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After years of planning, construction began over the summer on the nearly $40 million project that will replace the decaying Crane Road Bridge on the Bronx River Parkway. The 34-month venture will lead to various lane and exit closures until its completion in spring 2015. Residents were hesitant about being thrown into another construction project with the Popham Road bridge work more than a year past due, and aired their concerns to village officials and workers involved in the reconstruction.
A former Scarsdale High School guidance counselor and dean of students was indicted as a customer in a prostitution and money laundering operation by the New York Attorney General. He was one of three “johns” charged with numerous counts of patronizing a prostitute, possession of a controlled substance and hindering prosecution, a class E felony.
Westchester County Budget Controversy
The December vote on the county budget got messy when a “bi-partisan coalition” of seven Republican legislators and two Democratic defectors voted and passed their own version of the budget after the chairman attempted to adjourn a special meeting of the Board of Legislators. County Executive Rob Astorino signed the coalition’s budget later that day. Democrats argued that it was not legally passed, yet the Republicans contend that it is now law.
Our Lady Of Fatima School In Danger Of Closing
The parochial school was named as one of 26 schools in the state that are in danger of being shut down by the archdiocese due to financial, demographic and population concerns. Parents, students and faculty members came together for a rally and will try to preserve the school by writing letters and hosting several fundraisers in the new year.
Increased Bridge Strikes On County Parkways
Truck drivers, many of which were using GPS devices designed for passenger vehicles, not tractor-trailers, struck 62 county overpasses in 2012, the most in five years. Despite increased signage, wayward trucks continue to make their way onto county parkways. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) urged the U.S. Department of Transportation in September to regulate GPS devices for all truck drivers.
AirTran Leaves Westchester County Airport
The Westchester County Airport was the subject of many headlines in 2012. Geese struck a JetBlue plane in April, AirTran Airways left the airport in August and Hurricane Sandy forced all activity to be shut down at the end of October.
Scarsdale Student Presumed Dead In Hawaii
Tyler Madoff, a Scarsdale High School junior, was presumed dead a few weeks after he was washed into the ocean July 4 during a hiking and kayaking trip. His parents filed a wrongful death suit against the company, Bold Earth Teen Adventures, seeking punitive damages for negligence and infliction of emotion distress. The guide, Hawaii Pack and Paddle, has subsequently had its permit to operate tours in the area revoked.
Capitol Theatre Reopens
In September, the Capitol Theatre returned, bringing big names and revitalization to Port Chester. More than 40 shows have been presented since, including big-ticket names such as The Roots, Bob Weir and The Rascals.
Hurricane Sandy
One of the worst natural disasters to ever hit the East Coast struck Scarsdale hard. Powerful winds uprooted trees and downed power lines, causing residents to go without power for nearly two weeks. The storm caused a gasoline shortage, which led to lengthy lines at the pump. Police resources had to be diverted to deal with traffic buildup from the shortage and intersections where traffic lights were dark.
Bestiality In Rye
A former Rye building superintendent was accused of breaking into an apartment and engaging in sexual acts with a Labrador retriever puppy in February. In October, he pleaded guilty to the charges and will be sentenced on Jan. 13.
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