CELEBRATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AUGUST 2ND

THANK YOU ED RIELY FOR THE HEADS-UP

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs this weekend will honor 49 Veterans of the Revolutionary War who are interred or memorialized in VA national cemeteries or VA-administered soldiers lots in private cemeteries, as part of the yearlong effort to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.

While Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress July 4, 1776, most delegates signed it on Aug. 2, 1776. To mark that event, ceremonies will commence at 10 a.m. local time, Aug. 2, 2026, at 16 sites across the country--READ AND SEE MORE AT VA honors Revolutionary War Veterans interred in national cemeteries in support of America’s 250th anniversaryVA honors Revolutionary War Veterans interred in national cemeteries in support of America’s 250th anniversary

CROTON'S BRAVEST OPERATE AT BRIARCLIFF 2ND ALARM FIRE

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.



The following news item has been posted on CFD:
By CFD News Team
July 29, 2026
Posted By: Deputy Chief John Munson

Following a night of fairly strong thunderstorms and heavy rain, which included a few local emergency responses, the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department, along with Millwood FD, were dispatched to the reported Structure Fire in Briarcliff Manor just after 5:30 AM Wednesday. Car 2083 and Engine 119 with eight members turned out as the initial FASTeam. MORE AT Croton's Bravest Operate at Briarcliff 2nd Alarm Fire

Posted By: Deputy Chief John Munson

THANK YOU TO ALL THE CREWS THAT RESPONDED - BELLA MAIYA DAY SPA DAMAGED BY FIRE

Crews from the Briarcliff Manor, Croton-on-Hudson, Chappaqua, Millwood, Ossining, Pleasantville, Pocantico Hills, Port Chester, and Thornwood fire departments all responded to the blaze. According to Croton firefighters, crews worked on both floors to extinguish the flames while opening walls and ceilings to check for hidden fire extension. MORE AT Briarcliff's Bella Maiya Day Spa Damaged By Fire | Daily Voice

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR...

The latest Croton Crafts and Commerce news (with a smattering of other local events too), then visit the CROTON CRAFTS AND COMMERCE FB PAGE. It's a public page and you needn't be on FB to view the content. Often updated in real time too! Go to Croton Crafts and Commerce | Facebook

And the Croton Crafts and Commerce page has news about The Blue Pig (RE-OPENED!) Melita's, MEXTOGO, Devotion Studio, Croton River Artisans Gallery, YUKA'S LATIN FUSION, Feed the Birds, 105-Twenty, Franki's, THE CROTON GRILLE, LA CATRINA, Robbin's, Apple Farm, BAKED BY SUSAN, MEXTOGO, Croton Mini Deli, Deprez, ShopRite, The Tavern at Croton Landing, MONDAYS GIFTS, Raga, Matters, BARRE ON HUDSON, FRANZOSO CONTRACTING, and more.

NYS HOMES AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL ANNOUNCES FIRST HOUSING ACCELERATION IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY---WHITE PLAINS, A PRO-HOUSING COMMUNITY

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas today announced that the first project under its Housing Acceleration Fund has closed on construction financing. North White Plains, a $178 million mixed-use transit-oriented development in Westchester County and located directly across from the North White Plains Metro-North Station, will feature 296 mixed-income apartments, retail, and publicly-accessible open space. The Housing Acceleration Fund is an innovative program launched last year which provides self-sustaining loans to shovel-ready housing projects. READ MORE AT New York State Homes and Community Renewal Announces First Housing Acceleration Fund Project to Start in Westchester County | Homes and Community Renewal

TO THOSE WHO HAVE ASKED; YES WHITE PLAINS IS A DESIGNATED PRO-HOUSING COMMUNITY

TRENDING ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS FINE DRYING-OUT THURSDAY

Many of us are not on social media but we often get to hear about it...and are sometimes sent screenshots.....

WE HAVEN'T DONE ONE OF THESE IN A WHILE.....needed to pull out the canoe, lol.

POST-STORM cleanup is done on many streets here--and we turn our attention to.....

Bots bots bots everywhere a bot---it is what it is.

That being said, we've gotten adept at avoiding much of this---and the email delete key gets quite the workout. Here's what's currently trending on local social media with lively responses and at least what we think is worth your time--and ours---in no particular order:

*****FAUCI: PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY----let it suffice to say.  And hoping for justice. There will no doubt be more today. We'll stick with articles and avoid the chatter---which understandably segues into the four-letter world. Check out Tom Faranda's folly at Fauci takes the 5th 111 times. – Tom Faranda's Folly

*****MAMDANI: the less we say here the better. The petition to ban the mayor now stands at well over 52,000 as of this afternoon.  Many family members and friends of the dead have also posted comments at the petition site; some are thoughtful, others are strident, and more than a few are truly sad.  Be forewarned. As for social media, no comment. 

Here's the petition info---again be forewarned----EverythingCroton: THE PETITION OPPOSING MAMDANI'S PRESENCE AT THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9-11 HAS NOW REACHED OVER 21,000 SIGNATURES AS OF OVERNIGHT 7/28

OH and one brave woman in case you missed it EverythingCroton: "EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND" STAR--BRAVE WOMAN--BACKS CALLS TO BAN MAMDANI FROM 9/11 ANNIVERSARY

*****LOTS OF CHATTER ABOUT THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING THE OTHER NIGHT---and displeasure that the brave souls who ventured into the storm had no opportunity to speak.  It's a road some of us have been down before----But staying on the current topic, there's a write-up from the new Croton.News site at EverythingCroton: FROM THE CROTON.NEWS SITE--49 APARTMENTS, 31 QUESTIONS: PLANNING BOARD OPENS ITS REVIEW OF 425 S. RIVERSIDE; we heard the Gazette was there as well so we will probably see more on Thursday. Next meeting is 8/11.

There's some downright funny--sometimes painful----and clever--memes, cartoons and new names for the situation that you'll have no trouble finding on your own--though it very much depends on the page and the sensibilities of the administrator. But most folks are just having difficulty with this new version of Croton particularly those living in Harmon.

*****THE CONTINUED DECLINE OF PEEKSKILL---bandied about enough on social media that the writers at the Peekskill Herald took notice. You can see one article at EverythingCroton: TRENDING ON PEEKSKILL SOCIAL MEDIA---GLEASONS AND BIRDSALL HOUSE CLOSURES AND THE PRECARIOUS STATE OF BUSINESSES IN PEEKSKILL

To see the rest of the chatter---sign up on one of their numerous Peekskill fb pages: More business closures--despite all the new "multi family housing"--folks refusing to visit due to congestion, parking, and other issues best to discover on your own.

*****Lots of chatter all of a sudden about Karmelo Anthony again; all we know is that an appeal was filed back in June; skipping the rest of it.  Overall, "experts" describe the appeal as possible but difficult....This article from the Post keeps popping up about the judge: How no-nonsense judge in Karmelo Anthony’s racially charged murder case made sure trial was ironclad

*****A LOT OF CHATTER ABOUT ACTBLUE; we'll just go with this article for now as a lot of the comments seem to be bot driven, ANONYMOUS, AND JUST in basic denial mode. But this one is simply astonishing and finally getting picked up by other news outlets EverythingCroton: IN THE NEWS---MORE ACTBLUE FRAUD

THE RAIN TOTALS -- HISTORIC STORM SHATTERS NEW YORK RAINFALL RECORD

See more at Rain Totals: Historic Storm Shatters New York Rainfall Record

FROM CROTON'S TOM FARANDA'S FOLLY----FAUCI TAKES THE 5TH 111 TIMES

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.



Since he’d received a broad pardon for his past malfeasance this was a smart strategy. But wow does it look bad.

Here are some prior posts I’d put up on the Fauci issue. GO TO Fauci takes the 5th 111 times. – Tom Faranda's Folly

CROWD-SOURCING A REQUEST FOR SOME ACTUAL HARD DATA

A reader asks:

Do you know how to look up what percentage of our tax base should be commercial vs residential? The news site says 11.4% is commercial in Croton. 72% residential. I think we have too much residential, not enough commercial. In any case, I'd appreciate the help and confirmation of the numbers.

Response: We had this data from back in the day when residents brought the Article 78 against the village's massive rezoning of the Harmon area for housing. Let it suffice to say it is no longer available. If anyone can assist, please email or comment---or post on social media. (We'll hear about it eventually, smile. Stay tuned for the latest YADA YADA YADA later.)

LIVE LINKS--HAD TIME---HERE YOU GO--INFO INCOMINF VIA GOOGLE AI PLS DO YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE

Understanding the Commercial vs. Residential Ratio

There is no single "magic number" or mandated ideal ratio for a local tax base. Municipalities vary widely by layout, zoning, and geography, but urban planners generally look for the following dynamics: [1, 2]

• The "Ideal" Balanced Target: Urban planners and public finance experts often point to a 70% residential to 30% commercial/industrial ratio as an ideal benchmark for a sustainable suburban community.
• The Benefit of Commercial Base: Commercial properties are highly desirable tax sources because they generate significant revenue without placing a corresponding demand on the local school district—historically the largest portion of a homeowner’s tax bill. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• The Croton Context: As a bedroom community primarily zoned for single-family homes, Croton naturally experiences a structural tilt toward residential properties. This means a much higher proportion of the overall tax levy is carried directly by local homeowners. [1, 2, 3, 4]

ST. AUGUSTINE 49TH FESTIVAL RAFFLE WINNERS

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

ST. AUGUSTINE 49TH FESTIVAL RAFFLE WINNERS

CLICK ON THE IMAGE.  CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!!!!!

"EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND" STAR--BRAVE WOMAN--BACKS CALLS TO BAN MAMDANI FROM 9/11 ANNIVERSARY

 

FYI--THE PETITION NOW STANDS AT OVER 48,000 SIGNATURES as OF 7/30; MORE AT Petition · Please sign to support honoring the memory of those lost on September 11th with dignity. - United States · Change.org

AND HERE IS THE ARTICLE: Actress Patricia Heaton, who was in New York City during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, joined families of the victims in calling for Mayor Zohran Mamdani to be banned from the 25th anniversary at Ground Zero. MORE AT Patricia Heaton joins effort to ban Mamdani from 9/11 anniversary ceremony

MYMSMERMAID LIFE ON TIKTOK

Some news: MYMSMERMAID LIFE IS ON TIKTOK; we did not know! MyMSMermaidLife (@mymsmermaidlife) | TikTok

MAY 1963--PATENT TRADER--BY SPECIAL REQUEST--748 BOYS ATTEND CAMPOREE

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

A reader has fond memories of attending a BOY SCOUT CAMPOREE at Maryknoll "early 60's" and wonders if the blog has anything.

Response: Just this from MAY 1963, PATENT TRADER. Click on the image. The Croton Historical Society may have more.

FROM THE NEW CROTON.NEWS SITE--SOME DATA--"CROTON BY THE NUMBERS"---A DEEP DIVE

This should be useful in the months ahead for future "affordable/pro-housing" initiatives---(100 "affordable" units coming to Lot A, 49 "rentals" near Shoprite, future PILOTS, ETC.)  Many thanks to RED PAPYRUS for the heads-up

PLEASE NOTE: AI-DRIVEN

FOR A VERY DEEP DIVE, go to

Croton by the Numbers — Croton-on-Hudson, NY