Lucky 777 Chili

Web produced by Jennifer Matarese, Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- This week in Neighborhood Eats, we visit a restaurant that focuses on one type of food: chili!

What better comfort food for the winter.

It will warm you up and chili is great for all that football watching which may happen in your household.

The owner opened this restaurant because his chili hobby could no longer be contained.

Lucky 777 Chili is located at 116 MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village.

Lou St. Angelo loves making chili.

"I love the creativeness, peppers and spices," St. Angelo said.

Four years ago he came up with a hit, seven kinds of peppers, seven kinds of spices and seven kinds of pork.

He called it Lucky 777 Chili because he created during the season the Giants won the Super Bowl.

That's also the name of his new chili spot on MacDougal Street.

It's a street loaded with food options, and here, it's all about the chili.

They serve four kinds daily.

The green chili rotates in, garlic, onions, double smoked bacon, and that's all cooked down for a bit.

Then it's three kinds of green peppers and tomatillos for the flavor and color.

A blend of seasoning is added, and then some venison and chicken.

"It takes about two hours of cooking, and it's better the next day," St. Angelo said.

Mint and cilantro finish the dish off.

Lou does it all in a tiny kitchen with just enough space to accomodate that chili craving.

The chili is served in a bread bowl, on baked fries, and even on a hot dog.

Green Chili Recipe

Ingredients:
10 garlic cloves minced
1 medium white onion
1 medium red onion
2 lbs tomatillos (small)
1 lb cubano peppers (6 med)
1/2 lb poblano peppers (2)
1/2 lb jalapeno peppers (4)
1/2 lb green bell pepper (1)
1 bunch cilantro
10 mint leaves
1 cup water or stock
1 cup Spice mix *see below

Spice mix ingredients:
3 tbsp of each:
Ground Corriander
Cumin
Dry basil
Dry oregano
Dry rosemary
Ancho Chili powder
Chipotle chili powder
Celery salt
Seasoned salt
Sea salt
Black pepper

For meat any white or game meat will do, 4 lbs of it. For the Neighborhood Eats demonstration we used 1 1/3 pound double smoked bacon, 1 1/3 pound chicken, 1 1/3 pound venison.

Basic instructions:
Small Dice all vegetables and meats. Lightly brown garlic over medium heat, add onions and bacon. Cook down for 20 minutes. Add peppers, tomatillos, the seasoning blend, the chicken and the venison. Add 1 cup water (or stock). Cook for 1 ? hours over low heat. Add cilantro and mint and cook for another 20 minutes.

For more information please visit: http://www.lucky777chili.com/

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NYC office cleaners reach new contract agreement

  Jennifer Matarese, Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- New York City office cleaners and their 32BJ Bargaining Committee have reached a tentative agreement with the Reality Advisory Board averting a strike.

The four-year contract will cover more than 22,000 workers.

It provides a nearly 5.6% wage increase over the life of the contract and bonuses totally $1,100.

The agreement, which must still be ratified, maintains fully employer-paid family health care coverage.

"The new contract is not just an important victory for office cleaners and their families, but for our economy and our city," said Hector Figueroa, Secretary-Treasurer of 32BJ. "In these tough times the workers who keep New York City's corporate offices and landmark buildings clean and well maintained have stood up for the good middle class jobs our economy and our city needs."

New York City office building workers clean and maintain major buildings and locations including the Rockefeller Center, the MetLife Building, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Station, Port Authority, and the Time Warner Center.

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Police ID suspect in 2-year-old's shooting

NEWARK (WABC) -- A young child was fatally shot in Newark, and police now say they are looking for 27-year-old Wakir Bryant.

The 2-year-old boy, identified as Mikhy Robinson, was shot in a house on St. James Place at around 10:30 a.m.

Neighbors say whatever was going on inside the home started as early as 4 a.m.

"It sounded like a dispute, and the son was in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Tyree Williams

The shooting police say, happened at about 9:48 this morning. The child's mother, and Wakir Bryant, rushed the toddler to Beth Israel Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a half an hour later.

Friends of the family came to the scene along with relatives of the victim, who would not speak as they were overcome with emotion, as the reality of the loss sank in.

Newark and Essex county investigators are still trying to piece together how this tragedy unfolded. The mother was being questioned, but Bryant who was with her and the child inside at the time of the shooting left the hospital and police are now searching for him.

Bryant is now wanted for aggravated manslaughter and weapons offenses.

Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio said, "I am saddened by this tragic and senseless loss of life and extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the infant. The investigation into this incident is in the very early stages and police have yet to clarify all of the details surrounding the case at this time. Nevertheless, I am confident that the hard working investigators assigned to the Essex County Homicide Task Force will conduct a thorough investigation in the pursuit of justice and closure for the family."

Police were looking a white four door Pontiac newer than 2000, with a broken rear passenger brake light.

It was the 90th homicide of the year in Newark.

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New Year's Eve transit changes

  Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- If you are heading to the city for New Year's Eve there are some transit changes you should know about.

SUBWAYS
Station entrances in the Times Square area will be closed, so customers should travel to 57th or 59th Streets and walk south. We recommend that customers purchase their MetroCards in advance.

LIRR
There are 10 additional westbound evening trains on New Year's Eve and 14 additional eastbound trains from Penn Station during the early-morning hours for New Year's revelers returning from the City on New Year's Day, Sunday, Jan. 1.

METRO NORTH
Will operate on a special Saturday schedule; for New Year's Eve revelers, extra inbound afternoon/evening service and all-night outbound service will be provided on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Lines. There will also be additional service West of Hudson, on the Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Lines.

NJ TRANSIT
Rail will run on a weekend schedule, with extra evening NY-bound trips on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line and Morris & Essex Lines. After midnight, special late-night trains will operate on most rail lines. Buses will be on a Saturday schedule with additional service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in the evening on select routes. And expanded bus service will be provided from the Port Authority Bus Terminal between midnight and 5:30 a.m. on selected routes.

You can find more information at:
http://www.mta.info
http://www.njtransit.com

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7 Year-end top lessons by 7 On Your Side

NEW YORK (WABC) -- This year, three times a week, our troubleshooting unit has helped retrieve hundreds of thousands back for viewers.

But, as Nina Pineda looks back she's found 7 of the biggest pitfalls consumers made in 2011 that you can learn from and save thousands in the New Year.

The first lesson is to always run a vehicle history report or hire a mechanic.

Two viewers would've saved thousands and a lot of frustration before forking over cash for used cars.

Lesson number two, is to be wary of door to door scams.

Viewers kicked themselves falling for a shady salesman selling work no one needed.

"Why did you take $1,300 from this woman?" Nina Pineda yelled.

After 7 On Your Side's visit he paid up but claimed innocence.

He still wound up in court accused of conning senior citizens by the state and ordered to pay restitution.

And who can forget this year's super soaker, Hurricane Irene slammed the coast, canceling weddings galore and leaving couples high and dry on hefty deposits.

7 On Your Side, got more than $40,000 back for the couples but we all learned Event Insurance will protect your party against any disaster, from cold feet to evacuations.

2011 also saw several 7 On Your Side viewers in mistaken foreclosure.

Turns out each trusted their approved mortgage modifications went through and began paying lowered amounts.

The lesson, verifying any change to your mortgage in writing's a must!

The next lesson is don't pay for what's free.

One viewer paid for a property tax break which could've been done on her own for free.

The heartbreakers of 2011 involved homeowners, on the hook for tens of thousands, making two major mistakes.

Hiring unlicensed contractors is the first no-no, if they skip out or do shoddy work, you have no recourse.

And number two, is don't pay in full up front!

One homeowner got stung for paying in full up front.

It's best to pay in installments after the work is done to your satisfaction.

They are valuable lessons we all learned from this year!

7 On Your Side hopes by exposing them, less people get ripped off next year, but if they do 7 On Your Side is there for you, on Facebook, on Twitter, and online.

CONNECT WITH NINA PINEDA AND 7 ON YOUR SIDE

Facebook: facebook.com/wabc.7onyourside
Twitter: twitter.com/wabc7onyourside

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Newt Gingrich weeps, Mitt Romney attacks Ron Paul

  By DAVID ESPO and SHANNON MCCAFFREYDES MOINES, Iowa -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wept Friday as he recalled his late mother's end-of-life illnesses, a moment of poignancy in a notably negative Republican presidential Iowa caucus campaign with four unpredictable days yet to run.

"I do policy much easier than I do personal," Gingrich told an audience of women as he tried to regain his composure. The tears flowed as the former speaker was responding to questions about his mother from a pollster and longtime political ally.

Gingrich's emotional moment came as his rivals engaged in traditional campaign tactics, and as polls suggested large numbers of Iowa Republicans could change their minds before caucuses Tuesday night provide the first test of the 2012 campaign.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney sought to marginalize his closest pursuer in most polls, saying, "I don't think Ron Paul represents the mainstream of Republican thought with regards to issues, particularly in foreign policy."

Paul gave no ground. "I really can't conceive" of intervening militarily to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, he said, unequivocally restating his position on an issue on which he differs with Romney and his other rivals.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, claiming momentum based on recent polls, told reporters he recently had the best fundraising day of his candidacy. Yet he also drew criticism from Texas Gov. Rick Perry for advocating earmarks during two terms in the Senate.

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann became the latest presidential hopeful to hold a campaign event with Iowa Rep. Steve King - and the latest to hear him say he wasn't ready to give his endorsement.

Whatever the impact of Gingrich's tears on the race for the White House, the episode seemed destined to be replayed endlessly on televisions, personal computers and hand-held devices.

That was the case nearly four years ago, when Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared to choke back tears while campaigning in New Hampshire a few days before the state's Democratic presidential primary. The episode also became the subject of intense political analysis. Clinton won the primary in an upset a few days later.

Gingrich was surging in the polls a little more than a week ago, but was hit by a barrage of negative ads and has been struggling in recent days. Normally a combative politician, he shed tears as he appeared before a group of mothers and responded to a question from Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster and longtime ally of the former speaker.

Asked about his mother and an event in his life that influenced his policies and views, Gingrich recalled her as happy and having friends before she ended up in a long-term care facility suffering from bipolar disease, depression and physical ailments.

"My whole emphasis on brain science comes in directly from dealing with the real problems of real people," he said, his face distorting as he began to cry. "And so it's not a theory. It's, in fact, my mother," he said.

Kathleen "Kit" Gingrich died in 2003. She was 77.

Romney, who leads in most polls in Iowa, criticized Paul in an interview with Fox News Channel.

"I don't think Ron Paul represents the mainstream of Republican thought with regards to issues, particularly in foreign policy," he said, referring to the Texan's statement that he would oppose military action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

At the same time he said Paul was outside the GOP mainstream, Romney pledged to support whoever wins the party's nomination to oppose President Barack Obama in the fall.

Campaigning later in western Iowa, Paul said he would probably have difficulty voting for any of the other Republicans in the race if they win the party nomination. "They all are part of the status quo," he said.

After months of campaigning and millions of dollars in television commercials, the polls depicted a race as unsettled and unpredictable as any in the four decades since Iowa's caucuses became the kickoff event in presidential campaigns.

A pair of surveys in the last five days suggested upwards of a third of all potential caucus-goers had not firmly settled on a candidate of choice.

The same polls made Romney the front-runner, and his decision to leave for a quick trip to New Hampshire and then return to Iowa and stay through caucus night projected optimism.

Paul views on Iran have been called into question this week by numerous other contenders, and Gingrich went so far as to say he would not vote for the Texan.

To some extent, Paul stands alone in the field because of his libertarian-leaning views. He does not want the government to have the power to ban abortions, for example, and has called for the legalization of some drugs that are now outlawed.

That has left Santorum, Gingrich, Perry and Bachmann to vie for standing as Romney's chief opponent in the competition for evangelical voters and other conservatives.

Even before the caucuses, Romney and the rest of the field were looking ahead to New Hampshire's primary on Jan. 10 and the first two Southern contests later in the month, in South Carolina and Florida.

But there was maneuvering yet to come in the state that precedes them all.

Allies of Gingrich announced they were airing a 30-minute program in Iowa produced by Newsmax, a conservative media outlet.

It features Michael Reagan, son of the former president, who calls the former speaker "a person who we believe will help continue my father's legacy."

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Associated Press writers Thomas Beaumont and Kasie Hunt in Des Moines, Brian Bakst in Early and Mike Glover in Ames contributed to this report.

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Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt strum New Year's Eve duet (Video)

Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have paired up for another project - but this time, it isn't a film.

Deschanel and Gordon-Levitt, who both co-starred in the 2009 film "500 Days Of Summer," have teamed up to create a video that has quickly become a YouTube sensation. Deschanel posted a video to her website, hellogiggles.com, featuring the two performing a duet to Nancy Wilson's 1963 song, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" The video, which features the two strumming a cover to the classic song, has garnered over 1 million views - overnight.

Along with posting the "karaoke special" to her website, she also posted a blurb about her co-star and "dear friend," Gordon-Levitt.

"I have known Joe Gordon-Levitt for going on 12 years," the performer wrote on her website. "We first met in the summer of 2000 while doing a tiny movie called Manic, where we bonded over a mutual appreciation for Harry Nilsson and Nina Simone and I have been lucky enough to call him one of my dearest friends ever since."

"When we did 500 Days of Summer 8 years later, we spent every lunch hour dancing to Marvin Gaye in the hair and makeup trailer; we had loads of fun," she continued. "I hope to do a thousand more movies with him because he's simply the best. But in the meantime, we made a little New Year's duet for all of you! The original by Nancy Wilson. ENJOY! Don't forget to check out Joe's website http://hitrecord.org/"

For the debut of the festive video, the 31-year-old actress and singer took to her Twitter account.

"Go to http://www.hellogiggles.com at exactly 11am PST for an exciting new video from @hitRECordJoe and me!" she Tweeted on December 29.

Gordon-Levitt, 30, reTweeted the actress the same night, adding a happy face to his post.

Deschanel recently made headlines for her reported separation from Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard. The two were married in September 2009.

It was announced in September that her series "The New Girl" was picked up for a full-season by Fox. Her character, named Jess Day, is an awkward 20-something who finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her and is forced to live on her own. Day moves in to an apartment with three male roommates, and the antics begin.

Deschanel, who aside from acting also sings in the indie rock band She & Him, recently sang the national anthem during Game 4 of the World Series. She & Him released a Christmas album on October 24.

In April 2011, it was confirmed that Gordon-Levitt would be a part of the highly-anticipated 2012 Batman film, "The Dark Knight Rises." The actor will be playing John Blake, a Gotham City beat cop assigned to special duty under the command of Commissioner Gordon. Gordon-Levitt will be joined by his "Inception" co-stars Marion Cotillard, who plays Wayne Enterprises board member Miranda Tate, and Tom Hardy, who portrays the villain Bane.

It was confirmed in mid-January that Anne Hathaway will star in "The Dark Knight Rises" as Selina Kyle, whose alter-ego is Catwoman. In the DC comic books, the character is the love interest of Bruce Wayne, who masquerades as the superhero Batman.

"The Dark Knight Rises" is set for release on July 20, 2012.

See the video of Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt performing "What Are You Doing New Years Eve?" below.

(Copyright ©2011 OnTheRedCarpet.com. All Rights Reserved.)

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Funeral next week for Conn. Christmas fire victims

  Eyewitness NewsSTAMFORD, Conn. -- A funeral service will be held in New York next week for three girls killed with their grandparents in a Christmas morning house fire in Connecticut.

Dominic Carella, vice president of the Frank Campbell Funeral Home, says a private wake will be held Wednesday at the funeral home in Manhattan.

A funeral service open to the public will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Manhattan for 10-year-old Lily and 7-year-old twins Grace and Sarah Badger. A private service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery for all five victims.

Carella says funeral plans for the grandparents, Lomer and Pauline Johnson, are still being worked on.

Authorities say embers in a bag of discarded fireplace ashes started the blaze.

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Rescued hiker: 'I thought I was going to die'

The California hiker who clung to the side of a cliff for more than 90 minutes Thursday before being rescued said he thought he was going to die.

“When I was going halfway down, that’s when I thought that was the end for myself,” Ivan Salas, 19, said today on “Good Morning America.”  ”I was going too fast and I couldn’t stop.”

Salas, his father and two dogs were hiking along a 300-foot-high ridge in the northeast San Fernando Valley outside of Los Angeles Thursday afternoon when his father threw a water bottle off the cliff’s edge.

Salas’ 1-year-old German Shepherd mix, Lola, chased after the bottle but lost her balance and tumbled over.  Salas tried to rescue her, but instead became trapped, clinging for life alongside Lola, 100 feet down the steep hillside.

“Once I was sliding down, I was just trying to hold onto whatever I could,” said Salas, who appeared on “GMA” with Lola and two of their rescuers from the Los Angeles Fire Department.

“I managed to hold onto a rock that was stable inside the dirt and from there I just got Lola and stayed with her,” he said.  “Any little mistake, I could have just gone straight down.”

Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene, alerted by 911 callers and a police helicopter. A first attempt at a helicopter rescue had to be diverted because of loose dirt and debris on the cliff.

“When the helicopter didn’t rescue me, that’s when I thought I was going to die because the dog was getting nervous,” Salas said.  “She was shaking a lot and I was sliding down as well.”

Firefighters instead went with what they termed their “Plan B” option of using an on-the-ground rescue team to help. Two firefighters rappelled down the cliff and used a rope and harness to bring Salas and Lola, both uninjured in the fall, to stable ground.

“When I got down to them to assist to make sure Ivan was secure, the dog was very nervous, scared, and was basically just clinging on,” rescuer Robert Macinnes said on “GMA.”

The entire rescue took about 90 minutes.

“To be honest, maybe 20 minutes more,” Salas said of how much longer he could have held on.  “I was tired and exhausted.”

Salas said his father, whose throwing of the water bottle started the episode of scary events for his son and family pet, was waiting for him on the ground with a hug, and a reward.

“He gave me money because he knew it was his fault,” said Salas, who also said he would hike with his dog again, but not his dad. “I was happy with that,” he said.

ABC News’ Ellen Tumposky contributed to this report.

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Nassau County cop shot in East Meadow

EAST MEADOW (WABC) -- A Nassau County police officer was shot and injured Friday morning after a struggle with a suspect. The suspect was shot and killed by another officer who arrived as backup.

But they embraced, knowing he would survive.

Blocks away, it was a different scene.

Detectives consoled the fiance of another man, Dwayne Oxley, who they say grabbed that officer's gun.

But his outcome was much different.

"They may have pulled up to that car just to see if the guy was OK. Then the struggle emerged," said Lt. Kevin Smith, Nassau County Police.

It started innocently enough before dawn in this then-deserted East Meadow shopping center.

Surveillance video shows the first officer pulling up to an SUV with one man inside.

He stepped out of the car.

But when a second cop arrived to provide backup, Oxley jumped back into the car and locked the doors.

"The officers managed to get the door open and a struggle ensued getting him out of the car, and that time that struggle continued to ensue with the officer's gun now being involved," Smith said.

Police say Oxley pulled the gun from the holster of one of the officers, who struggled to get it back.

But it went off hitting him in the leg.

His partner opened fire on the suspect, hitting him two or three times and killing him.

Detectives spent the day searching for clues into why the man went for that gun.

The bullet hit the officer's left thighbone.

He spent the morning in surgery, where doctors placed a rod in his leg.

Meanwhile, police cleared the scene and life returned to normal in this shopping center.

Pizzeria manager Peter Bruce says he couldn't believe his eyes when he arrived at work.

"It's the holidays and we're supposed to be all happy and cheering and there's a New Year. And I come to work and there's a dead guy in front of my building," Bruce said.

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Times Square preps for record New Year's Eve crowd

  Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- The biggest New Year's Eve party is just around the corner, when hundreds of thousands will ring in 2012 in Times Square.

And New York City is ready.

Bomb-sniffing dogs, as well as uniformed and plainclothes officers, will be among the throngs of revelers.

It is certainly not easy to keep 750,000 to 1 million people safe, but that's exactly what the NYPD does every year. From helicopters in the air with infrared lights to thousands of officers on the ground, the NYPD is making use of all its resources.

"We want everybody to have a great holiday and be safe and enjoy it," New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. "Every year, I've gone now for 10 years, it is one of the most exciting things."

Larger than usual crowds are already paralyzing Times Square traffic.

Police are moving baracades for when they block all traffic along Broadway and 7th from Central Park and for six blocks in every direction from the center of the square starting at 2:30 Saturday afternoon.

None of that is stopping folks from across the planet from joining the party.

This year, the excitement could reach unprecedented levels. Bloomberg says unusually warm weather should draw a record crowd. Yet the NYPD says it will be ready.

"I like to think that we do this pretty well," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said. "We have a lot of experience at doing it."

Kelly says the department changes its specific game plan from year to year. However, as with previous New Year's celebrations, the NYPD is planning to deploy thousands of officers. That includes hundreds running checkpoints, dozens on horseback, and still more in plainclothes mingling with the crowd.

It is a crowd that will be mostly concerned about watching the ball drop with Bloomberg and special guest Lady Gaga.

"I have never met Lady Gaga," Bloomberg said. "I saw her once perform at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I thought she was a great entertainer, but I do not personally know her. And I am looking forward to it."

Justin Bieber will also be performing at the event. Officers will be carrying chemical- and biological-detecting devices. Officials say there has been no specific threat, but that security is always a concern on New Year's Eve in New York City.

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NYC mayor says work on 9/11 museum has stalled

  By DAVID B. CARUSONEW YORK (WABC) -- Work on a planned museum at the World Trade Center has ground to a halt because of a financial dispute, and there is now no possibility it will open on time next year, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Thursday.

The underground museum commemorating victims of the 9/11 attacks was scheduled to open in September on the 11th anniversary of the disaster, a year after the opening of a memorial at the site that has already drawn 1 million visitors.

But in recent months, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum foundation has been fighting with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey over who is responsible for paying millions of dollars in infrastructure costs related to the project.

The Port Authority, which owned the trade center and is building the museum, claims that the foundation owes it $300 million. The foundation claims that the authority actually owes it $140 million, because of delays in the project.

The dispute has been simmering for some time, and some details of the work slowdown were reported in November, but Thursday marked the first time that the mayor and other officials have acknowledged that the fight would mean the museum will not open in 2012.

"There is no chance of it being open on time. Work has basically stopped," Bloomberg said. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on a recent radio program that the Port Authority was "on the verge" of suing the foundation, but both the mayor and the Port Authority said Thursday that negotiations over the matter continue.

"I'm sure we are going to work something out with the Port Authority," Bloomberg said. "They've got a difficult budget situation. I'm sympathetic to that."

Despite security hurdles and ongoing construction, tourists from around the world have already made the memorial at the site a regular stop on their visits to New York City. Since it opened to the public Sept. 12, more than 1 million people have visited the memorial plaza, officials said.

The site now draws about 10,000 visitors a day, which would put it on pace to match or exceed the 3.5 million who visit the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building annually.

Tourists - some reverent, some just there to gawk - have long been a staple at ground zero, but until this summer the closest they could get were the high fences that ringed a bustling construction zone where the twin towers once stood.

Negotiating fences and legions of construction workers is still part of any trip to the memorial. All visitors must reserve free tickets in advance and pass through a security screening. But the hurdles haven't stopped people from coming. Memorial officials said visitors have hailed from all 50 states and 120 countries.

Anthoula Katsimatides, a memorial board member whose brother, John, was killed at the trade center, said the attention is welcome.

"It truly touches my heart and reaffirms the importance of this memorial to know a million people have already come here to honor and pay respects to my brother and the thousands of other loved ones who died in the attacks," she said in a written statement.

Visitors to the site today can walk on a tree-covered plaza and see the two massive pools that sit in the footprints of the fallen towers. Each pool is ringed by waterfalls, and a parapet engraved with the names of the nearly 3,000 people who died on 9/11 and in a 1993 bomb attack.

Visitors can also get a close-up look on construction of One World Trade Center, now 90 stories high and on its way to being the nation's tallest building.

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Associated Press writer Samantha Gross contributed to this report.

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Fire Dept. releases recordings in Stamford tragedy

Web produced by Jennifer Matarese, Eyewitness NewsSTAMFORD, Conn. (WABC) -- The Stamford Fire Department has released dramatic recordings from the day a Connecticut home went up in flames, killing five people including three children.

For the firefighters, the stress must have been unbearable.

The searing heat, the choking smoke, and knowing children were trapped on the upper floors.

"We have victims trapped on the second floor, we're going to rescue mode with a ladder. We've got a report from one of the victims, there's people in that window," the Stamford Fire Department's radio transmission said.

The radio transmissions paint a picture of controlled chaos and desperation.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO PART ONE OF THE RADIO TRANSMISSIONS

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO PART TWO OF THE RADIO TRANSMISSIONS

The firefighters struggle to reach them, but are driven back, again and again.

"You have heavy fire right above your head-back out back out! All units on the interior, all units on the interior, back out. Back out! How you making out Tom? I got one over here," the radio transmissions said.

But it was all too late.

The deadly smoke had claimed the lives of all three little girls.

9-year-old Lily and 7-year-old twins, Gracie and Sarah.

A picture was taken by their father, just four days before the fire.

Family friend Abby Ballin released a statement on behalf of the childrens' father:

"Matthew was a truly one of a kind father, one that most don't come by frequently. He was kind, loving, on hand, extremely creative, and as the girls would say 'the funnest dad around!'

Matthew loved his darling daughters more than life itself and did anything and everything he could to make sure their life was filled with love, joy and adventure. The girls always knew when they were with their father that it would never be boring and a new and exciting adventure was always on its way.

He enjoyed and contributed to all their various activities such as drawing, painting, signing, acting and Lily's favorite the impersonations of accents!

Their home was always filled with music and colorful art could be seen everywhere.

These three special girls, Lily, Sarah & Gracie were a trio and could never be torn apart. Their spirits will live on forever and ever in the hearts of their family and loves ones. We couldn't have been blessed with three more truly unique girls, there are no words to express how marvelous they are.

You could not have found a pair of parents like Matthew and Madonna Badger that always put their children first and did everything in their power to give them the best lives conceivable. There will never be two people less deserving of this tragedy.

These were three of the happiest girls the world could find. Life will never be the same without them, but we all know that some where they are twirling and singing and painting the heavens...."

Also killed in the fire, were the children's grandparents.

Pauline and Lomer Johnson will be buried next week in Canada.

The cause of the fire was found to be ashes from the fireplace left unattended on a back porch.

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Suspect arrested in Sunset Park sex assault

Web produced by Jennifer Matarese, Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- A man authorities suspect of posing as a cop and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in the crime.

The incident happened in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, last week.

Steven Pappas was taken into custody Thursday morning, following a brief police pursuit through Sunset Park.

Pappas was charged with: Criminal Sex Act, Sex Abuse, Criminal Possession of Stolen property, Criminal Impersonation, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

"He looked at this individual, how close his picture was to the sketch. The sketch is a very good likeness. They saw that the individual rearrested was arrested essentially for the same act in 1999." said Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Detectives from the Special Victims Unit first spotted the suspect near Seventh Avenue and 53rd Street just after 8:15 a.m. Pappas was captured after the chase at 50th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway.

Authorities took the suspect into custody in the general vicinity of the attack.

"He did have, in fact in his possession, a police badge, a police shield of an active duty police officer. That's under investigation," Kelly adds.

They were still searching for a white blue or gray minivan in the area of Fort Hamilton Parkway and 68th Street in Dyker Heights.

Police say Pappas is a career criminal whose checkered past is dotted with a burglary and sex crimes arrests.

In fact, he's on parole after a stint behind bars that began in '09.

A review of similar cases led detective to that case from February 4, 2009 case. In that case, the suspect approached the victim, a 12-year-old boy, on the 53 Street and 4 Avenue subway platform and displayed a gold shield.

The suspect identified himself as a Police Officer and escorted the victim into a blue sedan.

Once inside the sedan, the suspect drove to 97 Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway where he Sexually Assaulted the victim.

The suspect then drove the victim to 87 Street and 4 Avenue where he released him.

It has been determined that the suspect was also responsible for that incident. His charges are as follows: Criminal Sex Act, Sex Abuse, Criminal Impersonation, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

Brooklyn State Senator Martin Golden says Pappas shouldn't have been on the streets in the first place, and at the very least, he believes the level 3 sex offender should have been monitored.

"Where were the parole officers who were supposed to be on top of him the day he left that prison," State Sen. Martin Golden said.

Golden says Pappas fell through the cracks of a corrections and parole system that has been shrinking under the weight of state budget cuts.

Taxpayer savings, he alleges, may be compromising public safety.

He says the suspect, a level 3 sex offender, was living within a thousand feet of a school and playground.

Police say his most recent victim had thrown an empty bag of chips on the subway platform at the 53 Street and 4th Avenue on December 23 when the suspect displayed what appeared to be a police shield and told the victim to come with him.

The suspect drove the victim to the intersection of 92 Street and Dahlgren Place, where he allegedly sexually assaulted the boy.

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Several rescued from fire in Bayonne

  Adam Stephan, Eyewitness NewsBAYONNE, N.J. (WABC) -- First responders rescued several people from a fire at a four-story apartment building in Bayonne, New Jersey Thursday night.

The fire started on the third floor of 92 West 33rd Street at around 8:20 p.m.

When firefighters arrived, three people were on the fire escape.

Firefighters managed to rescue them with a tower ladder.

Three other people were rescued from the basement.

Nobody was seriously injured.

One officer was treated for smoke inhalation.

Police say the fire was caused by an electric heater that caught fire in a back closet.

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Real Estate in New York City

Protest planned for interfaith breakfast

In this Monday April 20, 2009 file photo, Mayor Michael Bloomberg listens during a press conference in New York. (AP Photos/Bebeto Matthews)

  Patrick Becker, Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- Mayor Bloomberg's annual interfaith breakfast Friday is now threatened to be overshadowed by protests.

A group of Muslim clerics say they will boycott the breakfast because of the NYPD's controversial counter-terrorism surveillance programs in the city.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says the department's actions are within the law.

Friday's breakfast is still scheduled as planned at the Public Library in Midtown.

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'The Dapper Bandit' identified by FBI

  John Antalek, Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- The FBI released surveillance images of a bank robber they've dubbed "The Dapper Bandit" who is accused of hitting at least 10 banks.

Investigators are searching for Dana Connor, they say he's robbed several banks in New York City since September.

The suspect is called the Dapper Bandit because he wears a suit during his heists.

Authorities say Connor also has a "Moe Love" tattoo on his chest.

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Top breakout stars of 2011

2011: Top 11 Breakout Stars of Film, TV and Music - ABC News Hot Topics: Rick Santorum?Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?Strait of Hormuz HomeVideoBlogsNewsPoliticsInvestigativeHealthEntertainmentMoneyTechGood Morning America20/20This WeekNightlineWorld NewsMore Entertainment: Golden GlobesKate MiddletonJ. R. MartinezIn the SpotlightLindsay LohanLady GagaStar ScandalsCelebrity Photos Home> U.S.>USTop 11 Breakout Stars of 2011By KATIE MORISONDec. 15, 2011

Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty1. Ryan Gosling

Leading the charge among the breakout stars of the year was 31-year-old Ryan Gosling: leading man, musician, and major heartthrob. He looked buff in the buff in the comedy "Crazy Stupid Love," played a power-hungry press secretary in George Clooney's political thriller "Ides of March" and drove his Chevy to the levy in "Drive." Plus, he drives the ladies wild.

"Hot. Ryan Gosling is insanely hot!" said People Magazine's assistant managing editor Kate Coyne. "But he additionally has a red hot career."

Watch "The Year With Katie Couric" now and click here for more on "The Year" from People magazine.

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The Year: Breakout StarsEugene Gologursky/WireImage/Getty Images2. Emma Stone

Emma Stone emerged as a star in 2011 in "The Help," the film based on the sensational best-selling book that was the summer's sleeper hit. Stone, 23, starred as a white writer exposing the treatment of black maids in 1960's Mississippi.

"In 'The Help,' Emma Stone made the transition from that funny girl in the teen movies, like 'Easy A' and 'Superbad,' to a person you could actually take seriously in a real film," said Current TV host and writer Brett Erlich.

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The Year: Breakout StarsEmma Stone Feels 'The Help' PressureChristopher Polk/WireImage/Getty Images3. Octavia Spencer

Emma Stone got some help in "The Help" from one of Hollywood's best kept secrets: Octavia Spencer, a breakout star at 41. Spencer's memorable performance as maid Minny Jackson is already generating awards show buzz.

"This was a huge year for Octavia Spencer, and really for the movie 'The Help,'" said Jen Garcia, People Magazine assistant editor."There is early Oscar talk for her, and I really think she has a chance to walk away with it."

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The Year: Breakout Stars'The Help,' Bestselling Book, Hits Big ScreenJason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images4. Melissa McCarthy

Actress Melissa McCarthy was bold, brash and unabashed in this year's blockbuster comedy "Bridesmaids." The 41-year-old comedienne made a name for herself on the small screen this year as well, winning her first Emmy for outstanding lead actress on the sitcom "Mike and Molly."

"Triumphant!" said Coyne of the moment. "She literally was crowned the new queen of television. And finally, the nice girl finishes first."

"Here's the thing about Melissa McCarthy," said Peter Castro, deputy managing editor at People Magazine. "A lot of people compare her to Roseanne Barr. I think we should be comparing her to John Belushi. And I mean that in a good way. Because you know if you can belch, pass wind, have diarrhea in a sink, and be funny -- that's talent."

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The Year: Breakout Stars"Mike & Molly" Star on Her Emmy WinJim Spellman/WireImage/Getty Images5. Kristen Wiig

"Bridesmaids" was the brainchild of another breakout star -- 38-year-old Kristen Wiig -- who co-wrote the script about a sometimes rude and often crude, miserable maid of honor. Even before "Bridesmaids," Wiig was a standout on "Saturday Night Live," where for seven seasons she's poked fun at everyone from Nancy Pelosi to Kathie Lee Gifford. Next, she'll be getting in touch with her serious side, starring opposite Robert De Niro in a drama ironically called "The Comedian."

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The Year: Breakout StarsSeriously Funny: Kristen WiigAngela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images6. Zooey Deschanel

From the "It Girl" to "The New Girl." On the quirky Fox comedy, Zooey Deschanel plays a woman who moves in with a trio of single guys she found on Craigslist. It's a modern take on "Three's Company," turned on its head.

"'The New Girl' is one of the most popular shows of the new primetime season," said Erlich. "So Zooey went from being the object of affection for a lot of nerdy guys in movies, to being the object of a lot of nerdy guys on television."

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The Year: Breakout StarsTop 11 Breakout Stars of 2011Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images7. Emily VanCamp

"Revenge" might be a dish best served cold, but the star of this ABC drama is on this year's hot list. Emily VanCamp plays Emily Thorne, a vengeful vigilante out to seek retribution on the people who caused the destruction of her family and the death of her father. VanCamp, 25, previously starred on "Brothers and Sisters" and "Everwood."

"She popped up in this incredible show 'Revenge,' and it's been really a breakout hit of the year," said Garcia.

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The Year: Breakout Stars'Brothers and Sisters' Star Seeks 'Revenge'Janette Pellegrini/Getty Images8. Scotty McCreery

"American Idol" champ Scotty McCreery's debut album, "Clear As Day," has sold more than a half million copies and has been at the top of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart since its October release. In 2012, McCreery will head out on tour with Brad Paisley.

"You're going from reality TV star, and you have to cross that bridge to country music singer," McCreery told Robin Roberts earlier this year. "So I've gotta work hard and try to make that bridge and try to go across to being that country music singer and staying on the charts and staying around for awhile to make music."

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The Year: Breakout StarsScotty McCreery: 'I'm a Normal Dude'Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage/Getty9. Nicki Minaj

"Super Bass" hip hop artist Nicki Minaj's over the top get-ups were the most-Googled Halloween costumes this year, complete with YouTube tutorials on how to best resemble the 29-year-old rapper.

"If you put Katy Perry and 'Lil Kim into a blender, Nicki Minaj would come out of it," said Castro.

"She's the first artist to have seven singles in the hot 100, and the first female artist to have a number one song in the hot 100 rap list, since 2002," said Erlich.

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The Year: Breakout StarsHip-Hop Superwoman Nicki MinajClaudio Bresciani/AFP/Getty Images10. Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara's breakout role is coming at the very end of 2011, but is sure to make the young actress a household name. Mara stars as Lisbeth Salandar in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," the firm film based on Stieg Larsson's blockbuster "Millennium Trilogy" books.

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The Year: Breakout StarsTop 10 Holiday Season MoviesDave Hogan/Getty Images11. Adele

And British pop star Adele is rolling in dough thanks to her Grammy-nominated hit "Rolling in the Deeo" off the quadruple-platinum selling album "21."

"I think her record is one of those rare, rare records that hipsters and grandmothers both like and probably for the same reason," said Larry Hackett, People Magazine's managing editor. "I think the songs are incredibly well crafted, her voice is incredibly pure, and every single song is great."

But that pure voice might have been pushed too far during a grueling world tour, forcing the 23-year-old singer to undergo surgery last month for a vocal hemorrhage.

"It was terrible luck, because she was white hot, and then she got these throat problems, and had to cancel shows, and just when she was gaining this momentum, you know, this thing happened. But she's so young. We are going to see so much more of her," said Castro.

It's a safe bet we'll be seeing much more of all these fresh faces and breakout stars in 2012.

More on "The Year" from People magazine.

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The Year: Breakout StarsTop 11 Breakout Stars of 2011 More from ABC News Top 11 TV Moments of 2011 Year in Movies: Great Films of 2011Who Are 2011's Most Fascinating People?Top 11 Scandals of 2011The Year: Breakout StarsThe Year: Scandals and Meltdowns More Video » Comment & ContributeDo you have more information about this topic? If so, please click here to contact the editors of ABC News.   Watch Mornings on ABC Watch the Full Episode GMA 12/29: The GOP Race to Iowa... Robin Roberts RecommendsExclusive Deals, Just for 'GMA' Viewers!A Look Back at News, Trends and More PHOTOS: Middleton Dazzles in New Earrings Most Viewed >Texas Teen Posted Videos Before Christmas DeathTeen Gives Birth, Loses Cancer FightMan, 99, Divorcing Wife Over Affair 60 Years Ago Photos: Solo Katy Perry Shows Off Bod Photos: Chimp Victim Charla Nash's New Face Photos: Steven Tyler Engaged, Jeweler SaysMore Popular News » ABC News on Facebook Follow Us ABC News NewslettersMore Newsletters » More you'll love on Karaoke Battle USA Who is ABC's at home Karaoke King and Queen? Vote nowThe Lying Game Watch ALL NEW Mondays at 8/7c. Get a sneak peek now. Click here. Today in ABC NewsABC News Home » External links are provided for reference purposes. ABC News is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. Copyright © 2011 ABC News Internet Ventures.Back to top

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