CITY
Six Peekskill High School 2025 graduates receive scholarship awards
The This Is Me Foundation announced its 2025 scholarship recipients, including 22 local students from five area high schools and six national honorees from across the country.
The This Is Me Scholarship awards $500 to graduating seniors from Croton-Harmon, Hendrick Hudson, Lakeland, Peekskill, and Walter Panas High Schools who have faced adversity or supported others through it while pursuing higher education.
Tanali De Paz, Megan Flores, Skyla Houston, Melanie Menendez and Tony Monchinski were the scholarship recipients from Peekskill High School.
Other local recipients were Hendrick Hudson High School’s Gianna Gagliardi, Castalia Litos, Lucy Mager, Marin Quigley, and Sydney Willkehr; Lakeland High School’s Christina Gogola, Paul Merriam, Ava Visconti, and Lillian Whippo; and Walter Panas High School’s Sarah Healey, Joshua Henkin, and Lilly Creighton.
Six national scholarship recipient students represented the strength and spirit of the alopecia community and were recognized for their courage, advocacy and perseverance.
This Is Me Foundation founders Lauren and Cait Brady, each diagnosed with alopecia areata in high school, launched the scholarship in 2012 in honor of Ryan Risco and Cait Chivonne Polhill, two friends who both passed away in 2011.
The foundation stated that since awarding its first two scholarships to Peekskill High School students in 2012, it has awarded a total of 172 scholarships, including 120 local awards to students facing adversity and 52 national awards created specifically for high school seniors in the U.S. who have or had alopecia.
In a press release, Cait Brady, co-founder of the This Is Me Foundation, said, “What began as a small effort in our hometown has grown into something we never could have imagined. Each recipient embodies resilience, strength, and compassion—the heart of our mission.”
– Eric Harvey
Ruben’s Mexican Café celebrates 20th anniversary
The City of Peekskill congratulated Ruben’s Mexican Café on its 20-year anniversary at a celebration on Friday, April 11.
Cafe owner Ruben Alvarez was joined by Mayor Vivan McKenzie, Deputy Mayor Patrica Riley, councilmembers Dwight Douglas, Brian Fassett, and Ramon Fernandez, City Clerk Cassandra Redd, and Deputy Clerk Jeanette Moore, as well as members of the Peekskill Business Improvement District and Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce.
Alvarez and his restaurant were celebrated for bringing many people into the downtown both for his events like the Cinco de Mayo celebration, the restaurant’s authentic Mexican food, and dancing and music.
In a YouTube video posted by the City of Peekskill, Carole Voisey, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, congratulated Alvarez on his big feat.
“Twenty years is not a little thing,” Voisey said. “That’s two decades that you have been here and very much a part of the community.”
Councilman Brian Fassett thanked Alvarez for serving Peekskill all these years.
“Twenty years, it’s an institution,” Fasset said. “You have built an institution. May you be here 20 years more. I cannot wait to continue margaritas at the bar, margaritas outside, wonderful food. Thank you so much. Thank you for serving Peekskill all these years.”
Alvarez said the cafe is open Tuesday through Sunday at 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Friday and Saturdays is open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
“When you come here ask for the owner and we [will] always be ready for you to give you good attention,” Alvarez said. “If not, please yell Ruben, Ruben.”
Alvarez acknowledged that he had difficulty holding the Cinco de Mayo celebration last year, for which he withdrew his permit application due to a series of economic factors.
But this year the event is on, Alvarez said, inviting people to come and enjoy the “fiesta” (party) of Cinco De Mayo and bring their family and kids.
The Common Council voted last week to authorize street closure on portions of North Division Street and Park Street between 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 3 and midnight.
– Eric Harvey
Westchester Cars & Coffee receives proclamation from County Exec Jenkins
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and Deputy County Executive Richard Wishnie presented a proclamation on April 13 to Westchester Cars & Coffee for the organization’s community service to the City of Peekskill.
The organization was established in 2012 in Yorktown Heights, later relocating to Peekskill Auto Vault Car Storage Headquarters in 2020. The proclamation stated it “has become an integral component of the community, attracting families and car enthusiasts from New York City and the Hudson Valley Region.”
In collaboration with the City of Peekskill and the Peekskill Youth Bureau, Westchester Cars has organized toy and food drives to directly benefit Peekskill residents over the last four years. It has also sponsored several other events including one on Father’s Day.
Last year, Basil Kazepis, the organization’s founder, was recognized by the City of Peekskill Youth Bureau with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recognition Award for significant contributions to the community.
In a social media post, Westchester Cars & Coffee wrote, “It was truly humbling. It’s been a pleasure to meet and connect with so many amazing people. We can’t wait to continue working with everyone in the community in 2025 and beyond!”
– Eric Harvey
City to hold tree planting on April 26 in honor of Arbor Day
The City of Peekskill is inviting people to celebrate Arbor Day at the Riverfront Green Park with a special tree planting demonstration on April 26 at 11:30 a.m., following a park clean-up event.
In a social media post, the city said attendees can learn from experts about proper tree planting techniques, the benefits of urban forestry and how they can help nurture Peekskill’s natural beauty.
“Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just curious about environmental stewardship, there’s something for everyone,” the city said. “Let’s grow together — one tree at a time!”
– Eric Harvey
COUNTY
New program aims to help those with autism interact with law enforcement
The Westchester County Board of Legislators announced the launch of the Blue Envelope Program on April 17.
The initiative is designed to foster calm and effective interactions between law enforcement and drivers with autism and other disabilities during traffic stops.
Those participating receive a blue envelope to store their license, registration, and insurance information to alert officers that a driver may require additional accommodations. It will also contain guidance for both drivers and officers to ensure safe and productive communication during traffic stops.
In a press release, County Executive Ken Jenkins said implementing the program was an easy decision.
The county advises drivers to place the blue envelopes in an easy-access location such as a sun visor or glove compartment. If stopped by police, they should tell officers they have a blue envelope in the car, then retrieve and hand it to the officer, the county recommends.
“It creates a simple way for drivers with autism or similar disabilities to discreetly communicate their condition, while providing helpful information to police officers during a routine traffic stop,” Jenkins said. “These blue envelopes will help to reduce anxiety for drivers, as well as give law enforcement officers a clear indication that the driver may require more patience, or an alternate communication method.”
– Eric Harvey
Putnam Valley festival could affect Peekskill water supply
An application for a Renaissance festival at the Town of Putnam Valley’s Camp Combe could potentially affect the City of Peekskill’s water supply.
Kingdom Faire plans from the YMCA, according to an article written by Watching Putnam Valley, include creating 185 parking spots on the property at Peekskill Hollow Road in Putnam Valley, with many of the proposed spots close to the Peekskill Hollow Brook.
Putnam Valley Planning Board Vice Chair Tom Carano reportedly voiced concerns back in February about having potentially a hundred cars being parked at the shoreline of the Hollow Brook, which he said is essentially a water supply for the City of Peekskill.
“There’s no riparian buffer, there’s nothing except for gravel and everything that drips out of those cars – and anything for that matter – rainwater, any residual stuff that comes off Peekskill Hollow Road, is going to end up in the Hollow Brook,” Carano said according to Watching Putnam Valley.
There is an additional project complication: Camp Combe’s special use permit does not allow it to host the Renaissance festival organized by Kingdom Faire. Putnam Valley Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi said she learned of this issue in March from a resident. Putnam Valley’s Town Board is considering how to resolve this issue, including a new law to regulate outdoor events.
Camp Combe is scheduled to appear before the Planning Board on April 28. Kingdom Faire’s festival is scheduled to be held on two weekends at the end of May and early June.
– Eric Harvey
STATE
Report says taxpayers will save $1.3 billion with packaging reduction bill
A report from Beyond Plastics, a project seeking to end plastic pollution, estimated that New York residents could save $1.3 billion over a decade if the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA) passes.
That act, sponsored by State Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, would require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan.
According to Beyond Plastic’s key findings, the $1.3 billion in savings over the first 10 years comprises $568 million for local governments ($103 million in savings for Westchester and Hudson Valley counties), due to less waste, and $696 million for private waste hauler services. The report said more waste would be recycled, and less waste landfilled and incinerated through PRRIA.
According to the report, new packaging fees are required “so that the companies that sell packaged goods pay to manage the packaging waste, providing a new revenue source for local governments. The policy will result in less waste and more reuse recycling, saving local tax dollars and reducing the burden on taxpayers. It will also save money for private waste haulers.”
In a release, Beyond Plastics president and former Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator Judith Enck said single-use packaging waste was bad for the environment, public health, and a waste for taxpayer dollars.
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” Enck said. “New York State lawmakers have a comprehensive solution to this growing waste problem at their fingertips, and New Yorkers are depending on them to pass it. New York needs to make polluters— not taxpayers — pay by adopting this bill.”
Harckham, who is the Senate Environmental Conservation chair and represents the 40th Senate District including Peekskill, said the report helped to quantify the financial impact of PRRIA and was a “real revelation” that could not be ignored.
“For the past 70 years, New Yorkers have paid the price for our plastic packaging waste removal and disposal — financially, environmentally, and from a public health perspective — and the status quo is no longer an option,” Harckham said.
The full report can be viewed here.
– Eric Harvey
Attorney General James wins case against Google on monopolies in digital advertising
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a major court victory after winning a case against Google for monopolies in digital advertising.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia found that Google has violated the law by maintaining illegal monopolies in the digital advertising technology industry, stifling competition, and harming website publishers, advertisers, and consumers, a press release on April 17 stated.
James led a coalition of 17 attorneys general in joining the Department of Justice to sue Google in 2023 for what they described as anti-competitive conduct that threatened markets in the online advertising industry.
The lawsuit alleged Google’s market power allows it to control nearly every aspect of online ad sales, allowing it to extract higher fees from advertisers while paying lower amounts to publishers for their ad space.
The conduct, James’ office said, hurts consumers and web publishers by making it harder for websites to make enough money on their advertising inventory, preventing them from offering internet users free content without subscriptions, paywalls, or alternative forms of monetization.
“Google’s monopolies allow it to soak up excessive profits, leaving less for the workers and businesses whose livelihoods depend on online advertising,” James said. “Everyone from major news organizations to small independent bloggers has taken a financial hit because of Google’s conduct, making it harder to continue to offer free, high-quality content online for everyone.”
According to the release, a second phase of the trial to determine remedies for Google’s conduct will take place at a later date.
– Eric Harvey
NATIONAL
Rep. Lawler reintroduces Gabriel Rosenberg Dyspraxia/DCD Coverage Act
On April 17, U.S. Reps. Mike Lawler of New York and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey reintroduced bipartisan legislation to help ensure healthcare coverage for children and adults struggling with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also referred to as dyspraxia.
The act would establish a Government Accountability Office study to report to Congress on how Dyspraxia/DCD treatment is currently covered by insurance and what barriers to coverage exist.
According to a release from Lawler’s office, dyspraxia is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects fine and gross motor skills such as balance, coordination and manual dexterity.
The bill was named after Gabriel Rosenberg, who was diagnosed with the condition at three and whose parents founded Dyspraxia DCD America in 2019, a nonprofit advocating for and providing resources to families affected by the condition.
“This bipartisan initiative is about access and ensuring that families don’t have to fight for the care their loved ones need,” Lawler said. “By understanding where coverage falls short, we can take meaningful steps to fix it. Every child and adult living with dyspraxia deserves to be seen, heard, and supported—not left behind due to gaps in our healthcare system.”
In a statement Danielle Rosenberg, the founder of Dyspraxia DCD America, thanked Lawler and Gottheimer for proposing the bill to study insurance coverage of dyspraxia in the U.S.
“By ensuring that individuals with Dyspraxia have access to the necessary resources and support, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all those affected by this condition,” Rosenberg said. “… Your work not only honors Gabriel’s legacy but also paves the way for countless others to receive the support they need to thrive.”
Lawler represents Congressional District 17 which includes the City of Peekskill.
– Eric Harvey
Assemblywoman Levenberg criticizes Trump’s defiance of Supreme Court
Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg condemned President Donald Trump and his administration for not returning a U.S. resident who was illegally deported despite a 9-0 Supreme Court ruling that he must be returned.
Kilmar Armando Ábrego García, a Salvadorian national living legally in Maryland, was accused of being a member of the MS-13 gang and was deported to an El Savador prison in what the administration called an “administrative error.” The White House said the man would never come back.
In a press release, April 15, Levenberg said, “Today, in a joint appearance with the authoritarian leader of El Savador, the president made it clear that he also intends to ignore a Supreme Court ruling, condemning a man his administration admits was erroneously deported, and suggesting that American citizens might follow.”
Levenberg said the country was in a constitutional crisis and that Congress must use its constitutional authority to end the situation by impeaching and removing Trump from office.
“In doing so, our congressional representatives can reassure Americans and the world that the rule of law is alive and well in the United States, and that our institutions are capable of restoring stability when they are undermined,” Levenberg said.
Levenberg represents Assembly District 95 which includes the City of Peekskill.
– Eric Harvey
