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

Columbus Elementary School Troubadors Sing In The Holiday Season Columbus Elementary School Troubadors Sing In The Holiday Season Columbus Elementary School Troubadors Sing In The Holiday Season
Columbus Elementary School Troubadors Sing In The Holiday Season MOUNT PLEASANT, N.Y. -- The Columbus Troubadors helped usher in the holiday season on Friday by performing favorite songs during the annual tree lighting ceremony at Mount Pleasant Town Hall. Under the direction of music teacher Michael Hood, the Columbus Elementary School Troubadors provided a festive program that included Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, Hannukkah, Oh Hannukkah and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  The Troubadors' performance was followed by the tree lighting and a visit from Santa.
Dutchess County Man Sent To Prison In Domestic Violence Case Dutchess County Man Sent To Prison In Domestic Violence Case Dutchess County Man Sent To Prison In Domestic Violence Case
Dutchess County Man Sent To Prison In Domestic Violence Case POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- Dutchess County Court Judge Peter M. Forman sentenced Henry A. Rivera to one to three years in state prison as a second felony offender, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. Rivera, 36, of Hyde Park pleaded guilty to a felony charge of aggravated family offense, a felony, on Oct. 29, the Journal reported. A person is charged with aggravated family offense if they commit certain specified misdemeanor offenses --- to protect domestic violence victims from repeat offenders. Forman imposed the standard fines and surcharges of $375 and issued an order of protection on be…
Police: Dad, Daughter Bought Heroin With Intent To Sell In Hudson Valley Police: Dad, Daughter Bought Heroin With Intent To Sell In Hudson Valley Police: Dad, Daughter Bought Heroin With Intent To Sell In Hudson Valley
Police: Dad, Daughter Bought Heroin With Intent To Sell In Hudson Valley WARWICK, N.Y. -- A 52-year-old Greenwood Lake man and his teenage daughter were arrested Sunday after they bought about 90 baggies of heroin in Passaic County, N.J., according to police. Town of Warwick police said Bennet Palazzolo, 52, and his daughter, Grace, 19, are accused of buying heroin in New Jersey with the intent to sell it from their Orange County neighborhood on East Shore Road. Grace Palazzolo was additionally charged with tampering with physical evidence and littering, police said. After police tried to pull Bennet Palazzolo's car over, his daughter reportedly tossed a brick …
Rye Appoints Michael Corcoran New Police Commissioner Rye Appoints Michael Corcoran New Police Commissioner Rye Appoints Michael Corcoran New Police Commissioner
Rye Appoints Michael Corcoran New Police Commissioner RYE, N.Y. -- Rye's City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Michael C. Corcoran as the police commissioner effective Feb. 1, 2016. The City Council gave its approval and consent at its regular meeting on Wednesday night. Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano said that “after a national search and intensive interview process, I am proud to have appointed (Corcoran) and appreciate the City Council’s support in affirming my appointment." Under the City Charter, Serrano has the authority to appoint the police commissioner.  In a press statement, Serrano said: “Mr. Corcoran comes to…
Call For Arms By Ulster County Sheriff Spurs Public Debate Call For Arms By Ulster County Sheriff Spurs Public Debate Call For Arms By Ulster County Sheriff Spurs Public Debate
Call For Arms By Ulster County Sheriff Spurs Public Debate KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum's statement encouraging licensed handgun owners to carry weapons prompted a firestorm of public reaction -- both pro and con. Van Blarcum's position was posted on the Ulstate County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, on Thursday. The sheriff's comments follow highly-publicized shootings including last month's terrorist attack in Paris and Wednesday's attack at a Social Services center in San Bernardino, Calif., where 14 people were killed by a man and a woman. Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnwright posted this on his blog on …
State Assemblyman Opposes 'Wild West' Reaction To Gun Violence State Assemblyman Opposes 'Wild West' Reaction To Gun Violence State Assemblyman Opposes 'Wild West' Reaction To Gun Violence
State Assemblyman Opposes 'Wild West' Reaction To Gun Violence This story has been updated. WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- A state assemblyman representing the towns of Greenburgh and Mount Pleasant said he favors strong background checks on gun owners -- not a "Wild West" solution. "We have guns in the hands of the wrong people. That's the problem. Let's devise a solution," Assemblyman Tom Abinanti said on Friday. The state legislator from Pleasantville was reacting to Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum's statement encouraging licensed handgun owners to carry weapons. Van Blarcum's position was posted on the Ulstate County Sheri…
Putnam County Sheriff Voices His Support For Licensed Guns Putnam County Sheriff Voices His Support For Licensed Guns Putnam County Sheriff Voices His Support For Licensed Guns
Putnam County Sheriff Voices His Support For Licensed Guns PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. -- Following a statement by Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum encouraging licensed handgun owners to carry weapons that prompted a firestorm of public reaction -- both pro and con -- Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith issued a statement of his own. Van Blarcum's position was posted on the Ulstate County Sheriff's Office Facebook page on Thursday. Smith's comments follow highly-publicized shootings including last month's terrorist attack in Paris and Wednesday's attack at a Social Services center in San Bernardino, Calif., where 14 people were killed by a man and a w…
Dog Caught In Beaver Trap At Hudson River Historic Site Dog Caught In Beaver Trap At Hudson River Historic Site Dog Caught In Beaver Trap At Hudson River Historic Site
Dog Caught In Beaver Trap At Hudson River Historic Site POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- Hikers beware. There may be hazardous traps set near wooded trails along the Hudson River. That's the warning from Irene Monck of the Town of Poughkeepsie, whose 4-year-old dog, Neve, got caught in a trap on Thanksgiving Day at Locust Grove Estate. Commonly known as the Young-Morse estate, the historic site is located off of Route 9. The 200-acre property originally owned by inventor Samuel Morse is a popular spot for hiking. "Victor and I have been walking there for many years,'' Monck said of her boyfriend, Victor Fernandes. Fernandes was walking with Monck's …
School Bus Involved In Minor Crash In Mamaroneck School Bus Involved In Minor Crash In Mamaroneck School Bus Involved In Minor Crash In Mamaroneck
School Bus Involved In Minor Crash In Mamaroneck MAMARONECK, N.Y. -- A school bus carrying students enrolled in the French American School of New York was involved in a minor crash on Wednesday morning.  No one was hurt, officials said. Town of Mamaroneck Police Lt. Paul Crezzo said a car sideswiped a mini-bus on Old White Plains Road near Wesleyan Avenue. About nine students were on board. Neither the bus driver nor any students complained of injuries, Crezzo said. Two people were in the car, Crezzo said, and also did not need medical treatment. The car's driver was not ticketed. Rainy conditions and the winding road were considered fac…
Westchester DA DiFiore Nominated As State's Chief Judge By Cuomo Westchester DA DiFiore Nominated As State's Chief Judge By Cuomo Westchester DA DiFiore Nominated As State's Chief Judge By Cuomo
Westchester DA DiFiore Nominated As State's Chief Judge By Cuomo WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday nominated Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore as New York's chief judge of the state Court of Appeals. The announcement followed months of speculation that DiFiore was a leading candidate for the opening on the state's highest court. DiFiore's appointment is subject to approval by the state Senate when it convenes its next session in January. Cuomo faced a deadline to name a successor for Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, who has reached the mandatory retirement age of 70. DiFiore has served as Westchester district attorney sin…
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