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)

Coyote Attack Reported at Muscoot Farm, Katonah. Not known if related to Hastings Attacks

Posted on March 1, 2018 by John Bailey

WPCNR HEALTH ALERT. From the Westchester County Health Department. March 1, 2018 6 PM:

Farm staff at Muscoot Farm, Katonah, went to do morning farm chores today and noticed a sheep laying in the field and two others limping. There was no sighting of a coyote, but the farm staff believe the attack was caused by one.

The attack on the sheep appears to have occurred in the early morning hours before farm staff had arrived. The veterinarian was called to take care of the two injured sheep. The deceased sheep was buried in the pet cemetery on farm property.

The two who were hurt were moved into the barn to wait for the veterinarian to come. The remainder of the sheep were moved inside the barn.

Following the veterinarian visit, the injured sheep were tended to with a follow up visit scheduled for later this week.

Residents in Hastings Area Warned: “Aggressive Coyote” on Prowl

Posted on March 1, 2018 by John Bailey

WPCNR HEALTH ALERT. From the Westchester County Department of Health. March 1, 2018:

The Westchester County Department of Health is alerting residents that a coyote has attacked people and pets in the vicinity of Kent Ave, Overlook Drive and Clarewood Drive in Hastings-on-Hudson and the Homefield section of Yonkers.

These attacks occurred on Wednesday evening and Thursday; the coyote has not been captured.

Due to its aggressive behavior, the coyote is believed to be rabid. The Health Department is notifying residents in the area to not approach the animal, to contact police if they see it and to take precautions with pets.

“Stay alert and closely supervise children and pets when outside,” said Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “If you observe this coyote, do not approach it and make sure to contact local police immediately.”

Unusual behavior may be the first sign of rabies in an animal. A rabid animal may become either abnormally aggressive or unusually tame. It may lose fear of people and become excited and irritable, or appear particularly passive and lethargic. Staggering and frothing at the mouth are sometimes noted.

Residents who see a stray or wild animal acting strangely should avoid contact with the animal and alert local authorities to avoid possible exposure to rabies. Residents are also advised to keep their trash can lids securely sealed and avoid leaving pet food outdoors.

Any physical contact with a wild or unfamiliar animal should be reported to a health care provider. All animal bites or contacts with animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, 24 hours a day.

Keeping pet rabies vaccinations up to date is also important for protection against rabies. New York State law requires dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies and receive regular booster shots. For more information, go to www.westchestergov.com/health or call the RABIES INFOLINE at (914) 813-5010.

UBER LYFT, RIDE-SHARING GYPSY CABS VOLUNTEER DRIVER SECURITY CLEARANCE DIES DUE TO LACK OF “VOLUNTEERS” COUNTY EXECUTIVE LATIMER WILL NO LONGER PROMOTE THE PROGRAM. SEEKS A BETTER DRIVER VETTING SYSTEM AFTER ONLY 12 DRIVERS “VET”

Posted on February 28, 2018 by John Bailey

WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester Department of Communications. (Edited) February 28, 2018:

(Editor’s Note: On his regular guest appearance Tuesday morning on WVOX Radio, 1460, with Bob Morrone on Good Morning Westchester, Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced he was ending the Westchester County Taxi and Limousine Commission’s voluntary “Thumbs Up” program for ride-share drivers. He said he was meeting with Nassau and Sufflok County Executives yesterday to find a better way to make sure ride-sharing drivers did not have criminal records or a history of questionable behavior.)

The move comes after only 12 drivers applied for the program and minimal revenues were collected for the County.

(Editor’s note: the system was originally put in place by the Robert Astorino administration after that administration refrained from legislating that ride-sharing companies had to improve vetting of who drives their cars.)

The discontinuation of the program will result in no further promotion of it. However, this is not the end of the County’s continued efforts to find a solution to the two-tiered system created for TLC and ride-share drivers due to the growing influence of ride-share companies and evolving laws.

Latimer said: “For the program to have any value there needed to be significant buy-in from drivers and companies alike. The numbers show that the buy-in was far less than significant.

Westchester consumers of both traditional for-hire taxi and limousine services and app-based ride-share services deserve a fair and effective system that meets their needs and keeps them safe. What this program offered was just lip-service.”

Any further work done by the County on this issue will include input from all relevant stakeholders as well as surrounding suburban communities.

Latimer added: “Going forward, my Administration will be looking into best practices to maintain a healthy market for both TLC and ride-share providers while also working to protect Westchester residents who choose to use either.”

Joseph Sgammato

Historic Program on WVOX- 53 Years Since Integration: Paul Feiner Interviews First African-American to Attend Ardsley Schools in 1965.

Posted on February 28, 2018 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor, Paul Feiner. February 18, 2018, linked internetcast used with permission of Mr. Feiner and WVOX Radio:

I interviewed the first African American to integrate the Ardsley schools— Ron Cook— way back in 1965 on WVOX two weeks ago, February 16, 10 AM to 11 AM on WVOX today. I spoke with Ron via telephone from South Carolina, where he is living now and the family where he stayed while he lived in Ardsley, spoke to Ron and me in the WVOX Studio. A link to the interview is below .

https://youtu.be/Vhc7JZ28xOA

During African American History month—and every month—we can’t just take the evolution of our community for granted.Mr. Cook was the first African American 15 year old who attended the Ardsley schools –way back in 1965.

He moved from his home in Charleston, SC, never saw snow before his move to Greenburgh.

He was welcomed by a great foster family, Elaine Finsilver and her daughter Jane. Jane (Right) and Elaine participated in the the interview with Mr. Cook in the WVOX Studios (above)

Today, minorities comprise a much larger percentage of the Ardsley school population. In 1965, Ron was the sole African American in the entire Ardsley school system. (There was one Chinese American student in 7th grade.)

What was Ron’s journey like? Was it worth it?

Reflections on 53 years of segregated lives.

In the interview Elaine and Ron recall residents driving up to the Finsilver’s home and spitting on the grass.

And, on graduation day Ron received a standing ovation from fellow students. But–during a graduation party was not allowed to swim in the pool.

I found it hard to believe what I heard. David Bach co-hosted the radio interview. PAUL FEINER