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Bronx River Parkway Night Closures This Week

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The Bronx River Parkway in Westchester

For those who normally drive on the Bronx River Parkway in Yonkers–be advised.

On Monday Jan. 14, Tuesday Jan. 15 and Wednesday Jan. 16, the county will be closing two lanes from 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m.

According to the Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation, the northbound right lanes near Cross County Parkway in Westchester will be closed, weather permitting.

"These closures are part of the project to rehabilitate the Broad Street Bridge over the Bronx River Parkway," the county announcement stated. "Crews will be working on the concrete piers on the underside of the bridge. This project began last summer and will take approximately 14 months to complete."

Traffic and delays are expected. Drivers are asked to find alternate routes during the three-night work period.

For additional information, contact Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation at (914) 995-2555.   


Last Chance: Leatherman's Loop Lottery

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If you've always thought about running the Leatherman's Loop—the trail race that runs through Ward Pound Ridge Reservation and can include waist-high water to wade through and mud so mucky it sucks shoes off—Monday's your last chance to sign up for the 2013 event.

All runner registration will be via Loop Lottery for the 27th Running of the Leatherman’s Loop on Sunday, April 21. The lottery opened Thursday and closes tonight at midnight. Once it is closed there will be no new lottery entrants accepted. 

To sign up, visit the Leatherman’s Loop website and follow links to the registration site. You'll need to enter your contact information and a credit card number that won't be charged unless you've secured a race bib for the race.

What happens after midnight?

Those who've secured a number—and those who haven't—will be notified via email. Organizers say there are more interested runners than spots, and some will be disappointed.

Visit the Loop website to see a list of frequently asked questions about the Loop Lottery. Visit the club site at sundayruns.org for information on training runs throughout the year.

Click here for last year's race results and video highlights of the run.

Teen Accused of Carrying Prescription Pills

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Police Lights

A 17-year-old from White Plains faces a misdemeanor charge after police say she was caught with 30 prescription pills in a parked car, police say.

Police were checking on a dark-colored BMW parked suspiciously near the intersection of Nutgrove St. and Lafayette Ave. at about 7:44 p.m. Wednesday night when an officer smelled marijuana, according to an arrest report. Police searched the four people in the vehicle and say a 17-year-old girl was carrying a bottle of about 30 Alprazolam pills, a prescription narcotic.

The girl was arrested and charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. She was held for court.

Report: Fourth Quarter Sales Boosted 2012 Real Estate Market Locally

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The pace of residential real estate sales picked up considerably in 2012 in the four counties of the lower Hudson region – Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange, according to the Realtor firms participating in the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service (HGMLS), a subsidiary of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors.

The pace of residential real estate sales picked up considerably in 2012 in the four counties of the lower Hudson region – Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange, according to the Realtor firms participating in the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service (HGMLS), a subsidiary of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors.

The Realtors reported a regional sales aggregate of 11,481 residential units consisting of single-family houses, condominiums, cooperatives, and in the case of Westchester, 2 to 4 family buildings as well. This was a 15 percent increase over 2011’s total of 9,973 sales.

This movement halted the steady decrease in annual sales that started in 2004.   

Westchester, the most populous of the counties, and historically accounting for about two-thirds of the total sales activity in the region, posted a 14 percent gain in sales over 2011. Putnam, Rockland and Orange counties posted year over year gains of 9 percent, 11 percent and 9 percent, respectively.  Also in those three counties, the highest percentage sales increases were posted in the single-family house sector. 

In Westchester, where house sales picked up by 16 percent, that performance was bested by a 20 percent increase in condominium sales.

Sales in the region generally increased in each quarter of 2012 but were especially strong in the final three months, depending on property type, when transactions that had been negotiated or contracted in the summer months finally went to closings and were reported to HGMLS.  

The fourth quarter increase for single-family houses was 30 percent in Westchester and 10 percent in Orange. Rockland’s condominium and cooperative sector posted a 19 percent gain.  Only Putnam posted a decrease - Putnam has a very small housing stock and as a result, its market data are subject to larger swings from just a few transactions up or down, according to the HGMLS.

Looking forward, HGMLS contends the 2013 real estate market will likely accelerate from the momentum of the 2012 market as long as there are no economic or political catastrophes at the national level affecting unemployment, mortgage interest rates, tax treatment of housing, or the equity markets, that would destroy consumer confidence. 

PatchCast: Bridge Project Causes Lane Closures; Crash Causes Power Outage

Unattended Running Car Reported Stolen

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 Anne Arundel police are searching for four teenagers who may have been involved in a robbery at the Sun Valley Plaza Shopping Center on Friday.

 

After leaving his car running with the keys in the ignition on W Post Rd. Tuesday night a White Plains man told police he returned to find his car had been stolen.

The car's owner said he left his 1995 Volvo 850 unattended for about five minutes while he went into the Food Mart at 70 W Post Rd. just before 8 p.m. When he returned, there was no sign of the vehicle, police say.

Police are looking into the incident.

Past Behind Her, Buni Is Ready for New Start

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Buni is available for adoption.

From the New Rochelle Humane Society:

Buni was carelessly left outside out shelter on a rainy night.

When the staff arrived in the morning, poor Buni was soaked and exhausted. She was cleaned up and dried off, and snuggled up in a clean, cozy enclosure where she slept off this terrible experience.

It seems that Buni has since put the past behind her and is ready to start a new life. This sweet and friendly girl is about 2 years old and has the most beautifully soft Torbie coat!

Contact the New Rochelle Humane Society for more information. They are located at 70 Portman Rd. in New Rochelle. Their phone number is 914-632-2925.

Meet Buttermilk — A Happy Black Lab/Border Collie Mix

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Buttermilk is looking for a home.

From the SPCA of Westchester:

This adorable black lab/border collie mix has the biggest, happiest smile.

Buttermilk is a joy and when you make eye contact with her, her tail doesn’t stop wagging!

She is wonderful with everyone and gets so excited when she is out, her butt scoots under her body ready to go on her next adventure as fast as possible!

Buttermilk really is a gem and would love a family that will shower her with lots of love.

See here for more information about the SPCA of Westchester or call 914-941-2896 ext. 22.



Junior League Helps Westchester Women's Shelter

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Junior League of Central Westchester members volunteering in White Plains

The Junior League of Central Westchester’s (JLCW) Fall 2012 new member class partnered with the Samaritan House Women’s Shelter, which is part of the Grace Church Community Center (GCCC).

This shelter provides transitional and emergency housing for up to 19 homeless women. Comprehensive services include individualized treatment for those who suffer from substance abuse, domestic violence or HIV/AIDs. The partnership of these two non-profit organizations provided a wonderful opportunity to better the lives of women in the community of White Plains by enhancing the living space at the shelter and creating kits to help transition residents into housing.

As part of the new member class project, the JLCW collaborated with the Samaritan House on three projects.  First, the members redecorated and revitalized the living room located at the Samaritan House, by adding wall art, curtains, rugs, a flat screen TV and other forms of entertainment for the women. 

The new JLCW members secured donated paint from Wallauer’s Paint and Design Center, located in Scarsdale, and spent an afternoon painting the walls.  The members diligently collected items for welcome wagon move-in kits from local businesses and active members of the JLCW. These kits contain items for the residents when they transition out of the shelter, into more permanent housing. Often, the women of the shelter do not have basic necessities for their new homes, which is why the kits are so important. The kits include such things as linens, dishes, cutlery, cleaning products and toiletries.

Also, new members presented the revitalized living room as well as the move-in kits at a brunch on December 15, 2012.  The event was for residents and staff of the Samaritan House as well as new and active JLCW members.

GCCC Coordinator for Volunteers and Community Relations, Emily Gallagher stated that, "the Junior League's commitment to our less fortunate neighbors is truly awe-inspiring. We are so grateful for the hard work and dedication of the JLCW and look forward to partnering with them for years to come."

In the Fall and Spring of each year, the JLCW holds informational coffees for women interested in membership. JLCW members join as a class and meet with current JLCW members to learn more about projects and the organization. Each new member class organizes its own volunteer project, which is to be completed by the end of their training session.

“This was a great way to learn about the community,” explains new member Lisa Ferree. “I really appreciate the work that GCCC does for the women at the shelter and I am so impressed by how the local businesses support the effort of JLCW and their community.” 

About Grace Church Community Center (GCCC)
 GCCC is a non-sectarian, community-based non-profit organization whose mission is to assist Westchester County’s neediest and most at-risk residents, especially those who are under-served by other resources.  GCCC is one of the largest social services agencies in Westchester County and has been providing shelter and support for individuals and families for over 30 years.  The agency operates eight critical community programs, including the Samaritan House Women’s Shelter (“Samaritan House”). 

Additional Information can be found at www.jlcentralwestchester.org.

Westchester Lawmakers Approve $12.5M Bonds for Playland Repairs

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A piece of Playland boardwalk floats out to Long island sound, damage from Sandy. County Parks Commissioner Kathy O'Connor gives County Executive Rob Astorino a tour of Playland's damage after Sandy.

White Plains, NY – The members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) serving on the Budget & Appropriations Committee unanimously approved two bond acts today to fund critical repairs at Playland, the County’s amusement park and recreation facility, for infrastructure damaged during Hurricane Sandy in late October 2012.

The two separate repair projects, which were added by the BOL to County’s 2013 Capital Projects Budget, were categorized by the Administration as necessary for emergency contracts, which is why the BOL’s Budget & Appropriations Committee, chaired by Legislator Judy Myers (D-Larchmont), moved quickly on the items. Both bond acts will be taken up in the BOL’s Government Operations Committee meeting tomorrow, where they are expected to gain similar approval, before heading to the full BOL for a vote at its next regular meeting on January 28.

The first bond act approved at today’s committee meeting was in the amount of $4,925,000 to fund the cost of design and construction of roofing, boilers and structural work at the Playland Ice Casino. The County’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation had reported that the Ice Casino, used by thousands of residents annually, suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Sandy. The roof structure, which showed significant cracking in a February 2012 inspection, now requires major repairs before the facility can be re-opened. Also, high winds blew off two doors on the Ice Casino facing the Long Island Sound, and a fifteen foot storm surge flooded the basement and damaged the boilers.

The second approved bond act, totaling $7,575,000, will go toward repairing the boardwalk at Playland, which also was damaged extensively from Sandy’s high winds and storm surge, causing parts of the structure to heave, buckle or completely wash away. Since the storm, the boardwalk, which is normally open to county residents during the off-season, has been closed to the public.

 “There is no doubt that we need to move ahead as quickly as possible with these repairs so Playland can be opened on time for the 2013 season and the Ice Casino be made available to residents and others for use,” said Myers. “Playland is an important asset and a major revenue producer for the County, and investments in our infrastructure along these lines makes good short- and long-term sense.”

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To see photos of Sandy's damage at Playland, click here.  

Sleepy Hollow Man Charged With Wife's Murder

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Christopher Howson booking photo.

 

Monday was another big day for the small courthouse in Sleepy Hollow when Christopher Howson’s attempted murder charge was upgraded officially to murder.

During another quick and quiet visit to Sleepy Hollow Village Court, Howson, alongside his current Legal Aid Society attorney, received the charge of murder in the second degree along with the original additional charge of first degree strangulation.

This follows the death on Wednesday of his alleged victim, his wife Theresa Gorski. She spent four days on life support after suffering strangulation at the couple's home on 127 New Broadway on Saturday, Jan. 5.

Howson was temporarily held in Sleepy Hollow police department’s holding cell and brought in handcuffs into court by village police, but then it was back in the county police car to the Westchester County Jail. He is being held without bail pending the next court date here on January 28.

First degree murder charges in New York apply to cases where "especially cruel or painful means" are used to hurt the victim prior to death, according to NY Penal Code. Sentencing can go up to a maximum of life in prison. 

Second degree murder charge involves the "intent to cause the death of another person" that results in the death of this person. If convicted Howson could face up to 25 years in prison.

Lowey Speaks On Behalf Of "Sandy" Aid

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Nita Lowey

 

Congresswoman Nita Lowey, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, delivered the following statement at today's Rules Committee meeting in favor of emergency disaster relief:

Mr. Chairman, I am grateful for the opportunity to testify here on behalf of speedy passage of this legislation. The underlying bill, with the addition of the Frelinghuysen amendment, will help families, businesses, and communities affected by Sandy to recover and rebuild.

Sandy devastated much of the Northeast and is one of the costliest natural disasters in our nation's history.  I am pleased that the first order of business in the 113th Congress may be passing this emergency disaster relief. 

However, I was disappointed that similar legislation wasn't enacted before the end of last Congress and I remain wary that some in this House wish to scuttle the effort. By Friday evening, the Rules Committee had received 92 amendments. I am deeply concerned the rule will make in order so many as to constitute filibuster by amendment, or any number of small reduction amendments making for death by a thousand cuts.

I also worry that the Rules Committee will make in order poison pill amendments such as several attempts to re-litigate Davis Bacon or other controversial matters and unprecedented efforts to offset the entire cost of the bill, including FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund. I ask the Committee not to propose a rule that hinders swift House passage of a bill the Senate can pass and the President can sign. 

On the other hand, I share the concerns of some of the other amendments' sponsors. Mr. Holt's amendment to waive the FY 1999 limitation on use of CDBG funds is a good idea. I also support efforts to help others affected by Sandy or impacted by other natural disasters. 

However, my chief concern is speedy passage of H.R. 152, as amended by the Frelinghuysen amendment. While there are some provisions I would modify if I could, my first concern is seeing this legislation promptly enacted. If the Rules Committee decides not to make the other useful amendments in order, I hope we can find other opportunities to move them.

Again, I thank my good friends Mr. Rogers and Mr. Frelinghuysen for their efforts. And I thank the New York, New Jersey and other Northeast delegations for all their hard work.  I hope this Committee and this House will act quickly to fulfill the fundamental obligation of the federal government to help those affected by Sandy to recover and rebuild.

 

White Plains Woman Named Head of County Youth Bureau

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Iris Pagan

 

A White Plains woman is the new director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau, County Executive Robert Astorino announced this week.

Iris Pagan will take over for Mary Kate Cabaleiro, who had been serving as interim director of the program. Cabaleiro will now serve as assistant director.

“What’s remarkable about Iris is her personal story,” Astorino said. “She worked her way up from a G.E.D. in high school to a Ph.D. from Columbia. She is a great example for kids, and adults too, of how hard work and perseverance pay off.”

A former teacher with the French American School of New York, Pagan is a graduate of Pace University and holds a master's and doctorate from Columbia Teachers College. She is fluent in Spanish and has worked in other positions within the Youth Bureau in the past.

In her new role, Pagan will "lead the county's efforts to partner with non-profit agencies to provide programs and services that encourage healthy lifestyles
and position youngsters for success in life", according to a statement from the county executive's office.

“Our youth need to know that the community cares about them and that the help they need to build skills to succeed is available,” she said. “Developing youth is not a matter of money. It’s more a matter of exposing kids to positive encouragement whether in the form of programs or just one person being there for them.”

Astorino also announced three other new appointments:

  • Jennifer M. Wacha of New Rochelle, the former director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), has been promoted to deputy commissioner of Emergency Services.
  • Dennis Delborgo of Mamaroneck, who has worked in Emergency Services since 2005, has been promoted to director of the OEM division.
  • Francesca K. Bossey of Yonkers, who has more than two decades of business and financial experience within the private sector, has been appointed deputy budget director.

“These positions are key to the operation of our county government on a day-to-day basis and during emergencies, such as Hurricane Sandy,” Astorino said. “Jennifer, Dennis and Francesca are all proven managers who will serve the county well.”

Rockland Athletic Directors Discuss Move From Section 1

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Pearl River defeated Tappan Zee, 39-33, in the Section 1 Class A girls basketball championship game Sunday, March 4, 2012 at the Westchester County Center.

Rockland County's eleven high school athletic directors are looking into a possible split from Section 1.

They are currently gathering information regarding a possible move to Section 9, but Tappan Zee Athletic Director Liam Frawley stressed that the discussions are only preliminary and the switch will not be an option if the schools are not able to stay together. 

The schools are all close enough in size that they play in the same leagues in most sports. 

"If we were to make this move, we want to make sure we are able to stay intact and continue the county games," Frawley said. "This is all preliminary. We are fact-finding right now."

The deadline for the Rockland County schools to apply for Section 9 membership for the 2014-15 school year is Nov. 30. Frawley said starting the research now was important so there is plenty of time to properly investigate the issue. If a move is made, it won't be done quickly or lightly.

Rockland County's high schools have competed in Section 1 since moving from Section 9 in 1983. Frawley said in addition to meeting amongst themselves, the athletic directors will be continue to have discussions with Section 9 and Section 1.

"If we made the move, we don't want to come back two years later with our tails between our legs," Frawley said. "This is for the long term. (These schools) were in Section 9 for a long time for a reason. Maybe it's time to take a closer look at where we stand 30 years later."

The upcoming Tappan Zee Bridge project and the travel challenges it could present are one reason for the discussion to happen now.

"The bridge is part of it," Frawley said. "Scheduling is part of it. We're seeing if we're a better fit in Section 9 with (mostly) Orange (County) than in Section 1 with Westchester."

One concern is if Section 1 were to re-align again and break up the Rockland County schools in more sports. They already face football schedules that are not based on geography. Pearl River, for example, played only one game against a Rockland County opponent in football this past fall.

The ongoing challenge is finding non-league games with most of Section 1's 80 schools located in Westchester county. Those schools are more likely to schedule games close by, where they don't have to cross the Tappan Zee Bridge. 

"Sometimes it is a problem," Frawley said. "Some people look at the Hudson River like it is the Grand Canyon. They are hesitant to travel here."

Rockland County schools do play games against opponents in New Jersey, but those don't count toward playoff seeding, so they can make up only a small part of the schedule. 

"I'm not knocking my colleagues on the other side of the bridge," Frawley said. "Why travel 30 miles to us when they can go 10 to play somebody else?"

Section 9 includes Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties as well as parts of Dutchess County, one reason keeping the Rockland schools together for league play. Frawley said one of the matters the Rockland County ADs are looking into is if how the travel costs are likely to stack up if they made the switch.

"We want to be fiscally responsible to our districts," Frawley said. "I think it would be a wash with transportation and league fees. That's one of a number of factors we all need to take into account."

There had been informal discussions of the topic before, but Frawley decided it was time to find out what really works best. 

"After the holidays, I called the guys and (Clarkstown North AD) Tess (Brogan) and said, how do you guys feel about us asking the questions and finding out rather than speculating. Let's find out how Section 9 does their business. After getting the OK from the other ADs in the county, I contacted Section 9. We had phone discussions and a meeting. We got a great deal of information. We are still seeing what that information will spur."

PatchCast: Soldiers Saluted; Police Promotion


Southern Westchester Under Winter Weather Advisory

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The National Weather Service

Be prepared for wet driving conditions Wednesday morning—a wintry mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet could affect local commuters.

The National Weather Service has issued an advisory for midnight to 4 p.m. Wednesday. There's a chance for precipitation up until 1 p.m. The total nighttime snow and sleet accumulation should be less than a half-inch.

An advisory is issued when a low pressure system results in a combination of winter weather that present a hazard, but does not meet warning criteria.

Temperatures rise slightly into the upper 30s and the rain may continue into the afternoon, according to the NWS. Things should warm up and dry out on Thursday, with a dry day in the low 40s forecast. 

Got photos of road conditions, accidents? Email LisaB@Patch.com or text 914-319-9044.

NY State: More Schooling, Full Pre-K, Better Teachers

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Cesar Perales, Secretary of State of New York, detailed Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan for New York. He presented a powerpoint and fielded questions at Ramapo Town Hall Monday night. He looked at several aspects from economic development to education standards.

The four core elements of Cuomo's plan are:

  1. Attract good jobs and economic growth.
  2. Create a world-class education system that prepares the next generation for the future.
  3. Establish fiscal integrity and discipline.
  4. Restore NY as the progressive capital of the nation.

The big push was “NY one-two punch: Jobs and Education.” With education, the state’s new plan is to look at “More and better.”

  • More Learning Time
  • More Early Education
  • Better Teachers
  • More and Better

More learning time

“We have to seriously think about radical change,” said Perales. He added that the current school calendar was formed during a high agriculture society so kids could have the summer off to help families on the farm, but now times have changed. "The reality of it is, we have got to figure out a way to address school hours. Lots of countries are getting ahead of us. If you look at countries that are doing the best, they have longer school days and larger number of school days."

The average number of annual school days and international rankings are as follows according to the powerpoint presentation:

Country Rankings Reading Math Science # of School Days
Korea No. 1 No. 1  No. 1  205.9
Canada No. 3 No. 5 No. 5 190
US No.  14 No. 25 No. 17 179.9

Creating more learning time will be an option for every school district in which the state will pay 100 percent for the additional cost.

3 options:

  • longer days
  • longer year
  • a combination of both

More early education

Cuomo is pushing for real pre-k for all children because quality early education is critical for long-term success

Studies show that children who attend full-day pre-k:

  • Perform 25% better on math exams by the second grade, and 20% better on English exams than those who did not.
  • Are nearly 30% more likely to graduate from high school.
  • Are 40% less likely to repeat a grade.
  • Are 32% less likely to be arrested as a juvenile.

Because of these studies, the state is looking to make pre-kindergarten a full day

  • Currently, universal pre-k is provided by 67% of school districts, which equals, on average, to 2.5 hours a day.
  • We will expand the pre-k program to “full day,” at least 5 hours a day.
  • We will start with the students in the lowest wealth school districts.

Better teachers

“Teaching is one of the most important professions in society and we must attract and incentivize the best to become teachers” according to the powerpoint.

Cuomo plans to implement the overhaul of teacher training and certification

  • Increase admission standards for entry into education training programs.
  • Implement a “bar exam” that teachers must pass in order to receive certification.

Cuomo is looking to create a performance culture with two key aspects: 

  1. Evaluations of teachers’ progress and achievement.
  • New York State’s teacher evaluation system has been a great success.
  • The 4 percent state funding increase is premised on getting an agreement by January 17, 2013.
  • More than 90 percent have submitted plans that last only a year 
  • Will continue to link state aid increases for districts that don’t have plans

    2.  New York must pay for performance

  • Incentivize high performing teachers
  • We propose a program where high performing “master teachers” will receive $15,000 in supplemental income annually for four years to teach other teachers.
  • These master teachers will train other teachers to improve performance in the classroom.
  • Our program will replicate the Jim Simons’ Math and Science for America program in New York. Program currently in NYC—we will expand to around the state starting next year. 

More & Better: Education in Distressed Communities

Demands of schools in wealthier districts are different than demands in lowest wealth districts. Since a school is not just a “school” in distressed communities, the state is looking to create community schools in these communities.

  • Community schools offer education plus support services—serve as the hub for all community services
  • Provides health, employment, after school and other services.
  • Replicate successful models such as Cincinnati Community Learning Centers, Harlem Children’s Zone, Say Yes to Education and Strive 

One Month After a Tragedy, New York Tightens Gun Laws

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Semi-automatic rifles

New York State has adopted tighter gun regulations that officials hope will act as a ballast in preventing future gun violence.

The State Assembly voted 104-43 Tuesday afternoon to pass the NY SAFE Act, just one month and one day after the tragic elementary school massacre in Newtown, CT.

The laws strengthen the ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law shortly after its passage in the Assembly.

Many of the cardinal changes included in the SAFE Act were touted by Cuomo in his recent State of the State address.

On Monday, the bill passed through the State Senate with resounding success, moving on to the house via a 43-to-18 vote.

Housed in the bill is an outright ban of semi-automatic weapons with detachable magazines that have any features "commonly associated with military weapons."

Also nestled in the package are a passel of other laws, which make bringing a gun onto school grounds a felony, and allow some gun owners to keep their licenses private—a decision for which The Journal News' gun map was likely the catalyst.

(Readers can see a more comprehensive look at the legislation here and here.)

In a statement about his signature for the legislation, Cuomo was upbeat about the measure.

"The new law will limit gun violence through common sense, reasonable reforms that include addressing the risks posed by mentally ill people who have access to guns and banning high capacity magazines and lethal assault weapons," said Cuomo in the press release. "This legislation is not about hunters, sportsmen, or legal owners who use their guns appropriately. It is about reducing gun violence and making New York a safer place to live. I thank leadership of both the Assembly and Senate for their action on this important legislation."

New York's Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has hailed the tightening of gun laws as a step forward.

"With the passage of this legislation, our state has taken decisive action to protect New Yorkers from gun violence," he said Tuesday. "I look forward to continuing to work together with my colleagues in government and law enforcement as we seek to expand our efforts to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people."

Others, however, are chagrined by the legislation.

"These gun control schemes have failed in the past and will have no impact on public safety and crime," the National Rifle Association penned in a press release Tuesday. "Sadly, the New York Legislature gave no consideration to that reality."

Flu Taking Its Toll, Vaccine in Short Supply

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Medical experts say there is still time to get a flu shot.

It's the coughing. The runny nose. The fever. The "I can't get out of bed" feeling.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that high flu activity is still continuing around the country, with influenza vaccines in short supply.

That echoes comments made by Dr. Joseph Ponticiello, the Emergency Department director at Sound Shore Medical Center in New Rochelle.

"Right now, we are looking at a flu epidemic," he said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "We have been inundated with patients with flu and flu-like symptoms."

Ponticiello said 154 people came to the hospital's emergency department Monday. That is a 30 percent increase over the number of people who normally come to the emergency room on a daily basis, he said, adding that it has been that way for the last couple of weeks.

Ponticiello said people are coming to the hospital with the initial flu symptoms of general fatigue and fever.

"We are picking up a fair amount of pneumonia also," he said.

Some patients, who have other medical issues, have been requiring intravenous fluids and chest x-rays.

Without hesitation, Ponticiello said, if people haven't already gotten flu shots, they should go ahead and get them.

"It's worth it," he said, "because you don't know what will happen in the next few months."

A report on ABC News said that flu activity is waning but the cold-weather virus could make a comeback.

Ponticiello said his department has tested over 120 people for the flu, with about 30 of those testing positive.

"I'm not sure if we've peaked yet," he said. "This moves across the country from west to east, so in the next week or two we will start to see a decline" in the number of patients.

Pat Patel, the pharmacist at the New Rochelle Prescription Center on Main Street, said he had run out of flu vaccine but was scheduled to receive another 100 doses Tuesday.

"People can call and reserve a shot, or they can just walk in," he said.

Patel said he usually just orders enough vaccine for 30 shots, but this year has been different. He's already given 130 flu shots so far this season.

The flu vaccine was in short supply in many White Plains pharmacies Thuesday. Six stores on Mamaroneck Ave—Saxon Chemists Pharmacy, Duane Reade, Rosedale Pharmacy and three CVS locations—said they had run out of the vaccine. The Wal Mart Pharmacy on 275 Main St. was also out.

Ponticiello said there are things one can do to help stave off getting the flu.

"The major thing is, if you are sick, stay home," he said. Other things that can be done include wiping down the phones, remote controls and game consoles—anything people handle.

"A lot of hand washing is a good idea," Ponticiello said.

He said it was a good idea to buy pocketbook-sized hand sanitizer and to use it frequently.

Anyone who wants to get a flu shot can call your primary-care physician, local pharmacy or check the HealthMap Vaccine Finder for locations based on ZIP Code. However, it would be best to call ahead to confirm if the vaccine is in stock.

Woman Accused of Hiding Crack Pipe in Bra

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West Des Moines police took a report from a woman who said that provocative photos she sent to her former lover are resurfacing now that she's moved on.

A White Plains woman accused of drinking in public on E Post Rd. faces additional charges after police say they discovered a used crack pipe hidden in her bra.

Cathleen Murtagh, 42, of White Plains, was charged with 7th-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, and an open container violation at about 9:15 p.m. Monday evening. 

Police say Murtagh was drinking from an open bottle of malt liquor on the sidewalk hear 22 E Post Rd. She was arrested at the scene.

Police found the crack pipe while Murtagh was being processed at police headquarters, according to an arrest report.

Murtagh was held on $100 bail.

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