The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Cherry Plain

Ruth S. Barber – Obituary

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Cherry Plain – Ruth Shirley Barber, 95, a longtime resident of Cherry Plain, NY, gained her wings and was reunited with her loving husband, “Tommy,” when she peacefully passed away on July 11, 2022.

Born in Pittsfield, MA, on December 12, 1926, to the late Lester and Harriett (Main) Sime, Ruth was raised on the family farm in Lanesboro, MA, where, as a young girl, she attended a one-room schoolhouse. She later was a graduate of Pittsfield High School. She held fond memories and often spoke of her love of learning and school.  

Other than her parents, Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Thomas G. Barber, who died in June 2010, her siblings, Lillian, Robert, Elizabeth and Caleb, a favorite aunt, her husband’s Great-Aunt, Priscilla and a beloved grandson, Joseph Nippes.   [Read more…] about Ruth S. Barber – Obituary

Welcoming New Girl Scouts

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Local Girl Scout Service Unit 154 would like to welcome your girls to join Girl Scouts this year. We will be holding meetings after school for grades K through 5 in the elementary school, and will choose the day of the week when all registrations have been received. We have other troops in place but are happy to create new ones depending on the interest. Please call Robin Conner at the Girl Scout council at 518-489-8110 x153 and she will be able to help you get registered and get you into a troop in our area. 

Robert A. Oswald – Obituary

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Cherry Plain – Robert A. “Bobby” Oswald, 77, died Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at Albany Medical Center. He was born in Cherry Plain on June 18, 1944, the son of the late John and Mary Teal Oswald.

Bob was employed by W.J. Cowee, Inc. in Berlin early in his life. He was a school bus driver for the Berlin Central School District for many years and also served as the Town of Berlin Highway Superintendent for four years.

Bob was the grave digger for over 40 years for all of the cemeteries in the Taconic Valley from North Petersburgh to Stephentown. He also served with great pride as the caretaker for the Berlin Community Cemetery also for 40 years and served on the cemetery Board of Trustees. [Read more…] about Robert A. Oswald – Obituary

Arrest Made in Bates Murder

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by Doug La Rocque

The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office on Friday evening, March 4, announced the arrest of 22-year-old Ian J. Hasselwander of Petersburgh for the disappearance and death of 20-year-old Morgan Bates of Eagle Bridge. Bates was reported missing on Tuesday, February 22, with sightings reported early that morning in both Eagle Bridge and Petersburgh. Her body was subsequently located on Sunday, February 27 in a remote area of the Cherry Plain State Park near Black River Road.

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Arrest Made in Bates Murder

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by Doug La Rocque

The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office on Friday evening, March 4, announced the arrest of 22-year-old Ian J. Hasselwander of Petersburgh for the disappearance and death of 20- year-old Morgan Bates of Eagle Bridge. Bates was reported missing on Tuesday, February 22, with sightings reported early that morning in both Eagle Bridge and Petersburgh. Her body was subsequently located on Sunday, February 27 in a remote area of the Cherry Plain State Park near Black River Road.

Hasselwander now faces four felony counts, including Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Strangulation in the First Degree and Concealment of a Human Corpse. He was arraigned in Troy City Court before the Honorable Judge Maier and remanded to the Rensselaer County Jail without bail.

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Woman’s Body Found in Cherry Plain State Park

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Death Considered Suspicious

by Doug La Rocque

Here is the statement on the discovery from the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office: “The Office confirms the body of an unidentified female has been located in the area of Cherry Plain State Park, under suspicious circumstances, on Sunday, February 27. 

The victim’s identity will be released following an autopsy, which will be scheduled for later this week. There are no further details at this time. Updates on this investigation will be provided as information becomes available.”

Missing Woman

Coincidently, law enforcement has been looking for a missing woman, perhaps seen about a week ago in the Petersburgh area. At this time, there is no official connection between this search and the discovery of the body in Stephentown.

This is all the information that the Sheriff’s Office as been able to release as we near press time. Any further developments will be posted on our website and social media (Facebook, Instagram) accounts. 

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An Unidentified Female Body has been Found

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The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office confirms the body of an unidentified female has been located in the area of Cherry Plain State Park, under suspicious circumstances, on Sunday, February 27, 2022.

The victim’s identity will be released following an autopsy, which will be scheduled for later this week.

There are no further details at this time. Updates on this investigation will be provided as information becomes available.