What's That?: Prison Alarm Malfunctions In Westchester What's That?: Prison Alarm Malfunctions In Westchester
What's That?: Prison Alarm Malfunctions In Westchester No, that alarm you heard is not the end of the world—a prison alarm malfunctioned in Northern Westchester, police said. In an announcement on Friday morning, Dec. 20, the Ossining Police Department said that the alarm at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in the village was not working correctly.  "There is no emergency at this time," the department added.  Now that you know there's no threat, keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming film release all about the prison's Rehabilitation Through the Arts program that will premiere in theaters for the second time on Friday, Jan. 1…
Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures
Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Nearly 30 percent of US pharmacies closed between 2010 and 2021, according to a new study in the health-policy publication Health Affairs. The research, led by University of California Berkeley assistant professor Jenny S. Guadamuz and colleagues, analyzed data from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, county health statistics, and ZIP Code demographic surveys.  Of the 88,930 retail pharmacies operating in 2010, almost one-third shuttered by 2021, with those in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods disproportionately affected, Independent pharmacies were hit ha…
New Rochelle Student Dies Leaving High School Community Reeling New Rochelle Student Dies Leaving High School Community Reeling
New Rochelle Student Dies Leaving High School Community Reeling The New Rochelle High School community is grieving the loss of a student whose untimely passing was announced by Superintendent Dr. Corey W. Reynolds on Thursday, Dec. 19. The student, whose name has not been publicly released, passed away on Monday, Dec. 16, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, determination, and ambition, Reynolds said. The student was admired by staff and peers alike for her unwavering commitment to her education and her goal of creating a better future for her family, the superintendent added. “Her memory will remain an inspiration to us all,” Reynolds wrote. “This st…
‘Eras Tour’ Vibes: Taylor Swift Laser Show Coming To Westchester Planetarium ‘Eras Tour’ Vibes: Taylor Swift Laser Show Coming To Westchester Planetarium
‘Eras Tour’ Vibes: Taylor Swift Laser Show Coming To Westchester Planetarium Although Taylor Swift has ended her globe-spanning Eras Tour, a Hudson Valley planetarium is filling this Blank Space with a light show that will feature plenty of the pop icon's hits.  The Planetarium at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers will be holding its "Laser Taylor Swift" show through the end of December, combining Swift's best-known songs with a "dazzling laser light show," according to the museum's website.  The 55-minute show will feature hits such as "Anti-Hero," "Love Story," and "...Ready for It?"  In a post on social media, Yonkers city officials raved about t…
Big Lots To Begin 'Going Out Of Business' Sales At Nearly 1,000 Remaining Stores Big Lots To Begin 'Going Out Of Business' Sales At Nearly 1,000 Remaining Stores
Big Lots To Begin 'Going Out Of Business' Sales At Nearly 1,000 Remaining Stores Big Lots has announced plans to close all of its remaining 963 stores, initiating "going out of business" sales following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in September. The company says it's started the process of closing stores in 48 states and liquidating inventory under its court-supervised Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.  The decision comes as the retailer seeks to maximize value for stakeholders while exploring potential going-concern sale opportunities. "We all have worked extremely hard and have taken every step to complete a going concern sale," Big Lots' President and Chie…
DJ Nabbed After Loud Early Morning Airbnb Party Disrupts Hudson Valley Neighborhood DJ Nabbed After Loud Early Morning Airbnb Party Disrupts Hudson Valley Neighborhood
DJ Nabbed After Loud Early Morning Airbnb Party Disrupts Hudson Valley Neighborhood A DJ is facing consequences after playing music too loudly at a Hudson Valley residence being used as an Airbnb, authorities announced.  The incident happened on Monday, Dec. 16, when Putnam County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a residence on Lake Drive in Putnam Valley around 7:45 a.m. after receiving reports of loud music, according to the Sheriff's Office.  Upon arrival, deputies found a large group of people inside the home and loud music coming from the basement, where a DJ was playing music. The residence had been rented out as an Airbnb, authorities said.  Thi…
Bridge Replacement Mostly Finished In Mamaroneck: Ribbon-Cutting To Cause Road Closure Bridge Replacement Mostly Finished In Mamaroneck: Ribbon-Cutting To Cause Road Closure
Bridge Replacement Mostly Finished In Mamaroneck: Ribbon-Cutting To Cause Road Closure A bridge in Westchester that was closed for about a year during a reconstruction project will be shut down for a bit longer as officials celebrate its substantial completion.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the "substantial completion" of the Waverly Avenue bridge replacement in Mamaroneck will be held on Friday, Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m., Town of Mamaroneck officials announced. During the ceremony, the bridge will close to vehicular traffic from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Motorists in the area are asked to plan around the closure during this time.  The bridge replacement project …
Dump Truck Hits 5 Crashed Vehicles On I-84 In Hudson Valley, Causes Closures Dump Truck Hits 5 Crashed Vehicles On I-84 In Hudson Valley, Causes Closures
Dump Truck Hits 5 Crashed Vehicles On I-84 In Hudson Valley, Causes Closures A multi-vehicle crash involving five cars and a dump truck caused lane closures on Interstate 84 and sent three people to the hospital in the Hudson Valley, police said.  The incident happened around 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18 on Interstate 84 westbound in the Putnam County town of Kent, New York State Police announced on Thursday, Dec. 19.  According to investigators, traffic was slowing for an unknown reason when a driver failed to reduce speed in time, triggering a chain-reaction rear-end crash involving five vehicles. They all came to rest in the lanes of travel, blocking…
Fake Deeds, Stolen Homes: Westchester City Employees Charged In Property Scheme Fake Deeds, Stolen Homes: Westchester City Employees Charged In Property Scheme
Fake Deeds, Stolen Homes: Westchester City Employees Charged In Property Scheme Two people who worked as city building employees in Westchester are accused of taking part in a scheme to steal property and submitting fake deeds signed by deceased homeowners, officials said.  Both Charlene Humphreys, a former Code Enforcement Officer for the Mount Vernon Department of Buildings, and Damon Davis, a current city Code Enforcement Officer, were arrested on Thursday, Dec. 19 in connection with the scheme, according to the Westchester County District Attorney's Office.  According to felony complaints submitted to White Plains City Court, Humphreys…
$1.3M Insurance Fraud Scheme: Westchester Man Accused Of Plotting His Own House Fire, DA Says $1.3M Insurance Fraud Scheme: Westchester Man Accused Of Plotting His Own House Fire, DA Says
$1.3M Insurance Fraud Scheme: Westchester Man Accused Of Plotting His Own House Fire, DA Says A Westchester man is facing charges for allegedly orchestrating an arson scheme to burn down his home and claim over $1.3 million in insurance money, officials announced. Yonkers resident Majid Haddad, also known as Peter Haddad, age 59, was arrested on Tuesday, Dec. 17, by Yonkers Police and arraigned Wednesday, Dec. 18, on a six-count indictment, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah said.  According to Rocah, Haddad allegedly conspired with a man to set fire to his single-family home on Odell Avenue in Yonkers between Feb. 20 and Feb. 28, 2021. Investigators said Haddad …
'Runaway' Amazon Vehicle Backs Into Residence In Westchester, Causes Damage: Police 'Runaway' Amazon Vehicle Backs Into Residence In Westchester, Causes Damage: Police
'Runaway' Amazon Vehicle Backs Into Residence In Westchester, Causes Damage: Police A Northern Westchester home was damaged after an Amazon delivery driver accidentally backed into it, police said. The incident happened on Thursday morning, Dec. 19, when the delivery driver accidentally left their vehicle in reverse while exiting it at a residence on Pine Hill Drive in Katonah, according to Bedford Police Lieutenant Jeff Gulick. According to Gulick, the driver thought they left the vehicle in park. The "runaway" vehicle then went through a few yards, damaged a fence, and hit the home, he added.  After hitting the residence, the driver temporarily left the scene, but …
Teamsters Union Launches Strike Against Amazon Teamsters Union Launches Strike Against Amazon
Teamsters Union Launches Strike Against Amazon As the holiday season peaks, the Teamsters Union has initiated a significant strike against Amazon, targeting facilities in four states. This action is described as the largest labor movement in the company’s history. On Thursday morning, December 19, union members began protests at a fulfillment center in Queens, New York, with additional strikes occurring in Atlanta, Southern California, and Skokie, Illinois. The union aims to highlight unacceptable working conditions and Amazon’s refusal to engage in collective bargaining.  Their demands include better wages, hours, and benefits fo…