NEW ROCHELLE, NY (February 16, 2026) — The Department of Justice’s release of Jeffrey Epstein-related emails includes the name of former New Rochelle Council Member Barry Fertel who has acknowledged representing Epstein in 2011 in a debt collection case. Fertel was serving as the City Council member for District 5
This briefing draws from reporting at Talk of the Sound, analysis and commentary published in Words in Edgewise, and selected regional coverage. A Note from the Publisher This week across the Sound Shore reflected a recurring pattern in local governance: public safety remains steady but tense, school leadership remains under
DUBLIN, IRELAND (February 13, 2026) — Since I moved from the United States to Ireland on July 4, 2023 (yes, Independence Day), I’ve made it a point to take in as much live music as possible. Since arriving, I’ve found myself in crowds across Ireland — and occasionally beyond — watching
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (February 12, 2026) — Emails contained in the U.S. Department of Justice’s recently released Epstein document archive show that New Rochelle City Council member and longtime local attorney Barry R. Fertel performed private legal work for Jeffrey Epstein in the years following Epstein’s 2008 criminal
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (January 7, 2026) — Seriously — on-call balloons. That is not satire. The City of New Rochelle posted Bid No. 5832, “Spec 5832 – On-Call Balloon Decorating Services,” with bids opened at 3 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2026. The contract has now been awarded. Three vendors submitted bids.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (February 10, 2026) — As a reporter who has covered New Rochelle for years, I’ve seen my share of small issues that reveal bigger problems in how local services operate. A recent reader tip brought one of those issues into sharp focus: a seemingly minor $0.21
DUBLIN, IRELAND (February 8, 2026) — I have been distracted over the past week as the big day approached but finally, on Friday, I became a grandparent. Meet little Frankie. Mother and baby are doing well. I am looking forward to meeting him in two weeks when I travel to the
DUBLIN, IRELAND (February 1, 2026) — Happy St. Brigid’s Day! Imbolc, also known as St Brigid’s Day, is observed today as a traditional Gaelic festival marking the beginning of spring and the feast day of Ireland’s patroness saint, Brigid. The festival falls on February 1 and lies roughly
DUBLIN, IRELAND (January 25, 2026) — I feel like I am missing out with the big storm and all but I do not miss shoveling snow. Be careful everyone. I gave up waiting so filed a Motion for Judgement in my Article 78 about the Bob Young reply to the Flowers
Flowers Park RFP - Bob Young Proposal - FOIL Litigation DUBLIN, IRELAND (January 23, 2026) — In a highly unusual move, New Rochelle City Manager Wilfredo Melendez and Corporation Counsel Dawn Warren have completely ignored my Article 78 (Index Number 77188/2025) filed in Westchester County State Supreme Court seeking Bob
DUBLIN, IRELAND (January 18, 2026) — It’s been a long winter with Notre Dame and the Giants out of the playoffs. At least my Leinster Rugby team is a top seed in their pool in the Investec Champions Cup but as 4th overall they are only guaranteed one home game.
DUBLIN, IRELAND (January 11, 2026) — It is now going on two weeks since New Rochelle was required to respond to my Article 78 about the Bob Young reply to the Flowers Park RFP. I was advised to wait a few more days so I but it’s quite bizarre. Of