Westchester Insider: Westchester County Police: Verplanck Man Charged With Forcible Touching.

 

VERPLANCK RESIDENT CHARGED WITH FORCIBLE TOUCHING.

 

Accused of groping a woman at a Cortlandt park earlier this month.

 

(Hawthorne, NY) – A 64-year-old Verplanck man was charged Wednesday with Forcible Touching, a misdemeanor, following an investigation into a July 5 incident at a park in the town of Cortlandt.

 

Earlier this month, a woman reported that Robert McCain, who is a casual acquaintance of hers, groped her as they were talking at the town’s dog park on Sprout Brook Road. McCain was charged after an investigation by detectives from the Westchester County Police General Investigations Unit. 

 

McCain, a Westchester Avenue resident, was arraigned in Cortlandt Town Court and remanded to the Westchester County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.

 

McCain was convicted of murder in Rockland County in 1981 and is currently on parole. New York State Parole officials have been notified of his arrest.

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Health Department: WESTCHESTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHARES HEAT ADVISORY.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHARES HEAT ADVISORY;

VULNERABLE RESIDENTS CAUTIONED TO LIMIT THEIR TIME OUTDOORS, AVOID STRENUOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITY.

 

(White Plains, NY) – The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Westchester County on Friday, July 25 from 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. During this period, heat and humidity are expected to combine to make outdoor temperatures feel as high as 105 degrees.

While some relief is expected overnight, the Saturday afternoon temperature is expected to hover in the low 90s.

 

The Westchester County Health Department cautions residents to drink lots of water, avoid over-exertion, check on vulnerable family, friends and neighbors, and to be sure any animals housed outdoors have ample access to shade and water.

 Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said: “When it is this hot and humid, drink lots of water, take frequent breaks from outdoor work or exercise and don’t overdo it. Take time to cool off and spend time in air-conditioned places. Infants, those with asthma, pregnant women, older adults and those with heart disease or other respiratory or heart conditions should spend less time outdoors until the temperature cools. Be mindful of possible health effects of heat exhaustion such as dizziness or nausea.”

 

Amler also reminded residents to never leave children or pets in a closed car, where temperatures can soar to dangerous levels very quickly.

 

Those who lack air conditioning can visit a cooling center if their home becomes too warm. For locations, go to https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/

 

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Government: Join us in Celebrating the Anniversary of The Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

Westchester County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins

and the Westchester County Board of Legislators

Invite you to Join us in Celebrating

the Anniversary of

The Americans with Disabilities Act

Thursday, July 24

2 p.m.

Michaelian Office Building, Main Lobby

148 Martine Avenue

White Plains, NY 10601

Rsvp to

Communications@westchestercountyny.gov

by Thursday, July 17.

Westchester Insider: Westchester County Parks: BEACHES REMAIN CLOSED DUE TO HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOM.

 

LAKE PURDY BEACH TO REOPEN; LINCOLNDALE AND MOHEGAN LAKE BEACHES.

REMAIN CLOSED DUE TO HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOM.

 

 

(White Plains, NY) – The Westchester County Health Department has determined that Lake Purdy’s POA Beach in Lake Purdy can reopen for swimming, as there has been no Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) in the swimming area for at least one day. The bloom has not returned since the water sample was taken on Wednesday, July 16.

 

The following beaches must remain closed until further notice as Harmful Algae Blooms were observed in the bathing areas on several occasions this week. The bathing area of the beaches will continue to be monitored. Beach re-opening samples can only be collected after the bathing area is free of the harmful algae bloom for 24 hours. Following this, water samples will be taken and submitted for analysis.

The following beaches remain closed to protect the public from contact with a HAB in the swim areas:

Lake Lincolndale Beach, Lake Lincolndale

Mohegan Colony Association, Mohegan Lake

Mohegan Beach Park District, Mohegan Lake

These are the only County regulated beaches on Mohegan Lake.

 

Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said: “These beach closures are a precaution to ensure the safety and health of the public. Harmful Algae Blooms are more prevalent during hot days when water temperatures rise, leading to increased bacteriological growth rates.”

Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the Westchester County Health Department website for the latest updates on beach closures and reopening schedules. The County remains committed to maintaining high standards of environmental health and safety across its recreational facilities.

Westchester Insider: News from Westchester County Government.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and the Westchester County Board of Legislators invite you to join us in celebrating the anniversary of The Americans with Disabilities Act on Thursday, July 24 at 2 p.m. in White Plains.

Please Rsvp to Communications@westchestercountyny.gov by Thursday, July 17.

Westchester Insider: WESTCHESTER COUNTY’S NEW INITIATIVE WILL BOOST ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS 24 COMMUNITIES.

 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY’S NEW INITIATIVE WILL BOOST ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS 24 COMMUNITIES

Westchester Partners With Municipalities to Bring EV Access Closer to Home

(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County launched a new Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Program that will expand access to clean transportation by supporting the installation of EV charging stations at various locations across 24 municipalities. The County will reimburse up to 50 percent of eligible costs, with a total commitment of up to $5 million. The initiative aims to significantly grow the region’s EV infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality for all residents.

County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “This is an investment in both our environment and our residents. By installing more EV chargers in neighborhoods across Westchester, we’re helping people transition to clean transportation while collaborating with our local partners to reduce pollution, and promote healthier communities.”

Director of Environmental Conservation and Sustainability Peter McCartt said: “This program is a critical step toward meeting our climate goals at the local and regional levels. This program was designed to combine our funding with NYSERDA and utility resources, bringing the cost of installation down to zero or near zero. In helping municipalities install public EV chargers, we’re making it vastly easier for residents to transition to electric vehicles and reducing harmful emissions from our largest pollution source — transportation.”

The proposed locations span 24 municipalities, and include 79 charging sites with more than 750 charging ports across the County. While these locations have been identified in partnership with local governments, final installation depends on each municipality completing the necessary steps to bring their projects forward.

The proposed municipal breakdown is as follows:

· Yonkers: 6 locations / 60 ports

· White Plains: 7 locations / 75 ports

· New Rochelle: 2 locations / 36 ports

· Peekskill: 4 locations / 32 ports

· Mount Pleasant: 4 locations / 41 ports

· Irvington: 7 locations / 42 ports

· Dobbs Ferry: 5 locations / 60 ports

· Scarsdale: 3 locations / 66 ports

· Tarrytown: 4 locations / 20 ports

· Hastings on Hudson: 5 locations / 38 ports

· Mount Kisco: 5 locations / 25 ports

· North Castle: 4 locations / 20 ports

· Lewisboro: 2 locations / 12 ports

· Mamaroneck T: 2 locations / 8 ports

· Cortlandt: 5 locations / 19 ports

· Yorktown: 1 location / 6 ports

· Ardsley: 3 locations / 36 ports

· Briarcliff Manor: 2 locations / 10 ports

· Bronxville: 1 location / 4 ports

Elmsford: 2 locations / 8 ports

· Port Chester: 1 location / 23 ports

· Rye Brook: 2 locations / 12 ports

· Sleepy Hollow: 3 locations / 14 ports

Municipalities will determine whether to provide fee-free access, or set their own usage rates. The chargers must remain available to the public and be located on public property or public rights-of-way. EV Charging Program is part of Westchester’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability and accessible infrastructure.

 

Westchester Insider: WESTCHESTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHARES HEAT AND AIR QUALITY ADVISORIES.

 WESTCHESTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHARES HEAT AND AIR QUALITY ADVISORIES

 

ADVISES VULNERABLE RESIDENTS TO LIMIT THEIR TIME OUTDOORS.

AND AVOID STRENUOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITY.

 

Air Quality Health Advisory Issued By New York State Due to Ozone.

 

(White Plains, NY) – The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Westchester County effective from 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, through 10 p.m. Thursday, July 17. During this period, heat and humidity are expected to combine to make outdoor temperatures feel close to or above 100 degrees.

 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Advisory from 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. Wednesday, after rating the air quality in the Lower Hudson Valley and New York metro area as unhealthy for sensitive groups due to ozone. This rating is the fourth most concerning.

The poor air quality is predicted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to exceed an Air Quality Index of 100. At this level, the general public is less likely to be affected than those in sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, teenagers, those age 65 or older, pregnant people, those with respiratory conditions or heart disease, asthma, those who exercise or work outdoors, and those in disadvantaged communities.

 

Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said: “Please pace yourself – the heat and humidity can take a lot out of you. Drink lots of water, take frequent breaks from outdoor work or exercise and don’t overdo it. Take time to cool off and spend time in air-conditioned places. Infants, those with asthma, pregnant women, older adults and those with heart disease or other respiratory or heart conditions should spend less time outdoors until the air quality improves and the temperature cools. Be mindful of possible health effects such as coughing or shortness of breath.”

When the AQI is greater than 100, New Yorkers in sensitive groups should shorten their outdoor activities, take more breaks, watch for symptoms and follow their health provider’s advice. Exposure to poor air quality can cause short-term health effects, such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

 

NYSDEC issues Air Quality Health Advisories when NYSDEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter, are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. Updates are available on DEC and on DOH websites.

 

Those who lack air conditioning can visit a cooling center if their home becomes too warm. For locations, go to https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/