COVID-19: Cases Of Eris Subvariant EG.5 Jump; Here Are Symptoms COVID-19: Cases Of Eris Subvariant EG.5 Jump; Here Are Symptoms
Covid-19: Cases Of Eris Subvariant EG.5 Jump; Here Are Symptoms Cases of a COVID-19 strain known as Eris, whose official name is EG.5, have increased according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).Already the most prevalent subvariant in the US, Eris now accounts for 29.4 percent of COVID cases in the US in the CDC's report released Saturday, Sept. 30. Two weeks ago, Eris accounted for 24.5 percent of US cases. Eris is an offshoot of the highly-contagious Omicron strain. In a Risk Evaluation statement on the EG.5 strain released late last week, the World Health Organization said cases of the subvariant have …
Meth Dealer From Region Gets Over Decade In Federal Prison Meth Dealer From Region Gets Over Decade In Federal Prison
Meth Dealer From Region Gets Over Decade In Federal Prison A convicted drug dealer will spend more than a decade in federal prison for selling hard drugs in the region and then obstructing the police investigation into his conduct. Andrew O’Connor, age 36, of Cohoes, was sentenced to 11 years behind bars in federal court in Albany on Thursday, Sept. 28, for trafficking methamphetamine in the Capital Region and obstruction of justice. It came after his guilty plea and admission to distributing methamphetamine in Cohoes in March, April, and June 2022, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District. Investigators intercepted a one-pou…
Storm Price Gouging: Consumers Warned To Watch For Rising Expenses In NY Amid Massive Rainstorm Storm Price Gouging: Consumers Warned To Watch For Rising Expenses In NY Amid Massive Rainstorm
Storm Price Gouging: Consumers Warned To Watch For Rising Expenses In NY Amid Massive Rainstorm Officials are urging New Yorkers to keep an eye out for stores and services that may be using the rainstorm to charge extra for essential goods. On Friday, Sept. 29, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning to consumers against price gouging amidst the ongoing state of emergency caused by rainstorms and flooding across Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New York City. Related: State Of Emergency: 'Extreme Weather Event' Threatening Areas In NY, Hochul Says Price gauging can affect anything from essential goods — such as food, gas, and batteries — to services like …
State Of Emergency: 'Significant, Dangerous Rainfall' Impacting Hudson Valley, Hochul Says State Of Emergency: 'Significant, Dangerous Rainfall' Impacting Hudson Valley, Hochul Says
State Of Emergency: 'Significant, Dangerous Rainfall' Impacting Hudson Valley, Hochul Says New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency in the Hudson Valley as heavy rain threatens to cause flash flooding throughout the region.  Hochul's declaration was issued on Friday, Sept. 29 in the midst of a weather system that is predicted to bring as much as three to five inches of rain to the region through Friday evening, according to officials. Related Story - New Update: Flood Rescue Teams Staged In Hudson Valley Amid Heavy Rain, Hochul Says In her statement, Hochul said the declaration was issued in response to the threat of "significant, dangerous rainfall…
New Update: Flood Rescue Teams Staged In Region Amid Heavy Rain, Hochul Says New Update: Flood Rescue Teams Staged In Region Amid Heavy Rain, Hochul Says
New Update: Flood Rescue Teams Staged In Region Amid Heavy Rain, Hochul Says With heavy rain pummeling much of New York and causing flash flooding concerns, Gov. Kathy Hochul is updating residents on the planned emergency response to the downpours.  As a precautionary measure in response to the barrage of rain, flood rescue teams will be staged in Westchester and Nassau Counties by the New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services in case they are needed in the event of emergencies, Hochul announced on Friday, Sept. 29. Earlier Report - 'Stay Vigilant': Hochul Warns Hudson Valley Residents To Prepare For Heavy Rain The announcement came in…
'Stay Vigilant': Hochul Warns Residents In Region To Prepare For Heavy Rains 'Stay Vigilant': Hochul Warns Residents In Region To Prepare For Heavy Rains
'Stay Vigilant': Hochul Warns Residents In Region To Prepare For Heavy Rains As forecasts call for a long stretch of heavy rainfall, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is warning residents to prepare for potential flash flooding. The warning comes as forecasters predict heavy downpours in the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island regions beginning on Thursday night, Sept. 28, and lasting through Friday night, Sept. 29, which may bring as much as five inches of rain in some locations, according to Hochul's office. Related Report - New Storm System Could Dump 3-Plus Inches Of Rainfall To Much Of Region: Here's Timing The conditions may cause flash flooding to th…
Teen Racers Hit 100+ MPH Before Crash In Region, Police Say: 'Incredibly Lucky' Teen Racers Hit 100+ MPH Before Crash In Region, Police Say: 'Incredibly Lucky'
Teen Racers Hit 100+ MPH Before Crash In Region, Police Say: 'Incredibly Lucky' Two 18-year-olds are facing charges following an alleged street race in the region that reached speeds over 100 miles per hour before one of the cars crashed. The Rensselaer County incident happened at around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, in North Greenbush. According to North Greenbush Police, officers watched a vehicle pass them on North Greenbush Road near Dudley Heights going 112 miles per hour. Seconds later, another car passed at 110 miles per hour. The second vehicle then lost control and struck several mailboxes and garbage cans before spinning into a tree. Officers arrested the dr…
$15K Theft: Police Officer In Region Accused Of Stealing Cash Given To Department $15K Theft: Police Officer In Region Accused Of Stealing Cash Given To Department
$15K Theft: Police Officer In Region Accused Of Stealing Cash Given To Department A police officer in Westchester from the Hudson Valley faces grand larceny charges after allegedly pocketing $15,000 in cash that was turned in to his department. Putnam County resident Douglas Ramirez, of Mahopac, age 44, who serves as a police officer with the Elmsford Police Department, was arraigned in Elmsford Village Court on grand larceny charges on Wednesday, Sept. 27, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced. According to the DA's Office, on Thursday, July 27 around 3 p.m., Ramirez had accepted a sealed package turned in to the front desk of the El…
Firefighter Sues His Department, City In Region For Discrimination Claims Firefighter Sues His Department, City In Region For Discrimination Claims
Firefighter Sues His Department, City In Region For Discrimination Claims A firefighter is suing the Northern Westchester department he has spent nearly 20 years with for allegedly discriminating against him and denying him recognition of his professional achievements.  Robert Pappas, a 19-year member of the Peekskill Fire Department, filed a lawsuit in federal court on Tuesday, Sept. 26 against the city of Peekskill, the Peekskill Fire Department, and Peekskill Fire Chief James Seymour IV.  According to Pappas's complaint, the fire department failed to promote him to the rank of lieutenant on three separate occasions despite his claims that h…
Child Porn: Man From Region Caught With Hundreds Of Illicit Images Gets Federal Prison Child Porn: Man From Region Caught With Hundreds Of Illicit Images Gets Federal Prison
Child Porn: Man From Region Caught With Hundreds Of Illicit Images Gets Federal Prison A 38-year-old man from the region will spend years in federal prison for possessing child pornography. Daniel Quintero, of Schenectady, was sentenced to six years behind bars in federal court in Albany Tuesday, Sept. 26. It came after he admitted to downloading hundreds of videos and images depicting child sex abuse between May 2019 and March 2022. Investigators with the FBI’s Albany Child Exploitation Task Force found the illicit images on multiple electronic devices and a cloud storage account belonging to Quintero. In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to complete 10 years…
'Deviant, Destructive': Man Gets Prison Time For Raping Child In Region 'Deviant, Destructive': Man Gets Prison Time For Raping Child In Region
'Deviant, Destructive': Man Gets Prison Time For Raping Child In Region A Connecticut man will spend more than a decade in prison for raping a child in New York's Hudson Valley. Fairfield County resident Patrick Lynch of Bethel, age 44, was sentenced on Tuesday, Sept. 26 in Orange County Court to 18 years in prison and 20 years of post-release supervision. According to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, Lynch had previously admitted in court that he had engaged in two or more acts of sexual conduct with a child less than 13 years old, including at least one act of sexual intercourse, oral sexual conduct, anal sexual conduct, or aggravated…
Former Police Officer Steals $24K From Charity For Autistic Children In Region, DA Says Former Police Officer Steals $24K From Charity For Autistic Children In Region, DA Says
Former Police Officer Steals $24K From Charity For Autistic Children In Region, DA Says A former police officer and charity co-founder has been accused of stealing thousands of dollars from his own Westchester-based nonprofit organization, officials said. New Rochelle resident Christopher Greco, age 52, was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 21 on grand larceny charges, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday, Sept. 26.  Greco, a 25-year veteran of the New Rochelle Police Department who retired in August 2021, is the co-founder of Christopher’s Voice, Inc., a charity for autistic children based in New Rochelle.  According to the DA'…
Capitol Riot: Area Man Who Punched Cop, Stole Shield Sentenced To Federal Prison Capitol Riot: Area Man Who Punched Cop, Stole Shield Sentenced To Federal Prison
Capitol Riot: Area Man Who Punched Cop, Stole Shield Sentenced To Federal Prison A New York man will spend nearly three years in federal prison for assaulting a police officer while trying to breach the US Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Jonathan Munafo, age 36, of Albany, was sentenced to 33 months behind bars in US District Court in Washington, DC on Friday, Sept. 22. “His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the US Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election,” reads a statement from the US Attorney’s Office. Related Report: 'No Regrets': Pot-Smoking Schenectady Man Donning Fak…
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, lo…
Double-Fatal I-84 Crash: Update Released On 5 Students' Conditions, Bus Driver ID'd Double-Fatal I-84 Crash: Update Released On 5 Students' Conditions, Bus Driver ID'd
Double-Fatal I-84 Crash: Update Released On 5 Students' Conditions, Bus Driver ID'd An update has just been released on the conditions of five students who suffered critical injuries after a charter bus crashed down a 50-foot ravine, killing two adults on board, late last week in the Hudson Valley. The crash happened on westbound I-84 in Orange County at 1:10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, in the town of Wawayanda, near Exit 15. The bus, which was heading to a band camp in northeastern Pennsylvania, went through a wire barrier and down the embankment. It was one of six buses carrying marching band members from Farmingdale High School on Long Island. Around 43 people …
'Where Words Fail, Music Speaks': Schools Show Support For Victims Of I-84 Bus Crash 'Where Words Fail, Music Speaks': Schools Show Support For Victims Of I-84 Bus Crash
'Where Words Fail, Music Speaks': Schools Show Support For Victims Of I-84 Bus Crash In the days following a tragic high school band bus crash that killed two pillars of the community, Long Islanders near and far from the school have rallied to show their support in whatever way they can. “I kept hoping someone would wake me up and tell me it was only a bad dream.” Just days after the Thursday, Sept. 21 Farmingdale High School bus crash on I-84 in Orange County that killed two adults and injured dozens of students, Greg Warno is still at a loss for words. Earlier Report: Bus Crash: Farmingdale HS Band Director, Retired Teacher ID'd As Victims In Horrific Rollover…
COVID-19: Here's How To Order Free At-Home Tests Through Mail Now COVID-19: Here's How To Order Free At-Home Tests Through Mail Now
Covid-19: Here's How To Order Free At-Home Tests Through Mail Now The federal program offering free COVID-19 rapid at-home tests through the mail has just been restarted. Every American household may order four of the tests starting Monday, Sept. 25 by visiting covid.gov/tests, the Department of Health and Human Services says. But first, before throwing out tests past their expiration dates, HHS recommends visiting this page to see if expiration dates have been extended. The news comes as a newly identified COVID-19 strain BA.2.86 strain, known as Pirola, with around 30 mutations, has now been identified in 10 states. Earlier report - COVID-…
Tobacco-Related Cancers Down In NY, New Report Finds Tobacco-Related Cancers Down In NY, New Report Finds
Tobacco-Related Cancers Down In NY, New Report Finds Fewer New Yorkers are being diagnosed with tobacco-related cancers. A new report released by the state health department Thursday, Sept. 14, found that several of the cancers most often associated with smoking declined throughout the state between 2016 and 2020. Incident rates of esophageal, laryngeal, and lung cancer - those most closely related to tobacco use - steeply declined both in New York City and elsewhere in the state, the report found. Rates of oral cancer, however, increased by 1.3 percent each year between 2006 and 2020 among those living in New York City. Researchers also no…
‘Exceptional Kid’: Junior Firefighter Among Severely Injured In Deadly I-84 Bus Crash ‘Exceptional Kid’: Junior Firefighter Among Severely Injured In Deadly I-84 Bus Crash
‘Exceptional Kid’: Junior Firefighter Among Severely Injured In Deadly I-84 Bus Crash Support is pouring in for a high school student and aspiring firefighter who was among those severely injured in a New York charter bus crash that killed two teachers and injured dozens of students. Audrina Crocitto was onboard the Regency charter bus carrying members of the Farmingdale High School marching band from Long Island to a camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania when it careened off I-84 in Orange County, in the town of Wawayanda, and rolled several times down an embankment Thursday, Sept. 21. The crash injured at least 43 students and killed the school's band director, 43-year-old Gina Pe…
Bus Crash: NY Charter Company Has 'Satisfactory' Safety Record, But It's Not Perfect Bus Crash: NY Charter Company Has 'Satisfactory' Safety Record, But It's Not Perfect
Bus Crash: NY Charter Company Has 'Satisfactory' Safety Record, But It's Not Perfect The New York charter bus company involved in a deadly highway crash that killed two educators and left dozens of high school band students hospitalized holds a “satisfactory” safety rating, though records show nearly two dozen maintenance violations in recent years. A check of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) website shows that Regency Charter Buses, based in Suffolk County in Nesconset, was involved in one injury crash in the past two years. Records do not specify who was at fault. The company was given a “satisfactory” safety rating in March 2019, though records r…
NY's Own Emma Roberts Accused Of Transphobia On Set Of 'American Horror Story' NY's Own Emma Roberts Accused Of Transphobia On Set Of 'American Horror Story'
NY's Own Emma Roberts Accused Of Transphobia On Set Of 'American Horror Story' Actress Emma Roberts is accused of mistreating a transgender co-star on the set of her hit show, “American Horror Story.” During an Instagram Live session on Tuesday, Sept.19, actress Angelica Ross, who is a transgender woman, accused Roberts of making transphobic comments in 2018, during filming of the show’s ninth season, “1984.” According to Ross, Roberts jokingly told another actor, John Carroll Lynch, that Ross was “being mean” to her, to which Lynch replied, “Okay ladies, that’s enough, let’s get back to work.” That’s when Roberts, according to Ross, replied with “Don’t you mean lady…
'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 Wortha…
Double-Fatal Update: 5 Students In Critical Condition After Bus Crashes Down Embankment On I-84 Double-Fatal Update: 5 Students In Critical Condition After Bus Crashes Down Embankment On I-84
Double-Fatal Update: 5 Students In Critical Condition After Bus Crashes Down Embankment On I-84 As school bells rang and a new day started for students at a Long Island high school where five of their fellow classmates remain in critical condition following a horrific bus crash that killed two adults, state, and federal officials are investigating the incident. The Orange County crash happened at around 1:10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, on I-84 in the town of Wawayanda, near Exit 15A. The charter bus carrying marching band members from Farmingdale High School in Nassau County was heading to Greeley, Pennsylvania for band camp when one of the six buses carrying students went through the wi…
This University In Region Ranks Among Top 10 Public Schools In US, New Report Says This University In Region Ranks Among Top 10 Public Schools In US, New Report Says
This University In Region Ranks Among Top 10 Public Schools In US, New Report Says A college in Westchester is near the top of its class, according to a new report ranking the best public schools in the country.  The State University of New York at Purchase, more commonly known as Purchase College or SUNY Purchase, has earned the No. 9 spot on the 2024 Top Public Schools Rankings from U.S. News & World Report.  The rankings on the list were determined by measuring several factors, including graduation rates, peer assessment, student-faculty ratio, first-generation graduation rate performance, borrower debt, and the number of alumni earning more than a high s…
New Update: Band Director, Retired Teacher ID'd As Victims In I-84 Bus Crash In Orange County New Update: Band Director, Retired Teacher ID'd As Victims In I-84 Bus Crash In Orange County
New Update: Band Director, Retired Teacher ID'd As Victims In I-84 Bus Crash In Orange County Tributes have begun pouring in for the victims of a deadly high school bus crash in New York that claimed the lives of two educators, including a beloved band director, and left several students hospitalized. Latest update - Double-Fatal Update: 5 Students In Critical Condition After Bus Crashes Down Embankment On I-84 The Orange County crash happened at around 1:10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, on I-84 in the town of Wawayanda, near Exit 15. A charter bus carrying marching band members from Farmingdale High School, in Nassau County on Long Island, was heading to Greeley, Pennsylvania fo…
NY Times Columnist Mocked For Alleged $78 Meal At Newark Airport NY Times Columnist Mocked For Alleged $78 Meal At Newark Airport
NY Times Columnist Mocked For Alleged $78 Meal At Newark Airport A tweet by David Brooks, a conservative commentator who writes for the New York Times, complaining about the price of a meal at Newark Airport has gone viral, with some questioning its authenticity. Brooks lamented that his burger, fries and alcohol combo cost $78 in a post on  the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) that has been viewed almost 15 million times. 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 "This is why Americans think the economy i…
Judge Tosses Off-Duty Cop's Attempted Murder Charge In Area Shooting Melee Judge Tosses Off-Duty Cop's Attempted Murder Charge In Area Shooting Melee
Judge Tosses Off-Duty Cop's Attempted Murder Charge In Area Shooting Melee A judge has dismissed an attempted murder charge against an off-duty sheriff’s deputy who was shot nearly a dozen times by police following a late-night melee in the region. The Saratoga County incident, which was captured on officer-worn body camera footage, happened at around 3 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 in Saratoga Springs near Broadway and Caroline Street. Police said Vito Caselnova, an off-duty sheriff’s deputy in Rutland County, Vermont, was attacked by a group of six people, prompting him to pull a gun. Earlier Report: Gag Order: Saratoga Springs Barred From Speaking About Sh…
'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 …
COVID-19: Here's When Free At-Home Tests Will Become Available Again By Mail COVID-19: Here's When Free At-Home Tests Will Become Available Again By Mail
Covid-19: Here's When Free At-Home Tests Will Become Available Again By Mail Just days after the rollout of a COVID-19 vaccination booster shot started, the Department of Health and Human Services announced on Wednesday, Sept. 20 that its program of offering free rapid tests for the virus through the mail will be restarted. Every American household may order four of the tests starting Monday, Sept. 25 by visiting covid.gov/tests. But first, before throwing out tests past their expiration dates, HHS recommends visiting this page to see if expiration dates have been extended. The news comes as a newly identified COVID-19 strain BA.2.86 strain, known as Pirola, w…
Man From Region Sexually Abuses Young Child, Police Say Man From Region Sexually Abuses Young Child, Police Say
Man From Region Sexually Abuses Young Child, Police Say A 52-year-old man from the region is facing charges after allegedly sexually abusing a young child. Columbia County resident Robert Schaefer, of Ghent, was arrested Monday, Sept. 18, by New York State Police. According to troopers, Schaefer sexually abused a victim under the age of 11. Investigators did not elaborate on his relationship to the alleged victim. Schaefer is charged with felony sexual abuse and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned in Kinderhook Court, where a judge ordered him held at the Columbia County jail on $5,000 cash bail. 
50-Year-Old Dies While Hiking In Region 50-Year-Old Dies While Hiking In Region
50-Year-Old Dies While Hiking In Region A hiker in the region complaining of chest discomfort and breathing problems collapsed and died, said the state Department of Conservation,  The incident took place in Greene County in the hamlet of Lanesville around 8:50 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 16. According to officials with the Department of Conservation, the hiker collapsed on the Diamond Notch Trail in the Hunter-West Kill Wilderness Area. Members of the subject’s hiking party began CPR while another hiker called 911. Two nearby EMTs began assisting with CPR on the 50-year-old man from New Jersey. The CPR was unsuccessful, officia…