Tag:

COVID-19 Pandemic

Palisades Park Schools Chief Leaves After Two Decades, Takes Top Job In Demarest Palisades Park Schools Chief Leaves After Two Decades, Takes Top Job In Demarest
Palisades Park Schools Chief Leaves After Two Decades, Takes Top Job In Demarest After more than two decades of service, Palisades Park Superintendent Dr. Joseph Cirillo is stepping down and will become the new Superintendent of Demarest Public Schools, he announced. Dr. Cirillo, who began working in Palisades Park in 2004 and served as superintendent for the past 12 years, was officially appointed to his new role during a special meeting of the Demarest Board of Education, following what officials called an “extensive and thoughtful search process.” “Since September of 2004, it has been my honor to serve the children of Palisades Park and to collaborate with such suppo…
Northwell Health's Longtime CEO Resigns As Company Expands With Nuvance Merger Northwell Health's Longtime CEO Resigns As Company Expands With Nuvance Merger
Northwell Health's Longtime CEO Resigns As Company Expands With Nuvance Merger New York's largest health care system is getting new leadership just as it completes a major merger. Michael Dowling will resign as president and CEO of Northwell Health, the company announced on Wednesday, May 14. Executive vice president Dr. John D'Angelo will be promoted to Dowling's position. After more than 23 years, Dowling will move into a new advisory role as CEO emeritus. Under his leadership, Northwell grew into one of the top 10 largest health systems in the country, now serving more than 13 million patients in the tri-state area. Dowling helped expand research and education pro…
Millions To Have Paychecks Garnished As Federal Student Loan Collections Restart Millions To Have Paychecks Garnished As Federal Student Loan Collections Restart
Millions To Have Paychecks Garnished As Federal Student Loan Collections Restart Millions of Americans may soon have their wages garnished as the Trump administration resumes student loan collections paused since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. About 5.3 million borrowers are set to receive wage garnishment notices in the summer of 2025, according to the Department of Education. The federal government officially restarted student loan debt collections on Monday, May 5. Nearly 195,000 borrowers began receiving 30-day warning letters from the Treasury Department. Their Social Security or other federal benefits will be seized through the Treasury Offset …
Record Student Loan Borrowers Face Default As Collections Resume, Grads Enter Weak Job Market Record Student Loan Borrowers Face Default As Collections Resume, Grads Enter Weak Job Market
Record Student Loan Borrowers Face Default As Collections Resume, Grads Enter Weak Job Market A record number of federal student loan borrowers are seriously delinquent as debt collections resume after a five-year pause, while new college graduates face tough employment prospects. The Education Department restarted collecting defaulted federal student loan debt on Monday, May 5. Collections were paused at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The move threatens to seize tax refunds and garnish paychecks from millions of Americans in default on their loans. The Education Department said about 42.7 million people owe more than $1.6 trillion in student loan d…
Paterson Council President, Campaign Team Stole, Forged Ballots To Win 2020 Election: NJ AG Paterson Council President, Campaign Team Stole, Forged Ballots To Win 2020 Election: NJ AG
Paterson Council President, Campaign Team Stole, Forged Ballots To Win 2020 Election: NJ AG A New Jersey city council president rigged the vote to keep his seat — and now he’s facing a fresh round of felony charges, state officials say. Alex Mendez, the Paterson City Council President, is facing new election fraud charges alongside his wife and three others, including campaign workers, after allegedly stealing and forging ballots to win a municipal election in May 2020, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced Wednesday, April 30. According to a 10-count superseding indictment, Mendez and his co-conspirators are accused of forging ballots and voter registrations and s…
Lyin’ King George Santos Sentenced To Prison In Final Act Of Political Circus Lyin’ King George Santos Sentenced To Prison In Final Act Of Political Circus
Lyin’ King George Santos Sentenced To Prison In Final Act Of Political Circus Disgraced former New York congressman and convicted fraudster George Santos is heading to federal prison. The Republican ex-lawmaker, 36, was sentenced to 87 months (just over 7 years) behind bars in Central Islip federal court on Friday, April 25, months after pleading guilty to wire fraud and identity theft.  As part of his plea agreement, Santos agreed to pay a $200,000 forfeiture and over $373,000 in restitution to his victims. Friday’s sentencing capped off one of the most bizarre chapters in American political history, one in which a sitting member of Congress was expelled and l…
Trump Administration To Resume Student Loan Debt Collections, Millions Face Seized Paychecks Trump Administration To Resume Student Loan Debt Collections, Millions Face Seized Paychecks
Trump Administration To Resume Student Loan Debt Collections, Millions Face Seized Paychecks The Trump administration will begin seizing tax refunds and garnishing paychecks from millions of Americans in default on their student loans for the first time in five years. The Department of Education announced it will restart collections on its defaulted student loan portfolio on Monday, May 5. The agency said about 42.7 million people owe more than $1.6 trillion in student loan debt. About five million borrowers are already in default, with millions more in late-stage delinquency. "American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan p…
Restaurant That Once Appeared On Gordon Ramsay's 'Kitchen Nightmares' Closes In Yonkers Restaurant That Once Appeared On Gordon Ramsay's 'Kitchen Nightmares' Closes In Yonkers
Restaurant That Once Appeared On Gordon Ramsay's 'Kitchen Nightmares' Closes In Yonkers A Puerto Rican eatery in Westchester that once drew the attention of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has now served its last plate.  El Cantito Café, located at 1550D Central Park Ave. in Yonkers, permanently closed its doors on Wednesday, April 9, after five years of serving authentic Puerto Rican comfort food to the Westchester community.  The heartfelt announcement came the following day via the restaurant’s Instagram account. “After five incredible years, El Cantito Café has permanently closed its door yesterday — thank you to all of our amazing customers for your endless love a…
Trump Slaps 104% Tariff On China As Markets Resume Freefall, Recession Fears Grow Trump Slaps 104% Tariff On China As Markets Resume Freefall, Recession Fears Grow
Trump Slaps 104% Tariff On China As Markets Resume Freefall, Recession Fears Grow President Donald Trump will place a jarring 104% tariff on Chinese goods, wiping out gains on Wall Street after three chaotic days of trading that wiped out trillions from US markets and elevated recession fears. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the dramatic tariff rise during a news conference on Tuesday, April 8. The new 104% duty will officially begin at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9. China's tariff rate was raised to a combined 54% when Trump announced his "liberation day" tariffs on Wednesday, April 2. A 34% additional tariff was added to Trump's pre-existing 2…
$7.6M COVID Loan Fraud Scheme: Leader From Mount Vernon Gets Years In Prison $7.6M COVID Loan Fraud Scheme: Leader From Mount Vernon Gets Years In Prison
$7.6M COVID Loan Fraud Scheme: Leader From Mount Vernon Gets Years In Prison A Westchester native will spend more than a decade behind bars for orchestrating a massive COVID-19 relief fraud scheme that stole more than $7.6 million from the US Small Business Administration, federal prosecutors announced. Maryland resident Jacob Carter, 39, originally from Mount Vernon, was convicted along with three co-conspirators for wire fraud, conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to file over 1,000 fraudulent loan applications during the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, Feb. 27…
'Surreal' $50K Powerball Prize Won By 'Stunned' Carroll County Woman 'Surreal' $50K Powerball Prize Won By 'Stunned' Carroll County Woman
'Surreal' $50K Powerball Prize Won By 'Stunned' Carroll County Woman A Carroll County woman is upgrading her home thanks to a $50,000 Powerball win that she says still feels “surreal.” The longtime lottery player, who is choosing to stay anonymous and go by the nickname “V,” struck big in the Jan. 25 drawing after purchasing a $2 quick-pick ticket at 7-Eleven on South Main Street in Union Bridge, officials announced. "V" has been playing the lottery for as long as she can remember but started buying tickets more regularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, turning her Friday visits to 7-Eleven into a ritual.  7-Eleven at 120 South Main St. in Union B…
Rise In Food Prices Goes Beyond Eggs: Here’s Rundown Rise In Food Prices Goes Beyond Eggs: Here’s Rundown
Rise In Food Prices Goes Beyond Eggs: Here’s Rundown Eggs are not the only food product seeing a sharp increase in prices. December grocery prices were nearly 28 percent higher than five years ago, reflecting how much harder families are finding it to manage their everyday expenses, The Wall Street Journal reports.  According to Labor Department data, grocery prices surged 1.8 percent year-over-year in December, marking the fastest increase in over a year, The trend started just after the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2019, mainly due to pandemic-related supply chain issues. According to a Trace One analysis of US Bureau of Labo…
Man Kicked Out Of Nightclub Convicted Of Parking Garage Murder In Silver Spring (VIDEO) Man Kicked Out Of Nightclub Convicted Of Parking Garage Murder In Silver Spring (VIDEO)
Man Kicked Out Of Nightclub Convicted Of Parking Garage Murder In Silver Spring (Video) The shooter who opened fire into a group of people and killed a man after getting kicked out of a nightclub in Montgomery County has been convicted, authorities announced. Ramone Christopher Ramsay, who has no known address, was found guilty of murder and other charges by a jury in connection to the murder of 21-year-old Baltimore resident Kymani Elijah Bailey in July 2023. Kymani Elijah Bailey Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office At approximately 2:40 a.m. on July 8, 2023, officers were called to the Montgomery County Public Parking Garage 3 in the 900 block of Silver Sprin…
Best Sourdough Pizza Found At This Valley Stream Eatery, Foodie Says Best Sourdough Pizza Found At This Valley Stream Eatery, Foodie Says
Best Sourdough Pizza Found At This Valley Stream Eatery, Foodie Says This pizza joint is a slice above the rest. A recently opened Long Island pizzeria has earned the distinction of slinging the best sourdough pies around, at least according to one passionate foodie. The restaurant? Via Cuma – located in Valley Stream at 415 Rockaway Avenue. “The best sourdough pizza. A must-have if you are a pizza aficionado, connoisseur, or just love pizza,” Gennaro Marrone captioned his post in the Long Island Restaurant Facebook group on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Marrone also praised the eatery’s Neapolitan pizzas and appetizers, sparking a chorus of approval in the comments:…
U.S. Attorney for Middle District of Pennsylvania Announces Resignation U.S. Attorney for Middle District of Pennsylvania Announces Resignation
U.S. Attorney for Middle District of Pennsylvania Announces Resignation Gerard M. Karam, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, has announced his resignation, effective January 10, 2025. Appointed by President Biden in 2022, Karam described the role as "an honor of a lifetime" and expressed gratitude to federal and local law enforcement partners for their dedication to public safety and justice. During his tenure, Karam prioritized public safety, healthcare fraud, civil rights enforcement, and tackling fraud and theft. His office prosecuted numerous high-profile cases, including: A life sentence for a man convicted in the murder …
York County Coroner Pam Gay To Retire, Chief Deputy Tania Zech Announces Candidacy York County Coroner Pam Gay To Retire, Chief Deputy Tania Zech Announces Candidacy
York County Coroner Pam Gay To Retire, Chief Deputy Tania Zech Announces Candidacy York County Coroner Pam Gay announced she will retire at the end of her third term in January 2026, after serving 12 years in office. Gay shared her decision in a statement on Monday, Dec. 16, highlighting her office’s accomplishments since she first took office in 2014. “I have been humbly honored to serve the people of York County during what will be my three terms as their Coroner,” Gay said. “There have been many improvements in staffing and office modernization since I began… We were finally able to provide the community with the office and morgue facility that was so desperately neede…
Westfield Man Admits To Defrauding COVID Relief Fund Of $900K: Feds Westfield Man Admits To Defrauding COVID Relief Fund Of $900K: Feds
Westfield Man Admits To Defrauding COVID Relief Fund Of $900K: Feds A 66-year-old Westfield man recently admitted to fraudulently obtaining a $900,000 PPP loan during the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities said.  Joseph McKeon applied for PPP loans on behalf of his New Jersey company, falsely claiming a higher number of employees and inflated payroll figures, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said. To support his claims, McKeon submitted forged documents, including bank statements and tax returns, Sellinger said. McKeon withdrew significant amounts of cash and transferred portions of the money, including a $315,504 transaction to an Indiana title company, Selli…
Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns
Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Cases of whooping cough are five times higher than at this time a year ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning. Officially known as pertussis, those infected have persistent, chronic fits of coughing followed by a “whoop” sound. "Reports of pertussis cases were lower than usual over the past few years, during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.," the CDC said in a new advisory. "However, the United States is beginning to return to pre-pandemic patterns where more than 10,000 cases are typically reported each year. It's likely mitigation measures used during the…
'New Chapter': Beloved Former Stratford Pizzeria That Closed Last Year To Reopen In Shelton 'New Chapter': Beloved Former Stratford Pizzeria That Closed Last Year To Reopen In Shelton
'New Chapter': Beloved Former Stratford Pizzeria That Closed Last Year To Reopen In Shelton A beloved pizzeria that closed last year after 76 years in business announced it's reopening in a new town. Salerno's Apizza called Stratford home for decades, but in a Facebook post, owner Carlo Salerno said he is finalizing negotiations to open a new storefront in Shelton. He can't say exactly where it will be.  While we can’t reveal the exact location just yet as we are still negotiating on the exact location, we promise it’s coming soon! Once everything is confirmed, you’ll be the first to know! And… from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your incredible p…
'Our Number One Jewel': Atlantic City Aquarium Reopening Delayed Again, Renovations Wrapping Up 'Our Number One Jewel': Atlantic City Aquarium Reopening Delayed Again, Renovations Wrapping Up
'Our Number One Jewel': Atlantic City Aquarium Reopening Delayed Again, Renovations Wrapping Up Significant progress has been made in renovating the Atlantic City Aquarium but the long-delayed reopening has been pushed back once again, officials said. The North New Hampshire Avenue aquarium is now expected to reopen in December, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said at a news conference on Monday, Sept. 30. Earlier in the year, the city twice announced the facility would reopen in September and right before the Fourth of July. The renovations have faced many delays due to funding and supply chain issues, along with crews discovering worse conditions than previously expected l…
Newburgh Movie Theater Closes After Decades In Business Newburgh Movie Theater Closes After Decades In Business
Newburgh Movie Theater Closes After Decades In Business After some 36 years of keeping the residents in the Hudson Valley entertained, a popular movie theater that has been owned by the same person for the past 20 years has closed. Known for its matinees and friendly employees, Showtime Cinemas in Orange County, located in the town of Newburgh on Route 300, ran its last film on Sunday, Sept. 15. "Since 2020, we have had a massive battle to fight, and we overcame it with the help and support of the local and surrounding communities," the owners said on Facebook. The owners said they would have had to close sooner if it weren't for the customers,…
US Median Household Income Rises For First Time Since Before COVID-19 Pandemic US Median Household Income Rises For First Time Since Before COVID-19 Pandemic
US Median Household Income Rises For First Time Since Before Covid-19 Pandemic Real median household income in the United States rose for the first time in four years. The amount of to $80,610 in 2023 marked the first annual increase since 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a US Census Bureau report released this week. The report, Income in the United States: 2023, compares median household income by different characteristics, including race and Hispanic origin, and shows that not all groups had an increase in median household incomes from 2022 to 2023. Household characteristics are determined by the person, or one of the people, who owns or rents t…
Most Expensive Long Island Home Listings All Sold For Under Asking Price Most Expensive Long Island Home Listings All Sold For Under Asking Price
Most Expensive Long Island Home Listings All Sold For Under Asking Price These luxury homes on Long Island didn’t quite fetch the selling price their owners had hoped for. Of the 10 most expensive residential sales to close across Nassau and Suffolk counties since Wednesday, Aug. 28, all 10 sold for below asking price, data from Zillow shows. The most expensive listing – a one-bedroom, three-bathroom ranch on 1.62 acres in Great Neck that was listed for $7.8 million – closed on Wednesday, Aug. 28, for $6.5 million, 16-percent under asking. The cheapest of the 10 – a six-bedroom, six-bathroom newer build on one acre in Woodbury that had sought $3.495 million – c…
Toms River Man Led Scheme To Commit Mortgage, COVID-19 Business Loan Fraud: Feds Toms River Man Led Scheme To Commit Mortgage, COVID-19 Business Loan Fraud: Feds
Toms River Man Led Scheme To Commit Mortgage, Covid-19 Business Loan Fraud: Feds A Toms River man was accused of leading a multimillion-dollar scheme to commit mortgage fraud and steal federal COVID-19 loans, authorities said. Arthur Spitzer, 37, was indicted on 25 counts, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release on Tuesday, Sept. 3. A grand jury also indicted 38-year-old Mendel Deutsch of Toms River and 42-year-old Joshua Feldberger of Howell Township in the case. According to the indictment, Spitzer got mortgage loans for real estate properties that he didn't own in New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York. He chose properties that ha…
Shore Memorial Health System To Pay $3.15M For Improperly Taking Pandemic Loan: Feds Shore Memorial Health System To Pay $3.15M For Improperly Taking Pandemic Loan: Feds
Shore Memorial Health System To Pay $3.15M For Improperly Taking Pandemic Loan: Feds An Atlantic County healthcare system will pay more than $3 million for improperly receiving a loan from a COVID-19 pandemic program, authorities said. Shore Memorial Health System has agreed to pay the federal government $3.15 million, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The settlement comes from Shore Memorial Physicians’ Group receiving $2.78 million in a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. The physicians' group wasn't eligible for a PPP loan because it isn't a small business since it's an affiliate of Shore Mem…
Popular Italian Restaurant Chain Files For Bankruptcy, Closing Multiple Locations Popular Italian Restaurant Chain Files For Bankruptcy, Closing Multiple Locations
Popular Italian Restaurant Chain Files For Bankruptcy, Closing Multiple Locations Buca di Beppo is Buca di bankrupt. The popular Italian eatery chain announced it had filed for Chapter 11 this week and would close several underperforming locations, including restaurants in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.  Like many other restaurant chains, Buca di Beppo said the business hadn't bounced back since the COVID-19 pandemic. Customer spending is lower than expected, and supply costs remain high, according to court documents. It's a common tale for several "fast-casual" dining restaurants that have failed to thrive in recent years.   Revenue for…
Popular Bagel Shop To Open New Location In Hudson Valley Popular Bagel Shop To Open New Location In Hudson Valley
Popular Bagel Shop To Open New Location In Hudson Valley Three years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Hudson Valley couple came up with the unique idea of stuffing their favorite foods into homemade bagels. Well, a few years later, that idea—now Moonrise Bagels in Ulster County in Woodstock—has been so successful that the couple has been featured on the "Today" show, and their "yummy" New York-style bagels are shipped nationwide through GoldBelly. It wasn't easy and involved a lot of hard work, but they made it happen, and now they are opening a second Moonrise Bagels in Dutchess County in Poughkeepsie on Saturday, July 20.  The first …
Atlantic City's 2024 Airshow Canceled After 'Major Act' Withdraws From Event Atlantic City's 2024 Airshow Canceled After 'Major Act' Withdraws From Event
Atlantic City's 2024 Airshow Canceled After 'Major Act' Withdraws From Event Atlantic City's popular air show has been scrubbed for 2024 after a last-minute effort seemingly saved the financially troubled summer spectacle, officials said. The 2024 Visit Atlantic City Airshow has been canceled, according to the event website's homepage on Wednesday, July 10. A joint statement was posted by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), and Visit Atlantic City. The free event, which attracts about 500,000 visitors, was scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 13, and Wednesday, Aug. 14. "We regret …
42-Year-Old Jersey Shore Food Pantry Reopens In Temporary Location After Leaving Old Home 42-Year-Old Jersey Shore Food Pantry Reopens In Temporary Location After Leaving Old Home
42-Year-Old Jersey Shore Food Pantry Reopens In Temporary Location After Leaving Old Home A food pantry that has served Bradley Beach for more than four decades has found a temporary home about a month after closing its only location. Bradley Food Pantry has reopened at 1115 Main Street, the charity announced on Facebook on Wednesday, June 19. Food is distributed under a tent on the backside of the property. The pantry, which has served the coastal borough and surrounding area since 1982, left its space at St. James Episcopal Church on Fourth Avenue on Friday, May 17. "I am deeply grateful for the number of volunteers who have turned out to help with the transformatio…
Long-Delayed Reopening Of Atlantic City Aquarium Pushed Back Again Long-Delayed Reopening Of Atlantic City Aquarium Pushed Back Again
Long-Delayed Reopening Of Atlantic City Aquarium Pushed Back Again After four years of delays, visitors will have to wait a few more months to return to the Atlantic City Aquarium. The North New Hampshire Avenue aquarium will reopen in September, the city said. Mayor Marty Small Sr. previously said in February that the facility would reopen on Monday, July 1. City spokesperson Andrew Kramer said city council passed resolutions on Wednesday, June 12 to award contracts for improvements to the city's exterior, including a new mural. "Based on the information we were given earlier in the year, it looked like July 1st was a reasonable reopening date…
Busy Westchester Shopping Center Celebrates 70th Anniversary Busy Westchester Shopping Center Celebrates 70th Anniversary
Busy Westchester Shopping Center Celebrates 70th Anniversary A bustling shopping center in Westchester marked the beginning of its seventh decade in business with a celebration attended by local and state officials.  In a grand kick-off event held on Saturday, May 18, the Cross County Center in Yonkers celebrated its 70th anniversary as a major site of commerce in Westchester.  The event was attended by elected officials such as Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and New York State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, as well as Senior Property Manager Carl Calabro, who all celebrated the center's longevity. "Growing up in Yonkers, we always knew it wa…