Free Republic

GOSHEN – Most of Port Jervis and much of the Tri-State area knew Josef Kucher. A cobbler in the Old World tradition of his native Austria, the 77-year-old was a proud U.S. citizen and military veteran, a long-time presence in the downtown business district, an usher at St. Mary’s Church. He was, Port Jervis police Chief William Worden and Mayor Kelly Decker said Monday at a press conference to announce an arrest in his slaying, a fixture in the community, a good man. Josef Kucher's wife, Hannelore Kucher, spoke briefly on Monday at her home. "I have no words for...

The use of heroin has risen over the past few years in the Hudson Valley. In part one of News 12's special report "Hooked on Heroin," Tara Rosenblum speaks with parents who have lost children to the drug. After Renee Hustins lost her son Benjamin to an overdose three months ago when he was 23, she met other parents who have lost children to heroin. The parents now all rely on each other for support. The parents Rosenblum spoke to all say they never would have expected their children to become addicted to heroin. Some of them also shared their...