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Automated Speeding Ticket Radar Program Takes Effect In Hudson Valley, Elsewhere In NY Automated Speeding Ticket Radar Program Takes Effect In Hudson Valley, Elsewhere In NY
Automated Speeding Ticket Radar Program Takes Effect In Hudson Valley, Elsewhere In NY A brand-new law that has just launched means motorists on some of New York's busiest roadways may find themselves on the receiving end of automated speeding tickets. The five-year program which has been rolled this year is a joint effort by State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Thruway Authority (NYSTA). to enhance the state’s ongoing efforts to slow motorists down in work zones. The so-called Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) program is the result of legislation signed into law by Gov, Kathy Hochul in September 2021.  On Monday, Nov 20, work-zone speed units wer…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
'Prepare With Care': Health Officials Urge Food Safety Ahead Of Thanksgiving 'Prepare With Care': Health Officials Urge Food Safety Ahead Of Thanksgiving
'Prepare With Care': Health Officials Urge Food Safety Ahead Of Thanksgiving As millions of New Yorkers prepare to cook their Thanksgiving feasts, health officials are urging people to remember the tenants of food safety. The New York State health and agriculture departments offered up several tips to help keep family and friends safe from foodborne illness this holiday season. “The Department works hard all year long to ensure the safety of our food supply at our stores and food manufacturing facilities, but food safety is also so important at home,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball. “We urge everyone who is cooking for their loved ones this Thanksgiv…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Scam Alert: Don't Believe Call From 'Officer Johnson,' Sheriff From Region Says Scam Alert: Don't Believe Call From 'Officer Johnson,' Sheriff From Region Says
Scam Alert: Don't Believe Call From 'Officer Johnson,' Sheriff From Region Says Another phone scam is making the rounds in the region.  This time, this caller is "Officer Johnson," claiming to be from the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office. "Officer Johnson" claims to be from the Sheriff’s Office and tells the victim that there is a warrant that has been issued for the victim’s arrest because they failed to report for jury duty, said Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office He then advises the victim that they can avoid arrest if they pay a fine over the phone. The victim is then instructed to purchase a prepaid debit card and provide the …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
$75 Million Plan Aims To Ease Surge Of Hate, Bias Crimes In NY: Hochul $75 Million Plan Aims To Ease Surge Of Hate, Bias Crimes In NY: Hochul
$75 Million Plan Aims To Ease Surge Of Hate, Bias Crimes In NY: Hochul As a response to the rise in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic crimes across New York State stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict, Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a multi-million dollar plan to keep New Yorkers safe. Earlier report: 21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell The announcement came on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Hochul, utilizing all available state resources, declared a multi-branched plan aimed at limiting the number of hate and bias crimes, which she says have risen since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. “Let me be clear: we cannot…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
Increased Crash Risk: Watch For Deer During Mating Season, State Warns Motorists Increased Crash Risk: Watch For Deer During Mating Season, State Warns Motorists
Increased Crash Risk: Watch For Deer During Mating Season, State Warns Motorists With the arrival of fall, there is an increased risk of crashes involving deer, both the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are warning motorists. Deer are most active and more likely to enter public roadways this time of year as they search for mates during their breeding season, which is the months of October, November, and December. According to the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, in 2022, 41.5 percent of the crashes between deer and vehicles occurred during this three-month…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Billy Joel Gets Namesake Street In NY Hometown As Student Musicians Play On: 'Very Cool' Billy Joel Gets Namesake Street In NY Hometown As Student Musicians Play On: 'Very Cool'
Billy Joel Gets Namesake Street In NY Hometown As Student Musicians Play On: 'Very Cool' Billy Joel’s current hometown in New York has him feelin’ alright after honoring the musician with his very own street. The Piano Man himself, age 74, was on hand for a ceremony on Long Island Thursday, Oct, 19 in Oyster Bay, to unveil the new Billy Joel Way. New signage will replace a section of Audrey Avenue, located in the downtown area in front of Joel’s shop “20th Century Cycles.” Speaking to a large crowd gathered under the clear blue sky, Joel recalled how his mother would often bring him to Oyster Bay as a child growing up in the hamlet of Hicksville. He remembered thinking of th…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
This Hudson Valley Pizzeria Among 11 Best In NY, Report Says This Hudson Valley Pizzeria Among 11 Best In NY, Report Says
This Hudson Valley Pizzeria Among 11 Best In NY, Report Says Those in search of New York’s best pizza need look no further than these favored restaurants, according to a new report. After seeking out the “crunchiest, cheesiest, and freshest options” from across the state, I Love New York included the following pizzerias in its “11 of the Best Pizza Places in New York State” roundup: Capital Region Albany & Rensselaer counties: DeFazio’s in Albany and Troy I Love New York praised this eatery for its six different dough options, including one made from brown ale. “Add that to the plentiful topping combinations and high-quality cheeses and you’…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
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…

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by Michael Mashburn
Traffic
Lane Closures Suspended Across NY For Holiday Weekend Lane Closures Suspended Across NY For Holiday Weekend
Lane Closures Suspended Across NY For Holiday Weekend Gov. Kathy Hochul, in anticipation of the upcoming holiday weekend, announced the suspension of all construction-related lane closures across the state. From 6 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6, all temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects across New York State will be suspended, the governor announced on Friday, Sept. 1. The decision is meant to ease travel congestion over Labor Day Weekend, Hochul said. “From our scenic trails to our world-class state parks, New York is home to some of the best places to celebrate Labor Day weekend,” she sa…

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by Sophie Grieser
Weather
Strongest Tornado In Eastern US This Week Among 6 Confirmed Twisters In NY Strongest Tornado In Eastern US This Week Among 6 Confirmed Twisters In NY
Strongest Tornado In Eastern US This Week Among 6 Confirmed Twisters In NY A total of six tornadoes have been confirmed in New York State this week, accounting for 40 percent of the twisters in the Eastern US during separate rounds of storms on Monday, Aug. 7 and Tuesday, Aug. 8. Though five of those six were characterized as being "weak" on the Enhanced Fujita scale, there was one twister rated as "strong," according to the National Weather Service. It touched down in northern New York in Lewis County, about 35 miles south of Watertown, and traveled 16 miles. It was rated as an EF-3, making it the strongest of the 15 tornadoes in the Eastern US this week. T…

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by Joe Lombardi
Weather
Tornado Touched Down In NY During Round Of Severe Storms Tornado Touched Down In NY During Round Of Severe Storms
Tornado Touched Down In NY During Round Of Severe Storms A tornado touched down in New York State during a round of severe storms this week, the National Weather Service has announced following a survey of the damage. It traveled 11 miles northeasterly in Cortland and Tompkins counties from 5:13 p.m. to 5:36 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7. Its highest wind speed was 90 miles per hour and its maximum width was 200 yards as it moved from the town of Harford in Cortland County to the village of McGraw in Tompkins County. (Click on the second image above to view the path.) The twister was rated an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, the second-weakest of th…

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by Joe Lombardi
Traffic
Lane Closures Suspended Across NY For Holiday Weekend Lane Closures Suspended Across NY For Holiday Weekend
Lane Closures Suspended Across NY For Holiday Weekend In anticipation of the upcoming July 4th holiday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the suspension of construction-related lane closures throughout the state. From 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 1 to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5, temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects across New York State, the governor announced on Thursday, June 29. The decision will ease congestion for those traveling for the Fourth of July weekend, Hochul said. “We want to ensure people get to their destinations with minimal delays," she said in a statement. "I encourage everyone traveling this holida…

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by Sophie Grieser