THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

JANUARY 7– MAN SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS, 3 YEARS SUPERVISION FOR BEATING SPOUSE PERMANTLY INJURING HER

Posted on January 7, 2026 by John Bailey

Susan Cacace

DISTRICT ATTORNEY

JANUARY 7, 2026

YONKERS MAN WHO STRANGLED PARTNER TO UNCONSCIOUSNESS RECEIVES 5-YEAR PRISON TERM

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that Jorge Garcia, 42, of Yonkers, was sentenced to 5 years in state prison Tuesday for strangling his partner to unconsciousness, in front of their then-2-year-old son, in 2023.

Judge Robert Prisco further sentenced Garcia to undergo 3 years of post-release supervision and provided permanent orders of protection for the victims.

Following a bench trial in November, Judge Prisco convicted the defendant of Strangulation in the Second Degree, a class D felony, Assault in the Second Degree (two counts), a class D felony, Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree, a class E felony, Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor.

DA Cacace said: “The defendant’s callousness towards his partner, the mother of his child, can hardly be put into words. But the only thing stronger than his depravity is the victim’s will to persevere, for herself and her son. I am inspired by her remarkable courage in not only surviving this attack, but reporting her abuser and seeing this case all the way through trial and conviction.

“I will never stop advocating for those fleeing abusive relationships. Survivors of domestic violence will always have a champion in this office.”

On Oct. 10, 2023, the victim knocked over a coffee machine in the kitchen. Enraged by this, the defendant tore down a camera that had been set up in the kitchen and dragged the victim to the bathroom, leaving their then-2-year-old son lying alone on the hallway floor.

The defendant then guided the victim’s body, while firmly grasping onto her neck, into the space between the toilet and the bathtub and placed his hands around her neck, strangling her until she lost consciousness.

The victim suffered permanent injuries from this attack, such as a fractured cheek bone, which required the insertion of a permanent titanium plate in her face.

In a victim impact statement read aloud at sentencing, the victim stated:

“Before this happened, I wasn’t someone who lived with fear or anxiety. But now, every day, I relive what happened on Oct. 10. Every day, the memories interrupt my thoughts and my peace. My quality of life has changed immensely. I can’t enjoy simple things anymore, watching a movie, playing with my child, driving, sleeping, or even having a normal conversation, without that day or the question of ‘why I stayed so long’ coming back to me.

The investigation was conducted by the Yonkers Police Department and the Special Prosecutions Division.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Daniela Pisahov and Domestic Violence Deputy Bureau Chief Janelle Armentano, of the Special Prosecutions Division.

JANUARY 7–TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WITHOLDS $10 BILLION FROM NEW YORK CHILD CARE

Posted on January 7, 2026 by John Bailey

TOMORROW: GILLIBRAND TO DEMAND THAT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REVERSE DECISION TO RIP AWAY CHILD CARE FUNDING FOR NEW YORK

Washington, D.C. – Tomorrow, Thursday, January 8^th at 10:30 AM: U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) will hold a virtual press conference to demand that the Trump administration unfreeze the grants that provide child care assistance to thousands of families in New York.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration froze $10 billion in funding for child care subsidies, social services, and cash support for low-income families in five Democrat-controlled states—including New York. The administration is claiming widespread fraud throughout these states, but it has not provided any evidence of this in New York. The funding freeze will harm tens of thousands of children in New York and threatens the livelihood of hardworking caregivers.

Senator Gillibrand will discuss the importance of child care assistance for working parents and demand an immediate reversal of the administration’s funding freeze.

JANUARY 7–PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS SENATOR GILLEBRAND’S TRAFFICKING RELIEF BILL INTO LAW

Posted on January 7, 2026 by John Bailey

GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF HER BIPARTISAN BILL TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Senator Gillibrand first introduced the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act with a bipartisan group of colleagues in 2016 and reintroduced it in every subsequent Congress. The most recent version of the bill, which was signed into law by President Trump, was co-led by Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) in the Senate and Reps. Russell Fry (R-SC-07) and Ted Lieu (D-CA-36) in the House of Representatives. The legislation unanimously passed the House and Senate in December 2025.

Washington, D.C. – Today, following the signing of the bipartisan Trafficking Survivors Relief Act into law, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement:

“I am thrilled that my bipartisan Trafficking Survivors Relief Act has been signed into law. This represents significant progress in the effort to support victims of human trafficking, protecting them against the vicious cycle of criminalization that arises when their traffickers force them to break the law. I want to thank Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and Reps. Russell Fry and Ted Lieu for their partnership in getting this bill across the finish line, and I am so grateful to all of the survivors who have bravely come forward and shared their stories. Our work continues in the fight to end human trafficking once and for all.”

Their Trafficking Survivors Relief Act enables survivors of human trafficking to have nonviolent criminal convictions or arrest records they incurred while being trafficked vacated and expunged, shielding them from criminalization and subsequent problems securing housing and employment as they work to reestablish their lives. Additionally, the new law:

Allows for an individual’s status as a victim of trafficking to be a mitigating factor for courts to consider when imposing a prison sentence for violent crimes.
Requires U.S. attorneys to submit a report one year after enactment detailing the number of motions filed under the law.
Ensures that DOJ Office for Victims of Crime and Office on Violence Against Women grant funding can be used for legal representation for post-conviction relief activities.

For a full list of endorsing organizations, please click here.

JANUARY 7– MAYOR APPOINTS WADE HARDY COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Posted on January 7, 2026 by John Bailey

White Plains Mayor Justin C. Brasch has appointed Wade Hardy as the City’s Public Safety Commissioner. The Common Council confirmed the appointment at its January 5, 2026 meeting.

As Public Safety Commissioner, Mr. Hardy will lead the overall operations of the City’s police, fire, EMS and 911 services.

Mayor Brasch said,

“Wade Hardy brings 39 years of experience in law enforcement and corporate security leadership and management to the job, including 22 years with the White Plains Police Department. We are thrilled to have him on board and know that under his leadership, the already strong Public Safety Department will continue to excel and be best in class not only in Westchester, but in New York State and the nation.”

During his previous tenure in White Plains, Commissioner Hardy led the Narcotics Unit, Anti-Crime Unit, Community Services Division, and oversaw various investigations in the Detective Bureau. He was also a leader on the special response team. While leading the Community Services Division, he advanced initiatives to improve conditions in public housing, foster better relationships with at-risk youth, and regularly met with neighborhood associations, community organizations, local clergy, and the White Plains Central Business District.

He also spearheaded initiatives to combat regional retail crime. One of his career highlights was uncovering evidence that led to the location and apprehension of a man hiding in an apartment in White Plains who was wanted for the murder of a Norfolk, Virginia, Police Officer. Throughout this broad swath of experience he has consistently sought to build bridges between the police department and the community, which has shaped his approach to policing.

Commissioner Hardy said, “I am energized and fully prepared to take White Plains Public Safety to new heights. In White Plains, everyone is important and everyone matters. This great City that I love is fortunate to be protected by a public safety department built on professionalism, integrity, commitment to service, and respect. Our firefighters and police officers strive for continuous improvement so that the service they provide tomorrow will be better than today. Our goal is to be the gold standard in public safety.”

After retiring from the WPPD, Commissioner Hardy managed corporate security at Con Edison for 12 years and more recently, served as Deputy Chief Criminal Investigator for the Westchester County District Attorney‘s office. In the District Attorney’s Office, Commissioner Hardy was additionally responsible for improving police community relationships throughout Westchester County. He is a board member for a number of White Plains and Westchester County community-based organizations, which has allowed him to maintain his ties to and continue to participate in our White Plains community. Additionally, Commissioner Hardy served as an integral member of the White Plains Police Reform Committee.

Wade Hardy succeeds David Chong, who served as White Plains Public Safety Commissioner for 16 years. White Plains recognizes the leadership of Commissioner Chong and thanks him for his dedicated service to the City and its residents.

Read Commissioner Hardy’s full bio here