Fog/Mist 62°

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

News
Expanded Cancer Treatment Center Rising At White Plains Hospital Expanded Cancer Treatment Center Rising At White Plains Hospital
Expanded Cancer Treatment Center Rising At White Plains Hospital WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Doctors, nurses, patients and Mayor Tom Roach signed a steel beam on Wednesday to mark a milestone in the construction of a new six-story cancer building at White Plains Hospital. The expanded cancer treatment center at East Post Road and Longview Avenue is set to open next fall. Louise Kuklis of New Rochelle tried to choke back tears as she thanked hospital staff for saving her life from metastatic colon cancer five years ago. "I am grateful for the professional and caring treatment given by these nurses -- I love them so dearly,'' Kuklis said. "They watch over yo…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Business
Larchmont's Voracious Reader Bookstore Wins James Patterson Grant Larchmont's Voracious Reader Bookstore Wins James Patterson Grant
Larchmont's Voracious Reader Bookstore Wins James Patterson Grant LARCHMONT, N.Y. -- The Voracious Reader has been picked as one of 81 lucky independent bookstores nationwide to share a $473,000 grant from bestselling author James Patterson. In September 2013, Patterson pledged to give away $1 million to bookstores with dedicated children's sections. This week's grants mark the third installment on that pledge.  Store owner Francine Lucidon said she was thrilled by the news, which she called a timely infusion of cash into her 8-year-old store at 1997 Palmer Ave.  The Voracious Reader hosts a Teen Night and weekly story hours for younger children. C…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Arrest Of 'Bicycle Bandit' Ends Rash Of 15 Robberies In Westchester Arrest Of 'Bicycle Bandit' Ends Rash Of 15 Robberies In Westchester
Arrest Of 'Bicycle Bandit' Ends Rash Of 15 Robberies In Westchester WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Banks, gas stations and convenience stores were struck by a flurry of armed robberies this fall in Westchester and Putnam counties. Several of the highest profile cases were closed by arrests in Rye, Eastchester and in Dutchess County, where the so-called "bicycle bandit" confessed Thursday to 15 robberies in four counties. Those armed robberies included seven gas stations and stores in Peekskill, Ossining, Mount Kisco, Scarsdale and Eastchester in Westchester County as well as Deli Land in Kent, Putnam County. Bernard Kilkenny, 34, of Wappinger, N.Y., was arraigne…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Lifestyle
Menorahs On Car Rooftops? Mamaroneck Holds Hanukkah Parade Menorahs On Car Rooftops? Mamaroneck Holds Hanukkah Parade
Menorahs On Car Rooftops? Mamaroneck Holds Hanukkah Parade WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Just when we thought we'd seen it all, Chabad of Larchmont & Mamaroneck and Chabad-Lubavitch of Yonkers rolled out independent announcements promoting "first ever" menorah car parades in Westchester. The Larchmont/Mamaroneck Chabad's "one-of-a-kind event'' is set for Sunday Dec. 21. Chabad will provide menorahs for anyone who wants to join the parade, led by luxury cars from local auto dealerships. Pre-registration is required.  The Westchester Jewish Council and Chabad-Lubavitch, meanwhile, plan a grand menorah parade, featuring 15 preregistered cars, at…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Neighbors
Chabad Of Larchmont & Mamaroneck Sponsor Children's Hanukkah Workshop Chabad Of Larchmont & Mamaroneck Sponsor Children's Hanukkah Workshop
Chabad Of Larchmont & Mamaroneck Sponsor Children's Hanukkah Workshop LARCHMONT, N.Y. -- Dozens of local children got into the Hanukkah spirit on Sunday, Dec. 14, by making homemade menorahs from wood using supplies and advice donated by The Home Depot's store in New Rochelle. The menorah-making event was organized by several Chabad centers in Westchester. Parents joined children in designing and crafting colorful wooden menorahs. A Facebook photo album of Sunday's Hanukkah workshop can be viewed here: In addition to Home Depot, the event was sponsored by Alef Bet Preschool, Chabad of Larchmont & Mamaroneck, Chabad of Pelham, Chabad of Scarsdale and C…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Sports
Soccer Goal Safety Bill Rooted In Rye Brook Signed Into State Law Soccer Goal Safety Bill Rooted In Rye Brook Signed Into State Law
Soccer Goal Safety Bill Rooted In Rye Brook Signed Into State Law RYE, N.Y. -- Legislation that got kick-started by a serious soccer accident in Rye Brook has become state law. Assemblyman Steve Otis, D-Rye, announced Monday that his bill mandating new safety guidelines for movable soccer goals was signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday. This lurking danger was all too real for a Rye Brook family whose 8-year-old daughter suffered a crushed femur when a portable soccer goal was blown over in June 2002.  “The surgeon said it was as if a sledgehammer came down on my daughter’s leg with full force,” John Parisi recalled. “If the soccer goal had hit her…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Schools
Rye Parents Seek Safety Improvements Near Osborn Elementary School Rye Parents Seek Safety Improvements Near Osborn Elementary School
Rye Parents Seek Safety Improvements Near Osborn Elementary School This story has been updated. RYE, N.Y. -- Parents whose children attend Osborn Elementary School say it's time to revisit plans to upgrade intersections near the school on Boston Post Road (Route 1). They say an already busy road with inadequate road markings and chaotic intersections only gets more dangerous in foul weather and during early dismissals, which coincided on Tuesday. To make matters worse, adults sometimes cross Boston Post Road, with children in tow, between parked and moving cars, as observed by the Daily Voice on Thursday. About 3 p.m., at least six adults crossed…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
News
County Legislators Move To Ban Toxic Toys, Children's Clothing, Jewelry County Legislators Move To Ban Toxic Toys, Children's Clothing, Jewelry
County Legislators Move To Ban Toxic Toys, Children's Clothing, Jewelry This story has been updated. WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Antimony, cadmium, cobalt, lead and mercury. These were some of the toxins found recently during a test on children's toys, jewelry and clothing, prompting county legislators to propose a ban to be enforced by the Westchester County Health Department. At a Wednesday news conference, a dozen popular products typically manufactured overseas were displayed by legislators. They included a Hot Wheels gift set, Lego Legends of Chima keychain, Fisher Price Thomas & Friends train and Superman penlight. Jackets from The Children's Plac…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
News
Port Chester Family Grieves Father, Son Who Died Two Weeks Apart Port Chester Family Grieves Father, Son Who Died Two Weeks Apart
Port Chester Family Grieves Father, Son Who Died Two Weeks Apart PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- A Port Chester family is grieving the loss of a father and son who died within two weeks of one another. An education fund has been set up for the 2-year-old daughter of Roberto Presta, 36, who died Sunday, Dec. 7, after many months battling gastric cancer.  Presta's 70-year-old father, Luigi, died of complications from surgery on Nov. 21. Robert Presta of Valhalla grew up in Port Chester. He is survived by his wife, Danielle DiBello Presta, and a daughter, Emily, both of Valhalla. Presta worked for Broadview Networks in Rye Brook as director of pricing and s…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Purchase Fire Commissioner Is Re-Elected To Five-Year Term Purchase Fire Commissioner Is Re-Elected To Five-Year Term
Purchase Fire Commissioner Is Re-Elected To Five-Year Term This story has been updated. HARRISON, N.Y. -- There was one candidate for fire commissioner at the Purchase Fire Department on Tuesday. He ran unopposed. Commissioner Albert Mignone was re-elected to a five-year term beginning Jan. 1. The annual election took place from 6-9 p.m. at the firehouse at 614 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase. All residents of the Purchase Fire District who are registered to vote with the Westchester County Board of Elections on or before Nov. 17, 2014, were eligible to vote at this election.  

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Prev Page 1094 of 1107 1,092 1,093 1,094 1,095 1,096 Next
10,931 - 10,940 of 11,070 articles