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Westchester's Film Industry Generates $2B In Economic Impact In 2 Years: Officials Westchester's Film Industry Generates $2B In Economic Impact In 2 Years: Officials
Westchester's Film Industry Generates $2B In Economic Impact In 2 Years: Officials Westchester's bustling film industry is continuing to generate billions of dollars in economic activity as it grows more and more successful, officials announced. According to a new report detailed by county officials, film production in Westchester generated $2 billion in economic activity in both 2022 and 2023.  The industry also created 6,796 jobs and $656 million in wages during the two-year period, officials added. This success came despite several factors that threatened to interrupt film production, including the pandemic as well as the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFT…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Best High Schools: Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New Rankings Best High Schools: Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New Rankings
Best High Schools: Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New Rankings New York is well-represented on U.S. News & World Report's latest rankings of the nation's best high schools. The brand-new rankings were released Tuesday morning, April 23, and determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. The highest-ranked school outside New York City is on Long Island: Jericho, at No. 13 statewide and 104th nationally. The top-rated high school in Westchester County is Edgemont at No. 14 in the state and 128th in the nation, with Bronxville, at No. 16 in the state and 151st nationally. Another W…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Beloved, Refurbished Local Landmark Returns In Westchester Beloved, Refurbished Local Landmark Returns In Westchester
Beloved, Refurbished Local Landmark Returns In Westchester An iconic statue has returned in a more durable form in Northern Westchester. The statue in front of The Elephant Hotel in Somers known as Old Bet has returned to its post after being taken down in July 2023, Somers town officials announced on Monday, April 22.  The beloved landmark had been a fixture in Somers since 1827 when a gilt wood replica of an elephant was installed on iron scrollwork on top of a granite shaft in front of the hotel, which was built between 1820 and 1825 and is now used as Town Hall.  The old statue was taken down after cracks were discovered in it. …

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Transcripts Of Trump Trial To Be Posted Online Daily Transcripts Of Trump Trial To Be Posted Online Daily
Transcripts Of Trump Trial To Be Posted Online Daily Those interested in the details of the "Hush Money" criminal trial against former President Donald J. Trump may read every word of what happened at Manhattan Criminal Court when the New York Court system publishes the transcripts online daily. Beginning Monday, April 22, the full transcript will be available here on the court system's website. The New York Unified Court System said it is doing so because the trial is not being televised and to push the courts to ensure broad and continuous public access to the high-profile case.  A certified transcript of each day’s trial pr…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Active Shooter Drill Held At Monastery In Hudson Valley Active Shooter Drill Held At Monastery In Hudson Valley
Active Shooter Drill Held At Monastery In Hudson Valley Although it looked like a real response, an influx of emergency agencies and police at a Hudson Valley monastery was only a drill to prepare for an active shooter scenario.  The exercise was held in Putnam County on Sunday, April 21 at the Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel at 2020 Route 301, according to the Carmel Fire Department.  During the drill, which was hosted by the Kent Fire Department, several local, county, and regional agencies acted as if there were an active shooter with "victims" played by volunteers.  After the exercise was complete, the agencies then gathe…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Sergeant Collapses, Dies Moments After Shift In Hudson Valley: 'Good Man Who Will Be Missed' Sergeant Collapses, Dies Moments After Shift In Hudson Valley: 'Good Man Who Will Be Missed'
Sergeant Collapses, Dies Moments After Shift In Hudson Valley: 'Good Man Who Will Be Missed' A Hudson Valley police department is mourning the line-of-duty loss of a beloved sergeant who collapsed and died mere moments after completing his shift.  In a statement on Saturday, April 20, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced the death of Brewster Police Sergeant Richard Gurniak, who collapsed after hanging up his keys after his shift during the early morning hours on Saturday.  Despite efforts to save his life from a fellow Brewster officer and two members of the Sheriff's Office, Gurniak later died at Putnam Hospital from a heart attack at the age of 57. A…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
19-Year-Old Woman Found Safe After Going Missing From Westchester 19-Year-Old Woman Found Safe After Going Missing From Westchester
19-Year-Old Woman Found Safe After Going Missing From Westchester New, updated report:  A 19-year-old woman who went missing from Westchester has been safely found, police said. Jacklyn Kauffo, age 19, was found safe after going missing in Yonkers on Saturday, April 20, Yonkers Police announced on Tuesday, April 23.  Police did not say where Kauffo was found.  Original Report:  Authorities are asking for the public's help in finding a missing 19-year-old woman who has been missing from Westchester for several days. In an alert issued on Sunday, April 21, Yonkers Police announced they are searching for 19-year-old Jacklyn Kauff…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Man Takes Photo Under Victim's Muslim Garment In Westchester, Police Say Man Takes Photo Under Victim's Muslim Garment In Westchester, Police Say
Man Takes Photo Under Victim's Muslim Garment In Westchester, Police Say A 23-year-old man faces several charges after taking a photo under a Muslim woman's clothing and exposing himself in Westchester, police said. The arrest stemmed from an incident on Friday, March 8 in New Rochelle, when a suspect approached a woman wearing a niqāb, a Muslim garment that covers the entire body and face besides the eyes, and took a photo underneath it, New Rochelle Police Captain J. Collins Coyne announced on Friday, April 19.  The suspect, identified as New Rochelle resident Hussain Haider, also exposed himself to the victim before running away, Coyne said, adding that …

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by Ben Crnic
Lifestyle
Guide Dog Graduation: Westchester County-Based Nonprofit Provides Pups To Homes Across US Guide Dog Graduation: Westchester County-Based Nonprofit Provides Pups To Homes Across US
Guide Dog Graduation: Westchester County-Based Nonprofit Provides Pups To Homes Across US A new class of guide dogs that graduated from a New York nonprofit organization – including one dog going to serve the organization’s CEO – demonstrates the group’s 60-year commitment to changing the lives of people with vision loss or blindness. On Friday, April 12, Guiding Eyes for the Blind held one of its biannual guide dog graduations, celebrating the hard work of volunteers and pups alike and officially transferring the furry friends’ care to their new owners. However, this graduation was a little different from others — one of the graduates was a yellow lab named “Ten,” who had tra…

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by Sophie Grieser
Schools
Harrison School District Named Best Among Best Communities For Music Education Harrison School District Named Best Among Best Communities For Music Education
Harrison School District Named Best Among Best Communities For Music Education Several school districts in Westchester and Putnam counties are being recognized as amongst the best in the entire nation for music education.  A total of 10 school districts across both counties have been named winners of the Best Communities for Music Education Award for 2024 by the NAMM Foundation.  These districts are some of only 975 across the country to receive the award, which recognizes "outstanding" efforts from teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who make sure students can include music as part of their education, according to th…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Popular Westchester Corrections Officer Dies At Age 40 Popular Westchester Corrections Officer Dies At Age 40
Popular Westchester Corrections Officer Dies At Age 40 Shock and sadness are spreading following the sudden death of Eleanor Birrittella, a well-known corrections officer in Westchester. Birrittella died on Saturday, April 20, according to Hector Lopez, the president of the New York Hispanic American Law Enforcement Organization. A cause of death had not yet been released. Online records show Birrittella was 40 years old and lived in Yonkers. "Officer Birrittella had a smile that lit up the place," Lopez said in announcing her death. "She loved her job. I will miss her, we will all miss her." The entire WCOBA family is mourning the t…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Five Iron Golf Location Coming To Port Chester Five Iron Golf Location Coming To Port Chester
Five Iron Golf Location Coming To Port Chester An indoor golf entertainment center franchise has announced an upcoming location in Westchester.  Five Iron Golf, a popular indoor golf franchise, announced this week the signing of a lease for a new location in Port Chester at 179 North Main St. The upcoming location, slated to open in late 2024 or early 2025, will include state-of-the-art golf simulators, golf instruction, and an "engaging social atmosphere" complete with a sports bar and events venue, according to the franchise. The 7,655-square-foot business will open within the Tarry Lighthouse development and will have free on-s…

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by Ben Crnic