Sam Barron

Community Editor

[email protected]

An (almost) lifelong Westchester resident, Sam has reported on all facets of Westchester since he graduated from Ryerson University with a degree in print journalism, including stints at North County News and The Examiner. A film columnist for WAG Magazine, Sam's moviegoing expertise has been profiled in the New York Times and he was a featured guest on VH1's Big Morning Buzz Live.

Sam was formerly a community editor at Daily Voice.

Sam Barron's Contributions

Guiding Eyes Names Panek, Who Is Legally Blind, Its New CEO Guiding Eyes Names Panek, Who Is Legally Blind, Its New CEO Guiding Eyes Names Panek, Who Is Legally Blind, Its New CEO
Guiding Eyes Names Panek, Who Is Legally Blind, Its New CEO YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- Thomas A. Panek is taking the reins as the new president and CEO of Yorktown-based Guiding Eyes For The Blind. Panek, who is legally blind, was vice president of Relationship Management at National Industries for the Blind in Virginia. He was responsible for providing leadership, management and direction to the organization while diversifying and expanding employment opportunities for people who are blind. Panek also previously served as president and CEO of the World Trade Center in Chicago and as Senior International Trade Specialist for the United States Foreign Comme…
Peekskill Honors Fallen Firefighter Kevin Bristol Peekskill Honors Fallen Firefighter Kevin Bristol Peekskill Honors Fallen Firefighter Kevin Bristol
Peekskill Honors Fallen Firefighter Kevin Bristol PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- Peekskill firefighter Kevin Bristol was a hero. Bristol, who passed away from a heart attack on Monday at the age of 48, was memorialized at Assumption Church on Wednesday with firefighters and first responders from throughout the county and New York City coming to pay their respects at the full dress funeral. Vernon P. Wickrematunge, the parochial vicar at Assumption, asked God to give him strength as he eulogized Bristol. "Give me the courage to stand and celebrate Kevin's life," Wickrematunge said. "Light is greater than darkness. Hope is greater than despair." W…
Hotel Owners Oppose Proposed North Castle Occupancy Tax Hotel Owners Oppose Proposed North Castle Occupancy Tax Hotel Owners Oppose Proposed North Castle Occupancy Tax
Hotel Owners Oppose Proposed North Castle Occupancy Tax ARMONK, N.Y. --  A proposed three percent occupancy tax in North Castle has angered hotel owners. The board unanimously passed the occupancy tax on Feb. 12 and it needs the approval of the state Legislature before it can go into effect. Last year, a similar tax passed by the town was not approved by the state.  The town expects it would collect $80,000 from the tax, which would impact the La Quinta on Business Park Drive, North Castle's only hotel.  Supervisor Michael Schiliro said in The Examiner there are only so many revenue streams for municipalities and that people who stay in the …
Man Sentenced 25 Years To Life For North Salem Murder Man Sentenced 25 Years To Life For North Salem Murder Man Sentenced 25 Years To Life For North Salem Murder
Man Sentenced 25 Years To Life For North Salem Murder NORTH SALEM, N.Y. -- A 26-year-old Florida man has been sentenced to 25 years to life for a murder that occurred in North Salem. Patrick Smith was sentenced Wednesday after being convicted of two counts of murder in the second degree, one count of kidnapping in the first degree, one count of robbery in the second degree and one count of unlawful imprisonment, according to Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore. Smith was sentenced for his involvement in the death of 65-year-old Epifanio Medina, whose body was discovered in North Salem in June 2011. Two horseback riders discovered t…
Northern Westchester Schools Schedule Makeups For Snow Days Northern Westchester Schools Schedule Makeups For Snow Days Northern Westchester Schools Schedule Makeups For Snow Days
Northern Westchester Schools Schedule Makeups For Snow Days YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- Monday's snowstorm turning into a false alarm elicited a sigh of relief from schools throughout Northern Westchester. With snowstorms common this winter, many schools have used up their allotted snow days. Schools that use too many snow days will be forced to open over spring break in April. In Yorktown, the school has already changed a Superintendent's Conference Day on March 21 to a regular day of instruction.  "With all of the fragmentation and lack of continuity throughout the season, we are in need of additional instructional time for our students," Superintenden…
Peekskill Mourns Firefighter Kevin Bristol, 48, Who Put City First Peekskill Mourns Firefighter Kevin Bristol, 48, Who Put City First Peekskill Mourns Firefighter Kevin Bristol, 48, Who Put City First
Peekskill Mourns Firefighter Kevin Bristol, 48, Who Put City First PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- The City of Peekskill is mourning 48-year-old firefighter Kevin Bristol, who died on Monday after suffering a heart attack. Bristol, a career firefighter with the department, worked the night shift on Monday, March 2, responding to a kitchen fire at 5:57 a.m, according to the fire department. He went off shift at 7 a.m. and his wife found him unresponsive at 2 p.m. He was taken to Hudson Valley Hospital Center in Cortlandt, where he was pronounced dead. A wake for Bristol will be held Wednesday, March 5 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Nardone Funeral Home according to LoHud. A…
Police Arrest Man For Biting Off Part Of Nose In Peekskill Brawl Police Arrest Man For Biting Off Part Of Nose In Peekskill Brawl Police Arrest Man For Biting Off Part Of Nose In Peekskill Brawl
Police Arrest Man For Biting Off Part Of Nose In Peekskill Brawl PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- Peekskill police charged a man on Sunday who bit part of the nose off another man in a fight. Patricio Guartan-Jiminez, a 30-year-old Spring Valley resident, was arrested and charged with assault in the second degree, a Class D felony, after allegedly biting a portion of someone's nose off, according to Peekskill Officer Lt. John White. On Sunday, several officers responded to 623 Smith Street for an altercation. Upon arrival, officers found a male with a large portion of his nose missing, according to White. During the investigation, it was learned that  Guartan-Jimene…
Police Arrest Two For Selling Heroin In Peekskill Police Arrest Two For Selling Heroin In Peekskill Police Arrest Two For Selling Heroin In Peekskill
Police Arrest Two For Selling Heroin In Peekskill PEEKSKIll, N.Y. -- Peekskill Police arrested two people recently for selling heroin. Jennifer Muniz, a 28-year-old Peekskill resident, was arrested on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. and charged with three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. Officers Matt Basso and Anthony Nappi arrested Muniz when they observed her on the 1100 block of Main Street, according to officer John White. Muniz was wanted on an open case for heroin sales that she a…
Ossining Exploring Market Square Development Ossining Exploring Market Square Development Ossining Exploring Market Square Development
Ossining Exploring Market Square Development OSSINING, N.Y. -- The revitalization of the Village of Ossining is continuing. At a recent meeting, a consulting firm hired by the village proposed two developments of the 1.5 acre Market Square in downtown Ossining. Both proposals by the Downtown Revitalization Group involve significant residential and retail space as well as a new major public space for the community to gather. Village officials are looking at a fully functioning downtown economic environment. The space would include a pavilion, kiosks, plaza area and lawn and could accommodate a farmer’s market, music concerts, festi…
Former NBA Player Lectures On Drug Use At Lakeland Former NBA Player Lectures On Drug Use At Lakeland Former NBA Player Lectures On Drug Use At Lakeland
Former NBA Player Lectures On Drug Use At Lakeland YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- For 30 seconds, Chris Herren was dead from a heroin overdose. Herren, a former NBA player, talked about his past as a "basketball junkie" at Lakeland High School on Wednesday.  A standout in high school in Falls River, Mass., Herren played at Boston College where he was kicked out for drug use. He transferred to Fresno St., and in 1999 was drafted by the Denver Nuggets before being traded to his hometown Boston Celtics. As he lived his dream, Herren was battling a terrible drug addiction. Herren abused painkillers, including heroin, overdosing four times. Becoming so…
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