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Backyard Fossil Jackpot: Ancient Mastodon Jaw Unearthed In Hudson Valley Backyard Fossil Jackpot: Ancient Mastodon Jaw Unearthed In Hudson Valley
Backyard Fossil Jackpot: Ancient Mastodon Jaw Unearthed In Hudson Valley A backyard in New York became the site of a remarkable prehistoric discovery when a homeowner unearthed a complete and well-preserved jaw of a mastodon, an ancient relative of modern elephants. Alongside the jaw, researchers also uncovered a toe bone fragment and a piece of a rib. The discovery began in the Hudson Valley when the Orange County resident noticed two large teeth protruding from the soil beneath a plant near the home in Scotchtown, according to the New York State Museum in a social media post on Tuesday, Dec. 17. After further digging revealed additional teeth, experts from th…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Winning Numbers For Wednesday, Dec. 18 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $71M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Wednesday, Dec. 18 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $71M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Wednesday, Dec. 18 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $71M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Wednesday, Dec. 18 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $71 million with a $33 million cash option. If no winner wins the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. The winning numbers for Wednesday's drawing were 06-15-18-33-49 with a Powerball of 07 and the Power Play was 2X. Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot by matching all five balls plus the Powerball, according to officials. Prizes then range from $1 millio…

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by Zak Failla
News
First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US
First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US Health officials have confirmed the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made the announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 18 saying the infection was diagnosed on Friday, Dec. 13, following contact the patient made with sick and dead birds from a backyard flock. The case was reported in Louisiana and marks the first H5N1 case in the US linked to exposure to backyard poultry.  Since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States. H5 is generally less severe than…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Hudson Valley Man Headed To Prison For Child Sex Abuse Hudson Valley Man Headed To Prison For Child Sex Abuse
Hudson Valley Man Headed To Prison For Child Sex Abuse A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to prison for his conviction of sexual abuse of a 7-year-old child. Carlos Fernando Pinola Pop, 41, of Kingston, was found guilty of the Sept. 2023 incident and sentenced to four and a half years. In addition, Pinola Pop will have to register with the New York State Sex Offender Registry; he may also be subjected to deportation under federal law, said Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji. The District Attorney's office said that during the incident, Pinola Pop subjected a child to sexual contact by placing his hands and penis on her …

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by Kathy Reakes
Neighbors
Holiday Heart: Rockland County Church To Host Christmas Dinner For Homeless, Lonely Holiday Heart: Rockland County Church To Host Christmas Dinner For Homeless, Lonely
Holiday Heart: Rockland County Church To Host Christmas Dinner For Homeless, Lonely Christmas is usually a season of joy and family gatherings. But for the homeless or lonely, it can be challenging to cope. To help, the First Baptist Church of Spring Valley will serve Christmas dinner and distribute coats and food packages to the homeless, indigent, and lonely on Christmas Day. Deacon Michael Williams said the church, whose theme is "Love thy Neighbor," will also deliver dinners and food packages to homebound members, their neighbors, and the homeless in Spring Valley and surrounding communities.  According to Williams, the number of attendees can reach 200…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Coastal Gem Named Best Small Town In US To Visit In New Rankings Coastal Gem Named Best Small Town In US To Visit In New Rankings
Coastal Gem Named Best Small Town In US To Visit In New Rankings A charming coastal location has been crowned the best small town to visit in the United States, earning the top spot in U.S. News & World Report’s newly released rankings. The annual list highlights destinations that capture the essence of small-town America with their scenic beauty, cultural offerings, and laid-back atmosphere. T his year, Bar Harbor, Maine, claimed the No. 1 position, praised for its idyllic setting, stunning coastal views, and gateway to Acadia National Park. Nestled along Maine’s rugged coastline, Bar Harbor attracts visitors year-round with its fresh seafood, bout…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Dec. 17 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $760M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Dec. 17 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $760M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Tuesday, Dec. 17 'Mega Millions' Drawing With Estimated $760M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Tuesday, Dec. 17 Mega Millions drawing. The estimated jackpot is $760 million with a $352.1 million cash option. The winning numbers for Tuesday's drawing are: 56-66-67-68-69 with a Mega Ball of 18 and a Megaplier of 4X If no winner wins the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20.  MegaMillions Lottery players have a 1 in 302,575,350 chance of winning a Mega Millions jackpot by matching all five balls plus the gold Mega Ball, according to…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
NYC Tour Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing Along Palisades, Police Say NYC Tour Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing Along Palisades, Police Say
NYC Tour Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing Along Palisades, Police Say A tour helicopter carrying the pilot and six passengers made a safe emergency landing in the parking lot of the Englewood Marina after experiencing mechanical failure mid-flight on Tuesday, Dec. 17, police said. The Bell 407GX helicopter, owned by HeliNY.com, was giving passengers a tour of New York City when it experienced a mechanical issue, according to Lieutenant Raymond E. Walter of the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police. The pilot successfully brought the helicopter down in the marina parking lot along the Hudson River in Englewood Cliffs around 11:45 a.m. All six passengers an…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Payback Time: NY Delivery Drivers Will Get Cut Of $4M Settlement Over Withheld Tips Payback Time: NY Delivery Drivers Will Get Cut Of $4M Settlement Over Withheld Tips
Payback Time: NY Delivery Drivers Will Get Cut Of $4M Settlement Over Withheld Tips Thousands of local delivery drivers are in for a much-deserved payday. Drizly, a now-defunct alcohol delivery platform, reached a $4 million settlement with the State of New York on Tuesday, Dec. 17, for failing to ensure that delivery workers received their rightful tips. According to New York Attorney General Leitita James, Drizly encouraged customers to tip delivery workers but sent the funds to liquor store owners instead. Store owners were responsible for distributing the tips, but in many cases, workers did not receive the money they earned. The investigation also revealed that Driz…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
$145M Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Known As 'Magician' Admits To One Of Largest Ever Frauds $145M Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Known As 'Magician' Admits To One Of Largest Ever Frauds
$145M Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Known As 'Magician' Admits To One Of Largest Ever Frauds A Northern Westchester man who earned the nickname “The Magician” for his ability to slash tax bills has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a massive $145 million fraud scheme that spanned a decade, federal officials announced. Rafael Alvarez, age 61, of Cortlandt Manor, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, Dec. 17, after being charged with conspiracy to defraud the US and aiding the preparation of false tax returns, according to Edward Y. Kim, Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  Alvarez, the CEO and owner of ATAX, a Bronx-based tax preparation bu…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment
Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment As accused serial killer Rex Heuermann faces his seventh murder charge, the stories of his alleged victims – young women whose lives were tragically and violently cut short – offer a haunting reminder of the human toll behind the Gilgo Beach case. Here’s a closer look at the seven victims named in the indictment: Melissa Barthelemy, 24 Melissa Barthelemy Suffolk County Police Described by family as a talented hair stylist from the Bronx, she dreamed of opening her own salon. She was last seen alive on July 10, 2009, in her basement apartment on Underhill Avenue.  Barthelemy’s…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days
CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Mangione is charged with one count of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and two counts of second-degree murder. Mangione, a 26-year-old Maryland native, had fled New York City after the high-profile targeted assassination outside the New York Hilton in Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 4.  UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. UnitedHealthcare After a days-long manhunt, Mangione was apprehended at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsy…

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by Joe Lombardi