Daily Voice Readers’ Choice

Accepting Votes Now Through Friday, December 20th

Beloved Yorktown Native, Former Firefighter Dies At 37, Remembered For Kindness Beloved Yorktown Native, Former Firefighter Dies At 37, Remembered For Kindness
Beloved Yorktown Native, Former Firefighter Dies At 37, Remembered For Kindness A beloved Northern Westchester native and former firefighter is being remembered for his kindness, generosity, and lasting impact on those who knew him following his unexpected passing. Reynaldo “Reycito” Sanchez, Jr., age 37, a resident of Miramar, Florida, and formerly of Yorktown Heights, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Oct. 31, according to his obituary. Born in the Dominican Republic on Sept. 25, 1987, he moved to Westchester, where he grew up, attended Yorktown High School, and graduated in 2006.  Reynaldo was a past member of the Harry Howard Hook and Ladder Co. of the Po…
Human Remains, Car Found In Pond Linked To Hudson Valley Couple Missing For Over 40 Years Human Remains, Car Found In Pond Linked To Hudson Valley Couple Missing For Over 40 Years
Human Remains, Car Found In Pond Linked To Hudson Valley Couple Missing For Over 40 Years A vehicle containing a human bone found submerged in an out-of-state pond may be the clue needed to figure out what happened to a Westchester County couple missing for over four decades. In an announcement on Saturday, Nov. 23, the Glynn County Police Department in Georgia revealed that a submerged Lincoln Continental had been found on Friday, Nov. 22 in a pond between the Royal Inn Hotel and Interstate 95 on New Jesup Highway in the town of Brunswick.  According to the department, the Continental is similar to the description of a vehicle believed to have been driven by Scarsdale…
Over 100 Assault Weapons, Guns Turned In At Buyback Event In Peekskill Over 100 Assault Weapons, Guns Turned In At Buyback Event In Peekskill
Over 100 Assault Weapons, Guns Turned In At Buyback Event In Peekskill More than 100 firearms, including several assault weapons, were turned in during a community gun buyback event held in Northern Westchester.  A total of 103 guns were collected during the buyback event held in Peekskill on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the United Methodist Church of Peekskill, the New York Attorney General's Office announced.  This included 68 handguns; 19 long guns; and 9 assault weapons, officials said, adding that the office has removed more than 8,300 guns from New York communities since 2019.  "Every one of the guns collected today is a step in the right di…
Make Price Chopper & Market 32 PICS Your Picks All Season Long! Make Price Chopper & Market 32 PICS Your Picks All Season Long!
Make Price Chopper & Market 32 PICS Your Picks All Season Long! Sponsored by our friends at Price Chopper & Market 32 It is officially Fall, which means all-things pumpkins, apples, and PICS Limited Time Only Items! You may be wondering what “PICS” products are. PICS items are an evolution of our Price Chopper brand, offering premium value and quality. Not only do they guarantee great quality at an affordable price, but each item is selected and tested by consumers before hitting our shelves, ensuring you know exactly what you're getting. You'll discover a wide variety of PICS products throughout your local Price Chopper and Market 32 stores. At P…
Look Who's Back: Hudson Valley's Chevy Chase To Star In New Holiday Movie Look Who's Back: Hudson Valley's Chevy Chase To Star In New Holiday Movie
Look Who's Back: Hudson Valley's Chevy Chase To Star In New Holiday Movie If you celebrate the holiday season by rewatching "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," be on the lookout for a new film set to reunite Hudson Valley native and longtime Northern Westchester resident Chevy Chase and his former co-star Randy Quaid.  The 81-year-old Chase, who lives in Bedford with his wife, Jayni, makes an appearance in "The Christmas Letter," which was released on Tuesday, Nov. 12, and is the first movie to feature the Saturday Night Live alum and Quaid in almost 30 years.  The film, directed by Tori Hunter, tells the story of unemployed copywriter Joe Michaels…
NY's Idina Menzel Had One Stipulation Before Agreeing To Showstopping 'Wicked' Cameo NY's Idina Menzel Had One Stipulation Before Agreeing To Showstopping 'Wicked' Cameo
NY's Idina Menzel Had One Stipulation Before Agreeing To Showstopping 'Wicked' Cameo Thank goodness it all worked out. While it may be true that no one mourns the wicked, fans certainly would have mourned the absence of New York native Idina Menzel had she not made her scene-stealing cameo in the spellbinding new “Wicked” movie. The musical fantasy film – a two-part adaptation of the Broadway stage musical that was loosely based on the 1995 novel – tells the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Menzel, who grew on Long Island in Syosset, was the first actress to portray its protagonist, Elphaba, a role for which sh…
NY Native Lindsay Lohan Reacts To Vikings Players Doing Her Iconic 'Parent Trap' Handshake NY Native Lindsay Lohan Reacts To Vikings Players Doing Her Iconic 'Parent Trap' Handshake
NY Native Lindsay Lohan Reacts To Vikings Players Doing Her Iconic 'Parent Trap' Handshake Lindsay Lohan has officially weighed in on a viral NFL moment that paid homage to one of her most popular movies. Appearing on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” the 38-year-old actress reacted to Minnesota Vikings players Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus performing the iconic handshake from her 1998 hit, “The Parent Trap.” The footballers acted out the intricate moves – a secret handshake between Lohan’s character Annie and her butler – after intercepting a pass from Aaron Rodgers against the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 6. “They did your handshake from ‘The Parent Trap,’” Fa…
Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says
Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says A rare case of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in a child in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The child, who is a resident of California, experienced only mild symptoms and is now recovering. The case, detected through routine flu testing, revealed low levels of the virus in the initial sample, and follow-up tests were negative for bird flu, but positive for other common respiratory viruses.  The CDC is working with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to determine how the child might hav…
Search Warrant Yields Cocaine, Fentanyl, Charges For Hudson Valley Suspect Search Warrant Yields Cocaine, Fentanyl, Charges For Hudson Valley Suspect
Search Warrant Yields Cocaine, Fentanyl, Charges For Hudson Valley Suspect A Hudson Valley man is facing drug charges after a months-long investigation into narcotics sales. Richard Fernandez, age 40, was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 20, following a five-month investigation by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force. Investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence in Pomona, recovering cocaine, fentanyl pills, and other pharmaceutical drugs during the search. Fernandez has been charged with: Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree; Four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in t…
Thanksgiving Storm Update: Final Path Will Determine Strength, What Areas Will See Snow Thanksgiving Storm Update: Final Path Will Determine Strength, What Areas Will See Snow
Thanksgiving Storm Update: Final Path Will Determine Strength, What Areas Will See Snow The arrival of an unsettled weather pattern will bring separate rounds of rain, including a Thanksgiving storm whose potential track and strength is still being monitored by forecasters. A cold front that will move through Tuesday, Nov. 26, will bring some rain, according to the National Weather Service. After a mostly sunny day on Wednesday, Nov. 27, the storm system will shift eastward during the night on Thanksgiving Eve, gathering more moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and later the Atlantic as it gains strength through Thanksgiving night on Thursday, Nov. 28. If the storm tracks f…
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…
Here's What To Know Now About Food Illness Outbreaks, Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving Here's What To Know Now About Food Illness Outbreaks, Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving
Here's What To Know Now About Food Illness Outbreaks, Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving With Thanksgiving meals just a couple of days away, there are concerns over the nation's food supply after multiple major recalls the last few days. Federal authorities are now saying that all products linked to the outbreaks are off the shelves and products currently being sold are safe to eat. After a deadly E. coli outbreak, a California-based company pulled bagged organic carrots from such popular retailers as Whole Foods, Walmart and Trader Joe's.  For the latest info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), click here. In a Listeria outbreak linked to meat and…
Prepare With Care: Health Officials Share Food Safety Tips Ahead Of Thanksgiving Prepare With Care: Health Officials Share Food Safety Tips Ahead Of Thanksgiving
Prepare With Care: Health Officials Share Food Safety Tips Ahead Of Thanksgiving As you gear up to prepare that Thanksgiving feast, don’t forget the tenets of food safety. The New York State health and agriculture departments offered up several tips to help keep family and friends safe from foodborne illness this holiday season. “The Thanksgiving meal is often the most elaborate meal cooked all year, which could be a contributing factor in mistakes that could lead to foodborne illness,” said state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “We want to ensure that New Yorkers stay healthy by taking simple food safety precautions and encourage everyone preparing meals to fo…
Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Hudson Valley's Best! Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Hudson Valley's Best!
Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Hudson Valley's Best! Hudson Valley, it’s time to show some love for your favorite local businesses! Daily Voice has officially launched the voting phase of its inaugural Readers’ Choice competition, and the power is in your hands to crown the best of the best. Our readers submitted nominations earlier this fall, and now the top contenders are ready for your votes. With over 80 categories spanning six major groups, this is your chance to celebrate the local gems that make Hudson Valley a vibrant place to live, work, and play. From the tastiest eats to top-notch services, your vote can help highlight the business…
Speeding Woman From Region Accused Of Drunk Driving Speeding Woman From Region Accused Of Drunk Driving
Speeding Woman From Region Accused Of Drunk Driving A Fairfield County woman is facing charges after police say she was driving under the influence on a major roadway. The incident occurred in Wilton on Saturday, Nov. 23, when police stopped a 2023 Land Rover Defender 110 traveling north on Danbury Road (Route 7) just after 3 a.m. Officers reported the vehicle was speeding and having difficulty staying in its lane. According to Wilton Police, the driver, 38-year-old Jessica Melo, of Bethel, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Melo failed to meet the standards of a field sobriety test and was arrested for driving un…
Mysterious ATV May Have Caused Rollover Crash That Left Mahopac Teen Injured, Cops Say Mysterious ATV May Have Caused Rollover Crash That Left Mahopac Teen Injured, Cops Say
Mysterious ATV May Have Caused Rollover Crash That Left Mahopac Teen Injured, Cops Say A late-night rollover crash in the region that injured a 19-year-old girl led police to investigate whether a mysterious all-terrain vehicle may have been involved, authorities said.  It happened in Putnam County just after 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, on Baldwin Place Road in Carmel, the Carmel Police Department said on Monday, Nov. 25.    Emergency responders arrived at the scene within three minutes after receiving a 911 report that a vehicle had rolled over, potentially trapping the driver inside.  The driver, a 19-year-old Mahopac resident, had safely exited the v…
Pilot Known For Rescuing Dogs Killed In Plane Crash In Region: 'A Friend To All' Pilot Known For Rescuing Dogs Killed In Plane Crash In Region: 'A Friend To All'
Pilot Known For Rescuing Dogs Killed In Plane Crash In Region: 'A Friend To All' This story has been updated. A Virginia pilot who regularly flew dogs in need to safe homes around the country was killed when his small plane crashed in a remote area of New York. The Greene County incident happened in the Town of Windham at around 6:10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. Sheriff’s officials said a single-engine Mooney plane was traveling from Maryland to Albany carrying the pilot and three dogs when it crashed in a remote area. The impact killed the pilot, 49-year-old Seuk Kim, of Springfield, Virginia, and one of the dogs. A second dog, a lab mix puppy, survived but suffered two bro…
Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency
Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency US Attorney Damian Williams, who has overseen high-profile cases in the Southern District of New York, has announced his resignation, a move that comes ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term and the expected nomination of his successor.  Williams’ resignation will take effect at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, according to a statement from his office on Monday, Nov. 25.  The resignation comes as President-elect Trump has announced plans to nominate Jay Clayton, a former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman under Trump’s first administration, to lead the of…
Microsoft Outage Affects Users Globally, Restoration Time Unclear Microsoft Outage Affects Users Globally, Restoration Time Unclear
Microsoft Outage Affects Users Globally, Restoration Time Unclear An outage is affecting Microsoft users around the world. Programs that have been reported down include Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Teams, according to the website Downdetector. Microsoft said in an announcement at around midday on Monday, Nov. 25 that "Our targeted restarts are progressing slower than anticipated for the majority of affected users. An ETA for resolution will be provided as soon as available." About 5,000 reports of issues were reported on Downdetector at around 11:30 a.m., and the majority of issues were with Outlook. Our targeted restarts are progr…
Final Suspect In 2022 Hudson Valley Murder Case Arrested, Closing Multi-Agency Investigation Final Suspect In 2022 Hudson Valley Murder Case Arrested, Closing Multi-Agency Investigation
Final Suspect In 2022 Hudson Valley Murder Case Arrested, Closing Multi-Agency Investigation A local police department in coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies, has arrested the final suspect in a 2022 murder in the Hudson Valley, marking a significant breakthrough in a complex, multi-year investigation. On Thursday, Nov. 21, Beacon Police, aided by extensive inter-agency cooperation, apprehended 24-year-old Zyree Downing in Pennsylvania, where he was already incarcerated, According to Beacon Chief of Police Thomas Figlia. Downing, from Middletown, Delaware, has been charged with murder for his alleged involvement in the death of Lionel Pittman. This arrest follo…
Danbury Couple Accused Of $1M Lululemon Theft Spree Across 5 States, Including NY Danbury Couple Accused Of $1M Lululemon Theft Spree Across 5 States, Including NY
Danbury Couple Accused Of $1M Lululemon Theft Spree Across 5 States, Including NY A Connecticut couple has been accused of orchestrating a multi-state theft operation targeting Lululemon stores, resulting in approximately $1 million in stolen merchandise. Jadion Anthony Richards, age 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, age 45, both from Danbury, were charged in in Minnesota on Friday, Nov. 22, at Ramsey County District Court with organized retail theft, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.  Their alleged activities spanned over two months and involved thefts in several states, including New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, Colorado, and Utah, the Star Tri…
Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says
Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says A Macy’s employee misstated up to $154 million in delivery expenses over several years, the company just said. The development forced the retailer to delay its third-quarter earnings report. The employee, whose name has not been released, has been fired. According to the company, the employee responsible for accounting small package delivery expenses made erroneous accrual entries to conceal the costs from the fourth quarter of 2021 through the most recent quarter. During that time, Macy’s reported a total of $4.36 billion in delivery expenses. The company conducted an independent investi…
McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When
McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When McDonald’s will ring in the new year by serving more for less. The fast food giant will unveil its new “McValue” menu nationwide starting on Tuesday, Jan. 7. McValue will include current fan-favorites, like the $5 Meal Deal, and a new “Buy One, Add One for $1” offer, allowing customers to mix and match their order. Breakfast options include classics like the sausage McMuffin and hash browns, while lunch offerings feature the 6-piece chicken McNuggets and double cheeseburger. McDonald’s is also extending through next summer its $5 Meal Deal, a combination of a McDouble or McChicken sandwi…
NY State Launches Statewide DWI Crackdown, Extra Patrols For Thanksgiving Travel NY State Launches Statewide DWI Crackdown, Extra Patrols For Thanksgiving Travel
NY State Launches Statewide DWI Crackdown, Extra Patrols For Thanksgiving Travel New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced a statewide surge in law enforcement patrols and safety measures to protect travelers during Thanksgiving week, one of the busiest and riskiest times for road travel. The detail will run through Sunday, Dec. 1 after launching Saturday, Nov. 23. “Thanksgiving kicks off the busiest travel season of the year, and we want everyone to reach their friends and loved ones safely,” Hochul said. “I urge drivers to stay alert, stay sober, and move over when you see vehicles stopped on the side of the road.” In response, New York State officials are rampin…
Newly Identified Chemical In Drinking Water Could Be Toxic, Study Says Newly Identified Chemical In Drinking Water Could Be Toxic, Study Says
Newly Identified Chemical In Drinking Water Could Be Toxic, Study Says A newly discovered compound in drinking water has raised questions about its potential health risks.  The chemical, known as chloronitramide anion (Cl–N–NO₂⁻), was found in all samples from 10 US drinking water systems that use chloramines, according to a study published in the journal Science on Thursday, Nov. 21. The research, led by Julian L. Fairey, an associate professor at the University of Arkansas,  identified chloronitramide anion as a decomposition product of inorganic chloramines, which are commonly used to disinfect municipal water supplies.  The study estimates …
Take 5 Lottery Ticket Worth $31K Sold In Hudson Valley Take 5 Lottery Ticket Worth $31K Sold In Hudson Valley
Take 5 Lottery Ticket Worth $31K Sold In Hudson Valley A lucky player can purchase an enormous turkey after hitting all the correct numbers in the latest Take 5 Lottery game. The top winning ticket worth $31,707 was sold in Dutchess County at the All In One Foodmart on Wolcott Ave in Beacon for the Thursday, Nov. 21, evening drawing. The winning numbers were: 07-16-18-23-30.  TAKE 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. The drawing is televised twice daily at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. 
Officer Violently Attacked By Inmate At Hudson Valley Prison Officer Violently Attacked By Inmate At Hudson Valley Prison
Officer Violently Attacked By Inmate At Hudson Valley Prison An officer suffered serious injuries after an inmate attacked him in a stairwell at a maximum-security prison in Northern Westchester, officials said. The assault occurred on Monday, Nov. 18, just after 10:30 a.m., as inmates were returning to their cells from morning recreation, according to the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA). The incident began when an inmate was seen yelling in the stairwell between two cell blocks. The officer ordered the inmate to return to his cell, but he refused. When the officer approached and repeated the order,…
Record 8.7M Thanksgiving Travelers Expected At Port Authority Crossings: What You Need To Know Record 8.7M Thanksgiving Travelers Expected At Port Authority Crossings: What You Need To Know
Record 8.7M Thanksgiving Travelers Expected At Port Authority Crossings: What You Need To Know The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is preparing for a record-breaking 8.7 million travelers to use its airports and crossings during the Thanksgiving travel period, from Monday, Nov. 25, to Monday, Dec. 2.  Travelers should expect heavy traffic, longer wait times, and parking challenges, the agency announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Approximately 3.2 million passengers are expected to travel through John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and New York Stewart International airports—an increase of 2% from last year’s record volume. To accommodat…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Violent 2017 Home Invasion Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Violent 2017 Home Invasion
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Violent 2017 Home Invasion A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to nine years in prison following a dramatic burglary incident where he and an accomplice posed as FBI agents during a violent home invasion.  Westchester County resident Oscar Castillo, age 37, from Yonkers, was sentenced on Monday, Nov. 18, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. He was also sentenced to five years of post-release supervision.  The sentence stems from Castillo's 2023 guilty plea to burglary charges linked to a 2017 incident in Washingtonville. Castillo, who initially evaded sentencing by not appearing in c…
New Update: Thanksgiving Storm Will Dampen Travel With Mix Of Rain, Sleet, Snow New Update: Thanksgiving Storm Will Dampen Travel With Mix Of Rain, Sleet, Snow
New Update: Thanksgiving Storm Will Dampen Travel With Mix Of Rain, Sleet, Snow A new storm will bring a mix of snow, sleet, and rain on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, causing widespread disruptions for travel and holiday festivities. A pair of scenarios will be at play as the holiday week progresses, one of which could produce accumulating snow across portions of the Ohio Valley and Northeast, AccuWeather meteorologists say. "The first scenario involves a slow-moving storm, meaning potentially longer-lasting impacts from the Tennessee and Ohio valleys through the Northeast," says AccuWeather. "The second scenario sends the same storm farther south and off the Ca…
Hudson Valley Corrections Sergeant Charged With Child Exploitation Charges Hudson Valley Corrections Sergeant Charged With Child Exploitation Charges
Hudson Valley Corrections Sergeant Charged With Child Exploitation Charges A 44-year-old sergeant at the Rockland County Jail is facing over 50 charges of possessing and promoting alleged child sexual abuse material, authorities announced. Daniel Dworkin, a corrections officer sergeant, was arrested Thursday, Nov. 21, following an investigation sparked by a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II. Dworkin is charged with 51 counts each of promoting and possessing a sexual performance by a child. A search of his home and digital devices reportedly uncovered disturbing…