Jenkins faces White Plains court appearance Sept. 3
Hasseem Jenkins, 31, the Peekskill man charged with the murder of county social worker Maria Coto, is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Tuesday, Sept. 3 for another hearing in his case.
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 is being held in the Westchester County Jail.
“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.
Coincidentally, on the same day, Sept. 3, Peekskill Common Council member Rob Scott is scheduled to appear in White Plains City Court for the next hearing in his ongoing case of criminal charges for election fraud.
Scott is charged with offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, a Class E felony. According the District Attorney’s office, the range of potential sentences is a minimum of probation up to a maximum of one and a third to four years in state prison.
In a published report last year, Scott denied forging signatures on his petitions and said that he was stunned to learn that his petition included the names of people who had not signed, including three dead people.
In late April 2023 the County Board of Elections threw out 217 of the 531 signatures Scott submitted on his ballot petitions challenging incumbent County Legislator Colin Smith for the seat in the 2023 Democratic primary, leaving him far short of the required number of 500. Scott was arrested and charged with filing designating petitions containing forged signatures.
City seeking bids for logo, brand for marketing campaign
A month after ending its marketing campaign contract with Weinrib & Connor, the City of Peekskill is out to bid for a city logo and brand for marketing materials.
“The City of Peekskill seeks a creative, qualified graphic designer, design firm, or agency to create a strong graphic logo and establish a new brand for our marketing materials. The consultant should be able to lead key stakeholders through an intensive process to develop a logo and brand. The City has allocated $65,000 for this work and requests that a projected 4-month schedule of the work be proposed. Proposals must be submitted by email and three (3) hard copies by 5:00 pm, September 27, 2024.”
Email Matthew Rudikoff, Department of Planning & Development, at [email protected] with the subject line “Logo and Brand RFP.”
Send hard copies to the Office of the City Clerk, City of Peekskill, 840 Main Street Peekskill, NY 10566 with the subject “Logo and Brand RFP.”
For questions about this RFP or requests for additional information, please contact Matthew Rudikoff at [email protected] by 09/06/24. Responses will be provided on-line by 09/13/2024.
Feds send $36 million to Stewart International Airport
Stewart International will receive $24 million in federal funding to repair two runways and install new, environmentally-friendly LED lights into the pavement.
“Earlier this summer, I brought Department of Transportation leadership to Stewart to show them how federal infrastructure funding is opening the floodgates to private investments in the airport, and supercharging the entire region’s economy,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “This historic funding is another gigantic step forward.”
“This $24+ million federal grant will literally pave the way for improved safety at Stewart International Airport, helping efforts to repair cracks in thousands of feet of runway pavement reach new heights,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“Stewart International Airport serves tens of thousands of passengers every year, and it is vital that its runways remain strong and resilient in the winter months,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “This monumental $24 million in federal funding will bring critical repairs to the runway pavement at Stewart International Airport so passengers traveling in and out of the Hudson Valley can take off and land safely.”
The Airport Improvement Program (AIP), through the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration, provides grants to public agencies — and, in some cases, to private owners and entities — for the planning and development of public-use airports. Funds obligated for the AIP are drawn from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which is supported by user fees, fuel taxes, and other similar revenue sources.
The lawmakers also provided $12.5 million over the next five years for Stewart International Airport through the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs law.
Schools open on Sept. 3 in Peekskill
The Peekskill City School District academic year 2024-2025 begins on Sept. 3 and the district has an online calendar with all the important dates and events for parents and students.
Dr. David Mauricio, Superintendent of Schools, has a message for all Peekskill residents:
“Dear Peekskill Families,
On behalf of the Peekskill Board of Education, I would like to welcome our families to the 2024-2025 school year! In this calendar, you will find important information about the upcoming school year. Please be sure to review the entire publication for event details and other useful resources.
As a district, Peekskill City Schools upholds its commitment to working with parents, community partners and families in educating the “whole child.” I encourage all families to be active participants in their child’s educational journey. You can do this by joining our Parent Teacher Organization, attending our Saturday Academies, attending school events/workshops, serving as a role model on how to be kind, reading to your child daily, and creating a quiet space for them to read and complete their studies.
Please visit our District or school websites for key “back to school” information (school supply lists, bell schedules, etc.). I look forward to sharing our Peekskill Pride moments with you throughout the year.”
A detailed calendar of events is now available on the district website. A printed copy of the calendar will be sent home with the youngest child in each family in the first week of school.
Mother Nature’s Preschool still accepting applications
There are still limited spots available for the Peekskill Recreation Department’s Mother Nature’s Preschool.
The program’s nature based, experiential learning focus is on outdoors hands-on learning. The goal is to spur imaginative and creative learning by cultivating your child’s connection to nature.
The program follows the Peekskill school district’s calendar from Sept. 9 through June 2025. Sessions are Monday through Thursday 9 A.M. to noon at the Depew Park Preschool near the pool for youths 2.5 years to 5 years (must be potty-trained). Fees are $310 month for residents, $520 for non-residents with a maximum enrollment of 13 children.
For more information or to register, please contact Parks and Recreation at (914) 734-7275.
Nominate candidate for Peekskill Hispanic Heritage Month
Nominations are now open for Hispanic Heritage Month in Peekskill.
The City of Peekskill would like to honor outstanding Hispanic American members in our community for their personal or professional achievements, civic contributions or general good deeds that have favorably impacted our citizens.
The Hispanic Heritage Month Honorees in 2023 were Roy Escobar, Marisol Jimenez, and Luis Segarra.
Please send a detailed letter of nomination with specific and pertinent information including newspaper clippings, résumés or other articles you feel support the nominee’s induction. Do be objective and concise. All nominations must be received by Sept. 13.
Kindly forward your letter of nomination along with this form to City of Peekskill, 840 Main Street, Peekskill, NY 10566, ATTN: Cassandra Redd, City Clerk; or email: [email protected].
Scholarships for Advanced Manufacturing students
SUNY Westchester Community College has been selected for another year of funding by All Within My Hands (AWMH), the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica.
SUNY WCC will continue to use the Metallica Scholars Initiative’s (MSI) $5,000 funding to support students looking to enter or further their careers in Advanced Manufacturing.
Students will take coursework in machine learning, CNC, and other National Institute of Metallurgy (NIMS) certified competencies that lead to high-skill, high-wage career pathways in advanced manufacturing. No prior knowledge of manufacturing is necessary.
“When we launched the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it really spoke to me,” said James Hetfield of Metallica. “A collective goal of breaking the stigma of trade skills. Trade skills are vital to society, and what’s even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills. I am so proud – we all are – to see how this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students.”
To learn more about the Metallica Scholars Initiative at SUNY Westchester Community College, please visit www.sunywcc.edu/metallica.
Archives of the Peekskill Evening Star available online
Go back in time through the archives of the Peekskill Evening Star from your computer thanks to the ongoing Newspaper Digitization project at the Field Library.
Enter your keyword search and find all the news from 1949, an important year in Peekskill’s history, in the library’s online archives and read about all the people and places who lived here 75 years ago.
The first fifty reels, covering 1830-1910, have been sent out. According to the library, within the next few months, the digitized reels will be available online and the physical copies returned home to the library. Until then, only 1949 will be available for searching.
St. Pat’s Parade fundraiser Sept. 22 at Peekskill Yacht Club
There might be fall in the air, but the sound in the distance is the bagpipes warming up for the celebration of half-way to St. Patrick’s Day in Peekskill.
To mark the occasion the Peekskill St. Patrick’s Committee is hosting its “Fall Friends & Music Celebration” on Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Peekskill Yacht Club from 3:30 – 6:00 P.M. Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple with light refreshments and a cash only bar.
The 2025 Grand Marshal and Parade Aides will be introduced with music presented by Peekskill’s own Steve Chizmadia.
Email Sue Sheridan at [email protected] to make reservations.
Another cleanup by Peekskill Walks in the downtown
The citizen activists at Peekskill Walks demonstrated that even an hour can really help beautify the downtown, especially when 20 neighbors show up to help.
A huge thanks to everyone who pitched in August 25 cleanup. They covered a lot of ground including Esther Place, the Gazebo area, Bank, Division & Pugsley Park.
Thanks also to Home Depot for sponsoring and Taco District for serving up delicious lemonade and a gift card raffled off during our post-cleanup gathering at Birdsall.
Lot of fun meeting neighbors and making a big difference in a short time. Thanks again to everyone who made this a success!
Field Hall offering grants for senior adult care programs
Field Hall Foundation in Cortlandt supports programs and projects that improve the lives of older adults and caregivers in Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties, New York. Priority is given to proposals focused on the basic needs of low-income older adults (60+ years) and their unpaid caregivers.
The Foundation awards one-year small (up to $15,000) and full-sized grants. Visit the Foundation’s website for a Letter of Inquiry form for full-grant requests, as well as guidelines and eligibility requirements.
Previous grant recipients are eligible to submit another Letter of Inquiry after at least one year has passed since receiving a grant, and a final report for that grant has been submitted to and accepted by the Foundation. It is important to note that, because of the large number of organizations the Foundation supports, previous grantees are generally not considered for another grant until approximately two years after receiving a grant.
Contact Patti Lavan Horvath, program officer, for more information or to discuss a possible proposal: [email protected] or 914-813-9103.
The tip line is always open at the Peekskill Herald
Have a story idea that you’d like to see a reporter from The Herald check out? Ever think of a question that you wish someone would answer?
We always want to hear from our readers and here’s your way to reach us. Whether it’s a question regarding a specific event, an economic development project, or just a trend you’ve noticed, we want to hear it.
Send us your questions. We’ll review and evaluate the submissions and select those we can answer. We’ll publish the story. Send your question to [email protected].
Obituaries
Michelle Jacqueline Simone
The Guarino, Simone, and Murray families are saddened to announce the death of Michelle Simone. Michelle joined her cherished mother Dianne and brother John in heaven on August 22, 2024.
Michelle leaves behind her soulmate and fiancé Joseph Guarino, the loves of her life; her children Sean Murray Jr. and Patrick Murray, her caring former spouse Sean Murray (Tracy Hoyt). She is survived by her grandmother Mary Simone, father John Simone, brother Mark Simone (Michelle Medeiros) sister Marcie D’Agostino (Joe) as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Michelle was a personal trainer at Premier Athletic Club. She was a member of the Verplanck Fire Department and Buchanan Engine Co. Michelle’s love of life and family was always on display in the many events she participated in, from golf outings to marching in parades, from school plays to family picnics. One of her favorite pastimes was going to the beach with her beloved Joe and her sons.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Sunday School program at 275 Church St., Buchanan NY 10511. This program has given much joy to the family in which Patrick still participates.
John Polinsky
John Polinsky, aged 51, died on August 22, 2024, in Crompond, NY after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on August 8, 1973, in Cortlandt Manor, John was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend whose memory will be cherished by all who knew him.
John is survived by his loving wife and high school sweetheart, Tina Cinque-Polinsky; children, Sadie and John Jr.; mother, Eileen Polinsky; brother, James Polinsky; sister-in-law, Kim Polinsky; and nieces Baily, Iree, Christina and Jessica. He was preceded in death by his father John Polinsky, and siblings Edward and Michele Polinsky.
John graduated from Walter Panas High School and continued his education by earning a BS from Marist College, followed by a Juris Doctorate from Pace University School of Law in 2001. He began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Orange County, serving from 2001 to 2007. In 2007, John joined the law firm of Rende, Ryan, and Downes, LLP, where he rose to partner and worked until his passing.
Beyond his professional life, John was deeply passionate about classic cars and was a regular at the Sunday morning car show, Cars and Coffee. He loved his 1970 Corvette and 1954 Pontiac Chieftan. A lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, he cherished spending time with family and friends at Lake George and Seaside Heights, N.J. John enjoyed his time as a volleyball coach with the Shrub Oak Athletic Club and was a member of the Walter Panas Volleyball Booster Club, demonstrating his commitment to his community and young athletes.
