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$11.2M Loan Fraud Scheme: Nurse Practitioner From Westchester Stole Doctors' Identities $11.2M Loan Fraud Scheme: Nurse Practitioner From Westchester Stole Doctors' Identities
$11.2M Loan Fraud Scheme: Nurse Practitioner From Westchester Stole Doctors' Identities A nurse practitioner from Westchester County who stole the identities of over a dozen doctors and orchestrated a multi-million dollar disability loan fraud scheme will spend years in prison, federal prosecutors announced. Catherine Seemer, age 44, of Elmsford, was sentenced to five years in prison on Wednesday, Feb. 5, after pleading guilty to defrauding federal disability loan programs of more than $11.2 million, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. From June 2017 through March 2022, Seemer ran a scheme that falsely claimed student loan borrowers wer…

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Breeze Airways Adding Route From Westchester County Airport Breeze Airways Adding Route From Westchester County Airport
Breeze Airways Adding Route From Westchester County Airport Breeze Airways is expanding its reach in New York with new routes from the Capital Region and Hudson Valley. The budget-friendly airline will begin offering nonstop flights from Albany International Airport to Charleston, South Carolina; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; and Fort Myers, Florida beginning this spring. Travelers in Westchester County will also gain a new summer seasonal route to Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, the airline announced Wednesday, Feb. 5. New Nonstop Flights from Albany Starting Thursday, June 5, Breeze will launch the following direct routes from Albany I…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Police Deny ICE Activity Amid Social Media Rumors In Westchester Village Police Deny ICE Activity Amid Social Media Rumors In Westchester Village
Police Deny ICE Activity Amid Social Media Rumors In Westchester Village Police in a Westchester County village are pushing back against social media speculation about potential immigration enforcement activity.  The Port Chester Police Department issued a statement on social media on Wednesday, Feb. 5 in which they denied claims that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be conducting operations in the village on Thursday, Feb. 6.  The rumors, which allegedly originated from an overheard conversation in a local deli, were later amplified in a Facebook post, police said.  "We have no credible information concerning this response or h…

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by Ben Crnic
Real Estate
'Lesser Evil,' Owned By Dad Of Alleged DOGE Staff Member, To Move Into Hudson Valley Property 'Lesser Evil,' Owned By Dad Of Alleged DOGE Staff Member, To Move Into Hudson Valley Property
'Lesser Evil,' Owned By Dad Of Alleged Doge Staff Member, To Move Into Hudson Valley Property A fast-growing, CT-based snack brand owned by the father of a 19-year-old allegedly working with Elon Musk's new Department of Government Efficiency has secured a massive new distribution facility in Putnam County, expanding its presence in the Northeast. Lesser Evil, a Danbury, Connecticut-based company known for its organic and minimally processed snacks, has signed a 303,100-square-foot lease at Lincoln Logistics 84x684 Crossings in Brewster, according to real estate developer Lincoln Equities Group (LEG). The facility, located near major highways I-84, I-684, and Route 7 and finished in…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Mayor Confirms ICE Activity In Westchester, Agents Looking For Person With Criminal Record Mayor Confirms ICE Activity In Westchester, Agents Looking For Person With Criminal Record
Mayor Confirms ICE Activity In Westchester, Agents Looking For Person With Criminal Record Peekskill Mayor Vivian C. McKenzie has addressed an early-morning operation by federal immigration authorities, clarifying that the city's police department had no involvement and reaffirming Peekskill’s commitment to protecting all residents. According to McKenzie, Peekskill Police Chief Leo Dylewski was informed on Friday morning, Jan. 31, that federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), were operating in the city in search of an individual with a criminal record. However, local law enforcement was not involved in the operation.  "The Peekskill Police …

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Gourmet Breakfast Eatery Now Open In Westchester: Here's Look Inside Gourmet Breakfast Eatery Now Open In Westchester: Here's Look Inside
Gourmet Breakfast Eatery Now Open In Westchester: Here's Look Inside New Rochelle’s vibrant dining scene just got a fresh new addition with the arrival of Toastique, a health-focused café specializing in gourmet toasts, smoothies, and cold-pressed juices.  On Thursday, Jan. 23, city officials, community leaders, and business owners gathered at 604 North Ave. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce to officially welcome the fast-growing eatery.  Toastique first opened its doors in December 2024 and has already become a go-to spot for health-conscious foodies. The café offers a unique selection of nutrient-packed …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Burglars Targeting Asian Americans, Stealing Cash, Jewelry In Westchester, Police Warn Burglars Targeting Asian Americans, Stealing Cash, Jewelry In Westchester, Police Warn
Burglars Targeting Asian Americans, Stealing Cash, Jewelry In Westchester, Police Warn Authorities are warning residents in Dutchess, Westchester, and Putnam counties about a recent string of residential burglaries targeting Asian Americans and advising them to step up security measures.  In an announcement on Wednesday, Jan. 29, New York State Police said three burglaries have been reported within the past week, specifically targeting homes of Asian American residents.  In two of the incidents, burglars stole large amounts of cash and jewelry. Investigators believe these crimes follow a targeted pattern. State Police are advising all residents—particularly th…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Burning Lithium Battery Sparks Garbage Truck Fire In Westchester Burning Lithium Battery Sparks Garbage Truck Fire In Westchester
Burning Lithium Battery Sparks Garbage Truck Fire In Westchester Fire crews in Westchester responded to a garbage truck fire after workers spotted smoke coming from a lithium-ion battery from the vehicle’s load, firefighters said. The incident happened in Dobbs Ferry on Tuesday, Jan. 28, around 8 a.m., when the Dobbs Ferry Fire Department was dispatched to the Department of Public Works Garage for reports of a garbage truck fire.  Upon arrival, firefighters found that the smoke was coming from the back of the truck. After the vehicle’s load was dumped, crews discovered a burning lithium-ion battery in the middle of the pile, the department said.&nbs…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Westchester's Playland To Open Despite Legal Battles With Operator, Officials Say Westchester's Playland To Open Despite Legal Battles With Operator, Officials Say
Westchester's Playland To Open Despite Legal Battles With Operator, Officials Say Westchester County officials are moving forward with plans to open Playland Amusement Park for the 2025 season, despite an ongoing legal dispute with operator Standard Amusements, County Executive Ken Jenkins announced. Jenkins addressed the issue during a Monday, Jan. 27 briefing, emphasizing the County’s commitment to keeping the historic Rye amusement park open. "We have long said that Playland is the crown jewel of this County," Jenkins said, adding, "Since 2018, the County has made every effort to ensure this beloved park thrives for future generations and today that commitment continu…

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by Ben Crnic
Lifestyle
New Sean Combs Doc: Former Assistant To Speak Out On History With Past Westchester Resident New Sean Combs Doc: Former Assistant To Speak Out On History With Past Westchester Resident
New Sean Combs Doc: Former Assistant To Speak Out On History With Past Westchester Resident For the first time on camera, New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs’ former assistant, Phil Pines, is breaking his silence on his history with the embattled hip hop mogul in an exclusive interview airing after the finale of an all-new bombshell docuseries.  The 30-minute sit-down with journalist Mara S. Campo premieres Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 11 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery following the finale of "The Fall Of Diddy," a four-part series that delves into the criminal allegations against the music icon. Pines, who served as Diddy’s senior executive assistant from 2019 to 2…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
ICE Looking For 2 People In Westchester, Attempting To Serve Warrants: Police ICE Looking For 2 People In Westchester, Attempting To Serve Warrants: Police
ICE Looking For 2 People In Westchester, Attempting To Serve Warrants: Police US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are attempting to serve warrants to two people with alleged criminal pasts in a Westchester County village on Tuesday, Jan. 28, police confirmed.  According to Sleepy Hollow Police Chief Anthony Bueti, around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the department was notified that ICE would be trying to serve immigration warrants to two specific people in the village.  Bueti added that ICE did not state or imply that there would be a "mass roundup" but that they were only looking for the two suspects with alleged criminal pasts.  As of 1:20 p.m…

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Cafe Announces Closure, Will Shift To Delivering In Parts Of Westchester Cafe Announces Closure, Will Shift To Delivering In Parts Of Westchester
Cafe Announces Closure, Will Shift To Delivering In Parts Of Westchester A Hudson Valley culinary spot has announced a significant restructuring of its business model, which includes the closing of its cafe besides time for cooking classes and other events.  Flours Pasta & Bake Shop, located in Rockland County at 11 New Main St. in Haverstraw, announced on Thursday, Jan. 16 that it would be closing its cafe "for now."  Instead, the business will shift its focus to meal delivery to Rockland, Bergen, and parts of Westchester counties, event hosting, and other offerings, the owner said on social media. "Flours is fluid and always changing," the owner…

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by Ben Crnic