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Small Business

Hudson Valley Man Sentenced To State Prison For Burglaries: DA Hudson Valley Man Sentenced To State Prison For Burglaries: DA
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced To State Prison For Burglaries: DA A Hudson Valley man with a decades-long criminal history has been sentenced to 3 1/2 to 7 years in state prison for two burglaries committed in Kingston, according to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office. Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji said that on Thursday, Jan. 16, Antoine Scott, 47, of Saugerties, pleaded guilty to burglary and received the maximum sentence from Judge Bryan E. Rounds.  The charges stem from two incidents in July 2024. Around 1 a.m. on Monday, July 1, Scott broke into a barbershop at 594 Broadway and stole hair clippers and DeWalt power tools …
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express said it will pay $230 million to resolve federal investigations into deceptive sales tactics and recordkeeping violations involving small business credit card and wire transfer products. The credit card company agreed to pay a $108.7 million civil penalty, the Department of Justice said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The settlement resolved claims against American Express of deceptive marketing and "dummy" account information. American Express was accused of engaging in unlawful sales tactics and falsifying records between 2014 and 2021. "When financial companies …
Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds
Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds In an era of 24/7 news cycles and social media saturation, most Americans are stepping back from political news to combat fatigue and information overload.
 According to a brand-new nationwide poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 65 percent of adults feel the need to limit their consumption of government and political news.
 This sentiment crosses party lines, but Democrats are slightly more likely than Republicans to feel overwhelmed (72 percent vs. 59 percent). Additionally, 50 percent of respondents cited the need to cut back on news about overseas conflicts.
 Around…
Hudson Valley's Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively Reveal Themselves As Swifties In New Selfie Hudson Valley's Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively Reveal Themselves As Swifties In New Selfie
Hudson Valley's Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively Reveal Themselves As Swifties In New Selfie Popular power couple and New York residents Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are the latest celebrities to be completely enthralled with pop superstar Taylor Swift. In an Instagram post, Reynolds revealed that he and Lively, who married in 2012 and live in the Northern Westchester town of Pound Ridge, attended an Eras Tour concert in New Orleans in October, an experience he said was "one of the best things I’ve seen/heard/felt." "The main reason I’ll never forget this show is because it brings people together in so many ways," Reynolds, age 48, wrote in the post's caption, also adding, "And …
NY Native Melissa Joan Hart Touts Relief Fund After ‘Devastating’ Fire At Hometown Businesses NY Native Melissa Joan Hart Touts Relief Fund After ‘Devastating’ Fire At Hometown Businesses
NY Native Melissa Joan Hart Touts Relief Fund After ‘Devastating’ Fire At Hometown Businesses Actress Melissa Joan Hart is showing some love for her hometown on Long Island following a fire that damaged several businesses. The “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” star, who grew up in Sayville, took to Instagram to share a relief fund created to help the half dozen businesses that were damaged in the blaze along the beloved Main Street on Friday, Oct. 25. “The town I grew up in, Sayville, New York, had a devastating fire yesterday and many small businesses suffered big losses,” the 48-year-old Hart wrote. “I'm donating to the chamber of commerce to help them get back on their feet hopefully i…
Family-Owned Pizzeria Announces Upcoming Opening In Hudson Valley: Here's Where Family-Owned Pizzeria Announces Upcoming Opening In Hudson Valley: Here's Where
Family-Owned Pizzeria Announces Upcoming Opening In Hudson Valley: Here's Where Pizza lovers will soon have an all-new eatery to make memories at in Northern Westchester.  Frankie's Pizza & Pasta is set to open in Briarcliff Manor, at 1872 Pleasantville Rd. within the Chilmark Shopping Center, owners Frank and Michele Dammacco announced in a social media post on Tuesday, Oct. 8.  Although an opening date has not yet been revealed, the Dammaccos said the pizzeria is "coming soon."  The eatery results from a passion long held by Frank Dammacco, Michele Dammacco wrote on social media.  "I am so extremely proud of my husba…
Eatery To Close Northern Westchester Location: 'I Am Not Giving Up,' Owner Says Eatery To Close Northern Westchester Location: 'I Am Not Giving Up,' Owner Says
Eatery To Close Northern Westchester Location: 'I Am Not Giving Up,' Owner Says A Northern Westchester eatery will soon be closing for good, its owner announced.  Blondery, a bakery in Peekskill at 922 Main St., will open for its last day on Sunday, Aug. 25, owner Auzerais Bellamy announced in a blog post.  The bakery, which opened in November 2022 as a retail space for the business's online storefront, specializes in gourmet blondies, layer cakes, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, and dog treats.  According to Bellamy, the business's birth in Peekskill came about by happenstance.  "In 2021, we were operating out of a shared kitchen space in Br…
Support Pours In To Help Hudson Valley Deli Owners Rebuild After Fire Support Pours In To Help Hudson Valley Deli Owners Rebuild After Fire
Support Pours In To Help Hudson Valley Deli Owners Rebuild After Fire Following a fire that devastated a well-liked Hudson Valley deli, community members were able to come together and raise thousands of dollars to help its owners rebuild from the ashes.  The blaze, which happened on Sunday, June 16 in Putnam County, broke out at the Putnam Valley Market Deli at 4 Sunset Hill Rd., which has been in business for more than three decades.  According to the owner's daughter, Alexa Santucci, the fire destroyed the physical structure of the deli's upper floor and also took away "years of hard work and dedication that my dad poured into building this …
Duo Extorts Thousands From Hudson Valley Business Owner Using Threats Of Libel, DA Says Duo Extorts Thousands From Hudson Valley Business Owner Using Threats Of Libel, DA Says
Duo Extorts Thousands From Hudson Valley Business Owner Using Threats Of Libel, DA Says Two Hudson Valley residents are accused of extorting a business owner out of thousands of dollars. Orange County residents Ally Thueson, age 32, and Elizabeth Sloanhoffer, age 33, both of Montgomery, were arrested by the county’s White Collar Crime Task Force on Tuesday, June 4, on suspicion of grand larceny and coercion. According to prosecutors, Thueson and Sloanhoffer threatened to post false statements about Thueson’s employer online unless they were paid $9,000. The employer reportedly paid the money to avoid harm to their business. Both defendants were arraigned in the Village o…
Bookkeeper Accused Of Stealing $1M From Her Boss In NY Bookkeeper Accused Of Stealing $1M From Her Boss In NY
Bookkeeper Accused Of Stealing $1M From Her Boss In NY A woman who was a longtime bookkeeper for a New York business has been accused of stealing more than $1 million from the company. On Long Island, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the indictment of Domenica Giordano, age 39, of Islip Terrace, accused of grand larceny in the first degree for allegedly embezzling more than $1 million from All Systems Maintenance, a commercial plumbing business located in Bay Shore. According to the investigation, Giordano was employed as a bookkeeper for approximately 17 years.  In May 2020, the owner…
Brand-New Hudson Valley County Executive Sworn In During Season's First Major Winter Storm Brand-New Hudson Valley County Executive Sworn In During Season's First Major Winter Storm
Brand-New Hudson Valley County Executive Sworn In During Season's First Major Winter Storm Despite the region’s first major storm of the winter season dropping more than a foot of snow in parts of the Hudson Valley, more than 350 guests attended the swearing-in of a new county executive. The swearing-in event for Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino was held on Sunday, Jan. 7 at Dutchess Community College’s Aviation Education Center at Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Wappinger.  “I am so honored and humbled to be with you all as I take my ceremonial Oath of Office for this position," Serino said. "As I get to work for Dutchess County, I want to thank each and every on…
Northern Westchester School Board Member, Sister Of Michigan Gov. Drops Out Of Congress Race Northern Westchester School Board Member, Sister Of Michigan Gov. Drops Out Of Congress Race
Northern Westchester School Board Member, Sister Of Michigan Gov. Drops Out Of Congress Race A school board member and small business owner from Northern Westchester who is also the sister of Michigan's governor has suspended her campaign to represent much of the Hudson Valley in the US Congress. Katonah resident and Democrat Liz Gereghty, the sister of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, announced on Wednesday, Nov. 29 that she would be dropping out of the race for New York's 17th District seat. Earlier Report - Katonah-Lewisboro School Board Member, Sister Of Michigan Governor Enters Race For Congress Instead, Gereghty, a member of the Katonah-Lewisboro School Board, endorsed…
Northern Westchester School Board Member, Sister Of Michigan Governor Enters Race For Congress Northern Westchester School Board Member, Sister Of Michigan Governor Enters Race For Congress
Northern Westchester School Board Member, Sister Of Michigan Governor Enters Race For Congress A small business owner and school board member in Northern Westchester who is also the sister of Michigan's governor is kicking off a campaign to represent much of the Hudson Valley in the US Congress.  Katonah resident and Democrat Liz Gereghty, the sister of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, announced her intention to run for New York's 17th District seat on Tuesday, May 5 on both social media and in a video campaign ad released online.  The 17th District, which includes all or parts of Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties, is currently represented by Republican Rep. Mike La…
Brand-New Eatery Open For Business In Westchester Brand-New Eatery Open For Business In Westchester
Brand-New Eatery Open For Business In Westchester A new eatery has opened for business in Westchester County.  Bagel Girl in North White Plains, located at 731 North Broadway, is now serving patrons.  The menu includes a variety of bagels, house-made spreads, and other baked items including muffins, croissants, and English muffins, according to the eatery's website.  The shop also sells breakfast sandwiches to-go, salads, yogurt, coffee, and tea.  Owner Lauren Bucci, who grew up in White Plains, said on the shop's website that starting Bagel Girl was her dream and that the pandemic gave her an opportunity to fulf…
Hudson Valley Deli Owner Killed After Tree Falls On Pickup Truck Remembered For 'Giant Smile' Hudson Valley Deli Owner Killed After Tree Falls On Pickup Truck Remembered For 'Giant Smile'
Hudson Valley Deli Owner Killed After Tree Falls On Pickup Truck Remembered For 'Giant Smile' The owner of a popular Hudson Valley deli who died in an accident over the weekend is being remembered for his kindness and positivity. Orange County resident Anthony Apostolico, age 48, of Chester, died on Sunday, June 19, when a tree fell on top of a pickup truck that he was a passenger in.  Police said the accident happened in Rockland County on the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Stony Point. The driver of the pickup truck, 20-year-old Vincent Apostolico, of Chester, was hospitalized in critical condition, and another passenger, a 17-year-old girl from Chester, was also hospi…
New Hudson Valley Shop Offers Fresh Bagels Made From Scratch New Hudson Valley Shop Offers Fresh Bagels Made From Scratch
New Hudson Valley Shop Offers Fresh Bagels Made From Scratch Spread the word. The owner of a new Hudson Valley bagel shop said the store is off to a strong start and seeing positive feedback from early customers. Eastdale Avenue Bagels, located in Dutchess County, first began its soft opening in November, and officially opened in January, according to owner Alex Maravegias. The Poughkeepsie shop offers more than a dozen flavors of bagels, including sweet flavors like blueberry, cinnamon raisin, and French toast. Maravegias added that the shop's everything bagel is the most popular item on the menu. He said so far, business has been off to a g…
Popular Pizzeria Dating Back To The 1930s Closing In Hudson Valley Popular Pizzeria Dating Back To The 1930s Closing In Hudson Valley
Popular Pizzeria Dating Back To The 1930s Closing In Hudson Valley A popular pizzeria that has been slinging pies since 1937 when Tony Saccoman introduced pizza to the area is closing its doors. Ulster County staple Tony's Pizzeria, located in Kingston, will close on Saturday, Jan. 29, at the end of the night, according to the current owners, Nealey Farrell and her husband, Dylan Kennedy. The couple, who purchased Tony's 10 years ago, said on Facebook that after finding a buyer for the property, they decided it was time to go. "It was not an easy decision for us to make but in retrospect, it’s quite simple because now, for many reasons it’s what is b…
COVID-19: Westchester Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme COVID-19: Westchester Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme
Covid-19: Westchester Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme A pair of Westchester residents are among four facing charges for their roles in a multi-million dollar COVID-19 fraud scheme during the height of the pandemic. Mount Vernon residents Quadri Salahuddin, age 25, and Anwar Salahuddin, age 35, Los Angeles resident Christal Ransom, age 44, and Jacob Carter, age 35, of Capitol Heights, Maryland are facing charges for allegedly submitting more than 1,000 fraudulent applications for small business loans in various peoples’ names and accepting kickbacks. US Attorney Damian Williams announced this week that the four allegedly schemed to defraud the …
Car Crashes Into Newly-Opened Deli In Westchester Car Crashes Into Newly-Opened Deli In Westchester
Car Crashes Into Newly-Opened Deli In Westchester An investigation is underway after a car crashed into a deli that recently opened in Westchester. The incident happened just after 3 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 1 at The Horseman Deli on North Broadway in Sleepy Hollow. The deli had just opened for business in late April. Kristina Rolon, the co-owner of the business along with her fiance, Mike, and partner Fredy, said the deli will not be able to operate for between three to six months. "As a business only being open for three months during a pandemic, I am very concerned The Horseman Deli will not make it if we don’t have the financial means to su…
NY Removes 'Archaic' Measure That Kept Hair Salons, Barbershops Closed On Sundays NY Removes 'Archaic' Measure That Kept Hair Salons, Barbershops Closed On Sundays
NY Removes 'Archaic' Measure That Kept Hair Salons, Barbershops Closed On Sundays New York has amended an “archaic law” that prohibited barbershops from operating on Sundays. This week, legislation was signed into law that will give local New York hair salons and barber shops the option of being open to customers on Sunday as many businesses continue recovering financially from the pandemic. Before New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law on Tuesday, July 13, it was a misdemeanor to provide a haircut or shave to customers on Sundays, though it was rarely, if ever, enforced. Previously, the law said that "any person who carries on or engages in the business of…
Mother, Daughter In Westchester Charged In $1.6M COVID-19 Relief Scheme Mother, Daughter In Westchester Charged In $1.6M COVID-19 Relief Scheme
Mother, Daughter In Westchester Charged In $1.6M Covid-19 Relief Scheme A Mount Vernon city employee, her daughter, and a former resident are facing charges for allegedly taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to bilk the government out of more than $1.6 million in loans earmarked for small businesses and then accepting kickbacks. Andrea Ayers, a civilian employee of the Mount Vernon Police Department, and her daughter, Alicia Ayers, who operates a travel agency were arrested in the city on Tuesday, March 23 for allegedly submitting applications for more than 300 people to claim federal loans for businesses that did not qualify for. A third suspect, Traci Pr…
Joseph Vitale, Three-Sport Standout At Mahopac HS, Dies At 37 Joseph Vitale, Three-Sport Standout At Mahopac HS, Dies At 37
Joseph Vitale, Three-Sport Standout At Mahopac HS, Dies At 37 A Putnam County MMA fighter and deli co-owner died unexpectedly on Sunday, Nov. 29 at the age of 37.  Born in White Plains on Feb. 7, 1983, Joseph A. Vitale owned and operated Anthony's Deli with his father, Anthony, on East Lake Boulevard, which is now permanently closed according to Google. He had been a Mahopac resident since he was in the fourth grade, according to his obituary.  In 2001, Joe graduated from Mahopac High School before studying business at Johnson and Wales College in Providence, Rhode Island. There, he was an accomplished wrestler. In high school, he was a memb…
COVID-19: Popular Cafe In Area Permanently Closes COVID-19: Popular Cafe In Area Permanently Closes
Covid-19: Popular Cafe In Area Permanently Closes A popular cafe and bakery in the area has become the latest victim of the COVID-19 pandemic and has shuttered its doors for good. The owners of Sweet Obsessions on Route 376 in Poughkeepsie announced that they were closing for good this week as of Tuesday, Aug. 11. 
“We knew that someday we would have to say goodbye, but we didn't think it would be this soon,” they posted on social media. “On behalf of our family at Sweet Obsessions, we would like to say thank you. Thank you! To all our customers, friends, and family.” According to reports, the owners said that being forced to shut down fo…
COVID-19: Loan Fund Launched To Aid NY Small Businesses COVID-19: Loan Fund Launched To Aid NY Small Businesses
Covid-19: Loan Fund Launched To Aid NY Small Businesses New York State has launched a $100 million forward loan fund that will aid small businesses that were impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the launch of the New York Forward Loan Fund, which will “provide flexible and affordable loans to help small businesses.” Cuomo said that the loans will focus on minority and women-owned small businesses that did not receive federal COVID-19 assistance. “The economic projections are actually frightening … more than 100,000 businesses have shut down permanently since the pandemic hit,” he said. “We’…
Facebook Opens Pop-Ups In Macy's Stores Facebook Opens Pop-Ups In Macy's Stores
Facebook Opens Pop-Ups In Macy's Stores While traditional brick-and-mortar retail locations continue to survive on life support, social media giant Facebook is going in the opposite direction, opening a series of pop-up stores at Macy’s throughout the country. Facebook is opening small business pop-up locations at nine Macy’s stores, marking the social media giant’s first foray into traditional retail sales. The stores will highlight nearly 100 brands that are sold and popular on social media, allowing entrepreneurs the opportunity to expand their businesses. The stores will be open through the holiday season, and housed in “The …