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

Rye Schools Briefly Evacuated Due To Gas Odor Rye Schools Briefly Evacuated Due To Gas Odor Rye Schools Briefly Evacuated Due To Gas Odor
Rye Schools Briefly Evacuated Due To Gas Odor RYE, N.Y. -- Rye firefighters were called to Rye Middle School Thursday morning after a report of a gas odor. Students at Rye High School and Rye Middle School were evacuated about 9:30 a.m. as the Rye Fire Department investigated the source of the odor. The smell's origin was turned out to be a science experiment at the middle school, according to Sarah Derman, spokeswoman for the Rye Central School District. Students returned to class after about 10 minutes, Derman said.   
Sledding At White Plains High Always A Winter Favorite Sledding At White Plains High Always A Winter Favorite Sledding At White Plains High Always A Winter Favorite
Sledding At White Plains High Always A Winter Favorite WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Tuesday's snowfall and Wednesday's sunny skies created an ideal combination for anyone still hankering for perfect sledding conditions. Jose Andrade of White Plains treated his 3-year-old son, Fernando, to some speedy sledding on the rolling hills behind White Plains High School off North Street (Route 127). With school back in session, sledding was not as crowded or chaotic Wednesday. After a couple of failed climbing attempts, Fernando was smart enough to hop on his father's back for the long trek back uphill.
After The Snowfall, A Peaceful View From Port Chester After The Snowfall, A Peaceful View From Port Chester After The Snowfall, A Peaceful View From Port Chester
After The Snowfall, A Peaceful View From Port Chester PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- The view from Leslie Hatzel's first-floor terrace -- a steady sight on King Street in Port Chester since 1985. "My son went to North Baptist Nursery School, and I had a bird's-eye view of him in the playground every day! I take a picture from my terrace of North Baptist every winter after a snowstorm,'' said Hatzel, who is a community advisor for the Daily Voice. The church and school are at 284 King St. "Not only is it a beautiful picture. ... It brings back many fond memories of my son's nursery school days. If the church were gone, I'd really miss it. I'm sur…
Better Safe Than Sorry? Many Hidden 'Costs' To Preparing For Storm Better Safe Than Sorry? Many Hidden 'Costs' To Preparing For Storm Better Safe Than Sorry? Many Hidden 'Costs' To Preparing For Storm
Better Safe Than Sorry? Many Hidden 'Costs' To Preparing For Storm WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Some public officials think advance precautions for the Nor'easter -- the potentially "historic blizzard'' that actually wasn't -- were wise. But others remain cognizant of the costs involved in shutting down schools, libraries and municipal buildings in anticipation of major snowstorms that sometimes create excessive anxiety and disruption before fizzling out. Town and village halls, as well as schools, were closed throughout Weschester, Putnam and Fairfield counties on Tuesday as Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and most towns de…
There Was An Upside To The Blizzard Scare In Larchmont There Was An Upside To The Blizzard Scare In Larchmont There Was An Upside To The Blizzard Scare In Larchmont
There Was An Upside To The Blizzard Scare In Larchmont LARCHMONT, N.Y. -- Dozens of children enjoyed their snow day off from school Tuesday by sledding at Flint Park in Larchmont. They did not mind that the forecast for 12 to 24 inches of snow did not materialize. "Blizzard" Juno dropped two to three inches on the Town of Mamaroneck. But there was enough white stuff to make sledding enjoyable for these youngsters. It's been a tradition in Larchmont for generations, according to Daily Voice Community Advisor Megan McCarthy, who took these photos.
West Harrison Student, 23, Struck, Killed By Car While Walking Near Cornell West Harrison Student, 23, Struck, Killed By Car While Walking Near Cornell West Harrison Student, 23, Struck, Killed By Car While Walking Near Cornell
West Harrison Student, 23, Struck, Killed By Car While Walking Near Cornell HARRISON, N.Y. -- A 23-year-old college student from West Harrison was struck and killed by a car Saturday near Ithaca. Oluchukwu Onuora, expected to graduate this spring from Cornell University, was killed about 4 a.m. while walking along Route 96, according to the Tompkins County Sheriff's Department. Onuora was pronounced dead at Cayuga Medical Center. No funeral arrangements have been announced. Classmates at Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences fondly remembered Onuora, according to this story in The Cornell Sun.  Onuora was born in Nigeria, and his family immigrat…
St. Thomas Church In Mamaroneck Installs New Rector St. Thomas Church In Mamaroneck Installs New Rector St. Thomas Church In Mamaroneck Installs New Rector
St. Thomas Church In Mamaroneck Installs New Rector MAMARONECK, N.Y. -- She's a native of Syracuse who loves to play golf. She's a news junkie who has two grown daughters. And she's a "cradle Episcopalian" who married another woman. On Saturday, the Rev. Carol D. Gadsden begins her life's greatest challenge as the 16th rector of St. Thomas Church in Mamaroneck. Gadsden was to be installed at 10 a.m. by the Right Rev. Andrew M.L. Dietsche, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. The celebration of her new ministry at 168 W. Boston Post Road was to be followed by a reception in Heathcote Hall.  Called to St. Thomas in September, Gadsd…
Westchester Firefighter Academy Holds Graduation Ceremonies Westchester Firefighter Academy Holds Graduation Ceremonies Westchester Firefighter Academy Holds Graduation Ceremonies
Westchester Firefighter Academy Holds Graduation Ceremonies VALHALLA, N.Y -- More than 200 friends and family members celebrated the graduation of 25 new professional firefighters Friday. The new professional firefighters, who were welcomed during ceremonies at the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services in Valhalla, will work for paid fire departments in Eastchester, Fairview, Hartsdale, Mohegan Lake, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Rye and Scarsdale.  During a separate ceremony Friday evening, 69 volunteer firefighters from 31 local fire departments received certificates for completing 96 hours of Firefighter 1 training from the county. …
Harrison Approves More Parking Restrictions In Crackdown On Train Commuters Harrison Approves More Parking Restrictions In Crackdown On Train Commuters Harrison Approves More Parking Restrictions In Crackdown On Train Commuters
Harrison Approves More Parking Restrictions In Crackdown On Train Commuters HARRISON, N.Y. -- The Village of Harrison Board of Trustees unanimously approved parking limits on four streets Thursday to crack down on people leaving their cars in residential neighborhoods before boarding Metro-North Railroad trains to work. The unanimous vote, proposed by Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont, followed a report from the police chief that six village streets were crowded with cars owned by non-residents -- including some motorists from Connecticut. By a 5-0 vote, the village board approved posting a new "four-hour limit" sign along Nelson, Ellsworth and Webster avenues, as wel…
Larchmont Kicks Off 125th Anniversary Celebration With Time To Spare Larchmont Kicks Off 125th Anniversary Celebration With Time To Spare Larchmont Kicks Off 125th Anniversary Celebration With Time To Spare
Larchmont Kicks Off 125th Anniversary Celebration With Time To Spare LARCHMONT, N.Y. -- No one can accuse Larchmonters of being procrastinators or party-poopers. Clad in outfits dating to 1891, officials gathered at Village Hall on Thursday to detail plans for a yearlong celebration of Larchmont's 125th anniversary of incorporation -- which is officially on Sept. 22, 2016. For starters, the village is inviting anyone of any age, including non-residents to design a logo to brand the 125th anniversary festivities that will span one year beginning on Sept. 22 of this year. The logo entry deadline is March 9 and the winner will be announced 10 days later. The t…
10,851 - 10,860 of 11,056 articles