News from Westchester County.

MEDIA ADVISORY***

 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY HOSTS PLAYLAND RIDE AND FOOD SAFETY TOUR

 

Thursday, May 9

2p.m.

Playland Park

1 Playland Pkwy

Rye, NY 10580

 

*PLEASE WEAR SNEAKERS OR SIMILAR CLOSED TOE SHOES AND PREPARE FOR RAIN*

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES HOSTS PUBLIC MEETING ON THE FOOD WASTE STUDY Furthering Westchester County’s mission to create a Westchester County food waste program, the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) is hosting a public meeting at the Westchester County Center to garner input and to present the scope and plan of the study. Speakers will be given three minutes to speak. Thursday, May 9 6:30 to 8: 30 p.m. Westchester County Center “Little Theatre” 198 Central Avenue, White Plains On February 11, 2019 DEF commenced a comprehensive Food Waste Study to analyze the County’s waste stream and determine how much food waste can potentially be diverted from both the residential and commercial waste streams to food rescue programs.  The effort is to assist those with food insecurity and for recycling programs. The study will also examine all of the potential technologies available for processing food waste, including utilizing digesters located at the County’s water resource recovery facilities, anaerobic food waste digesters and composting.  All options are being considered while taking into account siting availability, permitting issues, cost and environmental benefit, in an effort to determine the best course of action for Westchester. The County has engaged Woodard & Curran to assist with the study and to issue a report by the end of August. Those who cannot attend the public meeting, but still want to participate can email their remarks to DEF-FoodWasteStudy@westchestergov.com.   ***MEDIA ADVISORY***   DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION HONORS STAFF, RETIREES AND PARTNERS IN CEREMONY RECOGNIZING ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY   Friday, May 10 10:00 a.m. (Please arrive by 9:30 p.m. for security processing, other instructions below) Westchester County Jail 10 Woods Road, Valhalla   (Valhalla, NY) – On Friday, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Correction Commissioner Joseph Spano and local and state elected officials will recognize all levels of correctional professionals, retirees and the many community partners who have played key roles in the fifty years since the Department of Correction was established in January 1969 as a criminal justice agency.   Prior to 1969, Westchester County’s jail was operated by the Sheriff’s Department and its penitentiary was operated by the Department of Public Welfare.  In merging these functions, Westchester sought to extend the rehabilitative initiatives afforded to its sentenced offenders to pre-trial detainees, and to create a unified workforce of similarly-credentialed officers.     The approximate 90-minute ceremony will showcase the many challenges, changes and achievements of the Department of Correction from its inception in the 1970s civil rights era, through the 1980s and 1990s and, ultimately, its present day status as a national leader in criminal justice reform.  Through many innovative reentry and rehabilitation programs and the dedication of its 800+ staff, the Department’s current inmate population continues to decline to a census not seen in over thirty years.   The ceremony will feature the Department’s Ceremonial Honor Guard, pipes and drums and over fifty years of staff members and elected officials that have made major contributions to the agency and those it serves. Many historical artifacts, photographs and curated documents will also be on display.   For security reasons, members of the press should pre-register for this event.  Please call or text Deputy Commissioner Justin Pruyne to pre-register at (914) 980-4561.   Media are directed to the drive-in gate for the facility (Post 2, the guardhouse on Woods Road nearest to Grasslands Road). A photo ID and media credentials are required to be given access to the facility.  Please leave some extra time for this security process. ***MEDIA ADVISORY***   ANNUAL POLICE MEMORIAL SERVICE & HONOR AWARDS CEREMONY TO BE HELD THURSDAY AT WESTCHESTER COUNTY CENTER   Thursday, May 9 12 p.m. Westchester County Center 198 Central Avenue White Plains, N.Y. 10606     The annual Police Memorial Service and Honor Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 9 at 12 noon at the Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains.   Fifty-five members of 13 law enforcement agencies will be honored for acts of bravery, lifesaving and investigative skill within the last year. The ceremony also includes a memorial service that pays tribute to 87 police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in Westchester.   Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week ceremonies are held each year to remember the sacrifices of fallen officers and to recognize current officers for outstanding police work.   A luncheon will follow sponsored by Con Edison and IBM. WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES HOSTS PUBLIC MEETING ON THE FOOD WASTE STUDY Furthering Westchester County’s mission to create a Westchester County food waste program, the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) is hosting a public meeting at the Westchester County Center to garner input and to present the scope and plan of the study. Speakers will be given three minutes to speak. Thursday, May 9 6:30 to 8: 30 p.m. Westchester County Center “Little Theatre” 198 Central Avenue, White Plains On February 11, 2019 DEF commenced a comprehensive Food Waste Study to analyze the County’s waste stream and determine how much food waste can potentially be diverted from both the residential and commercial waste streams to food rescue programs.  The effort is to assist those with food insecurity and for recycling programs. The study will also examine all of the potential technologies available for processing food waste, including utilizing digesters located at the County’s water resource recovery facilities, anaerobic food waste digesters and composting.  All options are being considered while taking into account siting availability, permitting issues, cost and environmental benefit, in an effort to determine the best course of action for Westchester. The County has engaged Woodard & Curran to assist with the study and to issue a report by the end of August. Those who cannot attend the public meeting, but still want to participate can email their remarks to DEF-FoodWasteStudy@westchestergov.com.