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Press Release UPDATE May 9, 2025 On May 9, 2025, State Police of Fonda arrested Veronica Armbruster , 59, of Delmar, NY for: Manslaughter in the second degree, a class “C” felony Vehicular Manslaughter in the second degree, a class “D” felony Driving While Intoxicated Numerous other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations The investigation has determined that Armbruster  allegedly had a 0.16% BAC at the time of the wrong-way crash that caused the death of Cole M. Sevigny on February 20, 2025. Armbruster surrendered herself to SP Fonda, where she was arrested and processed. She was then arraigned at the Amsterdam City Court, where she was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 Cash, $100,000 bond or a $100,000 partially secured bond. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ORIGINAL published February 21, 2025 On February 20*, 2025, State Police responded to the reports of a two-car crash with serious injuries on I-90 in Amsterdam, NY. On February 20*, 2025, at about 8:44 p.m., Troopers responded to I-90 westbound in Amsterdam, NY, for the reports of a two-car head-on crash.  The investigation determined a vehicle being driven by Veronica Armbruster , 59, of Selkirk, NY, was traveling eastbound (wrong-way) in the westbound lanes of the thruway when it struck a vehicle traveling westbound, being driven by Cole M. Sevigny , 26, of Hudson, NH. Both drivers needed to be extricated and were the sole occupants of their vehicles. Sevigny and Armbruster sustained serious injuries and were transported via ambulance to area hospitals for treatment. Sevigny was later pronounced deceased at Saint Mary's Hospital. Armbruster remains at Albany Medical Center and is currently listed in critical but stable condition. All I-90 westbound lanes were closed between exits 27 and 28 for approximately six hours for the investigation and collision reconstruction. The investigation into this crash is ongoing.     * T he crash was previously published to have occurred on February 19, 2025 in error and has been corrected. Sources; https://troopers.ny.gov/news/update-state-police-investigate-fatal-wrong-way-thruway-crash-amsterdam

On May 7, 2025, New York State Police at Norwich and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Sidney arrested Preston L. Branagan , age of 69 of Plymouth, NY for the Agriculture and Markets Law of Torturing or Injuring Animals/Failure to Provide Sustenance (misdemeanor) and the Agriculture and Markets Law of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (class “E” felony). Troopers learned of the case in March when it was determined that two dogs were not being cared for properly on County Road 21 in Plymouth.  Troopers observed one dog on the premises that was deceased and decomposing.  A second dog that appeared to be a senior dog was tied up on a chain with a collar and appeared uncared for and malnourished with no immediate access to food or water.  That dog was surrendered to the Susquehanna SPCA for further care.  A further investigation determined the dog was suffering from muscle atrophy, dehydration, emaciation, infection and other ailments due to the living conditions and poor care.  The deceased dog was in later stages of decomposition and unable to have a necropsy performed. Branagan was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Plymouth Town Court on June 17, 2025. S ources and updates found here: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/plymouth-man-charged-animal-cruelty

In a widely expected move, the U.S. Federal Reserve has opted to keep interest rates unchanged — and investors are cheering. Markets surged on Tuesday as confidence grew that the central bank would maintain its benchmark rate between 4.25% and 4.50%, signaling a continued shift in tone from inflation-fighting hawkishness to economic stabilization. Bitcoin, ever sensitive to macro signals, is riding the wave. The flagship cryptocurrency jumped nearly 4% in the past 24 hours, trading around $97,000 as of early Wednesday, amid speculation that easier financial conditions are ahead. What the Fed’s Pause Means The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) wrapped up its two-day policy meeting on May 7, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell is expected to speak at 2:30 p.m. ET. According to CME’s FedWatch Tool, traders had priced in a staggering 99% chance the Fed would hold steady — a level of market certainty rarely seen. Driving the Fed’s cautious approach are competing forces: still-stubborn inflation, increasing consumer debt, and geopolitical uncertainties including tariffs and trade tensions with China. March’s inflation reading showed prices up 3.4% year-over-year — still well above the Fed’s 2% target. Yet, there are growing concerns that aggressively tightening policy could trigger a recession heading into the 2026 election cycle. Adding political pressure to the mix, former President Donald Trump has openly called on Powell to slash rates, claiming it would help stimulate growth and counterbalance trade-related costs. Crypto’s Moment Lower interest rates — or even just the expectation of stable ones — often act as rocket fuel for cryptocurrencies. With borrowing costs potentially set to drop later this year, investors are piling into riskier assets like Bitcoin. On-chain analytics firm Nansen reports a surge in wallet activity and stablecoin inflows, both signs that institutional and retail investors are feeling more bullish. Bitcoin’s latest gains also come as it continues to decouple, albeit slowly, from traditional equities. The S&P 500 dipped below its 200-day moving average this week — typically a bearish signal — while Bitcoin’s technical indicators remain strong. Short-term moving averages are crossing above long-term trends, often interpreted as a bullish momentum signal. Altcoins Lag Behind While Bitcoin enjoys a clear uptick, altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche are treading water. Many traders are hesitant to go all-in until broader macroeconomic clarity emerges, such as updates on the U.S. budget deal, pending tax reform proposals, or international trade policy shifts. For now, the crypto market appears to be taking a “wait and see” stance beyond Bitcoin, with many altcoins trading sideways despite the bullish sentiment. The Bigger Picture This Fed decision reinforces a broader narrative: that the central bank is now walking a tightrope between maintaining inflation control and supporting economic growth. While today's pause doesn’t guarantee rate cuts, it adds momentum to the growing belief that the worst of the tightening cycle is behind us. For crypto investors, this could be a pivotal moment. If inflation stays in check and the Fed begins easing later this year as expected, the tailwinds for Bitcoin and the broader crypto sector could only get stronger. As the global economy shifts gears, all eyes remain on Powell’s remarks. Whether you're in traditional equities or digital assets, the message is clear: The Fed may have just opened the door to the next leg of the market rally.