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COVID-19 $14.7M Scheme: Mount Vernon Man Tried Stealing From Relief Program, Feds Say COVID-19 $14.7M Scheme: Mount Vernon Man Tried Stealing From Relief Program, Feds Say
Covid-19 $14.7M Scheme: Mount Vernon Man Tried Stealing From Relief Program, Feds Say Two men from Westchester and a Long Island woman face charges after participating in a more than $14 million scheme to steal from a program created to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, federal officials said.  New Rochelle resident Glenroy Walker, age 65, Mount Vernon resident Gary Wheeler, age 46, Freeport resident Sherril Baez, age 50, and three others are charged with scheming to steal more than $14 million from the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Tuesday, June 6.  The …

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Iconic Eatery Closes After 52 Years In Westchester: 'Time For Me To Just Let Go,' Owner Says Iconic Eatery Closes After 52 Years In Westchester: 'Time For Me To Just Let Go,' Owner Says
Iconic Eatery Closes After 52 Years In Westchester: 'Time For Me To Just Let Go,' Owner Says A pizzeria in Westchester that became a community staple for over half a century and became the setting of countless memories has closed as its owner prepares to enjoy retirement.  Raceway Pizza, located in Yonkers at 775 Yonkers Ave., has closed, owner Luigi Petrozza announced on social media on Wednesday, May 24.  Petrozza, whose family began the restaurant in 1971, cited his retirement as the reason for the restaurant's closing.  "Working here with my mom and dad for many, many years...it's going to be sad, but it's time for me to just let go and do what I have to do now," Petrozza sai…

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by Ben Crnic
Business
New Family-Owned Deli In Westchester County Blends Italian, Ecuadorian Influences New Family-Owned Deli In Westchester County Blends Italian, Ecuadorian Influences
New Family-Owned Deli In Westchester County Blends Italian, Ecuadorian Influences A newly-opened family-owned deli in Westchester County combines both Italian and Ecuadorian backgrounds.  On Monday, Oct. 24, the Snap Stop Food Bar, located in Yonkers at 19 Main Street, celebrated its grand opening, according to a Facebook post from the deli.  The deli is owned by a couple with both Italian and Ecuadorian heritage and sells items like grilled chicken, Italian sandwiches, fresh salads, and various desserts, the owners said in a video produced by the city of Yonkers.  The deli also sells candies from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, in addition to food and drink…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Out Of Compliance: Police Shut Down 3 Westchester Smoke Shops After Inspections Out Of Compliance: Police Shut Down 3 Westchester Smoke Shops After Inspections
Out Of Compliance: Police Shut Down 3 Westchester Smoke Shops After Inspections Three Westchester smoke shops were shut down by police after they said they discovered them selling unlicensed marijuana and THC products.  The shut-downs follow inspections conducted by the Yonkers Police Department, which visited smoke shops across the city to make sure they were in compliance with the law, police said.  The unlicensed products were confiscated, according to police.  The businesses shut down include locations at:  186 Ashburton Avenue  850 Bronx River Road 15 Palisade Avenue The names of the businesses were not reported by Yonkers Police. …

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by Ben Crnic
News
Company Agrees To Pay $2.8M To Resolve Fraud Allegations In Two States, Including NY Company Agrees To Pay $2.8M To Resolve Fraud Allegations In Two States, Including NY
Company Agrees To Pay $2.8M To Resolve Fraud Allegations In Two States, Including NY A construction company will pay nearly $3 million to resolve allegations that it illegally manipulated a federal subcontract meant for small businesses owned by disabled veterans. Colorado-based Hensel Phelps Construction performs large scale private construction and public works projects across the US, including in New York. In 2011, the company was awarded a federal contract to build the Armed Forces Retirement Home’s New Commons and Healthcare Center in Washington, D.C., the US Attorney’s Office said. The organization provides retirement communities and residential facilities for veter…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
COVID-19: Hochul Proposes Bringing 'To-Go Drinks' Back To New York Restaurants COVID-19: Hochul Proposes Bringing 'To-Go Drinks' Back To New York Restaurants
Covid-19: Hochul Proposes Bringing 'To-Go Drinks' Back To New York Restaurants Have a drink on her? In her first “State of the State" address, Gov. Kathy Hochul called for the return of “to-go drinks” for restaurants as New York deals with the latest surge of COVID-19 cases that have struck the region. “We're going to do something bars and restaurants have been asking for, to once again allow the sale of to-go drinks,” she said. “Cheers, New York.” During the initial COVID-19 outbreak, “to-go drinks” became a popular item for New Yorkers until former Gov. Andrew Cuomo rescinded the policy when the number of new cases began plateauing in June. New York Gov. Ka…

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by Zak Failla
News
New Bars, Restaurants In NYC To Open More Quickly Under Legislation Signed By Hochul New Bars, Restaurants In NYC To Open More Quickly Under Legislation Signed By Hochul
New Bars, Restaurants In NYC To Open More Quickly Under Legislation Signed By Hochul New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed new legislation in an effort to make it easier for new bars, restaurants and breweries to open quickly. The new legislative package allows temporary retail permits to be issued to bars and restaurants opening in New York City, officials announced on Wednesday, Dec. 22. Officials said the current law prevents businesses in the city to be granted temporary liquor licenses, and the State Liquor Authority can only provide the permanent licenses after a lengthy review process. The new legislation allows the State Liquor Authority to grant temporary liquor l…

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by Nicole Valinote
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Pandemic Creates New Crop Of Customers Boosting Sales For Some Suburban Businesses COVID-19: Pandemic Creates New Crop Of Customers Boosting Sales For Some Suburban Businesses
Covid-19: Pandemic Creates New Crop Of Customers Boosting Sales For Some Suburban Businesses With all of the business closures caused by COVID-19, there may not have been anyone who predicted the pandemic could give Main Street a boost. But that’s just what people are seeing in the suburbs. More and more people stuck at home are checking out their local shops, according to a recent article in The New York Times. By some estimates, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic restrictions meant to stop the spread of the disease shuttered almost 100,000 businesses nationally. “Repeat business is particularly important for small businesses in the suburbs, and some are finding that customers …

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by Kristin Palpini
News
COVID-19: Here's When To Expect Second Stimulus Check To Arrive COVID-19: Here's When To Expect Second Stimulus Check To Arrive
Covid-19: Here's When To Expect Second Stimulus Check To Arrive Relief is on the way for Americans financially strapped during the COVID-19 crisis. Congressional leaders unveiled on Sunday, Dec. 20 an approximately $900 billion stimulus deal that will provide Americans that qualify direct payments of $600 to help offset the hardships caused during the pandemic. The $600 is half of what was directed during the first round of stimulus checks earlier this year. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told CNBC on Monday that the checks could be in Americans’ bank accounts in a matter of just a few days for those who have direct deposit info on file with the IRS.…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: Layoffs Soar As Companies Brace For Years Of Disruption Due To Pandemic COVID-19: Layoffs Soar As Companies Brace For Years Of Disruption Due To Pandemic
Covid-19: Layoffs Soar As Companies Brace For Years Of Disruption Due To Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has forced tens of thousands out of work, some of whom will have no job to return to once the virus has run its course in this country. Numerous industries will be permanently changed by the virus after thousands were furloughed or laid off while companies made the necessary audibles to stay afloat during the pandemic. Some companies that vowed to return furloughed employees back to work have also announced that they will drastically be reducing their workforces in an effort to keep costs down to account for financial losses that were accrued due to the COVID-19 outbr…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: 175th Dutchess County Fair Canceled For This Year COVID-19: 175th Dutchess County Fair Canceled For This Year
Covid-19: 175th Dutchess County Fair Canceled For This Year The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in the closure of yet another staple, the Dutchess County Fair, for this year. Fair officials announced on Wednesday, June 3, they had "made the incredibly emotional and difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Dutchess County Fair," due to concerns for the safety of the many guests. The fair had been scheduled to take place from Tuesday, Aug. 25 to Sunday, Aug. 30 at the fairgrounds in Rhinebeck.  The 175th Dutchess County Fair will return on August 24 -29, 2021, fair officials said. “We explored all options," said Andy Imperati, president/…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of Americans Ordering Takeout To Help Small Businesses COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of Americans Ordering Takeout To Help Small Businesses
Covid-19: Here's Percentage Of Americans Ordering Takeout To Help Small Businesses The majority of Americans have been taking steps to support the local businesses that have been hit the hardest during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a new survey. Pollsters surveyed 1,036 Americans around the country over several days, which determined that 76 percent of Americans said they are more likely to buy from a local business than a larger big-box store. Of those polled, 74 percent said they were supporting the small business community by ordering more takeout during the pandemic.  The survey found that 47 percent find themselves supporting small bus…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: White House Works With Congress To Send Checks To Americans COVID-19: White House Works With Congress To Send Checks To Americans
Covid-19: White House Works With Congress To Send Checks To Americans The White House is working with Congress on a bipartisan plan to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak by cutting checks to Americans in need. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that the White House is proposing a $1 trillion economic stimulus package to battle the pandemic, including $250 billion that would be earmarked for direct payments to Americans. According to federal officials, the stimulus package has support on each side of the aisle, and they are working quickly to push the legislation through. “This is a significant economic stimulus plan, and we look forward to having bip…

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by Zak Failla
News
Man Charged In Westchester With Running $3M Mail Fraud Scheme Man Charged In Westchester With Running $3M Mail Fraud Scheme
Man Charged In Westchester With Running $3M Mail Fraud Scheme A man who allegedly ran a multi-million dollar mail fraud scheme targeting small businesses for the better part of a decade was busted and is facing prison time after being charged in White Plains Federal Court on Wednesday. Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that California resident Mark Mushkin, 52, has been charged with one count of mail fraud for his role in a scheme that ran from 2011 to 2017. According to the complaint unsealed in federal court, Mushkin operated a scheme in which he sent false invoices to small businesses throu…

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by Zak Failla