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

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

Bill Gouldman Putnam County Legislator Bill Gouldman last week announced his candidacy for Putnam Valley town supervisor, pledging to bring his record of fiscal responsibility, community service, and environmental stewardship to Town Hall. Gouldman, a longtime Putnam Valley resident, small business owner, and current chairman of the Putnam Valley Republican Committee, said his campaign will focus on protecting the character of the town while addressing the infrastructure and

Alex Sewell and his family. Alex Sewell is again running for Kent town supervisor, following a tight race for the position in 2025. Although an election for the seat was held in November, another will be held this year due to changes to state election law, as the state wants towns and villages to have two- or four-year election cycles, instead of three years, with no more local elections on odd years. Endorsed by both the Kent Democratic Committee and the Westchester-Putnam W

Local activists packed the Philipstown Town Hall for the Town Board’s Feb. 5 meeting to discuss proposed updates to the town’s “equal protection resolution.” The town originally adopted a version of the resolution in April 2017, but with the recent civil unrest throughout the country and Immigrations & Customs Enforcement officers making arrests, a local citizens group called Joining Forces has submitted a stronger 2026 version of the resolution to the Town Board for adoption

Southeast Town Supervisor Nick Durante By Holly Crocco During an emotional testimony at the Jan. 22 Southeast Town Board meeting, Supervisor Nick Durante informed the public that he will be resigning from his post. “After many long and thoughtful conversations, along with a great deal of personal reflection, I’ve decided to step down and resign from my position as town supervisor,” he announced. “I’ll remain on for as long as needed to help my replacement move forward.” While

By Holly Crocco A number of lawmakers and residents voiced their opinions during a Jan. 15 public hearing on a charter change that was approved by the Putnam County Legislature in December that would allow the Legislature to hire independent counsel for both its majority and minority parties. The matter was before County Executive Kevin Byrne to either be signed into law or vetoed and sent back to the Legislature to be refined. (Due to anticipated inclement weather, this week

Legislature Chairman Dan Birmingham. Putnam Legislature Deputy Chairman Bill Gouldman By Holly Crocco Returning Legislator Dan Birmingham, R-Southeast, was nominated by his colleagues to serve as chairman of the Putnam County Legislature for 2026, during its Jan. 6 organizational meeting. In addition to serving as deputy county executive during the Bondi administration (1995-98), Birmingham served on the Legislature from 2004 to 2012, when he decided to forego seeking a fourt

By Holly Crocco After a few weeks of speculation, Republican Carmel Town Councilman Frank Lombardi has announced that he is running for Putnam County legislator in District Eight, since current Legislator Amy Sayegh, R-Mahopac Falls, is not seeking re-election in November. “As a 23-year resident of this town and specifically this legislative district, I have raised a family, paid the taxes, and pay a mortgage,” he said. “I know the difficulties families are having affording t

By Holly Crocco Local elected officials have begun circling an open seat for Putnam County Legislature after it was reported that Legislature Chairwoman Amy Sayegh, R-Mahopac Falls, will not be seeking re-election next year. Sayegh allegedly notified party leaders Dec. 18 of her decision not to run again. Within hours, Mahopac School Board Trustee Tanner McCracken announced his candidacy “I’m a lifelong conservative Republican and a proven fighter for lower property taxes, re

By Holly Crocco The absentee ballots have been counted and the results are in, with Democrats officially gaining victories in a couple of key town races in Putnam County. While the 2025 election took place Nov. 4, absentee ballots were accepted by the Putnam County Board of Elections through Nov. 12. According to the numbers posted Nov. 14, Putnam Valley incumbent Republican Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi was defeated by Democrat Alison Jolicoeur by 23 votes (1,477 to 1,45

Republican Jake D’Angelo celebrates his win for County Legislature, with friends, family, and supporters. Come January, he will become the youngest Putnam legislator in the county’s history. By Holly Crocco Editor’s Note: The following ballot counts are as of Friday, Nov. 7. Absentee and mail-in ballots are still being counted – and received – by the Putnam County Board of Elections, and with several extremely close races, many winners are still undecided from the Nov. 4 elec

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. For polling locations, and other information, visit boe.putnamcountyny.gov . For the Office of Putnam County Sheriff, Acting Sheriff Brian Hess, a Republican, is being challenged by independent Lawrence Burke. For Putnam County Legislature District 5, which represents Carmel, Democrat Brett Yarris is running against Republican Jake D’Angelo. For county legislator in District 6, which represents Brewster, R

Larry Burke By Rob Sample A lifelong background in law enforcement coupled with a commitment to building strong ties to the community...

Acting Sheriff Brian Hess will run for election in November. Undersheriff James Menton is sworn into office on the steps of the Historic...

By Holly Crocco In the June 24 Republican primary election for Putnam County legislator in District 5 representing Carmel, Jake D’Angelo...

By Holly Crocco The debate surrounding revenue sharing between Putnam and its towns/villages continues in the County Legislature, with...

By Holly Crocco Towns and villages have asked the county for years to share sales tax revenue, and a recent move by the Putnam...

Jake D’Angelo Lifelong Carmel resident Jake D’Angelo – a construction manager and Republican activist – recently announced his candidacy...