Recent News & Events
Ulster County Mourns the Loss of Firefighter Michael J. Ryan
Ulster County mourns the loss of Phoenicia Firefighter and Fire District Commissioner Michael J. Ryan, who suffered cardiac arrest while on route in a wooded area in Shandaken in response to a report of an injured hiker. Fellow Phoenicia firefighters, assisted by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers, Shandaken Police Department, and Shandaken EMS immediately initiated life-saving measures but were unable to revive him.
Firefighter Ryan dedicated 45 years of volunteer service to the Phoenicia Fire District. An Air Force veteran, he also served in the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office in the early 1990s, followed by 25 years of service with the Kingston Police Department and more recently, with the Town of Ulster Police Department. Governor Hochul ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide on Dec. 20 in his honor. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and his extended fire and public safety family during this difficult time.
Legislature Approves County Executive's Proposal for New Lending Program for Farmers
In great news for the County’s farms, the County Legislature this month approved the County Executive’s proposal to create an Ulster County Agricultural Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund — a low-cost lending program, capitalized at $700,000, to provide accessible, flexible, and affordable capital to small and mid-sized farm enterprises. The Fund will prioritize projects that enhance farm viability by supporting diversification and expansion, operational efficiency in energy and water use, and climate resiliency. Importantly, the initiative implements a top recommendation of the 2025 Ulster County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan, adopted earlier this year with broad input from the agricultural community.
The Fund will be administered on behalf of the County by the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC), a Community Development Financial Institution dedicated with deep expertise in the region’s agricultural sector. HVADC successfully administered the County’s federally-funded Farm Viability Grant Program earlier this year. We’re working to keep farming strong in Ulster County for the long term!
Legislator Megan Sperry – Chair of the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee and a champion of our farms – sponsored the resolution on the County Executive’s behalf, and joined the County Executive for the signing, above!
UCEDA Initiates Process to Take Back West Campus at iPark87
Last week, the Ulster County Economic Development Alliance (UCEDA) voted to proceed with legal steps to retake ownership of two parcels on the West Campus of the former IBM complex in the Town of Ulster — the Bank of America building and a 57-acre undeveloped parcel bordering the Esopus Creek. The decision follows months of sustained efforts by the UCEDA Board and the County Executive to work with National Resources, the real estate company that owns the property, to address the company's outstanding debt. The action by UCEDA will legally protect the County's investment, and will enable UCEDA to market the property for redevelopment consistent with the County's economic and community development goals.
UCEDA is pursuing a "deed in lieu of foreclosure agreement," which would involve a voluntary transfer of the deed by National Resources for the West campus property. National Resources would continue to own and redevelop the East campus, where the new Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Center and Archtop Fiber are located.
Advanced Mammography Now Available at HealthAlliance Hospital
Ulster County Executive Metzger took part in a ribbon-cutting at Health Alliance Hospital for their new 3D Mammography technology — an advanced screening tool that enables earlier and more precise detection of breast cancer. Ellenville Regional Hospital also offers 3D Mammography.
Fewer than half of women in Ulster County who are at the recommended ages for regular breast cancer screening actually get them, missing the chance to catch cancer early, when treatment is most effective. At the ribbon-cutting, County Executive Metzger shared that as a teenager she lost one of her favorite aunts to breast cancer, and has been getting regular screenings since she was in her forties.
In New York, we are fortunate to have laws and programs in place to eliminate all out-of-pocket costs. Screenings are fully covered by both private insurance and Medicaid, and New York State also has a program to cover uninsured women and others at risk of breast cancer.
The Ulster County Department of Health encourages every woman to talk with their physician about routine mammograms, and the age at which they should begin to get them.
Bringing Holiday Cheer and Solidarity to the Picket Line
 On Christmas Eve morning, County Executive Jen Metzger and State Senator Michelle Hinchey shared holiday cookies and solidarity on the picket line with Starbucks baristas, as employees and supporters continued their picket of the company for its refusal to negotiate a contract with the new union — part of a nationwide strike and boycott. Starbucks made nearly $2 billion in profits this year and there is just no excuse not to treat its workers fairly.
Seniors Help Seniors Through “Seniors Serving in Place” Program
This holiday season, we are honored to recognize the Kingston Chapter of Seniors Serving in Place (SSIP) for their continued support of vulnerable adults in Ulster County. Guided by their mission to help people remain independent as they age through connection and advocacy, SSIP has assisted hundreds of residents over the past five years.
One of the group’s most meaningful efforts is its annual Christmas gift donation for Adult Services and APS clients. Each year, SSIP thoughtfully provides essential and comforting items such as socks and blankets, ensuring clients feel cared for and remembered during the holiday season.
In addition to holiday giving, SSIP supports Adult Services year-round through donations of clothing, basic necessities, and supplies that meet immediate needs. We are deeply grateful to the Kingston SSIP group for their generosity and continued commitment to the residents of Ulster County.
Paying Respects to Fallen Soldiers at the Wreaths Across America Ceremony
On Dec. 13, the New Paltz Veterans Cemetery held a Wreaths Across America ceremony — an intergenerational community event to lay wreaths for veterans buried there, led by Ulster County Veterans Services Director Mark Cozzupoli “to teach, honor, and serve.” The New Paltz Rural Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 1,100 veterans dating as far back as the Civil War. Section C of the cemetery, a segregated area established in 1867, is where Black veterans of the Civil War are buried.
It was great to see so many young faces at this intergenerational tribute, and the kids especially loved participating in the release of a young red-tailed hawk, which they named “Honor-Glory.” Thank you to Chris Nadareski of the NYC DEP for making this part of the annual ceremony!
Staying Warm this Winter — Heating Resources in Ulster County
Temperatures dropped well below freezing before the official start to winter, and we want to make sure everyone who needs assistance knows the resources available to help keep them safe and warm.
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) opened on Dec. 1, and income-eligible residents can apply for assistance to help cover the cost of heating their homes or apartments. Last year, alone, more than 14,700 Ulster County households were helped by this program. HEAP covers all fuel types (oil, gas, propane, wood, kerosene) as well as electric heat. For more information on HEAP, visit our website at https://www.ulstercountyny.gov/HEAP, or call (845) 334-5436.
For those without shelter or who are facing a heating emergency, the County's Warming Center in Kingston is now open around the clock through March 31, 2026. The Warming Center is located at the 2nda Iglesia La Mision Church, 80 Elmendorf St., and can be contacted directly at (845) 334-0551. While this center is open to all County residents, we are also in the process of opening a second warming center in Ellenville, which is expected to begin operation in January.
Kingston High School Choir Visits County Office Building on their Caroling Tour
 Thank you to the Kingston High School Choir for spreading holiday cheer in the County Office Building last Thursday! They sang beautifully! ❄️🎶✨
Celebrating Jennifer Lane, Veteran of the Month
Ulster County honors Army Veteran Jennifer Lane as Veteran of the Month for December! Born and raised in Ulster County, Jennifer served in the Army for 21 years, enlisting when she was 17 and retiring as a Master Sergeant in 2016. In her time in the military, Jennifer was deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, set up critical communications networks for her Special Ops Unit, rose to Special Ops Central Command, and served as a Drill Instructor. She became First Sergeant of the 18th Airborne Corps, a certified Jumpmaster responsible for the safety and success of airborne missions, and later a Master Jumpmaster by completing at least 65 jumps, with 25 or more with military equipment. By the time she retired in 2016, she had performed 70 jumps and expertly led thousands of soldiers.
Since then, Jennifer has returned home to the Hamlet of Ruby, where she is a Journeywoman with the Carpenters Local Union 279 and a 1st Lieutenant with the Ruby Fire Department. She plans on working for the union for the foreseeable future and to continue serving her community as a volunteer firefighter. Congratulations to our Veteran of the Month!
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