Hackensack, NJ
Schools
Hackensack HS To Honor Hard-Working Immigrant With His Own Graduation Ceremony Hackensack HS To Honor Hard-Working Immigrant With His Own Graduation Ceremony
Hackensack HS To Honor Hard-Working Immigrant With His Own Graduation Ceremony High school came with a unique set of challenges for Hipolito Garcia, Jr. The teen transferred into Hackensack High School as a junior in 2017, after having immigrated to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic for better opportunities. His dad, mom and two sisters moved to Boston, leaving Garcia alone in Hackensack with his grandparents. He barely spoke English. His future was uncertain. Now that Garcia, 18, finished the past two years with all As and Bs, all that's left to do is graduate. The only problem is that he's set to leave for the U.S. Marine Corps on June 24, which means he'll m…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Briarcliff, NY
Obituaries
Marine From Westchester Assigned To Four Tours In Iraq Dies At 36 Marine From Westchester Assigned To Four Tours In Iraq Dies At 36
Marine From Westchester Assigned To Four Tours In Iraq Dies At 36 A Marine from Westchester who had been assigned to four tours in Iraq is dead at the age of 36. Patrick Vincent Fox of Yonkers died suddenly on Tuesday, May 28.  He is survived by his son, Vincent Fox of California, along with his parents, Joseph and Linda (Castaldo) Fox of Yonkers, his brothers Joseph (Melanie) of California, James (Sonia) of Yonkers and sister Maria-Elena Netrosio (Nicholas) of Mohegan Lake. Fox also leaves behind four nieces and nephews, Victoria and James Fox and Noah and Miles Netrosio, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Fox was predeceased by his matern…

SHARE

by Valerie Musson
Fairfield, CT
Lifestyle
Uptick In UFO Sightings Sparks Concerns Uptick In UFO Sightings Sparks Concerns
Uptick In UFO Sightings Sparks Concerns A series of recent UFO sightings is beginning to spark concerns among various military organizations, officials say. The U.S. military has claimed an increase in what it calls “unexplained aerial phenomena,” or more colloquially known as unidentified flying objects, in recent years. According to The Washington Post, recently observed UFOs have entered military-designated airspace as many as several times each month. Joseph Gradisher, spokesman for office of the deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare, told The Washington Post that he fully intends to “investigate each and…

SHARE

by Valerie Musson
Hackensack, NJ
News
NJ Residents Will Need 'Real ID' To Board Domestic Flights In 2020 NJ Residents Will Need 'Real ID' To Board Domestic Flights In 2020
NJ Residents Will Need 'Real ID' To Board Domestic Flights In 2020 New York and New Jersey residents are being urged to upgrade their drivers licenses due to a new rule for flying domestic. Come October 2020, passengers will be asked to produce a "REAL ID" -- an ordinary drivers . license won't do. REAL IDs are marked with a star to indicate they meet federal security standards. Passports, federal government PIV cards or U.S. military IDs will still be accepted. Visit your DMV to upgrade or click here for more info. 

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Mount Pleasant, NY
News
Woman From Hudson Valley ID'd As One Of Four Americans Killed In Syria Suicide Bombing Woman From Hudson Valley ID'd As One Of Four Americans Killed In Syria Suicide Bombing
Woman From Hudson Valley ID'd As One Of Four Americans Killed In Syria Suicide Bombing This story has been updated. A Hudson Valley woman has been identified as one of the four Americans killed in a suicide bombing in Syria on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Navy Chief Cryptologic Technician Shannon M. Kent, 35, who grew up in Pine Plains in Dutchess County, was a sailor assigned to Cryptologic Warfare Activity 66, based at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.  Other victims identified were Department of Defense civilian Scott A. Wirtz of St. Louis, Missouri and Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan R. Farmer, 37, of Boynton Beach, Florida. The initial United States assessmen…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Fairfield, CT
Politics
This Democratic Congressman Remains Popular In Pro-Trump Eastern CT District This Democratic Congressman Remains Popular In Pro-Trump Eastern CT District
This Democratic Congressman Remains Popular In Pro-Trump Eastern CT District U.S. Rep Joe Courtney has represented Connecticut’s 2nd District in Congress for more than a decade. He's a Democrat who rejects almost every one of President Donald Trump's policies and proposals. Yet Courtney also happens to represent a congressional district, the only one in the very blue Nutmeg State, that supported the Republican over Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. The district includes most of the eastern third of the state, including Norwich and New London. Courtney, a 65-year-old lawyer and former state legislator has taken a different path -- where moderation, listening and an …

SHARE

by Daily Voice
Norwalk, CT
Police & Fire
Norwalk Fire Department Gets High Water Rescue Military Vehicle Norwalk Fire Department Gets High Water Rescue Military Vehicle
Norwalk Fire Department Gets High Water Rescue Military Vehicle The next time a major storm hits the region, the Norwalk Fire Department will be ready after purchasing a military vehicle that scoffs at the notion of flooding. The Norwalk Fire Department purchased a two and a half ton military cargo vehicle, which they plan to utilize during high water rescues. Officials said that the truck has the ability to move in high-water conditions, where other vehicles may stall out during a storm. Officials said that the truck can be used specifically for transport, whether it be rescue victims or rescue workers during flood situations, similar to those that hav…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
White Plains, NY
Politics
Shutdown Countdown: Schumer Meets Trump, Maloney Will Give Up Paycheck Shutdown Countdown: Schumer Meets Trump, Maloney Will Give Up Paycheck
Shutdown Countdown: Schumer Meets Trump, Maloney Will Give Up Paycheck President Donald Trump and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) met Friday afternoon and made "progress" toward avoiding a U.S. Government shutdown, according to Schumer, but "have a good number of disagreements."  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell scheduled a key procedural vote for 10 p.m. Friday to avert a shutdown prior to the midnight deadline. Trump tweeted after the Schumer meeting: "Excellent preliminary meeting in Oval with @SenSchumer - working on solutions for Security and our great Military together with @SenateMajLdr McConnell and @Spea…

SHARE

by Sam Barron
Mahopac, NY
News
Putnam Sheriff Don Smith Issues Farewell Message Putnam Sheriff Don Smith Issues Farewell Message
Putnam Sheriff Don Smith Issues Farewell Message As Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith prepares to leave office, he offered the following message to the residents of Putnam County. "As my time as your Sheriff comes to a close, I take this opportunity to thank all of the people of Putnam County for all of your great support, hard work and faithful encouragement in helping the law enforcement and emergency services community in keeping Putnam County a great and safe place to live, work and raise a family.    I take this opportunity to also thank all of our fellow team members in the law enforcement and emergency services community f…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes