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A resident was safely assisted out of a burning home Friday morning
thanks to the swift actions of firefighters who responded to a house fire in Westchester
The scene of the fire on Bush Avenue in Port Chester on Friday morning
on Friday when fire crews raced to 12 Bush Ave
in Port Chester for a reported basement fire
according to the Port Chester Fire Department
Arriving crews found smoke coming from the side of the house
and a worker on the scene confirmed there was an active fire
A 10-75 working fire signal was transmitted to bring more help to the scene
Firefighters quickly found the flames in a rear bedroom on the first floor
Crews moved swiftly to open up the area and knock out the blaze
one resident was safely helped out of the building by firefighters
and the fire was placed under control by 11:10 a.m.
While Port Chester crews were operating at Bush Avenue
mutual aid units covering the village responded to an additional alarm elsewhere in the district on North Main Street
More information about the cause of the fire was not immediately available
a 33-acre nature preserve inspiring visitors through open green space and educational programs
or pet a chinchilla on the second floor of the manor house
“We have educational programs where visitors and students can come to learn about the environment and become environmental stewards,” said Alix Dunn
Seasonal programs include maple sugaring
There’s also a volunteer program for high schoolers to work with the animals
and the center is adding more adult programs "because we see how important it is for the whole family to be engaged at the nature center,” said Dunn
Visit naturecentergb.org to learn more about the nonprofit organization and the programs offered
More lohud on location: Discover Westchester County's oldest park. Walk or bike the Bronx River Pathway trail
More lohud on location: Discover the Lower Hudson Valley's own majestic waterfall in a place you'd least expect
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
Published 1 month ago1m ago • Bookmarks: 102 • Comments: 3
The 9/11 Memorial Wall at Richard Presser Park on Central Avenue in Hartsdale was torn down last week because of structural issues
Greenburgh officials dedicated the wall in 2003 to honor the victims of the September 11
More than 1,800 titles were placed on one side of the wall and painted by residents in Westchester County
The other side of the wall featured illustrations painted by an artist commissioned by the Greenburgh Rotary Club
construction deficiencies surfaced involving dampness and drainage that caused some of the tiles to crack and fall off
Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner stated the town repaired the wall twice
but more tiles started to crack and fall off
and it was estimated further repairs to the existing wall could reach $100,000
“The painting on the Rotary side is also not holding up since the paint the artist used was not weather resistant,” Feiner stated
Feiner said town officials will be discussing the construction of a new memorial
which the Rotary Club has expressed interest in contributing funds to
Approval of the new memorial is expected in a few months
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Restaurant Brings Approximately 100 Full- and Part-Time Jobs to Community, Honors 100 Local Heroes with Free Chick-fil-A Entrées for a Year
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games and activities designed to create more time with your favorite people
Walmart+ Week is back for its third year and runs through 11:59 p.m
May 4—but the perks are reserved for members only
The good news? New users can sign up for a 30-day free trial and still access most of the limited-time special offers
members can take advantage of 50¢ off per gallon at participating Exxon and Mobil stations
are only available to paid subscribers (not free-trial members)
A Walmart+ membership costs $12.95 a month or $98 a year
is designed to add convenience for frequent Walmart shoppers
Those benefits go beyond special event weeks
free same-day delivery from local stores on orders over $35 (where available)
and fuel discounts—up to 10¢ off per gallon at Exxon
Other features include Scan & Go for quicker in-store checkout and free pharmacy delivery
For full details, visit walmart.com
This post contains sponsored and/or affiliate links
we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you
Our editorial content remains independent and unbiased
Published 3 months ago3m ago • Bookmarks: 285 • Comments: 2
The Greenburgh Town Board voted unanimously last week to authorize a Master Plan for the courthouse and police headquarters
which will review options for the board to consider
is expected to take about eight months and will not exceed $135,100
we need to work with the villages to come up with a more efficient and effective way to deal with all the needs of the court
including consolidation of functions,” Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner stated
Town officials have discussed the need to address building problems at both the police department and courthouse for years
the Town Board received 11 bids from firms with plans to provide creative and affordable solutions for necessary infrastructure improvements
“We have searched for other spaces for new police/courthouse complex
We have not had much success but also recognize doing nothing is not an option,” Feiner stated
Feiner said Greenburgh has $7 million in a restricted account that can only be utilized for the town court
One option on the table is moving the town court to another location
“If the town court would move to a different location
we will immediately resolve parking issues at the police headquarters
courthouse and will provide the police with more space for construction,” Feiner stated
slow-moving system with scattered severe thunderstorms will usher in an unsettled stretch that will linger into next week
A look at the sprawling system stretching from Texas to the Northeast
It will remain damp with showers and scattered storms on Saturday
Updated Story - Unsettled Stretch Arrives: Here's How Long It Will Last
It's on track to hit the East Coast overnight Thursday
The chance for showers and scattered storms will extend through both Saturday
"Instead of the front pressing steadily offshore this weekend, it will slow and stall near the Appalachians," according to AccuWeather. "That will set the stage for clouds
areas of rain and embedded thunderstorms over a large part of the Northeast
"Many areas are likely to experience a thorough soaking
and there is the potential for an inch or more of rain in some locations."
Storms are most likely Friday afternoon into Friday night
Published 3 months ago3m ago • Bookmarks: 20
On February 1st some Greenburgh and Westchester residents will be furious because they forgot to pay the second half of the school tax (due on January 31st) and received a 10% penalty because they paid the taxes a day late
Other taxpayers will be calling town officials during the month of February complaining about penalties that exceed $1,000 for being a day or a few days late
I have complained about the 10% penalty many times
The majority of the Town Board and many other municipal officials in Westchester believe that NYS does not allow penalties to be waived by local governments even if the taxpayer had a legitimate concern—did not receive the bill in the mail or had other legitimate issues—family members in the hospital with serious illness or that they didn’t receive the bill in the mail
Towns and school districts are independent of each other
Town governments collect school taxes and must guarantee the school districts 100% of the taxes whether collected or not
This year Greenburgh is being more aggressive trying to remind residents of their tax obligations
The Receiver of Taxes sent out reminders to those who haven’t paid by mid-January
And – we have placed digital reminder boards on some busy streets in Greenburgh – including Hillside Ave and East Hartsdale Ave
I will continue a past practice of reminding residents about the penalties on the town website and on social media
I am hopeful that the media will also remind taxpayers of their obligations and penalties
The Greenburgh tax office will be open Friday until 7 PM
For information about how one can pay town taxes visit the Receiver of Taxes website:
https://www.greenburghny.com/190/Tax-Department
Don’t forget to pay your taxes by January 31st
George Latimer’s first week in the House of Representatives brought the appointment of Greenburgh Town Councilwoman Ellen Hendrickx to run his White Plains district office
Then came swift calls for Hendrickx to resign from her town post
Greenburgh Republicans say Hendrickx’s full-time employment for the federal government creates conflicts with her part-time job addressing town policy
They say Hendrickx's dual positions violate the federal Hatch Act
which prohibits some federal employees from engaging in partisan politics
But a spokesman for the agency that enforces that law says the statute applies only to employees of the executive branch and not to those
who work for members of Congress in the legislative branch
urged Hendrickx to do what she could to bring more federal funding to Greenburgh when he congratulated her on the social media platform LinkedIn
“Help bring lots of federal dollars to Greenburgh!”
The tensions over Hendrickx's appointment were apparent at Tuesday’s Town Board work session at Greenburgh Town Hall
Hendrickx appeared uncomfortable as Feiner brought up the need to seek more federal funding for pedestrian safety
adding that Latimer had just been elected to Congress and was very committed to making the region safer
He gestured toward Hendrickx as he talked about identifying federal funding for sidewalks
and I want to make that clear right now,” said Hendrickx
After an Edgemont resident spoke on the need for funding
"I think the conversation has to end right now,” she said
Among those seeking Hendrickx’s resignation is Gary Rappaport
an attorney in the Greenburgh village of Ardsley
“The recent Town Board meeting confirmed the conflict,” said Rappaport in a Jan
you risk consolidating power in a way that could erode public trust and compromise the integrity of both roles
such conflicts often lead to moral blind spots
where the ability to act in the public’s best interests is overshadowed by competing priorities.”
Hendrickx's long association with LatimerHendrickx
worked for Latimer’s Westchester County administration during both of his terms as county executive
serving as assistant director of intergovernmental services from 2019 to 2021
and then director of research through the end of Latimer’s tenure in December
Hendrickx has not responded to her critics or explained why the discussion of federal funding was inappropriate in a public Town Board meeting
she has not said whether she will run for another four-year term
with nominating petitions for the 2025 race to be circulated in late February
She did not respond to numerous messages left by phone
which allows officials elected in partisan elections to serve on Congressional staffs
Hendrickx will conduct her position with Congressman Latimer based on the guidance of the House Committee on Ethics
and as required by applicable federal law,” said Orsillo
Feiner said that Hendrickx contacted him on Jan
9 to inform him that she is not going to use her federal job to benefit the town
“All I can say is that I’m hopeful we get the maximum dollars from Washington
a software engineer from Greenburgh and a Republican
was so disturbed by Hendrickx's appointment by Latimer that he filed a complaint with the federal Office of Special Counsel
Hendrickx's continued service as a partisan elected official while employed in a federally funded role,” maintained Linder
But Office of Special Council Communications Director Zachary Kurz said employees of the legislative branch are exempt from the Hatch Act
“The Hatch Act does not apply to employees of the legislative branch of government,” said Kurz
because the individual at issue is an employee of the House of Representatives
the Hatch Act’s candidacy prohibition does not apply to her.”
Sign up for Wilson's weekly newsletter for insights into his Tax Watch columns
David McKay Wilson writes about tax issues and government accountability. Follow him on Twitter @davidmckay415 or email him at dwilson3@lohud.com
After more than two decades of honoring the victims of September 11
a 9/11 memorial in a Westchester park will soon be torn down due to ongoing structural issues
located in Richard Presser Park in Hartsdale
The People’s 9/11 Memorial Wall in Hartsdale’s Richard Presser Park is set to be torn down this week
Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said on Saturday
The People’s 9/11 Memorial Wall was built in 2003 after a collaboration between the Town of Greenburgh and ArtsWestchester
In addition to the tiles painted by community members
the memorial also featured a piece of metal from the World Trade Center and an artist-commissioned illustration on its reverse side
the wall has struggled to withstand the elements over the years
tiles began cracking and falling off the structure
Town officials twice attempted to reattach the tiles
but the problems persisted due to moisture damage and poor drainage
Feiner announced that around 80 percent of the tiles had fallen
with some held together only by surrounding grout
The Greenburgh Parks Department had started carefully removing and storing the remaining tiles in crates while officials worked on a plan for a new memorial
Feiner said town officials are discussing a new memorial design
which could be placed at Greenburgh Town Hall instead of Richard Presser Park
which contributed to the original memorial
has expressed interest in helping fund the new project
if officials chose to repair the existing wall it would have cost around $100,000
and there would be no guarantee it would last
Once the People’s 9/11 Memorial Wall is removed
Richard Presser Park will have more open space for visitors to enjoy
Published 7 months ago7m ago • Bookmarks: 609 • Comments: 4
“Moms” Mabley and Gordon Parks with Westchester County and Greenburgh Township
A new African-American History Museum is the goal
Calloway and Campanella is planned for Black History Month in February that will enshrine these and other prominent locals in Greenburgh Town Hall building and
A committee of locals overseeing the process includes a local high school student
it seemed like a wonderful way to celebrate the beautiful
rich African American history of this area,” says Edgemont High School senior Shriya Garg
“Greenburgh was one of the first locations in the United States with a large middle-class African-American community.” Greenburgh’s Black luminaries include the departed
including most of the White Plains-based Atlantic Starr band members
among the most successful soul groups of the 80s and 90s
Greenburgh’s prosperous African-American communities
including Parkway Neighborhood and the Pinecrest section of Hastings-on-Hudson
The project committee is appealing for additional names
and videos that represent the achievements of Greenburgh’s African American population
Early plans are to create traveling exhibitions
says Greenburgh Town Clerk Lisa Maria Nero
will be determined by those who contribute to the materials
alongside “proceeds of any grants we can secure.”
“We’ve also appealing to arts communities and historical societies who have things to share with us,” says Garg
the committee is already creating tributes to:
Vernon Jordan Jr.
A close advisor to President Bill Clinton and an accomplished attorney, Jordan and his team brought the legal action that forced the University of Georgia to open its doors to Black students in 1961. He served as president of the National Urban League from 1971 to 1981 before joining Clinton’s administrative team
Cab Calloway
Singer Cabell Calloway III and his Orchestra were regulars at Harlem’s Cotton Club
Their 1931 mega-hit “Minnie the Moocher” racked up a then-astronomical figure of one-million sales
Dobbs Ferry writer and former music industry professional Kris DiLorenzo
remembers Calloway “talking about touring in the segregated South
where his band was probably the first integrated group to perform at many venues.”
Gordon Parks
and social injustice before becoming an equally successful musical composer
writer and the director of the popular 1971 film “Shaft.”
“Moms” Mabley
Loretta Mary Aiken, “Moms,” travelled the Black vaudeville circuit before earning widespread acclaim as a featured comedian and actress on such leading television programs as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Hazel Scott
Scott was the first black woman to host her own television show
after being labeled a communist during the McCarthy hearings
returning to Greenburgh as a civil rights activist
Olivia J. Hooker
Years after surviving the Tulsa Race Massacre
Hooker became the first African American U.S
won the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Presidential Citation
Also likely to find spots in the new musician are America’s first self-made woman entrepreneur Madame C J Walker; African-American model and businesswoman Kay Linden; “turnaround expert” and Ben and Jerry’s CEO Robert Holland: Fordham University’s first Black Law School graduateValarie Somersille; Leonard Dunston
the highest-ranking African-American on New York Governor Mario Cuomo’s team; and Hastings-on-Hudson’s psychologists Mamie Phipps Clark and Kenneth Bancroft Clark
The Clarks’ ground-breaking “doll test” dramatically illustrated the harm done to Black children’s self-esteem by racial discrimination
It was key to the milestone court decision that deemed single-race schools unconstitutional
“The Hastings Historical Society last year marked the 50th anniversary of Brown versus Board of Education decision with a special exhibit,” says Historical society President Natalie Barry
who plans to share some of Hastings’ materials
The museum is also expected to highlight the historic Parkway neighborhood in Greenburgh and the Palisades area of Hastings on Hudson, as well as the Ferncliff Cemetery
where many prominent African-Americans are interred
Additional exhibits will reference the first Blacks in lower Westchester; those brought to Tarrytown’s Philipsburg Manor as slaves
are determined that this site will shine a light on a long-overlooked community
“Immigrating from India where I was six years old helped me understand how nice it feels to be included and see the history of people who come from a different place and circumstances
Two former officials of the Greenburgh-Graham school district for at-risk students pleaded not guilty Wednesday
to elevated charges in an alleged scheme that used more than $50,000 in district funds for personal expenses including luxury handbags and private school fees for relatives
the former superintendent who made over $300,000 annually at the school district in Hastings-on-Hudson
were arrested in May 2024 following a joint investigation by the state Comptroller's Office and the Westchester District Attorney's Office
"Any theft of public funds represents a fundamental breach of public trust,” District Attorney Susan Cacace said in a statement
“That breach is amplified when the allegations concern an institution serving our most vulnerable
The funds in this case that were allegedly diverted to the defendants could have been used for student achievement."
Kumar purchased 168 gift cards for which he was reimbursed by the district
and he and Levy allegedly used many of the cards to pay for more than $50,000 worth of private school fees
veterinary services and other personal expenses
The probe by the comptroller's Division of Investigations began after the fraud was suspected during a routine audit of the school district
said the gift cards were a red flag because they are "highly fungible and a high-fraud risk" and it was shocking when investigators learned what the money had gone for instead of being used to support students
The Greenburgh-Graham school district is a "special act" district established by the state Legislature to educate at-risk students in grades K to 12
The two men were arraigned before Westchester Judge Anne Bianchi on Wednesday
on a six-count indictment charging them with grand larceny and corrupting the government
They remain at liberty as the charges are not bail-eligible
second-degree grand larceny as a crime of public corruption
carries a maximum sentence of 8 1/3 to 25 years in state prison
joined the district as a teaching assistant in 2008 and was named superintendent a decade later
He was placed on administrative leave prior to his arrest in May 2024 after district officials were notified of the scheme
His contract then expired and was not renewed
A Greenburgh auto dealer and his wife have sued the Internal Revenue Service for allegedly refusing to refund $134,673 that they claim was erroneously withheld from the dealership in 2021
“Plaintiffs tried to resolve the matter of refund amicably and in good faith with the IRS,” Alexander and Chaya Landa claim in a complaint filed on April 3 in U.S
but the IRS has refused to credit or refund the sum
Alexander Landa is managing member and main owner of Northeast Auto Holdings LLC
It is classified as a used car dealership in a U.S
and it uses the same address as a Kia dealership operated by Tasca Automotive Group
Business income from limited liability corporations such as Northeast Kia passes through to the individual owners who then pay federal taxes on their personal income
The Landas’ accountant contacted the IRS about the error
and an IRS agent said the money could not be refunded to Northeast Auto Holdings
the agent said the couple should file an amended personal tax return where Alexander Landa could claim his share of improperly withheld funds from the corporation
The Landas filed an amended personal tax return
but the IRS disallowed the refund on April 7
a lawsuit to recover funds must be filed within two years of an IRS Notice of Disallowance
the Landas beat the deadline by three days
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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
Published 5 months ago5m ago • Bookmarks: 318
but the Greenburgh Nature Center has signed a new 25-year contract with the Town of Greenburgh
which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year
was seeking a new agreement so it could seek grants and donations
even though its existing contract doesn’t expire until Dec
“This long-term contract allows us to focus on what we do best — offering innovative educational programming
and preserving the natural beauty of the Greenburgh Nature Center,” said Tracey Kurzweil
president of the Board of Directors of Nunataks Ltd.
“We are deeply grateful to the Town of Greenburgh and our supporters for recognizing the importance of environmental education and conservation.”
the Nature Center operates with an annual budget of about $1.4 million
Greenburgh has been contributing $337,00 of that amount
“The members of the Greenburgh Town Board are thrilled to renew our valuable partnership with Nunataks Ltd.,” said Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner
“The new contract will enable the Nature Center
to make unparalleled contributions to our entire community.”
The Greenburgh Nature Center is not just a haven for wildlife
and exhibits provide visitors of all ages with opportunities to connect with nature and learn about the world around them
The Nature Center’s educational programs play a crucial role in fostering environmental stewardship
offering hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and inspire action
“This is a place where families can gather
and individuals can recharge in nature,” said Alix Dunn
we are committed to ensuring that the Nature Center remains an accessible and enriching resource for all.”
which has a contract to buy the property located at 57 N Central Park Ave
in Greenburgh proposes to demolish the existing building and construct an approximately 1,668-square-foot Taco Bell with associated site improvements
The Business Journal reported in June of last year that Kai’s representatives had met with members of the Town of Greenburgh staff and Planning Board to discuss the possibility of moving ahead with a proposal
An application for the project now has been filed with Greenburgh
Kai operates other Taco Bell restaurants in the Hudson Valley
Attorneys David Steinmetz and Matthew Behrens of the White Plains-based law firm Zarin & Steinmetz are representing the applicant
They said that the project will involve obtaining site plan approval and a Special Permit from the Greenburgh Planning Board along with certain zoning variances from the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals
The property covers approximately 0.41-acre and presently is improved with a single-story
1,728-square-foot commercial building with a total of 24 parking spaces
The proposal involves demolishing the existing
“Honey Baked Ham” building to make way for the new Taco Bell
It would offer an on-site restaurant and drive-thru window
The existing site configuration provides separate in and out driveways
The proposal calls for a single curb cut with a two-way
In addition to the 24 on-site parking spaces there would be eight queuing spaces for vehicles in-line for the drive-thru
The attorneys point out that the property is located in the Town of Greenburgh’s CA Central Avenue Mixed-Use Impact District
which means that the project will need to obtain a special permit to allow for “quick service or fast-food establishments.” They say that the project meets the Town Ccde requirement for it not to be located nearer than 2,000 feet to another such establishment as measured from their property lines
The attorneys say that there will be sufficient security to prevent the use of the premises as a loitering place during hours of operation and that there will be proper facilities and personnel for disposal of the trash and other debris
They also say that the project will be in harmony with the orderly development of the district
They say that the project will not create pedestrian or vehicular traffic hazards and will not have signs
fumes or lights that will hinder normal development of the district or impair the use
enjoyment and value of adjacent land and buildings
Published 4 months ago4m ago • Bookmarks: 281
Property owners in the villages in the Town of Greenburgh will see no increase in their town taxes in 2025
In the $104 million budget approved by the Greenburgh Town Board on Dec
for homes where assessments remain unchanged
Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner said few changes were made to the spending plan he proposed a few months ago
“One of the reasons why few changes were made in the budget was because we all worked together on the budget
“Much of the give and take took place before the budget was even proposed.”
A new position created by the Town Board for 2025 is Operations Director
which Feiner said he has lobbied for years
The position will pay an annual salary of $175,000
“I had originally proposed that the position report to the town supervisor
should report to the entire Town Board,” Feiner explained
“The board will work on a job description in 2025.”
The interest revenue account for the town outside the villages was adjusted to $2 million from $25,000 after being under budgeted in previous years
The Medical Insurance expense for all funds was adjusted to an estimated 3% increase and the bond principal and interest expense accounts were reduced after town officials received the amortization schedule
Town taxes are only about two percent of the total tax bill for residents who live in the villages
on several animal abuse charges after killing a small dog in Greenburgh in December
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace said Cory Eulin
of Valhalla was indicted by a Westchester County Grand Jury after being charged Wednesday with aggravated cruelty to animals
Cacace said Eulin is accused of grabbing a small Shih Tzu by the neck and throwing it into the street near the area of Manhattan Avenue and Beech Street in the Town of Greenburgh around 3:45 p.m
The force of the throw slammed the dog's head into the cement
Cacace said Eulin then allegedly attempted to assault the owner of the dog after they confronted him for killing the pet
Eulin is alleged to have done here is unconscionable," said Cacace in a statement Thursday
"There is no place in society for such brutal acts of violence against our beloved pets
The Westchester County DA’s Office will continue to exhaust all of our resources to fight against cruelty to animals.”
Eulin was arrested by the Greenburgh Police Department and charged by a Grand Jury with aggravated cruelty to animals
third-degree menacing and second-degree harassment
Eulin was released on his own recognizance and is expected to return to court on April 30
Published 4 weeks ago4w ago • Bookmarks: 171
Video Link to one hour seminar Greenburgh sponsored: how to obtain a civil service job in Greenburgh
Planning follow up seminars with current employees who can discuss their experiences with job seekers and give advice…
If you lost your federal job this could be helpful
Are you a federal employee who is now out of work
If yes – you should watch the presentation at the Greenburgh Library that we recently taped
from Westchester County Human Resources provides lots of important information that could help you prepare for civil service exams and increase your chances of being hired by for government jobs in NYS
https://vimeo.com/1064830005?share=copy
PLANNING FOLLOW UP SEMINARS TO HELP THOSE OUT OF WORK PREPARE FOR CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS
In THE coming months I plan to organize a series of seminars that I hope will be even more helpful to those seeking government jobs
My thought: Will invite current employees in different departments to participate in seminars talking about their experiences applying for and being selected for civil service jobs
They will also discuss the work they are currently doing and provide those seeking jobs with advice
Most government jobs in NYS require civil service tests
I’m going to break down the seminars by job categories. If interested in attending – please advise what kind career in government you’d be interested in. E mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com
Want you to have the best chance of finding employment
Published 8 months ago8m ago • Bookmarks: 163 • Comments: 3
A 23-year-old graduate of Edgemont High School has stepped forward to mount a challenge against longtime Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner
the son of Jamaican immigrants who lost his father when he was eight years old
has set his sights on earning the Democratic nomination in a likely primary next June
“Supervisor Feiner has been in office for 33 years—spanning decades that have seen immense social
yet Greenburgh has remained stagnant,” Fisher said
Fisher first got involved in public service at 16 as an intern at the Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations
where he learned about diplomacy and policy work
He moved to the Czech Republic to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations
ministers of defense and politicians across European countries
He later served as Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman at the PVBLIC Foundation
promoting community-based climate resilience in the fisheries sector with the government of Jamaica
Fisher said he offers a fresh face and new ideas to Greenburgh
“We need to restore confidence and trust in our elected officials,” Fisher said
“I believe that the American Dream is still very much alive
Diversity and inclusion are the bedrock of our nation
and we are at a pivotal moment to bring Greenburgh together
I am confident in my ability to unite our community
We can’t just allow Paul to run unopposed.”
whose career in public service started at 12 in 1968 when he worked as a volunteer on the successful Congressional campaign of Ogden Reid
said he expects to run for reelection next year and again in 2026 for a two-year term
“I have met Cornel a few times since he decided he is going to run against me
but really don’t know much about his past civic involvement or management employment experiences
We have accomplished a tremendous amount recently.”
Feiner said last year Fortune Magazine and Money cited Greenburgh as one of the best places to live in the northeast and United States
He also mentioned Greenburgh has started a Chamber of Commerce and the Town Board rezoned property that enabled Regeneron to construct a $1.8 billion expansion
“This year I proposed and we implemented our first artists market which was very successful and a repair café in Greenburgh where volunteers help repair items for free,” Feiner said
after years of lobbying Con Ed is testing underground wires on Birchwood Lane in Hartsdale
We received a grant to assist the town in the preparation of zoning updates for the FEMA to lift up homes on Babbitt Court
flooding issues and pedestrian safety as some of the top issues facing Greenburgh
“I understand that progress often requires a courageous leader who is willing to confront daunting challenges and overcome adversity,” Fisher said
Published 8 months ago8m ago • Bookmarks: 188
The Greenburgh community is mourning the loss of the wife and daughter-in-law of town Councilman Francis Sheehan who were killed in a fiery car crash Monday morning in White Plains
and her daughter-in-law Diana Trochez Sheehan
were traveling on Battle Avenue after dropping off two children at daycare when Sheehan lost control of the electric Tesla she was driving
hit a curb and a tree and crashed into an apartment building before exploding
“We are trying to determine what happened here — if it was a mechanical issue or a personal
medical issue or something like that,” White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong told media outlets
two children inside the apartment building were treated at the scene for injuries and a jogger was struck by debris
Both women were found deceased and badly burned inside the car
“The Greenburgh Town Board members and the entire Town of Greenburgh staff
mourn the loss that has befallen our dear friend and colleague
Councilman Francis Sheehan,” the Greenburgh Town Board said in a statement
“We ask that you join us in expressing deepest condolences to Francis
his son and their entire family for this terrible loss
we ask that you honor the Sheehan family’s privacy and allow them time to grieve
If you wish to send expressions of condolence
The Scarsdale Uniformed Firefighters Association, where Francis Sheehan, Jr. is a fire captain, have created a Meal Train for the Sheehan family, which allows people to schedule to bring food or have a meal delivered. People can sign up at https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/0146w9
Firefighters have also created a fund for the family’s four young grandchildren, called Fund The First. Contributions can be made at https://fundthefirst.com/campaign/support-for-the-youngest-sheehans-pwqkki
Wake and funeral arrangements are still being made
Millie Sheehan was a longtime Greenburgh Democratic Committee recording secretary
and her daughter-in-law was a district leader
a longtime opponent of Edgemont village incorporation
has rejected a third petition seeking a vote on creating the town of Greenburgh's seventh village
Feiner's rejection of the petition comes eight years after activists began a campaign to create the village of Edgemont in what is now an affluent hamlet of Westchester County's biggest town
They want to create a village government that would better hear citizen voices on planning and development issues and the provision of public services
Feiner cited objections raised by several Greenburgh residents
Edgemont was exempted from the new law because its petition drive was already underway
the town supervisor decides if a village incorporation petition meets state standards for acceptable signatures and has an accurate map of the proposed municipality
Still miffed that Edgemont was exempted from the new law
Feiner said the village supporters will have to live with the strict requirements of the old statute
“The supporters could have sought to change the old law’s petition requirements to explicitly provide for liberal interpretation
or that the proposed boundaries be described in plain English
or that the list of inhabitants of the proposed village be as accurate as possible after due diligence
or that children’s names be redacted,” wrote Feiner
the supporters sought only to comply with the old law
as they learned from their first two failed attempts.”
More: Stewart-Cousins, Paulin clash over Edgemont incorporation in last days of Albany session
Feiner said he believes the town has the strongest case yet against incorporation
Assisting the town in reviewing the issue was attorney Jerry Goldfeder
one of New York’s leading election-law lawyers
“I’m confident that they did not comply with the statute
and the courts will rule in our favor,” said Feiner
co-chair of the Edgemont Incorporation Committee
said Feiner had raised issues already deemed acceptable in previous court cases
He said the incorporation committee was considering returning to state Supreme Court for a third time to challenge Feiner's rejection
“He has accepted objections and ignored the court guidance,” said Sherwin
“It’s clear that the supervisor will do anything to ensure there is no vote on incorporation.”
Feiner found that the committee failed to comply with state law that required that the petition be filed with the town supervisor
with Town Clerk Lisa Nero and Town Attorney Joe Danko
who told him they were accepting the petition on Feiner's behalf
More: Greenburgh digging in to fight Edgemont's campaign to create town's 7th village
courts upheld objections to the map of the proposed village
which were then based on the boundaries of the Greenville Fire Department
the incorporation committee hired a surveyor to draw new lines
Again objectors claimed the map was flawed
Some argued that submission failed to comply with the law’s requirement that the map be identified with “common certainty.” They said the technical description in the surveyor’s report was not understandable to non-experts
land surveyor Steve Willard objected to the map along the Greenburgh-Yonkers border
saying that it differed from the county clerk’s map of the area by one inch at one location
He extrapolated that the one-inch difference on the marker placement could lead to a 10-foot sliver of contested land along the border
“I therefore cannot say with certainty that the proposed territory avoids crossing the town/city border,” he said
said he was with the surveyor when they located the roadside monuments and surveyor markers embedded in rocks that were the basis of the original maps
He said modern satellite technology was able to pinpoint a more exact location for the marker
“There was no way back in 1930 that they have the technology that was this precise,” said Sherwin
challenged the town to comply with the state Freedom of Information Law by providing documents related to the incorporation process that were requested on Feb
The committee is looking for communications between town officials and interested parties on the issue
Town Attorney Joe Danko wrote Sherwin that he could expect the documents within a week
Danko told Sherwin to expect the documents by Oct
Sherwin still is uncertain if Danko will deliver
you also said that you needed another week
and then nothing is produced,” Sherwin said
said that Danko was working with the incorporation committee to provide the requested records
Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner and the town have begun a series of seminars designed to help people find and qualify for government jobs
Feiner’s action provides a sharp contrast with what’s happening at the federal level
where the Trump Administration has been sharply curtailing the number of jobs at the federal level through mass firings
“(We) will invite current employees in different departments to participate in seminars talking about their experiences applying for and being selected for civil service jobs,” Feiner says
“They will also discuss the work they are currently doing and provide those seeking jobs with advice
Most government jobs in New York state require civil service tests.”
Feiner says that the intent is to include discussions of how to prepare for civil service tests as a feature of the seminars
Greenburgh has already sponsored the first seminar in the planned series
Frank Celentano from Westchester County Department of Human Resources talked about job offerings posted by the country and procedures for applying to fill various openings
Celentano said that Westchester County has about 30 specialized departments
with about 4,500 employees serving in about 3,000 distinct job titles
He said that the Department of Human Resources administers civil service exams for positions within county government and also holds exams to help fill jobs in 120 local agencies including villages
He explained that the New York State Civil Service Commission is responsible for scoring all of the tests and it sometimes can take several months for people to find out whether or not they have passed
He also noted that not all government jobs require passing a civil service test
“There are plenty of opportunities out there,” Celentano said
“What I preach is take the time to review
do your research on what positions you are looking to apply for before you just click the apply button.”
Celentano said that every job the county posts as available has certain qualification requirements as well as job responsibilities
He said that people need to make sure they meet the job requirements
which might include having a certain type of college degree or a specified minimum number of years experience in a particular field of endeavor
A video recording of Celentano’s presentation can be viewed on the Greenburgh Library’s Vimeo site
“Being out of work is very stressful,” Feiner said
“Want you to have the best chance of finding employment.”
A nurse practitioner from Greenburgh who pocketed more than $600,000 by stealing the identities of a dozen doctors so she could fraudulently get $11 million in student loans excused was sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison
District Judge Cathy Seibel rejected Catherine Seemer's bid for just two years in prison for a five-year scheme in which she defrauded the federal Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Program by falsely claiming non-existent disabilities for 125 borrowers
Catherine Seemer has been held accountable for defrauding a federal loan forgiveness program created to help ease the financial burden of those who suffer from permanent physical or mental disabilities
including military veterans who endure service-related disabilities," U.S
Attorney Danielle Sassoon said in a statement
was arrested in 2022 and pleaded guilty in March 2024 to federal financial aid fraud and aggravated identity theft
The identity theft charge carried a mandatory minimum of two years in prison and the guideline sentence for the financial aid fraud was 46 to 57 months in prison
Seemer agreed at the time to pay $635,352 in restitution
the amount the government calculated she collected in fees from borrowers as percentages of the loans she got wiped off the books
Although borrowers were required to have disabilities to qualify to have the loans discharged
Seemer wrongly convinced many that they could also qualify if they supported family members who were disabled
Seemer used the doctors' identities to sign off on the applications that the borrowers were disabled
asked for just a single day on top of the two-year mandatory term
citing primarily that Seemer is a single mother of a special-needs teenager
He also argued that the government could eventually be made whole by reinstating the student loans that had been dismissed as a result of Seemer's fraud
Attorney Qais Ghafary argued in court papers that the guideline sentence was appropriate and that Seemer should serve 70 to 81 months in prison
He wrote that Seemer had minimized her role and claimed without proof that there were doctors and borrowers who participated in the scheme
"Seemer victimized the federal government's loan relief fund for disabled people; she victimized doctors
whose names and reputations were used to commit an $11 million fraud; and she victimized borrowers
who may now be resaddled with $11 million in student loans that they genuinely believed were discharged years ago," Ghafary wrote in his sentencing memorandum about why Seemer did not merit leniency
Published 7 months ago7m ago • Bookmarks: 183
Funeral services will be held this week for the wife and daughter-in-law of Greenburgh Councilman Francis Sheehan who were killed in a fiery car crash September 16 in White Plains
Family and friends will have the chance to pay their respects on the same day and time for Millie Ortiz Sheehan
who two weeks ago were traveling on Battle Avenue after dropping off two children at daycare when Millie apparently lost control of the electric Tesla she was driving
before crashing into an apartment building
Both women were found deceased and badly burned inside the vehicle
The cause of the crash has not been revealed
Visitation for both women will be held Monday
at Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home in Dobbs Ferry
at Church of the Sacred Heart in Hartsdale
Millie Sheehan met her husband of 43 years in 1974 while working part-time at a computer company in Manhattan
She worked as a school psychologist in the Greenburgh School District for 30 years before retiring last year
her four grandchildren were the light of her life
nurturing spirit touched them each day in ways that will forever shape their lives
beautiful smile and ability to listen to others and understand what they were trying to say
She created a home filled with love and laughter and was also a wonderful cook
but she always made sure a stack of fresh pancakes were waiting for her grandchildren before they headed out to school or daycare
Millie is survived by her mother Cruz Ortiz
daughter Christine and her husband Brian Kane
while studying accounting at Binghamton University
She worked for CohnResznick as a senior accountant
forming many bonds will colleagues who became like family and friends to her
You could always find her beautifully dressed with a smile on her face
sister-in-law Christine and her husband Brian
the Scarsdale Uniformed Firefighters Association has set up a Families of First Responders Scholarship Fund
which may be found by searching “Support for the Youngest Sheehans.”
A Brooklyn-based state appeals court ruled last week that the USA Today Network New York can access reams of police discipline records that had been withheld for years by the town of Greenburgh
said that the town's attempts to shield all unsubstantiated allegations of misconduct within its police department
and to withhold disciplinary files created before 2020
A troubling trend of NY police crashes Devastating injuries. Very few consequences. How frequent NY police crashes wreck lives.
could be obtained by the public or by journalists
allows members of the press and public to request access to government records
The USA Today Network requested these records from every police department in New York state in 2020
we will periodically update our police records database so readers can access misconduct documents coming from their local departments
Explore our database of misconduct records from New York state police departments here.
A number of police departments across the state
have fought the release of their disciplinary files
Inside Herkimer police records: Gun fired in police station, Taser used on pregnant woman
Last week's decision follows a recent string of cases in which the Second Department and other appellate courts have ordered the release of unsubstantiated records and pre-2020 records
These courts have opined that nothing in current law allows for the categorical withholding of these classes of records
The Second Department has been described as the busiest appellate court in the country, covering an outright majority of New York's population and adjudicating most of New York's appellate cases
Mount Vernon ordered to release records Mt. Vernon police records ruling: 'Citizens who are being policed have the right to know'
"The Second Department has consistently ruled on these issues and has gotten it right every time," said Kelly McNamee
an attorney with Greenberg Traurig representing the USA Today Network in its public records litigation
"The judicial tides have changed at the Appellate Division
They're just applying the plain language of the FOIL amendments as they clearly should be applied."
has agreed to review these issues in its upcoming term
despite the ongoing consensus of the appellate courts
Asher Stockler is a reporter for The Journal News and the USA Today Network New York. You can send him an email at astockler@lohud.com. Reach him securely: asher.stockler@protonmail.com
Published 3 months ago3m ago • Bookmarks: 445
If you have a snow removal company or will only remove snow for a fee
We’re also looking to publicize discounts for Greenburgh seniors
the Greenburgh snow angels were able to help about 40 families
However- there are many more residents who asked for help -and we did not have enough volunteers to help everyone
If you can help tomorrow and during future storms
zacharyphilips34@gmail.com or alexbryanshapiro@gmail.com” and copy me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com
Zachary and Alex are students who are working hard to coordinate the program and to help as many seniors as possible
The snow angel program is made up of volunteers who help seniors and disabled residents
When the program was set up over 30 years ago it was designed to assist those on fixed incomes who can’t afford to pay
Many seniors have expressed to me they are happy to pay – they just maybe need a good discount for seniors and a reliable person/vendor who is trustworthy so they feel safe
A 34-year-old man was arrested after throwing a bag full of a white substance out his window during a traffic stop on Interstate 87 in Westchester
were both found during the traffic stop in Ardsley
when troopers pulled over a BMW X5 traveling northbound on the Thruway through the village of Ardsley
New York State Police announced on Tuesday
identified as Jeikob Javier Guzman of the Bronx
troopers saw him throwing a clear plastic bag containing a white substance down a roadside embankment
An investigation found that the bag contained 18 grams of cocaine
Troopers also found metal knuckles in Guzman's possession
Guzman was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance
and criminal possession of a weapon among other charges
He was taken to police headquarters for processing and arraigned in Greenburgh Town Court
News 12 New YorkWhere to WatchDownload the AppYale/New Haven HealthMotorcycle
van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuriesA crash involving a motorcycle and van on Thursday caused serious injuries and a significant road closure for more than four hours in Greenburgh.News 12 Staff
The accident happened around 1:30 p.m. near the corner of Jackson Avenue and Fort Hill Road
Drivers in the area told News 12 the road was completely blocked off
with all the cars stopped - creating a traffic nightmare
Some drivers said they were making U-turns to be able to get out of the area
It is still unclear as of Friday afternoon how the crash happened or how many people were hurt
and the gas tank was 100 feet down the road," said Jeff DeMarco
Two people were taken to Westchester Medical Center
Officials say one only had minor injuries and was released from the hospital
They say the other person was seriously injured and is currently listed in critical condition
The two victims of the electric car crash in White Plains Monday were identified as the wife and daughter-in-law of a Greenburgh Town councilmember
The Greenburgh Town Board released a statement Tuesday confirming that Millie Ortiz Sheehan
and their daughter-in-law Diana Trochez Sheehan
died after the Tesla hit a curb and a tree before crashing into an apartment building and exploding on Battle Avenue
Police say the two were just returning from dropping off Trochez Sheehan's two children at daycare
"We ask that you join us in expressing deepest condolences to Francis
his son and their entire family for this terrible loss," the town board said
the former New Rochelle resident and Vietnam War veteran wrongfully convicted of raping a teenage girl in 1975
sued the town of Greenburgh and Westchester County on Monday
accusing former officials of conspiring to frame him for the assault
Mack says that law enforcement officers working for Westchester County and the Greenburgh Police Department made repeated
suggestive remarks to the two teenage victims of the attack in order to get them to identify himself
An officer with the Westchester County Parkway Police
the precursor to the county Department of Public Safety
pulled Mack over on the Bronx River Parkway shortly after police had sent out an alert with general details about the suspect
who had been held at gunpoint in a wooded area of Greenburgh
reported that the assailant was a young Black man
The suspect was also reported to have used a black gun
As Mack was detained on the side of the parkway
police ferried one of the victims to the scene "in a one-person show-up procedure," according to the lawsuit
which called the tactic "highly suggestive."
Despite the victim failing to identify Mack as the assailant during this roadside process
Gerard Holley later reported this second viewing as a positive identification of Mack as the assailant
"This representation was false," the lawsuit said
misrepresented the circumstances of this identification procedure to make it appear more reliable."
The two victims were later brought to county police headquarters where several
additional attempts were made to get them to identify Mack
the lawsuit says that these procedures were also tainted by improper suggestion
the two victims were showed a photo array of potential suspects
with only Mack posed in front of a May 1975 calendar
Mack was also wearing a distinctly colored
knit shirt that police had previously shown to one of the victims
Testing showed rapist's blood type was not Mack'sSerological testing was performed on stains in the rape victim's underwear
indicating that the assailant had type A blood
the Westchester County forensic pathologist handling the case
Felgenhauer testified that Mack "could have been the source of the semen" recovered from the rape victim's underwear
even though "her own testing and basic principles of the field demonstrated he was definitively excluded as the source," the lawsuit said
"Had she communicated the truth to the prosecutor
Mack would have been dismissed before trial," according to the lawsuit
Both Holley and Felgenhauer have since died
though their estates are named as defendants in the lawsuit
Mack served 7.5 years in prison before being released on parole
he has lived for 47 years under the cloud of a rape conviction
his conviction was overturned after the Innocence Project intervened in his case
with the assistance of the Westchester County District Attorney's Conviction Review Unit
the DNA evidence from the rape victim's underwear was retested and came back with a match to Robert Goods
who confessed his responsibility for the attack
Goods had himself been convicted of committing another rape just weeks after the Greenburgh assault
Mack has been living in South Carolina for the last 30 years
His is believed to be the longest wrongful conviction in U.S
as his innocence was apparent from the beginning," Mack's lawsuit says
"He did not look like the true assailant Robert Goods
had a corroborated alibi for the time of the crime and was excluded by serological evidence as the rapist before trial."
Asher Stockler is a reporter for the USA Today Network New York. You can send him an email at astockler@lohud.com. Reach him securely: asher.stockler@protonmail.com
State Police are now asking for the public’s help as they continue to investigate a serious hit-and-run crash that left one driver seriously injured on the Sprain Brook Parkway in Westchester County
The scene of the crash on the Sprain Brook Parkway in Elmsford
The crash happened around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 27, near mile marker 9.4 in Elmsford, as Daily Voice reported.
A preliminary investigation revealed that one vehicle rear-ended another
causing the second car to crash and leaving its driver seriously injured
The injured driver was transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment
The driver of the striking vehicle fled the scene
police announced that investigators are seeking witnesses or anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area around the time of the crash
Anyone with information is asked to call New York State Police at 914-742-6057 and reference case number RMS# NY2500356057
The investigation remains active and ongoing
A man wanted in the November bludgeoning death of his ex-girlfriend in Philadelphia was arrested over the weekend in Westchester after fleeing a traffic stop
were alerted to a suspected stolen car from Virginia and attempted to stop it in Greenburgh
The driver initially pulled over but then sped off
He then took off on foot but was soon taken into custody by troopers
The driver produced a fake ID and had multiple fake identifications
but was determined to be Geovanni Otero through fingerprint analysis
was wanted on a murder charge by Philadelphia police and the U.S
Marshals Service after the body of his ex-girlfriend
identified in Philadelphia press reports as Melody Rivera
Otero is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania
He is being held at the Westchester County jail as a fugitive from justice and is also facing New York charges of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property
Published 9 months ago9m ago • Bookmarks: 455
The Greenburgh Nature Center is close to signing a new 25-year contract with the Town of Greenburgh
but it’s been a challenge to reach this point
has been trying for about the last 18 months to re-up with the town
Nature Center officials were at wit’s end over why the Town Board seemed hesitant to extend the 25-year lease for another quarter of a century
a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Nature Center
said the Town Board’s delay had hampered the Nature Center’s efforts to seek grants and donations and plan for future projects
“We apply for grants that go for three years,” Ludden said
“Big projects are on hold because donors have no desire to build anything if we’re not going to be there.”
The Nature Center operates with an annual budget of about $1.4 million
the Nature Center proposed the town could be on the hook for no money in case the Village of Edgemont actually incorporates
which would be a financial hit for Greenburgh—as long as it agreed to renew the contract
There were crickets from the town since then
after the Nature Center went public with the situation
the Town Board discussed the contract at a work session and presented a tentative contract
Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner stated on Facebook there was no chance the Nature Center
would close or the 33-acre preserve would be repurposed
“We are dealing with a 25-year contract and have a responsibility to do our due diligence regarding the terms and financial obligations,” Feiner stated
“Over a year ago the members of the Town Board offered to extend the lease to the Greenburgh Nature Center for 25 years –enabling the center to continue to use the land
The Nature Center is a great asset to our community
I’m optimistic that we will work things out with the Board of the Nature Center.”
A representative for the Nature Center said there are a few issues that have to be worked out with the proposed contract
but representatives will be discussing the matter and hope to reach an agreement before the Town Board meets in September
The town of Greenburgh will be hosting our 2nd annual on Saturday
2025 from 11 am until 4 pm – with a rain date of Sunday
April 27th at Richard Presser Park off of Central Ave
Hartsdale (a very visible location with free parking)
The Rivertowns is known for our exceptional artists. If readers are interested in exhibiting work, please submit your applications to https://bit.ly/greenburghartists. I’d appreciate it if you would also copy me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.
This year we will also be charging a $50 registration fee to those accepted. We will use the funds to publicize the event. Deadline to apply is end of February. Selections made by March 15.
I look forward to this exciting event, promoting the arts and celebrating our local talent. I will also be working with our cable TV team to promote the work of our artists on cable TV and social media.
RiverJournalOnline is the online publication of River Journal and River Journal North, both published by River Towns Media LLC, Briarcliff Manor, NY. No part of River Journal or River Journal North including photos, artwork, ads and text may be reproduced without the written consent of the Publisher.
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Vietnam veteran who spent almost eight years in prison for a rape he didn’t commit is suing Westchester County
the town of Greenburgh and several people he says played a role in his wrongful arrest and incarceration
Leonard Mack, 73, was exonerated last year after DNA testing confirmed his innocence and identified the person who prosecutors said actually committed the 1975 rape
Mack is seeking accountability for the decades he spent under the shadow of a wrongful conviction
“It was horrible to be charged with such a horrific crime,” he told Gothamist
“I thought it was a dream that I was going to wake up from.”
Westchester County and Greenburgh officials did not respond to requests for comment on Monday
after two teenage girls reported they were stopped at gunpoint
blindfolded and gagged while walking home from school in Greenburgh
The teens told police the assailant was a young Black man with a gold earring who was wearing a black hat
officers spotted Mack driving along the Bronx River Parkway
noted he was a Black man in his early 20s and pulled him over
even though he was wearing a yellow tank top and blue checkered pants
He told police he didn’t rape anyone and had been with his girlfriend that afternoon
but they found a revolver in his trunk and arrested him for gun possession
But he was also convicted of first-degree rape
even though a test of bodily fluids had determined before trial he was not a match for the semen found at the crime scene
He was sentenced to 7.5 to 15 years in prison
“When I heard the word 'guilty,' everything just went blank,” Mack said in an interview
Mack said he filed appeals from prison and leaned on his spirituality to keep his spirits up
care packages and visits from family also helped him to remain hopeful — though his mother refused to visit
“My mother said she could not bear to see her child
who she knows didn't commit this crime and was put in prison
she could not come to see him behind bars,” he said
Mack said he felt confident he would one day be found innocent
‘I’m gonna fight this until I prove my innocence
I don’t care how long it takes,’” he remembers telling himself
The office found DNA from the crime scene matched the DNA of another man who was convicted of a rape in Queens that happened just a couple of weeks after the assault in Greenburgh
The DNA testing excluded Mack as a perpetrator
The review also uncovered suggestive procedures police had used to convince eyewitnesses to identify Mack
even though he didn’t match the original description of the suspect
The lawsuit alleges police used various tactics to try to convince the teens that Mack was the assailant after they both failed to recognize him
including showing them a misleading photo array and having them look at Mack in a room where he was the only Black person
The DA’s office and the Innocence Project asked a judge to overturn Mack’s conviction last year
Mack said he filed his lawsuit because he doesn’t want anyone else to be wrongfully convicted like he was
His children were two months and three years old when he was arrested
His daughter died before her father was exonerated
Mack explained through tears on a phone call on Monday
He said his son didn’t learn until later why his dad was in prison all that time
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the upcoming lawsuit during a speech in Harlem on Saturday.
The Trump administration is imposing ideological conditions to federal funding. NYC and 7 other cities say that's illegal.
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Gothamist is a website about New York City news
New details have emerged in the disappearance of an aspiring politician from New York
Petros Krommidas was last seen on Long Beach late Wednesday night
was reported missing to Nassau County Police on Thursday
Krommidas, a Democratic candidate for the Nassau County Legislature’s Fourth District, parked his car near the Allegria Hotel in Long Beach and walked onto the beach to exercise at around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, friend Maria Lo shared on Facebook
and phone on the beach the following morning
"He has always been in great shape and has many future plans including participating in a triathlon
He was not a stranger to cold water training," Lo wrote
adding that it's "completely out of character" for Krommidas not to respond
Relatives are asking for the public's help in walking the beaches
especially the area between Lido Beach and Jacob Riis Park
Krommidas is described as 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds
He was last seen wearing a camouflage-print sweatshirt and gray sweatpants
The Nassau County Democratic Committee released a statement urging the public to share Krommidas’ information across social media and help bring attention to his disappearance
Krommidas has worked as a Democratic Party clerk and field organizer since 2024 and had a previous career in finance, including roles as a growth equity associate at Sageview Capital and an investment banking analyst at Morgan Stanley, according to his LinkedIn page
He graduated from Columbia College and earned his MBA from Columbia Business School in 2017
Just a day before he vanished, Krommidas spoke at the Nassau County Young Democrats’ monthly meeting in Garden City. “Thank you to the Nassau County Young Democrats for having me—always great to be with such a thoughtful, engaged group committed to making a difference in our community,” he posted on Facebook Tuesday
Worry has spread across social media in the days since his disappearance
“I recently had the good fortune to meet Petros Krommidas at a film screening and am incredibly concerned and alarmed to hear about his disappearance
Please share!” Kimberly Cooley said on Facebook
Anyone with information is asked to call the Nassau County Police Department’s Missing Persons Squad at 516-573-7347 or dial 911
Share this story by clicking the Facebook icon below
A contract has been signed by the Town of Greenburgh and Nunataks
the nonprofit that operates the Greenburgh Nature Center for Nunataks to continue operating the Nature Center through Dec
The Nature Center is on 33 acres of land with an address of 177 Hillside Ave.
and has been operating since the mid-1970s
Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner told the Business Journal that the new contract was approved by the Greenburgh Town Board
“I took a tour recently of the Nature Center and there are some really amazing things they’re doing,” Feiner said
which is a new trail with books along the trail for kids to read
They’re planning a visitor’s center
They really are doing new things and have a lot of exciting initiatives planned.”
The contract provides for Greenburgh to pay Nunataks $337,100 for Fiscal Year 2024 and $350,000 in subsequent years
In addition it provides for maintenance services from Greenburgh’s Departments of Central Services
Feiner said that having a contract with the town and receiving aid from the town should help the Nature Center in its fundraising efforts
The contract requires Nunataks to develop and maintain a host of exhibits including maple sugaring sites
The center currently has more than 100 animals
It estimates there are about 90,000 visitors a year
The new contract requires that the Nature Center grounds and outdoor exhibits be open and accessible every day from dawn to dusk and specifies minimum operating hours for certain indoor exhibits
Feiner pointed out that the amount Greenburgh pays to the Nature Center can be cut in the future if Edgemont succeeds in incorporating as its own town
resulting in a loss of revenue for Greenburgh
The contract specifies that the Nature Center’s 33 acres of land and buildings are owned by the town and the land is dedicated as parkland
“The Nature Center to me is the closest thing to heaven on Central Avenue,” Feiner said
“When you get to the Nature Center you’re only a few seconds away from Central Avenue but you feel as if you’re in paradise
People move to the town and enjoy the town because of our quality of life initiatives
It’s really a first-class local nature center.”
president of the Board of Directors of Nunataks Ltd
“We are deeply grateful to the Town of Greenburgh and our supporters for recognizing the importance of environmental education and conservation.”
Kathy Hochul this week signed legislation making it easier for people to play pickleball
Among the many bills the governor signed Wednesday – including one that helps maple syrup makers
and others that allow restaurants to sell alcohol near houses of worship – is one that clears the way for the Westchester County town of Greenburgh to lease park space to a company that wants to build a bubble for year-round play of tennis and pickleball
The law tweaks legislation passed in 2012 by expanding the definition of tennis facilities to include “other sports which require the use of racquets or paddles to strike balls or objects.”
It’s an attempt to take advantage of the growing popularity of the nation’s fastest growing sports
Pickleball participation has grown 223% since 2020
according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association
Utilities: Anger over rates, overcharges fuels push for public takeover of NY utilities. What’s next?
“Pickleball is like motherhood and apple pie,” said Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner
who enlisted the support of state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
“A politician who comes out against it is not going to be very popular.”
And a Hochul spokeswoman added: “Governor Hochul wants New Yorkers to put their mental and physical health first
and she remains committed to helping New Yorkers get offline and get outside – whether that’s taking a dip in the pool or playing pickleball at a local park.”Why would New York’s governor get involved in an issue that seems to be something the people of Greenburgh should decide
each of which has its own municipal services like planning and recreation departments
Taxes for residents of unincorporated Greenburgh are higher because their bills cover all municipal services plus town recreation facilities
And those facilities are only open to residents in unincorporated Greenburgh
Bikes: Bumpy ride on Cuomo Bridge bike path poses hazards for cyclists. What caused it.
home to the town's swimming pool and formerly a country club
A developer called Sportime wants to build tennis and pickleball courts
since taxpayers in the unincorporated section of Greenburgh pay for the park
That would limit how many people come to play tennis and pickleball
which would not be good for Sportime’s business
A state law was needed to open it up to all visitors
The idea for an all-season bubble has been kicked around for more than a decade but Feiner said discussions have heated up over the past year
“This just makes it easier for them to be successful because there are a lot of people who will want to play pickleball indoors,” Feiner said
Legal challenges through the years necessitated the move to get the governor’s blessing
“It’s been a hassle because people in unincorporated Greenburgh look at Veteran Park as a jewel,” Feiner said
It’s an amazing pool and recreation facility and the villages don’t pay recreation taxes to the town so they don’t have access to the pool.”
Efforts to allow day passes for those outside the unincorporated town have proven controversial
“Now that pickleball is so popular we felt that we needed additional permission from the state to modify the Finneran Law,” Feiner said
The courts are not near residential property so the clackety-clack of paddle to ball that can grate on neighbors' nerves won’t be an issue
Campaign: Greenburgh digging in to fight Edgemont's campaign to create town's 7th village
He estimates the projects will deliver millions in property taxes over the next 15 years
Feiner says money from the property will finance upgrades at the park
including energy-producing solar canopies in the parking lot
“The passage and signing of this legislation is a fun and exciting step forward for our community,” Stewart-Cousins said
“By expanding the use of these courts to include pickleball
we’re creating more opportunities for residents to engage in healthy
Providing accessible and enjoyable ways to stay active is especially vital for our aging community.”
“Recreation is vital for the physical and emotional well-being of our communities
and the Town of Greenburgh can now offer a full range of racquet sports
Columnist David McKay Wilson contributed to this report
transportation and economic growth for the USA Today Network’s New York State team
He’s won dozens of state and national writing awards from the Associated Press
the Deadline Club and others during a decades-long career that’s included stops at the New York Daily News
The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record of Hackensack