Part 3 of our look back at 2025 highlights an officer’s calm response after a stabbing, standout athletic accolades, protests and praise at an event for Rep. Lawler, and changes at both local school boards.
A 26-year-old Yorktown man was arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder following an alleged stabbing outside BJ’s Wholesale Club on Father’s Day morning. Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble praised Officer Curtin’s response, saying he “arrived on scene quickly, took immediate action consistent with department training and guidelines, and was able to convince the suspect to drop the weapon,” allowing the arrest to be made without incident. The victim was expected to recover.
Several local athletes got major attention this year.
In February, Lakeland field hockey standout Gabby Santini, who has previously been recognized as a third-team All-American, was named the Max Field Hockey 2024 New York State Player of the Year.
“It feels amazing to have won such a big award and I am extremely honored,” said Santini, a senior captain who was a center midfielder for Lakeland. “I would not have been able to do it without my parents, coach (Sharon Sarsen) and my team.”
Lakeland graduate Anthony Frobose was selected by the Mets in the Major League Baseball Draft on July 14, going in the ninth round with the 283rd overall pick.
“Being drafted by the Mets has been a dream come true,” said Frobose, a shortstop and right-handed pitcher. “Being born and raised in New York and being able to get drafted to a New York team is just surreal. I am so fortunate to be in this amazing organization.”
Meanwhile, 2020 Lakeland grad Landon Ruggieri was invited to Giants minicamp in August. As a student athlete at Bryant University, Ruggieri was named to the Associated Press All-America Second Team, becoming the sixth player in Bryant history to be named AP All-American.
Supporters and opponents packed Yorktown Town Hall on Aug. 1 as Rep. Mike Lawler (R) promoted his role in raising the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, with the crowd competing with cheers and boos. Fellow Republican Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman defended the legislation—dubbed the Big Beautiful Bill by President Trump—saying the changes represent “real money” for working families. But several Yorktown residents who were there to protest pushed back. Longtime Yorktowner Jeanne Pollock said she attended because she was “very disappointed, fed up,” and didn’t believe Lawler represented constituents who oppose the bill.
Longtime Yorktown School Board member Jackie Carbone, who served as board president for 18 years and as a trustee for two decades, announced her resignation at the Sept. 15 board meeting.
“I’ve seen changes over the last 20 years, and so this is quite difficult,” Carbone said. “I have officially given my resignation to the district clerk. Between my health problems and some current housing issues that I’m going through, I think it’s time that I move away.”
In November, Jacquelyn Guarino, a mother of two children in the district, was appointed to complete Carbone’s term after two other candidates failed to win approval.
Earlier in the summer, Lakeland School Board member Bryan Hoben resigned, declining to offer a reason. He was replaced by longtime educator Amanda Franco, who was appointed in October.
The fourth and final chapter of your 2025 Year-in-Review will drop on Dec. 31.
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