Jon Craig

Reporter

[email protected]

Pleasantville native Jon Craig is special editor for the Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange and Dutchess Daily Voice sites. He is also the primary reporter for Daily Voice Plus Politics in Westchester and Fairfield.

Jon graduated from Cornell University and received his master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. Across a 35-year career, he's worked as a reporter for daily newspapers in Chicago, New York, Ohio & Washington, D.C and as managing editor for weekly newspapers in Rye, White Plains and Harrison.

Jon also writes periodically for the Cornell Chronicle.

Career Highlights:

  • Covered Metro-North train wreck that killed a motorist and five commuters, 2015
  • Researched state investigative project for PublicIntegrity.org, 2011-12
  • National MADD award for database analysis of repeat drunk drivers in Ohio, 2008.
  • Henry F. Guggenheim Fellow, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 2010.
  • Sentenced to jail for protecting confidential sources (won on appeal), 1999.
  • Broke 30th anniversary story about Kent State shootings — using FBI records, resurrecting theory a student informant triggered fatal National Guard volley, May 2000.
  • Covered Ground Zero after Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks.
  • Uncovered voting problems before & during presidential recount in Ohio, 2004.
  • Witnessed botched Death Row execution of Romell Broom in 2009, one of more than a dozen I covered; Wrote about three inmates whose death sentences were commuted to life without parole.
  • Won IRE, SDX and multiple national & state awards for series led by Erik Kriss investigating New York General Assembly. 1994.
  • Guest lecturer at universities in NY & Ohio. Taught Syracuse high school journalism class.
  • Co-authored IRE-award winning series on illegal restraints/beatings at juvenile detention centers. Gov. Mario Cuomo had NY inspector general confirm what Hart Seely and I found at Division for Youth & fired top directors, 1993.
  • Survived Air Force Kool School training at North Pole, 1996.
  • Covered Persian Gulf wars, including 2002 bomb missions from Turkey and stateside Army/Air Guard training. 1991.
  • Supervised overnight coverage of Pan Am Flight 103 after Libyan bomb killed 35 Syracuse University students over Lockerbie, Scotland, 1988.
  • Covered aftermath of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s fatal plane crash from Cape Cod, 1999.
  • Greeted Kurt Vonnegut Jr. as Cornell Sun sports editor during daily's 100th anniversary dinner in May 1980. 

Jon Craig's Contributions

These Westchester Stores Are Catering To Last-Minute Shoppers These Westchester Stores Are Catering To Last-Minute Shoppers These Westchester Stores Are Catering To Last-Minute Shoppers
These Westchester Stores Are Catering To Last-Minute Shoppers WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- If you waited till the official start of winter to Christmas shop, or just haven't found the perfect gift or stocking stuffer for a loved one, here are some last-minute ideas. Owner Joe Mazzullo of Awesome Items at 229 Harrison Ave. in Harrison will even assess the value of any malfunctioning train set from Christmases past and offer a trade at his store, which also sells musical instruments, toys and sports memorabilia.    Just up U.S. 1 in Rye, Jerry's Post Road Market has Irish and British candy and black treacle in a small can and other last-minute treats…
Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow Police Officers Graduate From  County Academy Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow Police Officers Graduate From  County Academy Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow Police Officers Graduate From  County Academy
Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow Police Officers Graduate From County Academy TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- There was plenty of tradition, pride and brawn to go around Friday as 55 new officers -- including seven women -- graduated from the Westchester County Police Academy. Three of the rookies have fathers who command local police departments: Timothy Jon Bonci is joining his father, Chief Timothy Bonci, as well as his uncle Alex, at the Town of Eastchester Police Department; Michael W. Campion, whose father, Norman, is police chief in Briarcliff, will work for Mount Vernon Police; and Paul F. Rescigno is the newest patrol officer in the Village of Elmsford where his father,…
White Plains YWCA Art Program Helps Women In Recovery White Plains YWCA Art Program Helps Women In Recovery White Plains YWCA Art Program Helps Women In Recovery
White Plains YWCA Art Program Helps Women In Recovery WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- For 10 weeks this fall, a dozen women at the YWCA Residence on North Broadway were able to work with an artist in residence through a grant from ArtsWestchester. "This has been an exciting experience for the women as well as the Awakenings Program,'' said Leslie Harrison, a social worker who coordinates the YWCA program.  Lori Stanlick, associate executive director at the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester, said, "They needed a safe way to express themselves.'' Through art, the women may express a range of emotions rooted in their experiences with subs…
Normalized Relations Thrill Cuba-Bound Americans At Yonkers' Havana Central Normalized Relations Thrill Cuba-Bound Americans At Yonkers' Havana Central Normalized Relations Thrill Cuba-Bound Americans At Yonkers' Havana Central
Normalized Relations Thrill Cuba-Bound Americans At Yonkers' Havana Central YONKERS, N.Y. -- President Obama's plan to "normalize" relations with Cuba, thawing an embargo that dates back to 1962, was welcome news Thursday at Havana Central. Diners at the popular Cuban eatery in the Ridge Hill Shopping Center in Yonkers were mostly supportive of negotiations between Obama and Raul Castro, Cuba's president, to ease diplomatic, economic and travel restrictions between the two countries. The agreement includes a swap of prisoners and the opening of embassies in each other's countries. "All I know is I'm ready to go to Cuba,'' said Emelinda Blanco of Yonkers, who sp…
Rye School Superintendent Asks City Manager, Police To Study Osborn Traffic Rye School Superintendent Asks City Manager, Police To Study Osborn Traffic Rye School Superintendent Asks City Manager, Police To Study Osborn Traffic
Rye School Superintendent Asks City Manager, Police To Study Osborn Traffic This story has been updated. RYE, N.Y. -- Frank Alvarez, Rye superintendent of schools, has asked the city manager and Rye police commissioner to review traffic patterns and safety near Osborn Elementary School. The request follows Daily Voice articles last week that reported traffic jams caused by early dismissal on Dec. 9 and adults walking children across Boston Post Road at Sonn Drive on Dec. 11 where there is no crosswalk or traffic signal. Sarah Derman, public information officer for Rye City School District, said that Alvarez made calls to City Manager Frank Culross and Police…
Rye Hockey Celebrates 40-Year Tradition And Its Four Coaches At Playland Rye Hockey Celebrates 40-Year Tradition And Its Four Coaches At Playland Rye Hockey Celebrates 40-Year Tradition And Its Four Coaches At Playland
Rye Hockey Celebrates 40-Year Tradition And Its Four Coaches At Playland RYE, N.Y. -- Before its hockey game against White Plains on Wednesday night, Rye's varsity hockey team celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding by Coach John Zegras.  Since 1974, four coaches led the Garnets' team including Zegras for 17 years, Kevin Kelly, Jason Friesen and the newest head coach, Peter Thomas. Rye had five State Final Four appearances under Zegras and one apiece under Kelly and Friesen. Celebrating Wednesday at Playland Ice Casino were former coaches and star players including Jay Altmeyer and Peter Duncan. Paul Deen, father of RHS captain Nat Deen, the te…
Expanded Cancer Treatment Center Rising At White Plains Hospital Expanded Cancer Treatment Center Rising At White Plains Hospital Expanded Cancer Treatment Center Rising At White Plains Hospital
Expanded Cancer Treatment Center Rising At White Plains Hospital WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Doctors, nurses, patients and Mayor Tom Roach signed a steel beam on Wednesday to mark a milestone in the construction of a new six-story cancer building at White Plains Hospital. The expanded cancer treatment center at East Post Road and Longview Avenue is set to open next fall. Louise Kuklis of New Rochelle tried to choke back tears as she thanked hospital staff for saving her life from metastatic colon cancer five years ago. "I am grateful for the professional and caring treatment given by these nurses -- I love them so dearly,'' Kuklis said. "They watch over yo…
Larchmont's Voracious Reader Bookstore Wins James Patterson Grant Larchmont's Voracious Reader Bookstore Wins James Patterson Grant Larchmont's Voracious Reader Bookstore Wins James Patterson Grant
Larchmont's Voracious Reader Bookstore Wins James Patterson Grant LARCHMONT, N.Y. -- The Voracious Reader has been picked as one of 81 lucky independent bookstores nationwide to share a $473,000 grant from bestselling author James Patterson. In September 2013, Patterson pledged to give away $1 million to bookstores with dedicated children's sections. This week's grants mark the third installment on that pledge.  Store owner Francine Lucidon said she was thrilled by the news, which she called a timely infusion of cash into her 8-year-old store at 1997 Palmer Ave.  The Voracious Reader hosts a Teen Night and weekly story hours for younger children. C…
Arrest Of 'Bicycle Bandit' Ends Rash Of 15 Robberies In Westchester Arrest Of 'Bicycle Bandit' Ends Rash Of 15 Robberies In Westchester Arrest Of 'Bicycle Bandit' Ends Rash Of 15 Robberies In Westchester
Arrest Of 'Bicycle Bandit' Ends Rash Of 15 Robberies In Westchester WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Banks, gas stations and convenience stores were struck by a flurry of armed robberies this fall in Westchester and Putnam counties. Several of the highest profile cases were closed by arrests in Rye, Eastchester and in Dutchess County, where the so-called "bicycle bandit" confessed Thursday to 15 robberies in four counties. Those armed robberies included seven gas stations and stores in Peekskill, Ossining, Mount Kisco, Scarsdale and Eastchester in Westchester County as well as Deli Land in Kent, Putnam County. Bernard Kilkenny, 34, of Wappinger, N.Y., was arraigne…
Menorahs On Car Rooftops? Mamaroneck Holds Hanukkah Parade Menorahs On Car Rooftops? Mamaroneck Holds Hanukkah Parade Menorahs On Car Rooftops? Mamaroneck Holds Hanukkah Parade
Menorahs On Car Rooftops? Mamaroneck Holds Hanukkah Parade WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Just when we thought we'd seen it all, Chabad of Larchmont & Mamaroneck and Chabad-Lubavitch of Yonkers rolled out independent announcements promoting "first ever" menorah car parades in Westchester. The Larchmont/Mamaroneck Chabad's "one-of-a-kind event'' is set for Sunday Dec. 21. Chabad will provide menorahs for anyone who wants to join the parade, led by luxury cars from local auto dealerships. Pre-registration is required.  The Westchester Jewish Council and Chabad-Lubavitch, meanwhile, plan a grand menorah parade, featuring 15 preregistered cars, at…
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