Brewery Closes In Westchester: 'Don’t Have Resources To Keep Going, Brewery Closes In Westchester: 'Don’t Have Resources To Keep Going,
Brewery Closes In Westchester: 'Don’t Have Resources To Keep Going, As the New Year begins, a Westchester brewery is marking the end of a five-year journey filled with creative beers and cherished memories.  Alternative Medicine Brewing Co., located in Mount Vernon, permanently closed after its final days of business on Friday, Dec. 27, and Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. The brewery had been a fixture in the community since it opened in a previously disused space in 2019. Known for its creative beers and welcoming atmosphere, the brewery became a gathering place for friends, family, and craft beer enthusiasts.  In a heartfelt message to suppo…
First-Ever Acting County Executive Named In Westchester After Latimer's Departure First-Ever Acting County Executive Named In Westchester After Latimer's Departure
First-Ever Acting County Executive Named In Westchester After Latimer's Departure Following George Latimer's resignation as he heads off to Congress, Westchester has appointed its first-ever Acting County Executive.  In a historic move, Westchester County Board of Legislators Chair Vedat Gashi announced the appointment of Richard G. Wishnie, Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, as Acting County Executive on Thursday, Jan. 2, following George Latimer’s resignation after seven years in the role. Wishnie’s appointment marks the first time in Westchester history that the role of Acting County Executive has been triggered. Th…
Deaths Of Former Police Commissioner, Current Sergeant In Westchester Announced On Same Day Deaths Of Former Police Commissioner, Current Sergeant In Westchester Announced On Same Day
Deaths Of Former Police Commissioner, Current Sergeant In Westchester Announced On Same Day A police department in Westchester is mourning both its former commissioner and a sergeant whose deaths were announced on the same day. The deaths of former Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Glenn Scott and Sergeant Murashea Bovell were announced by the department on Wednesday, Jan. 1.  The department did not release more information about their causes of death. Mount Vernon Director of Communications Tim Allen also did not release more information on Thursday, Jan. 2.  Scott retired from his position as Commissioner in May 2023 after three years on the job. Du…
New Findings Clear Man In Decades-Old Westchester Murders, Point To Other Involvement: DA New Findings Clear Man In Decades-Old Westchester Murders, Point To Other Involvement: DA
New Findings Clear Man In Decades-Old Westchester Murders, Point To Other Involvement: DA A groundbreaking investigation has identified two new suspects in a 1996 double homicide in Westchester, clearing a man previously charged in the case, officials said. In an announcement on Monday, Dec. 30, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office said that its Conviction Review Unit identified two new suspects in the November 1996 double homicide of 79-year-old Archie Harris and 35-year-old Betty Ramcharan at Harris’s Eastchester home.  Harris, a millionaire, and Ramcharan, his home health aide, were both killed at Harris's mansion.  Follow…
Judge Overturns NFL Lineman's Father's Conviction In Decades-Old Westchester Robbery (UPDATE) Judge Overturns NFL Lineman's Father's Conviction In Decades-Old Westchester Robbery (UPDATE)
Judge Overturns NFL Lineman's Father's Conviction In Decades-Old Westchester Robbery (Update) Following the discovery of new evidence and constitutional violations, a judge has vacated the conviction of the father of an NFL lineman who served years in prison for a Westchester robbery decades ago.  In an announcement on Friday, Dec. 27, the Westchester County DA's Office said a judge overturned the conviction of 67-year-old Jeffrey Koonce, who was found guilty of robbery and weapons possession in 1983 in connection with a 1981 armed robbery at a Mount Vernon social club.  District Attorney Miriam Rocah said her office’s Conviction Review Unit (CRU) uncovered evide…
Latimer’s Exit: County Executive to Deliver Farewell Before Taking Congressional Seat Latimer’s Exit: County Executive to Deliver Farewell Before Taking Congressional Seat
Latimer’s Exit: County Executive to Deliver Farewell Before Taking Congressional Seat As Westchester County Executive George Latimer prepares to be sworn in as a US Congressman representing New York’s 16th Congressional District, he has scheduled when he will say farewell to his current position.  Latimer, age 70, will give his farewell address on Monday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. The speech will be live-streamed on Facebook, according to county officials.  Following these remarks, Latimer’s resignation will take effect a few days later on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 12:01 p.m., he said during a public address in November.  Latimer will then transition to hi…
Beloved Longtime Firefighter, Veteran From Westchester Dies: Served Up Until Death Beloved Longtime Firefighter, Veteran From Westchester Dies: Served Up Until Death
Beloved Longtime Firefighter, Veteran From Westchester Dies: Served Up Until Death A Northern Westchester community is mourning the loss of a decorated firefighter, Navy veteran, and lifelong public servant who passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.  Somers resident Walter McDonald died on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the age of 90, according to his obituary.  Born in Mount Vernon on Feb. 18, 1934, McDonald dedicated much of his life to serving others. His storied career began in 1957 when he was appointed as a firefighter for the Mount Vernon Fire Department, where he served with distinction for 32 years.  A leader both in skill and s…
Fake Deeds, Stolen Homes: Westchester City Employees Charged In Property Scheme Fake Deeds, Stolen Homes: Westchester City Employees Charged In Property Scheme
Fake Deeds, Stolen Homes: Westchester City Employees Charged In Property Scheme Two people who worked as city building employees in Westchester are accused of taking part in a scheme to steal property and submitting fake deeds signed by deceased homeowners, officials said.  Both Charlene Humphreys, a former Code Enforcement Officer for the Mount Vernon Department of Buildings, and Damon Davis, a current city Code Enforcement Officer, were arrested on Thursday, Dec. 19 in connection with the scheme, according to the Westchester County District Attorney's Office.  According to felony complaints submitted to White Plains City Court, Humphreys…
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…