WPCNR HEALTHCARE HERALD TRIBUNE. From Stellaris Network. August 4, 2010:

 Stellaris Health Network and Empire BlueCross BlueShield have agreed to a new three-year contract, effective August 1, 2010. The contract restores in-network access to Stellaris facilities and providers for Empire policyholders and employer groups. No action is required by Empire members to continue services at any Stellaris Health Network facility

The previous contract expired April 1, 2010. The new agreement covers Stellaris Health Network hospitals, including:  White Plains Hospital, Northern Westchester Hospital, Phelps Memorial Hospital and Lawrence Hospital Center.

Empire members enrolled in commercial HMO, EPO, POS, PPO or indemnity products or Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO products may again receive covered services at Stellaris facilities and from physicians who are contracted with Stellaris with the highest level of benefits and lowest out-of-pocket cost.

In a joint statement, Arthur A. Nizza, President and CEO of Stellaris Health Network and Mark Wagar, President and CEO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield said: “We recognize how difficult the out-of-network situation has been for our patients and members. We are pleased that we now have a new agreement on a three-year contract that allows Empire and Stellaris to partner in a way that recognizes our joint responsibilities in helping to improve the quality and affordability of healthcare.”

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. Special to WPCNR. July 8, 2010:

Tap water in White Plains was unusually white and cloudy this morning. After about 30 seconds it cleared. WPCNR checked with the Department of Public Works Pumping Station, and was told the cloudiness was due to the fire fighting yesterday, and the Kensico pipe repairs going on allowing excess air in the water lines. The official said residents should wait about 30 seconds and the water will become crystal clear as the air bubbles to the surface and escapes into the air. He said the water is absolutely safe.

WHITE PLAINS WATER OUT OF THE TAP AT WPCNR HEADQUARTERS THIS MORNING

WPCNR BAY WATCH. From National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. June 30, 2010:

With a week, two swimmers have disappeared in surf off Long Island, being swept out to deep water by a riptide. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is definitely a strategy to extracating yourself from such a tide if you retain your composure.

In the most recently accident of Rockaway Beach this morning, there were signs posted on the beach explaining graphically exactly what to do if caught in a rip.

With thousands heading out to the Rockaways, the Hamptons, Fire Island, Jones Beach, Gilgo and Robert Moses State Park this weekend, on Long Island's South Shore...notorious for it's big surf and rip currents (due to its shallow water, parents should familarize themselves and instruct their teens and children what to do if caught in a rip current.

Here is what to do if you find yourself caught in a current taking you out into deep water over your head, and you cannot overcome the force of the rip.:

WPCNR THE OIL NEWS. From the Department of Homeland Security. June 20,2010:

The following is an official news release from the U.S. Department of Homeland security detailing the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill response efforts as of  Sunday morning. The dispatch gives an overall picture of the impact on the region.

More than 1/3 of the Gulf is closed for fishing.

A total of 1,200 miles of oil-retaining and oil-absorbing boom have been deployed across 59 miles of coastline in the Gulf region. The breakdown shows 34 miles of Louisiana Coast; 4 miles of Mississippi, 9 miles in Alabama and 12 miles of coastline in Florida. The government notes they have 103 miles of boom in reserve. By WPCNR rough estimate there is a minimum of 900 miles of coast line from Louisianato the tip of the west coast of Florida. News reports Saturday night noted tar balls were showing up in Panama City Florida-- a new location.

Here is the report:

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS ROUNDS. From White Plains Hospital Center. December 29, 2009:  As a physician who has specialized in emergency medicine for more than 30 years, Dr. Timothy Haydock has seen his share of the effects of excessive drinking on New Year’s Eve at hospitals he has worked at in Boston and at White Plains Hospital Center where he has been head of the emergency for the past five years.

“When it comes to partying, New Year’s Eve ranks near the top for people drinking alcohol more than they should,” Dr. Haydock says. The consequences run the gamut from miserable hangovers to more serious and sometimes deadly incidents.

            The program will include a panel presentation featuring local geriatrician Dr. Roger Madris and other experts in the Alzheimer’s and caregiver fields.

            Co-sponsors of the program are the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS),; the Alzheimer’s Association, Hudson Valley/Rockland/Westchester, NY Chapter; the White Plains Public Library and the Visiting Nurse Association of Hudson Valley.

            The event is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the New York State Office for the Aging and DSPS.

            The program is free, but reservations are required and can be made by calling (914) 253-6860.

WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. By John F. Bailey. UPDATED 3:30 P.M. E.D.T., August 20, 2009: According to the New York State Department of Health, New York state “assisted living facilities” like the Esplanade Senior Residence in White Plains are not required to have on premises an emergency source of power in case of a power outage.

The question of a backup power source came up after the 130 tenants of The Esplanade were without power for about five hours Thursday evening as result of a burned out feeder cable beneath Mamaroneck Avenue.

WPCNR MAN WATCH.  From Bill Ryan and Men's Forum News  Release. June 24, 2009: White Plains’ legislator Bill Ryan told WPCNR Wednesday evening that he was in for a medical checkup about a year ago, mentioned to his doctor that he noticed when walking uphill or stairs he got a little short of breath, and also noticed the same shortness of breath when he was lifting heavy loads.

His doctor did not like the sound of that and ordered some tests. One year ago last night Mr. Ryan underwent emergency bypass surgery based on what the tests revealed.  The experience changed Mr. Ryan’s lifestyle and was the inspiration for him to organize the first Men’s Health Forum last night at Ridgeway School to draw mens’ attention to taking better care of themselves. While he was recovering in the ICU unit that night, he said "Ice chips never tasted so good."

Crowd at Legislator Bill Ryan's inaugural Men's Health Forum last night at Ridgeway School

Ryan addressed over 40 residents, most of them men, telling his story of his heart problem which he never knew he had:

“One of the biggest risks to men’s health is their reluctance to seek help from their general practitioner or pharmacist or to take part in health improvement programs like weight-loss clinics.  That’s why this Men’s Health Forum was so important to me personally,” said Ryan.  Ryan advises men to visit their local community health center to develop plans for exercise, weight reduction, healthy eating and discuss other concerns. He also said he would continue Men's Health Forums later this year. Photos, Except Where Noted, Courtesy, Legislator Ryan's Office.

WPCNR  ENVIRONMENTAL EPITAPH. NEWS & COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. March 22, 2009 UPDATED March 23, 2009 (Worth a Second Look): The hypocrisy of Westchester County in sanctimonious  cooperation with the New York State DEC (Department of Effluent Coverup) and the hastily contrived press release put out by the Westchester Department of Health about the discharge of “screened and chlorinated raw sewage” scheduled to take place Sunday  speaks for itself. I am told that federal law permits raw sewage dumping when making "repairs." Does that make sense? Hold the stuff for smelling out loud.

Authorities report that only a million gallons of sewage went in to the Hudson early Sunday morning. Thank God for small favors! This makes it a good thing? However, how did they count the gallons? Can we believe that number? More to the point sewage could possibly have been loaded onto one large tanker barge or 100 tanker trucks, or a tanker ship  and not one drop spilled into the Hudson, stored then released back into the plant. They dumped it in the Hudson because it was easy. I sure do hope News 12 and Channel 2 where there to record this operation and the "sweet crude" going into the river. They were there, weren't they? They are always the first to do specials on environmental news conferences and on Indian Point stories. Of course they were there.

"Wait a Minute? You're going to pump what in where? You're ruining my buffet!"

Seagull, taking a break from munching on a tasty morsel, under assurance of anonymity reacts to news of County raw "chlorinated and screened sewage" going into the Hudson River today.

It stinks. It’s ludicrous. Human partially treated sewage is good for the Hudson? And slightly radioactive water from Indian Point is worse? Quick! Where's Riverkeeper? Where's the Temporary Restraining Order?

Look out downriver? Sewage "chlorinated and screened" but not up to standards will make its way downriver today. Avoid kayaking today, folks.

A U.S. Navy SWOB  (Shipwaste Offloading Barge) craft, 100 feet long,  capacity 100,000 gallons, unloading raw sewage from a naval ship. Especially designed for harbor pollution abatement. A possible solution?  Official US Navy Photo from http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/NAVFAC/OPER/mo910.pdf

WPCNR GUEST EDITORIAL . January 12, 2009: In the current WPCNR survey in which WPCNR put up as an option for public opinion, should the city look into overcrowding at the  White Plains Hospital Medical Center Emergency Room and explore the hospital  cooperating with Greenwich Hospital (Connecticut) so Greenwich could ease the crush at the White Plains Hospital Emergency Room.  WPCNR asked the public this question because the White Plains hospital appears to stressed because previous emergency room expansion was not handling the current demand due to the closing of St. Agnes Hospital and United Hospital in Port Chester.  A total of 13% of votes cast to date (49 votes) felt this was an issue that needed to be examined.

Jon Schandler, White Plains Hospital Medical Center Chief Executive Officer takes the time here to assure the public that when the new emergency room opens six months from now, it will indeed be able to handle the current crush and future demands:

Jon Schandler, President, CEO White Plains Hospital Medical Center at recent opening of the Longview Municipal Parking Garage which serves the hospital.

To the Editor:

Your article  (Editor's note: survey question) “Examine Overcrowding of White Plains Hospital Emergency Room” contains several inaccuracies.

It is true that White Plains Hospital Center embarked on construction of a new emergency room to meet an increase in patients from White Plains and surrounding communities.  However, the new Emergency Department, which will be completed in mid-2009, was designed to serve a significantly larger number of patients – 60,000 per year.  In comparison, the current facility was designed for 30,000 and currently serves more than 45,000 annually due to the closing of two nearby hospitals and the growth of the population in the White Plains area.

(More)

WPCNR SERGEANT JOE FRIDAY'S REPORT. December 22, 2008 UPDATED DECEMBER 23, 2008: The communications department of a major company has passed along this explanation of a proliferation of internet scams which have increased lately as the economy has slowed and conditions have worsened for Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. America. WPCNR passes along this advice

The following, published yesterday before The New York Times  admitted it, too, was victimized by an identify assumer who sent a bogus e-mail  critical of Caroline Kennedy, purportedly signed by the Mayor of Paris, which the Times apologized for yesterday. The following advice is particularly interesting and relevant:

A really "white" White Plains viewed from the WPCNR News Tower 4:30 P.M. The six inch snow job made traveling treacherous, bumper to bumper on Route 119 and there were a lot of fender benders motorists reported to WPCNR surrounding the city. Kids tomorrow will be saying, "Look out slopes, here I come."