APRIL 6—STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS MAY 6

Posted on April 6, 2026 by John Bailey

State of the County Address Information Flyer

Westchester County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins
Invites you to Join us for the

2026 State of the County Address

Wednesday, May 6
Doors Open at 6 p.m.
Speech Begins at 6:30 p.m.

Michaelian Office Building
Board of Legislators Chambers
148 Martine Ave
White Plains, NY

Watch the event live:
WestchesterCountyNY.gov or Facebook.com/Westchestergov

To request a seat, please email:
Communications@WestchesterCountyNY.gov

APRIL 5– THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE–TRADITIONAL SUNRISE SERVICE AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SPIRITUALLY LIFTS FOG, MAKES MESSAGE OF EASTER CRYSTSAL CLEAR

Posted on April 5, 2026 by John Bailey

WPCNR SUNDAY SERVICE. APRIL 5, 2026

The fog was heavy in White Plains New York USA this morning with a light mist, however that did deter a little congregation of some 25 people from turning out for First Baptist Church Sunrise Service which is commenced every year on the bluff behind First Baptist Church.

As Reverend Frank Frawley welcomed the stalwarts who all greeted each other with embraces, handshakes, and “glad-to-see-yous” in the chill, warmth was in their faces and a solemn joy,too lifted their faces high in a sense of reverence and wonder.

Here here is what the service was like beginning with a hymn, Reverend Frawley’s Easter Message and the closing song expressing the comfort that Easter Sunday always restores to the mystery of life and how this day helps you to deal with it.

Reverend Frawley began with acknowledging the fog of the morning, a phenomena that afflicts us all in daily life. He said the sun is always behind the fog every day though we cannot see it as God is with us to help us through our personal sorrows and dilemmas.

TONIGHT AT 7:30–WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE APRIL 3 REPORT: THE FIRST QUARTER REVIEW. ON FIOS CH 45 OPTIMUM CH 76 AND WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Posted on April 3, 2026 by John Bailey

CITY STARTS DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PLAN

CITY DECIDES TO BUY THE CITY CENTER GARAGE–FUNDING THROUGH BONDS ON MONDAY COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA

ROSEDALE AVENUE TEMPLE PROJECT ON SYCACORE ROAD MOVES AHEAD

JOHN BAILEY REVIEWS THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR

ON HIS PERSPECTIVE ’26 COMMENTARY

APRIL 3–RETURN FROM CAVALRY 33 A.D. GOOD FRIDAY

Posted on April 3, 2026 by John Bailey

WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. APRIL 3, 2026 Republished 9:30 A.M. E.D.T. from WPCNR of the Distant Past.:

It is late afternoon now in the Jerusalem of 33 A.D.

Jesus of Nazareth has died on the cross in between two thieves.

The three crosses can be seen on the distant hill to the right

He died 1,193 years ago on that cross today.

There was no CNN, no Fox News showing live coverage, no internet, no newspapers, radio or television.

No Twitter or Facebook. No Instagram, Skype, or Google.

Nevertheless the message of the man who died on Calvary (The Place of the Skull) spread around the world

without mass communication.

His followers, twelve of them were so devoted to His message of love and code of behavior.

They became the first pacifist activists who spread a message the man they called their Lord

had preached to them.

He is Jesus of Nazareth. He had no last name.

Today He is known all over the world for the message he delivered.

Whether you believe He is the Son of God, or not, He ranks as one

of the foremost influences on mankind if not the most.

More than Plato, more than Socrates, more than any leader or politician, or entertainer whoever lived.

His selfless acts of embracing lepers, the poor, those who sinned were unique.

Such compassion for the downtrodden was unheard of during the time He lived.

It was a time of slavery. No human rights. No care for the sick.

When cities were razed and populations slaughtered or enslaved much like the genocides of today.

Jesus of Nazareth introduced a new philosophy that spread throughout the world after His crucifixion this day

(maybe, we do not know the exact date), because the community leaders of his own people thought him —

a threat to their power. Fear that this simple man was a threat should be a lesson to us all.

If you live by His philosophy of forgiveness you are a person at peace with yourself.

If you accept those who are different from you without fear or prejudice, you are a force

for spreading His message of peace towards others and good will.

If you help the poor and the sick because you sympathize with them, you are following His way.

If you stand up for truth, point out what is wrong as He did with the Pharisees–You are doing his will.

(But they will kill you.)

If you go about doing good for the sake of doing good, you are following His virtue of selflessness.

Jesus of Nazareth’s message whether divine or a code of how we conduct our lives resonated

with millions and it spread.

There is no denying He is one of the great philosophers of the human experience, kin to Socrates,

the other giant of antiquity thought.

The above print of “The Return from Calvary” painted by Herbert Schmalz

shows the last hours of Jesus of Nazareth’s crucifixion in 33 A.D.

on Calvary Hill, “the place of the Skull,” outside of Jerusalem late in the day He was crucified.

The description on the print describes the somber scene:

The darkness which was on the earth (during His suffering) is clearing away.

One long, dark cloud is hanging over the city like a pall.

The Virgin Mother, weighted down by fatigue and grief, knowing not wither she goes,

is being led up some steps, toward “his own” home, by St. John and Mary Magdalene.

In the distance on the top of Cavalry, you can make out the three crosses.

The grief so sadly captured by this print depicts the very personal loss all of us endure

when someone we love passes away, realizing our loss because of all they did for us.

Jesus of Nazareth was a human being who affects us to this day.

One of the great gifts of this man, Jesus of Nazareth, is the celebration

of humanity and capacity to care and feel for others that aids persons

whether they believe He was the Son of God or not. Or that you will have eternal life

if you believe in him.

His philosophies of care, courage, compassion and benevolent action serve their practitioners well

because they leave a great personal satisfaction in the heart, the mind, and the spirit.

You do not have to second guess yourself, when you do what is right, humane, merciful,

and serves the less fortunate without superiority with nothing to gain for yourself.

If you do not do what is right, if you weaken, you always regret it.

You remember when you failed to do right.

I do remember those times when I personally failed to do right.

The peace of mind of action is the least of the great gift of Jesus of Nazareth.

His death on the cross is marked this day. Good Friday.

If you act as Jesus did, you will be remembered by all you meet fondly and lovingly.

You will be comforted.

You will live in memories of those you have touched with your love and kindness

and caring for eternity to the end of the age.

His simple teachings have great power. Use them. Implement them.

They give meaning to our mystery of life.

They give meaning and purpose to anyone’s life.

For 1,993 years they have made a violent world a better place.

He died today on the cross.

And lives forever.

APRIL 1– DISTRICT ATTORNEY CACASE INTRODUCES CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS INITIATIVE. 6,246 CHILD PROTECTION REPORTS IN 2025, 151 FORENSIC INTERVIEWS

Posted on April 1, 2026 by John Bailey

DA CACACE INAUGURATES PINWHEEL GARDEN FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE….THEY ARE NOT “RESILIENT”SHE SAYS.

The initiative aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of child abuse and its attendant harms

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. –

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today the inauguration of a pinwheel garden at the Westchester County courthouse to raise awareness about child abuse, in commemoration of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

According to the National Children’s Alliance, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience sexual abuse during their childhoods. In 2021, 1,820 children in the U.S. died of abuse or neglect, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Every Monday in April, members of DA Cacace’s staff will sell pinwheels in the lobby of the courthouse from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at $5 per pinwheel, with the aim of selling at least 407 pinwheels by the end of the month, representing the number of child abuse cases the office prosecuted in 2025.

The proceeds will be donated to the Sharing Shelf of Port Chester, which provides clothes, backpacks and other necessities to low-income children in the community.

DA Cacace said: “The common observation that children are resilient overlooks the deep scars left behind by child abuse, scars that often last for the rest of their lives. Child abuse extracts a toll from its victims over extended periods of time, affecting a child’s growth, cognitive development and behavioral characteristics well into adulthood. That’s why it is imperative to detect and intervene in child abuse cases at the earliest possible moment, to allow child victims to restore the sense of normalcy that had been robbed from them.

“My office works 24/7 to combat the scourge of child abuse and to bring abusers to justice.

In 2025, our team reviewed and investigated 6,246 reports from Child Protective Services and scheduled 151 forensic interviews at our Child Advocacy Center, which was re-accredited as a Tier 1 facility in October.

We also launched a new era of cooperation with our school districts, encouraging better communication between law enforcement and mandated reporters. We will never stop in our pursuit of keeping the children of Westchester safe from harm.”

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MARCH 31—CITY PROCEEDS, EXPLORES ACQUIRING CITY CENTER GARAGE ENTER

Posted on March 31, 2026 by John Bailey

Series of site plans move forward for Council consideration

Ridgeway-Sycamore Lane temple trims scope of temple project

Commissioner of Planning Announces Downtown Revitalization Projects to start.

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL LEDGER By John F. Bailey.March 31, 2026:

The Common Council in a Special Meeting (available for your viewing on the City of White Plains website here: https://whiteplainsny.new.swagit.com/videos/379621), moved forward on several projects long under consideration.

Mayor Justin Brasch introduced Mike Kelly who has been analyzing the city effort to purchase the City Center garage. He said previous estimates to acquire the garage from its present owner had totaled $8 million and now had risen to $11 million, which he said was below what the building was worth what t according to estimates.

He said negotiations were continuing with the owner, Kite Realty Group.

The plans for the building of a temple on the property of 1 Sycamore Lane, (shown above) opposed by the neighborhood, introduced a new plan preserving more green space, a traffic flow prohibiting use of Sycamore Lane access from the proposed temple. (entrance in gray is at the beginning of Sycamore Lane.

The spokesman for the project said the Temple management had responded to suggestions by the Building Department and the neighbors, meeting all suggestions, pointing out the proposed Temple occupied 5% of the property, and at any one time would only have 15 persons at most on the premises in conclaves when they are held.

The Commissioner of Planning, Christopher Gomez announced the City’s Downtown Revitalization Plan would begin when the first contract made possible by approval of a $10 Million grant from the state ,would begin, with 6 other projects.

They are Revitalization of the down Downtown

Gomez explained this would include adding a 2-way bike lane the length of Hamilton Avenue which is one-way West to the train stration, rehab of the Slater Center below. Here’s how the $10 Million will be spent:

THE SLATER CENTER WOULD BE REHABILITATED

A WALKING PARK WOULD CONNECT TO WATER STREET.

A mini park behind TD Bank.

Saving the Clock Tower at the train station.

THERE WOULD ALSO AWARD OWNER PROJECT GRANTS UP TO $75,000

MARCH 31–YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST: NEW COVID VARIANT APPEARS COUNTS FOR 10% OF NEW CASES

Posted on March 31, 2026 by John Bailey

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A new covid variant called Cicada, ticks and a new Lyme vaccine, common cold, and good news

The Dose (March 31)

Katelyn Jetelina

Mar 31

READ IN APP

Good morning!

Spring is here, and so is a shift in what’s circulating. Flu season is officially behind us, tick season is just getting started, and a new Covid-19 variant is making the rounds in the news and on social media (but has not yet been felt in hospitals). And with Lyme disease season upon us, the news of a long-awaited vaccine couldn’t be more timely, though there are some real caveats worth understanding.

Here’s what’s going on and, more importantly, what it means for you.

Disease “weather” report: what’s spreading right now?

Good riddance, flu season. We are officially out, as rates have now fallen below the “epidemic threshold.” Some states are still high, like New Mexico, but the trend is the same. The other main fall/winter viruses, including RSV and Covid-19 are all decreasing, too.

Odds are that if you get sick in the next month or two, it will be the common cold (the gray line below). This will continue to increase until May/June.

Percent of positive tests for respiratory viruses. Source: NREVSS; Annotated by Your Local Epidemiologist

Enter tick season. Emergency department visits for tick bites are low but climbing, which is normal for this time of year. Expect two waves: one peaking in May and another in mid-October. By year’s end, more than 500,000 people will likely be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease.

Source: CDC Tick Bite Data Tracker; Annotated by Your Local Epidemiologist.

Ticks thrive in warm, lush spring environments and can carry pathogens responsible for over a dozen diseases. Lyme is the most well-known. It can cause flu-like symptoms and, if untreated, serious complications including neurological and cardiac issues.

Not all ticks carry disease. Risk depends on the species, geography, and duration of a tick’s attachment. Currently, tick-borne illnesses are most concentrated in the Northeast, with emergency department (ED) visits at 13 per 100,000 people.

What this means for you: You can take several steps to protect yourself from ticks, including applying DEET or picaridin, treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, and conducting thorough tick checks after engaging in outdoor activities. Here is a YLE deep dive on tick threats.

A new Covid-19 variant is getting attention. What’s going on?

Covid-19 continues to mutate, and the latest variant attracting attention is BA.3.2 (nicknamed “Cicada”), a descendant of Omicron that has been circulating globally for some time.

BA.3.2 now accounts for 11% of U.S. cases, but it’s too early to tell how quickly it’s growing. What is clear is that it has yet to trigger a surge. Wastewater levels, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations all remain low. Historically, a variant doesn’t drive a significant new wave until it reaches ~50% of cases.

% of circulating variants for Covid-19. Source: CDC; Annotated by Your Local Epidemiologist.

What’s drawing attention is the spike protein, which has 75 mutations compared with the strains included in last fall’s Covid-19 vaccines. The spike protein acts like a key that unlocks our cells, and when that key changes enough, existing antibodies struggle to recognize and block it. Lab studies confirm this is happening, but antibodies are just one layer of defense. The immune system has other tools that protect against serious illness, and current immunity is expected to hold up.

One thing researchers are actively tracking: early signals suggest BA.3.2 may be infecting kids at higher rates than previous variants. It’s hard to know whether this is real or just random chance, but if it is real, it’s likely due to a combination of many factors. For example, younger kids might not have seen as many Covid-19 variants or had as many coronavirus infections as adults, so they might be less immune to it.

Q: Could this cause a spring/summer wave? A: We have very little data on how fast this is growing, so time will tell. My guess is this will cause a spring/summer wave, but not a nothing burger or a tsunami.

Q: Should people over 65 get a spring Covid-19 shot? A: If it’s been at least three months since your last dose, a spring shot is a reasonable call. Timing it around May or June tends to align well with how Covid-19 seasons typically play out.

Q: Is a second shot within a year a booster? Or is it only a booster if the formulation is different? A: The term gets thrown around loosely. Generally, a booster means a repeat dose of the same vaccine, not necessarily a new formulation. The strains for the next updated Covid-19 vaccine haven’t been selected yet, so there’s no new version available right now. If a pharmacist tells you there’s no booster available, they may be thinking specifically of an updated formulation. A repeat dose of the current vaccine is still an option worth asking about.

Q: Could BA.3.2 spark the next pandemic? A: No. In fact, researchers have argued that another coronavirus pandemic is now less likely, not more, precisely because Covid-19 and the vaccines that followed built widespread, robust immunity across the global population.

A Lyme disease vaccine may finally be on the horizon

Ticks spread Lyme disease, one of the most common and debilitating infections in the country, and for the first time in over two decades, a vaccine to prevent it may finally be on the way. The only vaccine we had before, LYMErix, was pulled from the market in 2002. Not because it was unsafe (the FDA found no real problems) but because rumors about arthritis side effects, amplified by bad press and lawsuits, scared people.

Now Pfizer and French vaccine company Valneva have announced their new vaccine candidate worked in more than 70% of cases in a large late-stage trial of 9,400 people aged five and older.

How does the Lyme disease vaccine work?

The vaccine works differently from most other vaccines in a very cool way. Instead of just protecting you, it actually works inside the tick:

The vaccine trains your body to make antibodies against a protein (called OspA) found on Lyme-causing bacteria.
When a tick bites you, it drinks your blood along with those antibodies.
The antibodies neutralize the bacteria in the tick’s gut, stopping it from ever reaching its salivary glands and getting into you.

Graphic from Janet Loehrke at USA TODAY. Annotated by Your Local Epidemiologist.

But there are a few things worth understanding

The trial hit a statistical snag. The trial had fewer Lyme disease cases than expected, making the results too uncertain to be conclusive. Researchers had planned two ways to measure the vaccine’s effectiveness before the study began: one starting 28 days after the final dose, which fell just short of the required confidence threshold, and one starting the day after the final dose, which cleared it. Pfizer cited both results in deciding to seek regulatory approval.
The regulatory path is murky. The manufacturer will seek FDA approval, and if granted, the vaccine will go to ACIP for a policy recommendation. The problem: ACIP currently has no members. What happens next is genuinely unclear.
The bigger question is whether people will actually use it. The vaccine requires four doses over about a year, plus what looks like an annual booster before tick season. That’s a real commitment. Lyme disease is far better known today than it was in 2002, which gives people more reason to seek protection. But wanting a vaccine and completing every dose are two very different things.

Good news

Big Tech’s Big Tobacco moment. Last week, a Los Angeles court found Meta and YouTube negligent in the design of their platforms, ruling that features like infinite scroll and autoplay deliberately built addiction into the apps, and that executives knew it and failed to protect young users. The decision could set a precedent for more than 1,500 similar pending cases.

TB rates are falling after years of post-pandemic rise. New CDC data show that last year, 10,260 TB cases were reported, representing a 2% decline in the national rate compared with the year before. Cases fell across 26 states and Washington, D.C.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/tb-data/aboutprovisionaldata/2025-provisional-data.html

Birthday celebration! Remember that infant botulism outbreak? Amy Mazziotti, mother of Hank, who was hospitalized for 12 days for botulism after drinking ByHeart baby formula, just celebrated Hank’s first birthday. She received a letter from the public health response team that helped her. Each year, this public health team mails roughly 200 cards to babies who recovered from botulism. Program assistant Robin Hinks decorates them with drawings, like frogs in party hats and penguins with balloons. A small, loving, above-and-beyond act. Read more about this from Matt over at YLE CA.

Bottom line

The seasonal transition brings real shifts in disease risk, and a little awareness goes a long way. Have a wonderful week!

Love, YLE

Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) is founded and operated by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, wife. YLE reaches over 425,000 people in over 132 countries with one goal: “Translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below:

MARCH 30 — 87 GUNS OFF THE STREETS SATURDAY

Posted on March 30, 2026 by John Bailey

Susan Cacace

DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Press Contact: media@westchesterda.net | (914) 995-3586

87 GUNS, INCLUDING MULTIPLE GHOST GUNS, TAKEN OFF STREETS AT DA CACACE’S FIRST GUN BUYBACK

Saturday marked one of the largest gun buyback events in Westchester County

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today the results of her administration’s first gun buyback event, which took place Saturday at the Union Baptist Church, in White Plains.

In total, the office recovered 87 firearms, consisting of 33 pistols/semi-automatic handguns, 30 long guns and 24 revolvers. Six of the guns recovered were ghost guns, meaning that they lacked traceable serial numbers and were likely made at home, using 3D printers or machining tools.

This marks one of the largest returns for a gun buyback event sponsored by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.

The office spent $15,650 on firearm repurchases at the event.

DA Cacace said:

“Every week in this county, illegal guns are used in furtherance of violent crime, shattering families and causing grievous injury to those caught in the crosshairs. Saturday’s event marks one of the biggest returns for a gun buyback program from this office in recent memory, representing 87 opportunities to prevent future harm and 87 meaningful steps toward safer neighborhoods.

“I want to extend my deepest appreciation to our community partners – the Union Baptist Church, the White Plains/Greenburgh NAACP Branch, the White Plains Department of Public Safety and the Greenburgh Police Department – for helping produce such a successful event.

“Reining in the proliferation of illegal guns is one of the top priorities for my administration, including the vigorous prosecution of criminals who use guns to further their illicit activities. We will attack this problem from every angle, using any solution at our disposal to stem the tide of gun violence. Events like Saturday’s buyback are one facet of a multi-pronged approach from this office designed to reduce the volume of illegal guns that are inundating our communities and putting all our lives at risk.”

White Plains Commissioner of Public Safety Hardy said: “Every single firearm turned in to a gun buyback means one less opportunity for harm or death to a community member.”

Greenburgh Police Chief Powell said: “Any partnership with our community and fellow law enforcement agencies that can result in a safer community and strengthened relationships is a win for everyone involved. I am appreciative of this opportunity for a genuine partnership, one that everyone involved could see and feel. I believe we are all looking forward to future endeavors together.”

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MARCH 30–RALLY FOR MORE HOUSING ACTION IN WHITE PLAINS NY USA–ONLY 78 VOUCHERS LAST YEAR!

Posted on March 30, 2026 by John Bailey

MONDAY: COMMUNITY GATHERS IN WHITE PLAINS TO CALL FOR MORE FUNDING FOR STATEWIDE HOUSING VOUCHERS

Currently, the Housing Access Voucher Program Will Only Supply 78 Vouchers for Westchester County, After Receiving a Fraction of Funding Last Session

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – On Monday, March 30 at 12PM at the White Plains Homes and Community Renewal Building, VOCAL-NY will organize partners and community groups to rally for more funding for the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP).

WHAT: VOCAL-NY and partners will call on the Governor to increase budget funding the HAVP for the statewide rental assistance program to $250M.

WHO:

VOCAL-NY
RAPP
Make the Road NY
NAACP

WHEN:

Monday, March 30, 2026

12PM

WHERE:

White Plains Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Building

75 South Broadway, White Plains, New York 10601

MARCH 28–PRESIDENT SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER DIRECTING PAYMENT OF TSA AGENTS SALARIES.

Posted on March 28, 2026 by John Bailey

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTAIVES FRIDAY REJECTED THE SENATE BILL PASSED EARLY FRIDAY MORNING, PROLONGING THE FUNDING OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO BEGIN PAYING TSA PERSONNEL WHO HAVE NOT BEEN PAID FOR A MONTH

THE NEW YORK TIMES QUOTED SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MIKE JOHNSON SAYING:

“House Republicans are not going to be any part of any effort to reopen our borders or to stop immigration enforcement. The gambit that was done last night is a joke.”

It is expected TSA workers will receive pay over the next 4 days, but it is unclear whether the payment will include all back pay.

Delays in security lines at all three New York airports continue. Speculation is the airports will return to less lengthy delays by the end of the week.