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Shawyn Patterson-Howard

Police & Fire
New Update: ID Released For Man Killed After Fire Breaks Out At Westchester Residence New Update: ID Released For Man Killed After Fire Breaks Out At Westchester Residence
New Update: ID Released For Man Killed After Fire Breaks Out At Westchester Residence This story has been updated.  A man was found dead during a search of a Westchester residence that went up in flames, officials announced.  The incident began on Saturday, March 16 just before 9:30 a.m., when a blaze ignited at a Mount Vernon residence at 449 South Third Ave. Firefighters soon arrived at the scene and began battling the blaze, finding heavy flames coming from the residence's first floor, according to Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard.  Because of the intense flames, it was difficult for crews to thoroughly search the building.  During a secon…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Bridge Spanning Train Tracks To Be Removed In Westchester Bridge Spanning Train Tracks To Be Removed In Westchester
Bridge Spanning Train Tracks To Be Removed In Westchester The effort to replace a bridge spanning MTA tracks in Westchester will soon be kicking off with the removal of the current structure.  The removal of the South Street Bridge, which spans New Haven Line tracks in Mount Vernon began Thursday night, March 7, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced.  The removal will be done by ECCO and Sessler Wrecking and will take place during nights so that traffic on South Street or nearby Pearl Street is not interrupted during the day, Patterson-Howard said.  If weather does not delay the work, the bridge removal is …

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Take Look Inside: Westchester's First Cannabis Dispensary Celebrates Opening Take Look Inside: Westchester's First Cannabis Dispensary Celebrates Opening
Take Look Inside: Westchester's First Cannabis Dispensary Celebrates Opening The first cannabis dispensary in Westchester is now open for business and is looking to become an integral part of its community. Elevate Cannabis Dispensary, located in Mount Vernon at 127 South Terrace Ave., held its official grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Earlier Report - Westchester's First Cannabis Dispensary To Hold Official Grand Opening In Mount Vernon The event was attended by officials from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management as well as Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and City Comptroller Darr…

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by Ben Crnic
Traffic
Bridge Replacement To Cause Over Month-Long Road Closure In Westchester: Here's Where Bridge Replacement To Cause Over Month-Long Road Closure In Westchester: Here's Where
Bridge Replacement To Cause Over Month-Long Road Closure In Westchester: Here's Where A bridge replacement project is causing a road closure at a busy intersection in Westchester that will last over a month.  The closure resulted from a project commenced by the MTA that will replace the South Fulton Avenue Bridge in Mount Vernon, according to Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard.  Because of construction work, South Fulton Avenue is now closed at the intersection with East 1st Street. The closure began on Monday, Feb. 19, and will tentatively continue until Saturday, March 30, Patterson-Howard said. The bridge that will be replaced traverses the New Haven railr…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Longtime Westchester Resident Announces Run To Become County's First Black District Attorney Longtime Westchester Resident Announces Run To Become County's First Black District Attorney
Longtime Westchester Resident Announces Run To Become County's First Black District Attorney A Westchester native with years of experience in civil rights cases has announced his candidacy to become the county's first Black district attorney.  Mount Vernon native and attorney William O. Wagstaff III announced his candidacy for the Westchester County District Attorney's office on Monday, Nov. 20.  Wagstaff's candidacy announcement comes nearly a month after the county's current District Attorney, Miriam Rocah, announced she would not be seeking re-election in 2024.  Earlier Report - Westchester DA Rocah Won't Seek Re-Election: 'I Do Not Fit Mold Of Career Polit…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester
Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester Election Day 2023 in Westchester proved to be a mixed bag for mayoral candidates, as some incumbents managed to keep their positions while some found themselves passing on the torch to newcomers.  Hours after polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 7, several mayoral candidates in Westchester municipalities discovered whether their campaigns had succeeded. Some of these results included:  Yonkers: Incumbent Mayor Mike Spano, a Democrat, managed to beat Republican candidate Anthony Merante in order to secure a fourth term in office. Spano earned 61 percent of the votes, while Merante earned 36 perce…

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by Ben Crnic
News
State To Review Building Department In Westchester: 'I've Had Concerns,' Mayor Says State To Review Building Department In Westchester: 'I've Had Concerns,' Mayor Says
State To Review Building Department In Westchester: 'I've Had Concerns,' Mayor Says A building department in Westchester will soon be reviewed by the state of New York following concerns about its operations from city officials.  The New York Department of State Division of Building Standards and Codes will be reviewing the internal operations and processes of the Mount Vernon Buildings Department, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced on Wednesday, Aug. 30.  The review was requested by Patterson-Howard after she received complaints from people in the city regarding the department's operations.  "I’ve had concerns and received complaints rega…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds
Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds A Westchester Sergeant faces federal charges after tasing a handcuffed victim seven times in the span of two minutes and violating their rights in the process, officials said.  Brooklyn resident Mario Stewart, age 44, a Sergeant with the Mount Vernon Police Department, has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly using excessive force against a handcuffed individual in a March 2019 incident, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, July 20.  According to federal officials, at the time of the incident, Stewart had been …

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by Ben Crnic
News
$1 Million Project: Animal Shelter To Be Reconstructed In Westchester $1 Million Project: Animal Shelter To Be Reconstructed In Westchester
$1 Million Project: Animal Shelter To Be Reconstructed In Westchester After years of neglect, an animal shelter in Westchester that closed earlier in 2023 is getting $1 million toward restoring and enhancing its services, city officials announced.  The Mount Vernon Animal Shelter, which closed earlier in 2023, will receive a million dollars in funding that will go toward "essential resources" needed to restore its operation, city officials said.  The funding was announced on Friday, May 3 by Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and New York State Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, who represents parts of Yonkers and Mount Vernon.  In addi…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Police Commissioner Of City In Westchester Announces Retirement Police Commissioner Of City In Westchester Announces Retirement
Police Commissioner Of City In Westchester Announces Retirement The commissioner of a police department in Westchester has announced his upcoming retirement.  Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Glenn Scott is set to retire after three years in the position, Director of Communications Timothy Allen announced on Friday, May 12.  Scott said that he will be leaving to focus on personal endeavors.  His last official act of duty will be officiating over the Police Memorial Ceremony on Monday, May 15. Following the event, Deputy Commissioner David Gibson will be sworn in as interim Commissioner.  During his time in Mount Vernon, Scott …

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by Ben Crnic
News
Dog Mauling Incident: Court To Decide If 'Dangerous' Pet Is Seized In Westchester Dog Mauling Incident: Court To Decide If 'Dangerous' Pet Is Seized In Westchester
Dog Mauling Incident: Court To Decide If 'Dangerous' Pet Is Seized In Westchester As public officials in Westchester await a court decision regarding an alleged dog mauling incident, they are also urging pet owners to keep their dogs leashed and trained.  The alleged incident involving a "dangerous dog" happened within the city of Mount Vernon on Tuesday, March 14, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced on Wednesday, March 29.  According to Patterson-Howard, both the complainant and dog owner involved in the incident are awaiting court proceedings and a judge's decision on whether or not there is probable cause for seizing the animal or …

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by Ben Crnic
News
'Did Not Deserve To Die': Mother Of Fatally Shot Teenager In Westchester Speaks Out 'Did Not Deserve To Die': Mother Of Fatally Shot Teenager In Westchester Speaks Out
'Did Not Deserve To Die': Mother Of Fatally Shot Teenager In Westchester Speaks Out The mother of a teenager who was the victim of a fatal shooting in Westchester is urging city officials to improve safety and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.  The shooting, which happened in Mount Vernon on Thursday, March 9 around 10:35 a.m. in the courtyard of the Levister Towers complex at 215 South 9th Avenue, left 14-year-old Zyaire Fernandez dead.  Earlier Report - Arrest Made After Teenager Shot Dead In Mount Vernon: ID Of Victim Released Days after the shooting, on Tuesday, March 14, Mount Vernon Police arrested  21-year-old Tyr…

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by Ben Crnic
Traffic
'Risk Of Road Failure': Traffic Rerouted In City In Westchester Due To Failing Overpasses 'Risk Of Road Failure': Traffic Rerouted In City In Westchester Due To Failing Overpasses
'Risk Of Road Failure': Traffic Rerouted In City In Westchester Due To Failing Overpasses Concerns about the structural integrity of two overpasses in a Westchester County city are prompting city officials to immediately reroute traffic because of the danger they pose to residents.  The two overpasses are located in Mount Vernon and have been cited as unsafe by the New York Department of Transportation because of structural concerns related to age, according to the city's mayor, Shawyn Patterson-Howard, who has ordered them both to be immediately closed on Wednesday, Jan. 11. The overpasses are located on:  South Fulton Avenue between East Third Street and Beekm…

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by Ben Crnic
News
'It's Long Overdue': Westchester County Officials Unveil New $40M Memorial Field Complex 'It's Long Overdue': Westchester County Officials Unveil New $40M Memorial Field Complex
'It's Long Overdue': Westchester County Officials Unveil New $40M Memorial Field Complex Officials unveiled the long-awaited new Memorial Field Complex in Westchester County. The ribbon-cutting event for the newly-updated field in Mount Vernon, hosted by Westchester County Executive George Latimer and City of Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The project cost a total of $40 million, and the new stadium has 3,900 seats, a lighted field equipped for football, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey, along with a sound system that can handle major concerts, officials said.  On Saturday, Sept. 24, the field will host its first Mount Vernon Hig…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Hundreds Attend Anti-Violence Rally After Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleader At Westchester Parade Hundreds Attend Anti-Violence Rally After Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleader At Westchester Parade
Hundreds Attend Anti-Violence Rally After Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleader At Westchester Parade It was a sea of pink and white balloons in downtown Mount Vernon as hundreds showed up to celebrate the life of 16-year-old Kayla Green, who was fatally stabbed during a victory parade for the high school’s basketball championship. The city held an anti-gun rally and separate vigil on Monday, April 11 in the wake of the fatal incident on Friday, April 8 that left the popular cheer captain dead. Original story - Girl Killed In Stabbing During Mount Vernon Parade Was Cheerleading Captain Green was critically stabbed by a 15-year-old assailant during the parade celebrating the Mount Vernon Hi…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Fire Destroys Restaurant In Westchester Fire Destroys Restaurant In Westchester
Fire Destroys Restaurant In Westchester A Westchester restaurant was destroyed by an overnight fire, though firefighters were able to contain it to one building before it spread to neighboring businesses. Fire crews responded to the Mozza Restaurant and Bar on Gramatan Avenue in Mount Vernon at approximately 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 12 when a blaze broke out, officials said. The fire was largely contained to the restaurant, though neighboring Flash Cleaners and Tailors and the AD Sports Bar suffered significant water and structural damage. No injuries were reported. The fire came hours after crews worked to knock down the flame…

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by Zak Failla
News
ID Released For 20-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Westchester ID Released For 20-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Westchester
ID Released For 20-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Westchester Police have released the identity of a 20-year-old woman who was shot and killed over the weekend in Westchester. Mount Vernon police officials confirmed that Aliyah Waiters, a city resident, was killed on Saturday, Sept. 25 after being struck in the head by a bullet. Original story - 20-Year-Old Woman Shot, Killed In Westchester The shooting happened at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25 on South Third Avenue in Mount Vernon. Waiters was taken to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx and put on life support before she was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made as the invest…

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by Zak Failla
News
State Of Emergency Declared In One Of Westchester Largest Cities Over Lack Of Finances State Of Emergency Declared In One Of Westchester Largest Cities Over Lack Of Finances
State Of Emergency Declared In One Of Westchester Largest Cities Over Lack Of Finances The mayor of one of Westchester’s largest cities is sounding the alarms and declaring a State of Emergency as the community contends with “gross negligence and dereliction of duty” of the city’s Comptroller. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced on Thursday, July 15 that she has declared a State of Emergency due to internal strife at City Hall as Comptroller Deborah Reynolds allegedly failed to process or pay invoices for hundreds of thousands of dollars for city vehicles. According to Patterson-Howard, Reynolds has failed to pay approximately $500,000 for critical parts and …

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by Zak Failla
News
MTA Completes Replacement Of Bridge In Westchester MTA Completes Replacement Of Bridge In Westchester
MTA Completes Replacement Of Bridge In Westchester Work has been completed on a multi-million dollar bridge replacement project in Westchester, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced. This week, the MTA announced the reopening of the 10th Avenue Bridge in downtown Mount Vernon, one of six bridges that span the Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven line that the MTA is replacing. The project first began in March 2019 before its completion and reopening on Wednesday, June 2. According to the MTA, the replacement of the bridge was part of a combined $23 million project to replace the 6th Avenue Bridge and 10th Avenue …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
DA Calls For DOJ To Investigate Police Department In Westchester DA Calls For DOJ To Investigate Police Department In Westchester
DA Calls For DOJ To Investigate Police Department In Westchester The Westchester County District Attorney is calling on the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to launch an investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department. DA Mimi Rocah announced on Friday, April 30 that she is calling on the DOs to investigate the department for pervasive and persistent alleged civil rights violations including unlawful strip searches, excessive use of force, and other misconduct. Rocah noted that her office is in the process of multiple criminal investigations involving certain Mount Vernon police officers. “In the course of those investigations, based largely on pub…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair
Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair Mount Vernon’s top lawmaker is calling for an investigation of the city’s Board of Ethics chair following allegations that he made threats and sought to coerce a Councilperson. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard issued a statement late on Thursday, April 22 calling for Gregory Cannata’s resignation and a thorough probe into his actions after he allegedly targeted City Councilwoman Janice Duarte. Original story - Board Of Ethics Chair In Westchester Facing Charges After Allegedly Attempting To Coerce Rival “The recent allegations and arrest of Board of Ethics chair Gregory Cannata r…

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by Zak Failla
News
Candlelight Vigil Scheduled For Westchester Native, Rapper DMX Candlelight Vigil Scheduled For Westchester Native, Rapper DMX
Candlelight Vigil Scheduled For Westchester Native, Rapper DMX A candlelight vigil has been scheduled in rapper DMX’s Westchester hometown following his death last week. On Friday, April 9, DMX died following a weeklong stay at White Plains Hospital after a heart attack at his Westchester home. TMZ reported that he had initially suffered an overdose. Earlier story - Rapper, Westchester Native, Resident DMX Dies At Age 50 A Mount Vernon native who grew up in Yonkers, DMX - whose original name was Earl Simmons - died surrounded by friends and family after being placed on life support for several days. To honor DMX’s life and legacy, the “Celebrate…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Details Released On Investigation Prompted By Suspensions Of Police Officers Details Released On Investigation Prompted By Suspensions Of Police Officers
Details Released On Investigation Prompted By Suspensions Of Police Officers The internal investigation into police corruption and misconduct within a Westchester police department led to the suspension of narcotics officers who allegedly aided a known drug dealer and used excessive force. Last July, the Mount Vernon Police Department received audiotapes from an officer who alleged wrongdoing in the Narcotics Squad, which were then sent to the Westchester County District Attorney’s office for further investigation. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said on Thursday, Feb. 18 that at the direction of Police Commissioner Glenn Scott, the department transcribed…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mount Vernon Mayor Calls On Westchester DA To Investigate City Finances, Comptroller Mount Vernon Mayor Calls On Westchester DA To Investigate City Finances, Comptroller
Mount Vernon Mayor Calls On Westchester DA To Investigate City Finances, Comptroller Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard is calling on the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office to investigate the city’s finances as it faces a potential budget crunch due to uncooperative officials. Patterson-Howard issued a public letter to District Attorney Miriam Rocah asking for assistance as Mount Vernon faces potential furloughs or layoffs of essential employees if they are forced to slash the budget. Potential cuts would include public safety, civil service, and public works employees. According to Patterson-Howard, the city has been struggling to get information f…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Westchester Mayor, Comptroller At Odds Over City Finances, Lack Of Transparency Westchester Mayor, Comptroller At Odds Over City Finances, Lack Of Transparency
Westchester Mayor, Comptroller At Odds Over City Finances, Lack Of Transparency Drastic cuts could be coming to one of Westchester’s largest cities as the Mayor butts heads with the City Comptroller. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and the City Council recently held a joint press conference regarding Comptroller Deborah Reynolds and her “lack of transparency, accountability, and professionalism,” that has left the city at a financial crossroads. According to Patterson-Howard, as the city and state continue combating the COVID-19 crisis, Mount Vernon requires Reynolds to release more than $12 million, or austerity measures may be put in place, including a 25 …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Alleged PPP Kickback Scheme Reportedly Under Investigation In Westchester COVID-19: Alleged PPP Kickback Scheme Reportedly Under Investigation In Westchester
Covid-19: Alleged PPP Kickback Scheme Reportedly Under Investigation In Westchester Some city employees in Mount Vernon are facing an investigation for allegedly concocting a plan to cheat the Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, with rumors mounting of a potential federal probe into a kickback scheme, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard issued a memo to city employees warning that there could be consequences if there is truth behind rumors of a possible scam. "If you applied for and/or received a loan, grant or ANY form of payment as part of the recently discovered 'process' that required you pay a portion of the disbursement ba…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Suspect At Large After Teen Shot, Killed In Westchester Suspect At Large After Teen Shot, Killed In Westchester
Suspect At Large After Teen Shot, Killed In Westchester The shooter of an 18-year-old who was fatally shot in Westchester remains at large, police said. Police confirm that the teen was shot in Mount Vernon on South 8th Avenue, between First and Second Street at approximately 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29. The shooter has not yet been apprehended. The 18-year-old was taken to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 30. His name has not yet been released by police. This marks at least the fifth fatal shooting in Mount Vernon since April. 
“Another life lost to senseless viole…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Many Pushing For Mount Vernon Hospital To Stay Open Amid Outbreak COVID-19: Many Pushing For Mount Vernon Hospital To Stay Open Amid Outbreak
Covid-19: Many Pushing For Mount Vernon Hospital To Stay Open Amid Outbreak Many are calling on officials to call off plans to close Mount Vernon Hospital as the nation continues battling the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said that Montefiore applied for a Certificate of Need (CON) with the New York State Department of Health seeking approval to close the hospital this year. On Oct. 15 last year, Montefiore announced that the Department of Health will award a $41 million grant to enable Montefiore to close the only full-service hospital in Mount Vernon and open an Off-Campus Emergency Department on Sanford Bouleva…

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by Zak Failla
News
Whistleblower: Innocent People Framed By Police In Westchester, Report Says Whistleblower: Innocent People Framed By Police In Westchester, Report Says
Whistleblower: Innocent People Framed By Police In Westchester, Report Says A whistleblowing police officer in Mount Vernon secretly recorded his colleagues admitting to false arrests, planting evidence, beatings, and other misdeeds, according to a new report. For months, Gothamist/WNYC has been provided tapes by Mount Vernon Police officer Murashea Bovell, which includes statements and claims from active-duty officers within the department to various forms of corruption. In the tapes, multiple officers refer to having witnessed or taken part in misconduct that includes framing and abusing suspects, collaborating with drug dealers to curry favor, and other corrupti…

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by Zak Failla
News
Scam Instagram Page Posing As Mayor Uncovered In Westchester Scam Instagram Page Posing As Mayor Uncovered In Westchester
Scam Instagram Page Posing As Mayor Uncovered In Westchester Officials in Westchester debunked a phony Instagram page that saw fraudsters posing as the mayor of one of the county's largest cities. The fraudsters posed as Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. On Sunday, May 17, city officials were made aware of the  page impersonating Patterson-Howard that was using a tricky handle in “an attempt to deceive and exploit residents.” The fake account uses the handle @MayorSPH_, while Patterson-Howard’s actual account is @MayorSPH without the underscore. According to Patterson-Howard, the fake account sent out several personal messages with …

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by Zak Failla
News
ID Released For Fatal Westchester Shooting Victim As Suspect Remains At Large ID Released For Fatal Westchester Shooting Victim As Suspect Remains At Large
ID Released For Fatal Westchester Shooting Victim As Suspect Remains At Large A shooter is on the loose after fatally shooting a 28-year-old man in Westchester, according to officials. Shortly before 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, Mount Vernon resident Kayshawn Smith suffered multiple gunshot wounds outside an apartment complex on Millington Avenue, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said. His injuries were fatal. The shooter has not been identified. Patterson-Howard noted that the investigation into the fatal shooting is open and active. No arrests have been made. Earlier story: Westchester Man Charged With Murder For Fatal Shooting Of Area Resident Anyone wit…

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by Zak Failla