Peekskill Herald is heralded for ‘Community Leadership’

Non-profit publication’s multi-pronged focus on housing earns 2nd place in statewide competition

March 24, 2025

Peekskill Herald reporters Jeff Merchan (left) and Eric Harvey at the conference of New York journalists in Saratoga March 20-21. (Walter Mullin)

The Peekskill Herald took second place in the prestigious Community Leadership Award at the New York Press Association conference in Saratoga Springs on Friday, March 21.

The Susan R. Fulmer Community Leadership award was given to the Herald for its forum hosting and coverage of “Homegrown: A conversation about housing in Peekskill.”

The story, authored by veteran Herald reporter Jim Roberts, focused on the forum presentations of the Peekskill residents who have expertise around the issue of housing. A six-minute video filmed by Marist College documentary students was embedded in the story, as was a video of the panel discussion, produced by David Carbone of Peekskill Today.

“It’s a really interesting project” was the comment from judges from the Missouri Press Association, who reviewed the 2,082 entries from New York’s news organizations.

Picture of the nonprofit Peekskill Herald’s first award from the New York Press Association. (Adam Stone )

“It’s encouraging that the Herald was recognized for its role as a leader in the community around issues that are relevant to all of Peekskill residents,” said Publisher Regina Clarkin.