2013 June
June 30, 2013 – Discovery of Human Remains
On June 28, 2013 at 5:00pm a private contractor cleaning out a vacant home at 720 Vassar Rd. discovered what appeared to be human remains in the basement of the house. The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department Detective Division was assisted at the scene by members of the Duchess County Medical Examiner’s Office. The remains have been removed to the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s facility for further scientific investigation.
The owner of the home, James Nichols, age 82, was found deceased due to natural causes in his home on December 27, 2012 by Town of Poughkeepsie Police Officers after neighbors had not seen him in several days. Officers found the house extensively filled with personal items, debris and garbage.
Chief Thomas Mauro stated ‘the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department was contacted on December 21, 1985 by James Nichols reporting his wife as a missing person. Joann Nichols was 55 years of age at the time of her disappearance. An intensive investigation followed and she was never located. The case has remained open since 1985 and has been reviewed annually by the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department.’
At this writing there has been no identification of the human remains. The remains appear to have been in place for a considerable period of time. They were located in a sealed container behind a false wall in the basement.
The case remains under investigation by this agency in conjunction with the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office.
June 25, 2013 – Road Construction
Dutchess County Department of Public Works advises they will be doing road construction on Vassar Road near Spring Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie, beginning at 7:00 p.m. tonight and ending at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday June 26, 2013. Vassar Road will be closed to through traffic from Spring Road to Route 9. Vehicles will be detoured over Spring Road to Route 9 while work is underway. Access for local residents will be maintained during construction.
June 19, 2013 – Black Bear in Arlington Area
The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department advises residents of a small black bear in the Arlington area of the town around Vassar College. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (D.E.C.) recommends reducing food sources outside by cleaning barbeque grills after use, removing bird feeders and not leaving pet food outside. Garbage cans should be kept inside a secure area if possible and placed outside the morning of pick up rather than the night before.
Residents are urged not to approach or spook the bear. You can report bear sightings or activity to the New Paltz Office of the D.E.C. at 256-3098 or if there is an immediate emergency, contact the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department at 485-3666 or by dialing 911.
