Here are some of the stories making headlines across the Hudson Valley.

Yorktown is waiving outdoor dining permit fees again this year to help local restaurants and bars. The town issued 23 permits last year to restaurants and many of them plan to resume outdoor dining as it gets warmer. Supervisor Matt Slater saying, in part, "that the pandemic recession isn't over and that many of our local businesses are barely surviving. This is all in an effort to boost the local economy."

Rep. Mondaire Jones is sending a message to struggling restaurant owners in Port Chester that help is on the horizon. Jones was out Thursday for a walking and tasting tour of some of the village's finest restaurants, including Indian, Peruvian and American cuisines. His goal was to remind owners of President Joe Biden's recently passed American Rescue Plan. The plan includes nearly $30 billion for a restaurant revitalization fund. News 12 is told the money is supposed to assist restaurants that have been hit hard by the pandemic. "I have spoken to so many small business owners who have had to furlough workers, or just outright fire them," says Jones. "People who have had to reduce their hours of operation." There are nearly 60 restaurants in the village and Mayor Luis Marino believes many of them are in desperate need of the new federal grant funds.

TP Toys and Accessories in New Rochelle will receive a special honor today. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins will honor the business with the New York State Senate Empire for helping the community during lockdown last year. News 12 is told owner Kemesha Salmon started a mystery bag giveaway where community members donated to bags filled with educational crafts and toys for underprivileged children. She even delivered the bags personally to about 560 children.