Putnam County - Mahopac News

Mortimer with Scoutmaster Vincent Azzinaro

Mahopac scout traces hidden history for Eagle project

At 15, Liam Mortimer is trying to make sure a largely invisible chapter of local history is no longer overlooked. The Mahopac resident and Kennedy Catholic freshman, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 1, is working toward the rank of... more

BY BOB DUMAS | 4/29/26

SPCA reports alarming spike in animal welfare calls

The Putnam County SPCA has reported a 33 percent increase in animal welfare calls so far this year, with more than 800 complaints logged through its law enforcement dispatch. The data portends an alarming trend. SPCA officials said 2025... more

BY BOB DUMAS | 4/26/26

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office recently trained its deputies on the Grappler, an advanced pursuit intervention tool designed to help stop fleeing vehicles and bring dangerous pursuits to a swift and safer conclusion.

Sheriff’s Office adds vehicle-stopping tool to reduce pursuit risks

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has trained its deputies to use a new device designed to safely stop fleeing vehicles, an effort officials say will reduce the dangers associated with high-speed police pursuits. Sheriff Brian Hess... more

4/25/26

County health officials paint mixed picture for Town Board

Putnam County residents are, by many measures, healthier and more secure than their neighbors across the region. But beneath that overall stability, health officials say, a series of troubling trends—from rising mental distress to increasing... more

BY BOB DUMAS | 4/22/26

The deer tick, also known as the black-legged tick, is a small parasitic arachnid capable of transmitting Lyme disease and other illnesses.&nbsp;

Putnam health officials warn of rising tick activity this spring

With warmer weather arriving, Putnam County health officials are urging residents to take precautions against tick bites as the season ramps up and the risk of disease increases. The Putnam County Department of Health said ticks become... more

4/15/26

Byrne entertains questions at the Carmel Diner.

Byrne wraps latest round of public forums across Putnam

Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne has concluded his latest series of “Conversations with the County Executive” forums, holding final sessions in Nelsonville and the hamlet of Carmel. The informal gatherings, held at locations across the... more

4/14/26

The market has drawn thousands of visitors and hundreds of young vendors since its launch two years ago.

Putnam opens registration for Youth Business Market

Putnam County has opened registration for young entrepreneurs interested in participating in the third annual Youth Business Market, scheduled for Sunday, June 14, at Tilly Foster Farm. The event, organized by the Putnam County Youth... more

4/8/26

Putnam proposes $2M mental health fund after ARPA plan falls through

Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne has proposed creating a new mental health services fund of more than $2 million, using county reserves after an earlier plan to finance a stabilization center with federal aid was abandoned. The... more

4/4/26

Under the plan, the county’s 4 percent sales tax on fuel would be capped at $3 per gallon.

Putnam looks to limit gas tax as prices rise, offer modest relief to drivers

The Putnam County Legislature is poised to approve a measure capping the county’s share of sales tax on gasoline and diesel fuel at $3 per gallon, a move officials say will provide modest relief to drivers while ensuring the county does not... more

BY BOB DUMAS | 4/2/26

Multi-agency crackdown nets dozens of arrests in Putnam

Two Carmel residents were among multiple people arrested during a three-day, multi-agency enforcement operation targeting crime across Putnam County, authorities said. The operation, led by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office in coordination... more

3/30/26

Slater express support for the proposed animal cruelty legislation at a March 25 press conference.

Bill would allow bail in aggravated animal cruelty cases

A bipartisan proposal in Albany would allow judges to set bail for defendants charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, addressing what supporters describe as a gap in New York’s current bail laws. Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C–Yorktown),... more

3/27/26

This what the scam text/email looks like.

Fake ‘Notice of Default’ scam prompts warning from police

Area law enforcement agencies are warning residents about a fraudulent “Notice of Default” circulating in the community that falsely claims recipients owe money for traffic or toll violations. Police said the notice may appear... more

BY BOB DUMAS | 3/26/26

Democrats nominate Gwen Burke for County Legislature

The Carmel and Putnam County Democratic committees have nominated Gwen Burke, an environmental engineer, to run for the Putnam County Legislature’s District 8 seat in Mahopac, setting up a three-way race in November. more

3/25/26

Fire destroys maintenance building at Putnam Golf Course

A pre-dawn fire destroyed a maintenance building at the Putnam County Golf Course early Friday, with compromised propane tanks prompting a hazardous materials response, fire officials said. The Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department was... more

By Halston Media Staff | 3/20/26

Motorists will need to use Route 6 to reach Yorktown until road work is completed on 6N near the Jefferson Valley line. The closure is expected to last until late May.

Stretch of 6N to close Monday for culvert work

A stretch of Route 6N that serves as a popular route between Mahopac Falls and Jefferson Valley is expected to be closed to traffic for approximately two months beginning on Monday (March 23). more

BY EMILE MENASCHÉ

Editor | 3/17/26

DA recuses office in deputy's domestic violence case

Putnam County District Attorney Robert Tendy has recused himself and his office from prosecuting a Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy charged in an alleged domestic violence incident involving his wife, a county legislator. Deputy... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 3/17/26

Traffic stop leads to drug, weapon charges

A Bethel, Conn. man was arrested on multiple drug and weapon charges after a traffic stop on Bryant Pond Road last weekend, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Brian Hess said deputies assigned to the department’s... more

3/12/26

TJ Deacon leads an information session at the library on Fable Farms' plans to come to Mahopac.

Farm plan still alive in Mahopac

The dream of bringing a working farm, food hub and market to Mahopac is still alive. Despite a series of setbacks, a plan to establish the operation on the site of the former Mahopac Farm property west of Route 6 near the... more

BY BOB DUMAS | 3/11/26

Mahopac students to be honored for community service

Three Mahopac High School students will be recognized for their commitment to community service when the Putnam County Youth Bureau and Putnam County Youth Board host their 41st annual Youth Awards Dinner next month. Kevin Behrendt,... more

3/9/26

Putnam deputy suspended after domestic violence arrest

Putnam County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Osika has been suspended following a Feb. 21 arrest for alleged domestic violence. The 10-year department veteran and vice president of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Police Benevolent Association is married to Putnam County Legislator Erin Crowley of Mahopac. more

BY EMILE MENASCHÉ | 2/26/26