New health care reforms took effect on January 1
Health care reform legislation introduced by Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and signed into law by Governor David Paterson will expand consumer access and guarantee timely payments to providers, beginning on January 1. Full Story
Lead poisoning alert issued across Putnam County
The incidence of lead poisoning is on the rise in Putnam County and health officials have urged the public to take precautions, since lead poisoning can cause permanent injury to both children and adults. Full Story
County appointments made
Appointments to a variety of countywide advisory boards, agencies, and councils were made by members of the Putnam Legislature at the group’s year end meeting.
Abbe Blume of Southeast, Anita Schwartz of Carmel, and Steven Unger of Southeast were appointed to threeyear terms on the County Coordinating Council for People with Disabilities. Full Story
Oh, Deer: Time for Hunting?
They’re beautiful to look at and are graceful while meandering through an open field, yet the deer population throughout the lower Hudson Valley continues to increase, causing concern for motorists and property owners alike. Full Story
Putnam to Purchase Zodiac Boat for Water Rescues
More than 150 bodies of water are found across Putnam County from the Hudson Highlands in Cold Spring to the foot of the Appalachian Trail in Patterson.
Each year scores of residents and visitors alike take to the lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and streams throughout the county as well as the majestic Hudson River. Full Story
Flu Clinic Thursday in Carmel
County health officials are advising the public that it’s still not too late to get your seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccine. Full Story
PAC Grants Approved
Grants totaling $26,100 benefiting arts-related organizations across Putnam County have been re-granted through the Artslink Fund.
Joyce Picone, executive director of the Putnam Arts Council, explained the fund was a combination of “state support through the NYS Council on the Arts Decentralization Program as well as country support through the Putnam Arts Fund.” Full Story
Two BHS students Recognized by National Merit Program
Congratulations Caitlin Cronin and Anita Sicignano!
The two young women from Brewster High School have been named as Commended Students in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. Full Story
PHC Suspends Restrictions on Visitors
As a result of a decrease in influenza like illness throughout our region, effective January 4, 2010, Putnam Hospital Center is suspending the visitor restrictions (only two visitors per patient; no visitors under the age of 14 permitted in the hospital unless they are seeking care, including support groups) that were instituted in early November. Full Story
School Custodian Celebrates 50 Years of Dedicated Work
It’s been a labor of love for Robert Ritchie!
Last week, before school recessed for the holiday break, the 78-year-old custodian celebrated his 50th anniversary at the Pequenakonck Elementary School in North Salem with a cake and congratulations from faculty, staff, and students alike. Full Story
Sheriff Don Smith and Members of Putnam Legislature Take Oaths of Office
.A New Year’s Eve swearing-in ceremony attracted 100 family, friends, and colleagues of Sheriff Don Smith, Legislators Vincent Tamagna, Mary Conklin and Dan Birmingham and Coroner Dr. Michael Nesheiwat to the historic Putnam County Courthouse. Full Story
Patterson Swears in Officers
The Patterson Recreation Center hosted this year’s swearing-in ceremony for four officials elected by residents of the Town of Patterson last fall.
Councilwoman Ginny Nacerino, Councilman Kevin Burns, Town Judge John King, and receiver of Taxes Sally Parfitt were each applauded by a gathering of some 50 residents who attended the New Year’s Day event. Full Story
No Rest for Carmel Pols
There was little time to recuperate from New Year’s Eve merriment, since on January 1 at 10am, three members of the Carmel Town administration took their oaths of office. Supervisor Kenneth Schmitt was joined by Councilman Frank Lombardi and Councilwoman Suzanne McDonough who were administered their oaths by Judges James Reitz, Joseph Spofford, and Thomas Jacobellis. Full Story
Kent Inauguration Welcomes Judge Kevin Douchkoff
Eight officials of the Town of Kent took their oaths of office on New Year’s Day but the inauguration belonged to Judge Kevin Douchkoff, who received an ovation when he was introduced. Full Story
Kent Musical Auditions Set
Arts on the Lake, in partnership with Bare Bones Theatre Company, is preparing an April production of Troll-Loll-La!, an original musical based on Norwegian folktales by Tony Howarth and Sheldon Gartner.
Open auditions for a cast of 18 will be held at the Lake Carmel Cultural Center, 640 Route 52, in Kent on Sunday, January 31, starting at 1pm. Full Story
County Executive Bondi’s Mother-in-Law Dies at 87
The mother-in-law of County Executive Robert Bondi has passed away.
Mary Dippolito, 87, lost a valiant battle to cancer on January 3 at Calvary Hospital in New York City.
Mrs. Dippolito was the mother of Marylou Bondi and Carol Cavallaro, a long time employee of the Putnam Bureau of Emergency Services. Full Story
Educated Palate Opens for the Season
Week of 1/4/
The Educated Palate will be opening
for the season next month.
On January 14, the student-run and -operated, award-winning restaurant on the Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES campus in Yorktown Heights offers its first meal, featuring Canadian
cuisine
BOCES Superintendent Dr. James 10 - 1/10/10 Full Story
An Introduction to GPS and Geocaching
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt played throughout the world by adventure seekers.The basic idea is to use GPS to locate outdoor hidden containers, called geocaches, and then share your experiences online. Full Story
Ball Fights to Keep VA Facility Active
Assemblyman Greg Ball has taken up the cause of preserving Montrose in Northern Westchester for Veterans Affairs. Under the Bush administration, Montrose’s VA facilities had been scheduled to be reduced and redeveloped. Full Story
County Considers Future of Old Carmel Landfill
One of the big questions facing Putnam County government this year is what to do with the former county landfill in Carmel. Full Story
New Year’s Brush with Death
A Carmel youth has a lot to be thankful for in the New Year following a brush with death hours before the ball fell in Times Square. Full Story
Police News
Caught with Pot
Two teenagers face court hearings in Carmel Town Court next month following their arrests for marijuana possession outside the Mahopac Jewish Center.
Carmel Police arrested the 17-yearold boy and 18-year-old girl last week after a vehicle was observed parked in the lot of Temple Beth Shalom off Route 6 by Officer Michael Sheil at 11pm. Full Story
Holmes Man and His Dog Perish in House Fire
Lake Carmel Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Madsen arrived on the scene to a ball of fire minutes after a report was received that a home was ablaze in a remote section of Route 52 at the Putnam- Dutchess line. The chief became alarmed since a vehicle was parked in the driveway of the residence and the time was 2am. Full Story
Faulty Chimney Leads to House Fire in Kent Cliffs
Six weeks ago Kent firefighters were dispatched to a report of a house fire in the Seven Hills Lake area of western Kent.
Fire crews found a blaze in a chimney that was extinguished, but, according to Chief Paul Kane, the homeowner was advised that the chimney had structural damage requiring immediate repair. Full Story
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The only real journalism in Putnam County and the leading news source on Carmel, Mahopac, Brewster and Putnam County. Authoritative and independent. Published by Elizabeth Ailes; edited by Douglas Cunningham. 845.265.2468. First-place, In-Depth Reporting, 2011 Better Newspaper Contest, New York Press Association.
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