National Night Out was celebrated across the country Aug. 4, with police departments and law enforcement agencies engaging with the public to promote better community relations. The Carmel Police Department and Town of Carmel Recreation Department hosted a family-friendly event full of food, music, bubbles, games, and more at Airport Park in Mahopac (pictured). The Brewster Police Department hosted their event at Wells Park, and the Kent P.D. invited the community to its head

The Town of Putnam Valley declared a state of emergency due to the heavy rain and significant flooding that closed many roads and bridges. Photo provided by the Town of Putnam Valley. By Holly Crocco Heavy rains last week caused flash flooding across the region, with the Town of Putnam Valley declaring a state of emergency July 29 due to numerous road and bridge closures, and other impacts from the torrential rainfall. The state of emergency was set to last 30 days, unless re

A rendering provided by former County Legislator Richard Othmer shows what the property at 34 Gleneida Ave., Carmel, could look like, if the current building is demolished and a greenspace for a park (left) is created. By Holly Crocco The topic of what to do with the dilapidated county-owned building at 34 Gleneida Ave., in Carmel, is back up for discussion and while options for that space are varied, one thing is absolute – a new home for United For the Troops must found bef

Members of the Putnam County Italian American Social Club show off the new monument. Photo by Paul Anthony Fucito. By Holly Crocco For the second time within a year, the Putnam County Italian American Social Club has honored the immigrant miners who perished in the Tilly Foster Mine tragedy of Nov. 29, 1895. The disaster made worldwide headlines, yet the 13 men themselves were never given a proper burial or memorial. Historical records suggest that at least seven of these Ita

Communities across Putnam celebrated the Fourth of July – and the 250th anniversary of the signing of our country’s Declaration of Independence – with various events and festivities. While the strong storms that swept through the area foiled some celebrations. The Lake Peekskill Floatilla was one of many events that took place over the July 4 weekend to celebrate the holiday. Take a look inside for more photos from various communities. Provided photo.

The ensemble of “Into the Woods.” Photos by Stacy Dumont. The Brewster Theater Company is bringing to its stage the Tony-award winning musical “Into the Woods” – the story of familiar classic fairytale characters and their quests to make their wishes come true, only to learn that wishes sometimes have unforeseen and unpleasant circumstances. The musical will be presented at the Theater at Drew Methodist Church, 28 Gleneida Ave., Carmel, on Fridays, July 17, 24, and 31 at 7:3

Winner of the Democratic primary for Congressional District 17 Cait Conley on election night. Provided photo. By Holly Crocco Cait Conley won the Democratic primary for Congress in the 17th district, with CBS News reporting that she took 50 percent of the vote. Challenger Beth Davidson earned 32 percent and Effie Phillips-Staley received 15 percent. Conley will take on Mike Lawler in November. In Putnam County, Conley received 57 percent of the vote (2,825 votes), while Davi

A drawing of what proposed affordable housing could look like at Garden Street. By Holly Crocco The beloved Garden Street School in Brewster is again the topic of discussion in the village, with a proposal to make zoning changes that would allow the property to be developed into affordable housing under review. According to Mayor James Schoenig, the plan – which is only a concept at this point, with no formal application – is being proposed by Covington Development LLC and WB

Revolutionary Putnam County Committee Co-Chairpersons George Whipple III and George Pataki are joined by Putnam Historian Jennfer Cassidy, County Executive Kevin Byrne, Elizabeth Whipple, Universal Commander Joe Ryan of the Fourth New York Regiment, and County Legislators Bill Gouldman, Amy Sayegh, and Laura Russo at the opening ceremony. Photo by Chloe Wareham-Gordon. Staff Reports “From Constitution Island to the Great Chain that kept the British from controlling the Hudson

Provided photo. Hundreds of mourners gathered May 31 for a candlelight vigil at the remains of a housefire on Sherwood Road in Cortlandt Manor to honor and remember siblings Alina and Jeremiah Toone, who were killed May 27. During the 2 a.m. fire, the teens were reportedly pulled from a second-story window, both pulseless and not breathing. Firefighters and EMS provided CPR at the scene before the two were transported to area hospitals. Alina was pronounced dead a few hours b

Alina Toone, 17, and Jeremiah Toone, 15, were killed May 27 when investigators believe a power strip failed, causing an electrical fire that consumed their home. The raised ranch home on Sherwood Road was consumed with flames when firefighters arrived just after 2 a.m. May 27. Photo courtesy of Westchester Fire Wire. By Holly Crocco Two Putnam Valley High School students were killed in a home fire May 27 in Cortlandt Manor. The fire began just after 2 a.m. May 27, in a raised

By Holly Crocco Separate Article 78 proceedings were filed last week challenging findings determined under the State Environmental Quality Review Act conducted by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation for the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail project, which basically say there will be little to no impact on the environmental, social, or fiscal health, and character of the communities the project will encompass. On May 19, Protect the Highlands and

Erik Lichack on fife and Sean Kmiotek on drum of the Hearts of Oak reenactors lead participants in a march. Provided photos. Early American music and musket fire enlivened a unique experience for Desmond-Fish Public Library patrons May 9 in Garrison. A visit from the Hearts of Oak reenactors and storyteller Jonathan Kruk complemented the library’s exhibit “Choosing Liberty,” featuring Col. Nicholas Fish. (He and friend Alexander Hamilton, students at King’s College, were memb

Family of John McArdle, a former NYPD lieutenant from Carmel who oversaw rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero, in front of the sign that honors him. McArdle died in 2023. By Holly Crocco Members of the law enforcement community, as well as friends and family of John McArle, joined lawmakers, elected officials, and other advocates May 2 along Route 301 in Carmel/Kent for the unveiling of a sign designating a portion of the roadway between Belden Road and Gipsy Trail R

The Sybil Ludington statue was recently removed from its home for the past 65 years, to undergo restoration work. She is expected to be back in several weeks. By Holly Crocco You may notice something amiss when driving along Gleneida Avenue in the hamlet of Carmel these next several weeks. Sybil Ludington is no longer watching over the lake. But her removal is only temporary, as the statue was lifted April 27 to undergo restoration work. “Over a year ago, during my State of t

From left are Putnam Valley Town Councilwoman Sherry Howard, Supervisor Alison Jolicoeur, and Councilmen C. J. Brooks and Christian Russo, with Lt. George Hyatt’s sword and scabbard. Contributed photo. Contributed Article A special presentation at a recent Putnam Valley Town Board meeting marked the closing of a historic mystery – one left unsolved for the last 162 years. During public comment at the end of an otherwise typical meeting, Putnam Valley resident Michael Bennett

The cast rehearses for its upcoming production of “Middletown.” Middletown, USA. It’s anywhere, everywhere. The Brewster Theater Company invites the public to spend time with the characters of its own “Middletown” – a comedy/drama written by Will Eno, where everyday life is centered upon an intriguing place of laughter, life, entertaining people, and ordinary citizens. Experience familiarity and endless surprises as you journey through the play from the local library to outer

Students and staff cut the ribbon to officially debut the new mural on the corridor that connects C.V. Starr and H.H. Wells schools. Brewster students, teachers, administrators, and PTA members got together April 6 for a ribbon-cutting and the unveiling of a new mural – “Journey of a Brewster Bear” – at the intermediate and middle school. What began as a simple idea to bring color to the walls and create a meaningful give-back opportunity for students grew into a large-scale

The county will forgo collecting its 4 cents per gallon on gasoline, capped at $3 per gallon, starting in June. By Holly Crocco The Putnam County Legislature last week unanimously moved forward a resolution to reduce the county’s portion of sales tax collected on gas through the end of 2027, starting in June. During the March 30 Budget & Finance Committee meeting, lawmakers approved the suspension of its 4 cents per gallon tax on anything over the $3 mark. The state will stil

Little Stony Point in Cold Spring held its annual Maple Syrup Day on March 22. Hot pancakes, sticky syrup, and live music warmed up the atmosphere – almost making up for the chilly weather – at the annual Maple Syrup Day on March 22 at Little Stony Point in Cold Spring. There were maple lollipop drops, raffles, and dancing as a team of volunteers with the Little Stony Point Citizens Association served up more than 2,000 flapjacks, and local bands regaled the crowd with music