Firefighter Training Resumes in Putnam County
Putnam’s Fire Training Center in Kent has been void of activity for the past four months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that restrictions have been eased, the future of Putnam’s proud tradition of volunteerism in the emergency services field has returned as dozens of young firefighters from agencies countywide are learning from the pros while enrolled in […]
Hollywood on the Hudson?
County Executive MaryEllen Odell received a letter from the New York City Mayor’s office recently inquiring if Putnam might be interested in welcoming motion picture companies to film productions. Ariana Caplan of the Mayor’s Office wrote: “As we move through the phases of re-opening in New York City, we recognize we have a higher demand from productions than we may […]
Carmel Police Chief Mike Cazzari Hangs Up His Badge
Carmel Police Chief Mike Cazzari walks out of CPD headquarters Friday for the final time as commanding officer of Putnam County’s largest town police agency. The 58-year-old Cazzari, a lifelong resident of the Town of Carmel, joined the Carmel PD in January 1986 after serving for a time with the Kent PD and the former Putnam Valley Police Department. Cazzari’s […]
INSIDE THIS WEEK:
Putnam workers to be honored in bridge name, page 7.Bench vandalism sparks heartache, page 5.Whiteside with another cheesecake! Page 9.
Affordable Housing Needed Across Putnam County
Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress has released its annual ‘Out of Reach” report indicating a need for affordable housing exists in each county throughout the Hudson Valley – with Putnam County experiencing the largest monthly affordability gap in the entire region. Pattern for Progress CEO Jonathan Drapkin said that while the demand for rental units in the Hudson Valley remains […]
Putnam Toastmasters Thriving in COVID Era
Putnam Speaks Toastmasters, an organization created to improve communication and public speaking skills, is thriving despite the coronavirus pandemic, according to its President Steve Santamorena. During a telephone interview last week, Santamorena said his non-profit has even added membership since COVID-19 turned normal business interactions upside down, because meetings are conducted via Zoom: “What a great way to practice speaking […]
Woman Burned by Flaming Grill
A Brewster woman suffered burns after pouring accelerant onto a lighted barbecue grill. Brewster Village Police and members of the Brewster FD Rescue Squad were summoned last Tuesday afternoon (July 21) to a multifamily dwelling along Michael Neuner Drive for a report of a “badly burned woman.” Police Chief John DelGado said the victim suffered burns on her arms and […]
Putnam Unemployment Up from Last Year, But Down From Recent Months
Unemployment continues to intensify across Putnam County while other counties throughout the Hudson Valley also experienced increases in rates of unemployment in June related to the COVID-19 shut down ordered by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The NYS Department of Labor reported for the month of June, Putnam’s rate of unemployment was 11.2 percent, up from 3.1 percent recorded in June of […]
Maloney Aids First Time Homebuyers Amid Pandemic Recovery
Putnam County Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney wants to help first-time homebuyers to realize their dream of home ownership and last week introduced a bill in the House of Representatives called ‘First Time Homebuyer Pandemic Savings Act.’ If approved and signed into law, first time buyers will be able to withdraw funds from their retirement accounts under an umbrella of coronavirus […]