CITY OF PEEKSKILL

‘Peekskill Walks’ Surveys Citizens About Walkability

Peekskill Walks, a citizen advocacy group founded in 2019, launched a streets safety priorities survey which closes for answers by Monday, April 6, at 5 p.m. The results of the survey will be discussed at a meeting on Tuesday, April 7. The group stated:

“As a community-driven group, Peekskill Walks is dedicated to making our streets safer. We need to hear from the community about what matters most to you, so we can focus our energy on your top priorities.

Please join us at The Field Library Program Room (4 Nelson Avenue) on Tuesday, April 7, from 6:00-6:45 p.m. to find out the results of this survey and hear our plans for the future.”

Those interested can click here.

April Mckenzie Sworn in as New Part-Time Judge

April Mckenzie was sworn in as the City of Peekskill’s new part-time assistant city court judge at the Common Council meeting on Monday, March 23. Her term begins March 26 and ends Dec. 31, 2031.

“Being appointed as part-time city court judge for the City of Peekskill is not just a professional milestone, but it is a profound responsibility that I accept with both humility and resolve,” Mckenzie said.

Moments before she put on her new robes, her mother jumped in joy, and she was met by cheers by dozens of people in the pews including judicial officials, family members, friends, and sorority sisters.

“My promise to the city is simple but absolute,” Mckenzie said. “I will treat every individual who walks through the doors of our court with respect and dignity. Whether they are an attorney, a litigant, a witness, a victim, they will all be heard. I’m committed to the fair and impartial administration of justice for all.”

McKenzie gave thanks to God, her family, friends, former colleagues of the Westchester County Bar, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, colleagues at Peekskill City Court including Judge Sophia Trott and former Judge Lissette Fernandez, Mount Vernon Judge Tamika Coverdale, Yonkers Judge Ada Medina, and the City of Peekskill, Mayor, and Common Council.

The City of Peekskill stated Mckenzie graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2014 with a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in history and legal studies, and from Pace Law School in 2017. She became a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Westchester in the summer of 2017, and she rose to Senior Council and then Region Chief of the White Plains region. 

In 2025, Mckenzie became the Associate Court Attorney for Peekskill City Court, where she supported judicial proceedings through legal research, case analysis, and drafting of judicial opinions. She has also evaluated complex legal issues and ensured that matters before the court are handled efficiently and in accordance with the law, the city said.

– Eric Harvey

Kathleen’s Tea Room Plans to Reopen at Different Location on Temporary Basis

A popular English-style tearoom that was forced to close for construction after a roof collapse in 2021 is making a major comeback.

Kathleen’s Tea Room is planning to reopen within the month at a new location across the street at the vacant Ofori’s World Cuisine at 979 Main Street while construction finishes up at the current site at 982 Main Street.

The business, owned by City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie, is anticipated to open in two or three weeks, projected to stay at the temporary location from six months to a year. Architect Joseph Thompson shared the news at the Historic & Landmarks Preservation Board meeting on March 26 in which he sought approval for new signage on the existing storefront glass at 979 Main St.

Thompson described the proposed sign as a simple vinyl graphics, with original font and colors similar to what previously existed on the 982 site and a fairly transparent composition that is not heavy on the glass. Board members shared support for the new signage and unanimously approved it.

The news follows a social media post from Kathleen’s Tea Room on March 21 stating: “Keep an eye on our socials… something sweet is brewing☕💐 #comingsoon.”

– Eric Harvey

Connecticut Man Arrested for Child Endangerment in Peekskill

A Danbury Connecticut man was arrested after allegedly approaching two separate 14-year-old girls in Peekskill for “work,” the City of Peekskill Police Department announced on Tuesday, March 24. 

Gennaro Trainello of Danbury was arrested by Peekskill Police at about 11 a.m. for endangering the welfare of a 14-year-old girl. Police received two separate reports from teen girls, one on March 6 and one on March 23.

Police say on March 6 Trainello approached a 14-year-old girl on her way to school in the area of James Street and Brown Street, asking if she was interested in work and allegedly saying he would pay her for a massage. The girl declined and continued to school where she reported the incident to the Peekskill High School Resource Officer, which established the initial investigation, police said.

Weeks later, on March 23, Trainello was accused of approaching another 14-year-old girl on Howard Street. In this incident Trainello reportedly convinced the victim to enter his vehicle with promises of paid work and drove her to the Walgreens Pharmacy on Main Street, where he parked in the area, police said. According to the victim, after a brief discussion, she exited the vehicle onto Main Street, and the suspect drove away.

The following day Trainello was arrested for child endangerment.

This is an ongoing investigation led by the Peekskill Police Department. Police encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim or anyone with information to come forward and contact the Peekskill Police Detective Division at (914) 737-8000 or email [email protected]. Anonymous tips may also be made at http://www.cityofpeekskill.gov/ under the crime tips section.

In response to the police department’s press release, the Peekskill City School District extended its gratitude to the Peekskill Police for their swift and diligent work in apprehending a suspect.

“Their professionalism and commitment to protecting our community are deeply appreciated, and their actions help ensure the continued safety and well-being of our students and families. We also once again would like to remind parents and guardians to speak with their children about the dangers of talking to strangers and accepting rides from individuals they do not know,” the district said.

NYPD Sergeant Who Fatally Struck Peekskill Man Is Chastised by Judge for Tardiness 

A White Plains judge reprimanded the off-duty NYPD sergeant charged with a Peekskill man’s death in a drunk-driving crash after she showed up more than two hours late to a conference at the Westchester County Court on March 25.

Tiffany Howell was charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular manslaughter on March 2 after she drove the wrong way down the Taconic State Parkway on Jan. 22 while intoxicated, according to the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James, causing the death of Peekskill man Manuel Boitel who was a doorman. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Howell was scheduled to appear at 9:30 a.m. and complete a form related to the suspension of her license but appeared over two hours later. Judge Anne Bianchi told Howell her tardiness was “unacceptable.” 

Judge Bianchi warned Howell to show up on time or she could risk getting a modified bail, face bail jumping charges, or the case going on in her absence, be it a pretrial or a verdict of guilty. “I understand,” Howell told the judge.

The case was adjourned to April 15 at 9:30 a.m. after a request from Howell’s attorney, Andrew Quinn, for 30 days to review evidence from the district attorney’s office.

Quinn declined to comment on the case.

– Eric Harvey

PILOT Approved for Acquisition of 901 Main Street

Living conditions at the troubled 901 Main St. low-income senior housing apartment building could potentially improve under a new sale by Treadway.

The Peekskill Common Council unanimously approved a resolution on March 23 authorizing the city manager to approve a Payment in Lieu of Taxation (PILOT) agreement concerning the Peekskill Plaza apartment located at 901 Main Street, and enter into a host community fee and parking agreement with Peekskill Plaza Owner LLC.

Under the proposed PILOT application, Treadway would pay a $3.8 million host community payment to the city to support the parking garage improvements and infrastructure located under and adjacent to the facility, paying $10,000 per year to Peekskill Facilities Development Corporation to support local job training and apprenticeship programs.

Treadway previously gave a presentation to the Common Council on March 2 saying rent would not increase as a result of the purchase and that it would seek to bring the sidewalk sheds down at the property.

A full list of resolutions passed on March 23 can be found by clicking here.

– Eric Harvey

Boy Scout Goes to City Hall to Earn Community Merit Badge

A local boy scout got to see local government in action as part of his mission to earn a Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge, which in addition to other steps, requires a scout to attend an in-person meeting of their city or school board or local court session or another state or local governmental meeting.

Xavier Negron attended the Peekskill Common Council meeting on Monday, March 23, along with his mother to obtain the badge. He got the opportunity to watch a new city court judge be appointed and hear residents voicing concerns on issues most important to them.

“I had to go to a meeting and see an issue and how the local government is dealing with it basically,” Negron told the Peekskill Herald. 

“It was actually really cool,” Negron said of seeing the local government in action. “I like to see how they control their environment. I’ll probably use that in my actual scout meetings to see how things go.”

Negron also met an elected official for the first time, he said, meeting with City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie and several council members and asking the mayor how people can help the community out by themselves.

– Eric Harvey

Ecuadorian Civic Center of Westchester Recognized for Song Contest

A special State Senate commendation was presented by state Sen. Pete Harckham to Charito Cisneros and Jorge Merchan of the Ecuadorian Civic Center of Westchester, Inc. for the organization’s hosting of the Ecuadorian National Song Contest on Sunday, March 16, at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in Peekskill.

Harckham’s office stated dozens of musical artists participated in the event. In appreciation, the civic organization presented Harckham with a medal in recognition of his work with the Hispanic community in his Senate District.

The competition was aimed at amateur performers and devoted to the traditional music of the South American nation, whose population in Peekskill exceeds 4,300 people. Twelve singers, selected from 16 applicants, competed for prizes of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $300 for third place.

COUNTY

County Mayors Champion SEQRA Reform in State Budget

Westchester County mayors, including City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie, convened in New Rochelle on March 25 to call for the inclusion of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed modernization of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) in the enacted F27 New York State Budget.  A press release from the City of New Rochelle said the proposal is currently a central component of Hochul’s “Let Them Build” agenda to accelerate development of housing and other critical categories like clean-energy production in order to deliver affordability across the state.

New Rochelle Mayor Ramos-Herbert was joined by White Plains Mayor Justin Brasch, Village of Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen, Peekskill Mayor McKenzie, and Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. 

The press release stated that mayors urged the need for SEQRA modernization to remove “unnecessary delays” for projects that have been proven to have no significant environmental impact, enabling “municipalities across the state from urban hubs to rural towns to deliver efficiently while minimizing taxpayer cost.”

“The City of Peekskill remains committed to developing our city in a sustainable and thoughtful way for our community,” said Peekskill Mayor McKenzie in a release. “We understand the need for housing that will allow our longtime families and seniors to stay in place and thrive while also welcoming new residents who want to build a life for their families. This can only be done by updating our processes and procedures in the development process. The modernization of SEQRA proposed by Governor Hochul will allow us to expedite projects that do not have an adverse environmental impact on our community and allow us to provide the needed housing our residents deserve and need.”

The governor’s proposal is currently under consideration as part of ongoing state budget negotiations. According to the release, while the executive budget includes a broad framework for SEQRA modernization, the recent 2026 One-House Budget Resolution has applied narrower criteria and additional procedural requirements that “stands in contrast” to Gov. Hochul’s version. Local leaders are urging state lawmakers to adopt a more comprehensive version to “ensure communities across New York can benefit from reduced cost and thoughtful growth as those in New Rochelle have.”

STATE

New York High School Teams Qualify for International Robotics Championship

The “Ossining O-Bolts” team is among winners of the FIRST Robotics Competition 2026 Hudson Valley Regional who will be advancing to compete in the national FIRST Championship in Houston.

From March 19 to March 21, 48 high school teams competed at the Rockland Community College Eugene Levy Fieldhouse to earn a spot at the championship to be held from April 29 to May at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. Students worked with professional mentors to design and build a robot over a six-week period that solved a problem using a kit of parts and a standard set of rules.

The prestigious FIRST impact award that honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate was awarded to the Ossining O-Bots from Ossining, New York.

In a press release, Janice Martino, FIRST Senior Regional Director said, “Each team clearly demonstrated teamwork, professionalism, and strategic thinking in solving the competition’s challenges. Students, school groups, community members, and professional team mentors filled the stands and helped to bring a level of fun and excitement to the competition. With the sustained support of the lower Hudson Valley community, this robotics competition will continue to grow and inspire students to study math, science, and engineering.”

Winners of the FIRST Robotics Competition 2026 Hudson Valley Regional Awards included Ossining O-Bots from Ossining, New York; RoboTigers from Queens, New York; and BALTA from Bahcelievler, Istanbul, Türkiye. Regional winners were RoboTigers from Queens, New York; BALTA from Bahcelievler, Istanbul, Türkiye; and Event Horizon from New York, New York. Regional finalists were Southern Tier Robotics from Vestal, New York; Amped from Taipei, Chinese Taipei; and Flux Robotics from Pelham, New York.

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