Brooklyn, NY +Power Outage at Mall+

Brooklyn, NY +Power Outage at Mall+ NYPD on the scene evacuating and closing down the Kings Plaza Mall on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue "U" due to a power outage in the mall.

Mea Shearim, Israel +Protest over the Desecration of Ancient Graves+

Mea Shearim, Israel - Several dozen haredim rolled a city garbage bin into the main intersection of Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood late motzai shabbas, in protest over the desecration of ancient graves during the construction of a national highway.

Israeli archeologists say that the graves inquestion near Highway 6 in the center of the country are not being disturbed during the work on the highway.

New York, NY - Missed Mortgage Payments Rise

New York, NY - In the third quarter of this year, the number of city residents who had missed more than three months of mortgage payments jumped by 20 percent compared with the same quarter a year ago. Still, New Yorkers often have more time to try to hold onto their homes than homeowners in the rest of the country.

Data collected by PropertyShark .com, a real estate data company based in Brooklyn, shows that 1,468 city homeowners missed mortgage payments from July to September, compared with 1,220 in the comparable period last year. That puts them in what is commonly known as preforeclosure, when banks typically warn people that they are at risk of foreclosure so the homeowner will take steps to catch up on the payments. (The city has 3,018,000 homeowners.)

The neighborhoods with the highest number of preforeclosures are in Brooklyn and Queens.

Israel - Ceasefire Agreed Between Israel and Palestinians

Israel - Israel and the Palestinians agreed to a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip on Saturday to end a five-month Israeli military offensive and the firing of rockets by Palestinian militants, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Saturday.

A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas confirmed the cease-fire, saying it would take effect at 6 a.m. Sunday.
Abbas telephoned Olmert late Saturday to tell him he had arrived at an agreement with all Palestinian factions to stop firing rockets into Israel from the coastal strip, Olmert spokeswoman Miri Eisin said.
Abbas asked that Israel reciprocate by stopping all military operations in Gaza and withdrawing its forces, and Olmert agreed.

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY +Suspicious Fire in Occupied Dwelling+

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY +Suspicious Fire in Occupied Dwelling+ Fire Department are on the scene of a fire in the basement of a 2 story 20x40 brick occupied private dwelling at 49th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue's 4 engines, 2 trucks, Rescue and Squad are all assigned due to numerous calls.

Fire Department transmitting a 10-41 Code-1 (suspicious fire, occupied dwelling)

Monsey, NY - Inadequate Pickup of Recyclables, Why?

Monsey, NY - Shimmy Adler trashes the erratic recycling pickup, he wants to see the recyclables in his neighborhood picked up on a regular schedule. He said that filled recycling bins regularly line Meadow Lane where he lives, as well as neighboring streets, long after their scheduled pickup day has passed, some times they don't pick up for three weeks in a row.
Adler's sought assistance from the Ramapo Department of Public Works, but the calls were followed by the dispatching of a small truck, Adler said, which would pick up the recyclables at his address, while leaving his neighbors' materials behind. "This small truck would be sent just to shut me up," Adler said.

But Ramapo's deputy supervisor, Nat Oberman, said the most common problem with recyclable collections involves cardboard, and that's supposed to be tied and flat, Oberman said, carters don't have time to pick up individual boxes.
"They're not following the rules," said Joseph Miele, owner of Miele Sanitation. "Everything is strewn out in any old way. I can't clean it up if they don't cooperate."
Miele said cardboard boxes, which were the main problem, had to be broken down, tied up or placed in the recyclable containers. We spends hundreds of dollars in overtime on workers, who must break down cardboard boxes and then continue on their routes. "I've talked to the people, and it works for a while," Miele said. It's a nice neighborhood, but it looks like a dump some mornings.

Paris, France - Mob Attacks Jews

Paris, France - A mob of up to 300 attackers chased five French Jews on Friday screaming "Death to the Jew."
The five ran in different directions and the Jew was cornered alongside a black plainclothes police officer. When his tear gas failed to dissuade the attackers, he fired one warning shot in the air, which apparently hit two of the mob, later resulting in the death of one.

Monroe, NY - Mayor Urges State to Lower Quickway Speed Limit

The following is a letter written by Monroe Village Mayor John M. Karl III to the state Department of Transportation:
---------

Mr. Robert Dennison III
Director D.O.T. Region 8
Eleanor Roosevelt State Building.
4 Burnett Blvd. Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Dear Mr. Dennison,


I would like to request the Department of Transportation give serious consideration to lowering the speed limit on New York State Route 17 back to 55 mph from the current 65 mph.

As you may be aware, serious accidents have occurred in the southern area of Orange County on this highway which is highly traveled, not to mention the deaths that have occurred as well.

As a first responder for 30 years, I have seen first hand the results of death and injury along this state road. I urge you to reduce the speed limit back to 55 mph to lessen the chances of high-speed accidents. It will be a move that will save lives and property now and in the future. Sincerely,

John M. Karl III

Mayor

Brooklyn, NY +Water Main Break+

Brooklyn, NY +Water Main Break+ FD are on the scene in front of 95 Ross Street between Bedford Avenue and Wythe Avenue for a small water main break in middle of the street. DEP has been requested.

Monsey, NY - Preschool Allowed to Stay Through School Year's End, But Only After Agreeing To Pay Alot

Monsey, NY - A preschool for developmentally disabled children that faced eviction will be allowed to remain at its location until the end of the school year.

The decision came following negotiations between HASC, and Congregation Birchos Yosef, said Marcy Glicksman, HASC's program director. Congregation Birchos Yosef is buying the property on which the school is located from its owner, the Monsey Jewish Center. "The buyer did settle with us," Glicksman said. "We're sending a note to parents now. It's very comforting to know that we have a home, at least for a little longer."

After the center finalized the sale of its property, it moved in state Supreme Court to evict the school. HASC wanted to remain in its Route 306 location until the end of the school year.
An acting state Supreme Court justice ruled that the owners of the Monsey Jewish Center could evict HASC. The school filed an appeal but was also negotiating with the buyers to let students remain until June 2007.

Officials at HASC gave no details of the agreement but said an offer of substantially higher rent to the new owners clinched the deal. The academy paid $95,000 annually in rent to the Monsey Jewish Center. "It was about a number they were happy with. It was for a lot more money than we would have liked to spend," Jeanne Alter, chief school administrator, said.

Washington, DC - Teenager Sentenced for Murder of Former Union of Jewish Students Chairman

Washington, DC - A teenage boy has been sentenced to six years in jail for his part in the murder of former Union of Jewish Students chairman Alan Senitt.

Senitt, 27, was attacked in the Georgetown area of Washington DC in the early hours of July 9 while walking home. He was in Washington as a volunteer to former Virginia Governor Mark Warner.
The teen, who is one of four involved in the crime, cannot be named and he was not accused of delivering the stabbing himself, but by knowingly taking part with the others in the robbery, made him guilty of murder.

Following the sentence, Senitt's family said: "It is completely unjust that the juvenile should be released as a free man at the age of 21 (or even before then). We hope and pray that no leniency be shown to the three adults when they go to trial next year.”

The other three adults who were arrested by police, Christopher Piper, Jeffrey Rice and Olivia Miles, are awaiting trial.

Manhattan, NY +MVA/FDR Traffic Alert+

Manhattan, NY +MVA/FDR Traffic Alert+ A motor vehicle accident with vehicle that overturned and multiple aided trapped inside including children on the south bound of the FDR Drive at 15th Street, NYPD ESU and EMS are on the scene requesting additiona EMS to respond on a rush.

Woodbury, NY +Traffic Advisory+

Orange County, Woodbury, NY +Traffic Advisory+ Very heavy traffic on the north bound of the NY State Thruway I-87 before Exit 16 Thruway is backed up for at least 8 miles, also Route 32 is very heavy, all due to holiday shoppind at the woodbury common mall.

Monsey, NY +Armed Robbery+

Rockland County, Monsey, NY +Armed Robbery+ Police and Chaveirim on the search for three black males armed with handguns for an armed robbery of Monsey Glatt Supermarket at 190 Route 59 where an aided was robbed and beaten by three perps dressed in black and their faces covered, aided managed to run to the Getty Gas Station from where Monsey Hatzolah transported him to the hospital, K-9 Units enroute.

Rockland County, Monsey, NY +MVA/Traffic Alert+

Rockland County, Monsey, NY +MVA/Traffic Alert+ A motor vehicle accident with aided trapped on the New York State Thruway at MM 25, vehicle is in the woods and partialy in water, NY State Police and FD on the scene rescue going to work.

Port Ewen, NY +Route 9W Traffic Alert+

Port Ewen , NY - As Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies talked with Timothy Halpin on the shoulder of the 9W road, after they were called for a fight going on, he got angry, really angry, and that's when he began striping all his clothes.

Sheriff's Deputies say, Halpin "stood in the southbound lane of 9W completely naked, to the discomfort of the passing vehicular traffic." That's why says the sheriff's office, Halpin, 43, was arrested and charged with public lewdness and resisting arrest, misdemeanors.

It started when deputies were called to Halpin's home in Port Ewen, where he was fighting with someone. When deputies arrived, the two were arguing in the middle of Route 9W. 
Deputies began talking to Halpin on the shoulder of the road. That's when he got angry and the clothes started coming off, traffic in the area was heavy.

London +Poisoned Russian Spy Dies+

London - Poisoned Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko died in an intensive care ward.

Litvinenko, a fierce critic of the Russian government, suffered a rapid deterioration in his health on Thursday, but doctors still were unable to determine the cause of his death, a spokesman said in a statement.

U/D: 11/24/06 10:28
A large amount of alpha radiation, probably from polonium-210, was found in the urine of the ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko, an expert says.

Washington, DC +Suspicious Package at White House+

Washington, DC +Suspicious Package at White House+ Secret Service are on the scene and police are responding to 1600 Penninsylvia Avenue to the White House for a suspicious package, EMS and HazMat are also requested.

Nyack, NY +NYS Thruway Closed+

Nyack, NY +NYS Thruway Closed+ A four vehicle accident on the north bound of the New York State Thruway at M/M 18.0 near Exit 12 with one aided pinned inside the vehicle has the NY State Police close down all lanes northbound.

Hawaii +Earthquake Hits Island+

A 5.0 magnitude earthquake hit off the big island of Hawaii, no damages or serious injuries were reported.

Detroit, MI - Stolen Van for Kids with Cancer, Recovered

Detroit, MI - A local program called Kids Kicking Cancer recovered its van, a day after it was stolen, police said.

The van was the only handicapped-accessible vehicle the program owned, said Rabbi Eli Melech Goldberg, the program's founder.  
Police said the 15-passenger van was stolen from an associate's home on Detroit's eastside.
Family services director Cindy Cohen said plans were to use the vehicle to take several children to the America's Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday. She said she is happy to hear the van was found so quickly.

Nassau, NY - Death Threats to School Board Trustees

Nassau, NY - Death threats were mailed to the school board president and three other trustees who were not identified.  

The threats were mailed to the home and office of Dr. Mansdorf. Police said the letters included threats against Mansdorf's children and grandchildren.   Dr. Mansdorf, who in 2001 was the first District 15 trustee to be elected from the Orthodox Jewish community, said he's acting on the advice of detectives and would not comment on the threats.
The letters threatened harm against the board members and their families should any more schools be closed in District 15.    

Fourth Squad Detective Sgt. Ronald Nesbitt said detectives have submitted the papers and envelopes from the letters to the Nassau County Police Department's forensic evidence lab to look for both DNA and fingerprint clues to determine who sent them. He said he hopes to have the lab results in the near future.  "Hopefully, we'll get something we can act on," said Nesbitt. "We're examining every possible angle."

Roosevelt, NJ - Police Probe Paint-Ball Attack at Yeshiva

Roosevelt, NJ - A paint-ball attack on a dormitory for a yeshiva has not been ruled out as a religiously-motivated attack, according to the State Police.

The side of a private dwelling housing 10 to 15 students was struck by about 70 paint-ball pellets just after midnight, said Josh Pruzansky, executive vice president of Yeshiva Me'on Hatorah.  "In the past, it's been verbal harassment," Pruzansky said. "This is the first physical act and hopefully the last."  

State Police spokeswoman Sgt. Jeanne Hengemuhle said the incident is under investigation and witnesses are being interviewed. "We welcome any information that anyone has," Hengemuhle said.

Pruzansky said on occasion people will drive past the yeshiva and shout epithets from their vehicle windows.  "The world still has many biases, and there are many prejudices," said Pruzansky, who suspects that the perpetrators behind the attack may hold those biases. 

"I don't know exactly who it is," he said. "The theory is that there was a pickup truck with someone sitting in the back with the paint balls while someone was driving the pickup. It's just a theory."   Pruzansky said that prior harassers have come in a pickup truck, and tire tracks found at the scene match the tracks of such a truck.

Nichols, NY - Man Arrested for DWI

Nichols, NY - A 43-year-old man was charged for DWI driving his lawnmower while intoxicated.

The Tioga County Sheriff's office said David Dascher was driving his Craftsman lawnmower with an open can of beer along the road in Nichols, about 170 miles southwest of Albany.
Dascher was charged with misdemeanor counts, one for driving while his ability was impaired and was driving while intoxicated. He also was cited for operating the lawnmower with an open can of beer and littering.

Dascher was issued an appearance ticket to go before Nichols Town Justice Joann Caloroso on Dec. 11.

Jerusalem, Israel - First Haredim Job Placement Center Opens

Jerusalem, Israel - In an effort to encourage more haredi adults to join the workforce the first of six ultra-orthodox oriented job placement centers was dedicated in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem center director Naftali Flintstein said that expectations are running high. "The phones are ringing off the hooks."

But this project however is far from complete as more than a few Rabbis voice there concern over the change. "It's hard to say that all the Rabbis are encouraging employment," said Flintstein who acknowledges that there are still setbacks to overcome, "but certainly is a man reaches a situation where he has difficulty supporting (his family) then he must go to work. He is told to do this and not remain in his current situation."

Sydney, Australia - Robbery at Gunpoint

Sydney, Australia - Police are searching for a group of people who robbed two men at gunpoint in Ruschcutters Bay.

The two men, who are Jewish said, they were walking home just before 3am when they heard someone calling them from inside a vehicle.
In the vehicle - a black SUV - were two men and three women asking them for directions. “I went to the car first as I didn’t think anything of it,” one of the men told police, the driver pulled out a firearm and demanded money. “They were quite aggressive, yelling at us, so I refused to give him my wallet. That’s when I realised it was serious as he put a gun to my chest and I put my hands in the air,” that's when they handed over their wallets before the vehicle, which was stolen, and the vehicle sped off.
“They first went up a dead-end street and while they were trying to turn around, I rang the police and gave them their licence number and their descriptions. The police were great, they were there two minutes later.”

Washington, DC - Capitol Attack is Inevitable

Washington, DC - The Senate's top security official says that an attack on the Capitol is inevitable as long as it remains open to the public.
Outgoing Senate sergeant-at-arms William Pickle said that keeping the Capitol building secure is almost impossible. The number of elected people who need to be protected in Congress makes it a harder place to secure than the White House, he said.

Pickle spent nearly 30 years in the Secret Service before his three years with Senate security.

Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+

Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+ A motor vehicle accident with a pedestrian that was struck at 41st Street and 16th Avenue and has severe head trauma and is unconscious, Hatzolah responding with multiple units BLA and ALS on a rush.

U/D: 18:21
Aided transported to Lutherian Hospital in serious condition.

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY +Collapse+

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY +Collapse+ A portion of a building being demolished collapsed onto the sidewalk at 13th Avenue and 41st Street, no one trapped, NYPD ESU division and FD are on the scene requesting units to respond in, also requesting the Buildings Department.

New Square, NY - Woman Dragged by Taxi

New Square, NY - A 58-year-old Spring Valley woman was scraped on her head and face after her coat got caught in a taxi door and was dragged several feet across an asphalt parking lot.

Esther Goldberger was being evaluated at Westchester Medical Center after the incident. Her injuries did not appear to be life-threatening

Taxi driver Gary P. Buiges, 52, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and was free on $150 bail.

Cook County, IL - Lawsuit Against Maker of Hot Dogs

Cook County, IL - Three Cook County residents have filed suit against Vienna Beef, alleging that the company mislabeled hot dogs as "pure beef" when the products had a pork casing. 
The plaintiffs--Morris Gershengorin, Marina Smolyansky and Marina Bartashnik--suffered emotional distress after learning they had ingested the pork-intestine casing, according to the lawsuit.   

Each of the plaintiffs is described in the suit as "an observant Jew." They are seeking to bring the suit as a class action on behalf of others who have eaten the hot dogs. The lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court seeks unspecified damages.  
Vienna's advertising does not claim the hot dogs are kosher but does use terms such as "all-beef hot dogs" and "pure beef franks," according to the suit.

Company officials have not yet reviewed the suit but stand behind their labeling, Vienna Beef spokeswoman Susan Stoga said. "The few products that we do have (with pork) are labeled as such," Stoga said.

Nanuet, NY +MVA/Traffic Alert+

Nanuet, NY +MVA/Traffic Alert+ A serious motor vehicle accident on the south bound of the New York State Thruway at M/M 22.6 with aided unconscious, EMS requested on a rush, PD closing two lanes.

Montreal, Canada - Police Clear Up Misunderstanding Between Them and Chassidim

Montreal, Canada - Police say, there was no directive that female officers step aside and allow their male colleagues to handle interventions with chassidic men, Insp. Paul Chablo, said, It’s all a misunderstanding.  

He said it was a “suggestion” and comparable to the police trying to respect a sexual-assault victim’s request to speak to a female officer, for example.

The chassidic communities, meanwhile, say don’t blame them; they never made a request for special treatment by the police and there have been no problems.  
What was intended to enlighten the force about the customs and beliefs of Chassidim in order for officers not to misunderstand certain behaviours has been taken by the police union as undermining the equality of male and female officers on the job.

Minnesota - Kosher Butcher Fired, Lawsuit Dismissed

Minnesota - A kosher butcher was fired after more than 10 years of successful employment when a new rabbi found his qualifications religiously suspect. The court had to decide whether to treat the case as religious or secular.

AER Slaughtering services provides slaughtering services for companies that sell kosher meat products. Leo Maruani went to work for AER as a shochet in 1993.  
In 2003, Rabbi Aryeh Ralbag became the certifying authority and he reviewed Maruani's qualifications and decided that he was not "God-fearing in the public's eye." He offered several reasons: Maruani drove to synagogue services instead of walking as required; he did not wear a full beard and dark suit; and his wife, a convert to Judaism, did not cover her hair or use the Jewish ritual bath. AER terminated Maruani.

Maruani sued AER in Minnesota state court and AER removed the case to federal district court. In his complaint Maruani claimed that AER discriminated against him on the basis of religion in violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act. 
AER claimed that the court had no jurisdiction over Maruani's claims. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
 
The court decision was that AER was clearly a secular employer, operating as a for-profit business and not owned by any church; it was thus not entitled to First Amendment religious protection. Maruani's job, on the other hand, clearly was religious in nature as it involved slaughtering animals according to Jewish ritual. Inquiring into Maruani's religious discrimination claim would involve the court's consideration of the rabbi's rules and Maruani's own religious conformity; accordingly, the court dismissed that claim.

Manhattan, NY - Jewish Museum Free on Saturdays

Manhattan, NY - Like many other cultural institutions in town, the Jewish Museum has raised its admission price, but at least it will be free one day a week.

The Jewish Museum is now free every Saturday, in honor of Shabbas. While most of the exhibits will be open, the cafe, shops, interactive electronics and children's exhibition will be closed also in honor of Shabbas.

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY +Unruly Crowd+

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY +Unruly Crowd+ A large fight broke out early this morning between a large unruly crowd at 770 Eastern Parkway at Kingston Avenue the NYPD called for a level one mobilization and requested backup units for crowd control, Hatzolah and Shomrim units were also responding on a rush.

New York - Younger Teitelbaum Wins Another Round in Court Battle Over Control of Satmar

New York - Rabbi Zalmen Teitelbaum has won another victory over his older brother Rabbi Aron Teitelbaum in their bitter battle for control of the Satmar Hasidic sect.

The New York Court of Appeals has struck down the request of the older brother and his followers in the Village of Kiryas Joel, in Monroe NY, to overturn a lower court decision that granted authority of the Satmar Chasidim and their Brooklyn congregations to his younger brother Rabbi Zalmen.

Both Rabbi Zalmen, 54, and brother Rabbi Aron, 58, rabbi of Kiryas Joel congregation in Orange County, claim they're head of the Brooklyn flock. When the dispute over who's boss went to court, a Brooklyn judge ruled in favor of Zalmen.
The decision handed down by the New York State Court of Appeals yesterday upheld's Zalmen's leadership, a ruling that followed the wishes of his father, Grand Rebbe Moses Teitelbaum, who died in April.

Towson, MD - Police Officer Given Flexibility for Shabbas

Towson, MD - A Towson University police officer will be allowed to rearrange his work schedule to observe Shabbas under an agreement reached with school officials.

David Brown converted to Orthodox Judaism about five years ago. Since then, he's missed shifts that fall on the Jewish Sabbath, causing a dispute between him and the University, as was reported on VOS IZ NEIAS.
The dispute prompted protests and petitions by students and accusations that the university discriminated against Brown when it suspended him.
The agreement was reached before a hearing that could have led to Brown's termination. Under the agreement, Brown will be given leeway to find other officers to work shifts that fall on the Sabbath.
"I feel pretty excited about going back to the job," Brown, 34, said. "It's like a weight has been lifted off."

Poughkeepsie, NY - Human Bones Found at Construction Site

Poughkeepsie, NY - Portions of at least four human skulls and other skeletal remains were discovered at a City of construction site.

Construction workers called police, Sgt. Matthew Clark said. The adult remains were found at 364 Mansion St., where crews are working on a new residential building.
Although authorities can't offer an estimate about the age of the remains until an anthropologist has more time to examine them, Clark said they're "very old" and "there's no indication this is anything criminal."
"It looks like a burial site and we're trying to determine if there was a burial site there," they said, there is a Jewish cemetery in the area but that's not close enough to be connected to the remains.

U.S. - Passports Needed for Re-Entry

U.S. - Nearly all air travelers entering the United States will be required to show passports beginning Jan. 23, including returning Americans and people from Canada and other nations in the Western Hemisphere.

The requirement marks a change for Americans, Canadians, Bermudians and some Mexicans. Currently, U.S. citizens returning from other countries in the hemisphere are not required to present passports but must show other proof of citizenship such as driver's licenses or birth certificates.

In a few cases, other documents still may be used for air entry into the United States by some frequent travelers between the United States and Canada, members of the U.S. military on official business and some U.S. merchant mariners.

Waikiki, Hawaii - White House Staffer Robbed and Beaten

Waikiki, Hawaii - The acting director of the White House Travel Office was robbed and beaten in Waikiki outside a club.

Three men mugged Greg Pitts at about while he was walking through the International Marketplace near Bobby Club.
Pitts accompanied President George W. Bush on a brief visit to Hawaii. While Bush stayed at Hickam Air Force Base, White House staff, crew from the airplane and reporters stayed at Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. A group was at Duke's for dinner and crossed over to Bobby near the International Marketplace.

Paramedics treated Pitts and took him to Queen's Medical Center. He did not return with the president to Washington.

Israel - Man Dies from Rocket Attack

Israel - An Israeli man struck by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip has died of his injuries in hospital.

The armed wing of the ruling Hamas group claimed responsibility for the latest of a series of rocket strikes at Israel.

Manhattan, NY +West Side Hwy Traffic Alert+

Manhattan, NY +West Side Hwy Traffic Alert+ A fatal motor vehicle accident on the Henry Hudson Parkway and West 83rd Street with one vehicle that overturned, major traffic delays in the area.

U/D
Driver that caused this deadly accident was arrested for drunk driving.

Manhattan, NY +Armed Robbery+

Manhattan, NY +Armed Robbery+ NYPD of MTN Pct are on the scene at 2 West 46th Street and Broadway for an armed robbery of a jewelry store at that location, two armed male white perps wearing masks and displaying a fire arm fled with lots of jewelry. ESU responding for evidence search.

Woodbury, NY +Route 6 Traffic Alert+

Orange County, Woodbury, NY +Route 6 Traffic Alert+ A serious motor vehicle accident with entrapment and ejection on Route 6 before Route 293, New York State Police on the scene screming for Fire Department and EMS to respond in a rush for one aided that was ejected from the vehicle and two others are pinned with serious injuries, some of the aided are children, two medevacs being launched. car split in two.

U/D: 14:41
EMS command on the scene now requesting a third medevac to respond (Stat Flight, Lifeguard and Northstar from Jersey) L/Z on Route 6 at Turkey Hill Parking near the scene, numerous injuries on the scene.


U/D: 20:26
The 3-year-old child was just pronounsed dead at Westchester Medical Center.

Beit Shemesh, Israel - One Sidewalk for Men, One for Women

Beit Shemesh, Israel - The orthodox community of Beis Shemesh is taking a further step in its quest for disengagement. The sidewalks on one of the main streets in the orthodox neighborhood have been divided - one for men and one for women.

Due to a problem they have in the Nachala Menucha neighborhood, the orthodox community came up with a solution. There are several synagogues in the neighborhood where men flock to pray. The problem is that while they head towards their synagogue they encounter women taking their children to the adjacent health clinic. Fearing that the rules of modesty will be broken, it was decided to impose complete segregation.

Women are permitted to walk on one side of the sidewalk while men on the other. Signs have been posted on the men's side of the street instructing women to leave the sidewalk and to cross over to their side, and during certain hours of the day a synagogue custodian is stationed outside to make sure the rules are adhered to.

"They are putting up illegal signs, running wild and throwing stones," one of the residents said, "and no one is doing anything to prevent this. The municipality and the police are powerless."

Israel +Terror Alert in Jerusalem+

Jerusalem, Israel - District police are on alert after receiving warnings that a suspicious car is on its way to the capital.

Police said the car could be carrying terror suspects.

St. Paul, MN - Muslims Removed from Plane

St. Paul MN - Six Muslim imams were removed from a US Airways flight at Minneapolis- St. Paul International Airport and questioned by police for several hours before being released. The six were among passengers who boarded Flight 300, bound for Phoenix.

A passenger initially raised concerns about the group through a note passed to a flight attendant, and police were called after the captain and airport security workers asked the men to leave the plane and the men refused.
"They took us off the plane, humiliated us in a very disrespectful way," said Omar Shahin, of Phoenix. Three of the Muslims stood and said their normal evening prayers together on the plane, Shahin said. He attributed any concerns by passengers or crew to ignorance about Islam. "I never felt bad in my life like that," he said. "I never. Six imams. Six leaders in this country. Six scholars in handcuffs. It's terrible."

The other passengers on the flight, which was carrying 141 passengers and five crew members, were re-screened for boarding, Rader said. The plane took off about three hours after the men were removed from the flight.

Nanuet, NY +Palisades Parkway Traffic Alert+

Nanuet, NY +Palisades Parkway Traffic Alert+ A motor vehicle accident with entrapment on the south bound of the Palisades Interstate Parkway near Exit 7 has the Fire Department and PD currently blocking all lanes, heavey delays in the area.

Moscow, Russia - Three Men Sentenced for Hate Crimes

Moscow, Russia - A Russian court on sentenced three young men to between 12 and 18 months of internal exile for a racially motivated beating of a prominent cultural figure.

The Moscow Izmailovsky court found the three men guilty of causing bodily harm to Zaur Tutov, a singer who serves as culture minister in his native Kabardino-Balkariya republic in southern Russia, out of ethnic hatred. Tutov has been hospitalized with a broken cheekbone, concussion and bruises. He said the assailants shouted "Russia is for Russians! Get out!"
A sentence of internal exile requires a person to live in a remote settlement.

Russia has seen an increase in hate crimes against dark-skinned foreigners, Jews and immigrants from Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Sderot, Israel - Gaza Rockets Hit Town During U.N. Visit

Sderot, Israel - Palestinian'sin Gaza fired rockets into an Israeli town during a visit by the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, critically wounding one person.

Commissioner Louise Arbour, on a tour of the Palestinian territories and Israel, was unhurt in the attack in Sderot. "They (the rockets) landed a few hundred yards away from where we were," said Christopher Gunness, a U.N. spokesman who accompanied Arbour on the visit to the town. "She was in a car but the delegation had parked very briefly when we heard very loud explosions. There were two plumes of smoke," he said.
The Magen David Adom ambulance service said a factory worker was critically wounded.

Izz el-Deen al-Qassam from Hamas, said it launched the makeshift rockets at Sderot and had not known Arbour would be there.

Brooklyn, NY +MVA/Traffic Alert+

Brooklyn, NY +MVA/Traffic Alert+ A motor vehicle accident on the west bound of the Belt Parkway at Bay Parkway, Hatzolah on the scene requesting two ambulances, expect delays in the area.

Tokyo, Japan +Submarine Accident+

Tokyo, Japan +Submarine Accident+ A Japanese submarine collided with a civilian vessel in southern Japan waters during surfacing exercis off the coast of Miyazaki, no injuries were reported among the crew members.

U/D: 23:05
Condition of the aided on the civilan vessel is unknown.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+ A motor vehicle accident in Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, NY with a pedestrian that was struck at Havemeyer Street and Division Avenue, NYPD and Hatzolah responding BLS and ALS units.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY +Water Main Break+

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY +Water Main Break+ A large water main break at 106 Ross Street and Bedford Avenue which is undermining the street, Fire Department are on the scene requesting DEP to respond.

Ocean County, NJ - Woman Arrested for Putting Poison in Sandwich

Ocean County, NJ - A woman who police say tried to poison her live-in sister and her sister's fiance by putting rat poison in their sandwiches has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.  

Dana Simons, 43, was arrested after her sister called police to report finding rat poison pellets in the couple's sandwiches on two separate occasions.  
The sister, 51, and her fiance, 50, did not eat the sandwiches and were unharmed.  

The first time Simons' sister noticed something odd, was when Simons brought home sandwiches for the couple that appeared to have a blue-green pellets mixed in with the chicken. The couple thought it was strange and threw out the food without eating any.  
When Simons came home again with sandwiches for the couple, they figured out what the pellets were made of.  
"They saw the blue-green pellets again and made the connection to the container of rat poison they found in the house," Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Martin Anton said. 

Simons, who worked at a nearby deli, faces five to 10 years in prison for each attempted murder charge if convicted. She was released on her own recognizance.

Manhattan, NY +Pedestrian Struck+

Manhattan, NY +Pedestrian Struck+ A motor vehicle accident with a pedestrian that was struck on East 85th Street and Park Avenue, Hatzolah responding.

Matawan, NJ - Man Arrested for Supporting Terror

Matawan, NJ - A man was arrested and charged with material support for terrorism, in New Jersey.

Investigators said Saleh Elahwel, of Matawan, was taken into custody by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task force at his home. Elahwel is expected to be arraigned in federal court this afternoon.  
U.S attorney Michael Garcia is expected to announce that Elahwel is a second man to be charged in connection with helping a Hezbollah television station reach viewers here in the U.S.    

The Hezbollah station -- Al Manar -- has been designated a terrorist entity by the U.S. government, and the State Department lists Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

Lakewood, NJ +School Break-In+

Lakewood, NJ - Police are investigating a break-in at a local school.

The break-in of a private, girls Orthodox Jewish school was reported this morning, said Lt. William Addison.

Officers Anthony Caraballo and Joseph Przewoznik responded to the Bais Rivak School on River Avenue and found an open window in the back of the school, a broken window inside the school office, and loose change on the floor, Addison said.

But it was unclear this if anything was missing from the building.

Bnei Brak, Israel - Member of Knesset Asking for Criminal Investigation for Racism Against Arabs

Bnei Brak, Israel - Fliers distributed in the Bnei Brak neighborhood of Pardes Katz called on neighborhood residents to refrain from selling or renting houses to Arabs.

"Our homes have become non-Jewish. In Pardes Katz, there are hostile Arabs, not of our people, who have brought to our streets destruction and fear," "we must not agree to an atmosphere so dangerous to our souls and bodies! We cannot allow them to destroy the education of the youth in our neighborhood!" the flier states.
 
The fliers, were printed to censure recent apartment rentals to Arab students studying in nearby educational institutions.

Knesset Member Dov Khenin, who serves as chairman of the Knesset's human rights lobby, received a copy of the flier and said that disease of racism seeping into Israeli culture and he wished to appeal to the attorney general to open a criminal investigation against its authors. "The distributors of this flier violated the law prohibiting racist incitement against Arab students, and it's the duty of the judicial committee to take a tough stand against them," he said.

New York, NY - Mayor Bloomberg's Worth Far Larger Than Previous Estimated

New York, NY - Mayor Bloomberg's net worth is far larger than previous estimates indicate, and may be in the $20 billion range, given the value of his financial news company.

An analysed said that the company, which has 125 news bureaus worldwide, is worth approximately $22.5 billion and possibly more - far higher than most estimates assume.
In September, Mr. Bloomberg ranked 44th on the "Forbes 400" listing of the wealthiest Americans. His net worth was pegged by Forbes at $5.3 billion, a figure directly linked to Bloomberg LP, the company he founded and in which he still owns a 72% stake. But with the higher company value, Mr. Bloomberg's personal worth would be closer to $20 billion, catapulting him past News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch, and Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin on the Forbes list, into the top 10. It puts him up there with the heirs to the Wal-Mart fortune and makes him, perhaps, the wealthiest resident in New York City.

Bloomberg LP is a private company and is not required to publicly report its earnings, making it impossible to determine its exact value. But the company's revenue streams are relatively easy to follow.

Venice, CA - Coastal Commission Approves Eruv

Venice, CA - The California Coastal Commission last week approved for a three-year period a request by the Pacific Jewish Center a Orthodox synagogue in Venice to build an eruv along the beach from Santa Monica to Marina del Rey.
Streamers will be placed on part of the eruv to prevent endangered birds, the least tern, from flying into it. Also the synagogue must develop a method for monitoring the impact of the eruv on the terns.

Lakewood, NJ - Recall Petitioners Lay Low

Lakewood, NJ - The motives and the people behind an effort to remove Township Committeeman Charles Cunliffe from office remain murky as those involved stay in the shadows.

Cunliffe a Democrat, learned on Thursday that an organization has been formed in an effort to toss thehim out of office.

The recall committee took the first step in the recall process when it submitted a letter of notice to the clerk's office, informing Cunliffe that the recall group had been formed. The letter was signed by three women: Audrey Faust of Huntington Drive, Janet Heulitt of Sterling Court and Clara Ward of Malvern Court.

A source close to the recall movement said the women who signed the petition have support from a group within the Orthodox Jewish community. While there is no single issue, some people believe that Cunliffe isn't responsive to the concerns of the Orthodox community, according to the source.
Cunliffe, believes the recall movement may be related to his concerns about the influence of developers in shaping the township's approach to growth. Another reason for the recall effort may be his support of ousted Police Director Al Peters.

State law limits the recall effort to 160 days from the date of the notice of intention. The petition requires the signatures of 25 percent of the township's registered voters. That translates into about 8,900 signatures.

Brooklyn, NY +Belt Parkway Closed+

Brooklyn, NY +Belt Parkway Closed+ Due to a motor vehicle accident with aided trapped inside the vehicle on the Belt Parkway, NYPD has closed down the Belt Parkway on both directions near the Verrazano Bridge and Fort Hamilton Parkway, FD working on the extrication, EMS to transport.

Expect heavy delays for this morning commute.

Germany +Terror Plot Uncovered+

Germany - Few details have been released, but German investigators say they have uncovered a terrorist plot and at least six people were arrested for an alleged plot to blow up a passenger airplane with a bomb in Germany.
German police questioned the suspects over the alleged plot, but five were released, the federal prosecutor's office said.

It all started when several suspects allegedly approached a contact in the summer who had special access to a restricted airport zone, and there plan was to plant explosives in a piece of luggage, investigators said, without giving further details. One of those arrested remains in custody in connection with another investigation.
Nine apartments were searched in Rhineland-Palatinate state and Hessen.

Bnei Brak, Israel - Stun Ggrenade Thrown Into Ponovitz Yeshiva

Bnei Brak, Israel - A stun grenade was thrown into the Ohel Kedoshim building of the Ponovitz Yeshiva in Bnei Brak this evening, in middle of a shuer, Hatzolah and MDA are responding on a rush.

Some reports, that Harav R' Gershon Eidelstein felt ill, and three bucherim were slightly injured and hospitalized by MDA to Tel Hashomer Medical Center, no other injuries or damages were reported, very large police presences on the scene.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Air Force One Grounded

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Air Force One has suffered a mechanical problem, forcing President George W. Bush to shift to a smaller backup jet to fly to Jakarta, Indonesia.

The White House isn't specifying the problem that grounded the Boeing 747 which usually serves as the presidential aircraft.
The glitch left officials scrambling to accommodate dozens of traveling staffers. Most were getting seats on a press charter aircraft.

The White House is hopeful the 747 will be repaired before the next leg -- from Jakarta to Hawaii. If it isn't, President Bush's Boeing 757 may have to make refueling stops along the way.

Toms River, NJ - Dynamite Turns Out to be Road Flares

Toms River, NJ - An anonymous caller told the Toms River Police Department that dynamite was found in the rear parking lot of a local club, but it turned out to be a hoax, according to police.

The caller reported that there was dynamite in the Delilah's Den parking lot, on Route 9. The supposed dynamite turned out to be road flares, police said.

New York - Upstate Resident Among Kidnapped in Iraq

New York, NY - A former soldier from western New York is among four Americans and an Austrian who were kidnapped in southern Iraq last week, family members.

Jonathon Cote, 23, a Buffalo area native, was working as a guard for Crescent Security Group when he was captured Thursday, his stepmother said.

Jerusalem, Israell - Rabbis to Hold Operation Cover Up Rally on Motzei Shabbas

Jerusalem, Isreal - Orthodox rabbis have set to convene to a rally Motzei Shabbas against immodest clothing, in a bid to "safeguard modesty."

Last year, the limits of modesty were broken in the Orthodox community. Young Orthodox girls began going to shopping malls to popular chain stores such as Castro and Zara where they purchase fashionable clothing – too fashionable according to the rabbis.

And in order to fight the practice, several seminary rabbis and administrators decided to have female students sign a new modesty regulations contract.
The contract would bind each student to wear extra thick stockings, a shirt long enough that even bending down will not rise above the skirt, a skirt that would completely cover the knees.

Rehovot, Israel +Search for Missing Man+

Rehovot, Israel - A search is going on for a 45-year-old man from Rechovos that went missing this afternoon, and there are some concerns that the man's life is in danger.

The man, Eliyahu Shabira, was described as slim and wearing a white shirt, black pants and glasses.
Search teams are sweeping the entire area.

Paris, France - Group Calls for Probe of French Police in Halimi's Murder

Paris, France - A Jewish group is calling on the French Interior Ministry to investigate the police handling of the murder of Ilan Halimi, a French Jew abducted and murdered by a Muslim gang earlier this year, as was reported on VOS IZ NEIAS.

Halimi is believed to have been in an apartment in the Parisian suburbs last January, where he was kept prisoner for three weeks while his abductors attempted to extract a ransom from the family.  His death prompted a public outcry in France, and tens of thousands of people -- including several public officials -- took to the streets of Paris to rally against racism and anti-Semitism.

Halimi's mother Ruth insisted that neighbors in the apartment building where Ilan was held knew of the crime unfolding in their midst and that police should have been able to work faster to save him.  There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, they said.

Rockland County, NY - Chevra Hatzoloh Will Not Get Funding They Requested

Rockland County, NY - Due to the county's financial challenges, nonprofit agencies are taking a hit in the 2007 Rockland County budget proposal.

County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef said "A lot of new agencies we didn't fund this year," and most of the returning nonprofit's weren't given increases, he said.  The total expenditure for nonprofit's is down about $455,000 from what the county spent this year.

Chevra Hatzoloh ambulance service, one of the only new contract agencies to be listed for the 2007 budget, asked for $100,000 but is scheduled to get only $10,000.

Last year, the county approved $7.2 million for contract agencies, but as the year went on it spent nearly $7.37 million on them.   The Legislature now will discuss the budget and must approve a version and send it to Vanderhoef by Dec. 7. He can then veto or approve any changes. The Legislature can then seek to override.

Spring Valley, NY - NYS Thruway Some Lanes to be Closed Due to Sign Installation

Spring Valley, NY - Northbound lanes on the New York State Thruway will be closed today due to continuing work near the Spring Valley toll barrier.
One or two lanes will be closed at a time from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. so crews can install signs, which will differentiate cash and Highway Speed E-ZPass lanes to drivers of commercial vehicles.

Bad Arolsen, Germany - Nazi-Era Files Unsealed

Bad Arolsen, Germany - Millions of Nazi-era documents have beenunsealed in Germany after 50 years and are now available forresearch by historians, families affected by the Holocaust and the public. The files are the most complete archive of Nazi persecutions.

Scholars say the documents' availability may have a tremendous impact, the tons of International Tracing Service documents may provide a family with a link to other family members they never knew. Anyone would benefit from spending time with the files because they help to put a human face on the tragedy.

New York - Top Aid to Governor Pataki's Lashes Out on Speaker Silver

New York - A top aide to Gov. Pataki unleashed an unprecedented personal attack on Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, after the Democrat called Pataki's top economic development adviser "corrupt" and more interested in his own purported "gambling interests" than in New York's well-being.

"For Shelly 'Vegas' Silver to lecture anyone about ethics is like a bad standup routine, especially since he's Alan Hevesi's biggest apologist, has employed a known offender, has covered up internal investigations and has presided over a body that had no less than seven of its members indicted, convicted, or resign under a cloud of disgrace," said David Catalfamo, Pataki's communications director.

Catalfamo was coming to the defense of Pataki's longtime economic czar, Charles Gargano, after Gargano was attacked by Silver. "It's laughable for him to lecture anyone about the economy, especially given the fact that he personally pushed through the biggest tax increase in state history and is in the pocket of special interests blocking crucial projects like Moynihan Station and West Side development," contended Catalfamo.