Tag:

Aruba

Pittsfield, MA
News
$1M Lottery Win: Western Mass Woman Lands Jackpot Thanks To Lucky Spot In Line $1M Lottery Win: Western Mass Woman Lands Jackpot Thanks To Lucky Spot In Line
$1M Lottery Win: Western Mass Woman Lands Jackpot Thanks To Lucky Spot In Line A Berkshire County woman is no longer just dreaming of a tropical vacation to escape the frigid winner. She's ready to book her ticket after winning $1 million in the state lottery.  Marcia Paris of Lanesborough won the seven-figure jackpot playing the "300X" $30 scratch-off game. Paris said her dad and the person ahead of her in line at a convenience store both purchased "300X" tickets before she bought hers.  Paris chose to take the lump sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  She plans to use that money to build cabins on her property and take a …

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by Josh Lanier
Dorchester, MA
Lifestyle
$25M Lottery Payday: Boston Woman Claims Her 2nd Lottery Jackpot $25M Lottery Payday: Boston Woman Claims Her 2nd Lottery Jackpot
$25M Lottery Payday: Boston Woman Claims Her 2nd Lottery Jackpot A Boston woman who had previously won $1 million in the Massachusetts Lottery in 2006 claimed a $25 million grand prize this week.  Desiree Fortini-Craft, of Hyde Park, was the eight-figure payday playing the “Billion Dollar Extravaganza” $50 scratch-off game.  Fortini-Craft opted to take the lump sum payment of $16,250,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  Fortini-Craft said she wants to use the money to enjoy life. She plans to spend Christmas in Aruba with her fiance, Jason Perkins, and looks to pay off her three daughters' student loans, buy a new car, a…

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by Josh Lanier
Mount Pleasant, NY
Obituaries
Beloved Mom From Thornwood Dies At 45: 'Heart Bigger Than The Moon' Beloved Mom From Thornwood Dies At 45: 'Heart Bigger Than The Moon'
Beloved Mom From Thornwood Dies At 45: 'Heart Bigger Than The Moon' A much-loved mother from Northern Westchester is being remembered as a selfless, delightful person who was always ready to spend her time helping others. Thornwood resident Christina Nassar died on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the age of 45, according to her obituary. Born in 1978, Nassar was raised in Yonkers before eventually marrying Kal Nassar in 2007 and moving with him to Thornwood. There, they welcomed their three children, Nicole, Christopher, and Joseph.  Those who knew Nassar knew that she was a deeply caring mother who always went out of her way for others, especiall…

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by Ben Crnic
Quincy, MA
Neighbors
Retired Medway Firefighter, Marine Hospitalized While Vacationing In Aruba Retired Medway Firefighter, Marine Hospitalized While Vacationing In Aruba
Retired Medway Firefighter, Marine Hospitalized While Vacationing In Aruba A retired first responder from Massachusetts needs help getting home after he was hospitalized during his tropical vacation, according to an online fundraiser.  Former Assistant Chief with the Medway Fire Department Harry Lynch was brought to the hospital with an infection while vacationing in Aruba last month, according to a GoFundMe campaign.  "For those of you that don't know Harry, let me tell you he is a former Marine, and firefighter - husband, father, grandfather and brother," the campaign reads. "The reason they are in Aruba, is that it is the one trip they have taken yearly to the…

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by David Cifarelli
Bristol, PA
News
100+ Philadelphians Return Home After Being Stranded In Aruba: Report 100+ Philadelphians Return Home After Being Stranded In Aruba: Report
100+ Philadelphians Return Home After Being Stranded In Aruba: Report More than 100 Philadelphians returned home Thursday, Sept. 1 after being stranded in Aruba for three days due to airline delays, 6abc reports. American Airlines attributes flight delays to mechanical issues and pilot scheduling, according to the outlet.  "There's nothing we could do," a passenger told the outlet.  "We've been totally in the hands of the airline." The airline, which provided food vouchers among other unspecified accommodations, said it will be giving its passengers "goodwill compensation." Click here for more from 6abc.

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by Nicole Acosta
Cliffside Park-Edgewater, NJ
News
Poker Player's Public Battle With Demons Ends In Fatal Plunge From NJ High-Rise Poker Player's Public Battle With Demons Ends In Fatal Plunge From NJ High-Rise
Poker Player's Public Battle With Demons Ends In Fatal Plunge From NJ High-Rise His fellow poker professionals were becoming increasingly concerned about Matthew Marafioti’s mental health when it all ended tragically last week. Marafioti, a 33-year-old Toronto native who reportedly won multiple millions in his poker-playing career, had a very public battle with his demons. Recent social media posts were filled with an insistence that “social justice” gangsters were after him as he fought in court to gain joint custody of his young son. Shortly after 11 a.m. last Friday, Marafioti dove head-first to his death from a friend’s 28th-floor balcony at the Winston Towers, a …

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by Jerry DeMarco
White Plains, NY
News
COVID-19: CDC Adds Seven Destinations To 'Very High Risk' Category For Travel COVID-19: CDC Adds Seven Destinations To 'Very High Risk' Category For Travel
Covid-19: CDC Adds Seven Destinations To 'Very High Risk' Category For Travel The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added seven destinations to its COVID-19 Level 4 “very high” risk category for travel. The CDC's parameters define the "very high" risk category as having more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents in the last four weeks. Americans should now avoid travel to: France,  Israel,  Thailand,  Iceland,  Aruba,  French Polynesia, Eswatini. That brings the total to 74 nations. For a complete rundown, view the list here. Those who absolutely must travel should be fully vaccinated, the CDC said. The majority of count…

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by Joe Lombardi
Newark, NJ
News
HEROES: Port Authority Police Rescue Stricken Woman At Newark Airport HEROES: Port Authority Police Rescue Stricken Woman At Newark Airport
Heroes: Port Authority Police Rescue Stricken Woman At Newark Airport A Newark Airport traveler was shaking violently, the left side of her face drooping, when Port Authority Police Officers Mark Burkhardt and Jason Nielsen responded to a cleaner’s urgent call for help. Thinking she was having a stroke or seizure, the officers helped with the woman’s breathing and monitored her vitals until paramedics arrived. Command officers hadn’t realized the severity of Lisa Kirby’s situation until her husband called to thank them, Port Authority spokeswoman Lenis Valens said. It turned out she’d suffered a brain aneurism, Valens said. “If there was one missing link, m…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Massapequa, NY
News
Former Long Island Radio Station Manager Admits To Defrauding Company Of Thousands Former Long Island Radio Station Manager Admits To Defrauding Company Of Thousands
Former Long Island Radio Station Manager Admits To Defrauding Company Of Thousands The former general manager of a Long Island radio station has admitted to making hundreds of thousands of dollars of personal charges on the business account. Stephanie Bitis, of Sag Harbor, pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 16, in federal court to felony access device fraud, according to court documents. Bitis’ crime carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment of 15 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and forfeiture of any proceeds from her crime. The longtime resident and community activist served as Vice President/General Manager of LIRB from 2015 to 2017. She had previously worked at&nbs…

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by Kathy Reakes
Hartford, CT
News
COVID-19: Costa Rica To Open Borders To Residents Of 6 US States COVID-19: Costa Rica To Open Borders To Residents Of 6 US States
Covid-19: Costa Rica To Open Borders To Residents Of 6 US States Costa Rica is re-opening its borders to Americans who reside in six specific states. Residents of Vermont, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut may all begin traveling to Costa Rica again starting Sept. 1. Many countries have closed their borders to American tourists during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. Costa Rica’s re-opening strategy is unique in its targeted border opening. As of Aug. 3, these countries were among the ones Americans could still visit during the pandemic, according to National Geographic: Albania, Brazil, Camb…

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by Kristin Palpini
Mahopac, NY
Obituaries
Robert Vetterman Of Carmel, 54, Husband, Father, Friend Always There When Needed, Dies Of COVID Robert Vetterman Of Carmel, 54, Husband, Father, Friend Always There When Needed, Dies Of COVID
Robert Vetterman Of Carmel, 54, Husband, Father, Friend Always There When Needed, Dies Of COVID Robert Vetterman, 54, of Carmel died on April 7, 2020, at Danbury Hospital  in Connecticut from complications from the coronavirus. Robert was born in Sleepy Hollow (North Tarrytown) on July 14, 1965 to Raymond and Timothea (Keane) Vetterman. He grew up in Ossining and was a graduate of Ossining High School.  He also attended BOCES trade school. After high school, Robert pursued his passion for cars and became an automotive mechanic. Throughout his career he did not hesitate to take others under his wings and teach them everything he knew. Robert’s talent, skills, dedication and trustworth…

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by Daily Voice
Pleasantville, NY
News
Former Teller Sentenced For Participating In Violent Bank Robbery In Westchester Former Teller Sentenced For Participating In Violent Bank Robbery In Westchester
Former Teller Sentenced For Participating In Violent Bank Robbery In Westchester A former bank teller in Westchester has been sentenced for her participation in an armed robbery that netted more than $300,000 and a vacation to Aruba. Virginia Blanco has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for participating in the robbery of a Wells Fargo Bank branch on Odel Avenue in Yonkers in October 2013 that included several rounds being fired during the exchange. She must also pay $303,500 in restitution. Blanco had been found guilty by a jury of conspiracy, bank robbery, and a firearm offense in July last year following a four-day trial in White Plains federal court, U.S. At…

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by Zak Failla
Hackensack, NJ
News
Measles Exposure Confirmed At Newark Airport Measles Exposure Confirmed At Newark Airport
Measles Exposure Confirmed At Newark Airport A traveler from Aruba may have exposed others to the measles earlier this month, state health officials said. The traveler arrived in Terminal C on March 4 and then left for California from the same terminal, the NJ Health Department said. Anyone at the airport between 9 that night and 9:30 a.m. the following day could develop symptoms as late as March 26, health officials said. New Jersey residents identified as potentially exposed on the ill individual’s flights will be notified by their local health department. Measles symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery…

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by Cecilia Levine
Hackensack, NJ
Lifestyle
Hackensack Man Has Eaten Pizza Every Day For 40 Years Hackensack Man Has Eaten Pizza Every Day For 40 Years
Hackensack Man Has Eaten Pizza Every Day For 40 Years Pizza is all Mike Roman of Hackensack has eaten for dinner for nearly 40 years. And he doesn't see things changing any time soon. Roman went on Tom La Vecchia's "New Theory" podcast to discuss his lifelong habit. The 41-year-old teacher doesn't remember the first slice he ever had or how the ritual began. He just won't eat anything else at dinner, and hasn't since he was a toddler, he said.  On his wedding night last year, Romano had pizza. On his honeymoon to Aruba, he had pizza (which he looked up before the trip). Oh, and no toppings. To Roman, it's not weird. It's life. &q…

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by Cecilia Levine
Greenburgh, NY
News
Former Teller Convicted Of Participating In Violent Westchester Bank Robbery Former Teller Convicted Of Participating In Violent Westchester Bank Robbery
Former Teller Convicted Of Participating In Violent Westchester Bank Robbery A former bank teller in Westchester is facing decades in prison for her participation in an armed robbery that netted more than $300,000 - and a vacation to Aruba. Virginia Blanco was found guilty on Tuesday on every count for her with participating in the robbery of a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Yonkers in October 2013 that included multiple rounds being fired during the exchange.  Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, called the robbery “an inside job.” In October 2013, while Blanco was working as a teller at the Odell Avenue Wells Fargo bank b…

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by Zak Failla