Ulster schools release students early on November 4
Public schools in Ulster County will release students approximately 15 minutes early on Thursday, November 4. Students will be sent home early on this day as part of an annual drill that tests the evacuation procedures of each district’s Emergency Management/Disaster Preparedness Plan. The Commissioner of Education has mandated that this drill be conducted annually in all New York State public schools.
Local Ulster County schools ask that parents/guardians make appropriate arrangements for the early arrival of their children the afternoon of November 4. Each participating district may provide parents with district-specific information regarding the evacuation drill’s impact on busing and afterschool activities.
All Ulster County public schools will be participating in the drill, including the following: Ellenville, Highland, Kingston, New Paltz, Onteora, Rondout Valley, Saugerties, Wallkill and Ulster BOCES student programs.
Ulster man charged in murder of friend
Gregory Thayer, age 48, of Magic Drive in the Town of Ulster, was indicted last week by an Ulster County Grand Jury for Murder in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. Thayer was charged by Town of Ulster Police Department for the murder of Bruce Swierc on September 29, 2021.
At Thayer’s arraignment in Ulster County Court on Friday, October 15, 2021 the District Attorney’s Office disclosed to the Court that the victim was a childhood friend of Thayer and was spending time at the Thayer home when he was shot once in the head as he sat at the dining table. Afterwards Thayer called a family member; he did not call 911 or the police.
Bruce Swierc lived in California with his wife and family; he was in town to console his mother who had lost her partner. He had planned to spend a few days more to see relatives and the defendant before returning to California. He was 48 years old.
Following bail arguments on Friday, October 15 Ulster County Court Judge Brian Rounds remanded Thayer to Ulster County Jail pending further proceedings in the case.
The next court appearance in the case is scheduled for January 19, 2022. The murder charge carries a possible sentence of up to 25 – life; the weapons charge carries of up to 15 years in prison.
Stamptrotters Stamp Club meets October 28
The Stamptrotters Stamp Club will hold its auction meeting on October 28. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. for display and view, and the auction will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the VFW at 30 Elizabeth Street in Red Hook.
The meeting is open to all ages, single stamp to small collections. For additional information, call or text (845) 681-9837.
Join the family! 
