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New Rochelle Man Used False Identity To Get Teen To Send Him Sexual Photos: Feds New Rochelle Man Used False Identity To Get Teen To Send Him Sexual Photos: Feds
New Rochelle Man Used False Identity To Get Teen To Send Him Sexual Photos: Feds A 31-year-old Westchester man faces decades in prison for using false identities to gain a teenager's trust and convince them to send him sexually explicit photos and videos, federal officials announced.  New Rochelle resident Charudet Smith, also known as Charles Smith, was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 8 on sexual exploitation charges, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Friday, Feb. 9. According to federal officials, from around Dec. 21, 2019, up to around Feb. 13, 2020, Smith impersonated several people and created a series of Instagram accounts…

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by Ben Crnic
Business
'Inhumane, Cruel': Manager Throws Water On Homeless Man During NY Snowstorm (Video) 'Inhumane, Cruel': Manager Throws Water On Homeless Man During NY Snowstorm (Video)
'Inhumane, Cruel': Manager Throws Water On Homeless Man During NY Snowstorm (Video) A manager at a New York bowling alley has been fired after he was seen in a now-viral video dowsing a homeless man in water during a snowstorm. The shocking scene played out Saturday night, Jan. 6, in Rensselaer County at the Uncle Sam Lanes in Troy. Video shared on Facebook shows a man who appears to be homeless attempting to enter the business as an employee yells for him to leave. “Quickly!” the employee shouts while raising a Coors bucket filled with water. The man then turns around and begins walking toward another set of doors to leave the business as the employee follows. “You got…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Westchester School Resource Officer Falsely Depicted In Viral Online Video, Police Say Westchester School Resource Officer Falsely Depicted In Viral Online Video, Police Say
Westchester School Resource Officer Falsely Depicted In Viral Online Video, Police Say A police department in Westchester is taking action in response to a viral online video that they say falsely depicts a popular school resource officer, authorities said.  According to Harrison Police, an online video falsely depicting Officer Robert Budde has gone viral, the department announced on Tuesday night, Dec. 12.  The department said that the video shows an interaction involving an officer from another jurisdiction and depicts Budde in a Harrison Police Department uniform even though the incident did not take place in the town and has no "legitimate association…

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by Ben Crnic
Sports
NY Giants QB Tommy DeVito's Agent ‘Italian Jerry Maguire’ Is A Hudson Valley College Legend NY Giants QB Tommy DeVito's Agent ‘Italian Jerry Maguire’ Is A Hudson Valley College Legend
NY Giants QB Tommy DeVito's Agent ‘Italian Jerry Maguire’ Is A Hudson Valley College Legend The football world got its first taste of New York Giants Quarterback Tommy DeVito's agent on Monday night, but Massachusetts residents and many college football fans in New York already knew him. Sean P. Stellato made a splash Monday night, Dec. 11, when a video of him and DeVito went viral on X, formerly Twitter, with even Barstool Sports Owner David Portnoy shouting him out. Though, in true Portnoy fashion, he has a small grudge with the former Salem High School alum.  This motherfucker wrote a book about beating Swampscott my senior year. What a world! https://t.co/3wLRG84HF…

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by Josh Lanier
Lifestyle
Entrepreneur From Westchester Earns Spot On Forbes' 30 Under 30 List Entrepreneur From Westchester Earns Spot On Forbes' 30 Under 30 List
Entrepreneur From Westchester Earns Spot On Forbes' 30 Under 30 List For Northern Westchester native Tom Weingarten, simply following his passion for sports and coaching and taking a chance ended up bringing him to a level of success that is now earning recognition from major national outlets. Weingarten, age 29, who serves as the chief growth officer for sports media company Overtime, was named on the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, which is released annually and features 600 successful young entrepreneurs, stars, and leaders who have already exhibited plenty of potential.  Since Weingarten joined Overtime in 2015 as a startup, it has grown to have …

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by Ben Crnic
News
Police Chief Announces Retirement In Westchester: 'I Am So Proud' Police Chief Announces Retirement In Westchester: 'I Am So Proud'
Police Chief Announces Retirement In Westchester: 'I Am So Proud' A popular police chief in Northern Westchester has announced that he will be retiring from his position after more than two decades with his department.  Ossining Police Chief Kevin Sylvester announced his retirement from the department on Thursday, Dec. 7, which will become effective on Sunday, Dec. 31.  New, updated report - Ossining Police Department Names Interim Leader After Chief's Retirement In his announcement on social media, Sylvester said that his time as chief had been an "awesome ride."  "Every chief likes to stand up and say that they’ve got the…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Santos Lashes Out At Former NY Republican Congressional Colleagues Santos Lashes Out At Former NY Republican Congressional Colleagues
Santos Lashes Out At Former NY Republican Congressional Colleagues Former New York Rep. George Santos appears to be out for revenge following his historic expulsion from Congress. Within hours of being voted out of the US House on Friday, Dec. 1, the disgraced Santos began unleashing a series of social media posts targeting his former Republican colleagues. Unsurprisingly, all of those in his sights were among the 105 Republicans who voted to kick him out of office amid mounting accusations of criminality. Earlier Report: And Just Like That: Lock Changed, Website Scrubbed Following George Santos’ Historic Ouster First on the hit list was Staten I…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
New Update: Missing CT 15-Year-Old Located In NY New Update: Missing CT 15-Year-Old Located In NY
New Update: Missing CT 15-Year-Old Located In NY Latest update: A 15-year-old Connecticut boy who went missing has been located in New York. Fairfield County resident Maxwell David Yeater had last been seen at the Newman’s Preservatory Trail off Bayberry Lane in Westport at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Early Sunday evening, Nov. 19, Westport Police announced he had been located in Manhattan in the afternoon. "Through the use of law enforcement sharing and social media platforms, the Westport Police Department was able to track Maxwell Yeater to a New York City Library in the vicinity of Grand Central Station," according to Wes…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable' NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable'
NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable' New York Attorney General Letitia James and a group of attorneys general from 32 other states have filed a federal lawsuit against Meta for contributing to a mental health crisis among young people, officials announced. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that the social media company knowingly designed and implemented features on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms that purposefully take advantage of children and teens, James' office announced on Tuesday, Oct. 24.  Additionally, the lawsuit also charges Meta with collecting…

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by Ben Crnic
News
NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel
NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel New York Attorney General Letitia James has sent a series of letters to several social media companies urging them to take action and remove hateful content posted in response to the violence taking place in Israel.  The letters, announced by the Attorney General's Office on Friday, Oct. 13, all request that each company provide thorough explanations of how they are stopping the spread of hateful content that encourages violence against Jewish and Muslim people or institutions in the aftermath of violent attacks committed against Israel by the Hamas militant group.  Jame…

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by Ben Crnic
News
NY Times Columnist Apologizes For Viral $78 Newark Airport Meal Tweet NY Times Columnist Apologizes For Viral $78 Newark Airport Meal Tweet
NY Times Columnist Apologizes For Viral $78 Newark Airport Meal Tweet "I probably shouldn't have written that tweet." David Brooks, a conservative columnist for the New York Times, expressed regret for a tweet where he complained about spending $78 for a meal of a hamburger, fries and bourbon at Newark Airport. This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible. pic.twitter.com/1qeV9qOBL3 — David Brooks (@nytdavidbrooks) September 21, 2023 The viral post on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) has been viewed more than 38 million times, earning Brooks plenty of mockery and the restaurant, Smokehouse, l…

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by Sam Barron
News
'D Brooks Special': Newark Airport Restaurant Drops Price Of $78 Meal To $18 After Online Post 'D Brooks Special': Newark Airport Restaurant Drops Price Of $78 Meal To $18 After Online Post
'D Brooks Special': Newark Airport Restaurant Drops Price Of $78 Meal To $18 After Online Post You too can eat and drink like a well-known New York Times columnist at Newark Airport, but now at a discounted rate. Smokehouse, located in Terminal A at the airport, announced on social media it is offering a hamburger, fries and a double shot of whiskey for $17.78.  Earlier report: NY Times Columnist Mocked For Alleged $78 Meal At Newark Airport The move comes in response to a post from David Brooks, who bemoaned that his meal consisting of those items cost $78. Just added to the Menu. We’re the topic of America right now! #youcantbeatourmeat Nina Dawkins Kevin W Wortham Maurice…

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by Sam Barron
News
'I'm Being Canceled': NY's Own Bethenny Frankel Bashed For Giving TJ Maxx Workers Used Makeup 'I'm Being Canceled': NY's Own Bethenny Frankel Bashed For Giving TJ Maxx Workers Used Makeup
'I'm Being Canceled': NY's Own Bethenny Frankel Bashed For Giving TJ Maxx Workers Used Makeup A random act of kindness didn’t go over so well for reality TV star and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel. The 52-year-old Skinnygirl founder, who owns a home on Long Island in the hamlet of Bridgehampton, drew the internet’s ire after posting a TikTok video of herself giving out bags of used makeup to a TJ Maxx store manager. In the now-deleted clip, Frankel explains that the women who work at the store “are so nice” and are always complimenting her on what she buys. “So, I wanted to bring them some of the leftover makeup that I just tried, like opened up and put in a giveaway pile. But it’s…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Police Defend Interaction With Young Boy In Westchester, Release Full Body-Cam Video Police Defend Interaction With Young Boy In Westchester, Release Full Body-Cam Video
Police Defend Interaction With Young Boy In Westchester, Release Full Body-Cam Video A police department in Westchester is releasing full footage of an incident involving an interaction with a young boy amid spreading allegations that officers were engaging in harassment.  The incident, which has been receiving increased attention from a video posted on social media, happened on Sunday, June 11 when Yonkers Police received a call from a concerned resident who reported a young boy walking by himself.  After receiving the call around 6:30 p.m., officers were able to find the boy at the corner of Palisade Avenue and Elm Street and left their cruiser to talk with him.  The bo…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Jan. 6 Attack: Graduate Of Westchester HS Gets Prison Time For Role In Riot Jan. 6 Attack: Graduate Of Westchester HS Gets Prison Time For Role In Riot
Jan. 6 Attack: Graduate Of Westchester HS Gets Prison Time For Role In Riot A Northern Westchester high school product has been sentenced for his role in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.  Brian Gundersen, age 28, who graduated from Byram Hills High School in Armonk and played varsity football during his time there, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Tuesday, July 25 for his role in the breach of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to the US Department of Justice.  Earlier Report - HS Football Jacket IDs Northern Westchester Man As Capitol Rioter Gundersen, who now lives in State College, Pennsylvania, had been charged in co…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Westchester Resident To Compete On Jeopardy! Westchester Resident To Compete On Jeopardy!
Westchester Resident To Compete On Jeopardy! A man from Northern Westchester will soon be making an appearance on the popular quiz show Jeopardy!  Somers resident and medical student Alex Gordon will compete in an episode of America's favorite quiz show airing on Thursday, July 6 on ABC.  During his appearance, Gordon will compete against returning champion Anji Nyquist, a social media coordinator from Minneapolis, Minnesota who won $8,800 on the previous episode, and retired computer programmer Carol Oppenheim from Owings Mills, Maryland.  The episode will air at 7 p.m. 

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by Ben Crnic
News
'Dangerous' Social Media: NY State Senator Seeks To Require Parents' Permission For Minors 'Dangerous' Social Media: NY State Senator Seeks To Require Parents' Permission For Minors
'Dangerous' Social Media: NY State Senator Seeks To Require Parents' Permission For Minors As federal officials highlight the possible harm that social media can cause to children, a New York State Senator is seeking to make it unlawful for minors to use online platforms without permission from their parents.  New York State Senator Jack Martins, a Republican who represents the state's 7th State Senate district which includes part of Nassau County, has introduced legislation that would make it illegal for social media companies to allow minors to create or maintain accounts without obtaining consent from their parents or guardians, Martin's office announced on Friday, May 26.…

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by Ben Crnic
News
'Autopsy Bae' Posted Graphic Morgue Images On Social Media, NY Lawsuit Alleges 'Autopsy Bae' Posted Graphic Morgue Images On Social Media, NY Lawsuit Alleges
'Autopsy Bae' Posted Graphic Morgue Images On Social Media, NY Lawsuit Alleges A New York hospital is suing a former morgue employee for allegedly sharing graphic and “disturbing” autopsy images on social media. In a lawsuit filed in Nassau County Supreme Court on Friday, April 28, Northwell Health claims that former morgue attendant Quantaise Sharpton was fired after 45 days for posting “macabre” photos and videos from the morgue of Long Island Jewish Medical Center. According to the hospital, the Brooklyn resident was hired in December 2022 and was tasked with receiving and releasing bodies of the deceased, transporting bodies through the morgue, and cleaning and or…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Update: MTA Walks Back Decision To Stop Posting Service Alerts On Twitter Update: MTA Walks Back Decision To Stop Posting Service Alerts On Twitter
Update: MTA Walks Back Decision To Stop Posting Service Alerts On Twitter Although the MTA previously announced that it would stop posting service alert information on Twitter, the agency has reversed the decision after receiving reassurance that it would not have to pay to use the platform.  The MTA had announced in late April that it would stop using Twitter to post service alert information for New York commuters and instead use its own tools and alert systems.  Earlier Report - MTA To Stop Issuing Service Alerts On Twitter: Here's Where To Find Them Now However, MTA Acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara announced on Thursday, May …

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by Ben Crnic
News
MTA To Stop Issuing Service Alerts On Twitter: Here's Where To Find Them Now MTA To Stop Issuing Service Alerts On Twitter: Here's Where To Find Them Now
MTA To Stop Issuing Service Alerts On Twitter: Here's Where To Find Them Now New, updated story: Update: MTA Walks Back Decision To Stop Posting Service Alerts On Twitter Commuters in New York who regularly use MTA public transportation will no longer be able to find service alerts on the company's Twitter page, officials announced.  According to the MTA, service information will no longer be available through all of its Twitter pages and will instead be posted to numerous websites, apps, and other tools that it offers, officials announced on Thursday, April 27.  The announcement comes after Twitter launched the "Twitter Blue" subscription service, which charges u…

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by Ben Crnic
Business
How To Get Your Share: Facebook Users Can Now Apply For Part Of $725M Settlement How To Get Your Share: Facebook Users Can Now Apply For Part Of $725M Settlement
How To Get Your Share: Facebook Users Can Now Apply For Part Of $725M Settlement Many Facebook users may soon have some money headed their way. Those who had an active account on Facebook anytime between May 2007 and December 2022 can now apply to receive a share of parent company Meta's $725 million settlement. The lawsuit alleged that Facebook permitted the former United Kingdom-based political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica to access about 87 million users' personal information during the 2016 presidential campaign. Facebook users during that time frame can apply for the funds online now or by mailing their forms by Friday, Aug. 25. The claim form and general …

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
YouTube Takes Down 'Violent, Graphic' Video Posted By Police Department In Westchester YouTube Takes Down 'Violent, Graphic' Video Posted By Police Department In Westchester
YouTube Takes Down 'Violent, Graphic' Video Posted By Police Department In Westchester A police department in Westchester ran into trouble with YouTube after the company removed a video posted by officers that they deemed was too violent.  The video-sharing website sent an email to Yonkers Police on Sunday, March 12 notifying them that it had removed a video posted by the department in 2021 that was in violation of YouTube's violent or graphic content policy.  The email, which was shared by the department on social media, said the video that had been removed had been titled "Yonkers Police arrest, charge 14 gang members in violent North Broadway assault" and that it had brok…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Students At HS In Hudson Valley Impersonated Administrators, Police In Racist Videos, BOE Says Students At HS In Hudson Valley Impersonated Administrators, Police In Racist Videos, BOE Says
Students At HS In Hudson Valley Impersonated Administrators, Police In Racist Videos, BOE Says Several students at a high school in the Hudson Valley used artificial intelligence to impersonate both school district administrators and police in racist videos on social media, officials said. The videos were created by students in Putnam County who go to Carmel High School, the Carmel Central School District's Board of Education announced on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 15.  Both Carmel Central School District administrators and members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office were impersonated in the videos, which contained inappropriate and racist content and were posted on TikTok…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
'Diverse' Snowman Post Lands NY School District In Hot Water 'Diverse' Snowman Post Lands NY School District In Hot Water
'Diverse' Snowman Post Lands NY School District In Hot Water A school district in New York is apologizing after a Facebook post about a snowman sparked allegations of racism. In a now-deleted post on Tuesday, Jan. 31, Greene County’s Coxsackie-Athens Central School District included a photo of three students standing next to a noticeably dirty snowman. The caption reads, “Today’s CE Fourth Grade Playground Fun! This snowman is just as diverse as our students!” The Coxsackie-Athens Central School District apologized over a Facebook post about a "diverse" snowman that sparked allegations of racism.Coxsackie-Athens Central School District It didn’…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Westchester Sex Offender Shares Child Porn On Social Media, Gets Years In Prison Westchester Sex Offender Shares Child Porn On Social Media, Gets Years In Prison
Westchester Sex Offender Shares Child Porn On Social Media, Gets Years In Prison An already-registered sex offender from Westchester County was sentenced to years in prison for sharing child pornography on social media.  Yonkers resident Demetrious Kotopoulos, age 41, was sentenced to three to six years in state prison for sharing and possessing child pornography, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced on Tuesday, Jan. 31.  Kotopoulos, who was already on probation for a prior sex offense conviction, uploaded a file of a nude child engaged in sexual conduct to the social media messaging platform Discord on two occasions between March 2…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Nextdoor App's 'Unauthorized' Letters To Neighbors Irk NY Woman Nextdoor App's 'Unauthorized' Letters To Neighbors Irk NY Woman
Nextdoor App's 'Unauthorized' Letters To Neighbors Irk NY Woman A New York woman is none too happy with the social media site Nextdoor after claiming the company “hacked” her name to advertise its services. Columbia County resident Celeste Alexander, of Ghent, recently discovered that Nextdoor has been sending out letters to her neighbors, inviting them to join the site, according to a post in the Facebook group Chatham New York Community Board. The letters appear to come directly from Alexander and are signed, “Your neighbor, Celeste Alexander.” They also mention what street she lives on. “I did not send letters and I didn’t authorize the use of m…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Video Showing Dog Thrown Into Door Under Investigation In Westchester County: Police Video Showing Dog Thrown Into Door Under Investigation In Westchester County: Police
Video Showing Dog Thrown Into Door Under Investigation In Westchester County: Police Police in Westchester County are investigating an incident of animal cruelty in the wake of a video on social media depicting a man throwing a dog.  The investigation into the video was announced by Yonkers Police on Wednesday, Jan. 25, who said that the video of the animal mistreatment was taken within the city.  The video shows a man picking a dog up and throwing it into a metal garage door. The man then continues to walk the dog across a road in Yonkers, according to numerous reports.  ANIMAL ABUSE: Yonkers Police Dept is investigating after a man is caught on camera tossing a dog …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Dog Abuser Caught: Suspect Threw Pup Into Storefront Gate In Westchester, Police Say Dog Abuser Caught: Suspect Threw Pup Into Storefront Gate In Westchester, Police Say
Dog Abuser Caught: Suspect Threw Pup Into Storefront Gate In Westchester, Police Say A man who was allegedly shown in a viral video throwing a dog into a metal storefront gate in Westchester County has been caught, police said.  Earlier Report - Animal Abuse Video Under Investigation In Yonkers: Police Mount Vernon resident Anthoin McPherson, age 29, has been charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly abusing his 8-month-old puppy named Maximus, according to Yonkers Police.  McPherson was arrested after a video surfaced on social media that depicted the incident, which happened in Yonkers within the confines of the city's 4th Precinct.  Police began investigating the incid…

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by Ben Crnic