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John Jay High School

Schools
'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By High School In Hudson Valley 'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By High School In Hudson Valley
'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By High School In Hudson Valley Edie Falco, one of the stars of "The Sopranos," took some time to give some advice about acting and life to students during a visit to a Northern Westchester high school. In a 90-minute visit to John Jay High School in Cross River on Tuesday, March 19, Edie Falco, known for playing Carmela Soprano in "The Sopranos," spoke to over 100 students as part of the school's Social and Theoretical Criticism in the Serial Narrative elective.  During the visit, which took place in the school's auditorium, Falco answered students' questions about her life and career and told the story of how …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Man Nabbed For Stalking Students At Hudson Valley High School, Police Say Man Nabbed For Stalking Students At Hudson Valley High School, Police Say
Man Nabbed For Stalking Students At Hudson Valley High School, Police Say A 33-year-old man has been charged with allegedly stalking a female student and approaching two others at a Hudson Valley High School. The incident took place in Dutchess County on Tuesday, Sept. 12. According to the East Fishkill Police, the department received a complaint of a suspicious man approaching students at John Jay High School in East Fishkill. The man reportedly followed the student in his vehicle and approached two other students in an area off campus on the same day, police said. In response, the department's Detective Division opened an investigation and worked tirelessly t…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
'Concerning' Interactions Between Person, Students At Hudson Valley HS Being Investigated 'Concerning' Interactions Between Person, Students At Hudson Valley HS Being Investigated
'Concerning' Interactions Between Person, Students At Hudson Valley HS Being Investigated School officials in the Hudson Valley are warning of "concerning" interactions between an individual and students off-campus of a high school.  The "incidents" have been taking place in Dutchess County outside of John Jay High School in East Fishkill, said Dr. Dwight Bonk, the superintendent of the Wappingers Central School District. "It has been reported that this individual has approached students after school hours near John Jay High School," Bonk said. The school district is working in collaboration with the East Fishkill Police Department to investigate the incidents, Bonk a…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Swastika Drawn On Classroom Desk At HS In Hudson Valley, School Responds Swastika Drawn On Classroom Desk At HS In Hudson Valley, School Responds
Swastika Drawn On Classroom Desk At HS In Hudson Valley, School Responds School officials are responding after a swastika was drawn on a classroom desk in Northern Westchester.  The hate symbol was drawn on Thursday, Jan. 12 on the leg of a desk at John Jay High School in Cross River, according to a letter sent to parents by Principal Steven Siciliano.  In the letter, Siciliano condemned the drawing.  "I strongly condemn the drawing of and the appearance of this symbol of hatred in our school," Siciliano said, adding, "Given its location and size, it could give the impression that it was drawn more out of a cowardly need for attent…

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by Ben Crnic
News
'A Grave Injustice': GoFundMe Started To Help Fired High School Coach In Hudson Valley 'A Grave Injustice': GoFundMe Started To Help Fired High School Coach In Hudson Valley
'A Grave Injustice': GoFundMe Started To Help Fired High School Coach In Hudson Valley Supporters of a fired high school coach in Northern Westchester are taking it upon themselves to help him get his position back.  A GoFundMe has been started to raise legal funds for Coach Bill Swertfager, who coached varsity wrestling in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District at John Jay High School in Cross River. The fundraiser page was started on Friday, Nov.18.  Swertfager, who has coached for nearly 40 years according to the GoFundMe, was removed from his position by the Katonah-Lewisboro School Board and Superintendent Andrew Selesnick, the fundrais…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Career Healthcare Worker In Hudson Valley Dies At Age 64 Career Healthcare Worker In Hudson Valley Dies At Age 64
Career Healthcare Worker In Hudson Valley Dies At Age 64 A lifelong Hudson Valley resident who spent his career working in healthcare has died at age 64. Dutchess County resident Gregg Ralph Felice, of Pawling, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 5, at his home in Pawling, according to his obituary. He was born in Mount Kisco and grew up in Cross River. During his time as a student at John Jay High School, he played football and baseball, his obituary said. Felice also attended Dean Junior College and earned an undergraduate degree from SUNY New Paltz and a master's degree from Adelphi University, his obituary said.  "He spent his career in …

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by Nicole Valinote
Schools
Concerning Note Causes Closure Of Two Schools In Area Concerning Note Causes Closure Of Two Schools In Area
Concerning Note Causes Closure Of Two Schools In Area A “concerning note” led to the closure of two schools in the Hudson Valley after it was found on a school bus. In Dutchess County, Wappingers Central School District Superintendent Dwight Bonk issued an alert advising that Fishkill Plains Elementary School and John Jay High School would be closed on Friday, Jan. 28 due to the disconcerting note. According to Bonk, the note threatened harm to other students, and it was found on a bus that provides transportation to both schools, prompting the preemptive closure as a precaution. “In order to ensure a complete and thorough investigation both …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Social Media Threat Leads To Early Dismissal Of School In Area Social Media Threat Leads To Early Dismissal Of School In Area
Social Media Threat Leads To Early Dismissal Of School In Area Students at a Hudson Valley high school were dismissed early after a threat was made on social media. In Dutchess County, John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction was dismissed at approximately 11 a.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 3, Principal David Kedzielawa said in a message released to parents in the district. According to Kedzielawa, the threat was made on Snapchat “threatening the school community.” Kedzielawa said that the district has contacted law enforcement and is working inc coordination with the Office of the Superintendent, East Fishkill Police, and State Police. “Please understand…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Orange County Native, Beloved Former High School Teacher, Coach Dies Orange County Native, Beloved Former High School Teacher, Coach Dies
Orange County Native, Beloved Former High School Teacher, Coach Dies A lifelong Hudson Valley resident who was a beloved high school coach, and teacher, as well as the chief of a local fire department, and a standout college athlete in Connecticut, has died. Northern Westchester resident Michael Repp, of Somers and formerly of Katonah, died on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at age 82 at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco.  He was born in Orange County on May 15th, 1939, in Cornwall, to the late Michael and Irene Repp. He was raised in Katonah, attended Saint Mary’s School in Katonah, and was a member of the first graduating class from John Jay High S…

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by Daily Voice
Obituaries
Frank Pallett, Owner Of Fitness Complex In Orange County, Dies At Age 51 Frank Pallett, Owner Of Fitness Complex In Orange County, Dies At Age 51
Frank Pallett, Owner Of Fitness Complex In Orange County, Dies At Age 51 An entrepreneur who owned two popular Hudson Valley businesses, has died at the age of 51. Frank Pallett died on Wednesday, Aug. 11 after a brief illness. He was the owner of The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie and Maximum Fitness in Newburgh. He also had a radio show called "Live from The Chance." Pallett was born in Yonkers. He was a graduate of John Jay High School in East Fishkill, and he later attended Dutchess Community College and Empire State College, his obituary said. He is survived by his wife, Michelle Clemens, his two daughters, 7-year-old Daniella and 2-year-ol…

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by Nicole Valinote
Politics
Cuomo Must Admit To 'Predatory Behavior,' Says Second Accuser In New Statement Cuomo Must Admit To 'Predatory Behavior,' Says Second Accuser In New Statement
Cuomo Must Admit To 'Predatory Behavior,' Says Second Accuser In New Statement One of the two women who has accused New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment is calling on the governor to admit to his “predatory behavior’ and is urging other women to come forward. Charlotte Bennett, age 25, who came forward over the weekend with allegations against the 63-year-old Cuomo following a lengthy blog post by former aide Lindsey Boylan last week, was back in the news on Monday, March 1 to criticize the governor's statement on the matter. Bennett said in a statement first published by The New York Times that Cuomo “has refused to acknowledge or take responsibility for …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Wappingers School District Names New Superintendent Wappingers School District Names New Superintendent
Wappingers School District Names New Superintendent A familiar face will be at the helm of the Wappingers School District going forward following a unanimous vote by the Board of Education. The district’s Board of Education appointed interim Superintendent Dr. Dwight Bonk as the permanent head of schools following a wide-ranging search following former Superintendent Jose Carrion’s retirement in the fall. A former principal at John Jay High School, Bonk took over as interim superintendent in October following Carrion’s retirement announcement. Since taking over, Bonk has navigated the district through the COVID-19 crisis and is actively work…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: High School In Area Goes Remote After Positive Case COVID-19: High School In Area Goes Remote After Positive Case
Covid-19: High School In Area Goes Remote After Positive Case Another area school has returned to remote learning due to another positive case of COVID-19. John Jay High School in East Fishkill is closed for in-person instruction on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and remain so until after the Thanksgiving holiday break, school officials said. A notice will be sent to parents by Sunday, Nov. 29, to determine if the school can return to its hybrid learning plan, officials said. The infected person has not been in the school since Thursday, Nov. 19, and is currently in isolation per the guidance of the Dutchess County Health Department. The latest case is not relat…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
New School District In Hudson Valley Eyes Dropping Indians Nickname New School District In Hudson Valley Eyes Dropping Indians Nickname
New School District In Hudson Valley Eyes Dropping Indians Nickname Another Hudson Valley school is weighing whether or not to change its mascot away from one with Native American representation amid civil unrest across the country. In the wake of the Washington Redskins removing its mascot and John Jay High School, located in Lewisboro in Northern Westchester, transitioning from the Indians to Wolves, Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls could soon also see a nickname change. Related story - High School In Northern Westchester Picks New Nickname To Replace Indians School officials said they are open to changing the mascot and retiring the I…

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by Zak Failla
News
New School District In Hudson Valley Eyes Dropping Indians Nickname New School District In Hudson Valley Eyes Dropping Indians Nickname
New School District In Hudson Valley Eyes Dropping Indians Nickname Another Hudson Valley school is weighing whether or not to change its mascot away from one with Native American representation amid civil unrest across the country. In the wake of the Washington Redskins removing its mascot and John Jay High School, located in Lewisboro in Northern Westchester, transitioning from the Indians to Wolves, Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls could soon also see a nickname change. Related story - High School In Northern Westchester Picks New Nickname To Replace Indians School officials said they are open to changing the mascot and retiring the I…

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by Zak Failla
News
Assistant Tried To Make Grisly Murder Of Hudson Valley Tech CEO Look Like A Hit, Report Says Assistant Tried To Make Grisly Murder Of Hudson Valley Tech CEO Look Like A Hit, Report Says
Assistant Tried To Make Grisly Murder Of Hudson Valley Tech CEO Look Like A Hit, Report Says The personal assistant arrested for the murder of a tech CEO from the Hudson Valley who was found dismembered in New York City reportedly attempted to make the killing look like a professional hit job. Tyrese Devon Hapsil, 21, an employee of the victim, longtime Hudson Valley resident Fahim Saleh, was charged with his murder on Friday, July 17 after Saleh was found dismembered in his Lower East Side luxury condo on Tuesday, July 14. Earlier story - Details Emerge After Tech Entrepreneur From Hudson Valley Found Dismembered Hapsil, wearing all black with a black mask and a duffel bag, had …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Tech Entrepreneur From Hudson Valley Found Dismembered Inside Luxury NYC Condo Tech Entrepreneur From Hudson Valley Found Dismembered Inside Luxury NYC Condo
Tech Entrepreneur From Hudson Valley Found Dismembered Inside Luxury NYC Condo A well-known tech start-up executive from the Hudson Valley was found dismembered, his body parts stuffed in garbage bags, inside his luxury Manhattan apartment. Longtime Dutchess County resident Fahim Saleh, 33, a 2005 graduate of John Jay High School in East Fishkill, was found by police around 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 14, inside his residence at 265 East Houston St., according to the NYPD. Saleh, who was born in Saudi Arabia, moved with his parents to the Poughkeepsie area in his early teens. Police said his death has been ruled a homicide but released little other information. Of…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
High School In Northern Westchester Picks New Nickname To Replace Indians High School In Northern Westchester Picks New Nickname To Replace Indians
High School In Northern Westchester Picks New Nickname To Replace Indians The Indians are out and the Wolves are in at a large school district in Northern Westchester. After weeks of discussion, the votes have been counted and the new mascot at John Jay High School in the hamlet of Cross River in the town of Lewisboro will be the Wolves, replacing the former Indian mascot after it was deemed insensitive. The initial vote was between the John Jay Wolfpack and John Jay Ravens. The Katonah-Lewisboro School Board settled on the John Jay Wolves. “Wolves and Wolfpack were overwhelmingly the top suggestions to our selection committee when the community was first sur…

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by Zak Failla
Sports
COVID-19: Area HS Baseball Team Raises Money For Hospital Workers COVID-19: Area HS Baseball Team Raises Money For Hospital Workers
Covid-19: Area HS Baseball Team Raises Money For Hospital Workers A Hudson Valley high school baseball team has created a fundraising campaign to raise money for healthcare workers in the region on the front lines combating the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The John Jay High School baseball team in East Fishkill has launched a viral video alongside a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to raise money for the crews at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie who have been working around the clock. Varsity baseball coach Eric Frink said they are looking to raise at least $10,000, which would be used to provide supplies, food, and other necessary it…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Trump Confidant, Hudson Valley HS Grad Roger Stone Sentenced Trump Confidant, Hudson Valley HS Grad Roger Stone Sentenced
Trump Confidant, Hudson Valley HS Grad Roger Stone Sentenced Roger Stone, a Fairfield County native who graduated from high school in Northern Westchester and has been a longtime adviser and confidant of President Donald Trump, was sentenced to prison for lying to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and other charges. The 67-year-old Stone was indicted in January 2019 as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into whether Russia colluded with the Trump's presidential campaign. Stone was sentenced to 40 months (three years, four months) in prison by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on Thursday, Feb.…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Area Native To Appear On Popular A&E Show ‘America’s Top Dog’ Area Native To Appear On Popular A&E Show ‘America’s Top Dog’
Area Native To Appear On Popular A&E Show ‘America’s Top Dog’ A dog trainer from the Hudson Valley is set to take center stage with her dog on a new competition series on the A&E Network. Hopewell Junction native Jill Viggiani, who now is the owner and head trainer at MotoDog Training in Huntington, Vermont, will appear on “America’s Top Dog” with her 6-year-old purebred boxer Moto this week. The episode featuring Viggiani - a 1993 graduate of John Jay High School in East Fishkill - is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29 on A&E Network. The show features police canines and their handlers being put up against civilian dogs and the…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Area Native Roger Stone Found Guilty Of Witness Tampering, Lying To Congress Area Native Roger Stone Found Guilty Of Witness Tampering, Lying To Congress
Area Native Roger Stone Found Guilty Of Witness Tampering, Lying To Congress Roger Stone, a Fairfield County native who graduated from high school in Northern Westchester and has been a longtime adviser and confidant of President Donald Trump, was found guilty of lying to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and other charges. The 67-year-old Stone was indicted in January 2019 as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into whether Russia colluded with the Trump's presidential campaign. A jury of nine women and three men deliberated starting on Thursday, Nov. 14 before announcing on late Friday morning, Nov. 15 t…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Man, 38, Struck Twice On Route 4 After Fight With Girlfriend Dies Man, 38, Struck Twice On Route 4 After Fight With Girlfriend Dies
Man, 38, Struck Twice On Route 4 After Fight With Girlfriend Dies UPDATE: A Dutchess County, NY man who was killed when he was struck by two vehicles on Route 4 in Paramus deliberately walked into traffic, witnesses said. One witness was getting gas at the BP station next to the McDonald's on the highway's westbound side moments before 9 p.m. Saturday. "My husband was inside the [gas station] store when the man walked over from McDonald's with a blank stare on this face," she told Daily Voice. Ryan O’Keefe, 36, of Wappingers Falls, NY man had been fighting with his girlfriend both inside and outside the McDonald's, near the highway's Forest Avenue exit, …

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Two Admit Guilt In Death Of Fellow Teen Dragged By SUV In Area Two Admit Guilt In Death Of Fellow Teen Dragged By SUV In Area
Two Admit Guilt In Death Of Fellow Teen Dragged By SUV In Area Two teenagers have admitted to their roles in the death of a 15-year-old John Jay of East Fishkill High School student after they attempted to steal marijuana and dragged him along the side of an SUV in the area last year. District Attorney William Grady announced on Friday, June 14, that East Fishkill resident Anthony Puccio, 18, has pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, a felony. His plea comes after Paul Mauro, 16, pleaded guilty to the same charge for his role in the death of William Santiago. Grady said that both teens admitted that they agreed to steal marijuana from their vic…

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by Zak Failla
News
Hudson Valley Woman Dies From Injuries In Sri Lanka Terrorist Attacks Hudson Valley Woman Dies From Injuries In Sri Lanka Terrorist Attacks
Hudson Valley Woman Dies From Injuries In Sri Lanka Terrorist Attacks A Northern Westchester native died from injuries sustained in the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks targeting Christians in Sri Lanka. "Chelsea Decaminada, a 2011 graduate of John Jay High School in Cross River and 2015 Duke University graduate, was in Sri Lanka on assignment with the Office of the General Counsel of the Commerce Department. She was 26. "It was our great hope that Chelsea would recover from her injuries," said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in a statement. My prayers are with Chelsea’s family during this difficult time. "Chelsea devoted her life to public servic…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Area HS Grad, Ex-Trump Adviser Roger Stone Arrested In Russia Probe Area HS Grad, Ex-Trump Adviser Roger Stone Arrested In Russia Probe
Area HS Grad, Ex-Trump Adviser Roger Stone Arrested In Russia Probe Roger Stone, an area native and former adviser and longtime confidant of President Donald Trump, was arrested in Florida early Friday morning, Jan. 25 on a seven-count indictment of witness tampering, obstruction, giving false statements and other crimes. The charges against Stone, who was born in Norwalk and grew up in Northern Westchester, were unsealed in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The grand jury indictment details allegations that the 66-year-old Stone was an intermediary between…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Hudson Valley Hedge Fund Manager Sentenced For $22M Ponzi Scheme Hudson Valley Hedge Fund Manager Sentenced For $22M Ponzi Scheme
Hudson Valley Hedge Fund Manager Sentenced For $22M Ponzi Scheme A former hedge fund manager from Northern Westchester will spend nearly a decade behind bars after defrauding 45 investors out of more than $22 million through an elaborate Ponzi scheme that allowed him to live a lavish lifestyle. Michael Scronic of Pound Ridge, the former manager of the Scronic Macro Fund has been sentenced to 96 months in prison, Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced on Thursday. Scronic was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and must pay $22,026,427 in restitution to his victims. Scronic, 46, admitte…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
New Rankings: These Hudson Valley High Schools Among Best In State New Rankings: These Hudson Valley High Schools Among Best In State
New Rankings: These Hudson Valley High Schools Among Best In State Related story: These Hudson Valley School Districts Among Best In State It’s no secret that the Hudson Valley is home to some of the nation’s finest schools But which high schools in New York are at the top the list? On Wednesday, Niche released its 2019 rankings, which are “based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education.” Using a weighted scale that includes academic grades (60 percent), teacher’s grades (10 percent), culture and diversity (10 percent), parent-student surveys (10 percent) and…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
This Hudson Valley School District Just Named Best In State This Hudson Valley School District Just Named Best In State
This Hudson Valley School District Just Named Best In State The Katonah-Lewisboro School District was named the "best school district" in New York state, by 24/7 Wall St.  The financial news and opinion company based in Delaware ranks Best School Districts in every state, and the survey can be accessed here. Katonah-Lewisboro has 3,233 students and spends an average of $31,154 per student, the Wall St. analysis found. The graduation rate at the district's John Jay High School is 94.3 percent and 74.2 percent of adults residing in the school district, which includes part of Pound Ridge, have a bachelor's degree. In addition to graduation r…

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by Jon Craig
News
Hudson Valley Hedge Fund Manager Pleads Guilty To $22M Ponzi Scheme Hudson Valley Hedge Fund Manager Pleads Guilty To $22M Ponzi Scheme
Hudson Valley Hedge Fund Manager Pleads Guilty To $22M Ponzi Scheme A former hedge fund manager from Northern Westchester pleaded guilty Thursday to defrauding 45 investors, many of them friends and neighbors, of $22 million in a Ponzi scheme. Michael Scronic of Pound Ridge, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Cathy Seibel on July 9.  “Michael Scronic lied about the performance of his investment fund, telling investors that his returns were as high as 13 percent," U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey S. Berman said. …

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by Joe Lombardi
Sports
These Orange County High Schools Among Best For Athletes In NY These Orange County High Schools Among Best For Athletes In NY
These Orange County High Schools Among Best For Athletes In NY There is no shortage of Hudson Valley high schools that are among the best for athletes in New York, according to a new list released by Niche.com. The website analyzes data sets and reviews to produce rankings, report cards and profiles for schools, colleges and places to live. The 2018 rankings are “based on student and parent reviews of athletics, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school,” the website says. Here are the Hudson Valley schools that were ranked highest, with links to each school's profile: North Rockland Monroe-Woodbury Arlington …

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by Daily Voice