Greenburgh, NY
Police & Fire
Largest-Ever Illegal, Underage Vape Sales Bust Made By Greenburgh Drug, Alcohol Task Force Largest-Ever Illegal, Underage Vape Sales Bust Made By Greenburgh Drug, Alcohol Task Force
Largest-Ever Illegal, Underage Vape Sales Bust Made By Greenburgh Drug, Alcohol Task Force With the help of a task force consisting of numerous police departments, Westchester health officials were able to crack down on the largest illegal vape sales bust ever discovered in the county.  The bust was made during the week of Monday, Aug. 21 with the help of the Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Taskforce, which consists of police agencies from Ardsley, Greenburgh, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings, Irvington, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, and North Castle, County Executive George Latimer announced on Monday, Aug. 28. As a result of the bust, county officials confiscated all of the pr…

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by Ben Crnic
White Plains, NY
News
Here's When Plastic Utensils, Condiments Law Will Go Into Effect In Westchester Here's When Plastic Utensils, Condiments Law Will Go Into Effect In Westchester
Here's When Plastic Utensils, Condiments Law Will Go Into Effect In Westchester If you order takeout in Westchester, you'll have to ask for plastic utensils and condiments in order to receive them, according to a new law that will soon go into effect.  The new law, which will go into effect on Saturday, Sept. 2, will ban food establishments in Westchester from providing plastic food ware or condiment packets to both dine-in and takeout customers unless they are specifically asked for, according to county officials.  Earlier Report - Plastic Utensils, Condiments For Takeout Orders Banned In Westchester: Unless You Ask The legislation was signed into law …

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by Ben Crnic
Monsey, NY
News
New Update: Flood, Storm Damage Funds Available To Hudson Valley Homeowners New Update: Flood, Storm Damage Funds Available To Hudson Valley Homeowners
New Update: Flood, Storm Damage Funds Available To Hudson Valley Homeowners Some $3 million in emergency assistance will be made available to eligible homeowners in the Hudson Valley impacted by flooding and recent storm damage. Earlier report - $3M In Flood Relief Funds Set Aside For Hudson Valley Homeowners: Here's Who's Eligible Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday, Aug. 9, the funds will provide emergency repair grants to homeowners who suffered damage to their primary residences in Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester counties. This funding is in addition to the $3 million announced by Hochul last month to assist homeowners affected by historic f…

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by Kathy Reakes
White Plains, NY
News
Invasive Species Outbreak: Westchester Officials Use Vacuums To Combat Harmful Insects Invasive Species Outbreak: Westchester Officials Use Vacuums To Combat Harmful Insects
Invasive Species Outbreak: Westchester Officials Use Vacuums To Combat Harmful Insects Westchester officials are stepping up efforts to fight back against an outbreak of an invasive insect that is leaving parks and wooded areas vulnerable to disease.  The increased efforts have followed the discovery of the Spotted Lanternfly, which has spread rapidly throughout Westchester, county officials announced on Tuesday, Aug. 1.  An invasive species, the Spotted Lanternfly can cause "significant damage" to parks and wooded areas by sucking sap from plants, which can leave them vulnerable to disease and threats from other insects, officials said.  The juveniles of the species are id…

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by Ben Crnic
White Plains, NY
News
Extreme Temps: Heat Advisory Declared In Westchester For Multiple Days Extreme Temps: Heat Advisory Declared In Westchester For Multiple Days
Extreme Temps: Heat Advisory Declared In Westchester For Multiple Days As blistering temperatures and high humidity threaten to arrive in the area, Westchester officials are declaring a heat advisory that will last for numerous days.  The advisory, announced on Wednesday, July 26, will be in effect from Thursday, July 27 through Saturday, July 29, according to Westchester County officials. The decision to declare the advisory was made in preparation for extreme heat and humidity that will likely make it feel well over 100 degrees all three days. A spate of severe storms is also expected to strike the county as well.  Related Story - Strong Sto…

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by Ben Crnic
Somers, NY
News
Child Porn Possession: Sports Hall Of Famer From Somers Pleads Guilty Child Porn Possession: Sports Hall Of Famer From Somers Pleads Guilty
Child Porn Possession: Sports Hall Of Famer From Somers Pleads Guilty A retired teacher and former sports announcer who was inducted into the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame has admitted to receiving child pornography.  Somers resident Richard Leaf, age 74, who is well-known in Westchester for announcing Section 1 boys and girls basketball tournaments for more than three decades, pleaded guilty to a count of receiving child pornography on Thursday, June 29, according to federal court documents.   Earlier Report - Sports Hall Of Famer Identified As Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn Videos, Images Leaf, who was inducted into the Hal…

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by Ben Crnic
White Plains, NY
Police & Fire
Officers Awarded For Saving Lives, Surviving Standoffs, Seizing Drugs In Westchester Officers Awarded For Saving Lives, Surviving Standoffs, Seizing Drugs In Westchester
Officers Awarded For Saving Lives, Surviving Standoffs, Seizing Drugs In Westchester Several Westchester County police officers have received awards for showing extreme bravery and ingenuity, including one who saved a shooting victim's life with a potato chip bag and several who survived a standoff while being repeatedly fired at.  A total of 30 officers received their awards during the Westchester Department of Public Safety’s annual award ceremony held on Tuesday, June 20 at the Police Academy in Valhalla.  The awards were presented by County Executive George Latimer, Deputy County Executive Kenneth Jenkins, and Acting Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Ra…

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by Ben Crnic
White Plains, NY
News
Free Bus Rides: Here's When Westchester Will Suspend Bee-Line Fares Free Bus Rides: Here's When Westchester Will Suspend Bee-Line Fares
Free Bus Rides: Here's When Westchester Will Suspend Bee-Line Fares As the dog days of summer draw closer, Westchester officials have announced that the county's Bee-Line bus system will be offering free rides for several months.  The county's bus system, known as the Bee-Line, will be suspending fares beginning on Saturday, July 1, and will continue doing so until Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 4, County Executive George Latimer announced on Wednesday, June 7.  The fare suspension will also apply to the county's ParaTransit system, officials added.  Latimer said the suspension is aimed to help residents save money as well as incr…

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by Ben Crnic
Harrison, NY
News
61 New Officers Graduate From Westchester Police Academy: Here's Where They'll Serve 61 New Officers Graduate From Westchester Police Academy: Here's Where They'll Serve
61 New Officers Graduate From Westchester Police Academy: Here's Where They'll Serve After months of training, more than 60 new graduates of the Westchester Police Academy will soon begin serving communities throughout the Hudson Valley.  The 61 new officers graduated from the Westchester County Police Academy during a ceremony held on Friday, May 26 at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center.  There, they received their diplomas before a packed audience, marking the end of a rigorous 21 weeks of training that required them to master the physical and academic demands of the academy.  County Executive George Latimer, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins,…

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by Ben Crnic
Mount Pleasant, NY
News
$3 Million Study To Look At Safety Improvements On Route 9A Between Mount Pleasant, Ossining $3 Million Study To Look At Safety Improvements On Route 9A Between Mount Pleasant, Ossining
$3 Million Study To Look At Safety Improvements On Route 9A Between Mount Pleasant, Ossining Work on a $3 million engineering study focused on improving the safety and infrastructure of a major main route in Northern Westchester has begun, state officials said. The study is planned to identify short-term and longer-term investment opportunities to create improved safety and operations on Route 9A between the Saw Mill River Parkway in Mount Pleasant and its connection to Route 9 in Ossining, New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced on Thursday, May 11.  The project is expected to be completed in ten months and will use…

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by Ben Crnic
White Plains, NY
News
Legislation To Allow Cameras On School Bus Stop Signs In Westchester Proposed By Officials Legislation To Allow Cameras On School Bus Stop Signs In Westchester Proposed By Officials
Legislation To Allow Cameras On School Bus Stop Signs In Westchester Proposed By Officials Officials in Westchester are proposing a bill that would authorize school districts to install cameras on school bus stop signs as a way to catch drivers who illegally pass them.  The authorization that would be set by the proposed bill is required under New York state law for any county, city, or town that maintains roads, according to Westchester County Executive George Latimer.  This state law, known as New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law §1174-a, also imposes monetary penalties for drivers who fail to stop when a school bus displays its stop sign and flashing lights.  …

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by Ben Crnic
White Plains, NY
News
Brush Fires Rage Across Westchester: Here's How To Prevent Them Brush Fires Rage Across Westchester: Here's How To Prevent Them
Brush Fires Rage Across Westchester: Here's How To Prevent Them As a number of brush fires caused by dry conditions, strong winds, and low humidity erupt in Westchester, officials are giving residents tips on how to prevent more from happening.  The current dry conditions have caused numerous brush fires throughout the county and have led New York State to issue a high fire danger warning for Westchester, according to County Executive George Latimer.  The high risk for brush fires is caused by dry conditions, strong winds, and low relative humidity, which particularly affects parks and wooded areas in the county.  Places where large…

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by Ben Crnic