Police investigating report of woman approaching children at Hillcrest School

The Peekskill City School District informed parents on Saturday, Sept. 21 that two Hillcrest students were walking home from school when they were approached by a woman driving a blue-gray van.

The students were asked to get in the van. They did NOT enter the vehicle. The matter is being investigated by the Peekskill Police and PCSD administration. The police will be providing extra surveillance. Please remember to speak to your children about safety and remind them never to accept rides from a stranger.

Lieutenant Adam Renwick of the Peekskill Police Department noted that the incident was reported to the Peekskill Police on Friday, Sept. 20 and is currently under investigation. Increased patrols have been assigned to the area of Hillcrest School, especially during the hours of student arrival and dismissal. At this time, there is no information to believe that there is a risk to public safety.

Police offer car seat safety, activities at Sun River Health

The Peekskill Police Department is once again partnering with Sun River Health to host a car seat safety and information event and to help properly install car seats in vehicles. Participants will also be able to check their current car seat expiration status.

The event happens Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the back parking lot of Sun River Health Jeannette J. Phillips Community Health Center at 1037 Main St.

The session will include kids activities, music, general information, resources, and giveaways, insurance enrollment assistance and SNAP & HEAP enrollment. A limited number of car seat giveaways will be available based on screening requirements

To register for this event, contact Jaslyn Session at (914) 522-0898 or email [email protected].

Signal Fire Bread moving to Garrison from Peekskill

Signal Fire Bread plans to move in April from their location in Peekskill to the former location of the Garrison Café at 1135 Route 9D. The new location will provide more space, including a larger walk-in cooler to store dough and more retail space, wrote co-owners Erin Detrick and Liz Rauch wrote in an email to customers. They said they will offer coffee, community events, pantry items, prepared foods, pizza, classes and a larger rotating selection of breads, treats and snacks.

The Peekskill bakery on North Division Street will close on Dec. 24.

Signal Fire Bread began in Erin Detrick’s Cold Spring home in 2018, bolstered by community connections made through Liz Rauch, who previously created the much-loved Garrison Bread. They began sharing space with their friends at Sparrowbush Bakery in July 2018, increasing production and increasing their knowledge of wood fired baking. Liz joined the bakery in 2019, and officially became co-owner at the start of 2020. After making bread in partnership with Sparrowbush through December 2020, they built their own bakery space in Peekskill.

Before starting Signal Fire, Erin was the sous chef at She Wolf Bakery in NYC, baked for Daniel Boulud’s restaurant group, and apprenticed with Peter Endriss at Runner and Stone. Prior to that, she worked in the theater industry for over a decade, primarily in new play development with the non-profit New Dramatists, and in new play publishing at Playscripts.

Liz began her bread career as founder of Garrison Bread, a small-scale organic sourdough bread business she operated out of her home from 2014 to 2016. Prior to and following that, Liz worked in the renewable energy sector, as a data quality engineer for solar and demand response software firms.

Wilder Balter turning former Ossining DPW site into affordable housing

An affordable housing project by Wilder Balter, the same firm that developed 645 Main in Peekskill, has won financing from Westchester County for an Ossining project at the village’s former DPW site.

The Westchester County Industrial Development Agency voted on Aug. 29 final approval of financial assistance for construction of a $94-million all-affordable apartment complex located in the Village of Ossining.

Located at 30 Water St. on the former site of the Village Department of Public Works property, the project will consist of two new buildings with 109 units of rental apartments serving households with incomes and rents at 30% to 80% Area Median Income. The development includes 40 one-bedroom units, 60 two-bedroom units, and 9 three-bedroom units.

To be developed by WBP Development LLC of Chappaqua, the project will include municipal parking, 3,745 square feet of retail space and 3,968 square feet of community meeting space as well as a linear park along the Sing Sing Kill greenway, a site in need of environmental remediation. A total of 2,300 square feet of amenity space will include a roof deck, community areas, fitness facility, management offices and common laundry service.

The developer is receiving a sales tax exemption of $3.7 million and a real property tax exemption of $1.97 million for total financial assistance of $5.66 million. The project is expected to create 133 construction jobs.

The development also assumes participation in the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program pursuant to a Brownfield Cleanup Agreement with the NYS DEC. Construction is scheduled to start in October with completion and occupancy June 2027.

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].

It’s Barktoberfest in Peekskill Sept. 28 at the Dog Park

Save the date for the Friends of the Peekskill Dog Park Barktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Peekskill Dog Park located at 1801 Main St. Enjoy a day that will include activities for kids, a dog Halloween costume contest, food trucks, pet vendors, and more. 

Since 2017, a group of volunteers have been helping maintain, clean, spread mulch, enhance, and keep the park an inviting place for both our 4-legged and 2-legged family and friends. In 2021, the group officially formed and became Friends of the Peekskill Dog Park. 

The mission of the group is to continue the efforts that were started many years ago and continue to enhance the Peekskill Dog Park, keep it free for everyone, keep up basic maintenance, and work in conjunction with the City of Peekskill to make the Peekskill Dog Park a premier dog park destination. 

For more information, please visit their website. 

Chamber Foundation golf tees off Sept. 30 at Hollow Brook

The golfers may not be PGA caliber, but the cause is good and the enthusiasm will be high at this year’s annual golf outing of the Chamber Foundation of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 30.

Proceeds from the golf outing are used to fund educational scholarships for high school seniors in our community.

As the nonprofit affiliate of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Foundation is focused on strengthening the communities the chamber proudly serves, by providing programs and services to promote local tourism, advance a sustainable workforce for local businesses and support the advancement of our youth through higher education and technical and trades certifications through scholarship awards.

Registration starts at 10 a.m. on Sept. 30 at Hollow Brook Golf Club on Oregon Road, followed by an early lunch at 10:30 a.m. The shotgun-start takes off at 11:30 a.m. and after the play ends the networking, auction and dinner starts at 4:30 p.m.

For more information email [email protected] or call 914.737.3600,

Senior Law Day at County Center offers guidance for free

The 24th Annual Senior Law Day will return to the Westchester County Center for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westchester County Center.

This free event features 18 educational workshops, one-on-one consultations and an opportunity to learn from experienced elder law attorneys, certified financial planners and geriatric care managers. County agencies and nonprofit organizations will also be on hand to provide resources and information.

Senior Law Day is open to all County older adults and their families. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Sign-up for the free, 15-minute, one-on-one consultations will be available at the door, and complimentary parking will also be available.

Workshops are offered in six thematic areas: Elder Law/Estate Planning Basics; Organizing and Protecting Yourself; Staying Afloat; Caregiving; Aging & Estate Planning Today; and Long Term Care. There will also be a workshop for Spanish speakers entitled, “Planning for a Child with Disabilities as We Age,” and a special Q & A session on Elder Law.

Senior Law Day is presented by DSPS, the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services (WPPP) and the Senior Law Day Collaborative. For registration or additional information, call (914) 813-6300 or visit DSPS or Senior Law Day.

Answers for those approaching Medicare available

Those confounded and perplexed by Medicare should consider the Westchester Library System’s “Demystifying Medicare” workshops that will run from Sept. 30 through Nov. 17 at libraries around the county.

The free, three-hour workshops are designed to walk seniors, those approaching 65, and loved ones through the Medicare maze. The workshops are led by Julie Woodward, a retired teacher and volunteer who has conducted 260 workshops over the last decade.

Three workshops will be held in the Peekskill area: Sunday, Oct. 20, 1:15 p.m., Croton Free Library, 171 Cleveland Drive; Wednesday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m., John C. Hart Memorial Library, 1130 E. Main St., Shrub Oak; and Sunday, Nov. 17, 1:15 p.m., Hendrick Hudson Free Library, 185 Kings Ferry Road, Montrose.

In addition, individual, walk-in counseling sessions led by volunteers are available on an ongoing basis at select libraries. Volunteers work in partnership with the Westchester Library System and Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services and are certified by the state’s Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program.

Here’s the schedule for Medicare counseling, available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: John C. Hart Memorial Library, 1130 E. Main St., Shrub Oak: Every second and fourth Tuesday of each month, plus Oct. 15, 29; Nov. 19; Dec. 3; Hendrick Hudson Free Library, 185 Kings Ferry Road, Montrose: Oct, 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 18, 25; Dec. 2

Westchester Library System also operates a Medicare helpline: 914-813-6100.

City seeks consultant to manage $10 million state grant

The City of Peekskill received a grant from the New York State Empire State Development Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund (MHMF) program in June 2024 and must invest $20 million in infrastructure projects and see commensurate housing growth by 2027. 

The City seeks a project management support to implement four large infrastructure projects; this support will include Phase 1: develop infrastructure project sequencing and oversee cost estimates for each project; grant budgeting, contracting and reporting; liaise with housing developers about their projects, issues, and scheduling; and Phase 2: capital planning and construction contract oversight; housing development tracking; grants management and reporting; and matching funds management.

Applicants must submit their proposals by email and three (3) hard copies by 5 p.m., October 7, 2024.  

Classes at ‘Arts10566’ forming now for fall session

Registration is now open for fall after school classes at Arts10566.

Classes on the fall schedule include Hip Hop dance, tap dance, music band, songwriting, beginner drumming, intro to clarinet and creative arts.

Please note there is a minimum requirement of 6 students for classes to continue to run. Maximum enrollment for each class is 12 students. Once the maximum is reached, the class will be closed out. When choosing, please register for classes that your family can commit to attending regularly. Classes will run based on sufficient enrollment numbers.

Arts 10566 aims to address the varied interests and needs of Peekskill’s diverse youth community through the arts. By creating an open community forum where skills and ideas are exchanged, individuals are connected and resources can be used to stabilize, rejuvenate, and unify the city. The program brings high quality arts instruction to existing spaces and programs where youth gather. By bringing arts instruction to these spaces, students will have the opportunity to learn and showcase their respective artistic talents.

For more information and to register, please visit http://arts10566.org

Boys and girls soccer teams train with famed professional

Last week, professional soccer trainer Javier Angulo and several Ecuadorian soccer players hosted a soccer meet-and-greet with the Peekskill City School’s Grade 8 Modified Boys and Girls Soccer teams. 

The professionals spoke to the students, answered questions, played soccer and signed autographs.

Javier served as a professional soccer player in Ecuador, star striker for teams such as Barcelona S.C, Macará, Delfín, Católica, FC Dinamo Tbilisi de Rusia y el 11 de Municipal en El Salvador and Ecuadorian Official Soccer Team. He was one of the pioneers in being a professional player abroad with a career full of successes and goals in his favor. 

He currently works as a professional coach in New York City at the school he founded in the United States as Javier Angulo Soccer Academy. He’s a coach with many sports and professional skills that guarantee high performance for those who decide to start training.

Jewish culture classes for kids at First Hebrew Congregation

Congratulations to First Hebrew Congregation on its ribbon cutting celebration held on Sunday for the launch of its Jewish Culture 4 Kids program. 

Children ages 1 through 6 will dive into engaging activities including arts and crafts, storytelling, games, and others in order to discover the beauty of Jewish heritage.

Perfect for little ones eager to learn while having fun. Don’t miss out – mark your calendars and register today. Long-time Hebrew educator Elaine Contard will be conducting the lessons on select dates. Sessions are held monthly from September through June.

More information available here.

Obituaries

Ruth (Lockwood) Isabella,

Ruth (Lockwood) Isabella, 94, a lifetime resident of Peekskill and Cortlandt Manor, died on Sept. 13, 2024.

She was born on Sept. 1, 1930, to Arthur and Ruth (Leverich) Lockwood. Ruth was a graduate of Peekskill High School, Class of 1948. She married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Isabella Jr., on April 30, 1955, and was happily married for nearly 50 years. She was a lifelong member of the Peekskill Presbyterian Church.

Ruth worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Brewer in Peekskill before leaving to start a family. In later years she was a teacher’s aide at Woodside Elementary School. 

Throughout her life she acted as a devoted caregiver to many, especially her mother, whom she cared for nearly twenty years. Ruth enjoyed cooking, reading, dancing and watching movies. She loved the holidays and looked forward to celebrating them with family every year.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Joe in 2005 as well as her sisters Dorothy (George) Fowler and Jeanne (Robert) Skene. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Susan (Kevin) Brown, grandchildren Matthew (Harriet) Brown and Amanda (Gregory) Ruller, as well as her great-grandchildren, Henry, Elle, Andrew and Owen. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Ruth will always be remembered for her caring nature, and her deep love and devotion to her family.

Rita Patricia Hron

The family of Rita Patricia Hron (née Ellis) of Cortlandt Manor, announced her death on Sept. 18, 2024, at the remarkable age of 100. Rita was born in Manhattan on Dec. 10, 1923, to the late John J. and Margaret (Curnyn) Ellis, and grew up on the Upper East Side (Yorkville). She graduated from Julia Richman High School, on East 67th Street.

She married Bernard D. Kelly on June 7, 1947 and had two sons. She was widowed at a young age and was lucky enough to find love again. She married Walter H. Hron on July 8, 1961 and had four more children.

Rita was an amazing mother with a great sense of humor and a contagious laugh. When she wasn’t busy raising her six children, she worked part-time in retail and had a lifelong love of fashion. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends, particularly treasuring her trips to Ireland, Niagara Falls, and a cruise to Bermuda.

She loved her Irish heritage, the beach, and family vacations to Montauk, Spring Lake, and Florida. A fan of daily walks and her morning coffee, Rita became an avid reader and sports enthusiast in her later years. She enjoyed playing games and cards and almost always won. She laughed heartily and often, especially at her own jokes. Her vibrant sense of humor brought joy to all around her.

More than anything, Rita cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren, who will deeply miss her.
She is survived by her children Bernard (Maryellen) Kelly, Barbara (Robert) Wheeler, Patricia Hron, Christopher Hron, and Christine (William) Schettler, as well as her grandchildren Catherine (Rich), Sean, Brian, Kevin, Madison, Julia, and Molly. She is also survived by her brother Jack Ellis and several nieces and nephews. Rita was predeceased by her husband Walter H. Hron and husband Bernard D. Kelly, son Robert G. Hron, and sisters Ann, Catherine, Margaret and Mary.

Charles H. Barbato

Charles H. Barbato, fondly known as “Chuck.” died on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.

Born to Sam and Lila Barbato on May 16, 1959 on a stoop on Maple Street in Croton, NY. Chuck was a talented master carpenter who dedicated over twenty years to the Peekskill City School District Maintenance Department, he was known for his commitment to perfection and hard work.

He was a devoted, and loving father, who enjoyed fishing trips, and was never shy to pose for a photo with his signature smile. He always had a special place in his heart for an ice cold Corona, and celebrating any occasion at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, reflecting his love for both good food and cherished moments with loved ones.

One of Chuck’s greatest joys was being “Uncle Chuck.” He embraced every family gathering with open arms and a constant, cheerful smile. His spirit and legacy live on through his daughter, Jacqueline Lila Barbato Demps, and her husband, Wyatt; his beloved best friend and life partner, Geovanna Tovar; his sister, Kathi DeMagistris; his brother, Sam Barbato; and many adored nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, and his brother Tony Barbato.

Chuck’s love was a boundless gift, he will be remembered for his warmth, generosity, and the love he brought into the lives of those around him.