SUNY Westchester offering scholarships for women in skilled trades

SUNY Westchester Community College has been selected as one of only five community colleges in the country to receive a new $50,000 grant from Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, to support women seeking education in the skilled trades. 

This grant is funded by Carhartt, which donated the first $250,000 in sales of women’s apparel on International Women’s Day across Carhartt retail stores and online.

The “For the Love of Labor” program will provide funding for scholarships for women looking to gain the skills, knowledge, and support necessary to thrive in the high-demand and well-paying construction industries, contributing to their personal success and the overall growth of these sectors.

Over the past three years, SUNY WCC’s Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) has focused on small (but mighty) cohorts in Advanced Manufacturing, working closely with industry partners such as Bantam Tools in Peekskill. Among this male-dominated field, SUNY WCC’s MSI program has helped to encourage and develop strong female professionals who are excelling in the industry.

“SUNY WCC is honored to be selected as one of only five community colleges to participate in this exciting and critical program,” said Dr. Belinda Miles, President at SUNY Westchester Community College. “There is growing need for skilled workers in this country, and women comprise only 4 percent of the US skilled workforce. This generous grant will enable us to address these shortages while providing students with the training and support they need to enter these well-paying occupations.”

To learn more about the Metallica Scholars Initiative at SUNY Westchester Community College, please visit www.sunywcc.edu/metallica.

Dunphey new leader at New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley

Paul Dunphey, M.B.A, has been named president of New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, replacing Stacey Petrower, M.P.A., who will be the president of New York-Presbyterian Queens.

Dunphey will also stay on as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of New York-Presbyterian Westchester, including the soon-to-be-open ambulatory care center located at 1111 Westchester Ave. in White Plains. In their new roles, Dunphey and Petrower are responsible for the leadership and operations of the campuses, including quality and patient care.

Dunphey has served NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester for the past two years and a leader in healthcare for more than 25 years; his role will now include leading NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital. 

“I’m looking forward to expanding my role to support the Westchester and Hudson Valley communities,” said Dunphey. “I’m particularly proud of the work we’ve done with local community based organizations and I’m excited for what is to come, including renovations of the Labor and Delivery unit at Westchester and new radiology equipment and physical therapy treatment spaces at Hudson Valley Hospital and working with the incredible teams that span both campuses.”

Petrower served as president of NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital for eight years and has been a leader in healthcare for more than 25 years. 

During her tenure, she led the opening of the state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab that provides advanced cardiac intervention services and expanded access to leading specialists from Columbia, along with lifesaving care in Hudson Valley.

She also championed the renovation of the maternal and newborn care unit designed to enhance the care and comfort of expectant moms and their newborns, proving the best patient experience before, during and after childbirth. 

“I am proud of the work done at NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital since I joined in January 2016,” said Petrower. “NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital is in great hands with Paul and the leadership team, and I’m looking forward to leading NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, continuing to be a partner in wellness and provide the best patient care to the Queens community.”

New parking lot at hospital will open more parking for visitors

There will soon be more parking spots for visitors to our very busy hospital on Crompond Road as a new lot opens for staff members.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital’s parking lot, due to open in May (pending approvals), will add 80 additional spots designated for staff, providing visitors and patients more direct access to the hospital. 

The new parking lot will include stormwater pollution controls, help to improve the existing drainage system, and prevent soil erosion. Landscaping will include adding 25 trees and additional shrubbery. The parking lot will be open 24/7 and will have three security call boxes, cameras, and appropriate lighting.

Human trafficker arrested in Cortlandt pleads guilty

Mario Elpidio Chavez Millan, a human trafficker working with Mexican “coyotes,” pled guilty of conspiring to transport illegal aliens throughout the United States and participating in a kidnapping conspiracy.  

“Mario Elpidio Chavez Millan and others like him are an integral cog in the human trafficking machine that preys on people who attempt to enter the United States through its southern border each year,” said Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. “And in this case — as in many cases involving human traffickers — Chavez and those working with him sought to extort their victims for even more money.”

On about July 10, 2023, the New York State Police in the Town of Cortlandt received a report from an individual that their relative had entered the country illegally with the assistance of “coyotes” and was being transported by a man in the United States working with the coyotes, who was later identified as Chavez.  

Chavez told this individual he was not going to release the relative unless he was paid $1,000 in addition to the money already paid to the coyotes.

That evening, State Police executed a traffic stop of Chavez’s vehicle in the Town of Cortlandt.  At that time, there were approximately five people in the vehicle in addition to Chavez. After those passengers were brought to the State Police barracks, each reported that they had illegally entered the United States and were being driven by Chavez from in or about New Mexico to other states throughout the country.  

Several of Chavez’s passengers stated that Chavez threatened them during the drive, telling them that they could not leave without paying him an additional $1,000 and that Chavez told them he had previously killed someone for running away without paying.

Chavez, 19, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to transport aliens throughout the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Chavez pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Vincent L. Briccetti and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 7.

Special Olympics Torch Run finishes in Peekskill

Members of the Peekskill Police Department joined many agencies across the Hudson Valley participating in the 2024 Special Olympics Torch Run on May 6.

The course for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics went from Rockland County to Westchester County, ending at Peekskill Stadium on Louisa Street.

The run was led by Special Olympics athlete and medalist Katy Sanchez, a Nanuet resident who brought the idea of participating to Rockland County, urging local police departments to take part in the international event, now in its 43rd year. 

Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the “Flame of Hope” into Opening Ceremonies of local competitions. They also carry it into Special Olympics state, provincial, national, regional and world games. There are over 97,000 law enforcement members that carry the “Flame of Hope” annually.

Since its beginning, LETR has raised over $600 million for Special Olympics programs.

Support Connection to host free luncheon for cancer survivors

Support Connection will host their annual Celebrate Life Day luncheon on Sunday, June 2, from noon to 3 p.m. at The Somers Pointe in Somers. This event, sponsored by New-York Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, is held to honor cancer survivors for their strength and courage as well as to recognize the contributions of families, friends, and other caregivers.

“Support Connection hosts Celebrate Life Day to honor people dealing with cancer and recognize family and friends who love and support them. It is an uplifting day complete with an inspirational program, entertainment, and lunch. We want every person who attends to feel the joy the day brings,” said Support Connection Executive Director, Katherine Quinn.

Celebrate Life Day will feature musical entertainment by Americana artist Steve Chizmadia and an inspirational speech from WHUD Radio Host and Health & Director of Let It Shine, Kacey Morabito Grean.

The event will feature lunch courtesy of The Somers Pointe. There will also be raffles as well as special giveaways for survivors. Any cancer survivor can attend for free, and guests can attend for $50 per person. Reservations are required. To reserve, call Support Connection at 914-962-6402.

We all scream for ice cream in Peekskill this summer

Peekskill is vying to become the ice cream capital of Northern Westchester with two new frozen treat stores offering tasty choices.

While plans are in the works to open Peekaboo Creams and The Peakeasy at 911 South St., “Froze” is already up and running at 55 Hudson Ave., former home of the Hudson Creamery.

Froze was noted by Lohud in a recent article on new food offerings in Westchester.

Lohud reported: Froze, Peekskill

Longtime Peekskill restaurateurs Louie Lanza and John Sharp have taken over the space previously occupied by Peekskill Creamery and turned it into a mini food court with ice cream and burgers. The burgers are from Better Burger, which opened last September and had been around the corner. The ice cream, which includes custom flavors for topping and shake infusions, is from Gifford’s. The shop also serves its own vegan ice cream. Plus more is on the way. The eatery with both indoor and outdoor seating, is still in its soft opening phase. As for the old Better Burger space? It’s being transformed into a yet unnamed lounge/cocktail bar with Mexican design and flavors that should open sometime in July.   

The Central a top spot for commuters, after-work hangouts

A local gathering spot made a list of six happy hour spots near train stations in Westchester County.

The Central at the Peekskill Train Station on Railroad Avenue was included in 914inc.com’s 6 Happy Hours by Westchester County Train Stations. “After a long day, commuters can look forward to any one of these bars and restaurants with top-tier happy hours located ultra-close to (or even inside) local train stations.”

The article reads: The Central

Get a different kind of buzz after hours at this coffee-by-morning but booze-by-night shindig. Perched in the historic and revitalized Peekskill Station, The Central is your new favorite after-work hangout. Fives are wild during happy hour; take advantage of select beer, wine, or a cocktail…all for $5 a pop. With specialty drinks such as The Conductor (Campari, cabernet, A’ Siciliana aranciata soda, blood orange bitters), you might need to taste-test more than one…

More listings in Peekskill, house prices higher in Westchester

Home prices in the New York metropolitan area, including New York City, Westchester County, and Jersey City saw a significant growth in the first quarter of 2024 as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate ranged from 6.60% to 6.94%, according to the National Association of Realtors® ’ latest quarterly report. 

Compared to one year ago, the median price for all residential property types in the New York metro area climbed by 18.4 percent to $663,100.

The New York metro area ranked within the top 10 in the country for price gains. “New York City and the Hudson Valley continue to be among the most desirable locations in the nation, so it’s no surprise that inventory is at a premium and home prices are reflecting that,” said Lynda Fernandez, CEO of the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS®. “Based on pending sales in our region, we’re looking forward to an exciting Spring and Summer market, where we’re predicting that the market will open up a bit more offering additional properties for sale.”

Westchester County experienced a 12.9 percent hike in sales prices for all three property types, bringing the overall median price to $630,000. Closed sales decreased by 9.6 percent, followed by new listings at a 4.3 percent decline and pending sales at 4.1 percent lower. 

Because home sale prices remain high in the county, Westchester’s affordability index was down by 15.7 percent. As of the end of the third quarter, Westchester had a 2.3 month supply of homes, which is down 20.7 percent from last year.

“Dancing for the Foundation” competition returns May 16

This year Cecilia Feng of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Rivertowns, Peekskill and Clayton Jeffrey, Keller Williams NY Realty, White Plains are looking to take the top prize as one of the eight dancing couples participating. 

Following its inaugural success last year, the Hudson Gateway REALTOR® Foundation (HGRF) is once again adapting the popular TV Show “Dancing with the Stars” to its own version called “Dancing for the Foundation,” on Thursday, May 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Surf Club in New Rochelle. The fundraising event supports the Foundation, which benefits charities and non-profits throughout New York City and the Hudson Valley.

REALTOR® and Affiliate members from the New York metro area will be tapping their toes for prizes and the coveted “winner” status of the Foundation’s second dancing competition event.  The event will also feature a judge who appeared on 13 seasons of “Dancing with the Stars.” Christian Perry, of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich, is an accomplished professional ballroom dancer.  

Last year, the event raised over $20,000 for the Foundation, with JP Endres and Joe Maymi of Howard Hanna Rand Realty in New City and White Plains dancing away as the winners of the competition.

The 2024 event is also open to the public and includes an open bar, appetizers, a plated dinner, dessert and coffee, and a DJ. The audience will join in the judging to choose the winning dance couple. Arthur Murry Dance Centers of White Plains is providing free dance lessons for the competitors.

Tickets are $175 per person and all proceeds benefit the Hudson Gateway REALTOR® Foundation.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit HGAR.com.

Babies”R”Us coming to Kohl’s in Cortlandt Manor

Kohl’s Cortlandt Manor location is adding a Babies”R”Us experience this year. This Kohl’s store is among the first 200 to feature this curated assortment. The Kohl’s Babies”R”Us shop creates a more comprehensive baby shopping experience for customers, offering the latest in baby gear, furniture, activities, accessories, and more.

Expecting and established parents can also enjoy the best of Kohl’s existing baby and kids’ apparel adjacent to these shops, including brands like Little Co. by Lauren Conrad, Jumping Beans, Carters, Nike, and more. This store experience complements Kohl’s expanded online Babies“R”Us assortment available to customers nationwide on Kohls.com.

The date of the opening at the Cortlandt Manor store will be announced soon.

Peekskill Police Department adds another new officer

Officer Richard Belliveau is the newest member of the Peekskill Police Department, Officer Belliveau’s prior law enforcement experience includes most recently his service with the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department. 

PO Belliveau is currently assigned to the Field Training Program, guided under the tutelage of Officer Bulson. Take a moment to welcome PO Belliveau to Peekskill and wish him well. 

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