NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The Mets open their season in 84 days, but already former general manager Zack Scott has won a big victory. A judge in White Plains found Scott not guilty on all criminal charges stemming from an August DWI arrest. Attorney Bruce Bendish said police bodycam video convinced the judge that Scott was not intoxicated or impaired. The charge prompted the Mets to fire Scott. “He has a good reputation in the baseball community. He’s well respected. So, I’m very confident that after hearing this verdict he’ll be able to start again his career,” Bendish said. In a statement, Sco ..read more

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — There was a holiday sendoff for students in Mount Vernon, one of the first districts in New York to announce all-remote instruction after the end-of-year break. Students won’t be back in person until at least Jan. 18. “I want to go back in person,” one student told CBS2’s Tony Aiello. “You like in person?” Aiello asked. “Yeah, because I see my friends there,” the student said. Dr. Kenneth Hamilton runs the district with 8,000 students. “We have over 110 active cases right now and they’re just increasing day after day,” Hamilton said. “We decided that this was ..read more

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — During the holiday season, the mission for some is making sure every child has a gift to open. Finding toys for kids is easy, but older kids and teenagers may feel left out. Officials in Westchester County are making sure that doesn’t happen. The most popular toy drive gift is the stuffed animal for kids up to 7, but the Westchester Department of Social Services’ gift drive covers kids all the way to age 18. “We see people in the worst times of their life. I wanted one day where you got something from the county and social services and it wasn’t so negative ..read more

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — New York Mets Acting General Manager Zack Scott was arraigned on a DWI charge in White Plains City Court on Thursday. The team placed Scott on administrative leave until further notice. The Mets have placed Zack Scott on administrative leave until further notice. Mets Team President Sandy Alderson will be assuming Zack’s responsibilities. — New York Mets (@Mets) September 2, 2021 Police found Scott, 44, asleep behind the wheel of his car that was stopped at a light on South Lexington Avenue at 4:17 a.m. on Aug. 31, the Westchester County District Attorn ..read more

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A parking “app-palooza” is frustrating drivers in Westchester County. They have to download different apps to pay for parking in neighboring communities, CBS2’s Tony Aiello reported. New Rochelle uses ParkMobile. Peekskill uses Park Smarter. Other municipalities use Pango, Passport or PayByPhone. Drivers who want the convenience of paying for parking with a smartphone app face the irritating task of downloading a half dozen apps to use across the county. “They should all be the same, in every community. We use every community,” one person told Aiello. New Rochelle and M ..read more

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — On the road to reopening, President Joe Biden’s administration is urging America’s schools to hit the gas pedal, and reopen to the safest extent possible. On Thursday, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited Westchester County, where one district has seen 90% of its elementary students return to five-day a week in-person learning, CBS2’s Tony Aiello reported. COVID VACCINE New York State book online here or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX New York City book online here or call 877-VAX-4NYC Track NYC vaccinations by zip code Nassau County&n ..read more

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — A Westchester man turned his taste for travel and appetite for the unusual into a growing business. His store offers exotic examples of familiar products, CBS2’s Tony Aiello reported Friday. There are green matcha ice cream Oreos from China and Skittles imported from Russia, too, at the newly-opened 914 Exotics in White Plains. (credit: CBS2) “Right here is the cookie section. M&M biscuits from Australia, Hershey’s from Korea, Cadburys from the U.K,” owner Philip Quiroz said while giving Aiello a tour. You can experience tasty treats from dozens of count ..read more

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Flexibility is the keyword as New York school districts plan graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2021. State guidance includes nine pages of restrictions, rules and regulations that superintendents know could change before June, CBS2’s Tony Aiello reported Thursday. There’s a semblance of normalcy at White Plains High School. Seventy-five percent of students are back four days a week and seniors will graduate in June, live and in-person. “I think it’s important for our students to have this live graduation. They’ve had such a tough two years,” said Principa ..read more

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Rapper and actor DMX died Friday after suffering a heart attack and being put on life support. The 50-year-old was surrounded by family in his final days at White Plains Hospital, CBS2’s Jenna DeAngelis reported. A statement from the family said DMX, whose birth name is Earl Simmons, died at the hospital “with his family by his side after being placed on life support for the past few days.” “Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him,” the statement continued. “Earl ..read more

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — President Joe Biden on Thursday called gun violence in America, “a blemish on our national character,” as he announced new gun control measures. Advocates in our area say more can be done, but not without help from Congress, CBS2’s Tony Aiello reported. The crowd in White Plains stood at a monument to a heroic man shot dead in 1968. Among them was a mother who was touched by gun violence more recently. “It is a pain that never goes away. It is unbearable,” Nadine McKenzie said. McKenzie’s 13-year-old daughter Shamoya was killed by a stray bullet in Mount Verno ..read more