

Spectrum News has done a breakdown of both employment numbers compared to the number of incarcerated people - both of which are declining in New York State. The news agency also did a breakdown of the number of assaults on corrections officers, as well as on inmates. Both of which are rising.

Corrections officers are demanding more staff. But recruiting staff may be difficult. Said one former inmate, Ryan Manzi, to ALBB: “Those protesters I’m sure are being slaved working within the prison, however, they knew about mandated overtime, including when there’s a state of emergency due to snow. Under-staffing is a universal problem in the criminal justice system.”

Ryan felt that there is an “old guard” in charge, where potential younger correctional officers are more informed and either not choosing the profession, or resisting it from inside. “They have championed basic human rights and it’s clear that the old regime and the youth mindset don’t mesh well.”

Ryan continued: “The working conditions are poor in a lot of these facilities, even newer ones, and to some I’ve personally interacted with, the risk/reward of the job truly isn’t worth their mental health, physical health and safety.”

Demand: Repeal the H.A.L.T. Program To End It

The corrections officers are demanding the end of the H.A.L.T. (Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement), saying they and other inmates are at risk.

“There’s no punishment inside the jail anymore,” Rob told ALBB, as he described how officers would punish inmates. “There used to be the Keyblock area. It’s like a little jail inside the jail. If you do bad, you got to go to jail, basically. That’s been almost squashed. They can’t do more than 14 days in that. It’s not unsafe. There are windows and doors. It’s not a little box that anybody’s in. It’s a miscommunication with all that stuff. The H.A.L.T Program needs to be repealed. It makes it so unsafe. The officers are getting assaulted on a daily basis as well as being made to stay awake for 24 plus hours.”

Ray, a retired corrections officer, also spoke to ALBB about his views of H.A.L.T. and why he views a method of punishment necessary for acts of violence or drug use while inside the jail. He said: “The H.A.L.T Act was instituted to basically take away any punishment and reduce what they used to call Keyblock Solitary Confinement for disciplinary actions. It used to be where there was penalties and disciplin and consequences for poor behavior, violence, drug use, and now basically, it’s a slap on the hand. They can’t do any more than 15 days in confinement. It’s like ‘Time Out’ for bad guys. So an officer can get assaulted, beat. Inmates acan be beat and assaulted. Inmates can be high. And there’s no repercussions for poor behavior and disciplinary action. we have no control over that any longer. If there are no repercussions, then there is no reason not to misbehave. There needs to be repercussions for misbehavior. It’s jail. It’s prison. They’re not in there for being good citizens. If you can’t behave in jail and there not be repercussions for misbehavior, what’s going to stop all the violence and misbehavior. People are being assaulted on a daily basis across the state, in every jail.”

Protest Against The President And Musk Held In Beacon On President's Day - Part Of Nationwide Movement

Protesters demonstrating against the President and Elon Musk on Presidents Day. The signs read “Keep the Immigrants, Deport the Racists” and “Tump-Musk don’t care about you.”
Photo Credit: Jean Noack

Demonstrators protesting against the president and Elon Musk at Pohill Park in Beacon, NY.
Photo Credit: Jean Noack

By Jean Noack

A demonstration was held at Polhill Park today at noon. An organization called Indivisible Beacon appeared to have been the organizer, which drew about 30 people to the event. The temperature was below freezing. The event was part of a nationwide call for protests to be held at noon local time against the Trump agenda.

Read about the nationwide protests at NPR and Democracy Now. NPR states: “The protests follow a series of executive orders signed by President Trump, including actions led by billionaire Elon Musk, which have been criticized for their aims to diminish the role of the federal government.”

A protest at noon in Beacon, NY at Pohill Park in below freezing temperatures.
Photo Credit: Jean Noack

Snow Date Of MLK Celebration Feb. 17th Canceled Due To Icy, Windy Conditions

Due to the cold, icy and windy conditions, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration for February 17, 2025 has been canceled. This includes the Parade and Celebration at the Springfield Baptist Church. A reschedule date has not been announced as of this time. Stay safe and warm.

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Beacon Farmers' Market To Remain Open During Ice Storm To Help SNAP, and FMNP/WIC Customers

This Sunday, the Beacon Farmers’ Market will remain open for vendors to pop up and customers to pop out to purchase food and goods from them. “We’re open for all, and especially to ensure our food benefit customers can double their dollars to access fresh, local food. Because food justice means showing up—no matter the weather,” the market manager Amy Bandolik said on their Instagram.

The Beacon Farmers' Market accepts SNAP, and FMNP/WIC Benefits to service more people at different income levels. The Greens4Greens program is a food benefit incentive program using eligible state funded food benefits that are matched dollar for dollar through Greens4Greens. “The program has been completely community funded through contributions made by local businesses as well as the annual 'Soup4Greens' event,” according to the Beacon Farmer’s Market website.

Amy continued: “Last week’s closure is behind us, and we’re back with all your favorite fresh produce, local goods, and cozy market vibes...With a smaller vendor turnout this week — but still a mighty 30+ vendors — we’ve adjusted the market layout to one main corridor, looping around to the back to create a more cohesive shopping experience.”

While the City of Beacon had been plowing the night before, some vendors could not make it for safety reasons. Conditions in Beacon are icy and slushy on the streets. A Little Beacon Blog has been checking in with several member businesses, who are so far open if their employees can make it in. Several farming vendors live outside of Beacon, and the drive is too risky, and some have more snow on their properties.

The Beacon Farmers’ Market has the added pressure of staying open, as they are in the county parking lot, the DMV, which the City of Beacon can close down when they needed it for emergency snow parking for cars who cannot park on the streets when snowfall is more than 2” and the plows are out. This is why they closed last week, and the City’s mandate.

Did We Discuss This?! :: Things To Do, Shop and Eat In Beacon Guides

Wait...is it Valentine's Day today? Happy Valentine's Day! Event Listings: If you want your event listed here, it can be considered gratis if it's a free community event. Submit here. If it is a fundraiser or ticket price, then you can list it here beginning at $185 with other options. Purchase here. Huge thanks to ALBB's Member Advertising Sponsors featured here below. Show them some love this weekend, and go crazy in the middle of the week when out of town guests aren't here! Subscribe here if you're a business to start your sponsorship. Alchemy Opens - The Wellness Spa 3 Stories Up - Feels Like You're In A Different Country ALBB took the pleasure of sampling - and then joining - Alchemy - the wellness spa on the 3rd floor of the nearly completed building at 418 Main Street. The restaurant on the first floor is almost complete; the sauna/steam room, the heated yoga room, and the massage/reiki/acupuncture beds are ready. Views included. There's an introductory rate of $39/month going on right now for the sauna/steam room, so we hopped in. And took a bunch of pictures for you to see! TAKE A LOOK Beacon Open Studios Opening Reception Day: Friday, February 14th, 2025 Time: 6-9pm Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 Join Beacon Open Studios for their curated Winter Group Show at The Yard! This year's show will be themed. The title of the show is BAGGAGE CLAIM. It is a show about the nature of growth, seldom linear, occasionally cyclical. The party is Friday night and is free entry. Live music from Andrew Jordan. Information > The Yard is a Sponsor! The Yard with Beacon Open Studios: BAGGAGE CLAIM Day: Friday, February 14th, 6-9pm Reception featuring Andrew Jordan Day: February 15th-18th, 12-6pm Day: Friday, February 15th, 8pm Reception featuring Natalie Forteza Day: Friday, February 15th, 9pm Reception featuring Kendra McKinley Day: February 22-23th, 12-6pm Group Art Show Location: 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > The Yard is a Sponsor! POSTPONED: Will You Free My Palestine A Fundraiser For Gaza Soup Kitchen Day: Time: Location: The Muse, 1 Madeline Lane, Rosendale Shared by the New Paltz Students for Palestine, this is a fundraiser and community gathering for Gaza Soup Kitchen. Show your love for Palestine and connect with others in the community who are dedicated to the cause. Visiting groups include Birdwatchers Country Store, People's Cauldron, Moon Infoshop, HudsonValley4Palestine The 47th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Day: Monday February 17th, 2025 Theme: "Keeping The Dream Alive" Location: Springfield Baptist Church, 8 Mattie Cooper Square, Beacon, NY 8:30am - Continental Breakfast 9:30am - The 11th Annual MLK Jr. Parade (Founded by Pete Seeger) 10:30am - Annual Celebration Service 2025 Annual Preacher: Rev. Barbara Williams Lunch will be served directly after the service. Attendees may eat in the dining room or take out their meals. Information > 4th Year Of The Beacon Spring Celebration Of Light Will Light Up On February 22, 2025 Day: Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 Theme: Wood Snake Location: Pohill Park, walk all the way down Main Street, ending at The Yard (4 Hanna Lane) for celebration gathering with music and bonfires. 5:30pm Gather Pohill Park (corner Main Street, Wolcott Ave., South Ave.) Lantern making free activities for kids and their adults are available at different locations. Information > Rally for a Free Palestine Day: Every Sunday Time: 12-1:30pm Location: Orange Plaza, corner of NY-211 and Dunning Road Rally Middletown is a Jewish-participated, all-inclusive group locally advocating for the liberation of Palestine. Information > Loving Immigrants In Trump 2.0 Day: Sunday, February 16th, 2025 Time: 3-4:30pm Location: Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401 Why are people afraid? Who is at risk? What happens if ICE comes to my supermarket? food pantry? church? How can I help? An overview for allies, In English only, with Pastor Liz Estes, clergy spokesperson for Ulster immigrant Defense Network. Information > Immigrant Community Program: "Know Your Rights; For Allies" At Beacon Public Library Day: Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 Time: 6pm Location: Beacon Public Library, 313 Main Street, Beacon, NY Dr, Stephanie L Carnes will host the "Know Your Rights" presentation on the historical context of immigration policies and the rights of undocumented individuals. Learn how to respond to immigration enforcement actions. Access local and national resources and support your community. Registration is open and free. Information > Beacon's St. Patrick's Day Parade Of Green Day: Saturday, March 8th, 2025 Time: 12pm Location: Main Street   Fishkill Avenue Concepts Committee Community Feedback Session Day: Sunday, March 9th, 2025 Time: 2-5pm Location: Industrial Arts Brewing Company 511 Fishkill Avenue, Beacon NY 12508 The Fishkill Avenue Concepts Committee will give a presentation on proposed recommendations for the proposed rezoning of this area, ever since the Healey Car Dealership left. Currently, they are wanting to do away with all auto-related zoning (car wash, auto mechanics, Auto Zone), except for the businesses currently there. They are inclined to not let any drive-throughs in, and are getting pressured by community members to create comfortable and safe bike lanes. The Mayor is inclined to have the bike lanes be on the future Rail Trail. Some community members are pushing back against new storage facilities. The discussion overall is curating what types of businesses can open there, and where parking will be in relation to neighboring homes. Let your voice be heard by participating in the feeedback discussion following the presentation.   New Community Soup Kitchens In Beacon FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate >   Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 Information >   Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu? Subscribe to ALBB's Advertising Membership here. HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY Tara Fusion has been playing with their food. They created their first AI generated short film! Watch it here. Follow HV Food Hall's Chefs: Nami Yum Yum Roosevelt Bar Dulce Cielo Mexico Tara Fusion Cuisine Old Dhaka Coffee House Five Pennies Creamery Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor! BAGEL-ISH 226 Main Street, Beacon, NY Have you tried the mozzarella cheese / fresh tomato / basil / house-made scallion cream cheese sandwich yet? This one is on a salt bagel, but you can pick any flavor bagel. Plus, Bagel-ish is having a flavor-creating contest! Watch this video for how you can win 6 free bagels. Instagram > Bagel-ish is a Sponsor! CARTER'S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 424 Main St. "Please invite me to dinner!" is what you're thinking when you see the Valentine's Specials Menu. Delivery: Call 845-743-6527 to place your order and name your time. Happy Hour Monday-Friday. Catering and Private Parties available. Instagram > Carters is a Sponsor! BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193-195 Main Street, Beacon, NY That hot fire. That soft baguette. Baked fresh every morning at Beacon Bread Company. Open everyday. Wholesale, special orders, and events/catering available. Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor! ZIATUN 244 Main Street, Beacon, NY Have you tried the Shakushka at Ziatun yet? The dish with roasted peppers in tomato stew, seasoned with traditional Arabic spices. Finished with a poached egg. Ziatun is Palestinian-Owned. Open everyday. Instagram > Ziatun is a Sponsor! Features from our Sponsors. Is your shop stocking your shelves? Subscribe to ALBB's Advertising Membership here. Eggbert’s Free Range Farm Breaking News! Eggbert's Garlic Rosemary Lamb Sausage is BACK. Order online if you can't make the market > FARMERS MARKETS: Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 10am-1pm Sundays: Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm SHOP ONLINE: Online ordering is available 24/7. DELIVERY: 🚚 Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Website > Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor! THE STATION DISPENSARY 463 Main Street, Beacon Leaving this here because it's chocolate and Valentine's Day! This is the special Chocolate that you need to read the directions for and eat in small doses. Comes in Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Churro, and Midnight Mint. +21 plus Bring ID Open Daily from 11am-9pm. Instagram > The Station is a Sponsor, thank you! BINNACLE BOOKS Binnacle Books has a "Blind Date With A Book" section every day, not just Valentine's Day. Wrapped as a little package, each book comes with hints of what it is about, without giving the title away. Sizzling! Instagram > R O C PILATES 124 Rombout Avenue P I L A T E S Classes Small Group or Private Lesson This move is the Warrior position on the reformer machine. The white bed of the reformer slides back and forth as your leg pushes back then pulls in. Small Group classes start at $35. C L A S S E S Monday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 5pm Tuesday: 5:30pm Wednesday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 5pm Thursday: 5:30pm Friday: 9am Saturday: 9am, 10am Sunday: 9am Book Online > Art "Be Creative" Drop In Days Location: Beacon Recreation Center, 23 West Center Street Day: Wednesdays Starting Oct 2nd Time: 11:00 am and 1:00pm Looking to make time for more creativity in your life? Drop-in at the Beacon Recreation Center and find your inspiration with other local creatives. Bring your own art supplies. This is a self-directed program - no instruction is planned, but they'll be plenty of support and encouragement! Questions? Reach out to Liz Foster 845-375-6884 • fostee5@yahoo.com Information > BUSINESSES IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ART > ANTIQUES Hudson Valley Auctioneers > AUTOMOTIVE > TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AQ Services, Inc from Luther Lopez (taxi service) > BEAUTY The Luminous Bride >  Makeup By Jenny Magliano > BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES See them here > BRANDING  >  MARKETING & PR Tin Shingle Katie James, Inc. DENTAL Beacon Dental EVENT SPACE > CO-WORK SPACE The Main Office at Beacon Digital  HEALTH AND WELLNESS > MASSAGE River Therapeutic Massage  HOME IMPROVEMENT > APPLIANCE REPAIR See them here > HISPANIC OWNED BUSINESS See them here > MUSIC Miss Vickie's Music PHOTOGRAPHY Megan & Kenneth List Your Business In The Business Directory >  LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY Read Our Latest Articles Advertise With Us! Stay Up To Date With City Council Meetings

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