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New York City 1 PM E.S.T. from Hoboken, showing the iceflows in the Hudsaon River and the glorious skyline with the Empire State Building. From Brenda Starr of The Flash,
Photograph of the Day–A Very Cold NYC
EXCLUSIVE! NTSB RELEASES PRELIMINARY REPORT ON FEB 3 METRO NORTH VALHALLA TRAIN-CAR CRASH. TIME LINE AND UNFOLDING OF THE ACCIDENT.
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NTSB Safety Team (in orange uniforms) investigates the aftermath of the Metro North passenger train and car crash that happened on Tuesday evening, February 3, on the day after the accident. (Official NTSB photograph released with today’s Preliminary Report)
WPCNR INVESTIGATIONS EXCLUSIVE! Special to WPCNR By Peter Katz. February 23, 2015:
The National Transportation Safety Board this afternoon released its preliminary report on the Metro-North acciodent in Valhalla in which six people were killed.
This states the facts as developed so far by investigators.
The investigation is continuing, and a final report including analysis and the Safety Board’s conclusion as to what was the probable cause of the accident likely will not be ready until at least the fall, and maybe beyond that time frame.
Here is what the report says:
On February 3, 2015, at 6:26 pm eastern standard time, northbound Metro-North Railroad passenger train no. 659 struck a 2011 Mercedes Benz ML350 sports utility vehicle (SUV) at the Commerce Street highway rail grade crossing, DOT ID 529902V, at milepost 26.6 on the Metro-North Railroad Harlem line in Valhalla, New York.
An estimated 650 passengers were aboard the train at the time of the accident of which an estimated 20 passengers were in the lead car. The driver of the SUV and five passengers on the train were killed.
This highway-rail grade crossing was comprised of gates and warning lights that activate to warn motorists of an oncoming train. Train no. 659 consisted of eight electrically powered M-7 railcars. The collision resulted in a fire which consumed the SUV and lead railcar, MN 4333.The SUV was stopped on the railroad tracks in the highway-rail grade crossing and was positioned in an easterly direction when the railroad crossing gates moved to the closed position. Witnesses reported the driver of the SUV as being stopped in the crossing prior to the gates lowering.When the gate lowered it struck the rear portion of the SUV after which the driver exited the SUV, looked at the back of the SUV, then got back in the SUV, drove forward (east), and was struck by the train.The track speed in the area of the accident was 60 mph. Based on the NTSB’s preliminary review of the train’s event recorder data, the train was travelling at 58 mph prior to emergency braking and the horn was operated in accordance with operating rules on the approach to the crossing.The recorder indicated that the engineer activated the emergency brakes about 300 feet before the collision after observing what he characterized as, “a vehicle partially fouling the crossing”. Event recorder data indicated that in the 4 seconds after initiation of emergency braking the train slowed to 49 mph at which time it impacted the SUV.
The train and the SUV continued northbound resulting in the damage of the electrified third rail on the west side of the track. The third rail detached, pierced the SUV, and then entered the railcar in two locations from the underside at the aft end of the left side passenger doorway.
The train and SUV came to rest about 650 feet from the point of collision. An estimated 480 feet of third rail was damaged. Twelve sections of the third rail, each 39 feet long, were found inside the first passenger railcar.
The NTSB will conduct a metallurgical examination of some of the third rail. Samples from the interior of the lead train car will also be examined by NTSB investigators for compliance with fire protection standards.
The weather at the time of the accident was reported to be 20˚F and with light wind, clear skies, and good visibility. Damage was estimated by the Metro-North Railroad at $3.7 million.
The parties to the investigation include the Federal Railroad Administration, Metro-North Railroad, the Association of Commuter Rail Employees, the Town of Mount Pleasant, and the New York Public Transportation Safety Board.
Tourneau Jewelry Store Robbed Again at Westchester Mall.
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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. Special to WPCNR. February 23, 2015:
The Tourneau jewelry store in the Westchester Mall was robbed Saturday afternoon, the second time the store was victimized in six months.
White Plains Commissioner of Public Safety, David Chong provided WPCNR with the details::
“On Saturday February 21st at approximately 1230 PM a male black, described as approximately 40 years of age, wearing dark clothing, a dark knit hat with brim, longish dread locks hair, and mirrored sunglasses entered the Tourneau jewelry store located inside the Westchester Mall.
The suspect proceeded to a sales person and asked if he could look at Rolex Watches. The sales person opened a display case to show the suspect a watch, at which time the suspect displays what appears to be a handgun and a bag and demands the watches inside the display case.
The suspect fled with 8 watches with a value of approximately $160,000 according to Tourneau.
Suspect fled out an exit stairwell and was pursued by a security guard hired by Tourneau.
The security guard lost sight of the suspect and the police were called. No one was injured during this crime.
This case is being investigated by the White Plains Detectives, all tips can be called into the Police Hotline at 914-422-6256 or by e-mail, to www.wppublicsafety.com and click on the crime tips icon.
All information will be kept confidential.”
Retired WP Police Officer kills daughters, then himself in Harrison.
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WPCNR has been informed that a retired White Plains Police Officer, Glen Hockman killed his daughter Alissa Hochman, 17, and her sister Deanna Hochman, 13 in his home in Harrison Saturday night and then taken his own life.
Mr. Hockman was reported in a statement to the press, by White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong as having served the department well for twenty-two years, and expressed sorrow and shock.
WHITE PLAINS WEEK IS ON THE AIR! NOW ON THE INTERNET AND MONDAY AT 7… PLUS THE IMMIGRATION MUST SOLVE CRISIS ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD SEE BOTH ON www.whiteplainsweek.com
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THOUGHTFUL, WRY, WITHERING–HAND-WRINGING,
LIFT YOU RIGHT OUT OF YOUR CHAIR NEWS
THE ONLY NEWS IN WESTCHESTER WORTH WATCHING WITH
PETER KATZ, JOHN BAILEY AND JIM BENEROFE
THIS WEEK:
THE COLD
THE SILVER INDICTMENT
COUNTY WINS IN COURT IN HUD HOUSING HASSLE
COUNTY EXECUTIVE HIRES HIS CAMPAIGN MANAGER for 6 FIGURES
JEB BUSH
THE REPUBLICANS’ ONLY HOPE AND WHY
BOARD OF REGENTS POSTPONES MANDATORY OR NOT MANDATORY DECISION ON FIELD TEST QUESTIONS
FIELD TESTING OF ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 77 YEARS SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM, SCHOOL DISTRICTS?
AND MORE
ON
PEOPLE TO BE HEARD
WESTCHESTER’S ONLY RELEVANT NEWS INTERVIEW PROGRAM
YOU’VE GOT
White Plains Immigration Law Expert Jeffrey Binder, left, explains the issues involved in this week’s Immigration Decision that President Obama is appealing — and sorts out the issues,problems, and what’s at stake for the American economy.
JEFFREY BINDER
IMMIGRATION LAW EXPERT
ON
THE OBAMA IMMIGRATION DECISION
WHAT IT MEANS
WHO’S IMMIGRATING TO WESTCHESTER–
WHAT THEY ARE LIKE!
WHAT THEY DO WHAT THEIR ISSUES ARE.
PEOPLE TO BE HEARD
WHERE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY
HAVE THEIR SAY
SEE BOTH PROGRAMS NOW OR ANY TIME
AT
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Introducing The 2016 Republican Model
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WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. February 21, 2015:
I note with interest that neither Hillary Clinton nor Jeb Bush have coined their 2016 campaign slogans yet. So I am throwing my hat in the ring for whoever wants to hire me to coin sure fire slogans to win.
Here is my pitch for how Jeb Bush wins the Presidency for the Republican Party he simply promises he will do a better job and uses three different slogans: one for the left, one for the entire country, and one for the “Red States.” He might also keep working on his Teddy Roosevelt look.
The White Month Continues — How Cold Was it in White Plains, NY USA?
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Better than Ice Melt!
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When it’s snowing outside on a dreary February Saturday, nothing beats fresh baked, mint-embedded brownies fresh out of the oven.
HUDSON VALLEY PET FOOD PANTRY RECEIVES DONATION FROM ANTHONY’S COAL FIRED PIZZA
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Myosotee Perez, manager of Anthonyâs Coal Fired Pizza in White Plains presents a contribution check to Susan Katz, Founder/President of the Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry, and Kathy Ferri, Vice-President/Pantry Director.
WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From The Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry. February 21, 2015:
The Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry has received a donation from Anthonyâs Coal Fired Pizza in White Plains, NY, representing proceeds from a promotion recently conducted by the restaurant.
Twenty percent of dine-in and carry out sales on four recent Thursdays from people who mentioned the pet food pantry were set aside by the restaurant for the donation. The restaurant tracked more than $3,000 in sales which could be attributed to supporters of the pet food pantry, resulting in a contribution from the promotion of just over $600.
The mission of the Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry is to provide pet food assistance to economically challenged, disabled, and/or elderly residents of the Hudson Valley region. Veterans with service animals also are aided, as are those who have lost their jobs.
Presently, the pet food pantry serves 300 families, feeding approximately 760 animals each month. Since its inception in 2010, the pantry has helped keep 1,550 animals at home with their families, saving them from having to be surrendered to shelters or abandoned due to economic hardship. The Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry is an all-volunteer non-profit organization based in White Plains.
Eastchester Tax Preparer Indicted for Allegedly Failing to Pay Client’s Taxes
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Louis Ciampanelli
WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Office of the District Attorney. February 19, 2015:
Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore and New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Incoming Commissioner Kenneth Adams announced today that Louis Ciampanelli (DOB 02/17/55) of 1 Nelson Road, Eastchester, New York, was arraigned on an indictment charging him with:
- one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony,
- two counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, class “E” Felonies.
“While this defendant allegedly held himself out to be a tax preparer, stealing clients money rightfully destined for the IRS and the New York State Tax Department, he also, over a number of years, failed to file and pay his own taxes. When an individual doesn’t pay one’s taxes it impacts all of us, as the burden becomes greater on those of us who do,” said District Attorney Janet DiFiore.
“More than 70% of all New Yorkers use a paid professional to complete and file their income tax returns,” said incoming Commissioner Adams. “We will continue to work with law enforcement of all levels to uncover unscrupulous preparers and hold them accountable for their crimes.”
Between December 14, 2010 and February 13, 2012, the defendant provided personal and business accounting and tax preparation services to John Nardini Construction, Inc.
According to the owner and his wife, rather then pay the United States Internal Revenue Service or the New York State Tax Department directly, the defendant had instructed them to provide him with checks, made payable to either Louis Ciampanelli or LMC Tax Consultants.
Ciampanelli told the victims that he would then, in turn, make the payments on their behalf to the taxing agencies.
The defendant never paid the taxing authorities for either their personal taxes or the businesses taxes. The funds were converted for his own use.
The amount of the larceny is approximately $47,000.
The defendant was arrested by investigators from the District Attorneys Office.
Bail was continued at $5,000 cash/$15,000 bond.
The case was adjourned to May 20th, 2015.
The defendant faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.
Assistant District Attorney Robert Mayes of the Economic Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case.