Jon Craig

Reporter

jon.craig@dailyvoice.com

Pleasantville native Jon Craig is special editor for the Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange and Dutchess Daily Voice sites. He is also the primary reporter for Daily Voice Plus Politics in Westchester and Fairfield.

Jon graduated from Cornell University and received his master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. Across a 35-year career, he's worked as a reporter for daily newspapers in Chicago, New York, Ohio & Washington, D.C and as managing editor for weekly newspapers in Rye, White Plains and Harrison.

Jon also writes periodically for the Cornell Chronicle.

Career Highlights:

  • Covered Metro-North train wreck that killed a motorist and five commuters, 2015
  • Researched state investigative project for PublicIntegrity.org, 2011-12
  • National MADD award for database analysis of repeat drunk drivers in Ohio, 2008.
  • Henry F. Guggenheim Fellow, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 2010.
  • Sentenced to jail for protecting confidential sources (won on appeal), 1999.
  • Broke 30th anniversary story about Kent State shootings — using FBI records, resurrecting theory a student informant triggered fatal National Guard volley, May 2000.
  • Covered Ground Zero after Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks.
  • Uncovered voting problems before & during presidential recount in Ohio, 2004.
  • Witnessed botched Death Row execution of Romell Broom in 2009, one of more than a dozen I covered; Wrote about three inmates whose death sentences were commuted to life without parole.
  • Won IRE, SDX and multiple national & state awards for series led by Erik Kriss investigating New York General Assembly. 1994.
  • Guest lecturer at universities in NY & Ohio. Taught Syracuse high school journalism class.
  • Co-authored IRE-award winning series on illegal restraints/beatings at juvenile detention centers. Gov. Mario Cuomo had NY inspector general confirm what Hart Seely and I found at Division for Youth & fired top directors, 1993.
  • Survived Air Force Kool School training at North Pole, 1996.
  • Covered Persian Gulf wars, including 2002 bomb missions from Turkey and stateside Army/Air Guard training. 1991.
  • Supervised overnight coverage of Pan Am Flight 103 after Libyan bomb killed 35 Syracuse University students over Lockerbie, Scotland, 1988.
  • Covered aftermath of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s fatal plane crash from Cape Cod, 1999.
  • Greeted Kurt Vonnegut Jr. as Cornell Sun sports editor during daily's 100th anniversary dinner in May 1980. 

Jon Craig's Contributions

St. Patrick's Cathedral Mass Set For Harrison Sergeant, NYPD Detective St. Patrick's Cathedral Mass Set For Harrison Sergeant, NYPD Detective
St. Patrick's Cathedral Mass Set For Harrison Sergeant, Nypd Detective HARRISON, N.Y. -- One of the largest military and police officer's funerals in recent memory is set for Wednesday at St. Patrick's Cathedral for Tech. Sgt Joseph G. Lemm, 45, of West Harrison. Lemm, a New York Police Department detective the past 16 years was killed a week ago by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. Another member of Lemm's security squadron from Stewart Air National Guard Base in Orange County and four Air Force officers also died in the Dec. 21 attack. Wednesday's 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and the Rev. Chr…
St. Patrick's Cathedral Mass Set For Harrison Sergeant, NYPD Detective St. Patrick's Cathedral Mass Set For Harrison Sergeant, NYPD Detective
St. Patrick's Cathedral Mass Set For Harrison Sergeant, Nypd Detective This story has been updated. HARRISON, N.Y. -- One of the largest military and police officer's funerals in recent memory is set for Wednesday at St. Patrick's Cathedral for Tech. Sgt Joseph G. Lemm, 45, of West Harrison. Lemm, a New York Police Department detective the past 16 years was killed a week ago by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. Another member of Lemm's security squadron from Stewart Air National Guard Base in Orange County and four Air Force officers also died in the Dec. 21 attack.  Wednesday's 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop…
Mass For Westchester Sergeant, NYPD Officer Will Be Held At St. Patrick's Mass For Westchester Sergeant, NYPD Officer Will Be Held At St. Patrick's
Mass For Westchester Sergeant, Nypd Officer Will Be Held At St. Patrick's This story has been updated. HARRISON, N.Y. -- One of the largest military and police officer's funerals in recent memory is set for Wednesday at St. Patrick's Cathedral for Tech. Sgt Joseph G. Lemm, 45, of West Harrison. Lemm, a New York Police Department detective the past 16 years was killed a week ago by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. Another member of Lemm's security squadron from Stewart Air National Guard Base in Orange County and four Air Force officers also died in the Dec. 21 attack.  Wednesday's 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop…
Poll: What Was The Biggest News Story In Dutchess This Year? Poll: What Was The Biggest News Story In Dutchess This Year?
Poll: What Was The Biggest News Story In Dutchess This Year? DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. - With the year 2016 just days away, Daily Voice is looking back at some of the top stories that influenced Dutchess County residents in 2015. Coinciding with the launch of Daily Voice into Dutchess County in November, city and county elections brought a wave of change this fall. While the Dutchess County Legislature lost its longtime chairman at the end of 2015, the City of Poughkeepsie gains a new mayor after city voters elected Ron Rolison on Nov. 3. Rolison has been representing Poughkeepsie aa county legislator since 2003. He was elected its chairman in 2010 and h…
National Guard Leaders Extend Praise, Condolences To Lost Squadron Members National Guard Leaders Extend Praise, Condolences To Lost Squadron Members
National Guard Leaders Extend Praise, Condolences To Lost Squadron Members NEWBURGH, N.Y. -- The state's Adjutant General and top officers from the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Orange County offered their condolences and highest praise this week following the deaths Monday of Air National Guard members from Westchester County and Long Island. "The New York National Guard family extends our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Tech. Sgt. Joseph Lemm and Staff Sgt. Louis Bonacasa, as well as the Airmen who served with them," Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York, said in a press statement. "…
Heroin Awareness Rally In Dutchess County Called 'A Great Event' Heroin Awareness Rally In Dutchess County Called 'A Great Event'
Heroin Awareness Rally In Dutchess County Called 'A Great Event' POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- More than 50 people gathered in downtown Poughkeepsie on Saturday evening to raise awareness about the widening epidemic of heroin addition and its associated impact on families. Among the speakers were Poughkeepsie Mayor-Elect Rob Rolinson, state Sen. Sue Serino of Hyde Park and Pat Rosa, who started “Forget me not cupcakes." Volunteers and others brought food, clothing, blankets and other supplies for those in need. Anthony Eack of Hopewell Juncition, who helped organize Saturday's rally, said, "Many in recovery came by. It was cold and windy and we left …
Rebuild NY Now Raises Awareness About Infrastructure In Dutchess County Rebuild NY Now Raises Awareness About Infrastructure In Dutchess County
Rebuild NY Now Raises Awareness About Infrastructure In Dutchess County PLEASANT VALLEY, N.Y. -- Rebuild NY Now, a broad-based coalition seeking to raise public awareness about New York State's infrastructure needs, held a press conference on Monday co-hosted by Sen. Sue Serino. They were joined at County Bridge PV-15, North Avenue, which passes over Shallow Stream in Pleasant Valley, by Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and other local elected officials, members of organized labor, Chambers of Commerce and private local businesses. Among the speakers were Ross Pepe, a member of Rebuild NY Now and president of the Construction Industry Council of Westches…
Visiting Nurses Distribute Holiday Gift Baskets To Patients Visiting Nurses Distribute Holiday Gift Baskets To Patients
Visiting Nurses Distribute Holiday Gift Baskets To Patients WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- As a longstanding holiday tradition at VNS Westchester, nursing teams once again donated gifts and non-perishable items for gift baskets that they are distributing this week to patients and families in need. Seven overflowing baskets will be delivered before Christmas, according to Joyce Infante, development director for the White Plains-based visiting nurses. In addition, VNS Westchester's mental health team is providing $20 gift cards for 15 patients to use at their local grocery stores. Gift baskets also were provided to two employees at a VNS affiliate, Westcheste…
Dutchess County Rabbis Issue Holiday Statement Against Islamophobia Dutchess County Rabbis Issue Holiday Statement Against Islamophobia
Dutchess County Rabbis Issue Holiday Statement Against Islamophobia DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. -- Nine rabbis living and serving diverse institutions in Dutchess County released a statement this week encouraging harmony and friendship among all people and religions. " This is the first time in a long while that we have come together to make a common statement on current events," said Rabbi Neal Joseph Loevinger, chaplain at Vassar Brothers Hospital. (Loevinger told Daily Voice he was speaking as an individual and not on behalf of his employer.) Their statement on Islamophobia reads, in part: "Our history teaches us that no good can come of excludi…
Steer For Student Athletes Inspired By National Speaker At Holiday Dinner Steer For Student Athletes Inspired By National Speaker At Holiday Dinner
Steer For Student Athletes Inspired By National Speaker At Holiday Dinner RYE BROOK, N.Y. -- Steer For Student Athletes, a not-for-profit organization, held its third annual holiday dinner at the Hilton Westchester last week.  The Rye Brook event was attended by more than 100 people including staff, board members, founding and potential donors, friends of the organization as well as Steer’s 21 student-athletes and their families.  The evening's festivities were led by Steer Coordinator Byron Womack and Co-chairman Mike Eck. Lloyd Campbell, currently a consultant for Spencer Stuart, a global executive search firm, was keynote speaker. Nationally-recognized for h…
10,371 - 10,380 of 11,069 articles