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Long Island Rail Road

Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies
Van Ritshie, Beloved MTA Announcer, ‘Voice Of Hudson Valley’ Radio Host, Dies If you’ve ever hopped a train or scanned a radio in these parts, chances are good you’ve heard the velvety smooth voice of Van Ritshie. The longtime Hudson Valley radio host and voiceover artist, whose voice guided MTA commuters for decades, died Sunday, Nov. 3, at a Dutchess County hospice center in Poughkeepsie. He was 80 years old. “The Family of Van Ritshie is sad to announce that ‘The Voice of the Hudson Valley’ has passed on to be with Jesus after a brief illness surrounded by family,” reads his obituary. After earning his communications degree at Queensborough Community College in Q…
'We Will Rebuild': Powerful Storm, Flooding Leave Trail Of Destruction Across Parts Of NY 'We Will Rebuild': Powerful Storm, Flooding Leave Trail Of Destruction Across Parts Of NY
'We Will Rebuild': Powerful Storm, Flooding Leave Trail Of Destruction Across Parts Of NY At least six homes were heavily damaged and roads were washed out following a powerful storm system that brought drenching rain and widespread flooding to parts of New York and Connecticut. On Long Island, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine issued a state of emergency on Monday, Aug. 19, after surveying flood damage caused when up to nine inches of rain fell in parts of the county overnight. “Our longtime Mill Pond is gone. Six houses along here were damaged, their cesspools and personal belongings are now floating down this creek into the sound,” Romaine told reporters. Earlier Report:…
New Look: Rail-Cleaning 'Laser Train' To Clean NY Metro-North Routes Of Fallen Leaves New Look: Rail-Cleaning 'Laser Train' To Clean NY Metro-North Routes Of Fallen Leaves
New Look: Rail-Cleaning 'Laser Train' To Clean NY Metro-North Routes Of Fallen Leaves In order to clean its New York rail routes of slimy sludge left behind by fallen autumn leaves, Metro-North will be employing its "Laser Train," which has been given an all-new retro-inspired look.  This year will mark the first time that the "Laser Train" has been marked any differently than regular maintenance trains, Metro-North announced on Tuesday, Oct. 17.  The futuristic trains were developed in order to clear rails of wet, slimy leaf sludge caused by a chemical in fallen leaves called pectin. This substance can cause trains to slip along the rails as they brake, resulting …
Standout NY College Football Player ID'd As Man Struck, Killed By Train Standout NY College Football Player ID'd As Man Struck, Killed By Train
Standout NY College Football Player ID'd As Man Struck, Killed By Train Authorities have identified the man who was struck and killed by a Long Island Rail Road train. The incident happened at around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, west of the Wyandanch station, near the intersection of Long Island Avenue and Straight Path. On Thursday, May 25, the victim was identified as 30-year-old Demetrius Houanche, of Deer Park, an MTA spokesperson told Daily Voice. Earlier Report: Person Struck, Killed By Train Near LIRR Station In Wyandanch Houanche had been on the tracks illegally and was struck by an eastbound train, the spokesperson said. The incident halted servi…
Westchester Man On Train 'Executed 20-Year-Old Who Considered Him A Friend,' DA Says Westchester Man On Train 'Executed 20-Year-Old Who Considered Him A Friend,' DA Says
Westchester Man On Train 'Executed 20-Year-Old Who Considered Him A Friend,' DA Says New details have been released following the indictment of a Westchester County man in connection to an execution-style shooting onboard a Long Island Rail Road train last year. Suffolk County Police arrested Nicholas D'Agostino, age 20, of Yonkers on Thursday, May 18 for allegedly shooting Suffolk County resident Yusef Staine, of West Babylon, also 20 years old, to death on the train on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, at approximately 1:45 a.m. He was indicted on Friday, May 19, and charged with: Second-degree murder, a Class A felony; Second-degree criminal possession of a weap…
Fatal Shooting Onboard Train: 20-Year-Old From Westchester Charged Fatal Shooting Onboard Train: 20-Year-Old From Westchester Charged
Fatal Shooting Onboard Train: 20-Year-Old From Westchester Charged New Details: Westchester Man 'Executed Someone Who Considered Him A Friend' On Long Island Rail Road Train, DA Says A man from Westchester County has been charged in connection to a fatal shooting on a Long Island Rail Road train last year. Suffolk County Police arrested Nicholas D'Agostino, age 20, of Yonkers for allegedly shooting Yusef Staine, also 20 years old, to death on the train on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, at approximately 1:45 a.m. D'Agostino and Staine appeared to be traveling together onboard the westbound train parked at the Ronkonkoma LIRR station at the time of the…
Mom Killed, Daughter Hurt In Plane Crash On Long Island Were Fulfilling Lifelong Flying Dream Mom Killed, Daughter Hurt In Plane Crash On Long Island Were Fulfilling Lifelong Flying Dream
Mom Killed, Daughter Hurt In Plane Crash On Long Island Were Fulfilling Lifelong Flying Dream A woman who was killed and a daughter who was injured when a small plane crashed on Long Island were fulfilling a lifelong flying dream. Roma Gupta, age 63, of Whitehouse Station in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, died, while her daughter, Reeva Gupta, age 33, of St. Davids in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, remains in critical condition following the crash in North Lindenhurst on Sunday, March 5. The plane’s pilot, New York City resident Fayzul Chowdhury, 23, of the Bronx, also remains in critical condition at Stony Brook University Hospital.  Earlier report: IDs Released For Woma…
IDs Released For Woman Killed, Men Injured After Plane Crash In Residential Long Island Area IDs Released For Woman Killed, Men Injured After Plane Crash In Residential Long Island Area
IDs Released For Woman Killed, Men Injured After Plane Crash In Residential Long Island Area Click here for a new, updated story: Mom Killed, Daughter Hurt In Plane Crash On Long Island Were Fulfilling Lifelong Flying Dream The identities have been released of those onboard a small plane in which a woman was killed and two others injured after it crashed in a residential area of Long Island. The plane took off from Republic Airport in East Farmingdale with three people on board at around 2:15 p.m. Sunday, March 5, Suffolk County Police said. A short time later, the pilot issued a mayday signal and indicated there was smoke in the cockpit. The aircraft turned back toward…
Latest Update: New Details On Fatal Plane Crash In Residential Long Island Area Latest Update: New Details On Fatal Plane Crash In Residential Long Island Area
Latest Update: New Details On Fatal Plane Crash In Residential Long Island Area Click here for a new updated story: IDs Released For Woman Killed, Men Injured After Plane Crash In Residential Long Island Area New details have been released after one person was killed and two others injured after a small plane crashed in a residential area of Long Island. A small plane took off from Republic Airport in East Farmingdale with three people on board at around 2:15 p.m. Sunday, March 5, Suffolk County Police said. A short time later, the pilot issued a mayday signal and indicated there was smoke in the cockpit. The aircraft turned back toward the airport to make …
Metro-North President Named Interim Leader Of LIRR Metro-North President Named Interim Leader Of LIRR
Metro-North President Named Interim Leader Of Lirr Longtime Long Island Rail Road President Phillip Eng announced that he will be stepping down after decades in New York State Public Service and he will be temporarily replaced by a familiar face. Eng, a Smithtown resident who has been working in public service for nearly 39 years, announced on Thursday, Feb. 10 that he was retiring in a letter sent to MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber. “I can retire knowing that I leave the LIRR well-positioned for continued success with a dedicated management team and a tenacious workforce who are delivering the best train performance in LIRR history while…
Nor'easter: State Of Emergency Issued For These NY Counties Nor'easter: State Of Emergency Issued For These NY Counties
Nor'easter: State Of Emergency Issued For These NY Counties A State of Emergency has been declared by Gov. Kathy Hochul for parts of New York as the first nor’easter of 2022 rapidly approaches. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that parts of downstate New York that are expected to get hit the hardest have been placed under the state of emergency as upwards of 16 inches of snow are expected in some parts of the state. Related story - Nor'easter Nears: Track Shifts For Blockbuster Storm With Projected Snowfall Totals Increasing The State of Emergency, which is effective as of 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28 was declared for these counties in New York: Suffolk…
COVID-19: New Northern Westchester County Pop-Up Vaccination Site To Open COVID-19: New Northern Westchester County Pop-Up Vaccination Site To Open
Covid-19: New Northern Westchester County Pop-Up Vaccination Site To Open In an effort to bolster the number of New Yorkers who are getting the COVID-19 vaccination, new temporary pop-up sites are being set up at MTA stations across the state. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday, May 10 that eight new pop-up COVID-19 vaccination sites will be set up in New York City, Long Island, and Hudson Valley, serving up to 300 walk-in appointments per day. The sites will be utilizing the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, so travelers will not have to return to get a second shot. Among the new sites is at the Metro-North station in Ossining, whi…
COVID-19: Here's When MTA Will Distribute Free Pink Masks To Mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month COVID-19: Here's When MTA Will Distribute Free Pink Masks To Mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Covid-19: Here's When MTA Will Distribute Free Pink Masks To Mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month The Metro Transit Authority is distributing over 100,000 free, pink surgical masks in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this week. “These masks help reduce the spread of germs and viruses and raise awareness about breast cancer, a disease that affects so many New Yorkers every year,” said Patrick Warren, MTA Chief Safety Officer. “Wearing a mask is the law – and it’s also a sign of respect to your fellow riders and the employees who have heroically kept the city moving throughout the pandemic.” MTA announced that it will 114,500 of the through Thursday, Oct. 22 through the company's Ma…
COVID-19: Here's How Much MTA Riders Can Now Be Fined For Not Wearing Face Coverings COVID-19: Here's How Much MTA Riders Can Now Be Fined For Not Wearing Face Coverings
Covid-19: Here's How Much MTA Riders Can Now Be Fined For Not Wearing Face Coverings Mask up, or pay up. Riders using public transportation in New York will now face fines if they fail to adhere to the state’s mandate of wearing a face covering. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the MTA will be issuing $50 fines to anyone who fails to wear a facemask on New York City subways and buses, Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road cars. The new emergency order took effect on Monday, Sept. 14. Mask compliance will be enforced by MTAPD, NYPD, and Bridge and Tunnel officers. According to the MTA, surveys show more than 90 percent of customers are using masks on subways, buse…
Breaking Ground: Here's What Islanders' New Arena Will Look Like Breaking Ground: Here's What Islanders' New Arena Will Look Like
Breaking Ground: Here's What Islanders' New Arena Will Look Like Home sweet home. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and other local leaders were on hand on Monday, Sept. 23 to break ground at Belmont Park, the $1.3 billion future home of the New York Islanders. According to officials, “announced in December 2017, the Belmont Redevelopment Project will turn 43 acres of underutilized parking lots at Belmont Park into a premier sports and hospitality destination, including a new 19,000-seat arena for the New York Islanders hockey team and other events, a 250-key hotel, a state-of-the-art retail village and office and community space.…
MTA Will Increase Service For July 4th Holiday MTA Will Increase Service For July 4th Holiday
MTA Will Increase Service For July 4th Holiday Still trying to figure out your travel plans for the Fourth of July? You may be able to take advantage of these additional services offered by the MTA. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials have announced a plan to offer extra rail services on Wednesday, July 3 in order to to help customers travel to Fourth of July holiday activities. On Thursday, July 4, the MTA’s railroads, subways and buses will operate on weekend schedules. The eight additional Long Island Rail Road early afternoon services will depart Penn Station starting at 2:08 p.m. This service includes three extra…
Train Service To Hamptons Suspended After Derailment, LIRR Says Train Service To Hamptons Suspended After Derailment, LIRR Says
Train Service To Hamptons Suspended After Derailment, Lirr Says All Long Island Rail Road service to the Hamptons has been suspended after a Montauk train sideswiped a work train, derailing both, early Saturday morning, May 25. "Service is suspended east of Patchogue on the Montauk Branch after a train due in Montauk at 4:09 a.m. sideswiped a non-revenue train east of Speonk as part of a passing maneuver," the LIRR said in a statement. "Customers are advised to use alternate branches or other means of transportation." The closure is expected to last throughout the day, the LIRR said. "We expect service east of Patchogue, including to the Hamptons a…
MTA To Investigate Reports Of $400M In Employees' Overtime Pay MTA To Investigate Reports Of $400M In Employees' Overtime Pay
MTA To Investigate Reports Of $400M In Employees' Overtime Pay The MTA has launched an extensive investigation regarding “massive” overtime payments that saw its workers earn more than $400 million in overtime last year. Despite a year fraught with delayed, canceled and stalled trains, as well as the seventh fare hike in less than a decade, a new study released by Empire Center found that MTA’s overtime rose by nearly 16 percent last year. In total, the MTA shelled out $418 million in overtime more than five times what the anticipated price hike that took effect this week is expected to generate. In response, MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick F…
Report: Cuomo Offered Contractor Incentives To Get New TZB Second Span Opened Before Primary Report: Cuomo Offered Contractor Incentives To Get New TZB Second Span Opened Before Primary
Report: Cuomo Offered Contractor Incentives To Get New TZB Second Span Opened Before Primary On the day slated for the second try at opening the eastbound span of the new Tappan Zee Bridge, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration is being accused of offering the contractor enticements to make sure the opening took place before Thursday's Democratic primary, according to the New York Times. According to an internal document obtained by the New York Times, the enticements included the possibility of covering extra costs and reducing the bridge constructor's responsibility for any potential traffic accidents, said the Times. First slated to open on late Friday, into early Saturday, the gov…
Waze Aims To Provide Metro-North Rail-Crossing Alerts Waze Aims To Provide Metro-North Rail-Crossing Alerts
Waze Aims To Provide Metro-North Rail-Crossing Alerts Long overdue, but will it save lives at dangerous area railroad crossings? Time will tell. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced it is partnering with Waze to improve safety at railroad crossings of Metro-North commuter railroad and Long Island Rail Road. “Safety is a core value at the MTA and its commuter railroads -- for our customers and our employees -- as well as for those in the communities we serve," MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota said.  This is the first feature of its kind to debut on the app and is tied to an ongoing collaboration with Waze as part of the Conn…
Cuomo State Of Emergency Includes Westchester, Putnam, Rockland Cuomo State Of Emergency Includes Westchester, Putnam, Rockland
Cuomo State Of Emergency Includes Westchester, Putnam, Rockland This story has been updated with a video from a briefing held Wednesday afternoon in Rockland County. Hundreds of National Guard service members have been enlisted to assist areas impacted by the latest batch of winter weather as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declares a state of emergency in three Hudson Valley counties: Rockland, Putnam and Westchester. With between six and 18 inches of snow, and wind gusts upwards of 45 mph expected on Wednesday, Cuomo declared the state of emergency as the Hudson Valley braces for the fourth Nor’easter to hit in the past three weeks. In addition, Cuomo “di…
Cuomo Declares State Of Emergency For Westchester Cuomo Declares State Of Emergency For Westchester
Cuomo Declares State Of Emergency For Westchester A state of emergency has been declared by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday in four Hudson Valley counties: Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess and Sullivan. Responders in the four counties continue to recover from the Nor'easter that affected the entire state the past several days.  Cuomo also announced the deployment of an additional 100 members of the New York National Guard to further assist communities with recovery efforts. Senior administration officials remain on site in each of the four counties as they help lead recovery efforts: Director of State Operations Cathy Calhoun has been deployed…
First Woman Named Metro-North President First Woman Named Metro-North President
First Woman Named Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi has been named the first female president of Metro-North Railroad.  Rinaldi, has served as acting president of Metro-North since July 2017, and previously was Metro-North’s executive vice president, beginning in 2015.  On Wednesday, Feb. 21 she was officially named president.  She replaces Joe Giulietti who resigned last July after three years leading the railroad. Giulietti became Metro-North’s president in 2014, following railroad troubles that included a Bridgeport derailment in 2013.  Under his watch, the railroad set ridership records in 2016, as the New Haven Line …