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Police & Fire
Greenburgh-Bound: New Officers Graduate From Westchester Police Academy Greenburgh-Bound: New Officers Graduate From Westchester Police Academy
Greenburgh-Bound: New Officers Graduate From Westchester Police Academy After months of training, dozens of new graduates of the Westchester Police Academy will soon begin serving communities throughout the county. The 49 new recruits graduated from the Westchester County Police Academy during a ceremony held at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center, the Westchester County Police Department announced on Friday, Dec. 6. They will now go on to work at seven departments in the county.  The new recruits will now be sent to the following Westchester departments: Westchester County PD: Shaun Blute, Frank Caparelli, Devin Furphy, Steven Hartog, Autumn …

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by Ben Crnic
News
Federal Oversight Ends For Police Department In Westchester After Major Reforms Federal Oversight Ends For Police Department In Westchester After Major Reforms
Federal Oversight Ends For Police Department In Westchester After Major Reforms A police department in Westchester has implemented enough major reforms to result in the conclusion of federal oversight after years of monitoring, officials announced. In an announcement on Tuesday, Dec. 3, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York revealed that oversight of the Yonkers Police Department has officially ended following significant reforms made to improve its policies, training, and community engagement. The federal oversight originally stemmed from an investigation that began in 2007 and a subsequent agreement in November 2016 aimed at address…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Juvenile Alligator Rescued From Cool Waters Of Creek In Hudson Valley Juvenile Alligator Rescued From Cool Waters Of Creek In Hudson Valley
Juvenile Alligator Rescued From Cool Waters Of Creek In Hudson Valley Yep, an alligator rescued from the cool waters of a Hudson Valley creek is recovering and getting warmed up. The small male gator was found in Rockland County at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, in the Minisceongo Creek near Bridge Street in Garnerville. According to the Haverstraw Police Department, officers responded to a call about an alligator in the water. They assisted in removing the gator from the water with help from the Hudson Valley Humane Society of Pomona. Late Thursday, the Humane Society said a herpetology expert from the Bronx Zoo "was kind enough to come by tonight and t…

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by Kathy Reakes
Business
New Woman-Owned Cannabis Dispensary To Celebrate Opening In Westchester New Woman-Owned Cannabis Dispensary To Celebrate Opening In Westchester
New Woman-Owned Cannabis Dispensary To Celebrate Opening In Westchester An all-new woman-owned cannabis dispensary in Westchester will soon mark its grand opening by giving visitors a chance to learn more about its products.  Highlife Health, LLC, located in New Rochelle at 19 Huguenot St., will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. In addition to the ceremony, the fully-licensed dispensary will also mark its opening with a weekend-long "Education-Fest" that will give customers and community members a chance to meet with product representatives and explore the business.  Visitors to…

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by Ben Crnic
News
$1.5M To Go Toward New Outdoor Amphitheater In Hudson Valley For Popular Festival $1.5M To Go Toward New Outdoor Amphitheater In Hudson Valley For Popular Festival
$1.5M To Go Toward New Outdoor Amphitheater In Hudson Valley For Popular Festival Elected officials have announced $1.5 million in federal funding that will help pay for a permanent home for a Hudson Valley theater festival that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.  US Senator Chuck Schumer just revealed that the funds were secured in pending legislation to go toward the expansion of an open-air Shakespeare-style amphitheater overlooking the Hudson River in Putnam County.  The amphitheater, which the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival will use, will be built on a 98-acre former golf course property in Philipstown that was gifted to the fe…

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Eatery To Close Westchester Location: 'I Am Not Giving Up,' Owner Says Eatery To Close Westchester Location: 'I Am Not Giving Up,' Owner Says
Eatery To Close Westchester Location: 'I Am Not Giving Up,' Owner Says A Northern Westchester eatery will soon be closing for good, its owner announced.  Blondery, a bakery in Peekskill at 922 Main St., will open for its last day on Sunday, Aug. 25, owner Auzerais Bellamy announced in a blog post.  The bakery, which opened in November 2022 as a retail space for the business's online storefront, specializes in gourmet blondies, layer cakes, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, and dog treats.  According to Bellamy, the business's birth in Peekskill came about by happenstance.  "In 2021, we were operating out of a shared kitchen space in Br…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Petition Calls For Renaming Of Westchester Community College Entrance After Former President Petition Calls For Renaming Of Westchester Community College Entrance After Former President
Petition Calls For Renaming Of Westchester Community College Entrance After Former President A retired professor is leading an effort to rename the entrance of Westchester Community College after the institution's beloved former president in honor of his extensive work for the school.  Following a proposal from retired professor Sheldon Malev, a petition spearheaded by the office of Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner calls for renaming the college's entrance on Knollwood Road to its Valhalla campus after former President Joseph Hankin.  Hankin, who served as president for more than 40 years between 1971 and 2013, died in January 2019 at the age of 78.  Over…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Grand Opening Held For Newly-Remodeled Gym At YMCA In Westchester Grand Opening Held For Newly-Remodeled Gym At YMCA In Westchester
Grand Opening Held For Newly-Remodeled Gym At YMCA In Westchester A YMCA in Westchester is celebrating the opening of its newly remodeled gymnasium following a restoration project supported by local, state, and federal officials.  The New Rochelle YMCA held a grand opening for its newly remodeled gymnasium on Tuesday, March 19  following a restoration effort supported by the city, Westchester County, New York State, and federal governments.  The effort was also funded by several local community and business partners and donors, according to the YMCA. "We want to thank all the elected officials, businesses, donors and our wonderful vendors …

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Longtime Friends Open New Restaurant In Elmsford: 'Incredible Journey' Longtime Friends Open New Restaurant In Elmsford: 'Incredible Journey'
Longtime Friends Open New Restaurant In Elmsford: 'Incredible Journey' Two longtime friends and business partners have opened up a new Mexican eatery in Westchester that they hope will become a popular mainstay in the community.  Invito Restaurant, located in Elmsford at 210 Saw Mill River Rd., held its grand opening on Tuesday, Dec. 19, and has become an "exciting new addition" to the area, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said. The new eatery, opened by business partners Erick Perez and Luis Payano, resulted from the duo's interest in opening a New York City-style restaurant in Westchester, Payano said.  "Something Erick and I…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow Farmers' Market Ranks Among Top 10 In NY In Competition Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow Farmers' Market Ranks Among Top 10 In NY In Competition
Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow Farmers' Market Ranks Among Top 10 In NY In Competition A Westchester County farmers' market was named one of the top 10 markets in the state in a competition last month. The Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Farmers Market ranked sixth best in New York State in a competition held by the American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition, the TaSH Farmers Market announced on Sunday, Oct. 9. The market reported that it received nearly 550 votes in the annual competition where individuals vote for their favorite farmers' markets. "We are thrilled The TaSH has ranked among the top 10 markets in the state,” Suzanne Sorrentino, co-president of The T…

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by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Police Department In Westchester County Welcomes Future Service Dog Police Department In Westchester County Welcomes Future Service Dog
Police Department In Westchester County Welcomes Future Service Dog A Northern Westchester police department has welcomed a new furry friend onto the force.  The Bedford Police Department announced its newest addition, a future BluePath service dog named Maverick, on Tuesday, Sept. 27, representatives announced. The yellow labrador and golden retriever mix is set to be cared for by the entire department, with officers Andrew Klein, Zach Leone, Mark Montanaro, and Joe Sagliano, serving as lead puppy raisers. Town of Bedford Supervisor Ellen Calves, police officers Mark Montanaro, Joe Sagliano, and Zach Leone, and Police Chief Melvin Padilla with future …

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by Nicole Valinote
Schools
Elmsford School Superintendent Leaving For New Position In Area Elmsford School Superintendent Leaving For New Position In Area
Elmsford School Superintendent Leaving For New Position In Area One of Westchester’s top educators has officially been tabbed to take over at the helm of a different district in the Hudson Valley. Dr. Marc P. Baiocco, the current Schools Superintendent of the Elmsford Union Free School District, has been formally voted in by the Board of Education of the Clarkstown Central School District in Rockland County to assume the same position there this summer. Clarkstown had been under the guise of interim Superintendent Jeff Sober since September 2021. “With a gavel and a handshake, the Board of Education formally voted in Dr. Marc P. Baiocco as the Clarksto…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
New Ice Cream Parlor Opens Its Doors In Westchester New Ice Cream Parlor Opens Its Doors In Westchester
New Ice Cream Parlor Opens Its Doors In Westchester A new ice cream parlor has officially opened its doors in Westchester County. Ice Cream Social opened in White Plains on Monday, July 5. The shop is located at 481 Mamaroneck Ave. "The point of Ice Cream Social is to help create the kind of city we want to live in," said Erin O'Keefe, who opened up the shop with Pam Geiger. "We are White Plains natives and love White Plains, and this is our way of giving back to the community, as we're hoping this will be a community-oriented space for friends, family, parents and kids to enjoy."  The business' online menu lists a variety of flav…

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by Nicole Valinote
Schools
Teens Hope Their Signs With Anti-Racism Messages Around Westchester Bring Changes Teens Hope Their Signs With Anti-Racism Messages Around Westchester Bring Changes
Teens Hope Their Signs With Anti-Racism Messages Around Westchester Bring Changes A fundraiser and public relations effort among a handful of Westchester teenagers is bringing their anti-racism ideals and messages right to the front door of community members.  Called signs4change it is a grassroots campaign that calls upon artists who support the Black Lives Matter movement and make their feelings known on social media to create signs that carry such messages as "United We Stand" and "This House Supports Black Lives Matter."  Shivi Jain, one of the five Edgemont High School rising juniors speaking for the teens leading the cause said as of this past weekend, 40…

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by Donna Christopher
Sports
Topgolf To Open First New York Location Topgolf To Open First New York Location
Topgolf To Open First New York Location New Yorkers are getting a new way to hit the links. Topgolf Entertainment announced it will be opening its first New York location on Long Island early next year, bringing a new form of golf to the area. According to the company, guests of the new three-level Topgolf venue in Suffolk County located in Holtsville "will soon experience a tech-driven place to play through point-scoring games in the venue's 102 bays, seasonal chef-driven menu items, top-shelf drinks, live music and year-round programming for all ages in a climate-controlled outdoor space.” The new business - which will be loca…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Deer Rescued In Area After Snout Gets Stuck In Halloween Bucket For Days Deer Rescued In Area After Snout Gets Stuck In Halloween Bucket For Days
Deer Rescued In Area After Snout Gets Stuck In Halloween Bucket For Days A yearling deer with its snout stuck in a Halloween bucket for days was saved thanks to concerned residents and animal control officials. The deer was seen in Putnam Valley by a couple of residents who then called the Putnam County SPCS and state Encon officials who were able to grab the baby and gently work the pumpkin bucket off of its head. Reportedly, the bucket was stuck on the deer for four days, and once it was posted to social media people across the country became concerned about the poor little deer. The community, which sees the yearling and her mother around the area, have name…

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by Kathy Reakes
Sports
Westchester County Football Player Nominated For 'Heart Of A Giant' Award Westchester County Football Player Nominated For 'Heart Of A Giant' Award
Westchester County Football Player Nominated For 'Heart Of A Giant' Award A group of student-athletes in New York has been nominated for a prestigious award sponsored in part through the New York Giants. Football players in Freeport and Coram on Long Island, Port Chester in Westchester, Bardonia in Rockland and Newburgh and Wallkill in Orange County have been nominated for the “Heart of a Giant” award, and now need their communities to vote them into the finals. Each week, 10 football players in the tristate area are nominated for voting, and their communities have 25 days to note them in. Six finalists and four honorable mention finalists will ultimately be…

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by Zak Failla
News
Metro-North Railroad Holding Customer Forums In Area Metro-North Railroad Holding Customer Forums In Area
Metro-North Railroad Holding Customer Forums In Area Metro-North Railroad will host a series of open-house style forums to discuss upcoming railroad initiatives. The initiates are focused on improving train service as well as overall customer experience. During the “Connect With Us” forums, daily commuters, leisure travelers, community members and stakeholders are encouraged to engage in constructive dialogue with Metro-North leaders, who will listen to all feedback and answer questions. These forums have already taken place at 10 other stations: North White Plains, Beacon, Brewster, Croton Harmon, Nanuet, Harriman, Mount Vernon East, Bridg…

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by Valerie Musson
Schools
Bedford Central Considers Closing Pair Of Elementary Schools Bedford Central Considers Closing Pair Of Elementary Schools
Bedford Central Considers Closing Pair Of Elementary Schools As student enrollment continues to decline in the Bedford Central School District, officials are considering consolidating their elementary schools, closing two as part of their “long-range facilities plan development.” The district commissioned three demographic studies, which determined that enrollment is on the decline and that each of the district’s five current elementary schools has excess capacity, which is expected to continue to grow. Bedford had 3,915 students enrolled districtwide last year, a 10 percent decrease from just five years ago, when 4,367 students were enrolled. Offic…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Popular Deli Marks 40th Year In Northern Westchester Popular Deli Marks 40th Year In Northern Westchester
Popular Deli Marks 40th Year In Northern Westchester M & R Delicatessen, one of the most popular delis in the area, has just reached a milestone after 40 successful years in business. The combination deli/restaurant/grocery store sits at 135 E. Main Street in Mount Kisco. It was opened by Matt and Ray Henley, who officially celebrated the 40-year milestone in April. "It’s been very rewarding serving the community all of these years and watching the next generation come in, and the generation after that," Ray told Daily Voice. The large and all-encompassing menu includes fresh lettuce salads and longtime favorites like pasta salad, chicke…

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by Valerie Musson
Neighbors
Westchester Municipality Makes Elite Eight In 'Strongest Towns In America' Westchester Municipality Makes Elite Eight In 'Strongest Towns In America'
Westchester Municipality Makes Elite Eight In 'Strongest Towns In America' Iona College may have fallen to the University of North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament opening road, but New Rochelle has made it into the Elite Eight round of a competition naming the “Strongest Town in America.” After taking down Sheboygan, Wisconsin to earn their spot in the second round, New Rochelle is now matched up against Portsmouth, N.H. for a seat in the Final Four of the competition, which is being hosted by the national nonprofit Strong Towns. According to officials, the “Strongest Town contest is a month-long, bracket-based competition designed to spotlight communities from ar…

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by Zak Failla
News
Fights Still Going On Following Mayor's Unannounced Visit To Mount Vernon HS With Rapper Fatboy Fights Still Going On Following Mayor's Unannounced Visit To Mount Vernon HS With Rapper Fatboy
Fights Still Going On Following Mayor's Unannounced Visit To Mount Vernon HS With Rapper Fatboy The fallout from Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas’ unexpected visit to the high school last week continues to reverberate throughout the city and school district as fighting has continued into this week. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas and rapper Fatboy made an appearance at the high school on Friday, Jan. 11, unbeknownst to the school, Principal Ronald Gonzalez, or Mount Vernon Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton. During the visit - which was without notice or authorization - students got riled up and proceeded to begin fighting when the rapper reportedly “made it rain,” throwing money arou…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Have Coffee With A Cop: Westchester County PD Hosts Event At Cortlandt Town Center Have Coffee With A Cop: Westchester County PD Hosts Event At Cortlandt Town Center
Have Coffee With A Cop: Westchester County PD Hosts Event At Cortlandt Town Center Westchester County Police officials are inviting the community to share a cup of “Coffee with a Cop” at a special event in Cortlandt. In an effort to increase cohesion and cooperation in the community, local and County Police have set aside times to meet with local residents in an effort to “build relationships and trust between the officers and the people they save,” according to police officials. The “Coffee with a Cop” event will be held beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at McDonald's on Route 6 in the Cortlandt Town Center. It is expected to conclude around noon. “Police officer…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Mamaroneck HS Students Lead First Elementary School Robotics Competition Mamaroneck HS Students Lead First Elementary School Robotics Competition
Mamaroneck HS Students Lead First Elementary School Robotics Competition Mamaroneck High School students Jordan Ramirez and Paul Pedrozo-- as part of their senior internship -- designed, organized and led the inaugural Elementary Robotics Competition this week. More than 50 fifth graders from all four of the school district's elementary schools came together on June 11 in the high school library for a day full of making new friends, collaborating, competing and having fun. In preparation for the big day, MHS students visited all four elementary schools and delivered additional robotics lessons to prepare the students. The day was made possible by a grant from …

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by Jon Craig
Schools
County Police Chopper Touches Down At Westchester High Schools County Police Chopper Touches Down At Westchester High Schools
County Police Chopper Touches Down At Westchester High Schools Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble said the police department ended this school year's Law Enforcement Clubs at both Yorktown and Lakeland High Schools with a memorable visit from above. "A big shout out to the Aviation Crew of the Westchester County Police Department who impeccably landed their helicopter at both schools . . . and provided an excellent demonstration of what they do to protect and serve our community," Noble said. "The students at both schools met countless law enforcement personnel from Yorktown PD, as well officers from our county, state and federal law enfo…

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by Jon Craig
Business
The Westchester Bank Named Top 10 ‘Best Companies To Work For' In NY The Westchester Bank Named Top 10 ‘Best Companies To Work For' In NY
The Westchester Bank Named Top 10 ‘Best Companies To Work For' In NY  The Westchester Bank has been honored one of the Top 10 Best Companies to Work For in New York state. This year marks the second consecutive year that the White Plains-based bank has been recognized as one of the state's best companies.  It's the first time The Westchester Bank made the “Top 10” list in the small-sized employer category by ranking ninth overall. These celebrated annual awards, hosted by The New York State Society for Human Resource Management, are part of a distinctive program that evaluates and ranks the best places of employment.  This statewide survey and awards progr…

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by Jon Craig
Schools
Iona College, New Rochelle Reach Agreement To Drop Litigation, Expand Iona College, New Rochelle Reach Agreement To Drop Litigation, Expand
Iona College, New Rochelle Reach Agreement To Drop Litigation, Expand Iona College officials have reached an agreement with the city to drop pending litigation and begin the process of a multi-million dollar expansion of two of its buildings. Officials announced the agreement this week which “when fully executed, will allow for the inward expansion of two campus buildings while addressing neighborhood concerns regarding the campus perimeter, and resolving recent legal disputes.” As part of the scope of the $17.5 million project, Hagan Hall and Spellman Hall will be expanded, updated and upgraded on campus, avoiding any disturbances to nearby neighbors. “The …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Yonkers Police Turn To Social Media Network To Aid Safety, Communications Yonkers Police Turn To Social Media Network To Aid Safety, Communications
Yonkers Police Turn To Social Media Network To Aid Safety, Communications The Yonkers Police Department is turning to a special social media network In an effort to improve citywide safety and neighbor-to-neighbor communication. Police officials announced that they are partnering with Nextdoor, after using it during a several month trial period to “collaborate with neighbors to address safety concerns and respond to quality-of-life issues.” Officials said that Nextdoor enables the Yonkers Police Department to work directly with neighbors to increase safety and strengthen virtual neighborhood watch. In fact, according to a recent Nextdoor poll, 81 percent of Yonk…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Westchester School Brings In Safety Specialist After Violent Incidents Westchester School Brings In Safety Specialist After Violent Incidents
Westchester School Brings In Safety Specialist After Violent Incidents Following a spate of violent incidents involving New Rochelle High School students, the Board of Education has made good on its promise to appoint an official in charge of a Safety Task Force. The district announced that they have appointed veteran educator Jonathan Brice to helm the independent Task Force on Reducing Violence in the Lives of Children and Youth that the Board is establishing in conjunction with the city. Brice’s appointment came on the heels of several violent incidents involving students, including the fatal stabbing of Schwab, a 16-year-old junior at the high school whose…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Safety Forum Scheduled Following New Rochelle Stabbing Incidents Safety Forum Scheduled Following New Rochelle Stabbing Incidents
Safety Forum Scheduled Following New Rochelle Stabbing Incidents A heavy turnout is expected inside the New Rochelle High School auditorium Tuesday night as the city hosts a safety forum following three violent incidents involving students in the past two weeks. A “standing room only” crowd of parents, local residents, city and school officials are expected at 7 p.m. at Whitney M. Young Auditorium at the high school following the three stabbing incidents, including the fatal stabbing of junior Valaree Schwab on Jan. 10 outside Dunkin’ Donuts on North Avenue. Following the fatal stabbing, a group of students assaulted a 15-year-old a week later at Gemelli…

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by Zak Failla