SOUTH SALEM, N.Y. - As we get set to turn the calendar to 2026, The Katonah-Lewisboro Times takes one last look back at some of the top stories from another eventful year in our community!
Bring it for Brooke
On May 2, the community came together at Lewisboro Town Park for “Bring it for Brooke,” a memorial event honoring the late Brooke D’Aleo and supporting families of children battling life-threatening illnesses. The evening featured a softball game, live music, food trucks, a healing workshop, and a dusk vigil. Organized by Girl Scout Troop 2027, local volunteers, and community sponsors, the event celebrated Brooke’s legacy of compassion and gave the community a chance to raise funds and hope for those in need.
Breaking Ground
The Community Center of Northern Westchester broke ground in January on a long-anticipated renovation and expansion of its Katonah facility, supported by a $2 million state grant. The project will double the center’s space, add universal access, expand the pantry and client service areas, and improve parking, traffic flow, and donation handling. CCNW, which serves more than 3,000 food-insecure families annually, is operating from a temporary Bedford Hills location during construction. Leaders and local officials celebrated the milestone, calling the center a vital community resource poised to serve residents with greater dignity and efficiency.
Shofar, So Good
In September, more than 200 people gathered for Shofar in the Park, Chabad of Bedford’s Rosh Hashanah Tashlich service—an event nearly derailed after the village initially denied a permit over concerns about holding religious events in Mount Kisco’s Leonard Park. Following public pushback and legal intervention, officials reversed course, allowing the long-standing tradition to continue. The service drew a far larger crowd than usual, with shofar blasts, prayers, honey cake, and a spontaneous dance circle, which Rabbi Arik Wolf called a powerful display of community solidarity and unity.
Bus Crash in Cross River
In January, eight disabled adults were hospitalized with non–life-threatening injuries after an Ability Beyond transport bus swerved off Route 35 in Cross River and struck a tree. Police said the driver veered onto the shoulder to avoid stopped traffic, clipping another vehicle before crashing. Aside from minor damage to a second car, no other injuries were reported.
Kellogg Retires
After 28 years of service, longtime Deputy Town Clerk Nina Kellogg retired this fall, closing out a career that spanned nearly three decades and two generations of her family’s service to Bedford. Widely praised for her institutional knowledge and steady presence, Kellogg was called “the very foundation” of the clerk’s office by Town Clerk Alexandra Whalen. Her departure follows last year’s retirement of former clerk Lisbeth “Boo” Fumagalli, whom Kellogg once mentored, marking a significant transition for the town’s vital-records hub.
Collins Sentenced to 19 Years
A long-running criminal and civil case concluded this year with Bedford Hills resident James Collins Jr., former owner of “Jimmy’s” bar in Katonah, sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for attempting to entice minors. Collins, a former local coach and camp coordinator, had been accused of abusing children over several decades, with related civil cases involving Mount Kisco institutions settled earlier in 2025. Authorities and victims hailed the outcome as long-awaited justice and a safeguard against future abuse.
Library Proposition Passes
In November, Bedford voters overwhelmingly passed a proposition to increase funding to three town libraries. The measure approved a $2,628,845 annual town contribution to be shared for library operations in Bedford, Bedford Hills, and Katonah.
In the rest of the town’s uncontested races, Supervisor Ellen Calves, Town Clerk Allie Whalen, Town Justice Jodi Kimmell, and Town Board candidates Stephanie McCaine and Midge Iorio were all elected to new terms. In the race for County Legislator, incumbent Erika Pierce turned away the challenge from Braille Diaz.
Powering Up
A major boost for clean transportation arrived in February with the opening of a six-unit EVolve NY fast-charging hub in downtown Katonah, one of the largest in the Hudson Valley. Installed by the New York Power Authority, the site sits just off I-684 and aims to support EV adoption, cut emissions, and drive foot traffic to local businesses. State and local leaders celebrated the project as part of New York’s growing EV infrastructure network, which also includes new fast-charging sites in Goldens Bridge and soon White Plains.
Police Chase
In April, a stolen vehicle sparked a dramatic police chase on I-684 that ended in a fiery crash and a brush fire in Goldens Bridge. First responders quickly contained the flames, which threatened nearly two acres and nearby structures. The suspect was apprehended and faced multiple charges, while no serious injuries were reported.
KLSD
In May, Katonah-Lewisboro School District voters approved a $127.4 million budget for the 2025–26 school year, marking a $3 million increase and the maximum allowable tax levy under the state cap. In low-turnout elections, Jon Poffenberger was re-elected, and Carolyn Snell and Arwen Thomas Belloni joined the board as new trustees. Voters also approved two propositions: a $750,000 transfer for electrical upgrades and a measure to qualify the district for additional state aid for a planned solar power contract.
Remembering Bill Bongiorno
In June, Vista-Lewisboro Cub Scout Pack 101 honored the late Bill Bongiorno with the second annual Bill Bongiorno Excellence in Scouting Award. The award, created in 2024 to celebrate his dedication and leadership, was presented to 9-year-old Madoc Chamberlain for exemplifying the Scouting values of trustworthiness, loyalty, and community service. Bongiorno, who led the pack through the pandemic and continued mentoring scouts in Troop 101 until his passing in 2023, was remembered for his guidance, storytelling, and lasting impact on generations of scouts and the local community.
Bonding Measure Fails
In June, the Lewisboro Town Board’s bonding resolution to purchase a new town office at 892 Route 35 failed to achieve the required supermajority. The $2.22 million purchase will proceed using the town’s fund balance instead of borrowed funds. Board members debated the plan’s scope, noting that it does not address space needs for the police department or town court, which will now be addressed in the upcoming budget process, while some officials called the purchase a practical first step toward consolidating town operations.
CREST Funding
In August, Bedford and Lewisboro each received $100,000 in CREST grants announced by Senator Pete Harckham to fund community improvement projects. Lewisboro plans to convert a barn at Onatru Farm Park into a multi-use community space, including a senior center, while Bedford will use its grant for sidewalks and other enhancements to boost walkability and local economic connections. The funding was part of $2.1 million awarded across the 40th Senate District to support parks, municipal buildings, ADA compliance, and other public initiatives.
Solar Grant
In October, Lewisboro received a $100,000 state grant through Senator Pete Harckham’s CREST program to install solar panels on a barn at Onatru Farm Park. The 56-panel system was expected to produce over 32,000 kWh annually, significantly lowering the town’s energy costs and promoting long-term sustainability, with the project’s minimal upfront expense anticipated to be recouped within a year.
Lewisboro Election
In November, Lewisboro voters re-elected Mary Shah to the Town Board and elected newcomer Julia Hadlock, defeating incumbent Andrea Rendo and challenger Adam Giardina. Hadlock, who previously served as president of the KLSD Board of Education, announced earlier in the year that she would not be seeking re-election. Tony Gonçalves was returned to another term as Town Supervisor, running unopposed, and Deirdre Casper was re-elected as Receiver of Taxes.
Parents Speak Out
In June, parents of special-needs students in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District pushed for the creation of a Special Education Parents Advisory Committee to give them a formal voice in policy and advocacy. At a board meeting, parents highlighted ongoing challenges despite a recent consultancy report recommending leadership and structural changes within the district’s special-education department. The meeting underscored a call for greater inclusion, transparency, and collaboration between parents and district leadership to better meet the needs of students with IEPs.
Bedford BESS Ban
In August, Bedford’s Town Board continued its moratorium on large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), extending the six-month freeze on applications for units producing more than 80 kilowatt hours. The ban, the third of its kind in a year, was designed to give the town time to draft a local ordinance regulating commercial BESS installations, while exempting smaller personal-use batteries like those for solar panels or electric vehicles. The move followed growing BESS applications locally and updated state fire regulations, with officials emphasizing the need for safety and proper oversight before new projects could proceed.
Tom Bartley, Rob Sample, Carol Reif, Rich Monetti, and Tom Walogorsky contributed to this report.
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