Mamaroneck, NY
Politics
Internet Abuzz With Speculation Cuomo Rigged New NY License Plate Contest Internet Abuzz With Speculation Cuomo Rigged New NY License Plate Contest
Internet Abuzz With Speculation Cuomo Rigged New NY License Plate Contest New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to come under fire for his new license plate design proposal, this time with Internet buzzing with speculation the whole thing is rigged. Last month, the governor announced that he was launching a statewide survey (which has since closed without results being announced) to allow New Yorkers to vote on the design of a new license plate, with each of the five proposals featured Empire State landmarks. One of the plates features the new Tappan Zee Bridge, whose official name, Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, was pushed through by the governor to honor his late fath…

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by Zak Failla
Mount Pleasant, NY
Politics
State Bill Would Teach Students About Hateful Symbols State Bill Would Teach Students About Hateful Symbols
State Bill Would Teach Students About Hateful Symbols Middle and high school students in New York may soon be taught the meaning of hateful symbols such as the swastika and noose as part of new legislation that has been introduced by state lawmakers. With reports of hate crimes on the rise statewide, including dozens on Long Island and the Hudson Valley, lawmakers are seeking to improve student education on racist and anti-Semitic symbolism. In Nassau County, there have already been 44 reported incidents, more than double at this point last year. Last week, seven swastikas were found drawn on a pavilion at an Oyster Bay park, and nooses have …

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by Zak Failla
Armonk, NY
Lifestyle
Me-Ouch! New York Becomes First State In Nation To Ban Declawing Cats Me-Ouch! New York Becomes First State In Nation To Ban Declawing Cats
Me-Ouch! New York Becomes First State In Nation To Ban Declawing Cats New York has officially become the first state in the nation to ban the declawing of cats. Earlier this year, the New York Senate and Assembly voted to approve legislation that would eliminate the declawing of cats, following similar laws in Denver and various towns in California. On Monday, July 22, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed that bill into law, making the Empire State the first to ban the “cruel and painful procedure” that many an owner has forced on their felines. “Declawing is a cruel and painful procedure that can create physical and behavioral problems for helpless animals, an…

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by Zak Failla
White Plains, NY
Politics
Here's When Westchester Sales Tax Increase Takes Effect Here's When Westchester Sales Tax Increase Takes Effect
Here's When Westchester Sales Tax Increase Takes Effect Shoppers in Westchester will be spending a little more after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill to increase sales tax in county municipalities. Cuomo signed the Westchester Property Tax Payer Protection Act on Sunday, June 30, which will increase sales tax by 1 percent - up to 8.375 - in the county’s 20 villages, 19 towns, and the cities of Peekskill and Rye. It takes effect on Aug. 1. As part of the bill, the property tax levy will remain flat for the next two years. The proposal is expected to help stabilize the county’s finances after losing its AAA rating - the highest r…

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by Zak Failla
Newburgh, NY
Schools
State Assembly Grants Four Hudson Valley School Districts Waivers On Millions In Fines State Assembly Grants Four Hudson Valley School Districts Waivers On Millions In Fines
State Assembly Grants Four Hudson Valley School Districts Waivers On Millions In Fines Four Hudson Valley school districts may be spared from paying about $19 million in fines due to late paperwork on construction projects. The state Assembly gave its approval on Tuesday, June 4 to legislation freeing the Orange County school districts of Newburgh and Chester, as well as the Sullivan County school district in Monticello. They allegedly neglected to file final reports on building projects years ago. The state Senate previously approved the bills last month — and a separate bill to grant Roscoe School District the same penalty waiver in Sullivan County. The legislation now goe…

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by Jon Craig
Massapequa, NY
News
Former Mangano Top Aide Admits To Obstructing Justice Former Mangano Top Aide Admits To Obstructing Justice
Former Mangano Top Aide Admits To Obstructing Justice A former top aide to Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano has admitted to lying to federal investigators in an effort to cover up a $5,000 cash payment he received from a county contractor. Rob Walker, 43, a former chief deputy to Mangano, pleaded guilty in federal court in Central Islip on Wednesday, May 29, to one count of obstruction of justice. He is expected to receive less than two years in prison. In court, Walker admitted to meeting with an informant working with the government and asked him not to disclose a $5,000 payment that he received in 2014. Walker, a Hicksville resident, acc…

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by Zak Failla
Mount Pleasant, NY
Politics
NY Lawmakers Vote To Release Trump's State Tax Returns To Congress NY Lawmakers Vote To Release Trump's State Tax Returns To Congress
NY Lawmakers Vote To Release Trump's State Tax Returns To Congress New York State lawmakers are one step closer to gaining access to President Donald Trump’s state tax returns. The New York State Assembly passed legislation on Wednesday, May 22 which would amend the law to allow the state Department of Taxation and Finance to release the tax returns of elected officials. The bill is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo later this month if it also passes in the Senate. It was approved by an 85-49 vote in the Assembly. The legislation only applies to state returns, not federal returns, which have also been at the center of the battle between …

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by Zak Failla
Newburgh, NY
Lifestyle
Bon Secours Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of Mental Health Unit During Mental Health Month Bon Secours Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of Mental Health Unit During Mental Health Month
Bon Secours Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of Mental Health Unit During Mental Health Month Bon Secours Community Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), celebrated the 25th anniversary of its mental health unit and recognized the work of its behavioral health staff in commemoration of Mental Health Month in May. The hospital provides behavioral health services for Port Jervis and the entire tristate area, including all of Orange County, the surrounding counties and adjacent states. Guest speakers during the celebration included New York State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, 98th District; Mary Leahy, MD, CEO, Bon Secours Charity Health System…

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Content Partner: Bon Secours Community Hospital
DV Plus - Westchester, NY
Politics
Mount Kisco's Bill O'Reilly: Republican Politico Works Behind Scenes To Buck Rising Blue Wave Mount Kisco's Bill O'Reilly: Republican Politico Works Behind Scenes To Buck Rising Blue Wave
Mount Kisco's Bill O'Reilly: Republican Politico Works Behind Scenes To Buck Rising Blue Wave Who's the man behind New York's GOP curtain?  This consulting wizard has blue blood in his family roots as a political columnist and campaign strategist. By choice and profession, the Mount Kisco resident, formerly of Scarsdale and Manhattan, remains behind the scenes. As a teenager growing up during the Vietnam and Watergate eras, William F. B. O'Reilly said he was "always curious about politics of the day. The only thing I loved was current events." He said he hid his "nerdy" knack for listening to WINS news radio from his friends who would not have seen it as too cool while they we…

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by Jon Craig
White Plains, NY
Politics
Video: Joined By Hillary Clinton, Cuomo Calls for Bolstering NY Abortion-, Birth-Control Rights Video: Joined By Hillary Clinton, Cuomo Calls for Bolstering NY Abortion-, Birth-Control Rights
Video: Joined By Hillary Clinton, Cuomo Calls for Bolstering NY Abortion-, Birth-Control Rights Flanked by former presidential nominee and fellow Town of New Castle resident Hillary Clinton, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo vowed that the Reproductive Health Act will be passed within the first 30 days of the legislative session, bolstering abortion- and birth-control rights statewide. "A woman's right to make her own decisions regarding her personal health is a fundamental right, yet Washington, with its extreme conservative agenda, continues to threaten the freedoms for which women have fought for decades to attain," Cuomo said during a speech at Barnard College in Manhattan on Monday,…

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by Zak Failla
Armonk, NY
Politics
Westchester Lawmaker Wants Civil, Criminal Statutes Increased For Sex Abuse Victims Westchester Lawmaker Wants Civil, Criminal Statutes Increased For Sex Abuse Victims
Westchester Lawmaker Wants Civil, Criminal Statutes Increased For Sex Abuse Victims A state lawmaker from Westchester has proposed legislation to extend the time victims can file charges against sexual predators. Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, a Democrat from Ossining, said once new details about alleged sex criminals emerge, victims up to the age of 50 should be allowed to file civil charges that include monetary damage awards. Current state law sets a five-year statute of limitations for criminal charges starting at the age of 18. The proposed bill would increase the statute of limitations for victims up to age 23. Galef said, "The revelation of the long enduring, syst…

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by Jon Craig
Greenburgh, NY
Politics
Abinanti Breaks With Other Democrats, Endorses Cynthia Nixon Over Cuomo For Governor Abinanti Breaks With Other Democrats, Endorses Cynthia Nixon Over Cuomo For Governor
Abinanti Breaks With Other Democrats, Endorses Cynthia Nixon Over Cuomo For Governor State Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti of Mount Pleasant endorsed Cynthia Nixon’s bid for governor on Friday, Aug. 10 at the Greenburgh Health Fair. Nixon, a television actor and education activist, is challenging Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New Castle in the September Democratic Party primary election.  Abinanti, who also represents Greenburgh, cited Nixon's "bold agenda that focuses on a New York for the many."  Nixon, best known for her TV acting on "Sex And The City," joined  Abinanti at Pierson Park where they discussed community concerns about the new "Governor Mario M. …

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by Jon Craig