CITY

Marine Corps Veteran Discovered Dead During Welfare Check

Peekskill Police officers discovered a man deceased at an apartment at 246 Washington St. on Thursday, July 10.

Peekskill Lieutenant Adam Renwickt said officers were responding for a welfare check at about 11:55 a.m., but upon arrival discovered a 68-year-old man deceased.

The man was identified as Rodell Roberts, a Marine Corps veteran, by his wife Eleanor Reeds-Roberts who told the Peekskill Herald he passed away peacefully in his sleep with an oxygen mask on.

Eleanor, a former resident of Peekskill, said she was in the process of moving Roberts to Florida with her. 

“I couldn’t get in contact with him, and I was trying for several days,” Eleanor said. “And on the last day, I said, ‘Something is just not right,’ because he never, ever, ever not takes my phone call, or if he’s missed it, he calls me back.”

After requesting a wellness check, Eleanor said she knew what her late husband’s fate was when she got a call back from police instead of a hospital. She described her husband as her best friend and a real sweetheart.

“He would take the shirt off of his back for you,” Eleanor said. “If you didn’t have, and he had it, he had no problem with giving it. He would leave himself without to make sure you had. He took care of me like he should. He didn’t have to, but he did.”

She continued, “And just the love that I have for him and to know that I can’t hug him again, I can’t kiss him again, I can’t sing to him again, it’s hard. I have a lot of memories. I was just looking at some of the pictures, and it’s hard.”

Eleanor said it was difficult to fathom the thought of not being able to pick up the phone to call Roberts and speak, pray, or sing to him. But she thanked God that Roberts wasn’t in pain when he passed and that they had a relationship where it wasn’t weeks or months before anything was found.

“It’s unfortunate that I wasn’t here with him when he closed his eyes,” Eleanor said. “But my heart is a little at rest just knowing that I’m able to lay him to rest now. I’m able to let him sleep peacefully.”

– Eric Harvey

Peekskill Firefighters and Trucks a No-Show in Parade

Some of those attending this year’s Peekskill Fourth of July firemen’s parade spotted something different among the marchers — there were no Peekskill fire trucks or career firefighters marching in the parade.

Unusual, and curious, to some Peekskill residents who have been commenting on the oddity.

John Pappas, a 52-year member of the volunteer department and this year’s parade grand marshal, told the Herald, “I’m not aware of any Peekskill Fourth of July parade where the Peekskill fire trucks did not participate.”

Pappas said because he was out front he didn’t notice the absence until the parade was almost over. “I got to the corner where the firehouse is, and I saw the career guys were standing on the sidewalk there, and when I got to the front of the firehouse, the trucks were still in the barn.”

Peekskill Fire Chief James Seymour told the Herald the city did participate with the department’s two white Command Tahoe SUVs driven by volunteer firefighters, as well as paid firefighters manning a utility-task, off-road vehicle handing out helmets and other items outside of the parade itself. “Our career staff, what we decided to do this year was a little different,” he said.

“Unfortunately, I also had to keep a few people at the station because they were cooking the hot dogs, and we had some civilians in the station. So just for security purposes, I couldn’t just let everybody leave the station,” Seymour said. He said it was unusual not to have fire trucks or career firefighters in the parade, but “it had nothing to do with John Pappas being the grand marshal. I have respect for everyone.” 

Seymour said the core majority of the current volunteers and the career staff get along great. “The career staff has immense respect for Tom Walker, the current chairman of the volunteers,” he said.

Pappas said it was an honor to be picked by the volunteers to serve as the grand marshal for the parade. “I think it’s a shame that it’s the Peekskill parade, and our fire trucks are sitting in the barn not going out to the public so the public can see the equipment that protects them.”

The parade is organized and run by the Peekskill Volunteer Fire Association with assistance from the city. Members of the volunteer firefighters marched in the parade.

– Jim Roberts

Mayor McKenzie Gives Update on City of Peekskill

The City of Peekskill’s Mayor Vivian McKenzie gave an update at Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkin’s Westchester weekly update on Monday, July 7.

“We’re living in uncertain times in our country, but we’re not allowing that atmosphere to discourage us or derail us from doing what’s best on the local level in the City of Peekskill,” McKenzie said. “We’re strategically planning and thinking outside of the box, and managing to continue to provide essential services for our residents and visitors no matter what happens on the Washington level.”

McKenzie said the city is addressing quality of life by creating a process for red light cameras, increasing patrols and enforcement by the police department, and listening to safety issue concerns by residents by attending forums. The city has also created a quality of life committee that meets regularly to address issues such as garbage in the downtown and noise control conditions of parks.

McKenzie highlighted several economic development projects in the city, including a project to create 22 affordable housing units in Peekskill, a multi-level go-kart racing facility coming to Peekskill, and revitalization of areas in the waterfront, including Charles Point Park and Fleischmann Pier.

The city is also working with developers on a project to take a city block property vacant for a number of years and turn it into housing that provides apartments for all income levels.

This, McKenzie said, will help the city meet its commitment to provide 1,000 units of housing as a result of the $10 million Momentum grant the city received last year.

– Eric Harvey

Fire Department Dispatched to Lithium Battery Fire in Car

The City of Peekskill Fire Department was dispatched to a reported motor vehicle fire on the 900 block of Garfield Ave early Thursday morning, July 10.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a fully involved car fire. After rapidly extinguishing the fire, on-duty personnel secured damaged lithium ion batteries that were found inside the vehicle.

In a social media post, the department stated personnel secured the batteries as prescribed in a steel drum with commercial packing agent and transported the drum to a hazardous materials storage facility in Valhalla. There were no injuries to civilians or personnel, nor other damage as a result of the response.

The department shared lithium ion battery safety tips that can be viewed here.

Fire Department Responds to Basement Fire

The City of Peekskill Fire Department was dispatched to a residence on Hoover Ave for a report of smoke in the basement on Wednesday, July 9.

Upon arrival, firefighters forced entry through a basement door and discovered a small fire in a back room of the smoke-filled basement. Crews used a 1.75” hoseline to quickly extinguish the fire and checked the surrounding area for any extension.

In a social media post, the department stated units remained on scene while the Westchester County Cause and Origin Team investigated the cause of the fire. The Peekskill Fire Department was assisted on scene by Montrose VAFD, Lake Mohegan FD, and Peekskill VAC, while Continental Village and Montrose Fire Departments provided standby coverage at Peekskill headquarters.

Fire Department Welcomes Two Graduates

Two Peekskill recruits were among 42 trainees from 14 departments in Westchester and beyond to graduate from the Westchester County Career Fire Chiefs Firefighters Academy on Friday, July 11.

Those newest career members are Probationary Firefighters Tobias Loyaza #66 and David Brito #67. Both, along with their classmates from Class 01-2025, spent the past 20 weeks learning a variety of firefighting and rescue disciplines and have completed nearly 600 hours of training in their new profession.

In a press release, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins congratulated the 42 graduates, who belong to departments in Eastchester, Fairview, Harrison, LaGrange, Lake Mohegan, Long Beach, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Newburgh, Peekskill, Pelham, Poughkeepsie, Scarsdale, and White Plains.

“From the wildfires that occurred in the Hudson Valley last year to the horrific loss of life that occurred recently from floodwaters in Texas, we are reminded of the unique challenges that firefighters can face,” Jenkins said. “As the recovery efforts continue in Texas, please continue to pray for those who have lost loved ones and for all firefighters and first responders serving there.”

Red, White & Blue: Stellar Views at Peekskill Waterfront

TOWN OF CORTLANDT

Assemblywoman Levenberg Hosts 3rd Annual Forum

New York State Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg welcomed local seniors to Cortlandt Town Hall for her third annual senior forum on Wednesday, July 9. The theme was “Sustaining Our Seniors: Happy, Healthy Hobbies.”

Levenberg’s office stated the event provided seniors with resources and inspiration for staying mentally, physically, and socially engaged while aging.

“Helping our seniors stay active and connected is essential to building brain health, as well as supporting healthy, equitable communities,” Levenberg said in a release. “This year’s forum was a celebration of the many ways older adults can age well and joyfully.”

The program was opened by Levenberg, Cortlandt Town Supervisor Dr. Richard Becker, and Marie Hargrove, a program manager with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Hudson Valley chapter.

Levenberg shared in her remarks that the theme of healthy hobbies was inspired by her husband, who has been managing early-onset Alzheimer’s through a combination of medication, physical exercise, and mentally stimulating activities such as writing, attending plays, learning sign language, and being read to by a friend.

Seniors were presented strategies for preventing dementia and maintaining brain health, a cooking demonstration featuring a nutritious recipe, a guide to native plant gardening at home, a coin collecting show and tell, and a fiddle and banjo performance.

The forum also featured presentations on scam prevention and legal matters from Kate Martin, assistant attorney general from the Westchester Regional Office of the New York State Attorney General, and Emily Rowe-Smith, assistant district attorney from the Office of the Westchester County District Attorney.

Harckham Criticizes Con Ed for “Tone-Deaf” and “Out of Touch” Rate Hike

State Senator Pete Harckham criticized Con Edison’s proposed double-digit rate hikes for gas and electric services in testimony before the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) at the Cortlandt Town Hall on July 8.

“Con Edison’s proposal is tone-deaf and out of touch with the realities now facing working families and fixed-income New Yorkers,” Harckham said in a release. “Many New Yorkers are already struggling to pay rent, buy groceries, and afford basic health care. Inflation has stretched household budgets thin, and higher utility bills will be the breaking point for many families.”

There were four state PSC hearings, with two each in Cortlandt Manor and White Plains. The hearings were a result of Harckham requesting the DPS for in-person hearings on the rate increase, which will impact more than 368,000 customers in Westchester and more than 3.6 million in the metropolitan area, Harckham’s office stated.

Harckham said his office receives hundreds of calls and emails weekly about sky-high electric rates from ordinary folks, including seniors, who claim they cannot afford to pay them.

The release said that Con Edison reported profits of $1.82 billion last year. The utility now proposes rate increases of 11.3 percent for electric and 13.4 percent for gas, which are expected to raise $2 billion a year in revenue. If approved by the PSC, the state’s utility regulator, the new rates would go into effect on January 1, 2026.

Con Ed is requesting a return on equity of 10 percent, which Harckham said means that Con Ed expects shareholders to see generous returns, even as customers face rate hikes many cannot afford.

“I urge the Public Service Commission to reject this proposal because struggling New Yorkers cannot afford to foot the bill for corporate returns,” Harckham said.

Developers Buy Two Properties in Cortlandt

Two recent property sales in Cortlandt could lead to more business development in the town.

The former Hillside Memorials property at 1018 Oregon Road was purchased by CMAM Enterprises LLC, based in Cortlandt Manor, for $435,000 in early June. 

The property includes two buildings of approximately 1,600 sq. ft. in total with street-level parking provided through a permanent easement that transfers with the property. One bathroom is also included, along with more than 500 sq. ft. of warehouse space and a full attic that can be used as is or converted to increase the usable square footage.

In a separate transaction, Bathija Brothers LLC of Mohegan Lake purchased an undeveloped parcel at 3116 East Main St. for $225,000. A listing of the property stated, “Raw land in busy traffic area, adjacent to new shopping center and across from Cortlandt Town Center. Great for a fast food location. Next to Chipotle, across from McDonald’s and Applebee’s.”

– Jim Roberts 

Sailors Girls Basketball Camp Starts July 21

Calling all future Sailors! The Town of Cortlandt, Head Coach Megan Boyle, and members of the Hen Hud girls varsity basketball team, will host a one-week, girls-only basketball camp from July 21–25, 2025, at the Hendrick Hudson High School gym.

The camp is open to girls entering grades 2–6. Participants will receive individual instruction on dribbling, passing, shooting, and rebounding. Daily contests will be held with an emphasis on team offensive and defensive concepts. All participants are encouraged to wear athletic clothing and sneakers.

Registration is $125. An additional $26 fee will be added for non-residents. Visit Community Pass to register for this program.

STATE

U.S. Representative Lawler Celebrates Release of Haitian Student from Spring Valley

Alan Junior Pierre, a refugee from Haiti and a student at Spring Valley High School, was reunited with his father on July 9 after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in June.

A press release from U.S. Representative Mike Lawler’s office on July 9 said the office was made aware of Pierre’s detention a week before and intervened after Pierre’s family reached out following “unsuccessful attempts” to seek assistance from Senator Chuck Schumer’s office. (Senator Schumer’s office reportedly advocated with ICE directly several times for Pierre’s release.)

Lawler’s team coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security and connected with the Pierre family and their legal representatives to secure authorization for official intervention. The release stated Lawler himself personally engaged relevant stakeholders to advocate for Pierre’s release.

“I’m grateful for the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Noem for working with me to release Alan Junior Pierre, pending his parole claim being adjudicated,” Lawler said. “My office and I will continue to work closely with Alan and his family throughout the immigration process, as we have with families throughout the Haitian community and across my district.”

He continued, “The situation in Haiti remains dire, and I will continue to advocate for Haitian immigrants to be granted asylum and parole within the confines of the law.”

The following day, Lawler joined dozens of members from the Haitian community to host a press conference in opposition to the revocation of temporary protected status for Haitian refugees and the complete travel ban to Haiti, and to celebrate Pierre’s release.

County Buses Losing $1 Million a Month in Fare Evasion

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins has proposed legislation designed to promote fare compliance and ensure the safety and sustainability of Westchester County’s Bee-Line Bus System.

The proposed local law would establish a civil penalty for the theft of services on the Bee-Line by adding a new Chapter 643, creating a non-criminal enforcement mechanism for individuals who fail to pay the required fare to ride the Bee-Line.

“Fare evasion is costing us about $1 million a month, and it poses a serious threat to the safety, fiscal integrity, and long-term success of our Bee-Line system,” Jenkins said in a statement on July 7. “This legislation is about accountability, not criminalization. It provides a fair and proportionate response to a growing problem that affects all riders.”

A 2018 report by the Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation stated the Bee-Line serves approximately 100,000 riders per day at over 3,000 bus stops throughout the county.

Fare evasion currently falls under New York State’s Penal Law Section 165.15 (Theft of Services), a class A misdemeanor. However, the county now seeks to address the issue through local civil penalties rather than criminal charges. 

Key provisions of the proposed law include a civil fine of $50 for a first offense of fare non-payment, a fine of $100 for each subsequent offense, authorization for county and local law enforcement to issue appearance tickets, and the option for violators to either pay the fine or appear in local court.