A glorious fall day with golden sunshine and mild temperatures greeted dozens of students last Friday, who ventured to the Lake Tonetta waterfront in Southeast where for two hours, the 10-year-olds became field scientists. Under the direction of science teachers Amy Butera, Steve Coshal, Elaine Karczmit and Joe Regan, the boys and girls conducted a series of watershed studies to […]
Anger Over Proposed Retiree Health Insurance Contributions
A proposed dramatic increase in retired county employee health insurance premiums has raised the ire of the nearly 400 affected former workers. The issue first surfaced last Wednesday evening, when the legislature’s Personnel Committee held a marathon budget session that didn’t end until midnight—a forum attended by a SRO audience at the Putnam Office Building. Lawmakers again addressed the issue […]
Adam Levy Defends His Record
As Election Day looms, the battle for Putnam County District Attorney has turned into an ugly slugfest. Both candidates are Republicans, and each charges the other with unethical misconduct. In the latest development, DA Adam Levy is challenging opponent Robert Tendy to debate the details of the Hossu case. Levy has faced extensive criticism from Tendy, currently Putnam Valley supervisor, […]
Keeping Women Safe
Fifty women donned gym attire Saturday and for nearly three hours exercised feverously while learning how to protect themselves against predators. The community wide self defense class, tabbed “See Something – Do Something” presented by Krav Maga New York in cooperation with the Lakeview Community Church, was well received. Eric Stoll of Patterson, a member of the church congregation, explained […]
Cupola Restored to Its Place Atop Foundry
In a dramatic scene last week at the Office Building that once was a hub for the West Point Foundry, workers lifted its 21-foot-cupola from the ground and carefully set it atop the bell tower, three stories high. It was here, near the Hudson River, where the Foundry once churned out pipes, beams and locomotives, as well as the rifled […]
New EDC President Has Putnam County Ties
Putnam’s new Economic Development Corporation (EDC) president Jill Varricchio is no stranger to the county. Her brother resides with his family in Cold Spring and Varricchio grew up in nearby Peekskill. “I know Putnam like the back of my hand and realize its great potential. Putnam is vibrant. Both east and west have unique characters and they both bring exceptional […]
First Snowfall Of The Season
Putnam’s first snow of the season has fallen. A series of snow squalls turned the atmosphere into a winter-like appearance Sunday at 12:34 p.m. The snow lasted for about five minutes and no accumulation resulted. However, shoppers at the Putnam Plaza in Carmel lamented about the frozen precipitation. “I was hoping for no snow until at least Christmas,” said Mary […]
Candlelight Vigil To Remember Victims Of Domestic Violence
The People Against Domestic Violence has scheduled its annual candlelight vigil for Monday evening in Carmel. The proceedings begin at 6 p.m. on the steps of the historic Putnam Courthouse and proceed to the Knights of Columbus Hall on Fair Street where several speakers will address the gathering. Ann Ellsworth, executive director of the Putnam Women’s Center in Mahopac, reported […]
Awards Presented For Going Above And Beyond
Individuals and organizations making a difference in the lives of others through their community and human service accomplishments in Putnam County were honored last week at the Annual Awards Breakfast hosted by the Putnam Community Service Network. For three decades, PCSN, an educational program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County, has recognized over 600 professionals, volunteers, and organizations that […]
Investigation Needed
To the Editor: Although I am pleased that the recent decision by the Putnam County Supreme Court resulted in a $325,000.00 reduction in the assessment of my home imposed by the Town of Putnam Valley, I find it to be a somewhat pyrrhic victory. After all, I am a resident of Putnam Valley and the legal expenses wasted by the […]