Local Matters Westchester

This week on Local Matters Westchester, we’re joined by longtime Fox Lane Varsity baseball coach Matt Hillis, who has led the program for more than 20 years.

Fresh off guiding the Foxes to the Section 1 Class AA title and a run to the state championship game, Hillis reflects on his journey—from giving up his own pro playing dreams as a young man to parlaying that passion into a coaching career that’s made him a local legend. 

He taught hitting at Columbia, and then Army, where he absorbed the West Point culture and brought those expectations of focus and hard work back to Bedford.

Following his 400th career win this past spring, Hillis shares what made this year’s team so special and what it takes to build a true program culture at the high school level, not just coach a team.

We also talk about local sportsmanship in the social media age—where players sometimes take shots at opponents’ personal lives and coaches too often look the other way—and how he addresses that.

Hillis weighs in on the growing local umpire shortage, whether pitch counts are truly supported by data, and reflects on coaching standout players in recent years, including Fox Lane alums Henry Davis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates; Tyler Renz, drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 18th round of the 2024 draft; and Michael Lombardi, selected by the Kansas City Royals in the second round this past July.

He also shares how a negative experience with his own high school coach in Rockland County shaped his philosophy of turning player weaknesses into strengths.

We touch on his decision to become a biology teacher (but not a chiropractor), and now that he’s retired from teaching, whether he has any plans to hang up his coaching cleats.

On the lighter side, you’ll hear why his dream dinner guest list includes Anthony Bourdain, JFK, and Lou Gehrig.

On this episode of Local Matters Westchester, Andrea Della Mura — two-time breast cancer survivor and owner of The DRIPBaR Rye — shares how her health journey inspired her to start the business 15 months ago. 

She explains what IV drip therapy is all about, shares success stories from local clients, and answers common questions from skeptics. 

Della Murra also previews Hope Takes Flight, a Support Connection fundraiser at The DRIPBaR Rye on Thursday, Sept. 18, featuring keynote speaker David Pogue of CBS Sunday Morning, who will present “Healthcare: AI Gets Real.”

Republican Assemblyman Matt Slater of District 94 — a rising voice in New York’s GOP politics — joins Local Matters Westchester this week. We open the conversation by asking him about the looming fallout from President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” particularly its massive impact on the state’s Medicaid funding and patient care.

We ask where he stands on the new school cell phone ban, how he squares his criticism of social media with his recent viral spat with AOC, and what might be next for his political future — spoiler alert: he says he doesn’t plan ahead.

The former Yorktown town supervisor also shares his views on utility rate hikes, the MTA, affordable housing, whether bipartisanship is tougher in the Trump era, and how a moment with his son helped shape his view on school meal funding.

This week on Local Matters Westchester we spoke with Kathleen Reckling, CEO of ArtsWestchester, about the organization’s 60-year journey and what it’s like stepping into a role long held by local legend Janet Langsam.

Reckling shares her background—including an early interest in arts journalism—the potential impact of federal cuts, with up to $8 million at risk for Westchester’s arts economy, and why public investment in the arts is more urgent than ever.

We also discuss the intersection of art and politics, how the U.S. treatment of the arts compares globally, and how the organization supports local culture through efforts like the ArtsMobile and JazzFest.

At 94, Hartsdale resident Hanne Holsten still remembers her childhood under Nazi rule with stunning clarity. In this special episode, she shares the powerful story of her family’s escape from Germany — and the heartbreaking moment, as an 8-year-old girl, when she realized her life was about to change forever.

Holsten talks about survival, loss and how teaching helped her heal.

We’re also joined by Millie Jasper from the White Plains-based Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center, who explains how the center keeps history alive and fights hate today — with encouraging stories of students who drew swastikas but, after education, came to understand the error of their ways.

This is an important conversation you won’t want to miss.

Pleasantville Mayor Peter Scherer joins our Local Matters Westchester podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about the village’s future. We talk about the uncertain outlook for the Pleasantville Music Festival, his firm opposition to moving local elections to November, and how the village is working to strike a balance between growth and small-town character amid development questions, parking challenges, and lowering school enrollment.

We also touch on affordable housing, his relationship with the Jacob Burns Film Center, village pool problems, and the mayor’s unabashed fanboy love for the Pleasantville Farmers Market — plus whether he plans to run for another term.

And in a late-breaking moment, he reads a just-received email from the New York Conference of Mayors detailing how the newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill” will cost New York billions.

Big thanks to Genesis/Saw Mill Club for sponsoring these community conversations.

Kathy Quinn, founding director of Yorktown-based Support Connection, shares the story behind this nonprofit providing free, confidential support to women and families facing breast, ovarian, and gynecological cancers. We talk about how it started, who it helps, the group’s “Hope Takes Flight” origami crane campaign, the vital annual Support‑A‑Walk in October, and why peer support makes all the difference.

Mount Kisco Mayor Mike Cindrich, a former law enforcement officer, discusses masked federal agents, Medicaid cuts and their impact on his health-focused town, challenges with cell towers and battery storage systems, why he’s back in office, and what’s ahead as the municipality celebrates its 150th birthday.

The Pleasantville Music Festival returns for its 19th year in just a couple of weeks, on Saturday, July 12, with headliner Dawes. But sustaining this local tradition hasn’t been easy. In this episode, we talk with Executive Director Doug Panero, who discusses the challenges but highlights why he believes the reinvention under his leadership will strengthen the festival’s future.

We also explore New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against Live Nation, new perks like beer access throughout the grounds, a standout 10-year-old performer, Taylor Swift tribute music, a performing comedian, and much more.

Plus: Doug’s origin story — from hosting a show for 50 friends at his home to uncovering Grammy-winning talent, producing concerts in downtown White Plains, and balancing it all with his career as a real estate attorney. All of it feeds into how he’s shaping this big event.

Thanks, as always, to Genesis/Saw Mill Club for sponsoring these community conversations!

State Senator Pete Harckham joins us to break down the just-completed Albany session, including his push for packaging reduction and other environmental priorities. He also talks about attending Mount Kisco’s “No Kings” protest against President Trump—and how the tone shifted as he broke the news of the deadly political shootings in Minnesota. Plus: Con Ed rate hikes, New York’s mental health and addiction challenges, the housing crisis, and his careful response to Andrew Cuomo’s NYC mayoral run.