Thousands Raised For 'Sweet, Gentle' Hospital Workers From Westchester Injured On Vacation Thousands Raised For 'Sweet, Gentle' Hospital Workers From Westchester Injured On Vacation
Thousands Raised For 'Sweet, Gentle' Hospital Workers From Westchester Injured On Vacation Hundreds of people have come together to help out two beloved hospital workers from Westchester who became stuck in Costa Rica after their vacation went horribly wrong.  Westchester residents Fenton Soliz and his girlfriend, Gabby Sandaire, were horribly injured on Saturday, March 25 during their vacation in Costa Rica when the brakes on their rental car failed while they were on their way to the airport to fly home.  To avoid a head-on collision, they swerved and their vehicle went off a cliff, resulting in the couple both suffering severe injuries that involved br…
Ready To Shovel Snow? A Few 'Angels' Are Needed In This Westchester Town Ready To Shovel Snow? A Few 'Angels' Are Needed In This Westchester Town
Ready To Shovel Snow? A Few 'Angels' Are Needed In This Westchester Town With such a mild winter, not many volunteers have been needed to shovel snow for those who can't. That all changed on Tuesday, Feb. 28 with snow coming down in droves in some areas of Westchester, including Greenburgh. Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said the "Snow Angel" program has put out the call for high school-aged teens to assist those who may need volunteer hours and are interested in shoveling out seniors in need.  "It’s been such a mild winter, we haven’t needed any Snow Angels yet this season," said Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. The snow angels program is …
Northern Westchester Firefighter Serving In Navy Hospitalized After Boating Accident Northern Westchester Firefighter Serving In Navy Hospitalized After Boating Accident
Northern Westchester Firefighter Serving In Navy Hospitalized After Boating Accident A firefighter from Northern Westchester who is currently serving in the US Navy was seriously injured after a boating accident while on patrol.  Rico Suarez, a member of the Peekskill Volunteer Fire Department, was injured in the accident while on patrol in the state of Washington, according to an announcement by the department from Sunday, Jan. 22.  He is now in the hospital healing from a broken arm and internal bleeding. He is likely to be released after a week, and will then begin rehabilitation, he told the department.  "Get better soon Rico and thank you for your …
Northwell’s Pediatric Practices Care For Patients And Families Northwell’s Pediatric Practices Care For Patients And Families
Northwell’s Pediatric Practices Care For Patients And Families Having a child is the most wondrous, joyful, and scary experience imaginable. Why scary? Because suddenly so many things unworthy of a second thought before children seem fear-inducing to a new parent. That’s where a trusted pediatrician can help — allaying worries and concerns. Cohen Children’s Northwell Health General Pediatrics, formally Westchester Health Pediatrics, is here for you and your child during all stages of your child’s life — from infancy and its rounds of well-baby visits and vaccinations to young adulthood. At multiple locations across Westchester County, our doctors provid…
'You're On Live Television': Today Show Surprises NY Man On National Good Neighbor Day 'You're On Live Television': Today Show Surprises NY Man On National Good Neighbor Day
'You're On Live Television': Today Show Surprises NY Man On National Good Neighbor Day An upstate New York man got the surprise of a lifetime when he answered a knock at the door and found himself on live, national television. Rensselaer County resident Ernie Mann, age 75, opened the door to his City of Rensselaer home Wednesday morning, Sept. 28, and was shocked to find a camera crew from the Today show accompanied by two dozen cheering neighbors. Moments before the big surprise, Today correspondent Donna Farizan explained to viewers that Mann’s longtime friend, Amy Mooney, had nominated him for National Good Neighbor Day. Farizan then proceeded to knock on Mann’s front do…
Northwell Appoints Chief Of Colon And Rectal Surgery For Westchester Northwell Appoints Chief Of Colon And Rectal Surgery For Westchester
Northwell Appoints Chief Of Colon And Rectal Surgery For Westchester Northwell Health today announced the appointment of Parul J. Shukla, MD, as regional chief of colon and rectal surgery for Westchester County, serving Phelps and Northern Westchester hospitals, as well as the Northwell Health Physician Partners medical practice in Chappaqua Crossing. This new position will be responsible for building a robust colorectal surgery program for the Westchester community and serve as an example to build similar programs throughout the Northwell Health system. The colorectal surgery program will enhance an existing, best-in-class gastroenterology team already estab…
Dr. Gizelka David-West Raises Awareness Of Gynecologic Cancers In The Office And On The Stage Dr. Gizelka David-West Raises Awareness Of Gynecologic Cancers In The Office And On The Stage
Dr. Gizelka David-West Raises Awareness Of Gynecologic Cancers In The Office And On The Stage Many medical students enter school thinking they’ll specialize in one thing only to change their minds as they learn more about other disciplines. That was true for Dr. Gizelka David-West, Northwell’s newest gynecologic oncologist, who “fell in love” with women’s health in medical school. Dr. David-West, who came to the U.S. from Nigeria as a child, is part of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute team of specialists at Northern Westchester and Phelps hospitals. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancers, she brings extensive clinical expertise in treating these ca…
NWH Names Dr. Alexis Grucela Director Of Institute for Robotic And Minimally Invasive Surgery NWH Names Dr. Alexis Grucela Director Of Institute for Robotic And Minimally Invasive Surgery
NWH Names Dr. Alexis Grucela Director Of Institute for Robotic And Minimally Invasive Surgery Northern Westchester Hospital has appointed Alexis Lorraine Grucela, MD, an accomplished colon and rectal surgeon, as director of its Institute for Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery (IRMIS). Dr. Grucela also serves as director of colorectal surgery at the hospital and practices at CareMount Medical in Westchester County. She is recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Dr. Grucela is extensively trained and highly skilled at treating colon and rectal disease using minimally invasive colorectal surgery, including robotic and laparoscopic surgery as well as Robotic Transanal Surgery (R…
CPR For Friends And Family Offered By Northern Westchester Hospital’s Center For Healthy Living CPR For Friends And Family Offered By Northern Westchester Hospital’s Center For Healthy Living
CPR For Friends And Family Offered By Northern Westchester Hospital’s Center For Healthy Living This June Northern Westchester Hospital’s (NWH) Center for Healthy Living featured webinar is to learn a lifesaving skill, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for friends and family. During this in-person class you will learn how to perform adult and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the proper treatment to prevent one from choking with videos and hands-on demonstration. These classes help support the community, and benefit people’s mental and physical health. The other classes in June will be virtual and include chair yoga, smoking cessation, and a healthy cooking class to reduc…
K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent Offers Free Virtual Presentations To Help Westchester Families K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent Offers Free Virtual Presentations To Help Westchester Families
K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent Offers Free Virtual Presentations To Help Westchester Families Raising Teens recently became even more challenging, and K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent, the Knowledge Network of Westchester, is here to help. K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent is a collaboration of Westchester County organizations working together to empower parents with the essential tools to raise resilient and confident children, help strengthen relationships, and reduce risky behaviors. With the inability to host live speaker presentations in our individual schools and communities, the group was formed to offer FREE monthly virtual presentations by nationally-recognized experts. Speakers will focus on …
Sustainable Westchester Celebrates The Fifth Anniversary Of Its Westchester Power Program Sustainable Westchester Celebrates The Fifth Anniversary Of Its Westchester Power Program
Sustainable Westchester Celebrates The Fifth Anniversary Of Its Westchester Power Program Sustainable Westchester marks the fifth anniversary of its Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program, known as Westchester Power. The program allows municipalities to negotiate a fixed-rate clean, renewable electricity supply on behalf of local residents and small businesses. "On this fifth anniversary of the Westchester Power program, we should particularly appreciate the clarity of vision displayed by Westchester municipalities in the formation of this cornerstone of the community energy movement,” said Nina Orville, Executive Director, Sustainable Westchester. “The next steps take us dee…
K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent Offers Free Virtual Presentations To Help Westchester Families K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent Offers Free Virtual Presentations To Help Westchester Families
K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent Offers Free Virtual Presentations To Help Westchester Families Raising Teens recently became even more challenging, and K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent, the Knowledge Network of Westchester, is here to help. K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent is a collaboration of Westchester County organizations working together to empower parents with the essential tools to raise resilient and confident children, help strengthen relationships, and reduce risky behaviors. With the inability to host live speaker presentations in our individual schools and communities, the group was formed to offer FREE monthly virtual presentations by nationally-recognized experts. Speakers will focus on …
Daily Voice Founder Shares "A Lifetime of Work" in His New Book Daily Voice Founder Shares "A Lifetime of Work" in His New Book
Daily Voice Founder Shares "A Lifetime of Work" in His New Book Ten years after founding Daily Voice, Carll Tucker is bringing out a new book called Collected Words. We sat down to talk to him about his book, Daily Voice, and what he’s been doing since his retirement in 2019. DV: So what is Collected Words? Tucker: Collected Words is five books I’ve written during the last thirty years. The first, Good Morning, was mined from the daily email missives I’ve been sending to my friends every day for eight years. Our Rift is a book of poems. Paddle’s Last Gift is a memoir of our beloved family dog. Dear David is a letter I wrote to my youngest son on his bar…
K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent Offers Free Virtual Presentations To Help Westchester Families K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent Offers Free Virtual Presentations To Help Westchester Families
K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent Offers Free Virtual Presentations To Help Westchester Families Raising Teens recently became even more challenging, and K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent, the Knowledge Network of Westchester, is here to help. K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent is a collaboration of Westchester County organizations working together to empower parents with the essential tools to raise resilient and confident children, help strengthen relationships, and reduce risky behaviors. With the inability to host live speaker presentations in our individual schools and communities, the group was formed to offer FREE monthly virtual presentations by nationally-recognized experts. Speakers will focus on …
Fundraiser Arranged For Innocent 11th-Grader Who Was Shot, Killed In Westchester Fundraiser Arranged For Innocent 11th-Grader Who Was Shot, Killed In Westchester
Fundraiser Arranged For Innocent 11th-Grader Who Was Shot, Killed In Westchester Friends, family and well-wishers are rallying around the family of an innocent 11th-grade student in Westchester who was the bystander shot and killed near a busy intersection. Marilyn Cotto Montanez, an 11th-grader at Lincoln High School in Yonkers, was found by officers bleeding on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to her head shortly 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. Yonkers Police Det. Sgt. Dean Politopoulos said that the initial investigation determined that several people who were familiar with each other were involved in an altercation before the gun went off.  One group wound…
Need A New Best Friend? Westchester SPCA Highlights Pets Of Week Need A New Best Friend? Westchester SPCA Highlights Pets Of Week
Need A New Best Friend? Westchester SPCA Highlights Pets Of Week The SPCA of Westchester is hoping to unite a local resident with a new furry best friend as they highlight their "pets of the week." SPCA officials have chosen some of their finest pets, who are available for adoption and looking for a good home and new family to love. Among the animals spotlighted this week by the SPCA - in their words - include: Dogs It’s the Pokey little puppy! Or a little puppy named Pokey! This super cute boy is approximately 6-months-old and he’s a total love. An easygoing, gentle soul of a guy, he gets along with most other dogs and would make a fun friend for kids…
Community Rallies Around Family Of Westchester Man Found Dead In Caribbean Community Rallies Around Family Of Westchester Man Found Dead In Caribbean
Community Rallies Around Family Of Westchester Man Found Dead In Caribbean The local community is rallying around the family of Mount Vernon resident Orlando Moore, who died on his way to his flight home following a vacation in the Dominican Republic. Orlando Moore, 43, and his girlfriend, Portia Ravenelle, 52, had been scheduled to return to their Westchester home on March 27, following a four-day trip in the town of Samana. However, the couple never made it to the airport after checking out of a Dominican Republic hotel, prompting concern from friends and family and an investigation by Dominican authorities. The two left Newark Liberty International Airport…
Westchester High School Students Prove To Be 'Good Cookies' For Charity Westchester High School Students Prove To Be 'Good Cookies' For Charity
Westchester High School Students Prove To Be 'Good Cookies' For Charity A pair of New Rochelle High School students have found a way to marry cookies and lacrosse to benefit the national fight against pediatric cancer. After hosting their fourth annual “Be a Good Cookie Lacrosse Tournament,” on March 31, high school sophomores Evan Phillips and Sam Rosenberg presented the Cookies for Kids' Cancer Center with more than $50,000, the total from their first four tournaments. The tournament was initially founded as a bar mitzvah project three years ago, but has since grown to a massive annual event that has the teens eyeing larger goals. Witt and her husband starte…
Westchester Municipality Makes Elite Eight In 'Strongest Towns In America' Westchester Municipality Makes Elite Eight In 'Strongest Towns In America'
Westchester Municipality Makes Elite Eight In 'Strongest Towns In America' Iona College may have fallen to the University of North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament opening road, but New Rochelle has made it into the Elite Eight round of a competition naming the “Strongest Town in America.” After taking down Sheboygan, Wisconsin to earn their spot in the second round, New Rochelle is now matched up against Portsmouth, N.H. for a seat in the Final Four of the competition, which is being hosted by the national nonprofit Strong Towns. According to officials, the “Strongest Town contest is a month-long, bracket-based competition designed to spotlight communities from ar…
Westchester Municipality Makes Sweet Sixteen In 'Strongest Towns In America' Westchester Municipality Makes Sweet Sixteen In 'Strongest Towns In America'
Westchester Municipality Makes Sweet Sixteen In 'Strongest Towns In America' While all eyes are on NCAA Tournament brackets, a Westchester municipality has made it to the Sweet Sixteen round of a competition naming the “Strongest Town in America.” New Rochelle was named one of the finalists for the “Strongest Town in America” competition, which is being hosted by the national nonprofit Strong Towns. According to officials, the “Strongest Town contest is a month-long, bracket-based competition designed to spotlight communities from around the world that are building enduring financial resilience at the local level and actively embodying the Strong Towns approach to e…
Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes
Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes With winter slowly transforming to spring and temperatures warming up, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released its annual guide on how to avoid conflicts with coyotes. DEC officials released the guide on Monday as warmer weather will soon bring coyotes out from the wild to set up dens for pups that will arrive during the spring. "This time of year, DEC sees an uptick in questions from New Yorkers regarding coyotes and their behavior," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in the statement. "While coyotes are an integral and beneficial part of our natural ecosys…
Heartbroken Owner Reunited With Stolen Dog In Westchester Heartbroken Owner Reunited With Stolen Dog In Westchester
Heartbroken Owner Reunited With Stolen Dog In Westchester A homeless man in Westchester County attempted to sell a stolen dog near Mount Vernon that has since been returned to its owner. On Valentine’s Day, Steven Carino, of Bedford, reported that his dog was stolen from his car while it was parked in a Scarsdale shopping center. The missing dog led to a massive search in Westchester and a posted $5,000 reward. “Oliver, my beloved dog was stolen out of my car on Valentine’s Day at 1119 Central Park (Ave.),” he wrote on a flier as he attempted to track down his canine. “I ran into the cigar store to buy a few cigars. If you took him, or you know an…
Paw-some: Dog On The Loose Sniffs Out Westchester Gas Leak Paw-some: Dog On The Loose Sniffs Out Westchester Gas Leak
Paw-some: Dog On The Loose Sniffs Out Westchester Gas Leak A dog on the loose in Westchester showed why the animal is “man’s best friend.” The Tuckahoe Police Department received a call at approximately 3:45 on Wednesday, Feb. 6, of a loose, barking dog on Fairview Avenue. Officers responded to the scene and were able to return the dog, Sadie, to her home, when they noticed a rear sliding glass door was open and the fence was broken. Police said that initially, it appeared Sadie was simply being fussy; however, as officers were walking along the perimeter of the house, they smelled gas coming from an open basement window. Crews from the Eastcheste…
Seven Westchester County Residents Charged With DWI In State Police Stops Seven Westchester County Residents Charged With DWI In State Police Stops
Seven Westchester County Residents Charged With DWI In State Police Stops New York State Police troopers busted nearly two dozen local motorists who were allegedly driving while impaired in the area over the past week. The local residents charged were: Dutchess County On Friday, Jan. 11, State Police troopers from Rhinebeck arrested Gerard V. Ollis, 43, of Poughkeepsie, for DWAI Drugs. He was traveling on Route 9 in Rhinebeck, when he was struck a mailbox and then left the scene. Ollis was stopped on Mills Cross Road in Hyde Park, the investigation revealed that he was impaired by drugs, and he was subsequently arrested. On Saturday, Jan. 12…
New York Woman Celebrates Second Chance At Life New York Woman Celebrates Second Chance At Life
New York Woman Celebrates Second Chance At Life When Orange County physical therapist’s assistant and mother Ellen Dunn first started feeling run down and short of breath, she assumed it meant that she was out of shape. She soon began working out but noticed that things didn’t get any better. That’s when her doctor diagnosed her with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung disease that results in scarring of the lungs and makes it hard to take in enough oxygen. “I knew my only option was a lung transplant, but I was in denial,” said Dunn. “It was a lot to take in and very scary – not just for me, but also for my husband and …
Westchester Resident Received Life-Saving Liver Transplant After 14 Year Wait Westchester Resident Received Life-Saving Liver Transplant After 14 Year Wait
Westchester Resident Received Life-Saving Liver Transplant After 14 Year Wait At age 32 Westchester resident Janet Ocasio was a mother to three children and a successful hospital executive who started feeling run down. Her doctor told it was likely just stress and sent her home. But things didn’t improve and soon Janet was unable to walk a block or play with her children without getting winded and needing a break. She returned to the doctor where she learned the devastating news that her liver was failing. She was told she only had 4-6 years to live. “I was terrified to leave my children,” she said. “So I began doing research and went to see another doctor who sent m…
Bedford’s New TIOLI: A Treasure Trove For Waste Reduction Bedford’s New TIOLI: A Treasure Trove For Waste Reduction
Bedford’s New Tioli: A Treasure Trove For Waste Reduction The Take It Or Leave It Shed (TIOLI), located at the Bedford Hills Train Station parking lot, is in full swing with items being dropped off and picked up in a steady stream on Saturdays. The TIOLI, founded by Bedford 2020 and completely organized and run by volunteers, is re-stocked by residents weekly with donations that treasure seekers may take for free. This bustling, volunteer-run project is fast becoming a community hub since its opening the second weekend in May. The main purpose of the TIOLI is to promote the reuse of household items that would otherwise end up in the trash. “The TI…
Student Environmental Leaders Shine At Bedford 2020 Greenlight Award Finals Student Environmental Leaders Shine At Bedford 2020 Greenlight Award Finals
Student Environmental Leaders Shine At Bedford 2020 Greenlight Award Finals Projected on the giant screen at the restored Bedford Playhouse, student efforts to change behavior inspired the crowd at the third annual Greenlight Award Finals on May 1. The program challenges students to take on Bedford 2020’s mission, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect natural resources, and provides a framework, support and incentives for them to complete their projects and present their results at the community-wide final event. This year the finalist teams addressed environmental problems in their community through behavior change projects. • Rachel Joseph, from Somers …
VIDEO: Westchester Teen Spreads 'Love, Smiles' With Random Acts Of Kindness VIDEO: Westchester Teen Spreads 'Love, Smiles' With Random Acts Of Kindness
Video: Westchester Teen Spreads 'Love, Smiles' With Random Acts Of Kindness A Westchester teenager’s video showcasing random acts of kindness in Dutchess County has gone viral, with thousands of viewers watching her “spread love, smiles, laughs and kindness.” Eastchester resident Gabriella Ricciardi, 19, a student at Marist College, produced a video showcasing her and her friends handing out dollar bills to unsuspecting strangers around Poughkeepsie in acts of random kindness. The entire video was shot on Ricciardi’s iPhone, with a total budget of just $23. The video was shot and edited together in less than 24 hours, she said. Since it was posted earlier this mon…
Real Life Hero Cop Meets TV Hero Cop In Westchester Real Life Hero Cop Meets TV Hero Cop In Westchester
Real Life Hero Cop Meets TV Hero Cop In Westchester Fantasy met reality in Westchester last week as a real-life hero cop met a prominent actress who stars as one on television. Yonkers Police Officer Kayla Maher, who was shot in the jaw as she approached two suspected criminal in a car last year, met Mariska Hargitay this week, who is filming scenes for the TV show "Law & Order SVU" in the city. Hargitay is best known for her starring role as Olivia Benson on "Law & Order." She has also become an outspoken advocate against gun violence, equality and women’s rights. Shortly after 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, office…
Westchester Mayor 'Rallies For Reform' With Students To End Gun Violence Westchester Mayor 'Rallies For Reform' With Students To End Gun Violence
Westchester Mayor 'Rallies For Reform' With Students To End Gun Violence Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas hosted a "Rally for Reform" event at City Hall over the weekend in an effort to urge national lawmakers to address gun violence "in a serious and effective way."  The “Rally for Reform, March for Our Lives” event was held on Saturday at City Hall, where Thomas rallied with local students in advance of a bus trip to an anti-violence rally in Washington, D.C. later this month. At the rally, Thomas said that "young people from Mount Vernon were present, holding signs like #NeverAgain and #AmINext to show their frustration with governme…