WCP_22626

The Westchester County Press Post Office Box 152, White Plains, NY 10602

97 YEARS

VOL. XCVII NO. 9

County Press The Westchester

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WHITE PLANS, NY PERMIT # 5069

“Documenting Our History for the Future.”

ISSN 0043-3373

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2026

MEMBER OF NNPA

Assemblyman Gary Pretlow Honored for 42 Years of Devoted Community Service (Left to right) NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Mrs. Pretlow, Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, and Governor Kathy Hochul.

Digital Copy: www.westchestercountypress.com

2 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, 2026

Westchester County Youth Bureau Attended the Annual Youth Leadership Forum in Albany ALBANY, NY -- The Westchester Youth Bureau, along with local Youth Bureaus from across the County, attended the annual Youth Leadership Forum in Albany– a free interactive leadership and educational conference offered to youth (ages 12 and older) throughtout New York state by the New York Association of Youth Bureaus (ANYSYB).

The forum focuses on teaching young people effective communication skills to become compelling advocates. It offers over 200 youth opportunities to develop skill sets and learning on relevant topics such as civic engagement, social/racial justice and equity, mental health and substance use disorders. during this two-day event, students convened at the Empire State Plaza to participate in seminars and workshops, and then met with their State representatives to advocate for ects. Of the 13 individual programs that are currently funded, 11 programs were slated to have funding maintained funding for key initiatives in the areas or increased in the 2026 Executive Budget. However, students advocated for restoration of $10 million in funding of Youth Development, After School, for Youth Team Sports and $1 million for the Safe Harbor program designed to orotect youth under 18 who are vicYouth Employment, and Capital Proj- tims of, or at-risk for, commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking.

DiNAPOLI: STRONGER OVERSIGHT NEEDED FOR SOCIAL ADULT DAY CARE PROGRAMS

THOMAS P. DiNAPOLI NYS Comptroller

An audit of Social Adult Day Care (SADC) programs found questionable Medicaid payments,

safety risks and compliance problems, according to State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. On Feb. 9, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of two Queens men. They were charged with allegedly defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of $120 million by paying illegal kickbacks and bribes and submitting claims for services that were never provided. DiNapoli’s office had referred its audit findings and worked with law enforcement on the investigation.

“Many vulnerable New Yorkers rely on social adult day care services to help them stay in their own homes and communities. But without stronger oversight from the Department of Health, we risk both the well-being of these individuals and the misuse of taxpayer dollars,” DiNapoli said. “My audit found some providers allegedly abusing the system and committing fraud, and we worked with law enforcement to hold them accountable.

Rooting out waste, fraud and abuse is a top priority of mine. Through our audits, investigations and law enforcement partnerships, we will continue to safeguard these essential programs, push for systemic changes and protect taxpayer funds.”

“Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and through the independent work of the Office of the

State Comptroller and the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, New York State has among the strongest oversight and program integrity systems in the nation. Today’s announcement further reflects the strength of those efforts,” said New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. James McDonald. “This joint effort sends a clear message that the Empire State is committed to rooting out bad actors while ensuring the viability and sustainability of these vital Medicaid and Medicare programs.

The Department remains committed to supporting critical health programs that deliver care to those who need it while also ensuring Medicaid dollars are being utilized efficiently through strong actions to prevent waste, fraud and abuse.”

SADC programs, which provide personal care and other services in a structured setting for adults with chronic illnesses or disabilities, are overseen by the Department of Health (DOH).

Key audit findings: • Questionable Medicaid Payments. Auditors identified $285 million in questionable payments to SADCs for service dates after they were terminated from at least one of the six Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) networks reviewed, including $28.5 million paid to a SADC

ADULT DAY CARE, Cont’d. on page 11

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, ,2026 • 3

Governor Kathy Hochul Recognizes Assemblyman James Gary Pretlow for Outstanding Service to New York ALBANY, NY -- It was an honor to join Governor Kathy Hochul at her reception during the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislators (NYSABPRHAL) Caucus Weekend.

During the event, Assemblyman James Gary Pretlow (D– Mount Vernon) was recognized for an extraordinary 42 years of public service to the people of New York State. Four decades of leadership is a remarkable achievement and a testament to his enduring commitment to his constituents and community.

Throughout his tenure, Assemblyman Pretlow has been a steady, principled, and dedicated voice for Mount Vernon, Yonkers and Westchester County. His work has consistently focused on delivering meaningful results, advocating for working families, and ensuring that the needs of his community remain front and center in Albany.

Congratulations to Assemblyman Pretlow on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for more than four decades of unwavering commitment to public service.

Governor Kathy Hochul presents a plaque for outstanding leadership to Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow.

WCC Foundation to Honor American Women of African Heritage, Inc. with Community Leadership Award at Gala

VALHALLA, NY -- The Westchester Community College Foundation announced that American Women of African Heritage, Inc. (AWAH) will receive the Community Leadership Award at the Foundation’s 2026 Transforming Futures Together Gala, recognizing the organization’s sustained, community-driven work expanding access to education for Black women across Westchester County.

AWAH was founded in the spring of 2001, when five women gathered in the office of the Honorable Lois Bronz, then-President of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, to ask a straightforward but urgent question: How could opportunities for women and girls of African ancestry in Westchester be strengthened in lasting ways? That conversation, led by Toni Cox-Burns, Dr. Mary Lane Cobb, Valerie Somersille, Esq., and Elizabeth “Betty” Scantlebury, laid the foundation for more than two decades of grassroots leadership and action.

Since then, AWAH has built a reputation for doing

the important, consistent work that moves communities forward. Its efforts have included mentoring emerging leaders, creating platforms that honor women of African heritage, promoting authors and artists, celebrating cultural history, and supporting social and educational initiatives.

One of the clearest impacts of their work can be seen at SUNY Westchester Community College, where AWAH’s support has directly translated into student opportunities.

Through its partnership with SUNY WCC and the Foundation, AWAH has invested in scholarships for women who are students at SUNY WCC in two different programs. The Second Chance Scholarships are for students returning to college in pursuit of an associate’s degree after a gap.The Pathways to Workforce Development Scholarships help students pursue short-term certificate programs that align with immediate employment needs, offering practical routes into the workforce.

WCC FOUNDATION, Cont’d. on page 11

DR. BELINDA MILES

4 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, 2026

Civil Rights TV Launches in Selma as the World’s First 24/7 Civil Rights TV Network

PUBLISHER

1986-2009

M. Paul Tells All

By M. Paul Redd, Sr. August 11, 1928 - January 9, 2009

By Larry Witherspoon First Published in the Arizona Informant

COMMENTARY: Our Black History Crisis

By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper Chairman, NNPA Board of Directors

BlackPress USA Stock Photo

SELMA, AL. — Civil Rights TV, the world’s first 24-hour television network dedicated exclusively to civil rights history, education, and future equity, has officially launched on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT. The network debuts from Selma, Alabama — one of the most

The Westchester

County Press

(ISSN 0043-3373) is published weekly on Thursday in White Plains, New York. Copies: 40¢. Yearly Subscription: $25.00, two years: $45.00. National Advertising representative: National Newspaper Publishers Association. Local and national advertising rates on request.

Paper founded August 1, 1928 to serve the County of Westchester, New York.

Sandra T. Blackwell President, Publisher & Editor Carolyn B. Coleman Vice President Alyce T. Coleman Executive Editor Bruce L. Bozeman, Esq. Legal Counsel Celeste Coleman-Housey, Ed.D. Art Director/Managing Editor Editorial & Advertising Offices P.O. Box 152 White Plains, NY 10602

Telephone:(914) 953-2620 Member: National Newspaper Publishers Association

historically significant cities in the American civil rights movement — marking a new chapter in how civil rights stories are preserved, amplified, and carried forward for future generations.

Civil Rights TV operates continuously on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT, offering documentaries, news analysis, live discussions, educational programming, global civil rights coverage, and cultural storytelling.

The channel functions as both a historical archive and a living platform addressing contemporary civil rights challenges.

Civil Rights, Technology, and the AI Era As technology and artificial intelligence increasingly shape access to information, media, and opportunity, Civil Rights TV launches at a moment when access to digital infrastructure itself is emerging as a civil rights issue.

Media fragmentation, misinformation, and uneven access to technology continue to reshape public discourse. While on-demand platforms have expanded individual content access, large-scale live broadcasting still faces challenges related to congestion, latency, and energy consumption.

Civil Rights TV leverages broadcast-efficient OTT architecture designed to reduce bandwidth usage

CIVIL RIGHTS TV,

Cont’d. on page 11

DR. JOHN E. WARREN

As Black History Month draws to a close, Black Americans, in many ways, are being steered backward towards segregation and inequality similar to what followed reconstruction after the Civil War. The attack on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is similar to the “Jim Crow” attitudes, but without the laws that were enacted to enforce them. The efforts to wipe out books, monuments, remove us from historical acknowledgements and recognition, while carrying the Trump label, are being met with little or no resistance by those in positions of authority to speak out and fight back.

As we enter the 2026 Primary season, now is the time to determine what will be our contribution to the Black History we are making today.

Too many of us are still not registered to vote. Too many of us appear detached from the racism the Trump Administration is encouraging. Our silence gives consent. The immigration issue should be of concern to us.

It will not be long before ICE will not care whether you are Somalian or just a Black American, without your passport.

Now the question is where do we go from here? We need to look very closely at how we are spending more than 2 trillion dollars a year as our contribution to the American economy and getting nothing back.

Well, let’s look at how much we are spending with companies like Target and Pepsico, which owns Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell, and the many soft drinks and power drinks produced by this company. Why are we still spending with McDonalds, Popeyes, and Jack in the Box? Are any of them hiring people that look like us? If you know differently please let us know.

And what about the Blacks who have risen to positions of decision making.

Why are so many afraid to do anything for their own when others in their positions do so all the time.

This Saturday is “No Kings Day”, as millions of Americans will take to the streets to protest Donald Trump and his policies. Will we be included? It’s up to each of us. We are still making Black History. Will it be as significant as our past?

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, ,2026 • 5

Predatory lenders target Americans struggling to pay high rent: New report charts the rise and dangers of “Rent Now, Pay Later” loans

By Charlene Crowell

CHARLENE CROWELL

As America’s affordability crisis worsens, predatory lenders now are targeting renters with misleading “rent now pay later” options that extract additional fees every month and heighten the risk of eviction for 109 million renters.

A new investigative report, RENT NOW, PAIN LATER: How “Rent Now, Pay Later Loans” Put Working People at Risk, shares how these lenders are pushing loan products that involve hidden high costs, misleading claims and deceptive practices that push alreadyunderpaid workers further into debt.

Further, the fine print in these loans builds in abuses that deny consumers a legal right to challenge the fraudulent practices or to recover their hard-earned monies.

“These shady financial products—designed to take advantage of desperate renters—appear to involve all kinds of potential lawlessness. Any true affordability agenda must involve taking on the predatory cottage industry sprouting up around our rental market,” said David Seligman, coauthor of the report and executive director of Towards Justice, a nonprofit organization working to achieve economic justice in the

workplace.

According to the report, “Rising rent is driving families into debt and financial predators are exploiting families’ hardship by harvesting junk fees and masking the true cost of credit. Over time, these junk fees and junk products, often with multiple payments, can cost working families thousands of dollars, entrenching a reality where affordability is always just out of reach.”

To evade state-enacted consumer protection laws, these lenders typically partner with banks that are willing to lend out their charters to the highest bidder, a practice also known as “rent-a-bank” agreements.

Once the bank gets its fees for the deception, unsuspecting consumers are then left dealing with standalone companies that charge “membership” fees that disguise interest and fee costs equivalent to 180 percent annual percentage rates.

Many borrowers find that these lenders consistently fail to deliver their advertised services or basic customer support, leaving them facing imminent eviction.

The emergence of this new kind of predatory loan coincides with increasing financial stress experi-

enced by many of today’s families.

According to the National Association of Realtors’ most recent update on rental costs, the average monthly rental cost in the nation’s top 50 metro areas last November was $1,693.

Further, only one in five families in these areas could afford this cost.

Other findings from RENT NOW, PAIN LATER reveal that from 1990 to 2025, the average cost of renting in an American city more than tripled. Updated estimates show that: 1) More than half of renter households spend over 30 percent of their income on housing, affecting 22 million households, or about 55 million people; 2) More than one in four renter households spend over half of their income on housing, affecting more than 12 million households, or about 30 million people; 3) Renter households with incomes of $30,000 or less have only $250 left each month for all other daily living expenses after paying for housing.

Ben Kaufman, a senior fellow with Protect Borrowers (formerly known as the Student Borrower Pro-

tection Center), and the report’s coauthor, said these findings are a call to action.

“With political leadership at the federal level sabotaging consumer protection, it’s critical that state and local lawmakers, policymakers, and law enforcement take action to safeguard Americans from being pushed deeper into debt just from paying their rent,” said Kaufman.

The report recommends several ways federal and state governments can effectively address these practices: • Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials should investigate and prosecute Rent Now, Pay Later firms for violating federal and state consumer protections.

• Prudential regulators (as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) should supervise and, where necessary, enforce federal banking laws against banks engaged in Rent Now, Pay Later lending.

• States should exercise their power under federal law to protect consumers from out-of-state predators; and • Federal and state lawmakers should ban corporate landlords from owning, operating, marketing, and embedding Rent Now, Pay Later products on rent payment platforms.

RENT NOW, PAY LATER, Cont’d. on page 11

6 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, 2026

Unforgettable Evening at the NYS Association of Black Puerto Rican Hispanic Asian Legislators Caucus Gala Photos

An Unforgettable Evening surrounded by leaders who are shaping the future of our state.

The honorees recognized that night represent the very best of public service and community leadership, including NYS Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart Cousins, who was presented with the Shirley Chisholm Award in recognition of her extraordinary leadership and lasting impact. Congratulations to each of you on this well-deserved recognition.

Ken Jenkins

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, ,2026 • 7

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Hosts 44th Annual Breakfast in Albany During Caucus Weekend Photos by Beverley Chang

8 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, 2026

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, ,2026 • 9

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ADULT DAY CARE, Cont’d. from page 2

terminated for cause, which can include fraud, waste or abuse.

• Improper Payments for Services Lacking Documentation. SADCs regularly use member sign-in sheets as proof that services were provided, but at three SADCs, one with two locations in Gravesend and Coney Island, Brooklyn; another in Flushing, Queens; and a third in Freeport, auditors found claims totaling $672,147 that were not supported by this method or any other.

• Certificate of Occupancy Irregularities. SADCs are required to have sufficient space for services and activities and prevent hazards to personal safety. Auditors found multiple issues with occupancy. An SADC in Gravesend that opened in 2018 was issued a violation in June 2022 for not amending a certificate of occupancy from the building’s prior tenant. At an SADC in Flushing with a legal capacity of 323 people, auditors identified 386 dates where it claimed attendance exceeded its capacity. For one day, the SADC submitted claims for services to 530 people, 207 over its legal limit, receiving $47,255 in payments for services provided that single day.

• Noncompliance in Assessments and Service Plans. SADC providers are required to complete an individual assessment of each person’s functional capacities and impairments prior to them being admitted to a program.

Providers must also complete a service plan within 30 days of admission and then annually or if needs change. Auditors reviewed a judgmental sample of 15 members’ files and found incomplete or non-compliant assessments or service plans for 14 of the 15 members. They also found DOH did not review initial assessments or prior service plans during site visits.

DiNapoli’s audit made several recommendations to DOH, including: • Review the $285 million in encounter payments made to SADCs for services provided after termination from an MLTC’s network, and determine an appropriate course of corrective action, including recoveries, prioritizing the $28.5 million paid to providers terminated for cause.

• Enhance monitoring of SADC services, including expanding the documentation reviewed during site visits; establishing uniform recordkeeping requirements to verify people receive services as outlined in their service plans; and using encounter claims data to identify occupancy violations.

• Notify all MLTCs of SADCs that are terminated for cause and ensure proper certificates of occupancy are in place before enrollment.

In its response, DOH officials outlined steps it is taking to address the audit’s findings. The agency’s response can be found in the audit.

Audit Department of Health: Medicaid Program: Oversight of Social Adult Day Care Programs.

WCC FOUNDATION, Cont’d. from page 3

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, ,2026 • 11

Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Location: Tappan Hill Mansion, Tarrytown, NY Hosted by: SUNY Westchester Community College Foundation For more information or to register, please visit Gala 2026 – Westchester Community College Foundation.

CIVIL RIGHTS TV, Cont’d. from page 4

and energy requirements, enabling continuous global distribution without placing added strain on network infrastructure.

Why Civil Rights TV Matters Now?Civil Rights TV is not only a media launch—it is a signal.

The network underscores the importance of preserving civil rights history using the most accurate and comprehensive sources available. For generations, the Black press has maintained some of the deepest and most reliable documentation of the civil rights movement, currents events, news and critical Black history, much of which remains underrepresented in modern digital media archives and inaccessible to artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

As a result, Civil Rights TV will rely heavily on national Black press for news, historical archives and independent voices. Prominent digital news platforms, podcasts, and broadcasters—will play an instrumental role in shaping continuous coverage, historical interpretation, and public discourse.

About Connect2OTT Connect2OTT currently manages more than 250 live 24/7 television and radio channels streaming to audiences in more than 190 countries. Civil Rights TV joins this ecosystem as a flagship channel, designed to foster global conversation while demonstrating how media distribution, energy efficiency, and AI readiness can coexist responsibly.

About Larry Witherspoon Larry Witherspoon is a technology entrepreneur and founder of Phoenix-based Connect2 Technologies, LLC, including Connect2OTT, Connect2AI, and Connect To Your City OTT Platform.

In 2006, Witherspoon launched FaithFone Wireless, the world’s first Christian-owned and operated mobile phone company—years ahead of today’s fintech and mobile banking platforms. As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), FaithFone introduced mobile banking, digital tithing, live television and radio, content downloads, and branded debit- card-based person-to-person payment functionality before mobile commerce was widely understood by major telecom and financial institutions.

“AWAH’s support reaches students at critical moments,” said Dr. Belin- RENT NOW, PAY LATER, Cont’d from page 5 da S. Miles, President of SUNY Westchester Community College. “It helps “As costs continue to rise across the economy and a growing share of women of African ancestry stay enrolled, complete their programs, and move families are unable to afford basic necessities, the regulation of Rent Now, forward with confidence.”

Pay Later loans must be a priority for government law officials at the state For many recipients, that support has meant the difference between post- and local levels—particularly those able to fairly and aggressively enforce poning education indefinitely and taking a concrete next step. By backing the law without fear or favor,” concludes the report. both degree pathways and targeted credentials, AWAH has helped ensure that returning to school leads to tangible, sustainable progress.

Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible “For 16 years, we have had a meaningful collaboration with SUNY West- Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org. chester Community College by providing scholarships that have allowed students to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities the college has to of- CALENDAR, Cont’d. from page 14 fer,” said Gloria Welcome, President, American Women of African Heritage, ing online at https://www.meetings.westchestergov.com This faith Inc. “It means a lot to our members to have our partnership recognized at this year’s Transforming Futures Together Gala, and we are looking forward to and family focused event is presented by the Alzheimer’s Association-Hudson Valley Chapter (alz.org/hudsonvalley), Delta Research celebrating on April 29!”

AWAH will be formally recognized at the Foundation’s 2026 Transform- and Educational Foundation, Inc. (deltafoundation.net), Westchester ing Futures Together Gala, the Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (dst-wac.org), supporting scholarships, emergency assistance, and student success initia- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Inc.tives at SUNY Westchester Community College. The evening will also honor White Plains/Greenburgh Branch (wpgbnaacporg.wordpress.com), the late Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey with the Public Service Award and and the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.-Hudson Valley SecDeCicco & Sons with the Corporate Citizenship Award. tion (ncnwhvs.org).

12 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, 2026

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The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, ,2026 • 13

Peekskill Residents “Dine & Dialogue” With City Police Photos by Beverley Chang

Former Peekskill City Schools Board Chairman Michael Simpkins makea a point with Police Chief.

Peekskill City Councilwoman Beverley Chang (center) enjoys a light moment with two City residents.

On Tuesday, February 24, Peekskill residents gathered for a “Dine & Dialogue” community event hosted by the City of Peekskill Police Department at the Peekskill Senior Citizen Center on Nelson Avenue. The evening provided a casual, sit-down dinner where community members and police officers could talk openly, build relationships, and discuss local concerns in a relaxed setting.

The event was organized by the Peekskill Police Department in partnership with local community partners, including Peekskill Community Hub, the Human Rights Commission, the Peekskill NAACP, the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and the Northern Westchester Mobile Crisis Response Team, reflecting a collaborative effort to strengthen community-police connections and encourage constructive dialogue.

Participation was free, though attendees were asked to register in advance due to limited seating.

The goal of the dinner was to create a direct, personal conversation between residents and law enforcement outside of formal protocols or emergencies.

14 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, 2026

Community Calendar

CALENDAR SUBMISSION: Please use a brief paragraph to describe your event. The paragraph should include event name, date(s), time, location and contact information. Send calendar information via email to westchestercountypress@yahoo.com. Please type “CALENDAR EVENT” in the subject bar.

Sunday, Feb. 1 thru Saturday, Feb. 28

and Lorraine Hansberry (posthu- our co sponsors; American Founmously). dation for Suicide Prevention, Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Black History Month Exhibit Saturday, Feb. 28 NAMI Westchester and NAACP “The Harlem Renaissance on The public is invited to participate Peekskill Branch.

View” at the New Rochelle Public in a transformative gathering— Library (NRPl). The Lincoln Park Soul Shop for Black Church- Tuesday, March 3 Conservancy celebrates the Har- es, hosted at Mt Olivet Baptist Westchester County Planning lem Renaissance, an extraordi- Church in Peekskill on Saturday, Board will meet on Tuesday, nary era of African American ar- February 28, 2026. Soul Shop is a March 3 at 9:00 a.m., in Confertistic and intellectual excellence. nationally recognized movement ence Room 420, 148 Martine Spanning the 1920s and 30s, this equipping faith and community Avenue, White Plains, New York movement—originally inspired leaders to engage suicide preven- 10601. Members of the public

by Alain Locke’s The New Ne- tion from a place of hope, spiri- may view this meeting online at: gro—transformed American cul- tual care, and connection. This meetings.westchestergov.com ture through music, literature, and specialized workshop is designed Tuesday, March 3 political activism. Explore the for clergy, ministry leaders, lay The New York Fathering Conspirit of pride and identity birthed leaders, and anyone called to walk ference Committee, in partnerin the heart of Harlem.Opening alongside others in times of strug- ship with Grandpas United and Reception: Thursday, February gle. Together, we’ll explore prac- the White Plains Youth Bureau, tical tools, spiritual frameworks, will host former Major League 19, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 pm. and community-based strategies Baseball great Darryl Strawberry Friday, Feb. 27 to support mental health, reduce At 9:00 AM, Congressman George stigma, and foster resilience. Why for a virtual Coffee with GrandLatimer to Host Small Business This Matters Now? Many of our pas presentation titled “Fathers, and Tariff Roundtable focused on congregations and communities Faith and Baseball” on Tuesday, the impacts of the Trump Admin- are facing unprecedented mental March 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The istration’s tariff policy on small health challenges. As leaders, we program will be held virtually. To business. Members of the media are uniquely positioned to culti- register, please call Sam Scafidi at interested in joining in person are vate spaces of compassion, dia- 914-422-1378. asked to RSVP by emailing Rich. logue, and healing. This training Friday, March 6 Orsillo@mail.house.gov. Addi- provides the language, resources, Westchester County Transportational information will be pro- and confidence needed to rec- tion Board will meet on Friday, vided upon request. Congressman ognize and respond to those at March 6 at 9 a.m., at the DepartLatimer will be joined by educa- risk—and to build cultures of pre- ment of Public Works & Transportors, legal experts, small business vention grounded in faith and dig- tation, 148 Martine Ave., White owners, and local stakeholders. nity. Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM Plains, NY – 5th Floor Room 527 The event will be held in The Lit- (Continental Breakfast & lunch Members of the public may view tle Theater at Westchester County provided) Cost: FREE. Registra- this meeting online at meetings.

Center. Contact: Rich.Orsillo@ tion: Whether you are seeking westchestergov.com. To make mail.house.gov Doors Open: 9:00 to deepen your ministry’s sup- public comments remotely please AM. Program Starts: 9:30 AM. port for mental health or want to e-mail har9@WestchesterCounbuild new partnerships around tyNY.gov for instructions in adFriday, February 27 Join the County Executive Ken suicide prevention, Soul Shop of- vance of the meeting.

Jenkins and the leaders of West- fers a sacred space to begin. Your Saturday, March 7 chester County Government on presence will be a powerful part Please join Bethel Baptist Friday, Feb. 27th, at 5:30 p.m. of this collective commitment to Church of White Plains, NY at in the Little Theater at the West- healing and hope. Please reach its “3rd Annual Empowerment chester County Center, 198 Cen- out to Pat White for further infor- Brunch.” This event will take tral Avenue, White Plains, in cel- mation pwhite1220@gmail.com. place 12:00-4:00 pm at the Harriebration of Black History Month Please feel free to forward this son Meadows Country Club. The and our 2026 Trailblazers Award announcement to your network. Ticket cost is $90.00 for Adults recipients. Ronald Rosado Adad With gratitude and appreciation to and $45.00 for children. Honorees

are Deaconess Janice RichardsonRichburg (First Baptist Church)), Reverend Cynthia D. Dorsey (Union Baptist Church) and Sister Marie Houston (Calvary Baptist Church).. In addition, there will be a Silent Auction and Hat Fashion show for your enjoyment.

Tickets can be obtained by contacting the church office at (914) 949-2792. Bethel Baptist Church is located at 1 Fisher Court White Plains, NY, where Rev. Dr. Edward O. Williamson is the Pastor.

Tuesday, March 17

Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 17 at 4:00 p.m.in Cassella Conference Room 420, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, New York 10601.

Members of the public may view this meeting online at: meetings. westchestergov.com

Tuesday, March 17

Westchester County Independent Office of Assigned Counsel Board of Directors Meeting on Tuesday, March 17 at 4:30 PM, 235 Main Street, Suite 540, White Plains, NY 10601. Members of the public may view this meeting online at: meetings.westchestergov.com

Wednesday, March 18

Historic Preservation Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m., in Conference Room 420, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, New York 10601. Members of the public may view this meeting online at: meetings.westchestergov.com

Thursday, March 19

Westchester County Board of Health Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 19 at 8:30 a.m.at the Westchester County Health Department Office, 11 Martine Ave., 12th Floor, White Plains, New York 10606. Members of the public may view this meet-

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, ,2026 • 15

State of the Union Address Highlights Economic and Security Agenda; Rep. Al Green Ejected After Protest

By WCP Staff Writer WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tonight, President Donald J. Trump delivered his 2026 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, presenting an expansive agenda as the nation approaches the midterm elections.

The address, which set a record for length, focused heavily on the administration’s claims of economic progress, national security, and future policy goals.

In his remarks, President Trump touted accomplishments including claimed job and economic growth, assertions of historically low inflation, strengthened border security, and robust national defense initiatives. He reiterated priorities on immigration enforcement, tax policy, and federal investment strategies aimed at enhancing American competitiveness. Supporters in the chamber applauded the president’s emphasis on domestic achievements and international leadership.

However, the evening also drew intense attention for a moment of protest early in the address. U.S. Representative Al Green (D-Texas) was escorted out of the House chamber just minutes after the president began speaking.

Green stood and displayed a handwritten sign reading “Black people aren’t apes!” — a direct response to a controversial video previously shared on President Trump’s social media platform that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as primates before being deleted amid bipartisan condem- chamber. The sign and subsequent ejection drew immediate reactions on both sides of the political aisle, nation. highlighting deep partisan divisions and sparking debate about decorum, race, and political protest in the nation’s capital.

Green’s act marked the second consecutive year he was removed Despite the disruption, President Trump continued his remarks, underscoring his administration’s agenfrom the State of the Union ad- da heading into 2026 and framing his proposals as beneficial for all Americans. The address and the protest dress for refusing to sit and main- will almost certainly shape political conversations and campaigning in the weeks ahead as lawmakers and taining a protest message in the communities nationwide react to both the substance of the speech and the public display of dissent.

16 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, FEBRUARY 26, 2026