Newark, NJ
News
Filters Handed Out By Newark Effective At Removing Lead, Officials Say Filters Handed Out By Newark Effective At Removing Lead, Officials Say
Filters Handed Out By Newark Effective At Removing Lead, Officials Say Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that an extensive round of preliminary testing revealed that water filters distributed by the city of Newark are at least 97 percent effective at bringing lead levels to below 10 parts per billion, well under the safe threshold of 15 parts per billion.  (Click here for more information on the city's water line replacement program.)  The filters approach 99 percent effectiveness when residents run their water for about five to 10 or minutes, especially first thing in the morning or other periods when the tap has not been used for several hours or m…

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by Paul Milo
Pelham, NY
Politics
Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bottle Toiletries Gains Steam In New York Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bottle Toiletries Gains Steam In New York
Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bottle Toiletries Gains Steam In New York Tiny plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash in hotels may soon be a thing of the past in New York as lawmakers continue efforts to reduce plastic waste statewide. Long Island Sen. Todd Kaminsky announced a proposal this week that would prohibit hotels from providing patrons with single-use plastic toiletries. Instead, guests may see wall-mounted dispensers, multi-use bottles or non-plastic containers used. It is estimated that hotels in New York City alone dispose of more than 25 million mini-plastic bottles each year. Some hotel chains have already taken measures to elimin…

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by Zak Failla
DV Plus - Westchester, NY
Politics
Around The Towns: Active Shooter Defense, Indian Point Closure, Biaggi Speaks, Buchwald Lauded Around The Towns: Active Shooter Defense, Indian Point Closure, Biaggi Speaks, Buchwald Lauded
Around The Towns: Active Shooter Defense, Indian Point Closure, Biaggi Speaks, Buchwald Lauded Westchester County will offer additional training sessions for residents to learn the strategies and skills to survive if an active shooter attacked their workplace or another public venue. Known as Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE), training classes will be offered on Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. The training is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. “Active Shooter incidents continue to occur around the nation and we want to provide our residents with practical guida…

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by Jon Craig
Massapequa, NY
Lifestyle
These Long Island Beaches Are Tops In Clean Water Quality These Long Island Beaches Are Tops In Clean Water Quality
These Long Island Beaches Are Tops In Clean Water Quality Seven beaches on Long Island rank among the cleanest beaches in New York, according to a study of water quality for the past three years.  All of the best-ranked beaches, all in Suffolk County, received the highest average grades during wet and dry weather conditions from 2016 through 2018, according to this report by Save the Sound. The best beaches include: Hobart Beach (Sand City) Inlet and Hobart Beach Bay, both in Northport; Port Jefferson Beaches, both West and East, in Brookhaven; Iron Pier Beach and Mattituck Breakwater Beach, both in Riverhead; and Belle Terre Beach in Brookha…

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by Daily Voice
DV Plus - Fairfield, CT
Politics
How Your Beach Ranks In Clean Water Quality How Your Beach Ranks In Clean Water Quality
How Your Beach Ranks In Clean Water Quality Three beaches in Fairfield County rank among the cleanest beaches along Long Island Sound, according to a new study of water quality covering the past three years. Stamford's Quigley Beach and East (Cove Island) Beach as well as Pear Tree Point Beach -- which is open to Darien residents only -- averaged the highest grades during wet and dry weather conditions from 2016 through 2018, according to this report by Save the Sound. The report highlighted the “Top 20” beaches on Long Island Sound based on water quality, and, for the first time, presented comprehensive grades for 204 swimming beac…

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by Jon Craig
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
News
DEP: Harmful Algae Bloom Shuts Lake Hopatcong, 30 Skin Rashes Reported DEP: Harmful Algae Bloom Shuts Lake Hopatcong, 30 Skin Rashes Reported
DEP: Harmful Algae Bloom Shuts Lake Hopatcong, 30 Skin Rashes Reported The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is urging people to stay away from the water at Lake Hopatcong due to a harmful algae bloom (HAB). The DEP has received more than 30 reports of HABs on Lake Hopatcong since June 17, including reports of people experiencing mild skin rashes after coming in contact with lake water. As a precaution, the DEP is recommending that local health authorities close all public swimming beaches along the lake due to the widespread nature of the bloom. Based on the widespread nature of the HAB, the recreational advisory may be in place for weeks, if…

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by Cecilia Levine
Jersey City, NJ
News
Gas Stations In Newark, Elizabeth, N. Bergen Sued Over Fuel Tanks Gas Stations In Newark, Elizabeth, N. Bergen Sued Over Fuel Tanks
Gas Stations In Newark, Elizabeth, N. Bergen Sued Over Fuel Tanks The U.S. government is suing companies that control several gas stations in New York and New Jersey for allegedly violating regulations governing the maintenance of underground fuel tanks, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced last week. The government contends that Genesis Petroleum and 20 other associated companies failed to adequately manage a total of 38 underground tanks where fuel is stored. Fuel leaking from the tanks could contaminate groundwater, causing serious environmental damage, the government said. None of the violations cited in the lawsuit…

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by Paul Milo
Paramus, NJ
News
IT'S OFFICIAL: New Valley Hospital Approved In Paramus IT'S OFFICIAL: New Valley Hospital Approved In Paramus
IT'S Official: New Valley Hospital Approved In Paramus The Valley Hospital is one step closer to its new Paramus campus. The borough's Planning Board on Thursday night unanimously approved the seven-story, 362-bed plan for a 40-acre parcel near Winters Avenue, NorthJersey.com reports. The main entrance will be located at Valley Health Plaza and Winters Avenue, across the street from the Luckow Pavilion, Valley's same-day-surgery and comprehensive cancer center. The hospital -- which will replace the health network's current Ridgewood location -- is expected to be complete in 2023. The facility will have single-patient rooms and a five-story …

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by Cecilia Levine
Armonk, NY
Police & Fire
Man Caught, Cited For Illegally Dumping In Public Parking Lot In Westchester Man Caught, Cited For Illegally Dumping In Public Parking Lot In Westchester
Man Caught, Cited For Illegally Dumping In Public Parking Lot In Westchester Police caught a truck driver from Mount Vernon red-handed illegally dumping debris and asphalt in a local parking lot in Westchester. Officers from the Mount Vernon Police Department spotted the driver from a Connecticut company, Ruben Cruz, 57, on Thursday, May 30, dumping in the public parking lot 17, police announced. Cruz, a Third Avenue resident, was accused of littering and issued an appearance ticket to appear in Mount Vernon City Court on July 15. According to officials, the Mount Vernon City Code states that any person violating any provision of the City’s littering ordinance shal…

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by Zak Failla
Massapequa, NY
Schools
108-Year-Old Elementary School In Hempstead Set To Be Demolished 108-Year-Old Elementary School In Hempstead Set To Be Demolished
108-Year-Old Elementary School In Hempstead Set To Be Demolished A school building on Long Island that has stood for more than 100 years will soon be a memory. The Hempstead Union Free School District has begun efforts to demolish and replace Rhodes Elementary School on Washington Street. The project began on April 29 with the removal of trees, and all preliminary testing has already been completed in the building and on the campus. The building shuttered its doors in 2004 and has stood since 1911. A new school building is scheduled to be put in its place and operational when the 2021 academic year kicks off as enrollment continues to rise. The district …

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by Zak Failla
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
Police & Fire
Operators Of Waste Transfer Station In Sparta Fined $712K Operators Of Waste Transfer Station In Sparta Fined $712K
Operators Of Waste Transfer Station In Sparta Fined $712K Two companies that haul construction waste established an illegal transfer station in Sparta and dumped some of the material at residential sites throughout Sussex County, the state Department of Environmental Protection said. The agency issued Sinai Trucking a penalty of $527,000 and the second company, Keila Transport, a $185,000 fine. Sinai’s owner and president are Angel A. Bravo-Gomez and Anthony Gomez, respectively. Keila is owned by Gabriel Campoverde. The companies both used the transfer station on Houses Corner Road in Sparta. Sinai accepted at least 50,000 cubic yards of concre…

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by Paul Milo
Danbury, CT
Police & Fire
120 Firefighters Battle Massive Blaze At Business In Bethel 120 Firefighters Battle Massive Blaze At Business In Bethel
120 Firefighters Battle Massive Blaze At Business In Bethel More than 100 firefighters responded to a blaze that broke out in a Bethel business. Approximately 120 firefighters from multiple municipalities in Fairfield and Litchfield counties were dispatched at approximately 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, to the blaze at an adhesive tape company on Francis J. Clarke Circle Business Park. The fire raged for several hours, with crews battling to get inside the building. It was ultimately declared under control at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Sunday night, though firefighters remained at the scene for several hours to monitor flare-ups and any hot spots. Ins…

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by Zak Failla