Sullivan & Orange Counties +Weather Warning+

Sullivan & Orange Counties +Weather Warning+ Severe thunderstorm watch for Sullivan and Orange Counties until 20:15, thunderstorm capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 MPH.
Also a tornado warning for the above counties.

Kiryas Yoel, MonDroe +Drowning+

Kiryas Yoel, MonDroe +Drowning+ Hatzolah on the scene on CR-105 with a 8 year old child in cardiac arrest child not breathing 2nd to drowning in a pool, CPR in progress, on the way to Arden Hill Hospital.

U/D: 19:26
Confirmed, boy is DOA.

NJ Turnpike +Traffic Alert+

REPORTED BY Doneel TO VOS IS NEIAS:

NJ Turnpike +Traffic Alert+ Accident on the NJ Tpk southbound at exit 8A.
Two lanes blocked, traffic backed up at least to exit 9.

U/D: 15:59
Accident cleared, traffic is moving

Sullivan County +Plane Down+

Sullivan County, West Sloper +Aircraft Down+ At Forest Park near Route-55, Fatal small plane crash, FD and EMS on the scene.

Manhattan +G.W.B. Traffic Alert+

Manhattan +G.W.B. Traffic Alert+ Major traffic at the G.W. Bridge upper level west bound with a victim with severe injuries pinned under a tractor trailer, all west bound lanes are closed for traffic.

Washington: +Terror Alert Level To Be Lowered+

Washington: The Homeland Security Department will lower the terror alert threat level for the nation's mass transit systems after Friday's rush hour.

Brooklyn +Bycycle Struck+

Brooklyn +Bycycle Struck+ Ave N and East 5th St vehicle struck a 17th year old on a bycycle, child has major trauma, Hatzolah transporting to Luthern Hospital, Highway-2 requested to location.

U/D12:46
Canceling the Highway-2 for the A.I. job, minor injuries.

Borough Park +FDNY MVA+

Borough Park +FDNY MVA+ 14th Ave and 55th St. Apparatus BC-40 involved in an MVA PD on the scene no injuries.

Williamsburg +Hazma Situation+

Williamsburg +Hazma Situation+ At 720 Flushing Ave and Broadway car in to tank, tank leaking in to the sewer system, PD and ESU on scene, Rescue and Squad operating, DEP notified, EMS also on the scene.

Brooklyn +Belt Parkway Traffic Alert+

Brooklyn +Belt Parkway Traffic Alert+ East Bound Belt Parkway at exit 14 and Penn Ave, MVA with an overturned car that jumped the divider, East Bound left and right lanes are blocked and on the West Bound side the left lane is blocked, PD and FD are on the scene, expect delays.

Mayor Ok's Circumcision, Not Regulating Metzitzah B'Peh

After a closed-door meeting at City Hall with members of the Orthodox Jewish community yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg decided not to ban a little-known practice in which a rabbi draws blood with his mouth after a circumcision to clean out impurities.
Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said yesterday his department "has no intention of banning or regulating the practice of metzitzah b'peh."
Several sources said the mayor promised that the city would never ban a religious practice outright but also held firm that he "has an obligation" to uphold laws.

London -British Airways Cancels All Flights

London - British Airways cancels all flights in and out of London's Heathrow Airport until 1 p.m. ET (1700 GMT) Friday.

Queens +Auto Accident+

Queens +Auto Accident+ MVA at 134th St. and Sutter Ave. Hatzolah requested by EMS.

Teen Found Dead At Staten Island Home

Police sources say it might have started as a burglary at the home on a quiet Jewish neighborhood on Sea View street

An 18-year-old woman was found at 7:44 p.m. dead underneath a mattress with a pillowcase wrapped around her head, in her Sea View home last night after what police sources said was a burglary that spiraled into murder.

When the mother arrived home and could not open the front door, she called police, suspecting the presence of a burglar, when police entered, they found the house ransacked and then made the terrible discovery. The young woman was alone in the house.

FDNY Response Time Getting Longer And Longer For The Tenth Month In A Row.

New York City firefighters are taking longer to reach their fires and their response times have gone up again.

Mayor Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner have been pressing firefighters to speed up. But at the same time they've been warning fire truck drivers about the risk of accidents.

The fire officers union blames the delays on a 12 percent increase in the number of emergency calls and they point to the city's closing of six engine companies.

Brooklyn +B.Q.E. Overturned Tractor Trailer+

Brooklyn +B.Q.E. Overturned Tractor Trailer+ On the off ramp of the B.Q.E. at the exit to Atlantic Ave, an overturned tractor trailer, PD and Fd are on the scene, with a fuel and oil spill but no pin.

U/D: 13:15
FD requesting HAZMAT to the scene for a large fuel spill, also Squad-18 Special was called and Squad-1.
Three reported injuries.

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff Under Investigation

MIAMI -- Federal prosecutors are seeking bank fraud charges against lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a key figure in investigations involving House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

New Square, Religious Bookstore Eviction Contested

NEW SQUARE -- A village resident is suing the Rockland Sheriff's Department contending that his religious bookstore at Eisenhower Ave. was improperly evicted as part of a controversial foreclosure, because he was never given written notice of the June 8 eviction as required by law, and was not named in the court-ordered eviction.

Rockland County denied that the eviction was improper in its response to the charges in state Supreme Court.

The mortgage company was trying to clear out the property, because more than $300,000, including interest, was owed on the property to the SIB Mortgage Corp. A series of companies held mortgages on the property, which was eventually deeded in February to the Galaxy Assets Corp. of Manhattan.

At the time of the eviction, one family was removed from the three-family house at 9 Eisenhower Ave. Two other families had already moved.

Orange County +Traffic Advisory+

Orange County, Wallkill, +Traffic Advisory+ On Route 17 East Bound at exit 120 MVA with injuries, FD and EMS are on the scene, traffic is backing up in the area.

Monticello +WalMart Large Fight+

Monticello +WalMart Large Fight+ In WalMart parking lot on route 42, PD on the scene with a large fight, PD requesting EMS.

U/D: 01:29
PD has some in custody now.

Woodburne +Auto Accident+

Woodburne +Auto Accident+ Serious MVA near the Four Corners, Route 42 before Roure 52, Hatzolah on the scene are requesting three busses to the scene, no additional units needed.

Manhattan +FDR Pursuit+

Manhattan +FDR Pursuit+ PD have a high speed pursuit on the FDR Drive and East 38th St., they are chasing a vehicle and calling additional units for help.

U/D: 22:29
ESU requested to help search now for the perp in the old Con-Ed plant, perp is wanted for a robbery.

Brooklyn District Attorney, Charles Hynes

Before next months election of Brooklyn District Attorney, NY Press clams the end of Charles "Joe" Hynes

Between all the accusations, allegations and mocking of Charles Hynes, they claim that In his 1998 bid for the state house that ended miserably, Hynes received a bag of $12,000 in cash from now deceased Williamsburg rabbi. and under New York State election law, it is illegal to take more than $100 in cash as a campaign contribution.

Also do they claim that there are rumors that the Borough Park Chasidim, normally a solid Hynes bloc, may defect to his rival.

Kiryas Yoel, MonDroe, NY Profile

Queens +L.I.E. Traffic Alert+

Queens +Traffic Alert+ L.I.E. West Bound near Woodhaven Boulevard garbage truck is on fire on the outer roadway, traffic escalating.

U/D: 10:58
FD shutting down traffic.

Orange County: +Traffic Alert Route 17+

Orange County, Chester. +Traffic Alert Route 17+ Two car MVA on Route 17 between exit 126 and 127 minor injuries, but heavy traffic delays, avoid area.

Brooklyn +MVA On Prospect Expressway+

Brooklyn +Auto Accident Prospect Expressway+ MVA on the Prospect Expressway south bound at 3rd Ave exit between an auto and motorcycle, accident is blocking the left lane, Hatzolah on the scene requesting a bus.

Monticello - Driver Placed On Probation For Passing Bus

Monticello - A Queens man who passed a stopped school bus from Gershowitz Transportation in Liberty On March 14, was sentenced to probation and community service yesterday.

Stephan Cucuteanu, 50, of Sunnyside, pleaded guilty on June 13 to first-degree reckless endangerment, a felony; and passing a stopped school bus, a traffic infraction, for speeding by with his white van on the right shoulder on Route 52, When a bus loaded with Liberty school kids stopped to let off an 11-year-old girl.

The District Attorney had asked the judge to impose six months in jail and five years of felony probation, but the judge noted that Cucuteanu never even had a traffic ticket before this, so he reached a compromise, He sentenced him to probation and 100 hours of community service to include speaking to other drivers about his crime; and $1,250 in fines.

Monticello - Residents Blasted Trustees Over Landfill Plan

Monticello - Village residents last night blasted the trustees for dragging their feet on passing a law banning a planned supersized expansion of the county landfill.

More than 50 people showed up for the meeting, carrying anti-landfill signs.

Sharpton's National Action Network Stages Protest at Hikind's Office.

The political storm unleashed by Assemblyman Dov Hikind's comment last week that police should target their searches using a "terrorist profile", had members of Reverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network protest outside Mr. Hikind's office in Boro Park, in the heart of an Orthodox Jewish community.

Bellevue Hospital. +Hand Stuck In Meat Grinder+

Bellevue Hospital, PD ESU requested to assist Bellevue Hospital staff to remove a meat grinder from a persons hand.
Aided was brought to the Hospital from Varet St and Humboldt St. in Brooklyn by EMS with grinder attached to him.

Abe Hirschfeld Dies

Eccentric multi-millionaire Abe Hirschfeld is dead at age 85. A family spokesman says that Hirschfeld, who made his fortune, building parking lots and health clubs after immigrating to the United States from Israel, died today at Mount Sinai Hospital of cardiac arrest after suffering from cancer.

Residents That Beat Up A Burglar Will Not be Charged With Bias Crime.

Crown Heights -- Residents of 881 Eastern Parkway building beat up a serial burglar after he broke into an apartment, then held him for the cops.
The criminal - whose long record includes at least seven prior arrests and several convictions for burglary-related offenses — was roughed up by the residents. He was treated at Kings County Hospital for bruises and a minor head wound.

He is being charged with burglary, attempted assault, menacing, trespass, possession of burglars' tools, criminal mischief and harassment, a law-enforcement source said.

The people who beat him up have not been charged, a spokesman for the Brooklyn DA said. And cops also say that what happened between them is not being investigated as a bias incident, the criminal is black, and his attackers are Jewish.

Shuttle Discovery Lands Safely

Discovery has landed safely at the air force base in California after the first shuttle flight since the Columbia disaster.

Kiamesha Lake. Viznitz Chasidic Village Planed Hearing Postponed

The hearing to consider a Viznitz group's petition to form a village in the Town of Thompson has been put off until September.
The original date, which was today, did not provide the sufficient 20-day
notice required by state rules, the town's attorney said.
The group plans to incorporate a village on land between Monticello and
South Fallsburg on Gibber Road.
The town supervisor has been negotiating with the leaders in a bid to get them
to drop the idea, as of yet, no deal had been struck.
The hearing will be 3:30 p.m., Sept. 7 in the Town Hall.

Brooklyn +B.Q.E. Overturn Eighteen Wheeler+

Brooklyn +B.Q.E. Overturn Eighteen Wheeler+ At the B.Q.E. East bound at Hamilton Ave there is an overturned tractor trailer with a large fuel spill FD and PD Highway units are on the scene with all lanes closed expect delays.

U/D: 5:48
Roadway will stay closed for some time.

U/D: 6:43
Hazmat requested, traffic delays into the morning hours.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Announces A Recall On Crock-Pot's

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the recall of about 2.6 million Crock-Pot's named Rival® Slow Cooker from the Co. Holmes Group, of Milford, Mass.
The handles on the base of the slow cookers can break, posing a risk of burns from hot contents. These Rival® Slow Cookers, include all units manufactured and sold from January 1999 through September 2004.

The recall includes model numbers 3040, 3735, 5025, 5070 and 5445, they are sold by Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target and additional discount department stores nationwide.

Visit The Holmes Group’s Web site at www.rivalrecall.com or call (800) 299-1284 anytime.

Suffolk County +Airplan Down+

Suffolk County, Setauket: +Aircraft Down+ A small airplan is down 2 miles out of Long Island Sound in the water, mutual aid boats to respond.

Jewish Group Seeks Nation's Top Shofar Blower At The "Great Shofar Blast-Off"

NEW YORK, NY — The search is on for the best shofar blower in America.

The NJOP is inviting amateur and professional shofar blowers to enter the "Great Shofar Blast-Off" competition for a chance to win a pair of round trip tickets to Israel and accommodations, plus the title of "Greatest Shofar Blower in America."

The deadline for entries is Aug. 26. Complete rules and an entry form can be found at www.njop.com

Williamsburg +Traffic Advisory+

Williamsburg +Traffic Advisory+ Williamsburg Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan, tractor trailer stuck in the inner roadway.

Sullivan County: +Child That Fell+

Sullivan County: Viznitz'a Camp at Pleasent Valley Road near the 4 corners, Hatzolah ALS on the scene for a child that fell and has serious injuries, requesting additional ALS and chopper from Sullivan County. L/Z at the Fallsburg High School at Brickman Rd.

Queens +LIE Traffic Advisory+

Queens +Traffic Advisory+ East bound L.I.E. at Little Neck Parkway , PD and Highway 3 on the scene with an overturned tractor trailer, expect heavy delays in the area, all lanes subject to closure.

U/D: 14:02
ESU also on the scene, no pin.

U/D: 14:04
Alll lanes east bound are closed.

U/D: 14:17
Highway units are requesting Sanitation and tow to respond with a rush.

Monsey, Bridge Work To Resume On Route 59

The work that stopped June 13 on the bridge of Route 59 in Monsey that starts just west of Monsey Auto Body and ends near Augusta Avenue about a quarter-mile west of Route 306, is planed to restart this month.

The two-month reprieve from traffic backups will soon end. While an exact start date for the project is not yet known, DOT spokeswoman said it would be midmonth, and is expected to be done by the end of the year.

The $6.144 million contract calls for replacement of the 80-foot concrete span. It will be 60 feet wide instead of the current 48, and will have sidewalks and a center turn lane.

Because Route 59 tends to have very few low-traffic periods, one lane will stay open in each direction when work resumes.

Home Values Surging In Crown Heights, Once Known For Racial Strife

New Yorkers have something altogether different in mind when they think of Crown Heights - and that's real estate.

Crown Heights wouldn't be a hot real estate market if it had continued to be torn apart by racial strife. But the neighborhood has mended - thanks to efforts by religious leaders, civic coalitions and even a group of Jewish and African-American.

Some neighbors on St. Francis Place see a darker side to Crown Heights' real estate renaissance.

They said the boom is drawing builders to Crown Heights who are using its development sites for luxury condos when there's a need for affordable housing.

Some are worried that some elderly homeowners would get confused. They might not realize their properties are worth far more than he'll pay.

And residents are annoyed by a constant barrage of letters from brokers, offering to sell their houses for them.

Mosquito Spraying For Parts Of The Bronx

To reduce mosquito activity and to control West Nile virus, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will spray pesticide from trucks in sections of the Bronx from 8:15 P.M. today, August 8th, to 6:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 9th, weather permitting.

Mamakating: +MVA On Rout 17 E/B+

Mamakating Sullivan County +MVA On Rout 17 E/B+ A serious MVA with entrapment at Route 17 east bound between exit's 112 and 113, FD on the scene operating with the jaws, traffic is closed at this time.

Flatbush +Motorcycle MVA+

Flatbush +Motorcycle MVA+ At E12th St and Quentin Rd an MVA involving a motor cycle, Hatzolah on the scene requesting 2 busses.

Orange County +Traffic Laert+

Orange County +Traffic Alert+ Route 17 east bound is closed, all lanes have been closed due to an MVA between exits 125 and 126, Hatzolah EMS on the scene with at least one serious injury requesting ALS with a rush.

Manhattan Man Arraigned On Hate Crime Charges.

A Manhattan man was arraigned on hate crime charges Friday after allegedly spray painting swastikas in his building.

Shawn Lawyer is charged with criminal mischief and aggravated harassment. He's accused of painting more than a dozen swastikas throughout 501 West 189th Street.

Many of the people who live there are students at Yeshiva University. Police say Lawyer did it after getting into a dispute with another resident of the building.

Staten Island +Several Sharks Sightings+

Staten Island +Several Sharks Sightings+ At Midland Beach Parks Dept confirming there are several sharks in the water circling off shore, PD on scene requesting Aviation and Harbor units, everybody out of the water, beach and adjacent beaches and the boardwalk are being closed.

Chasidic Group Viznitz Might Drop Plans For Village In Monticello

   Monticello Thompson Supervisor said that leaders of the Chasidic group Viznitz might drop their plans to form a village in the Town of Thompson.
"We are in the middle of negotiations," he said after a 90-minute meeting with three leaders in his office, the meeting was "fruitful," and he's cautiously optimistic a deal will be worked out by Monday or Tuesday.
   With a key hearing coming up on Tuesday, the town has been wheeling and dealing to get the group to drop the idea, the town would lose control of zoning in the new village.
  The group's spokesman, wouldn't comment on negotiations.
   The group's leaders have previously said they want zoning flexibility to develop about 350 acres in the town. They want to build multifamily units and make other modifications not permitted by Thompson's building codes.
   Gov. George Pataki is watching the proceedings closely. Michael Fragin, an executive assistant to the governor, has met with the town and talked with the group's leaders. The governor plans to take no position on the proposed new village.
   Other politicians appear to be rooting for a deal to avoid a new village.

Woodridge +Traffic Alert+

Woodridge Sullivan Count +Traffic Alert+ At 13 Green Ave. and Broadway to the pizza shop is closed due to a out of control large brush fire in the area.

U/D: 10:34
Broadway is back open.