Ellen Jane Knox

December 24, 1940 - March 7, 2021

Ellen Jane Knox, a lifelong resident of Brewster, NY, died peacefully at Danbury Regional Hospice on Sunday March 7, 2021, with her family by her side. She was 80 years old. Ellen Jane was born on December 24, 1940, in Rochester, NY, daughter of the late John T. and Marion (Scolpino) Dunford. She was a graduate of Brewster High School […]

Eleanor La Cigale (Spangler) McNair

Dec. 9, 1926 - March 8, 2021

On Monday, March 8, 2021, Eleanor La Cigale (Spangler) McNair passed on at the age of 94 at Danbury Hospital after a brief illness. Eleanor, known as “Petie” to all that knew her, was born on December 9, 1926, in Parsons, West Virginia to the late Delphia Ellen (Hedrick) & Louis Ellsworth Spangler. She graduated from Parsons High School in […]

Firefighters from Four Counties Battle Massive Log Fire in Patterson

Firefighters from Putnam, Dutchess, Westchester and Fairfield counties battled a huge log fire in Patterson Saturday that kept volunteers busy for some six hours. The blaze was reported in a logging company’s storage yard located off Route 22, one half mile north of Route 311. Patterson FD personnel received the initial alarm around 5:45 am and when responding, realizing the […]

CUNNINGHAM’S CORNER

FREE The Vaccination Pitch; And the ‘Veneer of Governance’

I cannot tell you what a huge relief it is to be vaccinated. If you have not yet been vaccinated against this coronavirus scourge, I urge you to get vaccinated as soon as possible. It seems ludicrous to even mention, but I do not believe that the vaccine contains any microchip. Scientific experts agree: No chip. Nor will it alter […]

On Racism, Policing & Candidates

Dear Editor: Bob Hyer, candidate for Kent Town Board, and Kevin McConville, candidate for Putnam County Sheriff, celebrate racist ideas and police brutality in their guest appearance on “Cops Off the Cuff,” which is available on YouTube. Their own comments and their acquiescence to the hosts’ overt racism during this vile show make the following points clear: 1) That they […]

On Police Officers Griping

To the Editor: Perhaps you’ve seen the video (anyone can look it up on YouTube; it was posted there last month): four former police officers griping on Zoom about the media, liberals, and protesters. They reminisce about the good old days when police could dish out justice with baseball bats. One of the participants, a candidate for Kent Town Council, […]

Putnam Legislature Recognizes Sheriff’s Department


The men and women of the Putnam Sheriff’s Department, like other police agencies around the county, always pledge to place the safety of Putnam’s 99,000 residents and countless daily visitors above themselves. During its March regular monthly meeting, the ninemember county Legislature recognized the department for its daily activities making special mention to three members of the department for their […]

Legislators Welcome Formation of Public Accountability Committee


Putnam lawmakers are supporting the formation of the Putnam County Public Accountability Committee. At last week’s legislature’s Protective Services Committee session, conducted remotely due to the pandemic, the panel’s three leaders, Scott Rhodes and Ronald Reid, both of Brewster, and Jenie Fu of Putnam Valley, explained the purpose of the Accountability Committee was to offer “ongoing and a legitimate platform […]

Putnam County Charter Review Underway


Putnam County’s Charter, a 15-article document that details the nuts and bolts of county government, is now undergoing its 10-year recurring review. A Charter Commission formed by the Putnam Legislature has been tasked with reviewing the charter in its entirety while recommending possible revisions that may lead to the creation of amendments. The panel is being chaired by Legislator Neal […]

Hurricane Rescues Hope for New Home Together


Chumpa and Precious have led a difficult life but thanks to the Putnam Humane Society, the two rescues from a kill-shelter in Louisiana, are now residing in Carmel while awaiting their forever home. During a visit to the shelter on Old Route 6 last Wednesday afternoon, shelter manager Amour DePlessis explained the pair had been dropped off by different owners […]