https://www.facebook.com/384100684790343/

The Yonkers Watchdog, Yonkers, NY (2025)

09/19/2025

Yonkers doesn’t need more device that give out tickets, it needs smarter leadership.
Instead of fixing the parking shortage they created, the city raised double-parking fines and slapped up plastic "safety sticks" like that's going to solve anything.
We have meters in residential areas, extended meter hours, and nowhere to park but sure, let’s keep charging people who are just trying to get home. Meanwhile, city officials drive free cars with free gas and zero consequences.
This isn’t about safety. It’s about draining residents to fund bad planning and bloated salaries.
News 12 Westchester
New York Post
lohud
Inside Yonkers
Yonkers Voice News
Yonkers, New York
@
New York Post
lohud
Inside Yonkers
Yonkers Voice News
@

08/26/2025

Public Event: Fundraiser for Historic Yonkers Church
A community “fun-raising” event is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2025, to support restoration efforts for St. Mary’s Church (Church of the Immaculate Conception), one of Yonkers’ oldest and most architecturally significant churches, established in 1848.
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: St. Mary’s Parish Hall
103 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701
The event is open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door. There is no set admission fee. All proceeds will go toward building repairs and preservation.
Organizers encourage attendance from all community members, including residents, local officials, developers, and preservation advocates.
For more information:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.StMarysFriends.org

News 12 Westchester
lohud
Yonkers Voice News
Inside Yonkers
Yonkers, New York
The City of Yonkers
BP News & Information

08/17/2025

Yonkers Public Schools just dropped $800,000 on Yondr phone pouches.

Let that number sink in.
That’s not $8,000. Not $80,000. That’s eight hundred thousand dollars to lock up phones instead of unlocking opportunity for kids.

Here’s what that money could’ve gone to instead:
Guidance counselors So students actually have someone to talk to.

School psychologists To help with the trauma and stress they carry into class every single day.
Social workers To support families, not punish them.
Occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists For the students who are getting left behind because no one has time or resources to help them catch up.

You want students focused? Safe? Ready to learn?
Support their minds. Support their bodies. Support their lives.
But instead, this district chose pouches. Pouches.
When kids are crying for help, they gave them silence.

Yonkers City Council you voted yes? what districts in the US similar to Yonkers has this worked out for?

Did anybody ask a teacher Or principal where they would want this $800,000 spent?

Lorraine Lopez can you add anything to this?

News 12 Westchester
Inside Yonkers
Yonkers Voice News
Yonkers, New York
Westchester County Government
Governor Kathy Hochul
New York Post
Yonkers Insider Newspaper
Yonkers City Council

08/11/2025

This is exactly why it’s critical to listen to the people who vote you in.

Where we once had a clear, beautiful view of the Palisades, we now have a monstrous building the direct result of zoning ordinances being changed again and again to favor developers over residents.

This isn’t progress it’s a loss. A loss of character, a loss of nature, and a loss of what made this city so special.

News 12 Westchester
Inside Yonkers
Yonkers Voice News
Yonkers, New York
lohud
The City of Yonkers
Yonkers City Council

08/09/2025

If the Feds Can Investigate Schiff and Letitia James, Why Not Yonkers?
Let’s just say this out loud. If Attorney General Pam Bondi can authorize a federal investigation into Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James over alleged mortgage fraud, then there’s no reason Yonkers should be off limits.

Because here in Yonkers, we’ve got our own mess. And everyone knows it.

Let’s just say the Westchester District Attorney’s office hasn’t investigated the last three mayors. So what are the chances they’re going to start now?

Meanwhile, Mayor Mike Spano has filled city government with family. At least 14 relatives are on the payroll, pulling in over two million dollars a year. Technically, hiring family isn’t a crime. But when the ethics board, the inspector general, and even the district attorney all owe their positions to the same political circle, we’re not talking about clean government anymore. We’re talking about a system that’s built to protect itself.

Some say there’s nothing illegal about it. But if the conflicts of interest are this obvious on the surface—what don’t we see?

The contracts. The brokers. The land deals. The votes. When the same people are writing the rules, signing the checks, and making the decisions, it’s fair to ask who they’re really working for. Because where there’s this much smoke, there’s usually fire. And the people of Yonkers deserve to know if something’s burning beneath the surface.

So where are the feds?

If Washington has the will to investigate Schiff and James, it should take a hard look at what’s happening right here. This isn’t about politics. It’s about public trust. About whether the money, the deals, and the decisions are serving the public—or serving the few.

Yonkers doesn’t need more insiders watching insiders. It needs real oversight. From the outside.

If you’re tired of hearing “there’s nothing to see here,” when everything looks like a cover story say so. Share this. Because the truth won’t come out unless we drag it into the light.

News 12 Westchester
President Donald J. Trump
The Trump Organization
Eric Trump
Inside Yonkers
lohud
Yonkers Voice News
Attorney General Pam Bondi
New York Post
Yonkers Insider Newspaper

Governor Kathy Hochul
Westchester County Government

08/09/2025

The hearing that’s causing so much controversy will local news outlets cover this meeting being that it’s public! News 12 Hudson Valley

PUBLIC HEARING: MGM Casino Proposal in Yonkers
Grinton I. Will Library Auditorium
Monday, August 11
6:00 PM (Sign-up starts at 5:30 PM)
Speak up before it’s too late! The MGM Empire City Community Advisory Committee wants your input on the proposed casino at 810 Yonkers Ave.

You’ll have 3 minutes to speak – first come, first served.
No Q&A – this is your time to be heard, not questioned.
Space is limited arrive early!

The Committee will vote by Sept 30, 2025 on whether the project moves forward.

Don’t just complain later show up, speak out, and make your voice count!

lohud
News 12 Westchester
Yonkers Times
Yonkers Voice News
Yonkers, New York
Inside Yonkers
Newswire
Yonkers Insider Newspaper
New York Post

08/02/2025

Let’s Be Honest About Who’s Really Politicizing Tragedy?

Last week, four people were murdered in Midtown Manhattan including NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, a father of two whose wife is pregnant with their third child. He was killed confronting a gunman armed with an M4-style assault rifle. Nearly 50 rounds were fired in a matter of moments.
In response, Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker made a plea that many of us have said before: "Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough we need action." She called on lawmakers to pass real legislation that could help prevent this kind of violence. That’s not disrespect. That’s leadership.

But Legislator James Nolan who represents Westchester County, not New York City decided to publicly attack Parker. He accused her of being insensitive and politically motivated, bizarrely tying her comments to his own family’s separate and unrelated grief. And now he’s encouraging people to harass her office over it.

Let’s be clear: Officer Didarul Islam was the victim of a mass shooting in New York City. He’s the one Parker was referring to. Her message was about stopping mass shootings, not about James Nolan or his family. But instead of recognizing that, Nolan took her message and twisted it—using it as a platform to boost his profile, push outrage, and divert attention from what actually happened.

This is gaslighting. It’s manipulation. And frankly, it’s exactly what we’ve come to expect from a political figure who never misses an opportunity to make it about himself.

Parker never mocked tragedy she responded to it. She used her role as a legislator to say what legislators should say: We need to stop pretending that “thoughts and prayers” are enough when we have the power to act.

Every time James Nolan posts about her, it’s a deflection from the actual issue gun violence. He doesn’t want to talk about solutions. He wants to play the victim and score political points. And just like his political allies, he’s trying to silence a woman in office for daring to call for action.

We should be furious about what happened in Midtown. We should be demanding change. But we also need to call out those who twist tragedy to protect the status quo. Westchester County Government

I believe everyone has the right to bear arms, but this right should be restricted for anyone diagnosed with mental illness. We need legislation that requires annual mental health checks to ensure responsible gun ownership

This is a clearer picture of what’s going on.

News 12 Westchester
lohud
Yonkers Times
Yonkers Voice News
Inside Yonkers

07/29/2025

Mental Health Delays and Gun Oversight Are Killing Us

The recent shooting in Midtown Manhattan, where Shane Devon Tamura killed four people including NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, is a painful reminder that our systems are failing us.

It’s not just one man with a gun it’s two broken systems: slow, underfunded mental health care and weak gun oversight.

Think about this: If you break a bone, you get help fast. But if you’re struggling mentally, you might wait weeks or months to see a therapist especially if you have Medicare or Medicaid. Why? Because there aren’t enough providers accepting public insurance, and there simply aren’t enough therapists or psychiatrists.

Meanwhile, getting a license for a military-style weapon? Way too easy. Most states don’t check your mental health history unless you’ve been court-committed. And once you get a gun license, there’s usually no follow-up, just a renewal fee.

We have more rules to drive a car than to own a high-powered rifle.

Here’s what needs to happen:

Faster access to mental health care, especially for those on public insurance
Stronger mental health screening for gun buyers, with doctors signing off on military-style weapons
Regular mental health check-ins for gun license holders, not just one-time approval
Effective red flag laws that let families and professionals temporarily restrict access when someone’s a danger
This isn’t about taking guns away. It’s about protecting lives supporting responsible gun ownership while making sure people in crisis don’t fall through the cracks.

Where are our leaders?

We’ve had years of empty words and Facebook photos. No real change.

County Legislators David Tubiolo and James Nolan have failed to lead on this crisis. Michael Pineda, a first-time candidate for County Legislator, needs to bring fresh ideas.

David Tubiolo voted no on banning gun shows at the Westchester County Center a clear stance against even the mildest gun control. He hasn't sponsored or supported any legislation for background checks or firearm restrictions. His record speaks for itself.

While James Nolan did introduce a gun buyback program in Westchester County, it stops there. He hasn't sponsored any legislation addressing background checks, red flag laws, or real gun control. It’s surface-level—marshmallow fluff with no substance

City Council Member Anthony Merrante, challenged by Tim Hodges, and John Rubbo, challenged by Tony Soleri, also need to step up.

Dean Politopoulos, a retired Yonkers police lieutenant running for City Council president against Lakisha Collins Bellamy, has said little publicly about his plans beyond fundraisers. His background gives him a chance to lead, but so far, voters haven’t heard much.

Congressman George Latimer, Senators Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Shelley Mayer, County Executive Km Jenkins all seasoned politicians who’ve been in office for years still haven’t moved the needle on these urgent issues.

Governor Kathy Hochul is the one who can actually make meaningful change on mental health and gun safety. Now the question is—will she step up and use her power to fix what’s broken?

The time for photos and speeches is over. We need action now. Our communities deserve better. Our leaders must do better.

If you agree, share this post

News 12 Westchester
Yonkers Times
lohud
Yonkers Voice News
Yonkers, New York
Christine Sculti
Dean Politopoulos
David Tubiolo
Michael Pineda for You
Solieri For Yonkers

07/26/2025

Trump Gave the Order Will Spano, Hochul & Latimer Keep Failing Us? Homelessness Is Profitable. That’s Why They Won’t Fix It

President Trump’s executive order to clear homeless encampments, crack down on open drug use, and expand access to rehab and mental health treatment isn’t perfect. But it’s finally a step in the right direction.

It says what too many are afraid to admit: living on the streets, using drugs in public, and wasting away mentally isn’t freedom. It’s failure. We need real intervention. Real infrastructure. Real housing and treatment.

But this crisis will only get worse if local leaders like Mike Spano, George Latimer, and Kathy Hochul keep doing what they’ve always done: nothing or very little.

Homelessness in Westchester has increased 53 percent since 2022. Over 1,600 people are now unhoused, and tens of thousands more are one emergency away from it.

Meanwhile, our politicians are collecting six-figure salaries, driving city-owned vehicles, getting top-tier medical benefits, and retiring with full pensions. The average taxpayer is left juggling high deductibles, rent, and rising crime.

So why don’t they fix it? Because the system works for them.

Addiction and mental illness are big business. Insurance companies make money off revolving-door care. Pharmaceutical companies make billions from endless prescriptions. Nonprofit executives cash in from state contracts. And politicians fund their careers on crisis.

The truth is this: if we solve homelessness, who would Democrats pretend to save?

They need people begging. They need people suffering. Because if you're stable, they lose control.

That’s why we need real reform and accountability now:

• Treatment facilities, detox centers, and transitional housing that actually work
• Civil commitment laws to protect those too ill to protect themselves
• Decree
• Full oversight of public spending
• An independent inspector general to root out waste and corruption

If Mike Spano, Kathy Hochul, and George Latimer truly wanted to lead, they would invest in real solutions instead of lining their pockets.
They haven’ and that is a choice.

Now the choice is ours. Keep letting them fail us or hold them accountable.

This isn’t compassion. It’s collapse.

lohudoNews 12 Westchester
Inside Yonkers Yonkers Voice News Yonkers, New YorkoYonkers Timesers, New York
Yonkers Times

07/23/2025

Reminder TODAY Wednesday, July 23, 2025
A Public Hearing, Committee Meetings, and the Board’s Stated Meeting will be held at One Larkin Center, 4th Floor Board Room.

Facilities Committee Meeting – 4:30 PM
Stated Board Meeting – Will follow committee sessions, typically around 5:00 PM

Exact start time for the Stated Meeting is not confirmed on the official website.

07/21/2025

Police Officers, Let’s Talk Honestly About What Officers Are Facing.

First, let me be clear: I do not condone police violence against civilians especially when someone is complying, not resisting, and poses no threat. That kind of force is wrong, and there’s no excuse for it.

But that’s not what this post is about. This isn’t pro-police or anti-police it’s about reality, and having an honest conversation about what’s happening on our streets.

Today I saw two recent videos posted and credit to The Yonkers Voice:
In one, two officers are struggling to cuff a suspect who’s on the ground and clearly resisting.
In the other, a woman runs away after being told she’s under arrest, and another civilian grabs the officer and physically pulls or tosses him aside.
Let’s be real: it takes minutes for a crowd to form in these situations, and those officers had to wait for backup. That’s not just unsafe for the officers it’s dangerous for everyone involved. Maybe it’s time the Mayor of Yonkers hires more officers, not to escalate, but to ensure faster support and safer outcomes.

NOW let’s talk about Detective Sergeant Hector Cartagena. I don’t know him personally, and I’m not a police officer. I’m just a citizen watching this unfold and trying to have a fair, informed opinion.

Here are the facts:

He’s a 31-year veteran of the Yonkers Police Department
The suspect refused to pull over and drove 95 mph on local streets
He had a serious criminal record and actively resisted arrest
Sgt. Cartagena used force to gain control during the arrest
A judge reviewed the case and acquitted him, ruling the force was justified
This wasn’t a case of an officer losing control or making a mistake. It was a veteran doing his job making a quick decision under pressure to stop someone who posed a real threat to public safety.

Officers are human they’re someone’s son, brother, uncle, friend. When they show up to chaotic scenes, often in the dark and without immediate backup, they can’t afford to come in soft. That doesn’t mean they should abuse power but they also can’t let dangerous situations spiral out of control.

No one respects authority that abuses its power but people also don’t respect authority that hesitates or backs down when it matters most. Respect and accountability have to go both ways.

The Yonkers Watchdog

09/19/2025

08/26/2025

08/17/2025

08/11/2025

08/09/2025

08/09/2025

08/02/2025

07/29/2025

07/26/2025

07/23/2025

07/21/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category