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Pelham Examiner

Pelham Examiner

Pelham Examiner

Georgia Russello, Managing Editor (2021-22)

Georgia Russello is a graduate of Pelham Memorial High School’s class of 2022. In addition to writing for the Examiner, she was a member of the Science Research program, played tennis and was in the high school Student Association. She has written for the Colonial Times and is excited to return to journalism.

(This was Georgia’s profile right after she graduated from high school in 2022.)

All content by Georgia Russello
Stella Stobart handed out water at a Tuckahoe fun run.

Meet Pelham’s first female in Scouts BSA: Stella Stobart

By Georgia Russello, Senior Editor
June 6, 2022

Stella Stobart, a seventh grader at Pelham Middle School, was Pelham Pack 4’s first female Cub Scout. She is now Pelham's first female in Boy Scouts of America—officially called Scouts BSA—through...

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE: $84.2 million budget, capital reserve proposal and six candidates for three board seats on ballot

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE: $84.2 million budget, capital reserve proposal and six candidates for three board seats on ballot

By Georgia Russello, Managing Editor
May 17, 2022

The Pelham school district election will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday in the Pelham Middle School gym. Residents will vote on the $84.2 million proposed budget, the capital reserve proposition...

According to the school district, the boilers at Pelham Memorial High School are among the items that could be funded by the proposed capital reserve.

District fails to say proposed capital reserve will be funded by budget surpluses in don’t-forget-to-vote email

By Georgia Russello, Managing Editor
May 16, 2022

The Pelham school district seems to have forgotten a couple of words in its remember-to-vote email sent on Monday. The section on the proposed capital reserve fails to mention it would be funded by budget...

Forum: Six school trustee candidates discuss board transparency, strategic plan, student mental health post Covid-19

By Georgia Russello and Bella Caruso
May 14, 2022

The six candidates running for three open Pelham school board seats discussed board transparency, the district’s strategic plan, student mental-health issues due to Covid-19 and how to support student...

Terri Rouke retires after 18 years as clerk of Village of Pelham

Terri Rouke retires after 18 years as clerk of Village of Pelham

By Georgia Russello, Managing Editor
April 22, 2022

Terri Rouke is retiring after 20 years working for the Village of Pelham, including 18 as the village clerk. Her daughter, Sarah LoPuzzo, is her successor.  In a joint statement, Mayor Chance Mullen...

Ukrainian refugees crossing into Poland.

Pelham family with relatives in Ukraine: Here’s what they’re doing to help

By Georgia Russello, Managing Editor
March 30, 2022

The war in Ukraine has affected a family in our small town. The Schulzhenkos are longtime Pelham residents with family members who have been living in the midst of the conflict. Sophia Shulzhenko, a...

An artist rendering from December 2020 of the Pelham House apartment building proposed for Fifth Avenue and Third Street.

Attorney for 60 residents sends Village of Pelham letter protesting height of proposed Pelham House apartment building

By Georgia Russello, Managing Editor
February 16, 2022

Sixty Village of Pelham residents have protested through an attorney the height of the proposed Pelham House apartment building and have said certain regulatory steps need to completed before the project...

Village of Pelham swears in 'most diverse class' of police recruits following reform recommendations

Village of Pelham swears in ‘most diverse class’ of police recruits following reform recommendations

By Georgia Russello, Managing Editor
January 5, 2022

Calling them the most diverse group of police officers the Village of Pelham has hired, Mayor Chance Mullen swore in three new recruits to fill vacancies in the department caused by retirement. Anjolie...

Update: Snapchat threat that closed all Pelham schools result of 'nationwide viral social media challenge,' say police

Update: Snapchat threat that closed all Pelham schools result of ‘nationwide viral social media challenge,’ say police

By Georgia Russello, Managing Editor
December 17, 2021

The social media threat that closed all Pelham schools Friday was the result of a "nationwide viral social media challenge," according to police. "There were no direct or specific threats to the Pelham...

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.

Cannabis shops: Village of Pelham board hears from expert about options on permitting or banning

By Georgia Russello, Managing Editor
September 28, 2021

In what must have been a historical first, the Village of Pelham board heard a presentation Sept. 14 on marijuana sales—more specifically on allowing cannabis dispensaries in the village. Jim Landau,...

New Pelham Manor Police Chief Thomas Atkins (center) with village board members and administrators.

Pelham Manor Police Lieutenant Atkins promoted to provisional chief, following Carpenter’s abrupt departure

By Georgia Russello, Managing Editor
July 22, 2021

Pelham Manor Police Lieutenant Thomas Atkins was appointed provisional police chief Monday by the village board to bring what it termed "a new management style" to the department. He replaces Jeffrey Carpenter,...

Delia Lavallee (left) received from Examiner Executive Editor Zoe Winburn the certificates for the two journalism awards won for a story co-bylined with Sophia Leung.

[Photo] Examiner staffers receive state journalism awards at pop-up ceremony in Wolfs Lane Park

June 2, 2021

Charlotte Howard (left) received from Examiner Executive Editor Zoe Winburn the certificate for the journalism award she won for a story on last year's seniors.

School board candidates discuss their qualifications, debate equity audit, board's Q&A policy

School board candidates discuss their qualifications, debate equity audit, board’s Q&A policy

At an online forum on Wednesday, the five candidates vying for two seats on the Pelham school board discussed their qualifications and debated the district's racial equity audit and the board's current...

Pelham Library AAPI Brave Space provides community support for hate crime victims

By Georgia Russello, Contributing Editor
April 23, 2021

The Town of Pelham Public Library hosted an Asian American and Pacific Islander Brave Space Discussion on Wednesday evening.  The Brave Space allowed for an open discussion and dialogue between the...

Village sustainability board/climate task force 2020 work leads to food-scrap recycling, charging stations

Village sustainability board/climate task force 2020 work leads to food-scrap recycling, charging stations

By Georgia Russello, Contributing Editor
March 1, 2021

The Village of Pelham’s Sustainability Advisory Board and Climate Smart Communities Task Force published an update outlining three main 2020 accomplishments that will see programs launch this year, including...

Village of Pelham police vehicles parked next to Town Hall, which houses the department.

Residents ask about police and schools during Village of Pelham’s third public forum on reform

By Zoe Winburn and Georgia Russello
February 26, 2021

The third public forum on police reform in the Village of Pelham Thursday covered issues involving the school district, including residency checks and officer patrols in schools, with Superintendent Dr....

Village of Pelham police vehicles parked next to Town Hall, which houses the department.

Village police chief details new body-cam technology, misconduct-inquiry process at second public forum

By Zoe Winburn and Georgia Russello
February 12, 2021

Village of Pelham Police Chief Jason Pallett detailed forthcoming body-cam technology and the process for an officer-misconduct investigation Thursday at the village’s second of three public forums addressing...

Village of Pelham police vehicles parked next to Town Hall, which houses the department.

Pelham mayor promises to research ending nightly Boulevard closure at first public forum on police reform

By Zoe Winburn and Georgia Russello
February 4, 2021

Village of Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen said Tuesday he would “assign someone to research” the options for ending the nighttime closure of Boulevard. He spoke during the first of three public forums...

NYS restaurant fund offers $5,000 grants to assist businesses with Covid-19 disruptions

NYS restaurant fund offers $5,000 grants to assist businesses with Covid-19 disruptions

By Georgia Russello, Contributing Editor
January 20, 2021

The Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund is offering eligible businesses the opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 reimbursable grants to aid with Covid-19 related disruptions.  In a statement...

Champ discusses school reopening at Manor Club virtual event

Champ discusses school reopening at Manor Club virtual event

By Georgia Russello, Contributing Editor
October 13, 2020

On Thursday's Manor Club meeting, Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Champ spoke about the process behind reopening Pelham schools.  The meeting was open to the public, and was moderated by Maggie Klein....

Veronica Stern works to move on from final 20 in 'Give My Regards' national talent search

Veronica Stern works to move on from final 20 in ‘Give My Regards’ national talent search

By Georgia Russello, Staff Reporter
September 25, 2020

Veronica Stern, a Pelham native and senior at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, is one of 20 contestants selected to continue in the "Give My Regards…"  national talent...

Former UN ambassador tells Rotarians about brokering peace in Sierra Leone

By Georgia Russello, Staff Reporter
September 11, 2020

Former United Nation Ambassador Francis Okelo described his work brokering a peace in war-torn Sierra Leone during Wednesday’s meeting of the Rotary Club of the Pelhams.  Okelo has been a New Rochelle...

PMHS students raise money to increase accessibility to Pelham sports

PMHS students raise money to increase accessibility to Pelham sports

By Georgia Russello, Staff Reporter
August 28, 2020

PMHS students Madison and Benjy Schneider are raising money to make Pelham sports more accessible through the creation of a new initiative, Athletes Helping Athletes.  The students drew inspiration...

PMHS senior launches new effort to diversify classroom libraries

PMHS senior launches new effort to diversify classroom libraries

By Georgia Russello, Staff Reporter
August 21, 2020

Sophia Leung, a Pelham Memorial High School senior, is hoping to diversify classroom libraries by asking families to purchase or donate books that feature diverse storylines and story elements. During...

City of New Rochelle

New Rochelle Councilwoman Lopez-Hanratty tells Pelham Rotary about her community work

By Georgia Russello, Staff Reporter
August 20, 2020

The Rotary Club of the Pelhams heard New Rochelle Councilwoman Martha Lopez-Hanratty, a county advisor and highly active member in Westchester's immigrant community, speak at their Wednesday meeting. Lopez...

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