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

Both the Cold Spring Village Board and the Philipstown Town Board voted last week to initiate joint Article 78 proceedings against the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, Inc., project manager, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.  The village board voted unanimously in favor of taking legal action, while the town council vote was 4-1, with Trustee Judy Farrell being the lone vote against the measure. HHFT proposes to build a 7.5-mile-long pub

By Holly Crocco Brewster Central School District Superintendent Dr. Michelle Gosh is proposing a $128.5 million budget for 2026-27, which is a budget-to-budget increase of 3.74 percent or $4.6 million. This represents a tax levy increase of 2.6 percent. According to Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Victor Karlsson, expenses are driven by increasing utility costs, as well as insurance and employee benefits, among other items. About $35.1 million in revenue w

Haldane Central School District Superintendent Dr. Gail Duffy last week presented a proposed 2026-27 budget that is impacted by an upcoming capital project and efforts to improve traffic conditions, as well as a plan to move toward an electric bus fleet.  The $31.8 million spending plan represents a 5.77 percent budget-to-budget increase over 2025-26, and a 5.53 percent tax levy increase – the maximum allowed under the state-mandated property tax cap. This equates to an incre

After missing from the newsstands for several weeks and only printing digital versions of its newspapers, the Putnam County Courier and the Putnam County News & Recorder have announced that the papers have ceased publication as of April 1. In an email to customers attempting to place legal notices, staff say the papers are “hoping to relaunch at a future date.” According to its website, the first edition of the Putnam County Courier was published June 27, 1841, as the Putnam

By Holly Crocco The Garrison Union Free School District has commenced litigation against Tetra Tech Engineers, Architects & Landscape Architects, P.C., in connection with the design of the HVAC replacement system at the district’s school building, which cost about $2.4 million. The HVAC replacement was part of a larger project that was proposed in 2019, and Tetra Tech was retained in 2020 to do the installation. The lawsuit alleges that the company failed to deliver a profess

The Lake Mahopac Rotary Club will present its 12th annual Rock & Roll Spectacular on May 8 at 7 p.m., at the Mahopac High School auditorium. This year’s fundraising event features legendary 1960s hitmakers The Happenings and The Vogues, joined on stage by crowd favorite Vinnie Medugno, for an unforgettable night of timeless music. With their signature smooth harmonies and feel-good pop sound, The Happenings became one of the most beloved vocal groups of the 1960s. Best known

By Holly Crocco The county is pushing back against a mandate from Albany that would require all school districts across the state to begin purchasing zero-emission (electric) buses by 2027, with a full transition away from traditional buses by 2035 – a measure that would cost districts multi-millions. “Residents in Putnam County and throughout the Hudson Valley are facing a serious affordability crisis – one that is causing families to make hard choices over which bills to pa

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

Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne last week announced his intention to create a new Mental Health Services Fund totaling more than $2 million that he says will protect and honor the county’s commitment to addressing the growing mental health needs throughout the region. The fund would be established through the assignment of unassigned general fund balance. “This is a major step forward in our ongoing commitment to strengthening mental and behavioral health services in Putn

By Rob Sample A proposal for a major subdivision on a parcel at 301 Milltown Road was the subject of a public hearing March 23 by the Southeast Planning Board, and drew comments/concerns from owners of neighboring properties prior to the matter moving on to the town board. The project was first proposed by businessman Tom Nejame of Danbury, under the auspices of his firm Nejame New York Land, LLC. He seeks to divide an almost 48-acre parcel into four building lots. Each would

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 $