News Briefs

Hikers' tale finds a happy ending

A pair of New Milford hikers were found uninjured Jan. 16 on the Appalachian Trail in New York State after a search by area law enforcement and firefighters.

The Dutchess (N.Y) County sheriff's office released the names of the Gaylordsville woman and New Milford man -- Suzanne Freda, 17, and Vincent Palmesi, 20 -- were hiking the trail near the town of Beekman when they wound up on the wrong trail as night approached.

The couple called Dutchess County 911 on a cell phone and gave brief information on where they were.

Two teams comprised of staff from the sheriff's office and fire department searched the trails with thermal imaging cameras, night vision devices and a K-9 team.

The hikers were found uninjured about two miles from Route 55 in Beekman.

-- Susan Tuz

Substance Abuse Council to get $6,045

The New Milford Town Council voted Jan. 25 to accept a $6,045 donation from the Housatonic Valley Coalition Against Substance Abuse, Inc. to be used by the New Milford Substance Abuse Council.

The money will nenefit the community-based speaker series, Job Fair at NMHS, prescription drug turn-in and education day, the Courage to Speak training program for parents and the continuation of the council's billboard campaign.

-- Susan Tuz