Westmore News

PCHS senior calls ‘action’ on filmmaking aspirations

Toni Ash earns a competitive spot with the Ghetto Film School’s Fellowship Program, deemed finalist in first big project

Like many who endured it, Toni Ash found herself in dire need of something to do during the COVID-19 pandemic. Art was a subject the Port Chester High School senior always had an interest in—she’s dabbled in drawing, theater and dance at various points in her life. But there was one medium she had yet to try her hand at: Film.

St. Paul’s shows off its pRYEde

Rye Brook church serves as current home for traveling Pride mural

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 761 King St. has been working towards delivering a message.

Fled after an attack

Reports of an assault brought Port Chester police officers to a home near the intersection of Pearl Street and Boston Post Road on Sunday, Nov. 3.

P.C. woman walked out without paying for makeup

Port Chester police officers were dispatched to the Target at 495 Boston Post Rd. after receiving reports of a shoplifter on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Three out-of-towners charged

Three out-of-towners were arrested for reckless endangerment, attempted grand larceny and drunk driving.

P.C. man breaks into home looking for security deposit

A homeless man was arrested by Port Chester police officers on Thursday, Oct. 31, after he allegedly forced his way into a house in an attempt to collect his security deposit.

The Cap bids farewell to rock and roll icon

Historic venue hosts memorial concert in honor of The Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh, who called the stage home

The first time Phil Lesh played a concert at The Capitol Theatre he had just turned 30. With 12 years and 105 shows under his belt, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was known as a staple at the Port Chester concert hall.

R.T. Council appoints new tax receiver

Former deputy Carla Pugliese now serves as head of tax office, plans on running for election to continue role next year

For the last 18 years, residents stopped by the Town of Rye Tax Office at 222 Grace Church St. to hand off their taxes to Nick Mecca. But now, they’ll be met with a new face.

Three-car accident closes King Street for 18 hours

Commuters were forced to reroute after a three-car accident shut down the section of King Street between the Blind Brook High School entrance and Hillandale Road on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Drove drunk into garbage truck

A Port Chester Department of Public Works employee entered the Port Chester police station at 350 N. Main St. on Monday, Oct. 28, to report that a garbage truck had been struck by a car outside.

Worked together to steal meat

Two homeless men were arrested by Port Chester police officers after they allegedly stole $130 worth of meat from the Stop & Shop at 25 Waterfront Pl. on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Smashed a car window

Port Chester police officers arrested a man after he allegedly broke the rear window of a car as the driver was attempting to leave a parking lot on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Shoplifters abuse self-checkout lane

Reports of a larceny in progress brought Port Chester police officers to the Stop & Shop at 25 Waterfront Pl. on Monday, Oct. 21.

Called 911 for nothing

A 1 Landmark Sq. resident was arrested by Port Chester police officers on Tuesday, Oct. 22, for allegedly calling 911 eight times without reason.

P.C. man arrested for working as masseur without a license

A 254 Seymour Rd. resident turned himself in to the Port Chester police on Monday, Oct. 21, after an investigation found he had allegedly illegally been operating as a massage therapist.

Two out-of-towners charged

Last week, two out-of-towners were arrested for shoplifting and resisting arrest.

Carving out a good time

RSS teacher hosts 15th annual Halloween celebration at her Crossway home

Every year since moving to Rye Brook in 2009, Jessica Yablow has opened her backyard to her neighbors for a Halloween celebration.

BBSD voters pass $18.3 million bond

Construction project sees 65% approval rate at polls

The Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street Elementary School old gym echoed with applause after Blind Brook District Clerk Vivian Groccia announced that it was 9 p.m. The polls for the bond referendum were closed.

Stowing away meat

A resident of 132 Pearl St. was arrested by Port Chester police officers on Sunday, Oct. 20, after he allegedly stole $100 worth of steaks from the Stop & Shop at 25 Waterfront Pl.

P.C. man busts window after being asked to leave

Reports of a man breaking a window at a restaurant brought Port Chester police officers to El Callejon at 540 Willett Ave. on Sunday, Oct. 20.

Two out-of-towners charged

Last week, two out-of-towners were arrested for drunk driving.

Looking at technology in the Blind Brook schools

District discusses what devices don’t belong in school buildings

Blind Brook Superintendent of Schools Dr. Colin Byrne is keenly aware of the hot button issue technology in classrooms has become. According to Byrne, it led the district to take a step back and reevaluate their policies regarding students’ cell phone and personal device use in April. At the Board of Education meeting on Oct. 8, the district presented their observations and practice changes to the public.

Bringing lessons of art to Crawford Park

Three educators to participate as new artists in annual ART10573 exhibition this weekend

Michael Angelis, Stephanie Fiorino and Laurie Glockenberg will join 20 other artists from the Town of Rye and beyond who will gather at the Crawford Mansion Community Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to share and sell their work.

Reminder: BBSD bond vote coming on Oct. 22

Blind Brook residents to decide the fate of $18.3 million project

For the last two months, Blind Brook Board of Education members have made it a point to remind their constituents of the upcoming bond vote. “We’ll probably say it three times during this meeting,” Board President Jeffrey Mensch said during the gathering on Oct. 8. “On Tuesday, Oct. 22, we have our bond vote.”

R.B. homeowner attacks partner

Rye Brook police officers arrested a man in Crawford Park after an argument with his spouse turned violent on Thursday, Oct. 10.

Punch and run

A 32 Merritt St. resident was arrested after he allegedly punched a stranger in the face on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Stealing a case of beer

Reports of a shoplifter brought Port Chester police officers to the Walgreens at 107 N. Main St. on Sunday, Oct. 13.

New Rochelle shoplifter arrested

A New Rochelle woman was arrested by Port Chester police officers after she allegedly stole $180 worth of merchandise from the Target at 495 Boston Post Rd. on Monday, Oct. 14.

Carver Center’s Farmer’s Market helps feed residents in need

Every week, King Street resident Perly Rodriguez meets with a group of her friends in the Carver Center cafeteria for breakfast. “It’s a ritual for us,” she said on Saturday, Oct. 5. “It’s a place we can always count on providing a meal for people who need it. But today we were completely surprised.” That day, the parking lot of the 400 Westchester Ave. community center was home to the first Farmer’s Market of the year.

Judge Provenzano hangs up his robe to take over P.C. Housing Authority

Anthony Provenzano has taken over as the new executive director of the Port Chester Housing Authority. To avoid any conflict of interest, he's resigned as justice of the Rye Town Court after 25 years of service.

The dark side of LASIK surgery

Rye Brook resident produces award-winning documentary to shine light on unspoken side effects of popular procedure

There’s a group of people who have been arguing that LASIK creates more complications than advertised. Among them is Rye Brook resident Dr. Cynthia MacKay, who has been fighting against the procedure from the get-go. She served as an executive producer for the documentary film, “Broken Eyes,” which sheds light on the thousands of patients who have been left with permanent side effects resulting from LASIK.

Parking lot ambush

As Port Chester police officers were patrolling Adee Street, they were flagged down by a resident to report an alleged assault on Friday, Oct. 4.

Caught with more than one intoxicant

After arresting William Ramos-Melchor for allegedly drinking in public on Thursday, Oct. 3, Port Chester police officers brought him to the police station at 350 N. Main St. for processing.

Turning without a signal or a driver’s license

A patrolling Rye Brook police officer allegedly witnessed a driver make a right turn from Crescent Place onto South Ridge Street without using a proper signal on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Refusing to answer questions

While patrolling Poningo Street, Port Chester police officers were flagged down by teenagers on Parker Street to report an incident that had occurred a few minutes earlier.

Five out-of-towners charged

Port Chester police officers arrested five out-of-towners for shoplifting, breaking into cars and drunk driving.

New book nook in P.C.

Local bibliophile builds Little Free Library to spread the love of reading

Calli Jones is a lifelong lover of literature. And if her book-shaped earrings don’t make that clear enough, her front lawn does—sitting on the corner of her 24 Mitchell Pl. property is Port Chester’s only Little Free Library.

Three weeks out from bond vote, some BBSD residents feel uninformed

The Blind Brook Board of Education has been open about their difficulties in keeping the public informed about the upcoming bond referendum on Oct. 22.

PCMS language teachers secure international grant for district

Italian government-funded grant to promote the study of language and culture

Port Chester Middle School teacher Cindy Martinez firmly believes that learning a foreign language is a gateway for people to broaden their horizons. She plans to use a $12,000 grant awarded from Italian American Committee on Education to grow the Italian language program in her building.

PCSD joins My Brother’s Keeper

After accepting the challenge last year, district joins state-wide group focused on bridging schools with the community

For the last year, the Port Chester School District has been taking strides toward joining the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) community. On Sept. 12, the Port Chester School District was named one of the newest members of the MBK community.

Warrant arrest turns into drug bust

A homeless woman received drug charges after she was picked up on a warrant arrest by Port Chester police officers on Friday, Sept. 27.

P.C. man found with cocaine

While stopped at the intersection of Bush Avenue and Poningo Street, a Port Chester police officer allegedly witnessed the driver of a red pickup truck perform an illegal U-turn on Friday, Sept. 27.

R.B. police investigate string of car break-ins

The morning of Wednesday, Sept. 25, saw six reports of car break-ins on several Rye Brook streets.

Caught clipping tags

A Port Chester police officer was dispatched to the Marshalls at 20 Waterfront Pl. after receiving reports of a thwarted shoplifter on Monday, Sept. 23.

What’s next for the marina?

Port Chester Planning Department wants to know what you think the waterfront should look like

As the long-awaited replacement of the bulkhead along the Byram River nears completion, the Village of Port Chester has begun looking towards what the future might look like for the area.

The cost of green electricity to go down in Rye Brook

New Westchester Power contract for renewable energy lowers fixed rates, with hopes it will be cheaper in the long run

Sustainable Westchester Executive Director Noam Bramson was well aware that some residents were unhappy with the non-profit’s Westchester Power program when he spoke at the Rye Brook Board of Trustees meeting on June 11.

PCMS PTA gets reinstated after going defunct

New president rethinks the role of the group, stresses they do more than just fundraising

At the first meeting of the 2024-25 school year, Geller was elected president of the Port Chester Middle School PTA. On top of rechartering the group, the new administration assessed how a middle school PTA could differ from one that serves an elementary school.