Flu Cases, Hospitalizations Rising Dramatically In New York: Here's What To Know Now Flu Cases, Hospitalizations Rising Dramatically In New York: Here's What To Know Now
Flu Cases, Hospitalizations Rising Dramatically In New York: Here's What To Know Now Flu activity is now widespread across New York State, prompting an advisory from authorities. Under this declaration by State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, healthcare workers who are not vaccinated against the flu must wear masks in certain settings to protect vulnerable patients. “The flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against infection,” said Dr. McDonald. “It’s not too late to get vaccinated and ensure you don’t miss out on holiday celebrations.” Flu cases are surging across the state.  As of Saturday, Dec. 14, more than 23,000 cases have been r…
Affordable Housing Community Breaks Ground In Mount Vernon: Will Have Over 300 Units Affordable Housing Community Breaks Ground In Mount Vernon: Will Have Over 300 Units
Affordable Housing Community Breaks Ground In Mount Vernon: Will Have Over 300 Units Construction has begun on a new $223 million affordable housing development in Westchester that will create hundreds of new homes.  The project, called Opal 115, will bring 315 affordable apartments to the city and is being built in partnership with Forward Thinkers Development, Grandview Consulting, and The NRP Group.  The development, which will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 17, will provide housing for households earning 40 to 90 percent of the Area Median Income.  Nearly half of the apartments will be two- and three-bedroom units designed to accommodate…
Trump Vows 'Hell To Pay' If Israeli Hostages Aren't Released After Plainview Native's Death Trump Vows 'Hell To Pay' If Israeli Hostages Aren't Released After Plainview Native's Death
Trump Vows 'Hell To Pay' If Israeli Hostages Aren't Released After Plainview Native's Death President-elect Donald Trump vowed swift vengeance if the hostages taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israel aren’t released soon. In a post on Truth Social Monday, Dec. 2, Trump said there would be “ALL HELL TO PAY” in the Middle East for those behind that Oct. 7, 2023 attack unless all hostages were released before his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. “Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East - But it’s all talk, and no action!” Trump said. “Please let this TRUTH serve to represent th…
Israeli-American Citizen From Plainview, Thought Taken Hostage, Confirmed Dead In Oct. 7 Attack Israeli-American Citizen From Plainview, Thought Taken Hostage, Confirmed Dead In Oct. 7 Attack
Israeli-American Citizen From Plainview, Thought Taken Hostage, Confirmed Dead In Oct. 7 Attack More than a year of agonizing uncertainty has come to a tragic end for the family of a New York native thought to have been taken hostage during the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Omer Neutra, from Long Island’s Plainview, was killed during the attacks that claimed the lives of another 1,200 men, women, and children, the Israeli government confirmed Monday, Dec. 2. The 21-year-old moved to Israel when he was 18 to join the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during a gap year, his parents Orna and Ronen said in a video shared by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). …
Leaders Of Gang Involved In New Rochelle Drive-By Shooting Get Decades In Jail Leaders Of Gang Involved In New Rochelle Drive-By Shooting Get Decades In Jail
Leaders Of Gang Involved In New Rochelle Drive-By Shooting Get Decades In Jail Two high-ranking leaders of a violent gang involved in multiple violent incidents throughout Westchester will spend decades in prison, officials announced.  Bronx resident Dwight Reid, age 52, and Brooklyn resident Christopher Erskine, age 41, were both sentenced to 35 years in prison for their leadership of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang, a violent street and prison organization that has operated in Westchester County, other parts of New York State, and across the country, the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Tuesday, …
Clarkstown Police Sergeant Honored With 2024 Hero Of Crisis Intervention Team Award Clarkstown Police Sergeant Honored With 2024 Hero Of Crisis Intervention Team Award
Clarkstown Police Sergeant Honored With 2024 Hero Of Crisis Intervention Team Award The National Alliance on Mental Illness has awarded a Hudson Valley police sergeant the 2024 Hero of CIT Award—New York State, recognizing his significant contributions to mental health advocacy. The Clarkstown Police Department announced that Sgt. Christopher Bax’s recent accolade underscores his dedicated efforts in mental health advocacy within the community. The department said that as a Crisis Intervention Team trainer, Bax has shown exemplary leadership and compassion, significantly impacting the lives of those affected by mental illness. "His approach extends beyond training law enf…
New Update: Missing South Setauket Man Found New Update: Missing South Setauket Man Found
New Update: Missing South Setauket Man Found New update: A Long Island man who was reported missing has been located. Dominick Yannotto, age 81, of South Setauket, had last been seen leaving his Hart Lane residence at around 6 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, according to a Silver Alert issued by the Suffolk County Police. On Friday, Nov. 15, police announced that Yannotto was located and was unharmed. No other details were given. Original report: Authorities are asking for help in locating a missing man from Long Island. Dominick Yannotto, age 81, of South Setauket, was last seen leaving his Hart Lane residence at around 6 a.m. Wedn…
Remembering Dariel Vasquez: 18-Year-Old HS Baseball Team Captain Killed In NY/NJ Wildfire Remembering Dariel Vasquez: 18-Year-Old HS Baseball Team Captain Killed In NY/NJ Wildfire
Remembering Dariel Vasquez: 18-Year-Old HS Baseball Team Captain Killed In NY/NJ Wildfire Shock and sadness spread following the death of 18-year-old firefighter Dariel Vasquez, who was killed on Saturday, Nov. 9, while bravely battling the Jennings Creek Wildfire that spread from New Jersey into Greenwood Lake, New York.  Vasquez, a young Parks and Recreation Aide with the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department, lost his life in the line of duty, a heartbreaking end to a life full of promise and service. New York State Police are investigating the circumstances of his death. Known as a rising star in his community, Dariel was a former Ramapo High…
Contractor Who 'Destroyed' Protected Wetlands In West Babylon Fined $121K Contractor Who 'Destroyed' Protected Wetlands In West Babylon Fined $121K
Contractor Who 'Destroyed' Protected Wetlands In West Babylon Fined $121K A Long Island contractor will fork over six figures in fines for building a parking lot on protected wetlands. Anthony Labriola and his companies, ALAC Realty and ALAC Contracting, were penalized $121,000 by New York State for illegally building on a protected area along the Carlls River in West Babylon. New York Attorney General Letitita James revealed Friday, Nov. 8, that Labriola and his companies removed trees and plants in a protected "buffer area” to build a construction vehicle parking lot and storage facility. The Carlls River freshwater wetlands are classified under the Department…
Overpass Bridge Where Fallen Officer Was Killed Renamed In His Honor In Yonkers Overpass Bridge Where Fallen Officer Was Killed Renamed In His Honor In Yonkers
Overpass Bridge Where Fallen Officer Was Killed Renamed In His Honor In Yonkers Nearly two years after the death of a beloved police officer, the Westchester County bridge where he was fatally struck in a head-on crash is now forever named in his memory.  In a ceremony held on Wednesday, Oct. 30, hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the renaming of the Tuckahoe Road Bridge over the Sprain Brook Parkway in Yonkers after Yonkers Police Detective Sergeant Frank Gualdino, who was killed in a crash in December 2022 at the age of 53. On Dec. 1, 2022, Gualdino, a Putnam County resident who lived in Mahopac, was driving on Tuckahoe Road while on duty when a speed…
Election 2024: Can NYers Snap Pic Of Completed Ballot? Here's What To Know Election 2024: Can NYers Snap Pic Of Completed Ballot? Here's What To Know
Election 2024: Can NYers Snap Pic Of Completed Ballot? Here's What To Know Think twice before snapping that Election Day selfie. While New Yorkers may be tempted to commemorate their participation in this year’s highly consequential election by taking a photo of their ballot, doing so is actually a crime. Under state law, it is a misdemeanor offense for a voter to snap a picture with their completed ballot. “Any person who shows his ballot after it is prepared for voting, to any person so as to reveal the contents, or solicits a voter to show the same, is guilty of a misdemeanor,” reads the text from New York State election law. According to the New York State B…
New School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Program Announced In Westchester To Catch Illegal Passings New School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Program Announced In Westchester To Catch Illegal Passings
New School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Program Announced In Westchester To Catch Illegal Passings Nearly a dozen districts in Westchester will be participating in an all-new enforcement program that will use artificial intelligence to catch those who illegally pass stopped school buses, officials announced.  In an announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 22, Westchester County Executive George Latimer unveiled a new school bus stop-arm photo program meant to reduce the number of illegal passing.  According to Latimer, every vehicle in participating school districts' fleets will be equipped with cameras that will use AI to detect cars that pass stopped buses. The equipment will be provide…