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Schools
Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Schools In Westchester, Encourages Students To Serve Community Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Schools In Westchester, Encourages Students To Serve Community
Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Schools In Westchester, Encourages Students To Serve Community Students at two Westchester schools were treated to a visit from the grandson of famed activist and politician Nelson Mandela, who encouraged them to take some time to give back to their communities and stand up for others.  Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, visited the Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School and Mount Vernon High School on Tuesday, Nov. 21, Mount Vernon City School District officials announced. During his visits to the schools, Mandela discussed his grandfather's legacy and his activism efforts and also participated…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Beloved Gift Shop, Pharmacy Owner From Northern Westchester Dies: 'Wonderful Person' Beloved Gift Shop, Pharmacy Owner From Northern Westchester Dies: 'Wonderful Person'
Beloved Gift Shop, Pharmacy Owner From Northern Westchester Dies: 'Wonderful Person' A business owner who was well-known in Northern Westchester is being remembered for always coming to the aid of those in need.  Ossining resident Dolores Frustace, also known as "Miss Dee," died on Sunday, Oct. 15 at the age of 80, according to her obituary.  Over the years, Frustace became a fixture of her community by owning her gift shop, “The Village Emporium," located on Main Street. She also later co-owned the Hudson Pharmacy in downtown Ossining, her obituary said. Her loved ones remembered her as someone who was quick to help others.  "Dee was a wonde…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Village Justice From Westchester Dies After Cancer Battle: 'Exemplary Human Being' Village Justice From Westchester Dies After Cancer Battle: 'Exemplary Human Being'
Village Justice From Westchester Dies After Cancer Battle: 'Exemplary Human Being' A community in Westchester is mourning the loss of its village justice who was well-known for being a trusted source of wisdom for those who came to him.  Hastings-on-Hudson resident Joseph DiSalvo, who served as Village Justice since 2004 and Acting Village Justice before that since 1988, died at the age of 71 on Saturday, July 1, Mayor Nicola Armacost announced.  DiSalvo, who served as a judge until the week before his death, split his time between practicing law in Westchester with Bronxville-based Nobile, Magarian & DiSalvo, LLP, and serving as Village Justice fo…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Business Owner From Northern Westchester Dies At 58: 'Giving, Thoughtful Soul' Business Owner From Northern Westchester Dies At 58: 'Giving, Thoughtful Soul'
Business Owner From Northern Westchester Dies At 58: 'Giving, Thoughtful Soul' A Northern Westchester man who grew his family business into an award-winning enterprise is being remembered for his willingness to give back to both his loved ones and his community. Eugene “Bud” Hammer III of Katonah died on Tuesday, June 13 at the age of 58 after a brave battle against leukemia, according to his obituary. Born in White Plains in 1964, Hammer graduated from Pace University with a bachelor's of business administration in Marketing before going on to begin a career with Atlantic Westchester, Inc., a Bedford Hills-based heating, ventilation, and air conditioning business tha…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Westchester Woman Killed In Crash Remembered For 'Genuine Interest In Other People' Westchester Woman Killed In Crash Remembered For 'Genuine Interest In Other People'
Westchester Woman Killed In Crash Remembered For 'Genuine Interest In Other People' A well-known Westchester County woman killed in a crash is being remembered for her "genuine interest in other people" and for her love of the community where she was born. Christine Kenney O’Rourke, age 70, died tragically on Sunday, June 11 near her Yonkers home when she was struck by a car driven by a White Plains woman while on one of her daily walks. Since her death, her family has received an outpouring of support from the community and the many people she held dear. Born in Yonkers, Chris’ love for her hometown was deep and abundant, according to her obituary. She attended Sacred H…

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
Former Fire Chief From Northern Westchester Dies: 'He Will Be Deeply Missed' Former Fire Chief From Northern Westchester Dies: 'He Will Be Deeply Missed'
Former Fire Chief From Northern Westchester Dies: 'He Will Be Deeply Missed' A former chief of a fire department in Northern Westchester who remained active in serving the community has died.  Irwin Schriro, the ex-chief of the Somers Volunteer Fire Department, died on Sunday, March 5 at the age of 63 following a short illness, the fire department announced.  Originally joining the department in 1987, Schriro served as chief from both 1999-2001 and 2011-2014. He remained an active member up to his death and had finished qualifying a new driver on her first piece of fire apparatus just before his illness, the department said. During his…

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by Ben Crnic
Neighbors
Ready To Shovel Snow? A Few 'Angels' Are Needed In This Westchester Town Ready To Shovel Snow? A Few 'Angels' Are Needed In This Westchester Town
Ready To Shovel Snow? A Few 'Angels' Are Needed In This Westchester Town With such a mild winter, not many volunteers have been needed to shovel snow for those who can't. That all changed on Tuesday, Feb. 28 with snow coming down in droves in some areas of Westchester, including Greenburgh. Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said the "Snow Angel" program has put out the call for high school-aged teens to assist those who may need volunteer hours and are interested in shoveling out seniors in need.  "It’s been such a mild winter, we haven’t needed any Snow Angels yet this season," said Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. The snow angels program is …

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
'Good Friend, Mentor': Beloved Deacon From Westchester Dies 'Good Friend, Mentor': Beloved Deacon From Westchester Dies
'Good Friend, Mentor': Beloved Deacon From Westchester Dies A beloved Deacon and former store owner from Westchester known for serving his community in times of need has died.  William "Deacon Billy " Vaccaro of Port Chester died on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the age of 89, according to his obituary.  A graduate of Port Chester High School, Vaccaro first served with the US Army in Korea before returning home and joining the family business, Vaccaro's Supermarket, which he operated with his brothers Joseph and Anthony for 25 years.  It was at this supermarket that Vaccaro helped many people earn their first work experience through b…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Former Supervisor of Northern Westchester Town Dies After Illness Former Supervisor of Northern Westchester Town Dies After Illness
Former Supervisor of Northern Westchester Town Dies After Illness A man from Northern Westchester who was known for his dedication to serving his community has died after battling an illness.  Former Cortlandt Town Supervisor Charles DiGiacomo died on Thursday, Dec. 29 at the age of 82, according to his obituary.  Originally a native of Ossining before moving to Cortlandt Manor, DiGiacomo graduated from Ossining High School in 1958 as class president before earning his bachelor's degree from Pace University. He then went on to in the US Army Reserves as a Second Lieutenant.  Following this, DiGiacomo began a career with Exxo…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Former Police Chief From Westchester County Dies On Christmas Day Former Police Chief From Westchester County Dies On Christmas Day
Former Police Chief From Westchester County Dies On Christmas Day A former police chief who served a community in Westchester County for more than 40 years has died.  Joseph DelBianco, the former chief of the Village of Mamaroneck Police Department, died on Sunday, Dec. 25 at the age of 93, according to his obituary.  A member of the department for 43 years, DelBianco eventually became chief and led modernization efforts during his tenure, including the addition of computers in all police vehicles and the hiring of the village's first female officers. He also created the Bay Constable Position to run the village's Harbor Police Unit, his obituary said. …

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
'Most Difficult News': Police Department In Northern Westchester Mourns Death Of Officer 'Most Difficult News': Police Department In Northern Westchester Mourns Death Of Officer
'Most Difficult News': Police Department In Northern Westchester Mourns Death Of Officer A police department in Northern Westchester is mourning the sudden loss of one of its own.  Gregory Jones, an officer with the Peekskill Police Department, died on Thursday, Nov. 24 at the age of 48, according to his obituary.  A native of Orange County, Jones was born and raised in Middletown and earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill before beginning his law enforcement career with the Orange County Sheriff's Office, his obituary said.  Jones later transferred to the Peekskill Police Department, where he stayed for…

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by Ben Crnic
News
NY Doctor Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns, Ordered To Pay $245,212 NY Doctor Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns, Ordered To Pay $245,212
NY Doctor Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns, Ordered To Pay $245,212 A New York doctor will avoid prison after admitting that he filed false tax returns. Albany County resident Ehab Kodsi, age 56, of Watervliet, was sentenced to pay $245,212 in restitution and pay an additional $25,000 fine Thursday, Nov. 3, in federal court in Albany. The sentence followed Kodsi’s guilty plea to filing a false tax return and admission that he deliberately underreported revenue from both his pain management company in Queensbury, in Warren County, and his real estate company between 2015 and 2018. He was also accused of improperly deducting personal and business expenses.…

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by Michael Mashburn