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'Threat Environment' Prompts Proactive Measures In Place In Hudson Valley, Sheriff Says 'Threat Environment' Prompts Proactive Measures In Place In Hudson Valley, Sheriff Says
'Threat Environment' Prompts Proactive Measures In Place In Hudson Valley, Sheriff Says As tensions in the Middle East rise following Iran's attack against Israel, authorities in the Hudson Valley are taking precautionary measures to look out for suspicious activity and to keep residents safe. As a result of "heightened threat environments," the Putnam County Sheriff's Office will enact "proactive measures" to keep the county safe, including extra visibility at several pre-determined locations, authorities said.  These measures follow an aerial attack conducted by Iran against Israel on Saturday, April 13, which the country said was made in response to an Israeli strike a…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Westchester Democratic Congressional Primary Draws National Attention Westchester Democratic Congressional Primary Draws National Attention
Westchester Democratic Congressional Primary Draws National Attention As the New York Democratic primary election draws closer, the race for the state's 16th District seat between Westchester County Executive George Latimer and incumbent Jamaal Bowman is attracting nationwide attention and exposing divisions within the party.  The race between Latimer, age 70, and Bowman, age 48, is exposing tensions within the Democratic Party that will likely come to a head as residents within the 16th District cast their votes in the primary election on Tuesday, June 25, primarily centered on the ongoing conflict between Gaza and Israel.  Earlier …

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by Ben Crnic
News
NY Congressional Candidate Pauses Campaign To Let Westchester Executive Latimer Decide On Run NY Congressional Candidate Pauses Campaign To Let Westchester Executive Latimer Decide On Run
NY Congressional Candidate Pauses Campaign To Let Westchester Executive Latimer Decide On Run A New York congressional candidate running for the 16th Congressional District seat has paused his run in order to allow Westchester County Executive George Latimer to make a decision on whether or not he will pursue the seat.  Michael Gerald, a Democratic candidate for the NY-16 Congressional District seat, announced on Tuesday, Oct. 31 that he would be pausing his campaign until Latimer decides if he is running for the same seat or not.  The 16th district is made up of the southern part of Westchester County, including the suburban cities of White Plains, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Roche…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Ex-Marine From Northern Westchester Dies At Age 28 Ex-Marine From Northern Westchester Dies At Age 28
Ex-Marine From Northern Westchester Dies At Age 28 A former Marine from Northern Westchester died on Monday, March 22 at age 28. Kittiphon "Kit" Ponchareon was a graduate of Ossining High School who served in the Marine Corps for four years.  He began his training in Yuma, Arizona, and was then deployed to multiple locations in the Middle East.  His roles in the Marines included Fiscal Specialist, Security Forces and Supply Administrator, Operations Specialist, and Transit Coordinator.  He was born in Thailand on June 20, 1992. He moved to America in 2000 and attended his first American school in Connecticut, Parkway Elemen…

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by Daily Voice
Politics
Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State
Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State A prominent politician from the Hudson Valley will serve as America’s top diplomat after being sworn in as President Joe Biden’s Secretary of State. Yonkers native Antony "Tony" Blinken, age 58, a longtime confidant and aide of the new president, was approved by the Senate with a 78-22 bipartisan vote this week and will return to the White House following time spent as a top member of the Obama administration. From 2009 to 2013, Blinken was the Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President, where he was tasked with helping to craft foreign policy in t…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Godiva Chocolate Closing All US Stores Godiva Chocolate Closing All US Stores
Godiva Chocolate Closing All US Stores Godiva Chocolate is closing all of its North American stores. The mass closure will affect 128 stores in the United States and Canada. Outposts in Europe, the Middle East, and China will remain open. Godiva will stay open through Valentine’s Day, but closures will be completed by March, according to CNN and other media sources. The news comes as a new Godiva CEO steps in, Nurtac Ziyal Afridi, who was appointed in mid-December 2020. Godiva said, in a press release, that its business has been shifting from in-store purchases to online orders through its own and partner websites. The near…

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by Kristin Palpini
Politics
Vote Now: Who Won First Democratic Presidential Debate? Vote Now: Who Won First Democratic Presidential Debate?
Vote Now: Who Won First Democratic Presidential Debate? The gloves finally came off on Wednesday night -- and Americans got to learn more about 10 presidential candidates -- during the first Democratic Party debate. A record field of Democrats is competing to become the party's nominee in 2020. Debates are being held on two consecutive nights in Miami this week -- with a total of 20 candidates appearing during live broadcasts. Wednesday's debate covered a wide range of topics, from health care costs, corporate greed, tensions in the Middle East and climate change to immigration, gun control and equal rights -- with some answers delivered in Spani…

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by Jon Craig
Schools
Returning Soldier Surprises Second-Grade Son At Ben Franklin School Returning Soldier Surprises Second-Grade Son At Ben Franklin School
Returning Soldier Surprises Second-Grade Son At Ben Franklin School What was expected to be a typical day at school turned into an incredibly emotional reunion between a second grader at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and his father. Specialist Chris Larkin, who just returned from a year away on a tour of duty with the U.S. Army National Guard in the Middle East, flew into New York Thursday, Jan. 31 and headed straight to his son, Sean’s school in the Lakeland School District. Larkin worked alongside his son’s teacher, Kathy Nash, as well as the school’s Principal, Patricia Moore, over the course of several weeks to plan the heartfelt reunion. Larkin …

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by Valerie Musson
Politics
Hudson Valley County Executive In Navy Reserves Called For Service In Middle East Hudson Valley County Executive In Navy Reserves Called For Service In Middle East
Hudson Valley County Executive In Navy Reserves Called For Service In Middle East Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus, a member of the U.S. Navy Reserves for 11 years, left Sunday to serve in the Middle East. "I, along with many other Orange County residents, have an obligation to fulfill my commitment as a member of the armed services," Neuhaus said when he was notified of his deployment. "Over the past five years, my administration has put together a tremendous leadership team. I’m confident that they, along with the County workforce, will continue to work diligently for the taxpayers of Orange County.” Neuhaus, a Lieutenant Commander, as…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Memorial Day Weekend Gas Prices Will Be Highest In Years, AAA Warns Memorial Day Weekend Gas Prices Will Be Highest In Years, AAA Warns
Memorial Day Weekend Gas Prices Will Be Highest In Years, AAA Warns Local residents planning on traveling on Memorial Day will see the highest prices at the pump in four years, according to AAA. Gas prices have jumped 12 cents in the past two weeks, leading to a national average of $2.93 per gallon, with the average price in this area well over $3 per gallon. The jump comes days after President Donald Trump decision to withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal. “AAA forecasts nearly 37 million travelers will hit the road for the holiday weekend. Compared to an average of the last three Memorial Day weekends, pump prices are nearly 50 cents more …

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Gasoline Demand Hits Record Highs As Pump Prices Surge Gasoline Demand Hits Record Highs As Pump Prices Surge
Gasoline Demand Hits Record Highs As Pump Prices Surge Gasoline demand has hit an all-time high, as prices at the pump continue to rise to the highest point since a peak in the summer of 2015. According to the Energy Information Administration, at month's end, gasoline demand was at 9.857 million barrels a day, the highest level ever recorded in April. This past week, Connecticut (10 cents), New Jersey (10 cents) and New York (seven cents) were among six Northeast states to have the highest increases nationally in price per gallon, with motorists now shelling out $3 or more per gallon in much of the area. The tristate area remains one of the m…

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by Zak Failla
News
Gas Prices Reach Highest Point In Nearly Three Years, AAA Reports Gas Prices Reach Highest Point In Nearly Three Years, AAA Reports
Gas Prices Reach Highest Point In Nearly Three Years, AAA Reports There is no relief in sight for area motorists at the pump, as the national gas price average has hit its highest point since the summer of 2015, with prices now topping $3 an hour in much of the area. As of this week, national gas prices reached an average of $2.71 per gallon, four cents lower than the high of $2.67 from last year, and prices are only expected to keep rising, according to the latest report from AAA. The price is up 6 cents from a week ago, 18 cents from a month ago and 31 cents from a year ago. By the end of the summer, prices are expected to reach the highest total since …

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by Zak Failla
Business
Westchester Mom Creates Better Baby Bottle System Westchester Mom Creates Better Baby Bottle System
Westchester Mom Creates Better Baby Bottle System Priska Diaz has always been an advocate for breastfeeding. But when she had her first son 10 years ago she was frustrated to find her milk supply was low. On her pediatrician's advice, she began supplementing with formula, but even that didn't work. "He was crying for hours and days due to gas and colic, so I began searching everywhere for a solution," she said. Life became more complicated when her son, who she had desperately wanted to nurse, soon lost interest in the breast and only wanted the bottle. Which is what led the Eastchester mom -- after much trial, error and researc…

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by Jeanne Muchnick