CITY OF PEEKSKILL
Peekskill Rotary Installs Officers, Honors Members
Adrienne LaValley took the reins of the Peekskill Rotary Club from outgoing president Chris Calabrese at the club’s 106th installation dinner on June 25 at Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant.
In addition to the passing of the gavel, the club gave awards to members with perfect attendance, from one year to member Don Feldman who has attended meetings faithfully for 34 years.
The prestigious Paul Harris award was conferred on two non-Rotarian members of the community, Regina Clarkin, publisher of Peekskill Herald, and Wilfredo Morel, founder of Arts 10566. In addition, two Rotarians were honored with the Paul Harris award: Stephanie Caravone and Tony Razukiewicz.
In remarks awarding Caravone, President-elect LaValley spoke of Stephanie Caravone, who runs the Dorsey-Carlone Funeral Home: “When community members are at their lowest most devastating moments, Caravone is there to pick them up and walk them through the next very difficult, very painful steps with grace, astounding compassion and a gently, steady hand.
“Her day-to-day work literally revolves around serving others, she embodies what it means to be there for someone else day in and day out. She’s organized festivals, food drives, endless correspondences for the club. She’s created beloved community traditions of celebrations of life in luminarias and most importantly, she’s shown up.”
Outgoing president Chris Calabrese said he had the privilege of having a front-row seat to the dedication, generosity and character of members. “Throughout the year, we see people volunteer, participate, and support our projects. But every so often, there is someone whose commitment stands out because they simply never stop showing up and never stop working.
Calabrese spoke of Razukiewicz’s ability to always say yes to any task. “It doesn’t matter if the task is exciting, difficult, inconvenient, or something nobody else wants to do. The answer is still yes. It is the willingness to always serve. It is the example set for all of us by generosity, dependability, and commitment to our Rotary creed, “Service Above Self.”
In giving the award to Clarkin, LaValley said Clarkin “has spent decades championing the voices of our community, ensuring that everyone has a platform to share their stories. In 1986, she co-founded a publication that became an essential source of news and civic dialogue in our town. This endeavor not only provided critical information but also fostered connections among neighbors, giving a voice to those who often felt unheard.
“Continuing that commitment to accessible journalism she went on to establish a nonprofit digital news organization dedicated to local, independent reporting. Launched in 2021, this initiative has become an invaluable part of Peekskill’s civic life, ensuring that our community remains informed and engaged.”
Rotarian Keith Bobolia introduced Arts 10566 founder Morel, noting: A common feature of the people we honor tonight is that they ask “how can I help ” when asked. If most of us were honest more times than not we would decline or make a recommendation on who else to ask. The person I am talking about here did not have an easy start on this journey. He started as a struggling artist but soon turned his attention to what he is good at, helping people. He continues to have a distinguished career at SunRiver Health lending help to patients who cross his path. Realizing that there was a big gap in services provided for young people he founded ARTS10566 a non profit whose goal has been to provide art, music and various other programs to the youth of Peekskill
The Paul Harris Fellow Award is one of Rotary’s highest honors, Named for Rotary founder Paul Harris it recognizes individuals whose lives and actions reflect Rotary’s ideals of Service Above Self. It is awarded to people who make a meaningful difference in their communities, who give generously of their time and talents, and who embody the spirit of service that is at the heart of Rotary.
Peekskill and Croton Residents Honored for Pride Month
In recognition of pride month, three LGBTQ+ advocates — Rev. Michael Tin of Peekskill, Alanna “Allie” Fraase of Croton-on-Hudson, and Rebecca Loeffel of Brewster— were honored by state Sen. Pete Harckham for their “exceptional” leadership in prompting visibility, understanding and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.
A ceremony was held at Croton Free Library on June 23, where honorees received State Senate proclamations in front of family, friends, community members and Croton-on-Hudson Mayor Brian Pugh, who joined Harckham and delivered remarks congratulating the honorees.
“What makes the Hudson Valley great is its diversity, and it is something we should embrace, and not be afraid of,” said Harckham in a release. “The backlash we have seen in recent years against the LGBTQ+ community is something we need to stand up to and speak out against. When the position of LGBTQ+ individuals in our society is attacked, from their ability to serve in our military or access healthcare to their participation in academia or athletics, we cannot remain silent. We understand that bigotry against anyone is bigotry against all of us. LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, and we will continue to support and defend our LGBTQ+ residents.”
The news release said Peekskill resident Tino is a longtime Unitarian Universalist minister, educator and community leader who has served in congregational and national leadership roles, including with the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Church of the Larger Fellowship, and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Hudson Valley. A champion of inclusion, racial equity and LGBTQ+ youth, Tino has helped develop sexuality education curricula, advised diversity initiatives, and served on numerous national committees and boards while remaining actively engaged in the local community through organizations such as Fourth Fridays and the Peekskill Human Relations Committee.
Croton resident Fraase is a community leader, entrepreneur and advocate who co-founded Croton Welcome Wagon and Croton Rainbow Club, helping foster connection, inclusion and support for new residents, LGBTQ+ youth, families and allies throughout northern Westchester. She is a PTA volunteer, serves on the advisory committee for Fourth Fridays, co-hosts a student talent-show fundraiser, owns a residential interior design business and is a licensed real estate salesperson with Berkshire Hathaway River Towns Real Estate.
Brewster resident Loeffel is a student at SUNY New Paltz pursuing a degree in journalism and digital media production.
Tiffany Howell Appears in Court in Vehicular Homicide Case
Tiffany Howell, the now-former off-duty NYPD sergeant charged with the vehicular homicide of Peekskill man Manuel Boitel, will not have to appear in court again until Aug. 5. Howell previously pled not guilty on March 2.
On Wednesday, July 1, at the Westchester County Supreme Court, Howell’s defense attorney requested the opportunity to provide mitigation materials. The order was granted and the materials are due to be filed by July 26.
According to the website of criminal defense lawyer Allen Friedman, a mitigation package is a “carefully compiled set of documents, letters and records that highlight your personal history, accomplishments, good character, and efforts at rehabilitation. The goal is to present a full, balanced picture of who you are — not just the allegations against you.”
Howell was charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular manslaughter after she drove the wrong way down the Taconic State Parkway on Jan. 22 while off-duty, , according to police, causing the death of a Peekskill man, Manuel Boitel, who was a New York City doorman. She was intoxicated at the time, according to the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Judge Anne Bianchi said Howell must be back on Aug. 5 or she could face bail jumping charges and her bond could be in jeopardy.
- Eric Harvey
‘Meet and Greet’ with New Peekskill High School Principal
Residents will have an opportunity to meet Peekskill High School’s new principal, Dr. Kern Mojica, during a community event hosted by the Peekskill City School District on July 7. The event will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Family Resource Center, 400 South Division St.
Mojica was appointed interim principal of Peekskill High School for the 2026–27 school year in early May, according to Board of Education documents. Former principal Dr. Jenna Ferris was appointed Administrator of Strategic Alignment and Innovation for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Mojica joined the Peekskill City School District in 2023 as Director of STEAM. In that role, he helped strengthen teaching and learning practices across the district while expanding access to high-quality STEAM opportunities for students from prekindergarten through 12th grade, according to the district.
According to a district press release issued earlier this year, Mojica earned a Doctorate in Professional Studies with a concentration in Computer Science/Computing from Pace University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education, a master’s degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Special Education, and advanced certifications in School Building Leadership and School District Leadership.
Before joining Peekskill, Mojica spent more than 13 years in the Pleasantville School District in a variety of roles. In 2018, he was appointed assistant principal at Putnam Valley Middle School.
- Jeffrey Merchan
Peekskill Police Officer Kyle Kreuscher Promoted to Detective
The City of Peekskill Police Department has promoted Police Officer Kyle Kreuscher to the rank of detective, assigning him to the General Investigations Unit within the department’s Detective Division.
Kreuscher has served with the Peekskill Police Department for seven years. According to the department, he has earned a reputation for “strong investigative work, diligent case management, and a commitment to seeking justice for victims.”
In addition to his investigative responsibilities, Kreuscher has served as sniper team leader for the department’s Emergency Response Team, a drone pilot with the Drone Unit, and a general topics instructor with the Training Unit. He also serves on the department’s Honor Guard and is a member of the Motorcycle Unit, participating in community events and ceremonial functions.
His additional roles have included UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) instructor and field training officer.
In announcing the promotion on Facebook, the department described it as a reflection of Kreuscher’s “hard work, dedication, and years of service,” and wished him continued success in his new role.
Google Maps Snaps Peekskill Waterfront
Google Maps, a web mapping and navigation platform, deployed one of its vehicles to snap street view photos in the City of Peekskill on July 1.
The driver, Ernest Rucker, told the Peekskill Herald the stop was just one of several during that period, with other stops including the Town of Cortlandt, Village of Buchanan, hamlet of Verplanck, and Town of Yorktown.
Rucker said he and five other drivers are assigned to a special project. He said he did not know much about the project but that the client they are doing it for is involved with SpaceX. The project was initially to take three weeks but was in its fourth week at the time of the interview.
- Eric Harvey
TOWN OF CORTLANDT
Yonkers Man Arrested for Aggravated DWI with Child Passenger
A Yonkers man was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated with a child in his vehicle while in the Town of Cortlandt, according to police.
In a press release, New York State Police said that on June 28, at about 2:45 a.m., its troopers observed a vehicle traveling southbound on Route 9 in the Town of Cortlandt, in violation of a state vehicle and traffic law.
While being interviewed, the operator, identified as Artemio Martinez Gonzalez, 34, of Yonkers, displayed signs of intoxication, according to police, resulting in standardized field sobriety tests being administered. Further investigation revealed that a two-year-old child was in the vehicle at the time.
Martinez Gonzalez was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to State Police Cortlandt for processing. Police say he submitted to a chemical breath test that yielded a blood alcohol content of 0.14 percent. The child was safely released to a sober third party.
As a result of the investigation, Martinez Gonzalez was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger (Leandra’s Law), driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more, and driving while intoxicated. He was arraigned in the Town of Cortlandt Court and released on his own recognizance.
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