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

By Holly Crocco The Putnam Conservative Party last week admitted in court to altering photos on campaign mailers, in violation of state election law, and agreed to pay the legal fees for Republican County Executive Kevin Byrne after he sued the party over the circulation of materials that contained fake images of him posing with Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “There is no photo on the planet like that of me with Kathy Hochul,”

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

By Holly Crocco The Town of Kent is considering a 5.94 percent increase to its overall budget for 2027, with $8.8 million in the general fund and $5.6 million for the police department. Both the highway and general fund budgets increase 6 percent, which amounts to $679,000 more for the general fund and $313,000 more for the highway department. “That’s considerably low compared to prior years,” said Director of Finance Cristina Cahill at the Oct. 20 Kent Town Board meeting. To

By Holly Crocco The Patterson Town Board has unanimously approved moving forward with a budget that surpasses the state-mandated 2 percent property tax levy cap for 2027, with a preliminary budget of $17.2 million, which represents about $214,000 in spending beyond what is allowed by the state. It equates to a 4.39 percent tax levy increase. “This is the first year since the tax cap was initiated that we’re actually overriding it,” said Town Supervisor Richard Williams during

From left are BluePath Service Dogs Director of Marketing & Development Erica Stanzione, major supporters Bonnie Trotta and board member Steve Sprague, Vice President of Canine Program Development Caroline McCabe-Sandler, CEO Michelle Brier, Board Chair Linda Hogan, and board members Bill Beck and Jonathan Nettelfield. BluePath Service Dogs officially opened its new campus in Carmel on Oct. 17, marking a defining milestone in the nonprofit’s 10-year history. More than 150 sup

What does Putnam County need most? More educational opportunities for young people? Greater support for local agriculture? Programs that help families stretch their budgets, protect natural resources, or develop valuable life skills? Cornell Cooperative Extension-Putnam County wants to hear directly from the people who know their community best – its residents. As the organization prepares for 2027 and beyond, it is inviting all Putnam residents to participate in its 2027 com

Eagle Scout candidate August Bark with Scoutmaster Andrew Cooke. The Patterson Environmental Park recently welcomed a new kiosk, thanks to the hard work and community spirit of Eagle Scout candidate August Bark. The project began nearly a year ago when Park Caretaker Ed Napierkowski discussed replacing the aging and deteriorated kiosk. Rather than simply replacing it, the project became an opportunity to engage the local Boy Scouts and encourage community service. Bark took o

This screenshot from dash camera footage posted by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office shows the suspect’s vehicle tethered to the law enforcement vehicle behind it, which was put in place using a Grappler Police Bumper when the deputy bumped into the vehicle from behind. A high-speed vehicle pursuit that spanned more than 30 minutes across Putnam and Dutchess counties Oct. 22 resulted in the arrest of two Hudson Valley residents, thanks to the use of a Grappler Police Bumper.

As the rising cost of living pushes more young families out of New York City and Westchester, Putnam County is seeing a quiet boom – more strollers than there are sidewalks, more new faces at the library, and more moms looking for their people. The Putnam County Moms Collective was created for this exact moment. PCMC is a supportive, non-judgmental, and growing community where moms – expecting, new, seasoned, working, and stay-at-home – can make friends, schedule playdates, a

By Holly Crocco More than 30 years after 17-year-old Robin Murphy vanished from Carmel, her case is again in the spotlight as a Hudson Valley podcaster highlights the man who he believes may be behind the mystery. After the success of season one of “The Devil’s Quarry,” which highlighted the 1994 murder of 12-year-old Josette Wright of Carmel and the cases of Anthony DiPippo and Andrew Kirvak, “Rolling Stone” journalist Paul Solotaroff is back with season two, which focuses o

Joseph Castellano Lynne Eckardt By Holly Crocco Interim Town Supervisor Joseph Castellano, a Republican, is being challenged by Lynne Eckardt, a Democrat, in the November election. Joseph Castellano Southeast Town Supervisor Joseph Castellano was appointed by the Town Board in February to serve in an interim role, after the former supervisor resigned. Prior to that, he served on the Zoning Board from 2004 to 2012 before being elected Putnam County legislator for District 7 in

Alison Jolicoeur Bill Gouldman By Holly Crocco For the position of Putnam Valley town supervisor, incumbent Alison Jolicoeur, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Bill Gouldman. Alison Jolicoeur Putnam Valley Town Supervisor Alison Jolicoeur’s commitment to public service began long before she was elected last year (changes to New York’s local election cycle triggered another vote this year). In 2016, she founded Second Chance Foods alongside Martha Elder and Jean Mc

Jaime McGlasson Alex Sewell By Holly Crocco For the position of Kent town supervisor, incumbent Jaime McGlasson, a Republican, is being challenged by Alex Sewell, a Democrat. Jaime McGlasson Kent Town Supervisor Jaime McGlasson has served nearly five years in the position, spending six years prior on the Town Board. In addition to elected office, she has served as the St. James CYO basketball coordinator for the past several years. “My commitment to public service began with

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

By Holly Crocco Putnam County government has a surplus of money, and the towns and villages want some of it. The County Legislature last week debated whether there is time to act on County Executive Kevin Byrne’s proposal to distribute $6.5 million to the municipalities by the end of 2026, or if they are better served by distributing $10 million to the towns and villages over the next two years. During the Oct. 20 Budget Committee meeting, Legislator Toni Addonizio, R-Kent, i

By Holly Crocco The Putnam Valley Town Board has whittled its preliminary 2027 budget down from the originally proposed 7.2 percent increase, to about a 3.34 percent increase. “The work that’s been done is good work,” said Councilman Louie Luongo at the Oct. 21 Putnam Valley Town Board meeting and budget hearing. “We’ve gotten it down. I don’t know that we can’t do a little bit more also with the other revenues that are possibly out there. We still have more work to do, but I

Lois Zutell (1935-2020) was the Town of Southeast’s first and – to date – only female town supervisor. By Holly Crocco & Jack Alcott The Town of Southeast is considering renaming the Lakeview Manor community center in honor of the town’s first and – to date – only female supervisor. “When we reflect on the life and legacy of Lois Zutell, a few words come to mind: community, dedication, leadership, and lasting impact,” said Putnam County Historian Jennifer Cassidy at the Oct.

Joseph Cunningham Kathy Kahng By Holly Crocco Republican Joseph Cunningham and Democrat Kathy Kahng are both seeking to represent the Town of Kent in the Putnam County Legislature, District 3. Joseph Cunningham Joseph Cunningham said he isn’t interested in protecting the political establishment or growing government. Rather, he wants county government focused on the basics: keeping taxes down, delivering quality services, supporting safe communities, and making sure taxpayers

Gwen Burke Tanner McCracken By Holly Crocco Democrat Gwen Burke and Republican Tanner McCracken are running for election to Putnam County Legislature District 8, which represent parts of Mahopac and Carmel. Gwen Burke Gwen Burke has been in public service for most of her adult life, having worked for MTA Bridges & Tunnels (a public authority) as a senior engineer overseeing roadway and bridge construction at the Whitestone Bridge. “During my last year at the authority, I was