Watch today's top stories and most popular videos which provide you with features like past/future radar and customizable layers Trust us to help you plan the best day possible with the most accurate weather forecast available We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview The Briarcliff Manor Fire Department (BMFD) is proud to announce that our own Briarcliff Manor Police Department will display a squad car and a motorcycle at the Open House The New York State Troopers led by Trooper Raymond Renzo will join them featuring their vehicle rollover simulator The Open House is located at 1111 Pleasantville Road and will open on Sunday In addition to the law enforcement professionals the BMFD will conduct tours of the station and apparatus demonstrate firefighting and ambulance service activities and address questions about becoming a member These activities give visitors a taste of what it means to be in the fire and ambulance service All levels of first responders will be on hand to discuss the requirements and rewards for joining their ranks “We welcome the community and our law enforcement partners to join us during RecruitNY Sunday,” said Fire Department Chief Arie Uyterlinde “This is an excellent opportunity for people to meet their local volunteer first responders and learn more about the fire For more information, visit www.bmfd.org/join RiverJournalOnline is the online publication of River Journal and River Journal North No part of River Journal or River Journal North including photos ads and text may be reproduced without the written consent of the Publisher A Briarcliff Manor man awaiting trial with his wife on charges that their neglectful care caused his elderly mother's death died unexpectedly last week the Briarcliff Manor Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Ossining paramedics arrived at the South State Road home of Michael Weiss on the evening of Jan 15 after receiving an aided call from the house Briarcliff Manor police Chief Dominic Bueti said Life saving efforts were started and Weiss was taken to Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow where he was pronounced dead She had been living with the couple and their 11-year-old son Authorities said she died of malnutrition and sepsis at the Briarcliff Manor house in February 2023 Rather than drive his mother to a nearby hospital Michael Weiss took her to Columbia Memorial Hospital 90 miles away in Hudson He claimed they were at their East Jewett home when they discovered his mother was not breathing Hospital staff recognized Sandra Weiss had been dead for some time Investigators determined that it was part of an effort to hide where she died because the conditions she was kept in were deplorable Michael Weiss' death coincidentally came as Westchester prosecutors were recusing themselves because new District Attorney Susan Cacace had some involvement during the investigation when she was a Westchester County judge in 2023 It was unclear Tuesday whether a special prosecutor has been appointed to the case The couple had been scheduled to appear in Westchester County Court on Thursday also said there would be no comment as the family grieved Coca-Cola heir Asa Candler Jr.’s ostentatious mystery-filled estate has sat moldering for decades a new senior living developer plans to restore it to its former glory If the house itself wasn’t still standing as proof the entire history of Briarcliff Mansion would sound like a tall tale The baboon who escaped the on-site zoo and devoured $60 from a neighbor’s purse The magician who committed a murder-suicide on the golf course The visit from the Royal British Air Force that involved a local ham and a prank call from Winston Churchill Wherever you stick your nose around the sprawling grounds of Briarcliff Mansion you’ll find a story as eccentric as the man who built it was the second son of Coca-Cola magnate Asa Candler and one of the most unusual millionaires to ever call Atlanta home He squandered his fortune on a series of business ventures all wildly extravagant and most of them unsuccessful; nevertheless Perhaps his most enduring contribution to Atlanta is Briarcliff Mansion itself the 42-acre estate he built for his family in 1922 the mansion and surrounding property was restructured as a state-run mental health facility Emory University has stewarded the estate since then keeping the house standing through a sort of benevolent neglect chasing away would-be vandals and renting it out to film crews whose repairs have helped stave off greater collapse Shows like Doom Patrol and Vampire Dairies have filmed inside the house the sinister “Building A” is readily identifiable as Hawkins Laboratory from Stranger Things after years of searching for a redevelopment partner willing to preserve Briarcliff Mansion as part of their plan Emory has finally brokered a long-term ground lease with Galerie Living who will turn the property into a senior living community Galerie will restore the mansion to its original design to be used as an events space open to the public “We loved the historic nature of the property,” says Kelly Panter Vice President of Construction for Galerie Living Galerie Living begins renovations this spring; before handing over the keys, Emory let Atlanta inside to see what remains of the estate the press once called Asa Candler Jr.’s What remains of the eccentric millionaire’s estate “You’ll want a mask and gloves from here,” advises Sara Butler author of a new biography on Asa Candler Jr. who is moonlighting as the group’s tour guide She dons her own half-mask respirator (hot pink) and begins picking her way down a narrow hallway cluttered with debris What eventually became Butler’s book Fortunate and Folly: The Weird and Wonderful Life of the South’s Most Eccentric Millionaire began with the same curiosity that drives many people to the ruins of Briarcliff Mansion “My friend and I were both into urban exploring,” Butler says “We’d read there was an old house near Emory we climb the grand staircase to explore the capacious bedrooms above but he had a rebellious spirit that chafed at the white-collar desk job Buddie spent most of his time—and his inheritance—on serial entrepreneurship each venture wilder and less successful than the next which fizzled out after one blockbuster season and a failed school-meets-world-cruise for boys albeit in different hands: the Hotel Clermont which Buddie converted from an apartment building and named for his favorite sportscar he purchased a tract of farmland north of the city near his brothers’ properties: their houses but Buddie—ever competitive—constantly added lavish new features to outdo his brothers a stroke of good luck that inspired yet more business ventures which included elephants and Barbary lions Buddie’s neighbors were relieved: The zoo smelled bad and animals sometimes escaped the Georgia Court of Appeals ordered Buddie to pay a $10,000 settlement to a woman “who charged that a baboon jumped over the wall of the zoo devoured $60 in currency out of her purse.” On the third floor of the house we reach the ballroom Butler steps over debris to show us a small passage behind a secret door: “My theory is that this is where they performed their disappearing acts for the magic soirees,” she says Police found a note claiming the couple had died in a mutual suicide but a coronary jury determined that Cruz had murdered her and then killed himself The pistol he used belonged to his boss: Asa Candler Jr Buddie spent the last years of his life obsessively designing a different property—his elaborate mausoleum at Westview Cemetery he sold Briarcliff Mansion and the 42-acre estate to the state of Georgia lived the rest of their years in an apartment complex Buddie owned; he died in 1953 of alcoholism-related liver disease The state converted the property into the Georgia Mental Health Institute, using the mansion as a treatment center for alcoholics. They also built a series of other facilities, including “Building A” with its formidable mesh grating and underground tunnels, which appears in the Netflix show Stranger Things as the mysterious Hawkins National Laboratory When the facility closed in 1997, Emory bought the property the university began renting out the buildings to film crews different film crews have made investments to maintain the mansion,” explains David Payne Emory’s associate vice president of planning and engagement Those repairs have helped protect the house from further decline though Butler notes that Buddie’s use of high-quality building materials has kept the mansion in remarkably good shape “They don’t make houses like this anymore,” she says The good condition was good news for Galerie Living who agreed to restore the mansion to its original glory as part of their conversion of most of the property into a senior living community (Emory will continue to operate a research library on ten acres) “Our intent is to take out everything that was done post-1950s and really honor the original design intent of the structure,” says Panter The house will be open to the public for events like weddings and retreats Galerie has partnered with the architecture firm Lord Aeck Sargent which has experience in historic preservation The other hospital facilities will be torn down and replaced with Corso Druid Hills a senior community with nearly 500 residences Galerie expects the community to be operational by the end of 2026 Butler believes Buddie would be pleased to know his house will survive into the next era and that it will once again invite public visitors to the property “Everything he did was for Atlanta,” she says “He wanted the city to come here; he always wanted people to come and see what he’d built.” There’ll be plenty of bicyclists cruising through Briarcliff Manor’s downtown this spring and summer Among them will be police officers detailed to the village’s bicycle patrol Cops on silver mountain bikes are part of an effort to expand the department’s reach and engagement with the community on busy streets and at parades and outdoor events cost about $2,000 each after being outfitted with lights and sirens As anyone who’s pedaled around the village knows The cop unit’s bikes come with 12-speed shifting and a wide gear range but are not e-bikes —there’s no pedal-assist The knobby tires are suitable for off-road use Jason Hadjstylianos and John Raffaele and Officers Antonio DaCruz Jeffrey Eagan and Michael Juliano — joined the force in 2024 after a weeklong training course offered by Westchester County police Briarcliff’s unit joins other River Town police departments that have put cops on bikes Briarcliff borrowed bikes from Sleepy Hollow’s PD to patrol crowds of trick-or-treaters roaming the village’s Tree Streets neighborhood “It worked out perfectly, so we decided to buy bikes for our department and start our own unit,” said Briarcliff Police Chief Dominic Bueti. “We have the officers already trained and we’re doing events like the Briarcliff bashes, Picks and Pickleball and the Little Leagues parade.”  On Saturdays during the late spring and summer months Bueti said an officer will be patrolling the village pool area Law Park and handling parking and traffic enforcement in the Pleasantville Road downtown area The unit’s members are also available to speak with community groups; Juliano recently gave a bicycle safety talk for Girl Scout Troop 12-27 at Todd Elementary School When the patrol’s officers aren’t on their bikes Briarcliff’s Police Department has 20 sworn officers DaCruz said he seized the chance to join the bike unit “It’s a great way to interact with the community,” he said talk to people who are sitting on park benches that we wouldn’t normally be able to talk to just riding around in a police car.”  Feedback from the community has been strong there’s always positive reactions whenever we’re riding around.”  the unit had not made any arrests although it had handed out traffic violations Briarcliff does not patrol the North County Trailway but the unit responded to an incident involving a fallen cyclist on the path said the bike detail was well-suited to patrolling special events and providing a presence in the downtown And he’s more than happy to ditch the squad car and get some fresh air “It’s a little exercise on a job where sometimes we’re quite stationary.” BRIARCLIFF MANOR — The village is considering the possibility of converting the former Pace University campus for residential use after a lawsuit accusing the village of religious discrimination was dismissed The federal lawsuit filed by Yeshivath Viznitz Dkhal Torath Chaim and Khal Torath Chaim of Rockland in 2023 claimed village officials were changing zoning laws and making other administrative decisions that had denied a Hasidic Jewish congregation a special educational use permit on a property at 235 Elm Road 6 after the plaintiffs had reached an agreement with Briarcliff Manor according to a statement issued by the village The plan now is to sell the property to new owners who are interested in developing a residential project The village of Briarcliff Manor declined to comment on details about the redevelopment Located within walking distance of the village’s central business district the property is considered suitable for residential use that “will more harmoniously sync with neighboring homes.”     “The village has agreed to study our current zoning and consider the associated impacts and benefits such redevelopment might offer our village,” the statement says More: Rockland yeshiva files civil rights lawsuit against Briarcliff Manor over ex-Pace campus Yeshivath Viznitz Dkhal Torath Chaim proposed using three of the nine buildings on the 37-acre campus for a religious school and shul after it bought the property for $11.75 million The lawsuit argued the village not only changed the zoning on the property to stymie the congregation but the building inspector issued violation notices to the congregation for fire The village law doesn’t allow special permits for properties with such violations "When the village defendants learned of plaintiffs’ intended use of the campus set out to bar plaintiffs from establishing a religious school and place of worship," the lawsuit says Yeshivath Viznitz Dkhal Torath Chaim also owns the former Nyack College's 107-acre campus in what was formerly South Nyack, whose citizens voted to abolish the village in December 2020. said the village has spent $48,000 on attorney fees and the rest of the legal costs were covered through legal insurance “The settlement of this matter prevents the costly expense of federal litigation The Board of Trustees is pleased with this positive outcome for our community,” Briarcliff Manor mayor Steven Vescio said in the statement Yeshivath Viznitz Dkhal Torath Chaim has not returned requests for comment as of Dec economic growth and development for The Journal News/lohud and USA Today Network Following the success of last year’s initiative distributed handmade shmura matzah to 770 families for their Passover seder he aims to reach over 800 local Jewish families ensuring they have access to this special matzah for the holiday “In a time when the world has seen so much darkness and antisemitism we believe the best response is to increase the light,” said Labkowski “Each mitzvah brings more light to the world and this initiative is one small way to make a difference.” Community members who know of a local family that would like to receive handmade shmura matzah are encouraged to reach out and be added to the distribution list For more information or to participate, please contact chabad of Briarcliff-Ossining at 914.236.3200 or Rabbi@chabadbriarcliff.com. News 12 New YorkWhere to WatchDownload the AppYale/New Haven HealthPage not foundWe’re sorry, the page you requested could not be found. A former NYPD detective convicted of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl in his Briarcliff Manor home was sentenced Friday to five years in state prison Wilson Frias showed no emotion as Westchester County Judge Maurice Dean Williams imposed the prison term that will be followed by 10 years of post-release supervision Frias failed to convince jurors this fall that his admissions to village detectives weeks after the March 11 and that he had just been trying to get the girl out of his son's room when she wrapped her legs around his waist Jurors believed the girl's account that Frias thrust himself against her as she straddled him while they were clothed on the boy's bed The trial was notable for the proposition that a detective well versed in interrogation techniques would claim he fell prey to them when he confessed But also because it marked the first time in Westchester — and second time statewide — that a child was allowed to be accompanied in court by a support animal when they testified in the girl's case a 2-year-old Labrador retriever named Eddie In a victim impact statement read in court by Assistant District Attorney Charlotte Gudis the girl's mother excoriated Frias for taking advantage of her family at a particularly vulnerable time: when her husband was dying of cancer "I can’t believe that God could have created a person like Wilson Frias," she wrote Girl's mother of Wilson Frias: 'I trusted him because he was a detective a neighbor'Gudis called Frias' criminal conduct "undoubtedly repugnant," but said it was equally disturbing how he came to have access to the child The families lived blocks from each other and Frias and his wife began hosting the girl and her brother — a friend of the Frias' sons — once their father was diagnosed The mother blamed herself for being "naive" by allowing her daughter to be there when Frias' wife was not home "I think in the back of my mind I trusted him because he was a detective Gudis and the judge spoke of the girl's courage in reporting what happened to her and facing Frias in court when she testified But the mother said the girl has suffered with nightmares and stomach aches that a doctor linked to the trauma of the abuse "Wil has changed our lives and my view of people forever I am always questioning my own judgment and won’t trust my children with anyone," she wrote Frias has been at the county jail since Oct when jurors found him guilty of first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child The felony conviction cost Frias his job as a cop he had worked in the Manhattan Robbery Squad before his arrest in June 2023 Defense lawyer Peter Brill said Frias' appellate lawyer advised the defendant not to speak at sentencing The defense instead relied on letters from more than two dozen relatives and friends attesting to Frias' years of hard work and his commitment to the care of a disabled older sister Williams did not impose the maximum 7-year term requested by Gudis a request Brill called "beyond the pale" for a first-time He urged the judge to focus not on the single incident but on the sum total of Frias' life The judge emphasized that the true toll of Frias' actions may not be known until the girl is older would be "inextricably tied" for her and her family Brill said Frias' relatives declined to comment and he bemoaned what he considered a harsh sentence we believe the Court failed to fully consider the entirety of Wilson Frias' life and imposed a penalty that was drastically more than he deserved," Brill said In May of 1974 Michael Bassett added his name to the many generations of the Bassett Family who served the volunteer fire departments in the Tarrytown’s and Briarcliff Manor Mike shadowed his brother Tom while he performed his fire department duties in an old garage behind the Scarborough Presbyterian Church Working out of the old garage lasted until November 1974 when the first official Scarborough Engine Firehouse opened welcoming all the volunteers and a new Mack pumper engine Gaining respect as a new volunteer and learning from the current Scarborough line and desk officers commanded most of Mike’s attention until he left for college After his years at Nichols College in Massachusetts Mike returned to Briarcliff and served as a Firefighter He climbed the leadership ladder and eventually was elected as Captain of his Company in 1986 An innovation he was most proud of during that term was securing the approval of the Departmental Fire Council to formalize the BMFD Fire Police making it an integral part of the BMFD A quick tour of the renovated Scarborough Engine Headquarters at 591 Scarborough Road and the memorabilia that adorns every inch of the wall shows the deep pride that he places on the many years of service by the volunteers Mike worked with Pete Rinaldo to compile a history book that covered two decades of service Pete also authored “A Century of Volunteer Service: Briarcliff Manor Fire Department 1901-2001” chronicling the history and contributions of the Department over its first hundred years In addition to responding to fire alarms and ambulance calls for help Mike contributed in many ways to make the BMFD and the Scarborough Engine Company better He led several members in building (not once served as Co-Chairman of the Westchester County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association’s 1997 and 2001 conventions and was Co-Chairman of the BMFD’s 100th Anniversary celebration the tragic events of 9-11 postponed the convention and the BMFD centennial celebration until 2002 He also served as the Company’s Secretary for two terms and as the President and Trustee of the Benevolent Association One of his most significant accomplishments was to team up with Chief William Ventura and the legal scholars at the Firefighters Association of the State of New York to convince the Village of Briarcliff Manor to lower the active membership age required for service from 18 to 16 This proved to be a major recruiting advantage as now the Department can allow potential volunteers to get an early start on their road to community service Michael Bassett treasures responding to the Briarcliff community when they need him the most He noted the increase in the volume of calls and the complexity of the training that all volunteers face today But when asked to highlight his 50 plus years of service Mike replied “It has been an honor to be part of this great organization and to have been able to work with so many wonderful people that have become lifetime friends.” The community responds Curling is an international sport dominated by teams from Canada and Northern Europe two local men have swept themselves to national recognition by medaling in the 2025 USA Curling National Championships in Duluth Danny Casper was born and raised in Briarcliff Manor and Andrew Stopera’s family moved there when he was just a baby They grew up playing together in the Ardsley Curling Club and now live within a few miles of each other in Minnesota Paul area has become the hotbed for curling Andrew moved out to Minnesota to follow his curling dreams and I think being on a similar path has brought us closer” says Stopera Stopera’s Team Dropkin just won the National Championship by beating Team Casper 7-6 “It is pretty cool that both of us went from growing up in New York together to having a very real chance to go to the Olympics … it’s practically all I think about” says Casper “It’s been special to have someone else from my hometown join me on this curling journey To have two guys who come from the same place competing at this level is pretty cool and unique and I think we do a pretty good job of putting aside our competitive differences once it’s over.”   the earliest versions of the game date back to the 16th century when it was played on frozen ponds and lochs in Northern Europe But the first recognized curling clubs were formed in Scotland in the 19th century and the first official rules were adopted by the Grand Caledonian Curling Club – in Edinburgh in 1838 Every four years at the Winter Olympics curling fascinates audiences here in the United States “It’s exciting to see how curling is growing in the U.S It feels like we always have new clubs opening up especially in places that are not typically cold weather sports hubs such as Charlotte It’s also been cool that curling has very slowly become a sport that most people recognize” says Stopera that’s played on ice using granite stones that are slid towards a target – known as a House It’s estimated that more than 23,000 people in the U.S And it’s been gaining in popularity here ever since Team USA won its first gold medal in Curling at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics in South Korea “It is exciting seeing the sport grow in the U.S I think from a new viewer’s perspective it is quite a lot to take in at first with all the different rules and strategies but it is super easy for anyone to pick up and go play” says Caspar But the most challenging part of the game is mental “Curling takes an immense amount of focus and technique so having doubts out there can really affect your performance We work with a sports psychologist on our staff to make sure we remain confident and focused throughout because it can be easy to lose that at times.”  Casper and Stopera have been competing at the highest levels of curling for years Casper won the Curtis Cup Sportsmanship award three different times at the U21 Junior National Championships and he won Bronze Medals at the 2017 and 2019 U18 National Championships And Stopera took the Silver at the 2017 World Junior Championships and placed 4th and 5th respectively in the 2018 and 2019 Championships Casper says they were both connected from the beginning “Bill Stopera (Andrew’s dad) taught me most of what I know after my dad got me going into the sport … and I was very lucky to have him around and he definitely played a massive part in molding me into the player that I am today.”   Men’s National Champion in 2012 and placed third at the Olympic Trials for the 2014 Sochi Games “The coach who helped me the most growing up was without a doubt my dad Watching him have success when I was in high school showed me that I could be successful in curling as well” says Andrew “I think every young curler has Olympic aspirations and I’ve had them as long as I can remember.”  Yeshivath Viznith Dkhal Torath Chaim and Khal Torath Chiam have reached an agreement with the village of Briarcliff Manor to dismiss litigation and explore alternative uses of the former Pace campus at 235 Elm Road Third-party developers are pursuing the purchase of the property for residential use and the village has agreed to study its current zoning and consider the associated impacts and benefits of such redevelopment The Monsey-based congregation was seeking a special permit to bring 250 college-age men to the 37-acre Elm Road campus an enrollment that would grow to 350 over a 10-year period Pace closed its doors in 2015; the yeshiva bought the property for $11.5 million in 2021 The Hasidic Jewish congregation filed a federal lawsuit against the village in 2023 claiming religious discrimination after two years of applications and hearings before several village boards that did not result in the requested approvals Neither party admitted any wrongdoing with the suspension of litigation which will be dismissed without prejudice until such time as the parcel is sold to a new owner The village’s legal team included Leo Dorfman of Sokoloff Stern and Village Counsel Joshua Subin of McCarthy Fingar Briarcliff’s municipal insurance provider “Re-envisioning the 235 Elm Road property (the former site of Pace University) one of the few remaining large parcels within walkable distance of Law Park and our Central Business District offers an exciting opportunity to convert the property to a residential use that will more harmoniously sync with neighboring homes and create significant value as we continue to improve the entire Village,” reads a statement from the Briarcliff Manor Board of Trustees Mayor Steven Vescio stated: “The settlement of this matter prevents the costly expense of federal litigation The Board of Trustees is pleased with this positive outcome for our community.” Yeshiva Appeals after Briarcliff Denies Permit for former Pace Campus Safety, Taxes, Crowds at Proposed Yeshiva Worry Briarcliff Residents  Briarcliff Planners to Yeshiva: It’s Not 1978 Anymore  Club Fit Briarcliff announced the full reopening of the Aquatics Center at their Briarcliff location following a recent incident that required extensive restoration The club said they were incredibly grateful that no one was injured and thanks their  members and community for their patience and support throughout this process This incredible turnaround would not have been possible without the hard work of their staff and the support of local businesses who helped expedite repairs the Club Fit Briarcliff Aquatics Center is fully operational Club Fit is welcoming new members with an exclusive limited-time offer valued at over$300 — now available through April 28: Whether you’re returning or joining for the first time The club offers everything aquatics under one roof: In addition to restoring all bodies of water—through draining and sanitizing—they’ve also enhanced facility safety with the installation of bollard barricades outside the building and repairs to the entrance gate Club Fit is proud to continue providing a safe or signing your child up for swim instruction the religious organization Yeshivath Viznitz Dkhal Torath Chaim which is based the former Pace University campus at 235 Elm Road in Briarcliff Manor and Monsey-based Khal Torath Chiam which owns the property have agreed to suspend their litigation regarding use of the property The Yeshivath was seeking village approval to renovate certain existing buildings and use facility as a private religious education institution The religious school was envisioned as having approximately 250 male students ages 17 to 20 and potentially adding 100 more students over a 10-year period There also were to be some housing facilities on the campus When after about two-years of going through the application process the village had not granted approvals for the plan to proceed Yeshivath Viznitz Dkhal Torath Chaim and Khal Torath Chaim of Rockland filed a lawsuit in federal court that alleged governmental discrimination “The Village has trampled on Plaintiffs’ right to equal protection of the law as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S “And the Village has similarly violated Plaintiffs’ rights under the Federal Fair Housing Act The Village’s ham-fisted methods have not only irreparably harmed Plaintiffs for nearly two years by suppressing their religious liberty but they have also inflicted on Plaintiffs serious economic damage.” third-party developers now are pursuing the purchase of the property for residential use village and the plaintiffs have agreed to suspend their litigation Briarcliff Manor also has agreed to study its current zoning and consider the associated impacts and benefits such redevelopment might offer “The current Board of Trustees has invested years of work to reimagine key parcels within our Village,” Briarcliff Manor said in a statement “Re-envisioning the 235 Elm Road property … one of the few remaining large parcels within walkable distance of Law Park and our Central Business District offers an exciting opportunity to convert the property to a residential use that will more harmoniously sync with neighboring homes and create significant value as we continue to improve the entire Village.” The village said that it expects that once the property is transferred to a new owner the litigation would be permanently discontinued According to Briarcliff Manor’s Mayor Mayor Steven Vescio This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access. and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" CNN (CNN) — Former Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday while receiving the John F CNN (CNN) — Former Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday while receiving the John.. Trending Westchester The SPCA Westchester in Briarcliff Manor is a rescue center with about 200 animals up for adoption at any time The center opened a new 27,000 square foot state-of the-art facility in 2021 adding more comforting spaces to house adoptable dogs and cats The facility also has an affordable clinic for the public to spay and neuter dogs and cats 'Lorraine' and other pups from Westchester SPCA Mobile Adoption event Lisa Bonanno, SPCA Westchester’s director of development, said the not-for-profit organization is always in need of donations and volunteers “We have a small but mighty team here, but we really depend on volunteers to come in and work with the dogs and socialize the cats, help us care for them, and also help find them new homes,” Bonanno said our photographers train their craft on what makes this place our place Check lohud.com every Friday to see where our photographer went for our newest lohud on location feature As part of the annual RecruitNY statewide initiative the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department (BMFD) will open its doors on Sunday April 27th from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM so residents can learn how they can serve their volunteer fire department and EMS The department is located at 1111 Pleasantville Road in Briarcliff Manor Volunteer fire departments across New York state have been faced with decreased membership and increased call volume the BMFD needs to bolster its ranks so it can continue to provide the optimum level of protection for its residents The Briarcliff Manor Police Department will feature one of their cars and a motorcycle Volunteer firefighters will also be on hand to discuss the requirements and rewards of joining “We welcome the community to join us during RecruitNY Sunday,” said Chief Arie Uyterlinde “This is an excellent opportunity for people to meet their local volunteer first responders and learn more about the fire and EMS service more people will be interested in becoming part of our family.” The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) is committed to assisting New York’s 1,700-plus volunteer departments to connect with their communities and have sufficient members to protect them properly It is made possible by the continuing support and generosity of Lincoln Financial Group For more information, visit www.bmfd.org/join 2025 at 12:56 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Once on the scene emergency responders found a car was driven through the emergency exit door of the pool house coming to a stop around 10 feet into the closest pool section (Briarcliff Manor Fire Department)BRIARCLIFF MANOR no one was seriously injured in an unlikely car crash in Westchester County allowing first responders to lighten the mood a little this is not what we had in mind," the Ossining Police Department said The Briarcliff Manor Fire Department (BMFD) says that on Friday they responded to a report they received about a car that had crashed into the pool house at Club Fit located on North State Road in Briarcliff Manor Club Fit staff were able to help the driver out of the car and there were no serious injuries reported for the driver or any Club Fit patrons "The Club Fit Briarcliff Aquatics Center will be closed until further notice," Club Fit officials said on social media "Briarcliff members are welcome to use our Jefferson Valley location We are so incredibly grateful to say that no one was injured as a result of this accident." Briarcliff Manor FD was assisted at the scene by Ossining EMS and the Ossining Police Department Emergency personnel secured the scene while the car was removed from the water After an inspection by the Ossining Building Department All units were cleared from the scene by 2:15 p.m BMFD thanked all the responding agencies for their "swift and coordinated efforts." Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. On Saturday, January 18, local officials and members of the Briarcliff Manor Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed Kiddie Academy of Briarcliff to the local community Owners Rebecca and Allen Yesilevich and their two children hosted a “ground breaking” ceremony at their new location In attendance were State Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg and board members of the Briarcliff Manor Chambers of Commerce Rebecca and Allen’s journey to Kiddie Academy is founded upon a blend of diverse experiences and shared values all converging to create a vision for Early Childhood Education in Westchester Their backgrounds in early childhood education and community building along with being parents of 2 young daughters equip them with a rich tapestry of skills and perspectives they will bring to their endeavor Rebecca has nearly two decades of experience creating engaging and inclusive learning environments She has dedicated her career to promoting a love of learning while ensuring each child feels valued and supported in their educational journey Allen has focused his career on community building and marketing with an emphasis on bringing people together around common interests and goals Their decision to invest in Early Childhood Education stems from their personal journey of seeking quality education for their own two daughters reflecting a deep understanding of the importance of early learning experiences and warm connection Inspired by the Life Essentials curriculum offered by Kiddie Academy they aim to create a nurturing environment where children can safely thrive intellectually Rebecca and Allen are committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and care for every child and family entrusted to their school Their shared vision and dedication to excellence position them to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in Briarcliff Manor Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates A police pursuit that began after a commercial burglary in Dutchess County led to a two-hour school delay in Westchester before ending with the arrests of four suspects Some of the suspects (pictured in images released by NYSP) were nabbed near Todd Elementary School in Briarcliff after allegedly leading troopers on a chase when Dutchess County 911 reported a burglary in progress in the town of Pleasant Valley Responding units identified a stolen black Porsche as the suspect vehicle Troopers later spotted the Porsche on the Taconic State Parkway in East Fishkill and attempted to stop it police ended the pursuit after losing sight of the vehicle State Police in Westchester located the Porsche again near Exit 6 on the Taconic and successfully deployed a stinger device to disable it the suspects kept driving before eventually abandoning the car and fleeing into a wooded area and drone surveillance led to all four suspects being captured and taken into custody the search effort had caused significant disruption in Briarcliff Manor prompting officials to delay the start of school by two hours as a precaution Briarcliff Police said they had arrested two suspects near Todd Elementary School and were searching for others Authorities have now confirmed that the incident was tied to the Dutchess County burglary and charges against the suspects are pending The suspects' names have not yet been released The one-half mile stretch of North State Road in Briarcliff Manor that’s home to four restaurants will be welcoming a new menu option The vacant building that was formerly a fitness center will be turned into a new restaurant according to plans before the Town of Ossining Planning Board F Diamond Restaurant & Lounge is slated to join other businesses in the plaza at 549 North State Road It takes over a 3,700-square-foot space where Westchester Workout had operated The 78-seat restaurant will be open 6:30 a.m with peak hours anticipated to be breakfast and dinner Details on the new restaurant’s operator or menu were not immediately available The existing building will be adapted for its new use according to plans submitted by ARQ Architecture of Ossining on behalf of property owner Angelo Fabbri of North State Development Group The plaza at 549 North State Road is currently home to a bagel shop The new establishment will join a restaurant scene along North State Road that includes Terra Rustica Filming activity in Northern Westchester will temporarily impact traffic in a neighborhood for several days The filming will take place on the 400 block of Scarborough Road in Briarcliff Manor.  The Village of Briarcliff Manor announced that filming for a commercial will take place on Scarborough Road's 400 block starting Monday Briarcliff Manor Police will be on-site to assist with traffic control Drivers should anticipate temporary delays in the area during this time "We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to minimize any inconvenience," officials said in a statement More information about the film production was not immediately available Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins has approved a $1.2 million bond act and signed a key Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) with the Village of Briarcliff Manor paving the way for a $2.4 million flood mitigation project at Law Memorial Park This initiative marks the County’s continued efforts to address the challenges posed by extreme weather The project is part of the County’s Storm Water Management Law (SWML) program which funds municipalities for critical flood control measures The planned improvements include upgrading two portions of the park’s basin installing advanced drainage infrastructure along Pine Road to curb overland runoff and creating an additional outfall from the park’s pond to alleviate recurring flooding These enhancements aim to enhance the safety of residents and infrastructure in a community that has faced significant challenges due to extreme weather The agreement signed with Briarcliff Manor formalizes the County’s contribution to the project The Village will oversee construction and provide the County with an easement on the project site for the bond’s 30-year term The County’s funding represents 50% of the project’s cost with the remaining amount covered by the Village and other sources Jenkins said: “Westchester County is leading the charge in building a future that prioritizes safety By partnering with Briarcliff Manor on this flood mitigation project we address a long-standing issue and ensure that residents and local infrastructure are better protected against future flooding.” Vescio said: “The Village of Briarcliff Manor is pleased to partner with Westchester County in addressing long term flooding issues within the Law Park Drainage Basin The new outlet that will be installed from the pond will ensure that the Village pool isn’t damaged from large storms events preventing recreational shutdowns and costly repairs the regular flooding impacts on residents’ properties due to stormwater transversing the surface will be mitigated The county’s involvement and support for this project has allowed these greatly needed infrastructure improvements to become a reality.” The County has prioritized flood mitigation in its long-term capital strategy with over $116 million allocated to stormwater management projects across Westchester These investments reflect a forward-thinking infrastructure approach that addresses immediate needs and future climate resilience As Westchester County moves forward with projects like this County Executive Ken Jenkins reaffirms his dedication to creating sustainable solutions that benefit all residents A New York City police detective was convicted Monday of sexually abusing a young girl last year at his home in Briarcliff Manor and was immediately handcuffed and sent to the Westchester County jail to await sentencing Jurors rejected Wilson Frias' claim that admissions he made to village detectives three months after the March 11 who described Frias twice thrusting against her as she straddled him while they were clothed sitting on a bed They began deliberating Friday following a two-week trial before Westchester County Judge Maurice Dean Williams The felony conviction automatically costs Frias his job He was an 18-year veteran of the NYPD and had been working in the Manhattan Robbery Squad focusing on thefts in the subway system at the time of his arrest in June 2023 6 and granted Assistant District Attorney Charlotte Gudis' request that Frias Gudis cited the danger Frias poses to himself his family and others while facing a likely prison term Defense lawyer Peter Brill argued unsuccessfully for Frias to remain free until sentencing no mental health issues that might cause him to harm himself or others and has known for a long time that prison was likely if he was convicted "He served the people of New York admirably for 18 years," Brill told the judge Brill said Frias was "completely devastated" by the verdict and would appeal "He didn't think this would happen," Brill said The girl was visiting Frias' home when she ended up alone with him in the bedroom of one of his two sons while Frias testified that he had gone to get her out because visitors were not allowed upstairs in the house He claimed he had simply tried to lift her off the bed when she wouldn't get up and that she wrapped her legs around him as he carried her downstairs When the girl that night told her mother what had happened Frias twice denied to the mother that anything of a sexual nature occurred including during a controlled phone call monitored by a Briarcliff detective two weeks after the incident the detective and a sergeant interviewed Frias at his home for more than an hour and a half most of which involved Frias denying wrongdoing But after the detectives repeatedly told him his account didn't add up and they didn't believe him even demonstrating with a stuffed animal what the girl said he had done to her insisting "absolutely not" when Brill asked if he had done what the girl claimed He said he was disgusted by what he was accused of and that there was "no way" he ever would have done that to the girl Although Frias was a detective well-versed in interrogation tactics the defense contended that it was a false confession and that the girl wasn't lying but had been confused about what happened The jury also rejected the testimony of a defense expert on false confessions who suggested anyone was susceptible to giving a false confession An early morning vehicle blaze sent up plenty of smoke on a busy parkway in Northern Westchester The fire happened on the southbound Taconic State Parkway in Briarcliff Manor.  on the southbound Taconic State Parkway in Briarcliff Manor according to the Hawthorne Fire Department Arriving firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire in the parkway's right shoulder And when you gather students who are passionate about the theater Briarcliff High School students will perform Stephen Sondheim’s smash hit “Into the Woods,” with its brilliant lyrics catchy melodies and unforgettable characters The fractured fairy tales will come to life at the school auditorium in three performances The story revolves around a cast of characters who are all familiar to us “The show is partly infamous in the theater community because many of the songs are difficult to sing but because everyone in the cast and crew is so supportive those who are stronger singers can help people like me “I have been struggling with the song ‘No One is Alone,’ which is a duet with Ava Wu We have to sing different lyrics at the same time and we have to count a lot not to miss the beat so when I’m not quite sure what’s going on I can talk to them about anything,” he said “Rehearsals are really fun and I get to see a lot more of my friends,” said junior Em Anderson is partial to the changes the characters go through during the show “My favorite part is singing ‘No More,’ in the end because there is a very defined shift in character near that song and it goes from the hero’s darkest hour to a revelatory moment Conor appreciates director Paul Kite’s commitment to the show Kite read the script a billion times and has prepared a lot he cares a lot about the show and is very dedicated to it,” he said “I really like how every time I have a question Em thinks people who see the show will be in for a surprise especially during the second act,” she said I have been enjoying watching the whole thing come together.” “As someone who has devoted a lot of his life to telling stories I love that this show is about the responsibility that storytellers hold,” Kite said “It’s about what a story can do to people and how we come together after trauma and loss.” “People should come see the show because it has some great music and it’s a retelling of the classical fairy tales,” Conor said “And it has a great message in the end that is relevant for today: wishes can come true The glorious thing about life is dealing with more life And I think the show is beautiful and challenging.” Click here to purchase tickets: https://cur8.com/228/project/130120 The show is recommended for middle school students and up A New York City police detective from Briarcliff Manor who is accused of grinding his body against a young girl made admissions to police but now contends that what he gave them was a false confession went on trial Tuesday in Westchester County Court on charges of first-degree sexual abuse a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison following an investigation by village police an 18-year veteran of the NYPD who was assigned to the Manhattan Robbery Squad was suspended and has been free on bail since the arrest Despite his familiarity with interrogations Frias will ask jurors to believe that he was forced into a false confession at his home during an hour and a half interview by Briarcliff detectives that they recorded on a body-worn camera Assistant District Attorney Morgan Helfman said in her opening statement that Frias showed the detectives what he did with the girl even using his son's teddy bear in place of the girl But defense lawyer Peter Brill countered that Frias was worn down by detectives who had already made up their minds and repeatedly rejected his denials of wrongdoing and Frias "told them what they wanted to hear" so they would go away The Journal News/lohud is not naming any of the civilian witnesses and is not reporting certain specific details of the case so as not to identify the girl She described learning from her daughter a few hours after the March 11 incident that Frias twice thrust himself against the girl as she straddled him Frias was off-duty at the time and both he and the girl were fully clothed when they interacted Police were notified the next day and weeks later the mother tried to get Frias to confess during a phone call recorded with a detective sitting next to her though admitted once giving the girl a "peck" of a kiss on the lips Brill acknowledges it was not an "irrational reaction" by the mother that something bad might have happened to her daughter But he said the investigation was compromised because the girl was questioned by her mother and others before a proper forensic interview was conducted at Westchester's Children's Advocacy Center That meant that what really happened was jumbled with words possibly being put into the girl's mouth through all the questioning He acknowledged Frias made a mistake but said it wasn't the day of his interaction with the girl but rather the day he was questioned by police when he should have asked for a lawyer rather than trust "people he thought were the good guys." "Will Frias was a weak man but not on the day he's accused of a crime he did not commit," Brill told the jury a court-certified support dog named Eddie helped a young child testify against former NYPD detective Wilson Frias leading to his conviction on charges of child sexual abuse in Westchester County Tuckahoe Police Chief Larry Rotta and court-certified support animal Eddie a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever who accompanied the young victim for testimony in the People v was sentenced to five years in prison and ten years of post-release supervision after a jury found him guilty of first-degree sexual abuse He will also be required to register as a sex offender The victim reported the incident to a parent the young victim bravely testified about the abuse a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever who serves as a court-certified support animal The trial marked the first time in Westchester County—and only the second time in New York State—that a support dog was used to accompany a victim in a criminal case “Today’s sentence won’t erase the nightmare endured by a very young child and her family who had to relive the trauma during trial,” Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E “The just outcome of this case is testament to their extraordinary bravery and the commitment of prosecutors and police working together to bring this defendant to justice.” Eddie’s presence in the courtroom provided the young victim with a sense of comfort and calm while recounting traumatic events The trial was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Charlotte Gudis and Assistant District Attorney Morgan Helfman of the Child Abuse Bureau in the Special Prosecutions Division Frias was remanded to Westchester County Jail and terminated from his 18-year career with the NYPD The case was investigated by Briarcliff Manor Police Department Detective J.P DA Rocah also thanked Tuckahoe Police Chief Larry Rotta The victim’s mother shared a powerful statement during sentencing “Wilson’s guilty verdict confirms my belief in the justice system and that karma does exist there is no punishment harsh enough to justify what Wil did to my [child] and my family Eddie’s work as a court-certified support animal began in July and his role in this trial demonstrates the growing recognition of support animals in helping victims seek justice This landmark case highlights not only the bravery of the victim but also the vital role support animals can play in ensuring survivors have a voice in the courtroom whose resume includes positions in libraries in Rockland and Westchester counties has been appointed director of the Briarcliff Manor Public Library Naples starts the $105,000-a-year position in July including roles as adult/young adult librarian at the Katonah Village Library head of adult services at the Nanuet Public Library and teen and children’s librarian at the Nyack Library Naples’ leadership in these roles has demonstrated her ability to manage diverse teams Naples holds a master of science in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she received the Robert Goldhor Award for Public Librarianship “The library is an essential part of the community,” Naples stated “I will work hard to ensure that we will meet a high standard of excellence and continue to stay relevant in serving the needs of the residents of Briarcliff Manor.”  whose $759,072 budget for fiscal year 2024/25 is primarily funded through the village president of the Briarcliff Manor Public Library Board of Trustees and commitment to fostering a collaborative environment align perfectly with our goals,” Casper stated “We are confident that Kim will lead our library to new heights and continue to provide exceptional services to our patrons.”  Briarcliff Manor Village Manager Josh Ringel shared his support for the new director “Kim Naples’ experience and passion for librarianship make her an excellent fit for our community,” Ringel stated “I look forward to working closely with her to enhance our library services and ensure that the Briarcliff Manor Public Library remains a vital resource for all residents.”  Village officials called Naples’ appointment “a transformative moment for the Briarcliff Manor Public Library Her leadership and innovative approach are poised to enhance our services and fortify our commitment to being a dynamic center for community engagement and learning Kim’s vision will undoubtedly drive the library’s growth and ensure it continues to be a cherished resource for the community.” Margaret was a graduate of Sleepy Hollow High School She worked for Burnham Corporation for 30 years She was an Executive Secretary to the President and Chairman of the Board She then worked at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery as secretary for over 24 years Margaret was a long-time commissioner with the Scarborough Fire District (Archville FD) Debra (John) Marfia and Amy (Leonard) Roman Family and friends are invited to Pleasant Manor Funeral Home 2024 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM for visitation.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Margaret at St Theresa's Church in Briarcliff Manor on Saturday 2024 at 10:00 AM.  Margaret will be laid to rest after the funeral mass at Sleepy Hollow Cemtery.  the ex-Westchester cop turned animal rescuing steroid dealer was sentenced Monday to four consecutive life terms in federal prison by a judge who called the 2016 quadruple homicide over lost cocaine money that he perpetrated in Orange County "so callous District Judge Kenneth Karas labeled Tartaglione's professions of innocence "delusional denials" that ignored the overwhlming evidence of guilt And he said the defense lawyer's recitiation of a litany of Tartaglione's efforts to save cats pigs and horses was as concerning as it was disturbing and really only proved that it was "undeniably true that he cares more about animals than the victims." Earlier: Convicted ex-cop says he's no monster as he bids for new trial in quadruple homicide A jury last year took almost no time to convict Tartaglione of murder kidnapping and drug conspiracy charges in the April 11 four Mexican men from Middletown whose bodies were not discovered for eight months Martin Luna was targeted by Tartaglione over a drug debt and the others were killed as witnesses who were in the wrong place at the wrong time Four of the victims' relatives spoke at sentencing in White Plains federal court describing Martin as a hard worker who cared for his children and other relatives with support and advice Martin's sister and aunt of two of the victims said she had forgiven her brother for the mistake he made that led to the four deaths but that she could never forgive Tartaglione who she "prays and hopes" never gets out of jail "An animal from the street has a better heart than this person," she said through a Spanish interpreter said despite the heartache not getting easier over the years she considered Monday a good day as she could finally confront the defendant referring to him as a "piece of (expletive)" she hopes dies slowly and alone in prison" after Tartaglione's farmhand Marcos Cruz introduced him to Martin Luna a plan to buy cocaine in Texas and sell it in Florida was launched Tartaglione invested what witnesses called his life savings with the proceeds and cocaine kept at the Florida home of the owner of Luna's construction company The first round made a profit of about $50,000 and Luna returned to Texas with $260,000 to buy more cocaine in late 2015 claiming his sources took the money but never turned over the product Tartaglione initially believed him but eventually was convinced the money had been stolen after Luna broke off contact that he used as enforcers in his steroid business to find Luna but they couldn't Sullivan helped flush out Luna by giving him three locations where construction estimates were needed on April 11 the Likquid Lounge bar in Chester that was owned by Tartaglione's brother All four men were restrained and when Tartaglione arrived he began beating Luna to get him to give up the money He eventually strangled him to death with a zip tie put in Tartaglione's SUV and he drove it to his rented ranch in Mount Hope Biggs and Benderoth followed with the other three men the four men were forced to kneel on the ground According to Biggs - the only witness to describe the killings at trial - he shot one of the men in the head then Tartaglione shot a second and Benderoth shot the third The victims belongings were burned in a furnace on the property and Cruz helped Tartaglione bury the bodies the following day On the day Tartaglione was arrested in December 2016 Cruz led investigators to the shallow grave Tartaglione was convicted on four counts of kidnapping resulting in death The judge had the discretion whether to impose those consecutively and he did so agreeing with prosecutors that the victims should not be lumped together but that each deserved to be represented by a unique life sentence "Nicholas Tartaglione is a murderer," Assistant U.S "There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that this defendant is responsible for the deaths of four human beings." who contends that Cruz was a member of the Mexican cartel and the actual murderer is expected to appeal on the same issues he and his new lawyers unsucessfully cited over the past year - including ineffectiveness of counsel perjury and prosecutorial misconduct - in a bid for a new trial Karas said the arguments were belied by the evidence and certainly did not rise to the level needed to reverse a jury verdict He called the attacks on state police Senior Investigator William Young and the trial defense counsel "cheap shots" by a defendant who has shown an "utterly shocking" failure to accept responsibility and who did not have the decency to face victims' relatives as they addressed him in court insisted in court that he had not killed anyone was never motivated by money and simply ran an animal-rescue farm He said he had been a canine officer and knew all about cadaver dogs "If I was doing a horrendous crime I wouldn't bury the bodies on my property." He reiterated that he was "no damn killer" and after nearly eight years was tired of living among pedophiles and murderers "This whole family that calls me a monster The judge ridiculed Tartaglione's insistence Cruz was the mastermind calling the cooperator a "guy who couldn't conspire to eat breakfast with someone tomorrow." And he said Tartaglione's crime on his own property was simply careless "You wouldn't be the first murderer to do something stupid," he told the defendant Three of the co-conspirators pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate and the fourth fatally shot himself in his car in Rockland as FBI agents moved in to arrest him in March 2017 Cruz was sentenced to the seven years he had already served And Biggs was sentenced to 16 years and eight months Tartaglione had turned to rescuing animals and by the time he joined the Briarcliff Manor Police Department in 1996 Tartaglione had already worked as a cop in Mount Vernon his native Yonkers and Pawling in the brief three years since his graduation from the police academy And his tenure in Briarcliff included allegations of excessive force and lying but a court ruling forced the village to reinstate him with more than $300,000 in back pay Tartaglione returned to the job but was soon injured and eventually retired on a disability pension He won a state ruling to work again but the village never hired him He had been trying to find police work at the time of the quadruple homicide in custody since his arrest more than seven years ago Department of Justice reversed course in 2022 and decided not to seek the death penalty as it did in most capital cases across the country under Attorney General Merrick Garland The ex-cop made more news in 2019 when he was a cellmate of sex-trafficking financier Jeffrey Epstein He was there when Epstein first tried to kill himself that summer There were unsubstantiated claims that it was not a suicide attempt but an assault by Tartaglione whose lawyer insisted that he had actually summoned guards and helped revive Epstein Epstein was eventually taken off suicide weeks later and killed himself Tartaglione was not his cellmate at that time.