Fog/Mist 63°

Jon Craig

Reporter

jon.craig@dailyvoice.com

FOLLOW ON

Facebook Twitter Linkedin

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

Schools
Westlake High School Valedictorian Encourages 'Acts Of Kindness' Westlake High School Valedictorian Encourages 'Acts Of Kindness'
Westlake High School Valedictorian Encourages 'Acts Of Kindness' THORNWOOD, N.Y. -- During Friday's commencement exercises at Westlake High School, Class of 2015 Valedictorian Katie Cullen said one of the most rewarding life lessons she learned "is to help others whenever possible." One doesn't have to organize a blood drive, she said, even though that's a great service project, "It can be much simpler, like holding a door for someone, inviting someone to sit with you, or just being a friend when someone needs you,'' Cullen said. "It might not seem like a big deal,'' Cullen said, "but a small act of kindness can really impact a person’s life, or a…

SHARE

by Daily Voice
Schools
Harrison High Grads 'Are Braver Than You Believe, Smarter Than You Think' Harrison High Grads 'Are Braver Than You Believe, Smarter Than You Think'
Harrison High Grads 'Are Braver Than You Believe, Smarter Than You Think' PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Harrison's Class of 2015 was reminded Friday night that it received the best education tax dollars can buy, but that the high school seniors proved they are worth it. Superintendent Louis N. Wool cited a litany of academic, curriculum and physical improvements since he came to the Harrison Central School District. Quoting Harrison High Principal Steven Siciliano, Wool said, "In our community, all means all. . . .In those 13 years, a lot has changed." In 2003, 68 percent of Harrison students received state Regents diplomas. On Friday, Wool said, 97 percent did. When he …

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Schools
Blind Brook Grad Recounts Confusion Of Living In Rye Brook, Near Rye Neck Blind Brook Grad Recounts Confusion Of Living In Rye Brook, Near Rye Neck
Blind Brook Grad Recounts Confusion Of Living In Rye Brook, Near Rye Neck PURCHASE, N.Y -- Blind Brook High School graduates and their families enjoyed the lighter, creative side of their classmates during 41st commencement exercises. Senior Cole Bauer wrote a song about growing up in his "small town." Other past and present graduates kept the audience entertained with humor at SUNY Purchase's Performing Arts Center. "Doesn't 2002 seem like yesterday when you were dropping loved ones off at kindergarten?" Blind Brook High Principal Patricia Lambert asked. "And now begins the next chapter in their lives." Senior Sarah Nuckel provoked non-stop laughter and r…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Schools
Rye Neck's 101 Graduates Encouraged To Take Risks, Be Brave Rye Neck's 101 Graduates Encouraged To Take Risks, Be Brave
Rye Neck's 101 Graduates Encouraged To Take Risks, Be Brave MAMARONECK, N.Y. -- Rye Neck High School sent 101 new graduates out into the world on Thursday, and they were urged to take risks, enjoy life and be nice to others. Superintendent of Schools Peter Mustich told the Class of 2015 to enjoy everything, be persistent, be joyful, learn to laugh at themselves and most of all, enjoy life each day. High School Principal Barbara Ferraro reminded the seniors, "In the end, our hearts must be in the right place. . . .Just being nice is often so underrated." "You are well-prepared,'' Ferraro said. "You may make a difference in the 21st-century wor…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Neighbors
Harrison Pet Rescue, Changing Lives 'Four Paws At A Time' Again On Sunday Harrison Pet Rescue, Changing Lives 'Four Paws At A Time' Again On Sunday
Harrison Pet Rescue, Changing Lives 'Four Paws At A Time' Again On Sunday This story has been updated. HARRISON, N.Y. -- Harrison Pet Rescue is busier than normal this month, so it's holding an unexpected "dog and puppy meet and greet" on Sunday at 7 Harrison Ave. near the Harrison-Mamaroneck border. Three weeks ago, Pet Rescue credited Daily Voice readers with adopting more than half of the 46 dogs -- including 25 puppies -- that the Harrison shelter rescued from a "high kill" shelter in the south, according to Caroline Walker, a volunteer at the non-profit agency. The latest round of adopted hounds is so new that many haven't been named yet, Walker said:…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
News
Dan Rather Touches On Variety Of Topics During Talk At Manhattanville Dan Rather Touches On Variety Of Topics During Talk At Manhattanville
Dan Rather Touches On Variety Of Topics During Talk At Manhattanville PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Former "CBS Evening News" anchor Dan Rather covered a wide range of topics during a talk at Manhattanville College on Wednesday, speaking candidly about his life in journalism, the future of America and race relations. The 83-year-old Rather piqued the audience's interest reflecting on the story that got him fired from CBS: His campaign coverage of former President George W. Bush's unexplained year's absence from Air National Guard service, which also spared Bush from combat duty in Vietnam. Bottom line, Rather said, "We reported a true story. The facts were true." …

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Schools
Mamaroneck Baseball Players Who Missed School Prom Catch Dance Of Their Own Mamaroneck Baseball Players Who Missed School Prom Catch Dance Of Their Own
Mamaroneck Baseball Players Who Missed School Prom Catch Dance Of Their Own MAMARONECK, N.Y. -- After the Tigers' varsity baseball team missed the Mamaroneck High School prom en route to a Class AA State Championship, Coach Mike Chiapparelli had another winning idea: Reward players and prospective dates with a dance of their own. On Tuesday, the eve before graduation, 68 students attended the "Chappy Prom" at the American Legion building in Larchmont. Parents of lucky couples took photos at the home baseball diamond as coaches pitched box meals, boutonnieres and corsages. Then, the joyous throng boarded a roomy bus provided by the New York Yankees to the dance …

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Lifestyle
White Plains Hospital Father-Son Team Defines 'Family Medicine' White Plains Hospital Father-Son Team Defines 'Family Medicine'
White Plains Hospital Father-Son Team Defines 'Family Medicine' WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- For one Westchester family, medicine has become the "family business." Rather than discouraging his sons -- Kaare and Philip -- from following in the footsteps of his busy, demanding profession, Purchase resident Dr. Carl Weber, a general surgeon, inspired them to become surgeons, too. About 10 years ago, Philip joined his father at White Plains Hospital’s surgical practice. In 2011, Kaare left Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City to join his brother and father in White Plains. (See him discuss his move in this video; a link to a video chat with Philip is he…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Neighbors
Harrison Singer In Competition For Journey Concert's Opening Act Harrison Singer In Competition For Journey Concert's Opening Act
Harrison Singer In Competition For Journey Concert's Opening Act HARRISON, N.Y. -- Sydney Lauren Friedman, a songwriter from Harrison, is looking for votes to land a gig as the warm-up singer for Journey on July 4. The lifelong Harrison resident currently attends Berklee College of Music. Friedman attended Harrison schools through her freshman year before attending the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, where she graduated in 2012. She performs by the stage name Sydney Lauren. As many as 50,000 people are expected to attend the Independence Day concert at the Stadium of Fire in Provo, Utah. "I am in the top 10 and we are currently voting for the to…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Tractor-Trailer Gets Stuck Under Rye Railroad Overpass Tractor-Trailer Gets Stuck Under Rye Railroad Overpass
Tractor-Trailer Gets Stuck Under Rye Railroad Overpass This story has been updated. RYE, N.Y. -- A tractor-trailer carrying large wooden crates got stuck under the Metro-North railroad bridge that passes over Purchase Street in the City of Rye on Monday. The accident, which occurred about 2 p.m., snarled traffic, and required two massive tow trucks to remove the truck's cab and trailer, as well as the cargo. No one was hurt, but the rooftops of the truck and the trailer both were damaged by the railroad overpass, which is marked with a small white sign noting the height limit of 10-feet 7-inches. A second yellow warning sign appears a…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Prev Page 1063 of 1107 1,061 1,062 1,063 1,064 1,065 Next
10,621 - 10,630 of 11,070 articles