CITY OF PEEKSKILL

Police Arrest Poughkeepsie Man in Connection to Shots Fired 

A Poughkeepsie man currently facing a charge of murder in Poughkeepsie was identified as a shooting suspect in the City of Peekskill that occurred in August.

A press release from the City of Peekskill Police Department on Oct. 17 said that on Sunday, Aug. 17, at around 9:30 p.m. officers responded to the area of Main St. and Charles St. for reports of shots fired. An investigation into the incident confirmed that a firearm had been discharged during an altercation.

As a result of an extensive investigation, Anthony D. Taylor, a resident of Poughkeepsie, was identified as a suspect.

On Oct. 16, Taylor was arrested in the State of Maryland by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, along with the United States Marshal Service. Taylor is currently being held in Maryland, pending an extradition hearing.

Upon his extradition to New York, Taylor will face a charge of murder in the second degree in the City of Poughkeepsie, in addition to criminal charges related to the shots fired incident that occurred on Aug. 17 in Peekskill.

“The City of Peekskill Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for collaborating on this investigation: The Westchester County District Attorney’s office, FBI Safe Streets Taskforce, US Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Taskforce, Howard County Police Department (MD), and the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department.”

This is an ongoing investigation being 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 at www.cityofpeekskill.com under the crime tips section.

Squillante Honored for 50 Years of Hudson River Photography

Peekskill’s Hudson River photographer has been honored by the Westchester County legislature for his 50 years of photographing the Hudson River and his outreach in communities throughout New York.

October 16, “Joseph Squillante Day,” was celebrated in Westchester County in a proclamation awarded by County Legislator Colin Smith. The proclamation was presented at Joe’s exhibition, “Lens on the Hudson,” at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers.

“That day is my mother Victoria’s 103rd birthday anniversary, and quite a victory it turns out to be,” Joe said. “She was always supportive throughout my photographic career. She will be as pleased as I am grateful. Thank you, everyone, for your support through the years.”

Joe has been photographing the Hudson River for over 50 years. He’s traveled the length of the river, from its source at Lake Tear of the Clouds on Mount Marcy in the Adirondacks to its mouth at New York Harbor.

“My love for the Hudson continues to grow each time I visit its shores,” he said. “Making photographs of this wonderful subject has become my life’s work.”

A New York Times reviewer noted that some of Joe’s pictures are similar in style to Hudson River School, Barbizon, and 19th-century Realist painters. Like the Hudson landscape painters before him, Joe is attracted to the beauty and romance of the river.

And we at the Herald salute Joe for all his community work, including serving faithfully as a board member of the Peekskill Herald.

– Jim Roberts

Peekskill NAACP Will Honor 13 at Freedom Fund on Nov. 8

Thirteen honorees will be recognized by the Peekskill National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) at the 2025 Freedom Fund gospel brunch at the Bear Mountain Inn on Nov. 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

2025 Honorees for the brunch, with the theme of “The Fierce Urgency of Now: Uniting Faith, Community, and Compassion,” include the following:

• Amanda Armenteros – Mel Tapley Award
• André Rainey (former Peekskill mayor) – Drum Major for Justice Award
• Aniya Ancrum – Youth Ambassador Award
• Cheryl Hunter-Grant – Exemplary Service by a Branch Member Award
• Janice Reid – Ambassador of Education Award
• Ken Jenkins (Westchester County Executive) – Community Empowerment Award
• Lawrence Ofori – Outstanding New Black-Owned Business Award
• Mark Carter – Unsung Hero Award
• Renee Kearse – Unsung Heroine Award
• Ray Blue – Posthumous Community Service Award
• Marsha Toussaint and Alecia Brown – Golden Heart Award
• Vivian McKenzie (incumbent Peekskill mayor) – Distinguished Service Award

The Peekskill NAACP touts that the gospel brunch will feature uplifting music, powerful community spirit, and hopeful inspiration.

Those interested in purchasing tickets can go to peekskillnaacp.org.

Rep. Mike Lawler Endorses Republican Candidates for Common Council

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler endorsed Republican candidates for Peekskill Common Council,  Elena Muniz-Walker and Garrett Dowd.

Walker is a former director of product development engineering for an international manufacturer while Dowd is an attorney.

The two Republicans endorsed by Lawler are facing off against Peekskill Democratic City Committee endorsed candidates Beverley Chang, a physician assistant, Charles DiGruccio, an english language arts teacher, and Darren Rigger, a small business owner, community advocate, and former Peekskill councilman.

“Elena and Garrett will fight for fiscal sanity, clean and safe streets, and bring change to Peekskill, bipartisan representation at city hall so every resident has a voice,” Lawler said in an endorsement video Oct. 20.

Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District which includes all parts or parts of Rockland County, Putnam County, Dutchess County, and Westchester counties, which includes the City of Peekskill.

Election day is on Tuesday, Nov. 4, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The early voting period begins Saturday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 2.

Peekskill Talent Featured in Terror Tales Festival of Short Plays

Two Peekskill residents, Kathryn Rossetter and Katharine Morse, are playing key roles in Westchester Collaborative Theater’s (WCT) upcoming Terror Tales, a Halloween-themed festival of short plays running two weekends, Oct. 24 – 26 and Oct. 31 – Nov .2, in Ossining. Rossetter’s chilling contribution to the show is Rosemarie’s Baby, a take-off on classic film Rosemary’s Baby, with a surprise ending she calls “creepy funny.”

Rossetter is an accomplished actress and writer of essays, screenplays, and plays for theater who has been published and produced nationally and internationally. Her solo shows for the stage include Ripe and Starving Hysterical Naked that were performed at venues in New York City. Her one-act, The Water Boy, was produced by the Gilgamesh Theatre to excellent reviews. As an actor, she has performed on Broadway with Dustin Hoffman in Death of a Salesman (also in the film version), as well as off-Broadway and regionally.  

Morse is an actor who has performed various roles in such plays as Almost, Maine, Romeo and Juliet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

TOWN OF CORTLANDT

Cortlandt Officials Welcome All to Open House Oct. 23

The town of Cortlandt is hosting a Town Hall Open House for all residents Thursday, Oct. 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cortlandt Town Hall, 1 Heady Street in Cortlandt Manor.

This event is an opportunity to meet elected officials, including Supervisor Richard Becker, town board members James Creighton, Cristin Jacoby, Robert Mayes, and Joyce White, Town Clerk Laroue Shatzkin, and Tax Receiver Debra Carter. 

Several key department heads will be available to answer questions, including the town assessor, the director of DOTS (engineering, building dept, ordinances, permitting), the director of DES (highway, sanitation, parks, water), and the director of recreation (including youth and senior services).

During the event, the town clerk’s office will be staffed for any inquiries, including general questions, marriage licenses, dog licensing, hunting/fishing license, voter registration, EZ-Pass sales, and much more. Additionally, the recreation department will provide program information and town IDs can be processed. 

Residents can purchase the town’s recycling bins ($10) and food composting bins ($15), meet local Westchester County community police officers, and even learn about the Cortlandt Community Coalition, which is focused on reducing underage drinking and drug use. Little league and softball coaches and reps will be available for program inquiries, and residents can learn about opportunities to join a committee, including the Conservation Advisory Committee (CAC) and the Veteran’s Council.

Light refreshments will be provided. 


Veterans Day Student Essays Due by Nov. 3

What does Veterans Day mean to you? The Town of Cortlandt government is asking students to submit an essay on the meaning of Veterans Day. 

Students must be in grades 5-12 and attend a school district in the Town of Cortlandt. The selected student will be invited to the Veterans Day Ceremony to read their essay aloud. 

All submissions must be 200 words or less and received by Monday, Nov. 3, via [email protected]. 

The Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Nov, 11, at 11 a.m. at the Muriel H. Morabito Community Center.

STATE OF NEW YORK

Domestic Violence Weapons Bill Takes Effect 

New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and state Sen. Pete Harckham announced on Oct. 17 that their legislation inquiring police officers to take temporary custody of firearms when responding to reports of family or domestic violence has been signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

A joint press release from the two legislators stated that before the law was enacted, police officers under the Safe Homes Act of 2020 “merely” had the option of removing firearms that are in plain sight or are discovered during a consensual or lawful search. The new law went into effect during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“Too many domestic violence incidents involve shootings that could be avoided if handguns and other firearms were temporarily removed from the possession of accused defendants pending court action,” said Harckham, who represents the 40th Senate District that includes the City of Peekskill. “This common-sense law is meant to protect residents at risk of further violence.”

The new law requires officers responding to a report of family or domestic violence to provide further protection to victims by mandating the seizure of firearms in plain sight during a domestic violence call. This includes firearms that individuals may have a license to carry and which they are in possession of when arrested on suspicion of such family or domestic violence offense, the press release stated.

Dave Ryan, former Pound Ridge police chief, said, “The law that the governor signed today is a life-saving piece of legislation that removes firearms from what has already been identified as a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Research has shown that removing firearms from an intimate partner domestic violence environment will save lives.”

NATIONAL

Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Combat Invasive Spotted Lanternflies

If You See It, Squish It — that is the name of a bipartisan act to increase public awareness on the dangers of invasive spotted lanternflies, introduced last month by U.S. Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08).

“The spotted lanternfly has quickly become one of the most destructive invasive species threatening agriculture and ecosystems in New York and across the country,” Lawler said. “Vineyards, orchards, and family farms in the Hudson Valley are already feeling the impact, and the costs will only grow if we don’t act.”

The bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a national campaign to increase public knowledge on the dangers of the invasive species known as spotted lanternflies. The campaign would include public service announcements encouraging individuals to kill spotted lanternflies as they pose a serious threat to local agriculture.

Lanternflies feed on apples, hops, grapes, vineyards, orchards, and blueberries, as well as on oak trees, vitis vines, wild grapes, and the tree of heaven, another invasive species.