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On Aug. 8, the Town of Cortlandt re-dedicated Michael C. Mongero Veterans Memorial Park in honor of Christopher Katz, a Cortlandt native and Army Reservist who died in a 2025 car accident. The ceremony at the East Main Street park included the unveiling of a plaque honoring Katz, who was 22 and training for the U.S. Capitol Police.

More than 150 residents, veterans, family members, friends and local officials gathered to remember Katz and his commitment to serving others.

Read the full story about the ceremony and Katz’s legacy here:

A Legacy of Service: Cortlandt Unveils Memorial Plaque for Hometown Hero Christopher Katz Community gathered at Michael C. Mongero Veterans Memorial Park to honor the Army Reserve second lieutenant and U.S. Capitol Police recruit

Peekskill author and illustrator A. M. Mothgrave has turned her experiences as an artist and outsider into a children’s picture book about a scrappy, three-legged, one-eyed stray named Winky.

Winky Goes to the Park explores hardship, resilience, disability and finding connection, all through the story of a dog navigating life in an urban park. Mothgrave says Peekskill’s grit, diversity and community spirit helped inspire the book.

Read how Peekskill shaped Winky’s story and learn more about the book here:

Local Author-Illustrator Creates Picture Book Inspired by Urban Life in Downtown Peekskill Native Australian A.M. Mothgrave, who moved to the city almost a decade ago, says it has 'a healthy atmosphere for creativity'

National Night Out brought residents, families and law enforcement together in Peekskill and Cortlandt last week.

On Aug. 4, Peekskill’s event at Riverfront Green featured food, games, raffles, music and about 20 community partners. On Aug. 5, Cortlandt’s event at Cortlandt Waterfront Park drew roughly 60 residents, with a police helicopter, K-9 units and an interactive STOP-DWI simulator among the attractions.

Read more about both events and see more photos here:

Police in Cortlandt and Peekskill Shake Hands with Their Communities at National Night Out Law enforcement personnel, K-9 units, snow cones, hot dogs and a whirlybird draw residents together to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation

Here’s what went on in Peekskill, Cortlandt and Westchester this past week.

The City of Peekskill is asking residents to help shape future programs at the Community Hub, while two men were detained by ICE in the city. The family of a Peekskill man killed in a wrong-way crash appeared in court as the case against the former NYPD sergeant accused in his death moves forward. A Peekskill man was also charged with DWI with a child passenger.

In Cortlandt, Walter Panas alum Sammy Stafura was traded to the New York Mets, while Westchester County launched a new court-based mental health program.

Read the full stories and catch up on this week’s news here:

Newsworthy Notes CITY OF PEEKSKILL Residents Invited to Shape Future of Community Hub Want to help shape the future of the Community Hub? The City of Peekskill invites residents to do so by completing an input form. The city is currently planning future programs and services at the Community Hub for the Neighborhood...

The Village of Buchanan Board of Trustees voted 3-0 Tuesday to begin the environmental review process for a proposed mixed-use development at 501 Broadway. The project would include 232 housing units and a restaurant on a 3-acre site.

The vote came as residents continued to raise concerns about the project and questions about its potential impacts. Mayor Theresa Knickerbocker abstained from the vote while an ethics complaint against her remains pending.

Read more about the vote, the environmental review process and what’s next for the project here:

Buchanan Board Approves Next Steps for 501 Broadway Mixed-Use Project, Will Act as Lead Agency In ongoing show of resistance, residents urge village trustees to delay the process and provide more answers on managing project's potential impact

Our next letter is from Jeannette Sanderson, writer for the Peekskill Herald.

As we celebrate five years of the Peekskill Herald, Jeannette reflects on more than three decades of calling Peekskill home, her lifelong love of storytelling, and the joy of sharing the stories that make this community so special.

If you’ve enjoyed the stories we’ve told over the past five years, please consider making a contribution to help us tell the next ones: https://bit.ly/4fkUVhv

Our next letter is from Wendy Healy, Feature Writer.

As we celebrate five years of the Peekskill Herald, Wendy reflects on her lifelong career in journalism, her friendship with Publisher Regina Clarkin, and why community news matters now more than ever. She shares why the Herald has become a vital town square for Peekskill, and why reader support is essential to keeping it that way.

If you value independent local journalism, please consider making a donation here: https://bit.ly/4fkUVhv

Our next letter is from John A. Smith, Vice-Chair of the Peekskill Herald Board of Directors.

As we celebrate five years of independent local journalism, we’re asking our readers to help support the future of the Peekskill Herald. Every donation helps us continue providing trusted, community-focused reporting that keeps Peekskill informed and connected.

Please consider donating here: https://bit.ly/4fkUVhv

Here’s what went on in Peekskill, Cortlandt and New York State this past week.

Barham House seniors are still waiting on a second elevator nearly two years after it went out of service, while a Main Street deli owner is counting thousands of dollars in damages after flash flooding. Peekskill police responded to a serious dog bite involving a two-year-old, and a local car dealership was targeted in a burglary that left two vehicles stolen.

In Cortlandt, Buchanan officials continued discussions over new development, Hendrick Hudson announced a school board resignation, and municipalities across the region received new state funding for public safety projects.

Read the full stories and catch up on the week’s news here:

Newsworthy Notes Covering > July 27 - August 3

For 26 years, Mike Sabini has been a familiar voice in Peekskill athletics, calling games, celebrating student-athletes and documenting generations of local sports.

From his beginnings as a young sports writer to his work behind the microphone, Sabini has built a career centered on one simple belief: “The kids are the stars.”

Now, after decades of telling the stories of others, the Peekskill Herald is telling his.

Read the full story here:

The Voice of Peekskill Sports: Mike Sabini Reflects on His Sports Career After four decades telling the stories of Peekskill athletes, now it’s his story being told