Former New Rochelle Mayor Dies: Was Devoted Leader, Judge, Family Man
A city in Westchester is mourning the passing of former Mayor Vincent R. Rippa, who led his community through a key period of revitalization in the late 1970s and dedicated more than five decades to public service, law, and his community.
Rippa, a former New Rochelle mayor who was 87, died on Saturday, May 10, surrounded by loved ones, according to his obituary.
Rippa served as Mayor of New Rochelle from 1976 to 1979, after earlier terms as a Westchester County Legislator. He was later appointed a City Court Judge and maintained a private law practice for more than 50 years. Kno…
'Burn That Sh—!' DC Protester Who Torched American Flag Learns Fate In Court
He doused it in lighter fluid. He set it on fire. He yelled for a better lighter.
Now, he’s learning his fate.
A North Carolina man who sparked outrage by burning an American flag during a demonstration outside Union Station in Washington, DC has been sentenced, federal prosecutors announced.
Michael Snow Jr., 25, of Durham, was sentenced to four months of probation, 40 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $525 in restitution after pleading guilty to destruction of government property.
The incident happened on July 24, 2024, when protesters gathered in Columbus Circle in front o…
Summit Firefighter Dies After Cancer Battle: Remembering Lonn Mullen
Lonn Mullen, a 53-year-old firefighter in Summit, died on Thursday, May 8, after a battle with cancer, the city announced.
Mullen joined the Summit Fire Department in April 1995 and served for the next 30 years, following in the footsteps of his father, a Batallion Chief for 25 years in Summit, the city said.
Tonight, our hearts are shattered.
Lonn Mullen ,We’ve known each other since we were just kids — back when life was... Posted by Ty Holmes on Thursday, May 8, 2025
"Lonn continued that legacy with unwavering dedication, professionalism, and a profound sense of duty," the…
68 Cats Euthanized, Brick Man Learns Fate For Animal Cruelty: Prosecutor
A Brick man who kept more than 150 cats in his residence was sentenced to 180 days in jail on Friday, April 25, after previously pleading guilty to animal cruelty, authorities said.
On Thursday, May 4, 2023, Jeffrey Finlay called police to his home on Mantoloking Road, asking them to help remove an excessive number of animals from his residence, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Officers discovered approximately 157 cats and 3 dogs living at the residence, Billhimer said.
Over a day, the animals were removed from the residence and transferred for treatment and evaluation, Bil…
Disbarred Calverton Attorney Who Stole $25K From Real Estate Escrow Will Dodge Prison
A disgraced Long Island attorney won’t spend a day behind bars after confessing he stole $25,000 from a real estate escrow account.
Peter Saad Jr., 48, of Calverton, pleaded guilty to grand larceny in Suffolk County on Wednesday, April 16.
Saad, a former Riverhead attorney who has since been disbarred, represented the seller in a home sale in 2020. Because of unresolved permit issues, all parties agreed that $25,000 would be held in Saad’s escrow account until those issues were resolved.
Instead, Saad stopped responding to the parties and used the funds for personal expenses, according to…
Officer Otto Cruz, York County's Humane Hero, Dies At 47; SPCA Closes To Mourn
A beloved protector of animals and voice for the voiceless has died. Humane Society Police Officer Otoniel “Otto” Cruz passed away on Saturday, April 12, the York County SPCA announced.
The shelter closed to the public on Monday, April 15 and Tuesday, April 16, as staff mourned the loss of their cherished colleague.
Otto Cruz, 47, of York, was more than an officer—he was a bridge-builder, an advocate, and a father. Originally from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Cruz became a police officer at just 18 years old. He served for a decade before relocating to Pennsylvania, where he continued his mission …
Longtime Village Trustee, Community Leader In Croton-On-Hudson Dies
A village in Northern Westchester is mourning the loss of longtime resident and former Village Trustee William A. Ryder, who died recently at the age of 96 after decades of serving his community.
Born on January 20, 1928, and raised in Ossining, Ryder, who died on Wednesday, April 2, moved to Croton-on-Hudson in 1959—a community he came to love deeply and served tirelessly for decades, according to his obituary.
Ryder was elected three times to the Village Board of Trustees, serving from 1969 to 1975. He held the position of Deputy Mayor for five of those years and played …
Virginia Protester Who Painted ‘Hamas IS Comin’ On Union Station Statue Sentenced In DC
A Virginia man who defaced a federal monument in Washington, DC, with a pro-Hamas message during a protest outside Union Station is heading to prison for a short stay, according to federal officials.
Zaid Mohammed Mahdawi, 26, of Richmond, was sentenced on Friday, April 4, to 10 days in federal prison and six months of supervised release after pleading guilty to destruction of government property, the US Attorney’s Office for DC announced.
The incident happened on July 24, 2024, during a protest rally at Columbus Circle.
Around 3:30 p.m., Mahdawi climbed onto the Columbus statue and …
