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Update: Beach In Westchester Reopened After Water Testing Shows Safe Results Update: Beach In Westchester Reopened After Water Testing Shows Safe Results
Update: Beach In Westchester Reopened After Water Testing Shows Safe Results A beach in Westchester has been reopened after it was shut down for several days as a result of heavy rainfall. The Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club was reopened on Wednesday, July 24 after testing showed that the water quality was safe, according to the Westchester County Department of Health.  Earlier Report - Several Beaches In Westchester Closed After Heavy Rainfall The beach was originally shut down on Thursday, July 18 after 1.30 inches of rain fell in 24 hours.  According to county health officials, heavy rainfall and discharges from stormwater drains can bring…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Secret Service Director With Former Job In Westchester Steps Down After Trump Shooting: Report Secret Service Director With Former Job In Westchester Steps Down After Trump Shooting: Report
Secret Service Director With Former Job In Westchester Steps Down After Trump Shooting: Report The director of the US Secret Service, who once directed security in New York for a Westchester County-headquartered company, has left her role after facing scrutiny for her agency's performance during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, according to multiple reports.  Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned from her position on Tuesday, July 23, ten days after a fatal shooting at a Trump Rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13, that left one man dead and two others in critical condition, CNBC reported. Trump himself was also injured in the …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Hudson Valley Man Behind Bars For Making Terroristic Threat, Police Say Hudson Valley Man Behind Bars For Making Terroristic Threat, Police Say
Hudson Valley Man Behind Bars For Making Terroristic Threat, Police Say A Hudson Valley man has been charged with allegedly making a terroristic threat and narcotics possession after threatening to blow up a government building. Ulster County resident Michael J. Bassile, age 37, of Esopus, was arrested on Monday, July 15, by the Ulster County Sheriff's Office. According to Capt. Joseph Sciutto, one of the department's deputies assigned to the Security Division at the Ulster County Department of Social Services building, received a report from staff regarding Bassile.  The report alleged that when they spoke with Bassile, he became angry and…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Trump Expressed Interest In Holding Long Island Rally, County Exec Says Trump Expressed Interest In Holding Long Island Rally, County Exec Says
Trump Expressed Interest In Holding Long Island Rally, County Exec Says Former President Donald Trump has expressed interest in holding a rally on Long Island multiple times. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman made the comment to ABC7 New York, the outlet reported on Monday, July 15. Blakeman said that the former president had mentioned wanting to host a rally in Nassau County “many times” and that his office had been in communication with his campaign staff to set the event up. Original Report - Donald Trump Rushed Off PA Stage After Apparent Shots Fired “I don’t know if any of that changes after what happened this weekend…obviously, they’re ve…

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by Sophie Grieser
Politics
Former President Trump Rushed Offstage After Apparent Shots Fired At PA Rally Former President Trump Rushed Offstage After Apparent Shots Fired At PA Rally
Former President Trump Rushed Offstage After Apparent Shots Fired At PA Rally Secret Service agents rushed to get former President Donald Trump offstage after loud bangs were heard and he dropped to the ground at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Just minutes after the early evening event on Saturday, July 13 in Butler, just north of Pittsburgh, started, the apparent shots were heard. Trump had turned to show a chart of border crossing numbers when bangs rang throughout the crowd. He ducked and was tackled by Secret Service members as members of the crowd gasped and chanted, "U-S-A." Possible gunshots at former President Trump's rally in Butler, PA. Secret Servic…

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by Sophie Grieser
Police & Fire
Update: Drunk Man Apprehended While Trying To Break Into Into Carmel Home, Police Say Update: Drunk Man Apprehended While Trying To Break Into Into Carmel Home, Police Say
Update: Drunk Man Apprehended While Trying To Break Into Into Carmel Home, Police Say This story has been updated.  A 38-year-old man was apprehended after allegedly trying to break into a home in a residential neighborhood in the Hudson Valley, police said.  The incident happened in Putnam County on Thursday, July 11 around 2:20 p.m., when a domestic disturbance was reported at a home on Orchard Road in the Lake Secor neighborhood of Carmel, according to Carmel Police Lt. Michael Bodo. Arriving officers found a Bronx resident later identified as Michael Melendez bleeding profusely from his arm after allegedly punching a glass panel door in an attempt to ente…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Drone As First Responders: Police Department In Westchester Becomes First In County To Use Them Drone As First Responders: Police Department In Westchester Becomes First In County To Use Them
Drone As First Responders: Police Department In Westchester Becomes First In County To Use Them A police department in Westchester has become the first in the county to embrace help from drones during emergency calls.  The Yonkers Police Department announced the launch of its Drone as a First Responder pilot program during a press conference held on Wednesday, July 10.  As part of the initiative, the only one of its kind in Westchester, the department will use one drone outfitted with high-definition cameras and thermal imaging and will fly alongside and overhead officers during calls.  The drone will launch from the roof of St. Joseph's Medical Center and will be remo…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Roller Coaster Derails At Park In Westchester On July 4th Roller Coaster Derails At Park In Westchester On July 4th
Roller Coaster Derails At Park In Westchester On July 4th A young child was assessed for injuries after a ride derailed at a park in Westchester during Independence Day celebrations.  The incident happened on Thursday, July 4 just after 4 p.m., when the rollercoaster at Waterfront Park in Dobbs Ferry derailed, according to the Dobbs Ferry Volunteer Ambulance Corp.  First responders soon arrived at the park and assessed a five-year-old patient. Luckily though, they were not injured.  The ride was then stabilized. No other injuries were reported.  The cause of the derailment was not released. 

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by Ben Crnic
Traffic
Fourth Of July Crackdown: Extra DUI Patrols To Monitor NY Roads Over Holiday Weekend Fourth Of July Crackdown: Extra DUI Patrols To Monitor NY Roads Over Holiday Weekend
Fourth Of July Crackdown: Extra DUI Patrols To Monitor NY Roads Over Holiday Weekend Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that extra patrols will be on the lookout for drunk and drugged drivers over the Fourth of July weekend. Starting on Wednesday, July 3 at 6 p.m. and lasting through midnight on Sunday, July 7, New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies will increase patrols on highways across the state. The extra patrols will conduct sobriety checkpoints and target reckless and aggressive driving in an effort to curb impaired drivers and target other traffic infractions, Hochul said. “State Police and local law enforcement agencies will once again be out on New Y…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
Latest Update: Road Closure Extended As Partially Collapsed Building Demolished In Westchester Latest Update: Road Closure Extended As Partially Collapsed Building Demolished In Westchester
Latest Update: Road Closure Extended As Partially Collapsed Building Demolished In Westchester A stretch of a busy roadway will remain closed for a longer period of time than expected as crews demolish a partially collapsed building in Westchester.  North Broadway between Main Street and Manor House Square will remain closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic through Monday, July 1, Yonkers Police announced on Thursday, June 27.  The closure follows the partial collapse of 9 North Broadway on Friday, June 21 just before 11 a.m., when a floor and wall on the building's first floor collapsed into the basement below. Earlier Report - New Update: Building To Be Dem…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Over 18K School Bus Passing Violations Caught On Camera In This Westchester City: 'Staggering' Over 18K School Bus Passing Violations Caught On Camera In This Westchester City: 'Staggering'
Over 18K School Bus Passing Violations Caught On Camera In This Westchester City: 'Staggering' Over the course of a school year, a Westchester County city's school bus stop arm camera program meant to capture illegal vehicle passings has caught more than 18,000 violations, officials announced.  Since partnering with Verra Mobility to launch their enforcement campaign in November 2023 and catch drivers who illegally pass school buses while the stop arm is extended, the city of Yonkers has captured 18,132 violations, officials announced on Thursday, June 27.  Earlier Report - School Bus Safety: Yonkers To Deploy Massive Stop-Arm Enforcement Program The month of May had…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Bears Seen Near Busy Main Route In Northern Westchester Bears Seen Near Busy Main Route In Northern Westchester
Bears Seen Near Busy Main Route In Northern Westchester Those in Northern Westchester may want to ensure their trash cans are inside, as several bear sightings have been reported along a busy main route in the area.  In an announcement on Tuesday, June 25, North Castle Police said several bear sightings have been reported along the Route 128 corridor in the hamlet of Armonk near the border with New Castle.  The department warned residents to avoid becoming comfortable or complacent with the animals and not to deliberately or inadvertently feed them. Additionally, those in the area should remove food sources that bears can access. …

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by Ben Crnic
News
New Update: Building To Be Demolished After Partially Collapsing In Westchester New Update: Building To Be Demolished After Partially Collapsing In Westchester
New Update: Building To Be Demolished After Partially Collapsing In Westchester Following a partial building collapse in Westchester that sent two to the hospital, a stretch of a busy roadway will remain closed for several days as crews demolish the structure. New, updated report - Latest Update: Road Closure Extended As Partially-Collapsed Building Demolished In Yonkers The collapse happened in Yonkers on Friday, June 21 just before 11 a.m. at 9 North Broadway, when a floor and wall on the building's first floor collapsed into the basement below, according to Yonkers Police. Earlier Report - Building Partially Collapses In Yonkers With People Inside…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Discovery Of Mortar Shell Prompts Evacuation At Hudson Valley Construction Site Discovery Of Mortar Shell Prompts Evacuation At Hudson Valley Construction Site
Discovery Of Mortar Shell Prompts Evacuation At Hudson Valley Construction Site A hazardous device team was called to a Hudson Valley property after a mortar shell was found during excavation work.  The incident happened in Putnam County on Monday, June 17, when a caller performing excavation work at a Philipstown property on Juniper Hill Road reported the discovery of an unexploded mortar shell under some rocks, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday, June 19. A responding sheriff's deputy then removed all workers from the area and called for the Westchester County Police Hazardous Devices Unit to help remove the mortar.  Eventually, the …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Building Partially Collapses In Westchester With People Inside, Causes Road Closures Building Partially Collapses In Westchester With People Inside, Causes Road Closures
Building Partially Collapses In Westchester With People Inside, Causes Road Closures This story has been updated. New, updated report - New Update: Building To Be Demolished After Partially Collapsing In Yonkers Two people were taken to a hospital after being evacuated from a Westchester building that partially collapsed.  The incident happened on Friday, June 21 just before 11 a.m. at 9 North Broadway in Yonkers, Yonkers Police announced around 11:40 a.m.  Arriving first responders found that a floor and wall on the building's first floor had collapsed into the basement below.  Officers then secured the area while members of the city's fire departm…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
NY County Training Armed Residents To Be 'Special Deputy Sheriffs': Here's Where, Why NY County Training Armed Residents To Be 'Special Deputy Sheriffs': Here's Where, Why
NY County Training Armed Residents To Be 'Special Deputy Sheriffs': Here's Where, Why A New York county is training armed residents who could be deputized during emergencies and natural disasters. With the state's second-largest police force of 2,600 sworn officers, Nassau County posted a notice in March in local newspapers and other news outlets for a team of provisional emergency special deputy sheriffs "for the protection of human life and property during an emergency," said County Executive Bruce Blakeman in coordination with Nassau County Sheriff Anthony LaRocco. In the advertisement, Blakeman said the "special deputies" will have no police powers unless …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Gordon Ramsay 'Lucky To Be Here' After New England Accident Leaves Him Hospitalized Gordon Ramsay 'Lucky To Be Here' After New England Accident Leaves Him Hospitalized
Gordon Ramsay 'Lucky To Be Here' After New England Accident Leaves Him Hospitalized Gordon Ramsay has a message for bicyclists who may be considering forgoing their helmet: don’t. The world-renowned celebrity chef, restaurateur, and reality TV star took to social media Saturday, June 15, to issue a public service announcement after suffering a “really bad” bicycle accident during a recent ride in Connecticut. “It really shook me and honestly, I’m lucky to be here,” the 57-year-old Ramsay said in a video shared on his official TikTok and Instagram accounts. On Instagram, he included a post-crash photo showing his torn jacket and visibly damaged helmet. The notoriously fie…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Commercial Building Catches On Fire In Westchester Commercial Building Catches On Fire In Westchester
Commercial Building Catches On Fire In Westchester Thanks to quick action from firefighters, a blaze at a commercial building in Westchester was stopped from being worse than it could have been. The fire happened on Tuesday, June 11 around 5:15 p.m., when firefighters found light smoke coming from the roof of 11 Prospect Ave. in Mount Vernon, which contains several storefronts. According to Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, firefighters soon reported the incident as a working fire and quickly extinguished it.  No injuries to occupants or firefighters were reported following the blaze, Patterson-Howard said.  "The …

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by Ben Crnic
News
New Update: Hudson River Swimming, Boating Advisory Lifted In Northern Westchester New Update: Hudson River Swimming, Boating Advisory Lifted In Northern Westchester
New Update: Hudson River Swimming, Boating Advisory Lifted In Northern Westchester This story has been updated. Following the completed repairs of a sewer main break at a Northern Westchester pump station, county officials have lifted an advisory for recreational activities in the Hudson River.  In an announcement on Monday, June 10, Croton-on-Hudson village officials said that repairs to the force main break at the Crotonville Pump Station on Croton River Rd. in Ossining have been completed and that the Westchester County Department of Health has lifted its advisory for avoiding the Hudson River.  The break occurred on Thursday, June 6. As a result, …

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by Ben Crnic
Traffic
Bridge Repair Project To Cause Almost Year-Long Closure, Detours In Westchester Bridge Repair Project To Cause Almost Year-Long Closure, Detours In Westchester
Bridge Repair Project To Cause Almost Year-Long Closure, Detours In Westchester A bridge over a busy parkway in Westchester will close for nearly a year for a construction project. The Grant Avenue Bridge over the Central Westchester Parkway in White Plains closed to vehicular traffic on Wednesday, June 5 as part of a bridge rehabilitation project, White Plains Public Safety officials announced on Monday, June 10.  As a result, Grant Avenue is closed between Clinton and Beech streets. However, pedestrian traffic will be maintained until the end of June, officials said. The closure is expected to continue into the Spring of 2025. During this time, the northbound a…

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by Ben Crnic
News
67 Guns, 4 Assault Rifles Turned In At Hudson Valley Gun Buyback Event 67 Guns, 4 Assault Rifles Turned In At Hudson Valley Gun Buyback Event
67 Guns, 4 Assault Rifles Turned In At Hudson Valley Gun Buyback Event A Hudson Valley gun buyback event collected 67 guns, including four assault rifles. The annual event was held in Rockland County in Spring Valley on Thursday, June 6. During the event, sponsored by the Rockland County Sheriff's Office with the Spring Valley Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Rockland County District Attorney’s, residents were given gift cards in exchange for guns.  Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco said the guns collected included: Four assault rifles 29 handguns 32 rifles and shotguns Two antique or non-working guns Individuals also turned…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Duo Caught With Ghost Gun After Chase At Northern Westchester Shopping Center Duo Caught With Ghost Gun After Chase At Northern Westchester Shopping Center
Duo Caught With Ghost Gun After Chase At Northern Westchester Shopping Center Two men were apprehended following a police pursuit that ended in the parking lot of a busy Northern Westchester shopping center. The incident began on Thursday afternoon, June 6 when two Ossining Police officers tried stopping a vehicle on Main Street.  Instead, the car kept going, leading police on a chase that ended up in the parking lot of the Arcadian Shopping Center, the department said on Friday, June 7.  Two men in the car, whose names have not been released, were then arrested. Soon after, officers also found a ghost gun pistol with no serial number, the department added…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Westchester To Improve Safety Measures For Caseworkers After Woman Attacked In Peekskill Westchester To Improve Safety Measures For Caseworkers After Woman Attacked In Peekskill
Westchester To Improve Safety Measures For Caseworkers After Woman Attacked In Peekskill Following a brutal attack that left a Westchester caseworker with severe injuries, officials have announced more safety measures that will be implemented for the county's staff to keep them safe.  In an announcement on Thursday, June 6, Westchester County officials announced the Department of Social Services would offer enhanced security escorts for staff while they conduct community and home visits.  The increased safety measures follow the attack of caseworker Maria Coto on Tuesday, May 14, when she was assaulted by a suspect identified as Haseem Jenkins inside a Peekskill …

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by Ben Crnic
News
Update: Force Main Breaks Sends Sewage Into Hudson River In Westchester Update: Force Main Breaks Sends Sewage Into Hudson River In Westchester
Update: Force Main Breaks Sends Sewage Into Hudson River In Westchester This story has been updated. Officials are advising residents to stay out of the Hudson River throughout most of Westchester for at least several days as crews work to repair a force main break sending partially treated sewage into the water. New, updated report - New Update: Force Main Break Repaired In Ossining, Swimming Advisory Remains The break occurred at the Crotonville Pump Station at 100 Croton River Rd. in Ossining on Thursday, June 6, Croton-on-Hudson village officials announced.  According to an update from officials on Friday morning, June 7, the repair process is t…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Bill Adding Fencing To Hudson Valley Bridges To Prevent People From Deadly Jumps Moves Forward Bill Adding Fencing To Hudson Valley Bridges To Prevent People From Deadly Jumps Moves Forward
Bill Adding Fencing To Hudson Valley Bridges To Prevent People From Deadly Jumps Moves Forward A bill aimed at stopping suicides by adding preventive fencing to five Hudson Valley bridges has passed the New York State Senate unanimously. Now, the bill introduced by State Sen. Pete Harckham (D, Mount Kisco), will move to the State Assembly, whose session ends on Friday, June 7, for consideration. The bill mandates that climb deterrent fencing be installed on all bridges under the New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA) jurisdiction. The five Hudson Valley bridges are: Bear Mountain Bridge. Rip Van Winkle Bridge,  Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge,  Mid-Hudson Bridge,  Newbu…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Large Black Bear Spotted Near Busy Trailway In Northern Westchester Large Black Bear Spotted Near Busy Trailway In Northern Westchester
Large Black Bear Spotted Near Busy Trailway In Northern Westchester Authorities are warning residents to take precautions after a large black bear was seen near a popular trailway in Northern Westchester.  In an announcement on Monday, June 3, the New Castle Police Department said the bear was seen in the area of the North County Trailway in Millwood.  Despite the sighting, the bear will only be encouraged to leave the area if it creates a public disturbance, acts aggressively toward a human or pet, tries to enter a home, or is injured and cannot move to escape, according to New York State Environmental Conservation guidelines. Thus, if the bear …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
New Info Released After 2 Boys, 2 Girls Pursued From Wilton Caught After Crash In Ridgefield New Info Released After 2 Boys, 2 Girls Pursued From Wilton Caught After Crash In Ridgefield
New Info Released After 2 Boys, 2 Girls Pursued From Wilton Caught After Crash In Ridgefield New information has been released regarding an incident in which two boys and two girls were apprehended by police after crashing in Fairfield County. At about 4:25 p.m. on Friday, May 27, a concerned citizen contacted the Wilton Police Department to report a young girl appeared to have been forced into a black Subaru station wagon with no plates by a male individual in the area of Ridgefield Road and Drum Hill Road. The vehicle had then left the area, heading towards Ridgefield, said Lieutenant Anna Tornello of the Wilton Police Department, who said that the&n…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Power Line Lands On Car, Causes It To Catch On Fire Near Westchester Homes Power Line Lands On Car, Causes It To Catch On Fire Near Westchester Homes
Power Line Lands On Car, Causes It To Catch On Fire Near Westchester Homes A downed power line caused a car to go up in flames while parked dangerously close to homes and other parked vehicles in Westchester, fire officials said. The incident happened on Wednesday, May 22 just after 1:30 p.m., when a power line fell on top of a parked car in the area of Magnolia Avenue and Prospect Avenue in Larchmont, the Larchmont Fire Department announced on Thursday, May 23.  Arriving fire crews found that the vehicle had gone up in flames, endangering another parked car and a home close by.  Because the blaze was caused by an active electrical line, firefighters ha…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Man Sets Westchester Apartment On Fire With Resident Still Inside: Here's His Sentence Man Sets Westchester Apartment On Fire With Resident Still Inside: Here's His Sentence
Man Sets Westchester Apartment On Fire With Resident Still Inside: Here's His Sentence A 51-year-old man will spend more than a decade in prison for lighting a Westchester apartment on fire while its resident was sleeping inside, officials announced.  Yonkers resident Angel Rivera was sentenced to 12 years in state prison for setting a Yonkers apartment on fire with a resident inside in June 2021, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday, May 23.  According to the DA's Office, on June 7, 2021, around 2 a.m., Rivera walked up to a Yonkers residential building on Elm Street, lit an object on fire, and threw it through the open …

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by Ben Crnic
News
New Update: Part Of Park Building Demolished After Fire, Asbestos Discovery In Westchester New Update: Part Of Park Building Demolished After Fire, Asbestos Discovery In Westchester
New Update: Part Of Park Building Demolished After Fire, Asbestos Discovery In Westchester A section of a Westchester County park bathhouse left unusable after a fire is being demolished following the discovery of asbestos inside the building, officials announced. Demolition of a portion of the bathhouse at Dobbs Ferry's Gould Park began on Monday morning, May 13 following a fire that damaged the building in late March, village officials said.  Earlier Report - Dobbs Ferry's Gould Park Pool To Open After Fire The fire, which happened on Saturday, March 30 around 8:15 p.m., prompted a response from the Westchester County Hazmat team after flames came dangerously cl…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
13-Year-Old Boy Hospitalized After Stabbing In Westchester: Young Suspect At Large 13-Year-Old Boy Hospitalized After Stabbing In Westchester: Young Suspect At Large
13-Year-Old Boy Hospitalized After Stabbing In Westchester: Young Suspect At Large Authorities are searching for a 14-year-old suspect believed to have been involved in a stabbing that left a young boy hospitalized in Westchester. The incident happened on Tuesday, May 9, just before 4:40 p.m. in Mount Vernon, when a 13-year-old boy was stabbed in his left hip at 210 Gramatan Ave., city officials announced on Friday, May 10. The boy was soon taken to Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities are now looking for the boy who they believe injured the victim. He has not yet been caught, city officials said. The incident comes…

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by Ben Crnic