Excessive Force, Illegal Arrests: Feds Allege Violations By Police Department In Westchester Excessive Force, Illegal Arrests: Feds Allege Violations By Police Department In Westchester
Excessive Force, Illegal Arrests: Feds Allege Violations By Police Department In Westchester A police department in Westchester has been found to engage in a pattern of excessive force, illegal arrests, and unconstitutional searches, federal officials announced. The findings, which centered on the Mount Vernon Police Department, were revealed on Thursday, Dec. 12, following a comprehensive investigation by the US Department of Justice. According to the DOJ, the investigation uncovered numerous issues, including:  Excessive use of force, including taser-like devices and strikes, often against individuals who were already restrained or on the ground; Unlawful strip searches an…
Proposed School Closures, Reconfiguration Considered In Westchester District Proposed School Closures, Reconfiguration Considered In Westchester District
Proposed School Closures, Reconfiguration Considered In Westchester District Administrators in a Westchester school district have unveiled plans that could see the closure of three schools as part of a broader effort to reorganize district buildings amid declining enrollment and fiscal distress. During a town hall meeting on Friday, Dec. 6, Mount Vernon City School District officials discussed reconfiguration options that include the potential closures of Cecil H. Parker School, Mount Vernon Honor Academy, and Mount Vernon Leadership Academy.  The session, held at Graham School and on Zoom, marked the second community forum on the topic, district officials said…
49 New Officers Graduate From Westchester Police Academy: Here's Where They'll Serve 49 New Officers Graduate From Westchester Police Academy: Here's Where They'll Serve
49 New Officers Graduate From Westchester Police Academy: Here's Where They'll Serve After months of training, dozens of new graduates of the Westchester Police Academy will soon begin serving communities throughout the county. The 49 new recruits graduated from the Westchester County Police Academy during a ceremony held at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center, the Westchester County Police Department announced on Friday, Dec. 6. They will now go on to work at seven departments in the county.  The new recruits will now be sent to the following Westchester departments: Westchester County PD: Shaun Blute, Frank Caparelli, Devin Furphy, Steven Hartog, Autumn …
Westchester County Executive George Latimer Announces Resignation For Bigger Plans: Congress Westchester County Executive George Latimer Announces Resignation For Bigger Plans: Congress
Westchester County Executive George Latimer Announces Resignation For Bigger Plans: Congress Westchester County Executive George Latimer has announced his resignation as he prepares to be sworn in as a US Congressman representing New York’s 16th Congressional District. Latimer’s resignation will take effect on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 12:01 p.m., he said during a public address on Monday, Nov. 25.  The announcement comes as he transitions to his new role in Congress, where he will begin serving the following day, Friday, Jan. 3. In this role, Latimer. a Democrat, will represent the southern portion of Westchester, including White Plains, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Roche…
Popular Westchester Restaurant Closes Suddenly After 13 Years Popular Westchester Restaurant Closes Suddenly After 13 Years
Popular Westchester Restaurant Closes Suddenly After 13 Years A popular Westchester restaurant that hosted reunions, birthday parties, and get-togethers for locals for more than a decade, announced its sudden and unexpected closure, leaving longtime patrons and city officials heartbroken.  The closure of Maggie Spillane’s Ale House, owned by Tony Spillane and located in Mount Vernon at 571 Gramatan Ave., will take effect on Saturday, Nov. 30, according to an announcement posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page.  Maggie Spillane's quickly became a Westchester staple since opening in 2011. The decision to close was attributed to unforeseen c…
44-Year-Old Caught With Crack Cocaine, Gun During Westchester Traffic Stop: Police 44-Year-Old Caught With Crack Cocaine, Gun During Westchester Traffic Stop: Police
44-Year-Old Caught With Crack Cocaine, Gun During Westchester Traffic Stop: Police A 44-year-old Westchester man faces a long list of charges after he was caught with crack cocaine and a handgun during a traffic stop, police said.  New Rochelle resident Desmond Carter was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 19 following a traffic stop in Mount Vernon, New York State Police announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20.  According to authorities, just after noon on Tuesday, troopers pulled over a 2015 BMW 328 Series on Mount Vernon's Union Avenue for violations of vehicle and traffic laws.  The driver, Carter, was found to be driving with a suspended license. He then tried running…
New Judge To Succeed Disgraced Predecessor Forced To Resign In Westchester New Judge To Succeed Disgraced Predecessor Forced To Resign In Westchester
New Judge To Succeed Disgraced Predecessor Forced To Resign In Westchester A municipality in Northern Westchester has announced its next city judge following the resignation of her predecessor, who was forced to resign after being charged with making sexual innuendos and inappropriate remarks to staff and attorneys on multiple occasions.  In an announcement on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Peekskill Common Council revealed the selection of Sophia Trott as the next City Court Judge.  Trott will replace Reginald J. Johnson, who resigned from his position on Monday, Sept. 30 following formal charges filed against him by the New York State Comm…
New Film Features Westchester's Richard Gere, Michael Imperioli New Film Features Westchester's Richard Gere, Michael Imperioli
New Film Features Westchester's Richard Gere, Michael Imperioli An upcoming feature film centering on the experiences of a draft evader who fled to Canada is set to feature a star-studded cast, including two familiar faces who hail from the Hudson Valley.  'Oh, Canada,' which releases in theaters on Thursday, Dec. 5, will star Northern Westchester resident Richard Gere, age 75, who owns a North Salem residence, in the main role of filmmaker Leonard Fife.  Additionally, Westchester County native and former Putnam County resident Michael Imperioli, age 58, who grew up in Brewster after his family moved there from Mount Vernon when he was 11…
These Westchester Hospitals Get 'A' Grade For Patient Safety: New Report These Westchester Hospitals Get 'A' Grade For Patient Safety: New Report
These Westchester Hospitals Get 'A' Grade For Patient Safety: New Report Several hospitals in the Hudson Valley have earned top marks for keeping patients safe, according to a new report.  Five hospitals in Putnam and Westchester counties were given an "A" grade for patient safety in a new Fall 2024 report released on Friday, Nov. 15 by the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog organization that advocates for safety in hospitals. These included:  White Plains Hospital, White Plains; Phelps Hospital, Sleepy Hollow; New York-Presbyterian Westchester, Bronxville; Northern Westchester Hospital, Mount Kisco; Putnam Hospital, Carmel. The new …
Warning Issued After Sex Offender Found Frequenting Library In Westchester Warning Issued After Sex Offender Found Frequenting Library In Westchester
Warning Issued After Sex Offender Found Frequenting Library In Westchester A police department in Westchester is advising residents to be on high alert after a sex offender convicted of rape was found to be frequenting a public library in the county.  In an announcement on Thursday, Nov. 14, the City of Rye Police Department detailed an encounter at the Rye Public Library reported by two teenagers.  According to the department, on Wednesday, Nov, 13, the two teens encountered 29-year-old Wale Gai at the library. Detectives later interviewed him and found out he frequented the library.  Gai is a registered Level 2 sex offender who was convicted of t…
Election 2024: Winner Projected In 16th Congressional District Representing Much Of Westchester Election 2024: Winner Projected In 16th Congressional District Representing Much Of Westchester
Election 2024: Winner Projected In 16th Congressional District Representing Much Of Westchester The votes are in, and New York's 16th Congressional District now knows its next representative in Congress.  Democrat George Latimer has been projected as the winner for the House seat representing the southern portion of Westchester, including White Plains, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Rye, and a small part of the northern Bronx, defeating Republican Miriam Flisser, according to the state Board of Elections. Latimer was leading Flisser by a margin of 72 to 28 percent, with 54 percent of the vote in as of 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6.  The people of Westc…
Rooftop Burglar From Westchester Charged In Overnight NJ Spree: Police Rooftop Burglar From Westchester Charged In Overnight NJ Spree: Police
Rooftop Burglar From Westchester Charged In Overnight NJ Spree: Police A 40-year-old Westchester County, NY man was arrested in Bergen County, NJ after police linked him to a string of commercial burglaries, they said. Marlon A. Stewart, of Mount Vernon, burglarized three commercial properties from the roof in Closter overnight on Aug. 29, Closter Police Capt. Vincent Aiello said. In one incident, Stewart removed a large safe and threw it out of a second-floor window and into the borough parking lot, Aiello said. Following a lengthy investigation, Stewart was identified as a suspect in these burglaries, and others in CT and NY, the captain said. It was not im…