Daily Voice Reader’s Choice

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Shelter Founder From Bedford Charged With Animal Cruelty For Second Time Shelter Founder From Bedford Charged With Animal Cruelty For Second Time
Shelter Founder From Bedford Charged With Animal Cruelty For Second Time Following the death of two dogs who were denied veterinary care, the founder of a Northern Westchester animal shelter was criminally charged for the second time in a year, officials announced.  Bedford resident Penny Berk, the founder and owner of the Rescue Right animal shelter at Northwind Kennels in Bedford at 402 Old Post Rd. (Route 172), was arrested for a second time and charged with two counts of animal cruelty, SPCA Westchester announced on Wednesday, Nov. 13.  Berk was first arrested on animal cruelty charges on Thursday, July 18 in connection with the deaths of…
New Bottomless Brunch Spot Drawing Crowds In Westchester New Bottomless Brunch Spot Drawing Crowds In Westchester
New Bottomless Brunch Spot Drawing Crowds In Westchester Months after opening, a new Westchester restaurant that serves up bottomless brunch, lunch, and dinner is already a hit with patrons.  Jill's Bar & Restaurant, located in Mamaroneck at 100 West Boston Post Rd. (Route 1), opened in late April 2024 and since then, has earned plenty of praise from visitors for its food and drink options.  On its lunch/dinner menu, the eatery offers delicious menu items from a wide variety of cuisines, including Irish and British-inspired Scotch eggs and shepherd's pie; Mexican-inspired options like Birria tacos and Jill's nachos; and classic Amer…
NBC Names Popular Anchor To Replace Hoda Kotb On 'Today' Show NBC Names Popular Anchor To Replace Hoda Kotb On 'Today' Show
NBC Names Popular Anchor To Replace Hoda Kotb On 'Today' Show The "Today" show didn't have to look far to find a replacement for Hoda Kotb, who is retiring early next year.  The show announced on Thursday, Nov. 14, that Craig Melvin who has been with "Today" since 2018, would do double duty and co-chair the news from 7 to 8 a.m. beginning early next year, NBC News said. The 45-year-old Melvin lives in Westport, Connecticut, with his wife, sports broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak, and their two children, Delano, 10, and Sybil, 8. He's worked with NBC News for 14 years.  “I am beyond excited and grateful,” an emotional Melvin said, flanked by "Tod…
Vacant Home Broken Into In Northern Westchester Vacant Home Broken Into In Northern Westchester
Vacant Home Broken Into In Northern Westchester Authorities responded to a vacant home in Northern Westchester after a real estate agent found that it had been broken into.  The incident happened on Saturday, Nov. 9, when a real estate agent discovered damage at a house on Limestone Road in Armonk, according to the North Castle Police Department. The house is currently on the real estate market and was vacant when it was broken into. The agent spent an hour cleaning up the damage before notifying police, the department said.  More information about the break-in, including if any suspects were apprehended, was not released by p…
How Much Should I Spend On My First Home? How Much Should I Spend On My First Home?
How Much Should I Spend On My First Home? One of the biggest questions for first-time homebuyers is, "How much can I afford?" Before you start looking for a home, you should absolutely have your budget in mind. You don’t want to fall in love with a home that’s out of your price-range only to be disappointed that you can’t afford it. Here are some tips on how to determine your home-buying budget. Can you use your rent as a good indicator of a monthly payment? When determining a budget, there are two questions: What can I afford to pay every month? And, what can I afford to purchase? Some buyers might start their search thinking t…
Dispute Involving Knife At HS In Westchester Leaves Student Injured, Prompts Lockdown Dispute Involving Knife At HS In Westchester Leaves Student Injured, Prompts Lockdown
Dispute Involving Knife At HS In Westchester Leaves Student Injured, Prompts Lockdown A person was taken into custody following a dispute involving a knife at a Westchester County high school that left a student injured, police said. The incident happened on Thursday morning, Nov. 14, when a student brought a knife into Gorton High School in Yonkers. A dispute that ensued resulted in an injury, Yonkers Police announced just before 10:30 a.m.  The student responsible for the incident was taken into custody, police said, adding that there is no active threat to the school. However, the campus was placed on lockdown as authorities continued their investigation.  The …
The Onion Buys InfoWars Out Of Bankruptcy: Reports The Onion Buys InfoWars Out Of Bankruptcy: Reports
The Onion Buys InfoWars Out Of Bankruptcy: Reports In a bizarre twist of fate The Onion, the wildly popular satire news website, has purchased InfoWars out of bankruptcy. according to multiple reports. Conspiracy and supplement huckster Alex Jones announced the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee had finalized the sale on Thursday, Nov. 14, NBC News said. “I just got word 15 minutes ago that my lawyers and folks met with the U.S. trustee over our bankruptcy this morning and they said they are shutting us down even without a court order this morning,” Jones said, per NBC.  “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m going to be here u…
Rubber Snake Inside Package Prompts Police Response In Armonk Rubber Snake Inside Package Prompts Police Response In Armonk
Rubber Snake Inside Package Prompts Police Response In Armonk Officers were called to a Northern Westchester home after a resident discovered what he thought was a snake inside a package.  The incident happened on Friday, Nov. 8, when an Armonk resident of Old Mount Kisco Road told police that he had opened a Walmart delivery at his home and had found a snake inside the box, according to North Castle Police. An officer then responded to the residence and checked the package, soon confirming that the reported reptile was, in fact, a fake rubber snake. 
Nominate Your Favorite Westchester County Businesses In DV's Readers' Choice Nominate Your Favorite Westchester County Businesses In DV's Readers' Choice
Nominate Your Favorite Westchester County Businesses In DV's Readers' Choice Daily Voice is excited to announce its first-ever Readers’ Choice contest in Westchester County! Readers’ Choice is set to showcase the top businesses that make the area special. Whether it’s a cozy coffee shop, a family-run pizzeria, a boutique spa, or a dedicated local handyman, this is your chance to give them the spotlight they deserve. Who makes the best pie in Westchester? Engin Akyurt: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-pizza-2619970/ Nominations Are Open! Do you have a favorite place you love to dine at? Is there a hairstylist who always gets your look just righ…
New Restaurant Making Mark In First Year Of Business In Hudson Valley New Restaurant Making Mark In First Year Of Business In Hudson Valley
New Restaurant Making Mark In First Year Of Business In Hudson Valley Open for just over a year, a new Hudson Valley restaurant is winning praise for food, music, and drinks from foodies and online reviewers. Located in Rockland County, the Nyack Social, at 125 Main St., in Nyack, serves lunch, brunch on weekends, and dinner, offering a host of selections that foodies say are top-notch. The menu offers a symphony of choices, from wings and burgers to more sophisticated options such as steaks, seafood, and chicken.  Foodie favorites are the seafood options, wings, burgers, and steaks. They are also known for their drinks and live music several times a w…
Red Lobster Launches New-Look Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Red Lobster Launches New-Look Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy
Red Lobster Launches New-Look Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Two months after exiting bankruptcy, restaurant chain Red Lobster is unveiling a revamped menu. It features these seven new items: Lobster Pappardelle Pasta Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops Lobster Bisque Lemon Basil Mahi Simply Prepared Mahi Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Roasted Asparagus In addition, a pair of old fan-favorites that had been discontinued are back:  Popcorn Shrimp, Hush Puppies  Red Lobster is now giving guests the ability to customize their seafood favorites with the launch of "Create your Own Ultimate Feast." Customers can mix and match two premium picks such as …
New Eatery Is Authentic British Pub In Heart Of Mount Kisco: 'Will Be Back Many Times' New Eatery Is Authentic British Pub In Heart Of Mount Kisco: 'Will Be Back Many Times'
New Eatery Is Authentic British Pub In Heart Of Mount Kisco: 'Will Be Back Many Times' More than half a year after opening, a British-styled pub in Northern Westchester seems to have proved its authenticity to visitors.  The Ambleside Pub, which opened in early April 2024 in Mount Kisco at 23 East Main St., is a pub that models itself after similar establishments in the United Kingdom.  The pub serves up real cask ales like the Ambleside Best Bitter, which was created in a partnership with the Old Glenham Brewery and is served in imperial pints at 50-degree cellar temperature.  Other options include a selection of draft beers, cocktails, whisky, gin, and Briti…
Pound Ridge's Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively Reveal Themselves As Swifties In New Selfie Pound Ridge's Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively Reveal Themselves As Swifties In New Selfie
Pound Ridge's Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively Reveal Themselves As Swifties In New Selfie Popular power couple and New York residents Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are the latest celebrities to be completely enthralled with pop superstar Taylor Swift. In an Instagram post, Reynolds revealed that he and Lively, who married in 2012 and live in the Northern Westchester town of Pound Ridge, attended an Eras Tour concert in New Orleans in October, an experience he said was "one of the best things I’ve seen/heard/felt." "The main reason I’ll never forget this show is because it brings people together in so many ways," Reynolds, age 48, wrote in the post's caption, also adding, "And …
System On Track To Be Major Hurricane Now Expected To Make Landfall In Florida: Here's Timing System On Track To Be Major Hurricane Now Expected To Make Landfall In Florida: Here's Timing
System On Track To Be Major Hurricane Now Expected To Make Landfall In Florida: Here's Timing A major hurricane expected to develop on the Gulf Coast could hit Florida by the middle of next week as a Category 2 storm, according to forecasters. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has designated the system in the central Caribbean Sea as Tropical Depression 19. It would be called Sara after it becomes a tropical storm as expected. As of 4 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, the NHC reported that it is located in the central Caribbean Sea, moving westward toward Central America.  The system is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm within 24 hours.  Tropical storm warnings are…
Former NY Rep Paralyzed After Horse Accident Receiving Treatment In NJ: Report Former NY Rep Paralyzed After Horse Accident Receiving Treatment In NJ: Report
Former NY Rep Paralyzed After Horse Accident Receiving Treatment In NJ: Report Former New York Congressman Michael Grimm has been left paralyzed from the chest down after a severe horse-riding accident during a polo tournament, and is being treated in New Jersey, CBS News reports citing a friend of Grimm's.  Grimm, age 54, was thrown from his horse in September and is now undergoing treatment at the renowned Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, which has locations in West Orange, Saddle Brook, Chester, and Marlton.  Headquartered in West Orange, Kessler is where actor Christopher Reeve was treated following a similar accident in 1995, and was…
54-Year-Old Man Killed After Hitting Tractor-Trailer On I-684 In Northern Westchester 54-Year-Old Man Killed After Hitting Tractor-Trailer On I-684 In Northern Westchester
54-Year-Old Man Killed After Hitting Tractor-Trailer On I-684 In Northern Westchester A 54-year-old Hudson Valley man was killed after his vehicle struck a tractor-trailer parked near a rest area on a busy interstate in Northern Westchester.  The crash happened at around 5:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, when a 2021 Kia Sportage driving southbound on Interstate 684 in Bedford left the roadway for an unknown reason and hit a 1995 International Harvester tractor-trailer parked south of the town's rest area, New York State Police announced on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The driver, Putnam County resident Howard Zaibel of Brewster, was rushed to Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount …
'This Restaurant Will Blow You Away': New Eatery Offers Great Views Of New Tappan Zee Bridge 'This Restaurant Will Blow You Away': New Eatery Offers Great Views Of New Tappan Zee Bridge
'This Restaurant Will Blow You Away': New Eatery Offers Great Views Of New Tappan Zee Bridge If you are ready for an upscale night out enjoying Greek cuisine while gazing upon the new Tappan Zee Bridge, local foodies say Trata on the River is the spot. Located in Rockland County in Piermont, Trata on the River opened its doors in October in the completely renovated old Pier 701 restaurant.   Online reviewers say the restaurant, owned by Efthimios Salouros and Annamarie Adinolfi, focuses on Greek cuisine but makes you feel like you're on a Mediterranean Island. Chef José Luis Falcóne, who has worked at high-end restaurants such as Nobu, Café des Artistes, and Windows on t…
Judges Vacate 12 Convictions Connected To Former Westchester Detective Nabbed On Perjury Charge Judges Vacate 12 Convictions Connected To Former Westchester Detective Nabbed On Perjury Charge
Judges Vacate 12 Convictions Connected To Former Westchester Detective Nabbed On Perjury Charge Following an extensive review process, narcotics-related charges for a dozen people that were connected to a former Westchester County detective convicted of perjury have been vacated, officials announced.  The 12 vacaturs were announced on Wednesday, Nov. 13 by the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, which reviewed the cases based on the perjury conviction of former Yonkers Police Detective Christian Koch in 2015.  According to the DA's Office, an examination by the DA's Conviction Review Unit resulted in Westchester County Court Justice Larry Schwartz and Yonkers City…
Man Shoots Father Dead In Front Of His Kids In Northern Westchester: Here's His Sentence Man Shoots Father Dead In Front Of His Kids In Northern Westchester: Here's His Sentence
Man Shoots Father Dead In Front Of His Kids In Northern Westchester: Here's His Sentence A 40-year-old man will spend decades in prison for fatally shooting a Hudson Valley father in front of his children in Northern Westchester. Peekskill resident Reginald McClure was sentenced on Thursday, Nov. 7 to 30 years in state prison in connection with the shooting death of Dutchess County resident Ernest Wilson of Poughkeepsie in May 2023, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday, Nov 12. According to the DA's Office, just after 7:30 p.m. on May 21, 2023, Wilson, age 53, had been dropping off his child with their mother, McClure's girlfriend, at…
Beloved Village Employee Dies Suddenly In Westchester: 'True Ambassador' Beloved Village Employee Dies Suddenly In Westchester: 'True Ambassador'
Beloved Village Employee Dies Suddenly In Westchester: 'True Ambassador' A community in Westchester is mourning the sudden loss of a senior center employee who dedicated herself to caring for others and organizing activities to make her home a better place.  The untimely death of Nina Jones, a well-known staff member at the Port Chester Senior Community Center, was announced by the village on Sunday, Nov. 10. Her age and cause of death were not made public.  According to village officials, Jones was "an integral member" of the center and worked to "make each day in the center a great one" for seniors. To do this, she often helped organize trips and pro…
Car Catches On Fire On Taconic Parkway In Northern Westchester Car Catches On Fire On Taconic Parkway In Northern Westchester
Car Catches On Fire On Taconic Parkway In Northern Westchester An early morning vehicle blaze sent up plenty of smoke on a busy parkway in Northern Westchester.  The fire began on Tuesday, Nov. 12 around 6 a.m. on the southbound Taconic State Parkway in Briarcliff Manor, where a vehicle went up in flames, according to the Hawthorne Fire Department, which helped fight the blaze.  Arriving firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire in the parkway's right shoulder.  No injuries were reported. 
Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says
Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says A cybersecurity “issue” has led the parent company of a supermarket chain to disconnect some systems to protect them. Ahold Delhaize USA said it recently detected a cybersecurity issue within its US network. "Immediately upon detecting the issue, our security teams began an investigation with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts," the company said. "We also notified law enforcement." The move affects: Stop & Shop, which has around 400 locations in New England, New York, and New Jersey; Hannaford, with stores in eastern upstate New York and New England; Giant Company, with…
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency President-Elect Donald Trump continues to fill his cabinet with loyalists and his biggest supporters following his sweeping victory in last week's election.  He announced Tuesday, Nov. 12, that two billionaire former rivals turned allies, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, would head up his new Department of Government Efficiency.  Related: Trump Nominates NY Rep. Elise Stefanik As UN Ambassador The tech entrepreneur, age 53, and the 39-year-old Harvard and Yale Law grad will be tasked with major cuts in government spending. Trump called it "The Manhattan Project" for a new…
Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Nov. 12 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $361M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Nov. 12 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $361M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Nov. 12 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $361M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Tuesday, Nov. 12 Mega Millions drawing. The estimated jackpot is $261 million with a $169.2 million cash option. The winning numbers for Tuesday's drawing are: 18-31-33-64-68 with a Mega Ball of 17 and a Megaplier of 3X If no winner wins the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.  Lottery players have a 1 in 302,575,350 chance of winning a Mega Millions jackpot by matching all five balls plus the gold Mega Ball, according to officials. There ar…
Westchester's Deputy Executive Announces Run For County's Top Position Westchester's Deputy Executive Announces Run For County's Top Position
Westchester's Deputy Executive Announces Run For County's Top Position Now that Westchester County Executive George Latimer will be serving in Congress, another top county official has announced his bid to take his place.  In an announcement on Tuesday, Nov. 12, Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins revealed his candidacy for the county's top position.  Jenkins' candidacy follows Latimer's victory in the race for New York's 16th Congressional District seat. Since Latimer will be heading to Congress, Jenkins said he believes he is ready to take on the job. Earlier Report - Election 2024: Winner Projected In 16th Congressional District…
Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies
Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies If you’ve ever hopped a train or scanned a radio in these parts, chances are good you’ve heard the velvety smooth voice of Van Ritshie. The longtime Hudson Valley radio host and voiceover artist, whose voice guided MTA commuters for decades, died Sunday, Nov. 3, at a Dutchess County hospice center in Poughkeepsie. He was 80 years old. “The Family of Van Ritshie is sad to announce that ‘The Voice of the Hudson Valley’ has passed on to be with Jesus after a brief illness surrounded by family,” reads his obituary. After earning his communications degree at Queensborough Community College in Q…
Hochul Provides Update On Wildfires In Hudson Valley Hochul Provides Update On Wildfires In Hudson Valley
Hochul Provides Update On Wildfires In Hudson Valley As the wildfires continue to burn across the Hudson Valley, Gov. Kathy Hochul updated what's being done to mitigate and contain them. On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Hochul said a multi-agency response had been deployed to fires in Orange and Ulster counties in close coordination with local fire departments and first responders.  According to Hochul, an aerial investigation shows the Orange County fire named the Jennings Creek/Sterling State Park wildfire in New York and New Jersey now encompasses 5,000 acres, half of which is in New York, and is 10 percent contained in both states. The fire in …
Remodeled Dunkin' Reopens In Westchester: Will Celebrate With '100 Days Of Free Coffee' Remodeled Dunkin' Reopens In Westchester: Will Celebrate With '100 Days Of Free Coffee'
Remodeled Dunkin' Reopens In Westchester: Will Celebrate With '100 Days Of Free Coffee' A second Dunkin' locale in Westchester is celebrating its newly remodeled interior by offering 100 days of free coffee to those who show up fast enough.  The Dunkin' located at 229 Mamaroneck Ave. in Mamaroneck will hold a grand reopening celebration on Saturday, Nov. 16 to highlight its "next generation store design," according to a Dunkin' spokesperson.  To mark the occasion, the store will offer "100 Days of Free Coffee" to the first 100 Dunkin' Rewards members in line at the location beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Those who line up fast enough will receive their free medium …
Fireball Lights Up East Coast Sky, Captivating Hundreds Across NY Fireball Lights Up East Coast Sky, Captivating Hundreds Across NY
Fireball Lights Up East Coast Sky, Captivating Hundreds Across NY A bright fireball streaked across the East Coast on Monday, Nov. 11, catching the attention of hundreds of people from Connecticut to Virginia (did you see it? Send footage to clevine@dailyvoice.com). The American Meteor Society reported that 236 people witnessed the fireball around 7:48 p.m., with sightings spanning 13 states, the District of Columbia, and Ontario, Canada (click here for the sightings map). Witnesses described the fireball as a striking light blue or green that illuminated the sky for four to seven seconds, moving diagonally from the upper right to the lower left. The eve…
Car Fire Spreads To Home, Another Vehicle In Northern Westchester Car Fire Spreads To Home, Another Vehicle In Northern Westchester
Car Fire Spreads To Home, Another Vehicle In Northern Westchester A fire inside a Northern Westchester garage soon became more complicated after spreading to the residence, nearby brush, and a vehicle containing materials that caused explosive flames.  The blaze began at around 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 inside a garage at a home on Giglio Court in Croton-on-Hudson, according to the village's fire department. Arriving fire crews found two burning vehicles inside the garage, and discovered that the flames were extending to the home and surrounding brush. Firefighters then spread several hose lines to put the fire out while also searching the home …
Trooper Struck By Pickup Truck ID'd As Hudson Valley Native Trooper Struck By Pickup Truck ID'd As Hudson Valley Native
Trooper Struck By Pickup Truck ID'd As Hudson Valley Native A New York State Trooper from the Hudson Valley remains hospitalized after being struck by a pickup truck on I-87 while outside of his vehicle during a traffic stop. Putnam County native Nicholas Abbondola, from Mahopac, was severely injured in Albany County on Saturday, Nov. 2, on the Northway southbound lanes at 12:30 p.m. A tow truck driver from Saratoga County, Brett M. Dempsey, age 29, of Clifton Park, was also hit. He is recovering at home but has a long road ahead, said New York State Police Trooper Stephanie O'Neil.  O'Neil said Abbondola will be moved to a rehabilitation cent…