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Shawyn Patterson-Howard

Obituaries
Westchester Girl, 13, Dies: Remembered As 'Bright Light' By Community Westchester Girl, 13, Dies: Remembered As 'Bright Light' By Community
Westchester Girl, 13, Dies: Remembered As 'Bright Light' By Community A community in Westchester is grieving the loss of 13-year-old Avayah Almond, who died on Friday, Feb. 21. Almond's death was announced on Monday, Feb. 24 by Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, who said she died from suicide.  "As a community, we must work together to support our young people and families who are suffering in silence or trying to navigate challenges and systems that are not easy," Patterson-Howard said, adding that Avayah was a "bright young light." She also said Avayah's family, friends, and classmates are "devastated" by the loss.  In th…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Mayor Denies Rumors Of ICE Raids At Closed Westchester Pizzeria Mayor Denies Rumors Of ICE Raids At Closed Westchester Pizzeria
Mayor Denies Rumors Of ICE Raids At Closed Westchester Pizzeria A mayor in Westchester addressed rumors of immigration raids in the area of a local pizzeria following rumors on social media. In an announcement on Sunday, Jan. 26 at around 8 a.m., Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard denied any raids by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the area of Pizza King on Gramatan Avenue.  "Pizza King is closed due to Health Code Violations," Howard wrote, adding, "ICE did not snatch people from Gramatan Ave., 3rd, or anywhere else."  Patterson-Howard addressed the rumors some more in the comments section of her post:  "Peop…

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Popular Westchester Restaurant Closes Suddenly After 13 Years Popular Westchester Restaurant Closes Suddenly After 13 Years
Popular Westchester Restaurant Closes Suddenly After 13 Years A popular Westchester restaurant that hosted reunions, birthday parties, and get-togethers for locals for more than a decade, announced its sudden and unexpected closure, leaving longtime patrons and city officials heartbroken.  The closure of Maggie Spillane’s Ale House, owned by Tony Spillane and located in Mount Vernon at 571 Gramatan Ave., will take effect on Saturday, Nov. 30, according to an announcement posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page.  Maggie Spillane's quickly became a Westchester staple since opening in 2011. The decision to close was attributed to unforeseen c…

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by Ben Crnic
News
$41M To Go Toward Expanding, Modernizing Hospital In Westchester $41M To Go Toward Expanding, Modernizing Hospital In Westchester
$41M To Go Toward Expanding, Modernizing Hospital In Westchester New York State officials have dedicated tens of millions of dollars toward expanding and transforming facilities and equipment at a Westchester County hospital.  In an announcement on Monday, Sept. 30, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard revealed a $41 million capital investment from New York State that will go towards Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital.  The secured funding will pay for a "comprehensive revitalization strategy" focusing on expanding and modernizing key areas of the hospital, officials said. This will include:  Redesigning the emergency department so …

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by Ben Crnic
Sports
Motorcade, Ceremony Celebrates Westchester's Own Olympic Gold Medalist Rai Benjamin Motorcade, Ceremony Celebrates Westchester's Own Olympic Gold Medalist Rai Benjamin
Motorcade, Ceremony Celebrates Westchester's Own Olympic Gold Medalist Rai Benjamin An Olympic gold medalist from Westchester will be presented with the key to his home city at the end of a day-long motorcade held in his honor following his standout performance in Paris.  A motorcade celebrating Mount Vernon native Rai Benjamin, who won gold in the men's 400-meter hurdles on Friday, Aug. 9 at the Paris Olympics, began on Tuesday, Sept 10 at 9 a.m. at Mount Vernon High School and will continue into the afternoon hours.  The motorcade will stop at all 16 schools within the Mount Vernon City School District before arriving at Memorial Field at 431 Garden Ave. a…

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by Ben Crnic
Sports
'Time For A Parade': Olympic Gold Medalist Rai Benjamin Set For Hero's Welcome In Westchester 'Time For A Parade': Olympic Gold Medalist Rai Benjamin Set For Hero's Welcome In Westchester
'Time For A Parade': Olympic Gold Medalist Rai Benjamin Set For Hero's Welcome In Westchester A Westchester County native's spectacular gold medal win may prompt upcoming festivities in his home city upon his return from the Paris Olympics, officials hinted.  Mount Vernon's own Rai Benjamin won gold in the men's 400-meter hurdles on Friday, Aug. 9, in front of his friends and family, upgrading the silver medal he won for the same race at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  The 27-year-old champion clinched the gold medal after finishing the event in 46.46 seconds, beating Norway's Karsten Warholm, who took silver, and Brazil's Alison dos Santos, who took bronze.  During those …

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Grocery Store Chain Opens New Location In Westchester Grocery Store Chain Opens New Location In Westchester
Grocery Store Chain Opens New Location In Westchester A grocery store franchise has opened its third location in a Westchester County city.  An all-new Atlantis Fresh Market is now open for business in Mount Vernon at 422 Gramatan Ave., Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced on Thursday, June 13.  The location is the franchise's third store in the city. The other two are located on East Sandford Boulevard and South Columbus Avenue.  "We couldn't be more thrilled," Patterson-Howard said of the store's opening, adding, "Atlantis Fresh Market is more than just a well-run franchise; they are an amazing commu…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Update: 18-Year-Old Charged With Attempted Murder After Shooting Near Westchester Rec Center Update: 18-Year-Old Charged With Attempted Murder After Shooting Near Westchester Rec Center
Update: 18-Year-Old Charged With Attempted Murder After Shooting Near Westchester Rec Center An 18-year-old man faces an attempted murder charge following a shooting that happened behind a recreation center in Westchester, officials announced. On Tuesday, June 11, just after 7 p.m., 18-year-old Jayden Campbell of Mount Vernon was arrested in connection with a shooting that happened on Friday, June 7, according to Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. Earlier Report - Shots Fired At Mount Vernon Intersection: Suspect Eludes Police After Chase On the day of the shooting, around 4:45 p.m. at 42 West 4th St. near the Doles Recreation Center rear yard, Mount Vernon…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Commercial Building Catches On Fire In Westchester Commercial Building Catches On Fire In Westchester
Commercial Building Catches On Fire In Westchester Thanks to quick action from firefighters, a blaze at a commercial building in Westchester was stopped from being worse than it could have been. The fire happened on Tuesday, June 11 around 5:15 p.m., when firefighters found light smoke coming from the roof of 11 Prospect Ave. in Mount Vernon, which contains several storefronts. According to Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, firefighters soon reported the incident as a working fire and quickly extinguished it.  No injuries to occupants or firefighters were reported following the blaze, Patterson-Howard said.  "The …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
New Update: ID Released For Man Killed After Fire Breaks Out At Westchester Residence New Update: ID Released For Man Killed After Fire Breaks Out At Westchester Residence
New Update: ID Released For Man Killed After Fire Breaks Out At Westchester Residence This story has been updated.  A man was found dead during a search of a Westchester residence that went up in flames, officials announced.  The incident began on Saturday, March 16 just before 9:30 a.m., when a blaze ignited at a Mount Vernon residence at 449 South Third Ave. Firefighters soon arrived at the scene and began battling the blaze, finding heavy flames coming from the residence's first floor, according to Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard.  Because of the intense flames, it was difficult for crews to thoroughly search the building.  During a secon…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Bridge Spanning Train Tracks To Be Removed In Westchester Bridge Spanning Train Tracks To Be Removed In Westchester
Bridge Spanning Train Tracks To Be Removed In Westchester The effort to replace a bridge spanning MTA tracks in Westchester will soon be kicking off with the removal of the current structure.  The removal of the South Street Bridge, which spans New Haven Line tracks in Mount Vernon began Thursday night, March 7, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced.  The removal will be done by ECCO and Sessler Wrecking and will take place during nights so that traffic on South Street or nearby Pearl Street is not interrupted during the day, Patterson-Howard said.  If weather does not delay the work, the bridge removal is …

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Take Look Inside: Westchester's First Cannabis Dispensary Celebrates Opening Take Look Inside: Westchester's First Cannabis Dispensary Celebrates Opening
Take Look Inside: Westchester's First Cannabis Dispensary Celebrates Opening The first cannabis dispensary in Westchester is now open for business and is looking to become an integral part of its community. Elevate Cannabis Dispensary, located in Mount Vernon at 127 South Terrace Ave., held its official grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Earlier Report - Westchester's First Cannabis Dispensary To Hold Official Grand Opening In Mount Vernon The event was attended by officials from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management as well as Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and City Comptroller Darr…

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by Ben Crnic
Traffic
Bridge Replacement To Cause Over Month-Long Road Closure In Westchester: Here's Where Bridge Replacement To Cause Over Month-Long Road Closure In Westchester: Here's Where
Bridge Replacement To Cause Over Month-Long Road Closure In Westchester: Here's Where A bridge replacement project is causing a road closure at a busy intersection in Westchester that will last over a month.  The closure resulted from a project commenced by the MTA that will replace the South Fulton Avenue Bridge in Mount Vernon, according to Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard.  Because of construction work, South Fulton Avenue is now closed at the intersection with East 1st Street. The closure began on Monday, Feb. 19, and will tentatively continue until Saturday, March 30, Patterson-Howard said. The bridge that will be replaced traverses the New Haven railr…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Longtime Westchester Resident Announces Run To Become County's First Black District Attorney Longtime Westchester Resident Announces Run To Become County's First Black District Attorney
Longtime Westchester Resident Announces Run To Become County's First Black District Attorney A Westchester native with years of experience in civil rights cases has announced his candidacy to become the county's first Black district attorney.  Mount Vernon native and attorney William O. Wagstaff III announced his candidacy for the Westchester County District Attorney's office on Monday, Nov. 20.  Wagstaff's candidacy announcement comes nearly a month after the county's current District Attorney, Miriam Rocah, announced she would not be seeking re-election in 2024.  Earlier Report - Westchester DA Rocah Won't Seek Re-Election: 'I Do Not Fit Mold Of Career Polit…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester
Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester Election Day 2023 in Westchester proved to be a mixed bag for mayoral candidates, as some incumbents managed to keep their positions while some found themselves passing on the torch to newcomers.  Hours after polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 7, several mayoral candidates in Westchester municipalities discovered whether their campaigns had succeeded. Some of these results included:  Yonkers: Incumbent Mayor Mike Spano, a Democrat, managed to beat Republican candidate Anthony Merante in order to secure a fourth term in office. Spano earned 61 percent of the votes, while Merante earned 36 perce…

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by Ben Crnic
News
State To Review Building Department In Westchester: 'I've Had Concerns,' Mayor Says State To Review Building Department In Westchester: 'I've Had Concerns,' Mayor Says
State To Review Building Department In Westchester: 'I've Had Concerns,' Mayor Says A building department in Westchester will soon be reviewed by the state of New York following concerns about its operations from city officials.  The New York Department of State Division of Building Standards and Codes will be reviewing the internal operations and processes of the Mount Vernon Buildings Department, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced on Wednesday, Aug. 30.  The review was requested by Patterson-Howard after she received complaints from people in the city regarding the department's operations.  "I’ve had concerns and received complaints rega…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds
Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds A Westchester Sergeant faces federal charges after tasing a handcuffed victim seven times in the span of two minutes and violating their rights in the process, officials said.  Brooklyn resident Mario Stewart, age 44, a Sergeant with the Mount Vernon Police Department, has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly using excessive force against a handcuffed individual in a March 2019 incident, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, July 20.  According to federal officials, at the time of the incident, Stewart had been …

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by Ben Crnic
News
$1 Million Project: Animal Shelter To Be Reconstructed In Westchester $1 Million Project: Animal Shelter To Be Reconstructed In Westchester
$1 Million Project: Animal Shelter To Be Reconstructed In Westchester After years of neglect, an animal shelter in Westchester that closed earlier in 2023 is getting $1 million toward restoring and enhancing its services, city officials announced.  The Mount Vernon Animal Shelter, which closed earlier in 2023, will receive a million dollars in funding that will go toward "essential resources" needed to restore its operation, city officials said.  The funding was announced on Friday, May 3 by Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and New York State Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, who represents parts of Yonkers and Mount Vernon.  In addi…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Police Commissioner Of City In Westchester Announces Retirement Police Commissioner Of City In Westchester Announces Retirement
Police Commissioner Of City In Westchester Announces Retirement The commissioner of a police department in Westchester has announced his upcoming retirement.  Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Glenn Scott is set to retire after three years in the position, Director of Communications Timothy Allen announced on Friday, May 12.  Scott said that he will be leaving to focus on personal endeavors.  His last official act of duty will be officiating over the Police Memorial Ceremony on Monday, May 15. Following the event, Deputy Commissioner David Gibson will be sworn in as interim Commissioner.  During his time in Mount Vernon, Scott …

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by Ben Crnic
News
Dog Mauling Incident: Court To Decide If 'Dangerous' Pet Is Seized In Westchester Dog Mauling Incident: Court To Decide If 'Dangerous' Pet Is Seized In Westchester
Dog Mauling Incident: Court To Decide If 'Dangerous' Pet Is Seized In Westchester As public officials in Westchester await a court decision regarding an alleged dog mauling incident, they are also urging pet owners to keep their dogs leashed and trained.  The alleged incident involving a "dangerous dog" happened within the city of Mount Vernon on Tuesday, March 14, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced on Wednesday, March 29.  According to Patterson-Howard, both the complainant and dog owner involved in the incident are awaiting court proceedings and a judge's decision on whether or not there is probable cause for seizing the animal or …

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by Ben Crnic
News
'Did Not Deserve To Die': Mother Of Fatally Shot Teenager In Westchester Speaks Out 'Did Not Deserve To Die': Mother Of Fatally Shot Teenager In Westchester Speaks Out
'Did Not Deserve To Die': Mother Of Fatally Shot Teenager In Westchester Speaks Out The mother of a teenager who was the victim of a fatal shooting in Westchester is urging city officials to improve safety and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.  The shooting, which happened in Mount Vernon on Thursday, March 9 around 10:35 a.m. in the courtyard of the Levister Towers complex at 215 South 9th Avenue, left 14-year-old Zyaire Fernandez dead.  Earlier Report - Arrest Made After Teenager Shot Dead In Mount Vernon: ID Of Victim Released Days after the shooting, on Tuesday, March 14, Mount Vernon Police arrested  21-year-old Tyr…

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by Ben Crnic
Traffic
'Risk Of Road Failure': Traffic Rerouted In City In Westchester Due To Failing Overpasses 'Risk Of Road Failure': Traffic Rerouted In City In Westchester Due To Failing Overpasses
'Risk Of Road Failure': Traffic Rerouted In City In Westchester Due To Failing Overpasses Concerns about the structural integrity of two overpasses in a Westchester County city are prompting city officials to immediately reroute traffic because of the danger they pose to residents.  The two overpasses are located in Mount Vernon and have been cited as unsafe by the New York Department of Transportation because of structural concerns related to age, according to the city's mayor, Shawyn Patterson-Howard, who has ordered them both to be immediately closed on Wednesday, Jan. 11. The overpasses are located on:  South Fulton Avenue between East Third Street and Beekm…

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by Ben Crnic
News
'It's Long Overdue': Westchester County Officials Unveil New $40M Memorial Field Complex 'It's Long Overdue': Westchester County Officials Unveil New $40M Memorial Field Complex
'It's Long Overdue': Westchester County Officials Unveil New $40M Memorial Field Complex Officials unveiled the long-awaited new Memorial Field Complex in Westchester County. The ribbon-cutting event for the newly-updated field in Mount Vernon, hosted by Westchester County Executive George Latimer and City of Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The project cost a total of $40 million, and the new stadium has 3,900 seats, a lighted field equipped for football, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey, along with a sound system that can handle major concerts, officials said.  On Saturday, Sept. 24, the field will host its first Mount Vernon Hig…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Hundreds Attend Anti-Violence Rally After Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleader At Westchester Parade Hundreds Attend Anti-Violence Rally After Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleader At Westchester Parade
Hundreds Attend Anti-Violence Rally After Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleader At Westchester Parade It was a sea of pink and white balloons in downtown Mount Vernon as hundreds showed up to celebrate the life of 16-year-old Kayla Green, who was fatally stabbed during a victory parade for the high school’s basketball championship. The city held an anti-gun rally and separate vigil on Monday, April 11 in the wake of the fatal incident on Friday, April 8 that left the popular cheer captain dead. Original story - Girl Killed In Stabbing During Mount Vernon Parade Was Cheerleading Captain Green was critically stabbed by a 15-year-old assailant during the parade celebrating the Mount Vernon Hi…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Fire Destroys Restaurant In Westchester Fire Destroys Restaurant In Westchester
Fire Destroys Restaurant In Westchester A Westchester restaurant was destroyed by an overnight fire, though firefighters were able to contain it to one building before it spread to neighboring businesses. Fire crews responded to the Mozza Restaurant and Bar on Gramatan Avenue in Mount Vernon at approximately 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 12 when a blaze broke out, officials said. The fire was largely contained to the restaurant, though neighboring Flash Cleaners and Tailors and the AD Sports Bar suffered significant water and structural damage. No injuries were reported. The fire came hours after crews worked to knock down the flame…

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by Zak Failla
News
ID Released For 20-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Westchester ID Released For 20-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Westchester
ID Released For 20-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Westchester Police have released the identity of a 20-year-old woman who was shot and killed over the weekend in Westchester. Mount Vernon police officials confirmed that Aliyah Waiters, a city resident, was killed on Saturday, Sept. 25 after being struck in the head by a bullet. Original story - 20-Year-Old Woman Shot, Killed In Westchester The shooting happened at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25 on South Third Avenue in Mount Vernon. Waiters was taken to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx and put on life support before she was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made as the invest…

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by Zak Failla
News
State Of Emergency Declared In One Of Westchester Largest Cities Over Lack Of Finances State Of Emergency Declared In One Of Westchester Largest Cities Over Lack Of Finances
State Of Emergency Declared In One Of Westchester Largest Cities Over Lack Of Finances The mayor of one of Westchester’s largest cities is sounding the alarms and declaring a State of Emergency as the community contends with “gross negligence and dereliction of duty” of the city’s Comptroller. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced on Thursday, July 15 that she has declared a State of Emergency due to internal strife at City Hall as Comptroller Deborah Reynolds allegedly failed to process or pay invoices for hundreds of thousands of dollars for city vehicles. According to Patterson-Howard, Reynolds has failed to pay approximately $500,000 for critical parts and …

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by Zak Failla
News
MTA Completes Replacement Of Bridge In Westchester MTA Completes Replacement Of Bridge In Westchester
MTA Completes Replacement Of Bridge In Westchester Work has been completed on a multi-million dollar bridge replacement project in Westchester, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced. This week, the MTA announced the reopening of the 10th Avenue Bridge in downtown Mount Vernon, one of six bridges that span the Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven line that the MTA is replacing. The project first began in March 2019 before its completion and reopening on Wednesday, June 2. According to the MTA, the replacement of the bridge was part of a combined $23 million project to replace the 6th Avenue Bridge and 10th Avenue …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
DA Calls For DOJ To Investigate Police Department In Westchester DA Calls For DOJ To Investigate Police Department In Westchester
DA Calls For DOJ To Investigate Police Department In Westchester The Westchester County District Attorney is calling on the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to launch an investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department. DA Mimi Rocah announced on Friday, April 30 that she is calling on the DOs to investigate the department for pervasive and persistent alleged civil rights violations including unlawful strip searches, excessive use of force, and other misconduct. Rocah noted that her office is in the process of multiple criminal investigations involving certain Mount Vernon police officers. “In the course of those investigations, based largely on pub…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair
Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair Mount Vernon’s top lawmaker is calling for an investigation of the city’s Board of Ethics chair following allegations that he made threats and sought to coerce a Councilperson. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard issued a statement late on Thursday, April 22 calling for Gregory Cannata’s resignation and a thorough probe into his actions after he allegedly targeted City Councilwoman Janice Duarte. Original story - Board Of Ethics Chair In Westchester Facing Charges After Allegedly Attempting To Coerce Rival “The recent allegations and arrest of Board of Ethics chair Gregory Cannata r…

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by Zak Failla
News
Candlelight Vigil Scheduled For Westchester Native, Rapper DMX Candlelight Vigil Scheduled For Westchester Native, Rapper DMX
Candlelight Vigil Scheduled For Westchester Native, Rapper DMX A candlelight vigil has been scheduled in rapper DMX’s Westchester hometown following his death last week. On Friday, April 9, DMX died following a weeklong stay at White Plains Hospital after a heart attack at his Westchester home. TMZ reported that he had initially suffered an overdose. Earlier story - Rapper, Westchester Native, Resident DMX Dies At Age 50 A Mount Vernon native who grew up in Yonkers, DMX - whose original name was Earl Simmons - died surrounded by friends and family after being placed on life support for several days. To honor DMX’s life and legacy, the “Celebrate…

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by Zak Failla