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Kenny Guido
· posted in General
Body found in burned house after standoff

Trooper slain during manhunt for suspect in shooting of two other officers

Firefighters battle a blaze at a farmhouse in Margaretville, N.Y., following a standoff between police and a man suspected of fatally shooting a trooper on Wednesday.

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Updated: 48 minutes ago
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MARGARETVILLE, N.Y. - Authorities recovered a body Wednesday night from the shell of a house that burst into flames just as police were storming in during a hunt for a man suspected of shooting three state troopers, one fatally.
Police could not immediately confirm the body was that of Travis D. Trim, a 23-year-old whom police had been looking for since a trooper was shot during a routine traffic stop Tuesday in rural upstate New York.
But they said they believed it was the same person who shot two other troopers earlier in the day, because the body was found slumped in a doorway holding a rifle in the same area where shots were fired, said Preston Felton, acting superintendent of the New York State Police.


http://www.newyorkfreestyle.com/freestyle/“It’s reasonable to say he had no intention of coming out of there alive,” Felton said.
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AP​
Shooting supect Travis D. Trim, 23, shown in an undated photo.
Authorities believed Trim holed up in the farm house amid a manhunt in eastern New York. The home, located in the hamlet of Arkville, includes two red barns and was described by neighbors as a weekend residence.
How the fire started wasn’t known. Sharpshooters were in position and authorities had fired tear gas into the home just before the flames began. Felton said that the suspect might have set the fire, or that tear gas fired into the home could have ignited something.
Officer shot at traffic stop
The saga began Tuesday, when police said a trooper stopped Trim in a stolen minivan for a minor traffic infraction in the Margaretville area.
When Trim failed to provide identification, Trooper Matthew Gombosi told him he was under arrest, said Preston L. Felton, acting superintendent of the State Police.
Then, Felton said, Trim pulled a handgun from his waistband and shot Gombosi. His body armor
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kept him from being seriously injured, but the suspect escaped, police said.
Police swept the area and found the stolen Dodge Caravan abandoned on a road in nearby Middletown.
Wednesday morning, Troopers David C. Brinkerhoff and Richard Mattson were shot while searching the farm house for Trim, Felton said. Shots came from the home and police fired back, authorities said, but didn’t know if they struck the person inside.
The wounded troopers were pulled from the house by two other officers who were helping search the farm.
Brinkerhoff, who was shot in the head, died shortly afterward. Mattson, wounded in the left arm, was in serious but stable condition after surgery at Albany Medical Center, where he had been taken by helicopter.
Brinkerhoff, 29, an eight-year member of the state police, is survived by his wife and a 7-month-old daughter.
'He wanted to go to college'
Felton said it could take a day or two to identify the body found in the home. The home’s owner, Rommel Aujero, was aware that it burned and “appears to be a very understanding man,” Felton said. A number for Aujero could not be located.
The standoff came seven months after the arrest of a man who also shot three troopers, one fatally, during a months-long manhunt in western New York.
Last summer, Ralph “Bucky” Phillips led police on a five-month manhunt throughout heavily wooded western New York after breaking out of a county jail. He shot one trooper during a traffic stop and two others who were searching for him. One of those troopers died.
Phillips was captured in September and is serving two life sentences. After that manhunt, the union that represents state troopers sharply criticized the way state police officials managed the search.
Trim had a record of arrests for nonviolent crimes, but his grandmother said he had tried to turn his life around.
“He wanted to go to college. We talked to his probation officer to help fix it up,” Ruth Trim said by phone from her home in Dickinson Center before the body was recovered. “I’m devastated. He was going to go to college to make something of himself.”
Trim had been enrolled briefly at the State University of New York-Canton but withdrew in November, said Randy Sieminski, a school spokesman. He was registered in the school’s motorsports performance and repair program.
Trim’s family and officials at schools he attended were stunned to hear he was a shooting suspect.
“It’s all so bizarre,” said Mark Hill, a SUNY-Canton instructor who had Trim in a freshman class. “He had no bad dealings here. He got along with everyone and worked well in team settings.”



At the state Capitol on Wednesday, the Republican state Senate leader demanded the Democratic governor use his influence to bring back the death penalty, saying it had apparently become “open season on law enforcement people.”
A New York Court of Appeals ruling in 2005 effectively nullified the death penalty in the state. Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said his chamber would approve legislation next week to bring it back for the killing of police officers and prison guards and in cases of deaths caused by terrorists.
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Hello, does anyone have Jeannie's CD? She was a freestyle artist from San Antonio, TX in the late '90s. She's best known for the classic "Runaway" but had other nice songs too. Thanks.
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· posted in Freestyle Hits of 1990
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· posted in Freestyle Hits of 1989
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· posted in Freestyle Hits of 1991
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· posted in Freestyle Hits of 1991
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· posted in Freestyle Hits of 1987
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· posted in Freestyle Dance Music Discussion
If you grew up in the late 80s and early 90s, you already know the vibe. You can practically hear the Roland TR 808 drum machine firing up the second I mention the word freestyle. We're talking about a genre that didn't just climb the Billboard charts - it defined an entire era of youth culture. From the streets of New York City and Miami to roller rinks across the country, freestyle dance music was the ultimate soundtrack for a generation. It wasn't just music. It was the clothes, the big hair, the attitude, and the unbridled emotion of teenage heartbreak packed into a heavy bass line.

Today, we're taking a deep dive into the undisputed royalty of freestyle. They're the artists who built the foundation, impacted millions of people, and paved the way for modern dance pop. And the craziest part? They're still selling out arenas today. Let's get into it.

Shannon: The Architect
You can't talk about freestyle without bowing down to Shannon. When "Let the Music Play" dropped, it completely shattered the mold. It gave us that heavily syncopated, hard hitting drum beat that became the blueprint for everything that followed. Shannon showed the world that dance music didn't have to be mindless - it could have soul, and it could make you feel something. Fans connected with her instantly. Today, Shannon's still gracing the stage, proving that her legendary voice hasn't lost a single step. If you catch a freestyle festival this year, there's a good chance you'll see her bringing the house down.

Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam: The Crossover Legends
Lisa Lisa took the underground freestyle sound and forced the mainstream pop world to pay attention. "I Wonder If I Take You Home" and "Can You Feel the Beat" were absolute monsters on the radio. She had this incredibly unique, fierce delivery that made every young girl want to be her. Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam broke down barriers for Latino artists on mainstream radio. Their impact's immeasurable. Where's she now? Lisa Lisa's practically the reigning queen of the current Freestyle Explosion tours, packing massive venues in 2026 and showing a whole new generation exactly how it's done.

Stevie B: The Undisputed King
If there's a King of Freestyle, it's Stevie B. The man just couldn't miss. From party anthems like "Spring Love" and "Party Your Body" to the ultimate number one ballad "Because I Love You", Stevie B knew exactly what his fans wanted. His music was the backdrop to countless first dates, high school dances, and summer nights. He gave the genre a commercial viability that nobody expected. And guess what? He's still headlining enormous tours. If you look at the 2026 tour posters, Stevie B's name's right there at the top, delivering those classic hits to tens of thousands of screaming fans.

TKA: The High Energy Powerhouse
When TKA stepped onto a stage, you knew you were in for a masterclass in performance. K7 and the guys brought a raw, street level hip hop energy to freestyle. "One Way Love", "Maria", and "Tears May Fall" remain absolute anthems. They didn't just sing - they danced their hearts out and gave fans a visually stunning show. TKA became the best selling Latin freestyle group in history, and they heavily influenced boy bands and dance groups that came later. They're still performing as TKA, and their live shows today still pack the exact same electric punch as they did back in the day.

The Cover Girls: Glamour Meets the Beat
With tracks like "Show Me" and "Wishing on a Star", The Cover Girls brought a touch of glamour and pop polish to the freestyle world. They were fashion icons. Every girl wanted to dress like them, and every guy fell in love with them. They harmonized beautifully over those classic pounding beats, proving that freestyle could be both edgy and incredibly beautiful. The original lineup's seen some changes over the years, but The Cover Girls name still carries immense weight, and they're still out there touring the country.

Judy Torres: The Queen of Hearts
If you ever needed a shoulder to cry on after a bad breakup, Judy Torres was there for you. Songs like "No Reason to Cry" and "Come Into My Arms" still hit incredibly hard. Judy didn't just sing the lyrics - she bled them. Her fans feel an incredibly deep personal connection to her because her music's so relentlessly honest. Beyond music, Judy became an iconic radio personality in New York City, connecting with her fans on a daily basis. She's still a massively requested performer and a beloved figure in the freestyle community.

Sa-Fire: The Vocal Dynamo
Sa-Fire brought serious vocal chops to the table. "Boy I've Been Told" and "Love Is On Her Mind" showed an incredible range and a fierce independence. She wasn't just a singer - she was a writer and a creator who demanded respect in a very competitive music industry. Sa-Fire inspired countless young women to stand up for themselves. While she doesn't tour as relentlessly as some of the others today, her impact remains a foundational pillar of the genre.

George Lamond: The Voice
When "Bad of the Heart" hit the airwaves, it was game over. George Lamond possessed a voice that could rival the biggest pop stars on the planet. His vocal runs, his undeniable swagger, and his ability to convey deep emotion made him an instant superstar. He brought a sophisticated, incredibly polished sound to freestyle. Today, George's still out there crushing it on stage alongside his peers, and his voice sounds just as pristine as it did the day he recorded those classic tracks.

Cynthia & Johnny O: The Ultimate Duo
I've got to group Cynthia and Johnny O together, even though they had massive solo careers. Cynthia gave us huge hits like "Change on Me", and Johnny O gave us "Fantasy Girl". But when they teamed up for "Dreamboy/Dreamgirl", they created what's arguably the greatest freestyle duet of all time. It's the ultimate tale of star crossed lovers set to a frantic, irresistible beat. They gave a voice to every teenager who felt hopelessly in love. Both Cynthia and Johnny O still draw huge crowds on the live circuit, frequently performing together to the absolute delight of their lifelong fans.

Debbie Deb: The Weekend Warrior
If you ever stepped foot in a roller rink on a Friday night, you know Debbie Deb. "When I Hear Music" and "Lookout Weekend" remain the ultimate party starters. Her music was heavily electro influenced, with those bouncy, infectious beats that made it impossible to sit still. Hip hop and EDM artists today still heavily sample Debbie Deb's tracks, proving just how forward thinking her sound really was. She remains a beloved figure, occasionally popping up at retro shows to remind everyone who started the party.

How They Changed the Game
Freestyle dance music wasn't just a passing fad - it was a cultural revolution. Before freestyle, mainstream radio was incredibly segregated. These artists, many of them incredibly talented kids from Puerto Rican and Italian neighborhoods, forced the door open. They created a hybrid sound that blended the energy of hip hop, the melodies of pop, and the relentless pulse of electronic dance music. They laid the groundwork for the massive EDM festivals we see today.

But their real impact was on the people. For the fans, this music's a time machine. It takes them right back to their first car, their first kiss, their first heartbreak. The freestyle community's like a massive family. When you go to a Freestyle Explosion concert today, you aren't just watching a retro act - you're experiencing a beautiful, chaotic reunion. The fans know every single lyric, the artists still give it everything they've got, and the energy in the room's purely electric.

These artists proved that you don't need a massive corporate machine to make a lasting impact. You just need a heavy beat, a synthesizer, and a whole lot of heart. And that's why, all these years later, the music still plays on.

Who are your favorite freestyle artists - and what are your favorite freestyle songs?
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· posted in Freestyle Hits of 1990
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· posted in Freestyle Hits of 1988
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· posted in Freestyle Hits of 1992
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