Peekskill police adds eighth new officer to the force
The City of Peekskill welcomes the newest member of the Peekskill Police Department, Police Officer Jose Rodriguez. Officer Rodriguez began his career at the PPD July 24 after serving five years with the City of Mount Vernon Police Department.
In his former position, new officer Rodriguez was a valued member the Violent Crimes Unit, and the General Investigations Unit, where he gained vast knowledge and experience which is certain to serve the Peekskill community well.
PO Rodriguez will be conducting his field training with FTO PO Rivera. When you see this team out and about please introduce yourself and welcome him.
The department has added eight officers to the force in the past 12 months. In his 2024 city budget, the city manager wrote: “The Police Department has five vacant funded officer positions, worth $496,000, as in recent years. Three Police Officers are needed to rotate into the shift coverage for the City. This would reduce overtime costs which are projected to peak up toward $800,000 in 2023.
“The City removes the 2023 budgeted but unfilled detective. An additional Parking Enforcement Officer who can also be used for quality-of-life issues is needed and has been added to the 2024 budget. The 2022 survey called for additional resources for safety and enforcement. It is felt that additional coverage should be budgeted for patrol.”
Mid-Hudson Region DRI Forum to be held in Peekskill
New York State Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley is holding an afternoon forum on Tuesday, August 6 from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater to discuss the past, present and future of Downtown Revitalization programs in the region.
Attendees will include Peekskill City Manager Matt Alexander and City of Peekskill Planning Director Carol Samol.
Mayors and municipal officials from DRI communities, private stakeholders involved with the DRIs, and agency staff will be in attendance to provide advice, insights, lessons learned and recommendations to inform future program applicants and awardees.
For more information and to RSVP, please visit the website.
Gilleo murder trial began on July 29 in White Plains court
A Westchester County jury began hearing the evidence at trial against Shane Gilleo of Peekskill on July 29 on charges he murdered his stepfather in September 2022.
On Sep. 14, 2022, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Gilleo allegedly stabbed 48-year-old victim Edward Reeves multiple times with a knife on North James Street in Peekskill. The victim was transported to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, where he died.
At approximately 11:20 a.m. the same day prosecutors charge that Gilleo started three separate fires on the second floor of a two-family residence on Grant Avenue in Peekskill where his mother lived. [The Grant Avenue home was owned by Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie].
When Peekskill Police arrived at the home, Gilleo barricaded himself inside and allegedly set three small fires, punched out windows and then jumped out and was arrested.
Gilleo was indicted by a Westchester County Grand Jury for murder in the second degree and arson in the third degree, both felonies.
Prosecutors allege that Gilleo stabbed Reeves seven times with a 5-inch knife for no apparent reason, calling the crime “…vicious, savage and cold-blooded.” One stab wound was so deep that it left part of Reeves’ small intestine on the ground in the parking lot.
Gilleo’s attorney claimed the prosecutors will have a difficult time proving their charges at the trial.
Gilleo faces up to 40 years to life in prison if convicted on all charges. The case is before Judge George Fufidio in Westchester County Court, and is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Rachel Ehrhardt and Cooper Gorrie, both of the Trials and Investigations Division.
Jenkins indicted on two counts of second-degree murder
Hasseem Jenkins, 31, the Peekskill man charged with the murder of county social worker Maria Coto, was arraigned before New York State Supreme Court Judge Anne E. Minihan in Westchester County Court on July 30 following an indictment by a Westchester County Grand Jury.
Jenkins’ Legal Aid lawyer pled not guilty on his behalf and did not request bail.
Jenkins faces two counts of murder in the second degree, two counts of burglary in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, and robbery in the first degree, all felonies, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor. He was remanded to Westchester County Jail and his next court date is Aug. 6.
“Maria Coto was performing her job when she became the victim of a ruthless and brutal attack that led to her tragic death,” said Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah. “We are committed to securing justice for Ms. Coto.”
At approximately 3:08 p.m. on May 14, while Coto was conducting home visits on South Street in Peekskill, it is alleged that the defendant repeatedly punched her in the face, chased her into a neighbor’s apartment and repeatedly kicked her in the head while wearing heavy boots.
The Peekskill Police Department responded to the scene and arrested the defendant, who allegedly resisted. Police also recovered the victim’s cell phone from the defendant’s pocket.
The victim, who sustained severe brain bleed, brain swelling and multiple facial fractures, was treated for her critical injuries at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. The victim was placed on a ventilator and remained unconscious until she was pronounced dead on June 19.
The case is being prosecuted by Major Case Bureau Chief Nadine Nagler and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Jones, both of the Trials and Investigations Division.
Peekskill non-profits receive grants from Arts Westchester
ArtsWestchester will award $400,000 in Arts Alive grants to 114 local art and cultural projects throughout the Lower Hudson Valley made possible through a New York State Senate Arts Initiative.
The Arts Alive grants enrich communities through a diverse array of artistic endeavors. The financial support will benefit 87 community projects, 21 artist commissions, and six education initiatives.
“The Arts Alive grants are vital in nurturing the local arts ecosystem. They empower community groups and individual artists to bring their creative visions to life, fostering cultural engagement and enhancing the quality of life in our region,” said Kathleen Reckling, CEO of ArtsWestchester.
Peekskill non-profits will receive three of the grants: $5,000 to the Peekskill Arts Alliance for multicultural quilts; $5,000 to the Daisy Jopling Foundation for Celtic Celebration; and $3,500 to Antonia Arts for OzLand Festival.
Also, the Living Artist Society will receive $5,000 for “Here I Stand: 75th Anniversary of Paul Robeson in Peekskill” at the Paramount Hudson Valley on Sept. 15.
Eight funded projects will take place in libraries, which often serve as the sole cultural hubs in their communities, including those in Katonah, Nyack, and Nanuet. Ten projects will celebrate cultural or ethnic traditions, such as Juneteenth and Black History events, Mexican dance workshops in New Rochelle, and a Ukulele Orchestra in Nyack.
Outdoor festivals and larger-scale events throughout the warmer months include Edward Hopper House Museum’s Plein Air Painting Festival, “Rock the Block” free concerts in downtown White Plains, and the Mount Vernon Public Library Comic Expo.
The Arts Alive grant program is an ArtsWestchester grants initiative and regrant program administered by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor’s Office and the New York State Legislature.
State closes smoke shop at 988 Main Street
A Peekskill “smoke shop” is among the 1,000 illegal cannabis shops closed down by New York state authorities since the beginning of a crackdown in April.
Peekskill A&A Convenience at 988 Main St. was closed along with nearly 100 others outside of New York City. Officials say approximately 900 stores in the city have been shuttered. A total of $110 million worth of illegal cannabis products have been confiscated since May 2023, state authorities claim.
Authorities have been issuing citations when shops are first discovered to be selling the illegal marijuana without a state license. Closures typically follow when the store owners are subsequently caught continuing to sell the illegal marijuana after being cited.
Two authorized cannabis retail stores are slated to open in Peekskill this month – Cloud 914 and Valley Greens. Two others, Gracious Greens and Papi’s Secret Stash, have lawsuits in court against the state seeking to grant them licenses.
Housing Authority holds second annual Family Day Aug. 9
The Peekskill Housing Authority is hosting its 2nd Annual Family Day at the Riverfront Green Park for all its residents on Friday, August 9 from noon to 3:00 pm. Residents will enjoy an afternoon of food, music, face painting, and more.
Music by TommyDidIt, face painting by Party with a Plan, and entertainment from Funtime Amusements. Transportation is available. Take the opportunity to bond with your fellow residents and enjoy a day at the park on the Hudson.
All tenants who would like to attend must visit the Peekskill Housing Authority office to pick up a wristband. One wristband per person per household. PHA volunteers are also invited. For additional information, please contact (914) 739-1700.
‘Lego Camp Week’ at Kiley Center starts August 12
The Peekskill Parks and Recreation Department is holding a Lego Camp on Monday, August 12 through Friday, August 16 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Kiley Youth Center.
Youth in grades 1-6 are invited to spend the week designing and building to make their imaginations come to life. The cost is $220 for residents and $400 for non-residents.
The week-long program for aspiring young engineers will foster creativity as students use Legos to design mazes, robots, moving cars and more. Students will work together to solve tricky challenges and compete against each other to win fun games. Instructors will use the engineering design process to guide students from the beginning stages of asking questions and imagining solutions to creating something bigger and better than they thought possible.
For more information or to register, please contact the Parks and Recreation office at (914) 734-7275.
Library wins grant to continue digitizing newspaper archives
The Colin T. Naylor, Jr. Archives at the Field Library has won a digitization grant. The library is partnering with MetroNYC and Advantage Archives to continue the digitization of the local newspaper microfilm collection.
Starting with the oldest newspapers, which date back to 1830, and going up to 1910, hundreds of issues will be digitized and available for public use. If you have any questions about the project, speak with Local History Librarian, Sarah Scott.
Applications being accepted for fall interns with Levenberg
State Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg’s office is now accepting applications for interns for the fall.
Levenberg, who managed the intern program during her time as her predecessor Sandy Galef’s chief of staff said “So many people involved in our region’s government and politics went through Assemblywoman Galef’s internship program. It’s really quite remarkable how many careers were launched here.”
“So much of what I know about public service, I learned as an intern for Assemblywoman Galef,” said Victoria Cafarelli, Levenberg’s chief of staff. “The staff was always kind and willing to teach interns like me, serving as incredible mentors for a young woman with a budding interest in politics.
“I am grateful for these early experiences in government that prepared me for my career today. It is exciting to now have the opportunity to ‘pay it forward’ and hopefully help foster an interest in public service for the interns in our district office.”
Click here to access the form to apply students in your life.
State budget includes $20 million Hudson Line climate change
The 2024-2025 New York state budget includes $1.3 billion for capital aid to localities, including funding restorations of $60 million for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) and $40 million for the State Route NY Program. CHIPs funding pays for road paving in local municipalities including Peekskill.
In its plans for road paving in 2024, the city will receive $367,306 through state CHIPs funding and $93,627 from PAVE NY to help fund a total of $648,739 of work.
The 2024-2025 state budget will also provide $333.2 million for Upstate New York transit systems, an increase of $10 million above the executive proposal, and include provisions to combat toll evasion.
Included in that total is $20 million allocated for the Metro North Railroad Hudson River Line resiliency projects to address the issues of climate change that impact operations of the railroad line along the Hudson River.
The Budget includes measures to enhance toll enforcement, including provisions relating to covered or obscured license plates and non-payment of toll liabilities.
The use of fake or so-called “ghost” plates is banned, and sales of license plate covers, fake license plates and materials or devices intended for this purpose will be prohibited. Penalties for covering or obscuring license plates are increased, including $100 to $500 fines, and motor vehicle registrations may be suspended for 90 days when a person is convicted of three or more violations within five years.
The five largest tolling authorities in the state are authorized to enter judgments for unpaid liabilities for tolls, fees or other charges after the exhaustion of remedies and a notification of sent until such unpaid liabilities are paid.
Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton getting $3 million facelift
Renovations are underway at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton for several infrastructure and landscaping projects aimed at improving visitor safety, accessibility, and the site’s stabilization.
The main focus of the renovations is the site’s entrance gate and “Long Walk,” an 800-foot brick walkway built in the 1950s. Historic Hudson Valley, which owns the site, says the main entrance gate has suffered multiple car crashes over the years due to its location at the abrupt, dead end of South Riverside Avenue, a former highway. Historic Hudson Valley expects the renovations to complete by 2026.
The renovation project received $2.2 million from the Federal Highway Administration, as well as $600,000 from Empire State Development, and $225,000 in grant funds acquired by State Senator Pete Harckham and State Assemblymember Dana Levenberg.
Also included in the renovations are improved sidewalks connecting the site to the Metro-North station at Croton-Harmon, EV charging stations, enhanced drainage systems, and the planting of new trees and shrubs.
The site will remain closed to visitors while the project is underway. However, The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, celebrating its 20th year this fall, will still be held.
Van Cortlandt Manor dates back to the 17th Century, when Stephanus Van Cortlandt, a Dutch gentleman who served multiple terms as mayor of New York City, received a royal charter permitting him to acquire a sprawling 86,000 acres from the Native Americans and establish it as “The Manor of Cortlandt.”
Welcher Avenue house on the market for almost $1 million
A unique former carriage house on the entry road to Blue Mountain Reservation could become the most expensive house on Welcher Avenue.
The house at 401 Welcher Avenue, listed at $995,000, has 7,000 square feet, one bedroom, and two bedrooms and was originally built in 1890.
From the listing:
“Imagine living in an historic brick Carriage House with an industrial chic twist. At your doorstep is 1,538 acres preserved for wilderness and wildlife, with 2 lakes and 8 miles of biking & hiking trails.
This property is contiguous to Blue Mountain Reservation and was once part of the large estate that donated this land. Exposed hand hewn beams and remnants of the original horse stalls are preserved in this 38′ x 100′, 2 story barn. Fantastic opportunity if you need a live/work environment.
Currently an amazing photo studio with 1 bedroom and 1.5 baths plus a kitchen/ living room area. There are endless possibilities for the creative spirit to create a unique living environment. The entire 2nd floor, currently used for storage, could be converted into several additional bedrooms. Plus many updates including extensive electric, split AC units and a security system.
If you ever dreamed of living in a historic barn, this property checks all the boxes and is a dream come true.”
View photos of the house here
