On today’s episode, host Brett Freeman welcomes back our Halston Media newspaper editors: Brian Marschhauser, editor of Yorktown News; Tom Walogorsky, editor of North Salem News and The Somers Record; and Bob Dumas, editor of Mahopac News. They join the podcast to discuss the week’s biggest local headlines, beginning with an update on marijuana dispensaries in Yorktown. Marschhauser explains that despite the town board voting to opt out of marijuana dispensaries, there was a local petition to overturn this decision, which has since shifted focus elsewhere. Walogorsky and Dumas also talk about their local Board of Education meetings regarding masks for students and faculty for the upcoming school year, with Freeman offering his perspective as a parent. Finally, Marschhauser, Walogorsky, and Dumas conclude today’s roundup with the most notable stories happening in their respective towns this week, as well as what they’ve got percolating for next time, and share the positive feedback they’re received from readers who appreciate the hyper-local focus of our publications.
Episode Highlights:
- Three editors from the Halston Media team join the show today to discuss current news and headlines
- Brian Marschhauser, editor of Yorktown News; Tom Walogorsky, editor of North Salem News and The Somers Record; and Bob Dumas, editor of Mahopac News
- Marschhauser begins with an update on marijuana dispensaries in Yorktown, and a local petition to overturn the town board's vote to opt out
- There may be other northern Westchester communities who are more open to this possibility - potentially Bedford, Newcastle and Peekskill
- Recreational dispensaries will probably show up first in facilities that are currently offering medicinal marijuana
- There was huge interest in Bob Dumas’ podcast episode about his marijuana arrest
- Walogorsky provides an update on the latest Somers Board of Education meeting regarding masks for students and faculty for the upcoming school year
- At least one person had to be removed from the meeting by the police department
- Dumas shares what happened at a similar Board of Education meeting in Mahopac
- One parent was frustrated that remote learning is not being offered for students who do not want to wear a mask at school
- We are fast approaching the beginning of the school year and big decisions have yet to be made
- Freeman shares his perspective as a parent
- Marschhauser talks about the abrupt closure of a winery at St. George, which operated in Mohegan Lake on Route 6 for over ten years
- Readers appreciate the hyper-local focus of our papers
- North Salem story about four of nine siblings who were all pregnant at the same time during the pandemic
- Freeman warns listeners about a scam targeting Halston Media
- Dumas gives an update on an ongoing issue regarding a county police patrol boat being pulled off of Lake Mahopac
Quotes
“This is a town board that is vehemently opposed to this - they voted 5-0 to opt out. They made it very clear they do not want dispensaries in...
