New York, New Jersey, Connecticut News: June 2011

Sunday 19 June 2011

4 dead in small plane crash

Eyewitness NewsWESTCHESTER (WABC) -- Investigators are working to determine the cause of a deadly crash in Westchester County.

Federal officials say the Cessna 210 burst into flames near an office building in the suburb of Armonk on Saturday killing all four people on board.

The small plane had departed from Westchester County Airport and was heading to Montauk at the time of the crash.

The victims are identified as Keith Weiner, 63, his wife Lisa Weiner, 51, and daughter Isabel Weiner, 14, of Manhattan and 14-year-old Lucy Walsh also of Manhattan.

According to reports, the plane was in pieces and on fire when crews from local fire departments arrived.

The FAA said that the National Transportation Safety Board was sending investigators to look into the crash.

(Copyright ©2011 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Deadly gunfire at Brooklyn house party

Eyewitness NewsBrooklyn, NY (WABC) -- One person is dead after a house party erupted into a wild shooting spree in Brooklyn.

The shooting started just after 3:00 a.m. inside a home on Wyona Street in East New York.

According to police, the house was packed with people attending a party advertised on flyers as "Freaky Friday Party."

Police believe it started when two people who were already in some sort of fight bumped into each other, and then it spilled out onto the street.

Donzell Rogers, 20, was shot and killed.

Police said seven shooting victims were in stable condition at area hospitals Saturday.

Police say they have recovered two weapons from the scene and believe it may have been gang related.

Three people are in custody and being questioned by police.

No one has been charged.

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Bronx boy's death ruled a homicide

Eyewitness NewsTHE BRONX (WABC) -- Police in the Bronx are investigating the murder of a five-year-old boy.

Jamar Johnson was found unconscious Friday night in an apartment in the Edenwald section.

He died a short time later.

The medical examiner ruled his death of homicide.

There are no arrests.

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E Street Band Saxophonist Clarence Clemons dies

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODYNEW YORK -- Clarence Clemons, the larger-than-life saxophone player for the E Street Band who was one of the key influences in Bruce Springsteen's life and music through four decades, has died.

He was 69.

Clemons died Saturday night after being hospitalized about a week ago following a stroke at his home in Singer Island, Fla.

Springsteen acknowledged the dire situation earlier this week, but said then he was hopeful. He called the loss "immeasurable."

"We are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly 40 years," Springsteen said on his website. "He was my great friend, my partner and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band."

Known as the Big Man for his imposing 6-foot-5-inch, 270-plus pound frame, Clemons and his ever-present saxophone spent much of his life with The Boss, and his booming saxophone solos became a signature sound for the E Street Band on many key songs, including "Jungleland," a triumphant solo he spent 16 hours perfecting, and "Born To Run."

In recent years, Clemons had been slowed by health woes. He endured major spinal surgery in January 2010 and, at the 2009 Super Bowl, Clemons rose from a wheelchair to perform with Springsteen after double knee replacement surgery.

But his health seemed to be improving. In May, he performed with Lady Gaga on the season finale of "American Idol," and performed on two songs on her "Born This Way" album. Just this week, Lady Gaga's video with Clemons, "The Edge of Glory," debuted.

Clemons said in a 2010 interview with The Associated Press then that he was winning his battles - including severe, chronic pain and post-surgical depression. His sense of humor helped.

"Of all the surgeries I've had, there's not much left to operate on. I am totally bionic," he said.

"God will give you no more than you can handle," he said in the interview. "This is all a test to see if you are really ready for the good things that are going to come in your life. All this pain is going to come back and make me stronger."

Reaction came from across the entertainment industry.

"Clarence Clemons was an electric, generous, sweet spirit. Taught me how to look cool with a sax. Goodbye Big Man," tweeted actor Rob Lowe.

Added Questlove, drummer for the Roots: "RIP Clarence Clemons. A True Legend. Will be absolutely missed."

An original member - and the oldest member - of the E Street Band, Clemons also performed with the Grateful Dead, the Jerry Garcia Band, and Ringo Starr's All Star Band. He recorded with a wide range of artists including Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison and Jackson Browne. He also had his own band called the Temple of Soul.

The stage "always feels like home. It's where I belong," Clemons, a former youth counselor, said after performing at a Hard Rock Cafe benefit for Home Safe, a children's charity, in 2010.

Born in Norfolk, Va., Clemons was the grandson of a Baptist minister and began playing the saxophone when he was 9.

"Nobody played instruments in my family. My father got that bug and said he wants his son to play saxophone. I wanted an electric train for Christmas, but he got me a saxophone. I flipped out," he said in a 1989 interview with the AP.

He was influenced by R&B artists such as King Curtis and Junior Walker. But his dreams originally focused on football. He played for Maryland State College, and was to try out for the Cleveland Browns when he got in a bad car accident that made him retire from the sport for good.

His energies then focused on music.

In 1971, Clemons was playing with Norman Seldin & the Joyful Noise when he heard about rising singer-songwriter named Springsteen, who was from New Jersey. The two hit it off immediately and Clemons officially joined the E Street Band in 1973 with the release of the debut album "Greetings from Asbury Park."

Clemons emerged as one of the most critical members of the E Street Band for different reasons. His burly frame would have been intimidating if not for his bright smile and endearing personality that charmed fans.

"It's because of my innocence," he said in a 2003 AP interview. "I have no agenda - just to be loved. Somebody said to me, `Whenever somebody says your name, a smile comes to their face.' That's a great accolade. I strive to keep it that way."

But it was his musical contributions on tenor sax that would come to define the E Street Band sound.

"Since 1973 the Springsteen/Clemons partnership has reaped great rewards and created insightful, high energy rock & roll," declared Don Palmer in Down Beat in 1984. "Their music, functioning like the blues from which it originated, chronicled the fears, aspirations, and limitations of suburban youth. Unlike many musicians today, Springsteen and Clemons were more interested in the heart and substance rather than the glamour of music."

In a 2009 interview, Clemons described his deep bond with Springsteen, saying: "It's the most passion that you have without sex."

"It's love. It's two men - two strong, very virile men - finding that space in life where they can let go enough of their masculinity to feel the passion of love and respect and trust," he added.

Clemons continued to perform with the band for the next 12 years, contributing his big, distinctive big sound to the albums, "The Wild, The Innocent and the E-Street Shuffle," "Born to Run," "Darkness on the Edge of Town, "The River" and "Born in the USA." But four years after Springsteen experienced the blockbuster success of "Born in the USA" and toured with his group, he decided to disband the E Street Band.

"There were a few moments of tension," the saxophonist recalled in a 1995 interview. "You've been together 18, 19 years.

It's like your wife coming to you: `I want a divorce.' You start wondering why? Why? But you get on with your life."

During the breaks, Clemons continued with solo projects, including a 1985 vocal duet with Browne on the single "You're a Friend of Mine" and saxophone work on Franklin's 1985 hit single "Freeway of Love." He released his own albums, toured, and even sang on some songs.

Clemons also made several television and movie appearances over the years, including Martin Scorsese's 1977 musical, "New York, New York, in which he played a trumpet player.

The break with Springsteen and the E Street Band didn't end his relationship with either Springsteen or the rest of the band members, nor would it turn out to be permanent. By 1999 they were back together for a reunion tour and the release of "The Rising."

But the years took a toll on Clemons' body, and he had to play through the pain of surgeries and other health woes.

"It takes a village to run the Big Man - a village of doctors," Clemons told The Associated Press in a phone interview in 2010. "I'm starting to feel better; I'm moving around a lot better."

He published a memoir, "Big Man: Real Life and Tall Tales," in 2009 and continued to perform.

He is the second member of the E Street Band to pass away: In 2008, Danny Federici, the keyboardist for the band, died at age 58 of melanoma.

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Mermaid Parade kicks off Coney Island summer

Eyewitness NewsCONEY ISLAND (WABC) -- Colorful costumes and fabulous floats are just two of the hallmarks of New York's annual Mermaid Parade.

It's marks the unofficial start to summer on Coney Island.

The Mermaid Parade pays homage to Coney Island's forgotten Mardi Gras which lasted from 1903 to 1954.

Participants toss fruit into the Atlantic Ocean to appease the "sea gods".

The Mermaid Ball followed at the New York Aquarium.

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Four killed in Long Island pharmacy shooting

Eyewitness NewsMEDFORD, New York (WABC) -- Four people have been killed at a pharmacy on Long Island.

The shooting took place at Haven Drugs, a pharmacy on Southaven Avenue in Medford.

Eyewitness News has learned one of the victims is an 18-year-old who worked at the pharmacy.

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Mysterious toddler death in the Bronx

Eyewitness NewsTHE BRONX (WABC) -- Police in the Bronx are trying to figure out what caused the tragic death of a toddler.

Emergency crews responded to East 140th street in Port Morris just after 4 a.m. on Saturday.

Paramedics found Anita Ortiz, 3, unresponsive.

She died a short time later.

The medical examiner will determine what caused her death.

No charges have been filed.

(Copyright ©2011 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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2 NY park police officers rescued on Niagara River

Eyewitness NewsBUFFALO, N.Y. -- Two New York State Park Police officers trapped in fog on Niagara River about a quarter mile from the famous falls are safe after a Canadian police helicopter hoisted them off the water.

The New York officers were trying to rescue another boat early Saturday morning when they became stymied by the fog about 4 a.m. not far from Niagara Falls.

About four hours later, the fog cleared and the officers were rescued by an Ontario Parks Police helicopter.

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Same-sex marriage supporters plan a rally

Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- The state legislature on the Same-Sex Marriage Bill is set to adjourn tomorrow and still there is no Senate vote scheduled.

Governor Andrew Cuomo is pushing in favor of the bill and has said that he will extend the legislative session to the end of the week if needed.

The Democrat has personally lobbied wavering Republican lawmakers and says the extension of marriage rights to gays and lesbians is "a matter of principle, not politics."

GOP lawmakers met with the governor on Friday in reference to setting certain limitations to the bill.

The Same-Sex Marriage Bill is just one vote shy of passing.

Supporter of the bill will hold a rally at 2pm at the LGBT Community Center on West 13th St.

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Saturday 18 June 2011

Illegal immigrant hired by airline under stolen ID

Tiffany Jackson, Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- A scary case of identity theft allowed an illegal immigrant to be hired as a flight attendant by American Airlines.

Miami Police say Jophan Porter stole the identity of a disabled man from New York City.

Porter apparently applied for and was given the job with the airline under the stolen ID.

The unemployed victim discovered his identity had been stolen after he was denied medical benefits because they claimed he made too much money. (Copyright ©2011 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more U.S. & World News »

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Man arrested for shooting dogs with paintballs

Marci Gonzalez, Eyewitness NewsBUSHWICK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- A Brooklyn man was arrested for allegedly shooting his neighbor's two dogs with paintballs because they were barking.

"This is the one that got blasted in the face," said Pete Wojcik, the dogs' owner.

That blast left the dog's eye swollen shut, and green spots just like the one near her eye covered the 3-year-old pit bull-terrier mix Baby's body.

1 ? year old Birdie was also pelted with paint balls.

"I'm super angry with him, super angry," Wojcik said.

Wojcik has been angry since Wednesday when from inside his Bushwick home, he heard his dogs bark for a moment in the backyard, then something he still can't believe.

"I heard, det, det, det, det, det," Wojcik described.

Wojcik said he found his dogs yelping, his porch plastered by paint bullets, and then he looked up.

He saw his neighbor on the roof three houses down.

The neighbor allegedly fired 40 paint balls at the dogs in the yard because they were barking.

"He kept saying that he didn't kill the dogs, so what does it matter," Wojcik said.

The neighbor, Daniel Lacin who lives in a building down the street was arrested and later released.

He gave no explanation to Eyewitness News for the mess and the pain he's accused of causing.

"I'm happy that he's being taught that you can't just do things like that without a consequence," Wojcik said.

Lacin is charged with Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and failure to provide proper sustenance for animals, reckless endangerment in the 2nd degree, criminal mischief in the 4th degree, criminal possession of weapon in the 4th degree.

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Christie to caller: "It's none of your business"

By Scott Curkin; Eyewitness NewsNEW JERSEY (WABC) -- New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is receiving criticism for the way he answered a question about education funding on a local television show.

Christie appeared on an hour-long call-in show with Steve Adubato.

LINK: WATCH THE CLIP HERE

The calller asked why Christie felt it was right to cut funds from public schools when his kids attend private school. In his response, he said "It's none of your business" multiple times when referring to where his own kids go to school.

In his first year in office Christie cut school funding by $820M.

He's also been locked in a battle with the teacher's union over pension and health care contributions, calling union leaders political thugs.

INTERACTION: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

(Copyright ©2011 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Why New York City Is The Greatest City In The World

Senate restores NYC rent law temporarily

By MICHAEL GORMLEYALBANY -- New York's Senate has temporarily restored New York City's rent control law to protect more than 1 million tenants until a longer term solution can be negotiated.

The law that dates to 1946 lapsed Wednesday night because a political fight in the Senate resulted in rejection first by Democrats, then by much of the Republican majority.

The extension adopted late Friday is retroactive to the expiration and runs until midnight Monday, so all tenants will be protected from any rent hikes or eviction landlords might have sought after the bill lapsed.

The adoption of a longer term rent control law is tied to a bill that would cap the growth of property taxes statewide.

The last day of the scheduled session is Monday.

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Robber targeting women in Washington Heights

Jennifer Matarese, Eyewitness NewsWASHINGTON HEIGHTS (WABC) -- Police in Manhattan are searching for a brazen robber who's targeting women in Washington Heights. He's struck twice already, once inside of an elevator.

The first robbery happened in Washington Heights on Saturday, June 4th around 2 a.m.

The suspect grabbed a 26-year-old woman as she walked into her apartment building, pushed her into a wall and demanded her cell phone.

She gave him her phone and he ran away.

The victim suffered a cut to her eye, but was treated at the scene.

Then, just five days later on June 9th, the suspect struck again at 11:50 a.m. also in Washington Heights.

A 29-year-old woman was inside of the elevator in her apartment building, when the suspect got inside and pushed her against the wall as the doors closed.

The man demanded her cell phone and began to punch her, but she fought back.

When the elevator door opened, the suspect took off without getting her phone.

She received several bruises, but recovered from her injuries.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man, about 5'8"-5'10" tall, weighing 200-220 lbs, and is partially bald and has a slight beard.

Anyone with information in regards to these robberies is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.

You can also submit your tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting by your tips to 274637(CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.

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Giffords visting hometown of Tucson this weekend

This, most recent photo of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords since she was shot, was posted to her public Facebook page by her aides Sunday morning June 12, 2011. The photo was taken May 17, 2011 at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, the day after the launch of Endeavour and the day before she had her cranioplasty.Giffords could be released from a rehabilitation hospital in Houston sometime this month, a top aide says, offering the latest indication that the Arizona congresswoman is making progress in recovering from a gunshot wound to the head. Woman in background is unidentified. ((AP Photo/Giffords Campaign - P.K. Weis))

By AMANDA LEE MYERSPHOENIX -- Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was back in her hometown Friday, visiting Tucson for Father's Day weekend in her first time back to her hometown since she was shot in January.

"We've been dreaming of this trip for some time," Giffords' astronaut husband, Mark Kelly, said in a news release. "Gabby misses Tucson very much and her doctors have said that returning to her hometown could play an important role in her recovery."

Kelly said the trip "is sure to be very emotional" and hopes the news media respects their privacy. Giffords spokesman C.J. Karamargin said the Democratic congresswoman traveled by private plane from Houston to Tucson with Kelly and one of his daughters and she'll spend Father's Day weekend with her family.

According to a Twitter posting from her staff, Giffords' plane landed in Tucson on Friday evening.

"Wheels down Tucson. Gabrielle & Mark looking forward to a beautiful weekend," the tweet said.

Giffords was released from a Houston hospital Wednesday, five months after being shot in the head during a Tucson political event. She had been in the rehab facility since late January, a few weeks after the shooting that killed six and wounded 13.

Giffords will make no public appearances and will grant no interviews during her visit to Tucson, according to Karamargin.

He said Giffords often speaks of Tucson and has said repeatedly, "I want to go home."

"Going home has been something that's been right at the top of her list," Karamargin said. "She is a child of the desert. This is where her heart is. There is no doubt that this will provide a boost in her recovery."

She has left Houston twice since she arrived there in January, first in late April for Kelly's space shuttle launch. When the launch was scrubbed for mechanical reasons, she returned to Florida again for the successful May 16 launch.

Giffords is now living in Kelly's home in League City, a town 26 miles south of Houston. She will continue outpatient therapy at the same hospital where she underwent rehabilitation.

Giffords, who was shot in the left side of her head and has been struggling to relearn how to speak and walk, will be assisted by a 24-hour home health provider, according to a statement from the hospital.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Sunday 5 June 2011

Plaxico Burress set to be released from prison

By TOM CANAVAN and JENNIFER PELTZNEW YORK -- Locked up for 20 months for illegally carrying and firing a gun at a Manhattan nightclub, Plaxico Burress is ready to walk out of prison and face another grim reality, a lockout that could jeopardize the resumption of his football career.

The former New York Giants receiver who caught the game-winning pass in the 2008 Super Bowl is set to leave the Oneida Correctional Facility in upstate New York on Monday. Burress, who turns 34 in August, plans to return to his Florida home to spend time with his wife, son and a daughter born while he was in jail.

Unlike Michael Vick, released in 2009 from a federal term for dogfighting, Burress doesn't have a league waiting to bid on his services.

---
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Germany: Sprouts likely cause of E. coli outbreak

By KIRSTEN GRIESHABER and TOMISLAV SKAROBERLIN -- German agricultural authorities on Sunday identified locally grown beansprouts as the likely cause of an E. coli outbreak that has killed 22 people and sickened hundreds in Europe.

The Lower Saxony agriculture ministry was sending an alert Sunday warning people to stop eating the sprouts, which are often used in mixed salads, ministry spokesman Gert Hahne told The Associated Press.

"Bean sprouts have been identified as the product that likely caused the outbreak," Hahne said. "Many restaurants that suffered from an E. coli outbreak had those sprouts delivered."

Hahne said the sprouts were grown on a farm in Lower Saxony in northern Germany. He did not elaborate but planned a news conference later Sunday.

Hahne said while official test results have not yet conclusively shown that the Lower Saxony-grown sprouts were to blame, "all indications speak to them being" the cause.

He also said authorities would still keep their warning against eating tomatoes, cucumbers or lettuce in place for now.

The crisis is the deadliest E. coli outbreak in modern history.

The head of Germany's national disease control center raised the death toll to 22 Sunday - 21 people in Germany and one in Sweden - and said another 2,153 people in Germany have been sickened. That figure includes 627 people who have developed a rare, serious complication that can cause kidney failure.

The World Health Organization said 10 other European nations and the U.S. have reported a total of 90 other victims.

Earlier in the day, Germany's health minister fiercely defended his country's handling of a deadly E. coli outbreak as he toured a hospital in Hamburg, the epicenter of the crisis.

The comments by Health Minister Daniel Bahr seemed to reflect a sharp U-turn in his public response to the crisis and came after Associated Press journalists reported on the chaos and unsanitary conditions in the emergency room of the same hospital, the University Medical Center in Hamburg-Eppendorf.

Prior to his visit, Bahr admitted that hospitals in northern Germany were overwhelmed and struggling to provide enough beds and medical care for patients stricken by the bacterial outbreak, and suggested that other regions start taking in sick patients from the north.

But after one E. coli survivor told the AP that sanitary conditions at the Hamburg hospital were horrendous when she arrived with cramps and bloody diarrhea, Bahr announced his visit and changed his tune.

Bahr told reporters that, despite capacity problems at some hospitals, German medical workers and northern state governments were doing "everything necessary" to help E. coli victims.

"I witnessed how the employees in the institutions have been working intensively and informing patients early and transparently" about their conditions, Bahr said.

Bahr said he wanted to see the situation firsthand and talk to physicians and nurses who have been working overtime and double-shifts for weeks since the crisis began May 2.

Nicoletta Pabst, 41, told the AP that sanitary conditions at the Hamburg-Eppendorf hospital were shocking and its emergency room was overflowing with ailing people when she arrived.

"All of us had diarrhea and there was only one bathroom each for men and women - it was a complete mess," she said Saturday.

"If I hadn't been sick with E. coli by then, I probably would have picked it up over there."

After waiting three hours to be seen, Pabst was told to go home because her blood levels did not indicate that she had kidney failure. When her symptoms deteriorated sharply, she had to return by ambulance the next morning and was treated for a week at a different hospital. Her children were blocked from going to school.

Jan Kielstein, a nephrologist at a hospital in Hannover, told the Tagblatt newspaper that staffers there were working day and night to treat E.coli patients.

"Some employees even canceled their vacations and they are highly motivated to help in this serious situation," he said.

Oliver Grieve, spokesman for the Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital in the northern city of Kiel, told Spiegel Online that "our personnel is working round the clock ... they voluntarily come in on weekends and even sleep here." He said additional ER nurses had come up from southern Germany to help and even the hospital's cleaners were working overtime.

Critics had earlier questioned the slow pace of Germany's investigation, with the medical director of Berlin's Charite Hospitals, Ulrich Frei, saying that health experts should not have waited a month before interviewing patients.

Fear of the aggressive E.coli outbreak also spread to countries outside Europe.

The Gulf nation of Qatar on Sunday temporarily banned imports of fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce from Spain and Germany and insisted all other fresh fruit and vegetables from Europe carry a health certificate declaring they were free of E. coli.

Lebanon banned all vegetables from the 27-nation European Union while the United Arab Emirates banned cucumber imports from Spain, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Russia on Thursday also banned vegetables from the entire EU to keep the outbreak from spreading east, a move the EU called disproportionate and Italian farmers denounced as "absurd." No E.

coli infections have been reported in Russia.

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Moving estimate is something which plays a very important role. If moving cost is high it is wise to switch over another New York moving company offering same services at lesser rate. Apart from that you should also make sure that the moving cost includes everything starting from assembling to reassembling. At times people prefer to avail storage facilities too, availing this storing facility carries an additional cost. But Redline Movers offers this service too at an affordable rate. Thus, it won't be wrong to say that selecting this New York moving company over others is the best choice.

Hence, try to keep all these points in mind and surely you will find best New York moving company to move with. For more information on New York moving company, New York moving companies, New York City movers and professional moving company Nyc please visit http://www.redlinemovers.com.

Shane writes for professional NYC Moving Companies like http://www.redlinemovers.com

Genuine Swarovski Crystal Pearl Royal Necklace/Earring Set with All Around Rondelles- Tahitian - 8mm

This Genuine Swarovski Royal Necklace and earring set is truly royal in every sense. The elegance, the shine, the brilliance of the pearls, the sparkle of the genuine Swarovski crystals..they all add to lend a truly royal aura to your presence. The 8mm brilliant white pearls are just the right size to add to your look but not to take away from your natural glow.

Caution - Wear this only if you are comfortable being the center of attraction, if you are comfortable with envious eyes drooling over you, if you are perfectly ok with receiving all the compliments.

The Secret Of Swarovski Crystal Pearls : Each Swarovski Crystal Pearl is created around a crystal core, hence the name Crystal Pearl. This crystal core gives the pearl its ideal weight and combined with the Swarovski Pearl coating it causes each Crystal Pearl to glow from within. The pearl coating developed by Swarovski is applied around the crystal core in pearly layers. The high specific gravity of a raw pearl made of crystal gives the Swarovski Crystal Pearl the same weight as a cultured pearl. Swarovski crystal pearls look very high quality with its superior lustre. A Swarovski Crystal Pearl feels good to the touch and as a piece of jewelry, it offers that sensual experience valued by pearl enthusiasts.

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Taking New York off the Silver Screen

Most people who haven't been to New York still have a picture of it in their head - a picture that might depend on their favorite films. It might be the Ghostbusters grappling with supernatural forces on top of an art-deco skyscraper, or King Kong batting away the fighter planes from Empire State Building - or Audrey Hepburn or Meg Ryan falling in love atop the same building. It all depends on what sort of films you like. For me, it's Woody Allen scurrying among the brownstones and waving his hands while he tries to explain himself to a woman who he has outrageously betrayed - and succeeding. It's not a picture of America - it's a picture of the very specific nation-within-a-nation that is New York. And it's a picture with a soundtrack - from West Side Story to New York, New York, most memorably sung not by Frank Sinatra but by the Gremlins.

From that point outwards, other impressions will spring to mind - yellow cabs and their fast-talking drivers, water hydrants spraying the streets in summer, a whole panoply of different food from bagels to pizzas to submarine sandwiches. And places - Chinatown, Central Park, Greenwich Village - where Bob Dylan first played - Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn.

So of all the places in the world we haven't been to, we know more about the New York than anywhere else. But we also know it's a tough-talking, fast-moving kinda place - a place where visitors might easily get lost or worse. Although most of us might feel a visit to New York is one of the most essential experiences in life - how, indeed, can anyone claim to have seen the world without seeing the city that never sleeps? You need to be well-prepared.

Sightseeing in New York City

Even if you move there for the rest of your life, you won't see everything. So you'll need to plan, to avoid being swept along on the tide of bright lights and persuasive salespeople. But you'll also need to be flexible and open to things that come along. Seasoned tourists know the most memorable experiences happen out of the blue. You might miss your trip to the Guggenheim because you get caught up in a street parade. So what? Maybe after a few busy of sightseeing in New York you decide to cancel everything to laze around in Central Park - and that's the day you remember for the rest of your life.

New York City Hotels

Visitors shouldn't forget they are holiday-makers first and tourists second. Be on holiday - it's the main thing.

But you'll still need the basics in place. A reliable, well-placed New York hotel to go back to is probably the most important. It needn't be a big part of your experience; given the place you've really come to see it outside the front door. But the hotel still has the potential to become a big part of your experience if it's poorly-serviced, unfriendly or in the wrong place. A big, bad part of your experience. You're choosing a place you've never seen in a city you've probably never been to - so it will be difficult to have any certainty without some help from people that know the city.

Then there are all the little details that could make the difference between feeling at home and feeling out of place. What if you leave and everyone who has served you has made you feel bad - just for the sake of not knowing who should tip them? Or getting stuck on the wrong side of town because you can't figure out the travel system? Or shopping in the wrong place and paying more than you had to? Or missing one of your favorite performers because you didn't know they were playing?

This where local knowledge comes in - the more you have, the more welcome you will feel and the better time you will have. And the Internet provides better access than ever before; with http://blog.newyorkjourney.com/">New York travel blogs like New York Journey's one providing a stream of up-to-date insider knowledge. With information at your fingertips, it's time to take New York off the silver screen and see it for yourself. Who knows, you might end up starring in a movie all of your own!

At New York Journey we have developed an informative, up-to-date directory of New York neighborhoods, their attractions and their fantastic New York hotel offerings find. There is also a comprehensive New York travel blog dedicated to keep you informed of the latest happenings in New York City.

13 hurt in bounce house accident on LI

Eyewitness NewsOCEANSIDE (WABC) -- Bounce houses blew away in the wind in Oceanside, injuring thirteen people outside a school.

The incident happened where the Oceanside United Soccer Club was hosting a soccer tournament at Oceanside School 9 on Alice Avenue.

The three inflatable bounce houses were provided as entertainment. While several of the children were playing inside, a heavy gust of wind blew across the field, raising them off the ground and sending them airborne.

"It was the craziest thing you ever saw," parent Vinny Garone said. "The next inflatable that two of my kids were in started bouncing and sliding. I tried to catch it, and it just flattened me."

Neighborhood residents and some of the players watched as the frightening accident unfolded.

"We were on the field when we saw it," witness Marcus Unger said. "We heard people screaming and we turned around, and the big bouncy house was flying around. And all these people were running away, scared. It looked like there were a lot of people hurt."

The bouncers then continued rolling after landing, striking several people on the ground.

In all, 13 people were hurt, as well as two people on the ground. None of the injuries was serious, but parents say the party was certainly spoiled.

"It's a big shame that it worked out this way, because the children really do enjoy it," parent Carol Cola said. "And it's the last game, it's a chance to tell you coaches how great they were, to tell your kids how great they played. It's a beautiful day, and it just got destroyed."

long island, oceanside, long island news

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Protesters celebrate departure of Yemen's leader

Anti-government protestors spray foam and wave their national flags as they celebrate President Ali Abdullah Saleh's departure to Saudi Arabia, in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, June 5, 2011. Thousands of protesters are dancing and singing in the Yemeni capital Sanaa after the country's authoritarian leader flew to Saudi Arabia to receive medical treatment for wounds he suffered in a rocket attack on his compound. ( (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed))

By AHMED AL-HAJSANAA, Yemen -- The departure of Yemen's battle-wounded president for treatment in Saudi Arabia set off wild street celebrations Sunday in the capital where crowds danced, sang and slaughtered cows in hopes that this spelled a victorious end to a more than three-month campaign to push their leader from power.

Behind the festive atmosphere, many feared Ali Abdullah Saleh, a masterful political survivor who has held power for nearly 33 years, will yet return - or leave the country in ruins if he can't.

Hanging in the balance was a country that even before the latest tumult was beset by deep poverty, malnutrition, tribal conflict and violence by an active al-Qaida franchise with international reach.

Saleh, who was taken overnight to a military hospital in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, underwent successful surgery on his chest to remove jagged pieces of wood that splintered from a mosque pulpit when his compound was hit by rockets on Friday, said medical officials and a Yemeni diplomat. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they did not have permission to release the information.

The stunning rocket attack, which the government first blamed on tribal fighters who in recent weeks turned against the president and later on al-Qaida, killed 11 bodyguards and seriously injured five senior officials worshipping just alongside Saleh.

While Saleh is away, Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi is acting as temporary head of state, said the deputy information minister, Abdu al-Janadi. The minister said the president would return to assume his duties after his treatment, though experts on Yemeni affairs questioned whether a return is possible in the face of so much opposition.

"Saleh will come back. Saleh is in good health, and he may give up the authority one day but it has to be in a constitutional way," al-Janadi said. "Calm has returned. Coups have failed. ...

We are not in Libya, and Saleh is not calling for civil war."

His sudden departure raised many questions, including whether his Saudi hosts would bless his return. The Saudis have backed Saleh and cooperated over the years in confronting al-Qaida and other threats, but they are now among those pressing him to give up power as part of a negotiated deal. Saudi Arabia has watched with concern the anti-government protests that have spread to other neighboring countries like Bahrain and is eager to contain the unrest on its doorstep.

The president's absence raised the specter of an even more violent power struggle between the armed tribesmen who have joined the opposition and loyalist military forces under the command of Saleh's son and other close relatives. Street battles between the sides have already pushed the political crisis to the brink of civil war.

In an attempt to cool the situation, the vice president offered through mediators to pull government forces back from the neighborhood of the capital where they've battled fighters loyal to Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar, who heads Yemen's most powerful tribal confederation, the Hashid.

Al-Ahmar said in a statement he agreed to the deal, which requires his forces to leave the streets and government ministries they seized starting Monday.

In the streets of the capital, Sanaa, joyful crowds celebrated what they hoped would be Saleh's permanent exit.

Crowds danced, sang and slaughtered a few cows in what demonstrators have dubbed Change Square, the epicenter of the nationwide protest movement since mid-February calling for Saleh to step down immediately. Some uniformed soldiers joined those dancing and singing patriotic songs and were hoisted on the shoulders of the crowd. Many in the jubilant crowd waved Yemeni flags, joyfully whistling and flashing the "V" for victory signs.

"Who would have believed that this people could have removed the tyrant?" said 30-year-old teacher Moufid al-Mutairi.

Women in black veils joined demonstrators carrying banners that hailed Saleh's departure. One read: "The oppressor is gone, but the people stay."

But there were also fears that the president would attempt a comeback or try to transfer power to his son Ahmed, who heads the Republican Guard and remains in Yemen. Some worried Saleh and his allies could even try to leave the country in ruins if they feel there is no way to stay in power.

"Saleh is never true to his word," said al-Mutairi, the teacher. "If the medical reports are true that his wounds are light, then he will for sure return. Our challenge now is to remove the rest of the regime."

"If he returns, it will be a disaster."

Yemen's unrest began as a peaceful protest movement that the government at times used brutal force to try to suppress, killing at least 166 people, according to Human Rights Watch. It transformed in the past two weeks into armed conflict after the president's forces attacked the home of a key tribal leader and one-time ally who threw his support behind the uprising. The fighting turned the streets of the capital into a war zone.

Other forces aligned against Saleh at the same time. There were high-level defections within his military, and Islamist fighters took over at least one town in the south in the past two weeks.

In Taiz, Yemen's second-largest city, dozens of gunmen attacked the presidential palace on Sunday, killing four soldiers in an attempt to storm the compound, according to military officials and witnesses. They said one of the attackers was also killed in the violence. The attackers belong to a group set up recently to avenge the killing of anti-regime protesters at the hands of Saleh's security forces.

Elsewhere in the south, gunman ambushed a military convoy, killing nine soldiers, officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Saleh has been under intense pressure to step down from his powerful Gulf neighbors, who control a large share of the world's oil resources, and from longtime ally Washington. They all fear Yemen could be headed toward a failed state that will become a fertile ground for al-Qaida's most active franchise to operate and launch attacks abroad.

In a display of the kind of political maneuvering that has helped keep Saleh in power through numerous perils, he agreed three times to a U.S.-backed Gulf Arab proposal for ending the crisis only to back out at the last minute.

Now, Saleh's injuries and his treatment abroad provide him with what could turn out to be a face-saving solution to exit power.

"This is exactly what needed to happen," said Christopher Boucek, a Yemen expert with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "He needed to leave in order to get past this political deadlock that has been cursing Yemen for the past few months."

Rick Nelson, a counterterrorism expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said there is no chance of Saleh returning to Yemen and it's unlikely anyone linked to him can maintain power and control.

"I can't see any remnant of the saleh government staying in place after this," Nelson said.

The fact that powerful members of Saleh's family have remained behind in Sanaa suggests vigorous attempts to hold power will be made.

Significantly, military officials said Hadi, the vice president, met late Saturday night in Sanaa with several members of Saleh's family, including his son and one-time heir apparent Ahmed, who commands the powerful Republican Guard. Others who attended the meeting included two of the president's nephews and two half brothers. All four head well-equipped and highly trained units that constitute the president's main power base in the military.

--- Associated Press writers Sarah El Deeb and Ben Hubbard in Cairo, Bradley Klapper in Washington and Abdullah al-Shihri in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, contributed to this report.

u.s. & world news

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Gun buyback program in the Bronx Saturday

Eyewitness NewsBRONX (WABC) -- Law enforcement and three Bronx churches joined forces to sponsor a gun buyback program for one day only on Saturday.

Participants in the gun buyback received a $200 pre-paid cash card for each eligible weapon that was surrendered, no questions asked, in the Bronx.

Three-hundred and fifty-four guns were surrendered in the cash-for-guns exchange, officials said. The weapons included one Uzi submachine gun, one Tec-9 and one Tec-22 semi-automatic, four AK-47 style assault weapons and six sawed-off shotguns among 161 revolvers, 112 semi-automatics, nine shotguns, 16 rifles, and 46 BB and zip guns.

"Programs like the gun buyback have real, quantifiable results," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said. "Since this program started in 2008, it has been responsible for taking over 6,000 guns off the street of the five boroughs. Our hope is that [the] gun buyback in the Bronx builds on this success and results in even more guns off the street, and more innocent lives saved."

Plainclothes NYPD officers, Bronx DA Detective Investigators and members of the NYPD Bronx DA Squad were on hand at the churches to accept the firearms that were surrendered. Participants were encouraged to bring the weapons in paper bags, plastic bags or shoe boxes.

Citizens who want to turn in weapons can do so anonymously at police stations citywide every day of the week and receive $100. In addition, the Department's Operation Gun Stop program (1-866-GUN-STOP) rewards individuals up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest of an individual who is carrying, selling or using guns illegally.

new york city, bronx, gun, gun violence, gun buy back, new york news

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Shooting, chase, and a deadly end in Newark

Eyewitness NewsNEWARK (WABC) -- A shooting, and then a car chase, and finally a crash into a third vehicle. When it all came to end, an innocent man was dead in Newark.

The crash happened on Sanford Avenue on Saturday morning.

Witnesses say a gun was found at the found at the scene.

The incident allegedly began when shots were fired from one car at another car. A chase ensued that ended in a collision with the third car.

The driver of the third car was pronounced dead at the scene. Three others suffered injuries.

The force with which the cars hit is as evident from their blasted front ends and shattered windshields as it is from a now-battered intersection, with a light pole cut in half, a fire hydrant toppled and part of a brick building in pieces on the ground.

Three people from the first two cars are hospitalized and have been charged with aggravated assault and weapons charges. Their identities and the identity of the victim were not immediately released.

Newark police and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office are investigating.

new jersey, newark, accident, new jersey news

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Once barred from prom, Conn. student gets to go

Eyewitness NewsSHELTON, Conn. -- It was this year's best known prom in Connecticut and a student forbidden from attending finally got to go.

Shelton High School senior James Tate and his date, Sonali Rodriges, attended the prom Saturday, nearly a month after he was prohibited for posting his invitation to Rodrigues in 12-inch cardboard letters on the school wall.

School officials said his invitation was a safety risk and suspended him for a day and barred him from the prom. Headmaster Beth Smith later reversed the decision, acknowledging the international attention the case received.

Dressed in a three-piece, black tuxedo and a purple flower in his jacket pocket, Tate arrived at a pre-prom photo event followed by television cameras.

Rodrigues, dressed in a lavender prom dress, said her date was funny and "pretty cute."

northern suburbs news

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Saturday 4 June 2011

Big Delights In The "Big Apple": What New York City Has To Offer You

New York City, located among a cluster of islands surrounding New York Harbour, has an immense amount to offer visitors. That said, many first-timers in the city often feel overwhelmed by its size and multitude of attractions. But rest assured that by keeping a few handy travel tips in mind, you'll be able to get the most out of your experience in the "Big Apple."

New York City, like many large cities, has a number of small, distinctive boroughs. Atmospheric neighbourhoods such as Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown emanate the splendours of the city, yet stand on their own characteristically. Even relatively compact regions of the city are known for their unique attributes, such as the farmer's market in Union Square or the iconic lighted advertisements of Times Square. But one thing is certain: no matter where in the city you go, you're bound to encounter a host of treasures.

When organizing an outing in New York City, it's a good idea to arrange an approximate sightseeing route; after all, with a city that's so vast in size, sticking to some sort of plan might save time and help you get the most out of your visit. Getting around New York City is simple: the city's subway network is one of the most comprehensive in the world, connecting all parts of Manhattan in rapid time.

However, the best way to see New York is undoubtedly on foot. Central Park is an ideal place to start a walking tour of New York City: 843 acres of shimmering ponds and lush greenery beckon to locals and tourists alike as a haven alongside the concrete backdrop of the city. And apart from offering breathtaking scenery, the park is a centre for New York recreation. Visitors can listen to music groups, watch performers, walk along the trails and even take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride. The Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Garden, Ellis Island and Coney Island also offer great opportunities for outdoor family fun in New York City.

If you're an art buff, you'll certainly want to take advantage of New York City's many museums and galleries. A section of Fifth Avenue has now been officially deemed the "Museum Mile" due to the number of famous museums located there. Among the most famous are: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Moreover, a trip to New York City simply isn't complete without a visit to its famous Theatre District. With world-class performances being staged year-round, visitors are always sure to find a show that suits their theatrical taste. Furthermore, half-price discounted tickets are available at the TKTS centre on Broadway - so you don't have to pay a fortune to see a fantastic show.

Avid shoppers will be thrilled with New York City's shopping scene - one of the most prominent in the world. With Stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, Bloomingdales and Macy's, there's something to keep every shopper smiling. And children - as well as the young at heart - will enjoy visiting the world famous toy store, FAO Schwarz. New York also plays host to countless annual festivals and events, such as the International Food Festival, the New York State Fair, New York Film Festival and the New York City Marathon, the world's largest road race. So no matter what time of year you decide to visit, you're sure to come across some seasonal excitement.

If you're planning a trip to New York City, you'll find a number of superb hotels - like the Jumeirah Essex House - which offer first-class accommodation. And if you stay at a hotel near Central Park New York, you're guaranteed an experience which encompasses both the animated attractions and serene splendours of the city. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags - complete with a pair of walking shoes - and get ready to experience one of the most iconic cities in the world.

Central Park Zoo's beloved polar bear dies

In this March 25, 2005 file photo, a polar bear named "Ida" rests her head on a bucket at the Central Park Zoo in New York. Zoo officials say Ida was euthanized on Friday, June 3, 2011, after veterinarians determined she had liver disease brought on by cancer. She was 25. ((AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File))

Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- One of the Central Park Zoo's beloved polar bears has died.

Zoo officials say Ida was euthanized Friday after veterinarians determined she had liver disease brought on by cancer.

Ida was 25. She was born in New York's Buffalo Zoo in 1985 and went to the Central Park Zoo when she was 2. She was seen by millions of guests through the years, often cuddling beside her male companion, Gus.

New York City zoos director Jeff Sailer says Ida will be missed every day by staff and guests. He says millions of visitors have been inspired to care more about the plight of polar bears in the wild because of her.

Ida's zookeepers were allowed to share quiet time with her before she was euthanized.

new york city, central park, central park zoo, famous deaths, new york news

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Eats: Classic Quiche Cafe

TEANECK, New Jersey (WABC) -- Classic Quiche Cafe, located at 330 Queen Anne Rd. in Teaneck, New Jersey, is home to a dozen different flavors of quiches.

Below is a simple recipe if you want to make your own Portobello mushroom quiche at home.

Ingredients:

10 inch deep dish pie crust ? tsp. granulated garlic 2 extra large eggs 1 cup heavy cream ? cup buttermilk 1/3 C half and half 2 grilled Portobello mushroom caps (cut into cubes) ? cup marinated sundried tomatoes (diced) ? fresh arugula 1 cup grated Swiss cheese 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

Bake pie crust until just done and set aside. Grill 2 Portobello caps and cut into cubes and set aside. Dice sundried tomatoes into small ? inch sized pieces and also set aside. Then, blend eggs, heavy cream, buttermilk and half & half into the batter.

Sprinkle the garlic into the bottom of the pie crust. Evenly drop all but 2 ounces of Portobello cubes, sundried tomatoes and the arugula into the bottom of the crust. Pour the batter over these ingredients until they are approximately one inch from the rim. Blend the grated Swiss and mozzarella cheeses together and sprinkle around the entire top of the batter followed by randomly sprinkling the Portobello cubes, pieces of sundried tomatoes and arugula around the top.

Place into a 350-degree oven for approximately ? hour keeping a close eye on overcooking. If it starts to become too dark, lower the temperature in the oven. Quiche will be done when you slightly jiggle it and it will not look as though there is still some liquid. Take quiche out to cool, cover it and place it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, slice into desired size of wedges and reheat at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or for one piece in the oven for 10-15 minutes. (Copyright ©2011 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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recipe, neighborhood eats, lauren glassberg

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New Changes Planned for the New York Schools by the State's New Governor

Many states are experiencing the shock of new governors who are breaking the mold of former elected officials. In past generations, new state governors created a transitional governing period during which they and their staffs could get up to speed on the operations and issues of their states' governments. In 2007, many new governors are hitting the ground running. Transitional periods seem to be nonexistent with the newly elected governors barely settling into the governor's residence before making changes within their states.

New York's new democratic governor is such an elected official. Governor Eliot Spitzer was swore in on January 1st, taking his oath of office and delivering his inaugural speech. By the end of January, he already has formulated new plans to put the New York schools and its students back on the road to success.

Spitzer's major push is his series of "Contracts for Excellence", which are methods and programs to improve the New York schools and the education its students receive.

One initiative will provide a significant increase in state aid to poorly performing districts within the New York schools. Of course, this increase in funding has strings attached that the governor believes will set a new course for success for the problem schools. New York schools receiving the extra funding must justify any improvements to their facilities. They also must set goals for their New York schools' students' performance. If these New York schools meet their goals, they will receive special recognition for their success, along with the possibility of receiving even more funding. Failing to meet their goals, however, means these New York schools risk funding penalties and the removal of superintendents, principals, and even school district board members.

A second initiative from Spitzer is report cards for New York schools' leadership. In a recent speech at the State Education building in Albany, Spitzer stated that currently only New York schools' students and their schools receive report cards. Soon, the New York schools' leadership will begin receiving annual report cards that will track the performance of district superintendents and individual school principals from year-to-year. For the first time, the New York schools will be able to rigorously compare and evaluate their performance with the report cards following them from one school district to another within the state of New York.

Other initiatives under Spitzer's Contracts for Excellence for the New York schools are:

o A universal pre-kindergarten for all four-year-olds within the New York schools' area by 2010. All children deserve the opportunity to get a head start on education through this uniquely designed preschool period of acclimatization.

o The class sizes in the New York schools are much too large, making students in large classrooms difficult to teach and learning next to impossible for the children. Spitzer sees smaller class sizes as a must for educational success within the New York schools.

o Spitzer wants the cap on public charter schools within the New York schools to be raised from the current 100 to 250. Many see these public school academies as the solution to poor performing traditional New York schools. The charter schools also will be required to meet their own "Contract for Excellence" every five years in order to remain open.

o The governor wants to appoint a "Children's Cabinet" to assist with and guide the improvement efforts of the New York schools. The cabinet will be comprised of regents, education experts, and the state education commissioner.

Lastly, Spitzer announced his appointment of Manny Rivera as his new deputy secretary for education. Rivera is the former superintendent of schools in Rochester, New York.

Though Spitzer did not provide any details of how his proposals will be implemented or from where the funding will come, he did note that his plans will be meticulously formulated in detail during the creation of the state's budget proposal to the legislature.

Patricia Hawke is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations and education for relocating families. For more information please New York Schools [http://www.schoolsk-12.com/New York/index.html]

Thousands rally against proposed firehouse closings

Web produced by Bill King, Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- Thousands of firefighters and community members took to the streets Friday to protest Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan to close 20 firehouses.

The march began at Engine 205 in Brooklyn Heights and culminated with a rally outside City Hall.

With just four weeks to go until the fire companies could be shuttered, firefighters organized their biggest protest yet.

More than 1,000 firefighters marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall, where they joined up with 5,000 others to rally against the proposed closings, which critics say could affect response times in every borough.

"It will put lives in jeopardy because it will extend the response time of the FDNY," Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said.

Markowitz has called the proposed cuts an outrage, as eight of the 20 fire companies on the chopping block are in his borough. Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has said that according to his analysis, response times in 18 neighborhoods would rise above the national standard of four minutes.

"Under a plan like this, more lives would be lost," de Blasio said. "It's also fundamentally unfair to say to people in some neighborhoods, you get less. You know, just grin and bear it."

The Uniformed Firefighters Association took out this newspaper ad to announce the rally. It depicts the mayor dressed as the grim reaper. But Bloomberg has insisted the closings, which would save the city about $55 million, won't put anyone in danger.

He's suggested that fewer firefighters are needed because buildings are now safer, and he's pointed out that even though six firehouses closed in 2003, response times and fire deaths are at a new low.

City officials stress the list is preliminary and that no final decision has been made. The budget for fiscal 2012, which begins July 1, is still being negotiated between the City Council and the mayor.

new york city, fdny, marty markowitz, michael bloomberg, new york news, dave evans

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Budget Hotels in New York

Welcome to the city of dreams. The city of living dreams, the New York City. The New York City is vivid with the life and people from across all continents which make this the greatest cosmopolitan city in the world. Not only it offers a substantial lifestyle but it is also a great center of economic and business activities. The streets of the New York City are always flooded with people with dreams to make big and in return the city offers them everything which they come here for. The largest city in the state and the most populous city in the United States is New York City, which is comprised of five counties, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. New York City is home to more than two-fifths of the state's population.

If you are a visitor the first glance of the city with its tall skyscrapers and beautiful and bold architecture attracts you towards its glamour and style. Immerse yourself completely and surrender yourself to the city of style, high life, history and culture. Apart from its glamour and high life New York City has a great historical significance which will come across every nook and corner. It is the city which is standing tall on with its rich historical and cultural heritage. In all you would find all American attributes here in New York.

If you're a first-time visitor to New York City, come see for yourself the Empire State and Chrysler buildings, the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the Bronx Zoo, Staten Island Ferry, Brooklyn Bridge and all our other world-famous attractions. If you've been here before, there's always another neighborhood to explore, another restaurant to try, another Broadway show and museum blockbuster to see, another don't-miss cultural performance or sporting event.

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City probe finds no evidence of blizzard slowdown

By DAVID B. CARUSONEW YORK -- In the days after a December blizzard paralyzed New York City, residents upset with the slow pace of the cleanup were further enraged by reports that the snow removal effort had been sabotaged on the night of the storm by disgruntled city sanitation workers.

But in a report released Friday, the city's anticorruption agency said that while its-five month probe of those allegations had uncovered some instances of wrongdoing - including a trip by one group of plow drivers to buy beer - it found no evidence that an organized work slowdown had taken place.

The city's Department of Investigation said it interviewed some 150 witnesses and reviewed 24 hours of video footage from surveillance cameras around the city, as well as GPS records and pictures and video submitted by residents, and found only a handful of instances where plows were either sitting still or traveling with their plows up for unexplained reasons.

The video appeared to show that the overwhelming bulk of the city's plowing fleet was in action, and that trucks seen sitting idle were actually stuck in the snow, the report said.

The report also raised questions about the credibility of the city council member who helped ignite a public furor over the rumored work stoppage.

After the Dec. 26 blizzard, City Councilman Dan Halloran gave an interview to the New York Post in which he claimed to have spoken with five city workers who confirmed there had been an organized work slowdown to protest budget cuts.

Halloran subsequently told The Associated Press he had been visited by three sanitation workers who complained that supervisors upset about a round of pending demotions had told them to go easy on the night of the storm and "basically been giving them a green light not to do their job."

Halloran, a tea party Republican from Queens, said he also spoke with two Department of Transportation supervisors who claimed they had been instructed to sit idle for hours, rather than get to work plowing streets.

In its report, however, the Department of Investigation said that when it interviewed the two transportation supervisors, they strongly disputed Halloran's account. Both said they had no knowledge of any work slowdown and were caught off-guard when Halloran unexpectedly grilled them about it during a casual lunch meeting.

"Supervisor 2 said that the meeting was very uncomfortable and he felt like Mr. Halloran was `annoyed' that they did not have any information that would confirm a slowdown. He said the encounter was brief, several minutes," the report said.

The supervisors also told investigators they were shocked when news articles began appearing in which Halloran described them as whistleblowers.

"Supervisors 1 and 2 also said they were upset because Mr. Halloran's statements made it seem as though they were part of a group of five City employees who provided Mr. Halloran with concrete information to corroborate a slowdown when, in fact, they asserted that is not what they said," the report said. Both men denied making any statements about being held back on purpose during the storm.

Halloran has declined to reveal the names of the three other city workers with whom he allegedly spoke. Initially, he claimed he was doing so to protect their privacy. The DOI report said Halloran later told investigators he only knew the workers' first names and was having difficulty contacting them. Finally, he said publicly that since he was a lawyer, and the men had come to him for advice, legal ethics barred him from revealing who they were.

Asked for comment, Halloran issued a statement through his spokesman that didn't address whether he had mischaracterized his conversations with the workers.

"Disturbing questions remain about why plows went down streets with their blades up or sat unmoving for hours as the snow fell," it said. "My constituents expect me to shed a light on problems and come up with solutions, and I am going to do that, even when it makes the powers that be uncomfortable."

Harry Nespoli, president of the Teamster's local that represents sanitation workers, said he thought the Department of Investigation report vindicated the plow drivers.

"But all it does is make me more angry," he said, adding that hard-working Sanitation Department employees had to endure insults in the street because of the episode. "I think Mr. Halloran should turn around and address the sanitation workers in this city. I just don't think (what he did) was right."

The report did provide some criticism of the way New York City officials handled the storm. An unusual number of plows became stuck in the snow at some point, and the report questioned whether too many drivers were instructed to sit with their vehicles for many hours until help arrived, rather than being put to work in some other fashion. The probe also found that 44 percent of the snow chains deployed on plows broke during the cleanup.

Investigators also recovered surveillance video, first identified by the New York Post, showing one sanitation crew buying beer at a convenience store in Brooklyn while they were still in uniform and on the job.

Disciplinary actions have begun against those workers, city officials said.

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Girl dies after ferris wheel fall in Wildwood

Eyewitness NewsWILDWOOD (WABC) -- An 11-year-old girl has died after a fall from a ferris wheel in Wildwood, New Jersey.

The accident happened around 12:30 p.m.at Mariner's Landing Pier on the boardwalk.

Wildwood Police Capt. Robert Regalbuto said the ride was in motion at the time, and the girl fell from its upper half. She was identified as Abiah Jones of Pleasantville. She was with her classmates from Pleasant Tech Academy.

The popular amusement park was hosting its annual Education Extravaganza - a day the park is open and marketed for area students and educators.

The event is described as "a day of hands-on learning and interactive participation utilizing the beach and Morey's Piers amusements."

"I'd like to say how sorry we are for the incident that occurred here," said Will Morey, president and CEO of the Morey Organization, which has owned amusement parks at the Jersey shore since 1969. This was the first death of a patron in the history of the organization, he added.

A Wildwood police statement said the cause of the fall remains unknown.

The 156-foot-tall Ferris wheel is among rides at Morey's Mariner's Landing Pier. Both Morey's and police said the problem did not appear to be mechanical.

Morey said it appears Jones was alone in one of the car's passenger gondolas, which is secured with a double latch. The door of the car opens inward, making it difficult to climb out of, he said.

The girl's body was found in the passenger loading area of the ride on the boardwalk, leading authorities to believe she fell from near the top of the ride because that's the trajectory she would have followed as she fell, Morey said.

Police took photographs of various passenger carts on the Ferris wheel, part of which was covered in white sheets, and were looking for witnesses to the fall.

The Ferris wheel, which was built in 1985, most recently passed an inspection on March 17, according to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

After closing the Ferris wheel and a few others nearby but keeping the rest of the park open throughout the afternoon, the amusement park's owners decided around 4 p.m. to close the entire park for the remainder of the night. It was due to reopen Saturday morning.

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Some information from The Associated Press

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