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

White Plains Police Officers Rescue Elderly Man Trapped In Burning House White Plains Police Officers Rescue Elderly Man Trapped In Burning House White Plains Police Officers Rescue Elderly Man Trapped In Burning House
White Plains Police Officers Rescue Elderly Man Trapped In Burning House WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Two White Plains police officers rescued an 84-year-old man from his burning home last week. Public Safety Commissioner David Chong expressed his gratitude Monday to the heroic police officers and emergency medical services crew who saved the man's life as well as the White Plains Fire Department for putting the fire out quickly at 42 Liberty St. on Thursday.. According to police reports, Patrol Officer Joseph Garafolo arrived at the scene of the active fire first, about 11:18 p.m. on April 2. Garafolo located a resident outside of the home. This resident advised t…
Missing White Plains Fennec Fox May Have Been Spotted In Harrison Missing White Plains Fennec Fox May Have Been Spotted In Harrison Missing White Plains Fennec Fox May Have Been Spotted In Harrison
Missing White Plains Fennec Fox May Have Been Spotted In Harrison WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- The 9-month-old fennec fox named Luna who ran away from home on March 30 may have been spotted in Harrison, her owner said Monday. It''s been one week since the exotic pet scooted off from her Longview Avenue home in White Plains. Her owner, Jody Lee, said Luna is very shy, and very, very fast, so unlikely to be caught by humans. "She's incredibly fast,'' Lee said. "No one is going to catch her." So Lee suggests people call 914-434-3478 if they think they see Luna, who may hide in a bush "and any place a nervous animal would hide. Don't try to catch or chase her…
Two Men Charged By Port Chester Police In Suspected Heroin Deal Two Men Charged By Port Chester Police In Suspected Heroin Deal Two Men Charged By Port Chester Police In Suspected Heroin Deal
Two Men Charged By Port Chester Police In Suspected Heroin Deal PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- Two men were arrested Monday and charged with drug possession after police interrupted a suspected heroin deal. At about 3:50 p.m., members of the Port Chester Police Department Narcotics Squad, working with the Westchester County Police Narcotics Unit, arrested a Bronx man and a New Rochelle man. Detectives were investigating reports of drug activity in the area of Traverse Avenue. Shortly after arriving, the officers observed a man enter a mini-van and engage in what appeared to be a drug transaction with the driver of the vehicle.   Further investigation unco…
Visits From Putnam County Help Playland Amusement Park Enjoy Upswing Visits From Putnam County Help Playland Amusement Park Enjoy Upswing Visits From Putnam County Help Playland Amusement Park Enjoy Upswing
Visits From Putnam County Help Playland Amusement Park Enjoy Upswing PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. -- Rye Playland Amusement Park enjoyed a 20 percent increase in tourists last year due to more visits from adjoining counties including Putnam, according to Westchester County officials. Playland is poised to open its 87th season on May 9, so the Westchester County Board of Legislators is eager to hear a consultant's report on who should operate it in future years. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino hired consultant Dan Biederman last year at a cost of $100,000 to study options for private management and possible year-round uses. But with the report already fo…
Westchester Board Of Legislators Awaits Consultant's Report On Playland Westchester Board Of Legislators Awaits Consultant's Report On Playland Westchester Board Of Legislators Awaits Consultant's Report On Playland
Westchester Board Of Legislators Awaits Consultant's Report On Playland WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- With Rye Playland Amusement Park poised to begin its 87th season on Saturday, May 9, the Westchester County Board of Legislators is eager to hear a consultant's report on who should operate it in future years. County Executive Rob Astorino hired consultant Dan Biederman last year at a cost of $100,000 to study options for private management and possible year-round uses. But with the report already four months overdue, legislators prepared subpoenas last week to force its release. On Wednesday, Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett promised to deliver the rep…
Rye Police Report Rise In Complaints About Phone Scams Rye Police Report Rise In Complaints About Phone Scams Rye Police Report Rise In Complaints About Phone Scams
Rye Police Report Rise In Complaints About Phone Scams RYE, N.Y. -- Over the course of the last few months, the City of Rye Police Department has received a number of complaints regarding phone scams. Unidentified male and female callers use a variety of tactics to gain both personal information and or money wire transfers from the potential victims, police said. "We are seeing an increase again in phone scams,'' Lt. Scott Craig said on Friday, noting they fall into three general categories. In one, the caller identifies themselves as an agent of the IRS.  This fraudulent agent accuses the potential victim of failing to properly file their …
After 98 Years, Irene Harris Is Still Swimming Strong At White Plains' YWCA After 98 Years, Irene Harris Is Still Swimming Strong At White Plains' YWCA After 98 Years, Irene Harris Is Still Swimming Strong At White Plains' YWCA
After 98 Years, Irene Harris Is Still Swimming Strong At White Plains' YWCA WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- At the age of 98, Irene Harris is not only the YWCA's longest member, but one of its most dedicated. She can be found swimming at the North Street pool nearly every day. The Thornwood resident is independent, strong-willed, and self-driven -- literally and figuratively, according to those who know her best. Harris drives herself to the YWCA to swim laps. Although she admits she was never a strong swimmer, Harris says coming to the YWCA is an enriching part of her day.  She comes not only to swim, but to socialize with YWCA staff and patrons and hear about their …
No Fooling, Palmer Jewelers Celebrates 35th Anniversary April 1 No Fooling, Palmer Jewelers Celebrates 35th Anniversary April 1 No Fooling, Palmer Jewelers Celebrates 35th Anniversary April 1
No Fooling, Palmer Jewelers Celebrates 35th Anniversary April 1 LARCHMONT, N.Y. -- Cynthia Valenti was just 19 when she founded Palmer Jewelers Inc. at 1987 Palmer Ave. in the Village of Larchmont. The native of Stamford, Conn., said there were only three jewelry stores in Larchmont at the time. She specialized in buying and selling silver and gold when she first opened. There were 35 jewelers in Stamford, so she liked the odds of staying in business in Larchmont. She invested and bet right. On Wednesday, Valenti and her husband, Bill, the store's jeweler, celebrated their 35th year in business. In 1995, the store moved up the street to 1925 P…
Kellys Of Rye To Be Honored At School Of The Holy Child's 'Starry Night' Kellys Of Rye To Be Honored At School Of The Holy Child's 'Starry Night' Kellys Of Rye To Be Honored At School Of The Holy Child's 'Starry Night'
Kellys Of Rye To Be Honored At School Of The Holy Child's 'Starry Night' RYE, N.Y. -- "One Starry Night," the theme of this year's School of the Holy Child annual gala and fundraiser, honors two supporters of the girls' school: Peggy and Al Kelly of Rye.  One Starry Night "celebrates the constellation of friends, family, faculty, and fine young women who are part of the school’s shining past, stellar present, and bright future,'' according to its organizers. Cocktails and a silent auction start at 6:30 p.m. April 18 at Westchester County Club. Dinner and a live auction begin at 8 p.m.  Peggy Parlatore, a Class of '77 graduate, and Al Kelly have been part …
Anthony's Hot Dog Trucks Are A Sign Of Spring In Harrison Anthony's Hot Dog Trucks Are A Sign Of Spring In Harrison Anthony's Hot Dog Trucks Are A Sign Of Spring In Harrison
Anthony's Hot Dog Trucks Are A Sign Of Spring In Harrison HARRISON, N.Y. -- Sixty-degree temperatures brought hungry hot-dog truck customers out in droves on Thursday. They lined up outside Anthony's New York Hotdogs & More along Westchester Avenue near Rye Brook and off Route 120 in Purchase. Anthony Romeo, 45, began selling food from his first truck in 2005 at 120 Lockwood Ave. in his hometown of New Rochelle.  His second mobile food truck opened in 2006 near 2975 Westchester Ave. in Harrison. Romeo’s third food truck celebrates its second anniversary this month just south of Westchester County Airport at 4579 Purchase St. Lunch…
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