Putnam County - Halston Media Group

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

Ignition interlock devices require drivers to provide a breath sample before starting a vehicle. If alcohol is detected, the vehicle will not start.&nbsp;

Putnam joins DWI interlock enforcement initiative

Putnam County law enforcement agencies and the county Probation Department have launched a summer enforcement initiative targeting convicted drunk drivers who violate New York’s ignition interlock requirements. The program, funded through... more

6/10/26

Highlights of the tour include a new perspective of Ludington’s midnight run, which rallied militia after the burning of nearby Danbury.&nbsp;

Interactive driving tour brings Revolutionary history to life across Putnam

Putnam County Tourism has launched a free drivable audio tour as part of its Revolutionary 250 celebration, The Revolutionary Road to Putnam County, which is narrated by Putnam County philanthropist George Carroll Whipple... more

6/9/26

Kinash named Putnam deputy commissioner of Emergency Services

Veteran firefighter, instructor and public servant Drew Kinash has been appointed deputy commissioner of the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services. The appointment, effective June 8, places Kinash in the bureau's second-highest... more

6/8/26

Brewster Theater Company board member Ben Kistinger gestures hopefully outside the former Florie Kaye’s Tea Room, which could soon become BTC’s new permanent home.

Brewster Theater Company eyes new home in Carmel

A vacant former tearoom in Carmel Hamlet could soon be transformed into a live performance venue as the Brewster Theater Company seeks approval to relocate its community theater operations. The proposal, which came before the Planning... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 6/2/26

The theater will reopen June 5 under the name Box Office Cinemas.

Movies expected to return to Carmel Cinema under new name

After sitting dark for more than a year, the movie theater at the Carmel ShopRite Plaza is set to reopen Friday, June 5, under new management as Box Office Cinemas. Putnam County Legislator Brett Yarris, who has been involved in efforts to... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 6/1/26

Putnam Pride returns to Carmel for 7th annual celebration

Music, marching bands, drag performers and dozens of vendors will fill Carmel Hamlet on June 13 as Putnam Pride hosts its seventh annual Pride Celebration, a daylong event that organizers say continues to grow in both size and visibility across... more

5/28/26

Carmel drug dealer gets life for murder

Dwayne Pulliam, a Carmel drug dealer convicted of murdering one of his customers and burying her body in North Carolina, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to life in prison, according to the Putnam County DA’s Office. Pulliam, also... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 5/27/26

The location near Sodom Reservoir off Old Milltown Road in Southeast where the birds were discovered

Fourth bird mutilation case found in Putnam

The grisly discovery of decapitated birds along the shoreline of a Southeast reservoir over the weekend has intensified concerns among investigators who believe a string of animal mutilation cases across Putnam County may be connected and possibly... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 5/25/26

Veterans carry the colors during the 2025 Mahopac Memorial Day Parade.

How Mahopac and surrounding communities will honor the fallen

Mahopac’s Memorial Day parade and ceremonies will take place Monday, May 25. The Mahopac VFW and American Legion will step off at 10:30 a.m. from Clark Place, followed by a ceremony at the monument near CVS. Afterward, Mahopac VFW will hold a... more

By Halston Media Staff | 5/22/26

New scholarships launched for Putnam County seniors

The Brian Hess Scholarship Fund has launched a new scholarship program that will award financial assistance to graduating seniors at each of Putnam County’s five high schools. The scholarship fund will provide a $500 award... more

5/21/26

Putnam County’s 2025 community health assessment shows a three-year decline in the rate of children being tested for lead.

Putnam Health Dept.: Lead testing rates for children declining

Lead exposure is dangerous for children because it often presents no early symptoms while causing serious health problems. Even low levels of lead in a child’s blood can result in learning disabilities, developmental delays, and permanent brain... more

5/18/26

Marianne Chaluisan at the ceremony with Assemblyman Matt Slater

Mahopac’s Marianne Chaluisan named Woman of Distinction

When community members in Mahopac need help — whether it is food drives during a pandemic, support for police officers, or simply information about what is happening around town — local officials say Marianne Chaluisan is often among the first to... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 5/15/26

The County Legislature split its vote 4-4 on the Taxpayer Transparency Act causing the measure to fail.

Putnam lawmakers split over livestreaming mandate, measure fails

The Putnam County Legislature earlier this month rejected a proposal that would have required livestreaming of all public meetings — including legislative sessions and public hearings held by the county executive — while also codifying the... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 5/12/26

Putnam joins pilot program to combat domestic violence

Putnam County has been selected as one of five counties in New York to participate in a new state pilot program aimed at improving responses to domestic violence cases and increasing protections for survivors. Putnam County District... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 5/11/26

From left, Superintendent Michael Plotkin, School Board Vice President John Curzio, and Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs Kenneth Silver discuss the Carmel school budget with the Town Board.

Carmel schools tout ‘historic’ tax rate cut in proposed budget

Representatives from the Carmel Central School District appeared before the Carmel Town Board Wednesday night, May 6, to promote the district’s proposed 2026-27 budget, highlighting what officials called a “historic” reduction in the school tax... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 5/10/26

Deputy sees one charge dropped in domestic violence case

A Putnam County deputy sheriff saw one of two criminal charges dismissed in his domestic violence case earlier this month while a separate assault charge remains pending, according to courtroom reporting and prior case records. During... more

BY BOB DUMAS

Editor-at-Large | 5/10/26

Vaccinating pets against rabies protects both animals and humans from this deadly disease.

Putnam Health Dept.: Rabies exposure rises in the spring

Spring is a busy time for the rabies staff at the Putnam County Department of Health. With people and their pets spending more time outdoors, their chance of encountering the deadly rabies virus increases. Bats return to the area, and... more

5/9/26

GOP, D’Angelo clash over McCracken signatures

An internal dispute among GOP leadership and two young members of local committees is headed to court this month after the Carmel and Putnam County Republican Committees initiated disciplinary procedures against two of its members, Dan Dudek and... more

BY EMILE MENASCHÉ

Editor | 5/7/26