Jon Craig

Reporter

[email protected]

Pleasantville native Jon Craig is special editor for the Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange and Dutchess Daily Voice sites. He is also the primary reporter for Daily Voice Plus Politics in Westchester and Fairfield.

Jon graduated from Cornell University and received his master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. Across a 35-year career, he's worked as a reporter for daily newspapers in Chicago, New York, Ohio & Washington, D.C and as managing editor for weekly newspapers in Rye, White Plains and Harrison.

Jon also writes periodically for the Cornell Chronicle.

Career Highlights:

  • Covered Metro-North train wreck that killed a motorist and five commuters, 2015
  • Researched state investigative project for PublicIntegrity.org, 2011-12
  • National MADD award for database analysis of repeat drunk drivers in Ohio, 2008.
  • Henry F. Guggenheim Fellow, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 2010.
  • Sentenced to jail for protecting confidential sources (won on appeal), 1999.
  • Broke 30th anniversary story about Kent State shootings — using FBI records, resurrecting theory a student informant triggered fatal National Guard volley, May 2000.
  • Covered Ground Zero after Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks.
  • Uncovered voting problems before & during presidential recount in Ohio, 2004.
  • Witnessed botched Death Row execution of Romell Broom in 2009, one of more than a dozen I covered; Wrote about three inmates whose death sentences were commuted to life without parole.
  • Won IRE, SDX and multiple national & state awards for series led by Erik Kriss investigating New York General Assembly. 1994.
  • Guest lecturer at universities in NY & Ohio. Taught Syracuse high school journalism class.
  • Co-authored IRE-award winning series on illegal restraints/beatings at juvenile detention centers. Gov. Mario Cuomo had NY inspector general confirm what Hart Seely and I found at Division for Youth & fired top directors, 1993.
  • Survived Air Force Kool School training at North Pole, 1996.
  • Covered Persian Gulf wars, including 2002 bomb missions from Turkey and stateside Army/Air Guard training. 1991.
  • Supervised overnight coverage of Pan Am Flight 103 after Libyan bomb killed 35 Syracuse University students over Lockerbie, Scotland, 1988.
  • Covered aftermath of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s fatal plane crash from Cape Cod, 1999.
  • Greeted Kurt Vonnegut Jr. as Cornell Sun sports editor during daily's 100th anniversary dinner in May 1980. 

Jon Craig's Contributions

Greenburgh Police, EMTs Respond To Accident Involving Pedestrian Hit By Car Greenburgh Police, EMTs Respond To Accident Involving Pedestrian Hit By Car Greenburgh Police, EMTs Respond To Accident Involving Pedestrian Hit By Car
Greenburgh Police, EMTs Respond To Accident Involving Pedestrian Hit By Car GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Greenburgh police responded to a report of a suspected hit-and-run accident involving a pedestrian on Monday. Greenburgh Lt. Michael D'Alessio said, "After our investigation it was determined that there was no crime and the driver was located." "The pedestrian was treated at scene and refused medical attention," said D'Alessio, who is commanding officer of Greenburgh's Special Investigation Unit. The original call was to 180 E. Hartsdale Ave., where Emergency Medical Services personnel were summoned to treat a pedestrian with a knee injury.  The car…
Port Chester Students Compete In Annual Poetry Slam Port Chester Students Compete In Annual Poetry Slam Port Chester Students Compete In Annual Poetry Slam
Port Chester Students Compete In Annual Poetry Slam PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- Eight Port Chester High School students shared compassion and courage on Thursday during the school's 11th annual Phyllis Wheatley Poetry Slam. Topics ranged from date rape and eating disorders to success, self-discovery and inequality. Jennifer Pantoja, moved the audience -- and herself -- to tears while reading her poem, "Until I Was," about her own past life-threatening struggles with weight loss. Kevin DeLaRoca placed second with his poem, "Prisoner to Society." Robert Mickatavage placed third with his poem, "What is Success." Club …
Westchester's Capitol Theatre Packed To Rafters For 'Superman' Benefit Westchester's Capitol Theatre Packed To Rafters For 'Superman' Benefit Westchester's Capitol Theatre Packed To Rafters For 'Superman' Benefit
Westchester's Capitol Theatre Packed To Rafters For 'Superman' Benefit PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- The Capitol Theatre hosted a full house Thursday night for a star-studded benefit concert to honor New York City Police Detective Joseph “Superman” Lemm of West Harrison, who was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan on Dec. 21, 2015. The 45-year-old member of the New York Air National Guard was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for valor, the nation’s fourth highest military decoration, earlier this month. Lemm is survived by his wife Christine, son, Ryan, 4, and 17-year-old stepdaughter, Brooke Chaco. Brooke, a Harrison High School student, sang ovation-insp…
Hyde Park Teen Charged With Rape Hyde Park Teen Charged With Rape Hyde Park Teen Charged With Rape
Hyde Park Teen Charged With Rape HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- An 18-year-old from Hyde Park was charged with felony rape on Wednesday after having sexual intercourse without the victim's consent, according to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office. Jorge G. Martinez was arrested on a third-degree rape charge for an incident that occurred early Tuesday, according to the Sheriff's Office. Martinez was arrested on Wednesday after an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau. At this time, he is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim without their consent. Martinez and the victim are known to each other, so…
Mamaroneck Cracks Down On Parking On Village Streets, Activates New Meters Mamaroneck Cracks Down On Parking On Village Streets, Activates New Meters Mamaroneck Cracks Down On Parking On Village Streets, Activates New Meters
Mamaroneck Cracks Down On Parking On Village Streets, Activates New Meters MAMARONECK, N.Y. -- Responding to complaints about abandoned cars and longterm parking by train commuters, the Village of Mamaroneck passed a local law on Monday to limit on-street residential parking to one week.  The previous law allowed parking for up to 21 days. The Board of Trustees adopted PLL B-2016 a local law Regarding Vehicles, Abandoned, Chapter 322-1 Parking Limit on Streets from with extension by Village Permit in advance. The Village is preparing a policy and program to provide for residents who anticipate having to park their cars on street for more than seven days. Village…
Anne Fitzsimmons Named First Female Police Chief In White Plains History Anne Fitzsimmons Named First Female Police Chief In White Plains History Anne Fitzsimmons Named First Female Police Chief In White Plains History
Anne Fitzsimmons Named First Female Police Chief In White Plains History This story has been updated. WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Anne Fitzsimmons, a 36-year officer with the White Plains Department of Public Safety, was promoted as the city's police chief on Monday.  Fitzsimmons previously served as assistant chief.  She was named acting chief last month after former White Plains Police Chief James Bradley was named the city’s new Deputy Public Safety Commissioner, a position White Plains had not funded since 2010. Bradley, who served with the force for 42 years, was chief for 25 years before retiring on Jan. 7 to take the deputy commissioner post. White Plains May…
Police Release Photos From Armed Robbery At Gas Station Off Route 100A Police Release Photos From Armed Robbery At Gas Station Off Route 100A Police Release Photos From Armed Robbery At Gas Station Off Route 100A
Police Release Photos From Armed Robbery At Gas Station Off Route 100A THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED GREENBURGH, N.Y. - A man armed with a gun held up a gas station in Greenburgh Monday night. Greenburgh police said the robbery occurred about 10:45 p.m. at a 24-hour Shell station at 425 Dobbs Ferry Road near West Hartsdale Road.  Upon arrival, police were informed by the victim that he was just robbed at gunpoint. The victim stated that a male white, short wearing a dark knit cap and dark sweater having a slight beard entered the premise, walked to the ATM, stepped up to the counter and brandished a handgun, Greenburgh police said on Tuesday.  The suspect orde…
Port Chester Football Team Celebrates Successful Fall Run At Rye Dinner Port Chester Football Team Celebrates Successful Fall Run At Rye Dinner Port Chester Football Team Celebrates Successful Fall Run At Rye Dinner
Port Chester Football Team Celebrates Successful Fall Run At Rye Dinner PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- The Port Chester Rams' varsity football season concluded on Jan. 28 at a special dinner event held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Westchester in Rye, with about 70 in attendance. The evening featured player recognition and highlight films. The position coaches spoke speaking about each of their players and presented each player with a plaque detailing his accomplishments and awards from the 2016 season. The coaches also highlighted the senior leadership as well as defining the goals of the team moving forward. The Most Outstanding Offensive player recognition was…
Social Media Campaign Inspires Port Chester Public School Teachers Social Media Campaign Inspires Port Chester Public School Teachers Social Media Campaign Inspires Port Chester Public School Teachers
Social Media Campaign Inspires Port Chester Public School Teachers PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- A social media campaign, #whyiteach, has inspired the teachers at the John F. Kennedy Magnet School to share with their colleagues and students what inspires them about teaching. Led by JFK School Principal Judy Diaz, the teachers have embarked on a new initiative. The result? Why I Teach “speech bubbles” are on view in each of the school’s three buildings and shared on Twitter and other social media. On Monday, Karen Magee of West Harrison, a former Harrison school teacher and president of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), spent the day at JFK. Her visit …
Development Debate Returns To Abandoned West Harrison Quarry Site Development Debate Returns To Abandoned West Harrison Quarry Site Development Debate Returns To Abandoned West Harrison Quarry Site
Development Debate Returns To Abandoned West Harrison Quarry Site HARRISON, N.Y, -- Fireworks are expected to return to Harrison on Wednesday night, but it's no cause for celebration. That's because neighbors of an idle quarry at 600 Lake St. in West Harrison are wary of new development plans that could replace the seven-acre site with an assisted living facility called Brightview. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at Harrison Town Hall. According to one of Daily Voice's community advisors, Harrison Town Council members may discuss rezoning certain areas to include multi-level housing. This would enable developers of a proposed senior citizen living facili…
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