CITY OF PEEKSKILL
Peekskill Man Killed in Crash by NYPD Cop Driving Wrong Way
A Peekskill man was on his way home from work when he was fatally struck by an off-duty NYPD officer driving the wrong way down the Taconic State Parkway near mile marker 3.7 in the Town of Mount Pleasant on Jan. 22.
Police determined that a 2021 Infiniti operated by Tiffany Howell, 47, of Warwick, was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it struck a 2024 Toyota operated by Manuel Boitel, 61, of Peekskill, head-on.
Boitel was transported to Westchester Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. Howell was transported to Westchester Medical Center with what appears to be non-life threatening injuries, state police said.
Howell is a member of the NYPD and was off duty at the time of the collision. As required under law, the New York State Attorney General’s Office has been notified of the incident. State police reportedly said they are examining Howell’s blood alcohol level at the time of the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact the New York State Police Hawthorne Bureau of Criminal Investigation at (914) 742-6057.
Park Place Tower Tenants Are Offered Free Rent in February Amid Heat Outage
Park Place Tower tenants say they have been without heat and hot water since Thursday, Jan. 22, with one tenant sharing a thermometer reading of 56 degrees Fahrenheit in their unit on Monday, Jan. 26. Another thermometer shared with the Herald registered 55 on Thursday, Jan. 24.
Although a temporary boiler was installed on Friday, Jan. 23, three tenants told the Peekskill Herald on Monday, Jan. 26, about 8:30 a.m., that there is still no heat and that water is lukewarm at best.
Building manager Fabrizio Villata of management company Alma Realty told the Herald today (Jan. 26) about 9:12 a.m. that heat is circulating, but it is not as hot as it’s supposed to be. Referring to the temporary boiler, he said, “We have it running right now. From what I understand, the situation has improved significantly, but it’s not where we want it to be, so we are looking into it to see what we can do.”
Villata said that the boilers are serviced periodically throughout the year.
Alma Realty offered space heaters to residents as a temporary measure on Friday, Jan. 23, ahead of the weekend snowstorm. They also announced they are providing a one-month free rent for all existing tenants at the building for the month of February to acknowledge the disruption experienced.
– Eric Harvey
Public Hearing to Be Scheduled on Immigration Enforcement Policy
The City of Peekskill has drafted a resolution for limiting city employee cooperation with federal immigration enforcement but is making revisions before it goes to a vote or a public hearing.
At the Jan. 20 committee of the whole meeting, the Peekskill Common Council reviewed the proposed policy on immigration enforcement and discrimination modeled in part from an internal policy from the Village of Ossining.
“This policy put forth by the council would make a department head who changes their policy to anything other than what this policy states to be a person who’s breaking policy,” said City Manager Matthew Alexander. “And they would be subject to disciplinary review and action potentially for doing that.”
City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie advocated for a public hearing to be held while Councilman Brian Fassett urged for more accountability built into the resolution, clarity, and a clear process for residents to make a complaint.
Addressing the topic of the city educating the communities most affected on the resolution if it passes, McKenzie spoke about disseminating information through different partnerships and groups who are working with those communities versus having those members directly present to be educated.
“The one thing that I think we all want to avoid is making this huge thing that just puts a spotlight and a target on the back of our immigrants,” McKenzie said. “So we need to be careful about that. We need to make sure that they get this information, but we need to be careful on how it’s disseminated and how it’s used because this is actually to protect them. We don’t want this to put them in more harm.”
The resolution vote, which was originally proposed for a vote on Jan. 26, will be pushed to allow both revisions and a public hearing.
The revised resolution, which includes a section about violations of policy and where citizens can report any alleged violation, can be viewed by clicking here.
– Eric Harvey
Farmers Market Breaks Even, Flea Market Brings Profit of $16,962
The 2025 Peekskill farmers market broke even while the flea market brought in a surplus, according to income and expenses shared by Peekskill Business Improvement District (BID) Executive Director Bill Powers.
- Farmers Market Income 2024 – $29,656.00
- Farmers Market Income 2025 – $32,242.00
- Farmers Market Expenses 2024 – $31,145.00
- Farmers Market Expenses 2025 – $32,006.00
- Flea Market Income 2024 – $62,060.00
- Flea Market Income 2025 – $41,655.00
- Flea Market Expenses 2024 – $37,892.00
- Flea Market Expenses 2025 – $24,693.00
At the Jan. 20 committee of the whole meeting, Councilman Brian Fassett, providing a liaison report from the BID meeting on Jan. 13, said there were no complaints received about the new move. He added the income for the flea market would have been higher had it not been for a delay moving the location from Bank St. to James St.
The BID approved contracts for the farmers market manager and flea market manager for 2026. Fassett said there was discussion about potentially starting the farmers market before June and that the BID is looking at possibly doing a smaller farmers market for April and May.
– Eric Harvey
Job Candidates Sought for Assistant Water Superintendent
The City of Peekskill is advertising the position of assistant water and sewer superintendent at a salary range of $118,733 to $142,061.
The job includes assisting in directing the overall operation and technical activities of the city’s water and sewer system in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as assisting in establishing and implementing processes to protect public health throughout the system.
The position will directly supervise the water and sewer maintenance foreman, watershed inspector, and senior office assistant and have general supervisory authority over the water treatment plant operators and distribution staff.
Requirements include high school diploma or GED and five years experience in the design or maintenance and repair of pumps, engines, motors, and mechanical equipment. Bachelor’s in engineering may be substituted for four years of experience.
Possession of an appropriate water treatment plant operator’s certificate issued under the provisions of the New York State Sanitary Code is required if the incumbent is the responsible operator of the water treatment facilities.
Brian Raphael, a prior city assistant water and sewer superintendent, sued Peekskill for wrongful termination and won a summary judgment when the city originally failed to respond to the lawsuit. Raphael is seeking $6 million in damages.
You can view the current job listing by clicking here.
– Jim Roberts
Chereese Jervis-Hill Honored by Business Council of Westchester
Chereese Jervis-Hill, CEO and founder of Events to Remember and PR to Remember, was named Ambassador of the Year by the Business Council of Westchester (BCW) at its annual New Year Blast on Jan. 7 at Greentree Country Club in New Rochelle.
Jervis-Hill is an event producer, publicist, and entrepreneur with nearly three decades of experience in event management, marketing, and promotion.
The BCW’s Ambassador Program was created 20 years ago and has become one of its signature programs. Longtime BCW members volunteer their time, energy, and expertise to mentor and guide new members through their first year of membership. Ambassadors attend all BCW events, and their responsibilities include welcoming members at every program and event the organization offers. Every member who joins the BCW is partnered with an ambassador.
School District Holding Charter School Opposition Information Session
The Peekskill City School District is hosting a charter school opposition information session on Feb. 7 and Feb. 12 following a South Bronx charter school setting its sights on Peekskill.
The sessions will include a presentation regarding the potential impact of a charter school in the Peekskill community.
The first will take place in Spanish on Saturday, Feb. 7, at noon at Peekskill Middle School during Saturday Academy. The second will take place in English at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, at Peekskill Middle School.
Those with questions regarding the topic can submit them by clicking here. For more updates and informational resources from the district, click here.
Water and Sewer Rates to Be Corrected in Resolution
The 2026 consolidated fee schedule is being updated after being adopted in a resolution in December to correct rates for water and sewer.
At the Jan. 20 committee of the whole meeting, Controller Toni Tracy presented updates to the rates in order to reflect the correct rates in the Edmunds water billing software.
The residential water rate is being corrected from $38.24 to $39.26 while the sewer rate is being corrected from $8.77 to $8.96 in the fee schedule. For industrial rates, the water rate is being corrected from $95.80 to $99.49 and the sewer from $21.88 to $22.83.
The Common Council is required to adopt a resolution anytime it changes any part of the fee schedule or makes additions. The council is slated to vote on a resolution to adopt the updated fee schedule on Monday, Jan. 26.
– Eric Harvey
TOWN OF CORTLANDT
Cortlandt Man Charged with Hate Crime After False 911 Call
A Town of Cortlandt man was arrested by New York State Police following an investigation into a reported threat and alleged harassment stemming from a 911 call made on Jan. 11.
On Jan. 15, state police from the Cortlandt Barracks arrested John Pinchbeck, 64, of Cortlandt, and charged him with aggravated harassment in the second degree (hate crime), falsely reporting an incident in the third degree (hate crime), and criminal contempt in the second degree.
A press release on Jan. 20 stated police received a call from an unidentified man on Jan. 11 who claimed to have observed a threatening social media post and identified a Mohegan Lake address and resident as being responsible. The caller disconnected before providing complete identifying information, police said.
A follow-up investigation, including interviews and review of cellular devices and social media accounts, found no evidence supporting the allegations. Investigators determined the report was knowingly false and made to harass a family at the identified address.
Police say the suspect, Pinchbeck, was found to have a documented history of harassment involving the same family and was subject to an active full stay-away order of protection.
Following the investigation, troopers and investigators conducted a search of Pinchbeck’s residence, secured electronic devices, and placed him under arrest. He was arraigned in the Town of Cortlandt Court and remanded to the Westchester County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 21.
Police say that, at this time, investigators have found no evidence of a credible threat and that the investigation remains ongoing.
Special Recognition to Curry Automotive Group for Donation
Town of Cortlandt Supervisor Richard Becker is inviting the community to join the town on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m. to officially thank Bernard Curry and the entire Curry Automotive Group for their generous donation to the Regional Paramedics program.
Curry Automotive donated one Chevy Tahoe and sold another Chevy Tahoe (both 2025 models) at cost. These vehicles are now used as the “Fly Cars” for the paramedics to respond to every emergency call.
The ceremony will be held at the Paramedics building located at 74 Locust Avenue in Cortlandt Manor.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY
Registration Open for Top Dawg Youth Flag Football
Top Dawg Youth Flag Football is gearing up for a new season after drawing more than 300 local participants last year. The league offers divisions for kindergarten through eighth grade and focuses on teaching football fundamentals, teamwork, and confidence in a fun but competitive environment. In addition to Saturday afternoon games at John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory High School in Somers, the program also provides skills clinics covering speed, agility, throwing, catching, and flag pulling.
Open to boys and girls of all experience levels, the league serves as a foundation for both girls flag football and boys tackle football. Registration is available here.
NEW YORK STATE
Another New York Congressional District Could Be in Play
The upcoming battle this November for control of the US House of Representatives could be decided by voters in a handful of contested districts, including several in New York.
The NY 17th is one of those where incumbent Mike Lawler will likely face off against one of the challengers now vying for the Democratic nomination.
Another New York district, the 11th, could also be in play after state Supreme Court Judge Jeffrey Pearlman ruled this week that the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission has to redraw the 11th by Feb. 6.
Judge Pearlman determined the current district map puts Black and Latino voters at a disadvantage in the current lines. The district is now composed of heavily Republican Staten Island and portions of Brooklyn. Republican Nicole Malliotakis is the incumbent.
Pearlman’s ruling will be appealed, likely to both of the two courts above him. According to a published report, if new district lines proposed by Democrats were drawn, that party would win 90% of the time. Malliotakis was elected with 64% of the vote in 2024.
– Jim Roberts
Governor Proposes More State Money for Housing, Schools
Gov. Kathy Hochul presented her $260 billion state budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year this week, a 0.7% increase over the current budget. There is no request for increases in personal income or corporate tax rates.
Some of her spending proposals include:
- Certified Pro-Housing Community Program communities can apply for $650 million in discretionary funding
- Changes in federal low-income housing tax credits will provide $250 million to accelerate the new construction of “affordable” housing units
- The MOVE-IN NY program is seeking $100 million for modular houses, which can be built more quickly and cheaply than traditional site-built homes
- $58.5 million for tourism/advertising campaigns
- An additional $3.75 billion for clean water infrastructure over the next five years to help local governments replace lead service lines and improve wastewater treatment facilities
- An increase in school aid by $1.6 billion or 4.3%, making total state aid $39.3 billion
Each legislative house in Albany will now produce a budget. The final agreement is due on April 1, the beginning of the state fiscal year.
– Jim Roberts
