Wanted to talk about the environment  On Friday, Aug. 23, at 8:40 p.m., a caller on Kinnicutt Road reported a suspicious person going door to door, wanting to talk about the environment. The person was gone before police arrived. They checked the area with negative results. Wednesday, Aug. 21   12:13 p.m. — An officer issued a summons to a driver traveling on Westchester Avenue for disobeying a traffic control device.         11:30 a.m. — While conducting a radar detail on Kitchawan Road an officer observed no violations and issued no summonses.           1 p.m. — A female, age unknown, was transported by Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Northern Westchester Hospital for an unknown condition.  Friday, Aug. 23 9:03 a.m. — A summons was issued to a driver traveling on Westchester Avenue for operating a vehicle with an out-of-date inspection.          1 p.m. — A raccoon thought to be rabid was reported by a caller on Eastwoods Road. The area was searched but police found no sign of the animal.          Saturday, Aug. 24   11:10 a.m. — A summons was issued to a driver traveling on Westchester Avenue for disobeying a traffic control device.     Sunday, Aug. 25 10:25 a.m. — A caller on Trinity Pass Road complained about commercial work being done on Sunday. Police arrived and spoke with the individual creating the noise and advised them of local ordinances. The work stopped and the caller was updated about the conversation.  — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Pound Ridge Police Department.

Cyclist struck on Bedford Center Road On Sunday, Aug. 25, at 9:56 a.m., a cyclist, male, 76, from Bedford Hills was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps after being struck by a car. Police found the man on his back in Bedford Center Road. He complained of hip pain. The driver remained on scene and was interviewed. He told police that while pulling into a driveway he did not see the cyclist and struck the bike. No citations were issued. Passengers steal the cab  On Saturday, Aug. 24, at 12 a.m., a taxi driver reported his vehicle stolen from the parking lot of the Bedford Diner on Bedford Road, Bedford Hills. The driver said he picked up a man at the Mount Kisco train station and then the man’s girlfriend from an address in Bedford Hills. They requested he drive them to Danbury, Conn., but wanted take-out food first. They ordered from the diner and asked the driver to go into the diner to pick it up. He did, leaving the car running. When he came outside, the car was gone. Police said it was recovered in White Plains Aug. 27. The incident is under investigation. Long way home for Uber passenger  On Friday, Aug. 23, at 2:14 a.m., police responded to an Uber driver on Hook Road, Bedford, requesting help with a passenger. The driver was having trouble with their GPS locating the passenger’s address; the passenger was intoxicated, asleep and of no assistance. That area, with tricky topography and unpaved roads, is a known dead zone for cell/GPS connectivity. Police arrived and gave the passenger a courtesy ride home.   Monday, Aug. 19 9:30 a.m.— The Bedford dog control officer received a request from the town clerk regarding a loose dog picked up in the town of Bedford Aug 17. At the time, the dog was brought to a veterinary clinic in Bedford Hills to be scanned for a chip. The dog was subsequently brought to the SPCA in Briarcliff. The brother of the dog’s owner was now requesting assistance from the dog control officer to get the dog licensed so he could retrieve the dog. The dog’s owner is a resident of Bedford. The dog control officer said they would meet the owner’s brother at the town clerk’s office, but he wasn’t there when the officer arrived. After police made some phone calls to the shelter, the man’s brother was able to collect the dog.    2 p.m — A loose dog reported on Croton Lake Road, Bedford Hills, was brought by the dog control officer to Spring Hill Kennels until the owner could retrieve it. Police said the Yorkshire terrier was chipped but was no longer registered. The owner came to headquarters and paid a fee to apply for a license and was told they would have to be in touch with the dog control officer directly to complete the application. Soon after, the dog was released to its owner.    Tuesday, Aug. 20 11:10 a.m. — A resident of South Salem, male, 70, was taken to Westchester Medical Center by Bedford firefighters after falling off a ladder in Bedford while on a roofing job. Another worker, who witnessed the fall, told police the man was climbing a ladder while holding building materials when he fell. His head hit the ground and he was reported unconscious and bleeding from his nose and mouth. He was provided oxygen by EMS. Lewisboro Police were called to contact the man’s wife. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration were contacted, and police said the incident is under investigation.   4:16 p.m. — Police responded to a report of an unoccupied car partially blocking one lane on South Bedford Road, Bedford Hills. Police looked for the operator but couldn’t find him. Plates were run and came back to an address in Bedford. Police spoke with the man’s wife who said he’d contacted her to say he was walking to an auto repair shop in Bedford Hills. The car was towed shortly after.    Wednesday, Aug. 21  2:59 p.m. — A teenage girl the police describe as a “chronic runaway” was reported gone from her home in Bedford Hills. H er grandmother r eported she hadn’t been home in days but had been in phone contact. She said the girl was in Mount Kisco with her boyfriend. Police went to the boyfriend’s home and spoke to his mother who said the two weren’t there. Westchester County Police were contacted. The grandmother called back and said she spoke with the girl who said she would return the next day.  4:45 p.m. — A resident of Cottage Terrace, Bedford Hills, came to headquarters to complain about a neighbor who they claim leaves branches and yard debris in the complainant’s yard. Police viewed security video and the complainant was advised to contact police again if the situation escalated.   Thursday, Aug. 22 5:41 p.m. — A resident of Babbitt Road, Bedford Hills, reported a suspicious incident in which a man came to her door. He identified himself as a Verizon employee. He asked questions about her service provider. She said she wasn’t interested and he left. Her husband later told her two men who said they were with Verizon came to the door when he was home and he let them inside. The reporting party said she was fearful these men are not with Verizon. A report was made for documentation. She was told to call the police should they return.  11:32 p.m. — A resident of Bedford Hills, female, 74, declined medical assistance after calling 911 when she fell inside her home. On police arrival she was lying on the ground but said she was OK and refused additional help.   Friday, Aug. 23 9:35 p.m. — Police pulled over a driver on Haines Road, Bedford Hills, after she failed to use her turn signal near the entrance to the Saw Mill River Parkway. The driver, who offered two addresses, one in Bedford Hills and the other in South Salem, admitted she was driving with a suspended license. There were other violations as well. She was issued six summonses and her car was impounded.  4:08 p.m. — A one-car crash occurred on Cherry Street, Katonah. The driver was found inside the car, off the roadway. The 24-year-old man from Mount Kisco was semiconscious and unable to answer basic questions. He was taken to Westchester Medical Center by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Police said his license was suspended and he was issued two summonses. The car was impounded.   Saturday, Aug. 24 12:06 a.m. — The teen reported missing from her Bedford Hills home earlier in the week was reported gone ag ain and not answering her phone. Police tracked her phone to Danbury, Conn., and also went to her boyfriend’s home in Mount Kisco looking for her. Her boyfriend said he didn’t know where she was or who she was with. Police continued to look for her with negative results.   10:08 a.m. — A resident of Old Post Road, Bedford, reported her wallet missing from her home after she had a workman there. She said she left the workman, a window cleaner, alone for only a few minutes. After he left, she noticed her wallet was missing. She contacted the owner of the cleaning company and was told the employee had been fired. She requested a report for documentation only and said she’d already canceled her credit cards.  Sunday, Aug. 25 1:47 a.m. — Police went to a residence in Bedford Hills for a domestic dispute. They spoke with a man outside who said his girlfriend woke him up and was behaving in an aggressive manner. He decided first to call his neighbor to be a witness. They told police she was inside smashing household items. He decided to stay with the neighbor for the rest of the night. A New York state domestic incident report was completed. Police were unable to speak to the girlfriend.   4:57 a.m. — A resident of Bedford Hills, female, 70, was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps after she said she thought she might have accidentally taken too much medication. Police said she seemed confused and had been at the hospital earlier to be treated for a migraine.  — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Bedford Police Department.

Ruth “Ruthie” Ragonese, 98, died Aug. 17 at her daughter’s home in Tucson, Ariz. She was 98. She was born April 20, 1926, in Port Chester, and lived for a time in Norway with her family. Her father, Karl Johnson, also known as “the big Swede,” built much of the infrastructure at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation as a foreman for the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. She spent her childhood on the reservation in Cross River, beginning in the 1930s, before moving to Bedford Village. She married Walter Ragonese, who predeceased her in March 1997. His family owned the Bedford Shell station property for more than 60 years, beginning in the 1930s.  Ragonese attended a two-room schoolhouse in the 1930s where Bedford Elementary School now stands. She graduated Bedford High School in 1944. Her family said she tap danced, played the violin, and drew and painted, focussing on landscapes. She attended Brenau College in Georgia and the Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School, and worked for Reader’s Digest before starting her family. Ragonese is survived by four children, Barbara Moss Haydock (Tim), Janet Ragonese, Walter Ragonese and Julia Ragonese-Barwell (Jay), as well as two granddaughters and two great-granddaughters. She was known for her love and kindness to animals. In addition to taking in many stray and injured animals, she contributed to several animal rescue organizations. She also volunteered to clean up the BRLA trails, where she loved to walk. She was a frequent participant at Bedford Fire Department events and was a member of the Bedford Presbyterian Church since she was a teenager.  The family said Ragonese was devoted to her extended families with eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.  The family also noted that throughout her life and until her final days, she visited Ward Pound Ridge Reservation as often as possible because it held a special place in her heart. A service to honor Ragonese’s life will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, at 11 a.m., at the Bedford Presbyterian Church located at 44 Village Green, Bedford. There will be a celebration of life gathering at Bedford Historical Hall following interment at Bedford Union Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, or the animal rescue organization of your choice.

Chuck Leavell, widely acclaimed as one of the greatest pianists in rock ‘n’ roll history, will headline a special evening at Caramoor’s 200-seat Rosen House Music Room on Saturday, Oct. 19.  Proceeds benefit Caramoor and the Mianus River Gorge Preserve, which has been designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior as one of America’s first Natural History Landmarks due to the rarity of its old-growth hemlock forests and careful land stewardship practices.  The performance will feature music, storytelling, and film content showcasing Leavell’s musical talents and his warm and charismatic style. Leavell has been with the Rolling Stones since 1982, most recently on their 2024 “Hackney Diamonds” U.S. tour, and has also played with the Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, John Mayer and David Gilmour.  When not on stage, Leavell is a land and forest conservationist. The owner of a 4,000-acre tree farm in Bullard, Ga., he has published four books, including “Forever Green: The History and Hope of The American Forest.” A recent “rockumentary” — “The Tree Man” captures his multifaceted life story. “Chuck’s land and forest conservation interests connect perfectly to the mission of the Mianus Gorge,” said Tim Evnin, board chair of the Mianus River Gorge. “There could be no better venue for this special evening than Caramoor. We’re honored that he’ll travel here from Georgia in support of our causes.”  “Caramoor, known for exceptional live music and beautiful gardens and grounds, is honored to partner with the Mianus River Gorge to host this unique performance by Chuck Leavell, one of America’s most respected musical talents,” said Caramoor president and CEO, Edward J. Lewis III. “It’s going to be a memorable evening!” For tickets and more information, visit caramoor.org . Caramor is located at 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah.

Caramoor keeps the music playing this fall and next spring with a lineup of outstanding artists.  The season kicks off outdoors Sunday, Sept. 29, with a free community event celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month. The program at Caramoor’s Friends Field features People of Earth, an ensemble of musicians that performs music spanning the globe from the rhythms of Cuba to the soulful melodies of Brazil. Family-friendly activities will be held throughout the afternoon. Beginning in October, performances move indoors to the intimate setting of the Rosen House Music Room, an art-filled space built by the Rosen family over 80 years ago to host friends and family for musical performances.  On Sunday, Oct. 6, renowned pianist Marc-André Hamelin will perform a program including Haydn and Beethoven sonatas, Rachmaninoff and the Russian composer’s younger contemporary, Nikolai Medtner. Singer, instrumentalist and storyteller Amythyst Kiah returns to Caramoor Friday, Oct. 18, with her full band performing contemporary roots music. Caramoor continues to offer period music with a program Sunday, Oct. 20, featuring the ensemble Le Consort, which will explore English Baroque as influenced by Italian masterworks in the program titled “From Naples to London.” Also in this genre, looking ahead to spring, Twelfth Night, an ensemble of historical performance specialists inspired by Shakespeare’s play of the same name, will perform a Baroque program featuring Handel’s early pastoral cantata, “Aminta e Fillide,” April 6. Caramoor’s annual cabaret event features Broadway singer Julie Benko on Friday, Oct. 25, accompanied by her husband, jazz pianist Jason Yeager. The duo will perform arrangements of songs from musicals, the “Great American Songbook” and original compositions.  The young artists in Caramoor’s mentoring program, the Evnin Rising Stars, will perform a pair of afternoon concerts Nov. 2 and 3. The concerts are the capstone of a week-long residency at Caramoor, which nurtures participating musicians on the threshold of their professional careers. Both programs feature compositions by Brahms alongside chamber works by Beethoven and Bartók on Nov. 2, and Mozart and Penderecki on Nov. 3. This year’s Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence is the Terra String Quartet. During its year-long residency, the group will spotlight Benjamin Britten’s string quartets as well as works by Mozart and Mendelssohn. On May 4, the ensemble will perform Britten’s Third Quartet, Beethoven’s Quartet No. 15 in A Minor and madrigals by Maddalena Casulana, the first female composer to have her music published. Jazz fans also will find notable performers in Caramoor’s fall and spring lineup. On Nov. 8, South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, a global jazz icon, will take to the stage with his trio. Grammy-winning pianist and vocalist Nicole Zuraitis, the premier vocalist for the Birdland Big Band, will be at Caramoor with her quartet May 9. During the holiday season, Trio Mediæval will bring its “Yule” program to the Rosen House Music Room on Dec. 8, comprising traditional Scandinavian folk songs and hymns, with English medieval carols. Nefesh Mountain, whose fusion of Jewish music, bluegrass and Americana was featured at Caramoor’s 2023 American Roots Music Festival, returns Dec.12 with a Hanukkah Celebration. In addition, tours of the Rosen House are available. Caramoor officials also encourage early bookings of the popular Afternoon Teas and Holiday Tea Musicales. Two fall benefits are also planned.  On Saturday, Oct. 19, Caramoor will host a special evening with Rolling Stones keyboard player, Chuck Leavell, to benefit both the Mianus River Gorge and Caramoor.   There will be a pre-show dinner followed by a concert. On Dec. 7, Caramoor will present Bonny Light Horseman in a special benefit concert to support Caramoor’s programming. Performers in this folk supergroup include Anaïs Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson and Josh Kaufman, who weave together elements of Americana, indie rock and Celtic influences. For tickets and more information, visit caramoor.org . Caramoor is at 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah.

By MATTHEW COLLINS // Weekday Mass at St. Patrick’s Parish in Bedford is often a quiet affair, attended by devoted regulars while most parishioners go to work or attend school.   However, on the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 6, a crowd of parishioners arrived early on the front steps.  They were there to say their goodbyes to the Rev. Joseph Domfeh, who was leaving later that day after 18 years of serving the flock, and to watch local officials recognize his service to Bedford and beyond. There was scarcely a dry eye. One parishioner noted the priest built a community and would leave a legacy of a welcoming spirit and encouragement. Among the attendees were New York Assemblymember Chris Burdick and Bedford Town Supervisor Ellen Calves, who presented Domfeh with a proclamation recognizing his impact on religious and civic life in Bedford.   Domfeh offered convocations and benedictions in addition to celebrating Mass, and was a commonly-requested speaker at local remembrances and nonreligious commemorative services. He also regularly visited parishioners in the hospital and those too elderly or frail to attend church services. Domfeh was born and raised in Badu, a small town in the western Bono Region of Ghana. He was ordained as a priest in the summer of 1995, and served in Ghana four years before being sent abroad to study canon law.   After beginning his studies at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario, he came to the U.S. in December 2001 and continued his academic journey at Fordham University. He would eventually obtain both a master’s degree and a doctorate in educational administration and leadership from Fordham. While pursuing his degrees, Domfeh balanced his time between academics and more traditional priestly responsibilities, initially serving as a parochial vicar at St. Anne’s Parish in Nyack. In August 2006, he arrived at St. Patrick’s Church in Bedford, where he has been a fixture ever since. The transition to life in Bedford “wasn’t easy,” he recalled, but St. Patrick’s churchgoers helped him settle in. “It was a bit tough, but people accepted me with open hands, and with time I made a lot of friends in the parish and community,” Domfeh said. Across his time at St. Patrick’s, during which multiple different pastors helmed the parish, Domfeh consistently took the lead at maintaining its everyday operations.   “I have a very good working relationship with almost everyone in the parish,” he remembered fondly. The project dearest to his heart, though, is the Ghana-America Community Development Initiative, a nonprofit foundation he started to support developmental projects in his home diocese of Sunyani. So far, the foundation has built two medical clinics and over a dozen wells, in addition to providing conflict resolution training. The parishioners of St. Patrick’s have consistently supported Domfeh and the foundation with generous donations. Generosity is a running theme between Domfeh and the people of St. Patrick’s. Parishioners celebrated his availability and tirelessness, and could always count on him to hear their confessions or celebrate weddings or funerals. For younger parishioners, he was often the celebrant for the major milestones in their religious lives.  Domfeh recalled these journeys to spiritual adulthood as particularly important and moving, as he would baptize children, hear their first penance, offer them their first Communion, and celebrate their Confirmation. In turn, St. Patrick’s parishioners made their appreciation of Domfeh’s hard work known by convening to celebrate him and his vocation at each opportunity. He was touched, for example, by how many people showed up to the Mass commemorating the 25th anniversary of his ordination in 2020, even though COVID-19 made organizing church services difficult.  On July 13, St. Patrick’s held a sendoff celebration for Domfeh and over 300 people attended. He was overwhelmed by the size of the gathering and the outpouring of mutual appreciation. Now that Domfeh is returning to Ghana, the parish is preparing itself for a new chapter, while taking solace in the fact that there would always be opportunities to keep in touch through the internet.   Domfeh indicated that while he was sad to leave St. Patrick’s behind, he was looking forward to returning to his home country after a quarter-century abroad. Returning to Ghana will allow him to reconnect with the local culture, make new friends, and keep up with his work of preaching the gospel and spreading his faith.

By THANE GRAUEL // The Lewisboro Town Board recently voted to pursue a Community Development Block Grant for a new 11-seat van for senior citizens. It would replace a 12-year-old bus that has needed extensive repairs in recent years. It is used to take seniors, some of whom might otherwise be stuck at home, to activities and events. The town board voted to approve the grant request at its Aug. 12 meeting. The request was pursued by Kerri Wolfe, chief of staff/benefits coordinator, resident Dottie Podalak, Parks and Recreation Supervisor Nicole Caviola and Senior Director Pam Veith.  Also, the Lewisboro Seniors have announced that after meeting “temporarily” at the South Salem Firehouse for 27 years, a new, larger meeting place has been obtained. The group will now have its Wednesday meetings at Stevens Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 9 Shady Lane, South Salem. Anyone 50 and older is welcome to come to the meetings, from  9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  At its weekly Wednesday meeting on July 30, the group was visited by Town Supervisor Tony Gonçalves, Wolfe, Caviola and Veith, for a Q&A session. For more information, contact Veith at (914) 232-6162.

Called for ambulance, changed her mind   A female, age unknown, requested an ambulance come to her Pound Ridge home on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at  7:45 p.m. When it arrived, the woman decided she didn’t need it. She was treated on scene by crew members but declined hospital transport. No further information was provided.  Tuesday, Aug. 13 8:04 a.m. — A resident of Yonkers, male, 22, was arrested on Long Ridge Road and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. The man is  scheduled to appear in  court.  11 a.m. — A resident of Fox Run Road reported the illegal use of leaf blowers in the area. Police  searched the area with negative results. 12 p.m. — A caller at a business on Westchester Avenue reported that while an unknown person was inside their store, an alarm in their car parked directly outside was activated. The person left the store abruptly and jumped in the car and drove off; the caller thought this was suspicious. A report was made. 2 p.m. — A male, age unknown, was taken from their home to Northern Westchester  Hospital by Westchester EMS. No further information was provided. 8:20 p.m. — A caller on Eastwoods Road reported a possibly intoxicated driver. Police  searched the area with negative results.   Wednesday, Aug. 14 7:20 p.m. — A resident of Barnegat Road reported loud music in the area. Before police could investigate, the resident called back to say the music had stopped.    Thursday, Aug. 15 6:53 a.m. — A dog was reported lost on Trinity Pass Road. It was later reported the dog was found and returned to its owner.  7:18 a.m. — A man reported traveling on foot on Trinity Pass Road was reported as suspicious. Police  searched the area with negative results.  6:32 p.m. — A male, age unknown, was transported from their home by Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Northern Westchester Hospital. No further information was provided.   Friday, Aug. 16 1:10 p.m. — A resident on Upper Shad Road reported a couple of dogs in their yard. The dogs were subsequently returned to their rightful owner.  7:41 p.m. — A caller on East Woods Road complained of noise. Police on arrival said a neighbor was doing yard work. No further action was taken.   Saturday, Aug. 17 5:05 a.m.— A caller on Pine Brook Road reported a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity. Police  searched the area with negative results. 8:49 p.m. — A male, age unknown, was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital via Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps. No further information was provided. 12:00 a.m. — An unknown person was reported walking on Woodland Road with a flashlight. Police searched the area with negative results.   Sunday, Aug. 18  9:20 a.m.— A utility pole was reported on fire on Trinity Pass Road. Firefighters were on scene as well as the utility. The situation was brought under control. No injuries were reported.  8:05 p.m. — A caller on Salem Road reported their three dogs caught and injured a raccoon. They said they would contact a wildlife rehabilitator regarding the raccoon. Police requested the caller provide proof of rabies vaccination regarding the dogs.   — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer   This report was made from official reports provided by the Pound Ridge Police Department.

By NEAL RENTZ // An easement for a property that would allow for construction of a boardwalk is expected to be obtained in the coming weeks, the Pound Ridge Old Pound Road Committee was told Aug. 5. Councilwoman Alison Boak, who co-chairs the committee with Joseph Virgilio, said town Attorney William Harrington recently told her an agreement between the town board and the owner of the home located adjacent to the town park was near.  The potential easement agreement would first need to be discussed and approved by the town board in executive session because it would be a legal matter, Boak said. If an agreement was approved by the town board, the move would be announced at a town board meeting, she said. “The agreement is public information,” she added. The next town board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3. The parcel is needed because the committee in conjunction with the Pound Ridge Recreation Department wants to build a boardwalk on that land to connect the town park with the 22-acre Old Pound Road lot. Construction on the boardwalk cannot begin until the 2-acre land easement is acquired. The homeowner’s parcel is 4.2 acres in total. The roughly 22-acre Old Pound Road parcel was acquired by the town in July 2020. The property is located on Route 137 between the town park and the historic district. The property has been seen as providing a valuable link between the hamlet and Scotts Corners attractions, and offering a range of potential recreational uses, such as hiking and biking. Water contamination impact Also at the meeting, committee members discussed the impact of the recent findings from private well tests in town that revealed the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”  The PFAS in the drinking water of those property owners affected are at levels exceeding both state and EPA standards. Committee member Mark Mosolino said the water situation could affect water usage of Old Pound Road. Before wastewater can be disposed, “it has to be clean,” he said. The town’s discovery of PFAS “has set us back quite a bit,” Mosolino said. Before the committee’s potential projects could be implemented, “We would need clean municipal water,” he said. Even if the town board approves an easement agreement with the owner of the home that adjoins Old Pound Road, “We still have to deal with this PFAS issue. It’s a new issue,” Mosolino said. Some towns have dealt with the PFAS problem by digging very deep wells, he commented. The town is seeking a $7 million federal grant for a potential $10.8 million project for municipal water for the Scotts Corners Business District, but the town board has not approved the plan.

By JEFF MORRIS //  On Thursday, Aug. 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved and granted emergency use authorization for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines with a new 2024-2025 formula.  The updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines include Comirnaty and Spikevax, both of which are approved for individuals 12 years of age and older, and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, both of which are authorized for emergency use for individuals 6 months through 11 years of age. The approval comes as both the local area and the nation are experiencing a “summer surge” of COVID cases, according to health officials. The Recorder this week spoke with Dr. Joshua Geltman, an attending physician in both the emergency department and intensive care unit at Northern Westchester Hospital, and he confirmed the impact of the infection’s recent spread. “Since around the end of April, cases have been steadily going up throughout the summer,” he said. “They peaked right around the first week in August and then started to come down just a bit. It looks like it has peaked at least in the short term, however I do anticipate that it will go back up again once the school year starts after Labor Day.” Data from the state Department of Health show cases across all age groups going up since the end of April, with the 75-plus population up the most.  “All of the cases seem to have peaked with the exception of the 0-to-11 crowd, still higher than everyone else that seems to have gone down the last two weeks,” Geltman observed. He speculated the numbers dropped somewhat as people went on vacation. “All of these will probably still go back up once the school year starts, because grandparents love their grandkids, the grandkids go back to school and they spread it to everybody else.”  On July 6, Gov. Kathy Hochul provided an update on COVID-19, spurred by new variants contributing to increases in hospitalizations in parts of New York state and around the country. “While we are well below the figures seen during the pandemic, we are closely monitoring activity regarding the latest variants,” Hochul said. State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald added, “We are seeing an increase in admissions to hospitals, yet below prior year increases. As people move indoors to escape the heat, transmission does increase. This is a good opportunity to remind people to improve indoor ventilation whenever possible.” Geltman said at NWH since the start of June, the hospital has admitted about 50 patients who tested positive for COVID. “Not all of them were here because of COVID symptoms, or here for respiratory distress,” he noted. “A lot of these people were here for other things, and were incidentally found to have COVID.” He said there was one recent ICU admission because of respiratory COVID symptoms, but “we’re not seeing people get to the point that they used to, where they’re getting so sick that they’re coming in like the first wave. People that are getting respiratory issues from COVID now are the ones that are more frail, have underlying comorbidities, or have underlying lung disease.” He said this summer the hospital has had between five and 10 patients admitted who were COVID-positive. According to what Geltman understands, the new vaccines should cut the risk of getting COVID by 60% to 70%, and reduce the risk of getting seriously ill by 80% to 90%. “If you get vaccinated in September and October, you should expect to be reasonably protected through December and January,” he said. “You’ll still be protected after that; it will just start to wane a little bit.” In its approval announcement, the FDA said the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been updated to more closely target currently circulating variants, including the Omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2 that has been most prevalent. The vaccines, the FDA said, provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. Geltman indicated there is no mask mandate in the hospital; however he chooses to wear a mask in patient care areas, though not in his office.  He shared common sense recommendations that he feels are worth highlighting, including stay home if you have a fever or are feeling sick; if you are coughing, make sure you wear a mask; and as with any viral illness, you should self-isolate until you are fever free for at least 24 hours without using any fever-reduction medicine. Another example: “When you return to work or school, the recommendation is to wear a mask and take other precautions for five days after you return to the public.”  Indeed, reflecting those recommendations, at the last Bedford Central Board of Education meeting July 31, Superintendent Robert Glass was wearing a mask. He explained he had been off for two weeks, and at the tail end of his vacation had gotten COVID. “I’m pretty much over it, but wanted to keep you all safe,” he said.

Racoon, likely rabid, ‘dispatched’  On Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 8:40 a.m., a raccoon behaving strangely was reported in a Waccabuc driveway. Police arrived and determined it was likely rabid. Police dispatched it with a shotgun and disposed of its carcass.   Monday, Aug. 12 10:15 a.m. — While patrolling West Lane, South Salem, police saw a black Ford pickup fail to stop for a stop sign at West Lane and Stonewall Court. The pickup was stopped and the operator showed an expired registration. His license showed two suspensions. A tow truck was called; the operator was issued a number of tickets and a mandatory appearance ticket to be in court Sept. 16.  10:18 a.m. — A loud noise was reported on Mark Mead Road, Waccabuc, caused by a large tree falling and blocking the roadway. A construction crew cleared the tree.  12:30 p.m. — A mother accompanied by her daughter came to headquarters to report that her son, who has a history of verbally abusing her, was especially abusive at a recent memorial service for her husband. The younger woman said she had not been in contact with her brother for years. The mother requested a report be made of the harassment and expressed concern her son might come to her home. She was advised to call 911 if he shows up. 1:28 p.m. — Police went to a home in South Salem along with New York State Police where they were met by a man who said he and his brother had an argument that became physical, including a window being broken with a fist. A New York state domestic incident report was completed and the brothers said they’d steer clear of each other for the rest of the day.    Tuesday, Aug. 13 11:22 a.m. — A woman believed to have suffered a stroke was taken to Norwalk Hospital by ambulance. No further information was provided. Noon — A South Salem woman reported that she was deceived by a con artist pretending to be a representative of her bank. This person said there was a problem with her account and requested she transfer $11,000 to another account. She was also asked to provide her passport and other identity information. Police helped her cancel her passport and made a report to give to her bank. The Somers state police barracks was also notified of the fraud and identity theft.  1:50 p.m. — An officer was dispatched to a residence on Bouton Road after the caller said her home security camera picked up a suspicious man on the premises. A man was seen running across her yard. Police checked the footage and her front porch and told her he was delivering a package to her. 5 p.m. — Police went to a service station on Route 121, Cross River, after a caller complained of a possibly intoxicated driver in a black Jeep with New Jersey plates. They spoke to the operator who said he’d swerved on the road right before the gas station to avoid hitting a cat, which might have made the person traveling behind them think they were driving badly. Police noticed no sign of impairment or evidence of alcohol.    Wednesday, Aug. 14  7:50 a.m. — A man called 911 from a home in Waccabuc to report that his wife had fallen and injured her hip and head. She was evaluated on scene by a paramedic and taken to Northern Westchester Hospital by Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps.  9 a.m. — Funny business regarding temporary New Jersey license plates observed on a black GMC Sierra pickup resulted in a traffic stop on Route 35 near Debbie Lane. The driver said it was a company vehicle his boss told him to drive. New Jersey State Police confirmed the temporary plates were issued to a Hyundai. A tow truck was called to impound the vehicle; the operator was issued a number of tickets, including one to appear in court Sept. 16.  12:50 p.m. — A farm worker who is allergic to bees was stung in South Salem. A paramedic gave her a shot of epinephrine and the woman declined to go to the hospital, saying she felt better.  4:45 p.m. — Incorrect license plates were observed by an officer patrolling Church Tavern Road, South Salem. The officer saw a white landscaping truck parked on the roadway. The operator said the Connecticut dealer plates on the truck were given to him by his son. The plates were expired for more than a year. The vehicle was towed and the operator issued four tickets, including one for distorted broken glass on the windshield.    Thursday, Aug. 15 7 a.m. — Police responded to an activated burglar alarm at a home on Sawgrass Drive in Katonah. They were met by a dog sitter who said the alarm malfunctioned.  11:51 a.m. — Another burglar alarm was activated at a home on Mohawk Trail, Katonah. A man said it went off while he was in the shower. No sign of burglary or illegal entry was detected.  12:15 p.m. — A Katonah resident was taken to Westchester Medical Center by Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps after reporting feeling dizzy from the heat.  4:30 p.m. — A woman who fell, injuring her head and arm at her home in South Salem, was taken to Norwalk Hospital by Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps. 5:54 p.m. — An oven fire was reported at a home on Brundige Drive, South Salem. Goldens Bridge firefighters were already on scene and said there was no fire.  6:15 p.m. — Police went to a condominium complex in South Salem after the landlord of a unit requested assistance with a tenant who is the partner of the complainant’s deceased father. He said the partner refused to pay anything for the apartment although did ask if there was anything belonging to his father that he wanted for himself. Police spoke to the resident who was visibly upset and said they had nowhere else to go. A neighbor intervened and asked the son/landlord to show some compassion. The son/landlord indicated he’d like to sell the place. Police told them it was a civil matter.   Friday, Aug. 16 4:55 p.m. — Police went to the day camp at the town park in South Salem after staff reported a 5-year-old was still there 45 minutes after camp was over. Police say the parents are divorced. Both were called and said there was a mix-up. The mom arrived shortly after to pick up the child.  5:05 p.m. — A man in the Leon Levy Preserve was reported in violation of riding a bike on the trails. A caller said the rider was not disorderly and they were only concerned for their safety as it is “not a safe place to ride a bike.” Police looked for him with negative results. Another person said he saw the cyclist leave 45 minutes prior to police arrival.  6 p.m. — A woman came to headquarters to request that an order of protection against her husband be served; she mentioned the time he would arrive home so the summons could be served. Police went to the residence, but when they got there, he still wasn’t home. The order was successfully served early the next morning.    Saturday, Aug. 17 12:25 p.m. — Police and medics went to a home in South Salem to assist a person who couldn’t get up by themselves. The person was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital by Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance. No further information was provided. 8:47 p.m. — An open door was reported at a home on Waccabuc Road, Goldens Bridge. Police went to the home and found it empty. Nothing inside or out seemed amiss. Police decided a cleaner accidentally failed to secure the home.    Sunday, Aug. 18 6:45 p.m. — A caller reported hearing an audible alarm going off in the vicinity of Spring Hill Lane and Smith Ridge Road, South Salem. The location was determined and the homeowner said painters working inside accidentally set it off and put it outside to get rid of it. An officer was able to turn the alarm off and no further action was needed.    — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer   This report was made from official reports provided by the Lewisboro Police Department.

Husband assaults wife at home  A man, 35, was arrested Aug. 15 at 2:05 p.m. at his home on Succabone Road in Bedford Hills. He was charged with assault after his wife reported he struck her several times with a closed fist. She was outside the residence on police arrival, holding their child in her arms. Police observed a large welt under her eye. Her husband was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters. She left to seek medical treatment. He was charged with third-degree assault and child endangerment. A full stay away order of protection was issued and a New York State domestic incident report completed. Child Protective Services were contacted. He was scheduled to return to court Aug. 21.   Man wanted on warrant arrested after snowblower purchase  A Port Ewan, N.Y., man, 34, was arrested Aug. 14 at 3:20 p.m. at police headquarters, charged with grand larceny. Police said that in November 2021, the man illegally used a credit card to purchase a snowblower at a business on Bedford Road in Katonah. An employee of the business took the credit card number over the phone. The first card offered was declined but a second card was accepted. The man came in shortly after to collect the equipment. Not long after that, the employee received a call from someone who said their credit card had been used by an unknown person for an unauthorized purchase. Police investigation revealed the suspect who evaded the police. After a warrant was issued for his arrest, he turned himself in and was processed and released. He is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 28.  Safety tip: Don’t drive in flip flops  Police responded to a two-car collision at 9:47 p.m. Aug. 18 near the Bedford Diner on Bedford Road in Bedford Hills. The operator of one vehicle said they were stopped at a red light when rear-ended by a car behind them. That operator of the other vehicle said their foot slipped off the brake due to their flip flop footwear, causing the car to collide with the one in front of it. Neither party was injured and neither car required a tow. Police facilitated an information exchange and no citations were given.   Monday, Aug. 12 11:10 a.m. — A woman who lives on Wood Road in Bedford Hills reported a verbal dispute with their neighbor. The caller said the neighbor keeps talking to her against her wishes. Police asked if there was a keep-away order in place and the caller said there was not. An officer attempted to contact the neighbor without result. The caller was advised not to engage and to call the police if there were further problems.    10:31 p.m. —  An injured deer was reported on Long Ridge Road in Bedford. The deer was gone when police arrived. Tuesday, Aug. 13  11:11 a.m. — A 97-year-old man reported that he fell at his Bedford home. He told an officer that he lost his balance while taking out the trash. The man was taken by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance to Northern Westchester Hospital for evaluation.   12: 51 p.m. — A 69-year-old man was taken by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance to Northern Westchester Hospital after falling and scraping his leg. He said he recently had surgery and was unsteady on his feet.   10:21 p.m. — A lift assist was provided to a Bedford who uses wheelchairs. The person said they fell while trying to get into one chair from another. A Bedford firefighter and police helped the person into bed.  Wednesday, Aug. 14 11:27 a.m. —   A man who lives on Harris Road in Katonah asked police to take a look at a dead rat found on his patio. He told an officer he suspected it was the work of a neighbor. Attempts to contact the neighbor were unsuccessful. A report was made for documentation only and the caller told police they would be installing a security camera. 10:39 p.m. — A Katonah man, 52, was arrested in Depot Plaza, Bedford Hills, charged with driving while intoxicated. Police patrolling in the area observed him stop at a red light and then drive very slowly before making an incorrect left turn. A traffic stop was conducted and the operator appeared inebriated. He failed a series of field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest. Asked how much he had been drinking, the man said he had consumed two beers. His car was impounded and he was issued two summonses. Police gave him a courtesy ride home. Thursday Aug. 15 1:01 p.m. — Police checked on a person living on South Beechwood Road in Bedford Hills after a Meals on Wheels volunteer said no one came to the door. Police said the resident didn’t want assistance. Saturday, Aug. 17 1:29 p.m. — Police responded to a family argument at a home on Bulls Head Road in Bedford. A woman said she and her husband fought over a purchase he made. He said she grabbed him. Their daughter attempted to intervene and one of the parties called 911. The county crisis team was contacted and a New York State domestic incident report was completed.   10:09 p.m. — A caller on Greenwich Road in Bedford reported needing help after being locked  out of the house. Police and Bedford firefighters arrived and discovered an unlocked garage door; the called was able to gain entry to the home. No further assistance was needed.  Sunday, Aug. 18 9:02 a.m. — A 76-year-old woman from Bedford Hills was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance after she lost consciousness in her bathroom.   —Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Bedford Police Department.