The three Philipstown Little League softball teams completed their seasons in June. The Bruisers, with players ages 12 and younger, finished 10-3-1. One 10U team finished 7-3, and the other was 6-2. buff.ly/qFpfTtI

Dutchess County executive Sue Serino has proposed a county ban on the sale and distribution of kratom, a substance derived from a Southeast Asian plant. buff.ly/TGobQjA

Putnam County is collecting feedback on a draft of its Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Plan. Responses are due by Sept. 15. buff.ly/QzZGqSQ

Developed in 2014 during the Mediterranean refugee crisis, the new Bruna Esposito exhibition at Magazzino Italian Art in Philipstown speaks to the interplay between welcoming newcomers and rejecting them. buff.ly/JBpZe2r

For Buddhists, the age-old practice of Life Releases is an act of compassion that brings good karma. For naturalists, it’s a nightmare. So how can we help both ecosystems and karmas flourish? buff.ly/thNXu18

Steve Almaas, 69, an influential Minneapolis musician who helped kickstart a local punk scene, died June 5 of cancer in Beacon. A memorial service on what would have been Almaas’ 70th birthday is planned for Wednesday (Aug. 5) from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Howland Cultural Center. buff.ly/1f1fADb

A former Haldane student is being praised after he saved a man last week who had fallen unconscious into the water at a cliff-diving spot in San Diego. buff.ly/QBi6Ld8

Cold Spring resident Carolyn Ricapito, who is 91 and relies on a walker, depends on her daughter and a home aide to get to medical appointments and shopping. She may have another option starting next year. buff.ly/SuPaKkC

This week's "Five Questions" is with 91-year-old Bob Myers of Cold Spring, who volunteers as a Spanish interpreter at the Philipstown Food Pantry. buff.ly/7Vg8rrq

Here are the most-requested eBooks over the past week in the Mid-Hudson Library System, which includes the Howland in Beacon, Butterfield in Cold Spring, Desmond-Fish in Garrison and 63 other libraries: buff.ly/hUHpPOk

The Hudson Valley Credit Union announced that it has distributed $550,000 in grants to 80 nonprofits in 13 counties, including Fareground, Land to Learn, Guardian Revival, Second Chance Foods, and the Depot Theater. buff.ly/TETMWFA

Start your week off with a laugh... buff.ly/22sP3Bq

The Beacon travel baseball team for players ages 11 and younger won the Brewster Crush Summer Slam Tournament. buff.ly/2leqpls

Tyler Adams, captain of the U.S. national men’s team that recently competed in the FIFA World Cup, spoke on July 22 during a ribbon-cutting for the Tyler Adams Soccer Pitch at Martz Field in his hometown of Wappinger. buff.ly/5yxOxBk

With the blessings of the state Parks Department, the Putnam Westchester Mountain Biking Association recently launched a “Funstock” fund to raise money for a new network of mountain bike trails. buff.ly/PI1K5S2

Beacon High School Honor Roll. Students recognized for fourth-quarter grades highlandscurrent.org?p=5879454

Transformation Kitchen, a project intended to teach culinary and life skills to marginalized people, has shut down before accepting its first participants. buff.ly/RxIVqDA

The Dalí Quartet, whose tag line is “Classical Roots, Latin Soul,” will perform in Cold Spring today (Sunday Aug. 2) as part of Chapel Restoration’s Sunday Music Series. buff.ly/8YDgTDf

The annual, two-day Putnam County Fair was held at Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel on July 25 and 26, with a car show, pony rides, games, live music, archery, a history tent, gardening tips, a sewing circle and a mobile DMV office. buff.ly/YF2HBCm

Fareground raised money in 2024 to buy a refrigerated box truck capable of holding 6,000 pounds of food for distribution to residents in the Mid-Hudson Valley. But a capacity that once seemed sufficient has been surmounted by a problem that continues to grow. buff.ly/9KIVvht

The Youth Players at the Depot Theater in Garrison presented "Matilda Jr.," based on the book by Roald Dahl, on July 23 to 25. buff.ly/QF5LqE1

Grab your library cards: Here's what 13 local book clubs will be discussing in August. buff.ly/UQM9V3u

Here is how our Senate members voted on select issues during the legislative weeks ending July 31: buff.ly/wYPbAAo

Are you a big card player? buff.ly/sId8hB3

Beacon’s popularity has drawn real estate investors to Main Street. “When you have success, you’re going to entice investors who want to get in on that,” said Mike Oates, of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. But the “greed factor,” Oates said, has to be checked. buff.ly/aT3ezu1

Silent shorts, radio plays and ice cream in a bag: All this and more coming up in The Week Ahead. buff.ly/S75By0I

A section of Route 9 in Fishkill near Pet Pleasers reopened on Thursday (July 30) after being closed in both directions because of flood damage. buff.ly/K2HmVin

Looking Back in Philipstown: What happened this month 25, 50, 100, 150 and 250 years ago. buff.ly/0en2nDE

Route 9 Closed Because of Flood Damage. North Highlands family rescued from home highlandscurrent.org?p=5879256

Black-eyed Susans are a short-lived perennial that acts like a biennial because it keeps showing up. buff.ly/lVvbUBK