DV Plus - Westchester, NY
Lifestyle
One Book Unites—Not Divides—Westchester Cities, Towns One Book Unites—Not Divides—Westchester Cities, Towns
One Book Unites—Not Divides—Westchester Cities, Towns Children's interest in reading declines by the age of nine according to the Scholastic 2019 Kids and Family Reading Report. So having children and tweens/teens along with adults included in this year's One Book Westchester is a boost for county families.  The committee decided to offer three reading selections in order to target three different age groups, thus widening the appeal of the project and allowing for families to read together, said Assistant to the County Executive/Operations Roseanne Finizio. The literacy initiative calls upon community members to read the same …

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by Donna Christopher
DV Plus - Westchester, NY
Politics
Incumbents, Especially Democrats, Defeat GOP On Interesting Local Election Night Incumbents, Especially Democrats, Defeat GOP On Interesting Local Election Night
Incumbents, Especially Democrats, Defeat GOP On Interesting Local Election Night Early election returns on Tuesday indicated that voters favored incumbents over challengers -- and Democrats over Republicans --  in several city mayoral races and in most of the 17 races for Westchester County Board of Legislators. Shortly after midnight, longtime Harrison Mayor Ronald Belmont had gained a slight lead over Democratic insurgent Frank Gordon. Although Republican Belmont once appeared at Westchester County Airport to greet then-President Barack Obama -- the anti-Trump factor played a near-spoiler role in Harrison and other towns dominated by Republicans. Unofficially…

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by Jon Craig
DV Plus - Westchester, NY
Politics
Around The Towns: Fighting Bias, Flight Of Dreams, $250K Park Improvement Around The Towns: Fighting Bias, Flight Of Dreams, $250K Park Improvement
Around The Towns: Fighting Bias, Flight Of Dreams, $250K Park Improvement Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. was honored by the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center at its annual dinner on Oct. 24. Scarpino was recognized for his ongoing support of the professional development of educators on the topics of the Holocaust and bias in society. In addition, the recognition honors DA Scarpino for “protecting our community through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice.” For the last three years, the DA’s Office has granted funds to the Westchester-based Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) for its important conferen…

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by Jon Craig
Yonkers, NY
Politics
Spano Calls For Ban On Flavored E-Cigarettes In Yonkers Spano Calls For Ban On Flavored E-Cigarettes In Yonkers
Spano Calls For Ban On Flavored E-Cigarettes In Yonkers Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano is calling for a citywide ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarette products. Spano and members of the City Council announced the proposed ban, which would make Yonkers potentially the first city in New York State to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. “E-cigarettes are widely accepted as an addicting gateway drug targeted at our youth. We risk the health of an entire generation of young people who may become addicted to nicotine through the appeal of flavored e-cigarettes,” Spano said. 
“We need our federal and state leaders to take action to address this probl…

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by Zak Failla
Somers, NY
Business
Major Production Company Lionsgate Building $100M Facility In Westchester Major Production Company Lionsgate Building $100M Facility In Westchester
Major Production Company Lionsgate Building $100M Facility In Westchester A premier movie production studio -- Lionsgate -- has announced it is planning to build a major new production facility in Westchester, according to Great Point Capital Management. Construction on the $100 million Yonkers site located near 1 Larkin Plaza at the Hudson River, will begin in November and is planned to be up and running in late 2020, officials said. Lionsgate is known for backing such films as “John Wick: Chapter 3” and "Rambo: Last Blood," as well as developing games, TV shows, and streaming services.  The new complex will include three 20,000-square-feet and two 10,000-…

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by Kathy Reakes
Yonkers, NY
Police & Fire
New Police Commissioner Named In Yonkers New Police Commissioner Named In Yonkers
New Police Commissioner Named In Yonkers Yonkers Police Deputy Chief John Mueller will be named the city’s new police commissioner, pending the City Council’s confirmation. Mueller will begin serving as acting commissioner on Thursday, July 25, and will replace outgoing commissioner Charles Gardner, who is retiring later this month, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano announced. During his 25-year tenure with the Yonkers Police Department, Mueller has held various leadership positions and was most recently acting as the Commanding Officer of Investigative Services Bureau, which is responsible for investigative activities within the Yonk…

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by Zak Failla
Yonkers, NY
Politics
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano Wins Three-Way Democratic Primary Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano Wins Three-Way Democratic Primary
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano Wins Three-Way Democratic Primary Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano easily won Tuesday's Democratic Party primary election, according to unofficial vote returns. The two-term mayor declared victory shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25 in the three-way Democratic primary race. With about 70 percent the votes counted, Spano led with 75 percent. Spano defeated attorney Karen Beltran, with 18 percent of the votes, and community activist Ivy Reeves, with 8 percent, according to unofficial returns from the county Board of Elections. Beltran is a longtime Yonkers resident who immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia when she was sev…

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by Jon Craig
Yonkers, NY
Politics
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Seeking Third Term, Faces Two Primary Challengers Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Seeking Third Term, Faces Two Primary Challengers
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Seeking Third Term, Faces Two Primary Challengers Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano is running for a third term but he first has to fend off a primary challenge from two Democrats on Tuesday, June 25. Spano is being challenged by attorney Karen Beltran and community activist Ivy Reeves. Beltran is a longtime Yonkers resident who immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia when she was seven. As a former PTA leader, she's a strong advocate of improving the public education system. Reeves has worked in City Hall and run for City Council, state Assembly and Council president. She's the first African-American woman to run for Yonkers mayor. On Thursday, Jun…

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by Jon Craig
Mount Pleasant, NY
Police & Fire
Details Emerge After Teen Suspect's Arrest In Fatal Shooting Of Westchester Innocent Bystander Details Emerge After Teen Suspect's Arrest In Fatal Shooting Of Westchester Innocent Bystander
Details Emerge After Teen Suspect's Arrest In Fatal Shooting Of Westchester Innocent Bystander Details have been released by police regarding the arrest in the fatal shooting of an innocent 18-year-old high school student who was a bystander during a reported gang dispute in Westchester. Marilyn Cotto Montanez, of Yonkers, was shot in the head on Thursday, April 25, near the intersection of Lake and Morningside avenues in Yonkers, police said. The 11th-grader from Lincoln High School was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. On Tuesday, May 7, shortly before 1 a.m., Jamir Thompson, accompanied by his mother, surrendered himself into police custody at the Yonkers P…

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by Zak Failla
Mount Pleasant, NY
Police & Fire
Teen Suspect In Fatal Shooting Of Westchester 18-Year-Old Surrenders To Police Teen Suspect In Fatal Shooting Of Westchester 18-Year-Old Surrenders To Police
Teen Suspect In Fatal Shooting Of Westchester 18-Year-Old Surrenders To Police The suspect in the shooting death of an 18-year-old Westchester woman has turned himself in to police. Jamir Thompson was identified as the suspected perpetrator in the April 25 shooting death of Marilyn Cotto Montanez ear the intersection of Lake and Morningside avenues in Yonkers. Montanez was an 11th-grader at Lincoln High School. "We got him!" Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano tweeted on Tuesday morning, May 7.  "Jamir Thompson, wanted for shooting and killing innocent teen Marilyn Cotto Montanez, is in custody of the @YonkersPD." Thompson, reportedly associated with a …

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by Joe Lombardi
Mount Pleasant, NY
Lifestyle
Popular Irish Eatery Eileen's Re-Opens In Westchester Popular Irish Eatery Eileen's Re-Opens In Westchester
Popular Irish Eatery Eileen's Re-Opens In Westchester After closing in January of 2018, Eileen’s has reopened at 960 McLean Avenue in Yonkers with a new name, a new look and some fresh Irish fare. Formerly known as Eileen’s Country Kitchen, the eatery was initially established in 1997 by Eileen Mannion. Mannion decided to close the eatery to rethink strategy and redecorate with some modern flair, including exposed brick, new lighting fixtures and more. "The old diner concept is dying," Mannion told Lohud. "The restaurant business has changed due to the advent of apps such as Grub Hub, Door Dash and Uber Eats and we restaurateurs need to chang…

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by Valerie Musson
Yonkers, NY
Politics
Proposed $1.25B Budget Would Raise Taxes 2.5 Percent In Yonkers Proposed $1.25B Budget Would Raise Taxes 2.5 Percent In Yonkers
Proposed $1.25B Budget Would Raise Taxes 2.5 Percent In Yonkers Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano has introduced a proposed $1.25 billion budget for 2019-2020, though the city still faces financial challenges. The proposed spending plan includes a 2.5 percent tax increase for residents that will represent an increase in the average taxpayer’s bill by approximately $350, though there are no cuts in essential services. The budget also calls for new city jobs in the water and housing departments. The proposal marks a 4.7 percent ($55 million) increase from last year, and must be approved by June 1. Public hearings have been scheduled beginning at the end of the mon…

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by Zak Failla