CITY
Garbage burning plant returns to full operations
Operations at the Wheelabrator Westchester garbage burning plant at Charles Point returned to full operations late last week following an “electrical transient issue” that took the plant offline for several days beginning March 15.
Neighbors noticed larger than normal amounts of noise and steam venting caused by temporary operational modifications, according to plant management.
Company spokesperson Mary Urban told the Herald on March 21 that the plant is accepting all customers’ waste trucks once again and that the need to vent steam has been significantly reduced.
“Nearby residents may still hear an occasional noise or see an occasional steam plume as we bring the remaining boiler back up over the weekend,” Urban said.
“Throughout the recovery from the transient condition, we’ve continued to meet the strict safety and environmental regulations under the NYSDEC.” The company continues to investigate the cause of the malfunction.
“We apologize to our neighbors for the audible steam venting but are glad to be back converting their waste into renewable energy that is returned to power homes and businesses throughout the region,” Urban said.
Courtney Williams, the founder of the Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions, (WASS), told the Herald that her group received reports of at least one person having respiratory problems after walking along the Riverfront during that time, as well as numerous complaints of acrid smells in Verplanck and noise complaints.
“It’s ironic this malfunction comes as the county undertakes a waste reduction study that ignores the age and harms of this incinerator,” Williams said. “The older an incinerator gets, the more frequently these kinds of events become.
“If the city and county don’t plan ahead we are going to be in big trouble. The average age an incinerator retires in the US is 24, this thing is 41.”
– By Jim Roberts
Missing 17-year-old found ‘safe and in good health’
[Editor’s Update: After the following story was filed, Peekskill Herald was notified by Peekskill Police Lt. Adam Renwick at 3:37 p.m. on Monday, March 24, that “Amari Murphy has been located safe, and in good health.”]
The family of a young 17-year-old Peekskill woman has gone public with their concerns about her whereabouts.
Amari Murphy has had no contact with family members since late January according to her grandmother Doranda Cole, who spoke with News12 Westchester last week. “I want my grandchild to know that I love her, I miss her, and that she can [be] home with me,” Cole told News12.
The Peekskill Police Department issued News 12 a statement saying its detective division is actively attempting to locate Murphy. The department is asking anyone with information about Murphy’s whereabouts to give them a call. The main phone number is 914-737-8000.
The Herald profiled Murphy’s outstanding play with the Peekskill High School girls varsity basketball team in a January article when she scored her 1,000th career point. “Amari is a talented and dynamic player, known for her scoring ability and consistency on the court,” her coach Nyrie Holliman told the Herald. “She has worked hard to get to where she is.”
Peekskill woman faces criminal charges of animal cruelty
Shannon Deleg, 33, of Peekskill, was charged last week with three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty over the condition of three young dogs in her custody.
“I am outraged by the conduct alleged here today,” said Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace. “I am deeply grateful for the dedicated efforts of our partners at SPCA Westchester. With their partnership, we will continue the work of making Westchester safe for all its residents.”
According to the DA’s office Deleg owned three Terrier mix dogs, each between approximately 1 to 2 years in age. “Red,” a young female, was found emaciated, fifteen pounds underweight and covered in feces and urine, according to the misdemeanor information. These conditions caused her to unjustifiably suffer and to experience unjustifiable physical pain, according to the misdemeanor information. The two other dogs, “Giru” and “Luna,” are also alleged to be funderweight, emaciated and covered in feces and urine.
The charge of animal cruelty is a class A misdemeanor and not bail eligible. The three dogs were surrendered to the custody of SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Westchester. SPCA Westchester is a No-Kill Animal Rescue Center located in Briarcliff Manor.
Solo exhibition opens April 3 at Field Library Gallery
Fragments and Artifacts, a new solo exhibition by local artist Felice Gittelman, will run from April 3 through April 28 at The Field Gallery, on the second floor of the Peekskill library.
This thought-provoking exhibition explores the intersection of memory, transformation and personal history through mixed-media compositions incorporating fabric, paper and found objects.
An Artist Reception will be held on Saturday, April 5 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to engage with the artist and gain insight into her creative process.
Additional events include: Artist Talk on Saturday, April 12, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Meet the Artist on Thursdays, April 10 and 17, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Meet the Artist on Saturdays, April 19 and 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
In addition to her artistic work, Gittelman has an extensive background in education, particularly working with students with special needs, including those with autism. She finds that the structured routines used in teaching mirror the meditative and transformative nature of her creative process.
Her recently self-published book, Stitching: A Metaphor for Mending, chronicles her passion for art making and her studies at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, reflecting on the significance of personal and ancestral history in shaping her work.
Lincoln Depot Museum opens its eleventh season April 5
On Saturday, April 5, the Lincoln Depot Museum will open its 2025 season with a special program “The Perseverance of Abraham Lincoln.”
Lou Del Bianco will perform his adaptation of President Lincoln from Lincoln’s experiences as a child on the prairie, to lawyer, candidate, legislator, and wartime president. Del Bianco, an actor, author, and historian, takes the stage with humor, accounts of historic events, and personal anecdotes to trace the incredible perseverance that made Abraham Lincoln one of America’s greatest leaders.
The 2025 season will run from April 5 to Nov. 23. The museum will be open every Saturday and Sunday, excluding holidays, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $8 for non-residents, $5 for seniors, veterans, active military, and children under 12. Peekskill residents enter free of charge. Museum memberships are also available.
The monthly program “First Saturdays at the Museum” will return. On the first Saturday of each month throughout the year there will be a variety of historical presentations, some on topics beyond the Civil War era.
Another program that will return this year is the “Collectors Corner,” where individuals are invited to display their own collections for a weekend in the museum and are on hand to discuss their items with visitors. These collections are sometimes life-long passions of individuals who are happy to share their experience with our visitors.
For more information, visit the museum website or call at 914-402-4318.
Still time to order Military Tribute Banners
Orders for 2025 are being accepted for the City of Peekskill Military Tribute Banners.
All ordered banners will be displayed throughout the City of Peekskill from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. For those who have purchased banners in prior years, there is a $15 non–refundable rehanging fee.
If you would like to order a banner honoring someone who is serving or has served, please complete this form by Saturday, March 29.
For additional information about our Military Tribute Banners, please contact City Clerk Cassandra Redd at 914-737-3400 or email [email protected].
COUNTY
Connecticut trio nabbed stealing from Kohl’s store in Cortlandt
New York State Police in the Cortlandt barracks arrested three Connecticut residents, allegedly part of an organized retail theft operation targeting Kohl’s stores in the tri-state area.
On March 13, troopers responded to a report of three people concealing merchandise at the Kohl’s store in Cortlandt Manor. When the suspects tried to leave the store with $6,152.88 in stolen items, they were arrested by state police, with assistance from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), according to the police.
The suspects are: Tyeisha R. Bridges, 32, of Hartford; Shatoya A. Lewis, 25, of Hartford; and Eve G. Mitto, 23, of Windsor. Each is charged with felony third-degree grand larceny, and felony third-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
The suspects are linked to a separate theft at the Kohl’s store in Bedford, where they allegedly stole $10,020.21 in merchandise, according to investigators.
The suspects were arraigned, released on their own recognizance, and then turned over to the Town of Bedford Police Department for further investigation.
New York State Police ask that anyone with additional information related to this case or similar incidents contact Investigator Joseph P. Castellano at SP Cortlandt BCI at 914-737-7171, and reference Case Number: NY2500208511, BCI Case Number: 25-087.
Unemployment rate up, house sales drop in latest reports
The unemployment rate in Westchester County increased in January compared to the previous month, while property sales fell in February compared to a year ago.
The January 2025 unemployment rate for the Hudson Valley Region is 3.6 percent, up from 3.0 percent in December 2024 and unchanged from January 2024 according to figures from the state Labor Department. In January 2025, the lowest unemployment rate within the region (3.3 percent) was recorded in Rockland County. The rate in Westchester County was 3.5 percent.
In January 2025, there were 44,100 unemployed in the region, up from 36,700 in December 2024 and up from 43,900 in January 2024. Year-over-year in January 2025, the labor force decreased by 1,500 or 0.1 percent, to 1,212,900.
Private sector jobs in the Hudson Valley increased by 15,200 or 1.9 percent, to 819,000 in the 12 months ending January 2025. Gains were largest in private education and health services (+5,700), leisure and hospitality (+3,500), professional and business services (+2,600), trade, transportation and utilities (+2,500), financial activities (+1,300), other services (+1,200), and manufacturing (+200). Employment losses were greatest in mining, logging and construction (-1,000) and information (-800).
Closed sales of all property types in Westchester County declined in February compared to a year ago, with condos seeing the biggest drop at 9.1 percent, according to the latest report by the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) based on data supplied by OneKey® MLS.
Year-over-year sales of co-ops dropped by 7.9 percent, and single-family homes by 6.4 percent. The condo market saw the largest gain in median sales prices at 37.5 percent to $565,000, over $411,000 last year. Co-op prices rose by 7.8 percent to $215,000 and single-family home prices by 3.5 percent to $860,000 from February 2024.
Year-over-year new listings for all property types declined. Single-family home listings fell by 15.4 percent, followed by a 13.1 percent dip for co-ops and 6.2 percent for condos. Only condos saw an increase in inventory by 11.7 percent. Single-family home inventory dropped by 19.1 percent and co-ops by 12 percent. Months of supply for all property types declined 8.7 percent to 2.1 months and pending sales decreased by 1.3 percent.
Liberty Lines wins bid to run county buses for 10 years
Liberty Lines was awarded a 10-year contract to continue operating the County’s Bee-Line Bus system. The contract, issued following a Request for Proposals (RFP) in 2023, is valued at $1.8 billion.
According to the county, this was the first RFP designed to encourage broader competition, with two companies responding, Liberty Lines and TransDev Transportation. Also for the first time, the contract includes Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goals, underscoring the County’s dedication to diversity and inclusion.
The county has the authority to assess liquidated damages if Liberty Lines fails to meet specified performance indicators.
“We would like to congratulate Liberty Lines on winning the bid to provide transportation for the residents of Westchester County,” said Danny D’Amato, TWU Local 100 vice president. “Local 100 members at Liberty Lines have been providing transportation to the residents of Westchester for many decades.”
Head to ‘Anthony’s Nose’ for a rewarding springtime hike
One of this area’s most scenic hiking trails is rated in the top ranks of outdoor spots in the Hudson Valley.
The trail just to the east of the Bear Mountain Bridge, known as “Anthony’s Nose,” made the list in a ranking published this spring. The Anthony’s Nose trailhead is located on the east side of the Bear Mountain Bridge off of 9D. You’ll find the start of the trail on the right-hand side of the road if you are traveling from south to north.
The rock formation Anthony’s Nose got the name from the prior owner Pierre Van Cortlandt in 1697. It is said that he named the peak after the pre-revolutionary war sea captain Anthony Hogan. The captain was well known for the structure of his nose, which to Van Cortlandt resembled the cliff now known as Anthony’s Nose.
Here’s a description of the trail in the Albany Times-Union.
“A classic Hudson River hike, Anthony’s Nose offers one of the most famous viewpoints in the region. This short trail climbs steadily to a rocky overlook, rewarding hikers with a stunning view of the Bear Mountain Bridge and the winding Hudson River below.
“While it’s a relatively short hike, the elevation gain adds a good challenge, especially in winter. This is a great spot for sunrise or sunset, as the open ledges provide an uninterrupted view of the river and surrounding highlands. This hike has long been a regular exercise favorite for locals and visitors alike.”
STATE
Harckham bill on misclassified workers passes Senate
Legislation designed to protect workers misclassified by their employers has passed the State Senate.
The legislation, if enacted, would empower the commissioner of New York’s Department of Labor (DOL) to issue stop-work orders against employers for misclassification of employees as independent contractors or for providing false, incomplete, or misleading information to an insurance company on the number of employees who are “on the job” in the workplace.
“Misclassification of employees as independent contractors denies workers the rights they deserve, including minimum wage, overtime pay, unemployment insurance, health insurance, and workers’ compensation,” said state Senator Pete Harckham. Employees classified as independent contractors are not required by law to be paid the minimum wage or overtime pay.
Harckham’s bill mandates that employees affected by a stop-work order be paid their regular rate while the order is in effect for the first 10 days the employee would have been scheduled to work. Employees who initiate a complaint regarding their misclassification would be protected against unlawful retaliation by the employer.
“Once again, Senator Harckham is looking out for the health and safety of workers,” said Thomas Carey, president of the Westchester/Putnam Central Labor AFL-CIO. Misclassification of workers not only puts our workforce in danger, it also can be detrimental to the consumer and the job site itself.”
New income limits could push many GOP reps to resign
According to an article in the Albany Times-Union, nearly 20 percent of the state senators in New York might have to give up their outside income or resign from office if a recent court ruling stands.
A law enacted in late 2022 requires legislators to limit their outside income to $35,000. In return, legislators’ salaries were increased to $142,000 from $110,000.
Republican lawmakers, who will be primarily affected by the rule, sued in state court claiming the law was unconstitutional, but they lost under a ruling by Suffolk County State Supreme Court Justice Alison J. Napolitano.
There are roughly 26 Assembly members and 12 senators, mostly Republicans, whose outside income exceeds the $35,000 limit, according to the Times-Union article. The new law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
Late Friday, March 21 the Times-Union reported legislative talks could begin to delay implementation of the new law for two years.
You can read the entire article here.
