Lawmakers Receive Zika Virus Lesson



Members of the Putnam Legislature thought they were back in school last Thursday evening when representatives of the county Health Department paid a visit. Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Nesheiwat, joined by Rachel Gressel, senior public health nurse, and Rick Carano, the department’s environmental health educator, spent thirty minutes explaining the dangers of the Zika virus. Putnam County has reported […]

Sifting Through the Sands of Time

Household Hints

A very good dust-brush may be made by cutting a crosswise strip or bed-ticking into fringe, and tacking it around a wooden handle. Save the bags and pieces of wrapping paper, it is a good plan to fold them smoothly when you have emptied their contents, and lay them together in a box, Put away all the strings, they are […]

Word of the Week



passel PASS-ul noun : a large number or amount

Serino Bill to Make Feminine Hygiene Products Tax-Free Signed by Cuomo



Gov. Andrew Cuomo Thursday signed a bill into law that will eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products. The measure, introduced by Putnam State Senator Sue Serino, was approved by the state legislature in June. At an Albany bill signing ceremony, Cuomo called the so-called “tampontax” a “regressive tax on essential products that women have had to pay for far […]

More Shocking Results At Buckle Up Check Point



For the second time this month, State Police and NYS Park Police conducted a six-hour weekend checkpoint at the entrance to the FDR State Park off the Taconic State Parkway and the number of summonses written was shocking. Two weeks ago, 43 citations were issued for child restraint violations plus an additional 61 drivers were charged with failing to wear […]

Move-Over Law Expanded To Include Firefighters And EMS



Drivers throughout Putnam County must now slow down and move over for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers as well as police and maintenance vehicles along roadsides. Gov. Andrew Cuomo last Friday signed legislation expanding the state’s “Move-Over” law. The law previously applied to drivers approaching stopped police, emergency, maintenance or towing vehicles with flashing red and white or amber lights. […]

Economic Development Corp. Working to Bring Jobs



Jill Varrichio is a busy woman these days, attempting to attract commerce and industry into Putnam County. Varrichio, who heads the Putnam Economic Development Corp., sat down with this reporter last week and revealed several potential business ventures planned for the county as well as new businesses recently locating here. On the western side of the county, Varrichio has been […]

Brewster Scouts Earn 83 Merit Badges At Scout Reservation



It was a week to remember for members of Brewster Troop One as 27 young men earned 83 merit badges in addition to the top award during the troop’s annual week-long visit at Camp Waubeeka located on the Curtis Read Scout Reservation in Brant Lake outside of Lake George. Scoutmaster Adam Payne said the Waubeeka Award resulted form the boys […]

Tad Waclawski is Putnam County’s Newest Eagle Scout



Tad Waclawski, a 2016 graduate of Brewster High School, is Putnam County’s newest Eagle Scout. Waclawski took the Eagle Scout oath last weekend before family, friends, fellow scouts and local dignitaries at a Court of Honor ceremony at St. Joseph’s Church in Croton Falls. Tad’s Eagle Scout project consisted of his building a stable for a life sized Nativity scene […]

County Sales Tax Revenue Soars, But Big Jump is Misleading



For the first six months of 2016 Putnam experienced one of the largest percentage increases in sales tax revenue of any county across New York State. The double digit boost , at 11.5 percent, left neighboring counties in the dust—Westchester’s increase was 2.8 percent; Rockland’s sales tax dollars rose by 3.9 percent while in Dutchess County, revenue increased by 2.6 […]