Briarcliff Curler’s Return to Nationals Tops This Week’s News

Were you so busy finding ways to keep warm this week that you missed some top news in and around Pleasantville and Briarcliff Manor? Don’t worry, we’re here to make sure you don’t miss it twice.

Here are some of this week’s more notable headlines:

1. Briarcliff Curling Phenom Returns to National Stage: Briarcliff resident Andrew Stopera and his curling squad, “Team Dunnam,” are headed back to the Junior Men’s Curling Nationals after placing second in the 2014 Grand National Curling Club Junior Men’s Championship. Out of the nine teams that competed in the Dec. 26 to Dec. 30 round robin in Brookline, Massachusetts, the top two moved on to Nationals, which will be held in Seattle from Jan. 25. to Feb. 2.

2. Pleasantville High School Wrestling Coach Looks Back on 300 Wins: When Bob Bernarducci took the head coach position for Pleasantville High School’s wrestling program 24 years ago, he never imagined winning 300 matches. However, after a victory over Croton-Harmon on Tuesday, Jan. 7, he accomplished just that. 

3. Briarcliff Caucus Names 2014 Candidates: The Caucus’ Annual Nominating Meeting was held in the Briarcliff Middle School Theater at 8:00 PM January 8, 2014. Village residents Mark Pohar, Cesare J. Derose, Jr. and Larisa Wayne-Paulmeno were nominated to be the Caucus’ candidates for two year terms as Village Trustee. Also nominated for one year terms on the Caucus Executive Committee were Aaron Stern, Chair; Hannah Berkowitz, Vice Chair; Tobi Klarnet, Secretary; and Louis Linder, Treasurer. 

4. Police: Pleasantville Man Reports 6 Checks Stolen in Dobbs Ferry: The victim, an employee of St. John’s Riverside, told police that the checks were taken from his vehicle, which was parked by valet at the hospital, between Dec. 22 and Dec. 24. Three of the checks have since been forged and presented in the area for a total of $4, 071. 

5. Bronxville Family Therapist Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Patients: Mark Bernardini, 57, pleaded guilty Thursday to sexually abusing two patients he was counseling, one of whom was a 12-year-old boy, according to Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore.