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

High School Production Dedicated To Former Teacher In Port Chester High School Production Dedicated To Former Teacher In Port Chester High School Production Dedicated To Former Teacher In Port Chester
High School Production Dedicated To Former Teacher In Port Chester PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- "You Can't Take It With You," a comedic play performed three times this past weekend, was dedicated in memory of a Port Chester High School teacher who died on Oct. 20. Claudia Begazo-Hyland, 44, taught Spanish and never missed a high school production, according to Josh Tenzer, drama coach and special education teacher. "She'd bring her kids,'' Tenzer said. "I miss her." The three-act comedy, Port Chester's first fall production in 10 years, was written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.  The high school production debuted Thursday Nov. 19 w…
Person Trapped Under Car At ShopRite Plaza In Carmel Person Trapped Under Car At ShopRite Plaza In Carmel Person Trapped Under Car At ShopRite Plaza In Carmel
Person Trapped Under Car At ShopRite Plaza In Carmel CARMEL, N.Y. -- Firefighters and Town of Carmel police were called to Shoprite Plaza off Route 52 on Tuesday morning on a report that someone was trapped under a vehicle. A landing zone was being set up near the movie theater for a planned air rescue transport to the hospital via helicopter. Putnam County Sheriff's deputies were called to assist Carmel police. Check back to Daily Voice for more information as it becomes available.
Ardsley School District Hires New Assistant Superintendent For Business Ardsley School District Hires New Assistant Superintendent For Business Ardsley School District Hires New Assistant Superintendent For Business
Ardsley School District Hires New Assistant Superintendent For Business ARDSLEY, N.Y. -- Kelly E. Seibert has been appointed assistant superintendent for business, facilities and operations for the Ardsley Union Free School District. Seibert's hiring recently was approved by the Ardsley Board of Education effective Dec. 9. He has held a similar post the past four years at the Ramapo Central School District. Seibert began his finance career in 2007 at the Dutchess County Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).  He currently is president of the Lower Hudson Chapter of the New York State Association of School Business Officials. In a press statement,…
Rye Brook Deaths Were 'Accidental,' Say Police Rye Brook Deaths Were 'Accidental,' Say Police Rye Brook Deaths Were 'Accidental,' Say Police
Rye Brook Deaths Were 'Accidental,' Say Police RYE BROOK, N.Y. -- Police concluded late Monday that the deaths of two Rye Brook residents from carbon monoxide poisoning were both accidental. Rye Brook Police Department said it was notified about 12:10 p.m. on Monday afternoon of "a person in distress" on Maywood Avenue. Upon arrival, police found two males, Carl Persson, 85, and Joseph Pendrak, 52, both of 9 Maywood Ave., dead in the home. Earlier Daily Voice coverage can be found here. Both Persson and Pendrak were in found in their beds in their separate bedrooms, police said. Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning is suspect…
Police Release Details On Rye Brook Pair Found Dead Police Release Details On Rye Brook Pair Found Dead Police Release Details On Rye Brook Pair Found Dead
Police Release Details On Rye Brook Pair Found Dead RYE BROOK, N.Y. -- Police confirmed Monday that a car parked in an attached garage at 9 Maywood Ave. was found out of gas, leading them to suspect it had been left running. The discovery was made while investigating the deaths of two people from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, Rye Brook Police Chief Gerald Austin told Daily Voice on Monday. A family member told lohud.com that the deceased occupants of the home were Carl Persson, 85, the property owner, and step-grandson, Joseph Pendrak, 50. They both were found dead in their beds about noon, police reported earlier on Monday. Persson…
Two Found Dead In Rye Brook Two Found Dead In Rye Brook Two Found Dead In Rye Brook
Two Found Dead In Rye Brook RYE BROOK, N.Y. -- Police are investigating the deaths of two people from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at 9 Maywood Ave., Rye Brook's police chief confirmed to Daily Voice on Monday afternoon. A family member told lohud.com that the deceased occupants of the home were Carl Persson, 85, the property owner, and step-grandson, Joseph Pendrak, 50. They both were found dead in their beds about noon on Monday.  Persson was a retired Teamster union member, according to lohud, and Pendrak had worked in the hospitality business but was out on disability. Check back to Daily Voice for more o…
High Schools Involved In Football Rivalry Brawl ID'd High Schools Involved In Football Rivalry Brawl ID'd High Schools Involved In Football Rivalry Brawl ID'd
High Schools Involved In Football Rivalry Brawl ID'd This story has ben updated. PUTNAM VALLEY, N.Y. -- Students from Hendrick Hudson, Mahopac and Putnam Valley high schools have been identified as those involved in the fight that seriously injured a student-bystander on Saturday night, state police said. The student was hospitalized after a pre-planned brawl in the Town of Putnam Valley among varsity football players and other students, as reported Sunday by Daily Voice. The injured student was taken to the Trauma Center at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. The injuries were serious but not considered life-threatening, police said. P…
Hyde Park Police Report Flurry Of Car Break-ins Hyde Park Police Report Flurry Of Car Break-ins Hyde Park Police Report Flurry Of Car Break-ins
Hyde Park Police Report Flurry Of Car Break-ins HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- The Hyde Park Police Department has received numerous complaints of vehicle break-ins . All appear to have occurred overnight Friday and early Saturday morning, police said. Most of the vehicles broken into were in the vicinity of Pine Woods Road and East Market Street, police said. All the vehicles involved were believed to be unlocked, police said. Residents are strongly advised to lock car doors and keep valuables out of sight or bring them into their homes. Anyone with tips on possible suspects or who has observed suspicious activity is asked to call the Hyde Park P…
Archery Is A Hit Among Dutchess County Park Programs Archery Is A Hit Among Dutchess County Park Programs Archery Is A Hit Among Dutchess County Park Programs
Archery Is A Hit Among Dutchess County Park Programs WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. -- Anyone who missed out on fall archery classes offered at Bowdoin Park will get two more shots in December. David Beck, park naturalist for Dutchess County, leads the indoor classes in the second-floor auditorium near the park's playground at 85 Sheafe Road. The Dutchess County Parks Department provides the bows, which are adjustable for strength and skill level. Beginners are welcome, according to Beck The archery class is open to anyone 8 years old and older. Beck said eight to 12 people typically attend each class, small enough that he's able to offer individua…
Westchester Claims Another Legal Victory In Federal Housing Settlement Westchester Claims Another Legal Victory In Federal Housing Settlement Westchester Claims Another Legal Victory In Federal Housing Settlement
Westchester Claims Another Legal Victory In Federal Housing Settlement WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- County Executive Rob Astorino on Thursday said that Westchester had won another victory in its federal housing settlement. The U.S. Magistrate Judge assigned to the affordable housing case ruled that the county had provided financing for enough units to meet its 2014 benchmark and that there was no basis for the county to be held in contempt, according to a press statement. That means no fines as threatened by the U.S. Justice Department.  Both sides have 14 days to object to Thursday's report. If objections are filed, they can be reviewed by the U.S. District Court. …
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