2024 at 12:39 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The suspect who was believed to be armed and dangerous sparking a massive police presence and shelter-in-place orders for some residents NY — A fugitive wanted for shooting a Westchester woman to death took his own life as police closed in following a car chase Domestic violence led to the slaying of a woman in a home on East Main Street in Jefferson Valley A 63-year-old woman was shot and killed Saturday evening at the Coach-n-Four Apartments in Jefferson Valley The shelter-in-place order was called off shortly before midnight Ciniglio was taken into custody by the NYPD 911 calls began coming in reporting shots fired at the Coach-n-Four apartment complex Officers were dispatched to the scene where they found 63-year-old Geraldine Krecmer lying on the walkway in front of an apartment with a gunshot wound Law enforcement officers arrived to assist with the manhunt from state Westchester County Police Aviation and their Special Response Team "SRT" arrived 51-year-old Salvatore Ciniglio was soon identified as the suspect He was reportedly homeless with his last known addresses in Queens and Ardsley Police say Ciniglio had an estranged domestic relationship with a family member of the victim Information of a vehicle possibly used by Ciniglio was shared with area law enforcement agencies and it was learned that the vehicle had entered the Bronx at about 10:15 p.m NYPD was alerted and Ciniglio's location was narrowed to smaller area in the Bronx then transported by ambulance to Jacobi Hospital federal and district attorney law enforcement partners who assisted us this evening," Yorktown Police Department Police Chief Robert M Noble said in a statement released early Sunday morning "We thank the public for their patience,support prayers and support are with the family of the victim of this violent crime." Yorktown police are continuing the investigation it appears as if Ciniglio acted alone and there are no other suspects Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact the Yorktown Police Department's Detective Division at 914-962-4141 Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The search for a man suspected of fatally shooting a Yorktown woman Saturday night ended in the Bronx when he shot himself as police pursued him later died in a hospital from the self-inflicted gunshot wound The manhunt began shortly after town police responded to a domestic violence report Saturday night at the Coach 'N Four apartment complex on East Main Street in Yorktown's Jefferson Valley and found the 63-year-old victim Ciniglio apparently confronted her there that night when she returned home Authorities said Ciniglio had a troubled relationship with Krecmer's daughter Police issued a shelter-in-place warning to town residents late Saturday night after identifying Ciniglio as the suspect NYPD officers in the Bronx observed the car Ciniglio was believed to be driving and pursued it Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lachterman said the town would support Krecmer's family however it could He commended the work of town police and thanked state and county police and other law enforcement agencies who assisted in the investigation Authorities were not sure where Ciniglio was living but it appeared from Westchester land records that he bought a multi-family home on Saw Mill River Road in Ardsley two years ago The Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights 14 on the first phase of a $60 million revitalization project for the mall one that officials have called a “style evolution” that will last roughly two years Ohio-based real estate investment company WP Glimcher upgrades to its food court and other interior upgrades who represents Yorktown Heights ”” and helped kickstart the renovation process as a Yorktown town councilman six years ago ”” said phase one involves demolishing an old movie theater The vacant theater will become additional retail and restaurant space which will begin after the movie theater demolition is complete landscape improvements and the construction of a new entrance along Route 6 Workers spent much of the summer removing asbestos from the vacant theater to begin the renovation process The project is expected to be completed in 2017 The mall will remain open during construction “Today marks the culmination of more than six years of hard work on behalf of the residents of Yorktown and the Hudson Valley,” Murphy said adding that the renovation would create jobs and reduce the tax burden on Yorktown residents we appreciate the continued support of the town of Yorktown as this much-anticipated project comes to fruition.” seating and updated restaurant storefronts New bathrooms with modern fixtures and flooring will also be added including a family restroom and nursing room ceiling tiles and soft seating will be installed throughout the 73-store mall Officials said new retail offerings are also expected A 50,000-square-foot Dick”™s Sporting Goods store is expected to open by spring 2017 and will serve as an anchor store on the east side of the mall at Hill Boulevard “We have been a staple in this community for more than 30 years and this investment by WP Glimcher signifies our vision for continued success,” said Roberto Luciano Indianapolis-based real estate company Simon Property Group sold the mall to WP Glimcher and a spokeswoman for WP Glimcher said it is not yet determined whether Simon will continue to manage the mall throughout the entirety of the renovation process WP Glimcher was created in May when Glimcher Realty Trust merged with Washington Prime Group which had been spun off by Simon a year earlier WP Glimcher owns and operates 121 shopping centers in the U.S Simon initially proposed the $60 million mall upgrade in 2009 After nearly four years of public hearings the Yorktown Town Board in October 2013 approved Simon”™s proposal to add an additional 32,000 square feet of space to the mall which would increase the gross leasable area of the mall by 20,000 square feet Simon operates The Westchester and The Galleria at White Plains; The Shops at Nanuet; and Woodbury Common Premium Outlet in Central Valley It opened in 1983 and has roughly 550,000 square feet of retail space No changes have been proposed for the mall”™s two anchor stores Other national stores in the mall include Forever 21 Elected officials and members of the Westchester business community joined inÂ a groundbreaking event Aug “Jefferson Valley Mall has had a strong presence in the evolution of the town of Yorktown for many years,” town Supervisor Michael Grace said “The mall continues to be a valued community resource as an economic engine sales tax revenue and adding to the quality of life for our residents.” Yorktown Chamber of Commerce President Eric DiBartolo said “We expect (the mall) to once again become an economic engine for Yorktown and the surrounding communities.” 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 has announced its merger with the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce whose membership numbers approximately 400 opportunities and services for businesses and organizations across northern Westchester County and southern Putnam County community connections and regional initiatives will also be bolstered (Mohegan Lake east of Lexington Avenue is also a Town of Yorktown hamlet while Mohegan Lake west of Lexington Avenue is under the jurisdiction of the Town of Cortlandt.) the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce has achieved remarkable milestones in growing membership and fostering economic growth,” said Karen Trendell it became clear that the time was right to engage in new opportunities for growth and impact We are excited to merge with Hudson Valley Gateway to help reach the next level of success including creating deeper collaborations and a more vibrant resilient and prosperous business environment.” “The merger opens new doors for Yorktown’s businesses by extending their reach across a broader geographic area,” said Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lachterman providing our business owners with greater access to regional resources and a stronger platform to share their messages.” The Yorktown Chamber of Commerce will host an Open Forum at 6pm on Thursday 5 outside the Chamber office on the first level of Jefferson Valley Mall Chamber executive board members and representatives from Hudson Valley Gateway will be on hand to discuss the merger and answer questions All are welcome and refreshments will be served 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 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 51-year-old man was apprehended outside of a Northern Westchester mall after stealing from a Dick's Sporting Goods location The incident happened at the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown when Yorktown Police officers responded to the Dick's Sporting Goods locale in the Jefferson Valley Mall after store staff reported a theft Officers soon got a description of the suspect and found him near the 24 Hour Fitness in possession of a Yeti cooler valued at $450 51-year-old Mount Vernon resident Ralph Veal allegedly carried the cooler past cashiers while making no attempt to pay Veal was then arrested and taken to police headquarters where he was charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property He was then released on his own recognizance 2024 at 10:14 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Meeting a baby dinosaur is a once-in-an-epoch experience NY — After an absence of hundreds of millions of years dinosaurs are returning to the Hudson Valley and we couldn't be more delighted North America's "largest and most realistic traveling dinosaur experience" is roaring into the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights for the first time ever The company behind Jurassic Quest says that they developed the exhibit with leading paleontologists making sure that "each dinosaur is brought to life using realistic likenesses Organizers say that there will be life-size Find out more about the Jurassic Quest Experience here and purchase tickets for the Yorktown Heights event here The Jefferson Valley Mall is located at 650 Lee Blvd Yorktown, NY HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected. Don’t miss what’s happening in your community.Subscribe to receive a daily digest of the people, places and things that make our community great. Copyright ©2025 HamletHub™ Receive unfettered access to our digital content including our Examiner+ bonus content newsletter and get other perks like free tickets to local performing arts complimentary advertising for your favorite local charity either observed and verified directly by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources The Town of Yorktown has officially severed ties with the developer of a new Par 3 golf course in Jefferson Valley for failing to correct numerous building code violations and not opening the facility as promised The action by the Town Board last week came as no surprise since the board voted in early September to terminate a Concession Agreement with RC Recreation Department LLC if it was unable to clear up outstanding violations and expired mechanical “The developer has vacillated from giving us four false reopening dates to claiming that our contract does not require him to give us a projected opening date It’s clear to the Town Board that this company is an unreliable partner that is either incapable of redeveloping our golf course or unwilling to do so in a reasonable time frame,” said Supervisor Matt Slater town inspectors visited the golf course and found electrical hazards and many unresolved violations cited in July including people illegally living in trailers Parks Superintendent James Martorano told the Town Board some of the recent shoddy work at the nine-hole golf course included laying the sod on the golf greens before installing the irrigation system “I don’t see this golf course opening with this group within the next two years Yorktown Recreation Commission Chairman Matthew Talbert told the board the prolonged closure of the golf course has been frustrating and to move forward with this group is not in the best interests of the town it’s just that they’re not getting the job done,” Talbert said The property has not been used since 2007 when Shallow Greek Golf Course shut down town officials entered into a 10-year agreement with RC Recreation to restore the site as Valley Fields Golf Course but progress stalled when RC President Rocco Cambareri died in 2017 the lease with RC was extended to 2028 when one of Cambareri’s partners assumed control Valley Fields was fined by the state for doing work without a required permit A 2021 spring or summer possible opening never materialized the town’s Planning Board approved the site plan for Valley Fields After the golf course failed to open as promised on July 4 weekend Building Inspector John Landi issued a stop work order to RC outlining 18 “barebones necessities” that needed to be resolved before golfers could be on site Landi also revealed that two campers had been planted on the property for more than a year with one allegedly being used as a dwelling When Landi and Yorktown Police visited there was evidence of someone living in the camper and they were ordered to leave a road rage incident on Route 202 and Stony Street led to the arrest of a man illegally squatting at the golf course and charged him with two misdemeanor counts of menacing and endangering the welfare of a child Flynn was involved in a dispute with a motorist and is accused of displaying a large butcher’s knife and threatening to kill the motorist in front of his child Flynn told police that he lived at 795 Route 6 “This is another sad chapter in this terrible saga Anyone in town who has tried to work with this group won’t be surprised by this It is time for this bad actor to get out of our town,” Slater remarked “Their performance has been a failure and this latest incident is completely unacceptable.” RC filed an Article 78 proceeding in state Supreme Court in July accusing town officials of using a “Keystone Cops approach to local zoning enforcement” and engaging in a “politically motivated campaign.” RC specifically named Slater Esposito and Landi have not hidden their desire to replace RC at any cost and along the way have not only engaged in conduct that is arbitrary and irrational and contrary to law but have also breached the contract in several respects and violated RC’s rights to procedural and substantive due process and the right to be free from warrantless searches and seizures Fifth and 14th Amendments in the United States Constitution,” the lawsuit states RC maintains the redevelopment of the course has “from time to time been delayed by external and unanticipated factors The Town Board is seeking Requests for Proposals from other vendors to operate the golf course “Everybody has really tried to work with this group,” Esposito said last week “It’s unfortunate that it hasn’t been reciprocated We were all on board trying to get this group to succeed.” Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/ We'd love for you to support our work by joining as a free, partial access subscriber, or by registering as a full access member. Members get full access to all of our content, and receive a variety of bonus perks like free show tickets. Learn more here. Copyright © 2025 The Examiner News 2021 at 1:57 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights is expected to stay open with "business as usual" while its owner files for bankruptcy NY — Jefferson Valley Mall will be staying open even though its owner has filed for bankruptcy protection Washington Prime Group has filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas The group owns Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights and Chautauqua Mall in Jamestown in New York A spokesperson for the group said the process is not expected to materially impact its operations vendors and partners where the malls are located "We expect business as usual at our town centers," the statement said "WPG plans to continue operating as normal with a primary focus on the health and safety of our guests The group said in its announcement that the COVID-19 pandemic has "created significant challenges for many companies making a Chapter 11 filing necessary to reduce the Company's outstanding indebtedness the Company remains committed to serving as a preeminent operator of retail town centers and will continue to serve its guests," the announcement said Jefferson Valley Mall retailers include Bath & Body Works Orangetheory Fitness and Peekskill Brewery Like Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages The Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights has announced "Retail To-Go," the mall's curbside pick-up program. The interior will remain closed to the public until further notice. CORONAVIRUS: How NY reopening is testing COVID-19 enforcement SHOPPING: Merchants, finally out from lockdown, face new anxiety WESTCHESTER: Business Council gives recommendations for Phase 2, 3 reopening Customers can order from the participating stores via the retailer's website phone app or by calling the store directly shoppers should click the pick-up in store option. signage directs them to a "designated pickup zone and parking spots located near the front entrance by Key Bank." Once in their designated spots customers must call the store they have ordered from and let the retailer know the parking spot number they are in the retailer's staff will bring the customer's purchase to the car. The program is operating from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It is advised to call the store before ordering as they may have differing hours. For more information, go to jeffersonvalleymall.com Heather Clark covers business openings and closings throughout Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. Keep up on the latest comings and goings by joining our Facebook group at What's going there Westchester, Rockland, Putnam YORKTOWN — Something new may be coming to the former Toys R Us building The 45,000-square-foot building at 621 Bank Road would become a self-storage facility under a plan town officials and a developer are considering Developers John DeVito and Fred Koelsch recently told the Town Board they have a contract with a partnership for the site that involves a Rochester-based company with financing from Seattle-based Columbia Pacific “They’ve partnered on a number of projects together: Columbia Pacific has done about $2 billion in real estate development so they’re two very well established businesses and they’re very excited about investing in Yorktown,” Koelsch said Other than some possible architectural modifications, the outside of the building would not see significant changes — the storage would be inside 'DESTINATION Y': Yorktown pushes itself as lifestyle and business destination in COVID-19 world YORKTOWN: Pool in Shrub Oak reopens DEVELOPMENT: Yorktown Heights: New home improvement showroom is slated for former bank The self-storage facility would need approval from town officials The proposal might be back on the Town Board agenda as soon as September Toys R Us closed its remaining stores in the area in 2018 "We're happy to do what we can to help them fill their storefront and fill their building," Town Supervisor Matt Slater said adding that "they really explored a lot of different options but ultimately it was the indoor storage that made the most sense from their perspective for that space." DeVito and Koelsch said the companies they've partnered with would like to be working on the building by year's end and be open by the end of the first quarter of next year “We spent two years marketing this building and we’ve had them there,” DeVito told the Town Board adding that the building’s size was too large for some uses in the current climate DeVito said a self-storage building tends to draw minimal vehicle traffic and these days is typically climate controlled News that the vacant space may soon be filled comes as Yorktown officials recently announced the "Destination Y" marketing campaign, coupled with streamlined permitting processes and a planned zoning overhaul to pitch the town as a destination for work and lifestyle executives seeking office space and possible new development as people are said to be leaving New York City in search of more space amid the COVID-19 pandemic "We're trying our best to do what we can to really jump-start the local economy and reboot the town," Slater said "In the world of COVID, all of these little things help." Michael McKinney covers northern Westchester. Follow him on Twitter @mikemckwrite. Visit offers.lohud.com to sign up for a subscription pizza and beer sounds like a recipe for a good summer's night out. And that's exactly what Tunes and Brews will be offering at the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights. The pop-up beer garden will be open every Friday night from June 4 until Nov 12 outside of Peekskill Brewery Pizza and Beer PB Pizza and Beer is a pizza shop offering up craft beer by Peekskill Brewery as well as a variety of pizzas Trader Joe's: What we know, and don't know about Yorktown store Renting: Why an affordable apartment in Peekskill is hard to find It's back: Some popular summer attractions return for 2021 "Yorktown is recovering from the pandemic recession and the brewery's expansion is yet another example of private businesses deciding to invest in our community," Yorktown Town Supervisor Matt Slater said "This expansion will bring new customers to the mall which is one of our vital economic engines." The pop-up beer garden event will be under a tent from 7 to 10 p.m "We're really committed to ensuring that Jefferson Valley stays dynamic and continues to be dynamic in its offerings," Alexa O'Rourke who noted that the pop-up brewery is one of the mall's planner summer series. The other, the Summer Sweat Series offers free fitness classes outside of the mall For more information on the Tunes and Brews series, go to jeffersonvalleymall.com/events-news/event/2021/06/04/default-calendar/tunes-brews Trader Joe's: What we know, what we don't about Yorktown's incoming grocer Subscribe: 'What's Going There' newsletter offers updates on retail Entertainment: Summer concerts, fairs, festivals return to the Hudson Valley The owner of the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection But "there will be no impact to operations at Jefferson Valley,” a Washington Prime Group spokesperson said in a statement The filing comes as the mall, like many around the country, has been working to evolve to meet the changing shopping habits of residents a shift to online commerce that was accelerated during the pandemic USA Today reported that Washington Prime Group filed for Chapter 11 protection late Sunday night which spun off from the nation's largest mall operator Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas "The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for many consumer-facing companies The company has determined that the Chapter 11 path is the most effective next step to resolve the company’s outstanding indebtedness as we emerge from the pandemic," the spokesperson said in the statement Yorktown: Soccer, with a side of shopping: How the Jefferson Valley Mall is transforming Mall: Jefferson Valley offers 'Retail To-Go,' announces list of participating stores Drinks: Pop-up beer garden coming to Yorktown's Jefferson Valley Mall for the summer we expect business as usual at our town centers sponsors and employees will continue operating as normal with a focus on providing enjoyable experiences for our guests,” the statement said In recent years and months the Route 6 mall has widened its focus to offer activities that families can do together, public events and art displays and services to help working parents and young professionals Washington Prime has said it was in talks with creditors to restructure its finances and that it might seek bankruptcy protection Washington Prime saw its revenue hammered last year by tenants who were unable to pay full rent or closed during the pandemic as shoppers turned to online instead of in-person purchases the company said it secured $100 million in “debtor-in-possession financing from the Consenting Creditors to support day-to-day operations during the Chapter 11 process and ensure that all business operations continue in the ordinary course without interruption.” Washington Prime listed assets of $4.03 billion and debts of $3.47 billion in court documents The company said its restructuring agreement with its creditors allows it to deleverage its balance sheet by $950 million Washington Prime Group and SVPGlobal anticipate an equity offering of $325 million as part of the restructuring. The agreement also includes some milestones including a 60-day target for the court to enter confirm the Chapter 11 plan McKinney covers breaking news for the Journal News YORKTOWN — The Jefferson Valley Mall plans to reopen on Monday, according to its website. Reopening dates for the mall’s individual tenants may vary People should check by calling ahead and going to @jeffersonvalley on social media REOPENING: Malls in New York state can reopen YORKTOWN: Jefferson Valley Mall offers 'Retail To-Go,' announces list of participating stores in Yorktown Heights, has been offering curbside pick-up while closed Among malls that already reopened this month are the Westchester in White Plains, the Galleria in White Plains, and the Palisades Center in West Nyack Months ago, Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered malls closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. They’re allowed to reopen so long as ventilation filtration systems are upgraded and social distancing is enforced as much as possible A 24-hour gym is opening in Yorktown Heights. in an area around the Jefferson Valley Mall. Opening in a space next to the entrance of the former Sears location 24 Hour Fitness will have over 37,000 square feet of fitness amenities. "We're looking forward to opening our doors to the Yorktown Heights community," said general manager Alphonso Zimbaldi in a release "Our club is conveniently located at Jefferson Valley Mall in the heart of Yorktown Heights CORONAVIRUS UPDATES: Catholic elementary schools to close next week REAL ESTATE: Brokers unsure of spring market due to coronavirus fears CLOSURE: Modell's Sporting Goods to close all stores A grand opening celebration will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m With the news of the coronavirus rapidly changing please check with the gym before heading out to see if the status of the event has changed. management said they were focused on providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone Coronavirus safety protocols have been implemented already rigorous disinfection and cleaning practices will continue Stores that had their own exterior doors were allowed to reopen in early June but stores inside malls that did not have their own direct exits were not allowed to reopen until air filtration systems were upgraded you didn’t just go to the mall to shop; you went to socialize and be seen The mall was the center of the teenage culture A young person might enter a dance contest or wait in line to see a famous actor or musician The mall centralized all of this feverish spending in one giant box CT and New York would end up with malls that would stand the test of time but one came before the other The Jefferson Valley Mall Opened in Yorktown Heights That gave it a three-year head start on the Danbury Fair Mall which opened in 1986 Mahopac and even in Danbury and were headed to “the mall’ in 1985 that probably meant you were going to the Jefferson Valley Mall By the time Danbury’s mall opened in '86 It’s a place where the expendable income of an adult would find its way into the hands of a teenager who was ready to expend it The Videos were produced by Andrew Stein Videography and posted to Youtube by the same company I'm just jealous because I was "too little" to hangout at the mall has opened at the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights. Owners Nilda and Peter Petrov first opened a kiosk at the mall around Memorial Day before opening the 5,000-square-foot space on Feb the Petrovs said they were looking for something different to do within the community. "We are a die hard Yorktown family and we wanted to bring something to the community that was lacking for the teen groups at the mall," Nilda Petrov said "We wanted to give those kids something fun to do and also something fun for parents." REAL ESTATE: Famed Larchmont waterfront property for sale for $5.8M CORONAVIRUS: Town-by-town cancellations, closures ST. PATRICK'S DAY 2020: Parades in Lower Hudson Valley, NYC (virtual reality) stations and six VR simulator machines. VR station games range from family friendly favorites such as "Angry Birds: Isle of Pigs" to older audience games like the zombie hunting game "Arizona Sunshine." Games also range from calm escape rooms to edge-of-your-seat games like "Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes" where one person acts as a bomb diffuser while their friends talk them through diffusing the bomb The VR simulator machines give visitors a deeper experience where they can feel the roller coaster "We're not trying to sell the tech of VR but the social interactions around VR tables and a concessions area," Petrov said We're planning on a bunch of themed nights." Imagine VR is working on getting their liquor license so adults can enjoy wine and beer while experiencing the virtual reality games bar and lounge will be for adults only. "We're just really looking forward to filling a void in this community that's been there for a long time and a place that the community can come together," Petrov said "We want to bring kids and parents together and provide something to do with your family." Imagine VR Studios will hold their grand opening celebration "goodies" and cookies, a live DJ and free VR demos including "Richie's Plank," where guests walk to the edge of a plank high above city streets and must jump off. "We're first in the market of fully dedicated VR studios in Westchester," Peter Petrov said "We're hoping to become something different to do." More information, including prices, can be found at imaginevrs.com. Go: Imagine VR Studios, Jefferson Valley Mall, second floor (next to Forever 21), 650 Lee Blvd., Yorktown Heights. Hours: Monday through Thursday noon to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m. After Dark hours: Friday and Saturday 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. 914-302-2745; info@ImagineVRS.com; imaginevrs.com Lyle Puente knows what it's like to not be able to afford much While a student at Brooklyn's Pratt Institute in the '80s he remembers buying white bread and American cheese at his local A & P just because it was on sale. "I bought all I could and got through the semester eating one grilled cheese every single day," he said It's that soft spot for that particular food that inspired him to start the grilled cheese truck Put Some Meat on Your Bones in 2014 HVRW: Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is back Subscribers: Sleepy Hollow cafe with a mission New Rochelle: How restaurants are rebounding on anniversary of COVID It's also what inspired him to offer a "pay what you want" model at the start of the pandemic A mainstay at the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights for the last six years he began the promotion — initially a Tuesday special — at the start of the pandemic when a lot people weren’t working and everyone was scared "I could feel the emotional strain everyone was going through and I wanted to have a little utopian bubble; a place where people could feel happy no matter what was going on in the world," he said He also offered a "Free Food Friday" promotion for first responders in conjunction with the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce "I guess I’ve been doing this program every single day for about 18 months now I’m not really sure when it went to full time," he said. While the new arrangement has cut into his bottom line — he guestimates he's lost about 40 to 50% of what he'd normally earn — he doesn't mind as long as he can cover his expenses "Winter is a little tougher because there aren’t as many people but the expenses remain the same," he said Rising food costs and supply chain issues haven't deterred him either he's turned his Mohegan Lake guestroom into a storage facility because he can no longer rely on paper goods "I bought cases and cases of napkins and trays," he said. the response to his program has been positive while others appreciate that he is supporting their community neighbors has no idea what — or who — gives or doesn't That's because he placed his cash box outside where he can't see it "I do this because I don’t want people who don’t have very much to feel embarrassed," he said. "I’m very very happy and I love the people that come here very much," he said "I truly feel like I’m everyone’s grandmother I plan on continuing the program indefinitely." Address: By the center entrance of the Jefferson Valley Mall (by Key Bank and Orange Theory), 650 Lee Blvd., 914-391-5527, putsomemeatonyourbones.com Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter. A Sears store in Jefferson Valley Mall is among 142 stores to be closed nationwide as part of the company's bankruptcy restructuring process. On Monday, Sears Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Sears Holdings will close 142 unprofitable stores near the end of the year Liquidation sales at these stores are expected to begin shortly Sears at the Shops at Nanuet and Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown, as well as Kmart in Mahopac are part of the list. Those stores are in addition to the previously announced closure of 46 unprofitable stores that are expected to be closed by November Sears and Kmart stores remain open for business and our dedicated associates look forward to serving our members and customers," Sears chairman Eddie Lampert said in a statement Clarkstown town Supervisor George Hoehmann said the town hasn't been notified of Sears' plan to close the store in Nanuet he was confident that the site would be redeveloped "I’m confident that given everything else surrounding it the level of investment at the Shops at Nanuet previously as well as the rezoning that we’re contemplating around the trains station the property is going to be even more valuable going forward," he said. "There's no shortage of opportunities here we'll work with the owner of the property to do so." The Sears store at the Galleria shopping mall in White Plains as well as the one at Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers will remain open. Pacific Retail Capital Partners purchased the Galleria mall aiming to transform the 870,000-square-foot mall at 100 Main Street. and hopefully come out better and stronger than what they were in the past," said Tom Miles White Plains Mayor Tom Roach said he was not surprised by Sears' bankruptcy filing. "This is something that we have been anticipating," he said citing the changing retail environment. "We’ve been working so hard to bring in residential and corporations exactly for this reason." SEARS: What shoppers should know "I feel bad for the people that work there "I have memories as a kid getting a wish book at Christmas time circling what I wanted." The Kmart stores at Crossroads Shopping Center in Greenburgh and Yorktown Green Shopping Center in Yorktown Heights have also been spared closing. Twitter: @LohudAkiko WHAT STORES ARE CLOSING: The list SEARS: Once mighty retailer; the highs and the lows WALMART: Closed its White Plains location TOYS R US: When large retailers close, how does it affect the local real estate landscape? most of the 9 holes at Valley Field golf course in Jefferson Valley The celebration at Valley Fields Golf Course for its opening just two weeks ago in now over with Town officials and the new operators huddled up in the clubhouse on Monday July 10 trying to determine why the 9-hole layout flooded so badly after a severe storm on July 9 Both the course and the bar-restaurant in the clubhouse were in good use with golfers and Yorktown residents curious about what was built under the leadership of Supervisor Matt Slater cancelled the contract with the previous operator RC had the job of renovating a golf course and dilapidated clubhouse that was closed for more than a decade Delays beyond their control included an inability to get materials during COVID RC had completed 90% of the renovations when their right to see the fruits of their labor and investment were taken away RC is in the middle of a lawsuit it filed against the Town and Slater claiming that they have a 10-year contract extension to renovate the course that extends until 2028 RC Principal Larry Nussbaum has consistently held that Yorktown “does not have title” to the improvements on the parkland parcel which include the renovated Valley Fields Golf Course and Valley Fields Grille and Restaurant in the new clubhouse until there is an “executed settlement” with a legal hand off with RC’s title duly signed over to the Town RC has also filed suit against Yorktown Group Golf the new company hired by the town to open the course For the first time in 16 years a nine-hole Par 3 golf course in Jefferson Valley is open for business a ribbon cutting ceremony took place for The Links at Valley Fields The Tee Bar and Grille on the same property which is near the Jefferson Valley Mall on Rt “We are so excited that after so many years this group has opened this place in 14 weeks,” Yorktown Supervisor Tom Diana said “14 weeks after waiting more than 10 years to have this jewel in the Town of Yorktown here today.” the Yorktown Town Board voted to grant a five-year concession agreement to Yorktown Golf Group and its principal owners Carmine DeMeglio and Anthony Stallone with a firm reopening date of August 18 for the golf course The town has the right to renew the contract for two five-year periods The contract calls for discounts for residents and donated course time for high school golf teams the Town Board officially severed ties with RC Recreation Development for failing to correct numerous building code violations and not opening the facility as promised a symbolic ribbon was cut to mark the opening of the course that took 14 weeks to revamp The history of the course was celebrated throughout the day at The Links A plaque was unveiled at the first hole to commemorate Rocco “Rocky” Cambareri and his original vision for the Arnold Palmer-designed course Cambareri headed the redevelopment of the course in 2014 as president of RC Recreation but he experienced various legal hurdles and died in 2017 before the work could be completed Cambareri’s family was in attendance with his wife Rebecca saying “I want to thank everyone for making this happen Yorktown Councilman Sergio Esposito proudly announced the course open for golf enthusiasts and beginners to enjoy “You can’t get folks better than this,” Esposito said of Yorktown Golf Group “and we want to thank you for doing all this hard work.” who was supervisor in Yorktown when the town was having issues with RC Recreation Development “This marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for Yorktown,” Slater said “It’s great to have partners who care about the community as much as the residents do and I have full confidence this will be very successful for Yorktown.” Donna Simone has always been aware of those in need of help she says that it “hurts to see [her] neighbor suffering.” That’s why she is determined to assist people who have been unexpectedly forced into bad situations Since August 2011, she has been reaching out to help people through difficult times with Yorktown Love In Action The program is designed to “assist people in our community who have fallen on difficult times or anything else beyond their control,” Simone explained Donna knows what it takes to not only survive but to push forward as well a survivor,” but she has always wanted to know that if something happened to her “there would be a good Samaritan to help [her kids].” Yorktown Love In Action is a non-profit organization Simone said – they don’t have enough money to help everybody they would like to reach out to “We have a few [monthly sponsors] but not nearly the amount we need. Anybody age 13 and up is encouraged to volunteer and it can serve as a great source of community service “We have people donating items to the thrift store but we need more shoppers and we need volunteers to help in many aspects.,” Simone continued They also are looking for a bookkeeper and a graphic designer The organization currently tends to help pay utility bills and mortgages Yorktown Love In Action really needs “more businesses sponsoring [our] ‘Hearts of Faith’ and sponsoring fundraisers.” Donna adds One challenge YLIA has had to face is the fact that the organization can’t help everybody who asks It may be because they don’t meet the organization’s requirements or it may be because YLIA doesn’t have enough money to help In order to accept a family as a “Yorktown Love In Action” family and assist with their bills they “must be able to get them into the financial safe zone and out of debt within one year,” Simone said but I want the community to know and be sure that the money they are donating to YLIA is definitely being used properly.” Donna said If they won’t be able to help a family in a year’s time span the money that was used to try to assist the family may end up wasted she said – so it’s better to save it for those who they can ensure will be helped in enough time Their motto is “our Love is their Hope with Faith in others.” Donna said her favorite part of Yorktown Love In Action is getting to know that she is making a difference in her neighbors’ lives Anybody who has suffered from a circumstance out of his or her control and now needs financial help but isn’t getting government assistance or stuck in too much debt is encouraged to reach out to YLIA Fundraising events include “Fitness of Faith,” “Food of Faith,” “Car Wash of Faith,” and “Heart of Faith.” To contact Donna Simone, call 914-490-3966 or send an email to yorktownloveinaction@gmail.com Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here. The movie “Drugstore Cowboy” with Matt Dillon and Kelly Lynch portrayed a drug addicted couple who would break into small pharmacies and steal their narcotic prescription drugs A modern-day group of drugstore cowboys are on the loose and have broken into three Westchester pharmacies and several more in Putnam County and the Hudson Valley in recent weeks two small pharmacies were broken into and robbed of their pain pills Jefferson Valley Pharmacy was broken into two weeks ago and this week Taconic Pharmacy had their front door shattered and their meds gone The two pharmacies are located less than ¼ mile apart.The thieves were wearing masks making it difficult to ID surveillance cameras in both Yorktown Pharmacies and in their shopping centers Yorktown Police also have a large police presence in the Jefferson Valley neighborhood McConville reported an investigation into a burglary of a pharmacy in the Town of Southeast Deputies were dispatched to the JNR Pharmacy for a commercial burglar alarm activation Upon arrival it was determined that the front glass door was smashed and that unknown suspect(s) had entered the building but fled before the deputy’s arrival The owner was contacted and is in the process of determining the amount and type of loss Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators are looking into this case and working with other law enforcement agencies to determine whether it is related to other pharmacy burglaries that have occurred recently in the area.” Another incident in Bedford occurred one hour after the Southeast break in officers were dispatched to the Bedford Pharmacy located in Bedford Village for a commercial burglar alarm activation Officers quickly arrived and observed that the front glass door was smashed and that unknown suspect(s) had entered the building stealing multiple types of medicine but fled prior to patrol officers arrival The Bedford Police Department’s Detective Bureau is investigating this case and working with other law enforcement agencies to determine whether it is related to other pharmacy burglaries that have occurred recently in the area.” Further north the Beekman Pharmacy was robbed in the same way and the same drugs stolen.The thieves have drawn the attention of the Drug Enforcement Agency in New York who reports that pharmacy thefts tripled since 2021 the drug store break ins are by drug addicts the DEA said that this recent rash of break ins and the similar way in which they have been conducted DEA officials said the people who break in typically used to be individual drug users but they are now seeing a transition to organized crime carried out by groups The Putnam County Sheriff is treating the incidents as if they are connected Westchester law enforcement has been quiet about these incidents and are searching for suspects One of the pharmacies burglarized was installing a safe to place their narcotic prescriptions in for overnight safety 2016 at 5:13 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;} New retail offerings at the Jefferson Valley Mall will include DICK'S Sporting Goods and Torrid It's all part of the significant renovation project currently underway at the shopping center in Yorktown. H&M celebrated its new space there last week. “This is an exciting time for Jefferson Valley Mall as we continue to evolve and offer the best possible shopping experience,” said David Napolitan plus ongoing interior and exterior renovations will signify our commitment to the Yorktown Heights community as their place to shop and relax.” As the largest full-line sporting goods retailer in the U.S. DICK’S Sporting Goods offers a broad assortment of brand name sporting goods equipment apparel and footwear in a specialty store environment This 45,000-square-foot anchor store is scheduled to open during fall 2016 in Center Court Fashionistas will rejoice as Torrid is anticipated to open this summer This fashionable addition for women between the sizes of 12 to 28 will be located near T-Mobile in the upper level of the Macy’s wing JV Mall officials hope stylish shoppers will flock to take advantage of Torrid’s on-trend clothing Also as part of the JV Mall’s ongoing renovation shoppers will begin to notice new mall branding interior cosmetic upgrades and other retail offerings which recently opened near New York & Company These retail enhancements complement Jefferson Valley Mall’s existing mix of popular retailers For more information, including a complete list of retailers, please call (914) 245-4688 or visit the website. PHOTO: H&M celebrated its new expanded space at the JV Mall March 9./contributed Support local news by joining as a member! Receive unfettered access to our digital content, including our Examiner+ bonus content newsletter, and get other perks like free tickets to local performing arts, complimentary advertising for your favorite local charity, restaurant deals, and much more! After sitting vacant for over two years, the former Toys “R” Us building in Jefferson Valley could soon be redeveloped into a self-storage facility. Plans submitted to Yorktown officials from Hanlon Architects in July calls for the construction of a CubeSmart Self Storage on the 3.6 acres of land. The 45,000 square-foot building, located at 621 Bank Street near Route 6, would require a zoning amendment to make the facility a main use in the C-1 zone. The zoning currently allows for self-storage when there is an established main use, planning officials said. The code further states that self-storage facilities can only be conducted in a space served by loading docks and accessed from portions of the building not visible from the main frontage of the site. Despite the code, officials believe it’s time for that to change. “Self-storage, like many businesses, is evolving,” Yorktown Planning Director John Tegeder said during the Town Board’s Sept. 8 work session. “The product, in terms of how the buildings are constructed, has evolved from what we used to expect to much more well-designed and interior loaded self-storage facilities.” He added that building wouldn’t look like a mental warehouse, but instead something with nice architecture on each street front. Tegeder noted a high quality facility would likely entice more customers to use it. Officials agreed amending the town code to allow for this use would be an appropriate step forward to fill the storefront. The building was made vacant in 2018 when Toys “R” Us shuttered its doors after the retailer filed for bankruptcy the year prior. Councilman Vishnu Patel said the project would be a nice addition to the town, while Councilwoman Alice Roker explained the zoning should accommodate the type of use self-storage facilities offer. “People use self-storage very differently than they used to use self-storage 20 years ago,” Roker said. “It’s a different animal today than what the code provided for.” A draft of the text amendment is expected to go before the Town Board Tuesday night. Once reviewed, officials will send it to all other boards for comment, and eventually subject to a public hearing. The proposal also requires an amended site plan approval from the Planning Board. Tax Watch columnist David McKay Wilson was in for a surprise when he checked his receipt. I needed a black suit for a funeral so I went to the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown on Oct I thought — and I could use a new belt as well because I’d lost weight since I’d last bought one but not too much for the funeral services for the 100-year-old woman who’d been my mother for a year while I was an exchange student in Norway 48 years ago I picked up a conservative blue dress shirt for the service and took a chance on a bright yellow shirt I’d wear at an upcoming dance I found the belt and five-pack of Calvin Klein undershirts After signing up for a Macy’s charge card which came with an extra 20 percent off I found the sales receipt and reviewed my Macy’s splurge to focus more on exactly how much it cost me To my astonishment, there were two entries on the receipt for the sales tax. That consumption tax is one I covered extensively in my Tax Watch column, as Westchester County this year upped its share of the county sales tax by 1 percentage point That raised the sales tax in places like Yorktown to 8.375% which includes 4 percent for New York state and 0.375 percent for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority the first sales tax entry — labeled “RGLR Tax” — levied a tax of 8.375% on my clothing haul But there was a surprising second entry – called “LOCL Tax” – which took another 4.375% to pay for my funeral garb This started my education into the intricacies of New York's complex sales tax regimen. I knew I wasn’t in my grandmother Charity's birthplace in the Canadian province of Ontario where what they call the “harmonized sales tax” is 13% I placed several calls to the Yorktown Macy's store but forget about finding anyone to pick up the line After crowd-sourcing the issue on my Facebook page Monday morning and seeing a considerable interest in the issue, I decided I had more research to do. So I made two more separate purchases to see if double taxation was a one-time occurrence in the Macy’s men’s department I pulled a sharp $180 Calvin Klein jacket from the rack It was the Macy’s “RGLR tax” — 8.375%, just as it should be Then I went past the display of colorfully patterned socks It was the Macy’s “LOCL Tax” of just 4.375% I’d made three transactions at the same register — the one in the men's department by the Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren jackets next to the brilliant Nautica winter coats Macy’s had charged me three different sales tax amounts on three separate transactions One woman took back the Calvin Klein jacket — the one with the 8.375% sales tax Then I announced I wrote the Tax Watch column and had some questions about the irregular sales-tax changes on the funeral suit to whom I related my tale of sales-tax woe They are trying to figure out an explanation.” She called her supervisor who met me at the Michael Kors counter She explained that I was charged a total of 12.75% sales tax on the funeral suit and accessories because I’d ran up a bill to such heights that I'd broached a threshold where the extra tax kicked in. where he turned his back and spoke on his mobile phone to a colleague at Macy’s HQ “Now I've got to see what’s wrong with our system.” He processed the sales tax refund to my advantage Franco declined to charge me the extra 48 cents “I apologize for the inconvenience,” he said Clothing costing less than $110 is exempted from the state's 4 % sales tax 21 to reflect updated information regarding New York's sales tax system with clothing costing less than $110 exempt from the 4% state sales tax. Follow David McKay Wilson on Facebook and Twitter @davidmckay415 BRONXVILLE PROPERTY TAXES: Eastchester, supervisor stand strong against revaluation SPECIAL REPORT: Bronxville homeowners, scions of wealth, can thank outdated assessments for tax breaks 2022 at 12:16 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Macy's is bringing Toys "R" Us to every Macy's store in America in time for the holiday season NY — Shopping for toys just got a little more convenient — and a little more nostalgic if you fondly remember Geoffrey the Giraffe — when you are in a Macy’s in the Hudson Valley As of Saturday, Macy’s expanded partnership with the Toys “R” Us shops arrived in “every Macy’s store in America” — just in time for the holiday season The in-store shops will range in size from 1,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet The footprints of some of the stores could get larger during the holiday season in order to offer a wider assortment of toys To celebrate, Macy’s and Toys “R” Us will present a nine-day extravaganza of events and activities for kids — all in honor of Geoffrey the Giraffe’s birthday The Macy’s Toys “R” Us in-store shops will also feature a life-size “Geoffrey on a Bench” photo opportunity for families And to make sure parents and family members can find the perfect toy, Macy’s and Toys “R” Us compiled this year’s “must-have” toys, including a Hot Wheels Monster Truck Tournament of Titans Raceway, Disney Junior Minnie Mouse Marvelous Mansion Playset and Lego Jurassic World T-rex and Atrociraptor Dinosaur Breakout. Check out the top 10 toys of 2022 here YORKTOWN – With the Sears at Jefferson Valley Mall among the 142 stores closing nationwide one question Tuesday was what that will mean for the Sears space Sears had already downsized at the mall. the Town Board voted to allow health and fitness centers at the mall following a proposal from Seritage Growth Properties Seritage said it had interest from a 24 Hour Fitness to move into the retailer's first floor, some 38,000 square feet They also proposed the space be expanded As a step in that reconfiguration plan the Sears store downsized and moved to the second floor And the Sears Auto Center was vacated with an eye toward converting that portion of the property for another use An Orangetheory Fitness is scheduled to open in the lower floor not far from the former Sears location at the end of the year Other tenants have not been announced. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Seritage Growth Properties said the 142 unprofitable stores will close near year's end Some 687 stores — Sears and Kmarts — will remain As for the to-be-vacated second-floor Sears space, John Tegeder expressed optimism that a tenant could be found. "They could rent the Sears store out to another store," he said. BANKRUPTCY: Sears will shut its Yorktown and Nanuet stores CLOSING: The list of Sears stores closing as part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy FORMER MURPHY'S: Office and retail will go on Yorktown site of popular eatery Editor’s note: We don’t want to leave you hanging “What’s up with” is designed to update our previous coverage and keep you up-to-date on important projects around the Lower Hudson Valley. in Yorktown’s Jefferson Valley hamlet The town has a licensing agreement with RC Recreation Development to create and operate the course with a clubhouse/restaurant on the same 12-acre site where Shallow Creek Golf Course was located and the property was donated to the town in 2007 RC Recreation Development was established by resident Rocco Cambareri to create a course and a business partner is working with the town to bring the vision to fruition The Town Board voted two years ago to extend to 2028 its agreement with RC Recreation Development to create and operate the course A nonprofit has been doing fundraising/grant-seeking for the project LATEST DEVELOPMENT: A building — for a restaurant and clubhouse — has undergone renovation and is set to be the first thing to open on the property There is no firm timetable yet on when it will open The eventual 9-hole course would be open to residents and non-residents Plans are for the course to be accessible to people with disabilities and for a discount for veterans to use it The course is “going to be state of the art," said James Martorano, superintendent of the town’s Parks and Recreation Department. "It's going to be wonderful.” “The town is very excited to have it completed,” said Town Supervisor Matt Slater “We think it’s going to be a great asset to the community.” YORKTOWN: Soundview Preparatory School has closed after more than three decades GOLF: Efforts continue on plans for 9-hole public golf course in Yorktown DEVELOPMENT: CVS approved; construction begins on Starbucks, AAA Travel Store in Yorktown UP NEXT: Town officials are awaiting word from the state Department of Environmental Conservation on a few details for the project to move forward One issue is whether the building and a driving or putting range — using a hole that is outside of a wetlands area — could open together while work on the rest of the course waits, said Martorano Another is whether work done on the property was what DEC considers to be a disturbance or whether it was part of general maintenance of rebuilding a golf course "A rebuild essentially of the existing course — we’re staying within the footprint of the existing course," Martorano said If the DEC concludes there was more than an acre of disturbance it could trigger an additional permit process “We’re not working on it until we’ve hashed out what (the DEC) wants and what they need to move forward,” Martorano said. The DEC did not respond to questions from The Journal News/lohud Michael McKinney covers northern Westchester. Follow him on Twitter @mikemckwrite. Visit offers.lohud.com to sign up for a subscription A brand-new eatery in Northern Westchester is quickly making a splash provides diners with freshly-prepared dishes The new coffee spot boasts its own roastery and "a unique experience that goes beyond your typical cafe." located in Jefferson Valley at 3677 Hill Boulevard may have only opened its doors at the end of March 2023 but has already made a name for itself by providing guests with a cozy and unique atmosphere alongside its handcrafted beverages which features large windows and plenty of greenery mixes an industrial style with modern touches from handpainted murals to a neon sign above a stage built to accommodate live music Common Grounds offers homemade pastries and a full breakfast menu with plans to expand to offer dinner and Sunday brunch menus With beans roasted in-house and unique drink add-ons like maple cold foam Common Grounds’ coffee menu seems to shine “When you enter the aroma of the fresh coffee and yummy treats just get you in the best mood,” wrote Liana M Liana raved that the coffee was “ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS.” “I am a sucker for a caramel-flavored anything “AND LET ME TELL YOU THE BEST ONE I’VE HAD IN MY LIFE Also citing the “great vibes” of Common Grounds was foodie Andy Chen who told the Peekskill Foodie Facebook group that their vegan bowl with chili lime shrimp was “healthy and tasty.” Common Grounds is open seven days a week and offers the full food menu Wednesday through Sunday A new women's boutique is coming to Rockland and Westchester counties including one in the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights and another at the Shops of Nanuet The Jefferson Valley Mall store is located at the former Charming Charlie location The Shops at Nanuet store is located between Gap and At Home. FOR SUBSCRIBERS: 11 Hudson Valley restaurants close due to coronavirus ROCKLAND: Cheap Old Houses Instagram sensation founded by Nyack couple FALL FOLIAGE 2020: How will leaf peeping look this year? "Versona promises to be a fun shopping experience where women can find unique on-trend styles at a great value," said John Cato "We are excited about our newest Versona stores opening at The Shops of Nanuet and the Jefferson Valley Mall." The new stores are operating on reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Go: Jefferson Valley Mall, 650 Lee Blvd., Yorktown Heights. The Shops at Nanuet, 6127 Fashion Dr., Nanuet. Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. shopversona.com Macy's is planning to lay off about 2,350 workers and close five stores as the company hopes to reduce spending and redirect costs The Wall Street Journal first reported that the company sent a memo Thursday afternoon announcing the cuts Macy's said about 13% of its corporate staff will be laid off and around 3.5% of its total work force But luckily for Lower Hudson Valley residents there are still plenty of locations to shop including the Palisades Center in West Nyack the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights and the Paramus Mall in Paramus Some local stores have closed in the last few years, like the Macy's at the Galleria Mall in White Plains, which closed in March 2023 and the location at the Nanuet Mall, which closed in April 2019 Thursday's memo said the stores that are closing in 2024 are in Arlington The memo said Macy's is looking to add automation to its supply chain and outsource some roles but did not specify which roles would be switched the company said it would be adding more visual display managers to improve the look of the stores and invest in improving customers' digital shopping experiences Of interest: Google layoffs continue as tech company eliminates hundreds of jobs in ad sales team The Wall Street Journal wrote that Macy's corporate change up comes as current president Tony Spring is expected to take over the role of Chief Executive Officer next month from Jeff Gennette Macy's is also feeling the pressure from activist investors who launched a $5.8 billion dollar bid to buy out the company But Macy's is not the only major company preparing for layoffs this year. Google announced two layoff rounds in the last two weeks Amazon also announced it was cutting 35% of its workforce at its livestreaming platform Twitch and in its movie and TV sector General Motors, NBC News and apps like Discord and Duolingo announced cuts early this month as well Macy's memo said layoffs are expected to begin at the company around Jan — USA TODAY reporter Gabe Hauari contributed reporting for this story A New York Yankees breakout rookie is scheduled to appear in Yorktown Heights 23-year-old Venezuelan New York Yankees star Oswaldo Cabrera made his Major League debut in 2022 having signed with the Yankees as a free agent when he was just 16 Cabrera played for the Somerset Patriots of Double-A Northeast in 2021 He led the team in hits and runs batted in and was named the league's most valuable player The Yankees added him to their 40-man roster protecting him from being eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft The Yankees optioned Cabrera to the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders for the start of the 2022 season The Yankees promoted Cabrera to the major leagues on Aug and he made his major league debut that day as the starting third baseman Cabrera hit his first major league home run on Sept 11 against Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Calvin Faucher at Yankee Stadium Cabrera hit his first grand slam against Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Roansy Contreras he batted .247/.312/.429 in 154 at-bats for the Yankees Oswaldo Cabrera will be appearing at the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights There will be a sports card and memorabilia show starting at 11 am with vendors set up throughout the day with an autograph and meet & greet with Cabrera starting at 3 pm. Prices range from $49 to $149. Get more info on the event presented by BG Entertainment here New York Yankees Breakout Rookie is scheduled to appear in Yorktown Heights Read More There will be a sports card and memorabilia show starting at 11 am with vendors set up throughout the day with an autograph and meet & greet with Cabrera starting at 3 pm. Prices range from $49 to $149. Get more info on the event presented by BG Entertainment here 2024 at 1:17 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Macy's announced plans to close 150 stores over the next few years NY — Macy’s plans to close 150 underperforming stores amid slipping sales It’s unclear if any Hudson Valley stores are among those that will be shuttered The announcement came after the company posted a fourth-quarter loss and declining sales the company signaled a pivot to its luxury brands saying it will open 15 higher-end Bloomingdale’s stores and 30 of its luxury Blue Mercury cosmetics locations Macy’s has five stores in the Hudson Valley: The iconic department store chain plans to close 50 of the targeted stores by the end of 2024 Macy’s faces a proxy fight from Arkhouse Management which nominated a slate of nine directors for election to Macy's board last week Macy's rejected a $5.8 billion takeover offer from the hedge fund and Brigade Capital Management SEE ALSO: Macy's Closing White Plains Galleria Store Activist investors and pressure to increase sales are just two critical issues facing new CEO Tony Spring who succeeded Jeff Gennette earlier this month "We are making the necessary moves to reinvigorate relationships with our customers through improved shopping experiences relevant assortments and compelling value," Spring said in a statement department stores were facing intense competition from online rivals Neiman Marcus and JCPenney both filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Consumers have proven resilient and willing to shop even after a bout of inflation with some Americans trading down to lower-priced goods Macy's is maneuvering to shore up sales by accelerating the expansion of small-format stores that can provide more convenience to its customers It announced plans in October to add up to 30 small-format locations through the fall of 2025 The next round of expansion starts in the fall The department store said in January it would trim about 2,350 employees The Associated Press contributed reporting 2012 at 9:56 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Jefferson Valley man accused of and in Putnam County and Yorktown who appeared in federal court in White Plains on Wednesday and was detained without bail this case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children from those who prey on them over the Internet and endanger them," U.S Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement DeLaura has been accused of sending obscene material to a 15-year-old boy through an Internet chat site Bharara said they will use "every tool available to law enforcement to prosecute and punish those who allegedly possess and distribute child pornography.” The following allegations are based on the complaint which was filed last week in White Plains federal court: "Sex offender laws are meant to protect children from being repeatedly victimized by individuals like Jonathan DeLaura," Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent-in-Charge James T transmission and possession of images of children are as exploitative as physical abuse itself HSI is strongly committed to seeking out sexual predators who jeopardize the safety and Well-being of our youth." DeLaura faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison for distributing child pornography via the Internet He also faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for possessing child pornography; and a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for transferring obscene material to a minor DeLaura also faces an additional minimum sentence of 10 years in prison for transferring obscene material to a minor while he was registered as a sex offender Bharara said he praised the efforts of ICE HSI the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office in connection to the investigation The prosecution is being handled by the White Plains Division Assistant United States Attorney Margery B Any individual with relevant information on suspected child predators or any related suspicious activity is encouraged to contact Homeland Security Investigations in Castle Point at 845-831-1576 2012 at 4:29 pm ETThe man wanted for the robbery of a TD Bank branch in Jefferson Valley late Monday afternoon has been caught Police received an anonymous tip from a person who recognized a photo of the suspect that appeared in a Yorktown-Somers Patch story at his home and was charged with first-degree robbery Police said Sindaco went into the bank on Dec and passed a handwritten note to the bank teller threatening he had a handgun and demanding money He got away with less than $2,000 cash and fled on foot The bank was open at the time of the robbery with several employees and at least one customer inside the bank No weapon was displayed and no one was injured during the robbery Yorktown and Westchester County police officers used search dogs to comb the Jefferson Valley area in search of the man on Monday Police obtained surveillance video of the robber and circulated his image to the local media Sindaco was taken into custody without incident and was transported to police headquarters where he was processed on the charge The man is being held awaiting arraignment on Tuesday Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our newsletter Download the movie 2015 at 11:05 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Jefferson Valley Mall is launching a significant renovation program The project is scheduled to be completed during 2017 “Jefferson Valley Mall is excited announce the kick-off of this development project We have been a staple in this community for more than 30 years and this investment by WP Glimcher signifies our vision for continued success,” Roberto Luciano we appreciate the continued support of the Town of Yorktown as this much-anticipated project comes to fruition.” The mall will remain open during construction with minimal interference for shoppers “Jefferson Valley Mall has had a strong presence in the evolution of the Town of Yorktown for many years,” said Supervisor Michael Grace of Yorktown sales tax revenue and adding to the quality of life for our residents.” Among the changes: contemporary updates such as new exterior mall entrances a transformed Food Court and interior cosmetic upgrades; new bathrooms including a family restroom and nursing room; new carpeting and seating Popular stores at currently at the JV Mall include The Children’s Place Victoria’s Secret and Zale’s The Diamond Store For more information, visit www.jeffersonvalleymall.com or call (914) 245-4688 -- The Jefferson Valley Mall is to host an Earth Day celebration for children from noon-1:30 p.m The Jefferson Valley Mall will be hosting a children's event Saturday which serves as a family-friendly shopping destination will host a fun and educational free indoor event filled with plants Children will have the opportunity to plant and grow seedlings with help from Stuart's Fruit Farm and will have the chance to interact with animals Attendees also will take home animal-themed giveaways The Jefferson Valley Mall is located at 650 Lee Boulevard The event is to be in the mall's center court Learn more about the mall on Facebook A teen has been charged after she allegedly fled the scene and was involved in a fight at Jefferson Valley Mall Yorktown Police say they responded to a report of an altercation at Jefferson Valley Mall on Sunday Further investigation revealed that the 17-year-old suspect whose name will not be revealed due to the possibility of youthful offender status the teen surrendered herself at Yorktown Police Headquarters on Tuesday The suspect was processed and charged with third-degree attempted assault She was arraigned in the Yorktown Justice Court by Judge Lagonia who also issued a Temporary Order of Protection on the victim’s behalf The teen was released on her own recognizance She is scheduled to appear in the Yorktown Justice Court on Thursday – Dick’s Sporting Goods will be celebrating its grand opening at the Jefferson Valley Mall this weekend with giveaways prizes and an appearance by former New York Yankees pitcher John Wetteland Dick's Sporting Goods will be holding its grand opening at The Jefferson Valley Mall this weekend The first 100 people on line at the new 45,000-square-foot anchor store will receive Adidas Go-To Performance shirts on Friday and Saturday will get the chance to open a Dick’s Sporting Goods Gift Locker for special prizes Wetteland will be on hand from noon to 2 p.m will also get the chance to open Dick’s Sporting Goods Gift Lockers The first 100 adults in line Sunday will receive mystery gift cards Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m The Jefferson Valley Mall is at 650 Lee Blvd For more information, call (914)- 245-4688 or visit www.jeffersonvalleymall.com A 25-year-old employee at the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown was busted for allegedly stealing clothes from her employer Officers from the Yorktown Police Department were dispatched to the mall on Lee Boulevard on Tuesday where there was a report of a Hollister employee who stole clothes from her employer officers met with a Hollister loss prevention agent and conducted an investigation which found that Buchanan resident Juliana Burns Burns stole items worth an estimated $73.80 Burns was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor count of petit larceny at Yorktown Police Headquarters She was subsequently released and is scheduled to appear in Yorktown Justie Court on Jan It's spring break for many school districts in the Lower Hudson Valley where this week's forecast is a bit rainy and the weather has yet to warm up much Kids have free time and the conditions are ripe for indoor activity A couple of shopping centers in the area have dealt with recent altercations that attracted police attention before classes went on hiatus Violent episodes were reported in the last couple of weeks at the Palisades Center in Clarkstown and the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown but police said there is no increased concern about safety and security at the shopping hubs "We don't believe that there's an uptick in these kinds of juvenile incidents because the kids are off," Clarkstown Det Walker noted that there are millions of people who visit the Palisades each year and in 2018 Clarkstown police responded to 2,400 calls there "The mall is exceptionally a safe location." One of those incidents occurred on Saturday at the Palisades Center in West Nyack two boys were attacked by a group that included a woman and numerous kids The group mistakenly identified the two boys as being involved in an ongoing issue over stolen sneakers The two boys were treated at Nyack Hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening was shared on social media over the weekend and she was arrested on Monday and charged with petit larceny after being accused of stealing a cellphone from the two boys Walker said it's not yet clear how many kids were involved in the dispute but police are interviewing about 10 kids to find out who might have been involved or who might have been a witness they will be charged in Rockland Family Court The Palisades Center said in a statement today that safety is its highest priority and it is cooperating with police "The isolated incident shared across social media is absolutely unacceptable," the mall said "While this incident undermines the tireless efforts by our security team community partners and local law enforcement agencies that make Palisades Center a year-round family friendly destination it only strengthens our resolve to remain vigilant and committed to providing a safe environment for our guests a 13-year-old boy from Dobbs Ferry turned himself in to police on Monday following a previous confrontation at the Jefferson Valley Mall Yorktown police said they responded to the mall on March 31 when a boy had reportedly been punched and kicked by three people One of the attackers was identified as the Dobbs Ferry resident He would have been charged with attempted third-degree assault if he had been an adult No other information on the incident was available from police Thomas Gentner said today that "the mall is not as busy as it once was," and the security staff there does a good job "There was a time when the mall was very busy," he said But I don't recall anything in the last couple of years where anything's been documented that that's a big problem anymore." general manager of the Jefferson Valley Mall said today that the top priority is "the safety of our guests retailers and employees," and the staff is working with police to investigate the March 31 incident "We have a strong security presence at Jefferson Valley and work with Yorktown Police 24 hours a day "Jefferson Valley is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for our guests." PALISADES CENTER: Here's what's new for 2019 MALL EXPANSION: Is it time to lift Palisades Center covenant? JEFFERSON VALLEY: What effect will Sears closing have on mall? Twitter: @MattSpillane New York Knicks legend John Starks is set to make Hudson Valley return John Starks gained fame playing for the New York Knicks in the 1990s as a professional basketball shooting guard and he's the Knicks all-time leader in three-point field goals (982) He was also the first player in NBA history to make 200 three-pointers in one season He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 1997 Last December, Hudson Valley Post reported that John Starks would be appearing at the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown for a meet and greet in front of Pro Image Sports. It was also reported that Starks visited to the Hudson Valley's newest seafood restaurant J's Seafood Kitchen at the mall Many memories as a kid growing up visiting the Jefferson Valley Mall Check out hilarious 80's images of the popular mall in Westchester Read More Last December, Hudson Valley Post reported that John Starks would be appearing at the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown for a meet and greet in front of Pro Image Sports. It was also reported that Starks visited to the Hudson Valley's newest seafood restaurant J's Seafood Kitchen at the mall Check out hilarious 80's images of the popular mall in Westchester.