New York Judge John Hubbard sentenced 23-year-old Zachary Kowatch to five years of probation for attempted reckless endangerment in the first degree, a Class E felony. Kowatch, who had pleaded guilty on Oct. 21, was accused of swerving his car at a Jewish teenager while shouting antisemitic slurs in the village of Fleischmanns, N.Y., on May 9. Shawn Smith, acting district attorney for Delaware County, expressed frustration with the increasing frequency of similar incidents, telling JNS, “I have another one almost identical going on right now, and I don’t understand what’s the matter with people.” Smith referenced another case involving Joseph E. VanBlarcom, a 20-year-old who allegedly swerved his car at Jewish individuals while shouting bigoted insults on July 29, also in Fleischmanns.

Woodbourne, Catskills: – Firefighters battled a large fire at the Kossener Shul on Riverside Drive in Woodbourne early Sunday morning, CATSKILL SCOOP REPORTED. The blaze caused a collapse of the building which was caught on dramatic video footage below, but Bichasdei Hashem, no injuries have been reported. Quick-thinking individuals managed to safely remove the Sifrei Torah from the shul before the situation worsened. The fire broke out as the summer season came to a close, with the camp already empty, minimizing the potential for casualties. It was unknown what sparked the blaze. THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED ON THE CATSKILL SCOOP STATUS – SIGN UP NOW TO NEVER MISS A STORY IN LIVE TIME 24 HOURS A DAY!

Yosef Hersh Berzesky, a former Camp Simcha camper and now a dedicated staff member, has just completed Shaas for the third time. Despite facing significant medical challenges, Yosef Hersh embodies the spirit of living b’simcha, drawing strength from his summers at Camp Simcha. Each year, he finds immense joy in celebrating his Siyum with the campers, a moment filled with food, dancing, and shared happiness. Yosef Hersh is determined to continue this tradition, aiming to complete Shaas again next year—and for many years to come. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Nearly 650 cyclists from around the world kicked off the 15th annual Bike4Chai, a premier two-day cycling event which raises critical funds and awareness for Chai Lifeline, the Jewish community’s leading health and crisis support network. The event started on Wednesday morning, in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania. Participants are embarking on an endurance ride through the scenic Pocono Mountains, with route options of 100, 75, and 58 miles. Each route offers fully stocked rest stops with food and drinks, as well as mechanical and medical support and entertainment along the way. On Thursday, August 22, cyclists will continue with 75 and 50-mile routes, navigating through the Pocono Mountains and upstate New York.

Two missing hikers were thankfully found in good condition by Chaveirim of Rockland volunteers after being lost all night in Slide Mountain Wilderness. Sources tell YWN that the mother of the of the two hikers, aged 17 and 21, called Chaveirim at around 8:00PM Monday night reporting that their son had called saying they were lost on Slide Mountain, and then lost phone service. Chaveirim deployed dozens of volunteers to the scene and located their car at around midnight.  An intense search was launched on the trails in the area The were found by Chaveirim after being notified by a passing motorist who said she saw two people wandering on a nearby road at around 7:30am. Catskills Hatzolah arrived in the morning hours to assist with the search.

Nearly 650 cyclists from around the world are gearing up for the 15th annual Bike4Chai, a premier two-day cycling event which raises critical funds and awareness for Chai Lifeline, the Jewish community’s leading health and crisis support network. The event kicks off Wednesday morning, August 21, in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania. Participants will embark on an endurance ride through the scenic Pocono Mountains, with route options of 100, 75, and 58 miles. Each route offers fully stocked rest stops with food and drinks, as well as mechanical and medical support and entertainment along the way. On Thursday, August 22, cyclists will continue with 75 and 50-mile routes, navigating through the Pocono Mountains and upstate New York.

It is with abject horror that we have all witnessed the reckless driving in the Catskills spiral from bad to worse, and now, to outright terrifying. What was once a summer haven has become a death trap, and we must refuse to stand by any longer while people’s lives are recklessly endangered. I have been coming to the Catskills for my summer vacations since I was a child. Back then, there were always a few dangerous drivers on these winding roads, but nothing like the carnage we see now. Every summer for the past few years, there has been a tragedy. This summer, only one incident so far—a horrifying crash that claimed the lives of two young men on Thursday night. I am not here to accuse anyone of speeding or reckless driving in that specific case because I do not know the details.

An elderly man is in critical condition following a horrific crash in Monticello. Catskills Hatzolah and other emergency personnel rushed to the scene at around 7:30AM on South Woods Road near Beaver Lake Estates, and found the victim in traumatic arrest, following a head-on-collision with a dump truck. Catskills Hatzolah Paramedics were thankfully able to get a pulse back on the victim, and rushed him to a nearby hospital. Sources tell YWN that the early-morning sun glare may have been a primary contributor to the accident. The tzibur is urged to daven for Yosef Ben Rivka.  THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED ON THE CATSKILL SCOOP STATUS CLICK HERE SIGN UP TO THE CATSKILL SCOOP WHATSAPP STATUS TO BE INFORMED OF CATSKILL NEWS IN LIVE TIME (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A somber levaya was held on Monday for more than 200 pairs of tefillin and other klei kodesh that were destroyed in a massive blaze that broke out in an unoccupied structure at Camp Maaminim/Chaveirim in the Catskills last month. Following the fire and a subsequent investigation by local and county authorities, dozens of Chesed Shel Emes volunteers, along with assistance from RNSP Shomrim, sifted through the structure’s wreckage and ashes to find the tefillin and seforim that had been r”l destroyed. The kevurah of the tefillin and seforim will take place on Tisha B’Av at the Chesed Shel Emes cemetery, 113 Old Turnpike, Woodridge, NY, at 3 PM. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Catskills Hatzolah and other emergency responders rushed to the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving a school bus that collided with a tree on Anawana Lake Road and Robert Road, CATSKILL SCOOP REPORTED. The frightening crash happened just after 1:00PM on Monday. The bus was carrying approximately 40 children at the time of the incident. Bichasdei Hashem, only minor injuries were reported, and all children are expected to be okay. Emergency personnel remain on-site to provide assistance and ensure the safety of everyone involved. Anawana Lake Road was closed from Walmart until Fraser Road. Please use alternate routes.