Westchester Spending $43M Over Budget — Here's What's Helping Close The Gap Westchester Spending $43M Over Budget — Here's What's Helping Close The Gap
Westchester Spending $43M Over Budget — Here's What's Helping Close The Gap Westchester County is on track to spend more than $43 million above its 2026 budget, as rising healthcare, insurance, overtime, and other costs put pressure on county finances, officials said.  The county is projected to spend around $43.4 million more than budgeted this year, according to its Second Quarter Financial Forecast released by Westchester County Government. However, much of that additional spending is expected to be offset by stronger-than-anticipated revenues, officials said. The county now expects to bring in about $34 million more than originally projected, driven large…
Newest Ride Opens At Playland Park — Here's What To Expect Newest Ride Opens At Playland Park — Here's What To Expect
Newest Ride Opens At Playland Park — Here's What To Expect Visitors to Playland in Westchester County have a new attraction to try before summer comes to an end.  Scorpios, a new swing ship ride at Playland Park in Rye, is officially open, Westchester County announced on Thursday, Aug. 13.  The attraction is a classic "pirate ship"-style ride that sends passengers swinging back and forth in a pendulum motion, according to manufacturer Metallbau Emmeln. The ride can carry 42 passengers and features a custom scorpion-themed ship surrounded by an old Mediterranean-inspired design. Scorpios uses AC technology designed to provide smooth …
High Bacteria Counts Close 2 Beaches In Westchester County High Bacteria Counts Close 2 Beaches In Westchester County
High Bacteria Counts Close 2 Beaches In Westchester County Two beaches in Westchester County have been closed until further notice after testing revealed bacteria levels above state standards, officials announced.  The Westchester County Health Department closed Harbor Island Beach in Mamaroneck and Surf Club Beach in New Rochelle on Thursday, Aug. 13, according to county officials. Beachgoers are being advised to stay out of the water at both locations because bacteria counts exceed New York State standards, officials said. The beaches will remain closed while more water-quality testing is conducted. The water at both beaches will be re…
Flock Unveils Major Changes Amid Growing Surveillance Camera Backlash Flock Unveils Major Changes Amid Growing Surveillance Camera Backlash
Flock Unveils Major Changes Amid Growing Surveillance Camera Backlash Flock Safety is making major changes to how it stores data as nationwide privacy concerns rise over the controversial surveillance cameras. The company announced the updates in a blog post on Thursday, Aug. 13. Flock says it will cut its recommended default retention period for automatic license plate reader (ALPR) data from 30 to seven days. The changes also include new safeguards that Flock says will prevent law enforcement from misusing data. Flock will require agencies to use a system that flags unusual searches, automatically locks some users out pending review…
Toxic Weedkiller Settlement Cash Going Toward Pollinator Gardens In Hudson Valley, LI: AG Toxic Weedkiller Settlement Cash Going Toward Pollinator Gardens In Hudson Valley, LI: AG
Toxic Weedkiller Settlement Cash Going Toward Pollinator Gardens In Hudson Valley, LI: AG Several Hudson Valley and Long Island organizations are receiving thousands of dollars to create pollinator gardens, restore habitats, and expand environmental programs through money stemming from a settlement over toxic consumer weedkillers.  New York Attorney General Letitia James and The New York Community Trust announced $505,000 in grants for 28 organizations across the state to support pollinator conservation projects in historically underserved communities.  The funding includes grants for organizations in Kingston, Hudson, Nyack, Newburgh, Ossining, Brookhaven, Mastic Beac…
Child Found Abandoned In Westchester Hallway Reunited With Cops Who Saved Her After Adoption Child Found Abandoned In Westchester Hallway Reunited With Cops Who Saved Her After Adoption
Child Found Abandoned In Westchester Hallway Reunited With Cops Who Saved Her After Adoption More than two years after being found abandoned as a newborn in the hallway of a Westchester apartment building, a little girl was reunited with the police officers and medical workers who helped save her — and this time with her new family by her side.  The child, who police identified as Baby Melanie, recently reunited with members of the Yonkers Police Department and staff at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Valhalla following the finalization of her adoption, Yonkers Police announced on Wednesday, Aug. 12.  Melanie's story began on Feb. 6, 2024, when Yonkers Police Officers…
Longtime EMT Recovering After Medical Emergency In Hudson Valley Longtime EMT Recovering After Medical Emergency In Hudson Valley
Longtime EMT Recovering After Medical Emergency In Hudson Valley After spending nearly four decades answering calls for help, a longtime Dutchess County EMT, paramedic, and firefighter is now receiving support from the community he has served following a medical emergency.  Jim Gallagher, whose career has included service with the LaGrange Fire Department in Dutchess County, is facing months of rehabilitation after recently suffering a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, according to a GoFundMe started by his friend and colleague Constance Levi.  Gallagher began his emergency medical services career with Empress Ambulance Service in 1987, accord…
$1.7M 'Woodland Escape' Boasting Pool, Pond, Secret Gardens In Westchester Now On Market $1.7M 'Woodland Escape' Boasting Pool, Pond, Secret Gardens In Westchester Now On Market
$1.7M 'Woodland Escape' Boasting Pool, Pond, Secret Gardens In Westchester Now On Market A nearly seven-acre Northern Westchester property filled with gardens, water features, and a contemporary home built among rock outcroppings has hit the market. Known as "Woods Home," the property at 1750 Baptist Church Rd. in Yorktown Heights sits on 6.74 acres in the Huntersville neighborhood and is now listed for $1.7 million, according to a listing from Houlihan Lawrence.  The 4,976-square-foot home has four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and one half-bathroom.  Described by Houlihan Lawrence as a "woodland escape," the property includes sprawling lawns, a Sylvan pool, woodlan…
Sally Jessy Raphael's $4.75M Estate In Hudson Valley Featured By Zillow Gone Wild Sally Jessy Raphael's $4.75M Estate In Hudson Valley Featured By Zillow Gone Wild
Sally Jessy Raphael's $4.75M Estate In Hudson Valley Featured By Zillow Gone Wild A sprawling, over 150-year-old Dutchess County estate owned for nearly three decades by former talk show host Sally Jessy Raphael has caught the attention of Zillow Gone Wild. Elmwood Farm, a historic estate at 618 Quaker Hill Rd. in Pawling, was featured in the popular real estate account's newsletter on Monday, Aug. 10.  The property, built in 1860 and owned by Sally Jessy Raphael for nearly 30 years, is currently listed by Jake Garay of SERHANT for $4.75 million. The newsletter highlighted the estate's massive size and historic character.  Set on 25.5 acres atop…
NY Among 15 Best States To Live In US, New Study Says: Here's Why NY Among 15 Best States To Live In US, New Study Says: Here's Why
NY Among 15 Best States To Live In US, New Study Says: Here's Why From strong schools and health care to high incomes and low crime, several Northeast states are among the best places to live, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2026 Best States to Live In list on Monday, Aug. 10. The study ranked all 50 states using 51 measures of livability, from housing affordability and income growth to education, health, quality of life, and safety. Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said it's important to look beyond just economic reasons. "When deciding on a place to move, you should first consider financial factors like the cost of living, housing price…
These NY ZIP Codes Rank Among Nation's Most In-Demand For Real Estate These NY ZIP Codes Rank Among Nation's Most In-Demand For Real Estate
These NY ZIP Codes Rank Among Nation's Most In-Demand For Real Estate Communities across the Northeast dominated a new ranking of the nation's hottest housing markets. Realtor.com released its 2026 list of the hottest ZIP codes in the US on Monday, Aug. 10. The report ranked markets based on buyer demand and how quickly homes sold. The rankings were based on Realtor.com listing data from January through June 2026, using unique views per property to measure demand and days on market to measure how quickly homes sold. "This year's hottest ZIP codes tell us that buyers aren't simply chasing the lowest price tag anymore — they're chasing space, character an…
NY Father Of 5 Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Heart Attack — Family Seeks Help NY Father Of 5 Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Heart Attack — Family Seeks Help
NY Father Of 5 Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Heart Attack — Family Seeks Help A Hudson Valley father of five is hospitalized after suffering a massive heart attack that required emergency surgery — and his family is asking for help as they face the uncertain road ahead. Wallkill resident Joseph Duprey suffered the heart attack on Friday, July 31, and was rushed to Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, according to his wife, Rosa Duprey.   Because of the severity of his condition, Joseph underwent emergency surgery, but his condition continued to worsen during the procedure, his wife said. He was then transferred to Westchester Medical Center for more adv…