There are a number of races in Putnam County that may very well come down to the absentee ballots. As of 10 a.m. Nov. 4, Republican Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne was leading with 20,145 votes, versus Democratic challenger Brett Yarris’ 19,550 votes. In case you don’t have a calculator, that’s a 595-vote difference. Conservative candidate Tatiana Brahimi had 2,271 votes. According to the Putnam County Board of Elections, there were 1,164 outstanding absentee ballots left

A group of volunteers prepares meals at Second Chance Foods in Brewster, to be distributed to pantries and other mechanisms throughout the county that distribute meals to those in need. The organization will receive a bump in funding – although not as much as it had hoped for – in the 2027 budget. Photo courtesy of Second Chance Foods, Inc. By Holly Crocco The Putnam Legislature last week adopted a 2027 budget with a tax levy of $32.6 million, which equates to a 1.72 percent

When asked what brought them to Cold Spring, recent visitors said they saw coverage on social media, while others asked ChatGBT for a fall weekend plan. Photo by Chloe Wareham-Gordon. By Holly Crocco Tourism brought in nearly $92 million to Putnam County in 2025 – a $3.4 million increase from the year prior, according to Tourism Director Tara Keegan. That equates to $309 per household in revenue, or a total annual savings of $11 million for taxpayers. Or does it? During the C

Rosie Pall, Stacey Farley, and Elo Blanton at the Sweet Potato Dig in Philipstown. Area food pantries, soup kitchens, and other organizations fighting food insecurity once again got a boost from the Sweet Potato Dig – a collaboration between the Town of Philipstown, and Stacey Farley and Davoren Farm, along with many volunteers and community members. On a parcel of land belonging to the town, at Route 403 in Garrison (across from the Desmond-Fish Public Library), sweet potato

Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne presents his 2027 budget Oct. 5 at the Historic County Courthouse in Carmel, as Putnam Legislature Chairman Dan Birmingham looks on. By Holly Crocco Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne is proposing $13 million in tax relief in 2027, through the gifting of $6.5 million to local towns and villages for infrastructure projects, and a $6.5 million reduction to the tax levy. “A budget is far more than a financial document,” Byrne said during his

From left are Democrat Brett Yarris, Conservative Tatiana Brahimi, and Republican incumbent Kevin Byrne, who are all running for the county executive’s office in the November election. By Holly Crocco The Putnam County Press/Times hosted a debate Sept. 30 featuring the three candidates running for Putnam County executive. Below are wrap-ups of each candidate’s viewpoints. To watch the debate, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/putnampress and click through the five p

Brewster students help cut the ribbon, and then give the new playground at JFK Elementary School a whirl. Brewster, teachers, staff, and students gathered Sept. 14 to officially open the new playground at JFK Elementary School. The site includes arching spider webs, tall slides, a climbing wall, steps and bridges, bouncy chairs, a merry-go-round, and a specially designated area for pre-kindergarten students. “The design and vision of the playground was a team effort,” said As

From left are Sculptor Mike Keropian, Jo Ann Schedler and Rainer Shooter of the Stockbridge Munsee Band of the Mohican Nation, and Kent Historical Society President Tom Breslin. Photo provided by KHS. Members of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians were joined by community members at a dedication ceremony for a new 4-foot-tall bronzes statue of Daniel Nimham – the last Sachem, or chief, of the Wappinger Native American tribe and a Revolutionary War patriot – on Sept

The Putnam County Youth Bureau hosted its annual youth-led 9/11 memorial service Sept. 11 at the Bureau of Emergency Services in Carmel. It was a somber morning as those gathered remembered and paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and those who have died from related illnesses since. Additional remembrances took place throughout the day, and complete coverage will appear in next week’s issue. Photos by Chloe Wareham-Gordon.

Community members gathered in Cold Spring for International Overdose Awareness Day, where a luminaria ceremony took place. Photo by David Alger. By David Alger The historic bandstand at the Cold Spring waterfront became a sanctuary of shared grief, healing, and urgent advocacy as Putnam County community members gathered to observe International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31. This year’s event marked the 25th global anniversary of the movement under the theme “25 Years On.

Community Based Services recently hosted State Sen. Pete Harckham, Putnam Executive Kevin Byrne and representatives of county government, Jay Diesing of Mauri Architects, and Mary Urban, vice president of public affairs for WIN Waste Innovations – which has been a supporter of the initiative, for a tour of the renovations being completed at the Putnam Early Learning Center & Preschool in Patterson. A major expansion of the Putnam County Early Learning Center was recently anno

Members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office join local law enforcement, government representatives, friends, and family at the dedication of the new Sheriff Kevin J. McConville Memorial Substation in Nelsonville last week. An impassioned crowd of law enforcement officers, elected officials, family members, and friends gathered Aug. 20 to memorialize former Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville with the dedication of the Nelsonville substation of the Putnam County Sheriff’s

Putnam Valley was hit hard by the July 28 and 29 storm. Provided photo. By Holly Crocco Cleanup from not only one, but several summer storms that brought torrential rain to the area – hitting Putnam Valley especially hard – is continuing, with debris removal from blocked drains, and other efforts, proving to be a challenge. The Putnam Valley Town Board passed a resolution Aug. 12 approving the highway department to remove storm debris from various drains, waterways, and other

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