The Ursuline School in Mourning, Feb 1, 2012

"The Ursuline School is deeply saddened by the loss of a fine young member of our school community. Our hearts and prayers are with our student's family in their grief. We have visited the family and offered comfort. We have held special assemblies for all of our students, who are in mourning. We have made available extra counselors to students and staff. We appreciate prayers of support."

A fourteen-year old freshman at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle took her own life last night amidst reports that she was distraught over being bullied at the school.

Eira Fatima Maghuyop died at her home in Yonkers.

UPDATE:(Feb 3 9:16 AM): Fox-5 is reporting that Yonkers PD has issued a statement that Maghuyop was not bullied. WSBT-11 is reporting that Yonkers PD said they have not seen any concrete evidence that bullying was a factor in the death. Calls to YPD by Talk of the Sound have not yet been returned, they will be sending a formal statement to Talk of the Sound today.

Edward "Kip" Fierro, the long-time swim coach at New Rochelle High School, was taken into custody a week ago last Thursday by New Rochelle police after he struck two vehicles in New Rochelle and left the scene of the accident. A DMV records check showed that although he had a valid Connecticut drivers license, his privilege to drive in New York had been suspended for failure to answer a summons.

Fierro was issued a 511-1a violation, an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of between $200.00 and $500.00, up to 30 days in jail, 0 points and a mandatory surcharge of $80 or $85. He was due back in court today.

New Rochelle police were called to the scene at 8:11 am on January 19th. Two drivers heading westbound on the North Avenue overpass were stopped at the yield sign at the intersection of the Elmer Miller Circle at Memorial Highway. Fierro, driving a 2004 Jeep, came up behind the two vehicles, sideswiping one and striking the rear of another, a 2001 Honda. Fierro's Jeep pushed the Honda across three lanes of traffic in the circle and onto the center grassy area of the traffic circle. The other vehicle did not suffer major damage and the drive was not hurt.

Fierro continued driving, as a New Rochelle police officer followed, before pulling over on his own at Lockwood Avenue and Warren Street. Fierro appeared disoriented and was taken into custody for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, according to police.

The Iona College Athletics Department, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, will host a Blood Drive on campus on Jan. 31, 2012.

The department invites anyone in the Iona Community come out participate in this goodwill effort. The blood drive will run from 9 am - 5 pm, and will be held on campus in the Hegarty Multi Purpose Room of the Hynes Athletics Center.

All donors will receive a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin' Donuts Coffee.

The American Red Cross and the MAAC joined together to create the MAAC Blood Drive Challenge as a fun and competitive way to emphasize the critical importance of donating blood. A trophy will be awarded to the school that draws the most donors.

The Westchester County Department of Health is issuing a rabies alert to residents who may have had contact with a rabid cat in New Rochelle, in the vicinity of Kress Avenue near the intersection of Webster and Lincoln Avenue on or before Wednesday, Nov. 30. The health department used robo-calls to notify residents who live within a half-mile of the area where the cat was found.
The cat was a red tabby that had been acting aggressively towards other animals and people. The health department has been informed that a colony of stray cats in this area may have come into contact with this rabid tabby cat. The health department is investigating and warns residents to avoid having contact with these cats, as well as with any other unknown or wild animals. Residents are also reminded not to feed wild or stray animals to avoid bringing rabies to their doorstep.

Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester congratulates its Director of Adult Day Services Pearl Hacker, LCSW and Nurse Manager Peggy Coll, NP on being named Women of Excellence by the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce

New Rochelle, NY – November 16, 2011 – Sound Shore Medical Center (SSMC) congratulates its Director of Adult Day Services Pearl Hacker, LCSW and Nurse Manager Peggy Coll, NP on being named Women of Excellence by the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce. At its 10th anniversary celebration, the Chamber again recognized individuals for their exceptional contributions to the community of New Rochelle. Ms. Hacker received recognition as the Business and Professional of the Year while Ms. Coll received her honor in the newly-created category, Culture, Arts and Sciences.

City Manager Charles B. Strome issued the following statement to all employees at City Hall:

I have received numerous complaints again from employees in City Hall relative to the secondhand smoke coming from the stairwells and along the outside of the building.

Last year we established a location for the smokers outside of the main entrance of City Hall which is clearly marked as "Designated Smoking Area." This means that smokers should not light up along the sides of the building, but only once inside that designated area.

Again, I must emphasize that all inside areas of the building are NON- SMOKING areas, as are all other outside areas of the building other than the designated area.

Please comply - otherwise I will have no alternative but to prohibit smoking on the entire campus.

Thank you.

CBS/kr