CITY OF PEEKSKILL
Polling Places on Election Day, Nov. 4
Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. The polls are open for in-person voting from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Polling places in Peekskill are located at:
- The Neighborhood Center > 4 Nelson Ave.
- The Central Firehouse > 1141 Main St.
- Peekskill Middle School > 212 Ringgold St.
- Hillcrest Elementary School > 4 Horton Dr.
- Woodside Elementary School > 612 Depew St.
- Peekskill High School > 1072 Elm St.
You can read all about the candidates on the Peekskill ballot at Peekskill Herald‘s Election Guide, available in English and Spanish.
Bill Allowing Red Light Cameras in Peekskill Gets Green Light
The City of Peekskill has gotten the green light to create a red light camera program.
State Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg announced Oct. 30 that their legislation authorizing the City of Peekskill to use automated traffic enforcement cameras within the municipality to issue violations for running red lights has been signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The bill allows a three-year, targeted demonstration program at up to nine intersections so the city can deter dangerous driving behavior, prevent accidents, and enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety. Now enacted, the new law is effective immediately. Electeds say the law will assist police officers who cannot be stationed at every intersection where there is a red light.
In a press release, City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie said, “The City of Peekskill is eager to use this tool to help protect pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists from injury while using city walkaways and streets.”
According to a joint release from Harckham and Levenberg, motorists run red lights so often that more than 135,000 people were injured nationwide by this dangerous infraction in 2023, with 1,086 killed. In New York, 1,345 fatal crashes between 2018 and 2022 were linked to red light running, making the state the third worst in the nation in this regard, the release said.
In addition, the release said cameras have been proven effective, with an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study finding that there were 21 percent fewer red light fatalities in large cities utilizing camera enforcement and the NYC Department of Transportation finding that red light violations dropped 73 percent at camera-equipped intersections.
In October 2024, Gov. Hochul signed legislation to extend red light laws in several Westchester municipalities, including White Plains, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, and Greenburgh, in addition to New York City. This led local leaders in Peekskill to urge state electeds to introduce similar legislation for the city.
Horror on Water Street?
Frankenstein’s Monster, The Phantom of the Opera and The Creature from the Black Lagoon could be coming to Peekskill’s riverfront one day.
Discussions are underway to bring the Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum, currently located in Plainville, Ct., to the former Peekskill Brewery building on Water St.
Bill Diamond, who is involved in the museum’s operations, has expressed an interest in relocating the collection to Peekskill, according to Matthew Rudikoff, speaking at the Oct. 28 meeting of the Peekskill Industrial Development Agency (IDA). Rudikoff is the agency’s executive director.
Diamond, a puppeteer, puppet fabricator, and producer, had his puppet inventory in the former Masonic building on Brown Street in Peekskill that was destroyed by a fire in 2001.
[Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, to correct the location of the fire.]
– Jim Roberts
Oct. 31 Was ‘Henry D. Seger Day’
Halloween wasn’t the only celebration on Oct. 31 — it was also Henry D. Seger Day.
For years, trick or treaters in Peekskill enjoyed Henry Seger’s elaborate Halloween display with a gigantic pirate ship and skeletons on his front lawn at the corner of Riverview and Longview Avenues. Seger sadly passed away in 2024, but his life is being immortalized in more than one way.
On Monday, Oct. 27, the Seger family was presented with a proclamation by the City of Peekskill mourning and celebrating Seger’s life and declaring Oct. 31, 2025, as “Henry D. Seger Day.”
Among Seger’s many passions, none shined brighter than his love of Halloween, his proclamation read. His legendary Halloween display — complete with hundreds of skeletons and elaborate themed scenes — brought magic and wonder to generations of Peekskill residents and became a destination for families from across the Hudson Valley.
The city honored not only Seger’s accomplishments but also the love he shared with his family — his children, grandchildren, and longtime-partner Patty McGrath — and the example he was in his lifelong dedication to family, work, and community.
City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie presented a proclamation to Seger’s oldest daughter Stacey Murphy and her brother Ken Seger, who set up the elaborate Halloween display one more time this year in honor of Seger and those who have come to love the display.
“If you knew him, he was an empath,” Murphy said of her father. “I mean, all he wanted to do is bring happiness to this world. And he did his little piece by doing his Halloween display for Peekskill. Because he just wanted to put a smile on some kids’ faces. And lo and behold, he’s like, ‘The parents enjoy it more than the kids!’ So he was thrilled.”
City Seeks Bidders on Four Projects
The City of Peekskill has bids posted for four projects with closing dates in November.
They include treatment plant and chemical sludge removal, water maintenance materials, window replacement services for the Whiskey River restaurant, and the City Hub & Connectivity project. The water-related bids close on Nov. 5, the window bid closes on Nov. 24, and the Connectivity bid closes on Nov. 20.
The window replacement and Connectivity projects are funded through Peekskill’s $10 million state Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant.
The Connectivity project involves installing new ADA-compliant curb ramps, construction of bicycle facilities, pavement marking and striping, new signage, installation of new curb bumpouts, installation of new pedestrian signals at two intersections, and the reconstruction of Brown Plaza, including the installation of site amenities.
The bids are listed on the city website.
Volunteer Firefighter Ruben Gray Is Sworn In
The City of Peekskill has a new volunteer firefighter. Ruben Gray was sworn in during the Common Council meeting on Oct. 27 by City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie.
“Thank you for joining our fire department and for serving our community,” the City of Peekskill wrote on social media Oct. 29.
A full roster of volunteer firefighter members can be viewed here.
Man Assaulted Near Jan Peek House Shelter
A man was assaulted outside the Jan Peek House Shelter located at 200 N. Water St. on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The City of Peekskill Police Department issued a release on Oct. 27, stating that at about 9:43 p.m., Peekskill police officers responded to the area for the report of a possible assault.
Officers arrived on scene and found a 40-year-old male had sustained a laceration as a result of an altercation that had occurred.
The male was treated for his injury at Westchester Medical Center and was discharged later that evening.
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 at www.cityofpeekskill.com under the crime tips section.
Chamber Awards Adult Learner Scholarships
at SUNY Peekskill
Two young animators specializing in 3D and 2D are recipients of the Adult Learner Scholarship to SUNY Westchester Peekskill Center for the Digital Arts sponsored by the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which has offered the $1,000 awards to workforce development students for the past three years. The scholarships help defray the cost of tuition for the Digital Arts Center’s certificate programs, helping students gain the upskilling they need to stay relevant in today’s rapidly changing workforce.
This year’s recipients are John Sukumar and Alexia Papavasilakis.
Sukumar, who worked at Kyndryl as a Visual Designer and then as a freelancer, taught himself Blender to learn 3D animation but has struggled with it. He seeks to master 3D Animation and will be enrolled in the 3D Animation Certificate Program taught by Joseph Thomas at SUNY Westchester. See John’s portfolio at sukumardesigns.com.
Alexia Papavasilakis graduated from Parsons School of Design and the New York Academy of Art. She is a drafts person, a sequential artist, and a freelancer. She will study in the Illustration & 2D Animation Certificate Program co-taught by David Abrevaya and Emmanuel Jacquez Reyes at SUNY Westchester. See Alexia’s portfolio at alexiapapavasilakis.com/#portfolio.
For more information about the Center for the Digital Arts Workforce Development Certificates, go sunywcc.edu/student-experience/locations/peekskill/interactive-design-digital-arts.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY
Emergency $50K Allocated to Feeding Westchester as SNAP Funding Ends
With federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits set to end Nov. 1 and no relief in sight, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins announced an emergency allocation of $50,000 from the Department of Social Services budget to Feeding Westchester.
“Families across Westchester are facing an unimaginable hardship,” Jenkins said in a press release Oct. 30. “We cannot — and will not — allow our neighbors to go hungry. This emergency funding will help Feeding Westchester and our local food pantries step up in this moment of crisis to make sure no one in our community is left behind.”
The emergency funds will enable Feeding Westchester to expand food distribution immediately, prioritizing high-need areas where SNAP benefits have had the greatest impact. The emergency funds will help ensure local food pantries can continue to distribute food at no cost to them, meeting the growing needs of families suddenly left without federal support.
“I can’t imagine the stress and anxiety our neighbors are feeling right now with the loss of federal paychecks and the uncertainty of SNAP benefits not being funded in just a few days,” said Feeding Westchester Chief Operating Officer Tami Wilson. “To worry about where your next meal will come from, especially as we approach a holiday centered on food, gratitude, love, and family, is something no one should ever have to face.”
Residents in need of food assistance can visit feedingwestchester.org to locate a nearby pantry or meal program.
In a social media post on Oct. 30, Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP) urged Mayor Vivian McKenzie and the Common Council to join their sister municipalities and provide immediate temporary emergency assistance to affected Peekskill families.
According to a newsletter from Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg’s office on Oct. 30, her office is collecting for and donating to a different local pantry every month, starting with CHHOP/Fred’s Pantry in November.
The City of Peekskill announced on Nov. 1 that the Nutrition Department in the Community Hub will begin cooking meals for pick up on Saturday, Nov. 1, in collaboration with community partners who have pledged to support residents affected by changes to SNAP benefits. The Nutrition Department will coordinate meal services for SNAP recipients and residents, 60 and older, to ensure continued access to nutritious food, the city said.
Those in need of food assistance are encouraged to complete this form. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to complete this form. Those looking for more information are encouraged to email [email protected].
STATE OF NEW YORK
Healthcare Forum and Resource Fair Held by Local Electeds
State Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg hosted a healthcare forum and resource fair on Monday, Oct. 27, at the Ossining Public Library to help residents prepare for changes to the healthcare system as a result of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” while also advocating for their reversal.
“The federal government’s decision to cut Medicaid and the Essential Plan is unconscionable — it will leave 1.5 million New Yorkers without care and devastate our healthcare workforce,” said Harckham in a joint press release. “These cuts are a handout to the wealthy at the expense of working families. In New York, we must stand together to protect our people, our hospitals, and our shared values.”
Harckham’s criticism was echoed by Assemblywoman Levenberg.
“These cuts will not only affect those who use Medicaid benefits or receive Affordable Care Act subsidies — this will impact all New Yorkers,” Levenberg said. “Our healthcare system relies on these funds to sustain care. Without them, we’ll see longer wait times, potential hospital closures, and greater costs for everyone. And while we at the state level will do everything we can, under the current circumstances we cannot fill every gap left by the federal government.”
Levenberg championed the New York Health Act as a solution to “problems” caused by the “Big Beautiful Bill.” It seeks to establish a single-payer system to ensure comprehensive coverage for all and would save the state billions of dollars, according to Levenberg.
The event was bilingual, free, and open to all, with content geared toward residents who rely on programs such as Medicaid and the Essential Plan, or who purchase insurance through New York State of Health. Those who were unable to attend can watch a video of the speaking portion on Levenberg’s YouTube channel. Presentation slides and other takeaways from the event can be found by clicking here.
Tip Line Always Open at Peekskill Herald
Have a story idea or heard about a newsworthy incident that you’d like to see a reporter from the Peekskill Herald check out?
We always want to hear from our readers, and you can reach us at [email protected].
