Westmore News

PA system deemed ‘a collector’s item’ to be replaced at Blind Brook MS/HS

Though various building improvements across the Blind Brook School District are in the process of consideration for a large-scale bond project, one upgrade is already expected to be completed by the next school year: a new PA system at the Middle/High School.

Two BSA Troop 400 Scouts earn wings for work in garden

For many members of the BSA, the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, becoming an Eagle Scout is a lifelong dream. It requires members to earn at least 21 merit badges, serve at least six months in a leadership position within the group, attend a Scoutmasters conference and take charge of a community service project—all before turning 18.

PCFD snuffs out two fires

Overcrowded home and solar panels ignite, but no injuries reported

The Port Chester Fire Department saw two fires last week, though neither resulted in injuries of firefighters or residents.

Stealing a $22 razor

Reports of an active larceny brought Port Chester police officers to the Walgreens at 107 N. Main St. on Wednesday, July 17.

Toiletries thief arrested

A Port Chester police officer was called to the Acme Market at 261 S. Ridge St. on Thursday, July 18, to assist a Rye Brook police officer with an alleged shoplifter.

Alleged Ulta bandits arrested

Port Chester police officers arrested a couple on Sunday, July 19, who were allegedly connected to numerous shoplifting incidents at Ulta Beauty stores across the state, including the one at 445 Boston Post Rd.

Port Chester software startup looks to change the housing game

David Cortez is no stranger to success in the real estate development industry, even though he’s still in the process of building a start-up company, Foretold, that he hopes will transform it.

School board keeps leadership the same for 2024-25 school year

Jeff Mensch and Samantha Smith retake their positions as board president and VP

When former Blind Brook Board of Education Trustee Scott Jaffee left at the end of the 2023-24 school year after six years of service, he offered the cohort some words of advice: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And the board began the new school year by sticking to his words.

Blind Brook begins bond discussions

School board must balance maintenance needs with taxpayer burden, asks community for input

Another Blind Brook School District bond vote is looming, seeming to inevitably come this fall.

Public library dedicates room to beloved longtime educator

A photo of Bruno M. Ponterio keeps watch over children looking to learn

When Joann Ponterio looked around the children’s section of the Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library, she was full of mixed emotions. She, along with other members of her family, were invited by the Library Board of Trustees to commemorate her late husband, Bruno, who died Mar. 7. A ceremony was held on Tuesday, July 16, to rename the teen room in the children’s section to the Bruno M. Ponterio Memorial Room—a dedication to a man well known in the Rye Brook and Port Chester communities.

Administrators’ union and PCSD agree on new 4-year contract

After several months of negotiations, and just six days before a June 30 deadline, the Port Chester Schools Administrators and Supervisors Association (PCSASA) and the district have agreed on a new 4-year contract, slated to end in June 2028.

BBSD says goodbye to five, grants tenure to three

With a combined 117 years of experience at Blind Brook Schools, four educators and one administrator bid the district farewell at the end of the 2023-24 school year. But first, at one of the more contemplative Blind Brook Board of Education meetings of the year, they were honored in the high school auditorium for the annual Celebration of Teaching on June 18. There, along with saying their goodbyes, the district congratulated three other educators for achieving tenure.

Wanda Irving’s legacy: Shaping P.C. summers

Village renames long-established free summer playground program after its founder

Janelle Carroll described her mother, Wanda Irving, as a community resource. “She was a staple in the community who could do everything. Whatever she didn’t know, she knew someone who did,” she said. “She touched a lot of people’s lives.” Though Irving died in 2020, Carroll has ensured her mother will continue to touch the hearts of the children in Port Chester—through Wanda Irving’s Neighborhood Free Playground Program.

BBMS teachers help pupils appreciate the art of theater

Seventh grade educators immerse students in all aspects of William Shakespeare’s work with annual performance

Lisa Fellin, a seventh-grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher at Blind Brook Middle School, said pupils have vastly different experiences in their English classes. But, she added, there’s at least one author that most people read at one point in school, especially if they attended a public institution—William Shakespeare.

Battle over brew

Reports of an assault brought Port Chester police officers to the corner of Smith Street and Westchester Avenue on Monday, July 1.

Two out-of-towners charged

Last week, two out-of-towners were arrested for possession of stolen property and driving without a license.

P.C. school board has a change of the guard

Onofrio, Dominguez take up leadership for 2024-25 school year

Following an unusually straightforward election in May, the Port Chester Board of Education has officially kicked off the start of the 2024-25 school year. But their first session of the year was not as smooth sailing as the uncontested election.

Graduating Trojans cemented into the legacy of Blind Brook

Class of 2024 reflect on their last 13 years in the district

Though the Blind Brook High School Class of 2024 may have been unfamiliar with the space, the district returned to its former commencement venue at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center to celebrate its departing seniors.

Port Chester High School graduates ready to brave the next phase of life

The final adjustment the Class of 2024 had to make before gloriously receiving their diplomas was the date of the event itself. To avoid an impending thunderstorm forecast for the original plan of June 26, Port Chester High School administrators elected to push the ceremony back.

Top scholar to explore versatility of Northwestern University this fall

Joaquin Otero, a BBHS athlete, musician and roboticist earns top scholar title

Joaquin Otero is a firm believer in the significance of a good night’s rest. “I find sleep really interesting,” he said. “It’s just so important to our lives and I think a lot of people really undervalue it.” Otero, who graduated along with the rest of Blind Brook High School’s Class of 2024 on June 20, did so with distinction—he was one of two top scholars.

PCHS valedictorian reaches for the stars

Orhan Eski aims for a future at NASA following studies at Duke University

“At the start of my career, I really want to get into SpaceX,” Orhan Eski said. “But after a while, I want to settle down and get a job at NASA.” While most may think that’s a lofty goal, the 17-year-old has been doing everything he can to make it happen—and his efforts led him to becoming the Class of 2024 valedictorian at Port Chester High School.

Challenging a cop to a fight

A routine arrest on Tuesday, June 25, allegedly turned violent when a homeless man reportedly attacked a Port Chester police officer.

Shoplifter caught with drugs

An employee of the Kohl’s at 431 Boston Post Rd. called the Port Chester police to report an alleged shoplifter on Wednesday, June 26.

Mom attacks daughter

A reported domestic dispute between a mother and her daughter brought Port Chester police officers to an Olivia Street home on Friday, June 28.

R.B. man threatens partner

Rye Brook police officers were called to a home on Hillcrest Avenue after receiving reports of a domestic incident on Sunday, June 23.

Seven out-of-towners arrested

Last week, seven out-of-towners were charged with shoplifting, drunk driving and criminal mischief.

Port Chester students earn multicultural seal of approval

Seal of Biliteracy diploma enhancement sees record number of recipients

There’s been a shift in focus towards the Port Chester School District’s language programming in recent years. Since the 2021 increase in Foundation Aid started offering more flexibility, the World Language department has been growing to become a more sustained pathway towards bilingualism. That journey, which could span a student’s entire academic career in the district, from kindergarten to their senior year in high school, leads to the Seal of Biliteracy.

Receiver of taxes position to stay elected in Rye Town

After months of debate, town council takes controversial proposition off the table

The saga of determining how to hire the Rye Town receiver of taxes has come to an end—for now.

Former Bluebirds return to the nest

Days before graduation, BBHS seniors take a walk down memory lane at Ridge Street School

As Takashi Kimura walked through the halls of Ridge Street Elementary School, he was filled with mixed emotions. “It’s definitely a little sad, because it might be the last time I’m here,” he said. “But it feels amazing to walk through here again.” He was one of the 60 now-graduated Blind Brook High School Class of 2024 members who participated in the district’s first Senior Walk, an event where departing students looked back on how they’ve grown by taking a trip to their elementary school in their caps and gowns.

Rye Town teens celebrate Juneteenth by leading tours through historic cemetery

Juneteenth commemorates the day the last slaves in the U.S. were freed in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was issued. It took 156 years, until June 17, 2021, for President Joe Biden to declare Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Fighting for a $90 steak

A Rye Brook man was arrested by Port Chester police officers on Tuesday, June 18, after an alleged shoplifting attempt became physical.

Pilfering packed meat

Reports of a man allegedly stuffing $240 worth of meat products into shopping bags brought Port Chester police officers to the Stop & Shop at 25 Waterfront Pl on Saturday, June 22.

Trash bags full of stolen goods

A 3 Weber Dr. resident was arrested by Rye Brook police officers on Sunday, June 16, for allegedly shoplifting in Washington Park Plaza.

Two familiar faces to fill admin vacancies at PCSD

Four administrators have announced their resignation from the Port Chester School District in the last two months. At the June 13 Board of Education meeting, it was announced that personnel decisions had been made. One position will be shifted back to its status quo, while two others have been filled.

RSS students turn seeds into salads

On Tuesday, June 18, students had their first Saladbration, an event that saw children tasting the tomatoes, snap peas and other fruits and vegetables they grew over the course of the 2023-24 school year. The lessons utilized the school courtyard and greenhouse, two new spaces that enhanced the building as part of Blind Brook’s $50.7 million construction project.

Walking on Father’s Day for those affected by war

Walk for Their Lives chapter meets in Rye Brook to show support for Israeli hostages, families

It’s been eight months since the deadly attack on Oct. 7 sparked a war between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist organization based in the Gaza Strip. The initial assault left over 1,400 dead and some 240 taken as hostages by Hamas. Since then, the number of casualties has risen over tenfold, while the number of those held in captivity is still estimated to be more than 120. For the last 31 weeks, groups all over the world have community runs or walks every Sunday to deliver a message—people still care about the hostages.

Fresh face joins Village coffee scene

New PortRush Coffee shop in Port Chester hopes to hook residents on specialty coffee and give to charity at the same time

Upon entering PortRush Coffee at 14 King St., there’s a lot to look at.

Stopped for tinted windows, arrested for drunk driving

While stopped at a red light on North Main Street, a Port Chester police officer allegedly spotted a gray Mazda 3 with tinted rear windows on Monday, June 17.

Found with drugs in the stairwell

While driving down Don Bosco Place, a Port Chester police officer allegedly spotted a group of people standing in the second-floor stairwell of the Waterfront Place parking garage on Friday, June 14.

Botched parking job

Reports of a driver allegedly crashing into two parked cars brought Port Chester police officers to Prospect Street on Sunday, June 16.

Punch and run

A taxi driver flagged down a Port Chester police officer on North Main Street to report a fight at the corner of King and Adee streets on Sunday, June 16.

Argument ends with a slashed tire

Port Chester police officers were called to the Irving Avenue facing rear parking lot of the Westchester Avenue post office after receiving reports of a fight on Wednesday, June 12.

Drunk with an out-of-state license

A Port Chester police officer claimed they were nearly sideswiped by another vehicle while patrolling on Monday, June 10. The driver of a blue Mazda allegedly swerved across the double yellow lines while on South Regent Street, but the cop was able to avoid any contact.

Four out-of-towners charged

Four out-of-towners were arrested last week for grand larceny and shoplifting.

County leaders gather in Rye Brook to deliberate on how to help migrants

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, 26% of Westchester residents, or 251,000 people, are immigrants. It’s an increase of 55,000 over the last time the U.S. Census Bureau released the questionnaire in 2010. To help that population ease their transition into their new communities, the Ellis Island Initiative has spent the last year partnering with local leaders across New York to brainstorm how the newcomer community can impact local economies.

New cop finds ideal job with the Rye Brook police

Trevor Byrnes grew up practically surrounded by police officers. “I pretty much knew from a young age I would either be a police officer or a firefighter,” he said confidently. Now a full-fledged lawman, he’s the newest officer at the Rye Brook Police Department, hired with a starting salary of $61,000. The department is budgeted for 27 officers, and Byrnes’s employment puts them at 26.

‘This garden is a reflection of her’

Edison School unveils Clara Jones Kindness Garden, immortalizing beloved teacher

Clara Jones was known for being there for her students. The beloved Edison Elementary School kindergarten teacher would frequently go the extra mile for her students during her 25 years in the district. When Jones died of cancer in September 2022, it left a community in mourning.