Daily Voice Readers’ Choice

Accepting Votes Now Through Friday, December 20th

Thanksgiving Day Crash Sends Driver To Hospital After Vehicle Plunges Off Westchester Roadway Thanksgiving Day Crash Sends Driver To Hospital After Vehicle Plunges Off Westchester Roadway
Thanksgiving Day Crash Sends Driver To Hospital After Vehicle Plunges Off Westchester Roadway A Thanksgiving Day crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway in Westchester County left a driver hospitalized after their vehicle veered off the roadway into a wooded area, according to authorities. The incident happened just before 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28, prompting a large emergency response from fire departments in Purchase and Port Chester, as well as EMS teams from Port Chester and Rye Brook. Firefighters arrived to find the vehicle deep in the woods, requiring stabilization and extrication efforts to free the trapped driver, according to the Purchase Fire Department. To assist w…
Look Who's Back: Northern Westchester's Chevy Chase To Star In New Holiday Movie Look Who's Back: Northern Westchester's Chevy Chase To Star In New Holiday Movie
Look Who's Back: Northern Westchester'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…
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amid the busiest shopping weekend of the holiday season, workers for Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, have gone on strike. Protesting under the banner of “Make Amazon Pay.” employees have walked off the job across six continents in 20 countries, including the United States. The strike is scheduled to last from Black Friday on Nov. 29 through Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, the UNI Global Union announced, saying protests will be held in majors cities in the US, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, India, Brazil and elsewhere. The strike could cause customers' holiday deliveries …
Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Westchester's Best! Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Westchester's Best!
Readers’ Choice: Cast Your Votes for Westchester's Best! Westchester County, 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 Westchester a vibrant place to live, work, and play. From the tastiest eats to top-notch services, your vote can help highlight the busin…
Waves Of Cold Air Will Follow Potent Thanksgiving Day Storm: 5-Day Forecast Waves Of Cold Air Will Follow Potent Thanksgiving Day Storm: 5-Day Forecast
Waves Of Cold Air Will Follow Potent Thanksgiving Day Storm: 5-Day Forecast Waves of cold air and gusty winds making it feel more like the middle of winter will follow a potent storm that snarled travel on Thanksgiving Day. "Many areas across the northern tier will start the month of December with temperatures well below historical averages," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok said. It will be mostly sunny and brisk on Black Friday, with a chance for sprinkles and snow flurries and temperatures in the mid-40s. Arctic air will arrive overnight Friday into Saturday, Nov. 30, with temperatures dipping into the upper 20s, according to the National Wea…
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…
Trump Taps Another Vaccine Skeptic With NY Ties To Lead CDC Trump Taps Another Vaccine Skeptic With NY Ties To Lead CDC
Trump Taps Another Vaccine Skeptic With NY Ties To Lead CDC Another vaccine skeptic with New York ties could soon shape public health policy. President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Florida congressman and physician Dave Weldon to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weldon was born on Long Island, in Amityville, and graduated from Stony Brook University in 1978 before earning his M.D. degree at the University of Buffalo in 1981. Earlier Report: Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services “In addition to being a medical doctor for 40 years, and an Ar…
Man Drove Drunk With Child In Pickup Truck At Hudson Valley Service Area: Police Man Drove Drunk With Child In Pickup Truck At Hudson Valley Service Area: Police
Man Drove Drunk With Child In Pickup Truck At Hudson Valley Service Area: Police A man is facing a felony charge under Leandra’s Law after allegedly driving drunk with a child in his vehicle at a Hudson Valley service area. The incident happened at about 3 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, when troopers in Rockland County patrolling the Ramapo Service Area observed a 2017 Nissan pickup truck parked with its headlights on. New York State Police said they found the driver, later identified as Genaro Garcia-Cortes, age 45, of the Bronx, apparently asleep in the driver’s seat with the keys in the ignition and an empty beer bottle in the cup holder.  A 10-year-old girl and a fe…
Daughter Accused Of Stabbing Mother To Death In Quiet NY Neighborhood On Thanksgiving Eve Daughter Accused Of Stabbing Mother To Death In Quiet NY Neighborhood On Thanksgiving Eve
Daughter Accused Of Stabbing Mother To Death In Quiet NY Neighborhood On Thanksgiving Eve A woman has been apprehended after police say she stabbed her mother to death on Thanksgiving Eve in a quiet residential neighborhood on Long Island, police said. The incident happened just after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, in Dix Hills. Suffolk County Police said officers responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at the home on 2 Carman Court.  When they arrived, they found Josephine Bekatoros, age 84, dead from stab wounds inside the residence, said police. Detectives later arrested the victim’s daughter, 51-year-old Diana Bekatoros, at her home in Long Island City.  She…
Lee Zeldin, Elise Stefanik Among Trump Admin Picks From NY Targeted With Bomb Threats Lee Zeldin, Elise Stefanik Among Trump Admin Picks From NY Targeted With Bomb Threats
Lee Zeldin, Elise Stefanik Among Trump Admin Picks From NY Targeted With Bomb Threats Several New York politicians received bomb threats as part of a widespread attack targeting President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks and administrative appointees. The attacks, which ranged from bomb threats to prank “swatting” calls meant to dispatch a large number of armed police officers to a target’s residence, were made Tuesday night, Nov. 26, and Wednesday morning, Nov. 27. “Last night and this morning, several of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-America threats to their lives and those who live with them,” said K…
Man Caught With Fentanyl During Traffic Stop On I-84 In Southeast: Police Man Caught With Fentanyl During Traffic Stop On I-84 In Southeast: Police
Man Caught With Fentanyl During Traffic Stop On I-84 In Southeast: Police A 35-year-old man is facing a drug possession charge after police allegedly found him with fentanyl during a traffic stop on Interstate 84 in the region, authorities said.  The arrest occurred on Friday, Nov. 15, at around 3:45 p.m., when members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Enforcement Unit stopped a vehicle on Interstate 84 West in Southeast, according to Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville.  The driver, identified as 35-year-old Randy A. Cascino of Patterson, was found to be in possession of suspected fentanyl during the stop, the Sheriff's Office said.…
Construction Worker Seriously Injured After Falling In Foundation In Northern Westchester Construction Worker Seriously Injured After Falling In Foundation In Northern Westchester
Construction Worker Seriously Injured After Falling In Foundation In Northern Westchester A worker was rescued after falling into an under-construction foundation in Northern Westchester.  The incident happened on Monday, Nov. 25 just after 1 p.m., when the worker fell at a construction site in Chappaqua on Hardscrabble Road, according to reports. First responders quickly arrived at the scene and used a rope system to get the worker out of the foundation and into medical care, according to the Hartsdale Fire Department, which helped respond to the incident.  The worker suffered serious injuries, according to firefighters from the Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Departmen…
Carmel Assault Suspect Nabbed After Chase Through Westchester Involving U-Haul Van Carmel Assault Suspect Nabbed After Chase Through Westchester Involving U-Haul Van
Carmel Assault Suspect Nabbed After Chase Through Westchester Involving U-Haul Van A suspect is in custody following a chase through multiple counties in the Hudson Valley that involved several collisions with police vehicles and was prompted by an assault, authorities said. The incident began in Putnam County at around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, when a domestic assault was reported on Stoneleigh Avenue in Carmel, according to Carmel Police. Responding officers, along with units from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, saw the suspect, later identified as 47-year-old Noel Mendez, of Fairview, NJ fleeing the scene in a white U-Haul van. Police said the sus…
Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says
Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says Several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet selections and administrative appointees were the targets threats the last two days, a spokesperson said, calling the acts "violent" and "un-American." According to a statement by the Trump-Vance Transition Team on Wednesday, Nov. 27, several individuals associated with the incoming administration were subjected to threats ranging from bomb scares to "swatting" incidents, in which false reports are made to dispatch emergency responders to someone's location. Law enforcement responded swiftly to ensure the safety of those targeted, the team s…
Brush Fire Near Mahopac School Buses Stopped By Young Students Brush Fire Near Mahopac School Buses Stopped By Young Students
Brush Fire Near Mahopac School Buses Stopped By Young Students A brush fire that posed a potential threat to school buses in the Hudson Valley was quickly extinguished thanks to the swift actions of volunteer firefighters, including several students. The fire happened in Putnam County on the evening of Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, when flames were reported to be dangerously close to Mahopac Central School District buses on Myrtle Avenue in Mahopac, according to the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department.  Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire, ensuring no damage to school property, the department said in a statement on Tuesday,…
Update: Woman Injured In 4-Vehicle Crash That Caused Delays On I-684 In Northern Westchester Update: Woman Injured In 4-Vehicle Crash That Caused Delays On I-684 In Northern Westchester
Update: Woman Injured In 4-Vehicle Crash That Caused Delays On I-684 In Northern Westchester A woman was hospitalized following a chain-reaction crash that left a car overturned in the middle of a Northern Westchester interstate and a truck on its side next to an embankment.  The crash happened on Tuesday, Nov. 26 just before 1:45 p.m., when four vehicles became involved in a collision on I-684 in Lewisboro, according to Trooper AJ Hicks of the New York State Police.  Earlier Report - Truck Rollover Crash Shuts Down I-684 In North Salem: Developing The incident began when a Peterbilt tractor-trailer driving south on I-684 near mile marker 20.2 unsafely changed lanes…
Man Killed In 4-Car Crash, Snarling Traffic On Merritt Parkway In New Canaan Man Killed In 4-Car Crash, Snarling Traffic On Merritt Parkway In New Canaan
Man Killed In 4-Car Crash, Snarling Traffic On Merritt Parkway In New Canaan A man was killed following a multi-vehicle collision that caused lengthy delays on a busy Connecticut highway. The crash happened in Fairfield County on Tuesday, Nov. 26 just after 3 p.m., when four vehicles became involved in an incident on the northbound Merritt Parkway (Route 15)  in New Canaan just before Exit 37, Connecticut State Police announced on Wednesday, Nov. 27. According to authorities, the incident began when a 2015 Lexus 350 RC struck a 2020 Kia Forte in the right lane that had been slowing down. The Kia then hit the 2015 Ford F-150 pickup it had been traveling behind i…
This Is Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dish In NY, Report Says This Is Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dish In NY, Report Says
This Is Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dish In NY, Report Says Move over, stuffing and cranberry sauce – this Thanksgiving side reigns supreme in the eyes of New Yorkers. Of all the delectable dishes to play second fiddle to the turkey, sweet potato casserole is the most popular in the Empire State, according to AllRecipes. The website analyzed its data from Turkey Days past to come up with its list of the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes in every state, based on recipe search volumes. A holiday staple for many, sweet potato casserole is typically made with brown sugar, butter, orange juice, and cinnamon, and topped with gooey marshmallows. Home…
New Update On Food Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving New Update On Food Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving
New Update On Food Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving With Thanksgiving meals just a day 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 poultry pr…
Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Nov. 26 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $489M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Nov. 26 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $489M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Nov. 26 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $489M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Tuesday, Nov. 26 Mega Millions drawing. The estimated jackpot is $489 million with a $229.3 million cash option. The winning numbers for Tuesday's drawing are: 05-22-24-39-42 with a Mega Ball of 03 and a Megaplier of 3X If no winner wins the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29.  Lottery players have a 1 in 302,575,350 chance of winning a Mega Millions jackpot by matching all five balls plus the gold Mega Ball, according to officials. There ar…
Northern Westchester's Martha Stewart To Switch Up Thanksgiving Plans This Year Northern Westchester's Martha Stewart To Switch Up Thanksgiving Plans This Year
Northern Westchester's Martha Stewart To Switch Up Thanksgiving Plans This Year Iconic homemaker Martha Stewart's Thanksgiving plans this year may come as a bit of a shock — they won't involve her hosting at home and turkey will not be an option at her table.  The 83-year-old Stewart, a longtime New York and former Connecticut resident, will be spending Turkey Day abroad in Rome instead of celebrating at her Katonah residence, according to the homemaker's website.  Stewart will be traveling with her daughter, Alexis, and two grandchildren, Jude and Truman, she said in an interview with People: "We decided the kids wanted to go away, the grandchildren, and so…
Trio Caught With Gun, Drugs After Threatening Group In Westchester Trio Caught With Gun, Drugs After Threatening Group In Westchester
Trio Caught With Gun, Drugs After Threatening Group In Westchester Three men, including a Fairfield County resident, are facing charges after officers found them with a loaded handgun and drugs after they allegedly threatened a group with a firearm in Westchester, officials said. The incident began on Sunday morning, Nov. 24, when witnesses flagged down Port Chester officers while they were on patrol on North Main Street, according to the department.   Witnesses reported a man menacing a group with a firearm, and as officers approached the area near Abendroth Avenue, they also pointed out a vehicle leaving the scene. Police then pulled it over an…
Woman Injured In Hit-Run At Westchester ShopRite Parking Lot Woman Injured In Hit-Run At Westchester ShopRite Parking Lot
Woman Injured In Hit-Run At Westchester ShopRite Parking Lot A woman was injured after being struck by a vehicle in a supermarket parking lot in Westchester County, with police now searching for the driver, authorities said. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 26 at the ShopRite supermarket parking lot at 278 Tuckahoe Rd. in Yonkers, according to Yonkers Police Sgt. Robert Spink. The elderly victim, who was walking through the parking lot, was hit by a vehicle that was backing up, Spink said. She complained of head and back pain and was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.  The driver did not remain at the scene and may…
Police Increase Presence At Schools Amid Social Media Concerns In Westchester Village Police Increase Presence At Schools Amid Social Media Concerns In Westchester Village
Police Increase Presence At Schools Amid Social Media Concerns In Westchester Village Police in a Westchester County village have increased their presence at local schools in response to concerns on social media.  The Hastings-on-Hudson Police Department announced the enhanced security measures in a statement from Chief David A. Dosin on Tuesday, Nov. 26, emphasizing that no threats have been made to the schools but that the department is taking precautions to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the community. “The safety and well-being of our children and everyone in our schools is a top priority,” Chief Dosin wrote, adding, “For this reason, we have increased po…
Beloved Northern Westchester Teacher Remembered For Positive Energy, Impact On Students Beloved Northern Westchester Teacher Remembered For Positive Energy, Impact On Students
Beloved Northern Westchester Teacher Remembered For Positive Energy, Impact On Students A beloved teacher who was a fixture at a Northern Westchester high school for decades is being remembered for her contagious positive energy and her tremendous impact on her students throughout her long career.   Elizabeth “Betsy” Groat of Ho-Ho-Kus in Bergen County died on Wednesday, Oct. 30 after a battle with cancer, according to her obituary.   Groat, who taught physical education and coached at Westlake High School in Thornwood, dedicated 38 years to inspiring and supporting student-athletes in the Mount Pleasant School District, according to a GoFundMe page created…
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 Westchester Couple Missing For Over 40 Years Human Remains, Car Found In Pond Linked To Westchester Couple Missing For Over 40 Years
Human Remains, Car Found In Pond Linked To Westchester 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…
New Update: More Victims Of 19-Year-Old Accused Rapist Come Forward In Westchester New Update: More Victims Of 19-Year-Old Accused Rapist Come Forward In Westchester
New Update: More Victims Of 19-Year-Old Accused Rapist Come Forward In Westchester A 19-year-old accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl after giving her alcohol in Westchester is now facing additional charges after new victims came forward, police said. New Rochelle resident Joey Valencia, who was originally arrested on Thursday, Nov. 7 in connection with the sexual assault of a young girl, has been charged with more crimes after more of his alleged victims contacted investigators, New Rochelle Police Captain J. Collins Coyne announced on Tuesday, Nov. 26.  According to Coyne, Valencia was originally charged following an investigation that began …
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…
Westchester Eatery Closing After Just One Year Westchester Eatery Closing After Just One Year
Westchester Eatery Closing After Just One Year A Westchester restaurant and brewery has announced it will close its doors after just one year of operation, leaving patrons and staff reflecting on its short but memorable run. The closure of Miles, The Prince, located at 873 North Broadway in White Plains, will take place after its final day on Saturday, Nov. 30, according to an announcement posted by owner and founder Zach Goldstein on the restaurant’s Instagram page. Although Goldstein did not reveal a reason for the closure, he thanked former guests who "filled this space with love and memories." "Getting to know MTP’s dedicated …
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…