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

By Holly Crocco The Putnam Valley Central School District is considering a $65.2 million budget for the 2026-27 school year, which represents a 3 percent budget-to-budget increase and results in a 1.98 percent tax levy hike. “The gross levy change in dollars means that we get to add $844,363 to the budget (a total tax levy of $43.4 million),” said Dr. Grace Chan, assistant superintendent of business administration, at the March 12 Putnam Valley School Board meeting. “This is

Brian Appelbergh died March 16, leaving behind a wife, Christine, and two daughters, Sophie and Ava. A fund has been established to support the family of a Carmel man who was killed in a car crash March 16, leaving behind a wife and two young children. According to police reports, Brian Appelbergh, 36, was driving on Route 9A in Hawthorne at about 7:30 a.m., when he swerved to miss a fallen tree that was partially blocking the southbound lanes near the Route 117 entrance ramp

Firefighters battle the blaze on West Lake Boulevard on March 18. Photos by Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department. By Holly Crocco The community is coming together to support a Mahopac family whose home was destroyed by fire last week. Just before 6:30 a.m. March 18, the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department was called to a residential structure fire on West Lake Boulevard. Upon arrival, crews found an active fire involving a garage that had extended to the residence. “Fi

By Holly Crocco The Southeast Planning Board was updated on a number of proposed projects during its March 9 meeting. Fourth-generation Salinger’s Orchard owner Tim Salinger once again appeared before the board, seeking approvals related to the expansion of business operations on his 63-acre property. In 2024, the board approved a site plan that included a 2,884-square-foot addition to the farm store building, to expand the kitchen and bakery, seating area, and increase stora

The Putnam County Conservative Party recently held its annual meeting and candidate interviews, and afterward announced its slate of endorsed candidates for the November elections. Endorsed for re-election are Putnam County Clerk Michael Bartolotti, County Coroners Dr. Michael Nesheiwat and John Bourges, Congressman Mike Lawler in the 17 th  District, State Sen. Rob Rolison in the 39 th District, and Assemblyman Matt Slater in the 94 th  District. New candidates endorsed inc

Carmel residents and commuters are on notice that Fair Street will be closed from March 27 to April 5. According to Putnam County Department of Public Works Commissioner Tommy Feighery, for those 10 days, only local traffic will be allowed as crews replace two aging culverts between DeColores Drive and Glenna Drive. “We understand this is a major roadway in the Town of Carmel and we know a closure like this will be disruptive to residents, commuters, and nearby businesses,” h

The temperature rose, the sun came out, and people lined Route 6 in Mahopac on March 8 for the 49th annual Putnam/Northern Westchester St. Patrick’s Day parade. As always, dozens of marching bands, twirlers, scouts, elected officials, civic organizations, and others participated in the festive event. Photo by Chloe Wareham-Gordon.

By Holly Crocco After months of drafting and debating, the Carmel School Board on March 10 adopted a policy that prohibits fraternization between school employees and students. Policy 2968 reads, in summary, that the relationship between district staff and students needs to be professional, ethical, free of bias, conductive to learning, have appropriate boundaries, and be free of any behavior that could lead to the appearance of impropriety. Inappropriate grooming or dating,

A boy who was struck by a car near Lake Mahopac last week is said to be recovering and in stable condition. According to the Carmel Police Department, at about 5:30 p.m. March 9, Putnam County 911 reported a bicyclist struck on South Lake Boulevard (Route 6N) near Mahopac Chamber Park. Officer Vincent DeSantola arrived on scene within 30 seconds, finding an 11-year-old boy from Mahopac in the roadway conscious but bleeding from the face and head. CPD units were assisted by an

The Jeep was found fully submerged about 30 yards off the shore of East Lake Boulevard. Photo by Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department. A Somers woman has died after she drove her Jeep on the ice on Lake Mahopac and it fell through water that wasn’t fully frozen. According to the Carmel Police Department, at about 5:45 p.m. March 9, the office received multiple calls reporting a Jeep driving on Lake Mahopac. CPD officers and Putnam County sheriff’s deputies who responded along Ea

By Holly Crocco The Garrison Union Free School Board got its first look at the proposed $15.3 million budget for the 2026-27 school year during its March 4 meeting. According to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Greg Stowell, in drafting the budget, administration sought to stay within the state-mandated property tax cap, address infrastructure needs, maintain staffing levels, pilot new literacy programs, and invest in its proposed outdoor learning space – all while being mindful

Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne delivers his State of the County address March 2 at the Joe Palumbo Soccer Academy in Putnam Valley. Photo by Chloe Wareham-Gordon. By Holly Crocco A more affordable, accountable, and accessible county government that serves every resident was lauded by Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne during his State of the County address March 2 at the Joe Palumbo Soccer Academy in Putnam Valley. “From day one of this administration, we committed ours

Democrat Brett Yarris kicks off his campaign for Putnam County executive on March 1 at The Garrison. By Holly Crocco From the podium at the front of a 200-plus crowd March 1 at The Garrison on Route 9, the Democratic-endorsed candidate for Putnam’s top seat rallied the troops, saying: “My name is Brett Yarris, and today I am officially announcing by candidacy for Putnam County executive.” Yarris has earned the endorsement of not only every town Democratic committee, but every

A slide shared by Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail Executive Director Peter Mullen at the March 5 Philipstown Town Board meeting. The Philipstown Town Board on March 5 approved a new advisory committee to propose amendments to the town’s “equal protection” amendment, heard a proposal for a memorial garden for suicide loss survivors, and received an update on the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail from Executive Director Peter Mullen. Town Supervisor John Van Tassel thanked HHFT for a $

By Rob Sample Facing a host of expensive infrastructure needs, the Cold Spring Village Board on Feb. 25 grappled with spending priorities for 2026-27 – the village’s next fiscal year. No decisions were made at the first of what will be several budget roundtables prior to the official budget deadline of March 20 and public hearing April 8. However, Mayor Kathleen Foley and Village Accountant Michelle Ascolillo both hinted at a modest tax increase, enabling the village to cope

Kathy Kahng Kathy Kahng recently announced her campaign for Putnam County legislator in District Three, which represents the Town of Kent and part of the Town of Patterson. The longtime community advocate has received strong backing from local Democrats, being unanimously endorsed by the Kent Democratic Committee and receiving the endorsement of the Patterson Democratic Committee. “I am honored by the support of the Kent and Patterson Democratic committees,” said Kahng. “Dist

The German American Social Club of Peekskill – located in Putnam Valley – invites the public to join in celebrating its 90 years of service and community spirit. Originally established to promote German heritage and German-American history, the club has evolved from being merely a social club, to also being a benevolent organization serving the citizens of Putnam County and the greater Hudson Valley region. According to Club President Anna Schramek, its primary purpose is to

This rendering by CPL Architects shows the vision for an outdoor educational learning space at the Garrison Union Free School District. By Holly Crocco The Garrison Union Free School District is considering developing an outdoor educational learning space on forested property that has been deeded to the district over the past 70 years. “This is something that, obviously, there is a lot of interest in and the board is very excited about,” said Garrison School Board President D

Carmel school buses currently park in a lot that is partially mud and dirt, at Kent Elementary School. By Holly Crocco The Carmel Central School District is considering putting a transportation capital reserve project before voters in May, which would renovate the bus lot currently in use at Kent Elementary School – at no cost to taxpayers.. According to Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin, the district is seeking to use between $2 million and $2.5 million in capital re