News
News
Rye Man Arrested After Allegedly Engaging in Sexual Intercourse With Dog
Kujtim Nicaj, a superintendent at Rye Colony, as well as a resident there, was arrested February 9 and charged with burglary in the second degree, a felony, and sexual misconduct after allegedly engaging in intercourse with a neighbor’s dog at 2:30 p.m. February 8, according to documents at Rye City Court.
Suzanna Keith to Step Down From City Council
Suzanna Keith announced February 17 that she will be moving to Houston, Texas, with her family this summer, and therefore must step down from the City Council.
Whole Foods Is Coming
Local residents hungry for a good and convenient supermarket greeted the news that Whole Foods, the nation’s largest organic and natural foods grocer, plans to open a store in the space previously occupied by A&P in the Kohl’s Port Chester shopping center, with great enthusiasm. When it opens in late 2013, this new store will be the third in Westchester; the White Plains store opened in 2004 and Yonkers in 2011.
After Smoke Clears, Mayor French Releases Statement
To put it lightly, the February 8 City Council meeting was contentious. It’s no secret that Mayor Doug French and Councilman Joe Sack have not seen eye-to-eye, but the vitriol bubbled over Wednesday evening as the two Republicans traded verbal blows.
Council Members Brett and Sack Question Board of Ethics Process, Not Mayor’s Conduct, but Tempers Reach Red Zone
While the Board of Ethics made its decision on the matter of whether an abuse of power had occurred regarding building violations at Mayor French’s Richard Place rental property and his receiving an additional STAR exemption, Councilwoman Laura Brett and Councilman Joe Sack expressed their continuing dissatisfaction with the process at the February 8 City Council meeting.
Where Are the Coyotes?
Sometimes what doesn’t happen is news. Take coyotes, for example. Before 2010, few residents in lower Westchester paid much attention to coyotes as a threat to humans. Yes, there had been occasional articles about coyotes attacking unattended dogs at night; and in 2006 the media reported on a Cornell scientist who had begun a research project on the scope and range of coyote encounters in Westchester.
Sluice Gate Ready to Go
At a late January meeting of the Board of the Village of Rye Brook, the final hurdle to building the sluice gate at Bowman Avenue Dam was surmounted. After months and months of delay, held up by regulatory approvals of State agencies, and the planning and council boards of Harrison and Rye Brook, the project is ready to start. “Everything is permitted,” said City Manager Scott Pickup.
Mayor French Says Ethics Matter "Closed"
Mayor Doug French released a memo this morning to residents that addresses the ethics matter that has dominated City news in recent months. In light of the decision reached by the Board of Ethics, Mayor French is calling the matter "closed".
Rye Considers Bond to Pay for Infrastructure Projects
With the City coffers empty, and its roads, sidewalks, sewers, and storm drains in great need of repair, Rye is considering asking voters to approve an infrastructure bond this fall.
Ethics Board: Mayor French Did Not Receive Preferential Treatment
One day after convening to determine whether or not Mayor Doug French received preferential treatment from City employees with regard to STAR exemptions and potential building violations at his 13 Richard Place property, the Board of Ethics released their decision in the form of approved meeting minutes.
Ethics Board Offers No Immediate Answers to Questions Posed
The Board of Ethics convened Thursday morning to once again review the matter of Mayor Doug French’s alleged building violations at 13 Richard Place, as well as the unwarranted STAR exemption he received for over a decade on that home he rents out.
Traffic Enforcement Declines in 2011
The City of Rye released the Rye Police Enforcement Statistics for 2011. Compared to 2010, overall traffic enforcement of moving violations declined 18% from 3,001 to 2,463 or 18%.
Minimums Can Add Up
Rye Golf Club members will be required to spend $300 for food or beverage at Whitby Castle in 2012. In a letter to members from General Manager Scott Yandrasevich this month, he explained that each member will have a $300 annual spending minimum ($100 for House members) at the castle.
Why the #76 Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore
County Legislator Judy Myers drew a crowd of Rye residents and a lot of members of the media to her public protest of the discontinuation of the #76 bus line, which ran, until the beginning of the year, from the Kohl’s shopping center to Milton Point and back. She made her case in front of the former bus stop near Milton Harbor House January 13.
A True Rye Tradition Returns
It’s back! After a year off, the Rye House Tour makes its grand return May 18. The 31st go-round is co-chaired by Julie Friedmann, Denise Cypher, and Grace Aquilino (pictured, left to right). The event benefits Rye High School and is sponsored by the RHS Parents’ Organization.
The Need for Expansion at RHS
In a school morning in mid-January, The Rye Record took a tour of Rye High School, accompanied by Principal Patricia Taylor and School Board President Laura Slack and Vice President Ray Schmitt. We walked from class to class to see how serious the overcrowding is and how outdated the science classrooms are, the primary reasons for a school bond.
The Waiting Game on Assembly, State Senate Races
If Assemblyman George Latimer decides to run for the State Senate seat of fellow Democrat Suzi Oppenheimer, who this month announced she would not be running for a 15th term this fall, former Rye Mayor Steve Otis says “it’s no secret” he’ll run for the Assembly seat. Assemblyman Latimer told the paper he’s doing the “due diligence” and will make his decision before the February school break.
New School Bond Vote March 13; Board Aims for Budget Below Tax Cap
Four months to the day the original $20 million school bond was defeated, the Rye City School District will give it another go. The Board of Education approved a resolution at their January 24 meeting that gives residents the opportunity March 13 to decide the fate of a revised $16.35 million bond.
A Matter of Ethics
Despite reservations held by several City Council members, Deputy Mayor Peter Jovanovich is requesting the Board of Ethics once again review the matter of Mayor Doug French’s building violations at the 13 Richard Place residence he rents out, as well as the additional STAR exemption he received on the property for over a decade.
Mayor French Issues Memo on Board of Ethics Review, Building Violation, STAR Exemption
Mayor Doug French released a memo Thursday regarding last week's Board of Ethics review, as well as the two matters the review pertained to -- building violations at the 13 Richard Place residence he rents out, and the additional STAR Exemptions he received for that property.
District Presents Revised $16 Million Bond Plan
At a special meeting of the Board of Education January 17, Rye City School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Shine presented a new proposal that shaves close to $4 million from the nearly $20 million Rye High/Middle School bond defeated late last year.
Cohen Throws Hat in the Ring
The announcement on January 12 that Senate Senator Suzi Oppenheimer will not be running for a 15th term set off a chain reaction of speculation.
Full Moon Rising
The combination of a full moon and high tide forced the closing of a southern section of Milton Road today. Boat Basin Supervisor Pete Fox and Rye Police were on the scene to close off Milton from Shongut past Dock Deli. The road remained impassable for over two hours.
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