Putnam County - Halston Media Group

One of the issues that the Health Department continues to focus on is access to healthcare.

Putnam’s Community Health Improvement Plan is complete

After nearly six months of preparation and discussions with community members, a plan to improve the health of Putnam County residents has been completed. It was posted on the health department... more

7/24/26

Architect Joel Greenberg, and Suzanne Brought, executive director of the Putnam County Housing Corporation, address the Planning Board.

Affordable housing project cleared to move on to ZBA

A proposal to convert the Putnam Housing Corp.'s former Carmel offices into three affordable, handicapped-accessible apartments cleared its latest hurdle before the Planning Board last week, but not before applicants faced pointed questioning and... more

7/20/26

Canadian wildfire smoke prompts air quality advisory for Putnam County

Smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires is expected to continue affecting the Lower Hudson Valley through Thursday, prompting state officials to issue an Air Quality Health Advisory for Putnam County and surrounding areas. The New York State... more

7/15/26

Triple-digit heat is expected this week.

Mahopac, Reed libraries to serve as cooling centers

The Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services is advising residents to take precautions as dangerously hot and humid conditions are expected across the region through Wednesday evening. Heat index values are expected to exceed 100... more

BY THE PUTNAM COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE

PRESS RELEASE | 7/14/26

Blue-green algae has been appearing in local waterbodies this summer.

Sycamore, Secor beaches among those closed due to harmful algae

MAHOPAC, N.Y.—Beaches at Sycamore Park (Long Pond) and Lake Secor are among nine beaches recently ordered closed by the Putnam County Department of Health due to harmful algae blooms. On its website, the health department listed the beaches and... more

EMILE MENASCHÉ

Editor | 7/13/26

Under the approved plan, the county will use the $2.147 million in ARPA funding for countywide road paving projects.&nbsp;

Putnam redirects ARPA funds to roads while preserving mental health investment

Putnam County will redirect approximately $2.15 million in remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from a previously planned stabilization center in Carmel to county road improvement projects while continuing to fund future... more

7/10/26

A large boulder crashed through the windshield of a vehicle on the Taconic State Parkway at the Carmel-Putnam Valley town line.

Boulder crashes through windshield on Taconic, injures driver

A Putnam Valley man escaped serious injury Wednesday after a large boulder crashed through the windshield of his vehicle on the Taconic State Parkway at the Carmel-Putnam Valley town line. According to New York State Police, the crash occurred at... more

BY BOB DUMAS | 7/10/26

Supervisor Cazzari is calling on New York City's DEP to keep its promise and help preserve Carmel's Revolutionary War Era home known as the Beldon House.

Cazzari presses DEP to honor 20-year-old promise to restore Belden House

Calling it a matter of "public trust," Carmel Supervisor Mike Cazzari is demanding that New York City finally make good on a two-decade-old promise to restore the historic Thomas Belden House, a Revolutionary War-era landmark that has fallen into... more

BY BOB DUMAS | 7/5/26

Putnam County DPW crew members stand on a crosswalk newly painted in patriotic colors on Route 6N in Mahopac Falls.

Putnam crosswalks get a patriotic makeover

Putnam County has found a very down-to-earth way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday by giving a patriotic paint job to several crosswalks on county roads, including Secor Road near the intersection with Route 6N. In a Facebook post, the county... more

BY EMILE MENASCHÉ | 7/3/26

Photos and video: ‘Putnam County Heroes: Battle the Redcoats’ reenactment brings the Revolution home

The battlefield was littered with smiles as reenactors transformed Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel into an 18th-century military encampment during the county’s “Putnam County Heroes: Battle the Redcoats” event on June 6. Soldiers dressed in... more

Media by Emrin LeClair and Brian Vangor

Contributing Photographers | 7/2/26

The sign outside Flory Kaye's tells the story.

Brewster Theater Co. moves closer to new Carmel home

The Brewster Theater Company took another step in its effort to establish a permanent home in Carmel Hamlet the June 24 Planning Board meeting, with town officials expressing continued support for the project while... more

BY BOB DUMAS | 6/26/26

Visitors to the fair will be able to experience history through reenactments and interactive activities designed for all ages.

Putnam Fair to celebrate county's Revolutionary roots

History and hometown tradition will take center stage when the Putnam County Fair & 4-H Showcase returns to Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel July 25-26, combining family entertainment, agricultural exhibits and a special tribute to the... more

6/23/26

A second chance for Carmel’s Belden House

Perched on a hillside overlooking the West Branch Reservoir, Belden House has stood for more than 260 years, surviving the American Revolution, the Civil War and the creation of New York City's vast watershed system. Whether the stately... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 6/20/26

Santos Vasquez-Ramirez is led from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department following his arraignment in December. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is scheduled to be sentenced in August.

Pawling man pleads guilty to killing Brewster cabdriver, dumping body in Croton Falls Reservoir

A Pawling man in the U.S. illegally may spend the rest of his life behind bars after admitting to killing Brewster-based cabdriver Aurélio Zhunio-Orbez and dumping his body in the Croton Falls Reservoir in December. In a June 18 press release,... more

BY EMILE MENASCHÉ

Editor | 6/19/26

Frank Lombardi and Tanner McCracken face off in the Republican primary for County Legislature. Early voting is underway ahead of Primary Day on June 23.

Lombardi takes on McCracken in GOP primary

With early voting already underway ahead of primary day on June 23, Mahopac Republicans have a choice to make as Carmel GOP-endorsed Town Councilman Frank Lombardi faces Board of Education Trustee Tanner McCracken. We asked both candidates to... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 6/17/26

Former Rep. Maloney endorses Conley in NY-17 race

Former U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney has endorsed Democratic candidate Cait Conley in the race for New York’s 17th Congressional District, her campaign... more

Press Release | 6/16/26

From left, Executive. Director Stefanie Hubert, Commissioner of Planning Barbara Barosa, Director of Real Property Trish McLoughlin, Agricultural Board Chair Nicole Scott, County Executive Kevin Byrne

New Agricultural Board chair to help guide Putnam farming initiatives

Putnam County's agricultural community has a new leader as Nicole Scott, director of Agriculture and Outreach at Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, takes the helm of the Putnam County Agricultural Board amid ongoing county investments... more

6/16/26

The new unit will focus its efforts on problem areas identified through citizen complaints and deputy observations.

Sheriff's new Traffic Safety Unit to target reckless driving

Residents concerned about speeding, aggressive drivers and other traffic hazards on Putnam County roads now have a dedicated unit focused on addressing those complaints. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office recently launched a new Traffic... more

BY BOB DUMAS | 6/15/26

Foodborne illnesses peak during the summer months as more people prepare and eat meals outdoors.

Putnam health officials warn summer meals can bring hidden risks

With backyard barbecues, picnics and camping trips in full swing, the Putnam County Department of Health is reminding residents that warm-weather dining can increase the risk of foodborne illness if food is not handled properly. According... more

6/14/26

State Sen. Harckham speaks to veterans at VFW Carmel Post 1374.

Harckham highlights vet initiatives at Carmel VFW

More than 50 veterans gathered at Carmel VFW Post 1374 on Tuesday, June 9, for a Veterans Advisory Council meeting hosted by state Sen. Pete Harckham, where discussion focused on state funding, veterans benefits and services available to former... more

6/12/26