CITY
Firefighters Killed in 1918 Fleischmann Fire Remembered
On August 1, 1918, a number of the men living in the village of Peekskill were off to Europe fighting in WWI. The Spanish flu epidemic struck down others. And then, just before midnight, the call came for men of the Peekskill fire volunteers to put out a fire at a grain warehouse at Fleischmann’s.
Last Friday (August 1), 107 years to the day after that fire, career and volunteer members of today’s Peekskill Fire Department joined with current residents to remember and honor the seven firefighters who gave their lives in that blaze at Fleischmann’s.
A brick wall of the building collapsed as the firefighters climbed ladders they placed against it to fight the fire. Flames leapt 100 feet in the air and could be seen “… for miles up and down the Hudson…” according to the New York Times.
A memorial service near the site of that fire was held in front of the stone marker that bears the names of those seven. Paul Burns, a volunteer firefighter, recounted the story of one of those who died.
“Walter Cole, who worked at Fleischmann’s, was the first to call in the fire. Cole had just joined the volunteers. He was only 17 years old — and he never made it home.”
Deputy Mayor Patricia Riley spoke at this year’s memorial. “The service that we have here every year is very important,” Riley said. “We need to always remember the people that served our community and made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Council Members Dwight Douglas, Brian Fassett, and Ramon Fernandez were in attendance, along with Peekskill Fire Chief Jim Seymour and Fire Department Surgeon Dr. John McGurty Jr. The blessing was spoken by Pastor Michael Davis, newly appointed to the First Baptist Church on Highland Avenue and a volunteer firefighter himself. Also attending was Jerry Selleck, the grandson of one of those who died.
Three fire trucks from the Peekskill Fire Department attended the ceremony on John Walsh Boulevard, and, appropriately, one of them left early to answer a call for service.
The seven volunteer Peekskill Firefighters who died on August 1, 1918: Surgeon Charles R. F. Greene; Captain Clarence J. Lockwood; First Lt. James H. Selleck; Second Lt. Louis Barmore; George A. Casseles; John E. Torpy; and Walter Cole.
– Jim Roberts
Griffin Files Motion to Stay Out of Federal Prison
Glenn Griffin is asking a federal court judge to let him remain out of prison until the appeal of his two-year prison sentence is decided. Currently, Griffin is scheduled to report to prison on September 11.
U.S. District Judge Vincent L. Briccetti already approved a July 15 agreement allowing Griffin and his company, Griffin’s Landscaping Corp., to post his $2.7 million fine in an escrow account pending a determination of his appeal.
On July 22, Judge Briccetti agreed to hear arguments on the request for bail to allow Griffin to stay out of prison. He is currently free until his September 11 report date. Federal prosecutors have until August 5 to respond to the motion to keep Griffin free, and his attorney, Jeffrey Hoffman, must file his reply by August 12.
In court filings, Hoffman questioned whether Griffin’s plea was “… legally sufficient and knowing and voluntary as required by law,” and whether he received “constitutionally adequate representation.”
He also questioned whether the $2.4 million loss amount used for calculating Griffin’s sentencing guideline offense level and restitution order is free from reversible error (which Mr. Griffin posits that it is not).
“If any of the appellate issues are resolved in Mr. Griffin’s favor, a remand, a significantly reduced sentence, or even the possibility of a trial will follow,” Hoffman wrote.
On June 11, Judge Briccetti sentenced Griffin, 56, to two years in prison and three years of supervision after his release from prison. Griffin pled guilty to federal bribery and wire fraud crimes but filed a motion to withdraw his plea, which Briccetti denied.
According to a published report, Griffin’s co-defendant Robert Dyckman is currently serving his one year and one day sentence in USP Canaan, a high-security U.S. penitentiary with an adjacent minimum-security satellite camp in Waymart, Pennsylvania.
– Jim Roberts
Church of the Assumption Hosts Immigration Workshop
A “Know Your Rights” immigration workshop was held at the Church of Assumption on Sunday, July 27.
The event, sponsored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Peekskill branch, brought together over a hundred people, including concerned churchgoers, attorneys, the Peekskill Police Department, the Peekskill City School District, the Human Rights Division of Westchester County, and Mayor Vivian McKenzie and Common Council members.
Priscilla Augustin, president of the Peekskill NAACP, told the Peekskill Herald that attendees were provided with information on court orders signed by a judge being required for someone to be detained, guardianship forms in the event a parent is detained, and a list of community organizations that can help individuals with their legal status.
“The mayor spoke and so did I, explaining to the community that we are here to support them,” Augustin said. “They need to reach out to us with appropriate questions. If we can’t answer them, we will direct them to where to answer them. We reinforced for them not to be fearful because we are here for them. We understand what they’re going through.”
Speakers also reminded attendees that the Peekskill Police Department does not work in collaboration with U.S. Immigrations and Customs and Enforcement (ICE).
The City of Peekskill previously shared information for immigrants to understand their rights at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Those interested in helping others understand their rights can look at the red “know your rights” cards on the resource center’s website.
– Eric Harvey
Man Arrested for Vehicular Assault and Driving While Intoxicated
The City of Peekskill Police Department announced that an arrest has been made in connection to a motor vehicle collision investigation in June.
On Sunday, June 8, at about 5:30 a.m., the Peekskill Police Department, Peekskill Fire Department, and Peekskill EMS responded to the area of Rt. 9 South near the Louisa St. off ramp for a report of a motor vehicle accident involving entrapment.
Upon arrival, officers discovered two vehicles, a Toyota 4Runner and a Honda Civic, both with heavy front-end damage. The operators of both vehicles sustained serious injuries and were transported to Westchester Medical Center for treatment.
Investigation revealed that the Honda Civic was traveling the wrong way on Rt. 9, resulting in a head-on collision, police said.
On August 1, the operator of the vehicle, Kevin Arevalo-Yanqui, was arrested and arraigned in the City of Peekskill.
He was charged with one count of aggravated vehicular assault, one count of vehicular assault in the first degree, one count of vehicular assault in the second degree, one count of driving while intoxicated, and three counts of driving while ability impaired.
Arevalo-Yanqui was committed to the custody of the Westchester County Jail, after bail was established in the amount of $75,000 cash, 10 percent of $150,000 partially secured surety bond, or $100,000 insurance company bail bond.
This is an ongoing investigation led by the Peekskill Police Department. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Peekskill Police Detective Division at (914) 737-8000 or email [email protected]. Anonymous tips may also be made on the city website under the crime tips section.
Community Meeting to Be Held on Former White Plains Linen Site Development
Community members will get the opportunity to give their feedback on a proposed residential development at the former White Plains Linen site on August 13 at 6 p.m. at the Field Library.
The Stagg Group purchased the vacant site at 418 N Division Street in November with the intent to convert it into a mixed-use multi-residential building with 160 units. The group presented renderings and area median incomes on June 2 and again on July 7.
During the public meeting, the Stagg Group will share plans, answer questions, and listen to community feedback. There will be an overview of the proposed development and an opportunity for Q&A and community input.
A flier for the event disclaimed the meeting does not reflect the opinions of the Field Library, nor is the library a sponsor of the event.
Those looking for more information are encouraged to contact Frank Morris at (914) 500-9194 or [email protected].
Herald Seeking to Hear from Those with Rental Experiences in Peekskill
For a Peekskill Herald story in development, we are interested in hearing from any persons who have rented an apartment within a private house in Peekskill.
If you have experiences you’d like to share — good, bad, or otherwise — contact [email protected].
Five Peekskill Brunch Spots Featured in Article
“5 Brunches You Absolutely Have to Try in Peekskill” is the topic for discussion of a recent report in Westchester magazine.
“We run down some of our favorite ways to start a fabulous weekend in northern Westchester’s food and arts town,” the author reports.
The five favorite Peekskill brunch spots are: Birdsall House, Fin & Brew, Iron Vine, The Central, and Apropos Restaurant at the Abbey Inn.
“The Central offers Mediterranean-inspired mains and brunch menu items … If you’re dining with a big group, try out the table fare “Dip Habibi Dip” items, like the honey harissa hummus, tzatziki, or roasted red pepper whipped feta, available from noon on Tuesdays to Sundays.”
To read the article, click here.
– Jim Roberts
TOWN OF CORTLANDT
Hudson Valley Shakespeare Will Park in Cortlandt Sept. 20
Mark your calendars for a free night of theatre when Julius Caesar is presented by Hudson Valley Shakespeare and the Town of Cortlandt on Saturday, September 20, at 7 p.m., at the Cortlandt Waterfront Performance Stage.
The 90-minute touring production is designed for students and community members alike and explores Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” through the lens of modern civic discourse.
For complete information on the special event, read all about in River Journal North HERE.
Town Congratulates Eagle Scout Benjamin Sankar
Supervisor Dr. Richard Becker and the Town Board presented a certificate to Benjamin Sankar for achieving the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 49, Ossining, at the Town Board meeting on Tuesday, July 22.
In a newsletter on July 25, the town stated Sankar is currently attending the College of William and Mary in Virginia, studying chemistry on the pre-med track.
His final project was renovating the Lake Meahagh Community Gardens in Verplanck. He constructed two raised flower beds for those struggling with the lower beds. The enclosure was weeded, and a weed barrier was installed with a layer of mulch. Lastly, the existing beds were painted and filled with new soil, the town stated.
Furnace Woods Sewer Improvement District Work Underway
The Town of Cortlandt announced on July 9 that work associated with the Furnace Woods Sewer Improvement District (FWSD) is underway.
Michael Preziosi, director of the Department of Technical Services, gave details about the project to residents in a letter.
The project entails the construction of a sanitary pump station and installation of approximately 7,500 linear feet of 6 inch sanitary sewer pipe starting at 141 Furnace Dock Road. It then extends along Furnace Woods Road, Maple, and Lafayette Avenue before discharging to the town’s existing sewer infrastructure near 214 Lafayette Avenue. Sanitary effluent is then conveyed through town and county infrastructure and is treated at the Westchester County Peekskill Sanitary Treatment Plant.
All costs for the sewer project will be borne by users of the sewer improvement area, which is currently only the Yeshiva. The Town of Cortlandt has only contributed funds to allow other residents to be able to connect to the sewer line, the town said in a newsletter on July 18.
For the full letter, click here.
COUNTY
Furniture Sharehouse Awarded $95,000 Grant
Furniture Sharehouse, a furniture bank that provides furniture to transform empty apartments into “comfortable and dignified homes” for free, has been awarded $95,000 from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, led by philanthropists and New York Mets owners Steven and Alex Cohen.
In a press release dated July 29, Furniture Sharehouse stated the grant will go directly toward the purchase of a new box truck. This will enable the organization to continue to pick up gently used furniture from residents throughout Westchester and deliver it to clients in need who are currently living in empty homes due to dire personal circumstances or extreme poverty.
The furniture bank’s current truck is over ten years old with over 120,000 miles and has required increasingly frequent and costly repairs over the last several years, Furniture Sharehouse stated.
The truck is on the road four to five days a week, picking up furniture donations throughout Westchester County and then delivering the furniture to its new home. That is at the heart of its mission.
“This incredibly generous grant from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation is critical for our organization and will absolutely mean the difference between our clients living in an empty space sleeping and eating on the floor or living with hope and comfort,” said Kate Bialo, executive director and founder of Furniture Sharehouse.
Bialo continued, “Our truck touches literally every aspect of our mission — collecting unwanted furniture from the public, keeping it out of the waste stream, and getting furniture into the homes of those who desperately need it. This grant literally puts our clients on the road to recovery.”
Furniture Sharehouse addresses the “invisible need of furniture poverty” by giving away furniture donated by residents and businesses.
Clients include people moving out of homeless and domestic violence shelters, people struggling with physical or mental disabilities, people recovering from personal or natural disasters, older adults living on lean incomes, veterans, young people leaving foster care, refugees, and people struggling with poverty.
Median Westchester House Sale Price Passes $1 Million
While some areas in the Hudson Valley real estate market are seeing increased options for buyers, prices remain high — especially in Westchester, which has crossed a historic threshold, according to data from OneKey MLS, released by The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR).
“The median price of a single-family home in Westchester surpassed $1 million for the first time in 2025, reaching $1,200,000, up 14%, underscoring the region’s continued appeal despite affordability concerns,” said Lynda Fernandez, CEO of HGAR.
“We’re also seeing double-digit price increases in Putnam and the Bronx, while sales activity remains strong in Rockland and Orange counties. Inventory is showing modest improvement in some areas, but it’s not keeping pace with demand — especially for move-in ready homes under $500,000. Buyers are shifting strategies, expanding their search radius, and exploring alternative property types.”
Closed sales rose nearly 5% in the same time period, showing that buyers remain engaged despite price pressures. Condo and co-op prices also rose 4% and 5.5%, respectively, though sales dipped slightly.
Days on the market in Westchester County dropped to just 19 in June, underscoring the continued competitiveness of the market. Inventory is also still constrained, with only 2.7 months of supply, down from last month.
Sellers are well-positioned, especially with updated, move-in ready homes. There were 909 new listings in June, up slightly year-over-year.
The full June 2025 housing report, including interactive charts and county-level data, is available here.
– Jim Roberts
“Pouring New Life into Westchester” Campaign Wins PR Award
Westchester County Tourism & Film has earned the prestigious Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs Award from the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA).
“Tourism is more than just a driver of economic growth—it’s a reflection of the stories, culture, and communities that make Westchester so special,” said Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
The award was given for the PR and promotional efforts that went into its “Pouring New Life into Westchester” campaign in collaboration with Mower, an award-winning public relations and marketing firm.
Included in this campaign was the launch of the Westchester Craft Beverage Trail, which is a free, web-based “passport” program that highlights the County’s standout craft beverage scene. Since its launch, the campaign has encouraged visitors to discover diverse regions of the county, promoting local businesses and enhancing the visitor experience with a rewarding engagement system.
