CITY OF PEEKSKILL
Waste-to-Energy Company Responds to Incinerator Article
In a Letter to the Editor you can read here, WIN Waste Innovations rebukes statements by the activist Zero Waste Working Group in an Oct. 8 Peekskill Herald article about the WIN Waste Westchester incinerator.
Painter May Now Face 25 Years for Rape of 11-Year-Old Girl
Anselmo Yambay Pena, the painter-for-hire who pleaded guilty to raping an 11-year-old girl in 2024, is now potentially facing, as of Oct. 7, 25 years rather than the 17 years he was originally promised to be sentenced.
Pena allegedly violated his plea agreement, Judge Robert Prisco announced at the Westchester County Court on Oct. 7 while Pena stood in handcuffs wearing a paint-stained hoodie and sweats.
On Feb. 15, 2024, Pena was hired to paint apartments at a residential building in Peekskill. In one apartment belonging to the victim’s family, Pena raped the victim, who was then 11 years old. Upon learning of the incident, the child’s parents reported it to the Peekskill Police Department, who conducted an investigation and arrested Pena on Sept. 10, 2024.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office announced on Sept. 3 that Pena, 60, of Peekskill, was promised a sentence of 17 years in state prison in exchange for admitting to his criminal conduct, among other conditions.
One of those conditions included Pena not denying or minimizing his responsibility when he spoke to the probation officer. Yet the probation officer is alleging that is exactly what Pena did, Prisco said.
According to statements contained in a pretense investigation report, Pena told a probation officer that he was being accused because the victim’s mother and boyfriend attempted to extort money from him, Prisco said.
Prisco told Pena at the case, “As I indicated at the time of your plea, if the court were to determine that you denied responsibility for the rape in the first degree charge to which you pleaded guilty or minimized your responsibility, I would no longer be bound by the sentence promise that was made to you at the time of your plea and I will be free to sentence you up to and including the maximum sentence allowed by the law.”
A hearing will be held on Nov. 25 in which the probation officer will be present to testify and the court will determine if the statements attributed to Pena in the pretense investigation are accurate. If they are determined to be accurate, Pena will receive an enhanced sentencing in connection with the case. – Eric Harvey
Chamber Members Network Afloat the Emerald Princess
Business networking features good food, good folks, and the chance to find new opportunities for local companies.
Last week, the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce hosted all of that on the beautiful Hudson River, cruising out of Fleischmann’s Pier on the “Emerald Princess,” run by RMS Cruises.
Laura Adam, who owns RMS Cruises with her husband Captain Frank, welcomed the 100 chamber members and guests on board and thanked the business community for their warm welcome to the area.
“We are honored to be a part of this community and a part of the chamber,” Adams said. “Our main goal is to make Peekskill a destination, and in our first hundred days here, we brought over 5,000 people to the Peekskill waterfront.”
The Emerald Princess has a busy fall schedule with one-hour leaf peeping tours Friday through Sunday, morning brunch fall foliage cruises Saturdays and Sundays, and a full-dinner Thanksgiving cruise with all the trimmings “for people who don’t want to cook or clean up.”
The Emerald Princess will be featured on an upcoming episode of Cablevision News12’s “Road Trips Close to Home.”– Jim Roberts
Firefighter Horne Retires After 20 Years of Service
Peekskill firefighter Gary Horne (pictured at left) recently retired after 20 years of dedicated service to the community. Horne had a distinguished career, per the city, with his legacy of service and advocacy serving as an inspiration for others for years to come.
Additionally, firefighters Chris Rimm and Patrick McGinnis earned promotions to fire lieutenants.
Peekskill Gets State Financial Help for Water Upgrades
The City of Peekskill will receive $10 million in state funding through below-market interest rates and long-term repayment options for major upgrades to its water infrastructure. The funding is part of $176 million in grants approved by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) to support clean water projects across the state.
In Peekskill, the water infrastructure investment will support planning, design, and construction efforts focused on improving the resiliency of the Riverfront pump station, gravity collection sewers, and sanitary sewer force mains.
“Investing in critical water infrastructure is vital to protecting public health and driving economic growth,” said State Senator Pete Harckham. “Ensuring that our essential drinking water systems can withstand an increased strain during severe weather events caused by climate change is a major priority for us all.”
The funding comes from the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds under the Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA) and will help municipalities remove emerging contaminants, replace lead service lines, and modernize aging systems.
“The City of Peekskill is grateful for this impactful sewer infrastructure investment,” said Peekskill City Manager Matthew Alexander. “As Peekskill grows, it must have adequate infrastructure for both new growth as well as existing residents and businesses. This investment protects the Hudson River by hardening city infrastructure at the riverfront.”
Updates Provided on City Logo, Cannabis Microbusiness, DRI
Director of Planning Carol Samol provided updates on several planning department items at City Hall on Oct. 6, including on the logo and branding initiative.
Over 400 participated in a logo and brand survey on four logo designs unveiled at a council meeting on Aug. 18 by Trajectory Brands, the Canadian marketing firm hired at a cost of $55,000.
“The team is taking the time to analyze the comments and the results; we’re working with them on that,” Samol said. “While each option resonated with a certain percentage of participants, no one single option rose to the top.”
Samol also provided an update on the proposed cannabis growth facility at 710 Washington St. A report on an odor mitigation plan will be presented on Oct. 14 with public comment proposed to be left open until Oct. 27.
Members of the Common Council expressed interest in Samol preparing a letter of intent application for another round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) that recently opened up for 2025. Samol said this was primarily to get technical assistance, which is made available from the state when applying. Peekskill was awarded a $10 million DRI grant in 2019. – Eric Harvey
Plan Revealed for Apartments, Restaurant at 1019 Park
The new owner of the M&T Bank building on Park Street has an ambitious plan to turn the mostly empty office property into a 91-seat restaurant and 12 apartments on the upper floors.
Tech executive and real estate investor Ram Bathija bought the building earlier this year with a plan to complete an extensive renovation to lease office space. But now he’s changing course and wants to bring new life to the downtown with residents and dining.
The second floor will have six one- and two-bedroom units, with storage units and a business center for residents. The third floor will have six two-bedroom units, storage, and a residents’ gym. All units will have a washer and dryer and a garbage compactor. The new green roof will contain seating, skylights, and utilities.
M&T Bank will remain as a tenant in the building, located at 1019 Park St. The height of the renovated building will remain basically the same; approximately two feet will be added to the height since the third floor will utilize existing attic space not currently counted as a floor.
– Jim Roberts
Peekskill City School District Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
The Peekskill City School District recognized Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the work of community partners SunRiver Health and the Hispanic Community Corp. at the Peekskill Middle School on Tuesday night, Oct. 7.
Wilfredo Morel, SunRiver Health’s vice president of Immigrant Health, and Dinora Pacheco, president of Peekskill Hispanic Community Corp., were highlighted for their unwavering commitment to the Peekskill community, the district announced on social media.
Joining in on the occasion were students, families, the school district’s board of education, and several local electeds, including City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie, Councilman Ramon Fernandez, and Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg.
Woodside students added to the fun by performing two special songs for guests in both English and Spanish. During a recess from the evening’s meeting, board vice president and trustee Amy Vele and local band Amauta played music while guests browsed the district’s Latino History gallery.
Peekskill Democrats Call on Councilman Scott to Resign
The Peekskill Democratic City Committee released a statement calling on Democratic Councilman Robert Scott to resign following Scott accepting a guilty plea for a misdemeanor last week.
“The Peekskill Democratic City Committee strongly agrees with the mayor and Peekskill Common Council that any elected official who is proven to have violated their oath of office has relinquished the privilege to serve the people of Peekskill,” the committee said in a statement Friday, Oct. 10.
Scott, who was arrested in April 2024 and charged with filing false documents, pled guilty to a misdemeanor for obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree and a violation of disorderly conduct on Oct. 7.
Scott’s charges originally were classified as felonies, but a plea deal offered by the district attorney’s office in February 2025 allowed those charges to be reduced to a misdemeanor.
The plea’s conditions require that he commit to 250 hours of community service within 365 days. If the conditions are met, Scott can withdraw his plea to charges of government obstruction at a sentencing in a year. The plea deal did not require him to step down from his seat, which expires Dec. 31, 2025.
“Neither the Common Council nor the Peekskill Democratic City Committee has jurisdiction to dismiss a duly elected person. However, we echo the call of the mayor and Peekskill Common Council and ask Councilman Scott to resign,” the committee said in their statement.
TOWN OF CORTLANDT
Deadline Extended for Operation Snowflake
It’s not too late to join young volunteers helping seniors in Cortlandt shovel snowfall this winter.
The Town of Cortlandt is seeking youth ages 14 to18 to shovel driveways, pathways, and sidewalks for the town’s senior citizens this winter season. Youths will be paid $10 per hour.
The application deadline has been extended to Wednesday, Oct. 15. To submit an application, go to the website and search by keyword. For more information, contact Bobby at [email protected] or 914-736-0498.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY
Teatown Breaks Ground on $26 Million Project
Teatown Lake Reservation, the 1,000-acre nonprofit nature preserve and environmental education center in Ossining, is partnering with award-winning nARCHITECTS to build a new education center, renovate the historic nature center, and enhance the campus, working alongside landscape architect Starr Whitehouse. The $26 million project involves 22,000 square feet.
The development will ultimately create an accessible and ecologically enhanced pedestrian campus with reconfigured access and operations. A focal point of the redevelopment is a brand new 5,400-square-foot education center that will feature teaching and education spaces in its interior, exterior deck, and green roof.
County Gives Public Service Announcement on Suicide, Crisis Hotlines
The Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), together with St. Joseph’s Medical Center, released a public service announcement about the 988 suicide and crisis hotline.
The 988 call center, which is operated out of St. Vincent’s Hospital, provides a 24/7 hotline service for those in crisis. The lifeline is free, local, and confidential, and residents are able to call, text, or chat about family issues, anxiety, stress, bullying, substance use, or thoughts of self-harm.
The PSA replicates a call to 988, portraying a realistic conversation between a caller and a mental health professional.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “The 988 call center received nearly 18,000 calls in 2024. Our mission now is to make sure that everyone in the county is aware of the 988 lifeline and knows that this crucial service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
Commissioner of DCMH Michael Orth said: “This PSA is part of that ongoing effort that continues as we meet with business leaders, education leaders, and healthcare leaders to help spread the word that 988 is a resource for those in need.”
Deputy Commissioner of DCMH Joseph Glazer said: “Many people are affected either directly or indirectly by suicide. It is my hope that this attention-grabbing PSA will assist people in finding their way to the help they need… We can come together and show people a path to hope and to help.”
The PSA can be watched here.
The Tip Line Is Always Open at the Peekskill Herald
Have a story idea that you’d like to see a reporter from the Peekskill Herald check out? Ever think of a question that you wish someone would answer?
We always want to hear from our readers, and here’s your way to reach us. Whether it’s a question regarding a specific event, an economic development project, or just a trend you’ve noticed, we want to hear it.Send us your questions. We’ll review and evaluate the submissions and select those we can answer. We’ll publish the story. Send your questions to [email protected].
